Boarding in Eveleth, Virginia, Hibbing, Grand Rapids, Duluth, Superior, Brainerd, Little Falls, Aitkin

Pennsylvania Dutch Countryside

Somerset; Lancaster; White Haven; Mercer County
Hickory Run State Park in Pocono Mountains
Hershey’s Chocolate World

October 12 - 19, 2010

Of the seven nights we’re on the road, FIVE of them are in Pennsylvania. We’ll wind our way through the southwestern portion of the state to Somerset, our 1st night. Then continuing further east to Lancaster (2 nights) ..Amish country and home to the Pennsylvania Dutch. This spectacular drive through the southeast countryside allows us to see covered bridges, one-room school houses, working farmlands, Amish Quilt & Craft communities and so much more! We’ll also visit Hershey, home to Chocolate World! As our tour continues… we’ll begin a northward sweep into the northeastern portion of the state to the Pocono Mountains. We’ll stop in Jim Thorpe with time to explore this Victorian mountain community. Here we’ll also board the Lehigh Gorge Scenic RR for a scenic ride up into the mountains. Another lovely drive through the countryside will include Hickory Run State Park as we travel to White Haven, PA. Also included is an overnight in northwestern, PA…West Middlesex in Mercer County - more Amish country before continuing home. Don’t miss this great Pennsylvania Dutch tour during their fall color season!
Prices in (US Funds)
Per person Double Per person Triple Per person Quad Single Traveler
$1,079 $979 $929 $1,389
This 8 Day Pennsylvania Dutch, Pocono Mountains & Hershey Chocolate Town Tour Include:
  • Round-trip Smoke-free Motor Coach Transportation- Duluth, Superior, Grand Rapids & Iron Range Cities, Brainerd, Little Falls, Aitkin
  • Seven Nights of Great Lodging: Normal, Ill (Signature Inn); Somerset, PA (Holiday Inn) ; Lancaster, PA (Country Inn) White Haven, PA (Holiday Inn Express) ; Middlesex, PA (Holiday Inn Express ); Elgin, Ill (Country Inn & Suites)
  • 11 Meals - 7 Breakfasts and 3 Dinners , 1 Lunch
  • Lancaster, PA: We’ll enjoy a narrated area tour of the Lancaster area to include a Five Mile Covered Bridges Tour by Horse-Drawn Buggy, Amish Quilts Art & Crafts, Kitchen Kettle Village, Kreider Dairy Farm Tour and the Rainbow Dinner Theater.
  • Hershey, PA Here we’ll visit Chocolate World, do some taste testing and explore Chocolatetown with time to explore on own.
  • White Haven/Jim Thorpe & Pocono Mountains: As we begin northward from Lancaster to the Pocono Mountains, we’ll visit Jim Thorpe, a Victorian town nestled in the foothills of the Pocono Mountains, ride the Lehigh Gorge Scenic RR & drive through Hickory Run State Park.
  • Narrated tours of Lancaster County and Jim Thorpe & Hickory State Park
  • Luggage Handling, Taxes, Tips for the Porters and Included Meals
  • Fully Guided with a Happy Trials Tour Representative
Deposits of $125 per person is due when registering- $25 of which is non-refundable.
Final balances are due August 12, 2010.
Final documents will arrive in early-August to include specifics on hotels, times & sites of boarding and luggage tags.
Monies returned with cancellations between August 12 - September 12, 2010 are contingent to what Happy Trails Tours receives from charters, hotels, restaurants, dinner theaters, tour companies and other attractions listed. No refunds with cancellations after August 12, 2010.
Cancellation insurance is available at an additional charge and can offer peace of mind & financial security.
Changes: We reserve the right to adjust this schedule for the benefit of all traveling. If a change of hotel, restaurant or an attraction occurs, we’ll replace it with one of equal value or better. As always… we’ll inform you of any changes as we learn of them.
Disclaimer: Happy Trails Tours acts only as an agent for the various independent suppliers that provide hotel accommodations, transportation, theater, or other services connected with this tour. Such services are subject to the terms and conditions of those suppliers. Happy Trails Tours, INC and their respective employees, agents, representatives accept no liability whatsoever for any injury, damage, loss, accident, delay, or any other default of any company or person in performing these services. Responsibility is not accepted for losses, injury, damages or expenses of any kind due to sickness, weather, strikes, hostilities, wars, terrorist acts, acts of nature, local laws or other causes. All services and accommodations are subject to the laws and regulations of country in which they are provided. Happy Trails Tours INC is not responsible for any baggage or personal effects of any individual participating in the tours/trips arranged by Happy Trails Tours. Individual travelers are responsible for purchasing a travel insurance policy, if desired, that will cover some of the expenses associated with the loss of luggage or personal effects.
Click here for printable reservation form to mail to: Happy Trails Tours, PO Box 432, Forbes MN 55738

Travel to Normal, Illinois 520 miles
Begin boarding in the early morning hour throughout the Iron Range cities, Duluth and Superior, as well as Brainerd, Little Falls & Aitkin. This day is dedicated to getting acquainted with fellow travelers and travel. Stops will be made along the way for lunch and restroom. 6:00 pm is the estimated arrival to Normal, Illinois. Our hotel will be the Signature Inn. Dinner is at your leisure tonight. Many nice restaurants are within walking distance of the hotel. All meals on own today

Travel to Somerset, Pennsylvania 580 miles
A full breakfast is included today. Another day dedicated to getting east to Pennsylvania. Stops are made as the day goes along~ We’ll enjoy each other’s company and on-board games and activities. You’ll begin to see some lovely countryside as we venture into the southwestern part of the state to Somerset. Just put your seats back and relax! 6:00 pm is the estimated arrival to our hotel - The Holiday Inn. Dinner is at your leisure tonight.

