6 Days/5 Nights

Virginia & North Carolina Gardens

Virginia and North Carolina are a must see for flower enthusiasts and history buffs. You’ll be totally engaged in the beauty of the ornate gardens and impressive homes in the various historic neighborhoods. Plus, our delightfully diverse hosts provide colorful stories of how their gardens came to be. This tour is full of gorgeous scenery you won’t want to miss.

Tour Highlights

• Visit some of the nation’s oldest gardens, historical homes and Southern landmarks.
• Travel back in time in Colonial Williamsburg at the largest ­outdoor living-history museum.
• Explore Norfolk Botanical Garden by tram, and take a relaxing cruise on Lake Whitehurst.

Itinerary

Day 1—Richmond: Welcome to Richmond, Virginia, a garden-lover’s paradise! Meet your fellow travelers for a welcome reception at our hotel. Then get ready to discover the impressive homes, lush gardens and sprawling plantations that encompassed colonial life and classic Southern ­elegance in its heyday. Welcome Reception included.

Day 2—Richmond: This morning we’ll explore the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, including its reflective lakes, themed gardens—plus the “jewel” of the garden, a 63-foot-tall, classical domed Conservatory, the only one of its kind in the Mid-Atlantic. This 11,000 square foot complex houses hundreds of orchids, tropical plants and ever-changing floral displays.

After lunch we’ll tour two English manors at Windsor Farms, Agecroft Hall and the Virginia House. Take a stroll back in time on a walking tour of Elizabethan knot gardens overlooking the James River. Almost 1,000 types of ornamental plants, including southern magnolias, wisteria and holly, surround both of these neighboring estates.

We’ll return to Richmond for the night, where you can dine on classic comfort food, visit the quaint shops at White Oak Village or relax poolside at our hotel. Meals Included: B, L.

Day 3—Charles City/Williamsburg/Portsmouth: Today we’ll visit the Westover Plantation, famed for its flawless Georgian architecture, secret underground passages and magnificent gardens.

Later in the morning, explore the colorful flower gardens and romantic gazebo at historic Edgewood Plantation. It once served as a lookout post for Confederate generals. Here you’ll also enjoy a Victorian Tea Party where you’ll sample traditional tea and homemade scones. Pose for photos in Victorian hats provided by our hostess and take home a souvenir!

You’ll attend a very special lunch with a local garden club in Colonial Williamsburg, the largest living-history museum. Afterwards, take a walk with your guide through this historic area and explore classic gardens that reflect 18th-century lifestyles and ideals. You’ll be dazzled by flowerbeds bursting with blue-bearded German irises, red blackberry lilies, heirloom tulips and Carolina jessamine.

Then we’re off to Portsmouth, where the night is free to enjoy at your leisure! Discover the 12 Historic Squares of High Street in Old Towne Portsmouth, dine on traditional southern food, or enjoy a self-guided walking tour of the beautiful parks and residential homes dating back to the early 18th century. Meals included: B, L.

Day 4—Norfolk/Elizabeth City/Tarboro: Begin today with a relaxing tram and boat tour at the Norfolk Botanical Garden. Take in more than 30 themed gardens, including the Rose Garden, which features All-American Rose Selection winners, and the Flowering Arboretum, a collection of 336 flowering trees.

We’ll stop in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, nestled on the shore of the Pasquotank River. In this “Harbor of Hospitality” you may see the legendary “Rose Buddies” who greet every boat with a complimentary rose.

After the Master Gardener Volunteers of Pasquotank County provide us with lunch and some useful gardening tips, they’ll take us on a tour of the great, tall pines and lush camellia shrubs at the Clay Foreman Arboretum. We’ll visit the unique Hide-n-Woods garden where we’ll learn about volunteer Master Gardener Duane McSmith. Duane created innovative, elevated garden beds (filled with lush vegetables, herbs and flowers)  to accommodate handicapped gardeners like himself who love to garden but find conventional methods too difficult.

Tonight we’ll head to Tarboro, and drive through this Colonial town’s historic district, the largest in North Carolina. It boasts 45 blocks of magnificent old homes and parks and two original town commons. You’ll be able to dine in one of Tarboro’s restaurants on your own before settling in for the evening. Meals included: B, L.

Day 5—Raleigh/Durham: Visit Juniper Level Botanic Garden & Plants Delight Nursery in Raleigh. This research facility is home to an astounding 17,000 varieties of plants, including the Japanese Kudzu, a vine that can grow up to 60 feet per year.

After lunch in the charming City Market, tour Raleigh’s Oakwood Historic District and observe its only intact 19th-century neighborhood. We’ll have a chance to visit several residents’ private gardens and learn about popular architectural styles like Neo-Classical, Second Empire and Queen Anne.

Later, we’ll take in the gardens of the Victorian-style Executive Mansion, the official residence of North Carolina’s governor. An exquisite, old-fashioned Rose Garden in full bloom with roses, peonies, irises, and daisies, plus the Southern Victorian, Kitchen and Vegetable Gardens will complete our day. Meals included: B, D.

Day 6—Durham/Lawrenceville/Richmond: Today begins at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens, also known as the “Crown Jewel of Duke University.” On the grounds you’ll find an Asiatic plant arboretum and the Terraces, filled with dogwoods, redbuds, crabapple and cherry trees, hyacinths and local wildflowers.

We’ll stop in Lawrenceville to enjoy a time-honored tradition, Brunswick Stew. This delectable dish has been around since 1828. You’ll watch as the owner of The Original Brunswick Stew Co. cooks your batch of stew over an open fire in front of The Cinnamon Cafe. This stew is so thick and hearty that these dedicated experts won’t deem it ready until the paddle stands up in the middle!

After lunch, we’ll head back to Richmond for our departure home. We’ll take with us memories of breathtaking gardens, magnificent architecture and ­gracious Southern hospitality. Meals included: B, L.

Accommodations

• Days 1&2: Hyatt Place Richmond Airport, Richmond, VA
• Day 3: Governor Dinwiddie Hotel, Portsmouth, VA
• Day 4: Comfort Inn, Tarboro, NC
• Day 5: Doubletree Guest Suites- Raleigh/Durham, Durham, NC