Select Traveler November December 2016

THE MAGAZINE FOR BANK, ALUMNI AND CHAMBER TRAVEL PLANNERS

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THE MAGAZINE FOR BANK, ALUMNI AND CHAMBER TRAVEL PLANNERS

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VOL.24 NO.6

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: A VACATION WITH A HEART

contents checking in:

KATIE HARDWICK

toolbox: conference marketing:

TRIPS FOR MEN

TOURS & ACCESSIBLE SPEAKERS TRAVEL

Courtesy Fathom

ON THE COVER: A flamingo walks across a pristine beach in the Dominican Republic.

career:

BUILDING DIVERSITY

8 10 12 30 32 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

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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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888.253.0455

STACE Y@ BANK TR AVELMANAGEMENT.COM

16 cruise memphis 20 TRENDS

MUSIC

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TRAVEL GUIDE

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 qualified travel program directors throughout the United States. All other travel suppliers, including tour operators, destinations, attractions, transportation companies, hotels, restaurants and other travel-related companies, may subscribe to Select Traveler by sending a check for $49 for one year to: Select Traveler, Circulation Department, 301 East High Street, Lexington, Kentucky 40507. Copyright The Group Travel Leader, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction of editorial or graphic content in any manner without the written consent of the publisher is prohibited.

NAME OR ADDRESS CHANGES: If your copy of Select Traveler should be mailed to another manager in your organization, or if you personally know another travel director who is not receiving Select Traveler, please send your correction to: Select Traveler, 301 East High St., Lexington, Kentucky 40507, or call (859) 2530455.

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P U B L I S H E R ’ S

perspective

W

ith all due respect to current U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., A.B. “Happy” Chandler was arguably the greatest political personality to come from my home state in the past century. He served as governor of the state twice over a period of 24 years, served a term in the U.S. Senate and served

as commissioner of Major League Baseball from 1945 to 1951. He is widely credited with integrating baseball by allowing and, perhaps more accurately, facilitating Jackie Robinson’s entry into the game in 1947.

But this column isn’t about Happy Chandler. It’s about his daughter.

Mimi Chandler Lewis was a dear friend of mine who hired me as her deputy commissioner for the Kentucky Department of Travel Development as a 33-year-old in 1988.

I served in that capacity for two and a half years before joining forces with my business partner, Charlie Presley, to start my publishing company in 1990.

Mimi left her position in government shortly thereafter and became our first copy editor in 1992. She and Herb Sparrow worked together beautifully in our early years to overcome typos and gaffes that are the bane of this industry. Mimi’s command of the English language was beyond reproach, and she could turn a phrase like no one I’ve ever known.

She made Herb and me laugh constantly.

The last time I saw Mimi was a year ago when I took her to hear McConnell deliver a delightful narrative about her father and his political adversaries at a local university.

It was a humorous look back at politics that now seems to reflect a much more innocent age.

Mimi died a few weeks ago at the age of 89. Her daughter called me to tell me how much she loved me. I loved her, too, and if you had asked either one of us how we ever became paired as soul mates of sorts, neither of us could have even begun to guess.

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

Mac Lacy 6

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checking in W I T H

KATIE HARDWICK ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT, PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

K A T I E

H A R D WI CK

COMMERCE LEXINGTON INC. LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY Located in central Kentucky, Commerce Lexington has 1,700 members. The chamber’s travel program began in 2011 as a way of raising non-dues revenue. Both members and nonmembers can travel with the chamber, although members receive a discount.

Born: Lexington, Kentucky Education: Hardwick has a B.A. in communications and music from the University of Kentucky.

Employment: Hardwick transitioned from a 13-year job as a travel agent to working at Commerce Lexington. She has been with the chamber for 11 years.

Family: Hardwick is married and has two daughters.

Hobbies: Hardwick spends her free time playing the cello, watching old movies and traveling.

Commerce Lexington members pose in front of a Croatian town.

A castle in Croatia

Chamber tour of Dubai

BY ELIZA MYERS

U

nsure of how Commerce Lexington’s 1,700 members would react, Katie Hardwick offered the chamber’s first tour in 2011 to an ambitious first destination: China.

“We wanted to try travel as a non-dues-revenue option, so we decided to dip our toe into travel with a trip to China,” said Hardwick, assistant vice president of programs and events for Commerce Lexington in Lexington, Kentucky.

Sixty-six people signed up. After that trip, what started as a tentative venture became a runaway success.

“We were impressed with how many people wanted to go to China,” said Hardwick. “We set up some meetings, so there was a business side to it. But we had some people who only wanted to go on a leisure tour.”

Surprised at the immediate success of the program, Hardwick has continued to hone in on what makes their chamber travel program so

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strong with a carefully thought-out method to choosing, marketing and running future tours. The travel program is not just a way of raising funds for the chamber; it has also become a way to solidify relationships with its members.

FORTUNATE NEIGHBORS Hardwick’s first venture into the travel industry world came several years earlier when she lucked into a job as a travel agent.

“My neighbors owned a travel agency, and they gave me my first job,” said Hardwick. “After three years there, I started working in corporate travel and loved it.”

After 13 years as a travel agent, Hardwick felt well versed in travel, although she had no idea she’d return to planning group trips when she joined the chamber 11 years ago. These days, Hardwick marvels

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at how she travels more now than she did as a travel agent.

“We had no idea our international trips were going to be so popular,” said Hardwick. “We have repeat travelers. We have some that have been on all of our trips. They have told their friends, so we get more that way.”

After the fruitful China trip, Hardwick next tried Cuba. The chamber took 90 people to Cuba the first time, but the overflowing demand made it necessary to add another date just to accommodate everyone. This proved to Hardwick that China wasn’t just a fluke.

Instead, they were building something that could have an impact on the chamber long term.

Since then, the chamber members have also visited Vietnam, Cambodia, Croatia and Dubai, as well as gone on smaller trips that study cities across the United States.

will happen that is out of your control. For example, in Dubai someone’s flight was canceled. We like to have someone on each bus to be a liaison when that happens.”

This practice helps keep Commerce Lexington at the focus of these culturally significant destinations so the trips don’t become just another tour.

“It’s not all business,” said Hardwick. “It’s making affordable travel to valuable places available to our members. We feel like we’re not only selling our tours but ourselves as well. It’s amazing the relationships and camaraderie that develops on these trips.”

T R A V E L

UN U SU A L I S U SU A L After China, Hardwick started surveying the chamber members to see where they would most like to go. She weighs several factors when determining the next international trip, including member preferences and the destination’s exotic factor.

“We try to choose places that are off the beaten path,” said Hardwick. “We want places that you wouldn’t try to go on your own for the first time. Dubai was one of the most memorable of those.”

Since Lexington has strong ties to the horse industry, Hardwick asked the chamber's travel company to give their Dubai itinerary a more equestrian theme. Chamber members got a tour of the Meydan Racecourse along with the highlights of Dubai.

Hardwick doesn’t consider just the location. She also considers the length of the international tours, since shorter trips mean more businesspeople can attend. Hardwick uses all of these factors to offer one big international trip a year, since she believes that any more would result in smaller passenger turnouts.

However, the chamber doesn’t focus solely on international travel. Hardwick also helps plan leadership visits, during which chamber members study the business practices from other cities.

“A lot of chambers do these types of trips as well,” said Hardwick. “We just got back from Charleston [South Carolina]. They are always two nights and three days.”

tips

• Be flexible. Anything can happen.

• Maintain a high level of customer service.

• Choose unique destinations. That will keep your travelers coming back.

T I C K E T T O SU C C E SS Since starting the travel program as a side moneymaking project, the chamber has seen other unexpected benefits, such as gaining new members, some of whom joined mainly so they can travel with the discounted chamber rate.

To continue this momentum, Hardwick advertises the tours to members and in local newspapers. She uses tour companies’ travel documents to create packaged booklets of information to build anticipation and educate travelers about the upcoming trip.

During the trip, the chamber doesn’t leave all the work up to the tour operators.

“One thing we might do differently than other companies offering travel is that we typically have one person from Commerce Lexington on each bus,” said Hardwick. “Every year something

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We’re not just any small town. We’re the most beautiful small town in America, according to Rand McNally and USA Today. Imagine wrapping up all the splendor and enchantment of Bedford Falls, Whoville, and 34th Street into one big package. That’s what you’ll experience during Christmas ’Round Bardstown. For a schedule of events, go to visitbardstown.com.

www.visitbardstown.com 800.638.4877

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T R A V E L

T O O L B O X

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don’t overlook the men in your groups

T

BY B R IA N JE WE L L

ake a peek inside the typical travel group, and you’re likely to see more women than men.

For almost as long as groups have been traveling together, the female-tomale ratio has been significantly higher than 5050. From the early days of group tourism, when many women outlived their husbands, tours were designed for the ease and comfort of solo female travelers. As a result, the entire tour industry continues to skew female, with some studies indicating that the average group trip consists of about 71 percent women and only 29 percent men.

This imbalance can represent a challenge to travel planners: Because men perceive group trips as being female oriented, they are less likely to go. And because the trips don’t attract many men, planners default to female-oriented customs and practices, creating a cycle that can be difficult to interrupt.

It doesn’t have to be this way, though. Group trips can provide great opportunities for men to have fun and experience amazing destinations.

Here are some simple tips for making your group trips more attractive to men.

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S HO P LE S S Many stops on group tour itineraries are thinly disguised opportunities for shopping. And although everyone enjoys a good souvenir, chances are the men you want to come on your trips are much less interested in shopping than the women are. Although you probably can’t get away with cutting down on shopping time much, you can sidestep the problem by giving men and other nonshoppers in the group something else to do while the shoppers shop.

This can include setting up transportation to a nearby attraction or organizing a round of drinks at a local pub.

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GO G O LFI NG If there is one activity that is consistently popular with men of the baby boomer generation, it is golf. A lot of these guys are accustomed to playing golf when they go on individual and family vacations, so adding some optional golf outings could be a great way to attract them to a group trip. You’ll get bonus points if you can take them to destinations that are famous for their golf courses or manage to get them access to courses they might not be able to play on their own.

V IS I T MANLY MUS E U MS There are hundreds of museums across the count r that cover subject matter that appeals to men. country So ins st instead of dragging them through another historic home home,, treat the guys in your group to a visit to a manly museu u These institutions include auto museums, museum. aviatio o museums, military museums and other simiaviation lar pla a places where guys can geek out over cars, guns, airplan airplanes and a host of other manly things. There’s a surprising abundance of these types of museum; if you’re not aware of what your destination has to offer, call the local CVB, and the staff can recommend some attractions in the area.

GE T OU TD O O R S Some guys just can’t stand to be cooped up inside, especially in beautiful destinations where there is a lot to explore outside. And though you might already be including short hikes or guided naturalist walks in these areas, these small tastes of the outdoors likely won’t be enough to satisfy the nature lovers in the group. Men will appreciate opportunities to go hiking, biking, fly-fishing, kayaking, hunting or four wheeling on your trips. Local tourism offices and adventure outfitters can help you manage all the logistics and equipment required for these excursions.

BE E F U P T HE FO O D AN D DR INK If you frequently include meals during your group trips — and those meals involve the “tour menu” at the restaurants you visit — the food and drinks you offer may leave the guys in your group less than satisfied. Men tend to eat bigger portions than women and are more likely to want heavy meat dishes, as opposed to salads and vegetables, so ask your restaurant partners to offer one or two heavier options for your group. And if you include drinks, don’t forget that many men prefer beer or cocktails instead of wine, so you’ll make them happier by offering a better bar selection.

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C O N F E R E N C E

connection CALIFORNIA COOL

SPEAKERS AND SIGHTSEEING HIGHLIGHT SELECT TRAVELER CONFERENCE

Zip line in Ontario Photos courtesy Greater Ontario CVB

BY DAN DICKSON

T

he 2017 Select Traveler Conference will have interesting sightseeing opportunities for delegates, along with inspirational and educational speakers. The annual conference is scheduled for February 5-7 in Ontario, California, about 35 miles southeast of Los Angeles. It will be the first time the conference is being held on the West Coast.

“We will be excited to welcome the Select Traveler Conference to the Greater Ontario region,” said Michael Krouse, president and CEO of the Greater Ontario Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Southern California is beautiful in the month of February, and it is no wonder that so many people flock to this area with our sunshine, outdoor activities and major destinations.”

Joe Cappuzzello, president and CEO of the Group Travel Family, which organizes the conference each year, is impressed with the beautiful Ontario Convention Center, which will be the host site. “It will be a great venue for us, an almost brand-new convention center,” he said. Ontario International Airport is a convenient alternative to crowded Los Angeles International Airport.

Ontario is on the edge of the California desert and is a win-

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ter home for many “snowbirds” who make the area their headquarters in January, February and March, especially those escaping the brutal winters back home. “The winter season is really gorgeous in Southern California, and we are really kind of spoiled rotten,” said Sue Oxarart, communications director for the Ontario CVB. She said Select Traveler delegates are in for a treat.

EXPLORING THE OUTDOORS Although the sightseeing schedule for the conference is yet to be finalized, Oxarart is certain that activities for delegates will include the great outdoors. The wide variety of land and water options makes the area an excellent choice in wintertime.

“We will try to put together opportunities that can be included in a full package of organized outdoor activities, or we will let people decide what they want to do and provide our visitors guide and staff experts to help them,” said Oxarart. “Some may want to shop, others to play golf or to go to a great metropolitan area like Los Angeles or the Orange County beaches.”

Oxarart likes to brag that visitors have been known to get

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up early in the morning and head to the mountains to ski. Later, they may go down to the Pacific Ocean for surfing and then top off the day by taking off into the desert on motorcycles. All can be accomplished in the same day. “We tend to be a perfect gateway to the entire region,” said Oxarart, who also said that one of her favorite things to do is to slip away to nearby Palm Springs for a day of leisure, sun and fun. It is just a little over an hour away. She also recommends Big Bear Lake area with its alpine lakes and snow skiing activities.

Those who love hockey and soccer will be glad to know that both sports are played in Ontario in the winter. The Reign, the local American Hockey League team, plays at home during the Select Traveler Conference, as does the Fury, Ontario’s entry in the Professional Arena Soccer League. Both are options for delegates.

There are many historical sites and buildings to visit in the region, including famed Route 66, which is the scene of many nostalgia-filled Cruisin’ Reunions. Select Traveler delegates who come early or want to stay late can arrange for guided FAM tours of the region.

Southern California is also full of food options you won’t find anywhere else in the country. “We see a lot of fusion food and unusual combinations in our restaurants,” said Oxarart.

“We look forward to having the conference group visit with us to try some of them,” she said.

“THE WINTER SEASON IS REALLY GORGEOUS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, AND WE ARE REALLY KIND OF SPOILED ROTTEN.”

Sam and Alfreda Maloof Foundation

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S E L E C T P L A N N E R S

T R AV E L E R C A N

C R U I S E

T O

MEXICO Conference attendees can cruise to Mexico from California.

Suzette Brawner

MOTIVATION AND LAUGHS One guest speaker is already booked for the Select Traveler Conference meeting, and attendees will likely find that she is a delight. Suzette Brawner combines reality and humor for a blend of inspiration, motivation and hard laughter.

Brawner is frequently asked to address corporate, university, church and civic groups. Most groups want her to discuss how best to communicate.

“Communication has changed dramatically over the last 15 years with the digital age, and misunderstandings often start with miscommunication,” she said. So Brawner plans to toss out suggestions on how best to get our points across to each other.

She says many of us get into trouble not only because of what we say, but because we didn’t carefully listen to someone else.

“And then we have to scramble to get out of it,” said Brawner.

The professional speaker explained that there are communication problems among the various age generations and that those issues can crop up with people working in the travel industry, too. “We all need to slow down and listen and learn from each other. I think that would help things smooth out a bit.”

Brawner believes that everybody takes life way too seriously, especially in this era of cutthroat political drama. She often refers to her mother, a “sweet Southern lady,” who always advised her that in polite company, one should never discuss religion or politics. “So I have decided to stay clear of it,” Brawner said.

“Many people are so uptight. But I love to laugh, and I try to fill my life with laughter. I think it’s good for us. There’s actually laughter therapy offered now.”

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ravel planners for bank clubs, alumni groups, chamber travel programs and other loyalty organizations are being invited on a cruise to Mexico in February as a special promotion by East Coast Touring Co. East Coast Touring, which has long specialized in group travel, is combining the cruise offer with attendance at the Select Traveler Conference.

Travel planners can enjoy a five-day, four-night cruise on Carnival Cruise Lines and the three-day Select Traveler Conference, which is being held in Ontario, California, for $499. They will receive a complete refund if they book and operate a trip with East Coast Touring within the next year. The trip will be February 1-7, 2017, and is available only through East Coast Touring.

