A Blue Christmas at Graceland

After a day of travel you check into Louisville's Historic Brown Hotel for an overnight stay. A Legend, the Brown Hotel is

beloved by generations of guests for its Georgian-Revival elegance and timeless Southern charm. Anchoring downtown Louisville with a firm grasp on history paired with a 21st century appreciation for hospitality, this landmark hotel at the corners of Fourth and Broadway blends breathtaking architectural features with the modern amenities and services today’s most discerning travelers expect. The hotel also features fine dining as well as Brown Hotel Lobby Bar voted one of the Top 15 Bars in the World with live music nightly. Tonight's "Hot Brown" dinner will be memorable. A dish that was invented here, in 1926, it is a culinary requisite on any visit to Louisville. It has been featured in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Los Angeles Time and dozens of other media outlets (and cookbook pages) since its' baked-to-perfection debut. Dinner is also accompanied by a slice of Kentucky Derby Pie. This evening includes a lesson on how to make Louisville's signature cocktail, the Mint Julep, which includes a cocktail to sample. (D)

Breakfast is included at the hotel. This afternoon as you travel to Memphis a stop is made at the Carnegie Legends Museum in Jackson, TN. Here in the alleys and honkytonks of Jackson a rich mixture of country music and blues, fueled by moonshine, created the setting where the first rock music (Rockabilly) was heard on planet earth. It was written and played here by Carl Perkins and others even before it was recorded in Memphis. Once you arrive in the city, check into your hotel for two nights at the luxurious Guest House at Graceland. This evening you join other tour groups for a plated Southern Meal, typical of Memphis & The Mississippi Delta complete with dessert at the Blue Christmas Holiday Dinner Show. (Cash bar available.) This feature event is an Elvis Holiday Tribute show with an Elvis Tribute Artist, live band, back-up singers, full stage lighting and sound! You'll hear such great songs as "Merry Christmas Baby", "White Christmas", "I'll Be Home For Christmas", and many other traditional Holiday Songs all performed in the classic Elvis- style including his title song "Blue Christmas". You can be sure a few of his greatest hits will be featured too. (B,D)

Breakfast is included at the hotel. Todays sightseeing is the Merry, Merry Mojo tour featuring a musician tour guide showing you the sights of the city while history sings. As you rock on down the road you will also visit Sun Studio’s, the Birthplace of Rock n’ Roll and walk the halls where Elvis, Jerry Lee, Johnny, Carl Perkins and a hundred others made music. Graceland Memphis. Also included is a visit to the Memphis Rock n’ Soul Museum ,a Smithsonian Institution, it features the complete history of Memphis Music. It tells of the musical pioneers and legends of all racial and socio-economic backgrounds who, for the love of music, overcame obstacles to create the sounds that changed the world. Tonight is the highlight of your tour, a Graceland Private Evening Tour. Typically the Graceland Mansion closes at 4:00pm, by special arrangement it is available exclusively to VIP tour groups this evening. The entire complex has been rented out so that you can enjoy an experience not available to the General Public. The highlight of this evening is, of course, your visit to the Mansion. Holiday decorations just aren’t the same in daylight as they are at night. You will see traditional lights and decorations including hundreds of blue lights along the driveway, a life-size Nativity scene and Santa on his sleigh .The interior is decked out in Christmas décor and includes his traditional red velvet drapes and the Presley family Christmas artifacts - just as they were displayed by Elvis. The evening also includes a buffet dinner in the Elvis Presley Memphis Entertainment Complex. It’s a Memphis Barbecue with buffets and tables set in the Presley Motors Automobile Museum where you are surrounded by an awesome collection of hot cars ,motorcycles and toys. Explore Elvis the Entertainer Career Museum with artifacts: photos, Gold Records, Costumes. You also have time to see the Elvis Discovery Exhibits show casing the influences, and important things in his life. (B,D)

Depart Memphis and return to Louisville for another overnight stay at The Brown Hotel. Dinner and a Holiday Show are included tonight at the Derby Dinner Playhouse. (B,D)

Reindeer Races at Churchill Downs - This morning "Join in all the Reindeer Games" at the Kentucky Derby Museum. It’s a festive laugh-filled morning of Reindeer Racing. Everyone receives $5000 worth of $$ Horsey Bucks $$ and a Reindeer Racing Program. You will notice immediately that all the Thoroughbred horses have been given Reindeer Names. The emcee will provide you with handicapping tips so you can pick a winner. Then armed with insider advice, a racing program and a fist full of Holiday Money you make your bets just before the bell sounds. It’s contagious excitement, you’ll be cheering and laughing with your travelers as they yell “On Donner, On Blitzen .. . ho ho ho.” The top three money winners (Win – Place – Show)receive silly prizes. Oh and everyone who wants, receives their own set of reindeer antlers to wear and keep for luck! Enjoy a walking tour of Churchill Downs followed by Kentucky Buffet Lunch at the Derby Cafe. Arrive home in the evening. (B,L)