• 9 Days
  • From $4,499
  • Airfare Included

Kentucky & the Smokies

Tour Style:
Land
Activity Level:
Moderate
Highest Elevation:
5,046 feet in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
12 Meals:
7 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 2 Dinners

Explore the stunning fall foliage, culture, history, and tastes of the Appalachian Region. In North Carolina, we tour the country's largest private residence, Biltmore Estate, and discover the natural wonders of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Venture over to Tennessee for a tour of the Titanic Museum, spend an afternoon in Dolly Parton's iconic theme park, and attend two side-splitting performances, including the Hatfield & McCoy dinner show. The exciting adventures continue in Kentucky with a visit to the Mary Todd Lincoln House, an immersive experience at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, and a journey back in time at My Old Kentucky Home, featuring a delightful culinary lesson. We also witness the process of Evan Williams Bourbon being crafted and indulge in a taste! Our final day in Kentucky is spent at some of Louisville’s most famous attractions like Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby, and the enchanting Jack O’Lantern Spectacular.

Trip overview may vary by departure.

  • Day 1: Fly to North Carolina
    We fly to Charlotte for a restful night at a deluxe hotel.
  • Day 2: Biltmore Estate
    We depart for Asheville this morning to visit the country’s largest private residence, Biltmore Estate. Our first stop at this expansive estate is Antler Hill Village, where you have free time for lunch and exploration, including complimentary wine tasting at the Biltmore Estate Winery or shopping at the charming boutiques and craft stores. Later, enjoy a self-guided audio tour of the immaculate mansion to hear fascinating stories about the Vanderbilt family while admiring the grandiose architecture. Tonight, we get to know fellow travelers at a Welcome Dinner.

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

  • Day 3: The Smoky Mountains
    Our day begins with a motorcoach ride into Great Smoky Mountains National Park, home to the highest mountains east of the Rockies at over 5,000 feet. Marvel at the breathtaking scenery during a guided driving tour, then take the Ober Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway to the summit of Mount Harrison for the best views. On the mountaintop, enjoy leisure time at the amusement park or descend the tram back to Gatlinburg to browse nearby shops. This evening, we attend Dolly Parton’s Stampede and indulge in a four-course feast with a variety show featuring music, thrilling horse-riding stunts, comedy, and pyrotechnics.

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

  • Day 4: Dollywood
    In the morning, we’re off to Pigeon Forge’s Titanic Museum for a guided tour of intriguing exhibits, artifacts, and replica architecture of the famous passenger liner. Savor lunch in a secret room aboard the "ship," then spend the remainder of the afternoon at leisure in Dollywood, Dolly Parton’s iconic amusement park. This evening, get ready for spectacular entertainment at Country Tonite Theatre, voted “Best Show in the Smokies!” Enjoy country classics and new hits while appreciating the talents of singers, dancers, musicians, and comedians.

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

  • Day 5: Museum of Appalachia
    We’re Kentucky bound this morning with a stop in Clinton at the Museum of Appalachia, a tribute to the spirit of the American South. Browse historical exhibits, hear musicians play old-time music, and stroll through rustic paths, gardens, and cabins that reflect a bygone era. Later, we arrive in the Bluegrass State and check in to our comfortable accommodations in Lexington for a two-night stay.

    Meals Included: Breakfast

  • Day 6: Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill
    Today begins with a guided tour of the Mary Todd Lincoln House, the childhood home of Abraham Lincoln’s wife. Next, we visit Old Friends at Dream Chase Farm, where thoroughbred horses live out their golden years in comfort after a career in racing or breeding. Our adventures continue at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, a beautiful heritage park revealing the culture, community, and ingenuity of the Kentucky Shakers. After a delicious lunch crafted with fresh ingredients grown in the village, there’s time to browse quaint shops and listen to a musical performance. The evening is at your leisure.

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

  • Day 7: My Old Kentucky Home
    Our first stop today is My Old Kentucky Home in Bardstown, one of America's most celebrated landmarks. Admire extraordinary antiques and renowned paintings while listening to stories about famous guests of Federal Hill on a guided tour of the mansion. We then watch how to make the South’s iconic beaten biscuits and taste the homemade delicacy ourselves with delicious jam. Following lunch at leisure in Bardstown, we depart for Louisville and partake in the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience on Whiskey Row to see firsthand how Kentucky’s first licensed distiller creates their famous drink. After checking in to our accommodations for the next two evenings, the remainder of the day is yours to relax or explore nearby attractions.

    Meals Included: Breakfast

  • Day 8: Louisville Sights
    There’s no experience quite like a morning at Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby. Go behind the scenes with breakfast in the Horsemen’s Track Kitchen, then tour the legendary racetrack, the Kentucky Derby Museum, and more. This afternoon, we celebrate our southern adventures with a Farewell Lunch at the historic Brown Hotel. Next, we visit the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory for a guided tour that details the hard-hitting history of how they played a role in American baseball. Don’t miss seeing the world's largest baseball bat, a 120-foot replica of a slugger belonging to Babe Ruth! Our evening concludes at the incredible Louisville Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular, where 5,000 professionally carved pumpkins illuminate an enchanting trail in Iroquois Park.

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

  • Day 9: Fly Home
    We return home with incredible memories and photos from our time in the South.

What's Included

All Accommodations

  • 1 night at Drury Inn & Suites Charlotte Northlake
  • 1 night at Hampton Inn Asheville – Tunnel Rd
  • 2 nights at Residence Inn Pigeon Forge
  • 2 nights at SpringHill Suites Lexington
  • 2 nights at Drury Inn & Suites Louisville East

Attractions & Highlights

  • Biltmore Estate feat. mansion & winery
  • Ober Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway
  • Great Smoky Mountains National Park guided tour
  • Dolly Parton's Stampede dinner show
  • Country Tonite Theatre show
  • Leisure time in Dollywood
  • Titanic Museum
  • Museum of Appalachia
  • Mary Todd Lincoln House
  • Old Friends at Dream Chase Farm
  • Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill guided tour
  • My Old Kentucky Home mansion tour & culinary biscuit demonstration
  • Evan Williams Bourbon Experience
  • Louisville Jack O’Lantern Spectacular
  • Churchill Downs tour feat. racetrack & Kentucky Derby Museum
  • Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory

12 Excellent Meals

  • Daily breakfasts
  • Lunch at the Titanic Museum
  • Lunch at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill
  • Backstretch Breakfast at Churchill Downs
  • Farewell Lunch at the historic Brown Hotel in Louisville

Learn more about what's included with the Holiday Advantage.