July 16, 1790
689,545
Highlights and Inclusions:
Day 1: Arrival, Monuments, Memorials and Museums
Morning:
Arrive in Washington DC where you will meet your A-Z Travels Tour Director. Start your day with a guided tour of iconic landmarks like the Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and Washington Monument. Immerse yourselves in American history and culture.
Afternoon:
Choose two or three Smithsonian museums that pique your group’s curiosity, such as the National Air and Space Museum, Natural History Museum, or American History Museum. Spend the afternoon exploring exhibits and expanding your knowledge.
Evening:
Enjoy a delicious dinner before checking into the hotel for the evening.
Day 2: Arlington Cemetery, Mount Vernon, and Ghost Tour
Morning:
After breakfast, pay your respects at Arlington National Cemetery, the final resting place of fallen soldiers, including President John F. Kennedy. Witness the solemn Changing of the Guard ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Afternoon:
Travel to Mount Vernon, the historic home of George Washington, the first President of the United States. Learn about his life and his significant contributions to the nation’s foundation.
Evening:
After dinner in drive to Old Town Alexandria. Wander lantern-lit alleys as your guide unveils spooky secrets and chilling tales of DC’s forgotten figures. Prepare for goosebumps as you delve into the hidden realm of the city’s ghostly inhabitants. Return to the hotel to relax and enjoy the evening at your leisure.
Day 3: Gettysburg Immersion
Morning:
After breakfast at the hotel depart for Gettysburg. Immerse yourselves in the Battle of Gettysburg at the Gettysburg Cyclorama, a 360-degree painting with narration that brings the battle to life.
Afternoon:
After lunch, begin a guided tour of the Gettysburg Battlefield, where one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War was fought. Learn about the strategies and tactics used, and see the key landmarks that shaped the battle’s course.
Step back in time at the somber Jenny Wade House, Gettysburg’s only civilian casualty. Imagine her tragic fate as you explore bullet holes and period furnishings, pondering the lasting impact of the Civil War on ordinary lives.
Evening:
Savor a traditional “Pennsylvania Dutch” dinner at the historic Dobbin House, built in 1776. Return to Washington, DC for a much-needed rest.
Day 4: White House & Capitol Building Tour
Morning:
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and depart for the White House. Witness the iconic symbol of American power and glimpse the historic residence of presidents past and present, snapping photos outside the White House fence and soaking in its symbolic grandeur. Continue to the U.S . Capitol, where laws are shaped for the nation. Witness the legislative process and gain insights into where history unfolds.
Afternoon:
Enjoy lunch in the Visitor Center before you gather on the capitol steps. The camera clicks, capturing not just smiling faces, but a snapshot of collective pride and newfound understanding. This photo won’t just be a souvenir; it will be a tangible reminder of the day you stood on the steps of power, ready to write our own chapters in the nation’s story.
Begin your safe travels home as you reflect on the historical journey you’ve experienced.
