Experience Overview
Discover the cultural landscape that gave birth to the blues, country and rock ‘n’ roll on this tour along the mighty Mississippi. Days move a little slower in the Deep South, as you pass time with a sweet tea or a Jack and Coke, taking in the sights and sounds of Music Row in Nashville, Beale Street in Memphis and along Bourbon Street in New Orleans. You also savour authentic cuisine and enjoy Southern hospitality as you float down the Mississippi on a riverboat cruise.
Join us to celebrate Exodus' 50th anniversary! The departure starting in New Orleans on 11 November 2024 features extra inclusions to mark the occasion: entry to the Ground Zero Blues Club in Clarksdale, a local birthday celebration and a special edition Exodus kitbag.
Profile
— Travel by private minibus — Group normally 5 to 13, plus leader. Minimum age: 16 — Accommodation: 9 Classic nights (hotels)
At a Glance
— Travel by private minibus — Group normally 5 to 13, plus leader. Minimum age: 16 — Accommodation: 9 Classic nights (hotels)
Trip For You
This trip has been rated Activity Level 1 (Easy). For more information on our trip gradings please visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us.
This discovery tour is suitable for people of all fitness levels. It has a relaxed pace with an emphasis on sightseeing, discovering local culture, visiting main attractions and enjoying beautiful views.
There will be a variety of optional activities available so you can tailor the tour to your interests. Your tour leader will organise optional activities for you and you can pay for these locally in cash. You’ll find the main optional activities listed under each itinerary day description, along with guideline prices. It may not be possible to do all optional activities listed on each tour. If you plan to visit the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, book in advance and directly on their website. The shows change most nights but, if possible, it’s best to book for the second night in Nashville.
Although each tour follows an itinerary, there is a certain amount of flexibility and from time to time your tour leader may suggest changes. This may be due to road conditions, the weather or a visit to a special attraction or event that happens to be in progress. Flexibility is key and often a side diversion will be a tour highlight. Hikes and optional activities cannot be guaranteed and may vary depending on ability, group interest, weather conditions and time of year.
Group Description
Your tour leader will take care of all the planning and organisation, drive the van and make sure everything runs smoothly. They make sure you get the most out of your tour; organising activities, providing information, answering questions, and sorting queries or problems. If you have any particular interests or things you would like to do, please let your leader know at the beginning of the tour and they will do the best to help.
Please note, US law regulates the total number of hours your tour leader can work. Our trips are designed to make the most of your time in our featured destinations, but please understand there will be certain times each day that your tour leader will need to be off-duty. Particularly after longer driving days, your tour leader may not be able to join you for some of the activities or may need to tend to other duties.
Eating Drinking
There are nine breakfasts and one dinner included.
To help you budget for these meals, average costs are:
Hotel breakfasts: US$12-US$17Lunches: US$15-US$20Dinners: US$20-US$35, not including alcoholic beverages
Drinks cost on average (higher than listed in New Orleans):
Wine: US$7-10 per glassBeer: US$5-8 per bottle
A tip of approximately 17%-20% is added to group meals in North American restaurants. Applicable taxes will also be added to all listed menu prices.
Please make sure we are aware of any special dietary requirements before travelling. We do all we can to accommodate various dietary requirements but in parts of North America certain food types can be limited.
Transportation
You’ll travel in a private 15-seater vehicle which is driven by your tour leader. All luggage, equipment, and other necessities are stored in a specially designed trailer or storage area to maximise space and comfort in the vehicle. The size of our vehicles allows us to reach more remote destinations not accessible to larger vehicles. All our vehicles are equipped with air conditioning, Bluetooth-compatible stereo and USB charging ports throughout the vehicle.
Joining Instructions
Key information
Start hotel: Wyndham New Orleans - French Quarter, New Orleans, LA 70130
Phone: 1-504-529-7211
Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today. The welcome briefing usually takes place in the morning of Day 2
Getting to the start hotel
The start hotel is approximately 25 minutes' drive from the airport. Your options for this journey are:
Take an Exodus transfer
Exodus provides one group arrival transfer from the airport, which is timed to coincide with the arrival of a chosen flight from London, UK. You may join this transfer at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves.
Make your own way
If you arrive at any other time, the hotel offers a free shuttle from the airport, which runs at regular intervals between the hotel and the airport. You do not need to pre-book.
