HISTORIC TRAILS & BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS - 2010

14 days from Washington DC to Washington DC (CO-8720)

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!

8720

Itinerary

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 Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

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.

AIRPORT TRANSFERS

Airport transfers may be included when you make your international flights arrangements.

Dates and Prices

Departure Details	Departure Date	Tour Start Date	Return Date	Land/Cruise Price Only	Status
Popular Departure	4/18/2010	4/18/2010	5/1/2010	$1,729.00	Available
	4/25/2010	4/25/2010	5/8/2010	$1,729.00	Sold Out
	5/16/2010	5/16/2010	5/29/2010	$1,729.00	Available
	5/23/2010	5/23/2010	6/5/2010	$1,729.00	Available
	5/30/2010	5/30/2010	6/12/2010	$1,729.00	Available
Popular Departure	6/6/2010	6/6/2010	6/19/2010	$1,729.00	Available
	8/29/2010	8/29/2010	9/11/2010	$1,729.00	Available
	9/5/2010	9/5/2010	9/18/2010	$1,729.00	Available
	9/12/2010	9/12/2010	9/25/2010	$1,729.00	Available
	9/19/2010	9/19/2010	10/2/2010	$1,729.00	Available
	9/26/2010	9/26/2010	10/9/2010	$1,729.00	Available

Popular Departure - due to itinerary and time of year, this departure historically sells out quickly. Early booking is encouraged.

Breakfast Supplement per person:
$127

Single Room Supplement:
$720