Example of Hotels

Day 1

Overnight flight from London to Baltimore International Airport.
Hotel tonight Baltimore Inner Harbor.

Day 2

Leaving Baltimore this morning we drive to Spesutie Island, the point a ship of the line could sale up to in 1812. Next we proceed to the historic village of Havre de Grace, sacked by the British and the home of Commodore John Rogers. We continue east through Principo Furnace, a gun foundry in 1813, to the town of Elkton for the night. The town was a rallying point for defenders and has a small military museum.

Day 3

From Elkton we drive through Frenchtown, site of another British raid to Warwick where we will visit the Old Bohemian Church, one of the earliest Catholic foundations in colonial Maryland. Driving next to the twin villages of Friedricktown & Georgetown to visit the Kitty Knight house, one of the few buildings to escape destruction, allegedly because of her charms! We will take the back roads from there to Caulk's Farm where Captain Parker was killed in 1814. Afterwards, we will stop at the 18th century town of Chestertown before proceeding to points of interest in Centreville & Queenstown, to Easton - this night's destination, the shire town of Talbot County.

Day 4

After we visit the 1813 site of the battle at St Michael's, we will take the scenic drive to Crisfield where we will board the ferry to Tangier Island, location of the permanent British land base of the 1814 operations. Return to the mainland after our visit, dine on a seafood feast, before arriving at our hotel in Pocomoke City.

Day 5

Onto Virginia's Eastern shore, en route to Hampton Roads. Crossing the Bay Bridge Tunnel, we visit the Norfolk Operating base before crossing the James River to see the Virginian Maritime Museum in Newport News before going on to our accommodations at historic Ft. Monroe. Take some time to walk around its moated walls and watch the shipping leaving the busy ports.

Day 6

We leave Ft. Monroe for a stop at Yorktown National Battlefield Park before proceeding to Virginia's Northern Neck - the area between Potomac and Rappahannock rivers. The area is charecterised by numerous quaint villages, each with their 18th century chapels, which were the site of frequent raids and counterattacks in 1813/14. En route we will stop at George Washington's birthplace and catch a glimpse of what life was like on a Potomac farm during this period. Overnight at Dahlgren, the home of the U.S Navy's Surface Weapon's Centre.

Day 7

We cross the Potomac into Southern Maryland and follow a route paralleling the north bank of the Potomac. En route we see Chaptico, raided in 1814 for its tobacco, and Leonardtown with its old jail and Wharf. It was here that Admiral Cockburn, RN persuaded General Ross that it was feasible to attack Washington. After lunch we proceed to St Mary's City, the first capital of the State and see the restored buildings and sailing ship, museum, along with the archaeological dig.
Through the countryside to Solomons, the home of the Calvert Marine Museum. Having settled into your hotel, why not enjoy a walk through the fishing village with its taverns, restaurants and docks.

Day 8

Today we follow the British route on their advance to Washington. But first, we will learn about the 1814 Battle at St.Leonard's Creek which set up the attack against the capital. We then enter Prince George's County near Benedict and follow Ross's Redcoats to upper Marlboro, then go on to the site of the British victory at Bladensburg. After a tour of related sites we will arrive at our Washington hotel for the next three nights.

Day 9

Today we visit sites on both banks of the Potomac River associated with the 1814 artillery pieces in the invasion. In Virginia these will include Shuter's through the Hill, Mt. Vernon - George Washington's home northernmost and the Alexandria waterfront. We will also visit Ft.Washington, a Vauban fort built by L'Enfant the designer of Washington, then return to our hotel in time to partake in the capital's nightlife.

Day 10

Day at leisure. Free time to visit the museums and other sites.

Day 11

A short drive will take us to Baltimore and the site of the climax of the 1814 campaign, where we will then visit the Star Spangled House and Ft. McHenry, then it's off to our hotel for the last two nights.

Day 12

Today we tour 1812 Baltimore, starting with the first memorial to the war, the Maryland Historical Society's collections. On to Patapsco Neck, The battle of North Point where Ross was killed. In the evening we will board the USS Constellation, the oldest continuously active US Navy Warship, and a veteran of the war.

Day 13

Depart BWI airport for London

Day 14

Arrive London