Select Traveler November December 2015 by The Group Travel Leader, Inc.

THE MAGAZINE FOR BANK, ALUMNI AND CHAMBER TRAVEL PLANNERS

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ARTS & CULTURE ISSUE

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VOL.23 NO.6

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

SOUTH DAKOTA:

POSTCARD-PERFECT AMERICA Courtesy South Dakota Dept. of Tourism

contents

ON THE COVER: Landscapes of sedimentary rock and prairie stretch as far as the eye can see in South Dakota.

18 21 guide 8 10 12 14 88 san diego, 77 crafts of

THE SOUTHWEST

checking in: NICOLA WISSLER

toolbox: conference

HEALTH & FITNESS

SPEAKERS

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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arts and continents: CULTURE

888.253.0455

NORTH AMERICA

STACE Y@ BANK TR AVELMANAGEMENT.COM

TAP TRAVEL

CALIFORNIA

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.

perspective P U B L I S H E R ’ S

’m a Matt Damon fan. I’ve seen most of his ﬁlms and can’t pass up any of his

Jason Bourne roles if I run across them at night. Most of you are probably familiar with Matt Damon. I’m also a Wadi Rum fan. I count it as one of the places on Earth to which I

most want to return. Most of you may not be nearly as familiar with Wadi Rum.

I saw a trailer for the current ﬁlm “The Martian” and noticed the location backdrop im-

mediately. On a hunch, I emailed a couple of friends with the Jordan Tourism Board and asked if, by chance, this film had been shot in Wadi Rum. Christine Moore, who invited me to come to Jordan a year ago, responded almost immediately that it had. The scenes of Damon overcoming all odds to remain alive on Mars were shot on location in Wadi Rum. I wouldn’t call Wadi Rum otherworldly because it isn’t. It’s a real place on this planet, a place Bedouins have traversed for centuries. But it is magnificently different from the places we see every day. Wadi Rum is mystical. Stark, serrated peaks thrust upward from deep red desert sands. It is one of the most beautifully desolate places I’ve ever been. I recommend the film. Without giving away the ending, I will say that, ultimately, it is uplifting. Damon is great, as usual, as an astronaut left behind after a storm. But also, scene after scene takes place in this stark world that is Wadi Rum. Wadi Rum becomes Mars. Damon’s rover rumbles for miles along desert sands that stretch between seemingly endless mountains in scenes that are mesmerizing. Ironically, Wadi Rum is one of the world’s most acclaimed places for stargazing. The universe opens up there at night. It would have been easy for Damon to stare into that sky at night and imagine he was millions of miles from home.

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

what travel goal have you set for the upcoming year?

BRENDA FULLERTON

EMILY KRUEGER

ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT FIRST CITIZENS BANK | MEMBER FIRST CLUB ELIZABETHTOWN, KENTUCKY “I plan our trips a year in advance. My goal is to offer more adventurous trips. We’ve gone to India, Africa, the Amazon, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Egypt. My ultimate goal is to plan a trip to Antarctica.”

PAUL LITTLE

STUDY ABROAD COORDINATOR BELLEVUE UNIVERSITY BELLEVUE, NEBRASKA “My goal is to continue to make travel accessible to people who feel it is beyond their grasp and to help others branch out to explore less common destinations. Everyone should have a chance to see a different part of the world and experience another place’s unique culture.”

PRESIDENT AND CEO | PASADENA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PASADENA, CALIFORNIA “We offer group travel as a service to our members, so I don’t have monetary goals. We look for interesting trips that our members and the public might not be able to do on their own. We are currently considering a Southeast Asia riverboat trip.”

DANIEL STYPA ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI PROGRAMS RICE UNIVERSITY | RICE ALUMNI TRAVELING OWLS HOUSTON, TEXAS “In the upcoming year, I am working toward increasing the number of ﬁrst-time travelers who take advantage of the world-class offerings provided by the Rice Alumni Traveling Owls. Especially through more targeted promotions and additional custom and exclusive journeys, I hope to have more ﬁrst-time travelers see what makes small group educational travel so special.”

CAROLYN COBB PROGRAM DIRECTOR PLANTERS BANK | PLANTERS BANK PASSPORT 50 HOPKINSVILLE, KENTUCKY “I want to plan more day trips for 2016, because they are so popular and always sell out. It is sometimes a challenge to come up with nearby destinations and itineraries that are new and different for our customers.”

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NICOLA WISSLER EDUCATION & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

checking in W I T H

N I C O L A

W I S S L E R

VISALIA CHAMBER

OF COMMERCE VISALIA, CALIFORNIA The Visalia Chamber of Commerce has hosted group travel since 2007. The travel program offers ﬁve to seven tours each year to its members and the general public. The chamber has about 500 people on its travel mailing list, with more than 60 people expected to travel with the chamber in 2016.

Born: Albuquerque, New Mexico Education: B.S. in political science at Northern Arizona University Employment: After college, Wissler worked for a nonprofit to promote civic education to high school students and at a nonprofit management company. She joined the Visalia Chamber of Commerce three years ago. Family: Married to Daniel for 11 years, with two boys, ages 7 and 5. Hobbies: Wissler enjoys volleyball, soccer, reading, movies and volunteering.

Visalia COC travelers pose in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

BY ELIZA MYERS

he moment every travel planner dreads is when a traveler’s fight is canceled. Nicola Wissler, education and workforce development manager for the Visalia Chamber of Commerce (COC), hates these types of difculties, since she has to rely on others to fx the problem. “Te hardest part of my job is when something doesn’t go right that’s not in my control,” she said. “Tey’ve missed a fight, or a hotel room wasn’t available. Tose are things that are part of travel that I can’t do anything about, except assure them that people are doing their best to help them. “I try to just keep them calm.” Tour operator partners handle a lot of the travel ins and outs for the chamber, and Wissler works to build personal relationships with her travelers. Tough bumps in the road are her least favorite part

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about the job, the rewards of satisfed travelers more than make up for it. “We’ll send out a survey once everyone’s returned from a trip,” said Wissler. “Tey are usually so grateful that we were able to provide them with the opportunity to travel. Tey are a really fun group.” Wissler takes the highs and the lows of working with the Visalia COC’s travel program in stride because, at the end of the day, she loves making travel dreams a reality.

F R O M P O LI - SC I T O G R O U P T R AV E L

Wissler began traveling in her youth when she left Visalia to work toward a college degree in political science at Northern Arizona University. She moved to San Francisco before eventually returning to Visalia six years ago. So when she was frst approached to head the travel program

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for the Visalia COC, Wissler had a wealth of travel experience upon which to draw. “I’ve always done a lot of traveling,” she said. “My family traveled a lot, and my previous job required that I travel internationally. It’s something I’ve always enjoyed doing. “So when I came to work for the chamber, and they said there was a travel program, I thought it was something that I would really enjoy doing.” Te diferences between traveling solo and planning group travel for strangers are vast, so Wissler learned on the job what matters most to her members. “Luckily, we have really great travel partners who take care of the basic travel stuf,” said Wissler. “It’s interesting to learn from my travelers what their concerns are. Everyone is concerned with the weather and the level of activity. Tose are things I wouldn’t have thought of myself, but when we’re planning these tours, we have to take them into consideration.”

A C H A M B E R T R AV E L T R A D I T I O N Tough most COC travel programs have begun during the past few years, the Visalia COC has been hosting tours since 2007. A leader in the chamber group travel trend, the Visalia COC increased the number of tours it ofers to six a year in 2016. “We’ve upped the number of tours to give our travelers more options,” said Wissler. “Te number of passengers we book depends on the particular tour. We’ve done tours with as few as four, all the way up to 20 individuals in the time I’ve been here.” If a tour attracts fewer passengers than expected, Wissler doesn’t worry. Her strong partnerships with tour operators allow her to send smaller groups to combine with other groups on a particular tour. Te Visalia COC also ofers trips to the general public instead of restricting travel membership. Tis gives her a wider pool of potential travelers, around 500 people currently. Wissler takes her job of giving her members the trip they want seriously. She sends out surveys to her travelers asking them to indicate their preferences in tour location, price and length. “We’ve recently realized river cruises are very popular,” she said. “We’ve tried to focus on those and ofer one or two of them a year.” Te group often tours Europe, which remains consistently popular. Te group has plans in November to explore one of the continent’s most popular countries: Italy. “We also try to make sure one or two trips are domestic,” said Wissler. “A large percentage of our travelers are retired teachers. Tey enjoy traveling domestically to historic sites, as well as internationally.”

Wissler. “Because of this, we cannot travel with our group most of the time. Our groups are comfortable traveling together on their own because they are able to meet up with other groups that do have chamber staf members traveling with them.” Since Wissler’s schedule doesn’t allow her to accompany the travel members on all their trips, she instead makes sure she prepares her members as well as she can before they depart. “Tey know I’m the one who is in charge of travel,” said Wissler. “It’s more of a personal relationship. I usually know what they’re going to ask before they ask it.”

T R A V E L

tips

• Survey your travelers. Each year, we send out an electronic survey to our travelers asking them to rank 10 to 12 locations. • Get to know your account representatives at the tour companies, not just the sales rep. It makes a huge difference when you need tour information. • Travelers always have a lot of questions. But it really is all about customer service.

your BANK C CLUB U

STEAMBOAT EXPERTS

JOB W I T H M A N Y H AT S Just as the Visalia COC ofers members much more than a travel program, Wissler’s job duties change daily. On one day, she might work on developing a tour, and on another, she might facilitate the Entrepreneurs Academy for high school students who want to start their own business. “We have a relatively small staf at our chamber, which means we all wear many hats,” said

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T R A V E L

T O O L B O X

travel fit

BY B R IA N JE WE L L

raveling is one of the best things that you can do to stimulate your mind and refresh your soul. Unfortunately, those benefits often come at the expense of your body. The very act of traveling can be physically grueling, and many of the habits that we indulge during trips can compound that stress and fatigue. If you travel often, whether escorting groups, attending conferences or going on your own for leisure, the road can begin to take a lasting, noticeable toll on your health and fitness. Though there are some elements of traveling that will always be taxing, going on a trip doesn’t have to mean surrendering to sickness, sleeplessness and poor decisions. Staying fit and healthy on the road is important for maintaining your peak performance level. And understanding some health and wellness basics can help you ensure that your travelers have enjoyable, well-balanced trips as well. Here are five keys to health and fitness for any frequent traveler.

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HI T T HE FI T NE SS CENT ER If you’re a frequent user of a nice gym at home, the fitness center at most hotels will be a far cry from the environment where you normally work out. But even the smallest hotel gym with a couple of cardio machines and a handful of free weights is better than nothing. Since both tours and conferences often include heavy meals and a lot of time sitting, a morning workout in the on-site fitness center can be crucial for keeping your limbs loose and your calorie count in check. And if your hotel doesn’t have a fitness center, or if it’s too crowded, a quick search of YouTube will yield hundreds of workout routines you can do right in your room.

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K EE P T HIN GS ACT IV E As a rule, your tours shouldn’t include many long stretches of sitting or inactivity; today’s travelers are much more interested in doing than simply seeing. And if you or your clients are especially interested in health, you should consider upping the level of activity options in your itineraries. Instead of taking a scenic drive through a national park, offer the option to take a guided hike instead. During free-time breaks, ﬁnd area activities that are more vigorous than just shopping and eating, and help your travelers make arrangements to try those activities if they’re interested. Research shows that physical activity makes people feel happier, so keeping trips active is a great way to also make sure they are enjoyable.

T H IN K AB OU T F O OD SA F ET Y While traveling domestically, we often take food safety for granted.

OFFER L IG HTE R OP TIONS

Outside the United States, though, there are few guarantees. When traveling in foreign countries, especially in the developing world, one wrong food decision could leave you or your travelers with a nasty bout of the you-know-whats. It’s imperative that you don’t drink the tap water in these settings. Don’t eat street food or anything that is raw or undercooked. Make sure the restaurants your group visits are well accustomed to preparing food for sensitive American stomachs. And if anyone is interested in trying the local produce, make sure they thoroughly wash and peel it ﬁrst.

One of the shortcomings of traditional group tourism is the ﬁxed menu: Everyone on the trip gets the same meal at each restaurant, or perhaps a choice of two or three entrees. Often these meals are planned with price in mind and don’t necessarily include the most healthful foods. To remedy this, do everything you can to give yourself and your travelers dining options, and try to include one or two more healthful alternatives. Whether it’s having full run of a restaurant menu or the option to

G O E A SY ON TH E A LC OHO L

eat at a number of restaurants on one

It should go without saying that drinking too much is never a good idea, and that’s

will make people feel more empow-

especially true on the road. In addition to the usual dangers of drunkenness, imbibing too

ered and will give everyone the op-

much when traveling is an especially bad situation. Alcohol can inhibit sleep and exacer-

portunity to eat better, even if they

bate jet lag. Though it can be fun to try the local drinks in new areas of the world, you don’t

don’t take advantage of it.

street, expanding your dining game

know how those concoctions will affect your or your group members’ systems, so it’s best to go light on them. And since tours often include early mornings and long days, you don’t want anybody missing the bus because they partied too hard the night before.

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C O N F E R E N C E

connection DYNAMIC SPEAKERS HIGHLIGHT

SELECT TRAVELER CONFERENCE A D D R E SSIN G T H E G E N E R AT IO N G A P

ost travel planners know how different age groups interpret life, technology, relationships and travel. What works for a baby boomer makes no sense for a millennial, what works for a MEA GA N JOH N SON mature market consumer doesn’t work at all for a Gen X’er, and on and on. For travel planners, generational differences often spell the difference for whether a trip goes or doesn’t. Older travelers want everything planned and ready to go; younger travelers want choices and the option to do their own thing. Bridging the gap on a trip can be a balancing act. That’s why Meagan Johnson will appear as our keynote speaker at the 2016 Select Traveler Conference, which takes place February 7-9, in Little Rock, Arkansas. Johnson is a Gen X’er, but she is also a “generational expert,” and she loves to entertain delegations with her insights about the differences in America’s age groups. To put it into her words, Johnson enjoys sharing how different generations can “live and, most importantly, work together successfully without name-calling or bloodshed.” “Our generations and the gaps that separate them are in constant ﬂux,” she said. “What worked last year probably won’t work today. The potential for collision, conﬂict and confusion between the generations has never been greater, and the chasm is growing wider every day we ignore the problem.” Johnson learned her craft at some of the best places. With marketing experience working for major consumer names like Quaker Oats, Kraft Foods and Xerox, Johnson often heard stereotypical comments about Gen X’ers like, they are all “slackers” or “gold-collar workers.” She set about disproving a lot of demographic stereotypes in her acclaimed book “Generations Inc.: From Boomers to Linksters — Managing the Friction Between Generations at Work.”

C R E AT IN G LO YA LT Y TO YOUR PROGRAM

elected by the Dallas Business Journal as one of “Dallas-Fort Worth’s Rising Stars Under 40 in the Business World Today,” Dean Lindsay earns a lot of accoDEA N L IN DS AY lades across the country for his dynamic delivery and personal engagement with audiences. Lindsay hails from Texas and will bring his sales, service and networking expertise to Little Rock for all attendees to enjoy when he addresses the Select Traveler Conference in February. “Dean Lindsay is perfect for our crowd,” said Select Traveler Conference CEO Joe Cappuzzello. “We have just the type of attendees he has rapport with: smart, ambitious and willing to take on challenges. I think our group will love him.” Huntsville’s Constitution Village Here are just a couple of Lindsay’s presentations that validate his appearance at the Select Traveler Conference: • “Earning and Maintaining Customer Loyalty in a Down Economy” • “Service Is Everything: Showing Customers and Co-Workers You Know What Matters Most” A cum laude graduate of the University of North Texas, Dean has served on that university’s executive advisory board for its Department of Marketing and Logistics. He is also a featured contributor to both Executive Travel, and Sales and Service Excellence magazines. He also contributes to the nationally distributed audio publication Selling Power Live. Join us in Little Rock, February 7-9, for the Select Traveler Conference to network with your industry peers, learn about new travel destinations and enjoy Lindsay’s dynamic message.

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T H A N K S TO THESE

SPONSORS ANDERSON VACATIONS Delegate Orientation CITSLINC INTERNATIONAL Buyer Breakout Sessions COLLETTE Luncheon – Day One EAST COAST TOURING Breakfast – Day One EUREKA SPRINGS ADVERTISING & PROMOTION COMMISSION Destination Showcase FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY ADMINISTRATION Presentation Time GLOBUS FAMILY OF BRANDS Closing Luncheon GO AHEAD TOURS Marketplace KickOff One GO NEXT Conference Registration GREATER ONTARIO CALIFORNIA CVB Evening Meal – Day Two ISLANDS IN THE SUN CRUISES & TOURS Super Session JOHN HALL’S ALASKA Elevator Pitch LITTLE ROCK CVB Best Practices Handbook Delegate Registry Travel Industry Report Conference Registration MAYFLOWER TOURS Presentation Time MSC CRUISES (USA) INC Icebreaker Reception Presentation Time NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINES Presentation TRAVEL ALLIANCE PARTNERS (TAP) Marketplace KickOff Two TRIPS Breakfast – Day Two VISIT GROVE CITY Phone Charger Station

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GLOBAL glimpses

The Art Institute of ChicagoĂ&#x2022;s travel program takes its members to places as exotic as the Taj Mahal in India. Courtesy Art Institute of Chicago

ARTS & CULTURE ISSUE

Museums offer firsthand knowledge of faraway places BY RACHEL CARTER

any art museums offer members-only travel programs as a beneﬁt to their donors and as an extension of their missions to expose people to the world of art. One of the draws of traveling with an art museum group is the in-depth knowledge and behind-the-scenes entrees that museum connections afford travelers: entrance into private homes, tours of private collections, access to private galleries. Having a museum curator or study leader travel with the group turns the world into a living museum. Rather than looking at art on a wall, travelers can watch artists work in their studios. Rather than having a docent lead a museum tour, guests can sit down to lunch with the museum director. Rather than reading about a contemporary art movement in a far-off land, they can experience it ﬁrsthand.

