Tennessee Music Treasures: Memphis, Dolly's Smoky Mountains and Nashville

DAY 1: Sept. 16, 2023
Halifax, NS to Memphis, TN
Meet your Tour Escort and traveling companions at the Halifax Stanfield International Airport for your flight to Nashville, TN.  Travel to Memphis and spend the next three nights at The Guest House at Graceland.

DAY 2: Sept. 17, 2023
Memphis
Explore the sights and sounds that made Memphis the “Home of the Blues” and the “Birthplace of Rock ‘n’ Roll!” Also, enjoy stops at Historic Levitt Shell (where Elvis gave his first paid concert), St. Jude Pavilion, The Pyramid and the historic March of the Peabody Ducks.  After lunch, experience the best studio tour in Memphis- home of the "Million Dollar Quartet!" during a visit to Sun Studios.  Elvis fans will want to see where he made some of his first recordings!  (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 3: Sept. 18, 2023
Memphis
Explore the mansion Elvis called home as well as exhibits showcasing Elvis' career, his automobiles, his wardrobe, his gold records and much more from the Graceland Archives. Enjoy the Graceland Mansion Audio-Guided Tour with orientation film and full access to Elvis Presley’s Memphis Entertainment Complex, which includes: self-guided tour of Presley Motors Automobile Museum, self-guided tour of Elvis: The Entertainer Career Museum and self-guided tours of Elvis Discovery Exhibits.  Afterwards, at the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, see an amazing collection of more than 2,000 interactive exhibits, films, artifacts, items of memorabilia, galleries, and – of course – Isaac Hayes' gold-plated, peacock blue 1972 Superfly Cadillac El Dorado. Hear Stax hits including "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" by Otis Redding, "Green Onions" by Booker T. and the MGS, "Do the Funky Chicken" by Rufus Thomas, and "Theme from Shaft" by Isaac Hayes.  (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 4: Sept. 19. 2023
Memphis to Pigeon Forge, TN
Today takes you to Loretta Lynn’s Ranch in the beautiful countryside. Tour Loretta’s Plantation Home, Frontier Homestead and a simulated coal mine. Explore the Native American Artifact Museum, Grist Mill Museum (including Loretta's fan and doll collection) and Loretta’s 18,000 square foot Coal Miner’s Daughter Museum.   Your journey continues to Pigeon Forge.  Enjoy three nights accommodations surrounded by the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains at Dollywood's DreamMore Resort.  (Breakfast)

DAY 5: Sept. 20, 2023
Pigeon Forge
Your local guide will lead you on a fun, heartwarming journey of all things Dolly.  Everyone knows that Dolly Parton was born and raised near Pigeon Forge and Dollywood, but the Smokies are truly her "Heart Place".  See the places and hear the stories that make up Dolly's songs, faith and family, and understand why she has always been a dreamer and loves butterflies! The tour includes a history of Dollywood, Dolly's reading program "Imagination Library", a back road drive past her grandpa's church, and a chance to rub shoulders with her statue at the county courthouse.  Admission is included to Dollywood!  Incredible Experiences...Authentic Fun...Unforgettable Memories...Crafted Daily. Spanning 150 acres in the Great Smoky Mountains, Dollywood offers more than 40 world class rides, high-energy entertainment, award-winning dining and the friendliest park atmosphere in the world!  (Breakfast)

DAY 6: Sept. 21, 2023
Pigeon Forge
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is America’s most visited national park.  Your local guide will take you to the top of the mountains and back with an array of history, stories, and legend about the area and the people that inhabited it before the park was formed. See spectacular overlooks and views, and maybe even some wildlife!  There will be free time in Gatlinburg before returning to Pigeon Forge.  This evening, attend a performance at Country Tonite.  Hear your favorite country classics and hot new country hits and enjoy hilarious country comedy in this fast-paced show.  (Breakfast, Dinner)  

DAY 7: Sept. 22, 2023
Pigeon Forge to Nashville, TN
Welcome to the End of the Line! Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary was the last place you wanted to find yourself – right in the middle of Tennessee’s first maximum-security prison. Come see for yourself what life was like for lost souls at the End of the Line on this guided tour. Also included after the tour is a delicious lunch at The Warden's Table Restaurant.  This afternoon, arrive in Nashville for your third three-night stay at the Gaylord Opryland Resort.  Discover nine acres of lush, indoor gardens and cascading waterfalls, and while you can find shopping and dining right under our roof, you'll also want to explore nearby attractions including the Grand Ole Opry, Ryman Auditorium and Country Music Hall of Fame.   (Breakfast, Lunch)

DAY 8: Sept. 23
Nashville
Nashville is home to the largest songwriting community in the world.  Your guide, a singer-songwriter, takes you on a tour of Music City, including world-famous Music Row.  Learn about the recording industry straight from an aspiring songwriter!  The city tour also takes you through the heart of Downtown Nashville and past many of our historic buildings, including the Ryman Auditorium, Tennessee State Capitol, Bicentennial Mall State Park, Vanderbilt University, Belmont University, Centennial Park, the Parthenon and much more. Your Songwriter guide will perform a few of his/her original songs along the way.  Enjoy both the Johnny Cash & Patsy Cline Museums. The Johnny Cash Museum features the largest collection of Cash artifacts and memorabilia in the world!  The Patsy Cline Museum celebrates the life of the legendary songstress and features hundreds of never-before-seen artifacts, personal belongings, interactive touch screens, videos and much more.  Tonight, experience the world’s longest running live radio show, The Grand Ole Opry! What began as a simple radio broadcast in 1925 is today an entertainment phenomenon showcasing a mix of country music greats– new stars, superstars, and legends.  (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 9: Sept. 24, 2023
Nashville
Begin your day on Nashville’s famed Music Row with a tour of Historic RCA Studio B, Nashville’s oldest remaining recording studio. Following the guided tour, our group will gather around the legendary microphone for a recording session with a professional sound engineer. Everyone will receive a CD copy of the group recording!  Next is The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the definitive home of America's music, safeguarding more than 2.5 million priceless artifacts, including countless recordings and photographs, numerous stage costumes, musical instruments, and more.  Tour the “mother church of country music,” The Ryman Auditorium and learn about its illustrious history.  To close out your time in Nashville, get up close and personal with one of Nashville's most successful songwriters during Legends Behind the Lyrics Dinner and Private Performance. This is a unique opportunity to hear major hit songs in their original form and get the inside scoop on what was going on in the songwriter's life that inspired these classics! In this interactive experience, groups are invited to ask questions about the songwriting process. There will be a meet & greet with the songwriter following the performance, where all members of the group will get a photo, autograph, and time to say "hello."  (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 10: Sept. 25, 2023
Homeward Bound!
Transfer to the airport for your return flight to Halifax with fond memories of your unforgettable time in Memphis, Pigeon Forge & Nashville having discovered Tennessee’s Music Treasures!  (Breakfast)