Today, travel to Berlin, Ohio, the heart of the world’s largest Amish community.  Here you will stay the next three nights at a local area hotel.  Dinner tonight will be included at one of the area’s Amish Country Cooking Restaurants located close your hotel. (D)

A simple life can be a good life.

This morning, you meet your local guide for a full day of Amish Touring.  Start with a visit to the Amish & Mennonite Heritage Center.  Discover the history of the Amish, Mennonites and Hutterites on Behalt – one of four cycloramas in North America.  Behalt is a 10 foot by 265 foot circular mural.  The painted oil-on-canvas cyclorama uses unique artistic techniques of line and color to illustrate multiple stories within a vast time-line.  The name Behalt, means “to keep, hold, remember.”

Next, travel into the Amish Countryside where you will visit local Amish Artisans.  You will make several stops and see merchandise ranging from: candle and candy makers, baskets, leather goods, brooms, and furniture.

Then you enjoy an Amish Style Church Lunch in Mt. Hope.  There will also be the chance to watch the Amish make the fine quality wood crafts they are known for.

Then stop at Walnut Creek Cheese and shop for a great selection of bulk foods smoked meats, cheese, jams and jellies, bakery items and much more.  Walnut Creek Cheese also makes some of the best homemade ice cream in the county and even features season flavors.   End the day by taking a ride in an authentic Amish Buggy and experience how the Amish get around the countryside.

Tonight, enjoy dinner in an Amish Family Home.  Enjoy a delicious family style feast and fellowship with your Amish Hosts.  Enjoy all you can eat fresh meats, sides, homemade bread with Amish peanut butter whip and mouthwatering whoopie pies. (B,L,D)

After breakfast this morning, meet your local guide for a second day of Amish touring. The first stop is Lehman’s Hardware, where the Amish Shop.  For more than 50 years, Lehman’s has been your source for old-fashioned, practical housewares, appliances, tools, gardening supplies, and toys.

Visit an Amish cottage industry basket maker and watch Anna create one her hand made signature baskets, then browse the store filled with local Amish made woodcrafts, jams, toys, rugs, dolls, and more!  No pictures of the Amish people, please!

You then enjoy some free time for shopping and lunch on own at Walnut Creek Amish Flea Market, 55,500 sq. ft. of indoor shopping.  The Market also features weekly entertainment, one-level shopping, air conditioned, indoor and outdoor eateries.  There is also a miniature farm, gorgeous landscaping, and countryside views.

This day also features a visit to Heini’s Cheese Chalet.  Here you will enjoy free samples of over 50 varieties of natural cheese, and delicious Gourmet Cheese Fudge.  Heini’s offers also offers a large selection of meats from traditional Amish style to more specialized meats like Souse and Head Cheese.  Brand new to the Heini’s Cheese is their Country Gift Shop.  Stop in at the Country Gift Shop for authentic Amish hand-crafted gifts only available at Heini’s Cheese Chalet.  Take a piece of Amish country home with you.

Dinner is included tonight at the Dutch Valley Restaurant. There is also a bakery that offers freshly made pies, cakes, cookies, muffins, rolls, pastries, cheeses, meats, noodles, candies, jams and jellies.  Following dinner, you enjoy a show at the Ohio Star Theater.  The theater features Amish Musicals and nationally known gospel musical performers.  From unforgettable characters to old-fashioned simplicity and non-stop laughter, this is the place to let your heart sing and your spirit soar. (B,D)

This morning you make a last minute stop at Hershberger’s Farm and Bakery.  Walk into Hershberger’s Farm & Bakery and see all of the amazing selections of baked goods, like fry pies, apple fritters and muffins, to name just a few.  Hershberger’s Farm & Bakery isn’t your average bakery.  With a wide array of canned goods and homegrown seasonal produce and a huge assortment of flowers, all of your senses will be on full alert with the colors, aromas and fresh tastes of the season.  Then there is the farm store, featuring USA made wooden toys, tack, bird seed, leather goods and more. (B)