April 2015 Newsletter

April 2015
FEATURE TRIP
Leisurely Tuscany
and Rome
Enjoy all the rich history
and delicious food Italy
has to offer.
Theater Excursions
JERSEY BOYS / Wednesday, April 22, 2015 / River
Center/Adler Theatre, Davenport, IA
Excursions is returning to one of the most-loved
musicals with fantastic orchestra seating—–only 14
rows back in the center!
Jersey Boys is the musical story of how four bluecollar kids became one of the greatest successes
in pop music history. They wrote their own songs,
invented their own sounds and sold 175 million
records worldwide—–all before they were 30 years old!
You’ll remember the songs “Sherry,” “Walk Like a
Man” and many more. This is a very popular show,
so book early.
$160 per person (includes round-trip transportation
via deluxe motorcoach, orchestra seating, dinner
prior to performance and driver gratuity). ALL SHOOK UP / Thursday, May 14, 2015 / Fireside
Dinner Theatre, Fort Atkinson, WI
Join us for the Fireside premiere of this rollicking
musical comedy featuring the songs of the King
2 | EXCURSIONS
of Rock and Roll—–Elvis Presley. No tight pants, no
kissing and no loud music. Those are the rules in
one small Midwestern 1950s town. Until a stranger
comes to town—–one rebellious, guitar-playing,
hip-swiveling roustabout who bears a striking
resemblance to the King himself. All at once
everything changes—–young love blooms, unspoken
dreams come true and the once-quiet little town is
turned upside down. This hilarious, tuneful, highstepping, award-winning Broadway romp features
laughs, romance, thrilling dances and a host of your
favorite Presley classics, such as “Jailhouse Rock,”
“Hound Dog,” “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Blue Suede
Shoes,” “Don’t Be Cruel,” “Burning Love” and many,
many more.
$106 per person (includes round-trip transportation,
lunch, performance and driver gratuity).
GUYS ON ICE / Thursday, June 18, 2015 / Fireside
Dinner Theatre, Fort Atkinson, WI
You’ve seen them—–the little wooden shanties sitting
on a frozen lake with puffs of smoke rising from
chimney pipes. On a quiet day the static of a tinny
radio can filter through plywood walls, across the
frozen tundra and back to shore. These little signs
of life are all most people know of a secret culture
that thrives right here amongst us. Well, wonder no
more when you see Fred Alley’s wildly popular tale
of the secret world of ice fishermen, Guys On Ice! The
performance spends a day in the life with Marvin and
Lloyd: fishing buddies and homegrown philosophers
who keep you laughing from start to finish. Don’t
miss this sidesplitting musical comedy guaranteed
to thaw out your funny bone with songs like “The
Wishing Hole,” “Ode to the Snowmobile Suit,”
“Fish is a Miracle Food” and “The One That Got Away.”
$106 per person (includes round-trip transportation,
lunch, performance and driver gratuity).
MOTOWN THE MUSICAL / Saturday, July 11, 2015 /
Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, Milwaukee, WI
Motown The Musical is the real story of the oneof-a-kind sound that hit the airwaves in 1959 and
changed our culture forever. This exhilarating show
charts Motown founder Berry Gordy’s incredible
journey from featherweight boxer to the heavyweight
What’s Next
APRIL 10 OR 16, 2015
Farce of Nature, Bell Tower Theater,
Dubuque, IA
APRIL 22, 2015
Jersey Boys, RiverCenter/Adler Theatre,
Davenport, IA
PREVIEW: MAY 5, 2015, 5:30 PM
Awesome Alpine Adventure, Heartland
Financial Building, 1301 Iowa Street,
Dubuque, IA. RSVP: 563.589.1990 or
[email protected]
PREVIEW: MAY 6, 2015, 5:30 PM
Leisurely Tuscany and Rome, Heartland
Financial Building, 1301 Iowa Street,
Dubuque, IA. RSVP: 563.589.1990 or
[email protected]
MAY 14, 2015
All Shook Up, Fireside Dinner Theatre,
Fort Atkinson, WI
JUNE 7––21, 2015
Exploring Greece and Its Islands
JUNE 18, 2015
Guys on Ice, Fireside Dinner Theatre,
Fort Atkinson, WI
JULY 11, 2015
Motown the Musical, Marcus Center
for the Performing Arts, Milwaukee, WI
music mogul who launched the careers of Diana Ross,
Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson,
Marvin Gaye and so many more.
