Select Traveler July August 2018 by The Group Travel Leader, Inc.

THE MAGAZINE FOR BANK, ALUMNI AND CHAMBER TRAVEL PLANNERS

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N E W O R L E A N S F O O D I E FA R E

S PA I N U N D E R S A I L

CRUISE CRAZE

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JULY/AUGUST 2018

EUROPEAN EUROPEAN EUROPEAN RIVER RIVER RIVER CRUISES CRUISES CRUISES

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CallCall Call 833.571.9845, 833.571.9845, 833.571.9845, visit visit visit emeraldwaterways.com emeraldwaterways.com emeraldwaterways.com or or email oremail email us us atusgroups@emeraldwaterways.com atatgroups@emeraldwaterways.com groups@emeraldwaterways.com Terms Terms andTerms conditions: andand conditions: conditions: A non-refundable A non-refundable A non-refundable initial deposit initial initial deposit ofdeposit $500 ofper $500 of person $500 per per person is required person is required isatrequired the time at the atofthe time booking, time of booking, ofwith booking, full with payment with full payment fullrequired payment required 90 required days 90prior days 90 days toprior departure. prior to departure. to departure. A secondary A secondary A secondary non-refundable non-refundable non-refundable depositdeposit ofdeposit $1,500 of $1,500 per of $1,500 per per personperson is due person prior is due isto due prior airprior ticketing. to air toticketing. airEmerald ticketing. Emerald Waterways Emerald Waterways Waterways reserves reserves the reserves right thetothe right ticket right tothe ticket toairfare ticket the the airfare upon airfare receipt upon upon receipt of deposit. receipt of deposit. ofMaximum deposit. Maximum Maximum value of value airvalue ticket of air ofisticket air $1400 ticket is $1400 per is $1400 person per per person inclusive person inclusive ofinclusive all taxes of allof &taxes all fees. taxes &Fly fees. &from fees. Fly25 from Fly major from 25 US major 25 major US US cities, call cities, for cities, call list call for of available list forof listavailable ofgateway available gateway cities. gateway Economy cities. cities. Economy Air Economy only Airononly Air Emerald only on Emerald onWaterways’ Emerald Waterways’ Waterways’ choicechoice of airlines choice of airlines and of airlines routes. andand routes. These routes. These offers These are offers not offare ers combinable not are not combinable combinable with any with other with anyoff any other erother oroff except eroff orerexcept for or except Travel for Show Travel for Travel and Show Show agent andand training agent agent training training vouchers. vouchers. Taxes vouchers. &Taxes port Taxes &charges port & port charges are charges included are included areinincluded the price. in the inOff the price. erprice. available Offer Off available ertoavailable residents to residents toof residents the of 50the United of the 50 United 50 States United States only. States Off only. eronly. may Offer Off bemay er extended, may be extended, be extended, canceled canceled or canceled withdrawn or withdrawn or withdrawn at any at time any atwithout any timetime without notice. without notice. Visit notice. emeraldwaterways. VisitVisit emeraldwaterways. emeraldwaterways. com for com complete com for complete for terms complete and terms terms conditions. andand conditions. conditions. Contact Contact Emerald Contact Emerald Waterways Emerald Waterways Waterways for fullfor details full for details full on details ouron new our onEmerald our newnew Emerald Group Emerald Group Value Group Points Value Value Points program. Points program. Point program. values Point Point values varyvalues byvary destination vary by destination by destination and sailand date. and sailAd date. sailCode: date. Ad Code: 18_EW227, Ad Code: 18_EW227, 18_EW227, June 2018 JuneJune 20182018

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THE MAGAZINE FOR BANK, ALUMNI AND CHAMBER TRAVEL PLANNERS

select MARQUEE ISSUE

T R A V E L E R

VOL.25 NO.4

JULY/AUGUST 2018

COASTING THROUGH CALIFORNIA

contents checking in: GAIL DAY

toolbox: known for: marketing: PHOTO APPS

MUSIC TOWNS

PROMO PARTNERS

By Jay Sinclair, courtesy Visit Santa Barbara

ON THE COVER: A sunset fills the sky with vibrant colors in Santa Barbara, California. Photo by Lunamarina.

career:

BUDGET TOURS

10 12 30 32 34 K ELLY T Y NER DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING

MAC T. LACY CHARLES A. PRESLEY BRIAN JEWELL ELIZA MYERS HERBERT SPARROW DONIA SIMMONS ASHLEY RICKS CHRISTINE CLOUGH SAVANNAH OSBOURN KYLE ANDERSON DANIEL JEAN-LOUIS

Founder and Publisher Partner Executive Editor Associate Editor Senior Writer Creative Director Circulation Manager Copy Editor Staff Writer Account Manager Account Manager

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14 101 spanish 18 CRUISING

888.253.0455 KELLY@ GROUP TR AVELLE ADER.COM

DELIGHTS

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S E L E C T T R AV E L E R

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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perspective P U B L I S H E R ’ S

t was about this time last year that I penned a column about not having any major travel plans for the summer. I heard from several readers who wondered how a travel publisher could find himself in such a predicament. This year is shaping up more nicely for me. We’ll join three other couples in

Santorini in September, where we’re staying in a house one couple rents each fall

for a month. Do four couples qualify as a small group? In my world it does. The couple that organizes this outing each year for a few of their friends are voracious travelers and would fit the description of volunteer travel planners in today’s world. Then, in November, my wife and I are doing a Collette Spotlight trip to Tuscany at Collette’s invitation. I did a Spotlight trip two years ago to Nice and loved the independence it afforded. Our group was 18 or so travelers, and we had one full day and two afternoons on our own to do independent travel. Some of us stayed in and around the French Riviera, and others caught trains for day trips to other places in southern France. This past weekend, we saw a friend at the lake who said she and a girlfriend were headed to Tuscany in three weeks with a boutique tour company called Strada Toscana. The owner splits time between Italy and Florida and hosts small groups of 14 or fewer for trips off the beaten path in Tuscany. Our friend has traveled with the company before and loves the small-group dynamic those trips afford. I’m anxious to compare notes with her when we’ve both returned later in the year. This is shaping up as a big travel year for most of you, too, and we look forward to sharing your stories, photos, recollections and recommendations with our community of Select Traveler readers in the months ahead. Safe travels!

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

Mac Lacy 6

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P L A N N E R S

T A L K

B A C K

describe your favorite behind-the-scenes tour ERMA BRIDGES

OWNER | AFFORDABLE TRAVEL BENTON, ARKANSAS “We took a tour of the inside workings of the mega cruise ships. It’s a city within a city of activity. It takes a lot of people to run a cruise ship with a capacity of 5,000 passengers.”

Travel ☼ Thoughtfully Designed ☼ Delightfully Executed

EMILY HART

FOUR SEASONS CLUB DIRECTOR | STERLING FEDERAL BANK STERLING, ILLINOIS “One of my favorite behind-the-scenes tours was the Studio Tour at Universal Studios in California. As you ride along in the tram car, a guide identifies all the movie sets and props you see from famous films throughout history. After studying film in college, I found this tour particularly fascinating.”

