June Leisure Group Travel by Premier Travel Media

JUNE 2009

Secret Ingredients To Cooking Up Successful Tours

Group Itinerary Planning Guide

50 Sample Trips!

A Premier Tourism Marketing publication • www.leisuregrouptravel.com

Weathering the Recession Tips to help your business get back on track

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contents Vol.19, No. 3

June 2009

H I LT O N H E A D

TUCSON

FEATURES 14

Hilton Head Island

Cooking Up Irresistible Itineraries

America’s Scenic Trains by randy mink

COVER STORY 29 2010 Group Itinerary Planning Guide Our second annual listing of sample itineraries spotlights destinations and tour operators eager to plan a memorable trip for your group.

COLUMNS 6

On My Mind

by john martinen

by jeff gayduk

On Tour

by marty de souto

On Cruises

On Insurance On Tourist Trains by jim wrinn

by cindy bertram

DEPARTMENTS

On Technology by john kamm

22 On The Record REGISTER TO

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Vol.19, No. 3 June 2009 Editorial & Advertising Office

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

Publisher – Jeffrey Gayduk jeff@ptmgroups.com Managing Editor – Randy Mink randy@ptmgroups.com

NEWS AS IT HAPPENS • PERSPECTIVE • TOOLS

Exclusively Online

Senior Editor – John Kloster john@ptmgroups.com

Senior Editor – Elana Andersen elana@ptmgroups.com

Director, Design & Production – Robert Wyszkowski

eisure Group Travel’s Managing Editor Randy Mink sure gets around! From Copenhagen to Kansas City, Bermuda to Burlington, Vt., Randy traverses the globe in search of unique group experiences and reports his findings on LeisureGroupTravel.com.

Search for Randy’s articles in Online Exclusives.

Find Us On Facebook & Twitter nline social networking has never been so popular, and now you can follow Leisure Group Travel on Facebook and Twitter.

Become a fan of ours on Facebook and we’ll keep you informed of the latest news in the industry by sending you Facebook updates when news breaks. Simply search for “Group Travel” and look for the Premier Tourism Marketing logo! You can join as a fan or begin a new discussion group and lend your perspective on group travel trends and events. Leisure Group Travel is also joining the Twitter craze. Go to Twitter.com/LeisureGroup to get the latest “tweets” from the Leisure Group Travel staff. You'll have to sign up for an account with both sites if you want to join us, but they are both free and relatively easy to control. You can even block tweets from coming in during certain times of the day.

Happy Group Following! Need Itinerary Planning Ideas? eisure Group Travel’s sister site, Group Travel Directory, features the industry’s preeminent selection of sample and “for sale” itineraries, brought to you by leading destinations and tour operators. From the home page of GroupTravelDirectory.com, click on the Itineraries tab and search by keyword or destination.

rob@ptmgroups.com

Regional Sales Managers International – Richard Haymaker

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P/F 281.762.9546 dolores@ptmgroups.com

Florida & Caribbean – Prof Inc.

P 813.286.8299, proftampa@aol.com

West – Dick Faust

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Western Midwest/Online Sales

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The publisher accepts unsolicited editorial matter, as well as advertising, but assumes no responsibility for statements made by advertisers or contributors. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information published, but the publisher makes no warranty that listings are free of error. The publisher is not responsible for the return of unsolicited photos, slides or manuscripts.

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

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publication

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on my mind ❖

jeff gayduk

Weathering the Recession IF YOU’RE READING THIS COLumn, you’ve survived the recession. With economic indicators on the rise (slowly) some of us already see light at the end of the tunnel. Recessions are like the weather in Chicago. Fall is the start of the recession. Things may appear nice, with beautiful colors and warm sunny days, but then leaves start dropping off trees and those few cold snaps warn you of harsher times ahead. Winter is the heart of the recession - cold, dark, gloomy,

ning Guide edition does just that. Inside you’ll find 50 sample itineraries, brought to you by leading destinations and tour operators worldwide. It’s your first chance to take a look at new products, or put an exciting twist on an existing destination. Complementing this group itinerary planning guide are over 200 sample and “for sale” itineraries featured on GroupTravelDirectory.com. These online itineraries are fresh and up-to-date, brought to you by some of the bright-

It’s your first chance to take a look at new products, or put an exciting twist on an existing destination. seemingly never-ending. Spring, you think, is going to be pleasant, but it’s often wet and cold, with a few nice days sprinkled which give you hope. By summer flowers and trees are in full bloom – and aside from the occasional thunderstorm - you almost forget about what you went through over the past six months and begin to relax. SUMMER’S COMING As we bring you this very special June edition of Leisure Group Travel, remember that “summer’s” on the way. And if your business is lacking like many are today, be prepared for an uptick in consumer interest and bookings with fresh ideas and new products. This Group Itinerary Plan6 June 2009

est minds in the group travel business. If you’re looking for a jumpstart for your business, it starts right here. While you’re searching out new itineraries, be sure to check out our two advice sections - the first, Insider Tips from the leading product managers at major tour companies, the second our regular installment of “On the Record,” where you share your insights on itinerary planning tips. Some of the best ideas I’ve heard originated out of this column, and it’s your opportunity to share your expertise and learn from your peers. GROUP TRAVEL STUDY UNDER WAY We’re pleased to announce a new partnership with PhoCusWright Re-

search, one of the most respected names in the travel industry. PhoCusWright’s landmark 2006 study on the group travel industry revealed a $170-billion market undergoing rapid change. This upcoming research will forecast the demand for groups and meetings through 2011. Titled Groups & Meetings: Driving Success in Travel’s Most Complex Market, the study will analyze the dynamics and potential within the groups and meetings sector of the travel industry. Through in-depth interviews and surveys, this report will size the market, forecast growth and identify key trends. Watch for special announcements in Leisure Group Travel and via our InSite e-magazine and help us shape this groundbreaking research. The ultimate objective I have as publisher is to provide you with the tools (itineraries, articles, advice) and market intelligence (research) for you to compete aggressively and grow your business in good times or bad. Whatever season, we know the reason…we’re all in this together. Enjoy the summer,

Jeff Gayduk, Publisher jeff@ptmgroups.com As publisher of Leisure Group Travel, Jeff is lucky enough to periodically break away from harsh Chicago winters, though he wishes he could do the same for the economic recession. LeisureGroupTravel.com

on tour ❖

marty de souto, ctc

Hints for Good Itinerary Planning T HERE ARE TRIPS WHEREIN the itinerary on paper absolutely sings to you. It’s so well written and sounds so mouth-watering that it sells easily. But will it operate easily? Not always. Here are 10 hints to think about when you’re laying out your itinerary:

Start your planning early enough. For a major tour, be it international or domestic, you need a year from the time it’s merely a gleam in your eye up to the day you actually depart. If you’re buying the trip “ready made” from a tour operator, you can get away with a little less lead time.

afternoon free for independent interests: cafe sitting, shopping, browsing, napping or taking a walk. If they’ve been up late at an evening function, plan the following day so they can sleep in a bit.

Include at least one “private” activity – something that the general public can’t buy. Consider bringing in a lecturer from the local university, a behind-the-scenes visit after a theater performance, entrée to a private club. In Dublin I arranged through a very innovative receptive tour operator a visit to a lovely private home complete

friendship. I’ve been known to stand up on the coach and ask all men to rotate seats and sit with someone else’s wife!

Assign the best tour leader you can find to the trip. Don’t assume it’s always you or one of your assistants or volunteers who “deserves” the free trip.

Work with the best tour operator you can find, not necessarily with the cheapest or one you just happened upon on the Internet. You want one who’s been around a while and has established its reputation. Member-

If they’ve been up late, plan the following

The trip should open and end on a high note. Be sure to include a welcome party and a farewell party – preferably a nice dinner.

day so they can sleep in a bit.

with a cooking lesson from the wife and a garden visit with the husband.

Include a variety of activities – not all the same kind. A museum here, a cathedral there, a market, a theater performance, a lecture, a school visit, etc. This change of activity makes for a more interesting trip. Since all people don’t always like the same thing, it gives a little something for everyone.

If the trip is a week or longer, include some festivity midway through the trip. Folks often bog down midway and may start skipping activities; you need a pick-me-up.

Be sure to schedule time for rest. If you’re planning a morning tour and an evening function, give them the 8 June 2009

Vary your modes of travel. While it’s true that making the entire trip by motorcoach is easy and least expensive, it’s often more interesting to insert short rail or waterway segments. A halfday cruise on the Danube or the bullet train between Tokyo and Kyoto can liven up an itinerary and give members a chance to mix with the locals.

Plan en route mixer activities to foster friendships among the trip participants. Many folks look to their trip experience not just for travel for the sake of travel, but also for fun and

ship in such organizations as the National Tour Association (NTA), United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA) or American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) add an air of respectability and financial protection. These 10 suggestions, coupled with a good marketing plan and meticulous calendaring on your part to ensure that important billing and deposit deadlines are not overlooked, should help produce a successful trip. Marty is founder and chair of the travel industry training program at Berkeley City College in Berkeley, Calif., where she teaches all aspects of group travel. You can reach her by e-mail at josemarty@yahoo.com. For information on her latest book, How To Plan, Operate, and Lead Successful Group Trips, click on Premier Tourism Marketing’s educational website, groupuniversity.com. LeisureGroupTravel.com

on cruises ❖

cindy bertram

Customized Shore Excursions Originally, cruise line shore excursions tended to be variations of a three-hour tour that provided a bit of sightseeing on land, and then it was back onboard the ship. Today, shore excursions are far beyond that simple port or beach experience. They provide adventure, excitement, and various forms of entertainment. They are also experiential, offering tastes of local culture. More importantly, many cruise lines now have special departments that can customize shore excursions just for your group. shore excursions today bring more unique options to guests, enhancing the cruise experience. Thoughts of bobsleds tend to bring up visions of snow, not the caribbean. But in 2008 carnival cruise lines launched an eco-friendly excursion that does just that, “rainforest Bobsled Jamaica at Mystic Mountain.” it features a bobsled ride through a tropical forest, a chairlift journey over the countryside and a zip line canopy adventure. in addition, new onboard tours have evolved. Princess cruises’ “ultimate ship Tour,” for example, provides a behind-the-scenes look at the inner workings of the ship. With a group size limited to 12 guests, it is priced at $150 per person. TailOr-MaDe FOr grOuPs Most cruise lines let groups book published shore excursions in advance, but a new option has surfaced. Many lines now develop and provide customized shore excursions for groups as well. in 2005, Holland america line 10 June 2009

started offering customized tours for groups, according to amy shepherd, manager, group shore excursions, and ellen lynch, director, shore excursions, as a result of ongoing requests for customized trips. These provide exclusivity for groups, a nice marketing point for the group leader. also, customized shore excursions tend to be very popular with special interest groups that sail on Holland america. Vineyard tours, wine tasting and culinary tours are perhaps the most successful ones.

is 35 to 40 guests for the best rates. group shore excursions can be arranged about a year out, and for customized tours, we request a minimum of 90 days, if not more.” creaTiVe cOMBinaTiOns ncl requires that group tours are paid in full 30 days prior to the sail date because it has to guarantee the space with the tour operator in advance. Mathews notes, “some cruise itineraries are easier to customize than others.

Groups can book the cruise line’s published excursions or have a tour tailor-made. as far as a minimum number of guests needed to set up a private tour, lynch explains, “We like to have 30 guests for a custom shore excursion. The more guests you have, the more cost-effective it is, especially if there is motorcoach transportation involved.” Holland america doesn’t have a fixed minimum number required to operate a shore excursion. instead, shepherd says, “We need to know the price sensitivity involved so we can provide the best tour possible for the rate that fits their budget.” norwegian cruise lines (ncl) launched its group shore excursion program in fall 2008 to meet the demand from groups. according to anneMarie Mathews, director of public relations, “Depending on the port and the tour, the best number to work with

some, like alaska or the Bahamas, are a bit more challenging because ncl already offers so many varied tours in those ports. But our tour operators in these destinations are very creative and can come up with combinations of tours, and that provides a unique custom tour experience for the group.” about three years ago, carnival cruise lines recognized the opportunity to provide groups with either customized and private shore excursions, according to cherie Weinstein, vice president of group sales and administration. she explains, “We are able to customize excursions in all ports of call, and we have a dedicated manager in our tour operations department to handle these requests.” carnival can customize shore excursions for smaller groups of 25 guests LeisureGroupTravel.com

and up as well as partial/full ship charters. To develop a custom shore excursion, the group organizer should start the process at least four months prior to sailing. Weinstein notes, “We typically revert with pricing and tour details within 48 to 72 hours depending on the size of the group and what the client is requesting. The excursion must be paid in full at least two weeks prior to sailing.” in the event that an entire group or the majority of a group cancels a prearranged or customized tour (excluding cancellations due to a missed port), then cancellation penalties, up to 100 percent of the tour price, may apply. costa cruises arranges group shore excursions through its special services de-

partment. The minimum number of guests required depends on the tour operator. Dana Dominici, director of public relations, explains, “We are able to accommodate many different group sizes. We recommend that group shore excursions be arranged at least a month or two in advance to best accommodate that group’s special requests.” if a group wants to book a published tour that costa offers, special services will handle this as well. royal caribbean, celebrity cruises and azamara cruises now have a department where group shore excursion requests can be submitted via email, fax or through their travel agent partners. excursions for groups can be the published ones, or they can customize shore excur-

sions per each group’s request, according to elizabeth Jakeway, director of public relations for azamara cruises and celebrity cruises. group tours can be arranged six months out or as close in as 30 days before embarkation. The minimum number is 40 guests. Taking advantage of these new customized tour options can deliver the perfect experience for your group and provide extraordinary memories, whether it’s a more off-the-beaten-track eco-tour, a culinary adventure or just a variation of a more traditional sightseeing tour. Cindy Bertram has 15+ years of cruise expertise in sales, marketing and training, with an MBA from Loyola University Chicago. She can be contacted at cindy@ptmgroups.com.

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June 2009 11

on insurance ❖

John Martinen

Why Your Travelers Need Group Travel Insurance IT'S APPROPRIATE IN THIS ISSUE of Leisure Group Travel, which focuses on tour itineraries, that we also talk about protecting the investment you and your travelers are making. Over the years, many travelers have asked, “Why buy travel insurance when I already have insurance?” The insurance they already had was health insurance and did not cover anything like trip cancellation, trip interruption, lost baggage or travel delays. For anyone traveling within the USA, some health insurance plans had

supplier plan on the market and became very popular. Today most travel suppliers offer travel insurance. Travelers need, and want, travel insurance. When comparing travel insurance, there are two invaluable benefits your travelers need: Financial insolvency protection and the ability to cancel for any reason. These benefits should be purchased through you, not travel suppliers. Why? Tour operators and cruise lines can’t insure against their own financial demise – so you won’t get protection against that

Travel insurance gives peace of mind to both you and your travelers. – and still have – limited coverage when the insured person travels away from their home area – and often, no coverage when traveling overseas. For example, Medicare does not provide coverage outside of the United States. Years ago, travel insurance was sold only through travel agents, and many travelers did not purchase it. As a tour operator at Globus and Cosmos, I knew travelers had serious problems because their health insurance did not provide the protection needed while traveling. Travelers often asked us to waive cancellation fees for what the traveler thought was good reason. As a result, we developed a travel insurance plan, including trip cancellation and trip interruption, which we sold as an option through travel agents. This travel supplier insurance plan was the first 12 June 2009

travel supplier’s insolvency if you purchase travel insurance from them. When travelers “cancel for any reason,” travel supplier plans generally issue a voucher good for future travel only with them – not cash. Of course your traveler usually wants cash, not a voucher, especially in group travel! Why should you offer group travel insurance – and why should your travelers buy it? Because travel insurance gives peace of mind to both you and your travelers. Remember, you don't sell travel insurance, you OFFER it as protection for the traveler's investment. It protects their investment and helps limit your liability. There are other reasons too – we’ve identified ten of them. We wrote about Reason #1 in the April 17 InSite e-Newsletter. Each future issue of InSite carries the next reason. If you missed any of the reasons,

go to www.OurTravelProtector.com and click “10 Reasons to Book ‘Our Travel Protector.’” What if you don’t offer travel insurance to your travelers? If that traveler has an accident – and doesn’t have insurance which pays for all needed services – that traveler could sue you because you didn’t offer insurance. If you do offer travel insurance and the traveler decides not to accept it – have them sign a waiver proving that the insurance offer was refused. (Download the waiver form on the www.OurTravelProtector.com homepage.) This can help defeat a lawsuit. The travel business evolves. Group travel has become a travel sector of its own. Group organizers make travel arrangements and have said they need a travel insurance product to offer their travelers, generally groups of 10 or more. Organizers said they need a net rate in order to provide insurance to their travelers at cost or with a markup. Organizers wanted that net rate available as a single rate to everyone in the group or priced according to the traveler’s age. Fortunately for everyone, such plans exist today. Protect your traveler's investment. Offer group travel insurance!

John Martinen graduated from Michigan State University and New York University Law School. After traveling as chief purser on Grace Line cruise ships in the Caribbean and South America, he developed the first cruises in the Galapagos Islands. He served as president of Globus & Cosmos, Vista Travel Ventures and Trafalgar Tours, before joining Safe Passage International as a principal in 2003. LeisureGroupTravel.com

Hilton Head A Refreshing Area Worth Discovering

ocated in the “Lowcountry” of South Carolina, Hilton Head Island is nestled centrally between

Savannah, Georgia and Charleston, South Carolina. With plentiful beaches, abundant natural beauty and a rich palette of daily excursions, the Hilton Head Island area is a refreshing destination worth discovering. While here, glimpse playful dolphins while dining on a sunset dinner cruise. Together, catch a Broadway musical at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina; learn more about the area’s rich native culture on the Gullah Heritage Trail Tour; or take a trip to Old Town Bluffton, Hilton Head Island’s charming neighbor just over the bridge. Whatever your group chooses, they are sure to be inspired and rejuvenated at every turn.

The Beaches Beckon Perhaps the nicest place to unwind on Hilton Head Island is the beach. Lush coastal forests line beautiful stretches of sand and surf, where the Atlantic Ocean sparkles in the sun. The most popular activity is strolling along the incoming tides, feeling the waves and sand between your toes, and collecting seashells. There are five public beach parking areas to deliver your group right to the ocean – stop by the official Hilton Head Island Welcome Center as you arrive on the Island for directions. The Island’s beaches are also the nesting ground for loggerhead sea turtles, which hatch annually in the soft sand. To learn more about these precious inhabitants, your group can join the summertime “Turtle Talks & 14 June 2009

There are over 12 miles of beaches with hard-packed sand, perfect for biking and walking.

Walks.” Contact the Coastal Discovery Museum of Hilton Head Island, http://www.coastaldiscovery.org/, to arrange for a trip. Quaint Marinas Completely surrounded by water, Hilton Head Island is replete with numerous marinas, each with its own distinct ambiance and flair. The most notable, the Sea Pines Resort’s Harbour Town yacht basin, is the home of the iconic candy-striped lighthouse (tours to the top for a panoramic view are available for just $3.) In Harbour Town, your group will enjoy soft walking paths that lead to quaint shops and small outdoor cafes. While wandering, impressive yachts, sturdy fishing boats, and colorful kayaks attract the eye, special advertising section

and views over the Calibogue Sound prove peaceful and relaxing. In the summer, evenings are marked by lively folk tunes sung by local minstrel Gregg Russell, who has entertained children and adults in Harbour Town for more than 30 years. Seafood for Everyone There are more than 250 restaurants in the Hilton Head Island area. Local chefs work diligently everyday to prepare fresh seafood and delicious experiences wherever you go. While here, local dishes such as shrimp & grits, oysters-on-the-half-shell, or Lowcountry boil (shrimp, corn, sausage, potatoes) are sure to impress. Try Island favorite establishments including The Crazy Crab (north and south-end locations) and Marley’s IsLeisureGroupTravel.com

Island

Enjoy fresh Lowcountry oysters September through April.

Harbour Town is one of six public marinas where groups can dine, shop and enjoy Hilton Head Island’s waterfront vistas.

land Grille, which offer great cuisine, friendly service and comfortable seating for groups. Myrtle’s Bar & Grille in Old Town Bluffton is another popular choice and can best be described as “Southern with a kick,” with creative dishes, an extensive wine list and live music nightly. Lowcountry Gifts… and Tours Bring a perfect “Lowcountry gift” home to your loved ones by visiting one of the many shopping villages and plazas in the Hilton Head Island area, ranging from one-of-a-kind boutiques to brand-name outlet centers. At Coligny Plaza, select souvenirs such as Hilton Head Island T-shirts, beach towels, nautical décor, and beach-inspired jewelry. In Old Town Bluffton, LeisureGroupTravel.com

visit the historic Heyward House, and afterward bring home a “piece of Bluffton” from a Calhoun Street art gallery. Or, after embarking on a Gullah Heritage Trail Tour, purchase an indigenous “sweetgrass basket,” perfect for any kitchen back home.

your stay, take advantage of complimentary breakfasts and refreshing outdoor pools. Or, for a bit of fun, try tropically-inspired cocktails, such as you will find at the TIKI HUT lounge, an Island favorite at the Holiday Inn Oceanfront.

Relax and Rejuvenate Whether you stay for a day or for a week, the Hilton Head Island area offers groups numerous accommodation choices. Relax in comfort and style in one of the Island’s many select service properties that offer excellent customer service and classic Southern hospitality. Several properties have been recently renovated, with newly installed kitchenettes and refrigerators that will make your group feel right at home. During

In the Hilton Head Island area, your group will be relaxed and rejuvenated with pleasurable experiences wherever they go. For more information, or to book your group’s next tour, visit the Hilton Head Island Visitor & Convention Bureau’s website, www.hiltonheadisland.org, or call 1-800-523-3373 and speak directly with sales and marketing manager Brenda Ciapanna (bciapanna@hilton headisland.org) who will gladly help arrange your tour.

special advertising section

June 2009 15

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insider tips ❖

Experts Spill Their Secrets On Cooking Up

rresistible

tineraries

CONCOCTING A TOUR ITINERARY requires just the right blend of special ingredients. Whether you’re introducing a new destination or putting a novel twist on an old favorite, you want your recipe to be chockful of memorable moments that will have your clients hungering for more the next time around. Leisure Group Travel went to some of the industry’s most creative tour companies to ask how they spice up itineraries. Hands-on activities and behind-the-scenes tours, according to their comments, certainly seem to be gathering steam. Following are some fresh ideas on itinerary planning and marketing, hot off the griddle:

Melissa Famiglietti Snape Vice President of Product Collette Vacations Pawtucket, RI

18 June 2009

Travelers today are looking to spend their discretionary dollars on vacations that they feel are engaging and authentic. When my team and I are planning a new tour or spicing up an existing one, we focus on developing activities and experiences within a destination that are interactive versus passive for our passengers, that let them experience, not just see, and learn about a destination, not just look at it. Collette’s product managers strive to include opportunities and attractions worldwide that provide access and experiences for our clients that they would not necessarily be able to replicate on their own. This way, the value proposition of touring with Collette is clear.

Collette’s tour managers, who are Collette employees, are also heavily involved in the process to ensure that each itinerary is a blend of specialized, educational and leisure experiences that allow travelers to maximize their time in each destination. We look to include local experts from the region whenever possible—people who can provide insight on a topic or a sight that our passengers can only get from people “in the know.” Collette’s focus on more interactive experiences translates into offering a wider variety of types of tours such as train travel, tours with heavy culinary and wine components, and the development of Explorations by Collette, our small group tours brand, and conLeisureGroupTravel.com

tinued expansion of the Smithsonian Journeys Travel Adventures brand. The â&#x20AC;&#x153;secretâ&#x20AC;? ingredients that have made Explorations by Collette develop from a market trend and into a robust, popular new brand include sightseeing off the beaten pathâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;to places that often arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t easily done with 40 passengers, unique dining that often incorporates chef-led demonstrations, and overnight stays in boutique hotels. Together, these ingredients truly capture the flavor of a destination.

cance of the Kachina doll and make their own. This is a great stop to explore Native American culture. They offer many educational programs you can set up depending on the interests of your group. This is one of many examples of new places that can be added to a traditional tour. I suggest my staff read trade pub-

lications and talk with DMOs to find out what is new and what could be included on our existing tours. I also encourage them to think out of the box and research behind-the-scenes stops at some of the locations. With the right â&#x20AC;&#x153;garnish and seasoning,â&#x20AC;? a tried-and-true tour can become a new tour with â&#x20AC;&#x153;zest.â&#x20AC;?

Michele Michalewicz, CTP President Western Leisure, Inc. Midvale, UT Western Leisure, Inc. is celebrating 30 years of group tour expertise. We specialize in customized group tour packages providing an authentic, personalized experience. Just yesterday, I sat down with my staff and said itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time to â&#x20AC;&#x153;spice upâ&#x20AC;? the â&#x20AC;&#x153;menuâ&#x20AC;? for our itineraries. We are always adding new â&#x20AC;&#x153;ingredientsâ&#x20AC;? to our tour programs. One of our most popular tours is through the Canyonlands region of Utah. In 2001 outside of Zion National Park, a non-profit Native American Cultural Center opened. The Utah Trails Resort â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Village of Many Nations offers activities and entertainment centered around the 1800s. Passengers can participate in tomahawk throwing contests, learn the mysteries of the medicine wheel, and learn about the signifiLeisureGroupTravel.com

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%JTDPWFS POF PG /FX &OHMBOEÂľT GBWPSJUF HSPVQ USBWFM BUUSBDUJPOT Explore a wonderland of fun ... visit with Santa â&#x20AC;Ś catch snowflakes year â&#x20AC;&#x2122;round in the Black Forest â&#x20AC;Śstroll through our authentic Bavarian Christmas Village â&#x20AC;Ś learn how candles are made in our Candlemaking Museum â&#x20AC;Ś create your own special souvenirs â&#x20AC;&#x201C; multi-scented jar candles, wax hands and custom dipped candles at WaxWorksâ&#x201E;˘â&#x20AC;Ś and so much more! Shop for a wide range of home furnishings, seasonal decorations, collectibles, gourmet foods, unique toys, and distinctive gifts for every occasion. Plus, satisfy every food craving with dinner at our award-winning Chandlerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Restaurant, sandwiches and more at Mrs. Claus Bakery & CafĂŠ or the sweet taste of our famous fudge. Contact our Group Tour Department today to learn more! grouptour@yankeecandle.com

* &YJU Â&#x2026; (SFFOGJFME 3PBE Â&#x2026; 4PVUI %FFSGJFME ." Â&#x2026; XXX ZBOLFFDBOEMF DPN

June 2009 19

then make their own blend, which is corked and labeled to take home as a memento. Adventurers in Costa Rica can choose to take a horseback ride into the tropical forest, zipline from tree to tree in the canopy, ride down from the canopy on a 1,300-foot waterslide, and finally relax in the thermal hot springs—all in the same day!

Kim Vincent Product Manager Globus Littleton, CO As a product manager for the Globus family of brands, I find that the recipe for a perfect tour has many ingredients and rarely can be done from a desk. Attending trade shows and participating in familiarization trips, meeting with tourism boards and local vendors, soliciting feedback from past travelers and our seasoned tour directors, and keeping on top of trends and new destinations through newspapers and magazines are just a few ways we look to develop new itineraries. We are always on the lookout for the next hot trend, whether it's a new destination or a new way of experiencing a destination. Of course, we ensure that our passengers get the most from their journey by balancing the must-see highlights with unique experiences set at a reasonable pace. Further, an initiative we are currently focused on to enhance our vacations is creating a wide range of hands-on activities and excursions that appeal to different interests like family travel, food & wine and adventure themes. For instance, in Venice on our Family Travel vacations, we bring our families to one of the oldest Venetian mask making studios, where they learn about the social importance of the mask in Venice and its use in everyday life and during Carnival. Then, they get to create their own Venetian mask and wear it to dinner that evening! On our Food & Wine vacations, travelers have the opportunity to learn about blending different wine varietals and 20 June 2009

3. Is the local guide droning on about another ruin? Join the archaeology team and help dig up artifacts. 4. So you think you can dance? Swoon with your partner at a tango lesson or jive the night away at a samba school. 5. Ever wonder what is in that bottle? Stroll through the vines with the vintner and experience the winemaking process from grape to glass. 6. Want to help but do not know how? Volunteer for the day in a local village, school or orphanage. The goal with any group itinerary is to make sure it is sellable in the marketplace. The “wow” in every Goway itinerary ensures the group gets filled every time.

