APRIL 2012 DEEP SOUTH USA NEWS INCLUDING COMPETITION AND SPECIAL OFFER

Don’t Miss: The Mighty Mississippi with Trevor McDonald, Tuesday 17^th April, 9-10pm on ITV1

In this brand new series for ITV1, Trevor McDonald ventures 2500 miles up the mighty Mississippi River to examine how this magnificent waterway has played a central role in the most dramatic events in American history. Trevor McDonald continues his epic journey through the heartland of the USA following the course of the Mississippi River. In this episode, he looks at the river's influence on the twentieth century as he meets Hollywood star Morgan Freeman and discovers why Morgan returned to his roots in Clarksdale, Mississippi after 40 years away. In Memphis, Trevor visits the place where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, and he meets a former girlfriend of Elvis Presley who gives him a candid portrait of the King. More information…

Get Together for a Good Time at the 29th Annual Mudbug Madness Festival

The 29th Annual Mudbug Madness Festival is all about Cajun crustaceans, toe-tappin music and speciality cuisine you can only find in Louisiana. The event takes place May 24-27 at Festival Plaza. Enjoy live musical performances on three stages. More information...

Are you ready to embark on an adventure along the beautiful Mississippi Gulf Coast?

Then why not hop aboard the "state of the art" Parasail boat and take to the skies! Experience the Mississippi Gulf Coast from a different viewpoint, soaring hundreds of feet above the gulf, and feeling completely relaxed with the wind rushing through the parachute. You haven't seen the beauty of the Mississippi Gulf Coast until you've seen it with Pelican Parasailing.

Pelican Parasailing is the only Mississippi Gulf Coast's parasail outfit and is based in Gulfport and Biloxi, bringing more family activities to the Mississippi Gulf Coast! More information...

2012 Savannah Tall Ships Challenge® set for May 3-7

The Savannah Historic Riverfront and Visit Savannah will host the 2012 Savannah Tall Ships Challenge® on May 3-7. This unique experience will welcome some of the most majestic Tall Ships the world has to offer and is guaranteed to be one of the most colourful and spectacular ticketed festivals the city has ever seen. More than 15 Tall Ships have confirmed to participate to help Savannah celebrate their rich maritime and nautical history and recognise the 200^th anniversary of the War of 1812.

Kicking off on May 3 with the opening ceremonies in downtown Savannah’s Historic Riverfront, visitors will be able to view all the ships and board many during the five-day festival which will also include performances, reenactments, sea shanties, stilt walkers, pirates and more. More information...

Visit FAME Recording Studios in Alabama

Music and the Muscle Shoals region go hand in hand and Alicia Keys is one of the latest music stars to record at the famous FAME studio in North West Alabama! Alicia's project is hush hush but she is one in a long line of famous musicians who have used the studio to record hits. During the 1960s and 70s, some of the greatest artists in music history recorded hit songs at FAME including Aretha Franklin, Little Richard, Wilson Pickett and the Osmonds. It is still a 'live' studio and open for tours. More information...

The Shoals region will celebrate another of it's music legends, W.C. Handy 'Father of the Blues' this July at the W.C. Handy Festival. This is just one of many music festivals which occur annually.

Tour Operator of the Month - Tailor Made Travel

Tailor Made Travel offer a selection of self-drive tours visiting all these warm & soulful states, whether its the Southern Grandeur Tour or a Memphis City Break.

SPECIAL OFFER - Book any trip to the Deep South with Tailor Made Travel and receive free lounge passes at your departure airport and a free car upgrade from a compact car to an intermediate car. More information...

WIN THE BLUES HOLIDAY OF A LIFETIME!

We have joined forces with Doc Redeye Events and Burnley International Rock & Blues Festival to bring a truly momentous prize for the lucky winners of the 'Nothin' But The Blues Competition', a six-day trip to Memphis!

Click here to enter...

We are also offering a pair of tickets to the Sunday of the festival, just click here to email us to be entered into the prize draw.

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival

The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival presented by Shell has announced a stellar line-up for the 2012, seven-day festival. This year's performers include the Eagles, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, Cee Lo Green, Bon Iver, Jill Scott, Bonnie Raitt and Bruce Springsteen. More information...

Wild Eagle takes flight and six festivals entertain during Dollywood's 2012 season.

From Wild Eagle's soaring rollercoaster flights above the Great Smoky Mountains to six of the South's largest festivals, Dollywood theme park's 27th season delivers adventure and entertainment for all ages. More information...

Opry Mills in Nashville reopens!

What more could a shopper want? The reopening of Opry Mills, an outlet mall with dining, entertainment and more, has reopened after the huge Nashville flood that shut it down in 2010. More information...