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Potomac Highlands Region, CIVIL WAR TRAILS TO MOUNTAIN RAILS West Virginia HIGHLIGHTS ® Two Historic Rail Excursions ® Two Mountain Music Shows ® Regional Civil War Tour ® Victorian Tea & Civil War Impersonations ® A True West Virginia Mountain Experience DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: Romney to Moorefield, WV Our Mountain Highlands adventure begins in Romney, the oldest incorporated town in the state of West Virginia, the only state formed because of and during the Civil War. Romney reputedly changed hands 56 times during that war. Meet our Mountaineer Country Tours guide and hop on board Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad, which travels along the South Branch of the Potomac River. While we dine DAY 3: Davis to Elkins, WV onboard, watch for eagles swooping into the river. On a driving tour of historic Romney, see Stonewall Jackson's Headquarters, the first Travel through Parsons, where the first general died in battle during monument to the Confederacy, and West Virginia School for the the Civil War, arriving in Elkins, one of the region’s hottest group tour Blind. Then, it's on to a brief historical tour of Moorefield and check- destinations and home to American Mountain Theater. Experience in at South Branch Inn. A dinner of local flavor is followed by enter- America’s musical past with popular songs from the early 1900s through tainment at McCoy’s Grand Theater. today from the talented cast that includes three RCA recording artists. Then, board the legendary Cheat Mountain Salamander, one of DAY 2: Moorefield to Davis, WV four historic trains operated by Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad, for a short rail jaunt to Historic Beverly to relive the Battle of Rich After breakfast, mosey on down to Southside Depot offering every- Mountain and be immersed in Civil War history in the town where thing from candles to antiques and fine art. Then, it's down through Stonewall Jackson's sister, a Union sympathizer, lived. Enjoy living his- the picturesque valley to Harper’s Old Country Store, a general tory portrayals, Appalachian storytelling or music. A Victorian tea country store serving generations continuously since 1902. View awaits us at Graceland Inn. The mansion, built in 1893, features the majestic Seneca Rocks, one of the best-known landmarks in West opulence of America’s Golden Age, from its two-story great hall to Virginia, where we may spy a daring rock climber scaling the cliffs. its oak-paneled billiard room, stone turrets and a gracious veranda Visit Seneca Rocks Discovery Center and learn about Native with panoramic view of the valley below. After checking in to Holiday Americans and rocky cliff formations before lunch at Seneca Caverns Inn Express, have a wonderful dinner at 1863 Tavern at Elkins Restaurant, located in scenic Germany Valley. Step beneath the earth Motor Lodge. Be treated to another Branson-style show at American into Seneca Caverns for an interactive and entertaining cavern tour Mountain Theater. specifically designed with seniors in mind. Afterwards, try your luck at panning for gems. Dinner and lodging is at Canaan Valley Resort, an oasis of natural beauty where the deer and black bear play. Laugh out loud when the Men of Accord barbershop quartet treats you to its comedy and harmonies. The group performed for Red Skelton's 82nd birthday party. CONTACT: West Virginia Mountain Highlands ® For Travel Guide & Tour Map: West Virginia Mountain Highlands P.O. Box 1456, Elkins, WV 26241 1.877.WVA-MTNS (982.6867) • www.mountainhighlands.com ® For Group Tour Information: JoAnn Peterson, Mountaineer Country Tours Phone: 304-329-6330 • Email: [email protected] LeisureGroupTravel.com June 2011 51 O melinda hughey South-Seeing by River & Rail SOUTH Groups enjoy fine food aboard My Old Kentucky Dinner Train and Nashville’s General Jackson showboat. hroughout the Southeast it’s “all River Street in downtown Savannah. The Collis P. Huntington Railroad Taboard” for touring with a twist as (savannahriverboat.com) Historical Society oversees the world- groups set sail with near-endless op- The General Jackson, America’s renowned New River Train excursions portunities to see the sights via river largest showboat, is back in action after through the New River Gorge in and rail. Nashville’s disastrous May 2010 southern West Virginia. As one of the Scenic railway excursions and sight- “Thousand Year Flood” that took the newest national parklands, the “Grand seeing cruises provide groups welcome boat out of commission for weeks af- Canyon of the East” along the New relief from “road routine,” allowing terward. Daily buffet lunch cruises fea- River is aglow in fall colors in mid to them to gain not only a refreshing per- ture musical entertainment with Steve late October. It is during this peak au- spective on their tour destination but Hall & Shotgun Red, while dinner fea- tumn foliage time that the train trav- access to sights that many times can’t tures the