Travel

Travel Class - Virginia's Civil War

Tuesday, June 18, 2019 | 4:00-5:00pm

Virginia’s Civil War: Campaign & Battles of the Old Dominion, Part II with Civil War Historian Rick Britton

The perfect class for both recent transplants and local history buffs who want to delve a bit deeper!

We’ll start off with an astounding Confederate victory, Chancellorsville, then explore the Gettysburg Campaign, the second invasion of the North. In 1864, with the advent of Union Gen. U. S. Grant—and adept, and aggressive commander—we’ll witness the slow grinding down of Confederate forces. The Overland Campaign led inexorably to the siege of Petersburg and Richmond . . . which led inevitably into the Appomattox Campaign and defeat. Join us as we explore the last two years of the conflict in the Old Dominion (each session featuring a slide presentation)—a great way to learn about Virginia’s Civil War!

An award-winning local historian, Rick Britton has published scores of articles on the Civil War, and two books— Jefferson: A Monticello Sampler (2008), and Virginia Vignettes: Famous Characters & Events in Central Virginia History (2015).

The class startsTuesday, June 4th, 4:00–5:30 p.m. (and continuing for another 5 Tuesdays at The Center, the Travel class will be the 6th Tuesday). 

• Tuesday, June 4th - 4:oo pm – The Chancellorsville Campaign
• Tuesday, June 11th - 4:oo pm – The Gettysburg Campaign
• Tuesday, June 18th - 4:oo pm – The Wilderness & Spotsylvania Court House 
• Tuesday, June 25th - 4:oo pm – The Battles of North Anna & Cold Harbor
• Tuesday, July 2nd - 4:oo pm – The Siege of Petersburg & Richmond
• Tuesday, July 9th - 4:oo pm – The Appomattox Campaign
• Tuesday, July 30th – Travel Session: An entire day touring Overland Campaign battlefields with historian Rick Britton. We’ll start off by seeing the Mule Shoe at Spotsylvania Court House (one of the war’s most heavily contested defensive positions), then take a trail walk through the North Anna site. After lunch we’ll tour the beautifully preserved Confederate works at Cold Harbor. Join us! (Tour departs 8:00 a.m., returns between 4:30 & 5:30 p.m. Travel Session is a separate charge $68.)

Location: The Center

Travel Buddy Networking

Wednesday, July 3, 2019 | 5:00-6:00pm

Why travel alone when you can go with a friend? Here’s your opportunity to meet others who are interested in visiting local sites and attractions. We connect each month to make plans for upcoming weeks.

Members only.

Location: The Center

Contact: Nancy Grim 434.973.7515

Fee: free

Hollywood Casino

Saturday, July 20, 2019 | 9:00-9:00pm

Join us on Saturday for a fun day at the Hollywood Casino in Charles Town, West Virginia.  The Casino is the place for exciting Vegas-style games. Play the slots or enjoy the many table games such as Black Jack, Poker, etc.  You will receive $20 in slots play on arrival.  Activity level - Easy. Lunch on your own at the Casino.

Open to all.

Location: The Center

Riverside Center for the Performing Arts - South Pacific

Wednesday, July 24, 2019 | 9:30-5:30pm

Set against the dramatic background of an idyllic South Pacific island during WWII, Rodgers and Hammerstein's "South Pacific" intertwines the themes of romance and duty to create a story that is all at once hilarious and heartbreaking. Enjoy favorite songs such as Bali Hai, I'm Going to Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair, Younger Than Springtime and Some Enchanted Evening. Lunch is included. Activity Level - Easy 

Open to all.

Location: Riverside Theatre

Travel Session - Overland Campaign

Tuesday, July 30, 2019 | 8:00-5:30pm

We will spend an entire day touring the Overland Campaign Battlefields with local Historian Rick Britton. We will begin the day by seeing the Mule Shoe at Spotsylvania Court House (one of the war's most heavily contested defensive positions), then we will take a trail walk through the North Anna site. After lunch, we will tour the beautifully preserved Confederate works at Cold Harbor. 

Location: Spotsylvania

Toftcombs Mansion House - Edinburgh, Scotland

August 1-9, 2019

Built in 1824, Toftcombs has welcomed many notable guests during its time as a former hotel and private residence. George Orwell resided at the house in 1948 as a guest of his friend Georges Kopp who was his commander in the Spanish civil war. 

Nestled within 10 private acres in the stunning Scottish Borders countryside, only 30 minutes from Edinburgh, Toftcombs is beautiful and grand, yet relaxed and comfortable, providing a spacious haven to enjoy memorable times. Breakfast is included daily. Call the travel office to book your room! Space is limited!

Please call the Travel Office to book this trip, 434.974.6538

Open to all.

Location: Edinburgh, Scotland

Washington on Your Own 2019

Wednesday, August 28, 2019 | 8:00-5:30pm

Join us as we travel to our nation's capital for another Washington On Your Own (WOYO)

day-trip.   Travelers will be dropped off and picked up in front of the West Wing of the

National Gallery of Art.  Enjoy the many intriguing galleries and exhibits of the Smithsonian

or other nearby museums.  Lunch is on your own.

Open to all.

Location: Washington DC

Harper's Ferry National Park

Monday, September 9, 2019 | 8:00-5:00pm

Explore 19th Century buildings, Wax Museum and some of the beautiful shops in Harper’s Ferry. Attend the special event at John Brown’s Armory experiencing a behind the scent tour of objects in archeology collection rarely seen. Lunch and Ice cream on your own – Activity Level – Active

Location: Harper's Ferry

Riverside Center for the Performing Arts - Annie

Wednesday, September 25, 2019 | 9:30-5:30pm

This musical at the Riverside Center for the Performing Arts is based on the comic strip character "Little Orphan Annie" who believes her parents are still alive and will one day return to claim her.  Daddy Warbucks agrees to help her in her quest.  Sally Struthers returns to Riverside to reprise her Broadway role as the wicked Miss Hannigan. Enjoy favorite songs such as  "Easy Street", "It's the Hard Knock Life" and, of course, "Tomorrow".  Lunch is included in the price. Activity Level - Easy 

Open to all.

Location: Riverside Theatre

Philadelphia - Revolutionary War Getaway

September 26-30, 2019

Philadelphia is the birthplace of the United States. It’s where our Founding Fathers met, discussed, debated, and formed a new country. Founded in 1682 as the capital of William Penn’s Crown Province, Philadelphia, by 1775, was our nation’s largest city with a population of 25,000. Our first seat of government, it’s where the Declaration of Independence was written. During the war, numerous battles and campaigns were conducted for its defense. When it comes to Revolutionary War tourism, Philadelphia is the place to go!

Join award-winning historian Rick Britton as we explore Revolutionary War Philadelphia and its environs (September 26 through September 30). (Note that the Activity Level for this tour is Active.)

Your Philadelphia Experience Includes:

• Museums - Visits to the city’s wonderful Revolution-related museums and sites, including: the Museum of the American Revolution, Independence Hall & Congress Hall, the Betsy Ross House, the Liberty Bell, and the Graff House where Thomas Jefferson penned the Declaration (just to name a few).
• Guided Battlefield Tour - A day-long charter bus tour to two of the best Revolutionary War sites—the Brandywine Battlefield and Valley Forge—led by military historian Ed Lengel, former U.Va. history professor and editor in chief of the Papers of George Washington.
• Evening Presentation – A lecture by historian Rick Britton on the Declaration of Independence and the many myths of the American Revolution.
• Independence Walking Tour – A 75-minute stroll through Philadelphia history. We’ll walk in the footsteps of George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, and Benjamin Franklin (literally!).
• Guided Walking Tours – Led by Rick Britton, we’ll take in sites not covered in the above (sites TBA).
• City Tavern – To help us get into the proper spirit, we’ll lunch at the famous City Tavern, where the ambience, menu, and waitstaff are totally Revolutionary! (Lunch included.)
• Spasso’s Italian Restaurant – Could we go to Philly and not dine Italian style?! (Dinner included.)

Amenities & Cost:

• Transportation - Amtrak to and from Philadelphia: transfers to and from Amtrak Station. Charter bus service for our day-long battlefield tour.
• Accomodations – A 4-night stay at the beautiful Sheraton Society Hill, conveniently located in the city’s historic district. Breakfasts are provided!
• Admissions – With the Philadelphia Pass (included), admission will be covered to most museums and historic sites.
• Group Meals – A group lunch at City Tavern, a group dinner at Spasso’s Italian Restaurant.
• Cost – Per person, based on double occupancy - $1272: Single occupancy - $1945. Deposit - $750.

Sign up below, or for more information, contact the Center Travel Office at (434) 974-6538.

Open to all.

Location: Philadelphia, PA

Portugal and the Douro River Cruise

October 9-19, 2019

Spend two nights exploring Lisbon, then set sail through the Portuguese Frontier. Visit Spain’s walled city of Salamanca, and the quaint and historic towns of Portugal along the Douro River. Airfare after June 30, 2018 will be 2 for 1 airfare or $625 per person.

