August 2019 Leisure Group Travel Magazine

AUGUST 2019

When the Road Calls, Motorcycle Groups Listen

Great rides can be found across the country

IDAHO IS AN OUTDOOR UTOPIA THE GEM STATE IS FILLED WITH SPECTACULAR SETTINGS

More Than A Trend

Adventure travel is here to stay

A Premier Travel Media publication • LeisureGroupTravel.com

Return by September 1 and get a F 5 RE Diva Carry E -on Travel Bag !

ENTER OUR GIVEAWAY!

AND HELP US HELP YOU! Tell us about your group’s travel plans in Leisure Group Travel’s 2019 Group Intentions survey and receive your FREE Diva Carry-on Travel Bag! Perfect for your next getaway, store your personal items in this handy travel pouch.

Return by September 15 to be eligible!

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to take the Leisure Group Travel’s 2019 Group Intentions survey or visit leisuregrouptravel.com/2019-group-intentions-survey/.

(Limit one bag per reader. Bottles not included)

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Discover a World of Ahhs worldofcoca-cola.com ©2019 The Coca-Cola Company. All Rights Reserved.

world of

CONTENTS

August 2019 Vol. 29 No. 4

FEATURES 10

MORE THAN A TREND, ADVENTURE TRAVEL IS HERE TO STAY

By Christina Beckmann, ATTA

The adventure travel industry finds itself on the cusp of realizing its potential as a segment of travel with broad reach and power

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BY LAND, SEA OR AIR, OUTDOOR ADVENTURES AWAIT By Jaylen Fahey Get your heart racing and enjoy picturesque views across the country

8 ON TOUR

SOUTH

MEMORIES ARE MADE ON THE NORTH CAROLINA COAST By Dave Bodle The real stories of the Venus flytrap and Blackbeard the Pirate can only be fully appreciated with a visit to the Tar Heel State RACING IS ALMOST RELIGION IN NORTH CAROLINA By Dave Bodle Motorsports are big in the state’s Piedmont region, but that’s only the beginning

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FALLING FOR NORTH CAROLINA By Lauren DeLorenzo Some of nature’s most alluring features double as ideal recreation spots

30

COLUMNS B y J e f f G ay d u k

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22

12 SOUTH 33 WEST CENTRAL 21 50 INT’L 29 EAST

6 ON MY MIND

DESTINATIONS 14

LATEST & GREATEST

B y M a rty S a r b ey D e S o uto

CENTRAL

WHEN THE ROAD CALLS, MOTORCYCLE GROUPS LISTEN Great trips and majestic views await motorcycle riders

By Mary Lu Laffey

EAST

CONNECTICUT DRAWS TRAVELERS HUNGRY FOR ACTION

By Lauren DeLorenzo

From fitness junkies to foodies, Connecticut is serving up all the ingredients for a good time

WEST

34

IDAHO IS ADVENTURE LAND By Randy Mink Active groups revel in the great outdoors

42

IDAHO PRESERVES ITS UNIQUE STATE HISTORY By Lauren DeLorenzo Offbeat museums will educate and entertain your group

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A TALE OF THREE CULTURES, TWO COUNTRIES AND ONE RELIGION

By Sue Arko

The American Southwest is home to a variety of cultural attractions

46

4

INT’L

NEXT STOP, ITALY By Lauren DeLorenzo Railways take you throughout Italy, from its vibrant cities and ancient ruins to its delicious gelato shops

■ August 2019

>> LeisureGroupTravel.com

22

South Dakota is one of many places in the country where motorcyclists can embrace the scenery.

IOWA TOUR GUIDE

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he Hawkeye State boasts bountiful urban adventures, beautiful performing arts venues and agritourism attractions that showcase the state’s artisans and farmers. Leisure Group Travel is proud to showcase all the state has to offer in our 2019 edition of the Iowa Tour Guide. Created in conjunction with the Iowa Group Travel Association (IGTA), the guide offers numerous ideas for tour planners tasked with creating an unforgettable Midwestern itinerary. At 16 pages, this year’s guide is our biggest and best yet, filled with Iowa’s best group-friendly locales.

Check out the online version or download a print copy at: leisuregrouptravel.com/iowa-tour-guide/

VISIT LEISUREGROUPTRAVEL.COM STILL HUNGRY FOR MORE GREAT CONTENT? Check out more recent articles on leisuregrouptravel.com • 6 Things to Know if You’re Invested in Inbound Travel From Latin America • Norwegian Encore to Debut in November • Hotel Giraffe Rises Above the Crowd

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

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ON THE COVER: Photo courtesy of Visit Idaho

August 2019 ■ 5

ON MY MIND

By Jeffrey Gayduk

Vol. 29, No. 4 August 2019 Editorial & Advertising Office 621 Plainfield Road, Suite 406 Willowbrook, IL 60527 P 630.794.0696 • F 630.794.0652 info@ptmgroups.com

Publisher – Jeffrey Gayduk jeff@ptmgroups.com

Can I Have a Few Minutes?

I

n the summer of 2016, we had more questions than answers. Plotting our editorial calendar for the following year, I got the feeling that we were falling back on old habits of what we covered and how we wrote about it. The familiar is always the path of least resistance.

During a meeting I asked the editorial staff, “what do you think your readers want to know?” The blank stares and silent conference room spoke volumes. On that day we conceived Group Intentions, our annual survey of the Leisure Group Travel marketplace.

With this month’s edition we mark the fourth annual release of this study, which tracks group activity and asks questions poignant to your business. We do this to get a better understanding of our industry, of our readers and to shape future editorial coverage. I’ve been fortunate to present results of the Group Intentions survey at industry conferences and boardrooms, articulating our findings and helping suppliers better understand the industry.

HOW ABOUT A PERK?

You’ll find your copy of the 2019 Group Intentions Survey along with this edition of Leisure Group Travel. As in past years the questions are benign, and we NEVER use your responses to target advertising against you – who do you think we are, Google or Facebook ?

In all sincerity, your responses are kept confidential but are used to calculate trends, while analyzed to pick out where changes are needed.

New this year – we’re giving away a little perk to entice you busy folks.

Return your survey by mail, email or fax by the September 15 deadline and receive a handy Diva Carry-on Travel Bag. It’s ideal for your toiletries when carrying-on luggage.

As with past surveys, we’ll report results in the December edition of Leisure Group Travel, so you can see how you compare and compete against your peers. Most importantly, you’re helping us make your magazine just a little bit better.

So please take a few minutes today to complete the survey and send it back in the way that’s most convenient for you.

It means a lot to us.

Happy Traveling,

Associate Publisher – Dave Bodle dave@ptmgroups.com

Managing Editor – Jason Paha

jason@ptmgroups.com

Senior Editor – Randy Mink randy@ptmgroups.com Associate Editor – Miles Dobis

miles@ptmgroups.com

Production & Marketing Coordinator – Annie Gavin annie@ptmgroups.com

Chief Development Officer – Lance Harrell lance@ptmgroups.com

Director, Design & Production – Lisa Hede lisa@ptmgroups.com

Vice President – Theresa O’Rourke Midwest, Frontier/Mountain West P 630.794.0696 • F 630.794.0652 theresa@ptmgroups.com

Regional Business Development Managers Midwest, Mid-Atlantic/New England – Tom Tobiason P 630.794.0696 • F 630.794.0652 tom@ptmgroups.com

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

The publisher accepts unsolicited editorial matter, as well as advertising, but assumes no responsi bility 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 sub scrip tion 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 A

Jeff Gayduk Publisher

6

■ August 2019

publication

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

>> LeisureGroupTravel.com

GROUPS OFTEN HAVE THE SAME RESPONSE TO CLEVELAND. They come back.

Join in at ThisisCLEveland.com | #This isCLE Contact Clevelandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Group Tour Team:

Jane Tougouma | Tel: 216.875.6607 | Email: jtougouma@destinationcle.org + Denise Krauss | Tel: 216.875.6648 | Email: dkrauss@destinationcle.org

ON TOUR

By Marty Sarbey de Souto, CTC

Are they licensed to sell in your state? Will their insurance cover your travelers? Have you checked them out with care?

7. We don’t see ourselves as a good promoter. We’ve never done anything like this before. How do we know we’ll succeed?

We are afraid of failure and don’t seem to know how to approach potential individual travelers or prospective pre-existing group organizations in the community.

8. We don’t know how to convey enthusiasm for the trip or for the specific destinations offered. We’ve never read up about the various places we’ll be visiting so we can sell them positively.

We haven’t investigated the history and reputation of the tour operators, cruise line or other provider so we can talk about them positively.

Being prepared is a great way to ensure your trip will be a success.

How To Ensure a Tour Failure

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e all like to think our tour offerings will be a great success – that we’ll fill the space we hold available and we’ll receive enough bookings to operate and hopefully more. We also want to assume the tour members will have a great time and go home with happy memories. But, before we run with a fantastic trip idea, let’s look at some of the mistakes one can make that may contribute to failure.

1. We don’t start trip plans early enough.

You will want to start a year in advance to give yourself plenty of time to obtain all the tour services you’ll need – the hotels, motor coaches, local guides and so forth as well as time to promote the trip adequately.

2. We don’t budget adequately for promotional costs. Just making one announcement to a potential organization or group isn’t going to do it. You’re going to need to produce a brochure or detailed flyer outlining the itinerary, trip inclusions and cost 8

■ August 2019

and you’re going to need to budget mailing costs to lists of potential travelers.

3. We want to offer an itinerary that fits the interests, budget and desires of your potential group. If you’re offering a fabulous trip but it’s way beyond the budget of your recipients, you’re wasting your marketing budget.

4. We don’t know who our focus market is. Are we looking for families? Singles? Older couples? Working professional adults with the budget but limited time? First-time travelers?

5. We don’t have any “go-getters” who will bring in their friends, neighbors, colleagues and contacts. You may want to develop an arrangement by which you offer a specified discount to a potential tour member if he or she brings in friends.

6. We don’t know much about the reputation of the tour operator, cruise line, motor coach company or other provider.

9. We don’t know how to talk to potential travelers about the trip – particularly when it comes to talking to strangers, or when talking about places we haven’t visited. This is something that can be practiced at home with family members or with friends.

10. We don’t have a backup budget for additional promotion if our first offering doesn’t fill the trip. No excuses. Plan on needing it. If you fill the trip with the first offering, so much the better.

A successful trip is one that not only succeeds financially, but also brings home happy travelers wanting to travel with you again on a future trip and perhaps bring along their friends and family. That’s worth all the work, worry, and learning experiences you put into it.

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

GET A CLOSER LOOK The 2019 Industry Snapshot Report is here, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s chockfull of information you can use.

Researched and assembled by the Adventure Travel Trade Association, the Snapshot is a deep dive of data about the adventure travel industry with the most current information on destinations, activities, traveler demands, and industry business practices. Part 1 offers critical insights on top-ofmind adventure destinations, average trip length, common operational practices and more. Part 2 includes financial data related to the reportâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s research.

SOME KEY FINDINGS: Top adventure activities are hiking, cycling, safaris, culinary and wellness activities Top trending destinations are Scandinavia, South America, Northern and Southern Africa, and the Middle East 43% of adventure travel tour operator clients are between the ages of 51-70 The average cost per day of a trip in North America in 2018 was $439 For important benchmarks and perspectives on the outlook and characteristics of the dynamic adventure travel environment, we invite you to visit the ATTA website.

adventuretravel.biz/research

TRAVEL ADVENTUROUSLY

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hen Jack Delf and Hayley Wright of Black Mountain Adventures, an adventure tour company based in the Balkan country of Montenegro, first established their company in 2005 they only dared to dream what they would go on to achieve - a thriving company with a full time staff of 10, plus a large network of local experience and activity providers from within the community, a global network of guests and partners.

They couldn’t have predicted the trajectory the adventure industry they had bought into was on, the full arc of the wave they would ride along with thousands of other active adventure tour businesses around the world. From an industry with niche offerings catering to niche travelers with peculiar, intrepid personalities, the adventure travel industry now meets more mainstream preferences and finds itself on the cusp of realizing its potential as a segment of travel with broad reach and staying power.

What Is Adventure Travel?

Although “adventure” is really an aspirational concept - one person’s adventure might be another person’s ho-hum - adventure travel from the travel trade perspective means a trip that brings together a mix of nature, culture and physical activity. Its hallmarks are active engagement, authentic interactions with, and respect for, nature and local culture. Think local guides, owneroperators and day hikes through a national forest ending with a picnic of local cuisine.

The key to understanding adventure travel is to grasp the interaction of these three essential elements - nature, culture and physical activity, how they come together to create remarkable experiences and how they are delivered to bring about positive impacts for communities and environment.

The Adventure Traveler Profile and What They’re Purchasing Globally, adventure travel consumer spending from outbound markets excluding Asia is estimated at $683 billion according

More Than A Trend,

Adventure Travel Is Here to Stay

By Christina Beckmann, ATTA 10

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>> LeisureGroupTravel.com

Why Is Adventure Travel So Popular?

Eighty-five percent of travel agents who sell adventure say their business is experiencing growth, according to an ATTA survey developed in partnership with the Travel Leaders Network in 2018. Likewise, adventure travel tour operators themselves have reported growth in each of the last 10 years. Fifty-nine percent of operators responding to the survey expect their profits to be up in 2019.

Adventure travel is reaching current levels of popularity for three reasons: its Presentation by Caroline Bremner at Adventure Travel World

1

Summit, 2018.

LeisureGroupTravel.com <<

Matt Inden/The Colorado Tourism Office

to the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), excluding air and gear purchasing.

In terms of all international travel, adventure travel has been estimated by the ATTA in collaboration with the market research team at Euromonitor to make up approximately 30% of all international travel spending.1 Although technical and risky activities still make up a key segment of adventure travel’s offering, adventure tour operators report that hiking is the most popular activity, along with cycling on e-bikes, culinary and photographyfocused trips. In terms of trip types, custom itineraries, remote destinations and trails and green/sustainable itineraries top the list.

