reservations - Trips Unlimited

Transcription

reservations - Trips Unlimited
Trips Unlimited
2015 Tour Catalog
504-340-8747—New Orleans Area 800-542-8785—Out-of-Town
www.tripsunlimited.travel
P AGE 2
T ABLE OF C ONTENTS
DAYTRIPS
3
APRIL
Apr 21-22
Marksville Paragon Adventure
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MAY
May 4-9
May 13-14
May 26-28
Beautiful Tulip Time in Pella, Iowa
Cajun Train Adventure
Spring Mystery Tour
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5
6
JUNE
Jun 14-28
Jun 11-15
Jun 17-21
Jun 22-29
Wild West Adventure
Banjo Boogie Train
National Quilting Association’s 46th Annual Quilt Show
European Traditions
12
16
10
14
JULY
Jul 8-9
Jul 8-13
Jul 15-16
Grandparent Tour: Train to Lafayette & Blue Bayou
“Get Your Kicks on Route 66”
Saints & Sinners Train Adventure
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18
7
AUGUST
Aug 16-31
Aug 24- Sep 3
Nova Scotia
Ultimate Michigan Tour
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22
SEPTEMBER
Sep 9-13
Sep 13-20
Sep 20-29
A Day At The Races
Hot in Cleveland!
Oktoberfest in the Midwest
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26
28
OCTOBER
Oct 6-14
Oct 11-16
Oct 14-20
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
Branson Fall Foliage
Fall Foliage at the Beautiful Mount Magazine
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35
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NOVEMBER
Nov 8-14
Nov 29-Dec 4
Nov 12-16
The Saint Training Home - The Legendary Greenbrier Resort
Christmas Snow
Christmas In Branson
DECEMBER
Dec 7-15
Dec 7-10
Dec 9-10
Dec 30-Jan 4
Christmas in Miami & Key West
Christmas Mystery
Natchitoches Christmas Lights
New Year’s Eve at the Galt House & Opryland Hotel
Policies & Procedures
* cover picture: Balloon Fiesta (Page 30) Below: Nova Scotia (Page 20)
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brochure
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Daytrips
FUN, FOOD & FOAM
March 22, 2015
Tour #1522
P AGE 3
ANGOLA RODEO & CRAFT FAIR
Let’s spend a beautiful Spring day on the Northshore! We’ll
experience the eclectic Mandeville Trailhead Farmer’s
Market where we enjoy entertainment,
refreshments, and an opportunity to buy
one-of-a-kind artworks, craft items, unique house
wares, produce, cooked items, homemade baked
goods and much more. Afterwards we partake in
a delicious lunch at a local café before enjoying a tour and tasting of the many beers at Abita
Springs Brewery. (Includes lunch)
April 18, 2015
Tour #1523
Come join us for the most exciting craft show in the
state. The Angola Rodeo and Craft
Show is the longest running Prison
Rodeo in the nation! What began 40
years ago as a “fun” thing by a handful
of inmates is now a professionally run
prison rodeo. Enjoy the one-of-akind inmate hobbycrafts and
unique things to eat before being seated in a
covered arena for the “Wildest Show in the South”!
$54 per person
Full payment with reservation
$57 per person
Full payment with reservation
“12 YEARS A SLAVE” & OTHER STORIES
May 12, 2015
Tour #1521
Join us as we travel to Vacherie, Louisiana for a tour of St. Joseph
Plantation and Felicity Plantation where much of the movie,
“12 Years a Slave, was filmed”. Felicity was built in 1846 and has been
in the same family since 1889. Although the plantation home is currently
in renovation we will tour the grounds where the movie was actually
filmed. St Joseph is one of the few working sugar cane plantations in the
River Parishes. In addition to the Manor Home there are many authentic
outbuildings to explore including the original slave quarters, a detached
kitchen, the blacksmith shop, the schoolhouse and more. Most tours are
given by the family members who tell stories about their ancestral home
and history as well as the movies that were filmed on location of St. Joseph and Felicity, including “Skeleton Key” and “12 Years A Slave”.
(Includes Lunch)
$69 per person
Full payment with reservation
TEA ON ST. CHARLES
June 9, 2015
Tour #1520
$76 per person
Full payment with reservation
Discover New Orleans at the Elms Mansion. We depart this
morning for an adventure in our own back yard! After a short
drive to St. Charles Avenue, we arrive at the Van Benthuysen Elms Mansion for a mansion tour and a traditional tea. This
magnificent Italianate Style Mansion built in 1869 boasts 24-K gold
sconces & a 48-ft grand ballroom lined with jeweled windows.
Enjoy a late-morning tea complete with traditional tea sandwiches,
scones and sweets as we sit overlooking the beautifully landscaped
gardens. Then it’s off to tour the U. S. Mint, built in 1835. The
U.S. Mint is the only building in America to have served both as a
United States and a Confederate Mint. Today it houses many interesting exhibits. (Includes Traditional Tea)
P AGE 4
WWW . TRIPSUNLIMITED . TRAVEL
M ARKSVILLE P ARAGON A DVENTURE
2 D AYS
A PRIL 21-22, 2015
Paragon Casino Resort
Day 1 - We begin our Paragon Adventure with a relaxing ride to our state’s capital, Baton Rouge. We start with
a tour of the Magnolia Mound Plantation, a French
Creole plantation that preserves the culture that still influences Louisiana today. Built in 1791 and surrounded by
many old live oaks, the plantation house has retained its
Creole character for over 200 years. This afternoon we get
in the ‘tiger spirit’ as we travel to the LSU campus for a
delicious lunch and a guided tour by one of LSU’s
own students. We tour the stadium, the academic buildings and Sorority Row. No tour would be complete without a visit to meet the famous LSU tiger, Mike, in his habitat. We continue to travel north to Marksville where we
spend the night at a Louisiana hot-spot - The Paragon Casino Resort, where the food is legendary and lady-luck is
hot. At the Paragon the action never stops with slots, offtrack betting and all our favorite table games. Take in the
view in the soaring bayou-themed atrium where we may
even spot a gator or two looking up at us from the water!
(L)
T OUR #1512
Day 2 - After a fun-filled night and a leisurely morning, we
bid farewell to Marksville. We travel to the Lafayette area
to enjoy an entertaining tour of Martin’s Accordions.
We’ll listen to Jr. Martin and his family tell interesting tales
of the history of the accordion with traditional Cajun music
playing throughout our tour. Next we’ll see how the
Cajuns make their instruments and see them in various
stages of completion. As we begin our journey home, we
stop along the way to enjoy a delicious lunch at McGee’s
Landing with it’s scenic beauty, cultural history and just
good ole’ Cajun hospitality. Browse the many artifacts from
the Atchafalaya Basin, shop in the quaint little gift shop,
enjoy a breath- taking view of the Atchafalaya Basin and
indulge in home-style Cajun food. (B, L)
Magnolia Mound Plantation
Overnight: Paragon Casino Resort, Marksville, LA
Tour Cost Per Person:
Single: $198 Double: $158 Triple: $148 Quad: $138
$50 deposit due with reservation
Final payment due March 7th
Mike - The LSU Tiger
P AGE 5
C AJUN T RAIN A DVENTURE
2 D AYS
M AY 13-14, 2015
Sunset Limited to Lafayette
T OUR #1515
Day 2 - Today we enjoy a leisurely drive to Charenton,
LA, to the Cypress Bayou Casino where we have 600
of the newest and most popular slot machines from which
to choose. From the fun and excitement of the one-cent
slot machines to the heart pounding, edge of our seat experience of the twenty-five dollar machine, Cypress
Bayou’s got it covered. If table games are what we’re
looking for this casino has over 35 table games such as
Blackjack, Roulette and Poker. This afternoon we travel
home taking with us memories of our time spent enjoying
the Cajun Culture. (B)
Day 1 – Let’s go on a springtime adventure to
Cajun country. We begin by traveling to Lafayette
by train. Board the Sunset Limited in New Orleans
and travel across the beautiful wetlands to the Cajun city
of Lafayette. We step back in time as we travel through
picturesque moss draped oak and cypress trees to Vermilionville Living History Museum and Folklife
Park. Enjoy a delicious Cajun lunch and watch
artisan’s demonstrations of a variety of essential crafts
performed by the early Acadians and Creoles. A short
drive takes us to the Acadian Cultural Center where
we learn about the origins, migration, settlement and extraordinary culture of the Acadians. Films and exhibits
share local traditions including music, story-telling,
dance and food. Explore the mysteries of the Atchafalaya
Basin, Louisiana’s wildest place! Tonight we arrive at our
hotel in time to enjoy complimentary cocktails. (L)
Overnight: Pear Tree Inn, Lafayette, LA
Musician in Vermilionville
Tour Cost Per Person:
Single: $258 Double: $198 Triple: $174 Quad: $169
$50 deposit due with reservation
Final payment due March 13th
Vermilionville Living History and Folk Museum
P AGE 6
S PRING M YSTERY T OUR
3 D AYS
M AY 26-28, 2015
T OUR #1540
Our Mystery Tours have become so poplar that we have included two this year.
In addition to our Christmas Mystery Tour we have brought back the Spring Mystery Tour due
to a high volume of customer requests. You can be assured that this exciting tour offers
the same value and quality you would expect to find on any of our tours.
Day 1 - Early morning finds us ready to embark on the
Spring Mystery Tour! As we board the motorcoach the
suspense mounts...where are we going? The guessing begins...will we go North or South, East or West? Who can
guess how many miles we travel
today? Our first stop serves up
hearty helpings of delicious cuisine and an even bigger portion
of friendliness. Top it off with a
little something sweet, time in
the gift shop and we’ll be
happy, happy, happy! This afternoon we will visit a place
with an interesting mix of collections and many stories to tell.
Beginning as a candy company,
this family business changed the
way a popular product was
packaged and sold. Expanding
to cover distribution in many
different states, it rose to the ninth largest of its kind in the
United States. The family had many areas of involvement
including politics, entertainment and beautiful gardens, all
showcased in this exquisite place. After checking into our
hotel, we enjoy a delicious dinner ‘on the trail’. (L, D)
Day 2 - This morning we visit a place that seeks to preserve, promote and honor military and aviation history and
the men and women who contributed to it. We enjoy exploration stations for interactive fun, aviation restoration
and more. This afternoon we are on the move again as our
mystery continues. We visit a place that celebrates the accomplishments of this state with a Hall of Fame exhibit, and
an interactive media trace of the history, drama and excitement with touch-screens that reveal life stories, career stats
and colorful quotes. Tonight we enjoy a delicious dinner at
a popular Cajun restaurant. (B, D)
Day 3 - Today as we begin to make our way home, we have
a few more surprises. But don't get star-struck at our first
stop, just browse through, buy or sell - it’s a Cajun good
time for all! Our next stop is the only
building in this town that was not burned
down during the Civil War. As the Union
army was pulling out, the community’s
priest impersonated a Union general and
ordered the troop to spare this structure and
it worked - the building was spared. In the next town we
stop at a small house that was a part of an academy award
winning movie. We continue traveling home with just one
more stop. Lunchtime finds us in a little restaurant with a
big reputation. Here we enjoy a simple lunch with a big
desert. (B, L)
Tour Cost Per Person:
Single: $565 Double: $425 Triple: $395 Quad: $375
$50 deposit due with reservation
Final payment due April 9th
P AGE 7
S AINTS & S INNERS T RAIN A DVENTURE
2 D AYS
J ULY 15-16, 2015
T OUR #1514
Day 2 – We begin our day traveling south to New Iberia
to The Rosary House famous for hand-made rosaries,
statues and other religious items since the 1940’s. This is
the home of Ava Marie Rosaries where people come from
far and near to view the South’s largest source of religious
articles. Next we head to Cypress Bayou Casino
owned by the only remaining community of the Chitimacha Indian Tribe. Here we enjoy the most popular
slots and tables and perhaps a little ‘Lady Luck’ before
heading home. With over 1300 machines from which to
choose, Cypress Bayou Casino offers the hottest slot
action in Acadiana. (B)
Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist
Day 1 – We start our summer adventure by boarding the
Sunset Limited in New Orleans and travel by rail to
the heart of Cajun country – Lafayette. Sit back and
relax as we enjoy a unique train ride through the fascinating wetlands for which Louisiana is known. Arriving in
Lafayette, enjoy a delicious lunch before touring the
beautiful Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, the
Cathedral Museum and the St. John Oak which is
over 500 years old and one of the founding members of
the ‘Live Oak Society’. The Cathedral, built at the turn
of the century and on the list of historic places, has massive brick walls that contrast with the graceful arches and
delicate red and white brickwork. Tuttettes flank the octagon steeple above which the bells toll. In the evening
we check into our hotel where we enjoy cocktails and appetizers. (L)
Overnight: Drury Inn & Suites, Lafayette, LA
St. John Live Oak - Over 500 Years Old
Tour Cost Per Person:
Single: $258 Double: $198 Triple: $174 Quad: $169
$50 deposit due with reservation
Final payment due May 15th
Sunset Limited to Lafayette
P AGE 8
B EAUTIFUL T ULIP T IME
6 D AYS
IN
P ELLA, I OWA
M AY 4-9, 2015
T OUR #1501
Day 3 - Leaving Hannibal behind we arrive at the Amana
Colonies just in time for a delicious homecooked meal.
After feasting a wonderful family style lunch at the Ox
Yoke Inn, we tour this area which has been a landmark on
the Iowa prairie for over 150 years. As we step into the
past, we enjoy the historic buildings, an amalgamation of
architectural styles and traditional German craftsmanship.
