Tour Highlights
Norskedalen
Bekkum Pioneer Homestead
Nature & Heritage Exhibit
Norwegian Ethnic Entertainment
Chapel of Angels
Down the Country Road Tour
Cheese Factory
Amish Quilt Store
Cranberry Expo Tour
Wetherby Cranberry Marsh
Burnstad's European Village
La Crosse City Tour
Pleasoning Gourmet Seasoning
Mississippi River Cruise
Meals
Dinner in Norskedalen (1)
Continental Breakfast (2)
Lunch in Badgers Crossing (2)
Dinner at Burnstad's (2)
Continental Breakfast (3)
Dinner and Entertainment (3)
Lunch on River Cruise (3)
Miscellaneous
Transportation
Lodging for 2 Nights
Baggage Handling (1 piece)
Personally Escorted
Price
$575.00 Per Person Double Occupancy
$555.00 Per Person Triple Occupancy
$535.00 Per Person Quadruple Occupancy
$90.00 Single Supplement
Deposit
$75.00 Per Person Deposit Due With
Reservation
Final Payment Due One
Month (September 6) Prior To Departure
WEDNESDAY - OCTOBER 6th — Today we set out to explore Cranberry Country right in our own backyard — Wisconsin. Yes, cranberries are Wisconsin's #1 fruit crop and lead the nation in the production of cranberries. Enroute today we'll make several stops for your comfort before arriving in La Crosse where we will check into our lodging, our home away from home for the next two nights before heading out. Our evening activities will take us to "Norway" — Norskedalen — a reconstructed Norwegian settlement of log homes, buildings and an extensive nature center.
Our visit begins with an orientation at the Thurne Center and from here we'll tour the Bekkum Homestead — an authentic pioneer lodge building relocated and restored to depict a typical local farm as it was at the turn of the century. Our visit at Norskedalen will be made complete as we enjoy a Scandinavian dinner followed by authentic entertainment... truly an evening to remember.
THURSDAY - OCTOBER 7th — After a good night’s rest we'll set out to see more of this beautiful area. Our day will begin with a visit to The Mother House of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration — the Chapel of Angels is one of the most beautiful in the United States. It has been featured on national television in Charles Kuralt's "On The Road" series in a broadcast commemorating 100 years of Perpetual Adoration. The interior of the chapel is an architectural and artistic treasure. It is Romanesque in style, with Corinthian pillars and windows of Bavarian stained glass. From here a local guide will join us for a "Down A Country Road" Amish tour for a glimpse of the Amish culture in the Wisconsin area. On our tour we'll make a stop at the Cheese Factory and maybe a little shop where they sell quilts. You will discover the Amish of Wisconsin certainly are not like the Amish communities you find in northeast Indiana. Our countryside tour will conclude at Badger Crossings Restaurant where we'll enjoy lunch and have time to relax before continuing on to explore the world of cranberries. Our first stop will be Cranberry Expo, which is dedicated to preserving the heritage of the cranberry industry, its unusual equipment, and the cultivation methods designed, built and used by local cranberry growers — from hand rakes and horse clogs, to water reels and harvest boats. Our personalized, guided tour will walk you through how cranberries are planted, cared for, harvested and marketed. Our next stop will be Wetherby Cranberry Company,
where a guide will take us on a tour of their marsh and harvesting process.
You will enjoy getting off the coach and seeing first-hand the work that is involved in harvesting cranberries — this will be a great opportunity for pictures and before we leave the farm you'll even have a chance to purchase some fresh cranberries to bring home.
From here we will make our way to dinner in Tomah at Burnstads European Café, located in a charming village with cobblestone-like walkways and a quaint collection of specialty clothing and gift shops. After dinner here we'll have time to explore this unique area before returning to our lodging.
FRIDAY - OCTOBER 8th — After a good night’s rest we're off to explore the La Crosse area. A local guide will bring this area to life and we will come away with a better understanding of this Mississippi River town. A highlight of our morning will be Pleasoning Gourmet Seasoning Manufacturing
Plant and Outlet Store. Here we will tour this family owned and operated business, including samples of food made with one or more of their seasonings — and never fear, you also will have a chance to visit their outlet store before returning to our coach and heading to the river for our narrated luncheon cruise on the Mississippi. While cruising we'll pass the steep bluffs that make up one of the most scenic river cruises in the Midwest. Following our cruise we'll begin our homeward journey bringing with us many wonderful memories of our Autumn Adventure in Wisconsin.
