Country Roads of the Deep South a Women-Only tour
Country Roads of the Deep South a Women-Only tour
Country Roads of the Deep South a Women-Only tour
12 Days Starting in Nashville (TN) and ending in New Orleans
Visiting: Nashville, Memphis, Greenwood, Natchez, Lafayette, New Orleans
Tour operator:
Tour code:
XASTHM20
Specialist Group:
Women Only
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
12 - 24
Age range:
5-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Tour Overview
Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of the Deep South on this 12-day, guided, women-only tour, designed to celebrate and connect with influential women. Experience the soul of Nashville as you stroll through the Broadway entertainment district, surrounded by the lights and sounds of country music legends. Enjoy a guided tour of Studio B and meet a female songwriter at the Country Music Hall of Fame who will share her industry insights. In Memphis, participate in a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience with a tour focused on Courageous Women Fighting for Women's Rights, Civil Rights, and Justice for All, followed by a private tour of the Stax Museum of American Soul Music. Explore New Orleans through the Great Women of the Mississippi River Delta tour, discovering the remarkable women who shaped the city. Conclude your journey with a cooking demo led by a female chef and a behind-the-scenes tour of Mardi Gras World.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive In Nashville
Location: Nashville
Accommodation: Hotel, The Banker's Alley
Accommodation Name: The Banker's Alley Hotel
Welcome to Nashville, the capital of Tennessee and spiritual home of the US country music scene. From the Everly Brothers' “Bye Bye Love" to Roy Orbison’s “Oh, Pretty Woman,” the city's streets echo with legendary tunes. Settle in and relax before meeting your Travel Director and fellow women travellers for a welcome dinner with wine. Prepare to be enchanted by the unique experiences and inspiring females awaiting you over the next 12 days on this extraordinary women-only journey through the Deep South.
Day 2: Take Centre Stage In Nashville
Location: Nashville
Accommodation: The Banker's Alley Hotel
Accommodation Name: The Banker's Alley Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Immerse yourself in the heart of Music City over two days, starting with an orientation to get up close and personal with Nashville's vibrant culture. Explore the scenic Riverfront Park, the historic Tennessee State Capitol, and the sprawling132-acre Centennial State Park, home to a stunning replica of Greece’s Parthenon. Stroll along Broadway, passing lively honky-tonks and street performers, before arriving at the historic RCA Studio B for a guided tour. Discover Nashville’s music history in this iconic studio where over 47,000 songs have been recorded by legends like Dolly Parton, Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, and modern stars like Martina McBride and Carrie Underwood. Learn fascinating stories behind these legendary recordings and see original instruments used in producing over 1,000 hit records. Continue your musical journey to The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, where you'll take in a one-hour performance by a talented female songwriter and enjoy a self-guided tour of this tribute to American music. Conclude your day at the famous Grand Ole Opry, the world-renowned country music venue and the longest-running radio broadcast in U.S. history, for an evening of country fun with your group of like-minded women.
Day 3: Choose Your Nashville Exploration
Location: Nashville
Accommodation: The Banker's Alley Hotel
Accommodation Name: The Banker's Alley Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Visit the Nashville Farmers Market to savour the diversity of the South’s food scene as you engage with local producers offering delights from Korean bulgogi and bibimbap to authentic Italian pizzas. In the afternoon, dive deeper into Nashville with an Insight Choice. Experience a tour and whiskey tasting session at Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery, a historic gem founded in the 1800s and once run by Louisa Nelson, one of the few female distillers of her time, before being revived by her great-great-great grandchildren. Alternatively, join a transformative MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at The National Museum of African American Music. Perfect for music enthusiasts, this experience will inspire, educate, and deepen appreciation of American music, highlighting the prominent role African American women have played in shaping the nation’s soundtrack.
Day 4: Heading Back Home To Memphis
Location: Nashville, Memphis
Accommodation: The Guest House at Graceland, Memphis.
