AAA Arizona - AAA Sojourns Vacations

Detailed Description
Itinerary

Package details include

Seeing Washington is on many Americans’ travel wish lists. 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. And the celebrations promise to be even more varied and exciting than usual as the 2012 event marks the 100th anniversary of the original gift of 3,000 cherry trees by the city of Tokyo to the people of Washington, D.C. in 1912. You'll have reserved grandstand seating for the parade and enjoy many other festivities, including free concerts on the mall, lantern lighting, dances and races.

Our nation’s history blossoms at other major D.C. sights as well. Visit Arlington Cemetery, the Library of Congress, and the National Mall museums and memorials, including the new Pentagon Memorial honoring the victims of 9/11. Also enjoy a Nighttime Illumination driving tour, a tour of George Washington's home at Mount Vernon, and - to mark the 150th anniversary of the Civil War - an in-depth tour of Gettysburg National Military Park.

Price includes:
• 6 nights accommodations at Hilton Garden Inn
• Daily breakfast, 1 lunch and 3 dinners
• Grandstand seating at the Cherry Blossom Parade
• Guided tours: Washington D.C. city tour that includes visiting the capital’s most famous memorials; Nighttime Illumination tour; George Washington’s estate at Mount Vernon
• Full-day excursion to Gettysburg that includes the National Museum of Civil War Medicine, the Gettysburg Museum and an in-depth tour of Gettysburg Battlefield
• Visits to: Arlington Cemetery, U.S. Library of Congress, United States Capitol and Visitor’s Center, exterior of Supreme Court, Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington National Cathedral (pending availability), National Museum of American History, and the Newseum

Limitations and Restrictions *Prices are per person based on double occupancy, are subject to availability at time of booking, and may change without notice. Due to the event's "festive" environment, this tour is not recommended for children. 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. Offers valid for new bookings only. Member benefit is per person and applies to first and second traveler only. Member benefits are available only with advertised fare and are subject to change without notice. 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 in Washington, D.C.
Arrive in Washington, D.C. and transfer on your own to the hotel. The tour escort will be available in the hotel lobby to assist with check-in and answer questions from 12 noon to 6 p.m. today. After check-in, the remainder of the day is free for you to spend as you wish. The hotel provides complimentary shuttle service to the nearest Metro stop, which is two miles away.
Accommodation: Hilton Garden Inn - 6 nights

Day 2 - Arlington National Cemetery & City Tour
This morning visit the Arlington Cemetery, America’s shrine to valor and sacrifice while protecting our country, followed by a tour of the United States Library of Congress. This afternoon, see the United States Capitol and the exterior of the Supreme Court building. A Welcome Dinner is included tonight followed by a walk through the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

Day 3 - National Cathedral & Illuminated Monuments
Visit the White House Visitor’s Center followed by a photo opportunity at the White House. 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 and Franklin Roosevelt Memorials. Enjoy dinner at Carmines followed by a driving tour of the city’s illuminated monuments.

Day 4 - Cherry Blossom Parade & Memorials Tour
After breakfast, enjoy your reserved grandstand seats at the annual Cherry Blossom Parade! The Cherry Blossom Festival marks the celebration of the original gift of 3,000 cherry trees by the city of Tokyo to the people of Washington, D.C. in 1912. The celebration includes a massive parade, which navigates down Constitution Avenue from 7th Street towards the Tidal basin. Along the parade are several free concerts on the mall, lantern lighting, dances and races. Afterwards visit Newseum and continue your tour of Washington, D.C. with stops at The National World War II Memorial, The Vietnam Veterans Memorial, The Lincoln Memorial, The Korean War Veterans Memorial, and the September 11, 2001 Memorial at the Pentagon. Explore Georgetown on your own before returning to the hotel this evening.

Day 5 - Gettysburg Excursion
Stop in Frederick, Massachusetts and visit the National Museum of Civil War Medicine. Then continue to the new Gettysburg Museum, arriving in the afternoon. New exhibits and broader interpretations will provide visitors with an understanding of the Gettysburg Campaign in its broader 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. Then enjoy dinner this evening at the Fairfield Inn 1757, one of only five Inns in America that has been in continuous operation since the 1700s.

Day 6 - Mount Vernon & Free Day in Washington, D.C
Visit Mount Vernon this morning, the estate of George Washington, and feel the presence of history as you are guided through the first president’s home that offer gorgeous view of the Potomac River. In the afternoon, enjoy a free day in Washington, D.C. Your tour escort will assist with any questions you may have, before dropping you at the National Mall. Spend the day at your choice of area museums, including the Smithsonian, Phillips Collection, National Museum of Women in the Arts, or Hillwood Museum and Gardens (admission fees not included). At the end of the day you will meet the motorcoach 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 restaurant.

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.