SANTA BARBARA MUSEUM OF ART

Santa Barbara, California, isn’t a huge city — it has about 90,000 residents — and the Santa Barbara Museum of Art isn’t a huge museum. But both are immensely impressive when it comes to their cultural offerings. “Santa Barbara as a whole has a disproportionate offering of cultural opportunities than what you would expect out of such a small city,” said Lisa Hill, manager of travel and special programs for the Santa Barbara Museum of Art (SBMA). And the same is true of the museum’s esteemed members travel program, which was among the ﬁrst of its kind. The museum launched the program in 1972, making it one of the oldest and largest, which is “pretty neat for a museum of our size,” Hill said. The museum leads 18 to 20 trips a year, most of which are international. A handful of itineraries — two to four — are domestic trips or even overnight jaunts to Los Angeles. Hill usually works with United Statesbased tour companies and sometimes with ground operators in the destination country to plan international tours, which are limited to 15 to 22 people. She plans itineraries herself only for domestic excursions. “There are language barriers and so many cultural nuances,” she said. “It’s really important to have people that understand the culture.” SBMA groups sometimes get to travel with a museum curator and often get special access to private homes and private collections, access that’s a direct result of connections through museum board members or staff. In October, Hill led a group of 16 people to Vietnam and Cambodia, a trip that included time both on a ship and at land-based hotels. Museum travelers went to the Cambodia Living Arts Center, where they had a private demonstration with three dancers and the teacher, and attended

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a living-arts performance by Cambodia Living Arts, a nongovernmental organization dedicated to development through arts and culture. During a trip to Hawaii a couple of years ago, Hill, who is from the Aloha State, used her connections to have the director of the Honolulu Museum of Art give her 18-person group a private tour of the Shangri La ﬂower show held at the museum every three years. Then the group lunched with the director. Travelers were also able to visit a few private homes where they “saw some of the best private art collections in Hawaii,” Hill said. In January, Hill will take members to South India, a trip that ties into the museum’s 2016 exhibition “Puja and Piety: Buddhist, Hindu and Jain Art of India.” In February, a member group will travel to Mexico and visit the colonial cities of San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato, where travelers will explore Renaissance, Baroque and Moorish architecture. WWW.SBMA.NET/TRAVEL

ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO

Aleksandra Matic has been doing her job — leading members of the Art Institute of Chicago on international and domestic trips — for 13 years, and “I’ve never had anyone travel with me in 13 years where you’re not quite sure why they’re there,” said the museum’s associate director of member travel. That’s because it’s obvious. “They’re all lifelong learners,” she said. “They all have that in common: a very, very strong interest in art and architecture and culture. That’s why they’re in it.” Matic said, “They’re so engaged everywhere we go, whether I take them to Oklahoma or to India.” The Art Institute of Chicago (AIC) has offered a members-only travel program since the early 1980s, and now runs eight to 10 international programs and another three or four domestic trips every year. Matic plans some of the domestic trips on her own, although for a select few she will work with a domestic tour operator such as New York City-based Art Horizons International. For international itineraries, she always works closely with a company to help with ground operations, for example, International Seminar Design Inc. for an upcoming trip to Rome, and Cox and Kings for the museum’s January trip to India. For AIC trips, Matic always sends study leaders — people who are art and architecture experts, and sometimes current or former museum employees — to give formal slide-illustrated lectures and give the group a better understanding of what they will experience. “Something I ask [the study leaders] to do is to take what we’re

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Driving tour of Cuba

seeing wherever we’re going and tie it back to our collections,” Matic said. “It gets people’s wheels spinning. It gets them back to Chicago.” AIC is a public museum and an encyclopedic museum, “and travel just ﬁts into that so perfectly,” she said. “We have so many cultures and genres, and it’s truly an encyclopedic collection.” In addition to study leaders, AIC member groups have expert local guides everywhere they go, get special access to private collections, or enjoy early-bird or after-hours access to sites and attractions. In Rome, for example, the group will get up early to get before-hours admittance to the Sistine Chapel. “That will be something really special for them,” Matic said. The India itinerary includes a day at the India Art Fair in New Delhi, where museum travelers will enjoy special access to VIP events, visits to private galleries and collections, and a focus on the bustling contemporary art scene in Mumbai. Nearly all AIC travel programs focus on art and architecture, Matic said, “with some other disciplines thrown in,” like dance performances or concerts. During the museum’s Hudson River Valley itinerary, which is one of its most popular, travelers tour historic mansions, see a wide range of architecture, visit artist studios, stop at a foundry and view private collections of art and antiques. WWW.ARTIC.EDU/JOIN-AND-GIVE/TRAVEL-PROGRAMS

CARNEGIE MUSEUMS OF PITTSBURGH

Spice vendor in Morocco

Anybody can get on a plane and ﬂy to Paris. But not everybody can, for example, get into the Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres, ﬁrst a royal, then an imperial porcelain factory that is now run by the Ministry of Culture, unless, of course, you’re with the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh’s members travel program. “I try to understand what is it they can’t do if they make their own trip,” said Barbara MacQuown Tucker, director of individual giving for the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh. “Anybody can do their own trip, but people who travel with us are generally pretty high-level donors and are super sophisticated and want these accesses.”

By Barbara MacQuown Tucker, courtesy Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh

Explore Readers of the Nation’s top travel magazines have again named Charleston the TOP U.S. CITY. Charleston’s alluring charm is ideal for leisure gatherings and social groups of every type. Let us make planning your memorable event here a little easier.

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The museum travel program is open to members on a sort of tiered system. Reservations first open to patrons, then to donors, and then, if space is still available, to members. Tucker said the museum program generally runs about five to eight itineraries each year, with six planned for 2016. Itineraries run the gamut from day trips to two-week tours of India. Group sizes generally range from eight to 18 people, although the November day trip to the Cleveland Museum of Art sold out with 35 people. No matter how close to home or how far afield, Tucker aims to provide what guests cannot get on their own. Tucker said she’s unusual in the museum travel world because she plans nearly all of the itineraries on her own, including all the trips to Europe, and only uses tour operators and travel companies in international destinations such as India where she can’t operate a trip herself. During a trip to England last year, Tucker took the group to Highclere Castle, also known as the fictional Crawley estate from the popular PBS show, “Downton Abbey.” In addition to a tour —tickets are tough to come by — Tucker arranged to have the Countess of Carnarvon, the real-life owner of Highclere Castle, speak to the group. She also arranged to have Sir Edward Dashwood take travelers through his house at West Wycombe Park. “It’s a lot of painstaking work, but I somehow find a person who finds another person” who can provide such intimate access, Tucker said. During a recent trip to Russia, the group took a behind-the-scenes tour at the Mariinsky Theatre, where travelers saw crews making sets and costumes, and visited the Hermitage Theatre storage facility where the group saw czars’ carriages. When Tucker led a group to Paris a couple of years ago with the museum’s curator of decorative arts, they were able to arrange entree into private, historic homes that boasted collections of fine art or decorative arts, such as china, glass and silver. They were even able to visit the American ambassador’s house, which “was a really big deal,” Tucker said. Sometimes, if a house is open to the public, museum travelers go before hours when the owner receives them and personally shows them the collection.

Traditional Cambodian dance

Courtesy Cambodian Living Arts

Locals in Mekong Delta, Vietnam

WWW.CARNEGIEMUSEUMS.ORG/TRAVEL By Lisa Hill, courtesy Santa Barbara Museum of Art

BE INSPIRED ALL YEAR LONG

H I G H

H I G H M U S E U M O F A R T AT L A N TA

Bring your groups to the High to experience world-class art at a discounted rate!

PLAN EARLY AND MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS NOW!

Group benefits include: • $10 admission per visitor for a Group of 10 or more • FREE and convenient motor coach parking • 10% discount in the Gift Shop for each group member • Discounted audio guides for select exhibitions Next audio is available for Habsburg Splendor: Masterpieces from Vienna's Imperial Collections

UPPER LEFT

HABSBURG SPLENDOR: MASTERPIECES FROM VIENNA’S IMPERIAL COLLECTIONS

• FREE docent-led tours of the permanent collection and select special exhibitions Docent-led tours are subject to availability and must be scheduled at least 3 weeks in advance

OCTOBER 18, 2015–JANUARY 17, 2016 LOWER LEFT

Visit High.org/groups E-mail hmagroupsales@woodruffcenter.org Call 404-733-4550

IRIS VAN HERPEN: TRANSFORMING FASHION NOVEMBER 7, 2015–MAY 15, 2016 UPPER RIGHT

THE ART OF VIK MUNIZ

Unknown Austrian Artist, Prince’s Carriage, ca. 1750–1755, wood, gold, paint, varnish, metal, leather, braids, velvet, and glass, Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna, Austria. Iris van Herpen (Dutch, born 1984), Magnetic Motion, 2014, High Museum of Art. Photo: Bart Oomes, No 6 Studios. © Iris van Herpen. Tamra Davis (American, born 1962), Still from A Conversation with Basquiat, 2006, 23 min., 22 sec. © Tamra Davis. Courtesy of the artist. By permission of the Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat, all rights reserved. Photo: Jonathan Dorado, Brooklyn Museum. Vik Muniz (American, born Brazil, 1961), Khyber Pass, Self-Portrait as an Oriental, After Rembrandt, from the Pictures of Junk series, 2005, dye coupler print, purchase with funds from the H. B. and Doris Massey Charitable Trust, 2005.288. © Vik Muniz/Licensed by VAGA, New York, NY.

FEBRUARY 28–MAY 29, 2016 LOWER RIGHT

BASQUIAT: THE UNKNOWN NOTEBOOKS FEBRUARY 28–MAY 29, 2016

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selecttraveler.com

ARTS & CULTURE ISSUE

PALETTE P E R F E C T

the arts come naturally in the southwest BY ELIZABETH HEY Courtesy Scottsdale CVB

Groups can shop for American Indian jewelry and other regional crafts in Scottsdale.

rt and cultural heritage often go hand-in-hand in the Southwestern states of New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Texas and Oklahoma. Always a mecca for the arts, Santa Fe, New Mexico, plays host to numerous festivals that inspire creativity. Native American heritage and a thriving arts scene happily converge in the cities of Phoenix and neighboring Scottsdale, Arizona. Groups will be pleasantly surprised at the bounty of art and culture available in the Reno-Tahoe, Nevada, region. Spanish-Mexican inﬂuences are the lifeblood of the color and culture of San Antonio, Texas. And in Oklahoma City, the Old West is an integral part of the past as well as the present.

SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO Santa Fe has approximately 250 galleries concentrated on Canyon Road and in the downtown Railyard Arts District. The city’s more than 70 annual events include international festivals such as August’s Indian Market, one of the world’s premier indigenous festivals. In July, three stand-alone shows, known as the Art Trifecta, occur simultaneously: the International Folk Art Market, Art Santa Fe and Site Santa Fe. The ﬁrst two were respectively voted No. 1 and No. 4 in a monthlong USA Today readers poll. Museums worth noting include the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum and, on Santa Fe’s Historic Plaza, the New Mexico Museum of Art

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and New Mexico History Museum. Next door, the Palace of the Governors is available for historic tours. The Under the Palace Portal program showcases artists who follow rigorous standards to display and sell their artwork. Often they’re working in centuries-old crafts and mediums. “The daily art market is a must-see because it’s such a unique opportunity to see indigenous art and cultural traditions ﬁrsthand and talk with the artists,” said public relations manager John Feins for Tourism Santa Fe. “Items are quite affordable, since there’s no middle man.” Highly entertaining and educational, the Santa Fe School of Cooking offers numerous classes taught by some of the best chefs in the area. Demonstration classes accommodate up to 60 people. A scavenger hunt format challenges teams to gather ingredients and prepare a portion of the meal at individual stations. Numerous Santa Fe hotels are steeped in culture and history. Hotel Santa Fe the Hacienda and Spa displays indigenous artwork, hosts native musicians and is owned by the Picuris Pueblo. La Posada staffs a curator who gives talks and classes about the property’s artwork. La Fonda, the only hotel on the downtown plaza, provides docent tours highlighting its rich history. Many properties offer Native American and Southwestern-inspired spa treatments, and their restaurants serve some of the best cuisine in town. WWW.SANTAFE.ORG

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SCOTTSDALE AND PHOENIX, ARIZONA Scottsdale boasts nearly 100 galleries, one of the most concentrated collections in the nation. Old Town Scottsdale offers authentic cowboy wares and American Indian pieces. The Scottsdale Arts District boasts fine art and antiques. And the Marshall Way Arts District overflows with contemporary galleries. On Thursday evenings, the Scottsdale Gallery Association hosts the alfresco Scottsdale ArtWalk. The free Downtown Scottsdale Art and Cultural Trolley Tour, the second Saturday of each month, highlights the city’s history. Minutes away, Cattle Track’s adobe structures along the Arizona Canal date back to the 1930s, when it first became a haven for writers, dancers and artists. “Ultimate Art and Cultural Tours can customize a behind-thescenes group tour that features stops at Hotel Valley Ho, Taliesin West and Cosanti,” said Megan Neighbor, director of communications at the Scottsdale Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Cattle Track isn’t generally open to the public, but tours can be arranged.” “Native Trails,” presented by the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, presents free American Indian performances at the Scottsdale Civic Center Park during the lunch hour from January through April. History comes alive with traditional instruments such as flutes, gourds and drums, plus intertribal dancing. In downtown Phoenix, the Heard Museum showcases cultures and art of Native Americans of the Southwest with stunning displays of intricately beaded clothing, textiles and jewelry. Touch screens featured videos of artists talking about specific pieces of their work. The Pueblo Grande Museum’s archaeology park preserves a Hohokam Indian site. Reconstructed Hohokam homes and an ancient ball court unravel some of the mystery surrounding the large community that once lived there. Numerous hotels, among them the Phoenician, the Hotel Valley Ho, the 1930s Hermosa Inn and the Talking Stick Resort’s Cultural Center, offer multimillion-dollar art collections, guided tours and self-guided audio tours that feature the Maricopa and Pima communities. Kai restaurant, located at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort and Spa, is the state’s only AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Five Star restaurant. Tribal artwork hangs on the walls, the menu features native cuisine, and diners look out upon the Sierra Estrella Mountains that frame the Gila River Indian Community’s vast acreage.

Heading into its 21st year in July, the city’s Artown program boasts more than 500 events, including musical performances, interactive workshops and art exhibits. It involves more than 100 organizations and businesses at nearly 100 locations citywide. Its footprint is expanding to a year-round calendar. The nationally recognized Reno Chamber Orchestra and Reno Philharmonic perform at the 1,500-seat Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts with its gold geodesic dome roof. The chamber orchestra’s conductor is the most recorded conductor of his generation. The AVA Ballet Theatre partners with both groups for numerous performances. “Each December, the internationally acclaimed Nevada Chamber Music Festival attracts international competition winners, Grammy nominees and Reno’s ﬁnest talent,” said McDonald. Approximately 45 minutes from Reno, Sand Harbor Beach in Lake Tahoe makes the perfect setting for the summer Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival. The stage is built with the lake as its backdrop, and people can bring in food and wine for the productions. Groups should reserve tickets in advance. WWW.VISITRENOTAHOE.COM

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS Central to San Antonio’s heartbeat are its ﬁve missions, which were collectively designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015. The missions reﬂect the city’s blended Spanish, Mexican and Native American cultures. All are active Catholic parishes, and the clergy still wear the traditional brown robes. Mission San Antonio de Valero, known as the Alamo, was founded in the early 1700s. Four more missions followed. They secured the land and formed the backbone of society. Every Sunday at Mission

WWW.EXPERIENCESCOTTSDALE.COM WWW.VISITPHOENIX.COM

RENO-TAHOE, NEVADA The Nevada Museum of Art in downtown Reno features modern and contemporary works, as well as historic artifacts. The museum’s Chez Louie restaurant emphasizes local food and is headed by one of the region’s top chefs, Mark Estee. “When the museum’s rooftop is completed early next year, groups can rent out this venue that overlooks the city and the mountains beyond,” said Ben McDonald, communications manager for Reno Tahoe USA. “Groups can build their own menu with Chef Estee who does everything in-house, including his own butchering and baking for his six Reno restaurants.”

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Travel Thoughtfully Designed Delightfully Executed

888-55-TRIPS (87477) www.gotripsinc.com

San José, once the largest Spanish mission in Texas, the bilingual Mariachi Mass is celebrated by Franciscan priests. For active tours, bikes can be rented at the Blue Star Art Complex or through the city’s B-Cycle program. The missions lie along the eight-mile Mission Reach trail that now adjoins the Riverwalk for 15 total miles. The paved pathway connects the missions with downtown’s Briscoe Western Art Museum and the San Antonio Museum of Art. Six blocks from the downtown Riverwalk lies Market Square, the largest Mexican marketplace north of the Rio Grande. Stores stock clothing, crafts and striking Mexican pottery. At the bustling Mi Tierra restaurant, four generations of the Cortez family have served Tex-Mex and homeland specialties from Guadalajara since 1941. Foodies will enjoy the weeklong Culinaria festival, held annually in May. Among the festival’s many events, local chefs and chefs from Mexico cook side by side at Friday night’s Best of Mexico. WWW.VISITSANANTONIO.COM

OKLAHOMA CITY Besides its Western influences, the Sooner State serves as headquarters to 39 Native American tribes. In Oklahoma City’s Bricktown district, Exhibit C, part gallery and part boutique, showcases the history of the Chickasaw tribe with authentic artwork handcrafted by Chickasaw artists: native jewelry, pottery, paintings and clothing. Bedre Fine Chocolates, the only chocolate made by a Native American tribe, can also be found there. Spanish Revival architecture graces the Paseo Arts District with original stucco and clay tile roofs. The district, which dates to 1929, hosts monthly First Friday Gallery Walks and boasts restaurants, boutiques, 17 galleries and more than 70 artists. The annual Paseo Arts Festival, which takes place over Memorial Day weekend, showcases juried works, along with performances and live music. The National Cowboy Western and Heritage Museum tells America’s story through its superb collection of classic and contemporary art and artifacts. Groups can schedule a themed tour that highlights rodeos, the American cowboy or Native American art. In June, the museum will host Prix de West, an invitational art exhibit of more than 300 Western paintings and sculpture works by the nation’s finest contemporary Western artists. The show kicks off with seminars on art-related topics and culminates with a fixedprice sale of the exhibition pieces. “Prix de West is a very prestigious event, and people travel from all over to look and buy,” said Tabbi Burwell, communications manager for the Oklahoma City Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Opening weekend is June 10, but the exhibit will be displayed through early August.” For cowboy tunes, the Saturday evening Rodeo Opry in Stockyard City introduces talented new performers, local favorites and the professional Opry house band. Designated Oklahoma’s Official Country Music Show, the Opry delivers family-style entertainment and works with groups for private events. WWW.VISITOKC.COM

Shop for authentic American West items at Stockyard City.

Courtesy Oklahoma City CVB

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TRAVEL ALLIANCE PARTNERS TRAVE L

P U B LI S H E D

T H E

G R O U P

GUI DE

T R AV E L

L E A D E R

INTO YOUR

Azalea Festival, Muskogee

International Round Up Club Cavalcade, Pawhuska

Forr on Fo nee of o -a a-k -kin iin nd fe fest s iv st ival als gu uar aran an nte eed to oe ent ntic nt ice ic e an a d ca apt ptiv iv vat ate e tr trav avel av eler el ers, er s, vis isit it

Trav Tr a el av e OK OK.c .c com o /g gro roup up.. up

Standing Bear Powwow, Ponca City

TravelOK.com Lyric Theatre, Oklahoma City

Can memories be measured by the scoopful?

Where can I ﬁnd the Perfect Créme puf?

From legendary créme puffs to behind-the-scenes culinary tours, Columbus is full of one-of-a-kind food experiences your group won’t soon forget. Start planning your Columbus visit today at experiencecolumbus.com/tours or call 800-354-2657.

What does mead taste like?

TRAVEL ALLIANCE PARTNERS

CONTENTS 9

WELCOME TO TAP A LETTER FROM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR STEFANIE GORDER

10 12 22 Courtesy Talbot Tours

A SPECTAPULAR TRADITION

TAP’S SPECIAL EVENT SERIES IS HEADED TO ARKANSAS.

By Mary Frost Insayn, courtesy Monroe-West Monroe CVB

A GROWING PARTNERSHIP TAP SEES GROWTH IN ITS MEMBERSHIP AND ITS REACH.

HOT NEW ITINERARIES TAP PARTNERS OFFER A HOST OF BOLD NEW TRIPS.

EXOTIC EXPERIENCES

THESE TAP TOURS TAKE TRAVELERS TO THE CORNERS

OF THE EARTH.

EVENTFUL EXCURSIONS FESTIVALS AND CELEBRATIONS ARE THE MAIN ATTRACTIONS ON THESE TRIPS.

