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800-236-8687

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Get ready to make some memories on an excursion with Lamers Tour & Travel

Enjoy the freedom and absolute joy that travel can deliever, without the hassle and worry that comes with planning your journey. Sit back, relax, and let us do the driving. Our amazing tour directors and drivers take care of everything, so all you have to do is enjoy the ride.

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Green Bay/Fox Cities:  2937 Monroe Rd. De Pere, WI 54115

Juneau/Dodge County: 548 S Fairfield Ave. Juneau, WI 53039

Milwaukee: 1126 W Boden Ct. Milwaukee, WI 53221

Wisconsin Rapids/Central WI:  2611 W Grand Ave. Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54495

Florida:  1410 Industrial Dr. Wildwood, FL 34785

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Lamers Tour and Travel, 2407 South Point Rd. Green Bay, WI 54313

Tel No: 800-236-8687

THE 10 BEST Wisconsin Bus Tours

Bus tours in wisconsin.

• Historical & Heritage Tours
• Sightseeing Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Likely to Sell Out
• Special Offers
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Milwaukee Tour

2. Peninsula Day Trip: Sightseeing Top to Bottom

3. Discover Iconic Milwaukee Tour

4. Original Milwaukee Guided Brewery Tour with Lunch or Dinner

5. Sip of Milwaukee Guided Brewery Tour with Snack

6. 5 Day Tour On Lakes Superior Huron and Michigan

7. Private Door County Wine Tour $125/hr

8. 2-Hour Bus Tour in Milwaukee City

9. Lake Superior,Lake Huron,Lake Michigan 4-Day Tour from Chicago

10. 2 Hours Private Tour of Milwaukee Marvels

11. Milwaukee 1-Day Tour from Chicago

12. Eau Claire Sports History: A Self-Guided Driving Tour

13. Private Christmas Lights Tour of Milwaukee Magic

What travelers are saying.

Happy Times Tours

Click here to book or get more info on trips!

“I wish I had a whole page to tell everyone how great Happy Times Tours is. Great value, so much fun, treated like you are their best friends… And you meet the nicest people on the bus. Hope to meet you there on Happy Times Tours. ” – Char

Kris and John were both super helpful and fun! – Diane

Happy Times Tours & Experiences Brochure

In the news, cbs58 news remembers cindy williams, impact of laverne & shirley.

https://www.cbs58.com/news/milwaukee-remembers-cindy-williams-impact-of-laverne-shirley

RetroZest Podcast

https://retrozest.com/EP091/

Bus Tours Magazine

American Bus Association Destinations Magazine

Cbs 58 news.

https://www.cbs58.com/news/happy-trails-again-for-happy-times-tours-destinations-as-traveling-bus-tours-ramp-up

https://www.cbs58.com/news/on-your-mark-get-set-and-go-now-youve-got-a-laverne-shirley-bus-tour-to-catch

Group Tour Magazine

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Burkhalter Travel & Cruise Shoppe

Top local advisors creating happy travelers.

YOUR EXTRAORDINARY VACATION BEGINS HERE

No matter where in the world you want to go, we can help get you there. Our experienced agents will take the time to answer your questions and listen to your ideas, before making expert recommendations that fit your budget. We believe extraordinary vacations begin with careful planning, that's why we are devoted to ensuring our clients always have the best possible experience—both before they leave and while they're away.

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What makes us special.

Personal Service

Dedicated to helping our clients travel better, our experienced agents are passionate about sharing their industry knowledge and first-hand insights.

SEE THE WHOLE TEAM

Lori Miller

Julia Dlugopolski

Michelle Dent

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Agency Specialties

Preferred suppliers.

• Prairie Du Sac

(608) 833-5200

Burkhalter travel agency inc, (608) 356-4999, olson travel service, (262) 782-0110, travel headquarters, (563) 588-3456, (608) 441-0151, travelog travel, (608) 643-4599, chalet travel agency, (608) 873-8133.

Please note: In order to dedicate time to your request, we kindly request appointments for all visits to our offices . To request an appointment, please reach out to your advisor directly, us the Contact Us page for your branch or call the phone number above for your branch. We can not guarantee service to walk-in clients at this time. In some offices, our doors may be locked for building security when reception staff is not present. Thank you for your understanding.

2024 Trips and Tours Now Available!

We have a popular new extended trip for this year: Charms of South Carolina & Savannah! Visit our Extended Tours page for a complete list of this year’s excursions.

For all our Brewers fans, day trips for this summer are now available! Check out our list of Day Trips for details. Our annual day trip to the Wisconsin State Fair is also available.

Babler Bus Service is a full service, family owed motorcoach tour and charter company operating out of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin since 1991. Fully licensed and insured, we provide both private charter services and scheduled tours open to the public for customers all across Northeast Wisconsin.

Call or email us now to find out how we can help you.

• Contact Us / Testimonials
• Why New Adventure Tours?
• Current Trips
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Our travelers are the best! THANK YOU for trusting us to take care of you and provide you with a quality tour, whether its for one day, an overnight, ​or a week full of fun.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *,  please note: if you cancel on a trip, you will be charged a $10 cancellation fee. other fees may apply. see cancellation policy for more details transfers will be charged a $5 transfer fee, only if a replacement can be found. thank you for your understanding, and sign up for a trip so you have something fun to look forward to. :),      new adventure tours is a small, personal, tour company in southwest wisconsin specializing in helping people have a great time on trips, by getting to know the passengers, paying attention to details and having fun along the way. each trip is unique depending on the destination or show being attended. new adventure tours offers extras to make each trip special and memorable. we work hard to make each traveler feel welcome and make sure they are well informed throughout the entire trip. we would love to have you join us on one of these exciting and fun tours, * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *, the 2024 trip newsletter will be posted below ​when it is complete you may print it out on your own. if you would like a hard copy mailed, or emailed to you, please let me know., * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *,  travelers with new adventure tours in 2019 see what fun we have, *************************************************************************************************.

• Come see us

Heartland Tours and Travel Tours You’re Going to Love

Come See Us

Our Locations

Bus tours across north america.

Touring across America has never been easier or more comfortable than with Heartland Tours and Travel. We offer a variety of exciting bus tours to sites and events all across the United States in our luxury coach buses.

We carefully curate our destinations and excursions along the way to provide a fun, active, and entertaining experience for our passengers.

With convenient departure locations in Bloomington and Rochester, MN, choose from a variety of motorcoach tours and see the country like never before.

Tour America with Comfort and Convenience

Planning a trip is time consuming, expensive, and stressful, so let us handle the myriad of details so you can enjoy your travels! We handle everything including excursions, events, accommodations, transportation, and more. All you have to do is board our luxury motorcoach, sit back in relaxed comfort, and enjoy.

All of our motorcoaches include an onboard restroom, video systems, reclining seats, footrests, overhead storage, window shades, climate control, individual reading lamps, device charging outlets, and more! And, with advance notice, we can provide wheelchair lifts.

