Select Traveler May June 2016 by The Group Travel Leader, Inc.

THE MAGAZINE FOR BANK, ALUMNI AND CHAMBER TRAVEL PLANNERS

select T R A V E L E R

G EOR GEORGIA R GI G AC CHIC H IC IC

N NEW EW WY YOR YORK R K IN SSTY STYLE TYLE LE

| AC ACTI ACTIVE T VE E IIN N BA BANG BANGOR NGOR R

| A MIDW M MIDWESTERN I DWESTERN S N SSA SAMPLER A M PL P ER

means DREAM destinations

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G R E A T E R

O N T A R I O

C A L I F O R N I A

e r o l p x e Meet, t c e n n o and c

Greater Ontario is excited to host the Select Traveler Conference in 2017! Greater Ontario region boasts scenic mountains, deserts, vineyards and metropolitan areas that are both historic and cosmopolitan in character that make it Ideal for leisure and business travel. We look forward to welcoming you February 5 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 7 to Ontario, California. The Ontario International Airport lets you ďŹ&#x201A;y right into the heart of Southern California. A state-of-the-art convention center, world class shopping, awe inspiring weather, access to over 6000 guest rooms. All waiting for you when the business day is done. Meet, explore, and connect in Greater Ontario, California. For more information on your next meeting experience, visit: discoverontariocalifornia.org/meetings 2000 E. Convention Center Way | Ontario, California 91764 909.937.3000 | 800.455.57.55 | info@ontariocvb.org

THE MAGAZINE FOR BANK, ALUMNI AND CHAMBER TRAVEL PLANNERS

select DREAM destinations

T R A V E L E R

VOL.24 NO.3

MAY/JUNE 2016

ALASKA: LIGHTS & LANDSCAPES By Herb Sparrow

contents checking in: MARLENE SHIRLEY

ON THE COVER: Visitors travel to Alaska each year in hopes of sighting the illusive aurora borealis.

toolbox: known for: marketing: TRAVEL UPGRADED

SPORTS

PREVIEW PARTIES

career: FAMILY FRIENDLY

10 12 52 54 56 STACEY BOWMAN

ADVERTISING SALES DIRECTOR

MAC T. LACY CHARLES A. PRESLEY BRIAN JEWELL ELIZA MYERS HERBERT SPARROW DONIA SIMMONS DAVID BROWN CHRISTINE CLOUGH ASHLEY RICKS KELLY TYNER

Founder and Publisher Partner Executive Editor Associate Editor Senior Writer Creative Director Art Director Copy Editor Circulation Manager Director of Sales & Marketing

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STACE Y@ BANK TR AVELMANAGEMENT.COM

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T R AV E L G U I D E

Select Traveler, the Magazine for Bank, Alumni and Chamber Travel Planners, is published bimonthly by The Group Travel Leader, Inc., 301 East High Street, Lexington, Kentucky 40507 and is distributed free of charge to qualiďŹ ed travel program directors throughout the United States. All other travel suppliers, including tour operators, destinations, attractions, transportation companies, hotels, restaurants and other travel-related companies, may subscribe to Select Traveler by sending a check for $49 for one year to: Select Traveler, Circulation Department, 301 East High Street, Lexington, Kentucky 40507. Copyright The Group Travel Leader, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction of editorial or graphic content in any manner without the written consent of the publisher is prohibited. NAME OR ADDRESS CHANGES: If your copy of Select Traveler should be mailed to another manager in your organization, or if you personally know another travel director who is not receiving Select Traveler, please send your correction to: Select Traveler, 301 East High St., Lexington, Kentucky 40507, or call (859) 2530455.

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P U B L I S H E R ’ S

perspective

t seems to be a good use of this column once a year to summarize what I learned from the buyer breakout sessions at our annual Select Traveler Conference, so

here goes: • On the issue of travel interests in light of international terrorism incidents, the responses were mixed. Some attendees said their more afﬂuent, more highly educated customers were planning to go ahead with travel plans in Europe and elsewhere. Others said their clients were less likely to go this year and were doing trips closer to home. Some attendees said their institutions’ senior managers have curtailed overseas travel temporarily. • The response to our question about the 100th anniversary of the national parks was universally enthusiastic. All the Western national parks were mentioned numerous times as destinations this year, as were, in a few cases, the Great Smoky Mountains, Big Bend and the Pearl Harbor Memorial. Some are going during peak season; others prefer to avoid the crowds. • Most of these groups have taken river cruises and plan to do more. Many have done European rivers such as the Danube and the Rhine, both in high season and during the Christmas markets season. There were also several mentions for America’s Mississippi and Columbia rivers. Some have taken their groups on more exotic rivers, including the Nile, the Yangtze and the Mekong. • A few marketing trends presented themselves: Heightened culinary interests across the world have led some groups to use native foods and drinks from a destination during preview events, as opposed to coffee and cookies. Many referenced seeing younger travelers, from their 40s to their 60s, coming aboard. One respondent said that while customers are waiting later to book, they are selling more trips. • As for the changing nature of groups, planners indicated that some meals once included are now options but that younger travelers like that. In a reference to smaller, more intimate groups, one planner said the ideal group size today is 15 to 25 for domestic trips and 10 to 16 for international travel.

Email me anytime with your thoughts at maclacy@grouptravelleader.com.

Mac Lacy 6

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P L A N N E R S

T A L K

B A C K

how do you get through a long ﬂight?

JENNIFER BOHAC DIRECTOR, TRAVEL PROGRAMS TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS “I try to break up the long ﬂights with some reading, maybe a movie, and Ambien to get some sleep. Then, when I wake up, I visit with any of my group traveling, read more and watch another movie as needed. I think breaking up the long ﬂight does help. Bringing things for your comfort is also key, such as a neck pillow, noise-reducing headphones and an eye mask.”

RANDY CALAGUAS HERITAGE CLUB MANAGING OFFICER FIRST CITIZENS NATIONAL BANK | HERITAGE CLUB MASON CITY, IOWA “Based on the time we will be arriving at our destination, I try to plan out whether I need to sleep on the ﬂight. If it will be nighttime when we land, I try hard to stay awake for the ﬂight so that I will be able to sleep when I arrive at the destination. To entertain myself, I love to walk around and chat. I try to stand around in the back of the plane and stretch for a long while. If not sleeping or walking laps around the plane, I enjoy reading, listening to music and working on puzzles.”

BARB SCHOPP-MILLER FREEDOM YEARS DIRECTOR AND BANKING OFFICER RICHLAND BANK | FREEDOM YEARS MANSFIELD, OHIO “To make it through a long ﬂight, you’ll want some great movies, books, magazines and even some work to keep up with. But don’t weigh yourself down. Invest in a tablet or iPad so you’ll have all kinds of entertainment at your ﬁngertips. Just be sure you are familiar with your device and have everything loaded to the device before you travel. Noise-canceling headphones and an eye mask can help to ease yourself to sleep.”

BARBARA WESENER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SOUTH SUBURBAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OAK CREEK, WISCONSIN “On international ﬂights, I will often watch movies. For ﬂights of all lengths, I will typically read if I want to stay awake or try to sleep if not.”

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DIANE BAKER DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI TRAVEL UNIVERSITY OF IOWA | IOWA VOYAGERS IOWA CITY, IOWA “Other than the standard activities, such as reading, playing cards, listing to music, watching movies and snoozing, I’ve been known to entertain the kids in the seats in front of me with ﬁnger puppets. I also take photos of the spectacular puffy clouds. On one particular long ﬂight to Sydney, I even did my taxes.”

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checking in MARLENE SHIRLEY EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

W I T H

M A R L E N E

S H I R L E Y

SHAWNEE CHAMBER

OF COMMERCE SHAWNEE, KANSAS

The Shawnee Chamber of Commerce travel group recently explored Cuba’s culture and cuisine.

Located in a suburb of Kansas City in Johnson County, the Shawnee Chamber of Commerce thrives on a close-knit community with the amenities of a metropolitan area. The chamber recently began offering travel opportunities to its 650 members and the local public. Born: Pueblo, Colorado Education: B.A. in social studies education at MidAmerica Nazarene University Employment: Shirley started as a title processor before working in accounting at an engineering company. In 2011, she became the executive assistant at the chamber. Family: Married, with one daughter Hobbies: Shirley enjoys reading, spending time with family and volunteering at her church and her daughter’s school.

BY ELIZA MYERS

hen Marlene Shirley received the intimidating task of starting a travel program for the Shawnee Chamber of Commerce, she felt unprepared at frst. “I was willing to try it,” said Shirley, executive assistant for the Shawnee Chamber of Commerce. “Tere was no model to follow. Our president wanted to try it out, so we just started.” Shirley dived right in, running ads in the local newspaper, as well as the chamber’s membership directory and website. Trough trial and error, Shirley discovered what worked and didn’t work for her 650 chamber members. Since this bold start in 2013, the chamber travelers have trekked through exotic and beloved destinations in China, Italy, Ireland and Cuba.

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READY, SET, TRAVEL Luckily, Shirley had some travel background, planning business trips for an engineering frm. Tis taught her some of the organizational basics, although leisure group travel proved its own challenge. She fts in time to plan these group trips in addition to her other work in administrative accounting for the chamber. She typically plans one big trip a year, having tried multiple trips a year in the past with less success. Tough Shirley started marketing the chamber’s trips with various avenues, she found the most efective tool was also the oldest. “Most of the trips sold through word of mouth,” said Shirley. “People telling their friends were the biggest help.” Shirley started not only encouraging travelers to talk about the tours to their friends, but also listening to them after trips to determine where to go next.

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“When the current trip is happening, we ask people what they are interested in next,” said Shirley. “Ten we also look at diferent options, such as what is popular, where we have gone before and what would be the next big thing.” Shirley relies on trustworthy tour operator partners to handle the logistics involved in international group travel. “All the tour operators have diferent itineraries, though basic similarities; so we look at that frst,” said Shirley. “We look at the price and the length of the trip. We want to see that our members get the most for their money.”

F U NDR A I SI N G A N D E N R I C H M E NT When Shirley began coordinating trips halfway around the globe, she had a vision to follow. Te chamber travel program’s purpose revolved around raising nondues revenue and exposing locals to an unfamiliar culture with safe and reasonably priced tours. “Tere are many options and tour groups around, but many are expensive,” said Shirley. “We have been able to give people the opportunity to travel in the safety of a group but at a reasonable price, and still maintain excellent service.” Since foreign perspectives can broaden the mind, travel also helps the chamber’s mission statement to “develop and enhance our community through dynamic leadership.” “Giving people the opportunity to travel helps them understand the world, which in turn helps them become better leaders,” said Shirley. One of the frst of these immersive experiences involved an acrobatics show in Shanghai for an introduction to the Chinese art forms of aerial walking, bowl balancing and high-fying trapeze acts. Cuba focused on interacting with the locals during a “people to people” program tour that included cooking demonstrations, musical performances and visiting teachers. Shirley also felt that a trip to Cuba would be timely, as the American government has recently relaxed some of its restrictions on travel to the country. “We wanted to give people the opportunity to see Cuba before it was westernized,” said Shirley. “Tey got to see the real Cuba and not the Americanized Cuba that develops once the chains move in.”

CREATING ‘TRAVEL BUDDIES’ To help gauge the interest in a trip, Shirley often organizes preview meetings beforehand for people to learn about the trip and sign up. For those who can’t attend the event, Shirley also posts a promotional video of the tour to the chamber’s website for a glimpse into the upcoming destination’s highlights. Closer to the time of departure, Shirley creates an informational event where travelers can meet everyone and receive a packet of information. “I always give them a list of commonly asked questions, so that way they can refer to it later,” said Shirley. “So if they can’t come to the meeting, they have that information as well. I have everything on there from a list of things to pack to the U.S. embassy’s phone number, just in case. You never know

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what information someone might need.” Shirley has found that the most efective way to reach out to passengers after the trip is through a follow-up emailed link to pictures and the contact information of the other group members. “Tere are some people that get together frequently because of one of our trips,” said Shirley. “Tey are now travel buddies.” Te travel program, which began as an add-on for Shirley’s job description, has now become a rewarding part of Shirley’s career because of these connections. “Te hardest part of planning travel is probably dealing with the travelers and all the attention to detail that is required to do that effectively,” said Shirley. “But that is also the best part. I love getting to know the travelers and giving them the opportunity to travel.”

T R A V E L

tips

• Be organized in everything you do. • Be prepared for the unexpected. Difﬁcult situations rarely happen, but it is best to be prepared. • Above all, be patient.

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T R A V E L

T O O L B O X

upgraded experiences

BY BRI AN JEW E LL

our members have a wide variety of choices when they want to travel, so why should they choose to go with you? There’s a lot of competition for sophisticated travelers. Your members and prospects can book vacations online, work with local travel agents or join with other community organizations that offer tours. If you want to convince them to travel with your bank, alumni group or chamber of commerce, it would behoove you to offer them experiences and amenities they aren’t going to ﬁnd anywhere else. Everybody loves an upgrade, and providing a high level of customization and quality is an excellent way to win customers. Although conventional wisdom holds that price reigns supreme in the group tour market, research is showing that younger travelers are willing to spend more on trips that offer a greater perceived value. Upgrading your trips can involve small, inexpensive changes or luxurylevel services that come with much higher price tags. How you deploy upgrades will depend on the tastes and budgets of your travelers. But here are a few ideas to get you started.

