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About this tour

Enjoy the sights and sounds on this wondrous vacation through the heart of the South, including Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida. Your trip starts in New Orleans, where you experience the city on your sightseeing tour. Visit the French Quarter, see the stately mansions and clanging streetcars, and learn about New Orleans’ unique burial customs at an above-ground cemetery. Then drive through the heart of Cajun Country to elegant Natchez, where you can admire a pre-Civil War home. See the passing rural landscape of Mississippi as you cross the state and venture into Tennessee. Sing the blues in Memphis and swing your partner round to country music in Nashville. In Memphis, visit Graceland, Elvis Presley’s grand estate. No vacation to Nashville is complete without a visit to the Grand Ole Opry, and you have reserved seats for a Grand Ole Opry show! Stop in Chattanooga, home of the Chattanooga Choo Choo, before heading through Chattahoochee National Forest to the metropolis of Atlanta. Enjoy a tour of Atlanta and leisure time to explore the city on your own. Continue to Savannah for a trolley tour, time to discover the city, and a 2-night stay. Your vacation ends in the “capital” of Disney’s entertainment parks, Orlando, with a 2-night stay. From one end of the spectrum to the other, this trip has it all. If you want to see and experience the beauty and charm of the South, this vacation is for you!

Country Music Hall of Fame, your tastebuds will enjoy classic New Orleans staples along with Creole, including admission charges where applicable.NEW ORLEANS JAZZ FEST—April 21 and 28 departuresJoin us on one of these special departures and be part of all the action in New Orleans at the 41st Annual Jazz & Heritage Festival. In addition to the great music, Nashville, and Atlanta; Savannah Trolley Tour; orientation tours in Baton Rouge and St. Augustine; Natchez including a pre-Civil War home, and international cuisine. Your Jazz Fest package includes a 1-day pass plus roundtrip transportation to the Jazz Fest grounds., Graceland, In New Orleans

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Wed. NEW ORLEANS.

Enjoy time at leisure to relax or to do some independent exploring. Your Tour Director is on hand this evening to answer any questions.

Day 2: Thu. NEW ORLEANS.

The morning is dedicated to the sights and sounds of this Old World city. First, visit the French Quarter including St. Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square. Next, learn about the city’s unique burial customs at an above-ground cemetery, followed by a leisurely drive down historic St. Charles Avenue to enjoy its stately mansions and clanging streetcars. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Day 3: Fri. NEW ORLEANS.

A full day at leisure. Roam through the centuries-old French Quarter or take a carriage ride while listening to tales of voodoo queens and pirates. History enthusiasts can roam through sprawling Victorian mansions and celebrated museums, catching a glimpse of life the way it used to be in the Old South. Tonight, you might like to experience the city’s beauty and romance on a 2-hour cruise from the heart of the French Quarter on New Orleans’ only steamboat.

Day 4: Sat. NEW ORLEANS–BATON ROUGE–NATCHEZ.

Drive through the heart of Cajun Country to Baton Rouge for an orientation tour that features the Governor’s Mansion and the State Capitol. Next, on to elegant Natchez, a thriving port in the golden years of the cotton trade. Visit a gracious PRE-CIVIL WAR HOME featuring fine collections of period furniture and paintings. In the evening, relax and perhaps sip a refreshing mint julep as the sun goes down.

Day 5: Sun. NATCHEZ–JACKSON–MEMPHIS.

Drive to Jackson, then north through rural Mississippi to Memphis. For your first night in the “Home of the Blues,” why not visit one of the famous music clubs on Beale Street, immortalized in WC Handy’s famous songs?

Day 6: Mon. MEMPHIS–GRACELAND–NASHVILLE

. A trip to Memphis would not be complete without visiting GRACELAND, the palatial home of “The King,” Elvis Presley. Our guided platinum audio tour focuses on the splendid garden and the opulent 15,000-square-foot mansion. Afterward, the “Capital of Country Music,” Nashville.

Day 7: Tue. NASHVILLE.

