7-Day Christmas & Candlelights Tour to North Carolina & Tennessee
Blue Ridge Parkway • Smokey Mountains • Candlelight Christmas at Biltmore Estate • Dollywood and Dolly Parton's Smoky Mountains Christmas Show • Titanic Museum • Pigeon Forge Winterfest • New River Gorge Bridge

This trip travels to the USA. Passports required!

Embark on a festive 7-day bus tour from Toronto to North Carolina and Tennessee, exploring the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, the historic Biltmore Estate, and the enchanting Dollywood Smoky Mountain Christmas Festival. Enjoy unique shopping at Tamarack and The Island in Pigeon Forge, along with delightful shows at Dolly Parton's Stampede and the Patty Waszak Morning Show. Immerse in the holiday spirit with a Candlelight Evening Tour of Biltmore and a Winterfest lights tour. Festive dining experiences and memorable attractions will make this Christmas tour a magical adventure!

This tour takes you through 6 US states: New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina & Tennessee!

Day 1: Sunday, November 3
Kick off your Christmas themed adventure as we depart from Toronto and head south to West Virginia. We'll be stopping along the way for breaks before arriving at our hotel in Bridgeport, WV.
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Photo courtesy Unsplash, Ashley Knedler
Day 2: Monday, November 4: Explore the Natural Beauty and Artistry of West Virginia
Our first stop is the Canyon Rim Visitor Center at the New River Gorge, where you can soak in breathtaking views and learn about the area's natural and cultural significance. Next, we visit Tamarack, West Virginia’s premier artisan craft center, for unique shopping opportunities. We arrive in Asheville, NC and check in to our hotel before ending our day with a delightful dinner.
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Photo courtesy National Park Service
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Photo courtesy Biltmore Estate
Day 3: Tuesday, November 5: Asheville’s Scenic Wonders and Holiday Splendor
Start the day with a guided tour along the Blue Ridge Parkway, featuring stops at the Folk Art Center and Blue Ridge Heritage Center. In the afternoon, enjoy wine tastings at Biltmore Winery and explore Antler Hill Village. The highlight of the day is a Candlelight Evening Tour of the Biltmore Estate, adorned with festive decorations and live music. Conclude with a candlelight dinner at a lovely restaurant also at the Biltmore Estate.
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Photo courtesy Pigeon Forge Chamber of Commerce
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Photo courtesy Pigeon Forge Chamber of Commerce
Day 4: Wednesday, November 6: Immerse in History and Festivities in Pigeon Forge
Today we travel to Pigeon Forge and step aboard the Titanic Museum for an immersive historical experience. Spend the afternoon shopping and exploring at The Island, a lively entertainment & dining complex. We check in at our hotel, a Tapestry Collection Hotel by Hilton. Enjoy the scenic views of the Great Smoky Mountains. The evening features Dolly Parton's Stampede Christmas Dinner Show, where you’ll enjoy a spectacular performance and a festive feast.
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Photo courtesy Dolly Parton
Day 5: Thursday, November 7: Music, Magic, and Millions of Lights
Start your morning with the Patty Waszak Show, a delightful blend of music and comedy. Spend the afternoon at Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Festival, filled with twinkling lights, thrilling rides, and festive performances. Cap off the night with free time at the Pigeon Forge Winterfest festival.

Day 6: Friday, November 8: Discover Southwest Virginia’s Cultural Treasures
On our return journey, we’ll stop at the Heartwood Center in Southwest Virginia, a hub for local craft, music, and culture. Shop for unique souvenirs and enjoy the local heritage before we continue to Bridgeport, WV, for our final overnight stay.

Day 7: Saturday, November 9: Return to Toronto
After a delightful week filled with holiday cheer, we start on our journey back to Toronto, carrying with us the memories of a magical Christmas adventure.

Join us on this festive tour and immerse yourself in the warmth, charm, and wonder of a holiday season spent exploring some of the best of North Carolina & Tennessee

Tour Dates

7-Day Trip
Nov 3-9, 2024
Only $99 deposit to reserve your seat. Deposit is fully refundable if you cancel for any reason by September 3, 2024

Price

All prices are per person, in Canadian dollars. ​All taxes and tips are included!
  • Double $2,499
  • Triple $2,349
  • Quad $2,249
  • ​Single $3,299
For explanation of the words Double, Triple, Quad & Single click here

Pickup Locations

8:30 AM Vaughan Carpool
9:00 AM York Mills Station
9:30 AM Mississauga Carpool
9:45 AM Mississauga McDonalds
10:20 AM Burlington, Appleby Line
11:00 AM Grimsby
To book over the phone
please call (866) 208-2950

Inclusions

  • Round trip transportation on deluxe bus with washroom and WiFi.
  • Six Nights Hotel Accommodations.
  • Six Breakfasts and Four Dinners.
  • Candlelight Christmas Tour at Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC.
  • Wine tasting and Candlelight Christmas Dinner at Biltmore Estate.
  • Guided and narrated bus tour along the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway.
  • Titanic Museum Tour.
  • Dolly Parton's Stampede Christmas Dinner Show.
  • Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Christmas.
  • Patty Wascak Morning Show.
  • Pigeon Forge Winterfest.
  • New River Gorge Visitors Center.
  • Shopping opportunities including Grove City Premium Outlets.
  • Shopping stop at Duty-Free store prior to returning to Canada.
  • Escorted tour with ShortTrips.ca tour director available during the trip.
  • All tips & taxes included.

Approximate Return Times

  • Grimsby 5:30 PM
  • Appleby Line 6:45 PM
  • Mississauga Carpool 7:15 PM
  • Mississauga McDonalds 7:30 PM
  • York Mills 8:15 PM
  • Vaughan 8:50 PM

Deposits, Payments, Cancellations & Refunds

  • $99 deposit required to reserve your seats. Deposit is fully refundable if you cancel for any reason by Tues Sept 3, 2024.
  • Full payment is due by Tues Sep 3, 2024. Reminder emails will be sent a few days before the due date for the final payment. Sorry, final payments are not refundable once paid. 
  • If the tour has to be cancelled due to travel restrictions or government shutdowns, a full & prompt refund will be done regardless of how many days are left before departure.
  • You can transfer your seat to anyone else you know up to the time of departure without penalty, there is no cost for name changes.

Travelling With Children

  • Children 10+ are welcome on this tour, same price as adults. 

Travel Documents

  • US Immigration requires that all travellers MUST have a passport (or Nexus or EDL cards).  If you do not have a Canadian or USA passport, please make sure that you have the appropriate permissions or documentation to travel to the USA. 
  • If you are denied entry to the US, sadly we will have to leave you at the border.
  • Sorry but no refunds if you are denied entry.

Emergency Medical Insurance

  • Emergency medical and trip cancellation insurance is strongly recommended. Getting ill in the USA can be very expensive. 
  • If you are not covered by a workplace or some other blanket travel/medical insurance policy, please consider purchasing emergency medical insurance online from CAA or TD Insurance or RBC Insurance or Manulife.