TRUSTWORTHY TRAVEL

ITINERARY:

Day 1 – Monday, October 7, 2024                    LANCASTER                   (D)

Today we start our tour and invite you to learn about the fascinating life of Lancaster’s Amish people. We begin our day touring the Amish Farm and House learning about Amish history and heritage on our guided house tour. Then spend time on the 15-acre farm visiting the Amish-built schoolhouse, walking across the covered bridge, feeding the baby goats, and taking an Amish Buggy Ride.

This afternoon, we embark on a Guided Driving Tour through the Amish Countryside making stops at Amish businesses along the way.  We will stop by the Bird-n-Hand Bakery for some sweet treats and an original leather shop.

Later we travel to nearby Leola and stop by the Amish-owned Riehl’s Quilt and Craft Shop for a grand selection of quality Amish quilt products and locally hand-made crafts. Then we enjoy a family-style Amish Dinner serving up authentic Pennsylvania Dutch recipes.

Afterward, we check into the Wyndham Resort and Conference Center along Route 30 in Lancaster for a 5-night stay.  This beautiful 160-acre resort features modern accommodations, an 18-hole golf course, outdoor and indoor pools, basketball and tennis courts, and a 1.9-mile walking trail.

Day 2 – Tuesday, October 8, 2024                     GETTYSBURG                 (B,D)

Breakfast is included at the hotel at your leisure.

Depart for a full day of touring Gettysburg, where one of the Civil War’s bloodiest battles took place on July 3, 1863. We begin our day at the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center where we watch the 20-minute film, “A New Birth of Freedom.” Afterward, we experience the Cyclorama Painting and narration depicting Pickett’s Charge, the climactic Confederate attack on the Union forces during the Battle of Gettysburg.

This afternoon, we embark on a professionally guided Driving Tour of the Gettysburg National Military Park which encompasses nearly 6,000 acres with over 26 miles of roads connecting major battlefield landmarks including Cemetery Hill, Devil’s Den, Little Round Top, and the place where Abraham Lincoln delivered the immortal “Gettysburg Address.” There are over 1,300 monuments, markers, and memorials, 400 cannons, and numerous historic houses within the military park.

This afternoon, we take an informative tour of the Jenny Wade House and learn the story of the only civilian to be killed during the Battle of Gettysburg. Authentically furnished from cellar to attic, the Jennie Wade House is a shrine to Jennie and to life during the American Civil War.

Afterward, enjoy free time in Gettysburg to browse the many shops and establishments that line the historic downtown.

Dinner is included at the historic Farnsworth House Bed and Breakfast. The 1810 house is named in honor of Brigadier General Elon John Farnsworth, who led an ill-fated charge after the failure of Pickett’s charge, claiming the lives of Farnsworth and 65 of his men. The Farnsworth House is known to have sheltered Confederate sharpshooters during the three-day conflict.

Day 3 – Wednesday, October 9, 2024              LITITZ/LANCASTER      (B,D)

Breakfast is included at the hotel at your leisure.

Today we travel to Lititz, located in “Amish Country” and founded in early 1756 by German-Moravian settlers. The streets of the quaint town of Lititz are filled with historic buildings that contribute to its charm and which now house shops and eateries. Upon arrival, we have an informative tour of the Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery which was founded in 1861 and is the oldest commercial pretzel baker in America. Witness pretzels being made by hand and join a pretzel-twisting class.

Enjoy free time for lunch and exploring the beautiful town of Lititz. Browse the numerous shops carrying carefully curated collections of art, apparel, books, home goods, gourmet foods, and jewelry. View the Moravian Brothers’ House, built in 1759, which served as a hospital during the Revolutionary War, or grab a sweet at the Wilbur Chocolate Company.

This afternoon, we depart for Sight & Sound Theatre for a performance of “Daniel.” From the fiery furnace to the infamous den of lions, DANIEL is a spectacular theatrical experience.  Witness one of the Bible’s most hope-filled stories as it comes to life in this brand-new original stage production.

This evening, we enjoy a bountiful dinner at Shady Maple Smorgasbord featuring 200 feet of deliciously authentic Pennsylvania Dutch cooking.

Day 4 – Thursday, October 10, 2024                HARRISBURG/HERSHEY               (B,D)

Breakfast is included at the hotel at your leisure.

This morning we travel to Harrisburg to the Pennsylvania State Capitol Complex for a guided tour of our beautiful state capitol.  The Pennsylvania Capitol is considered to be the most ornate Capitol building in the United States – a priceless palace of art filled with opulent décor, brilliant paintings and statues, and centuries of commonwealth history. The breathtaking rotunda was modeled after St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, and the staircase is made of Italian marble and modeled after the grand staircase of the Paris Opera House. All the brilliant gold that you see lining the walls of the Capitol is real, made of 23-karat gold leafing. However, it is unknown how much gold is really in the Capitol because no one ever kept a record of it during installation! (photo: Jess Guyer)

Afterwards, we travel to Hershey, a charming town built on chocolate. Today we visit Hershey’s Chocolate World and see inside a Hershey’s factory on the Chocolate Tour ride. Smell the chocolate aroma as you follow the making of the confection from roasted cocoa beans to the wrapped candy bar!

Then it’s “all aboard” at Hershey Trolley Works for a live show featuring fun facts, laughter, history, and chocolate while you enjoy a narrated trolley tour of the town of Hershey.

Later, we return to Lancaster for a delicious dinner at Bird-n-Hand Family Restaurant and Buffet before being entertained at Bird-n-Hand Theatre for a hilarious performance of “Half Stitched – Six Loose Threads & an Amish Widow – the Musical.”

Day 5 – Friday, October 11, 2024                       PHILADELPHIA              (B,D)

Breakfast is included at the hotel at your leisure.

Today we travel to Philadelphia, famous as the birthplace of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We start our day with a Professionally Guided Driving Tour of Philadelphia with stops at the Liberty Bell and the famous Steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art immortalized by Sylvester Stallone’s triumphant run in the film “Rocky.” (photo: nps.gov)

Enjoy free time in historic Philadelphia near Market Street. Feel free to devour one of those famous Philly Cheese Steaks for lunch.

Meet up at the National Constitution Center for a self-guided tour. The Center is a state-of-the-art museum dedicated to the study of the U.S. Constitution and brings the Constitution to life through interactive programs and exhibits. Be sure to start your visit with the live presentation/overview in the theater. The presenter is nothing short of AMAZING.

Later, we walk across the street to Independence Hall, the birthplace of the United States.  Inside this historic building is where both the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution were debated and signed by America’s Founding Fathers.

Afterward, we take a short walk to the Christ Church Cemetery and pay our respects at Benjamin Franklin’s Gravesite and other founding fathers who were laid to rest here.

Enjoy an evening of romantic dining, dancing, entertainment, and breathtaking views of the Philadelphia skyline aboard the Spirit of Philadelphia Dinner Cruise as you sail on the Delaware River.

Day 6 – Saturday, October 12, 2024                 (B)

After an included breakfast at the hotel, we check-out and depart for home with fond memories of all the beautiful and historical sights of Pennsylvania.