DEBBIE DORAN-MARTINEZ

PRESIDENT AND CEO | MOSES LAKE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MOSES LAKE, WASHINGTON “We always try to find tours that give you a real-life experience into the culture of the people who live there by visiting them in their homes and hearing their stories. I feel like the highlight of each trip has been those experiences. I enjoy hearing about how they got there, what they do to make a living, the struggles that they have and the joy of their families. Most of the time, this experience includes sharing a meal, snack or dessert with them.”

AMY HAMAR

DIRECTOR, LIFELONG LEARNING AND SENIOR ALUMNI PROGRAMS LIPSCOMB ALUMNI TRAVEL NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE “One of the most memorable behind-the-scenes tours that we have offered was a trip to Scotland. Our host for the trip was a world-renowned artist who had completed a portrait for a high-profile individual in Scotland. We were personally invited to be his guests for the unveiling of his portrait and a wonderful luncheon afterwards at his manor house, where we received VIP treatment.”

MICHAEL EMBREY

OWNER | FUNME EVENTS

888-55-TRIPS

www.gotripsinc.com 8 selecttraveler.com

DEKALB, ILLINOIS “We offer special theater tours of Chicago providing the traveler a chance to visit some of the 175 theaters in the Chicagoland markets. Our trips offer behind-the-scenes experiences as well as meet-the-cast on select theater shows. We also offer workshops, acting classes and presentations about life in the theater.”

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checking in W I T H

GAIL DAY EVENTS COORDINATOR AND TOUR LEADER

UNITED COMMUNITY BANK

G A I L

D A Y

Golden Club members pose after enjoying a meal at Rendezvous Bar-B-Que in Memphis, Tennessee.

BLAIRSVILLE, GEORGIA Established in 1950, United Community Bank is the third-largest bank based in Georgia, with approximately $12 billion in assets. To join the bank’s Golden Club, members must be at least 50 years old and maintain an account. The club boasts more than 10,000 members, most of whom live in rural north Georgia. Born: Young Harris, Georgia Employment: Day started her banking career in 1980. After working at a couple of other banks, she found her home at United Community Bank. She worked as a proof operator and loan teller before launching the Golden Club in 1987. Family: She is married with one fur baby, who is almost 18. Hobbies: Day considers her work her life’s passion and favorite hobby.

BY ELIZA MYERS

hen the United Community Bank’s president asked Gail Day to help manage a newly formed incentive travel club for the bank, she asked him if he had lost his mind. “I had not been more than 200 miles from the place I was born,” said Day, events coordinator and tour leader for United Community Bank’s Golden Club. “I never dreamed of traveling. My parents never traveled. To be honest, if my boss had told me I would be traveling the world someday, I would have quit because it would have intimidated me so much.” What Day lacked in travel expertise, though, she made up for in customer service and creativity. To encourage her members during the bleak winter months, she started an annual talent show that morphed into a large-scale production that drew up to 6,000 people at its peak popularity.

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After years of prioritizing service and kindness, Day is now responsible for a thriving travel club that attracts bank business and puts smiles on the faces of many people in northern Georgia.

G OLDE N E G G

Along with another employee at the bank, Day started overseeing the travel club in 1987. One winter 20 years ago, an unusual idea breathed new energy into the program. “It’s so hard to plan things during the wintertime,” said Day. “You don’t want to get stuck with nonrefundable tickets. Valentine’s Day was a sad time for our widowers and widows, so we wanted to plan a Valentine’s Day party for them. We decided to do a talent show with our staff.” The community proved extremely enthusiastic about this idea. The first year brought 200 attendees. The second year, that number almost doubled. The bank eventually opened the event to the public

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and had to book the local municipal hall just to hold everyone. “We had 1,800 people the first year we opened it to the public,” said Day. “The bigger the audience, the more pressure to up the quality. People were coming from everywhere to see the show. We hired caterers, a production company and marketing company. It was the Golden Club chicken that laid an egg.” Day developed each show around a theme, such as a cruise, then worked in jokes and acts from talented bank staff and their relatives. Proceeds went to local charities, but the bank received plenty of new business after each show. Though Day had to quit organizing the show four years ago because of time restraints, she still remembers the time fondly.

“She told me her grandmother sold eggs and saved pennies for two years to go to New York City,” said Day.” When the grandmother returned, she gushed about her Big Apple tour guide, who she felt treated her like a friend. “Melanie said to me that she wanted to be like that to someone else’s grandmother,” said Day. “I told her, ‘You just put into words what I feel in my heart.’ If I can shed God’s light to someone else, that would just be amazing to me.”

T R A V E L

SELL IN G L IKE H O T C A K E S

Instead of taking a gamble on an untested destination to see how well it will sell, Day intentionally chooses trips she knows will sell out fast and offers eight to 10 of them each year. “A lot of group leaders throw stuff against a wall and see what happens,” said Day. “They will have to cancel a lot of trips. I feel like I’ve failed my group if I have to cancel a trip. In the last newsletter we put out, there was a waitlist for a second departure to the Canadian Rockies. Our Ohio Amish trip sold out within five days. Our mystery trips, especially, sell out in 24 hours or less. If it doesn’t immediately sell out, I freak out because it literally sells like hotcakes.” Each year, Day plans at least one international and one longer North American trip. She often adds second departures for these trips to meet the demand. To leave nothing to chance, Day even spends time customizing every tour rather than simply plucking it from a catalog. To advertise these crowd-pleasing trips, Day merely sends out two newsletters a year, and she relies on word of mouth for the rest. She credits her trip-selection process and customer service for the club’s ongoing success. “If you don’t love people, then you need to find something else to do,” said Day. “In my opinion, another thing that has helped is that I ask them repeatedly where they want to go. The success of the club was not losing sight that it’s their vacation and not ours. I have eaten at the same places and gone to the same places because it’s their vacation.”

T W O CO N VER S AT I O N S

Day identifies two converstations that shaped her group travel planning philosophy: one with a Baptist preacher and one was with a tour guide in Cape Cod. On one New England trip, she spent a lot of energy dealing with a difficult traveler. His unpleasantness was wearing her down until she had a conversation with a preacher in the group. “This preacher said to me, ‘I know it’s challenging to deal with people like that. Keep in mind this one thing: Those who are hardest to love are the ones who need it most.’ I’ve thought about that a million times, and it really is true,” said Day. Day’s other lightbulb conversation occurred with a professional tour guide named Melanie who always seemed full of joy, even when her work required her to repeatedly lead groups around the same Cape Cod attractions. Day asked her how she infused so much excitement into her tours.

