- Details
- Itinerary
- Photos
Elvis Presley & Dolly Parton Experience
Discover the heart and soul of country music with the Elvis & Dolly Parton Experience. This 9-day tour takes you to the musical meccas of Memphis and Nashville, plus the birthplaces of two iconic stars, Elvis Presley and Dolly Parton. From legendary Graceland to the magic of Dollywood, this unforgettable journey through Tennessee celebrates the unforgettable sounds of Elvis and Dolly.
Highlights of Your Tour
- Explore Memphis, home of Elvis Presley, and visit Graceland, the King’s iconic mansion.
- Wander down Beale Street, America’s most famous musical highway, steeped in blues and soul music.
- Visit Tupelo and Sevierville, the birthplaces of Elvis and Dolly, and pay homage to their humble beginnings.
- Experience the wonders of Dollywood, a theme park featuring over 50 rides and world-class entertainment.
- Take in the beautiful Smoky Mountains National Park, America’s most visited national park, known for its breathtaking views.
Itinerary Highlights
Your journey begins in Birmingham, Alabama, where you’ll spend a night discovering the city’s culinary delights before heading off to Memphis. Stay for two nights at the Guesthouse at Graceland, where you’ll be steps away from the King’s estate. After exploring Graceland and other local attractions, you’ll head to Nashville, the home of country music. Spend two nights exploring the city’s honky-tonk bars and music scene before moving on to Sevierville for a two-night stay in the heart of Dolly Parton’s world. You’ll even have the option to visit Dollywood for a full day of excitement and adventure.
About Graceland
Graceland, Elvis Presley’s former home, is a must-see for fans and visitors alike. Offering a glimpse into the life of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, this grand estate, complete with its impressive mansion, personal artefacts, and tranquil grounds, remains an iconic part of Elvis’s legacy. Stay just steps away from the gates of Graceland at the Guesthouse, where the hotel offers Elvis-inspired décor and Southern Colonial charm, making it a perfect base for your Memphis adventure.
What’s Included
- Seven nights’ accommodation in good quality hotels: 1 night in Birmingham, 2 nights in Memphis, 2 nights in Nashville, and 2 nights in Sevierville.
- Four breakfasts.
- Return flights from the UK to Atlanta.
- Air-conditioned coach travel and transfers throughout.
- Fully escorted by an experienced tour manager.
This Elvis Presley & Dolly Parton Experience offers a fun-filled and scenic journey through the American South, with plenty of musical history, culture, and unforgettable experiences along the way.
Ready to experience the legacy of Elvis and Dolly? Book your Elvis Presley & Dolly Parton Experience today and explore the rich musical heritage of Memphis, Nashville, and beyond. Looking for custom options or other departure airports? Contact us to tailor your holiday and make it an experience you’ll never forget.
Itinerary
This evening, you can choose to have dinner at the hotel or head out to take advantage of the city’s diverse culinary scene.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.