October 2012 Leisure Group Travel

OCTOBER 2012

Dear tour, motorcoach, travel and tourism professional: We know that, as businessmen and women, you have a choice to make about where to spend your time and money for a convention, and this year you are faced with even tougher choices.

As you decide which shows to attend, I invite you to compare ABA’s Marketplace to all others.

Marketplace is the first and most valued tour and travel show of the year, with more buyers and sellers of North American travel than any other show, and we continue to work hard for you to further enhance its value. Marketplace is a well-established show, with a proven 35-year track record of facilitating business development and networking within the industry and among attendees. Offering pre-scheduled business appointments with quality contacts, attendees can achieve a year’s worth of business meetings and sales calls in four days. The American Bus Association is proud of our reputation as the show where business gets done.

In March 2012, a survey conducted by the firm John Dunham and Associates showed that Marketplace 2012 generated $78.9 million dollars in booked business for Marketplace attendees. Attendees across all member segments reported an enormous amount of sales success. On average, members earned $58,065 in booked business as a result of attending the show, a return of $30 for every dollar they spent to attend. No other show has such extensive and independent proof of their attendees’ return on investment.

We are very proud that we represent the vast majority of the nation’s motorcoach companies.

Nearly 90% of the total ABA membership conducts charter and tour business and buys from attractions, hotels, destinations, and other professionals.

ABA promotes North American tourism at Marketplace and year-round, because that’s where 85% of the economic activity generated by this industry comes from. We value your ABA membership and your continued attendance at Marketplace.

I look forward to seeing you in Charlotte, NC, this January 5 - 9 for Marketplace 2013. You have my assurance it will be a great business and networking experience—and a lot of fun. If you have any questions, feel free to call me or any one of our staff at (202) 842-1645, or drop me an email at pete@buses.org.

Sincerely,

WHERE BUSINESS GETS DONE

For 35 years, Marketplace has been the show that brings together every segment of the industry.

Peter J. Pantuso, CTIS President/CEO American Bus Association

www.b u s e s .o rg /m a r ke t p l a ce m e e t i n g s d e p t @ b u s e s .o rg • ( 8 0 0 ) 283 -287 7

111 K Street NE • 9th Floor • Washington, DC 20002-8110 (202) 842-1645 • (800) 283-2877 • Fax: (202) 842-0850 • abainfo@buses.org • www.buses.org

REGISTER NOW!

ABA’S MARKETPLACE THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY’S ANNUAL BUSINESS CONFERENCE

JAN. 5 – 9, 2013 ] CHARLOTTE, NC

WHERE BUSINESS GETS DONE For 35 years, Marketplace has been the show that brings together every segment of the industry.

www.buses.org/marketplace NFFUJOHTEFQU!CVTFT PSH t

contents COVER STORY 37 Great Cathedrals of Europe

BY NICHOLAS SAIGH

37

Cavernous interiors and exquisite Gothic decoration inspire groups touring the continent’s most impressive churches.

ON THE COVER:

FEATURES

Germany’s Cologne Cathedral on the Rhine River.

(Photo by Jim McDonald/German National Tourist Board)

16

Colorado’s “Beer Triangle”

20

Only in New Orleans

24

Keeping Up with the Hatfields and McCoys

BY DANIEL MORRILL

BY VANESSA DAY

BY VERNIE WONG

28

Small Towns of Mississippi

32

Jerusalem: Epicenter of Faith

44

The Savory Side of Vermont

46

Autumn in New Hampshire

47

Retracing Southeast Wisconsin’s Roots

BY MATT BARRY

BY RANDY MINK

BY MATT BARRY

BY FAYE MAREK

BY JIM RICE

COLUMNS

6

On My Mind

A clip-clopping ride through New Orleans’ French Quarter

BY JEFF GAYDUK

8

On Tour

BY MARTY SARBEY DE SOUTO

10

On Agritourism

BY JENNIFER SPANN

12

On the Record

50

On Marketing

BY DAVE BODLE

20

Andrew Cowin/German National Tourist Board

VOL. 22, NO. 5 • OCTOBER 2012

NUMBER CRUNCHING

1,368 The Dead Sea’s elevation, in feet below sea level

ON LOCATION Managing editor Randy Mink, frolicking in Israel’s Dead Sea, shows off both his magazine and floating abilities.

632

Julie Cooper

Years it took to complete Cologne Cathedral

WHAT’S ONLINE? ©Bigstock/Photosani

EL GROUPO NUMERO UNO aking advantage of the influx of new inbound Visit USA business, GroupTravelDirectory.com has debuted new multi-language translation ability. Now, foreign language buyers can view listings, group deals and travel tips in 26 languages.

T

LOOK FOR THE NEW TOURITINERARIES.COM SITE ess than a year after launching our new TourItineraries.com, October debuts an all-new design and site functionality. Beta-testing with buyers indicates they like the new interactive mapping technology that routes each itinerary on screen, and the easy contact buttons allow for seamless contact between destinations and tour providers. TourItineraries.com is already the #1 site on Google, Bing and Yahoo for tour itinerary searches with a growing list of over 300 pre-formed and sample trips covering all market niches.

L

34,211 Population of Tupelo, Mississippi

60 Distance in miles from New Orleans to the Gulf of Mexico

30.6 Average annual U.S. per capita beer consumption in gallons

1848 Year that Wisconsin became a state

158 Length of Vermont in miles Pat Garin/New Orleans CVB

on my mind ❖

On My Mind jeff gayduk

❖ jeff gayduk

Are You Going to the Show?

AS THIS EDITION hits your mailbox,

The number of buyer registrations is

likely you’re putting final touches on fall

36% higher than last year at this time.

foliage trips, or better yet, out with your

Bus and tour operators from past Market-

groups experiencing fall’s splendor. This

places are joined by more than 75 new

edition helps with fall-themed articles on

buyer companies that did not attend Mar-

New Hampshire, plus reader recommen-

ketplace 2012. Traditionally, attendance

dations on hotspots and hiccups faced

from Western U.S. tour operators has

with planning autumn tours in this

lacked, but a new marketing campaign

month’s On the Record column.

has brought in a 20% increase in buyers

As you close the books on this year’s trips, take a deep breath because 2013 is

that purchase Western tour product.

The biggest buzz in the industry is

around the corner. Our industry’s associ-

NTA’s show merge with the United

ations aim to help you get out of the gate

Motorcoach Association (UMA). These

strong with their annual conventions.

two have been dancing for a few years

Vol. 22, No. 5 October 2012 Editorial & Advertising Office 621 Plainfield Road, Suite 406 Willowbrook, IL 60527 P 630.794.0696 • F 630.794.0652 info@ptmgroups.com

Publisher – Jeffrey Gayduk jeff@ptmgroups.com

Managing Editor – Randy Mink randy@ptmgroups.com Senior Editor – Dave Bodle dave@ptmgroups.com

Director, Design & Production – Robert Wyszkowski rob@ptmgroups.com

Regional Business Development Managers Illinois – Jim McCurdy P 630.794.0696 • F 630.794.0652 jim@ptmgroups.com

Northeast & Eastern Midwest/Canada – Harry Peck P 330.830.4880 • F 630.794.0652 harry@ptmgroups.com

now – past years saw an NTA-sponsored

Mid Atlantic – Ellen Klesta P 630.794.0696 • F 630.794.0652 ellen@ptmgroups.com

Association is the premier organization

tour & travel aisle at UMA’s traditionally

Southeast/West Coast – Cheryl Rash

for America’s largest tour operators. This

equipment-heavy show. In ’13 they walk

year’s convention takes place December

down the aisle together with the creation

P 563.613.3068 • F 815.225.5274 cheryl@ptmgroups.com

6-8 at the beautiful Hilton Waikaloa Resort

of Travel Exchange, an event that merges

on the Big Island of Hawaii, providing a

tour operators with equipment operators.

picturesque backdrop for the organiza-

Suppliers I’ve talked with are eager to

tion’s annual business meeting. Early

meet with new prospects.

The United States Tour Operators

reservations for the association’s annual

NTA’s registration numbers are ahead

event are strong with over 300 attendees

of last year’s at the same point and diver-

currently registered.

sification is a major key to their success.

This year USTOA celebrates its 40th

The organization’s faith-based leaders

anniversary with special events planned

forum already stands at double the atten-

as well as programming to position the

dance from the inaugural meeting last

organization for the next 40 years. A new

year, and they are introducing forums for

evening event called “WorldFest” will

the family and adventure markets as well

celebrate the global industry and all

as hosting a Hispanics in Travel caucus.

corners of the world that it touches.

Can’t decide which event to attend?

Returning to Charlotte for the second

Either can we – so whether you’re attend-

time in four years, the American Bus Asso-

ing one or all group travel association

ciation’s Marketplace 2013 is proving why

shows, look for Leisure Group Travel. We’ll

it is the annual business conference for

be there looking for interesting stories.

the group travel industry. From January 5-9 members will be taking advantage of

Happy Traveling,

Southern – Dolores Ridout P/F 281.762.9546 dolores@ptmgroups.com Frontier/Mountain West – Linda Ragusin P 630.794.0696 • F 630.794.0652 linda@ptmgroups.com Florida & Caribbean – Evelyn Stetler P 321.235.6002 • F 321.235.6094 evelyn@ptmgroups.com The publisher accepts unsolicited editorial matter, as well as advertising, but assumes no responsibility for statements made by advertisers or contributors. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information published, but the publisher makes no warranty that listings are free of error. The publisher is not responsible for the return of unsolicited photos, slides or manuscripts.

Leisure Group Travel (ISSN-1531-1406) is published bi-monthly by Premier Tourism Marketing, Inc. 621 Plainfield Road, Suite 406, Willowbrook, IL 60527. The magazine is distributed free of charge to qualified tour operators, travel agents, group leaders, bank travel clubs and other travel organizations. Other travel-related suppliers may subscribe at the reduced rate of $12.00 per year. The regular subscription price for all others is $18.00 per year. Single copies are $4.95 each.

Send Address Change to: Premier Tourism Marketing, Inc. P.O. Box 609, Palos Heights, IL 60463

A

publication

All rights reserved. Materials may not be reproduced in any form without written permission of the publisher.

the first business opportunity of the year through their registration and participation in a vibrant forum of buyers and sellers.

6 October 2012

Jeff Gayduk, Publisher LeisureGroupTravel.com

+ ention v n o C NTA XPO E h c a o otorc UMA M 2013 , 4 2 – 20 Januar y orida l F , o d Orlan

E T SI PLORE.

Discover the possibilities of attending two shows at once, and all for one price.

PAND.

Get everything you expect from the NTA Convention plus an additional Expo floor of potential business partners.

CEL.

Make the deals, shake the hands, absorb the information that will help you—and your company—move ahead.

Registration is op e

n now! Go to www .NTAonline.com/

Convention.

On Tour

❖ marty sarbey de souto, ctc

Reasons Why They Don’t Travel with You MANY OF US ASK ourselves “Why will they travel with us” or sometimes “What will make them want to travel

6

They’re nervous that they won’t

such as tips, drinks, meals not in-

be able to keep up – the pace, the

cluded, or optional sightseeing; they

walking. If seniors, perhaps they’re

want an estimate of these out-of-

with us? What destination or what

ashamed they’re slowing down, that

pocket costs, not just a list.

components can I put in my tours that

their body and memory aren’t function-

will make them want to come along?”

ing like they used to.

13

But, of course, when you ask your tour members what tour features they

7

clothes and whether they’ll have to buy

their spouse may not be as inter-

a whole new wardrobe for the climate

ested in the trip as they are, and forgo

your tours, they may tell you all the

it to keep peace in the family.

“plus” features and reasons you prob-

8

asked yourself about all those folks who don’t join your trips? You don’t know exactly who they are so it’s hard to ask them. But there are a lot

they have the appropriate

If married, they may know that

liked or why they came on one of

ably already know. Have you ever

They’re uneasy as to whether

They don’t want to do “touristy” things. They’d prefer to stay in a

and activities involved.

14

They’re very independent, used to being in charge;

they’d find it hard to give up the reins

Perhaps they’re afraid they won’t like the other trip participants

of them out there and most of them don’t share with you the reasons they stay away. Let’s take a quick look at a

little B&B and get close to the locals,

and let someone else run things for

few of these reasons.

go to the places they go, do the things

a change.

they do.