With respect to travelers, adventure travel tour operators responding to the ATTA’s annual Industry Snapshot survey say their customers for the most part are between the ages of 51-70 (43%). Twenty-three percent are between the ages of 41-50 and 18 percent are between the ages of 29-40. Although solo travelers make up only 18 percent of responding businesses’ guests, they are more likely to be women (56 percent).

A sure sign of the commercial appeal of adventure travel for younger travelers is the entrance of Airbnb into the adventure space. Airbnb launched its Adventure Experiences category in June, with 200 distinct adventures. In keeping with its authentic and local ethos, the company notes that all adventures are in small groups with a maximum capacity of 12 guests or fewer.

Adventure travel consumer spending from outbound markets excluding Asia is estimated at $683 billion.

inherent focus on “experience,” the boost it is receiving from social networking and the increase in online accessibility through a variety of platforms.

Focus on Experience A desire for authentic experience is transforming products and marketing of numerous industries, be it food, clothes, furniture or travel. Today, 89 percent of companies compete primarily on the basis of customer experience, according to a study led by Gartner.2 This is up from 36 percent in 2010.

Social Networking Boost Facebook and Instagram have sparked broad awareness for many previously unknown, remote, and typically ‘adventurous’ places. Consider Trolltunga (the Trolls Tongue) in Norway. The hike up to the rocky ledge takes 8-12 hours and involves some slippery scrambling even in the good weather months when the trail is open. Up until 2010, fewer than 800 people ascended the mostly rock trail from its base in the village of Skjeggedal to the cliff’s edge. Since that time, this wild, exposed cliff has drawn global visitation as many as 80,000 people a year in 2017, driven in large part by visitors’ widely shared Instagram photos. Adventure traveler research conducted by the ATTA and used in its training materials for guides and operators confirms that the most popular source of inspiration for adventure travelers is friends and family and social media.

Online Availability The final piece of the puzzle driving adventure tourism’s expanding popularity can be attributed to increased online 2

Gartner Surveys Confirm Customer Experience Is the

New Battlefield

availability. Adventure travel offerings have never been easier to find thanks to the Internet and the persistent work of online booking service providers. As a result, more off-the-beaten-path, distinctive travel offerings can be found and booked in a click than ever before.

The Importance of Sustainability Quality in adventure travel is indicated through sustainability and safety.

Adventure travel tour operators pride themselves on offering trips that celebrate and protect cultures and natural resources.

While best practices to ensure quality and safety are well known by longtime industry professionals, increasing numbers of new providers are entering the market, and the ability to distinguish credible operators from risky ones is becoming more important.

To support the safety of its new category, Airbnb sought advice on safety best practices from the Adventure Travel Trade Association.

As Jack and Hayley Delf of Montenegro Adventures observe, “We learned the ropes of our business the hard way – by trial and error – but we’ve never strayed from our core value which is to see this business provide benefits beyond just a great holiday.

“It’s exciting, and a little scary to see the rapid growth, but we’re confident that with care and the right support, adventure travel will continue living up to the dream for everyone involved.”

Christina Beckmann has 20 years consulting and research experience working at the intersection of tourism, environment, economic development and entrepreneurship.

In her position as Senior Director, Strategy and Impact at the Adventure Travel Trade Association, she leads projects focused on adventure travel safety best practices, climate action, and market research.

August 2019 ■ 11

Latest

& Greatest

Vietnam Photos on Display

ALABAMA — Vietnam: The Real War Photographs from The Associated Press will be on display at the Huntsville Museum of Art through October 6. To cover the Vietnam War, The Associated Press gathered an extraordinary group of photojournalists in its Saigon bureau, creating one of the greatest photographic legacies of the20th century. This collection tells the story of a divisive war that left a deep and lasting impression on American life.

From Malcolm Browne’s photograph of the burning monk and Nick Ut’s picture of a 9-year-old running from a napalm attack to Eddie Adams’ photograph of the execution of a Viet Cong prisoner, Vietnam: The Real War contains images that both recorded and changed history. (hsvmuseum.org)

SOUTH REGION ADVERTORIAL

Groups Can Quench Their Thirst at World of Coca-Cola World of Coca-Cola is the fun and refreshing place for your group to make memories with friends. Located in the heart of downtown Atlanta’s bustling entertainment district and adjacent to Centennial Olympic Park, World of Coca-Cola is ideally situated for group fun and offers something for everyone to enjoy.

Discover this one-of-a-kind attraction and experience these must-see exhibits: Milestones of Refreshment: Explore the fascinating story of The Coca-Cola Company in an engaging walk through history. From its origins in Atlanta in 1886 to its global reach today touching the lives of billions around the world, Coca-Cola is rich in history and expansive in scope. Taste It!: Treat your taste buds to a trip around the world! Here you can taste more than 100 international and domestic beverages made by The Coca-Cola Company.

World of Coca-Cola

There are five tasting stations arranged geographically – Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and North America. Coca-Cola Store: Take the memory of Coca-Cola home with you. The Coca-Cola Store offers a vast array of merchandise including decorative items, apparel, accessories and one-of-akind art pieces. For more information visit www.worldofcoca-cola.com/groups/ groups-tickets/ or contact the World of Coca-Cola Group Sales Office at 404-6766074 or woccgroups@coca-cola.com.

Outdoor Adventures | Louisiana Cuisine | Premier Shopping

where New Orleans plays

Experience New Orleans’ wild side... swamp tours, a Cajun fais do-do, nature trails, historic districts, and culinary delights. Next door to New Orleans, adventure awaits!

T O L L F R E E 1 . 8 7 7. 5 7 2 . 7 4 7 4 | 5 0 4 . 7 3 1 . 7 0 8 3 | W W W .V I S I TJ E F F E R S O N P A R I S H . C O M

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>> LeisureGroupTravel.com

REGION

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he North Carolina coast region is a wonderful blend of scenic beauty, rich history, delightful indoor and outdoor attractions and distinct cuisine. Among all of those attributes, two destinations stand out as they offer a unique group experience.

The Wilmington, NC River District and Island Beaches has long been a favorite of beach goers and history buffs.

Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach and Kure Beach offer plenty of things to do with the ocean as a backdrop.

The river district’s historic homes are best explored on a carriage ride. Plan to

stop and tour Bellamy Mansion. A short drive, Airlie Gardens is a four seasons setting of beauty with Enchanted Airlie displaying more than one million lights during the holiday season.

Once the “Lifeline of the Confederacy,” Wilmington was the last port to supply General Robert E. Lee’s army. Fort Fisher, the ports protector, fell to Union forces on January 15, 1865 and on February 22, Union troops marched into Wilmington. History continues to be a part of Wilmington as the Battleship North Carolina tells the story of World War II.

Today, Wilmington is on the move with new flag hotels appearing and the renovation of a longtime favorite, the Hotel Ballast, which features great river views and convenient access to a popular river walk.

Departing from the river walk, the group-friendly Henrietta riverboat offers a new dinner or lunch tour option along with narrated sightseeing cruises.

Cameron Art Museum, through its regular collection and special exhibits, is setting the tone for regional art museums. wilmingtonandbeaches.com

Crystal Coast Tourism Authority

SOUTH

MEMORIES ARE MADE

ON THE NORTH CAROLINA COAST THE REAL STORIES OF THE VENUS FLYTRAP AND BLACKBEARD THE PIRATE CAN ONLY BE FULLY APPRECIATED WITH A VISIT TO THE TAR HEEL STATE

By Dave Bodle

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>> LeisureGroupTravel.com

Another interesting thing about Wilmington is its carnivorous plants.

Carnivores are not new as they can be found on every continent with the exception of Antarctica. However, the Venus flytrap is native to select boggy areas in North and South Carolina.

To celebrate this abnormality, there are banners hanging from streetlights on the river walk and even a Flytrap Brewery in the Brooklyn Arts District. Before you set off to find some Venus flytraps understand they are not what you saw in Little Shop of Horrors.

In fact, they are quite small and feast only on the juice of insects.

Another fun stop is the Stanley Rehder Carnivorous Plant Garden. Created by Mr. Rehder over 25 years, he was affectionately known locally as “The Flytrap Man.” Informative signs along the walkway to

the garden provide interesting and littleknown facts and a hint of how to locate the Venus flytrap.

To see the flytrap in its natural environment, visit the Carolina Beach State Park for a walk on the Flytrap Tail. Park Ranger Darla Edwards is a delightful guide and she claims, “Most park rangers know a little about a lot of things, most do not know a lot about one thing.” She may be the exception when it comes to carnivorous plants and the Venus flytrap.

The trail itself is less than a mile and travels through an ecotone, or transition area. The area is bookended by pocosin and long leaf pine areas allowing the plants plenty of sunshine. Every three or four years, there’s a controlled burn which leads to an increase in the plants. ncparks.gov/ carolina-beach-state-park

Regardless of whether you arrive on the Crystal Coast by land or sea, you’ll be quick to realize this is a special place. This 85-mile stretch of coastline has 11 distinct communities with a host of options for reunions and group tours.

Surrounded by rivers, sounds and the Atlantic Ocean, every visit should begin with a water focus. From ecotourism and sightseeing tours to pier and charter fishing, you’ll soon become immersed in the coastal life. Even The Crystal Coast land attractions have a connection to the water. Case in point is the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores. Plunge into the world of water as you travel from North Carolina’s mountains to the sea. Another example of how the water impacts the area’s history is Fort Macon State Park. Almost totally surrounded by water and just minutes

• 800-334-9036

LeisureGroupTravel.com <<

August 2019 ■ 15

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Crystal Coast Tourism Authority

from Atlantic Beach, this Civil War fort is both a history lesson and recreational attraction. Designed by a young engineer, Robert E. Lee, who later became general of the Confederate army, there are guided tours of the fort and regularly scheduled musket and cannon demonstrations. The ocean, salt marshes and estuaries provide an opportunity for recreation and exploration.

More than a dozen art galleries and studios are found throughout the area and are well worth a visit. crystalcoastnc.org With all there is to see and do in the area, plan for a few days in Beaufort. The new Beaufort Hotel is a perfect base. Tour groups are welcome to the luxury hotel’s 133 rooms and 47 double queen rooms each with a generous bathroom and top-notch shower.

A great place to begin is downtown at the Beaufort Historic Site and Welcome Center. Docents in colonial dress provide tours of restored buildings.

The John C. Manson House, old jail and the pharmacy are favorites. Make certain to allow for time to browse the Mattie King

The waterfront in Beaufort, North Carolina is wondrous.

Davis Art Gallery.

No matter where you visit on the coast of the Carolinas, Georgia, Florida and the Caribbean, there’s a lot about pirates. For the real deal, a visit to the North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort is necessary.

In 1996, the legendary pirate Blackbeard’s flagship, the Queen Anne’s Revenge, was discovered. It had run aground on a sandbar just off the coast of Beaufort.

Once located, the task of bringing surviving items to the surface began.

Now, more than 300 items from the shipwreck are on display, leaving no doubt

it was the Queen Anne’s Revenge that was discovered. Different tours of the museum are available, but the Blackbeard Exhibit is the most popular. Across the street and part of the North Carolina Maritime Museum is the Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center. Boat building for all ages is taught.

For more information on the North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort, the Blackbeard Exhibit and Watercraft Center, call Christine Brin at 252504-7743, Christine.brin@ncdcr.gov.

For general information, visit online at ncmaritimemuseumbeaufort.com.

>> LeisureGroupTravel.com

NORTH CAROLINA TOUR IDEAS

is Almost Religion in North Carolina

By Dave Bodle

Motorsports are big in the state’s Piedmont region, but that’s only the beginning

T

enough that Amtrak makes a run from Charlotte to Lexington just to service festivalgoers.

A visit to the Bob Timberlake Gallery may be reason enough to tour Lexington. Timberlake is an American artist that began his career in the early 1970s with mostly watercolor paintings.

Showcasing much of the artist’s talent, the Timberlake Gallery opened in 1997.

Photo courtesy of the Richard Childress Racing Museum

he central part of North Carolina is the Piedmont region. It’s where visitors can find the state’s largest cities including Greensboro, Winston-Salem, High Point and the Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill triangle.

Just 45 minutes from Charlotte, the hub of NASCAR racing, you’ll find delightful Lexington. It’s said with some authority that Lexington is famous for barbeque, art, wine and racing.

Lexington might be the epicenter of Eastern North Carolina style barbeque. Traditionally, this style involves the whole hog being roasted over wood, chopped or sliced and served with a thin sauce of vinegar and spices, including cayenne pepper.

There are a dozen Lexington restaurants with barbecue in the name serving it the traditional way. One of the state’s largest events is a one-day October street festival, The Barbecue Festival. It’s big

LeisureGroupTravel.com <<

August 2019 ■ 17

NORTH CAROLINA TOUR IDEAS When it comes to shopping, a visit to Uptown Lexington will not disappoint travelers. This historic section of the community presents a delightful mix of boutiques and shops. With the Timberlake Gallery at one end of Main Street and Uptown Lexington in the middle, it’s only appropriate Childress Vineyards would be located nearby. While racing cars in California, Richard Childress would also visit wineries with friends. His dream became a reality when he decided to build on farmland in Lexington. Group tours and tastings led by knowledgeable staff show off the facilities of this prominent winery and how the wines are made.

You do not have to be a NASCAR fan to be inspired by a visit to Richard Childress Racing. Founded in 1969, the 52-acre campus near Lexington in Welcome has grown to become one of the largest and most successful organizations in NASCAR competition. No stranger to winning NASCAR events, the RCR team has more than 200 victories and 15 championships, including three wins at both the Daytona 500 and Brickyard 400.