“We combined a great cruise to Mexico and a visit to Southern California in one special trip just for group travel planners, and they can basically go for free, if they travel with us,” said Bob Buesing, president of East Coast Touring Co. The trip includes a total of six nights lodging: four nights in balcony staterooms on the Carnival cruise and two nights at DoubleTree by Hilton Ontario California; all taxes, fees and on-board gratuities; and all meals, entertainment and registration for the Select Traveler Conference. The trip also includes visits to Catalina Island, California; Ensenada, Mexico; and a Carnival Fun Day at Sea Experience.

“This is exciting. Enjoy a cruise, Southern California and the Select Traveler Conference at the price of a lifetime,” said Teresa Burton of the Select Traveler Conference. “This will fill up fast, so if you want to go, you had better sign up now.”

The trip was Buesing’s idea. It was, he thought, a way to thank group travel planners for the efforts they make in the travel industry.

“Bob has always held an event for group travel planners the day before Select Traveler Conference, but this is bigger than ever,” Burton said.

If you are a travel leader for a loyalty program such as a bank club, alumni group, chamber program or parks and recreation district and want to take this trip, contact Sharon at 800-943-0071 or sherman@eastcoasttouring.com.

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P L A N N E R S

T A L K

B A C K

what are the best ways to promote your tours?

CINDY TORGERSON CORCLUB EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | CORTRUST BANK MITCHELL, SOUTH DAKOTA “Word of mouth from my fellow travelers is the best. I can’t thank them enough. They come back and talk about what a wonderful time they had and all the things they saw and did. I have people coming to join the club, and when I ask how they heard about the club, almost all of them say it’s from a fellow traveler.”

MOE AMMAR PRESIDENT | PACIFIC GROVE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PACIFIC GROVE, CALIFORNIA “We have been arranging tours for over 10 years. We use a local travel agent to take advantage of their knowledge, contacts and marketing tools. We are also in the local newspaper weekly, send direct mail to a database and use social media. Lastly, we hold promotional events for potential travelers.”

GAIL MARTINEZ BANKING OFFICER, TRAVEL CLUB DIRECTOR | FIRST STATE BANK DENTON, TEXAS “I mail out a promotional flyer, along with a trip booklet from a previous trip, with photos. I never mail the booklet that includes the pricing on the current trip I’m promoting so that the interested parties won’t avoid the trip’s promotional event based on price. I also run Sunday ads in our local newspapers, as well as run monthly ads in the Senior Center Newsletter and local retirement communities. I always mention there will be appetizers and drinks at the trip event. They love that.”

DEB WAGG AMBASSADOR CLUB DIRECTOR | CBI BANK AND TRUST MUSCATINE, IOWA “I have a newsletter that we use. We also use social media from our bank website’s account, newspaper ads and kiosks in all of our bank lobbies. I make flyers for each event that isn’t provided by a travel company. We hold several monthly social events in the bank. However, word of mouth from previous travelers seems to work the best. Once they have been on a trip with me, they seem to always want to travel again.”

SYBIL WOOTEN VARSITY PROGRAM MANAGER | HOMETOWN BANK CORBIN, KENTUCKY “I listen to the customers’ wishes and make sure I can sell the tours that have been requested by the customers. I think the key is to be a good listener.”

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CRUISE your way

Danube River cruise passengers explore Budapest, Hungary.

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Courtesy Emerald Waterways

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traditional cruising has given way to niches of every type

BY RACHEL CARTER

C

ruise lines are always debuting innovative options and immersive experiences to bring passengers aboard and keep them coming back. Emerald Waterways is using active outings to lure younger guests, Holland America Line is introducing new TV-branded onboard entertainment, and Avalon Waterways focuses its excursions on people.

By the time cruise ship passengers pay for drinks, dining, excursions, gratuities and internet access, they often feel penny-pecked when they disembark. That’s why more cruise lines are moving toward all-inclusive pricing structures. One example is Norwegian Cruise Line’s Free at Sea promotion. On the other end of the spectrum, in the luxury cruising industry, price is no object. Aboard Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ new Seven Seas Explorer, the Regent Suite runs $10,000 a night.

Here’s a look at some of the most exciting trends in the cruise industry.

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE

Last year, Norwegian Cruise Line made its first foray into all-inclusive packaging with its Freestyle Choice program, which became Free at Sea this year. The pricing structure is fairly simple: Depending on which stateroom passengers book, they can choose from one, two or all five of the free onboard offers. The offers are unlimited open bar, specialty dining package, prepaid service charges for the first and second guest in the stateroom, a 250-minute Wi-Fi package, and Norwegian’s Friends and Family Sail Free offer, which allows third and fourth guests to sail for free on select dates.

“It’s shifting the focus from price to value,” said Alex Pinelo, vice president of key accounts.

For passengers, paying a little more to upgrade their cabin means they get not only a better room but also amenities for which they would otherwise have to pay. And “agents love the fact that we’ve had a consistent promotion in place,” Pinelo said. Now, agents can promote with confidence, without having to change their marketing materials every other week.

With the transformation to Free at Sea, the company decided to make it combinable for groups. The spec market program allows travel partners to block rooms and sell them with Free at Sea offers. For the affinity market, Norwegian allows travel partners to block an affinity group with only seven cabins. Tour conductors can then choose from a list of 10 perks, such as a group cocktail party, a complimentary photo package or Wi-Fi for each stateroom.

The program has been successful not only because it offers guests

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more value, but also because Norwegian can pay its travel partners higher commissions.

“We’re allowing travel partners to do a better job selling our project, selling our brand and selling up the ship,” he said.

WWW.NCL.COM

EMERALD WATERWAYS

The group travel industry hasn’t quite figured out how — or whether — to market to millennials. In the meantime, Emerald Waterways is working to woo younger guests, “but it’s really more like the Gen Xers,” said Lisa Norton, vice president of brand management for Emerald Waterways.

“In recent years, you’re definitely starting to see an aging down of the cruising population,” she said.

Emerald Waterways itself is fairly young. The company, a division of Scenic, launched its own ships in the summer of 2014, although it had already been chartering. Emerald is building three new ships that will debut in 2017, bringing its fleet to seven.

The ships themselves are a big part of how Emerald appeals to younger passengers. Each features an indoor-outdoor pool that can be converted into a cinema. Crews can drain the water into a receptacle beneath the pool, bring up the floor, bring in reclining chairs and play movies. Inside, standard balcony rooms feature an indoor seating area that, with the push of a button, becomes a balcony when a glass window slides down.

Emerald also works to appeal to active travelers, both on and off the ship. On board, passengers will find a fitness center, a walking track and a rooftop putting green. New this year, Emerald Active tours allow guests to opt for faster-paced walking tours that get them off the motorcoach. Emerald also recently added guided bike excursions; the longest is about 20 miles, although most are shorter. Every ship has bikes on board.

“We’re targeting the younger, more active crowd; they want to go and see Europe, but they don’t want to be sedentary the entire time they’re there,” she said.

WWW.EMERALDWATERWAYS.COM

AVALON WATERWAYS

Europe was the proving ground for the river cruising industry, but as travelers have “been there, cruised that,” they’re looking for more exotic destinations and more immersive experiences.

“It’s great to go to Europe and see the tried and true — it’s amazing to sail down the rivers there — but in Asia, it’s about the people,” said Ryan Droegemueller, Asia product manager for Avalon Waterways, part of the Globus Family of Brands.

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An after-hours show on Norwegian Cruise Line

Courtesy Norwegian Cruise Line

Regent’s Connoisseur Club

Avalon Waterways has been in Asia selling into other cruise lines since the company was founded in 2004, but the Colorado-based company introduced Mekong River cruises in Vietnam and Cambodia in 2012 and launched cruises on the Irrawaddy River in Myanmar in 2015.

Myanmar, formerly Burma, is “sort of the Cuba of Asia,” he said. “It’s opening back up.”

The country was closed to visitors for 50 years, and although it has opened its borders and embraced travelers, Avalon still takes its passengers to places other cruise lines aren’t going, such as the Upper Irrawaddy north of Mandalay. The Avalon Myanmar on the Irrawaddy and the Avalon Siem Reap on the Mekong, both christened in 2015, each hold 36 passengers and fewer than 30 staff, which lends to the intimate, people-driven experience, Droegemueller said. And the ships’ small sizes allow them to navigate where others can’t go, such as the narrow, cliff-lined stretch of the Irrawaddy known as the Second Defile.

Avalon focuses on small-group experiences, Droegemueller said. On a sand island in the middle of the Irrawaddy “that nobody else visits,” passengers visit a nunnery where “I’ve seen people moved to tears” as they get a blessing from a nun, he said. On the Mekong, Avalon takes guests to an English-language school in Angkor Ban to visit with the children, who may sing a song or talk about what they want to be when they grow up.

WWW.AVALONWATERWAYS.COM

HOLLAND AMERICA LINE

A cruise cooking show Courtesy Holland America Line

Courtesy Regent Seven Seas Cruises

For many years, cruise lines have turned on the television to find inspiration for onboard entertainment. Celebrity Cruises partnered with Bravo to bring “Top Chef” to its ships. Norwegian Cruise Line offered its own version of “Deal or No Deal,” and Princess Cruises’ “The Voice of the Ocean” is an homage to NBC’s “The Voice.” But Holland America Line (HAL) saw huge success with its “Dancing With the Stars” entertainment and is doing it again with brand-new “America’s Test Kitchen” workshops and classes.

For three years, HAL partnered with ABC to offer “Dancing With the Stars: At Sea.” Dance pros and celebrities from the show joined theme cruises and dazzled passengers with performances. Other departures included complimentary dance lessons with the ship’s dance pros and dance competitions for guests.

HAL’s newest offering is through a partnership with “America’s Test Kitchen,” television’s most-popular cooking show. The onboard Culinary Arts Center will be transformed to replicate the show’s set, and HAL chefs, trained by “America’s Test Kitchen” culinary experts, will host onboard shows, cooking demonstrations and hands-on workshops with wide-ranging topics such as shaping Asian dumplings and making the perfect pie crust.

Demonstration courses will feature a mix of video content, live instruction, taste tests and recipe samples, and will cover a range of cuisine, such as Asian fare, Italian favorites and Mediterranean flavors. Planned 90-minute workshops will focus on teaching a specific skill set, such as making homemade pies or handmade pasta. HAL announced the new program in September and expects to roll it out across its entire fleet by June.

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© EPE. Graceland is a trademark of EPE. Elvis Presley™; Photo © 2016 ABG EPE IP LLC

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As the French say, “L’art pour l’art.” Aboard Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ newest ship, the saying could be “Luxe pour luxe” — luxury for the sake of luxury.

Regent is calling the Seven Seas Explorer the “world’s most luxurious ship,” and from small touches to large statements, the claim doesn’t seem to be hype or hyperbole. Whether it’s the Chagall and Picasso works among the ship’s 2,200-piece art collection or the L’Occitane toiletries that are standard in every suite, passengers are immersed in a sea of luxury. The Explorer, which was christened in July in Monaco, features extravagant theaters and lounges, five gourmet restaurants and one of the industry’s highest ratios of space and service per passenger. Only 750 guests can cruise aboard the $450 million all-suite, all-balcony ship.

In addition to the Explorer and its sister ship, which is slated for delivery in 2020, Regent is underway on a $125 million fleetwide refurbishment “to ensure every ship in our fleet matches the luxury standard found on Explorer,” Frank Del Rio, president and CEO of Regent’s parent company, Norwegian Cruise Line, said in a press release.

Work began on the Seven Seas Voyager in October, and the Seven Seas Mariner is scheduled to receive a similar makeover in April 2017; Seven Seas Navigator was completed earlier this year. The two-year refurbishment project will update and renovate most public spaces and suites onboard the ships.

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Gibson Guitar Factory Courtesy Memphis CVB

MEMPHIS IS A FEELING AS MUCH AS A PLACE

T

BY ELIZA MYERS he ghosts of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, B.B. King and W.C. Handy seem to loom large in the city dubbed both the Birthplace of Rock ’n’ Roll and the Home of the Blues.

All around Beale Street, guests can experience Memphis’ musical impact at several museums and attractions.

Groups touring this music mecca can walk in the footsteps of the King, strum a Gibson guitar and record their own Sun Studios hit.

Exhibits at Memphis’ music museums bring the personalities and careers of the city’s music legends to life.

Whether or not guests arrive as fans ready to rock, they will leave Memphis tapping their toes to a beat that never left the Tennessee Delta town.

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GRACELAND Before Justin Timberlake and Justin Bieber, there was the King.

Elvis Presley arrived in Memphis a shy Mississippi boy who would soon become an American pop culture icon.

A visit to Graceland, Elvis’ legendary home, provides a glimpse into the interior life of this incredible musician. Groups can see Elvis’ flair for decorating while walking through his living room, pool room and famous Jungle Room. An audio guide of the mansion tells stories from Elvis’ home life. The tour ends at the graves of Elvis and his family members.

Groups that have explored these hallowed halls before should consider returning after the spring of 2017, when a new entertainment complex will open across the street from the iconic mansion.

Elvis: Past, Present and Future will showcase the career and legacy of Elvis with interactive and immersive exhibits.

“The $45 million entertainment complex across the street is the largest investment made to Graceland since it opened,” said Colleen Palmertree, national sales manager for the Memphis Convention and

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Visitors Bureau. “There are so many additions, groups can spend a half a day or a whole day just at Graceland.”

The new facility will include a 20,000-square-foot museum called Elvis: The Entertainer. Other highlights will include the Elvis Presley Automobile Museum, a live music venue, two restaurants and a 450-room resort.

GIBSON GUITAR FACTORY TOUR After modest beginnings crafting mandolins in 1894, the Gibson Guitar Factory eventually began selling guitars preferred by stars such as King, Chuck Berry, Eric Clapton and John Lennon. Tours walk groups through the skilled process involved in constructing each Gibson guitar: binding, neck fitting, painting, buffing and tuning.

The 45-minute tour also reveals the influential history of the company, which produces some of the most popular brands of electric guitars in the world. The company’s famous Les Paul, Chet Atkins and Lucille models became the go-to’s for serious musicians like Peter Frampton, Sheryl Crow and Bob Dylan.

After learning about how the Gibson guitar’s sound has affected the world of music for more than 100 years, groups will often end their tour listening to a musician play one of the guitars inside the factory.

“You get to witness the skilled craftsmanship that goes into making a Gibson guitar,” said Palmertree. “They also have a gift shop where you can test the Gibson guitars out yourself.”

SUN STUDIOS When Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Presley all decided to jam together one night in 1956, it solidified the fame of Sun Studios forever. Known as the Million Dollar Quartet, the event is often pointed to as a peak moment in American music.

Groups that visit Sun Studios can not only learn about the recording company’s fascinating past, they can also create their own record to take home. The studio gives tours but also continues as an active recording business for many notable artists, including U2, John Mellencamp and others.

“It’s one of the most authentic tours in Memphis,” said Palmertree. “You can stand in the same room that the Million Dollar Quartet played in. You can pose next to Elvis’ microphone.”

The 45-minute tour educates guests on how Sam Phillips opened the studio in 1950 with the goal of capturing the energetic music of Beale Street. Groups can listen to outtakes from recording sessions and discover how the operation helped launch the careers of the Million Dollar Quartet musicians, as well as other notable singers like King and Roy Orbison.

with more than 300 minutes of information and more than 100 songs recorded in the Memphis area. Groups can tour the museum’s seven galleries at their own pace.

More than 30 instruments, 40 costumes and three audiovisual programs help tell the stories of musical pioneers.

The museum’s Beale Street location allows the museum to offer an additional tour to what may be the city’s most famous street.

“They rent headsets that narrate the history of Beale Street for your own guided tour,” said Palmertree. “Beale Street has a fascinating history.”

STAX MUSEUM OF AMERICAN SOUL MUSIC The heart-aching sounds of soul first originated in Memphis’ Stax recording studio, which captured songs from the local neighborhood.

Luckily, the neighbors had an exorbitant amount of musical talent, since Isaac Hayes, Otis Redding and Booker T. all got their groove on at Stax.

The Stax Museum of American Soul Music replicates the former studio on the same site where soul legends once stood. Groups walk through a timeline of Southern music, from a small country church to a gold Cadillac once owned by Hayes.

Artifacts, historic gold records, outfits and rare video footage illustrate soul music’s prominent role in American culture. Music plays almost constantly throughout the tour, prompting some visitors to break into dance.

“It’s one of my favorite places,” said Palmertree. “It’s all about the music. You walk through, and it makes you want to dance.”

www.memphistravel.com

MEMPHIS ROCK ’N’ SOUL MUSEUM How did a town in the Tennessee Delta give birth to both rock ’n’ roll and the blues sound?

