Following the sad passing of Dolly Parton this week, we look back at the places she loved, from the mountains of Tennessee to the wild beauty of Ireland’s west coast.

Dolly Parton, who sadly passed away this week at the age of 80, leaves behind an extraordinary legacy spanning music, film, philanthropy and popular culture. Yet beyond the rhinestones, her unmistakable voice and larger-than-life presence, she was a woman who remained deeply connected to simple pleasures and the landscapes that shaped her.

Although her career took her around the world, Parton’s preferred way of travelling was often surprisingly understated. She and her husband, Carl Dean, enjoyed road trips in their RV, choosing two-lane highways over interstates and stopping in lesser-known places along the way. Riverbank picnics, mountain scenery and evenings spent among local people appeared to mean as much to her as any glamorous escape.

As the world remembers one of its most beloved performers, we revisit some of the destinations that held a special place in her life.

The Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee

No landscape was more important to Parton than the Great Smoky Mountains. Born in Sevier County and raised in a small cabin near Locust Ridge, she carried the culture, stories and natural beauty of East Tennessee throughout her life and work.

She returned to the mountains frequently, describing them as a place where she could reconnect with her family, spirituality and creativity. Her devotion to the region culminated in Dollywood, the Pigeon Forge attraction she opened in 1986. The park brought new opportunities to the area while allowing visitors to experience the music, food and craftsmanship of Appalachia.

To experience the region in her spirit, spend time beyond the park. Follow scenic roads through Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, explore Great Smoky Mountains National Park and slow down enough to appreciate the communities that Parton was so proud to call home.

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Parton and Dean often travelled through Tennessee in their RV, taking backroads whenever possible. Chattanooga was among their favourite places, admired for its scenery and its proximity to Ringgold, Georgia, where the couple married in 1966.

They returned to the area around their anniversary, combining a visit to Ringgold with time in Chattanooga. It was the kind of unhurried, sentimental journey they appeared to enjoy most: a familiar road, a beautiful landscape and memories shared away from public attention.

Today, visitors can follow their example with a leisurely drive through the Tennessee Valley, stopping along the riverfront and taking in the views from Lookout Mountain.

Asheville, North Carolina

Parton also spoke fondly of Asheville, another destination that she and Dean visited regularly. Surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains, the North Carolina city offers the combination of creativity, character and natural beauty that seemed to appeal to her.

A Dolly-inspired visit would leave space for spontaneity. Explore the city’s independent shops and music venues, take a drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway and choose a quiet mountain cabin over a tightly scheduled itinerary.

County Kerry, Ireland

One of Parton’s most memorable holidays took her far beyond Tennessee. During a visit to County Kerry in 1990, she entered Páidí Ó Sé’s pub in Ventry and delighted those gathered inside with an impromptu performance of Coat of Many Colors, accompanied by musicians Steve Cooney and Séamus Begley.

Parton remembered the evening warmly for decades. She also kept the Kerry GAA jersey Ó Sé gave her, displaying it in a frame at home. Recalling the experience in a 2023 interview, she said that she and her companions had simply enjoyed themselves and that, when asked to sing, she happily agreed.

Follow her route to the Dingle Peninsula, where rugged cliffs, sweeping Atlantic views and welcoming village pubs capture the warmth and sense of discovery that made her visit so memorable.

Idyllwild, California

When work brought Parton to California, she found privacy in Idyllwild, a peaceful mountain community surrounded by pine forests. She and Dean owned a rustic cabin there, using it as a retreat while she travelled between Hollywood and Tennessee. Parton later donated the property to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern California.

Idyllwild remains a soothing alternative to the energy of Los Angeles. Its forest trails, independent cafés and cosy cabins make it ideal for a quiet weekend spent reading, walking and enjoying the mountain air.

Solvang, California

Parton also owned a property in Solvang, California’s Danish-inspired town in the Santa Ynez Valley, between 2004 and 2014. The whimsical residence featured a windmill, butterfly stained glass and what was described as her personal “Wig Room”, an appropriately playful detail in an otherwise peaceful retreat.

With its storybook architecture, surrounding vineyards and relaxed pace, Solvang reflects another side of Parton’s travel style: charming, distinctive and never afraid of a little theatricality.

To travel like Dolly Parton is ultimately to find joy in the journey itself. Take the scenic road, pack a picnic, talk to the people you meet and leave room for an unexpected song. And, of course, a touch of glamour never hurts.