Visitors witness this tradition of winning at the Richard Childress Racing Museum. The journey begins with a look at the early career of Childress as a NASCAR driver. The story continues with the Dale Earnhardt No. 3 team and their championship years. Included are the No. 3 Goodwrench Chevrolets that won at the Daytona 500 and Brickyard 400. A half-dozen other winning vehicles are on display from the 1998 Budweiser Shootout driven by Mike Skinner to the 2018 No. 3 Dow Chevrolet driven by Austin Dillon in the Daytona 500.

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All these cars are built from scratch and it takes a team of 500 employees from engineers to mechanics to graphic artists to pull it all together. Danny “Chocolate” Myers, a No. 3 pit crewmember and the museum curator, sums it up by saying, “We never stop building new cars.”

Racing fans and visitors interested in the process can enjoy a bird’seye view with the addition of the Fan Walk. “With this new addition, visitors have the opportunity to view the team preparing for the next race. Along with the museum that brings the past, present and future together,” Myers added. Begin planning at rcracing.com.

Located just off I-77 a few minutes from Charlotte and along scenic Lake Norman, Mooresville is home to many of NASCAR’s most noticeable teams. Although there’s ample reason behind the nickname “Race City,” there are also many options that don’t involve motorsports.

The best places to begin absorbing the heritage and culture of a destination are at its museums and the Mooresville Museum and Mooresville Art Gallery will not disappoint. The former is located downtown and has a wide variety of artifacts, including historical photos. The latter is located in a renovated train depot with rotating exhibits focusing on North Carolina artists.

Both attractions, along with a dozen others, are part of a walking tour through downtown.

For outdoor adventure, Lake Norman State Park, North Carolina’s largest manmade lake, is popular with groups and reunions. There are 30.5 miles of mountain bike trails, fishing spots and a campground.

Maybe the best way to enjoy Lake Norman is a lunch, dinner or sightseeing cruise on the Mississippi River-style paddleboat, the Queens Landing. Another option is the two-hour cruise aboard the luxurious Lady of the Lake yacht, which includes a three-course, chef-prepared meal.

For all there is to enjoy in Mooresville, it will always be the epicenter of racing. Catch just a few of the names that call Mooresville home: The Dale Earnhardt Experience, JR Motorsports, Kasey Kahne Racing, Kyle Busch Motorsports, MTJ Motorsports and Team Penske.

The shop floor at Kasey Kahne Racing gives fans an inside look at World of Outlaws dirt track racing. After 15 years and 18 NASCAR Cup Series wins, Kahne returned to his roots. Fans of 2017 NASCAR Cup Champion Martin Truex, Jr. will want to visit MTJ Motorsports and if you’re a fan of NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series racing, stopping at Kyle Busch Motorsports is a must. It’s home to Busch’s Toyota truck team and a wealth of trophies, race vehicles and memorabilia.

The Dale Earnhardt Experience showcases the career of the Intimidator, winner of seven NASCAR championships. At JR Motorsports, more than 500 exclusive Dale Earnhardt, Jr. items chronicle the driver’s career.

To see how a race car is built, a visit to Team Penske is a must. The facility houses both the NASCAR teams, the Indy Car and ALMS teams while the NASCAR race shop allows visitors to view through windows and walk upstairs to a 330-foot fan walk that includes a look at the NASCAR truck bay.

There’s plenty additional racing to be discovered in Mooresville from Performance Instruction and Training and NASCAR Technical Institute to the NC Auto Racing Walk of Fame, North Carolina Auto Racing Hall of Fame and Memory Lane Motorsports. You should probably plan to stay an additional day, or two. racecityusa.org >> LeisureGroupTravel.com

High Falls offers visitors a spectacular view.

Photo courtesy of Rob Bixby

NORTH CAROLINA TOUR IDEAS

FALLING FOR

NORTH CAROLINA Some of nature’s most alluring features double as ideal recreation spots

By Lauren DeLorenzo

I

n any season, waterfalls are beautiful.

Seeing these magnificent natural features up close is not a chance to be missed. North Carolina’s Dupont Falls is the ideal place for hiking, picnicking, taking surreal photographs or simply wading in the pools.

LeisureGroupTravel.com <<

North Carolina is home to an estimated 300 waterfalls and the region is known for its natural beauty. With 86 miles of trails and more than 10,000 acres, Dupont State Recreational Forest boasts some stunning scenery. Not even Hollywood could escape the lure of these natural attractions, with

the Dupont Forest waterfalls serving as filming locations for several scenes in 1992’s “The Last of the Mohicans” and 2012’s “The Hunger Games.”

Groups seeking to savor the falls can enjoy an easy-access hiking trail along the river, which is popular for all ages and fitness August 2019 ■ 19

NORTH CAROLINA TOUR IDEAS injured during “The Hunger Games” film.

This thundering waterfall acts as a prelude to the largest and perhaps most impressive waterfall on the trail, High Falls.

HIGH FALLS

Hooker Falls

levels. This low-intensity, three-mile walk runs through Hooker Falls, Triple Falls and High Falls, which are all in close proximity.

Groups can choose to shorten their journey by visiting just one or two of the falls, or they can extend their trip with a visit to the peaceful Wintergreen Falls.

Hooker Falls and High Falls both have accessible parking areas, so visitors can start the trail from either location. Hooker Falls also has a paved trail for disability access.

Starting at Hooker Falls allows visitors to get the uphill section of the hike out of the way first, making for an easy return journey downhill. The falls will get increasingly impressive as you follow this route, concluding with the spectacular High Falls.

In September, the community hosts the annual Dupont Forest Festival, which has included such activities as kayak tours, fly fishing, equestrian activities and science demonstrations for kids and adults alike.

continue for another half mile to reach the majestic Triple Falls.

TRIPLE FALLS Located half a mile away from Hooker Falls and two miles from High Falls, this attraction offers visitors the opportunity to stand in the middle of a waterfall. The 120foot Triple Falls is made up of three wide cascades, each dropping down to the next.

All three falls can be seen from the main trail, and an overlook offers a lovely view of the top two tiers. A staircase leads down to a flat rock plateau area on the bottom tier, where visitors can stand in the middle of the falls and feel the currents rush around their feet.

Movie buffs might recognize the base of these falls as the spot where Peeta is

Visitors looking for a cinematic view will not be disappointed. A moderate-intensity two-mile hike from Triple Falls brings visitors to the spectacle of High Falls. The single drop, vertigo-inducing waterfall certainly lives up to its name at 150 feet tall. The spectacular view alone is worth the trip, and when the water is low, visitors can climb across the rocks and stand close to the enormous falls.

The attraction is only half a mile away from the High Falls parking area and visitor center, so visitors who need an easier access point to the waterfall can still be awed by its beauty.

WINTERGREEN FALLS Away from the rush of High Falls, visitors will find the quaint 20-foot Wintergreen Falls. From the parking area at Guion Farm, visitors can follow a shaded trail which takes them slowly down the falls. Named for the evergreen ground cover which surrounds it, the falls dip down into Glassy Creek.

Visitors can perch on the rocks, dip their toes in the water and enjoy a peaceful picnic. romanticasheville.com/dupont.htm

HOOKER FALLS Less than a quarter mile away from parking, restrooms and changing rooms, Hooker Falls is an ideal spot for some fun and relaxation. Following the trail from the parking area will lead to an observation space above the falls, where groups can watch the 12-foot waterfall drop into the deep pool of Cascade Lake. There is a second observation deck along a paved trail which is accessible to wheelchairs and scooters. In this favorite summer swimming spot, visitors can dip behind the waterfall and even swim through it. There are plenty of large rocks to sit on and enjoy the view, and Hooker Falls is a popular picnic spot.

For those looking for an easy walk, the hike to Hooker Falls is only three-fifths of a mile round trip. Those hungry for more can 20

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North Carolina is filled with photogenic locales.

>> LeisureGroupTravel.com

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Truman Library Announces $25 Million Transformation

MISSOURI — The Harry S. Truman Library and Museum in Independence, Missouri, is launching a significant renovation of its facilities and programs. This is the Truman Library’s first major renovation in more than 20 years and the largest since the museum opened its doors in 1957.

This $25-million project is planned to coincide with the 75th anniversary of the start of Truman’s presidency in 2020 and aims to ensure the continued relevance and resonance of Truman’s legacy. The renovation project will bring significant economic development to Truman’s hometown and state through expanded operations and increased visitation and tourism. (trumanlibraryinstitute.org)

Detroit Institute of Arts Exhibit to Feature Works by Legendary Artists

Harry S. Truman Library

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CENTRAL REGION

MICHIGAN — A new exhibition coming to the Detroit Institute of Arts features some of the best works of the Impressionist era. Humble and Human: Impressionist Era Treasures from the Albright-Knox Art Gallery and the Detroit Institute of Arts, an Exhibition in Honor of Ralph C. Wilson,

Detroit Institute of Arts

Jr. runs through October 13. The exhibit features 44 works by Berthe Morisot, Paul Cezanne, Edgar Degas, Vincent van Gogh, Claude Monet and others, and comprises of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works from the collections of the DIA and the Albright-Knox. (dia.org)

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CENTRAL

REGION

MOTORCYCLE GROUPS LISTEN Exquisite trips and majestic views await riders of all ages

By Mary Lu Laffey

22

â&#x2013; August 2019

>> LeisureGroupTravel.com

LeisureGroupTravel.com <<

are hundreds of miles of winding forest riding. I live here, I work here, and I ride here. Sometimes I feel like I’m paid to be on vacation.”

NORTH DAKOTA “We love to see motorcycle groups in our community,” said Sheri Grossman, chief executive officer, BismarckMandan Convention and Visitors Bureau. “We are located along the majestic Missouri River — a perfect place to ride and explore our beautiful landscape. Our downtowns are packed full of local history, fun dining establishments and unique shops easily accessible to groups.”

Photo courtesy of Travel Wisconsin

T

he call of the road may be seasonal in the midwestern United States, but the shorter window for discovery only adds to the anticipation of a great ride. This point of view isn’t lost on the tourism offices in North and South Dakota, Wisconsin, Michigan and Minnesota where all have staff that ride. Like Tim Campbell, Northeast Regional manager for Explore Minnesota.

“Northeast Minnesota, often referred to as the Arrowhead, is the most fun area to ride in all of Minnesota,” said Campbell. “Winding roads take you along spectacular Lake Superior, and if you jump inland, there

August 2019 ■ 23

Grossman says the Sakakawea Scenic Byway is north of the capital in the Washburn-Stanton area. Start the 38-mile ride in Bismarck on Highway 1804, named for the year legendary explorers Lewis and Clark headed west. “It’s a beautiful ride and one of the longest stretches on the Missouri that is untouched and similar to how it would have been all those 200-plus years ago,” said Grossman. “I would tie this ride into connecting with Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park, which is south of Mandan on Highway 1806, named for the year the explorers returned.”

Bismarck-Mandan boasts locally owned restaurants and nine breweries, many within walking distance of lodging. noboundariesnd.com

one of the most popular destinations in the United States. On SD Hwy 87, also known as Needles Highway because of the tall granite peaks nearby, the destination is not the draw; it is the road. Needles moseys through parts of the 71,000-acre Custer State Park, home of one of the nation’s largest freeroaming buffalo herds. Custer State Park and South Dakota have been recognized as one of the World’s Top 10 Wildlife Destinations. Located 30 miles south of Rapid City, Needles’ 14-mile route sashays between granite spires and slices through tunnels as narrow as eight feet.

After a day on the back of a bike, walk around downtown Rapid City to see the sights, dine or shop. visitrapidcity.com

SOUTH DAKOTA

Milwaukee reigns supreme as the heart of motorcycle lore from the not-to-miss Harley-Davidson Museum to the many ride options in and out of town. Schedule time on the Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive though bucolic Kettle Moraine State Forest.

Lean into 115 miles of twists and turns

“Rapid City is a great hub-and-spoke destination as we are a central location to everything in the Black Hills,” said Lindsey Beasley, director of Tourism Sales for Visit Rapid City. One of those spokes, Iron Mountain Road, leads to Mount Rushmore,

WISCONSIN

that comprise a ramble through the area formed centuries ago by glaciers muscling their way south. In the forest’s North Unit, there are photo opportunities at the 60-foot tall Parnell Tower. In the South Unit at the park’s pioneer, experience gemutlichkeit, or the “friendly nature” of Wisconsinites.

Follow the green and white “acorn” signs for forest views and impressive stops like the Basilica and National Shrine of Mary at Holy Hill. Dine, take in a show and maybe game at Potawatomi Hotel & Casino. The tribe and casino donate about $1 million each year to local children’s charities. travelwisconsin.com

MICHIGAN Coursing the western edge of Emmet County where it meets the great Lake Michigan, The Tunnel of Trees Scenic Route wends through a mixed forest.

Pine and hardwoods hug the sides of the two-lane road while overhead branches meet and intertwine to create a tunnel effect. Bikers slow down in this stretch of M-119 (Lake Shore Drive) between

With over 90 area attractions, nearly 100 restaurants, large waterpark resorts, quiet lakeside cabins and friendly motels, we’ve got all the essentials for groups large and small. But what we’re really proud to offer are the big smiles and big fun that stick with them even after they get home.

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

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>> LeisureGroupTravel.com

Petoskey/Harbor Springs and Cross Village in respect of Mother Nature and to revel in the sun setting on the lake. In all, there are 137 curves along the 20-mile route.

Be prepared to lean into twist backs with romanticized names like Devil’s Elbow and Horseshoe Curve. Pull over at M-119 and Stutsmanville Road for a panoramic view of Lake Michigan and a possible photo op.

Stop in the town of Good Hart at the Good Hart General Store — maybe for a pot pie or to pass time with the resident hound dog, Maggie. visitmichigan.org

MINNESOTA The two-lane North Shore Scenic Byway (Hwy. 61) rises from Duluth north toward the Canadian Border. Framed by palisades soaring from Lake Superior on the right and wooded boreal forest and the Sawtooth Mountains to the left, the 145-mile climb creates a ride that only dreams are made of.

