Day 1 –  Saturday – July 12, 2025

Get ready for another great vacation as our group departs this morning on our annual Cheese, Churches, Cheers, and Chocolates Tour. Our travels take us to our first stop in Mason City, Iowa. Here you’ll enjoy a stroll down the historic street of The Music Man Square direct from the 1962 award winning movie, Meredith Willson’s “The Music Man."  Explore the life works and achievements of Meredith Willson from “Right Here in River City." See how it was to grow up in downtown Mason City Iowa in the early 1900’s, from the restored 1895 home where Meredith Willson was born and raised. You will even see the actual piano he used to compose such hits as "76 Trombones" and "Gary, Indiana."

March to a fun beat while touring the Charles H. MacNider Art Museum, formerly a gracious 1920’s Tudor revival home, which now houses the puppet collection of renowned puppeteer and Mason City native, Bil Baird, including his most famous puppets from the movie, "The Sound of Music." Meredith Willson memorabilia and history will be revealed during a tour of the Kinney Pioneer Museum. Take a step back in time and experience life on the Iowa frontier through vintage exhibits and living history. Explore the pioneer village featuring a one-room school house, log cabin, jail, and blacksmith shop and more.  Overnight Mason City, IA. (Dinner Included)

Day 2 – Sunday – July 13, 2025

Breakfast is included before we travel to West Bend, Iowa to visit The Shrine of the Grotto of the Redemption, the largest man-made Grotto in the world and home to one of the largest collections of precious stones and gems found anywhere in one location! The Grotto is frequently considered the “Eighth Wonder of the World." Overnight Des Moines, Iowa. (Breakfast & Lunch, Evening Reception Included)

DAY 3 – Monday – July 14, 2025

Following an included breakfast, we travel to Winterset, IA, the county seat of Madison County. Madison County is the Covered Bridge Capital of Iowa, with the largest group of covered bridges that exists in one area in the western half of the Mississippi Valley. This is the place that inspired "The Bridges of Madison County" movie starring Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep, one of the greatest love stories of our time. While here we’ll enjoy a tour of the covered bridges, and time for a little shopping after lunch on the square (quilters won’t want to miss Piece Works Quilt Shop or Ben Franklins!). 

Our next stop will be at John Wayne’s Birthplace and Museum. Here you’ll enjoy a 10-minute documentary on the actor, and a tour of his birthplace home and museum. From here it’s a short drive back to Des Moines where we’ll make a stop at Jasper Winery.  A hobby that went on to become a huge and successful business. The owners believe in producing world class wines using special Iowa grown grapes. Overnight Des Moines, IA.   (Breakfast & Lunch, Evening Reception Included) 

Day 4 – Tuesday – July 15, 2025

Breakfast is included and then we begin our travel home, but first we will make a stop in Kalona Iowa. Here we’ll visit Kalona Chocolates and watch their team make delicious chocolate confections through their chocolate-kitchen viewing windows. They produce a wide selection of chocolates daily! Next, Welcome to the Kalona Creamery, the happiest place in Kalona, Iowa! Their creamery churns out the creamiest butter, the cheesiest cheese, and the most indulgent ice cream made from the freshest milk from local farmers. Their gift shop is stocked with dairy-inspired souvenirs and locally-made goodies. You will have an udderly delightful experience! Following lunch we’ll continue our journey home with wonderful memories of our Cheese, Churches, Cheers & Chocolates Tour to Iowa. (Breakfast & Lunch Included)