Barbara Norton Group Sales Manager Goway Travel Vancouver, BC Goway Travel’s GroupsOnly Department are experts at customizing unique, innovative and interactive itineraries for 10 or more passengers traveling together to the South Pacific, Africa, Asia, Latin America, Europe and the Middle East. Our Group Coordinators are destination specialists who begin from the ground up to develop the best itinerary. We are committed to taking out of our itineraries as much of the old-style wording as possible—verbage such as “drive by,” “view from coach” and “on a tour we will see….” Our goal is to get the group out of the coach. Rather than just watch life go by from behind the coach windows, our passengers get out and experience with all senses. A few examples on what we can include: 1. Tired of the hotel’s buffet breakfasts? How about letting your group sleep in and include a room service breakfast one morning. 2. Another dinner, another set menu. Why not meet the chef at the local market and help buy and prepare the evening’s dinner.

Clayton Whitehead CTP, CITM Vice President Sports Leisure Vacations Sacramento, CA A wise sage once told me to “give ’em what you know.” We all know more than we think we do. But just because we know it—because it’s familiar to us—doesn’t mean a traveler finds it familiar. They may find the greatest interest and enjoyment in what we as tour planners think of as commonplace. My two favorite extracurricular activities are volunteering at the local public television station and at my church. My learning the inner workings of a television station has opened numerous avenues to my travelers. I’ll often seek out stations that offer some sort of behind-the-scenes activities, from studio tours to being a part LeisureGroupTravel.com

of a studio audience. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve even sold local daytrips that feature a tour of our station. Best of all, most of these things are free. Stations are happy to have groups visit as it supports one of their primary missions (public outreach). Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m a religious person and make no apologies about it. I usually leave Sunday mornings as free time on the itinerary so I can go to church. My travelers know this and can join me if they wish. As more and more travelers are asking to join me, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve begun to position Sunday services as an optional activity. I usually select a historic building with a story to tell. I contact the minister and tell him or her we are coming, then ask if they can do anything special for us. This often results in a greeting from the pulpit, a church or graveyard tour after the service, or being invited to coffee and doughnuts. One of the greatest bonuses of visiting a church during a service is that you get to hear the choir and often a wonderful organ.

Bob Cline President U.S. Tours Parkersburg, WV Making Tours is like making pizza. The dough and sauce are as common to every dinner as a motorcoach and hotel are to every tour. The secret to selling both is: Fresh Ingredients, OnTime Delivery and Unique Marketing. If you top a tour with the same ingredients year after year, you are going to see sales decline. Watch the pizza

company advertisements and you'll hear about fresh toppings, with exciting words and mouth-watering phrases. It's always the same pizza, but successful companies make it sound different and better. Are you selling another Nashville trip? If it sounds like last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, you would be naive to expect better results. You've also got to deliver in "30 minutes or less." Every year I see several of my customers deliver their annual catalogs in the spring. You can't deliver last night's pizza in the morning if you expect continued sales. For small companies I suggest you retool for speed and prepare for the races you can win. Do you really need an annual catalog? Is your business plan as well organized as Globus and Collette? Or are most of your sales made 3-6 months in advance? You should print smaller seasonal booklets. If you want to increase tours for the fall, you should feature them in the summer when your customer is thinking about a break from the heat. You simply have to advertise the benefits of your products in the season in which your customer is buying. LGT

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June 2009 21

on the record ❖

What is your No. 1 way of spicing up an itinerary? Following are answers from Leisure Group Travel readers who responded to the question: What is your No. 1 way of spicing up an itinerary? Find more comments on leisuregroup travel.com, online exclusives.

as a leader in culinary travel on the east Coast, my motto is “it is all about the experience.” i have found people are looking for the ground- and sea-totable-type of experiences. our programs include lobster pulling cruises followed by a lobster bake dinner. other experiences include walking through an oyster farm in a salt marsh followed by an oyster shucking with champagne, breakfast with a chef where you create your own breakfast, and foraging with a chef and then using your finds in preparing a meal. Chris Donnelly Sugar Tours, Inc. Creative Culinary Tours West Dover, VT on every one of our tours we add a wow factor. something that people feel they can go home and talk about. it might be a personal meeting with entertainers following a performance...taking a group into a sculptor studio and having the sculptor create a special piece for each group member to take home...having an attraction open early just for the group so they don’t have to deal with crowds. it might be taking something that is normal and “spicing it up,” such as a traditional high tea and making it a tipsy tea party. or producing special 22 June 2009

CHRIS DONNELLY

LORI LEIMAN

shows that go along with the theme of the specific tour. it might be offering a wine and cheese party on a rooftop garden or a canal boat. Diane Sphar, President Ohio Travel Treasures LLC Cincinnati, OH we like to surprise our guests with various wee things on tour, such as strawberry picking, where passengers pick their own and eat back at the hotel. we also drop into whisky distilleries, farms and those wee nooks and crannies other tour companies pass on by. we have also been known to have “Jacobite clansmen” attack our tour coach. we

ROB WEBBER

sight into the instrument, even giving people a try. Paul McLean, Owner McCleanScotland Perth, Scotland i like a restaurant with atmosphere, like the Proud Bird in la, where you can watch planes and listen to the control tower. or a restaurant with a lovely water view such as many in newport Beach. The Cannery in newport can give you lunch in the restaurant but then dessert on a boat cruise around the harbor. i also like lambert’s in springfield, Mo., Home of the Throwed rolls, which is fun and different as waiters

Bagpipers at breakfast and roll-throwing waiters can shake things up. make a sightseeing/photo stop and suddenly eight or so armed clansmen “attack” us, brandishing swords and other weapons. great fun and they then chat to our guests about history and their costumes/weapons. we also have pipers welcome us, and some evenings they will give piping demonstrations and in-

throw rolls at you from across the room. also, a trip to springfield’s Bass Pro outdoor world (the original and largest Bass Pro), which is almost like a museum, can fill a few interesting hours. Lori Leiman Lori’e Adventurers Queen Creek, AZ LeisureGroupTravel.com

we organize cycling and walking tours that raise money for aiDs and breast cancer organizations. we always try to customize an event to the local country. in scotland, for instance, bag pipers might call everyone to breakfast and send us off on our first day of riding. we also have themed days, like country western day, Mardi gras day, red/pink dress day, Hawaiian day and white party. we publish the themes in advance so participants can bring appropriate “costume” items. we also provide themed trinkets throughout the day and pass them out at pit-stops and lunch; this can be anything from temporary tattoos, to squirt guns, to feathered masks for

Mardi gras night. our support vehicles also play a selection of music, themed to the appropriate day and we’ll even have themed meals. lastly, at the start and end of the trip we’ll send off or welcome home our participants with a shower of environmentally friendly confetti (made from corn starch) that can be used just about anywhere and when it rains the confetti just dissolves. it may sound like a lot of work, but i think it’s what keeps our participants coming back year after year. it’s a week-long party, instead of just a week-long walk/bike ride. Rob Webber For A Cause, Inc. Chicago, IL

IN THE AUGUST ISSUE of Leisure Group Travel, our on the record column will explore fall foliage trip planning. Please send us your response to this question: What are the challenges you face in planning and executing fall foliage/harvest season trips? along with your comments, please include your name, company name and location. also for publication, send a high-resolution photo of yourself. a selection of responses will be printed in the august 2009 issue. Thanks in advance for your valuable opinions. send to: randy Mink, randy@ptmgroups.com

Camden Waterfront, NJ 800-616-JAWS

LeisureGroupTravel.com

June 2009 23

on tourist trains ❖

jim wrinn

All Aboard for Nostalgia MORE THAN 600 U.S. TOURIST railroads and museums offer travelers the chance to ride into history, explore the country’s most scenic locations, and get in touch with the men and machines that made America. Scattered across the nation, tourist railroads and museums direct riders and visitors to the nation’s railway heritage. These venues showcase some of the country’s most incredible and unspoiled vistas via steam- or diesel-powered trains. With more than 30 dinner trains, from Rhode Island’s scenic Narragansett Bay to California’s Napa Valley, travelers have the opportunity to ride the rails and dine in splendor with a five-course, gourmet dinner or enjoy a hobo lunch. Museums provide the chance to step into historic buildings, view luxurious private cars or climb on board some of the largest steam locomotives to tackle the Sierra Mountains. Tourist railroads and museums have proliferated over the last 50 years as U.S. railroads scaled back their operations in the automobile age, leaving behind little-used rail lines and a bounty of locomotives and cars for use on these routes. That means that more opportunities than ever are available to take a train trip in more parts of the country. SHORT HOPS, LONG HAULS Trips vary in their mileage and duration. Some, like Arizona’s Grand Canyon Railroad, which provides a hassle-free option to the South Rim for a few hours, are all-day outings. Others, like Pennsylvania’s Strasburg Rail Road, which gives riders a trip through the Amish country24 June 2009

side, provide shorter journeys of less than an hour or up to a half day. While many trains are hauled by vintage diesel locomotives, some still find propulsion from one of the 190 or so wood-, coal- or oil-burning steam locomotives still in operation today. Almost all trains use vintage coaches,

Scenic, and Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge railroads are all wondrous for their Rocky Mountain views. Utah’s Promontory Summit, a National Park Service site, where the first transcontinental railroad was joined in 1869 on the northern edge of the Great Salt Lake.

Vintage locomotives transport groups back to the golden age of railroading. but some use open-sided or roofless cars for unobstructed views. In some cases, glass-domed, extra-fare sightseeing cars or luxurious private cars can be booked. Some of the most popular tourist railroads and museums are: New Hampshire’s Mount Washington Cog Railway, which scales the 6,288-foot peak on ladder-like tracks. Pennsylvania’s Railroader’s Memorial Museum in Altoona, one of the best interpretive museums of its kind, in the city where the Pennsylvania Railroad employed more than 10,000 to keep the trains running. West Virginia’s Cass Scenic Railroad, where geared steam locomotives travel to the second highest peak in the state. Minnesota’s North Shore Scenic Railroad, which provides views of Lake Superior and the northwoods. It starts from the excellent Lake Superior Railroad Museum. Colorado’s Georgetown Loop, Cumbres & Toltec Scenic, Rio Grande

Sacramento’s California State Railroad Museum, which tells the story of how railroading shaped the Golden State. California’s Roaring Camp & Big Trees Narrow Gauge Railroad near Santa Cruz, where steam trains pierce the redwood forest. Alaska’s White Pass & Yukon, which starts at the sea and climbs into the glacier-covered mountains. Group tour planners with advance reservations are welcome at tourist railroads and museums, and these venues often provide a group discount as well as an exclusive coach or private guided tour. All it takes is a phone call or e-mail to the railroad or museum’s marketing director or visitor services coordinator to set it up. Once that call is made, the tracks await and a railroading adventure is just around the next bend. Jim Wrinn is editor of Trains magazine, the nation’s most popular railroad magazine. It is published by Kalmbach Publishing Co., of Waukesha, Wis. (kalmbach.com). The company’s line of railroad books includes Tourist Trains Guidebook. LeisureGroupTravel.com

railroading ❖ randy mink

ACK IN THE LATE 1800S AND WELL INTO the 20th century, train whistles echoed across the land, swaying cars clickety-clacked along the tracks and mighty “iron horses” belched billowing puffs of steam that hovered over the countryside. The rail depot was a beehive of activity, and every boy dreamed of becoming a train engineer. Even in this age of airplanes and automobiles, travelers can sample the golden days of railroading by taking a short excursion on one of America’s many tourist trains. Pulled by old-fashioned steam or early diesel engines, these relics of our past have been lovingly restored by rail buffs and historical groups dedicated to preserving the nation’s colorful railroad heritage. Trips ranging from 45 minutes to five hours give passengers a chance to relax and feel the rhythm of the rails as they slip back in time. For older folks, a hankering for the good old days is a chief draw. Adults should not hesitate to bring along the kids because most children are fascinated by trains. For everyone, it’s a real adventure to pass through unspoiled mountains, forests and farmlands, minus commercial development. Scenic trains are equipped with vintage coach cars, some authentically appointed with antique furnishings. Your train might have an open-air observation car or a club car that serves snacks. Another treat is having a dinner in the diner. The meal is the main deal on moving restaurants like the Napa Valley Wine Train and Montana’s Charlie Russell Chew-Choo Dinner Train. Narration, musical entertainment and costumed folks in period garb are part of the experience on some excursion trains. Many trips depart from historic rail depots that offer museum exhibits and plenty of souvenirs. An excellent resource for tour planners is Tourist Trains Guidebook (Kalmbach Books, $19.95). Written by the staff and contributors of Trains magazine, the 304-page, full-color guide describes 175 leading excursion trains and railroad museums in the United States and Canada. In addition, there are shorter listings for 270 other attractions, including dinner trains, trolleys and historic depots. To obtain a copy of the brand new second edition, call 800-533-6644 or visit kalmbach.com/books. It’s hard not to feel happy, carefree and a bit nostalgic whenever you board a train, your magic carpet to good times. Following is a sampling of trains that welcome groups: LeisureGroupTravel.com

A M E R I C A’ S

SCENIC TRAINS

Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

Old Road Dinner Train Enjoy classic dining on North America’s longest-operating dinner train, which makes roundtrips on weekends from Blissfield and Charlotte in Southeast Michigan. Join us for our Murder Mystery Dinner Train, where you’ll be served a five-course dinner while performers involve you in comical murderous events filled with intrigue, excitement, music and laughter. Who knows, you may be the unfortunate victim of their devious plot! On the country’s only five-star dinner train, all tables seat four guests and are elegantly appointed with white linens, crystal and china. Blissfield is 20 minutes northwest or Toledo. Charlotte is 15 minutes southwest of Lansing. (888-467-2451, www.murdermysterytrain.com) June 2009 25

railroading ❖ Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

Texas State Railroad A must on your next group tour is to visit the Texas State Railroad, est. 1881. The Texas State Railroad is the “Official Railroad of Texas” and is truly a “Texas Treasure.”This historic railroad offers steam and diesel train excursions year-round that travel through the scenic piney woods of East Texas. Passengers will enjoy a relaxing train excursion onboard passenger cars built in the early 1920s. Depart from the beautiful Victorianstyle depots located in Palestine and Rusk, Texas. Special excursions to the 1890s Maydelle turntable or the Jarvis Wye are great for groups! Visit www.TexasStateRR.com for more information or call 1-888-987-2461 to book your group today!

26 June 2009

All aboard for rail adventure! With the romance and mystique of an era gone by, the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad takes you through a remote corner of Western North Carolina into river gorges, across fertile valleys and through tunnels carved out of mountains. You may choose from a variety of excursions departing from our Bryson City, N.C. depot, including a Raft & Rail combination, the Mystery Theatre Dinner trains or one of our many Special Events. Enjoy warm summer breezes or crisp fall air while taking in the panoramic views from your open car, or upgrade to the adults’ club car and savor muffins and fresh fruit on the outbound trip along with a champagne toast on your return, all while enjoying the beautiful scenery the Western North Carolina Mountains offer – the very elements that create a happy group and memories of a great trip. (800-872-4681, www.gsmr.com)

LeisureGroupTravel.com

Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad The Rocky Mountains and San Juan National Forest of Southwest Colorado provide awesome vistas for passengers traveling the 45-mile stretch between Durango and Silverton. Marvel at the rugged Animas River Gorge from 350 feet above the water. Dating back to 1882, the line was designed to haul gold and silver ore. Guests have two hours to eat lunch and look around the old mining town of Silverton and the depotâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s freight yard museum before heading back to Durango, a colorful place chockful of restaurants, shops and art galleries. Coal-fired steam locomotives stop to replenish their water supply on each leg of the trip. Rides are especially scenic in September, when the aspens glow bright yellow. Four classes of service are available, with the Presidential Class offering historic private cars with a large outdoor viewing platform. (877-872-4607, www.durangotrain.com)

Maine Eastern Railroad Your groups will love the Maine Train! And we love buses! Maine Eastern Railroad is a passenger excursion train with roundtrip service between Brunswick and Rockland. With

stops in Bath and Wiscasset, Maine Eastern passengers ride in comfort and style in fully restored, climate-controlled, Art Deco vintage railroad coaches. There are 33 bridges and trestles, more than 100 curves and an unlimited amount of wildlife scenery, woods and water views in the 57-mile trip. Take the oneway and let the bus chase the train, or go roundtrip and give the driver a break for a few hours. A rolling museum, the Maine Eastern is perfect for seniors looking for scenic nostalgia, and active adults and students who missed out on the train travel experience. Just a short drive from almost anywhere in the state, the Maine Eastern will take your groups for a ride that will keep them talking for years to come. Call 866-637-2457 or visit www.maineeasternrailroad.com. LGT

THE AVALON DIFFERENCE BEGINS WITH THE NEWEST FLEET. Your groups will love the Avalon difference. It begins with the newest fleet where modern amenities are found throughout our ships that average just over two years in age. Another difference is the Avalon value. Each cruise includes hand-cra ed cuisine paired with complimentary wine, beer, and soda at dinner, on board entertainment, and enriching land excursions. Only Avalon can unlock the grandeur of the Old World in an entirely new way. To arrange a group vacation with us call 866.821.2752.

SAVE

UP TO $1,000

PER STATEROOM ON AVALON RIVER CRUISES*

NEW! TASTE OF THE DANUBE 4 days from $949; air-inclusive prices available Vienna, three-night Danube cruise, Budapest Sails on: Avalon Tapestry SM

NEW! PARIS TO NORMANDY’S LANDING BEACHES 8 days from $2,049; air-inclusive prices available Seven-night Seine River cruise with included excursion to Normandy landing beaches Sails on: Avalon Creativity SM

2008

“Editor’s Pick for River Cruising”

* Book a select 2010 Europe Globus or Avalon River Cruise air-inclusive vacation to receive the $500 off per person offer. Select Europe Cruise-only bookings are eligible for the $250 off per person offer. Book a 2010 Globus or Avalon “A Taste of the Danube”, Egypt, China or Galapagos River Cruise air-inclusive vacation to receive the $300 off per person offer. “A Taste of the Danube”, Egypt, China or Galapagos cruise-only bookings are eligible for the $150 off per person offer. Must be made, under deposit, and discount applied between March 25 and June 30, 2009 for travel through December 31, 2010. Offers not valid with one-another or any other offer other than Journeys Club member benefit. Applies to new 2010 bookings only, and offer will not be applied to pre-existing bookings. Offer reliant on space availability. Full cancellation penalties will apply. Additional restrictions may apply.

Enjoy spectacular views at every turn at an unbelievable price.

www.globusfamily.com/Groups Reservations: 866.821.2752

Group Itinerary 2010 Planning Guide W

elcome to the Group Itinerary Planning Guide from Leisure Group Travel. On the following pages we have assembled an enticing collection of destinations eager to share sample itinerary ideas with you and your group. This guide is organized by region, with a separate section for International itineraries. Sample itineraries are often the first place group travel organizers look when searching for new destinations or trying to spice up existing trips. This guide, along with its online counterpart found at GroupTravelDirectory.com (click on the Itineraries tab), provides one-stop shopping for over 150 sample and “for sale” tours, brought to you by leading

destination and tour companies. And since we’re adding itineraries on almost a daily basis, there are always FRESH tour ideas awaiting you and your group. Especially now with the increase in niche and affinity travel, uncovering great ideas for specialty travel groups is easier, thanks to the Group Itinerary Planning Guide. To request information on any sample itinerary, contact the bureau or tour operator listed at the bottom of the page direct, or simply complete the Reader Service Card at the back of this edition and return it via fax or mail.

Good luck with your 2010 Group Trip Planning!

SOUTH

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NORTHEAST

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MIDWEST

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WEST

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INTERNATIONAL

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LeisureGroupTravel.com

June 2009 29

Savannah

SOUTH Symphony of Southern Sightseeing rom the Gulf Coast to the Chesapeake Bay, and from Appalachian hollows to the bayous of Cajun Country, the American South is a vacationer’s paradise. Groups fulfill their travel dreams in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.

New Orleans

North Carolina 30 June 2009

Many attractions revolve around Colonial history, Civil War lore and mountain culture. Rural backroads lead to quiet pockets of natural beauty, while big cities like Atlanta, Richmond and Nashville explode with cultural fireworks. Seaside retreats offer ocean breezes, a maritime ambience and delectable seafood. Many Southern states stretch from the mountains to the sea. Virginia, for example, encompasses the rugged terrain of the Shenandoah Valley and southwestern highlands as well as coastal communities like Norfolk, Portsmouth and Virginia Beach. Civil War battlefields draw groups to places like Fredericksburg and Richmond, and Virginia’s Historic Triangle (Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown) abounds with reminders of America’s colonial past. West Virginia, nicknamed the Mountain State, offers some of the most glorious vistas in the Eastern United States. Groups especially love its country music shows and old-time excursion railroads. In coastal South Carolina, groups enjoy golf and high-energy entertainment in Myrtle Beach, while Hilton Head Island is a special place all its own. York County boasts attractions like Historic Brattonsville living history village and Native American lore at the Catawba Cultural Center. And Charleston is Southern charm at its best.

North Carolina’s Outer Banks region is another seaside draw, as are its Blue Ridge Mountains to the west. The Tennessee Smokies boast scenic majesty, theme attractions and music theaters in towns like Pigeon Forge, Sevierville and Gatlinburg. Music also makes the tour go ’round in Nashville and Memphis. In neighboring Kentucky, visit a thoroughbred farm, sip a glass of bourbon and tour Louisville, home of the Kentucky Derby. If Georgia’s on your mind, soak up the historical splendor of Savannah, take in the urban amenities of Atlanta and bask on the Golden Isles. More beaches await in Florida, Alabama and Mississippi. The Gulf Coast of Mississippi abounds with casinos, great seafood restaurants and shopping in quaint old-town districts, while Tunica lures gaming enthusiasts to Mississippi’s Delta Region. Alabama cities like Mobile, Birmingham and Huntsville (home of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center) keep groups engaged. Arkansas, the Natural State, dazzles travelers with Ozark Mountain splendor and unspoiled river valleys. Louisiana, another state with its own personality, tempts visitors with Cajun and Creole dishes, stately plantation homes and great cities such as New Orleans, Baton Rouge and ShreveportBossier City. LGT

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Best of Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

➤➤ HIGHLIGHTS • Discover 60 miles of spectacular beaches • Savor the freshest Carolina coastal cuisine • Enjoy six award-winning live entertainment theaters • Challenge your game on world-class championship golf courses • Unwind in the country’s finest outdoor collection of sculptures

➤➤ DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY • Dinner and one of our six live theaters: Alabama Theatre, The Carolina Opry, Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede Dinner & Show, Legends in Concert, Medieval Times or The Palace Theatre.

DAY 1: Arrive in Myrtle Beach • Check in at host hotel. • Savor the delectable dishes from Myrtle Beach’s finest choice of restaurants that offer group rates. • Catch live entertainment at one of Myrtle Beach’s six renowned theaters. • Return to hotel and settle in for an evening of rest and peace.

DAY 2: Myrtle Beach Area • Breakfast at host hotel. • Visit Brookgreen Gardens and its new Lowcountry Center that depicts the history of the Lowcountry from its Native American beginnings to its slave era and beyond; don’t miss the one-man show that traces the history of the Gullah people from Africa to South Carolina’s Lowcountry. • Buffet or boxed lunch at Brookgreen Gardens. • Hopsewee Plantation, a National Historic Landmark on the North Santee River, is a preservation rather than a restoration and has never been allowed to fall into decay. Only five families have owned it, although it was built almost 40 years before the Revolutionary War. • Return to Myrtle Beach for a dinner and show.

DAY 3: Myrtle Beach • “Breakfast with the Sharks” at Ripley’s Aquarium, with breakfast buffet, a fun “marine class,” aquarium tour and the surprise of your group’s name displayed on an underwater card by one of the divers. • Browsing and lunch on own at Broadway at The Beach. • IMAX 3D Theatre Myrtle Beach. • Return to your hotel.

DAY 4: Myrtle Beach Day of options: • Capt. Dave’s Dockside. Serving the finest seafood & steaks for over 30 years. Waterfront dining with scenic views. • Divine Dining Group. Choose from over 20 area restaurants for your tour group dinner. • Giant Crab Gourmet Seafood Buffet. Over 120 items at this allyou-can-eat buffet guarantees you won’t go home hungry. • House of Blues Myrtle Beach. Parties large and small will enjoy live music and Delta-inspired cuisine. • Original Benjamin's Calabash Seafood offers a spectacular 170item buffet, plus one of the largest collections of nautical museum pieces and large ship models in the Southeast. • Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville. A mecca for Parrot Heads or anyone else who wants to have a good time in the ultimate tropical setting. Options include the Tiki Dining Room, Euphoria Pirate Ship and Light House Dining. • Planet Hollywood. From families and school groups to the ultimate movie buff, Planet Hollywood sets the stage to draw guests into the glamorous world of film and television. • Market Common. A place where you can experience exceptional shopping and dining in a beautifully designed village setting. • Ripley’s Aquarium offers hourly dive shows, thousands of colorful fish and sharks, and an underwater moving glide path. • Broadway at the Beach. Experience 350 acres of shops, restaurants, nightlife and attractions. • Myrtle Beach Pelicans. Enjoy minor league baseball action. • SunCruz Casino Boat. Escape on a five-hour, Vegas-style gaming cruise.

CONTACT: Myrtle Beach Area CVB

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:

➤ Danna Lilly • www.MyrtleBeachGroups.com 1200 N. Oak St., Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 Phone: 1-800-488-8998 • Email: Danna.Lilly@VisitMyrtleBeach.com

Visit GroupTravelDirectory.com for more Myrtle Beach itinerary ideas

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Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth & Virginia Beach, Virginia

Set Sail to Coastal Virginia ➤➤ HIGHLIGHTS • Virginia Air & Space Center offers over 100 hands-on exhibits • Discover artifacts from USS Monitor at The Mariners’ Museum • The Virginia Sports Hall of Fame showcases 20 sports • Experience more than 150 seafaring exhibits at Nauticus • Voted one America’s most beautiful boardwalks: Virginia Beach oceanfront

➤➤ DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1:

DAY 3:

PM: Arrive in Norfolk just in time to board the Victory Rover for a tour of Norfolk Naval Base, the largest Naval Installation in the world. Following your cruise you will head to the MacArthur Center Mall for a round-the-world chocolate tasting event. Dinner tonight will be at the Freemason Abbey. Following dinner enjoy a walk through the streets of Norfolk for the Ghosts and Sea Legends Tour.

AM: Following a great breakfast in the hotel you will depart for the Casemate Museum in Hampton. This active military installation was famed during the Civil War as the "Freedom Fort" by blacks escaping from slavery. Next we will take flight to the Virginia Air & Space Center, the birthplace of America's space program and the official visitor center for NASA Langley Research Center. Lunch today will be at the Grey Goose Restaurant.

DAY 2: AM: After enjoying breakfast in the hotel, you will head to Old Town Portsmouth. First stop is the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame. This museum honors Virginia athletes and their contributions to the world of sports. You can shoot baskets, bike a mountain on a simulator and climb inside a real NASCAR race car. Next we will take a historic tour through the streets of Old Town with its founder, Colonel Crawford. Lunch and antique shopping rounds out your morning. PM: This afternoon we head to Virginia Beach and the Cape Henry Lighthouse where you are welcome to climb to the top or simply enjoy the history and the majestic overlook. Next we head under the sea and behind the scenes at the Virginia Aquarium. After undergoing extensive expansion this past year, the aquarium is a top destination in Virginia. You have the opportunity to go behind the scenes to see how the tanks are maintained, the food is prepared and the animals are cared for. Dinner tonight will be on the Virginia Beach oceanfront.

PM: Now we head to the sea as we visit The Mariners’ Museum for a behind-the-scenes tour. As one of the largest and most comprehensive maritime history museums in the world, The Mariners’ illustrates the spirit of seafaring adventure through a renowned and diverse collection of maritime artifacts, including figureheads, ship models, and small craft from around the world. Next we will enjoy a wine reception at the Peninsula Fine Arts Center. Dinner tonight will be at the Boxwood Inn, where we will enjoy a genuine Chesapeake Bay Seafood Feast. Tonight’s entertainment will be “Those Fabulous Fifties.” From poodle skirts and pompadours to drive-ins and ducktails, this will be a funfilled night with the top down in your ’57 Chevy convertible.

