Trip Itinerary

Please note this itinerary is copyrighted.

Key:  B= Breakfast, D = Dinner  

Thursday, November 7, 2019
We will meet in the Schnucks (formerly Shop ‘n Save) parking lot next to the car wash (800 Carlyle Ave, Belleville, 62221) at 3:30 PM and board the Vandalia bus.  We will have two drivers for the trip and they will switch at St. Clairsville, OH on the outbound journey and Plainfield, IN on the return. We will stop for dinner along the way.  Bring your pillow!

Friday, November 8, 2019
After a breakfast stop, we will visit the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. Our expert guide will take us on a park tour, then we will have free time to purchase lunch. When we arrive in Gettysburg, we will meet our Gettysburg guide at the Gettysburg National Military Park. We will begin by watching the film, “A New Birth of Freedom,” narrated by award winning actor Morgan Freeman. We will also see the restored Gettysburg Cyclorama, which depicts “Pickett’s Charge,” and browse the museum. There will be a selection of food in the Visitor Center, including some Civil War-era specialties. In the evening, we will dine at the General Pickett’s Dinner Buffet. We will also see a movie in the Battle Theatre about Abraham Lincoln, before checking into the Quality Inn Gettysburg Battlefield Hotel. (D)

Saturday, November 9, 2019
We will board the bus after breakfast with our licensed guide, Jack Drummond, who will join us for a “Killer Angels” themed tour of the battlefields, followed by free time to explore the battlefield on our own and have lunch. Later in the afternoon, we will take a self-guided tour of the National Cemetery and then return to our hotel for a pizza party. After we eat, we will test our skills at the 1863 Escape Room. (B/D)

Sunday, November 10, 2019
After an early breakfast we will board the bus for the return journey. We will stop for lunch and dinner along the way. A visit is also planned to the United 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, PA. On 9/11, United Airlines Flight 93 crashed down in a field because its crew and passengers fought back against the terrorists. The expected arrival time at Schnucks (formerly Shop ‘n Save) parking lot is 11:30 PM. Students will contact parents when they are almost back. (B)

Reformation Tours reserves the rights to alter itineraries without notice should it become necessary. While on tour, if conditions necessitate changes, or if certain features are unavailable or limited, we reserve the right to vary or substitute alternatives.

What are the accommodations like?

We will be staying in the Quality Inn Gettysburg Battlefield Hotel, which is just outside the Gettysburg National Military Park. This comfortable hotel has free Wi-Fi, a fitness center, tea and coffee-making facilities and offers a hot breakfast. Enjoy your stay!

Quality Inn- Gettysburg Battlefield Hotel
380 Steinwehr Avenue
Gettysburg, PA 17325

Tour Price: $330

* Price based on multiple occupancy with a minimum of 45 participants

Your Tour Includes

• Land transportation via private, deluxe air-conditioned motor coach
• Accommodations (multi-occupancy) in the Quality Inn Gettysburg Battlefield Hotel
• 2 breakfasts and 2 evening meals
• Local step-on guides for city tours and major attractions
• Entrance fees included as per itinerary
• All transfers as a group
• All taxes and tips for services

Your Tour Does Not Include

• Meals not indicated on itinerary
• Beverages except with breakfast
• Double supplement $70 per person
• Items of a personal nature such as spending money

Payment Schedule

Deposit of $100 will secure your place on the tour. All payments should be sent to Reformation Tours, P.O. Box 854, Belleville, IL 62222.

INITIAL DEPOSIT: $100 is due by May 17, 2019. Pay by credit card.

FINAL PAYMENT: $230 is due by September 1, 2019. Pay by credit card.

FULL PAYMENT: If you prefer to pay in full, the total is $330. Pay by credit card.

UPGRADED FULL PAYMENT: If you would like a twin-room, the total is $400 (roommate required). Pay by credit card.

You can pay by credit card  via the website or send checks to “Reformation Tours” and mail to P.O. Box 854, Belleville, IL 62222.

