Virginia International Tattoo 25

Day 1

Welcome Aboard! Travel in comfort aboard our deluxe motor coach to the coastal port city of Norfolk, Virginia. Norfolk is home to the largest naval base in the world, so it is no secret Norfolk has a serious appreciation for our military. Upon our arrival we attend the largest Tattoo in the United States at the Scope Arena. From our reserved seating experience, a world of pageantry and patriotism, spirit and spectacle, talent and teamwork, and witness demonstrations of unparalleled precision exercises that you simply must see to believe! The Tattoo blends tradition and entertainment in the form of bagpipers, military bands, fife and drum corps and drill teams that make up the hundreds of performers who come to Virginia once a year for the festival. A box lunch is included today. Later we check into our oceanfront accommodations at the nearby Surfbreak Oceanfront Hotel, which has private balconies with fantastic views of the Atlantic Ocean, for the next two nights. A delicious dinner is included at a local restaurant.

Day 2

After breakfast, the morning is free to enjoy the beach and boardwalk. Later, we depart for the Norfolk Botanical Garden where you will enjoy a narrated tram tour highlighting many different signature and theme gardens. Following our tram tour take a self-guided tour where you can walk around the grounds and beautiful gardens. The garden has one of the largest collections of Azaleas, Camellias, and Rhododendrons on the east coast. Next, we depart for the Military Aviation Museum - America's Flying Museum. Home to one of the world's largest collections of flying vintage military aircraft, including over fifty aircraft from the World War I and World War II-era. The museum is also home to historical structures located on 130 acres. With static displays, and regular flying demonstrations featuring some of history's most iconic aircraft, the Museum is a 'must see' attraction! Following our tour, enjoy a delicious dinner, complete with themed entertainment and a narrated private vintage aircraft flight demonstration (aircraft demonstration pending availability). Later, we return to our hotel for a good night's sleep.

Day 3

After breakfast we depart for the Nauticus Museum where we will board the Victory Rover for a narrated harbor cruise of the Norfolk U.S. Naval base. Our captain will provide us with entertaining and fascinating commentary as we cruise past Aircraft Carriers, Nuclear Submarines, Guided Missile Cruisers, and all the other ships that form the World's most powerful Armada. Next, we enjoy a self-guided tour of the Nauticus. Nauticus is a contemporary museum that uses the natural setting of Norfolk's harbor to showcase global maritime commerce and the world's largest Navy. A box lunch is included. Berthed at Nauticus is the Battleship Wisconsin, the largest and last battleships built by the U.S. Navy. Take a self-guided tour on the deck of the Wisconsin and learn about this veteran battleships' rich history. The Wisconsin earned five battle stars during active duty in World War II. Later we depart for home by way of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, the 17-mile link on U.S. Rt. 13, which links the Delmarva Peninsula with southwestern Virginia. As we travel along this engineering marvel, take in the astonishing views of the powerful Atlantic Ocean and the beauty of Chesapeake Bay.

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D =Dinner