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Home > Cosmos > North America > Historic Trails & Blue Ridge Mountains 2009
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This is a scenic and educationally packed trip beginning and ending in the capital of the United States, Washington DC. There’s plenty of sightseeing to be done in Washington DC, and your sightseeing tour covers the highlights. Then, venture south to colonial Williamsburg and Lexington, Virginia. In Williamsburg, see history come to life as costumed villagers add charm and authenticity to the quaint streets. Ride along a portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway to Asheville. Drive through the center of the Great Smoky Mountains to a popular mountain retreat, Gatlinburg. Spend two nights in Gatlinburg, then head to Bardstown, Kentucky’s second-oldest city. Visit Kentucky Horse Park and learn about racing legends. For magnificent views of Shenandoah National Park, ascend the Blue Ridge Mountains. See the Kentucky farm where Abraham Lincoln was born and visit the Gettysburg Battlefield, where Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address. These are just a few of the many features you’ll enjoy on this historic vacation. On this tour, history comes alive!
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ITINERARY
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Day 1: Sun. WASHINGTON DC
Enjoy time at leisure to relax or to do some independent exploring. Your Tour Director is on hand this evening to answer any questions.
Day 2: Mon. WASHINGTON DC– WILLIAMSBURG
Cross the Potomac River to see the graves of American heroes, including those of John F. Kennedy and his brother Robert, in beautiful Arlington Cemetery. Next, your guided sightseeing tour of the capital continues with photo stops at Capitol Hill and the White House, and visits to the Lincoln and Vietnam Memorials. This afternoon, leave the District of Columbia for Williamsburg—between the James and York Rivers—where the very earliest European settlers established their first colonies.
Day 3: Tue. WILLIAMSBURG
A full day at leisure is dedicated to COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG, where American heritage is proudly preserved in the reconstructed buildings and historical displays. Take a stroll down quaint streets and browse through homes, gardens, taverns, shops, and exhibits. In the Hall of Burgesses, listen as costumed interpreters debate the controversial steps that led to the Declaration of Independence.
Day 4: Wed. WILLIAMSBURG–RICHMOND–LEXINGTON, VA
Begin the day with an orientation tour of Richmond, capital of the Confederacy during the Civil War. This afternoon’s highlight is the graceful home of the third president, Thomas Jefferson. The MONTICELLO estate reflects Jefferson’s skills as an artist, architect, and designer, and is the only house in the U.S. that is on the United Nations’ World Heritage List of international treasures.
Day 5: Thu. LEXINGTON–ASHEVILLE
This morning, visit NATURAL BRIDGE, a 215-foot-high arch in a wooded setting, once owned by Thomas Jefferson. George Washington’s initials are still visible on the cliffside from his work here as a young surveyor. Blue Ridge Parkway runs from the Great Smokies to Shenandoah National Park without a single traffic light along its 470-mile route. Take a portion of the Parkway today from Roanoke to Fancy Gap. Stop at the tranquil setting of Mabry Mill, one of the most-photographed spots in the country. Overnight in the Asheville area.
Day 6: Fri. ASHEVILLE–GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK–GATLINBURG
The day begins with a stop at CHIMNEY ROCK. Take an elevator carved through solid rock up to the granite monolith for views over Hickory Nut Gorge. Next, visit the 7,500-acre grounds of the BILTMORE ESTATE, the largest home in America and built by George Vanderbilt, grandson of famous railroad magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt. Drive right through the center of the Smokies along the spectacular Newfound Gap Road, peaking at 5,046 feet. The next two nights are in Gatlinburg, nestled at the foot of the Great Smoky Mountains.
Day 7: Sat. GATLINBURG
Full day at leisure. Gatlinburg, one of America’s most popular mountain retreats, offers something for everyone. You might want to spend a day at world-famous Dollywood, an 88-acre, landscaped theme park inspired by Dolly Parton and her love for the mountains, family, and country music. Tonight’s optional outing features the Dixie Stampede, an action-packed evening of trick riders, renegade Indians, and ragtime entertainment. Dinner includes mountain specialties like juicy barbecue pork and chicken, corn-on-the cob, and a Southern-style apple turnover.
Day 8: Sun. GATLINBURG–BARDSTOWN
This morning, visit the fascinating MUSEUM OF APPALACHIA, with 65 acres of farmland and a number of historic cabins, barns, and other buildings—even a frontier privy! Make a short visit to Colonel Sander’s original fried chicken restaurant, which is now a museum. This afternoon’s journey takes you along Kentucky’s scenic back roads to Bardstown, Kentucky’s second-oldest city, for an overnight stay. Your Tour Director will have suggestions for the evening.
