Name: Southern Soul: New Orleans to Nashville
Brand: Exodus
Rating: 4.7 (3 reviews)

Southern Soul: New Orleans to Nashville Trip Notes

Ways to Travel: Guided Group, Private Group Adventures
Destination: USA
Programmes: Culture
Activity Level:
1 out of 7 - Leisurely
10 Days: Land Only
Ages: 16+
Trip Code: ANO
Carbon Footprint: 27kg CO2e

Trip Overview

Trace the roots of American music along the Mississippi

Discover the cultural landscape that gave birth to the blues, country and rock ‘n’ roll on this tour along the mighty Mississippi. Days move a little slower in the South, as you pass time with a sweet tea or a Jack and Coke, taking in the sights and sounds of Music Row in Nashville, Beale Street in Memphis and along Bourbon Street in New Orleans. You also savour authentic cuisine and enjoy Southern hospitality as you float down the Mississippi on a riverboat cruise.

Join us to celebrate Exodus’ 50th anniversary! The departure starting in New Orleans on 11 November 2024 features extra inclusions to mark the occasion: entry to the Ground Zero Blues Club in Clarksdale, a local birthday celebration and a special edition Exodus kitbag.

At a Glance

Travel by private minibus
Group normally 5 to 13, plus leader. Minimum age: 16
Nine nights in hotels

Highlights

Spend three nights in New Orleans and the colourful music scene of Bourbon Street
Uncover Cajun culture and cuisine on a Mississippi riverboat dinner cruise
Explore Memphis including Elvis' Graceland and Sun Studio
Discover Nashville, the country music capital

Is This Trip for You?

This trip has been rated Activity Level 1 (Leisurely). For more on our trip gradings, visit our Activity Level Guidelines page.

This discovery tour is suitable for people of all fitness levels. It has a relaxed pace with an emphasis on sightseeing, discovering local culture, visiting main attractions and enjoying beautiful views.

There will be a variety of optional activities available so you can tailor the tour to your interests. Your tour leader will organise optional activities for you and you can pay for these locally in cash. You’ll find the main optional activities listed under each itinerary day description, along with guideline prices. It may not be possible to do all optional activities listed on each tour. If you plan to visit the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, book in advance and directly on their website. The shows change most nights but, if possible, it’s best to book for the second night in Nashville.

Although each tour follows an itinerary, there is a certain amount of flexibility and from time to time your tour leader may suggest changes. This may be due to road conditions, the weather or a visit to a special attraction or event that happens to be in progress. Flexibility is key and often a side diversion will be a tour highlight. Hikes and optional activities cannot be guaranteed and may vary depending on ability, group interest, weather conditions and time of year.

Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as not suitable for full wheelchair users, but it may be suitable for other persons of reduced mobility. Please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.

Group

Your tour leader will take care of all the planning and organisation, drive the van and make sure everything runs smoothly. They make sure you get the most out of your tour; organising activities, providing information, answering questions, and sorting queries or problems. If you have any particular interests or things you would like to do, please let your leader know at the beginning of the tour and they will do the best to help.

Please note, US law regulates the total number of hours your tour leader can work. Our trips are designed to make the most of your time in our featured destinations, but please understand there will be certain times each day that your tour leader will need to be off-duty. Particularly after longer driving days, your tour leader may not be able to join you for some of the activities or may need to tend to other duties.

Adult min age: 16

Min group size: 5

Max group size: 13

Itinerary

Land Only

Start City: New Orleans
End City: Nashville

Land Only Itinerary

Welcome to the cultural melting pot of the Deep South, New Orleans, otherwise known as the Big Easy. The eclectic mix of European, Creole and Cajun cultures manifests in every aspect of the architecture, cuisine and musical scene.

Depending on the group flight arrival time, a welcome briefing may be held this evening or tomorrow morning.

Accommodation: Wyndham New Orleans – French Quarter (or similar)

This morning, our leader takes us on a guided historical walking tour around the French Quarter, the oldest neighbourhood in New Orleans. We’ll walk down historic streets, seeing different architectural styles of iconic homes, Jackson Square and listen to jazz as we learn about the history of this unique city.

