Compare 5-Day Sea Kayak Expedition by Anacortes Kayak Tours vs Country Roads of the Deep South 2022 Small Group by Insight Vacations

Day 1:

Launch from Cabana Beach at Skyline Marina. Passing between Burrows Island and the grassy slopes of Washington Park you will be treated to views of Rosario Strait and the islands that the trip will be passing through. After crossing the Strait your first landfall will likely be James Island, one of our favorite Marine Park camp areas. Some groups fall in love with the place and choose to stay, while more ambitious paddlers may choose to press on to Lopez Island. [Pro Tip: If given the chance, stay on James Island. It’s amazing!] After choosing your home for the night your guide will assist you in setting up your tents and the rest of the camp. The rest of the afternoon can be spent exploring the area, or simply relaxing on the beach. If there is time and you would like to participate in a short afternoon paddle then just let your guide know.

Later in the day your guide will be busy preparing a delicious dinner for you to enjoy. If you are going to be out exploring the island then check in with them so that you can be sure to get the meal while it is hot and fresh. As the light changes in the evening you’ll want to seek out a special place to watch the sunset. Don’t forget to bring your beer or wine, it’s been a great day of kayaking and you deserve it!

Day  2:

The second day of this trip is often where you and your guides will be deciding on how you wish the experience to unfold. For some people the goal is to cover as much territory as possible, putting in long days and lots of miles between camp areas. Other groups may prefer a more leisurely pace, often choosing spend multiple nights in the same places and making day trips with empty kayaks which require a little less effort to paddle. Maybe you want to split the difference, camping in new places each night but choosing islands that are relatively close to each other. Any choice is going to be rewarding, and your guide will help you decide on what will work well for everyone. Lunch is usually going to be prepared in the field during a stop along the way, and there are plenty of snacks available in between.

After arriving at your next camp it is time for more relaxation! Go for another walk, skip stones, or simply sit at the water’s edge and contemplate the beauty around you, while your guide is busy preparing your next delicious dinner. (As you can tell, these guides work hard for their tips!)

Day 3:

After a preparing you a hearty breakfast your guide will talk with you again about the day’s paddling, so feel free to talk about what you are hoping to see and do. The exact time of your departure on this day is often determined by the timing of the tidal currents and how far the group wishes to travel this day.

If you are an ambitious group that is putting in a lot of miles of kayaking then you might spend this evening out in the Wasp Islands, or perhaps you already pushed that far and are now looping around to a campsite closer to home. Either way you can be confident that you’ll find the day to be filled with satisfying views and fun conversation. The third day of this trip is when you will likely feel a transformation inside of your soul. The worries and stress of home give way to a sense of peacefulness. Everything is in place and you are carrying all that you need. It is this transformation that makes the longer kayak trips so special.

Day 4:

Another delicious breakfast will refuel your body and satisfy your soul. On the fourth day you may find that repacking the boats has become a much simpler task than it felt on the first morning. Your transformation is complete, this is what you hoped for.

Picking where you are going to spend your last night in the San Juan Islands is always a bittersweet choice. It will be good to get back, but you are not quite ready to leave. Early in the afternoon you approach your final campsite, in this story it is the Cypress Island Reserve. It’s been a fantastic day on the water and you are excited to explore another island. As your guide prepares the camp you are free to wander out on the trails on your own. If you are on Cypress Island then you won’t want to miss the exceptional views on Eagle Cliff. On a clear day you can across the San Juan Islands and into Canada. Behind you the massive Mount Baker rises high above the Cascade Mountain Range. Back at camp you will want to open that last bottle of wine and make a toast to your next kayak trip in the San Juan Islands!

Day 5:

Greet your final morning in the San Juan Islands with a hot cup of coffee. [Pro Tip: If camping at Pelican Beach on Cypress Island, it is recommended that you wake early to see the sunrise over Mount Baker.] After breakfast you and your guide will talk about the last channel crossings and the best time to depart before taking down your camp and packing the boats for the last time. Lunch will usually be another beach break somewhere along the route home.

Depending on the route you take, and the conditions of the day, you will likely return back to Anacortes sometime between 2:00pm and 4:00pm. The exact return time is difficult to predict because so many factors are involved with this sort of travel experience. We recommend that you do not schedule things too tightly just in case the weather or some other variable slows you down along the way.

One of our logistics people will be there to greet you and help you unpack the kayaks. If you left any luggage at our office during the trip then they will bring that with them as well. After saying farewell to your guide, you are off to the next adventure. Hopefully we will see you again!

Day 1: Arrive in Nashville

Welcome to Nashville, the capital of Tennessee and the USA’s glittering centre stage. From the Everly Brothers' “Bye Bye Love," to Roy Orbison’s “Oh, Pretty Woman," the streets are paved with talent. Your airport transfer will whisk you to your hotel.Relax and unwind before meeting your Travel Director and mingling with guests at 18:00 followed by a Welcome Dinner with wine.

