America's Musical Heritage with Extended Stay in New Orleans

Welcome to Music City, USA! At 6:00 p.m., meet your travel companions for a welcome drink.

Studios, Stages & Stars Experience historic RCA Studio B, Nashville's legendary recording studio and a landmark of American music history. Here, generations of artists helped create the iconic "Nashville Sound," producing timeless recordings that continue to influence music today. Continue with a guided sightseeing tour of Nashville, including Centennial Park and its impressive full-scale replica of the Parthenon, along with Music Row and Honky Tonk Highway—the heart of Music City's vibrant past and present. Delve deeper into Nashville's rich musical heritage at the Country Music Hall of Fame, home to an extraordinary collection of artifacts, instruments, costumes, and exhibits celebrating the artists and songs that defined generations. This evening, take your reserved seat at the world-famous Grand Ole Opry, an iconic American institution where country music's legends and rising stars continue a tradition that has captivated audiences for nearly a century. (B) LOCAL FAVORITE RCA Studio B is one of the most important recording studios in American music history, where artists including Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton, Chet Atkins, and the Everly Brothers recorded defining works of their careers. Between 1957 and 1977, more than 35,000 recordings were made here, helping shape the sound of Nashville and beyond.

Singing the Blues This morning, take part in a meaningful hands-on experience with [LOCAL FAVORITE] Strings for Hope, a social enterprise that transforms repurposed musical instrument strings into handcrafted jewelry, supporting pathways to stability for survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and addiction. Continue south to Memphis, a city defined by its musical legacy and cultural depth. Visit Sun Studio, the birthplace of early rock ’n’ roll and a landmark where artists such as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis first recorded. Continue to the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, where the story of Memphis soul is told through original recordings, artifacts, and the artists who helped shape its sound. This evening, enjoy dinner at a local Memphis restaurant. (B,D) LOCAL FAVORITE Sustainability, social enterprise and survivor leadership come together with Strings for Hope. The organization breathes new life into repurposed musical instrument strings to create jewelry, supporting new lives for survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and addiction by providing jobs, skills training, and economic stability. TOUR HIGHLIGHT Explore Memphis, where blues, soul, and rock ’n’ roll converged to shape modern American music. Visit Sun Studio, the birthplace of iconic recordings by Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash, and the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, honoring the artists who defined a generation.

Goin’ to Graceland! Explore the landmarks of Memphis today with a Local Guide. Then continue to Graceland, the former home of Elvis Presley, for an in-depth visit to the estate of the “King of Rock ’n’ Roll.” The remainder of the day is at leisure. (B) TOUR HIGHLIGHT Step inside Graceland for a rare look at Elvis Presley’s private world, including his mansion, personal offices, and Meditation Garden. Explore exhibits featuring his iconic stage costumes, gold records, automobiles, and private aircraft, offering a comprehensive portrait of his life, career, and cultural legacy.

Sweet Home Alabama Depart Memphis and travel into northwest Alabama, following the Tennesee River into “The Shoals.” Discover the area’s rich cultural and music history on a guided tour of [LOCAL FAVORITE] FAME Recording Studios, an unassuming space that became one of the defining studios of the American South.Explore the Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area, where music, civil rights history, and Indigenous heritage intersect along the river landscape. Continue to the Wilson Lock and Dam for dramatic views of the Tennessee Valley Authority’s largest hydroelectric facility, a National Historic Landmark. Enjoy regional specialties while dining at a local restaurant tonight. (B,D) LOCAL FAVORITE FAME is the home of the world-famous “Muscle Shoals Sound.” Since the 1960s, many legends recorded landmark hits at FAME Recording Studio, including Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, Etta James, The Rolling Stones and more. Tour the legendary studio and hear the unique Muscle Shoals sound – a blend of country and soul mixed with rhythm and blues.

Slide Guitars & Steel Magnolias Travel south into the Mississippi Delta, a landscape widely regarded as the birthplace of the blues. Shaped by its agricultural history and river geography, this region gave rise to a distinctive musical tradition that continues to influence artists around the world. Visit the Delta Blues Museum, a curated collection of artifacts, photographs, and instruments that trace the evolution of the blues. Exhibits include the original sharecropper cabin of Muddy Waters, offering insight into the early life and environment that shaped his music. Continue to Greenwood, a Mississippi town known for well-preserved architecture and deep cultural history. Enjoy a guided tour highlighting the historic districts and filming locations of the Oscar-winning film and book, The Help. This evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant featuring regional Southern cuisine. (B,L) TOUR HIGHLIGHT Enjoy an overnight stay at The Alluvian Hotel in Greenwood, a recently restored property originally opened in 1917. Set along the Mississippi Blues Trail, the hotel offers a refined base for exploring the cultural and musical heritage of the Delta, combining historic character with contemporary comfort in the heart of town.