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tips

• The trips you offer should never be an opportunity to check off your own personal bucket list. Your club belongs to your customers. • Set the pace by having fun. If you can’t laugh at yourself, then find something that gives you joy. If they are smiling or laughing, they are less likely to be angry. • Maybe most important of all, keep their bladders empty and their bellies full.

i i a aw

ASK ABOUT

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Islands in the Sun Cruises & Tours, Inc. bankclubs@crus-sun.com www.crus-sun.com

800-278-7786

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T R A V E L

T O O L B O X

great photos are an app away

BY BRIA N JE W E LL

he best camera you have ever owned may be in your pocket. Photography has always been an essential part of the travel experience. And for generations, travelers wanting to capture images of their trips have had a difficult choice to make: Should they bring an inexpensive, easy-to-use, point-and-shoot camera or opt for a bulky, expensive professional model that could produce higher-quality photos? Thankfully, the rapid advance of technology has solved this problem for most travelers. The cameras built into smartphones today are more powerful than the typical point-and-shoot models from only a few years ago, and they can produce stunning images. But with this new technology comes a new choice: Which photography app is best for me? The standard camera app on your phone may do a fine job capturing basic images, but if you want to edit, enhance, store or share your travel photos on the go, consider downloading one of these upgraded photography apps that have been optimized for travel.

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CAMERA + Some of the most beautiful travel photos feature closeup detail, but smartphone camera apps aren’t always well equipped to handle tight shots of flowers, butterflies or other small items. Camera+ solves this problem with its macro mode, which is optimized to capture images at very short distances in very high detail. The app also offers a variety of simple one-touch editing features, as well as a remotecontrol feature, a perfect solution for taking group photos that don’t leave anyone out. And its video mode allows users to adjust the camera’s focus while shooting, which can yield more cinematic video effects.

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PRO H D R X One of the chief challenges of travel photography, especially outdoor photography, is that it can be difficult to find ideal lighting conditions for the shots you want. Smartphones use software to automatically select camera settings, which can result in photos that are too dark, too light or a mix of both. To solve this problem, try using Pro HDR X, an app that uses a process called high dynamic range imaging, or HDR. This technology captures multiple shots of the same scene, each with different light settings, and then blends them into a single image that features both rich, deep hues and clear, bright highlights.

IN S TA G RA M

GOOGL E PHOTOS/ ICLO UD PHOTO SHARING

deft use of social media, which

If you take a lot of photos when you travel, you will eventually need

means you should be sharing your

to find a way to store those images somewhere besides your phone.

travel photos online to promote your

There are various apps that serve this purpose, but the leader in the

organization’s travel club. Chances

field is Google Photos, an app that allows you to backup and store an

are you’re most comfortable using

unlimited number of images on Google’s servers free of charge. You can

Facebook for social networking, but

use Google Photos to sync your photo libraries between your phone and

Instagram is quickly eclipsing Face-

computer and share your images with other users. Apple offers an ex-

book in popularity as a photo-sharing

cellent, easier-to-use solution in its iCloud Photo Sharing, but the service

platform, especially among people

isn’t available on Android devices.

under 40. Instagram allows you to

Smart marketing today requires

capture, edit and share photos all in one app, and it’s famous for the variety of stylish filters that it can apply to your images. You can link Instagram to your Facebook and Twitter ac-

VSCO CAM If you’re interested in manually controlling your smartphone camera

counts so that any photos you post there will automatically upload to the other platforms as well.

or making any adjustments to your photos after you have taken them, most mobile photography experts recommend an app called VSCO Cam. This app gives users a full set of controls for dialing in shutter speed, aperture and other settings before taking photos, as well as a wide range of options for editing and enhancing images after the fact. It has also won praise for its variety of attractive filters, which many users consider more natural and creative than those offered on built-in camera apps.

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to each his 14

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OWN

Cruises can take groups to the edge of the world with trips to exotic destinations like Antarctica. J U LY / A U G U S T

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By Heidi Kumuduni Dahl, courtesy Hurtigruten

cruises now come in every flavor imaginable BY RACHEL CARTER

ll-inclusive or a la carte? Stick close to home or wander far abroad? Small ships with intimate excursions or massive ships with big amenities? When it comes to cruising, the list of options can be overwhelming, but “any good group leader with a valid travel program is going to offer a big variety of options to appeal to a wide variety of people,” said Anne Davis, president of Cruises and Tours Worldwide. One of the best things a group leader can do “is to find a tour operator who specializes in group cruises because there are so many factors that come into play in choosing a cruise that’s right for a group,” she said. Here are some areas group leaders should consider, contrast and compare to help choose a cruise.

OC E A N O R R I VE R C R U ISE?

When it comes to ocean cruising and river cruising, “they’re two different animals; they’re not similar at all,” said Russ Rosenberry, who owns Islands in the Sun Cruises and Tours with his wife, Susan. It’s important for group leaders to mix up their programs and offer some of each because “they are completely different products, but each has their benefits,” Davis said. River cruises mean smaller ships, which offer more intimate experiences, both on board and on shore. “The atmosphere and pace of a river cruise is very much different than an ocean cruise,” Davis said. “It’s usually a much smaller ship, fewer than 200 people, so it can access remote destinations along rivers that big cruises can’t. You’re immediately immersed in local cultures instead of unloading at ports where there are 10,000 other passengers.” Most shore excursions are included on river cruises, as opposed to having to pay for them separately on ocean cruises, and since there are fewer passengers, smaller groups can get into more exclusive sites and enjoy more immersive experiences. “There’s more immersion into the culture,” Rosenberry said. “When you’re actually traveling in France by river from Paris to Normandy, you’re stopping in some exclusive places.” While many travelers “prefer the quieter, low-key, intimate experience” of a river cruise, on the flip side, oceangoing ships tend to offer more amenities, activities and entertainment, Davis said. But perhaps the biggest difference for group leaders to consider is the logistics of booking, she said. Massive ocean cruise ships can hold blocks for groups and give group leaders a window of time to sell cabins. Because river ships are smaller, they don’t typically do that, so group leaders usually must book much further in advance.

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“Because of the limited space, [river cruises] have to do it way far out,” Davis said. “Space isn’t necessarily being held for your group, so you have to make sure your group buys it before the general public does.” In addition to understanding what kind of experiences and amenities their travelers want, group leaders must also consider how far in advance to buy their room blocks.

INTER NATION AL OR D OM ESTIC C RUISES?

When choosing between international and domestic — or mostly domestic — cruises, group leaders need to consider the group’s budget, schedule and season. Davis likes to start the conversation with the group’s interests and the time of year they’d like to travel because “we have a big variety of cruises that are best done during those times periods,” she said. For example, the Caribbean, Spain and Hawaii are best done in winter; Canada, New England and the Pacific Coast are perfect fall destinations; and Alaska is obviously a seasonal summertime cruise. Pricing for cruises can also vary dramatically depending on timing. For example, it’s much more expensive to take a European river cruise in September than it is in August, Davis said. Another consideration is time. Rosenberry works with a group based in the Rocky Mountain region, and it takes those travelers about eight hours to get to an international airport. So the group chose to do two back-to-back river cruises on the Danube and Rhine rivers to make the most of their international travel time and money. “That extra time — it adds cost and expense for those people,” Rosenberry said. Domestic cruises are perfect for shorter trips. One of Rosenberry’s most popular domestic cruises is on the Mississippi River between New Orleans and Memphis, Tennessee, on the American Queen, which “might be their [groups’] first best cruise” to allay any fears about passports and language barriers, he said. Islands in the Sun also books the American Empress for Columbia River cruises in the Pacific Northwest and uses American Cruise Line for East Coast cruises that include Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and Charleston, South Carolina. Cost is one of the biggest differentiators. For domestic cruises, even ones with ports in Canada or other destinations that do require a passport, “the advantage is the flights are not going to be as extreme and maybe not as expensive,” Davis said. “You have people who don’t have the time or money to do anything long, and then there are the world travelers who are looking for the next best thing, and it’s going to be expensive, and they don’t care,” Davis said.

