This Massachusetts destination is a must for American history lovers.
Discover the art of the Southwest in this scenic state.
These sightseeing cruises offer spectacular views and more.
DEPARTMENTS
Discover the charm of the distinctive small towns throughout America’s Midwest.
ON THE COVER:
4 faith travel essentials Preparing for International Trips 18 international England and Wales delight church groups. 6 going on faith conference preview
Cincy Region hosts prepare to welcome Going On Faith Conference delegates.
Mac T. Lacy Founder and Publisher
Charles A. Presley
Brian
Herb
Donia
Sections of Hadrian’s Wall, a fortification built by the Roman empire, can still be found throughout England. Photo by Thomas Heaton, courtesy Visit Britain.
telisa@grouptravelleader.com
preparing INTERNATIONAL TRIPS for
BY BRIAN JEWELL
Small oversights can make a big impact on your travel experience — especially when traveling abroad.
Anytime you take an overnight trip, you’ll have to pack, prepare and make some arrangements. But when you go outside the United States, there’s more to consider. Things you take for granted on domestic trips may not be easily available overseas. And, if you leave unprepared, it could turn your dream vacation into a series of small hassles.
If you’re planning to take your church group on an international trip soon, here’s a checklist of items you and your travelers will need to think about before departing.
electricity needs
Pretty much everyone relies on electricity to power phones, computers or other personal devices, but not all electricity is the same. You need to check ahead of time to learn about the power connections in your destination country. Canada and the Americas use the same two-pronged plugs that we do, but other parts of the world have a variety of other connectors. You’ll need to bring an adapter to plug your U.S. cables into foreign outlets. If you use a blow-dryer or other high-output appliance, you may also need a converter, which can safely downgrade the 220-volt power supply common in Europe to the 110 volts American devices use. This shouldn’t be necessary for laptops or mobile phones, though, as these are designed to work with both voltage levels.
medications and prescriptions
Prescription medicine can be difficult to get in foreign countries. In many cases, obtaining medicine while traveling abroad requires finding a local physician to write a new prescription. To avoid this headache, make sure you pack all your prescription medications in your carry-on — not your checked luggage — and consider bringing extra in case you lose some along the way. If you’re going to a destination where certain infections are common, you may be able to talk to your doctor or an online provider to get an antibiotic to have on hand just in case you get sick.
banking and currency
Traveling anywhere means spending money as you go — on meals, snacks, souvenirs, gifts and more. That’s easy to do in the U.S., but it gets trickier when you go abroad. While credit and debit cards are both widely accepted in all but the most exotic destinations, it’s still important to let your bank and card issuers know when you’re going out of the country so they don’t block your foreign transactions. It’s also advisable to have some cash on hand — at least a couple hundred dollars — and to convert some of that cash to local currency as soon as you get a chance.
snacks
Exploring the cuisine in foreign countries can be an amazing experience. But it can also be difficult, especially if you’re a selective eater or have dietary restrictions to work around. You may find yourself needing a snack between meals or a replacement for a meal you can’t eat. Don’t take for granted that those snacks will be as easy to find abroad as they are at home. Instead, pack some snacks in your carry-on. Look for compact, non-perishable items with high protein content that you can use as a meal replacement in a pinch.
mobile phone service
Smartphones have become indispensable travel tools, and you’ll likely want to use yours when you go abroad. To do this, you need to get in touch with your mobile carrier in advance to find out what your options are. Most of the big carriers offer talk, text and data packages that you can add on to your regular plan, with pricing and features ranging greatly from one company to the next. If you plan on using a lot of mobile data, it may be worth temporarily switching providers to Google Fi, which offers free data roaming anywhere in the world with standard service plans.
Want more insights like this? Check out our podcast Gather and Go with Brian Jewell.
For sponsorship packages contact: telisa@grouptravelleader.com TELISA RECH
Kentucky & Ohio See at the
Going On Faith Conference
BY RACHEL CRICK
Boating, beer cheese and Bible stories sounds like a recipe for a great time — and a productive Going On Faith Conference.
Each year, directors of faith-based group travel programs convene at the annual conference to talk shop and plan trips during one-on-one marketplace appointments with destinations and industry suppliers. This year, they’ll descend on the Cincy Region to explore the offerings of both Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. They’ll enjoy sponsored meals and
outings to explore the unique features of the host region, as well as the opportunity for an exciting post-conference FAM that will let them further explore both sides of the Ohio River.
The 2025 Going On Faith Conference will take place August 6–8 in the Cincy Region at the Marriott Cincinnati Airport in Hebron, Kentucky. To register, visit gofconference.com
Two States of Faith
The Cincy Region consists of both Cincinnati, Ohio, and the communities that
make up Northern Kentucky. In addition to the many offerings available in a larger city like Cincinnati, the charms of the smaller communities on the Kentucky side provide equally impressive group opportunities.
“The fact that we’re a destination that comprises two unique areas is something that’s very appealing to visitors,” said Amanda Johannemann, director of destination marketing and communications for MeetNKY. “It’s kind of like having two states in one place, and it gives them more to explore.”
Cincy Region is excited to welcome delegates to
The 2025 Going on Faith Conference will take groups to the Ark Encounter, where the 40 Days of Christian Music festival will be taking place.
the 2025 Going On Faith Conference because of the destination’s many faith-based attractions, including some of the most popular in the country.
“We’re also the northernmost point of Kentucky and a good starting point for the Kentucky Faith Trail,” Johannemann said. “It’s a great gateway to exploring other parts of the state.”
Northern Kentucky contains four of the 11 stops on the Kentucky Faith Trail, many of which will be explored during the Going On Faith Conference and the post-conference FAM hosted by the Cincy Region.
“We’re also the northernmost point of Kentucky and a good starting point for the Kentucky Faith Trail. It’s a great gateway to exploring other parts of the state.”
