Our first event of the day is a stop at St. John’s Greek Orthodox Church for lunch and tour of the Byzantine Style church taking in the décor of gold & traditional icons. Hear about the meaning of the décor and history of the church. Members of the congregation will join our group for lunch and partake in a holiday program sharing how Christmas is celebrated in Greece.
An Omaha City Tour with a step-on guide will give us an overview of Omaha’s top points of interest. Sites include the Historic Old Market District with cobblestone streets and unique boutiques, the Lewis & Clark Landing, Gold Coast District listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Blackstone Hotel known for the origination of the Rueben sandwich, Omaha Community Playhouse, where Henry Fonda started his acting career, Hollywood Candy, the home of retro candy, Pioneer Courage Park featuring more than 100 larger-than-life bronze sculptures that tell the story of the pioneer’s westward journey & so much more. The Christmas in the Ukraine guide will share various linens and their significance to Ukrainian history, customs, and traditions. Our presenter will have us laughing while educating us about life in the Ukraine. Olesia Reprichowskyj will talk about her experiences as a child slave laborer for the German Army during WWII.
We will check into the hotel prior to attending dinner Christmas on the Frontier. We will travel back to 1879 to Fort Omaha and experience dinner with General George Crook and his wife Mary Crook in their Italianate style house. Tours throughout the home prior to retiring to the Heirloom Garden for an evening stroll before boarding their carriages. What a great way to relive history through the eyes of one of the country’s most famous generals. We will return to our hotel to rest up for our next exciting day.
We will begin the day with Christmas in Ireland, Father Flanagan’s Boys Town with a tour of his home decorated for the holidays according to Irish Christmas Holiday traditions. We will visit the hall of history, guided driving tour, and Father Flanagan’s house. An included lunch will be in the café on the grounds. Christmas at Union Station of Omaha known as the Durham Museum, displays an impressive huge holiday tree in the main Hall. Ethnic Communities decorate small holiday trees to represent their own unique heritage. Travel back to the 1930’s train depot taking in the impressive architecture, soda fountain, and a beautifully restored building.
Here is a feast for the eyes, the Holiday Poinsettia Show at the Lauritzen Botanical Gardens. Check out the display including a tree consisting of 700 poinsettias at Lauritzen Gardens. Miniature trains travel across the display which includes replicas of famous Omaha Landmarks. Enjoy some time in the gift shop.
Christmas in Poland: Learn about Omaha’s Polish community with a visit to the Polish home for an authentic Polish meal. A special dance presentation celebrating the culture of the Polish people in Nebraska and Iowa.
This evening is the performance of the “A Christmas Carol”, offered at the Omaha Community Playhouse for over 35 years known for its quality holiday performance. Enjoy a professional production of Dickens classic tale with music, special effects, and elaborate costumes.
We will head back to the Best Western to rest up for the following day.
Christmas in Lithuania: A visit to the Lithuanian Bakery and a talk from the Machevicius family hearing about how their family escaped Germany in WWII, moved to Omaha, and started a bakery business. Taste some of the bakery’s famous breads and enjoy a signature dessert which takes three days to make.
Historic Old Market District Shopping is a former warehouse district with brick streets and a variety of unique shops that cover a 3- block area. You will find a Christmas shop, Old Market Candy Shop will surely have some treats we enjoyed as children, Collectibles Shop, and so much more. Information will be shared on the motorcoach.
Our final meal will be at Big Mama’s Kitchen known for its soul food. Big Mama’s soul food has become a television culinary staple featured on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, Sundance Channel’s Ludo Bites America & Travel Channel’s 101 Tastiest Places to Chow Down. How could a person pass this up?
With a full tummy, we will board the motor coach back home and in the Christmas Spirit!
Transportation, all admissions, 7 meals, & hotel.