DAY 4: AM: After your final breakfast in the hotel, you will head to the Virginia Living Museum. You will explore Virginia's natural heritage from the mountains to the sea with live exhibits that look back at you. You will also enjoy a behind-the scenes tour and the all new planetarium.

CONTACT: Catch A Wave – All In One Receptive Services

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:

➤ Christy Lucas • www.all-in-one-tours.com 2756 Alameda Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23456 Phone: 888-283-3141 • Email: clucas@all-in-one-tours.com

➤ Taste of Virginia ➤ Military Traditions-A Celebration of Freedom

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Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory Presents

Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown November & December

Packages from $249 Tour Highlights: • Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown exhibit at Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory • Afternoon of Reindeer Racing at the Kentucky Derby Museum • “It's A Wonderful Life" at the Derby Dinner Playhouse • Choice of admission to: Frazier International History Museum or Glassworks Studio Tour • Two Nights First Class Lodging • Two Dinners • Two Breakfasts • All Taxes & Tips on these services • Luggage Handling • One Free With Every 16 Paid

www.sluggermuseum.com 877-775-8443

UFS

Exhibit organized by Charles M. Schulz Museum, Santa Rosa, CA

www.ustours.biz 888-393-8687

A Brave New World: History & American Heritage Tour

Chesapeake, Virginia

➤➤ HIGHLIGHTS • Tour through the mysterious “Lost Colony” of Roanoke combines history, art and drama • Convenient location in the heart of the Hampton Roads region • Excursions to Virginia’s Historic Triangle: Jamestown, Williamsburg and Yorktown • Old Cape Henry Lighthouse - First lighthouse authorized by U.S. Congress • Informative and fun cruise through Hampton Roads Harbor

➤➤ DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: “Lose Yourself” Your journey through history starts with a southward trip to Roanoke Island, where the first English explorers stepped ashore in 1584. You learned about the “Lost Colony” of Roanoke in school, but nothing compares to a firsthand look at the site of the most mysterious disappearance in American history. Visit the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site and learn about Roanoke Island’s earliest inhabitants. Take a trip in time in the Elizabethan Gardens and view a reproduced early English garden. Head to Roanoke Island Festival Park and see a replica 16th-century ship with costumed re-enactors. Take in a performance of The Lost Colony, a symphonic outdoor drama at the Waterside Theater that tells of 117 English settlers who vanished from Roanoke Island. Maybe you'll have your own theory to the enigmatic disappearance of the Lost Colony before the day is through!

DAY 2: “Get Settled” Start your day by viewing the First Landing Cross, erected by the first permanent English settlers in gratitude to God and affirmation of England's claim to the site on the shore of what is today Virginia Beach. Salty dogs can explore the Old Cape Henry Lighthouse and Museum. Built in 1791-92, the picturesque structure was the first lighthouse authorized by Congress. Climb the 191 steps to the top and smell the sea and feel the sky over Cape Henry and the Chesapeake Bay. Landlubbers will be charmed by the quaint Adam Thoroughgood House and Gardens. The small brick farmhouse was built in the 1680s on land granted by the British crown. Finish the day with the Hampton Roads Harbor Cruise with views of Fort Norfolk, Norfolk International Terminals and Naval Station Norfolk.

DAY 3: “The Future May Learn from the Past" Cap off your journey through the annals of America with a taste of living history in Jamestown, Williamsburg and Yorktown—Virginia’s Historic Triangle. Immerse in 17th-century life and trace the colonists’ path to freedom as an onboard historical interpreter provides background on the historic area. Tour Jamestown, where the first permanent English settlers arrived in 1607. Experience Colonial Williamsburg, where the ideas of independence and revolution took form. Discover Yorktown, where the surrender of Cornwallis’s army prompted the end of the Revolutionary War and the beginning of a new nation conceived in liberty. Visit Chesapeake, Va., and learn why history and travel go hand in hand. Few places have a historical and environmental legacy like that of Chesapeake, and even fewer provide modern travelers with proximity to the sites that made our nation what it is today. With easy access to preserved historical sites and authentic, awe-inspiring museums, we strive to educate visitors about Virginia’s role in the creation of our fledgling nation. Come and experience all we have to offer in Chesapeake and the surrounding area: outdoor sports galore, easy access to the Atlantic Ocean, a vibrant musical and cultural scene, and picturesque strolls in a green and beautifully preserved environment.

CONTACT: Chesapeake Conventions & Tourism

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:

➤ Susan Drewery • www.visitchesapeake.com 860 Greenbrier Circle, Suite 101, Chesapeake, VA 23320 Phone: 888-889-5551 • Email: sdrewery@cityofchesapeake.net

➤ Southern Hospitality ➤ Get Wild ➤ Visit www.visitchesapeake.com/group_tour/itineraries/ for more details

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IF VIRGINIA IS FOR LOVERS, WELCOME TO THE HEART OF THE VIRGINIA WATERFRONT. It’s easy to love Norfolk, the heart of Virginia’s waterfront. Hotels, nightlife, shopping, live performances and sumptuous dining are all right here. Norfolk is brimming with new energy and fun. Let comfort be your guide in Norfolk, Virginia. Sail Into Savings on the Norfolk Waterfront in 2009. Visit our website for more information.

visitnorfolktoday.com | 1-800-368-3097 *Located between Williamsburg and Virginia Beach The heart of the Virginia Waterfront.

Autumn Colors

Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

➤➤ HIGHLIGHTS • Dollywood – The Smoky Mountain Family Adventure • Tour of Great Smoky Mountains National Park with entertaining and educational step-on guide • Theaters – Comedy, Variety, Country and Bluegrass • Dinner Shows – Variety • Shopping – Specialty and Outlet

➤➤ DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: Arrive in Pigeon Forge and celebrate with us the Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival. Enjoy the splendid colors of fall at every turn along the parkway as you arrive to check in to one of our many group-friendly hotels. For dinner, your group will love the Old Mill Restaurant. The Old Mill was built in 1830, and you can take a guided tour and browse the general store. After a big ol’ Southern dinner, take your group to one of our spectacular shows such as the Comedy Barn Theater, with its family-friendly comedians, ventriloquists, magicians and barnyard animals, OR Country Tonite Theater, which offers highenergy entertainment, dancing and humor. (D)

DAY 2:

award-winning Blackwood Quartet gets your day started off right with gospel, country and comedy. It’s on to Dollywood, Dolly Parton’s very own theme park. The park features live music shows, handmade crafts and rides for all ages. Dinner this evening is at Fiddler Feast Tennessee Shindig supper show, where old-fashioned Southern cooking, mountain charm and bluegrass music blend in perfect harmony, or choose Hoot ‘n’ Holler dinner show at WonderWorks. Sit down for an Italian feast while enjoying this vaudeville-style musical production. For this evening’s entertainment, take your group to The Miracle Theater, where the curtains rise with the dawning of creation as the fingerprint of Christ is illustrated throughout human history. Or your group can step back in time with a performance of a musical show at Memories Theater. (B,D)

DAY 4:

Breakfast this morning is at the hotel with a deluxe continental breakfast or perhaps at Mama’s Farmhouse. Enjoy this morning with a step-on guide and tour America’s most visited national park. This Great Smoky Mountains National Park Tour will show your group awe-inspiring beauty. Enjoy the afternoon shopping the many outlet malls and specialty shops such as Walden’s Landing or Belz Outlet. This evening your group can enjoy dinner shows like Black Bear Jamboree, with its lavish Broadway-style productions, or Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede Dinner & Show. Want more action? Your group can head to the Magic Beyond Belief Theater starring Terry Evanswood, who will keep you on the edge of your seat, or the Smith Family Theater, starring Charlie, Jim and Charlie Bob Smith. (B,D)

Enjoy a pancake breakfast this morning at FlapJack’s or Log Cabin Pancake House before heading out to Dollywood to experience the National Gospel & Harvest Celebration. This afternoon you are on your own to ride the Pigeon Forge Fun Time Trolleys to your favorite shopping or entertainment destination. Choose dinner this evening from fine restaurants such as Corky’s Ribs & BBQ, Pottery House Cafe and Grille, Tony Roma’s, Golden Corral or Great American Steak & Buffet Company. Your entertainment this evening should include the Smoky Mountain Jubilee, the Smokies’ longestrunning show, or Patty Waszak Show, the ultimate variety show. (B,D)

DAY 3:

DAY 5:

Enjoy breakfast at the Blackwoods Morning Variety Show as the

Depart Pigeon Forge with memories that will last a lifetime.

CONTACT: Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:

➤ Joy L. McNealy, CTIS • www.pigeonforgetours.com PO Box 1390, Pigeon Forge, TN 37868 Phone: 800-285-7557 • Email: jmcnealy@mypigeonforge.com

➤ Wilderness Wildlife Week ➤ Saddle Up!

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400 Years of History & Beyond!

Richmond, Virginia

➤➤ HIGHLIGHTS • Narrated canal cruise of Richmond • Experience life in Richmond during the Civil War • Enjoy a mile of eclectic shops and restaurants in Carytown • See the Holocaust through the eyes of a survivor • Relive Patrick Henry's "Give Me Liberty" speech at St. John's Church

➤➤ DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: Richmond • The Virginia State Capitol, designed by Thomas Jefferson, ranks as the second oldest working capitol in the United States, having been in continuous use since 1788. Displayed in the Rotunda is a magnificent life-size statue of George Washington. Allow 1 hour. • Valentine Richmond History Center showcases decorative and industrial arts, costumes and textiles. The museum includes the Edward Valentine sculpture studio and 1812 Wickham House. Allow 2 hours. • Lunch in historic Shockoe Slip • John Marshall House: The great Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court built this house in 1790 and made it his home for 45 years. Allow 1 hour. • White House of the Confederacy: This National Historic Landmark has been restored to its wartime elegance as Jefferson Davis’ executive mansion. Allow 1 hour. • St. John’s Church: On March 23, 1775, in the presence of Washington, Jefferson and other members of the Second Virginia Convention, the torch of liberty was kindled by the words of Patrick Henry: “Give me liberty…or give me death!” (Reenactment of the convention may be arranged.) Allow 1 hour. • Choose a Civil War or other themed dinner or attend a dinner theater.

DAY 2: Richmond • Begin the day with a driving tour of Richmond and its famous Monument Avenue, the only avenue in America designated as a National Historic Landmark. • Voyage to Virginia-Agecroft Hall-Henricus: The 17th century comes alive when the simplicity of Henricus Historical Park meets the elegance of Agecroft Hall. Henricus, the second settlement after Jamestown, is where Pocahontas met her husband, John Rolfe. Allow 3 hours. • Stop in Carytown for lunch and shop along the one-mile stretch of eclectic boutiques.

• Kanawha Canal and Riverfront: Take a cruise on the canal designed by George Washington. • The Virginia Holocaust Museum: Learn the story of one family that endured the Holocaust. Meet a Holocaust survivor. • Dinner at a historical or chain buffet restaurant.

DAY 3: Richmond • Historic Jackson Ward was once known as the “Harlem of the South.” A visit includes Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church, where lunch can be arranged. Allow 2 hours. • Virginia War Memorial is dedicated to soldiers from World War II and the Korean, Vietnam and Persian Gulf wars. A WWII veteran can provide an introduction, and your group may present a wreath. • Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden boasts over a million blooms in the spring. Horticultural demonstrations are available to groups. (Lunch can be arranged in the tea house or main restaurant.) • Return to the hotel to freshen up for the theater. Richmond has four theater groups just waiting to entertain you. Hanover Tavern offers a dinner-and-theater package.

DAY 4: Richmond Leave Richmond for a scenic drive through Goochland, which is beautiful farm and horse country. Visit an organic farm or horse farm. Have lunch at the Edible Gardens restaurant.

CONTACT: Richmond Metropolitan CVB

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:

➤ Janie Lawson, Tourism Sales Manager • www.VisitRichmondVa.com 410 North 3rd Street. Richmond, VA 23219 Phone: 800-370-9004 or Direct: 804-783-7409 • Email: jlawson@RichmondVa.org

➤ Civil War Central: Headquarters, Heroes and Haunts ➤ Richmond: The African-American Story

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June 2009 39

Explore The Rocket City

Huntsville, Alabama

➤➤ HIGHLIGHTS • U.S. Space & Rocket Center • Historic Huntsville Depot • Twickenham Historic District • Alabama Constitution Village • Huntsville Botanical Garden

➤➤ DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: Arrive in Huntsville. Prepare to be “space-napped.” Representatives from the Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau will greet your group at a location where your driver will stop for them to board the motorcoach under the pretense of “kidnapping” your group. The group will be taken to our Visitor Center for a special welcome and photos will be taken of individuals behind a cutout of an astronaut. Explore Space: Alabama’s top tourist attraction, the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, home of U.S. Space Camp®, offers visitors a look at the history of space aviation as well as a glimpse into the future. Its Davidson Center for Space Exploration is home to one of only three remaining Saturn V moon rockets. Phantoms of the Depot: Walk up the creaking steps and down the shadowy hall of the Historic Huntsville Depot on a ghostly lantern tour and hear about sightings and actual readings taken by paranormal experts. Enjoy a spirited dinner in the lobby. (D)

DAY 2:

It’s Not Just a Place to Shop! Experience Southern traditions and shop for treasures at Huntsville’s Interior Marketplace. The unique shopping venue, located in a 1920s farmhouse and quaint old country church, houses boutiques and a gourmet cafe. Enjoy cooking demonstrations, fashion shows and seasonal presentations on entertaining and decorating. Lunch is available at Cafe Michael. Alabama’s Birthplace: Hear the whir of the spinning wheel...smell the enticing aroma of freshly baked bread being prepared over an open fire…and visit with villagers busy with their daily tasks. Alabama Constitution Village dates back to 1819 and is the site where 44 delegates gathered to forge the way for Alabama's statehood. Harrison Brothers Hardware Shop: The oldest operating hardware store in Alabama was founded in 1879 as a tobacco store and moved to its present location in 1897. Antique biscuit jars brim with old-fashioned candies. Cotton throws, marbles by the scoop, cast-iron cookware and oak rocking chairs share space with garden gadgets and bird feeders. Goods nestled up high are reached from tall rolling ladders.

Breakfast at the hotel The Past Preserved for the Future: Enjoy intriguing stories about early merchants, bankers and attorneys who built the fashionable brick homes in the Twickenham Historic District, Alabama’s largest district of antebellum homes. (Step-on-guide) Historic Weeden House Museum: Built in 1819, the Weeden House was home to 19th century poet and artist Maria Howard Weeden. Poetry will be recited in the dialect of the servants and songs will be sung that will warm your heart.

Picture Perfect is a hands-on paint station for young and old alike where users can create artwork on a large screen. Check out the Huntsville Museum of Arts’ latest interactive feature in the Educational Gallery. What’s Growing On? At the Huntsville Botanical Garden, enjoy the Nature Center, Children's Garden complex and largest seasonal butterfly house in the nation. Dinner at one of Huntsville/Madison County’s unique dining establishments. (B,L,D)

CONTACT: Huntsville/Madison County CVB

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:

➤ Pam Williams, Tourism Sales Manager • www.huntsville.org 500 Church St., Ste. 1, Huntsville, AL 35801 Phone: 256-551-2204 • Email: pam@huntsville.org

➤ Out of This World ➤ Between The Mountains and The Lakes

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Naturally New Orleans

New Orleans, Louisiana

➤➤ HIGHLIGHTS • Breakfast of beignets and café au lait at Café du Monde • Louisiana cooking class • River Road Plantation Country and Cajun swamp tour • Jazz brunch in the French Quarter • Dinner and entertainment at a Cajun music restaurant or jazz at Preservation Hall

➤➤ DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: AM – Breakfast: Start your day with a cup of café au lait, usually accompanied by beignets. This Creole version of a doughnut (without a hole) is deep-fried and dusted with powdered sugar. Afterwards, meet your guide for a sightseeing tour of New Orleans. The tour will encompass the entire city from the French Quarter to above-ground cemeteries, beautiful City Park, Lake Pontchartrain, the St. Charles Avenue Streetcar, Garden District, Warehouse/Arts District and Central Business District. Lunch – Try one of our unique cooking schools where you can learn how to make traditional Cajun and Creole dishes such as gumbo, jambalaya and pralines. You not only learn how to make these wonderful dishes but get to eat what the chef creates right in front of you! After lunch the group may want to take a ride aboard a Mississippi River paddlewheeler or shop along our riverfront. You may want to tour the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, IMAX, National World War II Museum, or the newly opened Audubon Insectarium while you are in the area. Evening – Tonight dine at one of our fabulous restaurants before heading out to Bourbon Street for an evening filled with live entertainment on every corner. Or take in a set of hot jazz at Preservation Hall.

DAY 2:

many plantation homes. You may want to stop at a local restaurant or enjoy a Southern-style meal at the home itself. Before heading back towards town, you will enjoy a panoramic view of Lake Pontchartrain. Evening – Tonight you may want to have the evening free to explore the city’s charm or you may want to take the group for a foot stompin’ two steppin’ evening at one of our Cajun music restaurants. Dance instructors will teach you how to do steps like the “Cajun Waltz” while you dine on Cajun specialties and listen to live Cajun music.

DAY 3: AM – Start the day with a Jazz Courtyard Brunch at one of the many fine dining establishments in the French Quarter. Afterwards you can stroll the antique shops and galleries along Royal Street before stopping for some last-minute finds at the Flea Market. PM – If you are feeling lucky, visit one of our casinos that add to the 24-hour excitement of a city that never sleeps!

After breakfast, your local step-on guide will take you outside of New Orleans for an authentic Cajun swamp tour where you will see alligators, birds, snakes and much, much more! Afterwards, you will travel back in time as you make your way down River Road to one of our

CONTACT: New Orleans Metropolitan CVB

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:

➤ Lisa M. Holland, Tourism Sales Manager • www.neworleanscvb.com 2020 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70130 Phone: 800-748-8695, ext. 5053 • Email: lholland@neworleanscvb.com

➤ New Orleans African-American Heritage Tour

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June 2009 41

The Mississippi Delta: The Land of Kings

Tunica, Clarksdale and Indianola, Mississippi, and Memphis, Tennessee

➤➤ HIGHLIGHTS • Accommodations, dining and casino gaming in Tunica • Graceland, Sun Records and Beale Street in Memphis • Clarksdale’s Delta Blues Museum and Ground Zero Blues Club • B.B. King Museum in Indianola • National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis

➤➤ DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY Just down the road in the heart of the Mississippi Delta, there is a special place that connects you to the legends, history and excitement of Southern Kings.

DAY 1: Tunica Check into your luxurious Tunica Casino Resort Hotel. Your group may enjoy any of the nine casino resorts with 24/7 gaming action in the South’s Casino Capital. Dinner recommendations: Paula Deen’s Buffet at Harrah’s Casino Resort (Y’all hungry?) or the Holywood Cafe, made famous in the song “Walking in Memphis” and home of the fried dill pickle.

Peabody Hotel. Witness the tradition of the famous Peabody Marching Ducks. Every day at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., a red carpet is unrolled and the ducks march through crowds of admiring spectators to the tune of John Philip Sousa's King Cotton March. National Civil Rights Museum. Located at the Lorraine Motel, the assassination site of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the museum chronicles the legacy of the American civil rights movevement. Return to Tunica for the evening, enjoy dinner at a casino resort or one of the local favorites. End the night with some fast-paced casino gaming.

DAY 2: Tunica and Memphis Options

DAY 3: Tunica – Clarksdale - Indianola

Tunica: Tunica RiverPark Museum. Aquariums, interactive exhibits and dioramas reveal the legends and life of the Mississippi River. Voted the Southeast Travel Attraction of the Year. Tunica Queen Riverboat. Sightseeing cruises on the Mississippi River. Tunica Museum. Don’t miss Dr. Dick’s humorous and entertaining presentation on the history of Tunica and “King Cotton,” the crop that made the Mississippi Delta famous.

Enjoy breakfast at one of the spectacular casino buffets or the Blue and White Cafe, a mainstay on Hwy. 61 since 1937. Head south down historic Highway 61 to Clarksdale and on to Indianola. From the cotton fields, street corners and juke joints of the Mississippi Delta came a new kind of music – the blues. Considered by many to be the only truly indigenous American music, this form that has influenced musicians worldwide is deeply rooted in Delta soil. In Clarksdale, visit the internationally acclaimed Delta Blues Museum or Hopson Plantation. The Delta Blues Museum is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of the blues. Displays include one of B.B. King's "Lucille" guitars, harmonicas once owned by Sonny Boy Williams II and the log cabin that Muddy Waters lived in at the Stovall Plantation. This is blues heaven. Enjoy lunch at the Ground Zero Restaurant, co-owned by actor Morgan Freeman.

Memphis: Graceland. Experience life as Elvis did at his estate, Graceland, with an audio guided tour. Located just north of Tunica. Lunch – many choices Sightseeing Tour of Memphis may include: Sun Studio. Guided tour through the Birthplace of Rock ′n Roll. Hear outtakes from sessions, touch Elvis′ first microphone and hear the history of the studio that launched Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, B.B. King and many more.

Depart Clarksdale, continuing down Highway 61 and over to Indianola, birthplace of B.B. King and home of the new B.B. King Museum and Interpretive Center. The museum explores King’s 60-plus-year career through objects from his life and work. Return to Tunica for dinner.

CONTACT: Tunica Convention and Visitors Bureau

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:

➤ Bill Canter • www.tunicamiss.com PO Box 2739, Tunica, MS 38767 Phone: 888-488 6422 • Email: bcanter@tunicamiss.com

Visit GroupTravelDirectory.com for more Tunica itinerary ideas

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Shall We Gather at the River

Rock Hill/York County, South Carolina

➤➤ HIGHLIGHTS • Billy Graham Library • NarroWay Productions, family dinner theater • Jungle Aviation and Radio Service • Catawba Indian Nation • Historic Brattonsville, film location for Mel Gibson’s epic The Patriot

➤➤ DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: With an afternoon arrival, begin the York County experience at Historic Brattonsville, one of the film sites of Mel Gibson’s epic The Patriot. Brattonsville is a living history village and Revolutionary War battlefield site featuring historic structures and programs tracing South Carolina life from 1750s through the 1850s. Take a walking tour with costumed interpreters and learn about the lifestyles and religious life of early backcountry settlers, including the African-American religious experience. Save time to peruse the gift shop. After a visit to Historic Brattonsville, a step-on guide will take you back in time with a driving tour of western York County that focuses on the history and culture of the rural South. Your drive will include tours of historic churches and cemeteries, and a stop at the Museum of Western York County, where you will enjoy an authentic Southern tea served by Ladies of the Historical Society. As the day closes, you will visit the Catawba Cultural Center. The center is located on the Catawba Indian Reservation and along the historic Catawba River. Your evening will include a Native American meal and the story of “The Creation” as told by “The People of the River.” You will also experience storytelling, a Catawba language presentation, pottery demonstration by Catawba potters, and drumming and dancing by tribal members. (L,D)

DAY 2: After breakfast, begin the day at JAARS, formally called the Jungle Aviation and Radio Service. JAARS provides technical support and resources to help organizations speed Bible translation for all people; visitors are introduced to JAARS’ unique role in Bible translation through videos, interactive presentations and a tour of the campus. A visit to JAARS also includes the Museum of the Alphabet and MexicoCardenas Museum. The Museum of the Alphabet traces the history of

alphabets and other writing systems. The Mexico-Cardenas Museum displays artifacts, costumes, photographs and folk art that illustrate early translation and cross-cultural work in Mexico. The Billy Graham Library is the next must-see. A flowing exhibit invites you to follow One Man’s Journey from the pastures and gravel roads of North Carolina; to “big tents” and arenas in America’s largest cities; to stadiums, televisions and radios across the globe. Displays of historic backdrops alternate with multimedia theaters showing milestones of Dr. Graham’s lifelong mission. At the library you will eat at the Graham Brothers Dairy Bar. If visiting in December, you can tour Samaritan’s Purse and volunteer with Operation Christmas Child. Dinner and entertainment for the evening will be at NarroWay Productions. The Gospel According to Tennessee is the newest NarroWay show; set in 1926, this fast-paced musical dinner show will take you to East Tennessee, where the fun never ends. “Supper’s on the cook stove, so pull up a chair and sit a spell while singing old Southern classics.” (B,L,D)

DAY 3: Experience York County’s natural beauty at Anne Springs Close Greenway, River Park or Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. God’s bounty is also plentiful at local farms, where you can pick your own produce or shop at local farm stands. Before leaving for home, a visit to Glencairn Garden is a must. An array of colors, textures and shapes decorates this strolling garden, where you will enjoy a picnic lunch and entertainment. (B,L)

CONTACT: Rock Hill/York County CVB

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:

➤ Margaret Wallace, Director of Sales • www.visityorkcounty.com 452 S. Anderson Rd., Rock Hill, SC 29730 Phone: 800-866-5200 • Email: mwallace@visityorkcounty.com

➤ Visit GroupTravelDirectory.com for more Rock Hill itinerary ideas

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June 2009 43

Senior Class Goes First Class

Virginia Beach, Virginia

➤➤ HIGHLIGHTS

• Get up-close and personal with F/A-18 Hornets • Catch a ride on a dolphin- or whale-watching excursion • Explore the historic lighthouses at Cape Henry • Get to know the harbor seals at the Virginia Aquarium

➤➤ DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: Explore the shoreline AM: After breakfast at Pocahontas Pancake House, it’s back to nature at the environmentally-focused interactive Chesapeake Bay Center. First Landing State Park showcases the landing of the first English settlers in 1607, and offers sea kayaking, a wet lab and marine education. PM: Lunch at Bubba’s or Lynnhaven Fish House, then climb the Old Cape Henry Lighthouse. Spend the afternoon on the Boardwalk with a stop at the Old Coast Guard Station for “Salty Sea Stories.” Pi-zerria at 33rd Street is one of the best pizza joints in town, but save room for a cone as you visit the busiest Dairy Queen in the world on 16th Street.

DAY 2: Thrill to jets and dolphins AM: Follow breakfast with a tour of Naval Air Station Oceana Master Jet Base for a heart-racing, up-close experience with F/A-18 Hornets. PM: Lunch at the Officer’s Club before you take off on a Dolphin Cruise Tour onboard the Rudee Flipper with Virginia Aquarium naturalists. Enjoy a hearty buffet meal of coastal fare at Captain George’s Seafood.

PM: Explore the ocean’s secrets at Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center and 3D IMAX® Theater. Finish the day with a show at Little Theater of Virginia Beach or Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, and a crowd-pleasing dinner at Stella Gourmet Pizzeria, where you can make your own pie.

DAY 4: Drive across the bay AM: As you leave the beach, enjoy the scenic route north on Route 13 across one of the seven man-made wonders of the world, the Chesapeake Bay-Bridge Tunnel. The 17.5-mile span leads to Virginia’s Eastern Shore. Stop for lunch at the Sea Gull Pier Restaurant, known for the largest flounder entrée around and their “big fish sandwiches.” ALL-DAY FUN. Spend a full day exploring one of these options: • Busch Gardens Williamsburg • Colonial Williamsburg • Ocean Breeze Waterpark

DAY 3: An eye-opening, mind-expanding day AM: Visit the Association for Research and Enlightenment (A.R.E.) to learn of renowned dream interpreter and visionary Edgar Cayce, and his views on holistic healing. Visit the Contemporary Art Center of Virginia for significant works.

CONTACT: Virginia Beach Visitor Center

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:

➤ James Coggin, Group Tourism Sales Manager • www.vbgrouptours.com 2100 Parks Ave., Virginia Beach, VA 23451 Phone: 800-700-7702 • Email: jcoggin@vbgov.com

➤ Girls Getaway: Girls Just Want To Have Fun ➤ Get Green! An Eco-Friendly Getaway

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Savannah, Est. 1733

Savannah, Georgia

➤➤ HIGHLIGHTS • A unique city layout with an abundance of squares and parks • River Street with over 100 restored cotton warehouses, restaurants, art galleries and shops • Informative and fun tours offered through the Historic District • Nighttime activities that include river boat cruises and live musical theater • Outstanding dining options including The Lady and Sons restaurant, home of famous Southern chef Paula Deen

DAY 3:

➤➤ DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: Savannah Welcome Center/History Museum: The Savannah History Museum showcases the city’s history from its founding to the present day. The museum is home to exhibits that include Forrest Gump’s bench, one of Johnny Mercer’s Oscar Awards, and a carriage owned by the family of Girl Scouts founder Juliette Gordon Low. Take a Tour: Get to know Savannah by experiencing a city tour, either on our period-style trolleys or with one of our highly trained step-on guides. The tour lasts about two hours and will help your group get better acquainted with our genteel Southern beauty. Eat, Drink, and Be Merry: Savannah offers all types of casual and upscale dining options. We can help you determine which restaurants are particularly “group friendly!”

