Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Chicago, Nashville, New Orleans, Austin
100% customisable for you
Rise and shine: your musical holiday begins this morning. Head to the airport bright and early and enjoy a coffee in the lounge before catching your eight-and-a-half-hour flight to Chicago O’Hare Airport. Once you touch down, we’ve arranged for you to be picked up and driven to your hotel.
Drop your bags and grab a bite to eat along the Magnificent Mile, a glitzy mile-long stretch of Michigan Avenue, before heading to Millennium Park to see Anish Kapoor’s iconic ‘The Bean’ sculpture. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, head to one of the city’s many deep-dish pizza joints to sample this southern delicacy. Our trusty Concierge is on hand to recommend some hidden gems – although it’s up to you when it comes to the difficult choice of toppings.
The next two days are all about exploring ‘The Windy City’. Wander along the half-mile-long Navy Pier, one of Chicago’s most-visited attractions, and stop for a ride on its 196ft Ferris wheel. If that’s not quite high enough, head to Willis Tower, the third-tallest skyscraper in America, and tiptoe onto The Ledge, its 103rd-floor glass viewing platform.
Come evening, head below ground to one of the city’s legendary speakeasies. Filled with the sweet sound of urban blues, these hidden hangouts have hosted many of the greats, from Koko Taylor to Magic Slim. Grab a spot by the stage to be close to the action, or hang out in the back and sip on signature cocktails.
Chicago is more than just blues: it’s jazz, too. Spend your last evening at Andy’s Jazz Club, one of the city’s most respected clubs. Here, the shows come soulful and smooth, with a side of seared salmon or sizzling steak.
Today, say goodbye to blues and jazz and hello – or howdy – to country in Nashville, otherwise known as ‘Music City’. Head back to O’Hare Airport in the morning for your one-and-a-half-hour flight to Nashville.
After refuelling at a local distillery or brewery (Nashville has them by the bucketful), begin your foray into country at the ‘Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’. Home to over 2.5 million musical artefacts, you’ll get an education through the ages, from Johnny Cash to Taylor Swift.
The next few days in Nashville are yours for the taking. Wander through the city’s neighbourhoods, such as The Gulch and East Nashville, and admire the mesmerising array of street art. Travelling with a sports fan? We’d recommend swinging by the Nissan Stadium to watch the Tennessee Titans score a few touchdowns (foam finger optional).
Evening is for exploring Nashville’s best music venues. Visit the Grand Ole Opry, which has hosted all the big names in country (think Dolly Parton and Garth Brooks), and settle in for a foot-tapping performance. If you fancy a drink and a dance, head to the historic Printer’s Alley or Broadway (affectionately known as the ‘Honky Tonk Highway’). Wander past the neon lights and watch bands trying to make it big spill out of bustling bars – there’s no place quite like it.
Before you leave Nashville for New Orleans, fuel up at one of the city’s hot chicken shops. Hot chicken isn’t just a passing trend in Nashville – it’s a way of life, so head to the OG chicken shack, Prince’s, or the down-home deli, Big Al’s, for a taste of the local delicacy.
Once you’re suitably stuffed, head to the airport and hop on your one-and-a-half-hour flight to New Orleans. After you’ve touched down in ‘The Big Easy’ and checked into your hotel, spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing, ready to explore the city tomorrow.
Few cities have a soundtrack like New Orleans. Descended from the musical traditions of enslaved Africans, jazz and the subsequent big band music scene are integral to the city.
Before hitting the jazz clubs, spend the daylight hours wandering down Frenchman Street, listening to the majestic sound of trumpets and trombones, or stopping by Congo Square to catch a local drum circle playing traditional African beats. If you’re feeling peckish, refuel with tasty po-boys, hearty gumbo and rich crawfish etouffee before strolling through City Park.
Once evening hits, it’s off to Fritzel’s Jazz for a night on the town. This buzzing bar is New Orleans’ oldest operating jazz club, and has become a mecca for jazz lovers and musicians alike. It might not have Nashville’s glitz and glamour, but trust us: once the band starts playing and the cocktails start flowing, you’ll see exactly why Fritzel’s keeps it simple – the music speaks for itself.
This morning, it’s time to say see?ya?to New Orleans and?hey y’all?to Austin. Make your way to New Orleans’ Louis Armstrong Airport and hop on your one-and-a-half-hour flight to the Texan capital, where you’ll be picked up and transferred to your downtown hotel.
Spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing after your action-packed time in New Orleans – or, if you’re feeling energetic, our clued-up Concierge is on hand to recommend a few nearby hotspots.
A big city with a small-town heart, Austin doesn’t take its ‘Live Music Capital’ status lightly. Since the 1960s, this progressive city has been a haven for writers and musicians – disillusioned with Nashville’s honkytonk, artists such as Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings spearheaded a musical movement that combined western and country with an incisive injection of rock’n’roll.
Over your next three nights in Austin, be sure to visit a couple of its bars (we’d recommend The Continental Club and Antone’s). For a truly Texan experience, head over to Stubb’s BBQ in the heart of the city’s Red River District. This barbecue joint boasts an outdoor amphitheatre home to killer beats and light displays, perfectly complemented by mega chopped beef sandwiches and perfectly smoked brisket platters. Does it get?any more Texan than that?
It might be time to begin your journey home today, but you’ll still have the morning to soak in Austin’s sights. Splash around in Barton Springs Municipal Pool, visit Allens Boots (where you can pick up your very own pair of cowboy boots, hats, belts and leather jackets) and raise a pint to your trip at Meanwhile’s vintage-industrial style taproom.
In the afternoon, head to the airport for your nine-hour overnight flight back home. You’ll arrive in the UK bright and early the following morning, ready to introduce your friends and family to your new favourite jazz, blues and country tunes.
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