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BE TT E R DI N IN G With the exception of breakfast, buffet dining has become anathema to the high-end travel market, and many food enthusiasts look speciﬁcally for special culinary experiences as part of their trips. One of the best ways to please these people is to book two or three meals at exceptional local restaurants over the course of the trip and to offer a wide variety of options during the meal. Letting groups order off the full restaurant menu instead of restricting them to a limited “motorcoach menu” makes travelers feel special and independent. These upgrades can cost a little more in terms of time and money, but the return on the investment is worthwhile.

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‘S UIT E ’ ACCOM M ODATIO N S The largest single expense in most vacations is the hotel stay, and it makes sense that many tour operators use moderate to midscale hotel properties to keep their prices competitive. But if you want to wow your travelers, spring for something one or two tiers up from the typical limited-service hotel. Whether it’s upgrading your group to a stay at a swanky property near the heart of town or to suites instead of standard double-doubles, upgrading accommodations can make an impact on a traveler’s perception of value. The same goes for cruise cabins: Going one step higher than normal is sure to make an impression on your guests.

TR ICKE D - OU T TR ANS POR TATION During the course of a busy tour, your travelers are like-

V IP ACCE S S

ly to spend a lot of time on a motorcoach; they may even

One of the hallmarks of a memo-

spend more waking hours on the coach than they do in their

rable group tour is that it gives par-

hotel rooms. This makes motorcoaches a good opportunity

ticipants access to experiences

for upgrades. Today’s new vehicles can come with wireless

they couldn’t otherwise arrange for

internet service, seat-back USB ports for charging electron-

themselves. You can take this prin-

ics and myriad other special touches. Ask your tour opera-

ciple one step further by arrang-

tor or coach provider to dispatch one of these vehicles if

ing some memorable VIP moments

you have a large group. If your group is smaller, consider

for your travelers. They can include

booking a luxury coach, which has less seating but ample

such wide-ranging options as private

space for onboard lounges and a galley.

entrance into popular attractions, behind-the-scenes tours at museums and special encounters with local celebrities. If you have sports fans in your group, you might even offer hard-to-get tickets or access to

PE R S O NAL HOS PITA LIT Y Ultimately, the best opportunity that you have to upgrade your travelers’ experience is through personal, hands-on hospitality. You are your travel club’s primary ambassador, and when you travel with your members, you’re in a position to show them how much you value them. Go the extra mile to show them hospitality. Inexpensive items like

special VIP areas at sports venues. Savvy tour operators should be able to help you arrange these sorts of experiences in a variety of destinations.

small gifts or welcome bags go a long way in making people feel important. If someone in the group has a birthday, an anniversary or another special occasion during the trip, help that person celebrate with a special meal or dessert. Host a hospitality suite in your hotel after hours or buy a round of drinks at cocktail hour. It doesn’t matter how much money you spend doing this. As the old saying goes, it’s the thought that counts.

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dream

BIG

Ashford Castle State Room

Courtesy Ashford Castle/Red Carnation Hotel Collection

DREAM destinations

there are places that fire the imagination BY RACHEL CARTER

o one dreams of traveling to a destination that’s just down the road or visiting an attraction in their hometown. Why would they? People dream of exploring unfamiliar lands where they can access the seemingly unreachable and experience the unimaginable. Maybe that’s sleeping in a castle several hundred years older than their home country, witnessing a natural phenomenon that can only be seen at the ends of the earth, or watching exotic or endangered animals in their natural habitat. If you want to make your travelers dreams come true, plan trips to some of these once-in-a-lifetime destinations.

CASTLE HOTELS IN IRELAND

Most Americans can only imagine seeing centuries-old castles in their backyards, so being able to stay in one overnight is a distinctly European opportunity. Some of Ireland’s historic castles have been turned into hotels where guests can experience life as medieval nobility or landed gentry. Ashford Castle in County Mayo sits on a private 350-acre wooded estate that was once owned by one of Ireland’s most well-known names: the Guinness family. Today, the 700-year-old castle is a five-star luxury hotel that reopened in April 2015 after a $50 million restoration. With 83 rooms and suites, the castle can accommodate up to 166 overnight guests who, during their stay, can fish from a traditional wooden boat in the nearby lake, fly a hawk at Ireland’s oldest falconry school or test their aim at archery and clay shooting. Nineteen miles northwest of Limerick, Dromoland Castle is another five-star castle hotel, but it is one of the few castles that began as the ancestral home of a native Gaelic royal family. The 1540s castle was built entirely of dark-blue limestone and today has 100 rooms. Dromoland also offers horseback riding, archery and falconry. For groups that want the castle experience while sticking close to the city, both Clontarf and Fitzpatrick castles might fit the bill. Dating to the late 1100s, Clontarf Castle sits just three miles from Dublin’s city center and five miles from Dublin Airport. Many of the castle’s 111 guest rooms deliver Old World style with four-poster beds and views

of the Dublin Mountains. Fitzpatrick Castle is a 40-minute drive south of the city, and some of the 18th-century hotel’s 113 guest rooms overlook Dublin Bay. WWW.IRELAND.COM

COSTA RICA’S BEACHES AND RAIN FORESTS

Costa Rica covers a relatively thin stretch of Central America, bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east. It’s only 197 miles wide but boasts more than 800 miles of coastline. With so much beachfront, visiting groups spend plenty of time snorkeling, surfing and sailing, said Ines Cano, a spokeswoman for the Tourism Board of Costa Rica. Operators up and down the coasts take about 10 to 20 passengers sailing on catamarans, with larger groups going out on more than one boat to sightsee and watch the sunset. About 340 miles off the Pacific coast, Cocos Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that’s famous among divers for its fish and coral species. Also on the central Pacific coast, Manuel Antonio National Park’s 1,700 acres wander from the white-sand beaches up into the mountains. There, snorkelers and divers will find an underwater cave, and hikers may see capuchin monkeys, sloths and toucans on guided treks. On the Caribbean side, Manzanillo Beach and Cahuita National Park are popular for snorkeling. About one-quarter of Costa Rica’s rich, rain-forest-swathed land is protected in national parks and preserves, and whitewater rafting is a favorite inland adventure for visiting groups. Pacuare River is the country’s longest river and spills through rapids that range from mild to wild. Groups can explore the entire stretch in about two days or simply do an afternoon outing; either way, a rafting trip — or kayaking or riverboarding — will deliver adventure on the water and plenty of wildlife in the surrounding rain forest. Zip-lining and canopy tours in the cloud forest and rain forest are popular with groups, Cano said, and in Costa Rica, it can range from “just sliding along and getting the view to extreme sports.” Adventure-seekers can opt for courses that require participants to bungee jump or do “Tarzan swings.” WWW.VISITCOSTARICA.COM

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Cano Island Biological Reserve Courtesy Tourism Board of Costa Rica

Positano on Italy’s Amalﬁ Coast

Ashford Castle Courtesy Ashford Castle/Red Carnation Hotel Collection

Courtesy Fonoteca ENIT

ITALY’S AMALFI COAST

Italy’s Amalfi Coast stretches along the Sorrentine Peninsula, where rainbow-colored buildings climb the rocky cliffs and terraced citrus groves tumble down the rugged hillsides to the shores of the Tyrrhenian Sea below. The city of Sorrento overlooks the Bay of Naples and sits in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius, the volcano that famously destroyed Pompeii in A.D. 79. Groups can take a bus to the top of Vesuvius and do a short hike to the crater. The summit is “practically on top of Naples, so when you go up, you can see all of Naples and Naples Bay,” said Marzia Bortolin, spokeswoman for the Italian Government Tourist Board. Sorrento is the coast’s largest town. Visitors can walk down to the marina and enjoy an al fresco dinner at a waterfront restaurant where “you can eat fresh fish just caught by the fisherman,” Bortolin said. And that’s what one usually does when touring the Amalfi Coast: walk through towns, explore nature, take in the architecture and history, and “enjoy the pleasures of life,” she said. Il Sentiero degli Dei, or The Path of the Gods, is another popular option for active visitors. The trail perches on the side of the mountainous coastline, delivering a panorama of sea, shore, cliffs and canyons. It ends with a country staircase leading to the upscale coastal village of Positano, where visitors can stroll in narrow streets and shop in posh boutiques. Boat tours and charters are available up and down the coast, and a ferry can take passengers to Capri Island. There, groups of four can board small wooden rowboats to visit the Blue Grotto, a natural sea cave where the water sparkles like transparent lapis lazuli. WWW.AMALFICOASTONLINE.EU

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Victoria and Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town Courtesy Cape Town Tourism

SOUTH AFRICA’S CAPE TOWN

Jan van Riebeeck and the Dutch East India Company settled Cape Town in 1652, making it the ﬁrst permanent European settlement in South Africa. The city is nearly the southernmost point of the African continent but falls short by about 130 miles. Cape Town is famous for its port in Table Bay, on the northern portion of the coastline; the city hooks around False Bay on Cape Peninsula, which protects its waters from the battering of the Atlantic waves. Flat-topped Table Mountain soars more than 3,500 feet over Cape Town. Although groups have plenty of options to explore Table Mountain National Park — hiking on Lions Head, taking a scenic drive up Signal Hill — the most popular is the aerial tram that lifts passengers to the summit. There, visitors will ﬁnd panoramic views of the city and Table Bay, as well as a restaurant and a gift shop. From the summit, guests can take a guided walk or hike, or even rappel down a cliff face with Abseil Africa.

No visit to Cape Town would be complete without a tour and a tasting at Groot Constantia, a historic wine estate founded in 1685. The winery is one of South Africa’s most-visited tourist attractions. There, the stately white manor house is an example of Cape Dutch architecture and serves as a museum that displays period furniture, art and housewares. The fully functional farm has two on-site restaurants and also offers cellar tours, wine tastings and food pairings. City Sightseeing runs three hop-on, hop-off routes on its signature double-decker buses. The Red City Tour loop has 11 stops, including drop-offs at Table Mountain Cableway, Camps Bay and Two Oceans Aquarium. The Blue Mini Peninsula Tour route loops behind Table Mountain, where visitors can take in the scenery of the Constantia vineyards or stop at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, and the Yellow Downtown Tour highlights downtown attractions. WWW.CAPETOWN.TRAVEL

We’ve got you covered. Plan your next motorcoach tour with someone you know … your friends on the A-Team. We know tours inside and out and can help you plan itineraries or suggest destinations you may not have considered. That’s why we’re the A-Team. FIND OUT MORE BY VISITING ArkansasGroupTravel.com OR CALLING 1-800-872-1259.

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Iceland’s northern lights Courtesy Visit Iceland

YOU CAN SCHEDULE A NORTHERN LIGHTS TOUR, BUT YOU CAN’T SCHEDULE THE NORTHERN LIGHTS.

Live for the moments and explore Iceland

Stress-fre

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Ultimate Iceland Book your group space for guaranteed lowest prices and customized service with Alamo World Travel and Tours (800) 848-8747

NORTHERN LIGHTS IN ICELAND

You can schedule a northern lights tour, but you can’t schedule the northern lights. Iceland is a favorite place to catch the ﬁckle phenomenon, but as locals know, visitors should go for the destination, not the aurora borealis. There is no guarantee they’ll see it. The northern lights are most visible from September through April, although the lights sometimes can be seen as early as August. Conditions must be just right to see the ripple of light across the night sky. Most northern lights tour operators decide before 6 p.m. that day whether to go out that night. And if no lights show up during an excursion, most vendors will offer a free second trip. Groups can try to catch the aurora borealis by bus, boat, Jeep, snowcat, hiking or snowshoeing — basically, by any means of being outdoors. Many tour operators offer extended bus trips and provide hot cocoa and blankets on the coach to keep guests cozy. Boats leave from Reykjavik Harbor and ferry passengers away from the city lights into the darkness of the North Atlantic. Tour operators offer a huge variety of packages that pair hunting for the northern lights with glacier walks, crab feasts, ice caving and more. Several tours take groups to the Sólheimajökull glacier, where everyone can walk onto the ice ﬁeld to see ice crevasses and water cauldrons, before stopping at Skógafoss waterfall. Some companies also offer Jeep tours that drive groups south of Reykjavik to Iceland’s black-sand beaches for a lobster dinner and Icelandic schnapps before heading out aurora hunting. WWW.VISITICELAND.COM

Conditions apply. CST#2077132-20

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Best River Line For Value

CRUISING WITH EMERALD WATERWAYS The only choice in river cruising with the best value possible

Welcome to Emerald Waterways In 2014, Emerald Waterways made its debut and you’re invited to experience the next generation of European river cruising. When it comes to exploring Europe, there’s nothing average about our itineraries. Our carefully crafted cruises range from 8 to 15 days, and take you to many of the most fantastic villages, towns and cities lining Europe’s Danube, Rhine and Main rivers. And because we want you to fully appreciate the places you visit, we include a guided tour each day of your cruise. On an Emerald Waterways river cruise, you can expect stylish and spacious ships. Our revolutionary ‘Star-Ships’ are designed to ensure the most comfortable journey. What you wouldn’t have expected is a brand new ﬂeet, custom-built to ofer more space per guest than most other operators and to incorporate many spectacular ship innovations, unique to river cruising.

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Complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks to accompany lunch and dinner

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Bottled water restocked daily in your cabin

Onboard bicycles which can be reserved in port for individual excursions

An included shore excursion almost every cruise day

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Ms. Michel Madjerich Specialist in 15 years of cultivating group travel; Michel has worked for some of the best companies world-wide including Celebrity & Azamara Cruises, Delta, Air France, KLM & Aero Mexico Vacations, United Vacations, Star Clipper Cruises of the America’s, & Rosenbluth Intl. She also has generated leisure group business from companies such as DuPont, Motorola, Boeing Aircraft, Campbell’s Soup, and other Fortune 500 companies. She is a “hunter” and likes the hunt. Her passion is to cultivate each and everyone’s desire to travel and specializes in group travel to Eastern/Western Med, Russia, and the Caribbean. She is a seasoned travel professional and streamlines her sales eforts to carving out specialty group niches seeking cultural experiences and pilgrimages.

Call 617-543-0770, visit EmeraldWaterways.com or email michel.madjerich@emeraldwaterways.com Contact Emerald Waterways for terms and conditions. ©Emerald Waterways 2016 | All rights reserved | One Financial Center, Boston, MA 02111

‘I DID THE IDITAROD’ H E R B SPA R R O W SAY S A LA SK A’ S ‘G R E AT R A C E ’ IS A T R IP F O R T H E A G E S.

DREAM destinations

BY HERB SPARROW

kimming across the snow-covered landscape near Fairbanks, Alaska, in a small sled pulled by eight athletic Alaskan huskies was an exhilarating experience that you don’t get in my native Kentucky. It’s also an experience you don’t get in Alaska unless you go during the winter, a time many groups don’t think about visiting our northernmost state. However, my wife, Marcheta, and I discovered that while winter can be a challenging time to visit Alaska, it also provides fascinating perspectives and opportunities not available at other times of the year. The folks at John Hall’s Alaska Cruises and Tours, longtime providers of summer trips to Alaska, realized the same thing and last year inaugurated an 11-day Iditarod and Aurora Adventure that capitalizes on two Alaska features that can only be savored in winter — the Iditarod dogsled race and the aurora borealis, or northern lights. “We got feedback from our guests. People said they wanted to go in winter; they wanted to see the aurora,” said John Hall III, son of the company founder, who helps run the company with brother Joe and sister Elizabeth. We joined 26 other adventurous travelers on this year’s tour in early March.

‘THE LAST GREAT RACE’

We were quickly introduced to the Iditarod, a challenging race of more than 1,000 miles over frozen rivers, tundra, mountains and windswept Bering Sea coastline from Anchorage to Nome in sometimes brutal conditions that can reach 45 degrees below zero and lower. Promoters proudly call it “The Last Great Race.” Our first stop after arriving in Anchorage was the Iditarod Trail Headquarters in nearby Wasilla, where you are greeted by a statue of Joe Reddington Sr., who founded the race 43 years ago, holding a husky. Although mostly a gift shop (it is the best place to buy Iditarod souvenirs), the building has a small museum room that shows an informative video that gives good background on the race and the amazing dogs. The next day was spent at the Alyeska Resort in Girdwood, about an hour up the Turnagain Arm of Cook Inlet from Anchorage, where we had a choice of activities, including riding snowmachines (that’s what snowmobiles are called in Alaska), snowshoeing, skiing or visiting a wildlife refuge. Marcheta and I opted for a massage at the spa, followed by a tram ride 2,300 feet up to the top of Mount Alyeska and lunch at the resort’s white-tablecloth Seven Glaciers restaurant, with sweeping views of the surrounding mountains and the skiers headed down the steep slopes. That evening, we got an exposure to how big the Iditarod is in Alaska as we joined nearly 2,000 people at the kick-off Mushers Banquet at the downtown convention center, during which the 85 mushers who took part in this year’s race drew for starting positions. “It’s the most logistically challenging event in the world,” said Mark Nordman, the director of the race, a few days later at one of the more than 20 checkpoints where a cadre of volunteer veterinarians inspected the dogs, and the mushers could rest and pick up supplies. “There are no roads; everything has to be flown in by plane.” Our group had flown to the small town of McGrath, about an hour and a half northwest of Fairbanks, in three small planes, the same way extra food, bedding and supplies are flown to the race teams for the Iditarod. “It’s huge in the state,” said Nordman. “It’s our Super Bowl. It’s a really big deal.” We experienced that excitement the next morning as we walked among the mushers and their dogs as they prepared for the ceremonial start of the Iditarod in downtown Anchorage, where truckloads of stored snow had been spread along several blocks of Fourth Avenue.

By Tara Requist, courtesy John Hall’s Alaska Cruises and Tours

Left: Iditarod Trail Headquarters teaches guests about the famous dog sled race. Opposite page: A moose peeks through the trees during an Alaskan winter.

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OHN HALL • J ’S

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Husky race dog

Iditarod Dog Sled Race

Herb Sparrow and wife Marcheta pose at the start of the race.

Photos by Herb Sparrow, except where noted

“The ﬁrst thing you will notice is the noise: It’s near deafening as the dogs come to the starting line,” said John Gailey, the land tour manager for John Hall’s Alaska. And he was right. We positioned ourselves near the starting line and watched as the eager teams of 16 dogs yelped, jumped up and down with excitement and strained at their harnesses in anticipation before being given the “Go!” by their drivers. “These dogs want to do this,” said Gailey. “They are highly tuned, highly trained athletes. They are trained to run.” The teams drove for a couple of miles through the streets of Anchorage before stopping and being shipped about 40 miles north to Willow, where the ofﬁcial race started the next day. That afternoon, we drove to the Talkeetna Lodge, overlooking Denali National Park, our home for the next two nights.

AN ALASKAN TRIFECTA

We hit a trifecta Sunday, combining the northern lights, Denali and the Iditarod into one memorable day. Carol Weinman from The Villages, Florida, who was on the inaugu-

ral trip last year with her husband, Russell, knocked on our door at 2 a.m. to let us know that the northern lights had returned for an encore after having put on a show earlier in the evening. I got dressed and joined Carol on the back deck of the lodge where, for the next hour, we got one of our best displays of the intriguing light show, which is put on by bursts of energy from the sun colliding with the earth’s atmosphere. The sky was covered with large clouds, wavering curtains, arcs and thin vertical slices. You could make out the silhouette of Denali backlit by the lights. After our short night, we awoke to a sweeping, unobstructed view of Denali, North America’s tallest peak at 20,230 feet, recently ofﬁcially renamed from Mount McKinley. “You are among the 30 percent,” said Gailey. It is estimated that only about 30 percent of the people who visit Alaska get to see Denali, often obscured in clouds, in all its majesty. The morning broke slowly over the mountain, bathing it in a soft, pink glow. When we returned from a sumptuous and abundant breakfast of potatoes, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, biscuits and gravy served family-style at the Roadhouse in nearby Talkeetna, Denali stood brilliant white against a clear blue sky.

Appletini at Aurora Ice Museum

Aurora Ice Museum

Northern lights illuminate the sky behind John Hall’s Alaska’s motorcoach. By Tara Requist, courtesy John Hall’s Alaska Cruises and Tours

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Trail Trai Tr Trail aill Br Breaker rea eake kerr Ke ke Kennel el

Herb Sparrow trying out dog sledding

By Tara Requist, courtesy John Hall’s Alaska Cruises and Tours

That evening, Denali was caressed in gray shadows that softened it to a nearly impressionist palette. We left at midday for Willow, where thousands of people gathered on a large frozen lake to cheer on the mushers and their teams of eager dogs as they ofﬁcially began their long, grueling and dangerous journey of more than a week through the challenging Alaskan wilderness. “The game is now on,” said Gailey.

ONLY IN ALASKA

The next day we drove to Fairbanks, going through a section of Denali National Park and circling around to the north side of the mountain, which now wore a cape of clouds that it maintained for much of the rest of our trip, making us realize how lucky we had been. As we proceeded north along the Seward Highway, we drove past miles of white and black birches and green spruces, and mountains on both sides of the road completely covered in snow all the way to

By Tara Requist, courtesy John Hall’s Alaska Cruises and Tours

their base. The snow helped deﬁne the ground around the trees in the rolling foothills, making a beautiful wintertime scene. After checking into our Fairbanks hotel, we drove through the state’s gold mining area to the small town of Chatanika and the Chatanika Lodge for a late night of northern lights viewing. The lodge is an only-in-Alaska experience. Its ceilings and walls are covered with dollar bills signed by visitors, along with stuffed animal heads, bearskins, guns and knickknacks of every description. The game room has a pool table, video games and a pinball machine, and

800.325.2270

We Put The Guest Experience First:

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FULLY GUIDED BY ALASKANS • CUSTOM ITINERARIES

Denali National Park

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M E E T

T H E

musk ox

usk ox, which look like a cross between a hairy bison and a water buffalo, have been around since the ice age, when their similarlooking ancestors roamed the earth alongside saber-toothed tigers and wooly mammoths. We got to see some of these fascinating animals our ﬁrst day in Alaska at the Palmer Musk Ox Farm, where nearly 80 musk ox are kept on a 1930s-era farm, with the white snow-capped Chugach and Talkeetna mountains providing a scenic backdrop to its red barns. “We domesticate musk ox,” said Ashley, a farm employee who showed us around. “We raise our musk ox for

the Elvis room has a red 1955 Thunderbird convertible, two HarleyDavidson motorcycles and a large cardboard cutout of Elvis Presley. Owner Shirley Franklin, who had celebrated her 74th birthday earlier in the week, kept it open late just for our group and prepared individual meals for the entire lot, which also ended up including an unannounced and boisterous Japanese reality-television crew. However, we were mainly there to see the northern lights, called the aurora or simply “the lights” in Alaska. In a large ﬁeld behind the lodge, we were treated to another expansive display of the lights in the clear night sky. A note about the northern lights: Although some members of our group captured the brilliant green images you often see in magazines and online with their cameras, that is not what you see with the naked eye. Cameras are able to catch light rays not visible to the eye, so the lights often appear as a grayish white, similar to moonlit clouds, in person. However, the lights are still pretty impressive, even without the brilliant hues.

their qiviut.” The musk ox’s qiviut is some of the ﬁnest wool in the world. It is eight times warmer than regular wool and softer than cashmere. We can attest to that, after having been handed samples by Ashley.

Musk Ox at the Palmer Musk Ox Farm

Chatanika Lodge

SLEDDING WITH CHAMPIONS

The next day we spent a fascinating afternoon at Trail Breaker Kennel, where we took our dogsled rides and got to interact with and pet the dogs. Owner David Monson, who founded the kennel in 1993 with his late wife, Susan Butcher, an Iditarod legend and four-time winner, greeted us, and Laura Allaway drove Marcheta and me in the sled she used to compete in last year’s Iditarod over a 2.5-mile route.

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“They [the dogs] are not bred for looks,” said Allaway. “We really don’t care that much about how they look. They are born to pull, are programmed to pull.” After flying to McGrath, we checked into our final overnight lodgings at the Chena Hot Springs, an hour outside Fairbanks, where 106-degree mineral hot springs provided three nights of opportunities to see the lights outdoors while wearing bathing suits in single-digit temperatures. The next day we drove some 200 miles north to the Arctic Circle along portions of the Dalton Highway, also known as the Alaska Haul Road, made famous by the History Channel television series “Ice Road Truckers.” “We have been in the subarctic,” said Gailey. “Today, we go into the Arctic. When you go home, you can tell everyone you are an ice road trucker.” The trip drove home the vastness of Alaska, which is larger than the four other largest states combined. When we stopped at a scenic overlook for lunch, Gailey said, “From here, you can see the middle of nowhere.” We spent the final day at the resort, where we had a variety of options. We elected to take another dogsled ride and visit the Ice Museum, where we had an appletini in a glass made of ice sitting at a bar made of ice. That evening our group rode snow coaches up the mountainside for a farewell champagne toast and a sweeping view of the surrounding landscape from the top. We were treated to a brilliant sunset over the surrounding mountains, providing an appropriate and stunning exclamation point to our Alaska wintertime adventure.

