Escorted Tours 2023-2024

games and kung-fu movies. This afternoon visit Sun Studios, where Elvis recorded his first hit and where Jerry Lee Lewis’s piano still stands. Tonight, is at leisure for you to explore and experience the many bars, restaurants, and music scene of Memphis. Day 6: Memphis to New Orleans D Today the tour leaves Memphis and follows the path of the mighty Mississippi River and travels deep into the heart of the Mississippi Delta via Jackson before crossing the border into Louisiana. Driving across Lake Pontchartrain on the longest causeway in the world you will arrive in New Orleans, a melange of European style and Caribbean flavours and a city full of flamboyance, festivities and a whole lot of soul. We’ve arranged to take you to the New Orleans School of Cooking this evening for an entertaining demonstration from one of their Creole/Cajun experts with dinner included and the chance to try a New Orleans speciality such as gumbo, jambalaya or pralines. Day 7: New Orleans In the morning, visit some of New Orleans’ highlights including the famous French Quarter taking in Bourbon Street, the art galleries and antique shops of Royal Street and Jackson Square with its many artists, museums and fortune tellers. From here you will take a visit to a local distillery and savour the tastes of up to three different spirits. The rest of the day and evening are for you to enjoy at your leisure, but make sure you live the New Orleans’ motto ‘Laissez les bons temps rouler’ - let the good times roll! Day 8: New Orleans Today is a free day for you to enjoy New Orleans in your own time. Stroll around the market in the French Quarter, stop for some lunch at one of the many oyster bars and restaurants, shop for antiques and trinkets or book yourself a tour through the Louisiana bayou aboard an airboat. This evening you can take your pick of the many excellent bars, eateries and music venues for which this laid back city, The Big Easy is world renowned. Day 9: New Orleans to Houston This morning it’s time to leave New Orleans and travel to Houston to catch your return flight to the UK the next day. There will be a stop along the way in Lake Charles for an hour or so for you to stretch your legs and have some lunch. Arriving in Houston in the early hours of the evening there will be a short orientation tour before returning to the hotel. Day 10: Houston to the UK The final day includes a visit to Houston’s Space Centre, home to NASA and the world’s largest collection of moon rocks and lunar samples on public view. You’ll also see Mission Control that guided the first moon landings as well as original Saturn, Mercury and Apollo rockets that have been at the forefront of space exploration since the early sixties. Sadly, your southern tour of music, culture and history is at an end and it is time to depart for the airport to catch your return direct flight back to the UK or continue on to your chosen extension. Street music, New Orleans Downtown Nashville Graceland Houston Space Centre Meal plan: 3 dinners Accommodation: Nashville, 3 H Holiday Inn & Suites Nashville Downtown-Broadway Memphis, 3 H Doubletree Memphis New Orleans, 3 H La Quinta Houston, 3 H Hampton Inn Houston Near Galleria Flights: London Heathrow to America with British Airways. Regional departures available from Manchester and Belfast Tour pace: Challenging Departures & from prices 15 May 23 £3,599 20 May 24 £3,749 4 Sep 23 £3,499 2 Sep 24 £3,599 18 Sep 23 £3,399 16 Sep 24 £3,499 9 Oct 23 £3,229 7 Oct 24 £3,349 16 Oct 23 £2,999 14 Oct 24 £3,099 26 Feb 24 £3,249 • Tipping paid locally $72-$99 No Single Supplement Rooms available with no single supplement. Once sold, single supplement starts from £699 Extend your tour Houston city stay, 2 nights, 3 H B&B from £349 Houston is home to some of the finest museums, performing arts and entertainment in the United States. Extend your stay in this sprawling city to experience the culture. North America 89 Hundreds more escorted tours are available on our website www.mercuryholidays.co.uk