Itinerary

Touch down in New Orleans and kick off your Deep South journey in comfort with a private transfer straight to Hotel Monteleone. Once you’re checked in, take time to ease into the city’s rhythm. The French Quarter is made for wandering: iron-laced balconies, hidden courtyards and the warm hum of street music drifting from doorways. If you fancy getting your bearings early, stroll down to Jackson Square, then follow the riverfront for views of the Mississippi. Come evening, lean into that first-night feeling with a relaxed cocktail, or a low-key live music spot nearby to set the tone for the days ahead. Tonight is all about arriving well, settling into the atmosphere and letting New Orleans introduce itself properly.

Begin your day with a guided French Quarter walking tour, an essential introduction to the oldest and most atmospheric neighbourhood in New Orleans. As you wander its narrow streets, you’ll uncover layers of French, Spanish and Creole influence, from wrought-iron balconies and

hidden courtyards to elegant townhouses and lively public squares. Your guide brings the area’s stories to life, offering insight into how history, music and everyday culture intertwine here.

After the tour, the afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure. Stop for lunch at a classic local restaurant, browse independent boutiques and galleries, or take a quiet moment by the Mississippi River to watch life drift by. This evening, step into one of the city’s most authentic jazz venues, Fritzel’s Jazz Club, where traditional New Orleans jazz fills the room. It’s an intimate, atmospheric setting and a quintessential way to experience the city’s legendary live music scene.

Today is dedicated to understanding why New Orleans is regarded as one of the most influential music cities in the world. Your guided New Orleans Music Walking Tour begins at Louis Armstrong Park and Congo Square, a popular place of gatherings for African music and dance in the 1700s and now considered the birthplace of jazz. As you walk, your guide connects these early rhythms to the neighbourhoods, venues and studios that followed, including Basin Street and the remains of Storyville, the city’s notorious yet culturally important red-light district.

You’ll hear stories of legendary musicians and learn how the unmistakable New Orleans Sound evolved, from street performances to recording studios that helped launch entire genres. This evening, the day concludes in classic New Orleans style with a jazz dinner at Arnaud’s, one of the city’s most revered restaurants. Expect refined Creole cuisine, live jazz and an atmosphere that perfectly captures the city’s enduring musical elegance.

This morning marks the start of your Gulf Coast rail journey. Make your own way to the station and board Amtrak from New Orleans, settling in for an easy, scenic ride east along the coast. Travelling by train is a great way to see this part of the Deep South, with changing landscapes and stretches of water visible as you approach Mississippi.

On arrival in Bay St Louis, check into The Pearl Hotel and spend the afternoon getting to know this laid-back coastal town. You might head straight to the beach for a walk along the shoreline, explore Old Town’s galleries and small shops, or visit the L&N Train Depot, a Mississippi landmark that now houses the Bay St Louis Mardi Gras Museum. If you’d like to explore a little further, it’s easy to take a short taxi ride to neighbouring Waveland, where the Ground Zero Hurricane Museum offers insight into the area’s experience of Hurricane Katrina. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at a relaxed pace.

With a full day in Bay St Louis, there’s time to explore beyond the town centre. One popular option is getting out on the water, with kayak rental available for paddling the Bay St Louis Blueway. It’s an easy way to experience the area’s coastal inlets and marshes, with calm conditions that suit beginners as well as more confident paddlers.

On land, the Possum Walk Trail offers a scenic route through green spaces and neighbourhoods, ideal for a gentle walk or cycle. Old Town is also worth revisiting for its galleries, studios and independent shops, many of which showcase local artists and makers. Spend the afternoon exploring more of Bay St Louis’s charming streets or relaxing by the waterfront before enjoying dinner at one of the town’s relaxed restaurants.

After breakfast, make your way to the station to continue your journey east by rail. This stretch of the route offers another easy and scenic train journey, arriving in Mobile by late morning or early afternoon. On arrival, you’ll check into the Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel & Spa, a landmark hotel that reflects the city’s long history as a major Southern port

The afternoon is ideal for getting to know downtown Mobile. Start at Bienville Square, a popular local gathering spot, before exploring the surrounding streets on foot. Mobile’s compact centre makes it easy to discover independently, with historic buildings, shaded squares and a growing collection of public art along the Mobile Mural Trail. If you prefer to spend time outdoors, head towards the riverfront for views across the Mobile River and a walk along the waterfront paths. The evening is free for dinner at one of the city’s restaurants, ranging from classic Southern cooking to more contemporary options.

Today gives you the flexibility to explore a different side of Mobile, balancing time in nature with optional cultural stops. Those interested in the outdoors may choose to head to Blakely State Park, where woodland trails, riverside scenery and historic sites make for an easy half-day outing just outside the city.

Closer to town, kayak rental on the Mobile River offers a fresh perspective on the waterfront, with calm stretches well suited to a relaxed paddle. Art lovers can continue exploring the Mobile Mural Trail or visit one of the city’s museums, while birdlife and open coastal views await on Dauphin Island, an easy day trip from Mobile and home to the Audubon Bird Sanctuary. The evening is free to return to downtown for dinner, rounding out your time in the city at an unhurried pace.

This morning you continue east by rail, enjoying another comfortable stretch of Amtrak travel along the Gulf Coast. The journey itself is part of the experience, passing waterways, marshland and small coastal communities before arriving in Pascagoula.

On arrival, you’ll check into Hotel Whiskey and spend the afternoon getting to know the town. Renting a bike is a good way to explore at an easy pace, with the Historic Pascagoula Bike Trail looping through neighbourhoods and along the waterfront. Alternatively, a walk around town offers a feel for Pascagoula’s working coastal character, with quiet streets, river views and local cafés providing natural places to pause. The rest of the day is free for a relaxed dinner and an early night, ready for a full day exploring the area tomorrow.

Your final full day offers the chance to explore the natural landscapes that surround Pascagoula. Just outside town, the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve covers thousands of acres of salt marshes, pine savannas and wetlands, with walking trails and wildlife-rich scenery that showcase this part of Mississippi’s Gulf Coast.

Back on the water, kayaking through the area’s bayous provides a different perspective, with calm channels and abundant birdlife making it a rewarding experience for nature lovers. If you prefer to stay closer to town, continue exploring by bike or on foot, revisiting favourite spots or discovering quieter corners along the waterfront. The day is designed to be flexible, allowing you to choose between active exploration and downtime before enjoying a final relaxed evening in Pascagoula.

This morning, make your way to the station to board the train back to New Orleans, completing your Gulf Coast rail journey in relaxed, effortless style. Travelling by Amtrak to New Orleans offers a final opportunity to reflect on the contrasting experiences of the trip, from the music-filled streets of the French Quarter to the slower rhythms of the Mississippi and Alabama coast.

On arrival in New Orleans, a transfer will take you from the station directly to the airport for your onward flight home.