Georgia's Bavarian Village 25

Day 1

Welcome Aboard! Enjoy the breathtaking fall foliage scenery along every turn of the highway as we travel south towards the Blue Ridge Mountains of north Georgia. A lunch stop will be made en route to Charlotte, North Carolina. Our accommodations for the night are at the Drury Inn & Suites, a perennial favorite of Gunther Tours! Tonight, enjoy the Manager's Reception with free hot food & cold beverages, including beer, wine, and mixed drinks.

Day 2

After breakfast we depart for the Billy Graham Library. The library is located on sixty-three acres that includes the Graham family homestead and the prayer garden where Dr. Graham and his wife Ruth are buried. Discover the life and legacy of "America's Pastor" on a tour that highlights the key historic evangelistic events in Billy Graham's life, his use of radio and television to reach out to millions of people around the world, his meetings with presidents and other world leaders, and a fascinating glimpse into his personal life. A delicious lunch is included at the Graham Brothers Dairy Bar, located on the library grounds. Following lunch settle back, relax, and enjoy the scenery on our drive to Helen, Georgia for a three-night stay at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites. Upon our arrival, you will have time to relax and freshen up before going out for a delicious dinner at a local restaurant that serves up great local flavors.

Day 3

After breakfast we meet our step-on guide, and depart for a day of sightseeing. We begin with a tour of historic Helen, a re-creation of a Bavarian Alpine village, located in one of the most beautiful sections of Northeast Georgia. First, we visit the Old Sautee Store, a Georgia landmark built in 1872, which has served the people of the North Georgia Mountains for more than 127 years. The Old Sautee Store is an eclectic mix of rustic reminders of days gone by with its original general store museum and contemporary Scandinavian gifts, including gourmet foods, fine jewelry, special interest books, and their famous Norwegian sweaters. Next, we will visit the Nora Mill Granary, a working granary built in 1876 on the banks of the Chattahoochee River. See the original, 1500 pound, forty-eight millstones turn and grind the grains sold there. Next, enjoy lunch on your own at one of the local eateries offering a variety of dining options ranging from German American to Southern cooking. After lunch, leisurely explore downtown Helen browsing its many shops, filled with German specialties, candies, and much more before we continue our touring. Our final stop of the day will be at the Sautee Nacoochee Center, a thriving cultural and community center housed in a restored rural schoolhouse. Dedicated to nurturing creativity and protecting the natural and historical resources of the Sautee and Nacoochee Valleys and surrounding area, the Center includes a folk pottery museum, theatre, gallery, art studio, dance studio, history museum, heritage site, nature preserve, environmental studies room, and conference facilities. Sautee Nacoochee Center has been recognized as one of "The 100 Best Small Arts Towns in America". Later we will return to our hotel where you will have time to freshen up before going out for an Authentic German dinner.

Day 4

After breakfast we meet our step-on guide, and depart for another day of sightseeing. We begin with a visit to Babyland General Hospital, voted one of the Travel Channel's Top Ten Toyland's located in Cleveland, Georgia. Beautifully situated on 650 acres in the North Georgia Mountains, this Southern Style home is filled with Cabbage Patch Kids and is the only place in the world where you can witness the birth of a hand-sculpted Cabbage Patch Kid. Next, we visit the town of Dahlonega, Georgia, nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the heart of Georgia Wine Country, and the site of the first major U.S. Gold Rush. Dahlonega offers an authentic, mountain getaway, expansive mountain vistas, roaring waterfalls and bubbling streams, postcard-worthy wineries, and great live entertainment. A delicious family style lunch is included at the Smith House, where a big front porch and rocking chairs are the standard equipment! Be sure to visit the Smith House marketplace style Country Store and browse the specialty shops that surround the town square for that unique memento of your visit to Dahlonega. We return to our hotel to freshen up before joining in the fun at Helen's biggest yearly celebration, the 55th Annual Oktoberfest. Enjoy German music, food, drinks, and dancing, including waltzes, polkas, and the chicken dance. Tonight, a German dinner is included with lots of music and dancing.

Day 5

After breakfast settle back, relax, and enjoy the scenery winding along Scenic Highway 197 to Clarkesville, Georgia, and the home of Mark of the Potter. For over 46 years Mark of the Potter has endeavored to provide the best functional stoneware created by our own potters and some specially selected potters from around the southeast and the continental U.S. Want a truly original gift to take back home? Watch one of the potters at work, and later explore the store gallery, viewing the many unique pieces of pottery on display and for sale. Our next stop is a photo-stop at Tallulah Gorge. One of the most spectacular canyons in the eastern U.S., Tallulah Gorge is two miles long and nearly 1,000 feet deep. A suspension bridge sways eighty feet above the rocky bottom, providing you spectacular views of the river and waterfalls. Do not forget your cameras! Next visit the picturesque town of Dillard, Georgia, located in the northeastern corner of Georgia and just miles away from North Carolina and Tennessee. Upon our arrival, enjoy some leisure time exploring and browsing Dillard's antique stores and shops in the downtown area before we are treated to a delicious lunch at the historic Dillard House, famous for their family style meals. Later we depart for our overnight accommodations in Asheville, North Carolina at the Hampton Inn & Suites. Upon our arrival, you will have time to relax and freshen up before going out for tonight's dinner at the Stone Ridge Tavern. A family friendly restaurant, Stone Ridge Tavern uses the freshest vegetables and local sourced ingredients from local farmers and the Western North Carolina farmer's market to prepare mouthwatering, original recipes and create desserts made from scratch.

Day 6

After breakfast we depart for home with many pleasant memories of Georgia's Blue Ridge Mountains scenic byways and brilliant landscapes highlighted with the colors of fall, and the rich treasures found in this unique region of the south! Today's buffet lunch is included at Michie Tavern, an authentic 1784 pub in Charlottesville, Virginia. Enjoy a delicious lunch in a rustic tavern setting served to you by servers dressed in period attire.

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D =Dinner