LOUISVILLE, KY tours and multi centre itineraries

DAY 1  Covington                              Arrive at Northern Kentucky/Cincinnati Airport before transferring to Covington, Kentucky, overlooking the Ohio River and the cityscape of Cincinnati.                              O/N:                         Covington, Kentucky                              Suggested Hotels: Hotel Covington | Embassy Suites by Hilton DAY 2    Covington                              Must-dos Stroll across the Roebling Suspension Bridge (a prototype of the Brooklyn Bridge) spanning the Ohio River and take in the Cincinnati River Front with its parks, baseball and American football stadiums, plus neighbouring entertainment and dining districts. The banks of the Ohio River in Cincinnati meant freedom to entrapped enslaved people, and the striking National Underground Railroad Freedom Center portrays three centuries of slavery from its introduction into the Americas to its abolition at the end of the American Civil War. Before there was Las Vegas... there was Newport, Kentucky. Rising from the profits of bootlegging during Prohibition, this little town quickly became the premier US gaming destination. Join a raucous, high-energy Newport Gangster Tour to discover how Newport gave birth to the modern gaming industry.                              O/N:                         Covington, Kentucky                              Suggested Hotels: Hotel Covington | Embassy Suites by Hilton DAY 3                  Covington to Lexington                              Depart Covington and head south toward Lexington, the Horse Capital of the World.                               Must-dos The Ark Encounter is a large, state-of-the-art representation of Noah's Ark based on the Genesis flood narrative contained in the Bible. It is 510 feet long, 85 feet wide, and 51 feet high and brings Noah’s story to life. Enjoy Lexington, home to over 450 Thoroughbred and Standardbred farms with many open to the public. For an authentic equine experience, visit the Kentucky Horse Park, the world’s only park dedicated exclusively to the horse. In April or October, make an afternoon of racing at Keeneland Race Course, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.                              O/N:                         Lexington, Kentucky                              Suggested Hotels: 21c | DoubleTree by Hilton Lexington | Griffin Gate Marriott                                                                            Resort & Spa DAY 4                 Lexington to Louisville                              Depart Lexington and head west to Louisville.    Must-dos Louisville is the home of the Kentucky Derby held each May at Churchill Downs. There is racing at Churchill Downs in April, May, June, October and November, and the track is open for tours year-round. The next-door Kentucky Derby Museum offers an excellent hands-on experience and a magnificent audio-visual display that captures the Derby Day atmosphere on a 360° The Ali Center details the life and legacy of the great Muhammad Ali. Don't miss the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, and be sure to sample the Urban Bourbon Trail along Whiskey Row.                              O/N:                         Louisville, Kentucky                              Suggested Hotels: The Brown Hotel | Galt House | 21c DAY 5                  Louisville to Owensboro                                                   Travel to the heart of Kentucky Bluegrass Music, Owensboro. Must-dos Visit the birthplace and homestead of the Father of Bluegrass, Bill Monroe, in Rosine. The Bluegrass Hall of Fame & Museum is dedicated to the international history of bluegrass and honours bluegrass pioneers and other legends. There is a wide variety of tours, jam sessions, concerts and festivals. For dinner, head to the Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn in Owensboro. Foodies, celebrities and even former president Bill Clinton love the barbecue here. Try the Kentucky speciality – mutton Bar-B-Q.                              O/N:                          Owensboro, Kentucky                              Suggested Hotels:  Holiday Inn Owensboro Riverfront | Hampton Inn & Suites                                                                 Downtown Waterfront DAY 6                  Owensboro to Paducah                              Follow the Ohio River to Paducah, a UNESCO Creative City. Must-dos Discover the National Quilt Museum – a truly global destination. Here, you can experience the art of today's quilters, but you can also take part in a quilt-making workshop that will bring you even closer to this amazing art. See the colourful revitalization of the Lower Town Arts District of 19th-century architecture in Historic Downtown. Tour the Hotel Metropolitan and learn of its famous guests such as Billie Holiday and B.B. King.                              O/N:                         Paducah, Kentucky                              Suggested Hotels: Holiday Inn Paducah Riverfront DAY 7                  Paducah to Memphis                              This morning, continue your journey along the Mississippi River to Memphis. Must-dos Walk in the footsteps of the King of Rock 'n' Roll at Elvis' home, Graceland. The full Graceland experience will take you from Elvis' humble beginnings through his rise to superstardom. Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison and B.B. King all recorded at Sun Studio. Founded by Sam Phillips in 1950, this studio became the heart of the Memphis sound. Enjoy the live music, sizzling soul food, exotic gift shops on Beale Street and a chance to dance the night away.                              O/N:                         Memphis, Tennessee                              Suggested Hotels: The Peabody Hotel | Hilton Garden Inn Downtown |                                                                Central Station Hotel | Hotel Indigo | ARRIVE | Hu. Hotel DAY 8                  More Memphis… Must-dos The Stax Museum of American Soul Music winds and twists through a labyrinth of exhibits that promote and preserve the legacy of American soul music and its contributions internationally, highlighting musical giants such as Isaac Hayes, Otis Redding, the Staple Singers and Booker T. & the MGs. Located at the historic Lorraine Motel where civil rights leader Dr Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, the National Civil Rights Museum is the only museum of its kind in the country that gives an overview of the American Civil Rights Movement from 1619 to the present. Watch the biggest light show on the Mississippi River and enjoy cocktails at the Hu Rooftop. Mighty Lights takes place every hour on the hour from sundown to a 10 pm                              O/N:                         Memphis, Tennessee                              Suggested Hotels: The Peabody Hotel | Hilton Garden Inn Downtown |                                                                Central Station Hotel | Hotel Indigo | ARRIVE | Hu. Hotel DAY 9                  Even more Memphis…                              Must-dos The Memphis Music Hall of Fame honours many of the greatest musicians of all time, who created this city's musical legacy and shook the world to it core! Visit the former Memphis Pyramid arena that reopened in 2015 as one of America's largest retail stores. Take a ride on the tallest first standing elevator in the nation and catch the amazing view of the mighty Mississippi and the city of Memphis from the glass observation deck. Enjoy a farewell drink at Earnestine and Hazel’s with its legendary jukebox and reputation as the inspiration for The Rolling Stones’ Honky Tonk Women.                              O/N:                         Memphis, Tennessee                              Suggested Hotels: The Peabody Hotel | Hilton Garden Inn Downtown |                                                                Central Station Hotel | Hotel Indigo | ARRIVE | Hu. Hotel DAY 10                Memphis to Cleveland                              Follow historic Highway 61 from Memphis to the Mississippi Delta. Must-dos Begin your Mississippi Delta tour at the Gateway to the Blues Museum & Visitor Center, located on Blues Highway 61 and housed in an original 1895 train depot. It is the perfect start for your journey into the unique blues music heritage of the Delta. Clarksdale’s Delta Blues Museum houses exhibits that focus on the musical legacy that bluesmen have left for the entire world to enjoy. The state-of-the-art GRAMMY Museum Mississippi in Cleveland covers all genres of music and tells the story of the GRAMMY and its winning artists through interactive exhibits.                              O/N:                         Cleveland, Mississippi                              Suggested Hotels: The Cotton Hotel | Hampton Inn & Suites DAY 11                Cleveland to Jackson                              Continue Highway 61 to Vicksburg and take I-80 west to Jackson. Must-dos The Vicksburg National Military Park stands in commemoration of the 47-day campaign for Vicksburg and to those who served as well as the thousands who lost their lives. Step-on guides, licensed by the National Park Service, are available for tours of the park and the city. The Mississippi Civil Rights Museum in Jackson promotes a greater understanding of the Mississippi Civil Rights Movement, while the next-door Museum of Mississippi History showcases 15,000 years of history in the state. Explore the Historic Fondren District, Highland Village and the new development at The District at Eastover, all with a wide array of Jackson-owned eateries and boutique shops.                              O/N:                         Jackson, Mississippi                              Suggested Hotels: The Westin | Old Capitol Inn | Fairview Inn DAY 12              Jackson to Natchez                                           Follow the scenic Natchez Trace Parkway from Jackson to Natchez Must-dos Natchez, the jewel of the Mississippi River, is a "must" on any Southern road trip. It is the oldest permanent settlement on the Mississippi River and in the 1850s had more millionaires per capita than anywhere else in America. Many of the historic homes in Natchez are open daily for tours, and additional homes and gardens are opened to visitors during the annual Spring and Autumn Pilgrimages. Perched on a natural bluff above the Mississippi River with 30-mile views of the river both north and south, Natchez has some of the best sunsets on Ol' Man River, which are best enjoyed while sipping a beverage in a rocking chair on the porch of one of the bars in Natchez-Under-The-Hill.                              O/N:                         Natchez, Mississippi                              Suggested Hotels: Dunleith | Monmouth | The Grand Natchez DAY 13-14          Natchez to New Orleans                              Follow the Southern section of Highway 61 from Natchez to New Orleans and spend                              two nights in the Big Easy.