Featuring all the classics you love, Motown The Musical
tells the story behind the hits as Diana, Smokey, Berry
and the whole Motown family fight against the odds to
create the soundtrack that changed America. Motown
shattered barriers, shaped our lives and made us all
move to the same beat. Now, experience the next
electrifying chapter in the Motown story.
$140 per person (includes round-trip motorcoach
transportation, orchestra-seat ticket and driver gratuity).
second cup of coffee and a song, and the Pump Boys will
serenade you with hits like “The Night Dolly Parton Was
Almost Mine.” With exciting live music, hilarious hijinks,
down-home common sense and Steve Watts in the role
that first brought him to The Fireside, Pump Boys and
Dinettes is sure to become one of your all-time favorite
Fireside offerings!
$106 per person (includes round-trip transportation,
lunch, performance and driver gratuity).
CHURCH BASEMENT LADIES TWO: A SECOND
HELPINGSM / Thursday, August 27 or Sunday, August 30,
2015 / Bell Tower Theatre, Dubuque, IA
PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES / Thursday, August 27,
2015 / Fireside Dinner Theatre, Fort Atkinson, WI
A musical comedy by Greta Grosch, music and lyrics by
Drew Jansen and Dennis Curley
Travel with us down Highway 57 to the land of fishin’
holes and homemade pie, to the Double Cupp Diner
for a double helping of fast-paced, good-natured,
foot-stompin’, hand-clappin’ fun. It may not be the most
famous of shows, but it might just be the most fun. This
Broadway hit is a mixture of country, rock, western swing
and folk music. The Cuppa Sisters will tempt you with a
The Church Basement Ladies are back! It’s 1969, the
world is changing and the ladies are preparing for
some changes of their own—–below the House of God.
As always, you will laugh until your side dish hurts with
their hilarious antics and down-to-earth charm.
$16 (main-floor seating) AUGUST 16––24, 2015
Historic Cities of Eastern Canada
AUGUST 27, 2015
Pump Boys and Dinettes, Fireside Dinner
Theatre, Fort Atkinson, WI
AUGUST 27 OR 30, 2015
Church Basement Ladies Two: A Second
Helping, Bell Tower Theatre, Dubuque, IA
SEPTEMBER 21––24, 2015
Explore Lincoln and the City He Loved,
Springfield, IL
OCTOBER 5––13, 2015
Awesome Alpine Adventure
OCTOBER 11––19, 2015
Leisurely Tuscany and Rome Value Tour
OCTOBER 15, 2015
West Side Story, Fireside Dinner Theatre,
Fort Atkinson, WI
OCTOBER 15 OR 18, 2015
L’il Miss Fancy Pants, Bell Tower Theater,
Dubuque, IA
DECEMBER 10, 2015
It’s a Wonderful Life, Fireside Dinner
Theatre, Fort Atkinson, WI
JULY 10––15, 2016
Family Vacation to Vail, CO
EXCURSIONS | 3
Awesome Alpine Adventure
Switzerland, Austria and Germany
OCTOBER 5––13, 2015 / TRIP PREVIEW: 5.5 / DETAILS ON PAGE 3
This awesome Alpine Adventure has it all. Discover the best of Alpine Europe,
in the very best way possible—–a remarkable, one-of-a-kind travel experience.
Highlights include:
›› Travel in first-class Swiss Rail carriages.
“If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant;
if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would
not be so welcome.”
—– Anne Bradstreet
Yes, I am always so happy to see spring; it gives us a
renewed spirit for what’s ahead. I am looking forward
to sharing our latest travel destinations with you. Most
recently, 28 of us enjoyed the Allure of the Seas® cruise
to the Caribbean. It will be hard to top Allure with our
2016 annual cruise, but not to worry.
If you were unable to attend our Awesome Alpine
Adventure preview, you’ll have another chance Tuesday,
May 5, 2015. Our trip is an awesome way to discover the
best of Alpine Europe, with first-class rail, four-star hotels,
top-notch guides and unique experiences that will create
the memories of a lifetime.
I am excited about our trip to Springfield, Illinois,
September 21–-24, 2015. This is a great opportunity to
learn more about our 16th president, Abraham Lincoln,
and the city he loved.