Day 2: Take centre stage in Nashville

Start your day with an orientation tour of music city. You'll visit the picturesque Riverfront Park, Tennessee State Capitol and the 132 acre Centennial State Park, where you'll encounter an exact replica of the Parthenon. Pass by the city's lively honky-tonks and street performers on Broadway, as you make your way to the Ryman Auditorium, former home of the Grand Ole Opry. Built in 1885 as a building for religious gatherings, it held its first concert in 1892, before opening its doors to Hollywood greats. It is here where Johnny Cash first met June Carter, where bluegrass was born and where country music found an audience. Tonight, head to the famous Grand Ole Opry, the world-renowned country music stage and longest-running radio broadcast in U.S. history.

Day 3: A day of legends

Go behind the scenes of a Nashville recording studio. This intimate experience introduces you to a performing artist, musicians and the techniques behind a song’s development. Make a stop at Nashville’s Farmers' Market and Market House to explore its artisanal crafts and produce.Explore Nashville with Insight Choice. Choose to visit Nelson’s Green Brier, a local Tennessee distillery and home of the Original Tennessee Whiskey. Alternatively, visit the National Museum of African American Music, which shares the story of the American soundtrack through history and interactive technology.Tonight's dinner at Puckett's Grocery & Restaurant will introduce you to the colourful flavours of Nashville. Perhaps try the crabmeat cheesecake.

Day 4: Heading back home to Memphis

This morning you'll head to Memphis. Whether it’s your first or hundredth time visiting this vibrant city, you’ll be drawn in by the lively melodies coming from Beale Street.Spend the morning on a sightseeing tour of the city, followed by a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at the National Civil Rights Museum. While there, you’ll be guided through five centuries of The Civil Rights Movement history and its impact on our culture today.End your day by joining a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience with a private evening at the Stax Museum of American Soul Music. The museum is part of The Soulsville Foundation, which aims to prepare young adults for life success and inspire future artists.

Day 5: A day dedicated to the King

Begin you day with a visit to Sun Studio, the “birthplace of rock and roll”, where music legends, including B.B. King, Johnny Cash and Elvis recorded.Make your way to the magnificent Graceland, the former home of the "King of Rock and Roll," Elvis Presley.Dinner this evening will be served at The Beauty Shop, a former parlour turned whimsical New American eatery where Elvis’ ex-wife, Priscilla, was said to get her hair done.

Day 6: Memphis to Greenwood

Travel through the Mississippi Delta down the Mississippi Blues Trail, a route that tells the stories of bluesmen and women. Explore the Delta town of Greenwood at your own pace, before heading to the Viking Cooking School for a hot tamales cooking demonstration - a regional specialty.Later, dine on a mouthwatering dinner at a James Beard Award finalist restaurant that features southern inspired dishes that include produce local to the area.

Day 7: Moving on to Natchez

Learn more about Southern history and hospitality as you head to Natchez. Tour the historic antebellum mansions, and discover the preservation efforts of later generations to tell the story of African-Americans through the decades, understanding that slavery and cotton allowed plantation owners to build these mansions. Test your mixologist skills as you concoct a traditional Southern cocktail, the Mint Julep. Minty, cooling and with a touch of sweetness, you're sure to learn a few party tricks to bring back home with you. Enjoy an evening to yourself. Ask your Travel Director for restaurant suggestions and discover one of the wonderful options in town.

Day 8: Natchez to Lafayette

Move on to Lafayette for a taste of the Cajun and Creole culture. Get to know more about Cajun culture and how it is defined by its roots.Head to the Acadian Cultural Center followed by a unique Cajun music experience.A genre rooted in the ballads of the French-speaking Acadians, it is both eclectic and joyous. Learn more about this fast tempo music and its history from a local accordion maker and musician.In the evening, indulge in a delicious dinner with your fellow travellers.

Day 9: Lafayette for foodies

Start the day with a crawfish farm tour just outside the city. You will be joined by a Local Expert who will help you catch your lunch the old-fashioned way, using hand nets. You’ll be taught how to prepare a traditional boil, before sitting down to the meal. If crawfish are out of season, you'll take part in a boil experience with seasonal seafood. Later, enjoy time at leisure or head out on an optional swamp tour.

Day 10: Welcome to the Big Easy

New Orleans is a lively and dynamic city, known for its vibrant culture and electric jazz festivals. On the way down south, stop at the Tabasco® Factory for a self-guided tour and discover how the world-famous red hot pepper sauce is made. This afternoon, head to the Southern Food and Beverage Museum, where you’ll learn more about the city’s diverse cuisine with a guided tour and included lunch.

Day 11: Festivities in New Orleans Relaxed Start

Get to know the city with a Local Expert as you discover each neighborhood's unique architecture and explore the vibrant art scene. See how the community comes together through celebration.In the afternoon, take your pick of optional activities, perhaps getting to know the local culture through a jazz music experience or by meeting a voodoo specialist.End your day by joining your fellow travellers at a Celebration Dinner at the Palace Cafe - a contemporary and upbeat Creole restaurant at the foot of the French Quarter.

Day 12: Depart New Orleans

It’s time to say goodbye to your fellow travellers as your adventure comes to an end with a departure to the airport.