Self-Drive Colonial America

Day 1

Fly to Washington, D.C.

Arrive in Washington, D.C. and pick up your rental car at the airport, then proceed to the hotel.

Day 2

Washington, D.C.

Enjoy at day at leisure to discover the many attractions of the nation’s beautiful capital. A lovely city to stroll, you can discover the monuments, museums and iconic sights on foot, and then take a hop-on hop-off bus tour to Arlington Cemetery and charming Georgetown.

Day 3

Washington, D.C. – Gettysburg (90 Miles)

Leave the seat of government behind today as you travel to the fascinating Civil War Battlegrounds of Gettysburg. There are many excellent self guided interpretative trails you can follow that will give you an understanding for this formative period in US history.

Day 4

Gettysburg - Shenandoah  (150 Miles)

Today there is time for further exploration of Gettysburg before you head West to visit spectacular Luray Caverns, one of the most beautiful caves in the world. Then continue to the beautiful Shenandoah National Park and the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. This area is a haven for wildlife, with it's extensive forests and wetlands.

Day 5

Shenandoah - Skyline Drive - Charlottesville - Colonial Williamsburg  (172 Miles)

Drive South and enjoy the natural wonders along each mile of Skyline Drive, one of America's most scenic routes. You can see the peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains which have a distinctly bluish cast, especially in summer. Then continue to Charlottesville and visit Monticello, the home Thomas Jefferson designed and built on a glorious mountaintop. Then drive to Richmond, Virginia's capital, rising high above the sparkling James River, before continuing along the scenic road by the James River Plantations to Williamsburg, where restoration and preservation have turned back the clock 200 years.

Day 6

Colonial Williamsburg - Norfolk -Virginia Beach  (63 Miles)

Visit Colonial Williamsburg, then see the earliest permanent English settlement in North America at Jamestown. Then, onto the Yorktown battlefield. There, Washington's decisive victory over General Cornwall's forces turned the colonist's dream of a new nation into reality. Then continue through Norfolk, Virgina's premier port city, to Virgina Beach, with its 30 miles of sandy seashore and a 2-mile long boardwalk.

Day 7

Virgina Beach

Today spend your time in the city that is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as having the longest pleasure beach in the world.To continue with this record breaking tradition the city itself is located at the southern end of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, the longest bridge-tunnel complex in the world.

Day 8

Virginia Beach - Eastern Shore - Annapolis - Baltimore  (248 Miles)

Drive north across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel to the tranquil Eastern Shore. Cross into Maryland and continue on to Annapolis, home to the US Naval Academy. See the State House and visit the Academy before continuing to Baltimore, the last station of the tour. Stroll along the magnificently rebuilt inn Harbour and enjoy a typical dish of the region in one of
the many restaurants.

Day 9

Baltimore - Philadelphia (100 Miles)

This morning you are bound for the city of Brotherly Love - Philadelphia. This historic city is home to both the independence hall and the Liberty Bell.
Philadelphia also boasts a world class Art Museum as well as superb shopping and dining.

Day 10

Philadelphia - Washington DC (140 miles)

Time to explore Philadelphia a little further before driving to Washington D.C. in the afternoon. If you did not see the monuments of DC by night at the start of your trip then tonight is your opportunity to do so.

Day 11

Washington DC Departure

Return the car at the airport before your return flight home.