The Memphis Rock ’n’ Soul Museum reveals the path that led from a rural music tradition in the 1930s to Memphis’ musical heyday in the 1970s.

Opened in 2000 in partnership with the Smithsonian Institution, the museum uses audio guides

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Good works and good times THIS FATHOM CRUISE TO THE DOMINICAN HAD BOTH

A group of men enjoying a game of chess in Little Havana’s Domino Park

ÒA

BY ASHLEY RICKS

By Graham Ricks

longsidedness” means taking part in volunteer activities that are chosen by the local communities to create a lasting impact; it’s helping people in a way they need to create lasting results. I was introduced to this unusual concept when my husband, Graham, and I were invited on a seven-day trip to Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic with Fathom Cruises and Islands in the Sun Cruises and Tours.

I was one of the first voyagers to experience Fathom, a new travel concept conceived by company founder Tara Russell and Carnival Corporation. The brand is focused on “impact travel.” Cruisers who sail aboard the 704-passenger Adonia will take part in people-to-people experiences and service projects in places such as Cuba and the province of Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic.

LITTLE HAVANA’S CUBAN COOL Our first morning, we met up with the rest of the Islands in the Sun group to explore Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood before boarding Adonia later in the day. We started out with a treat none of us were expecting: El Palacio de los Jugos, a small ethnic market on the out-

skirts of Little Havana. The tantalizing smell of roasting pork belly and Cuban rice cooking for lunch wafted toward us as we walked through the market to the juice bar. Many in our group tried something new and sipped on mamey juice, a cross between peach and sweet potato in flavor that was creamy but not too sweet.

After getting off to a great start we explored many of the iconic spots around the Cuban neighborhood: Ramon Puig’s for guayabara shirts; the original cigar shop, Cuba Tobacco Cigar Company; and, of course, Domino Park.

We walked along Calle Ocho, a street where the sidewalks and buildings are decorated with colorful street art, as is the whole neighborhood. Everywhere we looked buzzed with life: the clacking of dominoes and chess games in Domino Park, locals talking and laughing together or vendors along the streets hawking their wares “Cocos!

Manies tostados!” or “Coconuts! Roasted peanuts!”

My favorite Miami experience was trying authentic Cuban coffee.

We stopped at a stand on Calle Ocho where we were given a tiny cardboard cup, smaller than a shot glass. At first I was a little doubtful of this tiny brew, but I soon realized that just that small amount packs a punch. I loved it so much that I was tempted to drink a grande-size serving.

BREAKING OUT OF THE BOX We boarded the Adonia around lunchtime and headed to our suite before enjoying our lunch with views of the Miami skyline as the backdrop. Immediately, we noticed a difference from other cruise ships: It’s clear Fathom focuses on individuals. This care shined through little touches, like the use of fair-trade amenities or the sign outside our door where we opted to share quick facts about ourselves, like our superpowers and spirit animals.

We set sail early that evening and enjoyed a launch party, done the Fathom way. After an inspiring talk from Tara Russell, we got to explore the ship in depth for the first time with a scavenger hunt and plenty of opportunities to meet and interact with our fellow travelers.

Although the Adonia doesn’t have a casino, a theater or any of the other over-the-top features of larger ships, we still found plenty to do during our day at sea with the different sessions led by Fathom’s “impact guides.” These staffers were our points of contact during the trip and led information sessions and many of the onboard activities. In our first session, we learned what it meant to be a Fathom traveler: learning empathy through travel and new experiences. Another session Graham

Opposite page: Victorian architecture and patriotism are showcased in Puerto Plata’s central park.

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Dominican Republic WE’D LIKE N • TO T

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Rum ages at the Brugal Rum Factory.

Puerto Plata Decorative street art and colorful buildings are a regular site in the Dominican Republic.

Statues of historical figures adorn Puerto Plata’s central park.

Photos by Graham Ricks

and I enjoyed was “The Story of You.” Overall, there is a different, fun personality aboard a Fathom cruise.

During a session, our impact guide, Michelle, shared with us how she trained and worked as a gymnast, so in an impromptu vote, our group decided we wanted to learn how to do handstands.

FROM THE MOUNTAINS TO THE SEA Besides the ample opportunities to help, Fathom has also included some amazing experiences to explore and relax in the Caribbean atmosphere around the province of Puerto Plata. I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to travel into the mountains on a tour to see La Isabela, located in the northwestern part of the province. The town was established by Christopher Columbus and was one of the first European settlements in the New World. I enjoyed seeing the variation form the urban landscape; our bus made its way down dirt roads that seldom see automobiles. At one point, we even got stuck behind some boys

herding cattle between fields.

Once we reached the ruins, we were able to see the stone foundations, the only structures that remain of the fledgling town, as well as the explorer’s grave. It was a particularly powerful feeling for me to stand on the bluff overlooking the ocean and see the same timeless view that Columbus saw as he made such a lasting impact on our world.

Rather than traveling inland as I did, Graham embraced his love of the ocean and went deep-sea fishing. Unfortunately, the group didn’t land any big catches, but Graham still had a blast spending the afternoon with Captain Bartolo. After tasting a freshly cut pineapple that had been hanging on the tree that morning, my husband informed me that he was ruined on store-bought “fresh” pineapple forever.

MAKING AN IMPACT On our second day in the Dominican Republic, we had what was, hands down, our best experience of our trip: our impact activity. We got up early Wednesday morning to load onto the bus to San Marcos, one of the poorest areas of the city. A short time later, we arrived at

Colorful cabanas line the beach in Amber Cove.

Motorbikes and baseball are a way of life in the Dominican Republic.

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Amber Cove

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Children spend much of their free time playing at neighborhood baseball fields.

English classes are important experiences for the children in San Marcos.

San Marcos

elementary school, where Alberto, the school’s English teacher, greeted us. He let us know how much he appreciated us and the volunteers with Entrena, the teaching organization with which Fathom partners for the activity, saying, “I wanted to teach the kids right. I wanted them to work with native speakers because it’s so important for them to learn it for the real world,” since the jobs in tourism are some of the most sought after.

We were blessed to work with two fourth-grade classes. Graham and I tutored two bright girls, teaching them the alphabet, then practicing how to pronounce and write the letters. At the end of our session, our students shared what it meant to them for us to come to the school and how appreciative they were. One little boy, Elvis, poured out his heart in a long thank-you speech that melted ours. We also got to experience this firsthand during recess as we were constantly patted and hugged by all the children, who were so excited for us to be there.

EXPLORING LIKE A LOCAL

One of the tips we heard most frequently aboard the Adonia was how affordable it was to take a cab from Amber Cove port area into the city of Puerto

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This artist spends his days painting and selling his beautiful pictures in the park.

Puerto Plata The children love posing and then seeing their pictures.

Courtesy Fathom

By Graham Ricks

San Marcos Children often only attend half a day of school in the Dominican Republic and spend the rest of the day with their friends.

By Graham Ricks

By Graham Ricks

Plata. Many of us took this advice and got to spend more time at the highlights we had visited on our earlier Puerto Plata tour. The Brugal Rum Factory was a big hit with almost everyone I talked to. Rum is one of the most famous exports of the Dominican Republic, along with chocolate and tobacco for cigars. We also stopped at the Larimar Museum, where we learned about the history of mining larimar, the precious, ocean-hued stone found exclusively on the island of Hispaniola. Graham even talked me into bringing home a deep-blue larimar bracelet as a memento of our trip.

Afterward, we headed to Independence Park in the heart of the city. The pigeons here were so tame they would come sit on your knee or your shoulder, and I thought that would make for a cool photo. Unfortunately, there weren’t any pigeons around, so I scattered some granola on the ground to attract two or three for a photo op. That was a big mistake: I was suddenly swarmed by what had to be 100 or more pigeons flocking to the food. Graham said it made for a memorable photo, even if it wasn’t the one I had in mind.

After spending the morning running around the city and doing a bit of shopping, we asked our driver to take us to a local restaurant. We weren’t disappointed when he drove us to Long Beach, the same beach where he brings his children to play, and we were treated to a meal with amazing ocean views. Afterward, we topped off our experience with some fresh coconut, hacked open before our eyes by the street vendor with his machete.

A SPECIAL SURPRISE Our day exploring was also Graham’s birthday. Our hosts, Russ and Susan Rosenberry, the owners of Islands in the Sun, had planned a wonderful surprise for him at dinner that evening. As we enjoyed our impressive spread of dishes, we were suddenly surrounded by the wait staff, who, along with many others in the restaurant, sang him a special version of “Happy Birthday.” This year ended up being exceptionally memorable, even though we weren’t able to celebrate with our family. I’m so appreciative of

Sometimes the most memorable stories aren’t what we imagine they will be.

By Graham Ricks

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Carlos, the taxi driver, was much better than Ashley at posing for pictures with the pigeons.

By Graham Ricks

Russ and Susan for adding such a personal touch when I was afraid of Graham’s special day being overlooked on our trip.

After experiencing our cruise with Islands in the Sun and Fathom, we are huge fans of voluntourism trips. This style of traveling may not be the best fit for everyone, but it’s perfect for busy people like me who want to make a difference while still, somehow, fitting downtime into my busy year to preserve my mental well-being.

One of the words our impact guide used was “eudemonia,” which they explained to us as Greek for “do good, feel good.” This trip was good for both our hearts and our minds in that respect. Since setting foot back in the United States, Graham and I haven’t stopped talking about the cruise and, in particular, our experiences with the generous and optimistic Dominican people we had the pleasure of meeting.

ISLANDS IN THE SUN 800-278-7786 WWW.CRUS-SUN.COM

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known

F O R

GARDENS

LUPINE FROM FRANCONIA NOTCH

FRANCONIA NOTCH, NEW HAMPSHIRE

Q U I LT G A R D E N S

N. INDIANA AMISH COUNTRY Courtesy Elkhart County CVB

EVERY JUNE, THE FRANCONIA NOTCH REGION of New Hampshire becomes a garden planted only by Mother Nature as purple lupines flood the fields. Lupine buds whirl up the stalk, forming a sort of wildflower spike. Although they come in a rainbow of hues, the vast majority in Franconia and Sugar Hill are a deep, royal purple.

Lupines are in full bloom throughout June, the month that marks Franconia Notch’s annual Celebration of Lupines festival, which will mark its 24th year in 2017. By nature, the wildflowers are wild and sprout up along highways and byways, back roads and off roads, so one of the best ways to take them in is during a scenic drive. The Franconia Notch Regional Chamber of Commerce offers a lupine map showing where to find fields of the long-lasting blooms. Two of the largest are in Sugar Hill, where visitors can also stop by Polly’s Pancake Parlor — a restaurant, gift shop and bakery in an 1830 carriage house. Another is next to Sugar Hill Sampler, a sprawling gift shop and museum housed in a 200-year-old barn where visitors can buy handmade jewelry, candles, soaps and carved wood bowls.

Guests can enjoy a free Inspirational Walk on a mowed path through the lupine fields with poetry readings along the way or take in the lupines during a wagon ride. One weekend features an open-air market and festival with vendors, artisans, businesses, live music, demonstrations and more.

THE QUILT GARDENS of northern Indiana’s Amish Country will celebrate their 10th anniversary next year, and the Elkhart County Convention and Visitors Bureau will celebrate with special activities, such as photo scavenger hunts and artwork at each garden, said Sonya Nash, director of group and experiential sales.

Since planting the first two quilt gardens in 2007, the project has grown to include 19 gardens at sites along the 90-mile Heritage Trail, a scenic loop that winds through six cities and towns in the heart of northern Indiana’s Amish Country.

The gardens are no small undertaking. Sites must apply to participate and agree to plant the gardens by May 30 and maintain them until October 1. Every year, a review group identifies about 70 patterns from a database of 2,000, some dating back to the 1800s, for the sites to choose from, said Nash, who recently placed an order for 150,000 plants for next year’s gardens.

The CVB offers step-on guides for groups that want to see the gardens as well as other sites, such as the Amish farmer who raises camels or the Amish coffin-maker. Das Dutchman Essenhaus, home to the largest quilt garden, has eight shops, Indiana’s largest restaurant and a hotel that features Amish-made furniture and quilts. Amish Acres in Nappanee is a heritage resort with a historic 1800s farmstead, a round-barn theater and a restaurant.

WWW.AMISHCOUNTRY.ORG

WWW.FRANCONIANOTCH.ORG

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BY RACHEL CARTER

MERCER HOUSE

BUTCHART GARDENS IN THE FALL

SAVANNAH, GEORGIA

VICTORIA, BRITISH COLUMBIA Courtesy Visit Savannah

NEARLY THREE CENTURIES AGO, Savannah’s squares were utilitarian centers of daily life: Residents collected water, kept livestock and baked bread in communal ovens. Today, Savannah’s 22 historic squares are lush green spaces shaded by Spanishmoss-draped live oaks and dotted with fountains, sculptures and monuments — and still bustling with people reading on benches, strumming on guitars and painting en plein air.

“We basically consider them the heart and soul of the city,” said Mindy Shea, director of tour, travel and international sales for Visit Savannah.

When founder James Oglethorpe laid out Savannah in 1733, he followed a Roman Grid pattern with a central plaza every few blocks. Of the original 24 squares, 22 remain, one of which was reclaimed when the parking garage that covered it was demolished. Ellis Square reopened in 2010 and works well for groups because it’s the most modern, Shea said, with plenty of places to sit, a splash fountain for kids, bike rentals and a life-size chess set. Wright Square is home to the Tomochichi monument and was the city’s “hanging square” — be on the lookout for the ghost of Alice Riley. Chippewa Square may look familiar because it was where Tom Hanks sat on a bench throughout “Forrest Gump.”

Trolley and carriage tours give groups an overview of the squares; walking or Segway tours feature fewer squares but delve into more detail.

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Courtesy The Butchart Gardens

THE CAPITAL CITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA almost couldn’t help itself. With its Mediterranean climate — dry summers and warm winters — Victoria is “a great place to grow things, so gardeners flock here,” said Karen Elgersma, manager of media relations for Tourism Victoria.

Victoria is called the City of Gardens and received the award for International Garden Destination of the Year in 2015. The city showcases its gardens and shows off its gardening culture at every turn, but several gardens are must-see sites.

Butchart Gardens had an unlikely beginning as a limestone quarry. But when the quarry was spent, Jennie Butchart filled it with soil and transformed it into gardens. Today, it is a year-round destination with flowers and fireworks in the summer, harvest and foliage in the fall, the 12 Days of Christmas in winter — think holiday-themed sculptures made out of plants — and cherry blossoms, daffodils and tulips in spring.

“Every month and every season has its own personality,” Elgersma said.

The Gardens at Horticulture Centre of the Pacific (HCP) are “a gardener’s garden,” she said. The center has a host of gardens, including Japanese, Mediterranean and bonsai gardens but is famous for the Doris Page Winter Garden. Groups can take guided tours, workshops and hands-on classes, or enjoy produce from HCP’s farm and veggie gardens during a meal at Charlotte and The Quail cafe.

WWW.TOURISMVICTORIA.COM

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marketing Y O U R

P R O G R A M

PLANNING OVERCOMES

BY ELIZA MYERS

Y

ou might assume that the winding streets of Venice would prove off-limits for travelers who use wheelchairs. However, with a little planning, a disabled person could explore Venice without crossing one bridge.

Tourist destinations across the world have embraced accessible travel with special routes and accommodating policies to ensure that everyone who wants to travel can. Loyalty travel program directors shouldn’t discourage disabled travelers from joining their trips — with a little preparation, these passengers can enjoy a group tour as much as anyone.

Though it may seem daunting at first, creating accessible tours can be accomplished with these basic guidelines.

MEDICALLY READY

When a disabled traveler first signs up for your tour, find out as much as you can about the specifics of that person’s condition.

Disabilities can vary greatly, and you’ll need vastly different preparations for a deaf traveler than you will a mobility-challenged one.

DO YOUR HOMEWORK

The first rule of accessible travel is to never assume. Accessible trips to Machu Picchu, the Galapagos Islands, the Acropolis in Athens and the Roman Forum happen all the time. More and more ancient sites that were once impassable except by foot have developed routes especially for the disabled.

So when selecting your destination, make sure to research what accessibility is already available at your destinations and attractions. If you hit a roadblock, don’t immediately give up.

Find out if an alternative site will work. For example, Herculaneum is a nearly identical experience to Pompeii, but the former works for wheelchair users.

Travel planners should also line up accessible transportation early on, such as accessible motorcoaches and a detailed plan for the airport. Call ahead to the airline to ensure special accommodations will be ready for your disabled travelers.

