America's Historic East with Extended Stay in Washington DC
America's Historic East with Extended Stay in Washington DC
America's Historic East with Extended Stay in Washington DC
11 Days Starting and ending in Washington, D.C., United States
Visiting: Washington, D.C., Washington DC, Williamsburg, Richmond, Shenandoah National Park, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Tour operator:
Tour code:
AHE-2025
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on a captivating journey through America's Historic East with an extended stay in Washington DC. This cultural tour takes you to iconic landmarks and historic sites, including the Lincoln Memorial, Mount Vernon, Colonial Williamsburg, and Gettysburg. Experience the charm of Georgetown, the grandeur of Monticello, and the natural beauty of Shenandoah National Park. Enjoy exclusive performances, guided tours, and colonial-style dinners that bring history to life. Conclude your adventure with a visit to Philadelphia's Liberty Bell and a full day exploring Washington DC's monuments and museums. This tour offers a rich blend of history, culture, and scenic beauty, perfect for history enthusiasts and cultural explorers.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive In Washington Dc
Location: Washington, D.C.
Accommodation Name: Capital Hilton
At 6 pm, meet with your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome drink.
ARRIVE IN WASHINGTON DC Welcome to Washington DC! At 6 pm, meet with your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome drink.WASHINGTON-DC.jpg
Day 2: Washington Dc. Excursion To Mount Vernon
Location: Washington, D.C.
Accommodation Name: Capital Hilton
Meals Included: Breakfast
On a sightseeing tour, see many of Washington DC’s famous landmarks, including the Lincoln Memorial, Library of Congress, Kennedy Center, historic Georgetown, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial plus the [LF] Vietnam and Korean War Veterans Memorials, with stops for photos at the White House and at Capitol Hill. Try our optional dinner tonight at one of Washington’s favorite restaurants, followed by an illumination tour of the monuments at night. TOUR HIGHLIGHTGEORGETOWN Georgetown’s 18th and 19th century grand mansions have been home to politicians, celebrities, and famous Washingtonians in one of the oldest neighborhoods in the district and continue to attract the DC elite. The cobblestone roads, waterfront views, upscale bars, trendy boutiques, and diverse culinary scene draw locals and tourists to the charming, historic area.
WASHINGTON DC. EXCURSION TO MOUNT VERNON Monuments & Moving Memorials Visit Mount Vernon, the restored home of George Washington. Tour the house and gardens and visit the museums. On a sightseeing tour, see many of Washington DC’s famous landmarks, including the Lincoln Memorial, and the Vietnam and Korean War Veterans Memorials, with stops for photos at the White House and Capitol Hill. Try our optional dinner tonight at one of Washington’s favorite restaurants, followed by an illumination tour of the monuments. (B) TOUR HIGHLIGHT A LEGEND SLEPT HERE The Virginia mansion estate of America’s first president, George Washington's Mount Vernon is one of the most iconic 18th-century homes in America. The patriot and president renovated the home, and it grew to 10 times the size of the average home in colonial Virginia. George Washington began running Mount Vernon in 1752, and slowly enlarged the dwelling to create the 21-room residence we see today. Washington oversaw each renovation, advising on design, construction, and decoration; reflecting his growing status as a Virginia gentleman and ultimately as the leader of a new nation.MOUNT-VERNON.jpg
Day 3: Washington Dc,Mount Vernon,Virginia,Fredericksburg,Williamsburg
Location: Washington DC
Accommodation Name: Williamsburg Woodlands Hotel & Suites
Meals Included: Breakfast
WASHINGTON DC–FREDERICKSBURG, VIRGINIA–YORKTOWN–WILLIAMSBURG U.S. History & Heroes Travel south to Fredericksburg, known for its role in both the American Revolution and the Civil War. After an orientation tour, enjoy a bit of free time to explore the historic district. Next, visit Waterman’s Museum, whose mission is to demonstrate the role Chesapeake Bay watermen. From pre-colonial to modern times, the watermen played a great role in shaping our nation. Continue to Williamsburg for a 2-night stay. (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHTHISTORIC SITE Williamsburg is a historic treasure you’ll love exploring. After English settlers founded the colony in 1632, it became the center of political events in Virginia leading to the American Revolution. History lovers are drawn to restored Colonial Williamsburg, part of the Historic Triangle with Jamestown and Yorktown – where America was born. FREDERICKSBURG.jpg
