Prepare to be dazzled by the colors of autumn on this glorious fall foliage cruise. Enjoy some decadent deep dish pizza in one of Chicago’s legendary eateries and sip some warm cider amid the splendor of St. Paul's Como Park Conservatory. In Hannibal, find the Mark Twain Cave and tour Becky Thatcher's House. In La Crosse and Red Wing, sample a flight of local cheeses, each with its own unique taste. Iowa's diversity comes alive in the notable Figge Art Museum in Davenport and in Dubuque's National Mississippi River Museum.
Highlights
Board a boat for an architectural tour of Chicago
Enjoy a unique train journey to St. Louis on the Vista-Dome Streamliner
Visit Mark Twain's Boyhood Home and Museum
Ride a historic funicular that affords an unmatched view of Dubuque
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Arrive in Chicago and check in to your deluxe hotel, which is adjacent to the city’s attractions. Go for a shopping spree on Michigan Avenue, take in the view from the observation lounge on the 94th floor of the John Hancock Center, peruse the masterworks in the Art Institute of Chicago, or board a boat for an architectural tour of the city as seen from the Chicago River.
Your fare includes breakfast this morning at your hotel in Chicago as well as a transfer to the Louisiane by private train, the Louisiane Limited. Settle into your stateroom or suite, head to The Veranda for a light snack, and then bid St. Louis farewell as the Louisiane departs and you immerse yourself in the joys of life on the river. Bon voyage!
Pay tribute to Samuel Clemens, better known as Mark Twain, at his Boyhood Home and Museum in this welcoming town. Reenact Tom and Huck's exploits if you're feeling mischievous, as Hannibal provided the setting for their quintessentially American adventures.
The pleasures of the Louisiane become apparent as you start your day with a made-to-order beignet and café au lait in The Veranda. Read a book, talk to the Illuminator, the onboard historian, and then enjoy made-to-order crêpes for lunch. Spend the afternoon with new friends and sip a pre-dinner aperitif in the Bar Royale. Then indulge in the Southern and Continental cuisine of The Crescent Room followed by stimulating entertainment before retiring to your suite or stateroom for a restful night’s sleep.
Appreciate the exploding cultural scene at this city founded on the site of the 1832 Black Hawk purchase, host to the yearly festival held in honor of local Bix Biederbecke, the "giant of cornetists", and the excellent Figge Art Museum.
Build up your knowledge of early river commerce much as the lumber barons built countless landmarks at this confluence of three states. Ride the Fenelon Place Elevator Co., a historic funicular that affords an unmatched view from atop the bluffs.
Survey three states atop towering Grandad Bluff, then discover the creative talents of the locals at the Pump House Regional Arts Center. No visit is complete without a snapshot of the World's Largest Six Pack.
Find out why the National Trust for Historic Preservation noted picturesque Red Wing as a distinctive destination for its "impressive architecture and enviable natural environment." Don't leave town without a pair of its eponymous shoes.
Admire the Cathedral of St. Paul, a beaux-arts wonder that replicates St. Peter's in Rome, and soak in the arts at the city's world-class museums, including the Walker Art Center. Detour to Minnehaha Falls, best known for Longfellow's Song of Hiawatha.
Bid adieu to the Louisiane and begin your journey home.
Day 10: St. Paul, Minnesota | Disembark
1 Breakfast
Bid adieu to the Louisiane and begin your journey home.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$4,799
Notes
All fares, including land and hotel, are capacity controlled, subject to change at anytime without notice, and do not guarantee availability.
- A Single Supplement of 50% is available only for the Deluxe, French Balcony, Promenade, and Veranda Staterooms.
The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.
Jack Charney
TrustScore 4.8 | 175 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 175 reviews on
7 hours ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
2 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
3 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
