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Deep South USA Plus Texas for Solo Travellers

Resort:Deep South USA Plus Texas for Solo Travellers
Operator: Riviera Travel
Destination: United States of America
Price From: £5699.00

Overview

Experience the unique culture, history, music of Americas Deep South, home of the blues, plus the charms and classic images of Texas, the ‘Lone Star State’.

Take one of Americas classic road trips exploring the Deep South, renowned for its gracious hospitality, its charming southern drawl, its unique Creole and Cajun cuisine and, of course, the most popular music genres of the 20th century jazz, rock n roll, the blues and country.

Flying into Atlanta, Georgia, site of the 1996 Olympic Games, which really put the city on the map. Home to CNN, one of the USs most iconic institutions and the Center for Civil and Human rights, a new museum dedicated to the history of the civil rights movement. Atlanta has a lovely laid-back southern charm and is the perfect start to a fascinating tour. We then travel through the rolling rich farmland of Tennessee, past the cotton fields of Mississippi to Louisianas moss covered bayous and the vast South Texas plains. Youll stay in some of Americas most fascinating cities: Chattanooga, Nashville, Memphis, the amazing New Orleans, as well as Houston, San Antonio and Dallas.

We stay two nights in Nashville, known as Music City USA, the centre of the huge country music industry – where aspiring artists come to start their careers, songwriters try out their new songs and where anyone can walk into one of the myriad of live music venues and hear some of the best music-making in North America.

Not too far down the road lies another of Americas great musical cities – Memphis. Home of the remarkable Sun Studios that launched Elvis stratospheric rise to fame and the site of his sprawling home, Graceland; Memphis also played a pivotal and tragic role in the civil rights movement as the place where Martin Luther King was assassinated.

We stay three nights in New Orleans, The Big Easy with its motto Laissez les bons temps rouler let the good times roll, depicts exactly what makes this city such a rewarding place to visit. Its famously progressive spirit and liberal attitudes date back to its French roots, when convicts were freed on condition that they settled there. Then it became an unruly smuggling enclave ensuring its rebellious streak continued to thrive. Always pushing the boundaries, it was inevitable the exceptional French, Spanish, American and African cultures fused so harmoniously producing a unique city which has given birth to jazz and its most famous son, the remarkable Louis Armstrong. It was also home to some of the greats of American literature such as Mark Twain and Tennessee Williams, who famously said that America only has three cities, New York, San Francisco and New Orleans. All the rest are Cleveland!

Our extension into the Lone Star State of Texas includes a visit to the very soul of Texas the Alamo, where in 1836 an estimated 183 men were killed by Mexican troops trying to prevent Texas from gaining its independence. As the second largest US state, Texas is unbelievably almost three times the size of the UK, and has a proud cowboy tradition dating from the 19th century. We discover this almost legendary western heritage during our visit to a working cattle ranch learning how the life and back-breaking work of cowboys evolved into the sport of rodeo, next we see the Fort Worth stockyards, in their heyday the worlds largest.

Who can ever forget the excitement, hope and sheer exhilaration the US gave the world during the 1960s and 70s at the height of its space program, the moonshots and those immortal phrases Thats one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind and of course probably the worlds most famous understatement, Houston, we have a problem! Well tour the Johnson Space Centre and NASAs Mission Control from where the ill-fated Apollo 13 crew was saved from almost certain disaster by the innovative thinking of some of the best scientists and engineers in the world. It does not seem so long ago, but would you believe the return trajectory through the earths atmosphere was calculated using a slide rule how the world has changed! The space centre is still used today to train astronauts and develop the new technologies for future manned missions to Mars.

Finally its Dallas, which during the 1980s was the setting of the worlds most watched TV programme! However probably more famously, in 1963 the Big D was propelled to world attention when (allegedly!), Lee Harvey Oswald assassinated President John F. Kennedy, for whatever reason we shall ultimately never know and after which it seemed the entire planet went into mourning – especially so when his son poignantly saluted his fathers coffin. We see the grassy knoll and learn all about the events of that famous day.

Itinerary Details

DAY 1ARRIVAL IN ATLANTA

ARRIVAL IN ATLANTA

You should arrive at the airport for your flight to Atlanta and on arrival you will be met and transferred to the hotel.

