Hotel Check-In/Registration/Orientation/Footsteps of Lincoln Presentation

Afternoon: Check-in at the hotel between 3:00 and 5:00pm. Then, go to the second floor to register with the Group Leader and pick up your Welcome Packets.

Dinner: Orientation at 5:00pm, followed by Dinner in the Lafayette Room on the second floor.

Evening: Hear historian/author Anthony Pitch recount the events leading up to Lincoln's assissination. Trace the footsteps of America's most beloved President and most reviled assassin and co-conspirators.

Lodging: Grand Hyatt Washington

Meals Included: Dinner

National Portrait Gallery/Smithosnian Art Musuem/Free Afternoon/Craft of Espionage Presentation

Note: Metro Use and periodic standing at museums

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel

Morning: As of 2006, the National Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian American Art Musuem share a newly renovated historic landmark building in downtown DC. Visit both museums and hear from an expert discuss current exhibtions. This fall, numerous exhibitions will be commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. Your welcome materials will provide a list of current exhibititons showing during your program.

Lunch: Lunch on your own.

Afternoon: Aftewards, free time to continue exploring the Smithsonian Museum of American Art, or visit nearby sites such as the International Spy Museum. Meet back at the Portrait Gallery and head to Dupont Circle via the Metro for a walking fieldrip down Embassy Row.

Dinner: Dinner at the hotel

Evening: Presentation:Discuss the "Craft of Espionage" with retired career inteligence officer, Jon Wiant. Learn how the United States uses human intelligence sources (HUMINT) to protect our national security.

Lodging: Grand Hyatt Washington

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Note: Metro Use-The Capitol entrance is approximately 4 blocks slighltly uphill from the Metro Stop. Entrance to the Capitol requires going through a Metal Detector.

Breakfast: Breakfast in the Lafayette Room at the hotel

Morning: Discuss DC's Masonic roots with a 33rd degree Mason. Explore the influence Masonic teachings had on our nation's founding fathers, and examine the masonic symbolism imbedded in the city planning by George Washington-commisioned architect, Pierre Charles L'Enfant.

Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant

Afternoon: Take the Metro to the United States Capitol for a guided visit through the Rotunda. Afterwards, the afternoon is free for you to explore on your own.

Dinner: Dinner on your own

Evening: Free Evening

Lodging: Grand Hyatt Washington

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Gospel Brunch at the Howard Theatre/"U Street Renaissance"/ Fords Theatre Christmas Carol

Note: The U Street Heritage Trail is composed of 14 illustrated historical markers that will take approximately 90 minutes to explore.

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel

Morning: Free Morning

Lunch: Take the Metro to the Howard Theatre for a Sunday Morning Gospel Brunch. 2012 marks the Grand reopening of one of America's most preeminent Arts Halls for African American's. From Duke Ellington and Ray Charles to Lena Horn and Sammy Davis Jr, the reopening of the "theater of the people", is symbolic of DC's urban restoration over the past decade. In addition to hosting prominent national acts such as Bill Cosby and Aretha Franklin, the theatre's on site kitchen will boast a flavorful menu thanks to the contributions of chef Marcus Samuelsson (Top Chef Masters) whos hospitality group is consulting on the menu for the supper club.

Afternoon: Explore the city on your own, or go with your Group Leader for an optional excursion on the U Street Heritage Trail. Known as "Black Broadway" during the first half of the 20th century, the U Street Corridor was the center of African American business and culture. After decades of decline, the U Street neighborhood has experienced an urban renaissance. Visit sites such as the first African American YMCA, Ben's Chili Bowl, and the recently restored Lincoln Theatre where Jazz icons such as Duke Ellington, Pearl Bailey and Sarah Vaughn called home.

Dinner: Dinner at a local restaurant

Evening: Experience a classic Christmas tradition at the historic Ford's Theatre. Join the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future as they lead the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge on a journey of transformation and redemption. Originally conceived by Michael Baron, this music-infused production captures the magic and joy of Dickens's Yuletide classic. Acclaimed Washington stage actor Edward Gero returns to play Scrooge in the production The Washington Post hailed as musically high-spirited and infectiously jolly.

Lodging: Grand Hyatt Washington

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

National Cathederal/ Hisorical Homes in Georgetown/Monuments&Memorials Coach Fieldtrip

Note: Periodic standing at the Cathedral, Tudor Place and House of the Temple

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel

Morning: Fieldtrip to the Washington National Cathederal. See Woodrow Wilson's Tomb, marvel at the ironwork, and learn the history behind the country's "National House of Prayer".

Lunch: Lunch and tea at Tudor Place in Georgetown. Overlooking the Potomac river, the former residence of Martha Custis, granddaughter of Martha Washington, dates back to 1816. Tour the gardens, and then relax in the homes' historic rooms and enjoy a variety of tea blends accompanying tea sandwiches, scones, and petite deserts.

Afternoon: Fieldtrip to the House of the Temple Designed by noted architect John Russell Pope (Jefferson Memorial, National Archives) and modeled after the tomb of Mausolus at Halicarnassus-one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the House of the Temple stands as one of the most remarkable landmarks in DC, and premiere examples of American neoclassicism. Afterwards, round out the program with a guided coach excursion to the National Mall. Discover the nations' most iconic monuments and memorials!

Dinner: Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant

Lodging: Grand Hyatt Washington

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel

Morning: Program Wrap Up/ followed by Check out by 12:00pm

Meals Included: Breakfast