You are free to arrive any time on Day 1. Due to the late arrival time of the group flight from London, UK, it is likely that the welcome meeting will take place on the morning of Day 2. Details on the time and specific location of your meeting will be available by midday on Day 1. During the welcome meeting, you will meet your tour guide and fellow travellers and spend a few minutes filling out necessary paperwork, so please bring your insurance documents, passport and tour documentation to the meeting.
If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative.
Arrival complications
Sometimes the unexpected can happen; your plane may be delayed or you may even miss it. If you have missed your tour departure, first call the hotel to see if your tour leader has left you a message. If not, call the relevant emergency number and speak to our staff who will be happy to help you catch up with the group. Please note that you are responsible for any extra travelling expenses incurred due to missing your tour’s departure.
Catching your return flight
There’s a group departure transfer to Nashville Airport for customers who Exodus have booked onto a chosen flight to London, UK. If you have booked your own flights, you may still join this transfer at no extra cost – please speak to your sales representative if you wish to join. If the group departure transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative transfer.
Weather Information
Spring and autumn are the best time to visit the Deep South as the temperature is milder, averaging around 20C (68F). Summer can be hot and humid reaching highs around 35C (95F), thunderstorms are common due to the sub-tropical climate.
Spending Money
We recommend you take at least US$50 per day for meals not included in the tour, drinks, snacks and other incidentals. You should also budget for expected tipping, as well as for the optional activities you plan to do.
Pricing for optional activities
New Orleans:
— Alligator swamp tour, New Orleans: US$30-US$50 — Haunted French Quarter ghost tour: US$35 — New Orleans Preservation Hall: US$25-US$45 — Mardi Gras World in New Orleans: US$22
Clarksdale
— Delta Blues Museum, Clarksdale: US$16
Memphis
— Stax Museum of American Soul Music, Memphis: U$15 (closed Mondays)
Nashville
— Grand Ole Opry: US$45-US$95 — Ryman Auditorium tour: US$35-US$55 — Country Music Hall of Fame: US$35 — Johnny Cash Museum: US$35
Tipping
It is customary in North America to tip local guides, waiters, bar staff, taxi drivers and anyone who provides a service for you. Service workers are paid a low wage and depend on tips for their livelihood. It can be embarrassing if you’re confronted by someone expecting a tip and you are not aware of how much to offer. For this reason, we have listed guideline prices below.
A 15-20% tip is standard in restaurants and you should also expect to tip $1 per drink in bars, $1-2 per bag for porters, $2-3 for hotel housekeeping as will 10% for taxi drivers. It’s also typical to tip around 10% for local guides who provide optional activities.
Your tour leader will work long and hard for you during your tour and we recommend a discretionary tip of US$12-$15 per passenger per day if their performance meets or exceeds your expectations.
Highlights
- — Spend three nights in New Orleans and the colourful music scene of Bourbon Street — Uncover Cajun culture and cuisine on a Mississippi riverboat dinner cruise — Explore Memphis including Elvis' Graceland and Sun Studio — Discover Nashville, the country music capital
Trip Details
Product Code: 4283
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: vehicle.
Guide Language: English
Supplier Code: ANO
Starts: New Orleans, Deep South USA
Finishes: New Orleans, Deep South USA
Duration: 10 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical rating: Unknown
Includes
- — All accommodation — Nine breakfasts and one dinner — All transport and listed activities — Tour leader throughout — Arrival and departure transfers are available
Accommodation
HotelsWe spend nine nights in hotels. The accommodations on this itinerary were chosen for their friendly atmosphere and proximity to the highlights. Single rooms can be booked for a single supplement at the time of booking (subject to availability).
