Virginia & the Tattoo

DAY 1: WELCOME TO VIRGINIA!

Arrive in Virginia Beach, our home for the next five nights. This evening, enjoy a Welcome Dinner and get to know your fellow travelers. D

DAY 2: MARINER’S MUSEUM, VICTORY ROVER

Connecting people to the world’s water is the mission of the Mariner’s Museum. Explore this fascinating museum dedicated to people who live, work, and play on these waterways. Newport News Shipbuilding is the largest employer in Virginia and the sole designer, builder, and refueler of United States Navy aircraft carriers. This afternoon, board the Victory Rover for a Norfolk Harbor cruise, your front row seat to the naval fleet! See destroyers, submarines, and other vessels while taking in the sights of the harbor. B, L

DAY 3: VIRGINIA BEACH CITY TOUR, EASTERN SHORE EXPLORATION

Prepare for a wonderful day along the waters of the Chesapeake Bay. First, your local guide will showcase the highlights of Virginia Beach such as the Neptune statue and boardwalk, First Landing State Park, naval history, and much more. Then, cross the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, one of the “Seven Engineering Wonders of the Modern World.” Measuring 17.6 miles from shore to shore, the Bridge-Tunnel connects Hampton Roads to the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Enjoy a delicious lunch before crossing back over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and into Virginia Beach this afternoon. B, L

DAY 4: NORFOLK BOTANICAL GARDENS, MILITARY AVIATION MUSEUM

Begin the day at the Norfolk Botanical Garden for a narrated tram tour. The gardens are coastal Virginia’s premier horticultural attraction with over 60 different gardens to explore. Each spring, more than 175 varieties of rhododendrons and azaleas burst into bloom, joined by flowering dogwoods, cheerful daffodils, and other vibrant spring blossoms. Next, pay a visit to the Military Aviation Museum, home to one of the world’s largest private collections of vintage WWI and WWII military aircraft. Each have been beautifully restored to their original condition, many of which are still flown during flight demonstrations. Later, enjoy dinner along the marina of Virginia Beach. B, L, D

DAY 5: MACARTHUR

This morning, stroll the boardwalk, shop for souvenirs, or just relax at your hotel. After lunch, spend the remainder of the day in Norfolk. See General Douglas MacArthur’s Memorial which tells his story and pays tribute to the many men and women who served with him. The pre-show excitement for today’s Military Tattoo builds at “Hullabaloo,” located on the plaza of the Scope Arena. Watch impressive dance and drill performances, take photos with the performers, and enjoy an audience-judged piping competition. Then, experience the highlight of the day, the Virginia International Military Tattoo. Sit back and take in this awe-inspiring musical spectacle, which is part parade, part theatre, and sometimes, part circus. B, L

DAY 6: SMITHFIELD, RETURN HOME

This morning say so long to the ocean and make your way towards Smithfield, VA, the “Ham Capital of the World!” Stop at the Isle of Wight Museum where you will learn how hams are smoked and cured followed by a time to explore the unique shops lining the streets of Smithfield. Enjoy a farewell lunch at the Smithfield Inn before returning home. B, L

ACCOMMODATIONS:
Nights 1-5: Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Virginia Beach, VA

Departure Cities:

• St. Louis
• Kansas City
• Springfield, MO

Depart: April 19, 2027
Return: April 24, 2027

Price per person:

• DB $2,699
• TP/QD $2,599
• SG $3,299

Price per person includes roundtrip airfare from STL/MCI/SGF. Please call for other gateway cities.

Mobility Note
Guests should be comfortable walking through museums, historic downtown areas, gardens and waterfront attractions. The tour also requires boarding a sightseeing vessel and navigating ramps, gangways and motorcoach steps. The narrated tram at Norfolk Botanical Garden reduces the amount of walking required, although some garden paths have gentle inclines.

Average Temps
Daytime: 68–71°F
Overnight: 46–48°F

Packing Tips
Pack comfortable walking shoes, removable layers, a light jacket and a compact raincoat or umbrella. Bring a warmer, wind-resistant layer for the Norfolk Harbor cruise and time near the Atlantic Ocean, where conditions may feel cooler than inland temperatures.

Tattoo Note
The performance lasts approximately two hours and takes place inside Scope Arena. Guests should be prepared for loud music, theatrical lighting, ceremonial cannon effects and other dramatic production elements. Those sensitive to noise may appreciate bringing discreet earplugs.

