Departing october 11 for 11 days / 10 nights

A superb tour as we travel from South Dakota to Kentucky, North Carolina, the Great Smoky Mountains and Tennessee. We encompass legendary history with such places as Churchill Downs and the 8,000-acre Biltmore Estate. You will find scenic beauty which is hard to comprehend in the awesome Smoky Mountains followed by Pigeon Forge. There is entertainment galore including the Grand Ole Opry, the Country Tonite Show and a river cruise aboard the General Jackson…Lot’s to see and lots to do on this wonderful trip.   

AN AMAZING SMALL GROUP TOUR (FLY ONE WAY AND RETURN BY ROAD IN OUR 12 PASSENGER MERCEDES SPRINTER VEHICLE

itinerary:

Day 1 Fly from Rapid City to Louisville, Kentucky
Today you will fly from Rapid City to Louisville, KY. On arrival you will be met by Stuart and transferred to the hotel for overnight.
Arrive Louisville, KY and overnight – No meals included

Day 2 Louisville / Churchill Downs / The Creation Museum – 112 miles
After breakfast we travel a short distance to the Kentucky Derby Museum with time to explore and then take a short (guided) walking tour. We depart the Museum at 11am and head for the Creation Museum located in Petersburg, KY. (112 miles). This is where you can take lunch and explore this amazing facility. Here the Bible comes to life offering stunning exhibits, dinosaur bones, fossils, botanical gardens, a planetarium, zoo, zip line course, and more.
Overnight Petersburg area – Breakfast Included

Day 3 Petersburg to the Ark Encounter (43 miles) and then to Lexington (60 miles)
Heading south today we begin at the Ark Encounter. The Ark Encounter features a full-size Noah’s Ark, built according to the dimensions given in the Bible. Spanning 510 feet long, 85 feet wide, and 51 feet high, this modern engineering marvel amazes visitors young and old. (Lunch break at the Arc). After our visit we continue a further 50 miles to our overnight in Lexington, KY
Overnight Lexington, KY - Breakfast included

Day 4 Lexington, KY to Ashville, NC – 300 miles
Our journey today takes us south and then east to Asheville, NC. and home to the Biltmore Estate.
What began as a great-grandfather’s estate continues to thrive as a timeless experience for today’s guests. Since 1895, Biltmore has had the natural beauty of the mountains and the majestic house and gardens to beguile us, inspire us, and allow us to escape from the everyday. Biltmore is still family-owned, and they are still passionate about our mission of preservation through self-sufficiency—a philosophy embraced before the first stone was ever placed.
Overnight Asheville, NC - Breakfast Included

Day 5 Asheville, NC to Biltmore Estate and then to Pigeon Forge via Smoky Mountains – 55 miles
After breakfast, it’s time to head for the Biltmore Estate… What began as a great-grandfather’s estate continues to thrive as a timeless experience for today’s guests. Since 1895, Biltmore has had the natural beauty of the mountains and the majestic house and gardens to beguile us, inspire us, and allow us to escape from the everyday. After our tour, we continue to of Biltmore via the Smoky Mountains and finally to Pigeon Forge, TN, home to Dollywood. We arrive late afternoon and check into our hotel. This evening, it’s time to have fun at Country Tonite… Voted Best Show in the Smokies year after Year! You will enjoy music ranging from old country favorites and gospel, to modern hits and patriotic playlists with the best singers, dancers and musicians in the business.
Overnight Pigeon Forge – Breakfast Included

Day 6 Pigeon Forge – Dollywood
After breakfast we take a short drive to Dollywood where you can spend the whole day at this amazing place. Plenty to do, plenty to see and lot’s of places to eat. From the middle of the afternoon we will offer a shuttle service back to the hotel where you can rest up a little before supper this evening.
Overnight Pigeon Forge, TN – Breakfast & Supper included

Day 7 Pigeon Forge to Nashville – 220 miles
Our Journey today takes us in a westward direction to Nashville, Tennessee, home to the Grand Ole Opry… Arriving mid afternoon with time to get ready for our entertaining supper and show aboard the Showboat General Jackson.
Overnight Nashville - Breakfast and Supper Included.

Day 8 Nashville, TN – Country Music Hall of Fame & Grand Ole Opry
After breakfast we drive to downtown Nashville and visit the Country Music Hall of Fame. Later that evening, it’s time for the Grand Ole Opry!!! Stars to be announced closer to date.
Overnight Nashville - Breakfast Included.

Day 9 Nashville to Columbia – 460 miles
Alas it’s time to head home so after breakfast we journey to Columbia, MO. Making appropriate stops for rest breaks and meals. We arrive at our hotel late afternoon.
Overnight Columbia, MO – Breakfast Included

Day 10 Columbia, MO to Dakota Dunes, SD – 430 miles
After breakfast we leave the hotel and head for Dakota Dunes, SD. Once again, sit back and relax as we make our way back to South Dakota.
Overnight Dakota Dunes – Breakfast & Supper Included.

Day 11 Dakota Dunes to Rapid City – 425 miles

Weather averages:

Itinerary at a Glance

Starts: Wednesday October 11th 2022
Ends: Friday October 21st 2022

What's Included

• Round trip transportation from Rapid City (One way flight from Rapid City to Louisville, KY)
• 10 night’s accommodations, Breakfast each day – 3 Suppers
• Churchill Downs – Home to the Kentucky Derby, the ARK ENCOUNTER plus Museum
• The Biltmore Estate Tour & Tour through the Great Smoky Mountains…plus Dolly Parton’s Dollywood
• Country Tonite Show & General Jackson Showboat (Supper Cruise)
• Grand Ole Opry Show
• All entrance fees, baggage handling and taxes. Fully escorted.

Pricing

• Price: $4,495pp (double occupancy)
• Single Supplement: add $1,100

Tour Brochure

• Itinerary (PDF)

How to Book

• Deposit of $750pp due at time of booking
• August 12th 2022 - Final Balance Due
• Booking Form

What You'll Need

• A camera is a must
• Binoculars would be a great idea
• A light jacket as temperatures cool off in the evenings
• Passports are not required for this tour
• Photo ID is however (Driver’s License)