We are kicking off our Value Travel Series, great for those
who only want to take a few days off work and experience
a foreign adventure. The value tour is leisurely paced with
more time to spend at the destination. The right pace,
place and price—–you can learn more at our Leisurely
Tuscany and Rome preview, Wednesday, May 6, 2015.
Speaking of what’s ahead—–2016 is the year for a trip
for multiple generations. There is nothing better than
spending time away with your children and grandchildren. We have a family vacation in luxurious Vail,
Colorado—–the perfect way to have fun together. Be sure to
start planning now so everyone can coordinate the dates.
No matter what your preference—–day or overnight trip or
extended stay—–spring into action! See you traveling.
Norma
Norma Kramer / 563.589.1990
[email protected]
4 | EXCURSIONS
›› Enjoy the world-class Stadkeller folkloric
dinner show, featuring Swiss fondue,
yodeling, cowbell ringing, horn blowing
and more.
›› Revel in the scenery of the Swiss Riviera,
scenically located at the base of the
Southern Alps.
›› Travel through the amazing Gothard Tunnel
onboard our first-class train with dining car.
›› Dine in some of the most enchanting local
restaurants, feasting on regional specialties.
›› Lift a stein of beer and be swept away in
celebration at the world-famous Hofbrauhaus, complete with a lavish buffet, music
of an oomp pah band and a fun-filled
folkloric show.
VACATION DETAILS
A note from Norma
›› Stay in charming, exclusive hotels located
in the historic centers of each renowned city
we visit.
$5,299
PER PERSON
(based on double
occupancy)
TRIP INCLUDES:
›› Soar up cableways via cogwheel trains
to lofty mountain peaks.
›› Lunch in the first-class salon of a nostalgic
paddlewheel steamer on Lake Lucerne.
›› Travel through Bavaria to the base of
Germany’s highest mountain—–Zugspitze—–
where we ascend by cogwheel rail, enjoy a
scenic 3,000-meter-high lunch and descend
via cableway gondola.
›› Fly on direct flights, with all of your luggage
handling taken care of.
›› Discover the Mediterranean-like resort of
Lugano.
›› Sample wines in the tiny principality of
Liechtenstein.
›› Stroll through the medieval streets of
Innsbruck.
›› Tour opulent palaces and Baroque churches.
›› So much more!
Round-trip air, all transfers, first-class accommodations
for seven nights, 17 meals, all attractions as stated,
Swiss Federal Railway travel, luggage handling and
gratuities for guides and drivers.
UE
VALRIP
T
New: Excursions Value Travel
Like the idea of an affordable, leisurely, guided
vacation and only needing to take a few days
off work? Excursions has the right pace, place
and price.
Check out the details of our 2015 Value Travel below!
Leisurely Tuscany and Rome
OCTOBER 11––19, 2015 / TRIP PREVIEW: 5.6 / DETAILS ON PAGE 3
Highlights include:
›› Fly into Rome and spend two nights.
›› Sightsee Rome with a local guide and spend
some free time exploring.
›› Travel to Montecatini, where you’ll spend
four nights in this idyllic spa town. On the way,
stop at the Castello Vicchiomaggio where
renowned Chianti wine is made.
›› Do as you wish with an entire day free in
Montecatini.
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›› Indulge in a typical Tuscan lunch (included)
before heading to Pisa for the Square of
Miracles and the Leaning Tower.
›› Spend some days at leisure, or take an optional
excursion to visit Siena and San Gimignano.
Siena is Tuscany’s most beloved city, featuring
narrow streets lined with medieval palaces
and the Piazza del Campo. San Gimignano is
a hilltop town situated among vineyards, olive
groves and the Tuscan countryside.
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›› Enjoy a day excursion to Florence—–the Cradle
of the Renaissance—–for a walking tour with a
local guide, and see Michelangelo’s sculpture
of David up close and personal.
›› Return to Rome, with an en-route stop at the
walled city of Assisi, home of St. Francis.
›› Relax your last night in Rome before flying out
the next day.
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6
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VACATION DETAILS
NEW
DATE
Each year we will plan a value-priced tour with an exciting itinerary to
foreign destinations. Let us take care of the details, you just reserve your
vacation time, and together we’ll turn your vacation dreams into a reality.