DAY 1 Covington Arrive at Northern Kentucky/Cincinnati Airport before transferring to Covington, Kentucky, overlooking the Ohio River and the cityscape of Cincinnati. O/N: Covington, Kentucky Suggested Hotels: Hotel Covington | Embassy Suites by Hilton DAY 2 Covington Must-dos 1. Stroll across the Roebling Suspension Bridge (a prototype of the Brooklyn Bridge) spanning the Ohio River and take in the Cincinnati River Front with its parks, baseball and American football stadiums, plus neighbouring entertainment and dining districts. 2. The banks of the Ohio River in Cincinnati meant freedom to entrapped enslaved people, and the striking National Underground Railroad Freedom Center portrays three centuries of slavery from its introduction into the Americas to its abolition at the end of the American Civil War. 3. Before there was Las Vegas... there was Newport, Kentucky. Rising from the profits of bootlegging during Prohibition, this little town quickly became the premier US gaming destination. Join a raucous, high-energy Newport Gangster Tour to discover how Newport gave birth to the modern gaming industry. O/N: Covington, Kentucky Suggested Hotels: Hotel Covington | Embassy Suites by Hilton DAY 3 Covington to Lexington Depart Covington and head south toward Lexington, the Horse Capital of the World. Must-dos 1. The Ark Encounter is a large, state-of-the-art representation of Noah's Ark based on the Genesis flood narrative contained in the Bible. It is 510 feet long, 85 feet wide, and 51 feet high and brings Noah’s story to life. 2. Enjoy Lexington, home to over 450 Thoroughbred and Standardbred farms with many open to the public. For an authentic equine experience, visit the Kentucky Horse Park, the world’s only park dedicated exclusively to the horse. 3. In April or October, make an afternoon of racing at Keeneland Race Course, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. O/N: Lexington, Kentucky Suggested Hotels: 21c | DoubleTree by Hilton Lexington | Griffin Gate Marriott Resort & Spa DAY 4 Lexington to Louisville Depart Lexington and head west to Louisville. Must-dos 1. Louisville is the home of the Kentucky Derby held each May at Churchill Downs. There is racing at Churchill Downs in April, May, June, October and November, and the track is open for tours year-round. The next-door Kentucky Derby Museum offers an excellent hands-on experience and a magnificent audio-visual display that captures the Derby Day atmosphere on a 360° screen. 2. The Ali Center details the life and legacy of the great Muhammad Ali. 3. Don't miss the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, and be sure to sample the Urban Bourbon Trail along Whiskey Row. O/N: Louisville, Kentucky Suggested Hotels: The Brown Hotel | Galt House | 21c DAY 5 Louisville to Owensboro Travel to the heart of Kentucky Bluegrass Music, Owensboro. Must-dos 1. Visit the birthplace and homestead of the Father of Bluegrass, Bill Monroe, in Rosine. 2. The Bluegrass Hall of Fame & Museum is dedicated to the international history of bluegrass and honours bluegrass pioneers and other legends. There is a wide variety of tours, jam sessions, concerts and festivals. 3. For dinner, head to the Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn in Owensboro. Foodies, celebrities and even former president Bill Clinton love the barbecue here. Try the Kentucky speciality – mutton Bar-B-Q. O/N: Owensboro, Kentucky Suggested Hotels: Holiday Inn Owensboro Riverfront | Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown Waterfront DAY 6 Owensboro to Paducah Follow the Ohio River to Paducah, a UNESCO Creative City. Must-dos 1. Discover the National Quilt Museum – a truly global destination. Here, you can experience the art of today's quilters, but you can also take part in a quilt-making workshop that will bring you even closer to this amazing art. 2. See the colourful revitalization of the Lower Town Arts District of 19th-century architecture in Historic Downtown. 3. Tour the Hotel Metropolitan and learn of its famous guests such as Billie Holiday and B.B. King. O/N: Paducah, Kentucky Suggested Hotels: Holiday Inn Paducah Riverfront DAY 7 Paducah to Memphis This morning, continue your journey along the Mississippi River to Memphis. Must-dos 1. Walk in the footsteps of the King of Rock 'n' Roll at Elvis' home, Graceland. The full Graceland experience will take you from Elvis' humble beginnings through his rise to superstardom. 2. Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison and B.B. King all recorded at Sun Studio. Founded by Sam Phillips in 1950, this studio became the heart of the Memphis sound. 