COUNTRY MUSIC ON THE MISSISSIPPI
28 May - 18 June 2026
Join country music icons, Karl, Marian and Chet on a 20-day, mind-blowing tour to the heart of Country music, which includes a 7-night Mississippi luxury cruise, numerous music events, special interest tours, staying at Graceland and other iconic hotels, listening to country, jazz, blues, Grand Ole Opry and our own private concerts.
$26820 per person twin share
Single Room Supplement Add $11000
Initial Deposit On Booking $3000
Second Deposit Due 20 November 2025 $4000
Final Balance Due: 29 January 2026
Days
20 Days
Highlights
7-night Mississippi luxury cruise, stay at Graceland, numerous music events including country, jazz, blues, Grand Ole Opry, Elvis,
private concerts, BB King, NASA Space Center
Group Size
30
Travellers
Meals
All breakfasts
1 High Tea
11 Lunches
16 Dinners
Included drinks
at selected meals
Mobility
Moderate Tour
MAP GUIDE:
1. HOUSTON (3 nights)
2. NEW ORLEANS (3 nights)
3. MISSISSIPPI RIVER CRUISE
(7 nights)
4. MEMPHIS (2 nights)
5. NASHVILLE (4 nights)
SPECIAL FEATURES
• 20-day country music tour with 7-night luxury Mississippi cruise and accommodation in 4 and 5 star, centrally located iconic hotels in Houston (3 nights), Memphis (2 nights), New Orleans (3 nights) and Nashville (4 nights).
• 7 nights cruising on board the American Heritage luxury small ship in balcony rooms with numerous shore excursions including Vicksburg, marvel at the opulence of grand estates and timeless elegance of Oak Alley, where 300-year-old trees whisper tales of centuries past and explore the quaint
charm of St. Francisville and Natchez, each with their own unique stories to tell.
• Numerous music experiences including Nashville music bus tour, blues concerts, jazz concert in New Orleans, paddle-wheeler cruise with entertainment every night on board, BB King, Sun Studio, Grand Ole Opry backstage tour, General Jackson Music Cruise, Bourbon St, Beale St, Ryman
Auditorium, Loretta Lynn homestead tour, visit to Elvis’s house at Graceland with Elvis immersion day and private concerts presented by our tour hosts, Karl, Marian and Chet.
• Fabulous other special experiences including learning about the rich history of the South, the Civil War and the slavery trade including the Freedom Train, Space Center, Houston, Casey Jones Museum, afternoon tea bus tour, city
tours of Houston, Memphis, New Orleans, Cajun swamp tour, horse royal carriage ride and tour.
• This trip is hosted by the terrific country music team of entertainer extraordinaire singer and yodeler Karl Perigo, mad country fiddler Marian Burns and virtuoso guitarist Chet O’Connell.
TRIP ITINERARY
Experience the Exceptional:
THURSDAY 28 MAY 2026 FLY TO HOUSTON
Today we fly out of Auckland direct to Houston, ready for our
music extravaganza.
THURSDAY 28 MAY 2026 (D) HOUSTON
Hotel Icon, Houston (3 nights)
Houston is the largest city in Texas, famous for the Space Center. It also houses the world-renowned Houston Grand Opera and great museums.
Highlights Include:
• Today we land in Houston and transfer to our hotel.
• Light dinner at the hotel this evening and a chance to get to
know each other, before an early night after our long flight.
FRIDAY 29 MAY 2026 (B, HIGH TEA, D) TOUR OF HOUSTON, WELCOME DINNER
Highlights Include:
• A leisurely start to the day before we embark on a ‘private
tea about town’ special tour. Experience Houston like never
before by stepping into a mobile tea room on a charming double-decker bus adorned with beautiful flowers and offering stunning views.
• This tour is a quirky fun way to introduce us to Houston on a
bus with high tea served along the way.
• Welcome dinner this evening with a fabulous concert from our hosts, who will be entertaining us over the next 3 weeks.