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$3,399
PER PERSON
(based on double
occupancy)
TRIP INCLUDES:
Round-trip air from Chicago, all transfers, nine meals (seven
breakfasts, one lunch and one dinner), hotel accommodations, luggage handling at hotels, gratuity for guide and
sightseeing as indicated. Call Norma for more information.
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Trajan’s Column in the forum of Trajan, Rome. 2 Roman Colosseum.
Leaning Tower of Pisa. 4 Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi.
Pisa Cathedral. 6 Siena Cathedral.
EXCURSIONS | 5
Rocky Mountain Hi!
Vail, Colorado | JULY 10––15, 2016
Get ready to create a lifetime of
memories! No matter the age of
your family members—–from young
grandchildren to adult children and
grandparents—–this once-in-a-lifetime
trip provides the perfect setting to enjoy
time together, with fun for everyone. The
luxurious setting of Vail, Colorado, offers
the ability to do as much or as little as
you wish.
Love to relax? Enjoy spa treatments, a round of
golf, nature and art walks or a tour of Aspen. Or
are you up for adventure? Try a thrilling whitewater-rafting experience, biking through the
scenic countryside, a guided hike into the Rocky
Mountains or even a backcountry Jeep® tour.
Adults and children alike will love the
Historic Leadville Railroad excursion, a tour
of Rocky Mountain National Park and resort
accommodations.
After a day of relaxation or adventure, join the
family to enjoy delicious local fare, complete
with a S’mores family campfire!
DAY ONE / Fly to Colorado and transfer to Vail
Marriott Mountain Resort & Spa for a welcome
dinner (included).
DAY TWO / Enjoy a ride and tour on the Historic
Leadville Railroad.
DAYS THREE AND FOUR / Your choice of daily
activities: spa, golf, biking, hiking, rafting,
Adventure Ridge, Aspen tour and more!
DAY FIVE / Dinner included.
DAY SIX / Depart Vail Marriott Resort. Drive to
and tour Rocky Mountain National Park. Continue
to Denver, where accommodations are provided.
DAY SEVEN / Transfer to Denver International
Airport for the flight home.
Family members can join any location (pricing may
vary based on location). Pricing will be determined
when air costs can be confirmed. Mark your calendar
and stay tuned for more details.
VACATION DETAILS
PRICE WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN NEXT ISSUE
TRIP INCLUDES:
Accommodations for five evenings, five breakfast
packages, two dinners, Leadville Railroad tour, Rocky
Mountain National Park tour, choice of two additional
activities, S’mores family campfire, baggage handling
at hotels, transfer to and from airport, gratuities for
meals, guides and driver, taxes and fees.
6 | EXCURSIONS
Historic Cities of Eastern Canada
Including Niagara Falls, Montréal, Québec City and Toronto | AUGUST 16––24, 2015
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2
3
Enjoy the charm of Upper and Lower Canada by spending
two nights each in Montréal, Québec City, Ottawa and Toronto.
DAY ONE / Arrive in Montréal,
Canada’s second-largest city.
DAY TWO / Embark on a Montreal
sightseeing tour with a local
guide, featuring visits to Notre
Dame Basilica 1 and the Old
Seminary of St. Sulpice, and a
drive to the top of Mount Royal.
Spend the evening as you wish.
DAY THREE / Journey to romantic
Québec City, one of the most
historic and best-preserved cities
in North America. Enjoy a tour
of Canada’s only walled city,
including the ancient Place Royale
and the Place d’Armes. Visit Lower
Town by the St. Lawrence River and
historic Plains of Abraham. Enjoy
a special regional French cuisine
dinner in Old Town Québec.
DAY FOUR / Pursue independent
activities in historic Québec
City on this free day. There will
be suggestions for additional
sightseeing, shopping and dining.
DAY FIVE / Before leaving Québec,
we stop at Sugar Shack for a
guided tour of the maple syrupmaking process, and enjoy a Sugar
Shack breakfast. We’ll drive south
to Cap-de-la-Madeleine for a visit
to the famous Basilica of Our Lady
of the Rosary, a national shrine
famous for its fine stained-glass
windows. There’ll be time to
stroll through the grounds of the
Sanctuary and see the old chapel
before we continue to the nation’s
capital of Ottawa, 6 framed by the
banks of the Ottawa River.