When scheduling your group’s flights, keep in mind that most airlines board wheelchair users first but make them exit the plane last. This can affect connecting flights, so always include at least 90 minutes of buffer time between flights.

Additionally, give careful consideration to selecting hotels for a number of reasons. You want to choose a hotel not just because it lies near the city center, but also by the accessibility of that part of town. For example, a wheelchair user wouldn’t appreciate free time at a hotel next to a cobblestone street. Research the neighborhood around the hotel if you plan on providing any time for individual exploration.

Try to also book hotel rooms far in advance, since many hotel rooms only have one or two accessible rooms.

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ACCESSIBILITY ISSUES Encourage your travelers to inform you of any details on the specifics of their limitations, so you can more easily anticipate their needs. Let them also know the advantages of traveling with a statement from their doctor covering their condition, medications and potential complications. This will be helpful to have in case of an emergency.

Another precaution you can suggest to your travelers is to bring extra medication. In case of emergency, you’ll want to have this backup on hand.

Make sure all of your travelers know to store all medications and other necessary medical supplies in their carry-on luggage.

Inexperienced travelers might not think of this, which could lead to problems if the airlines misplaced their checked bags.

number you can call if it happens. For example, know the local number for medical emergencies and backup accessible motorcoaches.

You could also pack spare wheelchair parts or keep an accessible map of the city on hand.

If keeping track of all these factors seems too intimidating, you can also receive a great deal of help from travel agents or tour companies that specialize in disability travel. They can help handle some of these medical and travel details, and help you anticipate problems you may not have previously considered.

That way you can focus on making sure your disabled travelers find enjoyment in the tour rather than worrying solely about moving from point A to point B.

ON THE ROAD

By the time your motorcoach leaves the airport parking lot, you should already have a plan for your mobility-challenged travelers for each stop. Keep with you the information on routes that avoid stairs, steep hills and elevators not wide enough for wheelchairs.

Some cities have accessible maps, but for those that don’t, Google Maps provides street views for any routes you need to figure out so you aren’t met with any surprises.

Though in the planning phase, you should have called ahead to discuss accessibility with hotels, transportation services and attractions, you’ll want to call each of these services the day before to confirm your arrival. This is especially important if additional aid is needed at any stop along the trip.

However, these preparations can help only so much. You should also always come with a plan B. What do you do if part of a traveler’s wheelchair breaks in Florence? What happens if your planned accessible route is closed for construction in Berlin?

Think through anything that might go wrong, and at the very least, have a phone

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

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Special Summer Pricing for Groups Full-day excursions departing daily from two locations: Chama, New Mexico & Antonito, Colorado

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C A R E E R

C O R N E R

growing your group

DIVERSITY

embrace program’s changing demographics YOUR

BY BRIAN JEWELL

I

t’s official: America is on its way to becoming a majority-minority nation.

The changing demographic and racial makeup of the United States will likely have profound impacts on politics, government, education, religion and more. And it could make a difference in the way affinity travel programs work as well.

Thanks in large part to immigration, the size of America’s white population is shrinking relative to its minority populations. Since 2010, there have been more black, Hispanic and Asian children born in the United States than white children.

And most demographers project that whites will make up less than half of all Americans sometime in the next 50 years.

The growing populations of minorities also come with growing spending power. The children and grandchildren of immigrants tend to be upwardly mobile, and as minorities make greater strides in education and professional achievement, they will represent a larger economic force with greater disposable income.

For affinity travel planners at institutions such as banks, universities and chambers of commerce, diversity may seem like more of a theoretical idea that a practical concern. The constituencies for these organizations are often traditionally white and upper-middle class, and that population will continue to present profitable opportunities for years to come. But successful organizations have a way of adapting to resemble the communities around them. And for institutions seeking to build community engagement, reaching out to minorities could be a way to draw in new audiences.

Affinity travel can be one of the most efficient vehicles organizations have for reaching a more diverse customer base, as minorities in America often travel in groups at a higher rate than whites do. Loyalty program di-

rectors can leverage the power of travel to these ends by designing trips that are tailored to minorities in their community and actively reaching out to them in promotional efforts.

LUXURY FOR AFRICAN-AMERICANS

Claire Soares is the poster child for the upwardly mobile, travel-loving African-American community. This millennial entrepreneur has been planning group trips since high school and launched her African-American-focused luxury travel company, Up in the Air Travel, in 2013.

“We felt like in the people-of-color space, there weren’t people talking about luxury travel,” Soares said. “There were a lot of people talking about budget travel, and that’s cool. But there are also people established in their careers that wanted to talk about luxury. I really want to center around luxury trips.

We try to focus on places like Thailand and Egypt. Our approach is a really different dynamic than a traditional tour company.”

Up in the Air has a community of about 10,000 African-American travelers throughout the country who are willing to spend a lot of money for high-quality, hightouch trips. Soares loves to surprise guests with gifts such as personalized custom souvenirs and random business-class upgrades. And she sees a lot of growth potential in the high-end African-American travel market.

“There’s a book called ‘Black Is the New Green’ that goes over the spending of AfricanAmericans, and it’s pretty extensive,” she said.

Top: The Eiffel Tower, courtesy Up in the Air Travel Bottom: An African-American group cruise, courtesy Up in the Air Travel

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“These people are typically very well rounded — they read from multiple news sources and listen to different types of music, and they represent a very specific spend. If you can tap into that makeup, African-Americans will spend more than any other demographic.”

But tapping into that market requires some insightful planning, Soares said.

“The thing that is so obvious but also so often missed is to make sure your advertising reflects people of color,” she said. “When we look at your marketing and your social media, if we don’t see a mixture of races, that’s not going to bode well for us wanting to book a trip with you.”

She also said that tour itineraries should include items that appeal to people of color. That doesn’t have to be limited to African-American historical sites, but it can include a broad range of interesting cultural items.

“In Cuba, for example, the traditional tour takes you to Ernest Hemingway places and other historic sites,” Soares said. “But if you’re African-American, you want to learn about the Afro-Cuban history and visit some of the different religious sites they have. You want to incorporate music and culture because music is a very big part of travel for African-Americans.”

Tour

SOUTHEAST INDIANA

Fall Mums, Farms & Markets Meet a friendly tour dl dlyy herd herdd of he of alpaca, allpaca paaccaa, tto our a greenhouse,, visit v sit vi siit an an orchard oorc rc r ha hard rrdd and and nd find locally made ade sspecialty pecia pec pe ccial alty t foods and freshh pr produce rod oduc uuce ce in the Fall.

“Fun Farm & Market Experiences!”

- Clarksville Parks & Rec,c, Clarksville, IN

‘NOBODY IS REACHING OUT TO THEM’

Hispanics, who are the fastest-growing population group in the United States, could represent a huge untapped potential for travel groups.

“The Hispanic market in the U.S. is growing and growing, but the travel opportunities aren’t really growing on par with the population growth,” said Olga Ramundo, president and CEO of the Miami-area agency Express Travel and an adviser on the Hispanic community to organizations such as NTA and the American Society of Travel Agents.

“There are studies that show that Hispanics are not cruising as much as the rest of the population. They’re not skiing on par with population growth. And that’s because nobody is reaching out to them. They’re not being sought after.”

That’s a big missed opportunity because Hispanics frequently travel in large family groups.

“It can be anything from eight people to 50 people,” she said. “It’s Mom, Dad, the kids, grandparents, aunts and uncles, and even the neighbors who feel like family.”

Many Hispanic groups will visit places of cultural or historical interest to them. That means Los Angeles, San Antonio and Miami, as well as international destinations such as Spain and Mexico.

But Ramundo said the destination is less important than the way the trip is structured and customized for Hispanic audiences. While these travelers don’t necessarily require tour guides that speak Spanish, they are looking for travel groups that understand their culture.

“A Hispanic tour never starts at eight in the morning — you have to start later,” she said. “And you never allot an hour for lunch at noon — you start at 1:00 or 1:30, and you allow more time for it.”

Ramundo said her children, who are now in their 30s and 40s, represent a promising demographic of Hispanic travelers.

“They’re Americans, born in the U.S., but they still have that Hispanic root and background,” she said. “They still observe our traditional holidays. And they travel in big, big groups with family members.”

OHIO Indianapolis

INDIANA

1

Cincinnati

KENTUCKY

Louisville

Lexington

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

www.TOURSoutheastIndiana.com Top: A Caribbean tour, courtesy Up in the Air Travel Bottom: A Hispanic group, courtesy Express Travel N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R

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800-322-8198

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W H E R E

w e ’ v e

B E E N

university of colorado alumni association BOULDER, COLORADO TRIP: Treasures of Peru TOUR OPERATOR: Odysseys Unlimited DATE: May 2016 For 10 days, the alumni of the University of Colorado explored Peru’s culture and history. The group visited Cuzco, Lake Titicaca, Machu Picchu and other popular Peruvian cities and attractions.

“The trip was amazing. The local tour guides gave us insight into each of the towns we visited. There were so many special moments. Some of the ones that stand out include a Mother’s Day dinner with a local family, hiking to the Sun Gate at Machu Picchu and visiting Lake Titicaca, where we spent the afternoon learning from locals about how they built their island home.”

— TRICIA ESSENPREIS, DIRECTOR, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

blackstone valley chamber of commerce WHITINSVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS TRIP: Italian Sampler Tour TOUR OPERATOR: Globus DATE: July 2016 What started as a family trip for the president of the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce developed into a tour offered to the chamber members. By the end, the chamber took 26 people on a 10-day tour of Italy’s highlights, among them Rome, Tuscany, Pisa, Verona, Florence and Venice.

“The trip was wonderful, more than what we ever hoped. The cities were historic, side trips lovely and food out of this world. We did so much, but it was not overwhelming. Everywhere we went was a picture postcard. The locals could not have been nicer or more accommodating to us all. We met people from the community we had never met before and made long-lasting friendships.

It truly was the trip of a lifetime.”

— JEANNIE HEBERT, PRESIDENT AND CEO 34

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TRAVEL ALLIANCE PARTNERS TR AVEL GU I D E

PUBLISHED BY THE GROUP TRAVEL LEAD ER

ON A

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FEEDING GIRAFFES AT THE ZOO WAS THE HIGHLIGHT OF OUR TOUR ‘TIL WE HIT THE DESSERT TRAY AT SCHMIDT’S

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TR AVEL ALLIANC E PARTNERS

CONTENTS 39 40 42 44 50 56 60 64

WELCOME TO TAP A LETTER FROM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR STEFANIE GORDER

GROWING AND INNOVATING TAP IS BUILDING A LEGACY OF COLLABORATIVE TRAVEL PLANNING.

A SPECTAPULAR AFFAIR TAP’S SIGNATURE EVENT SERIES IS RETURNING TO MACKINAC ISLAND.

REGIONAL BEST SELLERS THESE TOURS ARE AMONG THE MOST POPULAR TAP OFFERS.

GLOBAL CITIES TAP TOURS TAKE GROUPS TO SOME OF THE WORLD’S MOST FAMOUS PLACES.

BEYOND THE MOTORCOACH PLANES, TRAINS, BOATS AND MORE PLAY INTEGRAL ROLES IN TAP TOURS.

TAP INTO HISTORY TRAVEL WITH TAP TO THESE IMPORTANT AMERICAN HISTORY SITES.

TASTE OF CULTURES CULINARY EXPERIENCES ARE A WINDOW TO THE CULTURE IN THESE TAP DESTINATIONS.

ON THE TAP COVER: A pier overlooks one of Cuba’s many pristine Caribbean beaches.

38 I N C.

2016 TAP TRAVEL GUIDE

Badlands National Park

Two magnificent mountain carvings. 244,000 acres of naturally-carved landscape.

Some of the world’s longest caves nestled on the edge of 71,000 acres of peaks, prairies and free-roaming wildlife. A waterway that opened the West and a Western town where it got wild. These are the awe-inspiring destinations that make up South Dakota’s Great 8. You and your groups can explore them along with our great partners and Find Your Great Place.

Request a FREE Vacation Guide • 800-732-5682 • TravelSouthDakota.com • Find Your Great Place

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TourSD — YOUR ROUTE BEGINS HERE 888-386-4617 • TOUR-SD.COM 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.

WALL DRUG WORLD’S LARGEST DRUG STORE 605-279-2175 • WALLDRUG.COM Wall Drug has been entertaining and educating the traveling public since 1931.

This wonderland of free attractions includes a restaurant that seats 520. There’s something for everyone. Located in Wall.

WATERTOWN 800-658-4505 VISITWATERTOWN.COM Surrounded by clear glacial lakes. Home to more than 160 Terry Redlin original paintings.

Beautifully landscaped zoo. Quaint downtown features unique eateries, breweries, winery and sculpture walk. Located I-29 and US 212.

WELCOME FROM

TR RAVEL LLIA ANCE AL RTNERS PAR

T

a new level of service to your travel planning. Those at the top want you to succeed and take a hands-on approach to all aspects of tour operations. Your success in selling is our success in operating quality tours.

TAP partners know that it takes a few conversations to understand the concept of working together at a new level. The tour choices are controlled by the travel buyer, with input from dozens of companies. We are not an

association or a club. We are a unique company, owned and managed by tour

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

hrough the Power of

We can all agree that we need fresh and exciting itineraries to offer our

Partnership, the TAP net-

clients. We also know that there are great destinations that sell well and are

work has proudly become

often repeated. TAP expands our offerings by bringing in new partners who

a solid “go to” company in

specialize in products not in the current portfolio. The pages of this magazine

North America for travel

will showcase some of the most innovative opportunities for you to explore.

solutions. By creating progressive partnerships that

They include a SpecTAPular event for 2017 that lets guests step back in time

include tour operators, top destinations, suppliers

as we celebrate the Golden Age of hot jazz, explore flapper fashion and dance

and buyers of travel, we work together at an entirely

the night away.

new level. TAP is focused exclusively on a return

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

of investment in all aspects of business, from com-

to hear the latest news. Sit in on one of our weekly “TAP Into T.A.P. - Tuesday

munication to tour offerings to tools that enhance

at Two” webinar series hosted by a different TAP partner each session. “Like”

business. Together, this results in everyone making

us on Facebook at TAP Into Travel to read the latest updates and link into

more money.

our monthly Enews.

TAP has grown by leaps and bounds since our

Do you know about our current marketing promotion that can help compa-

beginnings over a dozen years ago. We created a solid

nies with savvy websites offer a great portfolio of guaranteed tours worldwide?

Guaranteed Departure program, an innovative concept

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

that continues to offer hundreds of tours that will never

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

be canceled because of low passenger counts — these

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

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

sales, call us today and it will be complimentary!

also added scheduled and customizable itineraries to

On behalf of our owner/managing partners, I invite you to TAP Into Travel

further support travel buyers. TAP has a solid brand-

with the Travel Alliance Partners by browsing this publication and reaching

ing message and tools for travel professionals beyond

out to me personally if I can be of assistance.

the basics. Our weekly webinar series, “TAP Tuesday,” has been wildly successful. Combined with our TAP Tour Wrap for websites, it now allows travel buyers to

HAPPY TRAVELING,

use important resources beyond just a call center and a pretty brochure.

How does working with TAP differ? TAP Partners

STEFANIE GORDER, CTP, DS

are experts in the areas where they offer tours. Imagine

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

having the ability to work directly with the owners and

TRAVEL ALLIANCE PARTNERS, LLC

top management of a company that allows you to bring

866-373-0790 | WWW.TAPINTOTRAVEL.COM | MARKETING@TRAVELALLIANCEPARTNERS.COM

WWW.TAPINTOTRAVEL.COM

43

TAP

INTO THE

FUTURE

BY B R I A N J E W E LL

TR AV EL A LLI A NCE PA RTN ER S IS LE V ER AGING TECH NOLOGY FOR GROW TH

T

he future looks bright for Travel Alliance Partners, the innovative consortium of tour operators founded in 2001. In the more than 15 years since it started, the organization often referred to as TAP has taken hundreds of groups on trips around the world. And an exciting array of new technologies and marketing approaches has the partners positioned to serve more group travel planners than ever before.

TAP began when a number of individual tour operators saw an opportunity for cooperation that could lead to increased business for everyone. The first partners in the organization made an agreement to buy into and sell each other’s products, which meant that a company in the West could

44

sell its customers a tour put together by a partner in the Southeast, for instance. The idea caught on, and the partnership has grown to include dozens of tour companies that offer trips throughout North America and around the world.

Each member company is a partner and owner of TAP, and each has its own expertise. Most TAP tour operators specialize in travel to a certain region, such as a group of American states, Canadian provinces or international destinations. Others focus on a specific type of travel experience, such as sports, history, outdoors or cruises.

