Leisure Group Travel Magazine June 2017

LEISURE JUNE 2017

GROUP TRAVEL

INTRODUCING THE

Iowa Tour Guide Delightful surprises await groups in America’s heartland

American Duchess The most inclusive river cruise experience in North America

• Switzerland, City-Style • Thuringia, Germany Inspiring sights in the land of Luther

SI SITE INSPECTION

Introducing the American Duchess nnouncing the latest addition to the American Queen Steamboat Company fleet, the American Duchess. Launching in August 2017, the 166-guest American Duchess will follow in the pedigree of the line’s namesake American Queen, and is set to sail the mighty Mississippi and her tributaries.

This will be the first purpose-built, boutique paddlewheeler offering guests an intimate experience for overnight cruising through America’s heartland. Created from a 1995 hull, she was completely reconstructed to become one of the most luxurious river cruising vessels in the country.

She will be an all-suite vessel with the largest accommodations in every cabin category level on the river. Her suites range from 180 sq. ft. to 550 sq. ft., allowing guests to stay in some of the largest accommodations on the rivers. Unique to the American Duchess are her spacious Loft Suites. The lower level features a full bathroom, small dining area, a beautiful lounge section furnished with a queen sofa-bed and desk area, along with sliding doors to access a private balcony. The loft area upstairs is a tranquil retreat with its semi-private bedroom, a full bathroom and gracious closet space.

American Queen Steamboat Company’s newest lady of the river will deliver the highest standards of service, entertainment and shore excursions that guests have come to expect from the cruise line. She will feature single-seating dining in the beautiful Grand Dining Room. Dining onboard is an experience with unique 5-star cuisine that blends local flavors and fine culinary traditions. A more casual atmosphere is offered at The River Club and Terrace, which accommodates 80 guests wishing to dine at their own pace.

The American Duchess will feature both upper and lower Mississippi cruises with departures from iconic American cities like Memphis, New Orleans, Minneapolis and St. Louis. For the first time, guests will be afforded the opportunity to enjoy departures from Chicago (Ottawa, IL) in 2018. Cruise durations last from five to nine days.

Combining the best of the old and the new, this beautiful lady of the river epitomizes the grace and grandeur that has made River Cruising a cherished American tradition for more than two centuries. One voyage on American Queen Steamboat Company and your group will understand why.

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First all-suite U.S. paddlewheeler

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Included shore excursions in every port of call

Private Veranda Suites to Loft and Owner's Suites range from 240 to 550 sq. ft.

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Our own dedicated fleet of deluxe motorcoaches

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Included boutique hotel stay on most cruises before your voyage (includes breakfast, taxes, porterage and vessel transfer)

Broadway-caliber entertainment each evening and spotlight guest performances

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Daily lectures by the Riverlorian, our resident history and culture expert

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Single-seating dining and entertainment venues

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Regionally inspired, epicurean cuisine tailored from the finest local ingredients

Gracious service from a friendly, all-American staff

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Complimentary wine and beer with dinner

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Complimentary cappuccino, espresso, bottled water and soft drinks throughout your voyage

The Passenger Vessel Association recognizes American Queen Steamboat Company as a member of its Green WATERS Program for the vessel's dedication and commitment to a cleaner, greener marine environment.

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Grand Lobby and Bar

The Grand Dining Room

American Duchess Distinctions ■

The first Loft Suite on U.S. rivers

CONTENTS

78 Pedaling along White Rim Road in Utah’s Canyonlands National Park.

June 2017 • Vol. 27, No. 3

LEISURE GROUP TRAVEL

FEATURES

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TAKE 5 With Brandon and Stephanie Zarbo of We Must Dash INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT Circle Wisconsin’s fourth annual Midwest Marketplace

DESTINATIONS

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INT’L

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CENTRAL

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SOUTH

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EAST

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WEST

SAMPLING EUROPE’S ‘FAR EAST’ BY RANDY MINK Danube cruise to Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania

SHORE THING: SIX GREAT LAKES TOWNS BY MILES DOBIS Overlooked group destinations from Minnesota to Ohio Top Sightseeing Cruises (pg. 42)

DINNER AND A CRUISE BY DAVE BODLE Combine a meal with a relaxing lake, river or coastal excursion

NEW YORK’S FINGER LAKES BY RANDY MINK Groups find natural beauty, history, wineries and culinary delights

EXPLORING THE COLORADO RIVER BY SUE ARKO Natural wonders abound along this famous Western waterway

SPECIAL SECTIONS THURINGIA, GERMANY Stories of the Protestant Reformation inspire faith travelers SWITZERLAND, CITY-STYLE Enticing itinerary ideas for Basel, Lucerne and Zurich IOWA TOUR GUIDE Delightful surprises await groups in America’s heartland

COLUMNS

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ON MY MIND

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ON TOUR

June 2017

BY

BY

JEFF GAYDUK

MARTY SARBEY DE SOUTO, CTC

NPS/Neal Herbert

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>> LeisureGroupTravel.com

2017 RELIGIOUS TRAVEL PLANNING GUIDE imed at church leaders who plan travel for their congregations, the 2017 Religious Travel Planning Guide brims with suggestions on where to go, plus practical tips on getting organized to inspire church groups to take trips that will have a lasting impact and deepen the faith of every member who participates.

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Check out the online version or order a print copy at: ReligiousTravelPlanningGuide.com/2017-religious-travel-planner-guide

ONLY ON LEISUREGROUPTRAVEL.COM INSTANT INFO READER SERVICE CARD IMPROVEMENTS his June issue sees the release of several new features that will help you connect with group travel suppliers and get the information you want faster.

Our reader service card now gives you the option of both renewing your subscription and requesting supplier information online at LeisureGroupTravel.com. In addition, you can now opt-in to receive other Premier Travel Media publications.

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See back cover gatefold for details.

et weekly digests of all the best online content with InSite, our free Friday e-newsletter, at: bit.ly/2nJBpje

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LeisureGroupTravel.com <<

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ON THE COVER: The new, all-suite American Duchess.

(Photo courtesy American Queen Steamboat Company)

June 2017

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ON MY MIND

Vol. 27, No. 3 June 2017

By Jeffrey Gayduk

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

Just Swing

Publisher – Jeffrey Gayduk jeff@ptmgroups.com

Associate Publisher – Dave Bodle ne of my guilty pleasures is coaching youth baseball. With two sons smack dab in the middle of their Little League baseball careers you can generally find me with a glove in my hand six days a week from March through June. And while neither of my boys are going pro, they enjoy the game and the camaraderie it provides.

This year’s been particularly challenging, with more losses than wins and more cold rain than warm sun. My youngest son’s 9-10year-old team welcomed three newcomers this year, which is very odd in an age when boys start playing baseball at 5 or 6. It’s a huge learning curve. There are rules to follow, subtle nuances of the game and opposing pitchers throwing hard and not very accurate.

While two of the boys are catching on, one boy, Vinnie, is having a rough time of it.

At about four feet tall he’s the smallest on the team and although he has a lot of spirit, the game is overwhelming him at times.

Getting in the right position, knowing where to throw the ball and staying focused are a challenge. His season started, get this, by getting hit in the neck on his very first plate appearance. Since then he’s been terrified of the ball, aggressively stepping out of the batter’s box whenever the pitch is thrown.

At this age that’s an automatic strike.

Knowing this, coaches, parents and teammates have been urging him to stay in the box. That’s easier said than done when you’re 9 and staring down a pitcher just 44 feet away. Extra batting practice and coaxing hadn’t changed the outcome of Vinnie’s at bats. Until last night.

After striking out unceremoniously in his first plate appearance, Vinnie stepped into the box in the top of the fourth inning with two outs. I was the first base coach and went through the regular routine of commands, “Stay in there, plant your back foot, hold your hands up high.” I could hear his dad from the stands, “Just swing, Vinnie!” This all sounds like a broken record that Vinnie doesn’t want to listen to, until now.

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After taking one strike and one ball, Vinnie found that one pitch he was looking for, and instead of jumping out of the box, he put his bat in motion and made contact with the ball. Now if this was a Hollywood script, he would have hit a home run, but in our version of Little League baseball it was a tap back to the mound. That didn’t stop Vinnie from running with all his might and sliding into first base. Out by two steps.

As he got up and dusted himself off, his teammates cheered wildly. The bleachers (and all 14 parents in attendance) erupted.

I wish you could have been there to see the look of pure joy on this kid’s face. He overcame something he’s struggled with for the past two months that’s likely kept him up at night and made his stomach turn as he sat in the back seat of dad’s car on the way to the field.

And the first thing he says to me? “I can’t wait to bat again!”

Let’s face it, Vinnie could have quit baseball shortly after that beanball and nobody would have questioned it. But instead he stuck it out, failure after failure, until he got that 800-lb. gorilla off his back.

What should you keep swinging at?

I think about this in the travel business and how we’re quick to let ideas go when faced with rejection, or quit on a project too soon, admitting failure without really trying. If we put the effort into our craft that Vinnie did in his, I wonder if our outcomes and prosperity would be different.

Now just for a minute, imagine the joy on your face when you finally achieve that breakthrough. It’s like being 9 years old all over again.

Happy Traveling,

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/West Virginia – Jonett Haberfield P 740.705.1873 • F 630.794.0652 jonett@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 subscribe at the reduced rate of $12.00 per year. The regular subscription price for all others is $18.00 per year. Single copies are $4.95 each.

Send Address Change to: Premier Travel Media 621 Plainfield Road, Suite 406 Willowbrook, IL 60527

Jeff Gayduk Publisher

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publication

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

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>> LeisureGroupTravel.com

ON TOUR

Marty Sarbey de Souto, CTC

iStock.com/fstop123

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Get out of the doldrums and spice up your repertoire of tour offerings.

In A Rut? f you’re like many of us, you may literally be “stuck in a rut.” Ask yourself if you’re doing the same old trips over and over, taking the same group of folks you’ve been taking year after year but with no newcomers.

Maybe you’ve been doing motorcoach group tours forever. But have you ever tried a rail trip? A cruise? Or perhaps a combination of the two? What about trips with different types of focus such as a walking tour? An art tour? A cooking tour? Here are a few ideas to help you stir up a new venture:

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Price a short new trip with a “bring along a friend free of charge.”

Take a travel/tourism class; many colleges are offering online courses nowadays.

Plan a trip to a brand new destination.

Read up on the area and talk to several operators who may be offering itineraries in this area.

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Research compatible organizations that might be interested in joining with yours to offer a joint trip to increase turnout.

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Next year plan a “Spring Break” tour or cruise and make it a family trip so Mom and Dad can go along with the spring-break students.

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Make plans to try a special-interest trip: Hiking? Camping? Shopping?

Consider a here-at-home cruise down the Mississippi or along the New England coast.

Investigate a travel company or companies you may have heard about for years but know nothing about.

Do some marketing, looking for organizations that might like to sponsor a trip for their membership if someone like you came along and held their hand.

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Consider hiring a marketing person as a trial for a specified period.

The above ideas all pertain to trips that would take Americans to other areas of the U.S. or to destinations fairly close to home or even overseas. But what if you were to reverse your thinking and look for business overseas? That is, for example, offer tours to groups of Europeans or others who may live overseas and wish to come here to tour our country. Many travel companies do that – operating as what we refer to as “inbound operators.”

True, this kind of endeavor is a major step.

It requires a great deal of planning ahead, time, energy and some investment as well, but it can pay off for those willing to reverse their perspective and service inbound foreign travelers rather than U.S. travelers. It requires getting involved in your local city convention bureau, perhaps locating guides who speak foreign languages, and intimate knowledge of the U.S. areas you hope to showcase to potential inbound groups from other countries.

Interestingly, our U.S. “National Travel and Tourism Office” has been aware of the importance of foreign travelers to the U.S. economy for some time now. According to an April 13 report, international visitors are injecting, on average, nearly $715 million PER DAY into the U.S. economy.

In February 2017, travel receipts, including food, lodging, recreation, gifts, entertainment and local transportation, in the U.S. accounted for 62 percent of what they term “total U.S. travel and tourism receipts.”

In addition are passenger receipts from U.S. airlines carrying international visitors - 16 percent. Medical tourism, education and short-term worker receipts accounted for 22 percent of total U.S. travel and tourism exports in February. Altogether a different perspective, a different clientele, a whole new way of looking at tourism.

Try it, you may like it! 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

ALL ROADS LEAD TO

MOHEGAN SUN Sign up your group for a bus charter today

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Brandon and Stephanie Zarbo Owners, We Must Dash A group organized by We Must Dash pauses to pose at a Bangkok temple.

Making Memories for Millennials randon and Stephanie Zarbo, of Buffalo, New York, used their destination honeymoon to launch a group vacation business for millennials. Leveraging social media marketing and video acumen, they are taking like-minded travelers to farflung locations like Thailand, Peru, Vietnam, Iceland and Laos.

Leisure Group Travel: How did this idea come about?

Stephanie: We were both pretty seasoned travelers. Our big turning point was a fourand-a-half month trip to Southeast Asia. We backpacked through five countries and that exposed us to things that we had never experienced. While traveling, I realized that was something that we would be continuing to do for the rest of our lives.

In the process of planning our honeymoon, we decided we really wanted to be able to

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share the experience with friends and family.

We ended up taking 25 of our friends! We really had a great time, we enjoyed ourselves and we said, “I think that was our witness that we can do this well.”

LGT: What is your average group like?

Brandon: I would say it’s a 50/50 split between male and female, probably 25 percent are solo and 75 percent usually bring a friend. We like to max out at 30 passengers but I would say 15 to 20 is probably the sweet spot. We have referral programs, so we'd like to urge people to book and bring a friend.

LGT: What are some of the resistance points that you've faced in getting started?

Brandon: One of the biggest stigmas is just that “I don't really want to travel with 20 people that I don't know.” But once we get them on one of our trips, everybody really

enjoys themselves and we can’t really get people to snap out of the group mentality.

As part of the trip, we like to have a free day or at least a free partial day so that people can go about their own business and enjoy themselves as they visit the area.

We’ve had a little bit of trouble trying to get people to split up and do their own thing. It’s funny that people have this stigma, but then once we are a few days into it, they don’t want to be apart.

LGT: How are you finding new travelers?

Brandon: Locally in Buffalo we’ve been hosting what we call Travel Happy Hours.

It’s an opportunity for people to talk to us face-to-face and we feel like that's where we had the best response. We find the easiest way to get people to book with us is actually introducing ourselves.

Online, our video content has been our >> LeisureGroupTravel.com

We Must Dash in Vietnam

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One of our big things is we want young Americans to get rid of this stigma that the world is a scary place. We want them to understand that there's a lot that can happen with just a smile in a foreign place and the experience dealing with people where there's a language barrier, where you can connect on a person-to-person level.

LeisureGroupTravel.com <<

where we like to ask them about some of the things that were memorable, some of the things that they think we should include and what to avoid.

As far as booking, we do our own research – and again there have been some areas where we have created relationships. We like to deal with the guesthouses and hostels more than hotels because there's that personal touch. We have grown friendships with a lot of these people who we were doing these bookings with.

LGT: Are both of you going on each trip?

Brandon: Probably 50-50. It’s difficult because Stephanie is a wedding videographer, so in the summer months I’m basically responsible for the trips, and then when her schedule allows, she will be attending.

LGT: You’re running tours to some exotic destinations – Thailand, Iceland, Peru, Costa Rica, Vietnam, Laos. Are you looking at new destinations?

Stephanie: We have received feedback from some people that they love the idea of our trips where we stay for two or three weeks, but maybe can only get a week off.

They say, “If I have a week, I want to make it an epic week.” The next step is moving more into very special trips that are arranged around specific events like the Running of the Bulls or Oktoberfest.

LGT: What have you learned from this experience?

Stephanie: I think the whole point of us wanting to do this is that people tend to not want to give into themselves. They want to go to these locations, but they don’t know where to start, and we’re happy to take care of all those elements.

Brandon: I personally can’t say enough

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strongest performer in Facebook marketing.

Stephanie is a wedding videographer, I am a videographer. We both understand how to make a product that drives action.

Stephanie: And honestly the feedback that we’ve gotten on the videos is tremendous.

People have been telling us, “That's what got me interested in the first place. I just see these photos and videos and I got excited. I got to go, I got to do it.”

LGT: Talk about some of your early trips and what you’ve experienced – good, bad and indifferent?

Brandon: I would say one of the hurdles that we are trying to get over is that we’re targeting people who have the ability to travel, and sometimes one or two people can be a little on the adventurous side where they don’t want to be wrapped up in a group and they might come and push-grab on that group mentality a little bit. Honestly, we don’t really have too many issues with anything like that. I think it just goes to their personality.

Stephanie: I think there’s an element especially in millennials that want to focus on DIY. They like the idea of maybe doing the group trip but then try and take it upon themselves to micro-manage elements of the trip. You don't have to participate in every single thing that we had planned for you.

LGT: Talk about the process you go through in booking your trips. Are you working with tour operators, local ground handlers, contracting directly with hotels?

Brandon: When we book a trip, we start by consulting someone we trust. We don’t want the trip to be how we perceive a certain area, so we have friends that we’ve made over the years in doing our own traveling

about it. I really like to be a hands-on person. I’d like to talk on the phone rather than email, and this has allowed to me to grow personally.

In terms of being on a trip, I enjoy it when there’s a “rock in a road”- I like the problemsolving aspect of that. There haven’t really been too many problems. Obviously you can never avoid that, but personally, I really enjoy putting out the fires.

LGT: Where do you see We Must Dash going in the future?

Brandon: Honestly, we’ve been so busy trying to get our own strategy. We built the website ourselves, we’ve been creating the video content ourselves, so it’s been pretty much a ground-up operation. As far as the future, our goal is to have every single one of these trips booked set at our sweet spot of about 20 people.

We’ve found time and time again our travelers are pleasantly surprised by sharing a new experience with a stranger and the bond that can create. One of our big things is we want young Americans to get rid of this stigma that the world is a scary place. We want them to understand that there’s a lot that can happen with just a smile in a foreign place and the experience dealing with people where there’s a language barrier, where you can connect on a person-to-person level.

This project is completely passion-driven.

This isn’t like a money grab. It was something that we both are really passionate about, that we want to do. We want to share it. LGT

Contact We Must Dash at: WeMustDash.com or facebook.com/wemustdash June 2017

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SI SITE INSPECTION

5 Exceptional European Tours from Globus urope is an expansive buffet that requires some structure and expertise to taste fully.

Globus can be that tastemaker through its many escorted coach tours. These five vacations are only a small sample of the options:

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chocolate factory. Near Interlaken board the Jungfraujoch train for a journey to Europe’s highest railway station and views from the Jungfrau summit. The tour continues to the Swiss capital of Bern and then to Lucerne.

Bavarian Highlights

Spectacular Spain

Your nine-day tour begins in Munich, Bavaria’s capital and largest city. Your group will then venture north to Regensburg, the largest medieval city north of the Alps. Enjoy a “medieval hot dog” at the Historic Sausage Kitchen and watch a brilliant sunset while cruising the Danube River. Stops in nearby Bamberg and Bayreuth will offer tastings of “smoked beer” and a visit to the Markgräfliches, an opera house commissioned by Richard Wagner. Car enthusiasts like the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart.

You’ll then venture south into the Black Forest, a land of myth and fairy tales. Next, learn about the world-famous Passion Play in Oberammergau, where villagers put on the production every 10 years. Nearby is King Ludwig’s magnificent Neuschwanstein Castle, which inspired Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty Castle.

The land of flamenco and Picasso is yours to explore on this nine-day tour, which begins in Madrid. Next is Toledo, a medieval city where highlights include the Church of Santo Tomé, home to a famous El Greco painting, and Santa María la Blanca, the oldest surviving synagogue in Europe.

The prime attraction in Granada is the Alhambra Complex, an expansive Moorish citadel and residence of 13th-century ruler Al Ahamar. Continue south, where you can relax on Costa Del Sol beaches, visit the Rock of Gibraltar and sample sherry in the wine village of Jerez. Highlights in Seville include the Casa de Pilatos, an Andalusian palace, and the charming boutiques of the Santa Cruz Quarter.

Spectacular Switzerland This nine-day trip begins in Zurich and continues to the lakeside village of Biel, a French-speaking town that is home to famed Swiss watches and beautiful views of the Jura Mountains. You’ll continue on to Geneva and then to the Gruyère District, famous for its fondue cheese and Swiss chocolate, which you can sample at the centuries-old Maison Cailler 12

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Italian Sampler Your nine-day journey begins in Rome, the center of the ancient world and home of the Catholic Church. Groups will tour the imposing Colosseum and Roman Forum, the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel. The next day will be spent in the rolling hills of Tuscany.

In Florence, marvel at Michelangelo’s David, Giotto’s Bell Tower and Fra Angelico’s frescos.

Climb the famous Leaning Tower while in Pisa. Next stop is Verona, the setting of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and home

to a pink marble Roman amphitheater.

The journey continues north to Trento, a modern city in the Dolomites where you’ll hear many locals speak German as you sample grappa (brandy distilled from grape juice) and wander the Alpine-inspired streets. Next is Padua, home to the Byzantine St. Anthony’s Basilica and University of Padua, where Galileo Galilei was a lecturer. The trip concludes with a day in Venice, a timeless city of canals, alleyways and Gothic architecture.

German Vista Your nine-day trip begins in Berlin, where a local guide will take you through the restored Reichstag building, Charlottenburg Palace and Unter den Linden Boulevard.

You’ll also pass through Checkpoint Charlie, the famous crossing point between East and West Berlin during the Cold War. Your group will then venture to Dresden, Weimar and the quaint village of Rothenburg.

In the Bavarian Alps you’ll stay in a hotel situated by Hohenschwangau Castle, where King Ludwig spent most of his childhood.

Next are visits to Oberammergau, famed for its once-a-decade Passion Play, and Munich.

Your final day will include a visit to the Alpine town of Berchtesgaden, home to Adolf Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest, and a final meal in an authentic Munich biergarten.

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THURINGIA T Stories of the Protestant Reformation captivate visitors to Germany’s heartland

St. Mary’s Cathedral and St. Severi‘s Church in Erfurt © Toma Babovic, Thüringer Tourismus GmbH

his year, all eyes are on Germany, one of the top destinations in the world, as it chronicles the Luther Decade and 500 years since the Protestant Reformation. Easy to get to and conveniently located in the center of Europe, Germany is a land of vibrant, exciting towns and cities, lush green forests, sparkling lakes and rivers, fascinating mountains and long-held traditions.

In 2016 the number of U.S. overnight stays in Germany reached almost 5.75 million, an increase of 2.5 percent over the year before. U.S. World & News Report’s recent “Best Countries of the World” survey ranked Germany #4.

Thuringia, located right in the middle of Germany, is the very heartland of the Reformation and an exceptional place to focus on Luther. The cities and towns, museums and churches in Thuringia are going all out in 2017 to highlight the importance of this milestone decade. Events of all types, exhibitions, special

© Wolfgang Benkert/Tourist Informatin Schmalkalden

spiritual services, conferences and discussions, art and artifact displays, and more combine with the beautiful countryside of Thuringia to form a special destination for groups of all kinds and interests.

In Thuringia, your group members can follow Martin Luther's footsteps along the Luther Trail and recreate the route taken by the reformer 500 years ago. Nestled in a varied landscape, the trail winds through almost 622 miles across Thuringia and is linked to emotional and eventful encounters with the reformer and many fascinating Reformation venues, such as cities and churches. You can still visit these churches today and see the pulpits from which Luther preached, and where pastors still preach today.

Would you like to see the cobbled streets, half-timbered houses and ancient churches that played a role in the Reformation, and experience the long, intriguing history of Germany? Would you like to learn how Luther's influence spread throughout Western Europe and eventually to the United States?

Thuringia invites you to discover this and much more in 2017 and beyond. Thuringia's people, towns, natural beauty and incredible history are waiting for your group members. It's a journey they'll not want to miss.

Old Town of Schmalkalden ■

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Discovering Luther Cities ■

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The Historical Library (Duchess Anna Amalia Library) in Weimar

© Jens Hauspurg/Thüringer Tourismus GmbH

For more Reformation discoveries, visit Luther House in Eisenach, Luther's “beloved city.” Here, where Luther lived as a schoolboy from 1498 to 1501, you can view historic treasures and gain new insights into his youth.

At the 550-year-old Bach House, see more than 250 exhibits dedicated to the famous composer Johann Sebastian Bach. On display are Baroque instruments, a goblet from the Bach household, the garden and much more.

Schedule a trip to the impressive Wartburg Castle, founded around 1067. Wartburg played a pivotal role in the success of the Reformation, and thousands visit the fortress yearly to see where Luther lived in exile. Visit the famous rustic room where Luther crafted powerful words that shook the foundations of the established world.

WEIMAR

Historical epicenter of the German Enlightenment, Weimar is called “The City of Culture.” Names like Goethe, Schiller, Bach and Cranach are well known here, and Luther visited often. Weimar was one of the first cities to embrace the Reformation.

The magnificent St. Peter and Paul Church is one of Weimar’s several UNESCO World Heritage Sites and home to the legendary Lucas Cranach triptych altar. Also, the fascinating Duchess Anna Amalia Library is a research library with a collection focusing on German literature; it preserves important documents dating from the 9th century.

The Goethe National Museum is world-renowned for its presentation and study of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s life and legacy. It comprises Goethe’s residence and garden and includes a portion of the writer’s private art collection.

At the Schiller House, you can see personal items of the poet-writerphilosopher Friedrich Schiller, along with exhibits that give visitors a look at domestic conditions in the Schiller household.

In addition, Weimar is the site of the Bauhaus design movement, which began a concept of creative building and interior decoration that included artists and teachers such as Feininger, Itten and Muche.

Luther once said that Erfurt, Thuringia's capital city, was “the perfect place for a city.” Being more than 1,260 years old, it's located in the very center of Germany, and it was where Luther became an ordained priest at the St. Mary’s Cathedral.

The town's Domplatz, one of Europe's largest squares, sits next to this impressive central church, which is the oldest ecclesiastical building in the city.

Erfurt's many quaint half-timbered buildings, along with its profusion of some 30 spires and steeples, make it the “Rome of the North” and one of Germany's most beautiful cities. Here Luther lived as a monk in the Augustinian Monastery, a national heritage site.

And be sure to visit the city's landmark Krämerbrücke, the unusual Merchant's Bridge over the Gera River, built in 1325.

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SCHMALKALDEN

The medieval town of Schmalkalden was the site where Protestant princes and representatives of free imperial cities met in the 16th century to join forces against Catholic Emperor Charles V. Their alliance brought many rulers to the town, with Luther and other reformers preaching to them.

THE TASTY SIDE OF THURINGIA

© Samuel Zuder/Cross Media Redaktion

A visit to Thuringia is best when the region's culinary delights can be sampled.

Try the famous Thuringian sausage with spicy mustard, roasted meat with potato dumplings and red cabbage, and a slice of delectable onion cake, a cross between quiche and pizza. And at Christmastime the authentic butter Stollen, a special holiday cake, is a favorite.

Thuringia is well known for its comfort and regional food

Thuringia Events and Exhibitions LUTHER-RELATED EXHIBITIONS Permanent Exhibitions Luther and the Bible Luther House, Eisenach

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The Schmalkaldic League – The Political Wing of the Reformation Castle Wilhelmsburg, Schmalkalden © Andreas Weise/Thüringer Tourismus GmbH

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Luther National Exhibitions through November 5, 2017 ■ Luther and the Germans Wartburg Castle, Eisenach

Heretic, Schismatic, Teacher of the Faith – The Catholic View of Luther Luther House, Eisenach ■

Festivals and events in Thuringia often take place at historical sites

2018 Events

■ Thuringian Castle Days Cultural festival at castles throughout Thuringia May 18 - 21 ■ Thuringian Castle Festival Performances of La Traviata and Comedian Harmonist, Sondershausen June 16 - July 14 ■ Cathedral Steps Festival Performances of Carmen, Erfurt Three weeks in August

■ Art Festival Weimar Contemporary art meets history August 17 - September 2

■ Onion Festival Weimar Thuringia’s biggest and oldest fair, where it is all about the onion October 12 - 14

■ Traditional Christmas Markets Throughout Thuringia End of November - end of December

© Toma Babovic/Thüringer Tourismus GmbH

■ Thuringia Bach Festival Variety of concerts celebrating composer J.S. Bach in Eisenach, Erfurt, Weimar, Arnstadt and other towns March 21 - April 15

■ Historical Christmas Market at Wartburg Castle First three weekends of December

Cloister at the Augustinian Monastery in Erfurt

www.visit-thuringia.com | www.germany.travel | www.visit-luther.com

Welcome home!

Face your own faith in LutherCountry.

UNESCO World Heritage Wartburg Castle, Eisenach

SWITZERLAND City-Style

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ravel poster images of Switzerland often center on snow-crested mountain peaks, bright red cable cars, Alpine chalets and cows grazing in lush green meadows. But Switzerland is more than idyllic countryside.

The cities in this centrally located European nation have their own allure and their own beautiful settings. Whether your group is interested in religious sites, art, shopping or museum-hopping, the

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cities of Basel, Lucerne and Zurich — all known for their cultural treasures and quality of life — offer plenty of possibilities for building irresistible itineraries.

Switzerland’s fabulous rail system also gives group travel planners a lot to work with. Besides spotlighting what to see and do in three great cities, the following pages also include an itinerary for the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland.

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ith its charming historic district, wealth of art, sacred and religious sites, museums and other cultural venues, Basel makes an ideal destination for a wide range of touring groups. Basel straddles the Rhine River, one of the continent’s great rivers and among the most important arteries in the world.

Located in the heart of Europe and known for its large number of iconic modern buildings, Basel hosts world-class events, is favored with multicultural influences (Swiss, German and French) and enjoys an excellent quality of life.

With 36 to 48 hours to discover Basel, your group can easily navigate

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between the seven city districts using public transportation, five daily 90-minute Panorama city bus tours or city maps that point out sights on a walking tour.

Basel features seven stimulating city districts, including Grossbasel city center and St. Alban; Gundeldingen, Bruderholz and Dreispitz; Iselin, Gotthelf and Bachletten; St. Johann; Matthäus, Klybeck and Kleinhüningen; Kleinbasel; and Basel Nord and Riehen. Each has its own distinctive traits, and each holds a special fascination: one has a port area where three countries come together, one has the highest quality of life in the country and the other houses the popular city zoo.

BASEL Morning

Basel's Paper Mill Museum, Kunstmuseum Basel (Fine Arts Museum), Basel Toy Museum and Jean Tinguely Museum are four of the most popular museums, but they are just a few of the city’s 40 museums that house collections of international significance.

You may want to begin your tour by investigating Basel's Bruderholz quarter where impressive villas are located, as well as the industrial Dreispitz area with its Academy of Art and Design and House of Electronic Arts.

Afternoon Check out the Gundeldingen District with its melting pot of cultures.

While in the district, stop off for lunch at Tellplatz 3, a new restaurant for people who appreciate excellent food and joie de vivre. Here you'll find distinctive cheeses, homemade sausages, special spices and fine wines.

After Lunch Visit some of Basel's most important religious sites. The red sandstone Basel Munster, located on a hill overlooking the Rhine, is one of the city's main attractions. It was built between 1019 and 1500 in the Gothic and Romanesque styles, and offers stunning views for those who venture up one of the towers.

The Elisabethenkirche, the most renowned neo-Gothic structure in Switzerland, is located in the center of Basel next to the Basel 20

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Theater. It was the first church constructed there following the Reformation. A third church in Basel to include in your visit is the Peterskirche. This church, with its delicately arched interior pillars, features a beautiful white-and-red stone interior and many colorful murals.

Evening At night, visit the well preserved Old Town with its stunning architecture; follow the blue symbols that help you discover one of five walking tours here, and soak up the nightlife with excellent restaurants, shops and entertainment in the Grossbasel city center. Some buildings date back as far as the 15th century. You can go on a guided tour highlighted by stories about Basel's past; the Old Town is easily explored on foot. Nearby St. Alban-Tal, known as the “Little Venice” of Basel, is a quiet district shrouded in myth and mystery and worth a visit.

Extend your visit and purchase the Basel Card, which is valid for 50 percent discounts on city tours and city zoo entrance, a free ferry boat ride and discount tickets to many of the city’s museums. >> LeisureGroupTravel.com

ome call it the “sweet spot” of Switzerland. Located on beautiful Lake Lucerne and ringed on two sides by imposing Mt. Pilatus and peaceful Mt. Rigi, Lucerne is centrally located, offers many attractions and is ready for visitors.

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LUCERNE Morning

A typical day for a group might be to enjoy a tasty breakfast at your hotel, then visit the historical city center of Lucerne with its fresco-painted buildings that border the Reuss River. Picturesque squares here include the Weinmarkt, where citizens of the town swore an oath with other cantons years ago; Hirschenplatz square, named after an old inn from the Middle Ages; and Kornmarkt square with the Town Hall and the beautifully painted Pfistern guildhall.

While in the city center, see the most ornate pulpit in Switzerland at the Franciscan church, which features typical Medieval Mendicant architecture. The church, built in the second half of the 13th century, features flag frescoes from Lucerne's Middle Ages conquests.

The Church of St. Leodegar, the main cathedral of the city, was originally built between 1633 and 1639 and has one of the largest collections of art of the German late Renaissance period. Then visit the famous Lion Monument—one of the world's most famous monuments— which is hewn out of natural rock and memorializes the deaths of Swiss mercenaries at Paris’ Tuileries Palace in 1792.

Mark Twain called it “the most moving piece of rock in the world.”

Afternoon Taking a break for lunch, your group can enjoy a fine meal at Hotel des Balance, which offers terrific views from the hotel's terrace overlooking the river. The hotel is centrally located and offers typical Swiss main courses and special desserts.

While in Lucerne, be sure to cross the famous Chapel Bridge LeisureGroupTravel.com <<

constructed in the first half of the 14th century as part of the city's fortifications. Paintings in the bridge's interior corridor were added in the 17th century and illustrate scenes of Switzerland and local history, including the biographies of Lucerne's patron saints.

Next to the bridge is the Water Tower, a 111-foot-tall tower built around 1300 as part of the city's wall. The tower is both Lucerne’s and Switzerland's most photographed landmark.

Three important Lucerne museums are the History Museum, the Museum of Art, and the Museum of Natural History. Also check out the interactive Swiss Transport Museum, the most popular museum in Switzerland, where your group can learn about Swiss road, rail, air and water transportation. Hundreds of fascinating exhibits of polished locomotives, boats and old-time airplanes and automobiles are spread throughout thousands of square feet of space.

Evening A steam-driven paddlewheel boat trip on Lake Lucerne with supper onboard will give your group spectacular views of the city and surrounding mountains. It's a fitting end to a memorable visit.

Extend your trip by taking a lake steamer to 7,000-foot Mt. Pilatus.

Ancient lore says Pilatus is the maker of weather, a dragon's lair, home to giants and the grave of rulers. Lucerne's very own mountain, Pilatus is one of the most legendary places in central Switzerland. On a clear day the mountain offers a panoramic view of 73 Alpine peaks.

Take the railway up (the steepest cog incline railway in the world at 48 percent) and the aerial cable down.

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n international center for banking and finance, Zurich is not all buttoned down and work-minded.

The trend-setting city of 400,000 inhabitants and with more than 2,000 years of history is full of life, culture and fun. The emerald green Limmat River runs through the charming, beautifully preserved Old Town, and the towering Gothic spires of the Fraumünster and Grossmünster churches highlight the city's rooftops. This is the birthplace of the avant-garde Dada Movement, which ran from performance art to sculpture, photography, painting and more.

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ZURICH Morning

Take a tour of St. Peterskirche, the oldest church in Zurich, which dates from the ninth century; the church's clock face is the largest in Europe, and it's hard to miss. The Fraumünster, with construction beginning in 1250, has spectacular stained glass windows, with chancel windows created by early modernist Marc Chagall.

If you like to bike, you can pick up a free rental bike at Zurich's main train station, in front of the Swiss National Museum or at many other places throughout the city. Bicycle lanes are marked throughout the city; look for the bike lane signage or look at the online city map where it's also marked. There are air pumps stationed throughout the city.

A breezy boat trip on Lake Zurich is especially invigorating, as is a ride by electric tram up the wooded slopes of the nearby Uetliberg, where you can enjoy an all-encompassing view over the lake and see the magnificent Alps in the distance. At the top of Uetliberg are restaurants and a hotel. The mountain is also great for hiking, biking, picnics or paragliding. Groups up to 270 can even enjoy a luncheon or dinner in a banquet hall at the top.

Afternoon Zurich is also known for the Bahnhofstrasse, one of the most renowned shopping streets in the world. From famous department stores to upscale chocolate shops to fine jewelry and clothes from acclaimed designers, this luxury retail enclave is a highlight of any trip.

Pay a visit to one of the more than 50 museums such as the Kunsthaus, one of the leading art museums in Switzerland, which houses all types of art from the 15th century up to today.

