Travel through heartlands of Mid West America on this amazing 11 Day Agricultural Tour to the intensive Dairying state of Wisconsin and the famous Grain Belt states of Illinois, Missouri and Iowa. Enjoy the diverse cultures of rural America and the unique attractions in these states as you discover some of the richest agricultural resources in the world, including fertile soil, expansive plains and the favourable climate which ensures these prime farmlands flourish. Highlights of the tour include lively St Louis, Gateway to the West; the magnificent Mississippi River system and the wonderful city of Chicago, where you can enjoy a birds eye view from America's tallest building, wander along the boardwalks of Navy Pier or take advantage of the excellent shopping available.

Tour Dates	Duration	Price	Highlights
20 - 30 June 2012	11 Days	€2349pps inc taxes	Chicago, St Louis, The Mississippi River, Route 66 Museum Budweiser Brewery John Deer Pavilion Sky Deck

Your Tour Price Includes:

Day 1: Dublin to Chicago, Illinois
Fly from Dublin to Chicago. Upon arrival, meet your professional tour manager and transfer by executive coach to your hotel for check-in.

Day 2: Chicago, Illinois
Enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of Chicago. Famous sites include some of the tallest skyscrapers in America - Sears Tower, John Hancock Center, Trump Tower, Merchandise Mart Building – also see Lake Michigan, Grant Park, Museum Campus, Millennium Park, Picasso sculpture, Water Tower Place and Magnificent Mile shopping. Next visit Chicago Board of Trade, established in 1848. It is the world's oldest futures and options exchange. More than 50 different options and futures contracts are traded by over 3,600 CBOT members through open outcry and eTrading. This afternoon visit Sears Tower (now Willis Tower) and see Chicago's most breathtaking views from the world's tallest building at Skydeck Chicago. Dinner at own expense, overnight Chicago.

Day 3: St Louis, Missouri
Travel southwards to St Louis. En route you will travel along parts of the original Route 66 and visit a museum dedicated to famous highway. A farm visit is also included. On arrival to St Louis in the afternoon enjoy a guided tour Anheiser-Busch brewery, home to Budweiser and the largest brewery in the United States. St Louis lies right near the intersection of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers, which made it a stopping point for most settlers moving west. As the last big city before the long trails, the city became known as the Gateway to the West. Check into your hotel. Dinner at own expense, overnight St Louis.

Day 4: St Louis, Missouri
Guided tour of St. Louis including Laclede's Landing, the historic Soulard district, Union Station, and Forest Park, site of the 1904 World Fair. Tour the St. Louis Arch, the nation’s tallest man-made monument. You will travel on an elevator that kips and turns to makes its way to the top of the stainless steel 630 foot arch completed in 1965 for the World’s Fair. Enjoy a breathtaking view over the city. Dinner at own expense, overnight St Louis.

Day 5: Keokuk, Iowa
Travel northwards along Mississippi River, the second longest river, after the Missouri, in the United States. Its system of 29 locks-and-dams stretches 669 miles between Minneapolis and Granite City controlling nearly two thirds of the nation's watershed. Farm visit including hearty buffet lunch at a traditional American farmstead. Visit to a small Amish community in northeast Missouri, visiting local farms including a harness maker and buggy maker. Depart to Keokuk. Check into your hotel. Dinner at own expense, overnight Keokuk.

Day 6: Quad Cities, Iowa/Illinois border
Depart from Keokuk, visiting the Mississippi River Hydroelectric dam before travelling through the rolling plains of Iowa to Quad Cities. A number of farm visits are included en route including Amana Farms, one of the largest working farms in the Midwest with over 7,000 tillable acres, 7,000 acres of grazing land for over 2,000 head of cattle, and 7,000 acres of hardwood forest. Lunch is included today in Amana colonies. The Quad Cities is a geographic region of the Mid-Mississippi Valley that includes several communities in the states of Iowa and Illinois including Bettendorf and Davenport in Iowa and Moline, East Moline and Rock Island in Illinois. Check into your Casino Resort hotel. This evening enjoy an Missisippi Dinner Cruise. Overnight Quad Cities.

Day 7: Quad Cities, Iowa/Illinois border
Tour Mississippi River Grain Terminal before visiting the iconic John Deere Pavilion and factory. In 1848, John Deere changed the course of local history in Moline Illinois by locating his first plow manufacturing plant on the banks of the Mississippi River. With this factory, John Deere's dream of producing a superior self-scouring plow for the western frontier became a reality. Across the country, farmers used his plow to till the land and they forever changed the shape of agriculture. The rest, as they say, is history: a history that is preserved at the John Deere Pavilion. Dinner at own expense. Overnight at your hotel in Quad Cities.

Day 8: Dubuque, Iowa
Travel to Dubuque and enjoy visiting this historic old town. Visit the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium and take an entertaining and informative journey on the Mighty Mississippi at the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium. Enjoy dynamic aquariums, historical exhibits and a stroll through the wetlands and boatyard. Each visit is a truly interactive experience where visitors can get "up close and personal" with native river animals. Next travel in the quirky elevator up the cliffs of Dubuque. The Fenelon Place elevator is described as the world's shortest, steepest scenic railway, 296 feet in length, elevating passengers 189 feet from Fourth Street to Fenelon Place. As well as a magnificent view of beautiful Dubuque, enjoy panoramic views of the Mississippi River and three states. Check into your hotel. Dinner at own expense, overnight Dubuque.

Day 9: Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Depart Dubuque for Madison for a visit to the University of Wisconsin. Renowned for its Dairy Research, the UW-Madison Department of Dairy Science is internationally recognized for progressive dairy research and educational programs, and are leaders in supplying nutrition, genetics, lactation, reproduction, farm management and milk quality expertise. Continue onto Milwaukee for overnight. Check into your hotel, Dinner at own expense, overnight Milwaukee.

Day 10: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Depart Milwaukee and visit the Gurnee Mills Outlet Mall for free time and last minute shopping. Transfer to airport for your flight home. Check in for your return flight to Dublin.

Day 11: Dublin
Arrive Dublin Airport.


GENERAL INFORMATION:
Seasonal Climate:       The average daily temperatures for Illinois, Missouri , Wisconsin and Iowa is 23 - 27degrees.
Currency:                   US Dollar
Time Difference:         GMT - 6 hours
Visa:                          Holders of Irish Passports do not require an entry visa to USA if you hold a machine readable passport.


 

Booking Information:

• Airport taxes and service charges are included
• Price is based on twin share. If you are travelling alone and are willing to share a twin room with another group member of the same gender, we will do our best to accommodate your request, although it cannot be guaranteed
• Single supplement: €500.00 per person for tour.
• Optional travel insurance: €38.00 (conditions apply).
• A non-refundable / non transferable deposit of €350.00 per person is required at time of booking (by laser, cheque or credit card).
• Second Deposit of €250.00 due February 2012