DAY 2: Riverboat Tour: Explore the Savannah River’s natural beauty on the Savannah Riverboat. This two hour excursion shows you the city from a unique perspective. You might even spy playful dolphins swimming along side! Tasty Treats: Go behind the scenes to see the “masters at work” creating some of the most delicious candies and cookies in the South. Fantastic Tybee Island: Just 20 minutes from Savannah lies Tybee Island, a uniquely charmed island that offers a change of pace and taste. While there, take your group to the Tybee Light Station. Dating back to 1773, the lighthouse is one of America’s most complete historic light stations.

African-American History: Take a tour that focuses on our rich black heritage. Highlights include a church that was built by slave labor and served as part of the Underground Railroad. We’re also home to the state’s oldest continuous school for newly freed slaves as well as a modern museum chronicling the civil rights struggle in Savannah. Military Might: From its beginning, Savannah has been fortified to protect its residents and strategic port. Today our eight forts stand as un-garrisoned but fascinating reminders of our military history as well as striking memorials to our country’s struggles to remain free. Fright Night: Discover why Savannah has repeatedly been named “America’s Most Haunted City!” There are numerous touring options to choose from, making this a great evening event for your group that’s entertaining, fun and informative, no matter the age.

DAY 4: Visit a Historic Home: Savannah’s past is told in the many house museums that populate the area. Your group will enjoy this immersion into the lifestyles of our most famous founding fathers, exploring their period homes, possessions and history. Savannah Souvenirs: Your group will enjoy spending their last afternoon in Savannah looking for that perfect signature Savannah souvenir. The city has a multitude of trendy shops and boutiques that are sure to have something for everyone. It’s Showtime!: Your group’s final night in Savannah is sure to be a memorable one as they experience the city’s live musical theater. The two-hour production will have your group smiling, laughing, singing and tapping their toes to the melodies of well-known songs of the past and present.

CONTACT: Savannah Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:

➤ Mindy Shea • www.savannahvisit.com 101 E. Bay St., Suite 1, Savannah, GA 31401 Phone: 912-644-6419 • Email: mshea@savannahvisit.com

➤ Sensational Savannah… A Women’s Getaway

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June 2009 45

Discover Hilton Head Island

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

➤➤ HIGHLIGHTS • Harbour Town Lighthouse in Sea Pines Resort • Heyward House Historic Center in Old Town Bluffton • Lowcountry Garden Tour • The Arts Center of Coastal Carolina • Nature Tours: Dolphin Cruise and Loggerhead Turtle Beach Walk

➤➤ DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: Hilton Head Island Morning: The Chamber of Commerce Official Welcome Center & Coastal Discovery Museum is the perfect place to begin our introduction to Hilton Head Island. Afternoon: Discover Hilton Head Island with one of many tours departing from the Welcome Center. Professionally trained guides will trace the Island's antebellum roots, the role the Island played in the Civil War, the Island’s unique Gullah culture and conclude with the Island's modern day development. Evening: Enjoy a sunset cruise aboard the Vagabond out of Harbour Town in Sea Pines Resort. Then dine marina side at The Crazy Crab restaurant under our famous lighthouse.

DAY 2: Old Town Bluffton

DAY 3: Hilton Head Island Morning: The Coastal Discovery Museum’s Beach/Turtle Walk offers a one-and-a-half-hour tour of the Island's magnificent dune-lined beaches with a trained naturalist.

Morning: Lowcountry Garden Tour. Afternoon: Spend the day in Old Town Bluffton, starting at the Heyward House Historic Welcome Center, and then stroll along Calhoun Street and experience the art galleries and eclectic boutiques along the way. Visit the historic Church of the Cross which overlooks the May River. Enjoy a Lowcountry lunch at Myrtle’s Restaurant located in Old Town Bluffton.

Afternoon: Lunch at any one of our indoor/outdoor Palmetto Bay Marina restaurants and then set out on a Dolphin Watch Cruise of local waters. This tour offers an opportunity to view playful bottlenose dolphins in their natural habitat. Evening: Enjoy dinner at Marley’s Restaurant, then head over to The Jazz Corner for a night of blues.

Evening: Dine at any one of our Shelter Cove Harbour restaurants and then enjoy a Broadway musical at the nearby Arts Center of Coastal Carolina. Enjoy a delightful performance by one of South Carolina's largest theater production companies.

CONTACT: Hilton Head Island Visitor & Convention Bureau

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:

➤ Brenda Ciapanna • www.hiltonheadisland.org PO Box 5647, Hilton Head Island, SC 29938 Phone: 843-341-8368 • Email: grouptour@hiltonheadisland.org

➤ Discover Gullah Heritage

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Biloxi, Gulfport, Ocean Springs, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi

Three Days of Discovery ➤➤ HIGHLIGHTS • Your choice of maritime excursions on the Gulf of Mexico • Beauvoir, last home of the only president of the Confederacy • Ohr-O’Keefe and Walter Anderson Museums of Art, Smithsonian affiliates • Old Town areas, boutique shopping and local craftsmen • 24-hour gaming with headline entertainment at Vegas-style casinos

➤➤ DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: Savor the Flavor of Gulf Coast Culture Enjoy an excursion aboard the Biloxi Shrimp Trip. For 70 minutes, enjoy tales of shrimping, fishing and Biloxi history. Cross the street to see the new Hurricane Katrina Memorial built by Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Spend some time at the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art to experience the creations of George Ohr, our very own “Mad Potter.” Don’t miss the Pleasant Reed Interpretive Center, a replica of the original house that former slave Pleasant Reed built in 1887. Become a “foodie” for the afternoon with a culinary demonstration or Southern tea offered by one of our local chefs. Visit Beauvoir, The Jefferson Davis Home circa 1852, last home of the President of the Confederacy and the place where he penned his memoirs. If the Gulf of Mexico beckons, relax on a sail aboard the Biloxi Schooners, replicas of the oyster schooners used from the late 1800s to the early 1900s or ride with Ship Island Excursions aboard the Pan American Clipper. Sailing from the Gulfport Harbor, watch for dolphins as you cruise to Ship Island, home of Fort Massachusetts and some of our most beautiful beaches. Dance and dine on their new sunset cruise. After dark enjoy the shows, entertainers and gaming at our coastal casino resorts.

DAY 2: Old Town and the Real McCoys

Don’t miss a visit to the Walter Anderson Museum of Art to enjoy the distinctive works of this renowned artist. For a truly unforgettable experience, meet the real McCoys! Let Captain Lynn with McCoy’s River and March Tours take you on the Pascagoula River, one of the most pristine river swamps in America and the last waterway of its size in the USA that is unimpeded by any artificial structure. Greet some gators at the Gulf Coast Gator Ranch, the oldest gator farm in Mississippi.

DAY 3: From the Bay to Beyond the Milky Way Looking for someplace special? Spend the day in the Bay. After a beautiful Gulf View drive west, you will cross the Bay of St. Louis into a shopping and dining paradise. Mississippi’s West Coast is home to more than 200 resident artists who create fine and folk pieces exhibited in galleries that will take your breath away. Visit St. Rose de Lima, an AfricanAmerican-based Catholic church that holds a truly magnificent surprise! While riding through this historic town, see firsthand its post-Katrina rebirth. The historic L & N Train Depot, new home to the Hancock County’s CVB, is a convenient rest and information stop. If you’re intrigued by outer space, blast off to StennisSphere and discover why America comes to NASA’s Stennis Space Center prior to going into space. Before you begin your journey into space, you will be taken to the Launch Pad to prepare for your mission, then on to a narrated tour through the nation’s largest rocket test complex where space shuttles’ main engines are tested.

Travel east to Old Town Ocean Springs. Spend the morning visiting the many boutiques, galleries and restaurants of this quaint artisan town.

CONTACT: Mississippi Gulf Coast CVB Services

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:

➤ Janet Harrington, Sales Manager, Group Tour/Leisure • www.gulfcoast.org PO Box 6128, Gulfport, MS 39506 Phone: 888-467-4853, ext. 228 • Email: janeth@gulfcoast.org

Visit GroupTravelDirectory.com for more Mississippi Gulf Coast itinerary ideas

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June 2009 47

Campaign for Corinth

Corinth, Mississippi

➤➤ HIGHLIGHTS • Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center • Crossroads Museum in the Historic Depot • Most pristine, preserved Civil War earthworks • Verandah-Curlee House, where orders for the Battle of Shiloh were signed • Try on a Civil War uniform at one of the nation’s largest suppliers of re-enactor gear • Enjoy an old-fashioned soda while viewing Civil War relics at Borroum’s Drug Store

➤➤ DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: Historic Railroad Crossroads & Crossroads Museum: The Crossroads Museum is the hub of area history and has an extensive collection of local Civil War relics. We will also visit the C&D Jarnigan Store, one of the nation’s premier suppliers of reproduction uniforms and accessories for both the Revolutionary and Civil wars. Verandah/Curlee House: The only antebellum home open to the public, built by one of the founders of Corinth, played a significant role in the area’s Civil War history. The orders for the Confederate attack at Shiloh were drafted in the house. Lunch at Borroum’s Drug Store: A Confederate veteran opened in 1865 what is now Mississippi’s oldest, continuous family-operated drugstore. An old-fashioned soda fountain is a bonus with cherry Cokes and chocolate shakes. While at Borroum’s, we may view the Confederate monument on Court Square dedicated to Col. William Rogers, the hero of the Battle of Corinth.

Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center: No visit to Corinth would be complete without seeing the Interpretive Center, a National Park Service site. The Center features videos of the Battles of Shiloh and Corinth and an educational water feature. End the day at one of several restaurants in downtown Corinth: Then stroll along the tree-lined streets or enjoy performances at the Corinth Theatre Arts, Pickin’on the Square, the Crossroads Arena or the Coliseum Civic Center, depending upon the date of the visit. (L,D)

Driving Tour of Civil War Corinth: Stops include the Corinth National Cemetery, the Contraband Camp, and the sites of Battery Powell, Generals’ Headquarters and Battery F. Beauregard Line: One of the most pristine lines of earthworks in the nation. A short hike is required.

CONTACT: Corinth Area CVB

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:

➤ Kristy White • www.corinth.net 215 N. Fillmore St., Corinth, MS 38834 Phone: 662-287-8300 • Email: tourism@corinth.net

➤ Birthplace of Freedom ➤ Feast for the Senses

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Historic Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg, Virginia

➤➤ HIGHLIGHTS • Original George Washington family homes • Charming Old Town Fredericksburg – a shopper’s delight and restaurants to suit any palate • Four Civil War battlefields • Classic Broadway musicals at Riverside Dinner Theater • Wine tastings and food pairing demonstrations

➤➤ DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: George Washington influenced not only Fredericksburg’s history, but also the new nation he helped form. At Ferry Farm you’ll see the site of Washington’s boyhood home before journeying to the home he purchased for his mother, the Mary Washington House, and his sister’s home, Kenmore, known for its beautiful plasterwork. His brother, Charles, sold his home and it later became the Rising Sun Tavern, remaining today as a lively interpretive site with costumed 18th century tavern wenches. Lunch can be enjoyed on your own in Old Town or at any of a wide variety of group-welcoming restaurants. Spend the evening at Potomac Point Winery learning about and sampling the award-winning wines and the food that is paired with them.

DAY 2: Strategically located midway between the capital of the Confederacy in Richmond and the U. S. capital in Washington, D. C., Fredericksburg was the scene of four of the most devastating battles of the Civil War. A local guide will join you as you visit Chatham Manor, a Georgian plantation home that served as a vital Federal headquarters, communications center and hospital. Visitor centers at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville feature museum exhibits, videos and short walking tours that tell the story of the four battlefields in the region. Enjoy evening entertainment at Riverside Dinner Theater, which possesses state-of-the-art facilities and seats 452 guests. Riverside boasts gourmet cuisine, a choice of four entrees served at your table and a commitment to classic Broadway musicals.

DAY 3: There are many unique sites in the area that have an ambience all their own. Gari Melchers Home and Studio at Belmont was the home of this American Impressionist artist. Your senses will delight in not only the wonderful artwork and furnishings, but also the gardens on the 27-acre estate. No visit to the area would be complete without some free time for shopping in Old Town Fredericksburg. After lunch on your own in one of the independently owned restaurants, spend time browsing the galleries, antique shops, boutiques and craft stores that line the brick sidewalks, a portion of the 40-block National Historic District. After lunch visit Fredericksburg Area Museum and Cultural Center housed in two historic buildings and discover thru the eyes of local residents the region’s rich and varied past. Or perhaps you need medical treatment. Although Dr. Mercer may not be in at the Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop, his apprentice will be certain to have a treatment for whatever ails you. Your group will depart the Fredericksburg region with many fond memories and an appreciation for one of the most historic cities in America. We welcome you to experience it for yourself.

CONTACT: Fredericksburg Regional Tourism Partnership

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:

➤ Lura Hill, Manager Tourism Sales • www.VisitFred.com 706 Caroline St., Fredericksburg, VA 22401 Phone: 540-372-1216/866-405-3046 • Email: lhill@fredericksburgva.gov

➤ Art, Romance, Mystery, Fashion—Immerse Yourself ➤ Of Wine and Roses

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June 2009 49

New Orleans Plantation Country

River Parishes, Louisiana

➤➤ HIGHLIGHTS • Historic plantations and demonstrations • Conveniently situated between New Orleans and Baton Rouge, Louisiana • Breathtaking views • Antique shopping and wine tasting • Experience a taste of New Orleans

➤➤ DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: Journey into the Past Your journey into New Orleans Plantation Country begins in the heart of Vacherie, Louisiana, where picturesque day tours will escort you into the charm and elegance of historic plantations. Take a glimpse into Creole history at Laura: A Creole Plantation, where the stories of Compare Lapin, known in English as the legendary “Br’er Rabbit,” were captured. Discover the history of the sugar cane industry from its beginning in 1795, through the years when sugar was white gold to the present day while touring St. Joseph Plantation. Walk down the alley of 200-year-old oak trees framing the view of the majestic Oak Alley Plantation. Enjoy lunch at Nobile’s Restaurant, whose long history of hospitality dates back to 1894. The beautiful Victorian mahogany bar that greets restaurant customers and the interesting collectibles bring back the feeling of those days when the cypress loggers raised their glasses and enjoyed a respite from their labor. Catch a glimpse of the setting sun on a pontoon boat ride around beautiful Lac Des Allemands with Pleasure Bend Nature Tours.

DAY 3: Taste of New Orleans Put on your walking shoes for a day in New Orleans, but before exiting Plantation Country stop off at Destrehan Plantation. Learn of the many changes this majestic house has seen over the last two centuries and participate in historic demonstrations like open hearth cooking, wood crafting, African American herbal remedies, indigo dyeing, candle making or bousillage. In New Orleans enjoy a walking tour of the city to work up your appetite for a jazz brunch at the Court of Two Sisters. Enjoy an afternoon free to explore the historic French Quarter or one of the city’s many attractions: National World War II Museum, Audubon Insectarium, Aquarium of the Americas or IMAX Theatre – just to name a few. Complete your day with an evening Dinner Jazz Cruise or Dinner & Jazz at the Palm Court Jazz Cafe.

DAY 2: Old Town Charm As the sun rises and dries the morning dew, begin your day taking in the beauty of San Francisco Plantation, known for its hand-painted ceilings and faux marble finishings. Enjoy the beautiful views of Lake Pontchartrain while having a relaxing lunch at Frenier’s Landing. Follow the winding road to downtown Ponchatoula, where a small Antique Shopping Village with over 40 shops awaits you. Grab a sweet strawberry treat at Berry Patch Cafe while watching the locals stroll through town. If antiquing is not your interest, continue to Independence for a tour and wine tasting at Amato’s Winery, where Louisiana strawberries are transformed into a sweet treat. Return to your hotel and freshen up for dinner at Bull’s Corner in LaPlace.

CONTACT: River Parishes Tourist Commission

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:

➤ Jay Tusa • www.NewOrleansPlantationCountry.com 2900 Highway 51, LaPlace, LA 70068 Phone: 985-359-2562 or 866-204-7782 • Email: sales@neworleansplantationcountry.com

➤ Plantation Country Festival Trail ➤ Christmas Plantation Country Style

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Culinary Delights and Blues Heritage

Greenwood, Mississippi

➤➤ HIGHLIGHTS • Culinary treats including Delta hot tamales, barbecue or soul food from homegrown restaurants • Learn about cooking at the Viking Cooking School with demonstrations or hands-on lessons from expert instructors and notable chefs • Experience the history of the blues

➤➤ DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: Beginning where rolling hills meet lush, flat lands, Greenwood is in the heart of the Mississippi Delta. Its history – as striking as its landscape – continues to fascinate generations of group travelers. Begin your day at The Alluvian Hotel on Howard Street, a cosmopolitan, boutique hotel of a caliber normally reserved for large cities. With 45 rooms and five luxury suites, this hotel redefines Delta elegance. After touring the Alluvian, the trip continues with a tour of the Viking Range plant where a full line of Viking major appliances and culinary products is designed and manufactured and sold around the world. The next stop is the Viking Cooking School where cooks of all experience levels...from beginner to world-famous master chefs...come to teach or learn with the best. Lunch is served at the Crystal Grill, a Greenwood institution that has been in operation for a century. The Crystal serves a wide variety – from fried chicken to Southern vegetables, Gulf seafood to hot tamales – to folks from all walks of life. The afternoon is free for shopping on Howard Street in historic downtown Greenwood. Howard Street offers Mississippi-made gourmet foods, pottery and art, antique and estate jewelry, crystal and china, fine men and women’s clothing , home furnishings, shoes, custom framing, and more.

orabilia of other Delta bluesmen. At Rolling Fork, begin your trek up the famous Highway 61. This is the time to put on your favorite blues songs and feel the magic. A cotton field outside of Leland was the birthplace of Willie Foster in 1921. In downtown Indianola you can see the corner of Church and 2nd Street, where B.B. King played in the early '40s and left his handprints in the sidewalk. Not too far from this site is Club Ebony, one of the oldest and best known juke joints in the state. Since 1945, Club Ebony has hosted such musical icons as Count Basie, Ray Charles, James Brown, Ike Turner, Little Milton, Willie Clayton, Bobby Bland, Howlin' Wolf and B.B. King. Travel north to Ruleville, home of Jimmy Rogers (1924-1997). If you turn west on Highway 8 at Ruleville, you'll see Dockery Farms. Some say this is where the blues as we know it came alive. From here, travel to Merigold and Po' Monkey's Lounge, one of the last surviving rural jukes.Around evening, pay a visit to Clarksdale, home of the Delta Blues Museum and other significant blues sites, such as the Riverside Hotel, and, of course, the infamous crossroads of Highways 61 and 49, where legend says Robert Johnson traded his soul to the devil for his musical abilities.

DAY 2: Years ago, self-taught musicians emerged from across the Delta to shape and mold America’s only indigenous art form – the blues. Artists such as Charley Patton, Muddy Waters, Luther “Guitar Jr.” Johnson, Willie Foster and B.B. King have their roots here. Start the day by visiting the Greenwood Blues Heritage Museum and Gallery. Here you can learn the complete story of Robert Johnson, as well as the stories and mem-

CONTACT: Greenwood Convention & Visitors Bureau

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:

➤ Paige Hunt • www.greenwoodms.org 111 E. Market Street, Greenwood, MS 38935 Phone: 800-748-9064 • Email: info@gcvb.com

➤ Cotton, Catfish and Culture: Visit Cottonlandia ➤ Living the Blues: See the Birthplace of the Blues

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June 2009 51

Gaming & Playing in Louisiana’s Other Side: Shreveport-Bossier City

ShreveportBossier City, Louisiana

➤➤ HIGHLIGHTS • Test Lady Luck at our Vegas-style casinos and racetrack • Stand on the stage where Elvis got his start • Shop till you drop at Louisiana Boardwalk • View the world’s second largest collection of Mardi Gras costumes at the Ark-La-Tex Mardi Gras Museum • Savor the cuisine of Shreveport-Bossier City, where spicy crawfish meets tangy barbecue

➤➤ DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: Discover the unexpected in Shreveport-Bossier: Louisiana’s Other Side. Located in the northwest corner, Shreveport-Bossier blends spicy Louisiana flair with East Texas flavor. Shreveport-Bossier City is the place where steak sauce meets hot sauce! Start your tour with dinner at group-friendly Ralph & Kacoo’s. Enjoy a variety of Cajun cuisines, Gulf Coast seafood, shrimp, crab, crawfish platters, charbroiled fish and steaks. After you eat your fill, head over to one of our five Vegas-Style riverboat casinos. Whether you love a good slot machine or enjoy a good table game such as Black Jack, Big Six or Roulette, you'll find excitement here. Our list of fun spots includes: Horseshoe Hotel & Casino, Sam’s Town Hotel & Casino, DiamondJack’s Casino Resort, Eldorado Casino Resort, Boomtown Casino, and Harrah’s Louisiana Downs, a horse track and casino.

DAY 2: Start your day at the Municipal Auditorium, home of the Louisiana Hayride, a live radio broadcast from 1948-1960. Tour the museum where Elvis’ career really started. Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, Jim Reeves, Kitty Wells, and Slim Whitman are just a few that performed. Also view over 1,000 rare photos and memorabilia. Take your picture with a life-size bronze statue of “The King”, which stands outside. Next, head over to the Multicultural Center of the South, which features colorful exhibits of authentic art, crafts, furniture, and artifacts of African, Mexican, Native American, Greek, Scottish, Asian, Indian, and other cultures of Shreveport-Bossier, North Louisiana, and the South.

tion in Louisiana. Explore the more than 60 outlet stores and restaurants in the Boardwalk. Motorcoach parking is available. Get a true taste of Louisiana culture and history at the Mardi Gras in the Ark-La-Tex Mardi Gras Museum. Enjoy a fascinating display of the history of Mardi Gras in Shreveport-Bossier. Exhibits include floats, Mardi Gras royalty costumes, and all the trappings of Mardi Gras festivities. After enjoying a refreshing rest at the hotel, get ready for another night of fabulous food and exciting casino action. Dine at one of the mouth-watering casino buffets, or choose Don’s Seafood, a Shreveport favorite.

DAY 3: Get the inside scoop with a Shreveport-Bossier expert. Tour the area with step-on guide Jan Pettiet, who will point out attractions like casinos, Red River District, Sci-Port Discovery Center, the Millennium Moon Mega Mural, Spirit of the Red River Cruise, Spring Street Historical Museum and Barnwell Garden and Art Center. Hear stories of Shreveport-Bossier’s colorful past and present. Before you head home, stop for lunch at Julie Anne’s Bakery. Delicious sandwiches and soups will hit the spot, but don’t leave without a taste of their famous King Cake, a Mardi Gras favorite available year-round. We’re so happy that you’re considering visiting Louisiana’s Other Side. So let your hair down! Come and experience all we have to offer in Shreveport-Bossier City and the surrounding area. It’s our sincere hope that while you’re here visiting Louisiana’s Other Side, you discover yours too.

Ready for lunch? The Louisiana Boardwalk, situated on the Red River in Bossier City, is the largest outlet, lifestyle, dining and entertainment destina-

CONTACT: Shreveport-Bossier CTB

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:

➤ Erica Howard, Tourism Sales Manager • www.shreveport-bossier.org 629 Spring Street, Shreveport, LA 71101 Phone: 800-551-8682 ext. 104 • Email: ehoward@sbctb.org

➤ Galleries & Gardens in Louisiana's Other Side: Shreveport-Bossier City ➤ Mardi Gras Bash in Shreveport-Bossier: Louisiana’s Other Side

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NORTHEAST

Experience the High of Visiting

THE OBSERVATORY of the World’s Highest Inclined Tower

America’s Historical Hotspot very year, as Mother Nature paints the Northeastern landscape with its mosaic of vibrant colors, the region is a treasure trove for visitors, each place offering something different, but sharing its abundance of scenic wonders, historic sights, small-town charm and home-grown flavors.

History abounds in New England and all the way down the Atlantic coast. The Pilgrims landed in Plymouth, and in nearby Concord the “shot heard ’round the world” started the American Revolution. Boston abounds with colonial connections, and Mystic Seaport in Connecticut celebrates America’s seafaring traditions. Summer and winter, visitors come to New England to enjoy the great outdoors, whether it’s to hike or ski in Vermont’s Green Mountains or enjoy an

Boston

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Philadelphia Olympic Park. A unique site and an experience you don’t want to miss. Ride in a cable car up to the observatory of the world’s highest inclined tower for an eye-popping view of Montréal and its surroundings. And while you’re here, take our surprising guided tour and learn everything there is to know about the history of the Stadium, from its construction to the present day. Olympic Park and its many peripheral attractions– just wait till you see! 1

evening concert on the village green. In fall, sightseers flock to New England and all the Northeast for “leaf peeping.” The vibrant reds, oranges and golds of autumn are spectacular, but don’t stop there. Discover the dazzling white of snow-covered mountains or cottoncandy pink of apple orchards in the spring. The Northeast, moreover, overflows with culinary delights, from Maine lobster and blueberries to Vermont maple syrup, Cape Cod cranberries, Philadelphia cheesesteaks and Maryland crab cakes. Many itineraries focus exclusively on food and wine. The Mid-Atlantic is among the most ethnically diverse areas in the world. From colonial times onward, it has been home to a kaleidoscope of people, and many neighborhoods are still steeped in their Old World ethnicity. Visitors appreciate the area’s authentic cuisine and are fascinated by heritage festivals and traditional ceremonies.

Travelers can tour the homes and villages of famous Americans to learn more of their lives and contributions to the world. American icons like Benjamin Franklin, Edgar Allen Poe and Babe Ruth all left their marks. The Mid-Atlantic’s metropolitan areas include some of the largest cities in the country and sizzle with first-rate nightlife and entertainment. Notable museums offer outstanding collections of art and antiquities. Majestic theaters present world-class productions. Visitors to the region also find maritime villages, towns stepped in history and paved with cobblestones, and some of the country’s most glorious public gardens. Each season highlights a different hue of Northeastern charm. Whether you’re leaf-peeping in New England, blasting through the United States’ most historical hotspots or catching up on the New York City arts scene, new seasons usher in new reasons to visit this vibrant mecca of distinctly American culture and beauty. LGT June 2009 53

Calvert County – Charm of the Chesapeake

Calvert County, Maryland

➤➤ HIGHLIGHTS • Hunt for fossils on the beaches • Trace early history at Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum • Learn about our rich maritime history at Calvert Marine Museum • Hungry? Savor succulent seafood at one of our many restaurants • Find treasures in our museums, galleries and shops

➤➤ DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: The Twin Beaches Nestled on the Chesapeake Bay’s western shore, the neighboring towns of North Beach and Chesapeake Beach epitomize the “land of pleasant living.” The seven-block waterfront in North Beach contains a public fishing pier, boardwalk and bike path. At Bayside History Museum learn about the Chesapeake Bay environment and the cultures of the bayside communities. Take a leisurely stroll down the boardwalk, browse quaint boutiques, art galleries, sweet shops and antique stores. Ask about our special “Brown Bag Tour,” where all participants receive a small gift at participating shops. Take a glimpse back in time at the Chesapeake Beach Railway Museum. Board one of the headboats at the Rod ‘N’ Reel Dock and cruise the Chesapeake Bay. For dinner, crack a few crabs at a local crab house, enjoy lite fare, steaks or seafood at a café as you watch the sunset.

DAY 2: Solomons Island Where the Patuxent River meets the Chesapeake Bay, you will find a place of uncommon charm and unspoiled beauty, Solomons Island. Visit the Calvert Marine Museum, to trace the rich maritime history and diversity of the Chesapeake Bay. Climb through the hatch of the Drum Point Lighthouse or take a shuttle to the Cove Point Lighthouse, the oldest continuously working light in Maryland. A short cruise on the museum’s historic “bug-eye” boat, the Wm. B. Tennison, gives a view of Solomons that is unique and unforgettable. At the Chesapeake Biological Laboratory learn more about the ecology and natural resources of the Chesapeake Bay. One of the mid-Atlantic area’s treasures, Annmarie Garden Sculpture Park and Arts Center features outdoor displays of sculpture, many on loan from the Smithsonian Institution. At the new Arts Center view changing exhibits or take a class. This quaint town has many restaurants; one is sure to suit your taste and price point. From waterside dining to steaks, your group will receive a delicious meal and great service. End

the day with a sunset cruise and listen to the sounds of the river as you enjoy the calm Patuxent River and watch the sun set over the bridge.