15

They’ve seen another’s similar trip

1

and it’s cheaper. In other words, if

they’re going at all, they’re choosing price rather over value.

2

If they go anywhere they want their freedom – the freedom to do

what they want when they want while they’re there.

3

9

They’re afraid to buy a travel product that’s intangible, that can’t

They may already have been there, done that. Yes, but if 20

years have passed since last there,

be returned to get their money back

might it not be fun to go back and see

after the trip if they didn’t like it.

the changes?

10

They feel uneasy going by themselves and resent having

to pay a single room supplement.

16

They’re not made to feel truly welcome if they call your

office to inquire. Perhaps your tele-

They’d prefer to have a friend going

phone advice is not sufficiently warm,

They’re impatient; standing in line

with them. Perhaps they’re recently

unrushed and personable.

waiting for others isn’t for them.

alone – divorced, widowed or what-

These are but a few of the myriad

They get irritable at what they perceive

ever – and feel like they’d be the odd-

of unspoken reasons they may be

as “wasting time.”

4 5

one-out tagging along with a group of

staying way. In the future we’ll try to

They’re afraid they won’t like the

couples.

come up with answers you can employ

other trip participants on board

11 12

and will be “stuck” with them.

They don’t like to commit to a date far ahead. Who knows if next

week or six months from now they’ll feel up to it, have the money or time to be away.

8 October 2012

They don’t know anyone who

to turn folks’ negatives into positives.

has gone on your trips and

Stay tuned. Watch for coming issues.

who can give them a referral.

They’re afraid financially.

They don’t fully understand

what additional personal expenses

Marty is a Certified Travel Counselor who designs and leads tours. Her travel industry consulting and educational firm is Sarbey Associates (sarbeyassociates.com).

they may have to pay as they go along LeisureGroupTravel.com

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On Agritourism

❖ jennifer spann

Farm Tourism is Sprouting All Across America HAY RIDES, PUMPKIN patches, corn

National Agricultural Statistics Service,

mazes and U-pick berry farms…what

more than 23,000 farms in 2007

an idyllic way to spend a day or two

received income from agritourism

partment of Agriculture and Commerce,

off the beaten path and away from the

that totaled more than $566 million.

agritourism is the fasting growing

hustle and bustle of traditional tourist

Mitchell Farms in Collins, Miss., is

sites around the state.

According to the Mississippi De-

sector of agriculture in the state.

attractions. With more and more

one example of how a family farm is

Sites on the AgriTourism Trail include

farms and ranches opening their

building a thriving business from the

farms, historic plantations, old country

doors, gates and pastures to the

growing interest in agritourism. With

stores, museums and other locations

public, agritourism is becoming much

an abundance of diverse activities to

that showcase Mississippi’s ever-

more than just a buzz word. Local

choose from year-round, visitors

evolving agricultural heritage. Visitors

goods, organic produce and heirloom

young and old can pick vegetables,

can build itineraries from more than

seeds are now a part of our everyday

tour historic farm buildings, visit the

35 featured sites via the state’s

shopping habits and emerging food choices. And many vacationers want to know more about how and where that food is produced.

Experiencing our nation’s agricultural heritage up close and personal

Agritourism has become a celebration of rural communities while introducing farm life to a new generation

through agritourism has become a celebration of America’s rural commu-

pumpkin patch and explore acres of

official tourism website, www.visitmis-

nities while introducing farm life to a

peanuts. Mitchell Farms also hosts

sissippi.org. Select from the Bamboo

new generation. In addition to the

the annual Mississippi Peanut Festival

Emu Farm in Meridian, Catfish Capital

recreational and educational benefits

the first Saturday of October. The

Museum in Belzoni, Old South Winery

for visitors, agritourism helps farmers,

property, like other agritourism sites

in Natchez, Wise Farms Corn Maze

ranchers and their families thrive and

around the country, is also an ideal

in Pontotoc or hay rides, farmers’ mar-

keep their businesses alive for future

venue for weddings, reunions, corpo-

kets, U-pick farms and more statewide.

generations. From California to Ver-

rate retreats and other group events.

Where cotton was once king, now

mont, farmers are using agritourism

As visitors demand more information

as an economic development tool in

about agritourism destinations, locales

tions are springing up to welcome

their communities.

are working to accommodate those

visitors and extend Mississippi’s

What exactly is agritourism? The

these and other industries and attrac-

needs and inform the public about

warm Southern hospitality. These

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

their travel options. Many states have

attractions allow visitors a chance to

describes agritourism as a style of

dedicated websites or other online

delve into life on the farm and indulge

vacation that takes place on a farm or

information to direct visitors to points

themselves in a culture that is still

ranch and usually involves visitors

of interest. Recently, Mississippi took

alive today.

participating in farm or ranch tasks.

that effort one step further with high-

These specialized agritourism desti-

way signage for its AgriTourism Trail, a

nations usually offer hands-on activi-

project of the Mississippi Development

ties, sell produce or gifts and are open

Authority’s Tourism Division. Mitchell

to the public at least some parts of

Farms received the first of 30 signs,

the year. According to the USDA’s

which will identify AgriTourism Trail

10 October 2012

Jennifer Spann is the public relations manager for the Mississippi Development Authority’s Tourism Division. She manages media relations, newsletter production, internal communications and other public relations functions for the state tourism office. You can reach her at jspann@mississippi.org.

LeisureGroupTravel.com

Because the only thing better than telling old stories is creating new ones.

If you’ve ever been to Columbus, you know it isn’t your ordinary destination. Its one-of-a-kind festivals, unique hands-on attractions and free-thinking attitude make it a city like no other and one your group is sure to love. So start planning your Columbus visit today at experiencecolumbus.com/tours or by calling 800-354-2657.

on the record ❖

On The Record Readers Volunteer Favorite Fall Foliage Destinations FOLLOWING ARE ANSWERS from Leisure Group Travel readers who responded to the question: What is your all-time favorite fall foliage destination? Any fall festivals and activities your groups have especially enjoyed?

What challenges have you faced in planning fall foliage trips?

CINDY HARTSOOK

CLAYTON WHITEHEAD

PAT GRIFFIN

Ohio’s Hocking Hills The Hocking Hills region of Ohio is picturesque during October.

There are seven state parks within a 10-mile radius that form the Hocking Hills State Park System.

The hills in the area give you an elevated view of the rapidly changing colors of the landscape. Old Man’s Cave, Ash Cave, Cantwell, Cedar Falls, Lake Logan and Rock House are just a few of the locations to view nature’s grandest works of art.

Go to http://www.hockinghills.com/ foliage_tours.html and choose from several routes that will take you through the region in about an hour each.

During the month of October, you will be immersed in nature dressed in her finest attire. When the most brilliant colors will appear is difficult to pinpoint. The amount of rain, cool nights, warm sunny days and other factors determine when the colors will be at their peak.

Our favorite place to stay is Glenlaurel Scottish Country Inn. It has been labeled the “premier romantic getaway of the Midwest.” The 140acre estate in Rockbridge includes the magnificent Camusfearna Gorge.

12 October 2012

The inn property has walking trails, caverns, rock cliffs, and waterfalls for you to enjoy. It is one hour southeast of Columbus.

Cindy Hartsook, Experience Columbus Columbus, OH

Scenic Minnesota I have taken my group to New England for fall colors—Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts. In the year of Katrina there were high winds and no colors, but we had a great time anyway. The next year we did the Mississippi around Winona and Wabasha, Minn., and it

for great color, though, because we have the best right here in MN and nothing beats Highway 169 from Mankato to Le Sueur. It’s a hardwood tree-lined stretch of highway and is lit up with oranges, reds and yellows. We enjoy visiting several apple markets along that stretch.

Ellen Borkenhagen Top of the Hill Club Director Profinium Financial, Inc., Fairmont, MN

Michigan & Ontario A favorite fall destination for groups traveling with Group Tours To Go is the Tunnel of Trees in the Grand Traverse Bay area of Michi-

The amount of rain, cool nights, warm sunny days and other factors determine when the colors will be at their peak. snowed that day. Colors were at their peak but didn’t “light up” on that particular day. My best trip was a cruise on the St. Croix River from Afton, Minn. It was a beautiful day. You just can’t pick that when you set up your trip.

I don’t have to travel the country

gan. Drive off the beaten path through the Tunnel of Trees. Start at Cross Village and follow M-119 to Harbor Springs. The scenic beauty of this drive offers special majesty during peak autumn color. Experience the canopy of trees that surrounds you as you drive along LeisureGroupTravel.com

the shore of Lake Michigan. Afterwards, drive through the beautiful resort towns of Harbor Springs and Petoskey, stop along the way at roadside stands, see the orchards and catch glimpses of beautiful Grand Traverse Bay. Fun fall activities in Michigan include visiting Hell and area. It’s beautiful with many lakes and trees.

Getting hijacked by a prison escapee, pumpkin patch rides, ghost tours and a haunted opera house can be included.

In Ontario, the Agawa Canyon Railroad is an amazing one-day train ride through the canyon with its glorious color display. You can include a stop in Bala, Ontario and take a cranberry tour. This includes a wagon ride through the working cranberry farm, learning about

LeisureGroupTravel.com

Lake Superior’s North Shore Scenic Byway makes an excellent backdrop. cranberry cultivation, browsing the Cranberry Emporium and finishing with a winemakers tour. The biggest fall foliage challenge would be getting there when the colors are at their peak.

Pat Griffin, Director of Operations Group Tours To Go, Cottam, Ontario

Blue Ridge Beauty Fall in Virginia is beautiful! We run many tours up to the Blue Ridge Parkway – as day trips out of Richmond. We also do New England fall tours (this year will be a cruise out of Baltimore with stops in Maine and Canada), and we’re also planning a fall trip to Pigeon

Forge and Gatlinburg.

I would think, over the years (I’ve been here 15), that the most popular fall tour has been to the Bedford area of Virginia with lunch at Peaks of Otter Lodge (which sits just off the Blue Ridge Parkway). We add a stop at an apple orchard and then groups can decide between the National D-Day Memorial or Natural Bridge.

Karolyn Hall, CTP Tour & Travel Specialist, SignaTours, Ltd., Richmond, VA

Old Man River My favorite fall foliage destination takes many by surprise. Every few years, I offer a tour called “Old Man

October 2012 13

on the record ❖

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River,” which is a drive along the Great River Road from St. Louis to St. Paul. Without a doubt, one of the most beautiful places in America (at fall foliage time or anytime) is Eastern Iowa. Far from flat, the limestone bluffs are simply breathtaking. An abundant mix of hardwoods assures good color. Small riverboat towns offer both history and charm. At any moment, you feel Mark Twain himself is going to come walking around the corner.

A visit to Effigy Mounds National Monument takes you back even further, to as early as 1400 BC! And throughout the drive, whether above or below the bluffs, Old Man River, the mighty Mississippi, is never out of sight.

Clayton Whitehead, CTP, CITM Vice President, Sports Leisure Vacations Sacramento, CA

Carolina Mountains Western NC and SC Highway 11 in South Carolina are absolutely the best!

Elaine Johnson Cross Country Tours-Trailways Spartanburg, SC

Orchards & Cruises MEMORIAL MUSEUM Monday - Saturday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Sunday 12 - 6 p.m., last ticket sold daily at 5 p.m.

Outdoor Symbolic Memorial grounds are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week MUSEUM ADMISSION Group Rates (15 or more) Adults $10 s Seniors (62+) $8 Military (With ID) $8 Students $5 (Chaperone ratio for free admission is 7 to 1)

Admission for bus drivers and group tour operators FREE 620 N Harvey Ave s Oklahoma City, OK 73102 405.235.3313 or 888.542.HOPE (4673)

OklahomaCityNationalMemorial.org 14 October 2012

We always journey to Tree-mendus Fruit Farm in Michigan to pick peaches and apples. When we arrive, someone from the family shares samples of the fruit available and how to preserve it. Following this demonstration, and shopping for homemade jams, jellies, pickles, etc., we hop on a seated wagon to go to the woods for a picnic – all homemade food, and, of course, peach cobbler for dessert. On our journey home, we stop at one of the many wineries in Michigan for tasting and appetizers. It is a yearly LeisureGroupTravel.com

In Ontario, the Agawa Canyon Railroad is an amazing one-day train ride through the canyon with its glorious color display. event, and everyone looks forward to the day.

