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Introduction
Let your toes get to”tappin’ and your hands to clappin.” Get down with the beat and jam with the best. Listen to Jazz so hot, it’ll make your ice cream melt. You’re about to begin a magical journey through “Sweet Home Alabama” and nearby Tennessee where music is the heart and soul of life. Nashville is the capital of Country Music. Memphis gave rise to Elvis and the Blues. In Chattanooga, the Choo Choo was the first million record seller. Deep in Alabama, the Hank Williams Trail commemorates this country music giant. Everywhere you turn on this trip you’ll feel the beat of the music unique to southern culture, as distinct in its own right as the architecture and food.

We know you’ll respond to the music. Hear the stories it tells and listen to the sounds. Enjoy the cultural insights into why the music is like it is. This is the only place in the world that can bring you “the South’s Best Music,” first hand, up close and personal. You might even have tears come to your eyes as you stand in awe of a power sound that you could find in any number of places. Each destination is different, yet by the time you have explored them all, you’ll have experienced a panorama of sound like none other. Enjoy yourself. There’s no place like the American South.

Flights
This fly drive package includes non-stop flights between London and Atlanta with British Airways one of only 2 operators to offer a non-stop service. We have negotiated exclusive package rates on these flights and can also offer reduced rates on upgrades to World Traveller Plus, Club World and FIRST.

Accommodation
We wanted to concentrate on using accommodation for this itinerary that gave a real flavour for the region. It is a little different to selecting hotels at the Grand Canyon or Yellowstone National Park where the location is key and a motel will generally suffice. We feel the accommodation choice for this program should have far more of a part to play in the overall itinerary them. We are delighted with our final choice and feel these properties will make a great impression. We have a quintessential B&B, we have a wonderful historic hotel and some quite fabulous grand hotels too!

Financial Protection
By booking this complete package with Complete North America you benefit from reduced rates on flights, accommodation and car rental along with complete financial protection. We are fully bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority and this package is ATOL protected under ATOL No.5368.

Arrive Atlanta, GA.

Depart London Heathrow – 1500
Arrive Atlanta – 1905
Journey Time – 9 hours 5 minutes

On arrival collect your rental vehicle from the airport. We recommend renting the Sat Nav system on offer making navigation on arrival to your overnight hotel a piece of cake.

You’ll be landing in Atlanta, the “Capital City of the American South.” Jimi Hendrix, Bobby Brown and Elton John have all called it home. Scarlett O’Hara and Gone with the Wind have faded into the mist in this very sophisticated and contemporary city where the fastest growing population is 20-something professionals. Make sure you allow time to tour the CNN Center where Ted Turner changed the way the world watches the news. A behind the scenes tour gives insight into the complexity of production required to put on a good show. In the evening, explore Underground Atlanta or take in a world-class performance which can range from the symphony to hot jazz. Tomorrow, you’ll be moving on to Tennessee where you’ll find the origins of pop music, country and the blues, all within 400 miles.

Accommodations: The Ellis Hotel

Atlanta – Chattanooga – 118 miles (2 hours)

While driving into Chattanooga, you can almost hear Glenn Miller’s Big Band playing that famous song that put the city on the musical map. Back in 1941, Chattanooga out shown its famous Tennessee musical sisters with the first million selling hit to be given a gold record. The original Choo Choo is now part of the Holiday Inn. While here, you may want to visit the Tennessee Aquarium, take a Chattanooga Riverboat lunch or dinner cruise and spend some time on Lookout Mountain. Deep in the heart of the mountain, Ruby Falls cascades more than 140 feet underground. Passages through rooms filled with stalactites, stalagmites, columns, drapes and flowstone range in size from the tiny helectites in the Hall of Dreams to the large columns found in the Onyx Jungle. The architecture of the Hunter Art Museum, a Greek revival mansion combined with a dramatic contemporary building perched on a 90 foot limestone bluff, is as dramatic as the collection itself. The Houston Museum of Art is considered to have the finest collection of antique glass and ceramics anywhere in the world. The Tennessee Valley Railroad is a rolling time machine going back to bygone days.

