Explore a New World and young nation on this journey from Capitol Hill and the home of George Washington, to the bloody battlefields of Gettysburg and a haunted tavern.
Travelstyle Re Icon
Travel Style - Regional Explorer
Gain the insights into the diversity of two or more countries.
The political heart of America is your gateway to a memorable encounter with the Land of the Free and how it came to be so. After checking in to your hotel, enjoy an afternoon at leisure to explore the museums, memorials and monuments of Washington, D.C. This evening, you'll join your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Reception to kick-start your journey.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - Yours Truly, DC
Roam the corridors of power, oak-lined avenues and noble tributes to America's famous sons and daughters, as you explore the nation's proud heritage today. View the White House, striking Washington Monument and National Mall, stretching from the Lincoln Memorial to the Capitol building. Reflect on the country's darkest days at the Lincoln Memorial and somber memorials to World War II and the Vietnam War. The rest of the day is free to chart your own course through America's capital city.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Optional Experience
Washington Illumination Tour
You’ll be wowed by this illuminated overview of the nation’s capital city at night! See the Capitol, the White House and the Jefferson Memorial. Visit the Kennedy Center for a rooftop walk and end the evening at the Iwo Jima Marine Corps Memorial. (Stops are subject to weather and local restrictions). Approx. duration: 2 hours
Adult Price: $40.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Day 3
Washington, D.C. – Mount Vernon – Yorktown – Williamsburg (2 Nights)
Tread in the footsteps of America's first president, visiting Mount Vernon, the former home of George Washington. Delve into the history of the American Revolution at the Yorktown Victory Center, experiencing first-hand the dramatic "Siege of Yorktown". We'll continue to Williamsburg, founded in 1638 as Middle Plantation, and the former capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia. This evening, we'll enjoy a Regional Dinner.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - Hilton Garden Inn Williamsburg
Pay tribute to the brave men and women who gave up their homeland to establish a New World. This morning, we venture to Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in America, where we'll gain insights into the trials that marked the lives of early 17th century colonists. Walk through the life-sized re-creations of the colonists' crude fort, explore the mock-up of the Native American Powhatan village and climb aboard a replica of one of the three ships that sailed from England to Virginia. We fast forward a few centuries and spend the rest of the day in Colonial Williamsburg, once Britain's largest colony in the New World. Chat with blacksmiths, admire a fife and drum parade, and perhaps even engage in some politicking with a costumed Federalist in the town square. This afternoon, we 'Dive into Culture' and meet Sylvia Tabb-Lee who will bring America's slavery history to life.
Visit St. John's Church in Richmond, Virginia-the very spot where George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were inspired by Patrick Henry's fiery "Give me liberty or give me death" speech. Continue to Charlottesville, where you'll enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Then, visit Monticello, the neoclassical Italian estate where Jefferson once sought a quieter existence. The rest of your day is free.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - Omni Charlottesville
Charlottesville – Shenandoah National Park – Gettysburg
Journey through the rolling hills of the Shenandoah National Park en route to Gettysburg where we'll delve into the devastation of a four-year civil war pitting North against South. We explore the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center, where our visit 'Makes a Difference' by contributing to their efforts to preserve the battlefield. This evening, indulge in a festive Regional Dinner at the "most haunted" 19th century Dobbin House, keeping an eye out for Uncle Abe who may grace the group with his presence.
Cast your mind back to the pivotal, yet tragic day on which Pickett led his charge on Gettysburg. Join a Local Specialist who will bring to life the events at Gettysburg which turned the tide in the Civil War. Just four months later, the battlefield served as the backdrop for Abraham Lincoln's call for "a new birth of freedom" in his famed Gettysburg Address. We'll journey to the City of Brotherly Love and site of the signing of the Declaration of Independence next. Stay in the heart of Philadelphia's historic district, within walking distance of dozens of landmark buildings. This evening, we'll join our Travel Director and fellow American history enthusiasts for a Farewell Dinner.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - Hilton at Penn's Landing
Gain insights into the history of the U.S. Constitution and the effect it has had around the world during this morning's tour through Philadelphia. We'll explore the UNESCO-listed Independence National Historic Park and see its famous cracked bell whose inscription has inspired so many to "proclaim liberty". The final stop on our journey is Washington, D.C., where we'll transfer to either Dulles International Airport, Ronald Reagan National Airport or to the Renaissance Washington, D.C. Downtown for guests extending their stay.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
All optional experiences for this trip
Book with your travel director when you travel
Available on day 2
Washington Illumination Tour
You’ll be wowed by this illuminated overview of the nation’s capital city at night! See the Capitol, the White House and the Jefferson Memorial. Visit the Kennedy Center for a rooftop walk and end the evening at the Iwo Jima Marine Corps Memorial. (Stops are subject to weather and local restrictions). Approx. duration: 2 hours
Adult Price: $40.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
All Optional Experiences
The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Enjoy an engaging cultural presentation from Sylvia Tabb-Lee. (Day 4)
LOCAL SPECIALIST
For included sightseeing on the Gettysburg battlefield. (Day 7)
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Explore the Gettysburg Visitor Center and discover the history of this famous sight and help support the battlefield's preservation with the proceeds from your visit. (Day 6)
Sightseeing highlights
Experience Ti Filled Icon
CITY TOUR in Washington, D.C.
