Smoky Mountain Christmas

Day 1 : Fly to Charlotte

We fly to Charlotte, North Carolina today and check-in to our comfortable accommodations.

Day 2 : Great Smoky Mountains National Park

We drive into the most visited national park in the U.S., Great Smoky Mountains National Park. While enjoying breathtaking views, we learn the history, geography, and wildlife of the park from an expert guide. The Smokies are the highest mountains east of the Rockies, rising to more than 5,000 feet. This evening we attend a Christmas production of the Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Show, serving up a Southern homestyle feast and side-splitting comedy. We check-in to our accommodations in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee for a restful two-night stay.

Day 3 : Pigeon Forge & Dollywood

Pay a visit to The Christmas Place after breakfast. Possibly the largest store of its kind in The South, we may browse their rooms packed with Christmas ornaments, toys, decorations, collectibles, jewelry, and more. Today’s included lunch is at Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant. After savoring the local flavors there is time to visit the onsite creamery, wine shop, and much more. We spend the afternoon enjoying Christmas shows at Dollywood, Dolly Parton's fascinating amusement park known for impressive live performances. We feel the season with actors, dancers, singers, and musicians performing Christmas classics and historic retellings. This evening we depart for a performance at the Smoky Mountain Opry, one of the most well-known venues in the region and famous for thrilling, multi-million-dollar stage productions.

Day 4 : The Biltmore at Christmastime

After an included breakfast, we depart for Asheville, NC, and the Biltmore Estate. Upon arrival in Antler Hill Village we have free time for lunch and exploring the many attractions including the Vanderbilt wedding exhibition at the Biltmore Legacy, the complementary wine tasting at the Biltmore Estate Winery, or shopping at the many boutiques or craft stores. For a limited time, Biltmore will be featuring Downton Abbey: The Exhibition, showcasing sets and costumes from the popular PBS television series. Later, we tour the vast Biltmore mansion. Enjoy an included dinner at the Stable Restaurant before joining a festive candlelight tour. Reminiscent of the first Vanderbilt Christmas in 1895, the ambiance is set by live choirs and lit fireplaces. Our accommodations this evening are near the estate.

Day 5 : A Charlotte Christmas

After a leisurely morning we return to Charlotte and enjoy lunch on our own at the Charlotte EpiCenter, a wonderful dining and shopping complex in the heart of the city. Next a local guide joins us for a guided tour of the city to reveal Charlotte’s fascinating history, architecture, and popular destinations. We have the afternoon to explore Charlotte as we please – options include a visit to the NASCAR Hall of Fame, The Billy Graham Library, and more. We join our traveling companions for a joyful Farewell Dinner at Dressler’s Restaurant, an upscale steakhouse in Charlotte. Tonight we visit the Speedway Christmas at Charlotte Motor Speedway where more than three million lights transform the famous racetrack into a breathtaking winter wonderland light show.

Day 6 : Fly Home

We fly home with great memories of our Smoky Mountains Christmas getaway.