Day 9: Mon. BARDSTOWN–LORETTO–LEXINGTON, KY
Begin the day with a stop at SINKING SPRING FARM, where Abraham Lincoln was born. A replica of the original log cabin is preserved as a shrine to the best-loved of American presidents. Stop in the tiny town of Loretto and visit one of the many bourbon whiskey distilleries for which Kentucky is famous. Travel the Bluegrass Parkway to Lexington, the “Heart of the Bluegrass.” As you approach, the scenery changes to the green pastures, whiteboard fences, and columned estates of Kentucky Bluegrass Country—the backdrop for the movie Seabiscuit.
Day 10: Tue. LEXINGTON–BECKLEY
This morning, take a fascinating visit to the KENTUCKY HORSE PARK, where legends like Man o’ War and Secretariat conquered the racing world. Stops include the International Museum of the Horse; the Hall of Champions, where famous horses from the past enjoy their retirement; the Parade of Breeds; and many exhibits and demonstrations. Pay your respects to Seabiscuit’s great rival, War Admiral. He’s buried at the foot of his father’s famous statue, alongside the great Man o’ War himself. After a stop in the state capital of Charleston, one-time home of Daniel Boone, you’ll arrive in Beckley, the heart of West Virginia’s “smokeless” coal industry.
Day 11: Wed. BECKLEY–SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK
Near Fayetteville this morning, stop at New River Gorge Bridge, the world’s longest steel-span bridge, rising 876 feet above the river. After a lunch break in Lewisburg, a major Civil War battlefield, travel up to the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains to enjoy magnificent vistas of the Shenandoah Valley.
Day 12: Thu. SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK–LURAY CAVERNS–HARPERS FERRY–GETTYSBURG
Stop at Luray for a guided tour of the spectacular CAVERNS, then head for HARPERS FERRY, where in 1859 John Brown made his ill-fated raid on the U.S. Arsenal. Cross the Mason-Dixon Line into Pennsylvania later today for your overnight stay in Gettysburg. (The Mason-Dixon Line is most commonly associated with the division between Pennsylvania and Maryland during the American Civil War era. However, the line was actually delineated in the mid-1700s to settle a property dispute.)
Day 13: Fri. GETTYSBURG–MOUNT VERNON–WASHINGTON DC
This morning, visit the hallowed GETTYSBURG BATTLEFIELD, site of the decisive campaign of the Civil War and where Abraham Lincoln delivered his immortal Gettysburg Address. Next, visit MOUNT VERNON, the home of George and Martha Washington, overlooking the Potomac River. The final leg of your journey takes you back to Washington DC. Join us this evening for our optional farewell dinner.
Day 14: Sat. WASHINGTON DC
The trip ends today with guests departing on individual schedules. Transfers to Dulles or Reagan International Airports are included.
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WHATS INCLUDED
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| Washington DC, orientation tour in Richmond, Colonial Williamsburg, Monticello, Biltmore Estate, Museum of Appalachia, Sinking Spring Farm, Kentucky Whiskey Distillery, Kentucky Horse Park, Luray Caverns, Gettysburg Battlefield, Mount Vernon | | ^Top |
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HOTELS
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| Washington DC Area Crowne Plaza Arlington (F); Williamsburg Crowne Plaza Fort Magruder (F); Lexington, VA Natural Bridge Resort (MF); Asheville Quality Inn & Suites Biltmore South (ST); Gatlinburg Fairfield Inn (ST); Bardstown Best Western General Nelson (ST); Lexington, KY Radisson Plaza Hotel (SF); Beckley Quality Inn (MF); Shenandoah Skyland Lodge (NP); Gettysburg Quality Inn Gettysburg (ST) | | ^Top |
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OPTIONALS
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INSIDE VISITS
Inside visits and special features are shown in the description, including admission charges when applicable.
AIRPORT TRANSFERS
Airport transfers may be included with land and air price.
Departures are guaranteed on the following dates:
9/6/2009 |
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Note: All prices, itineraries, accommodations and dates are subject to change without notice and at any time by the tour operators. Availability is limited and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. Please call us toll free at 1-800-935-2620 to confirm availability and current pricing on all our discounted specials. The prices on this website are not guaranteed until a deposit has been made. We are not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes in these prices until a booking has been confirmed by one of our agents. Some land prices may include an internal air component and discounts will not be offered on the internal air component. Discounts will not be offered on packages with a land price of less than $500. |
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