Our tours include accommodations at three and four-star hotels, and you will have a professional escort for the entire tour.

What to Expect on Your Bus Tour

Our coach tours are comfortable, affordable, and offer enriching experiences as we escort you on your travel dreams. For customers of all ages, we work to provide memorable and enjoyable experiences without the stress of planning the details of vacations and family trips. Our fleet of motorcoaches is ready to take you on exciting excursions, relaxing vacations, or delightful tour traditions.

Our tours offer a luxurious and comfortable travel experience. Coaches stop every 2 to 2½ hours for rest breaks, and exciting roadside and town attractions are planned along the tour route.

When you travel with Heartland Tours, your trip experience will be much more than a simple bus ride. Not only are our motorcoaches clean, comfortable, accommodating for all ages, and wheelchair friendly, they are luxury vehicles with onboard bathrooms, video systems with multiple monitors, reclining seats, headrests, fold-down foot rests, climate control, tinted windows, window shades, individual reading lamps, ventilation, and more.

Each seat includes Wi-Fi, extra leg room, 110v electrical outlets, and more. We’ve outfitted our motorcoaches specifically for a comfortable touring experience.

Environmentally Conscious Bus Tours

In addition to comfort for passengers when on the road, you can also take comfort in our environmentally-friendly coaches. Our buses are fueled with a biodegradable, nontoxic, sulfur- and aromatic-free B20 biodiesel fuel. Motorcoaches are also an average of six times more fuel and energy efficient than single occupancy vehicles like cars. When measuring passenger miles per gallon, motorcoaches with over 50 passengers will still have an efficiency of 350 passenger miles per gallon, compared to the 28 passenger miles per gallon of an average car.

Carbon dioxide emissions are reduced by about 85% per passenger mile per person when driving a motorcoach. That’s about three times more efficient reduction of CO2 output compared to commuter trains and cars.

View Our Upcoming  Bus Tours Today!

To learn more about our services and trips, contact Heartland Tours and Travel today at (507) 288-4353 .

Safe & Professional

Wifi Accessible

Climate Controlled

Environmentally Friendly

Plan your tour today, view our upcoming tours and book your spot before it's gone.

Proudly Serving Minnesota Since

Satisfied Customers

New Friends Made on Every Tour

Convenient Pickup Locations

Have a question?

Heartland tours and travel can help.

Call: 507-288-4353 Email: [email protected] Office Hours: M-F 8am - 4:30pm

Heartland Tours and Travel 1825 N Broadway Rochester, MN 55906

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All in the family A Rich Trio of Family-Owned Businesses

Discovery Tours

1139 pennsylvania avenue sheboygan, wisconsin 920-459-2960.

Office Hours

Monday-Thursday from 8 am until 4pm    

Friday from 8am until 12:00 NOON

We are always closed on Saturday/Sunday

“Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.” ― Gustav Flaubert

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Summer Mystery Tour

August 19-24

Tour Catalog

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our catalog

Hotel/Airbnb pickups and drop offs available for every tour!

Customizable Private Tours Available!

CHECK OUT OUR NEWEST TOUR!

Vip dells city tour.

Discover everything Wisconsin Dells has to offer with our VIP tour that includes local history, food and drink recommendations! A great first day activity!

• Coming soon!

Haunted Bara”BOO” Tour Featuring the Al. Ringling Mansion & Ringling Gravesites!

Research Haunted Baraboo with us, explore the Al Ringling mansion, hear about the Al Ringling theater, visit the famous Ringling gravesites, and take a trip down Ringling road where a mother threw her children down a well and you may even hear them crying for help from the tree line.

Explore. Discover. Relax on our Trolley Tours!

All activities.

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Evening Trolley Tours

Family friendly tours, adult/drinking tours, winter/off-season tours, trolley rentals, hourly party bus or trolley rentals, all-item calendar.

STAY & PLAY! COMPLIMENTARY PICKUP & DROP OFF WHEN YOU BOOK ONE OF THESE AIRBNB HOUSES (exclud ing the A-frame).  SLEEP UP TO 16 PEOPLE!

• Chevron down View AirBnB Rentals

TIMBER LODGE  – sleeps up to 16 people

STAND ROCK CHALET – Brand New! sleeps up to 16 people

UNIQUE A FRAME CABIN  – sleeps up to 8 people

NEW MODERN CHALET – sleeps up to 19 people

BLACK FOX CABIN – sleeps up to 6 people

• NEW TOUR FOR SUMMER Limited time!

3 Wineries & Charcuterie Tour

NEW TOUR ALERT FEATURING BALANCED ROCK WINERY FOR A LIMITED TIME! Wine & charcuterie! IF you have done our wine tour before this is a fresh take with a new winery added and lighter food options to keep the fun going!

• 1 free child for every paying adult on city history or haunted history tour!

Scenic City & History Tour

See the Wisconsin Dells like never before! 360 views and amazing photo opportunities!

City Express Family Tour

Enjoy a shortened version of our historical and scenic trolley tour of the Wisconsin Dells that’s perfect for families.

• LIMITED TIME PROMOTION: FREE CHILD FOR EVERY ADULT CITY OR HAUNTED TOUR TICKET!

Haunted History Tour

There is more to the Dells than waterparks and Roller Coasters! Book our haunted trolley to experience the Dells uncovered.

Haunted Pub Crawl

Experience two kinds of “spirits” on our BOOS AND BREWS trolley tour in Wisconsin Dells.

Personalized Private Tour

Enjoy a city tour, wine tour, beer tour or any combination of our trolley tours in Wisconsin Dells with a custom experience!

Full Winery Experience

Enjoy the best that Wisconsin Dells wine country with tasty combo wine tour that includes lunch!

VIP Wine Tour (3 wineries, Unlimited fun & great memories)

Visit Fawn Creek, Baraboo Bluff and Balanced Rock Wineries

Wine Tour Express

Enjoy a wine tour of Wisconsin Dells for the best local wine, and for fun laughs along the way. Lunch is included.

Enjoy a fun filled trolley pub crawl around the Wisconsin Dells on this drinking tour. Drinks not included.

Dive Bar Extravaganza

Experience a groovy road trip out the the most middle of nowhere bars in Wisconsin Dells. Drinks included!

Bloody Mary/Mimosa Brunch Tour

Enjoy an amazingly HUGE buffet and the best Bloody Marys and Mimosas in Wisconsin Dells on this fun tour!

Mexico Fiesta Tour

Enjoy the best Mexican food and margaritas in Wisconsin Dells with our delicious trolley tour!

Santa Holiday Trolley

Get in the festive spirit of the holidays with our Santa Trolley Tour! You’ll enjoy holiday lights, Santa and hot chocolate!

Full Winter Wonderland Tour

Enjoy family fun sleigh rides, wine tasting, bonfires with hot chocolate and more on our Winter Trolley Tours. Is there anything better?

