Tours Beyond

Gaylord Opryland Resort

This is a resort like none other! Located on the banks of the Cumberland River, the Gaylord Opryland Resort is near legendary Nashville attractions, and is practically a legend itself! Dressed up for the holiday season, experience a winter wonderland of enchanting holiday décor, events and activities all under one roof! 

Step into the Magnolia Lobby, designed to resemble a grand Southern mansion with an impressive staircase and a Tiffany-style chandelier. The hotel features a glass atrium surrounded by 9 acres of indoor gardens, winding rivers and waterfalls. Stroll through the Garden Conservatory, decorated with Christmas trees designed by country music’s biggest stars or take a Delta Riverboat Christmas Cruise and wind through the beautiful, 4.5-acre Delta Atrium. Your time at the Gaylord Opry Resort will sure be an entertaining one.

ICE!

A feature at Gaylord Hotels for the holiday season is the spectacular ICE! Specially trained engineers and artisans from China meticulously transform two million pounds of ice into a breathtaking winter wonderland of sparkling sculptures. The Nativity scene is always a favorite.

Ryman Auditorium

The Ryman Auditorium also called the “Mother Church of Country Music,” has had artists as diverse as Jon Bon Jovi and Patsy Cline perform on its legendary stage since 1892. With 130 years under its belt, it shows no signs of slowing down. This place is hallowed ground. It was right here that country music found an audience beyond its own back porch, and countless careers took off as deals were signed on napkins and paper scraps backstage. This is a building where anything is possible: a soul can find redemption, a crumbling building can find salvation, and an unknown kid with a guitar can find his or her name in lights.

Grand Ole Opry

Welcome to the true home of country music, The Grand Old Opry! During the backstage tour, enjoy a state-of-the-art theater experience with music and archival footage, see the artist entrance, hear stories and see exclusive photos of big moments at the Opry. 

The Grand Ole Opry Show is what made country music famous with a spirit of “Play it loose, make it fun, honor the music, and whatever happens onstage, roll with it.” In that spirit, this show has witnessed country music’s biggest moments: Johnny Cash met June Carter at the Opry, Bill Monroe and his band invented bluegrass on the Opry stage, and many unexpected guests, from Paul McCartney to Bill Murray to Pharrell Williams, have made the one-night-only shows truly unforgettable. 

Nashville

On paper, Nashville is the capital city of Tennessee, but in its heart, “Music City” is a place of storytellers and dreamers. The wealth of musical attractions honour music legends of the past, and the variety of music venues provides current stars and aspiring performers a stage to entertain and inspire. As you experience Nashville, you will discover how music is the common thread connecting the life and soul of the city and its people. 

For your free time in Nashville (the evening of Day 2 and the afternoons on Days 3 and 4) the following attractions are recommended and will have an additional cost:

• Country Music Hall of Fame
• General Jackson Showboat
• RCA Studio B
• Johnny Cash Museum
• Patsy Cline Museum 

The Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center

The Gaylord Opryland at Christmas time is a sight to behold! With acres of spectacular decorations and over 3 million lights, activities, events, and performances, it is the perfect destination to make the most of this year’s holiday season. Experience the finest in Southern hospitality at Gaylord Opryland Resort, situated in the heart of Nashville. 

The Grand Ole Opry

This is "The Show that Made Country Music Famous," and no visit to Nashville is complete without seeing a show at The Grand Ole Opry. What began in 1925 as a one-hour radio “barn dance” has become a star-studded country music tradition, and a milestone for every aspiring country artist.

Experience Nashville’s Music

In Nashville, the music scene is second to none and an integral part of this vibrant city.  Visit legendary country music venues, and explore “The District” with its honky-tonks and live music. During the holiday season, listen for Christmas favourites performed with a southern twist! 

• Our unique Connections Program
• Private coach transportation
• 5 nights of accommodation
• 5 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners
• Local professional guides and all entry fees to included highlights
• Services of Tours in Canada Tour Director

Prices are in Canadian dollars, are per person, and include HST.

Included Highlights:

• Nashville guided city tour
• Gaylord Opryland Resort
• ICE!  &  Delta River Flatboat
• Guided tour of Ryman Auditorium
• Dinner Show
• Grand Ole Opry, Back-Stage Tour & Show
• Free Time in Nashville

Day 1:  Travel to Lima, OH

Sit back, relax and enjoy the scenery as you travel south to Lima, OH. Get to know your fellow guests with a group welcome dinner.

