Depart the UK for Cincinnati Airport the gateway to Northern Kentucky. Pick up a hire car and drive across the Ohio River to Covington, which is easily accessible via the historic Roebling Suspension Bridge. The historic Riverside Drive area along the Ohio River features many homes that were once stops on the Underground Railroad, the last stops to freedom during the era of slavery.
Covington is one of the largest cities in Northern Kentucky and it is well known for its historic neighbourhoods. Experience the charming MainStrasse Village district featuring classic pubs and chic eateries along Main Street. Visit the Goebel Park’s quirky clock tower and huge Devou Park, which is known for its Cincinnati skyline views. Venture to the downtown area of Covington for a glass or two of bourbon at one of the top hotels in the United States, the Hotel Covington. Walk along Madison Avenue to the Cathedral of the Basilica, a world class cathedral built as a replica of Notre Dame with the world’s largest stained-glass window.
Take a short drive to the Newport Aquarium and discover the wonders of an underwater world featuring sharks, stingrays, penguins, and rare white alligators. Spend 2 Nights at Hotel Covington
Next stop, Lexington “the horse capital of the world” and home to more than 450 Thoroughbred and Standard bred farms, with many open to the public. In Lexington is Keeneland Racecourse, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, where racing takes place in April and October. Located near Keeneland, Kentucky Horse Park offers a true equine experience. This is the only park in the world dedicated exclusively to the horse, which also hosts seasonal events and annual events such as the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day event. Lexington has more than 200 years of history and nearby is Shaker Village at Pleasant Hill which is home to an impressive collection of Shaker architecture, furniture, artefacts, and historians. With 34 Shaker structures, built from 1809 to 1875, the site is the country’s largest private collection of original 19th century buildings. Stay 2 Nights at 21C Museum Hotel Lexington
Travel to Bowling Green a classic All-American city which is home to the iconic Corvette, the National Corvette Museum, and the GM Bowling Green Corvette Assembly Plant which is open for public tours. Experience the areas natural wonders like Lost River Cave and Mammoth Cave, the world's longest cave system. Bowling Green a hotbed for “hotrodders” who love nostalgic drag racing at Beech Bend Raceway. And there's lots more! Stay 2 nights at Drury Inn & Suites Bowling Green.
Finally, spend the next 3 days exploring Louisville: enjoy a 75-minute narrated city tour with Trolley de Ville featuring over 30 attractions aboard an authentic, climate-controlled trolley with brass rails, bells and more. You’ll roll through downtown Louisville, along Museum Row, see the Twin Spires at Churchill Downs, home to the “richest 2 minutes in sport” the Kentucky Derby, and meander through Old Louisville—which features the largest collection of Victorian-style homes in America. Learn interesting facts and trivia about your new favourite place to visit!
Downtown Louisville rolls gently down towards Main Street then abruptly lunges down to the river where the historic Belle of Louisville steamboat leaves for daily sightseeing cruises. Don’t miss the Slugger Museum and Factory (the home of major league baseball bats) and be sure to sample the Urban Bourbon Trail along Whiskey Row and around town.
The Muhammad Ali Centre rises on the south bank of the Ohio River and has majestic views of Kentucky’s largest city where Ali was born Cassius Clay in 1942. Ali went on to boxing fame and fortune but, in his heyday, he was known as the “Louisville Lip” and a loquacious self-promoter responsible for some of the finest quips to emerge from a sportsman. The Ali Centre is not obsessed with glory and triumph, and it does not shy away from Ali’s failings, but his boxing achievements are the centrepiece and fans can watch his fights in a multimedia area as well as follow his brave and principled stand against the Vietnam War and racism. Take in the Bourbon culture with visits to Old Forester Distillery and Evan Williams Bourbon Experience located in the Bourbon District Downtown, known as Bourbon Row. Cap off the evening at sunset with a stroll on the Big Four Pedestrian Bridge. Originally built as a railroad bridge in 1895, the Big Four Pedestrian Bridge opened to the public in 2013 and spans the Ohio River, connecting Louisville to Southern Indiana. The Big Four Bridge comes alive at night with state-of-the-art lighting that bathes the ironwork in vibrant colours which highlight the strength, beauty, and history of the bridge. 3 Nights at the Brown Hotel.