Winter Wonderland Express Tour

Enjoy a wagon or sleigh ride that also includes a  bonfire with hot chocolate, candy samples and delicious wine. Book now.

Ugly Sweater Trolley Pub Crawl

HAVE THE BEST TIME YOU’VE EVER HAD WITH A GROUP OF THE UGLIEST DRESSED PEOPLE YOU WILL EVER SEE ON OUR UGLY SWEATER PUB CRAWL!

Rent our Party Bus or Trolley by the hour in Wisconsin Dells and make your special event eve more memorable!

Wisconsin Dells Airport Shuttle

To or from Wisconsin Dells!

St. Patrick’s day AWESOME pub crawl!

This tour is going to be awesome. If you aren’t wearing green, please don’t come on this one because this is pure St. Patrick’s day bliss.

Beer Lover’s Brewery Tour

About Tumbled Rock, Ringling Brewery, Latte stone brewery. Sample the beers at each stop and enjoy the best and most unique breweries of the Driftless area! Great tour for beer lovers!

Meeting Location is at Bobbers Island Grille in Lake Delton

*hotel pickup is available*.

• Chevron down Cancellation Policy

No refunds or date changes.  In the event of a statewide pandemic or shut down gift cards or credits will be offered for the future.  If tour insurance is purchased (recommended) we will refund minus to tour insurance.

#1 tour company in Wisconsin Dells for 3 years in a row

• Hotel Pickup/ Drop Off available for all tours
• Departing from: 750 Wisconsin Dells Parkway South (Bobbers Island Grille – depart from right in front of the outdoor bar by the trolley sign near the curb.)
• VIP packages available
• Great for bachelor/ette parties & conventions
• For Private events, contact: (608) 432-8307
• Tickets are non-refundable and cannot be rescheduled
• Tickets must be purchased in advance. If that’s not an option please email [email protected] .
• *Prices subject to change based on the date and availability

Discover, plan, and book your trip to Wisconsin Dells

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Holiday Vacations guided tours include airfare from more than 100 conveniently located U.S. airports, great hotels, delightful meals and interesting sights. Our expert Tour Directors are quite simply the best in the industry. They handle all travel details to ensure that your vacation is happy and carefree.

We are proud to be one of America’s most reputable tour companies, producing unparalleled travel experiences since 1973. Discover for yourself the many benefits of traveling with Holiday Vacations!

The Holiday Advantage

Airfare Included

Professional Tour Directors

Exceptional Accommodations with Baggage Handling

Premier Attractions

Low Deposit, Guaranteed Prices, & No Hidden Costs

Motorcoach & Professional Driver

Your Resource for Upcoming Holiday Vacations Travel

For your convenience, we invite you to utilize our travel planning hubs for guidance during your planning and packing process.

View our Travel Planning Hubs

" London, Normandy, Paris was a fabulous trip, especially the year of the 75th anniversary of D-Day! That was our 7th trip with Holiday Vacations. Loved every one of them. The national parks are well worth seeing, as were Hawaii and Cuba. "

– Judy Kelly D. - Via Facebook

" My third trip with HV was to Austria and Germany in 2014. This included the bucket list of experiencing OKTOBERFEST. Looks like I’m doing a beer commercial with the Alps as a backdrop. Also notice my pinkie extended. This is due to 2 years of charm school (REALLY). Thank you HV for all the amazing memories. "

– Katie H. - Via Facebook

" Jackson Hole, WY while on the Glacier, Yellowstone, and Grand Tetons trip last year. We just completed our 6th trip with Holiday Vacations last month and are now discussing which tour we will take next. Only way we wish to travel and Holiday Vacations tours are the best! "

– Elaine G. - Via Facebook

" Athens, Greece at the Parthenon. My first trip. Everything about it was great! "

– Yvonne C. - Via Facebook

" October 2019 trip to Italy—Venice, Florence and Rome. This was taken in front of the Coliseum in Rome. Such a fantastic, memorable trip! Looking forward to our next adventure with Holiday when we go to Iceland in October. "

– Mary F. - Via Facebook

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Activity levels.

Tour days tend to be shorter in length, at a relaxed pace, and include lots of unscheduled time for leisure. Expect standing and walking for extended periods of time on flat surfaces, mostly low altitudes, and consistent temperatures.

Tour days usually move at a leisurely pace. Some days’ scheduled activities last longer than others. Expect standing and walking for long periods of time on occasionally uneven terrain. You may experience changes in altitude or temperature.

Tour days tend to be long, move at a consistent pace, and may include long travel days. Expect standing and walking for long periods of time on uneven surfaces. Some destinations may have changes in altitude and/or temperature.

Tour days tend to be long, move at a brisk pace, and may include lengthy travel days. Expect long periods of walking and standing on uneven surfaces. Scheduled activities may require physical effort or have distinct changes in altitude or temperature.

Very Active

Tour days tend to be long, move at a vigorous pace, and may include lengthy travel days. Expect long periods of walking and standing on rough surfaces. Scheduled activities may require physical effort or have distinct changes in altitude or temperature.

Walking and Bus Food Tours

Milwaukee’s premier, original & award-winning tours, food tours - experience delicious milwaukee, tacos & tequila.

Join us as we showcase the hidden gems of Milwaukee's Latin Quarter. This diverse and vibrant community has so much to offer, including some of our favorite foods and beverages.

Pre-Prohibition Historic Bar Tour

Milwaukee's tavern history pre-dates prohibition in the United States. Dive into Milwaukee’s famous historic bars. Enjoy beer, cocktails and German pretzels with us on this narrated bus tour.

Milwaukee Bloody Mary Brunch Tour

Sunday Funday never tasted so good! Hop on this fast-paced tour as we brunch our way around Milwaukee! Explore Milwaukee’s bloody-good brunch scene via The Hop, Milwaukee’s streetcar.

Brady Street Lunch Tour

Enjoy lunch with a side of history as we stroll the ethnic enclave originally settled by Italian and Polish immigrants to learn their stories and sample the cuisine of eclectic Brady Street!

Around the Ward in 90 Minutes

Enjoy a Milwaukeean-led tour with stops inside historic buildings, a chance to see local art work, and a sweet ending with a small treat from one of our favorite spots.

Milwaukee Pizza Bus Tour

Did you know that Milwaukee is home to its very own style of pizza? Enjoy Milwaukee-style pizza and much more on the Pizza Bus with distinctly different stops of the most historic and delicious pies in town.

Tour Availability

From milwaukee, with love.

Our delicious gift boxes are spreading joy across the country.

12 Days of Mom

The special women we call mom deserve to be celebrated more than one day a year! Treat the special mom, daughter, aunt or mom friends in your life to a luxury product to pamper herself with. For 12 days she'll open a daily door to enjoy gifts like, coffee, dried lavender, handcrafted chocolates, luxurious shea butter balm and more! This custom designed, American-made box is the most unique way to say thank you for everything the moms in your life do while supporting 12 - 15 small businesses and food producers with your purchase.

