250th Special Edition: Revolutionary Double Header ~ Cherry Blossom Festival & The International Tattoo Celebration

Highlights Include:

• DAR Constitution Hall (Daughters of the American Revolution)
• Anderson House
• National Archives & The Declaration of Independence
• Old Town Alexandria Guided Tour
• Christ Church
• Gadsby's Tavern & Museum with Martha Washington appearance
• Cherry Blossom Festival Parade & Premium Seating
• "Pink Cruise" Odyssey Cruise Ship with Dining & Dancing & More!
• Monuments & Memorials Guided Tour
• Arlington National Cemetery
• George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate
• George Mason's Gunston Hall
• Ferry Farm
• James Monroe Museum
• Kenmore Plantation
• Virginia State Capitol
• American Revolution Museum at Yorktown
• Colonial Williamsburg Tour
• Virginia International Tattoo Premium Seats
• Free-time in Virginia Beach to relax & explore the Boardwalk
• Nauticus
• Douglas MacArthur Memorial
• Chrysler Museum of Art
• The Rover Tall Ship
• George Washington Birthplace National Monument

Sample Itinerary ~

• Arrive in the Washington, DC, area and meet your knowledgeable local Guide. Begin your touring at the historic DAR Constitution Hall, an elegant venue built by the Daughters of the American Revolution. Explore the National Archives, where the iconic Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights are preserved.
• Next, visit Anderson House, a magnificent Beaux-Arts mansion filled with fascinating historical artifacts.
• Enjoy a delicious group dinner before checking in to a comfortable hotel in Virginia to relax and prepare for the days ahead.

• After breakfast, travel to historic Alexandria for a day steeped in colonial charm. Begin with a guided tour through Old Town Alexandria, stopping at landmarks like Christ Church, where you'll step inside to see where George Washington and Robert E. Lee worshipped, and then explore the fascinating and historic Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, a former social hub for early American leaders.
• Savor a delightful lunch at Gadsby’s Tavern with a special appearance by “Martha Washington” herself!
• Enjoy free time in Old Town Alexandria to browse shops and have dinner on your own, soaking up the vibrant atmosphere.

• Grab an early breakfast at your hotel before embarking on a day packed with history and elaborate celebration.
• Start the day by experiencing the joyful energy of the Cherry Blossom Festival National Parade, a dazzling celebration filled with colorful floats, marching bands, and performances.  You'll watch from your MARS-Exclusive Premium Seating on the bleachers next to the television camera for the nationally televised event.  The performers will stop right in front of you - the best seats in the house!  Be sure to wave your MARS pink pom-poms to cheer them on!
• Board the luxurious Odyssey Cruise Ship for the exclusive MARS “Pink Cruise.” Enjoy panoramic views of Washington, DC's skyline from the glass-enclosed vessel with live entertainment, as you savor delicious food and pink champagne while you celebrate the cherry blossoms from your water viewpoint.
• In the afternoon, take a Guided Monuments and Memorials Tour, visiting iconic landmarks such as the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, and the grand Thomas Jefferson Memorial.
• Dinner is on your own this evening, with free time to explore the city at your leisure.

• After breakfast, check out and visit Arlington National Cemetery, where you’ll witness the solemn Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and pay tribute to American heroes.
• Next, head to Mount Vernon, George Washington’s beloved estate. Enjoy a tour of the mansion and explore the beautifully preserved estate grounds.
  • Lunch is on own while visiting the estate.  Dining is available on-site at either the Mount Vernon Inn or the casual Mount Vernon Café.
• Continue to Gunston Hall, the elegant plantation home of George Mason, a Founding Father known for his contributions to the Bill of Rights.
• End the day with a delightful dinner along the riverfront in the quaint town of Occoquan.
• Check-in to your Fredericksburg hotel and relax for the rest of the evening.

• After breakfast at your hotel this morning, meet your Guide and explore the rich history of Fredericksburg.
• Visit Ferry Farm, George Washington’s boyhood home, followed by a stop at the charming Rising Sun Tavern, originally built by Washington's brother.
• Discover the James Monroe Museum, which houses an impressive collection of artifacts related to the fifth U.S. president.
• Enjoy lunch on your own in downtown Fredericksburg before touring Kenmore Plantation, a stunning Georgian-style mansion.
• Wrap up the day with a visit to Mary Washington’s House, the former home of George Washington’s mother.
• Return to the hotel.  After a brief time to rest and refresh you'll enjoy a relaxing dinner included at the hotel.

• After breakfast, check out and depart for Richmond to tour the impressive Virginia State Capitol, designed by Thomas Jefferson.
• Visit St. John’s Church, where Patrick Henry delivered his famous “Give me liberty, or give me death!” speech.
• Continue to Yorktown for a visit to the impressive American Revolution Museum, where immersive exhibits and living history presentations bring the Revolutionary War to life.  This impressive museum tells the story of the nation’s founding, from the twilight of the colonial period to the dawn of the Constitution and beyond. Exciting indoor galleries feature period artifacts, immersive environments and films, including “The Siege of Yorktown,” with a 180-degree surround screen and dramatic special effects. Guests can explore the re-created Continental Army encampment and view daily, live demonstrations of military camp life, medical treatment, cooking and flintlock musket firings. A re-created Revolution-era farm, based on a real-life 18th-century family, allows visitors to help with chores in the house, kitchen, tobacco barn, gardens and crops.
  • Enjoy a scenic picnic box lunch during your visit.
• In the evening, check-in to your Williamsburg area hotel and enjoy a delightful tavern-style dinner.

• Start your day with breakfast at the hotel and checking out, before embarking on a Guided Tour of Colonial Williamsburg, the nation’s largest living history museum. Explore historic buildings, meet costumed interpreters, and immerse yourself in 18th-century life.
  • After lunch on your own, enjoy free time to further explore the colonial streets and shops.
• In the late afternoon, travel to Virginia Beach and check in to your Oceanfront Hotel. Spend the evening discovering the boardwalk, shopping, dining, or simply relaxing by the beach. Dinner is on your own while exploring.

• After breakfast, visit Nauticus, a maritime-themed science and technology center, and tour the awe-inspiring Battleship Wisconsin. Continue to the Douglas MacArthur Memorial, dedicated to the life of the iconic general.
• Next, explore the impressive collections at the Chrysler Museum of Art followed by an epic ride on The Rover a Tall Ship invoking the spirit of the past.
• Enjoy a group dinner before attending the spectacular Virginia International Tattoo, a dazzling performance featuring military bands, drill teams, and cultural acts from around the world.

• Enjoy breakfast at your leisure prior to checking out and visiting the George Washington Birthplace National Monument, a beautifully preserved site managed by the National Park Service. Walk in the footsteps of the nation’s first president and reflect on his lasting legacy.
• Depart for home, concluding a memorable journey through history, heritage, and the beauty of Virginia and Washington, DC, on this epic, once-in-a-lifetime pair of events.