Day 1: FLIGHT TO LOUISVILLE, KY
Arrive in Louisville, Kentucky, known as the “Bluegrass State.” Meet your Tour Director and transfer to your hotel for a three-night stay. Tonight, enjoy a Welcome Dinner with your fellow travelers. Meals included: Dinner
DAY 2: LOUISVILLE
Today, visit Churchill Downs, the thoroughbred racetrack most famous for hosting the annual Kentucky Derby. Enjoy a tour of the museum to learn about the legendary history of the Kentucky Derby. Later visit the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, which showcases the history of the Louisville Slugger brand of baseball bats, the official bat of Major League Baseball. This afternoon visits the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience for a distillery experience and tasting which celebrates the legacy of Evan Williams, Kentucky’s first distiller and namesake of Heaven Hill’s flagship Bourbon brand. Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 3: ARK ENCOUNTER
This morning head north to Williamstown to see the life-size replica of Noah’s Ark, The Ark Encounter, the largest timber frame structure in the world, which opened in 2016 and was built to the dimensions given in the Bible. Built-in part by an Amish craftsman, the structure measures 510 feet long, 85 feet wide, and 51 feet high and is a modern engineering marvel featuring 3 decks of exhibits. Later return to Louisville and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 4: LOUISVILLE - LEXINGTON - GATLINBURG
Today travel south through lush, rolling terrain toward Tennessee. Stop in Lexington and visit the Kentucky Horse Park, a working horse farm and the world’s only park dedicated to man’s relationship with the horse. Hear behind-the-scenes stories about the individuals and horses that make Lexington “The Horse Capital of the World.” See other historic estates of the Bluegrass Region as well as shiny-new, multi-million dollar farms of international movers and shakers. Later arrive in Gatlinburg for a two-night stay in one of America’s great mountain resort destinations & a gateway to Smoky Mountains National Park. Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 5: SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK - BILTMORE ESTATE
Today visit our nation’s most visited National Park, Smoky Mountains National Park, world-renowned for the diversity of its plant and animal life, the beauty of its mountains, and the quality of its remnants of Southern Appalachian mountain culture. Continue onto Asheville, NC, to tour a four-acre masterpiece of the Vanderbilt family, the Biltmore Estate. America’s largest home boasts 250 rooms, 65 fireplaces, a 70,000-gallon indoor pool, a bowling alley, and priceless art and antiques. The grounds also feature 75 acres of formal gardens and a winery. Later return to Gatlinburg for an evening at your own pace. Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 6: GATLINBURG - PIGEON FORGE - NASHVILLE
Today travel to nearby Pigeon Forge to visit Dollywood, the entertainment theme park owned by the legendary Dolly Parton. The park features live entertainment showcasing the best in country, bluegrass, mountain, and gospel music with more than a dozen stage shows. Master craftsmen demonstrate centuries-old crafts, including blacksmithing, glass blowing, and wood carving. Later travel to Nashville, Music City, USA, and arrive at the amazing Gaylord Opryland Resort to begin a 2-night stay. The resort complex features three interior gardens under glass roofs including waterfalls, a river and lake system with passenger-carrying flatboats, and various restaurants, lounges, and shops. Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 7: NASHVILLE
Today enjoy a Nashville City Tour to see the State Capitol, famous Music Row, the Parthenon, which is a replica of the Acropolis in Greece, and the Old Ryman Auditorium, referred to as the “Mother Church” of country music. Later visit the Country Music Hall of Fame to see how country music has evolved through the past 70 years. The Hall of Fame features memorabilia and displays in a museum setting. This evening enjoys a Farewell Dinner and then a performance of America’s longest-running radio show, The Grand Ole Opry. Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 8: NASHVILLE - HOME
Today fly home filled with wonderful memories of your Nashville, Smoky Mountains & Bluegrass Tour Meals included: Breakfast
