Land Journey

Bluegrass and Blue Ridges: Louisville to Nashville

Ken Burns American Journeys
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Year, Departure Type

Select small group departures (averaging 24 Tauck guests), or classic departures, and the year you would like to travel.

Days
9
From (per Person)
$5,990 USD
Journey Type
Land
Time of Year
Apr - Jun, Sep - Oct
Cities & Landmarks
Louisville, Nashville, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Knoxville, Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, Lexington
Smoky Mountains
North Carolina

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Uniquely Tauck

EXPERIENCE WITH TAUCK

 

TAUCK EXCLUSIVE – Filmed narratives exclusively produced for Tauck by filmmakers Ken Burns & Dayton Duncan feature new insights based on themes from their films, from national parks to country music

 

TAUCK EXCLUSIVE – Starting Gate Suites tour of Churchill Downs – meet a professional jockey

 

TAUCK EXCLUSIVE – Private "Bluegrass" event dinner at a Lexington mansion

 

TAUCK VALUE INCLUDES

 

Private "Legacy of the Land" guided driving tour of Biltmore Estate grounds and history

 

SEE WHAT YOUR JOURNEY INCLUDES

Activity

2
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Guests should be able to easily walk one to two miles, which may include climbing one or two flights of stairs and walking over uneven pavement, groomed hiking trails or cobblestones. Standing up to one hour or more may be required.

Pace

2
?

Moderately paced, and may include some early morning hotel departures, one or two on-tour flights, and extended motor coach travel.

View Full Itinerary

Legendary Journeys and Adventures

Celebrate the history, cultural heritage and natural beauty found in three of the most popular states in the Appalachian Mountains... and discover the natural wonders of the Great Smoky Mountains... on an intriguing journey crafted with filmmakers Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan.

Tauck Exclusives and highlights include... original film content produced exclusively for Tauck by award-winning documentary filmmaker Ken Burns exploring the development of Bluegrass, Country and Appalachian musical forms, as well as the history of westward expansion and American Indian perspectives... exploring Great Smoky Mountains National Park, America's most visited national park... standing at the Cumberland Gap, gateway to the west... a Starting Gate Suites tour of Churchill Downs with a professional jockey... meeting a Nashville songwriter at the Country Music Hall of Fame... private presentation on Appalachian music and instrument craftmanship... a country music performance at the Grand Ole Opry or Ryman Auditorium... and much more, including a special highlight – a "Bluegrass" dinner event at a mansion in Lexington, Kentucky, featuring a live Bluegrass band. Kentucky... enjoy an insider tour of Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby... visit the homestead that inspired Stephen Foster's "My Old Kentucky Home"... learn the secrets of bourbon at a visit to a bourbon distillery... North Carolina...explore the Biltmore Estate, a palatial manor house built by George Vanderbilt in 1895... spend two nights in Asheville, one of America's top culinary destinations... trace the roots of Appalachian music at the Folk Art Center...  Tennessee... visit The Hermitage, the plantation home of President Andrew Jackson... tour the Ryman Auditorium and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville... and more.  Read Less

A Farewell Dinner & the Grand Ole Opry

Day 8

A farewell dinner... then a performance of the Grand Ole Opry

The longest continuously-running radio broadcast in US history, the Grand Ole Opry began as a one-hour radio "barn dance" on WSM in Nashville, Tennessee in November 1925, and continues to this day as a weekly nationally broadcast stage concert honoring country music and its history. Broadcast from Nashville's Ryman Auditorium from 1943 until moving to its own Grand Ole Opry House in 1974, the "Opry" helped Nashville become America's "Music City" and country music capital as it attracted millions of radio (and, later, Internet) listeners around the world. Following your farewell reception and dinner, you'll attend a performance at the legendary Opry yourself!

Tauck Exclusive – Lunch at the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum

Day 7

Exclusive lunch & more at the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum

Adding a strikingly modern touch to the Nashville skyline, the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum – the "Smithsonian of country music" that you'll explore during your visit to Nashville – collects, preserves, and interprets the evolving history and traditions of country music in a state-of-the-art facility that recently unveiled a $100 million expansion in the heart of "Music City, USA." You'll not only tour the Hall of Fame and its museum's exhibits, but you'll enjoy a private lunch at its 222 Restaurant – then meet a Nashville songwriter in an exclusive session at the Country Music Hall of Fame®!

