DAY 1 UK/Savannah
We fly to Atlanta, meet our Tour Guide and drive to Savannah on the Atlantic coast where we spend two nights.
DAY 2 Savannah
Georgia’s first town epitomises southern charm and beauty in its cobblestone streets and historic squares of fine houses. We’ll take a delightful horse-drawn carriage ride around the lovely parks and along gracious River Street in the Historic Landmark District. The afternoon is free to explore at leisure and perhaps stroll around the City Market with its eclectic range of stores and galleries.
DAY 3 Charleston
Today we cross the border into South Carolina and reach Charleston, our base for the next two nights. This enchanting city is home to some of the most beautifully preserved historic architecture in America. On our sightseeing tour we will see Georgian stately homes with their manicured gardens, narrow cobbled streets, noble churches, and the picturesque water front. We will also visit the Old Slave Mart Museum.
DAY 4 Fort Sumter
This morning we take a cruise out to Fort Sumter, where the first shots of the American Civil War were fired, and view the World War II aircraft carrier USS Yorktown, berthed at Patriots Point. The afternoon is free.
DAY 5 Wilmington
We head for North Carolina and spend one night in the historic port city of Wilmington, standing between the Cape Fear River and the Atlantic Ocean. Steeped in centuries of nautical heritage, our walking tour takes us along the tree-lined streets of the old quarter, where carriages and vintage trolley cars enhance the atmosphere, before crossing the river for a fascinating glimpse of the battleship North Carolina and, on her commission, considered to be the greatest fighting vessel ever produced.
DAY 6 Richmond
Continuing north up the Atlantic Coast, we arrive in Richmond, our base for the next two nights. A short introductory tour of this charming city will take us to see the well-preserved antebellum homes, a suitable backdrop for the historic sites and interesting museums of Virginia’s State Capital.
DAY 7 Jamestown & Williamsburg
Today we visit Jamestown, where the first British settlers in the New World came ashore in 1607. Life-size replicas of their three tiny ships give an indication of the hardships of their voyage. We continue to Williamsburg, the capital of colonial Virginia, and see the meticulously restored houses, workshops and taverns, ‘occupied’ by knowledgeable guides in period dress, living life as it would have been in the 18th century, before travelling to the Berkeley Plantation, where the first official Thanksgiving was held in 1619.
DAY 8 Monticello, Blue Ridge Mountains & Shenandoah
Our first stop is Monticello, the magnificent mountain-top home and plantation of Thomas Jefferson, former president and author of the Declaration of Independence. We journey on into the spectacular rugged landscapes of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Skyline Drive, which runs along the crest of the range. Blazes of wildflowers and cascading waterfalls make this some of Virginia’s most inspiring scenery. From here we travel into the beautiful Shenandoah Valley and visit the impressive National Park, with its dense forests and abundant wildlife, before reaching Washington DC for a two night stay.
DAY 9 Washington DC
A city purpose-built to be the capital and seat of government, Washington DC has a wealth of imposing buildings and notable landmarks, from the vast dome of the Capitol to the home of American democracy, the White House; the marble and granite Washington Monument to the temple-like Lincoln Memorial. A morning tour gives us a great overview of the key sights. The afternoon is a perfect opportunity to see some of the city’s fantastic museums and you can enjoy an optional tour of Washington DC by night.
DAY 10 Gettysburg
We travel to Gettysburg in Pennsylvannia, site of the bloodiest battle of the American Civil War, and stay overnight at the Best Western hotel, which served as President Eisenhower’s national operations centre while he recovered from a heart attack. Abraham Lincoln gave the famous Gettysburg Address at the Wills House and we will have a guided tour of the Gettysburg National Military Park and American Civil War Museum.
DAY 11 Philadelphia
Today we visit the birthplace of American nationhood, where Franklin and Jefferson led the movement towards independence. A guided tour shows us Independence Hall, where the Declaration was signed, and the Liberty Bell, which was tolled to acclaim it.
DAYS 12 & 13 New York/UK
Our final visit is to vibrant and bustling New York City for a sightseeing tour of Manhattan before transferring to the airport and the overnight flight to the UK.