Its association with country music has made the name Nashville world famous, but it’s not just music fans who will find this charming Southern city a delight. Start the day with a sightseeing tour of the famous landmarks, including the Parthenon, the state capitol, Bicentennial State Park, and the recording studios of Music Row. Then, visit the COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME with its glittering costumes, rare instruments, and Elvis Presley’s “solid gold” Cadillac. This evening, you have reserved seats for an unforgettable show at the world-famous GRAND OLE OPRY, a mecca for country musicians since 1925.

Day 8: Wed. NASHVILLE–CHATTANOOGA–ATLANTA.

First stop today is Chattanooga, home of the Chattanooga Choo Choo. Then, enter the “Peach State” of Georgia and continue through Chattahoochee National Forest to the fast-growing metropolis of Atlanta, former home and burial place of civil rights leader, Martin Luther King Jr. After an included sightseeing tour of the city, the rest of the day is yours to explore or relax.

Day 9: Thu. ATLANTA–SAVANNAH.

We head south through rich, rolling farmland to the historic seaport of Savannah for a 2-night stay. On this afternoon’s trolley tour, see the sights, hear the history, and visit the charming city squares of Georgia’s “First City.” Highlights include City Market, Forsyth Park, the Mercer House, Madison Square—where General Sherman concluded his “March to the Sea”—Colonial Park Cemetery, and the world-famous River Street. This evening is free to explore this charming city on your own.

Day 10: Fri. SAVANNAH.

A day at leisure to explore. Shop on cobblestoned River Street or stroll among the many squares surrounded by elegant homes and majestic gardens. Don’t miss Forsyth Park with its lovely fountain and flowers or the impressive Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum, where you can learn about Savannah’s important role in maritime history.

Day 11: Sat. SAVANNAH–ST. AUGUSTINE–ORLANDO.

Travel into the “Sunshine State” of Florida, stopping first at St. Augustine, the oldest city in the United States. You will see the Oldest House and the Spanish fortress, Castillo de San Marcos, on your orientation tour. Then, drive to the magical city of Orlando.

Day 12: Sun. ORLANDO.

A full day to relax and explore the many sights in the Orlando area. Your Local Host will suggest a varied and exciting selection of optional outings, such as Disney’s huge entertainment parks, including the Magic Kingdom®, Animal Kingdom®, Epcot®, and MGM Studios®. Also on the list are SeaWorld® (America’s biggest marine life park) and exciting Universal Studios®.

Day 13: Mon. ORLANDO.

The trip ends this morning with guests departing on individual schedules. Airport transfers are provided to Orlando International Airport

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About Cosmos

Well organized tours and good value for money. Cosmos is the budget version of Globus (they are owned by the same company). The difference would be that Cosmos would not have hotels in as central locations and they do not have as many things included in the price but rather offer those things as optionals at an extra charge.

Traveler profile

Generally younger age range than globus. Average age of passengers is in the 50s (vs. 60s for Globus). But all ages will go on the tours. Most passengers are American.

Group size

Maximum 50 people on a bus, buses are usually fully booked during peak season

Tour directors

Newly hired tour directors and those with less experience are usually assigned to these tours to increase their experience

Hotel type

Generally stay in 3-star hotels. Not all hotels will be centrally located (which helps Cosmos keep the price down)

What's included

Many excursions are 'extra' with Cosmos.

Free time

Cosmos tours usually bank in at least a few half days of free time (more if you choose not to go on the optional excursions)

Booking Policy

CANCELLATIONS & CANCELLATION FEES:
If cancellation is received by Globus before the final payment date of your vacation, your non-refundable deposit and Travel Protection premiums will be retained in addition to any airline-imposed fees or penalties. For individual reservations, the following per person cancellation fees apply. Total price does not include discounts, promotions, or special incentives. (For group reservations, refer to the Group Policy.)

STANDARD CANCELLATION FEES:

* 45-22 days prior to commencement of services: 20% of total price plus Travel Protection premiums
* 21-8 days prior to commencement of services: 30% of total price plus Travel Protection premiums
* 7-1 days prior to commencement of services: 50% of total price plus Travel Protection premiums
* On departure day and later: 100% of total price plus Travel Protection premiums

* Prices do not include taxes and fees, may not include airfare and are based on double occupancy. Tour information including pricing may not be up to date.

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