Nestled on the shores of Lake Superior, the Duluth area captivates visitors with its stunning natural beauty and rich history. From the iconic Split Rock Lighthouse standing sentinel atop rugged cliffs to the majestic cascades of Tettegouche and Gooseberry Falls, the region boasts an array of breathtaking landscapes. 

In Duluth itself, Glensheen Mansion offers a glimpse into the area's opulent past, showcasing its grandeur and architectural charm. Canal Park and the fascinating Lift Bridge draw you in while oceangoing vessels proceed past bringing the world to Duluth's door. 

A day-trip east from our Hampton Inn in Superior, WI will take us to the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore and beautiful Bayfield, WI. A Wednesday westward excursion will introduce us to Minnesota's renowned Iron Range and historic Hibbing. We'll conclude the day at Shepherd of the Hills (WELS), Duluth for food, fellowship, and worship. 

Join us on this short, sweet trip to enjoy the rich history and pristine wilderness of the North Shore.

The tour is open to all members of the WELS (Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod) or ELS (Evangelical Lutheran Synod).

We rate this tour as a 4 of 10 on the Mobility Scale. This means that to fully enjoy this tour, you shoiuld be at or just below average mobility. You will need to get on and off the bus (several steps) multiple times each day. Although extensive hikes are not required, some are offered and most stops require some walking/standing.

We are thankful to have the OWLS (Organization of WELS Lutheran Seniors) as our marketing partner/tour sponsor. A portion of Father's World Tours proceeds goes to support this worthwhile group. Dues paying members who register as such will receive a $10 gift card on Day 1 of the trip. Be sure to note your OWLS membership on the registration form.

For this tour, we are initially confirming up to 50 passengers in the order in which they register.  If the registrations exceed that number, a waitlist will be maintained.  In past years, a high percentage of individuals on the waitlist were accommodated due to cancellations. 

If space is available, those signing up after July 31 will need to pay the entire trip cost at registration.

Cancellations will receive refunds according to the schedule below:

• Cancel between August 1-15: $350 penalty applies
• After August 15: $750 penalty applies
• If a waitlist exists and a replacement traveler is found, only a $50 penalty will be assessed regardless of cancellation date.

For those interested in protecting their trip investment in case of unforeseen illness or emergency, travel Insurance (optional for this trip) may be purchased through our recommended partner Travelsafe (click here for a quote or to purchase a policy) or another vendor of your choosing. All policies include Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption coverage. 

The quote you are immediately provided will give you three policy options.

       1) Basic includes $35K in Medical and $100K in Medical Evacuation coverage

       2) Classic includes $100K in Medical and $500K in $1M in Medical Evacuation coverage

       3) Classic + CFAR (Cancel For Any Reason) which has the same benefits as the Classic policy but gives you 75% of your non-refundable trip cost back if you choose to cancel for any reason up to 48 hours before trip departure.

* Quotes are valid for 14 days. Even though you can purchase a policy up to the day before the trip, we highly recommend doing so within 21 days of making your first deposit payment for several reasons.

* If your only interest is making sure your medical needs are covered, you can enter in $0 as your trip cost and your quote will show you  a much lower costs.

* Policy pricing is generally based on your age and trip cost.

Call Steve Balza with basic questions and he will refer you to TravelSafe if needed.

Confirmed passengers will receive a communication around August 20 that will provide a passenger list, packing suggestions, a “final” itinerary, parking/pickup instructions, etc.

Room blocks have been set up for Sept 1 and/or Sept 6 in both New Ulm and Bloomington. A limited number of rooms are available for each night and in each case, if necessary, the rooms can be canceled without penalty up to 48 hours before arrival.

New Ulm/MLC

Best Western Plus, 2101 S Broadway St, New Ulm, MN. Phone:  507-359-2941. The property offers complimentary breakfast, wifi, parking, and a lovely indoor pool area. The hotel is located just 6 minutes/2.5 miles from MLC (1995 Luther Ct, New Ulm, MN) where our tour will begin on Sept 2 at 8 AM and end on Sept 6 at 8 PM. You can book directly with the hotel at this link for Sept 1 or this link for Sept 6. You can also call the hotel at 507-359-2941 and request a room in the Father's World Tours block. The $119 + tax(Sept 1) or $149 + tax (Sept 6) rate is valid for 1-2 guests in the King room or 2-4 in the Double Queen. On Aug 18, remaining rooms will be released to the public at prevailing rates.

