Members save more on over 100,000 hotels worldwide
Unlock member discounts
Unlock exclusive discounts and inclusions
Members only pricing
Bonus hand-picked inclusions
Country Roads of the Deep South - Classic Group
Operated by Insight Vacations
Tripcode: ASTHAZM20
Overview
Destination:
United States,
United States Of America,
Start:Nashville, United States Of America
Finish:New Orleans, United States Of America
Finish:New Orleans, United States Of America
Duration:12 days
Type:Group tour (max 40)
Travel Period
April 2025 - October 2025
Fall in love with the Deep South during this 12-day guided tour. Let the lights and music of Nashville wash over you as you walk down Broadway. Take a guided tour of Studio B, Nashville's oldest remaining recording studio. Then head to the Country Music Hall of Fame which preserves, celebrates, and shares the important cultural asset that is country music. In Memphis, enjoy a private tour of the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, a former record studio where Nashville greats recorded their music. Get the chance to explore the mansion which was the private retreat of the King of Rock 'n Roll on your own. Embrace Cajun Country and take a crawfish farm tour, where a Local Expert will help you catch your lunch. In New Orleans walk the city with a Local Expert, who will guide you through its vibrant art scene and unique architecture. Then end your trip with a bang and learn all about Mardi Gras, during an exclusive behind the scenes tour of Mardi Gras World, where the magic happens and the extravagant floats are built each year.
Standard inclusions
- 3 Dinner with Wine (DW)
- 11 Breakfast (B)
- 2 Dinner (D)
- 1 Lunch (L)
Itinerary
Expand all 
Collapse all
Collapse allArrive in Nashville
Welcome to Nashville, the capital of Tennessee and the USA’s glittering centre stage. From the Everly Brothers' “Bye Bye Love," to Roy Orbison’s “Oh, Pretty Woman," the streets are paved with talent. Relax and unwind before meeting your Travel Director and mingling with guests at 18:00 followed by a Welcome Dinner with wine.
Take centre stage in Nashville
Start your day with an orientation tour of music city. You'll visit the picturesque Riverfront Park, Tennessee State Capitol and the 132-acre Centennial State Park, where you'll encounter an exact replica of the Parthenon. Pass by the city's lively honky-tonks and street performers on Broadway. Make your way to historic RCA Studio B, Nashville’s oldest remaining recording studio for a guided tour. Studio B became a cradle of the Nashville Sound in the late 1950s and early 1960s with over 35,000 songs being recorded here by iconic artists such as Dolly Parton, Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, and even more recently, Martina McBride and Carrie Underwood. On this guided tour, you will hear the fascinating stories behind the legendary recordings and view some of the original instruments used in producing over 1,000 hit records. We then continue to another home to Nashville royalty, The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum for a self-guided tour. The museum helps to preserve, celebrate, and share the important cultural asset that is country music. Along with changing exhibitions, you'll discover the enlightening "Sing Me Back Home: Folk Roots to the Present." Which tells the story of country music from its pre-commercial roots in the 19th century through its life today. See original artifacts, photographs and recordings. Tonight, head to the famous Grand Ole Opry, the world-renowned country music stage and longest-running radio broadcast in U.S. history for even more Country fun.
Choose your Nashville Exploration
Today we make a stop at the Nashville Farmer’s Market to explore its artisanal crafts and produce. You decide how to discover Nashville this afternoon with Insight Choice. Choose to visit Nelson’s Green Brier, a local Tennessee distillery and home of the Original Tennessee Whiskey for a guided tour of the distillery and tasting of the product. Or join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience with a visit to The National Museum of African American Music, the only museum dedicated to preserving and celebrating the many music genres created, influenced and inspired by African Americans. This is for music lovers of all generations, inspiring, educating and transforming your appreciation of American music - all while celebrating the central role African Americans play in creating the American soundtrack.
Heading back home to Memphis
This morning you'll head to Memphis. Whether it’s your first or hundredth time visiting this vibrant city, you’ll be drawn in by the lively melodies coming from Beale Street. Spend the morning on a sightseeing tour of the city, followed by your first of two MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences today. The first is a visit to the National Civil Rights Museum for a guided tour through centuries of the Civil Rights Movement and its impact on our culture today. The second is your private evening at the Stax Museum of American Soul Music. The museum is part of The Soulsville Foundation, which aims to prepare young adults for life success and inspire future artists.
A day dedicated to the King
This morning it's off to Graceland, where you will get to explore the mansion, the private retreat of the King of Rock 'n Roll, where he went for reprise when not on the stage or in the movies. The tour of Graceland Mansion includes the living room and the famous Jungle Room. Then visit the Entertainer Career Museum with hundreds of artifacts and photos from significant events in Elvis’ life as well as the Presley Motors Automobile Museum. Then we continue onto Sun Studios for an authentic guided tour led by a local musician. Learn all about the recording studio where Elvis got his start along with so many of the greatest and therefore known as "The Birthplace of Rock'n'roll." Dinner this evening will be served at The Beauty Shop, a former parlour turned whimsical New American eatery where Elvis’ ex-wife, Priscilla, was said to get her hair done.
Memphis to Greenwood
Travel through the Mississippi Delta down the Mississippi Blues Trail, a route that tells the stories of local businessmen and women. Your Travel Director will give you background information on Greenwood’s significance in the Civil Rights Movement, being a centre for protests and voter registration struggles from 1962 to 1965. Head to the Viking Cooking School for a hot tamales cooking class. Later, enjoy a delicious three course meal with wine.
