Country Roads of the Deep South - Classic Group

Country Roads of the Deep South - Classic Group
from $5,295 pp

Duration: 12 Days
Destinations: United States

Fall in love with the Deep South during this 12-day guided tour. Let the lights and music of Nashville wash over you as you walk down Broadway. Take a guided tour of Studio B, Nashville's oldest remaining recording studio. Then head to the Country Music Hall of Fame which preserves, celebrates, and shares the important cultural asset that is country music. In Memphis, enjoy a private tour of the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, a former record studio where Nashville greats recorded their music. Get the chance to explore the mansion which was the private retreat of the King of Rock 'n Roll on your own. Embrace Cajun Country and take a crawfish farm tour, where a Local Expert will help you catch your lunch. In New Orleans walk the city with a Local Expert, who will guide you through its vibrant art scene and unique architecture. Then end your trip with a bang and learn all about Mardi Gras, during an exclusive behind the scenes tour of Mardi Gras World, where the magic happens and the extravagant floats are built each year.

Call to Book 1-800-222-7448

Price My Trip View Dates Save for Later

Additional Information

Arrive in Nashville

Welcome to Nashville, the capital of Tennessee and the USA's glittering center stage. From the Everly Brothers' "Bye Bye Love," to Roy Orbison's "Oh, Pretty Woman," the streets are paved with talent. Relax and unwind before meeting your Travel Director and mingling with guests at 18:00 followed by a Welcome Dinner with wine.
Hotel: Hotel Fraye, Nashville

Take center stage in Nashville

Start your day with an orientation tour of music city. You'll visit the picturesque Riverfront Park, Tennessee State Capitol and the 132-acre Centennial State Park, where you'll encounter an exact replica of the Parthenon. Pass by the city's lively honky-tonks and street performers on Broadway. Make your way to historic RCA Studio B, Nashville's oldest remaining recording studio for a guided tour. Studio B became a cradle of the Nashville Sound in the late 1950s and early 1960s with over 35,000 songs being recorded here by iconic artists such as Dolly Parton, Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, and even more recently, Martina McBride and Carrie Underwood. On this guided tour, you will hear the fascinating stories behind the legendary recordings and view some of the original instruments used in producing over 1,000 hit records. We then continue to another home to Nashville royalty, The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum for a self-guided tour. The museum helps to preserve, celebrate, and share the important cultural asset that is country music. Along with changing exhibitions, you'll discover the enlightening "Sing Me Back Home: Folk Roots to the Present." Which tells the story of country music from its pre-commercial roots in the 19th century through its life today. See original artifacts, photographs and recordings. Tonight, head to the famous Grand Ole Opry, the world-renowned country music stage and longest-running radio broadcast in U.S. history for even more Country fun.
Hotel: Hotel Fraye, Nashville

Choose your Nashville Exploration

Today we make a stop at the Nashville Farmer's Market to explore its artisanal crafts and produce. You decide how to discover Nashville this afternoon with Insight Choice. Choose to visit Nelson's Green Brier, a local Tennessee distillery and home of the Original Tennessee Whiskey for a guided tour of the distillery and tasting of the product. Or join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience with a visit to The National Museum of African American Music, the only museum dedicated to preserving and celebrating the many music genres created, influenced and inspired by African Americans. This is for music lovers of all generations, inspiring, educating and transforming your appreciation of American music - all while celebrating the central role African Americans play in creating the American soundtrack.
Hotel: Hotel Fraye, Nashville

Heading back home to Memphis

This morning you'll head to Memphis. Whether it's your first or hundredth time visiting this vibrant city, you'll be drawn in by the lively melodies coming from Beale Street. Spend the morning on a sightseeing tour of the city, followed by your first of two MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experiences today. The first is a visit to the National Civil Rights Museum for a guided tour through centuries of the Civil Rights Movement and its impact on our culture today. The second is your private evening at the Stax Museum of American Soul Music. The museum is part of The Soulsville Foundation, which aims to prepare young adults for life success and inspire future artists.
Hotel: The Guest House at Graceland, Memphis.

