Itinerary

Thursday, September 30. 2010 (D)
Arrive in the area and check in to the beautiful Williamsburg Hospitality House hotel.

Our local hospitality staff will be at the Richmond, Virginia airport to meet you and arrange a group transfer to the Hospitality House in Williamsburg.

Tonight, enjoy a Welcome Dinner at one of the historic colonial taverns featuring delicious food and wine, all served by costumed wait staff in an authentic 18th century atmosphere.

Friday, October 1, 2010: A Day in Colonial Williamsburg (B)
Today we explore Colonial Williamsburg - the largest living history museum in our country, with a guided tour of the restored area of Colonial Williamsburg, including the Governor’s Palace, the Capitol Building, restored historic homes and craft shops of all types.

Lunch will be on your own in one of the many restaurants located in Merchants Square. After lunch there will be plenty of free time will be available for shopping in the unique specialty shops in the area.

This evening we have arranged a Wine and Cheese Reception with local quilt artisans at our hotel before venturing out for dinner on your own at one of the nearby restaurants. Choices abound and include world-class gourmet restaurants and small intimate cafes.

Saturday, October 2, 2010: Jamestown Settlement (B, L)
This morning after breakfast, we will board our motor coaches for a visit to Virginia’s historic peninsula and Jamestown Settlement - established in 1607, this was the first permanent settlement in the New World. We will enjoy touring the re-created village of Jamestown that chronicles the nation’s 17th century beginnings in Virginia.

Lunch will be served in the Jamestown area. After lunch we return to Williamsburg where there is time for you to visit the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Center and the Abby Aldrich Folk Art Museum. Or you may want to just spend the rest of the afternoon shopping in one of the unique local boutiques, or perhaps strolling through the historic campus of The College of William and Mary, second oldest university in the country, founded in 1692.

Dinner tonight will be on your own in Colonial Williamsburg. Our staff will assist with dinner reservations.

Sunday, October 3, 2010 (B, L)
After breakfast we check-out of our Williamsburg hotel and depart for Charlottesville.

En route we visit Historic Shirley Plantation, Virginia’s oldest plantation founded in 1613. Shirley Plantation is the oldest family-owned business in North America dating back to 1638. The guided tour of the Great House highlights original family furnishings, portraits, silver, and hand-carved woodwork as well as stories of the Hill-Carter family, eye witnesses to eleven generations of American history. As one architectural historian contends," Shirley Plantation is the most intact 18th century estate in Virginia".

We continue on to Barboursville Winery, one of the premier wineries in the state of Virginia. Barboursville is located just outside of Charlottesville. There will be a self-guided tour of the Historic Ruins of Governor Barbour's Mansion, a short stroll from the winery and then A gourmet box picnic lunch will be included at the Winery.

Later this afternoon we check in to the beautiful Omni Charlottesville Hotel, just off the walking street in downtown Charlottesville.

This evening we will share our stories with local quilters at a Wine and cheese reception in our hotel. Dinner tonight is on your own either at the hotel or at one of the nearby restaurants located “on the mall” in Charlottesville.

Monday, October 4, 2010: Monticello and Michie Tavern (B, L)
This morning we will tour the house that Thomas Jefferson designed and built for himself and his family and enjoy the grounds of the Monticello Plantation. Enjoy learning about the home, the lush grounds and gardens and spend time shopping the beautiful gift shop on premises.

We will depart from tradition a bit, by offering a Farewell Luncheon at Historic Michie Tavern, established in 1784 by Scotsman William Michie, the tavern served as the social center of its community and accommodated travelers with food, drink and lodging. In 1927, the Tavern was moved 17 miles to its present location close to Monticello, serving as a prime example of the Colonial Revival period.

We will end our day with a stroll through the historic campus of the University of Virginia, founded in 1802 by Thomas Jefferson.

Dinner tonight again will be on your own either at the hotel or at one of the nearby restaurants.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010 (B)
Following breakfast, check out of your hotel and we drive to Ash Lawn, home of President James Monroe. Ash Lawn-Highland is an historic house museum with a 535-acre working farm located in a stunning rural setting.

After touring Ash Lawn, you will be transferred to Richmond International Airport for departure. Homeward bound flights should not be scheduled before 2:00 p.m. local time.