Gearing Up for the 2024 Orange Blossom Tour

We have just completed the pre-running of our 2024 Orange Blossom Tour, which will be held February 25th-29th. It never ceases to amaze us how every year we manage to find more miles of great roads and cool things to check out.

Just added for 2024 is a trip back to The Citrus Tower in Clermont. We have not been back to this now-nicely-renovated landmark since our inaugural Orange Blossom Tour back in 2010. Situated in one of the hilliest parts of the state, the tower is 226 feet tall and is the highest observation tower in Florida. It was constructed in 1956, making it a true old Florida gem. It rises above the orange groves and lake Minneola and offers vistas of the Orlando skyline as well as a 35-mile panoramic view of central Florida.

Other highlights this year include a trip to Lakeland and Florida Southern College, home of one of the largest collections of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture. We are also planning on visiting private car collections, and Blue Springs where we will look for manatees and alligators on a private boat ride.

We still have a couple of spots left if you want to join in. Registration closes on February 1st, so act fast!

Classic Motorsports Road Tours are presented by Sunoco in association with Chubb.

Tour Recap: The Inaugural Bluegrass Tour

The chance to drive your favorite classic through the rolling hills of Kentucky–the land of bourbon, bluegrass, thoroughbred racing and finger-licking-good fried chicken? That’s the whole idea behind our all-new Classic Motorsports Bluegrass Tour.

This brand-new tour proved so popular, in fact, that we had to run two separate waves, with the first wave kicking off on October 8, and the second wave running the following week starting on October 15.

On the first day of our Bluegrass Tour, we welcomed our participants at their home-away-from-home for the week, the historic Boone Tavern Hotel in Berea, Kentucky.

Once everyone had the chance to unpack, settle in and freshen up, we headed to Churchill‘s Honeysuckle Dining and Bourbon House for a bourbon tasting and dinner.

Monday marked the first day of driving on each wave of the tour, starting off from the Historic Boone Tavern Hotel and heading towards Bardstown, the historic home of bourbon making.

Once there, tour guests were treated to an inside look at the bourbon-making process at the Heaven Hill Distillery–and the chance to taste a few samples, too.

Then, it was a short stint into downtown Bardstown where we met at the Old Talbott Tavern for lunch. In operation since 1779, the historic tavern has hosted just about everyone, from rough frontiersmen to generals and even a few statesmen.

After that, we stopped for a visit at the Maker’s Mark Distillery, where guests were treated to a tour of the grounds that offered insight into the art and history of bourbon making, plus a tasting before heading back to our home away from home, the Historic Boone Tavern Hotel in Berea.

Tuesday morning of each wave of the tour started out by heading southeast into the Appalachian Mountains, taking in the mountain roads before arriving at the first stop of the day, the Flat Lick Falls Scenic and Recreation Area and the virtually unknown waterfall, Flat Lick Falls.

After that, the tour headed through the Red River Gorge for a private lunch at the Hemlock Lodge at the Natural Bridge State Resort Park, followed by the opportunity to ride the skylift to the top of the Natural Bridge to take in the spectacular views and foliage.

Before heading back into Berea for another fantastic dinner at Churchill‘s Honeysuckle Dining and Bourbon House, tour-goers were treated to the opportunity to drive Route 587, better known as the “Ridge Runner.”

Wednesday on each wave focused on horse country, with tour guests getting a private tour of a stud farm and getting insight into thoroughbred horse racing.

Then, we headed to the Holly Hill Inn for a lunch full of sophisticated takes on Southern favorites. Owner Ouita Michel is a multi-time James Beard Award nominee.

After lunch, our guests got to partake in one of our favorite Classic Motorsport Road Tour activities, exploring a private automotive collection. This collection belongs to Tom Jones, chair of the Keeneland Concours d’Elegance.

To cap off the day, we let the tour participants choose their own adventure for the afternoon and dinner.

Thursday on each wave of the tour marked the last full day of driving before parting ways–but that didn’t mean we kept the festivities light.

The first leg of the day’s travels offered tour guests a lovely drive through the local scenery on their way to Cumberland Falls State Resort Park Visitors Center, home of the 68-foot tall, 125-foot wide Cumberland Falls.

After taking in the splendor, we headed into the town of Corbin to dine at the original Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant location, the Harland Sander’s Café and museum. In addition to a delicious lunch of famous fried chicken, participants also got to learn about the history of KFC and Colonel Sanders.

Then it was back to Historic Boone Tavern Hotel for a chance to clean up before a final dinner and a live show at the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame.

The following Friday morning, Bluegrass Tour participants enjoyed one final breakfast at the Boone Tavern before going their separate ways.

Thank you to everyone who participated in our first-ever Classic Motorsports Road Tours Bluegrass Tour!

If this tour looks like a great time to you, consider joining us on the 2024 Bluegrass Tour.

One last chance to take in Kentucky’s history and natural splendor

The chance to drive your favorite classic through the rolling hills of Kentucky, the land of bourbon, bluegrass, thoroughbred racing and finger-licking-good fried chicken? That’s the whole idea behind our all-new Classic Motorsports Bluegrass Tour.

October 12, day five of our Bluegrass Tour, marked the last full day of driving before parting ways–but that didn’t mean we kept the festivities light.

The first leg of the day’s travels offered tour guests a lovely drive through the local scenery on their way to Cumberland Falls State Resort Park Visitors Center, home of the 68-foot tall, 125-foot wide Cumberland Falls.

After taking in the splendor, we headed into the town of Corbin to dine at the original Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant location, the Harland Sander’s Café and museum. In addition to a delicious lunch of famous fried chicken, participants also got to learn about the history of KFC and Colonel Sanders.

Then it was back to Historic Boone Tavern Hotel for a chance to clean up before a final dinner and a live show at the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame.

An insider look at Kentucky’s thoroughbred farms

The chance to drive your favorite classic through the rolling hills of Kentucky, the land of bourbon, bluegrass, thoroughbred racing and finger-licking-good fried chicken? That’s the whole idea behind our all-new Classic Motorsports Bluegrass Tour.

Wednesday, October 11, focused on horse country, with tour guests getting a private tour of a stud farm and getting insight into thoroughbred horse racing.

Then, we headed to the Holly Hill Inn for a lunch of sophisticated takes on Southern favorites. Owner Ouita Michel is a multi-time James Beard Foundation nominee.

After lunch, our guests got to partake in one of our favorite Classic Motorsport Road Tour activities, exploring a private automotive collection.

To cap off the day, we let the tour participants choose their own adventure for the afternoon and dinner–go out or stay in; keep it intimate or join up with tour friends.

Experiencing Kentucky’s stunning Appalachian scenery

The chance to drive your favorite classic through the rolling hills of Kentucky, the land of bourbon, bluegrass, thoroughbred racing and finger-licking-good fried chicken? That’s the whole idea behind our all-new Classic Motorsports Bluegrass Tour.

Tuesday, October 10, started out by heading southeast into the Appalachian Mountains, taking in the mountain roads before arriving at the first stop of the day, the Flat Lick Falls Scenic and Recreation Area and the virtually unknown waterfall, Flat Lick Falls.

After that, the tour headed through the Red River Gorge for a private lunch at the Hemlock Lodge at the Natural Bridge State Resort Park, followed by the opportunity to ride the skylift to the top of the Natural Bridge to take in the spectacular views and foliage.

Before heading back into Berea for dinner at Churchill‘s Honeysuckle Dining and Bourbon House, tour-goers were treated to the opportunity to drive Route 587, better known as the “Ridge Runner.”

Exploring the history and art of making Kentucky bourbon

The chance to drive your favorite classic through the rolling hills of Kentucky, the land of bourbon, bluegrass, thoroughbred racing and finger-licking-good fried chicken? That’s the whole idea behind our all-new Classic Motorsports Bluegrass Tour.

Monday, October 9, marked the first day of driving on our new tour of Kentucky, starting off from the Historic Boone Tavern Hotel and heading towards Bardstown, the historic home of bourbon making.

Once there, tour guests were treated to an inside look at the bourbon-making process at the Heaven Hill Distillery–and the chance to taste a few samples, too.

Then, it was a short stint into downtown Bardstown where we met at the Old Talbott Tavern for lunch. In operation since 1779, the historic tavern has hosted just about everyone, from rough frontiersmen to generals and even a few statesmen.

After that, we stopped for a visit at the Maker’s Mark Distillery, where guests were treated to a tour of the grounds that offered insight into the art and history of bourbon making, plus a tasting before heading back to our home away from home, the Historic Boone Tavern Hotel in Berea.

Welcoming guests to our first-ever Bluegrass Tour

The chance to drive your favorite classic through the rolling hills of Kentucky–the land of bourbon, bluegrass, thoroughbred racing and finger-licking-good fried chicken? That’s the whole idea behind our all-new Classic Motorsports Bluegrass Tour.

This brand-new tour proved so popular, in fact, that we had to run two separate waves, with the first wave kicking off this past Sunday, October 8.

On the first day of our Bluegrass Tour, we welcomed our participants at their home-away-from-home for the week, the historic Boone Tavern Hotel in Berea, Kentucky.

Once everyone had the chance to unpack, settle in and freshen up, we headed to Churchill‘s Honeysuckle Dining and Bourbon House for a bourbon tasting and dinner.

Location Scouting for the 2024 Empire State Tour

We’ve just returned from our location scouting mission for the Empire State Tour, and we’re happy to report that we found almost too many great locations for just one tour.

The finger lakes area of New York features a stunning array of natural wonders, historic racing heritage, bucolic scenery and manufacturing legacy, all of which will be on display during this Ithaca-based adventure.

Bully Hil Vineyards overlooking Keuka Lake

First up on our scouting list were a series of waterfalls. Photos simply don’t do them justice, but we guarantee Ithaca Falls and Taughannock Falls will leave you oohing and ahhing. And with the Empire State Tour scheduled for mid-July, Mother Nature will be out in all her summer finery for us to enjoy. Wildflowers, verdant leaves and cool, clear mountain water will abound.

Ithaca Falls

But what’s a Classic Motorsports Road Tour without some exclusive access to motorsports history?

As part of our scouting, we paid a visit to our friends at the International Motor Racing Research Center, an institute dedicated to collecting and preserving motorsports media and history. Their archives are truly impressive, and their location in Watkins Glen hints at other adventures we have planned for you…

A peek inside the International Motor Racing Research Center in Watkins Glen

In terms of exploring the finger lakes area’s manufacturing history, we have a handful of museum visits planned that we’re very excited to share with you. These include the Corning Museum of Glass, a massive complex dedicated to the art, science and craft of glasswork, the Northeast Classic Car Museum, an ode to the region’s proud legacy of car production, and the Curtiss Museum, a tribute to the Wright Brothers’ rival whose story you’ve probably never heard before.

This is just a small taste of everything we have planned for the Empire State Tour next summer - stay tuned for more updates as we announce more exciting additions.

We’re still accepting registrations for the Empire State Tour, but this tour is filling up fast. Claim your spot today to make sure you don’t miss it!