Memphis, Nashville & Elvis Presley's Beach Retreat

This morning, you’ll have a brief tour of Chattanooga, which encompasses a visit to the Chattanooga Choo-Choo Hotel, a former railroad terminal, forever linked to the song of the same name.

The tour will then head to Nashville, the country music capital of the world, for a switch up of musical genres. Upon arriving, you’ll check into your hotel, and then the rest of the day is free. Perhaps seek out a live musical performance in one of the renowned country music venues.

The downtown area, which is just a 20-minute walk away, is where you’ll find the Ryman Auditorium, the ‘Mother Church of Country Music’. You can also check out some of the city’s buzzing honky-tonks (live music bars), craft breweries, and distilleries.

Alternatively, you can join an afternoon excursion, which showcases the must-see sights of this musical mecca. The first stop, RCA Studio B in Nashville’s historic Music Row district, is a renowned recording studio that was built in 1965. It was here that countless country music hits have been recorded, including songs by Elvis Presley, and during its operation until 1977, it produced 60% of the Billboard magazine’s country chart hits.

You’ll then continue to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, one of the world’s largest museums and research centres dedicated to the preservation of American vernacular music. During your visit, you can walk through the latest exhibits of inductees, observe some of the 2.5 million artefacts, and potentially hear some live music. 

For dinner, trying Nashville’s signature dish of hot chicken will truly complete your first day in this city. 

Next up on the itinerary is Elvis’ beloved hometown, Memphis. Built along the Mississippi River in Tennessee, this spirited city is also known as the home of the blues, soul, and rock ‘n’ roll. Around every corner, evidence of the influential musical heritage prevails in the form of museums honouring the local legends, shops awash with artist-inspired paraphernalia and live music venues pumping out familiar favourites or showcasing new talent.

As night falls, perhaps journey downtown where you can stroll along atmospheric Beale Street, America’s most famous musical highway. Take in the live performances coming from the clubs, bars and world-class blues venues or pausing to watch a performance with a cold beverage in hand. As Memphis is also known as the barbeque capital of America, heading to a nearby barbeque joint for a dinner of grilled delicacies is also recommended.  

Join an optional full-day Memphis excursion that encompasses the city’s major musical highlights. Sun Studio, a recording studio opened by Sam Phillips in 1950, is most known for its pivotal role in the early years of Elvis Presley’s career. Over the years, many other celebrated rock ‘n’ roll and country artists entered this building’s doors, including Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, and Charlie Feathers.

You’ll then continue to follow in the blue suede shoes of the King to Elvis Presley Boulevard before visiting Graceland, his home, last recording studio and final resting place. Today this vast entertainment complex houses restaurants, museums, and gift shops, and you’ll be able to view his mansion, classic cars, glittering jumpsuits, and several interactive exhibits.

Tonight, you’re free to wander Beale Street if you missed out or get your fill of live entertainment elsewhere in the city – there’s no shortage! 

Check out of the hotel and travel on towards Tupelo in Mississippi, famed as the birthplace of Elvis Presley. This city, which has a strong link to the state’s musical history, is scattered with numerous statues commemorating this icon.

During the visit, you may wish to enter Elvis’ humble childhood home – a simple two-room property, where he was born on 8 January 1935 (entry payable locally). Its walls are adorned with photographs, costumes, and heirlooms and nearby, his family’s church has been transported and restored.

Afterwards, you’ll continue south through Mississippi, heading towards Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico to vibrant New Orleans, the ‘Big Easy’, considered the birthplace of jazz.

Once you’ve checked into the hotel, ideally located within the historic and charming French Quarter, waste no time soaking up the lively atmosphere of the city. Perhaps seek out one of the nearby jazz bars to hear some live music and sample Creole and Cajun dishes, such as gumbo, beignets, and po'boy. 

