Bayous, Blues & Bluegrass

Disembark your ship and drive through Kentucky’s hills and pastoral countryside to Nashville. Continue your drive through ”Music City” to see its landmarks. Discover Music Row, where Johnny Cash and Dolly Parton recorded their greatest hits. View Centennial Park and visit the Parthenon, a full-scale replica of the ancient Greek temple in Athens. Then, check into your hotel. Your Viking Tour Director is available to help you plan your time in Nashville so you can make the most of your visit.

After a hearty breakfast, visit the Country Music Hall of Fame. Here, you will explore its three floors of artifacts, listening stations, video theaters and touchscreen exhibits that showcase the genre’s storied history. After lunch on your own, visit the Ryman Auditorium, home of the Grand Ole Opry show from 1943 to 1974. This evening, have dinner at your leisure. (B)

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your return flight home. (B)

Disembark your ship to visit two distilleries on Kentucky’s Bourbon Trail. Learn about the different production methods used to craft this American spirit before sampling the bourbon yourself. Head to a local restaurant to try a Hot Brown Sandwich, a Kentucky classic with origins dating back to the 1920s, when it first satisfied patrons looking for a filling meal after an evening of dancing. This afternoon, check into your hotel and spend the remainder of the day at your leisure. (L)

After breakfast, visit Churchill Downs, Kentucky’s renowned racetrack. Explore with your guide and learn more about  the daily life of trainers, jockeys and thoroughbreds as they prepare for the racing season. See the track from the grandstand and step inside the museum, where you can discover legacy of the iconic Kentucky Derby. After, return to your hotel and spend the rest of the day at your leisure. (B)

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your return flight home. (B)