Hurrah!
SATURDAY 30 MAY 2026 (B) NASA SPACE CENTER
Highlights Include:
• Visit the famous Space Center in Houston, including NASA Johnson Space Center for a behind the scenes look at real space exploration, plus more than 400 things to see and do, including many exhibits, films, live shows, artefacts galleries, Independence Plaza, NASA Tram and more!
• Free time for your own lunch, shopping and exploring at the Space Center.
• Return to the hotel for a free evening to try out one of the many restaurants around Houston.
SUNDAY 31 MAY 2026 (B, D) NEW ORLEANS HORSE
CARRIAGE RIDE
Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans (3 nights)
New Orleans is a Louisiana city on the Mississippi River, near the Gulf of Mexico. Nicknamed the “Big Easy,” it’s known for its round-the-clock nightlife, vibrant live-music scene and spicy cuisine reflecting its history as a melting pot of French, African and American cultures.
Highlights Include:
• Today we fly from Houston to New Orleans.
• We begin our introduction to New Orleans with a horse drawn royal carriage tour. This is a fully narrated, hour-long tour that travels the centuries old French Quarter and the Faubourg Marigny; both neighbourhoods as rich in history as they are in character.
• We see architecture up close and hear stories of famous New Orleanians.
• Casual dinner at our hotel this evening and a chance to wander around the area and get the feel of this fabulous vibrant city.
MONDAY 1 JUNE 2026 (B, D) NEW ORLEANS TOUR, JAZZ DINNER
Highlights Include:
• Tour of New Orleans which includes learning about the history and mystery of French Quarter, also known as the Vieux Carrè.
• See prominent landmarks such as the St. Louis Cathedral, French Market, Spanish Cabildo, Pontalba Buildings, Place D’Armes.
• Learn about important events such as the Great Fire of 1788 and Battle of New Orleans.
• Admire the architecture of Creole Esplanade, Old Slave Quarters, French Coffee Houses, Spanish Patios, and Ironwork Balconies.
• Free time this afternoon for our own exploring.
• Dinner at Arnaud Jazz Bistro, where we enjoy Dixieland Jazz and classic Creole cuisine in this lively setting with windows overlooking Bourbon Street. This is a wonderful evening to delve into the nightlife of New Orleans and its great culture.
TUESDAY 2 JUNE 2026 (B, L, D) CAJUN SWAMP TOUR, PRIVATE CONCERT
Highlights Include:
• Cajun Pride Swamp Tour, a privately owned wildlife tour, located just out of New Orleans.
• We travel back to the early days of Louisiana bayou and swamp explorations with a swamp eco-tour and plantation tour.
• We enjoy the primitive beauty of moss-draped cypress trees, the American Alligator, and abundant wildlife, with an authentic lunch included.
• Back at our hotel tonight we enjoy dinner and a wonderful concert from our fabulous artists.
WEDNESDAY 3 JUNE 2026 (B, L, D) CRUISING THE LOWER MISSISSIPPI AMERICAN HERITAGE PADDLE-WHEELER (7 nights)
Embark on a voyage along the Lower Mississippi River, one brimming with excitement and discovery, stretching from the vibrant streets of New Orleans, Louisiana, to the soulful rhythms of Memphis, Tennessee. Our intimate river boat accommodates no more than 150 guests. An onboard historian will share the many stories of Southern culture and history, while local guides will unveil hidden gems during
shore excursions.
Highlights Include:
• Step aboard our ship today, ready to explore the Mississippi.
• As we cruise along today, we enjoy a dynamic range of musical entertainment, welcome reception and a chance to explore our beautiful ship.
• Today is your day to unwind and take it all in. Glide effortlessly along the Mighty Mississippi, surrounded by breathtaking panoramas of cottonwood trees and graceful blue herons.
• Engage in captivating enrichment sessions and lively onboard events. Delight in gourmet cuisine and refreshing cocktails.
