The Ultimate Elvis Presley & Dolly Parton ExperienceEscorted Tour, USA

Tap and sway in time to the unending tunes while travelling to the hometowns of two Tennessee-based stars and America’s greatest musical legends.

A visit to Birmingham’s diverse culinary and musical scene starts this pilgrimage on a high note. Tupelo in Mississippi, Elvis’ birthplace, is next, with a chance to visit his humble childhood home, followed by spirited Memphis, the source of all things blues, soul, and rock ‘n’ roll. Here, a ramble down Beale Street reveals world-class live music venues and is best experienced with a cold beverage and barbequed delicacy in hand.

Optional excursions to the Sun Studio and the famed Graceland allow you to pay homage to the big names before time spent in Nashville, the country music capital ensures a change of rhythm. Join excursions to RCA Studio B and the Country Music Hall of Fame before discovering the buzzing honky-tonks, breweries and distilleries. Exchanging the flurry for the forests of the Great Smoky Mountains, the tour will then spend a couple of nights in Sevier County, the birthplace of Dolly Parton, where an optional outing to the Dollywood theme park promises a day crammed with entertainment for all tastes.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Wander down Memphis’ atmospheric Beale Street, America’s most famous musical highway

Stay over in the foodie city of Birmingham, taking advantage of the diverse culinary scene

Stop off at the beautiful Smoky Mountains National Park, America’s most visited national park

Spend an optional full day at the Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, with more than 50 rides and award-winning entertainment

Visit Tupelo and Sevierville - Elvis and Dolly's birthplaces

Discover the musical highlights of Memphis on an optional tour, encompassing the Sun Studio and iconic Graceland

Join an optional trip to the RCA Studio B in Nashville’s Music Row district and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Call at Sevierville in Sevier County, the birthplace of Dolly Parton, with her bronze life-size statue

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Seven nights’ accommodation in a series of good quality hotels in Birmingham (one night), Memphis (two nights), Nashville (two nights), Sevierville (two nights) and one night air travel

Return flights from the UK to Atlanta

Four breakfasts (2 from 2027 onwards)

Comfortable, air-conditioned coach travel and transfers throughout

Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager

ITINERARY

Day One – Fly to Atlanta, overnight in Birmingham, Alabama

Your American adventure will begin as you touch down at the airport in Atlanta, the capital of Georgia. Your friendly tour manager will meet and welcome you before you’re transferred to Birmingham, a leafy, hilly city to check into your accommodation.

This evening, you can choose to have dinner at the hotel or head out to take advantage of the city’s diverse culinary scene.

Day Two - Travel to Mississippi with an optional visit to Elvis Presley's home in Tupelo. Continue to Memphis

Fuel up on breakfast, check out of the hotel and travel on towards Tupelo in Mississippi, famed as the birthplace of Elvis Presley. This city, which has a strong link to the state’s musical history, is scattered with numerous statues commemorating this icon.  

A highlight of your visit will be the chance to enter Elvis’ humble childhood home – a simple two-room property, where he was born on 8 January 1935 (entry payable locally). Its walls are adorned with photographs, costumes and heirlooms and nearby, his family’s church has been transported and restored.  

Next on the itinerary is Elvis’ beloved hometown, Memphis. Built along the Mississippi River in Tennessee, this spirited city is also known as the home of the blues, soul and rock ‘n’ roll. Around every corner, evidence of the influential musical heritage prevails in the form of museums honouring the local legends, shops awash with artist-inspired paraphernalia and live music venues pumping out familiar favourites or showcasing new talent.  

Tonight, you'll stay within touching distance of the legendary mansion that 'The King' once called home as you check into the  Guesthouse at Graceland. You'll have easy access to Memphis' lively downtown area, with taxis and public transport readily available, where the atmospheric Beale Street, America's most famous musical highway, awaits. As night falls, you can stroll along this street, taking in the live performances coming from the clubs, bars and world-class blues venues or pausing to watch a performance with a cold beverage in hand. As Memphis is also known as the barbeque capital of America, heading to a nearby barbeque joint for a dinner of grilled delicacies is also recommended.  

Day Three – Day at leisure or optional excursion of Memphis with a visit to Sun Studio and Graceland

This morning, you’ll have the option of exploring the attractions of the downtown district, perhaps visiting the National Civil Rights Museum, housed partly inside the Lorraine Motel where Martin Luther King Jr was fatally shot on 4 April 1968. Its interior depicts the history of the civil rights movement and the struggle for African American freedom in the United States. You could also set off to the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum, which exhibits the history of musical pioneers who overcame racial and socio-economic obstacles.

