GROUP TOURS

DESTINATIONS BY DIXON OFFERS GROUP DEPARTURES ON CRUISES, ESCORTED TOURS AND TO SEE THE PASSION PLAY IN OBERAMMERGAU, GERMANY IN 2010. GROUP DEPARTURES OFFER EXTRA VALUE WITH DISCOUNTS AND/OR BONUSES SUCH AS GUARANTEED UPGRADES, SHIPBOARD CREDITS, ETC. MAKE LASTING MEMORIES AND TRAVEL WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS, MEMBERS OF YOUR COMMUNITY, CHURCH OR FRATERNAL ORGANIZATION. MEET FELLOW TRAVELERS FROM ACROSS THE UNITED STATES AS WELL AS FROM AROUND THE WORLD. ENJOY THE VALUE AND FELLOWSHIP A GROUP DEPARTURE HAS TO OFFER. CALL US TODAY!

**********************************

OLD WORLD CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION IN PENNSYLVANIA


THE HISTORIC TOWN OF BETHLEHEM

AND BEAUTIFUL LANCASTER COUNTY


DECEMBER 03 TO DECEMBER 10, 2010

(LIMITED TO 10 PASSENGERS)


Each December, many thousands of tourists come to Bethlehem, PA. from the United States, Canada and other countries around the world to be moved by the heritage and the traditions, to experience what has become known as Christmas City USA and to share in the sights & sounds of a city steeped in three centuries of history. Each Christmas season, the city of Bethlehem is transformed into a magical place that glows with its extensive, yet tasteful, holiday lighting. Whether tourists come to Bethlehem to visit their historical museums, take their nighttime lantern & bus tours, experience the Moravian Community Putzes, hear the beautiful Christmas music, shop their many unique stores & boutiques or visit their wonderful Christmas Market, visitors will not be surprised why Bethlehem is listed as a destination in the book , “1000 Places To See Before You Die”.

Throughout the 1700s tens of thousands of Germanic immigrants from Germany, northern Switzerland and the present day Alsace region in France, landed in the colonial port of Philadelphia. These Pennsylvania Germans mostly comprised of the Amish, Mennonites & Lutherans constituted 40 pct. of the Southeastern Pennsylvania population by 1790. These immigrants and their descendants created a distinct culture with folk traditions, decorative arts & a language (Pennsylvania German) based upon their Germanic heritage. As Americans they continued to use patterns from the homeland in erecting their buildings, in decorating their furniture, pottery & family documents and in practicing their folkways and religion. Our present day Christmas traditions of Santa Claus, a decorated Christmas tree, seasonal specialty cookies & candy, the formal practice of sending Christmas cards in the United States and Christmas home decorations, amongst others, all transcended from these Pennsylvania German immigrants.

Join us as we travel to Pennsylvania and celebrate these “Old World” traditions, as well as, visit “Winterthur”, the beautiful home of the du Pont family, Longwood Gardens, the National Christmas Museum, Landis Valley Museum, the Wilbur Chocolate Co. and much more!

Friday, December 3

Depart Chicago O’Hare for your flight to Allentown, PA. Arrive into Allentown and transfer to the Comfort Suites Bethlehem for a 3 night stay. We will have the remainder of day at leisure to explore the historic old town founded in 1741 with its quaint shops and boutiques as well as its historic buildings such as the “1758 Sun Inn”, the “1810 Goundie House”, the “1761 Tannery”, the 1750/1761 Smithy shop, the Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts, etc. Or, perhaps a stop at the Moravian Book Store, the oldest book store in The United States (1745). Today, the book store offers not only books, but tempting gourmet food, delicious deli goods, charming gifts, decorations for the home, traditional Moravian items, greeting cards, paper products and much more. Later in the evening, don’t forget to enjoy the lovely decorated Christmas trees from around the world on display in our hotel’s lobby.

Saturday, December 4

After breakfast, we will transfer to the historic old town to visit the Moravian Museum located in the “Gemeinhaus”. Built in 1741, the Gemeinhaus is the oldest building standing in Bethlehem, PA. & was the Moravians’ first place of worship in Bethlehem. Here, visitors gain an accurate picture of 17th century life in the settlement of Bethlehem and the history of the Moravian church itself. The Gemeinhaus also provided quarters for Count Zinzendorf, a well to do Lutheran nobleman, who became the patron of the Moravians and also was the place of many notable conferences in the Colonial and Revolutionary periods. Afterwards, you will have free time to visit the Moravian Community’s Christmas Putz, their craft show and the Moravian Cemetery. A cherished Moravian tradition , begun in 1937, the Central Moravian Church Christmas Community Putz retells the Nativity story through music, narration, tiny lights and small, antique German figurines. The Putz is a uniquely Moravian tradition.

