Leisure Group Travel Magazine December 2016

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Di g i t a l E d i t i o nSp o n s o r e dBy

Mount Rushmore National Memorial

800-732-5682

TourSDakota.com

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LEISURE DECEMBER 2016

Holiday Magic In Switzerland Christmas markets, festive events

Industry Forecast Issue

Our year-end guide to major trends, technology advances and upcoming trade shows A Premier Travel Media publication • LeisureGroupTravel.com

GROUP TRAVEL

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SI SITE INSPECTION

Pieces of the Past: Visit St. Augustine on Florida’s Historic Coast Step back in time with a visit to St. Augustine and Ponte Vedra Beach.

Groups discover stories of the region’s past at authentic sites and engaging museums.

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here’s something truly remarkable about stepping into an historic building and imagining the events that took place there hundreds of years ago. A visit to St. Augustine and Ponte Vedra Beach on Florida’s Historic Coast will introduce groups to some of the country’s oldest sites and most historic museums. You don’t have to be a history buff to appreciate the significance of these places, which are filled with artifacts, exhibits and images that tell stories of times past.

The coast of Florida was a major point of contention for European nations seeking control of lands in the New World, and there are many sites in St. Augustine still standing today that pay homage to that time in history.

Fort Matanzas National Monument was built in 1742 by the Spanish to guard the southern entrance to St. Augustine. Groups can hop on the 36-passenger ferry over to the fort and explore the 30-foot tower, officers’ quarters, observation deck and much more.

Another important military site is Castillo de San Marcos, the oldest masonry fort in the U.S. and the only standing 17th century military construction. The fort is part of a 20.5-acre national park where visitors can

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step inside the walls of the structure and attend live reenactments.

Groups can truly step back in time at Colonial Quarter, St. Augustine’s only living history museum. Spread across two acres, it features sites from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. Groups can take part in a guided tour led by a knowledgeable guide who offers hands-on experiences such as taking part in a musket drill with a live firing demonstration.

Take a trip back to the school days of old with a visit to the Oldest Wooden School House Historic Museum & Gardens. Built over 200 years ago, while Florida was under Spanish imperial rule, the school is made of red cedar and cypress. Visitors can step into the one-room building and hear animatronic figures tell the stories of a typical day at school. Copies of textbooks used by students are on display, along with several cooking utensils used by the schoolmaster, who lived in the school.

Learn about the history of colonial surgery techniques at the Spanish Military Hospital Museum. Groups can take a guided tour highlighting the old days of medicine, starting with a demonstration from a surgeon and

watching an apothecary create medicines.

Known as Florida’s Smithsonian, the Lightner Museum was once Henry Flagler’s Alcazar Hotel, built in 1888. It now holds 19th century artifacts such as typewriters, cigar labels, Tiffany glass and antique mechanical musical instruments. A variety of tours is available, including one with museum curator Barry Myers and one that takes you to areas typically closed to the public.

The Villa Zorayda Museum, built in 1883 as a winter residence for Franklin Smith, began Moorish Spanish Revival architecture in St. Augustine. In the 1930s, it opened as a museum featuring antique collections that are still on display today. Guided tours give an in-depth look at the magnificent architecture and many exquisite pieces.

St. Augustine is the nation’s oldest continuously occupied European settlement, giving it a rich history that can be seen throughout the many monuments, museums and architectural gems.

ST. AUGUSTINE I PONTE VEDRA 800-418-7529

FloridasHistoricCoast.com >> LeisureGroupTravel.com

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CONTENTS

December 2016 • Vol. 26, No. 6

LEISURE GROUP TRAVEL

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INDUSTRY FORECAST ISSUE TAKE 5 With Jim Plaunt, Bike Tour Vacations

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HAS HIGH TOUCH GONE HIGH TECH? BY VANESSA DAY Technology companies are working to get the group travel industry up to speed with innovative solutions for online bookings

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GROUP INTENTIONS SURVEY RESULTS Reader responses to our survey paint a picture of today’s group travel landscape. See how your company compares.

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ABA, NTA CONFERENCE PREVIEWS Kick off 2017 with ABA’s Annual Meeting & Marketplace in Cleveland and NTA’s Travel Exchange in St. Louis

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SPECIAL SECTION HOLIDAY MAGIC IN SWITZERLAND Geneva, Lucerne, Zurich and Basel overflow with Christmas cheer

DESTINATIONS WEST TOURNAMENT OF ROSES PARADE BY SUE ARKO Get the New Year off to a festive start with a holiday package built around this Southern California original

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SOUTH DAKOTA HIGHLIGHTS BY RANDY MINK Spectacular scenery, watchable wildlife and vestiges of frontier days make for irresistible tour itineraries

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SOUTH

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CENTRAL

9 HOTELS FOR THE HOLIDAYS BY DAVE BODLE From classic hotels and resorts to historic inns, these favorites will bring joy to your group’s yuletide experience

MIDWEST HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS BY MILES DOBIS Winter festivals, light displays and holiday shopping in five towns

6 ON MY MIND BY JEFF GAYDUK 8 ON TOUR BY MARTY SARBEY DE SOUTO, CTC 16 ON FAMILY TRAVEL BY NANCY SCHRETTER 4

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December 2016

Switzerland Tourism

COLUMNS

>> LeisureGroupTravel.com

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2017 INDIANA GROUP TOUR PLANNER

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Basel, Switzerland takes on a magical aura at Christmastime.

ndiana is a growing destination for groups of all interests, and its central location ensures travelers can experience the state’s urban sophistication and rural charm with ease. There are culinary, historic and architectural attractions spread across the state, with unique stops ranging from ancient sand dunes to thriving arts communities.

Curious about visiting the Hoosier State?

The 2017 Indiana GroupTour Planner includes itineraries for the state’s six distinct regions, profiles of cultural must-sees and tips on where to find some of the best desserts in the Midwest. The print copy accompanies this edition of Leisure Group Travel while the digital edition is always available at www.Leisuregrouptravel.com/ 2017-Indiana-Tour-Planner/

ONLY ON LEISUREGROUPTRAVEL.COM

R

eferencing a good sample itinerary can be the difference between booking your group or moving on to the next destination.

However, with itineraries scattered and hidden across multiple resources, their discovery is often time-consuming and met with limited success.

With this in mind, we’ve collected some of the best destination-inspired sample itineraries and integrated them into a new planning tool on LeisureGroupTravel.com.

Desktop, iPad or mobile you can search by location, trip type, keyword or a combination of criteria to find the perfect group-friendly itinerary for your next trip.

Want more information about a specific itinerary? We have you covered there too. Just use the Instant Info form in the itinerary to contact the supplier directly.

Discover for yourself @ LeisureGroupTravel.com/Group-Itinerary-Ideas/.

G

et weekly digests of all the best online content with InSite, our free Friday e-newsletter.

LeisureGroupTravel.com <<



ON THE COVER: Christmastime in Lucerne, Switzerland.

(Photo courtesy Switzerland Tourism)

December 2016

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ON

MY MIND

By Jeffrey Gayduk

t’s the holiday season, and in the spirit of giving, our Industry Forecast edition of Leisure Group Travel is wrapped full of special surprises.

We preview both ABA and NTA shows with an insider’s perspective from local tourism professionals on what to do while you’re in Cleveland and St. Louis.

In “High Touch to High Tech,” we go under the hood of three of the group travel industry’s tech leaders to learn how they are using innovative online platforms to simplify the process of planning and organizing group trips.

We help you discover new holiday travel destinations, starting with this month’s cover story – spectacular Switzerland.

Penned by our European correspondent, Don Heimburger, it explores the country’s holiday markets and rich religious heritage.

Staff writer Miles Dobis profiles five Midwestern holiday destinations that may not be on your radar. Contributing writer Sue Arko gives us an inside look at the classic Rose Parade, while associate publisher Dave Bodle reports on holiday happenings at classic Southern hotels and resorts. Finally, Nancy Schretter offers up a slew of multigenerational family vacation spots that sparkle over the holiday season.

Group Intentions Results Thanks to everyone who participated in our 2016 Group Intentions survey. The results of this survey helped us get a pulse on what’s happening on a grassroots level, and we were very pleased with the responses we received. What was most interesting to me personally was how your opinions stacked up against my perception of the industry.

See how your trips stack up against your peer group on page 15. We plan to make this an annual occurrence, so if you missed it this year, watch for the 2017 survey.

Editorial & Advertising Office

621 Plainfield Road, Suite 406 Willowbrook, IL 60527 P 630.794.0696 • F 630.794.0652 info@ptmgroups.com

Goodies Inside…

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Vol. 26, No. 6 December 2016

More Goodies Inside…

This edition came wrapped with two additional publications. First is the annual Group Travel Directory. This state-by-state resource guide promotes group-friendly destinations, attractions, hotels and service providers from coast to coast with descriptive listings, destination showcases and placement ads. Keep this at your deskside when you’re planning your next journey!

Also inside is the inaugural Indiana Group Tour Planner. This cooperative effort with the team from the Indiana Office of Tourism Development and destinations around the state shines a bright spotlight on groupfriendly destinations throughout the Hoosier State.

This project took six months from start to finish, and during the development of the magazine, our editorial team got the chance to traverse Indiana from north to south, east to west. In the process, we uncovered a lot of unique, fun tour ideas. I hope you enjoy this publication and that it spurs new trip ideas. An effort like this simply would not be possible without a strong partnership, and Indiana embodies that wholeheartedly.

I would also be remiss if I didn’t thank you for your readership. This December starts my 18th year publishing Leisure Group Travel magazine. What a long, winding road it’s been.

What a wonderful opportunity it’s afforded me to meet new friends and communicate the values of group travel to the world.

