9 AM - 6 PM IST - Mon-Fri

10 AM - 1 PM IST - Sat

Rhythms of the Road ( 8240)

10 days from Chicago to New Orleans

2024 Tour Details

The Heartland of America comes alive on this wonderful vacation featuring locations that have played a role in the evolution of American music. This North to South U.S. tour starts with two nights in Chicago, ends with two nights in New Orleans, includes two nights in Nashville and Memphis, and an overnight in St. Louis. Enjoy a sightseeing or an orientation tour in each of the cities. Highlights of this tour include places near and dear to music lovers’ hearts. In Nashville, visit the Country Music Hall of Fame, with its rare instruments and Elvis Presley’s “solid-gold” Cadillac, and RCA Studio B, Nashville’s oldest remaining recording studio where Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton, and many more stars recorded their biggest hits. You’ll also enjoy the world-famous Grand Ole Opry, a must for any country music fan, where you’ll have reserved seating for a show. In Memphis, see where scenes from the film, “Walk the Line,” were filmed and visit Graceland, Elvis’ lavish home and final resting place. Other tour highlights include a trip to the top of the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, a visit to the Tina Turner Museum, plus the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center which tells the story of his life and the region that gave birth to the Blues. On this music filled tour, you’ll also have plenty of time to explore on your own or to join optional outings. In Memphis, you may want to visit a blues club on famous Beale Street or join an optional excursion to Sun Studio, followed by dinner and live music. In New Orleans, perhaps enjoy shopping in the French Quarter or have dinner on a Mississippi River paddleboat. For music lovers and those desiring to experience the South, this value-minded tour is the perfect vacation!

To know more about the visas for this vacation, click here

 Tour Highlights

Sightseeing:

CHICAGO
Sightseeing

ST. LOUIS
Orientation tour; visit the Gateway Arch National Park

NASHVILLE
Sightseeing; tour RCA Studio B; visit Country Music Hall of Fame; reserved seating at Grand Ole Opry

MEMPHIS
Orientation tour; guided audio tour of Graceland

INDIANOLA
Visit the B.B. King Museum & Delta Interpretive Center

NEW ORLEANS
Sightseeing with Local Guide

Guides:

Services of a professional Tour Director; Local Guide for sightseeing in New Orleans.

Scenic Highlights:

Scenic Highlights:
Mississippi River, Cajun Country, and Louisiana Bayou Country.

Transportation:

Private, deluxe, air-conditioned motorcoach while touring with free Wi-Fi.

 Meals

 Meals & Itinerary

1 breakfast

 Itinerary

Day 1

CHICAGO Welcome to the “Windy City.” Your Tour Director is on hand late this afternoon to answer any questions.

Day 2

CHICAGO Included sightseeing shows off the city’s landmarks, then an afternoon at leisure. Maybe ride the elevator to the top of Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower) or stroll along Michigan Avenue, better known as the Magnificent Mile. In the evening, perhaps enjoy one of Chicago’s legendary blues clubs.

Day 3

CHICAGO–ST. LOUIS Travel across the fertile Illinois farmlands to St. Louis, “Gateway to the West.” An orientation tour includes a trip to the top of the Gateway Arch National Park, which commemorates the city’s key role in westward expansion. Visit the museum under the Arch, celebrating Lewis & Clark’s famous expedition 200 years ago.

Day 4

ST. LOUIS–PADUCAH–NASHVILLE Recross the Mississippi River today and roll southeast to Paducah, Kentucky on the Ohio River. Late-afternoon arrival in Nashville.
Breakfast Breakfast

Day 5

NASHVILLE Start the day with a sightseeing tour of Nashville’s famous landmarks and the Music Row recording studios. Tour historic RCA Studio B, cradle of the 1960s “Nashville Sound” where stars such as Dolly Parton, Elvis Presley, Eddy Arnold, Willie Nelson, and the Everly Brothers recorded many of their biggest hits. Afterward, visit the Country Music Hall of Fame with its glittering costumes, rare instruments, and Elvis’ “solid-gold” Cadillac! Tonight, enjoy reserved seating for a show at the world-famous Grand Ole Opry, a mecca for country musicians.

