Bluegrass and Bourbon Trail
- Duration
- 10 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 1,931
FIRST-CLASS | SELF DRIVE: Memphis and Nashville are your musical bookends on this trip with plenty of musical attractions, from the Stax Museum of Soul to Graceland or the Grand Old Opry trying to get your attention. Country and a little Bluegrass get on the menu when you visit Gatlinburg and realize that Dolly Parton’s place is only 20 minutes away, with the gorgeous Great Smoky Mountains providing a perfect backdrop. Once in Kentucky, Bluegrass is in full focus, plus there is the Jack Daniels Distillery and world-renowned Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby.
This 10-day immersive passage into the heart of American music, southern hospitality and the wild frontier will fire up your spirit just as well as the legendary bourbon of the area. It surrounds you with the music of Memphis and leads you to the Mississippi River, the Appalachian Mountains and the waterfalls of the Daniel Boone National Forest, with plenty of freedom to custom select your favourite experiences.
You’ll be swaying your hips in Memphis, where your journey begins, with the likes of Elvis, B.B. King and Jerry Lee Lewis rocking you around the clock at the Rock & Soul Museum, the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, the Gibson Guitar Factory, or Sun Studio where these rock’n’roll stars made history. Take in an outdoor concert at the Mud Island outdoor amphitheater on the banks of the Mississippi River and discover Memphis’s new musical stars before tucking into some pickles and ribs along renowned Beale Street, maybe at B.B. King’s House of Blues, where live music accentuates every bite.
Continue on to Lynchburg where Tennessee whiskey flows and flares up your passion for the famed fire water of Jack Daniel’s. Visit the distillery during your stay and explore the great American wonder of the Cave Spring Hollow; an underground grotto where the pure waters of Jack Daniel’s are drawn. Indulge your sweet tooth with a whiskey-soaked cherry or two at Miss Nina’s Taste of Tennessee, a must taste. In Chattanooga, a historic downtown greets visitors with a gorgeous waterfront where you can wander and munch on a MoonPie, a round cookie of marshmallow fluff, graham crackers and chocolate designed by local coal miners in the 1900’s, on your way to the Chattanooga historic Choo Choo Train Station.
Head north to the raw beauty of Knoxville, where hiking the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a day in nature you will forever remember. Quench your thirst after hiking past vistas and waterfalls at the Sugarlands Distilling Company or the Smoky Mountain Brewery before strolling past beautiful architecture, at the elegant Village Shops downtown where one can satisfy their shopping fix and indulge in some trendy or classic southern fare.
From Gatlinburg to Kentucky, the winding Mississippi leads to the Appalachian Mountains, and the reflections off the Ohio River will have you reaching for you camera at every turn. The sun rises over the Horse Capital of the World, located in of Kentucky’s Bluegrass Region where you can follow in the footsteps of America’s “king of the wild frontier” at the Daniel Boone National Forest where Cumberland Falls, at 120-feet wide, 67 feet high has been crashing down majestically long before American pioneers first discovered this rugged and beautiful region.
The drive to Louisville takes you back to small town America amid rolling fields and simpler times. Once in Louisville, the home of the world’s best-known country performers, take in the Grand Ole Opry’s immersive theater experience and go backstage where the magic of country music has been housed for almost 100 years and from which the longest-running radio broadcast in US history continues to operate.
- Duration
- 10 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 1,931
Itinerary View Trip Map
Memphis
After your arrival at Memphis International Airport transfer independently to your hotel. Depending on your time of arrival you might have time to explore a little bit of this great musical city, the birthplace of the Blues, strolling down Beale Street and taking in a performance in one of its entertaining blues bars.
Overnight Memphis
| Duration | 2 nights |
|---|
Memphis
Memphis combines the charm of the Old South with the exciting pace of a modern metropolis. Music is a big deal here. It’s the birthplace of the Blues, but Soul and Rock’n’Roll enjoy a high profile too. Remember Elvis? If you didn’t get a chance to visit Beale Street yesterday, you really should check out its neon row and hear music spilling out of clubs and restaurants like Rum Boogie Café, B.B. King’s Blues Club, Silky O’Sullivan’s, or the Hard Rock Café. Beale Street is serious about its music, and jam sessions at many of these clubs go deep into the night. Alternatively, you can try an outdoor concert at the Mud Island Amphitheatre, located right by the Mississippi River, visit the famous Stax Museum of Soul or Sun Studio, where Elvis and Johnny Cash recorded or, of course, visit the even more famous Graceland.
Overnight Memphis
Memphis - Lynchburg
Continue your journey to Lynchburg, home to one large industry, the Jack Daniels Distillery. Consider taking a tour, learn about the great American wonder of the Cave Spring Hollow, and discover the whole history of the distillery. Don't miss Nina's Taste of Tennessee and indulge in the sweet treats and surprises that this quaint shop has to offer. Beware, many of her sweet treats are made with a variety of Jack Daniel's whiskey.
Overnight Lynchburg
| Duration | 1 night |
|---|
Lynchburg - Chattanooga
Venture into the 4th largest city in Southeast Tennessee and taste the South's favorite snack food, the Moon Pie, which originated in Chattanooga in the early 1900s. The city has received national recognition for the renaissance of its beautiful downtown and expansion of its riverfront. A must visit is the Chattanooga Choo Choo Train Station, an iconic place that has been turned into a hotel. The station was first built in the historic district in 1908. Summer travelers should check the dates of the annual Chattanooga Riverbend Festival.
Overnight Chattanooga
| Duration | 1 night |
|---|
Chattanooga - Gatlinburg
Today, you make your way north to Gatlinburg and pass through the rich culture and contemporary air of Knoxville, which has the perfect blend of southern hospitality and modern development. Start your day with a scenic hike in the magnificent Great Smoky Mountains National Park with its many alluring trails and enchanting surroundings. If time permits, consider a visit to the Sugarlands Distilling Company or the Smoky Mountain Brewery. Afterwards, stroll through the downtown Village Shops and enjoy the quaint architecture while doing a little shopping or checking out its interesting restaurant scene.
Overnight Gatlinburg
| Duration | 1 night |
|---|
Gatlinburg - Lexington
As you leave Gatlinburg and make your way through Kentucky, enjoy the marvellous scenery of the Appalachian Mountains and the Mississippi River, with the Ohio River forming a northern boundary. Begin the morning in the Horse Capital of the World, located in the heart of Kentucky's Bluegrass Region and explore the rugged terrain of the Daniel Boone National Forest, named after the fearless legendary American pioneer. Also located in the Daniel Boone National Forest is Cumberland Falls, a majestic 120-foot wide, 67-foot-tall waterfall.
Overnight Lexington
| Duration | 1 night |
|---|
Lexington - Louisville
The drive today to Louisville, passes by numerous small towns and luscious green fields. As you reach Louisville, don't forget to visit the home of the world's most famous thoroughbred horserace, the Kentucky Derby which takes place at Churchill Downs the first Saturday each May. Don't forget to bring a beautiful hat for the occasion. Featured in the movie Sea Biscuit, Churchill Downs is the mecca of American horse racing and home of the Kentucky Derby Museum. Take a short side trip to Bardstown and visit My Old Kentucky Home State Park, the inspiration for Stephen Foster's anthem of the same name which is sung by the crowds every year at the Kentucky Derby. Baseball fans should ensure they fit in a visit to the Louisville Slugger Museum, an interactive museum honoring some of baseball's greats.
Overnight Louisville
| Duration | 1 night |
|---|
Louisville - Nashville
Nashville, ‘Music City USA’, is your fabulous music destination today. Make your way over to the Music City Walk of Fame honoring the top country performers. It's a multimedia music shrine including movie theatres, costumes, instruments, and other artifacts detailing country music's colorful history. Consider a visit to the Ryman Auditorium and a night at the Grand Ole Opry.
Overnight Nashville
| Duration | 2 nights |
|---|
Nashville
Today we suggest a visit to the Opry Mills shopping Center or take a stroll through the Music Valley's Wax Museum of the Stars and witness life-size wax figures of many country music stars. For history enthusiasts, The Tennessee State Capitol in downtown Nashville is one of the oldest working capitols in the United States and serves as home of the Tennessee General Assembly and houses the governor’s office. The building, one of 12 state capitols that does not have a dome, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970 and named a National Historic Landmark in 1971.
Overnight Nashville
Nashville - Memphis
Depart the capital of country and western music to return to the home of the blues. Make your way to Memphis International Airport to check in for your flight home unless you plan to extend your stay in Tennessee.
Other Information
DEPARTURES:
Daily departures: April 1, 2024 - March 31, 2025
PRICE INCLUDES:
- 10 days Intermediate Car Rental with unlimited mileage (Mazda 3 or similar)
- Detailed day by day itinerary
- 2 nights first-class accommodations in Memphis
- 1 night first-class accommodations in Lynchburg
- 1 night first-class accommodations in Chattanooga
- 1 night first-class accommodations in Gatlinburg
- 1 night first-class accommodations in Lexington
- 1 night first-class accommodations in Louisville
- 2 nights first-class accommodations in Nashville
PRICE EXCLUDES:
- Car rental insurance
- Travel insurance
- International and domestic airfare & airfare taxes
- Entrances fees to sites not explicitly listed as included
- Meals and beverages not mentioned
- Road tolls
- Gratuities
- Items of a personal nature
- Visa fees if applicable
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
- Live it up on Beale Street
- Optional visit to Graceland
- Optional visit to the Chattanooga Choo Choo
- Explore the Great Smoky Mountains
- Hike in the Daniel Boone National Forest
- See Churchill Downs
- Optional visit to a show at the Grand Ole Opry
TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
Prices are "from" per person based on twin/double share accommodation and for travel in low season. Seasonal surcharges and blackout dates may apply. Limited seat/spaces and all pricing is subject to change and availability. Rates for single or triple travellers are available on request. Additional terms and conditions apply for car rental - please inquire.
1 Oct 2024