JOHN HALL’S ALASKA CRUISES AND TOURS 800-325-2270

WWW.KISSALASKA.COM

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S T A T E

o f

M I N D

georgia chic

THE PEACH STATE OFFERS A MIX OF THE CLASSIC AND CONTEMPORARY

BY BRIAN JEWELL

n many ways, Georgia represents the best of the modern South. The Peach State has all the ingredients of an ideal travel destination. Its history is rich and complex, but there is also a progressive energy and a palpable excitement throughout Georgia’s cities and towns. Atlanta is the thriving metropolitan heart of the region and has a long list of world-class attractions for visitors to explore. And Savannah is a jewel of the Atlantic coast, featuring picturesque historic homes, squares and gardens. Although Atlanta and Savannah are popular tourist destinations, groups visiting Georgia should also make time to discover some of the one-of-a-kind activities awaiting in other places around the state. The small town of LaGrange offers opportunities of “biblical” proportions, and Macon is staking its claim as a must-see city for music lovers.

Right: Musicians perform in one of Savannah’s public garden squares.

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AT LA N TA

LA G R A NG E M AC ON

S AVANN AH

ATLANTA’S ALL-STARS

Your group could easily spend a whole week in Atlanta and the surrounding area exploring the arts, culture, history, sports and culinary standouts that make Atlanta the undisputed capital of the American South. But if your time is limited, focus on the must-see attractions around Centennial Olympic Park in the heart of the city. Opened in 2005 as the largest aquarium in the world, the

Georgia Aquarium

World of Coca-Cola Courtesy Savannah CVB Courtesy Georgia DED

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Georgia Aquarium gives visitors an immersive look into the oceans of the planet and the creatures that inhabit them. Groups can take free time to wander through the exhibit areas and theaters, or plan a memorable behind-the-scenes experience. Te aquarium has a number of such encounters, which can include swimming with belugas or whale sharks in full deep-sea diving equipment. Groups will also fnd plenty of hands-on experiences at World of Coca-Cola. America’s most famous soft drink was created in Atlanta, and this museum showcases the beverage’s impressive history and memorabilia. It sits just across Pemberton Plaza from the aquarium. Visitors to the museum will fnd galleries that describe the origins and developments of Coca-Cola, as well as displays of pieces of branded merchandise that have become collectors items. Highlights include a 4-D theater, a pop-culture art gallery and another theater that shows a running loop of every television commercial the company has ever made. Te museum also features a prominent vault that is said to hold the legendary secret Coca-Cola formula. Many visitors enjoy a chance to taste a variety of international beverages at the museum. Te tour concludes in a sampling area, where visitors can taste the favors of Coke from all over the world. CNN, another popular American brand, got its start in Atlanta as well. Te company continues to operate its international news broadcast network from the CNN Center near Centennial Olympic Park and ofers behindthe-scenes tours to groups that

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make reservations before their visits. Guides take groups through the facility to see various studios and learn about how live news programs are produced. Along the way, they learn how CNN was established and go through some interactive exhibition areas where participants can try some of the high-tech equipment used in professional broadcasting.

as well as some of the clothes they wore, the travel cases they used on tour, and some handwritten lyric notebooks. Groups interested in exploring more of Macon’s musical heritage should book an outing with Rock Candy Tours, a local company that highlights music history sites around the city. During the tours, visitors will LaGrange’s Biblical History Center see the homes, ofces, “crash By Brian Jewell pads” and favorite local establishments frequented by some of the famous artists who spent A Savannah garden time in Macon. Along the way, they also learn about some of You may not have heard the local characters who played much about LaGrange, a smaller pivotal background roles in town southwest of Atlanta near helping the area’s rising stars. the Alabama border. But if you Rock Candy Tours ofers the take a group to visit some of its experience as guided walking signature attractions while in tours, trolley tours and step-on Georgia, LaGrange may end up tours for motorcoach groups. being the talk of the tour. Te company also operates the Te crown jewel of LaGrange Free Birds and Night Owls Pub is Hills and Dales Estate, a 35Tour, which takes small groups acre property that preserves the to some of the downtown landbeautiful terraced gardens and marks, nightclubs and local historic home of the famous bars popular with Macon’s muCourtesy Savannah CVB Callaway family. Inspired by the sical heroes. architecture of Italian villas, the On the outskirts of town, Ocmulgee Nationture with details that bring the 130,000-square-foot home at the estate features al Monument marks the site where a number of accounts to life. 30 rooms. It was completed in 1916 and is celprehistoric Indian cultures built burial and cerGroups that visit the center can ebrating its 100th anniversary this year. emonial mounds. Groups can visit a museum at also arrange to have a special “Last Today, Hills and Dales is operated by the Calthe visitors center and walk into a reconstructSupper” experience, a meal that laway Foundation and serves exclusively as a tour ed ceremonial mound to learn about the rituals consists of foods typically served home. Visitors can see all three levels of the house, that took place there many centuries ago. in Israel, and hear a fascinating which are outftted with the same furnishings and Closer to downtown, the Hay House is a presentation about the cultural decor that the Callaway family used there, and wonderful example of antebellum architecture. history of the Last Supper. hear stories about the prominent family’s role in Built between 1845 and 1849, this seven-story the local community. home was inspired by palatial architecture in EuAfter touring the house, groups can spend rope and features vaulted ceilings, stained-glass some time meandering the four acres of terraced windows and doors, detailed wall murals and a boxwood gardens that surround it. Te gardens hidden room. Group tours visit three foors of predate the house by some 75 years and are conAbout 85 miles south of Atthe home, including its large basement, and the sidered among the best-preserved 19th-century lanta in the historic heart of wine cellar beneath the front porch. gardens in the country. Georgia, Macon enjoys a proMore surprising experiences await in LaGrange gressive energy and a variety at the Biblical History Center. Founded by an arof attractions that range from chaeologist, this museum is dedicating to teachancient Indians to modern rock On Georgia’s Atlantic coast, Savannah ing visitors about the lands of the Bible and the musicians. has earned a reputation as a classic Southern ancient world. It features more than 250 artifacts Rock ’n’ roll fans will enjoy charmer, with landscaped public squares and from Israel and is the largest collection of Israeli a visit to the Allman Brothers immaculately restored historic homes. Groups antiquities in the United States. Band Museum at the Big House. touring the city will hear story after gripping Te real strength of the museum, however, lies Te museum tells the story of story of the distinctive men and women who in its interpretive programs. A large outdoor area the pioneering band that lived, have made the city what it is today. features re-creations of many of the buildings, wrote and rehearsed in the home Te best way for a group to begin a visit to houses, tools and other items that would have in the early 1970s. Te museum Savannah is on a trolley tour. During the course been common in Israel during biblical times, and features lots of original instruof the tours, drivers tell some of the great stoguides use the area to illustrate stories from Scripments played by band members, ries of Savannah’s beginnings and its 20th-cen-

DISCOVERING LAGRANGE

MACON’S MUSIC AND MORE

STUNNING SAVANNAH

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tury renaissance. Te city was founded in 1733 by Gen. James Oglethorpe and a number of English settlers as the seat of the Georgia colony. Oglethorpe planned the city’s design before even arriving, laying it out on a grid of blocks that surrounded 24 public squares. Today, 22 of those public squares still exist, giving Savannah its distinct character. Each square is unique, but many feature beautiful fowers and iconic live oak trees draped with Spanish moss. Each square also has a historical monument in the middle, and tour guides tell the stories of some of the most famous monuments and the people they honor. First African Baptist Church has one of the most compelling stories in all of Savannah. Te church was formed by slaves in 1777; in 1855, slaves working on area plantations constructed the current building in their precious free time.

Macon’s Capitol Theatre

Courtesy Macon CVB

Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge Otis Redding

Courtesy Macon CVB

Outdoor dining in Savannah

During a tour, groups hear about the church’s role in Savannah history — it was here that the Emancipation Proclamation was frst read aloud in the city — and see its historic furnishings. Te balcony has pews dating back to the 1870s, some of which are adorned with mystical inscriptions in foreign languages. In Pooler, a small town just outside Savannah, travelers hear more stories of valor at the Mighty 8th Air Force Museum. Tis division of the Army Air Force served heroically in England during World War II. Te impressive exhibits at this museum give visitors a wellrounded understanding of the history of the Mighty 8th and the young soldiers’ experiences abroad. In addition to artifact galleries, the museum features “the Mission Experience,” a series of immersive flms that give visitors a glimpse at a day in the life of a bomber pilot and crew.

Courtesy Savannah CVB

Macon is full of history and alive with energy – just one more reason it’s more than a place on a map. It’s a vibe all its own.

800.768.3401 | VisitMacon.org

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DRESSY A

OC C A S IO N

DREAM destinations

MODEL ROOM IN THE BEEKMAN Courtesy The Beekman

ENJOY THE FINER THINGS IN NEW YORK BY ELIZA MYERS

magine waking up in a lavish suite with the day ahead full of indulgences that only the economic powerhouse that is the Big Apple could provide. In a city that millionaires frequent, the options for visitors to treat themselves are wide-ranging and can include opulent hotels or VIP access on Broadway. Groups hoping to develop a dream vacation to New York City or to include just one extravagant item on their itinerary can rest assured that the most populous city in the country knows how to create memorable luxury experiences. Pamper your group with any of these restaurants, hotels, shopping excursions and upscale attractions for a carefree trip to the City That Never Sleeps.

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EAT

LA SIRENA

A wealthy businessman in New York has to take his clients to the most fashionable new restaurant in town. La Sirena fits that bill, as the restaurant’s modern and elevated Italian trattoria fare has garnered much positive attention. “La Sirena recently opened at the Maritime Hotel in Chelsea,” said Chris Heywood, senior vice president of global communications for NYC & Company, the city’s tourism promotion office. “It has a 40-foot enclosed glass bar. It’s very chic.” Opened in February by renowned chefs Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich, La Sirena features favorite dishes like baby octopus Siracusa-style and grilled swordfish Messinese. Its stunning bar sits as the centerpiece to the two elegant dining rooms that each seat about 100 people.

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Upscale dining aboard Bateaux New York Cruises

DANIEL

For traditional groups that may not want the trendiest spot of the moment, try instead a five-star restaurant with staying power. Daniel has solidified its reputation over the years as one of the most acclaimed fine-dining restaurants in New York. Started in 1993 by Daniel Boulud, the restaurant found immediate critical success for its modern French dishes. A renovation in 2008 styled the restaurant with Neoclassical archways, 18-foot coffered ceilings and colorful paintings. The refined interior, first-rate service, world-class wines and signature dishes such as black sea bass with Sarawak pepper ensure diners leave eager to return.

SLEEP

THE BEEKMAN

An 1883 building that housed the ﬁrst performance of “Hamlet” in New York will open one of the most highly anticipated luxury hotels in the city. The Beekman’s summer opening will reveal extensive renovations to the terra-cotta and brick architectural gem. “Luxury is alive and well in the hotel sector,” said Heywood. “The Beekman Hotel’s opening is very exciting. It’s an absolutely beautiful hotel.” The landmark building that previously served as a theater, one of the city’s ﬁrst high-rises and where Edgar Allan Poe crafted much of his work, will welcome guests with high ceilings, vintage furnishings and spacious marble baths.

WALDORF ASTORIA NEW YORK

With a history so famous it has inspired a popular salad of the same name, the Waldorf Astoria New York continues to serve as the standard for opulent accommodations in the Big Apple. The 1,232room hotel offers not only lavish rooms, but also a sought-after spa and a ﬁve-star dining experience. The 1931 hotel, which has served as host to royalty, presidents and Hollywood stars such as Frank Sinatra, has stayed modern with recent renovations totaling $300 million. The hotel oozes with ornate style in the heart of the city, with the theater district, Fifth Avenue shops and Central Park all within walking distance.

SHOP

MADISON AND FIFTH AVENUES

Prada, Jimmy Choo, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany and Gucci all signal luxury. Shopping enthusiasts salivate just thinking about the potential fashionable apparel they might discover inside these designer stores on two of the most illustrious shopping streets in the world: Madison Avenue and Fifth Avenue. “You can’t talk about shopping in New York without mentioning Madison Avenue and Fifth Avenue,” said Heywood. “Retail is deﬁnitely something really popular for luxury travel. Madison Avenue is very eager to welcome groups, and there are a number of new boutiques that have recently opened there.” Already this year, Aurelie Bidermann, Isabel Marant and Sweaty Beatty have welcomed shoppers to their stores along Madison Avenue. Fifth Avenue also continues to welcome in new top designers with a new Saks Fifth Avenue men’s shop set to open in spring 2017.

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Courtesy Bateaux New York Cruises

SHOP GOTHAM NYC SHOPPING TOURS

For groups too overwhelmed to choose a store, let alone an outﬁt, Shop Gotham NYC Shopping Tours crafts custom retail itineraries. The tour company regularly shifts programs to accommodate all ages, genders and group sizes. Groups can explore the most expensive stores on the block or opt for bargain deals at top designer shops. Insider Shopping itineraries allow participants to meet designers at their shops for an opportunity usually reserved for magazine editors. Shopping itineraries can also reﬂect interests beyond garments, such as gardening and technology.

