Gaither Christmas Journey
Shipshewana, Indiana
December 5-8, 2023
Step into a slower pace where you’ll breathe in the enticing aromas of fresh baked pies and cookies while listening to the sounds of your favourite carols in the Amish Area of Shipshewana, IN. Ring in the holidays with joyful “Gaither Vocal Band” gospel harmonies. For more than 25 years, Gaither has brought Christmas concert events to cities nationwide. The Vocal Band is joined on this season’s Christmas Tour by talented musical guests, including the multi-talented singer, songwriter, speaker and former Vocal Band alumni Mark Lowry, popular female vocalist, Lynda Randle, and Sound, a Dove Award winning band comprised of Levi, Jacob and Rob Mills. As a Christmas bonus you’ll also attend an entertaining Las Vegas-style tribute show “Salute to the Stars” featuring tributes to Garth, Trisha and Elvis.
I look forward to hosting this journey.
Season Greeting,
Bradley
Itinerary
December 5-8, 2023
I’ve included a relaxing pre-departure evening that also includes parking for the duration of the tour in Woodstock
Day 1
WOODSTOCK, ON
Tuesday, December 5
Join your tour host and fellow passengers at a welcome dinner and overnight stay. The Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Woodstock, offers complimentary parking for the duration of your tour.
Meals Included: Dinner (D)
Day 2
WOODSTOCK – SHIPSHEWANA, IN
Wednesday, December 6
Today we travel to Amish Country, Shipshewana, Indiana. At around 700 residents, Shipshewana is definitely considered a small Midwest town. The downtown is only a few small blocks, but is packed full of cute stores, shops, and boutiques. Find some Christmas Gifts to bring home at Dave Mercantile and Yoder’s Popcorn. Spend two nights at the homey Blue Gate Inn. Enjoy an Amish Style Welcome Dinner this evening. Afterwards, experience “Shipshewana Lights of Joy”, where over 2 million lights sparkle in a 1.5-mile symphony of outdoor drive-by Christmas displays.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (B/L/D)
Day 3
SHIPSHEWANA, IN
Thursday, December 7
After breakfast we’ll visit a few more Amish owned shops before enjoying a unique Amish “Haystack” luncheon. After lunch take your seat for the matinee performance of “Gaither Christmas…A Time for Joy.” This special concert includes songs of the season, stories from the heart, and plenty of holiday humour. After dinner we attend the Las Vegas-style tribute Christmas show “Salute to the Stars”, where the tributes honour Elvis, Garth and Trisha. Doug Church performs Elvis. His voice has been acknowledged as being the closest to “The King’s” by not only his fans and peers, but also by those who knew Elvis personally and is regarded as an Icon in the industry.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (B/L/D)
Day 4
HOMEWARD BOUND
Friday, December 8
Today we’ll stop at Michigan’s Little Bavaria, Frankenmuth for their world-famous chicken luncheon before crossing back into Canada. Merry Christmas to All!
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (B/L)
B – Breakfast / L – Lunch / D – Dinner
**While it is our intention to adhere to the itinerary described above, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the tour. Due to traffic or other circumstances beyond our control, it may be necessary or desirable to make alterations. Travel With Bradley reserves the right to change the itinerary when deemed necessary.**
Level 1 – EASY | This trip is appropriate for travellers with basic good health, balance, and mobility. There are no physically demanding activities, but some days may be longer touring days than others. Walking on flat terrain, standing for long periods of time during guided tours, stairways sometimes without handles, absence of elevators, and getting on and off buses, boats or other modes of transportation unassisted can be expected. Someone with a cane maybe able to handle this Level if they have good balance, mobility and can keep up with the other passengers.