When to go
April, June, and August – November
Price
From £4,999 pp (excluding flights)
Flight time
8hrs 56mins
Introduction
Known as the birthplace of blues music, this journey through the deep south – in particular, Mississippi, and the Delta region – will open your eyes to the world of blues and roots music. You will learn about the people, the culture, and the circumstances that brought this influential style of music to life. And you will do so while enjoying fine dining, spectacular landscapes, and a relaxed, down to earth vibe, which you can only really find in the deep south.
At a Glance
Duration
12 days & 11 nights
Guide price
Group: £4,999pp (excluding flights)
Cities/Destinations (in order)
Atlanta | Birmingham | New Orleans | Natchez | Clarksdale | Memphis | Nashville | Atlanta
Tour Type
Experienced local tour manager and guided sightseeing
Tour Theme
Group Tour
Activity Level
1 out of 7 - Leisurely
Age Range
16+
Star Rating of Tour
Superior
Accommodation
La Quinta Atlanta Airport North | Hampton Inn Birmingham Colonnade 280 | The Blake Hotel | Guest House Natchez | Hampton Inn Clarksdale | Crowne Plaza Memphis Downtown | The Capitol Hotel Downtown Nashville
Board Basis
Varied - please see the sample itinerary for details
Min|Max Group Size
Average 6 people with a maximum of 13
Start/Finish
Atlanta | Atlanta
Extensions
Highlights
Visit the Houmas House Plantation and Gardens
Established in the 1800s and located in Louisiana, the Houmas House Plantation and Gardens is an authentically restored building. It was built during the sugarcane boom production of the 1880s, and it retains its antebellum architecture style. There are also educational and informative artwork and artifacts, which detail the history of the house and the circumstances that led to its creation.
Go on a Mississippi Riverboat Dinner Cruise
Indulge in a delicious dinner and dance the night away on a romantic, elegant Mississippi riverboat dinner cruise. Enjoy spectacular views of the crystal clear waters and watch as the sun goes down on the river. All to a relaxed, laidback vibe that is simply enchanting.
Spend Two Nights in Memphis; Visit the Elvis Graceland Mansion and Beale Street
During your trip to Memphis, you will have the chance to learn about Elvis, including details about his personal and home life, and the place in which he called home. Still retaining much of its 70s era charm, the Elvis Graceland mansion will take you back in time, to an era where Elvis went through the highs and lows of his iconic career.
Moreover, you will get to visit Beale Street; an iconic destination, containing a vibrant and colorful nightlife, one that will keep you coming back for more, night after night.
Spend Three Nights in New Orleans; Explore the Music Scene on Bourbon Street
A trip to New Orleans would not be complete without a visit to Bourbon Street. Famous for its street parties, incredible music scene, and spectacular events that bring the city to life, you will be amazed by the sights and sounds of this part of the neighborhood.
Experience Cajun Cuisine and Culture
Cajun cuisine is a staple of the Mississippi region, and a visit to the deep south demands that you try this incredible food. Enhanced with delicious spices and ingredients, including onions, bell peppers, and celery, you’ll get to try all kinds of Cajun-inspired dishes; from jambalaya to gumbo to pecan pie, just to name a few.
Recommended Hotels
La Quinta Atlanta Airport North | Hampton Inn Birmingham Colonnade 280 | The Blake Hotel | Guest House Natchez | Hampton Inn Clarksdale | Crowne Plaza Memphis Downtown | The Capitol Hotel Downtown Nashville
Sample Itinerary
Tracing the Roots of the Deep South
The Deep South is well known as the birthplace of the blues, and is a bedrock for other influential styles of music, including jazz, rock and roll, and country music.
In this sample itinerary, you will trace the origins of these American styles of music, making your way from Atlanta to New Orleans to Memphis to Nashville, soaking up the sights and sounds of these incredible cities, and enjoying authentic Cajun cuisine for a memorable tasting experience.