Bloomington/MSP

Fairfield Inn, 2401 American Blvd E, Bloomington, MN. Phone:  952-858-8475. The property offers complimentary breakfast and a free shuttle service from/to MSP and Mall of America. To make use of the shuttle from MSP, call the hotel when you have your bag and are at the Ground Transportation Center. When you check in, ask to be added to the MSP shuttle that is leaving at your preferred time.. The hotel is located just 5 minutes from MSP, across the street from Mall of America, and about 3.5 miles/10 minutes from Bloomington Lutheran Church (9350 Portland Ave ,S, Bloomington, MN). You can book directly with the hotel at this link for Sept 1 or this link for Sept 6. You can also call the hotel at 952-858-8475 and request a room in the Father's World Tours block. The $96 + tax rate (either night) is valid for 1-2 guests in the King room or 2-4 in the Double Queen. On Aug 15, remaining rooms will be released to the public at prevailing rates.

Our Labor Day getaway will take us from New Ulm (7:45AM load) to Bloomington (9:45AM load) and on up to our destination in Duluth. A step-on guided tour will include stops on the Skyline Drive (Enger Tower) and the lovely Leif Erickson Park. We'll also drive by the surprisingly sandy beaches of Park Point before enjoying free time to shop, stroll, and dine in the popular Canal Park. After dinner, we will check in for our 4-night stay at Hampton Inn, Superior, WI. Your bags will be in your room on arrival or shortly after (porterage at the hotel is included).

Today we journey eastward to the quaint town of Bayfield. There we will board a boat for a narrated "3-hour tour" of the spectacular Apostle Islands. You're then free to explore downtown Bayfield and enjoy lunch at one of its many dining establishments. Our journey back to Superior includes a stop at Amnicon Falls State Park, site of a lovely covered bridge with a waterfall (could be a babbling brook) flowing below.

We'll venture away from the shore for a few hours to tour Historic Hibbing and the renowned Iron Range. The Minnesota Discovery Center will take us back in time with an informative film, rustic replicas of early settlers homes, and a trolley ride through the scenic countryside. A photo-op of the still active Hull-Rust mine and a tour of the unique Hibbing High School concludes our visit to the Mesabi Range. The only WELS congregation on the MN North Shore (Shepherd of the Hills...the "Dulutherans") will host us for dinner and midweek worship.

Many consider the North Shore Drive (153 mile stretch of Hwy 61 from Duluth to the Canadian border) to be the most stunning scenery found in the upper Midwest. We'll cover about 40% of the southern stretch (60 miles) from Duluth to Silver Bay. Four planned stops include a Blacksand Beach, Gooseberry Falls State Park, Tettegouche State Park, and the crown jewel - Split Rock Lighthouse State Park. There we will enjoy a picnic lunch (including Betty's Pies for dessert!) and a visit to the Lighthouse visitor center and grounds. Tonight's dining choices at the Fitger's Mall include several with Superior lake views.

Our days in Duluth will come to a close with two memory makers. A self-guided tour of the gorgeous Glensheen Mansion, former home of Chester and Clara Congdon. The Congdon's gained affluence in the iron industry and used their influence and resources to develop Duluth and preserve natural spaces (such as the North Shore Drive). Next, It's back to Canal Park for some souvenir shopping,, one last lunch (consider Grandma's Saloon),  or a lovely Lakewalk. Our final activity will have you riding the rails (North Shore Scenic Railroad to be exact) in a first-class dome car. Enjoy 2 complimentary beverages and some snacks as we take a short trip up the coast and back. Dinner tonight will be on your own at the Mall of America north food court (Chick-Fil-A, A&W, Qdoba, Panda Express, etc.). Bloomington ETA (6:45), New Ulm (8:30).

We are blessed to again have Pastor Emeritus Wayne Laitinen (right) along as chaplain to provide us with our daily devotions and spiritual insights. His lovely wife Carol will also be back as tour assistant to help us connect with each other and better enjoy our time together. Steve Balza (left) will serve as tour director with the primary role/goal of keeping us safe and on schedule.