Ride along the Gulf Coast to Florida and join the Bike Week festival in Daytona Beach.
Explore the music cities of Nashville and Memphis on our optional pre-ride coach tour.
Why do we offer a pre-ride tour? In years gone by we have experienced weather conditions from Nashville which were not totally conducive to riding. However we feel it’s a pity to be in this part of the US and not see some of the things that this area is famous for, such as the Jack Daniels Tour, Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, and in Memphis – Graceland, Sun Studio & Memphis Blues on Beale Street, so we have been running a pre-ride coach tour for the past 2 years.
This has proven to be a great beginning as we tour in a very relaxed and informal way through these Southern states on our way to New Orleans. From New Orleans the weather is much more predictable and a great ride can be undertaken as we head towards Daytona Beach for the Annual Bike Week Rally. So join us in Nashville and do the full 18 days including the pre-ride coach tour, or join in New Orleans for the 10 day ride….the choice is yours.
Day 1. Mar 01 – Arrive Nashville
Your tour begins today with check-in to our hotel, the spectacular Gaylord Opryland Hotel. There are no tour activities planned for this evening so you have plenty of time to relax and settle in.
Day 2. Mar 02 – Nashville – Jack Daniels Tour and dinner cruise
This morning we are off to visit our good friend Jack Daniels, in Lynchburg. We tour the distillery made famous by its namesake and have a relaxed lunch before a leisurely trip back to our hotel. This evening we’ll join the paddlewheeler The General Jackson for a night of country music and dinner along the Cumberland River.
Day 3. Mar 03 – Nashville sightseeing
Today begins with a sightseeing tour of Nashville. Tonight is free so that you can enjoy the nightlife of the city at your own pace.
Day 4. Mar 04 – Nashville – Memphis
We head off today in our air-conditioned motorcoach, down the Natchez Trace Parkway – one of the most beautiful roads in the US – towards Tupelo, the birthplace of Elvis Presley. Here we visit Elvis’ old home, now a museum dedicated to the King. We continue to Memphis where we’ll spend the next two nights. Memphis enjoys the distinction of being “the home of the Blues and the birthplace of Rock n’ Roll”.
Day 5. Mar 05 – Memphis sightseeing
Today we start right after breakfast for our tour to Graceland, the home of Elvis Presley. We visit the infamous ‘animal room’ along with his trophy room which houses his collection of gold and platinum records. Our tour also includes admission to the museums which house his cars and aircraft collections. We then move on to the Sun Studio Museum which was once a recording studio and was where Elvis was discovered. Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins & Jerry Lee Lewis all recorded in the studio which is now Heritage listed. Then we visit the Rock & Soul Museum.
Day 6. Mar 06 – Memphis at leisure
Today is at leisure; why not take a stroll through Memphis, see the famous Peabody Ducks, or visit nearby Mud Island and learn about the history of the Mississippi.
Day 7. Mar 07 – Memphis – Vicksburg
South into Mississippi today along Highway 61, known as the Blues Highway. We’ll visit the Blues Museum and the intersection of Highway 61 and 49 where legendary Robert Johnson ‘sold his soul to the devil’. On to Vicksburg where we’ll drive along the Civil War park road. We stay at a riverboat Casino hotel tonight.
Day 8. Mar 08 – Vicksburg – New Orleans
This morning we head south to picturesque Baton Rouge, and then to New Orleans.
Our bike riding tour to Daytona commences tomorrow Combine both tours and SAVE $500 per person
Ride from New Orleans along the Gulf Coast to Daytona Beach for the Daytona Bike Week Festival
Day 8. Mar 08 – Arrive New Orleans
If you are not joining our pre-ride tour, check into the New Orleans tour hotel today. Relax this evening at leisure.
Day 9. Mar 09 – New Orleans
Today we head to our bike supplier. Here we’ll pick out our bikes, sort out any gear you might need and complete our rental contracts. Tonight, we’ll meet for our welcome dinner and to discuss the logistics of the days ahead.
Day 10. Mar 10 – New Orleans
There’s plenty to see and do here in
‘The Big Easy’, with time for you to explore at your own pace. Discover the unique French Quarter or perhaps take an optional excursion on an airboat out on the bayou. (additional cost).
Day 11. Mar 11 – New Orleans – Mobile
We head east today, following the sandy shore of the Gulf of Mexico along the coast road from Louisiana to Alabama. First we cross the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, then to the coast and through Biloxi before heading north along Mobile Bay to Mobile. There’s a great aircraft and Navy museum which you may like to visit here.
