Tracks of the Deep South

Your holiday begins at London Heathrow, where you will meet the Tour Manager before boarding a direct flight to Charlotte, North Carolina.

After touching down in Charlotte, we transfer to our hotel in the late afternoon to spend our first night. Take advantage of the hotel's dining options or head out to sample some southern fare in one of the local restaurants.

This morning, we travel by coach to our next destination, Gatlinburg, Tennessee. We stop enroute in Asheville, a city nestled in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains along the Appalachian Trail.

Our destination in Asheville is Biltmore House - the largest stately home in the United States. Once the home of railroad magnate George Vanderbilt and his family, this sprawling 250-room mansion is now a museum, with displays of vintage art, furniture and more. We have lunch at the Stable Café before a self-guided tour of this grand, historic estate.

We continue by coach to Pigeon Forge, where we check in to our hotel, Dollywood DreamMore Resort in the Great Smoky Mountains. This resort offers a real taste of southern hospitality, with restaurants serving regional favourites, indoor and outdoor pools and a full-service spa. Touches throughout show the influence of one of country music's biggest icons, Dolly Parton.

• Breakfast, Lunch

Today's excursion is one of the tour highlights - a journey into the Smoky Mountains National Park on a restored heritage railway. After breakfast, we board a coach to the quaint town of Bryson City on the edge of the national park, where we have some free time to explore.

This afternoon, we board the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad* on a route following the Tennessee and Nantahala River, crossing a historic bridge over the expansive Fontana Lake and into the stunning Nantahala Gorge. There is a choice of onboard dining options or you could choose to pre-purchase a packed lunch to dine as we travel. This four-and-a-half-hour round-trip through the Gorge includes a one-hour stop by the river, where you can watch the rushing rapids and admire the lush forest landscape.

We transfer back to our hotel in Pigeon Forge and have another chance this evening to savour some great southern food at the hotel or in one of the town's restaurants. Local specialities to try are chicken and dumplings, country fried steak and pecan pie.

*Please note: for the Mardi Gras departure on the 30th January, the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad will not operate. Instead, we will drive through the Great Smoky Mountains, making scenic stops in the National Park.

• Breakfast

Today, we make our way to the city of Chattanooga, famous as the site of several battles during the American Civil War and for its historic railways. Set on the banks of the Tennessee River and surrounded by the Appalachian Mountains, Chattanooga's official nickname is 'Scenic City'.

After free time to lunch independently, we board the Lookout Mountain Incline Railway for a trip on one of the world's steepest passenger railways, operating since 1887. As we travel up among the steep forested hillsides above the Tennessee River, we enjoy vistas of Chattanooga and beyond. Atop Lookout Mountain is the site of a US Civil War battle and the visitor centre provides information on the military history of the area.

We return to Chattanooga and, after checking in to our downtown hotel for the night, you are free to explore the city and its many eateries. The city is also known for its bluegrass music and you may hear strains of this as you wander through downtown.

• Breakfast

This morning, we leave Chattanooga by coach, heading to the world capital of country music, Nashville. On our way, we stop off in Moore County, Tennessee. Although this area has been 'dry' since the days of prohibition, it is also the home of the Jack Daniel's Distillery. During our visit, we enjoy a guided tour and a tasting of the iconic whiskey.

We continue to Nashville, where we check into our downtown hotel. This afternoon and evening, you are free to soak up the city's unique atmosphere and history. Besides its reputation as a music city, Nashville is also known for its vibrant neighbourhoods packed with indie coffee shops, breweries and boutiques.

Tonight, you dine independently and there's some outstanding cuisine to be enjoyed across the city. While you can take your pick from a fantastic variety of international dishes, the meals that Nashville does best are traditional southern comfort foods. Head to a café and order some fiery hot chicken, rich mac and cheese, or mouth-watering barbecue ribs.

• Breakfast

This morning, we delve further into Nashville's musical history on a guided tour that introduces us to the major sights of the city. The city has been synonymous with country music since the 1940s, thanks to its collection of famous recording studios on 'Music Row' in downtown Nashville.

After this morning's memorable music experience, the afternoon is free to enjoy at leisure until this evening's entertainment.

We visit one of Nashville's most famous institutions this evening - the legendary Grand Ole Opry*. Founded as a radio station in the mid-1920s, this popular venue still hosts a regular live music broadcast, in addition to its stage shows. We take our seats for this extraordinary performance, featuring a line-up of eight or more artists, from legendary country music stars to up-and-coming talent. At the end of the evening, we're transferred back to our downtown hotel, but the city's bars and venues will still be humming if you're not ready for the music to end.

*Please note: for the Mardi Gras departure on the 30th January 2026, we will visit the Grand Ole Opry on Day 7 instead.

After breakfast, we head out to tour the legendary RCA Studio B, where artists including Elvis, the Everly Brothers and Dolly Parton once cut records and wrote songs. Though it only operated for 20 years, it quickly became one of the world's most famous recording studios, due to the iconic records created within its walls.

Our guided tour ends at the fantastic Country Music Hall of Fame, the world's largest music museum. We are free to explore and learn more about the stars that have shaped country music, from its roots to today. There are various interactive exhibitions, and the centre houses an unrivalled collection of country music recordings dating to the 1930s.

