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Insight - Country Roads of the Deep South - Classic Group (03/2023 - 10/2023) (ASTHAN18)

12 Days From Nashville (TN) to New Orleans 
Tour Style: Mid-West & South USA
Insight Brochure Price from $3,960.00
Brochures: USA and Canada 2022, IV USA and Canada 2023, V1 USA and Canada 2024
Visits: United States

Fall in love with the Deep South during this 12-day guided tour. Let the lights and music of Nashville wash over you as you walk down Broadway. Take a guided tour of Studio B, Nashville's oldest remaining recording studio. Then head to the Country Music Hall of Fame which preserves, celebrates, and shares the important cultural asset that is country music. In Memphis, enjoy a private tour of the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, a former record studio where Nashville greats recorded their music. Get the chance to explore the mansion which was the private retreat of the King of Rock 'n Roll on your own. Embrace Cajun Country in Lafayette: here, you will learn about the origins of Cajun music from a local accordion maker, and take a crawfish farm tour, where a Local Expert will help you catch your lunch. In New Orleans walk the city with a Local Expert, who will guide you through its vibrant art scene and unique architecture. Then end your trip with a bang and learn all about Mardi Gras, during an exclusive behind the scenes tour of Mardi Gras World, where the magic happens and the extravagant floats are built each year.
Choice Highlights
  • Choose between two carefully selected activities
  • Nashville: Visit Nelson’s Green Brier, Nashville's most historic distillery and home of the Original Tennessee Whisky. Learn more about the process that creates this drink's unique taste.
  • Nashville: MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® with a visit to the National Museum of African American Music, the only museum dedicated to preserving and celebrating the many music genres created, influenced, and inspired by African Americans. For music lovers of all generations, this museum inspires, educates, and transforms the appreciation of American music all while celebrating the central role African Americans play in creating the American soundtrack.

Well-being
  • : Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
  • : Our Well-Being Directors take a proactive approach to your welfare ensuring all well-being regulations are met (available on tours with 21 or more guests).
  • : Experience enhanced hygiene protocols to align with the latest guidance following COVID-19. All Travel Directors, Well-Being Directors and Drivers have completed training in enhanced well-being and hygiene protocols.
  • : We only work with establishments we are confident will consistently adhere to our high well-being standards, which include hotels, restaurants and sight-seeing venues.
  • : Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.

Travel Director
  • : "It’s magical to see how a group of guests come together over the course of our trip. I can always tell when that’s happening because they start planning their own ‘post-arrival’ activities before the travel day has finished."

Authentic Dining
  • Nashville: Relax and unwind before meeting your Travel Director and fellow guests to mingle before sitting down to a Welcome Dinner with wine.
  • Memphis: Dinner this evening will be served at The Beauty Shop, a former beauty parlour turned whimsical New American eatery, where Elvis’ ex-wife, Priscilla, was said to get her hair done.
  • Greenwood (MS): Dine on a mouthwatering dinner at Fan and Johnny’s. The restaurant’s chef is a James Beard Award finalist and dishes include soul-food inspired creations featuring produce local to area.
  • Lafayette: You will be joined by a Local Expert who will help you catch your lunch the old-fashioned way, using hand nets. You’ll be taught how to prepare a traditional crawfish boil. If crawfish are out of season, you'll take part in a boil experience with seasonal seafood.
  • New Orleans: End your day with a Celebration Dinner with your fellow travellers.
  • Dining Summary: 4 Dinner with Wine (DW), 11 Breakfast (B), 2 Dinner (D), and 2 Lunch (L)

