America's Historic East

Day 2 Washington DC

Washington DC radiates outwards from the iconic United States Capitol Building and on our morning tour we will see the highlights including the White House, the Washington Monument Lincoln Memorial and it’s famous reflecting pool. Take time to make your own discoveries this afternoon - you could choose to visit one of the many Smithsonian museums located along the National Mall. They are all free to enter and there's something for everyone, from the American Art Museum, the Air and Space Museum, the Natural History Museum and the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

This evening we’ll join together for a welcome dinner and make sure we take another drive around the city to see the national monuments spectacularly lit up at night.

Day 3 Washington DC - Richmond

This morning we’ll cross the Potomac River from Washington DC to Arlington National Cemetery. Join a trolley tour to see this exceptional site, making a stop at the Kennedy grave site. Next, we'll travel to Old Town Alexandria, beautifully preserved with 18th and 19th century architecture, brick sidewalks and a thriving food scene and arts culture. There are many cafes and restaurants on King Street that leads directly to the Old Town’s attractive harbour.

Later we’ll head south to the state of Virginia and the city of Richmond, capital of the Confederacy during the American Civil War. Today, Richmond is a buzzing city, located on the banks of the James River. Here, you will find the Virginia State Capitol, a building designed by Thomas Jefferson and if it's fashionable shops and restaurants you crave, be sure to make a beeline for the historic district of Shockoe Slip.

Day 4 Jamestown

Today you're going to experience 17^th Century Virgina, visiting Jamestown Settlement where America’s first permanent English colony was established in 1607. The site demonstrates what daily life was like for the early colonists, the Virginia Indians who lived on the land for centuries, and the first documented arrival of West Central Africans in 1619. Later we’ll move on to Charlottesville, Virginia for a two-night stay.

Day 5 Monticello

Your highlight today is a visit to Monticello, the magnificent mountaintop plantation home of Thomas Jefferson, third President of the United States and author of the Declaration of Independence. Tour the house, find out more about Jefferson’s legacy, explore the magnificent gardens, and learn about Monticello’s enslaved community at this historical treasure. We’ll stop for lunch of typical southern fare at a local tavern dating back to 1784. Your afternoon is free for you to explore Charlottesville at your own pace. The University of Virginia is a UNECO site also designed by Jefferson and very walkable, as is the Historic Downtown Main Street filled with bars, restaurants and shops in restored and renovated buildings.

Day 6 Charlottesville - Gettysburg

Today we head north to Pennsylvania, making some of the journey on the Skyline Drive that runs along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virgina in Shenandoah National Park. There are many scenic overlooks to stop at that, on a clear day, offer amazing views over the landscape. We’ll stop en-route at Harpers Ferry National Historic Park, scenically located at the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers and site of abolitionist John Browns raid against slavery during the Civil War. We’ll overnight close to the historic town of Gettysburg.

Day 7 Gettysburg – Philadelphia

The Battle of Gettysburg was a turning point in the Civil War, the site of it’s bloodiest battle and also the inspiration for President Abraham Lincoln's immortal 'Gettysburg Address'. We’ll spend some time here with a local expert guide before travelling to Philadelphia. On the journey we’ll be sure to stop in Dutch Country to discover a little about America’s Amish community who live a centuries-old 'Plain' lifestyle just a few hours from the nations capital.

Day 8 Philadelphia

Today we’ll explore the USA's original capital, Philadelphia, a liberal melting pot of people and cultures. It's here that the Declaration of Independence was written, signed and introduced in 1776. Our morning walking tour will show you the highlights of the 'most historic square mile in the United States' including the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Congress Hall and Christ Church, where George Washington and Benjamin Franklin once worshipped. We’ll end with a short visit to the Museum of the American Revolution before some time for lunch at the historic Reading Terminal Market where you will find plenty of local produce to sample from Amish pretzels to a Philly cheese steak. Ther will be free time this afternoon if you wish to visit one of the many museums and galleries along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, including the Philadelphia Museum of Art and it’s famous “Rocky steps”.

Day 9 Philadelphia – New York

Our final destination is New York City. Iconic sights are waiting around every corner in this exciting city, and your Local Guide will introduce them all on today's included sightseeing tour. Hotspots include the Empire State Building, Wall Street and the theatres on Broadway. You'll also view the One World Trade Center, the sparkling Chrysler Building, Chinatown and bustling Times Square. This evening, you're free to make your own discoveries of this fantastic city but could choose to join an optional performance of Hamilton on Broadway.

Day 10 New York - UK

Enjoy a final morning exploring New York, perhaps heading to Central Park to soak up atmosphere from a horse-drawn carriage. Later, we transfer to the airport for our flight to the UK.

Day 11 UK

You'll arrive back in the UK today.