Day 4: Williamsburg
Location: Williamsburg
Accommodation Name: Williamsburg Woodlands Hotel & Suites
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
WILLIAMSBURG. EXCURSION TO JAMESTOWN SETTLEMENT The Birthplace of America This morning, enjoy an exclusive [LF] performance from Sylvia Tabb-Lee, a professional historian. Visit the nearby Jamestown Settlement for a guided tour to learn about the first permanent English settlement in the New World. Then, enter Colonial Williamsburg’s Historic Area, where costumed villagers add to the authenticity. Stroll down its quaint streets, browse through the historic trade shops, and see the Public Gaol. Also, be sure to stop at Raleigh Tavern, the meeting place for Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, and other patriots. This evening, enjoy a Colonial-style dinner at a famous local Tavern for the chance to engage in a recreated supper experience savored by 18th-century patriots. (B,D)LOCAL FAVORITE HISTORIC MOMENTS Join renowned historian actor Sylvia Tabb-Lee for a fascinating and moving performance in Williamsburg that illuminates and inspires insight into the experience of slaves in American history. In keeping with her philosophy of “Each One, Teach One; Each One, Reach One,” Tabb-Lee is a wealth of information and inspiration in sharing the trials and triumphs of African-American history. TOUR HIGHLIGHT HISTORIC SITE When the Virginia Company settlers landed at Jamestown to establish an English colony 60 miles from the Chesapeake Bay in 1607, they faced enormous challenges and hardships in a dramatic experience of disease and famine. Within the wooden fort here was England’s first permanent colony in North America and it planted the seeds for the United States of America to grow. Hear the dramatic details of this insurmountable venture with a tour led by an expert guide, including the legend of Captain John Smith, the dark, starving winter of 1609, and the story of Pocahontas – all part of the thrilling story of America’s birthplace. JAMESTOWN-SETTLEMENT-COLONIAL-WILLIAMSBURG.jpg
Day 5: Williamsburg,Richmond,Monticello,Staunton
Location: Richmond
Accommodation Name: Hotel 24 South
Meals Included: Breakfast
WILLIAMSBURG–RICHMOND–MONTICELLO–STAUNTON Historic Figures First stop is Richmond, Virginia’s capital and once the capital of the Confederacy. Visit St. John’s Church, where Patrick Henry proclaimed, “Give me liberty or give me death!” Next, visit Thomas Jefferson’s estate at Monticello. Spend the evening in Staunton, nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHT ICONIC FOOTSTEPS Visit the home of America’s third president and principal author of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson, at his grand estate at Monticello. Stroll its beautiful gardens and explore the majestic mansion designed by Jefferson himself. Learn about the history of this plantation with a Local Guide.MONTICELLO.jpg
Day 6: Staunton,Shenandoah National Park
Location: Shenandoah National Park
Accommodation Name: Skyland Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
STAUNTON–SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK Complex Views Visit the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, located at the 28th president’s birthplace. Gain a better understanding of the life and times of President Woodrow Wilson, his impact on the world, and his relevance today and for the future. Then, journey to beautiful Shenandoah National Park. (B,D)TOUR HIGHLIGHT NATURAL WONDERS Travel to the spectacular expansive vistas of Shenandoah National Park along the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Enjoy photo stops and panoramic vistas from Skyline Drive en route to the historic Skyland Resort, established in the late 1800’s.SHENANDOAH-NATIONAL-PARK.jpg
Day 7: Shenandoah National Park,Gettysburg,Pennsylvania
Location: Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Accommodation Name: Gettysburg Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK–HARPERS FERRY–GETTYSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA Hallowed Grounds Follow the same route as Lee’s army during its invasion of Pennsylvania. In West Virginia, visit Harpers Ferry National Historic Park, where John Brown and his “army of liberation” staged their fateful raid on a U.S. Arsenal. Continue across Maryland to Gettysburg National Military Park. Tour Gettysburg and hear your Local Guide vividly recount the Battle of 1863. A Colonial-style candlelight dinner tonight at the elegant [LF] Dobbin House Tavern, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. (B,D)LOCAL FAVORITELOCAL TASTES Be transported back in time to the early days of America with a Colonial-style candlelight dinner at Dobbin House Tavern. This elegant Gettysburg restaurant is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. A notable address in Gettysburg! TOUR HIGHLIGHT ACCOMMODATION SPOTLIGHT Stay overnight at the historic Hotel Gettysburg, established in 1797. President Lincoln honed the immortal words of his Gettysburg Address just steps away from the hotel, and nearly a century later, the hotel served as President Dwight Eisenhower’s National Operations Center.GETTYSBURG.jpg
