The Mississippi and its tributaries drain half a continent, from the Rockies down to Gulf of Mexico. Along this vast artery float strings of barges, generally laden with oil and pushed by sturdy towboats. And as in the days of Mark Twain, the captain still needs an unerring instinct for his lonely world of shifting sandbanks and yellow water.
Fervency of race and religion has moulded the nature of the American South; but scarcely less pervasive has been the influence of the Mississippi, in many ways a secret and eccentric river. It is slow, sticky and yellow, running liquid mud is how Dickens described it; but also huge and overbearing, powerful in character, aged, laden with memories, sometimes sleepy and placid, sometimes sleepy and placid, sometimes menacing, always rolling and changing its course, full of strange currents and drifts; twisting and tortuous, unpredictable, remote yet always familiar, awful but lovable; like some tough old wayward warrior, sprawling across half a room with a glass of brandy in his hand.
A score of great rivers contributes to the Mississippi – the Illinois and the Tennessee, the Arkansas and the North Platte, the Cumberland, the Allegheny and the White River – and their combined water, carrying countless tons of mud, sweeps down the valley to join the Gulf of Mexico near a humid, swampy, mosquito-ridden, desolate Louisiana village called Venice. The lower river lays its own bed, and is constantly changing its course, finding shorter or easier routes to follow, building up bars, banks and islands, now overrunning its shores with terrible floods, now shifting its way and leaving some perfectly respectable old river town high and dry, like an impoverished dowager.
So the places along the banks of the lower Mississippi, where the waywardness of the river is most dangerous, crouch warily beneath high levees. People have been building these protective walls since the Mississippi valley was first settled. Sometimes, if you drive along the edge of the river, you will see a rotting, crumbling bank of soil, covered in grass, decidedly archeological in character, built by the French pioneers in the 1700s. But everywhere there are modern levee too, stout and well-constructed, with a dirt track running along the top of them.
You can taste the arid, fascinating flavor of the Mississippi valley by driving along these tracks in the heat of a summer morning. Below you on one side of the levee there is likely to be a tumble mass of foliage, and beyond it, through the trees, you may catch a glimpse of the wide river. On the other side is the immense flat cotton country stretching away into distance where the colours blur.
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Itinerary
Day 1: New Orleans
On your arrival you will be transferred to your hotel and can enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Stay: The Roosevelt New Orleans.
Day 2: New Orleans
This morning enjoy a welcome breakfast with your fellow travellers before you embark on a city tour of New Orleans, taking in sights including Jackson Square, St Louis Cathedral, the Garden District and the French Quarter. This afternoon is at leisure to explore the city at your own pace. For dinner you’ll enjoy a unique experience as you’re led to dinner by an authentic traditional Dixieland Jazz marching band from your hotel, through the streets of New Orleans to your restaurant. Dinner is at a local restaurant located in the city’s French Quarter where you’ll dine on authentic Creole cuisine. Stay: Queen of the Mississippi. B, D.
Day 3: New Orleans to Mississippi Cruise
This morning you’ll get an insider’s look at the colourful preparations for Mardi Gras, which New Orleans is famed for. Afterwards you’ll be taken to board the Queen of the Mississippi, a modern paddle-wheeler which perfectly combines traditional style with sophisticated and contemporary comforts. You’ll have some time to settle in before heading to the dining room for your welcome dinner and drinks as your cruise gets underway. Stay: Queen of the Mississippi. B, L, D.
Day 4: Oak Alley
Enjoy breakfast on board before you disembark at Oak Alley. Located in Vacheria, Louisiana, this historic mansion and plantation are home to a 240-metre-long canopy of towering oak trees that were planted in the early 18th century. After a wander through the grounds you’ll enjoy a tour of the restored Greek-revival-style antebellum mansion, including several reconstructed slave quarters. Stay: Queen of the Mississippi. B, L, D.
Day 5: Baton Rouge
After breakfast you’ll disembark in Baton Rouge where you can join a local guide for a historic city tour which also includes the Louisiana Capitol Museum. Alternatively, should you wish, you can choose to enjoy a guided tour of the LSU Rural Life Museum which is located on the Burden Research Plantation where you can experience the life of the earliest settlers. This afternoon you’ll head to St Francisville where you will take a tour of the home and grounds of the Rosedown Plantation and learn all about the traditions and lifestyles of the Old South’s wealthiest inhabitants. Stay: Queen of the Mississippi. B, L, D.
Day 6: Natchez
Today you’ll disembark in Natchez and take a Historic District tour visiting the Longwood Mansion, an octagonal house, and many of the city’s restored buildings, including fine examples of antebellum architecture. This afternoon you get to choose your Freedom of Choice sightseeing activity. You can either head to JN Stone House where you’ll enjoy a classical music concert, or to the Frogmore plantation where you can learn about the life and time of cotton planters. Stay: Queen of the Mississippi. B, L, D.
Day 7: Vicksburg
This morning is all about history. You’ll disembark in Vicksburg, the site of a 47-day siege during the American Civil War. Bursting with history, you’ll get to explore all this town has to offer. First off is the Vicksburg National Military Park, which commemorates the famous campaign, siege and defense of Vicksburg in 1863. You’ll take a narrated coach tour of the battlefields before spending some time in the visitor centre. After returning to the ship, you’ll set off for the city of Memphis. Stay: Queen of the Mississippi. B, L, D.
Day 8: Cruising the Mississippi River
Take advantage of a full day on the river, passing the sights of Arkansas on your left and Mississippi on your right. You might like to take part in some of the many activities, lectures and presentations on offer, or simply relax in one of your ship’s comfortable public areas. Stay: Queen of the Mississippi. B, L, D.
Day 9: Memphis
Today Memphis awaits. Disembark in the morning and take in a guided tour of all the city’s must-see sights. After lunch on board you’ll head over to Graceland, the former home of the late, great Elvis Presley and today a National Historic Landmark. Stay: Queen of the Mississippi. B, L, D.
Day 10: Memphis
This morning you’ll disembark for the final time as you transfer to your hotel. You’ll than have the rest of the day at leisure to relax or explore this vibrant city. This evening you’ll visit the world-famous B.B. King’s Blues Club on Beale Street. Dine out in style and enjoy delicious southern cuisine as you're entertained by the in-house band playing Blues, Motown and Funk. Stay: The Peabody Memphis. B, D.
Day 11: Memphis to Nashville
Today you’ll travel to Nashville where you’ll enjoy a backstage tour of The Grand Ole Opry House, which is home to an iconic weekly stage concert and radio broadcast, showcasing the stars of country music. You’ll then embark on a city tour during which you’ll discover the places that have earned Nashville its reputation as the heartland of country music. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Stay: Renaissance Nashville Hotel. B.
Day 12: Nashville
Visit the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum where you’ll learn all about the vast history of country music in Nashville. From here you’ll head over to the Ryman Auditorium which was home to the Grand Ole Opry from 1943 to 1974. During the tour you’ll learn all about the era, during which the theatre hosted legends. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure. Tonight, enjoy a special Country and Western Farewell Dinner which will offer delightful southern cuisine. You’ll also have the opportunity to try your hand at some line dancing, a fun southern tradition. Stay: Renaissance Nashville Hotel. B, D.
Day 13: Nashville
Transfer to the airport for your onward journey. B.
For assisted tour booking and customization according to your requirement, please call: +91 33 4046 4646
Price on request
Tour Highlight
New Orleans: 2 nights
Mississippi River Cruise: 7 nights
Memphis: 1 night
Nashville: 2 nights
Inclusions
Home-to-airport transfers by private car within a radius of 75 miles
Scheduled airport transfers in the USA
5-night stay in 5-Star hotels
7-night cruise in a Category “A” Twin Window Stateroom on the 1st Deck. Cabin upgrades available on request
APT Cruise Director and local guides throughout
All entrance fees, sightseeing and on-board entertainment
Unique or exclusive Signature Experiences
Freedom of Choice™ Inclusions
On-board: beer, wine and soft drinks are served with lunch and dinner
Tips and port charges
Meals as described (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
Exclusions
Anything that is not mentioned in the above inclusions
Note
For guests over the age of 16
A maximum of 150 passengers
Tour is conducted in small groups
As suggested and to be customized as per request
Terms & Conditions Applied
For assisted tour booking and customization according to your requirement, please call: +91 33 4046 4646
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