Nashville
Commonly known as ‘Music City’ and ‘The Country Music Capital of the World’, Nashville is the ultimate pilgrimage site for music fans from around the globe.
Despite its association with a rather honky-tonk, cowboy boot-clad crowd, Nashville has a lesser-known culturally rich and sophisticated side bolstered by a steady influx of young people who ensure that there is constantly something new and innovative going on.
Beyond the tourist-focused downtown area, designer stores, hip art galleries, trendy breweries and quirky coffee shops seem to be popping up around the city’s lively neighbourhoods and occupying its gorgeous old Classical and Neoclassical buildings.
With its fabulous food scene, rich musical heritage, and wonderful historical sights, Nashville always makes for some captivating and inspiring travel experiences.
Memphis
Legendary music, hearty Southern-style soul food and incredible vistas overlooking the mighty Mississippi - you will find all this and more in the wild-spirited river-town of Memphis, Tennessee.
The city offers a beguiling blend of Southern tradition and modern efficiency. It is a place where aging cotton warehouses stand alongside state-of-the-art new office buildings, and where old-fashioned paddle wheelers steam upriver past the city's most striking landmark, the gleaming, stainless-steel Pyramid Arena.
As the birthplace of blues and the site of much activity in the historical development of rock ‘n roll, Memphis’s musical heritage is just as diverse as its architectural delights.
Highlights include the famed jazz, blues and rock ‘n’ roll joints lined up on Beale Street, the heavily storied Sun Studio and of course Elvis Presley’s impressive Graceland mansion.
Chattanooga
Chattanooga is a vibrant city nestled along the Tennessee River and surrounded by mountains, waterfalls, and scenic landscapes. Known as the “Scenic City,” it offers an abundance of outdoor adventures, from hiking Lookout Mountain and exploring Ruby Falls to kayaking and cycling along riverfront trails.
The city also boasts cultural attractions, including the Tennessee Aquarium, historic train terminals, and a thriving arts and food scene.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Straddling the border of North Carolina and Tennessee, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the United States, famed for its rolling mist-covered peaks, lush forests, and incredible biodiversity.
Visitors can hike along scenic trails leading to cascading waterfalls, panoramic viewpoints, and historic pioneer homesteads that tell the story of the Appalachian settlers.
The park is also renowned for its rich wildlife, including black bears, elk, and countless bird species, making it a haven for nature lovers and photographers. With its serene beauty and wealth of activities, the Smokies promise a classic American outdoors experience.
Lynchburg
Lynchburg is a quaint small town in southern Tennessee, best known as the home of the world-famous Jack Daniel’s Distillery. Visitors can take guided tours of the historic distillery, learn about the whiskey-making process, and sample some of Tennessee’s most iconic spirits.
Beyond its distillery fame, Lynchburg offers charming streets, historic architecture, and a peaceful rural setting ideal for relaxing strolls and scenic drives.
