Virginia
Virginia, Mother of Presidents: Seven Historic Sites
Program No. 19969RJ
Immerse yourself in the wonders of Virginia, exploring seven presidential homes, visiting national landmarks and enjoying traditional colonial food at the historic Michie Tavern.
Participant Reviews
Based on 40 Reviews
SHOWING
Best program ever covering Founding Fathers and Presidents in beautiful Virginia- new learnings, delicious food and beautiful sights- dreams do come true
— Review left October 24, 2025
Great trip. Highly recommend it. Shows history repeats itself! Disagreements happened at the beginning too. It all worked out they had a central goal together.
— Review left October 20, 2025
If you like American History then this is the program for you. I learned more in one week about the American Revolution than I did in my year of high school American History.
— Review left September 28, 2025
This was a fantastic overview of our seven Virginia presidents - we covered a lot of history in a few days!! We had some truly excellent speakers and the docents for each stop were all outstanding. Our founding fathers were certainly complicated men and had messy lives but had high ideals for our country for which I am so grateful. Our group leader, Karen Warnecke, was wonderful! She kept us all on a tight schedule in the nicest way and made it seem so effortless. The hotel was very nice and in a great location - we were able to walk to dinner for a couple of our meals which was nice after being on the bus all day. Our meals were uniformly good - especially loved our stops for lunches at Michie Tavern and Indian Fields Tavern. We were certainly well fed!! A special extra treat was a visit to the University of Virginia founded by Thomas Jefferson. We were able to tour the Rotunda and do a walk through the grounds of the school. And bonus - we had such a nice group of traveling companions too. I highly recommend this trip!!
— Review left May 12, 2025
Interesting well presented program. My knowledge of some of the more obscure early presidents was enhanced by attending the program. Recommend to those who wish to learn more about the formation of the United States. Appreciate the program information being fully presented and not “whitewashed “. The history of our nation is what it is and we are better off learning the complexity of detail.
— Review left May 12, 2025
VA Mother of Presidents helped me to contextualize and better understand our nation from its founding to where we are today. Delightful itinerary, smart and pleasant participants, and effective program leadership. A thought provoking journey back in time.
— Review left May 11, 2025
This is an extensive program provided in a short time frame and gives us a better understanding of the foundation of the United States.
— Review left April 22, 2025
I loved this trip!!! Easily a 5 star experience!! Teri, the group leader is a wonderful person and made her role seem effortless. As usual the fellow RS travelers were delightful, we rapidly came together, learned from each other and thoroughly enjoyed sharing this trip together. I exited the trip with a greatly enhanced appreciation toward our countries forefathers and their efforts to establish and lead this country during it's infancy as a democracy. Visiting their homes, reading their words, and walking in their footsteps around their properties brought it all into the present. The issues of their day was discussed and not ignored with explanations to remind us of the differences between now and then. I am a student of US history and absolutely loved this trip!! Thanks for offering this trip.
— Review left November 3, 2024
This was my first time on RS trip. I will admit I was anxious the week prior since this was my first time traveling solo. The first night when I met Debbie Corber, our tour guide, I told her that. She immediately introduced me to 3 other solo ladies. We all got along great and quickly felt very comfortable with each other.
I was very impressed with all aspects of the tour. The hotel was lovely; easily within walking distance to shops and restaurants. The meals were all good. Our tour guide, Debbie Corber, was excellent. She was very knowledgeable about the area; often made suggestions on other places to visit, history of the area, famous people, etc. She was also very pleasant, funny and experienced in handling crowds. She was able to make quick decisions when needed. She coordinated excellent knowledgeable speakers.
The other members of the group were very nice; from many different states. By the end of the week, we were all feeling more comfortable with each other.
I have nothing but praise for this tour, Debbie and RS. I can’t wait to go on another trip with RS.
I was very pleased and excited to find a new RS catalog waiting for me in my mailbox when I arrived home. Let’s see where I want to go next.
Thank you for a wonderful traveling experience!