Top Rated Highlights
  • Nashville: Attend the show that made country music famous. The Grand Ole Opry is the stage that showcases the past, present and future of country music. This live performance show brings rising talent, superstars and country legends together, along with bluegrass, family-friendly comedy, and more.
  • Nashville: Pass by the city's lively honky-tonks and street performers on Broadway, as you make your way to the Ryman Auditorium, former and original home of the Grand Ole Opry. Built in 1885 as a building for religious gatherings, it held its first concert in 1892, before opening its doors to Hollywood greats. It is here that Johnny Cash first met June Carter, where bluegrass was born and where country music found an audience.
  • Nashville: On a guided tour walk the hallowed halls of Historic RCA Studio B, Nashville’s oldest remaining recording studio.  It became a cradle of the Nashville Sound (country) in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Over 35,000 songs were recorded here by artists such as Dolly Parton, Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, and even more recently, Martina McBride and Carrie Underwood.
  • Nashville: The famous Nashville Sound comes alive as guests learn about the country music legends, such as Jim Reeves and Roy Orbison, at The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on a self-guided tour. The museum helps to "preserve, celebrate, and share the important cultural asset that is country music."
  • Memphis: Spend the morning on a sightseeing tour of the vibrant city rich in blues, soul, and rock n roll history.
  • Memphis: Explore the mansion which served as the private retreat for royalty, the King of Rock 'n Roll himself, Elvis Presley.  Graceland, a National Historic Landmark, is an exciting opportunity to get to know the personal side of "The King" in his most intimate setting. Seeing Graceland Mansion’s living room, his parents’ bedroom, the kitchen, TV room, pool room, the famous Jungle Room, his father’s office, the newly enhanced Trophy Building, the Racquetball Building. See where he and his family lived their daily life. If only the walls could talk.
  • Memphis: Visit Sun Studio, also known as the “birthplace of rock and roll," where music legends, including B.B. King, Johnny Cash and Elvis recorded some of their iconic hits.
  • Greenwood (MS): Explore the Delta town of Greenwood at your own pace, before heading to the Viking Cooking School for a demonstration class that introduces you to a savoury regional specialty, Hot Tamales. Learn how tamales made their way to the Mississippi Delta.
  • Natchez: Visit one of the beautiful Antebellum Mansions while the beautiful Antebellum Mansions while reflecting on the reality of America's history, and learning new lessons about the preservation efforts of later generations.
  • Natchez: Test your mixologist skills as you concoct a traditional Southern cocktail, the Mint Julep. Minty, cooling and with a touch of sweetness, you're sure to learn a few party tricks to bring back home with you.
  • Lafayette: Get ready for a tour of a lifetime as you adventure through moss-draped cypress trees, where graceful egrets perch just out of the reach of lingering alligators! While on the boat exploration, you'll explore the diverse natural beauty and rich ecological systems of America's largest and most mysterious swamp ecosystem, the Atchafalaya Basin Swamp.
  • Lafayette: Visit the Acadian Cultural Center. Your Local Expert, a park ranger from the National Park Service, will guide you through the fascinating history, culture, plight and prosperity of the Acadian people.
  • New Orleans: This afternoon, head to the Southern Food and Beverage Museum, where you’ll learn more about the city’s unique and delicious cuisine with a guided tour and included lunch.
  • New Orleans: Make a spicy stop at the Tabasco Factory for a guided tour as you discover the process of making this world-famous red hot pepper sauce. A long-standing family recipe - TABASCO® Brand products are made by McIlhenny Company, founded by Edmund McIlhenny in 1868 on Avery Island, Louisiana.

Insight Choice
  • Nashville: Visit Nelson’s Green Brier, Nashville's most historic distillery and home of the Original Tennessee Whisky. Learn more about the process that creates this drink's unique taste.
  • Nashville: MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® with a visit to the National Museum of African American Music, the only museum dedicated to preserving and celebrating the many music genres created, influenced, and inspired by African Americans. For music lovers of all generations, this museum inspires, educates, and transforms the appreciation of American music all while celebrating the central role African Americans play in creating the American soundtrack.

Insight Experiences
  • Memphis: End your day with an exclusive after-hours private tour at the Stax Museum of American Soul Music. The Stax Museum of American Soul Music is the world’s only museum dedicated to preserving and promoting the legacy of Stax Records and American soul music. The museum is part of The Soulsville Foundation, which aims to help young people prepare for life success and inspire future artists.
  • Lafayette: A genre rooted in the ballads of the French-speaking Acadians, Cajun music is eclectic and joyous. Learn about Cajun and Zydeco music from a local Cajun accordion maker and musician at Martin Cajun Accordions. Martin Jr. has been building accordions for more than three decades.  Celebrate together with Cajun music, Country music, Gospel and Zydeco as your personal soundtrack and get taken back to the early 1900’s with the old fashion authentic accordion music.
  • New Orleans: Enjoy an exclusive behind the scenes tour of Mardi Gras World, where the magic happens and the extravagant, vibrant floats are built each year. One of the Mardi Gras World certified artists will lead you through designing your very own Mardi Gras mask and creating your masterpiece, premium felt backed mask with glitter, feathers and more to take back as an eclectic memento of your time in The Big Easy.

Make Travel Matter
  • Memphis: Visit the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, and embark on a poignant and important tour through five centuries of the Civil Rights Movement. Pay your respects to the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and learn about his impact on the country and the world. The museum is devoted to the countless brave people who were a part of the entire American Civil Rights Movement. It is one of the nation's premier heritage and cultural museums and a non-profit institution. All proceeds received go toward their noble mission - share the culture and lessons from the American Civil Rights Movement and explore how this significant era continues to shape equality and freedom globally.

