Historic America: Freedom and the Civil War

Itinerary

Day 1 Washington DC – Philadelphia, PA

After meeting the group in Washington, DC, we’ll hit the road to the World Heritage City of Philadelphia. A city steeped in US colonial and revolutionary history, Philadelphia is home to innumerable monuments and institutions – making it the perfect place to begin our adventure.

Day 2 Philadelphia

On todays walking tour, well make pit stops at the Johnson House (a house that was owned by a family of Quakers who laboured for the freedom of others) and Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution were signed.

Day 3 Philadelphia – Gettysburg

After this mornings breakfast, well leave Philadelphia behind us and move on to Valley Forge, the site of the Continental Armys 1777-78 winter encampment. Next is Lancaster, where an Amish experience awaits. The final stop of the day will be Gettysburg, the site of one of the most important battles of the American Civil War.

Day 4 Gettysburg

On todays agenda: a visit to the Gettysburg Museum and Visitor Center. With interactive exhibits and plenty of time to walk in the soldiers footsteps, this immersive experience will give us a real insight into the lives of the soldiers who served in the Civil War. This afternoon, well take a closer look at the areas battlefields on a driving tour.

Day 5 Gettysburg – Charles Town

Today well set a course for Charles Town but before we get there, weve two stops to make. First, well visit the National Battlefield at Antietam, a site that commemorates the bloodiest day in American history. Then, its on to Frederick, where well learn of the wars surgical innovations at the National Museum of Civil War Medicine.

Day 6 Charles Town – Charlottesville

From Charles Town to Charlottesville, via the scenic route: Shenandoah National Park, Harpers Ferry and the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Later, in Charlottesville, well discover more about Thomas Jefferson at his spectacular mountain-top plantation: Monticello, which is now a museum, research institute and library.

Day 7 Charlottesville

Charlottesville is often ranked as one of the best places to live in the USA. Today well find out why, with a day to spend exploring the city at leisure.

Day 8 Charlottesville – Alexandria

After breakfast, well bid farewell to Charlottesville and continue our journey to Richmond. After a walking tour of the citys cobblestone streets, well stop off at the Museum of the Confederacy, which hosts an enormous collection of Confederate artefacts. Well have just enough time to visit Fredericksburg, the site of the eponymous 1862 battle, before we reach Alexandria.

Day 9 Alexandria

One of the best-preserved historical districts in America, the quaint town of Alexandria is a fitting place to round off our tour. And the grand finale? A visit to George Washingtons Mount Vernon, the interior of which has been restored to appear exactly as it was when Washington passed away in 1799.

Day 10 Alexandria – Washington DC

En route back to Washington, well make one last stop at the Arlington National Cemetery to pay tribute to those who fell during war and perhaps to seek out ancestors graves. Back in Washington, the tour will come to a close.