The BYU Alumni Association will give travelers a generous glimpse of the American Revolutionary War period during 11 seven-day tours that will begin June 8 and conclude Aug. 23.
The tours have been organized in response to requests from past BYU tour participants interested in traveling again with BYU.
“We have offered Caribbean, sports, big band, Alaska, and Church tours, and many who have traveled with us want something new,” said program director Reid Robison. “I believe there are few options any more exciting than a look into the early years of our country.”
The tour will take participants through the heart of Washington, D.C., and in-clude organized tours in the morning and plenty of free time to select from the many memorials and museums at the nation’s capital.
Stops include the Washington Monument, World War II Memorial, White House Visitors Center, Pentagon, Arlington Cemetery, National Cathedral, Embassy Row, Jefferson Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Memorial and Korean Memorial.
For four days participants will visit Richmond, Va., and the colonial villages of Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown. Participants will stay near the Visitor Center in Williamsburg, which will provide easy access to such sites as the Governors Mansion and Capitol Building. Also available will be the film, “Williamsburg-The Story of a Patriot” and lunch at one of the many historic taverns.
In Jamestown, guides will direct travelers through a living history museum where the first chapter of America’s colonial history began.
“To get a real feel for those significant years in 18th century American history, visitors will get a three-day pass to see Colonial Williamsburg,” said Melanie Hallstrom, BYU tour coordinator. “I could spend all my time just there, but within a 17-miles radius, we have other key sites that are equally interesting and historical.”
While these tours originated to provide a way to connect BYU alumni and friends, Robison emphasized that anyone interested is welcome.
“I’ve had people say, ‘I’m going on your tour, but could I bring my cousin, who didn’t go to BYU?’ We are always glad to accommodate anyone who would like to join us. We simply are interested at giving people great experiences together at affordable prices. In fact, providing BYU alumni families and friends educational tours at a price less expensive than they could do on their own is what has made our program so successful,” he said.
The tours include round trip airfare from Salt Lake City, a deluxe motor coach, six nights hotel accomodations, gratuities, a study guide, travel insurance during the trip, admission fees as noted, a trained guide and taxes and fees.
Those interested in the American history or other tours are invited to contact group coordinator Marcie Ewing at 801-446-8068 or check the BYU tours online at alumni.
byu.edu.
Writer: Charlene Winters