PLAY

VIP BROADWAY

Almost everyone’s New York bucket list includes the hushed moment of excitement as the lights dim before a Broadway performance. However, only the privileged few enjoy premium seats with a backstage pass to meet the show’s actors before they light up the stage. Beyond Times Square allows groups to meet a Broadway cast member at Sardi’s prior to the show for an hour-long visit. Guests can relax and dine with the cast member before watching him or her perform live on stage. Millionaire’s Concierge also creates exclusive packages to enjoy Tony Award-winning Broadway shows with not only VIP seating, but also backstage tours, limo service and a preshow ﬁne-dining meal. The long-running “Wicked” is still a visitor favorite. Groups booking this exclusive package can go backstage to watch the intensive makeup process needed to turn one of the leading ladies green before the show begins. Other VIP show experiences offered by Millionaire’s Concierge include “The Phantom of the Opera,” “Jersey Boys,” “Kinky Boots” and “The Lion King,” among others.

BATEAUX NEW YORK CRUISES

Groups can sip champagne overlooking the lights of Manhattan on a glamorous evening sailing with Bateaux New York Cruises. The ship’s all-glass design provides 360-degree views of New York’s harbor and the Statue of Liberty. Inside the climate-controlled cabin, guests dine on brunch, lunch or dinner, each with its own innovative menu, such as blue stone crab cakes dusted in cornmeal. Visitors will view the notable city landmarks, such as the Brooklyn Bridge, One World Trade Center and the Empire State Building, while enjoying a three-course plated meal. In the evening, live music from a pianist and other solo performers encourage dancing to jazz, blues and Broadway tunes.

www.nycgo.com

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MAINE A

MAI N S TAY

DREAM destinations

Bangor City Forest Courtesy Greater Bangor CVB

ENJOY BREWS & BOGS IN STATELY BANGOR

BY ELIZA MYERS hether you come upon a plant slowly devouring an insect or the grave of gangster Al Brady, a walk through Maine’s Bangor area is an adventure. Maine often elicits mental images of moose in the woods; visitors can ﬁnd them at the Sunkhaze Meadows National Wildlife Refuge. But a visit to Maine should also include a stroll through downtown Bangor and brewery samplings, or a walk through the second-oldest garden cemetery in the country. Unusual vegetation, such as carnivorous plants, also grows along the Orono Bog Walk, making a stroll through it far from your typical walk in the woods. Each of these four walks feature accessible and short trails for

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groups with a variety of ﬁtness levels. Not only does Bangor offer a range of places where your group can walk, but the Queen City of the East also serves as a jumping-off point for some of Maine’s other natural wonders, such as Acadia National Park and the Appalachian Trail. Any of these walks in Bangor can prove a pleasant and educational way to experience the area’s richness in history and wildlife.

ORONO BOG WALK Sundew and pitcher plants emit scents to attract insects so they can trap the bugs inside their ﬂowers and then slowly digest them. This gruesome reality is hidden among the lovely vegetation visible along the one-mile Orono Bog Walk. “The Orono Bog Walk works for all ages and all physical types, even if you are in a wheelchair,” said Kerrie Tripp, executive director of the Greater Bangor Convention and Visitors Bureau. “It is one of the coolest places in the Bangor area. I’ve seen lots of wildlife there. Each season has something new.” Courtesy Kentucky Bourbon Trail

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Groups can follow the seven interpretive stations along the boardwalk route at their own pace or sign up for a private guided tour of the 10,000-year-old bog. Guides point out the ecology and natural history found along the boardwalk, such as how the bog’s highly acidic water stunts the growth of trees and ﬂowers. Plant matter in the former lake bed creates perfect conditions for carpets of wet peat moss. This watery ground makes it impossible to see a bog up close without wet feet, which is why the boardwalk has become a popular way to view the area’s rare plant species, wildlife and geology.

MOUNT HOPE CEMETERY After his infamous killing spree, Brady thought he and his gang had found a safe hideout in the backwoods of Maine in 1937. His error led to his death during a gunfight with FBI agents in downtown Bangor. Subsequently, the gangster ended up buried in an unmarked grave at Mount Hope Cemetery, which contains not just the famous Public Enemy No. 1, but also a vice president, U.S. senators, Civil War generals, lumber barons and other local residents of interest. Its intriguing history led to the creation of walking tours through the 1834 cemetery by the Bangor Historical Society. Guided tours point out Brady’s resting place and tell other interesting stories about those interred at the cemetery, such as Hannibal Hamlin, Abraham Lincoln’s first vice president. Historians also reveal how the town built the second-oldest garden cemetery in the country in hopes of attracting not just the dead, but also the living seeking respite from urban landscapes. “It has ponds, plants and great walking paths,” said Tripp. “When setting up the cemetery, they wanted people to go there to picnic or just reflect at the spot where their loved ones were.” Guides also point out symbolic gravestones, war monuments, city vistas and filming locations for the Stephen King movie “Pet Sematary.”

SUNKHAZE MEADOWS NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE Curious moose, beavers and otters regularly appear before visitors at the Sunkhaze Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, not far outside Bangor. The refuge features four walking trails, including Ash Land-

ing, a 0.3-mile boardwalk trail with an interpretive panel highlighting the nearby ﬂora and fauna. “The birding, wildlife and natural scenery is beautiful,” said Tripp. “You forget you are in the middle of vibrant communities because you are out enjoying nature. It’s a great place to go for light hiking.” The mixed-woods forest offers a wide range of habitats, including a wetlands and grasslands area, which helps attract many species of wildlife. Warblers and other neotropical birds migrating to the refuge have brought much attention to the 11,000-acre forest. Ofﬁcials have documented 200 species of birds in the refuge, including bald eagles, bobolinks and kingbirds. Many visitors opt to extend their hike on Ash Landing with a canoe or kayak ride down the Sunkhaze Stream. These paddle trips often encounter beaver dams, snapping turtles and playful otters.

PENOBSCOT RIVER WALKWAY Though now a peaceful riverfront walk, the Penobscot River Walkway hugs a waterway that once served as the world’s largest lumber port, with 150 million feet of lumber a year shipping from Bangor in 1860. Bangor shipped not only lumber, but also bricks, leather and ice across the globe to Boston, China, the West Indies and South America. The half-mile-long accessible walkway follows the river past landscaped parks, public art, food trucks and benches. “The River Walkway is a great opportunity to walk a beautiful path on the riverfront,” said Tripp. “There are restaurants adjacent to the walking path. There are also local breweries. You could do some sampling and walk from one to the other.” Over the next two years, ofﬁcials plan to extend the Penobscot River Walkway, as well as the connected Brewer River Walkway, located across the river in Brewer, Maine. Groups can extend their hikes to Brewer or connect to the Kenduskeag Stream, which runs farther into downtown Bangor. Old and new combine along the city’s lower Maine and State streets with early-20th-century granite and brick buildings. Locally owned shops, restaurants and charming neighborhoods line the downtown area for those seeking some city life amidst Bangor’s wild outdoor offerings.

www.visitbangormaine.com

Mount Hope Cemetery

Orono Bog Walk Courtesy Greater Bangor CVB

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By Justin Henry

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MIDWEST special SECTION

LOCALLY

GROWN

BY ELIZABETH HEY

TASTE THE BEST OF THE AGRARIAN MIDWEST Courtesy Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail

Courtesy Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail

Top: Leelanau Vineyard

etting back to our agricultural roots makes us appreciate the food we eat and the work required to produce it. For those groups that enjoy a bit of nostalgia or that consider themselves foodies, these destinations will fascinate as well as delight the palate. Two dozen award-winning wineries are located on the scenic Leelanau Peninsula, just northwest of Traverse City; it’s the largest wine trail in Michigan, with breathtaking views, delicious wines and friendly stafs. In Missouri, family-owned Shatto Milk Company has gone back to the origins of the dairy industry by milking and processing at the same location. Wisconsin’s more than 60 artisan cheesemakers compare creating artisan cheese to crafting fne wine, and for those who adore cheese, the Wisconsin Cheese Trail is the place to be. Across the nation, farms that were once the backbone of our food supply have been conserved. At Prairie Loft in Hastings, Nebraska’s agricultural heritage is evident in events and festivals that teach about food production and nature. Near Lafayette, Indiana, Te Farm at Prophetstown exudes peace and quiet on the prairie and practices sustainable agriculture, gardening, canning, sewing and quilting.

Courtesy Visit Denver

Center: 45 North Vineyard and Winery Bottom: Willow Vineyards

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LEELANAU PENINSULA

SHATTO MILK COMPANY

Few wine-growing regions are located as far north as Michigan’s Leelanau Peninsula, and strangely enough, it’s that “northern-ness” that makes the wine so good. Tanks to the waters of Lake Michigan, Leelanau Peninsula enjoys a unique microclimate where warm days and cool nights make grapes sweeter and more favorful than they would be if they were grown farther south. “Tere are a number of tour operators who plan itineraries for groups when visiting the wine trail, and many wineries are very group friendly,” said Mike Norton, media relations manager for Traverse City Tourism. “Black Star Farms is one of the leaders in hosting premier wine events, and they have particularly good facilities and stafng for handling large groups.” For convenience, the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail is divided into three separate miniloops: the Sleeping Bear Loop, the Northern Loop and the Grand Traverse Bay Loop. Each tasting room along the trail ofers its own distinctive experience, from pure elegance with unparalleled views to cozy nooks loaded with charm. Touring the Leelanau Peninsula wine region works well for groups because there are so many other attractions to visit between wine tastings and wine dinners: charming lakeshore villages, lighthouses, harbors, orchards, lakes and a dramatic coastline that includes the beautiful Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

Tree navy-blue silos, looming over a peaceful herd of black-andwhite Holstein cows, mark the 400-acre Shatto Milk Company. Located an hour north of Kansas City, the 100-year-old farm has been passed down through the family of Barbara Shatto. Here, groups can step into another era and milk a cow, learn how Shatto milk is processed and watch how the milk is packaged in the company’s distinguished glass bottles. Tours typically last one and a half hours on this working dairy farm. “It’s a nostalgic tour that takes people back to the good old days,” said Shatto, co-owner with her husband, Leroy. “We sell our products through regional grocery stores, but we also have a large country store on-site with an ice cream and dairy bar, terrifc gifts, local products and a Kansas City parade cow on display.” Best of all, visitors can sample Shatto milk with inventive favors like cookies-and-cream, popular strawberry and decadent chocolate milk — it’s like a candy bar in a glass. Tey also sell their own cheese, butter and ice cream.

MICHIGAN

WWW.LPWINES.COM

“It’s a nostalgic tour that takes people back to the good old days.” — BARBARA SHATTO

Fromagination

OSBORNE, MISSOURI

WWW.SHATTOMILK.COM

WISCONSIN CHEESE TRAIL

MADISON, WISCONSIN

On the Wisconsin Cheese Trail, groups will probably taste cheeses that they didn’t even know existed: cranberry chipotle cheddar, sweet and smoky with a jolt of heat at the fnish; cocoa Cardona, goat’s milk cheese encased by an edible cocoa powder rind; earthy sheep’s milk cheeses; and tangy bleu cheeses.

Carr Valley Cheese Company

Courtesy Travel Wisconsin

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Courtesy Travel Wisconsin

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Tour SOUTHEAST INDIANA

Farm at Prophetstown blacksmith

GIRLFRIEND

Getaways

HANDS ON FUN! Flatwater Music Festival Courtesy Visit Lafayette-West Lafayette

Basket Weaving

Herb Container Garden

Courtesy Prairie Loft Center for Outdoor and Agricultural Learning

Fromagination and the Dane County Farmers’ Market, both located on Madison’s capitol square, make excellent frst stops. One of the state’s premier cheese shops, Fromagination ofers generous samples, cheese cooking classes, fondue events and gourmet lunch options with one goal in mind: to introduce all who enter to cheese and cheesemaking. Te Dane County Farmers’ Market, one of the largest in the country, bustles with shoppers on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Among the rainbow of vegetables, meats and fowers, local cheese purveyors set up booths and gladly educate frst-time buyers, chat with loyal followers and ofer samples. Brunkow Cheese gives samples of Finnish cheeses to visitors. Just 45 minutes from Madison’s downtown, organic Cedar Grove Cheese has been in business more than 100 years. And Carr Valley Cheese produces a mind-boggling array of products and holds numerous trademarks. Groups can visit one of their eight stores and opt for a cooking class at the Sauk City location. “Te cheese trail is such a popular itinerary, and groups not only get to taste cheese, but learn about our heritage and history while on the trail,” said Travel Wisconsin spokesperson Kristina LeVan. WWW.TRAVELWISCONSIN.COM

Fused Glass “Arty Party”

PRAIRIE LOFT CENTER FOR OUTDOOR AND AGRICULTURAL LEARNING

HASTINGS, NEBRASKA

Aurora and Lawrenceburg

OHIO

Indianapolis

INDIANA

Cincinnati

KENTUCKY

Louisville

Lexington

South of I-74 & west of I-275, 20 minutes west of Cincinnati

www.TOURSoutheastIndiana.com 800-322-8198

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Prairie Loft Center for Outdoor and Agricultural Learning features idyllic barns and community vegetable gardens nestled between pastures and woodlands that were once part of a large working acreage. In addition to year-round activities, the center runs spring and fall festivals that celebrate planting and harvest seasons, as well as the center’s Flatwater Music Festival, which focuses on music and community life. “Groups can rent one of three refurbished barns for a private event, or they can come during one of our festivals or weekend events,” said executive director Amy Sandeen. Te 10th annual Flatwater Music Festival, June 24-25, invites participants of all ages to learn from festival performers and from each other in workshops and guided jam sessions. Main-stage performances happen both evenings on a refurbished stage trailer with roots that go back to USO performances around Nebraska. Set between two picturesque barns and against a backdrop of cornfelds and frefies, this year’s main-stage concerts will feature musicians from Nebraska, Colorado and Oregon. New this year, a prefestival

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concert will be held June 23. Vendors sell home decor, jewelry, clothing and other locally made goods. Springfest in April connects groups to nature with baby lambs, goats and llamas, rabbits and chicks. A picnic lunch or dinner is available. Te Harvest Celebration in early October features a farmers market, a tractor display, hayrack rides, sheep-shearing demos, art vendors, food and more.

so close to the bourbon trail yo u ca n tas t e i t. . .

