Virginia
The Best of Norfolk & the Virginia International Tattoo
Program No. 18354RJ
Discover military and art culture in Norfolk, then experience the nation’s largest military musical celebration at the Virginia International Tattoo, a tradition dating back to 1600.
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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date.
Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
5 days
4 nights
What's Included
8 meals (
4B, 1L, 3D
)
1 expert-led lecture
8 expert-led field trips
2 performances
An experienced Group Leader
4 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
Check-In, Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation, History
Location:
Norfolk, VA
Meals:
D
Stay:
Courtyard Marriott Norfolk Downtown
Activity Note
Hotel check in from 3:00 p.m.
Afternoon:
Program Registration: 3:00-4:30 p.m. After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table to register with the program staff, learn your group assignment, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of your group's dinner and Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived. Orientation: (following dinner) Your Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Travel and transfers will be primarily by motorcoach and The Tide - Norfolk's Light Rail system. We will pre-select choices for some meals using forms in the preparatory materials. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. Your Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/current conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner:
Buffet dinner at the hotel.
Evening:
We will gather in the hotel meeting room following dinner for Program Orientation and Introductions with our Group Leader. Norfolk is the home of the world’s largest naval base. Service members of the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, and Marines are also well represented. The total population of active duty service members and related civilian personnel is approximately 150,000, not including their families.
Day
2
Norfolk Botanical Garden, Fort Monroe/Casemate Museum
Location:
Norfolk, VA
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Courtyard Marriott Norfolk Downtown
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 44 miles total during the day, approximately 1 hour & 30 minutes with stops. Walking about 1.5 miles throughout the day, periods of standing.
Breakfast:
At the hotel. Breakfast burrito with pork sausage, scrambled egg and Monterey Jack cheese in a flour tortilla with salsa. Pancakes with butter/syrup. Fresh cut fruits, Assorted muffins, Danish & bagels, Assorted yogurts, individual cereals, fresh oatmeal, Assorted juices, Coffee and Hot water.
Morning:
We will board the motorcoach and ride to Norfolk Botanical Garden. This lush 175-acre garden boasts more than 14 miles of paved and unpaved paths with 60 plus gardens in bloom during all four seasons. The gardens range from those dedicated to a specific region of the world to those displaying a certain species of plant: fragrant and colorful, manicured and wild. We may also catch a glimpse of local birds and wildlife. We will hop aboard a tram for a half-hour narrated ride through the gardens to view the azaleas followed by time for self-exploration.
Lunch:
At the Botanical Garden, we will have our pre-selected picnic lunches.
Afternoon:
Next, we will travel via motorcoach to Fort Monroe and the Casemate Museum. We start our journey at the Fort Monroe Visitor & Education Center. This 16,000 square foot building chronicles the history of the Kecoughtan tribe and the landing of the first Africans at Old Point Comfort. The Freedom's Fortress Gallery explores the fort's construction and it's role in the emancipation of slaves. We then visit the Casemate Museum which chronicles the military history from 1609 through the last major command headquartered at the Fort - the Army's Training and Doctrine Command. The museum features the room where Jefferson Davis was briefly held prisoner during the Civil War. Following the tour you will have time to explore the walking trails and other buildings at your own leisure.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant
Evening:
Following dinner we will be joined at the hotel by the Director of Education at the Hampton Roads Naval Museum. Tonight we participate in an interactive Battle of Hampton Roads, which is the March 1862 first battle of ironclad ships, and took place close to where the museum is located.
Day
3
Nauticus, Victory Rover, Chrysler Museum, MacArthur Memorial
Location:
Norfolk, VA
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
Courtyard Marriott Norfolk Downtown
Activity Note
Getting on/off the Tide - Norfolk's light rail system riding approximately 15 minutes. Walking about 1.5 miles, periods of standing throughout the day.
Breakfast:
At the hotel. Scrambled eggs, breakfast potatoes, pork bacon, Biscuits and country gravy. Fresh cut fruits, Assorted muffins, Danish & bagels, Assorted yogurts, individual cereals, fresh oatmeal, Assorted juices, Coffee and Hot water.
Morning:
After an early morning breakfast we will walk a short distance for a narrated cruise aboard the “Victory Rover” along the Elizabeth River and Hampton Roads Harbor. This is one of the world’s busiest seaports with the world’s largest naval base, home of America’s Atlantic Fleet. The boat’s main cabin has large picture windows and comfortable seating with more seating and views up top. As we go, the captain will provide fascinating and entertaining commentary about our surroundings. We’ll then take a short walk to our next field trip site, Nauticus. Home of the Battleship Wisconsin, Nauticus is an interactive science and technology center that explores the naval, economic, and nautical power of the sea, with exhibits that range from the anatomy of a battleship to secrets of the deep. During our self-directed exploration, we will have an opportunity to see and do what interests each of us most. There will also be docents around the facility to answer questions
Lunch:
Lunch on your own at the Waterside Restaurants along the James River.
