5 Days/4 Nights

Ohio's Amish Country

Join us for an adventure in Ohio's Amish Country. We created this trip especially for folks like you who love the country life-style! You'll be the welcome guest at the world's largest Amish settlement. From quilting and cooking demonstrations, to a horse-drawn buggy ride and meals in Amish homes, you'll experience first-hand what it's like to live "the simple life".

Tour Highlights

• Attend an authentic Amish wedding reception reenacted in a private home!
• Visit local artisans and see how ­baskets, brooms and buggies are handcrafted.
• Delight in a demonstration and tasting at one of the country's oldest artisan cheesemakers.

Itinerary

Day 1—Cleveland: Welcome to Cleveland, Ohio a vibrant city on the shores of Lake Erie and the perfect place to begin our journey through Amish country. Tonight we'll enjoy a friendly welcome gathering at our comfortable hotel. Welcome Reception included.

Day 2—Smithville/Kidron: Start the day with an exciting ride amid the rolling countryside. We'll see vintage looms at work in the fascinating Mishler Weaving Mill. Then we'll head to Kidron to meet our honored guest and speaker, Dr. Elton Lehman, Country Doctor of the Year.

After lunch we'll admire the craftsmanship of horse-drawn farm implements. They're made completely by hand and without electricity! Before we end our day, we'll meet the Swartzentruber family, which makes baskets by hand. Meals included: B, L.

Day 3—Berlin/Sugarcreek: This morning our first stop is to an Amish home for a breakfast prepared by the family. After a hearty meal, the children will entertain you with their sweetly sung melodies.

The "Plain People" have a remarkable history, and you'll learn about it at the Mennonite Information Center. Here, you'll view an inspirational 265-foot ­cyclorama.

For lunch, we'll drop in at the home of Maudie and Andy Raber. Maudie's a great Amish cook—you'll be talking about today's delicious "from scratch" feast for years! Then we'll visit an Amish fellow who will demonstrate how he crafts whisk, toy and house brooms.

We'll top off the day with a cooking demonstration at Heini's Gourmet Market, featuring all-Ohio gourmet specialty foods and a "cheeseballing" demonstration. Meals included: B, L, D.

Day 4—Sugarcreek/Mt. Hope: After a bountiful Amish breakfast at the home of Ruben and Katie Shrock, we'll travel to Mt. Hope where the weekly livestock and produce auction will be held. You'll be fascinated as the local folks practice the age-old tradition of bartering.

After lunch on your own in this quaint town, we'll tour a locally owned buggy-maker shop and museum in Winesburg and take a buggy ride around the beautiful countryside surrounding Yoders Amish home. We'll ­also visit a local Mennonite couple who has restored over 90 Farmall Tractors.

Tonight, we celebrate by "attending" an Amish Wedding Reception feast. Our host family will demonstrate how an Amish wedding is conducted, prepare and serve you the traditional meal and share their wedding day story with you! Meals included: B, D.

Day 5—Cleveland: Today, we'll marvel at the artistry on display at Warther Carvings, including hundreds of intricately detailed trains.

We'll wrap up our delightful Amish country adventure with lunch at the gazebo in the Swiss Flower Gardens. Meals included: B, L.

Accommodations

• Day 1: Holiday Inn Strongsville-Cleveland Airport, Strongsville, OH
• Day 2: Hampton Inn, Wooster
• Days 3&4: Hampton Inn, New Philadelphia