Day 1 Peru, IL

We board our coach this morning for a charming adventure south. Spending the day getting acquainted with our fellow travelers as we make our way to Peru, Illinois for our first overnight stay.

Hotel: Fairfield Inn & Suites

Day 2 Nashville, TN

You will notice the changing terrain as we pass through Illinois to Kentucky and finally Tennessee, to Nashville, “Music City USA” and check-in to our accommodations for the evening. (B)

Hotel: Drury Inn & Suites

Day 3 Marietta, GA

This morning we visit the Lynchburg, Tennessee and tour the Jack Daniel’s Distillery, the oldest registered distillery in the US. We’ll learn the story of Jack Daniel’s Whiskey and probably an interesting story or two about Mr. Jack as well. Lunch is included at Miss Mary Bobo’s Boarding House Restaurant. With over 100 years of operation, you’ll enjoy the down-home cooking just like Mr. Jack did a century ago. We’ll continue south to Marietta, Georgia for our overnight. (B, L)

Hotel: Drury Inn & Suites

Day 4 Savannah, GA

Trekking farther south, we’ll arrive in Savannah, “the Belle of Georgia.” Upon arrival, we will board the Georgia Queen for a Cruise along the Savannah River front. Enjoy a traditional southern lunch while listening to informational and entertaining tales and facts from the Captain as we tour a river once traveled by the founders of the city. We will learn the history of the city, as well as facts about the port, past, and modern day. Take in panoramic views of the river and nearby landmarks including the Port and historic Fort Jackson. You’ll have some free time on River Street before we head to our hotel which is located right in the historic district near the city market along with many other shops and restaurants. (B, L)

Hotel: Doubletree by Hilton Historic District

Day 5 Savannah, GA

Today we will travel south out of Savannah to Jekyll Island, the southernmost island of the Golden Isles. We’ll board a tram for a tour to experience of the rich culture and history of the Island. Next, we’ll head out on a Shrimping Excursion in the calm waters of Georgia’s coast. Learn all about shrimp, crabs and other creatures that call these waters their home. Tonight, dinner is included at the Pirate’s House. (B, D)

Day 6 Charleston, SC

Our morning begins with a scenic Trolley Tour through Savannah. This tour gives us a chance to drive down streets our motorcoach cannot. Our friendly conductor will entertain us with historic anecdotes and southern hospitality. Discover the cobblestone streets, magnolia trees draped in Spanish moss, more exquisite antebellum homes and churches, historic sites and Savannah’s southern charm. Afterwards, enjoy a delicious southern included lunch at Lady & Sons. Then we’ll head out of town and make our way to Beaufort, South Carolina on Port Royal Island, one of South Carolina’s coastal Sea Islands. Here we will board a horse drawn carriage. We’ll slip back into Beaufort’s elegant past as your carriage meanders under the moss covered Live Oaks, past breathtaking Antebellum homes, historic churches, movie sites and more. Our home for the next two nights is in Charleston. (B, L)

Hotel: Hampton Inn & Suites Historic District

Day 7 Charleston, SC

Our day starts at the Charleston Tea Gardens on Wadmalaw Island in the Lowcountry, featuring a factory tour and a trolley ride through the tea fields. We’ll conclude with a tea tasting at the “Tea Bar.” Next, enjoy a Harbor Cruise, passing landmarks like Fort Sumter, the USS Yorktown, Charleston Battery, the Ravenel Bridge, and Castle Pinckney. A local step-on guide will then lead us on a city tour, revealing why Charleston is called “The Holy City.” Dinner is at your leisure at the historic City Market, a cultural hub and one of the nation’s oldest public markets. (B, L)

Day 8 Myrtle Beach, SC

Our day begins at Boone Hall Plantation, a Georgian-style home constructed in 1936. This residence skillfully integrates reclaimed materials and antique furnishings, recreating the ambiance that would have surrounded a Coastal Carolina planter’s family. We will embark on a tour of the mansion, its grounds along with nine slave cabins. Before we depart, experience the rich Gullah culture through storytelling, song, and dance while enjoying a delightful farm-to-table lunch. Following our time at the plantation, we will head toward Myrtle Beach, pausing to explore the stunning Brookgreen Gardens. Our accommodations feature oceanfront rooms, providing a beautiful view of the sea during our stay for the next three nights. (B, L)

Hotel: SpringHill Suites Oceanfront

Day 9 Myrtle Beach, SC

Today is on your own to savor the sun-kissed shores of the ocean or wander through the city’s vibrant streets!

Day 10 Myrtle Beach, SC

This morning, we will embark on the Barefoot Queen, a 70-foot authentic wooden riverboat, for a scenic cruise along the Intracoastal Waterway. A boxed lunch will be provided. Following the cruise, we will return to our hotel, allowing time for relaxation by the pool or on the beach before an enjoyable evening at the Carolina Opry. Dinner is included prior to the show at Original Benjamin’s Seafood Calabash. (B, L, D)

Day 11 Asheville, NC

Our travels will take us into North Carolina today to Charlotte where we will visit The Billy Graham Library. Explore the life of Billy Graham and experience the Gospel he has preached for decades. Lunch is included while here. We end our day in Asheville for where we will stay for the night. (B, L)

Accommodations: DoubleTree BiltmoreVillage

Day 12 Richmond, KY

This morning we will visit the Biltmore Estate. Overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains, this Chateauesque-style mansion was created by George Vanderbilt in 1895. You will see magnificent 16th century tapestries, a library with 10,000 volumes, a banquet hall with a 70-foot ceiling, 65 fireplaces, and indoor pool and a bowling alley. Afterwards, we begin our trek north, towards home. We travel as far as Richmond, Kentucky. (B)

Day 13 Janesville, WI

Our tour is soon coming to an end as we drive to through Indiana and into Illinois and finally Wisconsin to our overnight destination in Janesville. We gather one last evening for an included Pizza Party at our hotel. (B, D)

Hotel: Tru by Hilton

Day 14 Home

With new friendships formed and a suitcase full of memories, we will arrive back home today.