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Meeting Panamanian tribesmen on a small-ship cruise By Peter West Carey, courtesy UnCruise Adventures

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B U D GET OR LUXURY?

When it comes to cruising, as with most travel, there are opposite ends of the spectrum: There are people who have money, and they don’t worry about spending it. They go on the nicest ships and don’t think too much about the price, Davis said. Then there are the people who are really cost conscious. However, “most people fall in the middle,” she said. “It’s so important for the tour operator to understand who their audience is.” But “at every level, there’s great product and great value to be had,” Davis said. For example, she had a group that was successful selling Azamara Club Cruises to Italy, typically a more expensive, all-inclusive product; but “a tour operator that has their finger on the pulse of the industry can watch for deals coming out, and tell those groups that this came up, and we found a departure that had a great price on it.” Higher-end cruise lines offer more luxurious and exclusive experiences, fewer people on board, premium food and an elevated level of service, such as the crew’s learning passengers’ names and cocktail preferences. While that’s “a great experience, not all people would feel comfortable with it,” she said. At lower pricing levels, there are more people on the ship, and the food is more massproduced. However, the bigger cruise lines, which tend to be less expensive, offer better entertainment, such as live theater, stage shows, concerts and casinos. Smaller ships will be bringing in smaller acts or local combos. “Even if you’re paying more, you’re not going to get the amenities they have on the lessexpensive cruises,” Davis said. Value is subjective, and “people have to be able to perceive the value for what you’re charging them,” Rosenberry said. The value lines have more a la carte options for dining, drinks, services and shore excursions, so passengers can choose what they want. Higher-end premium lines are more inclusive, so people “feel like they get more than what they paid,” he said.

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Hands-On Fun

Get Your Craft On!

Norwegian Bliss Courtesy Norwegian Cruise Line

Budapest, Hungary Courtesy Viking River Cruises

In the end, it comes down to knowing the group and positioning the product to match its expectations. “It’s all about experience,” Rosenberry said. “Some people will only get up to Alaska but once, and when you send them up there, you want to give them the best trip they can afford.”

B I G O R SM A LL SHIP S?

The decision between big and small ships somewhat naturally segregates into river or ocean cruises and budget versus luxury lines, but small ships “don’t have to be only river cruising; that’s a misnomer,” Rosenberry said. Islands in the Sun went to Antarctica last year with the cruise line Hurtigruten, and there were only 200 passengers aboard. The company also uses Windstar Cruises quite a bit and did a 15-day cruise last year from Dublin to Reykjavik, Iceland, that included the Orkney and Faroe islands. An advantage of smaller ships “is getting into places other ships can’t,” Rosenberry said. “We saw a tunnel that was built for an island where like nine people live.” Though a typical river cruise ship has fewer than 200 passengers, oceangoing ships don’t always have to be the kind that can carry 3,000-plus people. An Azamara ocean cruise might have 650 passengers on board, and a Viking ocean cruise may carry about 950 people, Davis said. Still, the smaller oceangoing vessels could be better compared with the larger ocean cruises, except for the level of service and amenities, she said. With large ships come big amenities: full-size pools that are nearly full-on water parks, as opposed to small rooftop pools on river cruises, and a large, fully equipped gym instead of a small room with a treadmill and some weights, found on a smaller ship. “They’re so different; you’re talking about peanut butter and jelly,” Davis said. Big versus small ships comes down to amenities and experiences, Rosenberry said. “That’s an important consideration when selecting venue,” he said. “Do they like the casino? Is that really important to them? Or do they like more of an immersion?”

“All the different hands-on activities are a blast, no talent required! You are treated like their guest and everything is planned out for you. We loved it!” – Triumph Community Bank Travel Club, East Moline, IL

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A Spanish voyage BY BOB HOELSCHER

hat could be better than a trip to Spain? Visiting aboard one of the world’s premier sailing vessels. When “Gig” Gwin, my longtime friend, media colleague and frequent traveling companion, and I received invitations from Windstar Cruises for an eight-night, port-intensive sailing of the line’s flagship Wind Surf from Barcelona, Spain, to Lisbon, Portugal, last October, we were pleased to accept without delay. Having both had the earlier opportunity to cruise aboard one of the company’s three smaller “motor yachts,” Star Legend, we were already aware of the exceptional product that Windstar offers upscale travelers, so this additional chance to experience a voyage on the largest of its three hybrid diesel- and-sailpowered vessels was an obvious choice. Our trip took us down Spain’s Mediterranean coastline, from Barcelona in the north to destinations including Tarragona, Ibiza, Cartagena and Malaga on Spain’s southern Mediterranean coast. We then sailed through Strait of Gibraltar to theDomino Atlantic A group of men enjoyingthe a game of chess in Little Havana’s ParkOcean and a call in Tangier, Morocco, before heading north along the Gulf of Cadiz and ending in Lisbon. By Graham Ricks

BY BOB HOELSCHER

BEAUTY IN BARCELONA

Barcelona has now become the western Mediterranean’s cruising hub; the city’s excellent port facilities now serve as the embarkation or disembarkation point for virtually every line that visits the region. That Barcelona also happens to be one of Europe’s most beautiful and interesting cities is a plus for travelers, who will regret not planning a multinight stay to explore this capital and largest city of Catalonia. The myriad attractions to be found here include the narrow streets of the charming Gothic Quarter, the bustling La Rambla pedestrian shopping street, the huge Barcelona Cathedral, Antoni Gaudi’s worldfamous Sagrada Familia Basilica and Park Güell. Here also are the Plaza de Catalunya, Montjuïc Park and Cable Car, Olympic Harbor, the National Museum of Art of Catalonia, museums dedicated to Picasso and Joan Miró, and even a spectacular shopping mall built within the shell of the city’s former bullfight ring. The next stop was Tarragona, a nearby town known for the ancient Roman ruins of Tarraco, as well as the Tarragona Cathedral, dating from the 12th century. However, we opted for the ship’s Medieval Tour, which featured walking tours of two outstanding historic sites in the Prades Mountains within easy driving distance of the city. First was the magnificent walled city of Montblanc, home to the old Gothic

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The whimsical architecture of Barcelona, Spain, holds constant surprises for exploring visitors. J U LY / A U G U S T

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• WE’D LIKE T O

• WINDS TAR

K AN

WE’D LIKE S • TO

T TH

S ISE

OS TRIP H

By Eli Asenova

WIN D S T A RC K • R

Almeria, Spain

Central Market All photos by Bob Hoelscher, except where noted

Church of Santa Maria. This was followed by the sprawling Monastery of Santa Maria de Poblet, founded in 1151 by French Cistercian monks on land taken from the Moors that is today surrounded by lush green vineyards.

ADVENTURE IN IBIZA

Our excursion on the beautiful resort isle of Ibiza, infrequently visited by cruise ships and the third-largest of Spain’s Balearic Islands, was by four-wheel-drive vehicle refreshingly open, at least initially, to the elements as we explored magnificent beaches and made stops at ocean vistas along the shoreline. Beautiful weather throughout the week was briefly interrupted here near the end of the tour by a freak downpour that succeeded in getting us — me in particular — drenched when our driver experienced considerable difficulty in extending the vehicle’s canvas covering over the passenger compartment. Historic Cartagena was the next port on our itinerary. Gig and I became separated by the massive crowds surrounding City Hall, but that didn’t prevent us each from exploring the Old Town area independently. In addition to the ancient Roman Amphitheatre of Carthago Nova and the adjacent ruins of the 13th-century Cartagena Cathedral destroyed during the Spanish Civil War, other memorable sights in-

cluded numerous fine examples of ornate Art Nouveau architecture and the excellent Naval Museum. Next came Almeria, one of the lesser-known stops on our itinerary, where many cruisers took a day trip to the famed Alhambra in Granada. Since both Gwin and I had been there several times previously, we decided to just explore the sights of our port city, which is below the ruins of the massive Moorish fortress of Alcazaba, begun in the 10th century and destroyed by an earthquake in 1522. Along the way, we found the City Market, the Almeria Cathedral and the Renaissance Santiago Church and paused to enjoy some local Spanish beer.

WALKING IN MALAGA

A magnificent sunny day greeted our arrival in Málaga, a port on Spain’s southern coast I have visited numerous times in the past and always enjoy seeing again. Here I opted for a long walk around town, which encompassed the tony resort and the magnificent beach area east of the port facilities. I climbed to the top of the Castle of Gibralfaro and another Alcazaba fortress adjacent, both constructed between the 11th and 14th centuries and situated with commanding views on a hill overlooking the city. Before returning to Wind Surf, I also toured and photographed the

Montblanc Cathedral

Ibiza coastline

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about the W I N D

Alfresco dining on Wind Surf

S U R F

ind Surf, launched as Club Med I in 1990, was acquired and renamed by Windstar Cruises in 1998. She and her sister, Club Med II, are the two largest “sail cruisers” in the world; each is powered by four diesel electric motors and seven triangular, computer-controlled Dacron sails with a total surface area of almost 27,000 square feet that are arrayed from five towering masts. The 14,745-ton Wind Surf accommodates up to 310 guests on six passenger decks. Each spacious stateroom comprises 188 square feet and has two portholes, but there are no balconies. Onboard facilities include two small swimming pools, two hot tubs, two elevators, a library, a casino, a health spa, an espresso bar, an internet cafe and an aft water sports platform. The open-seating Amphora Restaurant has no preassigned tables, and there is no extra charge to dine in the smaller Stella Bistro, although reservations are required. The Veranda on Star Deck is the spot for self-service lunch and dinner buffets, and there are also facilities for snacks and al fresco dining. Live music for dancing and cabaret performances, such as the flamenco show before the deck barbecue in Malaga, are presented in the Lounge. Attire is always informal, with “casual elegance” the norm for evenings.

Wind Surf

An onboard barbecue

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Cartagena, Spain

massive Cathedral of Málaga. However, the highlight of our visit here turned out to be the ship’s outstanding deck barbecue buffet dinner, wisely scheduled for an extraordinarily lovely moonlit evening in the Málaga harbor. We passed through the Strait of Gibraltar and made for Tangier, Morocco, where we briefly toured the city before heading off into the countryside for panoramic views of Cap Spartel. Along the way lay long stretches of undeveloped, prime oceanfront property, much of which is still being used as farmland. We made a stop to allow those so inclined to take a camel ride, an opportunity that ever-adventurous Gwin readily accepted. But the high point of the journey was a visit to the ancient, splendidly picturesque town of Assilah, filled with photogenic, traditional Moroccan architecture and narrow passageways lined with colorful little shops and cafes. After a relaxing day at sea, our sailing concluded in Lisbon, on the Tagus River and another of Europe’s most interesting cities, well worth a post-cruise stay. Memorable attractions in this, the capital and largest city of Portugal, include São Jorge Castle, the Alfama Historic District, Belém Tower, the National Coach Museum, broad boulevards and impressive monument squares, plus rides on the city’s historic trams.

WINDSTAR CRUISES 800-258-7245 W W W. W I N D S T A R C R U I S E S . C O M

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Gwin riding a camel

REFLECTIONS IN RETROSPECT

Gwin’s reaction to our Wind Surf voyage mirrored my own. “Although I have cruised numerous times, I’d never had the experience of a sailing ship, which was not in any significant way different from the feeling of a regular cruise ship,” he said. “The true excitement was the delicious gourmet meals served morning, noon, and night and presented in a variety of venues, from outdoor deck dining to an elaborate buffet complete with a six-foot diameter bowl of Spanish paella. I truly believe this was one of the best cruise dining experiences of my life. I am very seldom seduced by great dining, but Windstar proved to be the best of the best when it comes to epicurean delights. The entire ship ran well, the ports of call were exciting, and the efficiency of the staff and overall preparation were noticeably excellent throughout the sailing.” Wind Surf’s executive chef, Subhash Rawat, and his staff did produce extraordinary dining adventures of the kind that excite even the most sophisticated palates. In addition to wonderful dinners, notable successes ranged from the tastiest doughnuts I’ve ever eaten to the deck barbecue in Málaga. George, from Kirkland, Washington, became a new friend during the surprisingly damp Ibiza excursion. “This was our first small-boat experience,” he said. We’ve always been on the big boats, but we’ve really enjoyed ourselves, and everything has been just great. I also found it interesting that there were always more people in the fitness center than the casino.” With all due respect to numerous cruisers on mass-market ships, many of the travelers that group members will encounter on more luxurious, and yes, more expensive vessels like this one are a significant part of the attraction, simply because they have traveled extensively worldwide and have numerous unique and frequently amusing stories to share.

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Lisbon, Portugal

Malaga Cathedral Lisbon at night

S T A T E

o f

M I N D

pacific time THERE’S NO REASON TO HURRY ON THE CALIFORNIA COAST BY BRIAN JEWELL

t’s a road trip every American should take at least once: a drive down the California coastline. The Golden State has a remarkable diversity of cities, cultures and climates, but the Pacific Coast is its most defining feature. A journey from San Francisco to Los Angeles treats travelers to stunning seaside vistas on the famed Pacific Coast Highway, plus stops in a variety of cities and towns that can add a lot of color and richness to the experience. Most travel planners are familiar with the major cities that anchor the California coast. But in addition to these landmarks, a great trip to the area will also include stops in some of the smaller cities and towns along the way. Here are four destinations to include in your next California coastal adventure.

