SAVE NOW: Cruise the Mississippi + Tour America's Music Cities

Your fare excludes:

Day 1 - Nashville

Join your tour group at the hotel.

Day 2 - Nashville

Today we enjoy an orientation tour of Nashville and visit Studio B - where Elvis, Roy Orbison, Jim Reeves, Dolly Parton and many other stars recorded their first or early records - a real trip down memory lane. We continue to the Country Music Hall of Fame, packed full with little-known information and memorabilia. We’ll also explore more of the city known as the ‘Athens of the South’, for its full-scale replica of the Greek Parthenon. The remainder of the day is free.

• Excursions & visits: Tour of Nashville (morning)
• Entrance to Studio B (morning)
• Entrance to the Country Music Hall of Fame (afternoon)

Day 3 - Nashville

Today is at leisure to explore. There are so many fabulous museums to discover including the Musicians Hall of Fame and the Johnny Cash Museum. This evening you may wish to take an optional excursion to the mecca of Country and Western Music, The Grand Ole Opry, America’s longest running scheduled show. This excursion is only bookable prior to departure (subject to availability).

Day 4 - Memphis

From Nashville we head to another music mecca, Memphis. We visit Elvis Presley’s Graceland, the mansion he purchased at the age of 22. A self-guided tour takes you through the estate, preserved in the decorated style in which he left it. There are many other fascinating displays including the Entertainer Career Museum, Automobile Museum and Elvis Discovery Exhibits.

• Excursions & visits: Entrance to Graceland (afternoon)

Day 5 - Memphis

A short orientation tour shows us more of the city, also the infamous location for the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr in 1968. The rest of the day is free.

• Excursions & visits: Tour of Memphis (morning)

Day 6 - Memphis - Mississippi Cruise

This morning you’re free to further explore the city of Memphis; perhaps visit the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum or take a tour of the Gibson guitar factory. This afternoon, we embark our ship, to begin our mighty Mississippi river cruise. We set sail this evening aboard the American Queen.

Day 7 - Mississippi (Greenville/Terrene Landing)

Enjoy the sights and sounds as we sail down ‘Ol’ Man River’. We’ll make a stop along the way at a port in the Mississippi Delta - Greenville or Terrene Landing.

Day 8 - Mississippi (Vicksburg)

We arrive in Vicksburg, Mississippi, a city that blends modern elements with the charm and elegance associated with the Old South. As you disembark here, join a narrated ‘Hop-On Hop-Off Steamcoach Tour’ of this city bursting with character. See the shopping district, The Church of the Holy Trinity, the Southern Cultural Heritage Center, Pemberton’s Headquarters and the Old Courthouse Museum - home to thousands of artefacts dating from pre-Columbian times to the Civil War. The last stop is Washington Street, for shopping or visiting the Biedenharn Coca-Cola Museum and the Lower Mississippi River Museum.

• Excursions & visits: ‘Hop-On Hop-Off’ coach in Vicksburg (all day)

Day 9 - Mississippi (Natchez)

Named for the Natchez tribe of Native Americans, this charming city is proud of its rich, vibrant history. The starting point for the Natchez Trace, it became home to many antebellum homes and today numerous restored mansions are the highlight of this part of the South. On a ‘Hop-On Hop-Off Steamcoach Tour’, visit some of these grand homes, including Stanton Hall, built in 1857 and considered the grandest of the Natchez mansions.

• Excursions & visits: ‘Hop-On Hop-Off’ coach in Natchez (all day)

Day 10 - Mississippi (St Francisville)

Today we stop in the quaint town of St Francisville, located on a narrow ridge overlooking the Mississippi River. Today’s ‘Hop-On Hop-Off Steamcoach Tour’ makes stops at Grandmother’s Buttons or the West Florida Republic Park. Perhaps visit the Old Market Hall, Commerce Street or the Spring Creek Shopping Center. The ports of call on days 10 and 11 in Baton Rouge and St Francisville may operate in reverse.

• Excursions & visits: ‘Hop-On Hop-Off’ coach in St Francisville (all day)

Day 11 - Mississippi (Baton Rouge)

We cross into Louisiana and its capital, Baton Rouge. Join another ‘Hop-On Hop-Off Steamcoach Tour’, including the USS KIDD and Veterans Memorial - the WWII Fletcher-class destroyer and the museum’s historic exhibits are a must for any military enthusiast. ‘Louisiana’s White House’ - The Old Governor’s Mansion is the next stop. The Main Street Market has many lunch options before continuing to Capitol Lake and the Louisiana State Capitol building. Take the lift up to the 27th floor for wonderful views over the city and the Mississippi. The last stop is Louisiana’s 160-year-old, Old State Capitol building. The ports of call on days 10 and 11 in Baton Rouge and St Francisville may operate in reverse.

• Excursions & visits: ‘Hop-On Hop-Off’ coach in Baton Rouge (all day)

Day 12 - Mississippi (Nottoway)

Imagine life on a cotton plantation as you explore the largest remaining antebellum mansion of the Deep South. Within a great white façade of massive columns and grand balconies, enormous 11ft doors lead you into rooms with exquisite plaster friezes and hand-carved marble fireplaces. The ballroom is the epitome of elegance in pure white.

• Excursions & visits: Visit Nottoway Plantation (all day)

Day 13 - New Orleans

This morning we arrive into the final port of call on our Mississippi river cruise, New Orleans, disembarking near historic Jackson Square. We’ll take a tour around the city, before checking in to our hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure to perhaps stroll around the French Quarter, the perfect place to dine al fresco and absorb the character and atmosphere of this multi-cultured city.

• Excursions & visits: Tour of New Orleans (morning)

Day 14 - New Orleans

Today is free in this lively bohemian city. Visit the Jackson Square Katrina Museums, or take a ride on the famous St Charles Streetcar. In the evening, venture to Bourbon Street to sample Creole and Cajun cuisine in one of the many restaurants or stop in a bar and listen to live jazz.

Day 15 - New Orleans

Say goodbye to your tour group for your onward travel.

Please note: Exact itineraries may vary slightly depending on departure date - your full itinerary will be shown on your confirmation invoice.

Note: The ports of call at Baton Rouge and St Francisville may operate in reverse.

Book by 31 July 2024 and save $1,250 per person*​

Pricing for 22 May 2024 from Nashville:

• F​rom $7,895 per person twin share*
• F​rom $13,412 for Solo Travellers*

A​dditional departure dates are available for this tour between April - October 2024, call our team today to find out more - 1300 414 198.

O​ur team can also assist with booking International flights and accommodation as part of your overall travel plans.

N​ote: that prices are subject to change without notice.

• Gaylord Opryland Resort, Nashville (4-star)
• DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Memphis Downtown (3-star)
• Sheraton New Orleans (4-star)
• A​merican Queen

Each tour has been given a rating from 1 to 3, with 3 being the most strenuous. It’s really important that you discuss with us your suitability for this tour prior to booking.

T​he above tour has been classified as:

• Level 2 - A moderately paced holiday with more long days. Excursions may require moderate walking at a steady pace, and you might be required to walk further distances, including over mixed terrain and up and down stairs.

Please note: This is a guide only. Please be aware that for each level you should also be comfortably able to manage the requirements set out in the lower levels. For cruising, this guide refers to the onboard experience and included excursions only.