PHONE1800 630 343
Jules Boult is the celebrity host of the 2023 Highway 61 Blues Music Tour of America. 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 2019 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, and The Oakridge Boys.
VIEW ITINERARYDay 1 Friday 26 May 2023 Los Angeles
Depart Australia on our flight to Los Angeles. Arrive same day (we cross international dateline). Morning:
Enjoy a sightseeing coach tour of LA. Afternoon: Spend some time in the beachside suburbs of Santa
Monica and bohemian Venice Beach before checking in to our hotel, in LA’s Marina Del Rey district.
Overnight: Marina Del Rey Hotel.
Day 2 Saturday 27 May 2023 New Orleans
Morning: Depart LA, on our flight to New Orleans – the Crescent City! Afternoon: Check in to our hotel,
right in the heart of New Orleans’ historic French Quarter. Evening: Explore the French Quarter, including
colourful Bourbon Street. The French Quarter has many interesting blues and jazz venues, including
Preservation Hall, the Funky Pirate Blues Club, and Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Piano Bar. Overnight:
Wyndham Hotel French Quarter. (B)
Day 3 Sunday 28 May, 2023 New Orleans
Morning: Enjoy sightseeing coach tour of New Orleans, with local guide. Visit an above ground cemetery;
see the mansions along St. Charles Avenue. Late morning: Our coach drops the tour group off near the
Jackson Square precinct. You are free to have lunch and explore the surrounding area, featuring buskers,
bars, cafes and The French Market. Afternoon: Enjoy a fabulous cruise and live music aboard a majestic
Mississippi paddle wheeler (optional). Evening: Enjoy a creole group dinner. After dinner we visit the
Frenchmen Street precinct, on the edge of the French Quarter. You’ll hear some excellent music in this
area, at venues like The Blue Nile, The Spotted Cat, and Snug Harbor Jazz Club. (B,D)
Day 4 Monday 29 May 2023 New Orleans
Morning: Visit the beautiful Louisiana swamp country. Enjoy a swamp tour, by boat. See amazing wildlife
(alligators and birdlife) and distinctive swamp vegetation. Afternoon: On our return to New Orleans you
will be free to have lunch and explore the fabulous antique shops, art galleries, museums, restaurants,
& bars, and see the colourful street performers of the French Quarter. Evening: Visit The Bombay Club,
an upscale bar and restaurant, for a pre-dinner performance featuring Jules with The New Orleans
Redeemers. You can then stay on at the Bombay for dinner (optional), or visit other iconic music venues
in the French Quarter, such as Fritzel’s Jazz Club. (B)
Day 5 Tuesday 30 May 2023 Natchez
Morning: Depart New Orleans and drive to Baton Rouge, the capital of Louisiana. Morning tea at the
State Welcome Centre. Then continue north, on Highway 61, to the historic town of Natchez, Mississippi,
stopping at Frogmore Cotton Plantation, where you will be taken on a guided delta music and heritage
tour. Learn about life, back when the blues was born. Afternoon: Check in to our hotel, on the banks of
the Mississippi. Then, you may wish to explore one of Natchez’s nearby antebellum mansions (optional).
