Overview
Itinerary
Enjoy a visit to Churchill Downs, the Thoroughbred racetrack famous for hosting the pinnacle of all horse races: the Kentucky Derby. Experience the backside of the racetrack while watching the horses during their morning workouts! Then, tour the Kentucky Derby Museum and learn about the legendary history of the “Sport of Kings.” Enjoy a walking tour of Old Louisville, a historic neighborhood of Victorian mansions.
Later, head to “Museum Row” where it's your choice! Visit the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory for an All-Star baseball experience -OR- explore the Frazier Kentucky History Museum, and its Spirit of Kentucky exhibit, the official start of the Bourbon Trail. Tonight, join your fellow travelers at a local restaurant for a welcome dinner. (B/D)
Travel through Daniel Boone National Forest. Extending across the western plateau region of the Appalachian Mountains, it's named for the larger-than-life American pioneer who once blazed a trail across these rugged and wild lands. Arrive in the lively mountain resort of Gatlinburg, gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and your home for a 2-night stay.
The rest of the day is yours, perhaps you will go to Dollywood, Dolly Parton's Smoky Mountains theme park or enjoy time in downtown Gatlinburg. (B) Stay: Hilton Garden Inn Gatlinburg (2 Nights)
Your tour starts in Louisville, Kentucky, famous for Thoroughbreds, Bourbon and baseball. Settle in for a 2-night stay at your hotel, ideally situated in downtown Louisville. Stay: Hilton Garden Inn Louisville Downtown (2 Nights)
Enjoy a visit to Churchill Downs, the Thoroughbred racetrack famous for hosting the pinnacle of all horse races: the Kentucky Derby. Then, tour the Kentucky Derby Museum and learn about the legendary history of the “Sport of Kings.” Enjoy a walking tour of Old Louisville, a historic neighborhood of Victorian mansions.
Later, head to “Museum Row” where it's your choice! Visit the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory for an All-Star baseball experience -OR- explore the Frazier Kentucky History Museum, and its Spirit of Kentucky exhibit, the official start of the Bourbon Trail.
Tonight, join your fellow travelers at a local restaurant for a welcome dinner. (B/D)
Visit Buffalo Trace, the oldest continuously operating Bourbon distillery in America. Learn about the subtle craft, meet some of the people who make it all happen, and taste some of the home-grown spirit. Stop in the quaint, historic town of Midway before exploring Kentucky's horse country. Learn about the area from a local guide and take in the rolling bluegrass pastureland and the horse farms that dot the landscape. Hear about time-honored traditions during visits to private horse farms before settling into Lexington for your 2-night stay. (B) Stay: DoubleTree Suites by Hilton (2 Nights)
Travel to Berea, the historic college town known as the arts-and-crafts center of Kentucky. Meet a few artisans while they demonstrate their craft. Then, explore musical artifacts and memorabilia during a visit to the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame.
Tonight, take in the tastes of Kentucky at a local restaurant. (B/D)
Travel through Daniel Boone National Forest. Extending across the western plateau region of the Appalachian Mountains, it's named for the larger-than-life American pioneer who once blazed a trail across these rugged and wild lands. Arrive in the lively mountain resort of Gatlinburg, gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and your home for a 2-night stay. The rest of the day is yours, perhaps you will go to Dollywood, Dolly Parton's Smoky Mountains theme park or enjoy time in downtown Gatlinburg. (B/L) Stay: Hilton Garden Inn Gatlinburg (2 Nights)
With a local guide, explore Great Smoky Mountains National Park (UNESCO) – the United States' most visited national park. Stop at various lookouts on your way to Newfound Gap, which boasts views of both Tennessee and North Carolina. Enjoy your picnic lunch at a scenic location before continuing through the park to Cherokee and spend time at Qualla, the oldest Native American arts cooperative where you'll learn about traditional crafts and customs over a discussion with an artist.
Afterwards, tour the Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery with a tasting before enjoying an evening at leisure. (B/L)
This morning, depart for Asheville, North Carolina, your Blue Ridge Mountains home for two nights. The afternoon and evening are yours to explore a city known for craft breweries, chocolate, and farm to table cuisine. (B) Stay: Cambria Hotel Downtown (2 Nights)
Back in 1895, George Vanderbilt II decided to build himself a “little mountain escape” in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. The result was the impressive and decadent grandeur of the Biltmore Estate. Today, tour the sprawling mansion and the manicured grounds.
Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B/D)
Today your tour comes to an end. As you venture home, take the spirit and the warmth of America's Southeast with you. (B)
Your tour starts in Louisville, Kentucky, famous for Thoroughbreds, Bourbon and baseball. Settle in for a 2-night stay at your hotel, ideally situated in downtown Louisville. Stay: Hilton Garden Inn Louisville Downtown (2 Nights)
Enjoy a visit to Churchill Downs, the Thoroughbred racetrack famous for hosting the pinnacle of all horse races: the Kentucky Derby. Then, tour the Kentucky Derby Museum and learn about the legendary history of the “Sport of Kings.” Enjoy a walking tour of Old Louisville, a historic neighborhood of Victorian mansions.
Later, head to “Museum Row” where it's your choice! Visit the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory for an All-Star baseball experience -OR- explore the Frazier Kentucky History Museum, and its Spirit of Kentucky exhibit, the official start of the Bourbon Trail.
Tonight, join your fellow travelers at a local restaurant for a welcome dinner. (B/D)
Visit one of the state's famous Bourbon distilleries before stopping in the quaint, historic town of Midway before exploring Kentucky's horse country. Learn about the area from a local guide and take in the rolling bluegrass pastureland and the horse farms that dot the landscape. Hear about time-honored traditions during visits to private horse farms before settling into Lexington for your 2-night stay. (B) Stay: Lexington hotel (2 Nights)
Travel to Berea, the historic college town known as the arts-and-crafts center of Kentucky. Meet a few artisans while they demonstrate their craft. Then, explore musical artifacts and memorabilia during a visit to the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame.
Tonight, take in the tastes of Kentucky at a local restaurant. (B/D)
Travel through Daniel Boone National Forest. Extending across the western plateau region of the Appalachian Mountains, it's named for the larger-than-life American pioneer who once blazed a trail across these rugged and wild lands. Arrive in the lively mountain resort of Gatlinburg, gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and your home for a 2-night stay. The rest of the day is yours, perhaps you will go to Dollywood, Dolly Parton's Smoky Mountains theme park or enjoy time in downtown Gatlinburg. (B/L) Stay: Hilton Garden Inn Gatlinburg (2 Nights)
With a local guide, explore Great Smoky Mountains National Park (UNESCO) – the United States' most visited national park. Stop at various lookouts on your way to Newfound Gap, which boasts views of both Tennessee and North Carolina. Enjoy your picnic lunch at a scenic location before continuing through the park to Cherokee and spend time at Qualla, the oldest Native American arts cooperative where you'll learn about traditional crafts and customs over a discussion with an artist.
Afterwards, tour the Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery with a tasting before enjoying an evening at leisure. (B/L)
This morning, depart for Asheville, North Carolina, your Blue Ridge Mountains home for two nights. The afternoon and evening are yours to explore a city known for craft breweries, chocolate, and farm to table cuisine. (B) Stay: Cambria Hotel Downtown (2 Nights)
Back in 1895, George Vanderbilt II decided to build himself a “little mountain escape” in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. The result was the impressive and decadent grandeur of the Biltmore Estate. Today, tour the sprawling mansion and the manicured grounds.
Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B/D)
Today your tour comes to an end. As you venture home, take the spirit and the warmth of America's Southeast with you. (B)
Trip Inclusions
- Enjoy a visit to a private horse farm in Lexington, Kentucky.
- Stop in Berea, the arts and crafts capital of the state of Kentucky.
- Explore the grandeur of nature at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
- Visit Louisville, Kentucky and the mecca of horse racing, Churchill Downs.
- Walk the stunning grounds of the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina.
- Sip on samples of Kentucky's home-grown spirit during a tasting at Buffalo Trace Bourbon Distillery.
- Enjoy Southern fare at historic Boone Tavern in the center of Berea, Kentucky.
- Expertly crafted itineraries
- 4-star+ accommodation
- Skilled and engaging tour managers
- Expert local guides with insider knowledge
- Attraction entrance fees
- Many meals full of local flavour
- Unparalleled sightseeing
- Enriching cultural experiences
- Comfortable on-tour transportation
- Hotel-to-hotel baggage handling
- Plus, access to Wi-Fi hotspots on tour
- This tour requires average physical activity. You should be in good health, able to climb stairs and walk reasonable distances, possibly over uneven ground and cobblestoned streets.
- Arriving Flight: The closest arrival airport is Standiford Fld (SDF) Airport
- Departing Flight: The closest departure airport is Charlotte Intl Airport (CLT) Airport
- Private, chauffeur service is included for all air-inclusive tour bookings. This personalised service is included within a 40km radius from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra, Darwin, Cairns and Hobart airport gateways. Service is available between 41-70 kms for a small fee.
