Norfolk's International Tall Ship Parade and Harborfest

June 7-9

Price per person:

FINAL PAYMENT DUE BY APRIL 6, 2012

Meals Included: 2B, 2D

For Americans the War of 1812 played an important part in our nation's development. The conflict began over maritime disputes between the U.S. and Great Britain and France. Emerging from the war, Americans had a new sense of national pride. This spectacular 30-mile-long parade, showcasing tall ships from around the world, commemorates goodwill among nations, inspires patriotism and fosters interest in American history and heritage.

1 Midafternoon we arrive in Norfolk, Virginia, in time to visit the Norfolk Botanical Gardens. The 155-acre garden has one of the largest collections of azaleas, camellias and rhododendrons on the East Coast. Catch sight of the bird sanctuary, where over 90 species have been seen frequently. We are then off to dinner before retiring for the evening.

2 Our day starts with a tour of the Norfolk Naval Station, the world's largest naval installation. We will drive by Atlantic Fleet training centers, aircraft carriers, cruisers and destroyers, amphibious assault vessels and sleek submarines. Our next stop, Nauticus, The National Maritime Center, is a high-tech, virtual reality "museum" which allows us to explore the rich life of the ocean realm. Here will we visit the USS Wisconsin, one of the largest battleships ever built, and tour the Hampton Roads Naval Museum. After lunch, we stop at the Douglas MacArthur Memorial before viewing the Parade of Sails aboard the Spirit of Norfolk sightseeing cruise. This is a spectacular 30-mile-long parade of ships from all over the world.

3 We are off to our last stop, a tour of one of the international tall ships berthed on the downtown Norfolk waterfront. This is a rare opportunity not to be missed! After lunch, we depart for home.