Fly Drive USA

Depart the UK on your chosen scheduled flight to Memphis. Upon arrival, collect your rental car and proceed to your hotel, where you will spend your first three nights.

We’ve allowed two full days for you to truly experience this exciting city which offers a plethora of things to see and do. Make sure you don’t miss Graceland – undoubtedly a must-see. In addition, why not enjoy a tour to Sun Studio, Stax Museum of American Soul Music, Smithsonian’s Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum and Gibson Guitar Factory. Your evenings can be spent enjoying live music and sizzling soul food.

Today you commence your journey to Tupelo, undoubtedly best known as Elvis’ birthplace. Visit the Elvis Presley Birthplace Museum, where you can tour the home, museum memorial chapel, a fountain of life and see the story wall. Make sure to stop by the Tupelo Hardware Store; this timeless gem is where Gladys Presley bought Elvis his first guitar. Elvis wanted a gun, they compromised on a guitar and music has never been the same since!

Leaving Tupelo behind you are heading to ‘The City with Soul’ – Jackson, where you will spend the next two nights. Whilst staying in the state capital, you can trace Mississippi’s evolution from the Civil War to the Civil Rights Movement, to the hub of music and culture that it is today. There is world-class arts and entertainment as well as a large variety of dining options ranging from home-style to fine dining. 

Today you continue your journey south, to explore Mississippi’s breath taking Gulf Coast. Over the next two days you’ll have the opportunity to discover the 62 miles of scenic coastline, where an incredible variety of attractions, excursions and activities await. Outdoor adventures, such as kayaking, boating, fishing and hiking in addition to museums, world-class casinos and championship golf courses await.

A short journey today brings you to New Orleans, also known as ‘The Big Easy’ where you have two fun-filled days ahead. Stroll along the narrow streets, enjoy a typical Creole meal or perhaps a spot of jazz in the renowned French Quarter. During your stay, make sure you ride the famed ‘Streetcar named Desire’, walk through the Historic Garden District and take a paddle-wheeler cruise along the Mississippi River.

The next few days are the most scenic of your holiday adventure, so be sure to keep your camera close at hand. Today, you drive the start of the incredibly beautiful Natchez Trace Parkway to Natchez. Known as the jewel of the Mississippi River, and home to the oldest permanent settlement on the river, in the 1850s Natchez had more millionaires than anywhere else in America. It has an incredible location, perched on a natural bluff above the river with 30 mile views both North and South. Because of this, you can experience some of the best sunsets on Ol’ Man River. Many of the historic homes in Natchez are open daily for tours so just stop by!

This morning we suggest a stop at The Greenwood Blues Heritage Museum and Gallery, home to a vast array of Blues memorabilia. Culinary enthusiasts may also choose to visit the Viking Cookery School to learn how to prepare traditional Southern dishes and delicacies. Next take the scenic drive to Vicksburg, where you will enjoy a night at one of Vicksburg’s antebellum homes. On your second day, why not take a carriage ride discovering Vicksburg’s many beautiful and historic homes?

Your final two days are spent in Cleveland in the much-loved Mississippi Delta! Cotton Row, in the center of Cleveland’s Crosstie historic district, is lined with little restaurants, cafes, and galleries. The district is named for the railway that made Cleveland’s economy thrive in the late 1800’s; railroad buffs will want to visit the Martin and Sue King Railroad Heritage Museum to learn more. Cleveland is also proud to be the location of the Grammy Museum, celebrating the best in music. From your base in Cleveland, you are able to discover much of the area. A few miles outside Cleveland, you’ll find Dockery Farms where Charley Patton learned to play the blues and set history in motion. Also ensure you visit Clarksdale, Greenville, Greenwood and Tunica where a wealth of attractions await. 

It’s time to cross the state line back into Tennessee and make the journey back to Memphis International Airport, where you return your rental car and check-in for your flight back to the UK.