Travel to Hershey & Lancaster, Pennsylvania 167 miles
After our breakfast this morning, we’ll board the bus and arrive to Hershey in the late morning. Today we’ll visit Hershey’s Chocolatetown, Chocolate World and even do a bit of “taste testing”. Yummmmmmmm. After our time in Hershey…we’ll continue just another ½ hour to Lancaster…our home for the next two nights. Hotel : Country Inn of Lancaster. Tonight , dinner included at “Plain and Fancy Restaurant” - a traditional family style Amish dinner. The rest of the evening is yours to enjoy as per your own agenda. Breakfast and Dinner are included.

Covered Bridges ~ Quilts ~ Horse & Buggies ~ Dairy Farm Area Touring
After breakfast, we’ll meet our local step-on-guide who’ll take us on a tour of the countryside to include a visit to Kreider Farm. This dairy farm tour will last about 1-½ hours and we’ll see the high-tech view of farming including a drive down the middle of their Titanic-size loafing barn (AKA- the cow palace and a bird’s eye view of the milking merry-go-round.) The afternoon brings us to Kitchen Kettle Village where we’ll stroll through one of Lancaster’s favorite tourist stops. There are 25 shops to peek inside and plenty of places to grab a bite to eat. Our next Amish experience includes a horse-drawn 5 mile buggy ride to see a real Covered Bridge on the back roads of this area. Next: Amish Quilt and Craft Shop, right on an Amish Farm! We’ll meet the owners and check out their lovely homemade quilts and crafts. In the late afternoon, we’ll return to our hotel. You’ll have about an hour to relax before we take you to the Rainbow Dinner Theater. The meals is delicious and the show is called, “The Busybody”. It’s a comedy and surly one you’ll enjoy. We’ll return to the hotel around 10 pm. Breakfast and Dinner included.

Hickory Run State Park & Jim Thorpe 124 Miles
After an early morning breakfast this morning, we’ll say good-bye to Lancaster and begin traveling northward into the northeast part of the state to the Pocono Mountains. Our first stop will be in Jim Thorpe, a quaint little Victorian town where you’ll feel like you just stepped into a time capsule. Here, we’ll explore the town, with lunch (included) before hopping on board the Lehigh Gorge Scenic RR.. You’ll enjoy a spectacular one-hour train ride into the beautiful Lehigh Gorge State Park. From the comfort of our historic 1920's era open window coaches, you can witness the grand sights available only by train. Mountain vistas, trackside streams and flowing rivers, and fellow adventurers enjoying hiking, biking and white water rafting are just a few of the visual delights waiting for you on the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway. We’ll continue touring some of the area attractions before taking our drive through Hickory Run State Park (all part of the Pocono Mountains 2400 acre range) on our way to our hotel. We’ll be staying at the brand new Holiday Inn Express in White Haven. Breakfast and Lunch included.

West Middlesex, PA 290 Miles
After breakfast, we’ll begin our journey westward through the Appalachian Mountains to Mercer County, PA - still steeped deep in Amish country. We should see lovely colors as travel to West Middlesex, PA. Our lodging will be at the Holiday Inn Express. Tonight we’ll take you out to dinner to the 1866 Old Barn Restaurant, included. You’ll be thoroughly entertained! After dinner, there are some other fun things we might do if folks are not too tired! Stay tuned. Breakfast and dinner included today

Elgin, Illinois 500 Miles
After breakfast this morning , we’ll travel into Illinois to Elgin. Our day again is dedicated to traveling homeward. On board activities, stops for lunch and breaks will be made as the day moves along. Relax and enjoy the company of fellow travelers as we begin another new day! Our lodging is at the Country Inn and Suites. They have a great restaurant in their parking lot called Jimmy’s Char House. You’ll get dinner, on your own, tonight . Breakfast included today

Homeward Bound 440 Miles
After breakfast we’ll board the coach and travel home. I sure hope you’ve left some extra room in your suitcase for all the great memories you’ve made on this tour. Estimated arrival home to the various towns are as follows; 4 pm - Duluth / Superior; 5:30 pm to Eveleth; 6:00 pm to Virginia; 6:30 pm to Hibbing; and 7:15 pm to Grand Rapids. Brainerd, Little Falls and Aitkin will arrive home between 8:30 and 9 pm tonight. Breakfast included today
Click here for printable reservation form to mail to: Happy Trails Tours, PO Box 432, Forbes MN 55738
Disclaimer: Happy Trail Tours are arranged and operated by Marge Ellis @ Happy Trail Tours INC, PO Box 432, Forbes, MN 55738. Happy Trail Tours, INC and its employees act only as agents for others (airlines, bus lines, hotels, restaurants, theaters, etc.) in providing services included in the tours. No liability shall be incurred by Marge Ellis, Happy Trail Tours, INC or its employees because of injury, monetary, or property loss, or other complications experienced by tour members.
Occasionally a change will occur in a tour listed. Whenever possible, we'll replace it with something of equal value or more. Happy Trail Tours always reserve the right to adjust any scheduled itinerary for the benefit of all traveling.
Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
Happy Trail Tours, PO Box 432, Forbes MN 55738 (218) 744-4159 or toll free (800) 635-7779