Day 8: Gettysburg,Lancaster,Valley Forge National Historic Park,Philadelphia
Location: Philadelphia
Accommodation Name: Marriott Philadelphia Old City
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
GETTYSBURG–LANCASTER–VALLEY FORGE NATIONAL HISTORIC PARK–PHILADELPHIA Pennsylvania’s Past & Present Enjoy an exclusive [LF] presentation by one of America’s heroes of the 19th century in a performance by Ulysses S. Grant and his wife Julia. Travel through Lancaster County past Amish farmland to Valley Forge National Historic Park and continue to Philadelphia, where your Tour Director hosts a special farewell dinner on the historic Moshulu ship. Launched in 1904, she has had a long and exciting career on the seas and is now considered one of Philadelphia’s best restaurants. (B,D)LOCAL FAVORITE ICONIC FIGURES Learn about the epic and incredible life of America’s 18th president, Ulysses S. Grant, with a dramatic portrayal of the Civil War general and his wife, Julia. Get a sense of the man and legendary commander of the President Lincoln’s Union Army. Hear about this iconic figure’s life and legacy as a war hero, abolitionist, and president. TOUR HIGHLIGHT LEGENDARY LIVES Visit Valley Forge National Historic Park to see the camp where Washington and his troops endured the harsh winter of 1777–1778. See the Memorial Arch, the Grand Parade, and the Washington Memorial Chapel.VALLEY-FORGE-NATIONAL-HISTORIC-PARK.jpg
Day 9: Philadelphia,Washington Dc
Location: Philadelphia
Accommodation Name: Capital Hilton
Meals Included: Breakfast
PHILADELPHIA–WASHINGTON DC Philadelphia Freedom Sightseeing this morning features the “City of Brotherly Love” famed historic treasures, including the iconic Liberty Bell. Continue to Washington D.C. for a 2-night stay. (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHT HISTORIC SITES The Liberty Bell bears a timeless message: "Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land unto all the Inhabitants Thereof" where it rang out from Independence Hall to summon lawmakers to work and the citizenry to gather for news. Benjamin Franklin noted while writing a letter, "Adieu, the bell rings, and I must go among the grave ones and talk ‘politicks.’" Go beyond the iconic crack to learn how this State House bell was transformed into an extraordinary symbol of civil rights. And while no one living today has ever heard the bell ring freely due to its cracked surface, it still resounds with a message of freedom and hope.PHILADELPHIA-LIBERTY-BELL.jpg
Day 10: Washington Dc
Location: Washington DC
Accommodation Name: Capital Hilton
Meals Included: Breakfast
WASHINGTON DC The Nation’s Capital A full free day includes the Big Bus for easy access to the monuments and museums, the galleries and gardens, and the bistros and bars where you can find every type of cuisine and a heaping, helping of topical discussion. (B)FREE TIME TIPS EXPLORE MORE in Washington DC with free time to see the sights of the Nation’s capital. Globus provides you with a boarding pass for the popular Big Bus for easy hop-on/hop-off sightseeing of the city’s most iconic landmarks. WASHINGTON-DC-WHITE-HOUSE.jpg
Day 11: Washington Dc
Location: Washington DC
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
WASHINGTON DC Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)WASHINGTON-DC-LINCOLN-MEMORIAL.jpg
What's Included
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Accommodation
Stay at various hotels including Capital Hilton in Washington DC, Williamsburg Woodlands Hotel & Suites in Williamsburg, Hotel 24 South in Staunton, Skyland Resort in Shenandoah National Park, Gettysburg Hotel in Gettysburg, and Marriott Philadelphia Old City in Philadelphia.
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Meals
Breakfast daily and 4 dinners are included.
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Guided Tours
Guided tours of various historic sites including Mount Vernon, Jamestown Settlement, Monticello, Gettysburg National Military Park, and Valley Forge National Historic Park.
