Optional Tours  |  June 27–30, 2009

1:00-5:00 pm

This tour will showcase the mansions in the Rittenhouse Square and Society Hill neighborhoods of downtown with the country estates of Fairmount Park including two interior home tours. Beginning at Rittenhouse Square, known as the "old money" part of downtown, you'll see the former mansions that line this captivating French-inspired park as well as many glorious brownstone homes of the neighboring streets. From here you'll head to the Society Hill neighborhood containing the largest concentration of 18th and early 19th century architecture of any place in the United States. Society Hill, named after the 18th century Society of Free Traders, is a charming district with cobblestone streets bordered by brick row houses in Federal and Georgian style. Next, you'll see Fairmount Park, where stately homes were established during the period by prominent families of the city as "country seats" or rural retreats. Some functioned as working farms, while others provided elegant, fashionable and healthy retreat from the urban environment, summer heat and periodic epidemics.  Minimal walking required.

Please Note: This is an Adults-Only tour.

Tour Price: $67 per adult

Monday, June 29

The Simple Life: Pennsylvania's Amish

8:30 am-5:00 pm

This is a full day tour to the beautiful countryside of nearby Lancaster County, home of one of the largest Amish communities in the United States. Deluxe transportation will take you to beautiful Lancaster County in time for a sumptuous Pennsylvania Dutch meal featuring "pass-the-platter" style dining. Here, you can dig into delicious roast beef, golden fried chicken, real mashed potatoes, old fashioned chicken pot pie with handmade noodles, bakery-fresh shoofly pie, apple dumplings a la mode with more time at the end to explore the Country Store. After lunch you will explore the Amish Country Homestead's nine rooms with a certified guide to understand Amish customs, dress, and adapting to life without electricity. It's the county's only designated Heritage Site. At the house, you will experience "what it means to be Amish."The next stop will be a Country Tour, a two-hour guided tour featuring the unspoiled back road beauty of Amish farmlands, one-room schools and Amish cottage industries. You will escape to a simpler way of life with this "turn back the hands of the clock" tour. It's a day of delights for your eyes, your stomach and your mind!

Tour Price: $ 100 per adult, $90 per child (15 and younger)

Colonial Philadelphia Experience

1:30-4:30 pm

This is a fully-guided tour, both on coach and on foot, through America's Birthplace - the heart of Philadelphia's historic district. Step out to Philadelphia's modern day Market Street and learn how it got its name from the colonial market stalls that bustled with life in the 1700s as you stroll towards Independence National Historic Park. You'll hear stories of the people, places and things that made Colonial Philadelphia the seat of government for the young nation. You'll visit neighborhoods where the Founding Father's lived and see how contemporary Philadelphians have made them their own. See the same tiny courtyards and by-ways of colonial Philadelphians - only seen while on foot! Sites include*: Declaration House, Liberty Bell Center, Independence Hall (ticketed interior tour), Congress Hall, First and Second Bank of the US, Benjamin Franklin's print shop, Betsy Ross House, Franklin's grave, Elfreth's Alley, Christ Church, a seldom-visited Quaker Meetinghouse and others.

Please Note: This tour requires walking for periods of time. Your guide will incorporate rest stops and rest room breaks. Wear comfortable shoes and sun screen.

Tour Price: $42 per adult, $32 per child (15 and younger)

Tuesday, June 30

Philly "Surf & Turf" Tour and Taste

You'll board a Duck Boat for an approximately 70-minute tour and cruise on the river . . . all on board one amazing vehicle. This adventure includes Philadelphia's historic highlights, plus a 20-minute cruise on the Delaware River including the famous "splash down" as we drive right into the water! After the tour and cruise you'll head to 9th & Passyunk Streets in South Philadelphia where the age-old rivals Pat's and Geno's serve up steak sandwiches on opposite corners for our own taste of classic Philadelphia cheese steaks and fixins', French fries and soft drink (included). We'll split our group in half and compare notes on these two "best of Philly" favorites. You'll learn the four basic steps to order from these fast-paced, no-nonsense, long-lined establishments. If you don't learn . . . they'll send you to the back of the line! At the end of the tour, you'll have the opportunity to spend the afternoon in the historic district or be escorted (on foot - just 6 blocks) back to the Philadelphia Marriott by your tour guide. It's a quack-tacular afternoon, Philly-style!

Tour Price: $69 per adult, $64 per child (15 and younger)