The Great Smoky Mountains

Day 1 Peru, IL
We board our deluxe motor coach for a tour to the Smoky Mountains, whose name is derived from the Cherokee Indian term Shaconage, which means “Place of Blue Smoke.” We overnight in Peru, Illinois tonight.

Day 2 Louisville, KY
Today we'll make our way to Kentucky, the Bluegrass State. First a lunch stop in Indianapolis before continuing to Louisville. Upon arrival we will visit the Louisville Slugger Museum and do a Factory Tour. Dinner is included this evening at a local restaurant. (B, D)

Day 3 Lexington, KY
Our morning bring us to Louisville where we enjoy a fun filled morning 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 Lexington, the horse capital of the world. Lexington is home to the Kentucky Horse Park. We will 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, D)

Day 4 Pigeon Forge, TN
We travel to Pigeon Forge today where we'll stay for two nights. We'll meet our guide on arrival and head out on a Foothills of the Smokys Tour. Our guide will show us around Sevierville, Tennessee, the 8th oldest town in Tennessee, where you will visit the Dolly Parton statue at the historic Sevier County Courthouse 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 Café. Tonight we'll have an included dinner at the Apple Barn Restaurant. There will be time for wine tasting and shopping here before we eat. Our entertainment this evening will be at the Comedy Barn featuring comedians, jugglers, ventriloquists, barnyard animals, live music, and more! You’ll laugh until you can’t laugh any more. (B, L, D)

Day 5 Pigeon Forge, TN
A short drive to Gatlinburg this morning where you'll have some freetime to shop, explore and have lunch. Then it's time to taste some moonshine! We'll tour and do a tasting at the Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery. From there we head to Dollywood, Dolly Parton’s Theme  Park of the Smoky Mountains! The mountain crafts are quaint and the shows are entertaining. We’ll be there during the Harvest Festival which features the Great Pumpkin Luminights. A dinner is included at Dollywood.

Day 6 Asheville, NC
Our adventure begins this morning when we meet our local guide for a tour of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Our guide will give us information 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. There will be many opportunities for photos along the way. Our afternoon will be aboard the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. A boxed lunch is included on the train as we take in the sights and sounds of the Great Smoky Mountains while traveling along the Tennessee and Nantahala Rivers. The historic trellis bridge Fontana Trestle takes you across Fontana Lake and into the beautiful Nantahala Gorge. (B, L)

Day 7 London, KY
Our day begins with a tour of Biltmore Estate, overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is the largest private home in America, created by George Vanderbilt in 1895. You will see magnificent 16th century tapestries, a library with 10,000 volumes, a banquet hall with a 70 foot ceiling, 65 fireplaces, an indoor pool and a bowling alley. Almost all of the priceless objects that you see throughout the house are from George and Edith Vanderbilt’s original collection. Take time to stroll through one of the finest gardens in our country. Lunch is included at the Biltmore before we depart. Next, we're off to Cumberland Falls, known as ‘Niagara of the South.”  Water pours over the rocks in a 125 foot wide curtain and plunges 68 feet into the boulder strewn gorge below. (B, L)

Day 8 Rockford, IL
We begin our trek towards home today, traveling as far as Rockford. Tonight, enjoy an included farewell dinner at the Machine Shed Restaurant...down home good cooking (and eating). (B, D)

Day 9 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)

4 dinners 
4 lunches and 
8 continental breakfasts

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