Iconic stops include Split Rock Lighthouse State Park and Historic Site. The site offers plenty of parking and vistas over the water from 130-foot cliffs. Split Rock was

LeisureGroupTravel.com <<

South Dakota is home to winding roads and impressive views, making it a rider’s paradise.

the last lighthouse to communicate with the SS Edmund Fitzgerald on its fatal crossing in November 1975. There is also plenty of other history along the curves that sweep through hamlets and artist colonies, like Grand Marais, where the moose population outnumbers the residents.

Pull over at the awesome Naniboujou Lodge

& Restaurant, Grand Marais. Built in the 1930s as a hunting lodge and featuring such famous members as Babe Ruth, Jack Dempsey and Ring Lardner, the psychedelic designs in the 30-by80-foot domed dining room uses traditional Cree colors to pay homage to the local Cree nation.

Naniboujou is the Cree god of the outdoors. minnesotacvbs.com

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SI

SITE INSPECTION

Coppes Commons, Nappanee, Indiana

Touring Amish Country

Weaving through charming hometowns, historic sites, fresh Amish food and an abundance of festivities, Northern Indiana’s Heritage Trail is so much more than a stunning scenic drive.

S

ince Elkhart County was established in 1830, its communities have welcomed visitors with homely sensibilities, rustic influences and a myriad of natural beauty.

Get a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the Amish way of life, see a living patchwork quilt garden or take a stroll downtown to explore shops bursting with handcrafted goods. In addition to being the nation’s RV capital, the area is dotted with museums, including the Midwest Museum of American Art, the Elkhart County Historical Museum and the world’s only superhero museum.

Quilt Gardens In a colorful fusion of quilting, gardening and art, Elkhart County is home to the nation’s only living quilt garden. Ideal for gardening and horticulture societies, photography clubs and anyone with a quilting hobby, the gardens are unique in their designs. Each year, the area boasts more than one million blooms, the vibrant colors forming quilt-like shapes and patterns.

Brown Bag Tour Groups looking for a new twist on their visit to Amish Country will be delighted by the surprises offered along the Brown Bag 26

■ August 2019

tour. On this mystery tour, each member is given a brown bag. As they explore the quaint, locally owned shops filled with handcrafted items, groups will collect special objects and treats.

The Real Housewives of Amish Country How do you run a business without a computer? Or complete household chores without any help from electrical appliances?

As homemakers, business partners, mothers and integral members of their communities, Amish women are inventive and driven. With this tour, groups can learn how a basket weaver sustains her successful business, and hear how an Amish school teacher runs classes in her one-room school.

Art and History Tour

Elkhart County has hundreds of years of tradition, art and culture to explore, so it’s no surprise there are plenty of museums which reflect this rich history. The Elkhart County Historical Museum features more than 30,000 artifacts which tell the stories of the county, including permanent galleries and frequent temporary exhibitions. Keep an eye out for the unique programming and events the museum has to offer year-round.

Life imitates art, and nowhere will you find more of it than in the Midwest Museum of American Art. The permanent collection presents works from more than 500 sources, including significant historical artists. Visitors can peruse collections from Norman Rockwell and exhibits featuring Chicago Imagists or American Impressionism.

Superheroes, Festivals and more The Heritage Trail has surprises around every corner. In the winter, you’ll find towns draped in a soft glow as more than one million Christmas lights are put up for the annual walk-through light display. Visitors can see Grammy-winning performances at the Blue Gate Theatre, ride on a restored carousel from 1906 or get lost in the Shipshewana Corn Maze. Meanwhile, the nearby Hall of Heroes museum houses Chris Evans’ Captain America shield and celebrates more than 75 years of superhero and comic book history.

AMISH COUNTRY OF NORTHERN INDIANA Sonya Nash sonya@amishcountry.org 574-262-8161 www.AmishCountryTours.org

>> LeisureGroupTravel.com

There are delightful experiences awaiting visitors to Henry County.

Shop boutiques and browse the many art galleries, explore Bishop Hill, a Swedish colony settled in 1846.

Try the burger voted best in the state and judge for yourself. Spend an evening at an oldfashioned supper club with a great steak or seafood.

Take in a live performance and spend some time outdoors hiking, or paddle boating.

Henry County, IL

Traveling the Roads of Henry County Day 1

Arrive in Annawan and start your afternoon by stopping at Paxton’s Corner Coop for old-fashioned hand-dipped ice cream and homemade cupcakes. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience.

Take the short drive to the Johnson Sauk Trail State Park. Rent a paddleboat and cruise around the lake – the park is beautiful from that view. Hike the trails that run through the park and enjoy the beautiful scenery and wildlife. Take a tour of the historic round barn.

Make the short drive to Kewanee. Wander around Good’s Furniture – the Midwest’s largest fine furniture store. Check out the koi pond downstairs by the Wine Cellar. Check in at the AmericInn in Kewanee for relaxation before dinner. Relax in the heated indoor pool or sit by the fireplace in the lobby with a good book.

There’s no place like Cerno’s Bar and Grill and the 50’ original back bar built by Pabst Blue Ribbon in 1898. Enjoy an ice-cold beer from their selection of 30 varieties on tap and follow it up with a burger voted best in the state.

Day 2

HENRY COUNTY TOURISM BUREAU

Cheryl Osborne director@visithenrycounty.com 309-761-8473 VisitHenryCounty.com

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Grab some free homestyle breakfast before departing to Bishop Hill, a Swedish colony settled in 1846.

Spend time touring the town enjoying the original historical buildings. This town of a hundred or so folks still retains much of the charm of its original inhabitants. They keep many traditional crafts alive with potters, blacksmiths, broom makers, weavers, a luthier, and quilters still producing the fine work for which they have long garnered praise.

Open any door, gaze in any shop window and you are transported back to a more enchanted time. With six museums and more than a dozen galleries, you can chat with the artist who produced the treasured heirloom you are passing along as a cherished gift. There are three restaurants, a friendly pub, and two Inns eager to give you a restful and quiet night.

Your last stop is Geneseo, where you will drive down tree-lined streets surrounded by grand old Victorian mansions and beautiful parks. Stroll along State Street and shop at the unique little boutiques.

Explore Geneseo’s art galleries to enjoy many different mediums and styles of art. Stop in to one of the local breweries, Lionstone Brewing or Geneseo Brewing Company, to sample the local brews.

Dinnertime means a trip to The Cellar with its old-fashioned supper-club ambience - vintage décor, white tablecloths, and waiters and waitresses that have been serving at The Cellar for more than 20 years.

The Cellar has been in business almost 60 years, and still has the same menu with hand-cut steaks and fresh seafood. After dinner, sit back and take in a show at the Richmond Hill Barn Theater.

Day 3 Enjoy another great breakfast before checking out of your hotel and heading for home. You sure packed a lot of activities, history, art, and great food into your Henry County visit. Come back again, and visit during one of the many festivals and events throughout the year.

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When visiting Northeast and East Central Indiana, groups experience these wonderful area charms.

ANDERSON/MADISON COUNTY VISITORS BUREAU

Maureen Lambert, CTIS Maureen@visitamcvb.com 800-533-6569 VisitAndersonMadisonCounty.com

Anderson, Alexandria, Fairmount, Kokomo, Greentown, Winona Lake, Warsaw

Hoosier Highways and Byways Day 1

Arrive in Anderson for a tour of Anderson’s centerpiece of art and culture, Paramount Theatre & Ballroom. The theater was built in 1929 and scheduled for demolition in 1989 before a group of investors rallied to save her. Home to one of just three Grand Page Organs in the United States, the theatre also features a magical night sky with twinkling stars.

Visit an Anderson favorite, Good’s Candy & Ice Cream Shop. Good’s dates back to the 1940s. You’ll view the making of its finest chocolates; hand dipped and soft served ice cream, popcorn and Randy Good’s newest offering, Root Beer.

Day 2 GREATER KOKOMO VISITORS BUREAU

Sherry Matlock information@visitkokomo.org 800-837-0971 VisitKokomo.org

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU Tina Keaffaber tina@koscvb.org 800-800-6090 VisitKosciuskoCounty.org

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It’s on to Alexandria and The World’s Largest Ball of Paint. Yes, this one-of-a-kind attraction weighing 2.5 tons with 26,000 coats of paint does exist.

After a short drive, stop at the James Dean Gallery in Fairmount, the cultural icon’s hometown.

The museum exhibit and gift shop are located in an exquisitely restored 1903 Victorian home.

Enjoy lunch in Kokomo at the PASTArrific Italian Restaurant. Authentic Italian menu items are available, along with chicken, beef and seafood.

Enjoy a scenic drive to Greentown and a stop at the Greentown Glass Museum. Next, it’s on to the headquarters of Blondie’s Cookies for a tour and sampling. Blondie’s makes more than 20 varieties of cookies and three types of brownies, daily.

Enjoy dinner and a tour at the historic Seiberling Mansion. Construction was completed in 1891 and

since 1972, the mansion has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Day 3 Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before checkout and visiting one of Kokomo’s treasures, Kokomo Opalescent Glass Co. In its 131st year, this is America’s oldest glass company. Witness hand-ladled and rolled glass from a 2,500-degree oven and watch artistic glass blowers create in the Hot Glass Studio.

Travel to North Webster for a relaxing tour of Webster Lake on The Dixie Boat. Your 75-minute boat ride will be on Indiana’s oldest sternwheeler paddleboat built in 1929. Return to Warsaw and check into your group-friendly accommodations for a little rest and relaxation before departing for dinner this evening.

Dine on the shores of Winona Lake at The BoatHouse. This premier restaurant features outstanding food in an upscale casual setting.

Day 4 After breakfast and checkout visit DePuy Synthes, one of the leaders in the orthopedic industry. You’ll trace the beginning of the company and the industry from 1895 when a young pharmaceutical salesman Revra DePuy began manufacturing the first fiber splints. Next stop is the Warsaw Biblical Gardens.

Situated on a ¾ acre site, every effort was made to plant and achieve historical and botanical accuracy.

Groups receive a book of all plants, flowers, trees and herbs with biblical references. >> LeisureGroupTravel.com

Latest

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EAST REGION

Mohegan Sun Announces Enhanced Nightlife Experience CONNECTICUT — Mohegan Sun, a luxury integrated entertainment resort, announced an enhanced nightlife experience named novelle that is opening on its property this summer.

Boasting a first-of-its-kind offering for the entertainment and casino industry, novelle is a unique 15,000-square-foot venue that will shift seamlessly from a chic and modern lounge to an entertaining night out, featuring table games and eclectic sharable plates, to a stylish ultra-lounge experience powered by high-profile DJs, bottle service and a lively dance floor. Opened in June 2019, novelle invites guests to embrace an all-new social nightlife experience at Mohegan Sun. Mohegan Sun is a premier Northeast destination for event planners, with a 125,000-square-foot expo center, two gorgeous ballrooms and more than 45 meeting rooms in total, not to mention

Hersheypark Getting an Expansion

Mohegan Sun

outdoor terrace space adjacent to the 1,113- square-foot Wolf Boardroom. The 275,000 square feet of meetings space joins 1,600 luxury hotel rooms, more than 80 restaurants, shops and nightlife locations, as well as multiple award-winning entertainment venues. Mohegan Sun is within easy access of New York, Boston, Hartford and Providence. Call 877-204-7100 for more information. (mohegansun.com)

PENNSYLVANIA — Hersheypark has begun construction on a $150 million expansion that will transform the entrance to the historic amusement park located in Pennsylvania’s Hershey and Harrisburg region.

Opening in summer 2020, Hershey’s Chocolatetown is a new development within a 23-acre region at Hersheypark where guests can eat, play, shop and gather year-round.

The 23-acre development will include a new entrance and Hersheypark plans to add its 15th coaster as part of Chocolatetown, its longest, tallest and fastest to date. The iconic Carrousel, turning 100 in 2019, will have a new home in Chocolatetown, along with a signature fountain and Hershey’s character experiences. (hersheypark.com)

Outdoor adventure Abounds in the Mountains of Western Maryland!

The Deep Creek Lake area located in Garrett County is tucked away in the mountains of western Maryland. We’re located just three hours from Baltimore and Washington D.C.; 2.5 hours from Pittsburgh, and four hours from Columbus and Cleveland, OH. With four seasons of activities including Maryland’s only downhill ski resort and the state’s largest freshwater lake, our area has something to offer all groups! Let us help you plan your group visit!

Visit our website to begin planning your group visit!

Within close proximity to major mid-Atlantic cities!

www.deepcreekgroups.com | 888-387-5237 LeisureGroupTravel.com <<

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EAST

REGION Connecticut Draws Travelers Hungry for

ACTION FROM FITNESS JUNKIES TO FOODIES, CONNECTICUT IS SERVING UP ALL THE INGREDIENTS FOR A GOOD TIME

W

By Lauren DeLorenzo

hen stumbling out of a restaurant in a food coma, there’s nothing you want more than to lie down and never move again. But travelers in Connecticut know that missing out on the abundance of blood-pumping outdoor activities is not an option — just take one look at the view from Castle Craig Tower and you’ll know what they mean. So, hit up the trails before treating your taste buds, and enjoy the best of Connecticut’s culinary and outdoor adventures.

Hiking and Hamburgers No other park in the state can match the view from the observation platform atop Castle Craig Tower near Meridian. A short hike will take you to the tower, which overlooks the 1,800 acres of hiking trails and picnic areas of Hubbard Park. The park is perfect for leisurely strolls or group nature walks. As if that’s not enough, the nearby Mattabesett Blue Trail takes adventurers down a rich and lush nine-mile interconnected trail, where you can catch glimpses of glassy ponds and soaring hawks.

If you’re closer to Burlington, the Tunxis State Forest offers gorgeous scenery for anyone taking on the challenge of its mountain biking and hiking trails. Here, visitors can find crosscountry skiing, fishing, hunting and boating.

