Patriots & Presidents

Day 1 – Welcome to Virginia! (Wednesday, October 14)

Optional transfers from our departure points will have us at LAX this morning for a scheduled nonstop flight arriving at Washington Dulles International Airport 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 travel south to our upscale, AAA Four Diamond hotel in the heart of downtown Fredericksburg. Built in 2024, The Publisher, Downtown Fredericksburg, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel blends nostalgic charm with a modern, sophisticated edge. Situated on the historic site of The Free Lance–Star newspaper, this award-winning boutique hotel honors the city’s rich legacy of storytelling while embracing its vibrant future. The Publisher features thoughtfully designed rooms with premium amenities including large-screen televisions, separate sitting areas, and elegant marble bathrooms with rainfall showers. Enjoy dinner on your own at the hotel or a nearby restaurant.

Day 2 – Fredericksburg (Thursday, October 15)

After an included breakfast, we’ll embark on an in-depth tour with local guide, exploring the region’s colonial architecture, culture and integral role in our nation’s early history. We’ll retrace the footsteps of George Washington at the George Washington Birthplace National Monument. Nestled in the Virginia’s Northern Neck, this 551-acre site marks the 1732 birthplace of our first president and home to seven generations of his family. The Visitor Center and Museum house significant artifacts, while the Memorial House – adorned with period-appropriate antiques – offers an immersive glimpse into the domestic life and aesthetics of Washington’s childhood. The interior is furnished with period-appropriate antiques, offering a glimpse into the domestic life and aesthetics of the time. We’ll continue to Stratford Hall Historic Preserve, a National Historic Landmark and the ancestral seat of the influential Lee family and the birthplace of Richard Henry Lee and Robert E. Lee. It was Richard Henry Lee who, as a delegate to the Second Continental Congress, introduced the "Lee Resolution" on June 7, 1776, formally proposed that the colonies be "free and independent States." This historic motion served as the direct catalyst for the Declaration of Independence. An audio tour of The Great House and its expansive grounds will provide a comprehensive look at the plantation’s social history, including the lives of both the Lee family and the enslaved individuals who worked the land. Upon returning to Fredericksburg, you will have leisure time to browse the charming historic district. A brief walking tour will then lead us to the James Monroe Museum and Memorial Library, located on the very site where our fifth U.S. president launched his law career in the 1780s. Exhibits here offer deep insight into his presidency, the Monroe Doctrine, his diplomatic service in France and Great Britain, and his early years as a Revolutionary War officer. Later, enjoy a guided tour of George Washington’s Ferry Farm, his boyhood home along the Rappahannock River, which provides a fascinating window into the president's formative years. Enjoy the evening at leisure, with dinner on your own. (Breakfast, Boxed Lunch)

Day 3 – Richmond, Williamsburg (Friday, October 16)

Following an included breakfast, we’ll travel to Richmond, Virginia’s capital city. Our first stop is Historic St. John’s Church, a living memorial to American liberty; it was here in the spring of 1775 that 120 colonial leaders – including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Richard Henry Lee, and Patrick Henry – gathered in secrecy to defy the royal governor. It was in this very church that Patrick Henry delivered his electrifying “Give me Liberty or Give me Death” speech. This afternoon, we arrive in Williamsburg, the historic stomping ground of Founding Fathers, loyalists and early patriots. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure to explore Colonial Williamsburg with an all-access pass granting entry to 88 painstakingly restored buildings from the Revolutionary era. Among the highlights are the stately Governor’s Palace, once the residence of royal and early elected governors; the Colonial Capitol, where revolutionary ideals were forged into law; and the historic Bruton Parish Episcopal Church, an active congregation that hosted many of the nation's founders. You may also visit the George Wythe House, home to a signer of the Declaration of Independence and a one-time headquarters for George Washington, and the Raleigh Tavern, the legendary social hub where the future of the colonies was debated. Visiting Colonial Williamsburg is an immersive experience where highly trained interpreters and master artisans bring the 18th century to life through authentic trade demonstrations and interactive historical portrayals. You are invited to step beyond mere observation to engage in the daily conversations, politics, and labor that defined the colonial era, making history feel vibrant and immediate. This evening we’ll enjoy an included tavern dinner, capturing the lively spirit of 18th century hospitality. We’ll then begin a two-night stay at the Williamsburg Lodge, Autograph Collection, an upscale, highly-rated hotel located in the heart of the historic district. This hotel perfectly balances refined comfort with a “rustic-chic” aesthetic, featuring colonial-inspired décor that harmonizes with the surrounding historic landscape. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 4 – Yorktown, Williamsburg (Saturday, October 17)

