Tennessee Chapter
Where the Awaken Travel Club began. Hosted by Denise Karnes and Cindi Sanden, gathering travel lovers across the Chattanooga area and beyond.
Free to join | 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. Each event has its own page with the details and how to sign up.
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 | Mostly in person
Online Club Meeting: Our Fall 2027 New England Trip
Our November meeting is online, so you can join from home. A guest from our tour company walks us through the club's fall 2027 New England trip and answers your questions. Add your name and we'll email you the link to join the week before.
📍Online video call, join from home | Thu, Nov 19 | 2:00 PM Eastern
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're going by motor coach, $89 a person, and paying is what holds your seat. There are 50 seats.
📍Depot Park, Cullman, AL | Fri, Dec 11 | 1:00 PM ET, leaving from Abba's House in Hixson
Save your seatDowntown Christmas Walk
Our December get-together is a downtown Christmas walk. We meet in the Chattanooga Choo Choo lobby to see its big tree, grab hot chocolate nearby, then walk up Market Street (or ride the free downtown shuttle) to see our own tree in the Festive Forest at Miller Park as the sun goes down. Then the EPB holiday windows and the Read House lobby. Wear comfortable shoes and dress warm. Friends are welcome.
📍Chattanooga Choo Choo lobby | 1400 Market St, Chattanooga | Thu, Dec 17 | 4:30 to about 6:30 PM
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 $5,038 per person, port charges included, when you book and deposit by Nov 30, 2026, plus optional Medellín and Panama land packages.
Book & deposit by Nov 30, 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 $5,088 per person, port charges included, when you book and deposit by Nov 30, 2026, plus optional Lisbon, Porto and Madrid land packages.
Book & deposit by Nov 30, 2026 to save $500 per person →
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!