International Embassies & Iconic Estates
Homes of the Presidents, Virginia
With Washington DC
 2013 
5 Days – 4 Nights
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Eight U.S. Presidents were born in Virginia, giving credence to the State’s nickname as the “Mother of Presidents”. The MARS
Presidential Trail in Virginia offers our travelers itineraries highlighting presidential homes, museums, birthplaces, memorials, and
gravesites across the state. Along the way you’ll meet local Virginians and visit other sites while experiencing historic and modern
day Virginia.
Day One, Thursday
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Arrive in Washington DC. Enjoy lunch on your own at
Union Station and free time to explore the shops.
 Built in 1907, Union Station was equipped with a
Presidential Suite which is now occupied by a
restaurant.
 In 1909, President Taft was the first president to use
the Presidential Suite.
 During World War I, troops were mobilized through
Union Station, and many prominent women worked in
the Station's canteen, including Eleanor Roosevelt
and Mrs. Woodrow Wilson.
 On April 14, 1945, a funeral train crossed the Potomac
and backed into Union Station carrying the casket of
President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
 President Truman's special train included his private
car, two dining cars, a club car and cars for Cabinet
members and reporters.
The United States Capitol The most recognized symbol of
democratic government in the world, the U.S. Capitol has
housed Congress since 1800 and is one of the most
imposing public buildings in the world.
 Thomas Jefferson was the first President to be
inaugurated at the U.S. Capitol Building. His
inauguration was held inside. Afterwards Jefferson
walked back to The White House through the unpaved
muddy streets of Washington, much to the chagrin of
those traveling with him.
Visit the United States Library of Congress. Established
as an act of Congress is 1800, The Library of Congress is
the largest national library in the world with more than 100
million items in three buildings.
 DID YOU KNOW? The library has more than 650
miles of bookshelves, and more than 138 million
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objects in 470 different languages. The library’s first
acquisition in 1800 was a donation of books from
Thomas Jefferson.
Photo opportunity of the outside of the Supreme Court
Building. Within the walls of this white marble monument
the third branch of government exercises its mandate to
protect and interpret the spirit of the Constitution.
 DID YOU KNOW? President William Howard Taft
was the Chief Justice of the United States after leaving
the Presidency.
Enjoy dinner included this evening at a local restaurant.
Check in to our local hotel. Baggage handling included.
Day Two, Friday
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Enjoy a deluxe continental breakfast at the hotel this
morning.
Stop for a photo opportunity of The White House.
Drive by Octagon House. This Federal-style townhouse
served as the Executive Mansion for President James
Madison after the British burned the White House in 1814.
Tour the Woodrow Wilson House. This is the house
where President Woodrow Wilson lived after his retirement
at the end of his second term.
Enjoy lunch today at Ben’s Chili Bowl, with high-arched
ceilings, character and plenty of history.
 Only two people are not charged and can eat free at
Ben’s Chili Bowl. Actor Bill Cosby and President
Barak Obama.
Tour President Lincoln’s Cottage. Located on a
picturesque hilltop in Washington, DC, President Lincoln's
Cottage is the most significant historic site directly
associated with Lincoln's presidency aside from the White
House.
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Visit the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of
American History. The new central atrium with skylights
dramatically opening the building. A grand staircase
connects the 1st and second floors. Galleries with over 3
million objects including new galleries and exhibitions
never displayed before.
 There are over 900 Presidential artifacts on display
in the museum. Some items include, Lincoln’s top hat,
George Washington’s uniform, gowns worn by the
first ladies, Presidential china and crystal, Thomas
Jefferson’s bible, Bill Clinton’s saxophone, and much
more.
Enjoy dinner this evening at a local favorite restaurant.
After dinner walk through the Kennedy Center and stop at
the Lincoln Memorial.
Continue with an Illuminated Monument Driving Tour
of the famous and noted memorials and buildings of
Washington DC.
 DID YOU KNOW? The Washington Monument is the
National Memorial to George Washington.
Day Three, Saturday
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Enjoy a deluxe continental breakfast at our hotel this
morning prior to checking out. Baggage handling
included.
Visit Mount Vernon, the estate of George Washington.
Enjoy lunch on your own today at the Food Court at
Mount Vernon.
After lunch continue to Richmond.
Tour The Virginia State Capitol, designed by Thomas
Jefferson, the neo-classical marvel features a hidden dome,
pre-historic fossils in the floor marble and the worldfamous statue of George Washington.
Visit St. John’s Church. St. John's Church in Richmond
became famous as a living memorial to American liberty
when 120 Virginia colonial leaders, including George
Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Richard Henry Lee,
Thomas Nelson, Jr., and Patrick Henry, met there in the
spring of 1775 to avoid the wrath of Royal Governor Lord
Dunmore in Williamsburg. This is where Patrick Henry
gave his fiery “Give me Liberty or Give me Death”
Speech.
Take a driving tour of Richmond including Monument
Avenue, featuring rows of magnificent mansions lining one
of America’s most beautiful streets.
Enjoy dinner this evening at a local restaurant.
Check in to our local hotel. Baggage handling included.
Day Four, Sunday
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Enjoy a deluxe continental breakfast at our hotel this
morning.
Depart for Charlottesville and visit Monticello… Arrive at
Monticello. Tour of Monticello, the mountaintop home of
Thomas Jefferson. The house is a remarkable integration of
classical architecture and modern innovation designed by
Jefferson and built on the mountain top where he had
played as a boy.
Enjoy a buffet lunch today at historic Michie Tavern.
Tour Ash Lawn-Highland. The home of Jefferson’s good
friend and fellow President James Monroe is a 535-acre
estate where visitors can find the atmosphere of an early
19th-century working plantation.
Jefferson’s architectural talents are evident in the classic
beauty of the University of Virginia. He patterned the
Rotunda in his original “Academical Village” after the
Roman Pantheon, and is still the focal point of the grounds.
Enjoy dinner this evening at a local restaurant.
Return to the hotel for the night.
Day Five, Monday
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Enjoy a deluxe continental breakfast at our hotel this
morning prior to checking out. Baggage handling
included.
Depart for Northern Virginia. Visit the National Museum
of the Marine Corps at Quantico. Experience what it
means to be a marine! You will leave with an
understanding of the Marine Corps motto Always Faithful
“Semper Fidelis”.
 DID YOU KNOW? The U.S. Marine Corps is
responsible for the helicopters the President of The
United States uses. When the President is onboard the
uber-expensive chopper uses the radio call sign
Marine One. As a security measure identical
helicopters are in the air when Marine One is flying—
sometimes as many as five at one time. President
Eisenhower was the first President to use a helicopter
as Marine One.
Enjoy lunch on your own in the Mess Hall (cafeteria)
while at the museum.
After lunch depart for home.
From $419.00 per person double occupancy—minimum 30 paid
Minimum 30 paid=no comps; Minimum 35 paid=1 comp in double; Minimum 40 paid=2 comps in double
*Available weekends only, Thursday through Sunday nights. Subject of availability. Excludes special event dates.
To receive a detailed proposal of this tour or to get this
package customized specifically for you and your group, call us
800-769-5912
Tour includes: 4 nights accommodation, baggage handling, 4 deluxe continental breakfasts, 1 lunch, 4 dinners, admissions and guide
service as stated in the itinerary, except gratuity for Guide Service is NOT included.
Home of the Presidents, Virginia – 46,L