A Taste of Spring in Virginia's Wine Country

Departure Points:

Yankee Trails, Rensselaer - 7:00am

Thursday, April 29:

This morning we will travel to beautiful and historic Northern Virginia. Upon our arrival we’ll wind our way up to Bluemont Vineyard on the steep, east-facing slopes of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The multi-floor tasting room and terrace have arguably the best views in all the Mid-Atlantic: terraced vines below, piedmont farmland stretching to the horizon. The Washington Monument 50 miles east is said to be visible on clear days. Here we will enjoy a Sangria Making Competition where you’ll get to sample and vote on a favorite! A buffet dinner is included tonight at Smokin’ Willy’s BBQ. Savor pulled pork and pulled chicken sandwiches, mac & cheese, cole slaw, potato salad and green beans along with cornbread, of course. Then we’ll head to our accommodations for the next two nights at the Home2Suites by Hilton in Ashburn, VA (703-544-9800). This new, all-suite property features an in-room kitchenette, hair dryer, coffee maker and iron/ironing board.

Friday, April 30:

Enjoy a full buffet breakfast (included) at the hotel this morning. George C. Marshall's Dodona Manor is situated on 3.8 acres of gardens on the eastern end of Leesburg's Old and Historic District. General Marshall was described as the "Greatest American of the twentieth century" by both Franklin Roosevelt and Winston Churchill. More than 90 percent of the items in the house belonged to the Marshalls when they lived here in the 1950s. Enjoy a guided tour and history talk with coffee and beignets of this National Historic Landmark. Lunch will be on your own in downtown Leesburg, a picturesque burg with a historic downtown buzzing with craft breweries, cocktail bars, artisanal coffee shops, farm-to-fork restaurants, chic boutiques and home decor stores. Dine on oysters, tacos, homemade pasta and more on King Street, Leesburg’s “restaurant row.” While in downtown everyone will have time at Birch Tree Books and Plants to make a mini terrarium to take home with one of their plant experts. Experience fine wines in an historic setting with a tour & tasting at Zephaniah Farm Vineyard, where family farming traditions meet modern winemaking. This evening we will help solve a mystery in the Carriage House at the Oatlands Historic Home & Gardens for the show, The Mamma Mia Murders with parodies of Abba songs and a murder mystery spin on the popular show. Dinner is included featuring Mediterranean Chicken, Grilled Pork Souvlaki, Roasted Eggplant, Lemon Garlic Potatoes, Pita Bread with tzatziki and hummus with Baklava and Lemon Bars for dessert. We will return to the hotel after the show.

Saturday, May 1:

Enjoy a full buffet breakfast (included) at the hotel this morning before making our way to historic Charlottesville, VA. Michie Tavern served as the social center of its community and accommodated travelers with food, drink and lodging. Located next to Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, this Virginia Landmark captures 18th-century life. Servers dressed in period attire are pleased to take care of your every need. Get a taste of the 18th-century with a buffet lunch (included) of southern fried chicken, stewed tomatoes, black-eyed peas, mashed potatoes, green beans, cole slaw, baby beets, buttermilk biscuits, cornbread and peach cobbler for dessert! No other home in the United States more accurately reflects the personality of its owner than Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's architectural masterpiece and beloved mountaintop home. Monticello is the only home in America recognized by the United Nations as a World Heritage Site. Explore the beautifully preserved house and gardens while learning about Jefferson’s life, innovations, and enduring legacy. A tour and tasting at the Virginia Wine Collective is next. Opened in 2025, the Collective is a dynamic wine production facility and tasting room offering nine private winemaker suites which provide independent winemakers with a home to anchor their licenses and craft their wines, all within a collaborative, supportive environment. A wonderful mix of restored and renovated buildings, dinner will be on your own in the Historic Downtown Mall. Here you can enjoy shopping, dining and entertainment along a brick-paved pedestrian area. A vibrant collection of more than 120 shops and 30 restaurants housed in historic buildings along the city's Main Street. Enjoy dining al fresco at a number of fine restaurants or shop at a number of unique boutiques. After dinner, we will check into our hotel for the night at the Courtyard by Marriott Charlottesville (434-973-7100).

Sunday, May 2:

Enjoy a full breakfast (included) at the hotel this morning. We start the day with a guided tour of the University of Virginia. The original Grounds of the University, including the Rotunda and the Lawn, were designed by Thomas Jefferson to be what he called an "Academical Village." The Rotunda, a half-scale interpretation of the Pantheon in Rome, is the signature landmark of the University and its Dome Room originally housed the University library. Together with Monticello, the Academical Village is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. In 1799, James Monroe and his family moved to Highland, their home in Albemarle County at the urging of Thomas Jefferson. Enjoy a 30-minute outdoor history walk that includes the site of the recently discovered 1799 Main House. Following the history walk, guides accompany visitors through the self-paced experience of the 1818 Guesthouse and interior spaces. A boxed lunch is included before we begin our journey home. Choices are 1)Club Sub (ham, turkey, bacon, cheddar, lettuce, tomato on a hoagie), 2) Turkey & Cheddar (turkey, cheddar, lettuce, tomato on a hoagie), 3) Chicken Salad Croissant (house chicken salad with grapes and lettuce on a croissant) or 4) Veggie Wrap (squash, zucchini, onion, peppers, mushrooms, lettuce, hummus in a spinach wrap). We will then make our way to our hotel accommodations for tonight at the Holiday Inn Columbia East - Jessup in Jessup, MD (410-799-7500). Dinner is on your own at the restaurant located on site or there are options just a short walk or DoorDash away.

Monday, May 3:

Enjoy a full breakfast (included) at the hotel this morning. Enjoy your morning and relax before we head for home. We will arrive in the Capital District around 3pm. One stop each way