Gettysburg & the Amish Country
July 29th - August 1st, 2008 | 4 Days & 3 Nights (Tuesday - Friday)
Additional Dates Are Available Upon Request
“Now we are engaged in a great Civil War testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure.” - President Abraham Lincoln, November 19, 1863.
The Battle of Gettysburg was a turning point in the Civil War, the Union victory in the summer of 1863 that ended General Robert E. Lee’s second and most ambitious invasion of the North. Often referred to as the “High Water Mark of the Confederacy”, it was the war’s bloodiest battle with 51,000 casualties. It also provided President Abraham Lincoln with the setting for his most famous address.
Day One: Accompanied by our Best of Times Professional Tour Director, we begin our travel adventure aboard our deluxe motorcoach with a mid-morning coffee stop followed by lunch on own. Time passes quickly and before we realize, we arrive in Lancaster, PA at the Park Plaza Hotel, our home for the next three nights. Dinner this evening will be at the Dutch Apple Dinner Theater, where we will enjoy the Production of “The Sound of Music” -- sure to put us in a wonderful and festive spirit.
Day Two: After a hearty all you can eat hot, buffet breakfast, we will head into the Amish Country for a Best of Times exclusive commentated back country tour of the region. Here we will make a stop at an Amish Quilt Shop, located in the home of the Lapp Family. Then its onto Eli’s Amish Farm Stand follwed by the Kitchen Kettle Shops and Main Street, Intercourse, PA., where we’ll have lunch on our own. A vist to Mt. Hope Winery is also planned for today. From here we head to the magnificent Millennium Theater to enjoy the spectacular Sight and Sound presentation of “In The Beginning”. People travel from all over the country to see this amazing two hour performance showcased in a theater uniquely constructed to capture the magic of this profound experience. Dinner this evening is included at one of the Amish country’s most famous places, Plain and Fancy restaurant - All you can eat, family style meal, in the Amish tradition.
 |
Day Three: Following another all you can eat breakfast at the hotel, we will begin our journey to Gettysburg, PA. We begin our journey here with a Narrated Battlefield Tour followed by a visit to the National Cemetary where President Lincoln gave his famous Gettysburg Address. We’ll then break for lunch on our own at “the World’s Most Humongous Teddy Bear Store™” Boyd’s Bear. This afternoon we return for a walk through of the Gettysburg Battle Museum followed by the film “Fields of Freedom” depicting the sounds and fury of the battle at Gettysburg. This evening enjoy a “Civil War Feast” in a Civil War Era Tavern, the Meade Room at Farnsworth Tavern. We will also enjoy a very special visit by the 16th President of the United States “Abraham Lincoln” who will share with us his day at Gettysburg and the Gettysburg Address. |
 |
Day Four: Following another all you can eat breakfast at the hotel, we head for the “sweetest place on earth”, Hershey’s Chocolate World. Hershey, PA. is the site of the largest chocolate factory in the world and we will have plenty of time to enjoy the riding tour, shop the giant gift galleries and, of course, sample the numerous goodies to satisfy your chocolate cravings. While here we will also visit Founders Hall at the Milton Hershey Academey. Milton Hershey School began as a dream and vision shared by chocolate magnate Milton S. Hershey and his wife, Catherine (Kitty). Unable to have children of their own, Milton and Catherine Hershey decided to use their wealth to create a home and a school for orphaned boys. On November 15, 1909, together they signed the Deed of Trust establishing the Hershey Industrial School (renamed Milton Hershey School in 1951). The following year, the first four boys were enrolled and began to live and attend classes in The Homestead, the birthplace of Milton Hershey. From these humble beginnings, the School grew. In 1918, three years after Mrs. Hershey died, Milton gave his entire personal fortune to the School. Here we will learn about the School’s mission through various displays and experience a short film about the Milton Hershey School. We will have time for lunch on our own before we finally head home and make rest stops enroute. |
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
• Roundtrip Motorcoach Transportation • 6 MEALS: (3 Breakfasts, 3 Dinners)
(from most Boston/Worcester locations) • Production of Sound of Music at Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre
• Admission to ALL Touring Sights • Production of “In the Beginning” at Sight and Sound
• Luggage Handling Fee & Taxes • Services of a Best of Times Professional Tour Director
• NOT INCLUDED Driver & Professional Tour Director Gratuities
For Reservations or Further Information Please Call Best of Times 1.800.343.8999
* Group Discounts are available. Please call for Details.
** Price is based on most Boston/Worcester Locations and will vary from other New England locations.