Following an included breakfast, we’ll travel the short distance to Yorktown to visit the Yorktown Battlefield, the site of the Revolutionary War’s climactic final engagement. Through films and museum exhibits at the Visitor Center, you’ll uncover the strategic brilliance behind the Siege of Yorktown, the vital cooperation between American and French forces, and the surrender of Lord Cornwallis that effectively secured our nation's independence. Enjoy time at leisure in Yorktown’s scenic Riverwalk Landing, where you can browse local eateries and take in expansive views of the York River. We’ll continue to the American Revolution Museum for a comprehensive look at the birth of the United States. Its interactive galleries trace the nation’s evolution from the colonial period to the dawn of the Constitution, exploring the profound political, social, and economic transformations of the new republic. We return to Williamsburg with the balance of the afternoon and evening at leisure. Tonight, you may choose to participate in an optional Haunted Williamsburg Ghost Tour for an additional $20 per person (payable at the time of booking; 10 guests minimum). Embracing the centuries-old tradition of nocturnal storytelling, this one-hour candlelit walking tour is the only ghost tour granted access to the interiors of historic buildings. Led by costumed storytellers, you will hear authentic 18th century legends and spine-tingling modern accounts of the unexplained. Please note that some interior spaces are not ADA-accessible. Tour runs rain or shine, except in cases of severe inclement weather. (Breakfast)

Day 5 – Yorktown to Charlottesville (Sunday, October 18)

After an included breakfast, we’ll travel west to Charlottesville for a vivid immersion into 18th century traveler life at Michie Tavern. Established in 1784, this historic landmark once served as a vital social and political hub for weary colonial travelers. Today, we’ll enjoy a hearty "Southern Buffet" served by costumed staff, featuring traditional colonial fare like Southern fried chicken, hickory-smoked pork barbecue, black-eyed peas, stewed tomatoes, flaky biscuits, and fruit cobbler – all designed to replicate the sustenance once provided to travelers of the era. This afternoon, we visit Monticello, the mountaintop estate of Thomas Jefferson. This National Historic Landmark offers a profound look at the life, work, and inherent contradictions of the third U.S. president. Our tour of the mansion highlights Jefferson’s innovative neoclassical design, his vast library, and his extensive collection of scientific instruments, while also addressing the complex history of the enslaved individuals who lived and labored on the estate. Beyond the mansion, we can explore the expansive gardens, orchards, and "Mulberry Row," where enslaved families lived and worked. The state-of-the-art Visitor Center further enriches the experience with interactive exhibits detailing Jefferson’s political career and the lives of those who maintained the property. This evening, we’ll begin a two-night stay at the recently renovated Omni Charlottesville Hotel. Located in the heart of the historic district, this upscale hotel seamlessly blends Southern hospitality with modern luxury, offering plush accommodations and breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains or the vibrant downtown cityscape. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 6 – Charlottesville (Monday, October 19)

Following an included breakfast, we’ll visit James Monroe’s Highland, offering a unique opportunity to explore the life and public service of the fifth U.S. President. James Monroe’s political career spanned 50 years, from soldier to governor to international diplomat to president, and Highland was one of the fixed points in his private life. The 1818 Presidential Guesthouse serves as the primary historic structure; once believed to be the main residence, recent archaeological research confirmed it was built as a private retreat for guests such as Thomas Jefferson. It is now beautifully curated with original Monroe family furnishings to reflect the experience of an early 19th century visitor. Later, we head to Carter Mountain Orchard, a mountaintop destination celebrated for its agricultural roots and stunning panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Following time at leisure for lunch on your own in the Charlottesville Historic District, this afternoon we’ll join a local guide for a comprehensive Charlottesville tour. We will uncover how Albemarle County – despite its reputation as a rural backwater – played a pivotal role in the American Revolution. Our journey includes a visit to Court Square, where Thomas Jefferson worshipped and conceptualized the University of Virginia. We’ll then take an in-depth look at the University of Virginia and learn about its creation while walking through the original gardens and grounds. The evening is yours to enjoy at leisure. (Breakfast)

Day 7 – Montpelier, Journey Home (Tuesday, October 20)

Following an included breakfast, we’ll visit James Madison’s Montpelier for a profound look at the home and enduring legacy of the "Father of the Constitution." Unlike many historic estates frozen in time, Montpelier remains a site of ongoing discovery, where meticulous restoration has peeled back centuries of alterations to reveal the world as James and Dolley Madison experienced it. A guided tour of the mansion traces Madison’s journey from a young revolutionary to architect of the Bill of Rights and the fourth president of the United States. You will explore both floors of the residence, including the drawing room where the Madisons entertained and the upstairs study where much of Madison’s constitutional work took place. Along the way, you will also discover Dolley Madison’s defining influence as a pioneering First Lady. Enjoy time at leisure to wander the Annie duPont Formal Garden, a beautifully restored 20th century space situated on the site of the original Madison-era gardens, before we enjoy an included boxed lunch on-site. This afternoon we’ll continue north to Washington Dulles International Airport 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 (scheduled to change) to coordinate a similar flight departure time. Back in Los Angeles, those guests with pre-arranged transfers will be returned to their respective drop-offs. (Breakfast, Boxed Lunch)

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.