Day One - Wednesday, April 15: Richmond (D)
Welcome to Virginia's capital city - Richmond! Depending on our flight arrival time, we will begin our city tour before checking into the hotel for two nights. Dinner is included this evening.
Day Two - Thursday, April 16: Richmond and Patrick Henry (B, D)
This morning, following breakfast we will spend the day in Richmond. We will visit Capitol Square to stroll around the 1780's, Thomas Jefferson designed capitol building learning about the first neo-classical designed building in the New World. Circling the building will reveal the Executive Mansion, with its interesting story; several privately funded statues and monuments and the grandest mid-1800's singular monument, statues, cenotaph, and memorial found anywhere in this country, more simply called the George Washington Equestrian Monument. We will have lunch on our own in the quaint neighborhood of Careytown with many shops, cafes and restaurants to fill our time! Then we are off to enjoy a very unique experience taking us back to colonial times when Americans were arguing about leaving the British Crown or remaining Loyalists. We will witness a re-enactment of the famous speech by Patrick Henry in which he concluded "Give me Liberty or Give me Death.” He gave this speech in St. John's, which is an active church today. We will sit in the pews amongst several "colonists” and bear witness to the arguments each of these characters make in support of revolution or in support of the crown. As they argue, we get to witness history all topped off by Patrick Henry's rousing speech. We will continue our tour of this classic southern capitol city before having dinner included.
Day Three - Friday, April 17: Colonial Williamsburg & Jamestowne (B, D)
After breakfast we will check out of our hotel and depart Richmond for Virginia Beach for the next 4 nights. On our way, we will travel through the "Historic Triangle” with planned visits to the first European settlement in the New World - Jamestown. Jamestowne Settlement is a recreated living museum at the site of the original colony in 1607. History comes to life here as we will see how they survived in very challenging conditions.
This afternoon, we will wander the streets of Virginia's first capital Williamsburg in the historic Colonial Williamsburg. Here time has stood still as the buildings and streets are as they were laid out by the British. We will have the opportunity to visit historic stores, taverns, the court house and the governor's mansion. We will have a trolley available to take us around to different parts for those that would prefer not to walk. Most unusually, Colonial Williamsburg is actually part of the public streets (pedestrian only) of the modern town. We will check into our oceanfront hotel for the next 4 nights, so unpack, relax and make yourself at home. Dinner is included.
Day Four - Saturday, April 18: Norfolk & The International Tattoo (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. No trip to Norfolk is complete without a visit to Doumars famous ice cream shop (home of the original waffle cone), where we will enjoy a frozen treat. 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. 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. Following the performance, we will make the short drive back to our hotel for the night.
Day Five - Sunday, April 19: Outer Banks, NC - Wild Horses (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 before returning to Virginia Beach.
Day Six - Monday, April 20: Day 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 entertained year-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 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. Tonight, we will have our final night dinner together before settling in for the night.
Day Seven - Tuesday, April 21: Home (B)
Today, we check out of our hotel and return to the Richmond airport for our flights home. Depending on our flight schedules we may have the opportunity to include a visit to Yorktown the revolutionary war site where the British surrendered to George Washington ending the war. What a week at the beach! Who would have thought there was so much so close to Atlantic Ocean in one of America's great playgrounds!