Rhythms of the Road

Trace the roots of America’s music on a journey through the Heartland and South. Begin with two nights in lively Chicago, then travel south through St. Louis to Nashville, the heart of country music. Take a city tour, enjoy time to explore Music City at your own pace, and settle in for a performance at the legendary Grand Ole Opry.

Next, head to Memphis, the “Home of the Blues” and “Birthplace of Rock ’n’ Roll.” Stop in Brownsville to visit the Tina Turner Museum, located in the one-room schoolhouse where Anna Mae Bullock—later known as Tina Turner—once studied. In Memphis, discover historic Beale Street and its place in blues history, then tour Graceland, Elvis Presley’s iconic home. See his collection of automobiles, custom jets and the memorial garden where he and members of his family are laid to rest.

Continue into the Mississippi Delta to visit the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center, honoring the legendary musician and the region where the blues took root. Then travel to New Orleans for guided sightseeing and time to explore the French Quarter, sample local favorites such as beignets, po’boys and gumbo, or choose an optional swamp or plantation tour.

For a memorable finale, join an optional dinner cruise aboard a Mississippi River paddlewheel boat, with live jazz setting the mood for your last evening.

Highlights

• Catch a show at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry, with reserved seating at the legendary country music venue.

• Explore Memphis music landmarks, including Beale Street and Graceland, Elvis Presley’s home with its cars, custom jets and memorial garden.

• Discover the roots of the blues at the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center in Indianola, Mississippi.

Pricing

10 Days 

from

$4,299*

per person, twin share

Price based on 30 August 2027 departure

What's Included

Just value-packed Travel. The Essentials sorted. 

Hand- Selected Hotels: Stay at carefully selected hotels, chosen to offer the best value and comfort. 

Must see iconic sights: Our tours include guided sightseeing and scenic highlights that showcase the very best of each location. 

Seamless Transport: From private, first-class motorcoaches with Wi-Fi to iconic train rides, enjoy seamless travel with all logistics handled.

Local Experts: At the heart of our trips are knowledgeable Tour Directors & Local Guides who bring each destination to life.  

Personalisation: Enjoy built-in free time to explore the way you want or personalise your trip with a range of exciting optional excursions. 
 

Itinerary

Day 1: Chicago

Welcome to the “Windy City.” Your Tour Director is available from 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. to answer any questions.

Once settled, perhaps begin exploring Chicago with a stroll along the 1.25-mile Riverwalk that follows the Chicago River through the heart of downtown. Or browse the shops, restaurants, and attractions along Michigan Avenue, better known as the Magnificent Mile.

Day 2: Chicago

Chicago is known for its iconic architecture, world-class museums, and beautiful lakefront setting. Your sightseeing tour features landmarks such as the Wrigley Building, Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower), and Navy Pier, followed by an afternoon at leisure. Perhaps enjoy an optional river cruise for a closer look at the city’s remarkable architecture or visit the renowned Art Institute of Chicago. Then treat yourself to a slice – or three – of Chicago’s famous deep-dish pizza.

Day 3: Chicago - St. Louis

Travel across the fertile farmlands of Illinois to St. Louis, known as the “Gateway to the West.” An orientation tour includes Gateway Arch National Park, which commemorates the city’s important role in America’s westward expansion. Visit the museum beneath the Arch, where exhibits explore the stories of Lewis & Clark, westward migration, and the people who helped shape the American frontier.

Day 4: St. Louis - Paducah - Nashville

Recross the Mississippi River and travel southeast to Paducah, Kentucky, situated along the banks of the Ohio River. Enjoy time for lunch and perhaps visit the National Quilt Museum, home to an impressive collection of quilts that showcase extraordinary artistry and craftsmanship.

Day 5: Nashville

Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Nashville, the “Country Music Capital of the World.” See landmarks including Centennial Park, home to a full-scale replica of the Parthenon, and Music Row, where generations of artists have recorded some of country music’s biggest hits.