Fudge Classics Flavor Sample Pack

Classic fudge from Milwaukee Fudge Company, each with a creamy taste reminiscent of a visit to an old fashioned fudge shop. Chocolate - 1/4 lbs Butter Pecan - 1/4 lbs Maple Walnut - 1/4 lbs Chocolate Turtle - 1/4 lbs

Everyone needs a little self care these days by way of a warm beverage, special treat or aroma therapy experience!  Give the gift of luxury with this pampering kit full of our favorite Wisconsin-made products. This box is the perfect way to support local businesses and give yourself or a friend a much deserved break.

Taste of Wisconsin Snacks

Send some of the most iconic foods from the state of Wisconsin directly to friends, family, clients - of yourself!. Perfect for your snack breaks or to send someone some Wisconsin love, this care package includes our favorite Wisconsin-made treats. When you say Wisconsin, you’ve said it all!

Chocolate Lovers Kit

Sample or share some of Milwaukee’s most delicious woman-owned chocolate shops with this package. Great for birthday gifts, employee appreciation, or simply for yourself.

Ultimate Wisconsin Snack Box

Send a break to colleagues, or delve in and enjoy while watching the biggest games of the year with a curated selection of our favorite Wisconsin snacks. From salty to sweet this selection of Wisconsin-made products will satisfy everyone's snacking desires.

Give the Gift of Milwaukee's Best Sights and Flavors

Give your friends, family or team a fun and lasting memory! Our gift cards can be used for Milwaukee Food Tours, in addition to our sister companies, Milwaukee City Tours and Milwaukee Bus Rentals. It’s an experience perfect for birthdays, holidays, weddings, anniversaries, company gifts, or any occasion. 

Private Tours for Your Group

Milwaukee food & city tours offers private tours for groups of all sizes - we've accommodated groups up to 300., corporate >, family >, bachelorette >, group travel >, milwaukee city tours, travel deliciously, magic of poland christmas markets, what our guests are saying, 115+ reviews, 550+ reviews, 320+ reviews, bloody mary brunch tour, "one of the best tours i've been on in a long time", theresa's team, your milwaukee insiders.

Led by Theresa Nemetz, a Certified Tourism Ambassador (CTA), an alumna of Future Milwaukee, a 40 Under Forty by the Milwaukee Business Journal, our team has a passion for Milwaukee and all it has to offer. We pride ourselves on being local insiders, and will have you discovering the sights and savoring the flavors of Milwaukee’s most historic neighborhoods and delicious eateries. We are proud of the commentary often provided by our tour attendees, “I’ve lived here my entire life and never explored Milwaukee like I did today.” We invite you to immerse yourself into our culture in a fun and intimate way by experiencing one of our Milwaukee Food & City Tours.

Our Fantastic Partners

Awards & Recognitions

Allied Business of the Year: 2022

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Factory Tours

Celebrating american imagination and industry, 33 tours in wisconsin.

11 Fantastic Factory Tours You Can Only Take In Wisconsin

More by this Author

Turns out we have a pretty awesome array of products being made right here in Wisconsin. We’re all so proud of these things that make us unique and taking these tours is a great way to learn about these companies and their production. In no particular order, here are 11 tours you can take to satisfy your curiosity and learn about some great Wisconsin companies:

Related Stories

This Canopy Tour In Wisconsin Will Thrill Adventurers Of All Ages

This Wisconsin Mailboat is One of the Last in the World and You Can Ride It

A Cruise On This Authentic Wisconsin Paddleboat Is Picture Perfect for A Summer Evening

The best part is that so many of these tours are free. Looking for more free things to do in Wisconsin? Check out You Can’t Afford To Miss These 16 Free Outdoor Activities In Wisconsin .

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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Travel With Us!

Welcome to able trek tours.

We provide charter motorcoach services and vacations for both special needs and general public clients. Within this site, you will find a variety of information about the services we offer. On the menu above are the three main “focuses” of Able Trek Tours. Simply click on the area of our business you are interested in and you will be ushered into that area.

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Let’s Create Your Vacation Together

Personalized planning that elevates your travel experience and delivers on your wanderlust  .

Escape to exotic destinations, immerse in new cultures, or take that much-needed break from the daily grind. Planning a vacation can feel overwhelming, but fear not! With Fox World Travel’s expert advisors, bid farewell to stress and embrace the excitement of travel.

Our team of experienced agents is dedicated to crafting personalized travel experiences. We believe every journey should reflect your uniqueness, so we take the time to understand your interests. Picture yourself exploring your dream bucket-list adventure, unwinding on a serene beach, or wandering vibrant city streets.

We understand the joy and profound connections travel brings, and it’s our privilege to deliver these experiences to you. Our vacations are not just plans; they’re transformative journeys filled with unforgettable memories.

From the initial planning to your safe return home, we’re committed to excellence. Focus on making cherished memories with loved ones, embracing self-discovery, or embarking on a one-of-a-kind adventure.

Are you ready for the journey of a lifetime?

Journeys Designed

Our travel advisors are passionate about creating exceptional vacations. We partner with preferred tour, cruise, and air companies to deliver enriching and rewarding itineraries that offer exceptional value and quality.

Vacation Travel Advisor

Laura Hasenjager

Vacation travel advisor and branch manager.

Terri Norquist

Tammy Uecker

Why Consult with a Travel Advisor?

Peace of mind.

Having a trusted advocate in your corner means having someone who confidently and proactively addresses your questions and concerns allowing you to sit back and relax.

Personalized Experience

Your dreams are personal and so should be your travel planning experience. Knowing you have a team of specialists to get you anywhere in this world is the difference between a trip and an experience of a lifetime.

Trusted Partner

Whether planning that bucket list dream or simply making plans for a well-deserved break. There is happiness and connection found in travel and delivering on that feeling is the most important thing we do.

Customer Reviews

We planned a last-minute vacation and Danielle was Awesome to work with. She was very knowledgeable and efficient. She got back to us with where the best to go and in the price range we were looking for. Highly recommend and we will be calling her again for future trips.

I used to use AAA for all my travel needs, but then they eliminated their in person travel agents and made it so all your travel plans had to be done over the phone. I really appreciate the in-person, face-to-face contact Fox offers. Katie Buss is fantastic.

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Vote for your favorite adventure tour operator!

USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards

These 20 adventure tour operators — nominated by an expert panel — cater to travelers who crave excitement, challenge, and fun in their vacations. Whether you're looking for an individualized journey or group tour, they'll have something for you, with activities ranging from hiking and biking to rafting and kayaking. Which adventure tour operator would you most like to book with? Vote for your favorite once per day until polls close on Monday, May 27 at noon ET. The 10 winning tour operators will be announced on Wednesday, June 5. Read the official  Readers' Choice rules . 

