Untold Tales of Historic Trails

Welcome to Philadelphia! Your Tour Director is on hand from 3-6:00 p.m. to answer any questions. Once settled in your hotel, perhaps take a walk along the waterfront, visit Cherry Street Pier, or seek out some local Philly cuisine.

This morning, take a tour of “The Birthplace of America.” See Independence National Historical Park, where the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were signed and visit the Liberty Bell, known for its iconic crack and being a symbol of freedom. Visit Reading Terminal Market, one of the oldest public markets in the U. S dating back to 1893. It's a gastronomic bazaar of more than 80 vendors where you can find a variety of food, including Philly's famous cheesesteak sandwiches. (B)

Head south to Delaware, the first of the 50 United States, for a stop at the Air Mobility Command Museum in Dover which showcases the history of military aviation. Then on to Annapolis, a picturesque city by the Chesapeake Bay. Visit the Maryland State House, one of the oldest state capitol buildings in the United States. Enjoy free time to stroll the cobblestone streets lined with shops, visit the US Naval Academy (Real ID required), and perhaps try some fresh local seafood, like their renowned Maryland blue crabs, while overlooking the harbor. (B)

Depart for the Nation's Capital, Washington, DC, home to historic monuments and world-class museums. Enjoy a city tour with a local guide, seeing famous landmarks like the US Capitol, the White House, and the National Mall, a green space where the Washington Monument rises majestically to the sky. This evening, join an optional dinner and illumination tour to see several of DCs most famous memorials in a different light.

Have the day to explore! Perhaps visit some of the many free Smithsonian Institution museums like the National Museum of American History where you can see the Star-Spangled Banner – the flag that inspired the National Anthem, Abraham Lincoln's top hat and the gowns of America's first ladies or the National Museum of Natural History to see dinosaur bones and the Hope Diamond. Or perhaps visit Arlington National Cemetery to pay respect at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and see the grave of President John F. Kennedy. You can also join an optional excursion to Mount Vernon, home of the first president of the United States, George Washington, and his wife Martha. (B)

Stop in Fredericksburg, Virginia known for its colonial and Civil War history. Visit Fredericksburg Battlefield Visitor's Center to learn about this colonial trading hub and strategic site during the American Revolution and Civil War, including the pivotal Battle of Fredericksburg. Enjoy some time in the charming Historic District before continuing on to Richmond, the state's capital. Take a city tour, including a stop at St. John's Church where Patrick Henry said the famous words, “Give me liberty or give me death!” (B)

Spend the day on your own exploring this capital city's museums and riverfront or join an optional excursion to Colonial Williamsburg, a living history museum that offers a glimpse into 18th-century life in Virginia with interactive exhibits, costumed interpreters, and demonstrations of 18-century trades such as blacksmithing and bookbinding. Evening is at leisure. (B)

Travel to Charlottesville to explore Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, the mountaintop home and plantation he designed that is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Jefferson, the primary author of the Declaration of Independence and the third president of the United States, loved architecture and integrated many ingenious devices throughout the house. He also designed the gardens which were not just a source of food but a place for experimentation and showcasing plants from around the world. Continue for an overnight in beautiful Shenandoah National Park. (B)

Enter Pennsylvania, one of the thirteen original colonies and home to Gettysburg, which played a pivotal role during the Civil War. Visit Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and see the Gettysburg Cyclorama, the largest oil-on-canvas painting in North America. The 360-degree hand-painted canvas depicts the fury of Pickett's Charge during the decisive third day of fighting between Union and Confederate forces. Then take a guided tour of the hallowed grounds of Gettysburg Battlefield to see some of the legendary locations in what became the turning point of the Civil War.

This evening, join an optional farewell dinner at an historic tavern that brings back the sights, sounds, and tastes of times past.

Head east to Lancaster County, home of fertile farmland and a large Amish community. Make a stop at Kitchen Kettle Village for the chance to experience Amish and Pennsylvania Dutch food and products. Then depart for Valley Forge National Historical Park which was the winter encampment in 1777 for the Continental Army where George Washington stayed along with his aide-de-camp, Alexander Hamilton.

Return to Philadelphia for a late afternoon drop at Philadelphia International Airport or the host hotel for those with extra nights. Please schedule departing flights for after 6:00 pm. (CB)