Welcome to Atlanta and the Southern state of Georgia for the start of your Deep South USA tour. The day is free for you to explore before an evening welcome meeting at 18:00 hrs in your hotel. A self-guided walking tour of downtown Atlanta is highly recommended and if you fancy a bite of Southern cuisine, stop by Empire State South.

Head west into Alabama and to the state’s largest city – Birmingham. This city was the primary site of the Civil Rights Movement and where Dr Martin Luther King Jr. began his campaign of civil disobedience. Make a visit to the Civil Rights Institute for an excellent introduction to the region’s volatile history as you start your journey through the South.

Welcome to the cultural melting pot of the Deep South, New Orleans. Otherwise known as the `Big Easy’, the eclectic mix of European, Creole, and Cajun culture manifests in every aspect of the architecture, cuisine, and musical scene. Take in the sights and sounds of Bourbon Street, relax in the Garden District and absorb the ambiance of the French Quarter, known also as ‘The Quarter’. Founded by French traders in 1718, there are many layers of history in this city, and all its many attractions combined make it one of the most visited cities in the USA.

Mississippi Riverboat Dinner Cruise

Step back in time to when life was gracefully slow and enjoy an included Mississippi riverboat dinner cruise, dining on a delicious local cuisine buffet that is directly influenced by the myriad of cultures that together make up Louisiana. Your evenings in New Orleans will be easily spent as there is much to do, not least of all continuing your indulgence and appreciation of American music by enjoying some of the many live performances that take place nightly in this vibrant city. This includes the famous Preservation Hall where top-drawer jazz musicians play every evening to a small audience in an intimate space – but be prepared to queue! There will also be the chance to step out of the city and explore the wild river swamplands of Louisiana, where you can head out by boat beneath the cypress trees in search of wildlife.

Gardens, Ponds, and a Majestic Live Oak Alley

This morning you enjoy an included visit to Houmas House Plantation and Gardens. This antebellum estate was completed in 1828 and with 38 lush acres of gardens, ponds, and a majestic live oak alley, Houma makes for a wonderful stop.

Next, you follow the river road north to the very first established settlement on the Mississippi River. The original capital of the Mississippi Territory, Natchez, was at the heart of the slave trade and is the birthplace of the Mississippi riverboat.

Evolution of the Cotton Industry

Next, it’s onto Clarksdale and the Hopson Plantation, which is the former home of legendary blues pianist Pinetop Perkins. It is also where they tested the International Harvester automated cotton picker. Your leader will give you some history including the system of sharecropping and the evolution of the cotton industry that shaped life for so many in this region.

See the humble beginnings of `The King’ with a visit to the birthplace of Elvis in Tupelo, before crossing into Tennessee. Located near the Mississippi River, Memphis has a long and colourful past. Legendary forefathers such as Louis Armstrong, Muddy Waters and the late B.B. King helped to put Beale Street on the musical map. A highlight of your stay in Memphis is an included excursion to Graceland, the home of Elvis Presley, who influenced country, blues and rock ‘n’ roll music.

Indulge in Music and Entertainment

From Memphis, you make your way to Nashville – the undisputed capital of country music. Home to the Country Music Hall of Fame and the famous Wildhorse Saloon, Nashville offers the perfect opportunity to try some line dancing. Broadway is lined with honky-tonks and intimate live music venues playing not only country but all genres of music.

Make your way towards Atlanta where you have the option of stopping in at Lynchburg where you can pay homage to Tennessee’s most famous drink by enjoying a tour of the Jack Daniel’s Whiskey Distillery for a serving of Southern hospitality. Your tour of the Deep South ends in the modern-day metropolis of Atlanta, known as the New York of the South.