The Outer Banks

Lighthouses, Wild Horses, and Golden Beaches of the Outer Banks

Sunday, May 10 - Friday, May 17

 

Visit the sun-soaked shores of North Carolina's barrier islands. The Outer Banks boasts over 100 miles of wide-open shoreline, charming seaside villages, and a mix of towns brimming with personality and fascinating connections to our nation's history. Enjoy five nights in a beachfront hotel, exploring islands' breathtaking natural beauty, rich maritime history and coastal cuisine!

 

DAY 1 - Fly from Boston and transfer to our oceanfront hotel, the Ramada Plaza Kill Devil Hills.

 

DAY 2 - See North Carolina's State Horse the Wild Spanish Mustangs of Carolla. These horses have survived for centuries on the barrier island. We'll start our morning with a guided wild horse safari in a 4WD vehicle along an eleven-mile-long remote area of Outer Banks coast lines. Then we'll visit the only lighthouse in North Carolina that is still housed in its original structure, the Currituck Beach Lighthouse. You'll have time for lunch on your own in the heart of charming Duck, before we visit the Wright Brothers National Memorial. See where on a cold day in December, 1903 Wilbur and Orville Wright changed the world forever as their powered airplane, the "Wright Flyer", skimmed over the sands of the Outer Banks for 12 seconds before returning to the ground. See the flight museum which tells story of the Wright's accomplishments as well as replica of the 1903 flying machine. Dinner will be included at a local restaurant tonight. (B,D)

 

DAY 3 - Today, explore the beautiful and historic Roanoke Island. We'll start with a self-guided tour of the majestic Elizabethan Gardens, which were designed as a living memorial to Queen Elizabeth and the Lost Colony. The Gardens include a collection of Renaissance statues and Elizabethan style buildings that let you imagine you are back in the time of Queen Elizabeth I. Stroll through the garden's ever-changing palette of year-round color from hydrangeas, native plants, perennials and camellias. After, we'll walk over to Fort Raleigh National Historic Site. See the site of the first English Colony, where Sir Walter Raleigh's explorers and later colonists established settlements in 1585 & 1587; would later become known as the "The Lost Colony", after 116 settlers disappeared. This site also preserves the cultural heritage of the Native Americans, European Americans and African Americans who have lived on Roanoke Island and pays homage to the Freedman's Colony played a significant role during the Civil War as one of the first safe haven for freed or runaway slaves in the South. Explore downtown Mateo's locally owned shops, boutiques, cafés and restaurants on your own before we visit the Outer Banks Distillery, the first legal distillery on the Outer Banks of NC. The Distillery makes small batch rum from the Graveyard of the Atlantic and local ingredients. Visit the distillery and try some samples of their famous rum. Colorful, vivid sunsets in the Outer Banks can truly be one of the most breathtaking experiences during your visit. Join us on a unique sunset eco-tour cruise to search for wild Atlantic bottlenose dolphins and view the wildlife of the Outer Banks. Aboard our covered 40-foot pontoon boat, you will observe bottlenose dolphins, pelicans, and osprey. Trained onboard naturalists will provide a fascinating commentary on the history of the Outer Banks and describe the life history and behavior of bottlenose dolphins. We'll enjoy a delicious dinner at the waterfront Lone Cedar Café before returning to the hotel. (B,D)

 

DAY 4 - Enjoy the day on your own to explore the hotel, relax on the beach, or explore the many shops and restaurants within walking distance of our hotel.

 

DAY 5 - Today we'll explore the maritime history of Cape Hatteras and the Outer Banks Scenic Highway with a local guide. Our first stop is the Bodie Island Lighthouse. Open for public climbing for the first time, check out the newest view a top the most picturesque lighthouse in the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Then, stop by the Chicamacomico Life Saving Station, A predecessor to the US Coast Guard, Chicamacomico is one of the most complete US Lifesaving Station sites in the nation, see historic buildings and a boathouse that housed the service that was the predecessor to the United States Coast Guard. Hear the history of daring ocean rescues by brave men who dedicated their lives to the sea on a guided tour with a speaker presentation. Lunch is in on your own in Avon before we visit Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, the tallest brick beacon on the American coast with its black and white stripes; it stands at 208 feet high. Learn the marvelous history, which includes its half-mile move in 2000 away from the ocean. Next stop is the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum in Hatteras Village. A unique museum dedicated to preserving and interpreting the rich maritime history of the Outer Banks and the more than 2,000 known shipwrecks that rest of our coast. See cannons from Blackbeard's Queen Anne Revenge, an Enigma machine from the U-85, ship models and many other artifacts. Before our included dinner, you'll have free time to relax on the beach in Cape Hatteras National Seashore. (B, D)

 

DAY 6 - Return to the Cape. 

 

$ 1,749 per person, double occupancy, $ 2,102 single occupancy

Airfare Schedule & Pricing TBA

Package Includes:

5 nights at the Ramada Plaza, Kill Devil Hills

Baggage Handling

5 breakfasts, 3 dinners

Wild Horse Safari Tour

Currituck Lighthouse

Wright Brothers National Memorial

Elizabethan Gardens

Outer Banks Distillery visit

Sunset Dolphin Cruise

Bodie Island Lighthouse

Chicamacomico Life Saving Station

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum

Free time at Cape Hatteras National Seashore

Deluxe Motorcoach Transportation

 

Flight Times & Pricing TBA

 

Payment & Cancellations:

Deposit: $ 100 land deposit is required to reserve the tour

Balance is due: 90 days prior to departure

Cancellation prior to February 8: no penalty

Cancellations February 9 and beyond: no refund for land package

Insurance is available and recommended for this tour

Ramada Plaza, Kill Devil Hills