Wendinger Band & Travel, Inc.
Wendinger Travel
Germanfest in Milwaukee
July 28 - 31, 2011
Day By Day Itinerary
Thursday, July 28 New Glarus, WI
Relax and enjoy the summer scenery as we depart by motor coach from Minnesota to our neighboring state of Wisconsin. We'll be driving through the capitol city of Madison to the town of MT Horeb and the Norwegian Troll Village. Trolls, similar in size to dwarfs or elves, began appearing in the mid-1980's. It has been advised to keep a good relationship with trolls as they are known to be guarding treasures of gold or gemstones nearby. Be sure to bring your camera, because they're always willing to have their picture taken with other smiling faces. This afternoon we will drive through the foothills of Blue Mounds and enter the picturesque farm settings of Little Norway. Tucked alongside meandering streams and garden paths, visitors to Little Norway will discover the original cabins of a Norwegian immigrant family, built in 1856, which have been preserved and today showcase an outstanding collection of antiques. Little Norway has been featured in many national publications such as Country Living, Good Housekeeping, and Architectural Digest. Tonight you will be treated to a cookout at your Swiss Country Home, the Hotel Chalet Landhaus Inn at New Glarus, better known as America’s “Little Switzerland”.
Friday, July 29 Milwaukee, MI
After breakfast we will make our way to Monroe where we will have a guided tour of the Minhas Craft Brewery where the brewing tradition started in 1845. We will make our way to Milwaukee and check into our hotel. After check in, our motor coach will take us to the Maier Festival Park for Germanfest, one of the top 100 destination events in North America. Here you will be provided with 6 stages of continuous entertainment, where bands direct from Germany and dance groups in colorful costumes perform for your enjoyment. Shop imported German gifts, clothing, jewelry, video cassettes, and CDs at the Williamsburg Marktplatz. Enjoy a gastronomical tour of German foods prepared on the grounds. Try a spanferkel or Westfalian ham sandwich, bratwurst, schnitzel, goulash dinner with spaetzle and red cabbage, dumplings, potato pancakes, herring and funnel; and quench your thirst with one of their many beverages. Visit the Cultural/ Heritage Exhibition on the north end of the Fest Grounds, featuring colorful travel videos, genealogy assistance, a history tent, travel theatre, and handcrafters. There will be a designated time for the motor coach to return to the hotel or you may stay as long as you wish and ride one of the many shuttles that will return you to the hotel.
Saturday, July 30 Milwaukee, MI
This morning we set sail on the touring boat, Edelweiss. The Edelweiss glides through the Milwaukee River, past beautiful new developments, showing off the exciting rejuvenation of Milwaukee where the rebuilding of the river banks has become primary focus of city revival. Cruising through the harbor into Lake Michigan with its marinas and sailboat regattas, we’ll enjoy the panoramic view of the city’s Third Street Pier Restaurant. The balance of the day will be spent at Germanfest enjoying the music. One of the two evenings you may choose to stay later at the festival and view the spectacular fireworks display exploding across the Germanfest sky.
Sunday, July 31 Home
Following breakfast, we are homeward bound. Traveling to our familiar destinations, we can relate to the the first day of our trip as we met new people and experienced new traditions. Just like the friendly Trolls, we can sit back and smile guarding our own "treasures" of memories from the past four days; while dreaming of someday visiting Switzerland and Germany across the sea.
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