Road Scholar : Home
Historic Garden Week

Program Number: 7235RJ
Start and End Dates:
4/22/2013 - 4/27/2013;
Duration: 5 nights
Location: Williamsburg, Virginia
Price starting at: $828.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Homes & Gardens
Meals: 15; 5 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 5 Dinners    
Meal Options: Kosher; Vegetarian; Gluten Free    

Explore 400 years of Virginia’s history and horticultural beauty as you visit homes and gardens during Historic Garden Week, America's oldest and largest statewide house and garden event. Learn about garden designs ranging from formal 18th-century terraces to backyard habitats, boxwood mazes and “secret” gardens. Experience superb flower arrangements created by members of The Garden Club of Virginia, with emphasis on colorful seasonal flowers and native plants.




Highlights

• Explore homes and gardens in Colonial Williamsburg and join an expert to learn about the beautifully landscaped grounds of the College of William & Mary.
• Travel back in time at several Tidewater plantation homes, some only open during this week, that span the 17th to 19th centuries.
• Learn firsthand from Master Gardeners about the work of the Garden Clubs of Virginia and their efforts to preserve and reconstruct Virginia's rich gardening heritage.



Activity Particulars

Considerable walking on uneven brick streets, along with grass, dirt or pebble paths.




Date Specific Information

4-22-2013

The group will be subdivided for field trips of no more than 24 if/as needed.
Enjoy the latest in hearing technology — listening devices — on this date.



Coordinated by the College of William and Mary.




Williamsburg (Virginia)

One of America’s first planned cities, this one-time capital of the New World was laid out in 1699, and today, the historic community serves as a well-preserved center of American Colonial history, from nearby Jamestown to impeccably restored buildings.
Accommodations
Charming hotel with indoor pool, fitness center.
Meals and Lodgings
   Clarion Hotel Historic District
  Williamsburg 5 nights
 Clarion Hotel Historic District
Type: Hotel
  Description: The Clarion Hotel Historic District features 143 well-appointed guest rooms. On-site recreational offerings include a fitness center, an indoor heated pool with whirlpool and a game room. The hotel also offers great food and entertainment at the Bourbon Street Restaurant, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Walking distance to Colonial Williamsburg and two miles to Busch Gardens.
  Contact info: 351 York Street
Williamsburg, VA 23185 USA
phone: 757-229-4100
web: www.clarionwilliamsburg.com
  Room amenities: Room Amenities: Free high speed Internet access in all guest rooms and public spaces; dual-line speaker telephone; iron/ironing board; in-room movies; coffee maker; hair dryer; in room safes at no additional charge
  Facility amenities: Facilities: 24-Hour Front Desk, business center, guest laundromat, dry cleaning service, fitness facility, game room, lounge, indoor whirlpool and indoor pool.
  Smoking allowed: No
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights prior: $69p+ ($89+ sp. event wknds) Make arrangements directly with the hotel. Limited rooms available at the discounted Road Scholar rate. Rate not available if hotel is sold out. Reservations require credit card guarantee. Cancellation must be made 48 hrs prior to arrival to avoid charge.
  Check in time: 4:00 PM
  Additional nights after: $69p+ ($89+ sp. event wknds) Make arrangements directly with the hotel. Limited rooms available at the discounted Road Scholar rate. Rate not available if hotel is sold out. Reservations require credit card guarantee. Cancellation must be made 48 hrs prior to arrival to avoid charge.
  Check out time: 11:00 AM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
4:00 pm Program registration begins at hotel, Check into your room; 5:15pm Start of Program. You will be staying at Clarion Hotel Historic District that night.
  End of Program:
Program ends at approximately11:15 with Boxed Lunch. You will be staying at Clarion Hotel Historic District the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required. none
  Parking availability:
Free parking at hotel.
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  Williamsburg
  Nearest city or town:  Richmond
  Nearest highway: Interstate 64
  Nearest airport:  Williamsburg/Newport News Airport (30 minutes)
  From End of Program
  Location: Williamsburg
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
Travel Details
 

Williamsburg

 

From Train Station

 
 

Service:

 

Taxi
Triangle Taxi
phone: 757-564-6969
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

varies, depending on gas prices
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

10 minutes 
 

Distance:

 

2 miles
   

Williamsburg is served by both Amtrak and Greyhound, which both arrive at the same Transportation Center. For train information, call 1-800-872-7245 or go to www.amtrak.com.
 