VACATION DETAILS
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$3,699
PER PERSON
(based on double
occupancy)
TRIP INCLUDES:
All transfers, round-trip air, luggage handling,
accommodations, sightseeing tours as listed, gratuities
to guides and drivers, daily breakfast, three three-course
dinners and the services of a professional tour director.
DAY SIX / Morning sightseeing
with a local guide includes the
Canadian Mint, residences of
the Governor General and Prime
Minister and Parliament Hill. 2
We will enjoy a Canadian specialty,
a Beavertail pastry stretched
to look like a beavertail, with
toppings added. The remainder
of the day is free to spend as you
wish—–or visit the world-renowned
Canadian Museum of Civilization
to study exhibits covering the early
Norse settlement.
DAY SEVEN / Travel this morning
to Ivy Lea and on to Gananoque. 3
Here we board the boat for a cruise
through the waterways of Thousand
Islands National Park. Visit the
historic city of Kingston before
traveling along Lake Ontario to
Toronto, Canada’s largest and
most cosmopolitan city. 4
DAY EIGHT / Take a short drive
along the shores of Lake Ontario
to Niagara Falls. 5 Board the Maid
of the Mist for a thrilling boat ride
viewing the thundering waterfalls
at river level. See the picturesque
Floral Clock. 7 Return to Toronto
for a sightseeing tour, including
the Legislature Building, ethnic
neighborhoods, the University
of Toronto and Eaton Centre,
with more than 300 stores for
world-class shopping. Indulge
in a farewell dinner atop the
1,815-foot-tall CN Tower.
DAY NINE / Return home.
This wonderful trip, featuring the
historic cities of Eastern Canada,
includes guided sightseeing tours,
leisure time and a mix of historical,
natural and cultural offerings,
making for an unforgettable
experience!
EXCURSIONS | 7
Explore Abraham Lincoln
and the City He Loved
Springfield, Illinois | SEPTEMBER 21––24, 2015
TRIP INCLUDES:
VACATION DETAILS
Springfield became the Illinois state capital in 1837 with the help of a young lawyer and
politician named Abraham Lincoln. He lived in this city until he became our 16th president
of the United States in 1861. From that moment on, the city’s history has been tied to this
famous and beloved American citizen. Step back in time with Excursions as we walk in this
legendary president’s footsteps and explore the museums and sites dedicated to his legacy.
$723
PER PERSON
(based on double
occupancy)
We’ll make some fun stops en route—–Peoria on the way there, and Bloomington-Normal,
Illinois, on the return.
Deluxe motorcoach
transportation, entrance to
all attractions listed, three
night’s accommodations,
luggage handling at hotel,
three breakfasts, three
lunches, two dinners,
step-on guide and driver
gratuity.
Highlights include:
›› Lincoln-Herndon Law Office: Tour the only
remaining Lincoln law office.
›› Lincoln Depot: See where President-elect
Abraham Lincoln departed his beloved
Springfield for an uncertain future in
Washington, D.C.
›› Oak Ridge Cemetery: A 300-acre cemetery is
the final resting place of Abraham, Mary Todd,
Tad, Eddie and Willie Lincoln. This is the most
visited cemetery in the United States.
›› New Salem Historic Site: It was here that
Lincoln grew “to a man of purpose and destiny.”
This 100-acre living history pioneer village will
take us back to Lincoln’s life in the 1830s.
›› Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum:
World-class museum where scholarship and
showmanship combine to immerse you in the
world of Abraham Lincoln.
›› Lincoln Home National Historic Site: Restored
four-block neighborhood includes Lincoln’s
quaint Quaker-Brown residence, his home for
17 years and the only one he ever owned. Enjoy
a guided tour by a National Park Service Ranger.
›› Old State Capitol Historic Site: This
magnificently restored building is where
Mr. Lincoln uttered his famous words “A
house divided against itself cannot stand.”
›› Caterpillar Visitors Center: Watch a movie in
the bed of a gigantic mining truck, sit in a real
construction excavator or experience what it’s
like to operate Caterpillar machinery (on a
simulator).
›› Tanners Orchard and Apple Bin Bakery: Enjoy
some sweet treats and lunch.
›› Cozy Dog Drive In: Experience a Route 66 icon.
›› Wheels O’ Time Museum: See hands-on
displays of vintage and classic cars, tractors, etc.
›› And more
A ccommodations are at President Abraham Lincoln
Springfield, a DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel.