Historic Chesapeake Bay Cruise 74a Alexandria to New York City or Cruise 75a New York City to Alexandria

DAY 1 WASHINGTON, D.C. / ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA Arrive in Washington, D.C., and transfer to Alexandria and the Spirit of Nantucket. There is time for independent exploration in the evening. D

DAY 2 WASHINGTON, D. C. / ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA Designed by Major Pierre Charles L' Enfant around 1790, Washington, D.C. is a vast "museum" of our national heritage. Join a morning tour of Mt. Vernon, the meticulously preserved estate of George Washington. In the afternoon, there are independent opportunities to visit the monuments that honor Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Roosevelt, and to experience the power and beauty of both the White House and Capitol Building. Delve into the exhibits at the Library of Congress, the National Gallery of Art and the Smithsonian Institute. After dinner, an optional excursion presents our capital's unique resplendence, beautifully illuminated by the lights of the city. BLD

DAY 3 CRUISING THE POTOMAC RIVER& CHESAPEAKE BAY/ ST. MARY'S CITY Enjoy a relaxing morning aboard the Spirit of Nantucket, cruising down the Potomac into the "great bay of shellfish." One of the most complete estuarine systems in the world, the Chesapeake's rich waters are fringed by marshlands and mudflats, offering hiding places for waterfowl, and nurseries for oysters and crabs. Historic St. Mary's City is a museum of history and archaeology in beautiful tidewater Southern Maryland. Explore the houses, museum and lighthouse that perfectly portray St. Mary's past. BLD

DAY 4 ST. MICHAELS, MARYLAND In the early morning, the Spirit of Nantucket sails across Chesapeake Bay to St. Michaels, a charming village that was a shipbuilding center for tall mast Baltimore clipper ships. Our guided tour explores the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum and takes a stroll through the town, learning about its rich history as you view its colonial architecture. Later this afternoon, you'll have the option to sail back in time aboard the skipjack Rebecca T. Ruark. Constructed in 1866 to dredge oysters from the bay, she is the "queen" of North America's last working fleet of sailboats. BLD

DAY 5 ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND After anchoring in Annapolis Harbor, our explorations ashore include a tour of the historic State House, the U.S. Naval Academy and the William Paca House. BLD

DAY 6 WILMINGTON, DELAWARE Located at the mouth of the Brandywine River, Wilmington is part of du Pont country. Thedu Pont family staked their claim - and in many ways enhanced - the region, creating gardens and houses of great beauty. Visit stunning Longwood Gardens, see Brandywine Valley's splendid mansions, and examine the work of painter Andrew Wyeth, who found inspiration in the region. An optional excursion takes you to Winterthur, an eight-story mansion and country estate owned by the du Ponts, containing one of the world's premier collections of American antiques and decorative arts. BLD

DAY 7 CAPE MAY, NEW JERSEY After a relaxing morning at sea. arrive in lovely Cape May. From its first days in the 1630s, Cape May was a prosperous fishing and whaling port. Our sightseeing tour provides an overview of the town and its Victorian architecture. BLD

DAY 8 NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK Disembark the Spirit of Nantucket after breakfast and transfer to the airport for your flight home. B

Request: Cruise 74a  or Cruise 75a Booking/Availability.