Capital Region Fly-Drive (9 days)

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Day 1 Washington, DC
Washington, DC is a cosmopolitan capital city, packed with many famous sights and free attractions and home to some of the world’s best-known museums and galleries. Combine this with hip new restaurants and bars, stunning hotels, great nightlife, live music, theatres, charming neighbourhoods and terrific shopping options and you have a fantastic start to your trip through the Capital Region.

Day 2 Baltimore/Annapolis
Travel onwards to the city known as “ Charm City” – Baltimore – where its not so much a place as an experience. Baltimore has an astounding array of choices from upscale malls to antiques and designer shops. Also, check out the city’s fantastic restaurants, and the “lively restored area of Fells Point., where many old bars and pubs have been restored. Here you can sample an astonishing array of cuisines, along with world-famous Chesapeake bay cuisine. Then discover the “Yachting Capital of the Chesapeake” today – lovely Annapolis. The vibe is laid-back, the scenery is awe-inspiring and the local fare is seasoned with the flavors of the Chesapeake Bay. The narrow streets feature historic homes and restored buildings and the waterfront harbor in Annapolis allows for ship watching, harbor cruises and the lively cafes and shops are in inviting place to relax.

Day 3 Cheseapeake Bay area
Explore Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Visit the beautiful Chesapeake harbor town of St. Michaels’s, Here, you can feast on the local specialty – crab - whilst overlooking the small picturesque harbour. Browse through the town with its antique shops, ice cream parlours and cafes and simply sit back and enjoy the delightful ambiance of this quaint town.

Day 4 & 5 Virginia Beach
Stroll the 40 blocks of boardwalk or just relax on the vast expanse of soft sand. Virginia Beach is the world’s longest pleasure beach! Kayak Virginia’s coastal waters on a search for dolphins. At night, the beachfront comes alive, as you sit with your cocktail on the boardwalk, watching the sun set, before enjoying a meal at one of the many restaurants.

Day 6 Williamsburg
Don’t miss Colonial Williamsburg, the most extensively restored 18th century town in the US. Nearby, the thrills and spills of Busch Gardens Williamsburg combines 17th-century charm with 21st-century technology to create the ultimate family experience.

Day 7 Charlottesville
Travel through an area which Thomas Jefferson called the “Eden of the country.” You can visit his home, Monticello, atop a mountain in Albemarle County. It is described as one of the country’s foremost architectural masterpieces. Today, Charlottesville is a charming college town with many shops, restaurants and tea rooms.

Day 8 Shenandoah Valley
Your route takes you through lush rolling countryside, past gracious horse farms to the splendour of the Skyline Drive. Travel this National Scenic Byway, stopping at overlooks for views of the valley below. With more than 500 miles of hiking trails, you can relax and explore the lush forests, streams, waterfalls and wildflowers. Amble along a beautiful bridle path on a guided horseback ride. Visit Luray Caverns, the largest caverns on the east coast.

Day 9
Return to Washington to drop off your car and catch your flight home.

Virginia
Virginia Beach boasts a boardwalk full of bars, restaurants and nightclubs and also has long wide stretches of golden sands. Surf, skim or boogie board all summer-long. Don't miss Colonial Williamsburg, the most ex­tensively restored 18th century town in the US. Nearby, the thrills and spills of Busch Gardens Williamsburg combines 17th-century charm with 21st-century technology to create the ultimate family experience.Spend time in the charming town of Charlottesville, with boutiques, antique shops and bookstores all situated amongst a cobbled Main Street with restaurants and tea rooms. On your way back to Washington, DC, you can travel through the lush rolling countryside, home to 130 vineyards and recently voted one of the top 5 hottest wine regions in the world. Drive and enjoy the splendour of the Skyline Drive and travel this National Scenic Byway, stopping at overlooks for views of the valley below. With more than 500 miles of hiking trails, you can relax and explore the lush forests, streams, waterfalls and wildflowers. Amble along a beautiful bridle path on a guided horseback ride and make sure you visit Luray Caverns, the largest caverns on the east coast.

Maryland
The Chesapeake Bay Eastern shore, just a leisurely drive from D.C. and Baltimore has some great hideways, including the picturesque waterfront village of St Michaels, where you can browse around the specialty shops, art galleries and boutiques, before stopping to enjoy some freshly-caught crabs and oysters. A great location for rejuvenating, golfing, sailing or simply sitting with a glass of wine, your favourite book and watch the boats pass by. Lose yourself in the quaint seaport village of Annapolis, known as the “Yachting Capital of the USA” with its narrow streets featuring historic homes and restored buildings and the waterfront harbour allows for ship watching and harbour cruises. The vibe is laid-back, the scenery is awe-inspiring and the local food is seasoned with the flavours of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore, know as "Charm City", features the Inner Harbor, waterfront restaurants serving fresh local seafood and attractions such as the National Aquarium and Maryland Science Center. Here you’ll find Harborplace & the Gallery, crammed with named shops and cafes. Take a water taxi to the lively restored area of Fells Point, home to bars and pubs and quirky shops. In-season don’t miss the Duck Tours, the perfect way to experience the city’s highlights by land and water.