A day dedicated to the King

This morning it's off to Graceland, where you will get to explore the mansion, the private retreat of the King of Rock 'n Roll, where he went for reprise when not on the stage or in the movies. The tour of Graceland Mansion includes the living room and the famous Jungle Room. Then visit the Entertainer Career Museum with hundreds of artifacts and photos from significant events in Elvis' life as well as the Presley Motors Automobile Museum. Then we continue onto Sun Studios for an authentic guided tour led by a local musician. Learn all about the recording studio where Elvis got his start along with so many of the greatest and therefore known as "The Birthplace of Rock'n'roll." Dinner this evening will be served at The Beauty Shop, a former parlour turned whimsical New American eatery where Elvis' ex-wife, Priscilla, was said to get her hair done.
Hotel: The Guest House at Graceland, Memphis.

Memphis to Greenwood

Travel through the Mississippi Delta down the Mississippi Blues Trail, a route that tells the stories of local businessmen and women. Your Travel Director will give you background information on Greenwood's significance in the Civil Rights Movement, being a center for protests and voter registration struggles from 1962 to 1965. Head to the Viking Cooking School for a hot tamales cooking class. Later, enjoy a delicious three course meal with wine.
Hotel: The Alluvian, Greenwood.

Moving on to Natchez

Learn more about Southern history and hospitality as you head to Natchez. Tour a historic Antebellum mansion and discover the preservation efforts of later generations to tell the story of African-Americans through the decades, understanding that slavery and cotton allowed plantation owners to build these mansions. Test your mixologist skills as you concoct a traditional Southern cocktail, the Mint Julep. Minty, cooling and with a touch of sweetness, you're sure to learn a few party tricks to bring back home with you. Arrive at your hotel where you will enjoy an evening to yourself. Ask your Travel Director for restaurant suggestions and discover one of the wonderful options in town.
Hotel: Monmouth Historic Inn and Gardens, Natchez

Natchez to Lafayette

Move on to Lafayette for a taste of the Cajun and Creole Countryside. Get ready for a boat tour of a lifetime through moss-draped cypress trees, where graceful egrets perch just out of the reach of lingering alligators. Explore the diverse natural beauty and rich ecological systems of America's largest and most mysterious swamp ecosystem, the Atchafalaya Basin Swamp. A Native Cajun tour guide will explain from personal experience what it is like to live on a houseboat or survive off the swamp, while pointing out the abundant plants of the area and getting you up close and personal with the wildlife.
Hotel: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Lafayette.

Lafayette for food lovers Relaxed Start

After breakfast, start the day with a visit to the Acadian Cultural Center to learn more about the people, music, and sounds that give Lafayette its distinct and charming character. This evening you will join a Local Expert for a tour of their crawfish pond. If you visit during Crawfish season, catch your dinner the old-fashioned way, using hand nets, then enjoy a cooking demonstration before your authentic Cajun meal.
Hotel: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Lafayette.

Welcome to the Big Easy

New Orleans is a lively and dynamic city, known for its vibrant culture and electric jazz festivals. On the way down south, take a spicy stop at the Tabasco Factory for a self-guided tour and discover how the world-famous red hot pepper sauce is made. A family recipe - TABASCO Brand products are made by McIlhenny Company, founded by Edmund McIlhenny in 1868 on Avery Island, Louisiana. This afternoon, enjoy a regional meal highlighting the flavors of New Orleans. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Hotel: New Orleans Marriott, New Orleans

Festivities in New Orleans Relaxed Start

Get to know the city with a Local Expert, as you discover each neighborhood's unique architecture and explore the vibrant art scene. See how the community comes together through celebration. Enjoy an exclusive behind the scenes tour of Mardi Gras World, where the magic happens and the extravagant, vibrant floats are built each year. One of the Mardi Gras World certified artists will lead you through designing your very own Mardi Gras mask and creating your masterpiece, premium felt backed mask with glitter, feathers and more to take back as an eclectic memento of your time in The Big Easy.
Hotel: New Orleans Marriott, New Orleans

Depart New Orleans

It's time to say goodbye to your fellow travelers as your adventure comes to an end. Departure to the airport will be at leisure.