Another fun day is taking a narrated cruise on Lake Geneva in Wisconsin. It is beautiful in the fall with colors in full bloom. We usually precede the cruise with lunch at the Red Geranium – a charming restaurant in an old home with a red geranium decor.

Esther M. Scott, Vice President Platinum Adventures Club Hinsdale (IL) Bank & Trust

Minnesota Favorites I have two personal favorite areas to take in the warm tones of the changing landscape. Lake Superior’s North Shore Scenic Byway makes

an excellent backdrop. And it’s easy to chase the hues at their best viewing here; the changing altitude as one moves inland from the lake assures one of finding a ribbon of color. My other spot is the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway in Minneapolis. Ideally, I jump on a bicycle and make the 45-mile trek around the city using the off-road bike paths found in the Minneapolis park system. And if time doesn’t allow for that, there’s always the chance to chase down color later in the season along the Mississippi on the Minnesota portion of the Great River Road. Nearly 30% of the river’s length is found in Minnesota and high bluffs and rolling hillsides frame the

IN THE DECEMBER ISSUE of Leisure Group Travel, our On the Record column will look at the business year ahead. Please send us your response to this question:

What New Year’s resolutions do you have for the year ahead?

What do you resolve to do to improve, strengthen or diversify your business?

Along with your comments, please include your name, company name and location. Also for publication, send a high-resolution photo of yourself. A selection of responses will be printed in the December 2012 issue. Thanks in advance for your valuable opinions.

Send to: Randy Mink, randy@ptmgroups.com river as it meanders toward the lower Midwest.

Chris Van Meter North America Marketing Explore Minnesota Tourism

Allentown | Bethlehem | Easton

Discover that there’s so much more to do in the fall than watch the leaves change color.

This fall, include Lehigh Valley, Pa., on your itinerary and discover some of the most unique venues on the East Coast.

Check out the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail that combines award-winning vintages with spectacular scenery.

Play at the Sands® Casino Resort Bethlehem. This huge entertainment complex features live-table games, over 3,000 slot machines, a luxurious new hotel, premium retail shopping outlets and plenty of dining options – including three Emeril Lagasse restaurants.

Offer groups fun destinations in Lehigh Valley like the legendary C.F. Martin & Co. Factory tour or one of our many fairs and festivals.

To request a free group tour planner, call Marc Kaminetsky at 1-800-MEET-HERE or visit DiscoverLehighValleyGroups.com.

LeisureGroupTravel.com

October 2012 15

on location: west ❖

daniel morrill

B

reweries started popping up in Colorado when gold miners flooded the state in the 1860s. The Rocky Mountains’ first brewers worked to make sure that every miner could at

least have a golden brew each night, even if his pan had come up empty that day. By 1880 there were 20 breweries in the new state, and that number has been growing ever since.

While most Coloradans no longer come home from the mines each night, they haven’t lost their passion for the five-oclock beer. With almost 150 breweries throughout the state, and

Steve Crecelius/VisitDenver

almost 100 of them craft breweries, it’s hard not to find a new favorite brew. As group planners are finding out more and more, a beer tour in Colorado is solid gold.

While best known for its craft breweries, the Centennial State is home to several large global beer factories. Coors Brewery in Raise your glass to Colorado’s beer culture at Wynkoop Brewing Company. The oldest brewpub in Denver is located near Coors Field.

Golden is the single largest brewery in the world, producing

ONTAP

walking tour of the factory shows groups the beer-making

Plant tours, brewpubs and frothy festivals showcase craft brews and big brands in Colorado’s “Beer Triangle”

more than 24 million barrels of beer each year. A free, 40-minute process, from malting to brewing to packaging. Samples of Coors products, including several craft beers, are available after the tour. Visit the Coors and Co. gift shop for beer-themed merchandise.

America’s largest beer company, Anheuser-Busch, also has a brewery in the Rockies. Busch accounts for almost 50 percent of the United States’ beer production, and its brewery in Fort Collins is one of its newest in the country. Groups can enjoy a complimentary tour of the facilities with tastings of AnheuserBusch products afterwards. Budweiser’s western team of Clydesdales resides at the brewery. When the team isn’t away at parades or fairs, groups can see the massive horses that have appeared in numerous Super Bowl commercials. A behind-the-scenes Beermaster tour and an interactive Beer School session are available for a charge.

Denver, Boulder and Fort Collins form what some call the “Beer Triangle” or the “Napa Valley of Beer” due to the volume and variety of breweries in the area. Denver produces more beer per capita than any other U.S. city, and the Breckenridge Brewery of Denver leads the way. The nation’s 41st largest craft brewery features a main line of beers, seasonal beers, smallbatch beers and three barrel-aged corked beers. A satellite brewery and pub half a block from Coors Field is a great place to have a beer before, during or after a Rockies game.

Wynkoop Brewing Company, founded by former Denver mayor and current Colorado governor John Hickenlooper, is

VisitDenver

Denver’s oldest brewpub and Colorado’s first craft brewery. Take a free tour and sample the signature Oktoberfest brew, Scottish ale or one of its famous small-batch beers. The second floor of Denver’s LoDo District is home to many brewpubs and hip restaurants, plus a landmark railroad station that serves Amtrak passengers.

16 October 2012

the building has 22 pool tables, two private billiards rooms, dart lanes and a bar serving a full selection of Wynkoop products.

LeisureGroupTravel.com

© Jason

E. Kaplan

Fort Collins Brewery is one of several tour highlights in a city famous for beer.

Jamie Johnson

Enjoy artisan cheeses and other delectables at Denver’s annual Great American Beer Festival.

Guests on the Denver Microbrew Tour get to sample several craft breweries on a walk through downtown’s historic LoDo district.

LeisureGroupTravel.com

October 2012 17

on location: west ❖

ONLINE EXCLUSIVE: For the lowdown on downtown Denver’s rousing LoDo district, go to LeisureGroupTravel.com and enter this numerical code: 31720.

Stops on a beer tour of Colorado might include Walnut Brewery, a brewpub in downtown Boulder, and the massive Coors plant in Golden.

The Denver Microbrew Tour is a walking tour through down-

day beer fest boasts over 150 beer-related events including

town Denver’s historic LoDo district with stops and tastings at

brewer competitions, firkin nights, meet-the-brewer nights and

several craft breweries. River North Brewery, Rock Bottom and

a beer crawl. The three-day beer festival is known as the in-

Falling Rock Tap House join Breckenridge and Wynkoop as

dustry’s “Super Bowl.” America’s most prestigious beer com-

stops on the tour.

petition and the world’s largest beer celebration is held in

Don’t miss the Denver Beer Fest and Great American Beer Festival, which overlap each other in early October. The nine-

18 October 2012

Denver’s Colorado Convention Center and in 2011 featured more than 2,400 beers from over 500 breweries.

LeisureGroupTravel.com

Obtain Colorado visitor guides and itineraries and contact groupfriendly suppliers directly at leisuregrouptravel.com/instant-info

Boulder is home to the Avery Brewing Company, which

lower alcohol content for a crisp, refreshing taste while the

has been creating unique and eccentric ales and lagers for

Conundrum combines malt sweetness and hops bitterness

19 years. With 23 original brews, ABC’s “unthought-of fla-

for a flavor that’s hard to figure out.

vors” include the roasted barley-stuffed Out of Bounds Stout,

Whether your group wants to savor the intimate setting of a

extra hops and extra alcohol-saturated India Pale Ale, apri-

microbrewery or see how a global beer is mass-produced, Col-

cot and peach-infused Belgium golden ale Salvation, and tof-

orado has everything a great beer tour needs. So pack your

fee and mocha-reinforced imperial stout The Czar. Best of

bottle opener, wrap up your favorite tall glass and don’t miss

all, Avery continues to experiment with new combinations to

this golden opportunity. LGT

expand its already one-of-a-kind libation lineup. Boulder Beer Company also makes some colorful brews such as the Hazed & Infused American Pale Ale, while Upslope Brewing packages all their beer in aluminum, not bottles. Each of these Boulder breweries offer tours.

On your way from Boulder to Fort Collins, or vice versa, make sure to stop off in Longmont. Oskar Blues Brewery is another famous beer canner, making sure that its Dale’s Pale Ale and Gub’na Imperial IPA stay fresh without interference from sunlight or oxygen. Lefthand Brewing Company has achieved international success with medals at the Great American Beer Festival and World Beer Cup for its Milk Stout and Sawtooth. In addition to the brews, LBC has some of the best tasting rooms and patios you’ll find in the Rockies.

While inevitably smaller than the nearby Anheuser-Busch Brewery, Fort Collins’ New Belgium makes a whole lot of beer for a microbrewery. Among the 150,000 barrels produced every year is a healthy amount of Fat Tire, a great amber ale with a nice balance of malt and hops. Other popular varieties include Ranger IPA, Sunshine Wheat, Shift and Blue Paddle. Take a tour and see how this brewery is 100 percent wind-powered and the largest of its kind in the world. Fort Collins Brewery and Odell Brewing Company are great places to round out a Fort Collins beer tour.

Outside of the Beer Triangle but still very popular is the Aspen Brewing Company. A great place to have a beer after a day of skiing, snowboarding or summer recreation, the brewery makes Ajax Pilsner, Brown Bearale, Conundrum Red Ale and Pyramid Peak Porter. The Ajax teams floral flavors with a LeisureGroupTravel.com

October 2012 19

on location: south â?–

S n E r a Ol

vanessa day

e Nw

ONLY IN

History, food, art and music draw tour groups to the Big Easy, a city like no other

M

usic streams from every

As a first-time visitor, I was a little un-

doorway on Bourbon Street,

sure about where to go and how best to

inviting people to sway with the

get around. However, I quickly learned

beat. Laughter is heard from

that people are eager to help, and even

every group that passes

more willing to share their favorite

by. The joie de vivre, or

places to see in New Orleans. The lo-

zest for life, is undeniably.

cals love their city, and they are not shy

It is rare to see a frown in New Orleans, as

about sharing their thoughts. This wel-

the sheer vibrancy and energy of the place per-

coming environment made it easy for

meates every particle of one’s body. The mo-

me to settle in, enjoy my stay and ex-

ment I stepped onto the streets of the Crescent

plore all New Orleans has to offer. And

City, I felt this vivacity, this passion for art, music

there is certainly a lot.

and life. It is something one cannot escape, a

New Orleans has deep historical

quality that keeps people coming back to New

roots, and the past can be experi-

Orleans time and time again.

enced through various attractions.

20 October 2012

Chris Granger/New Orleans CVB

Jeff Anding/New Orleans CVB

A jazz orchestra raises the roof at one of the many French Quarter nightspots open until the wee hours.

LeisureGroupTravel.com

Obtain Louisiana visitor guides and itineraries and contact groupfriendly suppliers directly at leisuregrouptravel.com/instant-info

in a quiet corner of the French Quarter.

Here, tour groups discover six blocks with over 20 unique retailers, performance venues, cafes, eateries, a flea market and a farmers’ market. The French Market is easily accessible, and tour buses have a designated spot on North Peters Street where they can load and unload passengers quickly. From there, tour groups can wander by various vendors selling all kinds of unique crafts, jewelry and clothing. More often than not, there will be some kind of musical performance going on, whether it’s a large band playing on one of the stages or a jazz group jamming on the walkways.

New Orleans dishes range from gumbo (above) to étouffée, jambalaya and poboys.

One can’t-miss local delicacy is found at the end of the French Market. Cafe du

The Louisiana State Museum has four landmark museums

Monde serves up traditional chicory-infused coffee and

in the French Quarter. In Jackson Square, tour groups will

beignets dusted with powdered sugar. But make sure you ar-

find three of the properties: Cabildo, Presbytere and the 1850

rive early, since the line can get long, and have cash on hand,

House.

as they take no other form of payment.

The Cabildo dates back to 1799 and has served as a city

After sampling some of New Orleans’ signature fare, grab-

hall, courthouse and prison before becoming a museum. Visi-

bing a couple souvenirs and checking out landmarks in the

tors can learn about 200 years of Louisiana history on three

French Quarter, tour groups can head over to the historic street

floors of ever-changing exhibits. The Presbytere is directly on

car that will take them through the downtown/arts/warehouse

the other side of St. Louis Cathedral and mirrors the Cablido

district and down St. Charles Avenue, with rows of mansions

design. Its permanent exhibit Living with Hurricanes: Katrina

lining the street. Groups can board at Canal Street and St.

and Beyond emphasizes the history and science of these

Charles for $1.25 each, exact change is required—and you will

storms and their impact on the lives of the people of New Or-

have to pay again if you ride it all the way to the end and turn

leans. The 1850 House, the only Pontalba apartment open to the public, showcases the furniture and decor of the merchant family in antebellum New Orleans. The Friends of the Cabildo has a gift shop on the ground tour and offers French Quarter walking tours.

