Amish Farmlands

Day 1 

Washington D.C.

Beautiful cherry blossoms welcome you to Washington, D.C. as you look ahead to your week in Amish country. Tonight’s Welcome Meeting introduces your friendly Tour Manager and traveling companions who’ll share this memorable journey with you. 

Day 2

Washington D.C.

Take in the iconic landmarks, rich history, and beautiful parks on a Washington, D.C. panoramic city tour. You’ll see many of D.C.’s famed monuments including the White House, Lincoln Memorial, and the Washington Monument.  Your afternoon at leisure leaves ample time to explore one of the 17 Smithsonian museums or any another world class museum that peaks your interest. B

Day 3

Washington D.C. – Lancaster

Experience the premier collection of early American quilts that celebrate quilting and the role women have played in America’s history on a morning visit to the DAR Museum.  Departing D.C., we visit Jinny Beyer Studio to savor all of Jinny’s 150-fabric Palette Collection, plus the largest selection anywhere of her signature border prints.  Then we travel on to Lancaster, the heart of Pennsylvania Amish country. B

Day 4

Lancaster – Intercourse – Lancaster

Today we join Amish women in their favorite fabric stores and real Amish shops with horses and buggies parked in front. Shelves overflow with low-priced calicoes and needlework supplies, as well as local specialties: Amish quilts, straw hats and dolls. After lunch among Kitchen Kettle Village shops, we’ll stop at Smucker’s Quilts where heirloom-quality quilts by local women incorporate traditional patterns like Log Cabin, Broken Star and Whig Rose. Tonight we join a Plain family at their kitchen table as welcome guests for a sit-down family dinner. B, D

Day 5

Lancaster – Lititz – Lancaster

At the Lancaster Historical Society, our private curator-led tour of the Esprit Quilt Collection reveals priceless examples created by Amish women between 1870 and the 1940’s. After lunch, Mennonite-raised Elva Hurst spins her stories during a chalk talk at her studio where we can see her enchanting paintings of rural life. Later, get lost in the aisles of Burkholder Fabric, a supermarket of quilt fabrics, books and supplies set amidst Amish farmland. B

Day 6

Lancaster – Winterthur – Kennett Square – Lancaster

We ride today through beautiful Brandywine Valley to Winterthur Museum, a 196-room estate furnished with the world’s greatest collection of antique furniture, textiles and art.  Our private tour of nearby Longwood Gardens, 350+ acres of opulent landscaped gardens and sculptured topiaries, includes greenhouses with over 11,000 plant varieties in spectacular settings. Settle in for a home-style meal and Broadway entertainment during our Farewell Dinner at Dutch Apple Dinner Theatere’s evening performance. B, D

Day 7

Lancaster – Philadelphia

In Philadelphia, birthplace of America, we explore historic landmarks: the Betsy Ross house, Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. Before saying goodbye at the Philadelphia Airport, we’ll stop at historic Reading Terminal Market, with its tantalizing baked goods, confections, and even cookbooks so you can duplicate those Amish treats at home. B