Tour Description

The people of the Amana Colonies are so talented! It is always such a pleasure to visit them and learn the century old characteristics that shaped them into who they are today. Whether it’s being exceptional cooks, craftsman, bread makers or wine makers, you name it, and they have excelled at it! During a three hour historic tour, a local guide will show us how it is done. We will also tour Winterset, Iowa and the covered bridges of Madison County. Robert James Waller was so captivated by the tranquility of the Iowa countryside and the beautiful wooden covered bridges of Madison County he was inspired to write his novel of lost love which was later made into a popular motion picture.

Day 1:

We depart this morning for two exciting venues on this short tour. With breaks and lunch on the way, we should arrive in Des Moines, IA for our first night out.

Day 2:

This morning we travel to Amana, Iowa and the Amana Colony Visitors Center for a break, restrooms and a chance to look around before we depart for a three hour historic tour with a Step-On-Guide. We return to the Visitor’s Center and free time for us to shop, maybe even give you an extra chance to pick up something you saw on the tour. You will also be able to find a place for lunch. We depart for Des Moines, IA for lodging. After arriving at our hotel and resting a few minutes, we will depart for the Machine Shed at Urbandale, IA for a wonderful included dinner. (B.D)

Day 3:

From our lodging, it is only a few miles to Winterset and the covered bridges of Madison County. We will be able to take many memorable photos while walking across the bridges. Three of the bridges, the Roseman, Holliwell and Cedar, have been featured in the Bridges of Madison County novel and movie. One that is sometimes overlooked is an all stone bridge located right in Winterset’s City Park just south of the Cutler-Donahoe covered bridge. This quaint bridge is actually where Madison County’s Francesca and Robert go for their getaway picnic. We will have lunch on our own in the small town of Winterset. Just think! You may be able to sit at a table where Francesca and Robert gazed at each other. After lunch, we continue on to St. Joseph, Missouri for our last night out of this lovely tour. (B)

Day 4:

Today is our last day of this short but extremely exciting tour. There will be time for you to reminisce with your new found traveling companions before we arrive home. Making Memories has done it again!

A visit to the Amana Colonies to learn about another culture, and even though we may wonder how they do it, we found they do it very well! You will also fall in love the Covered Bridges of Madison County, not just for their architecture beauty, but also for their sentimental nostalgia. However, we must now return home and with lunch and breaks along the way. What a wonderful way to make some memories! (B)