38 46 Courtesy Talbot Tours

AMERICANA DESTINATIONS THESE TAP CITIES ARE PATRIOTIC FAVORITES.

NATIONAL PARKS CELEBRATE THE NPS CENTENNIAL WITH TAP. An adult Dall sheep ram rests on a hillside in Alaska’s Denali National Park.

ON THE TAP COVER:

PUBLISHED BY THE GROUP TRAVEL LEADER

2016 TAP TRAVEL GUIDE

Begging Burros in Custer State Park

View the monumental masterpiece at Mount Rushmore National Memorial and the surreal landscape of Badlands National Park, take in the natural beauty of the Missouri River and explore the world-famous roadside attractions and historic landmarks. Begin planning your group tours today!

The National Park Service will be celebrating its 100th Anniversary in 2016, which also marks Mount Rushmore National Memorialâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 75th Anniversary! Experience six National Parks and Monuments in South Dakota. 1-800-952-3625 | TOURSDAKOTA.COM

ABERDEEN AREA CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU

Aberdeen ofers unique tours including Storybook Land, a Hutterite colony, agritourism, and much more. Complimentary services help ensure your group will enjoy every minute of their stay in Aberdeen. www.VisitAberdeenSD.com/tour 800-645-3851

BEST WESTERN RAMKOTA HOTELS OF SOUTH DAKOTA

Family-friendly, full-service hotels featuring pools, indoor waterparks (free for guests), restaurants, lounges, ﬁtness centers, and free high-speed Internet. Located in Aberdeen, Pierre, Rapid City, Sioux Falls, and Watertown.

AKTA LAKOTA MUSEUM & CULTURAL CENTER

The Akta Lakota Museum & Cultural Center in Chamberlain preserves and promotes the arts and history of the Sioux Indian culture. View contemporary art exhibits and historical artifacts. Open year-round. Free admission. www.AktaLakota.org 800-798-3452

CRAZY HORSE MEMORIAL

The American Indian story begins with the world’s largest mountain carving-in-progress. Indian museums, artists/performers, sculptor’s studio, cultural center, restaurant & nightly seasonal laser-light show.

www.BWRamkota.com 800-528-1234

www.CrazyHorseMemorial.org 605-673-4681

CUSTER STATE PARK RESORT

Take a Bufalo Safari Jeep Ride to see one of the largest publiclyowned bison herds in North America. Ride horseback and experience a Chuck Wagon Cookout. Located in the Black Hills. www.CusterResorts.com 888-875-0001

MITCHELL – NEW EAR-CHITECTURE AWAITS

Be among the ﬁrst to experience the newly-renovated Corn Palace! Museums, more than 50 restaurants and complimentary group services await. Four hours east of the Black Hills, I-90, Exit 332. www.VisitMitchell.com 866-273-CORN (2676)

KELLY INNS LTD.

We welcome motor coaches and understand the needs of the group traveler – Locations in Sioux Falls, Mitchell, Oacoma, and Yankton. Our properties include Best Western, Holiday Inn Express, LaQuinta, and Kelly Inn. www.KellyInns.com 605-965-1452

PIERRE AREA CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU

Tours of the Capitol building, memorials, Governor’s Mansion and Oahe Dam are available. The Pierre area ofers several museums, a winery, distillery and more. www.Pierre.org 605-224-7361

RAPID CITY – DO BIG THINGS!

Enjoy shopping, dining, events and local favorites like Main Street Square, City of Presidents and more. Nearby, explore Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Crazy Horse Memorial and other Black Hills treasures. www.TourRapidCity.com 800-487-3223

FALLS – 10 SIOUX THE HEART OF AMERICA Conveniently located at I-29 and I-90, South Dakota’s largest city ofers year-round attractions, local cuisine, welcoming accommodations and historic Falls Park. Contact us for customized itineraries and complimentary services. www.VisitSiouxFalls.com/grouptours 800-333-2072

SOUTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM

SOUTH DAKOTA CULTURAL HERITAGE CENTER

Discover South Dakota’s rich heritage at the Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre. Award-winning museum exhibits and changing displays. Exciting hands-on activities. Discounted group tour rates. www.History.sd.gov 605-773-3458

– YOUR ROUTE 12 TOURSD BEGINS HERE Planning your South Dakota journey is only a click away. The TourSD Highway routes will take you along relaxing prairies, local culture, history and outdoor recreation. www.Tour-SD.com 888-386-4617

DRUG 13 WALL WORLD’S LARGEST DRUG STORE Wall Drug has been entertaining and educating the traveling public since 1931. This wonderland of free attractions including a restaurant that seats 520. There’s something for everyone. Located in Wall. www.WallDrug.com 605-279-2175

14 WATERTOWN

Along I-29 & US 212 in northeastern South Dakota. Home of more than 160 Terry Redlin originals, beauiful landscaped zoo, home of South Dakota’s ﬁrst Governor, boutiques and restaurants. One-on-one itinerary planning. www.VisitWatertownSD.com 800-658-4505

14 SOUTH DAKOTA MOTORCOACH SERVICES

GROUP TOUR PLANNING ASSISTANCE

Wash, dispose, fuel and maintenance.

VICKY ENGELHAUPT South Dakota Department of Tourism www.TourSDakota.com vicky.engelhaupt@travelsouthdakota.com 800-952-3625

DAKOTA BUS www. MyDakotaTrailways.com 605-642-2353 605-641-2353 after hours BLACK HILLS GRAYLINE www.BlackHillsGrayLine.com 800-456-4461 INTERSTATE DETROIT DIESEL www.Istate.com 800-348-3042

F R O M

WELCOME

TRAVEL ALLIANCE PARTNERS

he TAP network has proudly become a

are great destinations that sell well and are often repeated. TAP expands our

solid “go to” company in North America

offerings by bringing in new partners that specialize in products not in the

for travel solutions. By creating dynamic

current portfolio. The pages of this magazine will showcase some of the most

partnerships that include tour operators,

innovative opportunities for you to explore, and they include a SpecTAPular

top destinations, suppliers and buyers of

tour for 2016 that we believe will sell out.

travel, we all work together at an entirely new level. TAP

How does working with TAP differ? TAP partners are experts in the areas

is focused exclusively on a solid return of investment

where they offer tours. Imagine having the ability to work directly with the

in all aspects of business, from communication to tour

owners and top management of a company that allows you to bring a new

offerings to tools that enhance business. Together, this

level of service to your travel planning. Those at the top want you to succeed

results in everyone making more money.

and take a hands-on approach to all aspects of tour operations. Your success

TAP has grown by leaps and bounds since our

in selling is our success in operating quality tours.

beginnings over a dozen years ago. We created a solid

I encourage travel buyers new and old to call one of our partner compa-

Guaranteed Departure program, an innovative concept

nies to hear the latest news. Sit in on one of our weekly “TAP Into Travel

that continues to offer hundreds of tours that will never

— Tuesday at Two” webinar series hosted by a different TAP partner each

be canceled because of low passenger counts — these

session. “Like” us on Facebook at TAP Into Travel to read the latest updates

tours operate even if only one seat is sold. We have also

and link into our monthly EBlasts. Do you know about our newest venture?

added scheduled and customizable itineraries to further

It’s called the TAP Tour Wrap, and it allows your clients access to all of the

support travel buyers. TAP has a solid branding message

guaranteed departures tours right through your website with no risk of losing

and tools for travel professionals beyond the basics. Our

your clients. If you have a website and want to make more money on travel

weekly webinar series, “TAP Tuesday,” has been wildly

sales, this program is for you!

successful. Combined with our Tour Wrap for websites,

We are different and proud to be your connection to unique travel oppor-

it now allows travel buyers to use important resources

tunities. On behalf of our 32 owner/managing partners, I invite you to TAP

beyond just a call center and a pretty brochure.

Into Travel with the Travel Alliance Partners. After you have browsed the

TAP partners know that it takes a few conversations

pages of this magazine, and TAP Into Travel with us!

to understand the concept of working together at a new level. The tour choices are controlled by the travel buyer, with input from 32 companies. We are not an association or a club. We are a unique company owned

HAPPY TRAVELING,

and managed by tour operators. It is unlikely you will find anywhere else a group of 32 independent companies coming together under the umbrella of working in collaboration with each other at this level.

We can all agree that we need fresh and exciting itineraries to offer our clients. We also know that there

WWW.TAPINTOTRAVEL.COM

STEFANIE GORDER, CTP, DS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

TRAVEL ALLIANCE PARTNERS, LLC 866-373-0790

W W W.TA P IN T O T R AV E L .C OM

FORWARD TOGETHER

TAP

SEEKS PARTNER GROWTH IN THE YEAR AHEAD

BY B RIA N JE WEL L

ravel Alliance Partners, the innovative consortium of professional tour operators founded in 2001, has seen rapid growth in its nearly 15 years and is set for further advancement in 2016 thanks to upgraded technology and an expanded network of partners throughout the tourism business. Better known as TAP, this organization was started as a cooperative endeavor among several different tour operators, that thought there could be benefit in being able to buy into and sell each others’ products. The idea caught on, and the partnership has now grown to include tour companies throughout North America and offers trips to destinations across the country and around the world. Each member company is a partner and owner of TAP, and each brings its own business profile and individual strengths. Most TAP tour operators specialize in travel to a certain region — American states, Canadian provinces or international destinations — or a specific

interest area in travel, such as sports, history or outdoors. Each of these members makes its catalog of tours available to the other partners, which are able to sell space on those tours to their own customers. This allows each member to offer its local customers access to a wide variety of expertly designed tours. At the same time, the trips they have created are offered by other TAP members, giving them market penetration that wouldn’t be possible outside of the partnership. The most popular of these tours are offered as a special series known as Guaranteed Departures. These trips operate from the first passenger booked, regardless of how many more people sign up, so customers don’t have to worry that their trip will be canceled due to lack of interest. “It’s all of us working together that makes the TAP network special,” said executive director Stefanie Gorder. “TAP is about taking business to a different level. We work together to crosspromote new destinations and new programs. We’re all working together to build business, and when we all come together in unity, everyone’s business grows.”

NEW WEB PRESENCE

Among new developments this year for TAP is a totally redesigned website, which offers a number of powerful options for group leaders. “Our new website — www.tapintotravel.com — showcases our Guaranteed Departures by TAP,” Gorder said. “It has been met by rave 2016 TAP TRAVEL GUIDE

reviews because it is so easy to maneuver. You don’t have to look at four different websites to find what you’re looking for.” The new site showcases all the Guaranteed Departures as well as other scheduled tours and some of the custom products available to travel planners. It is updated in real time as partners introduce new programs and departure dates. “We have product being uploaded daily,” Gorder said. “So just because you’ve tapped into travel once shouldn’t stop you from coming back again next week to look at new opportunities.” Gorder said the new website is helping to turbocharge its TAP Tour Wrap, an existing program that allows professional travel sellers and even group leaders to showcase the entire inventory of TAP tours on their own websites. “We can offer that complimentary to any travel professional that has a website,” she said. “They place a link on their homepage that takes people directly into our system. But it looks like the travel leader’s site and not the TAP site, so they never lose their clients. “If a bank wants to make some money on three or four people who want to attend SpecTAPular [the organization’s annual special event tours], the travel coordinator can sell the trip to just those three or four people. They can offer the world to their customers, and all of the leads go back to them.”

AN EMPHASIS ON EDUCATION

In addition to offering online access to its tour catalog, TAP presents a number of other opportunities for group leaders to connect to its products. One of the most popular has been TAP Into Travel: Tuesdays at Two, a weekly webinar series. During these virtual conferences, TAP partners showcase specific destinations and tours to group leaders seeking information on those areas. Going forward, Gorder said, those webinars will offer a greater variety of educational content to the audience. “We’re finding that having general tour information is great, but our travel

TAP

LOOKING TO GROW

In the coming year, as TAP celebrates its 15th anniversary, the organization is expecting to continue its growth momentum in a variety of ways. “You’re going to see a lot more from us in terms of social media and blog campaigns,” Gorder said. “You’re going to see TAP in the marketplace a lot more because we’re getting smarter about the way we engage the marketplace.” The partnership itself is also in growth mode. TAP expanded to 32 members this year with the addition of Maxima Tours, an Ontario-based company that specializes in tours to Malta, among other destinations. Gorder hopes that the special business proposition of TAP will continue to attract other high-quality tour operators. “We are looking to grow in 2016,” she said. “We’re seeking like-minded tour companies and encouraging them to look toward becoming part of the TAP partnership.”

INNSBRUCK, AUSTRIA, IS A HIGHLIGHT OF THE HEART OF EUROPE CIRCLE TOUR.

TR AVEL

EXPERT

JUSTIN OSBON COMPANY:

IM A G E T O UR S

20 16 HIGHLIGHT S

“Our Heart of Europe Circle tour is still very popular and continues to offer first-time travelers to Europe a way to see a lot of Europe for a great value.”

professionals are asking for educational opportunities,” she said. “They want to know how to make more money through their group tours and how they can better take advantage of Guaranteed Departures. “The webinars happen every Tuesday. So two of them each month are going to have an educational focus. We find that our attendance goes up when we do the educational programs, and that’s what people are asking for.” Each of the webinars is recorded, and the entire back catalog of sessions is available on the TAP website.

EXPERTISE: EUROPE

EXPERIENCE :1 3 Y E A R S

Courtesy TVB Innsbruck

WWW.TAPINTOTRAVEL.COM Courtesy Visit Salt Lake

TRIPS OF

DISTINCTION

SPECTAPULAR EVENTS OFFER ONE-OF-A-KIND EXPERIENCES

BY B RIA N JE WEL L

very tour is a special event for the passengers involved, who have dedicated significant amounts of time and money to participating. But some trips are so entertaining, innovative and one-of-a-kind that they’re not just special — they’re SpecTAPular. Since 2012, Travel Alliances Partners (TAP) has collaborated with destinations around the country to produce annual tour events that combine the best elements of travel, entertainment and hospitality. Known as SpecTAPular, these events attract dozens of groups and hundreds of travelers from around the country, and have been widely recognized through the tourism industry for their innovation. The organization’s most recent SpecTAPular took place on Mackinac Island, Michigan, in September and brought more than 200 travelers to the luxurious Grand Hotel for three days of relaxation and “Great Gatsby”-themed revelry. “It was a really great, fun event that everyone enjoyed,” said Nick Calderazzo, president

of the TAP partner Twin Travel Concepts and chair of the group’s SpecTAPular committee. “The hotel’s service was amazing. Each of these SpecTAPular events is different. This was an expensive one because it was so upscale.” TAP executive director Stefanie Gorder was impressed at the sense of unity among the groups that traveled from all across the country to participate in the event. “It was the first time in 31 years that I’ve watched multiple groups blend as one,” she said. “I’ve never seen anything like it. This SpecTAPular had a different feeling. It was a small group captivated by Mackinac Island, and it was first class. I would say that 80 percent of our participants were in costumes each night.”

NEXT UP: ARKANSAS

In 2016, the series will continue with A SpecTAPular Time in Arkansas, which will take place September 23-26 in Little Rock and Hot Springs. Calderazzo is partnering with David Burns, managing director of TAP partner All American Tours, to put together an event that will showcase the unique histories and elegance of these Arkansas cities. “We looked at Arkansas because it’s something different that people may not know much about,” Burns said. “I went down there a few years ago on a site inspection tour and was really blown away.” The festivities will kick off with a gala dinner at Marlsgate Plantation, an antebellum mansion just outside Little Rock. It will feature fine food and a signature cocktail concocted by Jefferson Davis, and guests will be greeted by a local who grew up in the mansion.

2016 TAP TRAVEL GUIDE

The next day, groups will visit Hot Springs, a nearby city known for its historic bathhouses, urban national park and history as a vacation destination for notorious gangsters. “Everyone will have a little bingo card, and they can go to the different attractions around town and get them checked off,” Burns said. “You can go visit the Gangster Museum of America or have massages or baths at one of the many bathhouses on Bathhouse Row. “That evening will be presented at the historic Arlington Hotel, where we’ll have a 1920s speakeasy. There will be dinner, gaming tables, cancan dancers and a magician, as well as a band for dancing.”

HOP ON LITTLE ROCK

The following day, participants will return to Little Rock, where organizers have arranged for an innovative system of hop-on/hop-off trolleys that will shuttle guests between area hotels and attractions. Travelers can visit sites such as the Clinton Presidential Library, the Heifer International headquarters, the River Market District and the national historic site at Central High School, all at their own leisure, with transportation and attraction admissions prepaid. That evening the program concludes with a glitzy Southern barbecue at a privately owned Little Rock castle.

“We’ve rented it for the night, and we’ll have two giant tents in the courtyard with a dance floor and stage between the two,” Burns said. “We have a band called the Groan Ups that plays music from the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s. We’ll also have C.J. Newsom, the star of the ‘Patsy Cline Remembered’ show in Branson.” Though the official SpecTAPular program ends that night, pretour and post-tour extensions are available to take groups to Fort Smith, Bentonville and Eureka Springs in northwest Arkansas or to spend two days in Memphis, Tennessee. “We’re getting the most amazing help in Arkansas,” Calderazzo said. “The tourism industry there has worked alongside us to help us create and promote this. They’re fantastic, and I don’t think we could have done this without their help.” Though it’s too early to say for sure what’s on tap for 2017, Calderazzo said that the SpecTAPular committee is actively evaluating new event possibilities for coming years and that they “have a lot of good ideas in the works.”

SPIRIT OF TAP VIRGINIA’S TORRICELLI WINS AWARD

ravel Alliance Partners (TAP) named Carol Torricelli, director of domestic sales for Virginia Tourism Corporation, the recipient of the 2015 Spirit of TAP Award. Torricelli (“Torch” for all who know her) was nominated by many TAP members for her outstanding role in the industry and as an individual who is admired for going above and beyond the normal call of duty. Referring to her Virginia travel family as her “peeps,” Torch is always telling them to be visible and loves when Virginia destinations partner to overcome regional boundaries. “She has a way with words and a hearty spirit,” said Tracy Gruber, daughter of Ann Tomas, for whom the award was established. “When you are in her company, she is able to soothe you with one of her ‘Torchisms,’ and you know things are going to be OK. She is a champion for Virginia by being its biggest cheerleader.” Te Spirit of TAP Award was established in 2012, after the passing of TAP member Ann Tomas of Western Discovery, to recognize a Preferred Professional Travel Provider (PPTP) who has the vision and embodies the true spirit of the Travel Alliance Partners and does not wait for others to ask for help, instead asking “what can I do for you?” Te award was announced in June at a breakfast during TAP Dance, the annual convention held by Travel Alliance Partners. Previous award recipients include Jim Coggin in 2012, Todd Stallbaumer in 2013 and Marceline Dyer in 2014.

LEFT TO RIGHT: JIM COGGIN; 2015 RECIPIENT CAROL TORRICELLI; TRACY GRUBER; MARCELINE DYER; TODD STALLBAUMER.

Courtesy Mackinac Island VB

WWW.TAPINTOTRAVEL.COM

BOLD AND

FRESH T

NEW TAP OFFERINGS RANGE FROM JUKE JOINTS TO DOWNTON ABBEY

BY R AC HEL C A RT ER

he members of Travel Alliance Partners (TAP) are always coming up with new itineraries to showcase and explore littleknown regions and take advantage of the hottest ticket in town. These new tours allow travelers to speak with the spirit world in a Nevada ghost town, get goose bumps listening to a gospel choir in Arkansas or “ooh” in awe at the aspens that paint Colorado’s Rocky Mountains gold.

