Crucible of Freedom
The American Revolution 250th Anniversary from Boston to Philadelphia
Oct. 3-10, 2027
Overview
THE CRUCIBLE OF FREEDOM AT 250: THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION IN THE NORTH
October 3-10, 2027
In 2027, we are in the midst of the 250th (the “Semi-Quincentennial") of all things American Revolution! This expedition begins in Boston, where we will visit several iconic sites in the hotbed of American radicalism – from the opening battles of Lexington and Concord to the bloody battle of Bunker (Breed’s) Hill to the concluding operations on Dorchester Heights that drove the British out of the harbor. No citizenry so espoused independence as the tea-throwing, massacre-baiting, Sons of Liberty seditionists of the Old Bay Colony.
We then head west across the Berkshires to Saratoga in the foothills of the Adirondacks. Here, astride the St Lawrence-Lake Champlain-Hudson waterway, was the invasion superhighway for two centuries as France, Britain and America vied for supremacy. Controlling the route was the imposing Fort Ticonderoga on the shores of Lake Champlain.
The battles around Saratoga and Ft Ticonderoga in the summer and autumn of 1777 proved to be the Turning Point of the American Revolution. American victory here brought in the French and changed the entire nature of the conflict. Saratoga is also renowned as the mountain playground of the New York elite and is home to famed spas, shopping and America’s oldest racecourse.
From Saratoga we travel down the Hudson River valley to West Point, New York, which in 1777 was a critical strongpoint that George Washington called “The Key to the Continent.” We will explore both its revolutionary heritage (with a battle nearby at Fort Montgomery, as well as Washington’s Final Encampment at New Windsor) and its history as the world’s premier military leadership training academy.
From West Point we will travel down to scenes of battle around Philadelphia, the center of revolutionary ferment and the capital of the new United States. The Mid-Atlantic seaboard was the military focus for much of the war, with the British headquartered out of NYC and the Americans out of Philadelphia. Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine, Germantown and Valley Forge are the critically important battlefields and sites we will visit. In fact, the Trenton campaign is considered almost equally with Saratoga as the Turning Point of the war. Philadelphia is our final location.
In each location, we will envision these towns and battlefields as they were in the time of George Washington, as well as enjoy the vibrancy, arts and culture of these thoroughly modern cities and towns. The beautiful foliage of the Lake Champlain and Hudson Valley regions will enhance the journey as we visit these beautiful, pastoral scenes, so rich in the history of the foundational events and people that shaped our great United States.
Inclusions
- Seven nights boutique/luxury accommodations in all 4-star and 5-star hotel.
- In-depth guided tours with professional historian.
- Full-time tour director for personalized support.
- Visit American colonial and revolutionary cultural/historical sites.
- Transportation by luxury bus or vans throughout trip.
- Group and on own meals, as indicated in the itinerary. Alcohol is excluded.
- One bottle of water per day per person.
- All entrance fees for group activities.
- Gratuities for docents and restaurants.
- Itinerary subject to slight changes.
Exclusions
- Flights to Boston or from Philadelphia.
- Airport transfers.
- Alcohol, unless specifically included in the itinerary.
Please note that our expedition begins in Boston and ends in Philadelphia.
your expedition leaders
$5,550 per person
