American Heritage: New York City, Washington, Savannah & More
- Duration
- 16 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 2,986
FIRST-CLASS | SELF DRIVE: An amazing two-week trip that starts with the exhilarating pace of New York and ends with a little art deco and the gorgeous white sandy beaches of Miami. Washington provides truly capital moments while Orlando offers fun and entertainment galore. For stunning scenery, there’s Shenandoah National Park, Blue Ridge Parkway, and the Great Smoky Mountains, and plenty of history can be discovered in Charleston, Savannah, and St. Augustine.
From one of the world’s great cities to the sunny south and from historic coastal towns to rugged mountain scenery, this 16-day trip wraps up the best of the Eastern United States in one easy-to-drive package.
You’ll begin your trip in New York City, the city that never sleeps. You can check out a Broadway play, or wander around Times Square snapping photos for instagram. If you’re looking to get some fresh air, try a walk on the High Line, a former overhead rail line that snakes through the lower west side of Manhattan and is decorated with beautiful plants, gardens and sitting areas. Another great option is a Circle Line boat ride, where you can soak up great views of downtown skyscrapers, the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge, and more.
From there you’ll head south to Philadelphia, where the United States was born in 1776. Enjoy lovely Rittenhouse Square, head to the Italian shops on South Street, or climb the famous Philadelphia Museum of Art stairs featured in the classic movie “Rocky.”
It’s only a short drive from Philly to Washington D.C. for your second hotel stay. The Smithsonian Institute is actually a series of stunning museums, all of them free. Don’t miss the grandeur of the Lincoln Memorial or the powerful Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Try a canoe or kayak ride on the Potomac River, or check out the boutique shopping scene in trendy Georgetown.
From DC you make your way into the rolling hills of Virginia, where you can stop to admire Monticello, the country home of former US president Thomas Jefferson. You can check out Civil War history at the site of the bloody Bull Run battlefield, or enjoy a hike in the wooded mountains of Shenandoah National Park.
Head to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, where you can enjoy a visit to Dollywood, Dolly Parton’s heralded theme park, or soak in the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains. From here you make your way back to the coast to visit Charleston, often voted the most beautiful city in the U.S. Try a horse-drawn carriage ride, or just walk about and gawk at the majestic homes with bountiful gardens and wide, deep porches. The seafood in town is terrific, too. You’re only a short drive from the magnificent Magnolia Plantation and Gardens.
From there it’s on to Savannah, also recognized as one of the prettiest towns in America. Take a walking tour of the historic downtown or snap a selfie while sitting on the park bench made famous by Forrest Gump.
Next stop is historic St. Augustine, the oldest city in the U.S. Explore the waterfront fort, Castillo de San Marcos, or dip your toes in the ocean at Vilano Beach. A little south is the entertainment mecca of Orlando, where you can stroll about Walt Disney World or try the Harry Potter rides at Universal Studios. Orlando also has a vibrant food scene, including tremendous, inexpensive Vietnamese restaurants.
Sarasota is home to the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, a gorgeous structure with first-rate art on display, while Venice Beach is a great spot to shop or look for shark’s teeth in the sand.
From there you’ll skirt across the Everglades and finish up in Miami. The beach is tremendous, but you also can tour the Wynwood Arts District to check out amazing local artists, or try an Art Deco architectural tour.
- Duration
- 16 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 2,986
Itinerary View Trip Map
New York City
Arrive in New York City and transfer independently to your hotel. Depending on your time of arrival, you might be able to explore a little bit of the city. Going to a Musical in Broadway, spending an evening in Times Square, walking over Brooklyn Bridge, enjoying some shopping in Fifth Avenue, or feeling like a broker in Wall Street are some of the things that can ONLY be done in New York City.
Overnight New York City
| Duration | 2 Nights |
|---|
New York City
A full day is yours to explore one of the most exciting cities in the world, filled with people, vibrancy, famous sights, and skyscrapers but plan carefully because your options can seem overwhelming. Your shortlist might include the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, the Rockefeller Center, the Empire State Building, the United Nations, but that’s just for starters.
Overnight New York City
New York City - Washington, D.C.