2016 TAP TRAVEL GUIDE By Matt Inden/Miles

GHOST TOWNS OF OLD NEVADA

TAP member Sports Leisure Vacations’ Ghost Towns of Old Nevada itinerary showcases Nevada’s ghost towns, but guests may also get to meet some ghosts. “I’m still not exactly sure about all of this, but I still cannot explain some of the things we’ve seen and found,” said president and founder Mark Hoffmann. The company first ran the itinerary this past spring and is offering it twice in 2016: again in March and with a second departure in October, when guests will spend Halloween night in the historic and possibly haunted Mizpah Hotel in Tonopah. The six-day trip departs from Sacramento, California, and travels to Las Vegas, hitting up Old West ghost towns where visitors will find old miners’ cabins, abandoned post offices and deserted train stations. Goodsprings’ claim to fame is the 100-year-old saloon where Clark Gable awaited word about Carol Lombard’s plane crash. “He sat there and burned a hole in the bar with his cigar,” Hoffmann said. Travelers use a “ghost box” to try to communicate with spirits during the Goodsprings Ghost Hunt, led by Robert George Allen, a retired entertainer and member of the Ghost Hunters Hall of Fame who also started the Haunted Vegas tour. “When the box starts blinking, there’s a spiritual presence, and you can ask the spirit [yes or no] questions: ‘Did you live here? Did you work here?’” Hoffmann said, adding that you don’t have to believe it to still enjoy the experience. “It doesn’t matter if you believe in it or not; it’s fun, and the point of traveling is to have fun.” In Las Vegas, the group tours the Neon Museum, which saves Sin City’s old neon signs, and takes Allen’s Haunted Vegas tour. Guests also visit the Techatticup Mine, where “the mine owner says it’s not haunted, and everyone who works for him says it is,” Hoffmann said.

SOUTHERN JUKEBOX TOUR

Judy Johnson grew up in the South, and when you grow up in a place, you sometimes stop seeing it. But when she led a group of wealthy Australians on a custom tour of the South and its musical heritage, she was astounded by their response. These millionaires, who could go anywhere in the world, couldn’t stop talking about sitting in a square in Helena, Arkansas, eating fried catfish nuggets and listening to blues musicians perform. “They sat out there under those trees in that hot sun and listened to that music, and the whole time for the rest of that trip, they went back to that,” said Johnson, owner of TAP partner Let’s Go Travelin’. That inspired Johnson to put together the Southern Jukebox Tour that winds from Nashville to Memphis, Tennessee, then south along the Mississippi Blues Trail to New Orleans, Louisiana, exposing travelers to the roots, growth and current state of country, blues, gospel, rock ’n’ roll, Cajun and zydeco music in the South. In Nashville, guests visit the historic Ryman Auditorium and the County Music Hall of Fame and Museum, and spend an evening at the Grand Ole Opry. The group stops in Tupelo, Mississippi, the birthplace of Elvis Presley, before moving on to Memphis,

NEW TAP TOURS OF COLORADO HIGHLIGHT THE COLORS OF FALL IN THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS.

where travelers tour Graceland, visit Sun Studio and Stax Museum of American Soul Music and enjoy a night on Beale Street. In Helena, Arkansas, home of the King Biscuit Time radio show, guests visit a church to listen to a choir sing Southern gospel. Clarksdale, Mississippi, is where legend says Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil at the crossroads of highways 61 and 49. The group will either lunch at Morgan Freeman’s Ground Zero in Clarksdale or the Ebony Club in Indianola, Mississippi, where they also visit the B.B. King Museum.

DOWNTON ABBEY AND ENGLISH CASTLES

AN E EMP EMPTY M MPTY MPTY T TRA TRAIN RAIN RA IN N ST STA STATIO STATION TATIO TION IIN TION N RHYOL RHY RHYOLI RH RHYOLITE OLITE OLI TE IS S AMONG AMO A M MONG NG THE H S STOPS ST TOPS OPS PS ON THE H G GHOST HO HOST OS ST T TO T TOWNS OWN WNS NS S OF OLD O OL LD D NEVAD NEV NE A A TOUR ADA T TO OUR R. NEVADA TOUR.

Fancy-Free Holidays, a TAP member, first offered its Downton Abbey and English Castles itinerary in 2013 when it was lucky enough to score tickets to tour Highclere Castle, the Crawley estate from the wildly popular PBS show “Downton Abbey” and the real-life home of the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon. The company had four departures this year and has another four scheduled for 2016. The trips, which include several other castles, estates and historic sites, sell out a year in advance, said president Sandi Pufahl. Highclere Castle is open for public tours only in summer, making tickets difficult to come by. “We have to reserve and pay for tickets a year and a half in advance,” Pufahl said. “To do the August 2016 tours, we got our tickets in January 2015.” Unlike some companies that advertise Downton Abbey tours and then only drive by the castle, Fancy-Free guests tour the inside of Highclere Castle, including the kitchens and servants’ quarters, and can explore the grounds, Pufahl said. Guests also travel to Waddesdon Manor, which they may recognize as the fictional Haxby Park from season two, and to the village of Bampton, where many of the series’ outdoor village scenes are filmed.

Courtesy Sports Leisure Vacations

Museums, dining, maritime history, waterfront cruises and shopping make Norfolk, Virginia a distinct destination ofering a variety of itineraries for your group to enjoy. With so much to see and do, the possibilities are endless. To learn more, visit us online or contact Melissa Hopper, Associate Director of Tour & Travel.

1-800-368-3097 | visitnorfolktoday.com

TAP TR AVEL

EXPERT 20 16 HIGHLIGHT S

“We have expanded to six continents and while Europe remains our biggest area, we are becoming known as a faithbased company that operates many Holy Land Tours.”

COMPANY:

E D -V E N T U R E S

EXPERTISE:

HOLY L A ND

EXPERIENCE : 41 YE ARS

HOLY LAND VISITORS CAN SEE THE SITE WHERE JESUS IS BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN BAPTIZED IN JORDAN.

LARRY LARSEN By Tom Tracy, courtesy JTBNA

WWW.TAPINTOTRAVEL.COM

During the eight-day trip, the group will visit Westminster Abbey, Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, the British Museum and King George III’s Kew Palace and gardens. Another highlight is a tour of Buckingham Palace, which is open to the public only during August and early September, Pufahl said. Guests stay in Hendon Hall, a 1756 manor house in north London that was converted into a boutique hotel.

SEATTLE TO PORTLAND: A PACIFIC NORTHWEST ADVENTURE

“There’s a definite feel to the Pacific Northwest,” said Shawn Horman, senior vice president of TAP partner Western Leisure. The big cities of Seattle and Portland, Oregon, have their own vibe, just like Chicago or New York, but “the rugged Pacific Coast of Washington and Oregon, that’s what everyone really comes for,” he said. Western Leisure first offered its Seattle-to-Portland itinerary as a guaranteed departure in 2015 and will run the six-night trip again in July 2016. The tour bookends experiences along the rocky, windy coast with stays in chic, cosmopolitan cities. Seattle includes the Space Needle, Chihuly Garden and Glass, and the Future of Flight Aviation Center and Boeing Tour. The group tours the Tillamook Cheese Factory before heading to the beach town of Newport, Oregon, where guests visit the Oregon Coast Aquarium. At the Elizabeth Street Inn,

A SOLDIER STANDS GUARD IN FRONT OF ENGLAND’S BUCKINGHAM PALACE. By Sue Banes, courtesy Fancy-Free Holidays

TAP

MYRTLE BEACH OCEANFRONT

MOST ACCOMMODATING TO MEETINGS.

TR AVEL

EXPERT 20 16 HIGHLIGHT S

Top-rated Myrtle Beach hotel by TripAdvisor.com. “Best in Hospitality” by Myrtle Beach Hospitality Association. Plus 6 oceanfront pools (with hot tubs COMPANY:

A ND E R S O N VA C AT I O NS

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and heated pools), new Sanctuary Spa, fitness center, complimentary Hampton “On the House” hot breakfast buffet, and 90-seat conference and meeting facility.

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FERRIES CONNECT VANCOUVER TO THE SCENIC ISLANDS ON CANADA’S PACIFIC COAST.

JIM WARREN Courtesy Anderson Vacations

WWW.TAPINTOTRAVEL.COM

THE SEATTLE TO PORTLAND TOUR SHOWCASES THE SCENIC BEAUTY OF THE OREGON COAST.

a seaside hotel, guests enjoy a beach bonfire and s’mores after dinner. Near Florence, travelers ride dune buggies in the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, where some dunes reach 500 feet tall. The large buggies THE COLORADO SCENIC BYWAYS each hold about 20 people, so they’re TOUR STOPS AT THE MAROON fun and bumpy but not as crazy as BELLS MOUNTAIN FORMATION. the smaller buggies’ “white-knuckle, fly-off-the-end-of-a-sand-cliff ride,” Horman said. Travelers will visit the International Rose Test By Matt Inden/Miles Garden in Portland before exploring downtown on their own that night. The Columbia River Gorge is the highlight of the last full day of the trip. Visitors will stop at Multnomah Falls, the largest of 11 waterfalls on the drive up. The group will also visit Bonneville Dam, where they can take a selfguided tour and watch salmon swimming upstream through viewing windows.

COLORADO SCENIC BYWAYS AND FALL COLORS

Courtesy EugeneCascadesCoast.org

TAP partner Leisure West has always run a Colorado fall colors tour, but when co-owners Lee Dahl and Joan Fields launched their Colorado scenic byways trip, the natural beauty of the two tours naturally merged into one itinerary. “You get the best not only of the scenic byways but also the best of the fall colors,” Dahl said. The six-day itinerary loops through western Colorado, leaving from Denver and heading up the Poudre Canyon to Steamboat Springs, then to Carbondale, near Aspen. From there, the group travels over McClure Pass to Montrose, road trips to Silverton and traverses the heartstopping Million Dollar Highway to Ignacio. The trip wraps up with a jaunt over Slumgullion Pass from Creede to Gunnison. Altogether, travelers will journey over five of Colorado’s scenic byways, and because each one is different, “we’re always getting fall colors in different stages,” Dahl said. “Some places are just beginning, and over the next pass, they’ll be prime.” The trip also aims to take travelers to lesserknown sites. In Carbondale, the group will visit the sister peaks of Maroon Bells before heading to Ashcroft, an 1880s mining ghost town the Aspen Historical Society preserves in an arrested state of decay. Travelers can explore the site, read plaques about its history and, of course, take as many photographs as possible. “Really, the whole tour is great for photographers because there’s so much color and beauty,” Dahl said. The group also visits Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, stops at North Clear Creek Falls and drives over Grand Mesa, which delivers views from 10,000 feet looking down into Grand Valley. 2016 TAP TRAVEL GUIDE

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SOMETHING

EXOTIC

BY R AC HEL C A RT ER

TAP COMPANIES COVER REMOTE CORNERS OF THE WORLD

ikipedia, social media and virtually endless blogs make it easier than ever to seek out exotic destinations and read about all they have to offer. Some may say the availability of information makes those places less mysterious, but for many, it only makes distant and distinct countries more intriguing. More than ever, travelers are looking for hard-to-reach or out-of-the-way destinations in search of the undiscovered and the unknown, and Travel Alliance Partners (TAP) circles the globe to deliver.

2016 TAP TRAVEL GUIDE Courtesy Ed-Ventures

EGYPT

Egypt attracts travelers who want adventure, who value history and who seek to understand some of religion’s oldest roots. “When you go to Egypt, you’re looking at 5,000 years of history,” said Paul Larsen, president of TAP partner company Ed-Ventures, which offers departures to Egypt in February 2016 and February 2017. Ed-Ventures’ itineraries go well beyond the pyramids to immerse travelers in a world that is both modern and ancient and steeped in centuries of culture. “You’re going to actually observe the noon prayers at a mosque, and you’ll talk to the imam, and he’ll explain what those are all about,” Larsen said. “You also get a chance to visit with some Christians that are located there, and they’ll tell you what it’s like to live in Muslim country.” Guests can swim, snorkel or dive in the Red Sea, or take a hot-air balloon ride over Luxor and the surrounding desert. The group will take the overnight train from Cairo to Luxor, which “itself is an experience; these aren’t the trains you find in Europe,” Larsen said. “It’s amazing to be riding that train along the Nile and watch this country wake up, and see a farmer go out to his sugar cane field,” he said. The trip also includes visiting St. Catherine’s Monastery on Mount Sinai. Travelers get up about 3 a.m. to hike or ride a camel to the top of Mount Sinai and watch the sunrise. Before then, the dark trail is dotted with the lights of those winding their way to the monastery. Egypt is a destination that does cause some concern for American travelers, but “I would get on the plane and go there tomorrow,” Larsen said.

NICARAGUA

Jo Ann Carr and her husband first started traveling to Nicaragua nearly 20 years ago, and for several years, their company offered a nine-day Notable Natural Nicaragua trip. But Interlude Tours is changing it up in 2016 and is instead offering a four-day Nicaragua extension to its TAP partners’ Costa Rica itineraries. “Anyone who wants to know what Costa Rica was like 15, 20 years ago — well, look at Nicaragua,” said Carr, president of Interlude Tours. “Nicaragua is much more authentic.” Travelers who opt for the extension will fly from San Jose, Costa Rica, to Managua, Nicaragua, and spend four days exploring Granada and the surrounding area. Granada is a colonial city that is also very cosmopolitan, Carr said. In addition to its many language schools, making English fairly common, the city is rife with colonial architecture, brightly painted buildings and stone-paved streets. People “love walking around the square and just taking in the city,” she said. The food is also fabulous, and what is the farm-to-table movement in the United States is just a way of life in Nicaragua. The cattle are grass fed, the chickens are free range, and “your fish was probably swimming that morning,” Carr said. Travelers will take a boat ride through the waters around the volcanic islands dotting

THE SPHYNX IS AN ICON OF EXOTIC EGYPT.

Lake Nicaragua and can visit the active volcano, including a stop at the interpretive center, where they can peer into the crater. Another option is to visit the artisan villages to meet a potter who still makes pottery “the old way” or craftsmen who hand-make hammocks. The group will also stay in an original hacienda or mansion that has been converted into a small hotel overflowing with Old World charm, complete with tiled floors and gated courtyards.

KENYA SAFARI

TAP TOURS OF KENYA FEATURE VISITS TO REMOTE MASSAI VILLAGES. Courtesy Talbot Tours

Going on safari conjures images of trekking in rugged terrain, sweating under a glaring sun and batting away unthinkable bugs. But Talbot Tours’ Kenya Safari Adventure is “one of the more relaxing vacations you’ll ever take,” said president and TAP founder Serge Talbot. The itinerary includes five game reserves: Amboseli, Samburu, Mount Kenya, Lake Nakuru and Maasai Mara national parks. There, travelers stay in African lodges that rival American resorts and spend their days relaxing between twice-daily game drives in the early morning and the late afternoon. During each outing, travelers will see an “incredible variety of animals,” Talbot said. Guides, many of whom Talbot Tours has been using for more than 10 years, navigate safari vehicles through reserves where guests will spot lions, cheetahs, giraffes, gazelles, antelope, elephants, baboons, wildebeest, zebras and more. Talbot limits outings to six people per vehicle, so the passengers all get their own window and can easily take photos from the vehicle’s pop-top. The company also limits each departure to four safari vans, for a maximum of 24 travelers. Between game drives, guests eat lunch and enjoy free time to read, swim, take a nap or walk the grounds. In addition to experiencing the vastness of Kenya and its varied topography, from mountainous terrain to arid desert, travelers also get to meet some of the country’s most interesting people. The tour stops at a Maasai Mara village, where guests can interact with the tribe, including the children. “If you bring them a pencil with an eraser, that’s a thrill to these kids,” Talbot said. Talbot Tours typically offers the 13-day itinerary in May and November and can provide customized departures as well.

John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe

TRAVELERS EXPLORE THE MASAYA VOLCANO IN NICARAGUA.

Opens Nov. 13, 2015

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2016 TAP TRAVEL GUIDE Courtesy Interlude Tours

Courtesy Frontiers North Adventures

Explore headline-making FBI cases and learn how the bureau is fighting terrorism and cybercrime in this special update to one of the Newseum’s most popular exhibits.

TAP

THE CATHEDRAL DE GRANADA SHOWCASES THE COLOR AND CULTURE OF NICARAGUA.

JO ANN CARR

TR AVEL

EXPERT

COMPANY:

I N T E R LU D E T O U R S

EXPERTISE:

A D V E N T U R E D E S T IN AT I O NS

20 16 HIGHLIGHT S

EXPERIENCE: 1 4 Y E A R S

“We have an new extension to a Costa Rica tour offering four days in Granada, Nicaragua, our client’s favorite city there.”

Courte Cou Courtesy rtesy sy Interlude Interl Int erlude ude Tours Tour To urss

Discover a vibrant, multi-layered culture shaped by colorful politics DQG WKH VRFLDO LQ³XHQFH RI our French, Spanish and native ancestors. This unique perspective is in everything we do, how we eat, how we dance and who we are. Check out the tallest capitol in the U.S. or spend an eclectic evening dancing a fais do-do, but whatever you do, get out and

B o t h f l a m b o yann t d i s r uptionn s o f Thee l e ft-rr i g h t S h uffle 800 LA ROUGE

MALTA MAXIMA TOURS

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New to TAP this year, Maxima Tours started going to Malta in 2013, but company founder Gemma Allan is from Malta, and her son and Maxima’s experience director, Damon Allan, is a citizen of the small island country, “so it’s not like we’re rookies,” he said. Maxima spent more than two years putting together the itinerary, often calling on — and sometimes incorporating — relatives, such as Damon Allan’s great aunt, a nun who greets the group during a village feast to celebrate a patron saint. Malta is an island in the Mediterranean 50 miles south of Sicily, but it isn’t Italy. It is an independent country with two official languages: Maltese and English. Over the centuries, the Greeks, Romans, Muslims, Normans, Spanish, French and British have occupied the island, creating a rich and intricate history that awes visitors. “We’ve got 7,000 years of civilization, so it’s a big wow factor,” Damon Allan said. “We have, arguably, some of the oldest temples in the world. We have temples that are 1,000 years older than the pyramids.” Maxima limits the group to 17 to allow access to small sites. The trip includes a boat tour of Grand Harbor on traditional Maltese fishing vessels and a demonstration by a Phoenicianstyle carpet weaver. Travelers visit a man known as “the godfather of olive oil in Malta” for an olive oil tour and tasting, and go to a master cheesemaker’s farm, where they learn about the craft and even milk some animals. The group spends time in the walled capital city of Valletta, which the Knights of St. John founded in the 1500s. In the silent city of Mdina — silent because the number of vehicles is limited — Maxima arranges for a drummer and two torchbearers to greet travelers at the city gates and lead them through the winding streets to cocktails and dinner.

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2016 TAP TRAVEL GUIDE

TAP TR AVEL

EXPERT 20 16 HIGHLIGHT S

“As Malta is our exclusive product, I have to say Malta. We began this program in 2013, and it is very popular for 2016 and will continue to be a high demand product for years.”