After our tour of this famous institution, the remainder of the day is free to explore Nashville at your own pace. Attractions include the Johnny Cash museum, which has a beautifully curated collection of memorabilia on 'the Man in Black' and the Honky Tonk Highway, a vibrant stretch of Broadway that buzzes with live music and honky-tonk bars.

• Breakfast

Leaving Nashville this morning, our journey through Tennessee continues. On our way to Memphis, we stop at Jackson, famous for its railway culture and as the birthplace of rockabilly music. We have free time to find lunch independently in this interesting town, and you may choose to grab a bite at Brooks Shaw's Old Country Store, a nostalgic ice-cream parlour and southern soul food buffet.

From Jackson, we continue to the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center in the historic town of Brownsville for a guided tour. The centre is dedicated to the diverse history of Tennessee, from the rich musical traditions to the area's infamous history of slave labour. There is also a dedicated Tina Turner museum, located inside her childhood schoolhouse.

We complete our journey to Memphis and check in to our accommodation at The Guest House, right next to Elvis Presley's legendary home, Graceland. This evening, we have Memphis-style barbecue dinner at the hotel. Well known for being cooked 'low 'n' slow', this three-course feast is presented to us in traditional family-buffet style.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today, we're introduced to the main attractions of Memphis' musical history, beginning with a visit to Graceland, the mansion Elvis Presley called home. As we walk through his preserved living quarters, we get an insight into the King of Rock'n'Roll, viewing the eclectic mix of memorabilia on display and admiring his incredible car collections.

In the afternoon, we tour the iconic Sun Studio, where legendary blues artists Howlin' Wolf and BB King first cut records. The studio also claims the title of 'the birthplace of rock'n'roll' as both Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash recorded here during their careers. Learn about Memphis' history while browsing priceless memorabilia of the legends that created here.

Returning to the hotel, the rest of the day is free. Head to the famous Beale Street to experience the energy of 'the home of the Blues'. History and culture flow through the street, with blues, jazz and rock music spilling out of the myriad venues and statues paying tribute to blues icons like WC Handy and BB King.

• Breakfast

This morning, we take a trip into the past aboard Amtrak's City of New Orleans train service. The story goes that blues music spread along this route by rail, and we retrace the journey from Tennessee through Mississippi to Louisiana. The views from the train are captivating, as verdant, rolling hills lead into the peaceful Cajun creeks of the Louisiana Bayou.

This afternoon, we arrive in the Louisiana town of Hammond, where a coach takes us to the Oak Alley Plantation for a guided tour. We learn the history of this grand estate, standing as a testament to the privileged lives of Louisiana landowners and to the awful suffering of those who were enslaved to work on the sugar cane fields of the plantation.

We continue to New Orleans, where we check into our hotel in the heart of this sensational city. Our hotel is a short distance from Bourbon Street, which simmers with activity during the daytime but comes alive at night with the blast of jazz trumpets, lively cocktail bars and flamboyant dance shows.

Please note: on the Mardi Gras departure, we will stay at AC Hotel French Quarter.

• Breakfast

Officially a National Historic Landmark, the renowned French Quarter is one of the best-known areas of New Orleans, and the hub of the party during Mardi Gras. Touring the area with a local guide this morning, we stop at the hugely popular Café du Monde - an open-air café and a great spot for people watching - to enjoy a beignet (a delicious, deep-fried choux pastry) and a café au lait.

After some free time to get to know the city, we regroup and board a traditional paddle steamer for a sightseeing cruise along the Mississippi River, taking in the site of the Battle of New Orleans. Our cruise takes place aboard the Creole Queen, an authentic steamboat which offers a view of the 'Big Easy' that only the river can provide.

After disembarking, you are free to enjoy your evening in this exciting city. As you will have already discovered, this is a carnival city, and during the Mardi Gras the party never stops!

Please note: for the Mardi Gras departure on the 30th January 2026, today is the parade day and you have tickets to enjoy the show. The French Quarter guided tour and the Mississippi River sightseeing cruise will take place on Day 12 instead.

Your day is free to soak up New Orleans. Known the world over as the Deep South's party city due to its Mardi Gras celebrations, there's a year-round sense of spirited adventure and playfulness. A wander through the colourful streets offers an introduction to NOLA's eclectic architecture that stretches back centuries, like the stunning St Louis Cathedral, the oldest cathedral in North America.

For an authentic New Orleans experience, you could hop on a streetcar on St Charles' Avenue, taking in the city sights as you travel from uptown to downtown, or you could spend some time in the peaceful green space of one of the city's great parks.

The French Quarter has an endless choice of eateries for your last evening in the Deep South. Most places offer traditional Southern food, from po-boys (meat, seafood or crawfish-filled bread rolls) and jambalaya to fresh oysters - served raw, baked or chargrilled.

On your final morning in New Orleans, spend time revisiting your favourite spots or relaxing at a café before our homeward journey begins.

As our explorations of the American South come to an end, we transfer to the airport in New Orleans to board our direct overnight flight to London Heathrow.

From the enchanting Great Smoky Mountains and musical heritage in Nashville and Memphis, to the Mardi Gras energy of New Orleans - every moment has showcased the very best of the Deep South.

We touchdown at London Heathrow this morning, returning home with many unforgettable memories of this musical tour of the Deep South.