After burning off all that energy, indulge in some history at Louis’ Lunch in New Haven. This is the birthplace of the hamburger, as recognized by the Library of Congress. They keep their burgers simple here, and still serve them between slices of bread instead of buns — just as they were at their inception in 1900 — but their juicy patties prove there’s no need for bells and whistles when you’ve got it right on the first try.

Their famous Connecticut contemporary is Ted’s Restaurant in Cromwell, which is famous for its steamed burger.

Patties are steamed and topped with molten cheese which

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encapsulates the meat. There’s no better motivation than the promise of this mouthwatering burger when you hit a rough patch of hiking.

Zip lines and ‘za Don’t limit your travels to the ground. The Empower Leadership Sports and Adventure Center in Middletown offers tree-climbing, scavenger hunts, team-building programs and a half-mile guided zip line tour over lush forests. Groups with an even bigger taste for adrenaline will want to visit Brownstone Exploration and Discovery Park for even more opportunities for adventure, including rock climbing, wakeboarding, cliff jumping, scuba diving and a waterpark.

It takes a brave traveler to seek out these exhilarating activities. But it takes an even braver one to pick a side in the decades-old Connecticut pizza war.

New Haven is home to some of the best pizza you will find in the United States, with Frank Pepe’s Pizzeria frequently topping national lists. Their white clam pizza doused with garlic, olive oil, oregano and parmesan is nationally renowned. Pepe’s long-time rival is Sally’s Apizza, located just a few doors down. Devoted Sally’s customers swear by the thin crust and slightly charred edges of their tomato, garlic and mozzarella pizza.

Of course, that’s without even mentioning the equally legendary Italian Bombshell pie (bacon, sausage, pepperoni, mushroom, onion and peppers) at New Haven’s Modern Apizza, or the groundbreaking mashed potato pizza at BAR. On second thought, maybe you don’t need to pick a side. Anyone for a second lunch?

HIT UP THE TRAILS BEFORE TREATING YOUR TASTE BUDS, AND ENJOY THE BEST OF CONNECTICUT’S CULINARY AND OUTDOOR ADVENTURES. The best place to go to escape the noise is the little-known Satan’s Kingdom State Recreation Area along the Farmington River in New Hartford. You won’t find any demons here, but you will find great spots for tubing, canoeing and kayaking. For longer tours in kayaks, rafts or canoes, Clarke Outdoors in Northwestern Connecticut offers everything from tranquil trips down the river to white water rafting for the more daring traveler.

After testing your courage on the water,

try out a daring dish at Miya’s Sushi. New Haven’s history as a maritime town led to this restaurant being one of the country’s first sushi bars. Today Miya’s focuses on “future sushi,” creating sustainable dishes from invasive species and plants. Their forward-thinking menu includes the Kanibaba, which features Chesapeake Bay blue catfish toasted in potato skin and topped with lemon dill remoulade, garnished by deep-friend Asian shore crabs which are found in nearby Branford.

On the more traditional side is Abbott’s Lobster in the Rough, which is beloved for their warm, buttery lobster rolls. Visitors have been coming to their location in Noak for a seafood feast with a view of the Connecticut coast since the restaurant opened in 1947.

Whichever dining option or outdoor adventure your group chooses, one thing is for sure - you won’t leave without tired muscles, a full stomach and dozens of stories to bring back home. ctvisit.com/interest/ parks-forests

Swimming and Seafood Although walking through gentle seaside towns on the Connecticut shoreline can be a relaxing way to spend an afternoon, there are also activities which will get your blood pumping. Swimming, scuba diving and saltwater fishing are all popular activities at Hammonasset Beach State Park, a two-mile beach which is the largest shoreline in the state. Thousands of visitors come here each year for camping, picnicking, the nature center and water activities.

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A Cherished Christmas Tradition: The Rockettes The spirit of the holidays is alive with the Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes®

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ashes of red and green spin across the stage signifying the start of the annual Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes presented by Chase at Radio City Music Hall® in New York City. Since the first Christmas Spectacular in December of 1933, the show has become a New York Christmas tradition, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors to the historic venue each year.

The Christmas Spectacular has greatly evolved since its grand opening. It has transformed from a 30-minute show to the 90-minute performance it is today, consisting of 150 cast members, including the Rockettes, singers, dancers, musicians and more. “Sleigh Ride,” the opening routine, kicks off with the Rockettes carrying Santa’s sleigh across the stage to their tap routine “12 Days of Christmas.” Guests are immediately fascinated by the dancers’ dramatic, clear-cut movements under their whimsical costumes.

In “New York at Christmas,” the show features a double-decker bus carrying the Rockettes through Manhattan before entering Central Park. The park includes an ice rink where two ice skaters glide through their intricate routine.

Two iconic performances have survived every transformation the Christmas 32

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Spectacular has undergone over the years.

These numbers are “The Parade of the Wooden Soldiers” and “Living Nativity.” From their seats, guests appreciate the intricate details that go into these scenes. The soldier uniforms have remained loyal to their original roots, staying practically unchanged.

After 90 minutes and 140 performers, the Rockettes take the stage with their line of 36 women beginning the final kick line with seamless precision.

The most special part of the show is the Rockettes’ dazzling dance moves. From the harmonized soldier marching to the bubbly Reindeer knee pops, the Rockettes transport guests to a magical world through their rhythmic motions. And have you ever wondered why the sound of their tap shoes is so crisp? It’s because their shoes are mic’d up with a special installment in the heel so everyone can hear them dance the “12 Days of Christmas” and “Rag Dolls.”

All these precise details make this show what it is today, and Radio City Music Hall makes all of it possible. The theater sits next to Rockefeller Center and has remained a must-see destination for decades. The center’s beautiful architecture is rich in history. Originally completed in 1932, the theater was designed during

the Great Depression in hopes of creating a place where people could watch grand performances at an affordable cost. Its upbringing has made the Rockefeller Center a symbol of hope and inspiration as it stood bringing amusement and fun to people of all ages. Radio City, or the “Showplace of the Nation,” has provided more than 300 million people with its films, concerts, theater performances and special events.

The 2019-20 production will run from November 8 through January 5, 2020. If you’re planning a group outing, contact the Madison Square Garden Tour & Travel Sales Department, who supports Radio City Music Hall, for help plan your outing.

If you are traveling with a group of ten or more, ask about special perks you could be eligible for. The MSG Tour & Travel Sales Department can be reached at 212-4656055 or TourismSales@msg.com. For more information, visit: rockettes.com/ptm.

Planning your trip will be easy, allowing you to sit back in amazement as the Rockettes capture the Christmas spirit.

MADISON SQUARE GARDEN Tour & Travel Sales Department 212-465-6055 tourismsales@msg.com

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Latest

& Greatest

WEST REGION

PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY & MUSEUM

2020 Arizona Renaissance Fest to celebrate 32 years of entertainment

ARIZONA — The 2020 Arizona Renaissance Festival will celebrate 32 years of revelry when it takes place Saturdays and Sundays Feb. 8 to March 29. Groups can enjoy a time-travel adventure while also receiving a group discount.

Escape to the fest’s 16th-century village with the queen and her court, mermaids, jousting, 14 stages of comedy, swordplay, music and more. More than 200 shops contain handmade items such as blown glass, leather goods and jewelry. Watch artisans create a masterpiece before your eyes. Eat, drink and be merry as you make your way through its 30-acre faire. A 10-ticket minimum purchase will get the group organizer free admission. Visit the group tickets page on the fest’s website to book your group. The fest will also work with you to put together a custom tour package. (arizona.renfestinfo.com)

One of California’s most beautiful and unique destinations!

• Docent-led group tours • Two restaurants with tour group options

OCTOBER 2019 - APRIL 2020

EGYPT'S

• Artifacts lost for more than 1,200 years to the rising tides of the Mediterranean Sea now on display!

• Monumental statues, religious images carved in stone, exquisite jewelry & more.

LOST CITIES 40 Presidential Drive • Simi Valley, CA 93065 • 805.577.2704 • ReaganLibrary.com

Arizona Renaissance Fest

Reagan Library to host Egypt’s Lost Cities

CALIFORNIA — From October 2019 to April 2020, the Reagan Library in Ventura County, California will be home to Egypt’s Lost Cities. The exhibition contains monumental statues, religious images carved in stone, exquisite jewelry and more; all lost more than 1,200 years ago to the rising tide of the Mediterranean Sea, only to be found two decades ago by underwater archaeologist Franck Goddio. For more information on the Reagan Library, including dining options, upcoming events and group pricing, email or callmsalvesen@reaganfoundation.org, call 805-577-2705.

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Sawtooth National Recreation Area

REGION

Active groups revel in the great outdoors

All photos courtesy of Idaho Tourism

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By Randy Mink

now-dusted mountain ranges and glacier-carved lakes, vast forests and massive sand dunes, eerie lava fields and jaw-dropping canyons—they all offer spectacular settings for adventure-hungry travelers in Idaho.

And did we mention that Idaho, thanks to snowmelt from the western slopes of the Continental Divide, has more whitewater river miles than any state in the lower 48?

With all these geographical wonders, you’d think Idaho would receive more attention from vacationers and trip planners.

Yet the state often gets overlooked when people think of the Great Northwest—perhaps because it doesn’t have a big-name national park that draws the crowds. But who wants crowds?

One of Idaho’s most popular group-tour destinations is Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, where jet boats provide thrill rides on the Snake River as it surges through North America’s deepest gorge. Built to ascend the forbidding rapids and maneuver with amazing agility, jet boats provide an easy way to experience the river. Michelle Peters, of Visit Lewis Clark Valley, says the boats are “perfect for group tours” and compares them to motorcoaches, noting that they have “comfortable padded seats, an aisle in the middle, a bathroom onboard and can accommodate 55 passengers.”

Confined within steep, eroded black basalt walls, the Snake River carves its way along the Idaho-Oregon border next to the Seven Devils Mountain Range, flowing through a canyon that measures 7,993 feet from its highest point to the desert-like

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August 2019 â&#x2013; 35

valley floor. More than 30 outfitters offer jet boat trips down the river from Hells Canyon Dam and upstream from Lewiston and White Bird. Intrepid paddlers can challenge the churning rapids on guided float trips.

The mighty Salmon River is Idaho’s whitewater capital, an adventure travel magnet. One of America’s most scenic wilderness areas, it contains the continent’s second-deepest gorge. The main Salmon River (called “The River of No Return”), the longest free-flowing river within one state outside of Alaska, offers roller-coaster rapids on half-, full- and multi-day raft and kayak trips. Jet boat excursions are available, too.

The Middle Fork of the Salmon, one of the top 10 whitewater rivers in the world—with Class III and IV rapids—is considered the quintessential whitewater experience.

Most Salmon River trips are outfitted in Stanley in south-central Idaho’s Sawtooth National Recreation Area. The Sawtooth Mountain Range, with its alpine vistas, soothing hot springs, 300 high-mountain lakes and jagged peaks exceeding 11,000 feet, is considered the crown jewel of Idaho.

This wilderness paradise attracts all levels of adventurers who come for the hiking,

Craters of the Moon National Monument

climbing and mountain biking. Its 700 miles of trails include many easy hikes ideal for firsttimers. The Fishhook Creek hike, for example, traverses a beautiful valley and culminates in a pristine meadow with stunning views of the Sawtooth Mountains. With an elevation gain of 300 feet, the trail (five miles roundtrip) is gentle and often wide, without a lot of rocks.

For groups based in Boise, a favorite excursion is a half-day rafting outing on the Main Payette River, an hour from town.

Cascade Raft & Kayak’s guided three-hour trip “The Splash” is the perfect combination of calm floating and playful Class II-III rapids. The catering staff can prepare a

scrumptious barbecue at the landing site.

In downtown Boise, you can float down the Boise River on a tube, raft or kayak. Or try surfing at Boise Whitewater Park.

To explore an entirely different landscape, consider trekking through the lava fields at Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, which has many trails threading the other-worldly terrain of lava tubes, cinder cones and fissures. Covering 750,000 acres at the base of the Pioneer Mountains in south-central Idaho, the preserve is about the size of Rhode Island.

At Bruneau Dunes State Park in southwestern Idaho, hikers can walk

Lower Salmon Canyon, near Lewiston

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>> LeisureGroupTravel.com

Take the road MORE

AdventurouS Adventur ouS

In Idaho, the scenics are always set for stun...

Especially when you take in the sights that await on Idaho’s iconic roadways. These “roads less-traveled” are miles of paradise with uncrowded routes, magnificent scenery, wildlife viewing, historic sites and countless opportunities for outdoor recreation. Many of Idaho’s roads are located along rivers, lakes, or mountain vistas with breathtaking views.

To plan your own adventure road trip and experience Idaho’s striking landscapes, order a FREE Idaho Travel Guide at: visitidaho.org.

along the edges of the dunes or even rent a sandboard and surf down the hills of windblown sand. The park boasts North America’s highest single-structured sand dune, which rises 470 feet above two lakes.

Idaho’s supreme rails-to-trails adventure is the Route of the Hiawatha, a gentle, 15-mile, downhill biking experience near Wallace that includes panoramic views from seven sky-high trestles and pedaling through train tunnels with light provided by the rider’s miner helmet. The route is most famous for the Taft Tunnel, which burrows for 1.66 miles under the Bitterroot Mountains at the Idaho-Montana state line.

Shuttle buses pick you up for the return journey uphill. Northern Idaho’s other top biking path is the paved 73-mile Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes. Spanning the Idaho panhandle between Mullan and Plummer, it begins in the historic Silver Valley, continues along the Coeur d’Alene River past scenic Lake Coeur d’Alene and traverses rolling

farmlands to Plummer. Twenty developed trailheads provide entry points, and there are 17 scenic waysides along the route.

