Jules Boult is the celebrity host of the 2024 Blues Music Tour of America’s Deep South. He is an award-winning blues singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and recording artist. Jules’ musical career has taken him across Australia, the United States and Europe. Since 2011 he has released five albums to critical acclaim and been awarded a coveted Australian Blues Music Award. From 2015 to 2018 Jules toured the US annually, from New Orleans to New York, via the Mississippi delta, performing and recording with various musicians, including Kermit Ruffins, Mississippi John Horton, & The Oak Ridge Boys.
VIEW ITINERARYDAY 1 Tuesday 23 April 2024 Houston, Texas
Depart Australia on your flight, arriving Houston same day. Transfer to our
hotel after going through customs. Overnight: Fairfield Inn & Suites.
DAY 2 Wednesday 24 April 2024 Lafayette, Western Louisiana
Morning: Travel to Lafayette, Louisiana. Nearby, visit the charming town of
Breaux Bridge, in the heart of western Louisiana’s swamp country. Enjoy a
swamp tour, by boat. See amazing wildlife (alligators, turtles, birdlife) and
distinctive swamp vegetation. Evening: Enjoy welcome dinner and live music
at a Cajun restaurant/dance hall. Jules Boult will perform a few songs with
the Cajun band, if possible. Overnight: Hilton Garden Inn, Lafayette. (B,D)
DAY 3 Thursday 25 April 2024 New Orleans, Louisiana
Today we travel to New Orleans. Morning: Enjoy guided tour of antebellum
homestead, Laura Plantation, including original slave quarters. Afternoon:
Sightseeing coach tour of New Orleans with local guide. Visit an above
ground cemetery, see the mansions on St Charles Ave., and visit areas ravaged
by Hurricane Katrina (2005). Evening: Explore the French Quarter, including
Bourbon Street. Or you may like to enjoy a dinner/jazz cruise on a Mississippi
paddle wheeler (optional). Overnight: Wyndham Hotel French Quarter. (B)
DAY 4 Friday 26 April 2024 New Orleans
Today attend the famous New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival (‘Jazz
Fest’). You’ll be entertained by some of the biggest names in blues, jazz, rock,
and funk music from around the world. Each day’s program commences at
11am and finishes at 7pm. Evening: Free time to further explore the French
Quarter’s outstanding music venues, e.g., Preservation Hall and Fritzel’s
European Jazz Bar (both optional). (B)
DAY 5 Saturday 27 April 2024 New Orleans
Our 2nd day at Jazz Fest. Grab your festival program, camera and dancing
shoes….another opportunity to explore the many stages, stalls and unique
culture on offer. You will be entertained by the biggest names in blues, jazz,
soul, zydeco, etc. Evening: Free time to further explore the French Quarter
and the Frenchmen Street area (on the edge of the French Quarter), with
excellent music venues like the Apple Barrel, Snug Harbor, and The Spotted
Cat. (B)
DAY 6 Sunday 28 April 2024 New Orleans
Today is our final day at Jazz Fest. With 13 stages of soul-stirring music –
jazz, gospel, Cajun, blues, R and B, rock, funk, African, Latin, Caribbean, folk,
and much more – Jazz Fest is an outstanding festival. Evening: Further free
time. There will be many impromptu late night after-party performances in
the French Quarter/Frenchmen St. precincts. (B)
DAY 7 Monday 29 April 2024 Jackson/Canton, Mississippi
Travel to Jackson, Mississippi, in the heart of the historic Delta Blues region.
Afternoon: Coach tour of the city. See Jackson’s impressive State Capitol
building. Visit the Smith Robertson Museum, which chronicles the everyday
lives of black people living in the South during the late 1800s/early 1900s.
Then travel north to the Bentonia Blue Front Café, an historic old juke joint.
Enjoy our own informal blues jam session, with some local blues musicians
joining us. Evening: Stay in Canton, Mississippi. Overnight: Hampton Inn
Canton. (B)
DAY 8 Tuesday 30 April 2024 Tupelo, Mississippi
Travel to Tupelo, birthplace of Elvis Presley. Before departing Canton visit
the town square, with many historic buildings including an impressive
Court House. Also visit Canton’s historic Hickory Hollow precinct. ‘The
Hollow’ was a hub of social life, commerce, and entertainment for Central
Mississippi’s black community for several decades. Blues musicians including
Elmore James, B.B. King, and Howlin’ Wolf appeared at venues like Bessie’s
Hideaway, on Hickory Street. Afternoon: In Tupelo, visit the excellent Elvis
Presley Birthplace Park, which includes the small house Elvis first lived
in, the church he attended as a boy, and an Elvis museum, gift shop, etc.
