From Shenandoah National Park to the Great Smoky Mountains and Jefferson’s Monticello to Vanderbilt’s Biltmore Estate, this Appalachian adventure will introduce you to the natural wonders of this lush mountain region at the height of fall foliage.
- Experience Great Smoky Mountains and Shenandoah National Parks during fall foliage
- See the Biltmore Estate
- Ride the rails along the beautiful Nantahala River
- Tour Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello
- Walk through Luray Caverns, a U.S. National Landmark
- Visit Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum
DAY 1: WELCOME TO KNOXVILLE!
Begin this Blue Ridge Country adventure with a trip to Knoxville, TN, for dinner and an overnight stay. D
DAY 2: BUC-EE’S/BIRTHPLACE OF COUNTRY MUSIC
This morning, stop at the iconic Buc-ee’s convenience store and see how co-owners Arch (“Beaver”) Aplin and Don Wasek set out to make their travel stops the best in the world. See their largest store to date! Continue across the border into Virginia for the Birthplace of Country Music Museum and explore the history of recordings at this Smithsonian affiliate. We then travel to Damascus, a popular stop on the Appalachian Trail for thru-hikers. See the Trail Center and have a delicious lunch at the Old Mill Inn as you hear adventures from hikers who’ve done the trail. B, L, D
DAY 3: NATURAL BRIDGE/TIFFANY GLASS/WOODROW WILSON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY
Today experience Natural Bridge State Park, where a short stroll brings you to a 215-foot-high natural arch with a span of 90 feet. Then we’re off to Staunton, named one of the top 10 mountain towns by Southern Living. We’ll tour the sanctuary of Trinity Episcopal Church, featuring more than a dozen Tiffany stained-glass windows. Then visit the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum to experience the history of the 28th President’s tumultuous term that included the Spanish Flu pandemic and the first World War. B, L
DAY 4: VIRGINIA QUILT MUSEUM/LURAY CAVERNS/SKYLAND RESORT
Spend this morning at the Virginia Quilt Museum to learn the painstaking process for preservation of historical quilts. Then it’s off to Luray Caverns, the largest cavern in the eastern U.S.! We’ll explore this magnificent wonder and hear the Great Stalacpipe Organ, which is the world’s largest musical instrument. Afterwards, ride “up” mountain for beautiful views as we continue to Skyland Resort in Shenandoah National Park. B, L, D
DAY 5: SKYLINE DRIVE/JEFFERSON’S MONTICELLO/APPOMATTOX COURT HOUSE
This morning, drive portions of one of America’s most scenic routes, Skyline Drive, on our way to Big Meadows Visitors Center. Then it’s off to Monticello, home of Thomas Jefferson—author of the Declaration of Independence. Monticello was a working plantation and we’ll learn about the people, enslaved and free, who lived and worked on the mountaintop. This afternoon, enjoy a true southern lunch at Michie Tavern. Then we’ll visit Appomattox Court House to learn more about Robert E. Lee’s surrender to Ulysses S. Grant in 1865. B, L
DAY 6: BILTMORE ESTATE
Today we travel to North Carolina and spend the afternoon at George and Edith Vanderbilt’s extraordinary Biltmore Estate. Take a self-guided visit inside the luxurious family home and stroll their famous gardens designed by America’s foremost landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmsted. Afterwards, have a tasty lunch at the Stable Café located on the grounds of the estate. B, L
DAY 7: GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK
We continue our tour to Bryson City, where it’s “all aboard” our thrilling rail excursion along the beautiful Nantahala River. Then, relish a breathtaking ride through Great Smoky Mountain National Park, named for the bluish mist that clings to the mountainsides. This evening, relive the great memories of the “Golden Age of Television” at the Red Skelton Tribute Show. B, L
DAY 8: RED SKELTON SHOW/FAREWELL
This morning we head home, filled with appreciation of Blue Ridge Country. B
ACCOMMODATIONS:
Night 1: Hilton, Knoxville Airport, TN
Night 2: Natural Bridge Hotel, Natural Bridge, VA
Night 3: Best Western Plus Waynesboro Inn & Suites Conference Center, Waynesboro, VA
Night 4: Skyland Resort, Shenandoah National Park, VA
Night 5: Comfort Inn Danville (or similar), Danville, VA
Night 6: Best Western Plus River Escape Inn & Suites (or similar), Dillsboro, NC
Night 7: Inn on the River, Pigeon Forge, TN
Dates:
- Departure Date: October 15, 2024 sold out
- Return Date: October 22, 2024 sold out
Pricing:
- Double: $2599
- Single: $3299
*Per person rates
Walking Distance
Moderate walking is required to fully enjoy this tour. Some walking will also be on uneven paths. While walking canes are allowed, we are unable to accommodate travelers using other mobility devices, including walkers and wheelchairs.
Average Temps
May – high of 77°, low of 56°
October – high of 70°, low of 49°
Time Zone
Eastern
Other General Information
We will send 3 key communications for your tour; “Get Ready” is your email confirmation and initial tour information sent upon registration, “Get Set” email will be sent about two months before departure, “Go” trip documentation mailing is sent via USPS 3-4 weeks before departure and will include your daily itinerary, luggage tags and final departure information.
Travel Protection is optional and highly recommended and can be purchased until the day before departure. We offer Travel Guard from AIG, which costs 8.5% of your tour, information about which will be sent with your Get Ready email.
Unless otherwise noted, your Sunrise Tour includes: Professional Sunrise Tour Director, meals as indicated, local step on guides including gratuity (international tour guide gratuity inclusion vary by tour), deluxe motorcoach transportation w/rest room, admission to activities and events as indicated, airfare from designated airports, transportation to/from designated airports from our convenient local pickup points*, luggage handling at hotels when available
We believe tipping is a personal and discretionary interaction between our guests and our staff. A typical gratuity for your Sunrise Tour Director and motorcoach driver may be $5-$7per person, per day on tour. Sunrise Shuttle drivers appreciate gratuities (suggest $5 per person) for excellent service as well. Our staff will not solicit gratuities or pass out envelopes.
We are happy to offer refreshments on most motorcoach travel days on tour. We recommend you bring a refillable water bottle to maintain healthy hydration.
If less than 4 people request a pickup point, we may ask that you choose another pickup point from which to join your Sunrise Tour.
If you would like to join a tour from a city not listed as a departure point, we would love to have you along! Please discuss arrangements with our friendly reservation team. From a departure city not listed, typical airfare will be +$100 higher than our published fare for domestic tours, and +$200 for international tours.
If you have a TSA precheck or Airline Rewards numbers, you MUST give those numbers to our reservations team at least 60 days before departure, otherwise they may not be applied.
Preferred seating may not be available on group air. In some cases, seats are not assigned until the airport. Your tour fare includes an economy seat on the flight; it does not include seat selection. Seat upgrades may be available at an additional cost.
To help make our tours the most comfortable in the business, we limit Sunrise Tours motorcoaches to 80% capacity, or 44 passengers on a coach built for 55. We reserve the right to amend this practice.
Your Tour Director will rotate seats on the motorcoach each day of your tour. A single fare does not guarantee two seats on coach; you may be seated next to another friendly Sunrise Tours guest.
Terms and Conditions
Please refer to our policies HERE for more information on our terms and conditions.
