Take in the sights and sounds of coastal Virginia this spring along with the renowned Virginia International Military Tattoo — the third largest Tattoo performance in the world. With a blend of history and entertainment, this event hosts bagpipers, military bands, drum corps, and drill teams to make up over 1,000 performers for a musical extravaganza! This vacation also includes five nights oceanside in beautiful Virginia Beach. With unique stops and local highlights, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience you don’t want to miss.
- Reserved seats to the Virginia International Tattoo, a musical extravaganza
- Visit Virginia’s Military Aviation Museum, home to one of the largest private collections of military aircraft
- Narrated cruise of the Norfolk Naval Base and see an array of aircraft carriers, destroyers and frigates from the water
- Spend five nights in beautiful Virginia Beach - All rooms at the Hampton Inn Oceanfront South feature ocean views
- Norfolk is NATO’s North American HQ and home to the largest population of active and retired military in the U.S
DAY 1: WELCOME TO RICHMOND!
Fly into Richmond, VA, and head to Virginia Beach for a 5-night stay. Virginia Beach is the state’s largest city and has three miles of boardwalk along the Atlantic Ocean. D
DAY 2: SMITHFIELD/NORFOLK BOTANICAL GARDEN
This morning, we make our way to Smithfield, VA, the Ham Capital of the World! We will make a stop at the Isle of Wights Museum where we will learn how hams are smoked and cured followed by a time to explore the unique shops lining the streets of Smithfield. This afternoon we will enjoy lunch at the Smithfield Inn before heading to the Norfolk Botanical Garden for a narrated tram tour. The gardens are Coastal Virginia’s premier horticultural attraction with over sixty different gardens to explore. For example, each spring, more than 175 varieties of rhododendrons and azaleas showcase their flowers, along with dogwoods, daffodils and more. The sights, sounds, and smells of the gardens will heighten your senses! B, L
DAY 3: FREE TIME IN VIRGINIA BEACH/NORFOLK/VIRGINIA TATTOO
This morning, stroll the boardwalk, shop for souvenirs, or just relax on your balcony. After lunch, we spend the remainder of the day in Norfolk. See General Douglas MacArthur’s Memorial which tells the story of the man himself 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. See dance and drill performances and take photos with performers. Finally, it’s time for the main event: 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 4: VIRGINIA BEACH CITY TOUR/EASTERN SHORE EXPLORATION
Watch the sunrise this morning from your balcony as we prepare for a wonderful day along the waters of the Chesapeake Bay. First, our local guide will showcase the highlights of Virginia Beach such as the Neptune statue and boardwalk, First Landing State Park, the naval history and much more. 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 we cross back over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and into Virginia Beach. B, L, D
DAY 5: 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 our waterways. Newport News Shipbuilding is the largest employer in Virginia and the sole designer, builder and refueler of United States Navy aircraft carriers. Learn more about the history of shipbuilding here on a driving tour. Next sit down to lunch along the James River. This afternoon, we board the Victory Rover for a Norfolk Harbor cruise which is your front row seat to the naval fleet! See destroyers, submarines, and other vessels while taking in the sights of the harbor. B, L, D
DAY 6: MILITARY AVIATION MUSEUM/HOME
This morning, we 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 has been beautifully restored to their original condition, many of which are still flown during flight demonstrations. We will enjoy lunch at the museum before returning to Richmond and home. B, L
ACCOMMODATIONS: Hampton Inn Oceanfront South, Virginia Beach, VA
Dates:
- Departure: April 23, 2025
- Return: April 28, 2025
Price Per Person:
- Double $2,499
- Triple/Quad $2,299
- Single $2,929
*Includes roundtrip airfare from STL/MCI (call for other gateways)
Average Temperatures
Richmond, VA: 71° / 46°
Virginia Beach: 68° / 48°
Identification
Since we are traveling by plane you must bring a valid state-issued ID or passport.
Other General Information
We will send 3 key communications for your tour; “Get Ready” is your email confirmation and initial tour information sent upon registration, “Get Set” email will be sent about two months before departure, “Go” trip documentation mailing is sent via USPS 3-4 weeks before departure and will include your daily itinerary, luggage tags and final departure information.
Travel Protection is optional and highly recommended and can be purchased until the day before departure. We offer Travel Guard from AIG, which costs 8.5% of your tour, information about which will be sent with your Get Ready email.
Unless otherwise noted, your Sunrise Tour includes: Professional Sunrise Tour Director, meals as indicated, local step on guides including gratuity (international tour guide gratuity inclusion vary by tour), deluxe motorcoach transportation w/rest room, admission to activities and events as indicated, airfare from designated airports, transportation to/from designated airports from our convenient local pickup points*, luggage handling at hotels when available
We believe tipping is a personal and discretionary interaction between our guests and our staff. A typical gratuity for your Sunrise Tour Director and motorcoach driver may be $5-$7per person, per day on tour. Sunrise Shuttle drivers appreciate gratuities (suggest $5 per person) for excellent service as well. Our staff will not solicit gratuities or pass out envelopes.
We are happy to offer refreshments on most motorcoach travel days on tour. We recommend you bring a refillable water bottle to maintain healthy hydration.
If less than 4 people request a pickup point, we may ask that you choose another pickup point from which to join your Sunrise Tour.
If you would like to join a tour from a city not listed as a departure point, we would love to have you along! Please discuss arrangements with our friendly reservation team. From a departure city not listed, typical airfare will be +$100 higher than our published fare for domestic tours, and +$200 for international tours.
If you have a TSA precheck or Airline Rewards numbers, you MUST give those numbers to our reservations team at least 60 days before departure, otherwise they may not be applied.
Preferred seating may not be available on group air. In some cases, seats are not assigned until the airport. Your tour fare includes an economy seat on the flight; it does not include seat selection. Seat upgrades may be available at an additional cost.
To help make our tours the most comfortable in the business, we limit Sunrise Tours motorcoaches to 80% capacity, or 44 passengers on a coach built for 55. We reserve the right to amend this practice.
Your Tour Director will rotate seats on the motorcoach each day of your tour. A single fare does not guarantee two seats on the coach; you may be seated next to another friendly Sunrise Tours guest.
Terms and Conditions
Please refer to our policies HERE for more information on our terms and conditions.