Insight Tour Itinerary

Day 1Arrive in Nashville
Welcome to Nashville, the capital of Tennessee and the USA’s glittering centre stage. From the Everly Brothers' “Bye Bye Love," to Roy Orbison’s “Oh, Pretty Woman," the streets are paved with talent. Your airport transfer will whisk you to your hotel.Relax and unwind before meeting your Travel Director and mingling with guests at 18:00 followed by a Welcome Dinner with wine.
Visits: Nashville
Meals: Dinner with Wine
Accommodation: Renaissance Hotel, Nashville
Day 2Take centre stage in Nashville
Start your day with an orientation tour of music city. You'll visit the picturesque Riverfront Park, Tennessee State Capitol and the 132-acre Centennial State Park, where you'll encounter an exact replica of the Parthenon. Pass by the city's lively honky-tonks and street performers on Broadway. Make your way to historic RCA Studio B, Nashville’s oldest remaining recording studio for a guided tour. Studio B became a cradle of the Nashville Sound in the late 1950s and early 1960s with over 35,000 songs being recorded here by iconic artists such as Dolly Parton, Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, and even more recently, Martina McBride and Carrie Underwood. On this guided tour, you will hear the fascinating stories behind the legendary recordings and view some of the original instruments used in producing over 1,000 hit records. We then continue to another home to Nashville royalty, The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum for a self-guided tour. The museum helps to preserve, celebrate, and share the important cultural asset that is country music. Along with changing exhibitions, you'll discover the enlightening "Sing Me Back Home: Folk Roots to the Present." Which tells the story of country music from its pre-commercial roots in the 19th century through its life today. See original artifacts, photographs and recordings. Tonight, head to the famous Grand Ole Opry, the world-renowned country music stage and longest-running radio broadcast in U.S. history for even more Country fun.
Visits: Nashville
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Renaissance Hotel, Nashville
Day 3Choose your Nashville Exploration
Around lunch time, we make a stop at the Nashville Farmers Market and Market House to explore its artisanal crafts and produce. Explore Nashville with Insight Choice. Choose to visit Nelson’s Green Brier, a local Tennessee distillery and home of the Original Tennessee Whiskey for a guided tour of the distillery a tasting of the product as they learn about the family's rich history with the spirit and the story of how it began on a German passenger ship bound for the America's. MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® with your visit to the National Museum of African American Music, the only museum dedicated to preserving and celebrating the many music genres created, influenced, and inspired by African Americans.  This is for music lovers of all generations and inspires, educates, and transforms your appreciation of American music all while celebrating the central role African Americans play in creating the American soundtrack. Tonight's dinner at Puckett's Grocery & Restaurant will introduce you to the colourful flavours of Nashville such as the crabmeat cheesecake.
Visits: Nashville
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Renaissance Hotel, Nashville
Day 4Heading back home to Memphis
This morning you'll head to Memphis. Whether it’s your first or hundredth time visiting this vibrant city, you’ll be drawn in by the lively melodies coming from Beale Street.Spend the morning on a sightseeing tour of the city, followed by a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at the National Civil Rights Museum. While there, you’ll be guided through five centuries of The Civil Rights Movement history and its impact on our culture today.End your day by joining a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience with a private evening at the Stax Museum of American Soul Music. The museum is part of The Soulsville Foundation, which aims to prepare young adults for life success and inspire future artists.
Visits: Nashville, Memphis
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: The Guest House at Graceland, Memphis.
Day 5A day dedicated to the King
This morning it's off to Graceland, where you will get to explore the mansion, the private retreat of the King of Rock 'n Roll, where he went for reprise when not on the stage or in the movies. The tour of Graceland Mansion includes the living room and the famous Jungle Room. Then visit the Entertainer Career Museum with hundreds of artifacts and photos from significant events in Elvis’ life as well as the Presley Motors Automobile Museum. Then we continue onto Sun Studios for an authentic guided tour led by a local musician. Learn all about the recording studio where Elvis got his start along with so many of the greatest and therefore known as "The Birthplace of Rock'n'roll." Dinner this evening will be served at The Beauty Shop, a former parlour turned whimsical New American eatery where Elvis’ ex-wife, Priscilla, was said to get her hair done.
Visits: Memphis
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Accommodation: The Guest House at Graceland, Memphis.
Day 6Memphis to Greenwood