COMPANY:

M A X IM A T O U R S

EXPERTISE:

M E D I T E R R A NE A N

EXPERIENCE: 7 YE ARS

DAMON ALLAN

XIENDI ND DI TOWER TO OWE WER R SI SITS TS ON N THE XIENDI SEA ASID SIDE E OF OF B EAU E AUTIF TIFUL UL MAL MA TA TA. SEASIDE BEAUTIFUL MALTA.

By Pet Peter er Bul Bullen, u len len, courtesy cou ourtesy t syy Maxima M ima Tours Max To Tourrs

WWW.TAPINTOTRAVEL.COM

NEW ZEALAND

GROUPS GRO ROUPS UPS IN NEW NEW ZEAL N Z ZEALAND EALAND AN CA AND CAN AN H HAVE AVE AV E A RAFTING RAFTING RAFT NG A AD ADVENTURE DVEN V T TUR RE IN IN THE THE TE WHANGA WHA WH WHANGANUI-A-HEI NGANUI NUI-A-A-HEI HE MARIN M MARINE ARIN I E RESE R RESERVE. ESERVE RVE.

Courtesy Iolani Palace

New Zealand is home to erupting geysers and bubbling mud springs, snow-covered mountains and tropical beaches — and even active volcanoes — but its allure goes beyond its epic geography. “For clients, it’s always been a destination in the back of their mind that they want to get there, but it always seemed unreachable,” said Vasil Vladinski, operations manager for TAP partner Anderson Vacations. “Now it’s more reachable than ever.” Daily flights are available from the North American market direct to Auckland; some of them can be less expensive than flying to Europe, especially those leaving from the West Coast. Anderson Vacations offers a wide range of planned group tours to New Zealand but also tailors individual trips to travelers’ interests. Most North American travelers spend about two weeks in the country. Nearly all of Anderson’s itineraries include Maori cultural experiences. At the Mitai Maori Village north of Rotorua, guests learn about Maori “ta moko” tattoo art and eat a traditional hangi meal, which is cooked in the thermal mud. By Legend Photography “Lord of the Rings” fans can visit the Shire when they stop at the Hobbiton Movie Set near Matamata. Activities such as bungee jumping, jet boating and “zorbing” — rolling down a hill in a giant inflatable bubble — will keep adrenaline junkies busy. The country’s North Island offers Waitomo Caves and the mud pools, sulfur pools and geysers in the Rotorua and Taupo regions. On South Island, visitors can hike in Abel Tasman National Park and kayak in its crystal-clear turquoise waters. Kayaking in the remote Milford Sound allows travelers to watch the sunset and discover waterfalls as seals jump all around their boats. “There’s no one else around; you’re in this majestic place,” Vladinski said. “It’s almost like an ‘Am I really doing this?’ feel.”

WHY I VISIT I visit the Memorial Museum to journey through the days following the bombing, when Oklahoma showed its bravery, its compassion and its character. Plan your tour, today.

OKCNM.org

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Courtesy Louisville CVB

WILL

CALL

TAP PARTNERS SPECIALIZE IN LIMITED-ACCESS EVENTS

BY R AC HEL C A RT ER

hey only happen once, maybe twice, a year. Sometimes, it’s a weeklong event or a weekend affair. Other times, it’s a oneday thing. The challenge with special events, be it a buffalo roundup, a music festival or a foreign embassy open house, is that they draw big crowds. Rather than fight thousands of other travelers for hotel rooms, parking and tickets, Travel Alliance Partners (TAP) offers itineraries that make it easy for travelers to get in, go behind the scenes and enjoy VIP experiences that aren’t available to the masses.

30 Courtesy SD Tourism

FOREIGN EMBASSY OPEN HOUSES

It’s an opportunity that’s available only twice a year: the chance to enter and tour foreign embassies in Washington, D.C. “It’s a big undertaking to coordinate all the embassies and their attaches and their ambassadors because they’re, politically, very busy people,” said Kate Scopetti, president of TAP partner Mid Atlantic Receptive Services, known as MARS. The open houses, presented by Cultural Tourism DC and the Delegation of the European Union to the U.S., typically happen the first two weekends in May. One weekend focuses on European Union embassies, and the other’s theme is “Around the World.” As many as 40 embassies are open to the public for tours each weekend, and past favorites have included France, Spain, Italy, Hungary, Japan, Egypt and Turkey, to name a few. MARS guides are trained “how to embassy hop,” she said, and they know how to navigate between the four or five embassies the group will visit, avoiding the most crowded embassies at peak times. MARS travelers also enjoy more access than the general public. Before the doors open to the public, MARS sets up one or two private tours on Friday and Saturday with an embassy representative for “some one-on-one experiences with that particular culture and a little more immersion,” Scopetti said. MARS can also arrange additional experiences. Groups can eat dinner inside an embassy; visit the Mexican Cultural Institute of Washington, D.C.; or attend the Foreign Policy Classroom at the U.S. Department of State to watch a foreign policy briefing. The itinerary, which can be customized for each group’s interests, also includes Friday tours at nearby historic mansions such as the Anderson House, which currently houses the Society of the Cincinnati; the 1894 Heurich Mansion, built by beer baron Christian Heurich; and Tudor Place, which was the home of Martha Washington’s granddaughter. Other options on Sunday include visiting President Lincoln’s Cottage or Smithsonian museums.

CUSTER STATE PARK BUFFALO ROUNDUP

In 1914, Custer State Park in South Dakota got its first 36 head of bison, descendants of the range’s last buffalo, which some ranchers saved. The state added to its herd as time went on, but when the herd got too big for the park, officials started the annual roundup to auction off some bison, said Shebby Lee, owner and president of TAP partner Shebby Lee Tours. Today, the herd is kept at about 1,300 head. Every September, professional cowboys and ranchers on horseback and in trucks round up the herd to corral them, brand them and separate the 5-year-olds that will be sold at auction. For the event, which can draw up to 15,000 people, Shebby Lee Tours’ buses arrive early at one of two viewing areas — sort of rural parking lots — to get prime spots. For safety, the viewing areas are far from the action, so visitors should bring binoculars and telephoto lenses. But the event is still dramatic as the herd rumbles over hills, along ridges and beside creeks.

BUFFALO ROUNDUP ATTENDEES SEE HUNDREDS OF BISON BEING HERDED IN THE BLACK HILLS OF SOUTH DAKOTA.

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TAP’S NASCAR RACE PACKAGES OFFER RACING FANS BOTH CONVENIENCE AND INSIDER ACCESS.

Courtesy Sports Travel and Tours

“It’s taken us a while to make sure people don’t think they’re riding horseback into the buffalo herd,” Lee said. “They’re dangerous. A buffalo can run faster than a horse and weighs over a ton.” Once the buffalo are corralled, visitors can get up close. Buses drive visitors to the corral, or people can walk. There, sturdy fences separate spectators from the bison — which is good because “those animals are mad,” Lee said. “The mothers are hysterical because their babies are bawling, and they’re being branded. That’s pretty dramatic, too.” The five-day trip is a hub-and-spoke itinerary out of Rapid City, South Dakota, that includes visits to Mount Rushmore, the Crazy Horse Monument, Badlands National Park and the historic city of Deadwood and a ride on an 1880 steam-powered train.

NASCAR RACES

Sports Travel and Tours, a TAP partner, offers more than 40 racing itineraries each year; about 38 of those are NASCAR events, and a handful of other trips feature races such as the Indianapolis 500 and the F1 U.S. Grand Prix. NASCAR season starts with the Sprint Unlimited in February at the Daytona International Speedway and usually runs through October or early November. “It’s so loud, but you can more than hear the energy of the cars passing by you,” said Jay Smith, president and owner of Sports Travel and Tours. “It literally goes through your body. It’s so amazing.” Sports Travel and Tours’ racing packages aren’t “necessarily different; it’s easier,” Smith said. The company arranges for the hotel. The motorcoach takes the group to the track. And “the seating is generally better than you can get on your own,” Smith said. “For the most part, because we’re coming back year in and year out, we have a track record, and we’re getting better seats than the general public,” he said. Going with a tour means travelers don’t have to fight 100,000 other people for a hotel room or a parking space, but beyond convenience, Sports Travel and Tours offers its guests more in-depth experiences. Depending on the race, the company can arrange for people to tour the pits and see the cars up close. The company encourages its visitors to rent scanners, which allow people to hear the race broadcast and listen in on communication between drivers and their crews. Many times, Sports Travel and Tours will also arrange a prerace tailgate party at the motorcoach. Free time during the weekend itineraries is left open for travelers to explore. For example, many people who attend the Toyota-Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway take advantage of the northern California location to tour area wineries, Smith said.

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L A K E CH A R L E S / SOUTHWEST LO U IS I A N A C V B

“We now have two world-class EXPERTISE: casino resorts so close together ADVENTURE you can walk between them. T O U R I S M D IR E C T O R This paired with major growth EXPERIENCE: in our hotel accommodations 28 YE ARS gives us the rooms, the food, the culture and all the L’AUBERGE CASINO RESORT OVERLOOKS THE BAYOU amenities.” CONTRABAND IN LAKE CHARLES.

BECAUSE OKC-ING IS BELIEVING

It’s no longer a secret – Oklahoma City has the world talking. From the OKC Thunder to the OKC skyline. From our totally unique river watersports to the restaurants and nightlife of Bricktown, Midtown and the Arts District. National monuments and museums. And people whose welcoming spirit built the

ANNE KLENKE

experience that will surround you. Now is the time to OKC us in a whole new light. —VisitOKC.com—

Courtesy Lake Charles/ SWLA CVB

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FIESTA SAN ANTONIO

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Fiesta San Antonio will celebrate its 125th anniversary in 2016. The annual festival began in 1891 when a group of residents held a Battle of Flowers to honor the heroes of the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto. Although the April festival has gone by several names since then, today’s Fiesta San Antonio is a 10-day citywide affair packed with parades, cultural performances, food, live music and more. “The costumes of the mariachi bands playing all around town, playing at the Mercado, little kids dressed in their bright outfits — it’s a visual potpourri,” said Randy Case, president and CEO of AFC Vacations, a TAP partner. AFC Vacations has been running its San Antonio Spring Fiesta itinerary for 10 years, highlighting the festival, the city and the surrounding region. AFC reserves grandstand seats for the Fiesta Flambeau Parade, one of the festival’s signature events and one of the largest illuminated parades in the nation. The Courtesy AFC Vacations evening parade features lighted floats and light-up costumes, all with a distinctive Hispanic flair. The group stays at the Drury Plaza hotel on San Antonio’s Riverwalk, which Case describes as “Bourbon Street meets Texas.” The trip starts off with a private, narrated boat ride on the San Antonio River, and guests can explore Riverwalk’s shops, restaurants, bars and nightclubs. Day trips take travelers to tour the Alamo and to Texas Hill Country, where they’ll visit the Lyndon B. Johnson ranch and the German town of Fredericksburg. Guests will also stop at the Austin Wildflower Center and the 1720 Mission San Jose. This year, AFC Vacations introduced “mystery events.” Travelers know there will be a

Your best tours start with the A-Team.

Plan your next motorcoach tour with someone you know … your friends on the A-Team … Arkansas’s motorcoach tour experts. We know tours inside and out and can help you plan itineraries or suggest destinations you may not have considered – or known about. And since we work cooperatively, you can call one of us, and we can even help you with ideas clear across the state. That’s why we’re the A-Team. FIND OUT MORE BY VISITING ArkansasGroupTravel.com OR CALLING 1-800-872-1259.

2016 TAP TRAVEL GUIDE

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“The Arkansas Rendezvous, a TAP SpecTAPular program, has presented all the excitement I can handle for 2016.”

COMPANY:

A L L A ME R I C A N TOURS

EXPERTISE: NE W YO RK

EXPERIENCE: 45 YE ARS

DAVID BURNS

NEXT YEAR’S SPECTAPULAR PARTICIPANTS WILL CELEBRATE AT SITES AROUND LITTLE ROCK.

Courtesy Little Rock CVB

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surprise event during the trip, but they don’t know when or where it will happen — or what it will be. Mystery events could be a special meal, an attraction or an entertainer portraying a historic person.

FRENCH QUARTER FESTIVAL

New Orleans’ French Quarter is a hopping place all the time, but it’s particularly hopping during the annual French Quarter Festival, a free music festival held every April throughout the historic district since 1984. The festival heralds itself as the largest free festival in the nation, with a record-setting attendance of more than 732,000 people in 2014. Bad weather caused attendance to drop in 2015. Three days of festivities feature 800-some local musicians playing jazz, blues and zydeco on stages that dot the quarter and line the Mississippi River waterfront. Guests also enjoy parades and marching bands, food vendors and fireworks and dancing in the streets. “They go and eat and drink and listen to music and dance in the streets,” said David Burns, managing director for TAP partner All American Tours, which introduced its French Quarter Festival itinerary in 2014. “It’s just a real fun time.” The trip is special for many travelers because they’re on their own. All American Tours gives guests the choice of booking at Marriott’s AC Hotel or the boutique Blake Hotel, depending on their budget, and has guides available for questions or help. Other than that, people simply explore the French Quarter, the festival and the food. “It’s a unique event because they’re on their own,” Burns said. “Our customers are used to having a rather firm itinerary and a guide and it’s point A to point B. Here, it’s a free-for-all. People enjoy it.”

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THE TH

THE BEST OF AMERICANA

veryone knows the saying “as American as apple pie,” but some places are even more American than that. Williamsburg, Virginia, played a pivotal role in the Revolutionary War, helping the 13 British colonies become the United States of America. President Abraham Lincoln delivered one of the most famous speeches in American history in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. And because Route 66 runs from Chicago to the West Coast, it helped shape cities such as Albuquerque, New Mexico. Travel Alliance Partners tours travel to these Americana destinations to showcase the nation’s history and its modern, all-American culture.

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BRANSON, MISSOURI

In 1982, Roy Clark built the Roy Clark Celebrity Theatre in Branson, making him the first musician to establish his own theater in the city. Branson’s many lakes and outdoor activities had already made the region a popular destination, but with the addition of entertainment, the city began to boom. Perhaps it was also the type of music coming to Branson — homegrown country — that spoke to people. “Roy Clark was very popular coming off ‘Hee Haw,’ so that may have been a reason it was something that really touched people in the Midwest,” said Lynn Berry, director of communications for the Branson/Lakes Area Convention and Visitors Bureau and Chamber of Commerce. Branson first burst onto America’s radar with a 1991 segment on CBS’s “60 Minutes.” After that, Branson was “a 103-year-old overnight success story,” Berry said. Today, the city’s motto of “faith, family and flag” makes it a draw for families, church groups and military reunions. At most of the 120 shows that take the stage every day, visitors will find a patriotic set during the performance, and each show usually takes time at some point to honor veterans, Berry said. At the Starlite Theatre, the Texas Tenors put on a performance that blends country, classical and gospel, and the “Six” show features six brothers singing a capella in a performance that includes incredible renditions of patriotic songs. “Buckets N Boards” is a high-energy, family-friendly percussion show where the performers go into the audience to ask veterans about their stories. At Shepherd of the Hills, “Roundup on the Trail” is a chuck-wagon dinner show. While dining on barbecued brisket, baked beans and corn on the cob, the audience is also asked to participate in traditional cowboy songs and cowboy poetry. — W W W.E XPLO REB R A NS O N.C O M —

GETTYSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, has always been one of America’s most iconic history destinations, said Carl Whitehill, director of communications for Destination Gettysburg. “When you want to learn about American history, you’re going to group Gettysburg in with Boston, Philadelphia and D.C.,” he said. But many people don’t realize that the community of 8,000 people has used that legacy — and the 3.7 million visitors it brings in every year — to build an arts, entertainment and cuisine culture that’s not found in many other small cities. Visitors come to the city for the historic site of the July 1863 Battle of Gettysburg known as Gettysburg National Military Park. Groups can take a bus tour of the Civil War battlefield or reserve a licensed battlefield guide who can customize the experience. For example, a group from Illinois can learn where the Illinois regiments fought. Groups can also tour the battlefield by Segway, bicycle and horseback.

BRANSON VISITORS GET A THRILL ON OUTLAW RUN AT SILVER DOLLAR CITY.

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“Gettysburg is such a familiar name to so many people, but a lot of people are surprised when they get here and realize the depths of it,” Whitehill said. Beyond the battlefield, Gettysburg offers museums, culinary experiences and an emerging hard-cider industry, which surprises a lot of people, he said. The Gettysburg countryside is a big fruit-growing area with 20,000 acres of apple orchards. The region is home to three hard cideries, and many area wineries have downtown tasting rooms. In addition to wineries and orchards, the Gettysburg Wine and Fruit Trail incorporates farmers markets, including the Historic Round Barn and Farm Market. Groups can pick fruit at local orchards, and Hollabaugh Brothers Fruit Farm and Market offers orchard tours on a hay wagon. Visitors can leave with pies, breads and dumplings from the market’s in-house bakery.

Courtesy Branson/Lakes Area CVB

— W W W.D ESTINATIONGE T T YSBURG.C OM —

MONROE-WEST MONROE, LOUISIANA

THE WETLANDS AROUND MONROE AND WEST MONROE

By Mary Frost Insayn, courtesy Monroe-West Monroe CVB

Before 2012, the sister cities of Monroe and West Monroe, Louisiana, may have been known for their hospitality, but that didn’t put them on the nation’s radar. The premiere of cable network A&E’s smash hit “Duck Dynasty,” a reality show that follows the Robertson family and its multimillion-dollar company, Duck Commander, did that. “The show has been very, very good for us,” said Harolyn Falgoust, senior convention and tourism sales for the Monroe-West Monroe Convention and Visitors Bureau. “When you talk to families or motorcoach groups that are coming into the office, they say it’s a family-style show. They can watch the show with their children, and they want to come and experience anything to do with the Robertson family.” The CVB launched its Official Duck Commander Hometown Tour to take groups around town free of charge to sites they may recognize from the show, such as White’s Ferry Road Church of Christ, Debbie’s Snowballs and Haskell’s Donuts. But visitors will soon have a new attraction. The CVB can’t say too much yet, but the Duck Commander Experience, coming in early 2016, will allow guests into the day-to-day lives of the Robertson family and give them behind-the-scenes access to the official Duck Commander headquarters. People will be able to see Willy’s office, the duck-call room and the inside of the Duck Commander warehouse. Although the show has been a boon for them, the cities are home to more than “Duck Dynasty” attractions. Landry Vineyards offers concerts in the spring and fall, and the Chennault Aviation Military Museum tells Monroe’s story as the birthplace of Delta Air Lines and one of the largest World War II pilot training bases. The Biedenharn Museum and Gardens TRAVELERS APPLES TRAVEL ELERS SP PICK KA PPLES LES offers guided tours of the mansion as well as its on-site AT AN ORCHARD GETTYSBURG. O D NEAR N R GE GETTY TTYSBURG TTY TTYSBURG. G. Coca-Cola and bible museums. Courtesy Destination Gettysburg

— WWW.MONROE-WESTMONROE.ORG —

2016 TAP TRAVEL GUIDE

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EXPERT

TODD STALLBAUMER

20 16 HIGHLIGHT S

COMPANY:

“So many announcements and seeing projects come to fruition. The White Water Rapids Park that is part of OKC Riversports. Starting the Oklahoma Popular Culture Museum in Tulsa, continued developments along Route 66. Oklahoma is truly coming of age and celebrating events and attractions statewide.”

