Europe in Wisconsin

Today we travel to Kenosha, Wisconsin, on the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan, our home for 2 nights. We stop at Tenuta’s Old World Grocery. In 1920, John Tenuta left Italy to seek his fortune in the U.S. His dream was to open his own business, and that dream was realized when Tenuta’s Delicatessen opened its doors on April 1, 1950. Over the years the store has been remodeled and expanded several times to accommodate its growing selection of specialty merchandise. Later this evening, we savor an Italian dinner at Villa D’Carlo Restaurant. (D)

After breakfast, our journey takes us to the Danish heritage in Racine. At the O & H Bakery, we have a presentation on the history and making of kringles. Inside the bakery we will have samples of kringles, coffee and have time to shop. Our local guide will bring the colorful and inventive heritage of Racine to life. We’ll see the Windpoint Lighthouse and the Southside Historic District. A visit to the SC Johnson/Fortaleza Hall gives us a chance to learn more about the SC Johnson Company. You’ll also tour the famous Frank Lloyd Wright-built administration building. Enjoy lunch on the shores of Lake Michigan at the Reef Point Brew House. This afternoon, we enjoy a guided tour of Milwaukee and learn about the interesting German Heritage in this beautiful city. Next, we tour Pabst Mansion to experience this award-winning historic museum and one of Milwaukee’s great architectural landmarks. Sumptuous German cuisine awaits us this evening at Mader’s Restaurant. (B,L,D)

This morning, a local guide joins us for a tour of Kenosha. We visit Kemper Center which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. We leave Kenosha behind and travel west to Old World Wisconsin, a living history museum where European influence is keenly represented. Later this afternoon, we arrive in New Glarus and check into our hotel for the next two nights. (B)

Our morning sightseeing begins with a tour of New Glarus followed by a visit to the Swiss Historical Village. The village tells the story of the founding and growth of the Swiss colony and the birth of the foreign-type cheese industry. We then continue north into the 19th-century village known as the Troll Capital of the World, Mt. Horeb. We will learn about the trolls during our guided tour followed by a visit to the Historium Museum to learn about the evolution of ethnic identity in Southwestern Wisconsin. Visit the Duluth Trading Company Store, a great place to visit, shop and marvel. Tonight we’ll feast on a traditional Swiss dinner and enjoy Swiss Musical Entertainment. (B,D)

We are off to Monroe and the National Historic Cheesemaking Center, providing the story of cheesemaking in the late 1800s and early 1900s to present and learn the process of today’s cheesemaking. At the Alp & Dell factory, we have a short tour and time to shop for cheese to bring home. Coolers will be provided to transport cheese.It’s time to head south, but we will not soon forget our experience on this Europe in Wisconsin tour. (B)