Itinerary Details
Bourbon, Bridles & Bluegrass
Day 1 ARRIVE IN LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY Welcome to Louisville At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome drink.
Day 2 LOUISVILLE–BARDSTOWN-FRANKFORT–LEXINGTON Heavenly Sips & Hot Browns Start your day in Kentucky Bluegrass country with a sightseeing tour of Louisville followed by a [LF] lunch featuring a local culinary specialty. Then travel south to Bardstown for a bourbon experience and tasting at Heaven Hill Distillery, established in 1935. Continue to Lexington for a free evening. (B)LOCAL FAVORITE LOCAL TASTES In the 1920's, The Brown Hotel drew over 1,200 guests each evening for its dinner dance. By the wee hours of the morning, guests would grow weary of dancing and make their way to the restaurant for a bite to eat. Sensing their desire for something more glamorous than traditional ham and eggs, Chef Fred Schmidt set out to create something new to tempt his guests' palates. His unique dish? An open-faced turkey sandwich with bacon and a delicate Mornay sauce. The Hot Brown was born!
Day 3 LEXINGTON. EXCURSION TO HORSE COUNTRY Run for the Roses This morning, visit the Kentucky Horse Park and the International Museum of the Horse, the largest and most comprehensive museum in the world dedicated to horses and their impact on civilization. Continue deeper into horse country to visit a local thoroughbred horse farm and learn about the majestic horses that make Lexington the “Horse Capital of the World.” Journey behind the fences to a thoroughbred farm and hear about the breeding process, rearing, horseracing, and even meet some of these beautiful champions up close. Later, visit [LF] Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farm. Return to Lexington for dinner with entertainment by local bluegrass musicians. (B,D)LOCAL FAVORITE HISTORY & HERITAGE In Kentucky’s Horse Country, you’ll find a paradise for rescued and retired horses on a 236-acre farm at Old Friend Thoroughbred Retirement Farm. Here, former Breeders’ Cup, Belmont, Santa Anita, Preakness, and Kentucky Derby winners enjoy the well-deserved days of peaceful life in the blue grass pastures of blue grass.
Day 4 LEXINGTON–ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA Sip & See Travel today through Kentucky and Tennessee to Asheville; famous for its Blue Ridge Mountains, thriving art, expansive green spaces, and craft beers. (B)FREE TIME TIPSEXPLORE MORE Stroll through the vibrant city of Asheville and browse the open-air Grove Market. Maybe pop into one of the fabled independent bookstores or imbibe at a local craft brewery in this Blue Ridge Mountain city. Your GlobusGO mobile app has maps and more ideas to make your evening in Asheville special. Ask your Tour Director for the best things to see and sip in this craft beer capital.
Day 5 ASHEVILLE American Dreams This morning, head to the Biltmore Estate for a guided tour. Next, enjoy a [LF] farm-to-table lunch at Antler Hill Village. Free time this evening, perhaps visit a local craft brewery or one of the many restaurants in downtown. (B,L) TOUR HIGHLIGHT HISTORIC SITES George Vanderbilt’s 8,000- acre Biltmore Estate is the largest privately owned home and most visited in America. Tour the French Renaissance-style, 250-room chateau to view the priceless paintings and antiques, including Napoleon’s chess table. Be sure to spend time exploring the spectacular gardens. Follow your Biltmore experience with a farm-to-table lunch on the picturesque North Carolina estate.
Day 6 ASHEVILLE–GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK–CHEROKEE–CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE Smoky Mountain Reign Travel through the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, America’s most visited national park. Stop in Cherokee for a visit to the [LF] Museum of the Cherokee Indian with a Local Cherokee Guide. Continue to Chattanooga for an orientation drive followed by a tasting of a local treat, dating back to the area for more than 100 years. The evening is free to explore Chattanooga on your own. (B)LOCAL FAVORITECULTURAL GEM Take an inspiring and enlightening tour of the Museum of the Cherokee Indian with a Local Guide. On this moving tour, experience the 12,000-year-old Cherokee story of resilience, survival, and ingenuity.
Day 7 CHATTANOOGA–NASHVILLE Music City Crooners Today, continue to Nashville for an orientation tour followed by a visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame to see its rich collection of costumes, memorabilia, instruments, photographs, and, of course, Elvis Presley’s “solid gold” Cadillac. After some free time to explore Nashville on your own, join your Tour Director and fellow travelers for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)TOUR HIGHLIGHTARTISTS & MUSIC The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum seeks to collect, preserve, and interpret the evolving history and traditions of country music. Through exhibits, publications, and educational programs, the museum teaches its diverse audiences about the enduring beauty and cultural importance of country music. Induction to the Country Music Hall of Fame has been country music's highest honor since Hank Williams—was first inducted in 1961, followed by such legendary artists as Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, and Dolly Parton – to name a few.
Day 8 NASHVILLE Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
