Getting on/off motorcoach; driving about 45 miles, approximately 1.5 hours round trip. Walking up to several blocks at a time on sidewalks, gradual hills, sometimes uneven terrain; some steps; standing for up to 1 hour at a time during field trips.
In the hotel’s Palm Room, we’ll have a breakfast buffet with items including pastries, cereal, hard-boiled eggs, fruit, and yogurt plus milk, juice, organic coffee, tea, water.
We will board our motorcoach and begin our "feast" day with a visit to Central Point's Artisan Corridor. With the annual Oregon Chocolate Festival every spring, Ashland, and the surrounding area, is home to a variety of chocolate makers and We will board our motorcoach and begin our "feast" day with a visit to Central Point's Artisan Corridor. With the annual Oregon Chocolate Festival every spring, Ashland, and the surrounding area, is home to a variety of chocolate makers and confectioneries. At a local chocolatier, we will meet with a staff member to learn about the production process. We’ll observe the kitchen, hear the history of artisan chocolate in the Rogue Valley, and taste a variety of treats. Following our visit, we will head next door to the Rogue Creamery. Well-known for their creamy blue and cheddar cheeses, Rogue Creamery was dubbed the winner of the World's Best Cheese award at the 2019 World Cheese Awards in Italy. We will have the chance to taste some of their award-winning cheeses and see firsthand how the cheese is made with a look inside the cheddar production room.
At the creamery, we will have a plated meal featuring fresh grilled-cheese sandwiches with choice of non-alcoholic beverages; other beverages available for purchase.
Next, we’ll board our private motorcoach and travel to Oregon’s oldest grape-growing region. We’ll stop at a local winery to explore. As we walk among the vineyards, we’ll learn from winery staff about how the unique terrain of the Rogue Valley produces the conditions for a wide range of popular grape varietals. We’ll conclude with a wine tasting. After our tasting, we will board the motorcoach and return to the hotel where a local theatre expert will give an illuminating lecture that will expand on the program theme. We’ll have independent time to explore the city before dinner.
At a local favorite restaurant, we’ll order a 3-course plated meal off of a select menu with a beverage choice of coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase.
Returning to our hotel meeting room, a local theatre expert will provide an illuminating lecture that will expand on the program theme.
