New York City, Philadelphia & Washington D.C. feat. Cherry Blossom Festival

Transfer to the airport for your flight to New York, New York! Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel and check-in. After freshening up you will have the rest of the day to explore the Big Apple on your own. For a bird’s eye view of “the City” head to the Empire State Building, for art and museum lovers there is the Metropolitan Museum of Art or the Modern Museum of Art, for shoppers, head to SoHo or 5th Avenue to explore one of kind trendy boutiques. At 6 p.m. there is an optional meeting with your Tour Director at the hotel. (D)

After breakfast, we will meet our local guide for a full-day guided tour that hits all the must-see attractions and neighborhoods of New York City including Chinatown, Greenwich Village, Central Park, Wall Street, and much more! Having an inside perspective on the city’s many offerings might help you to decide what you might want to see and do this evening. You may want to take the time to enjoy the vibrant energy in ‘the city that never sleeps’ or you might just want to spend the night relaxing. (B)

This morning, we depart for Philadelphia, the ‘City of Brotherly Love’. We stop for lunch, which is on your own, at the historic Reading Terminal Market, one of America’s Oldest Public Markets dating to 1893. Here you will find dozens of vendors offering a variety of astonishing food from roast pork sandwiches, po’boys, and apple dumplings to BBQ chicken and scrapple. After lunch, we will meet our guide and embark on a guided tour of Historic Philadelphia. History is alive and well here and our tour includes attractions in one of the most historic square miles in the United States. We will see the Liberty Bell, Franklin Court, and much more. Later this afternoon, we make our way to Gettysburg, PA where dinner is served at The Dobbin House Tavern, the most historic home in all of Gettysburg, established in 1776. After dinner, we will check into our hotel, the historic Gettysburg Hotel for the next two evenings. (B, D)

We will enjoy breakfast at the hotel, before heading to the Gettysburg Visitor’s Center and Museum. Here we will see a short film, “The Museum and Cyclorama,” before meeting our licensed Battlefield Guide. Our local guide will board our coach and take us on a riding tour of this hallowed ground. This afternoon we will visit the Gettysburg Museum of History, home to the most extensive private collection of artifacts from the Civil War, World War I, World War II, Presidencies, and Pop Culture. This evening is on your own. (B)

Following breakfast, we travel to the Eisenhower Historic Site. This is the home and farm of General and President Dwight D. Eisenhower and the First Lady that served not only as their weekend retreat but also as a meeting place for world leaders. From here, we leave Gettysburg behind and continue our journey to Charlottesville, VA. On arrival, we will check into tonight’s hotel, the DoubleTree by Hilton. Dinner is included tonight at the Bonefish Grille Restaurant. (B, D)

This morning, after breakfast, we tour Monticello, the primary plantation of Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States. This neo-classic estate that sits atop a lofty hill was designed and redesigned, built and rebuilt for more than forty years. Jefferson called it his “essay in architecture.” The estate is surrounded by gardens that are a botanic showpiece, a source of food, and an experimental laboratory of ornamental and useful plants from around the world. A recently opened exhibit, “Slavery at Jefferson’s Monticello: Paradox of Liberty.” follows the story of six enslaved families that lived and worked here. (B)

Following our visit to Monticello, it is time for a tour and tasting at Jefferson Vineyards, located on the grounds where Thomas Jefferson and Philip Mazzei chose to grow grapes 250 years ago, starting the first wine company in Virginia. Today, this vineyard has introduced quality modern viticulture to Virginia and has been recognized by Wine Spectator as, “having one of the area’s most consistent track records.” At our wine tasting we will decide if this prestigious publication was right!

After our tasting, we depart for Williamsburg, VA. Dinner is included at Captain George’s Seafood, before checking into our hotel, The Embassy Suites by Hilton for the next two nights. (B, D)

Breakfast is included this morning, before traveling to Yorktown, VA where we visit the American Revolution Museum. This museum tells the story of the nation’s founding, from the twilight of the colonial period to the dawn of the Constitution and beyond. There are exciting indoor galleries where American nationhood unfolds in films and exhibits, and two outdoor areas that include a re-created Continental Army Encampment and a Revolution-era farm that an 18th century family would have lived in. From here we travel to Colonial Williamsburg where we will spend the day exploring this 18th Century City, the world’s largest living history museum. Highlights include a visit to the Governor’s Palace, Colonial Gardens, the George Wythe House, the Public Armoury, Art Museums, and workshops of tradesmen. If you have worked up an appetite, no worries, just head to one of the atmospheric taverns on the grounds for a bite to eat. We will return to our hotel at the end of the day for a relaxing evening on your own. (B)

Today we travel to our Nation’s Capital, Washington, D.C., where Spring is in the air! Upon arrival this afternoon, our first stop is at Arlington National Cemetery where we have tickets for the tram tour. Arlington is a tribute to those who’ve dedicated their lives to defending the ideals of our country. After we will check into our hotel, the Grand Hyatt, located within walking distance of the Smithsonian Museums. The hotel is in the center of the city, only blocks from the White House, the National Mall, and metro. This evening, dinner is included at a local restaurant. (B,D)

A full breakfast is included this morning followed by a day on your own to enjoy the annual Cherry Blossom Festival. You have reserved grandstand seats for the Nation’s Springtime Parade, with its grand colored helium balloons, elaborate floats, marching bands from across the country, and celebrity entertainers.  Enjoy the afternoon to explore our Nation’s Capital before enjoying our farewell dinner at Carmine’s. Our local guide will meet us, and take us on a narrated illumination tour of the monuments. (B,D)

After breakfast, our journey continues to George Washington’s Mount Vernon. In 1754, George Washington began residing at Mount Vernon which is a 3,000 acre estate and a house that was approximately 3,500 square feet and was originally built by his father in 1735. By his death, Washington’s Mount Vernon consisted of approximately 7,600 acres and an almost 11,000 square foot mansion. A box lunch is included before we leave for home with visions of gingerbread dancing in our heads. (B,L)