The Creation, The Ark & Ohio Amish 26

Day 1

Welcome Aboard! Settle back, relax and enjoy a leisurely drive to "The Bluegrass State," Kentucky for the start of an unforgettable tour of biblical proportions, plus discover something unexpected when immersed in your very own authentic Ohio Amish Country experience. After checking into the Hilton Hotel in Florence, Kentucky for the next three nights, enjoy dinner on your own at a restaurant within walking distance of the hotel.

Day 2

After breakfast we depart for Petersburg, Kentucky, and the Creation Museum. The state-of-the-art 75,000-square-foot museum brings the pages of the Bible to life, casting its characters and animals in dynamic form and placing them in familiar settings. Adam and Eve live in the Garden of Eden. Children play and dinosaurs roam near Eden's Rivers. The serpent coils cunningly in the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Majestic murals, great masterpieces brimming with vivid colors and details, provide a backdrop for many of the settings. You will journey through a visual presentation of the history of the world, based on its 7 C's of History: Creation, Corruption, Catastrophe, Confusion, Christ, Cross, and Consummation, where you will discover an interpretation of how science confirms biblical history. In addition to the Stargazer's Planetarium and the dozens of informative videos throughout the Creation Museum, there are several more shows that you don't want to miss, including: "The Last Adam," "Six Days of Creation," and "Men in White" (tickets are not included). Do not miss a chance to explore the Botanical Gardens with a mile of walking paths, enjoy the wonders of God's creation in the Petting Zoo and browse its extensive Gift Shop before breaking for lunch at Noah's Café. Following lunch, we return to our hotel for some down time to sit, relax and freshen up before departing for the Queen City Riverboat. It is "All Aboard!" for a celebration of fun and inspiration as we embark on our special Gospel Dinner Cruise. Enjoy a festive and fun atmosphere filled with good fellowship and harmonious melodies while you dine on a delicious dinner served against spectacular views of Cincinnati's skyline from the water. Come sing along, tap along, clap along and lift your voice to the heavens while enjoying the performance of many of your favorite gospel songs, including: "Put Your Hand in the Hand," "How Great Thou Art," "I Believe," "You Will Never Walk Alone," "Go Tell It On the Mountain" and many more. Following our dinner cruise, we return to our hotel for a good night's sleep.

Day 3

After breakfast we depart for Williamstown, Kentucky and the Ark Encounter, a full-size Noah's Ark experience built according to the dimensions given in the Bible. The largest wooden timber-framed structure in the world, the Ark Encounter is a one-of-a-kind historically themed attraction. Spanning 510 feet long, 85 feet wide, and 51 feet high, this modern engineering marvel will amaze the young and old. From the moment you step inside the Ark you will experience the pages of the Bible like never before and you will be entertained and educated by the jaw-dropping exhibits. Also enjoy a visit with the friendly animals in the zoo. Explore the Ark's three levels - beginning with the first level depicting Before the Flood; the 2nd level depicting During the Flood; and conclude with the 3rd level depicting After the Flood. See hundreds of different displays including Noah's study, living quarters, cages, storage vessels, recreations of how Noah and his family may have lived, animals, and even an animatronics version of Noah that will answer your questions. There is so much to see and do that you will be left both amazed and awestruck by this one-of-a-kind-in-the-world structure! A tasty lunch is included at Emzara's Kitchen, adjacent to the Ark. After returning to our hotel, relax and enjoy a leisurely dinner on your own at a restaurant conveniently located within walking distance of the hotel.

Day 4

After breakfast we depart for Ohio's Amish Country. Upon our arrival we will visit Walnut Creek Cheese & Market in Walnut Creek, Ohio for lunch on your own, shopping in the general store for an assortment of products and a cool Ice Cream Cone included. Next, we meet our step-on guide, change gears, and set out to explore a simpler way of life with a tour of the Amish Farmlands. Our guide will explain the history and culture of the area while we travel backroads. Our tour will include a visit to the Behalt-Amish & Mennonite Heritage Center, home of a different kind of attraction . . . a 10 foot by 265-foot circular mural, called Behalt. The painted oil-on-canvas cyclorama uses unique artistic techniques of line and color to illustrate multiple stories within a vast timeline. A unique educational experience awaits you at the Amish & Mennonite Heritage Center. Witness the history of the Amish, Mennonites, and Hutterites on Behalt - one of four cycloramas in North America. Following our tour, we check into our hotel for the night. You will have time to sit, relax and freshen up before going out for dinner and a show. We enjoy a delectable dinner at Berlin Farmstead before taking our reserved seats for a hilarious family-friendly variety show at the Amish Country Theatre. The parody songs and jokes are sure to make you laugh! Afterwards we return to our hotel for a restful night's sleep.

Day 5

After breakfast we depart for a perennial favorite of Gunther Tours travelers, the Warther Museum for a private tour. Earnest "Mooney" Warther is best known for his ivory and ebony carvings of steam engines. You will see carvings created out of wood, ivory and pearl ranging from entire trains to a hand carved steel mill. You will be amazed by the intricate detail and exceptional craftsmanship required to create this unique collection of carved masterpieces! Following our tour, we depart for home taking with us fond memories of our tour of biblical proportions, a deeper appreciation for the Amish community of Ohio, and the astonishing artistry and craftsmanship of Earnest Warther!

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D =Dinner