Accommodations: Sheraton Read House

Chattanooga – Nashville – 135 miles (2 hours 10 minutes)

If walls could talk, those at the Ryman Auditorium would have an incredible story to tell about the evolution of country music. The show didn’t begin as a showcase for country music performers. There was no such thing then. It began as a barn dance on the fifth floor of an insurance company in the studios of WSM Radio in 1925. The very next year, the Carter family began recording songs from the hills and hollers of the Appalachian Mountains for RCA records and the rest, as they say, is history. The show soon moved to the Ryman where it held court for decades.

You can learn the story of Music City and her famous performers at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. If you’re not as familiar with country music as with some other types, you’ll soon learn that as Willie Nelson said, “the young renew its vitality, while veteran colleagues re-teach its truths. Country music changes daily, but always remains a place where people tell their life stories.” Tours of Historic RCA Studio B, used by Elvis, Chet Atkins, Waylon Jennings, Dolly Parton, Floyd Cramer, and more, leave from the Country Music Hall of Fame several times a day.

This evening, plan to enjoy music at the original Printer’s Alley. Once filled with printing trucks making daily deliveries, the Alley now comes alive with neon lights and great sounds after dark. You’ll also want to visit Lower Broadway, where stars and upstarts used to pass the time of day. Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge is still there but the rest of Second Avenue has transformed into great restaurants and interesting shops. On any given night, there are over 100 live music clubs in Nashville where you can see and hear artists performing from every genre.

Accommodations: Opryland Hotel

Nashville

Accommodations at Opryland put you in the heart of the new home of the Grand Ole Opry. The Grand Ole Opry Museum tells the story of this great institution.

Back downtown, you may want to spend some time exploring Music Row. Nashville is home to over 80 record labels, 130 music publishers and, at last count, over 180 recording studios. Nashville's first famous recording studio was started when producer Owen Bradley opened a studio in an old house on 16th Avenue South in 1955. The legendary Quonset hut behind the main house is where Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Bob Dylan, Merle Haggard, Buddy Holly, George Jones, REO Speedwagon, Simon & Garfunkel and Johnny Cash all recorded. One of the old studio's janitors didn't do too badly for himself either. Kris Kristofferson is now widely recognized as one of our greatest living songwriters.

And of course, as an old Southern city, Nashville has plantations, the Tennessee History Museum and other interesting attractions that reveal the heritage and culture of the city.

Accommodations: Opryland Hotel

Nashville – Memphis – 212 miles (3 hours 15 minutes)

While Nashville stars in Country Music, Memphis stars in the Blues, Elvis and Soul. Your first stop of course, has to be Graceland. The house is historic only because it was owned by Elvis. You’ll learn the story of how Elvis Presley, born into the most humble of circumstances, evolved into one of the most influential performers in the world. On your way from Graceland to Beale Street, you’ll have to make a quick stop at the Heartbreak Hotel, where all the accommodations are all Elvis, all the time.

There’s much more than music on Beale Street. The historic district, which has recently reemerged as a bustling entertainment center, has an interesting history all its own. Serving as Union General Grant’s headquarters during the Civil War, Beale Street also witnessed the whiskey peddling of Machine Gun Kelly. The City of Memphis purchased nearly all of the properties along a three block area in the 1970s and the renaissance you will witness today began. The Center for Southern Folklore and Cafe on nearby Main Street is a microcosm of Memphis music lore and exhibits related to music in Memphis. Credited with being the “Father of the Blues,” the W. C. Handy Performing Arts Park is also on Beale Street.

If you’d like to learn more about the origins of music in Memphis, the Memphis Rock and Soul Museum, an affiliate of the Smithsonian, welcomes over 200,000 visitors a year. It’s interesting to learn the connections between the work songs, field hollers, blues, gospel, country fiddlers and the music of today. Sun Studio, where Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and B. B. King recorded is considered “The Birthplace of Rock and Roll.” Memphis’ newest museum devoted to music, Soulsville: Stax Museum of American Soul Music, celebrates greats from the 1960s and 1970s, like Otis Redding, Booker T. & the MGs, Issac Hayes, Aretha Franklin, Earth, Wind and Fire and more. Stop at B. B. King’s Blues Club this evening to hear the real thing.

