"Old Barns, Tractors, Gardens and Farms II"
July 22-30, 2015
Join Happy Trails Tours as we climb over the backyard fence and wind our way through America's Midwest back roads. We're starting our summer adventure in Door County, Wisconsin. With 300 miles of graceful and sometimes dramatic shoreline that looks out upon the beautiful waters of Lake Michigan, it's no wonder this area draws thousands of visitors annually. For our "barn lovers", these magnificent structures are home to orchards, markets, restaurants and art galleries. You'll even see old barns lined along the country roadsides adorned with Scandinavian barn quilts. While on the island, visit the villages of Fish Creek, Egg Harbor, Sister Bay, Ellison Bay, Bailey's Harbor, Jackson Harbor and Sturgeon Bay. Add to this, an Antique Tractor Festival, Orchard Country Winery, Schopf's Hilltop Dairy Farm and dinner at the Rusty Tractor! No visit to Door County is complete without taking the ferry to Washington Island it's largest of thirty-four islands and 35 beautiful square miles of roads.
Upon leaving Door County, we'll take the SS Badger across Lake Michigan from Manitowoc to Lundington. From here, we'll travel north along the lovely shores of Lake Michigan to Charlevoix's Castle Farms & Gardens. We'll wrap up the last two days of our tour with a stop at the Round Barn Winery, Distillery and Brewery in Baroda, MI, visit historic Galena, Illinois and stop by Seed Savor's of America in Decorah, IA. Come with us as we travel America's back roads to see "Old Barns, Tractors, Gardens or Farms". We'll save a seat for you.
Upon leaving Door County, we'll take the SS Badger across Lake Michigan from Manitowoc to Lundington. From here, we'll travel north along the lovely shores of Lake Michigan to Charlevoix's Castle Farms & Gardens. We'll wrap up the last two days of our tour with a stop at the Round Barn Winery, Distillery and Brewery in Baroda, MI, visit historic Galena, Illinois and stop by Seed Savor's of America in Decorah, IA. Come with us as we travel America's back roads to see "Old Barns, Tractors, Gardens or Farms". We'll save a seat for you.
Prices
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Your Nine Day Tour Includes the Following:
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Deposits: $ 150 deposit per person due with the reservation form below. It is fully refundable with cancellations by May 22, 2015.
Full Payments: Due June 15, 2015 .
Cancellations: Monies returned with cancellations between May 22 - June 15, 2015 is contingent to what Happy Trails Tours receives from hotels, charters, tour companies, restaurants and theaters. Cancellations after June 15, 2015 receive no refunds. Thank you for your understanding.
Travel Insurance: Trip cancellation insurance is available at an additional charge. We highly recommend this investment as it offers peace of mind and financial security. It covers pre-existing conditions if purchased within 12 days of your initial deposit paid.
Final Documents: Your final documents, day-by-day itineraries, hotel address & phone information will arrive in early July.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
The Schedule
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Day 1: Wednesday, July 22 Travel to Green Bay, Wisconsin
We'll offer convenient deluxe motor coach boarding throughout Northeast, Central and Southern Minnesota. If you are flying in to Minneapolis/St Paul Airport, we can arrange for overnight accommodations in Bloomington, MN near the airport and Mall of America. This property offers an airport shuttle and the motor coach will pick up at the front door of the hotel. Kindly mark the boarding site that is most convenient for you. We'll begin boarding in the early morning hours in northeast MN, with stops along the way throughout the Iron Range Cities and Duluth. At lunch time, we'll blend our friends from Central and Southern Minnesota before continuing east to Green Bay, Wisconsin. This is a travel day…where you’ll have time to just sit back, relax and get acquainted with fellow travelers on board. Meal and rest stops will be made as the day goes along. We'll settle in to the lovely Radisson Hotel & Casino in Green Bay, where a cocktail reception awaits our arrival. Your evening meal and entertainment is as per your own agenda this evening.
