Day 1, Friday, December 11, 2026
Check into the SpringHill Suites by Marriot, 1644 Richmond Road, Williamsburg, VA 23188 – baggage delivery. Enjoy hot cider and holiday cookie reception upon arrival, where you are greeted by your Colonial Connection Guide.
Time to refresh and relax before dinner
Depart on coach for an included dinner at Sal's By Victor restaurant, the local's favorite for Italian food. After dinner depart for Newport News, Virginia. Enjoy a Riding tour though the Celebration of Lights in Newport News Park – two miles of over one million lights in dazzling holiday displays and animated scenes. 2026 is the 34th year of this first-ever holiday drive through light show in Virginia! Return to your hotel for a restful night's sleep!
Day 2, Saturday, December 12, 2026
At Leisure enjoy a deluxe continental breakfast at your hotel. Depart for Colonial Williamsburg with your Guide. Guided tour of Colonial Williamsburg at peak holiday season—A guided stroll through Colonial Williamsburg, America's largest living history museum, during the holiday season is a treat for the senses. Windows and doors are decorated in handcrafted wreaths with Colonial themes and fresh greenery. Learn about Williamsburg when it was the political, social and cultural capital of Britain's largest, wealthiest and most populous colony from 1699 to 1780. In the shops, taverns, government buildings, homes and streets George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, George Mason and other Virginia Patriots debated the ideas – liberty, independence, and personal freedoms – that led to the founding of American democracy. Enjoy interaction with costumed historical interpreters providing a first-hand view of 18th century Williamsburg life. Tour will end at Merchants Square with some 35 restaurants and shops.
Free time for lunch on own; more exploring at Colonial Williamsburg, including the two Art Museums with holiday-themed exhibits; and holiday shopping.
Or the Williamsburg Christmas Market, a European-style outdoor market two blocks from Merchants Square featuring features 40 chalets of mostly artisan vendors, Christmas music, market food, fire pits, gluhwein (warm spiced wine), craft beers, live entertainment, and more (this Market has a non-included, one-time $5 entry fee for unlimited visits Saturday and Sunday—open 11:00am to 7:00pm).
Return to hotel to refresh before tonight's Colonial Williamsburg's Grand Illumination Festivities with your Guide. The Grand Illumination is an adaptation of a common 18th century practice when citizens celebrated extraordinary events – major military victories, the arrival of a new colonial governor or the birthday of the monarch – by firing guns, using fireworks, and lighting candles in windows of homes. Today's holiday Grand Illumination festivities begin at 5:00pm with the Colonial Williamsburg Fifes & Drums Processions and the Ringing of the Bells. There are 18th century holiday musical performances, carolers, and other activities throughout the Historic Area as well as the lighting of candles in the windows of buildings. The festivities culminate with spectacular fireworks set off in two viewing locations: on the Palace Green by the Governor's Palace and in the Capitol Circle by the Capitol Building.
Dinner at Rocco's Smokehouse Grill, famous for its southern mouth-watering food before returning to your hotel.
Day 3, Sunday, December 13, 2026
At Leisure enjoy a deluxe continental breakfast at your hotel. Then board our coach with your Guide for Charles City, VA. – Visit Historic Berkeley Plantation, Virginia's most historic plantation. On December 4, 1619, early settlers from England came ashore here and observed the first official, English-speaking Thanksgiving in America. William Henry Harrison, ninth President of the United States, was born at Berkeley in 1773. His grandson, Benjamin Harrison, was our country's 23rd President. Your visit starts with an introductory film and then a guided tour of the 1726 Georgian Mansion by costumed interpreters, who share some stories of Christmas past at Berkeley. The Mansion features traditional holiday decorations of holly, pine, boxwood, and cedar. Thereafter, there is free time to explore Berkeley's gift shop and enjoy a self-guided tour of the five terraces of gardens with beautiful views of the James River and attractions such as the Thanksgiving and Taps monuments.
Our Group will enjoy a boxed lunch in Historic Berkeley Plantation's charming Coach House Dining Room
Lunch Sandwich Choices (pre-order required):
1) Turkey Sandwich on sour dough bread: (turkey, yellow cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato with mayo and mustard condiments
2) Ham n' Cheese Sandwich on sour dough bread: ham, swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato with mayo and mustard condiments
3) Chicken Caesar Wrap: grilled chicken, parmesan, romaine lettuce, Caesar dressing
4) Vegan Wrap: hummus, lettuce, tomato, cucumber, peppers, pickled onion.
After lunch, we depart for Jamestown to Visit the Historic Jamestowne Glasshouse of 1608 and Gift Shop – Watch artisans and interpreters as they produce glass by hand in a manner similar to what the Jamestown colonists did here more than 400 years ago. Spend some time in this recreated colonial glasshouse's attached shop admiring the variety of handmade glass pieces, they can make a perfect, unique holiday gift!
Departing for hotel to refresh and relax before tonight's Dinner. Guests can also visit the Williamsburg General Store in easy walking distance from hotel (diagonally across the street) for some souvenir shopping. Depart for farewell dinner at The Whaling Company- Three-course dinner menu in a vintage boathouse atmosphere:
Starter: Crisp Garden Salad with homemade ranch dressing
Choice of Entree (pre-order required):
1) Sauteed Tenderloin Tips served over rice
2) Baked Fresh Salmon served with rice
3) Charbroiled Lemon Herb Chicken served with rice.
Dessert: Homemade cheesecake. Included choice of beverages: Iced Tea, Coke products, or coffee.
Board coach and depart for more shopping time at Merchants Square in Williamsburg before returning to the hotel, and saying goodbye to our guide once back at the hotel.
Day 4, Monday, December 14, 2026
At Leisure enjoy a deluxe continental breakfast at hotel before checking out of hotel (baggage handling included). Coach departs Colonial Williamsburg for the ride northward to home.
Price per Person: Single $1,195 | Double $995
Triple $930 | Quad $900