The afternoon is free for individual sight-seeing, then we come together in the evening to enjoy an included dinner cruise on the Mississippi River, dining on delicious local cuisine influenced by the myriad cultures that make up Louisiana.

Accommodation: Wyndham New Orleans – French Quarter (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Today is free for you to take in the sights and sounds of Bourbon Street, relax in the Garden District or absorb more of the ambience of the French Quarter. There are several optional tours available, including a thrilling alligator swamp tour, during which you travel north to the town of Slidell to board the swamp boat for two hours, navigating on the West Pearl River and into the Honey Island Swamp. There are over a million alligators in Louisiana, so keep an eye out! You may also see turtles and exotic birds among the cypress trees of the swamp. Your tour leader will be able to help with any reservations you wish to make.

There is plenty to do in New Orleans come evening, not least enjoying some of the many live performances that take place nightly. This includes Preservation Hall, where top jazz musicians play every evening to a small audience in an intimate space – be prepared to wait in line. There will also be the chance to step out of the city and explore the wild river swamplands of Louisiana, where you can head out by boat beneath the cypress trees in search of alligators.

See the Extra Expenses section of our trip notes for more information about optional activities.

Accommodation: Wyndham New Orleans – French Quarter (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

This morning, we visit Melrose Mansion within Natchez National Historical Park, completed in the mid-1800s and now one of the best-preserved estates in the Deep South. A guided tour of the mansion and self-guided tours of the grounds, which includes slave quarters, stables and a carriage house, provide an in-depth understanding of the region’s deep-rooted links to slavery.

Departing the estate, we follow the river road north to the first established settlement on the Mississippi. Natchez, the original capital of the Mississippi Territory, was at the heart of the trade in enslaved people and is the birthplace of the Mississippi riverboat. There is free time to wander the historic district where there are more than 50 antebellum homes and historic churches. Also worthy of a visit is the Under the Hill area made famous by Mark Twain or discover one of the most interesting cemeteries in the South.

Accommodation: Guest House Natchez (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

Next up is Clarksdale and the Hopson Plantation, the former home of legendary blues pianist Pinetop Perkins. It is also where they tested the International Harvester automated cotton picker. Your leader will tell you the history, explaining the system of sharecropping and the evolution of the cotton industry. Clarksdale is also home to the Crossroads, where legend says blues musician Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil. Within the town itself is the Delta Blues Museum, a shrine of blues artefacts and memorabilia, plus actor Morgan Freeman’s Ground Zero Blues Club. Red’s is definitely worth a visit for live music: an authentic juke joint showcasing the real heart of the South.

Accommodation: Hampton Inn Clarksdale (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

Today we cross into Tennessee. Near the Mississippi River, Memphis has a long and colourful past. Legendary forefathers such as Louis Armstrong, Muddy Waters and BB King put Beale Street on the musical map.

Outside of music, the National Civil Rights Museum is located in the former Lorraine Hotel, at the site where Martin Luther King was assassinated. We pay a visit to understand better this vital part of US, and global, history.

Accommodation: Crowne Plaza Memphis Downtown or Comfort Inn Memphis (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

A highlight of your stay in Memphis is an included excursion to Graceland, the home of Elvis Presley. We spend several hours taking an audio-guided tour of the mansion, seeing the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s gold records, jewelled jumpsuits and famous Jungle Room with its green shagged carpets. We can pay our respects in the Meditation Garden, where Elvis and members of his family have been laid to rest.

We also stop by Sun Studio, which opened in 1950 and is where many great names have passed through, from Howlin’ Wolf to Johnny Cash.

Accommodation: Crowne Plaza Memphis Downtown or Comfort Inn Memphis (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

We make our way to Nashville, the undisputed capital of country music. Home to the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Wildhorse Saloon, Nashville is the perfect opportunity to try line dancing (select nights only). Broadway is lined with honky-tonks and intimate live music venues playing all genres of music.

It is also the capital of Tennessee and the largest city in the state. Situated on the banks of the Cumberland River, it was established as a major port by settlers in 1779. Our time in Nashville is free for you to indulge in your choice of the many music and entertainment options available (entrance fees apply). The Grand Ole Opry is the longest running radio show in the world and a recommended highlight. You can enjoy performances at the Grand Ole Opry House, 15mi (24km) east of the city. Book before you arrive to avoid missing out as these shows are popular.