Then visit Tupelo Hardware store, where Elvis’s mum bought him his first
guitar, and see the elementary school he attended. Evening: Group dinner,
including performance by Jules Boult and local blues musician. Overnight:
Hotel Tupelo. (B,D)
DAY 9 Wednesday 1 May 2024 Muscle Shoals, Alabama/
Memphis, Tennessee
Morning: Travel to Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Enjoy guided tour of FAME
Studios….home of ‘The Muscle Shoals Sound’. Artists to record at FAME
Studio include Aretha Franklin, Little Richard, Wilson Pickett, Etta James and
Otis Redding. Also, see Muscle Shoals Sound Studio, where many famous
soul/blues/rock ‘n’ roll recordings have been made. Afternoon: Travel to
Memphis. Evening: Visit colourful Beale Street, famous for its live blues music
venues, including B.B. King’s, the Rum Boogie Café, and the Blues City Band
Box (all venues optional). Overnight: Holiday Inn Downtown Memphis. (B)
DAY 10 Thursday 2 May 2024 Memphis
Morning: Visit Tennessee Welcome Centre (excellent Memphis Visitor
Information Centre, on the banks of the Mississippi). Then visit the Stax
Museum of American Soul Music. Afternoon: Visit Graceland, Elvis Presley’s
famous mansion. Our Elvis Experience Tour tickets provide admission to
all the main attractions at Graceland, including the mansion, grave site,
automobile museum, Elvis’s airplanes, etc. Evening: Enjoy group dinner at a
top Memphis restaurant. After dinner visit one of Jules’ favourite blues music
venues (optional). (B,D)
DAY 11 Friday 3 May 2024 Memphis
Morning: Visit the Bass Pro Shops at The Pyramid (amazing hunting/camping/
fishing superstore in impressive glass, pyramid-shaped building). Then enjoy
guided tour of Sun Studio (famous recording studio where Howlin’ Wolf,
Elvis, Johnny Cash, and others recorded). Afternoon: Free time. Evening:
Explore the excellent live blues venues on Beale St. (B)
DAY 12 Saturday 4 May 2024 Indianola, Mississippi
Morning: Travel to Clarksdale, Mississippi. On arrival visit the Devil’s
Crossroads, at the intersection of highways 49 and 61….the place where
bluesman Robert Johnson supposedly sold his soul in exchange for the guitar
prowess that made him one of the most revered blues musicians ever. Then
visit the outstanding Delta Blues Museum. Lunch at the famous Ground
Zero Blues Club. After lunch visit the excellent Cat Head Delta Blues record/
CD/book store. Continue on to Indianola. Visit B.B. King’s burial site and the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center. Evening: Take in some
live blues music at Indianola’s historic Club Ebony (if available), where Ray
Charles, Count Basie, B.B. King and other legendary acts have performed
(optional). Overnight: Hampton Inn Indianola (B)
DAY 13 Sunday 5 May 2024 Shreveport, Louisiana
Morning: Travel to Shreveport, Louisiana. Shreveport has a rich musical
heritage, stretching back to legendary bluesman Huddie (Lead Belly)
Ledbetter. Afternoon: Enjoy a sightseeing coach tour of this attractive
city, with impressive bridges spanning the Red River. See the Shreveport
Municipal Auditorium, where The Louisiana Hayride (landmark radio/TV
show) commenced, in 1948. Hank Williams, Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley
played on the ‘Hayride’ before becoming household names. At the conclusion
of our tour, adjourn to Fatty Arbuckles, an historic Shreveport bourbon and
whiskey bar, for refreshments. Evening: Shreveport serves up gaming like no
other city in Louisiana, including world-class riverboat casinos. Tonight we
will visit one of Shreveport’s impressive casinos, for dinner and live music
(optional). Overnight: Hampton Inn Shreveport/Bossier City Hotel (B)
DAY 14 Monday 6 May 2024 Dallas, Texas
Morning: Travel to Dallas, Texas. Dallas is an impressive city, with an abundance
of architectural highlights. Afternoon: Enjoy a sightseeing coach tour of Dallas,
with local guide. We will plan to finish at a Farmers Market type place, for
afternoon tea. Evening: Free time. Overnight: Hotel Indigo, Dallas. (B)
DAY 15 Tuesday 7 May 2024 Austin, Texas
Morning: Travel to Austin, capital of Texas. The long-running Austin City Limits
music TV show and annual South by Southwest music/media conference/
festival have helped Austin become widely known as the ‘Live Music Capital
of the World’. Afternoon: Sightseeing tour of Austin, with local guide. See many
impressive buildings, including the Texas State Capitol and the LBJ Presidential
Library buildings. Evening: Group dinner. Jules Boult will sing a few songs.
