A Tour of Biblical Proportions – (with ark & creation museum)

This tour not only takes us on a journey through the midwestern states and into Kentucky, but in a sense, back in time to discover some of the mysteries of the Bible. As we wind our way through the beautiful, wooded countryside of Wisconsin, we’ll make a stop for an included lunch. By evening, we’ll reach our accommodations in Schaumburg, IL, a suburb of Chicago, arriving at the Quality Inn. (L)

After a hearty breakfast, we’re ready for another day of travel as our coach skirts around Chicago and into Indiana with our usual stops along the way, with lunch included. By mid-afternoon, we’ll arrive at the Weberding Carving Shop, which has been in Batesville since 1942. The showroom displays amazing pieces of art, including custom-made furnishings, refurbished statues, and church furnishings. They have been commissioned to create pieces of art for a variety of organizations and many celebrities throughout the U.S. and the world. We will enjoy a three-night stay at the Hampton Inn in Florence, KY. Our hotel is across the Ohio River from Cincinnati, OH. Tonight, our dinner and German entertainment are included at the Hofbräuhaus – the very first Hofbräuhaus in the U.S.! You’ll have a choice of three entrées, and you’ll feel as though you’re in Munich, Germany, the sister city of Cincinnati. (B) (L) (D)

You’re about to experience history in a completely unprecedented way! The 70,000 square foot Creation Museum at Petersburg, KY, brings the pages of the Bible to life, casting its characters and animals in dynamic form and placing them into familiar settings. Adam and Eve live in the Garden of Eden, dinosaurs roam near the Eden River and ramble through the thickets grazing on plants, the serpent coils cunningly in the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, majestic murals will amaze you, great masterpieces brimming with pulsating colors and details provide a dramatic backdrop for many of the settings. The museum has dozens of informative videos you won’t want to miss. Lunch is available at Noah’s Café (on your own). Be sure to take in the Christ, Cross, and Consummation exhibit that includes stunning artwork from the gospel, such as Jesus’ Walk on water, the angel rolling back the stone from Jesus’ empty tomb, and more! By mid-afternoon, we return to Cincinnati, “The Queen City,” for a fascinating city tour. You’ll learn how German immigrants influenced architecture, culture, and life in general, especially beer brewing! We’ll see places of interest, including amazing murals that reflect the history of the area located on the riverfront, the 33-ton World’s Peace Bell, views of beautiful Eden Park and the Krohn Conservatory, the historic Over-the-Rhine Neighborhood, including Ohio’s oldest public market, to name a few highlights. After a remarkable day, we return to the hotel where we have some time to rest and refresh before we enjoy a Private Dinner Cruise aboard the Queen City Riverboat featuring live music that is sure to get your hands clapping and feet tapping! (B) (D)

What an incredible day we’ll have today! You’ll be amazed by the life-sized Noah’s Ark! The Ark Encounter is a one-of-a-kind themed attraction for all ages. The Ark is the largest timber frame structure in the world, built from standing dead timber, in part by skilled Amish craftsmen. This architectural and engineering wonder contains three decks of worldclass exhibits. Scores of exhibits about the flood, Noah, and the animals are designed to answer many questions you may have about the biblical account of Noah’s Ark. You’ll hear about the animals that lived during Noah’s lifetime; many don’t look like the animals of today. Plus, you’ll learn how Noah cared for the animals and how the Ark was big enough to fit them all on board. This self-paced tour includes a vast number of thought-provoking exhibits, including The West Village, which offers guests the opportunity to watch the masters create a wide variety of products, enjoy a variety of entertainment acts, take in live animal presentations, and more. The East Village, located on the stern side of Noah’s Ark, includes large steles (an upright monument stone, sculpted and inscribed) that include a summary of a portion of Genesis using hieroglyphs to give the true history. Explanatory signs accompany each stele. Ararat Ridge Zoo includes many exotic animals such as kangaroos, zebras, alpacas, and more. Lunch will be on your own and is available at Emzara’s Kitchen and at the West Village. By mid-afternoon, we travel a short distance to Patriots Landing, a rural faith-based veteran’s complex whose mission is to promote healing and to enhance the lives of veterans and their families. Their showroom is like no other! When you arrive, you’ll immediately feel a sense of patriotism and will be immersed in a room full of “products with a purpose.” Pride and honor go into crafting each wooden product. At Patriots Landing, patriotism and faith in God are celebrated. As we depart, we remember that all of the freedoms we enjoy come at a cost. Our evening attraction is at the Barnwood Bravo Dinner Theater. We’ll enjoy an included evening meal and wonderful live family entertainment, a new addition to the entertainment world in live family entertainment, a new addition to the entertainment world in Northern Kentucky. (B) (D)

With our tummies full and the luggage stowed under the coach, we begin our journey toward home and stop for lunch along the way. We travel north into Wisconsin to our accommodations in Fort Atkinson. Rustad Tours will be attending the Fireside Dinner Theatre, where you will enjoy a live professional show in their intimate Theatre-in-the-Round. Their featured performance is sure to be an unforgettable adventure with more wonder, imagination and inspiration than you’d ever expect! (B) (L) (D)

Even though this is the last day of your vacation, there’s still plenty of scenery and lots to chat about. The Ark Encounter and Creation Museum are amazing, and one of those places you just have to go and see for yourself. This morning, our coach stops at the Mousehouse Cheesehaus to give you the opportunity to buy some of that good ole’ Wisconsin cheese. Noon meal is included along the way. By early evening, we arrive back in Kerkhoven. (B) (L)