THE OLD SOUTH & FLORIDA - 2010

13 days from New Orleans to Orlando (CO-8290)

Enjoy the sights and sounds on this wondrous vacation through the heart of the South, including Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida. Your trip starts in the Old World city known as New Orleans, where you experience the city on your sightseeing tour. Visit the French Quarter, see the stately mansions and clanging streetcars, and learn about New Orleans’ unique burial customs at an above-ground cemetery. Drive through the heart of Cajun Country to elegant Natchez, where you can admire a pre-Civil War home. See the passing rural landscape of Mississippi as you cross the state and venture into Tennessee. Sing the blues in Memphis and swing your partner round to country music in Nashville. In Memphis, visit Graceland, Elvis Presley’s grand estate. No vacation to Nashville is complete without a visit to the Grand Ole Opry, and you have reserved seats for a Grand Ole Opry show!

Stop in Chattanooga, home of the Chattanooga Choo Choo, before heading through Chattahoochee National Forest to the metropolis of Atlanta. Enjoy a tour of Atlanta and leisure time to explore the city on your own. On to the Savannah seaport for a trolley tour, time to discover the city, and a two-night stay. Your vacation ends in the “capital” of Disney’s entertainment parks, Orlando, with a two-night stay. From one end of the spectrum to the other, this vacation will keep you on your toes. If you want to see and experience the beauty and charm of the South, this vacation is for you!

8290

Itinerary

Day 1 Wed. NEW ORLEANS

Enjoy time at leisure to relax or to do some independent exploring. Your Tour Director is on hand this evening to answer any questions.

Day 2 Thu. NEW ORLEANS

The morning is dedicated to the sights and sounds of this Old World city. First, visit the French Quarter including St. Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square. Next, learn about the city’s unique burial customs at an above-ground cemetery, followed by a leisurely drive down historic St. Charles Avenue to enjoy its stately mansions and clanging streetcars. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Day 3 Fri. NEW ORLEANS

A full day at leisure. Roam through the centuries-old French Quarter or take a carriage ride while listening to tales of voodoo queens and pirates. History enthusiasts can roam through sprawling Victorian mansions and celebrated museums, catching a glimpse of life the way it used to be in the Old South. Tonight, you might like to experience the city’s beauty and romance on a 2-hour cruise from the heart of the French Quarter on New Orleans’ only steamboat.

Day 4 Sat. NEW ORLEANS–BATON ROUGE–NATCHEZ

Drive through the heart of Cajun Country to Baton Rouge for an orientation tour that features the Governor’s Mansion and the state capitol. Next, on to elegant Natchez, a thriving port in the golden years of the cotton trade. Visit a gracious PRE-CIVIL WAR HOME featuring fine collections of period furniture and paintings. In the evening, relax and perhaps sip a refreshing mint julep as the sun goes down.

Day 5 Sun. NATCHEZ–JACKSON–MEMPHIS

Drive to Jackson, then north through rural Mississippi to Memphis. For your first night in the “Home of the Blues,” why not visit one of the famous music clubs on Beale Street, immortalized in WC Handy’s famous songs?

Day 6 Mon. MEMPHIS–GRACELAND–NASHVILLE

A trip to Memphis would not be complete without visiting GRACELAND, the palatial home of “The King,” Elvis Presley. Our guided platinum audio tour focuses on the splendid garden and the opulent 15,000-square-foot mansion. Afterward, head through the fertile farmlands of Tennessee to the “Capital of Country Music,” Nashville.

Day 7 Tue. NASHVILLE

Its association with country music has made the name Nashville world famous, but it’s not just music fans who will find this charming Southern city a delight. Start the day with a sightseeing tour of the famous landmarks, including the Parthenon, the state capitol, Bicentennial State Park, and the recording studios of Music Row. Then, visit the COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME with its glittering costumes, rare instruments, and Elvis Presley’s “solid gold” Cadillac. This evening, you have reserved seats for an unforgettable show at the world-famous GRAND OLE OPRY, a mecca for country musicians since 1925.

