Southern Sights & Sounds

Day 1 London, Atlanta
Titan’s VIP Home Departure Service® transports you from your front door to London Heathrow Airport and your scheduled British Airways flight direct to Atlanta in Georgia. On arrival our coach transfers you to the Hotel Indigo Midtown.

Day 2 Atlanta, Chattanooga
This morning we take a tour of the city forever associated with “Gone With The Wind” which includes a visit to the Martin Luther King Memorial. Our interesting tour concludes at Underground Atlanta where you take lunch before we journey to Chattanooga. On arrival we check into the Holiday Inn Chattanooga Choo Choo, the converted railway station of Glenn Miller fame.

Day 3 Chattanooga
Although there is no longer a Chattanooga Choo-Choo, the hotel commissioned a lifesized model, which is permanently parked in their back yard. Railway enthusiasts still flock to this town, which has the largest old-time steam railroad in the South. Today we board an equally exciting means of transport – The Incline Railway which runs steeply up Lookout Mountain and affords wonderful views of terrain fought over during the American Civil War. The rest of the day is free for you to make your own discoveries.

Day 4 Lynchburg, Nashville
This morning we travel to the small town of Lynchburg to tour the Jack Daniels Distillery where every bottle of the famous sippin’ whiskey has been produced since 1866. Interestingly, no liquor can be bought from this famous location due to a law held over from the prohibition era. Later we travel to the “Queen of Tennessee Plantations”, Belle Meade, located on the outskirts of Nashville, where our tour centres around the 1853 Greek Revival mansion. After our tour we transfer to the Opryland Resort located next to the famous Grand Ole Opry and our base for the next two nights.

Day 5 Nashville
Nashville is a city of contrasts famous as the country music capital of the world and also called the ‘Athens of the South’ having, as it does, the only full scale replica of the Greek Parthenon. Our morning tour introduces you to the facets of the city including the Parthenon replica and the Country Music Hall of Fame. You may wish to take an optional excursion to the mecca of Country and Western Music, The Grand ’Ole Opry, which is America’s longest running scheduled show having never missed a Saturday performance since it was first broadcast on radio in 1925. This excursion is available on day four or five (depending on availability) and is bookable prior to departure.

Day 6 Nashville, Tupelo, Memphis
Today we travel south to Tupelo, Elvis Presley’s birthplace. Here we have time to explore the humble two-roomed shack where Elvis lived in his early years and the small museum. Later we continue to Memphis, home of Elvis Presley and W.C. Handy who, after publishing “Memphis Blues” in 1912 followed by “St Louis Blues” and “Beale St Blues,” became known as the “Father of the Blues”. On arrival we check into the Holiday Inn Select for the next two nights.

Day 7 Memphis
This morning we take a short orientation tour before experiencing a true highlight of the holiday as we visit legendary Graceland, home of Elvis Presley. Explore the mansion and grounds of his estate on a well presented audio walking tour which has an emotional conclusion at his final resting place. Your ticket also includes the Elvis Presley Automobile Museum, the Lisa Marie and Hound Dog II JetStar planes. This afternoon you are free in Memphis, you may wish to take afternoon tea at the famous Peabody Hotel or watch the famous daily parade of ducks at the lobby fountain.

Day 8 Memphis, Vicksburg
South to Vicksburg, whose Mississippi location gave control over shipping to the Confederate forces during the Civil War until General Grant’s victory following a 47-day siege. These events are commemorated at the handsomely laid-out Vicksburg National Military Park, which we tour. Some equally handsome antebellum homes and the restored candy shop where Coca Cola was first bottled in 1894 can be seen in this district. We overnight at the Holiday Inn.

Day 9 Baton Rouge, New Orleans
We follow Ol’ Man River to Natchez, central port for the cotton trade in the early 18th century, whose many grand mansions and estates bear witness to the wealth of those days. These homes indicate the sumptuous scale of society life, reminiscent of a film set from ‘Gone with the Wind’. After visiting one of these mansions, we cross into Louisiana and the old plantation town of Baton Rouge, with its charming river front, before arriving in New Orleans for a brief orientation tour. Our hotel is the Marriott or the Sheraton Hotel, ideally located for exploring the city.
Please note that for 2014 departures the hotel will be the Sheraton.

Day 10 New Orleans
New Orleans is Nashville’s natural rival as Southern America’s great city of music – though here the traditional jazz has a flavour of its own. The Quarter has a number of pleasant bars and restaurants with patios for dining al fresco. A free day to sample its delights by day and by night. This evening we cruise, wine and dine and enjoy a traditional jazz band on board The Natchez, the only genuine paddle steamer on the Mississippi River at New Orleans.

Day 11 New Orleans
Today is another day at leisure for you to explore all New Orleans has to offer. As the birthplace of Jazz, many musical legends call it home and with its colourful mix of culture and lively bohemian atmosphere you cannot fail to fall in love with it.

Day 12 New Orleans, Lafayette
This morning we visit Vermillionville, a reconstructed historic village recreating Cajun and Creole life in a Cajun area. Here you have the opportunity to learn more about life and culture of the early Acadian settlers by exploring the restored homes and interacting with the costumed interpreters demonstrating traditional skills of the period. This afternoon we arrive in Lafayette where you are free to make your own exploration. Lafayette is known as the capital of French Louisiana, an area where 40% of residents still speak Cajun French. You may wish to choose to visit the Acadian Cultural Centre, which gives an excellent background history on the Acadian exile. This evening why not try some authentic Cajun and Creole cooking at one of the city’s many excellent restaurants. Overnight at the Hilton.

Day 13 Lafayette, London
Today we travel to Houston Airport for our scheduled direct British Airways flight to London Heathrow. Or extend your stay – call for details

Day 14 London
Arrival 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.

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