Departing Tuesday Octoer 31st 2012 for 9 days / 8 nights

Join us on this entertainment Extravaganza! Experience these fantastic destinations...Branson, Memphis, Natchez & New Orleans.

You’ll find world-class entertainment for the whole family on this tour, great accommodations and good old fashioned fun. From Plantations, to Steamboats, to wonderful shows on the famous strip of Branson just a great time to be had by all. Headliner shows to be announced.

Itinerary

Day 1: Rapid City flight to New Orleans
Today your vacation begins as you fly to New Orleans. You will be met in the Baggage reclaim area by Stuart for your transfer to the hotel and overnight. Supper tonight is on your own at one of the many restaurants in the French Quarter.
Overnight New Orleans – No meals included.

Day 2: New Orleans
This morning we enjoy a guided tour of New Orleans including some areas where Katrina left a long lasting impression. After lunch we travel to experience a bygone era in one of the South's most beautiful settings – Oak Alley Plantation. Built in 1839, it is here we marvel at the unbelievable quarter mile long alley of 28 magnificent Oak Trees, each over 250 years old. Perhaps the most photographed plantation ever, Oak Alley has been the setting for such motion pictures as "Interview with a Vampire", "Primary Colors" and the wedding of Bo and hope from the daytime soap opera "Days of our Lives". Our guided Oak Valley Plantation tour will reveal the fascinating stories of the home and its history. View the majestic Cypress Trees in Louisiana's swamps bordering the Mississippi River. Just feel the gentle breeze of Southern hospitality on a tour that takes you back to the glory of the good Old South. This evening we are dined and entertained on the mighty Mississippi aboard the Steamboat Natchez…just a fantastic evening with magnificent views of New Orleans. After disembarking the vessel, we return back to our hotel for overnight.
Overnight New Orleans – Breakfast & Supper included

Day 3: New Orleans to Natchez, via Longwood Plantation House (185 miles)
This morning we head North before our lunch break. After lunch we continue towards Natchez. Sitting high on the bluff above the mighty Mississippi River rests Natchez, a city 300 years in the making. At first glance, Natchez appears to be frozen in time with perfectly preserved homes and buildings that remind us of days gone by. However, upon closer inspection, you soon discover that Natchez, while indeed a reflection of the past, is also alive in the here and now. Before arriving at our hotel, we will stop to explore one of the most amazing Plantation Houses. This six story 30,000 square foot mansion was designed by Samuel Sloan of Philadelphia for wealthy planter Haller Nutt and his wife, Julia Williams Nutt, and epitomizes the rise and fall of the South. As it was nearing completion, the Civil War began and the workmen dropped their tools and went home. Haller died in 1864 and his wife Julia continued to live in the finished first floor that today contains many original family furnishings. The upper five stories are an architectural wonder – a magnificent work in progress where time just stopped and stayed. This grandest octagonal house in America is a National Historic Landmark. After our visit we will continue to our hotel and overnight.
Overnight Natchez – Breakfast & Supper included

Day 4: Natchez to Memphis (335 miles)
Today we say goodbye to historic Natchez and head for Memphis, the home of Blues Music. We arrive Memphis late afternoon and supper tonight is on Historic Beale Street.
Overnight Memphis – Breakfast & Supper included

Day 5: Memphis, TN – Guided morning City Tour – Afternoon in Graceland
This morning we take a tour of Memphis before spending an afternoon at the former home of Elvis Pressley, Graceland. This evening supper is taken in a local restaurant.
Overnight Memphis – Breakfast & Supper included

Day 6: Memphis to Branson (310 miles)
After breakfast we continue our journey North to Branson, MO, making comfort stops along the way. After we check into our hotel it's time for supper & then the Presley's show at 8pm. They were an Ozark's family who played the underground stages of the Missouri hills. Folks from all over the world would pack the caves to hear their legendary family performances. So many in fact the caverns couldn't hold them anymore! So the Presley's left the caves and bought themselves a piece of land out on an isolated two lane stretch of asphalt just outside of town. Wasn't long after that when their show opened in a brand new theater. It was Branson's' original country music theater. The Presley's were a smash hit. People from across the country lined up every night for a chance to hear the country and gospel music the Presley family loved to perform. Pretty soon, other theaters started popping up around the Presley's. The years passed and Hwy 76 became a glittering Mecca of country music stars – and smack dab in the middle of it all, from the very start, were the Presley's. After the show we will return to our hotel for overnight.
Overnight Branson – Breakfast & Supper included

Day 7: Branson
This morning we take a drive around the Branson area taking in Old Town Branson, Lake Tanycomo & Table Rock Lake before our lunch break at McFarlains. At 1.15pm it's off to see the Hughes Brothers. This evening supper and show is at Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede.
Overnight Branson – Breakfast & Supper included

Day 8: Branson to Council Bluffs, IA (449 miles)
This morning after breakfast we head through Springfield, MO & Kansas City and finally into Council Bluffs. Supper tonight will be at the Cracker Barrel Restaurant, adjacent to the Hotel.
Overnight Council Bluffs – Breakfast & Supper included

Day 9: Council Bluffs to Rapid City (529 miles)
This morning after breakfast we head North on I-29, then west from Sioux Falls on I-90. Stops will be made at the appropriate times for comfort and meal breaks. We expect arrival into Rapid City late afternoon / early evening. Welcome home
Breakfast included