O K L A HO M A T O U R IS M A ND R E C R E AT I O N D E PA R T M E N T

EXPERTISE:

CONSUMER AND TRADE MARKE TING DIRECTOR

EXPERIENCE: 2 3 Y E A R S Courtesy Oklahoma TRD

TONY MINDEN

ROUTE 66 STOPS ADD CHARACTER TO ROAD TRIPS THROUGH OKLAHOMA.

Tour Northeast Oklahoma’s Iconic Route 66, Cowboys, Indians & Oil Barons

Ponca City Tourism 866.763.8092 VisitPoncaCity.com

Bartlesville Convention & Visitors Bureau 800.364.8708 VisitBartlesville.com

Visit Claremore 877.341.8688 VisitClaremore.org

Visit Cherokee Nation 877.779.6977 VisitCherokeeNation.com

Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau 918.542.4435 VisitMiami.com

ACOMA DANCERS AT THE INDIAN PUEBLO CULTURAL CENTER IN ALBUQUERQUE.

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ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO

Nothing is more all-American than Route 66, and the original Mother Road runs through downtown Albuquerque. A self-guided Route 66 tour starts in the historic Nob Hill neighborhood and stretches west along Central Avenue through downtown, past the 1927 KiMo Theater, and through Historic Old Town to the Albuquerque Aquarium and Rio Grande Botanic Garden. About 15 miles east, near Tijeras, groups can drive the Route 66 “Singing Road,” which plays “America the Beautiful” when vehicles drive the speed limit: 45 miles per hour. “It’s really cool, and it really works,” said Shamaine Giannini, group tour liaison with the Albuquerque Convention and Visitors Bureau. But the culture in and around Albuquerque is older than the United States itself. The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center works with dozens of local artists, so groups can arrange Native American dance, flute and storyteller performances or bring in artists for pottery-making, weaving, jewelry-making and glassblowing demonstrations. The center also offers culinary programs, and visitors can enjoy Native American fusion dishes at the on-site Pueblo Harvest Café and Bakery. At Petroglyph National Monument, groups can do some light hiking or take a guided tour to explore the petroglyphs that Native Americans and Spanish settlers carved 400 to 700 years ago. Some area pueblos are also open to the public. Acoma Pueblo, about 50 miles west of Albuquerque, sits on a 365-foot-high sandstone mesa, known as Sky City. There, visitors are often surprised to discover that families still occupy the traditional homes. Groups can buy Acoma-made pottery at the visitor center, which also houses a museum, and arrange for guided mesa tours, guided hikes, meals with native food or artist demonstrations, Giannini said. Visitors should keep in mind that pueblos can close unexpectedly for special events or religious observances

— WWW.VISITALBUQUERQUE.ORG —

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Courtesy Greater Williamsburg CTA

2016 TAP TRAVEL GUIDE

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

AN ARTISAN AR IS ART ISA SAN N PAINTS PA TS A GOUR PAIN G GOURD O D OURD IN ALBUQUERQUE. ALB AL BUQU QUERQ RQUE UE.

Courtesy VisitAlbuquerque.org

ALBUQUERQUE VISITORS CAN ENJOY TRADITIONAL NEW MEXICO ART AND CULTURE IN OLD TOWN. Courtesy VisitAlbuquerque.org

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 French cuisine...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 37 lodging choices and 1600 rooms, it’s nothing but sweet dreams. Book your group today!

www.SunnySideOfLouisville.org

contact our group guru WWW.TAPINTOTRAVEL.COM

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

WILLIAMSBURG, VIRGINIA

FIFE AND DRUM PERFORMANCES ARE A HALLMARK OF VISITS TO WILLIAMSBURG.

Courtesy Greater Williamsburg CTA

Williamsburg is about as American as you can get, especially considering the city’s pivotal role in the United States’ founding. The town was Virginia’s capital from 1699 to 1780, key years of the war, and is part of the state’s Historic Triangle, which includes Jamestown and Yorktown. Modern visitors immediately think of Colonial Williamsburg, the historic district and living-history museum, where every building is original or rebuilt on its original foundations. Groups can see blacksmiths, carpenters and shoemakers at work; watch fife and drum corps march past; or chat with George Washington and Thomas Jefferson re-enactors as they stroll the milelong Duke of Gloucester street. Group tours give an overview of key sites, such as the Governor’s Palace, the Capitol Building and the courthouse, and custom tours can highlight different interests, such as the formal gardens or Washington’s life. “When you’re doing these tours, you find yourself thinking back to ‘George Washington was here. He was actually here,’” said Vivian Bunting, tourism sales manager for the Greater Williamsburg Chamber and Tourism Alliance. Groups typically combine Colonial Williamsburg with Historic Jamestowne, the first permanent English settlement, where active archaeological digs are ongoing, as well as the Yorktown battlefield and the Yorktown Victory Center. In Yorktown, Riverwalk Landing sits on the banks of the York River. There, groups find restaurants and shops, as well as a marina that’s home to Yorktown Sailing Charters, which offers cruises and charters aboard its two schooners, Alliance and Serenity. Guides wearing period costumes lead group tours of the original 1726 Berkeley Plantation mansion, packed with 18th-century antiques, and visitors can explore the terraced gardens and on-site museum on their own. About 11 miles east, Sherwood Forest Plantation, home of President John Tyler, offers self-guided grounds tours or home tours by appointment. — WWW.VISITWILLIAMSBURG.COM —

GETAWAYS ARE BETTER WITH A

SOUTHERN ACCENT. SM

Our recent trip to Little Rock was something special. Exploring the shops and restaurants in SoMa, named a “Next Great Neighborhood” by Southern Living, and the new Outlets of Little Rock, were great. Taking in the city’s artisanal food scene, especially its local breweries, wineries and distillery, was amazing. Catching dinner and a play at The Rep, and watching the city’s beautifully illuminated bridges was the perfect close to the day. Our time there felt diferent — and such a pleasant surprise. We can’t wait to return to Little Rock.

RANKED #3, “MOST TRAVEL-WORTHY STATE CAPITALS,” USA TODAY, 2014 “FIVE SECRET FOODIE CITIES” FORBES TRAVEL GUIDE, 2014 “TOP 10 BEST VALUE CITY” TRIVAGO.COM, 2015 - 2016

River Lights in the Rock > To see more, go to LittleRock.com. Located in the center of the state, Little Rock is a perfect addition to any itinerary.

CENTENNIAL

CELEBRATION

TAKE A TAP T RIP T O ONE OF AMERICA’S NATIONAL PARKS

BY R AC HEL C A RT ER

he National Park Service will celebrate its centennial in 2016, and its parks, monuments and other sites are looking better than ever. Each unit’s terrain is as distinctive and its wildlife as diverse as a person’s fingerprints. Everglades National Park in Florida is the only place in the nation to spot an American crocodile, and Alaska’s Denali National Park is the only park that uses sled-dog teams to patrol the land. Travel Alliance Partners tours highlight some of the most compelling national parks around the United States. Here are a few to consider for your next trip.

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BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK UTAH

With 35,000 acres, Bryce Canyon National Park in southern Utah is one of the smaller national parks. But what it lacks in size, it makes up for in scenery. Red-rock spires, called hoodoos, jut up like stalagmites on Earth’s surface. To call it a canyon is a misnomer because canyons are carved by rivers; the park is an intricately eroded edge of a plateau. The region’s active weather and freeze-thaw cycles have eaten away at the sandy limestone, which makes it both crumbly and colorful, to form the “weird and bizarre scenery we have,” said Jan Stock, concessions management specialist for the park. The park sits atop the Paunsaugunt Plateau at an elevation of about 8,000 feet, although its highest elevation is Rainbow Point at more than 9,100 feet. Bryce Canyon has 65 miles of hiking trails, ranging from a milelong, wheelchair-accessible path to mileslong, strenuous hikes. A 38-mile round-trip scenic road offers 14 viewpoints and takes about three hours to drive. Year-round ranger programs can include short geology talks about hoodoo formation and guided hikes along the plateau rim or down among the hoodoos. Winter programs include guided snowshoe excursions when there’s enough snow. During the summer, the park offers stargazing astronomy programs about three times a week that are easy for groups to join. “We have spectacular skies here,” Stock said. “In the summer, you can see the Milky Way galaxy almost nightly, like a big silver rainbow stretching across the night sky.” The Lodge at Bryce Canyon has guest rooms and cabins, a general store and restaurant. From April to October, Canyon Trail Rides offers two-hour and half-day horseback rides among the hoodoos. — WWW.NPS.GOV/BRCA —

GLACIER NATIONAL PARK MONTANA

Glacier National Park became the country’s 10th national park in 1910 and, with more than a million acres, features a truly diverse terrain. White snow stripes the dark, dramatic mountains. Dozens of lakes dot the landscape. East of the Continental Divide, the park becomes gentler, with more hills and aspens and rampant wildflowers. And all year long, there are “endless wildlife opportunities,” said Katie Liming, public affairs assistant for the park. Going-to-the-Sun Road, which was completed in 1933, is a highlight and a must-see for visitors. The 53-mile engineering marvel stretches the width of the park and spans the Continental Divide. Although the park is open year-round, the road is not; snow decides when the road closes in the fall and reopens in the spring. THE MOUNTAINS AND SHORES OF LAKE SHERBURNE TYPIFY THE BEAUTY OF GLACIER NATIONAL PARK.

LAKE MCDONALD IS ONE OF THE MOST SCENIC AND ACCESSIBLE PARTS OF MONTANA’S GLACIER NATIONAL PARK. By Tim Rains, courtesy NPS

“It’s a road with a lot of history, but you also have to stop at every pullout to get every view,” Liming said. Two companies offer tours along Going-to-the-Sun Road. Red Bus Tours operates a fleet of red 1930s buses with roll-back canvas roofs; Sun Tours gives guests a Blackfeet perspective of the park, the tribe’s history there and its sacred stories and sites. Swan Mountain Outfitters leads horseback rides throughout the park, and Glacier Guides offers guided whitewater-rafting trips, hikes and fishing excursions. Glacier Park Boat Co.’s narrated interpretive boat tours are available on Lake McDonald, St. Mary Lake, Two Medicine Lake and Many Glacier Lake, and the company welcomes groups and private charters. The park’s historic lodges — Apgar Village Lodge, Lake McDonald Lodge and Many Glacier Hotel — are fun to check out, whether for an overnight stay or a short visit, Liming said. — WWW.NPS.GOV/GLAC —

BRYCE CANYON FEATURES STUNNING ROCK FORMATIONS.

Courtesy NPS

Courtesy Cou rtesy t syy NPS P

ACADIA NATIONAL PARK MAINE

From waves crashing on the craggy coastline to the top of Mount Cadillac, Acadia National Park is a place where the mountains meet the sea. “You have a highly glaciated landscape that rises up to 1,530 feet above the sea,” said John Kelly, management specialist for Acadia National Park. “It’s also marked by incredibly scenic rocky shorelines, which are not found in any other national park in the United States.” The 45,000-acre park takes up much of Maine’s Mount Desert Island and is the first and oldest park created entirely from private land. The park is home to 120 miles of trails and 45 miles of an extensive carriage trail system. From about 1913 to the early 1930s, John D. Rockefeller, who was opposed to allowing cars on the island, funded a project to build 16-foot-wide gravel carriage roads and bridges that visitors can still enjoy today. Carriages of Acadia provides a range of sightseeing tours, including one that highlights some of the system’s 17 granite bridges, on its 16-passenger horse-drawn wagons, which are also available for private charters. Acadia National Park Tours and Oli’s Trolley bus tours take groups along the 27-mile Park Loop Road, which includes highlights such as Sand Beach, Thunder Hole and Otter Point ACADIA NATIONAL PARK PRESERVES and goes to the top of Cadillac STRETCHES OF MAINE’S ROCKY ATLANTIC Mountain. Rangers are also COASTLINE. available as step-on guides, and groups are encouraged to use the park’s free Island Explorer bus shuttles, which run from June 23 to Columbus Day every year. Ranger-narrated boat cruises are available in season and take guests sightseeing in Frenchman Bay and to explore the remote Baker Island. The Islesford Historical Cruise sails to Little Cranberry Island, where passengers disembark to visit the Islesford Historical Museum and explore the Somes Sound scenic fjord. — WWW.NPS.GOV/ACAD —

2016 TAP TRAVEL GUIDE

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“There are currently eight new hotels under construction along with a new shopping center that will be anchored by a Nike factory store, Banana Republic factory store, and Gap factory store. In addition, the American Wind Power Center, a museum that houses the largest collection of windmills in the U.S., is completing construction on a new 33,000-square-foot exhibit space. Llano Estacado Winery recently completed a brand-new, beautiful tasting room, and all of our annual events, including summer’s LUBBOCK’S AMERICAN WIND Moonlight Musicals, POWER CENTER HOUSES THE promise to be betCOUNTRY’S LARGEST COLLECTION OF WINDMILLS. ter than ever!”

AMY ZIENTEK Courtesy Visit Lubbock

Sout So uthh Ca Carrol olin inaa

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YLVLWťR F FRP

VISITORS VIS V ISITO ISITO ISIT OR RS S TO D DENAL DEN DENALI EN NA ALI AL LII N L NATIO NATIONAL ATIO TIONAL ONA NAL AL L PAR P PARK ARK IN ARK IN AL ALA A ALASKA LAS L ASKA AS SK KA A CAN AN MEE M ME MEET ET E T TEAMS TEA TE TEAMS MS OF F SLE SLED DD DOGS OGS OG SA AN AND ND LE LE LEARN EA ARN RN ABOU ABO A ABOUT B BOU UT T THE THEIR THEIR HEIR R TR T TRA TRAINING. RAINI RAINI INING ING G.

Photos courtesy NPS MOOSE AND OTHER WILDLIFE CAN BE SEEN THROUGHOUT DENALI NATIONAL PARK.

ADVENTURE IS CALLING Kenai Fjords Tours

Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge

Alaska Railroad

Seward Windsong Lodge

DENALI NATIONAL PARK ALASKA

It can be difficult to imagine Alaska’s vastness, but if it were overlaid on the lower 48 states, Alaska would take up 21 percent of the continental United States. So it’s no surprise that Denali National Park is one of the National Park Service’s largest, with 6 million acres — more than Vermont. Denali, the 20,237-foot-high mountain formerly known as Mount McKinley, is the park’s showpiece and the tallest peak in North America. A single, winding road bisects the wilderness, but the “neat thing about Denali is you don’t necessarily need a vehicle to explore it in depth,” said acting public information officer Kathleen Kelly. “When you think of Alaska, you think you have to drive everywhere, but you really don’t.” Groups can take the Alaska Railroad straight into the park. When they get off the train at the Denali station, courtesy shuttles are available to explore the front country and take guests the first 15 miles into the park, Kelly said. Visitors can then take a shuttle to the Wilderness Access Center, where tickets are available for bus tours that go the remaining 90 miles into the backcountry. Visitors often spend time exploring the Denali Visitors Center and the Murray Science and Learning Center, and most people stop by the kennels for a sled-dog demonstration two miles up the road. Interpretative programs are offered three times a day, and people can always visit the kennels to spend some time with the dogs — there’s usually a litter of puppies every spring and summer, Kelly said. “We’re the only park with a working dog kennel, and that’s how we patrol the park in the winter,” she said. Wildlife viewing is always abundant, and visitors are all but guaranteed to see one of the “Alaska big five”: moose, caribou, bears, wolves and Dall sheep. About 50 to 60 ranger-led programs are offered every week in the summer, from discovery hikes to talks on the visitor center deck.

— WWW.NPS.GOV/DENA — 800-544-0552 • AlaskaRailroad.com

800-468-8068 • ciritourism.com/gt

2016 TAP TRAVEL GUIDE

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EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK FLORIDA

Everglades National Park sits on the southernmost tip of Florida, spanning 1.5 million acres of some of the nation’s most diverse habitats and offering some of the most impressive wildlife. “I like to describe it as a ‘National Geographic Special’ every day,” said park ranger Alan Scott. The park’s high season is its dry season, which lasts roughly from Thanksgiving to Easter. The first two weeks of January offer some of the best weather and wildlife, and hardly any crowds, Scott said. Just like human snowbirds, when the weather is cold and snowy elsewhere, wildlife seeks refuge in Florida and especially in the Everglades. Along the main park road are three visitor centers and seven interpretative trails, all of which are less than a mile long with paved paths o r raised boardwalks. At the Royal Palm Visitor Center, the Anhinga Trail leads into a saw grass marsh, where visitors may see turtles, herons and egrets and, at certain times, could count hundreds of alligators, Scott said. The paved Gumbo Limbo Trail winds through a dense hammock of tropical hardwoods, and the Pineland Trail, through a forest of pine trees and palmettos. Shark Valley Tram Tours offers group rates for its guided two-hour tram tours. Groups can also rent bicycles to explore a 15-mile loop and stop at an observation tower “where it’s wilderness from horizon to horizon,” Scott said. Everglades National Park Boat Tours easily accommodates motorcoach and tour groups. Boat tours leaving from Flamingo Marina explore mangrove forests and the Florida Bay, which is the “only place you’ll see the American crocodile in America,” Scott said. Gulf Coast cruises that leave from Everglades City often deliver views of dolphins and manatees, as well as more mangrove forests. — WWW.NPS.GOV/EVER — VISITORS VISITO VIS ITO OR RS S OFT OFTEN EN SEE E AL ALLIG ALLIGATORS LIG GATO ATORS RS TOURS TH THR ROUG OU H FLO F LOR ORIDA DA’S ’S ON TOURS THROUGH FLORIDA’S EVERGL EVE RG ADE RGL D SN ATIONA ATI ONAL ONA L PARK. PARK PARK AR . EVERGLADES NATIONAL

By Rodney Cammauf, courtesy NPS

2016 TAP TRAVEL GUIDE

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701 Uhler Road Easton, PA 18040 800-943-0071 Sharon Herman, V.P. Sales and Marketing sherman@eastcoasttouring.com www.eastcoasttouring.com We are a full-service tour company operating tours and cruises to destinations around the world since 1981. We specialize in the Bank Travel and Student Travel markets. In addition to a variety of pre-planned itineraries, all our tours are customized to fit each individual group’s needs. We offer receptive services for our local Lehigh Valley area, Lancaster, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and New York City.

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PO Box 489 Ozark, MO 65721 800-346-7706 Kimberly Vance kim@advancetourandtravel.com www.advancetourandtravel.com We are a full service receptive operator and a custom tour planning service for the US and Canada. We will customize an itinerary with activities that are created just for your group. We specialize in “thinking outside the box”. We pride ourselves on great customer service, first-rate tours, quick proposal turn around and same day answers to all your questions. Your guests will truly “advance beyond the ordinary” when they travel with AdVance Tour & Travel.

6450 Lusk Blvd #E210 San Diego, CA 92121 800-369-3693 Randy Case rcase@afctours.com www.afcvacations.com Do you want unique, leisurely paced, first class, escorted vacations for your groups? If so, let our 35 years of experience go to work for you. Specializing in USA, Canada, Switzerland, & Australia New Zealand, we offer unpack once, deluxe train, themed, culinary, garden tours to off the beaten path destinations.

6417-A Fauntleroy Way SW Seattle, WA 98136 800-895-2554 Claire Nolan claire@alkitours.com www.alkitours.com For more than 20 years, our daily goal at Alki Tours Worldwide has been to deliver the highest quality, best value and exceptional service to our family of travelers, every single time. Our mission is to inspire, inform and equip travelers on tours that are fun, affordable and culturally broadening. We value travel as a powerful way to better understand and contribute to the world in which we live. We strive to deliver a first class travel experience, with unique itineraries all while stretching your travel dollar further than its ever gone.