The sprawling, former Löwenbrau brewery now houses Kunsthalle Zurich and the Migros Museum for Contemporary Art, two of the most important museums in Zurich, as well as several art galleries 22

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where you can discover, enjoy and purchase modern art pieces. Then for fun, visit the city's luxury confectionery— Sprüngli —located on the Bahnhofstrasse. (It's noted for its signature macarons “Luxemburgerli.”)

Evening Plan on celebrating in the Old Town district with its many inviting restaurants and bars. Enjoy an exquisite traditional meal such as Zurich Geschnetzeltes in one of the historic guild houses. Take in some nightlife at Mascotte, located in a century-old building with live bands, comedy and DJ nights. This area in the Niederdorf district is affectionately known as Dörfli, the “little village.” Its car-free, winding alleys reveal interesting boutiques, antiquarian bookshops and craft studios, all waiting to be discovered.

Preparations for the Grand Jubilee In 2019, Zurich will completely devote itself to the theme of the Reformation. It was in 1519 that Huldrych Zwingli started to reform the city through his work as pastor at the Grossmünster church.

From the end of 2017, jubilee festivities will look at facts and figures relating to the Reformation in Zurich, as well as the lasting impact it had on local society.

ZurichCARD ZurichCARD – the City Travel Pass, includes the following: ■ Unlimited 2nd class travel by bus, train and cable car in the city of Zurich and surrounding region (including Zurich Airport and Uetliberg mountain excursion) ■ Short boat trips and Limmat River cruise for just 5 CHF (Swiss francs) ■ Free or reduced admission to the majority of Zurich’s museums ■ 50% discount on the city tour “Stories of the Old Town” ■ Many more discounts on a variety of cultural and leisure activities

Price: 24 hours—CHF 24, approx. USD 24 / CAD 30 72 hours—CHF 48, approx. USD 48 / CAD 60

>> LeisureGroupTravel.com

Airolo, Tremola, Ticino

Grand Tour of Switzerland.

Following the path of the reformers in Switzerland? The Grand Tour of Switzerland offers you further highlights and attractions. MySwitzerland.com/grandtour

Grand Train Tour of

Day 1

Switzerland

Start in Lucerne, a picturesque city situated in the heart of Switzerland. Enjoy Lucerne’s churches and museums, take a steamer on Lake Lucerne and see the 14th century Chapel Bridge, the country’s most photographed monument. Take the GoldenPass Line in German-speaking Lucerne en route to the French flair of Lake Geneva, traveling on a trio of top trains.

The first change is made in beautiful Interlaken, one of the most visited places in Switzerland. Set between Thun and Brienz lakes, the small town rests below the famous trio of mountains—the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. A short trip from Interlaken to Zweissimmen is followed by a change to the GoldenPass Panoramic of the Montreux Bernese Oberland Railway, which travels to Gstaad and finally Montreux, the most frequented resort on Lake Geneva.

o mountain scenery in the world compares to the grandeur of the Swiss Alps, and the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland is the best way to soak it all in.

Switzerland Tourism has developed suggested itineraries that combine some of the country’s most beautiful rail routes into one carefree trip. The country’s public transport system is one of the most advanced on the planet. Noted for their comfort, efficiency, frequency and reliability, Swiss trains run like clockwork and serve all four language regions (German, French, Italian, Romansch), connecting cosmopolitan cities, small towns and world-famous resorts. Landscapes range from snow-capped peaks to palm-lined lakeshores.

One ticket, the Swiss Travel Pass, is all you need to ride the trains, and it’s valid on buses, boats and urban transit systems as well. Pass holders also receive free entrance to more than 500 museums in Switzerland and are entitled to 50 percent discounts on most mountain cable cars and cogwheel trains.

The Grand Train Tour, covering eight different routes, can start at any point, and there is no prescribed travel direction.

Here is one suggested four-day itinerary:

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Day 2 From Montreux, head to Zermatt, a classic ski village and mountaineering center with pretty chalets and views of the iconic Matterhorn (14,691 feet), Switzerland’s most majestic peak. Activities in the area include cable car rides to mountain summits like Klein Matterhorn. Attracting visitors of all nationalities, Zermatt is traffic-free, except for small electric vehicles and horse-drawn carriages and sleighs.

The GoldenPass Line streaks past vineyards near the Lake Geneva resort of Montreux.

Inset: The Bernina Express, shown on the Landwasser Viaduct, is an engineering marvel.

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>> LeisureGroupTravel.com

Day 3

Day 4

An all-day ride on the world-famous Glacier Express ends in late afternoon in St. Moritz, a chic ski resort in the high, sun-blessed valley of the Engadin in eastern Switzerland. With 300-plus days of sun a year, more than anywhere else in the country, it’s not surprising the symbol of this winter sports capital is a sun.

The “slowest express train in the world,” acclaimed for its engineering excellence and jaw-dropping panoramas visible from roof-high windows, travels through 91 tunnels and crosses 291 bridges on the eight-hour journey. Vistas from the Glacier Express include the confluence of the upper and lower Rhine rivers, and the Domleschg Valley with its 13th century Schloss Ortenstein and other castles. Other scenic highlights: the glorious Goms region, Disentis with its beautiful Benedictine monastery, the 1,312-foot-deep Rhine Gorge, the 6,670-foot-high Oberalp Pass, and, of course, the mighty Matterhorn—all in a spectacular setting of rugged rock faces, crystal-clear mountain lakes and unspoiled villages.

Board the narrow-gauge Bernina Express at the St. Moritz station for the most spectacular of all Alpine crossings. This legendary train seamlessly connects the cool north with Mediterranean climes along the Italian border. Near Filisur the train crosses the 213-foot-high Landwasser Viaduct, which dates back more than 100 years. The journey continues through 55 tunnels and 196 bridges, easily overcoming the 7 percent gradient. When the first glaciers glisten in the distance, passengers pop out of their seats in awe. The route continues through the Val Poschiavo, crossing into Italy’s Valtellina wine region. At Tirano you change to the Bernina Express Bus, which passes palm-lined Lake Como and arrives in late afternoon in Lugano, southern Switzerland’s largest town.

You may want to stay over in Italian-speaking Lugano and sample the Italian-influenced cuisine of the Ticino region.

Besides museums, churches and lakefront beaches, Lugano delights visitors with an old town full of broad squares, gardens, Italianate architecture, and maze of steep alleys and stairways.

If you have to save Lugano sightseeing for another time, it’s back on the train bound for Lucerne, the starting point of your four-day Grand Train Tour. Switzerland Tourism also offers three other suggested four-day itineraries, plus an eight-day route from Zurich and back. For details on the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland, visit myswitzerland.com/en-ca/sts-grandtrain-tour-of-switzerland.html.

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INT’L

Sampling Europe’s ‘Far East’ A touch of exoticism flavors a week-long Danube River cruise through Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania

By Randy Mink n a Danube cruise that starts in Budapest and ventures east toward the Black Sea, don’t expect enchanting panoramas of hilltop castles and other travel-brochure scenes you might encounter on the Rhine. The ports of call are not exactly dream-list caliber either. Worldfamous art, grand architecture, instantly recognizable landmarks? They’re few and far

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between in the less traveled countries of Eastern Europe.

The former Soviet-bloc nations, however, are captivating in their own way just because they’re a little out of the mainstream. The languages alone, so different from Romance and Germanic tongues, will throw you for a loop. Serbia and Bulgaria use the Cyrillic alphabet, so you walk down the street clueless

about the signs. (Luckily, a semester of Russian helped me figure out certain words.)

Instead of the more familiar euro, travelers need to use forms of currency like the Hungarian forint, Serbian dinar and Bulgarian lev.

On an eastern Danube cruise, shorelines for the most part are rather nondescript, and the cities’ drab, Communist-era apartment blocks are hardly inspiring. But the stories of >> LeisureGroupTravel.com

Randy Mink

The Scenic Crystal passes under the famous Chain Bridge, which connects the Buda Hills with the Pest side of Budapest, Hungary.

Scenic

With Serbia on one side and Romania (shown here) on the other, the Danube’s Iron Gates area offers standout scenery.

20th century history are immensely colorful and satisfy your curiosity about life behind the Iron Curtain and how these countries are coping today in their third decade free of Soviet control.

Personally, I’ve always been intrigued by how people lived under Communism. In college, in fact, I had East German and Bulgarian pen pals who shed light on their tough situations. The horrors of Nazism during LeisureGroupTravel.com <<

World War II and wars of the 1990s in former Yugoslavia also impact recent history in these lands, and cruise passengers will hear about it all in shore-excursion commentaries by local guides eager to share their families’ experiences.

Appealing to seasoned travelers who like to stray from the beaten path, Eastern Europe is indeed ripe for discovery, and river cruising is an easy way to sample it.

My home for this Danube adventure was the 169-passenger Scenic Crystal, one of the state-of-the-art Space-Ships in the growing fleet of luxury operator Scenic (scenicusa.com). The 11-day itinerary, entitled “Black Sea Explorer,” started with two hotel nights in Budapest and ended with a night in Bucharest, Romania. In between were stops in Kalocsa, Hungary; Osijek, Croatia; Belgrade, the capital of Serbia (and former Yugoslavia); and Ruse and Silistra, Bulgaria.

From Silistra, a bus excursion went to the Black Sea resort of Varna, but the Scenic Crystal itself does not sail that far east.

The Danube, by the way, flows nearly 1,800 miles from Germany’s Black Forest to the Black Sea coast of Ukraine, touching more countries (10) than any other river. It ranks as Europe’s second longest river (after the Volga).

I’m glad we had two days in Budapest before the cruise. It was the most impressive city of the trip, and someday I want to return to see all that I missed. A Scenic-arranged bus tour took us to the Royal Palace atop Castle Hill and to Heroes’ Square, a sweeping plaza with statues and monuments glorifying Hungary through the ages. As we rode through heavy traffic, our guide gave us a quick lesson in Hungarian culture and history, mentioning the centuries of Turkish domination, the Hapsburgs’Austro-Hungarian Empire, how

Jewish citizens suffered in the ghetto and died in Nazi concentration camps, and how thousands of people were killed and injured during the 1956 uprising quashed by Soviet tanks. During free time, I visited the House of Terror, a chilling and deeply moving museum in the very building where the Communist regime’s secret police interrogated and tortured ordinary citizens. After our first-night dinner aboard the Scenic Crystal, moored in Budapest until morning, we enjoyed a cruise past the illuminated domes and spires of churches, the Royal Palace and grandiose Hungarian Parliament.

The next day our ship arrived in Kalocsa, located right in the middle of Hungary, about 100 miles south of Budapest. This is the country’s “paprika capital,” so we had plenty of chances to buy souvenir bags of sweet and hot paprika at stops like the House of Paprika, a small museum maintained by the local growers’ cooperative. The main event in Kalocsa was the horse show at Bakod Puszta farm, where riders in traditional costumes performed stunts, demonstrated whip-cracking skills and took part in competitions.

The Danube cuts through the northeastern corner of Croatia, an agricultural area far from the country’s better-known Adriatic resorts. There we toured Osijek, the main urban center. Located on the Drava River, a tributary of the Danube, Osijek is just 18 miles from the Hungarian border and 12 miles west of Serbia. Since the Drava was low, we had to take a bus from the Danube port of Vukovar, but Maja, our 36-year-old Croatian guide, kept us enthralled the whole way with insights into her country, past and present. Right off the bat she started talking about the 1991 war with Serbia after the collapse of the Yugoslav federation, an arrangement that had suppressed ethnic June 2017

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Gillies & Zaiser

Scenic cruise guests in Arbanasi, Bulgaria visit a lavishly frescoed Orthodox church dating from the late 1600s.

who died for Croatian freedom. As the Vukovar tourist brochure says, “It stands as a memorial but also as a warning.”

Belgrade has been built and ravaged many times, so architectural blockbusters are scarce, but one wow factor is the view from Kalemegdan Fortress. From lookouts atop the stone ramparts, tourists snap away at the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers.

Scenic’s Belgrade tour options included cycling along the Danube and a chef-led market visit, but I chose the walking tour guided by university students, who took us up to the fort. Actually a city park, the sprawling citadel has everything from tennis courts and an archery range to dinosaur displays, historical monuments and a military museum.

Then we explored Knez Mihailova, a lively pedestrian mall full of boutiques, restaurants and banks, plus souvenir kiosks selling items like Serbian army caps, Vladimir Putin T-shirts

Gillies & Zaiser

differences between the component republics during the reign of Communist leader Marshal Tito and his successors. Bullet holes still mar buildings in Osijek and Vukovar.

In Osijek we enjoyed a guided walk on the cobbled streets of Tvrda, the old walled city, and an organ concert in a 1732 Franciscan church. But the day’s highlight was lunch in the village of Bilje—not a typical group restaurant meal, but a traditional, homecooked spread in the intimate setting of a bed and breakfast. It’s one of Scenic’s signature Enrich programs designed to immerse passengers in the local culture.

My group of eight feasted at the home of Nada Cavic, a young mom who rents two bedrooms to tourists. Dressed in blue jeans and making easy conversation with her guests, Nada, in fluent English, talked freely about life since the war, mentioning that both her sisters were married to Serbians.

She started us out with a soup made from vegetables from her garden and homemade noodles. Also on the menu: meatloaf fritters, sliced potatoes bathed in paprika and meat drippings, cabbage salad and a creamy dish called milk rice. We washed it all down with white wine, elderberry juice, homemade cherry brandy and slivovitz, a plum brandy Nada’s father-in-law made for her wedding last year.

In Vukovar there was time to walk around the heart of town, which was destroyed in the war with Serbia and rebuilt as a pedestrian zone, though bombed-out buildings still haunt the city. At the confluence of the Vuka and Danube rivers, a white cross honors those

An entertaining show at a farm near Kalocsa spotlights equestrian skills practiced on the plains of rural Hungary.

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and Tito magnets. During free time that afternoon, some of us visited St. Sava, the biggest Orthodox church in the world, and the festive bohemian quarter, Skadarska.

The next morning was spent on the Scenic Crystal’s Sun Deck as we sailed through the Iron Gates area, Europe’s longest and deepest series of gorges. Everyone came out to take in the rock-walled shores of Serbia and Romania—the most dramatic scenery of the cruise—and watch the ship pass through locks. By the afternoon we had left Serbia behind and entered the 372-mile stretch of Danube that forms much of the RomaniaBulgaria border.

On the two all-day bus tours in Bulgaria, I had my nose pressed to the window as we rolled through the fertile Danubian Plain, always on the lookout for horse carts, shepherds with flocks of sheep or goats, and women in headscarves and aprons—scenes of rural life that have changed little in 100 years. Gypsies, too. Fortunately, we timed our springtime visit to coincide with the yellow swaths of blooming canola plants (rapeseed), whose oil is used in biofuels.

Just as fascinating were our guides’ comparisons between Bulgarian life today and in Communist times. Guide Clemena talked of limited goods for sale in the stores (one kind of yogurt, two kinds of cheese) and “ugly” clothes and shoes. But in some ways, she said, life was better under totalitarian rule—everyone had a job because factories were working full force to supply ready markets in other Soviet-bloc countries, and all the news was positive because there was no voice other than the government’s propaganda machine. Also, “the air was cleaner because we had a lot fewer cars.” Many older people, she added, yearn for a past when big-brother >> LeisureGroupTravel.com

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Randy Mink

control lent a sense of security.

Besides being enlightened by local guides, we learned much about the region from Scenic Crystal crew members, many of whom are Serbs. Both the cruise director, Nikola, and the hotel manager, Ivan, hail from Belgrade.

Captain Plamen is Bulgarian. During a cocktail-hour session on “Growing up in Eastern Europe,” staff members told their stories and took questions from the audience.

The day excursion from Ruse went to the medieval town of Veliko Tarnovo, which flourished as the capital of Bulgaria from the 12th to 14th centuries. Spilling across an amphitheater of wooded hills high above the Yantra River, it commands a stunning setting dominated by the Tsarevets Fortress, citadel of the Second Bulgarian Empire. One stop was a store selling rose-oil cosmetics and foods. (Bulgaria boasts the best quality rose oil in the world, and one ounce of perfume sells for $40.) We helped ourselves to samples of rose-petal jam, rose liqueur and rose-flavored candy. In the nearby village of Arbanasi, the excursion featured two centuries-old Orthodox churches with lavishly

In the village of Bilje, a young Croatian mom serves Scenic cruise passengers a scrumptious lunch.

frescoed interiors. A choir sang a Gregorian chant for us at one of them. (Bulgaria is 85 percent Orthodox.)

In Varna the following day, we saw some of mankind’s first gold jewelry in the vast Archaeological Museum and then had time to shop or dip our toes in the Black Sea. Lunch was at a replica pirate ship right on the beach.

For ease in following the tour guides’ remarks on shore excursions, each Scenic

passenger gets a high-tech audio device, called Tailormade. Touch “Voice Guide” and through the ear piece you can hear the guide loud and clear, even if you’ve drifted to the back of the pack. The Tailormade’s “Self-Guided Tours” option, meanwhile, becomes the best friend of those who want to roam independently in cities on the cruise route, with brief descriptions of select sights and a digital map.

In Giurgiu, Romania it was time to say farewell to the Scenic Crystal and board buses for Bucharest, where we had a choice of two city tours before checking in to the Hilton. Some passengers opted to see inside the Palace of Parliament, the gargantuan creation of Communist strong man Nicolae Ceausescu (the world’s second largest building after the Pentagon). I chose the National Village Museum, an open-air collection of homesteads relocated from rural Romania, to get a taste of the country as a whole.

From Budapest and Bucharest to Belgrade and the Black Sea, Eastern Europe is the place to “B” for adventurers eager to chart a watery course through lands unspoiled by mass tourism. The eastern frontier beckons. LGT

June 2017

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INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT Midwest Marketplace attendees enjoyed a well-earned Bloody Mary happy hour after a productive afternoon session.

Continued Success for Circle Wisconsin The fourth annual Midwest Marketplace highlights the Green Bay area

I

ndependent tour operators and representatives from over 90 CVBs, attractions

and hotels gathered in Green Bay this April for Circle Wisconsinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fourth annual Midwest Marketplace. The event welcomed travel Photos courtesy Forward Photography

professionals from Wisconsin,

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Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota and Michigan (and West Virginia) for three days of industry connection. >> LeisureGroupTravel.com

DISCOVER YOUR SEASON SEASON OF FUN!

©Bucklew Photography

www.DiscoverHudsonWI.com •

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INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT Circle Wisconsin, a membership-based organization that promotes statewide tourism, hosted the event at the Radisson Hotel & Conference Center in Green Bay. The complex includes a casino operated by the Oneida Nation, paintings of football players (the Radisson is the official hotel of the Green Bay Packers) and expansive ballroom space for meals and presentations.

“The Radisson was phenomenal,” says Circle Wisconsin Executive Director Wendy Dobrzynski. “Between the staff, the excellent food and the conference space, all the comments we heard from people were completely positive.”

Dobrzynski believes Midwest Marketplace’s goal to match every tour operator and every attraction for at least one meeting gives it an

advantage. Buyers and sellers were matched for six-minute appointment sessions, in a total of nearly 3,000 one-on-one meetings.

“What makes our conference impressive is the number of connections suppliers and operators can make,” says Dobrzynski.

“Some trade shows are limited to only 20 appointments, but we can guarantee at least 33, which gives us an edge.”

Midwest Marketplace’s other strength is its friendly and communal atmosphere.

Cocktail breaks (including a Real Racinesponsored Bloody Mary bar) are frequent between sessions, attendance is limited to encourage personal connection and tour operators are encouraged to dress casually and mingle with new acquaintances.

Newcomers were impressed with the

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“It was extremely worthwhile and beneficial—the show format allowed us to really recognize potential fits with prospective tour operators and get to know them on a personal level.”

Jackie Wentworth, Sales Manager, Visit Sioux Falls

Conference-goers toured the Automobile Gallery in Green Bay and admired classic cars like the 1932 Cadillac.

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>> LeisureGroupTravel.com

approach. Jackie Wentworth, a first-time attendee and group sales manager for Visit Sioux Falls, raved about the experience. “It was extremely worthwhile and beneficial—the show format allowed us to really recognize potential fits with prospective tour operators and get to know them on a personal level,” she says.

Dobrzynski and her team excelled at evening activities that showcased the Green Bay area and its signature attractions. Conference-goers were able to tour historic Lambeau Field and the adjacent Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame, where they were treated to a buffet and autograph session with wide receiver Jeff Janis.

They also toured the Automobile Gallery, the passion project of Wisconsin native and classic car collector William “Red” Lewis. The space featured a 1917 Milburn Electric, a 1959 Buick Electra and even a 1981 DeLorean, bought before the model was made famous in Back to the Future. Evening entertainment also included a set from Wisconsin Dells’ famous Swing Crew, who sang country-tinged songs that encouraged audience participation.

SWEET! Video Train Tours Daily 9am - 4pm FREE Samples

Refreshed Tour & New Interactive Exhibits Opens July 6, 2017

Jelly Belly Visitor Center 10100 Jelly Belly Lane Pleasant Prairie, WI JellyBelly.com • 1-866-868-7522 Store Hours 9am-5pm © 2017 Jelly Belly Candy Company

Celebrating Over 30 Years

CONTACT US TODAY!

We’re your first source for planning that ideal, FUN, interesting group tour that embraces two great lakes, a mighty river and everything in between.

• Farms + Farm-to-Table • World-Class Museums • Amazing Architecture Wendy@CircleWisconsin.com • Beautiful Natural Scenery CircleWisconsin.com • Entertainment: In and Outdoors • Breweries, Distilleries & Wineries • Gaming Proud partners and members of: • Native American Culture • Wonderful Waterways • Sightseeing Cruises

414.545.1100

We guarantee a great tour filled with UNIQUE & FUN experiences!

Celebrating Over 50 Years of Klopcic Family Hospitality!

Superb Dining • Professional Broadway Shows Beautiful Gift Shops • Award-Winning Hospitality

2018 Season On Sale Now! Phantom • Newsies • 42nd Street Church Basement Ladies 2 • The Little Mermaid Grease • Elf The Musical

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INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT

“We’re celebrating our fifth anniversary next year, and every year we have seen growth. We want to work to continue to make the marketplace a quality show for both sides of the aisle.”

Wendy Dobrzynski Executive Director, Circle Wisconsin

Fort Atkinson, WI 53538 • 800-477-9505 • www.firesidetheatre.com

“I felt the after-hours entertainment and activities gave attendees a good feel for the special experiences the Green Bay area offers,” says Ellen Klesta, Business Development Specialist for Circle Wisconsin publishing partner Premier Travel Media. “There is so much to experience throughout the state all year long, and this show highlighted that.”

With this excellent reception, Midwest Marketplace looks to solidify itself as one of the best travel conferences in the nation. “We’re celebrating our fifth anniversary next year, and every year we have seen growth,” says Dobrzynski. “We want to work to continue to make the marketplace a quality show for both sides of the aisle.”

The 2018 Circle Wisconsin Midwest Marketplace is set for April 8-10 at the Grand Geneva Resort in Lake Geneva. LGT

Representatives from the Greater Green Bay CVB greeted Midwest Marketplace attendees during hotel check-in.

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CENTRAL

Experience a voyage on the Beaver Islander Ferry through the village of Charlevoix, Michigan.

REGION

Shore Thing These six Great Lakes villages combine quaint downtowns with plentiful outdoor amenities

By Miles Dobis

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he Great Lakes shorelines are populated with metropolitan sprawl and protected wetlands, but their largest draws for groups are the inviting towns that dot the coastline. These villages often feature main streets bursting with boutiques and cafes, and the lakeshore location ensures easy access to local beaches and outdoor activities. While places like South Haven and Mackinac are tourist perennials, we highlight six Great Lakes towns that boast Midwest hospitality and charm on a friendlier budget.

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Charlevoix, Michigan

Grand Marais, Minnesota

Chesterton, Indiana

The isthmus separating Lake Charlevoix from Lake Michigan has developed into an easygoing and family-friendly beach town.

Bridge Street is lined with quaint boutiques and galleries, while the bustling harbor along nearby Round Lake features waterfront dining and walking paths. For a touch of whimsy, pay a visit to the Earl Young Mushroom Houses. Also known as the Hobbit Houses, these stunted structures are squashed, asymmetrical homes composed of stone, sloping roofs and circular windows.

Walking tours are available, and you can learn about eras in Charlevoix history as you pass through these bizarre homes.

For a secluded respite outside downtown, consider the winding trails of Fisherman’s Island State Park. Six miles of unspoiled Lake Michigan shoreline are interspersed with rolling dunes and bogs of cedar and black spruce, while over 60 campsites can accommodate groups who want a rustic vacation experience. Looking for a sweet treat? Simonsen's Bakery and Cafe serves coffee and homemade scones in an airy space modeled after French pâtisseries, while Celeste Murdick’s Fudge boasts five generations of confectionery experience behind its signature chocolate creations. (visitcharlevoix.com)

Originally a fishing village strategically settled between Lake Superior and inland trading routes, this city remains an intersection of culture and commerce. In contrast to the high-end glamour of other Great Lakes resort towns, Grand Marais’ charm comes from its rugged North Woods architecture and French voyageur history. You can explore that fur-trading past at the North House Folk School, an artist co-op originally built as a warehouse by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression. Your group can take classes not only in the traditional disciplines of painting, jewelry-making and photography but also pioneer skills like blacksmithing, woodcarving and basketry.

Groups looking for an outdoor adventure should hike the Gunflint Trail, a 55-mile route that begins along the lakeshore and ends in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness on the Canadian border. Along the way you can paddle on glacier-carved lakes, fish the pristine waters of a meandering creek or stop by the Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center, which highlights the area’s natural history. After working up an appetite in the backwoods, your group can dine at the Angry Trout Café, which specializes in lake fish grilled, fried or in chowder, or Loon Lake Lodge, which serves up hearty homemade meatloaf and baby back ribs. (visitcookcounty.com)

This small town, located near the southernmost edge of Lake Michigan, offers easy access to one of the Midwest’s great natural wonders: the Indiana Dunes.

These giant slopes of sand and earth were formed over 10,000 years ago by receding glaciers, and they are considered one of the best examples of kettle moraine geography in the world. Within the state park boundaries, your group can trek 16 miles of hiking trails, climb the 250 stairs to the top of the West Beach boardwalk and ascend the 192-foot summit of Mt. Tom. In between adventures, your group can take advantage of the numerous picnic and camping areas scattered along the lakeshore.

A few miles inland, the city of Chesterton holds its own charms. Stop by the European Market, which welcomes over 150 growers, bakers and artisans May through October, or the Port Drive-In, which has served its old-fashioned root beer floats and hot dogs since 1953. Take some time to explore the city’s charming downtown, where your group can chow down on burger creations and delicious desserts at the Octave Grill or the homemade sandwiches at Red Cup Café & Deli. (indianadunes.com)

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Sample fresh Lake Superior seafood at the Grand Marais’ Angry Trout Café, which can prepare your fish grilled, fried or in chowder.

>> LeisureGroupTravel.com

Geneva-on-the-Lake, Ohio Vacationers started flocking to this lakefront village in the late 1800s, when Ohio businessmen Cullen Spencer and Edwin Pratt purchased state land and created picnic grounds with beach access.

Soon, an entire vacation industry developed along State Route 531, which follows the Lake Erie shoreline. The road is dotted with â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;50sstyle diners, art studios and taverns, with hotels ranging from economy to luxury. On the high end of the spectrum is the Lodge at Genevaon-the-Lake, a gorgeous four-star resort with reception space, fine continental dining and beachfront cabins that sleep six. The resortâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wine shuttle will provide your group with a sober driver and access to eight wineries in the region, where you can sample the Pinot Noir of M Cellars or the signature merlot at Ferrante Winery. Groups who want even easier access between their accommodations and alcohol should consider the Lakehouse Inn & Winery, which includes a fullproduction winery, farm-to-table restaurant and an eight-room bed and breakfast.

Head west from town to explore Geneva State Park, which remains an outdoor destination nearly 150 years after Spencer and Pratt preserved it. The marina can dock vessels of all sizes, and local stores sell bait and supplies for fishermen who want to drop a line in the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Walleye Capital of the World.â&#x20AC;? Group members looking for a more relaxing experience can sunbath and swim along the parkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 300-foot beach, which also permits picnicking and sand volleyball. Children of all ages will enjoy Reesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Corner, an authentic soda fountain that serves malts, shakes and hot fudge sundaes. (visitgenevaonthelake.com)

Ferrante Winery

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TOP SIGHTSEEING CRUISES rom Great Lakes excursions to riverboat flings on the mighty Mississippi, the Midwest abounds with cruise options. The following trips will make a great addition to any group itinerary.

F Quad Cities CVB

Riverboat Twilight, LeClaire, Iowa Sail the same waters plied by French traders and American explorers on the boat’s signature cruise, a 2-day trip from LeClaire to Dubuque with meals, scenic narration and time to take in Iowa’s Mississippi River shoreline. Captain Kevin Stier is nationally regarded and can show your group aquatic wildlife and historical landmarks. Overnight is at the riverfront Grand Harbor Resort in Dubuque. One-day cruises also are available. (riverboattwilight.com)

Quad Cities CVB

Celebration Belle Moline, Illinois Want to twist the night away on a summer evening?

This vessel offers the Classic Oldies Cruise, with ̓50s rock ̓n’ roll classics and line dancing, among many other themed events. Evenings based on Oktoberfest, Broadway and country music are all available for your group to enjoy as they glide down the Mississippi River on this immense threestory boat. There’s ample space for dancing, dining and admiring the riverfront on a cruiser that offers everything from afternoon scenic trips to multi-day excursions through the Mississippi wetlands. (celebrationbelle.com)

Bayfield, Wisconsin

Saugatuck, Michigan

This rocky harbor town lies on the Bayfield Peninsula (Wisconsin’s northernmost point) and near the stunning Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. This cluster of 21 islands and 12 miles of shoreline on the Lake Superior coast features jagged cliffs and eerie sea caves— cliff towers sculpted over millions of years from ancient sandstone river deposits. Guided ferry tours provide beautiful views of the beaches and boreal forest, and your group can hike through the park’s bird-mating grounds and protected hemlock groves. The peninsula is especially stunning in autumn, when the blazing fall colors bring a tapestry of warm colors to the area’s maple trees.

The city of Bayfield, which sprawls over the hilly shoreline, consists of charming Victorian homes and modern eateries, like Wild Rice Restaurant. Housed in a contemporary structure of sheet metal and glass, the five-star dining experience specializes in hearty Upper Midwest cuisine with gourmet flair. Favorites include the cheese plate from local dairies and the prosciutto-wrapped beef with mascarpone mashed potatoes.

To learn why the region is called the “Berry Capital of the Midwest,” consider touring one of the area’s 14 agritourism attractions.

Your group can wander a red delicious orchard at the Bayfield Apple Company, sample tart raspberries at Blue Vista Farm and taste fresh blueberries at Rocky Acres Berry Farm. (bayfield.org)

This friendly seaside village is an artists’ haven with over 40 galleries and studios.

From contemporary sculpture in the Water Street Gallery to Native American jewelry at Indian Summer, there are potential vacation keepsakes in nearly every storefront.

North of town lies the Belvedere Inn, which features 10 luxurious guest rooms in a restored 1913 mansion. Your group can relax in the elegant ambiance and indulge in crabmeat bisque and steamed Prince Edward Island mussels in the parlor-turnedrestaurant. For more tastes of the region’s agricultural bounty, consider the Delicious Drive Culinary Tour, which takes visitors to farms and foodie attractions along the Lake Michigan coast.

Groups looking for a more outdoor experience should beeline to the Saugatuck Dune Rides and board a five-row Dodge Power Wagon equipped with aircraft tires.

From there, you’ll experience 40 minutes of tight embankments and drops as the vehicle speeds through the sand dunes along Lake Michigan. Along the way, your helpful guide will discuss local history and the glacial movement that created the dunes. For a more relaxing beach experience, drop by Oval Beach, rated one of the best beaches in the world

by Condé Nast Traveler. Your group can take advantage of the area’s picnic tables and grills for an outdoor meal or explore the preserved natural grasslands along the lake. (saugatuck.com) LGT

Bayfield, Wisconsin

Goodtime III Cleveland, Ohio Sail along Lake Erie and past the Cleveland skyline on the city’s largest excursion boat. Favorite trips include the Friday Dance Cruise, where your group can party to rock and pop with a full-service bar, and the Saturday City Lights Blues Cruise, where a DJ can provide the soundtrack for gorgeous views of Cleveland’s illuminated skyscrapers. Private charters are available for large groups, and lunch cruises are a great way to pack in both a meal and a view. (goodtime3.com) 42

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his tasty tour through Lake County is fun for couples, girlfriend groups and anyone who loves chocolate.

Unique local venues such as The Chocolate Sanctuary and Long Grove Confectionery Co. await your taste buds. A factory tour, hands-on activities, shopping opportunities and plenty of chocolate will satisfy everyone.

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Lake County, Illinois

A Chocolate Lovers Trail in Lake County Day 1 Get your taste buds ready with a stop at the Long Grove Confectionery Co. for its Chocolate Tour.

The quality of its candy and the ability for visitors to view production at the 25,000-square-feet facility creates a new respect for superior chocolate makers.

Make sure you save time to shop in their retail store to purchase full-price and bulk-priced candy products.

Visit Lambs Farm, where all the food products for sale are made right on-site. Lambs Farm has been serving the developmentally disabled for over 50 years, so shopping with a purpose in mind makes for a feel-good stop. Everyone receives a bag of their famous butter cookies to take home – the chocolate flavor, of course.

Escape from the ordinary and experience the extraordinary at The Chocolate Sanctuary. Chef Ahmed Mora’s menu celebrates the cocoa bean in its many forms; your clients will find a variety of beautifully plated main courses, appetizers and desserts that incorporate the restaurant’s namesake ingredient.

Your next stop will be an experience in sweet science at Sweet Pete’s Candy. Candy-making classes include chocolate bars, truffles, Grand Marnier cherry cordials or chocolate pizza. Should you want to break away from the chocolate theme, there are also hand-pulled lollipop and candy cane classes.

Check into your chocolate lovers hotel – Holiday Inn Gurnee. Upon check-in, you will receive their homemade chocolate chip cookies. Next is a wonderful wine reception with appetizers featuring an imported Dutch chocovine wine in their restaurant, Spice.

Your group can unpack and stay for dinner with a specialized menu selected for you along with your favorite chocolate dessert.

We can assist you with evening entertainment options nearby, such as the Genesee Theatre, Ravinia Festival, Marriott Theatre and several local theaters such as PM&L Theatre and Citadel Theatre.

Day 2 After an amazing breakfast that includes chocolate chip pancakes, walk off your chocolate coma by going across the street and shopping at Gurnee Mills.

Should you need some more chocolate yumminess to take home, there are the fabulous Frangos® at Macy’s.

Your group can meet at Rainforest Cafe for a specialized lunch menu and end with a chocolate Volcano. This delicious itinerary will leave your group in a happy place as they head back home.

LAKE COUNTY CVB Jayne Nordstrom jayne@lakecounty.org 800-525-3669 or 847-662-3993 LakeCounty.org

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our tour of Destination Hilliard, located just 20 minutes from downtown Columbus, will overflow with history, art, culinary and fun experiences.

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Hilliard, Ohio

Where Classic Televisions Retire and Good Memories Never Expire Day 1 Receive a Welcome Bag when you check into your Hilliard, Ohio hotel and relax before tonight’s dinner.

Depart for the Hilliard Civic and Cultural Arts Center for a catered dinner and variety show performance by the Hilliard Arts Council. This relaxing evening is the perfect beginning of a Destination Hilliard visit.

Day 2

HILLIARD, OH Christy Clark cclark@destinationhilliard.com 614-664-3290 DestinationHilliard.com

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Enjoy a hot deluxe continental breakfast at your hotel before departing.

The morning adventure begins with Making Tracks Through Train Town. This two-hour trolley ride features a conductor (docent) sharing the significance of the railroad in Hilliard and includes stops at points of interest.

There will be time to visit Hilliard’s First Responders Park Memorial. The second largest memorial in the U.S. honors first responders of every branch who responded to the tragic events on 9/11. Lunch is on your own in Old Hilliard Downtown. Otie’s Tavern & Grill is on the National Register of Historic Places and a local’s favorite. If you can get past the name, the Old Bag of Nails Pub menu is very good.

Hope you saved some room for dessert. It’s on to The Little Ice Cream Shop to experience how they make their wonderful ice cream. Of course, there will be sampling. The afternoon continues with a visit to the Early Television Museum. You’ll be fascinated by the nation’s only museum dedicated to the television.

More than 150 TV sets are on display, from the mechanical TVs of the 1920s and 1930s to the preWWII British and American sets to post-war sets and early color sets.

It’s time for fun at Ten Pin Alley. Bowlers be ready to show off your groove, but spectators and hecklers are welcome. The patio lounge is open and the in-house chef will prepare a masterful buffet or assist in creating a menu just for the group. After a fun evening it’s back to the hotel for some much needed rest.

Day 3 Breakfast at the hotel.

