usa: east coast trio
FEATURE 19
VALLEY FORGE/BRANDY WINE Pennsylvania’s lush countryside begins less than an
hour from Philadelphia. Travel the 30 miles or so and you could be mistaken for thinking you were in the South of France.
This was a region that, 230 years ago, was
occupied by the British but today’s visitors come to conquer history trails and parks and gardens, enjoy living museums and sip top-class wines.
Valley Forge (
valleyforge.org) is the home of the country’s leading Revolutionary-themed national historic park, where the star attraction is the encampment site of General George Washington’s army during the winter of 1777-78.
Chester County’s Brandywine Valley, an area of rolling hills, has a variety of attractions, including great shopping, superb cuisine, charming small towns, art galleries and wineries (
thebrandywine.com). Narrated driving tours are available at
Brandywine Battlefi eld, the site of the largest battle of the Revolutionary War.
It’s also known as ‘America’s Garden Capital’, due to its several world-class gardens and arboretums. Topping the list, and created in 1906, Longwood Gardens is an internationally-recognised centre of horticultural excellence. The conservatory is the largest planted area of glass in the world and imitates the glasshouses at Kew Gardens. Split into different climate zones the
conservatory showcases a lush world of exotic fl owers. There’s a changing cast of fl ora, depending on the season. Also worth visiting are the Jenkins Arboretum and Gardens, with its wide collection of rhododendrons and azaleas from around the world. US wine may be more associated with California but the Brandywine Valley wine Trail is made of up several wineries, with welcoming names such as Black Walnut Winery, Paradox Vineyard and Kreutz Creek Vineyards. Close by is the King of Prussia Mall, the largest retail shopping complex in the USA. Avid shoppers will also want to shop for great bargains at the nearby Philadelphia Premium Outlets.
TOURISM TALK “Taken together Philadelphia, Atlantic City and Brandywine/Valley Forge offer a unique and well-rounded holiday – and all
three can be combined easily on the same trip. What’s on offer is history, culture, the fi ne arts and more in Philadelphia, beaches, great retail opportunities and of course casinos in Atlantic City and the countryside, vineyards, parks and gardens and history in Brandy Wine/Valley Forge.” Greg Evans, UK Account Director, Philadelphia, Atlantic City and Brandywine/Valley Forge
Clockwise: Talking history at Independence Hall, Philadelphia; Elfreth’s Alley, the nation’s oldest continuously occupied residential street; Atlantic City’s Boardwalk; King of Prussia Mall, near Valley Forge
“It’s great to stroll the Boardwalk in Atlantic City, or hire a bike and cycle it for some healthy sea breezes. And don’t miss Atlantic City’s Tangier Outlets!”
KAREN FARRAR, NORTH AMERICA TRAVEL SERVICE
WHERE TO BOOK IT VIRGIN HOLIDAYS – 0844 557 3973.
A three-night break in Philadelphia starts from £859pp, based on two sharing. This includes fl ights with United Airlines from Heathrow, room-only accommodation at the four-star Loews Philadelphia and transfers. The price is based on an August 28 2014 departure.
vhols4agents.co.uk Three nights in Atlantic City, at the three-star
Caesars Atlantic Club (two people sharing), including fl ights with United Airlines from Heathrow to Newark, starts from £735pp. The deal includes car hire and is for a May 20 departure.
vhols4agents.co.uk FUNWAY
Four nights in Philadelphia, staying at the three- star Four Points by Sheraton, on a room-only basis, starts from £799pp based on two adults sharing). Flights are with US Airways and travel is on May 8 2014.
funway4agents.co.uk AMERICA AS YOU LIKE IT – 020 8742 8299
A four-night Atlantic City and Philadelphia by Rail Package starts from £758pp, including return
www.sellinglonghaul.com
fl ights from London to Philadelphia, two nights at the Wyndham Philadelphia Historic District, Amtrak train to Atlantic City and two nights at Harrah’s Resort & Casino. An eight-night-package combining Philadelphia and the Brandywine Valley, including a night in Valley Forge, three nights in the Brandywine area and three nights in Philadelphia, starts from £1070, including fl ights. Included is shopping at the King of Prussia Mall, visits to gardens and wineries and a guided tour in Philadelphia.
Americaasyoulikeit.com
WHO FLIES THERE British Airways (
batraveltrade.com) fl ies twice daily from Heathrow and is introducing the Dreamliner on the route in June to replace its Boeing 767 service. US Airways (
usairways.com) fl ies daily from London and Manchester year round and seasonally from Glasgow and from May 25, Edinburgh
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