American Rhythms

NEW ORLEANS - ARRIVAL 

Day 1: Arrive in New Orleans, one of the most exotic cities in the world, famous for riverboats, jazz, Creole cuisine, and a seemingly endless parade of festivals. On arrival, pick up your car and proceed to your hotel. The remainder of your evening is at your leisure. Take this opportunity to enjoy dinner at one of New Orleans’ many famous Cajun or Creole restaurants. 

NEW ORLEANS 

Day 2: Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore New Orleans on your own. Take a walking tour of the Vieux Carre, popularly known as the French Quarter, a place of narrow streets, wonderful old buildings, and beautiful courtyards. Visit Jackson Square, Royal Street, Bourbon Street, and the many museums. Take a full day bayou and swamp tour or enjoy a riverboat cruise on the Mississippi. 

NEW ORLEANS - BILOXI - MOBILE - MONTGOMERY 

Day 3: This morning, experience the laid-back, sandy side of Mississippi as you make your way through its Coastal region. In Biloxi, seafood lovers will welcome the chance to join a shrimping trip. This unique and interesting cruise will expose you to the spectacular world of sea life caught during a real shrimping expedition. Continue to the grand dame of Alabama’s Gulf Coast, Mobile. Founded in 1702 as the original capital of the Louisiana Territory and nestled along the beautiful Gulf of Mexico, Mobile continues to impress with its sheer beauty, modern architecture, amazing museums, and famous seafood. From here, it’s on to Montgomery. No city has played a greater role in the history of Alabama than Montgomery. From the Civil War to civil rights, Montgomery is steeped in history. 

Driving Distance: 309 MI / 498 KM 

MONTGOMERY - BIRMINGHAM - NASHVILLE 

Day 4: Head north through the fertile highlands of Alabama to Birmingham. A must-see in Birmingham is the Vulcan. Standing 56 feet tall from toe to spearpoint, the Vulcan is the world’s largest cast iron statue and considered one of the most memorable works of civic art in the United States. Cast from local iron in 1904, the Vulcan has overlooked the urban landscape of Alabama’s largest city since the 1930s. Continue north to Nashville, a city that sizzles with American music, Southern hospitality, unbelievable cuisine, and a boundless spectrum of nightlife. 

Driving Distance: 283 MI / 456 KM 

NASHVILLE 

Day 5: A full day to discover the variety of attractions Nashville has to offer, such as the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Grand Ole Opry, Opryland U.S.A. and world-famous Printer’s Alley. 

NASHVILLE - MEMPHIS 

Day 6: Depart the capital of country and western music for the home of the blues. Memphis combines the charm of the Old South with the exciting pace of a modern metropolis. You may wish to tour downtown Memphis with its famous Beale Street, followed by a visit to Elvis Presley’s palatial home, Graceland. 

Driving Distance: 210 MI / 340 KM 

MEMPHIS - VICKSBURG 

Day 7: Today, visit Vicksburg National Military Park, which commemorates the campaign, siege, and defense of Vicksburg in 1863. There are over 1,300 monuments, markers, and plaques, a 16-mile tour road, and a national cemetery, the nation’s largest burial site of Civil War Union soldiers and sailors, with graves totaling over 17,000. 

Driving Distance: 240 MI / 390 KM 

VICKSBURG - NATCHEZ 

Day 8: Today, drive south on the Natchez Trace Parkway, which evolved from an Indian trail into a post road and pioneer highway, and on to Natchez, the oldest settlement in Mississippi. You may want to visit a plantation in Natchez (Burn, Dunleith, Melrose, Monmouth, or Longwood). Longwood is reputedly the largest octagonal house in the country. 

Driving Distance: 90 MI / 150 KM 

NATCHEZ - LAFAYETTE 

Day 9: Today, travel south back into Louisiana through Alexandria, Ville Platte, and Opelousas to Lafayette, the heart of Cajun Country, where the Acadians, or Cajuns, started arriving in 1765. Today, these French-American’s are famous for their joie de vivre, which is reflected in their lively dancing, music, and spicy food. Upon arrival, you may want to enjoy a walking tour of downtown to discover landmark buildings, or take a short drive to Acadian Village, overlooking the bayou and filled with authentically restored Cajun homes and churches. 

Driving Distance: 150 MI / 240 KM 

LAFAYETTE - CAJUN COUNTRY - NEW ORLEANS 

Day 10: A short drive from Lafayette takes you to New Iberia and Avery Island, the birthplace of Tabasco sauce. Other attractions include the Jungle Garden, lush with tropical plants, and Bird City, a sanctuary filled with flurries of snow-white egrets. Continue to Morgan City, the “Shrimp Capital of the World,” and Houma, where you may want to take some time for an optional boat tour into the deep swamp and bayou to see alligators and other wildlife. Following the scenic route, and perhaps stopping at Terre Bonne or Southdown Plantation, you will arrive in New Orleans. 

Driving Distance: 160 MI / 260 KM 

NEW ORLEANS - DEPARTURE 

Day 11: Return your car to the airport before your departure flight.