3. Enjoy the live music, sizzling soul food, exotic gift shops on Beale Street and a chance to dance the night away. O/N: Memphis, Tennessee Suggested Hotels: The Peabody Hotel | Hilton Garden Inn Downtown | Central Station Hotel | Hotel Indigo | ARRIVE | Hu. Hotel DAY 8 More Memphis… Must-dos 1. The Stax Museum of American Soul Music winds and twists through a labyrinth of exhibits that promote and preserve the legacy of American soul music and its contributions internationally, highlighting musical giants such as Isaac Hayes, Otis Redding, the Staple Singers and Booker T. & the MGs. 2. Located at the historic Lorraine Motel where civil rights leader Dr Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, the National Civil Rights Museum is the only museum of its kind in the country that gives an overview of the American Civil Rights Movement from 1619 to the present. 3. Watch the biggest light show on the Mississippi River and enjoy cocktails at the Hu Rooftop. Mighty Lights takes place every hour on the hour from sundown to a 10 pm finale. O/N: Memphis, Tennessee Suggested Hotels: The Peabody Hotel | Hilton Garden Inn Downtown | Central Station Hotel | Hotel Indigo | ARRIVE | Hu. Hotel DAY 9 Even more Memphis… Must-dos 1. The Memphis Music Hall of Fame honours many of the greatest musicians of all time, who created this city's musical legacy and shook the world to it core! 2. Visit the former Memphis Pyramid arena that reopened in 2015 as one of America's largest retail stores. Take a ride on the tallest first standing elevator in the nation and catch the amazing view of the mighty Mississippi and the city of Memphis from the glass observation deck. 3. Enjoy a farewell drink at Earnestine and Hazel’s with its legendary jukebox and reputation as the inspiration for The Rolling Stones’ Honky Tonk Women. O/N: Memphis, Tennessee Suggested Hotels: The Peabody Hotel | Hilton Garden Inn Downtown | Central Station Hotel | Hotel Indigo | ARRIVE | Hu. Hotel DAY 10 Memphis to Cleveland Follow historic Highway 61 from Memphis to the Mississippi Delta. Must-dos 1. Begin your Mississippi Delta tour at the Gateway to the Blues Museum & Visitor Center, located on Blues Highway 61 and housed in an original 1895 train depot. It is the perfect start for your journey into the unique blues music heritage of the Delta. 2. Clarksdale’s Delta Blues Museum houses exhibits that focus on the musical legacy that bluesmen have left for the entire world to enjoy. 3. The state-of-the-art GRAMMY Museum Mississippi in Cleveland covers all genres of music and tells the story of the GRAMMY and its winning artists through interactive exhibits. O/N: Cleveland, Mississippi Suggested Hotels: The Cotton Hotel | Hampton Inn & Suites DAY 11 Cleveland to Jackson Continue Highway 61 to Vicksburg and take I-80 west to Jackson. Must-dos 1. The Vicksburg National Military Park stands in commemoration of the 47-day campaign for Vicksburg and to those who served as well as the thousands who lost their lives. Step-on guides, licensed by the National Park Service, are available for tours of the park and the city. 2. The Mississippi Civil Rights Museum in Jackson promotes a greater understanding of the Mississippi Civil Rights Movement, while the next-door Museum of Mississippi History showcases 15,000 years of history in the state. 3. Explore the Historic Fondren District, Highland Village and the new development at The District at Eastover, all with a wide array of Jackson-owned eateries and boutique shops. O/N: Jackson, Mississippi Suggested Hotels: The Westin | Old Capitol Inn | Fairview Inn DAY 12 Jackson to Natchez Follow the scenic Natchez Trace Parkway from Jackson to Natchez Must-dos 1. Natchez, the jewel of the Mississippi River, is a "must" on any Southern road trip. It is the oldest permanent settlement on the Mississippi River and in the 1850s had more millionaires per capita than anywhere else in America. 2. Many of the historic homes in Natchez are open daily for tours, and additional homes and gardens are opened to visitors during the annual Spring and Autumn Pilgrimages. 3. Perched on a natural bluff above the Mississippi River with 30-mile views of the river both north and south, Natchez has some of the best sunsets on Ol' Man River, which are best enjoyed while sipping a beverage in a rocking chair on the porch of one of the bars in Natchez-Under-The-Hill. O/N: Natchez, Mississippi Suggested Hotels: Dunleith | Monmouth | The Grand Natchez DAY 13-14 Natchez to New Orleans Follow the Southern section of Highway 61 from Natchez to New Orleans and spend two nights in the Big Easy.