Happy Holidays,

Publisher – Jeffrey Gayduk jeff@ptmgroups.com

Associate Publisher – Dave Bodle

dave@ptmgroups.com

Managing Editor – Randy Mink randy@ptmgroups.com Staff Writer – Miles Dobis miles@ptmgroups.com Editorial Coordinator – Danielle Golab danielle@ptmgroups.com

Chief Development Officer – Lance Harrell

lance@ptmgroups.com

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

Vice President – Theresa O’Rourke theresa@ptmgroups.com

Regional Business Development Managers Ohio/Pennsylvania – Harry Peck

P 330.830.4880 • F 630.794.0652 harry@ptmgroups.com

Mid-Atlantic/New England/ Wisconsin/Indiana/Kentucky – Ellen Klesta

P 630.794.0696 • F 630.794.0652 ellen@ptmgroups.com

Southeast/West Coast – Cheryl Rash P 563.613.3068 • F 815.225.5274 cheryl@ptmgroups.com

Southeast – Eric Moore P 352.391.3314 eric@ptmgroups.com

Southwest – Dolores Ridout P 281.762.9546 dolores@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 Travel Media, 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 sub scribe 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:

Jeff Gayduk Publisher

Premier Travel Media 621 Plainfield Road, Suite 406 Willowbrook, IL 60527

A

publication

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

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>> LeisureGroupTravel.com

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ON

TOUR

Marty Sarbey de Souto, CTC

Karen Seidman

Volunteers put their muscle into building cement-block homes in Guatemala.

Travelers Can Brighten the Holidays for Those in Need A

s the year-end holidays draw near, many of our travelers may start thinking of how they are going to celebrate them. Truth is, it’s pretty much too late to plan for a “go-away” Christmas-New Year’s holiday this year; most resorts, cruises and holiday venues are booked solid.

But why not start planning now for next year and why not plan a unique trip that incorporates “do good” to others – something everyone can relate to, whether couples, entire families, seniors or simply individuals who are perhaps at loose ends after losing a spouse or having recently recovered from a long illness.

There are a number of organizations and companies that specialize in volunteer tourism, or “voluntourism.” These are trips

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wherein your group could not only enjoy a new destination and perhaps actively participate in local holiday events but also bring assistance and happiness to some less fortunate locals. Programs are available nearly worldwide – some short term for a week or two. They range from the usual sightseeing tour with perhaps just a day or so of working on a community project to a trip that is almost totally volunteer time.

I recall years ago when I put together a holiday tour to the small colonial cities of Mexico: Guanajuato, San Miguel de Allende, Lake Chapala, Dolores, etc. A friend of mine was then living at Lake Chapala and through her and her local church we arranged for each of my tour participants to bring a student backpack filled with classroom needs: pens,

pencils, ruler, crayons, scissors, glue and so forth. Not expensive, but a big hit with the Mexican youngsters receiving our stuffed backpacks at a special holiday party we had planned to get our tour members together with the local kids and their families. It’s amazing the amount of happiness one can create with a little bit of advance planning.

For the last three years, my niece Karen and her young daughter Ariella have been volunteering in Guatemala over the Christmas holidays, physically building cement-block houses through an organization called Houses Into Homes. Each house is a oneroom affair with one door and one window – no heat, no electricity – an outdoor cooking area and an outhouse in back. The ownersto-be select the colors in which they’d like their house painted. These houses are appearing little by little throughout “aldeas” in the mountains (small communities dotted with cornstalk and cardboard housing).

The sponsoring organization arranges your stay in a small hotel in lovely Antigua and provides transportation in the back of a pickup truck daily to and from the building site.

“You can’t imagine the emotion that runs through the family as their house is readied,” says Karen. “They’re presented with an ownership certificate, there’s food and music to celebrate. In my case, I was able to crowdfund sufficient monies to allow the family to actually buy the $10,000 piece of land on which the house now sits – a monumental achievement. Owning the land gives them pride and a feeling of stability – particularly when it comes with enough space to grow almost all their food staples: beans, potatoes, onions, cabbage, carrots as well as mangos, papayas, oranges and fruit of every color. “ All it takes is the willingness to try something different next year, something to bring happiness and security to a waiting family out there. Try it. You may wish you’d dared to do it before. LGT Marty is a Certified Travel Counselor (CTC) with a long history in the travel/tourism industry. She has been a tour operator, worldwide trip leader, college tourism instructor and textbook author. Her consulting firm is Sarbey Associates (sarbeyassociates.com).

>> LeisureGroupTravel.com

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Jim Plaunt Bike Tour Vacations

A Passion for Pedaling A

Jim Plaunt has cycled his love of biking into a niche tour business that runs a dozen trips a year, with 12 to 20 riders on each.

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victim of corporate downsizing, at age 55 Jim Plaunt found himself out of a job and looking for his next act.

An avid bicyclist, Jim combined his passion for two-wheel transportation with a business model he discovered while on vacation in Vermont. Learn the story of Bike Tour Vacations in this edition of Take 5.

Leisure Group Travel: How did you get started doing bicycle tours?

Jim Plaunt: I used to race on a team up in Duluth, Minnesota. I was not particularly any good but it was a lot of fun. That morphed into bicycle touring in my 20s and 30s. When I turned 50, a buddy of mine said, “You know, we should go on a trip to celebrate turning 50.” We both did some research and wound up going to Vermont. The funny thing is, we’re out there and the owner of the company was on the trip with us and we’re just talking to him the whole time about his business. I was

never thinking that this information would be useful in the future.

Five years later I went to work one day and they said, “Jim, can we have the keys back?” It was really not a mutually agreeable separation. And what do you do when you’re 55? So I sat down for a while and just looked at what I get enjoyment from. Bicycling is one of those things. I started thinking about the Vermont tour. What can I do that’s different?

So I wrote a business plan and bought a website. My business was up and running in the winter of 2011.

LGT: Tell me about that first year in business.

JP: Well, it’s kind of like open your wallet up and watch all the money fly away. I expected a little bit of that. I had three good advisers, people who I trusted and guided me.

One of the best pieces of advice I got was “Before you go on tour, you need to handpick >> LeisureGroupTravel.com

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LeisureGroupTravel.com <<

“

When you look at this industry, every state has a major across-the-state ride. These big events draw thousands of people, really drive the industry, and create buzz and much of the innovation.

warmup ride.” With our classic tours everything is the same except the mileage. We bump that up to 50-65 miles depending on the location and hotel. A good group size is a dozen to 16. We had a couple tours this summer with 20.

LGT: Is there somebody from your staff that’s accompanying them on a bike?

JP: We have two staff minimum on every tour. One is on the ground on a bicycle and the other is driving the SAG wagon. SAG is a term for support and gear; it stops every so often and there’s water and ice, snacks and luggage. We tell people that you’re going to see the SAG wagon probably once an hour.

LGT: How many trips are you running per year?

JP: Right now we’re doing a dozen and I’m hoping to grow that number. I expect three years from now alumni groups will be a major part of the business because this is a unique offering for them.

LGT: How many other bicycle tour operators are there across the United States?

JP: There’s several hundred. I'm a member

“

a dozen people and take them on a tour. You charge them 100 bucks, whatever; it doesn’t matter. Just take them and provide everything that you think you need to do to make sure it works correctly before you’re out there with the public.” So we did that and everything fell in line the way the plan said it would have.

The one thing that was missing was understanding the budget. That’s something that keeps evolving.

LGT: What about the first group that you handled, how did all that come about?

JP: We had a trip on the Kal-Haven Trail, which runs from Kalamazoo to South Haven.

It’s 33 miles one-way. So, people show up at 10:00 in the morning, we park at the trailhead, ride to South Haven, stay overnight, ride back Sunday. That’s about as simple as it gets. I began advertising for that on my website. I had a Facebook page early on and I went to bike shops with flyers.

LGT: How do you categorize the bicycle touring market?

JP: I divide the touring world into three parts. Citizen tours are relatively a great bargain for the number of miles you ride but may not provide services that you might expect. For instance, there’s a famous ride in Iowa called RAGBRAI across Iowa. They go 80 to 100 miles a day in the heat and they sleep in tents. It’s a wonderful event, but you have to be able to put up with being in a tent.

The citizen tours generally are a little lacking on a formal program. Their main deal is to get from point A to point B and you don’t necessarily see so much in the middle.

Then there’s some national tour groups at the opposite end of the spectrum that pamper guests in every way imaginable. Dining, lodging, rented bicycles, staff support. They are visiting really nice and unique places. And then there’s a few of us in the middle trying to bring some of those services down to an affordable level. And I think that’s where we are with Bike Tour Vacations. There are a handful of local tour operators across the country like me.

I divide my tours into comfort tours and classic tours. Our comfort tours are about 25 miles a day. That’s the target. Sometimes we exceed it and sometimes we’re just under it.

We have comfort tours because almost anyone can do that. That’s an hour-and-a-half before lunch and then you’re off the bike for an hour at a comfortable restaurant or a museum. And then it’s another hour after lunch. That’s the whole bike day. Experienced cyclists would look and say, “25 miles? Well, that’s just a

of the National Bike Tour Directors Association, which is now a part of the League of American Wheelmen. The goal here is to improve the quality, the safety, everything about what we do for bike touring.

LGT: What do you think the future holds for this business?

JP: When you look at this industry, every state has a major across-the-state ride.

These big events draw thousands of people, really drive the industry, and create buzz and much of the innovation. I think that leaves an opening for people like me to come in with more personal service, comfortable lodging, better food and a theme. Each of my tours shares these hallmarks of quality.

I see growth is going to come from two places. First, I’m looking to the alumni market. Number two, I keep searching for the right combination of internet presence and advertising to become better known in the bicycle community. I keep listening to people in other trades on how they’re marketing and thinking what I can adopt from that. LGT

GROUPS LOVE GETTYSBURG

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n 1863, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania was the setting for one of the Civil War’s most famous battles; today it commemorates the history of that battle with the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center. Groups will be transported back in time while they explore the battlefield with step-on guides. The Visitor Center is home to the Cyclorama painting, equipped with light and sound effects; it is longer than a football field and weighs three tons. Another highlight: the film A New Birth of Freedom, narrated by Morgan Freeman. Group amenities include complimentary tickets for the bus driver and group leader, a bus drop-off/pick-up area, dedicated bus parking lot, picnic area, separate group entrance and group restroom area.

Other enriching experiences in Gettysburg include walking in Lincoln’s footsteps at the David Wills House and touring Eisenhower National Historic Site, the only home Dwight and Mamie Eisenhower ever owned.

An easy drive from Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, with plenty of opportunities for fun in between, Gettysburg will leave your entire group fulfilled.

For more information, visit gettysburgfoundation.org or call 877-874-2478.

December 2016

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INDUSTRY FORECAST

David Chait, CEO & Founder of Travefy

Has High Touch Gone High Tech?

