Spectacular National Parks of Eastern USA (Classic)

10 days
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Group Tour
Discover the spectacular National Parks and eclectic cities of the Eastern USA on this 10-Day guided tour. Revel in wide open spaces, stunning landscapes, iconic city sights and enjoy a bounty of food, music and art. Starting in Washington D.C., enjoy the spectacular colors of Shenandoah National Park, taste signature wines at the Veritas Winery and reconnect...
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$5,327
From$4,331
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Overview

Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • Asheville: The Biltmore Estate is America's largest privately owned home and is as magnificent today as it was more than a century ago. Your self-guided house visit spans three floors and the basement of the luxurious family home of George and Edith Vanderbilt. Explore the stories of the Vanderbilt family, their guests, and employees through displays of vintage clothing, accessories, art, and furniture.
    • Washington, D.C.: Take a city tour of the history lined streets of Washington, D.C. and learn about the proud heritage of a nation. View the White House, the striking Washington Monument, and sprawling National Mall. Reflect on the country's most turbulent days at the Lincoln Memorial and the somber World War II Memorial.
    • Shenandoah Valley: Famous for its stunning views, colors and foliage, the scenic Skyline Drive is one of America’s National Scenic Byways. The route runs 105 miles along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the full length of the Shenandoah National Park.
    • Luray: Meander your way along a gently winding trail, with the most breathtaking views out over Shenandoah National Park. This 1.5 mile hike takes in part of the famous Appalachian trail, and explores the slopes of Stony Man Mountain, the most northernly peak in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
    • New River Gorge National Park: Scenic mountains and breathtaking gorge views await at New River Gorge National Park, the nation’s newest National Park, situated over 70,000 acres along the New River. The whitewater river is one of only a few in the world that flows northward, winding dramatically through deep canyons and spanned by magnificent bridges.
    • Asheville: A must for music lovers and history buffs, enjoy a fascinating behind the scenes look at how this vinyl pressing operation fits into Asheville’s cultural legacy. Take a factory and studio tour and see the original WWNC radio station, now home to Citizen Studios. Citizen Vinyl also now serves as a community space, serving to celebrate the history of manufacturing and craft.
    • Asheville: America's largest privately owned home is as magnificent today as it was more than a century ago. Built by George Vanderbilt between 1889 and 1895, this 250 room French Renaissance chateau was the largest undertaking in residential architecture at its time. Once completed, the Vanderbilt’s luxurious family home consisted of 35 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms and 65 fireplaces. Discover Biltmore’s rich and fascinating history, explore the gardens and arboretum and browse specialty shops.
    • Gatlinburg: Visit the United States' third most-visited park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
    • Smoky Mountains National Park: The Mountain Farm Museum is a unique collection of farm buildings assembled from locations throughout the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Highlighting the importance and culture of agriculture within the park, explore a log farmhouse, barn, apple house and working blacksmith shop, to see how families may have lived 100 years ago.
    • Clinton: The pioneering Museum of Appalachia is set in 65 picturesque acres and features over 250,000 artifacts, lending a voice to the people of Appalachia through the artefacts and stories they left behind. Step into a recreated community complete with 35 log cabins, barns, churches, schools and gardens. Browse folk art, musical instruments and Native American artifacts. Followed by a delicious lunch with traditional bluegrass music from The Museum of Appalachia Band.

What's this trip about?

    Discover the spectacular National Parks and eclectic cities of the Eastern USA on this 10-Day guided tour. Revel in wide open spaces, stunning landscapes, iconic city sights and enjoy a bounty of food, music and art. Starting in Washington D.C., enjoy the spectacular colors of Shenandoah National Park, taste signature wines at the Veritas Winery and reconnect with nature at New River Gorge National Park in West Virginia, America’s newest National Park. Take a behind-the-scenes tour of Citizen Vinyl Record’s press factory in Asheville, and explore the vast Biltmore Estate, America's largest privately owned home. Uncover the region’s fascinating history at the Oconaluftee Indian Village as you join a Cherokee cultural expert for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Picnic in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and explore the intricate caves of Mammoth Cave National Park, ending your trip with a crescendo in Nashville, the toe-tapping home of country music.

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeGroup - max of 40 people
Age range6 years and up
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityWashington D.C.
End CityNashville (TN)

Travel Themes

  • 50 plus
  • Cultural
  • Education / Learning

Destinations

  • North America
  • United States

Activities

  • Culture
  • Historic sightseeing

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1: A Monumental Time in Washington, D.C.

Welcome to Washington, D.C., the nation's capital and a haven for history and art buffs alike. Join your Travel Director and meet fellow guests at a private Welcome Dinner with wine at 18:00.

Melrose Georgetown Hotel, Washington, D.C.

