The Marvelous Upper Midwest

DAY 1 – Mayowood, Stillwater

After greeting your traveling companions, the deluxe motorcoach will venture north into Minnesota to begin your tour.  We arrive in Rochester in time to tour Maywood, a 38-room mansion which was home of Dr. Charles Mayo, who helped found the Mayo Clinic.  Lunch will be included in Rochester before moving on to Stillwater, known as the “Birthplace of Minnesota.”  Do some shopping in the downtown area, after which we have included an early dinner at the Dock Café overlooking the  St. Croix River.  Following dinner, climb aboard the Stillwater Trolley for a narrated tour of this historic community before checking into the hotel here. Overnight Stillwater, MN (L,D)

DAY 2 – Duluth, Great Lakes Aquarium

You can have breakfast at the hotel, then sample some wine from the St. Croix Vineyards in Stillwater.  Later this morning, we are on our way north to Duluth, one of the largest inland ports in the world.  Lunch and shopping will be on your own in downtown Duluth, with admission to the Great Lakes Aquarium scheduled for this afternoon.  Learn about the Great Lakes, observe divers conducting feedings and guide model boats through the Great Lakes system in one of many interactive exhibits.  Check into the hotel in Duluth for a two-night stay and enjoy a dinner cruise on Lake Superior to conclude this “Marvelous” day in Minnesota. Overnight Duluth, MN  (B, D)

DAY 3 – Wolf Center, Mineview in the Sky

This day will take you out of the city and into Minnesota’s northern reaches, but first, enjoy breakfast at the hotel.  Travel north out of Duluth along the shore of Lake Superior and a visit to the Split Rock Lighthouse which stands 200 feet above the shoreline.  It’s a “Marvelous” view.  From h ere, it’s on to Ely, gateway to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.  Here you will have an included lunch and have admission to the International Wolf Center which is designed to advance the survival of wolf populations and teach about wolves.  We also stop in Virginia at the center of the Mesabi iron range at Mineview in the Sky, a 20-story high observation tower overlooking the Rochleau Mine.  Also on display here will be a 21-foot high mining truck and a 45 ton rail car.  That takes “Marvelous” to a new level!!  Return to Duluth for an included dinner overlooking the harbor and overnight accommodations.  Overnight Duluth, MN (B, L, D)

DAY 4 – Apostle Islands, Ashland

Following breakfast at the hotel, we will be leaving Minnesota in the rearview mirror, but we continue to keep Lake Superior in sight as we travel into Northern Wisconsin.  We follow the shoreline to Bayfield where you board a boat for the Grand Tour of the Apostle Islands.  View extraordinary scenery, historic lighthouses, shipwrecks, sea caves and more on this 55-mile journey.  Upon return, you will have some free time for lunch on your own and maybe even some shopping in Bayfield.  From here, it is a short distance from Ashland where you visit the Northern Great Lakes Visitors Center before checking into the hotel.  Tonight, dinner is included – did we mention it will be just “Marvelous?” Overnight Ashland, WI  (B, D)

DAY 5 – Fishing Hall of Fame

As usual, breakfast will be part of your morning routine, then we pack our bags and the motorcoach turns south.  We are on our way to Eau Claire with stops along the way at the National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of fame in Hayward (The Fish Stories Get Better Every Year) and the Leinenkugel Brewery in Chippewa Falls for a Tour and Tasting.  Lunch will also be included here in Chippewa Falls.  Our overnight accommodations will be in Eau Claire where tonight we invite you to be part of a “Marvelous” Dinner.  Overnight in Eau Claire, WI  (B, L, D)

DAY 6 – Cheese, Meatballs & Trolls

Guess what?  It’s time for breakfast served fresh at the hotel.  On the final day, you can stop to explore the products at the Nordic Creamery, home to Wisconsin’s finest gourmet and artisan cheeses.  We are sure you will want to take some home.  In Westby, we pause for a Scandinavian Buffet lunch at Borgen’s Café and then shopping for unique gifts at Dregne’s and the Oof Dah Mart.  Doesn’t that sound “Marvelous?”  From here, we make our way home to our original departure point, arriving mid- to late afternoon. (B, L)