Technology companies are working to get the group travel industry up to speed with innovative solutions for online bookings

By Vanessa Day

John Prince, Co-Founder/CIO of HotelPlanner and Meetings.com

Jason Shames, CEO & Founder of Skipper

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S

ince the insurgence of the Internet, the travel industry has been at the forefront of technology, working to make booking travel as easy, convenient and economical as possible. According to Phocuswright, a travel market research company, online channels will account for a projected 45% of total gross bookings in 2016, and mobile is emerging as a popular booking platform, too. However, there’s one segment of the market that has been left behind: leisure group travel.

The management complexities have kept group travel bookings to a strictly offline process through phone calls, emails and even faxes. Some companies are hoping to change that, bringing group travel online and creating a more seamless, straightforward method.

While group travel may be considered niche, it is a profitable one. This segment of travel cannot be ignored by technology, and a number of companies are stepping up to address this issue. Businesses like Travefy, HotelPlanner and Skipper are looking for ways to make it easier to book a group trip online.

WHY THE SLOW UPTAKE? With all the innovation we’ve seen in travel technology over the years, it seems odd that an online tool for leisure groups hasn’t come to fruition. People in the industry, however, are not surprised. “There are a lot of reasons why the technology has been lagging,” says David Chait, CEO & Founder of Travefy, an online group travel planning site. >> LeisureGroupTravel.com

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Travefy, an online group travel planning site, offers professional tools for travel agents and tour operators, employing software to solve many of the problems in organizing a group trip.

One reason, according to Chait, is the structural aspect, especially when it comes to back end systems for airline tickets and hotel prices. “They weren’t built around accommodating large groups,” says Chait.

“The first thing you have is actually a technology hurdle to get over.”

Other companies, including Skipper, which specializes in booking hotel blocks for leisure groups, have observed this obstacle. “Hotel booking channels have not innovated or evolved nearly as quickly as the rest of the travel market,” says Jason Shames, CEO and founder of Skipper. The systems “are providing standard transient rates for one to eight rooms and sales are quoting bespoke offers for nine-plus rooms. Those transient offers, traditionally, have not been designed to best meet the needs of different leisure use cases.”

Another reason is that groups are not “low hanging fruit” because they are more complicated than individual travel. “There are so many stakeholders involved in a group,” says John Prince, Co-Founder/CIO of HotelPlanner and Meetings.com. “It’s hard for an individual to make the transaction in one single online session.” All the moving parts involved with group travel makes it tough to address, and only recently have companies really started giving it the attention it deserves.

LeisureGroupTravel.com <<

EVOLUTION The industry has acknowledged the potential and profitability of leisure group travel.

As a result, there has been an increased effort to create a group-friendly online booking platform. The biggest evolution is the automation of many tasks that were previously manual and addressing the technology that needs to be in place to make it easier for everyday consumers and travel professionals.

Travefy was built with groups in mind, and it employs software to solve many of the problems people face when planning a group trip. The platform allows groups to collaborate and communicate in one place, as well as direct some of those pain points such as expense management, according to Chait.

Travefy has a free group travel tool for consumers, where they can have discussions, build an itinerary and track shared expenses.

They also offer professional tools for travel agents and tour operators.

“For agents and professionals, we’re helping them reduce that human capital cost by giving them a beautiful place to easily build those custom itineraries,” Chait says.

“But more importantly, get them a communications and collaborations platform rather than dealing with the headaches, emails and phone calls with a group of 10.”

Other travel-based websites are using Travefy’s technology as a way to cater to groups. For instance, if you book a vacation rental on HomeAway’s App, you will see a “split expenses” button that lets you collect funds from friends and other travelers in the group for the rental or perhaps groceries or activities.

HotelPlanner focuses mostly on the hotel booking aspect of a group trip, while also allowing people to take the process offline and speak with properties about their vacation, wedding or family reunion. “We’ve always embraced the concept of tech and touch,” says Prince. “We realize that these are very important purchases and events for people.”

With that in mind, HotelPlanner wants to keep certain touch points in place so people feel comfortable and confident in their decision, while at the same time automating the mundane and time-consuming aspects of the process. This includes the room quotes, the contract signing and the ability for group members to book into a room block. The platform makes it easy for group planners to negotiate bids online, without picking up the phone. It also assists with finding the best deal, as HotelPlanner’s bidding auction drives the lowest group rate, making sure you’re getting the best price possible.

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HotelPlanner Homepage

HotelPlanner Group Form

Skipper Homepage

INDUSTRY FORECAST Another player in the hotel booking market is Skipper. The company is there to help both consumers and hotels with group travel. With all the alternative accommodation options out there now, Airbnb and HomeAway, hotels are being forced to evolve and stay relevant, especially in the leisure group travel market, according to Shames. Technology like Skipper is encouraging hotels to seek alternative distribution techniques.

Skipper’s platform is a place where groups can search and find the perfect hotel for their vacation. The Skipper Score matches groups with hotels based on their trip occasion, location and preferences. The technology and Booking Advisors deal with negotiating rates for groups, streamlining the process for everyone. Travelers have a personalized dashboard to review and accept hotel offers, sign contracts electronically, and get a shareable link for others in the group to reserve rooms. If you’re planning a wedding, this is a godsend.

“The end goal for us is to find a way to save groups time and money while delivering offers that best fit their group,” Shames says. “Our goal is to get the right heads in beds.”

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CONTINUED GROWTH Travefy, HotelPlanner and Skipper have seen tremendous growth in the last few years. HotelPlanner processes over 3,000 group requests a day; many of them first-time users, according to Prince.

Travefy has supported over 575,000 trips with its collaboration tools, and over

Skipper specializes in booking hotels for the leisure segment of group travel, including sports teams and weddings.

200,000 groups have tracked and managed their trips and expenses on the platform.

Travefy Professional provides tools to about 1,000 travel organizations, from independent agencies to major travel management companies.

Weddings make up a large portion of the customer base for these platforms, but there are many other groups that are beginning to emerge and use the available tools.

All three companies have noted that the sports teams and sporting events travel markets are stronger than ever. Multigenerational travel and family reunions have also seen a spike.

Many travel professionals and agents are eager to use the latest technology available, making it easier for them to book larger groups and manage all the details.

The recent developments for online group travel bookings are promising, and industry experts see much more growth potential in the future. “It’s an exciting time for the travel industry as a whole, especially for the group segment” says Chait. It’s taken the last few years to really assess the behaviors of consumers and their tendency to use online platforms for travel. Now that the market is saturated, Chait says, we’re starting to see more support in this still “niche” market. LGT >> LeisureGroupTravel.com

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2016 LEISURE GROUP TRAVEL READER INTENTIONS SURVEY

W

eâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re proud to present the results of Leisure Group Travelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2016 Reader Intentions survey.

We asked a series of questions pertinent to the business of group travel in order to better understand your travel programs and shape our editorial coverage in the coming year.

See how your travel program stacks up against other readers.

LeisureGroupTravel.com <<

LGT Take-away: The majority of LGT subscribers are small leisure group travel organizations.

LGT Take-away: U.S. is strong overall, with 92% of readers offering at least one domestic product. Growing interest in Canada buoyed by favorable exchange rates.

LGT Take-away: Nearly 75 percent of our readers are taking trips that are 4+ nights.

LGT Take-away: Seniors still dominate the group tour landscape, though the number of companies servicing only seniors is just 32%, representing a diversification by readers.

LGT Take-away: Traditional size trips still dominate, but small group trips now outnumber extra-large sized groups (51+).

LGT Take-away: 3 out of 4 readers plan specialty trips.

LGT Take-away: Over 9 in 10 readers are actively involved in planning their own tours.

LGT Take-away: Half of respondents are actively specializing in one or more niche group markets.

December 2016

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ON

FAMILY TRAVEL

Disney Cruise Line

Nancy Schretter

Multigenerational Families Reunite Over the Holidays M

ultigenerational families typically gathered at Grandma’s house to celebrate the festive December holiday season.

Today, however, families are living farther apart from each other than ever before.

Making lifelong family memories is high on holiday wish lists, but the stresses of entertaining often get in the way.

Rather than going “over the river and through the woods to Grandmother’s house,” today’s multigenerational families frequently reunite on a holiday vacation instead. These groups often include grandparents, parents, siblings, cousins, in-laws and friends. Tour planners can lend their expertise in organizing such trips, which are are comparable to mini-reunions.

Multigenerational travel is 2016's top luxury travel trend, according to the 2016 Virtuoso Luxe Report. The 2016 Virtuoso Travel Dreams Survey has multigenerational family vacations at No. 1 on travelers' lists of top 10 trips of a lifetime.

Dan Austin, founder and president of Austin Adventures, has seen a significant increase in holiday multigenerational family group book16

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ings. “Booking a multigenerational family trip can take all the stress out of the holidays and allow family members to focus on enjoying great experiences and spending time together,” says Austin. One of the keys to a successful multigenerational vacation, according to Austin, is “having something for everyone – from 8 to 80.” Central America and the Galapagos are among the company’s most popular multigenerational holiday destinations.

SAILING THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS Cruise ships provide activities and amenities for all interests and age groups, making them an excellent choice for multigenerational holiday vacations. “The December holidays are one of the most popular seasons of the year to cruise, providing families an opportunity to reconnect and make a lifetime of wonderful memories,” says Vance Gulliksen of Carnival Cruise Line. Carnival’s ships are beautifully decorated, providing a festive home base for the holiday season. Bountiful holiday feasts are served onboard, keeping family traditions alive with no cleanup necessary.

Disney Cruise Line caters to multigenerational families with Disney’s mix of familyfriendly entertainment and programs for all ages. “Disney Cruise Line has a strong draw for multigenerational travel with more than one-third of all parties sailing as part of a multigenerational group,” says Jennifer Haile Tinn of Disney Cruise Line. Disney’s Very Merrytime Cruises feature a wide variety of holiday activities including tree-lighting by Disney characters and “Santa’s Winter Wonderland Ball” with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Cruise ships also serve delicious holiday feasts onboard, keeping festive family traditions alive with no cleanup necessary.

For example, guests on MSC Divina’s holiday sailings enjoy a Christmas Eve Gala Dinner or New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner featuring dishes created in partnership with two-star Michelin chef Carlo Cracco. The MSC Divina also offers a special lunch on Christmas Day, Christmas-themed cooking classes and traditional Hanukkah foods for those celebrating Hanukkah.

