Previous Image
Next Image

Day 1 – Home to Bloomington, IL

We began our tour Wednesday traveling all day with stops for coffee breaks and lunch.  We arrive in Bloomington, IL at the Holiday Inn Express for the first night of our travel.

Hotel: Holiday Inn Express – West Bloomington, IL

 

Day 2 – Bloomington to Anderson, IN

Our journey continues “Down the Gospel Road” winding our way to Anderson, Indiana.  Anderson is the home of Anderson University and proudly claimed by Ralph Engel as his almamater.  Ralph is just one of the many famous personalities that hail from its halls! Other distinguished alumni include Sandi Patty, Steven Curtis Chapman, Bill & Gloria Gaither, Doug Oldham, Steve Green and former Dodger’s pitcher Carl Erskine.  Anderson is also the home of the long time national radio broadcast, the Christian Brotherhood Hour.  Ralph is arranging an inside tour of this iconic institution that has had such an historic impact on declaring the Gospel.  A special feature is the Warner Sallman Collection of orginal images of Christ including: “Head of Christ;” “Praying in Gethsemane;” “The Lord is my Shepherd;” “Christ at Hearts Door,” among many others.  We will be enjoying our welcome dinner together at the University with gospel music provided by some great local talent.  It will be our first introduction to our Gospel Road tour.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Welcome Dinner

Hotel: Holiday Inn Express, Anderson, IN

 

Day 3 – Anderson to Cincinnati, OH

We arise early enough to enjoy a great hot breakfast before we are on our way to the Gaither Family Resources in Alexandria, Indiana, home to well known gospel music greats Bill & Gloria Gaither.  Here we are privileged to an inside tour of their historic studios (Site of the very first Homecoming video), as well as the headquarters of Gaither Music.  A guided tour of Alexandria, Bill & Gloria’s hometown, complete with stories of Bill’s boyhood days, is truly fascinating.  Our journey takes us back to the Gaither Center to enjoy a homecooked chicken dinner and all the trimmings in their very own restaurant, “The Common Place.”  We will again be treated to dinner music by a Homecoming favorite, gospel artist and songwriter Woody Wright and his lovely wife Vonnie.  Woody’s songs have been recorded by almost every artist in gospel music.  This will be an amazing treat you’ll long remember.  Our plan is to visit the fantastic gift shop after lunch as well as Gaither Family Resources, where every Homecoming video ever recorded and the largest collection of gospel music CDs you’ve ever seen, are available for purchase.  Don’t forget your credit card!Departing from Alexandria, we journey to Cincinnati where a great overnight treat awaits us.  The Hilton Netherlands Plaza Hotel in downtown Cincinnati is one of the most beautiful hotels in the country and our home for the evening.  Dinner this evening is on your own to choose from restaurants at the hotel or downtown Cincinnati.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch at Gaithers

Hotel: Hilton Netherlands Plaza, Cincinnati

 

Day 4 – Cincinnati to Renfro Valley, KY

After enjoying an incredible hot breakfast at the hotel we will make our way to the famous Creation Museum in Petersburg, Kentucky, where we will “Prepare to Believe.”  This incredible 70,000 sq ft museum brings the pages of the Bible to life.  You will be on your own for noon lunch at the Museum’s very own Noah’s Cade.  The Planetarium Show will “knock your socks off!”  Leaving the museum,we travel across the pastoral rolling hills of Kentucky, famously known as “horse country,” to Mt. Vernon and the Renfro Valley, the Music Capital of Kentucky.  Dinner this evening is southern style at The Lodge in the Village, entertainment is the “Gospel Jubilee” at The Old Barn Theater and our homey accommodation is the National Heritage Inn just a stroll down the road. What a day!