• As Mark Twain famously said, it’s a day with “nothing to hang a worry or a fret upon” – so let go and embrace the adventure!
THURSDAY 4 JUNE 2026 (B, L, D) OAK ALLEY
Highlights Include:
• Visit Oak Alley, an iconic house renowned for its treelined avenue, stretching majestically across the Mississippi River.
• From its canopy of 300-year-old oaks to its vast open spaces, Oak Alley’s landscape tells the story of a southern plantation over time. Over 200 years ago, Oak Alley was just a land claim on a map and has since served many purposes, including as a sugar plantation, a rice farm, a chicken farm, a cattle ranch, and a country home.
• Today, Oak Alley is a National Historic Landmark dedicated to preserving and interpreting the history of its inhabitants. With an emphasis on its time as a sugar plantation, visitors are invited to walk under its iconic alley, explore the exhibits, interact with staff, and leave with a richer, more powerful understanding of this plantation’s complex history.
FRIDAY 5 JUNE 2026 (B, L, D) ST. FRANCISVILLE
A nationally recognised historic district can be found in the quaint town of St. Francisville, situated along the banks of the Mississippi River.
Highlights Include:
• Enjoy free time to walk around and enjoy St Francisville including Grace Church and Cemetery, quilting shop and gift shops.
• Step into the haunting beauty of the Myrtles estate, built in 1796, renowned as one of America’s most haunted homes.
• Myrtles, built in 1796, envelopes one with a complete sense of peace and tranquility. However, it is reputed to be one of the most haunted homes in America. Marvel at its architectural splendour, adorned with exquisite details and surrounded by ancient live oak trees.
• Then listen to the musicians on board, who made this region so memorable from its soulful tunes to foot-tapping beats.
• Opera, ballet, Lieder recitals and festival concerts are presented over five weeks, while the season’s premieres are also brought back to the stage.
SATURDAY 6 JUNE 2026 (B, L, D) NATCHEZ
Natchez, the oldest settlement on the Mississippi River, has more antebellum houses than any other place in the United States. Nestled along the Lower Mississippi, it is a treasure trove of history. Founded in 1716, the town flourished with affluent planters erecting grand mansions.
Highlights Include:
• Experience a multitude of National treasures, historic sites, and local points of interest by coach.
• Natchez boasts more National Landmarks than any other town in Mississippi. Begin our exploration at the mighty Natchez Bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River. Our guide will entertain us with local lore and legends, in addition to historical facts.
• View historic architectural gems, African American sites, local favourites, and a few quirky places.
• Complete the experience with a guided exploration of historic Rosalie Mansion, so exquisite, she’s known as “Our Lady on The Bluff.”
• Fort Rosalie & Trading Post - Fort Rosalie was built by the French in 1716 within the territory of the Natchez Native Indians and it was part of the French colonial empire, becoming the first settlement in present day Natchez, Mississippi. Walk the hallowed grounds of the long-gone fort and enjoy perusing the gift items of the modern trading post.
SUNDAY 7 JUNE 2026 (B, L, D) VICKSBURG
Vicksburg is a place bursting with local culture, character, art, entertainment and outdoor adventure. With sweeping views of the Mississippi River, Vicksburg perfectly blends Southern culture and heritage with exciting modern-day attractions.
Highlights Include:
• Jackson Street Gallery - Turn ordinary into extraordinary! Visit Jackson Street Gallery at Mulberry in the newly renovated and restored Mulberry Hotel and Loft Apartments. Over 200 original paintings by Mississippi artists await you in a splendid setting with an on-site bar.
• Local Shops – Stroll through downtown Vicksburg and browse a few local shops.
• Old Courthouse Museum – Built in 1858, this museum is a national historic landmark showcasing Vicksburg’s cultural heritage over the past 71 years.
• Biedenharn Coca–Cola Museum – This unique museum celebrates the history of one of America’s most beloved beverages. Built in 1890, the building is the location where Coca-Cola was bottled for the first time in 1894 and features the type of equipment that was used at the time.