By participating in TAP, each of these tour companies opens its catalog of tours to the other partners in the organization, who can sell space on those trips to their own customers. With this wide range of travel products at their disposal, each partner can offer their local customers access to expertly designed tours in places where they don’t have personal experience. And because of the power of partnership, the trips that each company creates are sold through the entire network of other TAP operators, giving them a larger market presence that wouldn’t be possible otherwise.

2017 TAP TRAVEL GUIDE

get the information even if they aren’t able to attend on a Tuesday afternoon.

“We’re not only focusing on great new tour products, but we’re also providing educational tidbits,” Gorder said.

“So once a month they address how travel planners can make more money, enhance their marketing or move into additional markets. These educational components are there to help viewers grow their business.”

Another effort to help travel planners is the TAP Tour Wrap. This technology tool allows group leaders, travel agents and independent tour operators to display TAP’s online catalog of trips to their customers through their own websites, without redirecting them to TAP’s home page.

“This year, anyone who is connected to The Group Travel Leader can have a complimentary TAP Wrap,” Gorder said. “Anyone who calls and says they read about it in this magazine will get a free wrap if they have an active website.”

BETTING ON TAP Courtesy NPS

The most popular of these trips are offered as Guaranteed Departures — trips that are guaranteed to run regardless of how many or how few people book them. Customers and group leaders never have to worry that one of these trips will be cancelled due to low interest.

But the TAP catalog also includes other scheduled tours, as well as opportunities for group leaders to work with TAP partners to build customized experiences for their groups.

“Custom tours are now the fastest-growing segment of our tour departures,” said TAP executive director Stefanie Gorder. “And every day there is fresh product being loaded onto www.tapintotravel.com by one of our tour operators, so there is always new product there. It is constantly changing.”

AN EXPANDING REACH Much of TAP’s growth in recent years is due to a number of forwardlooking marketing efforts. The organization debuted a new website recently and has been using the site not only to sell trips but also to inspire travelers with editorial content.

“We have a brand-new blog available on our home page, and it’s great content,” Gorder said. “Right now it’s all about the holiday season. We’ve also done articles on things like Kit Carson’s Old West and the history of some old towns in the Western states. We have done articles on patriotic tours and student travel. Because it’s not just the senior market — we’re now reaching out to millennial travelers and student travelers too.”

TAP has also found success in its webinar series, TAP Tuesday. Held each Tuesday at two o’clock, these informative online sessions feature TAP partners providing in-depth information about specific destinations that they sell, giving travel planners valuable resources for tour research. Each session is recorded and made available in an online archive, so visitors can

TAP is also reaching out to travel planners by inviting them to get a behind-the-scenes look at the organization and its unique benefits. Formally known as the Buyer’s Education Tour — but more frequently called BET on TAP — this program is available to qualified group travel leaders and tour operators.

“It allows travel professionals to join us at our exclusive June event, TAP Dance,” Gorder said. “Buyers of travel or potential partners can come in and see how we operate by attending a portion of our annual conference and then going on the local familiarization tours after the conference ends.

“We tested the concept this year, and it worked out really well. It will be approved travel professionals, and there will be a screening process. They can meet with TAP partners and our Preferred Professional Travel Providers [PPTPs] and see what it’s like on the inside of TAP. They can talk to people about putting together exclusive, custom trips or even about becoming a TAP partner.”

The BET on TAP program will make a good opportunity for professional tour operators who are interested in becoming members of the partnership to learn more about how it works. Gorder also said that TAP hopes to grow its membership ranks in the coming year, and that a number of new tour companies are already in the application process.

“We want to continue to find new partners that fill holes of destinations and services that aren’t currently in our portfolio,” she said. “We expect 2017 to be a year of real growth.”

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WWW.TAPINTOTRAVEL.COM Courtesy Visit Salt Lake

A SpecTAPular ENCORE

BY B R I A N J E W E LL

TA P ’S SIGNATU R E E V EN T SER IES HE A DS BACK TO THE GR A N D HOTEL

T

he Travel Alliance Partners (TAP) know how to throw a party.

Though every group trip has its highlights, few promise to be as glamorous and immersive as the soirees that have become the signature of SpecTAPular Tours and Events.

“These are created to be very special tours and events — unique, one of a kind and just for our travelers,” said Nick Calderazzo, president of TAP partner Twin Travel Concepts and the organization’s SpecTAPular committee chair. “They’re not open to outsiders. Only TAP partners can sell into them. Everyone who wants to come has to book the trip through a TAP partner, and all the events are private.”

46

SpecTAPular events have been a staple of TAP’s product offerings since the first edition launched in 2012. They have taken place in destinations around the country, often drawing hundreds of travelers who come for experiences that aren’t available on everyday tours.

“The idea is to come up with something creative and to use our partners,” Calderazzo said. “We have all these Preferred Professional Travel Providers we work with, and we use them to come up with these events.

They’re not simple things to create — they’re difficult to come up with and to get just right.”

TAP aims to produce about one SpecTAPular event each year, although the unique demands of these programs mean that sometimes there will be more than a year between editions; other years might have two SpecTAPulars.

GREAT GATSBY GETAWAY For 2017, the organization is planning the Great Gatsby Getaway, an encore to the similar 2015 SpecTAPular event that met with rave reviews.

2017 TAP TRAVEL GUIDE

PLANNING INFORMATION The Great Gatsby Getaway SpecTAPular is scheduled for October 1-4. Individual travelers can book their tickets at the organization’s website, www.tapintotravel. com. Group leaders can make arrangements by working directly with a TAP tour operator.

In addition to the October event in Michigan, Calderazzo said plans for future SpecTAPular events are always in the works, although it’s too soon to say for certain what coming years will bring.

“We’re working on some exciting things and looking at actual tours instead of just events,” Calderazzo said.

“We’re thinking about doing a true SpecTAPular tour, but I don’t want to give away too much.”

THE GREAT GATSBY GETAWAY WILL FEATURE BIG-BAND MUSIC AND PERIOD COSTUMES.

Courtesy Grand Hotel

“We’re going to Michigan to combine Traverse City and the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island,” Calderazzo said. “It’s all about the 1920s and ‘The Great Gatsby.’ It’s a perfect time of year up there — fall foliage is at its peak. You get to see Traverse City, a beautiful gem in northern Michigan, and each night is a 1920s-themed event.”

Depending on the details of their bookings, most groups attending the event will fly into Detroit and may tour some attractions around the city before making their way up to Traverse City, where the opening evening’s entertainment will feature a singalong with a 1920s tribute band. Many attendees will wear 1920s costumes for pictures.

“The next day we’ll go up to the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island,” Calderazzo said. “It’s amazing — there are horse-drawn carriages that take you back and forth to the hotel. It’s a beautiful five-star resort with the longest porch in the world, overlooking the Straits of Mackinac.

“We’ll start with a reception, followed by a five-course dinner.

Afterwards, we’re going to have everyone dressed in Gatsby character, and we’ll do a promenade through the lobby. Then we’ll go into the ballroom where the orchestra will be playing, and we’ll have a costume competition.

There will be dancing and Champagne as well.”

The day after this grand gala, visitors will be able to enjoy the resort and explore the surrounding Mackinac Island at their leisure. Available activities include golf, lawn games, afternoon tea, movie screenings and horse-drawn carriage tours of the island.

The final evening will feature another five-course dinner, a signature of the Grand Hotel, followed by a dance accompanied by the hotel’s resident orchestra.

“We’re going to have a singing and dancing competition,” Calderazzo said. “There will be contests for best dance couple, best singer, etc. It will be a wonderful event.”

NORWEGIAN’S DANYLUK WINS TAP AWARD Travel Alliance Partners (TAP) gave its 2016 Spirit of TAP Award to Jodi Ann Danyluk, program manager, emerging markets at Norwegian Cruise Line.

Danyluk was nominated by TAP members for her outstanding role in the tourism industry. She is admired for always going above the call of duty and her willingness to always lend a helping hand.

“The partners have seen the determination that Jodi has to advance the travel industry and to enrich product offerings through her knowledge of Norwegian products,” said TAP executive director Stefanie Gorder. “She is not only a friend to many of the TAP partners but a true teammate in their individual businesses.”

The Spirit of TAP Award was established in 2012 after the passing of Ann Thomas, owner of TAP tour operator Western Discovery. The award annually recognizes a Preferred Professional Travel Provider who truly encompasses the TAP vision and embodies the true spirit of TAP. Rather than waiting for others to ask for help, the awardee asks “What can I do for you?” and “How can I help?”

The Spirit of TAP Award was announced at the June 7 luncheon during TAP Dance, the annual convention held by TAP, this year in Duluth, Minnesota.

Tracy Gruber, Ann Thomas’ daughter and the meeting and event coordinator for TAP, presented the award.

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WWW.TAPINTOTRAVEL.COM Courtesy Visit Salt Lake

MUSTSEE AMERICA

BY R AC H E L C A R T E R

THESE TOU R S A R E A MONG TA P ’S BEST SELLER S

S

ome regions have become famous for what they have in abundance, whether it’s geographical allure or cultural appeal.

Explore the seaside scenery that makes Cape Cod a long-standing resort destination for New England’s elite, including the Kennedy family.

Experience Texas cowboy culture in the Lone Star State’s original Cowtown or any number of Old West communities.

In southern Utah, visitors can explore extraordinary geological formations — arches, canyons, spires, towers and hoodoos — at no fewer than three national parks.

Travel Alliance Partners (TAP) tours take groups to every part of the United States and showcase some of its most beloved destinations. Here is a look at some of TAP’s best sellers in every region of the country.

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2017 TAP TRAVEL GUIDE

SOUTH: CAJUN TO COWBOYS More than a century ago, Fort Worth, Texas, was the last stop on the line: For the latter half of the 1800s, the outpost was the final refuge for cattle drivers on the Chisholm Trail, which earned Fort Worth the nickname Cowtown, a moniker it still wears proudly today.

Groups can tour Fort Worth, nearby Texas towns and parts of Louisiana on TAP’s Cajun to Cowboys tour, which includes visits to New Orleans; San Antonio and Austin, Texas; and more.

Visitors can soak up Fort Worth’s Cowtown culture by boot scooting down to the Stockyards National Historic District where they can take historic walking tours, visit the Stockyards Museum and watch twice-daily cattle drives through the streets. At Billy Bob’s Texas, the “world’s largest honky-tonk,” groups can learn to two-step, eat some Texas barbecue or cheer on live bull riding. Guests can make their way through the 5,400-squarefoot Cowtown Cattlepen Maze at Stockyards Station, ride the Grapevine Vintage Railroad or watch a high-noon shootout show.

Bandera, Texas, bills itself as the “Cowboy Capital of the World,” where residents still ride their horses into town. And with a population of fewer than 900, cattle may outnumber humans. Visitors can stay at several area dude ranches where they can also go horseback riding, take a hayride and chow down on a chuck wagon dinner. About an hour’s drive northeast, Luckenbach, Texas, is a tiny, historic town that’s little more than a dance hall and an old post office. The weathered-wood dance hall is perfect for barbecue-and-band events for up to 250 people, and groups can use the outdoor stage, horseshoe pits and picnic tables under 200-year-old oak trees.

Although Dallas is the Lone Star State’s third-largest city, visitors can have another type of cowboy experience there: touring AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys. Several options are available, including selfguided and VIP guided tours, as well as education and art tours.

MOUNTAIN WEST: RED CLIFFS ADVENTURE BY RAIL

UTAH’S ARCHES NATIONAL PARK IS ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR DESTINATIONS ON TAP’S TOURS IN THE MOUNTAIN WEST.

Land heaves up in impossible ways. Soil erodes into otherworldly shapes.

Rocks jut and arch and perch precariously. And there are dozens of ways to discover the red earth and ethereal formations of western Colorado and eastern Utah: by rail, by river and by road.

TAP’s most popular trip in this region is the Red Cliffs Adventure by Rail, which includes scenic train rides, float trips and other exploration of some of the most beautiful parks in Colorado and Utah.

One of the most scenic legs of Amtrak’s iconic California Zephyr train from Chicago to California runs through Colorado and Utah. The train travels through McInnis Canyon National Conservation Area in Colorado and north of Arches National Park near Moab, Utah. About 25 miles outside of Moab, groups can take in views of the famous Fisher Towers, a series of sandstone and red-mud tower formations, during a raft trip on the Colorado River.

Arches National Park is home to more than 2,000 natural sandstone arches and countless other red-stained cliffs and formations. Delicate Arch is arguably the most famous, but other formations — Three Gossips, Tower of Babel and the Organ — are equally impressive. When visiting, groups can stick to the roads for a scenic drive, take a tour with one of the park’s concessioners, get in the saddle for a horseback ride or hit the hiking trails.

About 30 miles south of Moab, Canyonlands National Park is a sunset-

Courtesy NPS

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colored desert wilderness where rivers and tributaries have carved out countless canyons. During a jet boat tour on the Colorado River, passengers will learn about the park’s geology and history while marveling at the canyon walls towering 2,000 feet above them.

In Bryce Canyon National Park in southern Utah, red rock spires called hoodoos jut up like stalagmites from Earth’s surface. Visitors can explore the park on 65 miles of hiking trails or a 38-mile roundtrip scenic drive, take guided snowshoe excursions in the winter and participate in stargazing astronomy programs in the summer.

NORTHEAST:

CAPE COD, MARTHA’S VINEYARD AND NANTUCKET, MASSACHUSETTS With seagrass waving on sand dunes, cedar-shingled houses dotting the beachfront and lighthouses blinking in the distance, Cape Cod is the quintessential seaside resort destination.

Cape Cod is one of several featured destinations on TAP’s Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket tour, a popular Massachusetts itinerary that also includes visits to Provincetown and Boston.

Cape Cod National Seashore is 43,000 acres of protected land that includes sand dunes, beach shacks, swimming areas and even the site of Guglielmo Marconi’s famous Wellfleet radio station, where he sent America’s first transatlantic wireless signal in 1903. The seashore offers nature walks, a visitors center and ranger-guided tours. In

FORT WORTH STOCK YARDS Courtesy Fort Worth CVB

We’ve got you covered.

Plan your next motorcoach tour with someone you know … your friends on the A-Team. We know tours inside and out and can help you plan itineraries or suggest destinations you may not have considered. That’s why we’re the A-Team.

FIND OUT MORE BY VISITING ArkansasGroupTravel.com OR CALLING 1-800-872-1259.

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2017 TAP TRAVEL GUIDE

Provincetown, on the tip of the hook-shaped cape, Art’s Dune Tours can take up to 45 people in its fleet of SUVs to tour the sand dunes, visit Race Point Lighthouse or enjoy a sunset clambake.

Every year, about 14,000 vessels traverse the 17.5-mile Cape Cod Canal that connects Buzzards Bay and Cape Cod Bay. At the Cape Cod Canal Visitor Center, guests can board a retired 40-foot patrol boat, pilot a virtual boat through the canal, scan live radar to locate ships in the waterway and learn about the canal’s history through museum exhibits and films. Or visitors can simply kick back in a rocking chair on the center’s deck and watch the passing ships.

Groups can even get on the canal during a Hy-Line Cruises canal tour.

Hy-Line ferries passengers from the town of Hyannis to the islands of Nantucket or Martha’s Vineyard. Nantucket was once the whaling capital of the world, and that carefully preserved history, complete with cobblestone streets, makes it a favorite for travelers, who can learn more during a guided history tour. Martha’s Vineyard has long been a summer retreat for New Englanders, and the 2.5-hour All Island Bus Tour highlights the island’s six towns and includes a stop at the beachfront cliffs near Aquinnah.

SUNSET ON CAPE COD

OMAHA’S HEART OF AMERICA PARK

OLD MARKET IN OMAHA

MIDWEST:

Courtesy Cape Cod COC

Courtesy Omaha CVB

12 COUNTRIES WITHOUT A PASSPORT IN NEBRASKA

IN SOUTHERN UTAH, RED ROCK SPIRES

People know Nebraska for corn and Cornhuskers. The state isn’t exactly famous for its cosmopolitan culture — but maybe it should

CALLED HOODOOS JUT UP LIKE STALAGMITES

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Mexicano dance company or arrange for a performance. The GermanAmerican Society event hall is decorated to resemble a traditional German beer hall and hosts private events and parties.

PACIFIC COAST: CIRCLE OREGON AND THE ROSE FESTIVAL Craggy shores and crashing waves, redwood forests and windswept dunes make the dramatic coastline of central Oregon both lush and stark, welcoming and wild. Groups can explore the state’s scenic sites and attend a famous annual event on TAP’s Circle Oregon and the Rose Festival tour, a West Coast bestseller.

