Experience US history by train

April marks the start of the 150th anniversary of the American War of Independence, and as the US gears up for this notable event, key historic battlefield locations throughout Virginia are marking the anniversary by what promises to be the biggest year for special events and civil war re-enactments.

Virginia has more than 200 war sites and with three out of every five battles fought in the state, including the symbolic beginning and ending of the war, the Battle of First Manassas and the surrender of Robert E. Lee at Appomattox, there are special events and re-enactments planned throughout the year for history addicts to enjoy.

Visiting iconic colonial towns such as the state capital Richmond, Charlottesville, Culpeper, Manassas, Fairfax, Lynchburg, Fredericksburg, and Alexandria is easy.  Travel through rolling countryside on a choice of two Amtrak Virginia routes depart from Union Station in Washington DC.  Visitors can also make use of Amtrak connections that link to Washington DC to the Northeast Corridor from Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York and Boston.

Four nights in 4-star hotels in Alexandria, Richmond, Charlottesville and Lynchburg, trains from Fredericksburg to Richmond, Richmond to Charlottesville and back, including return economy flights costs from £899 per person with Bon Voyage, visit bon-voyage.co.uk or go to AmtrakVirginia.com for the latest information on all Virginia routes.