Go Sunnyland Tours! Safe, Easy and Fun Escorted Motorcoach Tours

Great Smoky Mountain Trains

October 14 - 22, 2010

9 Days & 11 Meals

Special Features

Tour of Lexington, Kentucky
Cumberland Falls State Park
Ride on Big South Fork Scenic Railroad
Visit Blue Heron Coal Mining Camp
Hobo Lunch Included at Camp
Ride on New River Scenic Railroad
Free Day in Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Ride on Great Smoky Mountain Rail Road Nantahala Gorge Line – lunch included
Hiwassee River Gorge Ride on Tennessee Valley Railroad
Farewell Dinner, Opryland Hotel

Imagine returning to the romantic era when trains were the preferred mode of transportation and being able to ride not just one train, but four trains, through the incomparable beauty of Tennessee and The Great Smoky Mountains. Their brilliant fall colors create a splendid autumn mosaic throughout the mountains. The “Great Smoky Mountain National Park” is one of America’s great national treasures. The area was called Shaconage by the Cherokee Indians, which means the “Place of the Blue Smoke”, because the mountains are perpetually shrouded in shades of misty blue. Combine the trains, the majestic mountains, the color, along with the foothill resort towns of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg and you have one of America’s most popular attractions.

Day 1, Thursday, October 14

We depart Springfield and travel to Lexington, Kentucky.
LODGING: Country Inn & Suites

Day 2, Friday, October 15

Our guide meets us this morning for a tour of Lexington. We will drive through the countryside and see the gorgeous thoroughbreds and the world famous horse farms that abound in the bluegrass portion of Kentucky. We continue south through Renfro Valley country and into one of Nature’s wonders, Cumberland Falls.
LODGING: Cumberland Lodge
MEALS: Breakfast

Day 3, Saturday, October 16

This morning we arrive at the Big South Fork Scenic Railway for a six mile ride through the rugged hillsides of Southern Kentucky into the past at the restored Blue Heron, better known locally as Mine 18. A Hobo lunch will be included at the mine. Our destination this evening is Caryville, Tennessee.
LODGING: Hampton Inn
MEALS: Breakfast Lunch

Day 4, Sunday, October 17

This morning we travel a short distance to Huntsville to board the New River Scenic Railway “Elk Hill Explorer”. Our route takes us deep into the Appalachian Mountains following the waters of the New River. Next we travel through the foot hills of the Great Smoky Mountains to the resort town of Gatlinburg, Tennessee and the Hampton Inn for two nights.
LODGING: Hampton Inn
MEALS: Breakfast

Day 5, Monday, October 18

Today is a free day for you to do as much or as little as you wish to do. There are so many interesting attractions and shows in the Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg area, most within walking distance, but, if not, you can catch the trolley that runs between the two resort towns. Your escort will be able to advise you about the attractions and shows that are available.
LODGING: Hampton Inn
MEALS: Breakfast

Day 6, Tuesday, October 19

Spectacular scenery abounds as we cross over the Great Smoky Mountains, wild with color, and thrill to their grand views before arriving in Asheville, North Carolina to tour the Biltmore Estate, the magnificent former home of the Vanderbilts. The 250 room home and country retreat contains such things as 16th century tapestries, Napoleon’s chess set, a library with 10,000 volumes, a Banquet Hall with 70-foot ceilings, 65 fireplaces, an indoor pool, bowling alley, and priceless antiques. Deep in the wild ridges of the Smoky Mountains, Dillsboro, North Carolina is our night's lodging.
LODGING: Holiday Inn Express
MEALS: Breakfast

Day 7, Wednesday, October 20

We travel the short distance to Bryson City where we board the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad Nantahala Gorge Line. The 4-1/2 hour ride in our climate controlled Crown car takes us over long trestles and through the two-thousand-foot-deep canyon of the Nantahala River. We follow an exceptionally scenic route through the heart of the Smokies. Lunch is included en route in the Iron Horse Grill railway car. Tonight we stay in Athens, Tennessee.
LODGING: Hampton Inn
MEALS: Breakfast Lunch

Day 8, Thursday, October 21

In Etowah, Tennessee, we board the Tennessee Valley Railroad for the Hiwassee River Gorge Ride. Fifty miles of breathtaking views, the 3-1/2 hour “Hiwassee Loop” excursion parallels much of the scenic Hiwassee River offering views of the lower gorge. At the Loop the tracks corkscrew over themselves as they climb the mountain. What an exciting way to end the train portion of our Great Smoky Mountain Train tour as we turn towards home and travel to Nashville, Tennessee. We have a fabulous farewell dinner planned for you this evening.
LODGING: Drury Inn
MEALS: Breakfast Dinner

Day 9, Friday, October 22

We return to Springfield today with beautiful memories of our Great Smoky Mountain Train Tour and the colors of fall. Our approximate arrival time will be 5:30 PM.
MEALS: Breakfast