Mountains and Moonshine

Mountains and Moonshine
14 nights
From £1785 per person

Price Includes: Flights, accommodation and car hire
Delve into American history with a road-trip through the most Southern states, travelling through stunning scenery on back country roads used to secretly transport prohibited alcohol at night (hence the name). Sampling locally distilled moonshine and other speciality spirits, wines and beers, enjoying unique Southern cuisine and experiencing numerous outdoor adventures! 

Day 1 and 2 Arrive into Washington Dulles airport 
Collect your car and drive to Alexandria, approx. 35 miles. 
Old Town Alexandria’s cobblestone streets, vibrant waterfront and historic charm delight travellers from around the world. A nationally designated historic district founded in 1749, experience a walkable mile recognised as one of the “Great Streets” of America lined with over 200 restaurants, boutiques and historic museums. Boat, bike or Metrorail to Washington, DC, just minutes away. Drive or take the water taxi on the Potomac River to explore Mount Vernon, the presidential estate of George Washington, America’s founding father. George Washington also operated one of the largest whiskey distilleries in early America, producing 11,000 gallons in 1799. George Washington’s Distillery is the only distillery in the nation to demonstrate the process of whiskey making as it was carried out in 18th-century America. Together with Mount Vernon’s farm site, gristmill and education centre, the Distillery teaches visitors about Washington’s entrepreneurial spirit and his innovative approach to making whiskey. 
Stay two nights in Alexandria. 

Day 3 Alexandria to Richmond, VA, approx. 105 miles 
Virginia’s capital city has been gaining notice in recent years. Explore more than 30 breweries on the Richmond Beer Trail, or discover some of the great distilleries that are part of the Virginia Spirits Trail, including Belle Isle which takes its name from a 540-acre local island that made copper kettles used by soldiers during the Civil War. Equipped with Belle Isle-made copper kettles and an abundance of corn, resourceful soldiers distilled their own spirit, and it was here that the world’s first premium moonshine was born. Feast your way through the city’s neighbourhood restaurants and walk off your meal with a tour of the city’s 100+ murals or a visit to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and the VCU Institute for Contemporary Art.

Outdoor adventure abounds in Richmond. Take a thrilling white-water rafting trip down the James River, the only class III and IV urban rapids in the U.S. Bike, run or walk 400 years of history on the Virginia Capital Trail which runs 54 miles, from Richmond to Jamestown. 
Stay one night in Richmond.

Day 4 Richmond to Roanoke, VA, approx. 215 miles 
Take a detour to Chase City and make a stop at Bondurant Brothers - during the Prohibition period, the Bondurant Brothers were legendary for running moonshine, so much so that a movie, Lawless, was made about them. Fast forward 80 years, Jack Bondurant's grandson, Robert, has taken over the family tradition. But this time it's being done legally! On the edge of the Blue Ridge Parkway, Roanoke is a classic 'All American' city with museums, galleries, shops and wineries, and plenty of moonshine history. Franklin County’s history of bootleg liquor production earnt this area the reputation of being the Moonshine Capital of the World. Enjoy hiking on the Appalachian Trail, world-class mountain biking or paddle boarding or kayaking on one of the area’s rivers or water sports on Smith Mountain Lake. 
Stay one night in Roanoke. 

Day 5 and 6 Roanoke to Charleston, WV, approx. 180 miles 
Today you head in to West Virginia, and a stop at the New River Gorge is must! Enjoy the views of the New River Gorge with its continuous cliffs, creeks and waterfalls, and the ever-changing colours of the Gorge. The New River Gorge Bridge is one of the most photographed places in West Virginia. Visitors can walk across the New River Gorge, 850 feet above the New River on the 24 inch wide walkway under the New River Gorge Bridge. The walkway runs the entire 3,030 foot length of the Bridge. Once a frontier town and home to Daniel Boone, today Charleston is the historic, sophisticated capital of West Virginia. Fine dining, local cuisine, live music, public art, theatre and museums, all make Charleston a great city stop. Visit Mountain State Distillery, a new boutique distillery in the city, crafting ‘real backwoods corn likker, as authentic as you could get’. For those who prefer outdoor activities, more than a hundred miles of spectacular scenery await you on the Midland Trail scenic highway, also known as U.S Route 60. The Kanahwa Forest offers more than 9000 acres of exploration and recreation, just south of town. 
Stay two nights in Charleston. 

Day 7 and 8 Charleston to Bristol, VA, approx. 195 miles 
Head south from Charleston to southwestern West Virginia, a region which includes some of the most fantastic scenery in West Virginia - lush forests, dramatic terrain, slow moving rivers, sharp peaked mountains and coal-era ghost towns. Known as the Hatfield and McCoy a region, it has a history of family feuding and moonshine running – visit the Hatfield and McCoy Moonshine Distillery in Gilbert, where you can take a behind the scenes tour, and see how this 150 year tradition is handmade, bottled and labelled on site. Continue on Bristol, nestled along the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains of Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. The city blessed with an abundance of natural beauty, performing arts, cultural opportunities, historical attractions, and sporting events. Experience one of Bristol's many music venues, visit the Birthplace of Country Music Museum which houses the original relics that helped create America's most recognisable tunes and learn about Bristol's distinction as the "Official Birthplace of Country Music". On Saturday nights you can hear the sounds of some of the best old time and bluegrass music around at the Carter Family Fold in Hiltons, just 20 miles away. Stay two nights in Bristol.

