River Ramblings (2021)
Ride on four different paddle wheelers on two great rivers, the Mississippi and the Ohio River.
If you like riverboatin’ then this is the tour for you! The past comes to life as we hear the whistles
blow and the calliopes play, and watch the paddle wheels churn!
Day 1
NASHVILLE OR LOUISVILLE •
DINNER CRUISE:
This morning
we board our Prevost motorcoach
and travel through western North
Carolina and Tennessee, en route
to our overnight city of Nashville or
Louisville. After we check into our
hotel, this evening we board our
ship for a delightful evening cruise.
The June 12th and October 9th
departures will overnight in Nashville
and enjoy dinner and cruise aboard
the General Jackson. The July 9th
and September 10th departures
overnight in Louisville and cruise
on the Mary Miller Riverboat with
dinner on the Ohio River. (D)Day 2
ST. LOUIS • GATEWAY ARCH:
We cross the fertile southern tip
of Illinois this morning en route to St.
Louis. This afternoon you’ll find yourself
standing beneath the incredible
Gateway Arch, a memorial to all the
men and women who began their
journey into the unknown West from
this very spot. Climb aboard these
special capsules for a ride to the top.
From here you’ll get a breathtaking
view of the city of St. Louis and the
meandering Mississippi. We overnight
in St. Louis.Day 3
HANNIBAL • MARK TWAIN
BOYHOOD HOME AND MUSEUM •
BECKY THATCHER’S HOUSE •
MISSISSIPPI RIVERBOAT CRUISE •
DINNER AND ENTERTAINMENT:
Today
we travel north to Hannibal, Missouri,
located on the Mississippi River. We
visit Mark Twain’s boyhood home and
museum, and see the house of his
sweetheart, Becky Thatcher. We’ll take
a relaxing riverboat cruise aboard the
Mark Twain, an authentic Mississippi
River paddle wheeler. Dinner is
included this evening followed by local
entertainment. (D)Day 4
MOLINE • JOHN DEERE FACTORY
TOUR OR CINNAMON RIDGE
FARMS • JOHN DEERE PAVILION •
DINNER–
MACHINE SHED •
DAVENPORT:
Our travels continue to
the north today along the Mississippi
River Valley. We go behind the scenes
for a John Deere Factory tour (must
be 13 & over). Our guide takes us
through the manufacturing process,
explaining how all the pieces come
together to create a massive green
machine. Next, we visit the John Deere
Pavilion, an impressive showcase
of vintage and modern-day farm
equipment. We have a chance to see
where agriculture, construction, and
forestry are heading in America and
around the world. (If the factory tour
is unavailable, we will visit Cinnamon
Ridge Farms, to tour their robotic dairy
farm.) This evening we enjoy a special
feast at the Machine Shed Restaurant,
a unique restaurant with great home
cooked food that is operated as if it
were run by a bunch of farmers. We
overnight in Davenport for the next
two nights. (D)Day 5
MISSISSIPPI RIVER CRUISE TO
DUBUQUE:
This morning we
depart for an all day cruise on the
Mississippi River! A paddle wheeler
from bygone days will take us
leisurely up the river as we enjoy
live entertainment and delicious
food. Sit back, relax, and watch the
unfolding panorama as the largest
luxury excursion vessel on the upper
Mississippi River sails past wild and
remote islands, high bluffs, and
picturesque 19th century towns.
Enjoy entertainment throughout the
day. Take a spin on the dance floor
or just relax on one of the observation
decks enjoying the weather and
scenic views. Enjoy three meals
(breakfast buffet, luncheon buffet
and the famous “prime rib dinner
buffet”) while on this cruise. We
travel back to Davenport for overnight.
(The October 9th departure will be
a round trip Fall Foliage day cruise
including narration, live entertainment,
lunch and dinner.) (B, L, D)Day 6
CINCINNATI • DINNER CRUISE:
Today we travel to Cincinnati for our
last overnight. We enjoy a dinner cruise
together tonight on the waters of the
Ohio River. What better way to bring to
an end our wonderful River Rambling
tour. (D)Day 7
HOME:
What a time we have had!
Now we understand why Mark
Twain loved the river so much. Relax
and enjoy a leisurely ride home
today.