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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!
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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.
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