Multigenerational holiday cruise vacations aren’t confined to oceangoing vessels. Several river cruise lines successfully cater to families as well. “For 2016, Uniworld more than doubled the number of children booked on family cruises compared to 2014, increasing the total number of departures from five to 13,” says Ellen Bettridge, president & CEO of Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection.

Uniworld’s “Classic Christmas Markets” itinerary enables multigenerational families to enjoy Europe’s holiday magic and make lasting memories together.

AmaWaterways has partnered with Adventures by Disney to create immersive European river cruise experiences for multigenerational travelers on their newest ships, featuring suites with convertible sofa beds and connecting staterooms. AmaWaterways’ holiday cruises allow families to experience Europe’s Christmas Markets and special traditions. “From tree-decorating contests and carolers to a traditional holiday dinner and Christmas Party, groups of all ages will truly have an incredible experience onboard AmaWaterways during the holiday season,” says Kristin Karst, AmaWaterways’ executive vice president and co-owner. >> LeisureGroupTravel.com

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MAKING MEMORIES AT FESTIVE RESORTS Resorts are popular choices for multigenerational vacations, particularly when they’re decked out for the holidays. In New York State, Mohonk Mountain House’s Victorian castle provides a fairytale-like setting complete with gingerbread houses, handmade wreaths and massive Christmas trees.

Families staying at The Breakers in Palm Beach, Florida marvel at the resort’s holiday wonderland made up of 1,750 feet of garland, 4,000 ornaments, 160,000 Christmas lights and more. Family-friendly resorts such as The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs and The Gasparilla Inn & Club in Boca Grande, Florida feature “Twelve Days of Christmas” events filled with programs, activities and culinary delights.

Amenity-filled resorts cater to multigenerational families with an extensive variety of holiday programs for every age group.

This allows all family members to have fun, both together and apart. In western Virginia, The Omni Homestead Resort’s holiday season calendar is filled with nearly 250 entries including the Homestead Holiday Express Hayride, Nutcracker Tea and Dessert Reception and Goodnight Elf Tuck-In. Resorts at theme parks like Walt Disney World are a popular choice for December family mini-reunions, allowing grandparents to make holiday wishes come true and share something they love with their children and grandchildren. Walt Disney World’s resorts are festively decorated for the holidays and the parks feature special activities such as Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, Epcot’s Candelight Processional and spectacular fireworks shows. In addition, personalized packages can be arranged including special holiday in-room celebrations and private holiday dessert parties.

Multigenerational groups frequently seek out tropical beach resorts with plenty of family room for their December holiday celebrations. Florida’s Hawks Cay Resort caters to multigenerational groups with fully-equipped villas and special holiday programming. Sheldon Suga, Hawks Cay Resort's managing director, says, "We've always been a family destination, but we have seen steady growth in the multigeneraLeisureGroupTravel.com <<

tional travel segment over the last couple of years and we've adjusted our offerings to cater specifically to families traveling together as a result."

The Somerset on Grace Bay, located in Turks & Caicos, is also seeing an increase in multigenerational travel, according to managing director Urmas Kärner. The property is a haven for multigenerational families traveling together with spacious one-to fivebedroom villas ranging from 1,400 to 5,300

square feet. A traditional Christmas Dinner is served on December 25 and Santa Claus brings holiday cheer to good boys and girls of all ages.

For many multigenerational families, making priceless vacation memories can be the best holiday gift of all. LGT Nancy Schretter is the founder and managing editor of the Family Travel Network (familytravelnetwork.com) and an industry consultant in family and multigenerational travel.

THERE’S A JUDITH IN EVERY GROUP. She’s happy to join in, but she wants ® options. Luckily for you and Judith, “The Waterpark Capital of the World! ” is a crowd-pleaser. With countless group and individual activities from live shows to scenic boat rides, Wisconsin Dells will keep the Judith in your group smiling – something everyone can get behind. Contact one of our destination specialists for complimentary planning assistance.

MeetInTheDells.com | sales@wisdells.com | (800) 223-3557

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INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT

ABA, NTA Help Tour Planners Start 2017 Fast

Cody York/ThisisCleveland.com

EAST 4TH STREET, CLEVELAND

A

re you ready to kick off your new year with strong business ideas and a bigger network to do business?

Then you need to attend ABA’s Annual Meeting & Marketplace in Cleveland in mid-January and NTA’s Travel Exchange in St. Louis in late February.

ABA Marketplace in Cleveland offers everything you need to set the scene for your business in 2017. While the city will keep you captivated with its rich history and newly developed foodie personality, you will also enjoy the business-enhancing action happening in the convention center.

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“ABA’s Annual Meeting & Marketplace offers something for everyone,” said ABA President & CEO Peter Pantuso, CTIS. “It is much more than just the appointments; we offer education and networking opportunities not found anywhere else in the industry. And Cleveland is just a wonderful city to see and explore.”

Not only will attendees build their business with appointments, but will also find ABA’s BISC, BusMARC, Women in Buses, Hispanic Motorcoach and Entertainer Motorcoach Councils all hosting their winter meetings in Cleveland. You and your team will also have

access to education sessions that will help take your business to the next level.

As for networking opportunities, ABA’s afterhours networking events include the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Great Lakes Science Center, or come see how Cleveland repurposed its historical power plant into a nautical entertainment complex during the “Light Up Cleveland” event.

Travel Exchange, NTA’s annual conference heads to St. Louis February 26 – March 2. It’s where members do business, learn more about the industry and find out how others are tackling challenges. But it’s even more than that. It’s a chance for members to meet the travel world under one roof, a chance to share ideas and make lifelong friends.

“St. Louis captures the spirit of discovery, and I’m confident our members will find new partners, fresh ideas and unexpected opportunities when we’re there. We’re packing a lot of fun into a schedule that’s full of appointments, networking and education,” said Pam Inman, NTA’s president.

Travel Exchange features new travel products from every U.S. state, Canadian province and 30+ countries. It brings NTA members together all in one place — ready to partner up and elevate travel experiences.

Attend valuable educational seminars that offer practical knowledge, and get in front of NTA buyers serving every age of client and every market.

But NTA is not all about work and no play.

Evening networking functions and icebreakers are hosted by iconic St. Louis attractions such as City Museum, Ballpark Village and the Budweiser Brewery Experience.

We polled local tourism professionals in St. Louis and Cleveland to get their take on what to see and do around the convention.

Browse this list of favorites and take some time before or after Marketplace in Cleveland or Travel Exchange in St. Louis to play tourist! >> LeisureGroupTravel.com

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WHAT TO DO IN CLEVELAND? The greatest stories and biggest names in rock and roll shine on at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which celebrated its 20th anniversary this year. The experience includes four theaters, multiple interactive stations and seven floors that tell the story of the world’s most powerful art form. Note: ABA evening event will be held here.

One of the most prestigious cultural institutions in the city is the Cleveland Museum of Art. There’s free admission to its permanent collection, which features more than 45,000 pieces of art from artists like Dali, Monet and Warhol.

Playhouse Square is one of the largest performing arts centers in the country outside of New York. Five beautifully restored historic theaters are home to a variety of productions.

In town during ABA: SOULmate? A True Love Story, Into The Woods, Flanagan's Wake 2017, Michael Stanley Superstar.

Built in 1931, the Higbee Department Store is an architectural masterpiece that now houses Ohio’s first gambling destination, Cleveland’s JACK Casino. While playing, visitors will notice that the interior echoes the Art Deco styling of the building.

The Greater Cleveland Aquarium includes

eight galleries and over 50 exhibits with aquatic life from around the world. One of the most exciting exhibits includes a sea tube that allows visitors to experience life under the sea in a clear, 150’ walk-through tunnel.

Note: ABA evening event will be held here.

More than 400 hands-on exhibits are on display at the Great Lakes Science Center.

Check out artifacts from John Glenn’s Friendship 7 mission, look inside an actual command center or climb into a model of a space capsule at the NASA Glenn Visitor Center. Note: ABA evening event will be held here.

The restored Cleveland house where the classic movie A Christmas Story was filmed is located in the Tremont neighborhood, chock full of original props and images for public viewing.

Cleveland’s hip nightlife destination is found downtown at East 4th Street. This narrow brick street is packed with upscale eateries and entertainment such as the House of Blues, Hilarities, Corner Alley, Flannery’s and Butcher and the Brewer, plus a variety of award-winning restaurants, including Chef Michael Symon’s Lola and Mabel’s BBQ and Jonathon Sawyer’s The

Greenhouse Tavern and Noodlecat.

You won’t find your typical piece of American cheese layered between two slices of white bread at Melt Bar & Grilled. Melt features more than 20 different takes on the original, all with their own unique twist. Try a “Parmageddon” stuffed with onions, kraut and potato-and-cheese pierogis.

Market Garden Brewery and Production Facility is located in the growing brewery district of Cleveland’s Ohio City. Built to brew and distribute their signature draft beer, the brewery’s new 35,000-square-foot production facility provides free tours, a taproom with post-tour tastings and a retail store allowing visitors to take home their favorite brews.

Built in 1912, the West Side Market is one of the largest indoor/outdoor markets in the country. It features more than 100 booths with the freshest selection of fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy, produce, baked goods, ethnic foods and international delicacies.

Thanks to the team at Destination Cleveland (www.destinationcle.org) and Leisure Group Travel’s hometown Cleveland hero Harry Peck for their recommendations in compiling this list.

ThisisCleveland.com

A rousing evening event will be held at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame during ABA Marketplace in Cleveland from Jan. 14-17.

LeisureGroupTravel.com <<

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WHAT TO DO IN ST. LOUIS? Visit Lafayette Square, the largest collection of Victorian homes in the Midwest with over 400 in the neighborhood. The businesses located here include the Looking Glass Designs boutique, Bailey's Chocolate Bar, Park Avenue Coffee and one of the very first microbreweries to brave the St. Louis market, Square One Brewery.

The Hill is the birthplace of Yogi Berra and Joe Garagiola and one of the last Italian neighborhoods in the country to have familyowned businesses and many homes with multigenerational owners. Missouri Baking Co. is known for some of the best baked goods in town. Urzi's Market has two storefronts of eclectic Italian foods, spices, olive oils, wine and more.

Fox Sports Midwest Live! in the heart of Ballpark Village is home to the only 40’ LED screen in the region. It’s the best place to watch your favorite sports team. Note: NTA evening event will be held here.

Budweiser Brew House is Budweiser’s flagship restaurant. It features a whopping 125 different brews and a beer-inspired menu to satisfy your most knowledgeable foodie.