Accommodation Name: The Guest House at Graceland, Memphis.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Whether it’s your first time in Memphis or you're a frequent visitor, the lively melodies of Beale Street—a melting pot of delta blues, jazz, rock 'n' roll, R&B, and gospel music—will captivate you. Take a sightseeing tour of the city passing the Memphis Pyramid and the historic Peabody Hotel, renowned for the Peabody ducks that swim in the hotel fountain. A moving MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience awaits as you join an inspiring female civil rights activist for a tour through the city and to hear her story of living through the Civil Rights Movement, including participating in the Selma March of 1965. End your day byjoining another MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience with a private evening at the Stax Museum of American Soul Music. The museum is part of The Soulsville Foundation, which aims to inspire future artists and prepare young adults for life success.
Day 5: A Day Dedicated To The King
Location: Memphis
Accommodation: The Guest House at Graceland, Memphis.
Accommodation Name: The Guest House at Graceland, Memphis.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Take an immersive journey into the life of the King of Rock 'n' Roll. At Graceland,explore Elvis’s private retreat where he found solace away from the stage. Your self-guided tour of the mansion includes the living room, the iconic Jungle Room, and exhibits showcasing Elvis’s career including automobiles, wardrobe, gold records, custom jets, and more from the Graceland Archives. Next, head to Sun Studio, the legendary recording studio where Elvis started his career. Led by a local musician, discover the legendary recording studio, known as “the Birthplace of Rock ‘n’ Roll” where Elvis started his career. In the evening, enjoy a unique dining experience at The Beauty Shop, a former parlour turned whimsical New American eatery, where Elvis’s wife, Priscilla, was said to get her hair done. Join us for a memorable journey celebrating the iconic legacy of Elvis Presley.
Day 6: Memphis To Greenwood
Location: Memphis, Greenwood
Accommodation: The Alluvian Greenwood.
Accommodation Name: The Alluvian, Greenwood.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Journey through the Mississippi Delta along the captivating Mississippi Blues Trail, where the stories of pioneering businesswomen unfold. Arrive in the historic town of Greenwood, Mississippi, and delve into its significance in the Civil Rights Movement. Your Travel Director will share profound insights into Greenwood’s role as a hub for protests and voter registration efforts from 1962 to 1965. Embrace a truly unique experience with an Insightful Encounter at the Viking Cooking School. Here, a cook will guide you in crafting hot tamales, a flavourful regional specialty of meat wrapped in corn husks. Discover the rich cultural heritage behind this beloved dish, making your culinary adventure both enlightening and delicious.
Day 7: Moving On To Natchez
Location: Greenwood, Natchez
Accommodation: Hotel, Natchez Grand Natchez
Accommodation Name: Natchez Grand Hotel, Natchez
Meals Included: Breakfast
Learn more about Southern history and hospitality as you head to Natchez on the banks of the Mississippi River. Tour the historic antebellum Stanton Hall and discover the preservation efforts of later generations to gain an understanding of how slavery and cotton allowed plantation owners to build these mansions. Test your mixologist skills as you concoct a traditional Southern cocktail, the mint julep. Refreshing, 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 with the option to enjoy an evening to yourself or ask your Travel Director for restaurant suggestions to try Southern favourites from crawfish and gumbo to grits and fried oysters.
Day 8: Natchez To Lafayette
Location: Natchez, Lafayette
Accommodation: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Lafayette.
Accommodation Name: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Lafayette.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Move on to Lafayette for a taste of the Cajun and Creole countryside. Your in-depth journey continues, with an unforgettable boat tour through moss-draped cypress trees where elegant egrets perch just out of the reach of alligators. On your excursion in the Atchafalaya Basin Swamp, explore the diverse natural beauty and rich ecological systems of America's largest and most mysterious swamp ecosystem. 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.
Day 9: Lafayette For Foodies
Location: Lafayette
Accommodation: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Lafayette.
