Mississippi River Boat Cruise New Orleans to Memphis May 10-19, 2019 Cruise the legendary Mississippi River aboard the newest riverboats and paddlewheelers in the region and enjoy perfect comfort and modern amenities as you travel to each historic destination. The fabric of the region is brought to life through our delicious regional cuisine, great on onboard music, and customized excursions to historic landmarks. Enjoy this Huck Finn cruise along the River, perfect for music aficionados, culinary connoisseurs, and history enthusiasts. What s included Round-trip airfare from Burlington, VT Full-time tour manager French Quarter hotel in New Orleans 22 Superb dining with meals, including complimentary sparkling wine, beer, and soft drinks. Deluxe cruise in an outside stateroom with hotel-style beds Daily shore excursions with Local Guide Complimentary Wi-Fi access What s not Airport meals, 2 Lunches Gratuities (Tour Manager) Optional traveler s insurance ITINERARY Day 1 Fly to Memphis, TN Day 2 Memphis excursions, Graceland Day 3 Vicksburg, Mississippi. Battle of Vicksburg tour Day 4 Natchez, Mississippi Day 5 Baton Rouge, Louisiana Day 6 Oak Alley, Louisiana. Oak Alley Plantation Day 7 Day of river cruising Day 8-9 New Orleans Day 10 Fly home PRICE PER PERSON: Double Single Riverview $6599 $6999 Balcony $6999 $7999 *20% deposit due at reservation *Balance due February 22, 2018
Day 1-2 (May 10-11) Memphis, TN The largest city in Tennessee offers everything a curious tourist, hungry gourmet, or history buff could want to do and see at attractions that include music museums, art galleries, Mississippi riverboat tours, and the Memphis Zoo. Be sure to visit Graceland, and then visit the other side of Memphis at the W.C. Handy Museum; Shelby Farms, the largest urban park in the country; or the twisted Ornamental Metal Museum. In the heart of Blues City, you ll find the Peabody Memphis, one of the city s most popular attractions. Legendary, charming and elegant are adjectives that perfectly describe this grand hotel where its famous Peabody Ducks march to and from the Grand Lobby. Memphis City Tour Discover the history and culture of Memphis on a narrated tour Travel through the true highlights of Memphis on an informative narrated city tour. You will pass sites like Mud Island and Cotton Row, and historic regions like the Pinch District. If you have wanted to learn about Memphis on a deeper level, this excursion is for you. Deluxe Graceland Tour Have the ultimate rock n' roll experience by visiting Elvis Presley's Graceland. Walk in the footsteps of the King of Rock n Roll at Elvis home, Graceland. The full Graceland experience will take you from Elvis s humble beginnings through his rise to superstardom. Step inside Graceland Mansion and follow in the same steps as Elvis himself as you enjoy an audioguided tour featuring commentary and stories by Elvis and his daughter Lisa Marie. See where Elvis lived, relaxed and spent time with his friends and family, or explore the Elvis Presley Car Museum and admire over 33 vehicles owned by Elvis..
Battle of Vicksburg Tour Explore this sprawling battlefield with a professional guide. National Military Park commemorates the campaign, siege and defense of Vicksburg in 1863 and includes over 1,370 monuments and markers, a restored Union gunboat and a national cemetery. Explore this sprawling battlefield with a professional guide who has a vast knowledge of civilian life and military operations on both sides of the siege and battle. Your tour will end at the Visitors Center, filled with an impressive array of exhibits and artifacts from the Siege of Vicksburg. Day 3 (May 12) Day of River Cruising Enjoy the warmth of the Mississippi River sun while lounging in the Queen of the Mississippi's many luxurious spaces, including the sun deck or Paddlewheel Lounge. Day 4 (May 13) Natchez, Mississippi Sitting high on the bluff above the mighty Mississippi River rests Natchez, a city 300 years in the making. At first glance, Natchez appears to be frozen in time, with perfectly preserved homes and buildings that remind us of days gone by. In fact, over 1,000 of its historic structures are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Upon closer inspection, you will soon discover that Natchez, while indeed a reflection of the past, is also alive in the present filled with arts, music, culture, events, commerce and natural beauty. Historic District Tour A guided tour through the heart of downtown Natchez. Natchez is a grand city with a rich and tumultuous history. Tour through the heart of downtown Natchez, bustling with activity at every bend. Hear blues musicians playing along the city s streets, and discover how music has helped shape the city as it is today. Tour beautifully restored antebellum homes while you learn about the Civil War s impact on Natchez. Everything that the magnificent city has to offer is available to you on this unique tour. Natchez Shuttle Excursion Experience the history, culture, and overall atmosphere of Natchez Take a complimentary shuttle into the charming city of Natchez, MS. Explore this beautiful city s shopping, museums, and other offerings at your own leisure before departing this popular destination.