- Airport transfers at your arrival and departure destination are not included in the price of the tour.
- Itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and specified internal flights. International flights not included.
- Enjoy a visit to a private horse farm in Lexington, Kentucky.
- Stop in Berea, the arts and crafts capital of the state of Kentucky.
- Explore the grandeur of nature at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
- Visit Louisville, Kentucky and the mecca of horse racing, Churchill Downs.
- Walk the stunning grounds of the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina.
- Sip on samples of Kentucky's home-grown spirit during a tasting at Buffalo Trace Bourbon Distillery.
- Expertly crafted itineraries
- 4-star+ accommodation
- Skilled and engaging tour managers
- Expert local guides with insider knowledge
- Attraction entrance fees
- Many meals full of local flavour
- Unparalleled sightseeing
- Enriching cultural experiences
- Comfortable on-tour transportation
- Hotel-to-hotel baggage handling
- Plus, access to Wi-Fi hotspots on tour
- This tour requires average physical activity. You should be in good health, able to climb stairs and walk reasonable distances, possibly over uneven ground and cobblestoned streets.
- Private, chauffeur service is included for all air-inclusive tour bookings. This personalised service is included within a 40km radius from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra, Darwin, Cairns and Hobart airport gateways. Service is available between 41-70 kms for a small fee.
- Airport transfers at your arrival and departure destination are not included in the price of the tour.
- Itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and specified internal flights. International flights not included.
- Enjoy a visit to a private horse farm in Lexington, Kentucky.
- Stop in Berea, the arts and crafts capital of the state of Kentucky.
- Explore the grandeur of nature at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
- Visit Louisville, Kentucky and the mecca of horse racing, Churchill Downs.
- Walk the stunning grounds of the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina.
- Sip on samples of Kentucky's home-grown spirit during a tasting at a Bourbon distillery.
- Expertly crafted itineraries
- 4-star+ accommodation
- Skilled and engaging tour managers
- Expert local guides with insider knowledge
- Attraction entrance fees
- Many meals full of local flavour
- Unparalleled sightseeing
- Enriching cultural experiences
- Comfortable on-tour transportation
- Hotel-to-hotel baggage handling
- Plus, access to Wi-Fi hotspots on tour
- This tour requires average physical activity. You should be in good health, able to climb stairs and walk reasonable distances, possibly over uneven ground and cobblestoned streets.
- Private, chauffeur service is included for all air-inclusive tour bookings. This personalised service is included within a 40km radius from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra, Darwin, Cairns and Hobart airport gateways. Service is available between 41-70 kms for a small fee.
- Airport transfers at your arrival and departure destination are not included in the price of the tour.
- Itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and specified internal flights. International flights not included.
Trip Optionals These optional activities can be pre-booked & included in your trip price.
- Location: Pawtucket, RI. Cost: $174.
- You can now include pre-paid tipping into your guided tour purchase. You pay for your tipping up front, we handle the rest, and you can cross one more thing off your “To Do” list. No more running to an ATM at the last minute on tour, or carrying around cash you won’t spend. Transportation is not included Prepaid gratuities are only available to guests departing from Australia & New Zealand. This covers tips for the Tour Manager, driver(s), and local guides including optional tours. Airport transfer and extension gratuities are not included in this amount.
- Location: Pawtucket, RI. Cost: $177.
- You can now include pre-paid tipping into your guided tour purchase. You pay for your tipping up front, we handle the rest, and you can cross one more thing off your “To Do” list. No more running to an ATM at the last minute on tour, or carrying around cash you won’t spend. Transportation is not included Prepaid gratuities are only available to guests departing from Australia & New Zealand. This covers tips for the Tour Manager, driver(s), and local guides including optional tours. Airport transfer and extension gratuities are not included in this amount.
- Location: Pawtucket, RI. Cost: $177.
- You can now include pre-paid tipping into your guided tour purchase. You pay for your tipping up front, we handle the rest, and you can cross one more thing off your “To Do” list. No more running to an ATM at the last minute on tour, or carrying around cash you won’t spend. Transportation is not included Prepaid gratuities are only available to guests departing from Australia & New Zealand. This covers tips for the Tour Manager, driver(s), and local guides including optional tours. Airport transfer and extension gratuities are not included in this amount.
Brochure
Collette Worldwide (2022-24)
Brochure
Collette Worldwide (2024-25)
Brochure
Collette Worldwide (2024-25)
Availability
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you enquire. Additional savings may apply. We guarantee the lowest price in Australia. T&C’s apply.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Prices and trip information are correct at the time at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Collette. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Collette. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
