Category: Blog

Time to dust off your cowboy hat and boots and hit the open road for country music’s biggest festivals this summer! Here are some fun country music facts to help you get ready:

1. Country music’s roots
2. Country music’s First Family
3. Reinvigorating country music
4. Music City
5. Early country music stars
6. Taylor Swift makes her mark
7. Country music goes Hollywood

Read on to learn more about these country music facts!

Country music’s roots

American country music dates all the way back to the start of the 20th century. It was originally performed by Southern Appalachian fiddle players and was called “hillbilly music,” referring to the hill country of Appalachia.

Country music’s first family

The Carter Family, which consisted of A.P. Carter, his wife, Sara, and his sister-in-law, Maybelle, became the first family of country music. Beginning in 1927, the Carter Family’s recording and performing career spanned four decades and involved many members of their extended family. The legacy continued into the next generation, with Maybelle’s daughter June Carter later marrying and performing for many years with country-folk legend Johnny Cash.

Reinvigorating country music

After the deaths of Patsy Cline and Jim Reeves in the mid-1960s, country music’s popularity began to wane. However, by the late-1980s and early 90s, country music superstars like Garth Brooks, Billy Ray Cyrus, and Shania Twain burst onto the scene and modern country music, often infused with elements of pop, was back.

Music City

Home to the Grand Ole Opry, the Bluebird Cafe, and Music Row, Nashville is indeed the current capital of country music and has earned its nickname of Music City. However, roughly 300 miles across Tennessee is a town called Bristol, which, in 1998, was recognized by Congress as the official birthplace of country music.

Early country music stars

The first inductees into the Country Music Hall of Fame were Jimmie Rodgers, Fred Rose, and Hank Williams in 1961.

Taylor Swift makes her mark

In 2012, Taylor Swift donated $4 million to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum to fund the Taylor Swift Education Center, home to the museum’s award-winning educational programs.

Country music goes Hollywood

Hollywood helped bring country music to the mainstream in the 1930s and 40s with the popularization of Western movies and “singing cowboys” like Gene Autry and Roy Rogers.

If you’re a country music fan, or even a history buff who likes learning about country music facts, there’s no better way to spend your summer than at festivals like CMA Fest, Carolina Country Music Fest, and Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam. Contact Superior Executive Services today to plan your perfect summer trip to an unforgettable country music festival!

Not that anyone needs an excuse to get the ladies together for a fun trip, but warmer weather is definitely a good reason to gather your gals and hit the road for a fun summer luxury travel experience.

Read on for some fantastic summer 2022 events that would make for a great bachelorette party or just-because girls’ trip!

CMA Fest

The CMA Fest is a great opportunity to embrace your inner country queen in Nashville, aka Music City. The initial 2022 lineup includes Jason Aldean, Kelsey Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Kane Brown, Thomas Rhett, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Zac Brown Band, and more. With Nashville as your playground, you’re sure to have a rip-roarin’ great weekend at the CMA Fest.

Lollapalooza

Originally conceived in 1991 as a music festival featuring alt-rock performers, Lollapalooza has become one of the most musically diverse festivals of its kind. Held each summer in Chicago’s iconic Grant Park, Lollapalooza is the perfect way to spend a summer weekend in Chicago. This year’s lineup includes Lollapalooza veterans Metallica and Green Day, as well as today’s hitmakers like Dua Lipa, Machine Gun Kelly, Doja Cat, and many more.

Carolina Country Music Fest

Another one for the country music fans, Carolina Country Music Fest hosts one of country’s biggest parties set right on the coast in gorgeous Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The summer 2022 event lineup includes Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean, and Keith Urban.

Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam

Set against the backdrop of beautiful Panama City Beach, the Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam is an epic celebration of all things summer. The perfect marriage of country music and beach living, the 2022 event will feature Florida Georgia Line, Brooks & Dunn, and Old Dominion. It’s a great lineup for a girls’ getaway if your group is full of country fans!

Aspen Food & Wine Festival

If you’re looking for something a little more laid back, the Aspen Food & Wine Classic will be your cup of tea — or, in this case, your glass of wine. This event brings together world-class chefs, food entertainment personalities, culinary leaders, and wine and spirits experts for an unforgettable weekend of delectable indulgences. This year’s event will host Stephanie Izard, winner of Bravo’s Top Chef, and Amanda McCrossin, esteemed sommelier and wine educator.

Choose Your Own Adventure!

We can plan a custom trip just for your group to virtually any destination you desire. Tell us what you’re envisioning, and we can take it from there! We can help you and your gals hit the slopes, go wine tasting in Napa, or relax on a secluded beach — the sky is truly the limit when you plan a trip with Superior Executive Services.

Let the experts at SES help you plan an unforgettable luxury travel experience. Contact us today at (608) 665-9070, or send us a message online to start planning your girls’ getaway to these great summer 2022 events!

So, you’ve decided to plan a luxury travel experience? Congratulations, you deserve it!

You may be wondering what trip is the right one for you. If so, take this quick and helpful quiz to find where your interests lie and what vacation is the best fit!

You have a day off from work and other life responsibilities. What does your ideal day look like?

A. Two words. Spa day!

B. Explore a nearby area, take a scenic hike, or try a new restaurant. I’ll opt for a novel experience!

C. Grab some friends and find a neighborhood street festival.

D. An early tee time at the golf course and taking in a professional sporting event at night.

When it comes to packing for a vacation, what must-have items are you bringing?

A. Airpods, a good book, and essential oils

B. A restaurant guide and my appetite

C. Fanny pack and comfortable shoes

D. Tickets to the game!

You’ve just landed at your destination. What is the first thing you’ll want to do?

A. Relax. Unwind. Maybe hit the gym and hang out in the sauna for a bit.

B. Drop my bags at the hotel and take in my new surroundings. See the sights, eat the food, and drink the drinks!

C. I live for live music — so I’ll find a bar with up-and-coming performers.

D. I live for live sports — so I’ll find my way to the nearest stadium or arena.

Mostly A’s – Self-Care Guru

If a deep tissue massage followed by a chef-curated detoxifying lunch and capping off the day with a dip in your own private plunge pool sounds like heaven on earth, then you are a self-care guru. Your main goal of any vacation is to simply relax and disconnect. Whether you want to unwind in a far-flung tropical location or a world-class spa resort a bit closer to home, we can help plan the perfect wellness trip or relaxing corporate retreat for your team.

Mostly B’s – Foodie Fanatic 

Food is the name of the game for you. Not just eating it, but understanding the ingredients, how it’s prepared, and, of course, eating it. We have some fantastic food and beverage-centric events coming up – the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen and the Catalina Wine Mixer draw award-winning chefs and food and wine experts. Plus, you’ll get to enjoy food and wine tastings against incredible scenery!

Mostly C’s – Music Maniac

Whether it’s country, rock, rap, folk, pop music — or all of the above — you love live music! You’re in luck because we help plan trips to a wide variety of music festivals each year. CMA Fest in Nashville, the Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam in Panama City Beach, and the Stagecoach Festival in Indio, CA, are some of the top country music festivals, and Lollapalooza started as an alt-rock festival but is now one of the most musically diverse events out there.

Mostly D’s – Sports Fanatic

You live for the thrill of the buzzer-beater shot and can’t get enough sports action. From the 2023 Super Bowl to the Kentucky Derby to the Masters Tournament and many more, we’ve got you covered!

For whatever kind of traveler you are, Superior Executive Services can plan the perfect trip for you. Contact us today at (608) 665-9070 or send us a message online to get started planning your custom luxury travel experience!

Each year, trainers, jockeys, and their horses vie for the top spot at the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness, and the Belmont Stakes in the hopes of becoming a Triple Crown winner.

For those of us attending a Triple Crown race, it’s just as much about the fashion and ambiance as it is about the racing itself. These races are unlike any other sporting event and certainly require some extra time planning and packing.

Here are a few must-have items for your experience at horse racing’s most exciting events.

Outfits and accessories

First and foremost, you’ll want to decide on your outfit for race day and, if need be, any pre-race parties or activities. Make sure you have any associated accessories as well — bow tie, shoes, handkerchief, jewelry, etc.

For the ladies, we definitely recommend a fascinator (aka fancy party hat). There aren’t many times in life where you can don taffeta and tulle atop your head, so embrace the occasion and go all in! Make sure to remember hat pins or bobby pins to keep your headpiece securely fastened. Also, check the venue’s website and be aware of any size restrictions on bags that you are allowed to bring into the race venues.  

Comfortable shoes

You may be tempted to get a fancy pair of high heels or new dress shoes to go with your race day dress or suit; just make sure you’re able to break them in before the big day and perhaps consider bringing a backup pair of more comfortable shoes.

Cash

Make sure to stop at an ATM before heading to the big race. While most of the concessions and gift shops do take credit cards, it’s a good idea to have some cash for tipping and smaller purchases.

Sunscreen, fan, and rain gear

Depending on where your seats are located, you might be out in the sun for much of the day, so make sure you’re well protected from the elements with sunscreen and even a small pocket fan if it’s a particularly steamy day. On that same note, if there’s even a chance of rain and your seats are uncovered, bring an umbrella or lightweight rain jacket. You’ll be glad you did!

Portable phone charger

On a fun, action-packed day at a Triple Crown race, your phone’s battery charge will likely be gone faster than the first mint julep of the day, so plan accordingly and bring a portable USB phone charger for some extra on-the-go juice.

Tickets

Lastly, and most importantly, remember your tickets and any pertinent travel information you’ll need to access easily. We recommend keeping a digital copy on your phone and also printing out important items, so you have a physical copy as well. When you travel with Superior, we’ll take care of getting your tickets for you!

If you want to attend a Triple Crown race, let Superior Executive Services be your guide! Our packages include luxury accommodations, VIP access, and world-class entertainment, so you’re guaranteed an unforgettable time.