Note: NTA evening event will be held here.

Whether it’s taking your turn at riding the mechanical bull at the PBR Cowboy Bar inside Ballpark Village, or leaving it to the professionals who will be bucking and ducking at the Scottrade Center on Sunday night, catch bull riding, a truly American sport. Also at the Scottrade Center, catch the St. Louis Blues hockey match on Tuesday night, February 28 against the Oilers.

Gordon Radford/Explore St. Louis

CATHEDRAL BASILICA OF SAINT LOUIS

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>> LeisureGroupTravel.com

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Nothing says St. Louis more than the mighty Gateway Arch, a National Park Service site where redevelopment of the grounds and museum/visitor center under the Arch is taking place.

Located in the Central West End neighborhood, known for its gorgeous homes, restaurants and shops, is the century-old Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis. It looks as if it were lifted from Eastern Europe with incredible architecture and the largest collection of mosaics in the Western Hemisphere. While in the Central West End, grab a bite to eat at Mary Ann’s Tea Room.

Come prepared to play at City Museum, unlike any museum you’ve been to before.

This quirky, interactive museum is housed in a former shoe factory. It features 10 floors of fun, including a circus act, multi-floor slides, caves, shoelace factory, tree house and aquarium. Note: NTA evening event will be held here.

If you come into St. Louis on Saturday, check out the St. Louis Mardi Gras Parade.

It marches through the Soulard neighborhood and is the Midwest’s largest, most spectacular pre-Lenten celebration.

Witness the massive redevelopment taking place at one of America’s treasures, the iconic Gateway Arch. Don’t go home without a selfie!

St. Louis has over 150 parks in the county, each with its own personality and beauty.

However the crowd favorite is Forest Park.

The park offers every outdoor amenity you could think of in addition to the four spectacular cultural institutions that call this place home: Saint Louis Art Museum, Saint Louis Zoo, Saint Louis Science Center and the Missouri History Museum.

St. Louis Public Central Library, just a few blocks from the convention center, is an architectural beauty. Built in 1912 by Cass Gilbert and just recently reopened after an LeisureGroupTravel.com <<

extensive renovation, it’s absolutely gorgeous.

Check out the rare book collection.

Central Print is located minutes from downtown in the neighborhood of Old North, just steps from another local favorite, Crown Candy Kitchen. Central Print and Firecracker Press is an interesting combination of print shop, museum and classroom. You can’t help Discover

A meric a’s

but be amazed at the collection of equipment they have.

Thanks to Renee Eichelberger from Explore St. Louis, Dea Hoover from Are We There Yet?, Tami Goldman from the Missouri History Center and Nicole Kent from Ballpark Village for their awesome recommendations. LGT Hallowed

Ground

Gettysburg

Spend National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center 45 minutes or a day!

EXPLORE the battlefield with step-on Guides.

VIEW the breathtaking Cyclorama painting.

EXPERIENCE the film, A New Birth of Freedom.

DISCOVER the world-class museum.

WALK in Lincoln’s footsteps at the David Wills House.

TOUR the Eisenhower National Historic Site.

SHOP for souvenirs in the Book Store.

DINE in the Refreshment Saloon.

Group Amenities Include: • Complimentary Tickets for Bus Driver and Group Leader • Bus Drop-Off and Pick-Up Area • Dedicated Bus Parking Lot • Separate Group Entrance • Group Restroom Area • Picnic Area TOP 10 Places to Visit

GETTYSBURGFOUNDATION.ORG | 1195 BALTIMORE PIKE, GETTYSBURG, PA 17325 | TOLL-FREE (877) 874-2478

December 2016

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Switzerland Beckons Travelers with Holiday Magic Christmas markets, religious traditions and winter fun highlight group trips to this charming Alpine country

For travel information contact: MySwitzerland.com For information on rail travel: RailEurope.com

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GENEVA

LUCERNE

Called the “Protestant Rome,” Geneva over the years has been impacted by the Reform Movement and John Calvin’s influence.

Located on beautiful Lake Geneva, with dramatic views of Mount Blanc, this city, with its longstanding humanitarian tradition and cosmopolitan flair, is the European headquarters of the United Nations and the Red Cross. It also is home to the International Museum of the Reformation, which is a must-visit on any traveler’s list for 2017 with the 500-year anniversary celebration of the reformer Martin Luther.

Lucerne, a centuries-old city on the shores of pretty Lake Lucerne, becomes a truly magical place at Christmastime.

Snow on the rooftops, festive Christmas markets and sparkling lights gracing the main traffic bridge across the Reuss River transform the town into holiday mode.

Winter celebrations in Geneva include the Escalade Festival, which has taken place for 400 years. Running from Dec. 9-11 this year, it remembers the unsuccessful 1602 attack by the Duke of Savoy and his soldiers to take over the city. The highlight is a torchlight parade beginning in the Old Town and featuring costumed characters who re-enact the dispersal of the king’s troops.

A December tradition since 1935 is the Coupe de Noël, the world’s largest open- water swimming competition. This year more than 1,900 swimmers are registered for the December 18 event, which is held in Lac Léman and begins at the Jardin Anglais. Geneva’s winter spirit is also evident at a large ice skating rink at Parc des Bastions, a beautiful park in the city center that features the famed Reformation Wall. www.geneve.com

As Advent begins, Lucerne goes into high gear with a spectacular blaze of Christmas lights around the city. Adjacent to the lake there’s the colorful Live On Ice skating rink, which continues through January 2. Other top attractions include Christmas cruises on Lake Lucerne, a Father Christmas Procession accompanied by the Three Magi and the Holy Family, carol presentations in the Old Town at Christmas Eve, a theatrical Advent Calendar at the Lucerne Theater and special holiday concerts.

Also, tour groups and individuals can partake in a unique overview of Christmas in Lucerne where leaders will explain the origins of Christmas and Father Christmas, how pine tree boughs relate to the season, hear important details about Lucerne’s Christmas traditions and visit a life-size Nativity set.

The meeting point is the Jesuit Church.

As many as 11 distinctive Christmas markets in Lucerne and the area will also be featured during the holidays. Hot mulled wine and roasted almonds, as well as many hand-made craft items, are offered at these intriguing markets. And on New Year’s Eve, a giant fireworks display on the lake starts the New Year in Lucerne. www.luzern.com/christmas

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ZURICH

BASEL

December is a special time in Zurich, when the 2,000-year Old Town is bathed in the warm glow of millions of Christmas lights, carols ring out throughout the city, and the sweet smell of cinnamon and hot mulled wine permeates the air.

This, along with seven fabulous Christmas markets, extended shopping hours and more than 12,000 glittering lights on the famous Bahnhofstrasse alone, makes Zurich a must-see city during the holidays.

Basel is known as Switzerland’s largest and most beautiful “Christmas City.” Basel’s main buildings and bridges are aglow with lights during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, and 100 decorated pine trees line Europe’s longest Christmas Street.

The colorful Christmas Market at the main train station is always a busy, bustling place during the holidays. The popular market, the largest covered market in Europe, is a top attraction, with a nearly 50-foot-high Christmas tree adorned with hundreds of shimmering Swarovski crystals. Another exceptional Christmas market, the oldest in Zurich, is located in Zurich’s Old Town, the Niederdörfli.

Other Zurich holiday attractions include the Singing Christmas Tree at Wermühleplatz, the Märlitram that chauffeurs children around the city center while angels recite stories of Christmas, and a threesome of beautiful ice skating rinks at the Opera House, in the courtyard of the Swiss National Museum and by the lake. Like fondue? Zurich’s numerous quality restaurants serve up delicious cheese fondue, but you can find friendly “fondue parties” almost anywhere here during this season.

More holiday fun comes with the Circus Conelli at the Bauschänzli town square, a Santa Claus parade, winter swim event on the Limmat River, a foot race through the Old Town as well as the popular event Lichterschwimmen, with hundreds of floating candles on River Limmat—these are just a few of the other Zurich attractions that await visitors during this festive season. zuerich.com/christmas

Dazzling Christmas markets at Barfüsserplatz and Münsterplatz, with nearly 200 decorated traditional wooden stalls, offer a one-of-a-kind experience every day during the season. Both locations are in Basel’s Old Town on beautiful squares, with Münsterplatz being next to the town’s famous medieval Gothic Cathedral. Traders and artisans present their wares, from pottery to spices, wooden toys to decorations, as well as perfumes, candles and scarves. There are sweet gifts aplenty, including the renowned Basel Läckerli biscuits, and hungry shoppers can enjoy waffles, juicy sausages and a glass of hot mulled wine.

The city’s shops are outfitted for the season. Johann Wanner, the “couturier of Christmas” has his famous shop in Basel’s historic center, well worth a visit for its beautiful Christmas decorations, hand-blown glass ornaments and traditional wooden toys. Additionally, holiday events and exhibits in Basel include the Spielzeug Welten Museum, the 50th anniversary of the Jüdisches Museum and Archaeology Christ in the Fifteenth and Sixteenth Centuries at the Kunstmuseum Basel.

Additionally, Salvation Army concerts, a special performance at the Puppet Theatre and a musical Advent at the Basel Theater.

A popular city tour explores specially-illuminated streets and squares, and relates stories about the region’s most charming Advent customs. www.basel.com/en/Christmas-in-Basel

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Switzerland Fast Facts Convenient Size and Location Although only about twice the size of New Jersey, and a little under 16,000 square miles, Switzerland deals some big cards when it comes to playing to groups. A multi-cultural, multilingual country, it is located in the very heart of Europe.

Sharing common borders with Germany, Italy, France, Austria, and the Principality of Liechtenstein, Switzerland is at the crossroads of Continental Europe.

Getting There By Air Switzerland is regarded as one of the most transportationintegrated countries in the world. In the air, Swiss International Air Lines is the national carrier serving 44 countries and 100 destinations worldwide. Airlines that fly direct to Switzerland include United, Delta, American, Swiss International and Edelweiss.

As many as 39 other airlines fly to Switzerland from around the world.

Ground Transportation Switzerland’s public transport system is known to be one of the finest in the world. A dense network of reliable railroad, bus, ship, tramway and mountain cable car systems, along with a detailed timetable, allows visitors to reach nearly any location in the country fast and easily. The punctuality and cleanliness of Switzerland’s public conveniences are revered the world over. One of the best ways to travel across Switzerland is to purchase a Swiss Travel Pass which entitles the holder to unlimited travel, discounts on other transportation options, and also offers free admission to 450 museums.

