Life moves at a slower pace here, where the Amish center their communities around the time-honored values of faith, family and tradition.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Meet at the Cameron Estate Inn in Mt. Joy, PA at 3:00pm for a rental bike fitting. We’ll have orientation at 5:30pm, followed by dinner at the inn. The Cameron Estate Inn is one of the great estates of Lancaster Country. It is a grand 1805 Federal-style mansion listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is situated on 15 gorgeous acres of rolling lawns, babbling brooks, and rose gardens. 0 miles.
Day 2: Our day’s ride takes us through the first of many covered wooden bridges that pepper this rural landscape. We’ll end our ride at Bird-in-Hand, a quaint town that originated as a carriage stop along the route from Philadelphia to Lancaster. Its name comes from the first Bird-in-Hand Inn that welcomed weary travelers. We will overnight at the Greystone Manor, an 1845 Victorian mansion, our home for the next two nights. 32 or 47 miles.
Day 3: Today’s ride will show you a true picture of the slower pace of Amish life. Along the winding country roads, you’ll see one-room schoolhouses, simple wooden churches and more covered bridges. The Amish, also known as the Plain People, live without electricity or cars, and drive horse-drawn, black buggies to town. You’ll have many opportunities to see their quilts for sale or try their homemade jams and jellies. Don’t miss Zook’s Dry Goods Store or taste a classic Pennsylvania Dutch chocolate "whoopie pie" or molasses "shoofly pie".
Stop at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania that has one of the most significant collections of historic railroad artifacts in the world, including more than 100 locomotives and cars from the 19th and 20th centuries. Many of them have been restored to their original appearance. We’ll end the evening with dinner at the home of an Amish family, where we’ll be able to learn more about their fascinating lives. 31 or 47 miles.
Day 4: Today’s ride takes us on quieter roads through rolling farmland. We’ll have a picnic lunch in Terre Hill and then finish the day in Ephrata, home of the Green Dragon Farmers Market. Local growers, merchants and craftsmen have gathered here every Friday since 1932 to sell their wares. The local saying is, "If you can’t find it at the Green Market, then it chust ain’t fer sale!" 22 or 41 miles.
Day 5: We will bike to Lititz in plenty of time to stroll down the streets that look as if they came straight from a Norman Rockwell painting. Founded by the Moravians 250 years ago, Lititz is home to the Sturgis Pretzel House – America’s first pretzel baker. Pennsylvania Dutch pretzels are still baked it its 150-year-old ovens. After trying your hand at twisting a pretzel, you can stop at the Wilbur Chocolate Factory and Museum, which produces more than 170 million pounds of chocolate every year. 34 miles.
Day 6: We will end out tour with another scenic ride through the quiet Amish farmland of Lancaster County. After a farewell picnic lunch in Mount Joy, we will shuttle you back to the airport by 2:00pm. 29 miles.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- 5 nights lodging
- 5 breakfasts
- 3 picnic lunches
- 5 dinners, snacks
- Detailed cue sheets, van support
- Trained guides
Price Excludes:
- Single Upgrade: $500
- Rental Bike: $175
Also see tour packages in:
USA
Pennsylvania
Outdoor: Land Rambler
Bicycle Touring
Women Tours
|