Inn on Biltmore Estate

Nights 4 and 5

A timeless experience unlike any other

Set on the picturesque grounds of George Vanderbilt's Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC, the four-starred, Inn on Biltmore Estate is a frequent guest of Condé Nast's Travelers' Gold List for its outstanding accommodations and amenities, including a gourmet restaurant, a spa, a bar, a library lounge, 24-hour room service, an outdoor pool, and fitness room. All guest rooms feature fine furnishings and elegant fabrics. The inn is in walking distance of the Winery and Antler Hill Village, and bikes are available for hire.

When I returned from my trip of the Bluegrass & Blue Ridges, I was in awe of all that I experienced.

Tauck Traveler Review

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Your Journey

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About Booking This Tour

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COVID-19 Travel Requirements

The below provides an overview of Tauck's requirements and those of the countries we visit, along with our supplier partners who have implemented their own Covid policies that may go beyond Tauck's requirements. The trip-specific guidelines are for U.S. travelers.

Up-to-date destination entry requirements will be posted 60 days prior to the first seasonal departure for each tour or cruise series. For journeys not yet posted below, please visit our Travel Requirements page. As entry requirement change frequently, please check often.

 

Tauck 2024 Covid Policy

For 2024 tours and cruises, Tauck has no remaining Covid requirements. There is no vaccination requirement or travel pledge to be signed. This 2024 policy could change if there is a surge in infection rates or other factors that could impact the safety of our guests and employees.

Tauck 2023 Covid Policy

  • Vaccination Requirement: All Tauck guests age 12 and older must be fully vaccinated. Additionally, you must have had at least one booster dose and/or have proof of recovery from Covid.
  • Requirements for Minors: Though highly recommended, vaccination for minors age 11 and under is not required by Tauck. However, if unvaccinated they must present a negative result from either a PCR or antigen test taken within 3 days of departing for their Tauck trip. If a child age 11 or under is vaccinated but not boosted, they must also present a negative test prior to their Tauck trip.
  • Tauck Travel Agreement: Tauck requires all guests to sign our Travel Well Pledge. Your Tauck Director will provide this document for your signature on the first day of your trip, and will check your proof of vaccination and booster/or proof of recovery. Additional information can be found at here.

To ensure the safety of your fellow travelers and the communities we visit, all guests must follow health and safety protocols when necessitated by local health guidance or our supplier partners. Your Tauck Director will keep you informed of these local requirements.

Although not required by Tauck, some countries may require a pre-travel Covid test. It is important that you carefully check the most recent entry requirements (listed below) for your tour or cruise. 

Additional Destination Requirements

Your health and safety remain our number one priority while you are traveling with us. The below requirements are mandated by the US National Park Service and are applicable to all Tauck guests without exception:

  • All Tauck guests age 12 and older must be fully vaccinated. Additionally, you must have had at least one booster dose and/or have proof of recovery from Covid. Although highly recommended, vaccination for minors age 11 and under is not required by Tauck. However, if unvaccinated they must present a negative result from either a PCR or antigen test taken within 3 days of departing for their Tauck trip. If a child age 11 or under is vaccinated but not boosted, they must also present a negative test prior to their Tauck trip.
  • For entry to National Park Service Facilities:

    • There are no specific Covid destination requirements for this tour.

    How to Book a Tour

    See your travel advisor, or call Tauck at 800-468-2825 to make a reservation.


    At the time of booking, please have the following information ready for all members of your party:

    • Tour Name and Departure Date
    • Traveler's Name: First and last names as they appear on your passport or driver's license
    • Traveler's Address(es)
    • Email Address*
    • Traveler's Phone Number(s)*
    • Emergency Contact Information: Please provide the name and phone number of a relative or friend (not travelling with you) whom we could contact during the tour in the unlikely event of an emergency
    • Interest in purchasing a travel protection plan (US and Canada)
    • Interest in extending your trip by staying in a Tauck recommended hotel before your trip begins or after it ends
    • Interest in our specially negotiated airfares

     

    * Required Fields

    Deposit & Final Payment

    Deposits:

    The deposit and the fees for the optional Protection Plan or Cancel Fee Waiver [CFW] coverage are due at time of booking.

    The deposit amount is $350 per person

     

    Final Payment:

    Final Payment for Land Journeys is due at Tauck's Wilton Woods, CT office 60 days before departure. Any bookings without full payment at this time may be subject to cancellation without notice.

    Travel Protection Plan

    Effective for plans purchased as of July 1, 2021:

     

    Tauck's Guest Protection provides you with cancellation protection before your journey begins as well as insurance benefits while you are traveling. Guest Protection includes the following:

     

    Cancellation Waiver – Provided by Tauck:

    Under Tauck's Cancellation Fee Waiver you can cancel your tour for ANY REASON up to the day before departure and receive a money-back refund (except in Extreme Circumstances*) on the land tour cost, based on your original method of payment.

