Welcome to LLI/NOVA’s Cultural Excursions Program!

The mission of the Cultural Excursions Program is to promote and provide access to the educational, cultural, and leisure offerings of this area and the nearby states. Volunteers who plan and often lead these activities strive to provide stimulating, shared experiences for LLI/NOVA members, and their friends and family, at a reasonable cost.

Offerings will include informal Meet-Ups where each participant provides his/her own transportation to and from a location or event that may occupy all or part of a day. In addition, trips will be offered to locations in the region or to nearby states. The duration of these trips varies from one to several days and usually includes transportation and overnight lodging. Most trips are organized and managed by the LLI/NOVA Cultural Excursions Committee. These trips, in addition to longer duration trips provided by commercial tour operators, are contingent upon meeting minimum participation requirements and are thereby subject to cancellation.

Trips will be announced on this page, in the Events calendar, on the Home page, and in the LLI/NOVA Newsletter. Most activities are open to members and friends and family, but often only an LLI/NOVA member can register someone for a trip. If an LLI/NOVA member wants to bring a non-LLI/NOVA member, then the LLI/NOVA member may have to fill out the registration both for the member and the non-member.

Each activity has specific registration procedures. These procedures are included in the activity description and may vary from event to event. Registration procedures for some trips will require you to fill out and submit an LLI Trip Registration form in order to participate. A generic version of the form can be found here. However, frequently a form is tailored for each trip. See the specific trip announcements below.

Announcements

Upcoming Excursions

For Detailed information on these upcoming excursions, please see the Event Calendar.

Tuesday, March 17 – Afternoon Tea at Lily’s Chocolate and Coffee – Vienna, VA
Wednesday, May 13 – Pohick Episcopal Church Tour – Lorton, VA
Wednesday, June 17 – Ball Sellers House – Arlington, VA

General Information

More details on excursions will be provided as it is available and be included here and in the class and event calendar. Information will also often be published in the Class Catalog and the Newsletter.

Most reservations will be made using the LLI/NOVA class and event registration calendar for members and for non-members/guests when they are included on the excursion.
Payment will often be accepted online, but by credit card only.
The ticket price will often not include transportation, parking, or food/snacks/drinks (i.e., meet ups). We will encourage and facilitate carpooling or ridesharing.
Cancellation policies and refunds will vary from excursion to excursion and will be explicitly stated for each excursion. LLI/NOVA will often need to meet minimum group ticket purchase requirements for each event. If the minimum is not met prior to the registration cut-off for each event, we will have to cancel our participation in that event. Once event tickets have been purchased by LLI/NOVA from the venue, the tickets will be non-refundable.

Past Day Trips

The Falls Church Episcopal Tour – Falls Church, VA – November 7
Guided Tour of Historic Blenheim – Falls Church, VA – November 13
Afternoon Tea at The Things I Love – Manassas, VA – November 20

Volunteers Are Needed

Putting together a winning trip depends on having a willing band of volunteers to plan trips, research sites and facilities, and potentially, become a Trip Assistant or Trip Leader. We’ve generally worked in teams, with more experienced members working with new members and providing support throughout the trip planning process. Remember, “more experienced trip planners” were once new too!

If you’re an LLI/NOVA member and believe you would enjoy working with others to plan and/or lead trips to fascinating and stimulating destinations, please email the LLI/NOVA Cultural Excursions Committee Chairperson, Carol Fagnani. Don’t forget to include your full name, any special qualifications and your contact information (telephone number and/or email address).