DAY 3: Fossils and Farmscapes The towering cliffs on the Chesapeake Bay are etched with imprints of creatures that lived in sands of years ago. As the cliffs level out, you will find where people have left their mark on the landscape, in the form of rolling farms and open fields. Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum is situated on 560 acres along the Patuxent River and St. Leonard Creek. Explore the Visitor and Exhibit Center, Children’s Discovery Room and recreated Eastern Woodland Indian Village. Learn about archaeology through a “behind the scenes” tour of the Maryland Archaeological Conservation Laboratory. Walk the trails or take a slow stroll along the boardwalk at Flag Pond Nature Park. Once a thriving pound net fishery, the “Buoy Hotel” now houses a fascinating exhibit on the Bay’s old-time fishing industry. At Battle Creek Cypress Swamp Sanctuary, a boardwalk trail winds through one of the northernmost stands of bald cypress trees in North America. Learn more in the nature center through exhibits and demonstrations. On the Patuxent Wine Trail, sample and sip your way through Calvert County, which boasts five wineries. Tour the vineyards, talk with the vintners and taste your favorite varietals. By the time you are finished, you’ll have new ideas for pairings, answers to your wine questions and enough bottles of your dream chardonnay or shiraz to last until your next trip!

CONTACT: Calvert County Tourism

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:

➤ Joyce Stinnett Baki • www.ecalvert.com Courthouse, 175 Main St., Prince Frederick, MD 20678 Phone: 800-331-9771 • Email: bakija@co.cal.md.us

➤ Patuxent Wine Trail ➤ The War of 1812 – The Battles of St. Leonard Creek ➤ Cooking Maryland Style

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Historic National Road and Grantsville

Garrett County, Maryland

➤➤ HIGHLIGHTS • Grantsville Community Museum • Casselman Inn (Drover’s Inn) • White cast-iron mile marker • Casselman River Bridge State Park • Spruce Forest Artisan Village

➤➤ DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: Come to Garrett County and join the Historic National Road and Grantsville tour. Travel the route that General Edward Braddock and volunteer officer George Washington used on their ill-fated march from Fort Cumberland to Fort Duquesne in 1755 at the start of the French and Indian War. Four of General Braddock’s encampment sites are located within present-day Garrett County. When the National Road came through in 1815, the settlement of Grantsville was a half mile away along the old Braddock Road. Recognizing an opportunity, the citizens of Grantsville decided to move a dozen buildings from their Braddock Road location to just west of the Casselman Bridge, to what is today the town of Grantsville. They wanted to take advantage of the new road and prosperity it would bring. Come tour Grantsville and all it has to offer! At the Grantsville Community Museum, see the Leo Beachy (18741927) photography exhibit that chronicled the mountains, villages and travelers who passed along the National Road. You will feel the town come alive as you tour the Casselman Inn (Drover’s Inn), a major overnight stop for cattle drovers with a large outdoor corral next door for

their animals. See the white cast-iron mile marker, one of many that were installed in 1835 when the State of Maryland took over responsibility for the National Road from the federal government. Don’t miss the Casselman Bridge at Casselman River Bridge State Park. A picturesque relic of Maryland’s early transportation history, the bridge was the longest single-span stone ach bridge (80 feet) in the world during the era of the National Road. The area’s history also is showcased at Spruce Forest Artisan Village, a settlement that consists of restored historic buildings moved to the site from various locations in Western Maryland. The mission of the village is to preserve and showcase Appalachian culture by educating visitors and promoting artisan crafts. Garrett County offers a variety of tours for everyone. Adventure, relaxation, history – we’ve got it all!

CONTACT: Garrett County Chamber of Commerce

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:

➤ Katie Tasker • www.garrettchamber.com 15 Visitors Center Drive, McHenry, MD 21541 Phone: 301-387-4386 • Email: Katie@garrettchamber.com

➤ Visit GroupTravelDirectory.com for more Garrett County itinerary ideas

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June 2009 55

Experience Philadelphia Like Never Before

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

➤➤ HIGHLIGHTS • Visit the birthplace of our nation • 117 year-old public food and vendor market – Reading Terminal Market • World-renowned art and cultural museums • Tax-free shopping on clothing and shoes • Experiential and voluntourism tour options

➤➤ DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: Morning: Load your group on board a double-decker bus, historic trolley, or land-and-sea “duck” for a 90-minute tour of Center City Philadelphia. Professional guides will provide a wealth of facts about the city’s history, attractions and architecture. Unload at Independence National Historical Park for a walking tour of “America’s most historic square mile,” including the Liberty Bell Center, Independence Hall, and soon, the President’s House commemorative site. Don’t miss the oldest street in America, Elfreth’s Alley, or famous flag-maker Betsy Ross’ House. Lunch: Fill your groups’ appetites with delicious food from more than 80 merchants at Reading Terminal Market, an authentic farmers market in the heart of Center City. Your groups can select from Pennsylvania Dutch specialties, Philadelphia cheesesteaks, world-famous mac ’n cheese and cuisine from around the globe. Afternoon: Continue your tour of the Historic District with a visit to the National Liberty Museum or the Independence Seaport Museum on the waterfront. Build some of the 25 free historical sites into your afternoon, including Christ Church and Franklin Court, home to America’s first post office and print shop. End your afternoon at the National Constitution Center, where you can view the U.S. Constitution. Dinner: Enjoy dinner at a Colonial-style tavern, City Tavern or pub in the Historic District.

DAY 2: Morning: Visit the city’s most renowned cultural museums along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, including the Philadelphia Museum of Art, whose steps were made famous in the Rocky films. Other options include the sculptures at the Rodin Museum or American paintings at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Lunch: Dine at the Water Works Restaurant overlooking Boathouse Row along the Schuylkill River.

Afternoon: Explore the world’s largest urban landscaped park via I-Glide, Philadelphia’s version of a Segway® Tour. A short distance away is Eastern State Penitentiary located in the Fairmount neighborhood, where your group can tour Philadelphia’s famous prison that once housed Al Capone. (During September and October, the Penitentiary hosts a frighteningly wonderful haunted tour that welcomes groups.) Dinner/Dancing: View the city skyline from the Delaware River as your group departs from Penn’s Landing on a Spirit of Philadelphia dinner cruise.

DAY 3: Morning: The day starts before the sun rises in the Italian Market. With more than 125 years of history and tradition, you won’t want to miss the place film character Rocky Balboa made famous. Enjoy some free time to shop for produce, cheeses and breads. Or take a behind-the-scenes tour of Termini Brothers Bakery. Whether you take the tour or not, enjoy the famous cannoli and coffee in their cafe. Lunch: Sample the selection of cuisine along famous South Street. Choose from dozens of restaurants, then shop the eclectic boutiques, listen to live music, or just sit back and take in the bustling street at an outdoor cafe. Afternoon: Head west through Antique Row to the Avenue of the Arts, where you can record yourself singing one of Gamble and Huff’s famous songs at The Sound of Philadelphia souvenir shop. Take a tour of City Hall – the tallest municipal building in the world – and then head across the street to Macy’s for tax-free shopping on clothing and shoes. Dinner: Wear your new Philadelphia outfit for a group dinner at one of the world-class restaurants along the Avenue of the Arts or in the trendy Rittenhouse Square neighborhood.

CONTACT: Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:

➤ Ryan O’Connor, Tourism Sales Manager • www.PhiladelphiaUSA.travel 1700 Market Street, Suite 3000, Philadelphia, PA 19103 Phone: 215-636-3312 • Fax: 267-479-6312 • Email: RyanO@pcvb.org

➤ Philadelphia Culinary Tour ➤ Philadelphia for Students ➤ Philadelphia Free Attractions

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Discover the Charms of History and Natural Beauty

Cumberland Valley, Pennsylvania

➤➤ HIGHLIGHTS • History excursion inside and out featuring life-sized exhibits • World’s largest gourd company • Allenberry Resort Inn and Playhouse • A Smithsonian-quality museum • A quaint resort town with a lake that bubbles

➤➤ DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: Begin the day brushing up on your cooking skills with the Kitchen Shoppe Inc. This fun atmosphere presents an interactive hands-on demonstration, a great way to energize your breakfast taste buds. Then journey to find out why Mike Rowe’s Discovery Channel TV show “Dirty Jobs” featured the world’s largest gourd-crafting company, Meadowbrooke Gourds. Take a tour to see how they grow them, clean them, and create baskets, birdhouses and vases. Our next stop, Kings Gap State Park, features a mountaintop, 32-room, Italian villastyle mansion surrounded by 1,500 acres of wildlife and vegetation. Eat lunch in the mansion dining room or out on the terrace that overlooks the valley. Sightseeing and shopping are on tap for this afternoon. Stroll through Historic Downtown Carlisle, where antique treasures and eclectic boutiques abound. Meander through Carlisle’s treelined streets admiring 200-year-old architecture, including Dickinson College’s “Old West” built in 1802. If time allows, experience an afternoon tea at Camellia’s Sin Tea Parlor. For dinner, choose from a selection of English-style fare at Market Cross Pub and Brewery.

DAY 2: Today begins by saluting a proud military past at the Army Heritage & Education Center, the primary facility for U.S. Army research. Continue your excursion outside on a mile-long, storied trail through life-sized military exhibits. Follow a family of local potato chip makers, piece together the history of the Carlisle Indian School and unveil the mystery of the Underground Railroad at the Cumberland County Historical Society. The next stop is the charming town of Boiling Springs. Enjoy a savory lunch at the historic Boiling Springs Tavern, built in 1832. Relax

and re-energize along the banks of Children’s Lake, a seven-acre lake with perfectly clear water that literally bubbles. Check out the awardwinning Village Artisans Gallery. Complete your day at the renowned Allenberry Resort Inn and Playhouse - an 18th-century country estate. Top off your evening with a dinner buffet and tickets to a show at thecountry’s longest running Murder Mystery Weekend theatre.

DAY 3: The Oakes Museum houses 40,000 Smithsonian-quality African and North American exhibits; an anchor is the 200-specimen collection of African mammals. Continue to Ashcombe Farm & Greenhouses for a garden tour and shopping. Wander through the country store, greenhouses and enjoy a scrumptious snack fresh from the bakery. Then off for lunch to the Union Hotel, an 1860 landmark. Spend your afternoon in the Victorian town of Mechanicsburg, beginning with a tour at the Mechanicsburg Museum, followed by two additional historical locations including the hands-on Frankeberger Tavern. Our next stop, Eckels Drugstore, served as a backdrop for the 1999 Hollywood hit “Girl Interrupted”, starring Angelina Jolie. Take time for ice cream or a milkshake from the 1929 soda fountain and check out the display of herbal remedies from the 1800s. Enjoy the local shops such as Civil War and More, Gallerie 13, and the eco-friendly Providence Boutique. End your evening with a picturesque sunset dinner along the Susquehanna River at Rock Bass Grill, Duke’s or Dockside Willies.

CONTACT: Cumberland Valley Visitors Bureau

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:

➤ Dawn M.S. Rickenbach, Sales Manager • www.visitcumberlandvalley.com 401 E. Louther St., Suite 209, Carlisle, PA 17013 Phone: 717.240.7191 • Email: dawn@visitcumberlandvalley.com

➤ Culinary Bound ➤ Green Eco Fun

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June 2009 57

MIDWEST Country Sights to City Lights ith thousands of lakes, vibrant cities, charming villages and friendly people, the Midwest welcomes visitors from around the world. Though these heartland states are landlocked, water is never far away, whether you’re talking about the Great Lakes or great rivers like the Mississippi or Ohio.

Lake Michigan is truly the greatest natural asset of Chicago, the Midwest’s largest city. Boat rides on the lake or Chicago River spotlight the Windy City’s stunning skyline. The lakefront museums (Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Museum of Science and Industry, Art Institute of Chicago and Adler Planetarium) are some of the best on the planet. Suburban Chicago is a destination in itself, offering a wealth of cultural attractions and shopping opportunities in quieter settings. Several hours away are Central Illinois’ Amish Country, the Abraham Lincoln sites of Springfield and the scenic hills of Northwest Illinois. The Midwest’s ethnic heritage reflects the story of immigration to America. Visitors to Minnesota and Wisconsin will encounter towns that celebrate their Scandinavian and German roots. Iowa keeps its large Czech and Slovak heritage alive with special events and historic sites. The nation’s largest Amish population in northeastern Ohio and Northern Indiana’s Amish settlements offer a slower pace of life, reflected in the horse-drawn buggies rattling down country roads. Tourist attractions showcase Amish and Mennonite ways, and restaurants specialize in down-home country food. In Michigan, Dutch heritage

takes center stage in Holland, while German traditions dominate in Frankenmuth. The Detroit area gives visitors a chance to learn about the automotive industry. To really get away from it all, escape to the wilderness of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Lakes and rolling dairy land paint the landscape of Wisconsin, which extends from the Illinois border to Northern Michigan, from the shores of Lake Michigan to the Mississippi River. You can’t leave without stocking up on cheese. Come to the Midwest and find your field of dreams. LGT

Chicago

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Plains, Trains & Automobiles in McHenry County

McHenry County, Illinois

➤➤ HIGHLIGHTS • Experience America’s largest railway museum: Illinois Railway Museum • Fabulous Volo Auto Museum & Antique/Specialty Malls • Explore historic small-town communities • Take in a live theater performance • Great destination dining with outstanding group services

➤➤ DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: Volo Auto Museum in Volo has over 300 muscle, classic and collector cars on display (and for sale). It is the home of the George Barris Hollywood TV and movie car collection. The complex also includes the Combat Zone and Military Museum, which honors those who made the ultimate sacrifice for America and features military vehicles, realistic battle dioramas and personal effects of those who have served from the Civil War to current military engagements. Volo has something for everyone! Don’t miss the five antique and specialty shopping malls featuring over 250 dealers. Visit the extensive gift shop and food court for a quick snack. Enjoy a leisurely lunch and take time to explore the historic Woodstock Square. La Petite Creperie serves sumptuous crepes in a historic setting overlooking the square. The brick-paved streets of the Woodstock Square are home to dozens of shops, galleries and restaurants and boast the 1889 Gothic-style Woodstock Opera House and 1857 Old Courthouse Arts Center. The park-in-the-square is the setting for weekly municipal band concerts, farmers markets, festivals and year round special events. The 1993 movie Groundhog Day starring Bill Murray was filmed here, and the city celebrates its role with an annual Groundhog Days celebration, including the prognostication by Woodstock Willie. In 2007 Woodstock was named a Distinctive Destination by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and offers walking tours of the square. You’re invited to take a tour of the historic Woodstock Opera House and hear of the great names that have walked its stage, including a very young Orson Welles, Geraldine Page and Paul Newman. The Opera House offers a full season of local, regional and national performances. Dining options are many in McHenry County. Try alfresco at Port Edward along the Fox River or Polish-American fare at the Warsaw Inn,

both local favorites. Make it a special evening with a wine-tasting dinner at Corkscrew Pointe Winery along the Fox River in downtown McHenry. The shop specializes in and carries a large selection of Illinois wines. After dinner take in a performance at the Woodstock Opera House or the newly restored Raue Center for the Arts. McHenry County has a fine selection of quality hotels, including fulland limited-service national brands. Enjoy a good night’s sleep and take a morning splash at the indoor pool.

DAY 2: Explore a museum in motion, the Illinois Railway Museum in Union. America’s largest railway museum includes streetcars, interurbans, steam, diesel and electric locomotives, passenger and freight cars. Ride through the rolling Illinois farmland on a 10-mile roundtrip on an electric interurban train, a mighty steam locomotive or a 1950s diesel passenger train. Annual special events include the Vintage Transport Extravaganza, Diesel Days and Happy Holiday Railway. The Diner Car is available for lunch and the gift shop for the railway enthusiasts. While in Union visit the McHenry County Historical Museum to learn more about the fascinating history of the area. McHenry County is an easy drive northwest of Chicago and is convenient to Milwaukee and Lake Geneva, WI; Rockford, IL; and the entire Chicagoland area. Extend your stay in McHenry County and enjoy the surrounding sites.

CONTACT: McHenry County Convention & Visitors Bureau ➤ Cort Carlson • www.visitmchenrycounty.com 5435 Bull Valley Rd., McHenry, IL 60050 Phone: 888-363-6177 • Email: execdir@mchenrycountycvb.com LeisureGroupTravel.com

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Joliet’s Jolly Holidays

Joliet, Illinois

➤➤ HIGHLIGHTS • “White Christmas” Holiday Celebration at the Abbey Dinner Theatre • Talk & Tour of Jacob Henry Mansion • Overnight Accommodations • Poinsettia Show at Birdhaven Greenhouse • Organ Mini-Concert & Tour at the Rialto Square Theatre

➤➤ DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: Joliet, Illinois Be personally greeted upon arrival at the Jacob Henry Mansion, where you will receive a Welcome Reception in the Drawing Room, the main room of this National Historic Landmark. Enjoy assorted hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar as you are treated to a talk and tour of the 1873 Victorian home before departing next door for dinner. You will marvel at the craftsmanship and warmth of the mansion with 40 rooms that feature Old World fixtures and Victorian charm. From November through mid-January, the Jacob Henry Mansion celebrates its annual Victorian Holiday. The holly, evergreen and mistletoe are abundant in Victorian custom and each room is decorated in its own special way. Located on the Jacob Henry Mansion Estate, the Abbey Dinner Theatre combines the best in homemade meals, heartwarming musical productions and family hospitality. Join us for our annual holiday celebration, “White Christmas,” inspired by the classic film White Christmas. This spectacular holiday concert will take you on a musical journey from a World War II performance for the troops to the glamour of a Florida nightclub and finally the charm and simple beauty of a New England town. Please visit www.landmarkdestinations.com to view the complete schedule for the Abbey Theatre. Depart for one of Landmark Destinations’ motorcoach-friendly hotel properties to enjoy the indoor pool, whirlpool and fitness center, or head off to one of Joliet’s two Vegas-style casinos.

DAY 2: Joliet, Illinois Start off your day with a relaxing extended continental breakfast at the hotel before heading off for Pilcher Park. Arrive at Birdhaven Greenhouse to view spectacular poinsettias amongst the sparkling lights of the holiday. Make sure to bring a camera! Poinsettia plants are available for purchase. The Greenhouse & Conservatory was constructed at its current site in the early 1900s. The Italian Renaissance-style facility features spectacular floral shows with seasonal motifs during fall, winter and spring. A tropical house, cacti room and show house are offered year-round. Your next stop of the trip will be at the Rialto Square Theatre, located in Joliet’s City Center. This beautifully restored 1920s vaudeville theater will have you in awe as you walk through the esplanade fashioned after the Palace of Versailles, the rotunda based on the Pantheon of Rome and take in every twinkle of the 22-foot Czechoslovakian hand-cut crystal chandelier. You will be treated to a private organ mini-concert on the world renowned Barton Grande Theatre Pipe Organ. Before heading home, enjoy lunch at one of Joliet’s fine dining establishments.

CONTACT: Joliet Visitors Bureau

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:

➤ Jen Brooks • www.visitjoliet.org 150 W. Jefferson Street, Joliet, IL 60432 Phone: 1-877-4-JOLIET • Email: jbrooks@jolietcity.org

➤ Joliet’s Stars & Stripes ➤ Joliet Kicks on Route 66

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Fall in Love with Fond du Lac County

Fond du Lac, Wisconsin

➤➤ HIGHLIGHTS • “Little Everglades of the North” – Horicon Marsh Blue Heron Landing. • Henry S. Reuss Ice Age Visitor Center. • Villa Loretto – Ranch run by Nuns. • Lakeside Park and Lookout Lighthouse. • Larson’s Famous Clydesdales.

➤➤ DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: The Quiet Side Start your morning in the “Little Everglades of the North” – the 32,000 acre, world-famous Horicon Marsh. Enjoy a one-hour narrated sightseeing pontoon boat ride from Blue Heron Landing. Observe the different bird species, plant life and animals in their natural habitat. Break for lunch at Ginger’s Hide-Away. Head over to Widmer’s Cheese Cellar in Theresa, Wisc.; one of the few original, family-owned stores that makes Wisconsin so famous for cheese. For more than 80 years, Widmer’s has produced some of the finest Brick, Cheddar and Colby cheese in the world. Continue your afternoon with a scenic drive through the glacier carved Kettle Moraine. Visit the Henry S. Reuss Ice Age Visitor Center. Learn through film, exhibits, and panoramas how the glaciers of the last Ice Age shaped the landscape of the Kettle Moraine area. Overnight in Fond du Lac with dinner and entertainment.

DAY 2: The Wild Side Return to the time of stagecoach travel and see a community where Yankee refinement met the Wisconsin wilderness - The Wade House. Meander down the winding country roads to pet a llama or see the fainting goats at the Villa Loretto. This unusual ranch run by nuns is part of the retirement complex they operate. The nuns supply the quaint gift shop with handmade items. Enjoy lunch in the The Rosa Cafe or a treat from the "Nun Better Bakery." A short distance down the road tour the top of a glacial drumlin surrounded by 36 acres of fields, prairie, organic vegetable and flower gardens and an old oak savanna at the Sunseed Eco-Education Center. Fond du Lac County is bountiful in harvest and beautiful in color. Taste the flavors of fall, as you dip your own caramel apples or enjoy hot apple pie and cider at the Little

Farmer Orchard. Take a hayride into a field and pick your own pumpkins. Relax on the drive along the shores of Wisconsin’s largest inland lake, Lake Winnebago. View the fall colors of 400-acre showcase Lakeside Park through a telescope from the top of the Lookout Lighthouse. Finish off your day with a relaxing dinner and overnight in Fond du Lac.

DAY 3: The Heart of Fond du Lac Begin your day in the heart of Fond du Lac at St. Paul’s Cathedral. View one of the finest collections of German and American woodcarvings in the United States. The four-foot carved angel rod beams, beautiful stained glass and old church lore are not to be missed. Shop Fond du Lac’s Kristmas Kringle Shoppe. This two-story Bavarian-style shop resembles streets of quaint European shops, lined with themed Christmas trees, collectibles for all seasons, animated figures, and imported ornaments. Stop for an early lunch at Schreiner’s Restaurant, famous for their homemade bakery, daily specials and New England-style clam chowder. Travel to the country for change of scenery at Larson’s Famous Clydesdales Ranch, where the gentle giants live. There is no other show like it in the United States. See demonstrations and hear the story of a little lady’s love for the gentle giants. This is an experience your group won’t forget.

CONTACT: Fond du Lac Area CVB

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:

➤ Linda A. Ott, Sales Director • www.fdl.com 171 S. Pioneer Rd., Fond du Lac, WI 54935 Phone: 800-937-9123 ext. 92 or 920-923-3010 • Email: lott@fdl.com

➤ Visit GroupTravelDirectory.com for more Fond du Lac Area itinerary ideas

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Stained Glass Sanctuary & Floral Fantasy

St. Cloud, Minnesota

➤➤ HIGHLIGHTS • St. John’s Abbey – a contemporary concrete structure with a 112-foot-high bell tower • Hill Museum – home of the St. John’s Bible project, which is all handcrafted • Munsinger/Clemens Gardens – located along the Mississippi River • Stearns History Museum – home of the PanTown automobile • Grasshopper Chapel – the original chapel built in 1876 was destroyed by a tornado

➤➤ DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: Once known as the “Nitty Gritty Granite City,” St. Cloud used this tagline for a 1921 advertising campaign. Today we are known as “Granite Country USA!” In addition to granite, St. Cloud and the Central Lakes Area offer much to satisfy all senses…even your sixth sense! We will make our first stop at St. John’s University. Founded in the 1860s, the jewel of the college is the Abbey. Designed by Marcel Breuer, the current Abbey was finished in 1961. The church is made of concrete and faced on the outside with local granite. Our next stop is the Hill Library, home to the St. John’s Bible. It is the only handwritten and illuminated Bible commissioned in the Western world since the advent of printed books more than 500 years ago. All Old World traditions were used to create this Bible. Lunch at St. John’s is the perfect match. We can either dine in the cafeteria or we can have a more intimate setting with a catered lunch. St. John’s Arboretum focuses on the native flora and fauna. The Chapel Trail is a three-mile roundtrip hike (perfect after lunch) to Stella Maris Chapel located along the bank of Lake Sagatagan. The trail takes us through a forested oak and maple tree savanna. An early afternoon check-in at one of our hotels allows a little time to relax before we dine at one of the many locally owned restaurants that have created affordable group tour friendly menus. Steak, chicken, seafood, and American, Italian or Mediterranean cuisine―it’s all about a dining experience just for you!

Before we retire for the evening, we will take a stroll through the beautiful Munsinger and Clemens Gardens. Located along the Mississippi River, the gardens offer a beautiful bouquet of color. The calming of the river and overall beauty of the gardens is sure to tickle all of your senses including your “sixth” sense.

DAY 2: Early to rise! Most of our limited-service properties offer an extensive complimentary continental breakfast. But save some room because we are planning a stop at Cold Spring Bakery. Fresh baked goods have been a tradition for the past 55 years! A tour of the bakery is a must with cake decorating being the most popular. We continue our journey to the Grasshopper Chapel. Let’s just say the only food the grasshoppers didn’t like were peas. This compelling story takes us back to 1877 to our German heritage. Granite used in your home or in your garden, both choices are very popular. Monumental Sales’ tour offers the opportunity for you to experience etching on granite. They also offer a tour of their facility that includes granite fabrication and memorials. With so many choices, there’s no way you could hope to see it all without a little help. The St. Cloud CVB would be happy to assist you in planning your trip to Granite Country USA! Take home rock-solid memories from Granite Country USA.

CONTACT: St. Cloud Area Convention and Visitors Bureau

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:

➤ Jean Robbins • Email: jean@granitecountry.com • www.granitecountry.com 525 Highway 10 South, Suite 1, St. Cloud, MN 56304 Phone: 800-264-2940 ext 129 or 320-202-6729 • Fax: 320-656-0401

➤ Let the Good Times Flow - The Great River Road ➤ Go West, It’s Simply the Best!

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Guardians of the Land Ag Experience

Four Counties in Northwest Illinois

➤➤ HIGHLIGHTS • Excursion to Muller’s Lane Farm to experience the old homestead way of life • Grist Mill demonstration of stone-grinding techniques used in milling wheat • Cooking demonstration & luncheon featuring organic produce & meat • Tour of John Deere Historic Site, where the plow was invented • Tour of Chaplin Creek Village, a restoration depicting a mid-19th century prairie settlement

➤➤ DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: Rock Falls & Sterling Begin your ag-tour at Muller’s Lane Farm, where they use traditional methods and still farm using Belgian draft horses and steel-wheel machinery. This farm will expose you to history still happening. Your next destination is Behrens’ Muffins ’N More for a lunch of downhome cooking & homemade muffins and desserts. You can then explore Behrens’ Country Village for unique gifts and floral items. Following lunch, you’ll travel to Chief Shikshak Northwest Bison Ranch to view bison, red deer, heritage waterfowl and peacocks. Guided humvee or walking tours will take you for an off-road adventure to experience the scenic woodland habitat. You will return to Rock Falls and following check-in at your hotel, evening dinner will be arranged at your choice of local eateries ranging from elegant fine dining restaurants to cute mom and pop cafes serving local favorites. (L,D)

DAY 2: Milledgeville, Mt. Carroll, Grand Detour & Dixon Day Two begins with a scenic drive through the country to visit Roger’s Creek Grist Mill in Milledgeville to tour this mill built from reclaimed barn wood & mill equipment. Roger will demonstrate the stone-grinding techniques of yesteryear, and we will sample products under development such as various types of flours and mixes made into muffins and breads. After driving to Mt. Carroll you’ll join Learn Great Foods chef Donna Duvall in her unique kitchen on the picturesque campus of Campbell Center for Historic Preservation Studies, where she will give a cooking demonstration using organic produce and meat followed by a five-course lunch. Following lunch you’ll

drive to Grand Detour to tour the John Deere Historic Site to visit the restored pioneer home and special archaeological exhibit of the original blacksmith shop. This is the site where John Deere invented the self-cleaning plow and revolutionized farming. The historic site includes a working blacksmith shop, gift shop and visitors center. At the end of Day Two you will travel to Dixon and check into your hotel before proceeding to dinner at one of Dixon’s fine dining establishments. (L,D)

DAY 3: Franklin Grove Following breakfast, a tour of the Chaplin Creek Village in Franklin Grove introduces you to an evolving, full-scale historical restoration project depicting a prairie settlement typical of the 19h century. Historically significant buildings and artifacts have been relocated from the surrounding area such as a blacksmith shop, a saltbox-style house built in the mid-1800s and a typical country schoolhouse. A short trip to the Franklin Creek Grist Mill is followed by a down-home country lunch served on this site located within the Franklin Creek Natural Area. A tour of the reconstructed timber-frame 1847 mill will allow participants to watch the four-ton waterwheel as it powers pulleys and gears to turn the millstone to grind corn. Also featured is a display of panels of 43 native Illinois trees and a variety of fossils found in the stone walls. (L) Itinerary options include historic architectural tours, tours of modern, state-of-the-art working farms or our Reagan Roots tour. We can personalize the Guardians of the Land Ag Experience to suit any group.