    *Extreme Circumstances: In the event of an act of God, war (whether declared or undeclared), terrorism, accident, natural disaster, outbreak of disease, or other event or circumstance beyond our control that contributes to or results in cancellation rates above our historical cancellation rates in the absence of such event or occurrence, Tauck reserves the right to issue a credit to you in lieu of a money-back refund, applicable to a future Tauck journey.

    Travel Insurance Benefits – Underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company.

    • Trip Cancellation – If you must cancel your tour due to a covered reason, the plan provides coverage for the amount you paid for your travel arrangements. Since the non-insurance cancellation waiver takes care of the land package cancellation fees already, this benefit reimburses the airfare cancellation charges up to the value of your original airfare purchase.

    • Trip Interruption – If you have to interrupt your tour for covered reasons, the plan provides reimbursement for up to $5,000 to catch up to your tour or return home.

    • Travel Delay – Provides reimbursement for missed, prepaid travel arrangements if you are delayed by a common carrier, natural disaster, unannounced strike, or other reasons as cited in the plan.

    • Medical Expense – Reimburses covered medical expenses incurred in the event you become injured or sick during your trip. 

    • Baggage / Personal Effects Protection – Provides reimbursement in the event your luggage or personal effects are, lost, stolen, damaged or delayed during your trip.

    Worldwide Emergency Assistance Services – Provided by Carefree Travel Assistance; 24-hour emergency telephone assistance hotline for medical and travel related problems.

     

    The cost of Tauck's Guest Protection is: $349 per person

     

    This protection provides insurance coverage that applies only during the covered trip. You may have coverage from other sources that provides you with similar benefits but may be subject to different restrictions depending upon your other coverages. You may wish to compare the terms of this policy with your existing life, health, home and automobile policies. If you have any questions about your current coverage, call your insurer, insurance agent or broker.

    This optional Guest Protection must be requested at time of booking and fee must be included with initial payment. Fees are based on costs as of July 1, 2021, and are subject to change. Details will be provided with written confirmation of your tour reservation. Guest Protection does not protect travel agent commissions. Reimbursements will be made according to original method of payment. The amount of any refund shall be reduced by any recoveries obtained by you from any third parties.

    The Guest Protection plan waives cancellation fees outlined below, provided we are notified of cancellation before your tour departs. Tour cancellation fees are waived regardless of reason, without written notice, and Tauck will refund land tour cost.

    To obtain your state-specific Certificate of Insurance that contains the complete terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of the certificate, visit affinitytravelcert.com/docs/TACGPPDOM.

     

    If You Have To Cancel

    If you cancel within 10 days of initial deposit

    Within the first 10 days after you place your initial deposit, you may cancel your reservation for any reason with no cancellation fees.

    If you cancel more than 10 days after initial deposit

    Regardless of reason, cancellations result in costly charges from our travel and hotel providers covering penalties and fees incurred by canceling confirmed bookings. These fees vary from tour to tour. Therefore, the following fees apply.

     


    Cancellation Fees with Tauck's Guest Protection Plan:

    Loss of Guest Protection fee, per person

     

    Cancellation Fees without Tauck's Guest Protection Plan:

    60 days or more before departure = $350 per person

    59-8 days before departure = $600 per person

    7-1 days before departure = $900 per person

     

    Time of cancellation will be when notice is received in our Wilton Woods, CT office.

    In the event of an unforeseen circumstance beyond our control, Tauck reserves the right to amend the cancellation terms outlined herein.

    Note: All Guests, regardless of residency, who book a Tauck journey have the option of purchasing the Cancellation Fee Waiver provided by Tauck in the event they need to cancel their trip after making their reservations. Tauck's Guest Protection, which includes both the Cancellation Fee Waiver and the Travel Insurance Benefits and Assistance Services described above, is not available to residents of Puerto Rico.

    Travel Terms and Conditions

    Click here to find Tauck's Travel Terms & Conditions.

    Travel Requirements For This Tour

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    The Tauck Experience

    Why Tauck?

    Leave Your Worries At Home

    One Upfront Price – No Hidden Costs

    Tauck Directors – Simply The Best

    Never Settle For Ordinary

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    Book Today... And Travel Dreams Begin

    Discover The World

    Call us, or call your travel advisor, to book your preferred departure date today – and explore our beautiful brochures to find your inspiration for your next journey.

    Book Today... And Travel Dreams Begin

    Discover The World

    Call us, or call your travel advisor, to book your preferred departure date today – and explore our beautiful brochures to find your inspiration for your next journey.

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