FOLLOW THE GOSPEL ROAD – AN INSPIRATIONAL JOURNEY WITH R&J!
Day 1 – Home to East Peoria, IL
As we begin our Gospel Road adventure, the journey will take us across the Iowa landscape and into Illinois. After we settle into our hotel, we are privileged to see an incredible private gospel concert by The Kramer Family. Their specialty is many of the old hymns we all adore. The family performs at over 200 events a year and have shared the concert platform at the Gaither Fall Festival and the National Quartet Convention. Rachel Kramer has one of the most dynamic voices you’ve ever heard and was honored to sing at the National Prayer Breakfast personally invited by President George W. Bush and First Lady, Laura Bush. What a special treat!!
Included Meals: Dinner
Hotel: Holiday Inn Express
Day 2 – East Peoria to Walton, KY
Our journey today continues as we wind our way towards the Creation Museum in Petersburg, KY. Prepare to believe! This incredible 70,000 sq ft facility brings the pages of the Bible to life. You will have ample time to explore this one-of-a-kind faith experience as well as enjoy dinner on your own before we check into our hotel for the night.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Hotel: Hampton Inn Richwood
Day 3 – Walton to Wytheville, VA
Today will be a travel day as we make our way to Wytheville, VA for the night. Sit back and enjoy the scenery. Tonight we’ll enjoy dinner together once we’re all checked into our hotel.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel: Holiday Inn Express
Day 4 – Wytheville to Charlotte, NC
After breakfast at our hotel, we’ll head out early for the drive to Boone, NC, the headquarters of The Samaritan’s Purse. We’ll get a very informative inside look at Franklin Graham’s compassionate organization that strives to provide for the physical and spiritual needs of millions all over the world. Ever wondered where all those Christmas Shoe Boxes go? This will be an eye opening experience we will never forget! Following an included lunch, we’ll take the short drive further south 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 worldwide! Their Disaster Response Teams are also headquartered here. Marvel at the amazing planning and preparation involved in providing such a critical humanitarian service. What an educational and moving day! Then, you can sit back and relax for the next stretch of the journey to Charlotte for the night. Upon checking into the hotel, help yourself to Drury’s Kickback Reception, which is a complete light meal.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Drury Kickback
Hotel: Drury Inn
Day 5 – Charlotte to Pigeon Forge, TN
Hope you rested well last night! Following breakfast at our hotel, we’ll take the short drive to the Billy Graham Library & Boyhood Home. What is in store for us today can only be imagined! 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 the man “Billy Graham” but about his “God fearing dedication to his Lord and Savior.” Included on the site is Billy’s boyhood home and the gravesites of Billy and Ruth Graham. 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. For many, this is a life-altering experience. You will truly love the rich heritage and deep spiritual impact of this “God Spot.” From here, we’ll travel to Pigeon Forge for the next two nights and settle into our fabulous hotel fully decorated for Christmas! Who says it can’t be Christmastime all year long? Tonight we’re guests at the Biblical Times Dinner Theatre for a live performance and a delicious dinner.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Inn at Christmas Place (2 Nights)
Day 6 – Pigeon Forge
Following breakfast today, we’ll take a tour at the Titanic Museum, where we will receive a boarding pass of an actual Titanic passenger or crew member and discover their fate as we tour the ship. Built half-scale to the original ship, we can touch a real iceberg, walk the Grand Staircase and 3rd class walkways, reach our hands into 28° water and try to stand on the sloping decks. Then we’re off to the exciting National Quartet Convention (NQC). Founded in 1957 by JD Sumner and James Blackwood of the Blackwood Brothers, the NQC features American Gospel quartets and Southern Gospel artists that perform non-stop concerts throughout the convention. We will return to our hotel to enjoy our festive rooms.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 – Pigeon Forge to Walton, KY
This morning we say goodbye to our lovely hotel and Pigeon Forge as we journey back towards the Ark Encounter! A recreation of Noah’s Ark, it is nearly one and a half football fields long and taller than a 4-story building. Be prepared to be blown away by this reconstruction of the Ark to its exact size and detail described in the Old Testament of the Bible.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: Hampton Inn Richwood
Day 8 – Walton to St. John, IN
Today our journey takes us further north to St. John, IN, the home of the Shirine of Christ’s Passion. The Shrine is an interactive multi-media half mile of winding trail that depicts the final days of Jesus’ life. Forty life-sized bronze sculptures, complete with beautiful music and amazing gardens, allow visitors to experience the story of the crucifixion and resurrection like never before. We’ll dine together tonight before a good night’s rest and our journey home tomorrow.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel: Hampton Inn
Day 9 – St. John to Home
We finish our last leg of the tour today while we reminisce about our special Gospel Road memories all the way back!
Included Meals: Breakfast
Motorcoach Per Person Pricing Information
Motorcoach Travel Protection Per Person
Travel Bucks
Deposit Due
Passport Needed
Tour Pace
Price Includes
15 Meals & 1 Kickback, Hotels & Activities as stated in brochure, Luxury Motorcoach
09/22/2023 09/30/2023
Tour Highlights
Private Dinner Concert with The Kramers
The Creation Museum
The Ark Encounter – Life Sized Noah’s Ark
Samaritan’s Purse World Headquarters (2 locations)
Billy Graham Library & Homestead in Charlotte, NC
National Quartet Convention
Biblical Times Dinner Theatre
Shrine of Christ’s Passion