Williamsburg

 

From Bus Terminal

 
 

Service:

 

Taxi
Triangle Taxi
phone: 757-564-6969
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

varies, depending on gas prices
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

10 minutes 
 

Distance:

 

2 miles
   

Williamsburg is served by both Amtrak and Greyhound, which both arrive at the same Transportation Center. For bus information, call 1-800-231-2222 or go to www.greyhound.com.
 

Norfolk

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
Oleta Coach Lines
phone: 757-253-1008
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

varies, depending on current gas prices; call for rates
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

1-1.5 hours, depending on traffic 
 

Distance:

 

about 45 miles
   

Travel from this airport to the hotel (and back after the program) includes passage through the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel which is frequently congested, causing long delays. The trip may well cost in excess of $100 per person one way. We recommend using Richmond or Newport News Airports if possible. Alternate transportation includes Marrow Transit (757-564-5466) or Cary Airport Connection (757-963-0433).
 

Richmond

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
Groome Transportation
phone: 800-552-7911

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

varies, depending on current gas prices; call for rates
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

about an hour depending on traffic 
 

Distance:

 

about 45-50 miles
   

Alternate transportation from/to airport available through Oleta Coach Lines van service (757-253-1008) or Marrow Transit, a private car service,757-564-5466. Call for rates and reservations.
 

Newport News

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
Oleta Coach Lines
phone: 757-253-1008
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

varies depending on gas prices; call for rates
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

20-30 minutes 
 

Distance:

 

about 20
   

Although this is a smaller airport than Richmond or Norfolk, it is the closest and most convenient in terms of getting from the airport to the hotel and back. Besides the van service listed above, several taxi companies are also available in the ground transportation area of the airport. Alternatives include Marrow Transit (757-564-5466) or Triangle Taxi (757-564-6969). When using Oleta or Marrow, be sure to mention that you are a Road Scholar participant.
 
Driving Directions
  From Hampton Roads Travel WEST on Interstate I-64 toward Williamsburg. Just EAST of Williamsburg, leave I-64 on exit #242A/Route 199 toward Jamestown. Drive 1.3 miles; take exit for Route 60. At stop sign at bottom of ramp, turn left onto Route 60 WEST. The hotel is a little over 1 mile on the right, shortly after the road narrows to two lanes. If you get to the stoplight, you have gone too far.
  From Richmond and I-95 Travel EAST on Interstate I-64 toward Williamsburg. Just EAST of Williamsburg, leave I-64 on exit #242-A/Route 199 toward Jamestown. Drive 1.3 miles; take exit for Route 60. At stop sign at bottom of ramp, turn left onto Route 60 WEST. The hotel is a little over 1 mile on the right, shortly after the road narrows to two lanes. If you get to the stoplight, you have gone too far.
  From Southside Virginia via the Jamestown Ferry Cross the James River on the Jamestown Ferry/Route 31. Follow Route 31/Jamestown Road toward Williamsburg for about 4.2 miles. Turn right at the traffic light onto Route 199. Follow Route 199 about 3.8 miles to exit for Route 60. At stop sign turn left onto 60 WEST. The hotel is a little over a mile on the right, just after the road narrows to two lanes. If you get to the stoplight, you've gone too far.
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Arrival and Check-In
(Monday, April 22)
   
 Afternoon: 4:00 pm Arrival/Check-in. Program registration Class: "The Garden Club of Virginia: Restoring and Celebrating Virginia's Gardening Heritage", An introduction to the seven decades of effort on the part of the GCV to restore or recreate the historic gardens of Virginia at more than 40 historical properties. Learn about specific projects and how the Club has applied the funds raised during Garden Week to preserve an often overlooked aspect of our history.
 Dinner: Enjoy a good, traditional style dinner with a Southern accent, served buffet style in a private dining area. All dinners for the week will be in this venue.
 Evening: Introductions and Announcements Program Overview Every April, visitors are welcomed to more than 250 of Virginia's most beautiful gardens, homes and historic landmarks for "America's Largest Open House." This statewide event provides visitors a unique opportunity to see unforgettable gardens at the peak of Virginia's springtime color, as well as beautiful houses sparkling with over 2,000 fabulous flower arrangements created by Garden Club of Virginia members.
   