Afternoon:
This afternoon we make a short walk to MacArthur Square Station where we will board the Tide, Norfolk's light rail system for a short trip to the York Street Freemason station. From here we then make a short walk to the Chrysler Museum, where a docent will lead us through the museum, followed by time for self exploration. It was preceded by the Norfolk Museum of Arts and Sciences, but everything changed when art collector, philanthropist, and benefactor Walter P. Chrysler, Jr., donated his personal art collection to Norfolk in 1971. His contribution — one of the greatest museum gifts in American history — resulted in the Norfolk Museum being renamed for him as it became one of the finest art museums in the country. It has been dubbed by museum experts one of America’s “Six Magnetic Museums” for its audience engagement.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant
Evening:
This evening at the hotel, we’ll enjoy a private musical performance by the Commodore Chorus. The performing chorus of Norfolk, is a chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society based in Nashville, TN, which boasts more than 28,000 members throughout the world. The Norfolk chapter was chartered 64 years ago on March 28, 1957 and is a significant part of the history and heritage of the barbershop harmony. Members of the chapter hail from all areas of Hampton Roads and includes guys from as far south as the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
Day
4
Parade of Nations, Behind the Scenes at Tattoo, Tattoo
Location:
Norfolk, VA
Meals:
B
Stay:
Courtyard Marriott Norfolk Downtown
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 1miles, approximately 15 minutes. Walking about 1.5 miles throughout the day with periods of standing. Stairs at parade risers and Scope Arena. Reserved seats for parade not covered; be sure to account for the weather. Evening performance approximately 2 hours.
Breakfast:
At the hotel. French toast, scrambled eggs, pork sausage. Fresh cut fruits, Assorted muffins, Danish & bagels, Assorted yogurts, individual cereals, fresh oatmeal, Assorted juices, Coffee and Hot water.
Morning:
We will walk a few blocks from the hotel with our Group Leader and take our reserved seats for the Parade of Nations, held in conjunction with the Virginia International Tattoo and the Norfolk NATO Festival. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is a political and military alliance safeguarding freedom and security. Norfolk has been the site of NATO’s Supreme Allied Command, Atlantic, since 1953. Not only does the Parade of Nations feature floats and international military bands from all 28 NATO nations as well as high school marching bands, it is the only parade in the United States that formally honors NATO. Following the parade we walk to the Town Point Park that serves as the International Village during the Tattoo Festival
Lunch:
Lunch is on your own to enjoy the foods of your choice from the many vendors set up in the Park.
Afternoon:
Following lunch we make a short walk to the MacArthur Memorial Museum for self-guided exploration. The Museum pays tribute to General of the Army, Douglas A. MacArthur, as well as the men and women who served with him during World War I, World War II, and the Korean War. The memorial uses his life and times to teach American history. Douglas MacArthur (1880-1964) was one of America’s most notable military leaders before, during, and after World War II. He was also controversial, and was ultimately removed from command by President Harry Truman. He is particularly remembered for two statements: the first, when leaving the Philippines in the face of advancing Japanese troops, “I shall return!” and the second from his farewell address, “Old soldiers never die, they just fade away. Next, we’ll board the motorcoach for a short ride to the Scope Arena. We will have an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the Virginia International Tattoo led by the directors and event staff. A tattoo, in this context, is a gathering of an ensemble for the performance of military music, but the word originated in the 17th century when military drummers would signal the time for soldiers to return to their barracks. As we walk, we will learn about tonight’s performance, the production and staging of the event and the venue with time for questions
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to have what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions within easy walking distance of the Scope Arena including the MacArthur Center, Granby Street, and Monticello Avenues.
Evening:
Returning to the Scope Arena and assembling at our predetermined meeting spot, we will walk inside to our reserved seats for an exceptionally exciting and colorful display of musical “tattoos.” The Virginia International Tattoo, the greatest and grandest in the U.S., involves more than 1,000 performers. In addition to the military bands and drill teams, there are pipe and drum bands from around the world, dancers, choirs, and much more. The spirit of patriotism and love of country suffuses every event. Tonight’s Grand Performance will last approximately two hours with all of the participating bands and units, concluding in a grand finale. We’ll transfer back to the hotel via motorcoach after the performance
Day
5
Wrap up
Location:
Norfolk, VA
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Hotel check-out 12:00 p.m.
Breakfast:
At the hotel. Breakfast casserole of egg, breakfast meats, cheese and tater tots. Pancakes with butter/syrup. Fresh cut fruits, Assorted muffins, Danish & bagels, Assorted yogurts, individual cereals, fresh oatmeal, Assorted juices, Coffee and Hot water.
Morning:
Hotel check out is 12:00 PM. Before heading home we encourage you to take in more of the Tattoo festivities located outside of the Scope Arena on your own. The Hullabaloo will be from 11:30-2:30 PM and the International Drumming Showcase on the Green Space across from the Scope Plaza will begin at 1:00 PM. We wish you safe travels on your journey home. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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Please Note:
This program has itinerary variations on certain dates.
Apr 23, 2025 - Apr 27, 2025
Apr 23, 2025 - Apr 27, 2025
Apr 15, 2026 - Apr 19, 2026
Apr 23 - Apr 27, 2025 Itinerary Differences:
This is a larger group of 54 participants that will be split into two subgroups of 28 participants each with its own designated Group Leader upon arrival at the program. The groups will enjoy meals separately but will participate in most group activities together, including motorcoach transportation.