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD 8170 (CAD 817 /day)
Itinerary
Welcome to the cultural melting pot of the Deep South, New Orleans, otherwise known as the Big Easy. The eclectic mix of European, Creole and Cajun cultures manifests in every aspect of the architecture, cuisine and musical scene. Depending on the group flight arrival time, a welcome briefing may be held this evening or tomorrow morning. Accommodation: Wyndham New Orleans - French Quarter (or similar)
This morning, our leader takes us on a guided historical walking tour around the French Quarter, the oldest neighbourhood in New Orleans. We’ll walk down historic streets, seeing different architectural styles of iconic homes, Jackson Square and listen to jazz as we learn about the history of this unique city. The afternoon is free for individual sight-seeing, then we come together in the evening to enjoy an included dinner cruise on the Mississippi River, dining on delicious local cuisine influenced by the myriad cultures that make up Louisiana. Accommodation: Wyndham New Orleans - French Quarter (or similar)
Today is free for you to take in the sights and sounds of Bourbon Street, relax in the Garden District or absorb more of the ambience of the French Quarter. There are several optional tours available, including a thrilling alligator swamp tour, during which you travel north to the town of Slidell to board the swamp boat for two hours, navigating on the West Pearl River and into the Honey Island Swamp. There are over a million alligators in Louisiana, so keep an eye out! You may also see turtles and exotic birds among the cypress trees of the swamp. Your tour leader will be able to help with any reservations you wish to make. There is plenty to do in New Orleans come evening, not least enjoying some of the many live performances that take place nightly. This includes Preservation Hall, where top jazz musicians play every evening to a small audience in an intimate space – be prepared to wait in line. There will also be the chance to step out of the city and explore the wild river swamplands of Louisiana, where you can head out by boat beneath the cypress trees in search of alligators. See the Extra Expenses section of our trip notes for more information about optional activities. Accommodation: Wyndham New Orleans - French Quarter (or similar)
This morning, we visit Melrose Mansion within Natchez National Historical Park, completed in the mid-1800s and now one of the best-preserved estates in the Deep South. A guided tour of the mansion and self-guided tours of the grounds, which includes slave quarters, stables and a carriage house, provide an in-depth understanding of the region's deep-rooted links to slavery. Departing the estate, we follow the river road north to the first established settlement on the Mississippi. Natchez, the original capital of the Mississippi Territory, was at the heart of the trade in enslaved people and is the birthplace of the Mississippi riverboat. There is free time to wander the historic district where there are more than 50 antebellum homes and historic churches. Also worthy of a visit is the Under the Hill area made famous by Mark Twain or discover one of the most interesting cemeteries in the South. Accommodation: Guest House Natchez (or similar)
Next up is Clarksdale and the Hopson Plantation, the former home of legendary blues pianist Pinetop Perkins. It is also where they tested the International Harvester automated cotton picker. Your leader will tell you the history, explaining the system of sharecropping and the evolution of the cotton industry. Clarksdale is also home to the Crossroads, where legend says blues musician Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil. Within the town itself is the Delta Blues Museum, a shrine of blues artefacts and memorabilia, plus actor Morgan Freeman's Ground Zero Blues Club. Red's is definitely worth a visit for live music: an authentic juke joint showcasing the real heart of the South. Accommodation: Hampton Inn Clarksdale (or similar)
Today we cross into Tennessee. Near the Mississippi River, Memphis has a long and colourful past. Legendary forefathers such as Louis Armstrong, Muddy Waters and BB King put Beale Street on the musical map. Outside of music, the National Civil Rights Museum is located in the former Lorraine Hotel, at the site where Martin Luther King was assassinated. We pay a visit to understand better this vital part of US, and global, history. Accommodation: Crowne Plaza Memphis Downtown or Comfort Inn Memphis (or similar)
A highlight of your stay in Memphis is an included excursion to Graceland, the home of Elvis Presley. We spend several hours taking an audio-guided tour of the mansion, seeing the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s gold records, jewelled jumpsuits and famous Jungle Room with its green shagged carpets. We can pay our respects in the Meditation Garden, where Elvis and members of his family have been laid to rest. We also stop by Sun Studio, which opened in 1950 and is where many great names have passed through, from Howlin' Wolf to Johnny Cash. Accommodation: Crowne Plaza Memphis Downtown or Comfort Inn Memphis (or similar)
We leave Memphis today and head to Nashville, the undisputed capital of country music. Home to the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Wildhorse Saloon, Nashville is the perfect opportunity to try line dancing (select nights only). Broadway is lined with honky-tonks and intimate live music venues playing all genres of music. Accommodation: La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Nashville (or similar)
Today is free to explore Nashville, the capital of Tennessee and the largest city in the state. On the banks of the Cumberland River, it was established as a port by settlers in 1779 but is best known for music. There are many venues to visit, but most famous of all is the Opry House, 15mi (24km) east of the city. This historic concert venue is synonymous with country music, hosting regular live performances that showcase the best of the genre. Book before you arrive to avoid missing out as these shows are popular. See the Extra Expenses section of our Trip Notes for more information about optional activities. Accommodation: La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Nashville (or similar)
Our tour of the Deep South ends in Nashville. If you’d like to spend extra time exploring this country music Mecca, please speak to your sales representative.