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Local Experiences
Exclusive performances and presentations by local historians and actors, including a performance by Sylvia Tabb-Lee and a portrayal of Ulysses S. Grant and his wife Julia.
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Transportation
Transportation between destinations is included.
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Big Bus Pass
A boarding pass for the Big Bus hop-on/hop-off sightseeing tour in Washington DC is provided.
What's Not Included
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Optional Dinners
Optional dinners at local restaurants are not included.
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and should be purchased separately.
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Gratuities
Gratuities for guides, drivers, and hotel staff are not included.
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Airfare
International and domestic airfare to and from the starting and ending points of the tour are not included.
Meals
Breakfast daily, 4 dinners
Notes
The June 25 departure spends July 4th in Washington DC. Festivities include a parade, concerts, and fireworks display on the grounds of the Washington Monument. Due to the national holiday, the Big Bus sightseeing tour is not available on July 4th.
Small Group
Globus offers Small-Group Discoveries on select North America dates. A Small-Group Discovery is limited to an average of just 24 guests per departure. There’s always room to roam with extra space between you and other travelers—while still getting up close and personal to the experiences you’ve been dreaming of. Small-Group Discoveries include all the features of a traditional Globus escorted tour, complete with expert Tour Director, Driver, and Local Guides who ensure that your health and safety is our top priority. A Small-Group Discovery trip is the perfectly sized tour—without the crowds.
UNESCO Sites
Independence Hall|Monticello
Accommodation
Washington DC: Capital Hilton, Williamsburg: Williamsburg Woodlands Hotel & Suites, Staunton: Hotel 24 South, Shenandoah National Park: Skyland Resort, Gettysburg: Gettysburg Hotel, Philadelphia: Marriott Philadelphia Old City
Mode of Transport
The tour includes transportation by coach, with sightseeing tours and excursions to various historic landmarks and national parks.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of accommodation can I expect during the tour?
The tour includes stays at various hotels and resorts such as the Capital Hilton in Washington DC, Williamsburg Woodlands Hotel & Suites in Williamsburg, Hotel 24 South in Staunton, Skyland Resort in Shenandoah National Park, Gettysburg Hotel in Gettysburg, and Marriott Philadelphia Old City in Philadelphia.
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Are there any special events or performances included in the tour?
Yes, the tour includes several special events and performances such as an exclusive performance by historian Sylvia Tabb-Lee in Williamsburg, a presentation by Ulysses S. Grant and his wife Julia in Gettysburg, and a Colonial-style candlelight dinner at Dobbin House Tavern.
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What kind of meals are included in the tour?
The tour includes breakfast daily and four dinners. Some of the dinners are special events, such as a Colonial-style dinner at a famous local Tavern in Williamsburg and a farewell dinner on the historic Moshulu ship in Philadelphia.
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Is there any free time during the tour to explore on my own?
Yes, there is a full free day in Washington DC where you can use the Big Bus for easy access to the monuments, museums, galleries, and other attractions.
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What are some of the key historical sites visited during the tour?
The tour visits several key historical sites including Mount Vernon, Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown Settlement, Monticello, Gettysburg National Military Park, Valley Forge National Historic Park, and the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia.
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Are there any special considerations for the tour departing on June 24?
Yes, the June 24 departure spends July 4th in Washington DC, where you can enjoy festivities including a parade, concerts, and a fireworks display on the grounds of the Washington Monument. However, the Big Bus sightseeing tour is not available on July 4th.
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What is the group size for this tour?
Globus offers Small-Group Discoveries on select North America dates, which are limited to an average of just 24 guests per departure. This ensures extra space between travelers while still providing an up-close and personal experience.
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What kind of transportation is provided during the tour?
The tour includes coach transportation for traveling between different locations and sightseeing tours.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
For over 90 years.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest Covid-19 policies
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Travel documents, including any air tickets, itineraries, and other information, are available approximately two to three weeks prior to departure provided full payment has been received.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
The Globus Lighthouse Project - an illuminating initiative where we can all come together to tread lightly and give generously for the globe's greater good. Globus, along with sister companies Avalon Waterways and Cosmos, invite our travellers and partners to help us in supporting causes that provide for a more sustainable planet and a brighter tomorrow.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of globus charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
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