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Cuneo Mansion & Long Grove Village

Friday, October 3, 2008. 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Cost: $85 per person.

Cuneo Mansion

Enjoy a special guided tour of the magnificent Cuneo Mansion in Vernon Hills. Built in 1914 for industrialist Samuel Insull, this opulent showplace boasts 32 rooms filled with collections of antique furniture, Italian Renaissance paintings, 17th century tapestries and Oriental carpets. Just a short distance beyond lies the village of Long Grove, an early nineteenth century town that retains the charm of yesteryear. Its old-fashioned buildings house a quaint stores and boutiques. Lunch at the Seasons restaurant, a charming, one-time farmhouse known for its delicious buffet, is included.

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Detailed description:

Guests will take a special guided tour of the magnificent Cuneo Mansion in Vernon Hills. Built in 1914 for industrialist Samuel Insull, this opulent showplace modeled after a Venetian palazzo boasts 32 treasure-filled rooms.

Following its purchase in 1937 by John Cuneo, a patron of the arts, it was filled with marvelous collections of antique furniture, Italian Renaissance paintings, 17th century Flemish and French tapestries and glorious intricate Oriental carpets. A huge collection of more than 500 pieces of Capo Di Monte porcelain is displayed, as well as memorabilia from the days when a dairy farm was operated on the estate grounds.

Just a short distance beyond is the village of Long Grove, an early 19th century town that retains the charm of yesteryear. Its old-fashioned buildings house a potpourri of quaint stores and boutiques along with exhibits of wares from great-grandmother’s time. Have fun shopping and discovering Long Grove’s historic landmarks.

NOTE: – Lunch will be served at the “Seasons.” It was once a charming farm-house; now it’s a restaurant known for its delicious and bountiful buffet!

Explore Chicago’s North Shore

Friday, October 3, 2008. 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Cost: $80 per person.

Bahai Temple

Pass through historic North Shore communities, see the awe-inspiring Baha’i Temple, and enjoy the afternoon at Chicago’s beautiful Botanic Gardens. The Baha’i House of Worship “the Mother Temple of the West” took decades to build and incorporates architectural and stylistic elements from all the world’s religions. From the Temple, continue to the Botanic Gardens and enjoy a setting unmatched for beauty, relaxation and discovery. A 40-minute tram tour provides an overview of the garden’s 385 acres & waterfalls, English walled and rose gardens, native prairies, water gardens, warm greenhouses and more, uniquely situated on nine islands surrounded by lakes. Enjoy a delicious boxed lunch in an area especially reserved for NECA.

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Detailed Description:

Today, guests will pass through the historic North Shore communities, with breathtaking mansions, see the awe-inspiring Baha’i Temple, and enjoy the afternoon at the beautiful Botanic Gardens.

Known as the “Mother Temple of the West” because it was the first Baha’i House of Worship constructed in the Western Hemisphere and the oldest still standing, this site gracing the shores of the Wilmette just north of Evanston is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Groundbreaking occurred on May 1, 1912, in a ceremony blessed with the presence and participation of Abdu'l-Baha, son of the Founder of the Baha'i Faith, but this striking temple which intentionally incorporates architectural and stylistic elements from all the world’s religions took decades to build. After enjoying a short video about the history of the building, guests will take a guided tour of the breathtaking interior of this historic structure.

Then it’s on to the Botanic Gardens. Upon arrival, guests will be treated to a 40-minute tram tour providing an overview of the garden’s 385 acres of beauty and serenity, awe and wonder. Only at the Chicago Botanic Garden will guests find waterfalls, English walled and rose gardens, native prairies, water gardens, warm greenhouses and more! The Garden features 23 display gardens and three native habitats, uniquely situated on nine islands surrounded by lakes.

NOTE: – Lunch will be a delicious boxed lunch in an area especially reserved for guests of the NECA.

Architecture of Early Chicago

Saturday, October 4, 2008. 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Cost: $58 per person.

Robie House

The tour begins with the Robie House, the Frank Lloyd Wright Prairie-style house considered one of the most important buildings in the history of American architecture. Although it was designed more than 90 years ago, the building remains a masterpiece of modern architecture. From there, explore Prairie Avenue, where Chicago’s famous families—Pullman, Kimball, Armour and Marshall Field—built their opulent mansions. Start with a visit to the Clark House, Chicago’s oldest building, and then tour Glessner House, one of Prairie Avenue’s grandest homes and “the perfect urban residence” that is the last surviving work of architect H.H. Richardson.

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Detailed Description:

Take a trip into Chicago’s past.

The tour will begin with the Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece: The Robie House. Designed in Wright’s Oak Park studio in 1908 and completed in 1910 for Frederick C. Robie, the Robie House is considered one of the most important buildings in the history of American architecture. In fact, it inspired an architectural revolution! Its sweeping horizontal lines, dramatic overhangs, stretches of art glass windows and open floor plan make it a quintessential Prairie-style house though it remains a masterpiece of modern architecture. The tour of the site offers both a first-hand experience of its amazingly contemporary spaces and the current restoration work returning it to its original appearance.

Guests will then explore Prairie Avenue, the city’s most fashionable neighborhood following the Chicago Fire in 1871. Here Chicago’s most famous families – Pullman, Kimball, Armour and Marshall Field – lined the street with their opulent mansions. We start with Chicago’s oldest home and its only Greek Revival structure, the Clark House built in 1836 during the “boom or bust” days of early Chicago. With its diverse history, Clarke House not only provides a glimpse into life on the prairie but also holds within its walls the entire panorama of the urban experience.

