Overview:

Life's two great pleasures – music and food – are at the forefront on this sensual journey through the American heartland. Start in Chicago, a great food city, also known for its jazz and blues. Move south to the musical meccas of Nashville and Memphis. Then head down through the Mississippi Delta and on to zesty New Orleans. Meet Elvis' close friend for a private tour of Graceland with personal insights into the 'King', before sitting down to a private dinner in the grounds. Join a private New Orleans cooking class to discover Louisiana's distinctive creole cuisine and culinary heritage. The luxury Brown Hotel in Louisville is beloved by generations of guests for its Georgian-Revival elegance and timeless Southern charm. With mainly two-night stops, kick back, relax and enjoy this fascinating journey through the heart of a nation's musical and culinary heritage.

Countries Visited

United States

Be escorted by the crème de la crème of Insight Travelling Concierges - handpicked for every departure. This skilled guide will act as consummate organiser and be your 'friend in a foreign land'.

Enjoy the unique comfort of Insight's luxury air-conditioned 40 guest coach, with extended leg room and an on-board restroom. It's Business Class comfort, complete with complimentary bottled water for you to enjoy during your luxury coaching tour.

A personal radio headset gives you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating insights and commentaries.

At every hotel, you'll be treated to seamless baggage handling with prompt delivery right to your door. Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. Plus, we include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.

Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi.

With Insight Flourishes, from time to time, your Travelling Concierge will enchant you with local tidbits, each representing authentic food or beverages unique to the destination.

Included airport transfers on first and last itinerary day.

New Orleans: Join a Local Expert to tour one of the city's mysterious above ground cemeteries. See the Southern mansions of the Garden District.
Natchez: The historic Monmouth Plantation offers and unparalleled combination of hospitality, world-class service and luxurious surroundings.
Memphis: The Westin Memphis Beale Street Hotel connects you to the unmistakable sound, culture and history of the blues, whilst offering you a soothing and relaxing retreat.
New Orleans: The iconic Hotel Monteleone offers an unparalleled combination of Southern hospitality, world-class service and historic surroundings inside the French Quarter.
Louisville: Enjoy a tour of a local distillery, concluding with a complimentary shot of bourbon.
Chicago: Experience a Highlight Dinner at a classic Chicago chophouse at Gibson's Bar and Steakhouse.
Memphis: Enjoy a private after-hours tour of Graceland with Elvis' close friend, George Klein, before a private Highlight Dinner inside Elvis' car museum.
Natchez: Learn to make the signature drink of the South, the Mint Julep. Before dining on an elegant, four-course Southern dinner served in the beautifully appointed dining room at Monmouth Plantation.
New Orleans: Discover the flair of Creole cuisine during a cooking class and special Highlight Dinner.
New Orleans: Join your Travelling Concierge for a grand finalé Celebration Dinner with a lively jazz trio at 'Arnaud's', one of the Big Easy's prized restaurants.
1 Welcome Dinner (WD), 13 Full Breakfasts (FB), 1 Lunch (L), 2 Dinners (D), 4 Highlight Dinners (HD) and 1 Celebration Dinner (CD).
Chicago: Experience the greatest highs and the best views of the city from the observatory atop 360 Chicago.
Chicago: Its love affair with state-of-the-art high-rise means its history is written across the sky and there is no better vantage point than from the deck of an architectural cruise.
St. Louis: Get a bird's-eye view of the city from atop the famed St. Louis Gateway Arch.
Louisville: Visit a premier thoroughbred farms and enjoy a private guided tour of the stables.
Louisville: Visit Churchill Downs, home of the 'Kentucky Derby', explore the Museum and take a private 'Inside the Vault' tour. Meet Charles Woods Jr., a retired Kentucky Derby jockey.
Bowling Green: The Corvette is America on wheels. The National Corvette Museum pays homage to this most famous sports car.
Nashville: Visit the Country Music Hall of Fame and get a behind the scenes look at the songwriting process.
Nashville: Join the ranks of superstar musicians like Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson and record a song at legendary Studio B, take home the recording as a truly unique souvenir.
Nashville: Attend a live taping of the Grand Ole Opry, America's longest-running live radio program.
Memphis: Visit Sun Studios, where famous music icons like Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis and Johnny Cash recorded revolutionary albums.
Natchez: At Frogmore Plantation, contrast early 19th century cotton plantation life with the modern processes of today.
New Orleans: Join a Local Expert through the French Quarter, Louis Armstrong Park and Jackson Square.
New Orleans: Journey through beautiful marshlands and swamps in search of alligators, turtles, snakes and herons.