Tour Operator
Exodus Travel
It’s all about adventure That is what Exodus was founded upon 50 years ago, and what the company is still all about. Discovering countries, cultures, environments, cities, mountain ranges, deserts, coasts and jungles; exploring this amazing planet we all live on. At Exodus, we know what makes you tick when it comes to holidays. It’s a desire shared by so many others. A yearning to visit new places and come home with a real sense of what they’re all about. This means delving into local traditions, cultures, cuisine, lifestyles – anything that contributes to its unique identity. At the same time, we always remember that we are only guests. So we travel courteously and respectfully, in smaller groups to minimise our impact, to ensure that every Exodus holiday is a beneficial experience for everyone involved. This is a philosophy we take with us around the world, helping you reach some incredible destinations on 500 itineraries across over 90 separate countries. We also strive to provide as much flexibility and choice as we possibly can, making it simple for you to experience a very different holiday. Exodus started life on 4 February 1974 when two friends got together to provide an overland truck to travel to the Minaret of Jam, deep in the heart of the Hindu Kush, the most inaccessible of the world’s great monuments. See our history page for more details about how we began and how we have grown over the past 50 years. Never travelled with Exodus before? Visit our New to Exodus page for some useful, first-timer information.
In Business Since 1974
Reviews
Michael Nutt - Traveled, April 2023
A wonderful trip across five states that immerses you in the music, cuisine and culture of America’s Deep South. This trip promised a lot on paper, and delivered so much more in reality, exceeding my expectations. Our group leader managed to cram so much in, while at the same time allowing a nice degree of freedom for us to do our own exploration and choose our own optional activities. The tour began with a deeply moving and affecting look at the civil rights movement, covering the life of Martin Luther King Jr (where he was born, the church at which he preached, his memorial garden and tomb; later on we would visit the place where he was assassinated); the slave trade and its role in creating wealth for the plantation owners and the country as a whole; and the continued oppression of the freed slaves after the Civil War and their struggle for basic human rights. As we went on, the focus shifted toward the music that was created on the plantations, the way it developed and seeped into mainstream culture in America before spreading across the world. While this was very informative and educational, there were plenty of lighter moments too and we were a great group who had a lot of laughs along the way. As well as visiting sites that were significant to the music history, there were opportunities to hear live music – jazz, blues and country – at many locations from New Orleans to Nashville. A wonderful experience that we will continue to savour for a very long time. Most Inspirational Moment It has to be day 8 on the itinerary, which I named “Super Saturday”: the day we left Clarksdale for Memphis, going down to the Crossroads at Clarksdale where legend has it Robert Johnson sold his soul to the Devil for the gift of music; spending 4 hours at Graceland visiting Elvis’ house and the extensive collection of memorabilia on display in the adjacent museums; an emotional visit to the historic Sun Studios to see exactly where Elvis made his first recordings; a meal of dry-rubbed ribs at Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous restaurant, a favourite of Elvis’; a walk along bustling Beale Street in the evening before dropping into The Blues City Cafe to hear real Delta blues played by Blind Mississippi Morris, then riding the trolley car back to the hotel. Days don’t get any better than that! Thoughts on Group Leader Invariably one of things that makes an Exodus trip such a memorable experience is the quality of its group leaders, and this trip was no exception. I must confess one or two within the group wondered if Lana Haugberg would be up to the job: relative young, petite in stature, she would be working solo as both driver and guide throughout the long trip. But any initial doubts were soon dispelled: word got round that she had just completed an ultra race in which she ran 120 miles in 24 hours, and we also learned that she is a very experienced driver, having taken television film crews across America. In the course of the trip, Lana drove 1500+ miles as well as giving us detailed information about all locations and sites visited. Lana explained all options on offer, particularly for the free days, and made herself available to support individual choices. She was careful to advise on personal safety and ensure everyone knew the safest options for transport. Nothing was too much trouble, and Lana did everything within her power to make the trip run smoothly and to give us the best possible