Day 1 Peru, IL

We board our deluxe motor coach for a tour to Kentucky and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, whose name is derived from the Cherokee Indian term Shaconage, which means “Place of Blue Smoke.”

Day 2 Louisville, KY

Today we’ll make our way to Kentucky, the Bluegrass State. Upon arrival to Louisville, we will visit the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory. Along with the fascinating bat factory tour, we will see galleries filled with remarkable memorabilia and entertaining interactive exhibits. You don’t have to be a big baseball fan to enjoy yourself here. There’s something fun for everyone! After our tour, we will head to our hotel to check-in. Dinner is included this evening at a local restaurant. After dinner we’ll visit the annual Jack O’Lantern Spectacular. Walk along a winding path in Iroquiois Park seeing more than 5,000 artistically carved pumpkins in themed settings. (B, D)

Day 3 Pigeon Forge, TN

Our morning will be spent at the Kentucky Derby Museum and Churchill Downs. We experience the thrill of the race known as “the most exciting two minutes in sports” and explore hands-on exhibits. You can also mount a horse in an actual starting gate, view the film “The Greatest Race,” and visit the museum’s thoroughbred, Deputy Joe. Lunch is included before we head to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee for a two night stay. This evening we attend Dolly Parton’s Stampede, the greatest show in the Smoky Mountains! Enjoy a delicious home-cooked meal while watching magnificent horses and top-notch riders perform daring feats of trick riding, friendly competition, aerial riding and a patriotic salute with Dolly’s song “Red, White, and Blue.” (B, L, D)

Day 4 Pigeon Forge, TN

This morning we head out on a Foothills of the Smokys Tour (Eastside). Our guide will show us around Sevierville, the 8th oldest town in Tennessee, where you will visit the Dolly Parton statue and learn of its unique history. Then travel to nearby Chestnut Hill to visit Bush’s Beans Visitor Center which is housed in the family’s original General Store that dates back to 1897. Enjoy a delicious southern-style lunch at Bush’s Family Cafe. We end our tour in Gatlinburg, where you’ll have some freetime to shop and explore. Then it’s time to taste some moonshine! We’ll tour and do a tasting at the Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery. Tonight, we are entertained at the Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Show. The journey starts with an all-you-can-eat feast and when the show starts you can count on side-splitting comedy, musical acts with sensational singing, dancing and mountain clogging, and some “explosive” stunts that give the show a true bang! (B, L, D)

Day 5 Cherokee, NC

Our adventure continues this morning as we travel through Great Smoky Mountains National Park with a local guide. As we travel the scenic mountain road around the famous “Loop” by way of the high-rising Chimney Tops. At the top of the mountain we will stop at Newfound Gap which marks the Tennessee/North Carolina State line. At an elevation of 5,048 feet, Newfound Gap is the lowest drivable pass through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This afternoon, board the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad for a ride to Nantahala Gorge. Enjoy an included lunch on the train. (B, L)

Day 6 Asheville, NC

We depart this morning and drive to Asheville, NC. On arrival, enjoy an included lunch at the Biltmore’s Stable Cafe before we tour the fabulous Biltmore Estate, overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains. See magnificent 16th century tapestries, a library with 10,000 volumes, a banquet hall with a 70 foot ceiling, 65 fireplaces, an indoor pool, bowling alley and one of the finest gardens in our country. (B, L)

Day 7 Bardstown, KY

We head to Bardstown, which has been named one of the most beautiful small towns in America. We will tour My Old Kentucky Home, a 200 year old mansion and plantation of the Rowan family named for Stephen Foster’s song, “My Old Kentucky Home, Goodnight!” Our guide will give us a tour of the mansion while wearing the latest in 1850s antebellum fashion. We’ll end our tour with a warm apple cider and ginger snap cookies in the historic kitchen and carriage house. Tonight, enjoy an included dinner at the historic Talbot Tavern. Built in 1779, the Tavern has been called the oldest western stagecoach stop in America. (B, D)

Day 8 Lexington, KY

Our day begins at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, home to the third largest Shaker community in the U.S. We tour the historic village and learn about the Shakers along with the history of Pleasant Hill. Afterwards sit down for an included lunch here. This afternoon will be spent at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY. Get the chance to meet Thoroughbred legends at the Hall of Champions, see interesting breeds at the Parade of Breeds Show, tour the barn and see the blacksmith facility. (B, L)

Day 9 Janesville, WI

We’ll trek towards home this today, traveling as far as Janesville, Wisconsin. Tonight, gather for a Pizza Party as a group and enjoy our last evening together. (B, D)

Day 10 Home

We return to Minnesota today and hum all along the way-our old favorites and the new songs we learned on our tour to the “Place of Blue Smoke.” (B)