*Nov. 7-18, 2008 – Italian Lakes & Greek Islands - This year I am very glad to announce that we are going somewhere very different… an Eastern Mediterranean Cruise. Since it is a southern area, we can travel at a later date, hoping to catch a few farmers who will be ready for rest and relaxation after a busy harvest!

We will fly to northern Italy and tour the Lakes region, then off to Venice to board the Costa Fortuna for a romantic 7-night cruise. We will set sail down the Adriatic Sea, for our first port, Bari (Bä ‘re, a village on theheal of Italy. Next we cruise to Katakolon, Greece, also known as Olympia, famous for the ruins of the Temple of Zeus, site of first Olympic Games and where the Olympic torchbearers ignite the flame. The next day we take a funicular (or donkey) to the top of the beautiful island of Santorini, possibly the lost city of Atlantis due to a powerful volcano in 1500 B.C. Next we go to Mykonos, the island of picturesque windmills, beautiful beaches and whitewashed houses. The island of Rhodes is famous for the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Sit back and enjoy a full day at sea with all the amenities available on board your cruise ship. Next seaport will be the beautiful city of Dubrovnik, Croatia also known as the “Pearl of the Sea”. We disembark back in Venice, Italy featuring a city walking tour including St. Mark’s Square, the Clock Tower and the famous Bridge of Sighs.  Call for price and details.

April 10th – Iowa Treasures – Flair of Bosnia - Matchstick Marvels (Gladbrook) (sculptures made out of ordinary wooden matchsticks) · Galleria de Paco Restaurant (Waterloo) Bosnian immigrant artist painted the replica of Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel on the 81’ by 31’ceiling (Iowa’s newest #1 attraction with world-wide recognition) · Dreamland Stained Glass Productions (Traer) · Butter Cow and Calf Sculpture in honor of Norma Duffy Lyons (Toledo). Price: $89.

*April 14 - Travel Show for Italian Lakes & Greek Islands - Due to bad weather, I have re-scheduled another Travel Show for Monday, April 14 at 2:00 p.m. in the bank in Farnhamville. All reservations for this trip need to be made by May 7th at the very latest. EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO COME!   RSVP’s are appreciated.

May 1 – Garage Sale Day – Load the bus up and bring back “treasures” from the nicest areas of Des Moines. Shop, lunch at Ryan’s Steak House and shop again…WHAT A FUN DAY! We will have “Show and Tell” on the way home! Price: Only $50!

*May 7 – Last day to sign-up for Italian Lakes & Greek Islands.

May 13 – A “Classic” – Hindu Temple (Madrid) (some restrictions apply) · Lunch at Hometown Kitchen Classics (a restored/renovated farm corn crib) · Snus Hill Winery (Slater) · Northern Prairie Chevre (artisan crafted Nubian goat cheeses) THIS TRIP IS VERY UNIQUE AND SOMETHING YOU WOULD NOT DO ON YOUR OWN! Price: $110

July 28-31 – Duluth, MN & the North Shore of Lake Superior – 4-day and 3-night trip will include a city tour of Duluth, dinner cruise of Duluth Harbor and St Louis Harbor, Gooseberry Falls State Park, Split Rock Lighthouse, Glensheen Mansion and a ride aboard a vintage train on the North Shore Scenic Railroad. We will be going through Northwest Iowa Transportation for travel accommodations and sharing with the Community “Y” in Marshalltown. A minimum of 24 is required to operate this tour.  Price: $699. per person/double occupancy

Sept. 10 – Amana Colonies “Leaving Iowa” - Amana style lunch at the Ox Yoke Inn which is followed by a HILARIOUS PLAY at the Old Creamery Theatre. “Leaving Iowa” is a comedy about a Boston journalist who returns to his boyhood home in Iowa to visit his family and who ends up on a riotous journey that takes him across the state.     IT’S A CROWD PLEASER! Price: $130.