Southern Sights & Sounds - Solo Tour

Southern Sights & Sounds - Solo Tour

Visiting historic RCA Studio B where the legendary Elvis Presley, Jim Reeves, Dolly Parton, Roy Orbison, The Everly Brothers and hundreds of other famous singers made their recordings. It will give you goosebumps. One of our bestselling itineraries, our two-week Southern USA tours put the focus on the region’s rich cultural heritage. As well as delving into the Deep South's Civil Rights history, we’ll uncover its musical roots as we visit Nashville, Memphis and New Orleans - the birthplaces of jazz, blues, country and rock ‘n’ roll. A real highlight is the evening we spend at the Grand Ole Opry - a radio show since 1925, now hosting legends and contemporaries of country, bluegrass, folk and gospel on its Nashville stage. This departure coincides with the New Orleans Jazz Festival - a coming together of jazz music and heritage and a must if you're a jazz fan.

What's Included;

• 12 nights in hotels and 1 in flight
• International flights. Prices are based on return flights with Virgin Atlantic or Delta Airlines from London Heathrow. Supplements may apply from other airports
• 5 meals: 5 breakfasts
• Titan’s nationwide return chauffeur service
• Titan tour manager
• Travel in destination by coach
• Porterage

• 3.5 days free time

  What's Included:

• Tours of Atlanta; Jack Daniel’s Distillery; Nashville; Memphis; Frogmore Cotton Plantation; and Montgomery (including Hank Williams Museum)
• Visits to Martin Luther King Jr Memorial; Elvis Presley Birthplace Museum; Stanton Hall; and Monroeville (with entry to the Old Courthouse Museum)
• One-way journey up to Lookout Mountain aboard the Incline Railway
• Country Music Hall of Fame and Studio B, Nashville
• An evening at the Grand Ole Opry
• Entrance to Graceland with Elvis Experience Tour

Day 1: UK - Atlanta

Titan’s nationwide return chauffeur service collects you from home for your flight to Atlanta.

Day 2: Atlanta - Chattanooga

This morning, we begin our southern USA tour by exploring the city forever associated with ‘Gone with the Wind’, including a stop at the national memorial to Martin Luther King Jr. We then journey to Chattanooga. Atlanta guided city tour (morning)

Day 3: Chattanooga

Railway enthusiasts still flock to this town, which has the largest old-time steam railroad in the south. Today we board an equally exciting means of transport - The Incline Railway - which runs steeply up Lookout Mountain and affords wonderful views. The rest of the day is free. Journey on the Incline Railway (morning)

Day 4: Lynchburg - Nashville

Over 150 years, Jack Daniel’s charcoal-mellowed Tennessee whiskey has become the top-selling American whiskey in the world. Strange to think Jack was taught by a reverend in a county where alcohol is now prohibited (the law still exists in the area today). We take a tour of the distillery - where the sauce has been manufactured since 1866 - and discover what makes Jack Daniel’s so special. After, we continue our drive to toe-tappin’ Nashville. Tour of Jack Daniel’s Distillery (morning)

Day 5: Nashville

Welcome to the country music capital of the world, Nashville. Walk in the footsteps of musical greats on our guided tour, which ticks off Studio B and the Country Music Hall of Fame. This evening we’ll take a seat at the hottest show in town. The Grand Ole Opry is America’s longest-running radio show (they’ve never missed a show since 1925!). Every week, legendary and contemporary artists perform country, bluegrass, folk and gospel hits in front of a live audience - Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash and Elvis are just a few who have performed here in the past. You’ll be blown away by great performances in this magical venue. Nashville guided city tour including Studio B and Country Music Hall of Fame (morning) Grand Ole Opry performance (evening)