In the coastal city of Newport, the Oregon Coast Aquarium gives both front-of-house and behind-the-scenes tours, and the aquarium can arrange animal encounters for groups. During a visit with a seal or a sea lion, the animal will plant a kiss on visitors’ cheeks or lips — beware the fish breath — or guests can get up close with a giant Pacific octopus at its enclosure, where they can touch its tentacles and even feed it a crab. Groups can also dine in a room where a glass wall offers views into the 1.3 million-gallon Passages of the Deep tank and floorto-ceiling windows look out onto the Yaquina Bay estuary.

If looking at it isn’t enough, Marine Discovery Tours takes passengers onto Yaquina Bay while a naturalist guide narrates about oyster farming, sea life, shorebirds and the bay habitat. Passengers can even take turns driving the boat and pulling in crab pots.

The Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area covers 40 miles of the Oregon coast from Florence south to Coos Bay. But the impressive expanse and height of the windswept dunes is difficult to grasp without getting into the nitty-gritty, and there are plenty of ways to enjoy the sand. Both Sandland Adventures and Sand Dunes Frontier offer group tours in large 20-person dune buggies that deliver quite a thrill when they come over the top of a towering sand dune. At Sand Master Park, a 40-acre commercial sandboarding park in Florence, visitors can learn sandboarding — which is similar to snowboarding, except it’s on sand — go sand sledding and build sandcastles.

Courtesy Eugene, Cascades & Coast

be. Omaha is a city where visitors can find international flavors and intercontinental attractions that highlight Indian, Irish, German, Greek and Latin cultures.

The state’s global cultural inf luences are on full display during TAP’s 12 Countries Without a Passport tour, one of its most popular in the Midwest.

With more than 1 billion followers, Hinduism is the third-largest religion in the world, and some of those followers live and practice their faith in Omaha. The city’s Hindu community first bought a building in 1993 as a place to worship and then spent several years raising money to build a traditional Hindu temple that was completed in 2004. Groups can tour the bright-white building, which is adorned inside and out with intricate hand-carved religious figures, or visitors can book one of the temple’s event spaces.

George and Sarah Joslyn were native Vermonters turned Nebraska entrepreneurs, but their massive limestone mansion, complete with a circular turret, looks like it belongs on the green velvet of the British Isles. The four-story, 35-room Scottish Baronial mansion was completed in 1903 and cost about $6 million in today’s dollars. During a guided tour, visitors will see the home’s intricate details, including stained glass, mosaic tile and wrought iron.

In midtown, St. John’s Greek Orthodox Church will host groups for authentic Greek meals. The church also organizes Omaha’s Original Greek festival, which showcases Greek culture through homemade cuisine, live music and folk dancers in full Greek dress.

At El Museo Latino, a Latino art and history museum, groups can take a folklorico dance class with the Chomari Ballet Folklórico

LOUDER THAN WORDS: ROCK, POWER AND POLITICS Coming Jan. 13, 2017

The Newseum and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame partner for a one-of-a-kind exhibit that explores the power of rock to change attitudes about patriotism, peace, equality and freedom.

NEWSEUM.ORG 555 PENNSYLVANIA AVE., N.W., WASHINGTON, D.C. TripAdvisor’s 2016 Travelers’ Choice Top 25 Museums in the U.S.

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SANDBOARDING ON OREGON’S DUNES

THE CAPTION SHOULD GO HERE

WONDERS

OF THE WORLD

BY R AC H E L C A R T E R

THESE GLOBAL CITIES ARE HIGHLIGHTS OF TAPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S INTERNATIONAL TOURS

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he world is smaller than ever, and people are exploring its farthest reaches more than ever. Travelers no longer hesitate to discover the delights of global cities, whether a megalopolis in China or a Spanish colonial city frozen in Communist time, a French bastion in North America or the Catholic Churchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s headquarters in Italy. Some cities have been embracing eager guests for centuries, but others are just beginning to open up to the world travelers waiting at their doorsteps.

Some of the great cities of the world are included in international itineraries offered by Travel Alliance Partners.

Your group members can immerse themselves in culture and history in any of these five amazing cities.

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2017 TAP TRAVEL GUIDE

PRAGUE Maybe it’s the red-tiled rooftops that roll over Prague’s hillsides. Maybe it’s the spires that earned it the moniker “City of 100 Towers.” Or maybe it’s the bridges that span the Vlatava River. Maybe it’s all of the above and more that have given the Czech Republic’s capital its reputation as one of Europe’s most beautiful cities.

Prague has something visitors can’t see anywhere else in the world: the oldest still-operating astronomical clock. The clock was installed in the side of the Old Town Hall Tower in 1410, and every hour on the hour, crowds gather to watch the procession of the 12 Apostles: A small door opens, figures of Christ leading his disciples march, and a skeleton that represents death tolls the bell. Below the clock, 12 medallions with the zodiac signs were added in 1865. The Old Town Square, the city’s oldest historic square, is also home to the National Gallery in Prague and the Gallery of Art Prague, as well as a classic Czech restaurant and beer garden that offers seasonal outdoor dining.

No visit to the city is complete without exploring Prague Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that spans more than 17 acres, making it the world’s largest castle complex, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. The castle dates to 880 and features wide-ranging architecture that includes 10th-century Romanesque buildings, 14th-century Gothic modifications and renovations from the first half of the 1900s. On the grounds, groups may want to visit St. George’s Basilica, the castle’s oldest church, and Daliborka Tower, the castle’s famous prison.

Nearby, St. Vitus Cathedral is also the national treasury and houses some of the Czech Republic’s most important statehood symbols, including the St. Wenceslas Crown and the Coronation Cross.

www.prague.eu

ROME

PRAGUE’S OLD TOWN SQUARE IS A HIGHLIGHT OF TOURS IN EASTERN EUROPE.

“When in Rome …” can end a million different ways or be used to justify a million different frivolities; but in Rome, there are many must-see sites as well as lesser-known attractions that groups should experience.

As the most-visited attraction in all of Italy, the Colosseum hardly needs an introduction. Tickets include admission to the giant amphitheater’s neighbors, the Roman Forum, which was the city’s marketplace and business district, and Palatine Hill, where the remains of noble houses and imperial palaces scatter the slopes.

The city is also a Catholic bastion covered in churches and cathedrals, and it can be difficult to whittle down which ones to visit. Locals often recommend the 17th-century Sant’Agnese in Agone that faces Piazza Navona. Construction began in 1652, and the Baroque-style cathedral is open during the day and free to visit. Lined with boutiques, restaurants and cafes, the oval-shaped piazza is itself an attraction where baroque art and architecture is on display, including the dramatic Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi, or Fountain of the Four Rivers. Piazza Navona is also home to the Museum of Rome, an art and history museum located inside Palazzo Braschi, a Neoclassical palace.

Rome surrounds Vatican City, the city-state headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church. The 110-acre walled enclave is a veritable trove of art, artifacts and architecture. In addition to the famous St. Peter’s Basilica and St. Peter’s Square, the Vatican Museums are an absolute must-see. On display in their 54 galleries are priceless works of art that popes have collected throughout the centuries, and the museums are also where guests can see

Courtesy Prague City Tourism

WWW.TAPINTOTRAVEL.COM

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NOTRE-DAME BASILICA OF MONTREAL

By Stéphan Poulin, courtesy Tourisme Montreal

the famed Michelangelo-painted ceiling in the Sistine Chapel.

Just south, a climb to the top of Castel Sant’Angelo rewards visitors with views of Vatican City and the Tiber River.

www.italiantourism.com

SHANGHAI Beijing is China’s capital, but Shanghai is the country’s financial hub. And with more than 24 million residents, it is the largest municipality not only in China but also in the world.

The city is a concrete jungle of skyscrapers and a bustling jumble of people, but Shanghai is also a cultural mecca where visitors will find ancient treasures. The Shanghai Museum displays more than 120,000 works of art, including ancient Chinese bronze, jade, calligraphy, coins, ceramics and furniture. Many consider the building itself a work of art. Completed in 1996, the circular structure is studded with soaring arches and was inspired by the shape of an ancient bronze cooking vessel that’s now on display inside.

Famous skyscrapers such as the Jin Mao Tower, the Shanghai Tower and the Shanghai World Financial Center define the busy skyline of the Pudong district. But, topped by a spire above two spheres perched on a tripod-looking base, the Oriental Pearl Tower is by far the easiest silhouette to find. Travelers can visit the top of the building for city views, including one of the famous Bund district across the Huangpu River. The riverfront Bund district is one of the city’s most famous tourist attractions because it was once considered the financial center of the Far East. Dozens of historic buildings in just as many architectural styles — former banks and trading houses from around the world — line the riverbanks as a sort of living museum of architecture.

Inside the Jade Buddha Temple, which was built in 1928 to replace the 1882 temple that burned down, travelers will see the two Buddha statues carved entirely from white jade that a monk imported from Burma.

www.meet-in-shanghai.net 56

2017 TAP TRAVEL GUIDE

MONTREAL Strolling on cobblestone streets past old stone buildings in Old Montreal, or Vieux Montréal, visitors can easily imagine themselves in the city 200 years ago and may even forget they’re not in France for a moment or two. The historic city center is the heart of Montreal and home to many of its must-see attractions.

At the Old Port of Montreal, shops, restaurants, bars and boutiques line the Promenade du Vieux-Port, which fronts the St. Lawrence River. Groups can also soar on zip lines, take Segway tours, climb 192 stairs to the top of the historic Clock Tower and relax on Clock Tower Beach below.

Notre-Dame Basilica de Montreal is one of the city’s jewels and a National Historic Site of Canada. The twin-tower church is a dramatic example of Gothic Revival architecture. And, although the exterior is gorgeous, the interior is breathtaking with bright blues, reds and golds that saturate the ceiling, the sanctuary and the panes of stained-glass windows, which depict scenes from the city’s religious history. Groups can arrange 60- and 90-minute guided tours and schedule an organ concert performed by Pierre Grandmaison, who has been an organist

SHANGHAI’S MODERN SKYLINE

By J. Patrick Fisher

THE CITY IS A CONCRETE JUNGLE OF SKYSCRAPERS AND A BUSTLING JUMBLE OF PEOPLE

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CLARKSVILLE, JEFFERSONVILLE AND NEW ALBANY, INDIANA

Explore

from cool CULTURE to Haute cuisine

there since 1973. In addition to the concert, Grandmaison talks about his training, creative process and, of course, the instrument itself.

At the Montreal Botanical Gardens less than five miles away, groups can take guided tours of the themed outdoor gardens and 10 exhibition greenhouses, or opt for self-guided tours of the Biodome and its four ecosystems of the Americas, which include live animals. During a guided behind-the-scenes tour of the Biodome, visitors discover what it takes to maintain healthy ecosystems in a controlled environment and see water and air systems, the animal kitchen and reproduction basins. The gardens are adjacent to Olympic Park, site of the 1976 Summer Olympics — the Biodome is housed in the former velodrome — as well as the Insectarium de Montréal and the Planetarium Rio Tinto Alcan.

www.tourisme-montreal.org

HAVANA The doors to Cuba are cracked, but they haven’t exactly been flung wide open. After decades of embargoes on the small Communist country, the United States recently started allowing travel to Cuba, but only under strict rules. Ordinary tourism is still off limits. Individuals traveling to Cuba must do so on so-called “people to people” trips that focus on educational programs and require a schedule jam-packed with activities designed to create “meaningful interaction between the traveler and individuals in Cuba.”

WELCOME TO ECLECTIC SOUTHERN INDIANA. You’ll discover a vibrant arts community fed by a burgeoning food scene from laid back gourmet burger joints to riverfront dining and upscale cuisine. 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. Shop our thriving main street boutiques and galleries for unique treasures. Venture to one of the nation’s largest Bass Pro Shops.

Don’t miss the eclectic charm of Clark and Floyd Counties. With a variety of lodging choices, and one of the lowest bed taxes in the area, it's nothing but sweet dreams. Book today!

VIEW OF HAVANA FROM EL MORO Contact Kate Kane • (812) 282-6654 • kate@GoSoIN.com www.GoSoIN.com

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Courtesy Ministry of Tourism of Cuba

2017 TAP TRAVEL GUIDE

Because travel to Cuba must focus on person-to-person exchanges, visiting the Caribbean island still requires a deft touch and is best done with an experienced travel operator. A cruise with an established company that provides those educational opportunities and schedules those social interactions is one of the best ways to not only get to the island but also experience its rich culture.

Havana is both Cuba’s capital and its largest city, with more than 2 million residents. During a “History of Havana” presentation, visitors will learn about the city’s Spanish origins, its republican period and its current Communist regime. A “Real Taste of Havana” tour showcases the island’s culinary culture, a mix of Spanish cuisines and Caribbean influences. Visitors can sample classic Cuban dishes, such as moros y cristianos, rice cooked in black beans; crispy snacks like malanga fritters and yuca fingers; and hearty, home-cooked comfort food such as ropa vieja.

As part of their cultural immersion, groups can take in a performance of the Cuban National Ballet or another show or concert at the Gran Teatro de La Habana, which dates to the 1830s. Groups can also stroll the streets to soak up Havana’s renowned nightlife or enjoy a scheduled people-to-people performance of Afro-Cuban music.

ROME’S ICONIC COLOSSEUM

AS THE MOST-VISITED ATTRACTION IN ALL OF ITALY, THE COLOSSEUM HARDLY NEEDS AN INTRODUCTION.

Museums, dining, maritime history, waterfront cruises and shopping make Norfolk, Virginia a distinct destination offering 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.

WWW.TAPINTOTRAVEL.COM

Discover it all at visitnorfolktoday.com.

1-800-368-3097

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GET OFF

THE BUS

BY R AC H E L C A R T E R

TA P TOU R S OFFER

BY R AC HEL C A RT ER

OPPORT U N ITIE S TO EX PLOR E ON TR A INS, BOATS A N D MOR E

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raveling by motorcoach is fine. After all, motorcoaches get groups where they need to go and often deliver plenty of scenery along the way. But thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s something about less-often-used modes of transportation that call to travelers and appeal to their sense of nostalgia. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the romance of riding the rails, the adventure of sailing the open seas and the excitement of riding horseback in the Old West.

Whether swaying in a train car, rocking on the waves or jouncing in the saddle, groups on Travel Alliance Partners tours can find plenty of other ways to travel beyond the motorcoach.

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DURANGO AND SILVERTON NARROW GAUGE RAILROAD DURANGO, COLORADO As the steam locomotive huffs and puffs past river valleys, ranches and mountain peaks — and maybe even a moose or two — passengers on board the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad get more than a sense of “being on a train that was running back when it was in 1882,” said railroad marketing manager Christian Robbins.

During the summer, the 45-mile train route follows the curves of the Animas River from the historic depot in downtown Durango northwest to Silverton, a late-18th- and early-19th-century mining town where, “if you look at a picture from 1881 when the train was first getting into Silverton to today, not a lot has changed,” Robbins said. From November to mid-May, the ride is shorter because the train travels only 26 miles to the Cascade Canyon “wye,” train speak for a place to turn around. At the wye, deep in the San Juan National Forest, passengers can disembark to eat a meal, stroll along the river and gather around the large stone fireplace in the railroad’s covered pavilion.

One of the most impressive legs of the route is known as the Highline, a narrow, winding stretch of rail that clings to the mountainside and dangles passengers 400 feet above the river with “a straight drop-off below,” he said.

Groups can buy discounted tickets on regularly scheduled departures, charter a premier first-class car, many of which are the original Victorianera passenger cars, or charter the entire train for a special event, either to the Cascade Canyon wye or all the way to Silverton. Another popular option is the Skyway Tour, which is a little faster because one leg of the trip, either to or from Silverton, is by motorcoach.

www.durangotrain.com

TALL SHIP WHALE ADVENTURES ST. ANDREWS, NEW BRUNSWICK

GROUPS CAN EXPERIENCE HISTORIC TRAIN TRAVEL ON THE DURANGO AND SILVERTON NARROW GAUGE RAILROAD IN COLORADO.

Anyone can take a whale-watching cruise. But not everyone can take a whale-watching cruise aboard a 72-foot, gaff-rigged cutter that’s a replica of a famous 1913 sailboat, the Jolie Brise. With its tall masts and billowing sails, the Jolly Breeze of St. Andrews is as much of an experience and an attraction as the possibility of spotting whale spouts, flukes and breaches.

“That’s why people like it: the added value of the ship itself,” said Joanne Carney, who started the company with her husband, Rob, in 2005.

The sailboat can hold 45 passengers and is also equipped with an engine to make the journey easier. When the ship cruises into the Bay of Fundy, passengers may spot minke whales, right whales, fin whales and, sometimes, humpback whales along with seals, porpoises and eagles. On board, passengers can warm up with jackets and blankets, a glass of wine from the bar or a cup of homemade pea soup, which is traditional tall ship fare. During the return trip, a marine biologist shows guests lobsters, crabs and starfish in the onboard touch tank and lets them hold a bristly whale byproduct known as baleen.

