Music Cities USA
Discover the sights that informed the soundtrack to our lives. Travel from Motown's birthplace in Detroit to Cleveland's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and bustling, blues-city Chicago. Then, head south into Tennessee, Mississippi and Louisiana to explore the landscape that gave the world jazz, blues and country music's most undying stars.
What's Included
- Fly to Detroit, home of Motown
- Visit the Motown Museum in Hitsville USA
- Discover the amazing Henry Ford Museum
- Cleveland's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
- Discover Chicago's blues and jazz history
- Get your Route 66 kicks in Springfield, Illinois
- Discover Nashville - world capital of Country Music
- Visits to Studio B and the Country Music Hall of Fame
- Memphis, Tennessee - cotton-trade capital and home to The King
- Visit Elvis's beloved Graceland and Sun Studios
- The BB King Museum in Indianola, Mississippi
- Two nights in New Orleans to take in the atmosphere of the French Quarter
- 13 nights' room-only accommodation at hotels in Detroit (2 nights), Cleveland (1), Chicago (2), St Louis (1), Nashville (2), Memphis (2), New Orleans (2) and Atlanta (1)
- Return scheduled flights to Detroit, returning from Atlanta
- Coach travel and transfers throughout
- Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced Tour Manager
- Single rooms are available for a supplement
Itinerary
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We'll also see the Henry Ford museum, where 'living exhibits' explore the history and ingenuity of American industry, before returning to the hotel.
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Take in the view from one of the city's skyscrapers, wander the lakefront parks and this evening, perhaps take in a famous Blues Club, such as Buddy Guy's famous 'Legends'.
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This evening, there's yet another chance to catch some live music.
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This evening, why not head out to enjoy a meal of pulled pork, ribs and shoulders? Memphis is one of America's barbecue capitals.
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Continue your explorations this afternoon, or join our optional excursion and head into the bayou for a chance to see some of the region's infamous alligators! This evening, head back into the city, and soak up the atmosphere of the place that gave the world Dixieland Jazz.
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In the afternoon, we'll transfer you back to the airport to board your overnight flight home.
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Music Cities Touring Hotels
The hotels used on our tours will meet the standard of a good, four-star European hotel. Rooms will have private bathrooms, telephones and TV. The vast majority will also have tea/coffee-making facilities. There will always be a bar or restaurant on site or nearby.
Doubletree by Hilton Dearborn, Detroit (nights 1 to 2)
Close to the Henry Ford Museum, this welcoming hotel offers modern comforts and facilities including an indoor swimming pool, a whirlpool, a restaurant and a small shop. The rooms have air conditioning, and tea/coffee-making facilities.
Hampton Inn, Cleveland Downtown (night 3)
Near Cleveland s major attractions including the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and a whole host of restaurants and shops, this hotel has a fitness centre, a shop and offers complimentary hot breakfasts. The bedrooms have coffee-making facilities and TV.
Cambria Chicago Magnificent Mile (nights 4 to 5)
Perfectly positioned to explore Chicago, this modern hotel is located just off the Magnificent Mile, surrounded by some of the city s best shopping, entertainment and dining options. Facilities within the hotel include a shop and a stunning rooftop bar. All rooms have air conditioning, small fridges and coffee- and tea-making facilities.
Sheraton Westport Lakeside, St Louis (night 6)
Located east of downtown St Louis, this modern hotel is surrounded by an array of restaurants, shops and entertainment venues. The hotel has an outdoor swimming pool, as well as access to an indoor swimming pool at a sister property, a restaurant and a bar. The guest rooms are decorated in a contemporary style, and each has air conditioning and tea- and coffee-making facilities.
Millennium Maxwell House, Nashville (nights 7 to 8)
The Millennium Maxwell offers a real southern welcome close to the city s shops, restaurants and nightlife. It also has a restaurant, a pub and an outdoor swimming pool.
The Guest House at Graceland, Memphis (nights 9 to 10)
Inspired by Elvis s warm hospitality, this new hotel offers guests the chance to stay just a few steps from the gates of Graceland. Every aspect of the hotel is designed to reflect the King s personal style from the Southern Colonial exterior to the restaurants, bar, theatre and gift shop - and even the seasonal pool and pool bar. Each room is comfortably furnished and has a fridge, TV and tea-and coffee-making facilities. The hotel also runs a reasonably priced shuttle service to Beale Street.
Hampton Inn, New Orleans (nights 11 to 12)
Set in a beautifully converted warehouse, Around a 15-minute walk from both the French Quarter and a large shopping mall, this hotel has a breakfast room and a small outdoor swimming pool. All the bedrooms have a TV, coffee-making facilities and small fridges.
Holiday Inn Express Atlanta (night 13)
Offering a central base to visit all of the city s main attractions, which include the Georgia Aquarium and the World of Coca-Cola, as well as it s many dining options. The guest rooms are equipped with small fridges and coffee/tea-making facilities.
Should circumstances require, we reserve the right to accommodate you in a conveniently located, alternative hotel of a similar standard.
Deck Plan
Tipping
Gratuities are a way of life in North America, and it is generally accepted that they form part of a person's earnings. The customary gratuity for a coach driver or Tour Manager is about $5 per person per day. It is normal to tip 15-20 per cent of the bill for a taxi or in a restaurant, and to leave a dollar or so per drink in a bar.
Passports and visas
When travelling to the USA, British citizens require passports with an integrated chip (shown on the front by a small rectangular symbol beneath the word PASSPORT), valid beyond the return date from the USA. Visas are not normally required for entry, but visitors must apply for an ESTA online with US Immigration at least 72 hours before departure at www.cbp.gov/esta . The current charge is $14 for British Citizens. British subjects and anyone who has a criminal record or has ever been arrested should consult the US Embassy as a visa may be required. Note too that if you have visited Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Syria, Libya, Somalia or Yemen since March 2011, or have dual nationality with any of these countries, you do require a US visa and cannot travel on the Visa Waiver Program.
Hotel transfer times
The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately two hours.
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted on any coach forming part of your holiday; regular stops will be made though for your comfort en route. The majority of hotels in North America are non-smoking throughout including in all bedrooms. In general smoking outside is acceptable, but do look out for signs prohibiting this close to public entrances or bus stops.
On your flight
All outbound flights depart and arrive on the same day. All return flights leave in the evening and land in the UK the next day. On-board meals will usually include lunch and a snack on outward flights, and dinner and breakfast on flight home. Soft drinks are complimentary, but some airlines will charge for alcoholic drinks.
Luggage allowance
You are permitted to take one suitcase per person on the aircraft, which should not exceed 23kg.
Special requirements
If you have notified us of any special requirements, please check that they have been noted and acknowledged. This is especially important with any dietary needs you may have.
Disabled access
The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting. If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
Itinerary changes
Occasionally, for operational reasons, we may have to change the order of the excursions on your holiday. The final day-by-day itinerary will be confirmed on your Final Travel Documents, which you will receive approximately three weeks prior to your departure.
Changes to your hotels
Should circumstances require, we reserve the right to accommodate you in alternative hotels, of a similar standard, nearby. Full details of your hotels will be sent with your Final Travel Documents.
Hotel rooms
Standard hotel rooms in North America will contain one or two double- or queen-sized beds, and it is not possible to add extra beds to the room. Parties consisting of more than two travellers, but who have only booked one room, will be expected to make use of the two beds provided. If this is a concern, you may wish to consider booking more than one room for your group.
Holiday Provided By
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