The U.S. Mint, located just down the street from Jackson Square, is a large Greek Revival building with exhibits on coin-making equipment and rare coins New Orleans CVB/Chris Granger

minted there. Upper floors are dedicated to the city’s musical heritage. The brand new performance space on the top floor features free jazz concerts almost every day.

The flavor of New Orleans can be experienced at the French Market, located LeisureGroupTravel.com

Crafts, jewelry, clothing and fresh produce lure tourists to the French Market.

October 2012 21

on location: south ❖

vanessa day

back. Most groups, however, choose to get off at one of the stops and explore the Garden District, with its antebellum homes and immaculate gardens.

While the street car passes through the arts and warehouse district, that does not mean it should be overlooked. This neighborhood is booming with art and culture, as well as a number of must-see museums, including the National World War II Museum. It captures the magnitude of the war through personal stories of soldiers and their families at home, exceptional Jeff Anding/ New Orleans CVB

artifacts and the 4D film Beyond All Boundaries, narrated by Tom Hanks.

Just northwest of the warehouse district and French Quarter is one of the country’s oldest African-American neighborhoods, Tremé. Lisa Holland, tourism sales manager at the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau, says the area has received much attention lately, thanks in large part to an

Lacy wrought-iron balconies grace French Quarter buildings.

t’s easy to get caught up in the Big Easy’s one-of-a-kind cultural scene, but it can be nice to escape to quieter environs. The plantations on the outskirts of New Orleans and beyond provide tour groups with a completely different atmosphere.

Located about an hour and a half from New Orleans along the Great River Road, Nottoway Plantation spans 22 acres and features the largest antebellum home remaining in Louisiana. A tour of the 64room, three-story mansion spotlights the history of the 150-year-old plantation.

Nottaway’s group package includes a 45minute tour of the mansion, museum and

mini-theater, followed by a three-course Cajun lunch at the mansion restaurant.

While Nottoway is a popular destination, it can be a bit of a trek from New Orleans. There are a number of plantations within 30 minutes of the city. New Orleans Plantation Country, situated along Interstate 10, boasts eight of the state’s most famous plantations, traditional Creole and Cajun cuisine, and vibrant bayou culture.

Destrehan Plantation was the site of the 1811 slave revolt, the largest one in U.S. history. It offers costumed guided tours and live demonstrations. Other plantations of note are Laura Plantation,

Louisiana Office of Tourism

I

Ancient oaks frame Oak Alley Plantation on Louisiana’s Great River Road.

22 October 2012

Louisiana Office of Tourism

Escape to Plantation Country

An antique harp is among the treasures displayed at Nottoway Plantation.

home of the B’rer Rabbit story, with indepth discussions of slavery and a tour of a slave cabin; Oak Alley Plantation, known for towering oak trees; and St. Joseph Plantation, one of the few fully intact sugar cane plantations in the River Parishes.

Plantation Country offers a wonderful escape for tour groups looking for an alternative to the crazed, crowded environment of New Orleans. The majestic mansions, mysterious swamps, and Old South charm make these plantations worth a visit.

For information on New Orleans Plantation Country, contact the River Parishes Tourist Commission, 866-2047782; neworleansplantationcountry.com.

LeisureGroupTravel.com

ONLINE EXCLUSIVE: Read about New Orleans’ new double-decker bus tours at LeisureGroupTravel.com and enter this numerical code: 31984.

Fish Grill, serving up New Orleans seafood in a vibrant, eclectic setting; save room for dessert, as this place is well known for its Bananas Foster Ice Cream and Double Chocolate Bread Pudding. Just across from the French Market is Tujague’s, the city’s second oldest restaurant, where groups can enjoy a five-course Creole menu.

The city is full of moderately priced hotels well-equipped to handle tour groups. The 186-room Four Points by Sheraton French Quarter just opened its doors after undergoing a massive renovation. The Saint Hotel, open since January, offers 166 rooms, an elite restaurant and rooftop bar.

New Orleans CVB

“New Orleans is a one-of-a-kind destination, filled with activities and events for every visitor. With its world-renowned Visitors in the French Quarter are bound to find street entertainment.

culinary, nightlife and music scenes, the city is a destination for all ages,” says Jenn Lotz, manager, communications & PR for the NOCVB. “It’s no wonder New Orleans is a popular des-

HBO show chronicling events in the neighborhood in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

“In Tremé, there are a lot of neat things,” says Holland.

tination for group travel.”

I found New Orleans to be educational, thrilling and truly unique, and I count myself among the many who vow to return.

“There’s the New Orleans African American Museum, the

For information on planning a group visit to New Orleans,

Backstreet Cultural Museum, Louis Armstrong Park. That’s all

contact the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau, 800-

in that little neighborhood, which kind of ties into the history of

748-8695; neworleanscvb.com. LGT

the African-American in New Orleans and the history of the Mardi Gras Indian culture.”

If tour groups want to venture off the beaten path, try the Old New Orleans Rum Distillery, about 10 minutes from the French Quarter. Tours begin with a cocktail, then take groups through the distillation process. The visit concludes with a tasting of all four products. Groups also might want to check out the Southern Food & Beverage Museum, Ogden Museum of Southern Art and Mardi Gras World.

New Orleans is known for its food, and a trip there would not be complete without trying some of the Crescent City’s famous dishes. The Palace Cafe is a three-story restaurant housed in the old Werlein building on Canal Street, a city landmark for over 100 years. Guests can enjoy contemporary Creole creations like crabmeat cheesecake and Andouille Crusted Fish. It has rooms on the third floor that accommodate tour groups. Just around the corner is Red LeisureGroupTravel.com

October 2012 23

on location: south ❖

vernie wong

Keeping Up with the Hatfields and McCoys

Mountain culture captivates groups in a popular tourism region of West Virginia Rifles, shotguns and revolvers were among the weapons used by ornery family members in the Hatfield-McCoy feud, which started in the 1860s.

At the park’s amphitheater, the Aracoma Story, Inc., West Virginia’s longest-running outdoor theater company, presents live performances, including the The Aracoma Story. Based on historical facts and local legend, it tells the romantic tale of Princess Aracoma and British soldier Boling Baker. Groups of 15 or more may purchase discounted tickets.

The region’s hilly setting gives ATV riders an opportunity to race through Hatfield-McCoy Trails, known as “Trails Heaven.” Com© 2012 JupiterImages Corporation

D

prising more than 500 miles of

eriving its name

trails and six individual trail systems, it

from two feuding

provides a fine experience for ATV riders

families that have

at various levels.

become part of popular culture, the Hat-

Hatfield-McCoy is also home to

field-McCoy region of southern West

Twisted Gun Golf Club, an 18-hole golf

Virginia has a rich history that visitors can

course that was designed on a former

discover through a wealth of attractions.

mine site in Gilbert. It has 14 sets of tees,

Also beckoning groups is a mountainous

aimed to challenge both novice and pro-

landscape with an abundance of outdoor

fessional players.

Madison’s Coal Heritage Museum pre-

adventures.

Recreation enthusiasts flock to Chief

serves the heritage of the region’s coal

Logan State Park, one of the most visited

fields through artifacts, photographs and

parks in West Virginia. It offers hiking

oral history recordings. Visitors can see a

trails, picnic shelters, playgrounds, camp-

simulated coal mine and engage in hands-

sites and a wildlife center, plus hiking,

on activities. The museum also has a com-

fishing and swimming. Guests at the

pany store and miners home.

park’s 75-room lodge enjoy a compli-

A pivotal point in the region’s history,

mentary continental breakfast and such

the Matewan Massacre was the aftermath

amenities as an indoor pool, hot tub and fitness room.

24 October 2012

Tours visit the grave of clan leader “Devil Anse” Hatfield (1839-1921).

of a labor dispute in 1920, when local miners marched in Matewan to assert their LeisureGroupTravel.com

on location: south ❖

Obtain West Virginia visitor guides and itineraries and contact group-friendly suppliers directly at leisuregrouptravel.com/instant-info

The museum in Chief Logan State Park and the Coal House in Williamson (built from 65 tons of coal) reflect West Virginia’s cultural heritage.

rights. The term “redneck” comes from the marchers with red

trialized society. Family-style lodging, wagon rides and a pet-

bandanas tied around their necks. Matewan’s Welcome Cen-

ting zoo, plus group tours, are available.

ter offers exhibits about the event, coal mining and HatfieldMcCoy feud.

Shop and dine at Tamarack, “The Craft Center of West Virginia,” in Beckley, the nation’s first statewide collection of hand-

Groups in this part of West Virginia also may want to ex-

made crafts, arts and cuisine. Purchase goods such as

plore Heritage Farm Museum & Village in Huntington. Its 16

baskets, pottery and preserves. Tamarack’s art gallery displays

buildings and five museums depict pioneer life and how in-

the works of West Virginia artists. Its food court, A Taste of

ventions transitioned the nation from an agrarian to an indus-

West Virginia, serves special menu items like rainbow trout with lemon brown butter.

“New River Train & The Hatfields” is a four-day tour offered by U.S. Tours (ustours.biz). Groups meet in Huntington to check into a hotel for a three-night stay. A narrated train through the scenic New River Gorge, known as the “Grand Canyon of the East,” is a tour highlight. Upon arrival at The Greenbrier Resort’s rail station, groups have lunch at The Greenbrier and tour the Cold War Bunker built by the Eisenhower Administration. A visit to the Blenko Glass Factory in Milton shows a collection of hand-blown glass. Groups also travel to the coalfields to learn about the Matewan Massacre. Visits to some of the Hatfield & McCoy feud sites are followed by a “Stolen Pig Dinner.” (A stolen pig was the basis of the arguments between the Hatfields and McCoys.) Featuring barbecue pork and live entertainment, the meal is a tongue-in-cheek spoof of the event.

For more information on the region, call 304-235-0370 or visit hatfieldmccoycountry.com. LGT

26 October 2012

LeisureGroupTravel.com

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October 2012 27

on location: south ❖

he phrase “small town Mississippi” conjures up im-

Aberdeen was once a thriving cotton port and one of the

ages of quaint little towns with friendly residents dis-

largest cities in the state. That era is over, but many stately anarchitecturally beautiful towns in Mississippi. The best-known

plenty of that, but Mississippi’s out-of-the-way attractions offer

property is The Magnolias, a three-story Greek Revival man-

so much more: artists’ colonies, impressive mansions, literary

sion built in 1850, but Aberdeen has more than 200 buildings on

heritage and unexpectedly large collections of Elvis memora-

the National Register of Historic Places. Take the self-guided

bilia. Take your group to one of these small towns and prepare

tour that takes you past almost 50 of them or come for the

to be surprised.

springtime Southern Heritage Pilgrimage to experience both the

NATCHEZ

CORINTH

TUPELO

SMALL TOWNS OF

Vicksburg CVB

tebellum homes still stand, making Aberdeen one of the most

Tupelo CVB

playing some of that famous Southern hospitality to

visitors strolling down historic Main Streets. You’ll certainly find

Corinth Area CVB

Sally B. Durkin/Natchez CVB

T

matt barry

VICKSBURG

A new statue in downtown Tupelo shows Elvis Presley rockin’ up a storm. It stands in Fairpark, the site of the MS/AL Fair and Dairy Show where Elvis performed in 1956 and 1957.