Join an optional excursion featuring historic RCA Studio B, birthplace of the “Nashville Sound” where legendary performers such as Dolly Parton, Elvis Presley, Willie Nelson, and the Everly Brothers recorded. You’ll also visit the Country Music Hall of Fame, home to an extensive collection of memorabilia, costumes, instruments, and Elvis Presley’s famous “solid gold” Cadillac.

Tonight, enjoy reserved seating at a live performance at the world-famous Grand Ole Opry, one of country music’s most celebrated stages.

Day 6: Nashville- Brownsville - Memphis

Depart Nashville and travel to Brownsville, Tennessee, to visit the Tina Turner Museum, housed in the one-room schoolhouse once attended by a young Anna Mae Bullock, later known around the world as Tina Turner. Explore exhibits celebrating the life and career of the “Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” including costumes, awards, photographs, and personal memorabilia.

Continue to Memphis, the “Home of the Blues,” where an orientation tour introduces you to iconic Beale Street and the former Lorraine Motel, site of Martin Luther King Jr’s assassination, and now part of the National Civil Rights Museum.

Later, consider an optional excursion to legendary Sun Studio, where Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, B.B. King, and other music icons recorded followed by dinner.

Day 7: Memphis - Visit to Graceland

Spend time today exploring Graceland, Elvis Presley’s iconic estate. Your self-guided audio tour includes the 15,000-square-foot mansion and the Meditation Garden where Elvis Presley and other members of the Presley family, including his daughter Lisa Marie Presley, are laid to rest.

Step aboard Elvis’ custom jets and see a collection of his favorite automobiles and personal memorabilia. Return to Memphis mid-afternoon and enjoy free time to experience the city’s famous barbecue, vibrant music scene, and legendary Beale Street.

Day 8: Memphis - Indianola - New Orleans

Today, travel through the heart of Mississippi to Indianola, hometown of legendary blues musician B.B. King. Visit the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center to learn about his remarkable journey from humble beginnings in the Mississippi Delta to international fame. Discover how the Mississippi Delta helped shape the development of blues music and influenced generations of American musicians. Later, continue to New Orleans, arriving in the early evening with free time to begin exploring the “Big Easy” on your own.

Day 9: New Orleans

This morning, discover the sights and sounds of New Orleans on a guided tour featuring the French Quarter, St. Louis Cathedral, Jackson Square, and one of the city’s distinctive above-ground cemeteries.

The afternoon is free to explore on your own. You may choose an optional excursion to one of southern Louisiana’s historic plantation homes, where impressive architecture and compelling stories offer insight into the region’s past. Or join an optional Louisiana Swamp Tour and cruise through bayous lined with moss-draped cypress trees in search of local wildlife, including alligators.

This evening, consider an optional Mississippi River dinner cruise featuring live jazz—the perfect finale to your musical journey through America’s Heartland.

Day 10: New Orleans

Your vacation ends this morning. Or choose to extend your vacation with extra nights and explore the “Big Easy” further.

Terms and Conditions

Terms and conditions apply. All prices are in NZD unless otherwise stated, per person, twin share, include applicable savings and are subject to change without notice due to fluctuations in supplier pricing, taxes, fees, surcharges, currency exchange rates and tour availability. A non-refundable, non-transferable deposit of $500 per person, per tour is required at the time of booking to secure the reservation and offer. Offer applies to single travellers; a single supplement applies. Offers are subject to availability and may be amended or withdrawn at any time without notice. Advertised savings are included in displayed prices. Airfares, transfers and other travel arrangements are additional unless specifically stated. Offers cannot be combined with any other promotion unless expressly stated. Additional restrictions apply. Professional service fees and additional service fees may apply, varying by World Travellers store. Credit card payments may incur a surcharge. Please confirm pricing, availability and full booking conditions before making a reservation. Standard World Travellers booking terms and conditions apply. Contact your local World Travellers store for full details.