This evening we arrive in Knoxville, a small town which is
home to the Knoxville Raceway where we visit the
Racer Hall of Fame before checking into our hotel. (B, L)
Overnight: Cobblestone Inn, Knoxville, IA
Day 1 - We depart this morning for this delightful spring
tour. As we relax, enjoy the passing scenery and get to
know our fellow passengers, we make our way to Sikeston, MO for the night. Tonight we enjoy a special dining
experience at the home of the ’throwed rolls’, Lamberts
Café. (D)
Overnight: Pear Tree Inn & Suites, Sikeston, MO
Day 2 - This morning we head northward to Hannibal,
MO, Mark Twain’s sleepy little town on the Mississippi River. We explore the boyhood home of this beloved American actor and learn much about the influences
of his youth. Tonight we step back in time to the days when
the riverboat was the way to travel. On the Mark Twain
Riverboat Dinner Cruise we enjoy a delightful meal and
the tradition of music on the river with the sounds of Jazz,
Blues and Big Band. (B, D)
Overnight: Best Western Plus, Hannibal, MO
Mark Twain Riverboat Dinner Cruise
P AGE 9
Day 4 - Today we enjoy ‘Dutch fun for everyone’ at the
80th annual Pella Tulip Time. There are so many wonderful things to do here amongst the brilliant colors of thousands of Tulip blooms. We can watch craftmen make the
delicious Dutch chocolates (with free samples) learn
about the different types of Dutch costumes, and tip toe
through the Tulips with a guided Tulip stroll. We experience the Pella Historical Village which includes the
Wyatt Earp House, Van Spanckeren’s General
Store, the Dutch bakery and the impressive Vermeer Windmill, the largest working windmill in the
country. We can enjoy the many unique demonstrations
such as Yoke Carving, Wooden Shoes, Rug Braiding, and so
much more. This afternoon we have a Grandstand Show
Street Scrubbers - Pella Tulip Time
with Dutch Dancers, Street Scrubbers and the best
Day 6 - As we travel home, we bid farewell to the beautiful
view of the Volks Parade! With so much to see, don’t
countryside of tulips and windmills. We say goodbye to our
forget to stroll through the Dutch Craft Market for all
new friends taking with us memories of our time spent enour shopping delights. (B, D)
joying our spring adventure. (B)
Overnight: Cobblestone Inn, Knoxville, IA
Day 5 - Today we head south as we begin our trek home.
We travel through Iowa and into Missouri to Sikeston
where we spend the night. (B, L)
Overnight: Drury Inn & Suites, Sikeston, MO
Tour Cost Per Person:
Single: $1248 Double: $998 Triple: $948 Quad: $898
$100 deposit due with reservation
Final payment due March 20th
Volks Parade - Pella Tulip Time
P AGE 10
N ATIONAL Q UILTING A SSOCIATION ’ S 46 TH A NNUAL Q UILT S HOW
5 D AYS
J UNE 17-21, 2015
T OUR #1532
Join us as we enjoy the NQA Annual Quilt Show! We’ll enjoy all the festivities including beautiful homemade quilts on special display, quilt competitions, fund-raising quilt auctions to promote the art of quilt
making, quilt challenges and many professional classes will be offered. There will be over 100 venders
showing all the latest fabrics and quilt ideas as well as some optional tours to enjoy Little Rock.
Day 3 - This morning we return to the NQA Quilt Show as we
continue to enjoy all that it has to offer: exhibits, unlimited quilting supplies, unique quilt challenges, great classroom opportunities, and more. Tonight features the Little Quilt Auction to
raise funds for the NQA Grant Program which promotes the art,
craft and legacy of quilt making. Anyone can contribute to this
auction of small quilts, doll quilts and wall hangings which supports the furthering of the art of quilt making. (B)
(*for those who do not want to spend every minute at the show, we offer
optional tours on days 3 & 4, see next page)
Overnight: Comfort Inn & Suites Presidential, Little Rock, AR
Day 4 - As the Quilt Show begins to wind down, we return to get
those last minute treasures or to take one more class. (B)
Overnight: Comfort Inn & Suites Presidential, Little Rock, AR
Day 1 - As we begin our adventure we can relax, enjoy the passing scenery and get to know our fellow quilting enthusiasts. We Day 5 - Today we make our way home with our new quilting
travel through Louisiana, Mississippi and into Arkansas to
friends and memories of all the quilt show had to offer. We arrive
Little Rock where we unpack for a three day stay. We kick off our home late afternoon . (B)
fun-filled week of the 46th Annual National Quilting Association Quilt Show with a special ‘Ice Cream Social and
Music’. We will see the top quilt winner revealed for the first
time and the opening of the merchant mall for shopping.
Overnight: Comfort Inn & Suites Presidential, Little Rock, AR
Day 2 - Today we have our first full day at the NQA Quilt
Show. NQA is known for its fabulous quilt exhibits, fantastic
teachers and first rate vendors. The Show will display over 400
competition quilts and 200-300 additional quilts as special exhibits. There will be a special Sew Batik Challenge
where quilts may be entered and judged in ten different categories
and a Themed Quilt Challenge ’Down by the Riverside’.
The merchants mall has over 100 booths where we can ‘shop till
we drop’ for all our quilting supplies as well as all those unique
quilting fabrics that we just can’t pass up. We can enroll in 1/2
day and all day classes that include every area of quilting. Tonight we enjoy a delicious dinner and an evening of entertainment. (B, D)
Overnight: Comfort Inn & Suites Presidential, Little Rock, AR
P AGE 11
*Optional Tours in Little Rock Arkansas
A Taste of Bourbon, Olive Oil and Balsamic
Day 3 - After lunch we offer a unique afternoon tour of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and bourbon. We unlock the mysteries of olive oil at Strippaggio where the subtle differences of style, type of olive and method of pressing makes for a wide
range of taste and flavor profiles. We taste the different olive oils from bright and floral to deeper and peppery and learn
to pair it with just the right balsamic vinegars. Next we enjoy a tour of Rock Town Distillery, named one of the 10
best Craft Distillery tours. We learn the origins of Bourbon in a guided tour that takes us form ‘grain to glass’ and get to
taste all of Rock Town’s award winning spirits. ($25 p/p)
Clinton Presidential Library and Museum Store
Day 4 - We offer a morning tour of the Clinton Presidential Library which houses the largest collection of American
presidential history including a full-scale replica of the Oval Office. We also visit the Clinton Museum Store which
offers a diverse selection of unique souvenirs, President Clinton’s Favorite books, a large array of specialty items and more.
We will arrive at the quilt show in time for afternoon classes. ($8 p/p)
Anyone interested in entering their work, joining one of the quilt challenges or donating a
quilt to be sold at the Little Quilt auction fund raising event, please call our office for more
details.
Tour Cost Per Person:
Single: $759 Double: $569 Triple: $529 Quad: $479
$100 deposit due with reservation
Final payment due May 2nd
P AGE 12
W ILD W EST A DVENTURE - Y ELLOWSTONE , M OUNT R USHMORE & C OLORADO
15 D AYS
J UNE 14 - 28, 2015
T OUR #1510
Day 4 - Today we travel northwest to South Dakota. Afternoon finds us in Keystone where we can marvel at the
beauty of the Black Hills and the amazing Mount Rushmore National Memorial, famous for the faces of four
presidents carved on the Mountain - Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln & Roosevelt. After checking into our hotel,
we enjoy a delicious dinner before returning to Mount
Rushmore for the Evening Lighting Ceremony - What a
sight to behold! (B, D)
Overnight: K Bar S Ranch, Keystone, SD
Day 5 - This morning we go to Crazy Horse Memorial,
the largest mountain carving in the world. Sculptor
Korczak Ziolkouski officially started the carving in 1948 at
the invitation of Chief Standing Bear and to date it is still a
Grand Tetons National Park
work in progress. The memorial’s mission is to honor the
culture, traditions and living heritage of North American
Indians. Enjoy the many artifacts on display at this site.
Day 1 - As we begin our Wild West Adventure, we can
relax, enjoy the scenery and get to know our fellow travel- This afternoon we continue to Sheridan, Wyoming. (B,
L)
ers. We travel through Louisiana to our neighbors to the
west - Texas. We spend the night in Dallas, also known as
Overnight: Wingate, Sheridan, WY
the “Big D’.
Day 6 - Today we travel to Cody, Wyoming, the site of
Overnight: Hampton Inn, Dallas, TX the award-winning Buffalo Bill Center of the West, an
affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution. Explore the life of
Day 2 - Today as we continue northward, we arrive in
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma where our wild west adven- “Buffalo Bill” Cody, view a grand exhibit of thousands of
ture begins. We enjoy the National Cowboy and West- rare firearms, examine the evolution of nature in the
ern Heritage Center. Formerly known as the Cowboy Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, and view artwork portraying the beauty and myths of the west and much more.
Hall of Fame, the center keeps western heritage alive,
(B)
proudly interpreting the sagas of those who settled the
American West. We’ll enjoy interactive history galleries
Overnight: Holiday Inn, Cody, WY
that focus on the American Cowboy, Native American
Day 7 - This morning we leave for Yellowstone NaCulture, Rodeos and more. Day’s end finds us in Wichita,
tional Park. As we enter the park, we meet a local
KS, where we spend the night. (B, L)
guide who will be with
Overnight: Drury Plaza Hotel Broadview, Wichita, KS us the entire day as we
Day 3 - We continue traveling west to Nebraska. Arriv- tour the lower loop of
the park. We stand in
ing in Kearney, we visit the Great Platte River Road
awe of Old Faithful, the
Archway where we experience the journey of a nation
through the eyes of those who lived it. The Archway spans most well-known of the
many geysers in the park as
310 feet across Interstate 80 and presents 170 years of
well as Lower Falls,
American history including first-hand challenges pioneers
Grand Prismatic
faced as they looked for a better life. We’ll relive the
Spring and many other
breathtaking experience of Pony Express riders as they
sprinted across the prairie and the revolution of communi- breathtaking sights. We
walk among the Painted
cation with the first transcontinental telegraph line. (B)
Pots and ride through the
Overnight: Holiday Inn Express, Kearney, NE park making many stops
for pictures. (B, L)
Overnight: Dessert Inn,
West Yellowstone, MT
P AGE 13
Royal Gorge Railroad
Day 8 - Having been impressed by the beauty of the lower
loop of the park, we are anxious to explore the upper
loop. Once again our guide will meet us to show us the
high points; perhaps the most outstanding is Mammoth
Hot Springs where we eat lunch. Don’t forget to keep
your eyes open for wildlife throughout the park. Later,
we return to West Yellowstone where we can explore this
interesting town. (B, L)
Overnight: Dessert Inn, West Yellowstone, MT
Day 9 - Today we leave Yellowstone; however, beauty is
still all around us. That beauty is the Grand Tetons
Mountain Range. We leisurely spend time in the Grand
Tetons National Park before arriving in the authentic
western town, Jackson Hole. Quaint gift shops, restaurants, western saloons, an evening gunfight - all are part of
this popular town. (B)
Day 12– This morning we’ll tour the Air Force Academy. At the book store we’ll see a movie on the Air Force
School and have time to marvel at the many different Air
Force Souvenirs. Those who wish can take a short walk to
the beautiful chapel where the cadets of all denominations
enjoy a place to worship. Next we go to the Garden of
the Gods where we have a local guide explain the many
formations. We enjoy the dramatic views, 300-ft towering
stone rock formations against the backdrop of snow-capped
Pikes Peak and brilliant blue skies. Later we climb aboard
Colorado’s most scenic train for a journey through the
spectacular Royal Gorge. The Royal Gorge Railroad
follows the winding, tumbling Arkansas River deep within
the soaring 1,000-ft granite cliffs. We top off our day with a
spectacular view from the Royal Gorge Bridge, one of
the highest suspension bridges in the world. (B, L)
Overnight: Drury Inn & Suites, Colorado Springs, CO
Day 13 - Heading southeast, we arrive in Amarillo,
Texas in the late afternoon. Tonight we enjoy a delicious
dinner at the Big Texan, a Texas tradition. (B, D)
Overnight: Drury Inn and Suites, Amarillo, TX
Day 14 - Today we continue our eastward route arriving in
Mesquite, Texas. This evening we enjoy a delicious farewell dinner. (B, D)
Overnight: Courtyard by Marriott, Mesquite, TX
Day 15 - We’re on the road again! Today our destination is
Overnight: Painted Buffalo Inn, Jackson Hole, WY home as we reminisce about the mysterious beauty we’ve
seen on this western adventure. (B)
Day 10 - Today we begin to travel south. Evening finds
us in the Southern Wyoming city of Cheyenne, “the magic
city of the plains”. (CB, D)
Overnight: Little America Hotel, Cheyenne, WY
Day 11 - Continuing south, we cross into Colorado where
our first stop is Boulder. Here we enjoy a tour of the Celestial Tea Company,where we see how the teas are
blended and packaged, enjoy free samples and discover the
gallery of original artwork from their famous tea boxes.
Next we travel to Denver where we visit the Money
Museum at the Federal Reserve Bank. The Denver
Branch offers a unique and up-close look at the nation’s
financial system in action and we see how workers destroy
the money that is out of circulation. This afternoon we
travel along some of this country’s most beautiful scenery The Colorado Rocky Mountains. Day’s end finds us in
Colorado Springs where we unpack our bags for a
2-night stay. (B)
Overnight: Drury Inn & Suites, Colorado Springs, CO
Tour Cost Per Person:
Single: $3749 Double: $2765 Triple: $2449 Quad: $2299
$250 deposit due with reservation
Final payment due April 14th
P AGE 14
E UROPEAN T RADITIONS
8 D AYS
J UNE 22-29, 2015
T OUR #1502
In this great American country we have a melting pot of different cultures which
our fore-fathers brought with them from many European countries.
