Bluegrass Country & the Smoky Mountains featuring Louisville, Lexington, Gatlinburg & Asheville
- From $3,849.00 CAD
Take a delightful trip through the heart of Appalachia, discovering the equestrian culture of Kentucky, the pioneer spirit of Tennessee, and the mountainous beauty of North Carolina. Get a taste of Bourbon, baseball, and Thoroughbreds in Louisville and Lexington, Kentucky. Travel through Daniel Boone National Forest as you make your way to Gatlinburg, Tennessee. From your home base of Gatlinburg, explore the natural wonders of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Travel on to Asheville, North Carolina, and enjoy the city’s historic architecture, engaging neighborhoods and robust arts districts. Tour the Biltmore Estate, George Vanderbilt’s "little mountain escape” in the Blue Ridge Mountains. When you leave, you’ll have the warmth and charm of southern Appalachia still in your heart.
MUST-SEE INCLUSIONS
- Explore the grandeur of nature at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
- Visit Louisville, Kentucky and the mecca of horse racing, Churchill Downs.
- Walk the stunning grounds of the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina.
CULINARY INCLUSIONS
- Sip on samples of Kentucky’s home-grown spirit during a tasting at Buffalo Trace Bourbon Distillery.
CULTURAL EXPERIENCES
- Enjoy a visit to a private horse farm in Lexington, Kentucky.
- Stop in Berea, the arts and crafts capital of the state of Kentucky.
HOTELS
- Hilton Garden Inn Louisville Downtown, Louisville, KY
- DoubleTree Suites by Hilton, Lexington, KY
- Hilton Garden Inn Gatlinburg, Gatlinburg, TN
- Cambria Hotel Downtown, Asheville, NC
INCLUDED
- 9 Days
- 8 Nights
- 8 Breakfasts
- 2 Lunches
- 3 Dinners
Itinerary
-
Louisville, Kentucky - Tour Begins
Your tour starts in Louisville, Kentucky, famous for Thoroughbreds, Bourbon and baseball. Settle in for a 2-night stay at your hotel, ideally situated in downtown Louisville.
Accommodation: Hilton Garden Inn Louisville Downtown -
Louisville
Enjoy a visit to Churchill Downs, the Thoroughbred racetrack famous for hosting the pinnacle of all horse races: the Kentucky Derby. Then, tour the Kentucky Derby Museum and learn about the legendary history of the “Sport of Kings.” Enjoy a walking tour of Old Louisville, a historic neighborhood of Victorian mansions. Later, head to “Museum Row” where it’s your choice! Visit the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory for an All-Star baseball experience -OR- explore the Frazier Kentucky History Museum, and its Spirit of Kentucky exhibit, the official start of the Bourbon Trail. Tonight, join your fellow travelers at a local restaurant for a welcome dinner.
Meal included: Breakfast & DinnerAccommodation: DoubleTree Suites by Hilton -
Louisville - Lexington
Visit Buffalo Trace, the oldest continuously operating Bourbon distillery in America. Learn about the subtle craft, meet some of the people who make it all happen, and taste some of the home-grown spirit. Stop in the quaint, historic town of Midway before exploring Kentucky’s horse country. Learn about the area from a local guide and take in the rolling bluegrass pastureland and the horse farms that dot the landscape. Hear about time-honored traditions during visits to private horse farms before settling into Lexington for your 2-night stay.
Meal included: BreakfastAccommodation: DoubleTree Suites by Hilton -
Lexington - Berea - Lexington
Travel to Berea, the historic college town known as the arts-and-crafts center of Kentucky. Meet a few artisans while they demonstrate their craft. Then, explore musical artifacts and memorabilia during a visit to the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame. Tonight, take in the tastes of Kentucky at a local restaurant.
Meal included: Breakfast & DinnerAccommodation: Hilton Garden Inn Gatlinburg -
Lexington - Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Travel through Daniel Boone National Forest. Extending across the western plateau region of the Appalachian Mountains, it’s named for the larger-than-life American pioneer who once blazed a trail across these rugged and wild lands. Arrive in the lively mountain resort of Gatlinburg, gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and your home for a 2-night stay. The rest of the day is yours, perhaps you will go to Dollywood,* Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountains theme park or enjoy time in downtown Gatlinburg.
Meal included: Breakfast & LunchAccommodation: Hilton Garden Inn Gatlinburg -
Gatlinburg - Great Smoky Mountains National Park - Gatlinburg
With a local guide, explore Great Smoky Mountains National Park (UNESCO) – the United States’ most visited national park. Stop at various lookouts on your way to Newfound Gap, which boasts views of both Tennessee and North Carolina. Enjoy your picnic lunch at a scenic location before continuing through the park to Cherokee and spend time at Qualla, the oldest Native American arts cooperative where you’ll learn about traditional crafts and customs over a discussion with an artist. Afterwards, tour the Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery with a tasting before enjoying an evening at leisure.
Meal included: Breakfast & LunchAccommodation: Cambria Hotel Downtown -
Gatlinburg - Asheville, North Carolina
This morning, depart for Asheville, North Carolina, your Blue Ridge Mountains home for two nights. The afternoon and evening are yours to explore a city known for craft breweries, chocolate, and farm to table cuisine.
Meal included: BreakfastAccommodation: Cambria Hotel Downtown -
Asheville
Back in 1895, George Vanderbilt II decided to build himself a “little mountain escape” in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. The result was the impressive and decadent grandeur of the Biltmore Estate. Today, tour the sprawling mansion and the manicured grounds. Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
Meal included: Breakfast & Dinner -
Asheville - Charlotte - Tour Ends
Today your tour comes to an end. As you venture home, take the spirit and the warmth of America’s Southeast with you.
Meal included: Breakfast