Deep South USA Plus Texas route map Deep South USA Plus Texas route map

DAY 2ATLANTA & CHATTANOOGA

ATLANTA & CHATTANOOGA

We enjoy a a visit to the Center for Civil and Human rights. This afternoon we transfer to the charming small town of Chattanooga for one night stay at the three-star superior Choo Choo Hotel, aptly converted from the original railway station. Tonight we have a welcome dinner to get to know our fellow travelling companions.

Driving into Atlanta Driving into Atlanta

DAY 3NASHVILLE

NASHVILLE

Experience a ride on the worlds steepest passenger railway to the top of Lookout Mountain just outside town experiencing tremendous views, on a clear day across a staggering seven states! Driving deeper into Tennessee to Lynchburg, this quintessential little town is a true slice of unspoilt 50s America, with its red-brick courthouse, general store and one traffic light! Its a great place to just browse the shops and get a bite to eat before we visit Lynchburgs claim to fame: the Jack Daniel Distillery. Obviously its where Jack Daniels whisky is made, since 1884 and a tour is a great experience. Interestingly, the county is dry and locals are not allowed to consume the product they are most famous for! Continuing across Tennessees rolling green hills we soon arrive at Music City USA, Nashville, staying two nights at the three-star superior Hyatt Place Opryland, with continental breakfast. This evening you have the opportunity to enjoy dinner and a show on board the General Jackson Steamboat one of the largest steamboats ever built.

Whiskey barrels at the Jack Daniel Distillery, Lynchburg Whiskey barrels at the Jack Daniel Distillery, Lynchburg

DAY 4NASHVILLE

NASHVILLE

In downtown Nashville we visit the Country Music Hall of Fame. A huge museum of all things Country & Western, it has floors of fascinating exhibits from the earliest days of country music to the megastars of today. There are films and videos of musics greatest, with their life-stories and costumes. The famed Music Row is close by, lined with studios and record company offices, where we visit the legendary RCA Studio B, where Elvis recorded many of his greatest hits, followed by a whos who of recording superstars such as Roy Orbison, the Everly Brothers, Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson. Lower Broadway is Nashvilles nightlife centre, with stupendous live music in famous honky-tonk bars like Roberts Western World and The Stage on Broadway and many more. Theres a fantastic atmosphere along the entire street and an evening here is a real must! Tonight you have the chance to see a country music show at the Grand Ole Opry.

Nashville skyline Nashville skyline

DAY 5MEMPHIS

MEMPHIS

Today we say goodbye to Nashville and head to the far west of Tennessee and the city of Memphis and Americas artery, the Mississippi. From its earliest beginnings as a small French garrison, Memphis grew into a magnet for freed slaves after the Civil War and as a cotton trading centre. More infamously, in 1968 Martin Luther King visited to help in a sanitation workers strike and was assassinated on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel, now converted into the Civil Rights Museum.

This afternoon we have a guided tour around the birthplace of Rock n Roll the legendary Sun Studio, where Elvis recorded his first hit. This insignificant, yet iconic 1950s building, was the starting point for Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash and Roy Orbison amongst others and is a designated National Historic Landmark. You can still see Jerry Lees piano and Elvis microphone! We stay in Memphis for two nights at the three-star superior DoubleTree by Hilton, right in the centre of downtown Memphis.

Memphis skyline Memphis skyline

DAY 6GRACELAND

GRACELAND

Today we visit one of Americas biggest tourist attractions, Elvis Graceland. The King bought the Graceland mansion for $100,000 in 1957 when he was just 22 and it was his main home until his death. From the time it opened to the public in 1982, Graceland has expanded to include Elvis private airplanes and his extensive car collection. One of the most iconic houses in America, Gracelands Meditation Garden is also Elvis final resting place. This evening is at leisure to sample the music scene at Memphis famous Beale Street.

Elvis Graceland mansion Elvis Graceland mansion

DAY 7AMTRAK TRAIN TO NEW ORLEANS

AMTRAK TRAIN TO NEW ORLEANS

An early departure this morning as we catch the renowned City of New Orleans Amtrak train service to New Orleans, a real little piece of America. The double-decker, classic silver coloured train carriages, so typical of the US, feature comfortable reclining armchairs with plenty of legroom, as well as a panoramic glass observation deck and dining car.

