Tara – A Country Inn

Join a happy group & your tour leader to travel east by motor coach into Pennsylvania. Make a stop at noon for lunch on your own at Eastwood Mall in Niles, OH. They have several restaurants plus a VERY large shoe store there. Continue on to Tara ~ A Country Inn. This inn is designed as a romantic getaway on weekends for wealthy people from the big cities of Philadelphia, New York and Washington D.C. During the week, they entertain seniors who are free to travel any time. This is a very special place. Each room at the Tara is decorated differently. After reading the room descriptions, choose your room, when you make your deposit. The rooms with fewer steps are the Butler's Pantry, the Chickamauga Room, and the Confederate Getaway. Arrive in time for a tour of the Inn with a costumed guide and high tea. Settle into your room and explore the grounds before dinner at the hotel. (D)

Enjoy a full breakfast at the Inn. Hear about the metal work at Wendell August Forge and take time to shop for a special gift for yourself. On our way to lunch, we will travel the Avenue of 444 Flags. This avenue is a tribute to the hostages from the Iran-Contra affair.

This afternoon is an activity of YOUR CHOICE:

(1.) Visit the Buhl Mansion on your own. You can enjoy walking around the first floor to see the opulence. The mansion was built in 1891 for the Buhl family. It is designed in the Richardsonian Romanesque style and features round arches, steep gable wall dormers, an inset porch with heavy arches, stone finials, and several turrets with copper capped spires. Yale-educated Frank H. Buhl (1848-1918) had returned in 1887 from Detroit, MI to help run the family Iron Works. He was the founder of two steel companies which eventually became United States Steel Corporation.

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(2.) Visit the downtown Sharon shops. The favorite shop is The Winner Department Store. This store brings huge savings on the latest fashions and accessories in petite, missy and plus sizes. In the same area is the very popular and delicious Daffin's Candies. There are art galleries and other stores for your looking pleasure. The bus will depart from Daffin's to return to Tara ~ A Country Inn, just in time for high tea in the parlor. Late afternoon you have free time to enjoy the Inn with a walk in the gardens or a dip in the pool. Dinner is again at the Inn. (B,L,D)

A full breakfast is included at the Inn before departure. Make an interesting visit to the home of Dr. Bob who, with Bill W., founded Alcoholics Anonymous. Dr. Robert Smith, Sister Mary Ignatia, and St. Thomas Hospital acknowledged alcoholism as a medical condition. The first alcoholic patient was admitted with dignity through the front doors of St. Thomas Hospital on August 16, 1939. The rest is history. To many visitors, the steps and stone plaque symbolizes the foundation of AA. Lunch today will be at a local restaurant. Nearby is Chill the Ice and beside it is the iconic Mr. Peanut Shop which has been in business for about 100 years. After enjoying ice cream and the fascinating Peanut Shop, it will be time to head for home. Share your pictures and reminisce about the fun time you have had over the past 3 days. (B,L)