Accommodations: The Peabody

Memphis

Being at the very nexus of the South and Midwest, Memphis has incredibly interesting attractions that reveal the heritage surrounding the music. The Cotton Museum at the Memphis Cotton Exchange was created to illustrate the story of cotton and its impact on the south, using the carefully restored “Members Only” trading floor as it was in its 1939 heyday. The Mississippi River Museum in Mud Island River Park, presents the origins of the Mississippi River, its first native inhabitants, the first European inhabitants and other local highlights. The Memphis Botanic Gardens will provide a place to take a break and “smell the roses.” The National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis was established in the motel where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was shot. And last but not least, the Woodruff-Fontaine House on Millionaires Row shows how the other side lived during the prosperous period in Memphis after the Civil War

You can also take the Main Street Trolley on a trip through historic downtown Memphis and the Riverfront Loop. This evening, a dinner cruise on Memphis Riverboats will let you enjoy the skyline of the city from the river. Make sure to see the famous ducks that swim everyday in the lobby fountain at the Peabody.

Accommodations: The Peabody

Memphis – Muscle Shoals – 151 miles (2 hours 45 minutes)

South in the northwest corner of Alabama, a cluster of cities, Tuscumbia, Florence, Sheffield and Muscle Shoals line the banks of the Tennessee River. The Alabama Music Hall of Fame in Tuscumbia showcases the state’s famous musical icons including WC Handy, Dinah Washington, Jimmie Rogers, Hank Williams, Nat King Cole, Tammy Wynette and of course the popular country band, Alabama. Exhibits include costumes of the stars and original recording equipment from the Memphis Music Service, better known in the trade as Sun Studios. The Elvis contract between Sam Phillips and RCA can be found here in the Hall of Fame and there is a Sam Phillips Music Festival held in Muscle Shoals every January. Unknown to many, the Muscle Shoals area contributed greatly to music as one of the most influential recording centers in America. Muscle Shoals Sound Studios and FAME Recording Studio were used by Areatha Franklin, the Rolling Stones, Paul Simon and Otis Reading. The FAME Studio is still active and open for tours. Be sure to take in some live music featured nightly at “Swampers’’ located inside the Marriott Shoals. Also visit PJ’s for Country music and Fizz for live bands while in town.

Accommodations: Marriott Shoals

Muscle Shoals

Another day in the Shoals will give you an opportunity to explore a bit of the northern Alabama Lakes Region. If you want to stay with music, you can visit the Muscle Shoals Sound Studio Museum on Jackson Highway in Sheffield. This unassuming studio is on the National Register of Historic Places and Cher was so impressed with her time there in ’69 that she used it as a title for her album which was called ‘3614 Jackson Highway’ (tours can be arranged if you call ahead). Stay with the music and visit the birthplace of ‘Father of the Blues’, W.C. Handy which is now a museum in Florence. The W.C. Handy Festival plays tribute to his achievements every July. Off the beaten path in Florence, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Rosenbaum House, the only structure in Alabama designed by Wright, is open for tours. Belle Mont Mansion, built in the early 1800s on a hill overlooking massive cotton fields, illustrates antebellum life in Alabama. The Hallelujah Trail, which connects 32 historic churches, takes you through a multitude of small towns where in summer, there are community festivals of all kinds.

Accommodations: Marriott Shoals

Muscle Shoals – Huntsville – 69 miles (1 hour 20 minutes)

Today takes you to Huntsville, home to one of the state’s largest music events, Big Spring Jam, which is held every September as well as many more smaller music events throughout the year. This smart city’s downtown area hosts Washington Square, a mini entertainment district with live music. Brighten your night with a visit to Humphrey’s New Orleans Style patio where you’ll be treated to an array of musical acts ranging from blues, rock, bluegrass and jazz six nights a week or check out the Crossroads Café and the Jazz Factory. The Bridge Street Town Centre has a lovely open air shopping area, restaurants and movie theater and you can even take a gondola ride on the lake.

