Historic America - Tour 1A

Arrive Washington D.C. and transfer to the hotel on your own. Overnight at the Residence Inn Arlington.

After a welcome breakfast with your tour leader, set out on an extensive exploration of the capital. Tour the Arlington Cemetery and visit the Iwo Jima Memorial en-route to the National Mall. Enjoy lunch on your own and tour a museum of your choice. Options include the National Gallery of Art, National Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian Natural History Museum, and National Museum of African Art. En-route to your hotel, drive by Embassy Row and the National Cathedral. After dinner, enjoy an illuminated tour of the city and visit the Lincoln, Vietnam, World War II, and Korean War memorials. Overnight at the Residence Inn Arlington. (B, D)

Sightseeing today includes a visit to Mount Vernon, George Washington's iconic estate, set on the banks of the Potomac River in Virginia, just south of Alexandria. Acquired by Washington in 1754, Mount Vernon became not only his residence but also a symbol of American leadership and the enduring legacy of the nation's first president. Next stop is the Jamestown Settlement, a historic site that takes visitors back to the early 17th century, providing a glimpse into the beginnings of English colonization in North America. You can explore recreations of the original fort, complete with watchtowers and thatched-roof buildings. Enjoy dinner at a colonial Williamsburg tavern and overnight at the Williamsburg Lodge. (B, D)

Today is a true highlight - a full day to explore the Colonial Williamsburg Historic area on your own. This charming enclave of cobblestone streets, carefully reconstructed buildings, and costumed interpreters reenact daily life as it would have been in the 18th century. Numerous trade shops and craft workshops line the streets, offering demonstrations of traditional trades such as blacksmithing, printing, and wig-making. Overnight at the Williamsburg Lodge. (B)

Visit Richmond, Virginia and make a stop at the Richmond National Battlefield Park, a site resonating with echoes of the Civil War. Guests can visit the Chimborazo Medical Museum, Tredegar Iron Works, and American Civil War Museum. Enjoy lunch at Michie Tavern before a stop at Monticello House, the architectural masterpiece and former residence of Thomas Jefferson. Nestled on a hilltop near Charlottesville, Monticello is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that displays Jefferson's ingenuity and vision. Conclude your journey in Staunton, a charming town nestled in the Shenandoah Valley. Overnight at Hotel 24 South. (B, L)

Depart Staunton and embark on a scenic drive to Harpers Ferry, a historic town situated at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers. Explore the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, where you can visit museums, walk along Civil War-era streets, and take in breathtaking views from Jefferson Rock. Continue your drive to one of the most stirring battlefields in the nation, historic Gettysburg. Take a guided tour of the battlefield itself, marked by iconic landmarks such as Little Round Top, Devil's Den, and the High-Water Mark. Overnight at the Wyndham Hotel Gettysburg. (B, D)

Today, drive through Amish Country on your way to Philadelphia. Take a walking tour of the Historic District to include the Liberty Bell, a tour of Independence Hall, and other sites such as the First Bank, Carpenter?s Hall, Betsy Ross House, Elfreth?s Alley, and Christ Church. Overnight at the Philadelphia Marriott Old City. (B)

Motorcoach to your awaiting ship in New York. (B)

New York City (Manhattan or Brooklyn), New York

Newport, Rhode Island

Boston, Massachusetts

Portland, Maine

Saint John (for the Bay of Fundy), Canada

Halifax, Canada

Day At Sea

New York City (Manhattan or Brooklyn), New York