Beautiful Blooms of the Brandywine Valley

Beautiful Blooms of the Brandywine Valley

Tuesday, June 8 – Thursday, June 10

Come with us to explore lavish mansions and stunning gardens in full bloom, on our visit to Longwood Gardens, Nemours Estate and Winterthur Mansions; the magnificent mansions and gardens that were built by over 5 generations of the DuPont family in the Brandywine Valley of Delaware & Pennsylvania.

DAY 1 – Arrive in the Brandywine Valley by mid-afternoon and begin our getaway with a visit to the beautiful botanic garden, the Mt. Cuba Center. We’ll start our visit with a lovely two-hour afternoon tea, served in one of their elegant indoor spaces in the Copeland estate home. After tea, you’ll have time to explore the Center’s woodland gardens that produce some of the most spectacular displays of wildflowers in the mid-Atlantic region. Then, we’ll check into the historic Inn at Mendenhall, established in 1777, for our two-night stay. We’ll enjoy a delicious dinner at the hotel. (D)

DAY 2 – After breakfast, we’ll dive into the DuPont legacy at the Nemours Estate, where we’ll see an exquisite, 77-room mansion with a remarkable art collection, a Chauffeur's Garage housing a collection of vintage automobiles, and nearly 200 acres of scenic woodlands, meadows and lawns. Nemours is also the home to the largest formal French gardens in North America, modeled after the gardens of Versailles, and will be in full bloom. This afternoon, our look into the DuPont Legacy continues with a visit to Longwood Gardens, the world’s premier horticultural display gardens. You will have time to grab lunch on your own at Longwood Gardens Café or Restaurant before strolling the gardens and conservatories, visiting the DuPont home, and admiring the beautiful, newly revitalized fountain displays. The 5-acre 8 Main Fountain Garden has undergone a 2-year, $90-million total re-do, and returns with over 1,700 fountain jets and streams that shoot up to 175 feet in the air, sprays that spin and twirl and flames that erupt on top of water plumes. Tonight you’ll enjoy a delicious dinner at Brandywine Prime, housed in a beautiful 1703 Stone Cottage. (B,D)

DAY 3 – Before returning to the Cape, we’ll visit the spectacular home of HF DuPont, Winterthur Mansion, the premier museum of American-made decorative arts, which are displayed throughout the opulent 175-room mansion. We’ll take a 20-minute narrated tram tour to see the highlights of the garden and hear the history of Winterthur. Then, take a tour of the mansion and museum. (B)

 $ 1,059 per person, double occupancy, $ 1,250 single occupancy

Package Includes:

Two nights at the Inn at Mendenhall

baggage handling

two breakfasts, two dinners

Afternoon tea at the Mt. Cuba Center

Nemours Estate

Winterthur Mansion with garden tram tour

Longwood Gardens.

Deluxe Motorcoach Transportation

Gratuities for Tour Escort & Bus Driver

Payments and Cancellations

Cash, personal checks & money orders accepted

Visa & MasterCard payments accepted via phone.

$100 per person deposit due upon booking, balance due 60 days prior to tour.  Refundable up to 60 days prior to tour.

Trip Insurance is available for this trip through Travel Insured International