The 26-mile-long Lake Coeur d’Alene, surrounded by mountains, spreads south of the city of Coeur d’Alene and is the perfect spot for water sports, from boating and fishing to swimming, water skiing and parasailing. Downtown on the lake shore is forested Tubbs Hill, a 120-acre preserve featuring trails to secluded coves and beaches and to the summit for inspiring views. Also on the waterfront is the Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course, a par 71 distinguished by the world’s only floating green.

Many group itineraries include a stop at Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel in Worley, 25 miles south of Coeur d’Alene.

Sporting a cool Native American vibe and new entertainment venues, it offers tons of open space. Gaming areas have been totally renovated, the decor refreshed. The resort’s championship golf course is one of the best in

the state, and there are a number of hiking and boating activities that are designed for groups.

Eastern Idaho, which includes Idaho Falls, the South Fork of the Snake River, Teton Valley and Island Park resort area, provides a good base for exploring Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks. A focal point for outdoor recreation is Harriman State Park, a wildlife refuge within the greater Yellowstone ecosystem.

Offering trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding, the park is known for its spectacular summer wildflower displays.

Off-road vehicle enthusiasts flock to the 400-foot-high mounds at St. Anthony Sand Dunes, just west of St. Anthony in eastern Idaho. Several outfitters offer ATV rentals for those keen on riding through the shimmering white-quartz sand. The dunes also can be explored on horse and by foot.

For travelers with an adventurous streak, Idaho is one big playground. visitidaho.org

The Route of the Hiawatha

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Make Boise Your Year-Round Destination

Allow your inner explorer to embrace the city’s lovely outdoor scene

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rom its breathtaking nature trails to the tranquil flowing waters of the Boise River, Boise is an outstanding adventure city.

Perks of Parks

One of the “Ribbon of Jewels,” Ann Morrison Park is an urban park located on the Boise River. The 153-acre park features a distinctive spray fountain, bocce courts, disc golf course, horseshoe pits, an outdoor gym, sand volleyball court and much more.

Visitors seeking another locale to stretch their legs can go on a run, walk or bike ride at the Boise River Greenbelt. Its tree-lined pathway is the perfect path for a ride with its scenic views and wildlife habitat. Get in touch with nature at Ridge to Rivers, an interconnected network of road and trail courses throughout the Boise Foothills. With more than 190 miles of nature trails, Ridge to Rivers has something for everyone.

Water Time Fun

Stay dry or take a dip in the water at Esther Simplot Park. The park features trails, docks, wetlands, boardwalks, shelters, grassy open areas, a playground, bridges and restrooms. Part of the Boise River Recreation and Management Plan, the Boise Whitewater 40

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Park is a public park with waveshapers that create waves suitable for wave surfing. Then paddle away at the 22-acre Quinn’s Pond, just a few steps away from Whitewater Park.

The flatwater allows for many recreational activities such as kayaking, canoeing and stand-up paddle boarding or you can engage in daily stand-up paddle boarding yoga classes.

After an active day, relax and float on the Boise River from Barber Park. This is a great way to soak up the sun and greenery of the city as groups and families can relax and enjoy the tranquil waters.

Wine, Dine in Boise | Garden City

Idaho’s first wine grapes were planted in 1864 and since then, its wine industry has been growing fast as more than 11 new wineries have surfaced since 2002. Start off the night with a cup of red or white wine and whatever else your heart desires at Cinder or one of Boise’s downtown tasting rooms.

Cinder was named after the volcanic cinder beneath many of the company’s vineyards and hosts numerous events throughout the year including tasting room hours, dinners and opera.

For over 20 years, the Capital City Public Market has supported and promoted a

sustainable local food system. Located in downtown Boise, you will feel part of the community after vendors show you the best way to choose a ripe ear of corn. Shop for food, buy local artist’s paintings and smell the fresh baked goods every step you take. The market is open every Saturday between April and December with more than 150 vendors such as Boise Brewing, City Peanut Shop and Wepa Café.

For a night out on the town, vibe with Diablo and Sons Saloon, a restaurant that mixes modern slick with motifs of the Old West. Enjoy listening to live jazz entertainment at Chandler’s Steakhouse.

Your mouth will be watering over the flavor-filled menu of prime steaks and fine seafood. Located inside the Grove Hotel, Trillium is a Boise gem as the kitchen’s commitment to local ingredients is staunch.

You can enjoy dishes like smoked trout poutine, bison meatloaf and huckleberry short ribs.

BOISE CVB

Terry Kopp, Director of Sales 208-472-5208 tkopp@boisecvb.org boise.org

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Groups Experience Cultural Immersion at Coeur d’Alene Casino and Resort

The Coeur d’Alene Casino and Resort offers groups an exclusive look into the culture of the tribe

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ulture and casinos are two concepts that don’t seem like they would go together. One is associated with tradition, history and a way of life; while the other is often associated with neon lights, gaming and money. However, groups visiting Coeur d’Alene Casino and Resort in Idaho will experience a combination of gaming, leisure activities, and cultural immersion into the Coeur d’Alene tribe.

The Story of Coeur d’Alene

While the history of the resort only dates back to the early 1990s, the story of the Coeur d’Alene people stretches thousands of years into the past. The tribe occupied what is now known as the panhandle of Idaho and portions of Washington State and Montana, before European explorers settled the Northwest. Today, the Coeur d’Alene Casino and Resort stands on the same land that the people have lived on for centuries.

Explore the Coeur d’Alene Culture

Tour groups staying at Coeur d’Alene Casino and Resort have several educational and entertaining experiences available to LeisureGroupTravel.com <<

them. Choices vary from hand crafting lessons to nature hikes, and all experiences can be customized to fit a group’s interests.

Discover a big piece of Coeur d’Alene history with The Last Battle Tour. This full-day tour takes groups on a guided adventure with local historians and tribal members to visit Steptoe Battlefield State Park Heritage site. Tour groups visiting Coeur d’Alene Casino & Resort can soak in some entertainment and culture during a Dinner, Drums and Dance event.

For those wanting to get in touch with local wildlife, sign up for a Bison Ranch Tour.

During this guided tour, groups will visit a working bison ranch and learn about the cultural significance this animal played in the Coeur d’Alene way of life.

Connect with nature on a Tribal Homelands Guided Hike, where groups explore Heyburn State Park. Guests will take in stunning views of Lake Coeur d’Alene from Indian Cliffs Trail, take shelter under 1,000-year-old Cedar groves, all while listening to cultural stories of the Coeur d’Alene tribe.

Experience Tribal Hospitality

Cultural immersion is only part of the

equation at Coeur d’Alene Casino & Resort.

This 1,000-acre premier resort gives groups a luxurious home base where they can relax between cultural excursions. Guests will stay in one of 300 lavish hotel rooms and enjoy elite amenities.

Groups can take a few swings on the championship Circling Raven Golf Club, an 18-hole, par 72 course that was ranked the top course in Idaho by Golf Magazine.

Visitors can indulge in a facial or massage at the 15,000-square-foot, world-class spa; dine at award-winning restaurants throughout the resort; or try their luck at over 1,300 gaming machines.

Coeur d’Alene Casino & Resort is conveniently located in the Inland Northwest (less than 50 miles from Spokane International Airport), making it easy to reach from most areas of the country.

COEUR D’ALENE CASINO AND RESORT Michelle Root Group Sales Specialist 800-365-8338, ext 5640 mroot@cdaresort.com

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IDAHO TOUR IDEAS

Idaho Preserves its

Visitors can check out the Spud Sell er Gift Shop for a variety of potato-themed items, and stop off at the Potato Station Caf e which serves potatoes that are baked, fried, in salads, in cupcakes or dipped in chocolate. idahopotatomuseum.com

State History OFFBEAT MUSEUMS WILL EDUCATE AND ENTERTAIN YOUR GROUP

By Lauren DeLorenzo

W

hen it comes to the weird, the wacky and the educational, Idaho’s museums offer a In August of side of history you didn’t even know you 1896, Butch were missing out on. Visitors can immerse themselves Cassidy and two in some of the most unique cultural experiences in the other outlaws state, with learning opportunities that can’t be found escaped with anywhere else. Interactive exhibits, eclectic collections between $5,000 and hidden treasures abound in the Gem State. and $15,000 in Idaho doesn’t shy away from its proud hometown history silver, gold and currency from — just ask the Idaho Potato Museum in Blackfoot, Idaho. this bank.

This versatile vegetable has been an integral part of the state butchcassidymuseum.com since the first crop of spuds was planted here in the 1800s.

The museum tracks the potato’s journey with a series of murals and exhibits, explaining how the simple spud became a major contributor to food security around the globe. The The Museum of Clean interactive Potato Lab demonstrates how potatoes can be building itself even used in experiments. The museum houses a huge collection runs on clean energy, using renewable of potato mashers and the largest potato crisp ever made. energy and water From spuds to soap suds, the Museum of Clean explores the idea of cleanliness in different aspects of life efficient landscaping.

— clean air, clean language, clean arteries, clean floors museumofclean.com and more. This six-story building houses the world’s largest vacuum cleaner collection, where you can see and test some of the 1,000 models. Visitors get a visual lesson in waste at the Texassized trash can exhibit, flash back in time to the life of an old-time chimney sweep, and see models of toilets from Queen Elizabeth of Austria to one that fits in a suitcase. The museum has plenty of interactive exhibits for There are so many more museums to explore kids or for adults interested in more detailed tours. in the state, including the Idaho Museum of Visitors will find themselves retracing the steps of one of the Mining and Geology, the Idaho Black History most notorious outlaws in history at the Butch Cassidy Museum Museum, the Old Idaho Penitentiary, the in Montpelier. The building is the last standing bank in the world Basque Museum and Cultural Center and the which was robbed by Butch Cassidy and his gang.

Idaho Military Museum.

So, the next time your group is in Idaho, pay a museum a visit.

Your guests will be wiser and happier for the experience.

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In Colorado Springs, rush hour is only as slow as the fastest zip line.

Colorado Springs’ outdoor activities boast an abundance of things to explore that suit all kinds of outdoor enthusiasts.

Colorado Springs, Manitou Springs and Cañon City

Outdoor Fun in Colorado Springs Day 1

Start your day at Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center & Museum. Grab a bite to eat at Bean Sprouts Café, featuring fun and healthy food options as well as one of the most-photographed views in the region. Explore the foothills with a funfilled guided Jeep tour that includes Garden of the Gods Park.

Depart for Manitou Springs, where life and art merge. This Historic District is lined with unique art galleries, one-of-a-kind gift shops and historic restaurants. Enjoy a luscious lunch on the veranda of The Cliff House at Pikes Peak, or a more casual meal at Manitou Brewing Company.

This afternoon, explore Downtown Colorado Springs and its Creative Arts District and Art on the Streets exhibit.

Day 2

VISIT COLORADO SPRINGS Floy Kennedy floy@visitcos.com 719-685-7635 visitcos.com

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It’s off to the Royal Gorge region. You’re sure to have a fantastic time on the morning departure of the Royal Gorge Route Railroad. You’ll appreciate spectacular views along the Arkansas River from the bottom of the Gorge, whose walls rise about 1,000 feet above the train.

Stop at 8 Mile Bar & Grill for a sumptuous lunch.

Located at Echo Canyon River Expeditions, this restaurant serves up wonderful meals during summer season. The Royal Gorge Bridge & Park is home to North America’s highest suspension bridge at almost 1,000 feet above the Arkansas River. Here, you will have magnificent views of the Royal Gorge. Take new,

state-of-the-art gondolas across the gorge or walk across the bridge. Once on the other side, you can take advantage of the world’s highest zipline or the exhilarating Skycoaster. A stop at the Winery at Holy Cross Abbey is a great respite before the drive back to Colorado Springs for dinner.

Day 3 Your day begins with an early start and hearty breakfast at your hotel, or one of many fabulous restaurants in Colorado Springs.

Several companies offer tours to Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain. Two of the more popular ways to reach the Summit are guided tours in open-air Jeeps (covers for inclement weather if needed) or mini-coach. Both tours provide visitors with incredible mountain vistas and stops for photos.

When done with your visit to Pikes Peak, we suggest lunch in Old Colorado City, another Historic District, before heading to the Colorado Springs Olympic & Paralympic Training Center for a guided tour of the campus where you’ll see Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls from the USA and perhaps other countries training for upcoming Games.

Once finished, head toward the new and extraordinary U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum and Hall of Fame (opening spring 2020). This technologically advanced facility will delight all groups with state-of-the-art exhibits and inspiring stories.

August 2019 ■ 43

AMERICAN SOUTHWEST

Native American

A Tale of Three Cultures, Two Countries and One Region The American Southwest is home to a variety of cultural attractions

By Sue Arko

Antelope Canon near Page, Arizona.

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a’at’eeh! Hola! Howdy, pardner! Welcome to the land of the Southwestern United States and Northern Mexico. Experience the cultures beyond the myths and distorted images, observe open feast days, tour museums, try traditional food, enjoy arts and crafts and share in the natural wonders. But most of all, talk to the people and listen to their stories.

Native American, Mexican American and Western Cowboy cultural tourism opportunities are intertwined on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border, forming a region like none other. Though the diversity can be vast, many similarities and common threads exist, such as beautiful sunrises, the love of adventure, culinary delights, authentic festivals and celebrations, and Western heroes. United by friendship, the different cultures of the region come together to provide awesome tour itineraries.

Within Arizona’s 21 reservations and New Mexico’s 19, groups can discover the story of the Native American people which has shaped American history. This honorable and spirited story is woven into tapestries and baskets, sculptured in jewelry, pottery and beadwork and brought alive through Native American attractions, ceremonies and festivals.

The history, culture and art of the 19 Pueblos of New Mexico are portrayed at the Indian Pueblo and Cultural Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico. A permanent collection displays rare artifacts and works of art, including historic and contemporary Pueblo pottery, baskets, weavings, paintings, murals, jewelry and photographs. A schedule of rotating exhibits showcases additional works from the 19 Pueblos and other Southwest tribes.

