Nashville, Memphis, New Orleans & Key West

Today marks the start of your American adventure. You’ll fly (with connecting flight(s) along the way) to Nashville, arriving later in the day.

Upon arrival, collect your luggage and proceed through immigration. In the arrivals hall, follow the signs to your preferred means of transport into downtown Nashville, where you’ll be staying. How you get to your hotel is entirely up to you – there are plenty of easy and convenient options. The journey from the airport to the city centre usually takes around 15–20 minutes, depending on traffic. A taxi or Uber typically costs around 25–35 USD and is generally the simplest and most popular way to travel.

When you reach your hotel, you’ll be in the lively neighbourhood of The Gulch, known for its restaurants, cafés, and laid-back atmosphere. You might want to head out today and soak up the city’s energy – live music is never far away here. In the local area, you can enjoy a meal at one of the many trendy eateries or cosy bars, and just a short walk away you’ll find Broadway, considered by many to be the heart of the city. Here, iconic honky-tonk bars stand side by side, doors wide open with the sounds of country, rock, and classic hits spilling out into the street. The mood is relaxed and brimming with life – it’s impossible not to smile as you wander around.

As you make your way around Nashville, you’ll find yourself in a city where music is woven into everyday life. From small, intimate venues to grand stages, the city is bursting with talent and history – and it’s this authentic music scene that has earned Nashville its nickname.

Welcome to “Music City”.

Today marks the true beginning of your encounter with the city of music. Nashville is a large city with considerable distances between its most popular attractions, which is why we’ve made things easier for you with an included trolley tour. The tour allows you to hop on and off whenever you reach a place that catches your interest – a classic hop-on hop-off experience complete with a guide sharing insights about the next fascinating spot on the route.

You can start the tour at the trolley stop near your hotel or any of the other stops, depending on your preference*. Settle into the covered seating area with open windows and enjoy the ride, which takes around two hours in total if you stay on board throughout. Along the way, you’ll encounter some of the city’s most iconic sights, such as Broadway with its lively honky-tonk bars, Music Row where many of the world’s greatest hits have been recorded, and the historic Ryman Auditorium. The Ryman Auditorium, also known as the “Mother Church of Country Music”, has played a defining role in shaping American music history, particularly within the country genre, and was once home to the Grand Ole Opry. You can also hop off at the city’s green oasis, Centennial Park, home to the impressive replica of the Parthenon. Nashville used to be called “The Athens of the South”, and in honour of that nickname, a full-scale replica of the Greek temple was built. Wherever you choose to stop, you’re guaranteed a day rich in culture and history.

Round off your day in true Southern style with a hearty BBQ or Nashville hot chicken.

*Trolley excursion: please follow the instructions on your voucher to redeem it before your tour.

This morning, look forward to discovering one of Nashville’s truly special experiences, perfectly rounding off your time in the city – a visit to the Grand Ole Opry*. This legendary music venue has been home to musical icons since 1925, including Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, and Hank Williams. It was here that Elvis made his debut, and, according to legend, was asked to leave the stage after a somewhat chilly reception from an audience accustomed to more traditional country music.

The Grand Ole Opry is located on the outskirts of the city centre. The easiest way to get there is by taxi or Uber – it’s around 16 km each way.

Here, you’ll enjoy a guided tour behind the scenes at one of the USA’s most iconic music venues. You’ll visit areas normally reserved for the artists, while your guide will share fascinating stories about the many stars who have performed on the famous stage.

After your guided tour, the rest of the day is yours to enjoy at your leisure – perhaps you’ll feel like revisiting some of the city’s charming streets. You can also choose to combine your backstage tour of the Grand Ole Opry with a show (upon request).

*Grand Ole Opry tour: Please check your voucher for the meeting time and location. 

Today it’s time to get behind the wheel and continue your adventure to the city known as the Home of the Blues – Birthplace of Rock ‘n’ Roll: Memphis, of course. And no visit to Memphis would be complete without a trip to Graceland, the highlight of today’s itinerary.

Your journey begins with an easy and manageable drive. Start the day by checking out of your hotel and picking up your car at Nashville International Airport. Take an Uber or taxi to the pick-up location (around 14 km away), and once you’ve collected your rental car, you can look forward to a smooth 3½-hour road trip – the only self-drive section of your tour.

Today, make the most of having your own car by setting your navigation for none other than Graceland, the home of The King*. Graceland is located just outside downtown Memphis, around a 10-minute drive from Memphis International Airport, where you’ll be returning your hire car later today. 

Your route will begin in Nashville, and from here you can enjoy driving through classic Tennessee scenery, passing open landscapes and small Southern towns. After a couple of hours on the road, you’ll reach the charming town of Jackson, where you can make a short stop at Casey Jones Village. Stretch your legs, grab a bite to eat at one of the local restaurants, and learn about the legendary railroad engineer Casey Jones, who became an American folk hero following a tragic train accident in the early 1900s.

After approximately 3½ to 4 hours of driving (without stops and depending on traffic), you’ll arrive at Graceland. Here, you can immerse yourself for hours in the private and professional life of Elvis — a life that was about so much more than music. It’s been many years since Elvis lived at Graceland, but the walls still seem to echo with his songs, and the sparkling costumes on display transport you straight back to the sound of You Ain’t Nothin’ but a Hound Dog. 

