9-Nights America's Musical Heritage - Classic, First-Class from $4,979

Globus

OFFER ID 1729136

Follow the rich musical and cultural heritage of the American South on a journey from Nashville to New Orleans, where each destination reveals a distinct chapter in the region’s story. Begin in Nashville, the heart of country music, before continuing to Memphis, home of the blues and the legacy of Elvis Presley at Graceland. Travel along the Mississippi River through the storied landscapes of the Delta and the musical crossroads of Muscle Shoals, where some of America’s most influential sounds were recorded.

Continue into Louisiana, where Cajun traditions, river history, and Southern cuisine shape the character of the region. Savor the grand finale in New Orleans, a city of unmistakable character where French, African, and American influences converge in its architecture, cuisine, and musical rhythm. Here, time is best spent wandering historic streets, discovering hidden courtyards, and experiencing the city’s layered cultural heritage.

PLUS, this tour includes your choice of excursions in New Orleans so you can plan your day your way.

9 nights from $4,979 per person

Itinerary

Click here for Full Itinerary Details

Itinerary Details

America's Musical Heritage

Day 1: ARRIVE IN NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE Welcome to Music City, USA! At 6:00 p.m., meet your travel companions for a welcome drink.

Day 2: NASHVILLE Studios, Stages & Stars Experience historic RCA Studio B, Nashville's legendary recording studio and a landmark of American music history. Here, generations of artists helped create the iconic "Nashville Sound," producing timeless recordings that continue to influence music today. Continue with a guided sightseeing tour of Nashville, including Centennial Park and its impressive full-scale replica of the Parthenon, along with Music Row and Honky Tonk Highway—the heart of Music City's vibrant past and present. Delve deeper into Nashville's rich musical heritage at the Country Music Hall of Fame, home to an extraordinary collection of artifacts, instruments, costumes, and exhibits celebrating the artists and songs that defined generations. This evening, take your reserved seat at the world-famous Grand Ole Opry, an iconic American institution where country music's legends and rising stars continue a tradition that has captivated audiences for nearly a century. (B)

LOCAL FAVORITE
RCA Studio B is one of the most important recording studios in American music history, where artists including Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton, Chet Atkins, and the Everly Brothers recorded defining works of their careers. Between 1957 and 1977, more than 35,000 recordings were made here, helping shape the sound of Nashville and beyond.

Day 3: NASHVILLE–MEMPHIS Singing the Blues This morning, take part in a meaningful hands-on experience with [LF] Strings for Hope, a social enterprise that transforms repurposed musical instrument strings into handcrafted jewelry, supporting pathways to stability for survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and addiction. Continue south to Memphis, a city defined by its musical legacy and cultural depth. Visit Sun Studio, the birthplace of early rock ’n’ roll and a landmark where artists such as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis first recorded. Continue to the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, where the story of Memphis soul is told through original recordings, artifacts, and the artists who helped shape its sound. This evening, enjoy dinner at a local Memphis restaurant. (B,D)

LOCAL FAVORITE
Sustainability, social enterprise and survivor leadership come together with Strings for Hope. The organization breathes new life into repurposed musical instrument strings to create jewelry, supporting new lives for survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and addiction by providing jobs, skills training, and economic stability.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
Explore Memphis, where blues, soul, and rock ’n’ roll converged to shape modern American music. Visit Sun Studio, the birthplace of iconic recordings by Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash, and the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, honoring the artists who defined a generation.

Day 4: MEMPHIS. EXCURSION TO GRACELAND Goin’ to Graceland! Explore the landmarks of Memphis today with a Local Guide. Then continue to Graceland, the former home of Elvis Presley, for an in-depth visit to the estate of the “King of Rock ’n’ Roll.” The remainder of the day is at leisure. (B)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
Step inside Graceland for a rare look at Elvis Presley’s private world, including his mansion, personal offices, and Meditation Garden. Explore exhibits featuring his iconic stage costumes, gold records, automobiles, and private aircraft, offering a comprehensive portrait of his life, career, and cultural legacy.

Day 5: MEMPHIS–MUSCLE SHOALS, ALABAMASweet Home Alabama Depart Memphis and travel into northwest Alabama, following the Tennesee River into “The Shoals.” Discover the area’s rich cultural and music history on a guided tour of [LF] FAME Recording Studios, an unassuming space that became one of the defining studios of the American South.Explore the Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area, where music, civil rights history, and Indigenous heritage intersect along the river landscape. Continue to the Wilson Lock and Dam for dramatic views of the Tennessee Valley Authority’s largest hydroelectric facility, a National Historic Landmark. Enjoy regional specialties while dining at a local restaurant tonight. (B,D)

LOCAL FAVORITE
FAME is the home of the world-famous “Muscle Shoals Sound.” Since the 1960s, many legends recorded landmark hits at FAME Recording Studio, including Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, Etta James, The Rolling Stones and more. Tour the legendary studio and hear the unique Muscle Shoals sound – a blend of country and soul mixed with rhythm and blues.