— AMANDA JOHANNEMANN, MEETNKY
Pretzels and beer cheese from Hofbräuhaus
BB Riverboats
A Cincy Region Welcome
Opening night of the 2025 Going On Faith Conference will feature a welcome reception and opening event at BB Riverboats in Newport, Kentucky. BB Riverboats has been providing cruises along the Ohio River since 1979, and it’s one of the region’s most popular activities for casual outings and elegant events alike.
The welcome reception will take place in the riverfront ballroom area on the dock. Delegates will then move onto the Belle of Cincinnati riverboat for a dinner cruise that will last about an hour and a half. Following dinner, delegates can enjoy onboard entertainment and views of the Cincinnati skyline as the boat glides along the river.
“We’re going to bring touches from the region onto the boat,” said Stacy Howell, senior destination engagement manager at MeetNKY. “There are going to be stations that people can visit to get little touches of Northern Kentucky.”
For example, one station will provide samples of Bavarian pretzels and beer cheese from Hofbräuhaus, a Bavarian restaurant and group dining staple in Northern Kentucky.
The following morning, delegates will enjoy an educational breakfast sponsored by the Ark Encounter and the Creation Museum before convening for one of two marketplace sessions to network with destinations and tour operators. The following day, another breakfast sponsored by The Great Passion Play in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, as well as a luncheon sponsored by Visit Owensboro will bookend the second marketplace session.
Other conference sponsors include Collette, Southwest Adventure Tours, Sweet Home Alabama and Going On Faith Magazine.
Sightseeing at the Ark Encounter
Attendees of the 2025 Going On Faith Conference are in for a treat with this year’s sightseeing opportunities. There will be an extended outing on the afternoon of Thursday, August 7, to the Ark Encounter. After all, when one of the largest and most popular faith-based attractions in the country is located nearby, attendees won’t want to miss it.
“The Ark is really, really large, so in order to do it justice, you need to give people time to explore it,” Howell said.
After enjoying a box lunch from BB Riverboats, delegates will board buses and head to the Ark Encounter in Williamstown. Though
it’s known for its titular life-size Noah’s Ark, the encounter entails an entire campus of fun activities that explore the story of Noah. This includes a zip line, a zoo, a virtual reality experience and several dining options, in addition to speakers, educational events and performances.
Attendees will tour the three decks of the 510-foot-long replica ark to explore its interactive exhibits and learn about the Book of Genesis and the story of Noah, but the fun doesn’t stop there.
Another special treat for attendees is that the Going on Faith Conference will take place during one of the Ark Encounter’s largest events of the year, the 40 Days of Christian Music Festival. The fest is the largest Christian music festival in the world, featuring Christian musicians performing daily at the Ark for 40 days and 40 nights. Evenings also feature talks from prominent speakers.
“It’s exciting that we’re hosting Going on Faith because we have the Ark, and we have the Creation Museum,” said Lorey Hall, leisure sales manager at MeetNKY. “The fact that it’s at the
Covington Landing in Northern Kentucky
St. Mary's Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption
time of 40 Days and 40 Nights Music Fest is really exciting, too.”
A visit to the Ark Encounter will treat delegates to the museum experience as well as entertainment, followed by dinner at Emzara’s Buffet, the campus’s largest restaurant.
Post-Conference FAM
Immediately following the Going on Faith Conference, delegates who opt to attend the post-conference FAM will depart for an additional day of exploring faith-based attractions in the Cincy Region.
On Friday, August 8, upon the conference’s completion, FAM-goers will head to Petersburg, Kentucky, to visit the Creation Museum, a sister museum to the Ark Encounter that is also owned by Answers in Genesis. This renowned museum explores creation science with a variety of interactive exhibits and on-site attractions, including botanical gardens, a zoo, a planetarium and a zip-line course.
Following their time at the Creation Museum, the group will enjoy dinner at Spear Ridge Café in Florence, known for its rustic atmosphere and delicious casual fare. Smash burgers, the catfish po’boy and the classic Cuban sandwich are among its signature menu items, but the restaurant also has a general store for diners to peruse. FAM-goers will then head back to their hotel.
On Saturday, August 9, the FAM will start bright and early with breakfast at the hotel, followed by a tour of St. Mary’s Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption in Covington, Kentucky, to learn about its gothic architecture, three pipe organs, stained-glass windows and other fascinating features. A tour of another iconic cathedral will follow at Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains in Cincinnati.
Next, FAM attendees will check out the American Sign Museum in Cincinnati, which contains 20,000 square feet of signage, from florescent neon signs to some of the country’s vintage road signs.
Finally, they’ll eat lunch back in Northern Kentucky at Hofbräuhaus Newport for Bavarian cuisine, including some of the pretzels and beer cheese that attendees enjoyed on their first night of the conference. They can also expect to sample sausages, schnitzels and a Bavarian cream puff before departing the Cincy Region with full bellies and plenty of ideas for future conferences.
To register for the FAM, contact Lorey Hall at lhall@meetnky.com or 859-655-4151
PLYMOUTH
Massachusetts
BY CYNTHIA BARNES
Playing a pivotal role in American history, Plymouth, Massachusetts, is one of the most iconic towns in New England. At its core, Plymouth’s appeal lies in its singular connection to the Pilgrims and their founding of the Puritan Plymouth Colony in 1620.
But this picturesque coastal town also offers a compelling blend of educational experiences, natural beauty and a vibrant, contemporary culture that captivates a wide range of visitors. Travelers flock to sites such as Plymouth Rock, a powerful symbol of initial European settlement, and the Mayflower II, a meticulous replica of the ship that carried the Pilgrims across the Atlantic from England. Plimoth Patuxet Museums immerses visitors in early colonial life and Indigenous culture, with living history exhibits of the 17th-century English village along with a homesite of the Wampanoag people, who inhabited the land before the Pilgrims arrived.
Beyond the rich history, Plymouth’s natural
splendor adds another level of enjoyment. Its waterfront, offering stunning views of Plymouth Harbor and Cape Cod Bay, invites scenic strolls, harbor cruises and whale-watching excursions. Numerous beaches, from the lively White Horse Beach to the more secluded Plymouth Long Beach, offer relaxation and recreation, especially during the summer. The ponds and pine barrens of Myles Standish State Forest are perfect for hiking, biking and communing with nature.
In addition to its undeniable history, Plymouth has a thriving culinary scene and diverse cultural offerings. Downtown Plymouth is replete with local art galleries, boutiques and restaurants dishing up oceanfresh seafood and sophisticated international cuisine. Seasonal events and festivals provide entertainment and fun. Its fusion of historical significance, scenic landscapes and modern energy make Plymouth an appealing destination for visitors seeking enriching and memorable adventures.
The Mayflower II at Plimoth Patuxet Museums is a replica of the Mayflower.
National Monument to the Forefathers
All photos courtesy Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism
By Ted Curtin
PLYMOUTH ROCK AND PILGRIM MEMORIAL STATE PARK
Is this modest glacial boulder the exact spot where the 102 passengers of the Mayflower landed on November 9, 1620, after a grueling, monthslong journey across 3,000 miles of open ocean? Of that we can’t be sure, but Plymouth Rock is celebrated as the spot, and that’s enough to attract more than 1 million visitors a year who come for a glimpse. “The Rock” is the big draw at Pilgrim Memorial State Park, but the pretty waterfront spot also offers great views of Plymouth Harbor, monuments and an easy 1.8 mile out-and-back nature trail with ponds and gardens. From April through November, educational programs are offered, with 10-minute historical talks at Plymouth Rock throughout the day and 30-minute guided walking tours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
PLIMOTH PATUXET MUSEUMS
Plimoth Patuxet Museums is a living history complex that replicates the original 17th-century village built by the Pilgrims along with a site re-creating the home of the Patuxet people, who lived along the shores when the religious separatists arrived from England. Visitors can see craft-making demonstrations and purchase traditional crafts; tour a replica of the historic grist mill; learn about the first Thanksgiving; and even step aboard a full-sized replica of the Mayflower, which is docked at Frazier State Pier in Pilgrim Memorial State Park. The 2025 season runs through Thanksgiving Day.
By Ted Curtin
NATIONAL MONUMENT TO THE FOREFATHERS
Completed in 1889, the National Monument to the Forefathers is an impressive 81-foot statue believed to be the world’s largest solid granite monument. Boston sculptor Hammatt Billings topped the monument with a statue of “Faith,” pointing one hand toward heaven and holding a Bible in the other. She is surrounded by smaller allegorical figures of Morality, Education, Law and Liberty. Other panels are inscribed with the names of the original passengers aboard the Mayflower. The monument is free to visit. Gates are open from dawn to dusk April through November, but visitors are welcome to walk in to view during the off-season.
BURIAL HILL
Containing the ruins of the original 1621 Pilgrim fort along with tombstones dating to the 1620s, Burial Hill is a steep climb but a must-see when visiting Plymouth. It offers incredible views of the town and the bay, and visitors will find the graves of the original settlers, including William Bradford, leader of the band of Puritan Separatists and the first governor of the Colony of Massachusetts. Early grave markers were carved of wood and have not survived, but the oldest known burial stone dates to 1681. Many of the subsequent stones are masterpieces of folk art. The cemetery, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is free and open to the public.
Pilgrim Maiden Brewster Gardens
Plymouth Rock
Plimoth Patuxet Museums
By Ted Curtin
Art of Enchantment
Courtesy Georgia O’Keeffe Museum
NEW MEXICO IS A FEAST FOR THE SENSES
BY JILL GLEESON
Thanks to its beloved license plate slogan, New Mexico will forever be known as the “Land of Enchantment.”
And, for tour groups, there is much magic to discover within its borders.
A place of spectacular natural beauty, New Mexico also boasts a vibrant history that includes ancient Indigenous American settlements and colonization by the Spanish. But faith-based groups may want to focus their time there exploring another of the state’s offerings: its legendary arts scene. From traditional tribal pottery to the renowned paintings of Georgia O’Keeffe, New Mexico is filled with inspiring work bursting with God-given creativity and ability.
This itinerary hits Northern New Mexico’s art highlights, beginning in Albuquerque, where groups can fly into the state’s largest airport. It then continues west to historic Gallup before crossing back east to the capital of Santa Fe. After a stop in tiny Abiquiú, groups will end their time in Taos, which offers a regional airport. Leaders will want to budget six nights (or more) for this trip so their groups can take full advantage of the most uplifting and enlightening art experiences New Mexico has to offer.
Albuquerque
HIGHLIGHT: Pueblo Art Through the Ages
Offering a wonderful introduction to the 19 Pueblos of New Mexico, Albuquerque’s Indian Pueblo Cultural Center provides the ideal introduction to the culture of the state’s Native American peoples. There’s so much to see and do that leaders will want to set aside a half-day for their groups to explore it. Group visitors can start with an in-depth tour of the center’s museum. It features the permanent exhibit We Are of This Place: The Pueblo Story, filled with historic artwork, as well as temporary exhibits that have showcased subjects like Indigenous fashion and architecture. Tours include a visit to Artists Circle Gallery, boasting contemporary Pueblo art.
There’s also an on-site store chock-full of stunning Pueblo and Southwest Native American art. The center’s popular cultural dance program, which presents traditional dances celebrating the seasons and honoring the Creator, is offered on weekends throughout the year and by special arrangement during the week. If a group wants to get their hands dirty, the center can handle that, too, with a pottery class taught by a Pueblo artist.