Besides the music, don’t miss the opportunity to take in the US Space and Rocket Center, the world’s largest space museum featuring a full size space shuttle, a Saturn V rocket, the actual Apollo 16 capsule and a moon rock. Plan to enjoy a 4 G experience in the Space Shot tower and the Space Walk motion-based simulator. Monte Sano State Park gives you a different view of Huntsville from 2,140 acres of green space towering over downtown. While you’re up there, visit Burritt on the Mountain, a living history museum with five 19th century farmsteads that illustrate daily life in early Alabama

Accommodations: Radisson Suites Hotel

Huntsville – Birmingham – 101 miles (1 hour 36 minutes)

Even though it’s not Alabama’s capital, Birmingham is the state’s largest city. It was heavily involved in the Civil Rights movement. Today it is better known for its playful mode. A must-see for Jazz enthusiasts is the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame which pays tribute to great Alabama artists Nat King Cole, Duke Ellington, Lionel Hampton and more. Throughout the year, Jazz echoes from downtown nightclubs in places like Ona’s Music Room and the Blue Monkey. The Five Points entertainment district caters for all music tastes and has some great dining too. Get an authentic southern breakfast at the Original Pancake House and seafood lovers would be mad to miss a great restaurant called the Fish Market run by a Greek named George! The Birmingham Museum of Art is the largest municipal museum in the southeast. Its collection of 21,000 works includes the Charles W. Ireland Sculpture Garden and the Beeson Collection of Wedgwood, unique to this facility. Holdings also include a collection of Native American art that sprung originally from the Native American influences in the region.

Birmingham’s version of the Civil Rights story is told at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. Different from a static museum, the Institute works at taking the lessons from the past to chart new directions for the future. A drive to Vulcan Park lets you view Birmingham and the greatest panorama of the Red Mountains. Back on the ground, the 67-acre Birmingham Botanical Gardens will give you a respite among the flowers if it’s a warm day.

Accommodations: Historic Redmont Hotel

Birmingham – Mobile – 258 miles (3 hours 56 minutes)

Mobile is one of the oldest cities in America. Founded in 1702 as the original capital of the Louisiana Territory, few cities can boast such rich history and prime location as Mobile. Visitors marvel at the sheer beauty of the city—breathtaking sunsets, lush foliage, spectacular historic and modern architecture, amazing museums, diverse arts and culture and famous seafood creations. Mobile was not only home to the first known Mardi Gras in 1703 (yes, before New Orleans) but also hosts America’s family Mardi Gras every year.

Remember when you talk to the locals that the correct pronunciation of the city’s name is “Mo-beel,” given the soft emphasis on the second syllable by its French founders. And, having lived under six different national flags, culture, “cul-cha,” as they call it here, is a rich conglomeration of influences reflected in the colorful local restaurants. While in Mobile, try the goodies of Tiny Diny, which has the tallest meringue on their coconut cream pie, Pollman’s Bake Shop Brownies or Three Georges chocolates, with hand made pralines and more. Bailey’s Restaurant is reputed to have invented the West Indies Salad, white crab meet mixed with onion, vinegar and oil. Wintzell’s Oyster House has been serving them “fried, stewed or nude” since 1928. Fish and music lovers will enjoy Felix’s Fish Camp right on Mobile Bay, with views over the water and bands playing with names likes “Grits and Pieces”. For another late night drink with live music, stop by ‘Veets’ bar. You may also enjoy Spot of Tea for breakfast on Dauphin Street, while you admire the rest of the buildings on Cathedral Square. As you would expect in Jimmy Buffett’s home town, ‘Lo Da’, Dauphin Street’s Entertainment district has over 20 music establishments.
Fort Conde, the original settlement in the Mobile area, was built right on Mobile Bay. The Fort Conde Visitor Center is chock full of information about the city. One of the must see’s in Mobile is Bellingrath Gardens where something is always blooming. Bragg Mitchell Mansion is pure “Gone with the Wind.” The Museum of Mobile and the Mobile Museum of Art have very interesting collections. Both have brought a number of blockbuster exhibitions, such as A Day in Pompeii and Captive Passage, to the region. The Carnival Museum is true Americana displaying costumes from decades of the Mobile Mardi Gras. The USS Alabama is a decommissioned World War II era Battleship.

