Details:
Join the BHC and White Star Tours on an extraordinary journey as we explore not just one, not two, but three Presidential homes! This history-filled pilgrimage to Virginia is action-packed, yet there’s still plenty of time to unwind on the Scenic Railway, surrounded by vibrant autumn colors. Additionally, indulge in wine tasting at one of Staunton's charming local wineries. Enjoying lunch at the historic Michie Tavern will be a delightful highlight! The cost of this multi-day trip is $1,100/BHC Member (Double Occupancy) and $1,325/BHC Member (Single Occupancy). Join BHC as a Member to get these special discounted rates! Non-Members must pay an additional $50/Person. Package Includes: 3 Nights Lodging 3 Breakfasts 2 Lunches: On board the train & Historic Michie Tavern 2 Dinners at local restaurants Virginia Scenic Railway Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello James’s Monroe’s Highland Woodrow Wilson’s Presidential Library & Museum Wine Tasting Performance at the Blackfriars Playhouse Souvenir gift Luggage handling Taxes and meal gratuities Motorcoach transportation This SAMPLE itinerary outlined below closely resembles the FINAL itinerary your group will follow with the Berks History Center and White Star Tours; however, please note that this itinerary may be subject to modifications. Day 1 We will start our journey with a morning departure from Reading, specifically from the old Fecerra’s Furniture parking lot at 4710 Penn Avenue, Sinking Spring. Our destination is Staunton, VA, where we will check into our hotel for a three-night stay. Lunch will be on our own while traveling, and dinner will be arranged near the hotel. Expect a surprise stop during our trip as well! Day 2 After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, we will set off for Charlottesville, VA, to explore Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello. Here, we will delve into the life of this intriguing Renaissance man, who gained fame as the author of the Declaration of Independence and later served as the third President of the United States. Jefferson was also a lawyer, architect, philosopher, and Founding Father. During our visit, we will uncover his diverse interests in politics, agriculture, architecture, literature, and invention. Following our exploration, we will head to Historic Michie Tavern for a delightful lunch, a place once owned by Patrick Henry’s father. Experience a taste of the 18th century as we discover where travelers dined and stayed over 200 years ago. In the afternoon, we will tour James Monroe’s Highland. From 1799 to 1823, this estate belonged to our fifth President, who was recognized as a small planter cultivating tobacco on a 500-acre farm. Monroe was also a statesman, lawyer, diplomat, and Founding Father, serving from 1817 to 1825. One of his notable achievements was the 1823 Monroe Doctrine, a foreign policy guideline that shaped how the United States interacted with newly independent nations in Central and South America while limiting European influence in the Western Hemisphere. The tour of the Highlands includes a walk to the newly discovered 1799 Main House and the quarters of the homestead’s enslaved people. In the evening, dinner (included) is at a local restaurant. Day 3 Start your day with breakfast at the hotel, then it’s ALL ABOARD! for the Virginia Scenic Railway. Prepare to soak in the charm and beauty of Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley as the Allegheny Special journeys through the George Washington and Thomas Jefferson National Forests. This delightful 3-hour trip includes a sit-down lunch while we admire the stunning fall foliage. In the afternoon, we’ll wrap up this relaxing day with a wine-tasting experience at one of Staunton’s many wineries. Dinner will be provided at a local restaurant. The evening will feature a visit to the Blackfriars Playhouse, home to Shakespeare plays and contemporary performances, in the world’s largest indoor Shakespearean theatre. Day 4 Following breakfast and check-out from the hotel, we will visit the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, located at Wilson's birthplace in Staunton, VA. During our tour, we will retrace the inspiring journey of our 28th President as we explore seven galleries that highlight Wilson's formative years, his impactful presidency, World War I, women's suffrage, and Prohibition. After the visit, lunch will be on your own while we travel home, filled with wonderful memories from our trip to Virginia, three Presidential homes, and Virginia’s Scenic Railway! For more information and to secure your spot, please visit: berkshistory.app.neoncrm.com/.../neonev.../events...
