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Civil War History 

Cotton Plantation 

Antebellum Mansions 

Cajun Country 

The French Quarter 

Day 1 – Home to Independence, MO 

Today we begin our journey to exciting Cajun Country and the Deep South. Enjoy the hotel’s “Kickback” Reception this evening. 

Included Meals: Manager’s Reception 

Hotel: Drury Inn 

Day 2 – Independence to Little Rock, AR 

Take a scenic drive with sweeping vistas of the lovely Ozark Mountain country. We’ll stop for a light lunch in Branson before our afternoon journey to Little Rock, Arkansas. 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 

Hotel: Holiday Inn Conference Center 

 

Day 3 – Little Rock to Natchez 

Travel deep into the south to Vicksburg, steeped in ambiguous history. Tour the Vicksburg National Military Park, one of the best preserved Civil War Battlefields in America. It’s here that one of the Civil War’s most devastating battles took place. Tour the historic monuments, miles of reconstructed trenches, the restored Union gunboat USS Cairo, and see the Vicksburg National Cemetery. Make our way to historic Natchez, with magnificent mansions from the booming days of the cotton industry. Experience true southern hospitality this evening at dinner at a lovely restaurant. 

Included Meal: Breakfast, Dinner 

Hotel: Natchez Grand (2 Nights) 

 

Day 4 – Natchez 

A local guide joins us for the Natchez Spring Pilgrimage Tour of Homes as we tour three of their beautiful antebellum mansions, which are more plentiful here than anywhere else in the United States. The homes we will tour are hand-selected by the garden clubs. Many of these historic homes are personally owned and lived in still today. We will be immersed in history when we enter these homes, complete with original furnishings, and listen to great stories about those who called these antebellums “home.” Be sure to take in the beautiful lawns around you. One truly cannot get a better look at personally owned, historic antebellum homes than here in Natchez. This afternoon we travel out to Frogmore Cotton Plantation to experience the history of cotton and plantation life then and now. This evening the history of the South will come to life at one of the Spring Pilgrimage historic performances. The remainder of the evening is yours at leisure. 

Included Meals: Breakfast 

 

Day 5 – Natchez to Lafayette 

Today we motor deep into the heart of Cajun Country to an area first settled by French Acadian farmers. Our step-on guide then joins us. A scrumptious Cajun lunch is served, followed by workshops on Cajun/Creole music and dance lessons, and then a city tour of Lafayette. This evening our guide will accompany us to a cajun dance hall for a delicious dinner, crawfish sampling, and dancing. Enjoy live entertainment, good friends, and great conversation. 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

Hotel: Drury Inn 

 

Day 6 – Lafayette to New Orleans 

Travel the Old Spanish Trail, with mossy trees, swamps, and the misty, moody basin of the Atchafalaya River. Visit the beautiful Houmas House Plantation and Gardens on Louisiana’s historic river road. Experience the original French provincial house, the mansion and carriageway to the grand home, described as “The Sugar Palace.” Enjoy a delicious lunch and some time to walk through the beautiful gardens. Later, we will make our way to New Orleans. Your hotel is close by the French Quarter giving you opportunity to truly experience this exciting area. 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Manager’s Reception 

Hotel: Drury Inn (3 Nights) 

 

Day 7 – New Orleans 

Today we begin with our guide circling the sights of the French Quarter, including St. Louis Cathedral and its adjoining Cabildo, Bourbon Street Jazz District, French Market Place, Garden District, and the bustling harbor front. Then we’ll step on board the “City of New Orleans” Steamboat for their jazz and brunch cruise from the heart of the French Quarter back in time to when life was as slow and graceful as the current on the Mississippi. You may have the option, at your own cost, to visit the WWII Museum or take a relaxing carriage ride around the French Quarter. Stop in at historic Cafe Du Monde for the famous Cafe Au Lait coffees and French beignets. 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Brunch, Manager’s Reception 

 

Day 8 – New Orleans 

Experience a jazz brunch served at the famous Court of Two Sisters, where the food is great and the entertainment is grand. This afternoon we will take our swamp tour down the river and bayou area. Your captain is a native of the swamps and fully narrates your tour. Later stroll along Bourbon Street as the wonderful sounds of jazz and Dixieland music, and the delightful aroma of Creole and Cajun cooking fill the air! The rest of the day is at your leisure. 

Included Meals: Light Breakfast, Brunch, Manager’s Reception 

 

Day 9 – New Orleans to Biloxi 

This morning you’ll have a chance to see what Mardi Gras is all about when we tour Mardi Gras World and participate in a mask making demonstration. Then we make our way along the sparkling Gulf Coast of Biloxi, a resort city famous for its shrimp and fishing fleets. Following lunch on our own, we are off for a shrimping demonstration. We will cruise along the scenic coastline and learn first hand the art of shrimping. Tonight, stay at the Beau Rivage, perfectly placed on Biloxi’s sparkling waterfront. 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

Hotel: The Beau Rivage Resort 

 

Day 10 – Biloxi to Memphis 

Arrive in Memphis and visit famous Beale Street. Listen to the music of Beale Street, Historic Entertainment District, with its enticing “Red, Hot, and Blue” rhythms. A delightful dinner featuring southern delicacies at King’s Palace is planned. After our enjoyable evening, we’ll check into the Guest House at Graceland. 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

Hotel: Guest House at Graceland 

 

Day 11 – Memphis to St. Louis 

This morning after breakfast we’ll tour Graceland, the beautiful estate of the “King of Rock-n-Roll,” Elvis Presley. We’ll then make our way to St. Louis for the evening. 

Hotel: Drury Inn 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Manager’s Reception 

 

Day 12 – St. Louis to Coralville, IA 

This morning following breakfast, we’ll discover St. Louis with our terrific local guide, bringing St. Louis to life. You’ll learn and discover so much more than you ever imagined about St. Louis! Motor up through Missouri and into Iowa to Coralville, a suburb of Iowa City, where we will check into our hotel. 

Included Meals: Breakfast 

Hotel: Holiday Inn Express 

 

Day 13 – Coralville to Home 

After breakfast we make our final stretch home. 

Included Meals: Breakfast 

Motorcoach Per Person Pricing Information

Double: $2,999
Single: $3,849
Triple: $2,779
Quad: $2,669

Motorcoach Travel Protection Per Person

Double: $184
Single: $247

Travel Bucks

$40 Travel Bucks per person earned with this tour

Deposit Due

$100 deposit per person due at time of reservation. Full payment due 30 days prior to depart.

Passport Needed

No

Tour Pace

Moderate Walking

Price Includes

21 Meals & 5 Manager’s Receptions, Hotels & Activities as stated in brochure, Luxury Motorcoach



The average temperature while R&J is visiting is 76°
Travel with R & J Tours to a warm destination where it is...
24°
Minneapolis, Mn
55°
The Grand Deep South – Only 2 Seats Left!!
Motorcoach Departure Date:
03/25/2020
Motorcoach Return Date:
04/06/2020

Make a Reservation Online

Tour Map


Tour Highlights

Civil War Sights of Vicksburg
Antebellum Mansions & Cotton Plantation
Lafayette Cajun Country Sights
3 nights New Orleans
Natchez Pilgrimage Tour of Homes
New Orleans Luncheon Cruise
Mardi Gras World with Mask Making Workshop
Court of Two Sisters Jazz Brunch
New Orleans Narrated Swamp Tour
Biloxi Shrimping Demonstration
Graceland Tour



Travel with R & J Tours to a warm destination where it is...
24°
Minneapolis, Mn
55°
The Grand Deep South – Only 2 Seats Left!!
The average temperature while R&J is visiting is 76°
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