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Spectacular National Parks of Eastern USA (Classic)
Premier
Overview
Highlights (Bullets)
- 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.
- Shenandoah Valley: 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.
- Nashville: 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.
- Smoky Mountains National Park: Enjoy an intimate picnic lunch while overlooking the Smoky Mountains. The secluded Collins Creek picnic site sits near a scenic creek, and here you can relax, enjoy tasty delights and bask in nature’s beauty.
- 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.
- Nashville: 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.
- Nashville: Enjoy an orientation tour of Nashville and see the major landmarks of this proud, musical city. Then visit the Ryman auditorium - the original home of the grand ole opry. Built in 1885 as a building for religious gatherings, it held its first concert in 1892, before opening its doors to Hollywood greats. It is here Johnny Cash first met June Carter, where bluegrass was born and where country music found an audience.
- Visit a pioneer mountain farm-village that lends voice to the people of Southern Appalachia through a recreated community complete with log cabins, barns, farm animals, churches, schools and gardens. There are over 250,000 artifacts of folk art, musical instruments, baskets, quilt and Native American artifacts. Feast on a full Southern Appalachian country lunch and enjoy authentic traditional bluegrass music from The Museum of Appalachia Band.
- Shenandoah Valley: Taste signature wines, and enjoy a tasty farmhouse lunch, while overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains. With over 50 acres of vineyards, the Veritas winery is a must see for wine enthusiasts, producing an extensive range of complex and elegant wines. Epitomizing the true heart of Virginia, the huge estate was originally a horse and cattle farm, and was transformed into this stunning winery by husband-and-wife team Andrew and Patricia.
- Washington, D.C.: This striking museum has collected more than 36,000 artifacts that reflect history, politics, sports, arts and entertainment. Explore the richness and diversity of the African American experience, what it means to their lives, and how it helped shape this nation.
- Washington, D.C.: Be transported to the 1760s at the Oconaluftee Indian Village, as you discover a living history. Learn the stories and lifestyle of the Cherokee with a Cultural expert, and together walk winding paths, flanked with traditional dwellings, work areas and sacred ritual sites. Here you can also interact with villagers as they hull canoes, sculpt pottery and masks, weave baskets and fashion beadwork.
- Join your Travel Director and meet fellow guests at a private Welcome Dinner with drinks at 18:00.
- Asheville: Enjoy a fun and educational walking food tour of Asheville’s culinary favorites that spotlight the region’s signature farm-to-table, local flavors. Taking a seat at several acclaimed eateries, enjoy outstanding food and drink pairings, designed by some of Asheville’s most notable chefs, brewers, and mixologists.
- Optional - Nashville: This truly unique park, Mammoth Cave National Park features the longest known cave system in the world. Join a Park Ranger for a tour of the intricate cave system and learn about thousands of years of human history and rich biodiversity that earned this park a title of UNESCO World Heritage Site and International Biosphere Reserve.
- Optional - Nashville: MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® with a visit to the National Museum of African American Music, the only museum dedicated to preserving and celebrating the many music genres created, influenced, and inspired by African Americans. For music lovers of all generations, this museum inspires, educates, and transforms the appreciation of American music all while celebrating the central role African Americans play in creating the American soundtrack.
Short Description
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.
Itinerary
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 drinks at 18:00.
Melrose Georgetown Hotel
Dinner with Wine
Day 2: Washington, D.C. to Shenandoah National Park
This morning, immerse yourself on a sightseeing 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 TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. As the newest member of the Smithsonian Institution, this is the only national museum devoted exclusively to the documentation of African American life, history, and culture. Leave the city sights behind in the afternoon and travel along Skyline Drive, the main scenic drive into Shenandoah National Park. Enjoy spectacular views across the colorful vistas of the park before arriving at your hotel, the historic Skyland Lodge. The evening is yours to relax and bask in breathtaking views of Shenandoah Valley.
Skyland Lodge, Shenandoah National Park
Breakfast
Day 3: Shenandoah National Park
Start your day immersed in nature’s beauty with a gentle hike along the Stony Mountain Trail. The Stony Man 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 and Winery, for a wine tasting and farmhouse lunch. Taste signature wines and relax on the sundeck while enjoying spectacular views over of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Later travel on to the New River Gorge National Park and your resort hotel, where the evening is yours at leisure.
The Resort at Glade Springs
Breakfast, Lunch
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 Centre to learn all about the history and flora and fauna of the park. Then stroll a picturesque boardwalk trail to enjoy magnificent views of the New River Gorge and New River Bridge. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy the park and hotel amenities at your leisure. Guests can also choose to take an optional guided Bridge Walk to learn the history of the longest single arch bridge in the Western Hemisphere.
The Resort at Glade Springs
Breakfast
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 radio station and studio. Later, get a true taste of Asheville on a walking food tour. Take a seat at some of the most elegant, trendy, and acclaimed tables in this beloved foodie city to sample an array of flavours, cuisines, local produce, and drinks.
Hilton Asheville Biltmore Park
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 6: The Biltmore Estate
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, uncover stories of the Vanderbilt family, their guests and employees. The afternoon is yours at leisure to explore Asheville. Maybe try out the famous craft-beer scene? Guests can also choose an optional experience of a River Arts District Tour. Visiting some of the working studios where local artists produce and display their works, this guided tour offers a unique insight into the creative culture of the city.
Hilton Asheville Biltmore Park
Breakfast
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. Here, join a Cherokee cultural expert for an interactive journey through Cherokee lifestyle and history. On arrival in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, discover the importance of agriculture to the park’s ecosystem with a visit to the Mountain Farm Museum. See how families lived centuries ago through their unique collection of farm buildings. Savor a delicious and picturesque picnic lunch before continuing to your hotel. Enjoy magnificent views with stops along the way, including Newfound Gap, dramatically straddling the Stateline of North Carolina and Tennessee. The rest of the day is yours at leisure.
The Park Vista: A DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch
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 Southern Appalachian country lunch and enjoy authentic traditional bluegrass music from The Museum of Appalachia Band. Then journey on to Nashville and get acquainted with Music City on an orientation tour. Visit the picturesque Riverfront Park, Tennessee State Capitol and the 132-acre Centennial State Park, where you'll encounter an exact replica of the Parthenon. Pass by the city's lively honky-tonks and street performers on Broadway, as you make your way to the Ryman Auditorium, former and original home of the Grand Ole Opry.
Renaissance Hotel, Nashville
Breakfast, Lunch
Day 9: Welcome to Music City
This morning, explore Nashville with Insight Choice. Choose to visit the National Museum of African American Music, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience celebrating the central role African Americans play in creating the American soundtrack. Alternatively, visit Mammoth Cave National Park and explore its intricate cave system with a guide. The rest of the day is yours at leisure. Maybe take a stroll down Broadway, soaking up the live music and atmosphere. Tonight, toast your travels at your Celebration Dinner and enjoy timeless southern hospitality at a local restaurant.
Renaissance Hotel, Nashville
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 10: Depart Nashville
This morning, bid farewell to Nashville at your leisure, as your journey comes to an end.
Breakfast
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Spectacular National Parks of Eastern USA (Classic)
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Details
Group Size
Standard Group - 25 + people
Maximum Number of People in Group: 40
Accommodations
- Melrose Georgetown Hotel
- Skyland Lodge, Shenandoah National Park
- The Resort at Glade Springs
- Hilton Asheville Biltmore Park
- The Park Vista: A DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel
- Renaissance Hotel, Nashville
Trip ID#:
insightvacations-AENPN19
Meals Included
- 3 Dinner with Wine (DW)
- 9 Breakfast (B)
- 3 Lunch (L)
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