Day 1 - Friday, April 25: Arrival (D)
Today we will fly into Norfolk, VA and travel down to Virginia Beach. Depending on our flight schedule today and on departure, we may spend time exploring. Then we arrive at our hotel and our beautiful Oceanfront rooms for the next 4 nights. Relax and unpack knowing you don't have to pack up again until we head home on Tuesday. Dinner is included this evening.
Day 2 - Saturday, April 26: Norfolk (B, D, E)
We will enjoy a full day today following a great breakfast at the hotel. Just half an hour away from Virginia Beach is Norfolk, VA home to the world’s largest Naval base. We will be gone all day from our hotel today, as we will be having dinner in Norfolk and then enjoying the Virginia International Tattoo performance. This is the largest spectacle of music and might in the United States celebrating the traditional calling together of the Scottish clans during times of war. Our day will begin with tours by land and sea as we visit the Nauticus and Battleship Wisconsin. Nauticus is the science center and museum known as the National Maritime Center, which features one of the largest battleships in the US - Wisconsin. We will have a tour of the museum and the battleship. Following the Nauticus visit we will have a special treat as we have reserved seating for the Parade of Nations. This is where the performers we will be seeing later at the Tattoo will be marching in the parade along the streets of Norfolk. Following the parade, we will enjoy a cruise around the Naval Base and see these magnificent Naval ships from the sea with a narrated tour. This afternoon, we will visit The MacArthur Memorial. This is a museum and research center dedicated to preserving and presenting the story of the life of General of the Army Douglas MacArthur. We will have an early dinner in Norfolk. Then we are going to be treated to “the largest spectacle of Music and Might in the United States of America.” This is an astounding display of inspirational military music, majestic massed pipes and drums, show stopping drill team maneuvers, colorful and elegant dancers, and much more at the Virginia International Tattoo.
Day 3 - Sunday, April 27: Free Time at the Beach! (B, D)
Live The Life! Yesterday was a very busy day, so we can sleep in a little bit, have breakfast and then begin our morning tour of Virginia Beach before we have a free afternoon to explore on our own. Virginia Beach is home to a flourishing local culinary scene, rich history, a variety of arts and entertainment and family-friendly attractions that keeps locals and visitors entertainedyear-round. It’s true. Virginia Beach is more than just a beach. In fact, there are multiple beautiful beaches and eclectic districts, each with its own distinct personality. Every corner of the coastal city offers unique ways to live the life, whether on the ocean or on the bay, or somewhere in between.
On the morning tour we will see the Cape Henry Lighthouse. Built in 1792 commissioned by George Washington and overseen by Alexander Hamilton. It sits next to the site of the "First Landing" where the English arrived in 1607 prior to settling Jamestowne. We will be visiting The Military Aviation Museum. It is home to one of the largest private collections of WWI and WWII era military aircraft in the world. Each plane beautifully restored using original parts whenever possible. These planes are sitting and hanging in several hangars that are so clean you can eat off the floor!
We will return to our hotel and then have the afternoon free to relax, explore, even go swimming or take a walk on the boardwalk. It is our time to do as we please. Each of us will be given a voucher for admission to the Surf and Rescue Museum, which preserves history of the historic 1903 Life Saving Station including the rescuers who worked there and how they helped create modern Virginia Beach. This is a short walk from our hotel and we can go whenever we want as individuals and not have to go as a group. Tonight, we will have our dinner together before settling in for the night.
Day 4 - Monday, April 28: Outer Banks, NC (B, D)
Following breakfast this morning we will drive south out of Virginia Beach and even out of Virginia to the incredible Outer Banks of North Carolina. This is America’s First Beach. The site of our country’s first National Seashore and the place where the English first tried to settle in the New World at Roanoke Island. Here is the story of the “Lost Colony” and their plight to set up the first attempt of English civilization in the New World. Our first visit will be to the Wright Brother National Memorial, where Orville and Wilbur Wright broke our bond with the earth in 1903. Listen to an interpretive talk about the first flight from a park ranger, see the reconstructed campsites, view the markers that indicate where the Flyer landed, and walk up the monument itself.
This afternoon we will travel to the northern part of the Outer Banks to the beachside town of Corolla. Here amongst the sand dunes the Wild Horses roam with complete protection from man and all predators. We will take open air safari style trucks with 15 guests each and drive around the dunes and along the shore to see them in their natural habitat. This is one of those wonderful surprises that will never be forgotten. We will enjoy Dinner on the Outer Banks before returning to Virginia Beach.
Day 5 - Tuesday, April 29: Home (B)
Today, depending on our flight schedules we can relax at the beach before departing for the airport. What a week at the beach! Who would have thought there was so much so close to one of America's great playgrounds!
TOUR INCLUDES:
NOT INCLUDED:
TOUR COST PER PERSON - All Land and Air Arrangements
30+ Paying Passengers
Double: TBA
Single: TBA
Triple: TBA