See the Extra Expenses section of our trip notes for more information about optional activities.

Accommodation: La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Nashville (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

Our tour of the Deep South ends in Nashville. If you’d like to spend extra time exploring this country music Mecca, please speak to your sales representative.

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation

Hotels

We spend nine nights in hotels.

The accommodation on this itinerary is clean and comfortable, chosen for its friendly atmosphere and proximity to the highlights.

Single rooms can be booked for a single supplement at the time of booking (subject to availability).

Single supplement from CAD 1,900

Accommodation - Pre Trip

Please note, some hotels may take a debit or credit card as a deposit at check-in. They may also take an amount to cover incidentals. Funds can be held until check-out, at which time the amount incurred will be charged. Please clarify with the hotel when you check out that all deposits will be refunded as promptly as possible.

Food & Drink

There are nine breakfasts and one dinner included.

To help you budget for these meals, average costs are:

Hotel breakfasts: US$12-US$17
Lunches: US$15-US$20
Dinners: US$20-US$35, not including alcoholic beverages

Drinks cost on average (higher than listed in New Orleans):

Wine: US$7-10 per glass
Beer: US$5-8 per bottle

A tip of approximately 17%-20% is added to group meals in North American restaurants. Applicable taxes will also be added to all listed menu prices.

Please make sure we are aware of any special dietary requirements before travelling. We do all we can to accommodate various dietary requirements but in parts of North America certain food types can be limited.

Transport

You’ll travel in a private 15-seater vehicle which is driven by your tour leader. All luggage, equipment, and other necessities are stored in a specially designed trailer or storage area to maximise space and comfort in the vehicle. The size of our vehicles allows us to reach more remote destinations not accessible to larger vehicles. All our vehicles are equipped with air conditioning, Bluetooth-compatible stereo and USB charging ports throughout the vehicle.

Weather & Seasonality

Spring and autumn are the best time to visit the Deep South as the temperature is milder, averaging around 20C (68F). Summer can be hot and humid reaching highs around 35C (95F), thunderstorms are common due to the sub-tropical climate.

Joining Instructions

Key information

Start hotel: The Blake Hotel, 500 St Charles Ave, New Orleans, LA 70130
Phone: +1 504-522-9000
Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today. The welcome briefing usually takes place in the morning of Day 2

Getting to the start hotel

The start hotel is approximately 25 minutes’ drive from the airport. Your options for this journey are:

Take an Exodus transfer

Exodus provides one group arrival transfer from the airport, which is timed to coincide with the arrival of a chosen flight from London, UK. You may join this transfer at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves.

Make your own way

If you arrive at any other time, the hotel offers a free shuttle from the airport, which runs at regular intervals between the hotel and the airport. You do not need to pre-book.

You are free to arrive any time on Day 1. Due to the late arrival time of the group flight from London, UK, it is likely that the welcome meeting will take place on the morning of Day 2. Details on the time and specific location of your meeting will be available by midday on Day 1. During the welcome meeting, you will meet your tour guide and fellow travellers and spend a few minutes filling out necessary paperwork, so please bring your insurance documents, passport and tour documentation to the meeting.

If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative.

Arrival complications

Sometimes the unexpected can happen; your plane may be delayed or you may even miss it. If you have missed your tour departure, first call the hotel to see if your tour leader has left you a message. If not, call the relevant emergency number and speak to our staff who will be happy to help you catch up with the group. Please note that you are responsible for any extra travelling expenses incurred due to missing your tour’s departure.

Catching your return flight

There’s a group departure transfer to Nashville Airport for customers who Exodus have booked onto a chosen flight to London, UK. If you have booked your own flights, you may still join this transfer at no extra cost – please speak to your sales representative if you wish to join. If the group departure transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative transfer.

Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.

Location start: New Orleans
Location end: Nashville

What To Take

Essential Equipment

Dress tends to be informal. You should take a practical selection of clothes for both warm and cool climates as you may encounter a wide variety of temperatures due to unforeseen weather conditions.

