Your group’s tour of Southern Indiana will be full of surprises.  You begin with a visit to Zimmerman’s Art Glass Factory and see beautiful glass pieces being made right before your eyes.  In the gift shop you may find the perfect gift for a special person.

Southern Indiana is known for its wineries.  We suggest you make a stop at Turtle Run Winery where walking through the front door puts you in the tasting room, with the proud owners behind the bar.  You actually get to know the wines and the winemaker!

Tonight’s feature presentation is a nice buffet meal with a salad bar, desserts and cocktails before a show at The Derby Dinner Playhouse.  This theater has produced every one of the top 50 Broadway musicals of all time, including “The Sound of Music” and “Annie.”  There are eight shows a year running Tuesday through Sunday year-round and you are sure to see either a wonderful musical or comedy such as “Singin’ In The Rain,” “Cats” or “The Odd Couple.” (D)

This morning visit Indiana Caverns, dating back thousands of years, it’s a constant 56 degrees year round.  Descend 110 feet underground and walk into one of the world’s longest caves.  But fear not the walk as a major portion of your tour is an underground cruise.  You’ll glimpse blind cave crayfish and other cave life while learning how caves are formed, and their special role in the environment.

Your lunch today is at the Overlook Restaurant, uniquely positioned on a bluff in Leavenworth, IN with a 20 mile panoramic view of the Ohio River.  Watch barges churning up and down the river while you dine.

Next us a visit to the town of Santa Claus, a small museum tells the story of this settlement once known as Santa Fee (pop. 65) and how the name evolved to Santa Claus.  This the only town in America intentionally named after jolly Ole St. Nick.

You’ll love the magic in the Santa Claus Christmas Store, an abundance of beautiful gifts, collectibles, and Christmas tree ornaments.  There are brilliant twinkling light displays as you trip down memory lane to Santa’s Candy Castle where you find many of your childhood favorites like Necco wafers, candy buttons, and candy canes; here the mouth-watering aroma of Mrs. Claus’ Christmas goodies completes the experience.

Celebrating bearded men day continues in the town of Clay, IN as you visit Lincoln’s Boyhood National Memorial.  Abe spent 14 years here growing from youth to manhood.  You will see the re-created 1820’s Homestead where interpreters in period clothing show you what his early life was like on this family farm.

Tonight is a special treat onboard the Chocolate, Wine and Dine Train (select dates May-Oct).  This is the Spirit of Jasper, beautifully renovated, climate-controlled dining cars featuring a delicious German dinner catered by the Schnitzelbank, paired with chocolate from the Chocolate Bliss, and a tasting of wines to enhance the mood. (B,L,D)

This day begins at SW Indiana’s most respected cultural institution, the Evansville Museum of Arts, History & Science.  It maintains a permanent collection of more than 50,000 objects including fine art, decorative arts, photographs and historic documents.

Then you visit the Reitz House in historic Evansville.  John Augustus Reitz amassed a fortune in the lumber business and built this house in 1871.  It is a fine example of French Empire-style Architecture and is often featured in magazines.

After your tour depart for home. (B)