Coastal Virginia and the Outer Banks

Enjoy a scenic drive through the bluegrass of Kentucky into Barboursville, West Virginia. On Day 2, we drive into Virginia Beach. Our hotel for the next 5 nights will be the Ramada Plaza Oceanfront, where all rooms have a private balcony and a panoramic view of the Atlantic Ocean. This evening you can take a stroll on the oceanfront boardwalk. (Day 2 - B)

Today will be an entire free day to enjoy the beach and surrounding area. (B)

After a delicious breakfast this morning, a day of Outer Banks sightseeing is on the agenda. We begin with the Wright Brothers’ Memorial at Kitty Hawk. We explore the museum and the reconstructed workshop of the two brothers from Dayton, Ohio, who flew the world’s first motor-powered aircraft on December 17, 1903. We’ll also marvel at Kill Devil Hills, a vast range of enormous sand dunes that protect the village of Nags Head from the sea. We scatter for lunch in Manteo, and then learn all about its colorful history. Included in the tour will be Bodie Island Lighthouse. Before departing for Virginia Beach, we eat dinner at one of the famous seafood restaurants in Nags Head. (B,D)

This morning we travel to Williamsburg and the historic area of Colonial Williamsburg, a step back in time to the 18th century, where costumed interpreters – tradespeople, housewives, slaves, freemen, government officials and soldiers – go about their everyday duties. Enjoy dinner at the Williamsburg Lodge. (B,D)

This morning we tour historic Fort Monroe and the Casemate Museum. After lunch, we board the Victory Rover for a 2-hour Naval Base Cruise. Cruising the smooth waters of the Elizabeth River, tour one of the world’s busiest seaports including the world’s largest naval base, home of the Atlantic Fleet, made up of destroyers, guided missile cruisers, submarines, aircraft carriers and more. Enjoy plenty of comfortable seating, an air-conditioned enclosed deck, an open-air shaded upper deck, snack bar, and souvenir shop. Following the cruise, we have a surprise in store as we visit one of Norfolk’s popular attractions. We then make our way back to Virginia Beach for the evening. (B,L)

After our final breakfast on the oceanfront, we head west to Shirley Plantation. The guided tour of the Great House highlights the “Flying Staircase” and the Queen Anne Forecourt. We travel to West Virginia’s state capitol, Charleston, for the night. (B)

We travel through the green rolling hills of Kentucky’s Bluegrass Region on our way home today. (B)