The Musical Highlights Of Tennessee

 Join us on this exclusive Thompson Travel International escorted tour to the USA.  If you   have a love of country music or rock ‘n ‘roll, then this trip is for you.  It combines the local knowledge of renowned singer Colin Elliott with visits to the top hotspots of Tennessee! Colin Elliott is a singer, songwriter, and record producer from Northern Ireland. He is a regular visitor to Nashville and the State of Tennessee, playing at church venues and theatres across the South-Eastern United States.

Colin has had the opportunity to sing on the Grand Ole Opry on three separate occasions, when he was touring and producing albums for the late George Hamilton IV, known as the International Ambassador of Country Music. Colin has also hosted the Ernest Tubb Midnite Jamboree on several visits. This programme is the second longest running radio show in the world, second only to the Grand Ole Opry itself.  Colin owns his own record label and studio, Hillcrest Recordings, based in County Armagh. He has produced numerous albums and singles for local artists and through his connections in Nashville, has also recorded tracks for many luminaries in Gospel and Country music including, Charley Pride, Ricky Skaggs, Marty Stuart, Pat Boone, Joanne and Tommy Cash, Bill Anderson, George Beverly Shea, Buddy Greene, Connie Smith and many more.

Colin will be leading the visit to Tennessee and with his many years of experience, will be able to provide additional insight into the attractions we will be visiting as well as many personal stories along the way. For more information about Colin, please visit:  www.colinelliottmusic.com or www.hillcrestrecordings.com

This itinerary is provisional and is subject to change. Hotels will be confirmed when final numbers are reached as it depends on room types required.  All hotels are 3* or above. The tour leader is currently Mr Colin Elliott, but we reserve the right to have an alternative representative of Thompson Travel International should he be unable to travel.

Wednesday 9th October

Travel to Nashville from Dublin via Dallas Fort Worth at approximately 12 mid-day arriving to Nashville around 8.30pm.  We suggest you enjoy your meals today onboard your international flight or at the airport as you will arrive quite late to your hotel.  Overnight at the Country Inn & Suites by Radisson Nashville airport or similar.

Thursday 10th October

Breakfast. Depart hotel at 10am for Pigeon Forge. The journey time is around 4.5 hours but there will be some stops along the way.  A short orientation tour by coach around Pigeon Forge so you can get your bearings and then free time to pick out any attractions you want to visit during your stay.

The Mountain Mall is on the strip and within about 15 minutes’ walk from the hotel.  You have many other attractions in the area including the Comedy Barn that starts at 7pm.  Overnight at Black Fox Lodge or similar.

Friday 11th October

Enjoy a full day’s entry to Dollywood.  The park is open from 11am – 9pm.  Pick up from the hotel after breakfast for the 15-minute coach ride to the island. The Great Smoky Mountains can make you feel right at home—just ask Dolly! With so much to do and see from rides, dining, shows and even the church!

The church at Dollywood is named after Robert F. Thomas — a traveling doctor/preacher who was a soul-winner in Sevier County and other parts of Tennessee. Coincidentally, he was the doctor who delivered Dolly Parton. (The chapel was named in his honour nearly 20 years before Parton became part owner of the park). — The chapel was built to provide a place of worship for employees and guests who are at the park on Sundays. Having the park open on Sundays was a controversial move in the 1970s, but the chapel provided an option for families to come to the park without missing Sunday worship.

Dollywood features traditional crafts, food, and music of the Smoky Mountain area. The park hosts several concerts and musical events each year, including appearances by Dolly Parton and her family, as well as other national and local musical acts….And no trip is complete without a stop at Aunt Granny’s or the Chasing Rainbows Museum!  Overnight at hotel.

Saturday 12th October         

Depart Pigeon Forge for Nashville at 10am, arriving in Nashville around 3.30pm. Stop for lunch at one of the famous Cracker Barrel restaurants on route. 

Tonight is Grand Ole Opry night and one of the highlights of our tour.  We don’t know yet who will feature but you can be sure it will be an experience you will always remember.  For those who want to sample more music in the Opryland area of Nashville, you can pop down the road for the Midnight Jamboree starting at 10pm in the Troubadour Theatre.  This is within walking distance of your hotel. Overnight at the Holiday Inn & Suites Nashville or similar.

Sunday 13th October

Breakfast. You're invited to join us on Sunday morning for a live broadcast service featuring some of your favourite country music artists performing their favourite gospel songs. Come as you are and step back in time to worship in a beautiful saloon setting, just the way they did more than a 100 years ago.  The Music Valley Cowboy Church in the Troubadour Theatre in Music Valley Drive is a short walk from your hotel.  Colin will most likely have the opportunity to sing there too. Start time 10am and it lasts for around 1 hour.