Today, you can choose to explore at your pace or join a morning tour introducing the highlights of the city. Beginning in the heart of the French Quarter, one of the oldest neighbourhoods in New Orleans, you’ll admire its architecture, which blends French and Spanish influences and features wrought-iron balconies, courtyards, and colourful façades. At the centre, Jackson Square with a monument of Andre Jackson, the seventh American president, and a French-style St. Louis Cathedral, can be seen.

Your guide will then lead you to the Garden District, known for its historic mansions and oak-fringed streets, as well as Lafayette Cemetery No 1, one of the city’s most striking above-the-ground burial grounds with elaborate tombs. Charles Avenue, a picturesque thoroughfare lined with vintage streetcars and the National WWII Museum are additional stops.

Later in the afternoon, an optional excursion to experience a bayou (a slow-moving creek) and its alligators is available. This involves leaving the city for the swamps and waterways of outer New Orleans, home to an array of wildlife. As you sail across the still waters, you can keep your eyes peeled for the alligators that inhabit the waters and learn about Louisiana’s ecosystem.

Back in the city, you’ll have another night at leisure, or you can board an optional steamboat dinner jazz cruise. As you sail the mighty Mississippi and take in the illuminated sights on the bank, you can enjoy live jazz music and a delicious meal.  

Another day of leisure awaits to do some self-exploration and survey more of the historic neighbourhoods. Perhaps walk around the stalls of the French market, visit the New Orleans Museum of Art, or watch in the lively street performances.

If you're interested in delving into the region's plantation history, you can opt for the Oak Alley Plantation tour. You’ll travel to the Oak Alley Plantation, with its majestic alley of 28 oak trees and well-preserved antebellum architecture. This plantation has been the setting of popular movies and TV series, including Interview with a Vampire. As you wander the mansion and the grounds, you’ll gain a glimpse into the history of the Old South and the lives of those who resided here. 

You’ll leave New Orleans and travel to the coast, visiting Bay St. Louis on the way. Situated on the Gulf of Mexico, this city of upscale waterfront homes, seafood restaurants and white sandy beaches also has a charming downtown. You’ll have some time to stroll around and browse the art galleries, antique shops, and harbour.

Later in the day, you’ll arrive in Ocean Springs on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and check into your resort, set on a lagoon and previously frequented by Elvis Presley. You can then unwind for the rest of the day, perhaps having a swim in the saltwater pool and grabbing a cocktail in the lounge.

With the resort as your base, you can choose to spend today free by taking advantage of the on-site amenities or exploring the coastal area and nearby beaches. Ocean Springs is just a five-minute taxi ride away, and you can immerse yourself in its art scene, with plenty of galleries and studios to discover. The city’s historic downtown is home to an assortment of restaurants and shops, and there are numerous opportunities for outdoor activities, including boating, fishing, birdwatching, and water sports.

You have another free day or the chance to join an optional shrimping excursion to learn about the catching process of this southern delicacy. You’ll start by travelling to Biloxi harbour, boarding a trawl with a local crew, and sailing across the waters of the Mississippi Gulf Coast for 70 minutes. During this journey, the shrimping net will be set out and you’ll be shown how and what makes the net spread and operate correctly. The open net will capture various sea creatures, like crabs and pufferfish, as well as shrimp.

It’s your final day in Ocean Springs, and you can decide between taking it at your own pace or joining a full-day excursion of the Gulf Coast Gator Ranch. You’ll travel to a Mississippi marsh and board an airboat for an exhilarating ride across the swampy waters, observing the surrounding wildlife as you go. With an experienced guide at the helm, you’ll spot several alligators alongside the boat and on the banks.

Back on land, you’ll continue to the coastal city of Mobile in Alabama, the birthplace of Mardi Gras in North America and one of the oldest cities in the United States. There’ll be a chance for you to walk around here, taking in its historic sites and landmarks, like the Fort Conde and the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park.

After checking out of the hotel, you’ll journey north into Alabama to spend the final night in Montgomery, the city that’s the final resting place of country legend, Hank Williams.

Savour a morning at leisure, check out of the hotel and transfer to Atlanta airport for your return, overnight flight home.

Land back in the UK after your holiday.