SAN JOSE: CAPITAL OF SILICON VALLEY

Thirty years ago, the average American probably hadn’t heard of Silicon Valley. But as the southern San Francisco Bay area and Santa Clara Valley have become the world headquarters of technological innovation, Silicon Valley has become a household name. And San Jose is right in the center of it. “Not everyone has an idea of what there is to do here,” said Frances Wong, director of communications at Visit San Jose. “They realize there’s a lot of technology and innovation going on and a huge vibe of creation and new ideas. But what’s surprising about San Jose is that we have miles and miles of wide-open spaces. The workers here are stuck in offices a lot and staring at computer screens, so on their off days, they love to explore and just be in nature.” Another side effect of the booming tech industry in San Jose is the retail and dining that have sprung up to support it. Santana Row, an area with upscale shops and restaurants, is often referred to as the Rodeo Drive of Silicon Valley. And

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Choptankcoastal River Light Oxford visitors to Monterey’s coastline. Dramatic viewsincaptivate

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Winchester Mystery House

Santana Row

Courtesy Visit San Jose

groups can get a taste of the valley’s local food scene on a visit to San Pedro Square. “This is kind of an upscale, gourmet food court,” Wong said. “It reminds me of a European market where everyone can go from stand to stand and buy things from different vendors. Everybody can get what they want, then come sit and eat together at the same table.” Groups visiting San Jose almost always include a stop at the Winchester Mystery House. The Victorian mansion was built in the 1930s and 1940s by Sarah Winchester, heir to the Winchester Rifle Company fortune. Winchester continually rebuilt, remodeled and expanded her home to confuse the ghosts she believed haunted the property. The result is a fascinating jumble of architectural styles and features, including staircases that lead to nowhere and doors that open into solid brick walls. Wong said many groups also enjoy visits to Lick Observatory, where scientists can give them nighttime views of the stars or beautiful daytime panoramas of San Jose.

SAN J OS E MON T EREY

S OLVAN G

S AN TA B AR B AR A

MONTEREY: A PACIFIC MASTERPIECE

Lick Observatory

Courtesy SeeMonterey.com

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Courtesy Visit San Jose

Driving about 70 miles south of San Jose will bring travelers to Monterey County, famous for its coastal beauty. Here, the Pacific Coast Highway winds its way around towering cliffs, offering mile after mile of striking views. For a more immersive experience with Monterey’s natural beauty, groups should plan a guided hike at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve. “It’s known as the crown jew-

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thing warmer than Iowa and el of the California parks sysMinnesota, where they lived, tem,” said Jessica Keener, comso they bought 9,000 acres in munications manager for the California and started advertisMonterey County Convention and Visitors Bureau. “In the ing it to other Danish-American park, you can see breathtaking families,” said Tracy Farhad, exSanta Barbara poppies views of the Pacific and wildlife ecutive director of the Solvang like sea lions and sea otters. And Conference and Visitors Bureau. you can keep your eyes peeled “They decided very early on to for whales, especially during have it look like a Danish comthe great whale migration of the munity. So you see the farmwintertime and springtime.” house look, with cross-timbered By Mark Weber, courtesy Visit Santa Barbara Groups can see harbor seals, beams and tile roofs. There are sea lions and other aquatic anieven storks perched on the roofmals at numerous other protops because that was the natected areas along the coast, and tional bird of Denmark.” outfitting companies offer a vaThough the town is small, riety of guided kayaking excurtourists will find lots of opsions. And there are hundreds tions there, including 18 hotels more species to discover at the and 35 restaurants, many of Monterey Bay Aquarium, one of which serve classic Scandinathe country’s largest and most vian cuisine. There are also five famous aquarium institutions. Danish bakeries in the town’s “It’s world renowned,” Keenfive-block historic district, and er said. “You can explore on groups can visit them to learn Monterey’s Cannery Row your own or take guided tours. about and sample traditional During the tours, they talk a lot pastries. about sustainability. The aquar“We do activities with groups Sea Lions in Monterey ium really leads in sustainability by walking them through the and protecting the ocean and village and helping them find Courtesy SeeMonterey.com marine life. The work they do is Danish icons,” Farhad said. “We incredible.” do a lot of baking classes. We want you to see why the The aquarium is on Cannery Row in downtown bakery lifestyle is so important here. We take you in Monterey. John Steinbeck made the area famous in the back of the bakery, and you learn how to make one his novel “Cannery Row,” and a statue pays tribute of those pretzel-shaped Danish kringles. We can also to him. Cannery Row today houses restaurants and do classes where you decorate gingerbread houses.” shops for visitors to explore. Nearby is Old FisherSince the bakeries tend to be small, Farhad recman’s Wharf, where groups can board boats for halfommends splitting groups in half, with one half day or full-day whale-watching and photography exworking in the bakery while the other half takes a cursions. horse-drawn trolley ride through the village. Courtesy SeeMonterey.com Wine lovers should allow some time to visit the Historic walking tours are also popular ways of wineries throughout the county. seeing Solvang. During these tours, groups can ex“We’re the state’s largest premium wine region, plore some of the village’s five museums. The ElA Monterey vineyard with more than 46,000 acres of planted vineyards,” verhoj Museum of History and Art gives visitors an Keener said. “We’re the largest grower of chardonoverview of the area’s Scandinavian heritage, and nay in the country, and there are wine-tasting rooms the Hans Christian Andersen Museum features colin places like Carmel Valley and Carmel by the Sea. lections of personal effects that belonged to the faThere’s also a place called the Wine Experience in mous folktale author. Groups can also tour the Old Courtesy SeeMonterey.com Mission Santa Ines, which is one of the original 21 Monterey where groups can try their hand at custom California Missions. wine blending.”

SOLVANG: A DANISH CLASSIC

An outpost of Danish culture might be the last thing travelers expect as they make their way south along the California Coast. But in Solvang, a town of 5,500 residents about 200 miles south of Monterey, groups can revel in Danish heritage that has lasted for generations. “In 1911, Danish educators decided to find some-

SANTA BARBARA: THE AMERICAN RIVIERA

A Danish pastry in Solvang

Continuing southward along the coast about 45 miles will bring groups to Santa Barbara, one of the last peaceful, scenic stops before reaching the congestion of Greater Los Angeles. Thanks to its location, Santa Barbara has become famous in the region as a destination for locals looking to get away from L.A.

Courtesy Solvang CVB

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castle

Hearst Castle in fog

H E A R S T

bout halfway between Monterey and Solvang lies one of California’s most popular tourist attractions: Hearst Castle. Built on more than 250,000 acres of California wilderness in the early 1920s, Hearst Castle was home to newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst, who lived there for more than 20 years. The estate features a 60,000-square-foot main house with 56 bedrooms, 61 bathrooms and 19 sitting rooms. During its heyday, it was also home to the world’s largest private zoo.

