Immerse yourself in the bustling streets of Memphis, alive with music, festival décor and excited crowds during Carnival Season. An annual event, it’s a time of celebration in the deep south and an experience that you’ll remember for the rest of time. This city has a plethora of places to visit and a rich musical heritage – it’s known as both the home of the blues and the birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll. The largest city on the Mississippi River, it boasts a wealth of events and attractions. There is the entertaining Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum and Graceland, which is excellent for Elvis fans. For a quieter time, you can enjoy a relaxing stroll through the Botanic Garden, sample some of the local Southern barbeque food, and sip on a refreshing Blue Suede Tini cocktail to get you in the Memphis mood.

The Westin Memphis Beale Street

Experience a wonderful stay in the heart of downtown Memphis at The Westin Memphis Beale Street. This AAA 4-Diamond hotel boasts freshly-renovated guest rooms and suites, upscale dining options and relaxed meeting spaces. Perfectly located, you’re just steps away from the sights and sounds of Beale Street and The Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum.

Today, you’ll pay tribute to ‘The King of Rock and Roll’, Elvis Presley. Graceland is the lavish mansion he called home and is the second most visited house in the US after the White House. Lose yourself in epic surroundings during an audio-guided tour, marvel at the countless Elvis paraphernalia, and wander from room to room, soaking up the jaw-dropping décor. You’ll even get to see his custom jets, his pink Cadillac, and wardrobe; as well as gain full access to the all-new Elvis Presley’s Memphis Entertainment Complex. Discover the Entertainer Career Museum and admire the plethora of incredible exhibits. Whether you’re an Elvis fan or not, it’s a fascinating experience.

Today you’ll transfer to port where you’ll embark American Queen, the flagship vessel of the American Queen Steamboat Company. This remarkable paddlewheeler, the largest steamboat ever built, is a gracious and elegant triumph of American ingenuity. With a capacity for 436 guests, it’s an intimate ship yet filled with a number of venues to make your cruise special, from the lavish Grand Dining Room to a theatre showing Broadway-calibre performances.

The Mississippi Delta is more than just a geographical region, it’s a way of life, offering a true cultural experience based on agriculture, music and history. The charming river towns peppered along its banks have been the inspiration of authors, musicians and artists for centuries. Savour a unique glimpse into the Port of the Mississippi Delta, and discover a muse for many.

Vicksburg perfectly blends Southern culture and heritage with exciting modern attractions. As a major battle site during the civil war, it’s a port that carries a history unlike any other. Learn about the historic conflicts of the city, feast on its delectable cuisine, uncover history from its wealth of museums and pick out the perfect souvenir. Check out the Tiffany-stained glass at the beautiful Norman-style Church of the Holy Trinity and soak up the history of the Old Courthouse Museum, which has hosted an array of illustrious speakers over its history, including several US presidents. At the Lower Mississippi River Museum, you’ll discover how Vicksburg ancestors lived along the river during the 19^th and 20^th centuries.

Founded in 1716, Natchez is the oldest city on the Mississippi River and is known for its elegance, hospitality, and impressively preserved mansions – which can be found on every street corner. Home to over 1,000 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it seems as if history fell asleep and awoke, unscathed, by the changing of times. Shops and restaurants now occupy the site of Natchez Under-the-Hill, a 19^th-century town of bordellos and taverns that was once a haven for outlaws and boatmen. During your visit, you could explore the unique shops, restaurants, museums, and historic homes – most of which survived the American Civil War.

St. Francisville today is a testament to the lifestyle of a bygone era, with its wealth of 19^th century mansions set in swathes of rolling countryside, as well as quaint streets which are host to a number of curious attractions. Take a stroll through its historic centre will awaken your sense of place and bring awareness to two centuries of architecture and lifestyles. Wander down Royal Street and stop at a shop that sells unique jewellery made from hundred-year-old buttons, or learn about the local history at the West Feliciana Historical Society Museum. One of the oldest Protestant churches in the US, the Grace Episcopal Church is also found here, within which is an organ dating back to 1860.

Baton Rouge, capital of Louisiana, nestles on the cusp of the Mississippi River. Boasting an energetic aura, it houses over 300 years of history, seen in the unique architecture and through its extraordinary arts and culture scene. Antebellum landmarks include the castle-like Old Louisiana State Capitol, now a museum. Embark on a deluxe motorcoach to explore the diversity of this glorious city, explore the wonders of the Capitol Park Museum, filled with state history, culture and artifacts or lose yourself in the treasures of the city streets.

Exclusive to the American Queen Steamboat Company, today you’ll visit the sugarcane estate of Nottoway – the largest standing antebellum mansion in the South, lying on the famous River Road between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. It’s a stunning and intricate building with impressive detail. Original furnishings mingle with era-appropriate antiques to look much as it would have done when it was lived in by its original owner. Its glorious grounds feature 16 majestic oak trees spread across the 31-acre property. The mansion’s gleaming white columns and striking balconies stand guard over the Mississippi River, while on the north side, the three-story Rotunda boasts sweeping views of oak-draped lawns.

Your cruise ends in spellbinding New Orleans, here you’ll disembark for a two-night hotel stay at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside. The Belle of Louisiana knows how to entertain year-round. Take a stroll in Jackson Square and indulge in the famous New Orleans gumbo – a thick stew served over rice - while listening to the jazz that’s the ubiquitous soundtrack of the region. Visit the French Quarter, Garden District and one of the Cajun bayous, and listen out for the distinct New Orleans dialect.

Hilton New Orleans Riverside

Enjoy a fabulous two-night hotel stay at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside, boasting a spectacular riverfront location. Settle into charming surroundings as you watch the ships come in on the Mississippi River or venture out into the city, just steps away. Welcoming rooms and suites offer a tranquil escape away from the excitement of the city, and you’ll find six tantalising dining options to satisfy any craving.

You don’t need to visit at Mardi Gras to get caught up in all that’s great about New Orleans; the Belle of Louisiana knows how to entertain year-round. Indulge in the famous New Orleans gumbo while listening to jazz, synonymous with this area or take a Mississippi steamboat ride. Come evening, you’ll bring your holiday to a wonderful close with a Jazz Dinner Cruise. Savour the beauty and romance of the New Orleans skyline as you dine on a delicious buffet dinner and be enchanted by fabulous melodies from the Dukes of Dixieland Jazz trio.

Bid farewell to New Orleans today, and transfer to the airport for your flight back home.