Itinerary: (Subject to change due to local conditions, unforeseen events, or more interesting, as-yet unplanned awesome experiences that become available)
Christmastime in Nashville & The Opryland Hotel
Three Outstanding Shows & Much More
Five Day Tour ~ December 2021
Highlights: Roundtrip, Nonstop Air from Newark to Nashville • Four Nights of Indoor Balcony Accommodations in the Beautiful Gaylord Opryland Hotel, Extensively Decorated for The Holidays • Grand Ole Opry Evening Performance • Luncheon & Show Aboard The General Jackson Showboat • ICE Exhibit • Country Music Dinner Christmas Show • Country Music Hall of Fame • Tour of Studio B • Johnny Cash Museum • Riding Tour of Nashville • Boat Ride in The Opryland Hotel • Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage • Bus Transfer to Downtown Nashville • Four Breakfasts • Two Lunches • Two Dinners • And Much More • Fully Escorted
Every now and then there comes a point on a tour when you realize that this is one of the best Christmas tours that you might ever take. Certainly, each tour has its own special magic, and there are many great tours that we provide to our clients, but Nashville is a unique experience. On this tour we literally see the best this city has to offer at a relaxed pace. Many of the attractions we see are destinations in themselves, and our nonstop air allows us four full days of touring. To begin, our hotel will be extensively decorated for the Holiday season with 2.3 million Christmas lights. It boasts an incredible nine acres of indoor atriums along with several restaurants and shops. The public areas include waterfalls, over 50,000 plants, elevated walkways and even an indoor boat ride on the river in the Delta Atrium. Each room will have a balcony overlooking an indoor atrium. Topping off our itinerary are three spectacular shows; one of which the Oakridge Boys star at our Country Christmas Dinner Show. So grab your cowboy hat and your dancing shoes, and don’t be left in New Jersey when all the fun is in Nashville.
Day 1. “Howdy,” is the immortal way that Minnie Pearl might have welcomed us to her city. We arrive in Nashville in time to lunch on our own in its downtown that features many restaurants and unique stores. Time is provided to browse, sightsee and take in the magic of Nashville. This afternoon we visit The Johnny Cash Museum, a spectacular museum dedicated to this immortal “Man in Black.” A special exhibit Outlaws & Armadillos: Country’s Roaring ’70s, celebrates this era of cultural and artistic exchange between Nashville, Tennessee, and Austin, Texas. From here it’s a short drive to our home for the next four nights, The Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Resort. There is so much to see and do in this magnificent hotel. Every person will get a balcony room that overlooks an indoor atrium. This is a delightful addition to the tour. Hotel amenities include three indoor, climate-controlled atriums, elegant public areas, over a dozen restaurants, an indoor pool, health club, stores and more. This evening dinner is on our own. Each guest will receive a $60.00 Opryland gift card that may be used in many of the hotel’s most popular restaurants.
Day 2. Most of the next three days will be spent in and around our world-class resort. After a relaxed morning, we are treated to an included lunch followed by a vibrant Christmas Show, while we cruise on the Cumberland River aboard The General Jackson Showboat. This 300-foot-long vessel is styled in the grand tradition of the paddlewheel riverboats that plied America’s waterways in the 1800s. Upon return to our hotel, there is still much to do today. A roundtrip bus pass is included that will take us from our hotel to the downtown. It departs every hour and runs until 10:30 PM. Many people want to visit the downtown for dinner, or to see a show, or take in the flavor of the Nashville nightlife. Check with your escort for suggestions. Admission to the Wildhorse Saloon is included, and they will have a live band (see Day Five on its history) this evening. At this time there is no confirmed event at the Ryman Auditorium, but one may be added closer to the tour date.
Day 3. Today’s itinerary is at our leisure where we are free to enjoy the many beautiful public areas of the hotel. An included boat ride in the Delta Atrium of our hotel is free for us to do at any time of our resort stay. It’s a fun and interesting way to experience the enormity and diversity of the hotel’s indoor gardens. Another exceptionally unique and included attraction is ICE. This indoor winter wonderland features two million pounds of hand-carved ice sculptures. Many of the ice sculptures are true works of art that are multi-colored and follow a cartoon or storybook theme. It has to be seen to be believed. This evening we are treated to an exceptional dinner and show that features a popular country music band, The Oakridge Boys. In addition to their numerous awards, they boast seventeen number one Billboard country singles charts. They have sold over 41 million albums, won 5 Grammy Awards and are members of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Gospel Music Hall of Fame.
Day 4. After a relaxed morning we visit the Hermitage, home of President Andrew Jackson. The Hermitage is one of the most authentic early presidential homes in America, where you’ll be an honored guest at the Jackson family mansion. Then we see many of the sights that make Nashville such a popular vacation destination as well as a desirable place to live and work. Our riding tour includes a drive on Music Row, the downtown, the waterfront and more. This evening we attend the Grand Ole Opry in the Opry House next to our resort. Here, we witness a 95-year-long tradition of great family entertainment. It is the longest-running live radio show in the world, and is something everyone should experience at least once.
Day 5. There is still a lot to see and do before we head home. We begin with a tour of the historic Studio B, where Elvis Presley, Chet Atkins, Eddy Arnold, Waylon Jennings, Dolly Parton and many more have recorded. Next, we visit the Country Music Hall of Fame where we are treated to an audio tour of this exceptional museum that highlights the history of country music. It is as much a history museum as it is a museum on country music. Lunch is included in the world-famous Wildhorse Saloon. Over two million patrons have visited here, and over 4,000 television shows have been broadcast from here. Before departing to the airport, we are treated to a country music dance lesson in a popular area restaurant. Our return flight passes quickly as we reflect on all of the magnificent things we have seen and done on this tour.
Air transportation is provided by United Airlines. A surcharge will apply if United Airlines increases the price of its airfare. One piece of luggage per person (baggage fee by United is not included) and one small carry-on are permitted. A valid, government-issued picture ID is required to board the plane.
December : Flight # departs Newark at AM and arrives in Nashville at PM
December : Flight # departs Nashville at PM and arrives in Newark at PM
Tour price per person is $2,215.00 Twin & $2,750.00 Single. No reservations accepted without a deposit of $350.00 per person. Final payment is due August 28, 2021. Make checks payable to “Group Tours & Travel”, and mail to the above address. Deposits are fully refundable if cancellation occurs on or before August 28, 2020. There are no refunds if cancellation occurs after August 28, 2021. Group Tours is not responsible for any delays, cancellations, injuries or circumstances beyond its control and reserves the right to change the itinerary. All trip components are subject to change in accordance with Government, State and Local guidelines and/or mandates. Travel protection/cancellation coverage is available, and while not included, is highly recommended. This tour will run rain or shine
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Methods of Payment:
Pay by check: make payable to Group Tours & Travel, mail to 1710 E. Lancaster Ave. #319, Paoli, PA 19301
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