ELVIS USA SPRING BREAK 2024
MEMPHIS & TUPELO
Monday 15th to Monday 22nd April 2024
NEW ORLEANS, BILOXI & CRYSTAL RIVER
Sunday 21st to Tuesday 30th April 2024
MEMPHIS, TUPELO, NEW ORLEANS, BILOXI & CRYSTAL RIVER
Monday 15th to Tuesday 30th 2024
This is the ultimate tour for Elvis fans with more than six full days in the city that Elvis loved. You’ll visit
Graceland – his beautiful mansion, but much more than that you’ll get to see previous homes and places so
significant to Elvis’ life, and learn of the influences so important in making him both the man and the
amazing artiste that he was. This is an in-depth tour but a fun one too as you’ll be in the company of other
Elvis fans. The tour is designed and led by Elvis fans who are also travel professionals – determined to give
you the Elvis journey of a lifetime.
TOUR A
Monday 15th April 2024
Morning departure from London’s Heathrow* Airport for the flight to the USA. We’ll clear through US Immigration & Customs at a Gateway airport before taking our onward flight to Memphis. Coach transfer to the hotel. Remainder of the evening at leisure, perhaps for your first look at the beautiful Graceland mansion.
Tuesday 16th April
Morning visit to Graceland. Your ‘Elvis Experience Pass’ entitles you to a self-guided tour of the mansion plus
access to the all-new Elvis Presley’s Entertainment Complex with admission to Elvis’ aircraft, the Presley Motors
Automobile Museum and other Elvis exhibits – so much of the day will be taken up with those.
Evening at leisure – why not enjoy dinner at Marlowes situated on Elvis Presley Boulevard – a well-known
Memphis restaurant that’s popular with Elvis fans.
Wednesday 17th April
Today we’ll have a full day's guided sightseeing tour of Elvis' Memphis, taking you to all the major sights of the city but with emphasis on Elvis' life here. You'll see where he lived, where he went to school, performed, shopped, worshipped and lots more besides. It includes a tour of the famous Sun Studio, a visit to the Presley family’s Lauderdale Courts apartment and is the most comprehensive tour of Elvis’ Memphis available.
Thursday 18th April
Full day at leisure – what’s it to be, watching the Duck Parade in the lobby of the beautiful Peabody Hotel, a visit to the Rock & Soul, Stax, Cotton or Civil Rights Museums or perhaps an afternoon sightseeing cruise on the mighty Mississippi River?
Throughout today and also on Saturday the Elvis Travel Service Shuttle Bus will operate between the hotel and Downtown Memphis and also on at least one of the evenings you might like to join your Tour Managers for a visit to Beale Street; to sample the incredible atmosphere of this music mecca - possibly the most famous (and definitely most exciting) music street in the world.
Friday 19th April
Another real treat today as we head south, over the Mississippi State Line and on to Tupelo, the town where Elvis was born. We’ll first of all take you to the Birthplace itself – a humble little building that’s now the most popular visitor attraction in the whole of the State. Time here to also visit the Elvis Museum and Visitor Centre and to stroll through the lovely landscaped grounds. Then it’s back on the coach for a guided tour of the sights of Tupelo and we’ll show you lots of places that are so relevant to Elvis’ life here. Time for photo’s, a bit of exploring and some shopping before we head back to Memphis.
Saturday 20th April
Full day free. An opportunity to revisit Graceland or to head to the downtown attractions of Memphis – perhaps to pop into Lansky’s clothes store, to ride the tram along Main Street to the Arcade Restaurant (one of Elvis’ favourites) or to visit another of the many museums and galleries. Memphis is a fascinating city and you certainly won't be at a loss for something to do.
Sunday 21st April
Morning at leisure. Time perhaps for a last ‘free’ walk-up to pay your respects at Graceland’s Meditation Garden or to buy those last-minute souvenirs before the late morning transfer to the airport to join our flight travelling overnight to the UK.
Monday 22nd April
Mid-morning arrival into Heathrow Airport.
TOUR B
For those fans who may have been to Memphis and Tupelo many times before and only have the time to enjoy the excitement and colour of New Orleans, the Elvis connection in Biloxi and the beauty of Crystal River in Florida, you’d be welcome to just join us for our superb Extension as we explore the film location sites for ‘King Creole’ and ‘Follow That Dream’. Both of these destinations have been featured on previous hugely enjoyable trips but they’ve never been combined on the same one. And it's many years since we last visited Biloxi – much enjoyed by Elvis during his time with the lovely June Juanico who hailed from there. The two movies are amongst the very best that Elvis made and coincidentally in both New Orleans and the Crystal River area most of the filming locations are there to see – hardly changed from when they were in the movies.
Sunday 21st April 2024
Late morning flight from Heathrow to New Orleans followed by a transfer to the Holiday Inn – Downtown Superdome. Meet up with the other tour members who have arrived into New Orleans in the mid-afternoon.
Remainder of the evening free.
Monday 22nd and Tuesday 23rd April
Two glorious days to enjoy New Orleans including our leisurely walking* tour of the famous French Quarter which includes the location sites for the filming of Elvis’ King Creole. *Tour coaches are not allowed in the narrow streets of the French Quarter but don’t worry our tour is neither too far nor too fast.
You’ll love New Orleans – one of the most colourful cities in the USA. Any excuse for a parade (even a funeral!), for bursting into music (the street musicians are sensational) or for eating....the food here is mouth-wateringly sumptuous – whether it be Creole-style fine dining or just beignets (French-style doughnuts) and coffee at a sidewalk café. There are lots of interesting optional excursions also planned including a swamp tour, Mardi Gras Museum visit and a Jazz Cruise. Plus there’s shopping a’plenty and an opportunity for a laze in the sun on the hotel’s pool deck.
Wednesday 24th April
Morning drive along the Gulf of Mexico coast to Biloxi where, after an orientation tour of this Casino Resort we check into the Gulf Hills Hotel where Elvis would stay when visiting girlfriend June Juanico. Remainder of the day at leisure.
Thursday 25th April
Full day to enjoy the beach, the casinos and the other attractions of Biloxi – Mississippi’s premier seaside resort, to visit the quaint stores of nearby Ocean Springs or to relax in the comfort of the hotel.
Friday 26th April
A full day’s drive today as we head east, passing through Alabama into Florida, and on to Crystal River and to our hotel, the Plantation on Crystal River.
Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th April
Two wonderful days in a delightfully unspoilt region of Florida. We’ll enjoy a tour of the filming location sites or ‘Follow That Dream’ including a visit to the Courthouse Museum in Inverness used as the Courthouse in the movie. We’ll also include a boat trip on Crystal River and in your free time you might like to visit the many small shops in the town, relax by the pool, enjoy a game of golf or tennis, or even swim with the manatees.
Monday 29th April
Morning visit to Weeki Wachee Springs, one of the oldest tourist attractions in Florida with it’s world-famous Mermaid Show and one which Elvis enjoyed while on a break from filming. Finally we head for Tampa Airport to connect with our return overnight flight to the UK.
Tuesday 30th April
Morning arrival into London’s Heathrow Airport.
TOUR C
The Lot. The whole caboodle – taking in 5 States (Tennessee, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida) by
combining Tours A and B but with the added bonus of between them we take the most famous train in
America from Memphis all the way south through the Mississippi countryside to New Orleans....singing
”Good Morning America. How are you?”. But probably not quite as well as Arlo Guthrie or Willie Nelson!
The Elvis Travel Service has built its reputation not just on providing the best ever tours to Memphis and
Tupelo but also for it’s research and creativity (and, because we’re fans, knowing what other fans want) so
we like to take you to other places in the USA with a strong Elvis connection – and there are few more
impressive and enjoyable than those chosen for this very special tour.
Our Hotels
MEMPHIS:
The Guest House at Graceland - 6 nights
An exciting addition to the Graceland complex this luxury class full service hotel is an experience in itself.
Rated 4.5 (Excellent) by Tripadvisor and with 450 handsomely furnished all en-suite rooms, a choice of restaurants, a
lobby bar and a sports bar, a gift shop, Ballroom and full convention facilities including a 464 seat theatre.
There’s also a large outdoor pool and the hotel is set in beautifully landscaped grounds adjacent to Graceland’s Chapel in the Woods and the Graceland mansion.
NEW ORLEANS:
Holiday Inn Downtown-Superdome – 3 nights
Situated on the edge of the historic French Quarter and within easy walking or trolley distance to most of the
major sights of New Orleans this modern, high-rise hotel is a firm favourite with us. It boasts a popular bar and
restaurant, swimming pool and sun deck and handsomely furnished rooms.
BILOXI (Ocean Springs):
Gulf Hills Hotel – 2 nights
Recently completely renovated this classically styled hotel offers modern comfort with Southern hospitality. Set in the up-market Biloxi suburb of Ocean Springs the hotel looks out over an 18 hole Championship Golf course on one side and the large swimming pool and tennis courts on the other. There’s a Bar and Grill opposite the main building.