Day 8 Wed. NASHVILLE–CHATTANOOGA–ATLANTA Atlanta, the capital city of Georgia

First stop today is Chattanooga, home of the Chattanooga Choo Choo. Then, enter the “Peach State” of Georgia and continue through Chattahoochee National Forest to the fast-growing metropolis of Atlanta, former home and burial place of civil rights leader, Martin Luther King Jr. After an included sightseeing tour of the city, the rest of the day is yours to explore or relax. Your Tour Director will have suggestions for a taste of Southern dining this evening.

Day 9 Thu. ATLANTA–SAVANNAH Savannah, Georgia

We head south through rich, rolling farmland to the historic seaport of Savannah for a 2-night stay. On this afternoon’s TROLLEY TOUR, see the sights, hear the history, and visit the charming city squares of Georgia’s First City. Highlights include City Market, Forsyth Park, the Mercer House, Madison Square—where General Sherman concluded his “March to the Sea”—Colonial Park Cemetery, and the world-famous River Street. This evening is free to explore this charming city on your own.

Day 10 Fri. SAVANNAH

A day at leisure to explore. Shop on cobblestoned River Street or stroll among the many squares surrounded by elegant homes and majestic gardens. Don’t miss Forsyth Park with its lovely fountain and flowers or the impressive Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum, where you can learn about Savannah’s important role in maritime history and view models of famous ships.

Day 11 Sat. SAVANNAH–ST. AUGUSTINE–ORLANDO Orlando

Travel into the “Sunshine State” of Florida, stopping first at St. Augustine, the oldest city in the United States. You will see the Oldest House and the Spanish fortress, Castillo de San Marcos, on your orientation tour. Then, drive to the magical city of Orlando.

Day 12 Sun. ORLANDO

A full day to relax and explore the many sights in the Orlando area. Your Local Host will suggest a varied and exciting selection of optional outings, such as Disney’s huge entertainment parks, including the Magic Kingdom®, Animal Kingdom®, Epcot®, and MGM Studios®. Also on the list are SeaWorld® (America’s biggest marine life park) and exciting Universal Studios®.

Day 13 Mon. ORLANDO

The trip ends this morning with guests departing on individual schedules. Airport transfers are provided to Orlando International Airport.

AIRPORT TRANSFERS

Airport transfers may be included when you make your international flights arrangements.

Dates and Prices

Departure Details	Departure Date	Tour Start Date	Return Date	Land/Cruise Price Only	Status
	3/17/2010	3/17/2010	3/29/2010	$1,509.00	Available
	3/24/2010	3/24/2010	4/5/2010	$1,509.00	Sold Out
Popular Departure	3/31/2010	3/31/2010	4/12/2010	$1,509.00	Available
	4/14/2010	4/14/2010	4/26/2010	$1,509.00	Available
	4/21/2010	4/21/2010	5/3/2010	$1,579.00	Available
	4/28/2010	4/28/2010	5/10/2010	$1,579.00	Available
	5/12/2010	5/12/2010	5/24/2010	$1,509.00	Sold Out
Popular Departure	5/19/2010	5/19/2010	5/31/2010	$1,509.00	Available
Popular Departure	5/26/2010	5/26/2010	6/7/2010	$1,509.00	Available
	6/2/2010	6/2/2010	6/14/2010	$1,509.00	Sold Out
Popular Departure	6/9/2010	6/9/2010	6/21/2010	$1,509.00	Available
	6/23/2010	6/23/2010	7/5/2010	$1,509.00	Sold Out
	7/7/2010	7/7/2010	7/19/2010	$1,509.00	Sold Out
Popular Departure	7/21/2010	7/21/2010	8/2/2010	$1,509.00	Available
Popular Departure	9/1/2010	9/1/2010	9/13/2010	$1,509.00	Available
	9/15/2010	9/15/2010	9/27/2010	$1,509.00	Available
	10/20/2010	10/20/2010	11/1/2010	$1,509.00	Available

Popular Departure - due to itinerary and time of year, this departure historically sells out quickly. Early booking is encouraged.

Single Room Supplement:
$639