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel: National Heritage Inn, Renfro Valley, KY 

 

Day 5 – Renfro Valley to Pigeon Forge, TN

Enjoy the deluxe 25 item breakfast bar before heading off to our wonderful “packed full of events” day. We arrive at the Museum of Appalachia in Clinton, Tennessee. This is a wonderfully relaxing expanse of property featuring many old buildings and displays of the long ago days of country music. Enjoy lunch on your own at their quaint cafe with ample time to explore this one of a kind museum. It’s a great spot! Then it’s on to Pigeon Forge. This area is “the new Branson.” Wait til’ you see The Inn at Christmas Place! It is a simply divine place to call home the next two nights! Here we will experience old world charm, elegance, and hospitality second to none in the Smoky Mountains. We enjoy a late afternoon Sunday dinner at the incredible Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant before the opening night concert at the National Quartet Convention. The NQC, the country’s largest Southern Gospel event, is our focus the next two days. This is the first year in Pigeon Forge in the brand new LaConte Center. We have prime seating for 3 shows featuring the absolute top groups in Southern Gospel Music.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel: The Inn at Christmas Place, Pigeon Forge, TN (2 nights) 

 

Day 6 – Pigeon Forge

An amazing Christmas Place breakfast buffet starts our day! Enjoy some free time in and around our beautiful hotel, with attractions and gift shops galore! We attend the NQC Afternoon Showcase and the Evening Concert featuring a variety of Gospel Groups – Southern Gospel Music at its very best!

Included Meals: Breakfast

Hotel: The Inn at Christmas Place, Pigeon Forge, TN 

 

Day 7 – Pigeon Forge to Wilkesboro, NC

After breakfast in our surreal surroundings, we will journey across Eastern Tennessee, through the Great Smoky Mountains to Wilkesboro, North Carolina and the World Headquarters of Samaritan’s Purse. We enjoy lunch right here before an informational inside look at Franklin Graham’s compassionate organization striving to provide for the physical and spiritual needs of millions all over the world. This will be an “eye opening” experience we will never forget!

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Hotel: Holiday Inn Express, Wilkesboro, NC 

 

Day 8 – Wilkesboro to Charlotte, NC

Following our nice hot breakfast, we journey just a few short miles away to another critical branch of The Samaritan’s Purse. This is the distribution center where we witness the fascinating logistics of shipping these needed goods world wide! Then we are off winding our way through the NC mountains to the famous Billy Graham Library in Charlotte. What is in store for us today can only be imagined! Before our tour, lunch is provided right at the Library at the Graham Bros. Dairy Bar. Now for what will likely be the highlight of the trip, The Billy Graham Library and Museum. The Billy Graham Library tops the all-time high for spiritual blessings! Retrace Billy Graham’s dynamic journey through stunning multi media presentations, interactive kiosks, photos and memorabilia all done with state-of-the-art technology. When you are finished, you will absolutely realize it’s not about the man “Billy Graham” but about his “God fearing dedication to his Lord & Savior.” Included on the site is Billy’s boyhood home and Ruth’s (his dear wife) gravesite. People, by the tens of thousands, have been making pilgrimages from all over the world to witness this presentation of the Ministry of Billy Graham, his wife Ruth, and his team and associates. For many, this is a life altering experience. You will truly love the rich heritage and deep spiritual impact of this “God Spot.” Our home this evening is the convenient and comfortable Embassy Suites nearby.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner at Embassy Suites

Hotel: Embassy Suites, Charlotte, NC 

 

Day 9 – Charlotte to Wilmot, OH

Our wonderful full breakfast buffet at Embassy Suites is the best and we love it. Today is a delightful travel day through the western mountain regions of North Carolina, Virginia & West Virginia, to Amish Country of Ohio, a totally different experience for us to take in. Our home for this evening will be the Amish Door Inn, an elegant Victorian style Inn, the gateway to Amish Country. It’s a great escape and a very easy going lifestyle. Discover on your own the Village of Amish Door. Tonight we dine at the Amish Door and enjoy our very own gospel concert by “The Victory Trio.”

