Awaken Travel Club | 2027 Tour Pick #1
American Heritage
Monuments by moonlight, a grand mountain resort and a step back to 1770.
Washington, D.C., Virginia & The Greenbrier | Hosted by Cindi & Denise
✈️ Flights + the ride to the Atlanta airport included
The trip
Why we love this one
This is the trip for anyone who loved history class, or wishes they had paid more attention. We start in Washington, D.C. with the great monuments in daylight and again lit up after dark, then head into the West Virginia mountains for two slow, pampered nights at The Greenbrier, a grand resort that has been welcoming guests since 1778.
From there it is Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, a full day in Colonial Williamsburg, and George Washington’s Mount Vernon on the way back. Big history, beautiful places, and real time to relax in the middle of it.
The highlights
What we'll do together
D.C. by day and by twilight
The World War II, Lincoln, Korean War and Vietnam memorials, then a second look once they are lit up at night.
Two nights at The Greenbrier
Two dinners at the resort, a guided history tour of the property, and a free day for afternoon tea, croquet, horseback riding or the pool.
Colonial Williamsburg
A whole day on the cobblestone streets of 1770, then a colonial-style farewell dinner at a historic tavern.
Monticello & Mount Vernon
The homes of Thomas Jefferson and George Washington, with time to wander the gardens and grounds.
The route
Where the road takes us
- 1Washington, D.C.Days 1, 2, 7, 8
- 2Arlington & Front RoyalDay 3
- 3The GreenbrierDays 3 & 4
- 4MonticelloDay 5
- 5Colonial WilliamsburgDays 5 & 6
- 6Mount VernonDay 7
Day by day
Your itinerary
- 1
Day 1: Washington, D.C.
Arrive in Washington, D.C. Nothing is scheduled today, so rest up or head out and explore on your own.
Stay: Omni Shoreham Hotel - 2
Day 2: Washington, D.C.
Start at the White House Visitor Center, then a guided visit to the World War II, Lincoln, Korean War Veterans and Vietnam Veterans memorials. Free time on the National Mall to pick your Smithsonian, maybe Air and Space or American History. Welcome dinner together, then a twilight tour of the monuments.
Stay: Omni Shoreham HotelMeals: Breakfast, Dinner - 3
Day 3: Arlington, VA to The Greenbrier, WV
A narrated visit to Arlington National Cemetery, including the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Kennedy gravesites. Free time in historic Front Royal, then a scenic drive through the mountains to The Greenbrier for dinner at the resort.
Stay: The GreenbrierMeals: Breakfast, Dinner - 4
Day 4: The Greenbrier
A guided tour of the resort and its surprising history, then the rest of the day is yours. Afternoon tea, croquet, horseback riding, the pool or a little shopping. Dinner at the resort again tonight.
Stay: The GreenbrierMeals: Breakfast, Dinner - 5
Day 5: Monticello to Williamsburg, VA
Tour Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s home and gardens, then continue to Williamsburg for a free evening.
Stay: Williamsburg InnMeals: Breakfast - 6
Day 6: Colonial Williamsburg
Explore Colonial Williamsburg at your own pace, with lunch on your own in Merchants Square. In the afternoon, choose a session with a historical interpreter or a guided tour on the Native American story of 18th-century Williamsburg. Farewell dinner at a historic tavern, colonial style.
Stay: Williamsburg InnMeals: Breakfast, Dinner - 7
Day 7: Mount Vernon to Washington, D.C.
Free time and lunch in Old Town Alexandria, then George Washington’s Mount Vernon: the house, the gardens and the family tomb. Back to D.C. for a final toast.
Stay: Omni Shoreham HotelMeals: Breakfast - 8
Day 8: Washington, D.C.
The tour wraps up after breakfast. Head home with a camera full of history.
Meals: Breakfast
Hotels listed are the current plan and can change to a similar hotel.
The details
What's included
Included
- ✓Your flights, plus the ride from the Chattanooga area to the Atlanta airport
- ✓7 nights in hand-picked hotels, including 2 nights at The Greenbrier
- ✓11 meals: 7 breakfasts and 4 dinners
- ✓A professional tour manager with the group the whole way
- ✓Motorcoach travel between every stop
- ✓Guided sightseeing and admissions: White House Visitor Center, the D.C. memorials by day and twilight, Arlington National Cemetery, The Greenbrier history tour, Monticello, Colonial Williamsburg and Mount Vernon
Not included
- –Tips for your tour manager and motorcoach driver
- –Meals not listed in the day by day
- –Optional add-ons and anything on your free time
- –Travel insurance (we strongly recommend it)
- –Extra hotel nights in D.C. before or after (easy to add)
The pace
Moderate. You should be comfortable on a leisurely two-hour walking tour of up to about two miles, with breaks.
Fall 2027 departures
Dates
Sep 3 - Sep 10, 2027
Sep 10 - Sep 17, 2027
Oct 8 - Oct 15, 2027
Oct 15 - Oct 22, 2027
Oct 22 - Oct 29, 2027
Oct 29 - Nov 5, 2027
Nov 5 - Nov 12, 2027
✈️ Every tour includes your flights and the ride to the Atlanta airport. We are finalizing group pricing now and will share it soon.
Tour 1 of 3
Is this the one?
This is one of three tours on the club's 2027 shortlist, and you get a say in which one we take first. Cast your vote on our club poll. It only takes a second!
The other two picks
Traveling with you
Your hosts
Cindi Sanden
Denise Karnes
Cindi and Denise started the Awaken Travel Club because travel is better with people who get it. We handle the planning, the questions and the details, so all you have to do is pack and come along.