Summary
Short description
A cultural journey through America's musical heartland
Highlights
- Explore New Orleans' bourbon-soaked jazz bars
- Relax on Alabama's glorious Gulf Coast beaches
- Discover the history of the American Civil Rights Movement in Montgomery and Birmingham
- Head to Muscle Shoals to see where some of the greats of modern music recorded
- End in Memphis, the birthplace of Rock n' Roll
In Brief
- 2 Nights New Orleans
- 2 Nights Gulf Shores
- 2 Nights Mobile
- 1 Night Montgomery
- 2 Nights Birmingham
- 1 Night Muscle Shoals
- 2 Nights Memphis
In pictures
About
Recommended for:
History & culture | Self-drive
This road-trip begins outside of Alabama, in the music-loving city of New Orleans, where the air is filled with the sweet strains of jazz. Cross into Alabama at Gulf Shores, where miles of white sand meet the sparkling waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Stop at the port city of Mobile, which hosted the first American Mardi Gras back in 1703, before driving north to Montgomery, where Rosa Parks was arrested in 1955 for refusing to give up her bus seat to a white man, sparking the Civil Rights Movement. Birmingham, Alabama's biggest city, boasts plenty more jazz and dance clubs. Huntsville is perfect for hiking and biking in the Appalachian foothills. Then. the music continues in Muscle Shoals, home to the acclaimed FAME Studios, Tupelo, the birthplace of Elvis, and Memphis, where visitors flock to the King's famous mansion, Graceland.
Day by day itinerary
Days
1-2
New Orleans
Start your holiday in style with included airport lounge access before your flight out to the city known as the 'Big Easy'. Upon arrival in New Orleans, make your own way to your hotel in the French Quarter where your musical themed adventure begins. The next day is free to see and experience the best of the Big Easy, home to everything from charming riverboats to intimate live music venues and the finest in Creole and Cajun cuisine.
Stay: Bienville House (Standard)
Days
3-4
Gulf Shores
Pick up your hire car and head across the border into Alabama to explore the coastal towns of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach with their 32 miles of soft white sand and sparkling emerald waters. Cast your line for deep sea adventure on a charter fishing trip, take a dolphin watching cruise or visit one of the classic beach bars like The Hangout or Flora-Bama.
Stay: The Lodge at Gulf State Park or Kiva Dunes Golf & Beach Resort (Superior)
Days
5-6
Mobile
The port city of Mobile on Alabama's Gulf Coast is famous for hosting the first American Mardi Gras back in 1703, and the tradition is still alive today. Taste the coast with delicious seafood and enjoy the diverse array of bars, nightclubs and live music venues. Take an eco-tour into America's second largest delta and visit nearby Dauphin Island.
Stay: Battlehouse Renaissance (Superior)
Day
7
Montgomery
On your way to Montgomery you can stop by Monroeville, home of Harper Lee and To Kill a Mockingbird. Located on the Alabama River, Montgomery is the birthplace of both the American Civil War and the American civil rights movement. Walk this authentic southern city and visit the Alabama State Capitol and the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. preached. The Hank Williams Museum and the Rosa Parks Museum are also known downtown as well as the Alley Entertainment District.
Stay: Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa (Standard)
Days
8-9
Birmingham
Birmingham, Alabama's largest city, boasts jazz and dance clubs, theatre and fine dining. Visit the Civil Rights Institute, Kelly Ingram Park and 16th Street Baptist Church to learn about the city's civil rights struggles. Birmingham is also the home of America's largest collection of motorcycles on display at Barber Vintage Motorcycle Museum.
Stay: Redmont Hotel Birmingham (Superior)
Day
10
Huntsville - Muscle Shoals
This morning, drive to Huntsville, the home of the U.S.Space and Rocket Centre, the world's largest space attraction and America's largest seasonal butterfly house at the botanical gardens. Located at the base of some of the most beautiful mountains in North Alabama, Huntsville offers visitors outdoor activities, such as hiking, biking, horseback riding and fishing along the Tennessee River. You'll then continue to northwest Alabama – the small towns of Florence, Tuscumbia, Sheffield and Muscle Shoals are at the southernmost leg of a music triangle that includes Memphis and Nashville. The 'Father of the Blues', W.C. Handy, was born in Florence where the annual Handy Music Festival is held each summer. Tour FAME recording studio where international superstars like Aretha Franklin, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Percy Sledge and the Rolling Stones recorded some of their greatest hits.
Stay: Hampton Inn & Suites Florence Downtown (Standard)
Days
11-12
Tupelo - Memphis
Head west to the small town of Tupelo, deep in North Mississippi Hill Country and gateway to the Natchez Trace Parkway. Quiet and unassuming it is, on the face of it, a most unlikely place to have played a starring part in the history of modern music. But indeed it did, as this was the birthplace of one Elvis Presley. Later on, continue to Memphis, the birthplace of rock 'n' roll and home of the blues where you drop off your hire car. Dance your way around the Rock 'n' Soul Museum and be sure to visit Graceland, Sun Studio and Beale Street.
Stay: The Peabody, Memphis (Superior)
Days
13-14
Depart for UK
Head to the airport for your flight back to the UK, arriving on day 14.
Map
Pricing
Any element of this itinerary can be adjusted to suit your needs. Just contact us to find out more.
14-day tailor-made self-drive
from £2,845 pp incl. flights
Superior
Low Season
from £2,845 pp. incl. flights
High Season
from £3,415 pp. incl. flights
Includes:
- Complimentary UK airport lounge access
- Flight from the UK to New Orleans and from Nashville to London
- 11 days Compact car hire including personalised road book
- 12 nights in a mixture of 3* (Standard) & 4* (Superior) accommodation on a room only basis
High season: June-September
Terms & Conditions
Prices are per person based on two people sharing a twin/double room; prices are subject to availability and possible change; normal booking conditions apply.
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