This summer, the company added a new experience: a jet boat for whalewatching tours. The 33-meter Zodiac Hurricane is a former FBI boat and can hold 12 people with individual-style seating. Though the tour is a bit shorter — 2.5 hours — the boat is lower to the water and can reach speeds of 50 mph, so “it’s a more adventurous experience,” Carney said.

www.jollybreeze.com Courtesy Durango & Silverton Railroad

WWW.TAPINTOTRAVEL.COM

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A HORSEBACK ADVENTURE AT CATALOOCHEE RANCH IN NORTH CAROLINA

CATALOOCHEE RANCH MAGGIE VALLEY, NORTH CAROLINA The Cataloochee Ranch covers 800 acres and sits at 5,000 feet elevation, so its expansive views stretch across and down several North Carolina mountains — not to mention the ranch’s rolling pastures dotted with horses and chestnut trees.

“We have huge vistas,” said Mary Coker, Cataloochee’s general manager. “You can’t find many places where you can get a motorcoach that has these huge vistas.”

Coker’s grandparents, Tom and Judy Alexander, aka Mr. Tom and Miss Judy, founded the ranch in Cataloochee Valley in 1933 before buying a large portion of the current ranch property on Fie Top Mountain in 1938. A stone and lumber cattle barn that was already at least 100 years old stood on the property, and the Alexanders converted it into the existing lodge, complete with a rambling porch and big woodburning fireplace.

The ranch borders Great Smoky Mountain National Park for about a mile, and horseback riders and hikers can go from the ranch into the park on the integrated trail systems. The ranch has 26 horses and can arrange to bring in more for larger groups, and wranglers lead all trail rides.

Hemphill Bald delivers the best views from the highest point on the ranch; the Swag is longer by length but with less climbing. Devil’s Britches is a woodsy trail sprinkled with wildflowers, and the Bowl Loop is fairly short “but long enough to stretch your legs,” Coker said, and rewards riders with a beautiful bowl vista.

Guests who don’t want to get in the saddle can instead get on the wagon. Cataloochee offers tractor-pulled wagon rides, usually with some light narration and Q&A sprinkled in. The wagons go through pastureland, so horses may even come up to the trailer looking for nuzzles and nibbles.

Meals are served in the ranch house or at the Way Back When, a rustic outdoor dining tent that’s accessible by wagon ride or an easy 15-minute walk. Guests can also play a game of cornhole, toss horseshoes, go fishing or do some good old-fashioned porch sitting.

www.cataloocheeranch.com

By Bill Harbin, courtesy Cataloochee Ranch

VISTA FLEET DULUTH, MINNESOTA The Duluth Aerial Bridge was originally built in 1905 as a transporter bridge before being converted to a lift bridge in 1930. But, no matter which Vista Fleet tour passengers board, the ship will take them past the historic Duluth Harbor landmark, which is “an iconic sight,” said Colleen Smith, sales and events coordinator for Vista Fleet.

Vista Fleet has two ships: The 50-passenger Vista Queen has two decks, one open and one enclosed. The Vista Star can accommodate 220 passengers on three decks; the first and second decks are enclosed, and the third is open.

Most groups hop on one of Vista Fleet’s three regularly scheduled public tours offered throughout the summer. The fully narrated Duluth Waterfront tour lasts about an hour and 15 minutes and cruises around the harbor, showing off landmarks such as lighthouses and the lift bridge. But weather permitting, the captain always tries to get passengers out onto Lake Superior, the largest of the Great Lakes.

At an hour and 45 minutes, the Grand Sightseeing Tour is the longest standard option that takes passengers onto the lake; the shortest summertime tour, the Lake Superior Express, is a 45-minute cruise that’s “usually offered on our smaller vessel, which is kind of nice because it’s a more intimate setting,” Smith said.

Vista Fleet also offers dinner cruises, which are popular for groups.

During the summer, the two-hour sunset dinner cruise includes dinner and limited narration by the captain as the ship travels “around the horn,” which means leaving the harbor from the Wisconsin point, going onto the lake and looping back around into Duluth Harbor beneath the bridge. In the fall, groups can book a harvest dinner cruise.

www.vistafleet.com

ALASKA RAILROAD ANCHORAGE, ALASKA As far as states go, Alaska is one of the most picturesque. That means there’s no bad scenery along Alaska Railroad’s main line, which stretches 470 miles from Fairbanks south to Seward on the Gulf of Alaska coast.

Although travelers can’t go wrong when it comes to riding the rails in Alaska, there are some sections that are growing in popularity, said

A WHALE SIGHTING IN NEW BRUNSWICK

Courtesy Tall Ship Whale Adventures

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Meghan Clemens, Alaska Railroad marketing communications manager. The railroad has seen “huge growth” in its Coastal Classic train, which departs from Anchorage and travels about 4.5 hours south to the coastal town of Seward. It parks there for about seven hours before returning that night, making it a popular day trip.

But it also delivers “some of the most incredible scenery you’ll see all along the rail belt,” she said. Passengers will see three major glaciers and crashing waterfalls as the train rumbles along Turnagain Arm and through the backcountry wilderness of the Kenai Peninsula. When the train pulls into the coastal town of Seward, it comes to a stop on the shores of Resurrection Bay, where travelers have easy access to whalewatching cruises and nearby Kenai Fjords National Park.

Passengers are already starting to book tickets to celebrate Denali National Park’s centennial in 2017. The Denali Star is the railroad’s flagship route; the George Parks Highway from Anchorage to Fairbanks wasn’t even completed until 1971, so “we have a long history of being sort of the way to get to Denali National Park,” Clemens said. The depot sits just outside the park, and all the area hotels, restaurants and tour vendors are “very train-guest friendly because, for a long time, the train was the only way to get there.”

www.alaskarailroad.com

By J. Patrick Fisher

A WHISTLE STOP AT ALASKA’S SPENCER GLACIER

Courtesy Alaska Railroad

“FOR A LONG TIME, THE TRAIN WAS THE ONLY WAY TO GET THERE” —

MEGHAN CLEMENS

NOT YOUR Y T E I R A V N E D R A G GARDENS Manager Contact our Group Tour Garden of the Ozarks. l ica rden getaway. ga tan r Bo you the n at pla up to ing efayetteville.com, enc eri Beauty is always popp xp @e ton ing nn 766-4626 or jpe Julie Pennington, (800)

GROUP T HE

TRAVEL LE ADER

AMERICA

HAPPENED

HERE

BY R AC H E L C A R T E R

HISTOR IC SITES HIGHLIGHT M A N Y TA P ITIN ER A R IES

H

istory often gets chalked up as dusty or dull, but historic sites give visitors the chance to stand in the very spots where the course of our country shifted or where our future was decided. Step inside the small wooden house where a silversmith began his “midnight ride” to warn of the British invasion. Stand in the very spot where one of America’s greatest presidents was shot. Feel the fear of harboring a fugitive slave in the root cellar of an Ohio mansion. Along with giving an authentic glimpse into history, many historic sites also give visitors the chills.

Travel Alliance Partners’ tours take groups to notable historic sites all around the country. Here are five that will make an impression on your travelers.

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GEORGIA’S OLD GOVERNOR’S MANSION MILLEDGEVILLE, GEORGIA From the outside, visitors can’t miss the towering Greek Revival-style columns of Georgia’s Old Governor’s Mansion facade. But the exterior gives no clue to the secret that surprises guests inside this home in the town of Milledgeville.

“We have a 50-foot-tall interior dome that’s completely hidden below the roofline of the home, so it’s not visible from the outside,” said director Matt Davis.

The dome, which is covered in original plaster and gilded in 23-karat gold leaf, is one of visitors’ favorite highlights during a group tour. Another crowd pleaser is the ballroom, which “has been favorably compared as nearly an exact copy of the East Room at the White House,” Davis said.

Milledgeville was Georgia’s original capital from 1804 to 1868, most notably during the Civil War. That’s why the city is home to the original governor’s mansion, which was completed in 1839. During his famous March to the Sea campaign, Union General William Sherman claimed the mansion and headquartered there for a night on November 23, 1864.

After the North won the war, Georgia’s capital was relocated to Atlanta, and the mansion was abandoned for more than 20 years until it was given to the school that is now Georgia College.

A $9.5 million restoration was completed in 2005 that restored the building’s original layout, exterior, interior, collections and grounds to its early-1850s period. Guided group tours include all three floors and focus on the building’s history, its inhabitants — both free and enslaved — and the complex societal issues during Georgia’s Antebellum and Civil War years. Group tours are limited to 40 people at a time, but larger groups can be split up.

www.gcsu.edu/mansion

KELTON HOUSE MUSEUM AND GARDEN COLUMBUS, OHIO

A 50-FOOT INTERIOR DOME IS HIDDEN INSIDE THE OLD GOVERNOR’S MANSION IN GEORGIA.

Sophia Stone Kelton seems to grow increasingly nervous as she leads groups through her mansion in Columbus, Ohio. She has noticed bounty hunters outside and finally reveals to her guests that she and her family are in a harrowing situation: They are harboring a fugitive slave fleeing to freedom on the Underground Railroad.

Kelton and her husband, Fernando Cortez Kelton, were staunch abolitionists, and their 1852 home is a documented Underground Railroad site. At the Kelton House Museum and Garden, the Sophia’s Secret tour re-creates the homeowner and her refugee nearly being caught. Tour and Tea With Sophia is another experiential tour for groups that highlights genteel society of the era and takes visitors to the Carriage House for tea and trifles, said museum director Georgeanne Reuter.

Groups of 15 or more can take the basic historical tour led by a costumed docent who talks about the Kelton family in the context of life between 1850 and 1900, which includes the Victorian era, the Civil War and the postwar Reconstruction years. The house stayed in the Kelton family until Grace Kelton, Fernando and Sophia’s granddaughter, died in 1975 and willed the estate to the Columbus Foundation with the direction to use it for educational purposes.

Inside, guests will see a huge array of family antiques and artifacts, including a piece of Victorian hair jewelry, as they explore the four rooms

Courtesy Georgia College

WWW.TAPINTOTRAVEL.COM

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on the main level, the bedrooms upstairs and the Underground Railroad Learning Station on the lower level. Because historians “don’t know exactly where they hid [fleeing slaves], we created an area in the basement root cellar to give visitors an idea,” Reuter said.

www.keltonhouse.com

BELMONT GHOST TOWN BELMONT, NEVADA The remote town of Belmont, Nevada, doesn’t have power; it barely has cell service. But it does have people, about a dozen residents. And those residents welcome visitors to the ghost town to see the ruins of collapsed buildings, to gaze upon the remains of partially standing structures and to tour the inside of the Belmont Courthouse, which is being restored.

“There were always people in Belmont — maybe not a lot — but it never really was completely a ghost town,” said Donna Motis, president of Friends of the Belmont Courthouse, which was established in 2011 to preserve and restore the building.

Belmont is the classic tale of a boom-and-bust mining town that sprang up after a rich silver ore deposit was discovered in October 1875.

Only 25 years later, Belmont’s silver boom was winding down, and people were drifting away. Nearly 100 years later, in 1972, the entire town, including the 1876 courthouse, was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The courthouse has a new roof and new windows to make it weather tight. Regular tours are available in the summer, or groups can arrange for private tours, Motis said. Inside the brick building is a veritable archive of history — on the walls. After the county seat moved to Tonopah, the nearest “big” city 55 miles away, in 1905, the courthouse remained unlocked, and people wrote on the walls.

“There’s a lot of history in there just from the names and dates written on the walls,” Motis said.

Groups can also follow a brochure and plaques for a self-guided walking tour. Some buildings are still partially standing, among them the George Ernst house and the old schoolhouse. The Philadelphia Building, which once housed offices for the mine, the mill and the newspaper, still stands and is now a private residence. After wandering around town, visitors can grab a drink at Dirty Dick’s Saloon or browse one of three gift shops.

www.belmontcourthouse.net

THE KELTON HOUSE IN COLUMBUS

Courtesy Kelton House Museum

FORD’S THEATRE WASHINGTON Standing in the spot where President Abraham Lincoln was shot on the night of April 14, 1865, means you’re standing in the very place where history pivoted. But Ford’s Theatre also allows visitors to walk in the steps of history through the tour History on Foot — Investigation: Detective McDevitt.

During the walking tour, each person takes on the role of a deputy while a costumed actor plays the role of detective James McDevitt, who was on duty the night Lincoln was shot. The guide leads the group from the theater to the White House, past eight major sites along the way. He narrates the tour based on “original witness accounts of what happened that night,” including information from McDevitt, who was on duty about half a block away when the shooting occurred, said group sales manager Josh Feldman.

Groups can visit the historic theater, as well as the Center for Education and Leadership located across the street and adjacent to the Peterson House, where Lincoln died on the morning of April 15, 363 days a year. The Peterson House is also open for tours.

Groups can also enjoy a ranger talk or a performance in Ford’s Theatre. During the spring and early summer, visitors can watch the one-act play called “One Destiny,” a name derived from the phrase “One Country, One Destiny” that was embroidered in the lining of Lincoln’s overcoat.

Although it’s a historic site, Ford’s Theatre is still a working performing arts center with “a really exciting season that’s underway,” Feldman said. Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” is onstage every holiday season. “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf ” will run January 21 through February 19, and the musical “Ragtime” will open March 10.

www.fords.org

FREEDOM TRAIL BOSTON It’s only 2.5 miles long, but the Freedom Trail in Boston “is an experience of 250 years,” said Suzanne Taylor, executive director of the Freedom Trail Foundation. The trail leads visitors to 16 country-defining sites, including Boston Common, the Paul Revere House, Faneuil Hall, the Old South Meeting House and the Old State House.

NEVADA’S BELMONT COURTHOUSE

By Sydney Martinez, courtesy Travel Nevada

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The standard option is A Walk Into History tour that lasts about 90 minutes and features 11 of the trail’s 16 sites, but a three-hour group tour is available that covers all 16 sites, although visitors don’t go inside all of them. Either way, a costumed Freedom Trail player guides the tour and talks about the significance of each stop.

The Old North Church recently added two new living-history areas in the Clough House. At Captain Jackson’s Historic Chocolate Shop, guests can taste how Colonial-era residents enjoyed chocolate, including sipping the same chocolate concoction John and Abigail Adams drank. At the Printing Office of Edes and Gill, visitors can watch a master printer operate an 18th-century printing press.

Until fall of 2017, groups have an unusual opportunity to see the USS Constitution while it’s in dry dock being restored. Next door, the USS Constitution Museum’s new exhibit “Forest to Frigate” explores the creation of the U.S. Navy and Revolutionera ship-making. Visitors can sign giant copper sheets that will be placed on the USS Constitution‘s hull during the restoration, “so your name will go on the hull of the ship,” Taylor said.

The Freedom Trail Foundation offers a variety of themed tours, such as Pirates and Patriots, and African-American Patriots, that groups can request. New lantern tours and the Revolutionary Women Tour have been popular, she said. For a little more money, the Historic Pub Crawl includes beer tastings and small bites at four historic pubs on the historic Blackstone Block, where many of the Sons of Liberty would gather “to ferment the revolution, as we like to say.”

www.thefreedomtrail.org

A STOP ON BOSTON’S FREEDOM TRAIL

FORD’S THEATRE IN WASHINGTON

Jay Smith, President, Sports Travel and Tours

OKC-ing is believing.

Courtesy Freedom Trail Foundation

By Maxwell MacKenzie, courtesy Ford’s Theatre

“THE FREEDOM TRAIL IN BOSTON IS AN EXPERIENCE OF 250 YEARS” — SUZANNE TAYLOR WWW.TAPINTOTRAVEL.COM

From whatever direction your tour approaches OKC, you’ll find the intersection of I-44, I-40, I-35 and Route 66 is a modern metropolis with loads of group-friendly attractions like the Bricktown Canal, the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum and the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.

If OKC isn’t already on your list, it’s time to stop and OKC what you’ve been missing.

Learn more at

#SeeOKC

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CULTURE

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TA P ’S CU LINA RY EXCU R SIONS OFFER LOC A L FL AVOR S A N D INSIGHTS

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he eyes may be the windows to the soul, but the best way to discover a destination’s heart is through your stomach.

Food is an edible embodiment of any region, and if you do it right, what’s on your plate should reflect where you are. Seasonal produce and local goods tell visitors about the area’s geography, climate and industry; and spices and flavors transport travelers through the people’s culture, history and values.

Travel Alliance Partners (TAP) offers tours that highlight some of the best regional cuisines around the country. Here are some of the culinary hot spots that your group can visit on a TAP trip.