Our journey takes us through vast forests, farms and the small southern towns lining the eastern bank of the Mississippi like pearls on a necklace. Nearing New Orleans, excitement mounts and we cross Lake Pontchartrain, bizarrely it appears like the train is actually travelling over the water itself. We stay three nights at the three-star superior Courtyard by Marriott Downtown, perfectly located in the very heart of the French Quarter.

French Quarter, New Orleans French Quarter, New Orleans

DAY 8NEW ORLEANS

NEW ORLEANS

This morning we have a walking tour of New Orleans famous French Quarter with an expert local guide. We see the charming art galleries and antique shops along Royal Street, the white stucco St Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square, full of artists, musicians and fortune tellers, and walk up the iconic Bourbon Street, centre of the citys nightlife. The afternoon is free for you to explore this charming city at your leisure. In the evening why not step out and try New Orleans famed Cajun cuisine theres loads of fantastic restaurants.

Bourbon Street sign Bourbon Street sign

DAY 9FREE DAY IN NEW ORLEANS

FREE DAY IN NEW ORLEANS

A free day to relax in the Big Easy and explore further afield. Alternatively, you may choose to visit some of the most fascinating Antebellum Plantations outside New Orleans combined with a fascinating boat tour of the nearby Louisiana swamps, known for their alligators, snapping turtles, experiencing close-up fauna including moss-draped cypresses in the native bayous of South Louisiana. Oak Alley Plantation is a National Historic Landmark and is considered to be the Deep Souths most spectacular mansion. Dating from 1839 with two rows of mighty oaks leading down towards the Mississippi River, the house has been fully restored to its magnificent 19th century opulence and grandeur.

Red tram and palm trees in New Orleans Red tram and palm trees in New Orleans

DAY 10HOUSTON AND NASA

HOUSTON AND NASA

We leave New Orleans this morning heading ever westwards along Louisianas Cajun country towards Texas. As we enter the outskirts of Houston, our first stop is at the world-famous NASA Johnson Space Centre, still a working NASA base from where the international space station is controlled. We visit Mission Control, now restored to its 1965 look with all the original equipment and furniture a unique experience.

We also see a full-size Saturn V rocket which famously has no on-board computer, they were just too big at the time, plus the huge indoor training facility for the astronauts of the International Space Station. Tonight we stay at the nearby three-star superior Hilton NASA Clear Lake.

NASA Johnson Space Centre NASA Johnson Space Centre

DAY 11SANANTONIO

SANANTONIO

We continue further into the south Texas plains arriving in San Antonio this afternoon. Originally settled by the Spanish who built a mission station here, the Alamo, whose name was destined to be one of the most evocative words in American history. It was here in 1836 that a seriously outnumbered group of settlers, including Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie, were besieged by theMexican army for nearly two weeks before they were overrun. Tonight we stay at the three-star superior Crockett Hotel, including complimentary breakfast, just round the corner from the Alamo and within easy walking distance to the charming Riverwalk area with its many bars and restaurants, ideal for trying out the regions famed Tex-Mex cuisine.

The Alamo, San Antonio The Alamo, San Antonio

DAY 12DALLAS AND FORT WORTH

DALLAS AND FORT WORTH

We say goodbye to friendly San Antonio and travel north to Dallas, where we explore the historical Stockyard District before visiting the infamous Dealey Plaza, where President John F. Kennedy was assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald. The floor in the Texas Book Depository from where the fatal shots were fired has been converted into the excellent 6th Floor Museum dedicated to explaining the background and the events of that fateful day on the 22nd November in 1963. We stay overnight in the three-star superior Courtyard by Marriott Downtown in the centre of Fort Worth, with plenty of restaurants nearby.

Dealey Plaza, Dallas Dealey Plaza, Dallas

DAY 13RETURN FLIGHT

RETURN FLIGHT

Today take your homeward flight to the UK via Atlanta.

DAY 14ARRIVE HOME

ARRIVE HOME

You arrive home this morning after a really memorable tour.

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