Pilgrimage to Parnassus

Ann Patchett’s Bookstore in Nashville

September 28-30, 2024 ~ SOLD OUT

Email Kerri at SirenSojourns@gmail if you'd like to be on the waitlist.

Itinerary

(Sep 28) MSP Airport: Stuff your sassiest clothes and your brightest lipstick into a weekend satchel and meet me at MSP at o’dark thirty! If we hop Delta flight 1044 together, departing at 7am, we’ll be in Nashville by 9:02am, just in time to drop our bags at our hotel and then head out for a lovely brunch and convivial conversation about books.

Parnassus Bookstore: Fortified and refreshed, we will make our way to Parnassus Books to genuflect (okay, curtsy) at the altar of indie bookstores.

Ann Patchett opened Parnassus in the summer of 2011, telling the New York Times: “I have no interest in retail; I have no interest in opening a bookstore. But I also have no interest in living in a city without a bookstore.”

Warm and inviting with blond bookshelves, bookshop dogs and oh-so-many inviting titles to browse, we’ll explore to our heart’s content. When we’re sated, at last, with our bookish perambulation, we’ll gather over coffee to share our treasures with one another

And you ask: Will we see Ms. Patchett herself? That’s a plot twist that must be revealed on the journey.

Bluebird Cafe: From Parnassus, we’ll skip down the street to the legendary Bluebird Cafe for the early show. We’ll order up some munchies (The booze is on you, but please do indulge! Lyft is doing the driving) and take in the talent in a place where everyone from Taylor to Kathy (Mattea) to Keith (Urban) got career boosts.

When the show’s over, we’ll rideshare back to our hotel for a nightcap and the camaraderie of a day spent with new friends and kindred spirits.

Meals: Brunch, Evening Appetizers & Munchies

Lodging: Hilton Nashville Green Hills (Near to Parnassus Books!)

(Sep 29) SUNDAY Morning Coming Down: Catch that Kristofferson reference? Although Johnny C. made the song famous.

From Parnassus to the Parthenon: We’ll begin our morning with an old-fashioned family style brunch at a Nashville classic.

Then, let’s don our sneakers and slip a book into our backpacks as we head to Nashville’s verdant and beautiful Centennial Park.

Enjoy the leisurely pace as we roam the grassy expanses, walk around Lake Watauga, visit the historic Parthenon (a replica of the original in Athens, complete with a 42 foot statue of Athena!) before we settle on the grass for an al-fresco book conversation from our Ann Patchett reading list.

From the fields of Centennial Park to the farmer’s bounty at Nashville’s historic Farmers Market.

Featuring 100 farm sheds that boast the freshest, dewiest produce, you are free to wander, taste, sample and shop.

Take your time and when you’re ready, grab an Uber back to the hotel to freshen up for drinks and appetizers as we exchange a favorite book with a fellow traveler.

Meals: Brunch, Treats, Appetizers. (Dinner on your own)

(Sep 30) Rise and shine for breakfast near the hotel and then gather your suitcase and your souvenirs for your flight back to MSP, aglow with the memory of a sensational Siren Sojourn Pilgrimage to Nashville.

Meals: Breakfast.

TRIP EXTENSION

MONDAY: Or you can linger in Music City with Kerri for a “Journey to Jubilee” tour and a wine tasting at Belle Meade.

The Journey to Jubilee tour is guided by an expert on the history of enslavement in Tennessee and covers the years between 1807 through Emancipation. We’ll walk the paths of the property, learning about how the enslaved persevered and survived.

MONDAY Afternoon: Visit Nashville’s stunning public library which houses an art gallery, the Civil Rights Room and the Votes for Women exhibit.

Accommodation & Rates

$885 per person (based on double occupancy)

$1630 per person (King Room–single occupancy)

Trip Extension to Tuesday:
Additional $350 per person (double occupancy)

Additional $550 per person (single occupancy)

Sojourn Checklist: What to do, bring, and be ready for?

Comfortable Shoes

Books: Kindles and paperbacks are best to keep your luggage as light as possible. And please bring a book to exchange with a fellow traveler.

Siren Sojourn Reading List for Parnassus

To hold your place, please send a deposit of $485 due on March 20, 2024. (For trip extension included, deposit of $650 is requested.)

Balance of $400 due on July 1, 2024.

Due to demand for this trip, deposits are non-refundable after May 30, 2024.

Let's Do This!

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Hotel
Meals (except where noted)
Rideshare Transportation
Bluebird Cafe tickets
Tickets to Belle Meade for Monday extension

For full booking terms and conditions please click here.

NOT INCLUDED

Cocktails, beer, or wine
Flights to and from Nashville
Transportation to and from MSP
Books, souvenirs & gifts

CANCELLATION POLICY

A cancellation request must be received in writing by email from the traveler. If you decide that you cannot make the trip and need to withdraw, your deposit is refundable up to 90 days before our departure date.

Deposit: $485 due by March 20, 2024. (With trip extension, deposit of $650 is requested.

Mailing address: SirenSojourns P.O. Box 1302, Hudson. WI 54016.

Remainder of trip fees ($400) due by July 1, 2024.

Due to demand for this trip, deposits are non-refundable after May 30, 2024.

Siren Sojourns is not responsible for cancellations due to medical emergencies.