Stay: Hampton Inn, Lima, OH

Nights: 1

Meals: D

Day 2: Travel to Nashville, TN

Continue south through the farm country of Ohio and Kentucky. As you drive through Kentucky, the clocks go forward an hour. Arrive at the beautifully decorated Gaylord Opryland Resort, and enjoy a free evening to explore the indoor gardens, restaurants & shops. Shopping enthusiasts can walk or take the complimentary hotel shuttle to the Opry Mills Shopping Mall.

Stay: Gaylord Opryland Resort, Nashville, TN

Nights: 3

Meals: B 

Day 3: City Tour, Ryman Auditorium, Free Afternoon, and Dinner Show

Learn the stories of Nashville on a city tour guided by a resident singer-songwriter, and top it off with a guided tour of the Ryman Auditorium, “The Mother Church of Country Music”. Then, the afternoon is yours to explore and enjoy Nashville, just be sure to be back at the hotel in time ... This evening is special “Christmas Edition” dinner show starring country music singer-songwriter, Darryl Worley.

Meals: B, D

Day 4: Back-Stage Tour of Grand Ole Opry, Free afternoon, Grand Ole Opry Show

After breakfast, depart for the Grand Ole Opry, and enjoy a back-stage tour. This afternoon there is more free time to enjoy Nashville.  Back at the hotel, there are two included holiday features: ICE! and the Delta River flatboat tour. While you’re exploring, be sure to have dinner, so that you’ll be all set to enjoy the Grand Ole Opry Show.

Meals: B

Day 5: Heading for Home

The drive north begins today and the hour lost on the way down is picked back up as we drive through Kentucky. While heading north, watch a movie, read a book, have a nap, or just sit back and watch the beautiful farmland go by. Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner.

Stay: Hampton Inn, Lima, OH

Nights: 1

Meals: B, D

Day 6: The Journey's End

After an included breakfast at the hotel, the coach heads for the border. Stop at the Duty-Free and find a last-minute Christmas gift or perhaps an ingredient for upcoming holiday gatherings. Enjoy lunch in Sarnia, and as we drive through the farmland of Southern Ontario, say farewell to the new friends you have made, taking home warm and merry memories of Nashville.

Meals: B

Hampton Inn, Lima OH (1 night on the way down and 1 night on the way home)

This Hampton Inn in Lima, Ohio has been welcoming our guests for years. Their friendly staff and clean comfortable rooms make it a great stopover hotel.

Gaylord Opryland Resort (3 nights)

The Gaylord Opryland Resort features 15 restaurants, 4 bars and multiple retails stores. To say that this resort has “amenities” is quite an understatement! There are 3 sparkling pools, an award-winning Relâche Spa & Fitness Center, and a beautiful 18-hole golf course. See other information about this spectacular hotel in the highlights!

This 6-day tour follows pickup Route A, and includes our unique Connections Program.  The pickup locations are:

• Lindsay
• Peterborough
• Bowmanville
• Whitby
• Markham
• Brampton
• Milton
• Cambridge
• Woodstock
• London
• Sarnia

We recommend comfortable rubber-soled shoes for the walking tours. You will need your winter jacket, even if it’s only to wear while you visit ICE, and it’s always a good idea to have a portable umbrella. 

Nashville has a very relaxed dress code at all venues, from jeans and cowboy boots to sequins and high heels, you will see it all! 

Don’t forget your camera, the decorations are spectacular and you don’t want to miss those special photos to share with the folks back home.

Although this motorcoach tour starts and ends in Southern Ontario. guests can join this tour from anywhere in the world by flying to Toronto, and using our Connections Program for transportation to a pickup location!  Please contact us to discuss your airfare and pre-and post-tour accommodation options.

Nashville has a lot to offer, and there are many options for free time during your stay. Transportation will be provided to different locations, and your Tour Director can help you with your choices.  The following attractions are highly recommended and will have an additional cost:

• Johnny Cash Museum
• Patsy Cline Museum
• Country Music Hall of Fame 
• General Jackson Showboat 
• RCA Studio B  

For the Opry Mills shopping mall, the resort offers a free shuttle.  If you enjoy walking, it’s about 5 minutes from the hotel along well-lit, maintained pathways.