Day 6: MUSCLE SHOALS–CLARKSDALE, MISSISSIPPI–GREENWOOD Slide Guitars & Steel Magnolias Travel south into the Mississippi Delta, a landscape widely regarded as the birthplace of the blues. Shaped by its agricultural history and river geography, this region gave rise to a distinctive musical tradition that continues to influence artists around the world. Visit the Delta Blues Museum, a curated collection of artifacts, photographs, and instruments that trace the evolution of the blues. Exhibits include the original sharecropper cabin of Muddy Waters, offering insight into the early life and environment that shaped his music. Continue to Greenwood, a Mississippi town known for well-preserved architecture and deep cultural history. Enjoy a guided tour highlighting the historic districts and filming locations of the Oscar-winning film and book, The Help. This evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant featuring regional Southern cuisine. (B,L)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
Enjoy an overnight stay at The Alluvian Hotel in Greenwood, a recently restored property originally opened in 1917. Set along the Mississippi Blues Trail, the hotel offers a refined base for exploring the cultural and musical heritage of the Delta, combining historic character with contemporary comfort in the heart of town.

Day 7: GREENWOOD–JACKSON–LAFAYETTE, LOUISIANALouisiana Legacies Travel through the cultural heart of the Deep South, beginning in Jackson, Mississippi, a city shaped by its Civil Rights history and enduring musical traditions. Continue south into Louisiana, where the landscape shifts toward bayous, waterways, and the distinct rhythms of Cajun country as you arrive in Lafayette. Experience live Cajun and Creole music at Cypress Cove Landing along the banks of the Atchafalaya Basin, where (LF) local musicians share the traditions, stories, and sounds that define Louisiana French culture. (B)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
Named for U.S. President Andrew Jackson and largely destroyed during the Civil War, Jackson recovered, rebuilt, and became the state capital. Jackson was a significant center during American Civil Rights Movement and is now home to the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum. Today, Jackson thrives as a cultural and economic center and hub for gospel and blues music.

LOCAL FAVORITE
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.

Day 8: LAFAYETTE–ST. MARTINVILLE–HOUMAS HOUSE PLANTATION–NEW ORLEANS Southern History & Tradition Begin the day in St. Martinville, home to the Evangeline Oak, a landmark tied to Longfellow’s classic poem and Louisiana’s Acadian heritage. Continue into the Atchafalaya Basin, a vast wetland ecosystem larger than the Florida Everglades, where moss-draped cypress trees and winding waterways reveal a quieter, atmospheric side of Louisiana. Continue along the Great River Road to Houmas House Plantation and Gardens, one of the region’s most notable riverfront estates. Enjoy lunch on the grounds before touring the mansion, known for its period architecture, curated antiques, and expansive gardens. Journey on to New Orleans for a two-night stay, where music, culture, and river history converge in one of America’s most distinctive cities. (B,L)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
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.

Day 9: NEW ORLEANS Spend Your Day Your Way in New Orleans Experience the centuries of French, Spanish, and Creole influence in New Orleans on a guided sightseeing tour including the French Quarter. Continue to one of the city’s distinctive above-ground cemeteries for insight into local burial traditions shaped by geography and history.
Travel along St. Charles Avenue, lined with live oaks and stately homes, as you pass into the Garden District, known for its preserved mansions and timeless residential character. (B,D)

Explore more of New Orleans with your choice of included Globus Choice excursions.

THE WAR THAT CHANGED THE WORLD

Visit the immersive exhibits at the National World War II Museum. Explore the extensive collection, see wartime vehicles and learn about the battles that changed the world. Hear oral histories of courage, optimism and bravery to journey deeper inside the story of World War II.

LAISSEZ LES BONS TEMPS ROULER!

Let the good times roll in historic New Orleans during a craft cocktail walking tour. Visit the French Quarter's famous bars and restaurants and discover the best spirits of The Big Easy. Note: This is a walking tour on uneven sidewalks and streets. Must be 21.

This evening, celebrate your journey with a farewell dinner at a local New Orleans restaurant, reflecting the city’s celebrated culinary heritage and vibrant cultural spirit.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
“Let the good times roll” in the Big Easy—world-renowned for its Jazz, Blues, and Cajun musicand the place for celebration – from Mardi Gras to the brass-band funeral processions. New Orleans is defined by its layered cultural heritage, where French, Spanish, African, and American influences come together in architecture, cuisine, and music. From the historic French Quarter to the grand avenues of the Garden District, the city reflects a unique blend of history and lived tradition. Music remains at its heart, from intimate jazz clubs to the city’s long-standing brass band traditions that accompany celebrations and remembrance alike.

