Smoky Mountain Rail Adventure

 A journey rich with Southern heritage, scenic views and unforgettable experiences lies ahead as your vacation begins today in Nashville, TN. As you arrive, make your own way to our hotel in the heart of downtown. Upon checking in for the first of two nights and meeting the Tour Manager, you are free to begin getting to know this dynamic city.

Within walking distance of our hotel are all the allures of Nashville's most famous street, Broadway. Affectionately known as "Honky Tonk Row," this street is brimming with live music venues and incredible places to eat. Nearby, attractions like the Johnny Cash Museum, the National Museum of African American Music and Walk of Fame Park offer plenty of options. With no planned dinner this evening, you might like to get an authentic taste of Nashville by sampling fried hot chicken. Overnight Nashville.

 Some of the most intriguing locales in Nashville lie ahead this morning, as you embark on a guided tour of the city after breakfast. With a guide leading the way, enjoy glimpses at sites in the historic Downtown District, Riverfront Park and the establishments lining "Honky Tonk Row." Your local guide narrates the journey, providing little-known facts and interesting insights as the tour unfolds.

Returning to the hotel after the tour, you have some free time to find lunch locally or continue sightseeing at your own pace before we meet again later this afternoon. Our evening excursion takes us to one of Nashville's most iconic destinations, the Grand Ole' Opry. Enjoy a backstage tour of this world-renowned music venue followed by dinner and a live performance, played right on the stage where greats such as Loretta Lynn and Hank Williams once crooned. Overnight Nashville.

• Breakfast, Dinner

 Follow in the footsteps of some of the world's greatest recording artists this morning during a tour of RCA Studio B, Nashville's oldest remaining recording studio. Immerse yourself in the sounds of history as you hear the stories of some of the greatest entertainers of the 20th century. Elvis, Dolly Parton, Roy Orbison and Waylon Jennings are just a few of the many artists who recorded some of their top hit songs here, and we see the studios where this amazing history was recorded.

Our day continues with a visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame. This iconic museum is filled with exhibits highlighting artists and musicians, both new and old, that helped to put Nashville on the map. Following some free time to explore and find lunch at leisure, we join our motorcoach in traveling south into the lush surroundings of Chattanooga, our base for the next two nights. Upon checking into our hotel, you can get to know our new surroundings and have dinner on your own. Overnight Chattanooga. 

• Breakfast

 Following a leisurely breakfast at our hotel, we get our first looks at the colorful mountainous landscapes of southern Tennessee aboard the Tennessee Valley Railroad. This railway was constructed in 1898 to ease the journey between Georgia and Tennessee, and the resulting line is a marvel of engineering.

Settle into your seat for a five-hour round-trip journey through the famous Hiwassee Loop on the line's most interesting stretch. This loop is one of only six of its kind in North America and the only one east of the Mississippi. Marvel at the forested mountains, brimming with hidden blossoms and verdant trees in spring and summer and engulfed in warmly hued foliage in the autumn. The train weaves through stunning scenery as the tracks cross over themselves and wind up the mountain, leaving you in awe of southern Tennessee.

We return to Chattanooga by coach after the train ride and have a free evening to walk along the riverfront, pop in some of the Bluff View Art District galleries or savor more Southern cuisine. Overnight Chattanooga.

• Breakfast

Even more of the region's beautiful scenery is on display this morning as we join the Incline Railway on Lookout Mountain. This century-old funicular railway offers a leisurely one-mile ride to the summit and provides breathtaking views over the Chattanooga Valley and Appalachian Mountains. The route to the top reaches grades of up to 72.7%, and because it is enveloped in trees, you are wrapped in incredible foliage in the autumn. On arrival at the summit, we can witness even more long-spanning vistas from the observation deck.

Making our way back down the mountain, we stop for lunch at a nearby restaurant before traveling east by coach to Pigeon Forge, a year-round destination amid the Great Smoky Mountains. We check into our four-star hotel here and have a free afternoon and evening to explore at leisure or relax while soaking up the scenery. Overnight Pigeon Forge.

• Breakfast, Lunch

 The immensity of this region's stunning mountains and deep forests is revealed after breakfast this morning as we head into Great Smoky Mountains National Park. A coach transfer takes us from our hotel to Sugarlands Visitor Center, where our half-day tour begins.

With a knowledgeable guide leading the way, we set out along a scenic mountain road that reveals the Chimney Tops and many other beautiful peaks. Photo opportunities are bountiful as the tour winds through the park, and we enjoy stops at places like Newfoundland Gap, which marks the line between Tennessee and North Carolina, as well as the Rockefeller Memorial. Enjoy a glimpse at the famous Appalachian Trail, and keep your eyes peeled for local wildlife, including black bears, as we explore.

We return to the hotel following the tour, with the remainder of the day free to enjoy the amenities and views this part of Tennessee has to offer. Overnight Pigeon Forge.

• Breakfast

 Leaving Tennessee behind this morning, we step aboard our coach for a journey into the mountains of North Carolina. The journey is lined with breathtaking scenes and concludes in the quaint mountain town of Bryson City, where the Blue Ridge Mountains meet the Smokies.

On arrival, there is some free time to wander its quaint main street and find lunch on your own, and then, railway adventures beckon as we board the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad for a 4 1/2-hour round-trip journey. Enjoy views of seasonal splendors from the comfort of fully restored rail cars as the train ventures toward the Nantahala Gorge. Each moment of the 44-mile route is steeped in beauty and reveals charming mountain towns and the historic Fontana Trestle Bridge.

There is an hour-long layover at the Gorge to wander along the river or sightsee at leisure, then settle back into your seat for a second viewing of North Carolina's incredible vistas. As the train arrives back in Bryson City, we continue to the eclectic mountain town of Asheville, where the evening is free. Overnight Asheville.

• Breakfast

 One of the South's most impressive buildings and America's largest home, the grand Biltmore Estate is our destination this morning. The family home of George and Edith Vanderbilt, this estate covers more than 8,000 acres in beautiful Asheville. As we tour the property, wander through the meticulously designed home, which is complete with 16th-century decor, a library with over 10,000 books, and original art by Renoir. We also have a chance to explore the gardens, winery and equestrian center - all located on the grounds. We pause as we reach the Stable Café and enjoy a lunch buffet of Appalachian comfort food.

Following the tour, the remainder of the day is spent at leisure soaking up the artistic atmosphere and vibrant offerings of Asheville. World-class restaurants meet funky art galleries, stunning architecture meets the simple beauty of nature, and your opportunities are endless. Overnight Asheville.

• Breakfast, Lunch

 When considering locations for show-stopping scenery, Tennessee and North Carolina are not often the first to come to mind; however, this vacation has showcased again and again why they should be.

We dove into Nashville's history and musical heritage before getting our first looks at the mountains in Chattanooga. After riding two railways and admiring the views from the valley and high above, we continued to Great Smoky Mountains National Park from Pigeon Forge and admired the Nantahala Gorge aboard the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. Ending with the classical beauty of the Biltmore Estate, a home whose grounds are a spectacle of nature themselves, each stop has been another glimpse at the South's natural beauty.

Our journey comes to a close after breakfast with a transfer to Asheville's Airport for your return flight home. The included group transfer accommodates flights departing after 10:30 a.m.

• Breakfast