Tracks of the Deep South

Our holiday begins with a flight to Atlanta, the capital of Georgia, where we spend our first night.

We visit Atlanta, a railway city that played a crucial part in the American Civil War. We begin at the Martin Luther King Center and Church, which pays homage to the civil rights movement he was a driving force of. We make our way to the city of Chattanooga. Set on the banks of the Tennessee River and surrounded by the Appalachian Mountains, Chattanooga is nicknamed the 'Scenic City'. We board the Lookout Mountain Incline Railway for a journey on one of the world's steepest rail-ways, taking in views across the sprawling city below as well as the striking mountains and river.

We head to Lynchburg, the capital of Moore County. Moore County has been 'dry' since the days of prohibition, which makes its main attraction even more extraordinary - it's the home of the Jack Daniel's Distillery. After a tour and tasting of the iconic whiskey, we continue to Nashville, where we spend three nights. This evening we visit one of the city's most famous institutions, the legendary Grand Ole Opry. Founded as a radio station in 1925, today this popular music venue still hosts the same regular broadcast, in addition to stage shows. We enjoy an evening of live music performed on 'country's most famous stage' - an excellent introduction to Nashville's music heritage.

Today, we delve further into Nashville's musical history. The city has been synonymous with country music since the 1940s, thanks to its collection of famous recording studios on 'Music Row' and the Ryman Auditorium, home of the Grand Ole Opry for three decades. A morning guided tour introduces us to the main sights of the city before we visit the Country Music Hall of Fame, the world's largest music museum. Here, we're immersed in the sounds and history of country music, as we learn the story of the genre.

Today, you're free to explore Nashville at your own pace. Alongside its reputation as a music city, Nashville is also known for its vibrant neighbourhoods packed with great indie coffee shops, breweries and boutiques. Plus there's some incredible cuisine to be enjoyed across the city. While you can take your pick from a fantastic variety of international dishes, from ramen to ravioli, the meals that Nashville does best are traditional southern comfort foods. Head to a café and order up some fiery hot chicken, rich mac 'n cheese, or a plate of mouth-watering barbecue - you won't regret it.

Our journey through Tennessee continues. After a stop at Jackson, we continue to the Tennessee Delta Heritage Center in Brownsville. This series of museums are dedicated to the diverse history of the southern states; from the rich musical traditions to the area's infamous history of slave labour in the cotton fields. We complete our journey to Memphis later this afternoon, checking into our hotel in the city before an incredible Memphis-style BBQ dinner at a local restaurant. Well known for being cooked 'low n slow', this feast is served to us in a traditional family buffet way.

We begin our day by paying a visit to Graceland - the fantastic mansion that Elvis Presley called home. We have a fascinating insight into the King of Rock' n' Roll as we experience his pre-served living quarters and admire his car collections. This afternoon introduces us to the sights of Memphis' musical history. We visit Sun Studio, an iconic studio that lays claim to being the birthplace of rock' n' roll, and a place that both Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash used to record in during their careers.

We board Amtrak's City of New Orleans service. It's claimed that Blues music spread along this route by rail, and we trace the journey through Mississippi to Louisiana. The views from the train are captivating, as the pretty, floral towns of Brookhaven and McComb lead into the exotic Cajun swamps of the Louisiana Bayou. We arrive in Hammond and take a coach to the Oak Alley Plantation for a guided tour. We learn the history of the house and grounds which stands as a testament to the grand lives of Louisiana landowners and the awful suffering of those enslaved here. Later, we continue to New Orleans, where we check into our hotel for three nights.

This morning's guided tour introduces us to one of the best-known areas of New Orleans: the renowned French Quarter. We stop at Café Du Mond for a beignet, a delicious, deep-fried choux pastry, and coffee. Following some free time, we board a traditional paddle steamer for a delightful sightseeing cruise along the Mississippi River, taking in the site of the Battle of New Orleans. Our cruise takes place on board an authentic steamboat and offers a view of the 'Big Easy' that only a vantage point on the river can provide. After disembarking, you're free to enjoy your evening in this exciting city.

Your day is free to soak up the splendour of New Orleans. Roaring with life, it's known as the south's party city thanks to the Mardi Gras celebrations that take place here. But there's a year-round sense of spirited adventure and playfulness. A wander through the colourful streets offers an excellent introduction to the eclectic architecture that stretches back centuries. Bourbon Street is the place to go for a lively atmosphere and great cocktails. There are some fantastic landmarks you might like to visit in the city too, including the stunning St. Louis Cathedral, North America's oldest cathedral.

We leave New Orleans behind today and board our Amtrak service to Houston. Speeding through the countryside, we make our way to the famous home of space travel - Houston. Found in the larger-than-life US state of Texas, Houston is the home of Space Center Houston and mission control for many space expeditions.

We delve into the intriguing heritage of Houston today. We explore NASA's Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, a research institute and the bustling hub of human spaceflight activity for more than half a century. Here, we see the historic Mission Control of "Houston, we have a problem" fame, alongside displays dedicated to NASA's history. The centre holds the world's largest collections of spacesuits and moon rocks currently on public display and they are incredibly fascinating to discover.

Our explorations of the south come to an end today, as we transfer to the airport for our overnight flight home.

We arrive back in the UK today, where your tour concludes.