Colonies to Country
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Experience Our Nation Like Never Before


April 29-May 09, 2024
Double Occupancy: $4995 per person
Single Occupancy: $5695 per person
Airfare is not included.

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Join Go Learn and trip leader (and beloved Osher professor!) Larry Gerlach as we learn the good, the bad, and the ugly of a very specific slice of American history—a century of events leading up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence and immediately after the end of the Revolutionary War. We will travel from Historic Jamestown to the United States’ first capital city, Philadelphia, to hear the stories of not only those who helped unite the British colonies politically but of those whose contributions have been overlooked in our history books. From the earliest settlements to the signing of the Treaty of Paris, this 10-day journey through time will guarantee that you will never again think about Independence Day in quite the same way as before.


Tour Highlights Include:

Liberty Bell

  • Explore Colonial Williamsburg
  • Visit Virginia’s Historic Triangle: Historic Jamestown, the Jamestown Settlement, and Yorktown Battlefield
  • See iconic monuments on a walking tour of Washington D.C.
  • Visit the National Archives to see the Declaration of Independence and Bill of Rights
  • Tour historic Monticello and Mount Vernon
  • Discover Historic Downtown Philadelphia on a walking tour
  • Visit Valley Forge and the location of Washington’s Crossing
  • Admission to the Museum of American Revelation and Constitution Hall
  • Beautiful accommodations in the heart of historical locations

Daily Itinerary


Day One: Welcome to Virginia
Monday April 29, 2024

You’ll arrive in Virginia, in either Richmond or Newport News, and make your way to Colonial Williamsburg where we’ll be waiting for you at the hotel, Williamsburg Lodge. You’ll want to head to bed early, we’re starting bright and early in the morning.

Hotel: Williamsburg Lodge
Activity Level: Moderate

Day Two: The Beginning and the End: Historic Jamestown and Yorktown Battlefield
Tuesday April 30, 2024

YorktownWe’ll get an early start this morning! We’ll board a private coach bright and early to go to the famous Old Chickahominy House for a classic Virginian breakfast. Afterward, we’ll head to the Historic Jamestown and the Jamestown Settlement. In 1607, Jamestown was the first permanent English settlement in North America. We’ll be able to see the ruins of the original English buildings, view the archeological sites currently being excavated, and see artifacts from the original English settlers. Next, it’s off to Yorktown where, as any Hamilton fan will tell you, George Washington’s army defeated the English General Cornwallis and his troops. The British surrender at the Battle of Yorktown would be the beginning of the end of the British colonies and directly lead to America’s victory in the War of Independence. You’ll lunch on your own at one of the nearby pubs and restaurants before exploring the Battle of Yorktown memorial and battlefield.

Afterward, it’s back to the Williamsburg Lodge and the evening is yours. Rest up, there’s lots of adventure ahead.

Hotel: Williamsburg Lodge
Meal: B
Activity Level: Moderate to Strenuous

Day Three: A Journey Back in Time
Wednesday May 1, 2024

Colonial WilliamsburgWe’ll breakfast at the hotel and then make our way on foot to the streets of Colonial Williamsburg. We’ll start our day at the visitor’s center for a film and a quick orientation from the local guides. Then we’ll explore Colonial Williamsburg as a group, with highlights pointed out to us by our trip leader. Later, we’ll lunch at one of Colonial Williamsburg’s historical taverns.

Afterward, you’ll have the rest of the day free to explore on your own, including finding your own dinner at one of Williamsburg’s many delightful restaurants. After you’ve had fun for the day, head back to the Williamsburg Lodge, where you can rest up for tomorrow.

Hotel: Williamsburg Lodge
Meals: B, L
Activity Level: Moderate to Strenuous

Day Four: Exploring Colonial Williamsburg
Thursday May 2, 2024

Colonial Williamsburg Capitol buildingWe’ll have breakfast at the hotel again and then meet up at the Colonial Williamsburg Capitol Building for another highlight tour before spending another day exploring Colonial Williamsburg at your leisure. It will be up to you to find a great place for lunch and then we’ll meet at the King's Arms Tavern that evening for dinner and discussion. We’ll be spending our last night at the Williamsburg Lodge.

Be sure to get plenty of sleep for our journey tomorrow.

