America’s Musical Heritage with Extended Stay in New Orleans ( ASE)

12 Day Tour from Nashville to New Orleans

2025 Tour Details 2026 Tour Details » 2024 Tour Details »

You’ll love this musical heritage vacation that follows the influential sounds of chart-topping history from Nashville to Memphis with a crescendo in New Orleans for all that jazz. Strut your way down Nashville’s Honky Tonk Row and to reserved seats at the Grand Ole Opry. Swivel your hips through Elvis Presley’s Graceland estate and the famous studios and streets of Memphis. Jump, jive, and wail through the New Orleans French Quarter in search of the blues and beignets. Follow the path of the Mississippi River to the famed Delta Blues Museum, the B.B. King Museum, and Morgan Freeman’s Ground Zero Blues Club. Both a musical and southern heritage tour, this vacation through the Deep South leads you to elegant antebellum mansions, historic sights, and the sounds of country, rock, and rhythm and blues. Eat, drink, and be merry in the city that does it best! When you extend your stay in the “Crescent City” on this Southern U.S. tour, there’s plenty to be over the moon about, including two more days of jambalaya, jazz, and resounding joy. A relaxing lunch cruise down the Mississippi is also included in your extended stay in “The Big Easy.”

To know more about the visas for this vacation, click here

GET A QUOTE

Notes:

The April 4 departure falls over French Quarter Fest.

For more time in music country, combine this tour with Music Cities: Nashville & Memphis (tour NF).

 Meals & Itinerary

 Meals

Breakfast daily, 3 lunches, 3 dinners

 Itinerary

Day 1

ARRIVE IN NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE Welcome to Music City, USA! At 6 pm, meet your traveling companions for a welcome drink.

NASHVILLE-DOWNTOWN.jpg

Day 2

NASHVILLE Studios, Stages & Stars Start your day with a visit to LF RCA Studio B, Nashville’s oldest recording studio. Then, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Nashville with a Local Guide, including Centennial Park’s full-size replica of Athens’ Parthenon. See the legendary recording and performing venues of Music Row and Honky Tonk Row—where music history was made and famous artists got their breaks. We then visit the Country Music Hall of Fame to see its collection of costumes, memorabilia, instruments, and photographs. Tonight, you have reserved seats for an unforgettable show at the world-famous Grand Ole Opry, the mecca for country musicians.
Breakfast Breakfast

LOCAL FAVORITE
CULTURAL GEM The legendary RCA Studio B is a hallowed hall of recording history where legends like Elvis Presley, Chet Atkins, Dolly Parton, and the Everly Brothers laid down classic tracks in Nashville’s oldest recording studio. Between 1957 and 1977, more than 35,000 songs were recorded here, making their mark on the musical landscape of America. Make your own recording for a priceless memory of your time in Nashville.


XGTY-NASHVILLE.jpg

Day 3

NASHVILLE–MEMPHIS Singing the Blues This morning, depart for Memphis, “Home of the Blues,” and visit Sun Studio, one of the most famous recording studios in the world and where rock ‘n’ roll was first recorded. Then, visit the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, a celebration of the great Memphis soul music. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant tonight.
Breakfast Breakfast Dinner Dinner

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
MUSICAL LEGENDS Ever since the Father of the Blues, W.C. Handy, coined the phrase, ‘Memphis Blues,’ this Tennessee mecca for American musicians has produced soulful sounds of syncopated rhythms with a blend of early jazz, vaudeville, ragtime, and folk styles with deep roots in the Deep South of the early 1900s. Memphis is also a mecca for rock-and-roll and country music icons throughout history, including artists who’ve recorded at the legendary Sun Studio – by the names of Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Roy Orbison – to name a few. Go deeper into music history with a visit to the Stax Museum of American Soul Music to discover the legacies of iconic artists from Otis Redding to Aretha Franklin.



XGTY-MEMPHIS-BEALE-STREET.jpg

Day 4

MEMPHIS. EXCURSION TO GRACELAND Goin’ to Graceland! See all the landmarks of Memphis today. 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 for a tour of the King of Rock-n-Roll's estate. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Breakfast Breakfast

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
LEGENDARY LIVES Tour the mansion at Graceland with access to Elvis’ original business office, his enormous collection of gold records and awards, and the Meditation Garden, where Elvis and members of his family have been laid to rest. See Elvis’ collection of ornate jumpsuits and capes, the automobile museum, and his collection of airplanes.


