Absolutely Elvis

Memphis, Tennessee and Tupelo, Mississippi
June 2011 (7 Days)
Walking Level: Light to Moderate
Wheelchair Accessible Trip

Calling all Elvis fans! Calling all Elvis fans, this is your ULTIMATE DREAM trip!

Our tour starts by traveling to Memphis where we will visit Sun Studios and Graceland. The Sun Studios tour takes you through the "Birthplace of Rock 'n' Roll" and we will learn the history of the most famous recording studio in the world. On display is Elvis Presley's microphone used in 1954 when he recorded "That's All Right" - his first song!

Then we will tour Graceland! Experience life as Elvis did at Graceland Mansion with an audio-guided tour featuring commentary and stories by Elvis and his daughter, Lisa Marie. Graceland, located on Elvis's 14-acre estate, will lead you through Elvis's amazing journey and the cultural and social barriers he experience along with way. The Graceland Mansion tour includes the living room, music room, Elvis's parents' bedroom, the dining room, kitchen, TV room, pool room and jungle room. In addition, behind the house, you will be able to tour Elvis's racquetball building and his original business office.

The mansion tour also includes Elvis's trophy building, which houses his enormous collection of gold records and awards, along with an extensive display of career mementos, stage costumes, jewelry and photographs. The tour ends with a quiet visit to the Meditation Garden, where Elvis and members of his family have been laid to rest.

Your Graceland experience will also include a tour of the Elvis Car Museum where we will see over 33 vehicles owned by Elvis. Afterwards we will walk through both of Elvis's jets. Finally, see the largest collection of Elvis jumpsuits ever assembled. Don't forget the gift stores were we will stock up on Elvis stuff!

Then we'll travel to Tupelo Mississippi for the 15th annual Elvis Festival. Join fans from all over the world as you experience The King's music genre from rock and roll to gospel. The festival includes many Elvis impersonators competing to win this year's award. There will be specialty tours, a parade and many other fun events to give you a true Elvis experience!

While we are in Tupelo we will visit the Elvis Presley Memorial Museum and Birthplace that shows the early days of Elvis in rural Mississippi and how his roots influenced his future. The museum includes a story wall offering a collection of original, unedited stories from people who knew Elvis during his Tupelo days. There is also a "Walk of Life", which surrounds the house where Elvis was born, is a scored concrete circle with dated granite blocks denoting each year of Elvis' life from 1935 to 1977. The 1948 block marks the year in which Elvis and his family left for Memphis, and it leads to the "Elvis at 13" bronze statue, which was unveiled on Elvis' 67th birthday and memorializes Elvis as a young boy wearing overalls and carrying a guitar. From there the walkway leads to "The Fountain of Life", a beautiful water feature, which is a complete circle representing Elvis' life in Tupelo. As you wind around the walkway you can view a 1939 green Plymouth 4-door sedan, similar to the car in which he and his family rode to Memphis in. It was the year of 1948 when the transformation of Elvis, as a young Tupelo boy began his journey as Elvis, the world's greatest entertainer. The museum also has a gift store!

While we are in Tupelo we will also take the "Meet Elvis Presley Tour" to see some of the most significant locations of Elvis' life in Tupelo:

• Lawhon Elementary School, the first school Elvis attended

• Johnnie's Drive-In, where Elvis shared moments with friend James Ausborne, while enjoying a cheeseburger and RC Cola

• Shakerag, a significant part of Elvis' past where he gained influence from sanctified gospel and blues music

• Tupelo Fairgrounds, where Elvis performed concerts in 1956 and 1957

• Tupelo Hardware, where Elvis bought his first guitar

• Lee County Courthouse, where Elvis performed his first live radio show hosted by Mississippi Slim and WELO

• The previous Mayhorn's Grocery Store, where Elvis used to sit on the porch and listen to blues and gospel music in the neighborhood where he lived

• The previous Assembly of God Church location where Elvis and his family attended church under the pastor of Rev. Frank Smith

• Lee County Library, where Elvis received his first library card

• Milam Jr. High, the last school Elvis attended before moving to Memphis

We will do other things on the trip, like eat at the Hard Rock Café in Memphis, do a few non-Elvis things and go shopping. However, since this is trip is all about Elvis we need to focus on the important stuff - like fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches!

So Elvis fans, if you want the ultimate, all Elvis trip contact Special Journeys and reserve your spot on the bus today!

Your Special Journey adventure includes the opportunity to have tons of fun, see exciting new places and meet new friends! Our Guaranteed Cost™ trips means there are absolutely no hidden costs - your trip includes everything necessary to have a great time including all meals, lodging (in your own, regular bed), all transportation including local pickup and drop off in your city, all entertainment and activities, an experienced tour leader and experienced staff care in 1:3 and 1:4 small groups. Travelers only need to bring souvenir and snack money.

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