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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At a Glance

Adapted from a 17th-century European tradition of “taptoe,” a process of notifying innkeepers to turn off the tap and send soldiers back to their barracks, the term “tattoo” now represents a grand display of military music. At the Virginia International Tattoo, the largest one in the U.S., enjoy a range of internationally influenced performances from traditional military displays featuring drums, trumpets and drill to more modern lyrical and theatrical shows. Then, enhance your festival experience by learning more about Norfolk’s local military history with field trips by land and sea to General MacArthur’s Memorial and the harbor that’s home to the world’s largest naval base and America’s Atlantic Fleet. Sans ink and needle, this military and music-filled adventure is sure to leave a permanent impression.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to 2.5 miles per day, covering multiple city blocks and over uneven terrain and city sidewalks; periods of standing and walking are required through the various museums, gardens and for the Behind the Scenes tour at the Scope Arena. There are stairs for both the parade seating and Tattoo performance in addition to the steps on the motor coach.

What You'll Learn

  • Admire the Parade of Nations from reserved seats before exploring the Scope Arena with event directors for a behind-the-scenes look at the Virginia International Tattoo.
  • Enjoy a Road Scholar exclusive private performance from the decorated Virginia Coast Chorus, an affiliate of the globally-recognized Sweet Adelines International organization.
  • Delve deeper into the art culture of Norfolk with an adventure to the Norfolk Botanical Garden and a docent-led excursion at the Chrysler Museum of Art.

General Notes

Please note that this program utilizes school buses for short trips.
Featured Expert
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Linda Culpepper
Linda Culpepper is a lifelong resident of Coastal Virginia with extensive knowledge from growing up on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia Beach. Linda also has extensive knowledge of New England and enjoys leading groups through the northern states during the spring, summer and fall seasons. She attended Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. She retired from Sentara Healthcare in 2016 after 27 years as a rehab operations manager, and started Culpepper Tours in 2018.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

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Linda Culpepper View biography
Linda Culpepper is a lifelong resident of Coastal Virginia with extensive knowledge from growing up on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia Beach. Linda also has extensive knowledge of New England and enjoys leading groups through the northern states during the spring, summer and fall seasons. She attended Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. She retired from Sentara Healthcare in 2016 after 27 years as a rehab operations manager, and started Culpepper Tours in 2018.
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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.
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5 days
4 nights
8 meals
4 B 1 L 3 D
DAY
1
Check-In, Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation, History
Norfolk, VA
D
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, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived. Orientation: 6:45 p.m (following dinner) The 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. We will adhere to local COVID-19 guidelines and requirements throughout the program. Travel and transfers will be primarily by motorcoach unless noted otherwise. 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. The 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: 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, Chrysler Museum, MacArthur Museum
Norfolk, VA
B,L,D
Courtyard Marriott Norfolk Downtown

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 20.5 miles, approximately 1 hour with stops. Walking about 1.5 miles throughout the day, periods of standing.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

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 box lunches.

Afternoon: Next, we will travel via motorcoach to the Chrysler Museum of Art 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. Boarding the motorcoach we will travel a short distance 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. Spend however much time you would like to explore the Museum on your own and then make your way by foot back to the hotel at your own pace (5 minute walk)

Dinner: We will travel via motorcoach to Orapax Restaurant for a pre-selected Greek meal.

Evening: Free time after dinner to explore the surrounding area at your leisure.

DAY
3
Speaker, Nauticus, Virginia Coast Chorus
Norfolk, VA
B,D
Courtyard Marriott Norfolk Downtown

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 2.5 miles, approximately 15 minutes. Walking about 1.5 miles, periods of standing throughout the day.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: This morning we are joined at the hotel by Joshua Weinstein of the Norfolk Tour Company. Joshua will present the History of Downtown Norfolk Theater. The focus of this morning's presentation is on the theaters, programs, and performers who came through downtown Norfolk during the Golden age Theater in the late 19th and early 20th century. 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 has been left free for you to explore the sights and sounds of Norfolk at your own pace. You may wish to schedule a tour of the Battleship Wisconsin and learn about the areas of the boat not open to the public. You may visit the Hermitage Museum & Gardens, the Hunter House Victorian Mansion, the Mermaid Factory to hand paint a souvenir, Doumar's for a world famous waffle cone, or join your Group Leader for a walk to the Pagoda & Oriental Gardens with a stop at the Hummingbird Dessert Boutique for a tasty macaroon. All of the above suggestions are at your own expense with no group transportation provided.

Dinner: We will travel via motorcoach to Striper's Restaurant for a pre-selected meal. We will offer transportation via coach back to the hotel following dinner or you may choose to walk back at your own pace (10 minute walk)

Evening: This evening at the hotel, we’ll enjoy a private performance for our Road Scholar group by members of the Virginia Coast Chorus (VCC), an award-winning women’s show chorus. The group has members from all walks of life and specializes in the close harmonies of a capella “barbershop” singing. The VCC is an affiliate of the highly respected organization Sweet Adelines International that extends over five continents.

DAY
4
Parade of Nations, Behind the Scenes at Tattoo, Tattoo
Norfolk, VA
B
Courtyard Marriott Norfolk Downtown

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 20.5 miles, approximately 1 hour with stops. 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.

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: 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
Victory Rover Naval Cruise
Norfolk, VA
B

Activity note: Walking 1 mile. Getting on/off an excursion boat; wear comfortable non-slip shoes. Hotel check-out 12:00 p.m.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

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. Walk back to the hotel following the cruise at your leisure. 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 DrumLine Battle 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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