Ol’ Man River – the Heartbeat of America

Day 1 London – Chicago
Titan’s VIP Home Departure Service® transports you from your front door to London Heathrow Airport and your direct scheduled American Airlines flight to Chicago. On arrival we transfer to the superbly located Essex Inn.

Day 2 Chicago
This morning we take a guided tour of this magnificent city built around Lake Michigan. The afternoon is free to explore the cities highlights with the curving Lakeside Drive and the stunning views of the skyline dominated by the John Hancock Sears buildings. The view from the top of the Sears building offers a breathtaking panorama over the city and the lake beyond. Stroll the grounds of Millennium Park and take a look at the reflective Cloud Gate Sculpture or Cross the Chicago River and head into downtown, with a thriving centre of boutiques, cafés, restaurants and specialist shops, lively by day and night.

Day 3 Chicago – St Louis
Today we depart Chicago and head towards St Louis. On route we stop at the Route 66 Hall of Fame, that features thousands of artefacts and memorabilia related to Route 66 – The Mother Road. This afternoon we stop for Lunch at Springfield before arriving at St Louis where we overnight at the Millenium St Louis.

Day 4 St Louis – Memphis
This morning we visit the St Louis Arch, the nation’s tallest monument at 630 feet. The Gateway Arch has beckoned visitors for more than 40 years with its iconic, awe-inspiring shape. The version is renowned architect Eero Saarinen, the arch commemorates Thomas Jefferson and St Louis’ role in the Westward Expansion of the United States. We then depart for Memphis, the heartland of gospel and birthplace of Rock ‘n’ Roll where we stay at the Holiday Inn Select Downtown for the next two nights. This evening we have the chance to enjoy an included Blues Club dinner.

Day 5 Memphis
Today we have a brief orientation tour of Memphis before our included visit to Graceland, home of Elvis Presley. Explore the mansion and grounds of his 14-acre estate your ticket includes exploration of the Elvis Presley Automobile Museum, the Lisa Marie Jet and Hound Dog II Jetstar planes. After Lunch we then make a visit to the famous Sun Studios where Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and B B King first recorded. You will be given a fully guided tour along with the chance to view the gallery museum. This Evening is free, with opportunity to experience the nightlife of Beale Street.
Please note: For 2014 departures, following Sun Studios you will continue to Mud Island River Park and the Swiss-made monorail affording great views of downtown Memphis, the Mississippi River and Mud Island River Park. The evening remains free.

Day 6 Memphis – Natchez
We continue to follow the Ol’ Man River to Natchez. Along the way we make a stop at Clarksdale and the Delta Blues Museum, to give you the chance to explore the history and heritage of the unique American musical art from the Blues. On arrival into Natchez we have a brief orientation tour before checking into the Eola Hotel for the next two nights.

Day 7 Natchez
Founded in 1716 by the French and named after the Indians who dwelt there, this unique town is recognised as the oldest settlement on the Mississippi River. This morning we visit the Frogmore Plantation, a cotton plantation of the early 1800s and still producing cotton and gin today. Learn of the early Natchez planters and their slaves, following their evolution from the wilderness to the thriving 1850s cotton plantation, beyond the ‘War Between the States’ to a struggling new way of life. Examples of authentically furnished slave quarters can be seen. Later this afternoon we go on to the Antebellum Homes of Natchez and this evening is free.

Day 8 Natchez – New Orleans
Today we visit the Oak Alley Plantation protected as a National Historic Landmark. It is named after its distinguishing feature, an alley or canopied path created by a double row of live oaks about 800 feet long planted in the early 18th century, long before the present house was built. The alley runs between the house and the Mississippi River. After lunch we continue to New Orleans and a guided city tour. Our hotel for the next three nights is the Marriott Hotel, conveniently located near to the French Quarter and an ideal place from which to explore the city.

Day 9 New Orleans
This morning we have a guided City tour of New Orleans. The afternoon is free and the perfect way to sample the mix of cultures is to stroll along Bourbon Street in the French Quarter, where you will hear traditional jazz wafting through the air, providing a wonderful opportunity to stop and soak up the atmosphere. There are plenty of bars and restaurants for al fresco dining, perhaps sampling some of the city’s famous Creole and Cajun cuisine. The glass enclosed Spanish plaza emporium down by the riverfront is a dramatic contrast to the French Quarter and is well worth a visit.
Please note: on 2014 departures the full day will be free to explore New Orleans.

Day 10 New Orleans
Today is free to explore. Take a ride on the famous St Charles Streetcar; visit the Jackson Square Katrina museums or shop at the Riverwalk. The state of Louisiana offers Tax Free shopping for international visitors at over 1,000 stores so shopping in New Orleans offers a unique opportunity.
Please note that 2014 departures will feature an evening transfer to the Mississippi paddle steamer for an evening of traditional New Orleans cuisine and music with our included Jazz Dinner Cruise along the mighty Mississippi.

Day 11 New Orleans – In flight
Transfer to New Orleans Airport for our American Airlines flight to Dallas and connecting scheduled flight to London Heathrow.
Please note: 2013 departures includes a Jazz Brunch at the Court of Two Sisters before transferring to New Orleans Airport.

Day 12 London
Arrive at London Heathrow Airport where our staff will greet you and transfer you to Titan Transport for your journey home to your own front door.

Titan Travel have a reputation for innovative and enthralling escorted holiday itineraries, and through the guidance of their founding principles, “quality, service and value” which have remained unchanged since the 1970′s, their expertise and experience are second to none.

Titan Travel strive to ensure that aspect of their holidays whispers quality, before you fly, you get to appreciate a comfortable, chauffeur-driven transfer from your front door to the airport with our peerless VIP Home Departure Service, check-in assistance and complimentary porterage. All international flights are with world-renowned scheduled airlines and cruises with acclaimed operators. Touring holidays are expertly designed by the product team to present a comprehensive, imaginative introduction to the destination of choice yet still offer plenty of time for relaxation. The services of a tour manager or cruise manager are included throughout. When you return to the UK, you are met in the arrivals hall of the airport and shown to your VIP Home Departure Service vehicle, waiting to return you to your front door.

Our Opinion
“Titan Travel’s guiding principles of customer service, quality of product and value for money are undoubtedly a contributing factor to them being voted, on many occasions, the UK’s best tour operator.”