Sample itineraries
Williamsburg & Washington DC Escorted Tour
From £1419
Travel from Philadelphia through the beautiful Pennsylvania Dutch countryside to poignant Gettysburg, and explore Shenandoah Nat’l Park en route to Jamestown, Yorktown, Williamsburg, and Washington, DC.
Day 1 Arrive Philadephia
Tour begins: Sheraton Society Hill at 6:00 PM. You might want to schedule an arrival in Philadelphia early enough to explore this first capital of the United States, perhaps visiting the Constitution Center. We invite you to join us this evening for a welcome reception and dinner.
Stay: 1 night
Sheraton Society Hill, Philadelphia
Day 2 Amish Country / Gettysburg
Your journey through America’s past begins with a sightseeing tour of Philadelphia, including a visit to Independence Hall, site of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and home of the Liberty Bell. Travel through Valley Forge National Historical Park, where George Washington stationed his army during the bitter winter of 1777 / 1778, and the rolling farmland of eastern Pennsylvania to Lancaster County. Lancaster is the heart of the Pennsylvania Dutch countryside, land of the “Plain People,” where time has stood still for over one hundred years. A sightseeing tour with a local guide gives insights into their unique cultural heritage. See Amish farms, where horse and plow are used instead of the tractor and Amish men till the soil by hand. Enjoy a special country lunch at Plain and Fancy Farm in Bird-in-Hand before you arrive at historic Gettysburg.
Stay: 1 night
Gettysburg Hotel, Gettysburg
Day 3 Visit Historic Gettysburg
Visit the sombre grounds of Gettysburg National Military Park, where thousands lost their lives on Gettysburg’s battlefields; it is a poignant reminder of the complex history of the Civil War. You’ll also visit the Gettysburg National Cemetery, where President Abraham Lincoln delivered his immortal “Gettysburg Address.” Travel south, crossing the Mason / Dixon Line into West Virginia, and on through rolling orchard country to Virginia. Experience the natural beauty of rustic, spectacular Shenandoah National Park.
Stay: 1 night
STANDARD Big Meadows Lodge, Luray
SELECT Skyland Resort, LurayDay 4 Monticello/Richmond
Depart today on one of the country’s great journeys, the picturesque Skyline Drive, through the Blue Ridge Mountains; the vistas are endless! Arrive in the city of Charlottesville for a visit to Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s magnificent colonial mansion. Richmond was the capital of the Confederacy during the Civil War era; a sightseeing visit takes you past St. John’s Church, where Patrick Henry made it clear that he preferred “Liberty or Death” to the British aggression. Cobblestone Monument Avenue was declared a National Historic Landmark; view its 19th-century townhouses before continuing on to Williamsburg. This evening’s dining experience is in one of the restoration’s famous Colonial taverns.
Stay: 2 nights
STANDARD Williamsburg Lodge, Williamsburg
SELECT Williamsburg Inn, Williamsburg
Day 5 Williamsburg at Leisure
Explore Colonial Williamsburg, restored to its 1770 grandeur as the economic and political hub of Britain’s largest colony in the New World. Meet historic interpreters in colonial dress who represent actual citizens from 18th-century Williamsburg; you will experience an in-depth look at America’s early days first-hand! Step back in time in this living history museum and see the Capitol Building, still flying the British flag; Raleigh Tavern, a favourite meeting place of delegates to the House of Burgesses; the Governor’s Palace; Bruton Parish Church; and many other historic colonial homes and shops. It will be one of the most memorable days on your journey!
Day 6 Jamestown/Mount Vernon
Depart Williamsburg for fascinating visits to Jamestown, founded in 1607 as the first permanent English settlement in the “New World,” and Yorktown, historic site of one of the most definitive battles of the American Revolution. Travel to Mount Vernon, which was President George Washington’s beautiful estate overlooking the Potomac River. His home for more than 45 years, it is indelibly stamped with the personality and private memorabilia of the “Father of Our Country.” Arrive late in the afternoon in Washington, DC, the nation’s capital, for a two-night visit. Washington, DC is home to many of America’s most beloved National Monuments, historic attractions, and a myriad of well- known museums; it is a must-see for any world traveller! Your hotel is located close to Lafayette Park, which is within walking distance of the White House and the National Mall, where many of these national treasures can be found.
Stay: 2 nights
Capital Hilton, Washington DC
Day 7 Explore Washington, DC
Washington’s museums, monuments, gardens and landmark sites reflect America’s rich historic heritage. A guided morning tour features the poignant WWII, Vietnam and Korean War Memorials, the Lincoln Memorial, Supreme Court and Capitol Hill. The afternoon is spent at your leisure, perhaps visiting a museum or art gallery. Join us this evening for a farewell reception and dinner at a private club on Capitol Hill, followed by a memorable evening tour of the city; see Washington’s gleaming white marble memorial monuments illuminated at night; it is a most inspiring sight.
Day 8 Journey Home
Tour ends: Washington, DC. Fly home anytime. A transfer to the airport is not included. Allow a minimum of two hours for flight check-in.