Day 6: Tupelo - Memphis

The sleepy town of Tupelo, Mississippi might not feature on this itinerary if the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll hadn’t been born here. At the Elvis Presley Birthplace Museum, we’ll have time to explore his humble two-roomed childhood home and browse the small museum. We head to Memphis this afternoon for yet more musical treasures. We’ll wander past the illuminated signs of Beale Street on our orientation tour. A real ‘pinch-me’ moment for music aficionados. Elvis Presley Birthplace Museum (morning) Memphis orientation tour (afternoon)

Day 7: Memphis

“The walls have ears, ears that hear each little sound you make every time you stamp, throw a lamp,” sang Elvis Presley. A wish list-worthy moment for any Elvis fan, today we’ll visit Graceland. While you might not glean much from the walls themselves, there are plenty of stories to hear as you as you wander through the rooms of Elvis’ home, full of memorabilia about his life and career. Spend some time soaking up all the corners of his home and gardens. You’ll also have access to the Automobile Museum, where his lavish aeroplanes are kept. You’ll have a free afternoon in Memphis, so maybe spend it the way the music legends would want - listening to live music. Wander through Beale Street Entertainment District and you’ll hear the sounds of Delta blues, rock ‘n’ roll, jazz and gospel drifting from bars and clubs. Take your pick, order a drink and take it all in. Graceland and Elvis Experience tour (morning)

Day 8: Natchez

The pace slows slightly as we follow Ol’ Man River to Natchez, where historic antebellum homes and quintessentially Southern moss-covered trees offer small town charm. A one-time central port for the cotton trade in the early 18th century, Natchez is home to grand old mansions and estates - an indication of the sumptuous scale of society life. We’ll visit the Frogmore Cotton Plantation, which really highlights the contrast of working as a planter or slave in the early 1700s. Frogmore Cotton Plantation (morning)

Day 9: Natchez - New Orleans

After visiting the palatial Greek Revival residence, Stanton Hall, we cross into Louisiana towards New Orleans - taking a shortcut over the spectacular Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, one of the world’s longest overwater bridges. Eating, drinking and laughing - New Orleans puts a real emphasis on the best things in life, which is one of the reasons it’s such a popular destination. As the hometown of jazz, it’s a worthy stop on our itinerary, and you’ll have the afternoon to explore as you please. Stanton Hall visit (morning)

Day 10: New Orleans

Breakfast time in New Orleans means coffee and beignets. These sugar-dusted square doughnuts are served piping hot - and they’re bite-sized, so you can definitely justify more than one. Perhaps start your two free days at Café du Monde - renowned for serving some of the best beignets in the city (you can thank us later). Explore the French Quarter, where the colourful mix of culture and lively bohemian atmosphere is too easy to fall in love with. Or head for a wander down vibrant Bourbon Street for bright neon lights and toe-tapping tunes. This evening, you’ll have the option to cruise, dine and enjoy a live jazz band aboard The Natchez Steamboat, as it’s huge paddlewheel takes you along the Mississippi River.

Day 11: New Orleans

New Orleans is the birthplace of jazz and the annual Jazz Festival ensures the city fills with musicians and fans alike. Jazz heritage is also something to be celebrated and New Orleans does this on a grand scale - today is free to experience this at your own pace.

Day 12: Monroeville - Montgomery

We wave goodbye to New Orleans early this morning as we set off for Montgomery. We stop along the way for a mooch around Monroeville town and its old courthouse, made famous by the film of Harper Lee’s ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’. In Montgomery, your evening is free to spend as you please. Monroeville with entry to the Old Courthouse Museum (morning)

Day 13: Montgomery - Atlanta - In flight

A tour takes you on a journey through Montgomery’s rich history, focusing on the 1960s American Civil Rights Movement and pausing at the restored parsonage that once served as the home of Martin Luther King Jr. We’ll also visit the Hank Williams Museum. Later, we transfer to the airport for your overnight return flight to the UK, as our fantastic Southern Sights and Sounds tour comes to an end. Tour of Montgomery including Hank Williams Museum (morning)

Day 14: UK

Upon arrival, your Titan vehicle will be waiting for the journey home.