Day 10: NEW ORLEANS Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

Featured Destinations

Muscle Shoals Area, AL

A lot of regional culture flows through this area, which was once known for a treacherous series of rapids on the Tennessee River. (The rapids have since been tamed by the Army Corps of Engineers and the Tennessee Valley Authority—the area's Wilson Dam has one of the world's highest single-lift navigation locks.)

Florence, the chief retail center, began as a trading post on a stagecoach route. Travelers today can see the old stagecoach stop, which was built by slaves in the early 1800s. It's now Pope's Tavern Museum, specializing in Civil War memorabilia and antiques (phone 256-760-6439). From the top of the Renaissance Tower, you'll be able to look out over the Tennessee Valley. (There's a restaurant at the top, an aquarium on the second level and a number of high-tech exhibits on the ground floor.) We also suggest that you see the Indian Mound Museum (phone 256-760-6427). At 43 ft/13 m high, the burial mound there is the largest on the Tennessee River (with artifacts dating back 10,000 years). We consider it an absolute must to visit the W.C. Handy Home and Museum, where the Father of the Blues was born—the museum contains his trumpet and the piano he used to compose "St. Louis Blues" (phone 256-760-6434). Florence holds the W.C. Handy Music Festival, a weeklong celebration of music, in August. About 20 mi/32 km east of Florence, in Rogersville, is Joe Wheeler State Park, which overlooks the scenic Tennessee River.

From Florence, drive to Tuscumbia (named for a Chickasaw chief). This town is most famous as the birthplace of Helen Keller. We think it's worth a visit to see Ivy Green, the Keller birthplace and shrine. On June and July weekends, actors perform the play The Miracle Worker. The Alabama Music Hall of Fame is in Tuscumbia and pays tribute to the state's musical heritage. Phone 800-239-2643. http://www.alamhof.org.

In nearby Sheffield, you'll find several legendary rhythm-and-blues recording studios. (Local musician Percy Sledge cut "When a Man Loves a Woman" in one of them.) The best known is Muscle Shoals Sound Studio, which has been the scene of some of the great moments in R&B. Many recording artists (such as Paul Simon, the Rolling Stones, Bob Seger and Aretha Franklin) have sequestered themselves in the area just for the chance to record with the studio's regular lineup of session players. Phone 256-783-2641. http://muscleshoalssound.org.

About 20 mi/32 km southwest is the Key Underwood Coon Dog Memorial Graveyard, started in 1937 when a dog named Troop was laid to rest there. It's now the final resting place of nearly 200 coon dogs. Phone 256-383-0783. http://www.coondogcemetery.com.

Ancient canyon walls light up like a starry sky with tiny bioluminescent creatures known as Dismalites at Dismals Canyon 34 mi/55 km south of Florence. This is one of the few places outside New Zealand where these interesting insects exist. A secluded, natural retreat, Dismals Canyon has been designated as a National Natural Landmark by the Natural Park Service. Phone 205-993-4559. http://www.dismalscanyon.com. The Muscle Shoals area is approximately 100 mi/160 km northwest of Birmingham.

Greenwood

Memphis

Nashville

Lafayette

New Orleans

Vacation Details

Valid Date Ranges

04/07/2028 - 04/16/2028

from $5,689 per person

04/21/2028 - 04/30/2028

from $5,689 per person

05/12/2028 - 05/21/2028

from $5,039 per person

09/01/2028 - 09/10/2028

from $5,629 per person

09/22/2028 - 10/01/2028

from $4,979 per person

10/06/2028 - 10/15/2028

from $5,689 per person

* This departure has been designated a guaranteed departure by the operator, meaning that the minimum number of guests has been met, although still subject to weather and other conditions.

Prices Start At

from $4,979 per person

Length

9 Nights

Air City

Call for airfares from your city.

Vacation Rating

Deluxe

Remarks

Prices listed are land-only, per person, based on double occupancy and are subject to change and availability. Itinerary and map subject to change. 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 international airfare. Some tours require intra-vacation flights (and in some cases intra-vacation segments must be purchased from Globus) in which case intra-vacation air and taxes are included in the price shown.

All fares are quoted in US Dollars.

OFFER ID

1729136

Reference this number when contacting our agency so we may better serve you. Also keeping this number handy will allow you to locate this document again quickly.

Request More Info!

OVERVIEW SUPPLIERS DESTINATIONS

Vacations Search

Between

And

Escorted Tours Only

Land Only Tours

9-Nights America's Musical Heritage - Classic, First-Class from $4,979

Itinerary Details

Vacation Details

Navigation

Contact Info

Newsletter