City Breaks, Shopping, Dining & Nightlife
Sample itineraries
Jazz and Blues - 8 night Rail Adventure
From £1259
Journey south through the very heart of the USA music scene as you head from Chicago to New Orleans, whether exploring the dizzying heights of the Windy City, taking a trip around Elvis's Graceland or strolling along historic Bourbon Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans, this adventure has something for everyone.
Highlights:
- Willis Tower & Shedd Aquarium, Chicago
- Chicago Blues Clubs
- Navy Pier in Chicago
- Cruise on Lake Michigan
- Cruise across Lake Michigan
- Graceland & Sun Studios
- Home of the Blues, Beale Street
- Southern hospitality & Cajun cuisine
- Plantation Home tours.
- New Orleans jazz clubs and the historic French Quarter
- Mississippi Paddle Steamer Cruise
Ideal time to visit: Year round
Price per person includes:
- Return flights into Chicago, Illinois and home from New Orleans, Louisiana
- Airport taxes
- 8 nights hotel & train accommodation
- Train - The City of New Orleans
Prices are based on off-season travel. Please call or email for costs for your preferred date of travel.
Day 1 Arrive Chicago
Arrive Chicago early evening. Now's the time to discover the Chicago Blues Clubs. Our favourites are-
Buddy Guy’s Legends, House of Blues and Blue Chicago.
Day 2 Chicago
Day at leisure in Chicago.
Known fondly as everyone's "kinda town" because Chicago is a city for all tastes. As lovely as Paris with its striking architecture and leafy parks, as entertaining as London and as bustling as New York.
There are world class art galleries and museums, vibrant theatres, intimate blues and jazz clubs, comedy bars, acres of green and the city even has a beach along the shores of Lake Michigan.
Getting around Chicago is easy with the Loop Skytrain in the central area, buses or the subway. The best introduction to the city is the Chicago North Shore Tour.
This 2-hour tour starts downtown and includes the lakeside sweep, the harbour and the world famous zoo before returning via Michigan Avenue and the night club area.
Day 3 Depart Chicago
Depart Chicago early evening for your overnight trip aboard the City of New Orleans train to Memphis.
All accommodation and meals are included onboard.
Train journey: 11 hours
Day 4-5 Arrive Memphis
Better known as the “Home of the Blues” Memphis is a sound, a groove and a rhythm that races through your soul.
Stroll along Beale Street listen to the blues bands in many of the local bars. We recommend Rum Boogie, Cafe Boogie or take a walk on the wild side at Wild Bill's.
Visit Graceland, a shrine to musical legend, even non-Elvis fans feel they are re-living history touring this elegant Mansion. Pop into Sun Studio's and hear about all the great recording artist's that frequented this surprisingly small studio.
You've got to visit the famous BB Kings Club on Beale Street, soak in the electric atmosphere here!
Day 6-8 Arrive New Orleans
Depart Memphis on the City of New Orleans train to arrive in The Big Easy early afternoon.
Train Journey: 9 hrs
New Orleans is truly like no other city in America. To enjoy this destination you'll stay in the heart and soul of the city, the French Quarter, justly famous for its ornate balconies, French architecture and joyous atmosphere .
Jackson square is the place to sit, sip an espresso and watch the city’s eclectic life unfold in front of your eyes. Several of the areas homes are open to the public, or jump on the St Charles Streetcar for a true overall feel for the city and its beautiful neighbourhoods.
No visit is complete without a cruise on an authentic Mississippi Paddle streamer or a peak into one of New Orleans many mysterious Voodoo shops.
So, there is more than enough to do by day but do save your energy for the evening when the French Quarter pulsates with live music, dancing and Creole dining under the stars.The venues we recommend are
Irvin Mayfield’s Jazz
Playhouse, Preservation Hall,
The Spotted Cat and the Palm Court Cafe to name but a few.







