Signature Battlefield Series - Gettysburg and the Battlefields of the Civil War tour

Tour Dates: July 2-8, 2013

Pre-Registration Open

"In great deeds something abides. On great fields something stays. Forms change and pass; bodies disappear, but spirits linger, to consecrate ground for the vision-place of souls. And reverent men and women from afar, and generations that know us not and that we know not of, heart-drawn to see where and by whom great things were suffered and done for them, shall come to this deathless field to ponder and dream; And lo! the shadow of a mighty presence shall wrap them in its bosom, and the power of the vision pass into their souls." 

Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain

Speaking at the dedication of the Monument to the 20th Maine
October 3, 1889, Gettysburg, PA

Geek Nation Tours is proud to announce its “Signature Battlefield Tours” series. The first of which will be Gettysburg 2013 the 150^th anniversary of that battle.  We are happy to offer the tour to this hugely important battlefield along with Antietam, Manassas and Harpers Ferry.  Join us as we travel the through this hallowed ground and visit some of the most important sites of American history.  We will return often the Battlefields themselves and explore these powerful places.  You will find yourself looking across the great breath of the Manassas battlefield, you will stand on an impossibly small cornfield and a tiny bridge where more Americans died than on any other day in the nation's military history, we will see the town where John Brown made his stand against slavery and we will see the monumental Gettysburg battlefield in detail.  We will visit the hill so gallantly defended by Joshua Chamberlain and stare off into the distances on General Robert E Lee’s line where he made the fateful decision to march against Union lines.

Day 1 (July 2^nd): Arrive in Washington DC and transfer to Manassas.

Day 2 (July 3^rd): Spend the day at Manassas National Battlefield Park.  Bring your sneakers as we will be doing some walking tours today. We will discover the battlefield with the help of a park tour guide and get some real insight to the battle.  We will then leave the Battlefield Park to lunch and visit the National Museum of the Marine Corps.  After our visit you will have the option of having some free time or joining us on a walk of the Manassas Battlefield.  We will walk from the Henry Hill Visitor Center to the Stone Bridge, Carter Cemetery, Matthews Hill, Stone house and then back to the Visitor Center.  The walk will take about 2-3 hours and we will return to the hotel around twilight to have dinner. Night in Manassas.

Day 3 (July 4^th):  We will leave Manassas and travel to Harper’s Ferry to briefly explore the Bolivar Heights Battlefield (important for the battle of Antietam) and the town of Harper’s Ferry.  We will be lead yet again by a local guide who will end the tour at a local restaurant for lunch.  From here we will return to our bus to visit Antietam battlefield.  A Park Ranger will lead us on a detailed tour of this battlefield. Night in Hagerstown.

Day 4 (July 5^th): Travel to Gettysburg.  Upon arrival we will visit the Gettysburg Diorama.  The largest Diorama in the US which depicts Gettysburg during the battle of 1862, it displays 6000 acres in miniature and has over 20000 hand-painted HO scale miniatures.  Not only that it gives a great overview of the battle and orients us for the afternoon tours.  We will have a licensed Battlefield Guide with us that will give us further enlightenment and will show us were we will visit that day.  After lunch we will take a Gettysburg Battlefield tour that will give us a general overview of the battle. We will end the tour at the “Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center” to visit the Cyclorama, Museum and bookstore. We will then make our way to the hotel and dine on property. Night in Gettysburg.

Day 5 (July 6^th):  In the morning (after breakfast included) we will return to the battlefield for a more detailed look at the Monument to the 20^th Maine on Little Round Top, Devil’s Den and the Wheatfield.  After visiting the battlefield we will tour the Shriver House for a re-enactment, you will have some free time to lunch and explore Gettysburg and then return to the hotel for some down time.  Later that evening we will dine at the historic Dobbin House and at twilight we will return to Lee’s Line to get a more detailed look at this section of the battlefield. Night in Gettysburg.

Day 6 (July 7^th): After breakfast (included) we will visit the Gettysburg Re-enactment for the duration of the day.  We will see at least two re-enactments and a live Mortar fire demonstration or two.  Between re-enactments we will visit the living history tents and military camps.  These visits offer a deeper look into the times and give visitors a wealth of knowledge about medical, weapon and other important aspects of life at the time. After watching the re-enactments you will want to meet a re-enactor and learn about their passions and the tents are the best place to do this. After returning to our hotel for a quick clean up we will return visit the historic Farnsworth House for a period dinner. After dinner we will return to the battlefield for a quick final visit. Night in Gettysburg.

Day 7 (July 8^th): We will be transferred to the Baltimore Airport for our departures.  Breakfast is included.

Extension Option:

Day 6 (July 9^th): Optional tour.  We will revisit the Gettysburg Re-enactment for an additional day (details as they become available) and return to Gettysburg for another period meal at The Dobbin House.

Day 7 (July 10^th): Depart from Gettysburg and explore the National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg. Night in Harrisburg

Day 8 (July 11^th): Transfer to Valley Forge via York. Register in evening for Historicon. Night in Valley Forge

Day 9 – 12 (July 12^th – 15^th): Participate on own schedule at Historicon.

Day 13 (July 16^th): Depart to home city from Philadelphia

(Please note also that the crew at Historicon has yet to reconfirm the dates for the 2013 convention.  Please book now to secure your spot however we are still confirming whether or not Historicon will be involved in our “Extension Option”)

Pricing:  Pricing per person based on double occupancy will be released soon.

Book here now to pre-register.  No deposit is necessary until all prices are in…however as this is the 150 anniversary it is sure to be a huge event and spaces on the tour are limited.  Book Now.

What is included: Most meals (more meal details soon), transfers, hotels and entrance fees.  As well as battlefield tour prices.

What is not included: Flights not included. However Geek Nation Tours would be happy to arrange air from anywhere in the world.  Include your origin city in the pre-registration and we will send you a quote

Departs from: Across the Globe