It’s off to the Hilliard Civic and Cultural Arts Center to let our creativity show. Instructors will guide you through a Pop Up Art project that will please even the most untalented among us. Next is Cake Creations, where again your talent shines as you decorate and, of course, sample cupcakes.

Lunch is Iacono’s Pizza & Restaurant, Hilliard’s #1 pizza place, according to TripAdvisor.com. Enjoy the pizza bar lunch.

Have a relaxing afternoon as you step back to the 1800s at the Historical Village at Weaver Park. The village consists of the original Hilliard Train Station, a one-room schoolhouse, chapel, log cabin, museum, a WPA outhouse and much more. A docent will lead the group, with a candle maker, butter churner, blacksmith and others providing interactive experiences.

Dinner tonight is at Abner’s, where folks have been coming for comfort food since 1987. Adorning the walls are historic photos of Hilliard. It’s back to the hotel for some much deserved rest after a fun day.

Day 4 Enjoy a deluxe hot continental breakfast at your hotel before departing Destination Hilliard with fond memories.

>> LeisureGroupTravel.com

ou’ll be fascinated by the historic gems tucked along Chicago’s North Shore including the only remaining temple of its kind in North America and the grand homestead of a former U.S. vice president. “The Spice Boss” works his magic hand-mixing boutique blends, you’ll “ooh” and “ah” over imported olive oils and enjoy boutique shopping at its finest. Take in a live show or concert and Presto! You get to be Picasso!

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CHICAGO’S NORTH SHORE CVB Caryn Shulman cshulman@cnscvb.com 847-763-0011, ext.25 CNSCVB.com/GroupItineraries

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Chicago’s North Shore

Historic Jewels Along Lake Michigan Day 1

Day 2

Historic Jewels, Incredible Edibles & Art Awareness

Step back into 19th century America and tour the Frances Willard House, home to one of the most prominent social reformers of her time. Willard, a long-time resident of Evanston, Illinois, was arguably one of the generating influences in America’s long history of social justice and activism as she bravely rallied for woman's suffrage, woman's economic rights and labor reforms.

The American Toby Jug Museum is home to the world’s largest container collection. Featuring over 8,000 Toby and Character jugs from around the globe, the museum leads you through 20 countries over 250 years to the latest 21st century productions.

Evanston’s prestigous Northwestern University is home of the renowned Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art. This fine arts museum is dedicated to the study and exhibition of reproducible art forms, including prints, photographs, film, video and computer-mediated art.

The art appreciation continues just a few blocks away at The Levere Memorial Temple, a tribute to Sigma Alpha Epsilon members who lost their lives in the war. Marvel at this stunning architectural treasure that contains a custom-designed collection of Tiffany stained glass.

Since day one, Bottle & Bottega has proven that “inside everyone is a master artist just waiting to be uncorked.” A perfect way to wrap up your art-filled afternoon, an artist will lead your group in painting your own masterpiece while you snack, enjoy fine wine and create a treasure to take home.

Begin your day along the sparkling waters of Lake Michigan where you’ll be dazzled by the grandeur and beauty of the Baha’i House of Worship, one of only seven Baha’i temples in the world and the only one in North America. Marvel at its lace-like ornamentation and dome rising 135 feet above the main floor, and linger a little longer outside to wrap yourself in the unsurpassed beauty of the exquisite gardens and fountains that surround the temple.

Next, you’ll walk in the footsteps of a former U.S. vice president when you tour the Charles Gates Dawes House, his majestic namesake mansion that overlooks Lake Michigan. This National Historic Landmark, which captures Evanston’s rich history and boasts original furnishings and artwork, also serves as the proud home of the Evanston History Center.

After lunch, treat your senses to a culinary world tour at The Spice House, where second-generation spice merchants import the most dazzling array of sweet and savory spices from their countries of origin.

Try their "Saigon" cassia cinnamon, which boasts a sweet spicy heat like red-hot candies and is so popular, they grind about a hundred pounds each week. The tasty tour continues at Old Town Oil, "a playground for your palate" that works with small-batch producers from around the world and invites you to sample, mix and match their premium olive oils and vinegars to find the flavors you’re craving.

Customize a great night out for your group at two lively venues for fabulous music, comedy, dance and theater: The North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, a soaring two-theater complex that’s home to the award-winning Northlight Theatre and Skokie Valley Symphony, as well as host to the best in music, comedy and dance in their main stage theater.

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our group will come to Expect the Unexpected during this 3-day Mystery Tour that will keep them guessing and entertained and includes historic sites, a theater production, model railroads, unique lodging, dinner cruise on a paddlewheel boat and lunch at a biker bar.

Northwest Illinois

Expect The Unexpected Northwest Illinois Mystery Tour Day 1

A tour of the Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home in Dixon is a glimpse back in time at the Reagan family residence of the 1920s. Check out the Visitor Center and Gift Shop, which features books and gifts highlighting the Reagan legacy.

The Northwest Territory Historic Center is a history, research and learning center housed in President Reagan’s grade school. The center is proudly affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution and houses exhibits of Native American life, early American farming, a research library, historical exhibits, an art gallery and museum store.

A local step-on guide gives a narrated tour of Dixon’s historic sites including stops at the Dixon Welcome Center and Gift Shop and the riverfront location of the bronze, life-size statue of a young Ronald Reagan on horseback entitled Begins the Trail.

Enjoy dinner at local fine dining restaurants offering a variety of choices including Italian, Thai or locally grown organic cuisine.

Day 2

BLACKHAWK WATERWAYS CVB office@bwcvb.com 800-678-2108 VisitNorthwestIllinois.com

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Dixon

Fulton – Savanna – Mt. Morris

Fulton’s deep roots are in the Netherlands, where “De Immigrant,” an authentic Dutch Windmill was pre-assembled and erected by Dutch craftsmen for the town’s Mississippi River dike. It is open for tours with millers giving demonstrations. The Windmill Museum & Cultural Center is across the street and features models of 22 European windmills, education area and gift shop.

Fulton’s Heritage Canyon is a 12-acre area featuring numerous buildings that take the visitor back to

the 1800s on self-guided walking tours. Travel along the Mississippi River Road to Savanna for a unique lunch experience at Poopy’s Pub & Grub, one of Illinois’ best-known biker bars. Not a traditional restaurant or typical biker bar, instead it has great food and drinks served in a relaxed, laid-back atmosphere.

Continue the afternoon at the Savanna Museum & Cultural Center, which features 80 mannequins in authentic Civil War uniforms, railroad artifacts and an extensive running model railroad layout.

Travel to White Pines State Park and check in to full-amenity cabins followed by dinner at the historic White Pines Inn log lodge. After dinner relax around a campfire and enjoy the peace and quiet of the surroundings deep in the heart of the White Pines State Forest.

Day 3

Mt. Morris - Oregon

Entering the Barnacopia Farm Museum, visitors are greeted by a 1950s-era diner and a replica of a bygone downtown. Many antique farm machines and equipment, classic cars and more are on display including an antique tractor that rotates in the cupola at the top of the barn.

Lunch features a home-cooked, three-meat buffet with all the trimmings followed by a live theatrical performance at the White Pines Dinner Theatre.

After the production browse the unique gift shop. After the show head to Conover Square Mall, a restored piano factory offering a unique shopping experience including the Blackhawk Model Railroad Club. Your evening will be highlighted by a dinner cruise on the panoramic Rock River aboard the Pride of Oregon, an authentic, 102-foot paddlewheel boat.

>> LeisureGroupTravel.com

state abundant in natural beauty and pioneer heritage, Wisconsin is an ideal location for your next group tour. Towns such as Eau Claire and Baraboo combine unique local attractions with big-city amenities, while the Wisconsin Dells and La Crosse offer gorgeous river views.

Groups will also enjoy a dive into the state’s industrial past, with attractions like the Dahl Auto Museum and Mid-Continent Railway Museum exploring the Badger State’s manufacturing and transportation history.

A

Circle Wisconsin

Experience All Wisconsin Has to Offer Day 1 Begin your tour by following the internationally recognized migration of waterfowl to Prairie du Chien, which offers river cruises, historic sites, events, and unique shopping and dining experiences.

Tour a meticulously restored Victorian country estate at Villa Louis on the banks of the Mississippi River.

Drive along the Great River Road, designated as a National Scenic Byway, as you make your way to La Crosse. Bald eagle sightings are common as you wind your way north with breathtaking views of the river valley and bluffs beyond. Discover the magnificent Shrine Church, Candle Chapel and paved trails through statues and gardens at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe–open year-round with a café and gift shop. La Crosse and the region offer stunning landscapes with abundant things to do. Take a stroll down memory lane and immerse yourself in the rich history of the automobile at the Dahl Auto Museum. The city is alive with shops, restaurants, heritage sites, churches and museums.

Day 2

CIRCLE WISCONSIN

After you have fully explored the area, head north and west to Tomah to tour the Wisconsin Cranberry Discovery Center. Wisconsin's four seasons provide scenic delights in Cadott at Cabin Ridge for lunch and a ride through the woods on a horse-drawn carriage.

Enjoy trails lined with delicate spring and summer flowers, glorious autumn colors or sparkling snowladen trees. Head east to Eau Claire, located where the Eau Claire and Chippewa rivers meet. Eau Claire has experienced a renaissance of its historic sites,

cultural areas and restaurants. Visit Carson Park, the historic stadium where Hank Aaron played baseball. Learn about early settlers and the logging industry at the Chippewa Valley Museum and Paul Bunyan Logging Camp Museum.

Day 3 Travel down the rolling hills and to the breathtaking bluffs of Baraboo: “Circus City.” The fourth Saturday in July, the town celebrates circus heritage at the Annual Big Top Parade. Make a reservation for your spot along the parade route. If you can’t join us for the parade, visit Circus World Museum to enjoy circus acts, amazing animals and exhibits featuring over 100 beautifully restored circus wagons.

Then travel to the Wisconsin Dells, where your group can ride a “duck” or take a scenic boat ride.

For a special evening, book a dinner show at the Palace Theater in the Dells.

Day 4 Start your day off with a lumberjack pancake breakfast at Paul Bunyan’s Cook Shanty and Lumberjack Show. Then depart for an authentic 1894 C&NW depot for a train ride through the countryside. The Mid-Continent Railway Museum grounds and building house a lovingly restored steam engine, vintage railroad coaches, freight cars and cabooses. Continue on to the magical and grandiose world of The House on the Rock with its collection of collections. Your groups will marvel at the unique rooms, breathtaking gardens, streets of yesteryear, the infinity room and world’s largest indoor carousel.

Wendy Dobrzynski wendy@circlewisconsin.com 414-545-1100 CircleWisconsin.com

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isit McHenry County, Illinois and enjoy the history, brews and amazing views that are scattered throughout. Your group will enjoy the hidden gems that make McHenry County a charming slice of country just outside of the Second City.

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VISIT McHENRY COUNTY Tammy Townsend Kise Sales and Marketing Manager tammy@visitmchenrycounty.com 815-893-6280 VisitMcHenryCounty.com

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McHenry County, Illinois

History, Brews & Amazing Views Day 1

Day 2

Woodstock, Harvard

Richmond, McHenry, Crystal Lake

Your visit begins at historic Woodstock Square, home to one of Illinois’ best farmer’s markets and scenes from the classic 1993 film Groundhog Day. You may not see Bill Murray himself, but you’ll definitely recognize this downtown square the second you arrive. The first stop is a tour of the Woodstock Opera House, built in 1889. After your historical tour, shop the many small businesses that call Woodstock home. Stop by Ethereal Confections for handmade bean-to-bar chocolate and Silver Prairie Farm Natural Soap Company for a goat-milk soap demonstration.

Make your way to the Loyola University Retreat and Ecology Campus for a chef-demonstrated cooking class. Most groups prepare handmade pasta, sauce and bread, but there are many other options.

After your meal, the manager of the in-house organic farm will show you the gardens that provide vegetables for their meals and local restaurants.

Inspired by a steelpan drum performance in Trinidad, Matt Potts decided to bring this energy home and start Chicagoland’s largest steelpan organization: Potts & Pans. He now shares this love with all who enter Culture Arts & Music by providing groups with a unique drum circle experience.

Rush Creek Distillery in Harvard welcomes your group for a tasting and tour. Just across the street is Historic Starline Factory, which dates back to 1883, when Henry Ferris invented and patented the hay carrier and more than 50 other products to streamline farm work. Enjoy dinner in this building, now a destination for artists, art enthusiasts and special events.

Your group makes its way to Richmond to visit Ginger Blossom, which offers treasures from around the world, including fair-trade ethnic and traditional crafts, rugs, furniture and antiques.

Richmond has many agritourism experiences.

Visiting in the spring or summer? Stop by Stade’s Farm & Market for berry and vegetable picking. In late summer or fall, check out the World’s Largest Corn Maze at Richardson Adventure Farm. Groups love Royal Oak Farm Orchard for apple picking.

It’s time to start thinking about lunch, and there is no better place to stop than Epic Deli in McHenry.

These quirky guys make up sandwich combinations that you have to taste to believe.

At Volo Auto Museum see cars from your favorite movies and TV shows, including the Ecto-1 (Ghostbusters), Mystery Machine (Scooby Doo), Fred Flinstone’s car and Mach 5 from Speed Racer.

For great craft beers, have a tour and tasting at Crystal Lake Brewing or Scorched Earth Brewing.

Dinner is at Duke’s on the Water at The Quarry Cable Park. One of the country’s largest cablepowered wakeboard parks calls the Quarry home, and you will get to watch these daredevils.

Day 3 Barrington, Algonquin You can’t visit McHenry County without seeing the unbelievable Sanfilippo Estate and its elaborate music machines, a European Salon Carousel and 8,000-pipe Wurlitzer theater organ. This is a threehour, docent led tour. Then head to Port Edward Restaurant for a hearty lunch before hitting the road.

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I O WA Tour Guide

FUN FALL FAM Touring Iowa without a passport

UNEXPECTED IOWA Special Supplement

LEISURE June 2017

GROUP TRAVEL

Quirky little discoveries

MAKING A SPLASH Great lakes and mighty rivers

Unexpected

Iowa

Snake Alley, called the “Crooked Street in the World”

by Ripley’s Believe It or Not, twists and turns up a hillside in the Mississippi River city of Burlington.

our planners are always looking to include places beyond the obvious— unusual attractions their tour members wouldn’t expect, small surprises hidden in the clutter of better known attractions.

The quirkier or more obscure, the better. Here are a dozen spots in Iowa to put on your radar.

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Off the beaten tourist paths, great little discoveries await group travelers

Iowa Tourism Office

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Field of Dreams

Fenelon Place Elevator Dubuque Dating from 1882, the Fenelon Place Elevator is the world’s shortest, steepest railroad. It was the brainchild of banker J.K. Graves, who needed a way to cut the lunch-hour commute from downtown Dubuque to his hilltop house, a long trek up muddy paths or buggy ride around the bluff. (He preferred lunch at home over the greasy spoons near his office.) Neighbors used the conveyance too and soon it became a public funicular for a penny fee.

Today the cable cars, rebuilt in 1977, take riders on a nearly vertical, 296-foot trip to a lookout platform that affords views of three states—Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin. The original cables have survived with only minor renovations. (fenelonplaceelevator.com) Snake Alley Burlington The brave are invited to take a walk down what Ripley’s Believe It or Not has called the “Crookedest Street in the World.” Rivaling San Francisco’s Lombard Street, it was built in 1894 as a shortcut from the clifftop mansions of Heritage Hill to downtown Burlington, a Mississippi River city with steep hills.

With five half-curves and two quartercurves, the brick-paved street with limestone curbing drops 58 feet over a distance of 275 feet. Snake Alley’s design was conceived by three men of German heritage who used their Old World knowledge about how to build on a hill.

A sign at the site proclaims that it’s “reminiscent of vineyard paths in France and Germany and reflects the city’s ethnic heritage.” (visitburlingtoniowa.com)

Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad & Museum Boone Ride in vintage 1920s railcars on a one-hour-and-45-minute trip through the beautiful Des Moines River Valley, crossing a 156-foot-high trestle along the way. Diesel engines or steam locomotives pull the nine-car train on the 15-mile roundtrip excursion.

The railroad also offers a dinner train experience, and a 30-minute trolley ride is available, too. This is one of the few railroad museums in the country that operates, steam, diesel and electric equipment. (bsvrr.com) Traer Salt and Pepper Shaker Gallery Traer Reportedly the second largest collection of salt and pepper shakers in the world, this treasure trove has more than 16,000 sets that Traer resident Ruth Rasmussen collected over a lifetime, starting with the pair she bought at Brookfield (Illinois) Zoo in 1946.

Ruth sold her collection to the city of Traer in 2008 but, at age 93, still visits when large groups are expected. The shakers, in porcelain, glass, ceramic, metal, plastic and wood, range from the pretty to the naughty to the downright strange. Included are shakers depicting Marilyn Monroe, Howdy Doody, the Flintstones and other pop culture icons. (traer.com/saltandpeppershakergallery)

Dubuque Area CVB

Field of Dreams Movie Site Dyersville On a baseball diamond carved from the middle of a cornfield for the 1989 flick starring Kevin Costner, your group can bat balls, play catch, run the bases or just sit in the bleachers and dream.

Guided tours of the field and farmhouse portrayed in Field of Dreams are available. The surrounding crop, by the way, is feed corn, not sweet corn. (fodmoviesite.com)

Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad

Matchstick Marvels Gladbrook Since 1977 Patrick Acton has been building large models from ordinary wooden matchsticks, and his works of art are on display at the Tourist Center in Gladbrook’s City Center Building.

Millions of matchsticks have been glued together to represent planes, trains, ships, buildings and people. A 13-foot-long model of the U.S.S. Iowa battleship took 800 hours and 137,000 matchsticks.

Acton’s other detailed models include the U.S. Capitol, the Wright Brothers’ Kitty Hawk, the Challenger Space Shuttle and Notre Dame Cathedral.

Many of his works are in Ripley’s Believe It or Not museums around the country. (matchstickmarvels.com)

Cover Photo: Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce

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Grotto of the Redemption

Grotto of the Redemption West Bend The world’s largest known collection of crystals and gems in one location adorn this shrine to the Virgin Mary.

Covering a city block and adjacent to Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, the largest manmade grotto in the world was started in 1912 by Father Paul Dobberstein (1872-1954), who for 42 years cemented semiprecious stones in place for Stations of the Cross and other scenes in the life of Christ. He traveled far and wide, to such places as the Black Hills of South Dakota and Hot Springs, Arkansas, to gather rocks, gems, crystals and minerals. Jasper, malachite and amethyst are among the stones used.

In 1946 another priest began working with Father Paul for eight years and then put in another 50 years himself.