Next, guests will tour one of Prairie Avenue’s grandest homes: Glessner House. Named for its original owners, John and Frances Glessner, cultural leaders during Chicago’s Gilded Age, the home’s design is a radical departure from traditional Victorian architecture. This is the last surviving work of noted architect H.H. Richardson. Built in 1887, the Glessner House has been called “the perfect urban residence.”

Highlights of Chicago Tour and John Hancock Observatory

Saturday, October 4, 2008. 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Cost: $55 per person.

It is impossible to visit all the wonderful sights in Chicago, but this tour covers the city’s major features in the downtown area, north and south sides. See the vistas from Chicago’s major parks, learn how modern architectural styles evolved, and experience first-hand why multitudes acclaim Chicago as “an outdoor museum of architecture.” Enjoy the varied views of the city’s crown jewel: the over 300-mile long and 100-mile wide “inland sea” of Lake Michigan. Following the bus tour, visit the observation deck of the Hancock Tower to view the amazing Chicago skyline.

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Detailed Description:

Those famous Chicago winds have blown in a massive transformation. Chicago’s motto, “City in a Garden,” is much more than a catchy slogan. Lines of newly planted trees grace lush parkways and gardens. Planters filled with varieties of vibrant plants and flowers line the streets. The extraordinary and vast Millennium Park stretches from Michigan Avenue to the glorious lakefront. Navy Pier – Chicago's number one tourist attraction – imparts a carnival-like atmosphere to the city year-round. The ever-increasing shopping attractions along the Magnificent Mile, the expanding theatre scene, and a plethora of world-class museums fill the city with effervescence and variety.

It may not be possible to visit ALL the wonderful sights in Chicago, but guests can see major new, exciting, and unique additions on an all-encompassing tour. They will see Chicago’s vistas from major parks, including Grant, Lincoln and new and impressive Millennium Park. They will also learn how modern styles evolved and produced the ever-increasing panorama of bewildering structures and experience first-hand why multitudes acclaim Chicago as “an outdoor museum of architecture.”

Occupying pride of place on the tour are the varied views of the city's crown jewel: Lake Michigan. Over 300 mile s long and 100 mile wide, this enormous body of fresh water is more like an inland sea. Guests will learn how the early city planners separated the city’s commerce and buildings from the beaches, parks and inviting lakeshore and discover why over 30 million visitors each year say “Chicago is my kind of town.”

Following the bus tour, guests will be escorted up to the Observation Deck of the Hancock Tower to view the awe-inspiring sights of the Chicago Skyline.

River Cruise and Walking Tour

Monday, October 6, 2008. 1:30-5:30 p.m.

Cost: $68 per person.

Visitors and Chicagoans alike say that the best way to really see the city’s profile is on architectural cruise along the Chicago River and Lake Michigan. Learn how the modern city evolved from a trading post to the world¹s fastest growing metropolis. View an extraordinary array of great structures, including Lake Point Tower, Wrigley Building, IBM Building, NBC Tower, Tribune Tower, Civic Opera House, Sears Tower, and scores more. An architectural docent will provide live narration featuring an overview of architecture and history and little-known facts about the history of Chicago’s buildings.

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Detailed Description:

The cool mist off the lake, the magnificence of the city skyline and the tranquility of lapping waves set the mood for a wistful afternoon cruising the Chicago River. Visitors and Chicagoans alike say that the best way to really see the city’s profile is on architectural cruise along the Chicago River and Lake Michigan. Guests will learn how in the19th Century, the modern city grew from a trading post to become the world’s fastest growing metropolis.

Guests will view an extraordinary array of great structures, including Lake Point Tower, Wrigley Building, IBM Building, NBC Tower, Tribune Tower, Civic Opera House, Sears Tower, Marina City, Board of Trade and scores more. From the river, the boat will venture out to Lake Michigan where guests will be treated to a rich view of the entire skyline. An architectural docent will provide live narration featuring an overview of architecture and history. Guests will find out little known facts about the history of Chicago’s buildings – without the omission of the juicier scandals, corruption, and conflicts!

Chicago Sports Spectacular

Monday, October 6, 2008. 1:00-5:00 p.m.

Cost: $68 per person.

Whether it is the Chicago Bulls and Michael Jordan, ’da Bears, or the Chicago Cubs, Chicago is a city that truly caters to sports fans. The first stop is a guided tour of Solider Field, the home of the Chicago Bears, featuring both a historic and modern-day journey that includes the South Courtyard, Doughboy Statue, Grand Concourse, the Cadillac Club and Colonnades, Sky Suites, Visitor’s Locker Room and West Den. Then take a tour through some of Chicago’s unique neighborhoods surrounding the United Center, Michael Jordan’s old stomping grounds. Complete the day at the legendary Wrigley Field, where the history and the spirit of the Cubs ring throughout the neighborhood even beyond the baseball season.

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Detailed Description:

Chicago isn’t just the Windy City; it is also the home of some of the country’s greatest sports teams. Whether it is the Chicago Bulls and their most famous veteran Michael Jordan, or ‘Da Bears or the Chicago Cubs, The city’s teams have given Chicago something to be proud of and sports fans everywhere something to cheer about.

The first stop on the tour is at the home of the Chicago Bears, Soldier Field. This guided tour of offers both a historic and modern-day journey that includes the South Courtyard, Doughboy Statue, Grand Concourse, Mezzanine Level, the Cadillac Club and Colonnades, Sky Suites, Visitors’ Locker Room and West Den. Guests will then take a tour throughout some of Chicago’s unique neighborhoods surrounding the United Center, Michael Jordan’s old stomping grounds.

And what sports filled day in Chicago would be complete without seeing the legendary Wrigley Field! Wrigley Field is where the history and the spirit of the Cubs ring throughout the neighborhood even beyond the baseball season. And, yes, guests will have the opportunity to take photos in front of the historic marquee and buy souvenirs in some of the local shops.