Remainder of day free to explore Nashville.  In the music valley area, you have the Willie Nelson Museum, Cooter’s Dukes of Hazard Museum or the Opry Mills Mall. Overnight at hotel.

Monday 14 October 2024

Breakfast. This morning around 10.30am visit the Country Music Hall of Fame & the famous RCA Studio B. See the actual piano that was used on many of Elvis’ hits during the 1960s.

Free time for lunch and then the visit the iconic Ryman auditorium.  This is where the Grand Ole Opry was held until 1974 and is still used for the show during the winter months. Remainder of afternoon is free.

The coach will pick you up this evening around 7pm to visit the 3rd & Lindsley venue to hear the famous Time Jumpers. Great Texas Swing music which often includes Vince Gill and other special guests. Overnight at hotel.

Tuesday 15th October          

Breakfast and then you are off to Memphis at 10.00am with a break on route.  Our first stop on arrival is the famous Sun Studio for a tour. This is where Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and many more started their recording careers. Check into hotel and evening is free. If you fancy a bit of Blues music, you will find that on nearby Beale Street.

Wednesday 16th October        

Breakfast and depart for Graceland House, included in your ticket is: Mansion tour, plus explore exhibits showcasing Elvis' career, his automobiles, his wardrobe, his gold records, his custom jets, and much more from the Graceland Archives.  Graceland Mansion Audio-Guided Tour 
Self-guided tour of Elvis' Custom Jets. Full Access to all-new Elvis Presley’s Memphis Entertainment Complex, which includes self-guided tours of:

Presley Motors Automobile Museum
Elvis: The Entertainer Career Museum
Making of ELVIS Movie Exhibit
Elvis Discovery Exhibits

Free time for lunch in one of the onsite eateries.

After lunch return to Memphis for a stop off at the National Civil Rights Museum. This is located on the site of the infamous Lorraine Motel where Dr Martin Luther King was assassinated in 1968. The museum shares the culture and lessons from the American Civil Rights Movement and explores how this significant era continues to shape equality and freedom globally.

Evening is free to enjoy the sights and sounds of Beale Street in downtown Memphis.  Overnight at hotel.

Thursday 17th October

Breakfast. Depart Memphis at 10.00am. This is your last day to enjoy Nashville, so we will be staying at the Holiday Inn & Suites on Broadway. This will give you direct access to the centre of the Nashville music scene.  There are numerous places to the visit for entertainment or some last-minute souvenir shopping.

Friday 18th October

Free time until departure for airport for homeward flight to Dublin.

Saturday 19th October

Arrive Dublin mid-morning.

Price per person 2024: -

£3495pp sharing                     Single £4495                            Triple £3295pp

Price per person 2025: -

£3595pp sharing                     Single £4595                            Triple: £3395

EARLY BOOKING DISCOUNT FOR 2025 is £100pp if booked by 31 March 2024.

Payment plan 2024/2025:       Deposit on booking                   £500pp

2nd payment 2024                     by 30 April 2024                        £500pp

3rd payment 2024                      by 31 July 2024                        Final balance + tips

A payment plan for 2025 will be sent on confirmation of booking with a completed booking form.

Price includes:

Return flights from Dublin & Flight taxes.
23kgs hold luggage plus one piece of hand luggage.
Services of a Thompson Travel Representative throughout.
Breakfast each morning.
Air-conditioned coach on touring days with licensed driver.
Entrance fees to all attractions mentioned on the itinerary including the Dollywood Theme Park, The Grand Ole Opry show, the Countrry Music Hall of Fame, RCA Studio B, The Ryman Auditorium, The Time Jumpers’ show at 3rd & Lindsley, Sun Studio, the Graceland Mansion and museums, including Elvis’ private jets, the National Civil Rights Museum and Lorraine Motel exhibition.
Free attractions include: The Midnite Jamboree, Music Valley Cowboy Church and Cooter’s Dukes of Hazzard Museum.
Most music venues on Broadway are free to enter, however, be prepared for a tip-jar to be passed around so it is useful to have a few dollars set aside for this.  

Not included:

Items of a personal nature.
Personal insurance.
Lunch and evening meals.
Optional extras or other attractions you may wish to visit.
Tips - £75pp will be collected with final balance for tipping for hotels, restaurants, and coach driver.

This tour is offered on a first come first served basis. 

Our tours offer exclusive experiences, and we endeavour to include everything offered in the itinerary.  We have no control over events being cancelled or closures and will do our best to offer a suitable alternative should the situation arise.  Please ensure you have adequate insurance for your trip. Cancellation charges apply.

The tour is limited to 32 places. Bookings are only accepted with a completed booking form and relevant payment.  Tour Ref: USAOct24 or USAOct25 followed by your surname.

Flights are currently with American Airlines and will be subject to their timings. Schedules and airlines can change.