Patriot's Passage - Family Vacation
On this eight-day educational experience, begin with the sights of Washinghton DC. A few of the many highlights include Arlington Cemetery; Vietnam, Korean, and World War II Memorials; and the International Spy Museum. Next, drive through Old Town Alexandria to visit Mount Vernon, the restored home of George Washington, and enjoy a colonial-style dinner. Go back in time at the Colonial Williamsburg historic area where costumed villagers add to the authenticity. Travel to Jamestown, America’s first permanent English colony. Continue on and enjoy photo stops from Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park, where you will stay for the night. The next morning, travel across Maryland to Gettysburg National Military Park and, later, dare to take a guided ghost tour. Visit Hershey’s Chocolate World in Pennsylvania and sample the real Hershey’s product before journeying to an Amish farm to learn of their culture and way of life. End your vacation in Philadelphia with a special farewell dinner hosted by your Tour Director. Full of rich insight and history, this is truly an eye-opening vacation that young travelers will remember for years to come. |
Designed
to meet the needs of families with children or grandchildren ages 8 to 18, this Family Vacation provides
a unique experience for the entire family to share. A family-friendly vacation featuring activities that
appeal to all ages, family-oriented optional excursions, and hotels positioned in the middle of the action.
The main goal is togetherness. 8 Days / 7 Nights
| Departure Dates | ||
| 6/21/2008 | 7/5/2008 | 7/19/2008 |
| 7/26/2008 | 8/2/2008 | |
| Click a Departure Date to request a quote! | ||
| Day 1 Arrive in Washington DC |
(Sat.) Welcome to Washington DC! This evening mingle with your fellow families at the 7 p.m. WELCOME DINNER while your Tour Director prepares you for your upcoming adventure. (D) |
| Day 2 Sights of Washington DC |
(Sun.) Your half-day guided tour features ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY with the KENNEDY GRAVESITES, and VIETNAM, KOREAN and WORLD WAR II MEMORIALS, as well as many other well-known sights. Also stop for photos at the White House and Capitol Hill. End your tour at the INTERNATIONAL SPY MUSEUM focusing on human intelligence and the role spies have played in world events throughout history. Explore interactive exhibits about disguise, surveillance, threat analysis, and more. 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 Explore Mount Vernon |
(Mon.) This morning, visit MOUNT VERNON, the restored home of George Washington. Tour the house and gardens, and visit the gravesite. The afternoon is on your own to relax by your hotel’s pool or take in additional sites. This evening enjoy a COLONIAL-STYLE DINNER at a famous local tavern. You’ll have an opportunity to engage in a re-created supper experience savored by 18th-century patriots. (B,D) |
| Day 4 Step Back in Time at Colonial Williamsburg |
(Tue.) Enter COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG’S HISTORIC AREA for a guided tour 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. While here you will have the chance to vote for or against independence, or join the militia, or participate in the Election of Burgesses. This afternoon is at leisure or you may join an optional excursion to nearby Busch Gardens with thrilling rides and attractions, ten main stage shows, a wide variety of foods and shops. (B) |
| Day 5 Jamestown Settlement |
(Wed.) At JAMESTOWN SETTLEMENT, costumed historical interpreters depict daily lives of people two and three centuries ago in faithfully re-created settings—a Powhatan Indian village, three replica ships that sailed from England in 1607, and the colonial fort. Next, travel much the same route as Lee’s army during its invasion of Pennsylvania. 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 Walk the Battle Lines of Gettysburg |
(Thu.) Today continue across Maryland to GETTYSBURG NATIONAL MILITARY PARK for time to vividly recount the Battle of 1863 and examine the experiences and emotions of the Southern soldiers in battle. This evening enjoy a colonial candlelit dinner at the elegant Dobbin House Tavern, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Later a guided GHOST TOUR takes you to some of the quaint houses and gentle fields in and around the town of Gettysburg where scores of haunted sightings of soldiers, moving again in battle lines, are common. (B,D) |
| Day 7 Hershey’s Chocolate World and Amish Experience |
(Fri.) Travel to Hershey, Pennsylvania, and visit HERSHEY’S CHOCOLATE WORLD. Experience chocolate-making from bean to bar at a simulated factory and of course get a sample of the real Hershey’s product! Next stop is an AMISH FARM AND HOUSE where a Local Guide explains this faith, culture, and traditional way of life, which excludes the use of modern conveniences such as electricity and telephones. Continue to Philadelphia, where your Tour Director and a historical personality host a farewell dinner. (B,D) |
| Day 8 Depart Philadelphia |
(Sat.) Your sightseeing focuses on the important buildings of this historic city, the birthplace of the nation. Major attractions include the Liberty Bell and Independence National Historic Park. Continue to the Philadelphia Airport for tour guests with homebound flights (please schedule flights from the Philadelphia Airport after 1:30 p.m.). For land-only guests who would like to return to Washington DC, the motorcoach will transfer passengers to the Capital Hilton at no additional cost. (B) |
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner |
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