A Taste of the Shenandoah Valley 26

Day 1

Welcome Aboard! Settle back, relax and enjoy a leisurely drive to the Shenandoah Valley for an exciting "New Tour" get-away! Our first destination is the Natural Bridge State Park. Owned once by Thomas Jefferson and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Natural Bridge is a 215-foot-high natural arch geological formation with a span of ninety feet. It is situated within a gorge carved from the surrounding mountainous limestone terrain by Cedar Creek, a small tributary of the James River. We begin our visit at the Visitor Center, where you will find informative exhibits and a gift shop. Then, follow the Cedar Creek Trail, which leads you past a Civil War-era saltpeter mine, a key ingredient used for gunpowder production, past a hidden river, and a lush 40-foot cascade called Lace Falls. Note: Accessing the Natural Bridge requires navigating a stairway of approximately 137 steps. After our tour, we cross the street and check into the Natural Bridge Hotel in Natural Bridge, Virginia, for the next two nights. One of Virginia's premier Shenandoah Valley hotels, our accommodations are surrounded by the picturesque beauty of the rolling hills of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains! Tonight, we are treated to a delicious dinner of freshly prepared savor cuisine and Southern hospitality in the hotel's Colonial Dining Room.

Day 2

After breakfast relax in your spacious comfortable room or stroll the lush grounds before we depart for Michie Tavern, an authentic 1784 pub in Charlottesville, Virginia. Enjoy a delicious buffet lunch in a rustic tavern setting served to you by servers dressed in period attire. In this rustic setting, you can savor a dining experience steeped in Southern culture and hospitality. Following lunch, it is a short ride to Monticello, estate of Thomas Jefferson, our 3rd U.S. President and author of the Declaration of Independence. Highlights of the stunning mountaintop estate tour include an intimate look at the extraordinary house Thomas Jefferson built and furnished for himself and his family. See the books, gadgets, art, furnishings, and objects that reveal Jefferson's unique mind. The guided house tour covers the rooms on Monticello's first floor, followed by access to the grounds and two guided outdoor tours of the Plantation Community and of the Gardens and Grounds, plus scenic views. Later, we return to our hotel where you will have time to freshen up before enjoying another delicious dinner served in the hotel's Colonial Dining Room.

Day 3

After breakfast it is a short ride to the Virginia Safari Park, Virginia's only 180-acre drive-through zoo! Upon our arrival, we meet our driver/guide and climb aboard a wagon for a 45-minute guided wagon tour through the safari. Along the way, you will get to learn about the species you are seeing from your knowledgeable guide as you wind through the scenic hills and pastures of the park. See deer, camels, bison, zebras, elk, giraffe, and many more! Your wagon ride will include a bucket of feed for each person. Have fun feeding the animals of all sizes, shapes, and colors when they approach your wagon. This will be an experience you will not forget! Do not forget your camera! Visit the Safari Village petting area and the animal exhibits which are also included. Do not forget to visit the gift shop for unique souvenirs from adorable plush animals and toys to animal-themed apparel and collectibles. Later we depart for home. Today's lunch is included at Mrs. Rowe's Family Restaurant and Bakery in Staunton, Virginia. Enjoy a buffet lunch at this family-owned Shenandoah Valley restaurant, serving up delicious Southern style cooking with homemade breads, pies, and pastries baked fresh daily since 1947.

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D =Dinner