WHILE YOU’RE HERE: Faith-based travelers will not want to miss Albuquerque’s beautiful San Felipe de Neri Church, built of adobe in 1793. The parish, which also includes a convent, school, gift shop and museum, offers tours. Afterward, groups will appreciate time on their own to wander the surrounding Old Town, filled with galleries and boutiques.
MORE INFO: visitalbuquerque.org
Opposite page: Santa Fe’s Georgia O’Keeffe Museum and the O’Keeffe Home & Studio explore the life and works of the famous artist.
An Indigenous performance at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
By J. Felipe, courtesy Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
Gallup
HIGHLIGHT: Contemporary and New Deal Art
After departing New Mexico’s biggest city, this itinerary takes groups two hours northwest to Gallup. For a small city of about 22,000 people, it’s bursting with engaging art, much of it fostered by the nonprofit arts council, GallupARTS, and its Art123 Gallery. Dedicated to displaying the work of local artists, the gallery’s exhibits run the gamut of disciplines, from jewelry to sculpture, photography and abstract paintings. Leaders can arrange a guided visit and/or an artist talk for their groups.
Smaller groups of up to 21 people can enjoy a paint and sip class at Art123, while larger ones can take a New Deal art tour with GallupARTS. Instituted by President Roosevelt’s administration as a response to the Great Depression, New Deal federal relief programs included a wide range of public art initiatives. Gallup is home to more than 120 New Deal works spread across several locations, including Octavia Fellin Public Library and the Spanish Pueblo Revival-style McKinley County Courthouse. Built in 1938 and itself a New Deal project, the courthouse houses New Deal tile and tin work, furniture, paintings and a 2,000-square-foot Southwest history mural that lines the walls of the courtroom.
WHILE YOU’RE HERE:
Speaking of murals, Gallup is home to two dozen in the downtown area alone, some within a stone’s throw of Art123. They colorfully depict scenes of Native American culture, mining, the rodeo and more, with interactive online maps providing all the info needed for a great self-guided group tour.
MORE INFO : visitgallup.com
Courtesy Tourism Santa Fe
A Canyon Road sign in Santa Fe
Courtesy Gallup Main Street Arts & Cultural District
Coal mining mural in Gallup
Santa Fe
HIGHLIGHT: Bespoke Art Walks
In a state blessed with remarkable art at every turn, Santa Fe — a three-hour drive east from Gallup — is New Mexico’s undisputed champ of creativity. Santa Fe Art Tours specializes in arts-themed walking excursions that include a quick primer on interpreting art. And guides can customize itineraries to include visits to important faith-based sites, like Loretto Chapel, famed for its “miraculous” unsupported spiral staircase, and San Miguel Chapel, the country’s oldest church.
Leaders may want to request a stop at the Nuevo Mexicano Heritage Arts Museum, where travelers can explore the links between Spanish Colonial art and belief. Santa Fe Art Tours can even coordinate a studio visit with a contemporary santero, a person who makes religious images. But no matter where groups go, they can expect a personal experience, thanks to the relationships Santa Fe Art Tours has developed with the art community. Those relationships also add value to the company’s tour of the city’s celebrated Canyon Road, which boasts more than 80 galleries in a half-mile stretch. Tours stop at about half a dozen galleries, where owners and artists will likely share a story or two about the artwork.
WHILE YOU’RE HERE: Santa Fe Art Tours can arrange a hands-on art experience for groups, or leaders can reach out directly to Paseo Pottery. They host motorcoach visitors for all kinds of activities, like painted pottery sessions, wheel-throwing classes and other workshops.
MORE INFO: santafe.org
A Gallup mural
Admiring Santa Fe art
Taos Pueblo
HIGHLIGHT : A Thousand Years of Architecture
Taos Pueblo is not only a National Historic Landmark, but also a UNESCO World Heritage Site — and a mustsee for any group visiting Northern New Mexico. Continually inhabited for more than 1,000 years, the adobe structures there were built in stories and side-byside, sharing walls but not doorways. In fact, the homes originally had no doors or windows at all, and access was gained by climbing down ladders into the dwellings. Still passed down from eldest son to eldest son, the homes are re-mudded every year.
Private, 45-minute group tours of the sacred, highdesert home of the Red Willow People are available yearround and touch on the pueblo’s culture and history. Leaders should leave time for groups to visit the community’s artisan shops, some owned by three generations of the same family. Leatherwork is a Taos Pueblo specialty, with pottery, sculpture and paintings also sold by artists who are usually happy to discuss their work with visitors. Throughout the year, the pueblo holds special events open to the public, including ceremonial dances, Feast Days and the weekend-long, multi-tribal Annual Taos Pueblo Pow Wow.
WHILE YOU’RE HERE: Showcasing a century of art in Taos, the Harwood Museum of Art features Native and non-Native work, as well as a rich collection of Hispanic religious pieces. Guided group tours are available.
MORE INFO: taos.org
Courtesy
New Mexico True
A church in Taos Pueblo
Courtesy Town of Taos
Taos Pueblo
An aerial view of Georgia O’Keeffe's Home in Abiquiú
Abiquiú
HIGHLIGHT: A Place of Inspiration
A quick hour from Santa Fe, in the village of Abiquiú, perches the peaceful and meditative former home and studio of the country’s most famous female artist. Purchased by Georgia O’Keeffe in 1945 from the Catholic Church, the 5,000-square-foot compound was where she found inspiration for her iconic modernist paintings of desert landscapes. Today, it is owned by Santa Fe’s Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, which groups should also make time to visit, and hosts private tours for groups from March to November. They begin in the welcome center, which features exhibits about O’Keeffe, an introductory video, a sculpture garden and a gallery with the work of local artists.