Departure Dates

Dates	From Price	Price My Trip
Apr 4, 2025 - Apr 15, 2025	$5,295 pp \| Land Only	Price My Trip
May 16, 2025 - May 27, 2025	$5,295 pp \| Land Only	Price My Trip
Jun 20, 2025 - Jul 1, 2025	$5,295 pp \| Land Only	Price My Trip
Sep 26, 2025 - Oct 7, 2025	$5,450 pp \| Land Only	Price My Trip
Oct 10, 2025 - Oct 21, 2025	$5,450 pp \| Land Only	Price My Trip

Start: April 4, 2025 End: April 15, 2025 Price: $5,295 pp \| Land Only Price My Trip
Start: May 16, 2025 End: May 27, 2025 Price: $5,295 pp \| Land Only Price My Trip
Start: June 20, 2025 End: July 1, 2025 Price: $5,295 pp \| Land Only Price My Trip
Start: September 26, 2025 End: October 7, 2025 Price: $5,450 pp \| Land Only Price My Trip
Start: October 10, 2025 End: October 21, 2025 Price: $5,450 pp \| Land Only Price My Trip

Price My Trip

Product Code: IVUSAS-ASTHAZN20

All pricing and offers for accommodations and other non-air travel are per person, based on double occupancy, capacity controlled and subject to availability and change without notice. Pricing does not include taxes, fees, fuel surcharges, gratuities, resort fees, or airfare unless otherwise noted and is valid on new bookings only. Prices, fees, and other restrictions are subject to supplier policies. All offers, including but not limited to, bonus amenities, upgrades, prices, and group benefits are based on select dates, resorts, room categories, and/or fare codes. Specialty pricing may require proper identification. Cancellation penalties, blackout dates, and other restrictions may apply. When traveling outside the United States a valid passport is required. It is the sole responsibility of the passenger to have the proper documentation and identification required by the United States and other governments at the time of travel. When passports are required, it must be valid for a minimum of six months past your date of return. AAA strongly recommends the purchase of AAA Travel Protection. Usage of a credit card for travel arrangements may provide additional protection, please consult your credit card policies. Under certain circumstances the package price may be subject to supplemental price increases imposed by the supplier. Price increases include, but are not limited to fuel surcharges, taxes or fluctuations in foreign exchange markets that may be imposed after the date of purchase. Air-inclusive prices do not include government imposed taxes and fees, including but not limited to a September 11th Security Fee, U.S. or international government imposed taxes and fees, Federal Excise Fees, among others. Some carriers charge additional fees for checked bags, fuel surcharge, meals, etc. Please check the carriers website for details. Air-inclusive pricing is based on select departure cities. Prices from other cities may vary. AAA Northeast acts solely as a sales agent for travel suppliers and is not responsible for the actions or inactions of such suppliers. We monitor all of the information presented on our website; however, we do not assume responsibility for any errors or omissions in the content of the offers displayed. Review full Travel Disclosure and Consent at time of booking.

Airfare, taxes, surcharges, gratuities, transfers, port charges and excursions are additional unless otherwise indicated. Fuel surcharges, government taxes, other surcharges, deposit, payment and cancellation terms/conditions are subject to change without notice. Baggage fees are not included in your trip cost, you should re-verify with the airline directly or on their website prior to your departure for current details on allowable luggage pieces, fees, size and weight limitations since they vary from airline to airline. See link to research baggage fees and information: https://iflybags.com/. Rates quoted are per person, land only, based on adult double occupancy unless otherwise stated. Discounts, products, vendors, rates, terms, conditions, availability and itinerary are subject to change without notice. Cruise rates are capacity controlled. Certain restrictions may apply. AAA members must make advance reservations through AAA Travel to obtain Member Benefits and savings. Member Benefits may vary based on departure date. Be advised that any and all costs associated with air reservations made outside of these packages will not be refunded by AAA or the tour operator in the event of an unforeseen change and/or cancellation by you and/or the tour operator. Not responsible for errors or omissions. Rates are accurate at the time of printing and are subject to availability and change. AAA Northeast acts only as an agent for the various tour and/or cruise providers listed and is not responsible for the actions or inactions of such providers. AAA Vacations® Best Price Guarantee and 24/7 Member Care are applicable to AAA members only. If you book a qualifying AAA Vacations® cruise or tour package and find a valid better rate for the exact itinerary within 24 hours of your booking, AAA will match the lower rate and send you a $50 AAA Vacations® future travel credit certificate. Certain restrictions apply. Visit AAA.com/AAAVacations for full details.

AAA Travel Alert: During these uncertain times, many travel destinations have implemented COVID-19-related health and safety restrictions and entry requirements. Please check to see if local authorities, hotels, cruise lines, tour operators, attractions, and restaurants at your intended travel destination have issued health and safety-related alerts, entry requirements or other restrictions. These new travel restrictions may be imposed or amended with little warning. Failure to comply with applicable rules may result in denied entry or quarantine upon arrival. (Note: As things change, so do policies. We’ll do our best to stay on top of things, but always be sure to check with a provider directly.)