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE: ➤ Rock River Culinary Tour ➤ Sweet & Salty Saturday with a Chocolate Covered Sunday: A Weekend on the Blackhawk Chocolate Trail

CONTACT: Blackhawk Waterways CVB ➤ Julie Kessinger, Group Tour Coordinator • www.bwcvb.com 201 N. Franklin Ave., Polo, IL 61064 Phone: 800-678-2108 • Email: jkessinger@bwcvb.com LeisureGroupTravel.com

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June 2009 63

Around the World

St. Charles, Illinois

➤➤ HIGHLIGHTS • Breakfast in a traditional Irish pub and Himalayan food for lunch • Italian dinner in a restored 1850’s church • Popular American performance at Steel Beam Theatre • 1850’s (working) Dutch windmill tour • Exquisite marble carvings at America’s largest Hindu Mandir

➤➤ DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: Visit St. Charles, Illinois and experience a bit of the world! Kick off your tour with an authentic Nepalese lunch at Taste of the Himalayas. Next, head to the Fabyan Villa and Japanese Gardens. Remodeled in 1907 by Frank Lloyd Wright, George and Nelle Fabyan’s riverside home is now a museum. Filled with their private collection of Asian artifacts and natural history specimens, the mansion museum boasts a garden designed by Taro Otsuka, a Japanese landscape architect. Enjoy this garden tour and learn how you might add beauty to your own backyard. A short walk takes you to an 1850s Dutch windmill, another treasure of the Fabyans. This five-story, 68-foot windmill is fully restored to operate by natural wind energy. Next, experience Hindu culture at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in nearby Bartlett, where you will enjoy hours of discovery and peace. Over 7,000 tons of Italian Carrara marble and Turkish limestone were hand-carved by skilled craftsmen in India and assembled in just 16 months right here in the states. A taste of Italy awaits at Onesti Dinner Club & Italian Chop House. Housed in a former Catholic church and built in 1851, Onesti’s is a truly unique experience for dinner.

and why? This and more will be included in a trivia quiz – complete with prizes. Stop at our museum, too. Next stop is…Chicago-style pizza at Gino’s East! A trip to the Windy City isn’t complete without a slice of famous, deep-dish pizza. After lunch, receive a guided tour of the beautiful Hotel Baker, listed on the National Register of Historic Landmarks, and then spend free time in downtown St. Charles. Shop at a collection of unique shops in Century Corners Shopping District or visit Arcedium Coffeehouse, where coffee is roasted on site. Rent a bicycle and enjoy over 30 miles of bike trails or take a stroll along the Fox River. Enjoy Greek cuisine for dinner at Odyssey Authentic Greek Taverna. Let your journey to flavor begin with flaming saganaki and end with Grecian sea bass, de-boned right at your table. For evening entertainment, see live theater at one of four theaters in St. Charles. Choose from Noble Fool Theatricals at Pheasant Run Resort; the quaint, 80-seat Steel Beam Theatre; the beautiful 1926 Arcada Theatre; or Norris Cultural Arts Center.

DAY 2: DAY 3: Experience Ireland with a traditional breakfast at McNally’s Irish Pub before heading to St. Charles’ Pottawatomie Park to enjoy good ol’ American fun on a Paddlewheel Riverboat Cruise! Enjoy a scenic Fox River cruise, from May-October, aboard a Mark Twain replica paddlewheel boat. Private charters are available as well as lunch and dinner cruises. Or choose to cruise in the evening, with a French wine and cheese night. You’ll enjoy hearing about St. Charles’ rich history and culture from our historian who will board your motorcoach for a complimentary driving tour. Ever wonder who invented barbed wire

Since St. Charles is just one hour west of Chicago, extend your tour and visit Chinatown or Greek Town in downtown Chicago!

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE: ➤ Summer Shines Through ➤ Girlfriends Getaway ➤ The Great Antique Hunt

CONTACT: St. Charles Convention and Visitors Bureau ➤ Jenny O’Brien • www.visitstcharles.com 311 N. 2nd St., Suite 100, St. Charles, IL 60174 Phone: 800-777-4373 or 630-377-6161 • Email: jenny@visitstcharles.com 64 June 2009

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Right in Your Backyard

Quincy, Illinois

➤➤ HIGHLIGHTS • Unrivaled architecture and historic districts • Riverfront dining • Lincoln-Douglas Debates City and Lincoln Talking Houses • Great River Road, National Scenic Byway • Golden Windmill • Historic Nauvoo restored sites

➤➤ DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: New Private Home Tours Begin your day on Quincy’s majestic bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River at the Villa Kathrine, Quincy’s own 100-year-old Mediterranean castle. After touring the castle, home to Quincy’s Visitor Information Center, head east down beautiful Maine Street to tour three private homes of architectural significance in the East End Historic District. Each home showcases a unique variety of building style details and is meticulously maintained. The homes on the tour are in neighborhood groupings of three, for ease of touring. The tours are given by the homeowners themselves. Enjoy lunch at the Pier Restaurant, cantilevered over the Mississippi, specializing in creative Midwestern cuisine. A stepon guide from the Quincy Altrusa Club provides a historical and architectural tour of Quincy’s German Calftown, Park Place and Lawndale Historic Districts. Visit Underbrink’s Bakery for a behind-the-scenes tour of this 1929 bakery, where many of the original recipes and equipment are still in use. Tour the Quincy Museum and its splendor, with 24 ct. gold leaf woodwork in the grand parlor, and the first floor completely restored to period 1890s style.

DAY 2: Golden Windmill and Nauvoo Restored Sites The well-preserved Prairie Mills Windmill in Golden, Ill. was built in 1872 and is the only smock mill that still has the original stones and gears in place. Explore the top of the mill or stroll through the Windmill Museum and Gift Shop. Enjoy a group lunch on site. After lunch, travel the Great River Road northwest 46 miles to beautiful Nauvoo, Ill. This distinctively restored riverfront town on the Mississippi is complete with period furnishings and guides to over 65 restored shops and homes that

include the John Browning gunsmith shop and home, blacksmith shop and Monument to Women Gardens. Enjoy a horse-pulled wagon ride and educational tour of the city year-round. Dine at the nearby newly restored Warsaw Brewery on the banks of the Mississippi River. Return to Quincy for the evening in one of the city’s many group-friendly hotels.

DAY 3: Abe Lincoln History and Illinois Agriculture Begin the day with Quincy’s early history at the John Wood Mansion. The mansion was home to Quincy’s founder and 12th governor of Illinois, John Wood. Also on the grounds is the 1835 Pioneer Log Cabin, Parsonage Museum and Friends in Council Club House, which is the oldest continuous women’s literary society in the United States. After touring the mansion, dine at the beautiful Granite Bank Gallery across from Washington Park, where Lincoln and Douglas held their sixth presidential debate. Enjoy a quiet lunch surrounded by local artists’ works and a unique selection of home accessories. Drive to nearby Collver Family Winery in Barry, Ill., just 30 minutes east of Quincy on Interstate I-72. This familyowned winery hosts sell-out murder mystery theaters and will give visitors a behind-the-scenes tour of the wine-making process. Travel 17 miles east on I-72 to nearby Pittsfield, Ill. and explore the restored Pittsfield square and walk the streets where Abe Lincoln walked. A step-on guide will provide a historical tour through the several blocks that are connected to the Lincoln Talking Houses audio and plaque tour of Pittsfield.

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE: Visit GroupTravelDirectory.com for more Quincy, Illinois itinerary ideas

CONTACT: Quincy Area Convention & Visitors Bureau ➤ Holly Cain • www.seequincy.com 532 Gardner Expressway, Quincy, IL 62301 Phone: 800-978-4748 or 217-214-3700 • Email: info@seequincy.com LeisureGroupTravel.com

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June 2009 65

Amish Country of Central Illinois

Central Illinois

➤➤ HIGHLIGHTS • Expert tour guide service • Show at a professional-grade theater • Shopping at Amish businesses • Shopping at Tanger Outlet Center • Candy demonstration and truffle box

➤➤ DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: Arcola, the Amish and Sullivan: A Full Day of Fun Begin in Arcola at the Dutch Kitchen to savor biscuits and Dutch sausage gravy with a cup of piping hot coffee. Next, travel into the countryside with a step-on guide to experience the sights and smells of Illinois’ largest Amish community. Stop at Beachy’s Bulk Foods, an Amish-owned store featuring a variety of spices, candies, organic foods, and so much more, in addition to freshly baked goods. Then travel to an Amish homestead for a delicious family-style meal, serving two soups, salad, homemade bread, and pies, prepared and served by an Old Order Amish hostess in her home. On the way to the Little Theatre on the Square in Sullivan, stop at Family Health Foods and find a vast range of locally grown products, vitamins, spices, herbs, books and other products to supplement your diet. Take a break from the fine cuisine in the country to enjoy a show-stopping performance at one of Amish Country’s favorite attractions.

DAY 2: Tastes Like Heaven in Arthur

at Yoder’s Kitchen. Yoder’s features Amish and Mennonite recipes on their buffet and menu, served by Old Order Amish and Mennonite waitresses.

DAY 3: Tuscola: One of the Sweetest Places on Earth Begin in the morning at Flesor’s Candy Kitchen, a recently renovated, turn-of-the-century soda fountain and confectionery, for a mouthwatering candy demonstration. Take a box of truffles to enjoy on the way to lunch at Tuscany’s Italian Restaurant. Tuscany’s features the finest Italian dining, friendly service, and an authentic atmosphere sure to bring the feeling of Italy to Amish Country. Walk off some of those calories at the Tanger Outlet Center, housing 45 brand name manufacturer and designer outlet stores. For dinner, head next door to the Amishland Red Barn, featuring Amish-inspired foods, made with real, farm-fresh ingredients. Peruse the many Amishland Red Barn specialty shops including items such as porcelain dolls, oak furniture, birdhouses, primitives, oil paintings, and kids’ items.

Start the day off right with a homemade cinnamon roll and freshly brewed coffee made by you! The Homestead Bakery will give a hands-on cinnamon roll demonstration before serving the fruits of your labor. Then, travel to the Rockome Restaurant to enjoy a sack lunch while taking in the sights of the beautiful rock formations and gardens. In the afternoon, experience downtown Arthur to sample cheese and grape juice at Country Cheese & More, fudge at Aunt Susan’s, and an ice cream sundae or milkshake at Dicks Pharmacy. While downtown, enjoy a variety of locally-owned shops offering antiques, gifts, Amish-made furniture and gifts. In the evening, eat a delicious meal

CONTACT: Amish Country Tours

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:

➤ Theresa Binion • www.amishcenter.com 111 S. Locust, Arcola, IL 61910 Phone: 888-45-AMISH • Email: amishcenter@consolidated.net

➤ Amish Country Favorites ➤ Treasures of Amish Country

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Entertainment, Celebration and Fun!

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

➤➤ HIGHLIGHTS • Harley-Davidson Museum • Fireside Dinner Theatre • Discovery World • Milwaukee Art Museum • Ten Chimneys

➤➤ DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: DAY 3: Start your visit to Milwaukee by strolling a desert oasis, a tropical jungle and a special floral garden all indoors at the Mitchell Park Conservatory (The Domes) or perhaps enjoy the outdoors at the Boerner Botanical Gardens, an internationally-renowned horticultural showplace offering gardeners and plant lovers the opportunity to take in the colors and scents of a variety of collections and gardens. For dinner, choose among a variety of unique, ethnic and inviting restaurants in downtown Milwaukee. After dinner, take in a show at the Skylight Opera House located in the Historic Third Ward.

DAY 2: Today begin with a city tour and learn about the European immigrants from Germany, Poland, Ireland and Italy who influenced this uniquely diverse city. Include a stop at St. Josephat’s Basilica and step back in time as you marvel at the history and beauty of this testament of the Polish Catholic faith. See the world’s largest four-faced clock, fondly referred to as the Polish Moon, on the skyline of Milwaukee. Among the fantastic collections housed at the Milwaukee Art Museum, be sure to stop and enjoy the unique and modern architecture of the main entrance designed by Santiago Calatrava. Spend a few moments to watch the “wings” of the Burke Brise Soleil, which is a moveable, wing-like sunscreen that rests on top of the Museum’s vaulted, glass-enclosed Windhover Hall. Choose from a variety of restaurants with beautiful views of Lake Michigan for lunch on your own or as a group. Further enjoy the shores of Lake Michigan with a visit to Discovery World and experience an awesome journey that will take you through technical wonders, mystical and innovative exhibits and natural splendor with the Reiman Aquariums.

Embark on a short drive to Genesee Depot to explore Ten Chimneys, the estate lovingly created by theater legends Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne. Ten Chimneys is a landmark unique among our national treasures, boasting diverse collections and enchanting décor comprised of original pieces handpicked by the Lunts in the 1920s, ’30s, and ’40s. Created with the same humanizing wit and passion for perfection that distinguished their stage performances, Ten Chimneys is the Lunts’ most enduring and tangible artistic legacy. For decades, their retreat beguiled the country’s finest actors, writers, designers, directors and artists. Continue on to enjoy a marvelous experience at the Fireside Dinner Theatre, one of the Midwest's most popular professional theaters located in Fort Atkinson, Wis. Browse the unique gift shops, enjoy award-winning cuisine, and top off the evening with one of the best professional theater experiences Wisconsin has to offer.

DAY 4: Milwaukee’s newest attraction, the Harley-Davidson Museum™, allows groups to experience the people, products, culture and history of Harley-Davidson Motor Company. It is a celebration of the company’s rich history, the passion of the riders, and the stories of those who have contributed to the Harley-Davidson legacy. A visit to Milwaukee would not be complete without embracing the brewing history that begins with a visit to the Captain Frederick Pabst Mansion. Conclude your Milwaukee experience with a tour of Miller Brewing or a microbrewery such as Lakefront Brewery or Sprecher Brewing Company. Prost! to a delightful visit to this jewel of the Great Lakes – Milwaukee.

CONTACT: VISIT Milwaukee

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:

➤ Wendy M. Dobrzynski, Group Tour Manager • www.visitmilwaukee.org 648 N. Plankinton, Suite 425, Milwaukee, WI 53203 Phone: 800-231-0903 x4222 • Email: wdobrzynski@milwaukee.org

➤ Visit GroupTravelDirectory.com for more Milwaukee itinerary ideas

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June 2009 67

Taste of Lake County

Lake County, Illinois

➤➤ HIGHLIGHTS • Jelly Belly tour • Chocolate factory tour • Shopping at Long Grove Historic Village • Valentino Vineyards & Winery • Shopping in downtown Antioch

➤➤ DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: Jelly Belly Tour: Discover the secrets of making these best-loved treats (made in North Chicago) during this "virtual" tour at the Visitor Center in Pleasant Prairie. Lambs Farm Shopping and Lunch: Come across locally made goodies at the Country Store & Bakery. Lunch at the Country Inn Restaurant featuring their mouth-watering desserts. Beer Tasting at Mickey Finn’s Brewery: A local favorite based upon an infamous Revolutionary War figure. Taste some of the best local brews around - ales, lagers, stouts and seasonal beers on tap. Valentino Vineyards & Winery: Tiptoe through the grapevines on a vineyard tour and linger at a wine tasting in the villa or out on the spacious lawn. Rest for a bit in one of Lake County’s 60+ hotels; choices include four resorts, full-service hotels and limited-service hotels. Dinner at Lovell’s of Lake Forest: Dine among the archives of Capt. James Lovell’s space missions in this beautiful French-styled mansion. A majority of the menu items is deeply rooted in American culinary tradition. Enjoy an outdoor concert at Ravinia Festival, garden walk at Chicago Botanic Garden or a musical at the Marriott Lincolnshire Theatre.

DAY 2: Long Grove Confectionery Chocolate Factory Tour: See firsthand how these delicious handmade, gourmet chocolates are created and packaged. A trip to the store completes this fascinating tour. Lunch at Long Grove Cafe: American char house along with full bar and extensive wine list. Overlook the mill pond and watch the ducks, relax on the deck or dine with the group in a private room.

Find unique specialty shops such as The Olive Tap and Apple Haus on the cobblestone walks of Long Grove Historic Village. Glunz Wine Tasting: Four generations of wine making at Lake County’s first winery. Now two locations to choose from - Long Grove and Grayslake. The Nut and Candy House: Candy favorites and fresh nuts of all kinds. Stop in for just a bag or gift tin to bring home. Shopping in downtown Antioch: Uncover the small-town feel of downtown Antioch - unusual gift stores, art galleries, diverse food items, tea shop and famous china store and museum. Cooking Class at Round Lake Beach Cultural & Civic Center: Your group can make and eat their own dinner! Pre-arrange the courses and amount of activity depending on what your group likes. See a concert or musical at Genesee Theatre or a performance at a variety of local theaters or festivals! D.W. Anderson’s or Oberweis Dairy and Ice Cream Store: Before heading back to your hotel, make a late-night stop at D.W. Anderson’s in Keylime Cove Indoor Waterpark Resort for a kitchen sink sundae. Oberweis products are made in Illinois and includes delicious ice cream, milk and other specialty products.

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE: Visit GroupTravelDirectory.com for more Lake County itinerary ideas

CONTACT: Lake County, Illinois CVB ➤ Jayne Nordstrom • www.lakecounty.org 5465 Grand Ave., Suite 100, Gurnee, IL 60031 Phone: 800-525-3669 • Email: jayne@lakecounty.org 68 June 2009

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Mystery Tour of the Eau Claire Area

Eau Claire, Wisconsin

➤➤ HIGHLIGHTS • Autumn Harvest Winery • Chippewa Valley Outdoor Games • Foster Art Gallery • Chippewa Valley Railroad Museum • Sounds Like Summer Concert Series

➤➤ DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: Arrive in Fall Creek and come discover nature! Ten miles east of Eau Claire, Beaver Creek Reserve encompasses 400 acres of picturesque natural habitat, hands-on exhibits, an observatory, butterfly house and more. Unique to your group, the interpretive staff can provide a variety of presentations designed to fit your topic of interest. From there, travel the beautiful countryside before a stop at The Wood Shed. This Amish gift shop has over 15,000 square feet of Amish woodwork and folk art with Amish-created quilts, wall hangings, baskets, rugs and dolls. Plus, beautifully crafted furniture including sofas, lounge chairs and love seats. Board the tour bus for an extensive tour of the daily life of the area’s Amish families. The Amish came to America well over 250 years ago and have been in Augusta since 1978. There are currently over 150 families. Amish have changed very little in their beliefs and practical way of life. For the most part, they are living the lives of our great- and great-great grandparents. Tours are available May through October.

and found on the National Register of Historic Places. This building is unlike anything you ever have seen! You may take in a pipe organ concert or one of the many other entertainment options. After lunch, stop at Crystal Cave and experience a unique hour-long tour the entire family will enjoy. Knowledgeable guides lead through a maze of well-lighted passages where glistening cave formations such as stalactites, stalagmites and rippling flowstone can be seen hanging from the ceiling or covering the ledges. Open weekends in April and May, then daily through October 31. Relax a little before going to Fanny Hill Dinner Theatre for a sumptuous dinner and hilarious comedy. During intermission, feel free to roam the building to view the elaborate seasonal decorations. In summer, stroll through the beautifully groomed outdoor gardens.

DAY 3: Spend the evening at Cabin Ridge Rides in Cadott. Ride back by horsedrawn wagon to your secluded log cabin. Following dinner, enjoy the music of a barbershop quartet or folk singer, hear the tales of a professional storyteller, and/or learn about the history of Paint Creek and the people who have lived nearby for generations.

DAY 2: Get a close-up look at how cheese is made at Cady Cheese Factory. Visitors who come to the cheese factory and gift shop can sample and purchase any of their 100 varieties of cheese and sausage. Don't forget to take home a pound of Wisconsin cheese! Yummmm.... In Menomonie stop at Mabel Tainter Memorial Theater, built in 1889

Start your day at the Chippewa Valley Museum, a nationally recognized regional history center that tells the stories of the people, places and events that shaped the Chippewa Valley. Next, the Paul Bunyan Logging Camp offers an authentic representation of an 1890s logging camp. The Schlegelmilch House, built in 1871, is one of the city's first brick homes. It is filled with furnishings typical of the early decades of its long history. Before you leave town, visit the handcrafted chocolate shop, Obsession Chocolates, on Old Town Water Street near the University. In addition to truffles, candies and sauces, they also offer home-baked sweets. Obsession Chocolates is obsessed with quality ingredients; stop and sample while you relax in their European-style cafe.

CONTACT: Visit Eau Claire

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:

➤ Jackie Boos • www.visiteauclaire.net 4319 Jeffers Rd., Suite 201, Eau Claire, WI 54703 Phone: 1-888-523-3866 • Email: Jackie@visiteauclaire.com

Visit GroupTravelDirectory.com for more Eau Claire itinerary ideas

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June 2009 69

“Welkom” to Holland, Michigan

Holland, Michigan

➤➤ HIGHLIGHTS • You don’t need a passport to visit Holland, Michigan • Windmills, wooden shoes, Delftware and Dutch treats • Fine art, fine food, and first-rate entertainment • Charming galleries and boutiques in historic downtown Holland • Soaring sand dunes and spectacular sunsets

➤➤ DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: Holland Your “Welkom” to Holland includes a visit to Nelis’ Dutch Village where you’ll experience the Netherlands of the 1800s. A guided tour takes you through ten acres of authentic Dutch architecture, canals, and spectacular gardens. Enjoy the Klompen dancers as they twirl to the music of the Amsterdam street organ; take in wooden shoe and candle carving, Dutch crafts and artwork. Delight in a traditional Dutch lunch and then shop till you drop in the village’s specialty shops. Afterwards, check in to one of Holland’s fine hotels, where you can rest up for the evening’s activities aboard the Holland Princess. On this beautiful Victorian-style paddlewheeler, you’ll cruise expansive Lake Macatawa and, weather-permitting, venture out into Lake Michigan. The dinner cruise includes the “Captain’s Feast”, relaxing music, and a cash bar.

DAY 2: Holland A Dutch-costumed step-on guide will board your coach for a funfilled tour. You’ll end up at the spectacular Windmill Island Gardens, with its 36 acres of manicured gardens, dikes, and canals. Tour five floors of DeZwaan, the only authentic Dutch windmill operating in the U.S., where you’ll learn about the grain-grinding process and see the giant wind-driven gears. Complete your tour of the Island with a Klompen dance performance and a walk through the little Netherlands Museum. Be sure to sample the fudge, made fresh daily, on your way out. Lunch is on your own in award-winning Downtown Holland. In addition to many fine eateries, downtown features over 100 unique shops and galleries, tree-lined sidewalks, and beautiful bronze sculptures. After lunch and shopping, enjoy a guided tour

of the Holland Museum, where you’ll get acquainted with Holland’s rich history. There are a variety of exhibits, including the spectacular new Dutch Galleries featuring 17th, 18th, and 19th century art and furniture from a private collection. There’s no better way to complete this day than with a sumptuous waterfront dinner at Piper Restaurant on the shores of Lake Macatawa. You’ll also enjoy one of Piper’s many entertainment options - a wine-tasting from our area’s award-winning wineries, a performance by the Holland Chorale, or a comedic theatre production.

DAY 3: Holland Your final day begins with a visit to Veldheer Tulip Gardens ablaze with over five million tulips in the spring, and beautiful perennials in the summer and early fall. You can take a little Holland home with you too—bulbs for fall planting become available in August. Next door, at DeKlomp Wooden Shoe & Delft Factory you’ll talk with the artists who mold, hand-paint, and glaze the only authentic blue and white delftware made in the U.S., and watch wooden shoe carving on machines imported from the Netherlands. No trip to Holland would be complete without a thrilling ride on the Dune Schooners. Explore the hills and valleys of the incredible Lake Michigan dunes, woodlands, and natural habitats of native wildlife. You’ll depart for home with fond memories of a quaint Dutch community located along the picturesque shores of Lake Michigan.

CONTACT: Holland Visitors Bureau

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:

➤ Wendy Link • www.holland.org 76 East 8th Street, Holland, MI 49423 Phone: 800-506-1299 • Email: wendy@holland.org

➤ Tulip Time ➤ Dutch WinterFest

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Effingham… We Can’t Wait to Show You Around!

Effingham, Illinois

➤➤ HIGHLIGHTS • My Garage Corvette Museum • Cross at the Crossroads • The Rosebud Theatre • Sculpture on the Avenues Walking Tour • Firefly Grill

➤➤ DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: Corvettes and Motorcycles Start the day out exploring the history of America’s sports car at My Garage Museum, on the campus of Mid American Motorworks. Located on the northeast side of Effingham, this one-of-a-kind museum houses vintage Corvettes and thousands of pieces of Corvette history and memorabilia. (www.mamotorworks.com) From the Corvette Museum, visitors can then swing by the Harley Barn, which is just down the road. Legacy Harley-Davidson houses new and pre-owned motorcycles, along with clothing, merchandise, parts, and much more. This is a must-see for motorcycle enthusiasts and a great stop for those who are interested in unique stores. (www.legacyhd.com)

DAY 2: Dinner and a Show The Firefly Grill in Effingham is much more than just a restaurant, it is a culinary experience that brings thousands of people each year to our community. The Firefly Grill has been recognized in several publications, including the Chicago Tribune, Bon Appetit and St. Louis PostDispatch for its unique atmosphere and efforts to go green. The Firefly Grill offers an unforgettable experience for travelers. Groups are invited to explore the gardens where food is grown for the restaurant, participate in demonstrations and spend time relaxing on the beautiful grounds. (www.ffgrill.com) End the day with a show at the Rosebud Theatre. This is a 1,564-seat theater that hosts 60 performances a year. Local, regional and national acts are scheduled to perform, with categories including country, pop/Top 40, contemporary Christian, comedy, jazz, dance, classical and bluegrass. Several nationally recognized performers will take the stage during the theater’s first season, with acts including

B.B. King, Marie Osmond, Charlie Daniels Band, The Oak Ridge Boys, Gin Blossoms, Bill Cosby, Ron White, Tracy Lawrence and Mark Chesnutt. (www.therosebudtheatre.com)

DAY 3: Art and Engineering Effingham is a great place to explore the arts. Start the morning with a walk along the streets of downtown Effingham and take a walking tour of the Sculpture on the Avenues. This outdoor exhibition features over 30 works of art from some of the Midwest’s best known and unknown sculptors. Come explore the sculptures that have transformed the City of Effingham’s avenues into an art gallery! Artists from the region also have their artwork on display in exhibitions all through the community. Seven exhibitions and three art galleries allow visitors to see several different types of artwork, some which are also for sale. After exploring the arts, guests may take time to explore the Cross at the Crossroads. The 198-foot Cross is certainly an engineering wonder, but its greatest miracle is its call to travelers from every faith, background and circumstance, reminding them of the positive values shared and cherished by all. The Cross features a chapel, reception area, restrooms, a refreshment center, and media room where visitors can view a video of the construction of the Cross. (www.crossusa.org)

CONTACT: Effingham Convention and Visitors Bureau ➤ Kim Wiedman • www.visiteffinghamil.com 201 E. Jefferson Ave., Effingham, IL 62401 Phone: 217-342-5305 or 800-772-0750 • Email: wiedmank@ci.effingham.il.us LeisureGroupTravel.com

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June 2009 71

International Food, FUN and Entertainment

Chicago Area, Illinois

Chicago Style – April 8-11, 2010 ➤➤ HIGHLIGHTS • Heartland International Music & Dance Tattoo • Villages of Hoffman Estates, Long Grove and Skokie • Ethnic eating, chocolate and boutique browsing • Arboretum Center – food, shopping and activities • Broadway To You – theater shows and concerts

➤➤ DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1 (Thursday): Arrive in the Chicagoland area and enjoy an afternoon of browsing at Woodfield Shopping Center or one of three other unique first-class shopping locations (Streets of Woodfield, Arboretum Center or Cabela’s). After checking into the hotel, it is off to dinner at Berghoff’s (German) and then a Broadway show (or one of the great Off-Broadway offerings – remember, Chicago has over 250 theaters). You will end the evening with a view of the city from the Hancock Observatory.