PO Box 10 Ellington, MO 63638 800-905-0590 573-663-3100 David G. Burns david@allamericantours.us www.allamericantours.us A full service tour operator with offices in Georgia, Missouri, New York, Pennsylvania and Texas. We offer a collection of affordable tours and receptive services that include 3,4 and 5 star accommodations, sightseeing, attractions, meals and a full time local guide throughout the USA and Canada. European group tours, cruises & FITs.’

301 1117 1 Street SW Calgary, AB, T2R 0T9 866-814-7378 Corey Marshall cmarshall@andersonvacations.ca www.andersonvacations.ca Anderson Vacations is your one stop Canada, Alaska, Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific Islands Travel Solution. Customized Holidays, Net Wholesale Airfares and Group Programs. Let their specialist knowledge work for you.

22 Waddell Avenue, Suite 101 Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, B3K 1K3 800-565-7173 Richard Arnold, President rarnold@atlantictours.com www.atlantictours.com Atlantic Tours, Atlantic Canada’s most comprehensive tour operator, offers custom-designed group programs, scheduled guaranteed departures in Canada and globally, professional step-on-guides, private cruise shore excursions and city stay packages. Core products include escorted scheduled vacations to Canada with emphasis on Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland & Labrador.

15250 Euclid Allen Park, MI 48101 313-388-0448 Sue Biggs sue@customholidaysonline.com www.customholidaysonline.com Custom Holidays loves groups! We work directly with group leaders to plan tours that reflect the travel interests of your group. We produce custom itineraries and flyers to assist in selling your trip. For smaller groups, we will combine your group or advertise to our general mailing list. Call today!

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125 Main Street Stoneham, MA 02180 800-234-9959 Richard Durgan info@durgantravel.com www.durgantravel.com Durgan Travel Service is an award-winning European tour and cruise operator, featuring high-quality regional vacations throughout Europe at super rates. Trips are all-or mostly-inclusive (air/meals/ sightseeing/full-time escort/expert guides). Group incentives available. Custom itineraries arranged for full groups or join pre-formed tours. Ask about our best-priced European River Cruise Charters.

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320 Elton Hills Drive NW Rochester MN 55901 800-658-7128, 507-289-3332 Larry Larsen larry@ed-ventures.com www.ed-ventures.com Ed-Ventures is an out-bound international tour company. We started customizing group tours in 1978 with the wishes of the client in mind. We specialize in all countries of Europe and Central America and are a leader in faith-based tours around the world. TRY US! Free quotes!

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24W500 Maple Avenue, Suite 216 Naperville, IL 60540 630-778-7010 Reservations only: 800-421-3330 Sandi Pufahl, CTP tours@fancyfreeholidays.com www.fancyfreeholidays.com Since 1989, Fancy-Free Holidays has provided deluxe guided vacations to destinations around the world. We are experts at what we do and our repeat customers attest to this fact. We will organize a tour for any size group as well as sell individual passengers onto our already scheduled departures. Ireland and British Isles are our specialty.

JOY TOUR & TRAVEL

9674 Cincinnati-Columbus Road Cincinnati, OH 45241 513-777-8221 Greg Wingham greg@joytours.com www.joytours.com We have specialized in the needs of GROUP LEADERS and their travelers since 1985. Let us plan your travel with unique tours that are sure to please! We offer motorcoach as well as fly trips. Our partnership with TAP gives us guaranteed departures. Let us put “JOY” in your travel!

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PO 1390 5407 Germain Street Stephens City VA 22655 800-769-5912 x 116 Kate Scopetti mars@takeafuntrip.com www.takeafuntrip.com The Leader in Tailor Made Custom Group Tours to Washington DC, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and the Mid Atlantic. Specialty tours include The National Cherry Blossom, Blue Grass from the Blue Ridge, Civil War, Culinary Events, Inside the Embassies,Azalea Festival and International Tattoo with NATO Fest, 100 Miles of Lights and Grand Illumination, Coastal Carolina, East Coast Swing includes NYC, Boston, Philadelphia and much more!

PO Box 1032 Rapid City, SD 57709 605-343-4852 Shebby Lee, CTP shebby@shebbyleetours.com www.shebbyleetours.com Shebby Lee Tours’ travel niche is the legendary American West. Over the past 38 years we have developed unique interpretive programs that allow participants to experience other cultures, trace historic trails, discover the essence of America. With a perfect blend of sightseeing, attractions and insightful narrative, we bring you the West where legends live.

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2828 Kraft Avenue SE Grand Rapids, MI 49512 616-957-1010 or 800-968-9161 Justin Osbon justin@imagetours.com www.imagetours.com Image Tours is an escorted Europe Specialist and has been offering tours in Europe since 1939. Image Tours offers their signature 15-day HEART OF EUROPE tour. This is an excellent panoramic view of Europe for first time travelers as well as past travelers to Europe.

7816 N. Chester Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46240 317-913-0387 Jo Ann Carr joann@interludetours.com www.interludetours.com Established in 2001, Interlude Tours provides first class escorted vacations. We specialize in custom itineraries with a focus on theatre, history, culture and culinary experiences. Primarily offering tours in the U.S., we also specialize in small group immersion tours to Nicaragua for authentic cultural experiences and exploring natural wonders.

1266 Strong Street Brighton, CO 80601 303-659-4858 Lee Dahl lwt@leisurewesttours.com www.leisurewesttours.com We’ve provided fun, active, informative travel packages since 1998. Our philosophy is to give clients the best value and service possible. We offer a full spectrum of guaranteed departures. Have a special interest group (birding, geology, trains, you name it)? We’ll put together that special interest tour for your group.

PO Box 25 Hermitage, TN 37076 866-992-8784 Judy Johnson letsgo@letsgotravelin.com www.letsgotravelin.com Specializing in the Music and Stories of Tennessee and the Southern USA. Our Great Musicians and Storytellers share the stories and their Southern Hospitality. A few hours to visit an area or a full tour, we have a lot of unique experiences to share with you. Don’t just see it…experience it!

9280 Main Street Clarence, New York 14031 800-598-5474 Damon Allan damon@maxima.net info@maxima.net www. maxima.net MAXIMA Tours prides itself on being a premier tour operator with a unsurpassed service level. We provide scheduled and custom group tours within North America and international tours. Our specialty is small group tours to the Island of Malta, located in the Mediterranean. Treat yourselfto the best of the best.

P.O. Box 12987 Salem, OR 97309 503-585-3979 or 800-333-0774 Tony Minden tony@orwest.com www.orwest.com Welcome to OregonWest Excursions! Our “family” has over 30 years in the business. We specialize in high quality group touring, with an emphasis on personal service. As an Oregon-based operator owned by native Oregonians, we can create an exciting itinerary for your group or customize any one of our existing tours. Our knowledge of the state will allow you to see some “off-the-beaten-path” areas and interesting sights.

2225 North Augusta Street Staunton, VA 24401 540-885-1528 Steve Everidge shenandoahtours@comcast.net www.shenandoahtours.com Shenandoah Tours is a tour operator based in Staunton, Virginia, offering quality tours since 1972. We specialize in packaging vacations to Niagara Falls, Lancaster, Nashville, Pigeon Forge, New York City, Charleston, Savannah and many other destinations. In addition, we are a receptive operator in the Shenandoah Valley. Quality vacations at value pricing with a personal touch!

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TRAVEL ALLIANCE PARTNERS SPORTS TRAVEL AND TOURS

60 Main Street P.O. Box 50 Hatfield, MA 01038 800-662-4424 Jay Smith: jay@sportstravelandtours.com Michael Coldesina: michael.coldesina@sportstravelandtours.com www.sportstravelandtours.com We make it easy and hassle-free for groups and individuals to attend the game of a lifetime. We offer Baseball Road Trips, Spring Training Tours, Hall of Fame Enshrinements,Trips to All Major Sporting Events, and Flexible Independent Travel (F.I.T.) Vacations, customized to meet a client’s schedule and budget.

TALBOT TOURS INC.

1952 Camden Avenue San Jose, CA 95123 800-662-9933 Serge Talbot info@talbottours.com www.talbottours.com Group tours to North America, Europe and Asia. Some are private label for the industry and others are packaged by TAP Partners. Talbot Tours also represents major cruise lines as well as wholesale Kenya and Tanzania Safari’s, New Year’s programs and we are a receptive operator for Northern California.

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PO Box 254 Bensalem, PA 19020 800-220-3900 Barry or Sandy Gerber barry@travelauthority.us or sandy@travelauthority.us www.travelauthority.us We operate outstanding vacation programs to many destinations such as Myrtle Beach, the Berkshires of MA, Savannah & Charleston, Michigan, West VA, Branson, Finger Lakes, Cape Cod, New Hampshire and many more. Please contact us, with no obligation, to discuss your group or individual travel plans. Thank you!

4349 Industrial Park Galena, IL 61036 815-777-0820 David Lange dlange@tristatetravel.com www.tristatetravel.com Founded in 1940, Tri-State Travel is a full service travel company offering deluxe motorcoach transportation from a fleet of 25 modern coaches as well as escorted vacations for both adults and students domestically and internationally. Our staff is incredible, our equipment is top-notch and our product is affordable and worry-free.

451 Eichybush Road Kinderhook, NY 12106 917-575-6600 Nicholas Calderazzo, CTP nick@twintravelconcepts.com www.twintravelconcepts.com TAP Partner offering creative and specialized tours in NYC; The Berkshires Mountains and Hudson Valley; Vermont, Quebec and throughout the Northeast. Gardens of NYC, Exotic and delicious Quebec; Food and flowers in Philly; Spirit-based programs; Private and public gardens. Call/email to create a program that will wow your travelers.

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797 Burdeck Street Schenectady, NY 12306 518-355-4500 or 800-955-WADE (9233) Crystal DeLorenzo crystal@wadetours.com www.wadetours.com Going the Wade Way – seeking to fully experience the USA, our friendly Tour and Charter department is always ready to assist you in preparing your next trip. An array of destination ideas, personalized to your needs is available whether it’s a baseball game, shopping excursion, theater performance, boat cruise, and casino package.

7231 South 900 East, Suite 200 Midvale, UT 84047 801-233-0600 or 800-532-2113 Shawn Horman gocustom@westernleisure.com www.westernleisure.com 36 years of specializing in extraordinary Custom Group Tours! We combine our extensive experience and travel planning skills with your interests and expectations to develop a unique interactive journey for your group. For your small groups or individuals we offer many distinctive Guaranteed Departures to the National Parks and the Pacific Coast. Call us at 800-532-2113!

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San Diego’s Japanese Friendship Garden By Richard Benton, courtesy Balboa Park

VARIED CULTURES WERE DRAWN TO SAN DIEGO ARTS & CULTURE ISSUE

N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R

2 0 1 5

BY ELIZA MYERS

very city has stories to tell. In San Diego, those stories revolve around Sicilian tuna fishermen, Japanese seasonal laborers and scared early Spanish settlers living in an alien land. Each of these groups traveled far from their homes to create new lives while still staying true to the traditions of their old ones. San Diego delights in its hodgepodge of cultural influences with several heritage-focused attractions. Groups can not only learn about these hardworking early Americans, but also turn the information into tangible memories with workshops such as a traditional Italian ravioli cooking class. Instead of a surface visit of the city, travelers can experience the heart of San Diego through a visit to these four culturally significant attractions.

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Cygnet Theatre in Old Town

Japanese Friendship Garden

Courtesy SanDiego.org

Courtesy Japanese Friendship Garden Society of San Diego

JAPANESE FRIENDSHIP GARDEN OLD TOWN STATE HISTORIC PARK When guests watch soap-making, fiber arts and print techniques at Old Town State Historic Park, they witness the same methods used by the first permanent Spanish settlement in California. The park uses costumed interpreters to produce newspapers, quilts, soap and other items used by this brave 1800s community on Living History days. “Groups coming will get a really great look at the founding of California and what life was like for early settlers in the region,” said Candice Eley, director of public relations for San Diego Tourism Authority. “There are a variety of tours at Old Town, so groups can find something that really works for them.” Park rangers give tours of the park’s 17 historic points of interest, dating from 1821 to 1872. Five original adobe buildings include San Diego’s first newspaper office, cigar shop and one-room schoolhouse. Visitors can also wander into a working blacksmith shop, listen to live music and pet friendly burros. The park enlightens groups on how San Diego transformed from a Spanish colony to a Mexican pueblo to an American settlement. Once visitors finish touring the park, they can explore the rest of Historic Old Town San Diego outside the park. The district offers numerous Victorian homes, a professional theater, museums and galleries.

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In 1915, the San Diego Japanese Association wanted the local Japanese community represented in the Panama-California Exposition held in Balboa Park. Many Japanese labored in citrus groves and other agricultural ﬁelds in the area. So the organization built a Japanese tea pavilion that stood out among the rest of the exposition’s Spanish Colonial architecture. Today, the original pavilion has expanded into the 11-acre Japanese Friendship Garden, which stands within the larger Balboa Park as an expression of amity between San Diego and its sister city Yokohama. The Zen garden uses the basic elements of trees, shrubs, rocks and water to create a harmonious and meditative experience. Groups exploring the winding paths past the garden’s exhibit house, koi pond, bonsai exhibit, ceremonial gate and wisteria arbor can either stroll at their own pace or follow a docent. “The garden’s docents are great opportunities for groups,” said Eley. “The docents are very knowledgeable about the history of the gardens, which visitors wouldn’t know about just by walking on their own.” Visitors can also discover the city’s Japanese legacy through exhibits, the Tea Pavilion restaurant and a private collection of Japanese artifacts. The park also hosts workshops with topics such as sushi-making, bonsai, calligraphy and conversational Japanese. For the Centennial Celebration of Balboa Park in 2015, the garden recently added nine acres that include a 200-cherry-tree grove, a children’s garden and an outdoor amphitheater.

N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R

2 0 1 5

Junipero Serra Museum

A street in Little Italy Courtesy SanDiego.org

Courtesy Junipero Serra Museum at Presidio Park

LITTLE ITALY

PRESIDIO PARK

Tuna fish and balmy weather similar to what can be found in southern Italy attracted around 6,000 families of Genovese and Sicilian origin to San Diego in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They created an enclave of their Italian culture with brightly painted bungalows, Italian shops and meals using the flavors of their home country. At the height of the San Diego tuna fishing industry, the neighborhood bustled with canneries, shipyards and Italian culture. Since then, San Diego’s Little Italy has, incredibly, held on to this historic heritage as downtown’s oldest continuous neighborhood business district. Today, new Italian-American and non-Italian business owners work together to preserve the thriving district that stays true to both the past and the present. “The neighborhood today is transformed into more than just Italian restaurants,” said Eley. “It’s now a flourishing art and design district as well. It’s a juxtaposition of historic and contemporary sites.” Little Italy Tours let groups experience the Italian roots of the neighborhood through a number of tours, including a historic walking tour. The walking tour tells stories of the early Italian immigrants while stopping at some of the neighborhood’s landmarks, such as the public piazzas and the 1925 Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church. Groups can also tour with their stomachs on the Little Italy Pizza Tour and Old School Little Italy Food Tour. During Italian Cooking Classes in Little Italy, participants learn cooking skills they can enjoy for years to come. One class teaches the art of making ravioli, and guests can feast on it after careful preparation.

In 1770, the future of the first European settlement in the western United States looked bleak. Near starvation, about 100 Spaniards inside a wooden fort faced either their demise or a risky abandonment of the site. Then a Mexican supply ship sailed into San Diego Bay and saved the colony. The colony eventually moved to Old Town; the site of the original first settlement remains preserved at Presidio Park. “There is a cultural museum and some beautiful trails in the park,” said Eley. “It is up on a hilltop, so there are amazing views of San Diego and the bay. It is one of the most scenic areas in San Diego.” Groups can see the foundations of the original site’s buildings, which range in age. The park also honors Father Junipero Serra’s original mission that once stood in the park with the Junipero Serra Cross. Built from remnants of historic buildings found at the site, the 1913 cross stands at the center of the park as tribute to Father Junipero Serra, who was recently canonized by Pope Francis on his recent visit to the United States. The Junipero Serra Museum educates visitors on the site’s importance with a large collection of archaeological finds, historic objects, rotating exhibits and interactive educational programs. The 1925 museum also features Mission architecture typical of the late 1700s.

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REFLECTIONS

FROM

R O U N DU P

AMERICAN ICONS ENDURE IN SOUTH DAKOTA BY ASHLEY RICKS

n the breeze, I could smell the soft scent of sage and the sweet citrus aroma of the yellow gumweed ﬂowers growing along the edge of the cracked streambed. I kicked up the gray dust from the ground as I climbed the steep path to a narrow opening about 15 feet up the wall of rock. As I made it to the ledge, an amazing sight unfolded before me. I looked out over the landscape that a moment before had been completely hidden. The cliff face at my feet dropped off to a gorge ﬁlled with spires of eroded rock and open bright-blue sky. The shadows from the clouds meandered across the landscape, alternately highlighting and muting the red and brown layers in the rocks below. Looking out at the scenery of South Dakota’s Badlands National Park, all I could think was, I’ve never seen anything like this. That sentence resounded in my mind as I felt the powerful presence of the buffalo at Custer State Park, the patriotism of Mount Rushmore and the vision of the Crazy Horse Memorial while on my trip through South Dakota to see the 2015 Buffalo Roundup as a guest of Shebby Lee Tours.

BUFFALO THUNDER This was a record year for the roundup. Early editions of the event were small affairs, meant only to count and care for the herd of buffalo that reside in Custer State Park in the Black Hills. There were no audiences early on, but this year, an estimated 2,100 people attended, a record number for the 50th anniversary of the event. It was by far the favorite experience of the trip for many in our group. Roundup day started out cool and foggy. Driving into the park, we could barely see the trees in the ﬁeld or the road in front of us. Once we made it to the new viewing area, added just this year, I took advantage of the free time to walk around and talk to many in the crowd. I was surprised to hear from many of the locals who returned year after year that they would get up around 4 in the morning to come out and get a prime spot to watch the buffalo.

The humbling vistas of South Dakota’s Black Hills region always inspire.

• SHEBBY L EE

E’D LIK • W E

A TH

ST TH

R OU

TRIP HO

SHEBBY LE K • E

Courtesy South Dakota Dept. of Tourism

Custer State Park

Buffalo Roundup

Photos by Ashley Ricks, except where noted

It was a little later than normal when the buffalo made their appearance, but the spectators were ready for them. The crowds on the far hill started cheering as the buffalo suddenly came thundering over the hilltops in what seemed like endless numbers. They poured down the hillside toward the creek and the small trees at the base of the hills when suddenly a herd of deer started to run straight into their path. Then, at the last moment, the deer veered off. At about the same time, a small group of about 15 buffalo split off from the main herd and were allowed to stay in the valley as most of the herd was driven through the gate. Onlookers were then treated to a special sight as the cowboys then herded up the mavericks and ran them just on the other side of the fence from the crowd. “I think that was the best part about it, though,” said Barbara Andrisani, one of my fellow tour passengers. “It was unscripted; it’s unpredictable.” Every year is different from the one before, but without fail, the practiced cowboys are able to guide the bison into the corrals. Once the entire herd was inside, the crowds began to make their way down to the corrals to get closer to the animals. Others headed to the Buffalo Arts Festival for more events, including a dutch oven cookoff, or to peruse beautiful handmade jewelry and artisan products.