Price Per Person: starts at $5428 double, $8547 single for Riviera deck. Deposit: $829 per person includes Travelers Protection Plan 

Plus Travelers Protection Plan $429 per person

Minimum Participants: 15

Meals: 9 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 8 dinners

Please call the Travel Office to book this trip, 434.974.6538

Open to all.

Location: Portugal

National D-Day Memorial

Wednesday, October 23, 2019 | 8:00-4:30pm

The National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, VA is a moving tribute to the American and Allied Forces that fought in the largest amphibious invasion of all time. The Memorial overlooks Bedford which suffered the greatest loss per capita of any in the U.S. during the invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944. We will also visit The Bedford Museum and Genealogical Library. Lunch on your own.

Open to all.

Location: Bedford, VA

Royal Caribbean International - South Eastern Coast

December 12-20, 2019

We will sail on Royal Caribbean International's Grandeur of the Seas to the South Eastern Coast. We will begin our cruise from the Port of Baltimore and cruise along the southeastern coast and the Bahamas. We will set sail in Nassau, Bahamas, then onto Cococay, Bahamas and then to the Port Canaveral and Charleston, SC. Join us for this holiday cruise at sea. Included ground transportation, all meals, accommodations, entertainment and gratuities. Travel protection is available. 

Open to all.

Location: The Bahamas

Andrea Bocelli in Concert

Sunday, December 15, 2019 | 4:00-11:30pm

Travel with us to the Capital One Arena in DC to hear Andrea Bocelli in Concert. Born in Lajatico, Tuscany, Italy this Italian singer was blind by the age of 12 from congenital glaucoma. He has had success as a crossover performer, bringing classical music to the top of international pop charts. Open to all - Activity level moderate -  Tickets are limited! 

Open to all.

Location: Capital One Arena

2019 White House Tour

Wednesday, December 25, 2019 | 5:00-6:00am

This trip to DC for a self-guided tour of the White House adorned in its holiday finest is a perennial favorite! We have requested a tour in December, but the date will be determined by the White House. Please call the travel office to put your name on the interest list as soon as possible. Some walking is involved and there is a possibility of waiting in line at the gate. Lunch is on your own. A valid government-issued United States ID (driver’s license, military ID, etc.) or a valid US or other official government-issued passport is required.

Open to all.

Location: Washington, DC

Fee: To be announced

Panama

February 13-20, 2020

Essence of Panama  - The diversity of Panama unfolds as you discover the colonial architecture of Panama City, the engineering marvel that is the Panama Canal, local customs and craftsmanship and Panama’s beautiful beaches. You’ll experience it all on this tour of Panama. Early bird savings of $100 per person. Round trip airfare out of Dulles, 22 Meals, Travelers Protection Plan and much more! 

Price Per Person: $4,688 double, $5,687 single

Meals: 9 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 6 dinners

Deposit: $549 per person includes Travelers Protection Plan 

Location: Panama

Vilanova, Spain

April 13-21, 2020

Join us as we stay in the Masia Notari, a rustic property where past elements are blended with modern day comforts. Located 45 minutes from Barcelona, it’s a perfect location to day-trip the beauty and history of Spain. *Package includes roundtrip transfers and air. All meals, gratuities, and 6 day-trips.

Open to all.

Location: Vilanova, Spain

Exclusive Nature & Photo Tour of Iceland

August 18-30, 2020

Iceland is magical, especially in late summer when the colors, weather, and angles of sunlight are transitioning into fall. This 12-day tour with a veteran guide gives great insight into Iceland's unique nature and culture, with the bonus of experiencing the country's burgeoning culinary scene. All-inclusive package!

*Package includes: round trip transfers air and ground. All meals, transportation in Iceland, gratuities and a 13 days Program. Activity level - Active

*Price: $6,400 per person double occupancy/ Single Occupancy $7720 – Deposit $1000. Travel Protection is additional.

Open to all.

Location: Iceland

Tuscany

September 25-3, 2020

We will stay in a villa in the Chianti Hills region, the heart of Tuscany. The villa was built as a country residence for a noble family from Florence, Italy. We will enjoy 6 days of tours around the region including, all transportation, all meals and gratuities. Travel Protection is available.

Price: Single $4595 – Double (per person) $3995 – Deposit $1000.

Open to all.

Location: Tuscany, Italy