Washington DC - Cherry Blossoms

Day One

FLY TO WASHINGTON D.C. - Upon arrival at the airport, meet your Tour Director. Transfer to your hotel for a five night stay in the Washington D.C. area. Washington D.C. is an extraordinary city, one with multiple personalities: a working federal city, an international metropolis, a picturesque tourist destination, an unmatched treasury of our country’s history and artifacts, and a cosmopolitan center that retains a neighborly small-town ambiance.

Day Two

ARLINGTON - DC CITY TOUR - WHITE HOUSE VISITOR CENTER - After breakfast, visit Arlington National Cemetery, America’s shrine to valor and sacrifice. Board the tram to see the John F. Kennedy and Robert Kennedy graves plus the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Then, stop at the Marine Corps Memorial (Iwo Jima Statue). This afternoon embark on a DC City Tour with a stop at The White House Visitor Center to learn about our Executive Mansion and the Presidential families that lived there. View the film White House: Reflections from Within. Next depart on a “spring stroll” along the National Mall’s Tidal Basin to see the Cherry Blossoms. Make stops at four impressive Memorials: Jefferson, Franklin D. Roosevelt, M.L.K. Jr., and National WWII. Tonight enjoy a Welcome Dinner with your fellow travelers.

Day Three

CHERRY BLOSSOM CRUISE – SMITHSONIAN – DC ILLUMINATION TOUR - Today visit the National Portrait Gallery, whose collections focus on images of famous Americans. Midday board the Odyssey III ship for your festive Cherry Blossom Cruise on the Potomac River. Enjoy a signature pink drink, narration and a delicious lunch. Later enjoy free time to visit your choice of the world-famous Smithsonian Institution Museums such as the Air & Space, Natural History, American History or Gallery of Art. Later enjoy a DC Twilight Illumination Tour of the famous monuments including those dedicated to Lincoln & Jefferson.

Day Four

FORD’S THEATRE - ANNAPOLIS - NAVAL ACADEMY - This morning stop to visit Ford’s Theatre, is restored as it was the night John Wilkes Booth shot President Lincoln on April 14, 1865. Then visit the Center for Education & Leadership with exhibits about President Lincoln. Then travel east to Annapolis, Maryland’s capital city on the Chesapeake Bay which features a historic district including 18th century brick houses and domed Maryland State House. Enjoy a bit of leisure time to shop and grab lunch on your own in the historic Annapolis Harbor. This afternoon your Annapolis exploration continues with a visit to the US Naval Academy with its sprawling waterfront grounds, beaux arts architecture, monuments and a naval- history museum. Later head back to your Washington DC area hotel for an evening at your own pace.

Day Five

CAPITOL HILL - MT. VERNON - Today arrive at Capitol Hill to visit the Capitol Visitor Center which highlights the US lawmaking process. Then visit the US Library of Congress and view the exterior of the Supreme Court Building. Later drive to Alexandria, VA to visit Mt. Vernon, President George Washington’s beautiful estate overlooking the Potomac River. The “Father of Our Country” called Mt. Vernon home for more than 45 years. Tour the house and gardens, and visit the grave site of our first President. Tonight’s Farewell Dinner is at popular local restaurant in Washington DC area.

Day Six

FLY HOME - Fly home with wonderful memories of Washington D.C.

FB=Full Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner