BARRELS, BOTTLES... BOURBON! THE KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL & CHURCHILL DOWNS
Did you know there are more bottles of bourbon in Kentucky than people? Join Cooper’s Hawk Master Sommelier Emily Wines for a unique Wine Club journey into the land of bourbon! This amber elixir has become rooted in Kentucky’s culture and history. We decided to switch out wineries for distilleries for this weekend! On this trip, we will meet and learn about the distillers who are preserving their unparalleled traditions through centuries of craftmanship and care. We’ll begin our journey in historic and fabulous Louisville, where the trail begins on Whiskey Row. We’ll travel outside the city into the scenic rolling hills and bluegrass fields to visit legendary distilleries and delicious eateries. A visit to Kentucky is not complete without some horsing around, so we’ll experience that in a big way by exploring the Churchill Downs Derby Museum, viewing a race, and going behind the scenes to watch horse training while railside, and much more! Space is limited, so sign up now!
ILLINOIS INDIANA OHIO
Louisville Lexington Bardstown
KENTUCKY
TENNESSEE
JUNE 20 – 23, 2019 thursday, june 20, 2019
ARRIVE LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY
Welcome to Louisville! A group transfer will be provided from the airport to your hotel (normal check-in times apply). Later this afternoon, join our Tour Director for a visit to the Derby Museum, followed by race viewing and a casual dinner in the Winner’s Circle Suites adjoining the field.
Meal Included – Dinner
HIGHLIGHTS
Derby Museum Visit
Churchill Horse Race
Dinner in Winner’s Circle Suites
WINE TRIP | KENTUCKY friday, june 21, 2019
LOUISVILLE
This morning, we will return to backside Churchill Downs for a behind-the-scenes tour and view of thoroughbred racing. We’ll watch horse training while railside and visit the Horsemen’s Track Kitchen for breakfast. Afterward, we’ll enjoy an orientation of downtown Louisville, which was once home to legendary distilleries on Whiskey Row. We’ll visit the four-story Old Forester distillery for a VIP tour where we’ll be introduced to the history of bourbon, along with the distilling and bottling process. Then we’ll partake in George’s Bar Cocktail Class to learn the art of crafting the perfect cocktail. A short walk brings us to the Evan Williams Distillery, the first distillery on Whiskey Row. Enjoy free time for lunch on your own and some shopping; our Tour Director will be on hand for suggestions. Later we’ll meet back up with our Tour Director and continue to Stitzel-Weller Distillery for the Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Experience, followed by a tasting. Our next stop will be the Brown-Forman cooperage, where barrels are hand-crafted for world-famous bourbon brands. We’ll see the process from how the wood is prepped to the flames that char the barrel. This evening, you’ll have free time for dinner on your own.
Meal Included – Breakfast
HIGHLIGHTS
Churchill Downs Backside Behind the Scenes Tour
Old Forester Distillery
George’s Bar Cocktail Class
Evan Williams Distillery
Stitzel-Weller Distillery
Brown-Forman Cooperage
WINE TRIP | KENTUCKY saturday, june 22, 2019
LOUISVILLE EXCURSION TO BARDSTOWN & LEXINGTON
Today we’ll head south along the Kentucky Trail. We’ll visit the Jim Beam American Stillhouse for a guided tour to see how their bourbon is produced, aged, and bottled. Then we’ll travel a little further south and enjoy a farm-to-table lunch at Star Hill Provisions located on the Maker’s Mark Distillery campus, followed by a Distillery Tour. Afterward, we’ll head to the heart of Bardstown, the “town that bourbon built,” and enjoy free time to explore the downtown district. We’ll stop at the Barton 1792 Distillery for an inside visit of the daily operation, followed by a visit to the Bottle & Bond Distillery and their state-of-the-art Bardstown Bourbon Company, known as “one of the most technically advanced distilleries in the world.” You’ll have time to admire their Whiskey Library with its unique collection of Whiskey, Bourbon, and Rye from across the globe, and enjoy dinner from their kitchen, made with the highest-quality locally sourced ingredients. Return to Louisville later this evening.
Meals Included – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
HIGHLIGHTS
Jim Beam American Stillhouse
Maker’s Mark Distillery
Barton 1792 Distillery
Bottle & Bond Distillery & Bardstown Bourbon Company
WINE TRIP | KENTUCKY sunday, june 23, 2019
DEPART LOUISVILLE
Enjoy the morning and afternoon at your leisure. Your Tour Director will be on hand to offer suggestions, such as the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory. A group transfer will be provided to the airport mid to late afternoon.
Meal Included – Breakfast
HIGHLIGHTS
Free time to explore on your own
WINE TRIP | KENTUCKY inclusions
INCLUDED NOT INCLUDED
3 nights’ accommodations at a superior Airfare or hotel parking if self-driving first-class hotel to Louisville
Sightseeing, tours, activities & attractions Meals when not mentioned as included as shown Room service & personal room charges Breakfast daily, one lunch, two dinners Excess baggage and porterage Tour director, local guides Local guide gratuities Private coach throughout Private transfers if you do not Taxes arrive/depart with group
Gratuities for tour director and driver Trip cancellation and travel insurance (local guide gratuities not included)
WINE TRIP | KENTUCKY rates
$2,597 $3,197
Double occupancy (per person) Single occupancy
Space is limited on this tour and will be sold on a first-come basis upon receipt of deposit. To make reservations, please call or email Carol or Karen (contact information below). This tour requires a minimum of 16 participants to operate. Distilleries, hotels, dinners, activities, and attractions can be subject to change.
deposit & final payment
$500 DEPOSIT (NON-REFUNDABLE) FINAL PAYMENT per person, due upon making reservations due by April 5, 2019
Forms of payment include cash, check, Mastercard, Visa, or American Express.
airfare
Airfare is not included but we are happy to assist you in securing your air tickets. Arrive into Louisville Airport on June 20 by 12:15 p.m. to catch the group transfer. Depart from Louisville at 5:00 p.m. or later on June 23.
land cancellation policy
DEPOSIT – APRIL 5, 2019 APRIL 6, 2019 – DEPARTURE
$500 per person penalty non-refundable
If we have a waitlist, we may be able to assist with a name change instead of a cancellation on land only. Name changes have a $100.00 per person administrative fee. There is no guarantee we will have someone to take your spot, in which case full cancellation fees will apply. Air tickets are non-refundable from the time of ticketing. Name changes are not allowed on air tickets. Travel Guard trip cancellation and travel insurance will be quoted at the time of booking.
reservations
708-532-5450 • 800-535-2670 Carol’s Travel Service, Inc. [email protected] 7625 W. 159th Street [email protected] Tinley Park, IL 60477 [email protected]
WINE TRIP | KENTUCKY WINE TRIP | KENTUCKY