Evening: Enjoy dinner at our hotel and later, be entertained by Jules and guest blues musician at a local juke joint. Later on you may wish to visit the Under the Hill Saloon, an historic riverfront bar on the banks
of the Mississippi. Overnight: Natchez Grand Hotel. (B,D)
Day 6 Wednesday 31 May 2023 Indianola
Morning: Depart Natchez and continue along Highway 61, enjoying the fabulous Mississippi delta
scenery that inspired more writers and musicians, per capita, than anywhere else in the US in the early
20th century. Stop in the city of Vicksburg, Mississippi, and visit the Vicksburg National Military Park
(Vicksburg was the site of the Battle of Vicksburg, Civil War, 1863). Afternoon: Proceed to the small city
of Indianola, Mississippi, where we visit the B.B. King Museum before checking in to our hotel. Evening:
Tonight enjoy a southern style dinner (own expense) and jam at a local blues bar. Overnight: Hampton
Inn by Hilton. (B)
Day 7 Thursday 1 June 2023 Memphis
Morning: Travel to Clarksdale, Mississippi. On arrival, visit the Devil’s Crossroads, at the intersection of
highways 49 & 61, the place where bluesman Robert Johnson sold his soul in exchange for the guitar
prowess that made him one of the most revered blues musicians of the past century. Feel free to make
a deal of your own, as you stand at one of the most legendary locations in blues folklore! We then visit
Clarksdale’s excellent Delta Blues Museum and visit Ground Zero Blues Club, for lunch. Visit the excellent
Cat Head Delta Blues record/CD/book store and also Deak’s Harp shop for all things blues music and a
spontaneous blues performance. Afternoon: Continue on Highway 61 to Memphis, Tennessee – home of
the blues and the birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll. Evening: Spend a fabulous evening in colourful Beale Street,
famous for its live blues music venues, including B.B. King’s, the Rum Boogie Café, & the Blues City Band
Box (all venues optional). Overnight: Hyatt Centric Beale Street. (B)
Day 8 Friday 2 June 2023 Memphis
Morning: Visit the excellent Stax Museum of American Soul Music, which tells the story of soul music,
particularly the important role played by Memphis and Stax Records. Afternoon: Visit Graceland, Elvis
Presley’s famous mansion. Our tickets allow admission to the mansion, his automobiles, his wardrobe,
his gold records and much more. Evening: Enjoy a group dinner at a top Memphis restaurant. After
dinner enjoy the general sights & sounds of Memphis or visit one of Jules’ favourite blues music venues
(optional). (B,D)
Day 9 Saturday 3 June 2023 Memphis
Morning: Enjoy a guided tour of Sun Studio (famous 1950s recording studio, where Howlin’ Wolf, Elvis,
Johnny Cash, and others recorded). Then visit Memphis’s historic Cooper Young district for lunch.
Afternoon: Visit the National Civil Rights Museum – the motel (now museum) where Dr Martin Luther
King, Jr. was assassinated. Evening: Dinner in downtown Memphis, followed by a return to the live music
venues in Beale Street (optional). (B)
Day 10 Sunday 4 June 2023 Nashville
Morning: We attend Al Green’s colourful Full Gospel Tabernacle church service, including amazing live
gospel music. Travel to Nashville, Tennessee... Music City USA! Afternoon: Enjoy a short, sightseeing coach
tour of Nashville before checking in to our fabulous hotel, in the trendy and laidback Vanderbilt area;
there are many options here for food and entertainment, including maybe a jam at a local honky tonk.
Alternatively, you may like to make your way downtown, to the ‘Broadway District’ (about 1½ miles away;
our hotel provides a free shuttle bus), where there are lots of ‘honky tonks’ (bars with live country music)
and some blues music venues. Overnight: Embassy Suites Hotel. (B)
Day 11 Monday 5 June 2023 Nashville
Morning: Shake a leg: you’re off to work at one of Nashville’s professional recording studios! Join Jules
in the studio to record and produce a song. We’re calling ourselves ‘The Nashville Redeemers’! You are
invited to join in and see how it all happens behind the red light! Afternoon: Visit the excellent Opry Mills
Shopping Mall, for lunch & shopping. Then visit the nearby Opryland Hotel. This amazing, opulent hotel
features 9 acres of beautiful indoor gardens. Then travel to Nashville’s downtown district, where you
can visit the honky tonks, the excellent Country Music Hall of Fame, or the beautiful & historic Ryman
Auditorium (home to the Grand Ole Opry show, 1943 to 1974) (all optional). Evening: Enjoy group dinner at our hotel then visit downtown’s famous Printers Alley nightclub district before convening for some
high-class blues music at The Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar. The name says it all! (B,D).
Day 12 Tuesday 6 June 2023 Nashville
Morning and afternoon: Free time to explore the many sights and sounds of Nashville including
the Johnny Cash Museum, the legendary RCA Studio B recording studio or the Gulch arts precinct.
