A very special Autumn holiday to the Great Smoky Mountains that includes, in one relaxed holiday, every feature one would hope for on the Great American vacation: Complimentary travel to the start of the trip in Atlanta with a two- night stay at the superb Atlanta Hilton, two nights in lovely Asheville, North Carolina with a tour of the fabled Biltmore Estate of the Vanderbilts, two nights in the Great Smoky Mountains at the luxury Park Vista Resort with complete touring and a ride on the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad followed by an overnight stay in ‘Music City USA’, Nashville, a relaxing and leisurely holiday at the perfect time of the year. Saving the best for last, we travel to Chicago from Memphis in nostalgic style and great comfort aboard our own special train, the ‘Memphis Special’ over the storied Illinois Central Railroad. With a classic round-end Observation car with open bar, there is no grander way to travel to the Windy City. And to end on a stylish note, in Chicago, our guests enjoy the fabled Drake Hotel, a Five-Diamond rated luxury hotel on North Michigan Avenue overlooking Lake Michigan along with a farewell dinner at a long-time favorite of ours, Lawry’s, the Prime Rib for the best prime rib in the country. With superb hotels, grand dining, the Great Smoky Mountains, Asheville complete sightseeing, the Memphis Special and Chicago.

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• Complimentary train travel from any US city to Atlanta and the start of our tour when booked early. Those with less time may take advantage of our $199. airfare from over 189 gateway cities to Atlanta.
• Superb hotels throughout including the Atlanta Hilton with a special welcome dinner at famed Trader Vic's!
• Fully hosted by professional tour manager from start to finish, to handle all the details to make your holiday even more enjoyable. Most meals with breakfast daily.
• Two-nights in lovely Asheville, North Carolina at the wonderfully located Doubletree Biltmore at the gates of the fabled Biltmore Estate of the Vanderbilt family. Also included is a tour of Asheville.
• Biltmore Estate visit including lunch at Deerpark Restaurant on the Vanderbilt Estate.
• Two-nights at the excellent Park Vista Resort Hotel in Gatlinburg, TN, in the Great Smoky Mountains. All rooms at Park Vista have their own balcony.
• Complete tour of the most visited National Parks in America, Great Smoky Mountain National Park as well as a visit to Cades Cove, famed for its blue-misted mountains.
• The Great Smoky Mountain Railroad excursion train through Nantahala River Gorge with highlights like Horseshoe Curve, Fontana Lake Trestle and the Tennessee River, fantastic scenery during the height of Fall Colors.
• Overnight stay in Nashville, Music City USA with time for Opryland along with a day in Memphis with dinner at the legendary Rendezvous Barbeque Restaurant before you board the Memphis Special.
• Travel from Memphis to Chicago by special private train aboard the ‘Memphis Special’, a short overnight ride over the famed Illinois Central Railroad with all meals and open bar included while aboard. Guests enjoy ultra-comfortable ‘Sleeperette’ accommodations with roomy reclining leg rest coach seating with blankets, pillows and large windows or may opt to upgrade to a private compartment at modest cost.
• Overnight luxury hotel stay in Chicago with Farewell Dinner at Lawry’s, the Prime Rib.

Day 1 - Atlanta, Georgia
Guests arrive in Atlanta and transfer to the highly rated Atlanta Hilton for your two-night stay in the heart of downtown at this acclaimed hotel. A highlight tonight is the welcome reception at Trader Vic's, a nice way to meet your fellow travelers. The evening is at leisure. R

Day 2 - Atlanta, Georgia
A great day that begins with a sightseeing tour of this dynamic city followed by a real southern treat, the drive to wonderfully named Social Circle, GA where a grand Southern Luncheon awaits at the legendary Blue Willow Inn, acclaimed in the pages of Gourmet Magazine for the quality of its southern fare. Later today, a ride on the Stone Mountain Scenic Railroad around Stone Mountain with the evening at leisure. B L

Day 3 - Asheville, North Carolina
A short but lovely drive to Asheville, NC where deluxe rooms await at the Doubletree Biltmore, located at the entrance to the fabled Vanderbilt Estate, a prime location. You have left the afternoon at leisure to explore the gorgeous town of Asheville with its great galleries, boutiques, shops and bookstores. A welcome dinner at the hotel tonight with the evening free. Overnight at the Doubletree Biltmore. B D

Day 4 - Biltmore Estate
This morning, a guided city tour of Asheville including the Basilica of St. Lawrence, Grove Arcade and Grove Park Inn followed by the highlight, a tour of the Biltmore Estate followed by lunch on the estate in the Deerpark Restaurant. This afternoon see more of the town center or the Estate and dinner tonight is at one of the finest restaurants , the Greenery. Overnight at Doubletree Biltmore. B L

Day 5 - Great Smoky National Park
All Aboard as you depart the hotel for a ride on the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad this morning through Nantaha Gorge along the Tennessee River with highlights like Horseshoe Curve and Fontana Lake Trestle. After lunch, you drive to Gatlinburg through the great Smoky Mountains National Park. Your hotel for the next two nights is the finest in the region, the superb Park Vista Resort in Gatlinburg, all rooms have balconies and rich appointments. B

Day 6 - Great Smoky National Park
You depart this morning on a scenic tour of Cades Cove, a breathtakingly beautiful 11-mile loop road through the Smokies with pioneer homesteads with the backdrop of blue-misted mountains. Wildlife is abundant and you will want to have your camera ready! You are free to explore Gatlinburg before dinner later tonight at the Old Mill Restaurant. B D

Day 7 - Nashville, Tennessee
You depart this morning for Nashville, Music City USA where luxury accommodations await at the splendidly restored Union Station, now a fine hotel. The evening has intentionally been left at leisure so you may enjoy one of the many music venues Nashville is justly known for. Even Opryland is right nearby. B L

Day 8 - The Memphis Special
A short drive to historic Memphis today where you have most of the day free to visit famed Beale Street, home of the Blues, the storied Peabody Hotel or Graceland before your dinner tonight at the acclaimed Rendezvous Barbeque Restaurant. Later tonight, you board the Memphis Special for drinks in the observation club car as you roll north over the Illinois Central Railroad bound for Chicago. B D

Day 9 - Chicago, Illinois
You arrive in Chicago after breakfast and transfer to the Five-Diamond rated hotel, the sumptuous Conrad Hotel in North Michigan Ave. You have all day free for the many delights of the Windy City but tonight is a special treat, your Farewell dinner at Lawry’s, the Prime Rib for the best prime rib in the country. B D

Day 10 - Travel home by air or train
Guests may extend their stay in Chicago and we can happily make hotel reservations for you at a choice of excellent properties. B

Streamliner Style - After your time in the Great Smoky Mountains, you travel to Chicago in great style and comfort aboard the ‘Memphis Special’, a vintage 1949 Streamliner train. with fresh flowers, open bar, and supremely comfortable cars.

   

   

   

 Departure Date:

• October 2-11

 Per Person Rates:

• $2,995 Price per person*
• Single add $700