WWW.PRAIRIELOFT.ORG

THE FARM AT PROPHETSTOWN

BATTLE GROUND, INDIANA

Located a short drive from Lafayette on 120 acres, Te Farm at Prophetstown revolves around a 1920s farmstead during the era when farming was transitioning from animal to tractor power. Te expansive kit house is decorated with period furniture; next door is a gift shop in a smaller home. “Farm-to-table dinners with up to fve courses are a huge hit, and menus can be customized” said Ashley Gregory, group tours and meeting manager for Visit Lafayette-West Lafayette. “Te frst foor of the farmhouse can accommodate up to 40 people, and in warm weather, the front porch and yard can be used. It’s especially beautiful when the prairie is in bloom.” At this working farm, barn chores are done each day at 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Groups can pitch in and help. Te farm’s livestock includes standardbred horses, a miniature horse, heritage chicken breeds, Holstein cattle, Oxford/Sufolk cross sheep and Berkshire hogs. Horses come from Indiana Horse Rescue, and local farmers and breeders provide the sheep, hogs, chickens and cattle. According to Gregory, visitors enjoy the animals, which are tame enough to pet and feed. Te barn can be rented for events, and the staf often works with local caterers. A bufet meal in the barn can seat up to 120. Tours through the prairie are on a trolley pulled by a tractor or horses. In the fall, hayrides on the prairie are always popular. WWW.PROPHETSTOWN.ORG

Farm at Prophetstown

from cool CULTURE to Haute cuisine

NOBODY SPEAKS ECLECTIC QUITE LIKE WE DO

WELCOME TO ECLECTIC SOUTHERN INDIANA. From

beautiful public art projects and Carnegie Center’s impressive exhibits to laid back gourmet burger joints and upscale fne dining options...in Clark and Floyd Counties you’ll discover vibrant arts community fed by a burgeoning food scene. And all just a bridge away from downtown Louisville and its many attractions.

Take in a show at Derby Dinner Playhouse ...the area’s largest dinner theatre. Stroll tree-lined streets dotted with local shops and boutiques or national stores including one of the nation’s largest Bass Pro Shops! Don’t miss the eclectic charm of Clark and Floyd Counties. With a variety of lodging choices, it’s nothing but sweet dreams. Book your group today!

www.SunnySideOfLouisville.org

Courtesy Visit Lafayette-West Lafayette

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contact our group guru

Kate Kane, Director of Sales • (812) 282-6654 Clark-Floyd Counties Convention-Tourism Bureau kkane@SunnySideOfLouisville.org

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MIDWEST

MIDWESTERN

special SECTION

WATERFRONTS BY ELIZABETH HEY

LAKES AND RIVERS FUEL REVELRY IN THESE LOCALES

Courtesy Meet Minneapolis

By Dennis Slape, courtesy Peoria Area CVB

Courtesy Door County Visitors Bureau

Top: Washington Island in Door County, Wisconsin

Courtesy Visit Denver

n recent years, Midwestern cities have reclaimed the history and beauty of their waterways as vibrant centerpieces of the community. Situated on the Illinois River, the Peoria, Illinois, riverfront bustles with entertainment and activity day and night. In Minnesota, history takes center stage at the Minneapolis/St. Paul riverfront. In Ohio, Dayton’s RiverScape MetroPark has it all: fantastic city views, beautifully landscaped grounds and a host of recreational options. At Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri, water activities, golf and terrifc shopping appeal to a variety of interests. In Door County, Wisconsin, the peninsula’s burgeoning art and culinary scene continues to evolve amidst the region’s backdrop of limestone clifs, clear waters and pine forests. For an urban escape, your group will fnd that lake communities combine plentiful diversions and relaxed settings.

Middle: Peoria, Illinois, skyline Bottom: Minneapolis Segway Tour

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PEORIA, ILLINOIS

Situated on the Illinois River, Peoria’s cobblestone Water Street is lined with restored brick buildings and outftted with an outdoor music system. In warmer months, there’s plenty of al fresco dining. Friday and Saturday nights, a block party brings live entertainment and food vendors. On the water, the Spirit of Peoria paddle wheeler ofers daylong and overnight trips to Starved Rock State Park and the St. Louis riverfront. “We’ve had a lot of growth on the riverfront with new attractions and group-friendly dining options,” said Kaci Osborne, community development manager for the Peoria Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Groups can easily spend a day on the riverfront.” At the Caterpillar Visitors Center, visitors can learn about the well-known Caterpillar heavy equipment company, watch a movie in the back of a mining truck and play with simulators. Te Peoria Riverfront Museum contains a state-of-the-art domed planetarium and a giant-screen theater that shows documentaries and blockbuster hits. Tis year’s rotating exhibits include “Be the Astronaut” and “Titanic: Te Artifact Exhibition.” In warmer months, the district hums with festivals focusing on steamboats, Irish culture, and blues and soul music. Te Erin Feis festival in August features highland games and a Cultural Village, where groups can learn about Peoria’s Irish heritage. Oktoberfest, Peoria’s annual German event, encourages revelers to don authentic German attire and celebrate with bands and musicians on multiple stages; there are also dance, food and cultural exhibits.

MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA

Te Mississippi riverfront in Minneapolis holds the key to the city’s history. For most of the 20th century, Minneapolis was known as the milling capital of the world. St. Anthony Falls powered the mill. One of the best ways to explore the riverfront district is on the Segway Magical History Tour. Te guided, three-hour loop along the river path crosses the Stone Arch Bridge, which connects the district’s two sides. Landmarks on the tour include the Mill City Museum, the Guthrie Teater, St. Anthony Falls and the upper lock and dam. A tour ticket includes a pass for the Mill City Museum, built into the ruins of the Washburn A Mill. “Groups will enjoy the Mill City Farmers Market on Saturdays that sells local produce, food and crafts,” said communications and public relations manager Kristen Montag for Meet Minneapolis. “It’s right on the river adjacent to the Guthrie Teater, so the location is ideal.” Te Upper St. Anthony Falls Visitor Center, located atop the central control station, afords beautiful views. Visitor center exhibits highlight the area’s history, Mississippi River navigation and the lock. For another way to experience the river, Paradise Charter Cruises operates the Minneapolis Queen paddleboat, which cruises between Minneapolis and St. Paul. WWW.MINNEAPOLIS.ORG

WWW.PEORIARIVERFRONT.COM

“We’ve had a lot of growth on the riverfront with new attractions and group-friendly dining options. Groups can easily spend a day on the riverfront.” — KACI OSBORNE Mill City Farmers Market

Spirit of Peoria By Jason Gilmore, courtesy Meet Minneapolis

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Courtesy Peoria Area CVB

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Cycling at RiverScape MetroPark

Lodge of Four Seasons

Courtesy Lake of the Ozarks CVB

By Jordan Hart, courtesy Dayton CVB

DAYTON, OHIO

Paved trail in Dayton By Jan Underwood, courtesy Dayton CVB

Downtown Dayton

Along the Great Miami River, visitors can stroll Dayton’s RiverScape MetroPark. Te Dayton Inventors River Walk includes seven invention stations celebrating locals who invented the airplane, the cash register and the ice cube tray, among others. Te Five Rivers Fountain of Lights straddles the confuence of the Great Miami and Mad rivers and shoots thousands of gallons of water per minute toward the center of the river during a show that occurs at the top of the hour. A new downtown bike-share program connects the park with downtown Dayton. Te riverfront’s bike hub ofers lockers and bike rentals on weekends from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Several paved recreational trails converge at the park and connect the region’s nearly 330 miles of trail. “We have the largest paved, of-street trail network in the nation,” said Kristen Wicker, marketing manager for Five Rivers MetroParks. “It’s a fantastic opportunity to experience the area’s waterways. People can ride bikes or walk the trails that are accessible for all ages and abilities.” Summer happenings include the Dayton Celtic Festival and the Hispanic Heritage Festival. On many non-festival weekends, a concert series hosts a variety of genres from R&B, big-band nights and Pickin in the Park on select Fridays. Free ftness classes take place most Saturdays. To be completed later this year or during 2017, RiverScape River Run will ofer a whitewater feature using man-made boulders that create rapids for whitewater kayaking for the novice and the more advanced. WWW.METROPARKS.ORG

By Bill Franz, courtesy Dayton CVB

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LAKE OF THE OZARKS, MISSOURI

With more than 1,150 miles of shoreline, the Lake of the Ozarks is Missouri’s go-to spot for water activities. For those who prefer shopping, Osage Beach Premium Outlets is the state’s largest outlet center in Missouri with 110 top brand-name stores. Te lake has a reputation as one of the best fsheries in the nation. Crappie, bass, catfsh and many other species are plentiful. Coast Guard-certifed fshing guides know all the hot spots. For pleasure boating, Tropic Island Cruises ofers a 90-minute narrated trip in its 150-passenger motor yacht. Charters can be arranged, and groups can cruise from a specifc port to the restaurant or pub of their choice. Celebration Cruises ofers a narrated meal cruise plus candlelight dinner cruises. Ha Ha Tonka State Park maintains 15 miles of trail and the stone ruins of an early-20th-century castle sit high on a bluf. Golfers in the group will want to try the Lake of the Ozarks Golf Trail’s 13 championship courses designed by some of the game’s biggest stars, including Arnold Palmer and Robert Trent Jones Sr. “Golf courses and select lodging properties work together as a onestop shop for golfers,” said Marjorie Benders, spokeswoman for Lake of the Ozarks Golf Council. “Tey’ll set up an itinerary, including tee times, and they’re very knowledgeable about the courses.”

Osage National Golf Resort

Courtesy Lake of the Ozarks CVB

Landing on Main Street

WWW.FUNLAKE.COM Courtesy Denver Courtesy Lake of theVisit Ozarks CVB

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DOOR COUNTY, WISCONSIN

Cherry Kolache pastries Ch ry KKol olac ol ache he ppas astr t ie tr iess Courtesy Door County Visitors Bureau

Door County’s Cherry Fest

Surrounded by Lake Michigan and Green Bay, Door County has been appropriately nicknamed the Cape Cod of the Midwest. Eleven historic lighthouses dot the peninsula’s shores; three ofer guided tours, May through October. Te peninsula boasts 53 public swimming beaches, 11 golf courses, an extensive trail system for biking and hiking, and numerous boat tours. Groups can also ferry to Washington Island for a weekend fber arts class, tour a historic church and check out Schoolhouse Beach, one of fve smooth-stone beaches in the world. “Two companies ofer guided tram tours of Washington Island,” said Jon Jarosh, director of communications and public relations for the Door County Visitor Bureau. “Depending on the season, they’ll stop at diferent places. One might be the island’s lavender farms.” Door County is also well known for its artistic and cultural communities. Groups can schedule an art class, browse more than 100 galleries and attend theater productions. Culinary and wine tours introduce local cuisine, and cherry picking starts in mid-July. Festivals take place almost every weekend. Each spring, the Season of Blossoms celebration hosts special events throughout the county from April to early June. During summer, several cherry festivals coincide with the harvest, and in October, the Pumpkin Patch Festival takes place in Egg Harbor. WWW.DOORCOUNTY.COM

Courtesy Door County Visitors Bureau

Seasons of

No matter the weather, Hendricks County is a great destination for group travel. Whether they’re visiting beautiful summer gardens, taking a crisp fall hayride, or getting in some Christmas shopping, this welcoming county just west of Indianapolis is the perfect destination. And the best part? We will do the detail work for you! VISITHENDRICKSCOUNTY.COM/GROUPS

Tracy Whetstone, Groups Manager Tracy@VisitHendricksCounty.com 8 West Main St. Danville, IN 46122 1 -3 1 7-7 1 8-875 0 | 1 -8 00 -321 -9 6 66

MIDWEST special SECTION

‘LET’S STOP

HERE’

BY ELIZABETH HEY

IMMIGRANTS FOUND A LOT TO LIKE IN THESE MIDWESTERN MECCAS Courtesy Pella Chamber of Commerce

Courtesy The Missourian

Top: Pella’s Tulip Festival celebrates the town’s Dutch heritage

roups will fnd much to love in small Midwestern towns that celebrate ethnic heritage in a big way. In Missouri wine country, lush vineyards perch on blufs and hills overlooking the river; the area reminded the Germans who settled Hermann, Washington and Augusta of their Bavarian homeland. Charming Lindsborg, Kansas, also known as Little Sweden, USA, boasts red-brick streets and European-style storefronts flled with working artists’ studios, museums and shops selling Scandinavian imports. In Wilber, the Czech Days Festival draws 50,000 visitors, and in 1987, President Ronald Reagan signed a proclamation naming Wilbur the “Czech Capital of the USA.” Groups will come away with a deeper understanding of the Amish lifestyle and Amish beliefs while touring northern Indiana’s renowned Amish museums and farmsteads, or sharing the back roads with buggies. And in the heart of Iowa’s Corn Belt, picturesque Pella transports visitors to the Netherlands.

