Printable Newsletter
Newsletter, November 12, 2024Trips & Events
Wonders of Alaska, February 27 - March 6, 2025The Great Plains Adventure, October 6-14, 2025
Summer Mystery Trip, June 17-20, 2025
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jill@classictravelsllc.com
Welcome! I’m Jill Kirkpatrick, owner of Classic Travels, L.L.C. located in Bettendorf, Iowa. I have been actively involved with group travel for over 30 years and have escorted tours to all seven continents. This site will be updated with our current travel plans and late breaking news. We offer one-day trips to dinner theaters, shopping venues, Broadway shows in Chicago, mystery trips and more, as well as attending some local events. Also, several multi-day trips and international destinations are offered, and you may download these brochures from this website when available. Call today at (563) 332-0014 with any questions you may have. Consider this your personal invitation to join us.
Newsletter
The 2025 season shows at The Fireside Dinner Theatre in Ft. Atkinson, WI are “West Side Story,” “Murder on the Orient Express,” “The Church Basement Ladies,” “The Little Mermaid,” “Oklahoma” and “A Wonderful Life.”
At the Barn in Goodfield, IL, there are two good shows. Start the season at the Barn with “Alone Together.” Mom and Dad have spent the last 30 years raising three active sons. They looked forward to having an empty nest. In April, “Nunsense A-Men!” is about five misfit nuns who are trying to raise the money to bury the sisters who were poisoned by the convent cook.
There is a trip to the Hard Rock Casino in Rockford, IL. You don’t want to miss this trip.
The Summer Mystery Trip is June 17 – 20, 2025. I am announcing this trip so you can plan to go with me and have several days of fun. Please note that this trip requires early payment and deposit information because of the hotel.
I am going back to Shipshewana one more time! Dates are not available at this time. It will be sometime in the latter part of August.
The Great Plains Adventure is a bus trip to all sorts of museums, and attractions to be held in October of 2025. See the last item on the newsletter for details.
Another trip to Branson is planned for 5 days/4 nights in early December 2025.
An Hawaii Cruise and pre- and post-trip to the islands and it’s all on Honolulu. See details of the trip in this newsletter. Pricing is not available at this time.
A trip is scheduled in July of 2026 to Norway and the Arctic Circle. Details are being finalized.
If you’re not on our mailing list, give us your name and address or email address and check out our website at your convenience.
Have a Happy Valentine’s Day and we’ll see you soon. God Bless you and your families and God Bless America!
--Jill Kirkpatrick
Sunday, February 16, 2025
“Alone Together” at the Barn III in Goodfield, IL
Mom and Dad have spent the last thirty years raising three active sons. How they looked forward to the peace, the quiet, the privacy of an empty nest. After considerable comic turmoil and revelation of deep feelings, the nest is finally emptied. Peace now? Quiet? Not for long. Leave at 9:30 a.m., back at 6:00 p.m. Includes show, bus and meal. Price is $120.
Payment due Thursday, January 16, 2025.
Thursday, February 27-March 6, 2025
Wonders of Alaska
We will experience the excitement of the Iditarod Ceremonial Start. Visit with mushers, pet the dogs, view the artistic masterpieces of the GCI Snow Sculpture Competition. At the Ulu Factory we will see how Native Alaskans have used ulu knives for thousands of years. We’ll visit Talkeetna, an authentic Alaskan town used as a model for the TV show Northern Exposure, for majestic views of the mighty Mount Denali as we watch for the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights). We’ll take a flight up to Fairbanks, where we’ll view amazing ice sculptures at the World Ice Art Championship before our second opportunity to view the Aurora. No visit to Fairbanks is complete without a visit to the Yukon Quest, a challenging 1000-mile International Sled Dog Race. After gliding silently along a wooded trail on a sled powered by a team of dogs, we check into the Chena Hot Springs Resort for our third night of Aurora hunting. Soak in the thermal waters as we look out for northern lights. We will visit the Trans-Alaska Pipeline and the Anchorage Museum before our trip home.
Thursday, March 20, 2025
“West Side Story” at The Fireside Dinner Theatre, Ft. Adkinson, WI
In New York City, two young lovers find themselves caught between warring street gangs. Their struggle to survive in a world of hate, violence, and prejudice is one of the most innovative, heart-wrenching, and relevant musical dramas of our time. Broadway legends Arthur Laurents, Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim, and Jerome Robbins created a show that is ageless. Join us for this landmark musical and epic tale of love eternal. Menu is lemon chicken orzo soup, sliced pork tenderloin with a rich pork stock gravy and served with herb roasted stuffing and cinnamon apple sauce. Dessert is a tart cherry crisp under an old-fashioned cinnamon oatmeal crumb crust topped with our homemade vanilla frozen custard. Leave at 7:00 a.m., back at 8:00 p.m. Price is $156.