Groups can tour O’Keeffe’s former residence, where she lived until 1984. The adobe (or mud brick) home, with some rooms dating to 1744, was expanded in the 19th century to a pueblo-style hacienda with an irrigated garden. The artist grew vegetables and herbs for her guests there and decorated the interior of her home with the bones, shells and rocks she found so fascinating that she detailed them in her paintings. Groups can expect to gain valuable insight into O’Keeffe’s artistic process and daily life at the home, but leaders should be aware that the tours are generally capped at 27 participants. However, with enough advance notice more visitors may be accommodated.
WHILE YOU’RE HERE: O’Keeffe also owned a nearby summer house at the edge of a sprawling property called Ghost Ranch. The house is not open to the public, but there’s much to do at the ranch for groups, like taking an O’Keeffe-themed tour and visiting the on-site paleontology and anthropology museums.
MORE INFO: okeeffemuseum.org/ homes
Your Journey Awaits.
Climb aboard the historic Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, the most authentic steam railroad in North America. Enjoy the spectacular scenic landscapes of southern Colorado and northern New Mexico. Competitive group rates available!
Courtesy New Mexico True
O’Keeffe Home & Studio
Courtesy New Mexico
ISLES DISCOVERY of
ENGLAND AND WALES
HIGHLIGHT CHRISTIAN LANDMARK S
STAMPS
BY CYNTHIA BARNES
Sharing a rich history and vibrant landscapes, England and Wales offer visitors a remarkable travel experience. With bustling cities, ancient castles, tranquil gardens and dramatic coastlines, both countries boast cultural heritage, natural beauty and a multitude of memorable adventures.
In England, the capital is awash in iconic landmarks displaying centuries of the British Empire’s power. Beyond London — but close enough for day trips — the ancient university cities of Oxford and Cambridge flaunt stunning architecture. Windsor Castle, the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world, illustrates the enduring cultural power of the British monarchy, while magnificent cathedrals like Canterbury pay testament to the influence of Christianity.
Dominated by mountains and a wave-tossed coastline featuring rugged cliffs and pristine beaches, Wales is filled with dreamy landscapes. Wales has more castles per square mile than any country in Europe, and its 400 castles illustrate a history of royal plots and medieval conflicts. Dating back 14 centuries, St. Davids Cathedral is one of Britain’s most ancient cathedrals and is a revered destination for religious pilgrims. From cozy pubs to grand libraries, and with countless castles and cathedrals, visitors will delight in enriching excursions in both countries.
By James Ratchford
The Seven Sisters are a series of chalk cliffs along the Sussex Coast, near Brighton.
Royal Crescent Hotel and Spa
Photos courtesy VisitBritain except where noted
Essential
DESTINATIONS
LONDON
With outstanding culinary and entertainment scenes, quirky neighborhoods, and a fashionable, cosmopolitan vibe, Britain’s largest metropolis would be an alluring destination even without its almost two millennia of history and world-renowned institutions — but it has those, too. The Romans settled on the banks of the River Thames in the first century, and today “Greater London” is home to nearly 20 million people.
The top deck of the city’s iconic red doubledecker buses is a fun way to see major sites like Big Ben, the Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace, the British Museum, Westminster Abbey and Trafalgar Square while deciding which attractions you want to visit first.
BATH
The only U.K. city designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bath was beloved by the ancient Romans, who built an elaborate complex to bathe in its natural hot springs. Visitors can’t enter the waters at the well-preserved complex, but they can enjoy a therapeutic soak at the Thermae Bath Spa while looking out over grand 18th-century Georgian architecture. Bath also boasts a magnificent Gothic abbey with stunning stained-glass windows, where Christians have worshipped for more than 1,200 years.
BRIGHTON
Cheeky, quirky and unconventional, the coastal city of Brighton also delivers a hearty dose of traditional seaside charm. Visitors will find classic carnival rides at Brighton Palace Pier, eclectic boutiques tucked in narrow alleys at The Lanes, and over-the-top Indianinfluenced extravagance at the Royal Pavilion. Sea Life Brighton is the world’s oldest operating aquarium, and South Downs National Park is home to the Seven Sisters, a dramatic series of white chalk cliffs along the Sussex coast.
Offering 45 minutes of peace and music, Choral Evensong is a sung service of evening prayer that dates to the time of the Reformation and is celebrated at churches and cathedrals across both countries, as well as broadcast on the BBC. Open to visitors of any (or no) faith and free of charge, a Choral Evensong is a must while visiting England and Wales. Find a complete list of performances at choralevensong.org.
A monument to Roman ambition, Hadrian’s Wall is a stone fortification stretching 73 miles from sea to sea, across what was once the empire’s northwestern frontier. Significant sections of the wall, which was intended to defend against barbarian invaders, still stand, offering visitors the opportunity to explore. Highlights include excavated forts, castles and a temple to the god Mithra, a Persian deity whose cult was favored by many high-ranking Roman officers.
Fish and chips may have conquered the world, but there’s nothing as quintessentially English as a fancy afternoon tea. Whether enjoyed in a quaint cottage inn or a five-star hotel, a proper tea will feature tender, crumbly scones served with clotted cream and jam; delicate finger sandwiches with fillings like watercress, cucumber and cream cheese; and, of course, cup after cup of brisk English teas.
For an unforgettable experience, attend an open-air theatrical performance at Shakespeare’s Globe. The Elizabethan playhouse was built in 1599; the reconstruction was completed in 1997, just 750 feet from the site of the original.
Viewsfrom the Water
THESE SIGHTSEEING CRUISES ARE MEMORABLE WAYS TO SEE A CITY
VBY RACHEL CRICK
iews from the water offer unique vantage points of a destination. Throw in wildlife watching, an onboard meal and a little live music, and it’s no wonder sightseeing cruises are such a popular way to pass an afternoon. Whether they take place on elegant yachts or aboard vintage paddle wheelers, these cruises show passengers a good time — and they offer visitors a way to experience destinations that can’t be replicated on land.