Courtesy South Dakota Dept. of Tourism

TRIBUTE TO FREEDOM Though most of the people in our group loved the Buffalo Roundup, others came just to see Mount Rushmore. We were fortunate enough to see the monument both during the daytime and after dark when we attended the evening lighting ceremony. After a morning of walking around the park, Sandy Elliott said to me, “This [Mount Rushmore] was my favorite part of the trip, even above the buffalo. It was on my bucket list.” For others, the monument held personal significance. At the evening ceremony, we listened to the story of sculptor Gutzon Borglum and heard how George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln were selected to appear on the monument as a tribute to their contributions to the cause of freedom. The lighting of the faces was subtle as the ranger finished the story’s telling. Then, all of a sudden, you noticed the larger-than-life figures as the monument was completely lit. Their countenances stood as a striking backdrop to the final representation of freedom in the ceremony. As a conclusion, all of the veterans in the audience were invited to the stage to take part in the lowering of the flag for the day. These men and women who had fought for our nation’s freedoms were able to share in the history that Mount Rushmore represents and were thanked for their service.

A Native American performance at Crazy Horse Memorial

A Badlands vista Courtesy Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation

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art with my

ARTS & CULTURE ISSUE

A N C E S T O R S

hrough my mother, I am descended from the Mi’kmaq (pronounced Mee-gum-mach) tribe of ﬁrst peoples in Nova Scotia. Mi’kmaq clothing and jewelry was so beautifully decorated with dyed porcupine quills that they were known as the “porcupine people” by those with whom they traded. While at the Journey Museum in Rapid City, I was able to talk to Kayla, a member of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe. She took a few minutes to teach some of my group how to make quillwork jewelry. Even though this was a simple thing to learn, it’s one more way I’ve been able to connect with my personal history. Journey Museum

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SOUTH DAKOTA VISTAS EXCLUSIVES Mount Rushmore

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MEMORIAL IN PROGRESS Mount Rushmore focuses on our nation’s journey to where it is now, but the journey for the nearby Crazy Horse Memorial is ongoing. Although incomplete, this private mountain carving honoring the area’s Native American heritage is on track to be the world’s largest sculpture. Visitors even have the opportunity to get close to the monument by taking a van ride up the mountain to the work site and standing on what will be Crazy Horse’s outstretched arm to look over the Black Hills. While I was at the visitors center, I had the privilege of watching a hoop dance. With the Crazy Horse Memorial carving as a backdrop, the young Lakota Sioux woman began the performance with only a single hoop. As the song progressed, she began to add more hoops, creating many different shapes as she danced, like delicate butterﬂy wings or an eagle soaring along with the rhythm of the drum. With her skill, she transformed the hoops from simple objects into instruments to tell her personal story. This was just one of the opportunities to honor Native culture at the memorial. The Ziolkowski family, which leads the memorial project, has also set up the Indian University of North America, and the center hosts lectures, and special events throughout the year.

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Life-size bronze statues of the U.S. presidents line the walkways in Rapid City, including models of Theodore Roosevelt, above, and Bill Clinton, right.

CITY OF PRESIDENTS Many of us arrived a day before the tour’s official start and decided to take advantage of our free time to explore Rapid City. I had always heard about the City of Presidents sculptures that adorn downtown, so I made a point to see them. I would highly suggest stopping in at the Information Center near the heart of downtown to get the background on the project and enjoy a hand-dipped ice cream cone at the same time. I spent most of the day walking up and down the streets snapping pictures with each of the 43 presidents and ducking in and out of the many shops. My favorite was the Prairie Edge Trading Company and Galleries. I was fascinated by the intricate paper and glass works that filled the fine-art gallery upstairs. Others loved the bead room where the walls are lined with every color bead imaginable for making regalia or jewelry. Where the presidential sculptures honor the past and traditional mediums, Art Alley celebrates the contemporary. This ongoing project, tucked in between Sixth and Seventh streets, celebrates freedom of expression. Once you step between the buildings it’s like entering another world. The paintings are so vivid and colorful that your senses are saturated with the unique beauty created by local taggers. And the subjects include everything from Sitting Bull and Theodore Roosevelt to abstract explosions of color.

Wall Drug

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CHASING TEDDY

Kool Deadwood Nites Festival

Exploring Deadwood, a small but popular city on the northern edge of the Black Hills, it’s easy to imagine miners and outlaws walking the same streets trying to strike it rich and make their place in the world. The entire downtown district is on the National Register of Historic Places. A large portion of the town’s gaming proﬁts are dedicated to historic preservation. My personal mission while in town was to visit sites connected to our 26th president. Theodore Roosevelt is my favorite president, so it was a treat for me to be in a place that had such a strong connection to him. Roosevelt was a frequent guest at both the Franklin Hotel and the Bullock Hotel, owned by Seth Bullock, the famous sheriff and his best friend. As I stood between the marble pillars of the Silverado Franklin, I could easily imagine Roosevelt taking a moment to wipe his glasses to better admire the rugged hills that loom over the town. It was on one of these hills that Bullock had the Friendship Tower built as a memorial to his friend Roosevelt. Today, the tower and Mount Roosevelt are popular hiking spots. After doing some hiking myself through the airport on my journey home, I took some time to relax and watch the orange and lavender hues of the sunset and the planes as they took off down the runway. I was reminded of the rich colors of the Black Hills and the expanse of land that had meant so much to the many tribes, miners, outlaws, and adventurers who lived there, and once again I thought, I’ve never seen anything like South Dakota.

Courtesy South Dakota Dept. of Tourism

SHEBBY LEE TOURS 800-888-8306

WWW.SHEBBYLEETOURS.COM

A Ra Rapi Rapid pidd City pi City wall wal a l mural mura mu rall

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marketing Y O U R

P R O G R A M

LET’S GET ENGAGED! BY ELIZA MYERS

n Tuesdays, Ashley Olive sits down at her desk and plans how to inspire and engage potential alumni travelers. “We do a ‘Travel Tuesday’ post to spotlight an upcoming trip,” said Olive, alumni events and tour coordinator for the University of Alabama National Alumni Association. “Occasionally, we also post live from a trip in progress or when a particular destination is in the news.” A little over 19,000 people follow the University of Alabama’s alumni association on Facebook, and more than 5,500 follow it on Twitter. Since the posts target all alumni members, whether they travel or not, only a portion of the posts focus on the travel aspect. Te posts that showcase a travel program often feature gorgeous travel photos so tempting that they make you want to hop right into the photo, Mary Poppins style. Olive doesn’t post these photos as a way to increase signups for the latest trip, however. She, like other savvy afnity-group travel planners, uses social media as a way to interact and inform her member base about the extraordinary opportunities available through the organization’s travel program.

director Nancy Buchanan oversees the club’s posts, which have regularly chronicled the adventures of the group since 2013. Facebook continues to appeal to the highest number of people and greatest variety of ages, so most travel planners start there. Planners can create either a Fan Page or a Facebook Group for their travel program. Facebook Groups help customize the experience, since you can choose to make the group private or not, and can add group members by email. Both options allow you to create events specifcally for your group members.

WHY YOU POST

Te frst thing to understand about social media is the following: You can’t look at your Facebook followers as a quick way to fll a trip. Tis outlook will only prove frustrating. Social media users feel instantly

PICK A PLATFORM

When frst wading into the ever-changing world of social media, it can feel overwhelming trying to choose platforms on which to focus. Most travel planners stick to Facebook, Twitter and Instagram because of their popularity. Since photos can run on all three sites, a common way to post travel information is to link the platforms so that what you post on one site also shows up on the others automatically. “We use Facebook, Instagram and Twitter,” said Olive. “My preference is to use Instagram as the main platform and link it to Twitter and Facebook, because photos are really the most alluring part of travel.” Some loyalty travel programs, such as Century Bank and Trust’s Celebrations Travel Club, focus exclusively on Facebook. Program

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Tour

SOUTHEAST INDIANA

GIRLFRIEND

Getaways

HHANDS ON FUN! suspicious about anyone trying to sell them something when they are on a site to connect with others. Instead, use social media mainly to build buzz and cement relationships. Staying engaged with members is a primary objective for many afnity travel programs, so social media should be an extension of this goal. “Social media is not really a great marketing tool, but more of an awareness platform,” said Olive. “It gives you the chance to tell your story to a broad audience. If you’re thinking ‘Let’s promote this trip on social media to get more travelers,’ then you’re doing it wrong. However, ‘Let’s show everyone in our afnity group in this incredible shared experience’ is defnitely a way to show of a diferent facet of your organization.” As with many loyalty travel groups, most of Olive’s travelers are older and not very active on social media. Te users on her alumni social media sites tend to skew younger. However, she fnds that the younger alumni travelers who may not be able to aford a trip yet can glimpse what travel adventures they may one day take through social media. Tis might encourage them to stay active in the alumni group knowing what fun the future can hold. With more baby boomers active on social media, the number of potential travelers continues to grow on social media platforms. Tis is the age group with which you can most efectively build relationships using travel-focused social media postings. Posting a photo of a recent trip and tagging your baby boomer members reminds them of the trip after the fact. It brings back joyful memories created on the tour to further strengthen their loyalty to the program. Tough you may not notice a direct correlation between a post and bookings, social media helps you stay relevant and top of mind.

Victorian Christmas Ornaments

“Arty Party”

WHAT TO POST

Once you understand the purpose of social media, use that to inform your tone and what types of content you post. For example, Buchanan posts a mix of content, not just promoting new trips, but also sharing moments with the group. She will post photos of the group enjoying brunch together, images of past trips and traveling tips she thinks might interest her members. Many loyalty groups use travel only as a piece of their larger program. Te University of Alabama’s alumni Facebook page refects this, with only 15 percent of posts relating directly to travel. Other posts feature alumni news, homecoming updates, articles highlighting the university and other similar topics. Test a variety of types of posts on your followers to determine which encourage followers to share, comment or like. But never stick too closely to a set formula. Social media changes with the wind, so staying up to date on what’s in and what’s out will help keep your loyalty travel program relevant.

Fun with Flowers & Fudge

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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C A R E E R

C O R N E R

world around us

THE

year of exploration

N o. SOUTH AMERICA

1 N EUROPE 2 N AFRICA 3 N ASIA 4 N AUSTRALIA 5 o.

BY BRIAN JEWELL

ISLANDS IN THE SUN RUSS ROSENBERRY, OWNER

MAYFLOWER TOURS

NISH PATEL, CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER

TRAFALGAR TOURS USA PAUL WISEMAN, PRESIDENT

N o.

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6 NORTH AMERICA

f you’re like many travel enthusiasts, you may be guilty of taking for granted the travel treasures in your own backyard. For Americans, this means that we too often look to overseas destinations for adventures and forget about the wealth of experiences here in North America. From the Canadian Rockies to the national parks of the American West and the rain forests of Costa Rica, North America boasts a vast array of spectacular landscapes and rich cultural heritages. Taking your travelers to some of these places will rival the excitement of destinations on other continents. To help inspire you, we spoke to three tour operators, each with his or her own areas of expertise in North American travel, and asked them to share some of their best ideas and tips for travel around the United States, Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR TOP-SELLING ITINERARIES IN NORTH AMERICA?

ROSENBERRY: What we’re selling the most of in this part of the world is the Panama Canal cruise. It gives you the history of the canal, and you see places like Aruba and Columbia. We have quite a few doing that this winter. Most of those groups are doing a partial, 10day trip through the canal. Tat could change with Cuba coming into vogue. If Cuba continues to open up, it’s going to be a really big help to our business. PATEL: National parks are huge, especially with next year being the centennial of the National Park Service. We’re doing some very special things for that, and our advance bookings and commitments for next year are doing very well. Yellowstone and Zion are the most popular national parks for us. Tere’s a national park in every state, but those are the ones that have the most touristic appeal. We also have a Charleston and Savannah program that does very well. We’ve started some things in New Orleans that have been popular. And fall foliage in New England — you can’t beat that. WISEMAN: In the U.S., the two biggest-selling destinations by far are the national parks and Hawaii. Te parks work so well because there are multiple national parks that can be visited on one itinerary. In Hawaii, we fnd that people want to experience the diferent islands, not just drop in and go to the beach. Tey want to experience the history and culture of Hawaii, and get perspective of the diferent islands and get away from the high-rise hotels. For groups, the combination of Nashville, Memphis and New OrCourtesy Islands in the Sun

Top: Panama locals Bottom: Caribbean coast

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leans is very popular. We call that the Taste and Sounds of the South. Tose three places do deliver a fantastic experience for travelers, and there’s a huge amount of American history there. Canada has a rock-star itinerary in the Canadian Rockies. I’ve been to over 90 countries, and I would struggle to fnd a part of the world that is more beautiful than Alberta, Canada. And Costa Rica is by far our biggest-selling destination south of the U.S. border, because it’s a beautiful combination of nature, geography and culture.

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ROSENBERRY: It’s typically when it’s cold in the North — January, February and March. Much past that and you get a lot of heat in Central America. If you try to do the Panama Canal in May or June, you’re going to have high temperatures and high humidity. In January, February and March, you don’t have to worry about hurricanes, and it’s a good escape from the cold weather. PATEL: It really depends on the destination. New England does really well in the fall foliage time. Te national parks do really well in the summer, spring and early fall. Hawaii is best in the spring and early fall, because there are fewer people there then. And Canada is a summer destination for us. We don’t have any skiers, so most of our people go there or Alaska in June, July or August. WISEMAN: Canada is a year-round destination, except for people who already have too much snow in their lives. People from California, New Mexico and Texas like to go there in the winter to see the snow and glaciers. For the rest of us, it’s a summer destination, and the best scenery is April through September. In Costa Rica, there’s a cycle: It heats up, it gets very humid, it rains, and then there is a magic period before it gets hot again. At the end of the frst week in November, it’s like God fips a switch and the sun comes out, and stays through December, January and February.

Courtesy Mayﬂower Tours

WHAT ARE THE IDEAL TIMES OF YEAR TO TRAVEL TO THESE DIFFERENT NORTH AMERICAN DESTINATIONS?

Grownup Getaway

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WHAT ARE SOME GREAT NORTH AMERICAN DESTINATIONS FOR MORE EXPERIENCED TRAVELERS?

Top: Washington Monument Bottom: Bryce Canyon National Park

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Greenwood has earned a well-deserved reputation as Mississippi’s most accessible getaway spot. From rejuvenation at the Alluvian Spa to an Courtesy Mayﬂower Tours

ROSENBERRY: Nicaragua has been kind of depressed economically, and it’s sad to see that. But the natural beauty there is quite impressive with the volcanoes and beaches, so it’s a popular destination. Not long ago, we did a cruise from Los Angeles to Costa Rica along the coast of Mexico and Central America on the Azamara Journey. We felt very safe. We went to some neat Mexican ports, as well as Guatemala and Nicaragua, and were quite impressed. We used to do a lot of Mexican business, but then a lot of negative stuf came up about travel to Mexico. We’re hoping that Mexico comes back. A lot of it depends on the media. On our trip, we felt very safe. PATEL: Special events are very stimulating; they happen during times when many people don’t want to travel. Te Rose Parade happens right after Christmas, when a lot of people don’t want to get out; but it’s a nice once-in-a-lifetime event. During the International Balloon Fiesta, Albuquerque is perfect. And in Canada, they have the Calgary Stampede, where they do all kinds of cowboy stuf. You don’t get to see that at other times of the year. WISEMAN: Very high on my list would be Newfoundland and Labrador. In the northeast of Canada, it’s a very diferent world, like nothing I’ve every seen before. Panama has a lot of very high customer satisfaction and good experiences. We opened up our Panama trip last year. It’s a relatively compact area with lots of very interesting cultural things to see and do.

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

carson city chamber of commerce CARSON CITY, NEVADA TRIP: Peru: Ancient Land of Mysteries TOUR OPERATOR: Collette DATE: May 2014 For seven days, the Carson City Chamber of Commerce journeyed through Peru’s ancient destinations, including Machu Picchu, Cusco, Lima and the Sacred Valley of the Incas. “We decided to break the mold and do a more adventuresome tour, choosing Peru. Our group of a dozen adventurers enjoyed climbing and learning about Peru, one of the greatest World Heritage sites in the world. “We loved the old city of Lima and, most especially, our stay in the Inca capital, Cusco. The people, the culture and the art were stimulating and colorful. The country is a photographer’s dream.”

— RONNI HANNAMAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

farmer and merchants bank CLASSIC VIP CLUB KEARNEY, NEBRASKA TRIP: Marvels of South America TOUR OPERATOR: Islands in the Sun DATE: March 2014 On Celebrity’s ship Infinity, the Classic VIP Club explored the southern half of South America starting in Buenos Aires with multiple ports in Argentina, Uruguay and Chile. The cruise featured private tours and overnights in Buenos Aires, Argentina; Valparaiso, Chile; and Santiago, Chile. “When we got off in Valparaiso, we toured the city and then traveled by coach through the wine country, stopping at a vineyard for a tour and tasting. Dinner in Santiago was at the top of our hotel’s patio on a beautiful, starry night with amazing city lights. “I’ve been on many cruises over the years, and this was by far the most educational and most diverse in culture, topography and shore excursions.”

—TERREE WARREN, VICE PRESIDENT AND CLUB DIRECTOR

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EXCLUSIVES S E L E C T T R A V E L E R . C O M

south dakota See soul-stirring landscapes abundant across South Dakota with our online photo gallery.

north american insight Learn more travel tips about planning a tour in North America with our online article.

TAP news Discover what major changes lie in store for Travel Alliance Partners in our online video interview with Stefanie Gorder.

group game Uncover tidbits about your passengers you would have never guessed before with our “You Won’t Believe It” group game.

INDEX

Charleston Area CVB Collette Dearborn Co. CVB Greenwood CVB High Museum of Art Islands in the Sun Laughlin CVA Mayﬂower Tours Philadelphia CVB Ritz Tours Trips US Tours

16 BC 87 89 17 9 3 7 5 2 20 19

TAP TRAVEL GUIDE Amish Country of Northern Indiana Arkansas Dept. of Parks and Tourism Bentonville CVB Experience Columbus Circle Wisconsin Ciri Alaska Tourism Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad Elko CVB Eureka Springs A&P Fayetteville A&P Florence CVB Green Country Hampton Inn Oceanfront Myrtle Beach Kansas City, Kansas CVB Lafayette CVB Little Rock CVB Myrtle Beach Area CVB Nebraska Tourism Commission Newseum Norfolk CVB North Dakota Tourism Ohio Has It! Oklahoma City CVB Oklahoma City National Memorial Oklahoma Tourism Port Arthur CVB Rapid City CVB South Dakota Tourism Southern Indiana Tourism Virginia Beach CVB Visit Baton Rouge

52 34 27 3 32 50 42 44 18 26 49 41 19 17 36 45 37 35 24 16 56 20 33 28 2 26 29 5-8 43 21 25

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TO ADVERTISE, CONTACT:

STACEY BOWMAN

888.253.0455

STACEY@GROUPTRAVELLEADER.COM

get advertiser information online with TripSearch!

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Join us in 2016 to celebrate the Centennial of the

National Park Service

Arches National Park, Utah

Offer the world to your travelers with journeys to all seven continents.

To learn about our extensive tour selection, call 800.762.5345 or your local Travel Agent. CST# 2006766-20 UBN# 601220855 Nevada Seller of Travel Registration No. 2003-0279