AAA South Dakota - AAA Sojourns Vacations

Detailed Description
Itinerary

Make your trip to this special destination even more memorable by visiting during the National Cherry Blossom Festival, when our nation's capital is at its loveliest and liveliest! Every spring, a downy robe of cherry blossoms enfolds the city, sparking a two-week celebration that includes parties, talks, tours and shows, and culminating in the annual Cherry Blossom Parade.

The Cherry Blossom Festival recognizes the friendship between the people of the United States and Japan. Each year's event marks the anniversary of the original gift of 3,000 cherry trees by the city of Tokyo to the people of Washington, D.C. in 1912. The Festival includes a massive parade - for which you'll have reserved grandstand seating - several free concerts on the mall, lantern lighting, dances and races.

Our nation's history blossoms at the other major D.C. sights you'll visit on this escorted tour vacation as well.

Price includes:
• 6 nights accommodations at Hilton Garden Hill
• Daily breakfast, 1 lunch and 3 dinners
• Grandstand seating at the Cherry Blossom Parade
• Nighttime Illumination tour; new Gettysburg Museum; Washington DC City tour
• Visits to: Capitol Visitor's Center, US Library of Congress (pending availability), September 11 Memorial at the Pentagon, Washington National Cathedral (pending availability), Mount Vernon, Christ Church, George Washington Masonic National Memorial

Limitations and Restrictions *Prices are per person based on double occupancy, are subject to availability at time of booking, and may change without notice. Single supplement may apply. Unless stated otherwise, airfare, taxes and government fees are not included. Fares may not reflect additional fuel supplement and vary by provider.This tour entails a lot of walking and standing; comfortable footwear is advised. Your travel arrangements may be modified or cancelled subject to the travel providers policies. Black out dates and other restrictions may apply. We make every effort for accuracy at time of publication, but reserve the right to correct errors. AAA Travel strongly recommends the purchase of trip protection insurance.

Note: This tour involves quite a bit of walking and standing for extended periods each day.

Day 1 - Arrive Washington, D.C.
Arrive in Washington, D.C. and transfer on your own to the hotel for check-in. The tour escort will be available in the hotel lobby to assist with check-in and answer questions from 12-6pm today. After check-in the remainder of the day is free for you to relax. The nearest Metro is 2 miles away, and the hotel provides complimentary shuttle service to the Metro.
Accommodations: Hilton Garden Inn - 6 nights

Day 2 - Arlington National Cemetery and City Tour
This morning visit the Arlington Cemetery, America’s shrine to valor and sacrifice followed by a tour to the United States Library of Congress. This afternoon see United States Capitol and the outside of the Supreme Court. Welcome Dinner included tonight followed by a walk through the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. (B, D)

Day 3 - National Cathedral and Memorials
Visit The White House Visitor’s Center. Housed in a spacious, ground-floor hall of the Commerce Building, the center features an information booth, displays and a souvenir sales area. (Do not bring sharp objects into the Visitor’s Center. All bags, purses, etc. are subject to search). A photo opportunity of the White House followed. Drive along Embassy Row, and tour Washington National Cathedral (pending availability). In the afternoon tour the National Museum of American History and stop at the Jefferson Memorial& Franklin Roosevelt Memorial. Dinner at Carmines & continue with an Illuminated Monument Tour in the evening. (B, D)

Day 4 - Cherry Blossom Parade & Memorials Tour
You have reserved grandstand seats at the annual Cherry Blossom Parade! The parade is the largest public event of the festival- and combines some of the Festival’s bet entertainment into one particular show. After the parade, visit NEWSEUM, the only interactive museum of news. Meet the coach and visit the different Memorials. Enjoy a free time along M street in Georgetown before you head back to the hotel for free evening on your own.

Day 5 - Gettysburg
Stop in Frederick, MD and visit the National Museum of Civil War Medicine. Arrive at the “new” Gettysburg Museum in the afternoon. New exhibits and broader interpretation will provide visitors with an understanding of the Gettysburg Campaign in its broad context of the Civil War and American history. Enjoy lunch on your own in the café while at the museum. Meet our
professional Civil War GUIDE at the entrance of the Gettysburg Museum/Visitor’s Center and depart for an in depth tour of Gettysburg Battlefield. Enjoy a private curator talk at the newly restored, massive “Battle of Gettysburg” Cyclorama painting – the largest painting in the country. Enjoy dinner this evening at the Fairfield Inn 1757, one of only five Inns in America that has been in continuous operation since the 1700's. (B, D)

Day 6 - Free Day in Washington, D.C
Visit Mount Vernon this morning and see the gorgeous view of the Potomac River. Enjoy a free day in the afternoon. Your tour escort will assist with any questions you may have, before dropping you at the National Mall. At the end of the day you will meet the motor coach at the National Museum of Natural History Mall entrance and transfer back to the hotel to freshen up before a Farewell Dinner at Smith & Wolinsky. (B, D)

Day 7 - Depart Washington, D.C.
After breakfast, transfer to the airport on your own for your flight home. Your tour escort will be available today at the hotel to assist with any check-out needs.