Departing Wednesday 11th October 2023 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 Louisville Slugger Museum. Renfro Valley, KY and 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: Rapid City and most other USA airports to Louisville, KY.
Today you depart from your home airport for your flight to Louisville, KY. On arrival you will be met in the baggage area for your flight and transferred to your hotel for overnight.
Overnight Louisville, KY– No meals included

Day 2: Louisville, KY
After breakfast we begin to explore Louisville including the Kentucky Derby Museum followed by the Louisville Slugger Museum. After our day of touring we return to the hotel for overnight.
Overnight Louisville, KY – Breakfast included

Day 3: Louisville to Renfro Valley, KY – 130 miles
After breakfast we leave Louisville behind and head to Renfro Valley, Kentucky’s Country Music Capital. After checking in at our hotel we have time to refresh before our supper. After our meal it’s time for some good old Kentucky entertainment.
Overnight Renfro Valley area, KY – Breakfast & Supper included

Day 4: Renfro Valley, KY to Cherokee, NC.
After an early breakfast it’s time to leave for North Carolina and the small town of Cherokee…  Cherokee is bordered by two national parks and best-known for the North Carolina half of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. But Cherokee ie also the southern gateway to the Blue Ridge Parkway National Park.
Overnight Cherokee, NC – Breakfast Included

Day 5: Cherokee, NC to Pigeon Forge via the Great Smoky Mountains.
Enjoy the magnificent scenery as we travel through the Smoky Mountains. Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains and the quality of its remnants of Southern Appalachian mountain culture.  Arriving at Pigeon Forge late afternoon. This evening we enjoy a delicious supper followed by Country Tonite, the hottest, foot stompin’, knee slappin’ country show in the USA!
Overnight Pigeon Forge, TN – Breakfast & Supper included

Day 6: Pigeon Forge, TN and exploring Cades Cove.
Today we step back in time and explore Cades Cove. For hundreds of years Cherokee Indians hunted in Cades Cove but archeologists have found no evidence of major settlements. The first Europeans settled in the cove sometime between 1818 and 1821. By 1830 the population of the area had already swelled to 271. Cades Cove offers the widest variety of historic buildings of any area in the national park. Scattered along the loop road are three churches, a working grist mill, barns, log houses, and many other faithfully restored eighteenth and nineteenth century structures. 
Overnight Pigeon Forge, TN – Breakfast & Supper included

Day 7: Pigeon Forge, TN to Nashville, TN & The Grand Ole Opry – 210 miles
A bountiful breakfast this morning and then it’s time to head for Nashville... We will make appropriate stops for rest breaks and lunch. We arrive into Nashville early afternoon and check into our hotel. Tonight, it’s time for the Grand Ole Opry... Far and away the most venerated institution in all of country music, the WSM Grand Ole Opry is not only a cultural treasure, but a vital part of America's rich musical tapestry.  In fact, recounting the story of the Grand Ole Opry is almost like telling the history of country music itself. After the show, we return to our hotel.
Overnight Opryland Area, TN – Breakfast included

Day 8: Nashville, TN – The General Jackson Showboat & Exploring Opryland.
Please be ready to depart the hotel at 10.30am for our short drive to the world's grandest showboat... a delicious lunch and world-class entertainment and, all while we’re cruising the majestic Cumberland River.
After the cruise we head to Opryland with time to explore this amazing facility.
Overnight Opryland Area, Nashville, TN – Breakfast and Lunch included

Day 9: Nashville, TN to St Louis, MO – Gateway Arch – to Bridgeton, MO - 320 miles
Today we say goodbye to Nashville and make our way to St Louis, MO making a stop at the famous Gateway Arch. The Gateway Arch is a 630-foot (192 m) monument in St. Louis in the state of Missouri. Clad in stainless steel and built in the form of a weighted catenary arch it is the world's tallest arch the tallest man-made monument in the Western Hemisphere, built as a monument to the westward expansion of the United States and dedicated to "the American people". We continue our journey to our hotel (25 miles west) for overnight.
Overnight Bridgeton, MO – Breakfast included

Day 10: Bridgeton, MO to Council Bluffs, IA – 443 miles
Continuing westwards, we head for Council Bluffs, IA. Our route takes us around Kansas City and then north to Council Bluffs and our overnight stay at one of the large casinos… win big!!!
Overnight Council Bluffs, IA – Breakfast included

Day 11: Council Bluffs, IA to Black Hills and Rapid City, SD – 529 miles
Our final day as we head back to Rapid City and the Black Hills of South Dakota. Comfort breaks and meal stops will be made as we travel I-29 and I-90 on our way home.

itinerary:

Weather averages:

Itinerary at a Glance

Starts: Wednesday October 11th 2023
Ends: Saturday October 21st 2023

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 Louisville Slugger Museum
• Renfro Valley - Country Music Capital KY
• Tour through the Great Smoky Mountains…
• Country Tonite Show & General Jackson Showboat (Supper Cruise)
• Grand Ole Opry Show
• All entrance fees, baggage handling and taxes. Fully escorted.

Pricing

• Price: $4,295pp (double occupancy)
• Single Supplement: add $1,100

Tour Brochure

• Itinerary (PDF)

How to Book

• Deposit of $1,000pp due at time of booking
• August 12th 20223- 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)