At 2PM, join us for the presentation of “An Old-Fashioned Moravian Christmas” held in the Central Moravian Church. Enjoy wonderful Christmas carols and traditional Moravian Christmas hymns featuring singers, instruments and pipe organ which will make this incredible experience something to remember forever. The remainder of the day is free to explore and have time for dinner. In the evening, we will join the “Bethlehem by Night” bus tour. Our guide, in period dress, will take us throughout the Christmas City. This is a great way to see the sites and reflect upon your own meaning of the holidays while immersed in Bethlehem’s quiet beauty. After the tour, we will return to the Comfort Suites.

Sunday, December 5

Today is a free day. Perhaps you could visit Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem to see the wonderful artisans and to enjoy the entertainment and food booths. Recognized as one of the top holiday markets in the world by Travel and Leisure Magazine, Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem is a delightful event.

Monday, December 6

At 10AM, we will be picked up by our private motorcoach and drive to Lancaster Co. We will stop in the town of Bird in Hand for a lunch break.  Afterwards, join us for our Amish Farm and House Countryside Tour. Learn about the Amish on this guided tour through an Amish Farm House that is furnished as you would find a typical Amish home today. During our drive in the picturesque countryside you will see schoolhouses, barns, buggies, farms, historic homes and a beautiful covered bridge. Learn about the history, religion, traditions and simple life style of these plain people that has survived over 300 years. Drive to Intercourse to check into the Best Western Intercourse Village Inn & Restaurant.

Tuesday, December 7

Early morning departure to visit “Winterthur” home to the world’s premier collection of early American decorative arts and the former estate home of Henry Francis du Pont. Lunch break in the town of Kennett Square and afterwards arrive to Longwood Gardens to visit their beautiful Christmas floral and light displays. Enjoy your magical journey through twenty indoor “rooms” and acres of outdoor gardens featuring dazzling living floral displays, opulent ornaments, stunning trees, a half million lights and dancing fountains. Return to our hotel in Intercourse.

Wednesday, December 8

Morning departure to the Village of Lititz. Founded in the 1740’s by Moravian immigrants, Lititz is full of picturesque and historic homes, the world headquarters for Wilbur Chocolates and the home of America’s first pretzel baker (1861), Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery. Enjoy free time to explore the sights of Lititz as well as its quaint shops.  Depart in the afternoon to Paradise to visit the National Christmas Museum. Enjoy a self-guided walk through life-sized exhibits which celebrate the magic and memories, history and traditions of Christmas. Return to our hotel.

Thursday, December 9

In the morning we depart for our visit to the Landis Valley Museum. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with the status “national significance”, the museum is the largest “living history” village in the country dedicated to the total preservation of early Pennsylvania German life. You will bridge the past with the present through the accomplishments, hardships and triumphs of the early Pennsylvania Germans, and learn about the Amish and Mennonite cultures. Learn about 1800s and early 1900s Pennsylvania Dutch Christmas practices, legends, food-ways and holiday decorating as you tour the historic village. Meet the Belsnickel who was known to German children of the 19th century as a servant of Saint Nicholas. Children highly anticipated their visit from the Belsnickel on Christmas Eve night and if good were rewarded with nuts, cookies or candy and if bad received a lump of coal or a stick. In the early afternoon we return to Intercourse. You will have free time to visit the Kitchen Kettle Shops. In the evening, join our group for our farewell evening together at the Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre.

Friday, December 10

In the morning we depart to the Harrisburg airport for our return flight back to Chicago O’Hare.

*We have put together, on our Facebook page, 5 wonderful photo albums with pictures of the main highlights of this tour; Historic Bethlehem, PA, Landis Valley Museum, National Christmas Center, Longwood Gardens and Winterthur.  Please join us on Facebook at destbydixon@comcast.net, Pamela Dixon. 

INCLUSIONS-LAND ONLY

Transfer from the Allentown airport to the Comfort Suites Bethlehem.

3 nights accommodation at the Comfort Suites Bethlehem; daily breakfast included.

4 nights accommodation at the B.W. Intercouse Village Inn & Restaurant;  daily breakfast included.

Private motorcoach for tour portion beginning Monday, December 6 to Friday, December 10.

All museum visits, tours and musical performances as detailed in the day by day itinerary.

All tour taxes.

Services of a friendly and experienced motorcoach driver.

Transfer to the Harrisburg airport from the Best Western Inn Village & Restaurant.

TOTAL COST-LAND ONLY-$975.00 pp based on double occupancy. 

AIRFARE

Please contact us with your gateway city to check availability and price. If you use frequent flyer mileage for your airline ticket, please contact us beforehand to make sure your flight will meet the transfer time requirements.