DAY ONE:  Welcome aboard!  We depart St. Louis in the morning via deluxe motor coach and our journey begins southbound into Mississippi.  Our overnight will be in Jackson, MS.

 DAY TWO:  After breakfast at the hotel, our short drive to the Gulf Coast leads us to beautiful Biloxi on the coast. Our first stop will be at the famous Mary Mahoney’s Old French House where we will enjoy an upscale and elegant meal in one of the South’s most unique restaurants centered around one of the oldest homes in America. For over 50 years, presidents, dignitaries, celebrities, and millions of others have experienced the rich history and legendary Southern cuisine of Mary Mahoney’s. After lunch, we visit the Beauvoir Home, Jefferson Davis’ Presidential Library, Museum, and the Beauvoir Memorial Confederate Cemetery.  During our tour, see many artifacts and artwork to learn about Jefferson Davis and the life of Confederate Soldiers during the American Civil War or even be able to do some research on your own heritage.  Later, we will check into our deluxe accommodations at the Golden Nugget Hotel, Casino, Spa and Marina for the next two nights.  Located right on the waterfront harbor, this beautiful resort features fun gaming, outdoor pools and cabanas, spa and four restaurants. 

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DAY THREE: After breakfast, experience the way of life for many along the Gulf Coast - Fishing and Shrimping.  We board the Sailfish shrimping boat and set sail along the harbor where the shrimping net is set out and our Captain narrates the  how the net spreads and operates correctly.  The net will catch any and all sea creatures in its path along with the shrimp. The varieties of sealife range from Blue Crabs, Flounder, Stingray, Oysterfish, Squid, Pufferfish and numerous other species of local marine life. Once the net is brought back into the boat, the crew will sort through the catch and explain each species of sea-life caught in detail. Along our cruise we will also see other marine life not caught in the net, such as dolphins, pelicans and seagulls and you might get to see a sea turtle as well.  After a break for lunch, our afternoon will be onboard a Gulf Coast airboat ride traveling through an unspoiled wilderness! Our knowledgeable tour guide will lead us through 105 acres of Moss Point’s finest swamp, where we will witness alligators, birds, and marine life in their natural habitat. This evening we will return for free-time to game, relax by the pool or enjoy the spa.
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DAY FOUR: After breakfast and checking out of the hotel, we travel just west to Alabama’s Gulf Coast where we find Bellingrath Gardens and Home. The garden and home was the creation of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Bellingrath and first opened to the public in 1932. His wife, Bessie, who loved gardening, wanted to beautify the property and relied on old-growth azaleas as a starting point. Ever since, Bellingrath Gardens has been synonymous with the Gulf Coast’s beautiful azalea season.  Each spring, guests enjoy the blooms of more than 250,000 vibrant azaleas in an explosion of color throughout the 65-acre estate along Fowl River.  We will enjoy a lunch break along the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay before checking into our beautiful beachfront accommodations (for two nights) in Gulf Shores/Orange Beach. The Alabama Gulf Coast features 32 miles of sugar-white sand beaches, turquoise waters, and true Southern hospitality. This evening, dinner is  at the Original Oyster House which has been serving up delicious seafood for over 40 years on the Gulf Coast.

DAY FIVE: After breakfast we will depart for Fort Morgan, famous for its role in the Battle of Mobile Bay.  Situated on the eastern end of the Gulf Islands National Seashore at the mouth of Mobile Bay, it was here on August 5, 1864, Union Admiral David Farragut ordered his fleet to charge the heavily mined bay. “Damn the torpedoes!” said Farragut. This Historic Landmark’s museum, fort and remaining wooden buildings date to the beginning of the 20th century. For lunch and shopping, we adventure to the Foley Tanger Shops with more than 120 brand name and designer outlets. If shopping isn’t your thing - head back to the hotel and relax on the beach or at the pool.

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DAY SIX: After breakfast, we will bid farewell to the coastline and journey west back across Mobile Bay into Mississippi.  After lunch, we will visit the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum at Camp Shelby in Hattiesburg.  The Museum’s exhibits tell the personal stories of American heroes, and serve to educate future generations about the price paid for freedom and prosperity - a moving and enriching experience. Our overnight will be near Canton, MS.  

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DAY SEVEN:  After breakfast we will depart our hotel for our final day of this amazing Gulf Coast journey.