Nashville

Nashville is a city at the heart of the state of Tennessee, in central United States of America. For me, the thing that sums the city up is the sign at the International airport when you arrive which simply says ?Welcome to Music City USA?, but although music is a huge part of Nashville?s heritage, there is much more to the city than this. GETTING THERE ------- Getting to Nashville from the United Kingdom is quite easy, although there are no direct flights available. The easiest way is to fly with American Airlines, via a gateway such as Boston or Chicago. Flights to Chicago are available from London Heathrow and Gatwick, Manchester, Edinburgh, and ...  Read the complete review

Ok - so I'm no country and western fan - but i'll admit to wanting to have seen the Grand Ole Opry merely out of curiosity. It's gone! well it's moved to Opryland a mega-them park thing in the suburbs. Nashville is America's leading sprawl, it's official. 1.2million people spread out over an area the size of Greater London (7m people). It makes downtown pointless to visit mostly. The Ryman Auditorium - old site of Opry is still there, but it's next to the dome place where the Nashville Predators play ice-hockey. The downtown itself, save a few cafes is virtually deserted of all but city bankers, and only the ...  Read the complete review

During our road trip across the US in November last year, we decided to treat ourselves to a luxurious night in the Opryland Hotel in Nashville. All across the US we'd stayed in La Quinta motor inns, so were ready for some pampering... The Opryland Hotel is a massive complex set outside Nashville. With its imposing entrance, three atriums and over 2000 rooms, we really thought we were in for an experience. But after we'd paid $200 for a double room, we realised that the Opryland was designed to get as much cash from you in as short a time as possible. Food, drink, gifts, toiletries.... everything was massively overpriced. And while the three massive ...  Read the complete review

On route to Nashville we came across the Casey Jones Village just off interstate 40. It’s a complete village from yesterday, with historic Casey Jones Home and Railroad Museum as well as Old Country Store and restaurant. Great antiques and old-fashioned shops. They even have a train and each wagon has been turned into accommodation. Well worth a stop. A short journey brings us to Nashville and we arrive at Music Valley Drive, luckily for us, as this is where we wanted to stay. No problem getting accommodation (very reasonable to) and we go for a drive around taking in the sights, we take in the Willie Nelson Museum, Country Music Hall of Fame, ...  Read the complete review

In May we had the good fortune to go to Nashville as a first visit to America. Flight takes 7 hours but not boring. 2 meals on flight. Nashville IS the home of country music. It is a clean, not expensive, and polite city. We travelled by bus. One price wherever you go and you can go for 2 hours and still be in Nashville. Everyone on buses are friendly and chat to you! Jack Daniels is a must to visit. You can look around the distillery free and a guide will show you around. It is far from boring. Clothes are cheap and shops stay open late. Music blares from every shop and every bar. People sit on the street and play music. No beggers just musicians. Food is cheap in ...  Read the complete review