Payment due Wednesday, February 19, 2025.
Wednesday, April 9, 2025
Hard Rock Casino, Rockford, IL
Join us at Classic Rockers where you can save up to 50% on your meal at the Hard Rock Café. You have to have your valid ID and be older than 55. Leave at 8:30 a.m., back at 3:00 p.m. Price is $62.
Payment due Wednesday, March 26, 2025.
Sunday, April 13, 2025
“Nunsense A-Men!” at the Barn III in Goodfield, IL
Five misfit nuns from the Little Sisters of Hoboken Convent are trying to put on a variety show to raise money to bury sisters accidently poisoned by the convent cook, filled with zany characters, outrageous costumes, and plenty of laughs. Nunsense is a heavenly musical filled with devilish comedy. Leave at 9:30 a.m., back at 6:00 p.m. Includes show, bus and meal. Price is $120.
Payment due Wednesday, March 12, 2025.
Sunday, April 24, 2025
“Murder on The Orient Express,” at The Fireside Dinner Theatre, Ft. Atkinson, WI
Just after midnight a snowdrift stops the Orient Express in its tracks. Agatha Christie’s luxurious train is surprisingly full for the time of the year, but by the morning it is one passenger fewer. An American tycoon lies dead in his compartment, stabbed eight times, his door locked from the inside. Isolated and with a killer in their midst, the passengers rely on detective Hercule Poirot to identify the murderer – in case he or she decides to strike again. Join us for this theatrical thriller from the Queen of Crime with both intellectual and comedic twists and turns, masterfully adapted for the stage by Ken Ludwig. Menu is watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, kiwi and strawberries over fresh garden greens and our famous papaya chutney dressing, pork back ribs, accompanied by our buttermilk marinated southern fried chicken breast, accompanied by roasted garlic redskin potatoes and creamed corn. Dessert is French silk pie with velvety chocolate mousse, topped with fresh whipped cream. Leave at 7:00 a.m., back at 8:00 p.m. Price is $156.
Payment due Friday, March 21, 2025.
Tuesday, June 17 – 20, 2025
Mystery Trip
This is a doozie! It’s a lot of fun and an unusual stop for lunch. Price is $1,099 dbl. and $1,299 sgl. There is a Monday, March 3, 2025 deadline because of the hotel situation and the luncheon reservations. See complete details in the reservation coupon. You will notice that they are requesting Day 2 and 3 for meal choices. The second person has been included as well if there are two (2) in a room.
Payment due Monday, March 3, 2025.
Thursday, June 26, 2025
“The Church Basement Ladies” at the Fireside Dinner Theatre, Ft. Atkinson, WI
It is 1979, the day of the church’s Centennial Celebration, and past parishioners have gathered to share hot dishes, bars, and stories from the last 100 years. As the women work in the kitchen, shared memories burst into life through a series of flashbacks. Travel back to 1897 and meet Vivian’s grandmother; see Karin as a newlywed cautiously navigating the politics of the kitchen; and be there in 1944 when Mavis first barreled her way through the door. The Centennial Celebration is bittersweet. Times are tough in this small community, and hard decisions will have to be made. Menu is an Asian vegetable mix with cashews and sesame dressing topped with fried rice noodles, supreme cut chicken breast seasoned with lemon pepper, served with fried rice and peas, onion and egg and honey glazed carrots. Dessert is a creamy lemon custard garnished with fresh whipped cream and diced strawberries. Leave at 7:00 a.m., back at 8:00 p.m. Price is $156.
Payment due Thursday, May 22, 2025.
Thursday, August 7, 2025
Disney’s Little Mermaid at The Fireside Dinner Theatre, Ft. Atkinson, WI
In a magical kingdom beneath the sea, the beautiful, young mermaid Ariel, King Triton’s youngest daughter, longs to leave her ocean home to live in the world above. Based on one of the Hans Christian Anderson’s most beloved stories and the classic animated film, Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” is a hauntingly beautiful love story. With music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater and a compelling book by Doug Wright, this fishy fable of Ariel and her colorful friends will capture your heart with irresistible songs “Under the Sea,” “Kiss the Girl,” and “Part of Your World.” Menu is a blend of romaine and iceberg lettuce, hard boiled egg, red onion, grape tomato, avocado, cucumber and Jones’s cherrywood bacon chips and Wisconsin cheddar cheese. The entree is chicken cordon bleu, skinless breast of chicken dipped in egg and stuffed with herbed cream cheese with Dijon Mustard. Above entrees are served with parmesan orzo and roasted broccoli and cauliflower. Dessert is peanut butter pie with chocolate ganache, coffee, tea or milk. Leave at 7:00 a.m., back at 8:00 p.m. Price is $156.