Today it’s time to leave New York and start your drive southwest to Philadelphia, home of Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and Ben Franklin. Your destination this evening is the nation's capital, Washington, D.C.
Overnight Washington
| Duration | 2 Nights |
|---|
Washington, D.C.
Washington’s streets are organized in an orderly web of wide tree-lined avenues with great vistas that lead to powerful focal points and open public spaces. The most important of these is Pennsylvania Avenue, connecting two iconic buildings: the White House and the impressive domed Capitol Building. Many of the things to see and do are along the National Mall and are best seen on foot. The Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, and the Smithsonian's complex of museums is a riveting repository for the nation's historic treasures.
Overnight Washington
Washington, D.C. - Shenandoah National Park
Today you drive west to Virginia towards Shenandoah National Park. On the way stop in Manassas and visit the site of the strategic Battle of Bull Run, which was the first major battle of the American Civil War. Take a tour with a park ranger or hike part of the battlefield. Before heading to Shenandoah stop at Thomas Jefferson's primary plantation home in Monticello, designated a National Historic Landmark because of its architectural and historic significance.
Overnight Shenandoah
| Duration | 1 Night |
|---|
Shenandoah National Park - Blue Ridge Parkway - Roanoke
Another day of superb scenery as you follow the Blue Ridge Parkway along the crest of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains with its jaw-dropping views and some of the prettiest landscapes the East Coast has to offer. Stop at Peaks of Otter at Milepost 85.9, stretch your legs and go for a hike or just stop for lunch. Continue along the lush, green Shenandoah Valley enroute to your destination tonight, Roanoke, Virginia.
Overnight Roanoke
| Duration | 1 Night |
|---|
Roanoke - Gatlinburg
Your drive today takes you southwest and invites you for a stop in Blackburg where you can take a leisurely stroll downtown or visit the Smithfield Plantation, home to Revolutionary War patriot, William Preston. Afterwards continue to Bristol, a charming and fun small town with a rich musical heritage, local art, and beautiful scenery. Your final stop of the day is Gatlinburg, nestled at the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Overnight Gatlinburg
| Duration | 1 Night |
|---|
Gatlinburg - Great Smoky Mountains - Cherokee - Charleston
Enjoy the scenery while driving through the Great Smoky Mountains, famous for the natural fog that often hangs over the range, looking like large smoke plumes from a distance. Pass through the ancestral homeland of the Cherokee Indians enroute to historic Charleston, a city built for walking. Take a stroll in the historic district and note the cobblestone streets, horse-drawn carriages, and pastel antebellum houses, particularly in the elegant French Quarter and Battery districts.
Overnight Charleston
| Duration | 1 Night |
|---|
Charleston - Savannah
This morning consider visiting the Magnolia Plantation and Gardens before heading south to Savannah. The historic district of Old Savannah has been beautifully restored, recreating the gracious atmosphere of cobblestoned squares, horse-drawn carriages, antebellum architecture, and parks such as Forsyth Park shaded by oak trees covered with Spanish moss. At the center of this picturesque district is the landmark, Gothic-Revival Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist.
Overnight Savannah
| Duration | 1 Night |
|---|
Savannah - St. Augustine
Depart Savannah following the lush, semi-tropical coastline of Georgia. Stop in Old Town Historic Brunswick and admire the influence of 18th century English settlers in the charming Victorian era architecture. Pass Jacksonville enroute to St. Augustine, the oldest city in the United States. Ensure you make time this evening to wander the streets of the city and enjoy a relaxing dinner.
Overnight St. Augustine
| Duration | 1 Night |
|---|
St. Augustine - Orlando
St. Augustine is known for its Spanish colonial architecture and a visit to the Castillo de San Marcos, a 17th-century Spanish stone fortress with views of the St. Augustine Inlet, is an absolute must. Sandy St. Augustine Beach and tranquil Crescent Beach, two of its finest Atlantic Ocean beaches are also worth some of your time before you drive south along the coast to Orlando.
Overnight Orlando
| Duration | 2 Nights |
|---|
Orlando
Today, enjoy a full day exploring the amazing entertainment complex of Walt Disney World Resort - home to the Magic Kingdom Park, Epcot, and Disney-MGM Studios, or experience Disney's wildest adventure yet, Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park.