Besides your essential clothing, you should take:

Waterproof jacket
Warm sweater/fleece
Casual ‘evening out’ clothes
Comfortable day shoes*
Sandals or flip-flops
Warm hat/gloves
Swimwear
Sun hat/sunglasses
Camera/binoculars
Small torch (flashlight)
Sunscreen
Insect repellent (20% DEET)
Toiletries
Personal medicine
Travel power adaptor

Help reduce plastic waste

Reusable water bottle (to reduce single-use plastic bottles we have water for refills in our vehicle)
Reusable travel cutlery with case (to reduce single-use plastic cutlery at hotels and on the go)
Reusable lunch box (to avoid the use of ziplock bags)

You will have the opportunity to wash your clothes on tour, and this can often be done at the hotel or in town. Ask your tour leader for local information.

Please note, the airlines have various rules on what can be carried in your luggage – if in doubt, check with your airline before travelling.

*We recommend comfortable walking shoes to make long days sightseeing more enjoyable. If you do not own a pair, then sports trainers (sneakers) will suffice.

Practical Information

Visa

USA

Travellers from the UK and most EU countries can enter the US under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) provided they have registered for an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) – which costs US$21 – and are in possession of an onward air ticket and machine-readable passport when entering the US. Visas are required for some nationalities and requirements often change; it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas and fulfil any requirements for this trip. We recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/americas/united-states-america
Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/united-states
United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/usa/entry-requirements

Please note, regulations stipulate that any person who has travelled to Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria or Yemen since March 2011 (or has dual nationality of Iran, Iraq, Sudan or Syria) may no longer qualify for the VWP. In addition, if you have travelled to Cuba since 12 January 2021, you will not be eligible for the VWP and should instead apply for a visa to travel to, or transit via, the USA.

Vaccinations and Health

USA

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for polio, tetanus and rabies. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.

Ticks are known to be present in this region and can carry lyme disease, tick-borne encephalitis and other diseases. Please take care to protect yourself. You can read more about ticks here.

Local Time

USA’s time zone: America/Central Standard Time (UTC -06:00)

Electricity

USA's electricity: Plug types A (two flat pins) and B (three pins: two flat, one round) – 120V, 60Hz

Money

USA's currency: US dollar (USD)

ATM Availability

We suggest you bring US$150 with you in cash to have at the beginning of your trip. ATMs are readily available throughout North America and major credit cards are widely accepted throughout. All ATMs in the USA charge to withdraw money (typically US$1-US$5).

In some off-the-beaten-track destinations, ATMs may be limited. Please ensure your credit or debit cards have international access and a PIN to access your funds at the start of the tour. It is important you advise your bank prior to leaving your home country of your intended travel, so they do not block your card.

Extra Expenses & Spending Money

We recommend you take at least US$50 per day for meals not included in the tour, drinks, snacks and other incidentals. You should also budget for expected tipping, as well as for the optional activities you plan to do.

Pricing for optional activities

New Orleans:

Alligator swamp tour, New Orleans: US$25-US$40
Haunted French Quarter ghost tour: US$25
New Orleans Preservation Hall: US$15-US$20
Mardi Gras World in New Orleans: US$22

Clarksdale

Delta Blues Museum, Clarksdale: US$12

Memphis

Stax Museum of American Soul Music, Memphis: U$13 (closed Mondays)

Nashville

Grand Ole Opry: US$32-US$90
Ryman Auditorium tour: US$22-US$35
Country Music Hall of Fame: US$25-US$40
Johnny Cash Museum: US$19

Tipping

It is customary in North America to tip local guides, waiters, bar staff, taxi drivers and anyone who provides a service for you. Service workers are paid a low wage and depend on tips for their livelihood. It can be embarrassing if you’re confronted by someone expecting a tip and you are not aware of how much to offer. For this reason, we have listed guideline prices below.

A 15-20% tip is standard in restaurants and you should also expect to tip $1 per drink in bars, $1-2 per bag for porters, $2-3 for hotel housekeeping as will 10% for taxi drivers. It’s also typical to tip around 10% for local guides who provide optional activities.

