Very informative tour with excellent tour guides and driver. Despite the government shut down, we still got to see the major historical places in Philadelphia. Visit to Betty Rose home was an inspired change to the schedule. I found myself wanting to know more about the American Flag, re the colours, strips and stars. Amish visit is a must see for everyone. Can't praise it enough. Overall a wonderful tour 10/10
I was very disappointed. It began with us having trouble finding where the bus was. It was not at the address that we were given. Then we were rushed through the various Philadelphia tours We barely had time to take pictures. We didn't go inside to see the Liberty Bell. Instead, we had to walk through some bushes, two people at a time, to look at the Bell through a window. No pictures there....too much glare on the window. Our bus driver missed a turn on the way from Philadelphia to the Amish Country, so we got lost. In an attempt to fix his mistake, he BACKED UP ON THE FREEWAY for about 1/4 mile. It didn't work. As a result, it took us at least another hour and a half to get there. So, we were really rushed through our lunch and shopping in the Amish Country. We were given 60 minutes to eat lunch and to shop through 30+ stores. The only store that we were given more time in was one that our tour guide told us was an "authentic Amish store". That was not correct. More than 90% of the stuff in that store had labels on them indicating that they were "Made In China".
The Philly part of the tour was great, very informative and well-paced. Buying breakfast by weight was quite a novelty! Personally, we found the Amish part disappointing. The countryside is beautiful but the Amish bit is very commercial and very different from the original concept of Amish living - inevitable, I suppose as the "elders" become younger.