North Carolina & the Outer Banks

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Day 1 – Home to Peru, IL

Our springtime journey to North Carolina and the Outer Banks begins today as you meet your motorcoach traveling companions and we get acquainted over lunch and great conversations! Our afternoon travel takes us to Peru, IL and a restful night’s stop!

Included Meals: Lunch 

Hotel: Hampton Inn 

Day 2 – Peru to Berea, KY

The farmers will be in the fields as we travel through Illinois and into Indiana. Trees should be budding out and maybe even flowering as we travel into Columbia, IN for a later lunch at a unique old-fashioned Ice Cream Parlor. We’ll enjoy some special music, a great meal and of course some ice cream before we continue our travels across the Ohio River and into Kentucky. Our destination tonight is Berea where we’ll have time for dinner before a restful evening.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 

Hotel: Fairfield Inn and Suites 

Day 3 – Berea to Hendersonville, NC

This morning our drive will take us into our destination state of North Carolina. North Carolina is divided in three geographical regions. Today we travel through the mountains, piedmont, and coastal. This morning we will be enjoying the views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Great views from our motorcoach as we travel along I-40 into Ashville. We’ll make our first stop at America’s largest home, The Biltmore. See the beauty of George Vanderbilt’s estate set in the shadows of the Blue Ridge Mountains. We’ll enjoy lunch followed by a tour of the home and then have some time at the winery before we must say good-bye to this beautiful setting. Just down the road we will make home for the evening. But, our day isn’t finished! We will attend an evening performance at the acclaimed Flat Rock Playhouse!

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 

Hotel: Hampton Inn 

Day 4 – Hendersonville to Charlotte, NC

We’ll travel out of the Blue Ridge Region of NC this morning and into the Piedmont. The Piedmont region is a plateau region between the mountains and the coast. Our first stop today is at the Billy Graham Library. This experience will allow you to discover the life and legacy of “America’s Pastor.” You’ll have a chance to learn about the life of this humble farm boy who became an international ambassador of God’s love. Lunch will be included before we travel to downtown Charlotte and a stop at the Museum of the New South. The main exhibit of the museum is called “Cotton Fields to Skyscrapers” and follows the history of this great State. Later in the day we’ll check into a hotel just outside of Charlotte and the evening and dinner will be on your own.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 

Hotel: Holiday Inn Express & Suites 

Day 5 – Charlotte to Wrightsville Beach, NC

A great spring morning awaits you as you enjoy breakfast and board the motorcoach for our journey to “The Outer Banks.” First, a stop just outside of Wilmington at the Battleship USS North Carolina. This highly decorated WWII vessel is ready for you to board and experience what 2,300 sailors experienced as they went about their daily lives on this ship. Our first chance at some local seafood will follow for lunch and then we’ll make a stop at Ft Fischer State Historic Site. We’ll learn about the history of this Civil War Fort that was nicknamed “the Gibraltar of America!” Today we check into an oceanfront resort for a two night stay! Take in the stunning ocean views and be sure to go for a walk on the beach!

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 

Hotel: Shell Beach Resort (2 Nights) 

Day 6 – Wrightsville Beach

Look out your window early and enjoy the sunrise over the Atlantic! Then gather with our traveling companions for breakfast before we begin our day exploring the area. First stop is Airlie Gardens. We’ll enjoy a walk through the gardens where we can enjoy the breathtaking combination of wildlife, formal gardens, historic structures, sculptures, views of Bradly Creek, and the shade of the 468 year old Airlie Oak! Later we drive into Wilmington for lunch on our own at one of the riverside restaurants before we board a trolley for a tour of this river town with its rich history. We’ll return to the resort early enough this afternoon for you to enjoy the amenities of the resort and the beauty of the beach and area.

Included Meals: Breakfast 

Day 7 – Wrightsville Beach to Kitty Hawk, NC

Another great day dawns on the Outer Banks today for us to enjoy! Following breakfast we travel towards Kitty Hawk with a couple of great stops on the way. We’ll enjoy lunch and some free time in the little town of New Bern, which is the birthplace of Pepsi! There will be some beautiful sights along the river as we continue traveling and end up in our destination of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina! Our stay for the next three nights is at the Hilton Garden Inn with oceanfront rooms! Dinner is served tonight in a special dining room right on the Pier!

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

Hotel: Hilton Garden Inn, Outer Banks (3 Nights) 

Day 8 – Kitty Hawk

As the sun rises over the coast this morning, perhaps a stroll along the beach would be the perfect way to start the day! Today we’ll be joined by a step-on guide who will share with us the history and sights along Cape Hatteras. The long stretches of beach, sand dunes, marshes and woodlands are set aside as Cape Hatteras National Seashore. We’ll stop at Bodie Island and Cape Hatteras Lighthouses for some great pictures and maybe, if you’re looking for a bit of exercise, a hike to the top! As we travel through Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge keep your eyes open for the many types of birds along the way! We’ll enjoy a stop at the historic Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station and learn of the importance of this station and those of its kind in days gone by. The Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum is a great stop to learn about the many shipwrecks along this coast and see many nautical artifacts. Dinner tonight is at a fabulous spot right on the waterfront, providing splendid views while we dine!

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

Day 9 – Kitty Hawk

Today we experience “First Flight,” the Wright Brothers National Memorial. Here we’ll learn about the brothers, their dream of human flight and their trials and success of a first flight! Maybe take a walk the length of that first flight…it’s pretty amazing! Later today we enjoy a picture stop in Corolla, with views of the Currituck Lighthouse and “Whalehead.” Whalehead is a beautiful 1920s Art Nouveau style residence on the National Historic Register. This 21,000 square foot mansion by the sea was built by Edward Knight Jr for his wife! Our day will be highlighted by a jeep ride on the beaches of Corolla to see the wild horses, which may be seen walking the beaches or playing in the surf! We’ll enjoy the sounds of the sea and learn about the early maritime forests that once were here. After a great day we’ll return to the hotel for leisure time to enjoy the pool, beach or some local shops, and dinner on our own.

Included Meals: Breakfast 

Day 10 – Kitty Hawk to Raleigh, NC

Wake up early today, you’ll want to savor your last sunrise on the oceanfront during this very special tour. After another great breakfast, we’ll board our motorcoach and begin our travels inland with our first stop on Roanoke Island at Fort Raleigh National Historic Site. Here we’ll learn of historic dramas that span three centuries. Stories of Algonquians, European Settlers, and Civil War soldiers all have a part in the history here. Next door to Fort Raleigh we’ll have a chance to explore the Elizabethan Gardens, built as a memorial to Sir Walter Raleigh. Walk through the impressive iron gates, and let the fragrance of herbs and the Carrara marble fountain guide us into this Elizabethan World. Different walkways lead us down paths with many varieties of plants and flowers. We’ll take our time enjoying this special gift! After an included lunch today we’ll travel to Edenton and view the Roanoke River Light! This historic 1886 Roanoke River Lighthouse is the original lighthouse that was decommissioned in 1941 and moved to its present spot and restored to its original glory. A little further down the road we check into our hotel for the night with dinner on your own at a nearby restaurant.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 

Hotel: Hampton Inn 

Day 11 – Raleigh to Mt. Airy, NC

The largest tobacco company in the world, “The American Tobacco Company” was founded by the sons of Washington Duke whose home and farm we will visit this morning. Yes, Duke University was named for this family who helped create a market for Durham-area tobacco products that eventually would make North Carolina the heart of an international tobacco empire. Tour the smokehouse, the reconstructed tobacco factory, the tobacco curing barn and the pack house. This will be a great opportunity to find out about the beginnings of the tobacco industry in the United States. Just down the road we will make a stop at Bennett Place, where in April of 1865 the largest troop surrender of the American Civil War took place. This afternoon we visit the Reynolda House Museum of American Art. The house was the home of Katharine and Richard Reynolds, the founder of the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. Notice the majestic exterior before entering the home to view the period furnishings, family memorabilia, and Reynolda’s renowned permanent art collection. Then we travel to Mt. Airy for the night.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

Hotel: Hampton Inn 

Day 12 – Mt. Airy to Huntington, WV

Wake up this morning in “Mayberry,” the hometown of Andy Griffith. A step-on guide will lead us on a tour of “Andy’s” hometown, Mt. Airy, NC. We’ll see the town that inspired the Andy Griffith show from the Barber Shop to the Police Headquarters. Lunch is served in town before we spend time in the Andy Griffith Museum where one can see the desk from the Sheriff’s office as well as many other props from the TV show. It’s a great, nostalgic day! We will be whistling the Mayberry theme song as we head out of town and begin our journey towards home. Our stop tonight is in Huntington, WV.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 

Hotel: Hampton Inn

Day 13 – Huntington to Bloomington, IL

“On the Road Again” is our theme song today as we travel out of West Virginia and across Ohio, Indiana, and into Illinois. It will be a great time of sharing with our traveling companions as we roll along!

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 

Hotel: Comfort Suites 

Day 14 – Bloomington to Home

Into Minnesota and home we travel today. How about one last episode of “The Andy Griffith Show” as we travel these last few miles remembering our great time in North Carolina and the Outer Banks!

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch