This site is not fully supported in Internet Explorer 11 (and earlier) versions. Please upgrade your browser to Microsoft Edge, Chrome, Safari or other latest browser.
You are viewing the consumer version of the trip page.Please click here to return to search results where you can access the agent version of these trip pages.
Tastes and Sounds of the South
10 Day USA Food Tour of Nashville, Memphis & New Orleans
Join us for a little jazz, home cookin' from local Southerners, country music, and a whole lot of Rock 'n' Roll on this inspiring American South tour showcasing the rich culture of Memphis, Nashville, Natchez, and New Orleans, plus a trip to Elvis’s iconic Graceland.
W T T C Safe Travels Stamp Icon
Trip code
DTSS
Tastes and Sounds of the South
10 Day USA Food Tour of Nashville, Memphis & New Orleans
Join us for a little jazz, home cookin' from local Southerners, country music, and a whole lot of Rock 'n' Roll on this inspiring American South tour showcasing the rich culture of Memphis, Nashville, Natchez, and New Orleans, plus a trip to Elvis’s iconic Graceland.
The beating heart of America's Music City will chart your pace as you prepare to embark on a leisurely pilgrimage to discover the tastes and sounds of the South. This evening, join your Travel Director and fellow travelers for a Welcome Reception.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - Sheraton Grand Nashville
The famous Nashville Sound comes alive this morning as RCA Studio B reveals the legends of Elvis Presley, Jim Reeves and Roy Orbison. Dive Into Culture and gain insights into the life and music of Johnny Cash during a private performance of original Cash tunes with one of Johnny's family members. Our acoustic journey continues with a visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum to see Elvis' Solid Gold Cadillac limousine and Jim Reeves' tuxedo jacket. Then, you will have the opportunity to watch the Grand Ole Opry.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Day 3
Discover The History Of The Nashville Sound
Continue our discovery of Nashville on a Your Choice sightseeing experience, exploring either the Johnny Cash Museum or the Ryman Auditorium. With an afternoon on your own, amble through Broadway's honky-tonk scene or perhaps enjoy the gut-busting flavours of homemade hot chicken or biscuits.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Day 4
Sway To The Blues Of Memphis
Head to Memphis' famous Beale Street, the birthplace of Blues, Soul, and Rock 'n' Roll, for a tour where we'll meet a musician and Local Specialist to learn about the musical heritage of Memphis. Continue your Memphis sightseeing with a visit to the Lorraine Motel where civil rights activist Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was tragically assassinated and one of the most significant locations of the Civil Rights Movement. Then explore one of the most significant sites in town and one of the premier heritage and cultural museums, the National Civil Rights Museum. “Walk through history” in interactive exhibits that show how the heroes and lessons from the civil rights movement continue to impact equality all over the world. Enjoy a Regional Dinner of Southern cuisine this evening, capping off your tour of Memphis, past and present.
Worship at the altar of the King, Elvis Presley, and head to Graceland, paying tribute to the man who changed the face of American popular music and culture. Then, pay a visit to Sun Studios, which sought to immortalize the raw energy of Beale Street, recording the first Rock 'n' Roll single in 1951. This evening is free.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Day 6
Taste Southern Charm In Natchez
Kick off the day’s sightseeing with a musical morning at the Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum exploring the blues, country, and gospel of the rural South before leaving for Natchez, Mississippi. Follow the path of the famous Natchez Trace scenic road, originally established as a footpath by Native Americans and later used by explorers, traders and travelers. You’ll arrive in Natchez on the banks of the Mississippi, surrounded by the antebellum homes. The best way to experience Natchez is with a taste of Southern hospitality and you’ll experience all this and more at tonight’s memorable Be My Guest experience at one of the region’s beautiful historic, private homes for a meal. Connect With Locals as hosts who have lived in the area for generations open their doors and share their stories as you enjoy dinner and backyard cocktails like Planter’s Punch paired with elevated Southern fare.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - Magnolia Bluffs Hotel
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast, Be My Guest
Day 7
Sample The Flavours Of New Orleans
Today your travels take you deeper into an important part of Southern history. On this morning’s visit to a working cotton plantation, Frogmore Plantation and Gins, learn about Natchez planters and slavery in the South. Tour the property boasting 19 restored antebellum structures and equipment dating from the early 1800's including a Smithsonian quality steam gin listed on the National Register. You’ll learn how cotton was made and most importantly gain a better understanding of slavery in the South. Your tour brings you back into the present with a stop at its currently operating 900 bales-per-day cotton gin. Next up: enjoy a fun cooking demonstration with a local and a regional meal of Creole cuisine.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - Sheraton New Orleans
Let the good times roll in New Orleans today, tracing the cosmopolitan history of one of America's oldest cities with a Local Specialist, stopping at City Park and one of the ornate above-ground cemeteries. Spend the afternoon soaking up the laid-back vibes of The Big Easy. The afternoon is yours to explore on your own.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Day 9
Entice Your Senses In New Orleans
Today is yours to explore the French, Spanish and Creole sights and sounds of New Orleans. If you're feeling adventurous, visit Marie Laveau's Historic Voodoo Museum. This evening, join your Travel Director and new friends for a Farewell Dinner.
For now, it's ‘Au Revoir' New Orleans, but not ‘Adieu'. Take a transfer to New Orleans International Airport or extend your stay in New Orleans at the Sheraton New Orleans.
