USA Vacations

Washington DC

Discover the historic national treasures of the East on this rewarding vacation. Start your trip in Washington DC with a sightseeing tour featuring Arlington National Cemetery, the Vietnam, Korean, and World War II Memorials, and many other famous sites. Then tour Mount Vernon, the restored home of George Washington, and the Yorktown Historical Battlefield Park, where the British surrendered to Washington’s troops in 1781. Enjoy a colonial-style dinner at a local tavern, where you experience a recreated supper experience savored by 18th-centrury patriots. Next, tour the archaeological site of Jamestown and Colonial Williamsburg's historic area, where costumed villagers add charm and authenticity to the quaint streets. See the Historic Trade Shops, the Public Gaol, and drop in at Raleigh Tavern, the meeting place for Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, and other patriots. Next, visit Richmond’s capitol building and St. John's Church, where Patrick Henry proclaimed, “Give me liberty or give me death.” Tour Jefferson's beautiful and imposing estate, Monticello. Shenandoah National Park, Harper's Ferry, and Gettysburg National Military Park are also highlights on this trip. Enjoy a tour of Gettysburg and hear about the Battle of 1863. Continue exploration at Valley Forge for a behind-the-scenes tour. See where Washington and his troops endured the harsh winter of 1777-1778. End your exciting trip with a sightseeing tour in Philadelphia, including a visit to Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. For passengers who would like to return to Washington DC, the coach will continue to the DC hotel at no additional cost. This vacation to America’s Historic East allows you to see and experience some of the most prominent places in America’s past. A trip of a lifetime!

Day 2 Washington DC

Your half-day guided tour features ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY with the KENNEDY GRAVESITE, and VIETNAM, KOREAN, and WORLD WAR II MEMORIALS, as well as many other well-known sites. Also stop for photos at the White House and Capitol Hill. The afternoon is free to pursue your favorite interests. Maybe visit the Smithsonian Institute, Georgetown, the National Cathedral, or other prominent monuments and museums. Try our optional dinner tonight at one of Washington’s favorite restaurants, followed by an illumination tour of beautiful monuments. (B)

Day 3 Washington DC–Mount Vernon–Williamsburg

This morning we visit MOUNT VERNON, the restored home of George Washington. Tour the house and gardens, and visit the gravesite. Then, visit YORKTOWN HISTORICAL BATTLEFIELD PARK, the site where the British surrendered to Washington’s troops in 1781, bringing the American Revolution to a successful conclusion. This evening, enjoy a Colonial-style dinner at a famous local TAVERN. You’ll have an opportunity to engage in a recreated supper experience savored by 18th-century patriots. (B,D)

Day 4 Williamsburg. Excursion to Jamestown Settlement

This morning, enjoy an exclusive PERFORMANCE from Sylvia Tabb-Lee, a professional historian. Visit the nearby JAMESTOWN SETTLEMENT for a guided tour to learn about the first permanent English settlement in the New World. Then, enter COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG’S HISTORIC AREA, where costumed villagers add to the authenticity. Stroll down its quaint streets, browse through the historic trade shops, and see the Public Gaol. Also be sure to drop in at Raleigh Tavern, the meeting place for Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, and other patriots. Your evening is free. (B)

Day 5 Williamsburg–Monticello–Shenandoah National Park

First stop is Richmond, Virginia’s capital and once the capital of the Confederacy. Visit ST. JOHN’S CHURCH, where Patrick Henry proclaimed, “Give me liberty or give me death.” On the way to Charlottesville, tour MONTICELLO, Thomas Jefferson’s estate, with its beautiful gardens and imposing mansion designed by Jefferson himself. Enjoy photo stops and panoramic vistas from Skyline Drive in beautiful SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK, where you will stay for the night. (B,D)

Day 6 Shenandoah National Park–Harpers Ferry–Gettysburg

Today, follow much the same route as Lee’s army during its invasion of Pennsylvania. In West Virginia, visit HARPERS FERRY, where John Brown and his “army of liberation” staged their fateful raid on a U.S. arsenal. Continue across Maryland to GETTYSBURG NATIONAL MILITARY PARK. Enjoy a tour of Gettysburg and hear your local guide vividly recount the Battle of 1863. Also spend some free time on your own. This evening, enjoy a Colonial-style candlelit dinner at the elegant DOBBIN HOUSE TAVERN, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. (B,D)

Day 7 Gettysburg–Valley Forge–Philadelphia

This morning, enjoy an exclusive PRESENTATION by Jim Getty, one of America’s foremost Abraham Lincoln portrayers. Then, travel through Lancaster County past Amish farmlands to VALLEY FORGE. Take a tour of the national historic park, the camp where Washington and his troops endured the harsh winter of 1777–1778. Visit such sites as Washington’s Headquarters, the Grand Parade, and the Washington Memorial Chapel. Continue to Philadelphia, where this evening your Tour Director hosts a special farewell dinner. Wonderful conversation and cuisine make the perfect finale for your vacation. (B,D)

Day 8 Philadelphia

This morning, your sightseeing focuses on the important buildings of this historic city, the birthplace of the nation. Major attractions you will visit include the LIBERTY BELL and INDEPENDENCE HALL. Continue to the Philadelphia Airport for guests with homebound flights (please schedule flights from the Philadelphia Airport after 1:30 pm). For land-only passengers who would like to return to Washington DC, the motorcoach will transfer passengers to the Capital Hilton at no additional cost. (B)

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