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Arrive at the airport and proceed to your hotel. There is much to see and do in this worldly metropolis. Tonight consider a visit to one of New York’s most popular destinations, Rockefeller Center. It is a hub of activity, with thousands of visitors and New Yorkers alike taking in an array of exciting attractions. Whether you’re looking to spend the afternoon ice-skating, joining the audience of a television show, or shopping at its world-class retail stores, the Rock has something for everyone. A two-night stay has been arranged in neighboring Newark.
Accommodations:
(STD) Holiday Inn Hasbrouck Heights or similar (2 nights) 20 minute bus ride to Manhattan.
(SUP) Marriott Newark Liberty Airport or similar (2 nights). Complimentary shuttle to terminal. Rail Link to Midtown Manhattan.
New York is an adrenaline-charged, history-laden place that holds immense romantic appeal for visitors. Wandering the streets here, you’ll cut between buildings that are icons to the modern age. New York City is the ultimate cosmopolitan city in the world; there is lower Manhattan’s Chinatown and the traditionally Jewish Lower East Side, the more artsy concentrations of SoHo, TriBeCa, and the East and West Villages. Of course, there is the celebrated architecture of corporate Manhattan, with the skyscrapers in downtown and midtown forming the most unforgettable images. New York is full of wonderful establishments, monuments and countless sights. Tour the United Nations, the Whitney Museum of Art and the world-class Metropolitan Museum of Art. Take a ride through Central Park on a horse drawn carriage, or tour the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Admire the lights of the Brooklyn Bridge from the South Street Seaport. Visit the famous Empire State Building which soars more than a quarter of a mile into the atmosphere above the heart of Manhattan. Visit the Guggenheim Museum, Frank Lloyd Wright’s masterpiece of modern architecture. This museum is home to a fine collection of 20th century art, including works by Chagall, Degas, Kadinsky, Picasso and Van Gogh. Tour Radio City Music Hall where America’s most popular entertainers have thrilled audiences at since its doors opened in 1932 and home to the world-famous Radio City Rockettes.
Pick-up Rental Car and leave the excitement of New York behind and travel to historic Philadelphia. Perhaps the most famous attraction here is the Liberty Bell Pavilion, which houses the 2,080 lb. bell and is located within the National Historical Park. Just across the street, is Independence Hall which is known for being the place where Thomas Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence was constructed and adopted on July 4, 1776. Another unique piece of history still reserved in Philadelphia is the Betsy Ross House. She is said to have sewn the first United States flag that was presented to George Washington. Philly is not all historical buildings and artifacts. The Philadelphia Zoo was the first National Zoo in the U.S. and is currently home to over 1,300 animals. The Please Touch Museum is the only one of its kind; it caters to younger audiences and offers a chance to explore hand-on exhibits.
Accommodations:
(STD) Windham Historic District or similar (1 night).
(SUP) Marriott Philadelphia Downtown or similar (1 night).
Enjoy this morning in Philadelphia before departing to Washington D.C. Bustling with activity, America’s capital city is powered by politics and tourism. Washington, D.C. attracts nearly twenty million tourists each year making tourism the second biggest industry of the area just after the federal government. Surprisingly, admission to most major attractions is free. The District, as it is called by the locals, centers on the capital city and then spreads into a variety of distinctive neighborhoods. They include Downtown, with its art galleries and nightlife and Dupont Circle with hip clubs and trendy shopping. Capitol Hill and the National Mall feature most of the city’s most prominent buildings and museums, including stately presidential monuments and most branches of the world-famous Smithsonian Institution.
Accommodations:
(STD) Quality Inn Mount Vernon or similar (2 nights).
(SUP) Omni Shoreham Hotel or similar (2 nights).
Today you will have a chance to explore more of the nation’s capitol. Visit the city’s most famous sites which are mostly concentrated along the National Mall, often called the “Nation’s Front Yard”; it expands from the Lincoln Memorial on the Potomac to the Capitol Building and Supreme Court on Capitol Hill. Along the Mall are the majority of the 18 museums which comprise the Smithsonian Institution, the War Memorials, and the Washington Monument which offers rides to the top of the obelisk and lies south of the illustrious White House. Other points of interest are Arlington National Cemetery, the Library of Congress, the National Cathedral, and the National Zoo. Of course, there is more to Washington than historical site-seeing. Washington has also developed an active nightlife. Besides the world-class restaurants, you can see Broadway shows, Washington-only political satires, and live music of all types. At the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, you can catch live theater and music performances.
Depart the bustle of the capital city and continue to Roanoke for an overnight stay. While in route, visit Colonial Williamsburg, the nation’s largest living history museum with some 500 buildings, homes, stores and taverns reconstructed and restored to their 18th-century appearance. Must-see attractions are the Governor’s Palace, the Capitol, the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum, the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum, and Bassett Hall. Of course, a trip to Williamsburg wouldn’t be complete without visiting Jamestown, America’s birth place, and Yorktown, where America’s Independence was born. This regional trio has come to be known as “America’s Historic Triangle”. Continue to Roanoke; this city actually dates back to the seventeenth century, when pioneers moved west across Virginia and settled in the Shenandoah Valley on the banks of the Roanoke River. As a result of the salt deposits in the area, this settlement received the tragic name “Big Lick.” Visit the popular Market Square, home to excellent dining, nightlife, and shopping as well as the historic Farmer’s Market.