Accommodations: Clarion Hotel Historic District
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Colonial Williamsburg Homes and Gardens; Private Homes in Kingsmill on the James
(Tuesday, April 23)

Note: This day includes extensive walking on brick, pebble, and grass paths. To fully participate in the day, walking of up to two miles will be involved. Every effort will be made to break the walks into shorter segments, but the day is designed for active participants.
   
 Breakfast: Start the day with a generous buffet breakfast in our private dining area.
 Morning: Class: "Williamsburg and Colonial Williamsburg", An introduction to the colonial town and its restoration, undertaken through the vision of a local minister and the generosity of John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Field Trip: "Escorted Walk" This excursion will take participants through a variety of gardens in the historic area, from historic colonial revival gardens to contemporary ornamental gardens. Participants will learn about landscape details, plant selection, color themes and succession planting.
 Lunch: A delicious box lunch will be available at the Historic Kingsmill Plantation Site in the picnic area.
 Afternoon: Field Trip: "Colonial Williamsburg Featured Homes" Visit several historic homes and dependencies in the Historic Area to learn about the furnishings, architecture, life styles, and gardens of the colonial period. Past homes highlighted have included the Lightfoot House and Edinburgh Castle Tavern. Field Trip: "Private Homes in Kingsmill on the James" Visit several homes in this beautiful gated community on the banks of the James River. Explore a variety of gardens, some designed to optimize the enjoyment of fragrance, others to flourish in a deer rich environment. Architectural styles include Prairie School and Georgian. One of the homes was featured in "The House and Home" magazine last year.
 Dinner: Dinner will again be at the hotel in our private dining area.
 Evening: Performance: "A Lady of the Seventeenth Century" What better way to experience the 1600's than to meet someone who "lived" long ago? Enjoy a conversation with a delightful interpreter who will make you feel that you are truly speaking to an early colonist. She will share tales of triumphs, tragedies, and the mundane activities of daily existence as she works in her home and garden.
   
Accommodations: Clarion Hotel Historic District
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Historic and Private Homes of Virginia Beach
(Wednesday, April 24)

Note: Most of the homes on this day will be private residences with little or no accomodation for those with mobility issues. In some cases, only the first floors and outdoor gardens will be accessible to those who cannot handle long flights of stairs. Participants will be on and off the bus numerous times.
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at your leisure in our private dining area.
 Morning: Class: "A Brief History of Princess Anne County and Virginia Beach" Learn about the settlement of this area where the English colonists first set foot in North America before moving on to their permanent site at Jamestown. Investigate the growth of the county and city through nearly four hundred years of development and receive an overview of the architectural history that will be highlighted during the field trip. Field Trip: "Virginia Beach Historic and Private Homes" Travel across Hampton Roads to visit 19th century and modern homes in this vibrant city by the sea. The excursion will include a visit to Ferry Plantation where you will explore a wonderful herb garden, then have tea while hearing the tale of Virginia's only convicted witch. Also visit more recent homes of horticultural interest in the city's North End. Each site will feature fascinating architectural features, beautiful antiques and a variety of plantings and gardens that will be interpreted by knowledgeable docents.
 Lunch: Luncheon buffet provided by local Garden Club at the luxurious Princess Anne Country Club.
 Afternoon: Field Trip: "Virginia Beach Historic Homes" Continue the excursion to the homes of this area as described in the morning field trip.
 Dinner: Dinner will again be at the hotel in our private dining area.
 Evening: Free Evening
   