Hotel: Williamsburg Lodge
Meals: B, D
Activity Level: Moderate to Strenuous




Day Five: “Architecture is my delight.” --Thomas Jefferson
Friday May 3, 2024

MonticelloWe’ll have our final breakfast at the hotel and then it will be time to bid farewell to Colonial Williamsburg as we depart for Monticello. After a historical lecture on the drive, we’ll spend the day exploring the former home of Thomas Jefferson. We’ll tour the house and gardens before visiting Jefferson’s tomb and the burial ground for enslaved people as a group. Then we’ll have lunch at Historic Michie Tavern, being sure to leave time for you to explore their charming antique store and gift shop.

Later, we’ll take a short trip to the University of Virginia. Established by Thomas Jefferson in 1819, the University of Virginia counts among its many illustrious alumni the likes of Edgar Allan Poe, Georgia O’Keeffe, Robert F. Kennedy, Katie Couric, Tina Fey, and eight NASA astronauts. You’ll see the historic Rotunda and Lawn as you tour this world heritage site and learn about the Jeffersonian architecture and history of the university.

You’ll be on your own for dinner after we stop for the night at the Courtyard Marriott Charlottesville.

Hotel: Courtyard Marriott Charlottesville
Meals: B, L
Activity Level: Moderate to Strenuous

Day Six: George Washington Slept Here
Saturday May 4, 2024

MonticelloThis will be an early morning for us all. We’ll have breakfast at the hotel at 7:00 A.M. and then it’s back on the bus to head to Mount Vernon by 8:00 A.M. During the 2 ½ hour drive we’ll hear about Washington’s life and the history of Mount Vernon. We’ll spend the morning exploring the home of George Washington and surrounding garden before visiting his tomb and the burial ground for enslaved people. For lunch, you’ll get to pick from one of the many options available on the grounds.

We’ll depart for Washington D.C. after lunch and head straight to the Library of Congress, one of the largest libraries in the world. Established by Thomas Jefferson in 1802, the library houses over 173 million items and serves as the home of the United States Copyright Office.

Afterward, we’ll check into the Washington Marriot Georgetown and the rest of the night will be yours.

Hotel: Washington Marriott Georgetown
Meal: B
Activity Level: Moderate to Strenuous


Day Seven: Put Your John Hancock Here
Sunday May 5, 2024

Capitol HillWe’ll have breakfast at the hotel and then make our way to the National Archives where we’ll see the Declaration of Independence and Bill of Rights. Then we’ll take a 3-mile walking tour of all the monuments in the National Mall. We’ll pay a special visit to the monument of the signers of the Declaration of Independence before we stop by to say hello to Mr. Jefferson at his monument.

After that, the rest of the day is yours to explore our nation’s capital. Enjoy!

Hotel: Washington Marriott Georgetown
Meal: B
Activity Level: Moderate to Strenuous

Day Eight: The City of Brotherly Love
Monday May 6, 2024

PhiladelphiaWe’ll have breakfast at the hotel and then we’re off to Philadelphia. While we travel the three hours to Philadelphia, we’ll hear about the background behind what we’ll be seeing, such as the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the history of Philadelphia as the nation’s capital. We’ll head straight to the Museum of the American Revolution where we will have boxed lunches in a private room before touring the exhibits.

Later, we’ll check into Marriott Old City and then the rest of the day is yours to explore.

Hotel: Marriott Old City
Meals: B, L
Activity Level: Moderate

Day Nine: It’s Not That Kind of Mall
Tuesday May 7, 2024

We’ll have breakfast at the hotel, then it’s a short walk to Historical Downtown where we will spend the morning visiting Carpenter’s Hall, Independence Hall, Congress Hall, and Constitution Center. We end our tour in Reading Terminal Market, 12th and Arch, where you can have lunch or continue exploring this historical town at your leisure. There is a plethora of possibilities. You can get a famous Philadelphia pretzel from a street vendor; go down Elfreth’s Alley—the oldest residential street in America; see the Liberty Bell; visit Christ Church Burial ground; see President Washington’s House or the Quaker Meeting House; explore the Benjamin Franklin Museum; see the Betsy Ross House (spoiler, she did NOT make the 1776 flag); or, see the largest operating musical instrument: the famous Wanamaker organ, at Macy’s Department Store!

The rest of the afternoon is yours. In the evening we’ll meet up for a group discussion before you head out for dinner on you own.

Hotel: Marriott Old City
Meal: B
Activity Level: Moderate to Strenuous

Day 10: Historic Valley Forge
Wednesday May 8, 2024

Valley ForgeWe’ll have breakfast at the hotel and head out to Valley Forge. Valley Forge was a naturally defensible plateau that was only a day’s march from the city, so General Washington decided to have his troops winter there. On December 19, 1777, 12,000 soldiers and 400 women and children marched into Valley Forge and began to build what became the fourth largest city in the colonies at the time, with 1,500 log huts and two miles of fortifications. From December 1777 to June 1778 the Continental Army lived here and it was here that they became a cohesive and disciplined fighting force under Washington’s leadership. Lunch will be on your own before we return to Philadelphia. Once we are back in the city, you are free to continue exploring before we meet up for a final historical lecture followed by our farewell dinner.

Hotel: Marriott Old City
Meals: B, D
Activity Level: Moderate to Strenuous

Day 11: Farewell For Now
Thursday May 9, 2024

We’ll have breakfast at the hotel and then it’s time to bid farewell. As Abigail Adams said, “There is something always melancholy in the idea of leaving a place...” We’ll be sad to part ways with you, but grateful for our time together, and hope to see you soon at the reunion!

Meal: B

Larry Gerlach

LarryAfter receiving a BS in Education and MA in History from the University of Nebraska and PhD in from Rutgers University, I taught at the University of Utah from 1968-2013 save for one year as a Fellow at the Institute of Early American History where I taught a class at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. In addition to teaching college classes, teacher workshops, and OSHER courses on the American Revolution, I have published several books and numerous scholarly articles on the subject. I have also taught and written about Utah history, baseball, and the Olympics.





Details and What to Expect



Pre-Departure

Like all Go Learn journeys, the adventure begins at home. We'll make sure you have all the information you need before you arrive in Virginia — we'll answer questions about what to pack, how to get around, and our daily itinerary. We want you to arrive in Philly ready to learn!

A trip reunion about a month after returning will be the perfect conclusion to our journey. We will exchange pictures and stories while remembering the highlights of our tour. Go Learn expeditions are designed to be small, boutique experiences where one returns with a group of friends. Good food, drink, and company await us at this reunion.

Anyone unable to attend these meetings will receive a tour package and any information shared. The real focus is our trip, a group experience beyond your usual travel!

Weather

We will be traveling in late spring in the hopes of avoiding the heat and humidity of the summer. Daytime highs should be in the upper 70s F with lows in the upper 50s *F. Humidity can be high, but cool evenings will balance the weather beautifully for us. There is a chance of rain at this time of year but overall, the weather and temperatures should be pleasant.

Activity Levels and Restrictions

In order to fully explore the sights on our itinerary, we will be walking every day sometimes up to 8 miles. Most city walking is flat on paved surfaces. When visiting gardens, museums and churches, we may be walking long distances or standing on our feet for prolonged times. Be sure to bring comfortable walking shoes! Since we will be waking up early with jet lag, we often will start our days early and continue until sundown. Our exciting itinerary and daily learning adventures will keep you happily exhausted.This is an Activity Level 2 trip. Learn More about our activity levels here.

Dates

April 29 - May 9, 2024

Philladeplphia at Night Size

Tour is limited to 20 participants

Cost

Double Occupancy: $4995 per person
Single Supplement: $5695 per person

See Terms for payment and cancellation details.


Included
  • Fully guided and all-encompassing tour, specifically designed by Go Learn. Visiting historic locations such as: Jamestown, Colonial Williamsburg, Washington D.C, Philadelphia, Valley Forge, Monticello, and Mount Vernon
  • Informal lectures and chats led by Larry
  • Ten nights of accommodation in Marriott hotels including breakfast
  • Transportation by private bus
  • Local guides, museum entrances, special entrance fees, all included
  • Meals at historical Taverns and restaurants
  • Free time, with plenty of suggestions, to explore history on your own
Not Included
  • Airfare to and from Salt Lake City
  • Airport transfers
  • Cancellation and lost luggage insurance
  • Any meals not specifically named in the itinerary
  • Any costs outside of the itinerary