Nash Vegas

Cruising in Nashville on an historic paddle steamer

In the south, they fondly refer to Nashville as Nash Vegas due to the fact that it has a live music scene for a city three times its size.

Our time here has been really enjoyable: Nashville hasn't disappointed. The talent in the honky tonk bars on Broadway was amazing, the Country Music Hall of Fame was humbling, and tonight's Grand Ole Opry show (with Dierks Bentley and Carrie Underwood) was great fun. To top it all off, we have experienced the most wonderful Spring weather - warm sunny days and balmy evenings. We have spent a lot of time outdoors enjoying the beautiful blooms and gardens.

The weather has been perfect - Spring evenings made for being outdoors

Nashville also has plenty to offer if country music isn't your thing. Today we visited Belle Meade Plantation on the outskirts of town. Owned by the Harding Family for many generations, this plantation was one of the biggest slave plantations in Tennessee in the 1800s. When the Civil War broke out, William Harding was too old to take up arms, so he made a financial contribution to the Confederate Army instead: A mere $20 million in today's money! After the Union forces took Nashville, William Harding was sent away to a prison where he still got to enjoy a brandy and cigar every night, and when the war ended, he was one of the few Southern "gentlemen" to receive a full pardon. Money buys lots of privileges it seems.

Belle Meade Plantation in Nashville

Belle Meade Plantation is most well-known for its contribution to America's thoroughbred racing industry. Every single horse which has run in the Kentucky Derby in the last eight years can trace its lineage back to Belle Meade's most successful sire: A stallion named Bonnie Scotland. Tennessee was the heart of thoroughbred racing in the late 1800s. Then in 1900, the Tennessee legislature introduced two new laws: one outlawing drinking, the other outlawing gambling. All the racing track owners packed up and moved to the next State following the introduction of these new laws, which is why Kentucky is now the heart of America's horse breeding and racing industry.

Tomorrow the country music continues on the road trip westwards to Pigeon Forge: Home to Dollywood and the largest Titanic exhibition in the world.

Inside the amazing Opryland Hotel - the largest hotel under one roof in the world that isn't a casino.

Outside the Grand Ole Opry