Tastes and Sounds of the South
Experience Overview
Join us for a little jazz, home cookin' from local Southerners, country music and a whole lot of Rock 'n' Roll on this inspiring American South tour showcasing the rich culture of Memphis, Nashville, Natchez and New Orleans, plus a trip to Elvis’ iconic Graceland.
Highlights
Dining Summary
- 4 Dinner (D)
- 9 Breakfast (B)
Be My Guest
- Natchez: Enjoy a private piano performance by classically trained pianist, Joseph Stone before joining your dinner host, Marsha Colson, as she opens the doors of her beautiful historic home to share her stories with you over dinner and backyard cocktails.
Dive into Culture
- Nashville: You'll gain insights into the life and music of Johnny Cash during a private performance of original Johnny Cash songs with one of Johnny's family members. This is a unique opportunity to not only hear a family member play his music but to also have a private experience with them one on one to ask questions and connect.
- Natchez: Discover how they preserve their Mississippi Delta cotton plantation heritage with costumed guides at the Frogmore Plantation.
Iconic Experience
- See a live Performance at the Grand Ole Opry
- Nashville: The famous Nashville Sound comes alive this morning as RCA's Studio B reveals the legends of Elvis Presley, Jim Reeves and Roy Orbison. 'Dive into Culture' and gain insights into the life and music of Johnny Cash during a private performance of original Cash tunes with one of Johnny's family members.
- Nashville: See a live musical performance at the Grand Ole Opry - the show that made country music famous. The Grand Ole Opry is dedicated to honoring country music’s rich history and dynamic present, showcasing a mix of country legends and the current chart-toppers who have followed in their footsteps.
- Nashville: Visit the Johnny Cash Museum which features the world's largest collection of Johnny Cash artifacts and memorabilia in the world. Walk through the life of the 'Man in Black' through interactive exhibits, films, and displays.
- Memphis: Memphis is the home of blues, soul, and rock n' roll music. Enjoy a Music city tour including Beale Street, a National Historic Landmark and one of the most iconic streets in U.S. filled with restaurants, live music venues and shops - right in the heart of downtown Memphis.
- Memphis: The museum is built around the former Lorraine Motel, which was the site of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the most visible spokesman and leader in the American civil rights movement. The museum is devoted to the thousands of people who were a part of the entire American Civil Rights Movement. It is one of the nation's premier heritage and cultural museums.
- Memphis: Explore the lavish mansion and private retreat of Elvis Presley and get an intimate look into his Rock N' Roll life.
- Memphis: Take in the historic Sun Studios on a guided tour led by a local musician. Opened in 1950 this storied studio is where Elvis got his start, along with many other all-time greats.
- Memphis: Take a trip to the Memphis' Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum and explore the birth of rock and soul music. The museum tells the story of musical pioneers who, for the love of music, overcame racial and socio-economic barriers to create the music that shook the entire world.
- New Orleans: Get to know the city with a Local Expert - from the Garden District to the French Quarter, Uptown to Treme, you'll get to know and better understand what makes this vibrant city tick.
- New Orleans: Taste the melting pot of cultures of New Orleans in this hands on cooking experience. Learn to make iconic southern dishes such as gumbo, red beans, dirty rice, etoufee and a creole bread pudding. Don't worry you'll also get to dine on these dishes and more, leaving with a full stomach and the knowledge to make these authentic dishes at home for friends and family.
Must-see Highlights
- Explore RCA Studio B in Nashville, Sun Studios and a tour led by a local musician in Memphis, Frogmore Plantation in Natchez, discover how to make iconic dishes at the New Orleans School of Cooking
- Discover Nashville
- Visit Country Music Hall of Fame for a private performance of original Johnny Cash tunes with one of Johnny’s family members, Grand Ole Opry and the Johnny Cash Museum in Nashville, Graceland and the Rock 'n' Soul Museum in Memphis
Trafalgar Difference
- Nashville: The Gaylord Opryland Resort is an icon of cultural heritage and entertainment. Within the expansive property, you can explore nine acres of lush, indoor garden atriums and join in activities and performances. You’ll learn that the resort has witnessed iconic performances, including those by country legend Johnny Cash, and stands as the proud home to the world-renowned Grand Ole Opry right here in Music City.
Trip Details
Product Code: 19229
Tour Type: Group Tour
Accommodation: Luxury
Transport: Private
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Family, 55+, Luxury
Tour Operator:
Trafalgar (CA)
Supplier Code: 171.472A
Starts: Nashville (TN), United States Of America
Finishes: New Orleans, United States Of America
Duration: 10 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Easy
Includes
Whats Included
- An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
- Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
- All porterage and restaurant gratuities
- All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
- Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
- Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
- Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
- All transport and transfers shown
- Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
- Optional Experiences and free time
- On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $5,505 ($550 /day)
Itinerary
The beating heart of America's Music City will chart your pace as you prepare to embark on a leisurely pilgrimage to discover the tastes and sounds of the South. This evening, join your Travel Director and fellow travelers for a dinner.
