Day One - Friday April 17: 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 Two - Saturday April 18: 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. Following the performance, we will make the short drive back to our hotel for the night.
Day Three - Sunday April 19: The Outer Banks (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 just over an hour away. 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. We will visit 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 evening, we will enjoy dinner on our way back in Virginia Beach.
Day Four - Monday April 20: Free day at the beach! Virginia Beach (B, D)
Live The Life! Following breakfast this morning you are on your own to enjoy a free day in Virginia Beach. You will have the option of truly being on your own all day to do as you please: walk the shops and restaurants of Atlantic and Pacific Avenues, take time to stroll the boardwalk, sit out on the beach or take a long walk on the beach. Time to soak in the atmosphere of being a beach bum for the day; Or take advantage of our motorcoach shuttle service to take you to the more distant spots as it loops around First Landing State Park, Town Center and other spots more distant near the beach. We will enjoy a very nice final dinner together.
Day Five - Tuesday April 21: 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 the Atlantic Ocean in one of America's great playgrounds!