DAY 2 (Friday): After breakfast depart for a private jewelry demonstration at Blarney (Irish and Celtic). Continuing with our Celtic day, we visit an Irish shop, Paddy’s in Long Grove, and have lunch (American). Long Grove is known for its unique boutiques and gift stores. After a visit to the local chocolate store (Swiss), we continue our day of food experiences with a cooking demonstration and visit to an Old World deli (Russian) in Skokie. Then enjoy a nice evening meal (Italian) and a special musical revue just for the group (it could be a tribute to Frank Sinatra, Kate Smith, Ella, Liza or someone special).

DAY 3 (Saturday):

(in the Scottish room) and then off to the Heartland International Music & Dance Tattoo (Scottish and Irish) at the Sears Centre Arena. This show features a cast of over 400 civilian and military entertainers. (www.HeartlandTattoo.org)

DAY 4 (Sunday): Enjoy a late breakfast and then a morning comedy show. Lunch will be at one of Hoffman Estates’ finest restaurants and then depart for home. Or take time to explore one of the many fine museums in the Chicago area, even a private art gallery. Our step-on guides can showcase the Chicagoland area in grand style, making learning about Chicago fun and entertaining. We specialize in entertainment and ethnic itineraries. The Heartland International Music & Dance Festival is just one of many events we promote. Programs are available for adult and student groups for ALL Chicagoland destinations. Other regional attractions: Sears Tower, Adler Planetarium, Navy Pier, Field Museum, Hancock Observatory, Shedd Aquarium, Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Broadway To You, Blue Man Group, Medieval Times, Skokie Theatre, Tommy Gun’s Garage, Magnificent Mile.

Enjoy breakfast and you are off to our reserved seats for the International Tartan Parade in Hoffman Estates. After this we venture to the Arboretum Center for lunch and a chance to experience a bocce ball game (Italian). After lunch explore the Swiss and European method of hand-dipped chocolates. Then tour the museum at Cabela’s and see their collection of unique animals, birds, and sea animals. Festival of Nations Celebration offers the group many international cultures and for the more adventuresome a chance to visit the International Beer Tasting event. Dinner at Millrose

CONTACT: FunME Events - Chicago

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:

➤ Jennifer McGhie, Group Tour Manager • www.funMEevents.com P.O. Box 463, DeKalb, IL 60115 Phone: 815-756-1263 • Email: Jennifer@FunMEevents.com

FunME Events will customize any Chicagoland itinerary to meet the tour group’s needs, from theater, concerts and sports tickets to complete programs.

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North Shore Wonders

Evanston, Skokie, Glenview, Illinois

➤➤ HIGHLIGHTS • The new Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center now open! • Tour traverses Sheridan Road, the most scenic drive along Lake Michigan • Tram tour of Chicago Botanic Garden • Westfield Old Orchard Shopping Center • Baha’i House of Worship–the only one in the Western Hemisphere

➤➤ DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: Evanston Enjoy a tour of the lakefront just north of the border of the City of Chicago. Sheridan Road, which hugs the lakefront, is a winding road that offers stunning views of the lake, breathtaking homes and architectural sites of interest. The Grosse Point Lighthouse, a National Historic Landmark, was built by the U.S. government in 1873. Less than a mile north, the Baha’i House of Worship is one of only seven in the world and the only one in North America. Next visit Spice House—known around the world as merchants of the highest quality, with hand-selected and hand-prepared spices and herbs, featuring hand-blended ethnic Chicago neighborhood seasonings. Time for Lunch!—The Great Harvest Bread Company—Enjoy a fresh and satisfying lunch at their Central Street store in Evanston. After lunch visit the Evanston Historical Society housed in the magnificent chateauesque mansion of former U.S. vice president Charles Gates Dawes located adjacent to Lake Michigan. [L,D]

DAY 2: Skokie The new Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center, designed by renowned architect Stanley Tigerman, is dedicated to preserving the legacy of the Holocaust by honoring the memories of those who were lost and by teaching the universal lessons that combat hatred, prejudice and indifference. The museum features an authentic early 20th century German rail car, an inspiring Hall of Remembrance for contemplation and reflection, a permanent exhibition chronicling life before, during and after the Holocaust and more. The magnificence of the architecture and the uplifting message of the importance of tolerance offer a one-of-akind experience. This center is the only one of its kind in the Midwest. [L]

DAY 3: Glenview Start at The Grove—a prairie grove covering 123 acres of ecologically diverse prairie land preserved and maintained as the former home of the visionary horticulturist and educator Dr. John Kennicott. The Grove is a National Historic Landmark and is on the National Register of Historic Places and offers tours of two historic homes. A good appetite can be satisfied at Hackney’s, a North Shore institution for nearly 70 years. Home of the legendary Hackney Burger and Onion Loaf but also serving fresh salads, tasty seafood and more. Next stop, The Glen Town Center for shopping. See the old Glenview Naval Air Base, which now is a charming village with shops, galleries and restaurants. [L]

DAY 4: Chicago Botanic Garden One of the premier tourist attractions in all of Chicagoland. View an exquisite Japanese garden, a waterfall garden, the hidden rooms inside an English Walled Garden, cross 11 bridges spanning sparkling lakes. The Chicago Botanic Garden is 385 acres and 23 gardens of wonder to explore. Enjoy a guided tram tour of the garden highlights and a “Behindthe-Scenes” tour of the Production Greenhouses only open for viewing to VIP groups. Lunch and shopping discounts in the Garden Shop included in fee for the day.

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE: ➤ Obama Tour ➤ Culinary Tour of the North Shore

CONTACT: Chicago’s North Shore CVB ➤ Caryn Shulman • www.visitchicagonorthshore.com 8001 Lincoln Ave., Ste. 715, Skokie, IL 60077 Phone: 847-763-0011 ext. 25 • Email: cshulman@cnscvb.com LeisureGroupTravel.com

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June 2009 73

Santa Fe

WEST Go West into Wide Open Spaces he Western horizon is filled with incredible sights and contrasts. At all points of the compass you find the scenery spectacular, the history colorful. The people, representing a diverse blend of cultures, arrived in search of adventure, riches and new roots.

Mesa

New Mexico

74 June 2009

There is no set path to exploring the West. You can follow migration routes of birds, butterflies and whales, or retrace historic footsteps of Native Americans, Lewis & Clark, conquistadors, Spanish missionaries or Northern fur traders. More contemporary routes may lead to Hollywood filming sites or culinary adventures that savor the latest trends in food and wine. The West’s vibrant arts scene appeals to groups who appreciate museums, theater and music. The West’s traditions are celebrated in every town. Each area has a distinctive personality as seen in its architecture, foods, lifestyles and festivals. From powwows and rodeos to Route 66 celebrations, don’t be surprised by the range of reasons Westerners embrace when organizing a festive gathering. Perhaps the most cherished and distinctive activity is to experience the vast wilderness areas with their protected wildlife habitats and awesome landscapes. Names like Yellowstone, Yosemite, Death Valley and Mount Rainier offer just a hint of the hundreds of millions of acres of public lands waiting to be explored. Groups enjoy the diversity of Arizona, from the desert to the mountains, from cosmopolitan cities to Native American lands. And don’t forget the Grand Canyon. New Mexico, a blend of

Spanish, Native and Anglo cultures, has an artistic legacy dating to ancient times. Texas landscapes range from vast plains to coastal communities to big cities like Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio.

Arizona Colorado abounds with mountain resorts that provide recreational opportunities year-round. The state’s tourist railway lines are one of its great symbolic links between the past and present. No trip to Colorado is complete without a visit to Denver, the Mile High City. Wyoming, the Cowboy State, conLeisureGroupTravel.com

Houston

jures up romantic images of the great frontier ranches, rodeos, railroads and majestic plains. It is home to Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park and Devils Tower. Cheyenne, its capital, is best known for Cheyenne Frontier Days, a summer celebration of all things Western, and boasts attractions like Terry Bison Ranch, the Wyoming State Capitol/State Museum, Nelson Museum of the West and the world’s largest steam locomotive. Montana also claims part of Yellowstone and encompasses Glacier National Park in its northwest corner, near the Canadian border. Tours in vintage buses, sightseeing cruises and whitewater float trips are just some of the choices at Glacier. Idaho is also a great place for rafting adventures, picturesque lakes and mountain vistas. Utah has its share of natural splendor, especially in Red Rocks Country, home of Bryce Canyon, Arches, Zion and Capitol Reef national parks. In neighboring Nevada, try your luck at casinos in gaming meccas like Las Vegas, Laughlin and Reno. In the Pacific Northwest, Washington and Oregon are blessed with stunning coastlines, mountain ranges and vineyard-studded slopes. Learn about the apple industry in Washington’s Wenatchee Valley or enjoy the laidback lifestyle in Seattle, famous for its coffeehouses, bustling harborfront and skyline punctuated by the Space Needle. California beckons with dreams of LeisureGroupTravel.com

cruising down coastal highways, romping around Disneyland, sampling wines in the Napa and Sonoma valleys, and visiting national parks like Yosemite and Sequoia. Urban excitement awaits in San Francisco, Sacramento, Los Angeles and San Diego. Welcome to the West…see, experience, enjoy and celebrate every step of your journey. LGT

SATISFY YOUR SOUL IN A CITY WHERE THE CULTURE IS HIGH-VOLUME AND THE ATTITUDE IS LOW-KEY. WHERE THE STORY OF OUR ROCK-AND-ROLL ROOTS BLENDS HARMONIOUSLY WITH A CLASSIC CULTURAL SCENE. THE OKLAHOMA CITY MUSEUM OF ART & THE OKLAHOMA HISTORY CENTER. CAPTIVATING & CASUAL. BOLD & BEAUTIFUL.

V I SI T OKC .C OM

Rock history exhibit “Another Hot Oklahoma Night!” rocks into the Oklahoma History Center through fall 2010!

June 2009 75

Savor the Flavor of the Wenatchee Valley

Wenatchee, Washington

➤➤ HIGHLIGHTS • Ice Age Floods Geological Trail…discover the cataclysmic ice age floods remnants • Miss Veedol…working historic replica plane that completed the first transpacific flight • Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center… showcasing regional history • Ohme Gardens…nine acres of lush alpine greenery • Rocky Reach Dam…renewable energy, museum, fish ladder

➤➤ DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: East Wenatchee & Wenatchee, WA Follow the 30 or 164-mile Ice Age Floods Geological Trail and view remnants left by the cataclysmic floodwaters as it raged through the Valley 17,000 years ago. Explore Downtown Wenatchee and choose fun activities such as a walking tour of the outdoor Art on the Avenues sculptures, shopping in downtown antique stores and specialty shops, or enjoying ice cream at the historic Owl Soda Fountain. Stroll across the RiverWalk Crossing into Riverfront Park and the Apple Capital Loop Trail or take a walking tour of the downtown historical buildings and signs. Enjoy wine tasting and dinner at Chateau Faire le Pont Winery, a state-of-the-art gravity flow winery that creates world-class, ultra-premium wines from locally grown grapes and is housed in a superbly restored 1920s fruit warehouse.

DAY 2: East Wenatchee & Wenatchee, WA The Bridge of Friendship Japanese Garden is a partnership between the Sister Cities of Misawa, Japan, East Wenatchee and Wenatchee. The garden features a reflecting pool, pagoda and authentic Japanese artifacts. Visit the “Miss Veedol” Hangar where history comes alive! Hear the spine-tingling story of Clyde Pangborn and Hugh Herndon’s struggle to complete the first non-stop transpacific flight and get a firsthand look at a working replica of the plane that made the flight in 1931. Enjoy wine tasting and lunch at Saint Laurent Winery, where the winery and its unique European landscaped gardens overlook the Wenatchee Valley. The Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center features four floors of regional historical exhibits and is home to six of the

original Clovis tools discovered in the valley in 1987. Stroll through Ohme Gardens’ nine acres of lush alpine beauty, sit beside a tumbling waterfall or wander along cool and serene rock walkways with stunning views of the Columbia River and the Wenatchee Valley. The 42-acre Tiny’s Organic Farm in East Wenatchee grows a wide variety of vegetables and fruits with names like Arctic Snow nectarines, Indian blood peaches and DapplDandy pluots (a hybrid between a plum and an apricot).

DAY 3: Wenatchee & Cashmere, WA “Look a Salmon in the eye” in the fish viewing room or explore the Museum of the Columbia and the Gallery of Electricity. Outside Rocky Reach Dam marvel at the giant water pipe that transports juvenile salmon around the face of the dam and deposits them downstream into the Columbia River. Stop by Stemilt’s Bountiful Fruit for a crisp juicy apple or other in-season fruits. The WA Apple Commission Visitor Center is full of historic photos, interactive displays and an informative video about the apple industry. Reserve your seat at the Town Toyota Center for a memorable concert, thrilling hockey game, wild sports action or spectacular family entertainment. This multi-purpose arena offers it all. The Aplets and Cotlets Factory Tour incorporates savory Washington apples, ripe apricots and crunchy English walnuts into Aplets and Cotlets Candy, top sellers since 1920! Apple Annie’s Antique Mall has 70,000 sq. ft. of antique treasures to tempt you and Studebaker’s 50’s Diner cooks up nostalgia with a 100% Angus Beef burger, crispy fries and oodles of memorabilia.

CONTACT: Wenatchee Valley Visitors Bureau

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:

➤ Marcia Janke • www.wenatcheevalley.org 5 S. Wenatchee Avenue, Suite 100, Wenatchee, WA 98801 Phone: 509-663-3723 or 800-572-7753 • Email: Marcia@wenatcheevalley.org

➤ Ice Age Floods Geological Trail ➤ Culture along the Columbia River

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Gators, Gardens, Gushers & Great Food

Beaumont, Texas

➤➤ HIGHLIGHTS • Gator Country Adventure Park – see and touch live alligators, dine on authentic Cajun cuisine • Shangri La Botanical Gardens & Nature Center was just named among the 10 Greenest EcoProjects in the World • Spindletop-Gladys City Boomtown Museum – watch world’s only replica gusher blow 100 feet in the sky, just like in 1901 • Spindletop Steakhouse – Take a culinary tour in Beaumont’s historic downtown

➤➤ DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: Treat yourself to a scrumptious breakfast at Rao’s Bakery & Coffee Cafe, where you’ll find freshly brewed coffee and piping hot croissants and breakfast burritos.

After a busy day, relax at Spindletop Steakhouse on historic Crockett Street, where the tantalizing menu items will have your mouth watering.

Take a short drive over to Spindletop-Gladys City Boomtown Museum, where you’ll step back in time to witness Beaumont’s rich oil heritage as you watch the world’s only working replica gusher blow water hundreds of feet into Beaumont’s blue sky. Follow the history of the "Cradle of the Petroleum Age" with a tour of the Texas Energy Museum and experience the fascinating world of oil exploration and refining!

DAY 3:

Round out your tour of Downtown Beaumont with a trip to a couple of our other intriguing museums: the Art Museum of Southeast Texas and the Fire Museum of Texas. Don’t forget dinner at the legendary Crockett Street Entertainment District!

DAY 2:

Start the day by reconnecting with nature at the Big Thicket National Preserve as you slice through the waters of Village Creek in a canoe. Enjoy great Texas BBQ at Willy Ray’s, where you’ll find an array of enticing sides to go along with their famous BBQ. Be inspired at St. Anthony's Cathedral Basilica, one of Beaumont’s many unique and historic places of worship on the Beaumont Faith Trail. Feed your adventurous spirit at Gator Country—Texas’ only alligator theme park. Have a hands-on experience by helping feed LIVE gators and take home a picture to prove it! View educational demonstrations and see the jaw dropping half-ton alligator, lovingly named “Big Al.” End your day on a high note by grooving to the music of a local bayou band and feasting on Gator Country’s famous Cajun cuisine.

Rekindle your sense of wonder at Shangri La Botanical Gardens & Nature Center, located just minutes from Beaumont. Observe nesting birds in Shangri La’s Ruby Lake through a state-of-the-art bird blind. Explore more than 300 species of plants in one of the most Earth-friendly projects in the world. See history come alive in any of our three historic homes: the John Jay French House, the Chambers House and the McFaddin-Ward House.

CONTACT: Beaumont Convention & Visitors Bureau

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:

➤ Elizabeth Eddins, Director of Tourism • www.beaumontcvb.com 505 Willow St., Beaumont, TX 77701 Phone: 866-822-0245 • Email: eeddins@ci.beaumont.tx.us

➤ The Faith Trail ➤ Nature Trail

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June 2009 77

Grapevine – Vintage Texas

Grapevine, Fort Worth, Dallas, Texas

➤➤ HIGHLIGHTS • Wine tastings • Convenient location in the heart of the Dallas/Fort Worth region • An excursion aboard the Grapevine Vintage Railroad • Artisan demonstrations, including glass blowing • Excursions to the Historic Fort Worth Stockyards, Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza and Southfork Ranch

➤➤ DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: Grapevine Let us introduce your group to Grapevine’s history and heritage at the Grapevine Cotton Belt Railroad, Historic District and Historical Museum. Here, you will also experience artisan demonstrations such as glassblowing at Vetro Glass Blowing Gallery & Studio. Next, shop and sightsee in beautifully restored ca. 1900 buildings in Historic Downtown Grapevine, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Shops and boutiques offer unique treasures and one-of-a-kind finds. Enjoy public art, like the “Coming Home,” “The Sidewalk Judge” and the “Nightwatchman,” that celebrate characters and events that shaped Grapevine’s spirit. Lunch can be enjoyed on their own at any number of family-owned eateries in Historic Downtown Grapevine. This afternoon, follow the Grapevine Wine Trail! Tour several of the winery tasting rooms and learn about grape growing and winemaking in Texas as you savor the flavor of Texas wines! Dinner may be arranged at a winery, complete with entertainment, or at any one of a variety of steakhouses and group-friendly restaurants. For additional entertainment, try your skills with the Gaylord Texan Resort’s Murder Mystery Dinner Theater. [B,D]

DAY 2: Grapevine / Fort Worth Start your day with mega-shopping at Grapevine Mills mall. Grapevine Mills offers “shoppertainment” with over 200 stores, amusement centers and themed restaurants. This afternoon, ride the rails of nostalgia when you experience the Grapevine Vintage Railroad! The train operates a seasonal schedule round-trip excursion from Grapevine to the Fort Worth Stockyards. At the Fort Worth Stockyards, see a Texas Longhorn cattle drive, shop Stockyards Station and visit

the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame before your return trip to Grapevine. Dinner tonight may be arranged at a variety of Grapevine restaurants. After dinner, enjoy world class musical performances at the Grapevine Opry! Every Saturday night experience the finest country music revue and special theme evenings at the Historic Palace Theatre on Main Street in Grapevine. [B,D]

DAY 3: Dallas Your day starts with a visit to The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, also known as the JFK Memorial Museum. Most people remember exactly where they were the fateful day John F. Kennedy was shot in Dallas. At this museum you can view minute-by-minute accounts of what happened on that tragic day. Next stop, the Dallas Museum of Art, offering a collection that includes American masterpieces, contemporary art, European and impressionist art, and special temporary exhibits on display throughout the year. Lunch can be arranged for your group at the Dallas Museum of Art. This afternoon, head over to the Dallas Arboretum, a 66-acre arboretum and botanical garden showcasing perennial fragrant gardens, towering trees and lush lawns. Cap off your visit to Dallas with a visit to Southfork Ranch, also known as the home of J.R. Ewing and his family on the hit television series “Dallas.” Here your group will receive a guided tour of this famous ranch, followed by an evening chuckwagon supper. [B,L,D]

CONTACT: Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:

➤ Grapevine Tourism Department • www.GrapevineTexasUSA.com One Liberty Park Plaza, Grapevine, TX 76051 Phone: 817-410-3184 • Email: Tourism@GrapevineTexasUSA.com

➤ Grapevine Wine Trail ➤ Christmas Capital of Texas

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Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Angel Fire, Red River, Chama, Farmington, Gallup, New Mexico

Northern New Mexico ➤➤ HIGHLIGHTS • Old Town Albuquerque • Sandia Peak Tramway • Taos Pueblo • Cumbres-Toltec Railroad • Palace of the Governors, Santa Fe

➤➤ DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: AM: Explore the shops, galleries and museums of Old Town, the original heart of Albuquerque. Then visit the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, which tells the story of the 19 pueblos of New Mexico. PM: The National Hispanic Cultural Center features a visual arts museum, restaurant and gift shop. Visit the Albuquerque Aquarium and adjacent Rio Grande Botanic Garden. Ride 2.7 miles to the top of 10,400-foot Sandia Peak on the Sandia Peak Tramway, the world’s longest single-span tramway. Dinner and overnight in Albuquerque.

PM: Depart Taos for Angel Fire, site of the Vietnam Veterans National Memorial. In Red River board the Red River Chair Lift Rides. Dinner and overnight in Red River.

DAY 5: Depart Red River for Chama. Enjoy a 64-mile scenic mountain ride on the Cumbres-Toltec Railroad. Dinner and overnight in Farmington.

DAY 2:

DAY 6:

AM: Depart Albuquerque for Santa Fe. Travel off Interstate 25 and visit area pueblos, such as Cochiti, Sandia, Santo Domingo and Zia Pueblo. PM: Visit the 1610 Palace of the Governors, the nation’s oldest building still in continuous use. Now a Southwestern history museum, it faces the famous Santa Fe Plaza. Near the Plaza is the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum. At Loretto Chapel see the “Miraculous Staircase” and learn the legend of its construction. Dinner and overnight in Santa Fe.

AM: At the Farmington Gateway Museum, see exhibits on the Four Corners area and the area’s oil and gas industry. Depart Farmington for Bloomfield and Salmon Ruins/Heritage Park. Aztec Ruins National Monument is a 450-room ancestral pueblo dating from the 1100s. PM: Depart Bloomfield for Chaco National Historical Park, a center of Anasazi culture from A.D. 900-1100. Dinner and overnight in Gallup.

DAY 7: DAY 3: AM: Depart Santa Fe for Los Alamos, the scientific community that played a major role in the development of the atomic bomb. Bandelier National Monument features hundreds of Anasazi ruins. PM: Depart Los Alamos for Chimayo. Santuario de Chimayo is a sacred site believed to have miraculous healing powers. Dinner in Chimayo or Taos; overnight in Taos.

AM: Gallup’s Red Rock Museum showcases Native American culture and art. The Gallup Cultural Center features everything from sand painting to Historic Route 66. At the Navajo Code Talkers Room, learn about Navajo Marines who played a major role in World War II. PM: Depart Gallup for Grants. View ancient petroglyphs at El Morro National Monument. Take a jacket into Bandera Ice Crater Caves. Dinner and overnight in Grants.

DAY 4:

DAY 8:

AM: The artist colony of Taos offers a blend of Native American, Spanish and American cultures. View works by local artists at the Harwood Museum of Art, Millicent Rogers Museum and Taos Art Museum. Visit Taos Pueblo, inhabited for over 1,000 years.

AM: Tour the New Mexico Mining Museum. Then visit Acoma Pueblo/Sky City, continuously inhabited for 2,000 years. PM: Depart Acoma for Albuquerque. Stop at Petroglyph National Monument.

CONTACT: New Mexico Tourism Department

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:

➤ Mark M. Trujillo, North America Tour Trade Director • www.newmexico.org 491 Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87501 Phone: 505-827-5832 or 505-690-0999 • Email: Mark.Trujillo@state.nm.us

Visit GroupTravelDirectory.com for more Northern New Mexico itinerary ideas

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Tucson Highlights

Tucson, Arizona

➤➤ HIGHLIGHTS • Saguaro National Park • Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum • Old Tucson Studios • Sabino Canyon • DeGrazia Gallery • Pima Air & Space Museum

➤➤ DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY This itinerary showcases some of the finest attractions that the metropolitan Tucson area has to offer. Enjoy our stunning desert setting at Saguaro National Park, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and Sabino Canyon. Relive the excitement of many old Western movies at Old Tucson Studios. Discover our creative side at DeGrazia Gallery and learn about our military history at Pima Air & Space Museum. As you’ll discover, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in Tucson!

DAY 1: Take a drive-through tour of Saguaro National Park West and get a breathtaking view of thousands of saguaros, the giants of the desert. Break for lunch and a tour at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, which tells the unique story of the Sonoran Desert region. More than 300 species of live animals and 1,400 species of plants indigenous to the Sonoran Desert are exhibited in naturalistic habitats. Stop at Old Tucson Studios, the famous movie location and theme park. Take a step back in time and enjoy watching a simulated gunfight and saloon show. Or visit the International Wildlife Museum, a worldclass natural history museum, where you get a close-up view of more than 400 different species of preserved insects, mammals and birds from around the world. The museum features a variety of hands-on exhibits and interactive displays for all ages. For the evening, dine at one of Tucson's many steakhouses; some even offer authentic Western entertainment.

oasis. The narrated ground-tram ride lasts 45 minutes and travels through some of the most camera-worthy scenery in the Tucson area. Head west to DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun, built to showcase the unique Southwestern art of Ettore "Ted" DeGrazia. The gallery is a unique adobe construction with beautiful decorative features and contains rooms exhibiting DeGrazia originals on subjects such as Padre Kino, Cabeza de Vaca and Yaqui Easter. Break for lunch at La Encantada and experience an upscale outdoor specialty shopping center that celebrates the splendor of Old World Spanish traditions alongside modern sophistication. It features plazas, fine dining, and the trendiest national and local retailers. Drive south to the Pima Air & Space Museum, where more than 250 aircraft are on display, representative of America's aviation history. This impressive aircraft collection ranges from the first (a replica of the Wright flyer) to the ultimate flying machine, the famous SR-71A Blackbird. Dine at a Tucson Originals restaurant, an organization of many of Tucson's best independent fine dining, casual and neighborhood restaurants preserving Tucson's culinary sense of place by encouraging the support of local establishments.

DAY 2: Enjoy the views at Sabino Canyon Recreation Area, a true desert

CONTACT: Metropolitan Tucson Convention & Visitors Bureau

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:

➤ April Bourie, Tourism Sales Manager • www.visittucson.org 100 S. Church St., Tucson, AZ 85701 Phone: 520-770-2159 • Email: abourie@visitTucson.org

➤ A Birder's Paradise ➤ Stellar Views; Astronomy

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Cheyenne Full Day Itinerary

Cheyenne, Wyoming

➤➤ HIGHLIGHTS • Historic Attractions • Trolley Tour • Bison Ranch • Western Shopping • Western Entertainment

➤➤ DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: Go downtown to the newly restored Cheyenne Depot. A National Historic Landmark, the depot has been restored to its original glory and is once again a center of activity in the community. Tour the art deco lobby and visit the Cheyenne Depot Museum, which chronicles the railroad and its relationship to Cheyenne. In the depot, purchase tickets for the Cheyenne Street Railway Trolley (307-778-3133), which provides a 90-minute overview of the community, its history, and attractions. The tour includes stops at various attractions, allowing riders to disembark for the attraction, and then reboard the next trolley 90 minutes later. Stops include the Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum (307-778-7290), Nelson Museum of the West (307-635-7670), Wyoming State Museum (307-777-7022), Historic Governors’ Mansion (307-7777878), Wyoming Capitol and Cheyenne Botanic Gardens (307637-6458). (Trolley drivers are available as step-on guides for motorcoaches.)

