Washington, D.C. Blossoms

Day 1 – Welcome to Alexandria, Virginia! (Monday, March 30)

Optional transfers from our departure points will have us at LAX this morning for a scheduled non-stop flight arriving at Washington Dulles late this afternoon. Those guests making their own flight arrangements can request the group’s flight schedule (subject to change) to coordinate a flight arrival time that would allow them to be included on the complimentary transfer to the hotel. Upon arrival, we’ll board a deluxe motorcoach and continue to Alexandria, Virginia, a charming and historic city with a small-town feel. Enjoy a five-night stay at an upscale, all-suites hotel with a complimentary nightly “happy hour” in the hotel lobby and a variety of eateries within walking distance of the hotel.

Day 2 – Washington, D.C. (Tuesday, March 31)

Following an included made-to-order breakfast at the hotel, we’ll be joined by a local guide and visit the United States Capitol for a docent-guided tour of the rotunda, the crypt and Statuary Hall. After time at leisure to explore the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center, we’ll continue to the Library of Congress’ Thomas Jefferson Building for a guided tour of the elaborately decorated interior, embellished by works of art from nearly 50 American painters and sculptors. This afternoon we’ll admire the Thomas Jefferson Memorial offering stunning views of D.C. along the picturesque Tidal Basin. This evening we’ll enjoy an included dinner at a locals’ favorite in Old Town Alexandria. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 3 – Washington, D.C., Alexandria (Wednesday, April 1)

We’ll be joined by a local guide this morning and drive past the Pentagon enroute to the National Mall where we’ll pay our respects at the Lincoln Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the Korean War Veterans Memorial, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial and the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial – all very different in their design yet strikingly similar in their ability to emotionally move you. At the World War II Memorial we’ll honor the 16 million Americans who served in the armed forces during World War II, the more than 400,000 who died, and the millions who supported the war effort from home. After a drive past the Watergate complex and an included lunch at a locals’ favorite on the Georgetown waterfront, we’ll drive through Embassy Row, featuring large mansions that were originally built by the socially elite after the Civil War, but now house international embassies. A docent-guided tour of the Washington National Cathedral will showcase this 14th century Gothic-style wonder that is a living symbol of our nation’s heritage of faith and religious freedom. The sixth largest church in the world, it stands taller than the Washington Monument on 57 acres and provides picturesque views of Washington, D.C. Later, we’ll tour Old Town Alexandria, the charming, nationally designated historic district that was once a thriving seaport for the young American nation. See Robert E. Lee’s boyhood home, the Carlyle House and the Spite House – the skinniest house in America at 7 feet wide! A guided tour inside Christ Church will showcase this English country-style church where both George Washington and Robert E. Lee worshipped. Enjoy the balance of the evening at leisure.(Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 4 – Washington, D.C. & Optional Performance (Thursday, April 2)

This morning we’ll visit Ford’s Theatre National Historic Site and sit in the theatre which appears as it did the night of April 14, 1865, when Lincoln was assassinated. At the Petersen House we’ll see three rooms furnished in 1865 period pieces including the bed where Lincoln died. Enjoy the entire afternoon at leisure to explore the Smithsonian museums of your choice (with no admission required). See the Hope Diamond at the National Museum of Natural History. See the actual flag that inspired the Star-Spangled Banner at the National Museum of American History. See the plane flown by the Wright brothers and the Apollo 11 command module at the newly renovated National Air & Space Museum. Other free museums within walking distance include the National Museum of African American History & Culture, the National Gallery of Art, the National Museum of the American Indian, the National Museum of African Art, the National Museum of Asian Art, the Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden and others. Enjoy the balance of the evening at leisure or take advantage of an optional 1776 – The Musical at Ford’s Theatre Excursion for an additional $125 p.p. (including taxes, fees; minimum of 10 guests required) to see this revolutionary award-winning Broadway musical filled with humor, romance, pathos and nail-biting tension. (Breakfast)

Day 5 – Washington, D.C., Arlington (Friday, April 3)

This morning we’ll be joined by a local guide and visit the White House Visitor Center, offering visitors a window into the president’s iconic home through 100 historical artifacts and interactive elements. After an opportunity to view the White House from Pennsylvania Avenue, we’ll continue to the National Archives Museum to see our nation’s most precious documents including originals of the Constitution of the United States, Declaration of Independence and Bill of Rights. This afternoon we’ll visit the Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima statue), depicting the American flag being raised on Mount Suribachi during World War II. At Arlington National Cemetery we’ll explore America’s shrine to valor and sacrifice. During a narrated tram tour, we’ll stop to pay our respects at President John F. Kennedy’s grave site and see the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Enjoy an included dinner at a locals’ favorite. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 6 – Mount Vernon, Journey Home (Saturday, April 4)

This morning we’ll visit George Washington’s Mount Vernon, the southern plantation that sits on a grassy, shaded slope overlooking the Potomac River. Explore the 50 acres of gardens that include the tombs of George and Martha Washington. Walk through Washington’s mansion and explore the museum featuring diverse artifacts related to the life, times and accomplishments of the “Father of Our Country.” Enjoy an included lunch at the Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant and savor the flavors of early America in a colonial setting. This afternoon we’ll arrive at Washington Dulles for our scheduled nonstop flight arriving in Los Angeles this evening. Those guests making their own flight arrangements can request the group’s flight schedule to coordinate a flight departure time that would allow them to be included on the complimentary transfer to the airport. Back in Los Angeles, those guests with pre-arranged transfers will be returned to their respective drop-off points. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Note that extensive walking is required in order to see some of the sights listed in the itinerary. Should a specific site be unavailable, it will be replaced by another.

While we make every effort to operate our tours as outlined in the itinerary, we ask for your patience, understanding and flexibility and to retain a sense of adventure while traveling with us. Situations may arise that necessitate changes to the itinerary. Should we need to adjust the itinerary either prior to or while on tour, these changes will be communicated to you and only done when absolutely necessary.