Day 1 - Fly from the UK to Cincinnati

On arrival collect your rental car.  Drive to Covington, approx. 10 miles

Overlooking the Ohio River and the city scape of Cincinnati, Covington is a great place to start your trip. Stroll across the Roebling Suspension Bridge (a prototype of the Brooklyn Bridge) spanning the Ohio River and take in the Cincinnati River Front with its parks, baseball and American football stadiums plus neighbouring entertainment and dining districts. The banks of the Ohio River in Cincinnati meant freedom to entrapped slaves and the striking National Underground Railroad Freedom Center portrays three centuries of slavery from its introduction into the Americas to its abolition at the end of the American Civil War.

Before there was Las Vegas... there was Newport, Kentucky. Rising from the profits of bootlegging during Prohibition, Newport quickly became the premier gaming destination of the United States. Join the gangster guides for a raucous, high energy presentation inside an old casino to explain the historic significance of Newport and discover how this little town gave birth to the modern gaming industry. 

Stay two nights in Covington.

Day 3 - Covington to Lexington, KY, approx. 80 miles

Lexington is known as the Horse Capital of the World. Visit the Kentucky Horse Park, with over 50 breeds of horse, or take a horse farm tour to discover more about why the area is world renowned for its horse breeding. Experience some of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and visit one of the popular distilleries either in the Burl entertainment district or in the surrounding countryside. You will find craft distillers as well as internationally recognised brands such as Wild Turkey, Woodford Reserve or Buffalo Trace. A walking-foodie tour is a great way to learn more about the city’s history as well as fill up on some unique and interesting food. 

Stay two nights in Lexington.

Day 5 - Lexington to Renfro Valley, KY, approx. 50 miles

Designated one of America’s unique National Byways, the Country Music Highway will take you through the region which is home to many well-known country music stars. A visit to the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame and Museum is a must and make a stop in the unique community of Berea, designated the Folk Arts and Crafts Capital of Kentucky. 

Spend one night in Renfro Valley.

Day 6 - Renfro Valley to Bardstown, KY, approx. 80 miles

Here eclectic shops, cultural and historical heritage blend beautifully. Settled in 1780, Bardstown is Kentucky’s second-oldest city and the beautiful downtown district boasts nearly 200 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. Bardstown is known as the Bourbon Capital of the World, so needless to say there are plenty of opportunities not only to learn all about the traditions and process of distilling, but also to sample numerous varieties of the amber liquid, whether from a craft distillery or an internationally regarded brand. 

Stay for one night in Bardstown.

Day 7 - Bardstown to Nashville, TN, approx. 155 miles 

Known as ‘Music City’, Nashville’s music history goes back to the late 1700s, but is more recently associated with country music. Today you can hear all genres of music in the variety of venues in the city, from the back-street honky-tonks to the newly constructed Schermerhorn Symphony Center. Take a free dance lesson at the Wild Horse Saloon, tour the Country Music Hall of Fame and RCA’s Studio B, or take a river cruise on the Cumberland River. Visit the Grand Ole Opry, the world's longest running radio show and a recommended highlight.

Spend two nights in Nashville.

Day 9 - Nashville to Memphis, TN, approx. 210 miles

Memphis is renowned as the ‘Home of the Blues’ and the ‘Birthplace of Rock ’n’ Roll’. Spend your evenings on Beale Street, where W.C. Handy first penned the Blues music of the Mississippi Delta. Stretching for several blocks, you can enjoy bars, nightclubs and restaurants offering a variety of food and live music, including traditional Blues, Rhythm and Blues, Jazz and Rock ‘n’ Roll. Be sure to hear live Blues at BB King’s or Rum Boogie Café.

No trip to Memphis is complete without a visit 'Graceland', the home of Elvis Presley, who is the biggest influence on country, blues and rock and roll music. Also worth visiting is Sun Studio which opened in 1950 and a place where many great names have passed through. Outside of music, you may also like to pay a visit to the National Civil Rights Museum located in the former Lorraine Hotel, where Martin Luther King was assassinated or visit the Gibson guitar factory to completely immerse yourself in the fascinating musical heritage of this city.

Stay two nights in Memphis.

Day 11 - Memphis to Paducah, KY, approx. 175 miles

At the confluence of the Ohio and Tennessee Rivers, Paducah boasts a rich heritage and colourful past. This UNESCO Creative City is home to the River Heritage Museum and the Museum of the American Quilters Society. Here you cannot only experience the art of today's quilters, but you can also take part in a quilt making workshop that will bring you even closer to this amazing art. See the colourful revitalisation of the Lower Town Arts District of 19th Century architecture in Historic Downtown. Tour the Hotel Metropolitan and learn of is famous guests such as Billie Holiday and BB King. 

Spend one night in Paducah.

Day 12 - Paducah to Owensboro, KY, approx. 145 miles

Today you will travel to the heart of Kentucky Bluegrass Music, Owensboro. Visit the birthplace and homestead of the Father of Bluegrass, Bill Monroe, in Rosine. The Bluegrass Hall of Fame and Museum is dedicated to the international history of bluegrass and honours bluegrass pioneers and other legends. There are wide variety of tours, jam sessions, concerts and festivals. For dinner head to the Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn. Foodies, celebrities and even former president Bill Clinton love the barbecue here. Try the Kentucky speciality – mutton Bar-B-Q. 

Stay one night in Owensboro.

Day 13 - Owensboro to Louisville KY, approx. 105 miles

Louisville is home to the Kentucky Derby, which is run in May every year at Churchill Downs. Regardless of the time of year you can tour Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby Museum, or take a look at another sport at the Louisville Slugger Museum. The Mohammad Ali Center is an inspiring tribute to world famous boxing legend. Discover some of the city’s unique neighbourhoods, take the Urban Bourbon Trail or sample some of the regional foods, such as the Hot Brown, Burgoo or Beer Cheese! 

Stay two nights in Louisville.

Day 15 - Louisville to Cincinnati, approx. 95 miles

Return to Cincinnati and drop-off your car in time to check-in for your flight home.