Accommodations: Marriott Battle House

Mobile

Another day in Mobile will allow you to hear the sound of waves gently lapping on the shore and enjoy 32 miles of white sand beaches and sparkling emerald waters in the Gulf Shores area. Point Clear, home to the Grand Hotel Marriott Point Clear Resort and Spa, is on the way from Mobile to Gulf Shores. Even if you’re not staying there, it’s a lovely place to stop with high tea and a daily military cannon salute! Fairhope, also on the drive, is one of the most romantic coastal towns in America according to Coastal Living Magazine.

You can get down with the best of them in Gulf Shores at Florabama right on the Florida/Alabama state line and enjoy live music and casual dining at Lu-Lu’s located at Homeport Marina overlooking the water. Or try The Hangout and the Pink Pony Pub for more live venues located right on the beach.

The Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge Beach, next to Fort Morgan, has over 6 miles of hiking trails. Fort Morgan witnessed Union Admiral Farragut charging into the Battle of Mobile Bay shouting “Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!” Alabama Point, a spot for serious relaxation, is surrounded by the glistening turquoise water you always see in magazines. Gulf State Park has a natural beach that is usually not crowded and there are many other public access points to the ocean in Gulf Shores. You can get a better view of the water with the Orange Beach Helicopter Service or on one of the many boat charters and cruises that leave from Gulf Shores or Orange Beach. If you prefer dry land, commune with nature as you hike through one of Alabama’s wildlife areas viewing gators and shorebirds. At Alligator Alley they let you feed the gators or watch the crew feed them.

Accommodations: Marriott Battle House

Mobile – Montgomery 170 miles (2 hours 37 minutes)

On your way between Mobile and Montgomery you can begin to discover the legends of Hank Williams in Mount Olive, where he was born in 1923 and in Georgiana, where he spent his boyhood. US Route 31 has been named the Hank Williams Lost Highway.

When you reach Montgomery, Alabama, you’ll find a bustling city of the New South which also celebrates it’s history and music culture. The quaint Old Cloverdale historic area has been transformed into clubs, bars and restaurants. Relax and listen to hot jazz at the 1048 Jazz and Blues club or enjoy a drink and a meal at the nearby Montgomery Brew Pub which has live music most Thursday – Saturdays.

A hotbed of activity during the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s, Montgomery is also the place where Confederate President Jefferson Davis lived at the birth of the Confederacy. Topping the city’s list of “must-sees” is the state capitol building where Jefferson Davis took the oath of office as the President of the Confederate States of America and where the Selma-to-Montgomery march ended with Dr. King’s moving speech from the bottom of the capitol steps. The Rosa Parks Museum and Civil Rights Memorial tells the story of the courageous women who refused to move to the back of the bus, essentially the first non-violent protest of the Civil Rights movement.

Old Alabama Town, one of the South’s premier history villages, is a collection of authentically restored 19th and 20 century buildings stretching along six blocks in the heart of historic Montgomery, Alabama. Over 40 restored structures include an original 1850s townhouse, schoolhouses, a cotton gin, blacksmith shop, grist mill, tavern, log cabin, pole barn, southern mansion, and more. Here you can experience life in Montgomery during the infancy of the state’s history.

Accommodations: Red Bluff Cottage

Bama, Blues and Bands Flydrive - Photo Album

We are pleased to be able to display a selection of photographs from this Flydrive

Prices (in Pounds Sterling)

The prices shown below are 'per person'.

Cost Includes ....

