Historic Old Town and a Visit to our Colonial Past

You will board your luxury mini coach and travel over the Potomac River to historic Old Town Alexandria, the famous port city along the Potomac that was home to many of our nation’s founding fathers. The coach will pass Christ Church, where both George Washington and Robert E. Lee worshiped, the Lee Boyhood Home, the Lee-Fendell House, the Carlyle House, George Washington’s townhouse, Gadsby’s Tavern – an authentic 18th century tavern and the Apothecary Shop. You will be led on a brief walking tour with your guide who will fill you in on the details as you pass historic sites. Spend some time visiting the city’s numerous galleries and quaint shops along historic King Street. Another favorite spot to visit while in Old Town is the famous Torpedo Factory, filled with over one hundred studios, galleries and unusual works of art.

You will stop for lunch at Restaurant Eve, a historic warehouse building now converted into a quaint yet sophisticated restaurant. The upscale Bistro appeals to the neighborhood and boasts both flavor and selection with choices such as Bouillabaisse, Braised Shortribs, and Salt Baked Prawns. The beverage selections of ‘Edenesque’ cocktails, hailed ‘Some of the best in the Nation’ are pure innovation by sommelier, partner and general manager, Todd Thrasher.

After lunch, you will re-board the coach and continue down the picturesque George Washington Parkway to Mount Vernon, America’s most visited historic house. Home to George Washington, the estate sits on a grassy, shaded slope overlooking the Potomac River. Upon arrival you will pass thru the newest additions to the estate: The Ford Orientation Center and Donald W. Reynolds Museum and Education Center. The 25 galleries and theaters that make up the new buildings house iconic artifacts and state-of-the-art exhibits that complement the historic area experience by illuminating fascinating chapters of Washington's life. The exhibits depict Washington as an incomparable American hero who evolved from a young man of modest means into this country’s first and greatest president.

From the visitor’s center, you will make your way along the garden path to Washington’s home, where you will be presented with an authentic look at the life of George and Martha Washington. Docents will describe the rich history and significant historical events that took place in each of the bright and colorful rooms in the mansion. From there, you will tour the outbuildings where much of the day-to-day domestic activity on the plantation took place – from the curing, spinning and laundry houses to the living quarters for overseers and slaves.

You will return to the hotel after a day spent back in time visiting eighteenth century Virginia.

Price: $205 per person, includes lunch

Washington’s Great Private Collection

Begin your day traveling by luxury mini coach to the exciting neighborhood of Dupont Circle to visit The Phillips Collection, Washington’s beloved museum of modern art and the oldest in the United States. Duncan Phillips sought to create an intimate and comfortable setting in which to view art, thus the rooms of this Georgian Revival mansion, once the private home of the Phillips family, are as eye-catching as the art. Exquisite rooms feature lovely oriental carpets, original pieces of furniture, beautiful wall coverings and molding. Be sure to look at the fireplaces in the main house; each one is unique and a work of art in itself. Throughout thecollection, a splendid selection of Master Paintings include works by Renoir, Degas, van Gogh, O’Keefe, Daumier and Manet with a total of 2,500 works available for viewing. A Phillips docent will be on hand to point out pieces the museum is especially proud to won, such as Renoir’s A Luncheon of the Boating Party.

Opening on February 21, 2009 is “Morandi: Master of Modern Still Life”. Combining a subtlety of design with a meditative aura, Morandi’s finesse remains unrivaled. For the first time in more than 50 years, a retrospective exhibition of his work will be presented in Washington, D.C. and will feature some 50 paintings drawn primarily from collections in Italy, with key additions from collections in the U.S.

After visiting Phillips Collection, your guests will board their coach and depart for the fashionable neighborhood of historic Georgetown. Your tour guide will point out the homes where such notable Washingtonian’s as John and Jackie Kennedy, Elizabeth Taylor, Senator John Warner, Kitty Kelly, Robert Todd Lincoln, Pamela Harriman, Ben Bradley, Salley Quinn and more have lived. The Old Stone House, Georgetown’s oldest landmark. This typical home from the pre-Revolutionalry time period is a wonderful example of 18th century architecture.

You will stop for lunch at Café Milano, Georgetown’s society café that is a favorite gathering place for Washingtonians including President Clinton. We rather fancy the couturier-inspired interior of this Georgetown Italian restaurant, its walls decorated with framed ties and scarves from Milan’s top designers. Enjoy the enormous veal chop, delicate angel hair with basil and tomatoes, the fettuccine Bolognese, various risotti or the daily grilled fish. You will want to “walk off” your lunch with a bit of shopping. A shopping excursion to Georgetown through the narrow streets and in and out of unique boutiques and fashionable chain stores such as Banana Republic, Williams Sonoma, Ann Taylor and The Gap is a delightful journey! The Shops at Georgetown Park houses more than 100 world-class shops, boutiques, galleries and cafes, set in a charming European-style marketplace blending Victorian and federal architecture. You will return to the hotel after a satisfying day - filled with culture, delicious food and great shopping.

Price: $165 per person, includes lunch