These 20 adventure tour operators — nominated by an expert panel — cater to travelers who crave excitement, challenge, and fun in their vacations. Whether you're looking for an individualized journey or group tour,...   Read More

Best Adventure Tour Operator Nominees

Photo courtesy of Todd Mintz

Adventure Canada

Equipped with a fleet of small-scale cruise liners, Adventure Canada has mastered the art of both Arctic and Antarctic excursions. Across Canada, the Northwest Passage voyage highlights the idyllic beauty of Nunavut, while those hoping to spot polar bears in the wild should spring for a Heart of the Arctic expedition, with both featuring highly educated naturalists and archaeologists aboard the ship.

Photo courtesy of Tyson Mayr

Aurora Expeditions

A pioneer of Antarctic travel in the 20th century, Aurora Expeditions has evolved into a force within the industry that offers trips all across the globe. Polar voyages are particularly popular, with options ranging from the shores of Antarctica to the High Arctic, while other cruise routes include Costa Rica, Scotland, and Iceland.

Photo courtesy of Bindlestiff Tours

Bindlestiff Tours

Bindlestiff Tours specializes in small group adventures with a focus on the American Southwest, Alaska, and western Canada. Guests enjoy fully customized touring vehicles with enlarged viewing windows, free Wi-Fi at most campsites, and the myriad benefits of insider expertise, like the best spots to photograph a sunset or favorite local restaurants.

Photo courtesy of Kirstie Mullikin

Explorer Chick Adventure Co.

From snorkeling around the Galapagos to gorilla trekking in Uganda, Explorer Chick’s curated tours span five separate continents — and each one is crafted specifically by women, for women. Founded in 2014 by Nicki Bruckmann, this adventure company provides ample opportunity to explore gorgeous landscapes and forge new friendships all across the globe.

Photo courtesy of GomezDavid / E+ Getty Images

Frontiers North Adventures

While northern Canada may not be the most easily accessed region, Frontiers North Adventures is perfectly equipped for making your dream excursion come true. In addition to polar bear safaris and beluga whale watching, the company's Northern Lights and Winter Nights excursion offers an opportunity to catch one of the planet's most stunning natural phenomena in real life.

Photo courtesy of G Adventures, Inc.

G Adventures

Launched in 1990, G Adventures has earned acclaim for their wide array of high-end tours and strong commitment to positive social impact. Whether it's hiking in Iceland or biking in Vietnam, each trip is designed to reflect the company's G for Good philosophy, a concept that seeks to benefit all people and communities visited during a trip.

Photo courtesy of HX & Espen Mills

HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions)

HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions) has earned widespread acclaim for their lavish cruises, with destinations ranging from the frigid depths of Antarctica to the sunny shores of the Caribbean. For wildlife lovers in particular, the company's Galapagos expeditions shine a spotlight on the rich biodiversity of the archipelago, while a Svalbard voyage is perfect for spotting polar bears in their natural habitat.

Photo courtesy of Intrepid Travel

Intrepid Travel

Toronto-based Intrepid is a treasure trove for small-scale sustainable tours, with more than 100 countries available to visit. With itineraries like lemur-spotting in the rural depths of Madagascar and cultural immersions across the Middle East, this storied adventure company is perfect for accessing some of the most remote corners of the globe.

Photo courtesy of Journeys International

Journeys International

Journeys International builds private and group trips to a variety of worldwide destinations, centering each adventure around the individual's or groups' travel goals. Each party is assigned an adventure specialist who makes personalized choices of locations and activities to include in the experience. All journeys are designed to give every person involved a special and unique trip of a lifetime.

Photo courtesy of Ralph Lee Hopkins, Lindblad Expeditions

Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic

New Zealand, French Polynesia, and Greenland are just a few of the dazzling destinations frequented by Lindblad Expeditions, a storied tour operator that's been working in tandem with National Geographic since 2004. While warm weather destinations span from Baja California to the Amazon, the company has earned abundant acclaim for their immersive Antarctic expeditions focusing on native wildlife amidst stunning scenery.

Photo courtesy of KenCanning / E+ Getty Images

Maple Leaf Adventures

The spectacular beauty of Canada is on full display with Maple Leaf Adventures, a small-ship cruise operator that's been in the business since 1986. While the bulk of their itineraries focus on showcasing locations across western Canada, gastronomes can also join in on the fun with a curated Craft Beer Cruise or Wines And Islands excursion across British Columbia.

Photo courtesy of Karin Watkins MT Sobek Photo File

MT Sobek has been a leader in the adventure travel industry for more than half a century. Today, travelers can choose from some 200 journeys around the world. Each one is designed to inspire and exhilarate, with interest categories like multi-adventure, family adventure, wildlife and safari, adventure cruising, hiking and trekking, cultural discovery, and rafting and kayaking.

Photo courtesy of Nantahala Outdoor Center

Nantahala Outdoor Center

Beginning as a small-scale rafting tour company back in 1972, Nantahala Outdoor Center has expanded far beyond just the rivers of North Carolina, operating tours from southern Iceland to the Zambezi River. Though their scope has expanded on an international scale, the company still excels at domestic adventure, showcasing the incredible rafting opportunities across the Southern United States.

Photo courtesy of REI Co-op / REI Adventures

Adventure travelers have long turned to REI to outfit their travels; with REI Adventures, they’ll also find more than 100 fully curated experiences across the United States. These active travel itineraries might involve cycling near Zion National Park, hiking through Yellowstone and Grand Teton, kayaking at Point Reyes, or enjoying a weekend of backpacking close to home.

Photo courtesy of Stubborn Mule Travel

Stubborn Mule Travel

A perfect fit for all ages, Stubborn Mule Travel has curated a wide variety of itineraries designed specifically for traveling families. Destinations span across five continents, and as an added bonus, the company also offers unique itinerary stops based off of the interests of each individual guest.

Photo courtesy of 104kelly // Getty Images

Thomson Safaris

Best known as the home of Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania has earned worldwide acclaim for its abundant natural beauty — a quality that Thomson Safaris has been highlighting for more than 40 years. While there’s no going wrong with a classic safari, the company also offers food-focused tours and even plane excursions, each one led by a team of expert local guides.

Photo courtesy of Urban Events Global Team

Urban Events Global

Kevin Knight founded Urban Events Global as a travel company for African American adventure seekers looking to explore with like-minded travelers. The company hosts regular camping weekends, as well as group tours to destinations like Ghana, Dubai, Greece, and Jamaica. They can also plan a custom trip itinerary for you.

Photo courtesy of Ren Fuller // Women High On Adventure

WHOA Travel

WHOA Travel works with women guides and business owners to build unique travel experiences. WHOA group adventures are scheduled all over the world, from Kilimanjaro and Peru to Iceland and Bavaria. 

Photo courtesy of Wild Women Expeditions

Wild Women Expeditions

Wild Women Expeditions specializes in “amazing outdoor adventures for all women.” The company leads trips to more than two dozen countries around the globe, with activities like canoeing, kayaking, cycling, hiking, surfing, sailing, and yoga.

Photo courtesy of Beth Peluse / Zephyr Adventures

Zephyr Adventures

Equipped with a roster of trips that span from strenuous mountain hikes to e-biking excursions, Zephyr Adventures offers a diverse range of options for your next getaway. For a glimpse into the beauty of coastal New England, the Acadia National Park Hiking Adventure is a top choice, while those who prefer a more laid-back itinerary can spring for the Czech Republic Breweries and Walking Adventure.

About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards

Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best .

The Experts

Brandon withrow.

Brandon Withrow is a travel journalist based in...   Read More

Brandon Withrow is a travel journalist based in Northwest Ohio, covering ecotourism, wildlife, outdoor adventures, and eco-friendly stays, as well as the secrets of underrated cities. He appears in The Daily Beast, BBC Travel, Canadian Geographic, Business Insider, The Hill, and Sierra Magazine. You can find him at  www.brandonwithrow.com ,  @bwithrow  on Twitter, and  @bgwithrow  on Instagram.

Chez Chesak

‘Chez’ Chesak is Executive Director of the Outdoor...   Read More

‘Chez’ Chesak is Executive Director of the Outdoor Writers Association of America, an adventure travel writer, board member of the Society of American Travel Writers and 22-year veteran of the outdoor and travel industries. While he’s lived all over the U.S. and traveled to more than 30 countries, he has the most fun when he’s exploring with his wife Sally and two daughters. An avid outdoors person, he’s happiest on a trail, on skis, or nestled into a sleeping bag. Learn more about him and his work at www.chezconnects.com .  

Dave Stamboulis

Dave Stamboulis is a travel writer/photographer...   Read More

Dave Stamboulis is a travel writer/photographer based in Bangkok. Born in Athens, Greece and growing up in the U.S., Dave first discovered Bangkok while on a 45,000-kilometer bicycle trip and moved there for good in 2005. Dave's photos appear in publications around the world. He's the author of Odysseus' Last Stand , which received the Silver Medal for Travel Book of the Year from the Society of American Travel Writers. In addition to updating the Fodor's Guidebook to Thailand, he is the author of 500 Hidden Secrets to Bangkok, and his travel stories and photography appear in publications around the globe. 

Jacky Runice

Born in Bucktown when bulletproof was a home...   Read More

Born in Bucktown when bulletproof was a home safety choice and not a coffee order, Jacky Runice has been knocking around Chicago as a professional print, online and broadcast journalist and editor specializing in separating the riff from the raff in culture, entertainment, food, travel and pure unadulterated fun. Jacky is a member of the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA). In her best Chicagoese, Jacky asks, "Who has the time or money to blow on hotels, attractions, restaurants, exhibits and activities that blow?"

Jamie Davis Smith

Jamie is an attorney, writer and photographer. She...   Read More

Jamie is an attorney, writer and photographer. She was born with deeply ingrained wanderlust and has visited 45 countries and counting. She often brings her children along for the adventure and is passing her love of travel on to the next generation. Jamie has written for   Insider,   Fodor's Travel ,   Yahoo ,  the Huffington Post , the  Washington Post,   Viator  and  Reviewed  among many other publications. Jamie is from Philadelphia and now lives in Washington, DC, where she takes advantage of everything the region has to offer.    Jamie can be reached at  [email protected]  and can be found on  Twitter ,  Instagram  and  TikTok .

Marla Cimini

Marla is an award-winning writer with a passion...   Read More

Marla is an award-winning writer with a passion for travel, music, surfing and culinary adventures! An avid globetrotter and guidebook writer, she has covered topics such as the Hawaiian islands (including food trends and luxury beachfront resorts), as well as European getaways and global destinations. Her articles have appeared in many publications worldwide, including USA Today. Marla lives in New Jersey (Philadelphia area) and is a frequent visitor to Hawaii and Southern California, and often covers those destinations. Her travel website is:  www.marlacimini.com  

Meg St-Esprit

Meg St-Esprit is a journalist based in Pittsburgh...   Read More

Meg St-Esprit is a journalist based in Pittsburgh who covers family travel, lifestyle, education, and parenting. With their four kids in tow, she and her husband love to travel anywhere and everywhere — but have a soft spot for camping and outdoor adventures. In fact, her kids are well on their way to achieving their goal of visiting all 124 state parks in Pennsylvania. Meg believes travel doesn’t need to be luxurious or costly to be valuable, and aims to share that with her audience. Meg’s work has appeared in publications such as  The New York Times, Thrillist, The Washington Post, Fodor’s, Yahoo, Good Housekeeping, Romper , and more. Follow Meg on Instagram and Twitter at @megstesprit or check out her work on  https://megstesprit.com/

Melanie Reffes

Melanie is an island girl at heart . Born in...   Read More

Melanie is an island girl at heart . Born in Manhattan, she now lives on the sunny island of Montreal and covers  the Caribbean for a variety of publications  including  USA TODAY 10Best, CaribbeanTravel.com and MarryCaribbean.com.  A journalist with a boatload of writer awards under her belt, Melanie's affection for the Caribbean started  young when her family vacationed in Puerto Rico.   An avid fan of spicy food,   Melanie enjoys the diversity of Montreal - especially during the warmer months -when she's not en route to the Caribbean. She  holds a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Toronto. 

Nicky Omohundro

Nicky Omohundro is the founder and editor of Read More

Nicky Omohundro is the founder and editor of LittleFamilyAdventure.com , the popular family travel & lifestyle website that inspires families to leave no child left inside. Since 2013 LFA has been providing inspiration to get families outdoors, eat well, and travel everywhere from their own backyard to around the world. Always up for a family adventure, she has traveled to 37 states and 6 countries to zip-line through a Costa Rican rainforest, see Finland’s Northern Lights, and go camping throughout the US. Nicky is the co-founder of Tourism WorX a travel consultancy group. Connect with her Twitter  and Instagram .

Olivia Christine Perez

Olivia Christine Perez is an outdoor + travel...   Read More

Olivia Christine Perez is an outdoor + travel wellness expert, author, and the creator of  O. Christine : a travel and wellness platform inspiring thousands of people to travel more and get outdoors for their wellness. Living with an autoimmune disease herself, Olivia helps people find wellness through the outdoors, self-care adventures, and mindful travel experiences. You can follow her work at  ochristine.com  and  instagram.com/ochristine.

Shea Peters

Shea Peters is a NYC based writer and frequent...   Read More

Shea Peters is a NYC based writer and frequent world traveler that looks to the history of a location in order to tell the story. Growing up in a Southern family that loves to travel, Shea has seen 44 of the 50 US states and believes that every place has a story worth telling, regardless of how populated or rural. She's currently a regular contributor discussing travel, culture, history, food, wellness, and business at Travel + Leisure, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, Oprah Daily, Women’s Health, TripAdvisor, Cosmo, and Revolt TV. When she's not traveling, rooting for some unlikable sports team, or taking a pilates class, you can find Shea in her rooftop garden that is currently flourishing above the streets of New York City. You can follow Shea on  Instagram  and  Twitter .

