Take a magical journey to the hidden treasures of southern Missouri. Travel back roads bursting with the brilliant hues of Azaleas, Dogwoods, and Redbuds. Cool hidden springs bubbling from the ground, and the charming town of Charleston Missouri alive with the excitement of their popular “Dogwood & Azalea Festival”. Visit Bennett Springs State Park and enjoy lunch in the park’s rustic dining lodge. Visit the Trout hatchery to learn about the spawning process and feed the fish! A short drive takes us to the Laura Ingalls Wilder historic home, “where the Little House Books were written.” Enjoy the beauty of the “Old Red Mill”, one of the most scenic areas of the country. Spend the night at the Rosecliff Lodge, located on the banks of Current River in the foothills of the Missouri Ozarks in Van Buren, MO. Visit Big Spring, the largest single-outlet spring in the world, one of the most beautiful places in the country for the outdoor enthusiast. Our Park Ranger guide will take us to the main outlet that boils up in an un-restrained mound that captivates the onlooker with its size and force. A scenic drive finds us in Sikeston, our home for the next two nights at the new Drury Inn & Suites. We attend the 42nd annual Charleston, MO Dogwood and Azalea Festival touring tour two private residences, and two spectacular gardens. This evening it’s the “Bloomin” Candlelight Review Show with talented musicians from the area. Vibrant spring blossoms greet us as we return to Charleston. Activities today include “The Dogwood— Azalea Parade” one of the largest in the area! Free time to stroll through the park filled with arts crafts, food booths, and live entertainment. Piano Concerts with eight pianos, 16 pianists and one organist! The evening includes a fish fry with all the trimmings followed by an Old Fashioned Ice Cream Social! The highlight is yet to come, the Candlelight Tour is enchanting! As day light gives way to darkness, the streets are lined with 6,000 white luminaries that encompass the entire Dogwood Azalea Trail. Our coach will stop so we can enjoy the featured entertainment along the way. Meander along with the Mississippi River to Kimmswick, MO, a charming river town, proud of its unique French heritage. Lunch at one of our favorite restaurants, the Blue Owl, famous for the best home cooked food and unbelievable pies!