experience. A few examples: she had put together a Spotify playlist of music appropriate to each destination and leg of the itinerary; she purchased a folding step to facilitate access in and out of the minibus, which had a high drop; and while the group was enjoying a self-guided walking tour of Natchez, she checked everyone into the hotel, unloaded the luggage and took the bags to our individual rooms so that we could all go straight there to rest after a long day on the road. She was always cheerful, attentive and responsive, able to engage with everyone in our group, and always good company. Advice for Potential Travellers * the itinerary may change due to circumstances: embrace the options your group leader gives you. On our trip the Civil Rights Institute in Birmingham was closed, so we took a detour to Montgomery to visit the Legacy Museum and National Memorial for Peace & Justice, a very moving exhibition. It was not possible to book the Lynchburg option for the final day due to possible departure flight logistics, but our group leader came up with a pleasantly surprising alternative. * there will be plenty of opportunities to do your own thing at the different cities visited. * be prepare to be shocked by the amount of single-use plastics, particularly in hotels, and a lack of recycling facilities - maybe take your own travel cutlery. * try the local food and drink: have a Hurricane in NOLA, eat beignets, gumbo, jambalaya, and catfish (delicious!) there; try dry rubbed ribs in Memphis, or southern fried chicken; drink Jack Daniels in Tennessee. But there are plenty of alternatives if you fancy a change. * beware American sized portions: consider sharing with another person. Many portions are more than enough for two. * there are some long days on the road, but frequently broken up with comfort breaks and lunch stops at a variety of interesting places. Bring your own playlists and ear buds, if you like to chill out to your personal music along the way.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/09/2022
Anne Ferguson - Traveled, October 2019
Deep South - the story of the Blues and music of America If you’re into music (especially The Blues) and want to understand where it all started and developed, this is the trip for you. Starting with the background of the Civil Rights movement and visiting iconic sites such as the bridge at Selma and the museums in Atlanta and Birmingham, we followed the development of the Blues from New Orleans through Clarksdale, Memphis and finally Nashville. We experienced a wide range of live music – gospel, blues, jazz, country, rockabilly, bluegrass etc and saw the places where it all began. It was a truly entertaining and memorable trip from the beginning to the end made even more special by our awesome guide, Jay. Most Inspirational Moment Historically - walking over the bridge at Selma, which although not on the original itinary, was made possible by our guide. Musically - listening to great Blues band at a Juke Joint called 'Reds' in Clarksdale. Thoughts on Group Leader Top bloke. On a scale of 1-10 we would score him 12 Jay Burleson knew his music, knew the history and did all he could to make the trip special for us. (eg he found out one of the worlds best blues guitarists was playing in a cafe on the outskirts of Nashville and helped us get to see him play!) Advice for Potential Travellers Embrace it all - every day and every night - you can always rest when you get home!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/23/2019
Jules Beasley - Traveled, August 2018
Good music trip This is a great trip if you’re keen to experience the USA Deep South Music and history. Great experience of New Orleans, Martin Luther King and the civil rights movements, Elvis and the music history of Memphis and Nashville. The trip is with Grand American Adventures- Exodus sister Company. You travel in a small tour bus driven by your guide. We were lucky we had 9 people on the trip as any more would have been a squeeze. A few early starts and longest drives on the road were 5-6 hours but had plenty of rest stop breaks. There’s a lot to see and do plus the music & dvds on the van helped get us in the mood and educate us to each area. Most Inspirational Moment New Orleans is great and the included steamboat dinner on the Mississippi was fantastic. Would also highly recommend the Honey Island swamp tour, we saw much more wildlife than just alligators. Elvis Birthplace & Graceland also amazing. Thoughts on Group Leader Our group leader Nicole was fantastic, she went above and beyond and was really helpful. There were a few timing issues which meant a couple of important sights were rushed. Sadly her boyfriend turned up for the last 4 days which turned the trip a little sour and spoilt the group dynamic. Advice for Potential Travellers It’s a great trip but do your research. If you’re not into the music scene then this trip might not be for you. Food is great and atms are everywhere.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/28/2018
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