Alternatively make a visit to the Docks area and see the Nashville river life, take a river cruise or visit the
river-side parklands. Evening: You may wish to attend the Grand Ole Opry… a live radio show/concert,
showcasing country music’s biggest stars. (Everything today, day & evening, optional.) (B)
Day 13 Wednesday 7 June 2023 Louisville
Morning: We will travel to Louisville, Kentucky, famous for sporting legend Muhammad Ali, Bourbon
and The Kentucky Derby. En-route we will visit the National Corvette Museum and Café in Bowling Green
KY and historic Bardstown, located in the heart of Kentucky’s Bourbon Country and one of the most
beautiful small towns in America. We will enjoy a distillery tour and tastings on offer. Afternoon: Check
in to our refined lodgings in downtown Louisville. Evening: Enjoy dinner in the ‘precinct’, then visit Stevie
Ray’s Blues Bar for a great night of blues music or explore the famous Fourth Street Live precinct, with
its many bars and entertainment venues (Evening: everything optional, including dinner). Overnight:
Seelbach Hilton Hotel (B)
Day 14 Thursday 8 June 2023 Chicago
Morning: Head out to Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby. Visit the excellent Kentucky Derby
Museum. Afternoon: Sit back and enjoy the scenery as we continue our journey north to Chicago!
Evening: Enjoy a final group dinner at a local restaurant. Later, we head over to Buddy Guy’s Legends
blues club and a sensational night of blues music (optional). Overnight: Hampton Inn Majestic, adjacent
to the home of the Chicago Blues Festival, Chicago. (B,D).
Day 15 Friday 9 June 2023 Chicago
Morning: Sightseeing coach tour of Chicago, with local guide. Travel along the Magnificent Mile – part
of Michigan Avenue where exclusive shops line the wide boulevard. Also see the impressive Fourth
Presbyterian Church, built in Gothic Revival style, and the John Hancock Centre (100 stories high). Today we attend the world’s biggest blues festival in downtown Chicago! Afternoon: you will be entertained by
the best blues artists from around Chicago. Grab your festival program, camera and dancing shoes... this
will be a wonderful experience! Evening: Enjoy more free time at the Chicago Blues festival. (B)
Day 16 Saturday 10 June 2023 Chicago
Today is the second day of the Chicago Blues Festival. Another opportunity for you to explore the many
stages and stalls in search of your favourite flavour of blues, food and good times! (food is optional).
All day and night you will be entertained by the best artists from around Chicago! Our hotel is about 5
minutes walk from the Blues Festival at Millennium Park, so please feel free to come and go. (B)
Day 17 Sunday 11 June 2023 Chicago
Today is the third day of the Chicago Blues Festival and a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in
the finale of the blues festival. The biggest names in blues music perform on the last night of the festival.
They may include Gary Clark Jr., Rick Estrin & The Nightcats and Lynne Jordan. Check your program,
choose your stage and get down for the finale of the festival. (B)
Day 18 Monday 12 June 2023 Departure
Morning: Free time for shopping and packing. Afternoon: Travel to Chicago airport. Commence flights
back to Australia, via Los Angeles. Those doing New York Extension Tour fly on to New York. (B)
Day 19 Tuesday 13 June 2023 In flight
Day 20 Wednesday 14 June 2023 Arrive Australia
Arrive back in Australia and the tour concludes.
| TWIN FARE PER PERSON | SINGLE FARE | Plus Air Taxes |
|---|---|---|
| $10,670 | $13,665 | $325 |
Per person twin-share $ 2,295 Single supplement $ 495
You can stay on in America for minimal extra airfare cost. Please contact Travelrite on 1800 630 343 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. ACN 005 817 0781 (Travelrite
International) is the tour operator.
Tour Costs
The tour’s costs are based on transport, accommodation costs and
entrance costs at 1 May 2022 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 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 and Mastercard. 3%
administration charge will be added for payment by AMEX and Diners Club 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.
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. This contract shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State
of Victoria, Australia and any legal action must be taken in the State of Victoria.
Delays and Unforeseen Events
You engage Travelrite International to book this tour on your behalf and you acknowledge that Travelrite International 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 International 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.
How to Book:
Bookings can be made by sending full names and
addresses of intending tour members with a deposit of $500 for
the tour.
Travelrite International Pty. Ltd.
423 Whitehorse Road
Balwyn, Victoria 3103
Further information or a booking form can be obtained by telephoning Travelrite International on the following numbers:
Toll Free 1800 630 343
Phone: (03) 8803 6868
Email: balwyn@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 35 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.”
