AAA Hoosier - AAA Sojourns Vacations

Detailed Description
Itinerary

Package details include:

Seeing Washington is on many Americans’ travel wish lists. Make your trip to this special destination even more memorable by visiting during the National Cherry Blossom Festival, when our nation's capital is at its loveliest and liveliest! Every spring, a downy robe of cherry blossoms enfolds the city, sparking a two-week celebration that includes parties, talks, tours and shows, and culminating in the annual Cherry Blossom Parade.

The Cherry Blossom Festival recognizes the friendship between the people of the United States and Japan. This year’s event marks the 99th anniversary of the original gift of 3,000 cherry trees by the city of Tokyo to the people of Washington, D.C. in 1912. The Festival includes a massive parade - for which you’ll have reserved grandstand seating - several free concerts on the mall, lantern lighting, dances and races.

Our nation’s history blossoms at the other major D.C. sights you’ll visit on this escorted tour vacation as well, including the Library of Congress, the museums of the National Mall, and the World War II, Vietnam, Lincoln and Jefferson memorials. Also enjoy a tour of George Washington's home at Mount Vernon and a Nighttime Illumination driving tour.

Price includes:

• 6 nights accommodations at Marriott Fairview Park
• Daily breakfast, 1 lunch and 3 dinners
• Grandstand seating at the Cherry Blossom Parade
• Guided tours: Nighttime Illumination tour; George Washington’s estate at Mount Vernon; George Mason’s estate, author of the Bill of Rights; Washington D.C. city tour that includes visiting the capital’s most famous memorials
• Visits to: Arlington National Cemetery, Capitol Visitor’s Center, U.S. Library of Congress, National Air & Space Museum, White House Visitor’s Center, Washington National Cathedral (pending availability), National Museum of American History, National Archives (pending availability), National Portrait Gallery, National Museum of the Marine Corps, Newseum, and Old Town of Alexandria

Note: This tour involves quite a bit of walking and standing for extended periods each day.

Day 1 - Arrive in Washington, D.C.
Arrive in Washington, D.C. and transfer on your own to the hotel. The tour escort will be available in the hotel lobby to assist with check-in and answer questions from 12 noon to 6 p.m. today. After check-in, the remainder of the day is free for you to spend as you wish. The hotel provides complimentary shuttle service to the nearest Metro stop, which is two miles away.
Accommodation: Hilton Garden Inn - 6 nights

Day 2 - Arlington National Cemetery & City Tour
This morning visit the Arlington Cemetery, America’s shrine to valor and sacrifice while protecting our country, followed by a tour of the United States Library of Congress. This afternoon, see the United States Capitol and the exterior of the Supreme Court building. A Welcome Dinner is included tonight followed by a walk through the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

Day 3 - National Cathedral & Illuminated Monuments
Visit the White House Visitor’s Center followed by a photo opportunity at the White House. Drive along Embassy Row and tour Washington National Cathedral (pending availability). In the afternoon tour the National Museum of American History and stop at the Jefferson and Franklin Roosevelt Memorials. Enjoy dinner at Carmines followed by a driving tour of the city’s illuminated monuments.

Day 4 - Cherry Blossom Parade & Memorials Tour
After breakfast, enjoy your reserved grandstand seats at the annual Cherry Blossom Parade! The Cherry Blossom Festival marks the celebration of the original gift of 3,000 cherry trees by the city of Tokyo to the people of Washington, D.C. in 1912. The celebration includes a massive parade, which navigates down Constitution Avenue from 7th Street towards the Tidal basin. Along the parade are several free concerts on the mall, lantern lighting, dances and races. Afterwards visit Newseum and continue your tour of Washington, D.C. with stops at The National World War II Memorial, The Vietnam Veterans Memorial, The Lincoln Memorial, The Korean War Veterans Memorial, and the September 11, 2001 Memorial at the Pentagon. Explore Georgetown on your own before returning to the hotel this evening.

Day 5 - Gettysburg Excursion
Stop in Frederick, Massachusetts and visit the National Museum of Civil War Medicine. Then continue to the new Gettysburg Museum, arriving in the afternoon. New exhibits and broader interpretations will provide visitors with an understanding of the Gettysburg Campaign in its broader context of the Civil War and American history. Enjoy lunch on your own in the café while at the museum. Meet our professional Civil War guide at the entrance of the Gettysburg Museum/Visitor’s Center and depart for an in-depth tour of Gettysburg Battlefield. Enjoy a private curator talk at the newly-restored, massive “Battle of Gettysburg” Cyclorama painting – the largest painting in the country. Then enjoy dinner this evening at the Fairfield Inn 1757, one of only five Inns in America that has been in continuous operation since the 1700s.

Day 6 - Mount Vernon & Free Day in Washington, D.C
Visit Mount Vernon this morning, the estate of George Washington, and feel the presence of history as you are guided through the first president’s home that offer gorgeous view of the Potomac River. In the afternoon, enjoy a free day in Washington, D.C. Your tour escort will assist with any questions you may have, before dropping you at the National Mall. Spend the day at your choice of area museums, including the Smithsonian, Phillips Collection, National Museum of Women in the Arts, or Hillwood Museum and Gardens (admission fees not included). At the end of the day you will meet the motorcoach at the National Museum of Natural History Mall entrance and transfer back to the hotel to freshen up before a Farewell Dinner at Smith & Wolinsky restaurant.

Day 7 - Depart Washington, D.C.
After breakfast, transfer to the airport on your own for your flight home. Your tour escort will be available today at the hotel to assist with any check-out needs.