Ten Reasons to Take a Guided Tour

1. You've been here before - or maybe not - and you've always wanted to know more about the Amish - the real facts, not the misinformation on the internet. Time to invest in some education! As one guy on a tour said, "You don't know what you don't know!" You might be as surprised as he was at what you learn (and what misconceptions you've had).

 2. You've been here a dozen times, wandering around the Shipshewana shopping district, and now you want to find some more authentic, less touristy, out-of-the-way places - but you don't have days and days to seek them out. Let one of us help you find someplace new, and learn about the local culture in the process.

3. You want to bring home a cooler of local food, and you're not sure where to find the best products... We spent many years as tourists here, and then became residents, and we'll help you find the good stuff to take home.  (Consider buying a few extra items for gifts!)

4. You want to take a buggy ride - but you realize it will be a short ride, since a horse can go only a few miles without a rest. But you want to see miles and miles of countryside!... With a guided tour, you can go as far and as long as you want. (Why not do both?)

5. Selfies aren't your strong point, so you never get pictures of yourself (or you AND your family) on vacation... We can take all the pictures you want, and share them with you. 

6. You yearn to wander the Amish countryside, but you can't find your way out of a paper bag - especially when you're driving. Navigating around a new place can be exhausting! Leave the navigating to Gary or me and enjoy the scenery. 

7. You have just one day to see this area and learn about the culture and you want to make the most of it... Gary and I have done more than one tour for visitors in just that situation. We'll make sure you maximize your time here!

8. You want to see local products being made. We know lots of places to do that and what time of day to do it. Some are free to see, and for others, there is an extra charge for interrupting the business owner's workday to show us around.

9. You have a particular interest (quilting, gardens, woodworking, local food to take home, cemeteries, photography, schools, whatever) and you want to zero in on that interest. We can help you find some places you might not have found on your own. We even have themed tours to zero in on your particular interest.

10. You've read one or both of my books for adults, and some of the stories piqued your interest, and now you want to see those people, places, or things that you read about. (How do you think "Amish junkyard/antiques" got onto my tour menu? That's right - numerous requests from my readers!)