Join us on a journey to discover historic Philadelphia and scenic Brandywine Valley. Visits to Valley Forge and Gettysburg are highlighted by the Total Amish Experience in Pennsylvania’s Amish region.
Day
1 Arrive in Pennsylvania
Arrive in Philadelphia today and transfer to your hotel. Meet your Tour Manager and fellow travelers at 6:00 p.m. for a welcome dinner. Meal: D
Day
2 Touring Historic Philadelphia
Begin the day at the new Museum of the American Revolution which traces the history and creation of the American Republic. Then a local guide joins you for a tour of this historic city to see the Liberty Bell, Congress Hall, Benjamin Franklin’s home and Independence Hall. You also visit Betsy Ross’ home for a look into the life of America’s most famous flag-maker followed by the National Constitution Center. Here, see the multimedia theater-in the-round performance Freedom Rising as well as the hands-on exhibit The Story of We The People. Tonight, dinner is at City Tavern which was established in 1773 and is where the nation’s founding fathers dined, drank and celebrated. Meals: B, D
Day
3 Valley Forge and Gettysburg
A day filled with history begins with a stop at Valley Forge National Historic Park. Learn how General George Washington’s Continental Army successfully engaged the British army at the Battle of Monmouth. In Gettysburg, lunch is at the Dobbin House Tavern, the oldest building in Gettysburg, which features historic furnishings and costumed wait staff. At the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center see the Morgan Freeman narrated feature film A New Birth of Freedom, which orients you to the Battle of Gettysburg and the American Civil War. See the restored Cyclorama painting, the Battle of Gettysburg, and be surrounded by the fury of "Pickett's Charge" in this one-of-a-kind panoramic experience. There is nothing quite like standing on the actual battlefield at Gettysburg. A licensed Gettysburg guide leads us on an in-depth look at this historic three-day battle. Learn
about the "Peach Orchard" and "Roundtop" while passing through the hallowed ground of what became the major turning point of the war. Meals: B, L
Day
4 Lancaster and The Total Amish Experience
Travel today to the beautiful Pennsylvania Dutch region to the heart of the Amish Countryside. Enjoy the “Total Amish Experience” today for an entertaining and educational overview of Amish culture with a local guide. See the farms, one-room schools and other aspects of Amish life, with one or two stops at Amish farms for foods and crafts. Your all you-can-eat feast at Lancaster’s first family-style restaurant will feature many local specialties, from golden fried chicken and sausage to shoofly pie and ice cream. At Plain & Fancy, you’ll see the acclaimed Jacob’s Choice, a five-screen special effects show about growing up Amish and the journey from Europe to America in search of religious freedom. The nine-room Heritage Site Amish Country Homestead & One-Room School gives you an inside look at eight-grades-in-a-room education, as well as Plain clothing and life without electricity. Experience it all in the oldest and largest Amish settlement in the world. Meals: B, L
Day
5 Nemours Mansion, Longwood Gardens and Brandywine Valley
Venture into the State of Delaware for a visit to the opulent Nemours Mansion and Gardens. The former estate of Alfred du Pont, the inventor of smokeless gunpowder, this classical French Chateau was built in 1910, has 105 rooms and is filled with antiques, art and tapestries from the 1700s. Back in Pennsylvania a visit to beautiful Longwood Gardens is planned. Saved from destruction in 1906 by Pierre du Pont, Longwood is one of the nation’s premier botanical gardens and consists of 1,100 acres of gardens, woodlands and meadows. Leave behind the scenic Brandywine Valley and return to Philadelphia for a farewell dinner hosted by your Tour Manager. Meals: B, D
Day
6 Travel Home
After breakfast, a group transfer to the Philadelphia Airport is available for flights out after 10:00 a.m. Meal: B