• Roundtrip non-stop scheduled flights with British Airways
• UK Airport Taxes
• 14 nights room only accommodation as stipulated or similar including tax.
• 14 days Compact car rental based on Alamo ‘Gold Rate’ (Intermediate for Triple/Quad Rates). Click here for details.
• A Comprehensive Personal Travel Portfolio with customised maps and driving directions, a story/itinerary and detailed information about things to see and do at each of your destinations. 24/7 live staff availability, should the unexpected occur.

  All fuel surcharges at the time of going to print (17/09/2008) are included within this package cost. However due on-going rises in fuel costs over the past 2 years it may be necessary for us to advise you of further fuel surcharges. This will be advised at the time of booking and once a deposit has been received you will not be subject to further surcharges based on the current airline policy.

Weather
This region offers generally warm year round temperatures if a little humid in the summer months. The coastal region around Mobile is subject to Hurricane activity generally from August to October. During these periods you are advised to monitor the local news and weather. Evacuation procedures are well drilled and you will be advised to leave any area under threat in plenty of time along designated evacuation routes. It should be kept in mind that a Hurricane is a generally rare occurrence and our 24/7 telephone support will be utilized to make alternative arrangements should this ever happen.

Hotel Availability
Sometimes the hotels named in this itinerary are not available at the time of booking. Under these circumstances Complete North America will book alternative accommodation of a similar standard. Such changes will be confirmed in writing to you at the time of booking confirmation. If you are not completely happy with the alternative hotel we will happily discuss other possibilities with you in the same location.

Hotel Upgrades
The standard of accommodation used in this itinerary is of a high standard throughout. That said if you would like something extra special in Atlanta or New Orleans then we would be happy to talk to you about our opinions on these hotels and the costs involved to upgrade.

Best days to travel, seat assignments, special requests and flight upgrades

• British Airways operate non-stop flights daily so subject to availability you can select the travel date that best suits you. Should you wish to fly with an alternative carrier we would also be happy to prepare a quote for you.
• We have exceptional deals on upgrades with British Airways to World Traveller Plus, Club World and FIRST.
• We have discounted prices for British Airways regional flights to Heathrow, please ask for details and if you are flying from Northern Ireland or Republic of Ireland? Read about special deals for connecting flights here.

Car Rental in America

The car rental included in this package is based on the Alamo 'Gold' rate which represents the mose inclusive rate you can buy. For a full breakdown of just exactly what this rate includes, a full explanation of all inclusions and information on cars please visit our car rental section by clicking on the link below.

As part of our agreement with Alamo we are able to offer you GPS Satellite Navigation as an optional extra that must be pre-booked. For more information on this click the link below.

Go to the car rental section » Read more about Sat Nav »

Travel Insurance
Whilst it is not compulsory to take our travel insurance, it's imperative that you do not travel without comprehensive travel insurance. Our adult premium is £49 per person for 2 weeks (Age restrictions do apply), however we do have rates for family policies and annual travel insurance, please call for details. In all cases taking our travel insurance will require acceptance of the medical health declaration and all pre-existing conditions should be declared to the insurance company.

All travellers must hold a full 10 year machine readable British Passport and have no criminal convictions to travel to the United States without the need for a visa. For more details on passport requirements please visit www.usembassy.org.uk

Ready to book?

Call our booking line on 0845 263 7100

(Mon-Fri. 09.00-18.00 or Sat 10.00-17.00)

A member of our team will be happy to answer any questions you have before processing your booking and the initial non-refundable deposit payment of £150.00 per person. We will endeavour to secure your flights and take care of any special meal requests during this call. The remaining components of your holiday will be put in place and a written 'Confirmation/Invoice' detailing everything we have confirmed on your behalf will be sent by regular mail along with a receipt for the deposit to your nominated contact address. We try to complete this whole process within 7- 10 working days of accepting your order and deposit, however meeting this target is very much dependant on the speed of response from our hotel and tour partners in North America.

Please note - By agreeing to pay a deposit you are instructing us to commence with the booking of your holiday arrangements and as such you enter into an agreement with Complete North America Limited. This agreement is governed by our standard booking conditions a copy of which is available to you at anytime and included with your written holiday confirmation.

Click here to view our Booking Conditions & Promise of Fair Trading