Accommodation: Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center
Meals: Dinner
The famous Nashville Sound comes alive this morning as RCA Studio B reveals the legends of Elvis Presley, Jim Reeves and Roy Orbison. Dive Into Culture and gain insights into the life and music of Johnny Cash during a private performance of original Cash tunes with one of Johnny's family members. Your acoustic journey continues with a visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum to see Elvis' Solid Gold Cadillac limousine and Jim Reeves' tuxedo jacket. This evening, enjoy a live show at the iconic Grand Ole Opry.
Accommodation: Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center
Meals: Breakfast
Continue your discovery of Nashville by exploring the Johnny Cash Museum. With the remainder of the day at your leisure choose to visit the Ryman Auditorium, where Johnny & June first met, or a hop-on-hop-off trolley. Or perhaps you'll enjoy the opportunity to amble through Broadway's honky-tonk scene or enjoy the gut-busting flavors of homemade chicken or biscuits.
Accommodation: Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center
Meals: Breakfast
Head to Memphis' famous Beale Street, the birthplace of Blues, Soul, and Rock 'n' Roll,for a tour where you'll meet a musician and Local Specialist to learn about the musical heritage of Memphis. Continue your Memphis sightseeing with a visit to the Lorraine Motel where civil rights activist Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was tragically assassinated and one of the most significant locations of the civil rights movement. Then explore one of the most significant sites in town and one of the premier heritage and cultural museums, the National Civil Rights Museum. “Walk through history” in interactive exhibits that show how the heroes and lessons from the civil rights movement continue to impact equality all over the world. Enjoy a dinner of Southern cuisine this evening, capping off your tour of Memphis, past and present.
Accommodation: Hilton Garden Inn Memphis Downtown
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Worship at the altar of the King, Elvis Presley, and head to Graceland, paying tribute to the man who changed the face of American popular music and culture. Then, pay a visit to Sun Studios, which sought to immortalize the raw energy of Beale Street, recording the first Rock 'n' Roll single in 1951. This evening is free.
Accommodation: Hilton Garden Inn Memphis Downtown
Meals: Breakfast
Kick off the day’s sightseeing with a musical morning at the Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum exploring the blues, country, and gospel of the rural South before leaving for Natchez, Mississippi. You’ll arrive in Natchez on the banks of the Mississippi, surrounded by the antebellum homes. The best way to experience Natchez is with a taste of Southern hospitality and you’ll experience all this and more at tonight’s memorable Be My Guest experience at one of the region’s beautiful historic, private homes for a meal. Connect With Locals as hosts who have lived in the area for generations open their doors and share their stories as you enjoy dinner and backyard cocktails like Planter’s Punch paired with elevated Southern fare.
Accommodation: Magnolia Bluffs Casino Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Today your travels take you deeper into an important part of Southern history. On this morning’s visit to a working cotton plantation, Frogmore Plantation and Gins, learn about Natchez planters and slavery in the South. Tour the property boasting 19 restored antebellum structures and equipment dating from the early 1800's including a Smithsonian quality steam gin listed on the National Register. You’ll learn how cotton was made and most importantly gain a better understanding of slavery in the South. Your tour brings you back into the present with a stop at its currently operating 900 bales-per-day cotton gin.
Accommodation: Sheraton New Orleans
Meals: Breakfast
Let the good times roll in New Orleans today, tracing the cosmopolitan history of one of America's oldest cities with a Local Specialist, stopping at City Park and one of the ornate above-ground cemeteries. Spend the afternoon soaking up the laid-back vibes of The Big Easy. The afternoon is yours to explore on your own.
Accommodation: Sheraton New Orleans
Meals: Breakfast
Today is yours to explore the French, Spanish and Creole sights and sounds of New Orleans. Why not join an optional experience at the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park exploring the scenic swamp and bayou, or take a stroll down Magazine Street for plenty of regional food and shopping. This evening, join your Travel Director and new friends for a memorable dinner including a private cooking demonstration hosted by a local chef showcasing Creole flavors at the New Orleans School of Cooking.
Accommodation: Sheraton New Orleans
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
For now, it's ‘Au Revoir' New Orleans, but not ‘Adieu'. Make your own way to New Orleans International Airport or extend your stay in New Orleans.
