Land of the Kings Vacation Holiday

Tennessee & Mississippi

10 Days / 9 Nights

Introduction

For millions around the world Memphis and Mississippi first and foremost mean music. The Blues were born in the Mississippi Delta combining traditional African rhythms with the soulful cries of the sharecroppers as they toiled in the scorched fields. If Mississippi was the birthplace of the Blues, Memphis became home to the music as aspiring musicians headed north on Highway 61 to perform their music on Beale Street. One of them traded his first name Riley for “The Beale Street Blues Boy” and today B.B. King still has a club on the lively street, which is now the premier entertainment district of the entire South.

And Mississippi also gave birth to another king, a certain Elvis Aaron Presley, in a 2- room, shotgun house in Tupelo. His love of music began here when his mother bought him a guitar from the Tupelo Hardware Store for his eleventh birthday. When the Presley family moved to Memphis, Elvis Presley joined forces with Sam Phillips at Sun Studio to revolutionize popular music and Rock’n’Roll was born.

But there is more than music. Memphis and Mississippi also mean the mellow way of life in the Deep South. The South of mint juleps and magnolia trees, of folklore and fable, and warm hospitality. The South of Civil War, where preserved battle sites and historic homes bear witness to the tragedy of a nation torn apart. The South of Civil Rights strife, where you can trace the African-Americans’ enduring struggle for freedom.

In order to maximize results we strongly suggest a Wed or Thu starting day. This will allow for a Thu, Fri & Sat nights in Clarksdale and Greenwood. Blues entertainment is only available Thu, Fri & Sat nights in these small towns. Furthermore, near Greenwood is one of only two truly authentic “juke joints” in Mississippi, Po Monkey’s and it is only open on Thursday nights. Also near Greenwood is Club Ebony, now owned by B.B. King, and it is only open Thu, Fri, Sat & Sun nights and with live blues mostly only on Fri & Sat. You can also request prices mixing 3* & 4* hotels. Example we suggest those wanting 4* hotels consider staying at Tallahatchie Flats and getting the real feeling of the Deep South rural lifestyle.

Inlcuded in the Prices:

• Hotel accommodations and all local taxes
• Admission to the Delta Blues Museum Clarksdale
• Admission to the B.B. King Museum Indianola
• Admission to the Elvis Presley Birthplace, Museum, Chapel & Church Tupelo
• Performance of the Grand Ole Opry (Tue, Fri, or Sat)
• Admission to the Country Music Hall of Fame & Studio B Tour
• Admission to the Rockabilly Hall of Fame Jackson
• Graceland Platinum Admission
• Admission and tour of Sun Studio
• Admission to Stax Museum of American Soul Music
• Admission to the Rock n Soul Museum
• $15.00 in Sweet Magnolia Bucks for each person at Alfred's on Beale or B.B. Kings Blues Club or Red Rooster Bar & Music Hall or Superior Restaurant & Bar on Beale St or for merchandise at Sun Studio.
• Maps of cities & states & suggested driving routes

Itinerary

Day One: Arrive Memphis, the "Home of the Blues" and the "Birthplace of Rock 'n' Roll." After settling in your hotel, get yourself to Beale Street, one of America's most famous streets where W.C. Handy first penned the Blues music of the Mississippi Delta. Located downtown stretching several blocks east of the river bluffs. Nightclubs and restaurants offer a variety of food and live music including traditional Blues, Rhythm and Blues, Jazz, and Rock'n'Roll. Shops and boutiques throughout the district provide visitors with the opportunity to purchase souvenirs, t-shirts, memorabilia, and novelties. The world-famous street also features a statue of W.C. Handy, a musical "Walk of Fame," and Church Park, built by the South's first Black millionaire, Robert Church. Visit A. Schwab's Dry Goods Store at 163 Beale, a mainstay on the street since 1876, Schwab's stocks everything from voodoo potions to 99-cent neckties. Walk Beale Street west to Tom Lee Park and the banks of the Mississippi River, where you can stroll, gawk at the Riverboats and River barges, and view an awesome sunsetIn the evening there’s still a chance to sample the musical delights of Beale Street, but don’t worry you’ll have two more nights in Memphis to truly experience the Birthplace of Rock’n’Roll and Home of the Blues. Overnight: Memphis

Day Two: Drive south on historic Highway 61 - known as the Blues Highway - to Clarksdale in the heart of the Delta. A hundred years ago, this was a dark, swampy land populated by poor sharecroppers. Clarksdale has a rich Blues heritage. Names like Muddy Waters, Charley Patton and Robert Johnson dot the musical landscape here. Their legacies continue to inspire and entertain millions of people worldwide. Clarksdale's historic Blues Alley is home to the Delta Blues Museum, dedicated to both the preservation and interpretation of the Blues. Clarksdale has a thriving live music scene with clubs open every weekend and festivals scattered throughout the year. Local Hollywood actor and star, Morgan Freeman, runs his own fine restaurant, Madidi, and the popular Ground Zero Blues bar. Mileage: Memphis to Clarksdale = 74 Miles Overnight: Clarksdale

Day Three: Continue south on Highway 61 then west to Indianola for the new B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center. He started life as Riley B. King in one of America’s most impoverished places, the Mississippi Delta. Now he’s an international music icon, and music lovers everywhere want to know more about the man who became B.B. King.