Tamara Gane

Tamara Gane is an expert panel member for 10Best...   Read More

Tamara Gane is an expert panel member for 10Best Readers' Choice Awards. She's based in Reno/Lake Tahoe and in addition to USA Today 10Best, her work has been published in Travel & Leisure, Fodor's Travel, The Washington Post, SF Gate, Houston Chronicle, Lonely Planet, and more.

10Best Editors

USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,...   Read More

USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.

A US company is fined $650,000 for illegally hiring children to clean meat processing plants

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A Tennessee-based sanitation company has agreed to pay more than half a million dollars after a federal investigation found it illegally hired at least two dozen children to clean dangerous meat processing facilities in Iowa and Virginia.

The U.S. Department of Labor announced Monday that Fayette Janitorial Service LLC entered into a consent judgment, in which the company agrees to nearly $650,000 in civil penalties and the court-ordered mandate that it no longer employs minors. The February filing indicated federal investigators believed at least four children had still been working at one Iowa slaughterhouse as of Dec. 12.

U.S. law prohibits companies from employing people younger than 18 to work in meat processing plants because of the hazards.

The Labor Department alleged that Fayette used 15 underage workers at a Perdue Farms plant in Accomac, Virginia, and at least nine at Seaboard Triumph Foods in Sioux City, Iowa. The work included sanitizing dangerous equipment like head splitters, jaw pullers and meat bandsaws in hazardous conditions where animals are killed and rendered.

One 14-year-old was severely injured while cleaning the drumstick packing line belt at the plant in Virginia, the investigation alleged.

Perdue Farms and Seaboard Triumph Foods said in February they terminated their contracts with Fayette.

The agreement stipulates that Fayette will hire a third-party consultant to monitor the company’s compliance with child labor laws for at least three years, as well as to facilitate trainings. The company must also establish a hotline for individuals to report concerns about child labor abuses.

A spokesperson for Fayette told The Associated Press in February that the company was cooperating with the investigation and has a “zero-tolerance policy for minor labor.”

The Labor Department has called attention to a growing list of child labor violations across the country, including the  fatal mangling  of a 16-year-old working at a Mississippi poultry plant, the death of a 16-year-old after  an accident at a sawmill in Wisconsin , and last year’s report of  more than 100 children illegally employed  by Packers Sanitation Services Inc., or PSSI, across 13 meatpacking plants. PSSI paid over $1.5 million in civil penalties.

The Labor Department’s latest statistics indicate the number of children being employed illegally in the U.S. has increased 88% since 2019.

Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

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Fans are following Taylor Swift to Europe after finding Eras Tour tickets less costly there

LONDON (AP) — Thousands of ride-or-die  Taylor Swift  fans who  missed out  on her U.S. concert tour last year or didn’t want to buy exorbitantly priced tickets to see her again found an out-of-the-way solution: Fly to Europe.

The pop star is scheduled to kick off the 18-city Europe leg of her  record-setting Eras Tour  in Paris on Thursday, and planeloads of Swifties plan to follow Miss Americana across the pond in the coming weeks. The arena where Swift is appearing said Americans bought 20% of the tickets for her four sold-out shows. Stockholm, the tour’s next stop, expects about 10,000 concertgoers from the U.S.

A concert might sound like an odd raison d’etre for visiting a foreign country, especially when fans can watch the Eras Tour from home via the  documentary now streaming  on Disney+. Yet  online travel company Expedia  says continent-hopping by Swift’s devotees is part of a larger trend it dubbed “tour tourism” while observing a pattern that emerged during Beyoncé's  Renaissance world tour .

Some North American fans who plan to fly overseas for the Eras Tour said they justified the expense after noticing that tighter  restrictions on ticket fees  and resales in Europe made seeing Swift perform abroad no more costly — and potentially cheaper — than catching her  closer to home .

“They said, ‘Wait a minute, I can either spend $1,500 to go see my favorite artist in Miami, or I can take that $1,500 and buy a concert ticket, a round-trip plane ticket, and three nights in a hotel room,” Melanie Fish, an Expedia spokesperson and travel expert, said.

That was the experience of Jennifer Warren, 43, who lives in St. Catharines, a city in the Niagara region of Ontario. She and her 11-year-old son love Swift but  had no luck scoring  what she considered as decently priced tickets in the U.S. Undeterred, Warren and her husband decided to plan a European vacation around wherever she managed to get seats. It turned out to be Hamburg, Germany.

“You get out, you get to see the world, and you get to see your favorite artist or performer at the same time, so there are a lot of wins to it,” said Warren, who works as the director of research and innovation for a mutual insurance company.

The three VIP tickets she secured close to the stage — “I would call it brute-force dumb luck” — cost 600 euros ($646) each. Swift subsequently announced six November tour dates in Toronto, within driving distance of Warren’s home. “Absolute nose-bleed seats” already are going for 3,000 Canadian dollars ($2,194) on secondary resale sites like Viagogo, Warren said.

TOUR TOURISM: IS IT REALLY A THING?

Hard-core fans trailing their favorite singer or band on tour is not a new phenomenon. “Groupie” emerged in the late 1960s as a somewhat derogatory word for the ardent followers of rock bands. Deadheads took to the road in the 1970s to pursue the Grateful Dead from city to city.

More recently, music festivals like California’s Coachella and England’s Glastonbury, and concert residencies in Las Vegas by the likes of Elton John, Lady Gaga and Adele, have attracted travelers to places they wouldn’t otherwise visit, Fish noted.

Travel and entertainment analysts have also spoken of a pent-up consumer demand for “experiences” over material objects since the coronavirus pandemic. Some think the  willingness of music lovers  to broaden their fandom horizons is part of the same mass cultural correction.

“It does seem like it’s more than a structural shift, maybe a personality transformation we all went through,” said Natalia Lechmanova, the chief Europe economist for the Mastercard Economics Institute.

As  Swift hopscotches  across Europe, Lechmanova expects restaurants and hotels to see the same boost that Mastercard observed within a 2.5-mile (4-kilometer) radius of concert venues in the U.S. cities she visited in 2023. The U.S. dollar’s strong value against the euro may also increase retail spending on apparel, memorabilia, beauty products and supplies for the friendship bracelets fans exchange as part of the Eras Tour experience, the economist said.

Former college roommates Lizzy Hale, 34, who lives in Los Angeles, and Mitch Goulding, 33, who lives in Austin, Texas, already had tickets to see the Eras Tour in L.A. last summer when they decided to try to get ones for Paris, London or Edinburgh, Scotland, too. They saw a Europe concert trip as a makeup for travel plans they had in May 2020 to celebrate Goulding’s birthday but had to cancel due to the pandemic.