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HUDSON VALLEY, NEW YORK New York’s Hudson Valley is known for both its abundant agriculture and its long history as a retreat destination, and visitors can get a taste of both extremes. Guests can feast on farm produce they pick themselves or sit down to feasts at historic resorts.

At the restored 1854 Rhinecliff Hotel, The Bar is both a bar and a brasserie-style restaurant featuring the valley’s bountiful seasonal produce, and Sunday Jazz Brunch delivers brunch favorites with a side of live jazz.

Although the Mohonk Mountain House dates to the 1870s, it has been expanded many times and now resembles a sprawling Bavarian lodge perched on the edge of Lake Mohonk. The hotel offers a variety of group dining options, including outdoor meals at the Granary.

Madava Farms in Dover Plains is home to Crown Maple Syrup. Groups can walk in the woods, eat lunch in the cafe and take an hourlong guided “maple tour” to see the farm’s hand-bottling and sugar-making operations and finish with a five-stage tasting.

Pennings Orchard is “a real farm experience but an upscale farm experience,” said Susan Hawvermale, Hudson Valley Tourism director. Guests can pluck apples from branches, take a hayride and visit Pennings Market to shop, eat lunch at the cafe, drink a beer or have an ice cream cone. There’s also an on-site cidery and a hard-cider tasting room.

The valley is home to food festivals that celebrate the region’s agriculture.

The two largest happen every fall: the Hudson Valley Garlic Festival in Saugerties and Applefest in Warwick. Per its name, Applefest features all things apple: ciders, fritters, caramel apples and, of course, apple pie. And “as they say when you go to the Garlic Festival, everything is made out of garlic, including the ice cream,” Hawvermale said.

www.travelhudsonvalley.com

SHELBURNE, VERMONT

FRESH CRAB IS THE SIGNATURE FOOD OF BALTIMORE.

Credit Visit Baltimore

WWW.TAPINTOTRAVEL.COM

Vermont is a veritable cornucopia of fresh produce and farm goods: apples and maple syrup, cheese and dairy products and, of course, the famous Ben and Jerry’s ice cream. Every nook and cranny of the state is bursting with local food finds, but the town of Shelburne “is kind of a little food mecca that centers on Shelburne Farms,” said Grace Meyer, communication and membership coordinator for the Vermont Fresh Network, a community of Vermont farmers and food professionals.

Shelburne Farms is an old, 1,400-acre estate farm that is now a leader in farm-based education. On campus, groups can visit historic barns and buildings, the seven-acre vegetable garden and the eight-acre sugarbush, with nearly 1,000 sugar-maple taps. The 1890 Farm Barn is the hub of Shelburne Farms’ educational programs and serves as a sort of visitors center. There, groups will find the farm’s cheesemaking facility; the O-Bread Bakery, an independent organic bakery and cafe; and Beeken/Parsons, an independent furniture-maker. The former estate home, now the 24-room Inn at Shelburne Farms, sits on the shores of Lake Champlain.

“People often go and stay at the inn and retreat [at the farm],” Meyer said.

Three miles south, Shelburne Vineyard offers tours of its vineyards and winemaking facility, as well as tastings in its 110-person tasting room; groups of eight or more should make reservations at least two weeks in advance. Groups can cross the street to visit Fiddlehead Brewing Company’s tasting room to sample what’s on tap.

At Shelburne Orchard, guests can take a tour, pick apples, munch on cider doughnuts and visit the orchard’s new brandy still.

www.diginvt.com 69

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS

LOUISIANA

The flavor of San Antonio, Texas, combines the best of the Lone Star State and its Southern neighbor. Historic Market Square is “one of the largest Mexican markets on this side of the border,” said Francisco Gallegos, tourism sales and experiential manager for the San Antonio Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The Cortez family just celebrated Mi Tierra Café and Bakery’s 75th anniversary in business. The family also owns and operates another Market Square staple: La Margarita Restaurant and Oyster Bar. Mi Tierra is a festive, colorfully lit, 24-hour restaurant where Gallegos always recommends the chicken mole plate and the menudo.

The entire open-air Market Square “gives you a little taste of the hill country around San Antonio,” with a farmers market that peddles local produce, food booths that dish out flautas and gorditas, shops that sell handmade crafts and folklorico dancers that twirl onstage.

The 22-acre historic Pearl Brewery complex has been resurrected as a mixed-use retail and restaurant hub, and groups can take a water taxi there because it’s the last stop on the recently extended River Walk.

Pearl Brewery Complex is home to a weekly farmers market and the Culinary Institute of America’s San Antonio school. It boasts nearly 20 restaurants, bars and cafes. Botika opened this summer with PeruvianAsian fusion fare, and the live-music venue Jazz TX, featuring jazz, blues, big band, salsa and Texas swing, opened in August.

Other options include workshops about using food for health at the Pharm Table restaurant, cooking demonstrations at the Witte Museum, Culinaria Festival Week and the annual San Antonio Cocktail Conference.

New Orleans often gets the bulk of Louisiana’s culinary acclaim, but the state is covered with out-of-the-way, little-known establishments that locals love and visitors should discover.

At Olde Tyme Grocery in Lafayette, bring cash, an appetite and, if you visit on a Friday during Lent, a little patience because “the line goes out the door and down the street,” said Kyle Edmiston, director of the Louisiana Office of Tourism. That’s because Olde Tyme Grocery is known for its fried oyster and fried crawfish po’boys, although its cold-cut po’boys and hand-cut fries are also hugely popular. For dessert, the Borden’s store — remember the famous Elsie the Cow logo?

— serves the best milkshakes in town, or groups can indulge in an Oreo cookie brownie at Indulge, Lafayette’s only dessert restaurant, said Barry Landry, director of communications.

Natchitoches’ local specialty is the meat pie, and Lasyone’s Meat Pie Restaurant is famous for them — it’s in the name, after all. But the meat pies are “just as good” at French Market Express, which stuffs them with crawfish, shrimp or boudin, and also serves pastries and gigantic cinnamon rolls, Edmiston said. He added, “And the reason you can’t find a place like this anywhere else is because it’s inside a gas station.”

Despite its location, the restaurant has a seating area, and because of its location, it’s a good stop for groups traveling on Interstate 49.

Although French, Cajun and Creole cuisine dominate Louisiana dishes, a Shreveport establishment has quickly earned a reputation for an Italian staple: the muffaletta, better known as the “muffy,” at Fertitta’s Delicatessen. “Out of nowhere, this place in Shreveport

www.visitsanantonio.com

HUDSON VALLEY MAPLE SYRUP A MAPLE SYRUP TASTING IN THE HUDSON VALLEY

COW MILKING ON A VERMONT FARM Charleston, SC | draytonhall.org | Courtesy DutchessTourism.com

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popped up, and it has tremendous business,” Edmiston said. “It’s really good, and it’s something different.” Also in Shreveport, the original Strawn’s Eat Shop opened in 1958. Strawn’s serves breakfast and lunch, but its motto is “home of the ice-box pie,” and the pies — strawberry, chocolate, coconut, butterscotch, banana and seasonal peach — “are outstanding,” he said.

A PO’ BOY AT LAFAYETTE’S OLDE TYME GROCERY

www.louisianatravel.com

BALTIMORE Since the city’s founding, immigrants from around the world have settled in Baltimore. Its diverse demographics helped define its culinary culture, but so did the city’s specific geographic setting on the Patapsco River and the northern stretch of Chesapeake Bay. “Italian, Greek, Polish — all these long-standing communities have wonderful culinary options in Baltimore,” said Amy Calvert, senior vice president of convention sales and services for Visit Baltimore. In Little Italy, “everybody has their favorite,” whether it’s Da Mimmo’s or Aldo’s Italian restaurants or any number of Italian delis with great subs and almond cookies.

On the seafood side, “forever and ever, people have thought of Courtesy Lafayette Travel

“ITALIAN, GREEK, POLISH — ALL THESE LONG-STANDING COMMUNITIES HAVE WONDERFUL CULINARY OPTIONS IN BALTIMORE.” — AMY CALVERT

OUT D DOOR OOR

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LafayetteTravel.com/ Explore 800 346 1958

#Adventure

DESSERT AT CHARLESTON IN BALTIMORE

#NewPlaces #KansasCityKS

Courtesy Visit Baltimore

Kansas City Kansas Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc.

Baltimore as the home to have steamed crab because of Chesapeake Bay,” she said. Phillips Seafood is a long-standing go-to for fresh fish, and Faidley’s Seafood is famous for its jumbo lump crab cakes, the secret recipe for which “they won’t tell you even if you ask,” Calvert said.

Faidley’s is located in Lexington Market, which dates back to 1782 and is one of the longest continuously operated markets in the world. Inside, food stalls house butchers, bakers and candy-makers, and food vendors dish up barbecue, soul food and international far e. Lexington Market is a genuine version of what the “food-hall movement” is trying to re-create, Calvert said. “There are purveyors who have been in there and established in their community for generations.”

Although Baltimore has plenty of tried-and-true staples, James Beard Award-winning and -nominated chefs are leading the city’s emerging food scene at pioneering restaurants tucked away in hip neighborhoods. Woodberry Kitchen focuses on traditional fare that highlights seasonal ingredients from the Chesapeake region, and Charleston serves cuisine that’s rooted in French fundamentals and South Carolina low-country cooking.

www.baltimore.org

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FEATURED TRIPS

FEATURED TRIPS

TONY MINDEN • CIRCLE OREGON • JOURNEY UP THE KITSAP PENINSULA FEATURING VICTORIA, WHISTLER & VANCOUVER BC • SAVANNNAH CHARLESTON & THE GOLDEN ISLES OF GEORGIA

• CUSTER STATE PARK BUFFALO ROUNDUP • LEGENDARY NORTH DAKOTA • LEWIS & CLARK TRAIL

Our tours are designed with a “love of discovery”. We include upscale accommodations, exciting and unique attractions. Our Tour Directors are professional and experienced, to ensure everyone has fun.

Journeys of Exploration and Discovery. Explore the West where legends live. Enjoy magnificent w ou’ve never seen them before with special insights provided by experts in the field.

WWW.ORWEST.COM

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• DC: An African American Journey and the Smithsonian National Museum of African American Heritage and Culture KATE SCOPETTI

TONY@ORWEST.COM

WWW.SHEBBYLEETOURS.COM

SHEBBY LEE, CTP

SHEBBY@SHEBBYLEETOURS.COM

2017 TAP TRAVEL GUIDE

W W W.TA P I N T O T R AV E L .C O M

LLC

FEATURED TRIPS

FEATURED TRIPS

• CANALS, CASTLES AND CRUISE: NEW YORK FINGER LAKES STEVE EVERIDGE • NASHVILLE COUNTRY CHRISTMAS AT THE OPRYLAND HOTEL

• KEY WEST, MIAMI & THE EVERGLADES

• FOLIAGE RIVER CRUISE: FALL IN PITTSBURGH

• NEW YORK CITY: BEYOND BROADWAY & THE BRONX

A tour operator based in Staunton, Virginia, offering superior escorted tours throughout the United States and Canada since 1972. Quality vacations at value pricing with a personal touch.

Our company prides itself on creating memories through unique experiences with many options. Our groups are smaller in size enabling us to provide more personalized service and individual attention.

WWW.SHENANDOAHTOURS.COM

SHENANDOAHTOURS@COMCAST.NET

FEATURED TRIPS

KEVIN MURPHY, CTP

• FERRIES & TOWNS OF PUGET SOUND

WWW.SPORTSLEISURE.COM

KEVIN@SPORTSLEISURE.COM

FEATURED TRIPS

• 2017 BASEBALL HALL OF FAME INDUCTION PLUS ROAD TRIP

MICHAEL COLDESINA

SERGE TALBOT

• 2017 BASEBALL HALL OF FAME INDUCTION WEEKEND - BASE HIT

• KENYA SAFARI ADVENTURE • COSTA RICA

• 2017 PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME ENSHRINEMENT WEEKEND

• SAN FRANCISCO, WINE COUNTRY & MONTEREY

We offer Baseball Road Trips, Spring Training, Hall of F Major Sporting Events and can customiz t your schedule and budget.

Talbot Tours offers groups, individuals and families exceptional values on tours, cruises, and international destinations. Fully escorted and independent travel services.

WWW.SPORTSTRAVELANDTOURS.COM

MIKE@SPORTSTRAVELANDTOURS.COM

• MAGNIFICENT MICHIGAN • NEW ORLEANS, THE KING’S FRENCH QUARTER

ANDREW HILLARD

• COLORFUL COLORADO

• HAUNTED, THROUGHOUT NEW YORK: GHOSTS, ASYLUM, WINE AND SURPRISES!

NICHOLAS CALDERAZZO

• VERMONT & NEW HAMPSHIRE IN JUNE: LOCAL EXPERIENCES, JUNE BLOOMS • FROM ROCKWELL TO ROCKEFELLER: ROCKING THE BERKSHIRES & HUDSON VALLEY

For over 77 years, Tri-State Travel has been combining comfort and authenticity to bring you memorable travel experiences to the world’s most desired destinations.

WWW.TAPINTOTRAVEL.COM

INFO@TALBOTTOURS.COM

FEATURED TRIPS

FEATURED TRIPS

WWW.TRISTATETRAVEL.COM

WWW.TALBOTTOURS.COM

AHILLARD@TRISTATETRAVEL.COM

Alwa w, y and surprising, our tours are custom-designed to your tastes and budgets. NY City, The Northeast and Mid-Atlantic are home.

TWINTRAVELCONCEPTS.COM

NICK@TWINTRAVELCONCEPTS.COM

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TRAVEL ALLIANCE PARTNERS

FEATURED TRIPS

FEATURED TRIPS

CRYSTAL DELORENZO • THE WILD AND WONDERFUL WEST • OKLAHOMA MEETS “DEEP IN THE HEART OF TEXAS”

• THE YELLOWSTONE EXPERIENCE • CANYON COUNTRY EXPERIENCE

• WISCONSIN…FROM THE DELLS TO THE SHORE AND MORE

• CALIFORNIA RAIL TOUR

Wade Tours & Travel, a family owned business since 1926, serving the Northeast offering single & multi-day tours across the continental US and Canada with our fleet of modern state-of-the-art coaches.

Western Leisure is a full service receptive tour operator specializing in custom group tours to the National P est and along the Pacific Coast.

WWW.WADETOURS.COM

CRYSTAL@WADETOURS.COM

WWW.WESTERNLEISURE.COM

SHAWN HORMAN

INFO@WESTERNLEISURE.COM

F O R I N F O R M AT I O N O N A D D I T I O N A L TA P T O U R O P E R AT O R S , I N C LU D I N G A L K I T O U R S , I N T E R LU D E T O U R S A N D T H E T R AV E L AU T H O R I T Y, V I S I T W W W.TA P I N T O T R AV E L .C O M .

Photo credit: Bruno Vega

With more than 2.5 million travelers visiting Peru’s 11 World Heritage Sites each year, it comes as no surprise that the country’s $168 million annual tourism revenue is on the rise.

That’s why in 2011, Tourism Cares selected Peru for a sustainable tourism initiative that engaged peers from both the North American and Peruvian tourism industries to make an impact through volunteering and distributing $80,000 in grant funding.

THIS LLAMA IS VALUED AT $168 MILLION.

Join a growing roster of industry-leading companies committed to preserving the 78 places we love and depend on.

Visit TourismCares.org to see how your company can help make global sustainable tourism a reality.

2017 TAP TRAVEL GUIDE

G R E A T E R

O N T A R I O

C A L I F O R N I A

e r o l p x Meet, e ect n n o c d an

Greater Ontario is excited to host the Select Traveler Conference in 2017!

Greater Ontario region boasts scenic mountains, deserts, vineyards and metropolitan areas that are both historic and cosmopolitan in character that make it Ideal for leisure and business travel. We look forward to welcoming you February 5 – 7 to Ontario, California. The Ontario International Airport lets you fly right into the heart of Southern California.

A state-of-the-art convention center, world class shopping, awe inspiring weather, access to over 6000 guest rooms. All waiting for you when the business day is done.

Greater Ontario offers an abundance of things to see and do such as live entertainment, shopping, sports teams, gaming, skating, exploring, art and history perusing. For more information, visit: discoverontariocalifornia.org 2000 E. Convention Center Way | Ontario, California 91764 909.937.3000 | 800.455.57.55 | info@ontariocvb.org

Iceland shines bright gazing at the Northern Lights

Northern Lights, Iceland

Bring your group October March to spend their days surrounded by natural wonders - waterfalls, geysers, icebergs, and volcanic beaches - and their nights in search of the spectacular Northern Lights.

Geysir, Golden Circle

Hallgrimskirkja Church, Reykjavik

Offer the world to your travelers with journeys to seven continents. guided by travel

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