Welcome to the US capital! Arrive today into Dulles International Airport in Washington D.C. The airport is well connected with downtown by the metro train network.

Check-in to your hotel and the rest of the day is free to explore the local area.

The Melrose Georgetown Hotel or similar

Today is yours to explore the city’s most famous sites which are mostly concentrated along the National Mall. Often called the ‘Nation’s Front Yard’. Along the Mall are the majority of the 18 museums that comprise the Smithsonian Institute, the War Memorials, and the Washington Monument which offers rides to the top of the obelisk and lies south of the illustrious White House.

Optional Experience – Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Bus Tour

Sit back and relax as you are transported past the iconic landmarks that make America’s Capital so recognisable. Enjoy live commentary from a knowledgeable guide whilst onboard and disembark to explore attractions at your leisure.

The Melrose Georgetown Hotel or similar

From the Washington D.C. wharf, you can choose to board the water taxi for a cruise along the Potomac River to either Georgetown or Alexandria.

In Georgetown you can explore the charming cobblestone streets and admire the well-preserved 18th and 19th-century architecture. Georgetown is also known for its upscale boutiques, trendy shops, and diverse dining scene. Walk off your lunch down by the river at Waterfront Park in the afternoon, before returning to your hotel.

Alternatively, the water taxi can take you to Old Town Alexandria. Here you can explore historic landmarks like Carlyle House, Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, and Christ Church, where George Washington and other historical figures worshipped. You can also view the Torpedo Factory Art Center, a former munitions plant turned into a vibrant arts space housing multiple galleries and artist studios. Return via the waterfront back to the wharf and your hotel.

The Melrose Georgetown Hotel or similar

Collect your car this morning and make your way out of the city.

Shenandoah National Park is just a 90-minute drive from the city centre. In Shenandoah you can take a leisurely drive along Skyline Drive, a 105-mile road that runs the entire length of the park along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Enjoy panoramic views of the Shenandoah Valley and surrounding wilderness.

Washington D.C. > Shenandoah National Park | 110 miles

Skyland Resort or similar

Continue along Skyline Drive through the park. Be sure to stop and explore some of the 500 miles of hiking trails that wind through the forests, meadows, and along mountain ridges. Popular hikes include Old Rag Mountain, Whiteoak Canyon, and Hawksbill Summit, the highest point in the park.

You can also discover the park’s numerous waterfalls, including Dark Hollow Falls, Rose River Falls, and South River Falls. These picturesque cascades are perfect for great selfies.

Whilst out and about, keep an eye out for wildlife such as white-tailed deer, black bears, wild turkeys, and various bird species.

Skyland Resort or similar

As you drop down from the heights of the Blue Ridge Mountains, you may like to detour to visit Luray Caverns, one of the largest and most popular cavern systems in the Eastern United States. Here you can explore underground chambers filled with intricate rock formations, stalactites, and stalagmites, and marvel at the cathedral-sized rooms.

Upon arriving in Williamsburg, immerse yourself in history at “Colonial Williamsburg”, a living history museum and historic district. Explore restored buildings, interact with costumed interpreters, and learn about daily life in 18th-century America.

You may also like nearby Jamestown Settlement, where you can learn about the early colonial history of Virginia.You can explore outdoor exhibits, replica ships, and a recreated Powhatan Indian village to gain an insight into the founding of America’s first permanent English settlement.

Shenandoah National Park > Williamsburg | 170 miles

Westgate Historic Hotel, Williamsburg or similar

Before leaving the area, visit Yorktown Battlefield, where the decisive battle of the American Revolutionary War took place. Explore the battlefield, visit historic sites, and learn about the events that led to American independence.

Refreshing sea water and soft sand are waiting in Virginia Beach. Walk or ride a bicycle along the world’s longest pleasure beach with 40 blocks of ocean-front boardwalk while looking for dolphins known to swim alongside the coastal waters.

Williamsburg > Virginia Beach | 60 miles

Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront or similar

Known for its family-friendly beaches, you could choose to relax and spend the day on the sand. You can take a leisurely walk along the shore or take a dip in the Atlantic Ocean.

The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Centre have marine life displays of aquatics native to Virginia and beyond. Explore indoor and outdoor exhibits featuring sharks, sea turtles, otters, and many fish species. Don’t miss the opportunity to join a boat tour to observe local wildlife in their natural habitat.

You may also enjoy the natural beauty of First Landing State Park, where English colonists first landed in 1607. The park offers opportunities for birdwatching, fishing, and wildlife viewing amidst the coastal marshes, dunes, and forests.

Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront or similar

Leave Virginia Beach behind and cross the the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, which connects Virginia Beach to the Eastern Shore of Virginia. This impressive structure spans the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay and consists of a series of bridges, tunnels, and causeways. It offers stunning views of the bay and provides a direct link between the Virginia Beach area and the peninsula.

As you continue up the Atlantic coast, you will pass through coastal towns and villages, but you may also like to make a detour to visit the Assateague Island National Seashore, part of the barrier islands, with sandy beaches and salt marshes teaming with wildlife. You can also visit the historic Assateague Island lighthouse, which provides panoramic views up and down the coast.

WHen you arrive in Ocean City you can spend some time exploring the iconic Ocean City Boardwalk, which stretches for three miles along the Atlantic Ocean.

Virginia Beach > Ocean City | 145 miles
Hilton Ocean City Oceanfront Suites or similar

Continue northwards along the Atlantic Coast and into the state of Delaware. You may like to stop to explore Fenwick Island State park or stroll along Bethany Beach, before continuing up the Delaware State Seashore towards Wilmington and Philadelphia.

In Wilmington you can visit the Nemours Estate, a stunning French-style mansion and gardens. You may choose to join a guided tour to admire the opulent interiors, including marble staircase and gilded ceilings.

Alternatively, you can explore the Hagley Museum and Library, located on the site of the original DuPont powder mills.

Continue into Philadelphia and check-in at your hotel, ready to explore the city tomorrow.

Ocean City > Philadelphia | 150 miles

Holiday Inn Express Philadelphia Midtown or similar

Today you can explore the city of Philadelphia at your leisure.

You may like to start the day at Independence National Historical Park. Explore Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were debated and adopted. Then, visit the Liberty Bell, an enduring symbol of American freedom.

You could then view the collections at the Philadelphia Museum of art, or head to Reading Terminal Market, that offers a wide variety of foods, including Pennsylvania Dutch specialities.

Later you could take a leisurely stroll through Old City, Philadelphia’s historic district. You can explore its cobblestone streets, charming alleys, and colonial-era buildings. Stop by Betsy Ross House to learn about the woman who famously sewed the first American flag.

For dinner you may like to head for one of Philadelphia’s many acclaimed international restaurants, or you may prefer to try the local favourite; the Philly Cheesestreak.

Optional Experience – Reading Terminal Market Food Tour

Sample fresh produce, artisan cheeses and delicious baked pastries on this fascinating culinary tour of Philadelphia’s bustling Reading Terminal Market.

Holiday Inn Express Philadelphia Midtown or similar

Start today’s journey with a visit to Valley Forge National Historical Park, located just outside of Philadelphia. Explore the park’s historic landmarks, including the winter encampment site of George Washington’s Continental Army during the Revolutionary War.

You may also like to take a detour to Longwood Gardens, one of the premier botanical gardens in the United States, located in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. You can explore 1,077 acres of gardens, meadows, and woodlands, featuring stunning displays of plants, flowers, and fountains.

On arrival in Gettysburg, you may have time to wander through Gettysburg’s historic downtown area. You can visit shops, galleries, and restaurants housed in historic buildings, and learn about the town’s role in the Civil War at the Gettysburg Heritage Centre

Philadelphia > Gettysburg | 140 miles

Gettysburg Hotel or similar

You may like to start your day at the Gettysburg National Military Park Visitor Centre. Here you can watch the orientation film “A New Birth of Freedom” to gain an overview of the battle. You can also explore the museum exhibits, which feature artifacts, interactive displays, and multimedia presentations that provide insights into the Civil War and the Battle of Gettysburg.

Then you will be ready to join a guided battlefield tour or embark on a self-guided auto tour using the park’s official map. You will visit key landmarks such as Little Round Top, Devil’s Den, The Peach Orchard, and Cemetery Ridge. You will also stop at the various monuments and markers to learn about the events that took place at each location and to appreciate the sacrifices made by soldiers on both sides.

After touring the battlefield, you can visit the Gettysburg National Cemetery, where thousands of Union soldiers who fought in the battle are interred. You can pay your respects at the Soldiers’ National Monument, which marks the site of Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address.

Wrap up your day with a visit to Little Round Top, one of the most iconic landmarks on the battlefield. Enjoy panoramic views of the battlefield and surrounding countryside as the sun sets.

Optional Experiences – Gettysburg Battlefield Tour

Led by award-winning guides, this tour covers every breath-taking moment of the historic battle. A comprehensive insight into the life of a soldier during the Civil War.

Gettysburg Hotel or similar

Today marks the end of your Capital Region Self Drive. Depart at your leisure and make your way back to Dulles International Airport in Washington to catch a scheduled flight back to the UK. 

Gettysburg > Washington D.C. | 77 miles