Goulding managed to secure VIP tickets for one of Swift’s three Stockholm shows. He, Hale and two other friends scheduled a 10-day trip that also includes time in Amsterdam and Copenhagen.

“As people who enjoy traveling and enjoy music, if you can find an opportunity to combine the two, it’s really special,” said Hale, who is pregnant with her first child.

FOR STOCKHOLM, 120,000 SWIFTIES CAN’T BE WRONG

The local economic impact of what the zeitgeist has termed “Swiftonomics” and the “Swift lift”  can be considerable . It’s no wonder the exclusive arrangement Singapore’s government made with Swift to make the city-state her only tour stop in Southeast Asia earlier this year aroused  regional jealousy .

No European governments have complained of their countries not being among the dozen selected for the Europe leg of the Eras Tour, although some fans have expressed surprise that Gelsenkirchen, a city with a population of about 264,000 is one of the three cities in Germany that made the cut.

Airbnb reported Tuesday that searches on its platform for the U.K. cities where Swift is performing in June and August — Edinburgh, Liverpool, Cardiff and London — increased an average of 337% when tickets went on sale last summer.

Not to be outdone when it comes to trend-spotting,  the property rentals company  cited the demand as an example of “passion tourism,” or travel “driven by concerts, sports and other cultural events.”

In Stockholm , 120,000 out-of-towners from 130 countries -- among them 10,000 from the U.S. — are expected to swarm Sweden’s capital this month, Stockholm Chamber of Commerce Chief Economist Carl Bergqvist said. Stockholm is the only Scandinavian city on Swift’s tour, and airlines added extra flights from nearby Denmark, Finland and Norway to bring people to the May 17-19 shows, he said.

The city’s 40,000 hotel rooms are sold out even though prices skyrocketed for the tour dates, Bergqvist said. Concert visitors are expected to pump around 500 million Swedish kroner, or over $46 million, into the local economy over the course of their stays, an estimate that does not include what they paid for Swift tickets or to get to Sweden, he said.

“So this is going to be huge for the tourism sector in Sweden and Stockholm in particular,” Bergqvist said.

Nightclubs, restaurants and  bars  are seizing the opportunity to cater to fans with Taylor Swift-themed events, such as karaoke, quizzes and after-concert dance parties.

Houston resident Caroline Matlock, 29, saw Swift more than a year ago when the Eras Tour came to the Texas city. Now she’s making more friendship bracelets and trying to learn a few words of Swedish as she prepares to see the 3 1/2-hour show in Stockholm. The idea of seeing Swift in Europe was her friend’s, and Matlock needed some persuading at first.

“I was like, ‘I only want to go if it’s a country I haven’t been to. I’ve seen Taylor Swift,’” she said.

Visiting the Scandinavian cities of Oslo and Gothenburg is on their itinerary. The concert is the last night of the trip and Matlock looks forward to interacting with Swifties from other countries: “Americans tend to have a very obsessive culture, especially Taylor Swift-related, so I’m curious if the crowd will be more toned-down.”

WILL TOUR TOURISM ENDURE AFTER ERAS?

It remains to be seen if the music tourism trend has legs as long and strong as Swift’s and Beyoncé's, and if it will carry over to Billie Eilish, Usher and other artists with world tours scheduled next year. Expedia’s Fish thinks other big-name artists in Europe this summer will prove that booking a foreign trip around a concert is catching on.

Kat Morga, a travel consultant based in Nashville, isn’t so sure. Morga saw Swift perform in Nashville last year and helped two clients with school-aged children book European family vacations this summer that include seeing Swift in concert. But she thinks the difficulty of navigating ticket purchases through language barriers, currency conversions, international banking regulations and the risk of cancellations will limit the appeal of regular gig getaways.

“I think this is an anomaly,” Morga said. “People aren’t typically going to build their $20,000 huge family vacation only because Taylor Swift is there. She’s the one-off. She’s special.”

Booking Holdings CEO Glenn Fogel, whose company operates Booking.com , priceline.com , agoda.com , Kayak and OpenTable, is even less enthusiastic about concert tours as a tourism instigator. The Swift Effect causes a “little blip” when the superstar goes to smaller destinations, but for the worldwide travel industry, “one star touring around does not make a difference,” he said.

“It may just shift it a little bit. A person was going to go to the Caribbean for a week vacation. Instead that person (says), ‘Let’s travel to the Taylor Swift thing,’” Fogel said. “It doesn’t increase it. It just moves it from here to there.”

AP journalists Colleen Barry in Milan, Chisato Tanaka in Stockholm, Anne D’Innocenzio in New York, David Koenig in Dallas, Thomas Adamson in Paris and Brian Melley in London contributed reporting.

Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

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Michigan power outage map: How to check your status after latest round of storms

Here in Michigan, from Detroit to the Upper Peninsula, unpredictable weather happens.

Multiple tornadoes swept through the west side of the state Tuesday, touching down in Kalamazoo and Calhoun Counties.

Sometimes, such weather can lead to widespread power outages.

Depending on the electrical service you have, you can check the latest status of your power outage, how widespread the outage is, an estimated restoration time and more. Most Michigan residents have Consumers Energy or DTE Energy, but some regions in Michigan use other services; many of those are also listed below.

Here are the services offered in Michigan - and links for each power outage map.

DTE power outage map

Use DTE Energy's power outage map here . DTE reminds folks to "please be safe and remember to stay at least 25 feet from any downed power lines — assume they are live and dangerous." Report any outage or downed line here .

Consumers Energy power outage map

Use Consumers Energy's power outage map here . You can report downed power lines by calling 800-477-5050.

Indiana Michigan Power outage map

Use Indiana Michigan Power's power outage map here . A small number of southwest Michigan residents, near the Indiana border, use this service. For help, call 800-311-4634.

Great Lakes Power outage map

Use Great Lakes Power's power outage map here . To report an outage, call 888-485-2537.

Midwest Energy Cooperative power outage map

Use Midwest Energy Cooperative's power outage map here . A small number of southwest Michigan residents, including near Kalamazoo, use this service. For help, call 800-492-5989.

Lansing Board of Water and Light power outage map

Use Lansing Board of Water and Light's power outage map here . A small number of customers in the Lansing area use this service. To report an outage, call 877-295-5001 or go to its website .

Wisconsin Electric Power Company power outage map

Use Wisconsin Electric Power Company's outage map here . Several customers in Michigan's Upper Peninsula use the service. Report power outages and downed wires by calling 800-662-4797.

Presque Isle Electric & Gas Cooperative power outage map

Use Presque Isle Electric & Gas Cooperative's outage map here . Several customers in the northeast Lower Peninsula use the service. Report power outages and downed wires by calling 800-423-6634 or 989-733-8515.

Is your service not listed here?

Use poweroutage.us to see other Michigan services and whether there are updates in your area.