Louisiana Legacies Travel through the cultural heart of the Deep South, beginning in Jackson, Mississippi, a city shaped by its Civil Rights history and enduring musical traditions. Continue south into Louisiana, where the landscape shifts toward bayous, waterways, and the distinct rhythms of Cajun country as you arrive in Lafayette. Experience live Cajun and Creole music at Cypress Cove Landing along the banks of the Atchafalaya Basin, where (LF) local musicians share the traditions, stories, and sounds that define Louisiana French culture. (B) TOUR HIGHLIGHT Named for U.S. President Andrew Jackson and largely destroyed during the Civil War, Jackson recovered, rebuilt, and became the state capital. Jackson was a significant center during American Civil Rights Movement and is now home to the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum. Today, Jackson thrives as a cultural and economic center and hub for gospel and blues music. LOCAL FAVORITE Listen to rich Creole and Cajun music and storytelling by Yvette Landry and Soko Music. Learn the dances of Mardi Gras and Fais do-do on the banks of the Atchafalaya Basin while enjoying live music. Ready to join the band? Play Cajun percussion instruments like the T-Fre or try the accordion and take part in the rich Louisiana French musical traditions.

Southern History & Tradition Begin the day in St. Martinville, home to the Evangeline Oak, a landmark tied to Longfellow’s classic poem and Louisiana’s Acadian heritage. Continue into the Atchafalaya Basin, a vast wetland ecosystem larger than the Florida Everglades, where moss-draped cypress trees and winding waterways reveal a quieter, atmospheric side of Louisiana. Continue along the Great River Road to Houmas House Plantation and Gardens, one of the region’s most notable riverfront estates. Enjoy lunch on the grounds before touring the mansion, known for its period architecture, curated antiques, and expansive gardens. Journey on to New Orleans for a two-night stay, where music, culture, and river history converge in one of America’s most distinctive cities. (B, L) TOUR HIGHLIGHT CULTURE & TRADITION Located between Baton Rouge and New Orleans, the Houmas House Estate allows visitors to experience the history of life on a sugarcane plantation. The mansion has been restored to the antebellum era, reflecting the opulence and wealth this sugarcane farm boasted in the 1880’s. The guided tour walks through the 250-year history, highlighting the architectural evolution from manor house to grand estate. See rare artworks and artifacts that explore life on the plantation.

Spend Your Day Your Way in New Orleans Experience the centuries of French, Spanish, and Creole influence in New Orleans on a guided sightseeing tour including the French Quarter. Continue to one of the city’s distinctive above-ground cemeteries for insight into local burial traditions shaped by geography and history. Travel along St. Charles Avenue, lined with live oaks and stately homes, as you pass into the Garden District, known for its preserved mansions and timeless residential character. Explore more of New Orleans with your choice of included Globus Choice excursions. THE WAR THAT CHANGED THE WORLD Visit the immersive exhibits at the National World War II Museum. Explore the extensive collection, see wartime vehicles and learn about the battles that changed the world. Hear oral histories of courage, optimism and bravery to journey deeper inside the story of World War II. LAISSEZ LES BONS TEMPS ROULER! Let the good times roll in historic New Orleans during a craft cocktail walking tour. Visit the French Quarter's famous bars and restaurants and discover the best spirits of The Big Easy.

The Big Easy Wave goodbye to your Tour Director and Driver and continue your two-night stay in captivating New Orleans with a free day to explore. (B) ENHANCED FREE TIME Explore more in New Orleans with a powdered plate of beignets at Café du Monde, on a New Orleans streetcar, shopping for souvenirs, or learning to cook Cajun specialties at the New Orleans School of Cooking. Sample some of the country’s finest restaurants or visit Preservation Hall for live local jazz.

The Big Muddy Step aboard a steamboat for a memorable 2-hour lunch cruise along the Mississippi River, where great jazz, scenic views, and delicious food come together. Afterward, the remainder of the day is free for your own adventures. (B,L) TOUR HIGHLIGHT From its headwaters of Minnesota's Lake Itasca to its delta at Louisiana’s Gulf of Mexico, the mighty Mississippi River courses through 10 states and 2,350 miles (3782 km) to release more than 4 million gallons of water in the gulf each second. The widest spot is 11 miles across, and this legendary river is a vital source of hydroelectric energy and drinking water. The Mississippi’s rich history and folklore are as deep as the Big Muddy itself - from Old Man River’s paddlewheels as the setting of America’s first musical, Showboat, to the beloved tales of Mark Twain’s mischievous Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer, the Mississippi River is a force of nature, legend, and lore.

Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)