Nashville, Smoky Mountains,& Bluegrass

Day One

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.

Day Two

LOUISVILLE - Today enjoy a visit to 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 visit 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.

Day Three

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 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.

Day Four

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.

Day Five

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, 70,000 gallon indoor pool, bowling alley, 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.

Day Six

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 plus a variety of restaurants, lounges and shops.

Day Seven

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 “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 enjoy a Farewell Dinner and then a performance of America’s longest-running radio show, The Grand Ole Opry.

Day Eight

NASHVILLE - HOME - Today fly home filled with wonderful memories of your Nashville, Smoky Mountains & Bluegrass Tour .

FB=Full Breakfast, D=Dinner