A Musical Journey through the Deep South: from Chicago to New Orleans

In the itinerary - Architecture cruise on Chicago River, perfect for admiring the city's most beautiful buildings from the water. Chicago was devastated by a fire in 1871 and rebuilt by leading 20th century architects including Sullivan, Burnham and Frank Lloyd Wright, all healthily competing for creative vision. It has an almost futuristic style that gives this city unprecedented architectural value. Aboard the elegant First Lady cruise ship, embark on a voyage amid the skyscrapers to admire the city's 50 most beautiful buildings, including the Willis Tower, Navy Pier, Wrigley Building, Tribune Tower, Merchandise Mart, Lyric Opera and more. The guides are all volunteers for the Chicago Architecture Foundation. Then, on foot and with a private guide, delve deeper into Chicago's architecture on dry land. Also included are entry tickets to the Skydeck Ledge, a viewing platform on the 103rd floor of the Willis Tower. From here, Chicago's entire city skyline unfolds before you. Enjoy the Chicago Explorer Pass and entry to three other attractions of your choice from over 30 major landmarks in the city.
Optional - An evening at Andy's Jazz Club (dinner and live performance), one of the most iconic clubs on the South Side and West Side, and where numerous jazz legends have performed.

Collect the hire car and drive to St. Louis, the capital of Missouri.
Worth a visit, en route - Springfield, home of Abraham Lincoln for many years, on the old Route 66.
Travel across the plains of the Midwest, where the famous St. Louis Gateway Arch appears, a few miles before the Mississippi meets the Missouri river. Spend a night in a downtown hotel which blends traditional turn of the century style with modern services. The numerous Art Nouveau-inspired stained glass windows give a nostalgic charm to communal spaces, while the classic, comfortable rooms feature natural tones. The hotel's location means the city's main attractions are within walking distance.

Head south-east to Nashville, the capital of Tennessee, crossing bridges embodying the region's typical architecture. Spend two nights in a lovely contemporary downtown hotel, with the sound of country music in the distance.
'Music City USA', the home of country music, has welcomed icons including Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel and Bob Dylan. The city, packed with music stores, is thriving thanks to the bluegrass and other genres, with must-sees including the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Grand Ole Opry venue. The bars and clubs on Printers Alley, Second Street and Broadway are a must in the evening.
Did you know - The TV series 'Nashville', a tribute to the city and its country music, is filmed entirely on location; it also features several authentic and easily-recognisable neighbourhoods and places.
Included in the itinerary - Nashville Music Attraction Pass, for entry to four of the city's most popular attractions: Studio B, Ryman Auditorium, Country Music Hall of Fame and Johnny Cash Museum.
Optional - A driving tour of the city with a country artist.

Leave country music, memories of its top artists and catchy tunes behind and head to wonderful Memphis. The capital of blues and rock is located on the edge of the Mississippi River. Spend two nights at a historic property in the city. The accommodation is iconic and charmingly old-fashioned.
Included in the itinerary - Memphis Music Attraction Pass, entry to the city's main attractions: Sun Studio, Rock 'n' Soul Museum, Stax Museum of American Soul Music, National Civil Rights Museum and Graceland Platinum.
Guitar lovers can also visit the Gibson guitar factory. Head to Beale Street after dark, famous for its clubs, including that of the legendary B.B. King, for a live concert.
Optional - A tour of top Memphis landmarks in a vintage Cadillac, with a private guide.

Head south to Clarksdale, one of the famous cities on the Blues Route. This is where Robert Johnson supposedly sold his soul to the devil in exchange for his talent. Clarksdale, surrounded by cotton fields, is rather poetically known as the 'golden buckle of the cotton belt'. Spend a night in accommodation that combines authenticity, rusticity and a touch of originality. About 20 former sharecropper huts are surrounded by old cars and abandoned barns. It feels as though nothing has changed here, and it's at night when you really step back in time.

Continue south to Natchez, a former cotton capital with French origins. It was founded in 1716 and is one of the oldest and best-preserved cities in the south. Spend a night in a beautiful 19th century house surrounded by ancient oak trees. The building was a rectory and a school for girls before it was converted into a B&B. This accommodation is all about hospitality, gentle living, charm and a commitment to a sense of zen calm.
Things to see - Dunleith and Longwood plantations, which were never finished and are said to be haunted, are steeped in fascinating history. The Natchez Trace Parkway, a tourist trail that crosses three States: Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee.

On the itinerary - Visit the Laura Plantation, steeped in Creole culture and arguably one of the area's most beautiful historic mansions.
Next, head to New Orleans, the most French city in the United States. Spend three nights in a hotel in a typical Faubourg Marigny district building. There's a friendly welcome, an intimate atmosphere and a feast of a breakfast... Relax in peace while the hustle and bustle of the French quarter is only a short walk away.

Discovering New Orleans through its history and skyline is a definite must. Jazz bars, spread across the city, are just one of the many ways its deeply-rooted musical identity is expressed. Wander the former Warehouse District shopping area, the Garden District criss-crossed by rattling trams or along Frenchmen Street in Faubourg Marigny.
In the itinerary - A tour with a local guide to reveal the city's history, secrets and anecdotes. The walking tour revolves around the city's architecture and evolution through jazz. The French Quarter vividly illustrates the fascinating world of one of New Orleans' oldest families. The Treme neighbourhood was a place of refuge at the time of slavery, and many artists were born here. Included in the itinerary - A jazz evening with VIP entry at Preservation Hall, a legendary club where the biggest names in jazz started their careers.
Optional - A second visit with a local, for a tour that ventures off the beaten track to explore the Lower Ninth Ward, gradually reviving after Hurricane Katrina.