Insight Vacations - America & Canada Feb 2016

INSIGHT VACATIONS
LUXURY GOLD JOURNEYS
Southern
Grace
This jukebox journey takes you from the home of Country music , Blues, and Rock ‘n’ Roll to the
multicultural melting pot of New Orleans – peppered throughout with the flavours of the South.
Jazz Musician, New Orleans
French Quarter, New Orleans
There is a spirit in New Orleans today. Lush
and tropical, graced with elegance tinged
with just a hint of an aging patina, this city
remains an authentic destination, a place
like no other.
Walking through the cobblestone streets of
the French Quarter or the shady lanes of the
Garden District, you might feel for a moment
as though you’ve stepped into the past.
Intricate wrought iron balconies, glowing gas
lamps, the notes of a jazz solo curling out into
the street from an open doorway – indeed,
New Orleans has kept in close touch with its
long and rich history. This most unique place
owes its very identity to its centuries
of cultural heritage, a mix of European,
Caribbean and African cultures and customs
that resulted in music, food, literature, artistry
and celebrations unlike any the world had
ever seen before.
The most celebrated and historic core of the
city is thriving. The French Quarter, with its
hidden courtyards, grand hotels and historic
architecture, is a delight around every corner.
Some of the best tax-free shopping can be
found in the heart of the city along Royal and
Chartres Streets in boutiques, art galleries
and antique shops.
Dine in some of the world’s oldest and
best-known restaurants, including Galatoire’s,
Arnaud’s, Antoine’s and Brennan’s, or dine on
New Orleans
beignets and café au lait at the famous Café
Du Monde on Jackson Square. View artists
at work around the gates of the Square, and
step into historic St. Louis Cathedral, an icon
of New Orleans. Soak up the city’s history at
the Historic New Orleans Collection and the
Hermann-Grima House.
The French Quarter is all about taking it
easy. Kick back to jazz at Preservation Hall, or
catch an outdoor concert along the French
Market. Or simply sit along the river at the
Moonwalk and listen to the simple sounds
of a clarinet or the music of a steamboat
calliope.
Nearby, the Faubourg Marigny’s funky nightlife
beckons the music lover all week long.
Frenchmen Street’s music club scene offers
the sounds of sweet jazz every night of the
week at venues such as Snug Harbor, and
unique dining at neighbourhood restaurants.
New Orleans is a feast for the soul. Come
and see for yourself. For more information on
New Orleans, visit NewOrleansInfo.com.
Day 1 – Welcome to Nashville.
Enjoy your complimentary private VIP
door-to-door transfer to your UK departure
airport. Upon arrival at Nashville
International Airport, you will be transferred
to your luxury hotel. Tonight join your
Travelling Concierge for a Welcome
Reception with drinks and a light meal. s
(WD)
Hotel: Gaylord Opryland Resort (2 nights).
Day 2 – Enjoy Nashville’s Musical
History. Enjoy a leisurely morning
before your fascinating visit to the Country
Music Hall of Fame a and Museum, full of
memorabilia from stars such as Hank
Williams and Garth Brooks. After touring
historic Studio B, your private group will
work with a professional sound engineer in a
30-minute, choir-style recording session.
Each group member will receive their own
copy of the recording as a one-of-a-kind
souvenir. s No visit to Nashville would be
complete without a visit to the Grand Ole
Opry. Attend a live taping of America’s
longest-running live radio program. (FB)
Day 3 – Memphis and the Birthplace
of the Blues. Enjoy a guided tour
of Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum a and explore the
birth of rock and soul music exhibitions,
created by the Smithsonian Institution. In the
evening, join your fellow guests on legendary
Beale Street for a Highlight Dinner at Itta
Bena, a 1920s speakeasy-style restaurant
above BB King’s Blues Club. s (FB,HD)
Hotel: The Westin Memphis Beale Street
(2 nights).
Day 4 – Graceland. The morning
visit Graceland, a home to the late, great
Elvis Presley. From the flowers 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. Marvel at the Jungle Room and walls
full of gold and platinum records. Enjoy the
evening at leisure. (FB)
Day 5 – The Siege of Vicksburg and
Mississippi Mystique in Natchez. Visit
Vicksburg National Military Park a where
the famous Civil War battle is remembered
and commemorated. Continue to Natchez
and check into your charming, luxury country
mansion hotel. Whet your palate before
dinner during a mixology class to learn
the ‘science’ of making a signature drink of
the South, the mint julep. s Then enjoy a
delectable five-course Highlight Dinner in the
stunning Main House. s (FB,HD)
Hotel: Monmouth Plantation, Natchez. s
Day 6 – Natchez and New Orleans.
