Eastern Shore and Cape May

Whether you love the sea and sands of the ocean or the beautiful landscapes and blooms of summer, this trip is for you! We arrive in Baltimore’s beautiful Inner Harbor late this afternoon, where we are surrounded by fancy boats, great little shops and exciting attractions. You will have a chance to sample award-winning seafood tonight at Phillip’s Seafood or you may want to select a landlovers delight. (D)

Our first stop today is Hagley, made up of 235 picturesque acres of wooded rolling hills along the rushing Brandywine River dotted with stone ruins of the black powder industry, restored buildings associated with the business, and the original ancestral home and gardens of the du Pont family in America. We arrive this afternoon in Atlantic City, where you will have time to check out the famous Boardwalk, shop and people watch. We travel a short distance to Cape May and check into our ocean front resort accommodations for a two night stay.

Today we learn what is so special about this seaside resort. We begin at the 1879 Emlen Physick Estate, Cape May’s only Victorian house museum. We take a trolley tour to introduce us to the many natural attractions on the island. Following our tour we enjoy a delicious lunch at Washington Inn. A highlight of our day is a tour of the Fisherman’s Wharf learning how the seafood gets from the sea to the table. For our shoppers, our evening stop – Washington Street Mall – will provide a variety of privately owned shops loaded with an array of merchandise at great prices. Appearing like a modern day Currier & Ives photo, this quaint little mall will share unique and different gift ideas. This evening, we drive to Cape May Lighthouse and Sunset Beach. (L)

Our morning will begin with the perfect way to relax, aboard the Cape May-Lewes Ferry taking us from New Jersey to Delaware. Enjoy the sun deck from one of the lounge chairs or relax in the salon area while we make our way across the mouth of the Delaware River. After a leisurely drive through the beautiful farmlands of Maryland, we arrive in the small coastal town of St. Michael’s. This town dates back to the mid-1600’s when it served as a trading post for area tobacco farmers and trappers. After lunch on your own in historic St. Michaels, we travel across the Chesapeake Bay to Annapolis. This afternoon, we enjoy a guided tour of Annapolis including the Maryland State House, the oldest state capitol still in continuous legislative use. Dinner is included this evening before we check into our hotel. (D)

Before traveling home, we take a guided walking tour of the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, where enthusiastic young men and women are trained to become professionals in the Navy and Marines. This tour has provided lots of beautiful sights to reflect on, from the ocean to the boardwalk to the majesty of the gardens.