Visions of Virginia and the Great Smoky Mountains

Washington • Charlottesville • Lexington • Roanoke • Abingdon • Pigeon Forge • Chimney Rock Park • Winston-Salem • Williamsburg • Jamestown • Alexandria

The rich scenic variety offered by Virginia probably surpasses that of any other state in the USA. Flanking its western borders are the Shenandoah Valley and the Blue Ridge Mountains, commanding in their views and dazzling in their spring and autumn colours. Over on the east coast are the sites of the original New World Settlements, including Old Williamsburg, Jamestown and the Plantation Trail, an area steeped in the history of both the Civil and Independence Wars. No expense has been spared in preserving this colonial splendour with the result that the State attracts tourists in their millions. Our tour includes a pleasant stay in America’s most popular recreation ground, the Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee, and three nights in the capital, Washington D.C.DAY 1 LONDON • WASHINGTON D.C.
We begin with Titan HiTours Home Departure Service to London Heathrow Airport and your scheduled Virgin Atlantic flight to Washington D.C. On arrival our coach will transfer you to either the Holiday Inn Central.

DAY 2 WASHINGTON D.C.
This morning we take a city tour which includes its many famous monuments, most of them situated within the grand setting of the Mall. Washington is designed for the stroller, its famous Mall flanked by the buildings of the Smithsonian Institute, a complex of marvellous museums to which admission is free. We transfer you later this morning to the most renowned of these, the National Air and Space Museum, where the whole history of man’s adventure in flight is thrillingly depicted. Outside, the Capitol Building is a stroll away in one direction, while in the other lies the Washington Monument (the famous obelisk which, from the top, provides amazing views) and beyond the Lincoln Memorial in front of the Reflecting Pool. This eveningwe visit nearby Georgetown followed by a Washington by night tour, before arriving back at our hotel.

DAY 3 WASHINGTON D.C.
Further opportunity to explore Washington’s inexhaustible treasures. Washington’s galleries contain some of the greatest Worldwide paintings and works of art, The city itself is proud of its many grand buildings, one of which is the National Archives Building responsible for housing the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

DAY 4 CHARLOTTESVILLE
Today we travel to the Blue Ridge Parkway, ascending well over 3,000 feet to the dominating views of the Skyline Drive through the Shenandoah National Park. We stop for a photo opportunity overlooking forested slopes and valleys receding into the distance on a winding route that takes us into the fertile vine-growing areas of Virginia and to the Barboursville vineyards, in whose spacious and inviting salon we have arranged a tasting of the local vintage. On to Charlottesville and the Holiday Inn Hotel.

DAY 5 CHARLOTTESVILLE • LEXINGTON
One of the loveliest American homes, in an unparalleled garden setting atop Little Mountain, is Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, which we visit this morning. Jefferson, who had the fabled Renaissance Man’s ability to excel in so many areas of the arts and sciences, built here what is acknowledged to be an architectural masterpiece and the contents of his home have been lovingly preserved. This afternoon we rejoin a particularly lovely section of the Parkway with ravishing mountain and valley views. We arrive in Lexington and overnight at the Best Western Inn at Hunt Ridge.

DAY 6 LEXINGTON • ROANOKE
A typical American small town, but untypically still a thriving community, Lexington is redolent of a more leisurely, and some would claim more civilised age. This afternoon we visit one of the seven natural wonders of the world, Natural Bridge, a towering limestone structure of 215 feet (as high as Niagara Falls), once owned by Thomas Jefferson. We have arranged a tour of the caverns, where you can explore underground with a trained guide. Our hotel is the Holiday Inn at Roanoke.

DAY 7 ROANOKE • PIGEON FORGE
We journey to Abingdon and the attractive porticoed Martha Washington Inn, which has hosted many a celebrity over the years in its fine, individually styled bedrooms. We have arranged coffee and a short tour of the hotel and afterwards we cross the street to visit the Barter Theatre, which has the unique claim to fame of being the place where the late Gregory Peck first trod the boards as a very young man. Other film stars ‘discovered’ in this seemingly remote playhouse were Patricia Neal and Ernest Borgnine. We continue on to Pigeon Forge located close to the Smoky Mountains National Park. Our hotel is the Holiday Inn Pigeon Forge.

DAY 8 PIGEON FORGE
The resort town of Pigeon Forge is enjoyed by many for its extensive shopping opportunities and varied attractions. Your day is free to explore at leisure.

DAY 9 PIGEON FORGE • WINSTON-SALEM
Further delightful views of the parklands as we traverse the heart of the Smoky Mountains. This afternoon we visit Chimney Rock Park, setting for the film ‘The Last of the Mohicans’. In the park’s 1,000 acres we are introduced to the lush flora and fauna, and the majestic backdrop to the film’s final scenes. We travel north to Winston-Salem and our hotel the Marriott.

DAY 10 WINSTON-SALEM
At the visitor’s centre we see a film of this country area, then enjoy a brief tour of Winston-Salem. This afternoon there is an opportunity to tour Old Salem with its ancient crafts from weaving and pottery to baking stillbeing practised in the traditional way. Afterwards we enjoy a tasting of locally brewed wine and beer beforevisiting Reynolda House with its display of American art, antiques and beautiful grounds.

DAY 11 WINSTON-SALEM • WILLIAMSBURG
To the winding roads of Durham, beguilingly approached through Duke Forest, bought and donated by the philanthropist shopkeeper who also founded Duke University, whose campus we briefly visit. We continue onto historic Williamsburg, the most perfectly maintained of all American towns, where we spend the afternoon. Here we can visit the traditional shops and meet with American’s in costume. Our hotel for the next two nights is Hilton Garden Inn, Williamsburg.

DAY 12 JAMESTOWN • WILLIAMSBURG
This morning we travel onto Jamestown, famously known as the first permanent English settlement in America. Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II recently visited the 18th Century Colonial Capital to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the settlement. Here you will have time to visit the museum and view the replica ships which made the journey. This afternoon we follow the Plantation trail with its fine houses and gardens to one of the best, Berkeley Plantation, where we enjoy a conducted visit to the house and are free to stroll in the gardens.

DAY 13 ALEXANDRIA • LONDON
To Alexandria, the city’s most picturesque suburb, where fine old houses face onto cobbled streets. Later today we depart for Washington Dulles Airport for our direct Virgin Atlantic flight to London Heathrow Airport. OR EXTEND YOUR STAY - CALL FOR DETAILS

DAY 14 LONDON
Arrival at London Heathrow Airport where our staff will greet you and transfer you to Titan transport for your journey home to your own front door.Duration 14 days, 12 nights in hotels – 3 Washington, 1 Charlottesville, 1 Lexington, 1 Roanoke, 2 Pigeon Forge, 2 Winston Salem, 2 Williamsburg & 1 in flight.

Titan HiTours VIP Home Departure Service™

Check-in service by Titan staff.

Scheduled Virgin Atlantic direct flights

Transfers to and from Washington Airport.

First class air-conditioned coaching with experienced drivers

Accommodation as specified in brochure or of a similar standard.

Entrances, Excursions and tours as detailed in the itinerary

Hotel porterage (1 bag per person).

All airport taxes, security charges and the UK Air Passenger Duty and applicable fuel surcharges.