Top 5
Captains Top 5 Tips
1) Taste some of the best doughnuts in the world and people watch at Café du Monde in Jackson Square in New Orleans
2) Nowhere parties as hard as New Orleans so try and catch one of the Jazz festivals or the February Mardi Gras.
3) Take the oldest tram in the world down to the Garden District in New Orleans.
4) Visit Belmont Mansion in Nashville, Tennessee’s largest historic house museum.
5) Make sure you do a tour of Graceland with audio headphones and the opportunity to buy all kinds of Elvis memorabilia.
Top 5 - USA Deep South
The Deep South of America is best known for its musical heritage and being the home of blues, rock 'n' roll and country music. Its most famous resident was of course Elvis Presley and it is here that you can visit his home, Graceland in Memphis. A visit to any one of the major cities is as much about the nightlife as what to do in the day, and each city offers a plethora of musical options.
The region is also known for its warm climate, spicy Cajun and Creole cuisine and the famous New Orleans Mardi Gras. For those interested in American history you will find charming historic towns dating back before the Civil War, with mansions and antebellum plantation houses. For those that like the outdoors there are some fabulous landscapes including the Great Smokey Mountains and the mighty Mississippi River.
Top 5 places to Visit
New Orleans
Most well known for its spectacular Mardi Gras that take place every February, New Orleans is one of the top cultural destinations in the USA. Its streets are alive with history dating back centuries. It is said to be the birthplace of Jazz and it's certainly very much alive and kicking in the city's vibrant nightlife in the French Quarter and along Bourbon Street.
New Orleans is a vibrant melting pot of cultures and history. Affectionately knows as the "Big Easy", the city offers a great blend of old and new and has something for everyone. Whether it's the curio shops and jazz cafes of the French Quarter or the all night parties of Mardi Gras this city will stay in your soul.
Memphis
One of the friendliest cities in America, and located on the banks of the muddy Mississippi, Memphis is the original home of rock 'n' roll and of course – Elvis Presley. It is music that Memphis is most famous for, head down to Beale Street to enjoy some amazing Blues, Jazz and Rock 'n' Roll.
Nashville is home to country music and the Grand Ole Opry is one of the city's landmarks, and where many great music legends have wowed the crowds such as Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, Tammy Wynette and Elvis Presley. No trip to the Deep South is complete without attending a live radio performance at the Grand Ole Opry.
The Gateway to the southern states, Atlanta boasts some of the world's biggest names including Coca-Cola and CNN. Music traditions run deep here, as they do through the rest of the Southern states but Atlanta is also a very sophisticated city with stunningly designed buildings and all the trappings of an international city.
Deep South Self Drive
The southern states provide the visitor with a fantastic blend of colourful culture, spicy food, fantastic music and great cities. Take a journey through some of the iconic cities and experiences of this wonderful region. Visit the world renowned Memphis, with Graceland the home of the late great Elvis Presley or Nashville with The Country Music Hall of Fame, to the music filled streets in the iconic city of New Orleans.
New Orleans
New Orleans - it's the capital of jazz, home to Mardi Gras, traditional Southern hospitality and a fascinating history. Wander through the cobblestone streets of the historic French Quarter.
"Book yourself on the Southern Comfort Cocktail Tour, this is a walking tour of the French Quarter stopping at bars to sample Cocktails, did you know the word Cocktail originates in New Orleans! Don’t leave town without trying a Hurricane, New Orleans’s most famous Cocktail."
Sam, Flight Centre Chelmsford
USA Specialist
Memphis
Memphis, located on the banks of the muddy Mississippi, it is the original home of Rock 'n' Roll and of course - Elvis Presley. But it is music that Memphis is most famous for. Head down to Beale Street to enjoy some amazing Blues and Jazz music.
"Memphis is history, music, food and culture all rolled into one. Eat, drink and dance in Beale Street's lively venues, pay homage to Elvis Presley or take a moving trip to the side of Martin Luther King's assassination at the Lorraine Motel. For fantastic southern food washed down with healthy helpings of live music head down to the original BB King's Blues club."
Anna, Flight Centre Southhampton Street
USA Specialist
Nashville
Nashville, a mecca for country music fans is home to some of the finest music in the South.
"If you, like me want to record your own song, you can do it for around $15 at the famous Ryman Auditorium, where they used to hold the Grand Old Opry. If listening to quality music is more appealing then head to the Honkytonk bars on Broadway or visit the Country music hall of fame."
Nat, Flight Centre Fleet Street
USA Specialist
Atlanta
The Gateway to the southern states, Atlanta is also a great city in its own right. Boasting some of the finest architecture in the country mixed with that famous southern Hospitality makes Atlanta worth the trip.
"For an evening out head out to Buckhead and sample some of the regional delights merged with international quality make for a fun and entertaining evening."
Anita, Flight Centre New Malden
USA Specialist
Top 5 Reasons to Visit
Exchange Rate - With the exchange rate of almost 2 dollars per pound your money goes that much further.
No Language Issues - Even though our language has been Americanised you will have no difficulty in understanding our American cousins.
Brand Awareness - Most of the brands you will see in the shopping malls of America are well known to us all.
Quality Accommodation - Find high standards and multinational chains throughout the country
Ease of Travel - With a range of flights from a variety of UK airports it’s very easy to plan your visit to this incredible country.
Events 2008
5-8 Jan Elvis Birthday Week, Graceland
25 Jan-5 Feb Mardi Gras Celebrations, New Orleans
26-30 Mar Tennessee William’s Literary Festival
29 Apr-4 May New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
5 -8 Jun CMA Music Festival, Nashville
6 -8 Jun New Orleans SeaFood Festival
9-17 Aug Elvis Week, Graceland
