Compare Country Roads of the Deep South 2022 Small Group by Insight Vacations vs To Missouri & Beyond: Space & Robots With Your Grandchild 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, Orientation, Welcome Dinner, Mad Science St. Charles

Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m.

Program Registration: 4:30 p.m. After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table in the meeting room (adjacent to the breakfast room) 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. Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

We’ll be joined by the “Mad Science” team who will lead us through an exciting interactive experiment. Then continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night's rest for the day ahead.

In the hotel breakfast room at 5:45 p.m.

Day 2 St. Louis Science Center, Planetarium, Swim, Experiment St. Charles

Getting on/off a bus. Walking at St. Louis Science Center, seating available.

We will board our bus for a field trip to the St. Louis Science Center, one of the top four science centers in the nation. In a classroom setting, our goal will be to fill an entire area with a functioning Rube Goldberg machine. We’ll work together as a group to create a machine using dominoes, ramps, buckets, and levers in order to flip on a switch. After our hands-on experiment is finished, we’ll have time to explore the Science Center on our own.

Next, we’ll stop by a true St. Louis icon on historic Route 66 for a special treat. We’ll then take a short ride to the James S. McDonnell Planetarium, one of the nation’s leading space education facilities. We’ll explore the planetarium’s space exhibits and see the Gateway to the Solar System Show in its unique, dome-shaped auditorium. Simply by looking up, we’ll learn about past, present, and future planetary phenomena while exploring the solar system, discovering planets, moons, and more in the St. Louis sky. When done, we’ll board the bus and go to dinner.

Returning to the hotel, we’ll gather in the breakfast area at 7:00 p.m. for an engineering challenge. The remainder of the evening is at leisure for a swim in the pool (with grandparents present), spending time with new Road Scholar friends, or just relaxing.

In the hotel breakfast room.

At a local eatery.

At a local restaurant.

Day 3 Boeing Prologue Room, Lego Robotics, PJ Party & Movie St. Charles

Getting on/off a bus; driving about 15 miles each way, approximately 1/2 hour. Standing in Boeing Prologue Room.

We will ride to the Boeing Prologue Room, then watch a short introductory film about the history of flight. We’ll then have an expert-led exploration of the interactive museum that teaches the history of aviation through exhibits, artifacts, and media presentations. After our field trip, we’ll ride to Bricks 4 Kidz.

STEM refers to science, technology, engineering, and math. At Bricks 4 Kidz, an expert STEM instructor will lead us in learning how to build robots using EV3 Lego-robotics kits. We will learn about sensor inputs and robotic brain outputs as we program the robots to perform assigned tasks.

Returning to the hotel, we’ll wear our PJs and meet in the breakfast room for a movie night with popcorn and refreshments.

In the hotel breakfast room.

At Bricks 4 Kidz, we’ll have boxed lunches.

At a local restaurant.

Day 4 Challenger Space Center, Free Time to Explore Main Street St. Charles

Getting on/off a bus; driving about 13 miles each way, approximately 1/2 hour. Walking and standing at field trip site.

We will set out on a field trip to the Challenger Learning Center and participate in a simulated space mission. We’ll have an opportunity to become an “astronaut” on board the Space Center and/or take a turn at working for Mission Control.

Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Please note that the period scheduled for free time is subject to change depending on local circumstances and opportunities for independent exploration. Take this opportunity to explore the historic St. Charles area on your own. To mix a bit of history into our science experiences, you might like to walk in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark in the river town where their expedition began. Or, visit the boat house, quaint shops, or restaurants.

In the hotel breakfast room.

At the Challenger Learning Center, we’ll have boxed lunches before returning to the hotel.

This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to have what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. There are many choices on Main Street in St. Charles.

Day 5 Drones & Other Electronic Gizmos St. Charles

Getting on/off a bus. Walking 2-3 miles and standing.

After a short bus ride to St. Charles Community College, we will spend the day with drones and other gizmos. We’ll test different kinds of drones and learn to fly a drone to take home. While the drones take a break to recharge, we’ll join in challenges with other electronic gadgets and gizmos.

We will continue our drone flying on an obstacle course and then have a Drone Blimp Battle Royale. The drones will have helium balloons attached, and each competitor will try to pop all of the other balloons until only one drone remains!

We’ll gather to watch the movie “Monument to the Dream” about the engineering feat that made the Gateway Arch possible.

In the hotel breakfast room.

At St. Charles Community College, we will have pre-selected boxed lunches.

In the hotel breakfast room.

Day 6 Design & Launch Rockets, St. Charles Community College St. Charles

Getting on/off a bus. Walking and standing at college campus.

We will ride to St. Charles Community College where we’ll be joined by a true science aficionado and participate in a hands-on activity focusing on the physics of flight. We’ll spend our morning learning about the history of rockets, from the early development of Chinese fireworks through the use in weapons during WWII all the way to the U.S. space program to the moon. Then we’ll build our own rockets!

We’ll continue learning about the mechanics of thrust and stability by launching the rockets we built this morning. After the rocket launch — if needed — we will do repairs so that we can take our rockets home for future blastoffs.

Upon returning to the hotel the remainder of the evening is at leisure for a swim in the pool (with grandparents present), spending time with new Road Scholar friends, or just relaxing. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.

In the hotel breakfast room.

On campus.

At St. Charles Community College, we’ll have a barbecue dinner. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.

Day 7 Program Concludes St. Charles

Hotel check out 12:00 Noon.

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!

In the hotel breakfast room. This concludes our program.