Little by little we are losing our old world traditions as time marches on.
Join us for a tour where we can re-live some old European customs,
music, dances and delicious food.
Day 1 - As we leave New Orleans behind, we can relax, enjoy the passing scenery and get to know our fellow passengers. We make our way to Sikeston, Missouri where we
enjoy a welcome aboard dinner at Lambert’s Café, ‘home
of the throwed rolls’. (D)
Overnight: Pear Tree Inn, Sikeston, MO
Day 2 - This morning we travel to Purina Farms, owned
and operated by Purina, a leader in pet care and nutrition for
over 80 years. Here we will have a unique experience as the
visitor center welcomes us to over 300 acres of rolling hills
that offer animal lovers an opportunity to meet barnyard animals, see canine performances, cow milking demonstrations
and more. Evening finds us in the town of Independence,
Missouri, where we spend the night. (B)
Overnight: Drury Inn & Suites, Independence, MO
Day 3 - We start our day with a visit to the Truman Library and Museum. Harry S. Truman, our 33 president,
came from humble beginnings to become the most powerful
man in the world. For nearly eight years he guided the
United States through perilous times: the end of WWII, and
the founding of the United Nations, NATO, The Marshall
Plan and more. This afternoon we travel to Omaha, NE
where we spend the next three nights. Tonight we ‘visit’ the
country of Ireland as we enjoy a dinner cruise with
delicious Irish food and the great sounds of Irish
music. (B, D)
Overnight: Comfort Inn, Omaha, NE
Day 4 - We begin our ‘European journey’
by learning about the Ukraine. Our
speaker, Olesia showcases various
Ukrainian linens and enlightens us about
their connection to the history, customs
and traditions of the Ukraine people. She
will also talk about her experience as a
slave laborer for the German Army during WWII. Next we enjoy a driving
tour of Omaha’s past, present and
Boys Town
future. Tour the Historic Old Market
District, Louis & Clark Landing, the historic Gold Coast
District, the Blackstone Hotel - birth place of the Reuben
Sandwich, TD Ameritrade Park - Home of the College
World Series and much more. Next let’s explore a bit of
France by having a delectable lunch at LeVoltaire
Restaurant. French Chef Cedric is definitely going to prepare a wonderful treat for us! This afternoon we explore
Scotland. We see the historic 1903 Jolsyn Castle, enjoy
Scottish dancers and learn about Scottish traditions. Tonight
we experience Germany as we enjoy German singing and
dancing as well as delicious German food at the German
American Society Center. (B, L, D)
Overnight: Comfort Inn, Omaha, NE
The Historic 1903 Jolsyn Castle
P AGE 15
Day 6 - Today we reluctantly leave Omaha and begin our
journey home. But before we leave we experience one
more country by stopping at the Lithuanian Bakery
where we enjoy the sampling of delicious torts made in that
wonderful European tradition. Traveling east we arrive in
Springfield, MO. It’s time to enjoy a tour of Fantastic
Caverns, one of few caves we can tour by tram. Discovered in 1862 by a farmer’s dog, the caverns temperature
remains constantly at a comfortable 60 degrees. (B)
Overnight: Drury Inn & Suites, Springfield, MO
Colorful Mexican Dancers
Day 5 - This morning we have a short but very unique mystery tour! Later we enjoy a tour of the world-famous Father Flanagan’s Boys Town. On this inspirational stop,
we visit the hall of history where we learn the interesting
story of how this became a city of children. We see several
beautiful chapels and tour the restored home of Father
Flanagan. Lunch is at a Czech landmark - The Bohemian Café which has been open since 1924. Here we learn
about the Omaha Czech community, enjoy a delicious
lunch and learn to make Kolache, a Czech special dessert.
After lunch we enjoy a little Mexican culture with traditional dances and elaborate costumes from various
regions of Mexico. We experience the Mexican Revolution as Poncho Villa’s rebels enter in costume, traditional
Aztec dancers and colorful Mexican Polka dances. Tonight
we enjoy a tour of the beautiful Greek Orthodox Church
along with a delicious homemade Greek dinner. After
dinner we’ll leave our cares behind and dance as we learn
the traditional Greek dances. (B, L, D)
Irish Music and Food River Cruise
Day 7 - As we continue our journey home, we travel south
to Little Rock where we enjoy the Clinton Presidential
Library which arches over the timeless Arkansas River.
Here we learn the inside story of the Clinton Presidency
through actual memos, pictures and countless unique artiOvernight: Comfort Inn Omaha, NE facts. For our last night of our tour we enjoy a fun farewell dinner. (B, D)
Overnight: Wingate Inn, Little Rock, AR
Day 8 - Today we head home, laden with memories of our
fun filled adventure. (B)
Tour Cost Per Person:
Single: $1535 Double: $1235 Triple: $1185 Quad: $1135
$150 deposit due with reservation
Final payment due May 7th
Old Market Historic District
P AGE 16
B ANJO B OOGIE T RAIN
5 D AYS
J UNE 11-15, 2015
Big South Fork Scenic Railway - Banjo Boogie Train
Day 1 - We begin by traveling through Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and into Tennessee where we spend the
night at the Chattanooga Choo Choo. Always a favorite
we enjoy the unique train station lobby and delicious welcome aboard dinner. (D)
T OUR #1516
Day 3 - We begin our day with a step-on guide to enjoy
this unique artisan town including the artist village and
Berea College, the first college in southern United States
to be both co-educational and fully racially integrated. Today the college has work programs and charges no tuition.
This afternoon we travel to the Stearns area where we check
into our hotel before we enjoy the Banjo Boogie Express! First we are treated to a mouth-watering barbecue dinner and then embark on an evening train
ride through beautiful scenery seasoned with toetapping sounds of Bluegrass and Country music. (B, D)
Overnight: Hampton Inn & Suites, Williamsburg, KY
Overnight: Chattanooga Choo Choo, Chattanooga, TN
Day 2 - Today we travel north to Cumberland Falls located in the Daniel Boone National Forest which embraces the Cumberland Plateau where steep forested slopes,
sandstone cliffs and narrow ravines characterize the land.
Known as the Niagara of the South, Cumberland Falls has a
125 ft wide wall of water that drops into a boulder-strewn
gorge making it the largest waterfall south of Niagara. After
enjoying breathtaking views of the falls we can partake in
some local gem mining at the gemstone flume. Have
fun discovering real colorful gemstones such as Topaz,
Moonstone, Pyrite, Citrine and more. Next we travel to
the original Kentucky Fried Chicken where Col. Sanders perfected his secret blend of 11 herbs and spices. We
experience the 1940’s dine-in atmosphere at the Harland
Sanders Café, the restaurant where the famous chicken
got its start, and enjoy a “finger-licken’ good” lunch. Tonight we go to the beautiful Renfro Valley proudly known
as ‘Kentucky’s Country Music Capital’. Here we enjoy a
tradition that dates back to 1939, good food and good music. (B, L, D)
Cumberland Falls - Niagara of the South
Day 4 - We continue our exciting summer getaway as we
travel west to Bowling Green, KY where we enjoy the
National Corvette Museum home to more than 70 Corvette models and rare finds in mint condition. Enjoy thousands of photos, movies and rare memorabilia spanning the
Overnight: Fairfield Inn & Suites, Berea, KY history of Corvette and maybe try out the driving simulators
or have a photo op in a Corvette . Next we travel to the
Aviation Heritage Park, a memorial to all distinguished
aviators who have called Kentucky home. We see fully restored military aircraft with compelling ties to local aviators
as well as having their own interesting stories.
Aviation Heritage Park
P AGE 17
Day 5 - As we leave our adventures behind we travel home
taking with us memories of our exciting summer getaway.
We arrive home in the late afternoon. (B)
Tour Cost Per Person:
Single: $1098 Double: $878 Triple: $ 798 Quad: $768
$100 deposit due with reservation
Final payment due April 27th
This afternoon we have a step-on-guide who will take us to
some of the unique points of interest such as a 1920 Standard Oil Station, beautiful St. Joseph’s Catholic
Church and the local tradition of Quilt Squares on area
barns. Leaving Bowling Green behind we head for Franklin, TN where we enjoy ‘cocktail hour’ at our hotel. (B, L)
Overnight Drury Plaza Hotel, Franklin, TN
G RANDPARENTS T OUR - T RAIN TO L AFAYETTE & B LUE B AYOU
2 D AYS
J ULY 8-9, 2015
T OUR #1517
and rocks as we encounter the beauty that can be found by
digging a little deeper through the earth’s crust and enjoy a
planetarium display that will show us the constellations in
the night sky. (L)
Overnight: Drury Inn & Suites, Lafayette, LA
Day 2 - Today we enjoy a delicious hot breakfast before
traveling to Baton Rouge, LA to enjoy Blue Bayou Water
Park and Dixie Landing Theme Park with over 70
ways to enjoy water fun and rides. Blue Bayou Water Park
has many different water slides, splash fun, wave action and
6 of the largest water rides in the world. Dixie Landing
Theme Park has great rides and games for the whole family
with four rollercoasters and a kiddie area for our younger
passengers. (B)
Day 1 - Join us for a fun-filled two-day Grandparent tour.
Our luxury motorcoach takes us to the New Orleans train
station where we board the Sunset Limited and travel by
rail to the heart of Cajun country - Lafayette. Take a step
back in time as we ride the rails across the Atchafalaya
.
Basin, the largest wetland and swamp in the nation.
Arriving in Lafayette, we enjoy a delicious lunch at a
popular pizza parlor before spending the afternoon at
the Lafayette Science Center and Planetarium. Prepare to take a journey of discovery enjoying hands-on experiences for curious minds of all ages as we explore the universe of space travel. We can touch crystallized minerals
Tour Cost Per Person:
Single: $319 Double: $268 Triple: $248 Quad: $238
$184 per child
$50 deposit due with reservation
Final payment due June 1st
P AGE 18
“G ET Y OUR K ICKS
6 D AYS
ON
R OUTE 66”
J ULY 8-13, 2015
T OUR #1503
Looking for Some Unique Experiences?
Join us as we explore the beginning of U.S. Route 66, colloquially known as
The Mother Road & Main Street America.
See Unique Countryside, Original Murals and Barn Quilts
Enjoy the 35th Annual ‘Taste of Chicago’ - a 4-Star Feastival of Food & Fun.
Day 3 - This morning we take a short drive north to Chicago where Route 66 started. It was the first U. S.
Highway to connect the east and west coast - to get to
California you had to go through Chicago. We’ll have
some free time to walk along the Magnificent Mile,
the most prestigious section of Chicago’s Michigan
Avenue with shops, restaurants, museums and hotels.
We enjoy a delicious lunch at the Walnut Room, a
Chicago tradition since 1907, located on the 7th floor of
Macy’s, formerly Marshall Fields. This afternoon we enjoy a guided tour of Chicago highlights. Evening
finds us at the Taste of Chicago, the nation’s premier
food festival showcasing the diversity of Chicago’s dining
opportunities complemented by music. We’ll spend a few
hours in the beautiful Grant Park on the shores of Lake
Michigan which has been home to this great food festival
since 1980. (B, L, D)
Day 1 - We begin our adventure traveling through Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas and part of Tennessee before we
find ourselves in Sikeston, Missouri, where we spend the
night. Tonight we enjoy a different sort of adventure as we
navigate through dinner at Lambert’s Café, “Home of
the Throwed Rolls”. (D)
Overnight: Pear Tree Inn, Sikeston, MO
Day 2 - Today we travel north into Illinois, where the
Mother Road begins. We spend a few days in different
areas of Illinois enjoying this beautiful state and historical
Route 66. This afternoon we have a special experience at
the Bennett-Curtis House, shaded by 100 year old maples flanked by bubbling fountains, sweeping lawns, lush
cool ferns and colorful flowers. This evening we enjoy a
special surprise among the inlaid wood floors, stained glass
and velvet drapery. We experience a night of artsy fun that
includes food, wine and everything we’ll need to
create our very own masterpieces. (B, D)
Overnight: Country Inn & Suites, Manteno, IL
Overnight: Country Inn & Suites, Manteno, IL
P AGE 19
Day 5 - We begin our journey home, traveling through
Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas and into Mississippi. Afternoon finds us in Tunica where we test our luck at the
Mississippi casino capital. (B, D)
Overnight: Gold Strike Casino Resort, Tunica, MS
Day 6 - As we continue home we remember all of the diverse experiences which we enjoyed throughout our tour.
(B)
Tour Cost Per Person:
Single: $1199 Double: $998 Triple: $824 Quad: $889
$100 deposit due with reservation
Final payment due May 24th
Day 4 - We start our day with a tour of the scenic countryside of Kankakee County. Located within an hour of
the busy city of Chicago, the setting is beautifully tranquil.