From coast to coast and on the mighty rivers in between, here are five sightseeing cruises for faithbased groups.
A sunset cruise with Sunny Lady Dolphin Cruises showcases the back bays of Orange Beach.
Courtesy Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism
Courtesy Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism
Water birds flying over the Sunny Lady
Savannah Riverboat Cruises
SAVANNAH, GEORGIA
With its cobblestone streets, centuries-old homes and oak trees draped with Spanish moss, strolling through Savannah, Georgia, feels like stepping back in time. But Savannah also comes alive on River Street, with its shops, restaurants and pleasant rooftops just a few blocks from the city’s characteristic historic squares. Another incredible activity found on River Street is Savannah Riverboat Cruises, which takes guests to explore the Savannah River on board the Georgia Queen and the Savannah River Queen, two paddle-wheel riverboats that can hold 1,000 and 600 passengers, respectively.
Thanks to Savannah’s mild weather, a variety of cruises are available year-round. A 90-minute narrated sightseeing tour lets groups hear all about Savannah’s rich history along the river. They may glide by Old Fort Jackson and even experience a cannon firing, depending on the time of year. While meals are not included on sightseeing cruises, a full bar and grill are available for light fare and beverages. If groups opt for one of the many available dining cruises, good food on board is a guarantee. Brunch, lunch and dinner cruises are offered and serve Southern comfort classics buffet-style, including shrimp and grits, fried chicken, fresh fish and seasonal fresh vegetables.
Another popular option for faith-based groups is a gospel cruise, where passengers can enjoy a delicious meal while being serenaded by a gospel choir. Seasonal cruises and sunset cruises are also available. Savannah Riverboat Cruises also partners with other Savannah tour companies to provide deals on trolley tours of the city. Group rates are available for groups of 25 or more.
SAVANNAHRIVERBOAT.COM
Another popular option for faith-based groups is a gospel cruise, where passengers can enjoy a delicious meal while being serenaded by a gospel choir.
Boarding a Savannah riverboat cruise
Sunset from the Georgia Queen
By Rachel Crick
By Brian Jewell
By Brian Jewell
The Georgia Queen
Hudson River Cruises
KINGSTON, NEW YORK
About 90 miles north of New York City, along the banks of the Hudson River, the quiet town of Kingston, New York, is known for its historic estates and the scenic beauty of the Catskill Mountains. The walkable Hudson Valley town has an abundance of art galleries and public art, as well as buildings of various architectural styles, many of which pre-date the Revolutionary War. It’s also not far from other group attractions like the Culinary Institute of America, the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum, and the Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site.
The Hudson River provides a backdrop for many of the town’s waterfront shops and eateries. Whether they’re venturing out of New York City or exploring the Hudson Valley in its own right, groups can enjoy Kingston from the water on board the Rip Van Winkle II with Hudson River Cruises.
The vessel has three decks and can accommodate groups of up to 250, though group rates begin with just 10 passengers. From May to October, Hudson River Cruises offers multiple types of public cruises, as well as special-event cruises and private charters. One of the top options among groups is the 90-minute sightseeing cruise, which is also available as a sunset cruise. From the boat, groups can see historic lighthouses, estates and monasteries as they glide past. The sightseeing cruises are especially popular in September and October during the height of leaf-peeping season. Passengers often see wildlife, such as bald eagles, along the riverbanks.
While standard sightseeing cruises don’t feature meals, a snack bar offers light fare and beverages. Additionally, catering arrangements can be made available for groups that charter or arrange in advance.
“It’s a nice relaxing cruise, and groups enjoy getting out and seeing sights from the water,” said Drew Yochum, vice president of sales and marketing for Hudson River Cruises. “Some of these are sights you can’t see from the road, so it’s a unique viewpoint for sure.”
HUDSONRIVERCRUISES.COM
“It’s a nice relaxing cruise, and groups enjoy getting out and seeing sights from the water. Some of these are sights you can’t see from the road, so it’s a unique viewpoint for sure.”
— DREW YOCHUM, HUDSON RIVER CRUISES
La
Crosse Queen Cruises
LA CROSSE, WISCONSIN
The mighty Mississippi River stretches approximately 2,340 miles, making it the second-longest river in the U.S. It touches 10 states and many bustling cities before emptying into the Gulf of Mexico. Not far from its headwaters, the glacial Lake Itasca in Minnesota, the river winds through La Crosse, Wisconsin, providing the city with much of its natural beauty and recreation. One way to experience the river is on board the La Crosse Queen, a paddle-wheel boat made in La Crosse that takes guests on a variety of scenic cruises.
La Crosse Queen
The Rip Van Winkle II
“The boat itself is an authentic paddle-wheel boat,” said Devin Benson, general manager of La Crosse Queen Cruises. “Most around these days only have the paddles for show, but we’re actually propelled by the paddles.”
Groups of 30 or more can enjoy discounted rates on a variety of public cruises, ranging from narrated sightseeing cruises to those including a meal, such as Saturday dinner or Sunday brunch cruises. There’s also a lunch cruise and a pizza cruise. Sightseeing cruises teach guests about the city’s history and the river’s ecology, with views of the surrounding bluffs and, sometimes, glimpses of the area’s diverse wildlife. Certain cruises also take the vessel through Lock and Dam No. 7, offering a rare view of traveling through a river lock. Dining cruises feature mouthwatering chef-prepared entrees, like prime rib and baked chicken, with an assortment of sides and a dessert. A full bar serves beer, wine and cocktails, though these are not included in the price of the cruise.
Excursions range from 90 minutes to three hours and run from early May through late October. In addition to the regularly scheduled public cruises, groups can also book private charters. The La Crosse Queen’s maximum onboard capacity is 149 passengers.
