I was lucky enough to take an older friend to the States earlier this year. He had been a life long Elvis fan and really wanted to visit many of the places Elvis lived and performed.

We took a tour through Leger Holidays, entitled Elvis Presley and the Sounds of the South. Flying from Heathrow to Atlanta we joined our coach party and were well looked after all week by Margaret. The coach party was both young and old, one girl was besotted with Elvis and she was only 16 travelling with Mum. There were plenty of rest breaks and water available at all times, thanks go to Margaret and Driver Glen.

After an overnight stop we travelled through the state of Mississippi seeing a lot of the damage left by Hurricane Katrina in Biloxi. However the white beaches and blue Gulf of Mexico looked fabulous in the sun. We arrived in New Orleans where it was hot and steamy. Of course, what else would it be for such a city renowned for Jazz? We enjoyed the best coffee I have ever tasted and amazing Cajun food while browsing around the French Quarter and Riverside. Street musicians kept us entertained early in the evening before the jazz clubs opened!

On the second day in New Orleans we visited an old cotton plantation. The house was stunning, sitting as it is just off the levee of the mighty Mississippi. This gave us a chance at see some of the little backwaters or Bayous along the route. Later we were treated or tormented, depending on your point of view, to a real N'Awlins thunderstorm complete with tornado warnings, however, we were safe. We toured the city by coach viewing the famous St Charles Street, trams and Lafayette Cemetery with its mausoleums. Evidence of rejuvenation was everywhere.

Next it was a lengthy but enjoyable coach trip up the state of Mississippi to Tupelo and Elvis's tiny birthplace house and visitor centre. People there treated it both with reverence and joy. The coach played Elvis films and music along the way to entertain us. We took a side trip to "Graceland Too". A collectors' house jam packed with every possible item Elvis memorabilia, it’s seriously unbelievable what he's crammed in there. We bought flowers on the way to take to the real Graceland for Elvis' grave next day.

Graceland is a truly evocative snapshot of the high life of the 70's - garish and bright, but also a family home where Elvis entertained his friends and family. There is a hall of fame housing all his gold records, and the racquet ball court now houses his costumes. There are headsets which give commentary as you walk around so you can go at your own pace; we took at least 3 hours. Later we saw the auto museum and Elvis' planes and took time to buy souvenirs. Full white suit anyone?

Next stop was Sun Studios where Elvis first recorded and with a history of its own. During the evening we visited Beale Street and BB King's burger bar sampling the famous Memphis ribs and lots of blues music. If you've ever watched Memphis Beat or even Hellcats on TV you'll know Beale Street. Sadly we missed the duck parade at the Peabody Hotel but did view where Martin Luther King was assassinated, very emotive.

Well if Memphis was down and dirty (in the music sense) our next stop in Nashville was squeaky clean, down home country. Our hotel was nothing special, out on a retail park but right opposite was John A's, a famous country venue for stars of the Grand Ole Opry to get close to their fans. Man, the banjos and geetarrs were really somethin! Good home cookin' too, nothin' fancy just good flavours! Get there early, there's a queue at the door after 8pm. We also went to the Nashville nightlife cabaret club and saw Breda Best.

A visit to the Country Music hall of Fame is an absolute must. So many musicians had their start in country music and you can follow their development through the halls. Tammy Wynette gets her own hall, she's so appreciated there.

Next day we visited RCA Studio B where Elvis did most of his recordings. They dimmed the lights, recreated the nights Elvis eventually got the final take of 'Are You Lonesome Tonight' at 3 in the morning, with the lights off, quite eerie but magnificent to hear those original tapes. All in all a real music lover's tour!