Day 1 Schaumburg, IL

Join us for a tour of holiday traditions and fun in northern Indiana’s Amish Country! We’ll see where many still live a centuries-old “Plain” lifestyle. Step back in time to escape the hectic schedule of the holidays and enjoy a slower, more peaceful pace. Breath in the enticing aromas of pine trees and fresh baked pies and cookies. Feel the warmth and friendliness of the Amish as they invite you into their homes for a peak into the window of the unique world and holiday traditions. Today we will travel through Wisconsin into Illinois for our overnight stay in Schaumburg, IL.

Day 2 Middlebury, IN

We’ll travel around Lake Michigan in Illinois into Indiana to Elkhart making a lunch stop along the way. We will visit the Linton’s Enchanted Gardens “Holiday Village” this afternoon. Walk through a winter wonderland where the scent of fresh pine and mulled cider fill the air while viewing their 100 themed Christmas trees and shops filled with holiday gifts. Next, we will check-in to the charming Essenhaus Inn in Middlebury for the next 3 nights. This evening we will gather for an included dinner at the Das Dutchman Essenhaus. Afterwards, be sure to check out their expansive Village Shops. (B, D)

Day 3 Middlebury, IN

Our morning begins with an Amish woodworking Christmas Experience at Teaberry Wood Products. The local owners will welcome you to their rural family workshop nestled in the heart of Amish Country to watch their handcrafted decor, puzzles, baskets and cutting boards come to life. They will discuss their Christmas traditions, memories and holiday experiences. Next, its time for some coffee and goodies! We will visit the Rise’n Roll Bakery which got it’s beginning in 2001. A young Amish couple began baking recipes handed down in the woman’s family for generations and began selling baked goods from their front porch. Over the years, they worked on perfecting the recipes, until in 2004 they opened the first bakery in Middlebury. The original bakery did not use any electricity, refrigeration, or modern technology. All of the mixing, sheeting, and prepping was done entirely by hand. In 2009, the Amish owner sold to a non-Amish family and since then the bakery has expanded but they are still doing things the “old fashioned way”, and blessing customers, one at a time. Another quick stop will be made at another small family owned shop, Lambright Country Chimes where we will get the chance to see chimes being made. You will have some free time to explore or shop in downtown Shipshewana and have a light lunch this afternoon. Then we will head over to the Blue Gate Theater for their afternoon show “The Christmas Candy Caper.” Candy Shop owner Lydia Miller faces real danger when two men break into her shop to steal her candy recipe. The situation escalates into a kidnapping, but the town dismisses the ransom note as one of Lydia’s pranks. This leads to humorous negotiations among the kidnappers, police, and townsfolk, who suggest unconventional ransom items. Lydia is frustrated by the lack of support from her community, while the kidnappers also realize their situation isn’t what they expected. Eventually, the townspeople “rescue” her and apologize for not believing her. Lydia forgives everyone and decides against pressing charges, wanting to give the kidnappers a chance for redemption. The musical concludes with Lydia nearly playing a prank again but catching herself, indicating her growth. After the show, we will gather for and included dinner at the Blue Gate Restaurant. We end our evening driving through Shipshewana’s Lights of Joy. (B, D)

Day 4 Middlebury, IN

Get ready to stuff your stocking with treats and trinkets from one-of-a-kind Amish businesses as your step-on guide takes you through the backroads to Amish businesses that are off-the-beaten-path on a Stocking Stuffer Amish Country Backroads Tour. Stops include Heritage Ridge Creamery, Silverstar Leather Shop, Pretzel rolling at Ben’s Pretzels, Yoder’s Popcorn, Amish Rug Weaving demonstration and a few more! We will return to our hotel to freshen up before departing for dinner. We will be welcomed into an Amish Home for a festive and fun Christmas Cookie Make & Take experience where our Amish host gives us a demonstration of how she makes her family’s favorite cookie recipe right before our eyes. We will get our own hands into the fun by icing and decorating a plate of cookies. We will round out our holiday evening with a tasty Thresher’s Meal. Tonight, enjoy the Winter Wonderland Holiday Lights at the Wellfield Botanical Gardens. Featuring over one million lights in a walkable setting with fire pits and a warming station along a self-guided walking path around the botanical garden. (B, D)

Day 5 Rockford, IL

Today’s holiday adventure brings us to Nappanee where we will visit a Camel Dairy Farm. We will learn about the animal that sits in many of our nativity scenes at home and the products this young Mennonite family makes with their milk. We return to Nappanee to Coppes Commons for some freetime. You can check out the many shops, stroll through the museum and even watch ice cream being made. This is your last chance to grab some Amish baked goods or gifts. This afternoon, we are invited to a local Bed & Breakfast, Nappanee’s historic house of Frank and Katherine Coppes, an 1887 Victorian style home. The Coppes Family helped pioneer the town with flour milling, furniture & cabinet making, the Coppes Hotel and so much more. Four generations of Coppes Family members lived in the house before it was turned into a Bed and Breakfast in 1987. You will be greeted by the 4th Innkeepers of the historic house. From the moment you enter, your eyes will instantly be drawn to the hand-carved woodwork on the walls, stained glass windows and large stairway leading up upstairs. We will enjoy an included lunch and Christmas tea served with vintage teacups, fine china, and tableware, hot tea, fresh sweets, and a tour of the house. It’s time to depart Amish Country this afternoon. We will travel as far as Rockford, IL tonight and wrap up our tour with one more holiday light display at the Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens in Rockford. (B, L)

Day 6 Home

Today we will end our holiday Amish experience and travel out of Illinois, through Wisconsin and return to Minnesota. (B)