Even the restaurant and restrooms are plastered with polished stones. (westbendgrotto.com) Historic Squirrel Cage Jail Council Bluffs No, this is not where naughty squirrels got locked up but rather a cylindrical, three-story jail with 10 pie-shaped cells on each level.

Creaking mechanical gears would slowly spin the Pottawatomie County Jail so that the guard could stay put as he watched each prisoner’s every action. Located inside an 1885 Victorian Gothic-style brick structure, the bizarre contraption (in use until 1969) is one of three rotary cell jails still in existence. (thehistoricalsociety.org)

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Bridges of Madison County Winterset Area Madison County boasts the largest group of covered bridges in one area in the western half of the Mississippi Valley. Of the 19 wooden-roofed bridges built from 1855-1885 to preserve the roadways’ large flooring timbers, six bridges remain at various locations in and around Winterset, the county seat. All have been renovated and/or moved, and one is a replica of a bridge destroyed by an arsonist. Two bridges were featured in the 1995 movie The Bridges of Madison County, which starred Clint Eastwood as a roving photographer and Meryl Streep as a lovelorn housewife. Nearly 100,000 people attend the Madison County Covered Bridge Festival the second weekend in October. (madisoncounty.com) National Balloon Museum Indianola Artifacts and memorabilia depict the history of hot-air and gas ballooning from 1783 to the present. Videos in the theater spotlight various aspects of ballooning, and the U.S. Ballooning Hall of Fame honors those who have made significant contributions to the sport.

The building resembles two inverted balloons. (nationalballoonmuseum.com) Grout Museum District Waterloo One of Iowa’s great cultural treasures, this cluster of museums is a magnet for group travelers. The Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum honors the sacrifice of all Iowa veterans from the Civil War to the present. Named after five brothers who died aboard a Navy cruiser in World War II, it includes 35 interactive exhibits and an electronic Wall of Honor. The Grout Museum of History & Science focuses on regional history, flora and fauna, while the Bluedorn Science Imaginarium features hands-on exhibits that demonstrate how science affects everyday life. The district also includes the Rensselaer Russell House Museum, an 1861 Victorian brick mansion. (groutmuseumdistrict.org)

Pappajohn Sculpture Park

Iowa Tourism Office

John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park Des Moines One of the most significant sculpture parks in the nation covers four acres of Western Gateway Park in downtown Des Moines. Donated by local philanthropists and art collectors John and Mary Pappajohn, the 28 works were created by 22 artists from around the world. (desmoinesartcenter.org)

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IT’S

EVERYONE’S STORY.

What would you do to be free? Go on this extraordinary journey through two World Wars, life under Communism and the pursuit of a better life in America. Faces of Freedom features more than 7,000 square feet of historic artifacts, interactive environments, riveting storytelling and more.

1400 Inspiration Place SW Cedar Rapids, IA 52404 NCSML.org 319.362.8500 LeisureGroupTravel.com <<

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hile the concept of water may not flood your mind at the first thought of Iowa’s geography, smart travel planners are aware that many tours and activities take advantage of the state’s multitude of lakes and rivers, some better known than others.

Everyone is familiar with the mighty Mississippi and has probably heard of river towns like Dubuque and Davenport, but some lake resorts popular with generations of Iowans are virtually unknown outside the state.

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In the state’s northwest corner, the Okoboji area attracts more than a million visitors a year to the Iowa Great Lakes, a chain that consists of Spirit Lake, the state’s largest natural lake, and five interconnected lakes with nearly 70 miles of shoreline. The summer vacationland abounds with resort lodges, cottages, campgrounds, marinas and family fun attractions. Boating, fishing, sailing and other water sports, even parasailing, are popular activities. The less active can choose to sit back on a narrated cruise on West Lake Okojobi aboard the Queen II, which departs from historic Arnolds Park Amusement Park.

The north-central Iowa town of Clear Lake is home to a natural, spring-fed lake of the same name. One of the top sailing lakes in the Midwest, Clear Lake also is a

playground for a variety of other watersports, including stand-up paddle boarding. Clear Lake City Beach and the beach at Clear Lake State Park invite sunbathers to dig their toes into the sand, while Clear Lake Aquatic Center features an outdoor pool with waterslides. For a narrated, 90-minute sightseeing excursion, book your group on the Lady of the Lake sternwheel paddleboat.

Groups have a choice of several companies that offer relaxing cruises on the Mississippi River. Riverboat Twilight, a pretty replica of an ornate Victorian steamboat, sails from LeClaire to Dubuque on two-day roundtrips highlighted by views of wildlife (including eagles), scenic bluffs, commercial barges, locks and dams, and historic towns. After spending the night at the riverfront Grand Harbor Resort in

Making a

Iowa

in

Iowa Tourism Office

Big S plash Charles City Whitewater Park

Bodies of water throughout the state offer plenty of group opportunities for exhilarating recreation and pure relaxation

Iowa Tourism Office

West Lake Okojobi

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Dubuque, passengers have time in the morning for shopping and sightseeing (admission to the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium is part of the cruise package).

Live entertainment and onboard meals and snacks are also included. Besides this signature cruise offered between May 30 and October 31, the Twilight has one-day trips from LeClaire to Guttenberg and 90-minute sightseeing excursions on selected dates.

Dubuque’s American L ady Yacht Cruises operates lunch, dinner and happy hour cruises on the Mississippi, with catering provided by Catfish Charlie’s River Club.

The yacht’s main salon has seating for up to 90 guests, while the upper deck’s Admirals Quarters seats 24.

Your group can also tour the mighty Mississippi on the Celebration Belle, a 750passenger paddlewheeler that offers trips

out of various cities. Sightseeing, lunch and dinner cruises depart from Moline, Illinois, part of the Quad Cities area of Illinois and Iowa. Live bands come onboard for dinner cruises including themed outings that feature Big Band sounds, Broadway and movie tunes, classic oldies, and gospel and country music.

On selected dates, all-day cruises go from Dubuque to Moline, Dubuque to Prairie du Chien (Wisconsin) and LeClaire to Dubuque, among other combinations.

Perhaps the best way to live out Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn fantasies is to hook up with Maiden Voyage Tours in McGregor.

On a 1½-hour trip aboard his 49-passenger boat, Captain Robert C. Vavra will enlighten and entertain your group with river lore as you cruise the backwaters of the Mississippi.

Learn about the river’s history and wildlife from a man who grew up on the river in Iowa and did commercial fishing, clamming and trapping after high school.

On the Maquoketa River, 40 minutes west of Dubuque, kayaks, tubes and canoes can navigate the rapids at the six-drop Manchester White Water Park in downtown Manchester.

Each drop is 18 inches, and the ride spans over 800 feet. Admission to the park is free, and local outfitters offer equipment rentals.

There is a paved trail to walk back to the start of the course, or you can continue to float along the river as far as you’d like and

make arrangements for pick-up with friends or outfitters Charles City Whitewater at Riverfront Park, a paddling trail on the Cedar River in downtown Charles City, also is free, open 24/7 and accommodates kayaks, inner tubes and stand-up paddle boarding (local rentals available). The one-quarter-mile rodeo course is rated at Class II and Class III levels with three distinct features for paddlers of all abilities.

For an underground boat tour, consider the 35-minute guided tour of Spook Cave near the Mississippi River town of McGregor. As the boat enters the base of a 90-foot bluff along Bloody Run Creek, your guide describes the discovery of the “haunted” cave and how early settlers referred to strange noises coming from it. The cave, a constant 47 degrees year-round, is adorned with stalactites and other examples of nature’s handiwork.

In south-central Iowa, Honey Creek Resort State Park rests on Rathbun Lake, Iowa’s second largest lake with 150 miles of shoreline. Situated amid pristine wilderness in a natural prairie setting, Honey Creek offers luxury accommodations in a 105-room lodge and 24 cottages. Watercraft rentals range from jet skis and stand-up paddle boards to kayaks and pontoons. Other resort amenities include Buccaneer Bay Indoor Water Park and an 18-hole golf course.

The Lady of the Lake is a popular option for groups in Clear Lake.

Colleen Thompson/Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce

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Iowa Without a Passport Tour planners will explore the state’s diverse history and heritage on this fall’s FAM trip he Iowa Group Travel Association’s 2017 National Group Travel Planner FAM, titled “Iowa without a Passport,” invites tour operators to sample the state’s rich ethnic heritage from Oct. 29 to Nov. 2.

Immersing themselves in many countries without leaving the state of Iowa, participants will have a chance to visit the Dutch town of Pella, Amish and Mennonite communities in Kalona, and the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library in Cedar Rapids.

As a bonus, the last stop will be the Travel Iowa Marketplace, co-sponsored by IGTA and Central Iowa Tourism Region, with more than 70 exhibitors showcasing destinations, attractions and accommodations from throughout the state.

IGTA’s “Bring the Whole Herd” FAM tour last fall brought in group tour planners from around the nation and offered “ a fresh take on Iowa’s booming agricultural scene through hands-on and experiential touring opportunities,” said Whitney Sanger, sales manager of the Dubuque Area CVB, one of the hosts. “We are looking to have some of these planners back in the community in the next couple of years. There is so much of Dubuque that was left unseen, and we look forward to showcasing our great community.”

Erin Schmitz of the Waterloo CVB said the FAM was “a great opportunity to share Iowa’s hidden treasures with the planners.”

Sharing local German heritage with the group, Fredda Daman of the Manning HausbarnHeritage Park said, “It was a lot of fun…. and an easy way to give the Hausbarn

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Glenn Miller Birthplace Museum & Home

experience to a large number of people who will bring more people back.”

Here is what tour planners can expect on this fall’s FAM:

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 29 Afternoon: CIT Signature Transportation coach departs from Holiday Inn Airport, Des Moines, for Gladbrook. At Matchstick Marvels see the detailed models created from more than five million wooden matchsticks by wood craftsman Patrick Acton. Next stop is Marshalltown, where visitors can enjoy miles of recreational trails, explore prairies and wetlands, climb a 30-foot tower, view a post-war Impressionist art collection, and see museums and a one-room schoolhouse.

Evening: Dinner and overnight in Marshalltown.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 30 Morning: Depart for Atkins and Bloomsbury Farms, a family-fun place with 1,200foot zip lines, corn mazes and a unique dining experience—Cuisine in the Corn. In Cedar Rapids visit the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, located in historic Czech Village. Then tour the mansion, estate and beautiful gardens of Historic Brucemore.

Next stop is the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Birthplace, the final resting place of Herbert Clark Hoover, the 31st president of the United States (1929-1933).

Afternoon: Depart for the Quad Cities, where a hot lunch buffet is served aboard the Celebration Belle Riverboat as she cruises John Deere Pavilion & Store

Downtown Pella

the Mississippi River. Return to the dock and depart for the John Deere Pavilion & Store.

Educational, fun and free, the Pavilion showcases the company’s machines, history and technological innovations.

After checking in to the Radisson Quad Cities Plaza, head to the tropical atrium for drinks and light appetizers beginning at 5:00 p.m.

Evening: At the Putnam Museum and Science Center, grab your popcorn before settling into your seat in the National Geographic giant-screen theater for a short welcome video featuring Quad Cities groupfriendly attractions, accommodations and restaurants. Then enjoy Taste of the Quad Cities, a dinner and networking event with representatives of QC attractions in a casual grab-and-go setting, with appetizers, micro-brews and wines. Meet Alice Loff, group sales manager, for a behind-the-scenes or hands-on tour of the museum.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 31 Morning: Tour Kalona Historical Village, then travel through the scenic countryside viewing the Amish way of life and visiting several country shops. Enjoy a home-cooked meal served family-style in a conservative Mennonite home.

Afternoon: The Welcome Home Soldier Monument in Albia is where every soldier can be honored and given a proper welcome back home. The stop will include a White Dove Release from Duey Alpaca Farms.

Albia’s Victorian Lady will guide you through

all of the townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Victorian treasures, including the Opera House. Enjoy a taste of Albia at Inspire U Bakery and Albia Brewing Company.

Travel to Indianola and walk through over 200 years of history of ballooning aviation at the National Balloon Museum. Next is Winterset, the seat of Madison County, famous for the covered bridges featured in The Bridges of Madison County movie and for the John Wayne Birthplace Museum, the only museum dedicated to the legendary actor.

Evening: Dinner and overnight in Winterset

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1 Morning: After a tour of Winterset, depart for Clarinda. Visit the newly restored Clarinda Carnegie Art Museum, which features the extensive international art collection of Robert and Karen Duncan among other collectors.

Afternoon: After lunch at Garrison Coffee House, depart for the Glenn Miller Birthplace Museum & Home. Honoring the legacy of Alton Glenn Miller, the museum reveals the impact of this famous bandleader on the Big Band Era and military bands. Visit the Birthplace Home to experience the early life of the Miller family.

In Pella, tour the Klokkenspel, one of just a handful of carillon clocks with its 147-bell computer-driven chimes, music and four-foot animated figures. Next stop is Vermeer Mill, the largest working grain windmill in the United States. The 126-foot-tall mill grinds grain into flour used at Pellaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Dutch bakeries.

It is part of the 23-building Pella Historical Village complex, which tells the story of the early immigrants from the Netherlands. Then explore the Molengracht, which replicates an authentic Amsterdam canal with working drawbridge running through the European-style architectural complex.

Evening: Enjoy a traditional Dutch meal, with an array of Dutch foods from hutsput to rodekool and Dutch Mess. The Dutchesses will do a song/dance performance in Dutch folk costumes.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2 Morning: The Travel Iowa Marketplace at the Vermeer Global Pavilion in Pella will afford the opportunity to explore 60-70 locations to incorporate into your future group tours to Iowa. Lunch will be provided.

Afternoon: After lunch, depart for the Holiday Inn Airport, Des Moines. Plan to arrive back to vehicles around 2:00 p.m.

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Iowa Festivals

Glenn Miller Festival Clarinda, June 8-11, 2017 On the second weekend in June, visitors and entertainers from around the world converge in Clarinda, site of the Glenn Miller Birthplace Museum & Home, to celebrate the music of Alton Glenn Miller, the top bandleader during the Big Band era. Hear bands from around the world and the World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra. (glennmiller.org)

National Balloon Classic Indianola, July 28-Aug. 5, 2017 Iowa’s largest ballooning event wows visitors with more than 100 hot-air balloons, including eyepopping special shapes. Enjoy musical entertainment, an open-air market, fireworks and the Nite Glow Extravaganza. (nationalballoonclassic.com)

Iowa Irish Festival

National Balloon Classic

Pella Tulip Time

Waterloo, Aug. 4-6, 2017 Celebrate Irish culture with activities like a rugby tournament, whisky tasting, and soda bread and Irish stew competitions. All three days are packed with live entertainment on six stages. Gaelic Storm is the headliner this year. (iowairishfest.com)

World Food & Music Festival The World Food & Music Festival will bring hungry crowds to downtown Des Moines in mid-September.

Des Moines, Sept. 15-17, 2017 Enjoy food from all over the world in one place.

Featured food includes Ukrainian, Vietnamese, Caribbean, Bosnian and Greek—and that’s just a handful of the offerings. Also featured is live music from many cultures. Chefs will be holding cooking demonstrations throughout the weekend. (worldfoodandmusicfestival.org)

Nelson Pioneer Farm Fall Festival Oskaloosa, Sept. 16, 2017 With over 30 exhibits and demonstrations of pioneer living, this festival is sure to entertain the whole group. Participate in hands-on activities like butter churning and rope making. A parade, country dinner and old-fashioned children’s games are some of the other activities offered. The Old-Fashioned Fiddle Contest will take place and attract fiddlers from all over Iowa. (nelsonpioneer.org)

Oktoberfest Amana Colonies, Sept. 29-30 & Oct. 1, 2017 Celebrate fall the German way at Oktoberfest with live entertainment and plenty of beer. The festival kicks off on Friday with the official keg-tapping ceremony, where free beer is served until the keg is empty. The weekend starts with a parade and continues with ample opportunities for games, art activities, and live music and entertainment. (festivalsinamana.com) 58

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Pumpkinfest Anamosa, Oct. 7-8, 2017 Anamosa, the pumpkin capital of Iowa, hosts the annual Pumpkinfest.

Food, crafts, games and giant pumpkins are aplenty. The festival is home to one of the largest parades in Iowa. The Pumpkinfest 5k run, giant pumpkin weigh-off, pumpkin recipe contest and pumpkin carving exhibit are among the many exciting activities. (anamosachamber.org)

Harvest Festival Decorah, Oct. 14, 2017 Celebrate fall at the Harvest Festival. Hayrides, cider pressing, soup cook-offs, food storage workshops and childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s activities are among the activities. (visitdecorah.com)

Madison County Covered Bridge Festival Winterset, Oct. 14-15, 2017 Winterset, home of the John Wayne Birthplace Museum, spotlights the Madison County bridges made famous in the novel and 1995 Clint Eastwood/Meryl Streep movie. Guided bus tours stop at some of the six bridges. In addition, there are foods, crafts and live music, plus cannon-firing and sheep-shearing demonstrations. (madisoncounty.com)

Pella Tulip Time Pella, May 3-5, 2018 Parades, quilt and flower shows, Dutch foods and tours of Pella Historical Village and Pella Opera House bring busloads to town every spring. Also enjoy demonstrations of wooden shoe making and other crafts. The Grandstand Show features street scrubbing, Dutch dancing and a Dutch cheese market reenactment. (pella.org)

SOUTH

REGION

By Dave Bodle

hether it’s the sound of a sternwheeler’s paddle caressing the water, the soft purr of the ship’s engine or the scenic shoreline vistas, experiences on water are memorable. Combine those elements with cruises featuring a chef-inspired dinner and tour planners have a longstanding, winning combination.

Here are six favorite dinner cruises in the South.

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Savannah’s 1,000-passenger Georgia Queen has three grand ballrooms, each of which seats 250.

DINNER and aCRUISE Over the years groups have understandably found a certain peace and sense of relaxation on the water

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BELLE OF LOUISVILLE Louisville, Kentucky It’s only fitting to begin any conversation of dinner cruises with the Belle of Louisville, a grand old lady indeed. A cruise on the 103-year-old paddlewheeler provides a glimpse into a time when America’s rivers were an important method of transporting people and goods. A National Historic Landmark, the Belle has the honor of being the most traveled steamboat in American history. Groups are invited to visit the original engine room to experience a piece of the past.

For lunch and dinner/sightseeing cruises, the Belle offers a buffet featuring multiple salads, specialty entrees, sides and desserts.

Tea, lemonade, water and coffee are included, while sodas and adult beverages can be purchased from the bar or concessions stand.