Notepad Icon You must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to travel
Trip details
Trip details
What's included
Trip Summary Accomodation Icon
9 nights
Accommodation
Trip Summary Meals Icon
14 Meals
1 Welcome Reception, 9 Breakfasts, 2 Regional Dinners, 1 Be My Guest, 1 Farewell Dinner
Trip Summary Transport Icon
On-trip Transport
All transport shown
The Trafalgar difference
Dive Into Culture
The famous Nashville Sound comes alive this morning as RCA's Studio B reveals the legends of Elvis Presley, Jim Reeves and Roy Orbison. 'Dive into Culture' and gain insights into the life and music of Johnny Cash during a private performance of original Cash tunes with one of Johnny's family members.
Connect With Locals
Join a pianist and a chef for an evening of true southern hospitality and an opportunity to explore the sights and sounds of two beautiful Natchez homes.
Sightseeing highlights
Experience Ti Filled Icon
Explore Memphis and New Orleans
Experience Ti Filled Icon
Discover Nashville
Experience Ti Filled Icon
Visit Graceland, Frogmore Plantation, Rock 'n' Soul Museum, Studio B, Sun Studio, Country Music Hall of Fame, Civil Rights Museum
Live, unedited & independent traveler reviews
Tastes and Sounds of the South trip reviews
Our guests are at the heart of everything we do, their feedback fuels our innovation, inspiring us to improve continuously and craft Simply The Best vacations. That's why we ask each of our guests to leave a third-party verified, independent review after every trip. As testament to our commitment we have been given the Trusted Service Award from Feefo, recognising we deliver exceptional experiences as rated by real guests.
Overall rating
4.7
Out of 5
Based on 436 independent reviews
Trip rating
Customer experience
Trip rating is the overall quality of the itinerary and trip
4.7
Out of 5
5
Review Star Icon
326
4
Review Star Icon
92
3
Review Star Icon
14
2
Review Star Icon
2
1
Review Star Icon
2
Customer experience is the standard of service you receive
4.8
Out of 5
5
Review Star Icon
352
4
Review Star Icon
67
3
Review Star Icon
15
2
Review Star Icon
0
1
Review Star Icon
3
Navigation Chevron Left Icon
Trusted Customer My Account Icon
Clock Icon
Quote Icon
Exciting, educational, fun, excellent
Trip Rating
Review Star Icon
5
Excellent itinerary for those wanting to know more history of the South
My first ever experience with Trafalgar was excellent. Our tour director Drew was timely with all the necessary details, very professionsl and did everything in the spirit of excellence. Took care of every logistical detail necessary and then some. Our bus driver Josh was an excellent driver. He was very courteous and his bus immaculate . I loved the location of all our hotel stays. The itineraries were in alignment with my expectation . Best trip ever!
Tastes and Sounds of the South: A tour of wonderful food and great music!
Trip Rating
Review Star Icon
5
Everything was great. We saw and experienced things that we would never have known about if traveling on our own. The accommodations were very nice, offering good breakfast options. Our itinerary was full and yet allowed us plenty of free time. We were offered a good selection of optional experiences as well.
Drew, our tour director was terrific. He was very knowledgeable of the region, kept us informed, and was very entertaining. Our coach driver,Josh, was an expert. The local guides were all wonderful. Everything exceeded my expectations!
Hotels were well located and music venues offered more than enough opportunities to listen. Visits to many related historic sites and museums made this an excellent experience and a thoroughly enjoyable trip through the south's wonderful music cities.
Very complete package of activities and an excellent tour director. Included meals were very enjoyable and different from a routine restaurant experience.
Hi we had a marvellous trip we had a marvellous tour guide and drive nothing was any trouble would recommend the tour to anyone comes highly recommend many thanks Murray and Nora
Unless otherwise stated, trip prices are per person, land only, based on double occupancy and reflect applicable discount. Discounts are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice.
Trip prices are correct at the time of the products going live, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking. All trip information is correct at time of trips going live, however are subject to change - please confirm all details at time of booking.
Twin-share option not available for trips to South America, Costa Rica, Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii, South Africa, Kenya & Tanzania, Botswana, Zambia or for any holiday & cruise combination, or in Asia and Eastern Mediterranean except Highlights of Turkey (without cruise) & Best of Turkey. It's also not available on Small Group trips. Guided Vacations included in this restriction are Newfoundland and Labrador (DNLA). Does not apply to trips operated by Inspiring Journeys & our Mini-stays.
For trips that are part of our Guaranteed Room Share, please note that there is a no smoking policy in all shared rooms. Solo travel is not accepted on guided Family Experiences holidays unless traveling as part of a family group.
Travel to Europe often requires an overnight flight. Please arrange your flights to arrive on or before day 1.
Navigation Close Icon
Your selected departure date will feature some seasonal itinerary changes to what is displayed. Click 'VIEW ITINERARY' below to see full details.
Active Trip Details
Navigation Close Icon
What is an Active Trip? This is an "Active" lifestyle itinerary, with walks and hikes most days. Hikes will range from easy/moderate to strenuous. No technical climbing skills are required but a reasonable level of fitness is required to make the trip more enjoyable. Understanding that not all people want to hike at the same pace or even on the same trail we will, where possible, host map orientation and then let everyone disperse to enjoy the trails best suited to them. What to Pack Guests should bring lightweight hiking shoes or boots, broad brimmed sun hats, sunglasses, layered clothing, reusable water bottle(s), a hiking day pack and hiking poles (optional)
Weather & Altitude While the itinerary is laid out below, we are at the mercy of the weather and so reserve the right to adjust the program as necessary. Please keep in mind that the higher elevations and possible variations in weather and temperature can increase the perceived level of difficulty of our activities. Elevation ranges up to 9,000 feet for Utah’s Mighty Five and up to 11,000 feet for California High Country Adventure.
Everyone reacts differently to altitude and so if you do have any health issues you should check with your doctor that this trip is suitable for you.