Day 2: Thursday, July 23 Quaint Villages, Wineries and Door County Favorites
Enjoy Breakfast, included, before a short drive to Door County, Wisconsin. We'll arrive to Sturgeon Bay, where Schopf's Dairy Farm is located. View this state-of-the-art milking process and learn about Wisconsin's dairy industry. (They have ice cream, too!). After lunch, we'll continue to explore Door County's Mainland with a drive to The Orchard Country Winery (Cherry and Apples). Here we'll discover 100 acres of fruit-laden orchards and vineyards on a working farm, owned and operated by the fourth generation of the Lautenbach family. The winery is located in the family’s 100-year-old dairy barn! We'll also visit the Windmill Farms and Gallery this afternoon. Tonight, get ready for a great dinner at Al Johnsons. Groups find the goats grazing on top of the roof of his restaurant to be very entertaining! After dinner, we'll check in to the Settlement Inn. These rooms are lovely but only offer a limited number of rooms with TWO beds- No elevator. These mini suites offer kitchenettes and sofa sleepers, king (or 2 queen beds) and fireplaces. It's very peaceful. www.settlementinn.com
Day 3: Friday, July 24 Ferry to Washington Island - Peninsula State Park & Eagle Bluff Lighthouse
Enjoy Breakfast, included, before enjoying another fun day …this time to Washington Island! Begin a full day of touring with our Door County guide and travel to the boat dock for our Ferry (bus and all) to Washington island. We’ll visit the Farm Museum and stop at other points of interest as we learn the history and stories of the people here. Lunch is included today at Findley's. We’ll re-board the boat and ferry back to the mainland with a visit to Gill’s Rock. As we travel back to Fish Creek, we'll wind our way through Peninsula State Park, a 3,776 acre state treasure with nearly seven miles stretching along Lake Michigan's Green Bay shoreline. It wraps itself around a landscape of forest, meadows and wetlands and ascends over 150 feet atop the rocky bluffs. We'll also make a visit to Eagle Bluff Lighthouse, built in 1886 and serving as a guiding light over Green Bay's waters for over 146 years. Your dinner tonight will include a traditional Door County Fish Boil!
Day 4: Saturday, July 25 Antique Tractors and Beautiful Fish Creek and Western Shoreline of Lake Michigan
Enjoy Breakfast, included, before enjoying another fun day! We're offering you a choice in activities today. You may visit Sister Bay and "Shop till you Drop" OR stay on board the coach and travel to Ellison Bay to the annual Antique Tractor Festival and Arts and Crafts. This festival is located on the original 1800's Hanson homestead and hosted by the Liberty Grove Historical Society. There will be food venders and musical entertainment there, too. You will be here from 10 am until 2:30 pm. Our shoppers will also have from about 9:30 am - 2:00 to explore the quaint shops and galleries before joining back up with the rest of the group. Time permitting, we'll make one more stop before dinner at Rusty Tractor Restaurant. Then we'll say good-bye to Door County and travel to Manitowoc, Wisconsin where we'll spend the night at the Holiday Inn Express.
Day 5 Sunday, July 26 The Great Lake "Michigan" and SS Badger Ferry
Enjoy Breakfast, included, before enjoying relaxing day! Catch up on a little rest if you wish OR take a walk along the shoreline of Lake Michigan (this property is located right on shore). They are 3-4 blocks from the downtown area, where you'll find shops and restaurants. This afternoon (1:30 pm) we'll board the SS Badger for our four hour ride across Lake Michigan to Ludington. Enjoy the cruise as we cross the lovely Great Lake of Michigan! We'll arrive to Ludington and check into the Holiday Inn Express. Dinner and evening arrangements are as per your own agenda this evening.
Day 6: Monday, July 27 The Eastern Shoreline of Lake Michigan and a Castle!
Enjoy Breakfast, included, before enjoying exciting day! Today will include driving along the eastern shoreline of Lake Michigan north to Charlevoix. Before we check in we'll drive by the Mushroom Houses, built and designed by architect, Earl Young. Young's architecture is a one of a kind and unique sight not to be missed. He was an architect, realtor and insurance agent, but interestingly he was never actually licensed as an architect. Young's works are made mostly of stone, using limestone, fieldstone, and boulders that he found throughout Northern Michigan. The homes are creatively known as Gnome Homes, Mushroom Houses, or Hobbit Houses. Afterwards, we'll check into The Weathervane Terrace Inn, also, designed by Young. The fireplaces are a popular signature attraction at the hotel. Once settled, we'll take you the Castle Farms and Gardens for dinner and tour. You'll experience the timeless elegance and beauty, matching any of their counterparts found throughout Europe. You'll see many native plants of Castle Farms blend old-world models with a 21st century approach of sustainable gardening. Amazing!
Day 7: Tuesday, July 28 The Eastern Shoreline of Lake Michigan - Round Barn Winery
Enjoy Breakfast, included. We'll travel south along the sandy beaches of Lake Michigan with Benton Harbor as our destination! Before we check into the hotel (Holiday Inn Express) we'll make our way to an historic Round Barn Winery, Distillery and Brewery, located in Baroda. Here we'll try a few samples allowing a bit of time to pick up a few spirits. Afterwards, we'll check in to the hotel leaving dinner plans as per your own agenda.