Accommodations:
(STD) Sleep Inn Tanglewood or similar (1 night).
(SUP) Sheraton Roanoke or similar (1 night).
Today, you will be surrounded by the natural beauty of the Great Smokey and Blue Ridge Mountains as you drive toward North Carolina. Asheville is an inviting destination complete with architectural gems from several eras and a lively cultural scene. Be sure to visit the Biltmore Estate, the 250 room French Renaissance style chateau built by George Washington Vanderbilt. Enjoy a behind the scenes tour, art collection, 40 acres of gardens and a winery. Take a twilight railway excursion through the Blue Ridge Mountains. Or brave the whitewater on a rafting trip. Enjoy a float trip on one of the three rivers in the area. Visit one of the art galleries such as the Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Feel the local culture at an old fashioned hoedown complete with hayrides, bluegrass and dancing at an area ranch.
Accommodations:
(STD) Best Western Hendersonville Inn or similar (1 night).
(SUP) Crowne Plaza Resort Ashville or similar (1 night).
Depart the charm of Asheville/Hendersonville and drive toward the southern city of Charleston. Charleston is a compelling place to visit, its historic district lined with tall, narrow houses of peeling, multicolored stucco, adorned with wooden shutters and ironwork balconies wrought by slaves from Barbados. The Caribbean feel is augmented by palm trees, a tropical climate and easygoing atmosphere, while the town’s pretty hidden gardens and leafy patios evoke New Orleans. A fantastic way to see this city is by a horse-drawn carriage. See the Old South in the architecture and gardens of the many historic homes and buildings. Stop by its Downtown to visit the shopping district of King Street.
Accommodations:
(STD) Days Inn Patriot’s Point or similar (2 nights).
(SUP) Marriott Charleston or similar (2 nights).
Explore this fantastic city today. Park your car near the Visitors Center as it is impossible to drive your car in the small streets; they were originally designed for pedestrian use only. There are many guided walking tours to choose from, as well as a horse-drawn carriage tours. Or you can pick up a map and discover the city yourself. See the Civil War Memorials at the Battery, a garden that boasts live oaks and palmettos. Venture slightly outside the city and visit Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. This is the oldest public gardens in America, opening its doors to visitors in 1870. It contains thousands of beautiful flowers and plants, including extensive varieties of camellias and azaleas, in a richly historical setting. Tour the house and learn about life on the plantation.
Leave Charleston behind and head to, yet another southern gem, Savannah. This little town claims nearly a hundred antebellum and pre-Revolutionary houses. Drive through the residential district, and visit the pretty waterfront shopping area. Since the 1994 publication of John Berendt’s Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil; the impact has been unprecedented, bringing in countless millions in revenue as thousands flock to see the sights from the mega-bestseller. City tours centered totally on the sites and characters of the book are offered. Visit Old Fort Jackson, Georgia’s oldest standing fort, with a 9-foot-deep tidal moat around its brick walls. In 1775, an earthen battery was built here. The original brick fort was begun in 1808 and manned during the War of 1812. Many historic homes offer tours, including the Andrew Low House. Savannah is known for its seafood. Consider a drive to one of the outside islands such as Tybee to sample some local flavor.
Accommodations:
(STD) Quality Inn Midtown or similar (1 night).
(SUP) Hampton Inn Savannah Midtown or similar (1 night).
Depart charming Savannah toward St. Augustine. Few places in Florida are as instantly appealing as this charming old city. St. Augustine is the oldest permanent settlement in the US with much of its early architecture still intact along its narrow streets; it also offers two alluring lengths of beach just across the bay. Tour the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, the oldest masonry fort in the continental US. Visit the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum and climb its 219 steps to the top for breathtaking, panoramic views of the surrounding area and beaches. Set out on foot, as the locals do, to explore Saint Augustine’s delightful historic district, with its cobblestone streets, quaint cafes, and unique shops. For a more relaxed approach, attend a wine tasting tour of the San Sebastian Winery.
Accommodations:
(STD) Quality Inn Historic St. Augustine or similar (1 night).
(SUP) Casa Monica Hotel or similar (1 night).
Leave St. Augustine this morning and continue on to Orlando. Consider a stop at Silver Springs. This nature theme park surrounds the headwaters of the Silver River, the largest artesian spring formation in the world. Take a ride on the glass-bottom boat and see the creatures that live in these waters that can be up to 80 feet deep. Finally, drive to Orlando, the Theme Park capital of the world, for a two-night stay. Enjoy an evening at Downtown Disney, with over 170 shopping, dining and entertainment facilities, everyone will find something fun to do. Or experience the exitement of an interactive dinner show, such as Arabian Nights.
Accommodations:
(STD) Champions World Resort or similar (2 nights).