We explore some of the Barn Quilts that are unique to this
area. Barns are iconic reminders of our country’s proud agricultural heritage. Kankakee Country celebrates this with
colorful quilt patterns lovingly displayed on historic barns
throughout this area. Experience the traditions and enjoy the
beautiful architecture, stately steeples and stained glass windows of the beautiful historic churches founded in the
1800’s. Lunch finds us in the nearby city of Pontiac at the
Old Log Cabin. Built in 1926 the Old Log Cabin was one
of the first restaurants on Route 66 and still serves travelers
today. After lunch we enjoy a trolley tour where we’ll
see a unique collection of outdoor murals located in
and around the historic district and enjoy beautiful art in a
Norman Rockwell town like setting. Chicago to Pontiac was
the first leg of Route 66, there is a lot of history here! We
enjoy a piece of that history in the Route 66 Hall of Fame
and Museum. Housed in a historic firehouse, the museum
tells the story of the people and places that are significant
along Route 66 including a photo journal that captures the
true spirit of an era. (B, L)
Overnight: Country Inn & Suites, Bloomington, IL
Chicago Skyline - Lake Michigan
Kankakee Barn Quilt
P AGE 20
N OVA S COTIA
16 D AYS
A UGUST 16 - 31, 2015
P ASSPORT R EQUIRED
T OUR #1505
Day 5 - Leaving Bangor behind, we say goodbye to the
United States for a few days. Canada - here we come!
After crossing the border, we arrive in St. John, New
Brunswick’s largest city. A local guide will join us as we
discover nearly 400 years of history in Canada’s oldest city.
We view Reversing Falls where the mighty Bay of
Fundy causes the Saint John River to reverse direction and
flow upstream. The Bay of Fundy has the highest range of
tides in the world; the difference between high and low tide
can sometimes be 40 feet! (B)
Overnight: Hampton Inn, St. John, New Brunswick
Day 6 - This morning we leave St. John and travel to the
French town of Moncton. Here we visit Magnetic
Hill, a natural phenomenon where nature contradicts itself
Day 1 - We begin our journey to Acadian country by travel- and cars coast uphill backwards. Next we travel to Charing through Mississippi, Alabama and into Tennessee. We lottetown on Prince Edward Island. We cross the
Confederation Bridge, the longest bridge in the world to
can relax and get to know our fellow passenger as we emcross over ice-covered water, which makes Prince Edbark on this adventure together. Day’s end finds us at the
Chattanooga Choo Choo where we enjoy a
delicious ward Island accessible year-round. We arrive in Charlottetown where we unpack our bags for a 2-night
welcome aboard dinner. (D)
stay. Tonight we enjoy a special theatre surprise. (B,
Overnight: Chattanooga Choo Choo, Chattanooga, TN D)
Day 2 - We travel today through the lovely rolling countryOvernight: Rodd Royalty, Charlottetown, PEI
side of Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. Our destination
Day 7 - We start our Island adventure with a city tour of
is Harrisonburg in the beautiful Appalachian Range nestled between the Allegheny and Blue Ridge Mountains. (B, Charlottetown. Our guide will tell us all there is to know
about this charming city which is the Birthplace of Canada.
D)
Next we set out to explore the scenic North Shore of the
Overnight: Quality Inn, Harrisonburg, VA island with a visit to Prince Edward Island National
Day 3 - We continue our journey through the picturesque Park, renowned for its red sandstone cliffs, white sand
Shenandoah Valley also know as ’The Big Valley’ immortal- beaches and rolling sand dunes. In Cavendish, we visit the
ized in song, film and television. We travel to the east coast House of Green Gables, famous around the world as the
to the New England town of New Haven, one of the
inspiration for the classic novel - Anne of Green Gables.
largest cities in Connecticut, where we spend the night. (B) Tonight we enjoy a special Lobster Dinner, complete
Overnight: Best Western Plus, New Haven, CT with all the trimmings! (B, D)
Prince Edward Island
Day 4 - Continuing through New England we find ourselves
in Maine, nicknamed ‘Vacationland’. We arrive in Bangor where we visit the Cole Land Museum where we see
a cross section of Maine’s transportation history through
rare artifacts and exhibits. The WWII, Vietnam and Purple Heart Memorials are dedicated to the tens of thousands that served our country. (B, D)
Overnight: Country Inn, Bangor, ME
Grand Pre’ National Historic Site
P AGE 21
Day 8 - Today we leave Prince Edward Island and take the
ferry to Cape Breton Island. In Baddeck we visit the
Alexander Graham Bell Museum, a fascinating tribute
to the genius of this man. This afternoon we check into
our hotel where we will spend the next two
nights. (B,D)
Overnight: Inverary Resort , Baddeck, NS
Day 9 - As we continue our adventure, a local guide will
join us as we head out to experience one of the most stunning picturesque drives in North America. The Cabot
Trail winds around the rocky splendor of Cape Breton’s
northern shore, ascending to the incredible plateaus of
Cape Breton Highlands National Park. With breathtaking vistas at every turn, be sure to have your camera on Day 12 - What an exciting day we have today. We board
hand. (B)
the brand new luxury ship, the Nova Star and cross
Overnight: Inverary Resort, Baddeck, NS the Atlantic Ocean into the United States. We spend the
day enjoying this unique experience that includes a variety
Day 10 - Leaving Baddeck behind, we travel to the capi- of delicious dining options, a casino, spa, live entertaintal of Nova Scotia, Halifax, which is located on the
ment and more. (B, D)
second largest harbor in the world. Our kilted guide will
Overnight: Merry Manor Inn, Portland, ME
join us for an informative and fun-filled ride through the
streets of Halifax which immerses us in the culture and
Day 13 - We begin our journey home as we travel southhistory of this city. See The Titanic Burial site, the
ward through the New England States. Days end finds us
Spring Garden Road area, Citadel Hill, the Old
in Harrisburg, PA where we spend the night. (B)
Town Clock, St Paul’s Church and much more.
Overnight: Wingate Hotel, Harrisburg, PA
From tales of disaster and triumph to remarkable stories of
everyday life, discover the people and places that have
Day 14 - As we continue our southern route home , we
made Halifax one of the most unique cites in North Amer- make a quick stop in Hershey, also known as Chocoica. (B)
late Town, USA. Here we view how chocolate is made
Overnight: Chocolate Lake Hotel, Halifax, NS and have an opportunity to take some home. (B, L)
Overnight: Country Inn, Roanoke, VA
Day 15 - Today we travel to Birmingham, AL where
we can enjoy a few cocktails as we settle in for the night.
(B)
Overnight: Drury Inn & Suites, Birmingham, AL
Peggy’s Cove
Day 11 - Today we travel to Nova Scotia’s famous fishing
village - Peggy’s Cove, named after the only survivor of a .
schooner that sank in 1800. We’ll see the famous Peggy’s
Cove Lighthouse and enjoy the peaceful countryside before eating an early lunch in the village. This afternoon we
visit the Grand-Pre’ National Historic Site of Canada commemorating the Acadians deported from their
homes. The gardens, the monuments, the church with is
paintings and stained glass all tell the story of the Acadian
people. (B, L)
Overnight: Rodd Grand , Yarmouth, NS
Day 16 - We can relive our Nova Scotia Adventure as we
regretfully say goodbye to our new friends and eagerly
plan our next adventure. (B, L)
Tour Cost Per Person:
Single: $3998 Double: $3098 Triple: $2848 Quad: $2698
$250 deposit due with reservation
Final payment due June 16th
P AGE 22
T HE U NTIMATE M ICHIGAN T OUR
10 D AYS
A UGUST 24-S EPTEMBER 2, 2015
T OUR #1513
Day 4 - We drive north to the shores of Lake Huron.
A ferry will take us for the short crossing to Mackinac
Island where we will spend the next two nights at Lake
View Hotel . Here we take a step back in time to a bygone
era where transportation is limited to horse and buggy. The
stunning Victorian architecture of this Island resort has been
lovingly preserved; nothing intrudes on the serenity and
national beauty of the island. (B, D)
Overnight: Lake View Hotel, Mackinac Island, MI
View of Lake Huron as seen from Mackinac Island
Day 1 - We begin our journey to the beautiful state of
Michigan including the Upper Peninsula. Michigan
is known as the Great Lakes State because it is surrounded
by Lake Michigan, Lake Huron and Lake Superior. We
travel northeast through Mississippi, Alabama and into
Tennessee to Franklin where we spend the night.
Overnight: Drury Plaza Hotel, Franklin, TN
Day 2 - Today we continue traveling north through Kentucky and into Indiana, the Hoosier State. We spend
the night in Kokomo where we are treated to a special
dinner. (B, D)
Overnight: Fairfield Inn, Kokomo, IN
Day 3 - As we continue our Michigan adventure, we
enter into the Great Lakes State and continue to Grand
Rapids where we are treated to the beautiful Frederik
Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. Here we enjoy a
tour that includes the Tropical Conservatory, Vitoria Gardens, Arid Gardens as well as the Sculpture Park which features over 30 permanent sculptures by world-renowned
artists. (B, L)
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
Day 5 - This morning we board a horse-drawn carriage
for a tour of the Island. Winding our way up scenic bluffs
and past charming Victorian homes, we arrive at the majestic Grand Hotel - the crown jewel of Mackinac Island.
After feasting on the Grand’s sumptuous luncheon buffet, we can stroll through the hotel’s beautifully landscaped
gardens or take in the view from its 660-foot-long front
Overnight: Holiday Inn Express, Walker, MI
porch that overlooks the Straits of Mackinaw. The remainder of the day is at leisure to relax or browse the many specialty shops that line Huron Avenue in the historic downtown area. Don’t forget to try the famous Mackinac Island fudge!
(B, L, D).
Overnight: Lake View Hotel, Mackinac Island, MI
No cars on Mackinac Island
P AGE 23
Day 7 - This morning we have a special adventure - The
Soo Locks Boat Tour! Experience “locking through” the
Soo Locks as our boat is raised 21 feet, straight up, to the
level of Lake Superior.
After our “downbound
lockage”, we enjoy a cruise
along the historic waterfronts of Michigan and
Canada taking in sights that
include three hydroelectric plants and the rapids of St Mary’s. This afternoon we travel south to
Day 6 - Reluctantly we leave the beauty of Mackinac Island another unique city behind and travel north across the Straits of Mackinac
Frankenmuth,
where Lake Michigan and Lake Huron meet. We continue
‘Michigan’s Little Baour scenic drive through Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
varia’. Here the authento Whitefish Point located on the shores of Lake Supe- tic Bavarian architecture, a
rior. Deceivingly beautiful, Lake Superior’s unrelenting
quaint covered bridge, and
Glockenspiels - Frankenmuth
fury has earned the reputation of being the most treacherous the Glockenspiel beckon us
of the Great Lakes and has caused more than 6000 shipto explore the old world charm of this enchanting little vilwrecks. Here we enjoy the Whitefish Point Light Stalage. Tonight we enjoy a delicious Frankenmuth style
tion and the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum where
dinner. (B, D)
shipwreck legends come to life! (B, D)
Overnight: Zehnder’s Hotel, Frankenmuth, MI
Overnight: Best Western Sault Ste Marie, Day 8 - We start our day with a tour of Frankenmuth
Sault Ste Marie, MI and some free time to enjoy this little Bavarian town and
find superb shopping Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland
where it’s Christmas all year long. We continue traveling
south into Indiana to Indianapolis where we spend the night.
(B)
Overnight: Drury Inn & Suites, Indianapolis, IN
Day 9 - We start our trek home today traveling south
though Missouri, Tennessee and into Mississippi to Tunica,
where we enjoy a delicious farewell dinner. We check into
the Gold Strike Casino Resort for the night. (B, D)
Overnight: Gold Strike Casino Resort, Tunica, MS
Day 10 - We travel home today taking with us memories of
a unique Michigan Adventure! (B)
The bell of the Edmund Fitzgerald (1975)
Shipwreck Museum, White Fish Point
Because we strive to make our tours the
best they can be, we sometimes make
changes to a tour in order to improve it.
After hearing comments about this tour we
took out the train in Canada, we changed
hotels on Mackinac Island and adjusted the
price accordingly.
Tour Cost Per Person:
Single: $2324 Double: $1759 Triple: $1659 Quad: $1559
$200 deposit due with reservation
Final payment due June 24th
P AGE 24
Earn $5 worth of Trip Bucks for every day of travel.
Use as a $5 per day discount on your next tour.
Use early booking discounts and Trip Bucks together for double saving SAVE
NOW with EARLY BOOKING DISCOUNTS!
Book and deposit on any of our the new 2015 Catalog Tours by April 15, 2015
to receive special discounts. That would include tours on pages 6, 10 & 25-42
3-5 Day Tours
6-8 Day Tours
9+ Day Tours
$20 per person
$30 per person
$40 per person
SAVE LATER with our new TRIP BUCKS!
Book and make your deposit on any new 2015 Catalog Tour by March 31, 2015
and earn Trip Bucks to be used as a discount on your next tours!
T RAVEL
AND S TYLE ABOARD
L OUISIANA T RAILWAYS
IN
C OMFORT
“O FFICIAL C ARRIER
OF
T RIPS U NLIMITED ”
Louisiana Trailways drivers and staff are professionally trained to ensure the highest level of customer
satisfaction and safety. Our fleet consists of late model “State of the Art” MCI Motor Coaches. Our motor
coaches feature; Reclining Seats with Foot Rests, Clean Comfortable Rest Rooms, State of the Art Audio /
Video Systems, Window Shades, Kneeling Entrance Way and much more. Louisiana Trailways holds a
“Satisfactory” D.O.T. safety rating and received a #1 Safety Rating by the Dept. of Defense. Both of
these achievements are the highest possible in the motor coach industry. We are also fully licensed and
insured. Please visit our web site at: www.louisianacoaches.com or e-mail us at info@louisianacoaches.com
for more information. Thank you for your interest in Louisiana Trailways where Customer Service
and Safety are our Top Priority.