The B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Centre tells the story of King’s life, his career, and stories of the Delta - its history and music, social mores and race relations, literature and legends, adversities and successes. Continue to Greenwood and be sure to have dinner at the famous Lusco’s - a local institution for more than fifty years. Mileage: Clarksdale to Greenwood = 57 Miles Overnight: Greenwood

Day Four: In historic downtown visit The Greenwood Blues Heritage Museum and Gallery that houses an important collection of Blues memorabilia. The museum's focus is on Robert Johnson, who allegedly sold his soul to the devil for the ability to play the guitar like no other (no admission, just optional donations accepted). Or make time for an optional cooking class at the Viking Cookery School and learn how to prepare traditional Southern dishes and delicacies. Also take time for an optional visit to a great little museum, Cottonlandia Museum, which also houses an eclectic collection of items that weave a fascinating history of the area’s past. Overnight: Greenwood

Day Five: Head west and near Starkville join the Natchez Trace Parkway, which dates back over 8,000 years when it was used as an Indian trade route. By the 1800s, it was the busiest highway in what was then the American Southwest. Extending from Nashville, Tennessee, to Natchez, Mississippi, the Trace offers a scenic drive through pristine forests and lush countryside - without a billboard in sight. Mileage: Greenwood to Tupelo = 120 Miles Overnight: Tupelo

Day Six: Visit the Elvis Presley Birthplace Museum. Elvis fans can tour the home, museum, memorial chapel, fountain of life, story wall and enjoy the self-guided tour that leads to some of the most significant locations of Elvis’ life in Tupelo. Make time for the Tupelo Hardware Store, a timeless gem where Gladys Presley bought Elvis his first guitar. Elvis wanted a gun but they compromised on the guitar. And music has never been the same since! Continue north along the Natchez Trace Parkway to Nashville, known as Music City. Mileage: Tupelo to Nashville = 180 Miles. Overnight: Nashville

Day Seven: See the legendary Grand Ole Opry, the Country Music Hall of Fame and RCA Studio B where the “Nashville Sound” was created by Chet Atkins, Dolly Parton, the Everly Brothers, Elvis and many others. Be sure to hear some live music at a classic honky tonk like Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge in the District, Nashville’s downtown entertainment area. Kick up your heels to the Country sounds at the Wildhorse Saloon or take a cabaret dinner cruise aboard the General Jackson Showboat on the Cumberland River. Overnight: Nashville

Day Eight: From Nashville head west to Memphis and en route take time to stop in Jackson along the Music Highway (Interstate 40) and stop in Jackson, home to Carl Perkins of Blue Suede Shoes fame. In his honor Jackson now houses the International Rockabilly Hall of Fame, the Rockabilly Mural and Rockabilly Park - all in historic downtown and offering a fascinating insight into Jackson’s remarkable musical legacy. While in Jackson, be sure to sample the Southern delicacies served at The Old Country Store at the Casey Jones Village. Take a slight detour from Jackson and drive through Nutbush - the birthplace of Tina Turner and the title of one of her greatest hits - before continuing to Memphis. Mileage: Nashville to Memphis = 210 Miles Overnight: Memphis

Day Nine: Renowned as the birthplace of rock’n’roll and home of the blues, Memphis more than matches its myth. Pilgrims flock from all over the world to find a vibrant city that while cherishing its past remains very much alive. Visit Graceland, Elvis’ beloved mansion, see his two private jets and the fantastic Automobile Museum. Don’t miss the tour at famous Sun Studio and be sure to see the Stax Museum of American Soul Music as well as the Smithsonian’s Rock’n’Soul Museum and the Gibson Guitar Factory. Then dance the night away at any of the clubs on historic Beale Street. Overnight: Memphis

Day Ten: Make time for some last minute shopping at any of Memphis’ retail or outlet malls before heading home.

Terms & Conditions

Terms & Conditions: Transportation to the attractions & hotels is not included. All prices are the total costs for the number of adults occupying the room in existing bedding. Rolloways are not included & may be at an extra charge if available. We accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover & American Express. Cancellations less than 30 days before arrival will incur penalties of $25.00 per person plus any supplier fees. Changes made after documents have been issued incur a $25.00 document reissue fee.

Contact Us:

Postal Mail:
Sweet Magnolia Tours
P.O. Box 753548
Memphis, TN 38175

Telephone:
1-901-369-9838

Toll Free:
1-866-320-5295

FAX:
1-901-369-9839

E-mail:
memphis@sweetmagnoliatours.com