Courtesy Visit Denver

Center: Washington, Missouri, is known as the “Corn Cob Pipe Capital of the World.” Bottom: Downtown Washington, Missouri

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HERMANN, WASHINGTON AND AUGUSTA, MISSOURI

Within an hour’s drive of each other, the charming towns of Hermann, Washington and Augusta beckon with outdoor patios, live music, award-winning wines and plentiful German food. Quaint inns, from simple to luxurious, lie tucked among the rolling green hills and river banks. Charming Washington boasts more than 500 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. Many of the 1800s brick structures contain boutiques, art galleries and antique stores. Among Washington’s many events are the Main Street BBQ and Bluesfest, and the Washington Fine Art Fair and Winefest. “Washington makes a great hub in Missouri wine country with 50 area wineries,” said Bridgette Kelch, who serves as executive director for Downtown Washington Inc. Just across the river, Augusta holds the distinction of being named the country’s frst designated wine appellation, or region, by the American Viticultural Association. Napa Valley followed three years later. And in well-preserved Hermann, groups will fnd wineries, museums and more than 100 bed-and-breakfasts, guest houses and inns. Te entire community celebrates Oktoberfest. Each weekend, the Hermannhof Festhalle, which resembles an authentic Germanic hall, hosts German bands and serves bratwurst from locally owned Swiss Meats. “I really urge groups to come during the weekdays for October-

fest,” said Kay Schwinke, group tour coordinator for the Hermann Area Chamber of Commerce. “Groups can have the same experience without the crowds.” WWW.WASHMO.ORG WWW.VISITHERMANN.COM

LINDSBORG, KANSAS

In Lindsborg, Swedish appeal blends with sophisticated culture. Troughout the town, 47 pieces of original artwork decorate street corners, neighborhoods and building facades. Almost 3,500 people live in this tiny community that celebrates its heritage every day of the year. “We’re experiencing a rebirth with more historic buildings undergoing renovations and new group-friendly restaurants and shops,” said Holly Lofton, director of the Lindsborg Convention and Visitors Bureau. “We treat people like royalty when they come here and put together custom packages for every group, right down to the smallest details.” Te Red Barn Studio features the eclectic craftsmanship of Lester Raymer, who took discarded or mundane objects and transformed them into beautiful works. Small World Gallery showcases the work of National Geographic photographer Jim Richardson. Te Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery on the Bethany College campus displays his artwork and ofers tours of Sandzén’s still-intact studio. Te Hemslöjd gift shop, an “adventure in Swedish tradition,” sells unusual and practical Swedish gifts, crafts, housewares and more.

“We treat people like royalty when they come here and put together custom packages for every group, right down to the smallest details.” — HOLLY LOFTON Birger Sandzén painting

Swedish folk craft called Wild Dala Horse Herd

Courtesy Lindsborg CVB

Photo from Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery Courtesy Lindsborg CVB

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Courtesy Lindsborg CVB

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Miss Czech/Slovak U.S. Pageant

Amish Acres Historic Farm and Heritage Resort

Courtesy Wilber Czech Festival

Accordion festival band Courtesy Wilber Czech Festival

Courtesy Elkhart County CVB

“Our community honors our heritage and culture 365 days a year,” — SHERYL KASTANEK

Visitors can check out the workshop and visit with folk artists or crafters as they make Dala horse signs and other specialties. Downtown accommodations include the 19room Swedish Country Inn, reminiscent of small inns found throughout Sweden, with its imported Swedish furniture and Swedish breakfast bufet. WWW.VISITLINDSBORG.COM

WILBER, NEBRASKA

Immersion into the Czech culture and heritage is a given in Wilber, located 90 miles southwest of Lincoln. Year-round, Czech music plays over loudspeakers in the downtown, which boasts European-style architecture. Every storefront prints the Czech pronunciation of its business name on its signage. Many sell Czech imports and breads, kolache and meats. “Our community honors our heritage and culture 365 days a year,” said Sheryl Kastanek, president of the Wilber Chamber of Commerce and secretary of the Nebraska Czechs of Wilber. “Groups can take a docent-guided walking tour and explore the Wilbur Czech Museum that preserves artifacts of Czech pioneers who settled in Nebraska.” Each year, Wilber hosts the largest ethnic festival in the Midwest. Tis tiny town of 1,800 residents recruits 1,000 volunteers for the event. In addition to the festival’s 50 bands, the two-hour parade on both Saturday and Sunday showcases bright Czech colors and lots of music. Te Wilber Claytonia Alumni Marching Band is made up of approximately 200 past

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band students, ages 18 to 80, who return from across the nation to play in the parade. Folk dancers perform at the outdoor theater, and more than 75 teenagers dance the intricate Befeda, Czechoslovakia’s national dance. WWW.NEBRASKACZECHSOFWILBER.COM

AMISH COUNTRY, INDIANA

With its distinct sense of place, the Amish country of northern Indiana is home to one of the nation’s largest Amish communities. Quaint family-operated shops located in friendly hometowns welcome groups, and crafters are always eager to share a piece of their tradition. Group leaders might have difculty deciding between the number of interesting tours available in the area. Te Quilt Gardens Tour along the Heritage Trail is a tour of 19 gigantic gardens planted in the shapes of quilt patterns and 21 supersize quilt art murals that contain a total of 38 quilt designs found in seven communities. Master gardener step-on guides bring the tour to life. Other opportunities to learn about the Amish lifestyle include a visit to an Amish buggy shop, a cofn tour and a tour called the Real Housewives of the Amish. Te Amish Acres Historic Farm and Heritage Resort looks at the Amish from a historical viewpoint, and its Restaurant Barn features a thresher’s dinner.

Ellkh Elkhart khar art ha hand nd w woven oven ov en qquilts uilt ui iltltss Courtesy Elkhart County CVB

Amish boy in Elkhart

Courtesy Denver Courtesy ElkhartVisit County CVB

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Pella’s Tulip Festival Courtesy Pella Chamber of Commerce

“Our experience is all about understanding and connecting with the Amish in their homes and their places of business,” said Sonya Nash, director of destination experiences for Elkhart County Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Te Amish have many products that they use only in their culture, and visitors can chat with the Amish and ask questions.” Te CVB specializes in building an itinerary with insider tips and recommendations specifcally for each group, from quilts to food, gardening and crafts. WWW.AMISHCOUNTRYTOURS.ORG

PELLA, IOWA

An itinerary that includes Pella will transport groups to the Netherlands without their ever leaving the continent. Brick streets are lined with narrow European storefronts and galleries. Shops sell intricate Dutch lace and hand-painted delftware. Patio dining takes place along the canal. Along the Molengracht Plaza, groups can stay at the Royal Amsterdam Hotel and stroll the bricked pedestrian walkways along the authentic Dutch canal. At regular intervals, the Klokkenspel’s 48inch fgurines perform the music generated by its 147-bell, computer-driven carillon. Container gardens and 18th-century Dutch store-

Dutch costumed dancers Courtesy Pella Chamber of Commerce

SAMARA, a Frank Lloyd Wright designed house

Located one hour north of Indianapolis and two hours south of Chicago, oﬀ of Interstate 65. We are home of Purdue University and home of exciting attractions featuring art, architecture, outdoor adventures, clean energy, agritourism and history! Wolf Park

Wabash & Erie Canal Park

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Contact Ashley Gregory and start planning today, agregory@HomeOfPurdue.com

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fronts surround a working drawbridge. Pella Historical Village delights with fower gardens, architectural models and antique Dutch heirlooms brought to Pella by immigrants from the Netherlands. Te Vermeer Windmill still works, and tours include the observation and grinding level. “We grind grain in the mill, and the Jaarsma Bakery uses it in their windmill bread,” said Jill Vandevoort, director of the Pella Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Groups can tour the Scholte house and gardens, the home of Pella’s founder, which has 22 rooms and is over 150 years old.” Pella’s celebrated Tulip Festival takes place the frst full weekend in May. On Tursday nights on the square in June and July, themed evenings feature the city band, the farmers market, entertainment, food and more. Fall brings the Herfst Feest, with street performers and a wine walk. Second in popularity to the Tulip Festival is the Pella Christmas Tour of Homes. WWW.PELLA.ORG

Downtown Pella

AMISH ACRES $99, 2-DAY 1-NIGHT PACKAGE delivers group fun with guided farmstead tours, flm on Amish lifestyle, professional Broadway musical theatre, famous family-style Threshers Dinner & specialty shopping. Amish Acres 80-acre Historic Farm & Heritage Resort features: • Annual Arts & Crafts Festival - an ABA Top 100 event • Delicious family-style Threshers Dinner served in the rustic Restaurant Barn • Repertory theatre is home of longest running musical “Plain & Fancy” • Two locally owned 64-room country inns

DAS DUTCHMAN ESSENHAUS’ family- owned 1,100 seat Amish-style restaurant and home-style bakery feature 30 varieties of pie. Their Inn, shops, activities and Quilt Garden & Mural create a quiet country escape. SHIPSHEWANA FLEA MARKET & AUCTION is open Tuesdays & Wednesdays, May thru October 1. There is something for everyone with fea market vendors ofering everything from fresh fruit to handcrafted furniture. Free bus parking and admission. Auctions held year-round.

Courtesy Pella Chamber of Commerce

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known

F O R

SPORTS

VAIL

KENTUCKY DERBY

VAIL, COLORADO

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY By Jack Afﬂeck, courtesy Vail Ski Resort

Courtesy Greater Louisville CVB

“BEFORE THERE WAS THE CITY OF VAIL, there was Vail Ski Resort, founded by two World War II veterans and avid skiers: Pete Seibert, who served in the U.S. Army’s 10th Mountain Division, and Earl Eaton, an Army engineer who discovered the peak he called No-Name Mountain, which later became Vail. Because the city of Vail was developed as the base village for the resort, which opened in 1962, “Vail is defnitely an iconic ski destination,” said Sally Gunter, senior communications managers for Vail Mountain. “Once you ski at Vail, you know.” For Vail’s Ski and Snowboard School, ski instructors guide up to six people, grouped by ability or interest, as they explore Vail’s 5,000 acres. Instructors help people improve while also keeping everyone together, whether the group wants to ski back bowls or stay on groomed blue terrain. Te First Tracks program allows groups of any size to ski on fresh powder or freshly groomed terrain before the mountain opens. By the time lifts open to everyone else, a group could already be breaking for a private breakfast. Groups can also face of in timed or head-to-head races on Vail’s EpicMix course and win resort-provided gold, silver and bronze medals. After a day of skiing or boarding, groups can buy out Vail’s snow park, Adventure Ridge, or make reservations for tubing, ski biking, snowshoeing and zip lining. In town, the Colorado Ski and Snowboard Museum and Hall of Fame ofers guided tours.

THE KENTUCKY DERBY is known as “the fastest two minutes in sports,” but with the race drawing a record-setting 170,000 spectators to Churchill Downs last year, it can be a tough two minutes to see, especially for groups. To experience the Derby, Saundra Robertson, tourism sales manager for the Louisville Convention and Visitors Bureau, recommends working with a tour operator that “has been coming year after year” to get a feel for it. But group travel planners don’t have to attend the Kentucky Derby to experience live horse racing at Churchill Downs. Te track ofers special rates for 24 or more at other times during the season, and groups can reserve outdoor box seats, book private suites or dine in the Millionaires Row and Skye Terrace dining room. General admission to the Kentucky Derby Museum includes a guided walking tour of the track facility with views of the fnish line, the twin spires and Winner’s Circle. Te museum also ofers several exclusive group options. During the Backstretch Breakfast tour, visitors enjoy breakfast while watching horses do their morning workouts. Hatitude lets guests design their own Derby hats, and Of to the Races allows groups to learn about wagering and handicapping during a mock race. Interactive, hands-on exhibits also let three people race each other on moving model horses or record themselves calling a race in a soundproof booth.

