Tour Historic Trails & Blue Ridge Mountains | Visit United States of America

Hygieneprotocol

The health and safety of our guests remains our top priority and while we highly recommend that travellers are vaccinated against COVID-19, after 1 March, 2023 , we will no longer require it. Destinations and other transportation operators – like airlines – have their own rules and regulations. It will be up to the responsibility of our guests to understand and comply with those policies to move freely across the globe. The Globus family of brands previous policy – requiring all guests be vaccinated against COVID-19 – remains in effect until 1 March , 2023. Anyone travelling before that date on a Globus, Cosmos or Avalon Waterways holiday must be fully vaccinated. ---------------------------------------------------- The following requirements are in place traveling Internationally throughout 2021 and domestically beginning Sept. 1, 2021: - Full vaccination against COVID-19 in the form of written documentation (paper or electronic copy), in English. Vaccination documentation must include information that identifies the person and vaccination date(s). Proof of full vaccination must show that official vaccination dose(s) were administered at least 14-days prior to the start of your first service purchased from the Globus family of brands. Globus accepts vaccines authorized or recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO), Centers for Disease Control (CDC), European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). Travelers may encounter additional requirements if their vaccine is not recognized by the travel destination. - For children who do not qualify for vaccination, one of the two forms of documentation are required to travel: 1) Verifiable negative COVID-19 test result in the form of written documentation (paper or electronic copy), in English. Testing must be performed by an entity recognized by your government of residence, using a viral test (NAAT/PCR or antigen). The test result documentation must include information that identifies the person, a specimen collection date and the type of test. A negative test result must show the test was done within 72 hours before the start of your first service purchased from the Globus family of brands. 2) If you recovered from COVID-19 in the last three months, and have met the criteria to end isolation, you may travel instead with documentation of recovery, which includes a positive test result and a letter from your health care provider that states you have been cleared to end isolation (return to work, travel, etc.) The test result documentation and letter must include information that identifies the person, a specimen collection date and the type of test. A positive test result must show test was done within 3 months of the start of your first service purchased from the Globus family of brands. A SAFE & WARM WELCOME: We will enact new tour check-in procedures and pre-trip health screenings to offer guests a safe start to their journey, including adherence to social distancing requirements. BLENDING CULTURAL PROXIMITY WITH SOCIAL DISTANCE: We will ensure safe distances for our guests throughout the journey, on coach and during excursions. This includes providing masks for our guests use at any time where social proximity could be an issue as well as the possibility of reducing group sizes, if required. And wireless listening technology—including our Go Beyond Devices in Europe—enables safe distances between our guests and other travelers on excursions. FOCUS ON GUEST AND TEAM MEMBER HEALTH: To ensure a healthy environment for our team and our guests, we will conduct regular temperature checks for both guests and our team, and when necessary, masks will be worn by our team when with guests. TOUCHING HEARTS, NOT HANDS: Traveling with Cosmos removes many of the “touch points” of travel, including luggage handling, check in/out, expedited entry into attractions and more. We are further reducing risk with hands-free services, including all self-services replaced by staff, including buffet meals replaced with table service. We will also ensure hand sanitizing is available throughout each trip, on coach and in hotels. COMMITMENT TO CLEAN: As a part of our commitment to clean, we are requiring enhanced cleaning procedures with our hotel partners, on our motorcoaches, vehicles and throughout every trip, including additional daily disinfecting procedures that go above-and-beyond our already strict health and safety procedures. PARTNERS IN DISCOVERY AND IN HEALTH: Cosmos has strict health and safety protocols, which have been in place for years, focused on ensuring all aspects of our operation—from vehicles and equipment used on trip to excursions and hotel procedures. This process will continue with new, elevated health and safety checks, to maintain our promise that each touch-point of our tours and cruises are considered in our commitment to guest and team member well-being.

Transport

Private, deluxe air-conditioned motorcoach while touring with free Wi-Fi.

Guide

With Cosmos, there’s no better way to get to know your destination than through the eyes of a Tour Director. We’d like you to meet one of our Tour Directors, who average over a decade of experience and are representative of the type of expert that will be with you on your vacation.