Contact us today at (608) 665-9070 or send us a message online to get started planning your Triple Crown experience!

Make the most of your first visit to the Derby!

They don’t call it the most exciting two minutes in sports for nothing! The
Kentucky Derby is, hands down, one of our favorite trips to plan for clients and to attend ourselves.

Of course, horse racing is the centerpiece of the event, but the pomp and circumstance (and parties!) surrounding the race are just as exciting. If it’s your first time attending the Derby, keep reading this Kentucky Derby guide for ways to make it a memorable event!

Do your research

There are many different ways to experience the Derby – you can sit on Millionaire’s Row and hob-nob with the celebrities and glitterati or get bleacher seats in the infield closer to the real action. The Derby doesn’t just have to be one day either — you can get tickets to a number of pre-Derby events and parties (like our exclusive Thursday night kickoff concert!).

Thurby, the Thursday before the Derby, has also become a can’t-miss celebration of Kentucky’s culture, food, and racing. This year’s event will feature folk/R&B band Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats. You can also attend the Kentucky Oaks, the premier and most lucrative race for 3-year old fillies (female horses) held each year on the day before the Kentucky Derby. When you book your Kentucky Derby travel packages with Superior, tickets to the Oaks are included.

There are a lot of components to attending the Derby, and with over 45 years of combined travel planning experience, we would be honored to help you plan an unforgettable and top-notch trip!

Dress to impress

The Derby is a terrific opportunity to try out a debonair look — gentlemen typically wear pastel-hued colors, seersucker suits, saddle shoes, and bow ties. Here is a round-up of some great sartorial options from Town & Country Magazine. As for the ladies, we certainly recommend donning an attention-grabbing fascinator hat; unless you’re invited to a royal wedding, it’s likely one of the few times you can wear one and fit right in.

Try a mint julep

Each year, almost 120,000 mint juleps are served during Derby weekend. And, as the official drink of the Kentucky Derby, the mint julep is light and refreshing but also packs a Bourbon punch. The mint julep pairs nicely with the fine fare available at Churchill Downs and in Superior’s luxury suites.

Place a bet

Even if you’re not much of a gambler, there’s no better time or place to get lucky than the Kentucky Derby! And you don’t have to be a high roller to win big, either — the minimum bet is typically just $2. Exacta, Quinella, Trifecta? Huh? The betting terminology can be a little confusing, but, fortunately, the good folks at Churchill Downs can get you up to speed in no time.

Hear from past attendees

Want to know what it’s really like to attend the Kentucky Derby with Superior? Hear from past Derby travelers in our new Customer Conversations video!

Superior Executive Services has been helping people experience the Kentucky Derby firsthand for years, and we’d be honored to help you as well! Contact us today at (608) 665-9070 or send us a message to start planning!

Attending a big sporting event like the Super Bowl, the NCAA Final Four, or the Indy 500 is a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience, and we can help you make the most of your trip.

When you book one of Superior’s sporting event travel packages, we’ll take care of just about everything for you — but here are some things to keep in mind before you book to ensure your trip is a winning experience:

1. Plan beyond the main event
2. Book in advance
3. Know your budget
4. Do your due diligence
5. Pack appropriately

Keep reading to learn more about these tips and how to get the most out of our sporting event travel packages!

Plan beyond the main event

Chances are you’re traveling to attend this sporting event, so this is an exciting opportunity to discover a new city. Do some research on must-see attractions or popular restaurants and reserve a little time before or after the big event to explore.

Again, this is where our experience and knowledge are valuable since we can give you recommendations and make reservations, book tickets, and create a specialized itinerary exclusive to you and your group.

Book in advance

Sometimes we don’t have the luxury of time (and our team can thrive in those situations too), but the more time there is to plan, the better. Booking at least a few months in advance of the sporting event will ensure you’ll have your choice of hotels, transportation, restaurants, and more, without having to fight off crowds of other event attendees.

Know your budget

Between airfare, hotels, food, and tickets to the sporting event itself, everything can really add up. Before you book anything, decide what your budget will be and how you’ll allocate that to fit. When you work with Superior, our team can walk you through ticket, accommodation, and itinerary options that best fit what you’re wanting to pay.

Do your due diligence

If you’re booking tickets on your own, be absolutely positive that you are purchasing through a reputable source. Of course, booking with Superior Executive Services means we do all that research and legwork for you. The last thing you’d want is to arrive at the venue only to be turned away with fraudulent tickets!

Pack appropriately

Make sure you check the weather forecast ahead of your visit and pack accordingly. Pay special attention to the weather on the day of your sporting event if any part will be outdoors. It’s also good to remember that your event might have a dress code or a customary outfit spectators wear (i.e., a Kentucky Derby hat!), so be sure to check before packing.

Attending a big sporting event is an amazing experience, but it can also be complicated to plan. Let the experts at Superior Executive Services help give you an unforgettable adventure and create amazing memories. Contact us today at (608) 665-9070 or send us a message online to start planning your sporting event travel package!