WWW.VAIL.COM

WWW.GOTOLOUISVILLE.COM

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DREAM

BY RACHEL CARTER

destinations

INDIANAPOLIS 500

THE MASTERS TOURNAMENT

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA

AUGUSTA, GEORGIA Courtesy VisitIndy.com

INDIANAPOLIS IS SYNONYMOUS WITH THE INDIANAPOLIS 500, the largest single-day sporting event in the world, which celebrated its 100th running this year. Te Indy 500 is the highlight of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s fve signature events. Te speedway can arrange tickets and parking for groups, but “even if you’re not in town during a race, there are plenty of options to experience racing in the hometown of auto racing,” said Lisa Wallace, senior communications manager for Visit Indy. Speedway tours include a narrated bus ride around the 2.5mile track with opportunities to kiss the Yard of Bricks and take a picture on the victory podium, as well as a visit to the on-site Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. Guests can also take a 60 mph lap in the passenger seat of a two-seat Indycar, NASCAR or pace car during the on-track Victory Lap experience, and the Bucket List experience allows visitors to hurtle around the Oval in a two-seat IndyCar doing 180 mph. Groups can tour the Dallara IndyCar Factory operations and check out an interactive zone with exhibits and racing simulators. Visitors can also take the pit stop challenge or ride down Main Street in a street-legal IndyCar that has been modifed to ft two people. In April, former IndyCar racer and owner Sarah Fisher opened Speedway Indoor Karting, where groups of 48 can race in karts that are “not just regular go-karts; it’s all the latest technology,” Wallace said. WWW.VISITINDY.COM

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Courtesy Augusta CVB

EVER SINCE THE MASTERS TOURNAMENT was founded in 1934, it has been played at the Augusta National Golf Club, where the only time nonmembers are allowed in is during the tournament. Te club doesn’t even do tours. Augusta National Golf Club is so exclusive and Masters tickets so coveted, it’s nearly impossible for groups to attend, said Staci Cooper, communications manager for the Augusta Convention and Visitors Bureau. But there are plenty of other ways for groups to experience Augusta as the golf retreat it was long before the Masters Tournament came around. Visitors can tee of at public or partially private area courses, including Forest Hills Golf Club, which is home to the Augusta University Jaguars golf team. Over the Savannah River in North Augusta, South Carolina, the River Golf Club is a “beautiful and popular course”; the Goshen Plantation Golf Club in Hephzibah, Georgia, and the Jones Creek Golf Club in neighboring Martinez are both favorites as well. Te “Celebrating a Grand Tradition: Te Sport of Golf” exhibit at the Augusta Museum of History explores how the sport has evolved over the centuries; subjects include technology, fashion, memorabilia and golf’s great players. SouthStar Trolley also ofers a Golf and Heritage tour led by local golf enthusiast, author and expert Stan Byrdy. Tours focus on the city’s history as a golf retreat and can be customized to a group’s interests. WWW.VISITAUGUSTA.COM

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marketing Y O U R

P R O G R A M

MASTERING THE ART OF BY ELIZA MYERS

ust visualizing yourself on a beach can make you almost as happy as sitting on a beach. A study published in the National Library of Medicine revealed that anticipation boosts happiness for travelers before their vacations even begin. Take advantage of this knowledge with a pretrip or preview party designed to build excitement for your travelers about their upcoming tour. Longer trips can beneft from an event specifcally designed to build excitement for the upcoming trip as well as share important travel information and allow for group members who are strangers to meet.

FIND YOUR PURPOSE

Many loyalty travel planners use some type of preview party before a longer trip, but depending on the group, the events can look completely diferent. For example, some planners focus on more informational events by handing out packets of information and going over frequently asked questions. “We have preparties for our bigger trips,” said Mary Beth Kurasek, travel club director for Busey Bank in Champaign, Illinois. “Tey will have tips on what to pack and how to prepare for the trip.” Others will invite not just group members signed up for the trip, but also potential travelers in hopes of persuading them to join the trip. Passion can be contagious, so an enthusiastic travel planner talking face to face with a potential traveler can prove more persuasive than a promotional email. Determine what ultimate goals you have for your pretrip party, then organize the event accordingly. If the invitation list is limited to booked travelers, you can focus more on ensuring group members meet one another. Let participants introduce themselves to the group with a little background information and by asking them each one question, such as, what are they most looking forward to on the trip. Food or snacks with built-in time for conversation can also help with introductions. Many travel planners will also create presentations with pictures of the destination alongside important travel details. When choosing what to cover, emphasize commonly asked questions, such as weather, currency, clothes and fnal itinerary information.

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Print the information you will review for travelers to take home so they don’t have to take notes.

DRESS IT UP

On a pretrip party for a group tour of Spain, Spanish tapas, beer and wine greeted alumni of LaGrange College for a taste of the delicacies that were to come. “We always have a party at the president’s home with everyone who is traveling,” said Martha Pirkle, director of alumni and community relations for the LaGrange College Alumni Association. “It’s a pretravel party for the travelers to go over any last-minute travel information, as well as to enjoy food from that region.” Temed preview parties always add an element of anticipation to an upcoming journey. Try to set the stage for the destinations, whether that entails chocolate and cheese fondue for a trip to Switzerland, or leis, pineapple pork and luau decorations for a trip to Hawaii. Even nonexotic destinations like Iowa can lend themselves to fun themed gatherings, such as a “Field of Dreams”-themed party with baseball stadium food and decorations. Pinterest and other party-planning websites can provide inspiration for themed meals and decorations for any destination. Party stores and discount stores can also ofer eclectic items that might ft your theme perfectly. If nothing else, hanging destination photos around the room can instantly set the mood. A running photo slideshow in the background of the party can also serve as its own themed decoration.

CONSIDER YOUR AUDIENCE

Traditional pretrip parties won’t work for every type of group. For example, Vanderbilt University has alumni spread across the country, so a traditional meet-andgreet makes no sense for travelers not located in the same state. “I set up a conference call one or two weeks before the trip,” said Cary Allyn, director of the Vanderbilt Travel Program. “Everyone calls in, and we can talk through all the questions people may have about the trip. People really like that.”

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PREVIEW PARTIES Te average age of your travelers should also factor into pretrip party planning. For example, boomers and younger travelers might not be able to attend a midday event that would typically work well for retired seniors. Many younger travelers might also not be able to attend a fulllength dinner before the trip, so shorter wine-and-cheese gettogethers after work hours might work best for this age group. Try out various types of events to see which your travelers prefer. Just because your frst pretrip party doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t work out, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t assume that any type of event would fail. Almost every preview party will have some travelers who wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be able to attend. Give these travelers a call to talk through the travel details, and email the packet of information you gave to the rest of the travelers. However your pretrip events unfold, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll ensure your group will daydream about the upcoming destination for weeks.

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C A R E E R

C O R N E R

growing your group

MULTI-GENERATIONAL

some tours are family affairs DESIGNED AS

BY BRIAN JEWELL

f you want to expand the size and reach of your travel group, consider thinking younger — much younger. Courting active baby boomer travelers has been a high priority of afﬁnity travel planners for some time. But the most insightful travel planners and tour companies have gone one step further and created opportunities for boomers to hit the road with their families. Multigenerational travel is a big business in the United States. Though we often picture couples traveling together or nuclear families going on road trips with young kids, recent research has found a growing number of people interested in exploring the world with their extended families. A survey by AAA found that some 36 percent of travelers organized a multigenerational trip in 2014, up 4 percent from 2013. For more than a quarter of Americans, those trips included three generations: grandparents, parents and grandchildren. Fifteen percent of travelers said they would take their grandchildren on a trip without the kids’ parents tagging along. This nationwide trend seems to echo what tourism experts have seen in recent years. While grandparentgrandchild tours have been around for some time, an increasing number of travel providers are creating and promoting trips speciﬁcally designed to appeal to multigenerational audiences. For bank, alumni and chamber travel planners, multigenerational trips offer a number of rewarding possibilities. Group trips take the hassle out of planning travel, and some of your members who normally travel alone might jump at an opportunity to take a large family trip

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they don’t have to plan. These trips often create extra-special memories, which will help create additional goodwill between you and your members. And bringing family members into the travel fold is a great way to increase visibility for your organization and begin to build loyalty with young people.

A DIFFERENT SET OF NEEDS

Tough the business model of a multigenerational trip may resemble the basic of any group tour, multigenerational groups can have very diferent needs than those of senior groups, and it’s important to account for those needs when planning a family trip. Tour operator Tauck launched a multigenerational product line called Bridges in 2003, and manager Julia O’Brien said planners must treat family tours diferently than other packaged vacations. “Tere are so many ages and preferences involved, so we carefully craft tours from the ground up to engage families of all ages,” O’Brien said. “You can’t take a regular departure, fag it as family friendly and then take a group of families on the same old tour. We design them from the ground up and make sure that there are enriching activities that will make people from 8 to 80 come together as a family.” Planners should account for the stamina and attention spans of children, both of which can be signifcantly lower than those of adult travelers. Te length of the trip is also important: Tough many retirees enjoy spending two weeks or more on a grand tour of Europe, families are often pressed for time, trying to ft vacations into breaks in the school calendar. As a result, shorter trips are more popular with families, O’Brien said, and multigenerational itineraries focus more on hitting the most signifcant highlights of a destination and less on giving visitors a comprehensive tour. Above: Photo with Tower of London beefeater, courtesy Tauck Bridges

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Nancy Schretter, founder of the Family Travel Network, said multigenerational tours also need to include a lot of fexibility and free time in order to keep family dynamics healthy. “Everybody wants to spend time together, but it’s also important to build in time apart,” she said. “You have all of these diferent ages and interests. Tere are diferent mobility issues, and people will have different moods and paces. So time together and time apart allow each of the individual people involved to have what they want to do, and then come together for meals or a particular activity. You want to have opportunities where kids can be kids, teens can be teens and adults can be adults.”

PRACTICAL ADVICE

In addition to thinking about how trips are structured, travel planners should consider what destinations, travel styles and tour providers work best for multigenerational groups. “Europe is always popular with families, especially cultural centers like London and Paris,” O’Brien said. “But our own backyard works well, too. Tours like Red Rocks, Cowboy Country and Alaska have been doing great with our multigenerational groups. “We’re seeing a lot of interest in our small-ship family cruising adventures. Tere are a lot of benefts to river cruising for families that make it a very popular experience for grandparents and kids alike.” Schretter agreed, saying that cruises or single-destination trips help to eliminate some travel hassles that may be more difcult for young travelers than for adults. “Traveling with kids, there’s a hassle factor that you want to eliminate,” she said. “Packing and unpacking as you move from city to city, while it might be pretty easy for adults, it could be difcult if you also have children. For a multigenerational trip, it’s easier to go just one place or take a trip where you just have to unpack once. “Some people like theme parks like Walt Disney World for that reason. European river cruises are becoming more popular for families, too. Groups like Uniworld and AmaWaterways ofer family-friendly European river cruises that have kids’ programs. It’s a very hassle-free way to see Europe.” Regardless of how you package the trips, the most important aspect of selling them is to emphasize the emotional impact of traveling with family members. “A lot of our guests know they have a limited time to spend with their grandchildren, and they would rather bond with them and make memories than just leave them a sum of money in their wills,” O’Brien said. “So you can appeal to their emotional senses. Travel is a special way to share life-changing memories, and it lives on long after the experience itself. Tere is such an emotional appeal of multigenerational travel that isn’t comparable to any other travel out there.”

Top: Group at Rome’s Colosseum, courtesy Tauck Bridges Bottom: Disneyland ﬁrework show, courtesy Disneyland

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Grownup Getaway Greenwood has earned a well-deserved reputation as Mississippi’s most accessible getaway spot. From rejuvenation at the Alluvian Spa to an overnight stay in a luxurious Alluvian suite, the beauty of Greenwood’s downtown district is its walkability, with shopping and upscale dining choices that will have you begging for more.

visitgreenwood.com 662-453-9197 • #travelgreenwood

W H E R E

w e ’ v e

B E E N

ithaca college alumni ITHACA, NEW YORK TRIP: Ithaca College in Iceland TOUR OPERATOR: Discover Europe Ltd. DATE: February 2016 Travelers of numerous ages signed up for Ithaca College alumni’s five-day trip through Reykjavik and the southeast coast of Iceland. The 24 former students, from graduating classes that ranged from 1996 to 2015, learned about the Icelandic Saga and the country’s culture from a professor with expertise in the field. “Our due diligence to the search for the northern lights paid off with a sighting on our last night in Iceland. The alumni enjoyed the tours of the significant and natural landmarks, such as the Icelandic Saga, the local cuisine and, of course, the Blue Lagoon. Iceland had something to offer every traveler from each decade.”

— CARRIE BROWN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALUMNI RELATIONS

ﬁrst state bank travel and leisure club WAYNESBORO, MISSISSIPPI TRIP: Quintessential Cape Cod TOUR OPERATOR: Trips DATE: September 2015 For seven days, the First State Bank’s travel club explored Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and beyond. They discovered charming Massachusetts towns including Hyannis, Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard. The group also toured nearby Newport, Rhode Island. “This trip was so wonderful and packed full of surprises from the beginning to the end. The morning tea at the Borsari Gallery, which was originally a slaughterhouse, was so amazing. Another favorite was the dune buggy ride on an exclusive beach, followed by a lobster dinner served on the beach at sunset while whales swam quietly nearby.”

— GLENDA BURKE, TRAVEL AND LEISURE CLUB DIRECTOR 58

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