Itinerary
- Day 1
Fort Worth to Austin
You'll arrive in Dallas and get welcomed into the Southern hospitality scene right away. From there, the group heads to Fort Worth and then continues on to Austin this evening. Once you settle in, there's an authentic Texan BBQ dinner lined up, which is the perfect way to meet your travel crew and kick off the trip. You'll get a real taste of local food and get to know the people you'll be spending time with over the next couple weeks.
- Meals
- Dinner (Authentic Texan BBQ)
Included Activities
- Authentic Texan BBQ dinner
- Day 2
Austin
This is your time to experience Austin however you want. If you're into outdoor activities, kayaking or paddleboarding on Lady Bird Lake is on the table, or you can skip that and hunt for cowboy boots in the shops around town. The local music scene here is famous, so wandering around and soaking up the vibe is easy to do. Grab lunch somewhere and spend the afternoon just getting a feel for the place. By evening, you'll be ready to hit the town and check out the nightlife with your group or on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Kayaking trip on Lady Bird Lake
- Paddle board ride on Lady Bird Lake
- Shopping for cowboy boots
- Explore Austin's music scene
Landmarks/POIs Lady Bird Lake - Day 3
Austin to San Antonio
You'll travel to San Antonio today, a city where Spanish, Mexican, and American cultures all blend together in one place. After arriving, there's a walking tour to help you get oriented and see what the city's about. You'll also head to the largest Mexican market outside of Mexico, which is worth spending time in just to browse and take it all in. Later in the evening, the shops, restaurants, and live music spots open up and it's all yours to explore at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walking tour of San Antonio
- Visit to largest Mexican market outside of Mexico
- Day 4
San Antonio to Houston
The group heads to Houston, which is Texas's largest city and known for its outsized personality, from huge belt buckles to massive portion sizes at restaurants. You'll settle into the city today and start getting a sense of its unique character and what makes it different from the other Texas cities you've already seen.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 5
Houston to New Orleans
Now you're heading to New Orleans, where French and Caribbean influences shape everything you'll see and do. Arriving in this romantic city, you'll start to understand what people mean when they talk about its unique character. The atmosphere here is different from anywhere else, so take time this evening to just walk around and get your bearings as the sun sets.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 6
New Orleans
A walking tour of the French Quarter kicks off your day here, and you'll check out Jackson Square where you can sample beignets while the sound of Southern jazz fills the air. The pre-war mansions around here are worth looking at too. After that, you'll head to the New Orleans School of Cooking to cook and eat traditional gumbo alongside your travel friends, swapping stories and getting to know people better over a shared meal.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Traditional gumbo at New Orleans School of Cooking)
Included Activities
- Walking tour of French Quarter
- Visit to Jackson Square
- Sample beignets
- Dinner at New Orleans School of Cooking with traditional gumbo
Landmarks/POIs Jackson Square French Quarter - Day 7
New Orleans
You have the freedom to explore New Orleans like you actually live here. Frenchmen Street is the spot if you want live jazz and funk music, or you can head over to City Park, which is this huge grassy area perfect for relaxing and watching people go by. If art interests you, the New Orleans Museum of Art has a solid collection of French masterpieces. Pick whatever sounds good and spend your day there.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Stroll down Frenchmen Street for jazz and funk music
- Visit City Park
- New Orleans Museum of Art
Landmarks/POIs Frenchmen Street City Park New Orleans Museum of Art - Day 8
New Orleans to Memphis
You're traveling to Memphis today, a city famous for its music history. The day involves paying respects at Graceland, where Elvis left his mark on the world. You'll also visit the Civil Rights Museum to learn about the movement's history and then swing by Sun Studio, where Elvis recorded his first song back in the day. It's a packed day focused on the music and history that shaped this place.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Graceland
- Visit Civil Rights Museum
- Visit Sun Studio
Landmarks/POIs Graceland Civil Rights Museum Sun Studio - Day 9
Memphis
Memphis is yours to explore on your own schedule. Try traditional food downtown at local spots, check out the Museum of Soul Music if that appeals to you, or visit the zoo and aquarium if you want something different. There's also the Wiseacre Brewery if you're into craft beer. Spend the day falling in love with this musical city however you see fit.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Taste traditional food in downtown Memphis
- Visit Museum of Soul Music
- Visit the Memphis Zoo and Aquarium
- Tour Wiseacre Brewery
Landmarks/POIs Museum of Soul Music Memphis Zoo - Day 10
Memphis to Nashville
You're heading to Nashville today, a city shaped by music and by its important role in the civil rights movement. After you arrive and settle in, dinner happens at the famous Woolworths location where the first sit-in took place to fight segregation at lunch counters. It's a meaningful meal with history attached to it.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at Woolworths)
Included Activities
- Dinner at Woolworths historic sit-in location
Landmarks/POIs Woolworths Building (F.W. Woolworth Co.) - Day 11
Nashville
Today in Nashville, you'll tour the Ryman Auditorium to understand the venue's significance in country music. Lunch involves trying classic Southern food at local restaurants, and then you'll visit Uncle Nearest Distillery to taste whisky and learn about the brand's story. The city's musical and culinary history is on full display if you pay attention to where you eat and what you do.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Tour Ryman Auditorium
- Distillery tour at Uncle Nearest Distillery
Optional Activities
- Taste Southern delicacies
Landmarks/POIs Ryman Auditorium Uncle Nearest Distillery - Day 12
Nashville
Another day to move around Nashville at your own pace. The Country Music Hall of Fame is a solid option if you want to dive deeper into the city's rich musical heritage and understand why Nashville matters so much to the industry. Otherwise, wander the neighborhoods, catch live music somewhere, or grab coffee and just hang out. It's a musical city no matter which direction you go.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Tour Country Music Hall of Fame
Landmarks/POIs Country Music Hall of Fame - Day 13
Nashville (Departure)
Today you're saying goodbye to Nashville and to your Contiki travel group. The trip wraps up here, and while it's bittersweet leaving, you'll be heading home with souvenirs and memories from these places. Keep in touch with the people you met along the way and think about planning that reunion trip down the road.