Accommodations: Clarion Hotel Historic District
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Norfolk Historic and Private Homes and Gardens
(Thursday, April 25)

Note: Although the sites will be similar in accessibility to those of Day Three, this day's activities will take only part of the day, allowing time to rest and recuperate.
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at your leisure in our private dining area.
 Morning: Free Morning. No transportation provided to or from the various sites you may want to visit.
 Lunch: A lighter mid-day fare will be served in our private dining area.
 Afternoon: Field Trip: "Norfolk Homes and Gardens" Journey again to the Southside to explore historic and modern homes and gardens in this bustling city. The modern homes are located in the delightful Ghent neighborhood dating from the late 19th century. Sites will include a church decorated with a wedding theme, Greek and Colonial Revival architecture, and a winding path through a tranquil and authentic Japanese garden. Time permitting, the visit may also include the magnificently restored Hunter House Victorian Museum.
 Dinner: Dinner will again be at the hotel in our private dining area.
 Evening: Performance: "Colonial Music" Enjoy the talents of an accomplished musician who will demonstrate and explain the music and instruments that would have been popular in many of the historic homes that have been visited.
   
Accommodations: Clarion Hotel Historic District
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: James River Plantations
(Friday, April 26)

Note: Today involves many historic houses with limited access for those with mobility issues. The homes do have extensive gardens, however, that can be enjoyed by all participants.
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at your leisure in our private dining area.
 Morning: Field Trip: "Bacon's Castle" This unusual Jacobean home is a National Historical Landmark, one of the oldest brick houses still standing in English North America. It exhibits many unique architectural features and a marvelously restored garden that reflects information gleaned from historical records and archaeological evidence. Field Trip: "Smith's Fort Plantation" Nestled on the south side of the James River, Smith's Fort Plantation was built sometime between 1751 and 1765. The story-and-a-half brick house is laid in Flemish bond. Its architectural significance lies in the interior where much of the original woodwork still exists. The grounds are a project of the Garden Clubs of Virginia and include a period herb garden.
 Lunch: Pause for lunch at a delightful local restaurant that feature cuisine popular in Tidewater Virginia.
 Afternoon: Field Trip: "Virginia By-Way Plantations" These magnificent homes with colorful histories have been occupied over several centuries by some of the First Families of Virginia and their descendants . Visits will include exploration of both the grounds bursting with spring growth and interpretations of the mansions and their furnishings, showing the great James River manor homes at their height. Visits are planned to Shirley, currently occupied by the 11th generation of the founding family, and Westover, home of colonial leader William Byrd II and rarely open to the public.
 Dinner: Dinner will again be at the hotel in our private dining area.
 Evening: Free Evening
   
Accommodations: Clarion Hotel Historic District
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6:
(Saturday, April 27)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at your leisure in our private dining area.
 Morning: Demonstration: "Flower Arranging Basics" Investigate some of the techniques used to create the lovely flower arrangements that graced a number of the homes that were visited during the week's field trips. Pick up tips on flower choices, useful materials, and unusual containers that you can use to create your own floral masterpieces. Class: "Back to Nature" Learn about ways to make your own garden space attractive to birds and butterflies through careful selection of plant species, including native plants that will thrive in their natural habitats.
 Lunch: Boxed Lunch at departure
   
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Free Time Opportunities
  
  Williamsburg Tidewater Area: Williamsburg/Jamestown and Yorktown
Our Road Scholar programs are filled with fascinating and informative classes, field trips, excursions and extracurricular activities. The day-by-day itinerary details what you will see and do. The schedule includes a free afternoon during the week to pursue your own interests; otherwise, there will be only a few hours of unstructured time per day. Because the Road Scholar schedule is so full, there will be little opportunity for independent exploration of other sites in the Tidewater area. We suggest you consider taking time before or after the program to enjoy local attractions. The Colonial Williamsburg website, www.history.org, includes a detailed calendar of events that you might want to investigate. Websites for other area attractions such as Jamestown and Yorktown will have additional information. For additional information, visit www.wm.edu/Road Scholar
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


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