Take your time to enjoy every detail of the impressive mansion – including Elvis’ private jet and final resting place. You can easily spend 2–3 hours here, and many visitors choose to stay even longer.

When you’ve taken it all in, it’s just a short drive to the drop-off point at Memphis International Airport, where you’ll return your car*. From the airport, take an Uber or taxi into the city. Your accommodation is right in the heart of Downtown Memphis, just a leisurely stroll from the famous Beale Street. This evening, you can already immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the iconic music street, lit by neon signs and buzzing with countless bars and restaurants, where you can listen to authentic Southern music as you savour juicy BBQ ribs and pulled pork.

Today’s driving distance: approx. 355 km / 3 hrs 30 mins

*Excursion to Graceland: You’ll find details of the meeting time and place on your voucher. It’s your responsibility to arrive on time. Parking is available on site for a fee.

*Car rental drop-off: Consider the time listed on your voucher as the latest possible return time. You are welcome to return the car earlier if you wish.

Memphis is calling, and you’ll soon get to know the city’s neighbourhoods on this morning’s guided tour through lively streets steeped in history. 

You’ll be picked up near your hotel in the morning, and together with the rest of your group, you’ll explore many of the city’s highlights by minibus. The tour will take you along Beale Street and the area by the mighty Mississippi River, which for centuries has been the lifeline of Memphis and an essential centre for trade.

Next comes a moving visit to the historic Lorraine Motel, now home to the National Civil Rights Museum. It was here that civil rights leader Martin Luther King was tragically shot and killed in 1968. Today, the motel has been transformed into a museum where you can delve into the story of the American Civil Rights Movement. (The city tour only includes a stop outside the site, so if you wish to visit the museum itself, you can do so later on your own.)

From here, the tour will continue on a lighter note with a stop at the famous Peabody Hotel, where you’ll witness a rather unique daily event: a duck march, also known as “The Peabody Ducks March”. And while you may be wondering what on earth a duck march is, it’s quite literally a group of ducks waddling up and down the hotel’s red carpet every day before being escorted back to their home – the Duck Palace – all under the watchful eye of their butler-dressed trainer, of course.

If you’re craving a musical experience, fear not – a real musical highlight awaits when the tour moves on to the legendary Sun Studio, also known as The Birthplace of Rock ’n’ Roll. Entrance to the famous studio is included, where icons such as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis recorded some of their very first tracks – songs that helped shape modern music history.

After the city tour, you’ll be dropped off at the starting point and have the rest of the day free to do as you please.

Check out of your hotel and order a taxi or Uber to Memphis International Airport, located around 15 km away (details about your departure terminal and time can be found in your travel itinerary). Alternatively, the hotel reception can assist you in arranging your transfer. From Memphis, you’ll fly to New Orleans.

Upon arrival at New Orleans Airport, collect your luggage and follow the signs to your preferred mode of transport. The city centre is approximately 26 kilometres away, and you can easily reach it by bus, taxi, or Uber.

If your room isn’t ready when you arrive at the hotel, you can leave your luggage in storage and head out to explore the city’s historic streets.

You’ll soon notice colourful strings of beads hanging from the treetops – remnants of the city’s annual Mardi Gras carnival, where locals and visitors alike adorn themselves with masks, feathered costumes, and these iconic necklaces. It’s a joyful reminder of a proud local community that loves celebration, colour, and, above all, music.

Music is essential when you need a lift during tough times. The city has survived the era of slavery, fires, and natural disasters, but despite years of adversity, it takes more than that to bring New Orleans down. The colours, the music, and the joy of life are still very much alive here.

Tonight, you can do as the locals do and find a cosy little restaurant where, to the cheerful sounds of jazz, you can enjoy one of the city’s signature dishes – the Po’ Boy sandwich, the spicy sausage dish Jambalaya, or the creamy rice and prawn dish Gumbo.

No activities have been planned during your stay in New Orleans, so you are free to set your own pace and plan your days. You can take advantage of the city’s historic streetcars, which date back to 1835, as you explore its many fascinating corners.

New Orleans was founded in 1718 by French colonists and named after the then French regent, Phillippe d’Orleans. Later, following the Treaty of Paris, the city came under Spanish control, before being handed back to France in 1800 and finally sold to the United States in 1803. This diverse melting pot gave rise to the Creole people – descendants of Spanish and French colonists, African slaves, and Native Americans. It is precisely this blending of cultures that gives New Orleans its unique character, which can be seen in its language, cuisine, culture, and architecture.

Today, the city remains eternally beautiful, with colourful buildings in a charming Creole style. To experience the most distinctive architecture in all its glory, head to the French Quarter. Here, historic and beautifully preserved buildings line the streets, their long wrought-iron balconies draped in ferns and flowering vines. The old district hums with life – musicians, street performers, voodoo shops, and lively bars. You might even recognise the surroundings of Charles Street, where a scene from the James Bond film Live and Let Die was shot.

Music fills every corner of the city, and it’s not unusual to see young people wandering the streets carrying a drum, trombone, or trumpet. Stop off in the artistic Marigny district, said to have the most authentic live venues, where blues and jazz flow so freely that you lose all sense of time and place. It’s impossible to keep still here as the joy of life bursts from the brass instruments and fills the air.

Also consider a cosy break at the world-famous Café Du Monde, which has been serving beignets – deep-fried pastries dusted with icing sugar – since 1863. The coffee and dessert are one delight, the view another – savour both as you gaze out over the Mississippi River, where you’re more than likely to spot one of the elegant paddle steamers gliding past.

With a rather dark past marked by disease, fires, and natural disasters, the city has earned a reputation for being haunted. Voodoo and mysticism are deeply rooted here, and ghost tours through haunted buildings are a major attraction – perhaps you’ll join one? The mystique continues in the city’s famous cemeteries, such as Lafayette Cemetery and St. Louis No. 1, where witches and voodoo queens are buried in the distinctive tombs built above ground due to the city being under sea level.

If you want to get closer to history, visit one of the world-famous sugar plantations at Oak Alley Plantation, which bears witness to life here in the 19th century and to the harsh conditions faced by enslaved workers. The plantation is also renowned for its picturesque setting, with a long avenue lined by giant oak trees forming a natural archway leading up to the main house. The mansion itself is built in classic antebellum style – a blend of neoclassical and Greek architecture typical of the grand estates found here in the ‘Deep South’.

You can also visit the surrounding wetland delta – a unique ecosystem of cypress trees, mangroves, and a rich variety of wildlife, including alligators, birds, and fish. Learn about the local flora and fauna as you glide across the waters on one of the Deep South’s most iconic means of transport – the airboat.

Whatever you choose, you’ll be met with authenticity, history, and a joy for life and rhythm that is sure to bring a smile to your face.

Today, most of the day is yours to spend as you wish – and anything you missed yesterday, you’ll have the chance to experience today. Take a moment to soak up the city’s atmosphere at a pavement café, or lace up your shoes and wander through the charming streets of New Orleans.

But keep an eye on the time, as this afternoon a truly atmospheric experience awaits on the Mississippi River – a cruise aboard one of New Orleans’ iconic paddle steamers*. Look forward to an evening filled with jazz, Southern charm, and stunning views of the city.

The boat will depart from the historic French Quarter, and you’ll need to make your own way to the meeting point in good time. After about an hour of check-in, the cruise begins. The next few hours are packed with entertainment, dinner, and beautiful views. Enjoy a cosy evening meal accompanied by the sounds of live jazz – the perfect finale to your musical adventure in the Deep South. When you’re not at the table, you can explore the boat and its impressive steam engine room, or head out on deck to admire the views over New Orleans and the mighty Mississippi River.

*Excursion by paddle steamer: You’ll find details of the meeting time and place on your voucher. The boat’s passengers dine in two sittings at different times. As a general rule, you’ll be assigned a time for the first sitting.

Today, palm trees and Caribbean vibes beckon as you fly from New Orleans to the southernmost point of the continental USA – Key West.

After checking out of your hotel, take a taxi or Uber to New Orleans International Airport, located 26 km away (details of the departure terminal and time are listed in your itinerary). The hotel can also help you arrange your transfer. From New Orleans, you’ll fly to Key West (with a connecting flight).

Upon arrival in Key West, settle into your hotel – perhaps a dip in the pool followed by a cold refreshment will be at the top of your afternoon to-do list. This evening, you can already start exploring the island’s charming streets.

The next few days are entirely at your leisure, and you set the pace.

Key West has a character all its own, blending American and Caribbean influences. The island is famous for its beautiful pastel houses, roaming chickens in the streets, iconic cafés such as Sloppy Joe’s and Blue Heaven, and, not least, the world-renowned dessert – Key Lime Pie. When in Key West, don’t miss the chance to treat yourself to this delightful creation made with the distinctive Key Limes.

It’s well worth adding on a hop-on hop-off trolley tour, which takes you to highlights such as the Truman Little White House, the Lighthouse Museum, the Butterfly & Nature Conservatory, Southernmost Point, Mallory Square, and Hemingway House. At the Hemingway Museum, you can see where the author lived during the 1930s with his cat, White Snow, said to have six toes on one paw – a distinctive trait believed to have been passed on to many of the island’s cats.

Sunset is a daily ritual celebrated in style here in Key West. You can enjoy it from Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park or from the famous Mallory Square, where both locals and visitors gather every evening to watch the sun set over the ocean.

You could also spend a morning out on the water on one of the optional tours below, where you’ll experience world-class snorkelling among colourful fish, coral reefs, and sea turtles – and, of course, enjoy the famous sunset over the Gulf of Mexico from the water.

Today, it’s time to begin your journey home.

You’ll check out of your hotel and take a taxi or Uber to Key West International Airport, located 6 km away (details of your departure terminal and time can be found in your travel itinerary). The hotel can also assist you in arranging a transfer if you prefer. From Key West, you’ll fly towards Europe with a connecting flight along the way.

You’ll return home after an experience-packed and unforgettable holiday.