(SUP) Buena Vista Palace or similar (2 nights).
Today you can choose to visit some of the famous Orlando Theme Parks:
Walt Disney World Epcot® – Epcot® is a showplace for the achievements of man, a tribute to innovation and imagination, and a fellowship of international culture. Epcot consists of Future World and World Showcase. Future World features attractions such as Spaceship Earth, where you will experience a journey from the beginning of time to the electronic age. Ride Test Track, a high speed thriller that mimics actual vehicle testing conditions, sending you through breathtaking twists and turns. Explore all of Future World where innovation and invention entertain. World Showcase offers the cultures of 11 nations. The architecture and landscape change as you move from one country to the next. Taste the cuisine, shop and be entertained by distinctly different cultures. End the evening by watching Illuminations, a nighttime kaleidoscope of music and light.
Universal Studios® Florida – You’re the star at Universal Studios where you can ride the movies. Join the agents from “Men in Black Alien Attack” and zap aliens as you chase them through the streets of New York. Plunge into darkness on Revenge of the Mummy® a psychological thrill ride that combines special effects and speed. See Shrek 4-D an original 3-D film, with an added dimension where you will see, hear and feel the action right from your seat. Fly with E.T. on a star-bound bike as you help him save his home planet. You’ll find something that appeal to kids of all ages at the place where you become part of the movies!
Universal‘s Islands of Adventure® – Journey through five remarkable islands where all your favorite myths, legends, comic books and cartoon heroes come to life. Enter a comic book city in the Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man® a 3-D thrill ride, where you will battle evil and feel the adventure. Ride your couch through the pages of the famous children’s book “The Cat In The Hat!” on Seuss Island. Explore the Lost Continent® where you will find Dueling Dragons® the world’s first inverted dueling roller coaster. Take fear to new heights on Doctor Doom’s Fearfall® on Marvel Super Hero Island®. Rocket 150 feet into the air and come back down faster than gravity! Experience all of the cutting edge rides and stories come to life at Universal’s Islands of Adventure. SeaWorld® Orlando –SeaWorld Orlando is a premiere marine adventure park. It features thrilling rides and amazing shows where the animals are the stars. Your feet will dangle on Kraken, the only floorless rollercoaster in Orlando. Meet Shamu, the famous killer whale in the sensational show Believe. See polar bears and beluga whales on the Wild Arctic ride. Get ready for the ultimate adventure on Journey to Atlantis! Travel on water and high-speed rails through special effects and a 60 foot drop! Check out the current spectacle at the Sea lion and Otter Stadium, where Clyde and Seamore will be into some mischief. Make sure to include a stop at the dolphin nursery, where you can see new dolphin mothers and their calves. Experience the magic of marine life and the splendor of what lies beyond the ocean’s door.
Leave the magic of Orlando behind and travel south to sunny Miami Beach. Warm breezes, swaying palm trees, and the sound of the waves washing ashore act as a backdrop for pastel-colored, Art Deco buildings making Miami’s South Beach a stunning and often intoxicatingly beautiful place. It has been called the American Riviera by seasoned travelers, but there’s more to this city than fine white sand and turquoise waters. World famous South Beach is home to fabulous shopping and restaurants, fashion shoots and filming of TV and movies. Walk along Ocean Drive and enjoy any type of cuisine you can imagine. Shop at Lincoln Road mall and take pleasure in 175 specialty shops and galleries. Learn more about the Art Deco Architecture by taking a walking tour of this district. At night, South Beach truly becomes “decadent” with scores of nightspots catering to both the adventurous and relaxed clientele. Consider a visit to Bayside Marketplace which offers unique shops and outdoor entertainment. Several types of boat tours also depart from Bayside Marketplace, including sightseeing cruises and party boats.
Accommodations:
(STD) Ocean Five or similar (2 nights).
(SUP) Cardozo or similar (2 nights).
Today is yours to explore Miami Beach and the neighboring greater Miami area. Experience the sights and sounds of “The Magic City”, a tropical playground full of extraordinary architectural history. Miami is an international city, rich with a multi-ethnic culture which is reflected in the cuisine and architecture. There is Downtown Miami, home to renowned Bayside Marketplace; Coconut Grove, the oldest city within the Miami metropolitan area, known as Miami’s Food Court for its many and varied restaurants and open air cafes; Coral Gables, almost entirely constructed in Mediterranean Revival Style; and Little Havana, a Cuban immigrant neighborhood famous for its landmarks like Calle Ocho and Domino Park, and for its social, cultural, and political activities.
Depart at leisure for the Miami International Airport. Drop-off Rental Car.
Tour the East Coast, starting in the City That Never Sleeps, and travel south toward the US capital, Washington D.C. Become immersed in southern charm as you travel through Savannah and Charleston. Finish the tour with multiple days to enjoy the attractions of Orlando and the sunny beaches of Miami.
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P. W. UK –
Just a brief thanks for your help with this holiday which we really did enjoy. The vast majority of the holiday worked exactly as planned and there were no real issues on teh visit at all.