Moving on to Natchez
Learn more about Southern history and hospitality as you head to Natchez. Tour a historic Antebellum mansion and discover the preservation efforts of later generations to tell the story of African-Americans through the decades, understanding that slavery and cotton allowed plantation owners to build these mansions. Test your mixologist skills as you concoct a traditional Southern cocktail, the Mint Julep. Minty, cooling and with a touch of sweetness, you're sure to learn a few party tricks to bring back home with you. Arrive at your hotel where you will enjoy an evening to yourself. Ask your Travel Director for restaurant suggestions and discover one of the wonderful options in town.
Natchez to Lafayette
Move on to Lafayette for a taste of the Cajun and Creole Countryside. Get ready for a boat tour of a lifetime through moss-draped cypress trees, where graceful egrets perch just out of the reach of lingering alligators. Explore the diverse natural beauty and rich ecological systems of America's largest and most mysterious swamp ecosystem, the Atchafalaya Basin Swamp. A Native Cajun tour guide will explain from personal experience what it is like to live on a houseboat or survive off the swamp, while pointing out the abundant plants of the area and getting you up close and personal with the wildlife.
Lafayette for food lovers Relaxed Start
After breakfast, start the day with a visit to the Acadian Cultural Centre to learn more about the people, music, and sounds that give Lafayette its distinct and charming character. This evening you will join a Local Expert for a tour of their crawfish pond. If you visit during Crawfish season, catch your dinner the old-fashioned way, using hand nets, then enjoy a cooking demonstration before your authentic Cajun meal.
Welcome to the Big Easy
New Orleans is a lively and dynamic city, known for its vibrant culture and electric jazz festivals. On the way down south, take a spicy stop at the Tabasco® Factory for a self-guided tour and discover how the world-famous red hot pepper sauce is made. A family recipe - TABASCO® Brand products are made by McIlhenny Company, founded by Edmund McIlhenny in 1868 on Avery Island, Louisiana. This afternoon, enjoy a regional meal highlighting the flavours of New Orleans. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Festivities in New Orleans Relaxed Start
Get to know the city with a Local Expert, as you discover each neighborhood's unique architecture and explore the vibrant art scene. See how the community comes together through celebration. Enjoy an exclusive behind the scenes tour of Mardi Gras World, where the magic happens and the extravagant, vibrant floats are built each year. One of the Mardi Gras World certified artists will lead you through designing your very own Mardi Gras mask and creating your masterpiece, premium felt backed mask with glitter, feathers and more to take back as an eclectic memento of your time in The Big Easy.
Depart New Orleans
It’s time to say goodbye to your fellow travellers as your adventure comes to an end. Departure to the airport will be at leisure.
Departure dates
Select your preferred date or enquire
Operator
Insight Vacations
The art of touring in style. We've been enriching the lives of curious travellers since 1978. Incredible travel is more than visiting amazing destinations, it's about the connections you make and how you spend every moment, from authentic experiences that enrich the mind to stylish hotels that rest the soul. Insightful Experiences: Come away enriched and informed. Dive into an incredible variety of included experiences, meet fascinating people and step into their lives. Our Local Experts take you to the heart of each place you visit. Insightful experiences will create memories about the sights you see and the stories behind them, ranging from a local expert talking you through the wonders of the Grand Canyon, to twirling on the dancefloor in Vienna. Superior Dining: Immerse yourself in local tastes and culture. Great food is at the heart of every journey, and we believe dining is an experience to be savoured. Dine the local way in handpicked restaurants and enjoy delicious seasonable, farm-to-table fare in Sicily. Or, step into the home of a local host in Bosnia to learn the secrets of their favourite dishes. Premium Comfort: Stay in style at highly rated hotels. Where you stay makes the difference between a good vacation and an unforgettable travel experience. We choose highly rated hotels that are hand-picked for their fantastic locations, giving you more time to enjoy your destination. Our most stylish hand-picked hotels include the Taj Aravial Resort & Spa in India and the five-star Bovey Castle in England, nestled within 275 acres of beautiful countryside. Personal Service: Everything is taken care of so you can simply relax. Expertly trained, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic, your Travel Director takes care of everything and makes your vacation personal to you. A true friend overseas, your Travel Director ensures a fabulous, seamless journey from start to finish. We make travel matter. Experience conscious and sustainable travel with Insight Vacations. Each of our tours includes a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®️ Experience, which will teach you about your destination while also having a positive social or environmental impact on the local community.
Important Information
*Terms and conditions
Please note: We are proud to be an independent agent to travel providers of hotels, flights and other related services. We are not a tour operator. Details and information on the offer are provided by 3rd party businesses and although we do our best to verify the information, we cannot guarantee its accuracy on all occasions. These offers are not available in conjunction with any other offer unless otherwise stated. Pricing and availability are subject to change without notice.
For more information, please see Terms of Use
Book now
Need help?
Price from
$7,459
$7,086
*
Member price from
$7,086*
per person
11 nights
Check departuresCan't find the answer you're looking for? Get in touch with our friendly Travel Consultants.
Call 1800 850 888Speak to one of our friendly consultants, available during business hours.
Mon to Fri · 9am - 5pm AEST
Speak to an expert in-store
Prefer to plan in person? Make an appointment at our Travel Store to speak with one of our experts
You might also like
© 2025 Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV) All rights reserved.