— Review left October 15, 2024
A week well spent. It was enjoyable, informative, and overall fun.
— Review left October 2, 2024
I had never been on a Road Scholar trip, but I highly recommend one if you'd like to learn a lot about a certain place. It was a very satisfying experience in the history, tour guide, Karen, accommodations, travel days, food stops, scenery, etc. Loved it!!!!
— Review left June 3, 2024
An excellent and informative program that gave me new insight on the human beings and forces that shaped our past.
— Review left June 2, 2024
I participated in the Virginia, Mother of Presidents, 7 Historical Sites tour. The tour transported me back in time. I was in “colonial America,” retracing footsteps of the presidents. I enjoyed seeing their homes, where they lived with their families. I viewed the same countryside they did: the rugged hillsides, the rivers, the jungle-like forests and the green meadows.
It was a busy, informative tour with friendly people. Everything was well done and professional. The descriptions/itinerary you read about online are spot on. I am very happy I went on this tour … Lucky Me!
— Review left May 21, 2024
I can't say enough about the trip "Virginia, Mother of Presidents"!!!! The hotel was great. We had a nice big room with a sitting area. The food served was so very good and had a variety of options. Our trip leader, Karen, took great care of all of us. Making sure we saw everything we wanted to see. If she couldn't answer any of our questions she knew who to talk to to get the answer. The motorcoach driver, Kathy, was a rock star behind the wheel. She was able to get us out of a few sticky situations (even though the motorcoach didn't have the best of suspension). This was my second trip with Road Scholar and it was as good as the first to the Georgia barrier islands. I'm so glad my traveling companion and I already have a trip to New Orleans planed for November! In my opinion, Road Scholar is the best way to travel!
— Review left May 17, 2024
This was absolutely a wonderful experience for me! Everything was great on this trip from the tour guide, field trips, food, hotel, and especially the wonderful people I met. I learned so much and this trip made history come alive for me. I would recommend to any lover of history.
— Review left April 14, 2024
WOW! Visiting the eight presidents from Virginia in six days and coming away with so much knowledge about them and their impact on our country from its inception right up until today.
— Review left November 4, 2023
Who knew that being a Road Scholar would be so fun and educational!
— Review left October 16, 2023
The program/tour was just as I thought it would be. I enjoyed the whole process.
— Review left October 8, 2023
An enthralling sanity check on who our Founders were - as complicated and conflicted visionaries and risk-taking change agents. Refining the Middle School introduction and legends of our country's founding with the research rigor and perspective of an adult is something everyone should experience.
— Review left April 16, 2023
I highly recommend this Presidents of VA to everyone who appreciates history and has an intellectual curiosity about people and places that modern history may have “skipped” over. In 4 1/2 days we brushed the surface, but everything was well planned out. There were a few times when I felt “rushed”, but these sites are not exactly close together and every effort was made to show as much as possible.
— Review left April 16, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this tour of the homes of presidents and first ladies. I'd visited the more famous and touristy Mount Vernon and Monticello before, and enjoyed seeing how the focus of those tours has changed over the years, with a greater focus on the lives of the women and enslaved persons living and working on the plantations. The less well known homes were all new discoveries for me--Berkeley, Sherwood Forest, Highland, Montpelier. I loved the superb tours we received and being able to wander the beautiful grounds of these homes. The highlight of meeting Martha Washington and Thomas Jefferson, in the form of terrific historical actors, was frosting on this historic cake.
— Review left November 8, 2022
I give this trip 5 stars. Teri Toepke was our Group Leader and she was fabulous. This was our 30th Road Scholar trip and Teri was one of our favorite Leaders, and the itinerary was one of our favorites. I appreciate that Road Scholar and Teri were able to accommodate my vegan plant based diet, and that Teri scheduled well planned bathroom breaks. Minor issue: The buses were uncomfortable, and the seat belts did not work on one of them. Highlights - every guest speaker was outstanding, the itinerary was busy but full of fascinating field trips, there was an important emphasis on the lives of Enslaved Peoples at each of the plantations, and I felt like I finally learned a balanced truth of this period of American History.
