Day 1: The excitement mounts as we board the coach for our journey east to take in the sights of the rolling hills of Pennsylvania. Tonight, we stop in Effingham, IL.

Day 2: As we continue to head east, we will get acquainted with our fellow travelers and watch the countryside roll by. (B)

Day 3: We will pay respects at Flight 93 National Memorial, honoring heroes at the Wall of Names and Tower of Voices. Contrast this with the cheerful, immersive Hershey’s Chocolate World, featuring a chocolate-making tour and sweet treats. Upon arriving in Lancaster, we will explore history through Jacob’s Choice, a documentary exploring profound life decisions for the Amish community. Dinner is at the famous Miller’s Smorgasboard. (B, L, D)

Day 4: This morning we start our day with a guided Amish Artisan Tour. We meet the artisans in their workshops, and take home authentic, handcrafted treasures. Lunch is at an Amish home. Then we experience the serene charm of Lancaster County by taking a slow-paced, horse-drawn buggy ride through the heart of Amish country. We explore scenic backroads, passing Amish-run shops and farmhouses (hopefully seeing farmers working their fields) while listening to stories from a local guide. Sight & Sound Theatre presents “JOSHUA” an epic live production that transports audiences back to the biblical era. The stage is transformed into a vivid, immersive panorama of ancient history to take viewers from the rushing waters of the Jordan River to the towering, destructible walls of Jericho. (B, L)

Day 5: Experience a compelling journey through Philadelphia’s history, starting with the chilling, sunlight-streaked cellblocks of the former Eastern State Penitentiary. Explore the eerily preserved ruins of this 1829 landmark. After exploring the ruins and Al Capone's cell, we have lunch at The Reading Terminal Market. It’s a historic indoor market in Philadelphia, established in 1893, known for its diverse food. Then we get to know Philadelphia with a guided city tour, which includes the bustling business district, Museum Mile of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, the famous Rocky steps, and more. (B, D)

Day 6: As Philadelphia celebrates 250 years since the nation’s founding in 1776, the city stands as a living testament to the American Revolution, inviting visitors to journey through the "most historic square mile" in America. The heart of the celebration centers on the cobblestone streets of Old City, where Independence Hall remains a powerful testament to the birth of democracy. Just steps away, the iconic, cracked Liberty Bell resonates as a timeless symbol of freedom. The charming, unassuming Betsy Ross House honors the legacy of the working class, allowing visitors to glimpse 18th-century life where the first flag was allegedly stitched. The Museum of the American Revolution brings this momentous era to life with immersive galleries, featuring General Washington’s actual headquarters’ tent and dramatic. Tonight, enjoy a fascinating step back in time with dinner at the oldest pub in Philly, McGillin’s. Ben Franklin will join us featuring a rousing presentation from America’s most beloved founding father after the dinner course. (B, D)

Day 7: Leaving the historic city, travelers pass back through Dutch country before climbing into heavily wooded terrain, finally emerging into the dramatic river valleys of Pittsburgh. Following a city tour passengers experience the Duquesne Incline, which is a steep, 400-foot vertical ascent in classic wooden cable cars, offering a glimpse into the city's industrial history and panoramic views of downtown Pittsburgh. Located in Station Square, The Grand Concourse, features dramatic, grand, high-vaulted ceilings, stained glass, and a grand staircase, providing a refined, historic dining atmosphere. (B, D)

Day 8: Exploring the industrial and historical core of Pittsburgh takes you through a compelling narrative of labor and luxury. Begin at the Bost Building, the Rivers of Steel headquarters for the 1892 Homestead Strike, before touring the massive, pre-WWII Carrie Blast Furnaces for a firsthand look at steelmaking. We will explore the iron-making process from the movement of raw materials to the tapping of the furnaces producing fiery molten iron, as well as stories of the workers and their culture. Nearby, visit the Pump House, a site of the 1892 Homestead Strike battle. We finish with a tour through the historic Homewood Cemetery featuring grand mausoleums alongside elegant, understated monuments. (B, L, D)

Day 9: Heading to the Strip District to experience the foods of the ‘Burgh. The district’s name came about due to the flat land along the Allegheny River amid Pittsburgh’s hilly topography. We get to sample many of these foods on our Burgh Bits and Bites Food Tour. Discover stories at the Heinz History Center from the awe‑inspiring Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum to the world‑famous Heinz ketchup legacy. The evening is open for you to explore the city. Maybe take in a baseball game or a show. (B, L)

Day 10: Today’s journey will take us to Heinz Chapel, a non-sectarian chapel with 73-foot stained-glass windows. Adjacent to the chapel lies the iconic 42-story Cathedral of Learning, a soaring Neo-Gothic skyscraper known for its historic Nationality Rooms, which we will tour. It is also known as the tallest educational building in the Western Hemisphere and the second tallest in the world. Nearby is the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. The museum’s 22 million objects and specimens form one of the world’s great archives of biodiversity, the history of life, and human relationships to nature. We end the evening with dinner and entertainment. (B, D)

Day 11: We get ourselves on the road for our trek back to the plains. Dayton Ohio is home to the Wright Brothers. We learn a little about their extraordinary history before continuing on. As we ramble down the highways, we can reminisce how this Pennsylvania journey combines profound reflection with sweet nostalgia. (B, L)

Day 12: Watching the landscape shift from the vibrant scenery of the trip to familiar landmarks makes us realize the trip is coming to an end. Hopefully, replaying the highlights, humors, and education of a fantastic vacation, will turn the journey home into a cozy, reflective experience. (B)