final season of Country Music erses the former Chesapeake & Ohio be experienced any other way. USA. (generaljackson.com) mainline from Huntington to Hinton, providing a front-row seat to some of CRUISE OPPORTUNITIES AND FROM RIVER TO RAIL the most spectacular scenery in the The Pickwick Belle is an authentic My Old Kentucky Dinner Train is country. New River Train excursions in paddlewheel riverboat cruising Pick- based in historic Bardstown, the second 2011 operate the weekends of Oct. 15- wick Lake between Florence, Ala. and oldest town in the state. Exceptional 16 and 22-23. Each trip is an all-day, Pickwick, Tenn. Various themed dining and spectacular scenery are the 300-mile-long roundtrip trek. Stops in cruises are offered for sightseeing, hallmarks of this excursion as the vin- St. Albans and Montgomery give pas- lunch or dinner. She can be chartered tage train cars make their way through sengers the option of three boarding for large groups. (pickwickbelle.com) 14,000-acre Bernheim Forest to Lime- locations. At Hinton a street fair is The Savannah River Queen and stone Springs Junction on the Jim Beam held each day with local food stands, Georgia Queen kick it up a notch American Outpost. (rjcorman.com) arts and crafts, entertainment, a rail- with their “Murder Afloat Mystery Tennessee Valley Railway in Chat- road museum and other attractions. Cruise,” “Gospel Dinner Cruise” and tanooga operates excursions year-round, (newrivertrain.com) LGT new “Haunts and Hags Tour” that ex- but is best known for its Autumn Leaf plores mystical legends surrounding Specials. Missionary Ridge Local trips ONLINE EXCLUSIVE the South Georgia Coast. Sightseeing, and the nearly full-day Chickamauga For more rail and cruise ideas meals and entertainment can be Turn trip are staged aboard vintage in the South, log on to http:/leisure- grouptravel.com/?p=23751 arranged on these boats moored on 1950s-era trains. (tvrail.com) Georgia Department of Economic Development 52 AprilJune 20112011 LeisureGroupTravel.com HISTORIC FREDERICKSBURG Fredericksburg, Virginia HIGHLIGHTS ® Original George Washington family homes ® Charming Old Town Fredericksburg – a shopper’s delight and restaurants to suit any palate ® Four Civil War battlefields ® Classic Broadway musicals at Riverside Dinner Theater ® Wine tastings and food pairing demonstrations DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: George Washington influenced not only Fredericksburg’s history, but also the new nation he helped form. At Ferry Farm you’ll see the site of Washington’s boyhood home before journeying to the home he pur- chased for his mother, the Mary Washington House, and his sister’s home, Kenmore, known for its beautiful plasterwork. His brother, Charles, sold his home and it later became the Rising Sun Tavern, remaining today as a lively interpretive site with costumed 18th century tavern DAY 3: wenches. Lunch can be enjoyed on your own in Old Town or at any of a wide variety of group-welcoming restaurants. Spend the evening There are many unique sites in the area that have an ambience all their at Potomac Point Winery learning about and sampling the award- own. Gari Melchers Home and Studio at Belmont was the home of this winning wines and the food that is paired with them. American Impressionist artist. Your senses will delight in not only the wonderful artwork and furnishings, but also the gardens on the 27-acre DAY 2: estate. No visit to the area would be complete without some free time for shopping in Old Town Fredericksburg. After lunch on your own in one Strategically located midway between the capital of the Confederacy of the independently owned restaurants, spend time browsing the in Richmond and the U. S. capital in Washington, D. C., Fredericksburg galleries, antique shops, boutiques and craft stores that line the brick was the scene of four of the most devastating battles of the Civil War. sidewalks, a portion of the 40-block National Historic District. After lunch A local guide will join you as you visit Chatham Manor, a Georgian visit Fredericksburg Area Museum and Cultural Center housed in two plantation home that served as a vital Federal headquarters, commu- historic buildings and discover thru the eyes of local residents the region’s nications center and hospital. Visitor centers at Fredericksburg and rich and varied past. Or perhaps you need medical treatment. Although Chancellorsville feature museum exhibits, videos and short walking Dr. Mercer may not be in at the Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop, his tours that tell the story of the four battlefields in the region. Enjoy apprentice will be certain to have a treatment for whatever ails you. evening entertainment at Riverside Dinner Theater, which possesses state-of-the-art facilities and seats 452 guests. Riverside boasts gourmet Your group will depart the Fredericksburg region with many fond memo- cuisine, a choice of four entrees served at your table and a commit- ries and an appreciation for one of the most historic cities in America.