Highlights

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Itinerary

Day 1 – Thursday – Bethlehem

Arrive today in Bethlehem, PA where you check into luxurious historic Hotel Bethlehem (Est.1741), for a three-night stay. Here you will experience world-class service, charming accommodations, elegantly appointed lobby and common areas and award-winning cuisine. Hotel Bethlehem has a spectacular display of over 35,000 Christmas lights, life size nutcrackers & toy soldiers, and numerous Christmas trees all uniquely decorated.

Dinner is included this evening at Hotel Bethlehem. (D)

Day 2 – Friday – Colonial Industrial Quarter Tour – Christkindlmarkt – Dinner at Hotel Bethlehem – Bethlehem by Night Tour

This morning, take a guided walking tour of the Colonial Industrial Quarter.  As a part of Historic Moravian Bethlehem National Historic Landmark District, the Colonial Industrial Quarter can be considered America’s earliest industrial park. The 10-acre site located along the Monocacy Creek and includes the 1750/1761 Smithy, 1869 Luckenbach Mill, 1762 Waterworks, 1761 Tannery, 1782/1832 Miller’s House, The Springhouse, The Pottery Ruin, Dye House Ruin, Butchery Ruin, and Oil Mill Ruin.

Afterwards, you can take time on your own to visit the many shops and restaurants in the Historic Downtown.  Lunch is on your own.

The afternoon features time at Christkindlmarkt, one of the biggest Christmas markets around, filled with over 150 vendors from all over the world, live music and a jolly good time!  Christkindlmarkt is a one-of-a-kind family event that brings the spirit of Bethlehem alive with the season. Twice recognized as one of the best holiday markets in the U.S. by Travel and Leisure, this heart-warming holiday event features:

– Aisles of handmade works by more than 150 of the nation’s finest artisans.
– The ring-ting-tingling sounds of live Christmas music and jolly, old St. Nick’s hearty laughter.
– Ice carving and glassblowing demonstrations, including the popular Hot Glass Experience: Glass Ornament sessions.
– Kathe Wohlfarht, offering handmade ornaments, nutcrackers and collectibles from Germany.

You’re bound to work up an appetite as you shop your way through Christkindlmarkt and they’ve got you covered. Grab a bite to eat and then visit one of their two bars for a holiday cocktail to enjoy while you shop.  Christkindlmart will be held Friday – Sundays in November (November 18-20, 25-27) and then Thursdays-Sundays in December (December 1-4, 8-11, 15-18) until Christmas week.

Tonight, enjoy a fabulous dinner at Wind Creek Casino. After your stomach is full, check out the outlet shopping or try your luck in the casino.

Following dinner, enjoy a Bethlehem by Night Tour.  Sit back and enjoy Christmas City, USA on a trip back in time with a guide in period dress. This tour includes a visit to the famous star atop south mountain, a look at early and current Moravian holiday traditions and the cultural differences between north and south Bethlehem! (B,D)

Day 3 – Saturday – Pretzel Marking – Christmas Stocking Tour of Kitchen Kettle Village – Sight & Sound’s Miracle of Christmas – Dinner at Hershey Farm Restaurant & Gingerbread Decorating Contest

This morning, you depart for Lancaster, PA, but first your stop in Lititz, PA for pretzel making at Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery.  Founded in 1861, it is the first commercial pretzel bakery in America; and the Sturgis Family is the oldest pretzel baking family in America. Learn how Sturgis’ old-fashioned recipes and methods were established and how they’re still used today!

You will tour the original pretzel bakery, get a hands-on lesson in pretzel twisting using a playdough mixture, observe our bakers twisting old-fashioned soft pretzels by hand, and shop for delicious treats and souvenirs in our bakery store.

Then arriving in Lancaster, visit Kitchen Kettle Village.  Here you enjoy a Christmas Stocking Tour of the decorated Village while sipping on a hot beverage. Each passenger will receive a Christmas stocking upon arrival, then journey throughout the Village to collect their favorite treats!  There will also be time to explore the over 40 specialty shops including a self-guided tasting tour in the Jam & Relish Kitchen.  Enjoy lunch on your own.

The afternoon features a matinee performance at Sight & Sound Theatres.  In the MIRACLE OF CHRISTMAS, travel back in time to Bethlehem as the original Christmas story unfolds all around you. Journey alongside Mary and Joseph, a flock of surprised shepherds, and three wisemen—along with their camels! There may be no room at the inn, but God has a lowly stable prepared as the angels announce the coming of the Messiah!

Following the show, enjoy dinner at Hershey Farm Restaurant.  Also included with dinner is a Gingerbread Decorating Contest.  Everyone in your group will be given a gingerbread man, unlimited icing, and items you may have never thought could be used for decorations. Decorate like you were 10 years old, but remember every gingerbread man will be judged by the head chef at Hershey Farm. The most creatively decorated man will receive a special prize to take home and everyone gets to take home the gingerbread man that they made.

Return to Bethlehem after dinner. (B,D)

Day 4 – Sunday – Josh Early Candy – Depart for Home

Before your head home, your last stop is at Josh Early Candy, a local legend of confectionaries. Josh Early hand-made sweets will make the perfect gift for the person who had everything or as a tasty treat for the bus ride home, while you remember the fond memories you made in Christmas City USA. (B)

Tour Map