Kentucky Ag, Bourbon, Equine and Cultural Tour

August 7-12, 2022

Day 1 (Sunday, August 7) - Depart for your flight to Louisville, KY.  Upon arrival take a taxi or uber to your hotel (paid on your own).  The city of Louisville is named after King Louis XVI of France and is also Kentucky’s largest city.  Dinner will be served at a rooftop restaurant enjoying panoramic views of the Ohio river and city.  

(Overnight Louisville) https://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/louisville/sdfmk/hoteldetail

(D)

Day 2 (Monday, August 8) - In the morning, take a short tour of Churchill Downs, home of the world famous Kentucky Derby, known as the fastest two minutes in sports.  This iconic racetrack opened its doors in 1875.  Enjoy a tour before departing for Loretto, KY to visit a farm that produces corn and wheat for local distilleries.  Next, enjoy a private lunch at Maker's Mark distillery followed by a tour and tasting.  Learn about this family’s history in creating this bourbon and how the unique wax dipped bottle ensures that no two bottles are alike.  Continue your journey to the heart of the bluegrass stopping by KY Cooperage to see how the bourbon barrel is made from scratch.  Next, travel to the beautiful city of Lexington for dinner at/near your hotel this evening.  

(Overnight Lexington)

(B,L,D)

https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/lexlges-embassy-suites-lexington-green/

Day 3 (Tuesday, August 9) - After breakfast, depart for a retirement home for thoroughbreds.  See up close some of the memorable derby winners and learn about this unique farm and how they care for the retired horses.  Next, visit an active thoroughbred farm en-route to Midway, KY.  The quaint town of Midway is known for its shops, small town appeal and great restaurants.  Enjoy some free time before continuing your journey to the Buffalo Trace Distillery, located in the capital, Frankfort, KY.  Enjoy a catered lunch at the Elmer T. Lee Clubhouse on site and a possible guest speaker on the KY Ag industry.  In the afternoon, visit a renowned thoroughbred farm before traveling back to Lexington for some free time.

(Overnight Lexington)

(B,L)

https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/lexlges-embassy-suites-lexington-green/

Day 4 (Wednesday, August 10) - Today after breakfast, travel into Appalachia and visit Berea College for a tour in the morning.  Berea College is a private liberal arts college founded in 1855 and was the first college in the southern United States to be coeducational and racially integrated.  Berea College charges no tuition and most students receive grants or scholarships.  It also has a full-participation work-study program in which students are required to work at least 10 hours per week in campus and service jobs.  Lunch will be on campus before visiting the quaint historic district of town where the streets are lined with artistic shops, craft stores and a few local eateries.  In the afternoon, visit FAHE, a network of nonprofits that focus on education, housing, social services and economic services to improve underserved regions in the country.  Also, visit with Grow Appalachia, an organization that focuses on providing tools to provide healthy food to underserved families by providing garden resources, technical assistance and classes.

(Overnight Lexington)

(B,L,D)

https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/lexlges-embassy-suites-lexington-green/

Day 5 (Thursday, August 11) - Early morning departure, travel to the internationally renowned Keeneland Racecourse which is a National Historic Landmark.  This beautiful thoroughbred racecourse includes a race course, a horse auction complex and year round training facilities.  Have a one hour tour and see horses working out in the morning, visit the gift shop and grab a coffee at the track kitchen.  Travel to the Ark Encounter Museum, a full size engineering marvel of Noah’s Ark that is 510 feet long, 85 feet wide and 51 feet high.  Enjoy the morning here and lunch on your own.  Next, visit the Toyota Plant to learn about the economic impact the plant has had on central Kentucky for many years OR the University of Kentucky Poultry Farm *tbd - if Covid restrictions are lifted*.  Farewell dinner this evening at a local Lexington restaurant.

(Overnight Lexington)

(B,D)

https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/lexlges-embassy-suites-lexington-green/

Day 6 (Friday, August 12) - After breakfast, check out and visit a family owned tobacco farm to learn about the history and hard work that goes into this hand labor intensive process.  Enjoy your final lunch on this local farm as you continue your journey to the Louisville airport (SDF) for your return flight home.

(B,L)

“This itinerary  is subject to change without prior approval.  Please note that if a last minute cancellation occurs, a replacement technical visit will be arranged.”

Estimated per person arrival by air in Louisville and departing from Lexington or Louisville by air

Single supplement - $450

Payment Schedule:

May 31, 2022 - $250 non refundable deposit

July 1, 2022 balance due

Included:

Accommodations

Bus transportation (throughout your time in Kentucky, starting and ending in Louisville)

Tour Guide starting in Louisville and ending after the tobacco visit on Day 6

Tours/Technical Visits

Gratuities for guide/driver

Entrance fees that are included are noted in the above itinerary

Meals as indicated on the itinerary (includes one soft drink per meal)

B= Breakfast

L= Lunch

D= Dinner

Not Included:

Roundtrip airfare to Louisville (SDF) from your home airport

Travel insurance coverage (highly recommended)

Alcoholic beverages with meals

Souvenirs

Leisure activities on free days

Hotel charges for incidentals, including telephone calls, pay per view movies, mini bars, and snack trays, personal laundry, room service, and hotel penalties for smoking in hotel rooms.