Dinner with Wine

Day 2: Washington, D.C. to Shenandoah National Park

This morning, immerse yourself on a tour of Washington D.C. View iconic sights and national monuments, including the White House, Washington Monument, the National Mall and Lincoln Memorial. Visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture on a MAKE T...

Day 3: Shenandoah National Park

Start your day immersed in nature’s beauty with a gentle hike along the Stony Man Trail. The trail is part of the iconic Appalachian Trail and offers some of the best vistas in Shenandoah National Park, so have your camera ready. Visit the acclaimed Veritas Vineyards ...

Day 4: Exploring New River Gorge National Park

Today explore New River Gorge National Park, the newest park in the America’s National Park System, encompassing over 70,000 acres of land. Visit the Canyon Rim Visitor Center to learn all about the history and flora and fauna of the park. Then stroll along a pictures...

Day 5: A feast of music and food in Asheville N.C.

This morning, depart for Asheville and unleash your inner musician with a tour of the famous Citizen Vinyl Record press factory. Learn the history of the label and factory, get an inside look at how their record pressing operation works, and see the original WWNC radi...

Day 6: The Biltmore Estate Relaxed Start

Enjoy a relaxed start before visiting the magnificent Biltmore Estate, America's largest privately owned home. Tour the remarkable house and explore the lush gardens and arboretum. Through intriguing displays of vintage clothing, accessories, art and furniture, uncove...

Day 7: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Depart for the Great Smoky Mountains via the Blue Ridge Parkway, one of the most beautiful drives in America. On the way, visit the Oconaluftee Indian Village, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. You'll join a cultural expert for an interactive journey through Cherokee ...

Day 8: The Museum of Appalachia and on to Nashville Relaxed Start

Following a relaxed start, step back in time with a visit to the Museum of Appalachia. Roam the original buildings of this living mountain village and learn about the people of Appalachia through the bounty of artefacts and stories they left behind. Feast on a full So...

Day 9: Welcome to Music City

This morning, explore Nashville with Insight Choice. Choose to visit the National Museum of African American Music for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience celebrating the central role African Americans play in creating the American soundtrack. Alternatively, visit Mammot...

Day 10: Depart Nashville

This morning, bid farewell to Nashville at your leisure, or extend your stay in Music City.

Breakfast

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Dates & Availability

Price From $4,331
Price per day$433
Last Updated: 9/20/2024
Departure Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Availability
28 Sep 2024
07 Oct 2024
$4,414

Check current availability, prices, specials & more.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Insight Vacations Reviews & Ratings

4.6/5  Excellent
Excellent
12,865
Great
2,876
Average
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T

Trusted Customer

Jun 2024

Written on

Spectacular National Parks of Eastern USA

Really loved the drive through Shenandoah Park. The Blue Ridge Mountains were picturesque as well. Loved doing the Biltmore Estate and seeing how vinyl records are m...

P

Paul Nelson

May 2024

Written on

Spectacular National Parks of Eastern USA

The itinerary was great, loved the new river gorge bridge walk. Ashville was a nice city, needed more time to explore. Smokies was cool, i bet it is wonderful with t...

T

Trusted Customer

May 2024

Written on

Spectacular National Parks of Eastern USA

I thought the itinerary was good, but I would have liked a few more si...

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Emma Faulk

Sep 2024

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Outstanding tour. Excellent trip- saw and did more than expected/ our tour guide Joey was outstanding and very patient with us all. When we stopped at specific loca...

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Tour Operator

Insight Vacations

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As the global leader in premium tours, Insight Vacations delivers all the sights and insights of destinations up close and personal. Each tour is crafted in true comfort and style with premium 5 and 4 star hotels, small groups and customized coaches with extra leg room. The brand’s category leading dining options including the unique dine-around and dine-at-home experiences means that guests enjoy a culinary journey through the places they visit. An extensive Vegetarian option across all tour series further compliments the elevated dining offering. With a Make Travel Matter Experience®, that creates a positive impact for both the visitor and visited, plus also supports the United Nations sustainable Development Goals, included on each and every trip, Insight Vacations leads the way in immersive responsible travel.

Insight Vacations is part of the family-owned and run The Travel Corporation (TTC), driven by service for over one hundred years.

Why we love this operator
They really care about everyone's individual needs on each tour and they have an incredible attention to detail.
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Premium worldwide tours for curious travelers who want to get closer to the destination in comfort and style.

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Logistics

Accommodation

Melrose Georgetown Hotel, Washington, D.C. Skyland Lodge, Shenandoah National Park The Resort at Glade Springs, Daniels Hilton Asheville Biltmore Park, Asheville The Park Vista: A DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, Gatlinburg Renaissance Hotel, Nashville,
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
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Meals Included
  • 3 Dinner with Wine (DW)
  • 9 Breakfast (B)
  • 3 Lunch (L)
Age Requirements
6 years and up
Additional Information
Trip ID
insightvacations-AENPN19

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