Music of America with Tauck

DAY 1 – NASHVILLE

Arrive prior to 5pm. A transfer is included from Nashville International Airport to the Four Seasons Nashville, located just two blocks from Broadway, Nashville’s lively downtown area. For those arriving early, you can walk past the Honky Tonk Highway on Lower Broadway, pop in for a tasting of Nashville’s famous hot chicken or visit the Mother Church of Country Music at Ryman Auditorium.

Accommodation: Four Seasons Nashville

Meals Included: Breakfast

DAY 2 – NASHVILLE

Welcome to Nashville, Tennessee’s capital city and the first stop on your 9-day journey across the American South. Built on a foundation of music, there’s a good reason why Nashville is nicknamed “Music City,” as music is the very lifeblood of the city. Home to legendary Ryman Auditorium, the United Record Pressing – the largest producing vinyl record plant in North America and Bluebird Café, Nashville’s influence and contributions to various genres, such as jazz, country and gospel and music as a whole, is unlike anywhere else. That will become very apparent this morning on an early-morning VIP private guided tour of the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum.

Following lunch at the museum, you’re off for a guided sightseeing tour across Nashville by motor coach, where over 200 years of music history is on full display.

Accommodation: Four Seasons Hotel Nashville

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 3 – MEMPHIS

Dating back to the early years of the 19th-century, Belle Meade (which translates to ‘beautiful meadow’) was originally a log cabin built on 250 acres of land. Over time the property grew, eventually becoming the two-story brick mansion you’ll see today. Enjoy a Tauck-Exclusive tour of the mansion, including its illustrious gardens, as well as a tasting of its home distilled bourbon followed by a traditional southern lunch.

Next, stop at Casey Jones Village & Railroad Museum for a self-guided tour. If you wish, you can also explore the farm, church, old country store, shops and a collection of over 15,000 southern country artifacts.

Accommodation: The Peabody Memphis

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4 – MEMPHIS

Start the day on a guided motor coach tour led by a local musician where you’ll learn all about Memphis’ history. Visit Sun Studio, the birthplace of rock & roll where many musical legends were discovered including B.B. King, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis. Stand where Elvis Presley first recorded, and step up to the mic where he sang some of his biggest hits.

You’ll have some free time this afternoon to explore Memphis as you wish before joining us tonight for a Tauck-Exclusive, after-hours guided tour of Graceland – Elvis’ former estate turned National Historic Landmark.

Accommodation: The Peabody Memphis

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 5 – JACKSON

A short drive this morning brings you to your next stop, Clarksdale, home of many storied musicians. Start with a self-guided visit to the Delta Blues Museum, chronicling the story of blues across its many exhibits.

Continue along Highway 61 en route to lunch at the historic Club Ebony in Indianola, one of the most famous Blues venues in Mississippi, where legendary musicians such as Ray Charles, B. B. King and Willie Clayton made their mark. Next, continue your foray into the history of Blues with a stop at the B.B. King Museum.

Accommodation: The Westin Jackson

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 6 – NEW ORLEANS

Depart early this morning en route to New Orleans, driving along Louisiana’s “River Road ” where you’ll stop at iconic landmarks along the way.

Later this afternoon, depart for the final leg of your southern music adventure – New Orleans.

Accommodation: The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 7 – NEW ORLEANS

Renowned for its Creole cuisine, cross-cultural heritage and distinct musical styles, New Orleans is a one-of-a-kind destination filled with things to do, people to see, food to eat and history to take in. Your explorations today begin with a city sightseeing tour via motor coach through the neighbourhoods and landmarks. Your local guide will provide commentary on the city, including its history and recovery efforts following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.

Following your sightseeing, head over to the New Orleans School of Cooking for a cooking demonstration and lunch. A private jazz performance by local artists at historic Preservation Hall precedes time to enjoy the magic of this historic city as you wish.

Accommodation: The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 8 – NEW ORLEANS

The final day of your journey begins with a guided visit and time on your own at the National World War II Museum. Tonight, join us at Galatoire’s, a New Orleans fine-dining institution, for a farewell reception followed by dinner, listening as the sounds heard throughout your journey are on full display.

Accommodation: The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 9 – JOURNEY HOME

A transfer is included from your hotel to New Orleans International Airport. Please allow at least 3 hours for check-in.

Meals Included: Breakfast

• Tauck Exclusive: Guided, after-hours tour of Graceland, Elvis’ former estate and dinner at the Presley Motors Automobile Museum, dining solely in the company of Elvis’ extensive car collection including his famous Pink Cadillac, 1973 Blackhawk, 1975 Dino Ferrari and many more.
• Tauck Exclusive – Bourbon tasting at Belle Meade
• Private early admission guided tour of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
• Guided mansion tour and bourbon tasting at Belle Meade
• Lunch at the historic Club Ebony in Mississippi
• Private jazz performance at Preservation Hall
• Guided tour of Houmas House
• Cajun/Creole cooking demonstration at the New Orleans School of Cooking
• Visit to Sun Studio in Memphis – nicknamed the birthplace of rock n’ roll
• Visit to the National World War II Museum in New Orleans