Day 8: Wednesday, July 29 Beautiful Galena, Illinois and Decorah, Iowa
Enjoy Breakfast, included. As we embark on our 6th day together, we'll travel around the city of Chicago, Illinois continuing along I-90 through upper northern half of the state to Galena, a quiet little community located along the Mississippi River. Galena is where you'll have your lunch break to include a little time to peek into a few boutiques and antique shops. We'll continue northeast to Decorah, Iowa where we'll spend the night at the Quality Inn & Suites. (This property does not have an elevator).
Day 9: Thursday, July 30 Homeward Bound with Many Fond Memories
Enjoy Breakfast before checking out of the hotel. Before leaving Decorah, we'll visit Seed Saver's of America. Seed Saver's is dedicated to saving & sharing heirloom seeds. You'll stroll along the heritage garden rich in heritage with thousands of samples of rare garden seeds, visit an historic apple orchard and see Ancient White Park Cattle. Next we'll continue homeward through the beautiful bluff country and rolling hills in southeast Minnesota. We'll arrive to Minneapolis (Bloomington) around 3 pm. Estimated arrival is set for the following cities: Central MN: Sartell (St Cloud)- 5 pm; Rice-5:15 pm; Little Falls-6 pm; Baxter - 6:30 pm - Northeast: Cloquet- 6 pm; Duluth-6:30 pm; Eveleth - 8 pm; Virginia - 8:15 pm and Grand Rapids -8:45 pm.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Disclaimer: Happy Trails Tours acts only as an agent for the various independent suppliers that provide hotel accommodations, transportation, theater, or other services connected with this tour. Such services are subject to the terms and conditions of those suppliers. Happy Trails Tours, INC and their respective employees, agents, representatives accept no liability whatsoever for any injury, damage, loss, accident, delay, or any other default of any company or person in performing these services. Responsibility is not accepted for losses, injury, damages or expenses of any kind due to sickness, weather, strikes, hostilities, wars, terrorist acts, acts of nature, local laws or other causes. All services and accommodations are subject to the laws and regulations of country in which they are provided. Happy Trails Tours INC is not responsible for any baggage or personal effects of any individual participating in the tours/trips arranged by Happy Trails Tours. Individual travelers are responsible for purchasing a travel insurance policy, if desired, that will cover some of the expenses associated with the loss of luggage or personal effects
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
- Double: $1799/Person
- Triple: $1619/Person
- Quad: $1499/Person
- Single: $2419
Your Nine Day Tour Includes the Following:
________________________________________________________________________________________________
- Deluxe Motor Coach by Trobec Transportation - Boarding in Northeast, Central and Southern Minnesota
- Eight Nights Lodging - Properties have indoor pools, Two Beds and Many Other Wonderful Amenities
- Overnight in Green Bay (Radisson Hotel); Two nights in Door County (Settlement Suites in Fish Creek);
- Overnight in Manitowoc, WI (BW Lakefront Hotel);
- Overnight in Ludington, MI (Holiday Inn Express);
- Charlevoix, MI (Weathervane Terrace Inn); Benton Harbor, MI (Holiday Inn Ex. ); Decorah, IA (Quality Inn)
- Three Days in Door County, Wisconsin to Include the Following:
- Antique Tractor Festival and Arts & Craft Festival in Ellison Bay;
- Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant in Sister Bay;
- Traditional Fish Boil in Fish Creek;
- Schopfs Hilltop Dairy Farm in Sturgeon Bay;
- Shopping in Sister Bay
- Cherry Orchard & Winery in Fish Creek;
- Ferry to Washington Island, Farm Museum & Lunch at Findleys
- Dinner at Rusty Tractor PLUS Peninsula State Park, Windmill Farm & Gallery, Eagle Bluff Light House & Gill's Rock
- Ferry on SS Badger across Lake Michigan (4 hour ferry ride from Manitowoc, WI to Ludington, MI)
- Castle Farms and Gardens in Charlevoix, Michigan (Dinner and Tour of the Castle and Lovely Gardens)
- Area Narrated Tour of Charlevoix, Michigan - "Mushroom Houses"
- Historic Round Barn Winery, Distillery and Brewery in Baroda, Michigan
- Historic Mississippi River Town of Galena, Illinois - Amazing Antique Shops & Home of President Grant
- Seed Saver's of America in Decorah, Iowa
- 13 Meals (Seven Breakfasts; Two Lunches; Four Dinners)
- Taxes, Luggage Handling and Fully Guided with a Happy Trails Tour Representative
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Deposits: $ 150 deposit per person due with the reservation form below. It is fully refundable with cancellations by May 22, 2015.