• Vicksburg Civil War Museum – Visit the Vicksburg Civil Museum and see an impressive collection of weapons, ammunition, uniforms, and other Civil War materials.
• Lower Mississippi River Museum – Experience life on the Mississippi River. Through both interactive and static displays, discover how different communities, farming families, and the US Army Corps of Engineers have all utilized the river in the past and learn about the future for the Mississippi River Valley.
• Catfish Row Museum – Learn about Vicksburg – from its music, history, and storytelling to its vibrant food heritage.
• Old Depot Museum – The museum exhibits examine earlier modes of transportation, the Siege of Vicksburg, and many other elements of the city’s history.
MONDAY 8 JUNE 2026 (B, L, D) CLEVELAND
Known as the “City of Hospitality,” Cleveland, Mississippi, has
played a significant role in shaping the cultural landscape of the South. Its history is deeply intertwined with agriculture, particularly cotton farming, reflected in the historic downtown where remnants of the city’s cotton trading past still remain. Cleveland is also celebrated for its contributions to American music. As part of the Mississippi Blues Trail, legendary musicians such as B.B. King, Muddy Waters, and Robert Johnson have left their mark on the region.
Highlights Include:
• One of only two GRAMMY® Museums in the World, GRAMMY® Museum Mississippi is an exciting and interactive celebration of music occupying a vibrant space in Cleveland, Mississippi. Discover the museum’s exhibits, interactive experiences, and films. Enjoy the visitor experience — engaging, educational, celebratory, and inspirational.
• Martin & Sue King Railroad Museum – The museum is home to thousands of artefacts, photographs, and documents.
• Downtown Cleveland – Explore Cotton Row, a collection of beautifully preserved buildings that once housed the city’s cotton merchants and trading companies, and shop at a variety of unique boutiques, gifts shops and specialty shops.
TUESDAY 9 JUNE 2026 (B, L, D) MEMPHIS TOUR
Highlights Include:
• Get ready for the historic gem of Memphis, which boasts oak trees, historic landmarks and of course the home of Elvis. We can feel the rhythm of the city through the legendary Beale St, alive with the sounds of the blues and jazz.
• Explore the highlights of this fascinating city on the bluff. Memphis is located on the Mississippi River at the northern end of the Mississippi Delta where the Blues were born. Its history is linked to cotton and music.
• Stop at the Lorraine Motel, the location where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was assassinated.
• The next photo opportunity will be at the famous Sun Studio, the birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll. We will also have the option to walk through the Peabody Hotel and see the famous ducks in the fountain.
• Enjoy some time at the Memphis Pyramid, housing an impressive Bass Pro Shop, a Lodge, Restaurants and more.
WEDNESDAY 10 JUNE 2026 (B, L, D) ELVIS IMMERSION DAY
The Guest House at Graceland, Memphis (2 nights)
Highlights Include:
• Disembark our ship this morning and begin an Elvis immersion day.
• Transfer to Graceland for a Graceland Mansions tour.
• Tour of Elvis’s custom jets, the Presley Motors Automobile Museum, the Entertainer Career Museum, Elvis Discovery Exhibits, the Elvis Presley’s Memphis Entertainment Complex and other interactive experiences.
• Tonight we are off to the famous BB King’s restaurant for dinner and live music.
THURSDAY 11 JUNE 2026 (B) MUSIC BUS, MUSIC ATTRACTIONS
Highlights Include:
• The Home of the Blues comes alive on this city tour aboard the nation’s only music bus. All of the guides on this tour are professional Beale Street musicians who play and sing selections from the city’s rich musical heritage, while entertaining you with comedy, history, and behind-the-scenes stories of our favourite Memphis personalities.
• Along the way, you will see Sun Studio, Beale Street, Stax Studio, The Lorraine Motel, Cotton Row and the early homes of Elvis, B. B. King, and Johnny Cash.
