Day One - Tuesday, April 14: Arrival in DC (D)
Today we will arrive at the Washington DC airport where our professional Tour Guide and deluxe motorcoach will meet us. We will check into our Washington, DC area accommodations for a three-night stay. After a welcome dinner, we will be treated to an illumination tour of the city. We will see many of the capital's famous monuments highlighted with spotlights that accentuate their beauty.
Day Two - Wednesday, April 15: Monuments, Memorials & Museums (B, D)
A day of exploration awaits us in our nation's capital! Washington, DC has a dizzying array of attractions, including museums, tours of federal buildings, shops and restaurants. Today as we tour Washington, DC, we will see the White house, the Capitol Building, the towering Washington Monument, the contemplative Lincoln Monument and the scenic Jefferson Memorial. We will have an opportunity to pause at the Korean and Vietnam War Memorials as well as the World War II Memorial to honor those who fought for the cause of freedom. Adjacent to the Capitol is the US Supreme Court, the Library of Congress (where the Gutenberg Bible is exhibited) and the original Supreme Court chamber.
The afternoon will be dedicated to the exploration of the Smithsonian, made up of a large variety of separate museums. Many of these museums are positioned on the National Mall. We may opt to visit one or a number of these museums, including the National Air and Space Museum, housing collections that span from the Wright Brothers flight to the modern space program; the National Museum of Natural History, home to a dinosaur hall and a butterfly exhibit. If you prefer art - there are a number of choices: the National Portrait Gallery, Freer Gallery of Art. Dinner is included this evening.
Day Three - Thursday, April 16: Mount Vernon & Arlington Cemetery (B, L)
This morning, following breakfast we will spend the day in Virginia just across the Potomac River with DC in sight. We will begin our day with a tour of Mount Vernon the former plantation of George Washington. We will enjoy a Mansion Tour. Originally built in 1734 by his father as a much smaller home, George began running the estate in 1754 and for the next 45 years continued to enlarge the Mansion to its final 21 room home. We will also have a guided walking tour of the grounds around the Mansion. This will include some of the most important outbuilding along South Lane as well as the gardens and of course the tomb of George and Martha Washington. We have planned a very special period lunch in the 18thh century Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant.
The afternoon we will travel to the site of the Robert E. Lee estate to visit Arlington National Cemetery, which contains the graves of more than 250,000 U.S. soldiers. Arlington Cemetery has become synonymous with the honor and reverence of those who have served their country in the armed forces. Here we will visit the Maine Memorial, the Kennedy Gravesites and the Tomb of the Unknowns featuring the Changing of the Guard. Dinner is on our own this evening.
Day Four - Friday, April 17: Richmond, VA (B, D)
Today we will depart the Washington DC area and head to the beach! Virginia Beach that is. It will be quite the contrast from the great American history in DC to a gorgeous 4-night stay on the Atlantic Shoreline in Virginia Beach. On our way to the shore, we will enjoy a visit to the state capital - Richmond. 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 beginning their own nation. 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 leave Richmond for the drive to our hotel. We will be staying in this hotel for 4 nights, so unpack relax and make yourself at home. We have a fun evening planned at the famous Mermaid Winery with a wine tasting, pairing with a very special dinner. The Mermaid is a mythical source of beauty that represents their vision to produce stunning wines. Their limited production wines are focused on articulating the characteristics of each varietal. We will enjoy their wine bar and a special customized private dinner! Then it's back on the coach for the short drive back to our hotel.
Day Five - 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 Six - 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 Seven - 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 Eight - Tuesday, April 21: Home (B)
Today, depending on our flight schedules on the first day, we will do additional touring we missed on Day 1. 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!