Population Switzerland has a population of 7.5 million. The largest city is Zurich, with 350,000 people.

Basel

Zurich Lucerne

Geneva

Switzerland’s Spectacular Mountains Everyone talks about the breathtaking mountains in Switzerland—65% of the country is covered by the Alpine Region, commonly called the Swiss Alps. This natural feature affords visitors a wide range of sports and recreational activities such as skiing, hiking and mountain biking. The Matterhorn, at 14,690 feet high, is a star attraction.

Cantons, Languages There are 26 cantons in Switzerland, three of them joining together initially in 1291 to form the Swiss Federation.

The last canton to join was Jura in 1978. Four languages are spoken in the country: German, Italian, French and Romansh, which is spoken mainly in the canton of Graubünden. English is commonly understood throughout the country.

Temperate Climate Depending on altitude, from March to June and September to December, temperatures vary between 40 degrees and 72 degrees Fahrenheit, between 64 and 82 degrees in July and August. January-February temperatures range from 28 to 44 degrees.

Switzerland known for...

Chocolate, precision clocks and watches, precise engineering, picturesque medieval cities, Swiss multiblade knives, raclette and rosti, and the famous and lovable Bernese Mountain Dog.

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Belalp, Valais Š Christof Schuerpf

Dream Switzerland.

Switzerland is the ideal destination for winter activities, Christmas markets and religious traditions.

Reformationtours.com

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WEST

REGION

The annual Pasadena extravaganza, a photographer’s dream, attracts more than a million spectators to the 5 1/2-mile route. The majority of parade viewing takes place on Colorado Boulevard.

AMERICA’S

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Get the year off to a festive start with a tour package built around the Tournament of Roses Parade, a Southern California original >> LeisureGroupTravel.com

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By Sue Arko

S

aluting community spirit and love of pageantry, the Tournament of Roses Parade has been a New Year’s greeting to the world from Pasadena, California for as long as any of us can remember. Unequaled anywhere else on the planet, the color-splashed spectacle will mark its 128th year in 2017. More than 935 volunteers spend some 80,000 hours getting ready for the big event.

This time around, the parade will take place on Jan. 2 because Jan. 1 is on a Sunday.

In 1893, a “Never on Sunday” protocol was initiated. Back in the day, they avoided holding the Rose Parade on Sundays to avoid scaring the horses that were tethered outside of churches on the parade route. Now moving the date to Jan. 2 is more about tradition.

Experiencing this unrivaled New Year’s celebration in person is on the bucket list of many travelers. With over one million people attending the parade, joining a well-organized group tour is by far the best way to go. And there are many professional tour operators

offering a variety of options. There is truly something for everyone.

Of course, the highlight of any tour itinerary is the two-hour parade featuring magnificent floral floats, talented marching bands and highstepping equestrians. The 5½-mile route begins at the corner of Green Street and Orange in Pasadena with the majority of parade viewing taking place on Colorado Boulevard. The parade starts at 8 a.m. and passes the last public viewing area near Sierra Madre Boulevard and Villa Street about 2½ hours later.

The theme of the 2017 Parade is “Echoes of Success,” depicting how character develops through selfless contributions to society. It is a celebration honoring people, institutions and organizations – such as family, teachers, friends, coaches and hospital volunteers – that lend a hand in helping others reach their goals.

For a more hands-on experience, visitors this year can volunteer to help put the finishing touches on the floats from Dec. 2731. During the final stages of preparation, a variety of seeds, bark, fruits and vegetables,

grasses and flowers must be applied to the floats by experienced professionals with the help of volunteers. This is a great way to see the floats up close without fighting the crowds. The earlier shifts tend to be better as the latter slots often find that most of the work has been completed.

Your group can also view the floats prior to or after the parade. Before the parade, viewing locations are the Rosemont and Brookside Pavilions near Rose Bowl Stadium and at the Rose Palace in downtown Pasadena. Lines can get very long if not traveling in a group. A limited number of timed-entry group tickets are available.

Immediately after the parade and the day after, floats can be viewed at Victory Park.

Again, lines are often long, but groups can purchase tickets for early entry on the day after the parade. They can get in two hours prior to the general public.

All three of the above options provide for much better pictures than those taken at the parade.

Many of the flower-festooned floats are whimsical works of art that harken back to storybook tales from our childhood.

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The floats are judged and prizes are awarded. Judges evaluate the floats based on creative design, floral craftsmanship, artistic merit, computerized animation, thematic interpretation, floral and color presentation, and dramatic impact. Banners for each winning float precede the float, alerting viewers of their award.

The Tournament of Roses Parade appeals to all generations. More grandparents are traveling with grandkids, and older parents are traveling with their adult children (mothers/daughters, etc.). Some packages combine Disneyland, Universal Studios and other family attractions with the parade for a perfect multigenerational package.

A private New Year’s Eve party is another tour inclusion most companies offer. Main Street Tours’ package features dining, dancing and a fun casino night. Some offer an East Coast New Year’s Party, with a toast at 9 p.m. as the ball drops in New York on the big-screen TV. Because it’s up early the next day!

Another option is combining the parade with a cruise for a “Boats and Floats” option.

This can only be done when parade day coincides with the cruise departure. In 2017, the

Carnival Inspiration sets sail the afternoon of Jan. 2 – so guests go from the parade to the cruise dock and end their vacation with a relaxing cruise.

So many choices! So which one fits your travelers? Main Street Tours offers one of the most inclusive and flexible Rose Parade tours available. Guests have two days where they have their choice of what they would like to do (these are not optionals with an additional cost – they are included in the package). Choices include everything from Catalina Island and Universal Studios to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Warner Bros. Studios, the Queen Mary and the

Aquarium of the Pacific, and the new OUE Skyspace observation deck in downtown Los Angeles.

Regardless of the option your group chooses, here are some parade tips: • Dress warmly and in layers. It is cool early in the morning, but once the sun begins to shine, it warms up considerably.

• If your seats are on the south side of Colorado Boulevard, the sun won't be in your face and your pictures will turn out better.

• There are portable toilets along the parade route right behind the bleachers, but there are long lines and they can get quite stinky.

• For the most part, walking on this tour will be easy to moderate. A limited number of wheelchairs are available for rent upon request (advance notice is required).

• Grandstand seating is very tight. A couple may consider buying an extra seat to split between the two of them for additional comfort.

• You and any items you bring into the Rose Parade grandstands will be searched.

Backpacks, coolers and large bags are not allowed. LGT

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Popular with fans of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s “Little House” books, the Ingalls Homestead in De Smet gives visitors a taste of life on the prairie.

SOUTH

DAKOTA Highlights

By Randy Mink

P

icture South Dakota and the true essence of America comes shining through. Mount Rushmore may be the face of South Dakota tourism, but there’s much more to see than four presidential heads carved in granite—and more areas to explore than the ever popular Black Hills.

This is a land of wide-open spaces, a land packed with the romance of our pioneer past. The state’s Wild West lore and Native American heritage alone merit a trip.

Spectacular scenery, watchable wildlife and vestiges of frontier days make for irresistible itineraries Our 16th largest state stretches 380 miles from east to west, from the tabletop flatness of the eastern farmlands to the forested hills and ranch country of the west. Dividing the state approximately in half is the mighty Missouri River, prized by outdoors-minded vacationers for its huge reservoirs, known as South Dakota’s Great Lakes.

A good place to start your trip is Rapid City, a gateway for air travelers and the portal for the Black Hills region of western

South Dakota. The Journey Museum chronicles the region’s history from dinosaur days to more recent times, covering everything from Lakota Sioux culture to the arrival of miners, mountain men and military expeditions. Bear Country U.S.A. is a drive-through park featuring North American wildlife and the world’s largest collection of privately owned black bears. For snakes, lizards and other scaly creatures, check out Reptile Gardens. If you don’t get your

South Dakota Department of Tourism

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presidential fix at Mount Rushmore, take a stroll through The City of Presidents, a collection of life-size bronze statues of U.S. presidents on the streets of downtown Rapid City. Groups can enjoy cowboy entertainment and a hearty meal at venues like Flying T Chuckwagon Supper & Show and Fort Hays Chuckwagon & Music Show.

Mount Rushmore National Memorial, celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, awes even the most jaded traveler with its sheer size, its artistic splendor and the lofty ideals it embodies. Most inspiring is the patriotic pageantry on summer nights in the amphitheater, when a ranger talk and stirring movie are followed by the playing of the National Anthem and gradual floodlighting of the four presidents’ faces, stark white against the starry Dakota sky.

The fifth granite face in the Black Hills

appears in the form of famous Lakota leader Crazy Horse. The Crazy Horse Memorial, a work in progress since 1948, is the world’s largest mountain carving and eventually will show the fierce warrior astride a horse; a huge visitor complex features the Indian Museum of North America. In season a multimedia laser light show illuminates the giant carving.

At Custer State Park, a nearby crowdpleaser, open-air Jeep safaris venture into the backcountry for closeup looks at one of the nation’s largest publicly-owned buffalo herds. Other watchable wildlife includes pronghorn antelope, mountain goats, bighorn sheep and prairie dogs. The park can be explored on foot via one of 11 hiking trails, all of which allow mountain biking (rentals available at the park). One trail goes to the top of 7,242-foot Harney Peak, the highest

point east of the Rockies as well as the highest point in the state. Custer State Park’s four lakes are stocked with fish and offer swimming beaches. Accommodations include four historic lodges.

In the northern Black Hills, the town of Deadwood captures the spirit of the American West. Founded in 1876 as a mining camp, it was built on gold, gambling and gunpowder.

Deadwood, once known as the wildest and wooliest town in the West, today is one of the largest historic preservation projects in the nation. Old storefronts and warehouses along the brick-paved streets are now casinos, restaurants and hotels. In season, actors take part in a daily shoot-out on Main Street.

Tourists can take underground tours at Broken Boot Gold Mine and visit the graves of Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickok at Mount Moriah Cemetery (Boot Hill).

South Dakota Department of Tourism

MOUNT RUSHMORE NATIONAL MEMORIAL

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Near the town of Hot Springs in the southern Black Hills, groups can tour The Mammoth Site, a working paleontological site and museum, and mingle with wild mustangs on a bus tour of Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary. Not far away is Wind Cave National Park, which offers one-hour tours of the world’s fourth-longest cave system.

Badlands National Park lies 90 minutes southeast of Rapid City. Both barren and beautiful, the park presents stark, eerie moonscapes of deep gorges, jagged spires and bands of color-streaked rocks sculpted by eons of wind and water. A trip to or from the Badlands is not complete without a stop at Wall Drug, one of America’s favorite roadside attractions since 1931. Besides every imaginable cowboy and Indian souvenir for sale, the retail/dining complex in Wall,

50 miles east of Rapid City on I-90, offers picture-taking props and animated displays.

Three dining rooms boast a world-class collection of Western and Native American art. Signature menu items include hot roast beef sandwiches, buffalo burgers, homemade donuts and five-cent coffee.

The town of Wall, located at the northern edge of the Badlands, is less than an hour north of Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, home of the Oglala Sioux. Visitors to the reservation can admire Native American artwork— paintings, beadwork, quillwork, wood and stone carvings—at The Heritage Center at Red Cloud, on the campus of Red Cloud Indian School. The Red Cloud Indian Art Show is held from early June to early August.

Five tribes maintain their headquarters along the mighty Missouri River in the Great Lakes tourism region of central South Dakota.

Threading the region from the Nebraska border to North Dakota is the Native American Scenic Byway, which abounds with memorial markers, museums and other sites that commemorate the heritage of the Sioux Nation. It passes through the lands of the Yankton, Lower Brule, Crow Creek, Cheyenne River and Standing Rock tribes.

On the byway near Fort Pierre, the Buffalo Interpretive Center explains the importance of buffalo in Native American culture through exhibits and videos. Owned by the Lower Brule Sioux tribe, the center overlooks one of its three bison pastures.

Across the river in Pierre, the state capital, the South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center preserves South Dakota pioneer and Lakota heritage. Located near the State Capitol, it tells the stories of early homesteaders and gold miners. Tours of the capitol are available.

South Dakota Department of Tourism

SOUTH DAKOTA CULTURAL HERITAGE CENTER

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The Akta Lakota Museum & Cultural Center, at St. Joseph’s Indian School in Chamberlain, is another tour highlight in the Great Lakes region. On display are feather headdresses, beaded moccasins, a mounted buffalo and a 36-foot diorama of the prairie as it sweeps from the Missouri River to the Black Hills.

Eastern South Dakota also abounds with discoveries. In Mitchell, the Dakota Discovery Museum is a historic village complex that includes an 1885 schoolhouse, 1909 country church and 1900 train depot. Exhibits spotlight Indian cultures, fur trading, railroading, farming and ranching, and there are several art galleries.

Mitchell is best known for the Corn Palace, a fanciful 1892 landmark. Topped with onion domes and minarets, the Moorish-style building pays homage to South Dakota’s agricultural heritage and is decorated every year with interior and exterior murals made from corn, grasses and grains. Tours of the

Corn Palace, originally built for farmers to showcase the fruits of their harvest, are available. Also in town is Mitchell Prehistoric Indian Village, an archaeological site with excavated artifacts on display.

In De Smet, the “Little Town on the Prairie,” groups can visit homes that inspired author Laura Ingalls Wilder’s beloved “Little House” books. The Ingalls Homestead offers covered wagon rides and hands-on pioneering activities.

Watertown is home to another famous South Dakotan, Terry Redlin, one of the most widely collected painters of wildlife and Americana. The imposing Redlin Art Center, a colonial-style, four-story brick building supported by 24 granite columns, offers a video presentation and displays more than 160 of his original oil paintings.

In the southeast, Sioux Falls, near the border with Minnesota and Iowa, is South Dakota’s largest city. At Falls Park, on the Big Sioux River near the vibrant downtown

district, visitors can see the city’s namesake from a five-story viewing tower. Besides a triple waterfall, the park features historic ruins, hiking and biking trails, and the Overlook Cafe, located in the former Sioux Falls Light and Power Company hydroelectric plant. The park’s annual Winter Wonderland lights extravaganza takes place from midNovember to early January.

Overflowing with group-friendly attractions, Sioux Falls also offers the new, 12,000-seat Denny Sanford Premier Center, which hosts major touring acts; Washington Pavilion, the city’s first high school featuring a performing arts center, visual arts center and interactive science center; downtown’s SculptureWalk, an extensive outdoor exhibit; Great Plains Zoo & Delbridge Museum of Natural History; and Sertoma Butterfly House & Marine Cove.

From city pleasures to wilderness treasures, South Dakota abounds with tempting possibilities for group travelers. LGT

South Dakota Department of Tourism

CUSTER STATE PARK

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SOUTH

REGION

The Palm Court Lobby of The Jefferson Hotel in Richmond, Virginia, is decked out in yuletide finery, including dozens of toy soldiers, through New Year’s Day.

9

HOTELS FOR THE HOLIDAYS

From classic hotels and resorts to historic inns, there’s a Southern property that’s sure to bring joy to your group’s yuletide experience. Here are nine favorites that give Christmastime an extra twinkle.

By Dave Bodle LeisureGroupTravel.com <<

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OMNI GROVE PARK INN ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA 2017 will mark the 25th annual National Gingerbread House Competition at the Omni Grove Park Inn. The event takes place from the Sunday following Thanksgiving through the first week of January. Contestants from around the country will display their sugar-and-spice culinary masterpieces throughout the resort.

This celebrated event brings a national panel of judges from food, art and media.

Hundreds of edible works of art will be on display in a setting of themed trees, festive lights and holiday decorations.

GAYLORD OPRYLAND RESORT & CONVENTION CENTER NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE Gaylord Opryland’s Country Christmas is a wonderful combination of extravagant holiday decorations and events all designed to put you in the spirit of the season. Beginning the second Saturday in November and continuing to New Year’s Day, the holidays are in full swing. The 2016 lineup included Dr. Seuss’s holiday classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical. The Grammy Award-winning Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers is being featured at the Christmas Dinner Show. There’s a full calendar of events and activities to fill your days and nights with memories.

THE ROOSEVELT HOTEL NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA The annual Lobby Lighting Ceremony has been an 80-year tradition. Held the Tuesday after Thanksgiving since the 1930s, the Waldorf Wonderland Lobby twinkles with thousands of lights on 44 birch trees and scores of Christmas trees decorated for the season. Enjoy the popular Teddy Bear Tea and witness Santa’s journey through the New Orleans rooftops. Regardless of when you visit during the holidays, you’ll enjoy the spirit of the season and elegant holiday dining.

GALT HOUSE LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, 2016 has brought a complete transformation of Christmas at the Galt House. The seventh magical year introduced a new attraction, KaLightoscope: 12 Days of Christmas. Each of the 12 days is featured with larger-than-life silk luminaries handcrafted by Chinese artists. Longtime favorites of Galt House guests are Winter WonderLane, A Very Merry Magic Show and Dancing Bellmen. If ever there was a grandparent/grandchild tour, Christmas at the Galt House might just be perfect.

PRESIDENT’S QUARTERS INN SAVANNAH, GEORGIA The smallest property on our list, this bed & breakfast with 16 richly furnished suites is a delightful headquarters for a visit to Savannah at Christmastime. Decorated for the holidays, the boutique hotel provides a complimentary Southern breakfast.

Conveniently set in the historic district on Oglethorpe Square, it is just steps away from the Savannah Harbor Festival of Lights and the Savannah City Market and River Street. The spirit of the holiday season twinkles in Savannah.

Top: The National Gingerbread House Competition brings a panel of judges to the Omni Grove Park Inn in Asheville, North Carolina. Left: Louisville’s Galt House presents KaLightoscope: 12 Days of Christmas.

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THE GREENBRIER WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, WEST VIRGINIA From mid-November through mid-January, The Greenbrier celebrates 60 Days of Holiday Cheer. There’s something magical happening every day. Did you miss the tree lighting in your hometown?

No problem—The Greenbrier has weekly tree lightings. Explore all the remarkable holiday lights on a trolley tour, commemorate the holiday season with a carriage ride or practice your best routine on the ice skating rink. Indoors a special holiday spa treatment is available to guests, while regular special events range from book signings and trunk shows to meet & greets and tastings.

ARLINGTON HOTEL HOT SPRINGS, ARKANSAS Festivities during the holiday season are a century-old tradition at the grand, historic Arlington Hotel. Exciting events, receptions and entertainment begin with a Thanksgiving Day feast and continue through the gala New Year’s Eve celebration. Annually the weekend following Thanksgiving a different theater company brings laughter to the Arlington with their presentation of the popular The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. The Gingerbread House Celebration in early December is held in conjunction with the annual tree lighting and complete with carolers. An annual performance in mid-December by the Hot Springs Flute Ensemble dates back more than 90 years. The Arlington’s fullservice spa with the Thermal Bath House and its hot spring water is a favorite of guests.

WENTWORTH MANSION CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA You would expect the Holy City to display yuletide joy with a heavy dose of Southern charm. Nothing is more Charleston than the historic, 21-room Wentworth Mansion. Each year the downtown inn adds a classic seasonal touch with evergreens and an illuminated Christmas tree. The popular Dickens Dinner at Circa 1886, the property’s restaurant, may be the highlight of your Charleston visit. A local historian and period actor shares the popular A Christmas Carol while guests are treated to a four-course dinner inspired by the Dickens classic.

THE JEFFERSON HOTEL RICHMOND, VIRGINIA Now in its 30th year, Holidays at The Jefferson Hotel combines lavish decorations and delightful holiday music. The season traditionally kicks off with the annual Tree Lighting the Monday after Thanksgiving. Open to the public, the event features hot chocolate, cider, cookies and Christmas carols to set the mood.

Through New Year’s Day, poinsettias, ribbons and garland, and dozens of toy soldiers adorn the hotel’s public areas. Local musical groups treat guests of The Jefferson to holiday sounds throughout the season. Performances (at noon on most weekdays) include orchestras, ensembles and choirs.