Day 12. Mar 12 – Mobile – Fort Walton Beach
Today we cross the Mobile causeway as we continue eastward. We’ll follow the picturesque Gulf coast through Pensacola and along the Barrier Islands to Fort Walton Beach.
Day 13. Mar 13 – Fort Walton Beach – Perry
Continuing along the coastline to Appalachicola, we then head away from the coast to Perry where we will spend this evening.
Day 14. Mar 14 – Perry – Daytona Beach
Our ride this morning takes us to Ocala then east to the Atlantic coast, arriving in Daytona mid-afternoon where we check into our hotel which will be home for the next 4 nights.
Days 15 & 16. Mar 15-16 – Daytona Bike Week Activities
Best known as “Bike Week”, Daytona, Florida’s warm breezes welcome the motorcycle community to the grand opening of the motorcycle season. Bruce Rossmeyers Harley Davidson at Destination Daytona and New Smyrna Harley Davidson play host to over 500,000 bikers from around the world. Destination Daytona has become the largest gathering place for national motorcycle aftermarket parts manufacturers. Alongside the largest Harley Davidson Destination Daytona Dealership in the world, stands a giant super store featuring a wide ranging aftermarket catalogue.
Famous biker venues like Main Street’s Boothill Saloon, Iron Horse Saloon, Cabbage Patch, Gilly’s Pub 44, Broken Spoke Saloon and Froggys, are only part of the huge biker party held annually to kick off the east coast motorcycle riding season. At Daytona Bike Week you’ll also see some of the most outstanding custom choppers and import motorcycles in the world.
All of the major motorcycle manufacturers are present from Harley Davidson, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Victory, Triumph, and Ducati. These motorcycle manufacturers often provide riders with “demo rides” to test drive the new motorcycle models.
This event draws in a huge crowd from all over the world to enjoy concerts featuring biker band favourites and motorcycle celebrities. Scenic beachfront rides, terrific biker bars and a never ending list of great seafood restaurants make Daytona Bike Week one of the largest and most popular motorcycle rallies in the world!
Day 16. Mar 16 - Daytona 200 Bike Race*
This afternoon, we’ll head to the awesome Daytona International Speedway for the Daytona 200 Race.
*The Daytona 200 race date is not confirmed at time of printing. However, be assured that a full program of Bike events is held throughout Bike Week and whatever event is scheduled for the 16th March, we will be in attendance in our Corporate Box Suite with access to outside seating ….its the only way to experience a Daytona Speedway Event.
Day 17. Mar 17 – Optional ride to Cape Canaveral
This morning you can take the option of a visit to Kennedy Space Center (additional cost). We’ll ride a short distance to Cape Canaveral for the Kennedy Space Center Tour. This unique tour takes you to the International Space Station Center, LC 39 Observation Gantry, and the Apollo/Saturn V Center. We’ll return to Daytona for an evening at leisure.
Day 18. Mar 18 – Daytona – Orlando
We bid farewell to Daytona and the many friends we have made as we head south to Orlando to return our bikes. Then we transfer to Orlando airport for homeward or onward flights. Alternatively you may like to extend your holiday in the USA and we can assist with your arrangements.
Inclusions:
- Accommodation at overnight stops as listed
- All sightseeing and entrances as listed
- Welcome Dinner
- Days 1- 8 – travel by air-conditioned motorcoach
- Days 9 -18:
- Motorcycle hire with saddle bags
- Comprehensive bike insurance for theft, damage, 3rd party supplemental liability
- Transfers between hotel and bike rental
- Elite Special Event Tours travel wallet
Not included: Airfares, Fuel, meals other than listed, drinks, tips, personal items.
TOUR PRICES IN A$. Prices are per person, Land only (airfares not included)
NASHVILLE & MEMPHIS Days 1- 8
$3,349 per person - when 2 people share a hotel room
$3,949 per person - when utilising single occupancy of a hotel room
DAYTONA BIKE WEEK – Days 8 -18
NOTE: You must be minimum 21 years old and hold a valid unrestricted motorcycle licence.
Price A: $5,790 per person - For 2 riders travelling together. Each person rides a bike & the 2 of you share a hotel room.
Price B: $4,990 per person - For 1 rider and 1 pillion travelling together. You travel on 1 bike together & the 2 of you share a hotel room.
Price C: $6,990 per person
For 1 rider travelling solo. You ride a bike and have a hotel room to yourself.’’
Combine both tours and save $500 per person
Click here for important information and booking conditions
Download the brochure here: DaytonaBikeWeek_2013
Note: Airfares are not included in the tour prices in order to give you the opportunity to take advantage of the best airfare available at time of reservation. If you would like us to assist with your flights, please let us know when making your tour booking.