Trip Highlights:

• Fun chocolate shopping experiences
• Wine Tasting
• Dinner Theater
• Overnight Stay with a scenic view of the Rock River

Day 1 – Wine and Chocolate

Your first stop is historic downtown Dixon will be Baker’s Street for a light breakfast. Relax with Baker’s Street’s in-house roasted coffees and espressos or enjoy café mocha, hot chocolate or chocolate chia tea along with chocolate scones, muffins and or a piece of delicious quiche. Pick from any of the tempting chocolate offerings or try one of their three signature specialties – choose from their 14 Layer Cinnamon Torte – 14 layers of delectable cinnamon with an exquisite chocolate filling piled with chocolate curls on top; the rich Bavarian cake – a chocolate cake made with a Bavarian fruit filling and finished with a chocolate drizzle or a beautiful Chocolate Ganache filled and topped in rich chocolate

Walk down the block to: The Crystal Cork Wine Shoppe and Wine Bar in Dixon, IL offers wonderful Chocolate Ports and Chocolate Martinis. Don’t know which wine goes with which chocolate? Allow their knowledgeable staff to assist you. I can arrange for a chocolate wine tasting if you would like. They will do a martini sampling for the group which includes Chocolate Martini, Milky Way Martini and a couple others. They will also get some samples of Belguim Chocolates and Butter Creams

Travel North along the scenic Route 2 Highway along the river to the next stop on your chocolate adventure in historic downtown Oregon and Hazel’s Café. There among the chocolate truffles, caramels, and chocolate covered coffee beans, you’ll find one very rare and extraordinary ingredient – their 100% pure chocolate passion. Additional chocolate indulgences include gourmet blends of coffees, teas & smoothies muffins and scones.

Travel a short distance to Oregon Soap Shoppe; here the CHOCOLATE GOODIES have some very important features! They are; 100% guilt free, 100% calorie free, OH so very good for you and only mildly “habit forming”! Choose from their many specialty soaps of delicious chocolate varieties or any of the other 150 plus blends to really nurture the skin you are in! Besides the Chocolate Mint, Chocolate Amber & Milk Chocolate Almond soaps for your bathing adventures, keep your lips kissable with Chocolate Covered Cherry and Chocolate Mint lip balms. Relax and luxuriate with Chocolate Bath Salts or exfoliate with Chocolate Mint Sugar Scrubs.

After a day of indulging in chocolate, drive along the Rock River and check in at The Paddle Wheel Inn. If you choose, you can enjoy the scenic view of the Rock River from one of their Riverview rooms. They will provide the chocolate lover with a variety of chocolate treats in your room upon arrival if you book thru Blackhawk Waterways.

After checking in, go across to Maxson’s Manor Restaurant for an upscale dinner with salad bar. You can also stroll along the Rock River or book a tour via the Pride of Oregon Riverboat. I’m sure you will find plenty of Chocolate surprises on their desert menu.

Day 2 –Shopping and Theatre

After a refreshing night sleep and breakfast, visit the many unique shops Oregon has to offer, including breakfast at  The Village Bakery. This unique bakery offers a wide selection of fresh baked goods, breakfast sandwiches, coffee, frozen drinks and ice cream. At the Village Bakery adults with disabilities work shoulder to shoulder with a professional staff, learning skills needed for employment. The goal is to gain a resume and a reference; giving potential future employers the assurance they need to hire with confidence. People with disabilities can have an active and meaningful role in today’s world of work – they just need a better way.

How about a quaint shopping experience in a boutique? Visit Merlin’s Greenhouse and Flowers and The Otherside Boutique, where they will always go out of their way to please a customer. Every Season is special, beautiful decor throughout and clothing and jewelry is amazing!!

Continue your trip 10 min west to *White Pines Inn, located in the beautiful White Pines Forest State Park; enjoy a delicious buffet lunch while you relax and enjoy a live theater production (tickets purchase in advance) in the rustic historic lodge. Chocolate lovers will delight in the gift shop’s assorted chocolates, truffles and myrtles.

Now you may depart for home, or delay your diet another day and extend your getaway with more chocolate experiences.

Please call Blackhawk Waterways for groups of 10 or more.