Day 1, 2 & 3 -- Arrive New Orleans, LA
Welcome to New Orleans, the “Big Easy,” and a tour showcasing  the tastes and sounds of the deep south, Check into  your downtown hotel, and pick up your travel documents before  setting out to explore the city. Take a City Tour and absorb the sights and sounds of the French Quarter and Jackson Square. See the landmarks and splendid architecture that made New Orleans famous. Follow the path of the St. Charles Avenue streetcar, past stately mansions, and the world-famous Garden District. 3 Nights New Orleans at the Hotel Monteleone. The Monteleone is one of the last, great family-owned hotels in America, having been operated by four generations of the Monteleone family over the past century. When it was founded in 1886, Royal Street, it was the most fashionable and elegant street in the city. The legendary  Carousel Bar still revolves every fifteen minutes and the elegant Queen Anne Ballroom still hosts fashionable parties and memorable events.

Day 4 -- To Mobile, AL (144 mi/240 km)
Mobile, Alabama, located on the shores of the magnificent Gulf Coast, welcomes you today. Explore legendary Bellingrath Gardens and Home and the USS ALABAMA Battleship, winner of nine World War II battle stars. Mobile Bay is also the birthplace of the nation’s Mardi Gras. 1 night Mobile at the Radisson Admiral Semmes Hotel, a Mobile landmark since its opening in 1940. The exterior, typical of the restrained architectural styles commonly found at the end of the Depression, is contrasted with surprising interior flourishes such as the lobby’s expansive marble flooring and curved staircase. The oval-shaped balcony area is enhanced by a large central chandelier, mirrored walls and the original Art Deco doors on the elevators.

Day 5 -- To Birmingham, AL (258 mi/426 km)
Depart New Orleans, traveling to Birmingham, AL, to visit the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame. See the Vulcan Statue on Red Mountain, before arriving at your hotel. 1 night Birmingham, AL at the Tutwiler Hotel, a bastion of hospitality that was built in 1914 and named for a prominent local businessman. For the next sixty years, the hotel was the center of Birmingham’s social scene, hosting a press conference by Charles Lindbergh and movie star Tallulah Bankhead’s post-wedding party. In 1974, the building was one of the first major structures in the country to go down by “implosion.” Thanks to Tutwiler’s great grandson, the spirit of hospitality was reborn in the nearby Ridgely Apartment building, a contemporary of the original hotel. This 1913 structure was fully renovated and opened as a sumptuous hotel in 1986.

Day 6 & 7 -- To Nashville, TN (192 mi/320 km)  
Head to Nashville, home of country music. Visit the Country Music Hall of Fame. Old film clips and mementos of the stars showcase the glamour and behind-the-scenes workings of the music industry. Visit Ryman Auditorium, home of the Grand Ole Opry from 1943-1974. 2 nights Nashville at the Union Station. This classic downtown Nashville Tennessee hotel is a shining gateway to the past, perfectly blending modern convenience with warm, historic elegance. Marvel at the Romanesque architecture featuring the original 65-foot barrel-vaulted Tiffany-style stained glass ceiling, gold-leaf medallions, and rare bas-relief sculptures.

Day 8 & 9 -- To Memphis, TN (212 mi/352 km)
This morning, travel to Memphis, “Home of the Blues.” Arrive for a tour of Graceland, the home of legendary Elvis Presley. Check into your Memphis hotel before an evening on world-famous Beal Street, and try dinner at B.B. King’s saloon. 2 nights Memphis at the Peabody. In  the heart of “The Music City” you’ll find The Peabody Memphis, an exclusive AAA Four Diamond downtown Memphis hotel. This historic icon of the city, home of the world-famous Peabody Ducks, opened its doors in 1925 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. “Legendary,” “charming” and “grand” are adjectives that infallibly describe this luxury Memphis  hotel. Whether visiting for business or leisure, our outstanding service and amenities are bound to exceed your expectations, highlighted by a remarkable setting.

Day 10 & 11 -- To Natchez, MS (325 mi/536 km)
Explore lovely Natchez, with more antebellum houses than any other place in the United States. Stop at the Visitor’s Center to learn about the 50 Antebellum (pre 1861) homes and historic churches on a 10 mile odyssey through the historic streets of the oldest permanent settlement on the mighty Mississippi River. 2 nights Natchez at Monmouth Plantation, which combines the elegance of the antebellum era with timeless hospitality, built in 1818 by John Hankinson, a Yankee from Monmouth County, New Jersey. During Natchez’s heyday, leading up to the Civil War, it was home to General John A. Quitman and his family. A distinguished war hero and later governor of Mississippi and a United States Senator, Quitman envisioned a place of permanence and peace in the midst of a changing world. Today, this gracious mansion enjoys a picturesque setting amid giant magnolia trees and moss- draped oaks and transports guests to a gentler, less hurried time.

Day 12 -- To New Orleans, LA (170 mi/283 km)
Alas, today, it’s time to head back to New Orleans to catch your homeward flight. Depart, taking with you memories of a spicy, saucy, song-filled tour in the Deep South.

Rates
Rates are per person including tax (room taxes) in US Dollars.