Acoma Pueblo, New Mexico is the oldest continuously inhabited settlement in North America and the 28th Historic Site designated by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

The Navajo Nation is home to several natural wonders, including Antelope Canyon, Canyon de Chelly National Monument and Monument Valley Tribal Park. The awe-inspiring Antelope Canyon is located near Page, Arizona. This magnificent slot canyon with tall winding walls and sandstone sculptures is known for its wave-like formations and the light beams that shine directly down into the openings of the canyon, creating a supernatural appearance.

Walking tours of the upper or lower canyon are available.

Fine examples of Indian cliff dwellings and ruins can be found in Canyon de Chelly National Monument. The canyons have sheltered Anasazi culture for centuries and served as an ancestral stronghold for the Navajos. Groups can opt to drive along the rim of the canyon or tour along the canyon floor in four-wheel drive vehicles with Navajo guides.

Mammoth monoliths and immense rock spires stretch heavenward from the Monument Valley desert floor. A 17-mile tourism loop on a dirt road begins and ends at the visitor’s center. >> LeisureGroupTravel.com

Visiting Hopi’s Three Mesas with a qualified guide is a privilege. The Hopi people and their ancestors have lived in the mesa country of the high desert of Arizona for over a thousand years. Highlights include Old Oraibi and Walpi. Walpi sits on top of First Mesa nearly 300 feet above the surrounding land. It is a living village where homes are passed down through matrilineal clan lineage.

There is no electricity or running water. Tours must be arranged in advance and led by a qualified Hopi guide.

Mexican American The city of El Paso is rich in Mexican American culture and has a close working relationship with Juarez, Mexico and Las Cruces, New Mexico. “Due to our proximity, Visit El Paso often works together with the city of Juarez, Mexico and Las Cruces to promote the region, versus just El Paso as a destination. We are stronger together than we are apart, so we often partner together on different initiatives, efforts and conventions,” said Maegan Hruby, tourism marketing manager for Visit El Paso.

Two El Paso missions, Ysleta and Socorro, and the presidio chapel of San Elizario are located along the El Paso Mission Trail. They are enduring symbols of the long and rich history of Spain, Mexico and the United States.

The Mission Trail is nine miles and is part of a larger historic trail that extended from Mexico City to Santa Fe, linking missions, agricultural communities, haciendas and presidios to trade routes. Designated as a National Historic Trail in 2000, it is the oldest and, at one time, the longest road in North America.

Located near Las Cruces, New Mexico, Mesilla has a rich and diverse Indian, Spanish and Mexican heritage and culture. The traditional adobe structures, modified through time, still remain. Shopping, dining, museums and a church line the plaza which is a mustsee for groups traveling through the region.

Dual-nation vacations also exist between Sonora MX and Arizona. Phoenix or Tucson are the gateways to the beach destination of Puerto Penasco. Known to gringos as Rocky Point, it is a small fishing village located on the Sea of Cortez, which has blossomed into a

LeisureGroupTravel.com <<

Innovations Set for NTA Travel Exchange Registration is open for the 2019 NTA Travel Exchange December 8-12 in Fort Worth popular vacation destination, featuring pristine beaches, great seafood and water sports.

En route to Rocky Point, visit el Pinacate, a stunning landscape of volcanic craters. The area has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Groups can tour the craters in four-wheel drive vehicles and visit the museum showing the history and evolution of this area.

El Paso, Phoenix and Tucson are also the gateways to Barrancas del Cobre, or the Copper Canyon. Carved from the legendary Sierra Madre mountain range in the state of Chihuahua, a network of six interweaving canyons make up the largest canyon in North America. It is home to the least acculturated Native Americans in North America, the Tarahumara, who are semi-nomadic cliff dwellers. The “Train Ride in the Sky” is probably the most dramatic railway journey in the Western Hemisphere as it travels through 86 tunnels and 37 trestles. A Closer Look Tours offers weekly departures from October – May.

Cowboy Culture Originating in Mexico in the 1500s, cowboys played an important role during the era of U.S. westward expansion. The culture lives on through museums, ranches and entertainment. Cattleman’s Steakhouse and Indian Cliff Ranch, located just outside El Paso, offer a true Southwestern dining experience and serve some of the best steaks in Texas. Situated on an actual working ranch, the property also houses the movie set from “Resurrection.”

Old Tucson Studios, Southern Arizona’s most popular Western-themed park, offers a day full of adventure for tour groups. It is rich in film history and features a variety of live entertainment and re-enactments which capture the spirit of the Wild West, including action-packed stunt shows, gunfights, saloon musicals and living history presentations.

The next time you are looking for an authentic cultural experience, look no further than the Southwest, where a kaleidoscope of culture is waiting to be explored.

The hallmark of Travel Exchange (TREX) is the opportunity for delegates to expand their industry knowledge. Through informative seminars, they learn what’s trending in their industry. Business appointments, both prescheduled and opportunistic, develop relationships, while the social events throughout Travel Exchange are memorable.

In 2019, the experience will be expanded.

“In Fort Worth, we’re rolling out new ways for buyers to get information from sellers beyond the one-on-one appointments,” said NTA President Pam Inman, CTP. “The creative connections we’re adding will give buyers a break from the appointment booth for, and they’ll be able to gather tour product details in a more engaging format.”

Here are the significant changes delegates will notice in Fort Worth.

Buyers will be seated during the entire week. It’s easier on them and easier for sellers to find them.

DMO’s prescheduled seven-minute appointments will be on Monday only.

Buyers will be appointment-free on Tuesday, giving sellers another chance to connect at seminars and in their booths. Tuesday’s mingle-friendly lunch in the hall is still another chance for buyers and sellers to connect.

Sales Missions will be 15-minute presentations given by DMOs. During Best Pitch, numerous National Tourism Office representatives will give five-minute talks to an audience of more than 20 buyers.

Registration is open for this year’s December 8-12 National Tour Association Travel Exchange. To learn more visit NTAtravelexchange.com.

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Italy NEXT STOP,

Railways take you throughout Italy, from its vibrant cities and ancient ruins to its delicious gelato shops

W

By Lauren DeLorenzo

Italian railways are modern, efficient and run like clockwork.

LeisureGroupTravel.com <<

hether you prefer day trips to hidden cities or in-depth walks through Florence’s art galleries, there is no better way to get around Italy than by the railways.

Food-obsessed and infused with inimitable style, there’s no denying Italy is a cultural heavyweight. With so much to offer — from an enigmatic floating city to the fashion capital of the world — groups will want ample time to hit up points of interest without wasting a moment on figuring out how to get there.

Fortunately, the Italian railways are modern, efficient and run like clockwork, making them ideal for group travel. With more than 10,000 miles of railway, trains are integral to Italy’s infrastructure.

The Rome train station alone (Roma Termini) sees more than 150 million passengers a year.

The national rail service, Trenitalia, and its private-owned counterpart Italo, both run high-speed trains (Alta Velocita) which connect to every major city. With top speeds of 190 mph, these trains will take you across the entire country in a matter of hours — perfect for groups who want to travel broadly. InterCity trains also connect the major cities, but are not as fast as the high-speed trains. Regional trains are the slower, cheaper alternative for visitors who wish to avoid the tourist traffic and stop off at the smaller towns and cities.

Groups can choose from economy, business or executive class when traveling by train. Trains have restrooms, tray tables and typically include a food or beverage service.

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Turin-Milan-Bologna A short day trip from Milan is Turin, an elegant city on the edge of the Alps. Its majestic architecture is a reminder of the influence of the royal House of Savoy, who unified and ruled the Kingdom of Italy from Turin in 1861.

The Egyptian Museum (Museo Egizio) is one of the world’s largest collections of Egyptian antiquities, holding treasures that Napoleon plundered. Turin also has the greatest number of cafes per capita, and the Caffè Fiorio is famous for being the spot where Nietzsche pondered over countless caffès. Home to Nutella, Fiat, Lavazza and close to wine country, Turin is a perfect starting point.

Just an hour away by high-speed train is Milan, a fast-paced metropolis bursting with style and innovation. The city is serviced by two international airports and is a short trip from Turin (1 hour) or Venice (2½ hours) by train. In this stylish city, visitors marvel at the pearly white Gothic Duomo cathedral, dine at Michelin-star restaurants and are drawn into the highclass shops of Montenapoleone.

After being dazzled by Milan, visitors might want to stop and take a breath in Bologna. Just an hour from Milan by high-speed train, Bologna is often regarded as Italy’s food capital (we can thank this city for creating Bolognese sauce). Food lovers can stroll the street markets of the Quadrilatero, dine at the exquisite All’Osteria

Bottega or take a gelato making class.

The city is also home to the world’s oldest university and a Lamborghini museum.

(Campo dei Miracoli), which includes the Battistero and the Camposanto cemetery.

Venice-Florence-Pisa

The proud city of Rome is unmatched in its monumental history and wealth of artistic treasures. Journey back to an era of the gladiators at the awe-inspiring Colosseum, the 2,000-year-old amphitheatre which remains one of Italy’s top attractions.

Visitors walk through ancient marvels such as the Pantheon and the ruins of the Roman Forum. Meanwhile, the Vatican holds some of the world’s greatest works of art. Tossing a coin in the beautiful Trevi Fountain ensures that visitors will one day return to Rome.

But before they return, visitors will want to experience the enigmatic city streets of Naples. The city is a two-hour journey by InterCity train, and the travel time is cut in half for visitors traveling by high-speed train. This gives visitors plenty of time to explore the castles and palaces of the city.

When it comes to food, Naples is filled with indulgent Italian staples, and it’s no surprise that Naples is the birthplace of the original wood-fired Neapolitan pizza. After stopping for a bite, take the time to wander through the National Archaeological Museum, where excavated artifacts from Pompeii and ancient Egypt are on display.

Delve deeper into the area’s history by taking a Circumvesuviana or Metropolitan Railway train to Pompeii. The ruins of the city are a reminder of the destructive force of Mount Vesuvius, and visitors can walk around the temples, shops and houses that were amazingly preserved when the volcano erupted almost 2,000 years ago. Visitors can see more of the destruction in the ruins of nearby town Herculaneum.

Visitors can travel further down the same train line to the elegant Sorrento.

This picturesque and romantic town was a must see for many literary greats such as Byron, Dickens and Tolstoy, and its seaside cliffs and quaint shops offer a glimpse of the Amalfi coast to the east. Dramatic views of the bay and Mount Vesuvius can be seen from the cliffs and Sorrento is a great shopping destination filled with boutique stores, intricate woodwork and the region’s famous lemons. eurail.com/en

Start your journey with the magic of Venice, Italy’s floating city. Enjoy lagoon seafood as the calls of gondola workers traverse the canal. The Basilica di San Marco is a must-see for its fascinating history and architectural beauty — artifacts from the Crusades can be seen in its museum. More of the city’s striking Venetian architecture can be found at the Gothic Palazzo Ducale.

Visitors can go from an enchanting Venetian gondola ride to the cobbled streets of Florence in just over two hours when traveling by train. Packed with Renaissanceera masterpieces and cinematic palaces, it’s no wonder the city is so hailed for its cultural significance. This is the onetime home of Leonardo da Vinci, Dante, Galileo and Michelangelo, and works from these artists can be seen in the city’s many museums and galleries. In the city center is the imposing Duomo, which stands out as one of the city’s most recognizable buildings.

A quick hour trip by regional train takes visitors from standing in front of Michaelangelo’s David to standing in front of the world’s greatest photo op, Pisa’s Leaning Tower. After snapping the obligatory photograph pretending to hold up the structure, visitors can walk around the other stunning buildings in Pisa’s Square of Miracles

Italy is filled with incredible cities, including Venice.

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Latest

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Luxury Waterpark Opening

MEXICO — Set to open in summer, the Jungala is a luxury waterpark set in the Vidanta Riviera Maya resort. Full of thrilling, state-of-the-art waterslides and rides, the park also features a kid-friendly section, wave pool, and a 3,000-foot lazy river; the longest lazy river in Latin America. The Jungala will also offer on-site bars and restaurants including the Mojito Bendito Bar, Sand-gria Bar, and more.

Located within this beautiful, natural, jungle area, it will be a great chance to spot some wildlife among the shopping cabanas, bars, restaurants, and rides.

Vidanta Riviera Maya resort

Petra

Petra Museum to Open in 2019

JORDAN — Projected to open sometime during 2019, this museum contains 280 artifacts all dating back to different ages.

The five halls will show the history of Petra and provide information about Nabatean’s civilization. Eight galleries will educate the public on different themes exploring the Rose City, from ancient water technologies to Nabatean religion.

Lionsgate Movie World to Debut in Summer

Giant Panda National Park Plans Move Forward

CHINA — The finalized proposed plan for Giant Panda National Park is projected to be completed in the fall of 2019 and cover approximately 10,476 square miles. This is triple the size of Yellowstone National Park and will be the first ever giant panda national park. This park will be connecting 67 giant panda reserves spread across the southwestern providence of Sichuan and the northwestern provinces of Shaanxi and Gansu. The National Forestry and Grassland Administration is aiming to finalize this project in the hopes of boosting panda population and the genetic diversity of this vulnerable species.

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CHINA — Lionsgate Movie World, a 10-story attraction in Zhuhai, China is projected to open this summer introducing the first ever vertical theme park. With 25 rides and a virtual reality experience, guests will be able to directly immerse themselves into their Hunger Games and Twilight fantasies. Twilight fans will be able to board along Bella’s journey that takes you through key moments from the series. Hunger Games fans will be able to ride Mockingjay Flight Revel Escape, a 3D motion simulator taking you over the streets of the Hunger Games world.