Full Payments: Due June 15, 2015 .
Cancellations: Monies returned with cancellations between May 22 - June 15, 2015 is contingent to what Happy Trails Tours receives from hotels, charters, tour companies, restaurants and theaters. Cancellations after June 15, 2015 receive no refunds. Thank you for your understanding.
Travel Insurance: Trip cancellation insurance is available at an additional charge. We highly recommend this investment as it offers peace of mind and financial security. It covers pre-existing conditions if purchased within 12 days of your initial deposit paid.
Final Documents: Your final documents, day-by-day itineraries, hotel address & phone information will arrive in early July.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
The Schedule
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Day 1: Wednesday, July 22 Travel to Green Bay, Wisconsin
We'll offer convenient deluxe motor coach boarding throughout Northeast, Central and Southern Minnesota. If you are flying in to Minneapolis/St Paul Airport, we can arrange for overnight accommodations in Bloomington, MN near the airport and Mall of America. This property offers an airport shuttle and the motor coach will pick up at the front door of the hotel. Kindly mark the boarding site that is most convenient for you. We'll begin boarding in the early morning hours in northeast MN, with stops along the way throughout the Iron Range Cities and Duluth. At lunch time, we'll blend our friends from Central and Southern Minnesota before continuing east to Green Bay, Wisconsin. This is a travel day…where you’ll have time to just sit back, relax and get acquainted with fellow travelers on board. Meal and rest stops will be made as the day goes along. We'll settle in to the lovely Radisson Hotel & Casino in Green Bay, where a cocktail reception awaits our arrival. Your evening meal and entertainment is as per your own agenda this evening.
Day 2: Thursday, July 23 Quaint Villages, Wineries and Door County Favorites
Enjoy Breakfast, included, before a short drive to Door County, Wisconsin. We'll arrive to Sturgeon Bay, where Schopf's Dairy Farm is located. View this state-of-the-art milking process and learn about Wisconsin's dairy industry. (They have ice cream, too!). After lunch, we'll continue to explore Door County's Mainland with a drive to The Orchard Country Winery (Cherry and Apples). Here we'll discover 100 acres of fruit-laden orchards and vineyards on a working farm, owned and operated by the fourth generation of the Lautenbach family. The winery is located in the family’s 100-year-old dairy barn! We'll also visit the Windmill Farms and Gallery this afternoon. Tonight, get ready for a great dinner at Al Johnsons. Groups find the goats grazing on top of the roof of his restaurant to be very entertaining! After dinner, we'll check in to the Settlement Inn. These rooms are lovely but only offer a limited number of rooms with TWO beds- No elevator. These mini suites offer kitchenettes and sofa sleepers, king (or 2 queen beds) and fireplaces. It's very peaceful. www.settlementinn.com
Day 3: Friday, July 24 Ferry to Washington Island - Peninsula State Park & Eagle Bluff Lighthouse
Enjoy Breakfast, included, before enjoying another fun day …this time to Washington Island! Begin a full day of touring with our Door County guide and travel to the boat dock for our Ferry (bus and all) to Washington island. We’ll visit the Farm Museum and stop at other points of interest as we learn the history and stories of the people here. Lunch is included today at Findley's. We’ll re-board the boat and ferry back to the mainland with a visit to Gill’s Rock. As we travel back to Fish Creek, we'll wind our way through Peninsula State Park, a 3,776 acre state treasure with nearly seven miles stretching along Lake Michigan's Green Bay shoreline. It wraps itself around a landscape of forest, meadows and wetlands and ascends over 150 feet atop the rocky bluffs. We'll also make a visit to Eagle Bluff Lighthouse, built in 1886 and serving as a guiding light over Green Bay's waters for over 146 years. Your dinner tonight will include a traditional Door County Fish Boil!
Day 4: Saturday, July 25 Antique Tractors and Beautiful Fish Creek and Western Shoreline of Lake Michigan
Enjoy Breakfast, included, before enjoying another fun day! We're offering you a choice in activities today. You may visit Sister Bay and "Shop till you Drop" OR stay on board the coach and travel to Ellison Bay to the annual Antique Tractor Festival and Arts and Crafts. This festival is located on the original 1800's Hanson homestead and hosted by the Liberty Grove Historical Society. There will be food venders and musical entertainment there, too. You will be here from 10 am until 2:30 pm. Our shoppers will also have from about 9:30 am - 2:00 to explore the quaint shops and galleries before joining back up with the rest of the group. Time permitting, we'll make one more stop before dinner at Rusty Tractor Restaurant. Then we'll say good-bye to Door County and travel to Manitowoc, Wisconsin where we'll spend the night at the Holiday Inn Express.
