Virginia's Enchanting Blue Ridge CARavan

VIRGINIA’S ENCHANTING BLUE RIDGE CARAVAN

Sunday, September 20 – Saturday, September 26, 2026

September is a GLORIOUS time in Virginia! Come CARavan with us through the rolling Blue Ridge of Virginia and experience scenery never before offered on a CCCA CARavan. You will be surrounded by natural beauty; discover Revolutionary, Antebellum, 19th and 20th century history; experience private access to architectural treasures; and tickle all your senses with visits to vineyards and enjoy live music. Numerous surprises will be peppered throughout the week!

The HOTEL ROANOKE (540-985-5900; www.hotelroanoke.com), a grand hotel listed on the National Register of Historic Places, will be our hub for the week (unpack once and enjoy!). Its history began in 1882 (with a state-of-the-art restoration in 1995). After touring each day, gather with friends in the hotel’s Art Deco Pine Bar.

Sunday, September 20

Settle into your home for the week; then gather with friends old and new for a Welcome Cocktail Bash.

Monday, September 21

Drive the celebrated Blue Ridge Parkway, experience historic towns unchanged by the 20th century, visit a preserved Federal mansion (1796) and share a libation together on its lawn surrounded by the expanse of the Blue Ridge mountains.

Tuesday, September 22

Set out on Virginia’s by-ways to visit Thomas Jefferson’s second architectural masterpiece, Poplar Forest (1806); motor through glorious countryside to Sweet Briar College and park your Classic on the Quadrangle amidst the 27 Ralph Adams Cram buildings (1906) protected by the National Trust; enjoy luncheon served amidst the college’s vineyards set on 2800 rolling acres before touring the original plantation house (1825) and the renown stables. Return to Roanoke and slip into ‘50s pool-side togs (period dress welcome!) for a pool party at a historic mid-century Motor Lodge! 

Wednesday, September 23

Experience majestic Virginia countryside en route to an Antebellum plantation (1814); tour given by a direct descendent of the original owner of the Italianate “big house”, slave cabin, ice house, gardens and cut flower fields and new-fashioned men’s shooting club; enjoy a festive organic luncheon under a great tent; numerous stops en route.

Thursday, September 24

Choose an easy day of touring by way of New Castle to the popular stagecoach-stop town of Paint Bank, with a filling station resplendent with 20th century memorabilia and lunch at the unique Swinging Bridge Restaurant; tour a Grist Mill before returning to Roanoke for rest, spa or pool time, or extend your day and views of glorious countryside with a continuation on to Lewisburg, West Virginia; cross a covered bridge (1879) on the way to a memorable luncheon at the French Goat Restaurant.

Friday, September 25

Spend the morning with visits to choice Roanoke museums (Transportation, Winston Link and Roanoke History or Taubman Museum of Art) or rest up poolside at the Hotel; gather for a show of our Classics at the private Shenandoah Club and enjoy a catered luncheon buffet; then ALL ABOARD for the RAILWAY BANQUET (period dress encouraged!—think ‘Classic travel’ or ‘elegant dining car merriment’ from the ’20s, ’30s and ’40s), with a pianist tickling the keys with strands of Cole Porter, Duke Ellington and Gershwin as we imbibe our specialty cocktail before moving into the elegant ‘railway dining car.’

Vehicle Registration Fee: Non-refundable vehicle registration fee, paid (online or by mail) directly to the National Office, of $300.00 covers car, driver and one passenger. Extra adult passengers are $50.00 each and will include a personal tour book and name tag.

COMPLETE ONLINE VEHICLE REGISTRATION FORM OR

DOWNLOAD VEHICLE REGISTRATION FORM and mail form and check to:

Classic Car Club of America
PO BOX 6526
Somerset, NJ 08873

Activities Fee (paid directily to the Region): $1,200 per person includes 6 meals, all events, Trouble Truck, Professional Photographer and more, fully refundable until July 1, 2026. Apply early, to ensure a spot!

Make your Activities Fee check payable to: Chris Harris-Evans with “Colonial Caravan” in the memo line and mail to:
c/o Chris Harris-Evans
CARavan Treasurer
909 Botetourt Gardens
Norfolk, VA 23507. 

Questions? — contact Gunther Hoyt or Lynn Shirey at HgHOYT@gmail.com (540) 230-4546; LYNNrSHIREY@gmail.com (703) 589-7275) 

CARavan Highlights:

The HOTEL ROANOKE is our hub for the week (no need to pack up and unpack!). Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and built in the Tudor Revival Style, its history extends back to 1882 (with a state-of-the-art restoration in 1995).

After touring, gather with friends — old and new — in the hotel's art deco Pine Bar.

Drive the celebrated Blue Ridge Parkway, traverse a covered bridge from 1879,  and experience historic towns unchanged by the 20th century.

Tour spectacular 18th & 19th c houses - each a Virginia Historic Landmark. Experience wine tastings and award-winning luncheon venues and dine al fresco in a vineyard!

Visit renowned institutions and collections!

Then, Friday evening, “all aboard” for the Railway Banquet! Dress for Travel in the Classic Era! Your Classic has pulled up to the Railway Station and you are dressed for polished travel in an earlier time, or don something festive for the dining car!

REGISTER NOW! SPACE IS LIMITED!