2022 Mini Getaways
Each trip has a designation of a yellow N or a blue S at the top. Trips marked with the  are Northern trips and will generally have pick up locations from LaSalle/Peru north. Trips marked with the  are Southern trips and will generally have pick up locations from LaSalle/Peru south. Please be sure to check pick up locations at the bottom of each trip description before registering, as this is where you will need to meet the bus for departure.
August 24-25, 2022
IS THIS HEAVEN? NO IT'S IOWA!
Our adventure begins aboard the American Lady Yacht in Dubuque. This 2 hour lunch cruise along the Mighty Mississippi will take us north to Lock and Dam 11 and then turn south and travel to the southern edge of the city where you can see the Julien Dubuque Monument high on a bluff.
We will then head to the 14 acre campus of the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium, an affiliate of the Smithsonian. Part aquarium, part museum, part science center, this museum creates educational experiences where history and rivers come alive.
Our supper this evening will be at the Stone Cliff Winery. In 2007 this winery was relocated to the “Port of Dubuque” in the historic Star Brewery building overlooking the Mississippi River. Our meal will consist of a four courses, a wine or beverage of your choice along with murder, mystery and intrigue. That’s right—this is a murder mystery dinner theatre, sure to keep you entertained for the evening!
A traveler’s first sight as they crossed the Mississippi River into Dubuque was often the historic Hotel Julien, and this is where we will spend our evening. This hotel has hosted famous guests such as Abraham Lincoln, “Buffalo Bill,” Mark Twain, and gained notoriety thanks to Al Capone. Over 180 years old and after a $33 million renovation, Hotel Julien Dubuque has redefined elegance through the blending of its rich history with modern luxury and style.
The next morning we will board our bus for a city tour of Dubuque, narrated by one of the town’s step on guides. Along with learning about the history of the town and it’s sites, we will make a stop at the Fenelon Place Elevator. Also known as the Fourth Street Elevator, this funicular railway has been called “the world’s steepest, shortest scenic railway.” We will then stop at Mathias Ham House, a 19th-century house that is on the National Register of Historic Places. The architect, John F. Rague, who had designed the original state capitol buildings at Springfield, Illinois and at Iowa City, Iowa, designed the house in the Italian Villa style.
Lunch today will be at the oldest bar and restaurant in the state of Iowa, the historic Breitbach’s Country Dining, opened in 1852 by federal permit issued from President Millard Fillmore. We will be greeted by 5th generation owner, Mike Breitbach, and enjoy a delicious lunch buffet. Following lunch you may choose to make a quick visit to the wine shed or enjoy a short walk to the beautiful overlook atop the bluff near the restaurant.
“If you build it...he will come…” This famous line made Dyersville and Iowa a famous place, and we will now get to see why. Our last stop takes us to the Field of Dreams movie site. We will experience a conversation with a Ghost Player, have time to run the bases, tour the farmhouse used in the making of the movie and maybe even take a walk to the magical corn.
Join Vista Club on this mini-getaway as we discover all things unique about Iowa! WAIT LIST ONLY.
Cost: $310 Per Person Double/$370 Per Person Single
Fee includes: Touring and included meals per itinerary above, hotel, transportation, taxes and tips. Cancellations will be refunded only if we are able to fill your vacancy.
Pick ups: Depart Rochelle Petro at 7:35 a.m., Mendota Civic Center at 8:15 a.m., LaSalle Flying J at 8:45 a.m. Return the following day to LaSalle at approximately 6:00 p.m., Mendota at 6:30 p.m. and Rochelle at 7:10 p.m.
BROCHURE
 September 19-20, 2022
GIRLS DAYS IN SHIPSHEWANA!
Grab your girlfriends and get ready for a fun filled two days in Shipshewana, IN!
We begin our trip by having our local step on guide join our group as we come into town. Our first stop will be to enjoy a light lunch “Amish Neighbor’s Party” style. This is a time to gather over food with a few surprises thrown in! The rest of the afternoon will be spent making stops in the area, visiting businesses and learning about daily life in Amish country, including a stop at Teaberry Wood Products to view a basket weaving demonstration.
Following our afternoon of adventures, the bus will drop us off at the Blue Gate Theater for a traditional Amish feast, followed by an evening performance of Dear Soldier Boy, a new hilarious, feel good musical comedy.
Lastly, it’s off to the Farmstead Inn, a beautiful hotel in the heart of Shipshewana (and across the street from the famous Auction & Flea Market) for a relaxing evening of rest.
The next morning, feel free to eat breakfast at your leisure. The morning is free of planned activities for you to spend your time exactly as you would like. The legendary Shipshewana Flea Market opens at 8. This flea market opened in 1922 and hosts around 700 vendors. Here you will find well-crafted goods made with pride by local citizens. Some vendors accept only cash so be sure to bring plenty with you as well as comfortable walking shoes. The downtown area is within walking distance of the hotel also has many shops and restaurants to peruse. Be sure to grab a bite to eat on your own before joining back up with the group for the afternoon.
We will then rejoin our guide for another day of touring, Amish adventures, shopping and story telling. Places on the itinerary include the Dutch Country Market & Katie’s Noodle Shop, Amish Rug Weaver Demonstration, a visit to New Yoder Popcorn and E&S Bulk Foods.
