The Elvis 45th Anniversary Tour

Join us for our very special Elvis Aficionados 45th Anniversary Tour in August 2022. We'll be visiting Memphis and Tupelo and then venturing on to Las Vegas, Palm Springs and Hollywood. This will be the opportunity for all Elvis fans to become ‘Elvis aficionados’ as you’ll see and learn so much about the man – not just geographically, his star quality, his generosity and his success but also ‘what made him tick’. We’ll have Elvis Week in Memphis – with an Elvis Experience Pass for Graceland included, an extensive full days guided tour of all of the Elvis sights of this amazing city during which you'll see more than you would on any other tour. We really do know Memphis best! Plus, we’ll have a whole day tour to Tupelo to visit Elvis’ Birthplace and all the Elvis sights there too before 3 days to explore Memphis, revisit Graceland, take a day trip to Nashville or a sightseeing cruise on a Mississippi Riverboat...the choice is yours. You'll also be able to join in with the Candlelight Vigil for this very special anniversary. And then you can either head for home or continue for another week of fun in the USA. Our extension tour heads on over to Las Vegas, the glittering oasis where Elvis soared to even greater heights becoming the biggest star they had ever known. We’ll stay at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort (formerly the Las Vegas Hilton where Elvis appeared), enjoy a backstage tour and have time to explore this amazing city and to take excursions to the Grand Canyon or Hoover Dam. Onward then to Palm Springs – a wonderfully retro-styled city in the heart of the Californian desert where Elvis had two homes which we will see on our special sightseeing tour. Palm Springs is amazing, one of the most beautiful places in the USA and packed with old-world charm and multi-million dollar celebrity homes. Whilst there we’ve included a visit to nearby Idyllwild a beautiful town hidden deep in the pine forests of the San Jacinto mountains as it was here that Elvis filmed Kid Galahad, released exactly 60 years ago. We like Anniversaries! And finally we’ll visit Hollywood and Burbank where Elvis performed both on the big and the small screen in these major movie and TV cities. We’ll also see two more of Elvis’ former homes in the millionaire suburbs of Beverley Hills and Bel Air. In fact on this unique tour you will see every Elvis home that’s still standing! Whichever you choose we know that you’ll just love it – so don’t let this major Anniversary pass without joining us on an exciting Elvis holiday

OUR ITINERARY

DAY 1 – Wednesday 10th August

Mid-morning departure from Heathrow* for the transatlantic scheduled flight via a US Gateway city and on to Memphis, Tennessee. Coach transfer to your hotel - The Guest House at Graceland, the Holiday Inn Express on Elvis Presley Boulevard or the Comfort Inn in Downtown Memphis. Remainder of the evening is at leisure.

Day 2 – Thursday 11th August

Today is Graceland Day so first on the list is a tour of Elvis’ magnificent mansion. This is where Elvis lived, loved and was laid to rest, and as you tour the place he called home you’ll no doubt pick up on the warm, friendly atmosphere that pervades the building. Perhaps it’s because it is just so well loved by Elvis fans. The rest of the day is free for you to visit the attractions at Elvis’ Memphis opposite the mansion such as the Auto Museum or Elvis’ Aircraft Exhibit and don’t forget to check out the Elvis shops.

Day 3 - Friday 12th August

Full day’s guided tour of Elvis’ Memphis – showing you many of the major sights of the city as well as an amazing array of places of particular interest to Elvis fans including where he lived, where he went to school, where he performed and lots more besides. On the tour you’ll also see the Circle G Ranch, take a tour of Sun Studio, visit Lauderdale Courts and enjoy lunch at the Arcade Restaurant. Evening at leisure.

Day 4 to Day 6 Saturday 13th to Monday 15th August

Another three full days free to enjoy the sights and sounds of Memphis, to revisit Graceland, to take a ride on a Mississippi Riverboat, shop for souvenirs, visit some great museums – including the Cotton Museum, the Rock & Soul Museum, the National Civil Rights Museum and the Stax Studio Museum – or bop your way down Beale Street, the greatest music street in the world. 

On one of the days we’ll head south, over the Mississippi State Line, and on to Tupelo the once sleepy little cotton town where Elvis was born and lived until he was 13yrs old. We’ll see all the sights associated with his life there and visit the Birthplace where you’ll have ample time to visit the Elvis Museum, the Memorial Chapel, the original Assembly of God Church that Elvis worshipped in as a young boy, to see the statues of Elvis, the Story Wall, fountains and beautifully landscaped grounds where you can immerse yourself in Elvis memories...and take lots of photographs. During Elvis Week in Memphis Elvis Presley Enterprises will be arranging various activities and concerts that you may wish to partake in – no details are available at the time of preparing this brochure but they will be sent to you nearer to the tour departure date. One event you will certainly want to take part in will be the Candlelight Vigil at Graceland on the evening of the 15th August.