Dining capacity is 180 guests. The Belle is heated and air-conditioned. For groups of 20 or more, prices for both the lunch/sightseeing and dinner/sightseeing cruises are inclusive. (belloflouisville.org)

Belle of Louisville

Spirit of Norfolk

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SPIRIT OF NORFOLK Norfolk, Virginia In 2016 the Spirit of Norfolk completed a $1.2-million renovation. In addition to a more contemporary decor, additional seating options are now available. Panoramic windows on all levels ensure guests will not miss a view. The sleek Spirit of Norfolk departs from downtown Norfolk and continues along the historic Elizabeth River waterfront, passing by Nauticus and the USS Wisconsin, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s East Coast headquarters, Hampton Roads Harbor, Portsmouth Marine Terminal and many more points of interest.

The highlight is the remarkable skyline view of mighty ships from the U.S. Navy’s Atlantic Fleet.

The seasonally inspired buffet for lunch, dinner and brunch provides an array of delightful offerings, all prepared fresh onboard. The typical dinner menu features five salads, four vegetable and pasta offerings, four entrees and five dessert options. On themed cruises, such as the popular gospel cruise, specialty menus are offered. Entertainment on every cruise features a variety of musical styles. (spiritcruises.com/norfolk)

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BAREFOOT PRINCESS RIVERBOAT North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Sailing from Barefoot Landing in the heart of one of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most popular group travel destinations, the Barefoot Princess Riverboat shows that good things often come in small packages. The 130-passenger, threedeck riverboat has two climate-controlled decks, while the top deck is open-air and ideal for viewing luxurious homes and native wildlife along the Intracoastal Waterway.

The first deck is handicap-accessible. Groups of 20+ enjoy tiered pricing, a step-on welcome greeting and special acknowledgement onboard.

Groups take in the sights while listening to relaxing music and enjoying a delicious buffet meal prepared onboard. The menu changes by season. Tea, water and coffee are included with dinner. Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks can be purchased at the bar.

Ideal for large groups and private charters, the Princess offers a variety of menu options. (mbriverboat.com)

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GEORGIA QUEEN Savannah, Georgia On historic River Street in Savannah, the River Street Riverboat Company has been doing business since 1991. Joining the Savannah River Queen as her grand sister, the new Georgia Queen is a majestic, 1800sstyle paddlewheel riverboat. Built in 1995 as a floating casino, the riverboat underwent a $4-million makeover converting her to a dinner cruise vessel. The 1,000-passenger Georgia Queen features three grand ballrooms, each with a seating capacity of 250 passengers. An elevator servicing the first and third decks, along with boarding ramps, makes the boat handicap-accessible. Harking

back to a time when stylishness and impeccable service were expected, she is decorated in traditional red, white and blue.

The two-hour Entertainment Dinner Cruise on the Savannah River features a buffet dinner with options to fit every appetite.

Savannah-style shrimp and grits is a favorite, while a top sirloin beef carving station, fresh fish and a special chicken complete the entrees. Fresh salads, vegetables and starches, and memorable desserts round out the menu. The Saturday Dinner Entertainment Cruise promises an evening to remember, while the Monday Gospel Dinner Cruise features Southern gospel and Southern dining specialties. (savannahriverboat.com)

The 130-passenger Barefoot Princess Riverboat offers good times on the Intracoastal Waterway in North Myrtle Beach.

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Princess & Pirate cruises and shows like “Celebrate” (below) engage guests on the Showboat Branson Belle.

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SHOWBOAT BRANSON BELLE Branson, Missouri In a destination that has made its mark in packaged group travel with extensive entertainment, it’s only fitting that one special option is the floating palace Showboat Branson Belle.

Sailing on Table Rock Lake, the 700-passenger Belle is a delightful combination of scenic views, music and comedy, and a freshly prepared, three-course meal. Group rates and packages are available for parties of 10 or more. The experience can be further enhanced with an upgrade to a Premium Dining Package.

As you might expect, the entertainment is remarkable.

Just one show isn’t enough for the Belle. “Celebrate” is a popular variety show that combines music, dance and comedy.

Host, comedian and magician Christopher James is joined by Branson star Cassandre Faimon-Haygood and Rhythm - The Fastest Feet West of the Mississippi. Accompanying the show and prepared fresh in the galley, the meal includes hearty portions of chicken and pot roast, vegetables and mashed potatoes, a hot dinner roll, salad and ice cream cake for dessert.

“Country on the Lake” is the Belle’s newest show package.

Talented vocalists backed by a live band perform classic rock and today’s country favorites. BBQ chicken and slow-smoked pulled pork come with a salad, fresh-baked roll, loaded mashed potatoes with cheese and bacon, grilled corn with roasted peppers and Silver Dollar City apple cinnamon ice cream pie. (silverdollarcity.com/showboat-branson.aspx)

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STEAMBOAT NATCHEZ New Orleans, Louisiana She’s the ninth steamer in a proud history to bear the name Natchez. Her predecessor, Natchez VII, was a participant in the famous steamboat race with the Robert E. Lee. Steamboats have been part of the mighty Mississippi’s history from the pre-Civil War plantation era to the Gay Nineties and into the 20th and 21st centuries. A New Orleans icon, the Steamboat Natchez paddlewheeler is 26 tons of white oak, her steam whistle is a treasured antique and her 32-note steam calliope was custom-crafted. Groups of 10 or more receive special rates.

The two-hour Dinner Jazz Cruise features views of the city and live jazz by the Grammy-nominated Dukes of Dixieland. Dinner is prepared onboard and the menu says New Orleans flavor. Served family style, the tossed salad features iceberg lettuce, tomato, praline bacon and Steen’s cane syrup vinaigrette and is joined by La Louisiane dinner rolls and blackened fish Lafitte.

Entrees and vegetables include pork loin served with peach Jezebel sauce, steamboat round, rotini pasta primavera, red beans and rice, sweet and golden Brabant potatoes, Southern-style green beans and Creole creamed spinach. White chocolate bread pudding and Chef’s Specialty Dessert complete the meal. (steamboatnatchez.com)

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The Dukes of Dixieland entertain on Dinner Jazz Cruises aboard the Steamboat Natchez in New Orleans.

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nspired by the beauty of our ocean views, Virginia Beach is a place where expression thrives. Through vibrant visual arts and lively stages, these adventures take you into the heart of your own creativity.

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Virginia Beach, Virginia

Coastal Culture Day 1

Day 3

Behind the Scenes

History Takes Flight

P.M. – Arrive in Virginia Beach and spend the afternoon strolling the boardwalk, enjoying the entertainment provided by the majestic Atlantic Ocean. Head over to the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts for Backstage Broadway - Behind the Scenes for a reception and meet the cast. Then have dinner at Town Center. Experience a fresh approach to seafood at McCormick & Schmick’s or a micro-brewery tasting at Gordon Biersch.

Save room for dessert at Cold Stone Creamery or The Royal Chocolate.

A.M. – Enjoy a fluffy pancake breakfast at Pocahontas Pancake House & Waffle Shop before heading to Edgar Cayce’s Association for Research and Enlightenment. Be sure to sign up for one of the amazing experiences – Unlocking the Mystery of Your Dreams or Cayce Exercises.

Then stop in for the Surfman Chronicles at the Old Coast Guard Station or visit the Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum, an 1895 beach cottage and the oldest remaining structure on the oceanfront.

P.M. – For a WWII-themed lunch, head over to the Military Aviation Museum for SwingTime in the Skies. After your trip back in time, head to Naval Air Station Oceana to experience The Sound of Freedom, home to the Navy’s most sophisticated aircraft.

Day 2 Museums to Stages A.M. – Enjoy an old–fashioned breakfast at Doc Taylor’s, inside a 1920s beach cottage that was once the office of the town doctor. Explore your morning creativity with a tour of the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art and experience The Great Create.

P.M. – Hop on a boat for a dolphin cruise to see bottlenose dolphins in their natural habitat in the Atlantic. After you have earned your sea legs, head out and enjoy a Little Theater of Virginia Beach production and dinner at one of our many oceanfront restaurants.

Day 4 Live Studio Exit A.M. – Enjoy breakfast in your hotel and, for your morning exercise, take a walk up the Cape Henry Lighthouse. On your way home, stop by Christian Broadcasting Network and tour their state-of-the-art studio. Join the audience for a live taping of “The 700 Club.”

VISIT VIRGINIA BEACH Jim Coggin 757-385-6642 • jcoggin@visitvirginiabeach.com VisitVirginiaBeach.com

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outheastern Virginia boasts a rich naval and patriotic history. Before he died in 1964, General Douglas MacArthur requested he be buried in Norfolk —the city where his mother was born and his parents were married.

The city is now home to the MacArthur Memorial, an immense research facility and museum that explores the general’s bravery in World War I, World War II and the Korean War. Additional naval attractions include the Battleship Wisconsin, one of the largest vessels in U.S. history, and Naval Station Norfolk, one of the world’s largest naval installations.

Learning about America’s great military can work up an appetite, but Norfolk has plenty of culinary options for your group. The Bold Mariner Brewing Company, No Frill Bar & Grill and Freemason Abbey Restaurant & Tavern serve up hearty entrees and ales to satisfy your party before your next adventure.

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VISITNORFOLK

Norfolk, Virginia

Naval History & Patriotic Pride Day 1 Spend the afternoon strolling through history at the Armed Forces Memorial. Bronze letters are scattered throughout the park. Each letter is a letter written to home from a soldier at war.

Enjoy a full calendar of events, food trucks and great beers on tap at Bold Mariner Brewing Company, whose owner has been active in the Navy for over 18 years. Right down the street is Rip Rap Brewing Company, which was started by two sailors who met at the Coast Guard Academy.

Savor dinner at Omar’s Carriage House. Built in the early 1840s, this building is a historic site in Norfolk. Be sure to try the fresh jumbo lump crab cakes and potato crisp flounder.

Day 2 Explore the power of the sea inside Nauticus, an interactive science and technology center. While there, step aboard the Battleship Wisconsin, one of the last and largest battleships built by the U.S. Navy. Stroll through the Hampton Roads Naval Museum and experience 200 years of naval history in Hampton Roads.

Enjoy panoramic views of the Norfolk skyline with lunch aboard the Spirit of Norfolk, listening to great music and dancing as you cruise historic waterways.

The Spirit of Norfolk will provide a narrated tour of Naval Station Norfolk by water.

Take part in a guided bus tour of the world’s largest naval installation, Naval Station Norfolk.

An active-duty Navy guide will give a narrated tour highlighting the U.S. Naval Fleet, Admirals Row and how the base is a working city.

Dine at No Frill Bar & Grill, located in Norfolk’s Historic Ghent. With sandwiches, wraps, full-course entrées and creative concoctions from the bar, it offers a contemporary setting and diverse menu.

Day 3 Discover the compelling story of General Douglas MacArthur at The MacArthur Memorial, a museum and research center dedicated to presenting the story of the general’s life. The memorial also pays tribute to the millions of men and women who served with General MacArthur in World War I, World War II and the Korean War. Situated in downtown Norfolk, it consists of a museum, archives and research center, education center, theater, welcome center and gift shop.

Enjoy lunch at the MacArthur Center’s 600-seat food court or at one of its numerous sit-down restaurants.

Board the Victory Rover Naval Base Cruise for a two-hour narrated cruise that offers the fastest way to see destroyers, frigates, nuclear submarines and aircraft carriers at Naval Station Norfolk.

Dine at the Freemason Abbey Restaurant & Tavern, a restaurant located in a renovated church in the historic Freemason Harbor area.

The menu offers a wide variety of food, featuring fresh lobster, pasta, fish, seafood and choice prime rib. Make sure to order the she crab soup, a Norfolk favorite.

Melissa Hopper mhopper@visitnorfolkotday.com 800-368-3097 VisitNorfolkToday.com

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Your group will love our inlets. And our outlets.

Waterfront cruises. Dining. Museums. Maritime history.

Now you can add Norfolk Premium Outlets â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Opening Summer 2017 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; to the many attractions your group will enjoy in our waterfront city.

Contact Melissa Hopper, Associate Director of Tour & Travel, to plan your next trip today!

1-800-368-3097 visitnorfolktoday.com

SI SITE INSPECTION

Outstanding museums, great shopping and civil rights history captivate group travelers

Groups Love Being in Birmingham roups will find heaping helpings of Southern hospitality in Alabama’s largest city and a vast array of cultural offerings for irresistible itineraries.

Many groups make a beeline for the Birmingham Civil Rights District, recently declared a national monument. This downtown district includes the 16th Street Baptist Church, where a racially motivated bombing in 1963 killed four African-American girls and became a pivotal point in the nation’s civil rights movement. For a glimpse into the drama of that era, visitors to the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute will see black-andwhite footage of news events featuring leaders such as Dr. Martin Luther King and Birmingham demonstrators being doused by powerful hoses and held at bay by dogs.

Museum goers also witness the realities of segregated lunch counters, restrooms, drinking fountains, theaters and bus station waiting rooms. Across the street in Kelly Ingram Park, a staging ground for 1960s demonstrations, sculptures depict civil rights-related events. The Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau can arrange step-on guide services for groups who wish to tour the Civil Rights District.

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Birmingham is a city of museums, and many are located downtown. The free-admission Birmingham Museum of Art is one of the finest regional art museums in the country.

The Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame is housed in the Carver Theatre, which opened in 1935 as a segregated movie house for AfricanAmericans; it honors jazz greats with links to the state. Nearby, guests can enjoy hands-on exhibits at McWane Science Center and giant-screen films at its John W. Woods IMAX Dome Theater.

Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum boasts the world’s largest collection of motorcycles. Aviation buffs will like the Southern Museum of Flight/Alabama Aviation Hall of Fame, while sports fans gravitate to the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame Museum. In Vulcan Park, high atop Red Mountain, groups can marvel at the 56-foot-high statue of Vulcan, the mythological Roman god of fire; one of the largest cast-iron statues in the world, it pays tribute to the city’s iron industry. Vulcan Park’s museum has exhibits on the region’s geology, history and industrial growth. The grounds and observation tower offer spectacular views of Birmingham spread out below. For more

insights into local industrial heritage, see the blast furnaces at Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark, the only such preservation project in the nation.

This Bible Belt city is rich in religious sites, but perhaps best known is Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN), founded by Mother Mary Angelica in 1981.

Groups can tour the studios of the world’s first Catholic cable network, which broadcasts programs to more than 230 million households in 140 countries, and take a peek at the chapel seen by viewers around the globe.

Birmingham is the state’s retail giant.

Spend a day at The Summit among the dozens of high-end specialty shops and restaurants. Visit the charming boutique shops around Birmingham neighborhoods.

Shop the outlet stores at the Shops of Grand River or browse the stores under the massive skylight at the Riverchase Galleria.

GREATER BIRMINGHAM CVB Tourism Department info@inbirmingham.com 800-458-8085

BirminghamAL.org >> LeisureGroupTravel.com

IT WAS A NATIONAL MOVEMENT. NOW IT’S A NATIONAL MONUMENT. The Civil Rights Movement that helped galvanize the nation is now being recognized on a national level. But the Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument does more than just acknowledge where we’ve been.

It offers visitors a chance to celebrate where we’re going. Book your next tour in a place rich with history. Book your next tour in Birmingham. inbirmingham.com | # INB irmingham | 800 - 458 - 8085

his much-celebrated destination has been enticing visitors for centuries with its sultry ambiance, striking beauty and Old World charm. With its tree-filled squares and perfectly preserved historic buildings, your visitors will delight in all this coastal jewel has to offer.

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Savannah, Georgia

Savannah, Historic & Hip Day 1 Take a Tour: Get to know Savannah on a two-hour city tour, either open-air or with one of our highly trained step-on-guides. It will give your group a sample of the attractions they may want to explore later on their own. Awe-inspiring Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, a highlight on the tour route, boasts stunning murals, stained glass windows and an impressive altar.

Step Back in Time: Savannah’s past is exhibited by its many house museums and cultural centers.

Visit the birthplace of Juliette Gordon Low, founder of the Girl Scouts; the 1818 Owens-Thomas House, one of America’s finest examples of English Regency architecture and featuring one of the few intact slave quarters in America; or the circa 1820 Isaiah Davenport House. As an added activity, your group can be treated to an 18th century dance demonstration.

Eat, Drink and Be Merry: Savannah’s historic River Street has all types of dining options.

Seafood, steaks and light fare can all be found in the restored cotton warehouses that are home to some of Savannah’s favorite restaurants and pubs.

We can help you determine which restaurants are particularly group-friendly.

Day 2

VISIT SAVANNAH Mindy Shea mshea@visitsavannah.com 912-644-6419 VisitSavannah.com

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Tybee Time: Just 20 minutes from Savannah lies Tybee Island, “Savannah’s beach.” Take your group to Tybee Light Station, a lighthouse dating back to 1773. Then visit Fort Pulaski National Monument. Built in 1829, the fort, which was at one time under the command of Robert E. Lee,

surrendered after a 30-hour siege by Union forces.

You can still see the holes from that bombardment.

Your group can also take a dolphin tour, a walking eco-tour along the beach or view historic Cockspur Island Lighthouse.

Make It and Take It: Your group can create their own Savannah mementos while learning about the city and its history. Make a Bird Girl figurine at the Telfair Museum or maybe a wine holder at Maven Makers woodworking shop.

This evening, dine aboard the Georgia Queen, Savannah’s Riverboat Cruises’ spectacular new ship. With seating for over 1,000, it’s the largest riverboat of its kind in the U.S. Enjoy traditional Southern cuisine as you cruise the Savannah River.

Day 3 Explore Wormsloe Plantation, one of six sites in the Moon River District. Groups can learn about early colonial life while getting hands-on experience making cloth or corn husk dolls that they can take as mementos, or even join an active archeological dig.

Military Might: Located minutes from historic downtown Savannah, the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force marks the location where the Eighth Air Force was activated in 1942.

Hear the stories of bravery, experience a bomber mission and briefing, and see the recently restored World War II B-17 Flying Fortress.

It’s Showtime! Your group’s final night in Savannah is sure to be a memorable one as they experience one of the city’s theater presentations.

From live musicals at the Savannah Theatre to seasonal special performances, your group will be amazed by the abundance of talent in our small city.

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EAST

REGION

Keuka Lake, one of the region’s 11 finger-shaped lakes, takes its name from the Native American word for “canoe landing.”

New York’s

Finger Lakes

Group-friendly discoveries include natural beauty, historical attractions, culinary delights and an abundance of wineries

By Randy Mink FingerLakes.org

elaxing on the patio of Fox Run Vineyards in Penn Yan, a short drive south of Geneva, you’re not only sipping locally made wines but also drinking in the idyllic scenery laid out below. It’s a sunny summer day, and as you nibble on cheese, sausage and crusty bread, you’re overlooking the sparkling cerulean waters of Seneca Lake and thinking you couldn’t be in a better place.

