The Weekly and Scenic Tours will take 40 readers from New York City to New Orleans, and the Weekly’s former editor-in-chief Deborah Thomas will join you in New York with a beautiful cocktail party.
After New York, you will explore Washington D.C. from a different perspective as you enjoy an evening dinner cruise and discover the famous monuments of this well-known capital city.
Inhale the exotic aromas of the Magnolia Plantation and Gardens in Charleston, South Carolina’s oldest city and step into the soul and sounds of the south as you explore Nashville the country music capital including a visit to the famous Grand Ole Opry.
Step back in time to the home of the King of Rock n’ Roll Elvis Presley, Graceland and dine in the original BB Kings whilst winding down to the sounds of live blues music.
Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of the deep south in New Orleans, with authentic experiences such as a Cajun cooking class, a horse and carriage ride or see how the magic is created with grand preparations for the famous Mardi Gras.
To book, go to: http://www.scenictours.com.au/aww/
Day 1 New York City Upon arrival at New York Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Day 2 New York City Discover New York City at your own pace on the Included Hop-on-Hop-off double decker bus. Enjoy a private ‘Welcome to the USA’ cocktail reception with Deborah Thomas overlooking the bright lights of Times Square.
Day 3 New York City Continue exploring your favourite New York icons at your leisure on the Included Hop-on-Hop-off double decker bus.
Day 4 Philadelphia — Lancaster This morning, enjoy an Included historical tour of Philadelphia including Abraham Lincoln’s Statue of the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. Continue to the Amish community of Lancaster and immerse yourself in a community of simple living separated from the industrialised world. Tonight enjoy an family-style Amish Feast.
Day 5 Lancaster — Gettysburg Your Included Amish experience involves visiting an Amish Farm and house as a local guide explains the culture, faith and traditional way of life.
Day 6 Mount Vernon — Washington D.C. Visit George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate. Continue to the capital of The United States of America, Washington D.C and discover the famous monuments of Washington D.C from a different perspective as you enjoy an evening dinner cruise.
Day 7 Washington D.C. Enjoy an Included historical tour of Washington D.C.. Perhaps visit one of the plethora of Smithsonian Museums in your afternoon at leisure.
Day 8 Washington D.C. — Raleigh Continue your journey to the ‘City of Oaks’, Raleigh, the capital of North Carolina.
Day 9 Raleigh — Charleston Inhale the exotic aromas of the Included Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. Family gardens have been treasured for three centuries with each generation adding their unique, personal touch. The Drayton’s Plantation home gives a glimpse of plantation life in the 19th century and beyond.
Day 10 Charleston Explore South Carolina’s oldest and most charming city on an Included tour through the quaint cobbled streets before discovering the beauty and history of Charleston Harbour on board a sightseeing cruise. The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure.
Day 11 Charleston — Savannah Continue to the seaport town of Savannah situated on the border of South Carolina and Georgia. View the architecture, learn the history and experience the southern hospitality that Savannah is famed for. Tonight enjoy an Included dinner with your Tour Director and fellow travellers. Overnight Stay: Mansion on Forsyth Park or similar. Meals: FB,D
Day 12 Savannah — Atlanta Continue your journey through America’s south to the capital of Georgia, Atlanta. Overnight Stay: Grand Hyatt Atlanta in Buckhead. Meals: FB,D
Day 13 Atlanta — Nashville This morning enjoy an Included tour of the famous Jack Daniel’s Distillery enroute to Nashville. Included Scenic Enrich: Sing and clap along during an evening performance at Nashville’s famous Grand Ole Opry. ‘The Opry’ began as a radio broadcast in 1925 and today is a live entertainment phenomenon and American icon. Gain backstage access and tour this incredible venue which has hosted country music’s most famous musicians.
Day 14 Country Music Capital, Nashville Take a trip down memory lane at Studio B then record a song like Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, Dolly Parton and the Everly Brothers have before you. Visit the Country Music Hall of Fame Museum. Learn of the fascinating country music culture in Tennessee with an Included private performance by one of Nashville’s acclaimed musicians. Enjoy an Included nostalgic paddle boat dinner cruise. Savour a traditional southern dinner and enjoy the sounds of bluegrass, soul, gospel and country music.
Day 15 Nashville — Memphis Continue to Memphis, Tennessee, the home of such legendary artists as B.B. King, Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, and John Lee Hooker. Make the ultimate Rock n’ Roll pilgrimage and delight in an Included tour of the famous home of the King of Rock n’ Roll, Elvis Presley. Graceland is set on fourteen acres and showcases where Elvis lived and is now laid to rest. Dine in the original BB King’s tonight and revel in the live blues tunes.
Day 16 Memphis — Natchez Travel deeper south to Natchez. Learn about America’s Civil War history during an Included plantation tour. Learn of the antebellum experience where grand estates embellished in the finest furnishings and maintained by enslaved servants became ruins of despair after the Civil War. The Monmouth Plantation typifies this experience and today has been restored to an opulent hotel. Enjoy an Included dinner of southern cuisine this evening. Overnight Special Stay : Monmouth Plantation or Dunleith Plantation.
Day 17 Natchez — Lafayette Cruise through one of Louisiana’s Bayous and natural habitat of the alligator. Look out for and learn about these fascinating creatures and other marine life. Visit the Included living history museum and folk life park of Vermilionville where crafts people in period clothing practise their craft in original historic and period reproduction buildings and homes
Day 18 Lafayette — New Orleans Be amazed by the vibrant culture of New Orleans as you tour the city including the preparations for the annual grand spectacular, the famous Mardi Gras – see how the magic is created.
Day 19 New Orleans Visit with the local community and environmentalist to learn how New Orleans is recovering after the devastation of Cyclone Katrina.
Day 20 New Orleans Select from a cajun cooking class discovering the techniques to making a local ‘Southern’ delicacy; or New Orleans movie tour bringing to life hit movies such as ‘The Pelican Brief’ and ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’; or step back in time and relax on a horse and carriage ride through New Orleans’ French Quarter. This evening enjoy a lively dinner, dancing the evening away with your fellow travellers to the soulful sounds of the Deep South.
Day 21 New Orleans Transfer to the airport and board your flight home.
