Thursday, November 22 nd Nashville, Memphis and Branson Country Christmas Tour November 22 nd to December 5 th, 2018 13 Nights and 14 Days Summary Itinerary Portsmouth, New Hampshire Meet your Driver and Tour Director and depart on your 14-day Nashville, Memphis and Branson Country Christmas Tour. We begin in Charlottetown at 6:30 am with pick up in Borden, Aulac, Salisbury, Lincoln, and Woodstock along the way. Transfers are available from Halifax, Dartmouth, Truro and Saint John. We will stop for lunch at the Acorn Restaurant in Lake George, NB. Arrive at our host hotel, the Hampton Inn & Suites Portsmouth Central in Portsmouth, NH. Enjoy snacks and refreshments at our welcome reception provided by the hotel. The complimentary hotel shuttle can provide transportation to nearby shopping and restaurants. Friday, November 23 rd Carlisle, Pennsylvania (B) Enjoy a complimentary breakfast and meet with your Tour Director. We check out of the hotel and travel to Carlisle, PA. Today we will be driving through Massachusetts, Connecticut and passing by New York. We will have rest-stops and a stop for lunch along the way. Enjoy the scenery and onboard entertainment as we travel. Arrive at our host hotel, the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Carlisle Harrisburg in Carlisle, PA. This evening you are free to explore the area and have dinner at a local restaurant or relax in the hotel. Saturday, November 24 th Pigeon Forge, Tennessee (B, D) Enjoy a complimentary breakfast and meet with your Tour Director. We check out of the hotel and travel to Pigeon Forge, TN. We will be stopping for lunch and rest breaks along the way. Your Tour Director will help you pass the time with games and entertainment. Arrive at our host hotel, the Hampton Inn in Pigeon Forge, TN. Check in and freshen up for our performance and four-course feast at Dolly Parton s Dixie Stampede. This amazing tribute will warm your heart and touch your soul. Snow falls softly as the breathtaking scenes fill you with tidings of good cheer. The Dixie Stampede arena is magically transformed into a true fantasy land complete with twinkling lights, evergreens, poinsettias, old-fashioned holiday costumes and familiar holiday music.
Sunday, November 25 th Pigeon Forge, Tennessee (B) Enjoy a complimentary breakfast and meet with your Tour Director. This morning we will be touring Great Smoky Mountain National Park, American's most visited National Park. Our local guide will take us 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. Along the way you will see spectacular scenery and maybe even some wildlife! We will enjoy free time in Gatlinburg, TN to explore what this fascinating city has to offer. This afternoon we will visit Dollywood where you will have time to experience the many attractions and shows that this park has to offer. A complete schedule of events for Dollywood s Smoky Mountain Christmas will be available at a later date. Monday, November 26 th Nashville, Tennessee (B) Enjoy a complimentary breakfast and meet with your Tour Director. This morning we will check out of the hotel and depart for Nashville, TN. After a stop for lunch we will arrive in downtown Nashville and meet our Step-On Guide for a sightseeing tour of Nashville. Nashville is the home of country music, the Athens of the South, and features landmarks like the Ryman Auditorium, the Parthenon, State Capitol of Tennessee and Bicentennial Park. We will depart for the hotel following the tour. Arrive at our host hotel, the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Opryland in Nashville, TN. This evening you are free to explore on your own. Stroll the grounds of the Gaylord Opryland Resort where there is shopping, restaurants, carriage rides, and beautiful Christmas decorations to see. Shop at Opry Mills Mall or return to downtown Nashville. Optional Activity: Enjoy a performance by Trace Adkins as part of Gaylord Opryland s A Country Christmas and a feast prepared by the resort s award-winning chefs. If you would be interested in booking tickets to this dinner and show, please let us know at the time of booking. Prices will be announced in September 2018. Please note that this activity is subject to availability.
Tuesday, November 27 th Nashville, Tennessee (B) Enjoy a complimentary breakfast, meet with your Tour Director. This morning we will visit the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum. As the world s largest music museum, the Country Music Hall of Fame gives country music fans the ultimate experience, displaying everything from rhinestone costumes to tear-stained lyric sheets. This afternoon you are free to explore the downtown area. Check out the many restaurants and honky-tonks on lower Broadway such as Legends Corner, Tootsies Orchid Lounge, The Stage on Broadway, and Tin Roof restaurant. You may also wish to visit the Johnny Cash Museum or the many downtown shops. We will return to the hotel later this afternoon to get ready for tonight s performance. Dinner will be on your own. Tonight we will experience The Show That Made Country Music Famous, The Grand Ole Opry at the Ryman Auditorium. What began as a simple radio broadcast in 1925 is today a live entertainment phenomenon. Dedicated to honoring country music s rich history and dynamic present, the Grand Ole Opry showcases a mix of country legends and the contemporary chart-toppers who have followed in their footsteps. Performers will be announced closer to the date of performance and are subject to change. Wednesday, November 28 th Memphis, Tennesee (B, D) check out of the hotel. This morning we will be travelling to Memphis, TN. Arrive at Graceland in Memphis, TN. Enjoy a self-guided tour of Graceland Mansion. The mansion tour will begin with a new, brief orientation film about Elvis life and career before boarding a shuttle to drive through the famous musical gates up to the front door of Graceland Mansion. This portion of the tour includes the living room, his parents bedroom, the kitchen, TV room, pool room, the famous Jungle Room, his father s office, the newly-enhanced Trophy Building, a newly-restored Racquetball Building, which looks as it did in 1977, and the Meditation Garden. Following the mansion tour we will visit Elvis Presley s Memphis Entertainment Complex. This is a brand new state-of-the-art facility that showcases interactive and immersive pop culture experiences that connect Elvis personal interests and activities throughout his life. Following our visit to Graceland we will depart for our host hotel, the Drury Inn & Suites Memphis Southaven in Horn Lake, MS. Check in and freshen up before our included group dinner at Kooky Canuck.