Experience Ti Filled Icon
VIEW the Washington Monument, U.S. Capitol Building, the White House, Liberty Bell
Experience Ti Filled Icon
VISIT Mount Vernon, Jamestown, Colonial Williamsburg, Monticello, Gettysburg National Military Park, the National Mall, St John's Church, Independence National Historic Park
Daily breakfast and an average of 50% of evening meals
Experience Tick Thin Icon
Luxury air-conditioned coach with WiFi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
Experience Tick Thin Icon
Cherry-picked hotels all tried and trusted
Experience Tick Thin Icon
Handcrafted Highlights
Experience Tick Thin Icon
Optional Experiences and free time
Experience Tick Thin Icon
All porterage and local charges included
Experience Tick Thin Icon
Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
Experience Tick Thin Icon
An expert Travel Director and separate Driver
Experience Tick Thin Icon
All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
Experience Tick Thin Icon
Airport transfers on the first and last day of your guided holiday
Experience Tick Thin Icon
VIP entry to many sights
Feefo T T Icon
LIVE, UNEDITED & INDEPENDENT TRAVELERS REVIEWS
Historic Highlights Trip Reviews
Our guests are at the heart of everything we do, their feedback fuels our innovation, inspiring us to improve continuously and craft Simply The Best vacations. That's why we ask each of our guests to leave a third-party verified, independent review after every trip. As testament to our commitment we have been given the Trusted Service Award from Feefo, recognising we deliver exceptional experiences as rated by real guests.
Overall Rating
4.8
Out of 5
Based on 207 independent reviews
Trip Rating
Customer experience
Trip rating is the overall quality of the itinerary and trip
4.7
Out of 5
5
Review Star Icon
149
4
Review Star Icon
51
3
Review Star Icon
5
2
Review Star Icon
2
1
Review Star Icon
0
Customer experience is the standard of service you receive
4.8
Out of 5
5
Review Star Icon
169
4
Review Star Icon
35
3
Review Star Icon
6
2
Review Star Icon
0
1
Review Star Icon
0
Navigation Chevron Left Icon
Theodore Carmely My Account Icon
Clock Icon
Trip Rating
Review Star Icon
4
Excellent accommodations and interesting stops. Last day was poor: too little time in Philadelphia followed by a long bust drive without even a decent lunch stop which ended too late to catch any reasonable flight. I suggest you add one night and end the tour early the next day.
We visited the important sites at each city on our tour. The hotels were very clean and comfortable. The last hotel in Philadelphia the Sheraton Society Hill was a bit noisy. You could hear the other guest in the hotel below us due to the glass doors in our room. Our visit to Colonial Williamsburg was too long and uneventful with the exception of the fife and drum parade.
We enjoyed our trip and our tour guide Kristin Manzoli was excellent in providing historical information, keeping us on schedule, providing fun activities to do on our way to our destinations, being well organized and accessible when we had any concerns.
Real moments from real travelers, creating the greatest travel stories they’ll ever tell
Or search for something else
Need Help?
866 513 1995
Dates & Prices
BackNavigation Close Icon
Navigation Close Icon
Trip Notes
Navigation Close Icon
Crossovers: All 2021 departure dates will operate as per the 2020 brochure. Itineraries, durations, hotels and inclusions may vary. Please inquire at the time of booking.
#TTHistoricHighlights
"The Appalachian Trail crosses right through the Blue Ridge Mountains. Keep a look out for thru-hikers when visiting Shenandoah National Park and driving along Skyline drive." Kristin Manzoli, Sr. Manager, Field Staff & Product Integrity Operations
Unless otherwise stated, trip prices are per person, land only, based on double occupancy and reflect applicable discount. Discounts are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice.
Trip prices are correct at the time of the products going live, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking. All trip information is correct at time of trips going live, however are subject to change - please confirm all details at time of booking.
Double-share option not available for trips to South America, Costa Rica, Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii, South Africa, Kenya & Tanzania, Botswana, Zambia or for any holiday & cruise combination, or in Asia and Eastern Mediterranean except Highlights of Turkey (without cruise) & Best of Turkey. It's also not available on Small Group trips. Guided Vacations included in this restriction are Newfoundland and Labrador (DNLA) as well as Panama, the Canal & Beyond (LPAN).
For trips that are part of our Guaranteed Room Share, please note that there is a no smoking policy in all shared rooms. Solo travel is not accepted on guided Family Experiences holidays unless traveling as part of a family group.
Travel to Europe often requires an overnight flight. Please arrange your flights to arrive on or before day 1.
Your selected dates have an enhanced itinerary.
Navigation Close Icon
You’ll be traveling in Autumn, Winter or Spring, and this itinerary has been enhanced for you to enjoy the unique experiences these seasons offer.