P AGE 25
A D AY A T T HE R ACES
5 D AYS
S EPTEMBER 9-13, 2015
T OUR #1533
Day 3 - We begin our day at The Kentucky Show!,
an exciting emotionally compelling large screen experience
narrated by Ashley Judd that captures Kentucky’s people,
culture, history, music and spirit. Afterwards we’re ‘off
to the races’ as we begin our day at Churchill Downs,
the worlds’ most legendary racetrack. At the Kentucky
Derby Museum we immerse ourselves in the excitement
of the “Greatest Two Minutes in Sports”! We enjoy interactive exhibits, a 360 degree hi-definition film, a behind the
scenes tour of Churchill Downs, a delicious lunch on
Millionaires Row and experience the thrill of live
horse racing at the world’s most iconic racetrack. (B, L)
Overnight: The Galt House, Louisville, KY
Day 1 - Come join us on a fun-filled excursion to Churchill
Downs for a day at the races. We begin our journey with a
relaxing ride east through Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and into Tennessee to Franklin where we spend
the night.
Overnight: Drury Plaza, Franklin, TN
Day 2 - Today we travel to Louisville, Kentucky where
we begin our adventure with a tour of the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory where some of the best baseball
bats in America are made. As we tour the factory, we see
bats being made for the major baseball leagues, the minor
leagues and individuals. At the end of our tour, we are presented with a miniature ‘Louisville slugger’ to take home as
a souvenir. This afternoon we enjoy the Evan Williams
Bourbon Experience, the newest addition to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Located in the downtown Louisville
historic ‘Whiskey Row’, the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience will take us back in time to 1783 to experience life
and distilling as it was in the early days of the Republic.
We’ll not only learn about making bourbon, but we will
watch it being made before our very eyes & then enjoying a
premium bourbon tasting. (B, D)
Day 4 - As we leave the excitement of “Derby City”
behind, we begin making our way home. We travel south
through Kentucky to Bowling Green where we stop
at the National Corvette Museum dedicated to the
Corvette - an international symbol of American automotive
innovation! Inside this 115, 000 sq ft showroom we will
see more that 70 Corvettes and one-of-a-kind concept cars,
striking full-scale dioramas, thousands of Corvette photos,
movies and videos and the one millionth Corvette donated
by Chevrolet. This afternoon we continue south to Birmingham, Alabama where we spend the night. (B)
Overnight: Drury Inn & Suites, Birmingham, AL
Overnight: The Galt House, Louisville, KY Day 5 - Today we travel home taking with us memories of
our exciting day at the races! (B, L)
Tour Cost Per Person:
Single: $1035 Double: $798 Triple: $748 Quad: $698
$100 deposit due with reservation
Final payment due August 3rd
P AGE 26
H OT IN C LEVELAND !
8 D AYS
S EPTEMBER 13-20, 2015
T OUR #1524
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame * Cuyahog Valley Scenic Railroad * Hot in Cleveland House * Christmas Story House
Pro Football Hall of Fame * Lunch Cruise aboard the Nautica Queen * Lunch & Entertainment at Hofbrauhaus
Cleveland Botanical Gardens Beer Tasting * Ohio Amish Country * Yoders Farm * Warther Carvings
Day 3 - We continue traveling north to Cleveland, OH
where we begin our visit by touring the Rock and Roll
Hall of Fame, a world-class museum on the banks of Lake
Erie dedicated to celebrating and preserving the musicians
and music that changed the world, as well as educating visitors and fans about the history and continuing significance of
rock and roll music. This afternoon we take a city-tour of
‘C-Town’ where we see the ‘Hot in Cleveland’ House, University Circle, Public Square, Christmas Story House and
more. (B, D)
Overnight: Hampton Inn, Cleveland, OH
Day 4 - We begin our day with a step-back in time at the
historic West Side Market, named as one of “10 Great
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Public Places in America”. Built in 1912, it served as a public
Day 1 - Join us for a hot time in Cleveland. We begin our market to the growing immigrant population and is one of
journey with a relaxing ride through Louisiana, Mississippi, very few remaining today. Beautifully designed, the grand
structure has a 44 foot high Guastavina tile vaulted ceiling
Alabama and into Tennessee where we stop in Franklin
and a clock tower which stands 137 ft tall. Next we board
for the night.
the Nautica Queen for a unique adventure on the Ohio
Overnight: Drury Plaza Hotel, Franklin, TN River. We cruise under historic bridges, experience breathDay 2 - As we continue north towards Ohio, we stop in
taking views of Downtown Cleveland’s ever-changing skyNewport, KY at Hofbrauhaus Newport, modeled
line and enjoy a delicious lunch with musical entertainment.
after the legendary 400 year old Hofbrauhaus in Munich,
Tonight we have a special evening planned at the Cleveland
Germany. Here we enjoy lively music and a delicious
Botanical Gardens where we enjoy ‘Hoppy Hour Beer
Bavarian lunch overlooking the Cincinnati Skyline. After
Tasting’. After touring this vibrant ever-changing oasis
lunch we embark on a multi-city tour which begins with with 20 distinct gardens and a Glasshouse showcasing both
Newport’s notorious past of gangsters, gamblers and ladies rainforest and desert plants, we gather together and sample
of the night. Then we cross the Ohio River and explore
pale ales, dark lagers and other cool craft brews. (B, L)
Cincinnati and Over-the-Rhine, which contains the largOvernight: Hampton Inn, Cleveland, OH
est collection of Italianate architecture in the United States
and is a perfect example of an intact 19-century neighborhood. Its architectural significance has been compared to the
French Quarter and Savannah. (B, L)
Overnight: Drury Inn & Suites, Cincinnati, OH
P AGE 27
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Train
Day 5 - Let’s ‘ride the rails’ on the Cuyahogn Valley
Day 8 - We continue to make our way south as we travel
Scenic Railroad, one of the oldest and most scenic tourist home taking memories of all the new and interesting things
excursion trains in the country. Experience the adventure, we experienced on our tour. (B, L)
romance and nostalgia of a vintage train ride as we ride
through the heart of Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
Arriving in Akron, we board our motorcoach for a short
drive to Canton, OH to tour the Pro Football Hall of
Fame which has been honoring the great players of the professional football world since 1920. This afternoon we arrive
in Wilmot, OH, the heart of the Ohio Amish country. After checking into our charming hotel we tour Yoder’s
Amish Home and Farm. Here we get a glimpse into
their quiet and simple lifestyle as friendly guides explain the
history and customs of the Amish faith. Tonight we have a
special evening planned as we tour the unique Warthers
Carvings delighting in the many detailed carvings in wood
and ivory. (B, D)
Overnight: Inn at Amish Door, Wilmot, OH
Day 6 - We continue touring the Amish countryside enjoying stops at Lehman’s General Store, Heini’s Cheese,
Kauffman Country Bakery and more. We have free
time in Berlin where we can shop where the Amish shop
for everything from furniture to hand-made gifts. This afternoon we begin our trek home traveling into Kentucky to
Lexington where we spend the night. (B,D)
Overnight: Holiday Inn Express. Lexington, KY
Day 7 - Today we leave Kentucky behind and travel into
Tennessee to Lynnville where we stop at Soda Pop
Junction, an old-fashioned soda shop serving awardwinning hamburgers since 1860. Afterwards we visit the
Tennessee South Distillery where we enjoy a tour and
taste eight different spirits. We continue to Birmingham,
AL, where we spend the night. (B, L)
Overnight: Drury Inn & Suites, Birmingham, AL
Ohio Amish Country
Tour Cost Per Person:
Single: $1859 Double: $1359 Triple: $1259 Quad:$1179
$150 deposit due with reservation
Final payment due July 29th
P AGE 28
O KTOBERFEST
10 D AYS
IN THE
M IDWEST
EPTEMBER
Day 1 - We begin our fantastic fall foliage adventure by
traveling north to Missouri. We can relax, enjoy the passing scenery and get to know our fellow travelers as we make
our way to Sikeston, for the night. This evening we enjoy
dinner at Lambert’s Café, home of the “Throwed Rolls”.
(D)
Overnight: Pear Tree Inn, Sikeston, MO
Day 2 - After leaving Sikeston behind, we stop in the quaint
city of St. Charles, Missouri where we will meet a stepon guide. St Charles made quite a mark on history, Lewis
and Clark began their western expedition here, Daniel
Boone and his family built their homestead, and German
settlers developed a wine region and created a booming pioneer town. We spend some time in the historic district meandering through the little shops and restaurants frequented
by visitors and locals alike. This afternoon we continue traveling north into Iowa to Clarksville where we spend the
night. (B)
20-29, 2015
T OUR #1525
Day 4 - We start our ‘Twin City’ experience with a tour
of Minneapolis and St. Paul, dressed in fall color.
Separated by the Mississippi River, diversity is at the heart of
these unique cities, with a comfortable blend of old and new
- contemporary and old world, Art Deco and Victorian.
The Twin Cities will take us by surprise at every turn.
We’ll see the beautiful Summit Avenue lined with historic
19th century mansions, St. Paul’s Cathedral, the skyway
system, television home of Mary Tyler Moore, the
famous Nicollet Mall and much more. This afternoon
we explore Minnesota through large-scale museum exhibits,
hands-on experiences and multimedia presentations at the
Minnesota History Center. We learn about Minnesota’s extreme weather, enjoy the nostalgia of re-visiting our
childhood toys, hear the stories of The Beatles ‘One Night
Stand’, and much more. (B, D)
Overnight: Country Inn & Suites, Bloomington, MN
Overnight: Homeward Suites, Clarksville, IA
Day 3 - A short drive takes us to the seven villages of the
Amana Colonies where we can
step back in time and experience
this quiet German settlement that
has been a treasure on the Iowa
prairie, welcoming visitors for
over 150 years. The Colonies
offer a unique history and culture
found nowhere else in the
Amana Colonies world. This afternoon we arrive
in Bloomington, Minnesota for the next 3-nights. Our hotel
is just across the street from the Mall of America, a one-of
-a-kind experience that includes over 500 stores, 50 restaurants, 14 movie screens, an underwater adventure aquarium, ACES Flight simulator, Bloomingdales, Nordstrom's,
an amusement park and much more. (B, L)
Overnight: Country Inn & Suites, Bloomington, MN
St. Paul, Minnesota in the Autumn
P AGE 29
Day 7 - This morning we learn the art of making cheese at
the National Cheesemaking Center. We’ll be amazed
by stories of early cheesemaking over a century ago and now
with today’s modern conveniences. Next we visit Swiss
Colony Cheese Outlet which originated in this area of
Wisconsin. Enjoy lots of free samples and shop at discounted prices. As lunchtime approaches, we find ourselves at the New Glarus Oktoberfest Festival! We can
sample the great food & German beer throughout the afternoon and evening as we enjoy the music and many activities
and shops. Listen to the great music and maybe even do the
‘Chicken Dance’. (B)
Overnight: Chalet Landhaus, New Glarus, WI
Oktoberfest!
Day 5 - This morning we enjoy a tour of the Mill City
Museum. Built in the ruins of what was once the world’s
largest flour mill, Mill City Museum is located in the
historic Mississippi Riverfront. Here we learn about the
intertwined histories of the flour industry and the Mississippi River. From a Baking Lab to an elevator ride through
an exhibit, Mill City is an adventure for all the senses.
Lunch finds us at the American Swedish Institute where
we enjoy a traditional Swedish Luncheon. Afterwards we
explore this exquisite 33-room mansion, including the detailed wood carvings, sculpted ceilings, 11 hand-crafted
Swedish tile stoves and more. (B, L)
Overnight: Country Inn & Suites, Bloomington, MN
Day 6 - Leaving Minnesota behind, we travel east to the
‘Dairy State’ of Wisconsin. This afternoon finds us in
New Glarus to celebrate the annual Oktoberfest! Nestled
in the rolling hills of southern Wisconsin, New Glarus resembles the Alpine Farmland and is known as America’s
“Little Switzerland”. The Swiss heritage is present in the
towns architecture, geranium filled flower boxes and delicious ethnic food. We take a journey back in time as we
tour the Swiss Historical Village where we get a glimpse
of Swiss pioneer life. Next we check-in to the Chalet
Landhaus where we unpack our bags for a 2-night stay.
The Oktoberfest kicks off tonight for those who want to
enjoy the festivities. (B, D)
Day 8 - Today we travel through America’s heartland to
Springfield, Illinois where inspiration awaits us at the
Lincoln Presidential Library. Here we see letters and
manuscripts written or signed by President Lincoln including the Gettysburg address and the emancipation proclamation. (B)
Overnight: Drury Inn & Suites, Springfield, IL
Day 9 - We continue traveling south through Missouri,
Arkansas and into Mississippi to Tunica where we
spend the night at the Gold Strike Casino Resort. (B, D)
Overnight: Gold Strike Casino Resort, Tunica, MS
Day 10 - As we make our way home, we say goodbye to
new friends and reflect on our one-of-a-kind experiences.
(B)
Tour Cost Per Person:
Single: $2129 Double: $1599 Triple: $1449 Quad: $1349
$150 deposit due with reservation
Final payment due August 2nd
Overnight: Chalet Landhaus, New Glarus, WI
Chalet Landhaus - New Glarus, WI
P AGE 30
T HE A LBUQUERQUE I NTERNATIONAL B ALLOON F IESTA
9 D AYS
O CTOBER 6-14, 201 5
Day 1 – Welcome aboard this unique trip to New Mexico,
the “Land of Enchantment”. We begin our tour with a relaxing ride as we enjoy the passing countryside. We make our
way through Louisiana and into Texas where we spend the
night in Dallas, a unique blend of Old West charm and cosmopolitan flair.