After the group returned, they wrote about their experiences. Here are a few excerpts from their reports:

“The trip our class took to Gettysburg was probably one of the best trips I have been on. We had a lot of fun being with each other, but it was awesome to be on the actual battlefield that Union and Confederate soldiers fought on. Until I saw the battlefield in person, it is just a figment of my imagination. Learning about the battle in class was good, but actually seeing how spread out the battlefield was helped me gain a better understanding of the war and how far some men had to travel and then fight.  This trip was very fun, but the best part about it was the way that it brought what we were learning about to life. The people were real and the town is real, and the trip helped me to realize that. ” Bailey

“The Gettysburg trip was an incredibly positive and informative experience. Every stop we took was fun and exciting. The hotel was clean and comfortable, and was in close proximity to the battlefield and other historic sites. The Gettysburg National Military Park bus tour was a fun and highly detailed ride that linked the real battle to the book “The Killer Angels.” I found standing on the crest of Little Round Top to be awe inspiring. The historic landmarks we visited were fascinating. The trip made the history of the Battle of Gettysburg come to life. My favorite part of the trip was exploring the beautiful sights of Harper’s Ferry, such as the brilliant landscape and the quaint town. The trip was an educational and memorable experience that I will always cherish.” Spencer

” The second day, we got an elaborate tour of the Gettysburg battleground and then were again given free time for lunch. This was also a fun part of the trip because we again were able to discover the town of Gettysburg on our own with no rush. We then returned to the battlefield for Devil’s Den and Little Round Top. Both were fun to climb on and take beautiful pictures of the southern Pennsylvania landscape. It’s truly amazing how they were able to fit so much fun and so many experiences into three short days. ” Sierra

“In all honesty, the Gettysburg trip was quite possibly the greatest experience of my life. Every part of everyday was filled with something extraordinary that actually held meaning, at least to the class. The difference between Gettysburg and other class field trips is that every sight or statue corresponded to an event that we, as students, knew and deeply understood; so we were not just looking at pretty objects or rough landscape. The entirety of the field was pieced together in a vivid memory of times past yet unforgotten. ” – Stone

“Just standing on the ground where so many Americans lost their lives was unbelievable. I just kept thinking “someone could have died right where I am standing right now. They had lives of their own and families who were hoping to see them again someday.” The irony of Gettysburg is its current state of beauty when knowing its violence past. The land covered with tall grasses and trees was once a bare-open field filled with the blood of its fallen victims” – Rebecca

“The museums, sites, tours, and events we went on throughout the trip were all very interesting and fun at the same time. From exploring the historic town of Harper’s Ferry or the solemn cemetery at Gettysburg, this trip was an incredible way to bring the history of this great nation to life… My experience at Gettysburg is truly an unforgettable one. Hearing and reading about this battlefield and the events that unfolded there does not compare to actually being there.” – Matthew

“Gettysburg was one of the most fun field trips I had ever been on. Seeing the actual battleground and visiting Harper’s Ferry made everything we had learned about come to life. It helped me understand the battle in a new and better perspective… Our tour guide was awesome, and he told a great story. I also enjoyed the restaurants we ate at… I now have many great memories of exploring the battlefield and the town of Gettysburg with my friends. Going on this trip was a wonderful experience, and I’m so glad I was given the opportunity to visit Gettysburg.” – Jessica

“Between all the interesting museums, the awesome tour guides, and meeting Abe Lincoln, the trip to Gettysburg was jam packed with great fun things to do. The trip was so good i might consider going again next year… Our trip to Gettysburg was the best trip i have ever taken with a school. The trip was both educational and extremely fun.” – Kitiana

A great idea on the planner’s part was allowing us to have free time and explore the battlefield on our own so that we could observe certain things more closely and get a better feel for the setting of the Battle of Gettysburg. I have always been interested in war and being able to visit the site of a great battle was truly humbling. This trip has caused me to respect history even more than I had before I walked onto the bus, I would take this trip again in a heartbeat if given the chance. – Danny