— Review left October 29, 2022
We had a wonderful group of 22 plus our leader, Karen. The speakers were well informed and excellent at communicating their knowledge. The historic presidential homes that we visited were beautiful and interesting. Our meals were uniformly delicious.
— Review left October 13, 2022
Very good program with knowledgeable guides and speakers. we saw many interesting places
— Review left October 13, 2022
Just finished the Virginia, Mother of Presidents: Seven Historic Sites Program and very much enjoyed it. Karen Warnecke was our group leader and she was fantastic. This was my first Road Scholar trip and Karen made me feel welcome and comfortable. Highly recommend Karen! I will definitely take another Road Scholar program.
— Review left October 9, 2022
This program helped me better understand the presidency and the United States as it was and is today. I will get my history books out and reread them.
— Review left May 28, 2022
The Virginia Mother of Presidents: Seven historic Sites is an exhilarating educational experience that provides many resources to enhance one's knowledge. It is fast paced and packed with activities. All fees, gratuities and most meals were provided as part of the package which makes it very cost effective. Our group leader was excellent. It was wonderful traveling with educated, mature and courteous fellow participants.
— Review left May 28, 2022
The Virginia, Mother of Presidents program was exceptional in its content. Be prepared for a full schedule of field trips and lectures. You will be kept busy by the planned activities. "Free time to wander and do nothing" is definitely not a part of this package. You truly get your money's worth.
— Review left May 28, 2022
I really enjoyed this trip. I learned a lot about the Presidents and really enjoyed visiting their homes. The visits to Sherwood Forest and Berkeley plantation were the highlight of the trip. Karen was a wonderful group leader
— Review left May 7, 2022
I had a wonderful time on this trip and highly recommend it. Both guides were well organized and knowledgeable. The special speakers that we had were very good and I learned a lot from them. The special program at Mount Vernon was very nice and listening to the Thomas Jefferson enactor was very interesting.
I would suggest that the bus company replace the front tires on the white bus that we used, they were almost smooth. Also, a seat belt in a front row seat of the black bus was jammed and unusable.
— Review left April 19, 2022
Excellent historic presentations on all levels. Scholars is a misnomer for my group. With exception of a handful, participants were more interested in gossiping and chatting and social media than listening to presentations.
— Review left April 18, 2022
Very nice trip and well organized. The speakers were interesting as well as entertaining. I especially enjoyed the Jefferson and Monroe impersonators. I would have liked more time to explore Montpelier. The “free time” that day was a waste.
The bus for the longer days was too small for our group. Older people with spreading bodies and mobility issuers need more space to sit and move on those long bus rides. It was very uncomfortable.
This was my first Road Scholar trip and I plan to take more.
— Review left April 18, 2022
Great trip....would recommend to anyone who loves American History!
— Review left December 10, 2021
We have participated in two Road Scholar Adventures. Each adventure was completely different, educational and fun.
— Review left November 9, 2021
History buffs take notice, this trip is not to be missed!
— Review left October 30, 2021
If you’re interested in viewing seven presidents homes and perhaps something about their life - THIS is the tour for you. enjoy !
— Review left October 9, 2021
I loved this event. It was very organized, interesting and informative. The leader was great and did a wonderful job. I would absolutely do another Road Scholar event in the future.
— Review left September 28, 2021
Great choice for history buffs. Really enjoyed visiting the plantations of several Founding Fathers and learning about them and the enslaved individuals who lived and worked on those plantations. Our group stayed at the Hyatt Place in Charlottesville, which was an excellent location with spacious rooms and delicious breakfast options. Lecturers were uniformly good but I have a soft spot for “President Monroe”, who came to visit one evening and kept us all captivated.
— Review left October 6, 2019
Our recent Road Scholar trip was everything I hoped it would be - interesting, energizing and fun. Things were extremely well planned and executed. Can't wait for our next Road Scholar trip.
— Review left April 28, 2019
Mostly very good.
— Review left April 26, 2019