Hotel Note
Enjoy a five-night, unpack-once stay directly along the Virginia Beach oceanfront. The Holiday Inn & Suites North Beach provides private balconies with Atlantic Ocean views and immediate access to the three-mile boardwalk, making it easy to enjoy the beach, sunrise or an independent stroll during free time.

Photography Tips
A zoom setting is helpful for photographing ships during the Norfolk Harbor cruise and aircraft inside the Military Aviation Museum. Flash or professional photography may be restricted during the Virginia International Tattoo, so guests should follow the arena’s event-specific policies.

Notes on Highlights
The Virginia International Tattoo is the largest military tattoo in the United States and features more than 1,000 performers. The program changes each year and may include massed military bands, bagpipers, drill teams, dancers, choirs and specialty performers from several countries.

The word “tattoo” in this setting has nothing to do with body art. It comes from a centuries-old military signal that instructed tavern keepers to turn off their taps so soldiers would return to their barracks.

Norfolk serves as NATO’s North American headquarters, giving the international military performance special meaning in a city closely connected to global defense partnerships. The Tattoo commonly includes representatives from all five branches of the United States military and performers from eight to ten countries.

The Victory Rover cruise travels past Naval Station Norfolk, providing a water-level view of aircraft carriers, destroyers, submarines and other vessels that cannot be seen as clearly from public roads. The ships in port vary according to active Navy operations.

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel combines bridges and underwater tunnels across 17.6 miles of open water. The tunnels allow major military and commercial vessels to enter and leave the ports of Hampton Roads without passing beneath a low bridge.

Many aircraft at the Military Aviation Museum have been restored to flying condition rather than displayed only as static museum pieces. The collection allows guests to see historic World War I and World War II aircraft much as they would have appeared during active service.

Other General Information
Tour Communications: You will receive three key communications leading up to your tour:

• Get Ready: Your email confirmation and initial tour information, sent after you register.
• Get Set: An email with additional tour details, sent approximately two months before departure.
• Go: Your final trip documents, mailed via USPS approximately three to four weeks before departure. This packet will include your daily itinerary, luggage tags, and final departure information.

Travel Protection: Travel Protection is optional but highly recommended and may be purchased until the day before departure. Sunrise Tours offers plans through battleface. Additional information will be included with your Get Ready email and can also be found HERE.

Inclusions: Unless otherwise noted, your Sunrise Tour includes:

• A professional Sunrise Tour Director
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary
• Local step-on guides, including gratuities
• International tour guide gratuities when specified for the individual tour
• Deluxe motorcoach transportation with an onboard restroom
• Admission to activities and events as indicated
• Airfare from designated airports
• Transportation to and from designated airports from our convenient local pickup points*
• Luggage handling at hotels when available

Gratuities: We believe tipping is a personal and discretionary interaction between our guests and staff. A typical gratuity for your Sunrise Tour Director and motorcoach driver is $6 to $10 per person, per day of the tour. Sunrise Shuttle drivers also appreciate gratuities for excellent service, with a suggested amount of $5 per person. Our staff will not solicit gratuities or distribute gratuity envelopes.

Refreshments: We are happy to provide refreshments on most motorcoach travel days. We also recommend bringing a refillable water bottle to help you stay hydrated throughout your tour.

Pickup Points: If fewer than four travelers request a particular pickup point, we may ask those guests to select another available pickup location. Travelers are also welcome to join a tour from a city that is not listed as a departure point. Please contact our friendly reservations team to discuss available arrangements. For departure cities not listed, airfare is typically $100 more than the published fare for domestic tours and $200 more for international tours.

TSA PreCheck and Airline Rewards Numbers: TSA PreCheck, Known Traveler Numbers, and airline rewards numbers must be provided to our reservations team at least 60 days before departure. Numbers received after this deadline may not be applied to your reservation.

Airline Seating: Preferred seating may not be available with group airfare. In some cases, seats are not assigned until travelers arrive at the airport. Your tour fare includes an economy-class seat but does not include advance seat selection. Seat upgrades may be available for an additional cost.

Motorcoach Capacity and Seating: To provide one of the most comfortable motorcoach experiences in the industry, Sunrise Tours generally limits motorcoaches to 80% capacity. This allows for a maximum of 44 passengers on a motorcoach designed to accommodate 55. Sunrise Tours reserves the right to amend this practice. Your Tour Director will rotate motorcoach seating each day of the tour. Payment of a single-occupancy fare does not guarantee two motorcoach seats, and you may be seated beside another friendly Sunrise Tours guest.

Terms and Conditions
Please refer to our policies HERE for more information on our terms and conditions.