MISSISSIPPI

Antebellum grandeur, Main Street charm and reminders of Elvis await visitors in the Magnolia State 28 October 2012

Courtesy of the Tupelo Convention and Visitors Bureau

LeisureGroupTravel.com

Vicksburg CVB

Obtain Mississippi visitor guides and itineraries and contact groupfriendly suppliers directly at leisuregrouptravel.com/instant-info

Ameristar and other casino hotels offer gaming action on the Mississippi riverfront in Vicksburg, a city known for its Civil War heritage.

houses and special events. (aberdeenms.org)

packed museums on topics ranging from Jewish history to fire

Because of its strategic railroads, Corinth was the site of

trucks. At night, head on down to Nelson Street or Walnut

two vicious battles during the Civil War. As a result, this is prob-

Street for some of the blues for which Greenville is so rightfully

ably the best town in Mississippi to visit for Civil War buffs.

known. (visitgreenville.org)

Among the war-related sites are the Civil War Interpretive Cen-

Cotton is still king in Greenwood, home to one of the largest

ter and Battery F, the best preserved earthwork system in

markets for the crop in America, but the town has a good deal

America. Other town highlights include the Verandah-Curlee

else to offer. The Cottonlandia Museum is a great place to learn

House, a beautiful antebellum structure that was the head-

about the Native American history of the region and has many

quarters for both Union and Confederate generals at different

interesting artifacts, including a mastodon skeleton. A museum

times, and Borroums Drug Store, founded by a Confederate

chronicling more recent events is the Blues Heritage Museum,

veteran and home to an authentic working soda fountain and

which you might want to pair with a stop at the Robert Johnson

the famous Slugburger. (corinth.net)

Tombstone, possible burial site of the “King of the Delta Blues

Holly Springs boasts an impressive number of stately, prewar homes. Walter Place, where General Ulysses Grant’s fam-

Singers.” Hopefully all that will make you hungry because Greenwood is a center of Delta cuisine. (gcvb.com)

ily stayed during part of the Civil War, is among the most

Natchez boasts that it has more antebellum homes than

impressive, with two Gothic-style towers unusual for Southern

any other city in the United States, largely thanks to its luck in

architecture. Other notable homes open to the public include

never becoming a battleground during the Civil War. Those

Strawberry Plains, Montrose and Burton Place. The town, as

homes are prominently on display during the spring and fall pil-

the birthplace of painter Kate Freeman Clark, is also known for

grimages, which attract fans of architecture and Southern his-

its art. A museum with 1,200 pieces of her work is reputedly

tory. Other historic sites include Trinity Episcopal Church, with

the world’s largest devoted to a single artist. A more offbeat

its stained glass windows, and St. Mary’s Catholic Church, the

site can be found at Graceland Too, a private home that owner

first cathedral built in Mississippi. There is also excellent golf-

Paul MacLeod opens to the public so that he can personally

ing, including Duncan Park, home of the aptly-named water

guide them around his large collection of Elvis memorabilia.

hazard Lake Dammit. (visitnatchez.org)

(visithollysprings.com)

Local legend holds that General Grant, on his way to lay

Greenville is best known for turning out two things: blues

siege to Vicksburg during the Civil War, was going to destroy

music and the Muppets. Famed puppeteer Jim Henson was

the town of Port Gibson, but when he saw the town he de-

born in Greenville and grew up in nearby Leland, which now

clared it was “too beautiful to burn.” Visitors should be thank-

bills itself as the birthplace of Kermit the Frog and features ex-

ful for the general’s mercy because it means they can still see

hibitions about the boyhood of its most famous native son. Ker-

sights like First Presbyterian Church, a 19th century structure

mit’s birthplace is only one stop on Washington County’s

topped by a giant metal hand pointing heavenwards. Other

Museum Mile, which is comprised of over a dozen tightly

sites include Eagleton House, home of the state’s oldest formal

LeisureGroupTravel.com

October 2012 29

on location: south â?– gardens, and Wintergreen Cemetery, final resting place of Confederate General Earl Van Dorn. (portgibsononthemississippi.com) The history of Ocean Springs dates back to 1699, when a French explorer established a fort here along the Gulf Coast.

Sally B. Durkin/Natchez CVB

Named Ocean Springs in honor of the nearby spring waters and their supposed curative powers, it was a popular destination for artists in the second half of the 20th century. Visitors can tour the oak tree-lined streets of downtown or browse among the numerous arts galleries. The most famous artist to reside here was Walter Anderson, whose work can be seen at the Walter Anderson Museum of Art along with that of his artis-

Hope Farm, a plantation built in the 1770s and once home to the Spanish governor, is featured on spring and fall pilgrimages in Natchez.

tic family members. St. John’s Episcopal Church, a wood-shingled building designed by famous architect Louis Sullivan, is also worth a visit. (oceanspringschamber.com/visitors)

For visitors to Tupelo, the essential site is a two-room shotgun house because of a baby born there in 1935 by the name

Oxford is a quiet college town that is home to the University

of Elvis Presley. The house is surrounded by a 15-acre park

of Mississippi. There is more to see in Oxford than just the pic-

with a museum, memorial fountain and bronze statue of “The

turesque campus, though. The premier draw is Rowan Oak,

King� as a boy. Other Elvis sites include the Pentecostal

longtime home of Nobel Prize-winning author William Faulkner,

Church where he sang gospel songs as a boy and the hard-

who used a fictionalized version of Oxford as a setting for many

ware store where he bought his first guitar. The store, Tupelo

of his novels. The literary spirit here still lives; in the historic

Hardware Company, still gives out handwritten sales tickets in-

downtown square you will find one of the best independent book

stead of printed receipts and still sells guitars. To paraphrase

stores in the nation, Square Books. Antebellum homes, such as

a town motto, Tupelo puts a little Elvis in everything they do.

the L.Q.C. Lamar House, dot the town, (oxfordcvb.com)

The Tupelo Automobile Museum displays more than 100 antique, classic and celebrity cars, including a Lincoln owned by

Lucille tells all!

Elvis. (tupelo.net) Vicksburg will be forever known for its role as the key to the Mississippi River during the Civil War. Vicksburg National Military Park has trenches and artillery positions that re-

“Best museum we’ve been to in the USA.�

create what it must have been like during the famous siege.

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riverboat casinos and several stately mansions open to visi-

“This Museum alone is worth a trip to Mississippi.�

tors. Two museums just opened in downtown Vicksburg—the

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mer train station with a collection of ship and riverboat models,

“...likely the most elaborate museum in the U.S. about a single living musician.�

miniature cars and model railroad layouts. There is also a

² &UDLJ +DYLJKXUVW 7KH :DOO 6WUHHW -RXUQDO

are open to visitors, the most notable of which is Rosemont

There is also a restored ironclad warship that was raised from the depths after being sunk in 1862. Vicksburg is home to four

Lower Mississippi Riverfront Museum, which houses a restored, dry docked riverboat, and Old Depot Museum, a for-

small museum commemorating the spot where Coca-Cola was first bottled. (visitvicksburg.com) Woodville is home to many antebellum structures that Plantation, where Confederate President Jefferson Davis spent his boyhood years. A self-guided walking tour of the town’s historic structures has been created by the Woodville Civic Club. The town is also known for its antique stores.

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30 October 2012

(woodville4.tripod.com) LGT ONLINE EXCLUSIVE: For a look at Mississippi’s Civil War sites, go to LeisureGroupTravel.com and enter this numerical code: 31676.

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on religious travel ❖

randy mink

Jerusalem: Epicenter of Faith

E

ven the non-religious feel the spiritual energy of Old Jerusalem, perhaps the holiest place on the planet.

Casual tourists get caught up in the moment as they witness Jews swaying, praying and reading Scripture at the Western Wall. On the hilltop above loom Dome of the Rock and ElAqsa Mosque, sites of Muslim prayer and pilgrimage. Inside the dimly lit Church of the Holy Sepulcher, a short walk away, devout Christians, many trembling with emotion, rub their hands and faces on the stone where it’s believed Christ’s body was prepared for burial.

Touring Jerusalem, a city sacred to the world’s three great monotheistic religions, is indeed an intense, multi-layered experience.

The weight of history and religion lies beyond every turn, feeding the intellect and sustaining the spirit. Sights and smells of Middle Eastern street life assault the senses, injecting a heady dose of exoticism. And there’s always the tension between Jews and Arabs that permeates the region. With so much for the first-time visitor to see and ponder, Jerusalem is almost too rich for the blood.

Israel may be an ancient land dating to prebiblical times, but it’s as contemporary as today’s headlines. The modern state of Israel is only 64 years old. While religious travel groups come to the Holy Land to experience places they’ve heard about since childhood, they get a taste of 21st century geopolitics as well. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

A lifetime is what you really need to take in all that this city holds. Most travelers settle for a few overnights. My recent one-week trip, for example, began with three days in Jerusalem, the bare minimum I would recommend for any Israel itinerary. Front-loading your tour with Jerusalem certainly starts it off with a bang, though I found that nothing else in the days ahead could compare with the initial rush. Mak-

A divine aura enthralls visitors to this place of pilgrimage, one of the most important cities in the world 32 October 2012

any trip on a high note. The main thing is to take advantage of every waking moment there. I did.

The Western Wall is the most sacred structure in Judaism and the most visited site in Israel.

LeisureGroupTravel.com

Randy Mink

ing Jerusalem the last stop would certainly end

Obtain Israel visitor guides and itineraries and contact groupfriendly suppliers directly at leisuregrouptravel.com/instant-info

Our hotel, the David Citadel, made a good base camp within easy walking distance of East Jerusalem’s walled Old City, the focal point of touristic activity. We were just minutes from the Jaffa Gate via the fashionable new Mamilla Mall, a In the Old City, a labyrinth divided into Christian, Muslim, Jewish and Armenian quarters, you’ll find shrines, churches, convents, mosques and synagogues. Priests, monks, nuns and other clergy—some of them leading groups—are commonly seen on the mostly car-free streets. Church bells toll and the muezzin call the Muslim faithful to prayer. You’ll see observant Jews in black and white scurrying to the Western Wall

Israel Ministry of Tourism Photos

pedestrian shopping magnet with hip stores and cafes.

The magnificent Dome of the Rock, with the Western Wall in the foreground, crowns the Temple Mount, dominating Jerusalem’s skyline.

or synagogues in the Jewish Quarter.

The Old City is also a bazaar, or souk, dominated by Arab

leap to life in a virtual tour with computer-animated re-creations

merchants peddling brassware, oriental rugs, caftans and

of the grand Second Temple complex, built by King Herod

spangly belly dancer outfits from hole-in-the-wall shops lin-

more than 2,000 years ago. (Today 95 percent of a building fa-

ing the alleyways. Spice merchants display sacks brimming

cade in Jerusalem, by law, must be constructed with the tawny

with cinnamon and ginger, cumin and coriander. For religious

limestone that gives the city its character.)

pilgrims there are vials of holy oil, candles, framed Orthodox

The Western Wall, built to support the western side of the

icons, rosaries, menorahs and manger sets carved from olive

Temple Mount, is the only fragment to survive the Roman de-

wood. Stop for a glass of fresh-squeezed orange or pome-

struction of the Second Temple complex in 70 A.D. A center of

granate juice. Or satisfy your sweet tooth with a sticky Arab

Jewish yearning through the ages, it is Judaism’s most sacred

pastry.

structure and the most visited site in Israel.

For a bird’s eye view of the

I entered the men’s prayer area, picked up

Old City, walk along the ramparts

a yarmulke (skullcap) from the pile and went

atop the yellowish stone walls

over to the Wall. Following tradition, I wedged

that encircle the enclave. Gaze

between the timeless stones a folded scrap of

upon the rooftops, domes, spires

paper with a hastily written prayer. All around

and minarets, and peek into hid-

me were men and boys reading and praying

den courtyards and gardens.

out loud, some of them Orthodox Jews with

Touring excavations at the foot of the Western Wall is an archaeology buff’s dream and puts the past in perspective. Our Jerusalem tour started at this dig

Arab bakers sell their wares in the alleyways of the Old City’s Muslim Quarter.

site, the city’s ancient core. Described as the City of David, it’s where the Israelites’ King David established his capital around 1000 BC. One ruin is believed to be his palace.

David’s son, Solomon, built the First Temple of God on Mount Moriah, now known as the Temple Mount, located just north of the dig site. On a guided adventure through the excavations encompassed by Jerusalem Archaeological Park, visitors see volunteers sifting through gravel. And there are some dark, dank tunnels to squeeze through.

“Who is claustrophobic?” our guide asked. One tour member raised his hand and decided to meet up with us later.

A 15-minute, 3-D film in the park’s visitor center provides orientation. In another presentation the honey-colored stones LeisureGroupTravel.com

In the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, pilgrims pray at the Stone of Unction, where it’s believed Christ’s body was prepared for burial.

October 2012 33

on religious travel ❖

ISRAEL’S DEAD SEA REGION

beards and side curls, dressed in the tradihe lowest spot on earth, an easy side trip from Jerusalem, is a high point of any tour to Israel.

