Home for the Holidays: Elvis, Memphis & Nashville

Departure Info:

Yankee Trails, Rensselaer - 7:00am
*Catskill, Exit 21 Commuter Lot - 7:45am
Kingston Plaza, Kingston - 8:05am

*Overnight Parking not permitted. Per the NYS Thruway Authority this is a pickup/drop off location only.

Sat., November 30:

Our destinations are Tupelo, Memphis and Nashville but we have a few miles to travel so our first day's journey takes us to the Comfort Inn Harrisonburg in Harrisonburg, VA (540-534-0060). Dinner is included this evening at the Wood Grill Buffet. Guests are asked to pack an overnight bag for this evening.

Sun., December 1:

Following an included continental breakfast, our journey continues to Chattanooga, Tennessee where we will check into our hotel, the Hampton Inn & Suites Chattanooga/Hamilton Place (423-602-7840). This evening we will delight in a ride on the Christmas Dinner Train. The Christmas Dinner train trip includes a four-course dining experience onboard restored dining and pullman cars. The excursion trains depart from Chattanooga’s Grand Junction Station, traveling at a leisurely pace through portions of urban East Chattanooga before reversing direction and returning to Grand Junction. The Dining Car Superintendent and his team of Dining Car Stewards and Chefs provide exceptional customer service and delicious food all prepared and served in historic dining cars. A meal on the Dinner Train is like stepping back in time.

Mon., December 2:

A hot breakfast buffet is included this morning before our departure for Tupelo, Mississippi with our first stop at the Tupelo Visitors Center where pictures and stories of Elvis surround us. A step-on guide will join us as we travel into town visiting the hardware store where his mother Gladys, purchased Elvis’s first guitar along with other highlights. After a quick check-in at our hotel, Tru by Hilton Tupelo (662-350-6258), we will enjoy dinner and entertainment (included) at the Elvis Presley Birthplace and Museum.

Tues., December 3:

A hot breakfast is included at the hotel this morning before our short drive to Memphis for our morning visit to Graceland. You've heard the music, now see the place Elvis called home. Explore the beautiful mansion, walk the gardens where he found peace, and encounter Elvis Presley's Memphis entertainment complex for an unforgettable experience featuring legendary costumes, artifacts, and personal mementos from Elvis and his family. Following our tour there will be free time for lunch on your own at either of the two eateries there with time to explore the complex before our departure. We will then head to Nashville and check in to our accommodations for the next three nights, the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center (615-889-1000). Dinner is on your own this evening at the resort.

Wed., December 4:

Following breakfast at the resort (included) you will have free time to explore the property before we depart for a Tennessee Christmas Midday Cruise aboard the General Jackson Showboat. Enjoy a cruise down an authentic Tennessee riverway for an authentic Tennessee Christmas! This musical Christmas treat celebrates the tremendous legacy of holiday favorites from some of Tennessee’s greatest musical stars like Garth Brooks, Blake Shelton, Reba McEntire, Luke Bryan plus many more. From the Great Smoky Mountains we’ll hear bluegrass and Americana styled holiday hits and from the heart of Memphis, we’ll feature some Christmas rhythm and blues from the King of Rock and Roll himself, Elvis Presley. The show culminates with a touching and joyful celebration of the real reason for the season. There will be time later to view the Gaylord’s famous ICE display. Don one of their signature blue parkas and step into a wonderland carved by expert artisans out of 2 million pounds of colorful ice. Discover beloved Christmas classics with larger-than-life sculptures and plunge down slides made entirely of ice in this beloved Christmas experience. Tonight we’ll experience a celebration of Country Music from both past and present at the Nashville Nightlife Theater for their Best of Country Holiday Show. Hear songs from many of the great artists in country music history along with today’s hottest superstars while savoring an all-you-can-eat dinner buffet with entrees such as fried chicken, pulled pork, swedish meatballs, an array of vegetables, baked potatoes, salads, hot rolls, and cobblers for dessert. Enjoy the music of everyone from Hank Williams Sr. and Patsy Cline to the superstars of today like Sara Evans and Toby Keith!

Thurs., December 5:

Following an included breakfast at the hotel, we’ll begin the day with a tour of RCA Studio B, known as the birthplace of the Nashville sound and, of course, home to Elvis Presley for many years following Sun Studios. Lunch will be on your own at the resort after our tour. Lunch will be on your own at Assembly Food Hall. Satisfy your appetite with over 20 locally curated artisanal eateries offering everything from Tacos and BBQ to Sushi and Shawarma. Of course, no trip to Nashville is complete without a visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame. This evening’s entertainment is right at the Gaylord. Darryl Worley & Friends: Home for the Holidays Dinner Show. Savor a three-course dinner prepared by the resort's award-winning chefs followed by live entertainment. After the show, the rest of your evening is free.

Fri., December 6:

A “quick-bites” breakfast is included this morning at the hotel. Today we head to our next home, a truly Hallmark Christmas setting, Bardstown, Kentucky and the historic “My Old Kentucky Home” Mansion Historic Site. For over 100 years, guests have been coming to Federal Hill to experience the homeplace of American hospitality and the stories of the Rowan family and Stephen Foster. Tour of the halls and rooms of one of America's most famous and celebrated landmarks decorated and celebrating Christmas traditions from long ago. See portraits and paintings by renowned artists, some of the finest examples of American antiques, and listen to the stories of famous guests and family members of Federal Hill, all explained by your tour guide who will be wearing the latest in 1850s antebellum fashions! A boxed lunch is included. And we’re off; to Lexington, Kentucky and the Kentucky Horse Park’s Southern Lights display, celebrating their 31st year of Christmas delight. A 3-mile spectacular light display awaits followed by time in a Holiday Village which houses a Bluegrass Miniature Train Display and the Kentucky Horse Park Gift Shop. Grab a quick snack in the village or sit down for dinner on your own at Tootie’s Peppermint Café serving burgers, hot dogs, fries and funnel cakes before returning to our hotel, the Comfort Inn & Suites in Lexington (859-317-2339).

Sat., December 7:

A full breakfast is included at the hotel before we depart for Cleveland, Ohio and the famous home used in the Christmas classic, A Christmas Story, now restored to its movie splendor. Directly across the street from the House is the Museum, which features original props, costumes and memorabilia from the film, as well as hundreds of rare behind-the-scenes photos. Among the props and costumes are the toys from the Higbee’s window, Randy’s snowsuit, the chalkboard from Miss Shields’ classroom and the family car. After reliving the movie at Ralphie’s house don’t forget to visit the museum gift shop for your own Major Award Leg Lamp and other great movie memorabilia. Following our visit we will check into our hotel, the Drury Inn & Suites Cleveland Beachwood (216-292-9980). Enjoy dinner (included) at the Drury’s Kickback featuring items such as BBQ Sliders, Mac & Cheese, Hot Dogs, chicken noodle soup, salad, coleslaw and more (menu subject to change). Guests are asked to pack an overnight bag for this evening.

Sun., December 8:

A full Drury breakfast is included at the hotel this morning prior to departure for the Capital District and our HOME with wonderful memories and fondness for the new friends we’ve made. Arrival in the Capital District will be approximately 5:00pm.