Your tour leader will work long and hard for you during your tour and we recommend a discretionary tip of US$12-$15 per passenger per day if their performance meets or exceeds your expectations.

People, Places & Planet

We work hard to create trips that have a positive impact on the people and places we visit and look after the planet we explore. Learn more about our sustainable travel ethos and practice here and find out about the work of the Exodus Travels Foundation here.

Some sustainable travel highlights of this trip include:

People

How this trip helps improve life for local communities.

Local guides keep you well informed about local traditions and cultural-social sensitivities.
This trip brings income and opportunity to the destination community through the inclusion of locally owned hotels, restaurants, and other enterprises, and by championing locally produced food wherever possible.
Read more about our other initiatives here.

Places

How this trip helps protect and conserve local landscapes and nature.

By travelling in a small group, we ‘tread lightly’ to minimise our impact on local resources and the environment.
We work with our partners on the ground to proactively reduce waste; this includes eliminating all single-use plastic water bottles by providing refills for reusable bottles.
We rewild 1,075sqft (100sqm) per passenger to compensate for all trip and flight emissions.
Read about our commitment to nature protection and restoration here, including our rewilding commitment for every customer who travels with us.

Planet

How we seek to keep the carbon footprint of this trip low.

Accommodation and restaurants in the itinerary use locally sourced food which has not been transported long distances.
Our local partner is a member of the San Francisco Green Business Program, which recognises businesses, non-profit organisations and institutions in the City and County of San Francisco that meet high environmental standards.
Read about our climate action here, including our carbon reduction and compensation commitments.

Tips for sustainable travel on this trip

Leave no trace: We do all we can to ensure we leave no rubbish in the wild and beautiful places we visit; we ask that you do the same. If there are no recycling facilities in-country, consider bringing recyclable materials home with you.
Plastic waste reduction: Please bring a reusable water bottle on this trip, also consider avoiding single-use hotel toiletries, which generate a large amount of plastic waste.

Important Information

Your safe participation

When booking this trip, you should be confident in your ability to participate in all activities described in these Trip Notes. If you have any doubt about your suitability, please call the Exodus office and ask to speak to one of the experts on this itinerary.

Although our leaders are well trained to deal with different capabilities, if they have any concerns about someone’s ability to safely take part in an activity, or their impact on other people’s enjoyment, we authorise them to take necessary action which, in some circumstances, may involve asking someone to miss that activity.

By booking this trip you agree to our Booking Conditions which clearly state that our leaders have the authority to do this. In these rare instances we will ensure anyone sitting out is safely provided for and offered alternative options where possible. Refunds will not be provided for activities missed and customers may be liable for additional costs incurred.

How to Book

Check availability: Go online to check availability, or contact us by phone or email.
Secure your place: You can provisionally hold a place on this trip, usually for between three and seven days.
Complete your booking and payment

When you’re ready to book, go to our website for online bookings, book over the phone or you can complete a booking form (available online or on request by calling us). We accept all major credit and debit cards, or you can pay be cheque.

After booking

You will receive your booking confirmation letter and invoice, which includes extra information and guidance about your travel arrangements.

Full joining instructions, including local emergency numbers and details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you approximately two to three weeks prior to departure. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier, please contact our office or your travel agent.

Trip Note validity

These Trip Notes are valid from the “Current as” date on page one. They will occasionally be updated after booking and before departure; if there are any updates that significantly impact the inclusions or itinerary, customers will be written to separately. They will also receive a link to the most up-to-date Trip Notes with their Final Joining Instructions before travelling.

The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. Where differences exist between the Trip Notes and our current brochure or website, the Trip Notes supersede the brochure and website. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; to enjoy them you should be prepared to be flexible where necessary. Occasionally, it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. This may be for a variety of reasons – climatic, political, physical or other. In these circumstances we will make the best-possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary.

Licensing

Exodus is fully licensed and bonded as a tour operator. We hold Air Traffic Organisers Licence (ATOL) number 2582, issued and bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). We are also bonded to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and we are members of the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and ABTA – The Travel Association. This means you can book your Exodus holiday with confidence, as all money paid to us for your trip is fully protected.

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