A Taste of the Shenandoah Valley 27

Day 1

Welcome Aboard! Settle back, relax, and enjoy a leisurely drive to Virginia's beautiful Shenandoah Valley for an exciting getaway! Our first destination is Natural Bridge State Park, one of Virginia's most treasured landmarks. Once owned by Thomas Jefferson and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Natural Bridge is a spectacular 215-foot-high natural arch with a span of ninety feet. Over thousands of years, Cedar Creek, a tributary of the James River, carved this remarkable formation from the surrounding limestone terrain. We begin our visit at the Visitor Center, featuring informative exhibits and a gift shop. Then, enjoy a scenic stroll along the Cedar Creek Trail, which takes you beneath the magnificent Natural Bridge and past a Civil War-era saltpeter mine, a hidden stream, and the picturesque 40-foot Lace Falls. Note: Accessing the Natural Bridge requires descending and ascending approximately 137 steps. For those unable to manage the stairs, the park offers shuttle service to and from the bridge area. Following our visit, we cross the street and check into the historic Natural Bridge Hotel in Natural Bridge, Virginia, our home for the next two nights. One of the Shenandoah Valley's premier hotels, the property is surrounded by the rolling hills and scenic beauty of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains. This evening, we enjoy a delicious dinner featuring freshly prepared cuisine and warm Southern hospitality in the hotel's elegant Colonial Dining Room.

Day 2

After breakfast relax in your spacious accommodations or take a leisurely stroll around the hotel's beautifully landscaped grounds before we depart for Michie Tavern, an authentic 1784 tavern located near Charlottesville, Virginia. Enjoy a delicious Southern buffet lunch served in a rustic setting by staff dressed in period attire, offering a dining experience rich in history and Southern hospitality. Following lunch, we make the short drive to Monticello, the magnificent mountaintop estate of Thomas Jefferson, third President of the United States and principal author of the Declaration of Independence. Highlights of our visit include a guided tour of the extraordinary home Jefferson designed and furnished for himself and his family. See the books, gadgets, artwork, furnishings, and personal possessions that reveal the remarkable mind and many interests of this founding father. After touring the first-floor rooms of the house, enjoy access to the grounds and two guided outdoor tours featuring the Plantation Community and the Gardens and Grounds, along with breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. Later this afternoon, we return to our hotel with time to relax and freshen up before enjoying another delicious dinner served in the elegant Colonial Dining Room.

Day 3

After breakfast we travel a short distance to Virginia Safari Park, Virginia's only 180-acre drive-through zoo. Upon arrival, we meet our guide and climb aboard a wagon for a 45-minute guided safari tour through the park's scenic hills and pastures. Along the way, your knowledgeable guide will introduce you to many of the fascinating species that call the park home. See deer, camels, bison, zebras, elk, giraffes, and many more exotic and native animals. Each passenger will receive a bucket of feed, allowing for an unforgettable opportunity to interact with animals of all sizes, shapes, and colors as they approach the wagon. Be sure to bring your camera - you will not want to miss these memorable moments! Following the wagon tour, enjoy time exploring the Safari Village petting area, animal exhibits, and gift shop, featuring everything from adorable plush animals and toys to animal-themed apparel and unique souvenirs. Before departing for home, we enjoy lunch at The Pink Cadillac Diner in Natural Bridge, Virginia. This family-friendly, 1950s-style diner offers a fun and nostalgic atmosphere complete with a bubblegum-pink exterior, neon lights, jukeboxes, vintage signs, Elvis memorabilia, and classic diner booths that evoke simpler times. Be sure to snap a photo with the iconic pink Cadillac parked out front before continuing our journey home with wonderful memories of our Shenandoah Valley getaway.

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D =Dinner