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel: Inn at Amish Door, Wilmot, OH 

 

Day 10 – Wilmot to Shipshewana, IN

After our included breakfast, take a short drive to the Smucker’s Home Store and Café. “With a name like Smucker’s it has to be good!” You’ll be amazed at how many famous brands are included under the Smucker’s umbrella. Lunch will be on your own as we travel the Ohio and Indiana countryside to our stop for the night, the Van Buren Inn in Shipshewana, Indiana. This evening will be dinner and a show at the incredible Blue Gate Theatre. Tonight we enjoy the highly acclaimed Amish comedy musical “Josiah for President.”

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel: The Van Buren Inn, Shipshewana, IN

 

Day 11 – Shipshewana to Oakbrooke, IL

We leave amiable Amish Country for the Windy City, making a convenient lunch stop at Navy Pier, right on beautiful Lake Michigan with an incredible view of the impressive Chicago skyline. Following our lunch break, we make our way through city traffic west to the suburban city of Wheaton, home to The Billy Graham Center Museum, located on the campus of Wheaton College. The BGC Museum hosting 40,000 guests per year, has been in operation since 1980. We will enjoy a unique visual overview of the history of Christian evangelism and its influence on American society. It is a family-oriented museum, with rare artifacts and interactive displays that begin with the early history of America and climax with a powerful walk-through presentation of the Gospel message. The museum consists of 20,000 square feet of permanent and temporary exhibit space and offers a changing selection of temporary exhibits that depict the themes of missions, evangelism, and contemporary Christian art. Then on to incomparable Drury Lane Dinner Theatre for a delightful evening of dining and award winning entertainment as we celebrate all we’ve enjoyed together on this incredible journey.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel: Hilton Garden Inn at Drury Lane

 

Day 12 – Oakbrooke to Home

The Hilton Garden Inn breakfast is second to none and nourishes our spirits for our final day of travel. This is Sunday, so our coach will serve as our “traveling chapel” as we make our way home. We share an included farewell lunch at one of our favorite spots, Bernstad’s in Tomah. Thank you for traveling The Gospel Road with us

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Motorcoach Per Person Pricing Information

Double: $2,499
Single: $3,199
Triple: $2,379
Quad: $2,249

Motorcoach Travel Protection Per Person

Double: $149
Single: $198

Travel Bucks

$35 Travel Bucks per person earned with this tour

Deposit Due

$100 deposit per person due at time of reservation. Full payment due 30 days prior to depart.

Passport Needed

No

Tour Pace

Moderate Walking

Price Includes

22 Included Meals, Hotels & Activities as stated in brochure, Luxury Motorcoach



The average temperature while R&J is visiting is 84°
Travel with R & J Tours to a warm destination where it is...
22°
Minneapolis, Mn
37°
The Gospel Road: Limited Availability!! Call 1-800-758-6877
Motorcoach Departure Date:
09/17/2014
Motorcoach Return Date:
09/28/2014

Make a Reservation Online

Tour Map


Tour Highlights

Anderson University Tour
Dinner & Concert at Anderson University
Gaither Homecoming Studios
Bill Gaither Hometown Tour
Lunch at Gaithers with Woody & Vonnie Wright
Hilton Netherlands in Cincinnati
Creation Museum
Gospel Jubilee at Renfro Valley
Sunday Morning Gathering at Renfro Valley
Museum of Appalachia
Inn at Christmas Place
Pigeon Forge Tennessee
National Quartet Convention – 3 Concerts
Samaritan’s Purse World Headquarters
Billy Graham Library & Homestead
Inn at Amish Door
The Victory Trio
Smucker’s Home Store
Shipshewana, Indiana
The Blue Gate Restaurant & Theatre
“Josiah for President” Original Amish Production
The Billy Graham Center, Wheaton, IL
Drury Lane Dinner Theatre



Travel with R & J Tours to a warm destination where it is...
22°
Minneapolis, Mn
37°
The Gospel Road: Limited Availability!! Call 1-800-758-6877
The average temperature while R&J is visiting is 84°
Dedicated to presenting the greatness of God through the beauty of His Creation.