Day 1: Atlanta
Start your journey in Atlanta, Georgia. Enjoy a free day of leisure, and then meet up at your hotel at around 18:00 hrs for a welcome meeting.
Stay overnight at La Quinta Atlanta Airport North or similar.
(N)
Day 2: Atlanta | Birmingham
Learn about the civil rights movement by visiting the Martin Luther King JR National Historical Park. You will learn about Martin Luther King’s life, his activism, and his enduring legacy. You will also have time to explore other parts of Atlanta, including the Ebenezer Baptist Church and Martin Luther King JRs tomb.
From there, head to Alabama and reach the capital city of the state, Birmingham. Visit the Civil Rights Institute for further education about the civil rights movement.
Stay overnight at the Hampton Inn Birmingham Colonnade 280 or similar.
(B)
Days 3 – 5: New Orleans
Make your way to New Orleans, also known as ‘The Big Easy,’ for a 3-day extravaganza of sightseeing, visits to historic landmarks, embracing the vibrant and colorful nightlife, and enjoying authentic deep south cuisine in iconic bars and restaurants.
With so much to see and do in this charming city, it is no wonder that you will need 3 days to do it all. You’ll watch live music, roam the iconic Bourbon Street, and even get the chance to step away from the city and explore the nearby rivers and swamps of Louisiana.
Spend 3 nights at The Blake Hotel or similar.
(B)
Day 6: Houmas House Plantation and Gardens
On this day you will visit the Houmas House Plantation and Gardens estate. This property was established in the 1800s during the slave trade and booming sugar cane economy. This makes it an important historic landmark, and you will find a wealth of educational, informative, and insightful artwork and artefacts, which paint a detailed picture of the circumstances that led to the creation and maintenance of the estate.
Your next stop will then be Natchez, Mississippi, a city that was once at the heart of the slave trade and is also the home of the Mississippi riverboat. The city features up to 50 antebellum-era homes and churches.
Stay overnight at the Guest House Natchez or similar.
(B)
Day 7: Clarksdale
Your next stop will be Clarksdale and the Hopson Plantation. You will learn about the blues pianist, Pinetop Perkins, and the enduring legacy of the famous blues musician, Robert Johnson. There is also the Delta Blues Museum, which contains various artefacts and memorabilia that shine a light on the events, milestones, and achievements that led to the rise and popularity of blues music.
Stay overnight at the Hampton Inn Clarksdale or similar.
(B)
Days 8 – 9: Memphis
Leave Clarksdale and head to Memphis, Tennessee. This iconic city is a melting pot of culture and history, with famous singers and performers that come from here include the likes of Louis Armstrong, B.B King, and Muddy Waters. During your 2-day stay here, you will visit the Elvis Graceland mansion, where the singer lived and raised his family in the 1970s.
You’ll also get to visit Sun Studio, the famous blues and country music studio, where artists such as Johnny Cash and Howlin’ Wolf recorded some of their most celebrated music. There is also the National Civil Rights Museum,including the site where Martin Luther King tragically lost his life to an assassination.
Stay for 2 nights at the Crowne Plaza Memphis Downtown or similar.
(B)
Days 10 – 11: Nashville
Make your way to Nashville for a memorable 2-day stay at this incredible city. Home to such iconic country artists including Dolly Parton, Chet Atkins, and Kitty Wells, the city has a proud and strong tradition of keeping the spirit of country music alive, as is evident by the wealth of live music venues, recording studios, and record shops.
Outside of learning about the country music roots of Nashville, you will also explore the various ports and rivers that surround the city, including the Cumberland River. So there is plenty of sightseeing to admire during your time here.
Spend 2 nights at The Capitol hotel Downtown Nashville or similar.
(B)
Day 12: Atlanta
End your journey of the deep south by returning to where you started in Atlanta. Enjoy free leisure for the day by taking a tour of the Jack Daniel’s Whiskey Distillery and visiting the Glady’s Knight’s iconic Chicken and Waffle House. The tour officially ends at around 17:00 hrs with a final farewell gathering.
(B)