XGTY-GRACELAND.jpg

Day 5

MEMPHIS–CLARKSDALE, MISSISSIPPI–GREENWOOD Mississippi History Today, follow the mighty Mississippi River 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. Visit the Delta Blues Museum, dedicated to exploring the history and heritage of this unique American musical art form and masters of the art, including Muddy Waters and Sam Cooke. Peruse historical images, artifacts, musical instruments, and the cabin where Muddy Waters lived as a sharecropper. Enjoy a photo stop at the “Crossroads,” where legendary blues guitarist Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil in exchange for the best musical talent. Enjoy a LF special lunch with a local musician at Ground Zero Blues Club in Clarksdale. After lunch, continue to Greenwood, where many of its buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Take a guided tour to see the filming locations of the Oscar-winning film, The Help.
Breakfast Breakfast Lunch Lunch

LOCAL FAVORITE
TASTES & TRADITION Break bread in Clarksdale, the birthplace of the blues, with a special lunch served southern style at Ground Zero Blues Club. Co-owned by Academy Award winning actor, Morgan Freeman, this hopping juke-joint and restaurant is named for the historic town where blues first wailed and local musicians keep the blues cooking along with authentic southern-style dishes amid its eclectic down-home décor.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ACCOMMODATION SPOTLIGHT Enjoy a special overnight stay at the historic Alluvian Hotel. Originally opened in 1917, the renovated hotel is a luxurious respite on the Mississippi Blues Trail in the heart of the Delta.. Warm hospitality and charm in the heart of soulful South!


XGTY-CLARKSDALE-CROSSROADS.jpg

Day 6

GREENWOOD–INDIANOLA–NATCHEZ Slide Guitars & Steel Magnolias Visit the B.B. King Museum in Indianola, hometown of the legendary musician. Continue south to beautiful Natchez. Enjoy regional specialties while dining at a local restaurant tonight.
Breakfast Breakfast Dinner Dinner

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ARTISTRY & CULTURE Explore B.B. King’s 60-plus year career, from his time as a sharecropper and his time on Memphis’ Beale Street to the achieving international acclaim as a beloved force in Blues. Browse fascinating artifacts and images in the B.B. King Museum in Indianola, and a pick up an instrument to try your hand at the Blues!


NATCHEZ.jpg

Day 7

NATCHEZ–FERRIDAY, LOUISIANA–FROGMORE–LAFAYETTE Louisiana Legacies First stop today is the Delta Music Museum to hear intimate stories on a guided tour about Jerry Lee Lewis, Mickey Gilley, Conway Twitty, and other Louisiana Delta musicians. Then, head through Louisiana into the heart of Cajun Country for a visit to the historic Frogmore Plantation. Continue to Lafayette and partake in a unique musical experience at LF Cypress Cove Landing on the banks of the Atchafalaya Basin.
Breakfast Breakfast

LOCAL FAVORITE
CULTURAL GEMS Listen to rich Creole and Cajun music and storytelling by Yvette Landry and Soko Music. Learn the dances of Mardi Gras and Fais do do on the banks of the Atchafalaya Basin while enjoying live music. Ready to join the band? Play Cajun percussion instruments like the T-Fre or try the accordion and take part in the rich Louisiana French musical traditions.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORIC SPOT Learn about the trials and triumphs of American history with an enlightening tour of Frogmore Plantation. An 1800-acre working cotton plantation, Frogmore has 19 restored antebellum (pre-Civil War) structures that date from the early 1800's. Hear the history of the early Natchez planters and their slaves. A local guide tells of the evolution of history from the 1790's through the Civil War and the emergence of sharecropping. See a rare Smithsonian-quality steam cotton gin contrasting the historical methods with modern day planting, harvesting, and computerized ginning of cotton. A fascinating look at Southern history in Louisiana.


FROGMORE-PLANTATION.jpg

Day 8

LAFAYETTE–ST. MARTINVILLE-HOUMAS HOUSE PLANTATION–NEW ORLEANS Southern History & Tradition Enjoy a morning visit to St. Martinville to see the famous oak tree named for the heroine of Longfellow’s poem, Evangeline. Then, cruise through the swampy waterways of the Atchafalaya Basin. Larger than the Florida Everglades, the picturesque yet mysterious Atchafalaya Basin is home to moss-draped trees, a wealth of wildlife, and gators, of course. On to the Great River Road, where wealthy plantation owners built their monumental homes. Visit Houmas House Plantation and Gardens, called the “Crown Jewel of the Great River Road.” Enjoy lunch at the plantation followed by a mansion tour, which is filled with period antiques and Louisiana artwork. Enjoy free time to stroll the magnificent gardens, gift shop, or have a Mint Julep at the Turtle Bar. Continue to exciting New Orleans for a 2-night stay.
Breakfast Breakfast Lunch Lunch

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CULTURE & TRADITION Located between Baton Rouge and New Orleans, the Houmas House Estate allows visitors to experience the history of life on a sugarcane plantation. The mansion has been restored to the antebellum era, reflecting the opulence and wealth this sugarcane farm boasted in the 1880’s. The guided tour walks through the 250-year history, highlighting the architectural evolution from manor house to grand estate. See rare artworks and artifacts that explore life on the plantation.