T OUR #1508
Day 4 – Our day begins early as we are whisked away to the
Balloon Fiesta for the unforgettable Mass Ascension.
See hundreds of hot air balloons take off, turning the sky into
a virtual rainbow of colors. Today we are treated to the
‘Special Shape Rodeo’ which showcases such dynamic
shapes like the famous bees, a pink dragon, Orca the whale
Overnight: Hampton Inn, Dallas, TX and many more. After a truly exhilarating morning we head
back to Historic Old Town to explore its quaint streets,
Day 2 –Today we see a Texas tradition of big sky, endless
southwestern shops, restaurants and galleries. Tonight we
plains, enormous cattle ranches, and steadily pumping oil
return to the Balloon fiesta to enjoy Glowdeo. Just before
wells. Our destination today is Amarillo, one of the last
dusk balloons are inflated and tethered filling the sky with a
places on Earth where the Old West still lives. Enjoy dinner kaleidoscope of brilliant colors. (B, D)
this evening at the Big Texan, an internationally known resOvernight: Rio Grande Inn, Albuquerque, NM
taurant famous for its great Texas atmosphere. (B, D)
Overnight: Drury Inn & Suites, Amarillo, TX Day 5 –This morning it’s a short drive to Santa Fe, nestled
in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and known for its rich
Day 3 – Our drive today takes us into New Mexico known cultural heritage, striking adobe architecture, breathtaking
for its striking scenery and rich heritage. This afternoon we natural beauty and its local artists and crafters. We enjoy a
arrive in Albuquerque for a three-night stay. Nestled be- visit to the famous Loretto Chapel. Surrounded in mystery
tween the towering Sandia Mountains and the Rio Grande
with its "Miraculous Staircase", some say was built by St JoValley, the city offers a rich cultural heritage, set in a breath- seph himself. There is free time to explore the historic Plaza
taking landscape. This afternoon we enjoy a tram tour of
and the many shops and the local artists and crafters that offer
Historic Old Town, Albuquerque’s first neighborhood.
unique handcrafted items. We return to Albuquerque via
Founded in 1706, the settlers built their town in the tradione of the most scenic and historic routes in New Mexico,
tional Spanish colonial style with a central plaza anchored by the Turquoise Trail. This evening we enjoy a delicious dinner
a church. Today it’s the city’s cultural center with five muse- at the foot of Sandia Peak to experience a symphony of
ums and more than 100 shops, galleries and restaurants. (B, color at sunset and a panoramic view of the city lights as we
D)
dine. (B, D)
Overnight: Rio Grande Inn, Albuquerque, NM
Overnight: Rio Grande Inn, Albuquerque, NM
Old Town - Albuquerque, New Mexico
P AGE 31
Loretto Chapel and the Miraculous Staircase
Day 6 – Departing Albuquerque this morning, we travel
southeast through New Mexico. Our trek then takes us into
the westernmost region of Texas which boasts wide open
skies, and the beautiful Davis Mountains. Days end finds
us in Sweetwater where we spend the night. (B)
Day 8 - Our day begins with a tour of the SAS Shoe factory, one of the few remaining shoe factories in America.
We get a firsthand glimpse of the skill and craftsmanship that
goes into each pair of SAS shoes. Then we step back in time
at the SAS General Store where old fashioned values is the
rule, not the exception, and the shoes are sold at a discount.
This afternoon we enjoy a delicious lunch at La Margarita
Restaurant located in “El Mercado”, better known as the
Mexican Market. Enjoy the lively music of Mariachis who impart the color and flavor of old Mexico. Next we hop
aboard a river barge for an amusing cruise along the
shady banks of the Riverwalk as we hear about its history.
Afterwards we enjoy free time on the famous San Antonio
Riverwalk, an oasis of cypress-lined paved paths, arched
stone bridges and lush landscapes that gently winds through
the city giving easy access to cultural hot spots, historic sites,
restaurants and other attractions. (B, L)
Overnight: Drury Inn & Suites, San Antonio, TX
Overnight: Holiday Inn Express, Sweetwater, TX
Day 7 – Today’s drive takes us through an ever-changing
Texas prairie panorama to San Antonio, a city steeped in
history with a rich cultural heritage. We arrive at the historic
Menger Hotel in time to enjoy a delicious lunch. Opened
in 1859, the Menger Hotel was one of the first luxury hotels
west of the Mississippi River which entertained cattle barons,
presidents and movie stars including Roy Rodgers and Dale
Evans, Davey Crockett, Ulysses S. Grant, Babe Ruth, Oscar
Wilde, Mae West, and more. After lunch we tour the
Alamo originally known as the Mission San Antonio de Valero and the site of the 1836 battle that enshrined it in the
heart of Texans everywhere. This afternoon we visit the
Mission San Jose, located on the banks of the San Antonio
River. Known as the ‘Queen of the Missions”, its imposing
complex of stone walls, bastions, granary and magnificent
church was completed by 1782 and fully restored in 1930.
(B, L)
Overnight: Drury Inn & Suites, San Antonio, TX
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Day 9 – We head home today feeling enriched through the
unique things we have experienced and interesting places we
have visited on this extraordinary autumn journey. (B)
Tour Cost Per Person:
Single: $1998 Double: $1479 Triple: $1379 Quad: $1279
$150 deposit due with reservation
Final payment due August 6th
Mission San Jose
P AGE 32
F ALL F OLIAGE
7 D AYS
AT THE
B EAUTIFUL M OUNT M AGAZINE
O CTOBER 14-20, 2015
T OUR #1546
Day 3 - Today is a special day filled with the very best
original and unusual handmade treasures as the Ozark
Mountains come alive with the sights, sounds and aroma of
the War Eagle Mill Fall Arts and Crafts Fair. Professional craft men and women offer original handmade work
such as folk art, pottery, stoneware, quilts, homemade
soaps, handmade furniture, watercolor paintings and so
much more from the hands of the best artisans from across
the country. (B, D)
Overnight: Double Tree by Hilton, Springdale, AR
View from Mt Magazine - Paris, AR
Day 1 - We begin our colorful fall foliage tour with a relaxing ride through Louisiana, Mississippi and into Arkansas, blessed with the beautiful Ozarks Mountains, one of
the South’s most unforgettable fall destinations. This afternoon we arrive in Little Rock where we spend the night.
(D)
Day 4 - Today we board the Missouri and Arkansas
Overnight: Wingate by Wyndham, Little Rock, AR Railroad winner of the “Railway Age Regional RailDay 2 - Today we travel north to Fayetteville where the way of the Year” award. We enjoy a scenic trip through
most powerful union in politics began, Bill and Hilary’s the Ozarks as we burrow through the quarter mile Winslow
first home. Visit the living room where they were marTunnel and travel high trestles of 125-feet from the ground.
ried, view rare memorabilia from Bill’s early political career Our train adventure ends in Van Buren , but our adventure
and tour the First Ladies Garden. After a delicious lunch we has just begun. We continue our travels through the
celebrate the beauty of this area with a tour of the Botani- Ozarks where we arrive in Paris, located on the Arkancal Gardens of the Ozarks. Located on 86 acres adjoin- sas River. A short drive takes us to Mount Magazine
ing Lake Fayetteville, the gardens include 12 themed garState Park, the highest point in Arkansas featuring eight
dens including the four seasons garden, the rock and water scenic overlooks. We check into The Lodge at Mount
garden and a butterfly house. A short drive take us to
Magazine where we unpack our bags for a 2-night stay. (B,
Springdale where we spend the night. (B, L)
D)
Overnight: Double Tree By Hilton, Springdale, AR
Overnight: The Lodge at Mount Magazine, Paris, AR
Mount Magazine Resort, Paris, AR
P AGE 33
Day 6 - We enjoy a relaxing morning before we reluctantly
leave the lodge behind. But we have one more stop before
we leave this lovely state park, the Visitors Center where
we discover the fascinating history of Mount Magazine and a
large wildlife observation area overlooking a native plant
garden. As we travel south through Arkansas and into
Mississippi we find ourselves in Tunica where we spend
the night in luxury at the Gold Strike Casino Resort.
For those who enjoy gaming, the casino is opened all night.
(B, D)
Overnight:The Gold Strike Casino Resort, Tunica, ,MS
Day 7 - Today we continue our journey home with a new
perception of our beautiful state of Arkansas. (B)
Day 5 - We have a special day planned today at this beautiful Mountaintop resort overlooking the Petit Jean River
Valley and Blue Mountain Lake. Gracing the south
bluff of Arkansas’s high point, the Lodge at Mount Magazine
offers some of the most breathtaking scenery in The Natural State. Today we can enjoy the exquisite nature that is
all around us with its fall color and local wildlife. We have a
few options today to help us enjoy our free time. We can
enjoy basket weaving, we learn how to garden for
wildlife or maybe make a rag doll to remember us
experience at this modern, rustic-style lodge in the Ozark
Mountains. (B, D)
Overnight: The Lodge at Mount Magazine, Paris, AR
Tour Cost Per Person:
Single: $1398 Double: $1098 Triple: $1029 Quad: $979
$100 deposit due with reservation
Final payment due August 24th
P AGE 34
T HE S AINTS T RAINING H OME - T HE L EGENDARY G REENBRIER R ESORT
7 D AYS
N OVEMBER 8-14, 2015
T OUR #1527
Join us for a journey to a National Historic Landmark and the Saints official new training Camp!
Greenbrier Resort
Day 1 - Join us for a journey to a National Historic
Landmark, The Greenbrier Resort. Combining graciousness of the past with exceptional comforts of today, a
new era of elegance awaits us at the Greenbrier. As we begin our tour, we can enjoy the passing scenery and get to
know our fellow travelers. We travel through Louisiana,
Mississippi, Alabama and into Tennessee. Days end
finds us in Chattanooga, nestled in the foothills of the
Smokey Mountains, where we spend the night at another
historic hotel, the Chattanooga Choo Choo. (D)
Day 3 - Today we arrive at the award-winning Greenbrier
Resort located in White Sulphur Springs, WV. Standing gracefully in the beautiful Allegheny Mountains, the
Greenbrier was chosen to be the New Orleans Saints official summer training camp. With three new practice
fields, a performance center, weight rooms, locker rooms,
training and physical therapy accommodations, the Greenbrier has truly rolled out the red carpet for New Orleans.
Widely regarded as a one of the finest luxury resorts around
the world, the hotel has been welcoming guests since 1778.
We arrive late morning with the whole day to discover all
this hotel has to offer including tours, shops and boutiques,
golf, spa treatments, afternoon tea, and a 103 square foot
gaming and entertainment venue. Explore 10,000 acre
playground and discover an unparalleled selection of luxury
leisure pursuits and outdoor adventures designed to satisfy
and stimulate our widest range of interests. (B, D)
Overnight: The Greenbrier Resort,
White Sulphur Springs, WV
Overnight: Chattanooga Choo Choo, Chattanooga, TN
Day 2 - We continue traveling north into Virginia to the
beautiful Roanoke Valley, located at the foot of the bluehued peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains, where we
spend the night. (B, D)
Overnight: Country Inn & Suites, Roanoke, VA
The new Advocare Sports Performance Center
where the New Orleans Saints train.
Day 4 - This morning we have a special treat in store for us.
We will tour the Saints training area where we get a
feel for the hard work our boys endure. This afternoon we
take a short drive to Lewisburg, named ‘America’s Coolest Small Town’. Tucked away in the rolling hills of the
Greenbrier Valley, the picture-perfect main street offers the
finest in southern hospitalities, unique shopping, sidewalk
cafés, antique shops and more. We tour the Historic
General Lewis Inn, a unique blend of the old and new.
We enjoy a delicious homemade dinner in the original
1834 section of the Inn. We return to The Greenbrier Resort for the night. (B, D)
Callaway Gardens
Overnight: The Greenbrier Resort,
White Sulphur Springs, WV
P AGE 35
Day 5 - Reluctantly we leave Greenbrier behind and travel
south through some of the most beautiful scenery in eastern
United States. Tonight’s destination is Greenville, South
Carolina where we enjoy ‘Happy Hour’ at our hotel. (B)
Day 7 - As our extraordinary journey comes to an end, we
travel home, but memories of the legendary Greenbrier Resort are sure to linger. (B)
Overnight: Drury Inn & Sites, Greenville, SC
Day 6 - Today we continue to travel south into Georgia to
Pine Mountain where we arrive at Callaway Gardens.