Assembly Room

Photos courtesy Hearst Castle

Hearst moved out of the property in 1947, and it became a California State Park in 1954. Today, it is open to the public as both a historic home and an art museum that displays dozens of precious works of sculpture and painting. Groups can choose from several special tours at the site, including a Grand Rooms overview, an art tour, an evening tour and a tour focused on the Hollywood stars who were frequent guests in the 1920s and 1930s.

www.hearstcastle.org

“We sit along the coastline, and we’re known as the American Riviera, because the mountains meet the sea in very close proximity,” said Michelle Carlen, director of sales at Visit Santa Barbara. “It’s very similar to the Mediterranean. We have a lot of Spanish Missioninspired architecture. There are no buildings taller than six stories, so you’re looking toward the mountains from the waterfront. It’s a beautiful scene, very reminiscent of an Old World Mediterranean town.” Many groups enjoy having free time to explore Santa Barbara’s wharf, boardwalk and walkable State Street, where they will find dozens of local boutiques, artisan shops, farmto-table restaurants and winery tasting rooms. Group leaders also often arrange for private trolley tours. “They take you to attractions like the Santa Barbara Courthouse, which has Spanish Mission-style architecture with whitewash and a red roof,”

Courtesy Solvang CVB

A Santa Barbara winery

By Gabriela Herman, courtesy Visit Santa Barbara

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Carlen said. “They also have a clock tower that goes up 10 stories. You can take the stairs or an elevator to get a 360-degree view of the city. Also on the trolley tour, you’ll get to see the Santa Barbara mission, which is known as the queen of the California missions.” Carlen also suggested that groups arrange an arts and culture tour around town. This can include stops at the Santa Barbara Natural History Museum, which is a combined indooroutdoor facility, as well as the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum, which gives visitors an overview of the area’s seafaring heritage. Other museum highlights include the Santa Barbara Museum of Art and the Wolf Museum of Exploration and Innovation. There are also several opportunities for groups to get out on the water. They can charter sailing vessels or take a private yacht cruise, and outfitters in town offer guided kayaking and standup paddleboarding excursions.

A windmill in Solvang

Old Missioncoast Santa Barbara Salisbury

By Blake Bronstad, courtesy Visit Santa Barbara

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NICE b r a n di n g

Beignets are one of the many dishes invented in New Orleans. By Paul Broussard, all photos courtesy New Orleans and Company

NEW ORLEANS ALMOST OWNS THESE FOODS BY ELIZA MYERS

hether you indulge in the deep-fried dough of a beignet, a hearty gumbo or a rich, buttery platter of oysters Rockefeller, your taste buds will thank you on a trip to New Orleans. With so many dishes original or famous to the city, food lovers will enjoy eating in New Orleans for days. Both Creole influences of colonial French dishes and rustic Cajun influences of the Acadians still exist in the Crescent City today. Soul food from West African descendants and seafood from local salt-water and freshwater sources further created one of the most distinctive regional cuisines in the country. Groups hungry to explore the city should start with this bucket list of some of the most famous New Orleans dishes and where to try them.

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BEIGNETS

A fried fritter of yeasted dough dusted with powdered sugar seems simple enough. However, the heavenly taste has kept the item on New Orleans menus since the French-Creole colonists introduced it in the 18th century. The puffy treat has become an iconic fixture of New Orleans cuisine. “Beignets are like fried doughnuts,” said Kristian Sonnier, vice president of communications and public relations for New Orleans and Company. “They are the New Orleans style of doughnut. You usually get them with cafe au lait, which is coffee and milk.” Unlike typical doughnuts, beignets are square, have no hole and are always served warm. RECOMMENDED RESTAURANT: Café du Monde The most famous locale for beignets is the renowned Café du Monde. The open-air coffee shop in the French Quarter is frequented by many tourists in search of their beignets and cafe au lait. The French developed chicory-blended coffee during a coffee shortage during the Civil War. Founded in 1862, the cafe keeps its menu simple by serving only dark-roasted coffee with chicory, beignets, milk, hot chocolate and orange juice.

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PO’BOYS

Though New Orleans is well known for its upscale restaurants, humble fare like the po’boy sandwich delights locals and visitors alike. According to tradition, the sandwich originated in the city in 1929 when coffee stand owners Bennie and Clovis Martin fed streetcar motormen who were on strike to improve labor conditions. The two handed out the sandwich to the men free of charge until the strike ended. Whenever they saw a striking man coming in, they would say, “Here comes another poor boy.” Louisiana dialect shorted this to po’boy, and a classic sandwich was born. Po’boy sandwiches use baguettelike bread to hold usually either roast beef or fried seafood. If a server asks if a customer wants it “dressed,” that term refers to optional toppings, typically lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and mayonnaise. RECOMMENDED RESTAURANT: Parkway Bakery and Tavern Though opened before the po’boys invention in 1911, Parkway Bakery and Tavern became one of the first restaurants to serve the delicious sandwich. “Parkway Bakery makes great po’boys,” said Sonnier. “There will likely be a line. Groups should not be deterred. The line moves fast. They call your name when it’s ready, and you go sit on the bar.”

OYSTERS ROCKEFELLER

When a shortage of escargot forced Antoine’s chef, Jules Alciatore, to get creative, he substituted some locally available oysters in a recipe that has remained unchanged since its creation in 1889. Alciatore named the dish after John D. Rockefeller, a wealthy businessman at the time, for its extreme richness. Oysters Rockefeller consists of baked oysters topped with a sauce of butter, parsley, other green herbs and bread crumbs. RECOMMENDED RESTAURANT: Antoine’s Groups should visit the original source for a taste of this Creole meal. “Antoine’s is one of the oldest continuously operated family-run restaurants in the country,” said Sonnier. “The recipe for oysters Rockefeller is a closely guarded secret.” The New Orleans institution also boasts inventing other crowdpleasing dishes, such as Pompano en Papillote and Eggs Sardou. The restaurant focuses on sophisticated Creole dishes.

BANANAS FOSTER

Nothing will wake up a table full of stuffed patrons quicker than the ignited flame of a flambeed bananas Foster dessert. “They come to your table with a skillet and some rum that they pour over the ice cream and bananas,” said Sonnier. “They flambe it right in front of you before serving it. The whole restaurant stops and watches.” The gooey dish originated in 1951 when the owner of Brennan’s challenged his chef to create a dish with bananas, a major New Orleans import at the time. The chef concocted a dramatic recipe of bananas, ice cream and sauce made with butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, rum and fire. RECOMMENDED RESTAURANT: Brennan’s It’s not unusual for guests who have dined elsewhere to come to Brennan’s just for bananas Foster. Since Brennan’s is credited with the dish’s creation, groups flock there to try the beloved dish. Brennan’s serves Creole cuisine in the French Quarter with an emphasis on lavish breakfasts and tasty desserts.

GUMBO

Though no one knows who first tasted gumbo, many experts believe the dish derives from a combination of traditional West African stew, French bouillabaisse and Choctaw stew. The official cuisine of Louisiana, gumbo first appeared in cookbooks in the latter half of the 19th century. “Gumbo is one of my favorites,” said Sonnier. “It’s a Cajun dish. Cajun cooking is different from Creole cooking because it originated in family kitchens instead of in restaurants.” Though there are Creole versions of gumbo as well, the popular Cajun gumbo is based on a dark roux — a blend of flour and oil or fat. Meats vary, though recipes commonly use shellfish, chicken and sausage. After cooking down the roux, meat and vegetables, chefs ladle the stew over rice. RECOMMENDED RESTAURANT: Herbsaint Bar and Restaurant Though nearly every restaurant in New Orleans offers its own version of gumbo, Herbsaint Bar and Restaurant offers a critically acclaimed version that groups enjoy. Established in 2000, the French-Southern restaurant can accommodate up to 50 guests in a private dining room. The restaurant’s chef earned a James Beard Award for Best Chef South in 2007. The restaurant’s seasonal menu items derive from partnerships with local farmers and fishermen.

