“I know that traveling with R&J Tours is always a quality experience. This tour to the
Grand Deep South definitely lived up to that expectation.”
Jerry, Rochester
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
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 with 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 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 still lived in 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.
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. We’ll meet our step-on guide then enjoy a scrumptious Cajun lunch! After lunch our guide takes us on a city tour of Lafayette which includes the downtown area, St. John’s Cathedral & cemetery, 500 year old St. John live oak, and Alexandre Mouton Mansion & gardens where we’ll see costumes of past Kings & Queens of Lafayette’s Mardi Gras. Next up is Martins Accordion where we’ll not only tour the family’s workshop that builds & ships accordians throughout the globe, but also be treated to a live family musical performance of all genres of Cajoun and Zydeco music! This visit is sure to be a great highlight! We’ll end our afternoon with a legendary daiquiri before we check into our hotel. This evening we’ll head to a local Cajun restaurant for a tasty dinner.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Drury Inn
Day 6 – Lafayette to New Orleans
Today we 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 first hand.
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. We will 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. Later, you may have the option, at your own cost, to visit the WWII Museum or take a relaxing carriage ride around the French Quarter. You may also wish to 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 a 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. We’ll then check into the Hyatt Place, perfectly situated on the Gulf of Mexico. We have a delicious Cajun dinner planned, then enjoy the evening on your own. Perhaps you’ll choose to walk along the beach to the iconic 1848 Biloxi Lighthouse, less than 1/2 a mile from our hotel.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel: Hyatt Place
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
Motorcoach Travel Protection Per Person
Travel Bucks
Deposit Due
Passport Needed
Tour Pace
Price Includes
21 Meals & 5 Manager’s Receptions, Hotels & Activities as stated in brochure, Luxury Motorcoach
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- French Quarter wrought iron balcony
03/15/2023 03/27/2023
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