Many itineraries include a day touring sights east of Jerusalem and sometimes an overnight at a resort hotel on the Dead Sea, a super-salty body of water 1,300 feet below sea level. On the 4,000-foot descent from Jerusalem to the Dead Sea, only a distance of 15 miles, groups often stop at the roadside “Sea Level” marker, where they pose with the sign and, for a fee, an enterprising Bedouin and his camel.

At the northwestern corner of the Dead Sea are the ruins at Qumran, an ancient settlement near caves where Bedouin shepherds in 1947 discovered a real treasure—seven scrolls that later became known as the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Wrapped in cloth and hidden in jars for nearly 2,000 years, the leather-like

T

tional black hats and frock coats, white shirts and stockings. As a non-Jew, I felt a bit like an intruder, but it was such a fascinating spectacle that I didn’t want to leave.

I visited the Wall with my group on a Thursday, a day when you’ll likely witness boisterous bar mitzvah celebrations—comIsrael Ministry of Tourism

plete with horns, drums, singing and laugh-

Randy Mink

For the complete Dead Sea experience, take a mud bath—and bring your camera.

High-rise hotels flank the Dead Sea shore in the resort community of Ein Bokek.

parchment fragments included writings from the Old Testament. A walk through the excavations reveals ritual baths, cisterns and aqueducts, plus a work area with centuries-old date pits. The land today abounds with date palm groves and vegetable farms.

The botanical garden at Kibbutz Ein Gedi, south of Qumran, offers insights into horticulture and Israeli communal living. Displaying 1,000 species from five continents, the desert oasis is landscaped with oleander, bougainvillea, cactus, and baobab trees, among other plantings. Our group had a quick lunch at the nearby Ahava factory store after a promotional video, view of the production line and time to shop for soaps and cosmetics made from Dead

Sea minerals.

Because of its high mineral content, nothing can live in the Dead Sea—that’s why they call it dead. But the briny water is said to be therapeutic, providing relief for sufferers of psoriasis, arthritis and other conditions.

We stayed at one of the dozen highrise hotels in Ein Bokek, a compact seaside resort with shops, cafes, even a McDonald’s. Each hotel has a spa offering health and beauty treatments.

Even if you’re not a beach person, you have to go through the ritual of floating effortlessly on the buoyant water. It’s de rigueur to have your picture taken reading a magazine or holding a cocktail. You cannot sink. Just don’t get water in your eyes—it will be sheer agony. The Dead Sea (actually a lake) is nine times saltier than normal seawater. Another ritual is slathering yourself with the oily black mud gathered from the sea floor.

For panoramic views of the Dead Sea and a lesson in Jewish history, head to Masada. A plateau rising 1,400 feet above the Negev Desert, the iconic landmark first served as a lavish palacefortress for King Herod and in 73 A.D. was where 900 heroic Jewish rebels committed mass suicide rather than be captured by the Romans camped below.

After a three-minute cable car ride, tourists explore the ruins and drink in vistas of the shimmering salt flats, barren brown outcroppings and mountains of Jordan on the Dead Sea’s opposite shore.

ter—in the Western Wall Plaza and environs.

Then I came back during free time on Friday afternoon, witnessing streams of worshipers that started thronging the area as the Sabbath approached.

The adjacent Jewish Quarter, much of it restored and resettled after the 1967 Six Days’ War, abounds with cafes and restaurants, not to mention archaeological findings. Shops sell jewelry, art, souvenirs and Judaica.

Atop the Temple Mount, the dazzling Dome of the Rock, a gold-domed shrine adorned with exquisite mosaics, stands where Muslims believe Mohammed ascended to Heaven. Nearby is black-domed El-Aqsa Mosque, where Mohammed once prayed; after the great mosques of Mecca and Medinah, it ranks third in holiness for Muslims.

The Church of the Holy Sepulcher is the holiest place in Christendom. Always crowded with pilgrims and tourists, the 12th century church is built over sites where it’s believed Jesus was crucified, buried and resurrected. Administered by six Christian denominations that jealously guard their jurisdictions, the church is a somewhat bewildering series of gloomy chambers and chapels lit by candles and oil lamps. You’ll see people praying at the Stone of Unction, a pink marble slab where Christ’s body was cleansed, and there’s usually a long line to enter the marble enclosure that covers the tomb. These and other sacred sites represent the last five of the 14 stations on the Via Dolorosa, or Way of the Cross, a path through the Muslim and Christian quarters that follows

34 October 2012

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ONLINE EXCLUSIVE: For Randy Mink’s article on Tel Aviv, go to LeisureGroupTravel.com and enter this numerical code: 30651.

treat is rugelach—two-bite-size twists rolled up with cinnamon or oozing with chocolate or jam.

Jerusalem, with a history spanning 3,000 years, is simultaneously a modern city and an open-air museum. Fueled Randy Mink

by secular drive and religious fervor, it’s the ultimate desti-

Machane Yehuda Market offers a rich slice of Jerusalem life.

Vendors hawk everything from pastries and peppers to exotic spices.

nation, beckoning the curious and the faithful from across the globe.

For travel information, visit the Israel Ministry of Tourism website, goisrael.com.LGT

Jesus’ route during his last hours on earth.

While Old City religious sites certainly dominate a tour of Israel’s capital, there’s plenty to see and do in West Jerusalem. A must is Yad Vashem Memorial and Holocaust Museum, set on a 45-acre campus

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Book, which houses the Dead Sea Scrolls.

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The Jewish Art and Life wing features cere-

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monial objects, costumes and even restored

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synagogue interiors from around the world.

Other treasures include the largest collection of archaeological artifacts found in Israel.

A fun stop for lunch is Machane Yehuda, West Jerusalem’s famed produce market, a gourmand’s paradise with more than 250 food stalls. We devoted much of our time to photographing piles of red peppers and giant strawberries, trays of tempting Middle Eastern pastries, mounds of olives, displays of dates, figs, nuts and dried apricots. At a bakery I tried a piping-hot square of kanafeh, a pastry of stringy white cheese topped with bright orange threads that re-

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on location: europe ❖

nicholas saigh

Great Cathedrals of Europe Soaring spires, massive domes and magnificent interiors wow groups touring the continent’s famous churches

T

ourists flock to European cathedrals for their religious importance, celebrated architecture or simply to experience some of the world’s oldest and best-preserved examples of humanity’s potential. The following list highlights 10 of Europe’s most impressive edifices.

National Tourist Office of Spain

The Moorish Giralda is the most prominent feature of Seville Cathedral in Spain.

on location: europe ❖ Seville, Spain Originally a mosque built between 1172 and 1196, Seville Cathedral retained Moorish elements even after Christian conquest in 1248. The mosque was leveled in 1402 and replaced by a massive Gothic cathedral, with only the Moorish Giralda and entrance court remaining. Its total area of 37,795 square feet makes it the world’s third largest cathedral. The interior houses Christopher Columbus’ tomb and consists of five naves lavishly decorated in gold. The Giralda, the minaret that serves as the bell tower’s base, provides impressive views of the cathedral’s many buttresses and gargoyles, as well as the

Fototeca ENIT

Seville skyline.

Milan, Italy Construction of the Milan Cathedral (Duomo) began in 1386 and continued for almost six centuries. Part of its mag-

Milan’s Duomo is the largest Gothic cathedral in the world.

nificence results from this prolonged construction, which integrated Gothic, Neo-Gothic, Baroque and Neo-Classical

Paris, France

styles. While the vast interior is an artistic masterpiece, it is

In 1163 the first stone of iconic Notre-Dame Basilica was

the exterior that distinguishes the cathedral as the most im-

laid in the heart of Paris, on Île de la Cité. A 7,800-pipe organ

portant Gothic structure in Italy. A dazzling façade punctuated

looms below one of three shimmering rose stained-glass win-

by five bronze doors draws the eye, which roves upward into

dows, which, at 43 feet in diameter, are some of Europe’s

a forest of marble spires and pinnacles. Ascend the 200 steps

largest. The treasury displays relics such as a piece of the

to examine the roof’s spires, and on a clear day look north

Cross and the Holy Crown of Thorns. Notre-Dame was one of

for a glimpse of the Alps.

the first buildings to use flying buttresses, which arch away from the walls and support the nave’s vaulted ceiling. The exterior architecture and panoramic views of Paris are visible from the roof of the west facade.

Austrian National Tourist Office

Daniel Thierry/ Paris CVB

St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna (above) and Paris’ Notre-Dame Basilica are among Europe’s Gothic masterpieces.

38 October 2012

LeisureGroupTravel.com

The baroque hall of the abbey library, UNESCO world cultural heritage, in St.Gallen.

Switzerland’s Heritage.

Switzerland’s diversity, its beautiful scenery, four national languages, its people and different cultures are easy to explore on one of the best public transport networks.

St.Gallen St.Gallen is home to a very special landmark: its magnificent Baroque cathedral.

Together with the world-famous Abbey Library if forms a unique historic ensemble that was declared UNESCO World Heritage in 1983. The Abbey sports the most beautiful secular Rococo interior in Switzerland and is home to 170,000 books and 2,000 priceless medieval manuscripts.

Some date back to 700 AD. This year, the city of St.Gallen is celebrating its 1,400 year anniversary with various events and exhibits.

Lucerne and Lake Lucerne Region Lucerne enjoys the distinction of being the only Swiss town that began as a monastery.Switzerland’s only born saint Brother Klaus‘ family house and chapel of the 15th century can be visited near Lucerne. The black Madonna in the Abbey of Einsiedeln

marks as the most visited pilgrimage site in Switzerland.

Zürich Zürich made its most significant mark on Christian History in the early 16th century.

Here, Huldrych Zwingli was the father of the Swiss Reformation. The St. Peters Church was a landmark in Swiss Reformation History and the Anabaptist caves outside of Zürich are a reminder of the Anabaptist believers in the area.

Swiss Travel System: all-in-one ticket The Swiss Travel System turns any journey into an unforgettable experience, whether you‘re travelling by train, boat or post bus.

The Swiss Pass. It offers free travel on this transportation system which is unique in the world. The highlight of any Swiss trip is a ride along one of the many scenic routes.

For reservations, contact Witte Travel & Tours, 800 GO WITTE, www.wittetours.com For more information, visit MySwitzerland.com/heritage

on location: europe ❖

ONLINE EXCLUSIVE: To read about the sights of Dublin, go to LeisureGroupTravel.com and enter this numerical code: 31915.

Vienna, Austria A fire destroyed the original St. Stephen’s Cathedral (Stephansdom), making way for the 14th century Gothic cathedral that stands today, although the signature diamond-patterned roof was not added until 1952. Explore a maze of catacombs containing remains of former Habsburg rulers and over 11,000 others. Views from a 446-foot Gothic spire allow for a true appreciation of downtown Vienna as well as the roof’s 500,000 tiles.

Salisbury, England Built between 1220 and 1258, Salisbury Cathedral Ash Mills/VisitBritain

achieved an architectural unity rare in England. The cathedral’s defining characteristic is its spire; stretching 404 feet into the sky, it is the largest in the United Kingdom. The interior features Europe’s oldest working clock (1386), which is displayed in the north nave, and the best preserved of four

Tower tours at Salisbury Cathedral involve climbing 332 steps.

AMERICAN CATHEDRALS DAZZLE TOUR GROUPS hough not as storied as those in Europe, many cathedrals in the United States are well worth visiting.

These five churches are commonly found on group tour itineraries: Washington National Cathedral, Washington D.C. The sixth largest cathedral in the world, second largest in the United States, was constructed between 1912 and 1990 in an imitation of the English Gothic style. It consists mainly of an eight-bay nave and 300-foot tower. Of its more than 200 stained-glass windows, the Space Window, complete with a fragment of lunar rock, is the best known.

St. Patrick’s Cathedral, New York City.

The country’s largest Catholic cathedral occupies an entire New York City block.

Facing Fifth Avenue, the white marble and stone structure, built between 1858 and 1879, has hosted the funerals of famous people and many of the fallen police officers and firefighters in the 9/11 attacks. A vast interior, seating over 2,000 people, is flooded with natural light streaming through stained-glass windows.

Two 330-foot spires bookend the façade and provide a refreshing alternative to surrounding skyscrapers.

Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis, St.