After dinner visit Austin’s Sixth Street/Red River precinct for live blues music
at Maggie Mae’s bar (optional). Overnight: Drury Inn & Suites Austin. (B,D)
DAY 16 Wednesday 8 May 2024 Austin, Texas
Morning: Enjoy Austin City Limits’ ACL Live Venue Tour, if available. Afternoon:
Free time or visit Stevie Ray Vaughan sites with Jules Boult. Evening: Visit
popular blues venue, Antone’s, past playground for Stevie Ray Vaughan and
other music legends (optional). (B)
DAY 17 Thursday 9 May 2024 Houston/commence flight home
Morning: Travel to Houston, 4th largest city in the US. Afternoon: Sightseeing
coach tour of Houston, with local guide. Then free time in Houston’s Museum
District. Many of Houston’s outstanding museums and art galleries have free
admission on Thursday afternoons. 6pm approx.: Transfer to airport. 9.30pm
approx.: Commence return flights to Australia. (B)
DAY 18 Friday 10 May 2024 In flight
DAY 19 Saturday 11 May 2024 Arrive back in Australia
Arrive back in Australia and the tour concludes.
| TWIN FARE PER PERSON | SINGLE FARE | Plus Air taxes and fuel surcharges at 20/4/23 |
|---|---|---|
| $11,995 | $14,445 | $497 |
You can stay longer in the USA for minimal extra cost. Please contact Travelrite on 1800 033 436 for more information.
International touring can involve a considerable amount of walking and stair climbing in the places visited and it is important that all tour participants have a level of physical fitness that allows them to take part in this activity without the need of assistance from others.
Tour Operator
Travelrite International Pty Ltd (ABN 64 005 817 078)
is the tour organiser.
Tour Costs
The tour’s costs are based on transport, accommodation
costs and entrance costs at 20 April 2023. Travelrite reserves the right
to alter the costs if any of these factors change including currency
changes, giving any passenger that has booked the right to withdraw
with full refund of monies paid or modify arrangements. No alterations
to costings will be made within 60 days prior to departure.
Deposit and Payment
A non-refundable deposit of $500 per
passenger is required at the time of booking. Full payment will be
required 60 days prior to departure. A 1.5% administration charge will
be added to payment by Visa, Mastercard and American Express cards.
Cancellations
* Cancellation conditions don’t apply for clients with future cruise/tour credits. Cruise/tour credits are non-refundable.
Cancellations within 60 days of departure
will result in the loss of all monies paid. Cancellation outside 60 days
from departure will result in a cancellation fee of $500 per person. Travel
insurance is recommended to cover the costs of cancellation fees due to
illness, death in family, etc.
Changes to the Tour Itinerary
Travelrite International reserves
the right to make changes to the tour itinerary to fit in with operational
requirements. Any changes to the itinerary will be replaced with similar
arrangements with an equal or greater value.
Minimum Tour Numbers
The tour has been costed on the basis
of a minimum number of passengers having booked 60 days prior to
departure. Travelrite reserves the right to cancel the tour, giving a full
refund of all monies paid or offer arrangements to proceed with the tour
at a modified cost if the minimum number is not achieved.
Baggage
All passengers qualify for 1 piece free baggage allowance.
Refunds
The tour is based on arrangements which do not allow for
any refunds in respect to sightseeing, accommodation, meals or other
services not utilised after the tour has commenced.
Travel Documents
All passengers will require a valid passport with
six month validity and an ESTA for entry to the USA. If not an Australian passport holder check with Travelrite International for visa requirements.
Tour Participation
Children under 5 years of age are ineligible on coach & cruise tours. Children under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Passengers with disabilities are welcome on Travelrite & Cruise Offers tours provided they are accompanied by a companion capable of providing all necessary assistance, and do not require special assistance from Travelrite & Cruise Offers personnel. Travelrite and Cruise Offers reserves the right to refuse to carry anyone if it is felt the individual cannot cope with the requirements of coach & cruise tour travel and who may require services and facilities that Travelrite & Cruise Offers cannot guarantee will be available. You agree to not hold the Travelrite & Cruise Offers responsible for any decision made by any of them or any service provider to refuse to carry you, provide any facilities or accommodation to you or to provide any service to you.
Responsibilities
Travelrite International Pty Ltd. (Licence number
30858) is the tour organiser. Travelrite International acts only as agents in
making of arrangements with carriers, hoteliers and others for the tour.
As a result we cannot accept liability for any act or omission whatsoever,
whether negligent or otherwise of those carriers, hoteliers or other
persons providing services in connection with the tour over whom we
have no direct or exclusive control. We do not accept responsibility
for any injury, damage, loss, delay, change of schedule or any other
events which are beyond our direct control, such as, but not limited
to, war, flood, fire, civil disturbance, acts of God, acts of government,
or any other authorities, terrorism, accidents to or failure of machinery
or equipment, or industrial action. The passage contract in use by the
carriers concerned, when issued, shall constitute the sole contract
between the transportation companies or firms and the purchasers of
these tours and the passengers. Baggage is at own risk throughout the
tour. The contract shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the
State of Victoria and any legal action must be undertaken in the State
of Victoria.