LACROSSEQUEEN.COM
A COMMUNITY THAT CARES
Courtesy La Crosse Queen Cruises
Flagship Cruises & Events
SAN DIEGO
San Diego is brimming with group activities, thanks to staples like Balboa Park, which is home to a wide variety of museums, shops and restaurants, as well as the famous San Diego Zoo. Groups also love spending time on the water exploring the San Diego Bay and heading out to sea for a glimpse of marine life. San Diego is a popular whalewatching destination, but it also offers glimpses of sea lions, dolphins and other wildlife.
Flagship Cruises & Events is a family-owned cruising company that has been around since 1915. It has a large fleet of yachts and other vessels equipped for a variety of cruises, from California Spirit, a sleek 600-person yacht, to the Marietta, the company’s largest whale-watching vessel that can accommodate up to 458 guests. Groups can choose between one-hour or two-hour San Diego Harbor Cruises that offer panoramic views of the city, light bites and beverages, and narration of the harbor’s history. Starting each December and lasting through the winter, whales pass through the waters off San Diego’s shores as part of their annual migration. During these months, the cruising company offers whale-watching cruises.
Flagship Cruises & Events also offers dining cruises, including harbor dinner cruises that serve dishes prepared on board with fresh, seasonal ingredients and provide gorgeous views of the bay at sunset. Brunch cruises are two hours and serve bottomless mimosas and live music. Groups of 20 or more can receive special rates on public dining and sightseeing cruises, but private charters are also available.
FLAGSHIPSD.COM
The Sunny Lady Dolphin Cruises
GULF SHORES, ALABAMA
With their sugar white sand, laid-back atmosphere and abundant activities for all ages, Alabama’s beaches make Gulf Shores and Orange Beach highly appealing to a variety of groups. Faith-based groups will want to pack their itineraries with opportunities to enjoy fresh-caught seafood, plentiful golf and fun at the Wharf. But they should also be sure to include one of the destination’s most popular activities, a dolphin tour with The Sunny Lady Dolphin Cruises.
Part of the Olin Marler charter boat family, a company that has been operating for more than 50 years, The Sunny Lady offers two to three dolphin tours a day year-round, giving up to 3,000 cruises a year. Sunset dolphin cruises are also available. The vessel can seat up to 100 passengers as it glides through the back bays of Orange Beach. Tours last approximately 90 minutes and let groups see dolphins playing in their natural habitat, as well as other marine life. The company boasts a 98% success rate for dolphin-sightings on its tours.
The boat’s cabin is climate-controlled, but open decks give passengers up-close views of the water and the marine life. There’s also an onboard snack bar and restrooms in the cabin, and the tour is wheelchair accessible. Group rates and private charters can be arranged and public parking is available at the Wharf.
DOLPHINCRUISEORANGEBEACH.COM
An event onboard a Flagship Cruises vessel
The Sunny Lady
Courtesy Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism
Flagship Cruises & Events is a family-owned cruising company that has been around since 1915. It has a large fleet of yachts and other vessels equipped for a variety of cruises, from California Spirit, a sleek 600-person yacht, to the Marietta, the company’s largest whalewatching vessel that can accommodate up to 458 guests.
Courtesy San Diego Tourism Authority
A brunch cruise with Flagship Cruises & Events
Courtesy San Diego Tourism Authority
HEARTLAND
CHARMERS
THESE SMALL TOWNS ARE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MIDWEST
BY PAULA AVEN GLADYCH
The Midwest’s small towns have big stories to tell. Throughout America’s Heartland, charming small destinations make great stops for group travelers because the communities offer rich cultural heritage, beautifully restored historic architecture, many attractions and amazing dining experiences. Here are six you should consider for your group.
Photos courtesy Real Woodstock
Groups can shop for fresh produce and flowers at the farmers market in Woodstock, Illinois.
The restored Old Courthouse Center in Woodstock
WOODSTOCK, ILLINOIS
Woodstock, Illinois, is the quintessential Hallmark town, with a beautiful historic square and brick-paved streets. The movie “Groundhog Day” was filmed in Woodstock, and groups visiting town can enjoy a walking tour of film locations. Fans of the movie will want to attend Woodstock Groundhog Days, a festival that celebrates the film with walking tours, trivia, movie showings and pub crawls.
The Old McHenry County Courthouse anchors the square, alongside the former Sheriff’s House. The recently renovated buildings, now called Old Courthouse Center, house the Real Woodstock Visitors Center, Woodstock Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry, and Naturally McHenry County and its visitors center, as well as event spaces.
The historic Woodstock Opera House, which is also in the downtown square, offers group tickets to concerts, theater performances, and dance and comedy shows. Orson Welles made his theater debut on the opera house stage as a teenager.
The area is also known for its agritourism opportunities.
REALWOODSTOCK.COM
A town welcome sign
Casting Whimsy teahouse
Flowers from Dented Gate Flower Farm
PELLA, IOWA
Founded in 1847 by immigrants from the Netherlands, Pella, Iowa, has worked hard to promote its Dutch history and culture. It wasn’t until the 1960s — when urban renewal was happening and old buildings were being torn down — that the town’s leaders decide to “Dutchify” them instead. Now, any buildings built or redesigned in Pella must follow guidelines to keep the town looking like a European community.
Groups visitors will feel like they are walking down the streets of Amsterdam as they sample the goods at Dutch bakeries and meat markets. The Vermeer Windmill and Historical Village features the tallest working windmill in the U.S. The re-created 19th-century Dutch village, which was built in 2002, features 18 buildings, including Wyatt Earp’s boyhood home. The Scholte House Museum is the former 22-room home of Pella’s founder, Dominie Henry Scholte, and visitors to Pella will enjoy the hourly chimes of the Klokkenspel, an animated musical clock tower in downtown.