T

Millions of mosaic pieces adorn the aweinspiring Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis.

Louis. The majority of construction took place from 1908 to 1926, yet the defining element, the mosaic, was not completed until 1988. The interior of Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis houses one of the largest mosaics in the world; over 41

million pieces of finely detailed glass give the walls and ceiling the appearance of a fluid painting rather than an assemblage of glass. The exterior, which consists of two towers and three domes, is Romanesque and a distinguished form on the St. Louis skyline.

St. Louis Cathedral, New Orleans.

The oldest, continually active Roman Catholic cathedral in the United States is on Jackson Square in the heart of the French Quarter. Various natural disasters devastated the original structures, making way for the current St. Louis Cathedral during the mid-19th century. Three steeples tower above the French Quarter and, as some of the tallest and most imposing structures in New Orleans, anchor the cathedral’s powerful architectural presence.

Crystal Cathedral, Garden Grove, California. The congregation began in 1955 in the parking lot of an Orange County drive-in movie theater. This inspired the construction of Crystal Cathedral, which was intended to accommodate an audience listening from their cars, as well as those in the nave. Home to the Hour of Power television show, Crystal Cathedral not only revolutionized religious services, but also religious architecture. Over 10,000 glass windows make up the walls and mirror the 236-foot, stainless-steel bell tower.

on location: europe ❖ original copies of the Magna Carta in the Chapter House. An English Gothic cloister frames a courtyard where two giant cedar trees planted in 1837 still thrive.

Chartres, France Chartres Cathedral has loomed over the hillside town of Chartres since before 1194, when an earlier Romanesque cathedral was devastated by a fire. The Romanesque western façade, towers and crypt survived the fire and were integrated into the new Gothic design. Chartres Cathedral is renowned for its stained-glass windows; dating from as early as 1140 and Dublin Tourism

still in excellent condition, they are some of the oldest and most extensive in Europe. Over 170 windows, covering an area of 21,000 square feet, colorfully depict everything from biblical stories to scenes of everyday medieval life. Three tiers of fly-

Jonathan Swift’s grave can be seen in St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin.

ing buttresses anchor the nave, allowing for stretches of wall began in 1060 and concluded in 1211. In the coming cen-

to be decorated with stained-glass.

turies elements of Baroque architecture were added to the

Santiago de Compostela, Spain

exterior, but the interior was barely altered. Relics of St.

Built on the site of St. James’ tomb, Santiago de Com-

James are preserved in the crypt under the high altar, which

postela Cathedral has been a pilgrimage spot for almost a

sits at the front of a cruciform-shaped nave. The Baroque

thousand years. Construction of the Romanesque cathedral

façade is flanked by bell towers and divided by a massive 800-year-old, carved door known as the Doorway of Glory.

Dublin, Ireland St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the largest in Ireland, was built between 1191 and 1270 on the site of the holy well where St. Patrick baptized converts. Originally constructed in an early English Gothic style, the

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Protestant cathedral fell into disrepair, necessitating a major restoration and reconstruction in the 1870s.

The interior is simple yet satisfying;

2. You are part of the family when you travel on a Perillo Tour and will experience the passion of the Italian culture from tasting, feeling and laughing, not from the window of a motorcoach.

unadorned arches springing from

3. Freedom to design any itinerary based upon your group’s travel goals.

Jonathan Swift, author of Gulliver’s

4. We understand the needs of special interest groups and offer exclusive access to sights not offered on scheduled tours.

See the medieval banners festoon-

clustered columns rib the ceiling, and various statues commemorate the remains of important figures, such as Travels and dean of the cathedral. ing the choir, and admire Ireland’s largest and most exquisite organ.

A 140-foot spire towers over the

Call us at 855-PTGROUP (855-784-7687) email us at groups@perillotours.com or visit us at www.perillogroups.com 42 October 2012

slanted roofs and thick stone walls of the building.

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Obtain European visitor guides and itineraries and contact groupfriendly suppliers directly at leisuregrouptravel.com/instant-info

Cologne, Germany In 1248 construction began on Cologne Cathedral, which was intended to house relics of the Magi. Despite six centuries of construction, the cathedral retains a unified Gothic style. The largest reliquary in the Western world holds the relics, which have been in Cologne since the 12th century and have established the city, as well as the cathedral, as a pilgrimage destination. Flying buttresses support high vaulted ceilings that arch over the five-aisled basilica. Cologne Cathedral boasts the largest church facade in the world; two spires reach towards the heavens and offer unmatched views of the region.

Florence, Italy The Florence Cathedral (Duomo), built between 1294 and 1436, is one of the largest cathedrals in the world. Sculptures, Fototeca ENIT/Paola Ghirotti

statues and paintings are scattered across the vast, open interior, which is adorned with stained-glass windows by notable Italian artists such as Donatello. A festive green, red and white marble facade was added in the late 1800s. The cathedral’s massive brick dome and 280-foot campanile dominate the Florence skyline. Climb to the top of the dome to experience its architecClimb 463 steps to the Duomo’s dome for panoramas of Florence.

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tural splendor as well as the sweeping sights of Florence. LGT

October 2012 43

on location: northeast ❖ matt barry

The Savory Side of

Vermont

ONLINE EXCLUSIVE: To read about Vermont’s Cheese Trail, go to LeisureGroupTravel.com and enter this numerical ID code: 31641.

every step of the process is still done by hand in a factory that dates back to 1882. Crowley is known for its Colby, which it was producing long before anybody in Colby, Wisconsin ever did. If that is still not enough cheese for you, the Vermont Cheese Council (VCC) has assembled a Vermont Cheese Trail with no less than 35 separate farms and creameries, most of which you can visit.

Find out “What Vermont Tastes Like” at Dakin Farms in Ferrisburgh, famous for cooking its ham over glowing corn cob embers in wooden barrels, following the same recipe the farm has used since the 1800s. The farm has branched out since then and offers bacon, sausages, turkey, cheese and maple syrup, in addition to its trademark smoked ham. Tours visit the maple syrup cannery and the meat plant and feature plenty of samples.

Apple cider is the obvious highlight at Cold Hollow Cider Mill in Waterbury Center (you get your free sample directly from the giant tank), but that is hardly all there is to offer. A jelly evaporator and beehives are some of the other stops you can make on the self-guided tour. There is also a bakery that makes a wide variety of treats. The cider doughnuts, at two for a dollar, are nationally recognized.

The iconic culinary attraction of the state and major exception to the small scale of most of Vermont food making is Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory, located in Waterbury, where

Cabot Creamery in Cabot, Vermont’s best-known cheese company, provides samples at the end of the tour. Cheddar is its most prized product.

250,000 pints of the beloved brand are churned out on a daily basis. The popular tour begins with the story of company name-

Fans of cheddar cheese, smoked ham and cider doughnuts — not to mention Ben & Jerry’s — find the Green Mountain State an appetizing slice of New England

L

sakes Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, who graduated from selling ice cream out of an old gas station to the ice cream magnates they are today. Visitors then go past the main production floor and end up in the Flavoroom, where they can sample whatever flavors the factory happens to be making that day.

The tour emphasizes the social concern that has traditionally

ife in Vermont moves at a relaxed pace, a trait that

characterized the brand. Once the tour is over, visitors should

extends to its food. Vermont is a state of aged ched-

stop by the Flavor Graveyard behind the plant, where there are

dars, slowly smoked hams and factories known more

mock tombstones set up in memory of discontinued varieties.

for their social consciousness than their massive out-

puts. At a time when “slow food” is hailed as the future of agriculture, now is the time to discover that Vermont may have had the right idea about how to do food all along. If you bring your group, one thing is for sure—no one will leave hungry.

If cheese is your passion, Vermont is the place to be. Cabot Creamery in Cabot makes what has been judged to be the world’s best cheddar cheese. A factory tour shows you all stages of the cheese-making process, and the free samples at the end are drawn from 20 varieties that the co-op produces, including its world-class cheddar. A more traditional style of cheese making can be found at Crowley Cheese, where nearly 44 October 2012

King Arthur’s Flour in Norwich offers baking classes and a store.

Not far from Ben & Jerry’s is another national brand that calls Vermont home: Green Mountain Coffee Roasters. In the visitor center, housed in a working Amtrak station, learn about how Green Mountain procures and roasts its coffee beans, with particular emphasis on fair trade aspects of the coffee market. The factory is not open to visitors, but the visitor center has an attached coffee shop with free samples.

Satisfy your sweet tooth on a Lake Champlain Chocolates factory tour in Burlington.

Enjoy seeing how the artisanal chocolates are made on the half-hour tour before tasting free samples of the company’s milk, white and dark

Discover one of New England’s favorite group travel attractions!

Explore a wonderland of fun ... visit with Santa ‌ catch snowflakes year ’round ‌ stroll through our authentic Bavarian Christmas Village ‌ satisfy every food craving with lunch or dinner at our award-winning Restaurant or the sweet taste of our famous fudge.

Contact our us today to learn more at grouptour@yankeecandle.com.

* &YJU t (SFFOÄ•FME 3PBE t 4PVUI %FFSÄ•FME ." t XXX ZBOLFFDBOEMF DPN 'MBHTIJQ The 1875 train station in Waterbury is home to the visitor center of Green Mountain Coffee Roasters.

chocolates. If those aren’t enough for you, there is a nearby factory store where you can find great bargains on the savory sweets. The truffles are a perennial best seller.

Get more actively involved by taking a class at King Arthur Flour’s Baking Education Center in Norwich. Offerings cover everything from breads and pastas to croissants and empanadas. They range from half a day to a week in length. There is a store with an extensive array of baking goods as well as (of course) a bakery.

Classes are also offered at The Essex, Vermont’s Culinary Resort & Spa. Here the emphasis is on gourmet multi-course meals prepared under the guidance of one of the resort’s chefs using the freshest local ingredients.

Discover one of Virginia’s favorite group travel attractions!

Yankee CandleŽ Village is more than just a candle store. It is always snowing in the Holiday Park where you can visit with Santa in his Toy Shop! Hickory, Dickory & Doc, our animatronic band, will entertain you in the Town Square. Mrs. Claus’ Bakery & Cafe offers an assortment of coffees, teas and tantalizing treats for dessert as well as an array of lighter fare. There is something fun for everyone!

Group Tour Contact Information: Call 1-877-616-6510 or Email us at bhuss@yankeecandle.com.

Classes are run in conjunction with the New England Culinary Institute.

For food-focused touring in New England, Vermont takes the cake. LGT Obtain Vermont visitor guides and itineraries and contact groupfriendly suppliers directly at leisuregrouptravel.com/instant-info

LeisureGroupTravel.com

3JDINPOE 3PBE 8JMMJBNTCVSH 7" t 757-258-1002 t XXX ZBOLFFDBOEMF DPN ĘBHTIJQ

October 2012 45

on location: northeast ❖ faye marek

A

s leaves paint the landscape hues of crimson, burnt orange and golden yellow, pumpkins

emblazon fields and farm stands. Crisp apples, charming villages and harvest festivals await leaf peepers out to gawk

Flume Covered Bridge is a great photo op in Franconia Notch State Park in the White Mountain National Forest. Inset: Fall splendor just off the Kancamagus Scenic Byway.

Autumn Leaves Brighten

New Hampshire Kancamagus Sce-

artist could not wish for more scenic

nic Byway, a 34.5-

views than the ones in New Hampshire

mile scenic drive

from mid-September through October.

Festivals and scenic views enchant groups in the White Mountains

that lets visitors enjoy the views unfold

Mount Washington Cog Railway. It as-

White Mountain National Forest is

as they take in the pine scent. There are

cends a trestle and the steepest railroad

one of the most visited outdoor recre-

no gas stations or stores along the

tracks in North America to the 6,288-foot

ation sites east of the Mississippi. The

route. Keep your eyes peeled for wild-

summit of Mount Washington.

White Mountains are best known for the

flower meadows and boggy ditches—a favorite habitat of moose.

For handmade souvenirs, be sure to

Foliage Festival on the first weekend

stop at the League of NH Craftsmen,

in October, taste the award-winning

located in Center Sandwich, Concord,

apple pie, watch the Woodman’s com-

Hanover, Nashua and other towns.

petition, browse the farmers or craft

Zeb’s General Store in North Conway

market, and sample food from local

Village offers a wide variety of goods

eateries. Warner’s Dalton Bridge, one

such as homemade jellies, mustards

of the oldest covered bridges in use

and custom gift baskets. Settlers’ Green

today, spans the Warner River.

