SMOKY MOUNTAIN CHRISTMAS #1

Smoky Mountain Knife Works Tour * Dolly Parton’s Stamped Dinner Show * Patty Waszak Morning Variety Show * Dollywood & the Smoky Moutain Christmas Festival * Reserved Seating @ the Country Tonite Theater Christmas Show * Bush’s Beans Visitor Center & Factory Tour * Candlelight Christmas Evening @ the Biltmore Estate * Antler Hill Village * Stable Cafe * The Bilmore House * Reserved Seating @ The Grand Ole Opry * Backstage Tour of the Opry House * Backbeat Memphis City Tour * Sun Studio

Day 1 :  Comfort Suites, Jackson (TN)
Days 2 – 4 :  Fairfield Inn & Suites, Pigeon Forge (TN)
Days 5 :  Hampton Inn & Suites, Asheville (NC)
Day 6 : Drury Inn & Suites, Nashville (TN)
Day 7 : Drury Inn & Suites, Memphis (TN)
(On some dates, alternate hotels may be used.)

SINGLE OCCUPANCY:  $2,900 Per Person     DOUBLE OCCUPANCY:  $2,400 Per Person

TRIPLE OCCUPANCY:$2,200 Per Person     QUAD OCCUPANCY:$2,000 Per Person

DEPOSIT REQUIRED:  $250 Per Person    REMAINING BALANCE DUE:  October 2, 2024

PRICING INCLUDES
7 Nights Hotel Accommodations * 19 Meals (7 Breakfast, 5 Lunches, & 7 Dinners) * Sightseeing Per Itinerary * Admissions for Group Activities Per Itinerary * Baggage Handling @ Hotels (One Suitcase Per Person) * Luxurious Motor-Coach Transportation * Professional “American Tours” Tour Guide * Complimentary Secured Parking @ American Tours

Day 1 – November 2, 2024: Tyler to Jackson (TN)
Our journey today will take us across the great State of Arkansas, up into Tennessee, ending our day in JACKSON!  Along with our leg stretches and lunch in Benton, AR., we will arrive at our hotel in Jackson in time for you to freshen up before we enjoy a nice dinner at one of Jackson, TN finest.  (L & D)

Day 2 – November 3, 2024: Jackson to Pigeon Forge (TN)
Today, we continue our journey into TENNESSEE passing through MEMPHIS, NASHVILLE, and KNOXVILLE.  As we arrive in PIGEON FORGE, we will enjoy a visit to SMOKY MOUNTIN KNIFE WORKS.  This is our “token stop” for the men on the tour.  Located at the gateway of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Smoky Mountain Knife Works is the “World’s largest knife showplace.”  More than 1.5 million guests visit this 108,000 square-foot knife showroom in Sevierville, TN.  It houses a massive collection of museum-quality cutlery memorabilia, artifacts, and mounts – as well as just about every kind of knife and outdoor equipment you can imagine.  After checking into our hotel and freshening up, we set out for a dinner and show at DOLLY PARTON’s STAMPEDE DINNER SHOW.  This experience features friendly competition, thrilling horse-riding stunts, spectacular special effects, phenomenal music productions, plus a mouthwatering four-course feast that ends with a delicious dessert.  (B & D)

Day 3 – November 4, 2024:  Pigeon Forge Area
Today begins with admission to the PATTY WASZAK MORNING VARIETY SHOW. Patty Waszak is a high energy, heart-warming variety show featuring a wide variety of music including big band favorites, polkas, 50s and 60s rock ‘n’ roll, country music, 70s disco, show tunes, patriotic, hits of the 80s, 90s, current hits ethnic melodies, audience participation, sing-along, and music trivia.  Midday, we visit THE ISLAND IN PIGEON FORGE for lunch on your own while exploring the many shops and attractions it has to offer.  The Island is consistently featured in national news as a top destination and it’s easy to see why. With over 70 shops, restaurants, rides, and experiences, the Island is a must-stop destination for any group visiting the Pigeon Forge area.  Tonight includes admission to DOLLYWOOD for the SMOKY MOUNTAIN CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL, where we will explore a winter wonderland adorned with more than 6 million twinkling lights and dozens of towering Christmas trees that add a cheerful shimmer to our award-winning rides and attractions like Big Bear Mountain. Embrace this special time of year with all your senses as you discover festive flavors, heartwarming holiday shows, and seasonal shopping tucked into the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains.  Experience why there’s no place like Dollywood at Christmas time.  (B & D)