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Seneca Lake is the deepest (618 feet) and second longest (38 miles) of the 11 finger-shaped lakes that spread across the heart of New York. Native American folklore holds that the long, skinny lakes were formed when God put his handprint on the land.

Each has a Native American name.

Besides boat cruises and water recreation, groups visiting the Finger Lakes region will

find state parks with lush forests, deep gorges and trails leading to pristine waterfalls. In addition to Mother Nature’s handiwork, the area boasts a vibrant culinary culture and dozens of wineries that offer tours and tastings. Sampling and sipping your way through this rich agricultural area, one of the East’s top wine producers, is a popular pastime. And there are plenty of museums June 2017

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and historical attractions to explore.

The cozy town of Canandaigua, located on the north end of Canandaigua Lake, makes a perfect base camp for groups touring the northwestern Finger Lakes region. Groups staying at the waterfront Inn on the Lake are just steps from the New York Wine & Culinary Center, which celebrates the bounty of the state’s farms and vineyards. A showcase for Empire State agricultural products, it has a 50-seat, four-tier educational theater with culinary demonstrations shown on largescreen TVs. Cooking classes are held in the state-of-the-art teaching kitchen. The stoneand-timber building also has a tasting room for New York wine, beer and spirits, plus Upstairs Bistro, a farm-to-table restaurant with an outdoor deck overlooking the lake.

To get out on the water, book a lunch, dinner or sightseeing cruise aboard the Canandaigua Lady. The double-deck paddlewheeler is a replica of steamboats that plied the Finger Lakes between 1820 and 1930.

More nostalgia awaits at Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park, a Canandaigua treasure. For a taste of the

Gilded Age, guests can tour the 1887 red stone mansion with its wrap-around porch and Victorian furnishings, which include an 1874 Steinway piano, a moose head above the fireplace and a bearskin draped over the balcony of the Great Hall. The Queen Anne-style mansion was the summer home of Frederick Thompson, co-founder of what is now Citibank, and Mary Clark Thompson, daughter of New York Gov. Myron Clark of Canandaigua. Tram tours of the formal gardens and a lunch or wine tasting can be arranged at the on-site Finger Lakes Wine Center, housed in the estate’s rustic Bay House near the conservatory.

Another Canandaigua landmark is Granger Homestead & Carriage Museum.

The 1816 Federal-style mansion was the home of Gideon Granger, who served as postmaster general of the United States under Presidents Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. The Carriage Museum displays early farming equipment and nearly 100 horsedrawn vehicles.

Naples, a short drive from the southern tip of Canandaigua Lake, is famous for its

grape pies, made with local concords. The Naples Grape Festival is the last weekend in September. Friendly spirits have been known to frequent the 1895 Naples Hotel, and you can book a dinner and ghost tour there.

Hammondsport, at the southern tip of Keuka Lake, is home to the Glenn H. Curtiss Museum, which displays early aircraft, motorcycles and engines developed by Curtiss in his Hammondsport plant. Nearby is Gretyon H. Taylor Wine Museum, located next to Bully Hill Vineyards.

Travel east to Watkins Glen at the southern end of Seneca Lake. Guided tours are given at scenic Watkins Glen State Park, known for its rock formations and 19 waterfalls. Go out on the lake with Captain Bill’s Scenic Lake Cruises or, for a less tranquil experience, take in the action at Watkins Glen International, a speedway that plays host to NASCAR and other auto racing events from April to September.

Corning, on the southern edge of the Finger Lakes region, offers top-notch museums and great shopping. The famous Corning Museum of Glass has one of the world’s largest

Groups can hone their cooking skills in the state-of-the-art kitchen at the New York Wine & Culinary Center in Canandaigua.

Gabrielle Plucknetter Photography/VisitFingerLakes.com

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Rockwell Museum of Western Art

FingerLakes.org

glass collections. Spanning 35 centuries, pieces range from Egyptian vases to space shuttle windows and large contemporary sculptures. Hands-on exhibits explain the science of glass. At the Hot Glass Show in the 500-seat amphitheater, visitors can watch glassblowers transform molten glass into vases, bowls and sculptures. A “Make Your Own Glass” experience is available in The Studio.

In Corning’s Gaffer District, along the tree-lined brick sidewalks of Historic Market Street, are antique shops, art galleries and glass studios. The town’s Rockwell Museum of Western Art, housed in the Romanesquestyle building that once housed the city hall, fire station and jail, claims a nationally recognized collection of Western and Native American paintings and sculptures.

Geneva, a historic town at the top of Seneca Lake, also abounds with things to see, do and taste. Smith Opera House is a restored, century-old showplace that stages a full spectrum of live performing arts, from symphony concerts to opera, modern dance and community theater.

Geneva’s lakefront has a 2.5-mile walking path, and hotels like the Ramada Geneva Lakefront and Hampton Inn Geneva offer great views of Seneca Lake. Also fronting the lake is Belhurst Castle, a former private home built in the 1880s and now a luxury hotel with 11 rooms in the old castle section and 20 rooms in the newer Vinifera Inn (opened in 2004) next door. At the hotel’s Edgar’s Restaurant you can dine on the veranda overlooking the lake or in one of six dining rooms with cathedral ceilings, mosaictiled fireplaces and richly carved cherry, oak

and mahogany woodwork.

Red Jacket Orchards’ farm store in Geneva is a group favorite. The family-owned operation has about 500 acres of orchards around Lake Seneca and grows 2,500 types of apples. (New York is the second largest apple producer after Washington State.) It grows apricots, peaches, plums and strawberries as well. Store visitors can sample apple slices and juices, including flavors such as blueberryblack currant, apple-grape and New York-style lemonade (half apple juice, half lemonade).

Also for sale are other locally produced foods,

FingerLakes.org

Corning’s Gaffer District

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VisitFingerLakes.com

Sonnenberg Gardens, Canandaigua

like cheeses, maple syrup, apple butter, and jams and jellies. Unusual honeys include alfalfa, buckwheat and creamed honey with cinnamon.

Seneca Falls, east of Geneva, is located on the Cayuga-Seneca Canal, which connects Seneca and Cayuga lakes. The town is known as the birthplace of the women’s rights movement. Women’s Rights National Historical Park has a state-of-the-art visitor center with exhibits and an inspirational film. Tours

led by National Park Service rangers shed light on nearby Wesleyan Chapel, site of the first women’s rights convention in 1848.

The park also encompasses the home of early feminist leader Elizabeth Stanton Cady, a mile from the visitor center. Down the street from the center is the National Women’s Hall of Fame, which honors the achievements of great American women. Among those enshrined are Susan B. Anthony, Amelia Earhart, Sandra Day O’Connor, Rosa Parks

and Eleanor Roosevelt.

Ithaca, the home of Cornell University and Ithaca College, is located at the southern end of Cayuga Lake (at 40 miles the longest of the Finger Lakes) and surrounded by steep hills and gorges. Ithaca Falls is the greatest of six waterfalls along the mile-long Fall Creek gorge. Campus tours are available at Cornell University, situated high on a hill above downtown. The Cornell Plantations, north of campus, is a green oasis encompassing botanical gardens, woodlands, a lake, arboretum and nature trails through the Fall Creek gorge.

At Taughannock Falls State Park in nearby Trumansburg, eight miles from Ithaca, Taughannock Falls carves a 400-foot-deep gorge through layers of sandstone, shale and limestone. With a 215-foot plunge, the cascade is three stories taller than Niagara Falls and the tallest single-drop waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains.

For more information on the Finger Lakes region, contact the Finger Lakes Visitors Connection, visitfingerlakes.com; and Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance, fingerlakes.org. LGT

Eric Russo/FingerLakes.org

Winding trails follow a gorge past 12 waterfalls, including 115-foot Lucifer Falls, at Robert H. Treman State Park near Ithaca.

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idden waterfalls, unique views, unexpected beauty.

Nestled in the heart of the Finger Lakes Region of New York State, Ithaca is best known for stunning waterfalls and dramatic gorges. Ithaca is a culinary wonderland where fresh, local and organic are daily specials. Ithaca is the perfect hub to experience all the Finger Lakes Region has to offer. You pack comfy shoes and a keen sense of curiosity, and we’ll show you the way.

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Ithaca, New York

Waterfalls, Wine & Finger Lakes Feasting —The “Gorges” Ithaca Experience Day 1 Tour the extensive gardens and arboretum of Cornell Botanic Gardens. Experience displays of botanical diversity on your own or with a guide in the middle of renowned Cornell University. Showcasing a panoramic view of Ithaca and Cayuga Lake, the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art on the Cornell campus offers a collection spanning six millennia.

Next, take a photo at 150-foot-high Ithaca Falls right in the heart of the city.

At the Downtown Ithaca Commons pedestrian mall, experience the centerpiece of a National Register historic district as you enjoy the diverse array of shops and eateries. While downtown, be sure to drop into Life’s So Sweet Chocolates, which features locally made chocolates. Sample infused olive oils and balsamic vinegars at F. Olivers.

After lunch, sample wine at Ithaca’s own Six Mile Creek Vineyard in a hilltop tasting room overlooking a picturesque pond and vineyards. Before dinner, revel in the sound of roaring waters of Buttermilk Falls. Elegantly designed with a modern flair, ZaZa’s Cucina offers groups contemporary Italian cuisine.

Rest your head in one of Ithaca’s many lodging options. The Ithaca Convention & Visitors Bureau is happy to help find a group-friendly hotel to meet your needs.

Day 2

ITHACA/TOMPKINS COUNTY CVB Sarah Imes 607-272-1313, 607-272-7617 sara@visitithaca.com VisitIthaca.com

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Enhance your appreciation of birds at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Offering beer from a farm, not a factory, Hopshire Brewery features craft ales made from New York hops and other local agricultural products.

Take in extraordinary views on the Cayuga Lake

Wine Trail, the nation’s first organized wine trail, while sampling award-winning wine, beer, hard cider and spirits. Enjoy lunch at Knapp Winery & Vineyard Restaurant.

Meet the “kids” and taste the cheese at Lively Run Dairy, a goat dairy farm. At Finger Lakes Cider House, located on a sprawling organic farm, enjoy the artisan hard ciders of five local producers.

On a scenic ride through the countryside, marvel at Taughannock Falls, which is three stories taller than Niagara Falls.

For dinner, groups will enjoy the scenic lakeside setting at the Boatyard Grill or the private room at Joe’s, which has been dishing out Italian meals since the 1930s.

Don’t forget dessert. At local favorite Purity Ice Cream, grab a scoop of some of the region’s best.

Ithaca is the birthplace of the ice cream sundae, after all!

Day 3 Before departing the region, there are many attractions in the Finger Lakes to choose from, all within 40 minutes of Ithaca.

Heading north, meander the grounds and gardens of MacKenzie-Childs that overlook Cayuga Lake in Aurora. The farm includes a Victorian farmhouse, duck pond, aviary and Scottish Highland cattle.

In Auburn, the Harriet Tubman House, William Seward House and Willard Memorial Chapel will satisfy the history buff.

Heading west? Check out the Corning Museum of Glass and its hot glass demonstration. Captain Bill’s Seneca Lake Cruises in Watkins Glen will spoil your groups with a scenic lunch cruise before departing for home.

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WE ST

REGION

EXPLORING THE

COLORADO RIVER The wonders of the American West lure tour groups to the banks of this famous waterway

By Sue Arko he mighty Colorado, the West’s most famous river, flows for 1,450 miles through five U.S. and two Mexican states. It begins on the Continental Divide in Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park, growing from a cold mountain trout stream into a classic Western waterway and ending just shy of the Gulf of California in Northwest Mexico. Known for its dramatic canyons, whitewater rapids and numerous U.S. national parks, the Colorado River offers an enormous variety of tour opportunities, from hiking and wildlife viewing to boat cruises and rollicking raft rides.

Since John Wesley Powell’s epic exploratory voyage in 1869, the lore of the Colorado River has attracted adventure-seekers and other

T

travelers to the West. The National Park Service administers nine parks, recreation areas and monuments along the Colorado River and its key tributaries (Green, Yampa, and Gunnison rivers). They include: Rocky Mountain National Park, Dinosaur National Monument, Curecanti National Recreation Area, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Arches National Park, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Grand Canyon National Park and Lake Mead National Recreation Area.

Potential Colorado River itineraries are numerous and varied, depending on the personal preferences and activity level of the travelers.

The following cities are good options for hub-and-spoke tours.

Meander Canyon is a calm stretch of the Colorado River in Utah’s Canyonlands National Park, noted for its red rock scenery.

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Moab, Utah Nestled between the red-rock wonders of Arches National Park and incredible sandstone landscapes of Canyonlands National Park, Moab offers endless opportunity for sightseeing and whitewater rafting.

Located just outside Moab, Canyonlands National Park preserves 337,598 acres of colorful canyons, mesas, buttes, fins, arches and spires.

Four districts are divided by the massive canyons of the Green and Colorado rivers. All districts must be visited separately as no roads or bridges connect them. While the districts share a primitive desert atmosphere, each retains its own character and offers different opportunities for exploration and adventure, from broad overlooks at Island in the Sky and rambling trails in The Needles to floating the rivers themselves.

Less than 10 miles from Moab, Arches displays a landscape of contrasting colors, landforms and textures. The park has over 2,000 natural stone arches, in addition to hundreds of soaring pinnacles, massive fins and giant balanced rocks, perfect for hiking and sightseeing.

River rafting trips, from mild to wild, can be booked through a variety of river operators in the Moab area. Half-day, full-day and multi-day rafting trips are available. All provide an exciting experience through a wonderful stretch of whitewater and famous red rock canyons.

Hummer safaris, jetboat rides, hot air ballooning, scenic flights and zip lining also can be booked in Moab.

Neal Herbert/NPS

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UNIQUE LODGING

DINING

ADVENTURE TOURS

Isle Royale National Park, MI

EXPLORE FOREVER Outdoors Let Forever Resorts show you Lake Superior, the Colorado and Snake Rivers, the Rio Grande, Lake Powell and more!

Grand Canyon Lodge–North Rim Grand Canyon, AZ Rock Harbor Lodge Isle Royale, MI Black Canyon River Adventures Hoover Dam, NV Cedar Pass Lodge / Badlands Inn Badlands, SD Chisos Mountains Lodge / Big Bend Resort & Adventures / Big Bend Overland Tours Big Bend, TX

Southfork Ranch Dallas, TX Lodge at Bryce Canyon Bryce Canyon, UT Parry Lodge / Denny’s Wigwam / Forever Adventure Tours (435.644.5700), Kanab, UT Mad River / Scenic Safaris (866.275.8077), Jackson Hole, WY

Reservations: 877.386.4383

ForeverResorts.com /travelforeverresorts Forever Resorts is an Authorized Concessioner of the National Park Service.

Page, Arizona Since the 1960s, Glen Canyon Dam near Page has flooded the Glen Canyon reach of the river, forming Lake Powell. Encompassing over 1.25 million acres and stretching for hundreds of miles from Lees Ferry in Arizona to the Orange Cliffs of southern Utah, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area offers unparalleled opportunities for water-based tour inclusions.

Guided boat tours from Wahweap Marina at the Lake Powell Resort are the best way to discover the majesty of Lake Powell while learning about its history and geology. Enjoy a sunset dinner cruise, hear the fascinating story of building the Glen Canyon Dam on a scenic cruise, explore Rainbow Bridge National Monument or discover the wonders of the lake on the “Navajo Tapestry” cruise.

The most popular cruise is the “Rainbow Bridge Tour,” which covers 50 miles of the Lake Powell shoreline to Rainbow Bridge National Monument, one of the largest known natural bridges in the world. The bridge rises 290 feet into the sky and 275 feet across Bridge Canyon. View the results of the power of wind and water that formed this remarkable landscape. Note: Due to current projected lake levels, for optimum viewing a walk/hike (1.25 miles) is required to and from Rainbow Bridge National Monument.

For groups with not much time to spend on the lake, the “Panoramic Lake Powell Tour” is a good option. Learn about the rich history and geology of the Lake Powell area while viewing the breathtaking scenery of Gunsight Bay and surrounding areas. It’s perfect for taking panoramic photos.

Antelope Canyon Navajo Tribal Park, located near Page, is home to one of nature's most spectacular creations—the slot canyon.

Carved from red sandstone by rain and wind, the canyons are narrow

Peter Krocek/NPS

Horseshoe Bend Overlook in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area offers stunning views of the Colorado River.

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passageways that lead several hundred feet away from the mouth. The sloping angles of the rocks, coupled with the shifts of light that make their way down from the rim of the canyon, combine for a scene like no other.

Only eight to 12 feet wide along the sandy floor, the slot canyons have been featured in Hollywood films and magazines around the world.

Hiking Horse Shoe Bend affords great views of the Colorado River. The trailhead is located just outside of Page.

On the Colorado in Moab, Utah

Laughlin, Nevada Rugged mountain ranges that change colors with the sunset, majestic desert landscapes and the mighty Colorado River set the stage for year-round outdoor adventure in the Laughlin area.

The Colorado River Heritage Greenway Park and Trails project has been named one of the nation’s most promising projects designed to protect special places and reconnect travelers to the outdoors. The project consists of nine miles of trails for bicyclists, pedestrians and equestrian riders, and includes expansion of the Laughlin Riverwalk.

Jetboats travel daily from Laughlin to Lake Havasu City, Arizona (home of the London

Bridge) along 58 miles of the Colorado River through beautiful Topock Gorge. Experience the thrill of cruising at speeds of over 40 mph.

Or your group can float down the Colorado River on a day trip aboard a motor-assisted

raft, with narration by guides who shed light on the history, desert wildlife and beauty of the Black Canyon of the Colorado River.

Sights include an up-close view of Hoover Dam, high canyon walls, desert big horn sheep, osprey and great blue herons. The rafts stop along the shore for a box lunch and the opportunity to play in the cool clear waters below Hoover Dam. A tour of Hoover Dam, which forms Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the continental United States, is also an option. Located 85 miles north of Laughlin, the dam is an integral component for management of the Colorado River, controlling floods and storing water for farms and cities in the lower Colorado River basin. Below the dam the river passes under the Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge, which, at nearly 900 feet above the water, is the highest concrete arch bridge in the Western Hemisphere.

In addition, Laughlin is home to nine casino resorts offering 24-hour gaming, a wide variety of dining options and showrooms featuring top-notch entertainment that you don’t have to spend an arm and a leg to see.

So, wherever your tour along the Colorado River may take you, exciting adventures await. LGT

Andrew Kuhn/NPS

Mountain bikers cruise along White Rim Road in southeastern Utah’s Canyonlands National Park. Rafting and hiking also are popular.

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