Day 1: We are on our way to experience the Great Smoky and Cumberland Mountains in their fall grandeur. After an enjoyable drive, we overnight in St. Peters, MO.

2: We travel through southern Illinois and eastern Kentucky before entering the Volun­teer State of Tennessee. Night in Lebanon.

3: As we travel east we stop to tour in Oak Ridge. Oak Ridge became known as the “Secret City” during World War II because of the work done there on the Manhattan Project. Later we continue on to Pigeon Forge at the edge of the Smoky Mountains. Next two nights in Pigeon Forge.

4: This is our day to enjoy Smoky Mountain National Park and the East Tennessee backroads. Our day begins with a visit to Sugarland Visitor Center at the entrance to the Park. A local guide will join us for a tour into the Park. Stops will be made along the way including Newfound Gap and the Rockefeller Memorial where the Park was formally dedicated in 1940. Following an included lunch we visit the Bush's Beans Visitor Center in Chestnut Hill and the Dolly Parton Statue in Sevierville as our guide helps us experience the small, quaint towns of East Tennessee. Dinner this evening is included at a local restaurant. After dinner we attend the Country Tonite Show.

5: An inspirational ride through Smoky Mountain National Park brings us to Asheville, NC. In the afternoon we visit the magnificent Biltmore House and Gardens. Night in Asheville.

6: Our drive this morning takes us just North of Knoxville to the Museum of Appalachia near Clinton, TN. The village-farm complex of the museum includes structures from the Civil War and Native American artifacts. The Appalachian Hall of Fame on the grounds pays tribute to the people of Appalachia and includes artifacts and examples of early folk art. Lunch is included at the museum. This afternoon we travel north into Kentucky to take in the natural beauty of Cumberland Falls State Park before continuing to Bowling Green for the night.

7: This morning we visit the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, home to the Chevrolet Corvette assembly plant. Lunch today is at the famous Moonlight Bar-B-Q in Owensboro. This afternoon we’ll drive through southern Indiana and across Illinois for night in Fairview Heights.

8: Nine states in fall color in eight days is a delight you will not soon forget. A pleasant ride brings us to central Kansas.