Day 4 – November 5, 2024: Pigeon Forge, Great Smoky Mountain (w/ Step-on Guide), & Gatlinburg Area
Today, we enjoy a SCENIC TOUR (w/ a local Step-on Guide) of the GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS.  Along the way, we will stop in GATLINBURG for lunch with ample time for shopping at near by stores.  Tonight, enjoy RESERVED SEATING at the COUNTRY TONITE THEATER CHRISTMAS SHOW.  The magic of Christmas abounds as the talented renditions of Christmas favorites combined with beautiful choreography, brightly decorated holiday sets and colorful costumes bring the enchantment of Christmas to the Country Tonite Theater Stage.  The popular cast covers several holiday classics for a nostalgic, spirited holiday celebration that will be enjoyed by our entire group.  You will also find a few special guest performers during Christmas productions that you certainly will not see any other time of the year, Frosty the Snowman, Santa Claus, and everyone’s favorite ballerina in the dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy. Toys will also come alive in the magical story “Where are you Christmas.” Afterwords, we will enjoy dinner at one of Pigeon Forge’s finest – BULLFISH GRILL!  No bull, simply great food. Voted Pigeon Forge’s Best Restaurant!  (B & D)

Day 5 – November 6, 2024: Pigeon Forge to Asheville (NC)
This morning, we head up into the foothills of the GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS to visit the BUSH’s BEANS VISITOR CENTER, housed in the family’s original General Store which dates to 1897.  There is so much to see and do at Bush’s Visitor Center!  See the Bush’s Theater, featuring Jay Bush and his dog Duke.  Take a walk through a giant can of Bush’s Baked Beans, showing the bean’s journey from beginning to end.  Have your picture made with Duke.  Learn about the original canning process in 1908.  View how Bush Brothers & Co have changed with the times for their customers and their community.  We will enjoy a delicious lunch at the BUSH FAMILY CAFÉ.  Sit down and relax and enjoy a variety of homemade dishes.  Southern specialties and even bean desserts!  In our Old-Fashioned General Store, you can buy goodies, gifts, souvenirs and Bush’s products.  This afternoon, we will make our way to ASHEVILLE (NC) in time to check into our hotel and freshen up before setting out for tonight’s excitement, CHRISTMAS at the BILTMORE ESTATE, where American’s Largest Home, Antler Hill Village, and the entire estate are at their most enchanting.  Flickering candlelight, glowing fireplaces, and live music invite you to imagine yourself a guest at the first Vanderbilt family Christmas in 1895.  A majestic Norway spruce and pathway luminaries welcome you.  Inside, thousands of ornaments reflect the soft glow of candles, fireplaces, and twinkle lights.  The magic continues in ANTLER HILL VILLAGE, which is festooned with glittering lights, ornaments, and displays.  Dinner tonight will be in the STABLE CAFÉ on the grounds of the Biltmore Estate.  After dinner, we will enjoy a CANDLELIGHT TOUR (audio Guided) of the BILTMORE HOUSE, decorated for the CHRISTMAS SEASON.  (B, L, & D)

Day 6 – November 7, 2024: Asheville to Nashville (TN)
What an exciting time we have had in Pigeon Forge and Asheville.  Today, we begin our journey home.  But wait, we still have more fun planned. Today, we make our way to NASHVILLE, known as the home of country music. We will arrive at our Nashville hotel in time for a short nap.  Take the time to get re-energized because tonight, we have RESERVED SEATING at the world-famous GRAND OLE OPRY.  (B, L, & D)

Day 7 – November 8, 2024: Nashville to Memphis (TN)
We begin our day with a BACKSTAGE TOUR of the OPRY HOUSE, the place where artists and performers gather, and a place many call home.  We will get an intimate look at the people, places, and stories behind the show that made country music famous.  Departing Nashville, we make our way to MEMPHIS, TN; known for its’ influential strains of blues, soul and rock ‘n’ roll.  We will arrive in time for a BACKBEAT MEMPHIS CITY TOUR along with a local Step-on Guide.  This is a city tour like no other!!  This evening, we will walk in the shoes of Elvis Presley, B.B. King, and Johnny Cash as we tour the legendary Memphis Studio … SUN STUDIO.  Man, the musical history we have experienced today!  (B, L, & D)