We enjoy a delightful tour of the gardens, home to a world of
nature and wildlife, the butterfly center, the Discover Center, the observatory and more. Tonight we have a delicious farewell tour dinner. (B, D)
Tour Cost Per Person:
Single: $1779 Double: $1379
Triple: $1279 Quad: $1179
$150 deposit due with reservation
Final payment due September 8th
Overnight: Callaway Gardens Resort, Pine Mountain, GA
B RANSON F ALL F OLIAGE
6 D AYS
O CTOBER 11-16, 2015
T OUR # 1543
Day 1 - Depart this morning for a relaxing drive through Mississippi and into Arkansas. Enjoy the beautiful fall colors and
passing landscape and get acquainted with newfound friends as
we make our way to Little Rock for the night. (D)
Day 4 - After enjoying free time, we are treated to another
afternoon of entertaining music shows. The award-winning
Texas Tenors bring their unique blend of country, gospel,
classical and broadway to the stage and stolen the hearts of
Overnight: Wingate by Wyndham , Little Rock, AR millions of fans around the world. Tonight as a special treat,
we see the all-new,
Day 2 - Today enjoy a scenic drive through the beautiful
Tony Award winOzark Mountains as we make our way to Branson, Missouri ning Broadway
where we will unpack our bags for a 3-night stay. Branson is a production, Milunique place where an old-fashioned sense of Americana is
lion Dollar Quartet!
combined with dazzling world-class entertainment. LegenInspired by an incredidary stars as well as original Branson entertainers perform a
ble true story of one
fabulous variety of country, comedy, magic, and Broadway- magical night - an imstyle shows. We begin with the ever
promptu jam session
popular Showboat Branson Belle. As we
with Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl
cruise on Table Rock Lake, we enjoy the
Perkins. Together, on this one night only, these four music
changing of the colors, a delicious 3-course
icons created sounds that would span decades and generations.
meal and a brand new variety show. Tonight we enjoy The
(B, D)
Duttons, a family of amazing performers that play everything
Overnight: Grand Country Inn, Branson. MO
from bluegrass to Classical featuring a variety of instruments
including violin, guitar, bass, viola, banjo, mandolin, keyDay 5—Leaving the music and excitement of Branson behind,
our fun-filled trek takes us to the heart of the Mississippi Delta
board, harmonica and drums. (B, D)
Overnight: Grand Country Resort, Branson, MO -Tunica. we check-in into the fabulous Gold Strike Casino
Resort where we’ll be pampered in 24K style. (B, D)
Day 3 - This morning we experience the extraordinary musiOvernight: Gold Strike Casino Resort, Tunica, MS
cal entertainment of Shoji Tabuchi. Beginning his American
career at the Grand Ole Opry, Shoji brings a little bit of magic Day 6—Today depart for home having experienced the “Best
to the stage with his repertoire of country, gospel, Hawaiian, of Branson”. We arrive back home in late afternoon. (B)
patriotic, rock and a little bit of the orient. Tonight we have a
treat - The Lettermen, one of music’s most memorable and
successful singing trios, sing their biggest hits of the 60’s! An
Tour Cost Per Person:
impressive 32 albums, all charting on the top 100 include hits
Single: $1249 Double: $1089 Triple: $1049 Quad: $989
like Put Your Head On My Shoulder, Goin’ Out of My Head/Can’t
Take My Eyes Off You, I Only Have Eyes For You, Sealed With A
$100 deposit due with reservation
Kiss and much more. (B, D)
Overnight: Grand Country Inn, Branson, MO
Final payment due August 20th
P AGE 36
C HRISTMAS S NOW
6 D AYS
N OVEMBER 29 - D ECEMBER 4, 2015
T OUR 1507
of Missouri’s most beautiful attractions, The Precious Moments Chapel includes an inviting Visitor Center, Gift
Shop, Café, and beautiful manicured gardens adorned with
bronze statues and fountains. This afternoon we travel to
Springfield, MO where we tour the amazing Fantastic
Caverns, America’s drive through cave, located under the
rolling hills of the Ozark Mountains. No need to maneuver
through this cave, all tours take place on jeep pulled trams
by knowledgeable guides. After checking into our hotel, we
enjoy ‘happy hour’ with cocktails and snacks before we experience a “wild time” at the Bass Pro Shop. Here we enjoy the huge compound which includes a Wildlife Museum,
Day 1 –Join us for a fun Christmas adventure as we make
many tanks and aquariums and a multitude of Christmas
our way to Sikeston, Missouri where we spend the night. decorations. (B, L)
This evening we enjoy dinner at Lamberts Café, home of
Overnight: Drury Inn & Suites, Springfield, MO
the “throwed rolls” (D)
Day 4 - We couldn't come this close to Branson without
Overnight: Pear Tree Inn, Sikeston, MO enjoying their outstanding Christmas entertainment. We
Day 2 - Today we travel northeast to the town of Bellebegin with one of the most popular shows in Branson, Doug
ville, IL. Our first stop is Eckert’s Country Store and Gabriel, named ‘Male Vocalist of the Year’ three years
Farm, family-owned and operated since 1837 by seven gen- in a row. Let the music take us back as Doug performs chart
erations of Eckerts. We
topping hits for the 50’s and beautiful Christmas arrangeenjoy a special treat this
ments mixed with comedy and the true Christmas message.
morning as we make our
Tonight we go to Andy Williams Moon River Theatre for
very own gingerbread house one of the best Christmas shows in Branson - The Andy
with a lot of guidance from Williams Christmas Spectacular! Those of us who
the folks at Eckert’s. After a were privileged to hear Andy Williams perform know that
delicious lunch at the farm, his favorite time of year was Christmas. His legacy continues
we continue our Christmas as performers such as the Osmond Brothers and the
journey with a tour of the
Lennon Sisters delight audiences with a tribute to
beautiful St. Peter’s CaMr. Christmas - Andy Williams. (B, D)
thedral, the largest catheOvernight: Center Point Inn, Branson, MO
dral in Illinois. Built in the
English Gothic style, St Peter’s is modeled after the
Cathedral of Exeter in England. This afternoon we
tour the Shrine of Our
Lady of the Snows, the largest outside shrine in North
America. Wintertime sparkles here at the Annual Way of
Lights Christmas display which illuminates the grounds
with a breathtaking display that focuses on the birth of
Christ. (B, L)
Overnight: Drury Inn and Suites, Belleville, IL
Day 3 - This morning we travel west to The Precious
Moments Chapel in Carthage, MO often described
as “America’s Sistine Chapel” as an artful representation of
Michelangelo’s own Sistine Chapel in Rome. Serving as one
Doug Gabriel - Branson’s Male Vocalist of the Year
P AGE 37
Day 5 - Today we head south as we begin to make our
way home. We’ll make a quick stop at Robertson’s
Orchard to enjoy some Christmas goodies. Evening
find us in Tunica, Mississippi, where we can test our
luck at the games of chance. (B, D)
Tour Cost Per Person:
Single: $1179 Double: $979
Triple: $899 Quad: $859
Overnight: Gold Strike Casino Resort, Tunica, MS
$100 deposit due with reservation
Day 6 - Sadly our Christmas adventure comes to an
end as we travel home with a bit more Christmas spirit in
our hearts. (B)
Final payment due October 14th
N ATCHITOCHES C HRISTMAS L IGHTS
2 D AYS
D ECEMBER 9-10, 2015
T OUR #1542
Day 2 - We begin our day with a tour of this quaint
little city as we explore its unique heritage and amazing
scenery. We meet our guide at the Oakland Plantation,
where writer Robert Harling lived. Harling is best known
for writing ‘Steal Magnolias’, based on his early life in Natchitoches. Built in the architectural style of a French Creole
plantation house, Oakland is particularly interesting for the
majestic oak alley at its entrance. After our tour we begin
our journey home. Along the way we will stop at Lea’s
Lunchroom known for it homemade pies. (B, L)
Tour Cost Per Person:
Day 1 - Come join us for a Christmas adventure to the
Natchitoches Christmas Lights! We get to know our
fellow travelers as we make our way to Natchitoches,
Louisiana, the oldest settlement in the state. Arriving in
Natchitoches, we visit the new Louisiana Sports Hall of
Fame which showcases the accomplishments of Louisiana’s
extraordinary athletes, coaches and sport stars. We hear
entertaining stories of the ‘best of the best’, enjoy interactive exhibits and see memorabilia of some of Louisiana’s finest athletes including Archie Manning, Willis Reed,
Shaquille O’Neal, Pete Maravich and much more. Next we
have free time to enjoy historic Natchitoches as we stroll
down Front Street where the visitors center is located along
with several quaint little shops. After a delicious dinner, we
return to Front Street and the Cane River to enjoy the famous Natchitoches Christmas lights named as one of
the most spectacular light shows in the country. (D)
Overnight; Holiday Inn Express, Natchitoches, LA
Single: $335 Double: $269 Triple: $249 Quad: $239
$50 deposit due with reservation
Final payment due October 19th
P AGE 38
C HRISTMAS
9 D AYS
IN
M IAMI & K EY W EST
D ECEMBER 7-15, 2015
T OUR #1528
Day 3 - This morning we travel a short distance to Miami,
one of the world’s most popular vacation spots. We take a
city tour where we see the Brickell Financial District with
Miami’s oldest archaeological site and its first sky scraper, the
tallest buildings in Florida. We head to Coconut Grove a
bayside neighborhood with a distinctive culture that always
attracts a colorful cast of individuals. We see some of the most
unique and colorful areas in Miami, the Wynwood Art
District and the Miami Beach Art Deco District. This
afternoon we enjoy a relaxing sightseeing cruise along
Biscayne Bay where we have the best views of the Downtown Miami Skyline, the port of Miami, Fisher Island, Miami Beach and Millionaire's Row, an upscale tropical playDay 1 - Come join us on this unique festive Christmas holiday ground for the rich and famous and some of the most luxurigetaway. As the temperature drops in New Orleans, the
ous homes in the south. (B)
Florida Keys are still a tropical paradise. We enjoy the passOvernight: Yve Hotel, Miami, FL
ing scenery and get acquainted with our fellow travelers as we
travel through Mississippi, Alabama and into Florida. Tonight
finds us in Lake City where we will spend the night. (D)
Overnight: Country Inn & Suites, Lake City, FL
Day 2 - Today we travel south, further into the Sunshine
State. This afternoon we arrive in Fort Lauderdale known
for its beaches, arts and culture. Tonight we enjoy the Mai
Kai where the essence of Polynesia comes alive in the songs
and dances of the celebrated Islanders Revue, inspired by
village life in the South Pacific at the turn of the century. We
lose ourselves in the romantic Hawaiian Wedding Dance
and the thrilling Samoan Fire Dance performed by native
Polynesian dancers, while enjoying delicious Asian cuisine.
Day 4 - We begin our day with a visit to the oldest Catholic
(B, D)
church in all of South Florida, Gesu. Founded in 1896 just
Overnight: Oceanside Inn, Fort Lauderdale, FL before the city of Miami was incorporated, Gesu Catholic
Church serves as a sanctuary to present and past generations.
Next we are treated to a visit to Pinecrest Gardens where
we discover hidden treasures in South Florida’s Cultural Arts
Park, which features over 1000 varieties of rare and exotic
tropical plants mixed with beautiful sculptures, statues and
paintings. This afternoon we visit Little Havana, a taste of
multicultural Miami at its best. Cuban culture permeates everything in Little Havana—colorful murals, cigar rollers deep
at work and the ever-present aroma of Cuban coffee. We
have free time at Calle Ocho, the main drag where fruit
stands, art galleries, Cuban restaurants and cigar shops line the
avenue. The rest of the afternoon is free to explore Bayside
Marketplace on the waterfront. Located by our hotel this
festive marketplace includes great shops, restaurants, nightclubs and more in a relaxing atmosphere. There is always
something going on at Bayside. (B, D)
Miami Beach
Overnight: Yve Hotel, Miami, FL
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Day 7 - Leaving Key West, we continue to bask in the exotic tropical beauty as we travel north through Florida. Afternoon finds us in Orlando where stop at the Victorian
themed Grand Floridian Resort where we will marvel at the
16-foot Victorian gingerbread house which actually
serves as a shop that offers baked items. (B )
Overnight: Drury Inn, Orlando, FL
Day 8 - This morning we explore the Gaylord Palms
Hotel which features a five acre atrium that contains Florida
attractions such as Ponce de Leon Fountain of Youth, the
Everglades and a 60-ft sailboat. Next we continue our
Ernest Hemmingway Home
Christmas journey with a magical adventure in ice. The
ICE Exhibit is an indoor winter wonderland made from
Day 5 - As we leave Miami behind, we continue southward two million pounds of colorful hand-carved ice sculptures
and concludes with a breath-taking Nativity Scene carved
to the Florida Keys, a 112 mile long chain of islands that
from crystal clear ice. Leaving the Palms behind, we travel
are often referred to as America’s Caribbean. Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico the northward to Florida’s capital city where we spend the
Keys are home to the only living Coral Reef in the Con- night. (B, D)
tinental United States. This afternoon finds us in Key
Overnight: Holiday Inn Express, Tallahassee, FL
West, Florida’s irreverent southernmost subtropical paradise. Palm-lined streets with gingerbread mansions and tinroofed conch houses were home to Ernest Hemingway, Tennessee Williams, Robert Frost and Jimmy Buffet, a few of
the famous people who discovered solace and inspiration in
this exotic island. We tour by trolley through the streets of
Key West and experience its rich history and get to know
our little corner of paradise. We tour the Ernest Hemmingway House, home to one of America’s most honored
and respected authors. Here he lived and wrote for more
than 10 years, finding solace in the turquoise waters that
surround this tiny island. After checking into our hotel, we
spend the evening on the famous Mallory Square. Here
as part of the Key West Sunset Celebration we enjoy the
street performers, artists, local musicians, food carts and a
Day 9 - Today we travel home taking with us memories of
breathtaking sight of the glowing pink and red sun sinking
tropical Christmas adventures and preparing to put the fininto the Gulf of Mexico horizon. (B)
ishing touches on our own Christmas celebrations. (B, L)
Overnight: Fairfield Inn, Key West, FL
Day 6 - This morning we visit the Truman Little White
House, President Harry L. Truman’s winter White House
and a favorite spot for later presidents including Eisenhower, Taft, Kennedy, Carter and Clinton. This afternoon
we’ll have free time to enjoy the different areas of the island with a hop-on-hop-off trolley ticket. Don’t forget to explore Duval Street, one of America’s renowned
gems. (B, D)
Overnight: Fairfield Inn, Key West, FL
Tour Cost Per Person:
Single: $2289 Double: $1689 Triple: $1589 Quad: $1489
$200 deposit due with reservation
Final payment due September 5th
P AGE 40
C HRISTMAS M YSTERY T OUR - L IFE I S B ETTER W ITH A S OUTHERN ACCENT !
