Each year around the 16th August, the anniversary of Elvis’ death in 1977, his fans gather in Memphis. I’ve been here during what is known as “Elvis week” and Memphis really is the place to be.
Having flown out to Memphis 2 days before the tour group, I got as far as Atlanta, before I spotted the first of many fans making their way to Graceland.When I met my tour group, 157 in total, all were ready to sightsee and party to Elvis music even after a long Trans-Atlantic flight and a short internal one.
During the week I took them to visit Graceland, it’s a tour that brings a lump to your throat, from the moment you go through the famous gates, to when you file past all the memorabilia within this famous home.

The highlight of Elvis week is the candle lit vigil, it is great to be part of it, and it seems to get bigger and bigger each year. It’s like one great big family reunion.

During the visit to Memphis and Graceland, we go to Graceland Plaza & Visitor Centre, visit his Automobile Museum and you can even go on board his custom jets, the “Lisa Marie” and “Hound Dog 11”. Back in Memphis, there are lots of places to visit, historic Beale Street is the place to head for, and Elvis Presley’s Memphis is here, serving all types of American food, playing Memphis music, R & B and Rock & Roll, along with a specially produced Elvis video, all making for a great night out. Other places of interest are the guitar factory, Sun Studio’s and the Peabody Hotel for the famous “Duck Parade”, for a relaxing couple of hours; I took a paddle steamer riverboat down the famous Mississippi.