• Plus visits inside to 3 Memphis Music Attractions: Sun Studio, the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, and the Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum.
FRIDAY 12 JUNE 2026 (B, L, D) NASHVILLE, CASEY JONES MUSEUM, LORETTA LYNN MUSEUM, ROBERT’S WESTERN WORLD
Union Station Hotel, Nashville (4 nights)
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and home to Vanderbilt University. Legendary country music venues include the Grand Ole Opry House, home of the famous “Grand Ole Opry” stage and radio show.
Highlights Include:
• Today we set out by coach to Nashville with our first stop being Casey Jones Railroad Museum.
• Casey Jones managed to avert a potentially disastrous crash through his exceptional skill at slowing the engine and saving
the lives at the cost of his own. For this, he was immortalised in a traditional song The Ballad of Casey Jones.
• Located next to Casey Jones’s historic home, the Railroad Museum contains many exhibits dedicated to Casey’s life and heroic last ride.
• Visit Loretta Lynn’s Ranch, American’s country music icon whose career spanned 6 decades.
• The Coal Miner’s Daughter Museum allows visitors to see everything from Loretta’s simple mountain life to the rise of stardom and building of her legacy in Hurricane Mills, TN.
• We will experience her amazing life getting to see her many awards and honours, as well as see how huge a fan Loretta is of everyone in entertainment and American political fields.
Come see, experience, and live her life through her eyes at the Coal Miner’s Daughter Museum!
• Robert’s Western World is located in the heart of Music City in the historic Lower Broadway district. Robert’s Western World is Nashville’s undisputed home of traditional country music, if you long for the soulful sounds of the old-time, honky tonk crooners and cherish the music of stars such as Marty Robbins and Johnny Cash.
SATURDAY 13 JUNE 2026 (B, D) NASHVILLE TOUR, DINNER AND CONCERT
Highlights Include:
• Our tour of Nashville includes Studio B, Country Music Hall of Fame, Johnny Cash Museum rated no 1 music museum in America, Ryman Auditorium and a tour of the Grand Ole Opry with backstage tour.
• Dinner at 3rd and Lindsley Bar and Grill, an iconic music venue and restaurant.
SUNDAY 14 JUNE 2026 (B, L) MUSIC CRUISE, GRAND OLE OPRY CONCERT
Highlights Include:
• Free morning before we enjoy a cruise on General Jackson, where we sample the many styles of music that made Tennessee famous.
• Listen to some of Nashville’s finest musicians and singers sharing the stories and songs from the pride of Tennessee.
• Hear Smoky Mountain stories about country music’s greatest living legend, Dolly Parton to the sounds of Nashville’s legendary Grand Ole Opry stars to the classics from one of the greatest artists of all time, Memphis’ own Elvis Presley.
• Free time and own dinner before a show this evening at the Grand Ole Opry or Ryman (subject to final confirmation).
MONDAY 15 JUNE 2026 (B, D) FREE DAY AND FINAL DINNER AND CONCERT
Highlights Include:
• Today we have free time to enjoy our own tours, shopping or relaxing.
• Final night special gala dinner with our artists. What a way to end our amazing musical tour with a celebration from our artists.
TUESDAY 16 JUNE 2026 (B) FLIGHT HOME
Today we say farewell to Nashville and fly back to Houston to
connect to our flight back to New Zealand.
WEDNESDAY 17 JUNE 2026 IN FLIGHT
THURSDAY 18 JUNE 2026
Arrive home after an incredible musical journey with history and culture.
PLACES WE STAY
Hotel Icon, Houston (3 nights) is part of the autograph Marriott collection and is one of the most unique hotels in downtown Houston. Housed in the landmark Union National Bank building from 1911, the hotel ccombines refined modern comforts with neoclassical architecture in the heart of Houston’s business, entertainment and sport districts.