4 D AYS
D ECEMBER 7-10, 2015
T OUR #1509
Let’s get into the Christmas Spirit by going on a Christmas Mystery Tour!
Where are we going? Only one way to find out!
Day 1 - Early morning finds us ready to embark on the Great
Christmas Mystery Tour. This morning the suspense builds as
we meet our fellow travelers and try to guess our destination.
Will we go North, South, East or West? Day’s end finds us in
a capital city where we will spend the next 3 days.
Day 2 - We begin our day with a visit to a modern museum
located on the banks of a gently flowing river and home to
thousands of photographs, documents,
and artifacts. Next we step back and
enjoy rich Victorian atmosphere and
luxury as we will be treated to a
delicious Christmas Tea complete with
silver trays and all the ‘Victorian
touches’. After our Tea we will enjoy
an historic tour of the award-winning estate. This afternoon
we experience a different type of Christmas spirit, one we
can taste after learning how it is made. Tonight we have a
special treat as we delight in a delicious meal and hilarious
entertainment. (B, Tea, D)
Day 3 - This morning we will get to know this southern city.
Lunchtime is a treat at the home of a nationally know home
and garden guru, designer & author. We bask in the beautiful
decorations and atmosphere which he has created for this
magical season. Tonight we enjoy a breath-taking Christmas
light show at a world-class botanical garden located on a peninsula. Frequently described as one of the most beautiful
places in the state, we walk through a magical Christmas wonderland decked out with nearly two million lights coordinated with Christmas music. We also enjoy a candy cane
forest, a magnificent chapel, hot chocolate and roasted marshmallows. (B, L, D)
Day 4 - Today we reluctantly say good-bye and head home
full of the holiday Spirit. (B)
Tour Cost Per Person:
Single: $659 Double: $549 Triple: $509 Quad: $489
$50 deposit due with reservation
Final payment due October 22nd
N EW Y EAR ’ S E VE AT THE G ALT H OUSE & THE O PRYLAND H OTEL
6 D AYS
D ECEMBER 30, 2015 - J ANUARY 4, 2016
T OUR #1541
‘Whiskey Row’, the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience will
take us back in time to 1783 to experience life and distilling as
it was in the early days of the Republic. We’ll not only learn
about making bourbon, but we will watch it being made before our very eyes &
then enjoy a premium
bourbon tasting. After
checking into our hotel, we take time to
relax before departing
Day 1 - Get ready to ‘ring in the New Year’! Celebrate New for our New Year’s
Year’s Eve at the Galt House and the Derby Dinner Playhouse. Eve celebration.
We begin our adventure by traveling through Mississippi,
Arriving at the Derby
Alabama and into Tennessee where we spend the night in Dinner Playhouse
Franklin.
we indulge in a deliOvernight: Drury Plaza, Franklin, TN cious dinner buffet
before being treated to Irving Berlin’s White Christmas.
Day 2 - We continue our journey to Louisville, Kentucky After the play we ring in the new year with music and
where we spend the next two nights at the Galt House, a
dancing. At midnight we have a champagne toast
sophisticated hotel that stands tall on the Ohio River. Arriving and enjoy a breakfast buffet and dance the night
in Louisville, we visit the Evan Williams Bourbon
away. (B, D, B)
Experience, the newest addition to the Kentucky BourOvernight: The Galt House Hotel, Louisville, KY
bon Trail. Located in the downtown Louisville historic
P AGE 41
Day 5 - Today we travel south through Tennessee. We
stop in Lynchburg, where we are treated to a unique lunch
experience at Miss Mary Bobo’s Boarding House.
Since 1908, this has been a place for true Southern hospitality and traditional home cooking. As we continue our journey south, we travel through Alabama to Birmingham
where we spend the night. (B, L)
Overnight: Drury Inn & Suites, Birmingham, AL
Day 6 - Leaving Birmingham behind, we return home with
memories of our New Year’s adventures. (B, L)
Day 3 - We begin our day a bit later this morning with a
special New Year’s Eve Brunch. This afternoon we visit
the Frazier Museum for the Spirit of the Bluegrass:
Prohibition and Kentucky Exhibit which explores
how Bourbon shaped Kentucky and prohibition had a profound effect on the whole country. Later we tour the
Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory where some of
the best baseball bats in America are made. As we tour the
factory, we see bats being made for the major baseball
leagues, the minor leagues and individuals. At the end of
our tour, we are presented with a miniature ‘Louisville slugger’ to take home as a souvenir. (Brunch, D)
Overnight: The Galt House Hotel, Louisville, KY
Day 4 - Leaving Louisville behind, we travel south to Tennessee. We arrive in Nashville where we tour the Fontanel Mansion, the 27,000 square foot former home of
country singer super-star Barbara Mandrell. While
touring this log masterpiece, we will be entertained by personal stories of the Mandrell family along with incredible
stories of other artists that spent time in the house; Dick
Clark, Big & Rich, Bob Hope and Oprah Winfrey to name
just a few people who have passed through this amazing
home. Strum Buck Owen’s guitar, try on Kenny Chesney’s
tour jacket, Fontanel encourages you to touch memorabilia
from Alabama, Gretchen Wilson and more. After enjoying
a delicious lunch at the mansion, we top off our New Years
with an overnight stay at the amazing Opryland Hotel.
But our first stop is at the ICE Exhibit, an incredible holiday attraction hand-carved from nearly two million pounds
of ice. This ’Winter Wonderland’ features many rooms of
colorful ice sculptures, three ice slides for the more adventurous, and a breath-taking Nativity Scene carved from crystal clear ice. (B, L)
Overnight: Opryland Hotel, Nashville, TN
Inside of Fontanel Mansion
Tour Cost Per Person:
Single: $1450 Double: $1098 Triple: $998 Quad: $948
$200 deposit due with reservation
Final payment due October 29th
Atrium rooms available at the Opryland Hotel
C AL : 504-340-8747
P AGE 42
OR
800-542-8785
RESERVATIONS:
We encourage you to make your reservation at the earliest possible date. Why? A lot of our more popular tours sellout quickly. A deposit assures you a seat on the tour of your choice, and because your deposit is fully refundable, you
have nothing to lose by making the reservation early. In addition, booking early helps to avoid the possibility of a tour
being canceled due to a low number of tour participants. To make a reservation, simply call our office. Give your
name, complete address and telephone number along with the following: the name of the tour and the tour number,
whether you require single, double, triple, or quad accommodations, your pick-up point and the method of payment
you will be using. Deposits are due within 10 days of making your reservation. We accept Visa, Master Card,
American Express, and Discover.
PICK-UP POINTS:
Westbank - Trips Unlimited/Louisiana Coaches Office - 5056 Taravella Road, Marrero
Metairie – Landmark Hotel (back of hotel - N. Hullen St. Parking Lot)
Covington, LA - Rouses Supermaket, 50 Park Place (next to Home Depot)
(Covington Pick-up is not available on tour traveling south form New Orleans)
*
We are happy to make special pick-ups along our route.
Special pick-ups in Lafayette, Picayune, Hattiesburg,& Meridian on selected tours.
Please call office for details!
*
Please Note: We offer free parking at our Trips Unlimited Office location. Although it is a safe location and behind a fence,
there is no guard on duty; you park at your own risk. We can not give permission to park at any other location.
Transfer Service: Transfer Service from out-of-town areas can be arranged for an additional fee
if a minimum of 10 passengers is picked up at the same location.
YOUR MARK OF CONFIDENCE
Be assured our credentials are the highest with careful attention to proper licensing and insurance requirements. We firmly believe in practicing sound business
ethics, especially when handling your money. Our membership in the National
Tour Association (NTA) is a symbol of excellence and your “mark of confidence”
throughout the tour and travel industry.
Back Cover
Top: Elk grazing in Yellowstone National Park - Wild West Adventure (Page 12)
Windmill in a field of tulips - Beautiful Tulip Time in Pella, Iowa (Page 8)
Bottom: flowers on Prince Edward Island - Nova Scotia (Page 20)
Balancing Rock in Garden of the Gods - Wild West Adventure (Page 12)
TRIPS UNLIMITED INC.
5056 TARAVELLA RD., MARRERO, LA 70072
P AGE 43
GENERAL INFORMATION & POLICIES
TOUR INCLUDES: Transportation, sightseeing, guide fees and
admissions as outlined, hotel with private bath, fees for baggage
handling, services of a professional tour escort.
TOUR DOES NOT INCLUDE: Wines, liquors, telephone calls,
other items of a personal nature.
MEALS: For easy reference, each included meal is listed at the end
of each day's itinerary. (B-Breakfast, CB-Continental Breakfast,
L-Lunch, D-Dinner) All other meals are at traveler's expense.
Coffee breaks are arranged daily and lunch stops are made where
reasonable prices are available.
GRATUITIES: The tour escort handles gratuities for baggage handling, sightseeing and meals that are included in the tour. Gratuity to tour escort and motorcoach driver are not included
in your tour cost and should be extended on a voluntary
individual basis. ( Suggestion: $2-$3 per day, per person)
SEATING: Passengers rotate seats at the direction of the tour
director.
LUGGAGE: Limit of one (1) piece of luggage per person. A train
case or tote bag is allowed if carried by the passenger. $3.00 per
day will be charged for each additional piece of luggage. Trips
Unlimited, Inc. is not responsible or liable for loss, damage or theft
of luggage and/or personal belongings. However, be assured that it
is our policy to handle all your belongings carefully.
FINAL TOUR INFORMATION AND DOCUMENTS: Ten to
fifteen days before departure you will receive your final tour information including specific departure point and time, baggage tag,
hotel directory, and other information that will assist you in your
travel preparation.
CANCELLATION POLICY: Regardless of the reason, cancellations result in a costly process of letters, toll calls, refunds and adjustments as well as many non-refundable. To offset these costs,
the following fees will apply. In fairness to others, we cannot
make any exceptions.
Motorcoach Tours: *
Full pay date-30 days prior to the departure date 25% of total price
29-22 days prior to the departure date 50% of total price
21 days or less 100% of total price
Air/Motorcoach Tours: *
Full pay date-45 days prior to the departure date 25% of total price
44-22 days prior to the departure date 50% of total price
21 days or less 100% of total price
* Additional penalties may apply to any non-refundable tour cost
incurred by Trips Unlimited.
We strongly recommend purchasing Optional Travel
Protection Insurance. Note: Those with pre-existing
conditions must purchase Travel Protection Insurance
within 14 days of sending their deposit in order for preexisting conditions to be covered. Please call for a
copy of the Trip Cancellation Brochure and Application.
We reserve the right to remove anyone who is being disruptive
or causing a disturbance on the tour. Anyone who fails to appear
on the day of departure shall forfeit all moneys paid. Minimum
of 30 paid passengers is needed or the tour may be canceled.
Refunds cannot be made for any portion of tour which traveler
chooses to omit as tour is sold as a package with all services contracted for a group.
CHANGES IN ITINERARY: In the event that a change must
be made in a tour itinerary, Trips Unlimited will substitute the
best alternative available. Since tours are planned as far as a year
in advance, sometimes there are unforeseen circumstances that
necessitate a change, and occasionally a change will be made
solely for the purpose of improving the tour.
PARTIAL ROOM CANCELLATION: A person canceling
while a roommate(s) remains constitutes a change in the type of
accommodation and a rebooking of another type (quad to triple,
triple to double, double to single). The price charged to the remaining person(s) is the new higher price for the new accommodation.
TRAVELERS NEEDING SPECIAL ASSISTANCE: Trips
Unlimited regrets that it cannot provide individual assistance to
tour participants with special needs for walking, dining, and
other personal or medical needs. A qualified companion must
accompany travelers who need such assistance.
SMOKING: Smoking is not permitted on the motorcoach or in
the non-smoking hotels. Frequent stops are made for coffee
breaks (mid-morning and afternoon), lunch and sightseeing.
CHURCH SERVICES: Our travel schedules are very full, and
our drivers have many obligations concerning servicing our motor coaches. If we arrive at a hotel in time for you to attend a
church service, please feel free to check schedules and cab services.
RESPONSIBILITY CLAUSE: TRIPS UNLIMITED, INC.
acts solely as agent in arranging for transportation, hotels and
other services, and does not assume liability for injury, damage,
loss, accident or delay due to any act of a company or person
engaged in transporting or rendering any other service or carrying out arrangements for any tour, or by act or default of any
hotel proprietor or servant. Trips Unlimited assumes no liability
for personal injury, accident and/or illness. Right is reserved to
decline, to accept, or retain any person as a member of any tour
or to cancel or alter any tour, as circumstances require it.
Trips Unlimited Inc.
5056 Taravella Rd.
Marrero, LA 70072
Top: Yellowstone National Park, Tulip Time in Pella Bottom: Nova Scotia, Garden of the Gods
504-340-8747—New Orleans Area
800-542-8785—Out-of-Town