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Already Walked for 2011!
With Christmas-themed walks in Colonial Williamsburg (both day and night), historic Jamestown, Yorktown, and a Civil War walk in Richmond!
We are excited to present a historic yuletide tour of Colonial Williamsburg and the surrounding Tidewater region of Virginia! This Adventure offers a chance to walk back in time and experience the rich Christmas traditions of the 18th century, when America was launching its struggle for independence. With costumed interpreters, period homes and businesses bedecked in beautiful lights and greenery, as well as festive celebrations all around, Williamsburg offers an array of attractions! In addition, we will branch out from our colonial home base in Williamsburg to explore other historical treasures in the area.
Attention Non-Walkers:
Colonial Williamsburg provides a fun holiday experience for everyone, walkers and non-walkers alike! If you’d like to join us for the fun, but opt out of the walks, you can enjoy the endless holiday sights and sounds of the Historic Area while the walkers are out on the trail. In Richmond, you can explore the Civil War legacy of Capitol Square while the rest of us are walking. For more information, give us a call, or write “non-walker” on your Registration Form when you sign up.
How to Register
To save yourself a spot on this Adventure, contact us to register with a $500 payment as soon as possible. Reservations will be accepted on a first-come-first-serve basis! Click here for more registration details.
A Note on the Walks
Walks are rated on a scale of 1-5. A walk rated 1 is fairly level and easy and a walk rated 5 is hilly and considered a challenging hike - see below for more details. (1 kilometer = .62 miles)
Daily Itinerary
DAY 1: DEC 8: ARRIVE WILLIAMSBURG, VA
Travelers arrive from across the country today into Williamsburg/Newport News, a region known as America’s Historic Triangle. A shuttle is provided from the Williamsburg airport (PHF) to our hotel in Colonial Williamsburg, where we begin 6 days and 5 nights of Christmas celebration that bring to life some of America’s most significant historical eras. Following a get-acquainted orientation this evening, feel free to explore the dazzling Yuletide sights and sounds of Williamsburg’s restored 18th century charms.
DAY 2: DEC 9: ACTIVITIES FROM WILLIAMSBURG (B)
Jamestown Walk - 6 km, rated 1+
Colonial Williamsburg Night Walk - 5 or 10 km, rated 1
We start our morning by traveling over 400 years back in time to the very roots of our nation’s story. With a walk through America’s first permanent English settlement at Jamestown, a newfound appreciation develops for our 17th century forbearers. Following this first of many historic strolls, a short journey ushers us into Jamestown Settlement, a living-history museum where our Colonial Christmas guided tour is enhanced by costumed interpreters. Enjoy the Settlement’s outdoor re-creations of a Powahatan Indian village, three 1607 ships, and the colonists’ fort before returning to our hotel for the balance of the afternoon. This evening, bundle up and prepare for a dazzling display of holiday lights and carolers as we merrily meander along on a Colonial Williamsburg Night Walk.
DAY 3: DEC 10: ACTIVITIES FROM WILLIAMSBURG (B)
Colonial Williamsburg Day Walk - 5 or 10 km, rated 1
Yorktown Battlefield Walk - 5 km, rated 1+
The famous decorative doors of Williamsburg await our admiring stares this morning as we savor another Christmas walk. Following lunch, our motorcoach transports us along the scenic Colonial Parkway on our way to Yorktown, site of the decisive and final battle of the Revolutionary War, where George Washington and our French allies forced the British to surrender. At Yorktown Victory Center, envision this momentous event as we listen to historic accounts of Christmas and winter in the Revolutionary War encampments. Then retrace the footsteps of our first commander-in-chief on the Yorktown Battlefield before we return to our hotel. The remainder of the evening is free for you to enjoy dinner and further explore our charming surroundings.
DAY 4: DEC 11: ACTIVITIES FROM WILLIAMSBURG (B)
Today offers a wonderful opportunity to dive deeper into the Christmas delights, sights, and sounds of Colonial Williamsburg. During the morning, our group is treated to a custom-made guided walking tour of the Historic Area, with the remainder of the day devoted to choosing your very own holiday adventure. During our stay in Williamsburg, we have unlimited entry to all daytime programs, museums, exhibition sites, and Revolutionary City. With a pleasant footpath and a convenient complimentary shuttle that stops at eight different locations, you will enjoy easy access from our hotel to a wonderful variety of musical and dance programs, dining events, and much more. A helpful printed guide to optional programs will be provided to help you maximize your free time in our colonial home away from home.
DAY 5: DEC 12: ACTIVITIES FROM WILLIAMSBURG (BD)
Richmond, Virginia Capitol Walk - 10 km, rated 2
A short drive north this morning takes us back to another crucial moment in American history as we walk in Richmond, current capital of Virginia and former capital of the Confederacy during the Civil War. While the city has changed a great deal in the last 150 years, many fine buildings and historical markers have survived and re-create for us a sense of this city’s important role in our national story. On our afternoon return trip to Williamsburg, we make a memorable stop at Shirley Plantation, one of the gracious country manor houses of the James River. Revel in a “Home for the Holidays” tour at this oldest of Virginia’s plantations, founded in 1613. Bring a healthy appetite as we close out our evening in style with an included dinner at one of Williamsburg’s historic taverns.
DAY 6: DEC 13: DEPART WILLIAMSBURG (B)
Following breakfast at our hotel, transfers are provided back to the Williamsburg/Newport News airport for our flights home. Full of historic holiday memories spanning several centuries, we return home to warmly celebrate our very own traditions with family and friends.
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What's Included
Williamsburg Colonial Christmas 2011
December 8-13, 2011 l 6 Days l $1475
Including:
- All land travel as outlined
- Superior tourist-class hotel accommodations – 5 nights in the same hotel near Colonial Williamsburg’s world-renowned Historic Area
- Airport to hotel transfers on first and last day**
- All breakfasts and 1 dinner as listed in itinerary (BD)
- 5 AVA-sanctioned walks as listed (including Jamestown, Yorktown, Richmond, and 2 special event day and night walks in Colonial Williamsburg)
- Fees for walking credit
- All tipping for local guides and coach drivers
- WAI guide service throughout
- Single supplements are available: $325
- Entrance fees/admission to:
- Colonial Williamsburg
- Jamestown Settlement
- Historic Jamestown
- Yorktown Battlefield
- Yorktown Victory Center
- Guided historical tour of Colonial Williamsburg Historic Area
- Shirley Plantation “Home for the Holidays” tour
- 18th century style dinner at one of Williamsburg’s historic taverns
- More fun stops than we can list!
Optional Excursions:
- Countless holiday programs and musical events available throughout the day and evening in Colonial Williamsburg
**Details of transfers provided are listed in Adventure Advice memo sent upon receipt of tour registration.
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Registration Details
To reserve your spot on this adventure, please mail the Registration Form along with a $500 per person deposit, or call in with your credit card. Make checks payable to Walking Adventures International. VISA, MasterCard, and Discover also accepted.
The General Tour Conditions contain important information you should read before you register.
Mail payments to:
Walking Adventures International
PO Box 871000
Vancouver WA 98687-1000
USA
Travel Insurance
Walking Adventures has negotiated with an insurance carrier to provide travel insurance in the form of a Preferred Benefits™ policy. We are pleased to make this package available and believe that it will provide travelers with an important element of security at a reasonable price.
Why We Walk
Why We Walk
Walking and travel are a natural combination! For over 20 years, our Walking Adventures International team has been offering walking programs around the world, and we’ve found that walking and motorcoach travel is the best way to tour. Our coach takes you efficiently from point to point with little wasted time, but walking lets you get off the bus, stretch your legs, and explore the "must see" highlights and off-the-beaten-track wonders. For more on Why We Walk, click here.
Walk Rating System
1. An easy walk on pavement or well-maintained trail with no significant hills.
2. A moderately easy walk, may be on pavement or on trails. No significant difficulty with hills.
3. A moderate walk in any setting with some difficult terrain, one or two substantial hills and/or steps.
4. A more difficult walk. Most likely in a natural setting with poorly maintained paths and steeper or hilly inclines.
5. A very difficult walk. All in rough fields or woods. Many steep hills or high altitude trails, or very rough uneven terrain, steep or unstable inclines.
Volkssport
Some travelers like to keep track of their walks with a system known as volkssport. Click here if you’d like to know more about volkssport.
General Questions
And follow this link for more details on topics like: WAI’s approach to airfare, the number of people accepted on a tour, and finding a roommate!
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