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The Pfister Hotel: Grand Elegance. Historic Tradition.

It’s a tradition that spans generations. A grand elegance that marries history with modern amenities. As Milwaukee’s Four Diamond hotel and a member of the prestigious Preferred Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, The Pfister is more than a hotel. It is an experience! The hotel is known as the “Jewel of Milwaukee,” a Victorian masterpiece located in the heart of downtown just 3 blocks from Lake Michigan. The hotel’s elegance is further enhanced by a tradition that embodies the spirit of fine hospitality and is brought to life by each member of the hotel’s staff. The Pfister is set apart from other hotels by many distinguishing features, including an ornate three-story lobby flanked by a grand marble staircase at one end and a massive fireplace at the other. The vaulted arched ceiling is an artistic masterpiece in itself and is highlighted by magnificent descending crystal chandeliers. The Pfister’s most unique asset is the impressive array of artwork, which has been termed the largest collection of Victorian art found in any hotel in the world, deemed almost as valuable as the hotel itself. The Pfister is ranked as one of the top 13 hotels in the world! All of this is elegantly and tastefully decorated for the Christmas season!

Day 1 – Home to Red Wing

We begin this spirited journey with an easy ride along the river to Red Wing, a city that dresses well for the season. It’s lunch time when we arrive and what better place to stop than Liberty’s, a real downtown restaurant. A soup, salad and sandwich buffet will taste perfect. Red Wing is synonymous with pottery, so we go directly to the Pottery Museum of Red Wing, featuring over 6,000 items traveling all the way back to 1877 with vintage stoneware, fine art, pottery and dinnerware. They make a special effort to decorate for Christmas. What’s best is the gift store. Very unique, one of a kind, all former Red Wing Pottery treasures are offered. The holidays are “treat time” so we head to Hanisch Bakery Shop, Minnesota’s Best as declared by WCCO Viewers Choice! And the treat’s on us! Red Wing Stoneware and Pottery has been an American Tradition for well over a century. We are privileged to a guided tour as we observe these amazing craftsmen ply their trade. We stay in style this evening at the Historic St. James Hotel, providing premier lodging for over 140 years. Each guest room is uniquely named and tastefully adorned in Victorian décor. Experience simple, elegant Old World Charm. Our welcome dinner is served right at the hotel and the “Spirit of Christmas” is exalted by our private entertainer Chris Ward, Harpist/Vocalist extraordinaire. Enjoy your evening!

Included Meals: Lunch, Afternoon Treat, Dinner 

Hotel: St. James Hotel 

Day 2 – Red Wing to Milwaukee

Breakfast this morning is served at the Veranda with scenic panoramic views of the Mississippi River. Remember when traveling some special place by train was part of a magical Christmas experience? Well, we can relive that once again as we “ride the rails” to Milwaukee. We walk right out of the hotel and cross the street to the depot! Included lunch is provided on the train. Relax with no winter roads to concern us as we arrive early afternoon in Milwaukee. No luggage to worry about either as it stays on our motorcoach, which will meet us when we arrive. We’ll head directly to our hotel: The Pfister!! This experience will be an unparalleled highlight of this incredible Christmas journey. Exquisitely adorned for the season, just relax and enjoy your “humble abode.” A Welcome to Milwaukee reception at the hotel is warmly presented by city & hotel officials. Dining at the Pfister is superb with its world-renowned chefs and elegant surroundings! Following a late afternoon dinner, we board our motorcoach for a Santa approved, narrated bus tour featuring holiday lighting displays in Cathedral Square and Pere Marquette Park, plus viewing opportunities through light displays that include areas such as Red Arrow Park, Zeidler Union Square, and the Historic Third Ward. To quote Buddy the Elf, “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear” – therefore, our SINGING TOUR GUIDE will lead the bus in a Christmas caroling sing-a-long! Then it’s back to the Pfister to the most comfortable bed you’ve ever slept on!

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch on Train, Dinner 

Hotel: Pfister Hotel (3 Nights) 

Day 3 – Milwaukee

Breakfast each morning is included at The Blu Club, the hotel’s gem in the sky located at the top of the 23rd floor tower, with panoramic views of the city and Lake Michigan. This will be a stellar day! A Milwaukee expert tour guide will artfully guide us around the next two days, narrating the city along the way. First off, we travel around the world and back in Milwaukee on our Christmas Around Milwaukee Bakery Bus Tour! An excellent opportunity to celebrate the holidays while sampling (and if desired, purchasing additional) delicious Christmas cookies from 5 of our favorite bakeries in Milwaukee! The tour will highlight a variety of ethnic bakeries. We will enjoy lunch at Mader’s German Restaurant, voted the most famous German restaurant in North America! Then we visit the Schuster Mansion for a Victorian Afternoon Tea. Explore the first floor of this historic mansion and learn 1800’s table etiquette while enjoying a buffet of flavored teas and nibble on savories, scones, and sweets holiday style. Next we enjoy a one hour docent guided stroll through the Christmas decorated gaslit Streets of Old Milwaukee Exhibit at the Milwaukee Public Museum, traveling back in time to a bustling turn-of-the-century Milwaukee. Time is also allotted to explore other areas of the museum, including the ethnic heritage of 30 European villages. Afterwards we return to the hotel for a time to relax and refresh. Our dining experience this evening is at Lake Park Bistro, one of Milwaukee’s finest dining French restaurants – again dressed for the season! Following dinner we return to the hotel with an open evening just to enjoy your luxurious surroundings.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Bakery Treats, Lunch, Afternoon Tea, Dinner 

Day 4 – Milwaukee

Don’t forget to start your day with breakfast at the Blu Club overlooking the city! Just before mid-morning, our outstanding tour guide will lead us on another fascinating day In the city. We begin with a tour of a Magnificent 100 year old landmark, The Basilica of St. Josaphat. One of over 35 basilicas in the United States, it was built in 1901 by Polish immigrants and craftsmen with materials from a demolished Chicago post office. Designed after St. Peter’s in Rome, its architecture, stained glass and murals are a tribute to Milwaukee’s history and heritage. Following our tour we head to the indoor Public Market for shopping and lunch on our own. This is an ethnic food paradise! If Wisconsin Cheese is on your Christmas Gift List, this is the place! Be sure to stroll through the Gingerbread House Exhibit, displaying over 40 elaborate and fanciful gingerbread houses created by students of Milwaukee Area Technical College. Next we visit the Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory. “The Domes” as they are affectionately known, are home to the “Naughty or Nice” holiday exhibit featuring a sea of poinsettias in many shades and highlighted by the domes natural lighting. Return to the hotel to freshen up before our wonderful evening ahead. An early dinner this evening is served at Polonez, Milwaukee’s last authentic Polish restaurant. This iconic eatery has been featured on The Travel Channel and the recipient of many awards. After dinner we view the BMO Harris Annual Christmas Window Display featuring a collection of over 150 Steiff stuffed animals. After viewing, we walk across the street to the the magnificent Marcus Center for Milwaukee Ballet’s spectacular production of the Nutcracker Suite – this is Christmas tradition at it’s finest!

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

Day 5 – Milwaukee to Home

This is simply a travel day across beautiful Wisconsin, possibly blanketed by fresh snow, reflecting on the Spirit of  Christmas we have experienced together!

Included Meals: Breakfast