Rhythms of the South

Fly to New Orleans. On arrival make your way independently to your hotel and later, meet your Tour Director, who can help you plan your stay in this bustling city. The next day is yours to immerse yourself in the charm and excitement of one of America's most unique cities and for you to take in the French flavour and grandeur of New Orleans. Perhaps start the day with a visit to a working plantation (at extra expense) or, simply explore the French Quarter with its trademark wrought iron balconies overlooking the narrow cobblestone streets.

Travel to the capital of Louisiana, Baton Rouge for a brief city tour. From there, drive on via the historic Natchez Trace Parkway to Natchez, a 444-mile route through exceptional scenery and years of Native American and European history. Natchez is the oldest European settlement on the Mississippi River and before the Civil War, wealthy plantation owners from Louisiana built magnificent Antebellum homes here as the area was considered safer from flooding.

Leave Natchez and drive on to Memphis, home of 'Sun Records'. As a large river port, it was one of the most important links in the cotton trade before the Civil War. Memphis is also known as the "home of the blues" and a brief city tour will take you to the city's liveliest street, Beale Street, where the blues and other types of music are played nightly in almost a dozen clubs. Travel along historic Front Street, known as Cotton Row in the days when cotton traders and merchants conducted business here.

Continue on to Nashville, known as the capital of country music. The city earned its title with the very first airing of the WSM Barn Dance radio programme, the forerunner of the Grand Ole Opry. The recently renovated Ryman Auditorium in downtown Nashville, once home of the Grand Ole Opry, the studios near Music Row, and Opryland itself attest to Nashville’s reputation as the most important city in country music. Visit the thriving cultural state capital of Tennessee with a morning city tour.

Leaving Music City, head to Chattanooga, home to the famous Choo Choo, which has received national recognition for the renaissance of its beautiful downtown and the redevelopment of its riverfront. In the afternoon, travel on to Atlanta where you may want to check out the World of Coca Cola, The CNN Centre or the thought provoking National Centre for Civil and Human Rights (all at extra expense).

On your final morning, explore at leisure. Your Tour Director can assist you in arranging individual transfers to Atlanta International Airport or with sightseeing recommendations for the day should you wish to take in more of this great city. The tour concludes with your onward journey.