Washington Cherry Blossoms

Day 1

Spring is in the air and so is the scent of cherry blossoms! We will depart for Washington bright and early with a 6:00 AM departure from the Quinte Mall in Belleville. Before crossing the border into the United States, we'll make two more quick stops in Napanee, Kingston and Gananoque to pick up some other passengers in our group. After making our way across the border, we will make a lunch stop (on your own) at the Cracker Barrel Restaurant and make other comfort breaks along the way.

We will arrive at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, MD where you are free to explore and have dinner (on your own) this evening. National Harbor is a community unlike any other in the D.C. region, designed to take full advantage of the most historic river in the nation. Rising from the banks of the Potomac River, just south of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge in Prince George's County. National Harbor is a 350-acre resort destination that included the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center.

Day 2

We will enjoy an included breakfast at the hotel before meeting our guide. We will then depart for a tour of some of the famous Washington memorials; The Vietnam Veterans Memorial; The Lincoln Memorial; The National World War II Memorial and the NEW Eisenhower Memorial.

Afterwards, we will head to the White House Visitor's Center - 1450 Pennsylvania Ave NW. Explore with an interactive touchscreen tour of the White House, view over 90 artifacts from the White House collection, shop at the White House Historical Association retail store and view the 14 min Film "White House: Reflections from Within" and there will be an opportunity to stop at the White House for a photo when we are finished.

We will then get to do a "choose your own" visit at the Smithsonian! You will have a few hours to enjoy lunch (on your own) and tour your choice of the following Museums: National Museum of American History; National Air& Space Museum; National Museum of Natural History; National Museum of the American Indian. National Gallery of Art; the Freer & Sackler Galleries; Hirschhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden or the National Museum of African Art.

Following the Smithsonian, we will enjoy an included dinner at Tony & Joe's Seafood Place, on the waterfront in Georgetown.
After our delicious dinner we will depart on an Illuminated Monument Driving Tour. Washington's grand buildings, memorials are softly illuminated, focusing the solid stones and bronzes. Fountains and water features shimmer in reflection and shadows darken highlighting the floodlit detail. Impressive during the day - Stunning at night!

We will return to the hotel afterwards where the rest of the evening is yours to enjoy!

Day 3

This morning will be free for you to enjoy! Have some included breakfast at the hotel, go shopping at one of the outlets nearby, or explore one of the many parks or walking trails! Just make sure to be back at the hotel lobby by 11 am so as not to miss the fabulous Cherry Blossom Lunch cruise! View the cherry blossom trees from the water, with the sunshine reflecting off the Potomac, there's no better place to enjoy an afternoon in Washington, DC!

We will depart from the cruise and travel to the Tidal Basin for a photo opportunity with the Japanese Cherry Trees! These 3000 trees were a gift from Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo to the city of Washington in 1912 to enhance the growing friendship between the United States and Japan and celebrate the continued close relationship between our two peoples. We will make stops at the following memorials: The Jefferson Memorial; The Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial; The Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial; and The Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial.

Your evening will be free and dinner is on your own!

Day 4

You will need to start the day with a hearty breakfast (included) this morning! First, we are off to Arlington National Cemetery. No land in America is more sacred than this square mile. It is America's shrine to valor and sacrifice. This is the final resting place for President John F Kennedy, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Audie Murphy, Prizefighter Joe Louis, and thousands of soldiers from every major U.S. war. You will receive tram tickets and you can make your way across the cemetery. There are 6 stops - President John F. Kennedy's gravesite; the U.S. Coast Guard Memorial, the Tomb of the unknown soldier at Memorial Amphitheater, Arlington House, and the Ord & Weitzel Walking gate to see the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima).

We will then visit Mount Vernon. Here, George Washington escaped the rigors of public office and enjoyed the life of a successful Virginia planter. America's most visited historic house, Mount Vernon sits on a grassy, shaded slope overlooking the Potomac River. Many of the furnishes are original pieces acquired by Washington himself. Mount Vernon is both George Washington's home and final resting-place. You will have time for lunch
(on your own) at the Mount Vernon Food Court.

After a fun filled morning, we will enjoy a guided Colonial Tour of Historic Alexandria. You will follow our 18th century costumed guides as they lead you by lantern light telling you legends of folklore about colonial Alexandria. You'll be entertained by our stories and charmed by Alexandria's streets brimming with 18th century houses.

Dinner will be included at the Union Street Public House. A historic restaurant offering revolutionary American Cuisine in a warm and lively atmosphere.

We will then return to the hotel where the remainder of the evening is yours to enjoy!

Day 5

After our included breakfast at the hotel, it will be time to say good-bye to the beauty of Washington in spring and head back home to Ontario.

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner