Norfolk and Virginia Beach Day #1 / Thursday / April 24 AAA Akron Tour Operations / Tour #379 NORFOLK AND VIRGINIA BEACH VIRGINIA INTERNATIONAL TATTOO AND NORFOLK NATO FEST April 24-27, 2014 6:00 AM Depart Holiday Inn, 4073 Medina Road (Route 18) at I-77 in Montrose 6:30 AM Depart AAA Akron s downtown location, 111 W. Center St. in Akron Rest stop with breakfast availability 11:00 AM Lunch (on your own) in Breezewood, Pennsylvania Afternoon rest stop en route 4:30 PM Arrive at Berkeley Plantation for guided mansion tour with free time to explore the grounds (Berkeley Plantation is considered Virginia s most historic plantation. Berkeley s 1726 Georgian mansion is the birthplace of William Henry Harrison, ninth President of the United States, and ancestral home of his grandson, Benjamin Harrison, the twentythird President. During the Civil War, Berkeley was occupied by General George McClellan s Union troops. While at Berkeley, General Daniel Butterfield composed the familiar tune Taps. This mansion is furnished with a magnificent collection of 18th century artifacts and antiques). 6:00 PM Depart Berkeley Plantation near Charles City, Virginia 6:15 PM Dinner (included) at Cul s Courthouse Grill in Charles City, Virginia (Cul s Courthouse Grille was established in 2009 in a renovated country store that was built in 1872. The heart-pine floors and original doors, down to the wavy glass panes, give this restaurant a unique atmosphere. Delicious home cooking awaits us here. We ll be directly across the street from the historic Charles City Courthouse). 7:15 PM Depart Cul s Courthouse Grill and travel directly to Virginia Beach, Virginia 9:00 PM Hotel check-in: Fairfield Inn and Suites 1901 Atlantic Avenue Virginia Beach, Virginia 23451 Phone: (757) 422-4885 (The Fairfield Inn and Suites is in an excellent location on the Virginia Beach boardwalk and all rooms have a balcony overlooking Virginia Beach. There is a heated indoor pool, whirlpool and exercise room). REMAINDER OF THE EVENING IS AT LEISURE
Day #2 / Friday / April 25 6:30-8:50 AM Breakfast (included) at Fairfield Inn and Suites 9:00 AM Depart Fairfield Inn and Suites and travel to Norfolk Naval Base in Norfolk, Virginia 10:00 AM Take guided tour of Norfolk Naval Base with a Navy sailor aboard our motor coach (Norfolk Naval Base is considered the world s largest and best naval station serving as a homeport to more than 100 ships. It is a maximum security military base. Everyone must present a valid government issued photo I.D., preferably a driver s license. For anyone who does not possess a driver s license, a government issued state I.D. card is acceptable. Everyone will disembark the motor coach for an airport style security check. Anyone who has a medical card for past surgeries to expedite getting through normal airport security should present that documentation at the time of this security check. The Navy sailor conducting this base tour is not allowed to accept gratuities). 11:30 AM Depart Norfolk Naval Base 12:00 PM Lunch (included) at your choice of restaurants at MacArthur Center in Norfolk 1:15 PM Depart MacArthur Center 1:45 PM Arrive at Norfolk Botanical Garden and take an included tram ride with a local guide around this expansive garden with free time to explore afterward (Norfolk Botanical Garden is celebrating its 75 th anniversary this year and is a 155 acre garden that includes one of the largest collections of azaleas, camellias, rhododendrons and roses on the East Coast. The climate controlled Tropical Pavilion houses over 100 varieties of plants from tropical regions throughout the world). 4:15 PM Depart Norfolk Botanical Garden 4:45 PM Arrive at Scope Arena to witness the Norfolk NATO Flag Raising Ceremony (Enjoy a cultural sampling of music and a colorful display of NATO member nation flags and uniforms in this military presentation representing all 28 NATO nations. During this ceremony, a selection of each nation s national anthem will be played as their respective flag is raised. The Supreme Allied Commander Transformation will take place and the mayor of the city of Norfolk will make remarks and honor the senior 5:45PM military member of the year). Depart Scope Arena in Norfolk 6:15 PM Dinner (included) at Surf Club Ocean Grille, a premier restaurant at Wyndham Resort with beautiful views of Virginia Beach and the Atlantic Ocean 8:00 PM Depart Surf Club Ocean Grille and return to the Fairfield Inn and Suites REMAINDER OF THE EVENING IS AT LEISURE Day #3 / Saturday / April 26 6:30 7:50 AM Breakfast (included) at Fairfield Inn and Suites 8:00 AM Depart Fairfield Inn and Suites and return to Norfolk, Virginia 8:25 AM Arrive at Nauticus which is Norfolk s waterfront maritime science museum (Nauticus features exhibits that explore the naval, economic and natural power of the sea. Berthed at Nauticus is Battleship Wisconsin. We will take a self guided tour of the main deck of this vessel which is one of the last and largest battleships built by the U.S. Navy. The main deck features interactive exhibits depicting the history of this ship and life on board. Battleship Wisconsin served in World War II, the Korean War and Operation Desert Storm). 9:45 AM Depart Nauticus and Battleship Wisconsin and take our assigned seats in front of these venues to witness the NATO Fest Parade beginning at 10:00 AM (The NATO Fest Parade includes a Parade of Nations featuring floats from NATO member countries as well as marching bands) 11:30 AM NATO Fest Parade ends 11:45 AM - 1:45 PM Lunch (on your own) at NATO Fest Outdoor Festival in Norfolk s Town Point Park (Each of the 28 NATO member nations will have a booth at this festival, which features international foods, a beer garden, and European street fair entertainment. We will have free time to peruse these booths which may also showcase some products from their respective country with a few items available for sale).
Day #3 / Saturday / April 26 (CONTINUED) 1:45 PM Depart NATO Fest Outdoor Festival in Norfolk 2:00 PM Arrive at Doumar s Cones in Norfolk (Doumar s Cones was founded by Abe Doumar who is considered the creator of the world s first ice cream cone in 1904 at the St. Louis Exposition. Later he built an ice cream stand located in Ocean View Amusement Park, but later destroyed by a powerful hurricane in 1933. George Doumar, his brother, decided to rebuild as an ice cream and barbecue restaurant establishment in 1934 and this is the present day site we will visit. We will watch an ice cream cone making demonstration and then everyone will receive a complimentary delicious ice cream cone). 2:45 PM Depart Doumar s Cones for Douglas MacArthur Memorial and Museum in Norfolk 3:00 PM Arrive at Douglas MacArthur Memorial and Museum for a self guided tour (This is the final resting place of General Douglas MacArthur and a museum about World War I, World War II, and the Korean War. In the main rotunda, the tomb containing MacArthur and his wife is surrounded by inscriptions and flags from the general s military career. A 24 minute documentary on General Douglas MacArthur s life is shown continuously). 5:00 PM Depart Douglas MacArthur Memorial and Museum 5:15 PM Arrive at Scope Plaza in Norfolk to witness the Virginia International Tattoo Hullabaloo during our patriotic picnic dinner (included) with reserved seating After finishing the patriotic picnic dinner, we will have the opportunity to walk around Scope Plaza and see more of the outdoor festivities with Hullabaloo (Two hours prior to each Virginia International Tattoo performance inside Scope Arena, the pre-show Hullabaloo spectacle takes place outdoors at Scope Plaza where it comes alive with dancers, musicians, and much more. Interact with artists, enjoy the bagpipe playing competition and even visit the beer garden). 7:30 PM RESERVED VIP SEATS TO VIRGINIA INTERNATIONAL TATTOO (The Virginia International Tattoo performance inside Scope Arena will inspire audiences, leaving them with a renewed sense of pride and optimism. The Virginia International Tattoo is the second largest performance of its kind in the world behind the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Edinburgh, Scotland every August. This massive tattoo spectacle features over 600 performers from many foreign countries featuring marching bands, precision drill teams, Scottish dancers, massed pipes, choral groups and more! This is the largest show of its kind anywhere in America). 9:30 PM Depart Virginia International Tattoo 10:00 PM Return to Fairfield Inn and Suites for the night Day #4 / Sunday / April 27 7:00 9:30 AM Breakfast (included) at Fairfield Inn and Suites Free time to explore Virginia Beach and peruse the shops along the boardwalk 10:00 AM Luggage out 11:00 AM Depart Fairfield Inn and Suites 11:10 AM Visit unique Tidewater Veterans Memorial in Virginia Beach 11:30 AM Depart Tidewater Veterans Memorial and Virginia Beach and begin journey home Lunch stop en route Afternoon rest stop en route Dinner stop en route 10:30 PM Return to AAA Akron s downtown location, 111 W. Center St. in Akron 11:00 PM Return to Holiday Inn, 4073 Medina Road (Route 18) at 1-77 in Montrose All times are tentative and subject to change without notice. Final documents will be mailed about two weeks prior to departure.
TOUR INCLUDES: Roundtrip deluxe motor coach transportation ~ Anderson Coach or Brecksville Road Transit 3 nights hotel accommodation at Fairfield Inn and Suites in Virginia Beach 7 meals (3 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 3 dinners) Services of AAA Akron Tour Escort Eric Wertz throughout this tour Admissions to the following sites: Berkeley Plantation near Charles City, Virginia Norfolk Naval Base tour Norfolk Botanical Garden with included tram tour NATO Flag Raising Ceremony in Norfolk NATO Fest Parade with excellent reserved seats NATO Fest Outdoor Festival in Norfolk Nauticus Maritime Science Museum in Norfolk Battleship Wisconsin in Norfolk Doumar s Cones in Norfolk Douglas MacArthur Memorial and Museum in Norfolk Virginia International Tattoo in Norfolk (Reserved VIP seats) Tidewater Veterans Memorial in Virginia Beach Baggage handling for one piece of luggage per person Tax and tip on included meals, admissions and hotel accommodations PRICE: DEPOSIT: $799.00 per person based on double occupancy $939.00 per person based on single occupancy $769.00 per person based on triple occupancy $739.00 per person based on quad occupancy $100.00 per person due at the time of booking The final balance is due in full on March 24, 2014. SPECIAL NOTE: This tour involves moderate walking and activity levels. Young adults under age 21 are welcome on this tour if accompanied by an adult over age 21. CANCELLATION POLICY: The $100.00 deposit for this tour is refundable until March 24, 2014. It becomes non-refundable after March 24, 2014 unless your space can be resold. Cancellations under 30 days prior to departure will incur penalties. The amount will depend on refunds from vendors, whether the tour is sold out or not, and several other factors. Cancellation insurance is recommended.
NORFOLK AND VIRGINIA BEACH VIRGINIA INTERNATIONAL TATTOO AND NORFOLK NATO FEST APRIL 24-27, 2014 $799.00 PER PERSON BASED ON DOUBLE OCCUPANCY TOUR #379 / REGISTRATION NAME (PLEASE PRINT): ADDRESS: CITY / STATE / ZIP CODE: PHONE NUMBER WITH AREA CODE: Home: Work or Cell Phone: IF YOU ARE AN AAA MEMBER, PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR MEMBERSHIP NUMBER: BOARDING AT: AAA Akron s downtown location, 111 West Center St. in Akron Holiday Inn, 4073 Medina Road (Route 18) at I-77 in Montrose LICENSE PLATE: YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL OF VEHICLE: ROOMING WITH: REQUEST: Non smoking room Smoking rooms are not available at hotel NAME AND PHONE NUMBER OF EMERGENCY CONTACT: EMAIL ADDRESS FOR UPDATES ON AAA AKRON ESCORTED TOURS: SPECIAL NEEDS OR REQUESTS (requests will be noted but cannot be guaranteed): Please note that a $100.00 deposit per person is required to reserve space on this tour. The final payment is due on March 24, 2014. This tour may be booked and paid at any AAA Akron office using cash, check or a major credit card. If paying by check, please make it payable to AAA Akron and mail it along with the completed registration form to: Eric Wertz, AAA Akron Tour Operations, 111 West Center St., Akron, Ohio 44308 Phone: (330) 762-0631 AAA Akron Locations to Serve You Cuyahoga Falls: (330) 923-4826 Fairlawn: (330) 867-0694 Downtown Akron: (330) 762-0631 Hudson: (330) 650-6727