Frogmore Plantation Tour Discover the lives of early Natchez planters during a tour of the Frogmore Plantation. An 1800-acre working cotton farm, the Frogmore Plantation has 18 restored antebellum structures that date from the early 1800s. Along with the history of the early Natchez planters, the tour includes a rare Smithsonian quality steam cotton gin. The tour continues through modern day plantation life, including the planting, harvesting, and computerized ginning of cotton. Day 5 (May 14) Vicksburg, Mississippi In Vicksburg, you ll find Southern hospitality in its most authentic form. It s a city bursting at the seams with history at some of its most poignant turns, art at its most creative angles, food at its finest flavors, and outdoor adventure at its most thrilling. With sweeping views of the Mississippi River, Vicksburg perfectly blends Southern culture and heritage along with hallowed stories of Civil War battles. Day 6 (May 15) Baton Rouge, Louisiana Experience the wonder of Baton Rouge, Louisiana's capital city, one that is rich in culture and heritage. Known affectionately as the Red Stick, Baton Rouge is home to legendary Louisiana Cajun cuisine, fascinating plantation tours, and a variety of attractions and events. There is everything you would expect to find in a state capital, but with a down-home flavor that is part of its seductive charm. Baton Rouge is a destination with true Southern hospitality. Let us give you the grand tour of one of the most historic, vibrant and unforgettable cities in the South. Historic Baton Rouge Tour Visit the two state capitol buildings in Baton Rouge Beginning at the Louisiana Old State Capitol, this tour of Baton Rouge features two of its fascinating historic sites. After your exclusive tour of the Old State Capitol, the tour continues to the New State Capitol, which is the tallest state capitol in the country. Don t miss the expansive views of the Mississippi River from this capitol s observation deck.
Cajun Heritage & Rural Life Museum Experience 19th century plantation life during a guided tour of this outdoor living history museum. The Plantation Quarters showcase the kitchen, slave cabins, and grist mill of a typical 19th century working plantation. After a tour of the Plantation Quarters, discover the life of early Louisiana settlers during a tour through a replica 19th century town. Highlights include the pioneers cabin, shotgun house and dogtrot house. St. Francisville, LA This quaint southern town is filled with simple pleasures and unique treasures. Located on the bluffs of the Mississippi River, St. Francisville has been called one of the 200 most beautiful small towns in America. During your New Orleans river cruise stop in St. Francisville, taking a stroll through its historic center awakens an awareness of history with two centuries of architecture and lifestyles. Nearby plantations beckon you back to a time when coquettish southern belles and their chivalrous suitors sipped mint juleps on the shady porches of these grand estates. The Myrtles Plantation Excursion Experience true antebellum splendor during a guided tour of the Myrtles Plantation. The Myrtles Plantation invites you to step back in time and experience true antebellum splendor. While on tour, you will see fine antiques and architectural treasures of the South and discover why the Myrtles Plantation has been called one of "America's Most Haunted Homes. After the tour, relax in giant rockers on the veranda or stroll through the Plantation s gardens filled with majestic oaks. Rosedown Plantation Excursion Discover the cultural traditions and lifestyles of the Old South s wealthiest inhabitants at the Rosedown Plantation. Rosedown Plantation embodies the lifestyle of the antebellum South's wealthiest planters in a way very few other surviving properties can. This perfectly preserved plantation showcases the cultural traditions and lifestyles of the Old South s wealthiest inhabitants. This historic plantation will give you an appreciation for the people who lived and worked on an antebellum plantation
Day 7 (May 16) Oak Alley, Louisiana Located on the Mississippi River between the historic cities of New Orleans and Baton Rouge, Oak Alley Plantation has been called the Grande Dame of the Great River Road. A quarter-mile canopy of giant live oak trees forms an impressive avenue that leads you to this classic Greekrevival style antebellum home. This imposing mansion has been restored to its 19th century glory, a noble tribute to those who left an indelible mark on this rich River Region. Oak Alley Plantation Excursion Visit Oak Alley Plantation, The Grande Dame of the Great River Road The Oak Alley Plantation has long been a fixture of Oak Alley, LA. Built in the mid 19th century, this antebellum-style mansion will transport you back to a time when plantations were the backbone of the Southern economy. Take a guided tour of the grounds, which include an antique car garage, a blacksmith shop and the famous Alley of Oaks Day 8-9 (May 17-18) New Orleans, Louisiana No where is this city s spirit more evident than in the famed French Quarter, with its architectural mix of Spanish, French, Creole, and American styles. Also known as Vieux Carré - or the Quarter to locals - it sits on a crescent in the Mississippi River on some of the highest grounds in New Orleans. Intimate and special, the city s oldest neighborhood has exerted a spell over writers and artists since the time of Mark Twain, Lafcadio Hern and John James Audubon. During your visit to New Orleans, you will begin to understand the city's unique ability to integrate history, absorb new influences and fashion one-of-a-kind delights that continue to amaze not only much of the world, but also the inhabitants of New Orleans themselves. Day 10 (May 19) Depart for airport