Payment due Monday, July 7, 2025.
Thursday, September 25, 2025
Oklahoma! at The Fireside Dinner Theatre, Ft. Atkinson, WI
It’s an American classic. It’s the show that first introduced the immortal writing team of Rogers and Hammerstein! It’s the show that ushered in the Golden Age of American musical theatre. This bright, brassy, boisterous musical comedy is filled with colorful costumes, breathtaking dancing, side-splitting humor, and a musical score featuring such hits as “People Will Say We’re in Love,” “Surrey With the Fringe on Top,” and the rousing title number “Oklahoma!” The original production won a Pulitzer Prize and various Broadway revivals have multiple Tony Awards. Now the Fireside presents a fresh, new, not to be missed telling of this time-honored musical. The menu is a seared, fresh Atlantic Diver Scallop with a potato croquette, presented on our tomato butter sauce. The entrée is a Beef Short Rib, slowly braised in beef stock and dressed with a red wine demi-glaze. The above entrees are served with garlic whipped potatoes and roasted asparagus. Dessert is a double layer carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. Coffee, tea, and milk. Leave at 7:00 a.m., back at 8:00 p.m. Price is $156.
Payment due Thursday, August 28, 2025.
Monday, October 6-14, 2025
The Great Plains Adventure
A southwest bus trip to the Pony Express, a professional storm chaser throughout, Mid-American All-Indian Museum, Old Cow Town, visit the Big Well attraction, featuring the largest hand-dug well in the U.S., Twister Museum, National Weather Center, Oklahoma National Memorial, Will Rogers Memorial, Route 66 Historic Park Road, Ree and Ladd Drummon and ranch tour, Walter Conkrite Museum, Harry S. Truman Library, and much more. Leave at 6:30 a.m., back at 8:00 p.m. 9 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 5 dinners are included. A deposit of $50. is required upon reservation. Brochure is now available. Call and we will send you one. Price is $2,599 dbl., $3,299 sgl.
Final payment due Friday, August 1, 2025.
Thursday, November 13, 2025
It’s A Wonderful Life at The Fireside Dinner Theatre, Ft. Atkinson, WI
The story of George Bailey and his wonderful life in Bedford Falls, has brought hope and inspiration to every heart with its celebration of the goodness in all of us. The Fireside is proud to bring you this stunning, live stage version of Frank Capra’s beloved film. Written by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning lyricist Sheldon Harnick one of the creators of “Fiddler on the Roof” and Grammy and Emmy reward winner Joe Raposo whose music from Sesame Street inspired generations of young people. “A Wonderful Life” captures all the magic of the film as it shines with the spirit of Christmas. The menu is loaded potato soup, creamy potato soup loaded with flavor, parmesan and cheddar cheese, sour cream and diced bacon garnished with green onions and cheddar cheese. Entrée is Chicken Monterey, a skinless breast of chicken, dipped in egg, lightly breaded with Panko crumbs, sauteed to a golden brown, topped with a blend of spinach, artichoke, parmesan, Monterey Jack, and cream cheese, finished with Havarti cheese and presented on a sun-dried tomato cream sauce, served with scalloped potatoes and garlic green beans. Dessert is Bailey’s Irish Cream Cheesecake, a crumbly Oreo cookie crust filled with Bailey’s cheesecake batter, topped with a Bailey’s Chocolate Ganache, coffee, tea and milk. Leave at 7:00 a.m., back at 8:00 p.m.
Final payment due Monday, October 13, 2025.
Monday, December 1 – 5, 2025
Branson, Missouri
Save the dates.
Wednesday, February 11 – 22, 2026
Hawaii Cruise plus a 2-night package in Honolulu
We will spend the night at a hotel near Chicago O’Hare Airport. We embark on a 7-night cruise aboard Norwegian Cruise Lines, “Pride of America” with pre- and post-cruise packages in Honolulu. Discover cascading waterfalls, active volcanoes, black, green and white sand beaches, historic sites and unspoiled nature at five (5) incredible ports. Enjoy a group excursion to the Royal Lahaina’s Myths of Maui Luau. A sightseeing tour of the east side of Oahu including Diamond Head blow hole and the Pali Lookouts, in addition to the National Cemetery of the Pacific at the Punch Bowl Crater. Before the cruise we’ll tour Pearl Harbor and Arizona Memorial. After the cruise we’ll tour the Dole Plantation and ride on the Pineapple Express Train. We’ll travel to the Polynesian Cultural Center including the Gateway Buffet before traveling home. Includes round trip local transfers, round trip air fare, all baggage handling, tour-related taxes and gratuities for guides, drivers and bellmen, customary ship board gratuities. Price will vary and will be available March 1, 2025.