Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival
You'll head to the hotel this evening where the Holiday Director will be waiting to greet you and go over what's ahead. It's a chance to meet the team and get oriented before things kick off tomorrow.
- Day 2
Washington DC
Start with a guided tour covering DC's main landmarks along the National Mall like the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, and White House. After that, the afternoon is yours to wander around independently or check out any of the free Smithsonian museums. Later, you'll take a sightseeing drive through the illuminated monuments before heading to dinner with everyone at a local restaurant.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Welcome dinner at local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Washington DC highlights including National Mall, Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, and White House
- Sightseeing drive of National monuments (evening)
- Welcome dinner at local restaurant
Optional Activities
- Visit Smithsonian museums (free to enter, most located around the mall)
Landmarks/POIs Lincoln Memorial Washington Monument White House National Mall Smithsonian - Day 3
Washington DC to Charlottesville
Cross into Arlington National Cemetery for a trolley tour with a stop at the Kennedy grave site. From there, head to Old Town Alexandria to walk through the 18th and 19th century streets and check out the harbor. You'll then drive south along Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park, passing scenic overlooks of the Blue Ridge Mountains before arriving in Charlottesville.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Trolley tour of Arlington National Cemetery
- Stop at Kennedy grave site
- Visit to Old Town Alexandria
- Drive along Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park with scenic overlooks
Optional Activities
- Dining at cafes and restaurants on King Street in Old Town Alexandria
Landmarks/POIs Arlington National Cemetery Kennedy grave site Old Town Alexandria Skyline Drive Shenandoah National Park Blue Ridge Mountains - Day 4
Charlottesville to Richmond
Visit Monticello to tour Thomas Jefferson's house, explore the gardens, and learn about the enslaved people who lived and worked there. Around lunchtime, you'll eat at a local tavern dating back to 1784 for typical southern food. Then it's on to Richmond where you can see the Virginia State Capitol that Jefferson designed and browse around the historic Shockoe Slip district.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Typical southern lunch at local tavern dating back to 1784)
Included Activities
- Tour of Monticello house
- Exploration of Monticello gardens
- Learn about Monticello's enslaved community
- Typical southern lunch at local tavern dating back to 1784
Optional Activities
- Visit Virginia State Capitol
- Explore historic Shockoe Slip district with fashionable shops and restaurants
Landmarks/POIs Monticello Virginia State Capitol Shockoe Slip James River - Day 5
Richmond to Jamestown
Spend time at Colonial Williamsburg, a living history museum showing what life was like in one of America's first colonies. After that, go to Jamestown Settlement to see exhibits about the 1607 settlement, including displays about early colonists, Virginia Indians, and the first documented arrival of West Central Africans in 1619.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Colonial Williamsburg living history museum
- Visit to Jamestown Settlement
- Exhibits demonstrating colonial daily life
- Exhibits about Virginia Indians and early African arrivals
Landmarks/POIs Colonial Williamsburg Jamestown Settlement - Day 6
Jamestown to Philadelphia
Head to Lancaster County to see the oldest Amish settlement in the country. You'll take a tour to meet people living the traditional 'Plain' lifestyle and learn how windmills work. There's an option for a horse and buggy ride if you want, and then you'll continue on to Philadelphia.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Tour of Dutch Country and Amish settlement
- See windmills and learn about their use
Optional Activities
- Horse and buggy ride
Landmarks/POIs Lancaster County Dutch Country - Day 7
Philadelphia
Explore Philadelphia, which was America's first capital and where the Declaration of Independence is housed. In the morning, walk through the 'most historic square mile in the United States' to see the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Congress Hall, and Christ Church. Visit the Museum of the American Revolution, then grab lunch at Reading Terminal Market where you can try Amish pretzels and Philly cheese steaks. Spend the afternoon checking out museums and galleries along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, including the Philadelphia Museum of Art and those famous 'Rocky steps'.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at historic Reading Terminal Market with local produce including Amish pretzels and Philly cheese steak sandwich), Dinner
Included Activities
- Morning walking tour of historic Philadelphia
- Visit to Liberty Bell
- Visit to Independence Hall
- Visit to Congress Hall
- Visit to Christ Church
- Visit to Museum of the American Revolution
- Lunch at historic Reading Terminal Market
- Welcome dinner at local restaurant
Optional Activities
- Visit Philadelphia Museum of Art and Rocky steps
- Visit other museums and galleries along Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Landmarks/POIs Liberty Bell Independence Hall Congress Hall Christ Church Museum of the American Revolution Reading Terminal Market Philadelphia Museum of Art Rocky steps Benjamin Franklin Parkway - Day 8
Departure
Your trip wraps up today as you say goodbye to the people you've traveled with and head home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