XGTY-ST.-MARTINVILLE.jpg

Day 9

NEW ORLEANS Laissez les Bons Temps Rouler! Let the good times roll in New Orleans with a guided sightseeing tour of the French Quarter. Stop at an above-ground cemetery and learn about the city’s unique funeral customs and drive along tree-lined St. Charles Avenue to see the stately homes bordering the historic Garden District. This afternoon is free to explore New Orleans on your own, shop for a favorite souvenir, listen to live music or relax with a fresh cup of café au lait and a beignet. Tonight, celebrate your musical journey with a festive farewell dinner at one of the famed local restaurants in New Orleans.
Breakfast Breakfast Dinner Dinner

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CULTURAL GEM World-renowned for its Jazz, Blues, and Cajun music, New Orleans is also the place for celebration – from Mardi Gras to the brass-band funeral processions. The French Quarter is so rich in French and Spanish Creole culture that it spills out from the wrought iron verandas onto the street where Bourbon Street swells with the sounds of kitchens, bars, and blues bands filling the fragrant Southern air. Down a hurricane glass of your favorite libation in the town that’s as resilient as its strongest winds.


NEW-ORLEANS-HORN.jpg

Day 10

NEW ORLEANS The Big Easy Continue your stay in New Orleans with a free day to explore.
Breakfast Breakfast

FREE TIME TIPS
EXPLORE MORE in New Orleans with a powdered plate of beignets at Café du Monde, ride a New Orleans streetcar, shop for souvenirs, or learn to cook Cajun specialties at the New Orleans School of Cooking. Sample some of the country’s finest restaurants or listen to some local jazz musicians at Preservation Hall. Your GlobusGO mobile app has all the maps and tips on where to dine, shop, and sway.


NEW-ORLEANS-BEIGNETS.jpg

Day 11

NEW ORLEANS The Big Muddy Today, join a 2-hour lunch cruise along the Mississippi River, featuring great jazz and delicious food. The remainder of the day is free.
Breakfast Breakfast Lunch Lunch

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
LEGENDS & LORE From its headwaters of Minnesota's Lake Itasca to its delta at Louisiana’s Gulf of Mexico, the mighty Mississippi River courses through 10 states and 2,350 miles (3782 km) to release more than 4 million gallons of water in the gulf each second. The widest spot is 11 miles across, and this legendary river is a vital source of hydroelectric energy and drinking water. The Mississippi’s rich history and folklore are as deep as the Big Muddy itself - from Old Man River’s paddlewheels as the setting of America’s first musical, Showboat, to the beloved tales of Mark Twain’s mischievous Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer, the Mississippi River is a force of nature, legend, and lore.


NEW-ORLEANS-PADDLE-STEAMER.jpg

Day 12

NEW ORLEANS Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
Breakfast Breakfast

NEW-ORLEANS-LOUISIANA-SQUARE.jpg

 Tour Director

With Globus, there’s no better way to get to know your destination than through the eyes of your Tour Director. Averaging over a decade... we’d like you to meet a Tour Director, who is representative of the type of expert that will be with you on your vacation.

PATRICK NEILSON

Escorting tours for more than 20 years

" An educator by trade, I hold post-graduate degrees in English Emersion and Tourism & Marketing. I speak English, Spanish, and Portuguese. I use my training and experience to bring the history and culture of each place alive. I love to share my passion, enthusiasm, and knowledge with guests while providing a unique local perspective."

Tour Director -  PATRICK NEILSON

BARBARA BURYIAK

Escorting tours for more than 20 years

" As a Tour Director for more than two decades, I've always had a passion for travel. At 18, I traveled solo throughout Europe. A few years later, I was one of three youth ambassadors on a cultural exchange to Burkina Faso. As a Tour Director, I enjoy showing off America's Heartland. I encourage my guests to talk to the locals and try the regional foods. Guests often tell me that their fondest memories are of their time spent in small towns with "real Americans.""

Tour Director -  BARBARA BURYIAK

 Accommodations

NASHVILLE

GAYLORD OPRYLAND RESORT

Hotel as shown or similar
Moderate Deluxe
  Free Wifi

MEMPHIS

THE GUEST HOUSE AT GRACELAND

Hotel as shown or similar
Superior First-Class
  Free Wifi

GREENWOOD

THE ALLUVIAN HOTEL

Hotel as shown or similar
Superior First-Class
  Free Wifi

NATCHEZ

MAGNOLIA BLUFFS CASINO HOTEL

Hotel as shown or similar
Tourist Class
  Free Wifi

LAFAYETTE

DOUBLETREE BY HILTON LAFAYETTE

Hotel as shown or similar
First-Class
  Free Wifi

NEW ORLEANS

SHERATON NEW ORLEANS

Hotel as shown or similar
Superior First-Class
  Free Wifi

 Optional Excursions

Contact your Travel Consultant for more information.
Price Ranges

$ ($50 USD and under)
$$ ($51 - $100 USD)
$$$ ($101 - $150 USD)
$$$$ (Over $150)



* The "Starting at" or listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per passenger based on double occupancy and does not include airfare; additional fees/charges are not included. If a price is crossed out, the new price includes a limited time promotional offer(s) – please review current promotions or deals for additional information. Some tours require intra-vacation flights (and in some cases intra-vacation segments must be purchased from Globus).
#pf-content img.mediumImage { display: inline-block !important; width: auto !important; }