Soul of the Deep South, a Women-Only Tour

Welcome to Nashville, the capital of Tennessee and the USA’s glittering center stage. From the Everly Brothers' “Bye Bye Love," to Roy Orbison’s “Oh, Pretty Woman," the streets are paved with talent. 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.

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. We then continue to another home of 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 meet your Travel Director and fellow guests for a welcome dinner.

Today we make a stop at the Nashville Farmer’s Market to explore its artisanal crafts and produce. You decide how to discover Nashville this afternoon 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 and tasting of the product. Or visit 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, inspiring, educating and transforming your appreciation of American music - all while celebrating the central role African Americans play in creating the American soundtrack.

The soul-stirring sounds of Beale Street set the tone for a day of reflection and inspiration in Memphis. You’ll start with a sightseeing tour of the city, taking in the Memphis Pyramid and the historic Peabody Hotel, famed for its resident ducks. Then, meet renowned educator and activist Elaine Lee Tumer for an illuminating MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. With powerful personal stories, she brings to life the legacy of women who championed equality on the front lines of the Civil Rights Movement and beyond. You’ll learn about Memphis trailblazers such as Ida B. Wells, Mary Church Terrell and the Lee Sisters, and visit key landmarks like the First Baptist Beale Street Church and Crenshaw Library. Your evening will feature another MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, as you enjoy a private visit at the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, where the Soulsville Foundation nurtures the next generation of voices for justice and creativity.

Take an immersive journey into the life of the King of Rock 'n' Roll. At Graceland, explore Elvis’s private retreat where he found solace away from the stage. Your self-guided tour of the mansion includes the living room, the iconic Jungle Room, and exhibits showcasing Elvis’s career including automobiles, wardrobe, gold records, custom jets, and more from the Graceland Archives. Next, head to Sun Studio, the legendary recording studio where Elvis started his career. Led by a local musician, discover the legendary recording studio, known as “the Birthplace of Rock ‘n’ Roll” where Elvis started his career. In the evening, enjoy a unique dining experience at The Beauty Shop, a former parlour turned whimsical New American eatery, where Elvis’s wife, Priscilla, was said to get her hair done. Join us for a memorable journey celebrating the iconic legacy of Elvis Presley.

Follow the legendary Mississippi Blues Trail, where markers tell the stories of the artists who shaped America’s most influential music. In Indianola, a Local Expert leads you through the B.B. King Museum, where you’ll see his guitars, explore interactive exhibits, and visit the restored cotton gin where he once worked. Pay your respects at his final resting place before heading to the iconic Club Ebony, a historic stop on the Chitlin’ Circuit, a network of venues that provided Black musicians with safe performance spaces during segregation. Here, a local musician will share the club’s storied past and guide you in writing your own blues song before a private concert over lunch brings the music to life.

Step into the rich history of Louisiana with a guided tour of Destrehan Plantation, exploring the lives of both the free and enslaved who lived here. In the original mule barn, Local Expert Spuddy shares the traditions of Cajun cuisine through a live cooking demonstration, followed by lunch showcasing the bold, smoky flavours of the region. Continue to New Orleans, founded by the French in 1718 and later shaped by Spanish rule before becoming part of the United States in the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. Later, go behind the scenes at Mardi Gras World, where artists craft elaborate floats that bring the city’s biggest celebration to life. A Mardi Gras World artist will guide you in designing your own vibrant mask to take home as a unique keepsake.

Discover how the Mississippi River has shaped the vibrant culture of New Orleans as you explore its colourful neighbourhoods with a Local Expert. Along the way, meet two inspiring women who are creating meaningful change: one transforms recycled materials into community-focused art in her shared studio space, while the other preserves Vietnamese heritage and mentors local women through her award-winning bakery. In the afternoon, you could choose an Optional Experience to explore the National WWII Museum, home to immersive exhibits and personal stories from the war, or take a swamp tour, gliding through bayous teeming with wildlife while learning about Louisiana’s disappearing wetlands. Celebrate your final evening with a VIP jazz experience at Fritzel’s Jazz Club, followed by a Creole dinner at Tujague’s, a New Orleans institution since 1856.

While it’s time to say goodbye to your fellow travellers as your adventure ends, the friendships formed will last a lifetime. Your departure to the airport will be at leisure.