Thursday, November 29 th Branson, Missouri (B) check out of the hotel. Today we will be travelling to Branson, MO Arrive in Branson and check in at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Branson 76 Central in Branson, MO. Enjoy free time to explore the area and have dinner at one of the many nearby restaurants. Enjoy one of Branson s original shows on the strip, Presley s Country Jubilee Christmas Show. The Presley family built the very first theater on the famed Highway 76 Strip, just a country road at the time in the middle of what seemed like nowhere. Enjoy country favourites, southern gospel and hilarious Ozarks comedy, featuring Branson's first family of entertainment. Friday, November 30 th Branson, Missouri (B, D) / Enjoy a complimentary breakfast and meet with your Tour Director. This morning and afternoon you are free to explore the area. Shop at the Tanger Outlets, visit the Titanic Museum, or take in another one of the many shows and attractions Branson has to offer. Tonight we will hop on board the Showboat Branson Belle for an early dinner and entertainment. We will cruise along the beautiful Table Rock Lake for approximately two hours aboard this 700-seat paddle wheeler. Saturday, December 1 st Louisville, Kentucky (B) check out of the hotel and travel to Louisville, KY. Today we will be driving through Illinois. We will have rest-stops and a stop for lunch along the way. Enjoy the scenery and entertainment as we travel. Arrive at our host hotel, the Drury Inn & Suites Louisville East in Louisville, KY. This evening you are free to relax at the hotel or explore the area. Sunday, December 2 nd Hagerstown, Maryland (B) check out of the hotel. Today will be travelling to Hagerstown, MD. Today we will be driving through West Virginia and along the way we will have rest-stops and lunch. Your Tour Director will keep you entertained as we travel. Check in to our host hotel the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Hagerstown, MD. Tonight you are free to explore the area and dine in one of the local restaurants.
Monday, December 3 rd Lancaster, Pennsylvania (B, D) check out of our hotel. Today we will be travelling to Lancaster, PA. Before arriving in Lancaster we will make a stop at Hershey s Chocolate World for a tour. This afternoon you will be transported to a simpler time that still exists in 21 st century Amish Country. We will stop at the Kitchen Kettle Village which showcases what Lancaster has to offer. Here you will find over 40 distinct merchants offering locally made goods such as art, pottery, quilts, baked goods, jams, and relishes. Later this afternoon we will check in to our host hotel, the Tru by Hilton in Lancaster, PA. Travel a short distance to Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant & Smorgasbord for an included group dinner. Return to the hotel following dinner for free time to relax or do some shopping at the nearby Rockvale Outlets. Tuesday, December 4 th Portsmouth, New Hampshire (B) Enjoy a complimentary breakfast and meet with your Tour Director. Check out of the hotel and make our way to Portsmouth, NH We will be driving through New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts on our way to Portsmouth. We will have rest-stops and a stop for lunch along the way. Enjoy the scenery as we travel. Arrive at our host hotel, the Hampton Inn & Suites Portsmouth Central in Portsmouth, NH. There are restaurants and shopping nearby if you would like to do some exploring. Wednesday, December 5 th Home (B) / Enjoy a complimentary breakfast and meet with your Tour Director. Check out of the hotel and make our way home. We will stop at USA Duty Free before crossing the border. Arrive home in the Maritimes and say goodbye to your Driver and Tour Director with many happy memories from your Nashville, Memphis and Branson Country Christmas Tour 2018.
Tour Includes: Deluxe motor coach transportation from the Maritimes 13 nights of accommodation including breakfast daily 4 group dinners (including Dolly Parton s Dixie Stampede and Showboat Branson Belle) Ticket to Dolly Parton s Dixie Stampede Guided tour of Great Smoky Mountain National Park Entrance to Dollywood Guided tour of Nashville Entrance to the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum Ticket to the Grand Ole Opry at Ryman Auditorium Entrance to Graceland and Elvis Presley s Memphis Entertainment Complex Ticket to Presley s Country Jubilee Christmas show Ticket for Showboat Branson Belle Tour of Hershey s Chocolate World Visit to Kitchen Kettle Village in Lancaster, PA Free time in Pigeon Forge, Nashville, Branson and more All taxes and fees Personally escorted by Target Tours Prices: $2479 per person 4 per room $2689 per person 3 per room $3109 per person 2 per room $4415 per person 1 per room Prices are per person and include taxes. Deposit of $500.00 pp due at time of booking. Second deposit of $1000.00 pp due August 24 th, 2018. Date to book: August 24 th, 2018. Final payment due September 24 th, 2018. What to expect after you book We will send you your receipt and proof of reservation via email or mail. Before final payment we will reach out to you via phone or email to remind you of your final balance and determine final method of payment. About 2-3 weeks prior to departure we will send you your Detailed Itinerary which will feature exact times and locations as well as details on your Tour Director. Around one week before departure you will be contacted by your Tour Director via email or by phone to introduce themselves and ask if you have any questions before departure.
Tour Director and Driver Your Tour Director and Driver play an important role in making your vacation as memorable and hassle-free as possible. While optional, gratuities are a great way to show your appreciation. The suggested industry guideline is $3.00 to $6.00 per person, per day for your Tour Director and also your Driver. This should be extended on a voluntary and individual basis at the completion of the tour. Travel Insurance Your tour price does not include travel insurance. If you are covered, we advise you to look into coverage details, if there is a deductible, if you need to pay up front, and where to call in case of emergency. We highly recommend medical, trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage.