Your guide to the best musical road trips
Everybody has a favourite musical icon, whether it’s Elvis, Mozart or Dolly Parton, and it can be an amazing experience to walk in their footsteps and discover more about them. That’s why we’ve put together these great ideas for fantastic motorhome holidays with a musical twist.
Choose from one of three fabulous itineraries to fulfil your musical wanderlust!
A musical tour of Tennessee
Some of the most incredible musicians in the United States have called the state of Tennessee home. Start your musical tour by hiring a motorhome from Louisville and wheeling your way to Nashville. Each year, thousands of wannabe country stars flock to this country music mecca, as well as a ton of fans who want to see all the action.
Spend a night singing along at the Grand Ole Opry show at the Ryman Auditorium, where almost every country singer you can think of has graced the stage. Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton and Elvis are just a handful of the many stars that have performed here. Every week, today’s top artists still take the stage.
Another place for a night of spellbinding tunes is the Bluebird Cafe. This intimate, 90-seat venue is where songwriters go to perform and discuss their music in more detail.
Once you’ve sung your heart out in Nashville, drive your US motorhome rental for just over three hours to Memphis. Here, you can wander the halls of Elvis’ former home, Graceland. Just make sure you have ‘Walking in Memphis’ by Marc Cohn playing as you roam about town!
Graceland itself spans more than 13 enchanting acres. Take a tour and peek at the rooms of Elvis’ personal mansion, stroll through the beautiful grounds, and browse the exhibits on his life and legacy. You will see Elvis in a whole new light.
Rock’n’roll in the UK
The Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, the Clash… the list goes on and on. There’s no doubt that the United Kingdom has produced some incredible rock’n’roll bands.
To tick off all the hotbeds of musical activity, hire a motorhome in London, the home of the Rolling Stones, and take a rock-inspired road trip around England. While in London, take a picture of you crossing the street at Abbey Road, snap photos at the Brixton Bowie mural, party at punk-rock haven 100 Club, and so much more.
Then, drive four hours northwest to Liverpool and see where it all started for the Beatles at destinations like Penny Lane and the Royal Albert Dock. Make sure you have your Beatles playlist at the ready!
If you are visiting in June, make sure you head along to the iconic UK Glastonbury festival.
The sounds of Europe
The hills are alive with the sound of music! That’s certainly true in the case of Salzburg, Austria. Mozart was born in Salzburg, and the beloved musical The Sound of Music was filmed there.
Hire a rental car in Munich and drive for just a couple of hours, across the German border and into Salzburg. Step into the shoes of Maria Von Trapp and find memorable locations from the film, including the sets for the family home, the monastery and the famous glass house.
When you’re all edelweiss’d out, it’s time to delve into Mozart’s roots. Check out his birthplace, Hagenauer Haus at No. 9 Getreidegasse and walk through the original rooms. You’ll feel as though you’re walking in Mozart’s own time.
There are also plenty of places to see where Mozart honed his skills. As a youngster, he played the organ at the Salzburg Cathedral. He premiered some of his music at St Peter’s Abbey and composed symphonies at Tanzmeisterhaus, the ‘dance master’s house’. These buildings are all magnificent architectural feats in their own right.
When you’ve thoroughly explored Salzburg, drive around three hours to the captivating city of Vienna. Here too are many important musical sites relating to Mozart and other celebrated composers like Beethoven. Experience the opulent World Heritage Schönbrunn Palace and marvel at the beauty of St Stephen’s Cathedral. Try to catch a performance from the Vienna Philharmonic, one of the best orchestras in the world.
Does any of that strike a chord? Let us know which motorhome holiday you’re keen to do in the comments.