Each property offers special holiday packages for groups, families and couples. Most can include breakfast and a memorable yuletide meal. Regardless of where your Southern holiday trip might take you, embrace the season with joy and happiness. LGT

THE GREENBRIER

WENTWORTH MANSION

OMNI GROVE PARK INN

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MORE Indiana Tour Planning Resources

Order your digital copy of the

2017 Indiana Group Tour Planner

and connect directly with destinations, attractions and service providers that can help you plan the perfect Indiana group getaway.

www.LeisureGroupTravel.com/2017-Indiana-Tour-Planner/

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SI

SITE INSPECTION

Hit the Heritage Trails in Fayetteville, North Carolina M

ost people have taken a road trip at one point in their life. It’s an American pastime that families have cherished for generations. The infatuation with road trips seems odd when you consider the amount of driving and time it takes. However, the sites you encounter on the road are some of the most telling of our country’s past and the most stunning representation of the beauty the U.S. holds. For groups that love the idea of a road trip, but not the amount of time and energy they take, driving a heritage trail is a good alternative. And there’s no better place to experience heritage trails than in Cumberland County, North Carolina.

The area offers a range of trails, from historical and patriotic to cultural and religious. No matter what groups are looking for, there’s a trail to meet every interest and passion.

North Carolina was one of the original 13 colonies, and as such, it has a steep Revolutionary history. The 35-mile American Independence Trail begins at Old Bluff Church and Cemetery, one of the oldest graveyards in the county, and makes stops at Cornwallis Historical Marker, Marquis de Lafayette Statue and Liberty Point. The whole trail 44

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America’s heritage, beauty and unique past are captured on over 750 miles of themed driving trails in Cumberland County.

takes about an hour and 10 minutes, depending on how long you linger at each stop. Many sites along the trail are open to the public, but some require an appointment to visit.

Many significant points can be seen on the Civil War Trail. Groups will start off at the Fayetteville Area Transportation and Local History Museum, which provides information on the area’s role in the war. From there, the 130-mile trail hits notable spots such as Monroe’s Crossroads Battlefield Site, Confederate First Line Historical Marker and Confederate Women’s Home Historical Marker. The trail takes about four-and-a-half hours to complete, and groups should be prepared to devote most of the day.

The Historic Architecture Trail takes groups to some of the area’s architectural treasures, including Mallet Rogers House, Rankin Wood Norris House, Huske House and Taylor-Utley House. The 55-mile trail takes about an hour-and-a-half to complete, pending any long stays at specific sites.

The heritage trails of Fayetteville are not limited to history and war. There are great options for those interested in culture, food and shopping. The International Cuisine Trail is basically a tour of Fayetteville’s fantastic

eateries. Groups can enjoy fresh seafood straight from the Carolina coast, Spanish cafes bringing a Latin flair to the region, and bakeries serving traditional German pastries.

America is a country of immigrants, and Fayetteville welcomed a diverse group of settlers during the 1700s. Many were from Scotland, and many English and Scots-Irish also arrived in the region. The Gaelic Beginnings Trail takes groups to locations strongly tied to the Scottish and Irish, including Cross Creek Cemetery, Galatia Presbyterian Church and the Scottish Monument at the Old Fayetteville Commons.

Fayetteville has a number of antique shops filled with trinkets and treasures. The Antiquing Trail takes groups to shops where they can find vintage jewelry, clothing, toys and Civil War memorabilia.

There are dozens of great heritage trails in Fayetteville, giving groups a short road trip experience showcasing some of the country’s most beautiful scenery and historical sites.

VISIT FAYETTEVILLE

Jessica Bennett, jbennett@visitfayettevillenc.com 910-483-5311

VisitFayettevilleNC.com

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CENTRAL

REGION

Midwestern

Visitors can dress in authentic 19th century garb and walk through the Dickens Victorian Village in Cambridge, Ohio.

Holiday Happenings These five towns host winter festivals, light displays and holiday shopping opportunities for groups of all interests LeisureGroupTravel.com <<

By Miles Dobis

A

s the holiday season quickly approaches, groups will be looking for events and displays that can handle large numbers of people and offer a variety of activities. Fortunately, many Midwestern cities are home to festivals and winter wonderlands ready to accommodate your group no matter its size or age.

These five Midwestern hubs are a few of many excellent locations to enjoy a bright weekend in the dark days of winter.

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SANTA CLAUS, INDIANA This charming town in southern Indiana is the only city in the world named after Old St. Nick. Originally called Santa Fe, the city eventually changed its name after the competing city in New Mexico grew larger, and today the post office receives thousands of letters from children all over the world with their Christmas wish lists. Since 1914, a group of local volunteers called Santa’s Elves has ensured these children get custom replies from the Big Man himself, and “America’s Christmas Hometown” has become a nationwide symbol of yuletide spirit.

Groups can spend an entire day exploring the town’s Christmas-themed attractions.

At Santa’s Candy Castle, children can log in to the North Pole Network and connect with one of Santa’s very own elves, and the expansive selection of toffee, taffy and chocolate makes for great presents for loved ones back home. For more gift ideas, stop by Santa’s Toys for action figures and games or the Santa Claus Christmas Store for commemorative ornaments and nutcrackers.

At Santa Claus Museum & Village, group members can write a letter to Santa and explore galleries filled with town memorabilia.

OMAHA, NEBRASKA Associated with Christmas since the 16th century in Mexico, poinsettias bring a festive splash of red to any holiday display.

Omaha’s Lauritzen Gardens takes thousands of these plants to create an immense floral display in its greenhouse, and its centerpiece is a magnificent 20-foot-tall poinsettia “tree.” More than 5,000 poinsettias in 26 different varieties are grown for the display, and volunteers are on hand to discuss their role in Christmas iconography. The flowers are accompanied with cascades of twinkling lights, adorned with colorful ornaments and surrounded with the whir of the garden’s model trains. An ode to Omaha’s history as a transportation hub, these trains pass by miniature models of iconic buildings such as First National Bank Tower and the Old Market Buildings. Special evenings include a visit from Santa Claus and holiday concerts accompanied by hot beverages.

Downtown, Union Station is a historic railroad terminus and preserved example of Art Deco architecture that hosts groupand family-friendly holiday events November through January. The Ethnic Tree Exhibit symbolizes Christmas traditions around the globe, while Family Nights with Santa bring Old St. Nick and his reindeer for photo opportunities.

Old St. Nick takes a sleigh ride through Santa Claus, Indiana, and a massive poinsettia “tree” decorates Omaha’s Lauritzen Gardens.

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FRANKENMUTH, MICHIGAN Catch the holiday spirit any time of year at Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland in this northeastern Michigan town. Promoted as “The World’s Largest Christmas Store,” the year-round holiday outlet has over seven acres of retail space. Wally Bronner opened the Wonderland in 1945, and the property now welcomes over two million visitors a year.

The Alpine architecture and giant snowman on the grounds lend a holiday atmosphere even in the peak of summer, and your group can browse through a selection of 50,000 different items no matter the season. Outdoor lights, Nativity scenes and Santa suits are all available for purchase, and you can personalize stockings and ornaments with names and dates. Bronner’s also holds exclusive rights to sell Precious Moments Christmas-themed figurines, so be sure to add one to your collection.

Also on the grounds is Bronner’s Chapel, an exact replica of the church where the carol “Silent Night” debuted in 1818. It’s modeled after St. Nicholas Church in Oberndorf, Austria, where young Father Joseph Mohr first performed the piece on guitar at Christmas Eve Mass. Surrounding the chapel are 27 acres of beautiful woods leading into Christmas Lane, an avenue of holiday lights that keeps the area illuminated year-round.

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CAMBRIDGE, OHIO Already sporting an English namesake, Cambridge is home to one of the world’s largest Charles Dickens celebrations. The Dickens Victorian Village began in 2006 with a few figures dressed in Victorian garb and now spreads across 93 scenes in the downtown area throughout November and December. Scenes from Dickens’ famous A Christmas Carol novella are placed under each lamppost on historic Wheeler Street, with exacting replicas of iconic characters like Tiny Tim and Bob Cratchit accompanying Ebenezer Scrooge’s journey to redemption.

Creating each Dickens figure in Cambridge is an extensive process; craftspeople spend many hours making mannequins proportional, researching period-accurate clothing and ensuring that the figures can withstand the cold Ohio winter. Bronze plaques accompany each figure with information about Victorian life, and you will find many characters integrated into the display windows and storefronts of local businesses.

Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland in Frankenmuth, Michigan features customizable ornaments and stockings for visitors year-round.

Groups looking to experience the Village should first stop at the Welcome Center. Here they can sample English teatime in the Victorian Tea Room and learn

about 19th century society from volunteers.

A trolley tour will wind your group past the city’s street scenes, and you’ll be sure to want a hot cocoa or cider to keep warm in anticipation of the Courthouse Light Show.

Over 55,000 lights are synchronized to holiday carols and classical selections for this special nighttime presentation.

DULUTH, MINNESOTA The stunning Bentleyville Display of Lights takes up 20 acres of harbor space along the Lake Michigan shoreline. Each year, crews light over 4 million bulbs to illuminate Bayfront Festival Park with enormous holiday scenes, LED tunnels and depictions of local Duluth landmarks such as the Aerial Lift Bridge. The tradition was started in 2001 by local Christmas enthusiast Nathan Bentley after buses of visitors began inundating his growing light display, and now the festival welcomes almost 300,000 visitors in November and December. The display has grown from modest snowflakes and Santas to expansive gingerbread villages, medieval castles and enormous depictions of Duluth’s ore-shipping vessels. Best of all, the entire experience is still free. Your group can enjoy roasted marshmallows and keep warm by open fires while admiring Bentleyville’s signature display, a 128-foot-tall animated Christmas tree, all for free. LGT

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A RETREAT BETWEEN THE MOUNTAINS AND THE RIVER IN DOWNTOWN GATLINBURG.

SPRING UP for a unique get a way where relaxation and recreation are a natural part of the scenery.

SPLASH DOWN in our large outdoor heated pool with slide. Open April to October.

HEAD OUT for some world class shopping

and delicious dining. With plenty of parking right outside your door and a trolley stop across the street, park once and don't give your car a second thought until you leave.

At the foot of the stunning Smoky Mountains, across the street from Ripley's Aquarium, in the heart of downtown Gatlinburg, and just a short drive to all the fun and entertainment of Dollywood, the Greystone Lodge on the River is the ideal location for your next meeting, retreat or conference.

greystonelodgetn.com Call 800-451-9202 or groupsales@greystonelodgetn.com

NEW ROOMS!

SETTLE IN

to one of 240 rooms, including new family suites with a mini-kitchen and plenty of space for bunking up and bonding.

WAKE UP

every morning with our deluxe complimentary hot breakfast buffet complete with biscuits and gravy.

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