Grand Egyptian Museum to Fully Open

EGYPT — Being touted as the world’s largest archaeological museum, the Grand Egyptian Museum looks to boost local tourism to Cairo as it provides visitors a view of more than 20,000 never-before-displayed Egyptian artifacts. Despite recent plans to open in 2022, to coincide with the centenary of Howard Carter’s discovery of the boy pharaoh’s tomb, the museum has announced it intends to fully

open in 2020. The facility will house a new, two gallery-size King Tutankhamun exhibit looking to showcase everything from how he ate and how he dressed, to how his funeral might have looked. The 490,000-square-foot location will display artifacts previously too big for Egypt’s older archeology museum to be displayed, and with a collection of over 100,000, the museum is looking to become a staple of any trip to Egypt.

New Rooftop Infinity Pool to be Built in London

ENGLAND — London unveiled plans for a rooftop infinity pool 55 stories above the English capital. According to UKbased manufacturer Compass Pools, this 600,000-liter pool will sit 650 feet above London’s skyline, feature 360-degree views of the London city skyline and be the first of its kind. This cast acrylic pool will have a clear floor and walls with no stairs leading into the pool. There will be a rotating spiral staircase that will rise from the pool floor. The pool will be equipped with a built-in monitor to control the wind speed. The construction is projected to begin in 2020.

Carnival Cruise Line to Offer Sea Coaster

This Mardi Gras ship by Carnival Cruise Line is projected to set sail in 2020 with the first sea coaster. Riders will be able to pick their own speed, up to 40 mph, on this 800-foot track to see the views from 187 feet above sea level. For those on board who don’t like roller coasters, the Mardi Gras will also feature Family Feud Live. Once released, this will be the largest cruise ship in the fleet with a total of 20 decks and 5,200 rooms.

Carnival Cruise Line

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GO OUTSIDE AND GET ACTIVE

By Land, Sea or Air, Outdoor Adventures Await GET YOUR HEART RACING AND ENJOY PICTURESQUE VIEWS ACROSS THE COUNTRY

By Jaylen Fahey

EACH STATE in the Union has something to offer in the form of outdoor tourism opportunities. Whether they take place on land, in the water or in the air, if your group is looking to experience an outdoor adventure, there are a myriad of activities waiting for them.

Here are 15 activities that will get your group outside and get their blood pumping.

AIR

Grand Canyon Airplane Tour (Boulder City, Nevada) Papillon sightseeing company will fly your group over the stunning Grand Canyon on a sightseeing airplane tour across the park. Each aircraft comes equipped with climate control and headset narration for each passenger. Your group will see aerial views of the Colorado River, Kaibab National Forest, Zuni Corridor, Imperial Point and more. Be sure to bring your camera for scenic shots and over-the-top backdrops. papillon.com Helicopter Tours (Los Angeles, California) Elite Helicopter Tours offers luxury helicopter rides over the city of Los Angeles and the cities surrounding it. In the Hollywood and Downtown Tour, guests will see the Hollywood sign closeup and soar over celebrities’ homes while the Deluxe Tour flies over the Santa Monica Pier and coastline, Dodger Stadium and Universal Studios. elitehelicoptertours.com Seaplane Tour (Ketchikan, Alaska) Explore the beauty of Ketchikan from a thrilling seaplane ride. Alaska Seaplane Tours offers multiple tours, all breathtaking and picturesque. Fly over rugged, snow-topped mountains and land on glacial blue waters while exploring the state’s dramatic national monuments. Fly over the spectacular Misty Fjords National Monument, a natural mosaic of sea cliffs, steep fjords and rock walls jutting 3,000 feet out of the ocean. Experience a water landing and the chance to walk the prehistoric grandeur of the Alaska glacier. Embark on a black bear tour or a fishing experience of a lifetime. Experience Alaska the way the pioneers did. alaskaseaplanetours.com/ Zip Lining (Castle Rock, Colorado) Castle Rock Adventure Park offers multiple types of zip lining. The Epic Sky Trek is a threelevel challenge course that includes Ninja Warrior elements while the Castle Rock Zip Line Tour features 10 thrilling zip lines with speeds of 50 miles per hour. This 1-mile cable will have your heart skipping a beat. The Epic Adventure Tower consists of a 42-inch climbing wall, four rappelling stations and the 70-inch Eagles Nest platform featuring the world’s first flight line. castlerockziplinetours.com

Grand Canyon

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GO OUTSIDE AND GET ACTIVE

LAND Great Bike Tours (Shelburne, Vermont) Great Bike Tours, a family-run company, offers a wide range of active vacations to suit every taste and ability. The season starts in January with warm-winter bike tours in the Florida Keys and Everglades. In April, guests can enjoy Georgia coast bike tours in the magical Golden Isles south of Savannah. Great Bike Tours offers four types of bike to choose from, with many of the bicycles being new 2018 models. greatbiketours.com/ Grizzly Country Wildlife Adventures (Jackson, Wyoming) This unique experience will make your trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, unforgettable. Grizzly Country Wildlife Adventures offers full-day and half-day luxury tours year-round. Grizzly Country will guide you through two of the most spectacular national parks America has to offer: Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park. With more than 20 years of experience, their guides will make sure your Jackson, Wyoming wildlife tours are an unforgettable, comfortable, adventurous and memorable part of your vacation. Ride in luxury SUVs while viewing the majestic Teton mountains, the mighty Snake River and see animals galore along with the grandeur of Yellowstone National Park. grizzlycountrywildlifeadventures.com/ Pink Jeep Tours (Sedona, Arizona) Pink Jeep Tours in Sedona offers guided off-road tour adventures to experience Sedona’s majestic crimson red rocks, mystical lore and tranquil beauty. As the Southwest’s largest group tour company, Pink Jeep Tours offers itineraries in Sedona, the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas as well as the surrounding area. Whether you seek a heart-pounding off-road excursion or informative nature hike, Pink Jeep Tours uses your guests’ needs to ensure your group has an unforgettable day. pinkadventuretours.com

Savannah Walks (Savannah, Georgia) Savannah Walks specializes in providing walking tours of Savannah’s National Landmark Historic District to tourists or groups of any size and any age. Savannah Walks can create customized tours for businesses and traveling tour groups. Their experienced tour guides, many of whom are native Savannahians, are professional hosts with a passion for storytelling who relay, with historical accuracy, the intricacies of Savannah’s past and present. The fabulous architecture, grandness, and character of Savannah’s past is still very much alive today, and you’ll see it all up close in a view that only a walking tour can provide. Since its founding in 1996, the company has achieved a high level of customer satisfaction and has happily served over 275,000 visitors. savannahwalks.com Segway Tour (Oahu, Hawaii) Get to know beautiful Hawaii on two wheels with a Segway tour.

Get accustomed to riding the Segway along Oahu’s waterfront to Aloha Tower at Honolulu Harbor, then enter the downtown area through historic Bishop Street, Chinatown, Hotel Street, Washington Place (the Governor’s home) and the State Capitol Building. On your way back, you’ll stop at the Echo Stone and Ehime Maru Memorial. segwayofhawaii.com Waterfalls and Blue Ridge Parkway Tour (Asheville, North Carolina) Through this four-and-a-half-hour hike, you’ll explore plenty of Asheville’s land. It will begin with a mountaintop drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The waterfalls are next where stories about Appalachian history and wildlife are told. The guide will tell you about the unique trees and wildflowers along the hike and discuss their edible and medical purposes. This trip can be a bonding experience with loved ones and a test of your hiking abilities. ashevillehikingtours.com/

Pink Jeep Tours

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SEA Bar Harbor Whale Watch Company (Mount Desert Island, Maine) The largest animals on earth are found here. During their more than 25 years of operation, Bar Harbor Whale Watch Company has hosted more than 1 million people from around the world, helping them see whales in the Gulf of Maine. They offer a three to five-hour whale watch and a three-and-a-half to five-hour Puffin and Whale Watch. The Gulf of Maine is host to humpback, finback and minke whales and you can also catch glimpses of dolphins, seals, eagles and lighthouses. barharborwhales.com Canoeing (Copper Harbor, Michigan) Keweenaw Adventure Company offers a paddling adventure perfect for families and groups. Copper Harbor Canoe Rentals are equipped with paddles and life vests and they have a shuttle delivery available for an additional charge. There are many lakes you can paddle on such as Lac La Belle, Lake Bailey, Lake Medora and more.

If you enjoy navigating on your own, canoeing is the best for a selfguided activity. keweenawadventure.com

IF YOU ENJOY NAVIGATING ON YOUR OWN, CANOEING IS THE BEST FOR A SELF-GUIDED ACTIVITY.

Kayaking (Orcas Island, Washington) Get a taste of sea kayaking on Orcas Island. Eagles, seals, shore birds and sea stars are the most common sightings on this tour. The outing is offered in four different locations including Deer Harbor Marina, Rosario Resort, West Beach Resort and Doe Bay Resort. If you are looking for a romantic ride under in the evening, tours like this are offered in July and August. Smooth, relaxing daytime rides are offered in the spring and fall. shearwaterkayaks.com/ Manatee Tour (Crystal River, Florida) Swim and snorkel with some of Florida’s most celebrated creatures as Bird’s Underwater offers public and private tours daily.

You will take a tour around Kings Bay with expert captains and water guides. Kings Bay is located in Crystal River and is fed by more than 30 fresh water springs. Besides friendly manatees, you will see several birds, fish and turtles. If you are lucky enough, a few dolphins may be fishing in the shallow waters of the bay. www.birdsunderwater.com/tours/manatees/ Victory Rover Naval Base Cruises (Norfolk, Virginia) The Victory Rover ship has cruised from Nauticus on the Downtown Norfolk waterfront since 2001. Up to 150 guests can enjoy plenty of comfortable seating, an air-conditioned enclosed deck, an open-air shaded upper deck, snack bar, and souvenir shop. While cruising the smooth waters of the Elizabeth River, you will tour one of the world’s busiest seaports, including the world’s largest naval base, home of the Atlantic Fleet: destroyers, submarines, guided missile cruisers, aircraft carriers and more. The Norfolk Harbor cruise aboard the Victory Rover is your front-row seat to the naval fleet. navalbasecruises.com

LeisureGroupTravel.com <<

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ADVERTORIAL

seconds with...

WTM London, Senior Director, Simon Press

What is the theme for WTM London 2019?

Ideas Arrive Here is going to be a recurring theme from 2018. For WTM London 2019, we’re expanding our notion of this concept Innovative Perspectives will be looking into how the industry will look in 3-5 years, share innovations currently in the industry and what are the biggest challenges facing the travel industry.

New Possibilities is to expand the concept ‘Ideas Arrive Here’ and look for new exhibitors and products being showcased at WTM which we can share with our visitors and buyers.

Inspiring Fresh Thinking will feed in new content to the conference programme from motivational speakers, entrepreneurs, leadership, wellbeing, sports, travel, music travel and inspiring stories.

The event is known for being a key hub for creation in the travel industry, in addition to the business deals and ideas that fuel the industry.

What is new for WTM London 2019?

This year WTM London 2019 is extending its reach throughout the travel industry our newest launches.

Travel Week will be the seven day travel celebration over the week of WTM London.

This is going to allow travel professionals and enthusiasts to come together to raise awareness on how big the travel sector really is. We aim to show the impact of travel VIPs coming to London for the first week of

November, due to them coming for WTM London. We want to extend our hand to the industry, without taking full ownership. More information about Travel Week is due to be launched shortly, so watch this space!

BorderlessLive is the brand-new event where content where creative thinkers, worldwide brands and destinations from across the globe will come together for a festival style exhibition and conference.

On Friday 6 and Saturday 7 September, WTM London will be launching this one-ofa-kind event, in partnership with influencermarketing agency Traverse, where we will be presenting how the nature of the industry has changed and where it will be moving to next.

On the first day of the show (Monday 4th), we will be increasing networking opportunities at senior level by introducing an invitation only Leaders Lunch.

What else can we look forward to at WTM London 2019?

The year ahead will see the return of the International Travel & Tourism Awards, Travel Forward and the dedicated regional Inspiration Zones.

The International Travel & Tourism Awards celebrate the success of national, regional and city tourist boards and recognise outstanding private sector companies and individuals. Showcasing the best in class of the global travel & tourism industry at the new London venue, Magazine London on Tuesday 5 November 2019.

Travel Forward is the travel technology event co-located with WTM London and will take place on 4–6 November 2019 at ExCeL London. The second Travel Forward conference, exhibition and buyer programme is due to once again inspire the travel and hospitality sectors with next-generation technology.

The Inspiration Zones within each region will continue to connect exhibitors through engaging new ideas whilst focusing on current and future concepts. We are continuing to reshape our conference programme to incorporate the expansion of the Ideas Arrive Here theme.

Key figures for WTM London £3.5billion

in business deals

50,000

senior travel professionals

11,000 buyers

5,000 exhibitors

3,000

media

180+

countries and regions

FIVE

stages hosting dedicated regional content

Visit london.wtm.com

5,000 exhibitors ready to inspire and help grow your business Find out more at london.wtm.com Follow us #IdeasArriveHere

ALL ROADS LEAD TO

MOHEGAN SUN Sign up your group for a bus charter today

BONUS $30 CASINO INCENTIVE PACKAGE* Monday – Friday Package consists of: One $15 Meal/Retail Credit and One $15 Free Bet Coupon Meal/Retail credit can be used in any restaurant, a full buffet or shop at Mohegan Sun.

BONUS $25 CASINO INCENTIVE PACKAGE* Saturday – Sunday Package consists of: One $15 Meal/Retail Credit and One $10 Free Bet Coupon Meal/Retail credit can be used in any restaurant, a full buffet or shop at Mohegan Sun.

Group Leaders receive an additional $30 PACKAGE Contact Stephen Olender at 860.862.8988 or solender@mohegansun.com or visit mohegansun.com/charter to get your next outing on the road today. * In order to receive package, bus group must stay for a minimum of 5 hours. Packages and offer subject to change without notice. mohegansun.com