America s Musical Heritage Dates Available: June, September and October Tour Length: 10 Days/9 Nights (G) On this Southern US tour, visit the cities and landmarks that have influenced America s musical heritage country, rock-n-roll, soul, blues, and jazz with Elvis Presley also thrown into the mix. Start in Nashville and visit the Country Music Hall of Fame; RCA Studio B, one of the country s most important recording studios; and the Grand Ole Opry, where you have reserved seats. In Memphis, visit the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, celebrating the great Memphis soul music; Sun Studio, the most famous recording studio, which launched the careers of Elvis, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, and more; and Elvis Presley s Graceland. Travel deep into the heart of the Mississippi Delta, the Birthplace of the Blues, and visit the Delta Blues Museum, dedicated to the blues. Day One: Arrive In Nashville Welcome to Music City, USA! At 6 pm, meet your traveling companions for a welcome drink. Day Two: Nashville This morning, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Nashville, including Centennial Park s full-size replica of Athens Parthenon, the recording studios of Music Row, and famous Honky Tonk Row. Learn their history, their importance, and the celebrities that got their starts here. We then visit the Country Music Hall of Fame to see its collection of costumes, memorabilia, instruments, and photographs. There is free time this afternoon to explore on your own. Tonight, you have reserved seats for an unforgettable show at the worldfamous Grand Ole Opry, the mecca for country musicians. (Breakfast)
Day Three: Nashville Memphis Start your day with a visit to RCA Studio B, Nashville s oldest- surviving recording studio and one of the country s most important studios. Between 1957 and 1977, more than 35,000 songs were recorded here. Make a special recording and take it home as a memory of your time in Nashville, then, depart for Memphis, Home of the Blues. Upon arrival, visit Sun Studio, probably the most famous recording studio in the world and where Rock n Roll was first recorded. This historic studio launched the careers of Elvis, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, and many more. Then, visit the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, a celebration of the great Memphis soul music made famous by Otis Redding, Booker T. and the M.G.s, Aretha Franklin, and others. Enjoy dinner on vibrant Beale Street with its many music clubs. (Breakfast and Dinner) Day Four: Memphis. Excursion to Graceland This morning, see all the landmarks of Memphis. A Local Guide will play and sing selections from the city s rich musical heritage, along with generous amounts of comedy and interaction. We then travel to Elvis Presley s Graceland. Tour the mansion, the racquetball building that houses a collection of his ornate jumpsuits and capes, his original business office, and his trophy building with the enormous collection of gold records and awards. The tour ends at the Meditation Garden, where Elvis and members of his family have been laid to rest. The remainder of the day is at leisure. (Breakfast) Day Five: Memphis Clarksdale Greenwood Today, we follow the path of the mighty Mississippi River and travel deep into the heart of the Mississippi Delta, the Birthplace of the Blues. From the cotton fields, street corners, and juke joints of the Mississippi Delta came a new kind of music the blues. Considered by many to be the only truly indigenous American music, the blues has influenced musicians worldwide. Blues legends such as Muddy Waters, Sam Cooke, Ike Turner, and John Lee Hooker honed their incredible music talents here, before sharing them with the world. Visit the Delta Blues Museum, dedicated to exploring the history and heritage of this unique American musical art form. Exhibits contain historical images, artifacts, musical instruments, and the remains of the cabin where Muddy Waters lived during his days as a sharecropper. Enjoy a photo stop at the Cross Roads, where legendary blues guitarist Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil to play like no one else. Then, a special lunch at Ground Zero Blues Club, owned by Academy Award-