Travel through the Mississippi Delta down the Mississippi Blues Trail, a route that tells the stories of businessmen and women. Your Travel Director will give you background information on Greenwood’s significance in the Civil Rights Movement, being a center for protests and voter registration struggles from 1962 to 1965.  We then head to the Viking Cooking School, for a hot-tamales cooking class. Where we learn how it became a regional specialty. Later dine on a mouther watering dinner at James Beard Award Finalist restaurant that features southern inspired dishes that include produce local of the area.
Visits: Memphis, Greenwood (MS)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Accommodation: The Alluvian, Greenwood.
Day 7Moving on to Natchez
Learn more about Southern history and hospitality as you head to Natchez. Tour the historic antebellum mansions, and discover the preservation efforts of later generations to tell the story of African-Americans through the decades, understanding that slavery and cotton allowed plantation owners to build these mansions. Test your mixologist skills as you concoct a traditional Southern cocktail, the Mint Julep. Minty, cooling and with a touch of sweetness, you're sure to learn a few party tricks to bring back home with you. Enjoy an evening to yourself. Ask your Travel Director for restaurant suggestions and discover one of the wonderful options in town.
Visits: Greenwood (MS), Natchez
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Monmouth Historic Inn and Gardens.
Day 8Natchez to Lafayette
Move on to Lafayette for a taste of the Cajun and Creole Countryside. Get ready for a boat tour of a lifetime through moss-draped cypress trees, where graceful egrets perch just out of the reach of lingering alligators! While on the excursion, you'll explore the diverse natural beauty and rich ecological systems of America's largest and most mysterious swamp ecosystem, the Atchafalaya Basin Swamp. A Native Cajun tour guide will explain from personal experience what it is like to live on a houseboat or survive off the swamp, while pointing out the abundant plants of the area and getting you up close and personal with the wildlife. Then learn about Cajun and Zydeco music from a local Cajun accordion maker and musician at Martin Cajun Accordions. Martin Jr. has been building accordions for more than three decades. You get to celebrate with Cajun music, Country music, Gospel and Zydeco as your personal soundtrack and get taken back to the early 1900’s with the old fashion authentic accordion music.
Visits: Natchez, Lafayette
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Lafayette.
Day 9Lafayette for foodies
Start the day with a crawfish farm tour just outside the city. You will be joined by a Local Expert who will help you catch your lunch the old-fashioned way, using hand nets. You’ll be taught how to prepare a traditional boil, before sitting down to enjoy your authentic meal. If crawfish are out of season, you'll take part in a boil experience with seasonal seafood. (Alternative will be provided for guests that don't eat Seafood) Then it’s onto the Acadian Cultural Center to learn more about the people, music, and sounds that give Lafayette its distinct and charming character. The Acadian Cultural Center tells stories of the origins, migration, settlement, and contemporary culture of the Acadians (Cajuns).
Visits: Lafayette
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Lafayette.
Day 10Welcome to the Big Easy
New Orleans is a lively and dynamic city, known for its vibrant culture and electric jazz festivals. On the way down south, take a spicy stop at the Tabasco® Factory for a self-guided tour and discover how the world-famous red hot pepper sauce is made. A family recipe - TABASCO® Brand products are made by McIlhenny Company, founded by Edmund McIlhenny in 1868 on Avery Island, Louisiana. This afternoon, head to the Southern Food and Beverage Museum where you will enjoy a guided tour from one of SoFAB's curators and learn about the history of the food of the South. Galleries include exhibits on 13 Southern states, Popeye's Restaurant, Absinthe and Louisiana's connection to Europe, and the Museum of the American Cocktail. The guided tour is followed by a pop-up lunch, often hosted by the Museum’s Chef in Residency Program, with open bar.
Visits: Lafayette, New Orleans
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Kimpton Hotel Fontenot, New Orleans.
Day 11Festivities in New Orleans Relaxed Start
Get to know the city with a Local Expert, as you discover each neighborhood's unique architecture and explore the vibrant art scene. See how the community comes together through celebration. Enjoy an exclusive behind the scenes tour of Mardi Gras World, where the magic happens and the extravagant, vibrant floats are built each year. One of the Mardi Gras World certified artists will lead you through designing your very own Mardi Gras mask and creating your masterpiece, premium felt backed mask with glitter, feathers and more to take back as an eclectic memento of your time in The Big Easy. Show off the piece of art you just made by enjoying a masquerade themed dinner on the Mardi Gras Plaza, which boasts a stunning view of the Mississippi River.
Visits: New Orleans
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Accommodation: Kimpton Hotel Fontenot, New Orleans.
Day 12Depart New Orleans
It’s time to say goodbye to your fellow travellers as your adventure comes to an end. Departure to the airport will be at leisure.
Visits: New Orleans
Meals: Breakfast


Available Room Types: Single, Triple, Twin, Twinshare
Child: ages 5 to 17

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