Itinerary Day 1 BOURBON BARONS 1 Stop     Louisville Louisville walking tour ⋅ Bourbon flight ⋅ Barbeque feast Our spirited journey begins in Louisville, the heart of Kentucky bourbon country and a cheerful riverside city with a mashup of neat neighborhoods ripe for exploration. We’ll hit the streets for a walking tour of historic Old Louisville, hearing the stories of bourbon barons, racetrack royalty, and tobacco titans. As our thirst for knowledge grows, we’ll make our way to a woman-owned watering hole for a bourbon flight and masterclass on Kentucky bourbon in warm and welcoming surroundings. This evening, we’ll roll up our sleeves to chow down at a BBQ spot that features perfectly smoked meats paired with scratch-made sides and rounded out with a classic banana pudding so delicious it could be outlawed. Later, we’ll raise a glass to new friends and a music scene on Whiskey Row that is absolutely buzzing.   Duration: 1 day  Admission Ticket Free Accommodation:   Hotels are hand-selected from a rigorously-vetted portfolio. Our team prioritizes location, comfort, and design. Meals:   Dinner   Day 2 DISTILL IT DOWN 1 Stop     Louisville NuLu food tour lunch ⋅ Rabbit Hole tasting ⋅ Axe warfare happy hour After your kind of Kentucky breakfast, we’ll come together in NuLu, Louisville’s trendiest neighborhood, for a tasting tour of Kentucky classics like bourbon balls, fried chicken, hearty burgoo, and sorghum cookies. Brains and bellies brimming, we’ll join some master distiller friends for an immersive distillery tour and extended tasting at Rabbit Hole Distillery. Here, among these architecturally significant surroundings, we’ll learn how grain transforms to whiskey and how the founder’s jump ‘down the rabbit hole’ has changed the bourbon landscape forever. Later, we’ll come together to raise a glass and an axe at an axe-throwing happy hour with a sharp learning curve. Dinner this evening will be the opportunity to choose your own adventure at one of Louisville’s delightful restaurants. Whether you want a full-blown Southern spread or the ‘hot brown’ sandwich, there is something delicious here for everyone.   Duration: 1 day  Admission Ticket Free Accommodation:   Hotels are hand-selected from a rigorously-vetted portfolio. Our team prioritizes location, comfort, and design. Meals:   Breakfast  Lunch   Day 3 HORSING AROUND 1 Stop     Louisville Museums or market ⋅ Farm-fresh lunch ⋅ Horses of course This morning we’ll have the chance to follow our own Louisville passion. Head to Logan Street Market for a look at what’s on offer, visit the derby’s Churchill Downs, or see where Cassius Clay lived before he became Muhammad Ali. Early afternoon, our destination will be historic Hermitage Farm for an exploration of the rural side of Kentucky life and the unique agricultural heritage and signature industries of the area. Our day on the farm will start with an organic farm-to-table lunch before we sample some bourbon, learn about thoroughbred culture from the horse’s mouth, and get high on the hog with a tour of the farm’s contemporary art collection. This evening after a final round of bourbon cocktails expertly blended by a mixologist friend, we’ll head to dinner at Proof on Main, a place beloved by local bourbon-makers due to a locally-sourced menu that expertly pairs with the hefty list of bourbons on offer.   Duration: 1 day  Admission Ticket Free Accommodation:   Hotels are hand-selected from a rigorously-vetted portfolio. Our team prioritizes location, comfort, and design. Meals:   Breakfast  Lunch  Dinner   Day 4 UNTIL NEXT TIME 1 Stop     Louisville This morning after a leisurely breakfast it will be time to say goodbye for now.   Duration: 12 hours  Admission Ticket Free Accommodation:    Not Included Meals:   Breakfast