Name: Merrimack Sr. Cit/ Parks & Recreation - PA Dutch -Longwood Gardens
Start: 2023-08-23
End: 2023-08-25
Location: Lancaster, PA, USA

Best of Times Travel

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336 reviews

Aug 23 - 25, 2023

Group size: 1 - 10

Merrimack Sr. Cit/ Parks & Recreation - PA Dutch -Longwood Gardens

Lancaster, PA, USA

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Best of Times Travel

Email address verified

336 reviews

$NaN

Aug 23 - 25, 2023

Group size: 1 - 10

Chubb Travelers Insurance

$52

Day 1
Day 1
Wednesday August 23rd, 2023
We begin our travel to PA aboard a fully equipped motorcoach and enjoy an afternoon arrival in the heart of Penn Dutch Country, Lancaster, PA. Settle into the Hampton Inn & Suites Hotel in Lancaster, PA our home for the next two nights. The perfect retreat to enjoy friends at the end of our days touring the Dutch countryside. Tonight enjoy the show Guys & Dolls at the Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre. This musical romantic comedy involves the unlikeliest of Manhattan pairings: a high-rolling gambler and a self-righteous missionary, a showgirl dreaming of the straight-and-narrow and a crap game manager who is anything but. Guys and Dolls tells of con-man Nathan Detroit’s efforts to find new life for his illegal, but notorious, crap game. From the bustle of Times Square, to the dance clubs of Havana, to the sewers of New York City, this show demonstrates the great lengths to which a guy will go when he truly falls in love with a “doll.” (D)

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Day 2
Day 2
Thursday August 24th, 2023
Enjoy a Deluxe Continental Breakfast before we begin our exploration of the Dutch Country. Enjoy a Full Commentary Back Country Tour of the Farmlands of Lancaster Country. See the life of the Amish from a whole different perspective as our tour director brings their traditions to life during this fabulous riding tour. We will make a number of stops throughout the Dutch Country such as an Amish Bakery, Farm Stand, Winery, the Kitchen Kettle Shops in Intercourse, and more as time permits. Lunch will be on our own at the Kitchen Kettle Shops. As an added Bonus enjoy a ride & tour on America’s Oldest Operating Railroad - The Strasburg Railroad. Travel directly through the heart of Pennsylvania Amish Country with a view of more than 2,500 acres of untouched farmland. Comfortably seated aboard an authentically restored passenger car, your group will embark on a 45-minute, fully narrated ride behind a real, operating steam locomotive. Later this afternoon we head to Millenium Sight and Sound Theatre for the outstanding, Biblically-based theatrical production of “MOSES” - truly a sight and experience to behold. Included this evening is a magnificent Dinner at Hershey Farm Smorgasbord. (B, D)

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Day 3
Day 3
Friday August 25th, 2023
Enjoy a Deluxe Continental Breakfast before we depart from the PA Dutch Country. We end our tour in PA at the famous Longwood Gardens - one of the premier botanical gardens in the United States and consists of over 1,077 acres of gardens, woodlands, and meadows for our botanical enjoyment. We will have plenty of time to explore the Gardens in their spring glory along with time to get lunch on our own at the gardens cafe. (B)
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Day 1

Wednesday August 23rd, 2023

The trip was spoiled by a detour from Marblehead (which is 2 hrs to Newport) to westborough a 1 1/2 hr detour on a bus..left MBHD at 630 am arrived in Newport,RI 10am Our time in Newport was nice, seeing 2 mansions and lunch.we left Newport at 345pm Arrived in Marblehead at 715 another 3 1/2 hrs on the road..why were the Marblehead clients put in the position for both detours??? Should you have brought the Marblehead people directly back and detoured to westborough on the way back. Also the tour guide was not educated in the history of the area. Would to use this company again.

By Nancy M for Marblehead COA - Newport Christmas Mansions - Monday 12/8/25 on Dec 18, 2025

Thank you for a fun experience. A few items. The bus driver was great, unfortunately we were seated in the back and it took about an hour to warm up on a chilly morning. That bus was cold. (Understand you have to turn off heat going thru Boston tunnel but it shouldn't have taken that long to warm up.) The guide was kind, considerate with a warm friendly way about her and also nice enough to bring water and energy bars which we appreciated very much - thanks. We did feel our guide lacked information. We had done some research fortunately on the Newport Mansions before the trip. Our guide promised "lots of juicy gossip, stories" and instead told the same story twice and missed out on a lot of amazing Vanderbilt history that we felt she really should have known. Certainly it's available online, using the app and at the house so it IS available but we were a little surprised how little the guide shared in person and did think she should be more knowledgeable. Fun outing overall, great homes, lovely views. Thanks.

By Clare W for Marblehead COA - Newport Christmas Mansions - Monday 12/8/25 on Dec 17, 2025

Just got back from a wonderful trip to Nashville. It was our first time traveling with Best of Times and we would not hesitate to travel with them again. Everything was taken care of from flights to transportation to tickets for shows. Kevin and Rebecca were fantastic. A really fun time.

By Jayne D for Bay Path Eve Sch -Nashville's Ctry Xmas 2025 - w/Vince Gill, Amy Grant on Dec 17, 2025

Our guide and driver were great but it was a very long day. I was not made aware that this trip included other groups which had to be collected before we headed to the final destination. However I felt adequate time was allowed to visit both houses and to have lunch/shop.

By Maria F for Salem, MA Sr. Ctr- Newport Christmas Mansions - Monday 12/8/25 on Dec 17, 2025

Had a good time. Kevin gave clear explanations and repeated several times so everyone understood. Hotel accommodation was very good and the Rockettes fantastic!