winning actor Morgan Freeman. After lunch, spend time at the Rock and Blues Museum before continuing to Greenwood, where many of the city s downtown buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Upon arrival, take a tour to see the sites and locations used for the Oscar-winning movie, The Help. (Breakfast and Lunch) SPECIAL FEATURE: Overnight at the historic Alluvian Hotel. Originally opened in 1917, it has undergone a major transformation and is now rated as one of the Top 10 Hotels in the United States by Condé Nast magazine. Day Six: Greenwood Indianola Natchez This morning, we visit the B.B. King Museum in Indianola, hometown of the legendary musician. Explore King s 60-plus year career, from his time as a sharecropper and his time on Memphis Beale Street to the international music star he has become. Artifacts, images, and a guitar studio where visitors can play instruments bring it all to life. We then continue south to beautiful Natchez. Enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride through downtown, as the driver tells you the stories and history that make up this beautiful city. Dinner tonight is at an elegant Antebellum Mansion. (Breakfast and Dinner) Day Seven: Natchez Frogmore Lafayette First stop today, is Frogmore Plantation, where you ll learn about the trials and triumphs of life on the plantation, from the 1700s to today. Travel then to the Louisiana Delta Music Museum, where you are treated to a guided tour and will learn intimate stories about Jerry Lee Lewis, Mickey Gilley, Conway Twitty, and other Louisiana Delta musicians. Head through Louisiana, into the heart of Cajun Country. Arrive in Lafayette and participate in a unique experience at Martin Accordions, where you learn the history of accordion making, and enjoy music and storytelling by the Martin family. (Breakfast) Day Eight: Lafayette Houmas House Plantation New Orleans Enjoy a morning visit to St. Martinville to see the famous oak tree from Longfellow s poem, Evangeline. Then, cruise through the swampy waterways of the Atchafalaya Basin. See moss-draped trees, wildlife, and maybe even a lingering alligator or two. On to the Great River Road, where wealthy plantation owners built their monumental homes. Afterward, enjoy authentic Cajun home cooking along the banks of the Atchafalaya. Visit Houmas House Plantation, the Crown Jewel of the Great River Road. Tour the mansion, which is filled with period antiques and Louisiana artwork, and enjoy some time to stroll the magnificent gardens. You may just want to relax under one of the
magnificent oak trees. We then continue to exciting New Orleans for a 2-night stay. (Breakfast and Lunch) Day Nine: New Orleans This morning, a Local Guide shows you the sights and sounds of New Orleans. Visit the French Quarter, including Jackson Square and Pirate s Alley, then stop at an above-ground cemetery and learn about the city s unique burial customs. Drive along tree-lined St. Charles Avenue to see the stately homes bordering the historic Garden District. Visit the New Orleans Jazz Historical Park, which preserves the history of the people and places that helped shape the development and progression of jazz in New Orleans. This afternoon is free to explore New Orleans on your own, shop for a favorite souvenir, or relax with a fresh cup of cafe au lait and a beignet. Tonight, celebrate your musical journey with a festive farewell dinner at one of the oldest restaurants in New Orleans. (Breakfast and Dinner) Day Ten: New Orleans The tour ends after breakfast with guests departing on individual schedules. Transfers are provided to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. (Breakfast) Details Dates Available: June, September and October Tour Length: 10 Days/9 Nights (G) Your Package Includes: 9 Nights accommodations 9 Breakfasts 2 Lunches 3 Dinners 1 Welcome drink Guided sightseeing of Nashville with a local guide Admission to the Country Music Hall of Fame Attend a show at the Grand Ole Opry
Visit RCA Studio B Admission to Sun Studio Admission to the Stax Museum of American Soul Music Guided sightseeing with a local guide Explore Graceland Discover the Delta Blues Museum Photo Stop at the Cross roads Admission to the Rock and Blues Museum Tour of Greenwood Visit the B.B. King Museum Enjoy a narrated carriage ride through Natchez Explore Frogmore Plantation Admission to the Louisiana Delta Museum Learn about the accordion making process at Martin Accordions View the Oak tree from the Longfellow poem, Evangeline Cruise the Atchafalaya Basin Tour the Houmas House Plantation Guided sightseeing around New Orleans View New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park Fully escorted by a professional tour director Private motor coach transportation Baggage handling for one piece of luggage per traveler Taxes and gratuities (NOTE: Gratuities for the coach driver, tour director and local guides are not included and are at your discretion based on service). Pricing Information: Call for pricing information. Note: Notch Above Tours would be glad to arrange round trip airfare as well as pre and post night stays upon request. 824 West Lakeshore Drive, Suite 3, Colchester, Vermont 05446 802-881- 0661 Copyright 2015 Notch Above Tours, Inc.