Outlet Village offers more than 50

Sandwich is a quaint town that beck-

stores, including Nike Factory Store,

ons artists, summer residents and visi-

Coach, Polo/Ralph Lauren and L.L.

tors with its pastoral beauty. Known as

Bean Factory Store.

the “real New Hampshire country fair,”

Although the mountains present the

the Sandwich Fair (always Columbus

most majestic views, also check out the

Day weekend) is complete with a pa-

valleys and seacoast, where you can

rade, oxen-pulls and 4-H competitions.

look for swamp maples surrounding the

Pumpkin lovers are in for a rich ex-

marshes. In the foothills of the White

perience on Oct. 20, when they visit the

Mountains, take a boat tour aboard the

Pumpkin Festival in Keene, where the

M/S Mount Washington on Lake Win-

streets are lined with jack o’lanterns. For

nipesaukee, the state’s largest lake.

beer and German food, visit Loon

The blue rippling water contrasts sharply

Mountain’s annual Oktoberfest.

with the bright apricot orange, coral red

For fall festivities and fall colors, New

and electric yellows, providing calendar-

Hampshire is a natural for groups visit-

caliber scenes.

ing New England at its best time of the

Another way to explore is the historic 46 October 2012

Fall festivals offer visitors the best of New Hampshire. At the Warner Fall

year. LGT LeisureGroupTravel.com

NHDTTD/Ellen Edersheim (top photo) NHDTTD/Tara Lenharth (inset photo)

at Mother Nature’s autumn finery. An

on location: midwest ❖

W

jim rice

hile Southeast Wisconsin has plenty of new tourism

Milwaukee’s history is synonymous with beer, and many of

developments to boast about, it’s ties to the past that

the city’s beer barons, as well as politicians and the social elite,

make it a formidable group destination. Retracing the region’s

are buried in Forest Home Cemetery. Tours of the grounds in-

rich heritage can open up new touring opportunities for groups.

clude Chapel Gardens, the picturesque community mausoleum and the Gothic-style Landmark Chapel.

MILWAUKEE

Beer historians shouldn’t miss Pabst Mansion. The award-

Like much of the state, Milwaukee was first settled by Native

winning museum, one of the city’s great architectural land-

American tribes. In fact, the name Milwaukee comes from the

marks, was once the centerpiece of Milwaukee high society.

Indian word Millioke, meaning “good, beautiful pleasant land.”

The five-story, 20,000-square-foot mansion features 37 rooms,

From 1850 to 1900 German immigrants flooded the city,

14 fireplaces and a wine cellar that housed over 3,200 bottles

and their mark on the city is quite visible today. The annual

in its heyday.

German Fest is one of the city’s top-attended ethnic festivals VISIT Milwaukee

(others include Festa Italiana, Irish Fest, Mexican Fiesta and Polish Fest) where traditional entertainment, food and music play against the backdrop of Henry W. Maier Festival Park, the city’s permanent lakefront festival grounds.

Wisconsin’s cultural heritage is reflected in festivals like Milwaukee’s German Fest and such attractions as Old World Wisconsin, a living history museum in Eagle.

Retracing

Milwaukee, Racine and Lake Geneva abound with historical attractions and group-friendly options

Southeast Wisconsin’s Roots LeisureGroupTravel.com

October 2012 47

on location: midwest â?–

ONLINE EXCLUSIVE: For a look at Wisconsin Dells’ water parks and other amusements, visit LeisureGroupTravel.com and enter this numerical code: 31788.

Combine the Pabst Mansion

This Lake Michigan shore town,

tour with a visit to Best Place, at the

just south of Milwaukee, was first in-

historic Pabst Brewery. A visit here

habited by Woodland Indians. In the

takes you back to 1844 when the

latter half of the 17th century, French

small Best & Company brewery

fur traders and missionaries, includ-

was transformed into the Pabst

ing Nicholas Perrot and Fathers

Brewing Company. Step into the

Claude Allouez and Jacques Mar-

Captain’s Courtyard and take a pic-

quette, found Miami Indians inhabit-

ture with Captain Pabst. See Blue

ing the lands along Racine’s Root

Ribbon Hall, the King’s Courtyard and visit the vintage gift shop.

River. “Wisconsin fever� brought Geneva Ridge is a top resort in the Lake Geneva area.

Finally, complete the tour with a sampling of Pabst in the Best Place Tavern.

many pioneers from Western New

York State, rural New England and Britain to the area.

The area is home to many architectural gems created by Frank Lloyd Wright. Among his best-known works are build-

RACINE – AMERICA’S DANISH CONNECTION

ings at the SC Johnson headquarters campus in Racine, his largest commercial project. Completed in 1939, the Great

Racine is known as America’s Kringle Capital, with good

Workroom of the building contains almost one-half acre of

reason. Danish immigrants who settled in Racine brought with

workable floor space. The ceiling is supported by large golf tee-

them their famous kringle recipes, and as they say, the rest is

shaped columns that have been termed one of the most ad-

history. There are four authentic Danish bakeries in town, two

vanced structural supports in modern architecture.

of which are available for group tours. At Larsen’s groups can

The nearby Golden Rondelle Theater was constructed for

learn the intricate process of kringle making and sample the

the SC Johnson Wax pavilion at the 1964 World’s Fair in New

buttery, layered pastries.

York. It was brought back to Racine and today hosts community and educational events and offers a rotating schedule of films. Free tours are available.

Traveling west, a visit to Old World Wisconsin is a step back in time to the late 19th century when waves of immigrants came to Wisconsin in search of a better life. This 529-acre living history museum articulates how early settlers lived, worked and played. The village is made up of eight areas focusing on the various ethnic backgrounds of early settlers. More than 60 historic structures range from farmsteads to a crossroads village with its traditional small-town institutions.

History Art Culture America

Among the village highlights are a one-room schoolhouse where a teacher in period dress explains how multiple ages of children were taught and how older children assisted with daily chores and served as teacher aides. Tour groups can also see historical food preparation methods, catch a demonstration by the town blacksmith and other artisans, and chat with the owner of the general store. There’s also an 1860s baseball field, and if you’re lucky you might catch a game.

Old World Wisconsin’s beautiful heirloom gardens display a

GET BOOKED

variety of flowers, vegetables and herbs grown in traditional

1-877-HD-MUSEUM groups@h-dmuseum.com

rant and dinner theater.

<77Ţ ./Ţ ) 'Ţ /- /ŢÂ&#x2020;Ţ $'3 1& \Ţ ŢŢÂ&#x2020;Ţ#p (1. 1([ *( ŢŢŢuŢŢŢ ŢŢŢuŢŢŢ ŢŢŢuŢŢŢ Ţ 48 October 2012

style. The village also features the 1897 Clausing Barn Restau-

Obtain Wisconsin visitor guides and itineraries and contact groupfriendly suppliers directly at leisuregrouptravel.com/instant-info

LeisureGroupTravel.com

LAKE GENEVA Some 18,000 years ago, retreating glaciers gouged out a lake basin and a moraine of rolling hills in Southeast Wisconsin. This scenery has greeted tourists to the Lake Geneva region for 150 years.

Settled by whites in the 1830s, the area quickly became a haven for the rich and famous from Chicago (90 miles to the southeast).

The Chicago Fire of 1871 brought many rich Chicago families up to the lake as they sought temporary quarters while their permanent residences were rebuilt. Some never left, while others built opulent summer homes. The construction of their mansions created a new industry in the town.

The easiest way to see these posh homes is on a Geneva Lake boat tour. Lake Geneva Cruise Line offers a variety of narrated cruises including the popular mail boat tour where guests ride along while a crew member deck hops, delivering mail to lakeside residences while the boat moves without slowing down. Ice cream social, dinner and cocktail cruises are also available.

Organized walks during the summer months provide an up-close and personal perspective of the multi-million-dollar mansions, boats valued at more than $400,000, impeccably manicured gardens and designer boathouses. Visitors can stroll along the public shoreside path.

The vibrant downtown offers a sandy beach, dozens of specialty shops, galleries and restaurants. Lake Geneva also boasts many fine resorts that offer affordable rates for groups with scheduling flexibility. Geneva Ridge is perched high above nearby Lake Como, offering 146 guest rooms and a new outdoor patio with views of the lake and pool. Grand Geneva, once the infamous Playboy Club, is set on 1,300 picturesque acres with 36 holes of golf, a ski hill, small plane landing strip and a delightful holiday program for groups called Christmas in the Country.

There are plenty of other reasons to schedule a trip to Southeast Wisconsin. Notable attractions include The Fireside Theatre, Ten Chimneys and Milwaukee County Zoo. While the region boasts plenty of new tourism products, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s those strong ties to the past that keep groups coming back. LGT LeisureGroupTravel.com

October 2012 49

On Marketing

❖ dave bodle

FAM Tours: Show and Tell FAMILIARIZATION TOURS, or “FAMs,”

we are going to deal with tour & travel

can be one of the best marketing

FAMs only.

tools in both a destination’s and tour

Destinations need to ask a series of

It’s never too early to begin FAM planning. Many travel professionals are putting their schedule together a

operator’s tool kit. The logic is really

questions to determine if a FAM is

calendar year in advance. Start with

quite straightforward: They have to

right for them.

developing a theme, a loose itinerary

see it to sell it.

Being honest, is your community

1

and a tentative date.

Make certain you are coach-accessible

have not used your destination, but

and the operator benefits by acquiring

and your partners are tour & travel

have shown interest. Give them a call

that new knowledge. After all, new

savvy. Determine if your fit is a multi-

and do a little focus group testing.

business is the lifeline of any business

day destination, a hub-and-spoke or

Is the time of year and length of the

and that’s the purpose of a FAM.

overnight stay.

itinerary acceptable? Can you get a

The destination benefits by increasing the attendees’ product knowledge

There are certainly different types of FAMs, including media relations, single

able to handle the group business?

2

Are your partners willing to work with you? There is value in host-

Certainly, you have prospects that

tentative confirmation?

About four/six months out, have

tour operator and their planners and

ing a FAM for the individual hotels,

your formal invitations in the invitees’

reservations agents, multiple non-com-

attractions and restaurants, but the

hands with an RSVP required within

peting tour operators, travel agents

destination as a whole will reap the

30 days. You should certainly have a

and individual tour operators’ group

most benefit. When partners do not

waiting list. Frankly, if a FAM interests

leaders. The cardinal rule is do not mix

understand the importance of selling

me, I’ll RSVP, but unfortunately sched-

them. For the purpose of this column,

the destination first, you will have an

ules are always fluid. As you develop a

uphill struggle.

feel for the attendance, it’s the perfect

3

Looking Ahead to Our DECEMBER INDUSTRY FORECAST ISSUE

• Inbound Market Update • Trends in Student Travel

• Online Technologies for Groups Destination Updates: • Nebraska • South Dakota • Arizona • Indiana • Maryland • South Carolina • Tennessee See our page-flip edition & past issues at

LeisureGroupTravel.com We can help showcase your business to groups. Call us 630.794.0696 or advertising@ptmgroups.com

What type of tour & travel FAM fits

time to finalize all arrangements with

you best? A single operator with

accommodation, attraction and restau-

their planners and reservation agents

rant partners. Sending a Request

is the most thorough. The personnel

for Proposal to local transportation

that interact with their clients will have

companies should also be done now.

experienced your destination. Non-

need to confirm all details and make

co-op opportunities beneficial to your

sure they are communicated to your

destination. Bringing a tour operator’s

transportation company and partners.

group leaders will certainly put your

Two weeks prior, send participants a

operator in a good light, but it may

final itinerary and your partners a list

take years for a complete pay off.

of the participants.

4

Does the FAM’s time of year coincide with your budgeting and

There are numerous other details that space does not allow us to share.

the operator’s schedule for catalog

However, there is room for one final

production? Remember a destination

piece of advice. Smile, enjoy yourself

may have a fiscal July-June year, while

and make certain to follow up with

an operator works on a traditional

each participant and partner when

calendar year.

your FAM is over.

5

Are you on the invitee’s radar?

Hopefully, you have developed a

strong list of prospects.

50 October 2012

The final month before arrival you’ll

competing tour operators may discover

Contact Dave at 843-712-1140 or email dbodle@sc.rr.com.

LeisureGroupTravel.com

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