Day 1: With anticipation and eagerness to learn more about the history of our Country, we board our comfortable motorcoach this morning. After a day of getting acquainted, we arrive east of St. Louis for our first night.

Day 2: Today we head east, crossing the southern edge of Illinois and Indiana and into Kentucky. Enjoy the neatly manicured horse farms in the beautiful rolling hills of Kentucky. We make it to West Virginia for our overnight stay, WV. (B)

Day 3: There is more beautiful scenery in store for us today as we reach Virginia and see the Shenandoah Valley spread out in front of us. We arrive at Monticello, the home of our nation’s third President, Thomas Jefferson, and the author of the Declaration of Independence. On our tour, we learn more about President Jefferson and the countryside which he loved so much. Our hotel for the next two nights is in Williamsburg, VA. (B, L)

Day 4: Today we visit the Jamestown Settlement, founded in 1607, thirteen years before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth. History comes alive at Colonial Williamsburg as we walk the same streets that George Washington and Thomas Jefferson walked and see where Patrick Henry made his impassioned plea for independence. The historic area includes completely restored 18th and 19th-century houses, shops, taverns, public buildings, and dependencies. Hear the echo of musket fire, the ring of the blacksmith’s hammer, and the high, pure strains of a fife, as you step back in time into this magnificent era of American History. After a full day of history, it’s back to the same hotel for the night. (B)

Day 5: For the next 4 days a local guide joins us, sharing highlights and knowledge about these historical areas. Today we reach our nation’s capital, Washington DC. We may need to be flexible as things are always changing in this busy, working town. We visit the National Museum of the Marine Corps, a lasting tribute to U.S. Marines--past, present, and future. Situated on a 135-acre site, the Museum's soaring design evokes the image of the flag raisers of Iwo Jima and beckons visitors to this 120,000 square-foot structure. The Udvar-Hazy Center belongs to the Smithsonian Museums and displays thousands of aviation and space artifacts, including the Space Shuttle Discovery. Overnight in the DC area for the next 4 nights. (B)

Day 6: This morning our local guide is with us as we start at Mt. Vernon, President Washington’s home. Upon arrival, enjoy a tour of the mansion, which has been restored to its appearance in the last years of President Washington’s life. After driving back into DC, we visit Washington National Cathedral, the sixth-largest cathedral in the world. It is an amazing place that many of you have seen on TV during numerous special services. The remainder of the day with our guide is spent visiting the many monuments on the National Mall and the Reflecting Pool. Back to the same hotel. (B)

Day 7: Today we have a full day of touring with our guide. We drive by the White House on our way to the Smithsonian museums. You can visit any of the Smithsonian Museums that you wish. The Smithsonian Institute has many buildings of various interests. After visiting the museums, we head to Arlington National Cemetery. Our tour includes a tram tour of the Kennedy Gravesite, Tomb of the Unknowns, Challenger memorial, and the wreath-laying ceremony. We drive by Iwo Jima on the way back to the same hotel for the night. (B)

Day 8: This morning, with our guide, we find ourselves at the Capitol Building and Supreme Court before visiting the Holocaust Museum. In the afternoon we have a guided tour of the Museum of the Bible with free time for you to explore the museum on your own. This is our last night in the DC area. (B)

Day 9: Leaving Washington DC this morning, we head north to Baltimore for a visit to Ft. McHenry where in 1814, the British tried to take the city. This is also where Francis Scott Key wrote the “Star Spangled Banner.” Next, we drive to Philadelphia to see Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. We overnight west of Philadelphia. (B)

Day 10: Today we tour the Gettysburg Battlefield with a licensed guide, who provides interesting information about the area, including the spot where the famous Gettysburg Address was given by President Lincoln. After lunch, there is time to explore the exhibits in the museum before continuing west for the night. (B, L)

Day 11: The National Veteran’s Museum in Columbus OH is our destination. This is the first and only memorial/museum where the stories of our veterans, their families, and the Fallen – across all branches of service and all eras of conflict –are told together. The rest of the day we head westward. Sit back and relax after so many busy days of interesting history lessons. Our last night out is east of St. Louis. (B)

Day 12: Today we set our sights on home reminiscing about the past two weeks in the Historic East. We feel a real gratitude for the early settlers and the people who had the vision and determination to build this great nation. (B)