Tennessee Chapter
Where the Awaken Travel Club began. Hosted by Denise Karnes and Cindi Sanden, gathering travel lovers across the Chattanooga area and beyond.
3rd Thursday of every month | In person
Our Corner of the Map
The Tennessee chapter is where it all started. Denise and Cindi built this community around one simple idea: travel is better when you share it with people who get it. No pressure, no sales pitches, just great conversation, helpful tips, and adventures worth talking about.
We gather the 3rd Thursday of every month for casual meetups around Chattanooga. Every meeting features a fun travel topic, insider tips from advisors who plan trips for a living, and the chance to swap stories with fellow adventurers.
From the waterfalls of Tennessee to group cruises and motorcoach tours, this chapter is always planning the next adventure. And remember, you are never limited to one chapter. Every Awaken Travel Club member is welcome at every gathering, anywhere.
Your Hosts
Denise Karnes
Co-Founder & Host
Certified Awaken Travels advisor
Cindi Sanden
Co-Founder & Host
Certified Awaken Travels advisor
Upcoming Meetings
3rd Thursday of each month | Casual meetups around Chattanooga, times and places vary | In person
Pack, Snack & Share
Our first travel show-and-tell! Bring your best packing and travel hacks to share with the group: carry-on strategy, packing cubes, and fitting more into less. We'll have cookies and cold drinks on us. An easygoing, tip-filled afternoon together.
📍Northgate Public Library | 278 Northgate Mall Dr. | 1:30 to 2:30 PM
Day Trip: The Orchard
A full day in the Blue Ridge mountains. We carpool down together for apple picking and the tractor ride at Mercier Orchards, then lunch and easy shopping in downtown Blue Ridge before we head home. Awaken collects nothing up front, you pay your own way, we just need a head count for the carpool.
📍Mercier Orchards, Blue Ridge, GA | Mon, Oct 12 | meet at Sportsman's Warehouse 8:30 AM
Add your nameBeignets & Bon Voyages
A little taste of New Orleans right here in Chattanooga! We're just grabbing a corner of Beignets & Brew for coffee, beignets, and easy travel talk, no agenda, no program. The shop stays open as usual for their regular customers too, so come hang out. They also pour mimosas, champagne, and bloody marys if you want to lean into the theme.
📍Beignets & Brew | 7019 Shallowford Rd, Chattanooga | Thu, Oct 15 | 3:30 to 5:30 PM
Add your nameDay Trip: Cullman Christkindlmarkt
A German-style Christmas market day trip to Cullman, Alabama, with a stop at the Unclaimed Baggage Center in Scottsboro on the way down. Wooden chalets, handmade gifts, hot food, live music, and the whole park lit up after sundown. Admission is free. We are building the interest list now, nothing to pay and nothing to reserve yet.
📍Depot Park, Cullman, AL | Fri, Dec 11 | depart Sportsman’s Warehouse 1:00 PM ET
Add your nameHoliday Meeting
Our regular third-Thursday club meeting, with a little holiday cheer to close out the year. We are keeping it casual and the plan is still coming together. Add your name and we will let you know the time and place as soon as they are set.
📍Place TBD | Thu, Dec 17 | time TBD
Add your nameUpcoming Group Trips
Exclusive hosted departures for Travel Club members, planned by our certified advisors.
The Magic of Colombia
Jan 8-15, 2028 | AmaWaterways' AmaMagdalena | Magdalena River Cruise
Join Cindi & Nate as we sail the intimate, 60-guest AmaMagdalena on the legendary Magdalena River, exploring Colombia's "Land of a Thousand Rhythms" together. From $4,239 per person, port charges included, when you book and deposit by Oct 31, 2026, plus optional Medellín and Panama land packages.
Book & deposit by Oct 31, 2026 to save up to $750 per person →
Flavors of Portugal & Spain
Oct 21-28, 2028 | AmaWaterways' AmaGaia | Douro River Cruise
Join Cindi & Denise for seven nights on the Douro River aboard AmaWaterways' brand-new AmaGaia, sailing from Porto through Portugal's terraced wine country to the Spanish border. From $4,689 per person, port charges included, when you book and deposit by Oct 31, 2026, plus optional Lisbon, Porto and Madrid land packages.
Book & deposit by Oct 31, 2026 to save $500 per person →
Our First Day Trip: Crossville & Heartbreak Hotel
This one has already rolled. On Thursday, September 10, 2026 we spent a full and easygoing day up the Cumberland Plateau in Crossville for the 2:30 PM matinee of Heartbreak Hotel, the Elvis musical, at the Cumberland County Playhouse. We rode together by van, with cinnamon rolls, a lakeside leg-stretch, downtown shopping, and lunch along the way. Hosted by Denise and Cindi.
The Day at a Glance
- 8:30 AMDepart the Chattanooga area together by van
- ☕Coffee & fresh cinnamon rolls at Miller's Bread in Pikeville
- 🌲A scenic leg-stretch at Cumberland Mountain State Park
- 🛍️Downtown Crossville shopping - French's Boots & Shoes and Cahoots
- 🍽️Lunch in downtown Crossville
- 2:30 PMHeartbreak Hotel matinee at the Cumberland County Playhouse
- 🏡Home by about 6:25 PM - roughly a 10-hour day together
This trip took place on September 10, 2026 and is now complete.
✓ What the day includes
- Your seat for the ride up together
- Your ticket to Heartbreak Hotel
- All the planning and the full itinerary
+ On your own
- All food
- All drinks
- Any shopping
This day trip is complete - it ran on September 10, 2026 at $115 per seat, and seats are no longer available.
More Travel Club day trips are already in the works. Join the club below and you'll hear about the next one first.
This Trip Has Sailed
Thank you to everyone who rode with us. Want a seat on the next Travel Club day trip? Join the club and we'll let you know the moment the next one opens.
Crossville was a great day
Our first Travel Club day trip is in the books - September 10, 2026, Heartbreak Hotel at the Cumberland County Playhouse. Sign-ups for this one are closed. Join the Travel Club and you'll be first to know when the next day trip opens up.
Join the Tennessee Chapter
Sign up below and we'll keep you in the loop on meetings, trips, and all things travel.
Connect With Us
Join our private Facebook group to connect with fellow club members from every chapter!