Day 9 Bristol to Newport, TN, approx. 95 miles 
Stop in Piney Flats and visit the East Tennessee Distillery and Roberson’s Tennessee Mellomoon Moonshine. Sample some of the award winning moonshine produced by Tiny Roberson, who was initially trained to distil drinking water from the sea by the Navy. He later refined his technical skills and produces his moonshine, steeped in the tradition of the Appalachian Mountains. On to Newport, home to Cocke County Moonshine Distillery, a craft distillery devoted to producing 100% authentic moonshine, using the best all natural ingredients. Newport is a small, Smoky Mountains town surrounded by four state and National forests, perfect for experiencing the great outdoors. Whether it’s fishing, hiking or walking, wildlife watching or whitewater rafting, you’ll find plenty of adventures to keep you on the go! 
Stay one night in Newport 

Day 10-11 Newport to Asheville, NC, approx. 70 miles 
Heading from Newport, TN to Asheville and fancy a stop on the way then a visit to Wheels Thru Time is a must, located 35 miles west of Asheville in Maggie Valley this museum is a veritable gem! Wheels Through Time Museum is the home to the world’s premier collection of rare American motorcycles, memorabilia, and a distinct array of unique “one off” American automobiles. Asheville has a rich architectural legacy with its mix of Art Deco, Beaux Arts and Neoclassical styles is the perfect retro-urban backdrop to the edgy energy that emanates from the locally owned-shops and art galleries, distinctive restaurants and exciting entertainment venues. And all set against the awe-inspiring scenery of the Appalachian Mountains, it is truly a unique city. A must on any stay in Asheville is a visit to the largest home in the USA, the mighty Biltmore Estate. Completed in 1895, George Vanderbilt’s 250-room chateau is truly a wonder of architecture and hospitality, complete with 8,000 acres of magnificent gardens and vineyards. The estate produces its own wine and tastings are available. Scenes for Thunder Road, the cult moonshine and hot rod movie were shot in and around Asheville. Make sure you visit the Asheville Distilling Company – this female founded distillery uses the secrets of traditional mountain moonshiners to create modern moonshine and whiskeys with Appalachian spring water and heirloom corn. 
Stay two nights in Asheville.

Day 12 Asheville to Wilkesboro, NC, approx. 100 miles 
Travel along part of the stunning Blue Ridge parkway, an experience unlike any other: a slow-paced and relaxing drive revealing stunning long-range vistas and close-up views of the rugged mountains and pastoral landscapes of the Appalachian Highlands. Wilkesboro is nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and boasts mountain views, mind-blowing musical talent, and small-town charm. Explore the historic downtown, including Community Commons, featuring Adirondack chairs and fire pits. Sip your way through more than 50 nearby wineries and distilleries, go “tubbing” down the Yadkin River, shred the 50+ miles of mountain biking trails, or try your luck at one of our three world-class disc golf courses. Visit the Wilkes Heritage Museum with exhibits highlighting Wilkes County’s history as the moonshine capital of the world, a key NASCAR destination, and original home of Lowe’s Home Improvement, Lowe’s Foods, and Holly Farms. Visit the Copper Barrel Distillery, located in an old furniture plant, where you can sample the moonshine and then head to Dooley’s, where the menu is filled with options featuring local moonshine, from the famous Copper Barrel Moonshine Burger, to moonshine BBQ sauce, and of course, moonshine cocktails.
Stay one night in Wilkesboro.

Day 13 Wilkesboro to Madison, and on to Charlotte, NC, approx. 210 miles 
Worth the detour, Madison is a small town with unique historic charm and two areas included on the State and National Registries. The Historic Downtown offers numerous restaurants and unique shops, and Piedmont Distillers, which was founded in 2005 as North Carolina’s first legal distillery since Prohibition and is based in the old railroad station. Head on to Charlotte, the largest city in North Carolina – a modern city with big city style and home-town appeal. It has some unique cultural attractions along with great dining and nightlife, and with a Southern ambiance all its own. During your stay in this lively city, be sure to experience the Levine Museum of the New South, the Mint Museum of Art and for a Horse Power fix then the NASCAR Hall of Fame is a must! The NASCAR Hall of Fame is an interactive entertainment attraction honouring the history and heritage of NASCAR. The high-tech venue, designed to educate and entertain race fans and non-fans alike. With NASCAR and stock car racing in the United States having its origins in bootlegging during Prohibition, when drivers ran bootleg whiskey made primarily in the Appalachian region of the United States. Bootleggers needed to distribute their illicit products, and they typically used small, fast vehicles to better evade the police. Many of the drivers would modify their cars for speed and handling, as well as increased “cargo” capacity. Charlotte’s Dragon Moonshine Company and Doc Porter’s Distillery offer tours and tastings so you can get your final fix (and some souvenirs to bring home!). 
Stay two nights in Charlotte. 

Day 15 Depart from Charlotte.   

Image credits: Virginia Tourism Corporation, Todd Wright, Kristin Summerer, Big Orange Frame, Danielle Emerson, Sam Dean
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