Home & Away with Robert Walshe
Holiday Hotspot – Nashville Tennessee Nashville, Tennessee, is on Lonely Planet’s list of top places to go in 2016. Visitors here become entrenched in the fascinating and longstanding musical genre that is country music as they follow its evolution from its earliest folk roots. This story really comes to life at the Country Music Hall of Fame, the largest popular music museum in the world with a collection including listening booths, interactive displays and more. www.countrymusichalloffame.org.
Grand Ole Opry Nashville
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Another popular stop off is the Johnny Cash Museum showing a collection of his letters and documents as well as the handwritten manuscript to the last song ever written by him before his passing. You’ll also enjoy a glimpse into Cash’s life including his childhood and early adulthood and his service in the United States Air Force. www. johnnycashmuseum.com. Established in 1892 as the Union Gospel Tabernacle, Ryman Auditorium is a National Historic Landmark and must see for any Nashville visitor. It was founded by Thomas Ryman, a riverboat captain and businessman first opening as the Union Gospel Tabernacle in 1892. After his death, the Tabernacle was renamed in his honour. Be sure to
take a self-guided or guided backstage tour and discover what makes the Ryman, the “Soul of Nashville. www. ryman.com The building was also used for Grand Ole Opry broadcasts from 1943 until 1974 before they built a larger venue outside the city at the Opryland USA theme park. What began as a simple radio broadcast in 1925 is today a liveentertainment phenomenon showcasing a mix of country legends and contemporary chart-toppers that have followed in their footsteps. The Opry, an American icon and Nashville’s #1 attraction, is famous for creating experiences for audiences of all ages and be sure to book the VIP backstage tour. www.opry. com Another great way to spend an hour or a day seeing “Music City” is to use the Trolley Bus Hop On, Hop off tour. www.musiccityhop.com A highlight of our visit was a visit to Andrew Jackson’s estate The Hermitage. The house and plantation is maintained by a private foundation and is an easy drive in the Tennessee countryside. www. thehermitage.com. If you are looking to book that perfect hotel ex-
The Hermitage Hotel Nashville
perience “The Hermitage”, a 1910 Beaux Arts jewel with marble floors and stained-glass atrium is by far the city’s finest luxury venue having played host to stars like Bette Davis, Greta Garbo, Al Capone and several US Presidents. The stunning lobby, the grand staircase, ballroom, mezzanine and veranda are masterful work credited to Tennessee native James Carpenter. A table at its Capitol Grille is also highly sought after and breakfast was a la carte. www. thehermitagehotel.com. As the Nashville dining scene continues to thrive “Le Sel” a chic bistro in Midtown offers new-French cuisine. Expect contemporary bites with an impressive cocktail list. www.leselnashville.com For a more casual Tennessee experience “Pork Leg Porker” a food and lifestyle barbecue brand cre-
ated by pit master Carey Bringle is as legendary as is its owner. His diner comes by its nickname when he lost a leg to bone cancer while still a teenager. With a patio displaying a unique view of the city skyline, and mouthwatering ribs and pulled pork it’s no wonder people say it is one of the finest barbecue venues in the USA. www.peglegporker.com Delta airlines fly daily from Dublin to Nashville via Atlanta. For great fares visit www.delta.com My preferred car rental company on this trip was Hertz & pick up is available at the International airport or downtown Nashville. www.hertz.ie Robert Walshe is a travel broadcaster with Q Radio in Northern Ireland. He is also Travel Editor for River Media newspaper titles across the island of Ireland. www.robertwalshe.com