Day 7 – Tuesday 16th August

Morning free before transferring to the airport to connect with our flight overnight to the UK. Day 8 – Wednesday 17th August Mid-morning arrival into Heathrow airport. 

Days 1 to 7 Wednesday 10th to Tuesday 16th August as per itinerary for Memphis & Tupelo but instead of flying back to the UK on Day 7 we head west to glittering Las Vegas. Transfer to the Westgate Hotel. Evening free to take your first look at this amazing city.

Days 8 to 10 – Wednesday 17th to Friday 19th August

Three glorious days to soak up the sunshine and atmosphere of one of the world’s most famous and fantastic resorts. On one morning we’ll be treated to a backstage tour of the very Showroom that Elvis blessed with some incredible performances. You may also wish to take an air tour to see the awesome Grand Canyon or a coach trip to the massive Hoover Dam, enjoy a star-studded show, have a little gamble in the glittering casinos or just amble along the neon-lit Las Vegas ‘Strip’ to marvel at some of the other incredible hotels.

Day 11 – Saturday 20th August

Morning departure for our journey across the Mojave Desert, into California and on to beautiful Palm Springs and to our centrally located hotel, the Palm Mountain Resort and Spa. Remainder of the day at leisure.

Days 12 to 15 – Sunday 21st to Wednesday 24th August

Four glorious days in this paradise city and on one of the days you can take a ride to the top of the San Jacinto Mountains enjoying fabulous views from the Aerial Tramcar, we’ll see the house that Elvis had rented for his ‘honeymoon hideaway’ with Priscilla plus the home on Chino Canyon that he had owned. We’ll see where the Colonel lived and the other ‘Elvis sights’ in this beautiful area such as the restaurants and stores that he patronised. We’ll also enjoy a day trip to the small mountain town of Idyllwild where Elvis filmed Kid Galahad. Time too to see the stunning homes of other showbiz legends, to take a jeep tour deep into the desert or to just relax by the hotel’s pool. 

Day 16 – Thursday 25th August

We leave Palm Springs this morning for the drive to Los Angeles and to the glamorous movie-making suburb of Hollywood where Elvis – the singing star, became Elvis – the movie star. An opportunity to visit many of ‘Tinseltown’s’ famous sights and to stroll along Hollywood Boulevard or Sunset Strip before making our way to our hotel in nearby Burbank.

Day 17 – Friday 26th August

This morning we’ll take a ride into Beverly Hills and Bel Air to see two more of Elvis’ homes before having the rest of the day at leisure. How about an optional tour of a movie studio or a visit to Universal Studios theme park.

Day 18 – Saturday 27th August Morning at leisure in Burbank, another Los Angeles suburb famous for its movie making and TV including the NBC Studios where the ’68 Special was produced. Afternoon transfer to Los Angeles Airport to connect with our overnight flight to the UK.

Day 19 - Sunday 28th August

Mid-afternoon arrival into Heathrow* Airport.

Questions Answered

The Tour Price is inclusive of all the following:-

The Memphis & Tupelo tour price is inclusive of all the following:-

• Scheduled economy class flights inc. taxes and security charges

• 6 nights hotel accommodation inc. taxes

• All coaching and Shuttle Bus Service in Memphis as per Itinerary

• A Tour Pass for Graceland including the Mansion tour and admission to the      Exhibits

• Guided sightseeing tours of Memphis and Tupelo

• Admission to Sun Studio, Lauderdale Courts Apartment and the Elvis Presley      Birthplace and Museum.

                                                        • Lunch at the Arcade Restaurant

                                                        • Driver gratuities 

                                                        • The services of an experienced Elvis Travel Service Tour Manager.

The Memphis, Tupelo, Las Vegas, Palm Springs and Hollywood tour price is inclusive of all the above plus:-

• Flight Memphis to Las Vegas and returning from Los Angeles instead of Memphis

• An additional 11 nights First Class accommodation including taxes

• All coach transfers in Las Vegas, Palm Springs and the Hollywood/Burbank area as per itinerary including the drive from Las Vegas to Palm Springs and from Palm Springs to Burbank.