CRYSTAL RIVER:
Plantation on Crystal River – 3 nights
You’ll think you’re staying in a historic plantation home except that the rooms are modern, there’s a comfy lounge bar, an excellent restaurant and the view over the lawns and ‘waterscape’ of Crystal River is stunning.
With golf and tennis, boat rides and a fabulous pool on site this is the perfect hotel with which to end our tour.
INCLUDED IN THE HOLIDAY COST
The Memphis & Tupelo (Tour A) tour price is inclusive of all the following:-
· Scheduled economy class flights London/Memphis/London
inc. taxes and security charges
· 6 nights accommodation inc. taxes
· All coaching and Shuttle Bus Service in Memphis as per Itinerary
· A Tour Pass for Graceland including the Mansion tour, Elvis’ Aircraft 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.
· Driver gratuities
· The services of an experienced Elvis Travel Service Tour Manager.
The New Orleans and Crystal River (Tour B) tour price is inclusive of:-
· Scheduled economy class flights London/New Orleans and Tampa/London
· 8 nights accommodation including taxes
· Coach journey New Orleans to Crystal River with lunch inc. on route.
· Sightseeing tours in New Orleans, Biloxi and Crystal River including Admission charges.
· Boat ride in Crystal River and Admission and Mermaid Show at Weeki Wachee Springs
· Driver gratuities
· The services of an experienced Elvis Travel Service Tour Manager.
The Memphis, Tupelo, New Orleans and Crystal River (Tour C) tour price is inclusive of:-
A combination of both the above, with flights London/Memphis and Tampa/London, a journey on the famous
City of New Orleans train from Memphis to New Orleans, 14 nights 1st/Luxury Class accommodation and coaching, sightseeing and services as above.
Items not included are:- drinks and meals other than any specified, travel insurance, any optional excursions
and personal expenses such as laundry, phone calls etc.
Special Note: Please note that the tour prices are based on the estimated air fare, airport taxes and security charges at the
time of preparing this brochure (21st March 2023) as the major airlines will not issue their Group Contracts and
fares more than 11 months prior to the return date of any tour. We will advise you of any fare increases at that
stage (by end of June 2023) and although unlikely, 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?
Also, with world events currently causing turmoil with oil prices it isn’t possible at this stage to ascertain whether the
airlines or coach companies will impose any further fuel surcharge. Given that fuel prices are already currently
high any further surcharges are thought to be unlikely.
Climate and Clothing
The Springtime weather in Memphis and Tupelo should average a daytime High of around 23’C and a night-time Low of 13’C so perfect for sightseeing but best to bring along a jacket or sweater for any chilly evenings. In New Orleans and Biloxi there’s an average High of 26’C with a Low of 16’C and Crystal River has an
average High of 28’C and a Low of 16’C so great for some sunbathing – don’t forget the sunscreen lotion!
Because Americans do like their air-conditioning, many bars and restaurants are kept colder than many of us prefer so a light jacket or sweater may come in handy in New Orleans, Biloxi and Crystal River too.
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 Confirmation-Invoice 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 $1.24 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 $21 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.
PAYMENT AND TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
A payment of £850 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 £850 will be required by 1st November 2023 with the final balance due no later 1st February 2024. 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.
TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES
If you have any queries regarding the holiday detailed in this brochure please don’t hesitateto 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.
Save & Go
Need help saving for this or a future Elvis holiday? We’re happy for you to pay monthly planning ahead and setting a regular payment to what you can afford. For further details contact America as you like it on: 020 8742
HOW TO BOOK
To book simply call the Elvis Travel Service on 01473 621564
BONDING AND RESPONSIBILITY
The holiday in this brochure is ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority under America as you like it, ATOL 2966. America as you like it is also a member of the Visit USA Association. The holiday arrangements are the responsibility of America as you like it. Your Contract is subject to their Reservation Conditions which are available by post by calling the above number or can be downloaded from their website.
The holidays are designed and co-ordinated by the Elvis Travel Service/Strictly Elvis UK, an organisation that has led the way in Elvis holidays and events for over 50 years. During this time we have helped tens of thousands of fellow fans fulfil their dreams of visiting Graceland. Strictly Elvis UK, Unit D Bristol Court, Martlesham Heath Business Park, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP5 3RY Tel: 01473 621 564 Email: enquiries@strictlyelvis.net Website: www. strictlyelvis.net is registered with Elvis Presley
Enterprises Inc. The names ‘Elvis’, ‘Elvis Presley’, ‘Graceland’ and ‘The Guest House at Graceland’ are registered to Elvis Presley Enterprises Inc with the USPTO
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