The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans (3 nights) is a 5-star, French Quarter luxury hotel, set on the edge of the fabled French Quarter in a historic Beaux-Arts building, The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans offers a tranquil retreat in the heart of the city, with access to live music, antique shops, and historic landmarks.
American Heritage, Mississippi River Cruise (7 nights) is a paddlewheel riverboat which combines modern amenities with design elements reminiscent of the days when steamboat paddle-wheelers plied the Mississippi River in the early 19th century. The 150-passenger American Heritage offers larger than average staterooms, ranging from 300 to 600 square
feet, with 60 square foot balconies.
The Guest House at Graceland (2 nights) is an unprecedented resort experience inspired by Elvis Presley. Introducing an extraordinary resort hotel experience in the heart of Elvis Presley’s Graceland. Located just steps away from the iconic Graceland Mansion, The Guest House at Graceland welcomes music fans with Southern hospitality, royal treatment and luxurious amenities that would make the King of Rock ’n’ Roll himself proud.
Union Station Hotel, Nashville (4 nights) is a stunning restored, 100-year-old historic hotel, the most iconic hotel in Music City. Recognised as the #4 hotel worldwide in 2023, it is located steps away from Broadway’s vibrant dining and nightlife scene, and iconic landmarks.
This Trip Includes:
• Return economy airfares on Air New Zealand: Auckland - Houston// Houston - Auckland plus domestic flights Houston - New Orleans// Nashville - Houston including all taxes.
• 20-day country music tour with 7-night luxury Mississippi cruise and accommodation in 4 and 5 star, centrally located iconic hotels in Houston (3 nights), Memphis (2 nights), New Orleans (3 nights) and Nashville (4 nights).
• 7 nights cruising on board the American Heritage luxury small ship in balcony rooms with numerous shore excursions including Vicksburg, marvel at the opulence of grand estates and timeless elegance of Oak Alley, St. Francisville and Natchez, including shore excursions and drinks and meals on board.
• Numerous music experiences including Nashville music bus tour, blues concerts, jazz concert in New Orleans, paddle-wheeler cruise with entertainment every night on board, BB King, Sun Studio, Grand Ole Opry backstage tour, General Jackson Music Cruise, Bourbon St, Beale St, Ryman Auditorium, Loretta Lynn homestead tour, visit to Elvis’s house at Graceland with Elvis immersion day and private concerts presented by our tour hosts, Karl, Marian and Chet.
• Other special experiences include learning about the rich history of the South, the Civil War and the slavery trade including the Freedom Train, Space Center, Houston, Casey Jones Museum, afternoon tea bus tour, city tours of Houston, Memphis, New Orleans, Cajun swamp tour, horse royal carriage ride and tour.
• All entrances, tours and activities are included as listed in itinerary plus all taxes and tips are included.
• All breakfasts, 1 High Tea, 11 Lunches, 16 Dinners, plus included drinks at selected meals.
• This trip is hosted by the terrific country music team of entertainer extraordinaire singer and yodeler Karl Perigo, mad country fiddler Marian Burns and virtuoso guitarist Chet O’Connell.
Important Information
• All itinerary details are subject to change, but changes will be replaced with a comparable or better option.
• Initial & Second deposits are fully refundable up until final balance due date, minus an administration fee of up to $500 plus any non-recoverable costs.
• All monies are non-refundable at final balance due date. This becomes an insurance claim.
• Bank transfer payments incur no surcharge. Credit card payments incur surcharge of 1.5%.
• Travellers need to be independently mobile and fit to travel.
• Bookings will only be accepted with initial deposit & booking form.
• All travellers must obtain comprehensive travel insurance for international travel and insurance for domestic travel is recommended.
• Please refer to our terms and conditions on booking form.
Mobility - Moderate Tour
This trip has a little more walking than an easy tour. It is a moderate tour for one of the following reasons - you may need to walk with ease for up to one hour at a slow pace or be able to climb stairs or be able to get on and off boats, trains and buses.This trip will not suit those on walkers and a moderate level of mobility is required.