Day 6

NASHVILLE–BROWNSVILLE–MEMPHIS Visit the Tina Turner Museum in the one-room schoolhouse attended by a young Anna Mae Bullock (a.k.a. Tina Turner). See the collection of the “Queen of Rock’s” memorabilia, including costumes, gold records and even her high school yearbook! Afterward, cross Tennessee to Memphis, “Home of the Blues” and a city with a distinct Southern flavor. Enjoy an orientation tour on arrival and see where scenes from the film Walk the Line were filmed. Consider the optional excursion to Sun Studio, where rock ‘n’ roll was first recorded, followed by dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 7

MEMPHIS–VISIT TO GRACELAND A good portion of the day is devoted to Graceland, Elvis Presley’s beautiful estate. Your guided audio tour focuses on the memorial garden, and the opulent 15,000-square-foot mansion. Also see Elvis’ custom jets and his favorite automobiles! Return to Memphis mid-afternoon and, if you haven’t done so already, get a taste of Memphis with some southern barbecue or visit the Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum near historic Beale Street.

Day 8

MEMPHIS–INDIANOLA–NEW ORLEANS Today, make your way through the state of Mississippi. Visit the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center. Discover the life of B.B. (Blues Boy) King, from his humble beginnings to his big break on Beale Street in Memphis. An evening arrival in New Orleans allows the opportunity for exploring this lively city on your own.

Day 9

NEW ORLEANS A full morning is dedicated to the sights and sounds of New Orleans, featuring a guided tour that includes the French Quarter landmarks, St. Louis Cathedral, Jackson Square, and a visit to a unique above-ground cemetery. This afternoon, join an optional tour of one of the many plantation homes in southern Louisiana. The architecture and beauty of these homes alone is impressive and the stories that go with them are even better. This evening, perhaps join an optional Mississippi River dinner cruise, and enjoy a delightful buffet dinner complete with live jazz—the perfect finale to a memorable touring adventure of the South.

Day 10

NEW ORLEANS Your vacation ends this morning. You may choose to extend your vacation with extra nights and explore the “Big Easy” further.

 Tour Director

With Cosmos, there’s no better way to get to know your destination than through the eyes of your Tour Director. Averaging over a decade... we’d like you to meet a Tour Director, who is representative of the type of expert that will be with you on your vacation.

BRENDA BROOKS

Escorting tours for more than 20 years

" I have been conducting tours for many years. I love sharing my part of the world with travelers and watching them have fun, knowing that I play a part in their enjoyment. I am from the Deep South, so I feel that I have much to share in that area. I also conduct tours in the Midwest, the East, Southeast, Northeast, and Eastern Canada. Some of my favorite hobbies are cooking, entertaining, playing the piano, daily walks, reading, and travel!"

Tour Director -  BRENDA BROOKS

BARBARA BURYIAK

Escorting tours for more than 20 years

" As a Tour Director for more than two decades, I've always had a passion for travel. At 18, I traveled solo throughout Europe. A few years later, I was one of three youth ambassadors on a cultural exchange to Burkina Faso. As a Tour Director, I enjoy showing off America's Heartland. I encourage my guests to talk to the locals and try the regional foods. Guests often tell me that their fondest memories are of their time spent in small towns with "real Americans.""

Tour Director -  BARBARA BURYIAK

 Accommodation

CHICAGO

COURTYARD CHICAGO DOWNTOWN/MAGNIFICENT MILE

Hotel as shown or similar
First-Class
  Free Wifi

ST LOUIS

PEAR TREE INN ST. LOUIS CONVENTION CENTER

Hotel as shown or similar
Moderate First-Class
  Free Wifi

NASHVILLE

THE INN AT OPRYLAND, GAYLORD HOTEL

Hotel as shown or similar
Moderate First-Class
  Free Wifi

MEMPHIS

HOLIDAY INN DOWNTOWN MEMPHIS

Hotel as shown or similar
Moderate First-Class
  Free Wifi

NEW ORLEANS

WYNDHAM NEW ORLEANS FRENCH QUARTER

Hotel as shown or similar
Moderate First-Class
  Free Wifi

 Optional Excursions

Contact your Travel Consultant for more information.
Price Ranges

$ ($50 USD and under)
$$ ($51 - $100 USD)
$$$ ($101 - $150 USD)
$$$$ (Over $150)



* The "Starting at" or listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per passenger based on double occupancy and does not include airfare; additional fees/charges are not included. If a price is crossed out, the new price includes a limited time promotional offer(s) – please review current promotions or deals for additional information. Some tours require intra-vacation flights (and in some cases intra-vacation segments must be purchased from Cosmos).
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