Day 8 – November 9, 2024: Memphis to Tyler (TX)
Well, we are full of Christmas Spirit to take home with us, so we’ll head back to Texas, but WOW, we’ve had a great time in PIGEON FORGE, GATLINBURG, ASHEVILLE, NASHVILLE and MEMPHIS!  Today, is an excellent time to share addresses and phone numbers with newly made friends and plan your next adventure with AMERICAN TOURS!  With lunch and stretch breaks, we should arrive in Tyler around 5:00 PM, give or take a bit!  (B & L)

OPTIONAL “PRE-TRIP CANCELATION INSURANCE” OFFERED BY AMERICAN TOOURS
This optional Pre-Trip Travel Protection Plan is $240 per person and is not included in Tour Pricing.

What is the CANCELATION POLICY on “Motor-Coach Tours” offered by American Tours?

• Travel Insurance:  American Tours STRONGLY RECOMMENDS the purchase of Travel Insurance.  You may purchase Travel Insurance through another agency or purchase the Travel Insurance offered by American Tours.
• Pre-Trip Cancelation Insurance (PTCI) offered by American Tours:  Pre-Trip Cancelation Insurance (PTCI) offered by American Tours provides peace of mind.  We make it easy for you to book now and know you are covered – just in case.  Despite your best laid plans, life sometimes gets in the way.  Trips (planned and paid for weeks or even months in advance) are sometimes impacted by unforeseen and sometimes unavoidable obstacles such as illnesses, vehicle accidents, injuries, family situations … the list is endless.  With our “PTCI” in place, all that is needed is a phone call or email to our office prior to the day of your tour’s departure making us aware of your need to cancel.  THAT IS IT!!  No paperwork.  No doctor’s note.  No police report. No explanation.  All that is required is a simple phone call or email.  You are then able to give your full attention to whatever set of circumstances caused the cancellation.  At the conclusion of the tour, a full refund check is mailed to your home address.  For “PTCI” to be in place, it must be purchased at time of registration.  “PTCI” covers you if you have the need to cancel between the FINAL PAYMENT DUE DATE and the DEPARTURE DATE of the trip.  These dates are different for each respective tour but can be found on each tour’s REGISTRATION FORM.
• Customer cancels PRIOR to “Final Payment Due Date”:  In this case, the purchase of “PTCI” does not come into the equation.  The same policy will apply in this case whether the customer purchased PTCI or not.  The customer gets a FULL REFUND of all funds paid (including any funds paid for “PTCI”.
• Customer cancels AFTER the “Final Payment Due Date”:  In this case, the purchase of “PTCI” IS IMPORTANT in this equation.  On the FINAL PAYMENT DUE DATE of the tour in question, the passenger’s funds are COMMITTED to the tour.  If the passenger HAS PURCHASED our “PTCI”, no matter the reason for the cancelation, the passenger receives a FULL REFUND of all funds paid mines to price of the purchased “PTCI”.  If the passenger has not purchased to offered “PTCI”, no matter the reason for the cancellation, there are NO REFUNDS of any funds paid.

*** PASSPORT NOT REQUIRED *** 

*** Trip status converts from “PENDING” to “MADE” after the 20th Registration. ***

ACTIVITY LEVEL:

Level 1: The tour operates at a very leisurely pace and involves some minimal physical activity such as climbing stairs, boarding a motorcoach, walking into a museum or other venue, and walking from the hotel reception area to hotel rooms and dining areas.

Level 2: This tour requires average physical activity. You should be in good health, able to walk some stairs and walk reasonable distances, possibly over uneven ground, and cobblestoned streets.

LEVEL 3: This tour includes moderate physical activity. The itinerary blends some longer days with shorter days. You should be in good health, able to walk a flight of stairs or more and participate in walking tours or nature walks possibly over uneven ground and cobblestoned streets with periods of standing.  There could be some early and late activities, and temperature and altitude changes.

Level 4: This tour is active, requiring participants to be good physical shape to fully enjoy the experiences. This itinerary has more activities which may include such things as longer walking tours over uneven ground, transfers over uneven and dusty terrain, high altitudes, or early morning departures. All conditions do not apply to all days, so please read the itinerary carefully and speak to one of our Reservations Coordinators to determine if this tour is right for you. Unfortunately, this tour is not appropriate for individuals who use wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, or similar equipment.