Meals: Breakfast
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Tour Operator
Trafalgar (CA)
Family owned and run since 1920, The Travel Corporation (TTC) is the world leader in immersive travel experiences across an extensive range of travel categories. Each year TTC's 40 award winning hospitality and travel brands connect over 1 million happy travellers to the world. We give you access to the 12 DMC’s behind these brands, so you can build your business by capitalizing on the extensive experience, local expertise, and financial assurance of TTC. LOCAL EXPERTISE The world leaders in travel for over 100 years, we offer unparalleled local expertise with a global footprint. Our 12 DMCs, led by experienced in-destination teams, deliver experience rich travel solutions in more than 80 countries. Additionally, our market based teams are on hand to support across our 40 offices worldwide
In Business Since 1931
Reviews
Trusted Customer - Traveled, April 2024
Excellent! Great trip, our guide *Personal information removed by Feefo* was excellent. The pace was fairly slow allowing plenty of time to listen to some music or check out the local scene. Add the info as we drove along and it all worked well.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/05/2024
Trusted Customer - Traveled, April 2024
A trip you must do before you die.. It was absolutely perfect, great guide (*Personal information removed by Feefo*) and bus driver (I forget her name, sorry). A particularly hilarious guide was the local guide (I forget his name) who came on the bus in New Orleans and showed us around the city - he should try stand-up comedy!!! We tried the local Cajun food, though I didn't particularly care for it! (sorry), but the music in the Grand Ole Opry and in New Orleans was sensational. A brilliant trip, one of our best ever - Nashville (home of country music), Memphis (Elvis & Graceland), one of the greatest singers ever, Natchez (grim history of slavery) and to cap it all New Orleans (Creole and Cajun food and great music. And of course, we were delighted to "meet" Johnny Cash (ahem!). The memories will live on. Thank you Trafalgar.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/08/2024
Stacie Sauzer - Traveled, June 2024
Music, southern cooking, and culture. Starting with the booking process to joining the tour in Nashville was a smooth process. I always had a person available to contact with concerns or questions. Our tour director introduced herself before we met and gave an overview of how and where we would meet. Everything was organized and clearly explained in detail. I feel that we experienced everything that was detailed in the tour description. Our bus driver was a very professional, experienced driver. She was helpful even just getting us on and off the bus. All of which was appreciated. This tour was absolutely fantastic for a country music enthusiast and the history behind it. Our trip included many sights, museums, cultural experiences, music, and also the history of the south. Our tour was guided by *Personal information removed by Feefo* who has the best personality, humor, and commitment for providing the best experience for each individual on the tour. *Personal information removed by Feefo* and our bus driver *Personal information removed by Feefo* always put our comfort and safety as a top priority. They work so well as a team and add a dash of humor. Overall this has been one of my top favorite tours.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/25/2024
John Caulfield - Traveled, April 2025
Taste and sounds of the south so memorable. Trafalgar outstanding. We had the best ever tour director *Personal information removed by Feefo*. Informative caring and so approachable. My husband has some balance issues and he even went as far as to order up a cab for us complimentary. The added touches of a taste of moonshine to champagne and strawberries along the Mississippi made this a trip of a life time.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/04/2025
Maria Casha - Traveled, April 2025
What a tour! Looked after us wonderfully! *Personal information removed by Feefo* was a wealth of information and even took us to a few places on his own time to ensure we had a great experience! Absolutely fantastic itinerary- loved every minute! *Personal information removed by Feefo* took care of everything and our driver, *Personal information removed by Feefo* was one of the best drivers we have ever had! Loves the Be my guest experience! Also the fact that we were dropped Off and picked up in places, so we could explore the areas without worrying how to get to our accommodation.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/04/2025
Fiona Allix - Traveled, April 2024
Excellent tour of the South. Very well organized trip with lots to see and do. Excellent communication throughout the whole trip. This was our first trip with Trafalgar and we were not disappointed. The pace and content of the itinerary was perfect. There was a good mix of planned activities and free time. Everything we wanted to do and see was included and much more. Our tour director *Personal information removed by Feefo* was very knowledgeable, friendly and did everything he could to make the tour enjoyable for everyone. Couldn’t recommend this trip enough.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/07/2024
Ian Mckay - Traveled, April 2024
Thoroughly enjoyable. Trafalgar went the extra mile. My only criticism was wild have been good to be able to exit at front and back of the coach as it could take a while to get off. Professional good timings, excellent tour guide. My friend was taken ill after 1st week but it didn't spoil my holiday and *Personal information removed by Feefo* was very helpful.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/09/2024
Robert Sandewicz - Traveled, March 2025
Best Vacation Ever! TD *Personal information removed by Feefo* and Bus Operator *Personal information removed by Feefo* really went the extra mile every minute of each day, making sure we were safe, comfortable, well informed and happy. They were a great team and they really took care of us! Perfect tour for lovers of music and Southern cuisine: Nashville, Memphis, Natchez and NOLA. You'll learn something everyday and you'll enjoy yourself tremendously while learning.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/09/2025
Gary Sewell - Traveled, March 2025
Fantastic “Sights and Sounds". Excellent service with a first class and personable tour director. All scheduled activities, events etc. as per plan. Varied, enjoyable, fun and educational itinerary. Loads of “sights and sounds” to enjoy within this area of the USA .
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/08/2025
- Traveled, March 2025
Awesome! Very friendly and helpful. It was an awesome trip I got to go to places that I never thought I’d ever go, everyone was so nice and friendly and welcoming I’d do it again if I had the opportunity and chance.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/09/2025
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