11 Days    New Orleans to New Orleans

Day 01 | New Orleans Arrival
Arrive in New Orleans, one of the most exotic cities in the world, famous for riverboats, jazz, Creole cuisine and a seemingly endless parade of festivals. On arrival, pick up your car and proceed to your hotel. The remainder of your evening is at leisure. You may want to take this opportunity to enjoy a dinner at one of New Orleans’ many famous Cajun or Creole restaurants.
Hotel: Holiday Inn Superdome or similar

Day 02 | New Orleans
This morning at 08:00 hours you will be met by an AmericanTours representative and provided with a welcome kit which includes driving instructions, vouchers, maps and brochures of the places you are about to visit. The day is at your leisure to explore New Orleans on your own. Take a walking tour of the Vieux Carre, popularly known as the French Quarter, a place of narrow streets and iron gateways, wonderful old buildings and beautiful courtyards. Visit Jackson Square, Royal Street, Bourbon Street and the many museums. Take a full day bayou and swamp tour or enjoy a riverboat cruise on the Mississippi with dinner and dancing to
a live jazz band.

Day 03 | New Orleans – Tuscaloosa – Birmingham
driving distance: 280 mi./450 km.
Drive north through Mississippi and the highlands of Alabama with dark, fertile soil, perfect for growing cotton. Stay overnight in Tuscaloosa, the “Black Warrior” town, established by Creek Indians and the state capital for 20 years. Many of the city’s antebellum homes can be found in the Druid City District near Queen City Avenue. Overnight in Birmingham.
Hotel: La Quinta Birmingham

Day 04 | Birmingham – Nashville
driving distance: 270 mi./430 km.
Today your journey leads you to Birmingham, where immense stores of red iron ore in the northern mountains turned the city into a sprawling population center overnight. A must-see atop Red Mountain is the colossal 55-foot-tall Vulcan statue, the largest iron statue in the world, and winner of the grand prize at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair. Continue to Nashville, Music City, USA, known world-wide as the “Country Music Capital.”
Hotel: Guesthouse International Inn and Suites or similar

Day 05 | Nashville
A full day to discover the variety of attractions Nashville has to offer, such as the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Grand Ole Opry, Opryland U.S.A. and the world-famous Printer’s Alley.

Day 06 | Nashville – Memphis
driving distance: 210 mi./340 km.
Depart the capital of country and western music for the Home of the Blues, Memphis. This city combines the charms of the Old South with the exciting pace of a modern metropolis. You may wish to tour downtown Memphis with its famous Beale Street, followed by a visit to Elvis Presley’s palatial home, Graceland.
Hotel: Wyndham Garden or similar

Day 07 | Memphis – Vicksburg
driving distance: 240 mi./390 km.
An interesting attraction to see in Vicksburg is the National Military Park which covers more than 1700 acres where the actual forts, trenches, and artillery positions recreate the forces used during the Siege of Vicksburg.
Hotel: Hampton Inn or similar

Day 08 | Vicksburg – Natchez
driving distance: 90 mi./150 km.
Today drive south on the Natchez Trace Parkway which evolved from an Indian trail into a post road and pioneer highway and on to Natchez, the oldest settlement in the state of Mississippi, where the meeting of old and new is the essence of its charm. You may want to visit many of the plantations and homes in the Natchez area such as Burn, Dunleith, Melrose, Monmouth or Longwood. Longwood is reputedly the largest octagonal house in the country; construction began around 1858 but was never completed.
Hotel: Days Inn Natchez or similar

Day 09 | Natchez – Lafayette
driving distance: 150 mi./240 km.
Today you will travel southward back into Louisiana through Alexandria, Ville Platte and Opelousas to Lafayette, the heart of Cajun Country where the Acadians, or Cajuns, started arriving in this swampy area in 1765. Today these French-Canadians are famous for their joie de vivre which is reflected in their lively dancing, music, and spicy food. Upon arrival, you may want to enjoy a walking tour of downtown to discover landmark buildings, or take a short drive to Acadian Village overlooking the bayou and filled with authentically restored Cajun homes and churches.
Hotel: Hilton Lafayette or similar

Day 10 | Lafayette – Cajun Country – New Orleans
driving distance: 160 mi./260 km.
A short drive from Lafayette takes you to New Iberia and Avery Island, the birthplace of Tabasco sauce. Other attractions include Jungle Garden, lush with tropical plants, and Bird City, a sanctuary filled with flurries of snow-white egrets. Continue to Morgan City, the “Shrimp Capital of the World,” and Houma, where you may want to take some time for an optional boat tour into the deep swamp and bayou to see alligators and other wildlife. Following the scenic route, and perhaps stopping at Terre Bonne or Southdown Plantation, you will arrive in New Orleans.
Hotel: Holiday Inn Superdome or similar

Day 11 | New Orleans Departure
Return your car at the airport before your departure flight.