Day 1
Fly to Chicago, IL
This unforgettable journey begins in Chicago, renowned for its restaurants, shopping and countless cultural attractions. Start your tour with a stay at an exclusive hotel near the Magnificent Mile, one of the most famous attractions in the Windy City, stretching from the bridge that spans the Chicago River to Oak Street, including a special welcome dinner with wine.
Overnight: Fairmont Chicago Millennium Park (Dinner with wine included)
Day 2
Chicago, IL
Today you have a choice of activities to discover Chicago. You could embark on an architectural river cruise, which will take you down the Chicago River while providing fascinating commentary about the city’s history and architecture. Learn how the Great Fire of 1871 paved the way for the birth of the skyscraper as you pass sights that include over 40 notable buildings and an impressive overall view of the skyline. You could also choose to visit John Hancock Building’s 360 Chicago Observation Deck, located 1000 feet above the Magnificent Mile to take in the very best view in the city or a visit to Wrigley Field - home of the Chicago Cubs.
Overnight: Fairmont Chicago Millennium Park (Breakfast included)
Day 3
Chicago - Louisville, KY
Depart Chicago and head through Indiana stopping for a rest in the state capital and "Crossroads of America" - Indianapolis. Your next destination is Louisville, a fun town built on bourbon and American sport icons. Home to the legendary Kentucky Derby, birthplace of Muhammed Ali and the Louisville Slugger baseball bat. The city has become one of the South's gastronmic centres with mouth-watering eateries and home of the bourbon cocktail - "Old Fashioned".
Overnight: The Brown Hotel, Louisville (Breakfast included)
Day 4
Louisville, KY
Get immersed in Louisville culture by taking a private guided tour of the grounds of a retired horse farm to learn about the city’s famous race horses, and then taste some of Kentucky’s signature spirit by visiting a bourbon distillery. You’ll even be let in on some of the insider secrets involved in making the drink, joining a master distiller for a private tour and tasting seminar then farm-to-table dinner.
Overnight: The Brown Hotel, Louisville (Breakfast and Dinner with wine included)
Day 5
Louisville, KY - Nashville, TN
Continue the fun by taking a guided historic walking tour of Churchill Downs Here you’ll learn about the history of the Kentucky Derby, one of the longest continually running sporting events in America, and get to explore the Kentucky Derby Museum with its two floors of artefacts and collectibles, while gaining a special insider’s perspective via a private visit with retired jockey Charles Woods, Jr. If you like fast, sleek cars, you won’t want to miss getting an interesting history lesson on one of America’s favourite sports cars at the National Corvette Museum either. Head to Nashville, your home for the next two nights
Overnight: Union Station Hotel Autograph Collection, Nashville (Breakfast, lunch and dinner with wine included)
Day 6
Nashville, TN
Tour historic RCA Studio B, and gather around the legendary microphone for a recording session with a professional sound engineer, and then cap it all off with a visit to the Grand Ole Opry for a taping of the longest-running live radio programme in the country.
Overnight: Union Station Hotel Autograph Collection, Nashville (Breakfast included)
Day 7
Nashville, TN - Memphis, TN
Travel to the birthplace of Blues and Rock n' Roll. Your day is at leisure to explore museums, shops or try some Memphis barbeque. This afternoon visit Graceland, a museum dedicated to the late, great, Elvis Presley. From the flowers and painted and painted signs outside the gates, to the tear-streaked cheeks of fans inside, see the effect that Elvis and his music had on popular American culture.
Overnight: The Peabody Memphis (Breakfast ncluded)
Day 8
Memphis, TN
Visit Sun Studios, where Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash recorded some of their greatest albums, alternatively you can visit the Stax Museum of American Soul to hear the stories of the musical pioneers.. Then its onto the fascinating National Civil Rights Museum, where you can discover the history of the Civil Rights Movement from the 17 century to present with superb interactive exhibits and the fully preserved room of the Lorraine Motel - site of the tragic assination of Martin Luther King Jr.
Overnight: The Peabody Memphis (Breakfast and Dinner with wine included)
Day 9
Memphis, TN - Natchez, MS
Depart for Natchez, founded by the French in 1716 when it became home to a flowering colonial culture. Check in to your charming, luxury country mansion hotel. Whet your palate before dinner during a mixology class to learn the 'science' of mixing a signature drink of the south, the Mint Julep. Then enjoy a delectable three-course Highlight Dinner in the stunning main house.
Overnight: Monmouth Plantation Natchez (Breakfast and Dinner with wine included)
Day 10
Frogmore & New Orleans, LA
Stop at Frogmore Plantation and journey back in to a time when cotton was king. With your costumed hosts, tour a reconstructed 19th century plantation and compare it to the modern day operation that produces more than 900 bales of cotton each day. Get a glimpse into the sweet side of the South with a visit to Houmas House Plantation. Once the largest producer of sugar in the country, the mansion was often referred to as 'The Sugar Palace' during its antebellum heyday. In the evening, visit the New Orleans School of Cooking. Discovery the flair of Creole cuisine during a lively cooking demonstration and enjoy the culinary creations with a special Highlight Dinner.
Overnight: Ritz-Carlton New Orleans (Breakfast and Dinner with wine included)
Day 11
New Orleans
Join a local expert for a tour of New Orleans, through the French Quarter, Jackson Square and through the twisted paths of the 'City of the Dead' - the final resting place of pirates, politicians and voodoo queens. Choose to embark on a Creole and Cajun food tour of New Orleans while learning about the city's unique blend of worldly influences. Alternatively, you can mingle over a traditional Jazz Brunch, where you'll take in the lively musical scene.
Overnight: Ritz-Carlton New Orleans (Breakfast included)
Day 12
New Orleans
Start the day with a bayou expert on a unique and immersive eco-excursion for an insider’s perspective of the Great Mississippi River and how it has shaped the rich tapestry of land, people and cultures of this region. Meet the local fishermen and sample some of the fresh seafood.This evening, toast to lifelong memories during a Celebration Dinner with wine at the famous New Orleans restaurant, Arnaud's, with lively jazz as your backdrop.
Overnight: Ritz-Carlton New Orleans (Breakfast and dinner with included)
Day 13
New Orleans - fly home
Say "au revoir" to New Orleans, today it’s time to fly home
(Breakfast included)