• Sightseeing tours in Palm Springs, and Hollywood plus the visit to Idyllwild.

• A backstage tour of the Westgate Hotel Showroom (subject to performance schedules)

Items not included are:- drinks and meals other than those specified above, travel insurance, any optional excursions and personal expenses such as laundry, phone calls etc.

Please note that the tour prices are inclusive of the estimated air fare, airport taxes and security charges at the time of costing this tour (20th April 2021) as the major airlines will not issue their Group Contracts and fares more than 11 months prior to the return date of any tour.

However when we re-confirm your reservation at that stage we would advise you of any fare increase. This is unlikely but if it does increase the tour price then we are happy to allow you to cancel at that stage with a full refund of monies paid….can’t be fairer than that can we?

ROOM-MATE SERVICE: If you are travelling alone but would like to share (either for company or to keep the cost down) we will gladly endeavour to pair you up with another fan of similar age/gender. This is something that we regularly do and have found that long-lasting friendships are formed as a result. Should it not be possible to pair you up you would be offered single accommodation at the appropriate price.

TRAVEL INSURANCE: It is mandatory that all passengers have sufficient travel insurance. Please telephone America as you like it on 020 8742 8299 who will be pleased to recommend cover for you. Cover is not effective until the premium has been paid and your application approved by the insurers. If you are relying on travel insurance provided by your bank or credit card provider as part of their service please check that their cover is sufficient, in particular with regard to cancellation charges.

FLIGHTS AND TIMINGS: The flights will be in economy class on a major scheduled airline from London’s Heathrow* Airport. *Please contact us for a price from other UK airports. Flight times will be confirmed on your ConfirmationInvoice although these are subject to change. The baggage allowance is 50lbs (23kgs) per person.

EXCHANGE RATES: The tour price is based at the currency exchange rate at the time of costing this holiday - £1. Sterling being equal to $1.33 US Dollars

PASSPORTS AND VISAS: A full Electronic Passport (e-Passport) issued by the UK Government or a member state of the European Union and valid for at least 6 months after the date of return to the UK is required.

Visas are not required by the majority of British Citizens travelling on a UK Passport, however we recommend you check your eligibility at https://uk.usembassy.gov/esta/

UK Passport Holders should ensure that they have completed the online Visa Waiver Form (ESTA) at https://esta.cpb.dhs.gov/ at least 72hrs before the date of travel.

The charge for an ESTA is currently $14 per person and can be paid using most debit/credit Cards. Without a valid ESTA you would be denied boarding by the airline. The registration is then valid for 2 Years or until the expiry of your passport (whichever is the sooner). If you do not have access to the ESTA website then the Elvis Travel Service are happy to do this for you. Please contact them on 01473 621 564 and have your UK passport details available. Holders of all other passports should consult the US Embassy prior to departure for visa requirements.

HEALTH: No vaccinations or inoculations are currently required for British Subjects. The Department of Health produces the Health Advice for Travellers booklet (T) which is available from your local Post Office or by telephoning 0800 555 777 free of charge.

CLIMATE AND CLOTHING: The weather in August can be variable but in these regions of the USA you can expect it to be hot – probably between a minimum daytime temperature in the 80’sF and a maximum of just over 100’F so best take light-weight clothing with a comfortable pair of walking shoes or trainers for sightseeing. The USA is known for its informality and so nowhere (not even at these nice hotels!) are you expected to ‘dress-up’ – however there will be a few opportunities in the evenings for those who would wish to. 

PAYMENT AND TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: A payment of £750 per person deposit is payable upon booking. Upon receipt of your deposit (and obviously subject to places being available) you will be sent a Confirmation-Invoice showing the balance due. A further payment of £750 will be required by 1st January 2022 with the final balance due no later 1st June 2022. Approximately 15 days before departure you will be sent your Travel Wallet containing your e-tickets, baggage tags, a souvenir lanyard/tour pass and final itinerary and joining instructions.

PAYMENT BY CREDIT/DEBIT CARD: We are pleased to accept payment by credit or debit card for all, or part, of your holiday cost. Please call to make payment.

TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES: If you have any queries regarding the holiday please don’t hesitate to phone the Elvis Travel Service on 01473 621 564 or America as you like it on 020 8742 8299. Telephone bookings can be made but these are only provisional and must be confirmed with a completed Reservation Form within 5 working days.

HOW TO BOOK: To book simply call America As You Like It on 020 8742 8299

Email: sales@americaasyoulikeit.com Website www.americaasyoulikeit.com