Day 5 Sunday, July 26 The Great Lake "Michigan" and SS Badger Ferry
Enjoy Breakfast, included, before enjoying relaxing day! Catch up on a little rest if you wish OR take a walk along the shoreline of Lake Michigan (this property is located right on shore). They are 3-4 blocks from the downtown area, where you'll find shops and restaurants. This afternoon (1:30 pm) we'll board the SS Badger for our four hour ride across Lake Michigan to Ludington. Enjoy the cruise as we cross the lovely Great Lake of Michigan! We'll arrive to Ludington and check into the Holiday Inn Express. Dinner and evening arrangements are as per your own agenda this evening.
Day 6: Monday, July 27 The Eastern Shoreline of Lake Michigan and a Castle!
Enjoy Breakfast, included, before enjoying exciting day! Today will include driving along the eastern shoreline of Lake Michigan north to Charlevoix. Before we check in we'll drive by the Mushroom Houses, built and designed by architect, Earl Young. Young's architecture is a one of a kind and unique sight not to be missed. He was an architect, realtor and insurance agent, but interestingly he was never actually licensed as an architect. Young's works are made mostly of stone, using limestone, fieldstone, and boulders that he found throughout Northern Michigan. The homes are creatively known as Gnome Homes, Mushroom Houses, or Hobbit Houses. Afterwards, we'll check into The Weathervane Terrace Inn, also, designed by Young. The fireplaces are a popular signature attraction at the hotel. Once settled, we'll take you the Castle Farms and Gardens for dinner and tour. You'll experience the timeless elegance and beauty, matching any of their counterparts found throughout Europe. You'll see many native plants of Castle Farms blend old-world models with a 21st century approach of sustainable gardening. Amazing!
Day 7: Tuesday, July 28 The Eastern Shoreline of Lake Michigan - Round Barn Winery
Enjoy Breakfast, included. We'll travel south along the sandy beaches of Lake Michigan with Benton Harbor as our destination! Before we check into the hotel (Holiday Inn Express) we'll make our way to an historic Round Barn Winery, Distillery and Brewery, located in Baroda. Here we'll try a few samples allowing a bit of time to pick up a few spirits. Afterwards, we'll check in to the hotel leaving dinner plans as per your own agenda.
Day 8: Wednesday, July 29 Beautiful Galena, Illinois and Decorah, Iowa
Enjoy Breakfast, included. As we embark on our 6th day together, we'll travel around the city of Chicago, Illinois continuing along I-90 through upper northern half of the state to Galena, a quiet little community located along the Mississippi River. Galena is where you'll have your lunch break to include a little time to peek into a few boutiques and antique shops. We'll continue northeast to Decorah, Iowa where we'll spend the night at the Quality Inn & Suites. (This property does not have an elevator).
Day 9: Thursday, July 30 Homeward Bound with Many Fond Memories
Enjoy Breakfast before checking out of the hotel. Before leaving Decorah, we'll visit Seed Saver's of America. Seed Saver's is dedicated to saving & sharing heirloom seeds. You'll stroll along the heritage garden rich in heritage with thousands of samples of rare garden seeds, visit an historic apple orchard and see Ancient White Park Cattle. Next we'll continue homeward through the beautiful bluff country and rolling hills in southeast Minnesota. We'll arrive to Minneapolis (Bloomington) around 3 pm. Estimated arrival is set for the following cities: Central MN: Sartell (St Cloud)- 5 pm; Rice-5:15 pm; Little Falls-6 pm; Baxter - 6:30 pm - Northeast: Cloquet- 6 pm; Duluth-6:30 pm; Eveleth - 8 pm; Virginia - 8:15 pm and Grand Rapids -8:45 pm.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Disclaimer: Happy Trails Tours acts only as an agent for the various independent suppliers that provide hotel accommodations, transportation, theater, or other services connected with this tour. Such services are subject to the terms and conditions of those suppliers. Happy Trails Tours, INC and their respective employees, agents, representatives accept no liability whatsoever for any injury, damage, loss, accident, delay, or any other default of any company or person in performing these services. Responsibility is not accepted for losses, injury, damages or expenses of any kind due to sickness, weather, strikes, hostilities, wars, terrorist acts, acts of nature, local laws or other causes. All services and accommodations are subject to the laws and regulations of country in which they are provided. Happy Trails Tours INC is not responsible for any baggage or personal effects of any individual participating in the tours/trips arranged by Happy Trails Tours. Individual travelers are responsible for purchasing a travel insurance policy, if desired, that will cover some of the expenses associated with the loss of luggage or personal effects
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________