The last stop of the day will be at the infamous Rise and Roll Bakery, the location best known for it’s Cinnamon-Caramel donuts. Due to the fact that they often sell out of their most popular items throughout the day, we will be taking preorders for their cinnamon-caramel donuts ($13.99 for a dozen/$7.49 for 1/2 dozen). When we arrive, our orders will be boxed and waiting for us! Please let us know if you would like to pre-order donuts by September 1, 2022. Lots of breads, pies, pastries, candies and other goodies are also for sale at this location!
Then it’s time to head for home, with memories of our many Amish adventures!
Please note: Shipshewana is a dry community and the hotel is smoke and alcohol free. If evidence of either is found, penalties will be charged by the hotel, which will then be passed on to the responsible parties.
Cost: $250 Per Person Double/$320 Per Person Single
Fee includes: Touring and included meals per itinerary above, hotel, transportation, taxes and tips. Cancellations will be refunded only if we are able to fill your vacancy.
Pick ups: Depart Mendota Civic Center at 6:30 a.m., Flying J in LaSalle at 7:00 a.m. Return the following day to LaSalle at approximately 7:30 p.m., Mendota at 7:50 p.m.
2023 Mini Getaways
 September 3-September 7, 2023
MOTOR CITY AND MOTOWN - DEARBORN/DETROIT, MI
Join Vista Club on this getaway to Detroit and Dearborn Michigan. Henry Ford, along with the other automotive pioneers of the day, established Detroit’s status as the world’s automotive capital and Motown was founded here in 1959. These two industries helped to change the face of America!
Our trip will visit historic locations such as the Piquette Model T Factory, Ford Rouge Factory, The Henry Ford Museum, Greenfield Village, Motown Museum, Ford House and Gilmore Car Museum. We will have unique experiences along the way and hear all about the automotive and musical history of the area. Please refer to the full brochure for all the exciting details of this trip! This is a very active tour, requiring a good deal of walking each day. REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
Cost: $950 per person double occupancy/$1250 per person single occupancy
Fee Includes: Touring of the above locations, meals per itinerary, hotel, motor coach transportation and all associated taxes and tips with included items. Cancellations will be refunded only if we are able to fill your vacancy.
Pick-ups: Depart Rochelle Petro at 6:10 a.m., Mendota Civic Center at 7:00 a.m., LaSalle Flying J at 7:30 a.m. on 9/3/23
Brochure
 May 2-4, 2023
GIRLS DAYS IN HOLLAND MICHIGAN
It’s time for our Girls Days adventures again! This year, we will be traveling to Holland, Michigan to view the quaint town and experience the beautiful tulips right before their annual Tulip Festival. We hope to get to see all of the beautiful tulips while avoiding the worst of the crowds! (Tulip blooms cannot be guaranteed)
Day 1 (L, D) Our first stop will be in Saugatuck for an included lunch at the Saugatuck Brewing Company. After lunch we will spend time in the quaint town of Saugatuck to enjoy their shops and atmosphere. Next, we will head to the Saugatuck Sand Dunes for an open air, sand dune ride (liability waiver required). The dune ride is one of West Michigan’s premier attractions. We will learn about the lost town of Singapore and check out the local vegetation and wildlife. After our day full of adventure, we will head to our hotel for the next two nights, the Hampton Inn of Holland. Following check in and time to freshen up, we will enjoy supper at the Beechwood Grill.
Day 2 (B, D) We begin with an included breakfast at the hotel before starting off the day with a step on guide who will share insights about the town of Holland. Next, we continue on to Windmill Island Gardens to stroll the 36 acres of beautifully manicured grounds and tour the 250 year old DeZwaan Windmill, the only authentic Dutch windmill operating in the United States! Then it’s back to downtown Holland for shopping time and lunch on your own before meeting back up at Nelis’ Dutch Village. We will step back in time at this theme park reproduction of an 1800’s Dutch Village and enjoy Dutch architecture, canals and gardens while also learning a few steps of Holland’s traditional “klompen” dance. Supper this evening will be at the beautiful Boatwerks Restaurant where we will enjoy a Twist on Tradition Dinner featuring many Dutch delicacies!
Day 3 (B, L) After breakfast, we are off to the Veldheer Tulip Farm, Holland’s only tulip farm and the DeKlomp Shoe Factory. In the spring, visitors can see as many as four million tulips in bloom along with thousands of daffodils, crocus and hyacinths. All varieties of bulbs are available for purchase. We will be able to watch as wooden shoes are carved from a block of poplar wood on machines imported from the Netherlands and follow Delftware production from the pouring of liquid clay into molds, firing in the kiln, and talking to the artists as they hand-paint the signature blue Dutch designs in the only Delftware production facility in North America. As we journey toward home, we will stop in the waterfront town of St. Joseph to view their two lighthouses. After an included lunch stop, we will conclude our journey with fond memories of our experiences at the Dutch Village of Holland and time spent with our dear girlfriends. WAIT LIST ONLY.
Cost: $475 per person double occupancy/$625 per person single occupancy
Fee Includes: Entrance to locations as listed above, 6 meals, hotel, transportation, all associated taxes and tips. Cancellations will be refunded only if we are able to fill your vacancy.
Pick-ups: 5/2/23 America's Best Wenona at 5:50 a.m., LaSalle Flying J at 6:20 a.m., Mendota Civic Center at 6:45 a.m.
BROCHURE
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