Others

WASHINGTON DC Sightseeing with Local Guide. GETTYSBURG Visit the National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center; Guided tour Gettysburg Battlefield. HARPERS FERRY Visit Harpers Ferry Historic National Park. SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK Sightseeing; stay overnight inside the park. LEXINGTON Visit the Kentucky Horse Park. BLUEGRASS PARKWAY Scenic drive. HODGENVILLE Visit Sinking Spring Farm; Lincoln Museum. BARDSTOWN Visit the Civil War Museum; Bourbon Distillery & tasting. MUSEUM OF APPALACHIA Visit the 65-acre historic farmland. GATLINBURG Smoky Mountains scenic drive; Newfound Gap Road. ASHEVILLE Visit Biltmore Estate. BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY Scenic drive; Mabry Mill. MONTICELLO ESTATE Visit Thomas Jefferson’s beloved home. RICHMOND Orientation tour. WILLIAMSBURG Visit Colonial Williamsburg. MOUNT VERNON Visit George Washington’s home.

Accommodation

2 nights in twin-share rooms at the moderate first-class Holiday Inn Alexandria Carlyle 1 night in a twin-share room at the superior tourist-class Quality Inn Gettysburg Battlefield 1 night in a twin-share room at the moderate first-class Skyland Resort 1 night in a twin-share room at the superior tourist-class Hampton Inn Beckley 2 nights in twin-share rooms at the first-class Hilton Lexington Downtown 2 nights in twin-share rooms at the first-class Glenstone Lodge 1 night in a twin-share room at the superior tourist-class Holiday Inn & Suites Asheville 1 night in a twin-share room at the tourist-class Best Western Lexington Inn 2 nights in twin-share rooms at the superior tourist-class Comfort Inn Williamsburg Gateway Please be aware that all accommodations are subject to change until 4-6 weeks before the departure date. Final accommodation details will be provided to you with your finalised travel documents.

Meals

8 breakfasts, 3 continental breakfasts

Not included:

Others

Arrival and departure transfers Pre and post-tour accommodation Tipping Other meals, snacks, and drinks Single supplement - This can be purchased on the Book Now page

Optional

Optional experiences are available on this tour for an additional cost and will be provided to you with your finalised travel documents. Please contact our team of Travel Experts for more information. HISTORIC GETTYSBURG DINNER Drift back over 200 years of history while enjoying casual fine dining at the oldest, most historic home in Gettysburg! DOLLYWOOD Dolly’s one wish for you during your visit to Dollywood is that the wonder of the Great Smoky Mountains will touch your heart. WASHINGTON DC DINNER AND NATIONAL MONUMENTS BY NIGHT The evening starts with dinner at a favorite local restaurant and is capped off with an illumination tour of several of DC’s most famous memorials. A beautiful city any time of day, it is especially beautiful at night! Please note that all optional experience prices are estimations only and are subject to availability.

Insurance

This tour does not include travel insurance. Please make sure you are adequately covered. You can arrange travel insurance with your preferred provider, or our Travel Experts can recommend a provider for you.

Flights

As we have travellers from all over the world, flights before and after the tour are not included in the tour price and you need to arrange these separately by yourself once your tour is guaranteed. As we specialise in organising the best tours around the world for you, we are unable to advise on flight prices or book flights on your behalf. We recommend that you do not book your flights until your place on the tour has been confirmed.

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Washington Dc Area
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Washington Dc Area

Enjoy time at leisure to relax or do some independent exploring. Your Tour Director is on hand this evening to answer any questions.
Day 2 Day 2: Washington Dc Area–Gettysburg
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Washington Dc Area–Gettysburg

Today begins with a guided sightseeing tour that shows you the graves of American heroes, including those of John F. Kennedy and his brother Robert, in beautiful Arlington Cemetery. Your guided tour of the capital continues, with photo stops at Capitol Hill and the White House, and visits to the Lincoln and Vietnam Memorials. Afterward, cross the Mason-Dixon Line into Pennsylvania, and visit the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center. Tonight, we offer an optional outing to a local restaurant to enjoy the flavor of the area.
Day 3 Day 3: Gettysburg–Harpers Ferry–Shenandoah National Park
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Gettysburg–Harpers Ferry–Shenandoah National Park

This morning experience a guided visit to the hallowed Gettysburg Battlefield, site of the decisive Civil War campaign and where Abraham Lincoln delivered his immortal Gettysburg Address in November 1863. Afterward, head for Harpers Ferry National Historic Park, where, in 1859, John Brown made his ill-fated raid on the U.S. Arsenal. The park shares a part of the 2,178 mile Appalachian National Scenic Trail. En route to Shenandoah, crest the Blue Ridge Mountains for magnificent vistas of the Shenandoah Valley. Overnight in Shenandoah National Park. (B)
Day 4 Day 4: Shenandoah National Park–New River Gorge–Beckley
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Shenandoah National Park–New River Gorge–Beckley

Travel through lumber and limestone country into wonderfully wild West Virginia. After a lunch break in Lewisburg, a pre Civil War town, travel to Fayetteville and stop at New River Gorge Bridge, the world’s third-longest steel-span bridge, rising 876 feet above the river. Then, on to Beckley, the heart of West Virginia’s “smokeless” coal industry, for an overnight stay.
Day 5 Day 5: Beckley–Charleston–Kentucky Horse Park–Lexington, Kentucky
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Beckley–Charleston–Kentucky Horse Park–Lexington, Kentucky

Before entering Kentucky, we stop in the state capital of Charleston, West Virginia, one-time home of American frontiersman Daniel Boone. As you cross the state border, the scenery changes to green pastures, white-board fences, and the columned estates of Kentucky bluegrass country—backdrop for the movie Seabiscuit. Arrive in Lexington, the “Heart of the Bluegrass.” This afternoon, enjoy a fascinating visit to the Kentucky Horse Park, from where legends like Man o’ War and Secretariat conquered the racing world. (B)
Day 6 Day 6: Lexington–Hodgenville–Bardstown–Lexington, Ky
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Lexington–Hodgenville–Bardstown–Lexington, Ky

Travel on the Bluegrass Parkway and stop at Sinking Spring Farm, to see where the nation’s 16th president, Abraham Lincoln, was born. A replica of the original log cabin is preserved as a shrine to one of the best-loved American presidents. Visit the Lincoln Museum, dedicated to Lincoln’s life and times. The museum features 12 historically accurate scenes from Lincoln’s life and Civil War memorabilia. Be sure to walk out to the center of Town Square for a photo op in front of the Lincoln Statue and the Lincoln Boy Statue. Afterward, we head to Bardstown and visit the fourth-largest Civil War Museum in the United States. Unlike the other museums, this one focuses mainly on the War of the Western States. Visitors move through a series of exhibits featuring artifacts from both the Union and the Confederacy. End your day by visiting an authentic Bourbon Distillery. You’ll learn about the production of the finest Kentucky Straight Bourbon, and enjoy a tasting. Return to Lexington, where the evening is free for independent activities. (B)
Day 7 Day 7: Lexington, Ky–Gatlinburg
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Lexington, Ky–Gatlinburg

Travel to Tennessee, with a stop at Corbin for a short visit to Colonel Sanders’ original fried chicken restaurant, which is now a museum. This afternoon, visit the fascinating Museum of Appalachia, with 65 acres of farmland and a number of historic cabins, barns, and other buildings—even a frontier privy! The next two nights are in Gatlinburg at the foot of the Great Smoky Mountains. (B)
Day 8 Day 8: Gatlinburg
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Gatlinburg

As one of America’s most popular mountain retreats, Gatlinburg offers something for everyone. The day is free for independent activities. (CB)
Day 9 Day 9: Gatlinburg–Great Smoky Mountains National Park–Asheville
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Gatlinburg–Great Smoky Mountains National Park–Asheville

Drive right through the center of the Smokies along the spectacular Newfound Gap Road, peaking at 5,046 feet. Continue into North Carolina and stop at the 7,500-acre grounds of the Biltmore Estate, built by George Vanderbilt, grandson of railroad magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt. Overnight in the Asheville area, hometown to singer Roberta Flack. (CB)
Day 10 Day 10: Asheville–Blue Ridge Parkway–Mount Airy– Lexington, Virginia
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10: Asheville–Blue Ridge Parkway–Mount Airy– Lexington, Virginia

Blue Ridge Parkway runs from the Great Smokies to Shenandoah National Park without a single traffic light along its 470-mile route. Take in a portion of the parkway today, from Fancy Gap to Roanoke. Visit Mount Airy, North Carolina, Andy Griffith’s hometown. Affectionately known as Mayberry, the town is the inspiration for the setting of The Andy Griffith Show that ran in the 1960s. There is time to stroll Main Street, visit Floyd’s Barber shop and enjoy a taste of the past at Walkers soda fountain. This afternoon stop at the tranquil setting of Mabry Mill, one of the most photographed spots in the country. Next up: a visit to Natural Bridge, a 215-foot-high arch in a wooded setting, once owned by Thomas Jefferson. George Washington’s initials are still visible on the cliffside, from his work here as a young surveyor. (B)
Day 11 Day 11: Lexington, Virginia–Monticello–Richmond–Williamsburg
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 11: Lexington, Virginia–Monticello–Richmond–Williamsburg

Visit the graceful home of the third U.S. president, Thomas Jefferson. The Monticello Estate reflects Jefferson’s skills as an artist, architect, and designer. It is the only house in the U.S. that is on the UNESCO World Heritage list of international treasures. Enjoy an orientation tour of Richmond, capital of the Confederacy during the Civil War. Then, we make our way to Williamsburg, between the James and York Rivers, where the very earliest English settlers established their first colonies. (CB)
Day 12 Day 12: Williamsburg. Excursion To Colonial Williamsburg
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 12: Williamsburg. Excursion To Colonial Williamsburg

Today is dedicated to Colonial Williamsburg, where American heritage is proudly preserved in the reconstructed buildings and historical displays. Stroll down quaint streets and browse through homes, gardens, taverns, shops, and exhibits. In the House of Burgesses, listen as costumed interpreters debate the controversial steps that led to the Declaration of Independence. (B)
Day 13 Day 13: Williamsburg–Mount Vernon–Washington Dc
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 13: Williamsburg–Mount Vernon–Washington Dc

This morning, visit Mount Vernon, the beloved home of George and Martha Washington, overlooking the banks of the Potomac River. Take time to explore the most popular historic estate in America. The final leg of your journey takes you back to Washington DC, where you overnight amidst the ambiance of this quintessential political city. Cap off your memorable adventure on our optional Farewell Dinner followed by an illumination tour of the stately monuments. (B)
Day 14 Day 14: Washington Dc
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 14: Washington Dc

Your vacation ends this morning. You can extend your vacation with extra nights and explore the nation’s capital further.

+11

14 days tour

Historic Trails & Blue Ridge Mountains

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Historic Trails & Blue Ridge Mountains

Day 1: Washington Dc Area

Day 2: Washington Dc Area–Gettysburg

Day 3: Gettysburg–Harpers Ferry–Shenandoah National Park

Day 4: Shenandoah National Park–New River Gorge–Beckley

Day 5: Beckley–Charleston–Kentucky Horse Park–Lexington, Kentucky

Day 6: Lexington–Hodgenville–Bardstown–Lexington, Ky

Day 7: Lexington, Ky–Gatlinburg

Day 8: Gatlinburg

Day 9: Gatlinburg–Great Smoky Mountains National Park–Asheville

Day 10: Asheville–Blue Ridge Parkway–Mount Airy– Lexington, Virginia

Day 11: Lexington, Virginia–Monticello–Richmond–Williamsburg

Day 12: Williamsburg. Excursion To Colonial Williamsburg

Day 13: Williamsburg–Mount Vernon–Washington Dc

Day 14: Washington Dc

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