Accommodation Name: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Lafayette.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Visit the Acadian Cultural Center to learn more about the people, music and sounds that give Lafayette its distinct and charming character. You'll love this opportunity to discover the stories of the origins, migration, settlement and contemporary culture of the Acadians (Cajuns) with your fellow female travellers. Then, tap into your culinary side with a crawfish farm tour as you learn all about this succulent Southern staple. Your Local Expert will help you catch your lunch the old-fashioned way using hand nets, typical of crawfish boils with roots dating back to the late 1700s. Learn how to prepare a traditional boil before sitting down to enjoy your authentic meal. If crawfish are out of season, take part in a boil experience with seasonal seafood (an alternative will be provided for guests who don't eat seafood).
Day 10: Welcome To The Big Easy
Location: Lafayette, New Orleans
Accommodation: New Orleans Marriott, New Orleans
Accommodation Name: New Orleans Marriott, New Orleans
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Discover the rich tapestry of New Orleans, a city brimming with music, culture, and cuisine. Indulge in the flavours of Creole dishes and refreshing mint juleps while exploring this fascinating destination. Begin with a behind-the-scenes tour of Mardi Gras World, where you’ll uncover over a century of celebrations and even design your own Mardi Gras mask. Enjoy dining by the Mississippi River, surrounded by the city’s grandiose mansions and elaborate architecture. En route to New Orleans, take a spicy detour at the TABASCO® Factory on Avery Island for a self-guided tour to learn how the world-famous hot pepper sauce is made. Discover the history of this family recipe, crafted by the McIlhenny Companysince 1868. Upon arrival in New Orleans, join talented chefs at the New Orleans School of Cooking, housed in a renovated molasses warehouse from the early 1800s in the heart of the French Quarter, for a live demonstration and lunch featuring the city’s most iconic cuisine.
Day 11: Festivities In New Orleans Relaxed Start
Location: New Orleans
Accommodation: New Orleans Marriott, New Orleans
Accommodation Name: New Orleans Marriott, New Orleans
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your tour continues as you experience architecture, heritage and art shaped by a range of female influences. Immerse yourself in the city’s vibrant neighbourhoods with a Local Expert, delving into their unique architecture and dynamic art scenes. Enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour of Mardi Gras World, where the extravagant carnival floats are built each year. Led by one of the talented Mardi Gras World artists, you'll design your own premium Mardi Gras mask, complete with glitter, feathers, and felt backing. This eclectic memento will be a cherished reminder of your time in The Big Easy.
Day 12: Depart New Orleans
Location: New Orleans
Meals Included: Breakfast
While it’s time to say goodbye to your fellow travellers as your adventure ends, the friendships formed will last a lifetime. Your departure to the airport will be at leisure.
What's Included
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Meals
Enjoy 11 Breakfasts (B), 4 Dinners with Wine (DW), 2 Lunches (L), including special dining experiences like a traditional crawfish boil in Lafayette and a Celebration Dinner in New Orleans.
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Exclusive Experiences
Participate in unique activities such as a behind-the-scenes tour of Mardi Gras World in New Orleans, a private after-hours tour at the Stax Museum of American Soul Music in Memphis, and a visit to the National Museum of African American Music in Nashville.
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Cultural and Historical Insights
Gain insights into the Deep South's rich history and culture with visits to iconic locations such as Graceland, Sun Studio, and various Antebellum Mansions.
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Local Expertise
Benefit from the knowledge of Local Experts, including a park ranger at the Acadian Cultural Center and a local musician guiding the tour of Sun Studio.
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Comfortable Travel
Travel in comfort with an air-conditioned luxury coach featuring double the standard legroom, onboard washroom, and complimentary Wi-Fi in hotels and coach where available.
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Accommodations
Stay in carefully selected hotels throughout the tour, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable experience.
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Additional Inclusions
Enjoy added conveniences like hotel and restaurant tips included, baggage handling, personal radio headsets for tours, and the services of a Travel Director.
What's Not Included
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Airfare
International and domestic airfare to and from the start and end points of the tour.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended for all travelers.
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Some Meals
Not all meals are covered, giving you the opportunity to explore local cuisines on your own.
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Optional Activities
Any optional activities or excursions not listed in the tour itinerary.
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Personal Expenses
Items of a personal nature, including, but not limited to, laundry, gifts, and souvenirs.
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Tips
Tips for guides, drivers, and hotel staff are not included and are at your discretion.
Dining Summary
- 4 Dinner with Wine (DW)
- 11 Breakfast (B)
- 1 Dinner (D)
- 1 Lunch (L)
Additional Included Highlights
- Our highly-skilled Travel Director will ensure your journey is seamless, serving as your expert guide, consummate organiser, and friend overseas.
- Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
- We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
- Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
- From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
- Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
Insight Experiences
- New Orleans: 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.
Well-being
- Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
- Experience enhanced hygiene protocols to align with the latest guidance following COVID-19. All Travel Directors and Drivers have completed training in enhanced well-being and hygiene protocols.
- We only work with establishments we are confident will consistently adhere to our high well-being standards, which include hotels, restaurants and sight-seeing venues.
- Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
Women-Only
- Memphis: Explore the sights and insights of Memphis over this tour focusing on women’s rights and civil rights movements. You’ll be led by Elaine Lee Tumer, an educator, civil rights activist, entrepreneur and historian. As a Civil Rights activist, she participated in protest demonstrations including sit-ins, marches, pickets, boycotts and pray-ins. Her involvement resulted in her being arrested three times throughout the 1960's. She participated in the Selma March in 1965 and also the Meredith March Against Fear in 1966, where she met Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and other Civil Rights leaders. From Elaine, learn about notable figures such as Frances Wright, the first woman in America to act publicly and oppose slavery, and Ida B. Wells, a teacher, a journalist, anti-lynching crusader, suffragist and social worker. This experience advances United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities.
Check out our Q&As
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What are the main highlights of the Country Roads of the Deep South tour?
The main highlights of the Country Roads of the Deep South tour include visits to Nashville's historic distillery Nelson’s Green Brier, the National Museum of African American Music, a choice between two activities in Nashville, a culinary adventure at the New Orleans School of Cooking, an exclusive tour of Mardi Gras World in New Orleans, and a private tour at the Stax Museum of American Soul Music in Memphis. Additionally, the tour features a transformative tour focusing on women's rights and civil rights movements in Memphis, a guided tour of Historic RCA Studio B in Nashville, and a visit to Graceland, Elvis Presley's mansion in Memphis.
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How many meals are included in the tour?
The tour includes 11 Breakfasts (B), 2 Lunches (L), and 4 Dinners with Wine (DW).
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What are the accommodation options on this tour?
Accommodation options on the tour include The Banker's Alley Hotel, Tapestry Collection by Hilton in Nashville, The Guest House at Graceland in Memphis, The Alluvian in Greenwood, Natchez Grand Hotel, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Lafayette, and New Orleans Marriott.
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Are there any activities focused on cultural or historical education?
Yes, the tour includes several activities focused on cultural and historical education such as a visit to the National Museum of African American Music in Nashville, a transformative tour focusing on women's rights and civil rights movements in Memphis, a visit to one of the Antebellum Mansions in Natchez to learn about America's history, and a visit to the Acadian Cultural Center in Lafayette to learn about the Acadian people.
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What unique culinary experiences are offered on the tour?
Unique culinary experiences on the tour include a traditional crawfish boil in Lafayette, a cooking demonstration and lunch at the New Orleans School of Cooking focusing on Creole and Cajun cooking, and a Hot Tamales cooking class at the Viking Cooking School in Greenwood.
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Is transportation provided during the tour?
Yes, transportation is provided with Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. The coaches are sanitized before the start of the tour and maintained to high standards.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
We regret that no refunds can be made for absences from a tour, including experiences such as missed meals or sightseeing.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1978.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Insight Vacations is a founding member of the TreadRight Foundation, a joint initiative created by the brands within The Travel Corporation (TTC) almost 15 years ago to ensure our impact through tourism is positive. Our ethos to #MakeTravelMatter guides our decision-making at every level of our business.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
You have two options as a solo traveller. Either choose to be matched with a same sex partner for a room share - at no extra cost. Or choose a room of your own with a reduced or even free private room upgrade on select tours.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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Low Deposit
Insight Vacations requires a minimum deposit of 350 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of insight vacations charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions