Sharin' the South Tours

02/11/2025

What a great time at with the Tennessee Department of Tourism and Mark Ezell connecting with over 150 tour leaders in Tennessee. From great panels to phenomenal speakers like Derek “DY” Young to making new connections with some off the beaten path tour locations- it was a well spent day.

02/10/2025

🌟 Meet Renee Binkley, Our Amazing Tour Guide! 🌟

Renee is a Nashville native with a BBA in Marketing and Business Administration. After retiring from the YMCA of Middle Tennessee, where she ran the corporate office, she now shares her love for Nashville and Tennessee history with tourists. With 4 years of tour guide experience, Renee brings energy, humor, and a wealth of knowledge to every tour.

🎶 Favorite Fact: Nashville is known as Music City! 💖 Favorite Thing: The energy and friendliness of the people. 📻 Favorite Story: The Grand Ole Opry, the longest-running radio show, celebrating its 100-year anniversary in 2025. 🌍 Travel Memory: Dancing on the streets of Paris and participating in international dance festivals in various countries. 🎁 Collected Souvenirs: Shot glasses and Christmas ornaments.

Join Renee on a tour and experience the magic of Nashville through her eyes! 🌟

02/07/2025

We have never been more ready for ! We are so grateful for our friends at the Department of Tourism in Louisiana! Thank you so much for the thoughtful gift. We know our group heading to Cajun Country for Mardi Gras will have the best time!!

02/07/2025

🌟 Meet Dick Cockrell! 🌟

Dick is a lifelong Memphian with a decade of experience as a tour guide. He's had the pleasure of guiding visitors from nine countries and 40 states, sharing the rich history and vibrant culture of Memphis.

🎶 Favorite Fact: In 2023, Conde Nast magazine listed Memphis as a must-see destination, one of only two in the United States!

🎸 Favorite Thing: The city's incredible museums and its musical legacy, from Blues to Rock and Roll and Soul music.

📚 Favorite Story: The tales of Memphis' great entrepreneurs like Clarence Saunders, Kemmons Wilson, Sam Phillips, and Fred Smith. Did you know Thomas Edison invented the repeating telegraph key in Memphis in 1865?

🏰 Favorite Travel Memory: Staying in Guy Fawkes' childhood home in York, UK.

📸 Favorite Souvenirs: Pictures, of course!

Join us on a tour with Dick and discover the magic of Memphis! ✨

02/05/2025

The closing event was an 80s-90s party. . See you next year travel friends!

02/05/2025

Last day at was full of more appointments and some sightseeing in historic Philadelphia!

02/04/2025

Another great day of networking before a fantastic Nashville VIP dinner!

02/03/2025

Wow! day 2 was full of amazing networking appointments. Tennessee Tourism partners sponsored the songwriter breakfast before over 50 appointments began. Tonight we popped over to the Aquarium in New Jersey for dinner and music! Geared up for day 3!

02/03/2025

Welcome TMCA Members to Philadelphia and ABA Marketplace 2025. Looking forward to seeing all of you on the floor.

02/02/2025

Day 1 of was one for the books! We started with city tours of historic Philadelphia before lunch in Reading Terminal, where we were surprised by a parade. We had some great networking opportunities before a fun reception from Sweet Home Alabama. Later, there was an Elton John-themed dinner from US Tours and the Guesthouse at Graceland. Thanks, John Roddy!

02/01/2025

Do not miss out on this amazing trip!

Howdy girls! Grab your girlfriends, or come alone and make new ones! Join us in Nashville, "Music City USA"!

This amazing getaway includes:
Nashville City Tour
Country Music Hall of Fame
Ryman Auditorium
Grand Ole Opry
Luke Combs Category 10
Ole Smoky Distillery
Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen

Call 480-926-5547
Read the full itinerary and book online here:
https://freespiritvacations.com/Tour/Girfriend-Getaway-to-Nashville

01/31/2025

🌟 Meet Melanie Lokey! 🌟

With nearly 38 years of experience as a tour guide, Melanie is a true gem in Nashville. She loves sharing the city's rich history and sights, ensuring every tour is both enjoyable and informative. One of her favorite spots is the Bicentennial Mall State Park, where history and symbolism come alive. Melanie's favorite story to tell is about Andrew Jackson, and she loves sharing the fascinating tale of Nashville's founding.

When she's not guiding tours, Melanie cherishes personal travel memories with her family, whether it's a trip to the beach or the mountains. She doesn't collect souvenirs, but the memories she makes are priceless.

Join us on a tour with Melanie and discover Nashville like never before! 🏙️✨

01/31/2025

Here we come

01/29/2025

🌟 Meet Mimmye Goode, one of our incredible Memphis tour guides with 41 years of experience! 🌟

🎭 Mimmye has been involved in music and theatre for as long as she can remember. She met Elvis several times, worked with Front Street Theatre and STAX, and even wrote an award-winning musical r***e about W.C. Handy!

🎸 Did you know Memphis is the Birthplace of Rock & Roll? Mimmye loves sharing fascinating stories, like the influence of STAX Records during the Civil Rights Movement.

🌍 Mimmye's favorite travel memories include a snowy adventure to see the Christ of the Andes statue with her daughter and boating through the Canal du Midi in France.

🛍️ She loves collecting nativity sets that reflect the culture of the places she visits.

Join Mimmye on a tour and fall in love with the city just like she has! 💖

01/27/2025

🌟 Meet Sharon Cole! 🌟

With 40 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Sharon has truly come full circle. From working at a hotel, an attraction, a travel agency, a student tour company, to a receptive tour company, she has done it all! Put her on a motorcoach for three hours standing up backwards with a microphone and 50 visitors, and she is in her happy place. 🚌🎤

Sharon loves sharing the stories of her city, Nashville, the home of Country Music. 🎶 Her favorite story? The tale of Tom Ryman, a riverboat captain who went to a tent revival to heckle the preacher, only to be converted to Christianity and later build the Union Gospel Tabernacle, now known as the Ryman Auditorium. 🛳️⛪

Her favorite personal travel memory is a mission trip to Kenya, where she went on a safari and saw giraffes, lions, zebras, wildebeest, hippos, gazelles, and more in their natural habitat. 🦒🦁🦓

Sharon's favorite souvenirs to collect are earrings, each pair reminding her of where she bought them. 💍

We are so proud to have Sharon as part of our team! 🌟

01/26/2025

🌟 Meet Nell Rodgers! 🌟

With 40 years of experience as a tour guide, Nell has been sharing the rich history and hospitality of our city since 1985. Married for 64 years, she has 3 sons, 6 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren. Her favorite fact about the city: Its warm hospitality, truly living up to the name “City of Good Abode.” Nell loves sharing stories about the city’s history, especially the explosion of the Sultana just north of Memphis, which fascinates many tourists. Her favorite personal travel memory is a cruise in the Aegean Sea, particularly visiting the Isle of Patmos where John wrote Revelations. Nell’s passion for guiding comes from her love for people and tours. Let’s give a big shoutout to Nell for her dedication and enthusiasm! 🎉

01/25/2025

🌟 Meet Nell Rodgers! 🌟

With 40 years of experience as a tour guide, Nell has been sharing the rich history and hospitality of our city since 1985. Married for 64 years, she has 3 sons, 6 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren. Her favorite fact about the city: Its warm hospitality, truly living up to the name "City of Good Abode." Nell loves sharing stories about the city's history, especially the explosion of the Sultana just north of Memphis, which fascinates many tourists. Her favorite personal travel memory is a cruise in the Aegean Sea, particularly visiting the Isle of Patmos where John wrote Revelations. Nell's passion for guiding comes from her love for people and tours. Let's give a big shoutout to Nell for her dedication and enthusiasm! 🎉

01/21/2025