Stop at Frogmore Plantation a and journey
back in time. With your costumed hosts, tour
a reconstructed 19th century plantation. Get
a glimpse into the sweet side of the South
with a visit to Houmas House Plantation,
once the country’s largest sugar producer.
The plantation spans over 38 lush acres.
Tonight visit to the New Orleans School of
Cooking and a demonstration of a popular
Creole Highlight Dinner. s (FB,HD)
Hotel: The Roosevelt New Orleans,
(A Waldorf Astoria hotel) (3 nights). s
Day 7 – Exploring New Orleans,
the Big Easy. Depart for New
Orleans where you join a Local Expert in the
atmospheric French Quarter. Explore the
twisted paths of one of the ‘Cities of the
Dead’, the above-ground final resting place
of pirates, politicians and voodoo queens.
Visit The Sazerac Bar, named after what
many consider to be the world’s first mixed
drink. s Learn how to make the famed
Sazerac and enjoy one of your own. (FB)
Day 8 – New Orleans sightseeing.
In the morning, get up-close and
personal with the rural side of the Crescent
City as you embark on a boat tour a to meet
the resident alligators and other flora and
fauna. This evening gather with your new
9 DAYs FROM £3,750pp | Departs 13 may - 28 oct 2016
BOOK & PAY by 29 FEB TO SAVE UP TO £428 per couple
friends and toast lifelong memories during a
Celebration Dinner at a famous New Orleans
restaurant. s (FB,CD)
Day 9 – Depart New Orleans. A
complimentary transfer is provided to New
Orleans International Airport. On arrival at
your UK airport, your driver will greet and
escort you to your waiting car for your return
private VIP transfer home. (FB)
INCLUDED QUALITY DINING
1 Welcome Dinner (WD), 8 Full Breakfasts
(FB), 3 Highlight Dinners (HD) and 1
Celebration Dinner (CD)
Prices are per person, twin share, including return scheduled flights from
London and return VIP door-to-door transfers to your UK airport. Prices
based on 22 May, 03 & 17 June, 09 & 16 September 07 October 2016
departures. Visit www.insightvacations.com for full terms and conditions.
22 To book or for more information call 0121 250 2200
Cotton
Country
Louisiana
Frogmore
Mississippi River
Vicksburg
NATCHEZ
(Day 5)
Tennessee
MEMPHIS
(Day 3 and 4)
Mississippi
Houmas House
Plantation NEW ORLEANS
(Day 6, 7, 8 and 9)
3
KEY
NASHVILLE
(Day 1 and 2)
Gulf of Mexico
A join/leave options
k unesco heritage site
2 central hotels + nights
2 scenic hotels + nights
EXCLUSIVE LUXURY GOLD HIGHLIGHTS
INCLUDED SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES,
DINING & HOTELS s HALLMARK INCLUSIONS a
AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCES
a Nashville: Visit the Country Music Hall of Fame.
s Nashville: Record a song at legendary Studio B
a Memphis: Visit the Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum.
a Memphis: Tour Elvis’ Graceland.
a Vicksburg: Visit the National Military Park.
s Natchez: Learn the ‘science’ of making a
signature drink of the South, the mint julep.
a Natchez: At Frogmore Plantation learn about
early 19th century cotton plantation life.
Atlantic
s New Orleans: Take a mixology Oceanclass at famous bar.
a New Orleans: Journey through beautiful
marshlands in search of alligators.
EPICUREAN DINING
s Memphis: Dine at B.B. King’s Blues Club.
s Natchez: Enjoy a five-course Southern dinner
at Monmouth Plantation.
s New Orleans: Discover Creole cuisine during
an interactive cooking class and special
Highlight Dinner.
s New Orleans: Celebration Dinner with a jazz
trio at ‘Arnaud’s’, one of the Big Easy’s prized
restaurants.
DISTINCTIVE HOTELS
s Natchez & New Orleans: Monmouth
Plantation and the iconic Roosevelt New
Orleans hotel offer Southern hospitality,
world-class service and luxurious surroundings.
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