Delays and Unforeseen Events
You engage Travelrite to book this tour on your behalf and you acknowledge that Travelrite acts as your agent for the purpose of making contracts between you and the various providers of accommodation, transportation and other services that comprise the tour. Travelrite may without reference to you provide or make available to you, or may as your agent engage any third party to provide or make available to you, any good or service which Travelrite reasonably believes is necessary for your benefit to maintain the tour itinerary, repatriate you or otherwise accommodate, transport or sustain you in circumstances in which the tour itinerary fails wholly or partly for any reason. You appoint Travelrite your attorney for this purpose. You agree to pay Travelrite any cost thereof and you indemnify Travelrite in respect of any cost it incurs in this regard. Travelrite advises you to obtain travel insurance generally including in respect of the risk that any such good or service may become required.
Travel Vaccination Policy
While highly recommended, COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters are no longer required for guests traveling with Travelrite International. It is your responsibility to comply with specific vaccine and/or booster requirements imposed by airlines, cruise lines and/or authorities in the destinations visited, as well as requirements for accessing restaurants and venues. No refunds will be given if you are unable to undertake some or all of your vacation due to failure to comply with these requirements.
How to Book:
Bookings can be made by completing a booking form
and sending it with a deposit of $500 per person to:
Travelrite International Pty. Ltd.
423 Whitehorse Road
Balwyn, Victoria 3103
Further information can be obtained by telephoning
Toll Free 1800 033 436
Phone: (03) 9836 2522
Email: sales@travelrite.com.au
ABOUT TRAVELRITE INTERNATIONAL:
Travelrite International Pty Ltd
(ABN 64 005 817 078) is a well-established family-owned business that’s
been operating in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs for more than 40 years.
Travelrite International is a full member of the Australian Federation of
Travel Agents (AFTA), is fully accredited with ATAS (A10538) and IATA. As
such they directly represent the major airlines of the world and all major
domestic and international hotel, tour and transport operators.
12th - 17th June 2023
Day 1 Monday 12 June 2023 New York
Morning: Today we fly to New York, arriving in the afternoon. Evening: Attend The Iridium Blues/Jazz club
(optional) near our hotel, where musicians such as blues legends Jimmie Vaughan, Charlie Musselwhite,
and Canned Heat regularly perform. The Iridium is a musical landmark famously known as a destination
for intimately experiencing the best rock, jazz, and blues artists in the world. Overnight: Hotel Edison
New York. (B)
Day 2 Tuesday 13 June 2023 New York
Morning: Enjoy a sightseeing coach tour of New York with local guide. Visit the Midtown area, Central
Park, Harlem, Wall Street financial district, and Ground Zero (World Trade Centre Site). Afternoon: Free time. You may wish to visit the Empire State Building (optional). Observatories on the 86th & 102nd
floors offer spectacular views of New York. Alternatively, you may like to go shopping. New York is a
shoppers’ paradise; in addition to famous department stores, like Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, and Saks
Fifth Avenue, the Big Apple has every kind of shopping experience you could imagine. Evening: Attend a
Broadway musical, theatre production or blues club of your choice. (Optional) (B)
Day 3 Wednesday 14 June 2023 New York
Morning: Enjoy guided tour of Radio City Music Hall. You will go behind the scenes and discover the art
deco masterpieces including the palatial 60-foot high foyer and visit Radio City’s secret apartment, The
Roxy Suite. Get exclusive views of the majestic auditorium and learn the history of the iconic Great Stage.
Afternoon: Visit Manhattan’s Greenwich Village area where, in the 60s and 70s, musicians such as Bob
Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Peter, Paul & Mary, Joan Baez, and Simon & Garfunkel used to perform. Greenwich
Village still has many excellent live music venues. Evening: We will have our End-of-Tour Dinner in the
Village before taking in some live music at one of the Village’s legendary blues venues, e.g., Terra Blues.
(Optional) (B,D)
Day 4 Thursday 15 June 2023 Departure
Morning: Free time for shopping and packing. Mid-Afternoon: Transfer to airport. Commence return trip
to Australia. (B)
Day 5 Friday 16 June 2023 In flight
Day 6 Saturday 17 June 2023
Arrive Australia
Arrive back in Australia and the tour concludes.
“One of the best tours we have ever done. Great program and lovely people.”
“Well organised tour that ran smoothly. Very impressed with Wayne Horsburgh, intelligent, talented and caring.”
