A Blue Gate Christmas (2024) | Christian Tours – Motorcoach/Bus charters, rentals & vacations. Cruises, International tours, Christian travel

Day 1

LOUISVILLE • LIGHTS UNDER LOUISVILLE:

What better way to get in the Christmas spirit than to experience Christmas in the Heartland? Today we travel through the Great Smoky Mountains and Kentucky’s beautiful horse country before arriving in Louisville, our overnight destination. After dinner, our motorcoach becomes a rolling sleigh for our journey into Louisville’s Mega Cavern. Hosting the only underground holiday light show in the world, the Cavern is filled with over 6 million lights presented in over 900 spectacular displays. Sit back and enjoy the ride through the decorated underground passageways.

Day 2

MENNO-HOF • DINNER • BLUE GATE CHRISTMAS REVUE:

Early afternoon we arrive in Shipshewana, Indiana for a visit to Menno-Hof where we journey into the unique world of the Amish and Mennonites. Through a colorful presentation of displays and environments, we experience a European courtyard, a dungeon, a 17th-century sailing ship, a print shop, a simulated tornado and an authentic meeting house; all designed to further our understanding of the history, life and faith of these people. A delicious family-style dinner awaits us tonight before taking our seats in the Blue Gate Music Hall for the Blue Gate Christmas Revue – Melodies of Christmas. Get into the Christmas spirit with the Shipshe Jubilee Singers as they present a delightful mix of classic carols, contemporary hits, and timeless melodies. Listen to this amazing array of vocalists from concert halls and theaters stages across America! You’ll laugh, you’ll sing, you’ll cry – but most of all, you’ll leave with a heart full of Christmas cheer! (D)

Day 3

GUIDED AMISH TOUR • LUNCH • THE TEXAS TENORS • SHIPSHEWANA LIGHTS OF JOY:

We explore a simpler lifestyle on our guided tour around the farmlands of Indiana’s beautiful Amish countryside, stopping at a local bakery for some finger-licking snacks. After an included lunch, we settle into our seats for an afternoon performance by the Texas Tenors. The Texas Tenors are the most successful music group and third highest selling artist in the history of America’s Got Talent! Join these classically trained, versatile tenors as they perform some of their most popular songs as well as the Christmas Classics! Shipshewana’s Lights of Joy is a lighted drive-through experience home to more than two million LED Christmas lights displayed in an almost mile and a half long symphony of colorful light scenes, animatronics, and more. Sit back and soak in the Christmas Spirit! (L)

Day 4

YODER DEPARTMENT STORE • STUDEBAKER MUSEUM • OLIVER MANSION • CHRISTKINDLMARKT:

Shoppers, get ready! Yoder Department Store is our first stop. For over 70 years, this family-owned business has provided an outlet to locals and visitors alike to find handmade creations and clothing plus the basic items that everyone needs. Nearby South Bend is home to the Studebaker National Museum, a 55,000 square foot building sharing the area’s automotive and industrial history through a collection of Studebaker vehicles and artifacts. Next, we visit the elegant 38-room Oliver Mansion, also called Copshaholm, which was once home to J.D. Oliver, the force behind housing expansion in South Bend following World War I. We experience the old-world charm of Christmas in Germany at Carmel’s Christkindlmarkt. This open-air holiday market has a festive ambiance of an authentic German market filled with a vast variety of products from Germany and other Germanspeaking European countries. Shop for traditional German foods and gifts at small wooden huts or watch the fun at the beautiful outdoor ice skating rink in the center of the market. We overnight in Indianapolis.

Day 5

CORVETTE MUSEUM • REINDEER FARM • DINNER • CHRISTMAS LIGHTS AT CIRCUS SQUARE PARK:

Grab some breakfast as we have an another fun-filled and busy day today. We arrive at the National Corvette Museum for a celebration of America’s favorite sports car. Whether we’re looking back on Corvette’s history in Nostalgia Gallery or walking through the Corvette Hall of Fame or looking to the designs of the future, this state-of-the-art display of adrenaline and power is sure to please. Santa’s sleigh would not be the same without reindeer and a visit to Reindeer Farm should be added to our list of Christmas traditions. Pull out your camera and snap a selfie with Comet or Blitzen on our farm tour. We enjoy another delicious dinner before our drive to see the festive Christmas light displays of Circus Square Park. (D)

Day 6

TRAVEL HOME:

Time to head home, and we carry with us beautiful memories of our trip to Indiana’s Heartland and thankful hearts full of Christmas joy, ready to celebrate this amazing holiday with our families and friends.