Spectacular National Parks of Eastern USA

 

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.

Price Includes
  • 9 nights accommodation in stylish hand picked hotels, all tried and trusted
  • 9 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners with wine
  • Sightseeing highlights:
    • Visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture (Make Travel Matter experience)
    • Visit Oconaluftee Indian Village (Make Travel Matter experience)
    • Tour the Veritas Vineyards and Winery
    • Washington DC City Tour
    • New River Gorge National Park
    • Stony Man via Appalachian Trail Hike
    • Citizen Vinyl Record Press Factory Tour
    • Museum of Appalachia
    • Nashville orientation and Ryman Auditorium 
       

Was from $6,475* per person twin share

NOW from $5,598* per person twin share

Save up to 15% Black Friday Sale - $777* per person

 
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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Day 8 | The Museum of Appalachia and on to Nashville

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.

 

 

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.

 

 

Day 10 | Depart Nashville

This morning, bid farewell to Nashville at your leisure, as your journey comes to an end.

Bonus

Save up to 15% Black Friday Sale - $777* per person

Room/Cabin information
twin share
Travel Dates

1 Jan - 31 Oct 2024

Offer Ends

05 Dec 23,

unless sold out prior. Availability is limited. 

Destinations
USA
Categories
Helloworld Terms & Conditions

Save up to 15% on select 2024 departures as featured on  insightvacations.com as “Black Friday”. New bookings only made with deposit between November 9, 2023 and December 5, 2023. Full payment due 120 days prior to departure or at time of booking if booked within 120 days of departure; whichever comes first. Prices are in AUD , are per person, land only, based on double occupancy and are subject to availability. If guests change to another tour or date not on sale, they are responsible to pay the difference and adhere to different payment conditions. Savings are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. May be combined with 5% Global Tour Rewards savings only, not combinable with group discounts, Future Travel Credit carry forward discount or any other discount or promotion. Other conditions may apply.

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