The Ultimate Elvis Presley and Dolly Parton Experience

Your American adventure will begin as you touch down at the airport in Atlanta, the capital of Georgia. Your friendly tour manager will meet and welcome you before you’re transferred to Birmingham, a leafy, hilly city to check into your accommodation set in a striking art deco building.  

This evening, you can choose to have dinner at the hotel or head out to take advantage of the city’s diverse culinary scene.  

Fuel up on breakfast, check out of the hotel and travel on towards Tupelo in Mississippi, famed as the birthplace of Elvis Presley. This city, which has a strong link to the state’s musical history, is scattered with numerous statues commemorating this icon.  

A highlight of your visit will be the chance to enter Elvis’ humble childhood home – a simple two-room property, where he was born on 8 January 1935 (entry payable locally). Its walls are adorned with photographs, costumes and heirlooms and nearby, his family’s church has been transported and restored.  

Next on the itinerary is Elvis’ beloved hometown, Memphis. Built along the Mississippi River in Tennessee, this spirited city is also known as the home of the blues, soul and rock ‘n’ roll. Around every corner, evidence of the influential musical heritage prevails in the form of museums honouring the local legends, shops awash with artist-inspired paraphernalia and live music venues pumping out familiar favourites or showcasing new talent.  

Your hotel for the night is ideally situated in the downtown area, just a ten-minute walk from the atmospheric Beale Street, America’s most famous musical highway. As night falls, you can stroll along this street, taking in the live performances coming from the clubs, bars and world-class blues venues or pausing to watch a performance with a cold beverage in hand. As Memphis is also known as the barbeque capital of America, heading to a nearby barbeque joint for a dinner of grilled delicacies is also recommended.  

This morning, you’ll have the option of exploring the attractions of the downtown district, perhaps visiting the National Civil Rights Museum, housed partly inside the Lorraine Motel where Martin Luther King Jr was fatally shot on 4 April 1968. Its interior depicts the history of the civil rights movement and the struggle for African American freedom in the United States. You could also set off to the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum, which exhibits the history of musical pioneers who overcame racial and socio-economic obstacles.  

Alternatively, there is an optional full-day Memphis excursion that encompasses the city’s major musical highlights. The Sun Studio, a recording studio opened by Sam Phillips in 1950, is most known for its pivotal role in the early years of Elvis Presley’s career. Over the years, many other celebrated rock ‘n’ roll and country artists entered this building’s doors, including Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Charlie Feathers.   

You’ll then continue to follow in the blue suede shoes of the King to Elvis Presley Boulevard before visiting Graceland, his home, last recording studio and final resting place. Today this vast entertainment complex houses restaurants, museums and gift shops, and you’ll be able to view his mansion, classic cars, glittering jumpsuits and several interactive exhibits.  

Tonight, you’re free to wander Beale Street if you missed out or get your fill of live entertainment elsewhere in the city – there’s no shortage!  

Embrace a leisurely morning to tick off any sights left on your list, like the 32-story Memphis Pyramid, the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, and the Memphis Music Hall of Fame, or perhaps pick up some souvenirs.

The tour will then head to Nashville, the country music capital of the world, for a switch up of musical genres. Upon arriving, you’ll check into your hotel, and then the rest of the evening is free to seek out more live performances, perhaps in one of the renowned country music venues.

The downtown area, which is just a 20-minute walk away, is where you’ll find the Ryman Auditorium, the ‘Mother Church of Country Music’. You can also check out some of the city’s buzzing honky-tonks (live music bars), craft breweries, and distilleries. For dinner, trying Nashville’s signature dish of hot chicken will truly complete your first day in this city.

Enjoy breakfast and a day of exploring at your own pace or join an optional excursion showcasing the must-see sights of this musical mecca. The first stop, RCA Studio B in Nashville’s historic Music Row district, is a renowned recording studio that was built in 1965. It was here that countless country music hits have been recorded, including songs by Elvis Presley, and during its operation until 1977, it produced 60% of the Billboard magazine’s country chart hits.   

You’ll then continue to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, one of the world’s largest museums and research centres dedicated to the preservation of American vernacular music. During your visit, you can walk through the latest exhibits of inductees, observe some of the 2.5 million artefacts, and potentially hear some live music.  

Later in the day, there will be more time to spend here if desired, or you can return to the downtown area, specifically the world-famous Lower Broadway, for further discovery. The Johnny Cash Museum is also worth a visit, as it features the world’s most wide-ranging collection of Johnny Cash memorabilia. 

After breakfast, you’ll have some time to perhaps survey the vintage shops for a gift or two and try the classic sweet treat of Nashville, a Goo Goo Cluster (a combination of nuts, caramel, nougat and milk chocolate).  

You’ll then check out of your hotel and be driven east to Sevier County, the birthplace of Dolly Parton, situated amongst the foothills of Great Smoky Mountains. After arriving, the tour will call at a bronze life-size statue of Dolly Parton, strumming a guitar, outside the 1896 country courthouse for a photo opportunity.  

Your accommodation is in the heart of the city, just across from the expansive Tanger Outlets shopping mall, and within walking distance from many restaurants and bars. This evening, you can head to one of these for dinner and some drinks.  

Following breakfast, you can discover more of Sevierville or join an optional and memorable tour to the Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge. With more than 50 rides and an assortment of award-winning entertainment, shopping and dining options, this charming park promises a day of fun with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park serving as the beautiful backdrop.  

More than enough time will be at your disposal to brave the roller coasters, sample the 20 Appalachia-inspired culinary offerings, watch live music and shows, and browse the craft and artistry gift stores. An ever-changing programme of events and theatrical performances await non-riders and in the words of Dolly herself, you’ll ‘love every moment’. You can also see a replica of Dolly’s childhood home near the entrance – a two-room cabin, which was constructed by Dolly’s brother Bobby, and the interior was recreated by her mother.  

As night falls, you’ll return to the hotel to relax, refresh and have dinner on your own account.  

Once you’ve had breakfast, you’ll check out of the hotel and head back towards Atlanta through the Smoky Mountains National Park – America’s most visited national park.  

This spectacular expanse of wilderness stretches over the Great Smoky Mountains and the Blue Ridge Mountains and comprises some of the highest mountains in eastern North America.  

You’ll then arrive at the airport for your overnight flight home to the UK.  

Touch down back in the UK after a captivating journey of musical and historical enlightenment.