Welcome to the Ultimate Tour Of Fun and Excitement! The rolling fields of bluegrass, the majesty of horse farms, the sweet taste of bourbon, and the thrill of thoroughbreds competing for the grand prize awaits us on this incredible journey. If you have never experienced this part of the country your owe it to yourself to make this trip. This journey is a true AMERICA 250 TOUR!

We’ll visit the horse farm that brought us Secretariat, do a Backstretch Breakfast Tour at Churchill Downs, Take part in some Hattitude by making your own Derby Hat or make your own Mint Julep the drink of the Derby, not to mention enjoy the races at Churchill Downs for some big winnings. Get a true education and relive the history of Bourbon as we, tour and taste our way through several fantastic bourbon distilleries such as Heaven Hills Distillery, Angels Envy, Buffalo Trace, and sponsor of the Kentucky Derby - Woodford Reserve. See what it takes to make a great bourbon as you see first-hand the care that goes into creating the barrels the bourbon rests in for years before making it to your table. To round out our visit we go to the Kentucky Horse Park to see the International Museum of the Horse, see Live Shows, and maybe take in an optional Horseback Ride.

But wait, there’s a whole lot more to enjoy. We’ll be spending 3 Nights at the Marriott Griffin Gate Golf Resort & Spa. Nestled in the middle of Bluegrass Country, the Lexington Griffin Gate Golf Resort & Spa offers resort experiences for everyone. Horse country surrounds the resort with the Keeneland Racetrack and Kentucky Horse Park only a few miles away. It’s the perfect location to explore the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, using the resort as our home base. But the best is located at the resort with indoor and outdoor pools, a full service spa, championship golf course and plenty of resort activities for everyone including outdoor smore’s around the resorts fire pits. Be sure to check out the Bourbon Machine & the Sippin’ with Griffin tastings, both located in the tasting loft. Spending 3 Days here allows our guests the ability to do more and relax more.

• Roundtrip Transfers to Logan Airport*

• Roundtrip Airfare from Logan Airport

• 1 Nights Hotel Lodging - Louisville, KY

• 3 Nights Hotel Lodging - Lexington, KY - Marriott Griffin Gate Golf Resort & Spa

• 12 Meals - 4 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 4 Dinners

• Tour of Louisville, KY

• Tour of Louisville Slugger Museum

• Tour of Claiborne Farm - Home of Secretariat

• Cooperage Tour to see Bourbon Barrel Creation

• Tour of Churchill Downs with Backstretch Breakfast, Museum Admission, and Reserved Seating for the Horse Racing at Churchill Downs

• Admission to Kentucky Horse Park with Shows Included

• Admission Tours & Tastings at Heaven Hills, Angels Envy, Buffalo Trace, and Woodford Reserve Distilleries

• Best of Times Travel Tour Manager (Gratuity Included)

• Hotel Luggage Handling & Taxes

• Bus Driver Gratuities Not Included

• Optional Travelers Insurance by Chubb is offered - For details on the Chubb Travel Insurance Program, click here: Chubb Basic Insurance

 * Single Group Pick-Up.  Non-Group Bookings will be required to travel to the nearest Best of Times or Group Set Pick-Up Location. Best of Times Travel will notify you of the closest departure point to where you live approximately 3 weeks prior to the trip departure date.  

Louisville KY & Churchill Downs - We begin our trip with our early am flight into Louisville, KY to ensure we have time to explore this wonderful city in earnest. Our 2 Days in Louisville will encompass all of the great aspects of the city. Enjoy our guided tour of the city with our step on guide, experience a tour of the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory showcasing the story of Louisville Slugger baseball bats in baseball and in American history. Louisville is the home of Angel’s Envy Distillery and recipient of the 2025 Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award—placing them among the top 10% of attractions worldwide. Enjoy a tour and bourbon tasting here. Of course no visit to Louisville would be complete without a visit to the home of the greatest 2 minutes in racing, the Kentucky Derby, at Churchill Downs. Our tour takes this program to all new heights that most groups never experience. While here we will enjoy a tour of the museum & grounds but also the following: Backstretch Breakfast Workout Tour- Treat yourself to breakfast and a show on our most exclusive group tour! Start your morning with a railside breakfast at the trackside cafe where all the grooms, jockeys, and trainers eat while horses sprint past at speeds up to 40mph. As the horses finish their workout, explore the backside where hundreds of people care for and train world-class Thoroughbreds. Hatitude - Bring your perfect Derby hat or fascinator to life in the Hatitude workshop! Choose from a range of options like big- or small-brimmed hats, fedoras, cowboy hats, fascinators and more before topping it off with all the classic Derby fanfare and accessories. This workshop is great for both men and women to create and show off their own Derby styles. Mint Julep University - Learn how to make a Mint Julep and drink it, too! Class is in session, and the subject is the Kentucky Derby’s famous signature drink. As you learn all about how to make that perfect julep, soak up how this cocktail made its place in history and snack on another Kentucky favorite – bourbon balls. Master the Mint Julep and graduate when you visit Kentucky Derby Museum’s Mint Julep University! Horse Racing - Enjoy our afternoon at the races and wager your bets as you see the thoroughbreds race at the Kentucky Derby. All this is and more is included in your package.

Lexington KY - Horse Farms, The Bourbon Trail Resort Stay & More! - Welcome to Bluegrass Country Where Rolling Hills Meet Rich Heritage. Discover a region deeply rooted in the most recognizable equestrian heritage. Located on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, The Marriot Lexington Griffin Gate Golf Resort & Spa, our home for the next 3 Days, offers a direct route to taste the most authentic Kentucky bourbon at distilleries like Woodford Reserve, Heaven Hill Distillery & Buffalo Trace. We will tour and sample bourbon at Buffalo Trace Distillery - Experience The World’s Bourbon Destination with 200 years of history along the bourbon trail. Immerse yourself in the sights, smells and stories that make Buffalo Trace Distillery a bourbon legend. Woodford Reserve Distillery - Sponsor of the Kentucky Derby - the art of making bourbon first took place on the site of the Woodford Reserve Distillery, a National Historic Landmark in 1812. Heaven Hills Distillery - For nearly a century, Heaven Hill Brands has stood as a proud, family-owned house of brands. Their journey is a testament to grit, vision, and the power of relationships—rooted in an unwavering commitment to authenticity, craftsmanship, and transparency. Don’t worry as we’re going to get you “all fired up” about barrels with our Kentucky Cooperage Tour. That’s right we’re going to give you a behind-the-scenes look at how barrels are crafted to create those amazing bourbon flavors. A true highlight of your journey, and an educational experience not to be missed, is our visit to Claiborne Farms - Come see and learn for yourself why Claiborne is known as one of the most iconic Thoroughbred breeding farms in Kentucky’s Horse Country! Your tour will include a fascinating overview of Claiborne’s storied history, including its involvement with Triple Crown winner Secretariat. See where the legend is buried, and walk the grounds where many other famous racehorses called home. Thousands of guests have had the opportunity to view their traditional breeding shed, which has produced more than 80 champions. Of course we couldn’t possibly allow you to leave Kentucky without a visit to the Kentucky Horse Park. Celebrating their relationship with the horse since 1978, the Kentucky Horse Park welcomes over one million visitors each year. Owned and operated by the Commonwealth of Kentucky, the Park is a treasure to our state and a facility unlike any other in the world. While here enjoy the International Musuem of the Horse, meet the horses in person, enjoy a horse-drawn trolley ride, experience a live equine show and even get in the saddle and explore the park’s paddocks on a 35-minute trail ride.

Here are the Specific Terms & Conditions of Sale For this program.

Rates and itineraries shown here were in effect at the time of printing and no changes are anticipated; however, Best of Times Travel reserves the right to withdraw any tour or to make any rate changes, as necessary. Prices are subject to change. A deposit is always required to confirm a reservation. A Deposit of $800pp, plus insurance premium (if selected) is due upon registration to confirm your reservation. Travel Insurance: We recommend your purchase of optional travel insurance. This optional travel insurance is per person and the premium is based on the overall trip cost. Travelers MUST purchase the plan at the time of initial deposit. Coverage will not be in place unless your full Deposit is received. Cancellation schedule and fees are in place regardless of cancellation reason (including, but not limited to, force majeure, health pandemics or government restrictions). Travel Insurance Premium is also Non-Refundable regardless of cancellation reason. Payment in full must be received by July 1st, 2026 or this may result in an automatic cancellation. Please note: All cancellations must be made in writing and sent to Best of Times Travel via email to cancellations@bestoftimestravel.com or via traditional mail. The date of cancellation is deemed to be the date received by Best of Times Travel. Cancellation Charges for this programs are as follows: Cancellations from date of booking until 7/1/2026 have no cancellation fee. Cancellations from 7/2/2026 until 8/1/2026 will be assessed a cancellation fee of 50% of the total fare. Cancellations from 8/2/2026 until 8/21/2026 will be assessed a cancellation fee of 75% of the total fare. Cancellations after 8/21/2026 will receive no refund, 100% of the total fare. Best of Times Travel is not responsible for any refunds over and above said amount. Best of Times Travel reserves the right to issue any refunds, in whole or in part, in the form of future travel credit.

*Pre-Existing Medical Condition Exclusion Waiver has the following stipulations: plan must be purchased within 15 days of initial trip payment, insured must be medically able to travel at time of purchasing the plan, all pre-paid, non-refundable trip costs need to be insured.  This information is a brief description of the features of this insurance program. Coverage & pricing may vary by state. The provision of this document is for informational purposes only and is not an insurance contract. Coverage is being marketed by Chubb Insurance Solutions Agency, Inc. located at 202 Halls Mills Road, Whitehouse Station, New Jersey 08889. Insurance benefits are underwritten by ACE Property & Casualty Insurance Company located at 436 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106.