Overnight Orlando
Orlando - Sarasota
Make the short drive to the western shores of Florida and Tampa Bay which sheltered pirates and buccaneers of a bygone era. A little further south, the stunning natural beauty of Sarasota is enhanced by the barrier islands, known as "Keys," lying just offshore. Treat yourself to diverse dining, enriching arts and culture, shopping districts of all sorts and natural Florida fun.
Overnight Sarasota
| Duration | 1 Night |
|---|
Sarasota - Venice - Everglades National Park - Miami
Follow the Tamiami Trail and drive through the heart of the largest sub-tropical wilderness in North America, the Everglades. The watery River of Grasses is a sanctuary for a myriad of birds and animals, chief among them of course lots of alligators. Later this evening the sandy beaches of Miami Beach and some of Florida’s most thrilling nightlife awaits you.
Overnight Miami
| Duration | 2 Nights |
|---|
Miami
After a long trip, today might be the perfect time to relax and partake in the beautiful Miami beach life. Rent an umbrella, beach chair, or grab some shade under a palm tree while enjoying the view of the ocean. Soak up the sun, enjoy the turquoise waters and white sand, strolling down the beach. Your final evening might then be spent in the Art Deco District of South Beach with its gorgeous pastel-coloured buildings, vibrant culinary scene and exhilarating club and bar scene.
Overnight Miami
Miami
Make your way to Miami International Airport for your flight home unless you plan to extend your stay in the area.
Other Information
DEPARTURES:
Daily departures: April 1 - October 31, 2024
PRICE INCLUDES:
- 16 days Intermediate Car Rental with unlimited mileage (Mazda 3 or similar)
- Detailed day by day itinerary
- 2 nights first-class accommodations in New York City
- 2 nights first-class accommodations in Washington, D.C.
- 1 night first-class accommodations in Shenandoah
- 1 night first-class accommodations in Roanoke
- 1 night first-class accommodations in Gatlinburg
- 1 night first-class accommodations in Charleston
- 1 night first-class accommodations in Savannah
- 1 night first-class accommodations in St. Augustine
- 2 nights first-class accommodations in Orlando
- 1 night first-class accommodations in Sarasota
- 2 nights first-class accommodations in Miami
PRICE EXCLUDES:
- Car rental insurance
- Travel insurance
- International and domestic airfare & airfare taxes
- Entrances fees to sites not explicitly listed as included
- Meals and beverages not mentioned
- Road tolls
- Gratuities
- Items of a personal nature
- Visa fees if applicable
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS:
- Walk or run in Central Park
- View the Statue of Liberty from Battery Park
- Bring history lessons from school to life in historic Philadelphia, the Birthplace of Freedom
- See the Liberty Bell and Declaration of Independence
- Delight in DC’s celebrated monuments and memorials highlighting the history of the U.S.
- Capture a photo of the White House
- Pass Monticello, the house Thomas Jefferson built for himself and his family
- Hike a trail along Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park
- Experience outstanding scenery along “America’s Favorite Drive,” the Blueridge Parkway
- View the deep blue haze of Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- Stroll down Charleston’s quaint alleyways or trot through the streets in a carriage
- Stand where the first shot of the Civil War was fired
- Explore Savannah’s beautifully preserved historic neighborhoods
- Travel along the southeastern coastline of Georgia, home to the area’s first European settler
- Visit St. Augustine, the nation’s oldest permanently occupied European settlement
- Embrace the maritime history of the Tampa Bay area
- Experience an abundance of sun, sand, and water in Sarasota
- Escape into the wilds of Florida on the Tamiami Trail Scenic Byway
- Drive across Alligator Alley in Florida’s Everglades, a subtropical refuge to a unique array of wildlife
- Discover South Beach, Miami’s hot spot for fun
TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
Prices are "from" per person based on twin/double share accommodation and for travel in low season. Seasonal surcharges and blackout dates may apply. Limited seat/spaces and all pricing is subject to change and availability. Rates for single or triple travellers are available on request. Additional terms and conditions apply for car rental - please inquire.
1 Oct 2024
