As a child born in the mid 60s, I was raised on the music of Elvis Presley. I love the songs, watched the movies, and yearned to see a concert. Unfortunately, this was to be denied to me when the King was laid to rest in August 1977. Years later, when planning a trip to the USA, I knew that an excursion to Graceland was a must. Many people I spoke to said that it would be waste of money; it wasn’t as if I was going to see Elvis. In their opinion it would just be a way for the Presley estate to make money from fans like me. I reasoned that they may well be right, but I couldn’t go to Memphis and not enter the inner sanctum of the King to see for myself why this place was so special.

Despite my determination that I really wanted to see Graceland for myself, it was with some trepidation that I started the day. Would it live up to my expectations? Would I come away inspired or disappointed? Would I find myself in the position of wishing it had remained an unfulfilled dream, or would it be a visit to remember for the rest of my life? As the coach came to a stop close to the mansion I gave a sigh and hoped that it would be something to remember.

The first surprise was that vehicles belonging to the public are not allowed through the Graceland gates. The parking for cars and coaches is on the opposite side of the road. This is also where they have the major proportion of the Elvis money-making machine. From the cars Elvis drove, to his "Lisa Marie" plane; and from the memorabilia with his name or trademark on it, to a diner selling soda in a commemorative cup, it can be found in this area. Tourists can even send mail from here which will be franked with a Graceland mark. All of it costing many dollars, and showing that adulation for the King is as very much alive today as it was all those years ago. Another surprise was that lockers were provided for the use of tourists going across the road to the Graceland mansion. These were for the use of those who had video cameras which are not permitted on the Graceland grounds.

To enter the mansion, you board a small bus. Once on board you are advised many times that photography is not permitted within the house. The bus then takes you the short drive across from one side of the road to the other, and the magical gates which portray the music to the song "Love Me Tender" opened to allow access to the finally resting place of the King.

Once inside the mansion, ultra efficiency takes over as you embark on what seems like a conveyor belt approach to tourism! A short description of the room you are viewing followed by a handing over to the next guide who will introduce you to the next room. All of the rooms seemed familiar, as photographs of them have appeared in numerous publications over the years. The furnishings however are interesting, if you manage to get the time to look carefully at them. Set so very firmly in the 1970s as far as style goes, they are not only the belongings of a rock icon, but also a museum showing the interior design trends of the time. The "jungle room" and the living room in the mansion both looked as if they had been lifted straight of a movie set. On display within the mansion are many of Elvis’s belongings and clothes. Set behind glass they look less impressive than they did when the King wore them on stage in one of his concerts – a sad reminder of a man no longer with us.

Once you’ve visited the various public areas indoors, you walk out into the Meditation Garden. Here, amidst a serene backdrop of statues and landscaping, the King is at rest. His songs are played softly and hang on the warm Tennessee air as a powerful reminder of the musical legacy Elvis left the world.

Walking around the Mansion I was filled with mixed feelings. On the one hand, there was a sense of voyeurism as I looked through the home and personal effects, but on the other was a sense of excitement that I was "here". Walking where the King had once walked. Ok so thousands of others have walked there before me, but hey, I was actually there! However, it wasn’t until I sat in the Meditation Garden overlooking the grave of the King, that I felt a sadness and sense of loss that Elvis wasn’t around longer. Looking around me, listening to the unmistakeable voice of Elvis coming from hidden speakers, I understood why Elvis thought so much of Graceland. There’s a special atmosphere that has nothing to do with the occupant, but is something to do with the beautiful serene mansion and the grounds in which it sits, and I understood why he could love it so much.

Graceland is well worth seeing if you’re an Elvis fan, or even if you just love to walk around old houses. There are many touristy type things but if you ignore those, and seek out the place Elvis called home, you wont be disappointed.

Visit http://www.elvis.com/graceland/default.asp to find the official Graceland website. Here you’ll find pictures, information and a place to reserve your Graceland tickets online.