(1.2 million lbs.) It was designed especially for the rugged Cheyenne to Ogden, Utah run. End your day watching the Western skits and escapades of the Cheyenne Gunslingers at 6:00 pm in downtown Cheyenne (JuneJuly). Then enjoy the Bit-O-Wyo Horsebarn Dinner Theater in the beautiful mountains west of town (May-Aug). Or catch the Old-Fashioned Melodrama (307-638-6543) at the Historic Atlas Theater, where you can cheer the hero and hiss the villain (July).

Upon returning to downtown, spend some time at a couple of true Western stores. Try the Wrangler (307-634-3048) for jeans, boots, hats, and other Western apparel or Wyoming Home (307-638-2222) for its unique Western furniture and artwork. Or catch a ride on the free downtown carriage rides. Head south nine miles to the Terry Bison Ranch (307-634-4171) for a horseback ride or a train ride into the middle of the bison herd that calls the ranch home. Back in town, be sure to check out Big Boy 4004, the world’s largest steam locomotive

CONTACT: Cheyenne Area Convention and Visitors Bureau

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:

➤ Darren Rudloff • www.cheyenne.org 1 Depot Sq., 121 W. 15th St., Ste. 202, Cheyenne, WY 82001 Phone: 800-426-5009 or 307-778-3133 • Email: darren@cheyenne.org

➤ Frontier Days ➤ Downtown Cheyenne

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June 2009 81

Travel The Mission Trail

El Paso, Texas

➤➤ HIGHLIGHTS • El Paso Mission Trail • El Meson de Onate • Licon Dairy • Tigua Cultural Center and Museum • Award-winning Cattleman’s Steakhouse

➤➤ DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: El Paso Mission Trail: Start your day by exploring the Mission Trail and discover the oldest continually active missions in the United States. Located in El Paso’s Mission Valley, this trail is rich in history dating back 400 years. The Ysleta and Socorro Missions and the San Elizario Chapel remain as living testaments to the faith of our Spanish and Native American ancestors. Los Portales Museum and Information Center: Along the Mission Trail, just across from the San Elizario Chapel, the museum and information center are operated by the San Elizario Genealogy and Historical Society. Exhibits focus on the rich and colorful historical legacies of San Elizario, including the “First Thanksgiving,” Spanish presidio, San Elizario Salt War of 1877 and El Paso’s first county seat. Lunch at El Meson de Onate: Just a skip and a hop from the Socorro Mission, El Meson de Onate provides an unforgettable experience that complements the cultural Mission Trail. This local favorite will surpass your expectations with its Comida Corrida (fast food). Favorites range from Sopa de Fideo and Pico de Gallo, and don’t miss the famous Red Enchiladas. Licon Dairy: Only four miles down Socorro Road and famous for its asadero cheese, this working dairy is certainly a crowd pleaser! It boasts a very unusual petting zoo that includes exotic animals such as camels, goats, zebras and parrots. For some added fun, fish for catfish in the dairy’s pond.

Tigua Cultural Center and Museum: Founded in 1682, the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo has over 300 years of history in El Paso’s Mission Valley. Situated across from the Ysleta Mission, the Tigua Indian Cultural Center promotes and educates the public on the Tigua culture. The Center’s museum displays tribal artifacts, showcases tribal history and provides visual displays and media regarding the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo. The Center is also home to several gift shops featuring Tigua handcrafted pottery, jewelry and fine art. On Saturdays and Sundays the tribal youth dance group performs tribal social dances. Special events include bread breaking and powwows. Dinner at Cattleman’s Steakhouse: Visit this legendary Texas steakhouse on a real working ranch. Enjoy a Western atmosphere, miles of desert scenery and spectacular sunsets. This unique establishment provides visitors with a truly remarkable experience that includes snake pits, an Indian Maze, a lake walk, buffalo, longhorns, and much more. And did we forget to mention, the steaks are the best in Texas!

CONTACT: El Paso Convention and Visitors Bureau

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:

➤ Leesy McCorgary, Tourism Sales Manager • www.visitelpaso.com One Civic Center Plaza, El Paso, TX 79901 Phone: 800-351-6024 or 915-534-0600 • Email: lmccorgary@elpasocvb.com

➤ The Great Outdoors ➤ Downtown Museum Tour

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Best of the Northwest History and Scenery

Vancouver, Washington

➤➤ HIGHLIGHTS • Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area • Fort Vancouver National Historic Site • Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument • Lewis & Clark Trail to the Pacific Ocean • Mount Rainier National Park

➤➤ DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: Northwest History in Vancouver, WA Take a guided tour of Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, established in 1825 as the headquarters of the British-based Hudson’s Bay Company fur trading network in the Pacific Northwest. Visit Pearson Air Museum, located at one of the oldest continually operating airfields in the United States, to learn about aviation history and view airplanes from pre-WWII. Tour Officers Row and the George C. Marshall House, built in 1886 for the commander of Vancouver Barracks and named for its famous resident who resided there from 1936 to 1938.

DAY 2: Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Take a free tour of the famous Pendleton Woolen Mill to see firsthand the state-of-the-art dye house and the spinning, weaving, and finishing of the distinctive Indian motif blankets. At the Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center, view over 11,000 square feet of exhibits that interpret the area’s cultural and natural history. Cross the Columbia River into Oregon and take a scenic river cruise on the Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler, a triple-decker paddle wheeler, for 360-degree views of the magnificent Columbia Gorge. Then tour the Bonneville Dam with historical exhibits and an underwater fish viewing station. Stop and explore Multnomah Falls, the second highest year-round waterfall in the United States. Enjoy shopping at the Columbia Gorge Premium Outlets, where you will find an exciting collection of over 45 designer and name-brand outlet stores offering group discounts.

DAY 3: Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument Tour Mount St. Helens and learn about the May 18, 1980 eruption that forever changed the landscape of this famous mountain. This worldclass natural attraction offers year-round scenic and wildlife viewing

as well as educational visitor centers to help visitors comprehend the dramatic events of 1980 and the recovery that has followed.

DAY 4: Lewis & Clark Trail and the Pacific Ocean You’ll find pristine beaches and spectacular scenery on the Pacific Coast, which is only a 90-minute drive from Vancouver. On the way, visit Cathlapotle Plankhouse, a full-scale replica of a Native American cedar plankhouse at the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, home to many species of spring and fall migrating birds. Stretch your legs at the Julia Butler Hansen Refuge for White-Tailed Deer. Viewing platforms allow you to see deer and elk species first described for science by Lewis & Clark. Take a tour of the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center at Cape Disappointment State Park with exhibits interpreting Lewis & Clark’s experience at the mouth of the Columbia River. In the seaside town of Long Beach, spend a few hours exploring the International Kite Museum, Marshall’s Free Museum, Cranberry Museum and the historic town of Oysterville.

DAY 5: Your Choice Of Northwest Destinations Travel north to Mount Rainier National Park and view outstanding examples of old growth forests and sub-alpine meadows. Take in the Longmire Museum and Jackson Visitor Center in Paradise. Or head south to Portland, Oregon, which offers many unique visitor attractions, including the Oregon Zoo, Oregon Museum of Science and Industry and Portland Classical Chinese Garden.

CONTACT: Southwest Washington Convention & Visitors Bureau

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:

➤ Debbie Picard • www.SouthwestWashington.com 101 East 8th St., Suite 240, Vancouver, WA 98660 Phone: 877-600-0800 • Email: dpicard@SouthwestWashington.com

➤ Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Loop Tour ➤ Southwest Washington Heritage and Wine Trail

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June 2009 83

Brenham/Washington County: Blue Bell, Bluebonnets and the Birthplace of Texas

Brenham, Burton, Chappell Hill, Independence, Washington, Texas

➤➤ HIGHLIGHTS • The “Birthplace of Texas”—Washington-on the-Brazos State Historic Site • Eat the best ice cream in the country – Blue Bell Creameries • Spectacular spring wildflowers – bluebonnets and more • Antique Rose Emporium, Ellison’s Greenhouses, Chappell Hill Lavender Farm, Burton Cotton Gin & Museum, wineries • Halfway between Austin and Houston on Highway 290

➤➤ DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: Brenham Roam the charming shops and boutiques on the historic downtown square of Brenham. After working up a bit of an appetite, choose from unique soup & sandwich shops to home-style, American grill or fusion food…. the choice is yours. Before leaving downtown, make sure and check out the Brenham Heritage Museum and Fire Museum. Next, head to Blue Bell Creameries for an incredible tour and end up with a scoop in the ice cream parlor. Tour a working greenhouse at Ellison’s Greenhouses. The plants change with the seasons, so there is always something new to see. Book a tour at one of our two local wineries, Pleasant Hill Winery or Windy Winery.

DAY 2: Brenham & Chappell Hill Begin the day with a tour of Brenham’s mansions, the Giddings-Wilkin House and the Giddings Stone Mansion. Head for lunch in Chappell Hill at Bever’s Restaurant and save room for pie! Enjoy a tour of the Chappell Hill Museum and the historic churches. Hit the road and head to the Chappell Hill Lavender Farm. Returning to Brenham, stop by and visit the Monastery of St. Clare’s Miniature Horse Farm. Make sure and plan to see a production at Brenham’s Unity Theatre after dinner.

DAY 3: Washington-on the-Brazos & Independence

of Texas as the war ravaged the Texans defending the Alamo. The nearly-300-acre park has a state-of-the-art Visitor Center, the replica of Independence Hall, the Star of the Republic Museum and the Barrington Living History Farm, which transports you to the plantation of the last president of the Republic, Anson Jones. Pack a lunch for the park or stop at the quaint R Place near the park’s entrance. Meander to the village of Independence. See the Seward Plantation, owned by the same family for over 160 years. Tour the Independence Baptist Church & Museum and Old Baylor Park and the John P. Coles home. Walk the lush eight-acre retail gardens of Antique Rose Emporium.

DAY 4: Burton & Round Top Tour the Burton Cotton Gin & Museum and remember when Cotton Was King! This cotton gin is the only one of its kind in the nation. See the Wehring Home and Shoe Shop before heading to the square in Round Top for a bite to eat at Royer’s Cafe and shop at the Copper Shade Tree Art Gallery in Bybee Square. Don’t miss the International Festival Institute. The concert hall is reminiscent of its European counterparts. Weekend concerts are not to be missed! Get your cowboy fix at Nueces Canyon Ranch for a BBQ dinner and a cutting horse exhibition and hayride.

Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site is known as the “Birthplace of Texas.” Fifty-nine courageous men signed the Declaration of Independence from Mexico on March 2, 1836, creating the Republic

CONTACT: Brenham/Washington County Convention & Visitors Bureau

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:

➤ Seneca McAdams • www.BrenhamTexas.com 314 S. Austin St., Brenham, TX 77833 Phone: 888-BRENHAM • Email: Seneca@brenhamtexas.com

➤ Brenham, Presidents and Blue Bell

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INTERNATIONAL Globe-Hopping Dreams ich cross-cultural experiences await travelers with visions of venturing beyond the borders of the United States. The world brims with travel destinations that most people only read about in books or see in movies. Imagine walking in Christ’s footsteps in Old Jerusalem, riding through the fairy-tale Alps or tracking wildlife on the plains of Africa.

Ancient civilizations and traditions add intrigue to any itinerary. Scenic byways are begging for your camera’s focus, and a hot cup or espresso is waiting at a sidewalk cafe in some of the world’s greatest cities. Canada, the second largest country in the world, is the most accessible international destination and scenically

Montreal

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one of the most awesome. From its friendly, English-speaking citizens to its high standard of living, Canada offers American travelers a sense of security and familiarity along with a few different twists along the way. From the snow-capped peaks of the Canadian Rockies to the rugged Atlantic coastline, the land is magical. For many, the country’s allure is in its cosmopolitan cities, where a mix of world cultures creates a lively arts and culinary scene. Quebec, the cradle of French culture in North America, is split in the south by the St. Lawrence River. Along this waterway lie Montreal, the world’s secondlargest French-speaking city, and Quebec City, the only fortified city in Canada. Toronto is another city lover’s mecca and home to dozens of different nationalities and ethnic neighborhoods, including six distinct Chinatowns. Traveling west, the Canadian landscape grows increasingly jagged. The vast prairies of Saskatchewan and Alberta pinch toward the sky as you head into the Canadian Rockies. Calgary, at the foot of this immerse mountain range, is a gateway to Alberta favorites like Banff National Park. In British Columbia is the hip city of Vancouver, home to the 2010 Winter Olympics and one of the Pacific Coast’s great seaports. For travelers eager to explore beyond their own backyards, international is the way to go. LGT

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Quebec’s Art and Gardens

Quebec, Canada

➤➤ HIGHLIGHTS • Montreal Botanic Gardens, Old Port, museums and galleries • Orford Express dinner train through picturesque Eastern Townships • Quebec City – 400 years of history within the walls • International Garden Festival and Redford Gardens • Visit www.BonjourQuebec.com for more information

➤➤ DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: Montreal As befitting a city with over three-and-a-half centuries of history, there is an abundance of art venues throughout the city. Our stroll through Old Montreal will reveal architecture dating back to the 1700s, remarkable 19th century Victorian structures and some of Canada’s first skyscrapers. It is also home to art galleries, handicraft ateliers and fashion boutiques. Must-sees include Bonsecours Market – a former city hall that now houses several craftworks, the stained glass and sculpture of Notre Dame Basilica, and the Fortin Museum – dedicated to the works of this famous Quebec landscapist. Take time before or after lunch to explore the temporary floral exhibits and promenade gardens along the piers. Later, we’ll head to the northern section of the city to explore the Montreal Botanic Garden. Ten buildings house revolving exhibits, while a highlight is the Chinese garden, best viewed during the lantern festival in autumn.

DAY 2: Montreal – Sherbrook We’ll start the day with breakfast and a guided tour of Montreal’s Museum of Fine Art. From there, we’ll continue to Place des Arts, the cultural heart of Montreal. This is the home of the Museum of Contemporary Art, Ballets Canadians, the Symphony and Opera. After lunch and/or shopping at Complex Desjardins, we’ll leave the city for an hour and half ride to the town of Sherbrooke. There’ll be time to explore the downtown murals, galleries and Fine Arts Museum before boarding the Orford Express for a lively dinner ride along Lake Magog.

DAY 3: Sherbrook – Quebec City This morning we’ll make a few quick stops at the hydroponic rose gardens in Drummondville and Parc Marie-Victorin, before a visit

and special lunch at Domaine Joly. This evening, we will have dinner at the revolving restaurant L’Astral, with breathtaking views of Quebec City.

DAY 4: Quebec City City tour and free time to explore the Museum of Fine Arts, galleries, public art and gardens of Quebec City.

DAY 5: Quebec City – Grand Metis We’ll depart early from Quebec City with stop for breakfast at Manoir Montmorency, a historic stop at the top of Montmorency Falls. We’ll travel along the south shore of the St. Lawrence to the Redford Gardens and International Garden Festival, with a stop for lunch and tour of the public art sculptures in Rivière-du-Loup.

DAY 6: Grand Metis – Charlevoix Keep your eyes open for whales and marine animals as we put the coach on the ferry to the north shore. We’ll cross into Charlevoix for a tour of the artist villages of the region. Check the schedule for patio jazz brunches at Domaine Forget, or plan on a paper-making session in St. Gilles. Allow plenty of time to explore the galleries of Baie-Saint-Paul, before returning to La Malbaie for dinner and an overnight in one of the many deluxe inns or the castle-like Fairmont Manoir Richelieu. We’ll be perfectly positioned for our morning transfer to the airport in either Quebec City or Montreal.

CONTACT: Tourisme Québec

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:

➤ Debra Ruzbasan • www.BonjourQuebec.com 2158 45th Ave., #218, Highland, IN 46322 Phone: 219-937-2280 • Email: QCDER@aol.com

➤ Quebec’s High Roads and Fast Lines ➤ After the Cruise

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Tel Aviv, Haifa, Nazareth, Kibbutz Ginosar, Jerusalem

Journey through the Holy Land ➤➤ HIGHLIGHTS • Kibbutz Ginosar to see the ancient fisherman's boat • Bethlehem and Church of the Nativity • Jerusalem and the Old City • Cruise on the Sea of Galilee • The cliff-top fortress of Masada

➤➤ DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: (Sat.) Board the overnight transatlantic flight.

DAY 6: Jerusalem–Excursion to Ein Karem and Bethlehem

DAY 2: Arrival in Tel Aviv, Israel

(Thurs.) In Ein Karem visit the Church of St. John the Baptist and Church of Visitation, said to be built over the home of John the Baptist’s parents. In Bethlehem see Shepherd’s Field, where the angels announced the birth of Jesus, and visit the Church of the Nativity, the site where Jesus was born. Also stop at Jerusalem Archaeological Park. (B)

(Sun.) Transfer to hotel. Balance of the day is at leisure. Enjoy this evening’s welcome drink with traveling companions.

DAY 3: Tel Aviv–Caesarea–Megiddo–Muhraqa–Haifa (Mon.) In Caesarea, visit the Roman Amphitheater and Crusader Fortress. In the afternoon, travel to the ancient fortified city of Megiddo. At Muhraqa, site of Prophet Elias’ contest of faith with the priests of Baal, enjoy a view of the Jezreel Valley. Arrive in Haifa. (B,D)

DAY 7: Jerusalem–Excursion to Masada and Dead Sea

DAY 4: Haifa–Acre–Nazareth–Cana–Kibbutz Ginosar

DAY 8: Jerusalem Old City

(Tues.) Visit the golden-domed Baha’i Shrine, the world center of Baha’i faith. Next, visit Acre and the immense underground Crusader City with its secret passageways. On to Nazareth for the contemporary Church of the Annunciation. Travel on to Cana, site of the first miracle where Jesus changed water to wine at a wedding. On Lake Tiberias, arrive at Kibbutz Ginosar and see a fisherman’s boat said to be from the time of Christ. Relax or swim before dinner and lecture on Kibbutz life. (B,D)

(Sat.) Visit the Mount of Olives, Garden of Gethsemane, 14 Stations of the Cross along the Via Dolorosa and Church of the Holy Sepulchre. See the Dome of the Rock and Wailing Wall. (B)

(Fri.) Ascend by cable car to the Fortress of Masada. At a Dead Sea resort, experience the buoyancy of the heavy water. (B)

DAY 9: At Leisure in Jerusalem (Sun.) An optional excursion includes the Israel Museum, with the Dead Sea Scrolls, and Holocaust memorial at Yad Vashem. (B)

DAY 5: Kibbutz Ginosar–Mount of Beatitudes–Tabgha–Sea of Galilee–Bet She’an–Jerusalem

DAY 10: Jerusalem–Valley of Elah–Latrun–Jaffa–Tel Aviv

(Wed.) Heading towards the Sea of Galilee, visit the Mount of Beatitudes, where Jesus delivered his Sermon on the Mount. Next, visit the Church of the Multiplication of Loaves and Fishes at Tabgha. Enjoy a 45-minute Sea of Galilee Cruise. Tour the ancient city of Bet She’an with its Roman and Byzantine relics. Then on to Jerusalem. (B,D)

(Mon.) In the Valley of Elah, stop at the site of David’s victory over Goliath. At Latrun we visit the Monastery of the Trappist Monks. Enjoy a farewell dinner in Tel Aviv. (B,D)

DAY 11: Tel Aviv (Tues.) Our homebound flight arrives the same day. (B)

CONTACT: Globus ➤ Jennifer Brelsford, Religious Travel Specialist • www.globusfaith.com 5301 S. Federal Circle, Littleton, CO 80123 Phone: 866.755.8581 • Email: faith@globusfamily.com LeisureGroupTravel.com

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June 2009 87

Saskatoon: Beating to its Own Rhythm

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada

➤➤ HIGHLIGHTS • Western Development Museum Boomtown 1910 • The Berry Barn • The Ivy Dining Experience • Boating on the South Saskatchewan River • Batoche Historical Visit

➤➤ DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: Saskatoon We begin with a hearty traditional breakfast at the Western Development Museum, Boomtown 1910, a typical early settlement Saskatchewan town. We don’t just visit this museum, we live it! We travel through Saskatoon, stopping at River Landing, the new shopping and entertainment center. A 20-minute drive down Valley Road brings us to The Berry Barn, where we can pick the famous Saskatoon berries (when in season), savour home-style cooking, relax with a view of the South Saskatchewan River, and purchase wonderful local crafts and Saskatoon berry products. Back in Saskatoon, we stroll Broadway, the first commercial area and important historic thoroughfare in the original Temperance Colony. We visit the quaint shops, stopping for a specialty coffee or tea or Saskatoon berry scone. At day’s end we enjoy a delectable dinner at The Ivy.

DAY 2: Saskatoon We begin our day at one of the most beautiful university campuses in North America, the University of Saskatchewan, featuring Canada’s only Synchrotron. We visit the Ukrainian Museum of Canada, which houses original paintings by William Kurelek, and the Mendel Art Gallery with an extensive permanent collection, and exhibitions of international, national and regional artists. Leaving the Gallery we board the Shearwater Boat Cruises for a trip down the river, featuring commentary on the history of the city as well as current developments. We have the afternoon to relax before our trip out to the Whitecap First Nation’s Dakota Dunes Casino, a short 20-minute ride from Saskatoon. We try our luck at the most dramatic gaming facility in Western Canada and enjoy a leisurely supper or entertainment in the Show Lounge.

DAY 3: Saskatoon – Batoche – Fort Carlton We venture farther afield and explore the fascinating history of the Metis people and the Northwest Resistance of 1885. One hour north of Saskatoon we visit Batoche National Historic Site, the location of the key dramatic battle of the Northwest Resistance. Here we learn about the history and traditions of the Metis community through an interactive experience that shares the story of Louis Rield and Gabriel Dumont. Guides in period costume provide interpretation. We enjoy a traditional lunch of bannock and touritere. We travel to Fort Carlton Provincial Historic Park and a guided tour of the Hudson’s Bay Company fur trading post. Heading back to Saskatoon we stop at the Duck Lake Interpretive Centre, with artifacts from the Northwest Resistance. We shop for Saskatchewan-made gifts at the Glen Scrimshaw Gallery. Trip Option: As Saskatoon is the home to a diverse listing of festivals and events, we have the option of timing our visit around a major festival, such as the Saskatoon Fireworks Festival, Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan or Sasktel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival.

CONTACT: Tourism Saskatoon

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:

➤ Shannon Cossette • www.tourismsaskatoon.com 101–202 4th Avenue North, Saskatoon, SK S7K 0K1 Phone: 800-567-2444 • Email: scossette@tourismsaskatoon.com

➤ Nature Lovers Delight ➤ Zoo Visit ➤ Culture and Art – Hand in Hand

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Classic Italy & The Passion Play 12 Days / 11 Nights

Italy, Germany, Austria

➤➤ HIGHLIGHTS • Oberammergau Passion Play • Splendors of Ancient Rome • Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi • Leaning Tower of Pisa • Walking tour and free time in Venice • Linderhof Castle in Bavaria

➤➤ DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: Depart USA for Italy DAY 7: Venice DAY 2: Arrive Rome Transfer to hotel; the rest of the day is at leisure. Enjoy an orientation meeting and welcome dinner. (D)

Take a boat ride to the island of Murano, known for its Venetian glass industry. Visit St. Mark's Square and take a guided walking tour of Venice. Afternoon is at leisure. Perhaps take a gondola ride. (B,D)

DAY 3: Ancient Rome

DAY 8: Venice – Innsbruck

Tour the Roman Forum, triumphal Arch of Constantine, Arch of Titus and Colosseum. Enjoy the balance of the day at leisure and dinner at the hotel. (B,D)

Travel the spectacular Brenner Pass into Austria, to Innsbruck, where sightseeing includes the Golden Roof of Emperor Maximilian. (B,D)

DAY 9: Innsbruck – Oberammergau DAY 4: Rome – Assisi – Florence After breakfast, depart for Assisi. Visit the Basilica of St. Francis, which guards the mortal remains of St. Francis. Continue on to Florence for dinner and entertainment. (B,D)

Depart early for Oberammergau, arriving before noon. Explore Oberammergau and nearby villages today and tomorrow via shuttle (included). Dinner is at your hotel. (B,D)

DAY 10: Oberammergau - Passion Play* DAY 5: Florence Visit the Accademia of Fine Arts, home to Michelangelo's David. Walk to the Duomo and view Ghiberti’s famous Gates of Paradise. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure. Have dinner in a Tuscan restaurant in the countryside. (B,D)

DAY 6: Florence – Pisa – Venice Travel to Pisa and visit the Leaning Tower, Baptistery, Duomo and Monumental Cemetery. Continue to romantic Venice and enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at leisure. (B,D)

Morning is free to stroll the village. After lunch, attend today’s performance of the 2010 Passion Play. Enjoy your Passion Play Program book and dinner during intermission. (B,L,D)

DAY 11: Oberammergau – Munich Travel to the Benedictine Abbey of Ettal and then visit Linderhof Castle. Tour major sites in Munich. Enjoy a farewell dinner at the hotel. (B,D)

DAY 12: Munich – USA Transfer to the airport for your departure flight. (B)

CONTACT: Travel Bound ➤ Customized Groups Dept. • www.BookTravelBound.com 5 Penn Plaza, 5th floor, New York, NY 10001 Phone: 800-401-6512 • Email: GTP@BookTravelBound.com LeisureGroupTravel.com

➤ Book NOW for itineraries that include The Passion Play in Oberammergau (performances available May-Sept. 2010).*

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June 2009 89

on technology ❖

john kamm, ctp

Tech Tips for Itinerary Planners FOR TRAVEL PROFESSIONALS, to paraphrase Charlie Dickens, it is the best of times and the worst of times. The economy has been a mega-partypooper, but, on the other hand, the tools to help us do our jobs have never been better. In this issue we are looking at itinerary planning, so here is my techno-take on the subject. When thinking about a new tour, inspiration can come from many sources, but if you want instant access to a world of ideas….oh please, do I really need

members, plus I can keep tabs on my college-bound kids. Planning routes and logistics has never been easier. As you review the highlights of a locale, keep a browser page pointed to http://maps.google.com/. Type in a place name or address and you can view a map with terrain, satellite view and other useful resources. Quickly resolve concerns about that beach property that is 120 yards from the shore—50 of those yards are a four-lane highway! Timed driving directions are also available,

Check out websites that offer travelers’ opinions on attractions, hotels and restaurants to say it? Websites Yahoo, CNN, USAtoday and MSN all have great consumer-oriented travel news. The site www.topix.com/travel is another one you might check out; it collects news feeds related to travel from around the world. Sites like these help you keep up with what’s hot and happening. Industry conventions have always been an integral part of tour product development—PowWow, ITB, WTM, NTA, ABA, SYTA, ATTA, the list goes on. What if you could be in a productive travel marketplace everyday? If you are an active member of social or professional networking sites like Facebook or LinkedIn, you can be sharing ideas and gathering information 24/7. I mention Facebook because it has a growing community of SYTA, NTA and ABA 90 June 2009

point to point. Google Street View is coming online for many cities and it is something you must check out. Pull up a Google map of a major city and if the feature is active, there will be an orange icon of a little person atop the vertical zoom slider. Click and drag it to a location on the map and it will be like you are standing on the street. You can spin the view 360º, move up and down the streets, too cool. FIRSTHAND REPORTS Finding options for meals, lodging, or activities, we can agree, is not really much of a problem. Making an informed choice about what services to include can be a bit of a challenge. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could ask the opinion of several hundred travelers who have

visited a site, hotel or restaurant? In fact you can point your browser to www.trip advisor.com, www.virtualtourist.com or http://www.lonelyplanet.com and do just that. The ranked lists in Tripadvisor can be very helpful as can be the reviews. Granted, the owner’s family probably wrote the more glowing reports, and the pernicious missives penned by competitors. In between you will find useful information, worth the time to get a better sense of the place. Perhaps less obvious sources for “sense of place” information is the content found on http://www.youtube.com/ and www.flickr.com/. The former is the global clearinghouse for digital videos, mostly submitted by videographers of arguable ability and questionable mental state. But brands such as National Geographic and TravelChannel are here as well, so it is worth a search. Flickr is a site that specializes in sharing digital images. Many of the pictures are provided royalty-free, so not only can you learn something about a place but you can download a shot or two for your itinerary’s web page. Internet technology provides travel information resources that are rich and immersive, almost like being there, you could say. Fortunately, “almost” is not good enough for our travelers. These resources serve not only to make our planning more efficient, but they also whet the travel appetites of our clients. John Kamm, a former tour operator, is CEO of TourTech Systems, Inc., developers of TourTools®, the most popular tour reservations solution in North America. Visit www.tourtools.com for more information.

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