Compare Country Roads of the Deep South 2022 Small Group by Insight Vacations vs Monterey's Jazz Bash by the Bay by Road Scholar

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.

Day 1 Check-in, Registration, Orientation, Welcome Dinner Carmel Valley, CA

Check-in available from 2:00-5:00 p.m.

Program Registration. When you arrive at Hidden Valley’s campus, come over to the main office next to the parking lot to register with the program staff and get your welcome packet containing the up-to-date schedule that reflects any changes, other important information, and to confirm the time and location of the orientation session. If you arrive late, please ask for your packet when you check in. At 5:00 p.m., we’ll meet our fellow participants for a wine and cheese reception in the Fireside Room. We’ll enjoy some California wines and/or juices and savor cheese and crackers before dinner.

Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone, review the up-to-date program schedule and any changes, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer any questions you may have. Introduction of participants is done as part of orientation. This is a Road Scholar Retreats program. Our programming at Retreat locations includes opportunities for light morning exercise, interaction with members of the local community, locally sourced meals, and evening entertainment. This is a Road Scholar FLEX program. It offers a more flexible schedule than our traditional programs with ample time for personal independent exploration and meals on your own to enjoy the cuisine of your choice. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local conditions/circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

Dinner in the Dining Room.

Day 2 History of Jazz & Ragtime Carmel Valley, CA

Pre-breakfast class of long, slow stretching and breathing in the Dance Studio. Toast and juice will be available in the dining room before class. Minimal walking on flat terrain.

Musicians performing at Monterey’s Jazz Bash by the Bay will join us in Hidden Valley’s Theatre to explore the history of Jazz through lecture and live performance. We will explore the roots of classical jazz, swing, ragtime, and other historically related music of the 1920s and ‘30s that are such an important part of our American musical heritage.

Teaching from the keyboard, Hidden Valley’s music faculty will introduce us to the music, composers, and history of American Ragtime. Ragtime emerged in African-American communities like St. Louis in the late 19th century and became popular nationally into the early 20th century thanks to the works of great ragtime composers, including Scott Joplin and his work “Maple Leaf Rag”. Ragtime fell out of popularity with the rise of jazz in the 1920s but has seen several revivals throughout the 20th century in ragtime-influenced jazz music.

Via a local re-enactor, we’ll enjoy an evening visit by Ogden Nash as he presents his famous light lyrical poetry and a discussion exploring his life and work.

In the dining room.

In the dining room.

In the dining room.

Day 3 Jazz Class, Jazz Bash by the Bay Monterey, CA

Pre-breakfast class of long, slow stretching and breathing in the Dance Studio. Getting on/off Hidden Valley van; the drive to Merritt House Inn is about 16 miles, approximately 1/2 hour. Parking is available at the Merritt House Inn for those who wish to take their own vehicle. Walking a couple of small city blocks to performance venues.

Members of the Festival will continue their review of jazz history and take a look at the performers for this year’s festival. The Jazz Bash by the Bay festival was established in 1980 and celebrates the roots of classical jazz, swing, and ragtime. The festival’s mission is to facilitate “live performance and broader appreciation of early jazz and other historically related music of the 1920s and ‘30s as part of our American musical heritage” The festival brings together the best traditional jazz and swing bands from across the U.S. and around the world.

Jazz Bash patron tickets and festival programs will be distributed. The Patron’s Badge enables us to have reserved seating at all concerts and enjoy a stunning Patron’s Lunch Party on Saturday, hosted by the festival. We’ll depart to Monterey where we will check in at the Merritt House Inn, an historic adobe Bed & Breakfast conveniently located in downtown Monterey, a couple of blocks from the festival venues. Monterey’s Jazz Bash by the Bay begins. Flex Time. Enjoy personal independent time during the festival weekend to see performances and do what interests you the most. We’ll roll through downtown Monterey to the festival venues at the newly renovated Monterey Conference Center and the Portola Hotel & Spa, located right next to the Monterey Historic State Park, marina, and Old Fisherman’s Wharf where we can watch the seals, pelicans, and boats.

We’ll continue to enjoy the opening night performances at Jazz Bash by the Bay.

In the dining room.

In the dining room.

This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. In downtown Monterey is a variety of interesting restaurants to choose from – all conveniently located in a couple block radius to the performances and our lodgings.

Day 4 Jazz Bash by the Bay and Patron's Lunch Monterey, CA

Walking a few blocks around historic downtown Monterey.

Jazz Bash by the Bay. On your own to see and do what interests you the most. We’ll continue to explore the world of Dixieland Jazz through festival performances.

Jazz Bash continued.

Jazz Bash continued.

At the Merritt House Inn breakfast room.

As the festival’s guests, enjoy a special Patron’s Lunch, a gorgeous musical brunch with all Patrons of the Festival at the Monterey Marriott hotel located across the street from the festival venues.

On your own to enjoy local cuisine.

Day 5 Jazz Bash, Return to Hidden Valley, Local Wines Carmel Valley, CA

Walking a few blocks in downtown Monterey. Getting on/off Hidden Valley van; the drive to Hidden Valley is about 16 miles, approximately 1/2 hour.

We’ll check out of the Merritt House Inn and return to the Jazz Bash for more performances.

We’ll see any concluding performances at the Jazz Bash festival and return to Hidden Valley.

A local winemaker will join us in the Dining Room for an introductory class during which we will learn about new wines, the process that goes into producing them, and ultimately experience them through a tasting. Carmel Valley is one of the seven appellations comprising Monterey County’s diverse wineries; of these, Carmel Valley is perhaps the most distinct. Nestled in the Santa Lucia foothills, our summers yield exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and other red varietals.

Merritt House Inn breakfast room.

On your own to enjoy local cuisine.

Farewell Dinner at Hidden Valley's dining room.

Day 6 Program Concludes Carmel Valley, CA

Casual check-out 9:30 a.m.

In the Dining Room, we’ll enjoy a farewell breakfast buffet to commemorate the great program we have had with new Road Scholar friends. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!