Compare LA to Vegas Adventure by Intrepid Travel vs The Virginia International Tattoo at the Virginia Arts Festival by Road Scholar

Day 1 Los Angeles

Welcome to the USA! Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting in the lobby today at 6 pm. It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. If you do arrive early, perhaps take a stroll down the Hollywood Walk of Fame, or spend some time learning about the lives of the rich and famous on a celebrity homes tour. After the welcome meeting, we’ll head beachside and visit Venice and Santa Monica beach for a stroll and some people watching. Day 1 is all about introductions, so why not spend some time getting to know your fellow travellers with an optional group dinner.

Day 2 Joshua Tree National Park

Today, you’ll head away from the coast and drive to Joshua Tree National Park. Sitting between the Mojave and Colorado Deserts, the park is famous for its spectacular desert plants – including the park’s namesake Joshua trees – along with cacti and Mojave yuccas. The area is also home to striking rock formations and mountain ranges, so you might like to head out on a scenic hike around the park or take a refreshing dip in the Colorado River. You’ll head to Lake Havasu City later on to your accommodation for the night, and check out London Bridge: a 280-metre structure rebuilt in Arizona in 1971 after being transported, piece by piece, from the banks of the Thames in London.

Day 3 Grand Canyon National Park

Drive to Grand Canyon National Park, along a section of the famous Route 66, stopping in at the eccentric town of Seligman. Once we arrive at the Grand Canyon National Park, be ready to visually delight in the natural beauty for hours. This stunning gorge is 1.5 kilometres deep, formed by over six million years of erosion from the Colorado River. You'll spend two nights here, and you’ll need it, to allow for a full day of exploration tomorrow.

Day 4 Grand Canyon National Park

Today is a free day to explore the Grand Canyon, one of the largest canyon systems in the world. Stroll along the meandering South Rim Trail or hike your way down to Plateau Point. With eagles soaring overhead and chasms extending as far as the eye can see, it’s so important for you to experience its vast gorges from multiple viewpoints. In the early evening, relax at the canyon's edge and enjoy a spectacular sunset over one of the world's natural wonders.

Day 5 Las Vegas

Head out of the Grand Canyon and cross the western deserts of Arizona to Las Vegas. Las Vegas may be the gambling capital of the world, but there's plenty to do if gambling isn't your thing. Hit the shops, feel your stomach drop on a rooftop roller coaster or simply stroll along the Strip, soaking up the glitz and gaudiness. As there is no accommodation organised for tonight, you are free to leave at any time upon arriving in Las Vegas. If you would like to spend some more time here, we'll be happy to organise additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).

Day 1
Check-In, Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation
Norfolk, VA D Courtyard Marriott Norfolk Downtown
Activity note: Hotel check in from 3:00 p.m.

Afternoon: Program Registration: 3:00-5:00 p.m. After you have your room assignment, come to the Road Scholar table to register with the program staff and pick up your Welcome packet containing an up-to-date schedule that reflects any last-minute changes, other important information, and to confirm when and where the Orientation session will take place. If you arrive late, please ask for your packet when you check in.

Dinner: At the hotel, we’ll have a buffet dinner with coffee, tea, water included; other beverages available for purchase.

Evening: Orientation. 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. Unless noted otherwise, travel and transfers will be provided primarily by school buses, which are not equipped with air-conditioning. We will pre-select choices for some meals using forms in the preparatory materials. Periods in the daily 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/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

Day 2
Parade of Nations, Chrysler Museum, Backstage, Tattoo
Norfolk, VA B,L,D Courtyard Marriott Norfolk Downtown
Activity note: Walking approx. 1.5 miles throughout the day; some stairs at parade risers and Scope Arena; periods of standing at Chrysler Museum. Our reserved seats for the parade are not covered; be sure to account for the weather. Driving approximately 4.5 miles; about 2 hours total, with stops. School buses are not equipped with air-conditioning. Evening performance is approx. 2 hours.

Breakfast: At the hotel, we’ll have a breakfast buffet featuring a variety of hot and cold items, plus milk, juice, coffee, tea, water.

Morning: Immediately following breakfast we’ll 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, but it is the only parade in the United States that formally honors NATO. After the parade, we’ll board our school bus for a very short transfer to the Chrysler Museum of Art.

Lunch: At the museum, we’ll have our pre-selected boxed lunches including a choice of sandwich, plus chips, a cookie, and drink.

Afternoon: Then we’ll go on a docent-led exploration through the Chrysler Museum of Art. 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. Next, we’ll board the school bus for a short ride to the Scope Arena for a 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 from them about tonight's performance, the production and staging of the event, and the venue before having some time to pose any questions. We’ll then return to the hotel.

Dinner: After walking a short distance to the Brick House Diner, we’ll arrive and enjoy our pre-selected plated entrée choices, plus salad, rolls, and dessert. Non-alcoholic beverages included; BYOB is permitted.

Evening: Returning to the Scope Arena via school bus, we will head inside to our reserved seats for an exceptionally exciting and colorful display of musical "tattoos." Tonight's Grand Performance lasts approximately two hours with all of the participating bands and units, concluding in a grand finale. 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. We’ll then return to the hotel via school bus after the performance.

Day 3
Norfolk History, MacArthur Memorial, Nauticus, A Capella
Norfolk, VA B,L,D Courtyard Marriott Norfolk Downtown
Activity note: Walking approx. 1.5 miles; about 2 hours, with periods of standing; some stairs. Driving approximately 2 miles; about 1/2 hour for the day, with stops.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: We will start our day with a presentation in the hotel meeting room given by a local historian and Norfolk resident. 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. Next, we will walk the short distance to the MacArthur Memorial, which 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 learn about American history and we will have time to explore MacArthur’s grave and the museum’s other exhibits independently. 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.” We’ll then continue to Scope Arena to listen to the music of the Hullabaloo in the open air.

Lunch: At the Scope Plaza, everyone will receive a stipend with which to enjoy lunch. Choose from the many food vendors as the Hullabaloo performances and Drumline Competition are underway. Outdoor venue; no seating for dining.

Afternoon: Rendezvousing at a predetermined time and place, we’ll board the school bus and head to our next stop, 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. This field trip will be free for independent exploration, giving us the opportunity to see and do what interests each of us most. There will also be docents around the facility to answer any questions you may have. We’ll then return to the hotel before walking to dinner.

Dinner: Brick House Diner pre-selected plated meals.

Evening: Back at the hotel, we’ll enjoy a private performance just 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. The remainder of the evening will be at leisure. Be sure to prepare for check-out and departure following our final field trip in the morning.

Day 4
Harbor Naval Base Cruise at Nauticus, Program Concludes
Norfolk, VA B,L
Activity note: Short driving transfer. Walking approx. 1/2 mile; ramp to board boat; wearing comfortable and non-slip shoes aboard boat suggested. Getting on/off harbor boat; ride is about 2 hours; expected to end by approx. 10:30 a.m.; hotel check out by 12:00 Noon. Booking flights after 2:00 p.m. is recommended to allow ample time to travel to the airport.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: For our last field trip, we will be transported via school bus a short distance and board the cruise vessel, Victory Rover, for a morning of amazing sights 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 main cabin has large picture windows and comfortable seating with more seating and views up top. As we go, the captain will give fascinating and entertaining commentary about what we’re seeing. At the conclusion of harbor cruise in the mid-morning, we’ll get off the boat, pick up our boxed lunches, and transfer back to the hotel for check-out.

Lunch: Box lunches will be available dockside to take with you. The choices have been pre-selected prior to arrival at the program. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. 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!