Deep South Discovery
Cowboy boots, country music & Creole cuisine
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Group Size: Max 36
Trip code: CTBS
Duration: 13 days
Y’all fancy a slice of the ‘real’ America? Head to the Deep South for this rootin’ tootin’ group tour that goes bigger than Dallas! With 13 days of carefully curated experiences, from country music and saloon bars, to beignets, and southern fried hospitality, you’ll have such a hoot, you’ll be hollerin’ for more. Channel the King in Graceland, Memphis, get your do-si-do on to some country music in Nashville, and groove the night away to the live jazz on New Orleans’ streets. This is a trip of culinary delights as well, with Creole cuisine, sizzling BBQs, and Cajun cooking experiences.
Trip Highlights
- Walk in the footsteps of BB King, Johnny Cash and Elvis with a tour of Memphis’ musical hotspots
- Sample some southern hospitality with a mouth-watering BBQ in Austin, Texas
- Party the night away to live jazz on New Orleans’ legendary Bourbon Street
- Learn about the civil rights movement and get your cowboy boots tapping to some authentic country music in Nashville
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Day 1: Dallas Forth Worth to Austin (Texas)
Saddle up for the adventure of a lifetime! Meet the rest of the cowboys and gals in Dallas before hitting the highway to Austin, where we'll take a tour of the city's most exciting sights, and enjoy our first taste of southern hospitality at a Texan BBQ.
Day 2: Austin
Take a big bite of Texan pie with a free day in Austin. Go shopping for cowboy boots, chow down at the legendary food trucks, join a bicycle tour, or go paddleboarding on Lady Bird Lake. After dark, grab a brew in a traditional saloon before checking out a band in the official Live Music Capital of the World!
Day 3: Austin to San Antonio
While we could explore Austin 'til the cows come home, San Antonio is callin'. Eat your way around the biggest Mexican market outside of Mexico, then take a walking tour through the city. After dark, wet your whistle with your fellow cowboys and gals at some of San Antonio's rootin'-tootin' bars.
Day 4: San Antonio to Houston
San Antonio, you've been a class act, but it's time to make our way to Texas' biggest city. Explore the bustling streets or get out of this world with an optional trip to the NASA space centre. Tonight, take a bar crawl through the hip drinking joints in the Montrose/Westheimer neighbourhood.
Day 5: Houston to New Orleans (Louisiana)
Cross state lines into laid-back Louisiana, where our destination is the south's ultimate party town. Tonight, pull on your eating pants and take an optional tour of the SOFAB (Southern Food & Beverage Museum) followed by a Cajun and Creole cooking experience - delicieux!
Day 6: New Orleans
Take a walking tour of the city streets today, soaking up the colonial buildings, chowing down on Creole cuisine, and grooving to the live jazz that's a constant soundtrack . Take an optional airboat swamp tour to see some 'gators, then sample some Creole Specialities at the New Orleans School of Cooking.
Day 7: New Orleans
You've got a whole day to explore the Big Easy at your own pace. Pick up some artisanal souvenirs in Bywater, soak up some southern gothic in the city's grand cemeteries, or take a ramble in Audubon Park. There's only one place to be for your last night in NOLA - the fabled Bourbon Street!
Day 8: New Orleans to Memphis (Tennessee)
It's time to head to the Birthplace of Rock n' Roll. We'll take a tour of the city's musical hotspots, including Sun Studios, where Elvis recorded his first song, as well as paying a visit to the Civil Rights Museum. Tonight, follow the throb of the blues guitars to Beale Street.
Day 9: Memphis
You've got a full day to explore the city. Pay a visit to the Museum of Soul Music, tuck into the world's best ribs, and hit the boutiques on South Maine. No trip to Memphis is complete without a tour of Graceland, the King's iconic home, but save some energy for after dark, when those guitars rev up again.
Day 10: Memphis to Nashville
Another day, another musical Mecca! There's no better place to immerse yourself in America's country music scene, and the history of the civil rights movement, than Nashville. Dine at the legendary Woolworths this evening, where the first sit in against segregated lunch counters took place.
Day 11: Nashville
You've got the whole day to explore Music City. Check out the hipster neighbourhoods, enjoy some fried chicken and a JD or two, and head to the Grand Ole Opry or Ryman Auditorum for some country music direct from the source.
Day 12: Nashville
Get the skinny on the city's musical heritage today with an optional visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame, hit the Johnny Cash Museum to learn about his life and work, or sample some grade A liquor at the Uncle Nearest Distillery. Tonight's yours to enjoy more of Nashville's epic music and bar scene.
Day 13: Tour end
Your tour ends after breakfast today in Nashville. You can depart at any time.
Please note activities and itineraries are subject to change.
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Online booking is unavailable for this trip
Online booking isn't currently available but if you'd like to enquire please use the form below. Alternatively if you'd like to discuss alternate trips or if you have any other questions please don't hesitate to contact us.This trip begins at 8am on day 1 in Dallas, Texas. You’ll need to meet the rest of the gang at a pre-agreed point (details provided in your pre-departure briefing). If you’re flying in, Dallas Fort Worth is the nearest airport (DFW) and taxi is the easiest way to get downtown, taking around 25 minutes, depending on traffic. We’d recommend you arrive in Dallas a day before your trip begins or earlier, and book a night of pre-trip accommodation, as we will be travelling to Austin today.
The tour ends on day 13 in Nashville. You can depart at any time. You’ll need to make your own way to the airport, or arrange your own onward transport, but your tour leader can help with this.
12 nights’ twin-share accommodation is included on this trip. You’ll spend 12 nights in comfy, centrally located hotels
10 breakfasts and 3 dinners are included on this trip. You’ll have to buy the rest of your meals, snacks, and drinks yourself. Please let your travel advisor know in advance if you have any dietary requirements.
This trip is designed for those aged 18-35. Please note that if you’re under 21, you may not be permitted entry to bars, clubs or other establishments where alcohol is served.
You’ll need to get a visa or an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) visa waiver to enter or transit the USA as a visitor. You should consult the US State Department website to determine which you will need. Your passport should be valid for the proposed duration of your stay.
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