Alternatively, there is an optional full-day Memphis excursion that encompasses the city’s major musical highlights. The Sun Studio, a recording studio opened by Sam Phillips in 1950, is most known for its pivotal role in the early years of Elvis Presley’s career. Over the years, many other celebrated rock ‘n’ roll and country artists entered this building’s doors, including Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Charlie Feathers.

You’ll then continue to follow in the blue suede shoes of the King to Elvis Presley Boulevard before visiting Graceland, his home, last recording studio and final resting place. Today this vast entertainment complex houses restaurants, museums and gift shops, and you’ll be able to view his mansion, classic cars, glittering jumpsuits and several interactive exhibits.

Day Four – Morning at leisure and drive to Nashville

Embrace a leisurely morning to tick off any sights left on your list, like the 32-story Memphis Pyramid, the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, and the Memphis Music Hall of Fame, or perhaps pick up some souvenirs

The tour will then head to Nashville, the country music capital of the world, for a switch up of musical genres. Upon arriving, you’ll check into your hotel, and then the rest of the evening is free to seek out more live performances, perhaps in one of the renowned country music venues.

The downtown area, which is just a 20-minute walk away, is where you’ll find the Ryman Auditorium, the ‘Mother Church of Country Music’. You can also check out some of the city’s buzzing honky-tonks (live music bars), craft breweries, and distilleries. For dinner, trying Nashville’s signature dish of hot chicken will truly complete your first day in this city.

Day Five – Day at leisure or optional tour of RCA Studio B and the Country Hall of Fame and Museum

Enjoy breakfast and a day of exploring at your own pace or join an optional excursion showcasing the must-see sights of this musical mecca. The first stop, RCA Studio B in Nashville’s historic Music Row district, is a renowned recording studio that was built in 1965. It was here that countless country music hits have been recorded, including songs by Elvis Presley, and during its operation until 1977, it produced 60% of the Billboard magazine’s country chart hits.

You’ll then continue to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, one of the world’s largest museums and research centres dedicated to the preservation of American vernacular music. During your visit, you can walk through the latest exhibits of inductees, observe some of the 2.5 million artefacts, and potentially hear some live music.

Later in the day, there will be more time to spend here if desired, or you can return to the downtown area, specifically the world-famous Lower Broadway, for further discovery. The Johnny Cash Museum is also worth a visit, as it features the world’s most wide-ranging collection of Johnny Cash memorabilia.

Day Six – Morning at leisure and drive to Sevierville and the Great Smoky Mountains

After breakfast, you’ll have some time to perhaps survey the vintage shops for a gift or two and try the classic sweet treat of Nashville, a Goo Goo Cluster (a combination of nuts, caramel, nougat and milk chocolate).

You’ll then check out of your hotel and be driven east to Sevier County, the birthplace of Dolly Parton, situated amongst the foothills of Great Smoky Mountains. After arriving, the tour will call at a bronze life-size statue of Dolly Parton, strumming a guitar, outside the 1896 country courthouse for a photo opportunity.

Your accommodation is in the heart of the city, just across from the expansive Tanger Outlets shopping mall, and within walking distance from many restaurants and bars. This evening, you can head to one of these for dinner and some drinks.

Day Seven - Day at leisure or optional full-day Dollywood visit

Following breakfast, you can discover more of Sevierville or join an optional and memorable tour to the Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge. With more than 50 rides and an assortment of award-winning entertainment, shopping and dining options, this charming park promises a day of fun with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park serving as the beautiful backdrop.

More than enough time will be at your disposal to brave the roller coasters, sample the 20 Appalachia-inspired culinary offerings, watch live music and shows, and browse the craft and artistry gift stores. An ever-changing programme of events and theatrical performances await non-riders and in the words of Dolly herself, you’ll ‘love every moment’. You can also see a replica of Dolly’s childhood home near the entrance – a two-room cabin, which was constructed by Dolly’s brother Bobby, and the interior was recreated by her mother.

As night falls, you’ll return to the hotel to relax, refresh and have dinner on your own account.

Day Eight - Travel through the Smoky Mountains National Park to Atlanta

Once you’ve had breakfast, you’ll check out of the hotel and head back towards Atlanta through the Smoky Mountains National Park – America’s most visited national park.

This spectacular expanse of wilderness stretches over the Great Smoky Mountains and the Blue Ridge Mountains and comprises some of the highest mountains in eastern North America.

You’ll then arrive at the airport for your overnight flight home to the UK.

Day Nine - Land in the UK

Touch down back in the UK after a captivating journey of musical and historical enlightenment.

The Ultimate Elvis Presley & Dolly Parton Experience is located in Escorted Tour, USA. Accommodation rating is the operators own rating and may not be the official rating. Hotel details correct at 02/07/2025