In Freedom’s Footsteps: Philadelphia To Washington, DC

Depart the UK on your chosen scheduled flight to Philadelphia. Upon arrival, a transfer to your hotel, the Sofitel Philadelphia, is included. This evening, meet up with your fellow Tauck travellers for a welcome cocktail reception and dinner.

Steeped in history, Philadelphia combines the old with the new. Enjoy a day exploring the many attractions. Begin the morning with an early-opening private tour of the Museum of the American Revolution, followed by a horse-drawn carriage ride through the historic district. Tour Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was signed, and view the Liberty Bell, before spending the rest of the day as you please.

Travel through rolling Pennsylvania farmland where the Amish can often be seen driving their motorless vehicles to Gettysburg National Military Park where the Battle of Gettysburg was fought, considered one of the most important engagements and crucial turning points of the American Civil War. Stopping first at the interpretive center, you can watch the film A New Birth of Freedom, narrated by Morgan Freeman; a massive Cyclorama painting surrounds you with a striking visual depiction of the fury of Pickett’s Charge and brings vividly to life the sights and sounds of the battles that raged here on July 1-3, 1863. Explore the Gettysburg Museum of the American Civil War, which features 12 exhibit galleries housing artifacts and interactive displays. Enjoy dinner at your hotel tonight at your leisure

A drive with a Gettysburg expert explores its historic battlefields – now eerily peaceful – taking in pivotal sites and hearing stories such as the defense of Little Round Top, the “Killer Angels,” and Pickett’s Charge. More than 50,000 men on both sides were killed, wounded, or missing at Gettysburg; about 6,000 lie in the national cemetery here, dedicated by Lincoln with his famous address later that year. Continue to Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, a village brought to life via a Ken Burns filmed vignette that enhances your visit to this National Historical Park, the site of John Brown’s failed 1859 raid on the town’s federal arsenal. The Civil War was fought in more than 10,000 places, the majority of them in the South; homes became headquarters and hospitals as foraging armies swept across American towns like those you’ll pass through this afternoon en route to Charlottesville, Virginia.

Enjoy a guided visit to Monticello, the beloved hilltop home of author, statesman, scientist and US President Thomas Jefferson. He designed his house using the principles of Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio and continued tinkering with Monticello throughout his lifetime. Tour the house and grounds. Enjoy a lunch of colonial fare at the historic Michie Tavern, featuring servers in 18th-century period attire. Throughout the day you will have observed that the realities of life did not always fit comfortably with the principles of equality and liberty that Jefferson espoused as a founding father. Learn more during a Tauck Exclusive private presentation by Dr. Leni Sorensen, scholar, living history interpreter, and African American Research Historian for the Thomas Jefferson Foundation at Monticello. Your evening is free to do as you wish.

Depart Charlottesville for Richmond, Virginia’s state capital and once capital of the Confederate States of America, for a private guided tour of the Virginia State Capitol building, co-designed by Thomas Jefferson; a sightseeing drive through the city; and lunch at a local restaurant. Continue on to Colonial Williamsburg, where cobblestone streets and buildings have been restored to the way they looked when the city was Virginia’s Colonial capital. Step back in time to the early days of America during your exploration of Colonial Williamsburg tomorrow.

Inhabited by interpreters in 18th-century dress – and living its lifestyle – explore Colonial Williamsburg at your leisure today. Discover life in days gone by as you step back in time to encounter local residents, from artisans and tradespeople to militiamen and ordinary citizens. Visit authentically restored buildings like the Governor’s Palace, Raleigh Tavern, Bruton Parish Church, and Colonial homes and discover a wide array of activities and demonstrations as you please. If you wish, you may visit nearby Historic Jamestown, the site of the first permanent English settlement in the Americas, on your own today.

Travel from Williamsburg to Mount Vernon, the estate of America’s first president, George Washington. Overlooking the Potomac River, the setting is spectacular – explore the state-of-the-art interactive museum, the 18th-century mansion, and Mount Vernon’s grounds. Arrive at The Willard InterContinental, a historic hotel near the White House in Washington, DC, where you’ll spend the next three nights; dine at a choice of restaurants tonight.

Today begins with a guided tour of iconic sites such as the White House, Capitol Hill, the National Mall, the Washington Monument, and the Jefferson Memorial. On a visit to the Lincoln Memorial, you’ll have a chance to see the memorials to those who served in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Arrive at the Spy Museum early this afternoon; this captivating museum features a large collection of spy artifacts, first person accounts with top intelligence officers and experts and interactive exhibits that take you undercover as a spy to test your skills. The remainder of the day is free in Washington, DC.

First up today, a Tauck Exclusive – early bird admission to the Rotunda of the National Archives for a private viewing of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, with welcome comments by a National Archives insider. Then go behind the scenes with an archival researcher to learn how modern archival techniques preserve both historic documents and the stories of individual Americans. The  afternoon is free; you’ll have an opportunity to spend additional time at the National Archives to explore as you please, or perhaps visit one of the many museums on the National Mall or other historic buildings. This evening enjoy a farewell dinner.

Time for some last minute shopping before you transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.