Nearby, groups can enjoy Iowa’s largest lake, Lake Red Rock, for boating, fishing, hiking and biking, or they can climb the 106-foot-tall Cordova Observation Tower in Cordova Park for panoramic views of the Des Moines River Valley. The town is known for two annual events: the Tulip Time Festival in May, which celebrates Pella’s Dutch heritage with parades, costumes and tulip displays, and the Kerstmarkt, Pella’s Dutch Christmas Market, which takes place the first weekend in December.
VISITPELLA.COM
FRANKENMUTH, MICHIGAN
Known as Michigan’s “Little Bavaria,” Frankenmuth, Michigan, features a quaint downtown area with charming shops and restaurants. Just 90 miles north of Detroit and 10 minutes off Interstate 75, the town is a popular stop for groups heading from Detroit to Mackinac Island.
Frankenmuth is famous for family-style chicken dinners at both Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth and Bavarian Inn Lodge & Restaurant, and the city is also the home of Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland, the largest Christmas store in the world, which takes up a space larger than a football field.
Group travelers will enjoy cruising on the Bavarian Belle Riverboat or taking a guided tour of the Frankenmuth Historical Museum. The charming town offers several fun group activities, such as pretzel rolling or the Bavarian Blacksmith Experience, which allows groups to take home hand-forged mementos.
The Michigan Heroes Museum highlights military heroes from the state and across the country. The town’s founding church, St. Lorenz Lutheran Church, which was built when the town was founded in 1845, is famous for its stained-glass windows that depict the story of Frankenmuth and its founding. Groups can schedule free tours of the church. Across the street is a replica log cabin that shows how German settlers to the area would have lived when they first arrived.
FRANKENMUTH.ORG
Photos courtesy Frankenmuth
A windmill in Pella
Bavarian Belle Riverboat
Courtesy Pella Historical Museums
Wyatt Earp Experience
Frankenmuth’s River Place Shops
By Katharine Vogel
ARROW ROCK, MISSOURI
The village of Arrow Rock, Missouri, is in the middle of farm fields and boasts a population of 56. It has six museums that are worth a visit, including the Historic Visitors Center, located in Arrow Rock State Historic Site. The state park, which is part of the larger village of Arrow Rock, is one of the first in Missouri and is a popular camping destination with a fishing lake and several walking trails.
The village itself features a boardwalk with several shops and is home to three dining establishments. J. Huston Tavern at Arrow Rock State Historic Site is the largest and can cater lunches for up to 50 on Lyceum Theatre days. The Lyceum Theatre is a regional theater with shows throughout the summer and fall. Its season concludes with a presentation of “A Christmas Carol” in December. There are several festivals throughout the year, including the Arrow Rock Heritage Festival on the second weekend in October. The village is known for being the home of George Caleb Bingham, one of America’s great 19th-century artists. Bingham is famous for his portraits and scenes of river life and politics. His home is a National Historic Landmark and can be visited during a tour.
Friends of Arrow Rock offer a walking tour of the village or tram tours of village attractions, including Bingham’s home and the home and shop of renowned gunsmith John Sites Jr. ARROWROCK.ORG
MARYSVILLE, KANSAS
Marysville, Kansas, is known as the “Black Squirrel City” for its small population of these furry creatures. The town pays homage to the squirrels with 51 five-foot-tall black fiberglass squirrel statues that were designed and painted by local and regional artists. Visitors on the hunt for quirky Snapchat and Instagram photos love searching out statues.
The historic downtown is full of restaurants and shops, and the Blue River Rail Trail is a way for visitors to walk and bike between Marysville and Lincoln, Nebraska.
The town was a Pony Express stop in the late 1800s. The Pony Express Barn & Museum is housed in the former stone barn and home station, where Pony Express horses would rest for the night after heading west from St. Joseph. Even though the Pony Express was only in Marysville for 18 months, the mystique of it is a big draw for group visitors from around the world.
The Koester House Museum and Gardens was built in 1876 by one of the town’s founders, Charles Koester. The home boasts original furnishings and 13 beautiful white statues in the gardens. Groups can organize catered lunches or dinners in the gardens, which are in the heart of Marysville’s historic downtown. Marshall County Historic Courthouse Museum, the Historic Union Pacific Depot and the Lee Dam Center for Fine Art all welcome groups.
VISITMARYSVILLEKS.ORG
Photos courtesy
OneMarysville
The site of several Arrow Rock museums
George Caleb Bingham painting “The Jolly Flatboatmen”
Arrow Rock State Historic Site
Koester House entrance
Public art in Marysville
WINONA, MINNESOTA
Winona, Minnesota, is a historic Mississippi River town with 13 city blocks on the National Register of Historic Places. The town is in the Driftless Area of the Midwest, a region known for its beautiful sweeping bluffs.
At one time, Winona was known as the “Stained Glass Capital of America.” It still has several stained-glass manufacturers where groups can see how stained-glass artwork is created and restored. The Minnesota Marine Art Museum boasts one of the country’s best collections of art inspired by water. It offers docent-led tours, including a garden walk along the Mississippi River.
The Winona County History Center offers museum tours and a step-on guide service, and groups can learn more about the Mississippi River on a Winona Tour Boat cruise.
Winona is home to a food-products manufacturer, Watkins, which has a museum and store where visitors can learn about the company’s 157-year history making awardwinning vanilla extracts, sauces and spices. Groups that want a taste of Winona should stop at Bloedow Bakery, which celebrated its 100th anniversary last year.
VISITWINONA.COM
Photos courtesy Visit Winona
Kayaking on Lake Winona
A municipal concert in Winona
Willet Hauser Stained Glass Windows Studio Lake Winona
Snowshoeing in Winona
YOUR VOYAGE AWAITS
Add an unforgettable destination to your tour. Prepare for a thrilling adventure through biblical history at our life-size Noah’s Ark, located just south of Cincinnati.