www.neworleans.com

Preparing bananas Foster tableside

A po’boy sandwich

Seafood gumbo By Zack Smith

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By Todd Coleman

By Joyce Bracey

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known

F O R

MUSIC J A I M O E P E R F O R M S AT D O U G L A S S T H E AT R E

T H E R I V E R O F M U S I C PA R T Y

OWENSBORO, KENTUCKY

MACON, GEORGIA Courtesy Visit Owensboro

BILL MONROE, KNOWN AS THE FATHER OF BLUEGRASS MUSIC, was born in 1911 in Rosine, Kentucky, about 40 miles outside Owensboro. In 1938, Monroe decided to call his band Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys, after his home state. “Bluegrass has really been taking off recently,” said Dave Kirk, destination management for Visit Owensboro. “It’s something people of all ages and all demographics really love.” Owensboro’s International Bluegrass Music Museum opened year-round in 1995, but the museum recently rebranded as the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum to “set the stage” for the grand opening of its new $15.3 million building in October. The three-story museum will feature state-of-the-art interactive exhibits, an outdoor amphitheater and a 400-plus-seat theater where people can catch live concerts every Saturday night. The ROMP Fest, aka the River of Music Party, is an annual bluegrass music festival that is held the last weekend in June at Yellow Creek Park, and “it’s how people discover Owensboro,” Kirk said. The main stage features big-name bands — Alison Krauss headlined this year — and after-party gatherings at Pioneer Village include food trucks, vendors and artist-led music workshops. Groups can also enjoy music during the city’s Friday After 5 summer concert series. Every Friday night, six stages lining the Ohio River showcase free live music. WWW.VISITOWENSBORO.COM

Courtesy Visit Macon

MACON GEORGIA, IS KNOWN AS THE HOME OF SOUL, but “we have a vast music heritage with all genres,” said Steven Fulbright, director of tourism for Visit Macon. “Soul lives in the past, present and future and in everything we do.” Macon is where legends such as Little Richard and Otis Redding got their starts, where members of the Allman Brothers Band lived and recorded in the early ’70s and where current country superstar Jason Aldean was raised. As a small-town, close-knit community, “we can curate an experience based on how in-depth they want to go,” Fulbright said. Groups can tour the historic Douglass Theatre or arrange for a concert there, and the CVB can even arrange for Redding’s daughter and grandson, who are very involved in the community and the Otis Redding Foundation, to meet the group. Visitors can also dine at the Tic Toc Room, where Little Richard used to play, or grab a drink at Grant’s Lounge, a famous, historic bar and music venue where a lot of artists on Capricorn Records used to play to get noticed. At the Tubman Museum, groups can see Redding artifacts and Little Richard’s piano. Rock Candy Tours offers step-on guides or private walking tours of Macon’s music history. Groups can take guided tours of the Allman Brothers Band Museum at the Big House, where the band lived, played and practiced between 1970 and 1973. WWW.MACONGA.ORG

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BY RACHEL CARTER

ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME

CLEVELAND

M U S E U M O F P O P C U LT U R E

SEATTLE Courtesy Destination Cleveland

CLEVELAND DEEJAY ALAN FREED COINED THE TERM “rock ’n’ roll” in the early 1950s and was a promoter of the Moondog Coronation Ball in 1952, a show widely credited as the first rock concert. “Cleveland Rocks” culminates at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, where the interactive “Power of Rock Experience” opened last summer with a 4D film that gives visitors a front-row seat at an induction ceremony. “You have the lights around you, your seat vibrates with the music, and you feel like you’re there,” said Kristen Jantonio, communications specialist for Destination Cleveland. Say It Loud! interactive story booths give visitors the opportunity to select a digital Hall of Fame inductee, such as Smokey Robinson or Alice Cooper, who then “interviews” guests about their favorite rock moments and memories. The new Hall of Fame opened in April with the 2018 inductee exhibit featuring honorees Bon Jovi, The Cars, Dire Straits, The Moody Blues, Nina Simone and Sister Rosetta Tharpe. “Stay Tuned: Rock on TV,” which opened in May and runs through March 2019, explores how television, from “The Ed Sullivan Show” to “The Voice,” helped launch iconic rock stars. But Cleveland’s music scene goes from “rock to Bach,” Jantonio said. The Cleveland Orchestra plays at Severance Hall or, during the summer, Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. WWW.THISISCLEVELAND.COM

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Courtesy Museum of Pop Culture

BY THE MID-1990S, the world was buzzing with the “Seattle sound.” The city was the birthplace of grunge thanks to Seattle’s Sub Pop record label, and hometown bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Soundgarden were taking over the charts. Groups can get their first taste of Seattle grunge at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, where Sub Pop opened its retail store in 2014. Stalking Seattle offers tours of the city’s music history, showcasing the first place Pearl Jam ever played, the bar where Nirvana played to nobody and the house where Nirvana front man Kurt Cobain died. Everything about the new $2.2 million Jimi Hendrix Park, which opened last summer, pays tribute to the Seattle-born rock legend, including walkways that form the outline of a guitar with 12 “frets” that give a timeline of Hendrix’s life. Visitors can also pay their respects at Hendrix’s gravesite at Greenwood Memorial Park in Renton, just outside the city. Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen founded the Experience Music Project, or EMP Museum, in 2000. While the museum has always been rooted in rock ’n’ roll, it rebranded in November 2016 as the Museum of Pop Culture, or MoPOP, to include sci-fi, fantasy, horror, fashion, sports and video games. Interactive galleries give hands-on access to instruments and recording studios and allow visitors to perform before a virtual audience. A towering sculpture with more than 500 musical instruments and 30 computers greets guests. WWW.VISITSEATTLE.ORG

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marketing Y O U R

P R O G R A M

GOOD TOUR COMPANIES BY ELIZA MYERS

o matter how great your trips are, if your marketing materials are amateurish, it will be difficult to convince people to travel with you. Many loyalty group travel planners have years of experience in customer service, but few have experience in marketing, especially marketing travel. These planners must convince their members to travel with their organizations instead of the array of online travel providers, so a professional marketing plan is paramount. Fortunately, travel planners can seek tour operators that want to help them succeed. These tour operators frequently partner with travel planners by providing marketing support for materials, co-op ad funding and expertise. Instead of attempting to navigate the complicated world of group travel marketing alone, loyalty group travel planners should lean on their tour operators through the entire process.

FLYERS TO THE RESCUE

Instead of trying to piece together a flyer that encapsulates the affluent experience and cultural riches of a European luxury cruise, leave the task to the pros by requesting a custom flyer from a tour operator like Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours. “More often than not, what a group planner wants is a flyer,” said Dave Lubchansky, group sales manager for Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours, sister organization of Emerald Waterways. “We have customized flyers that we can create for a group. We are a luxury brand, so it is a nice-looking flyer.” The Boston-based, upscale European river cruise company regularly creates personalized flyers that mention information pertinent to the group, including the itinerary. The flyer comes in PDF form, so planners can either print it or email it, depending on their preference. Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours can use the basic flyer model for any other requests, such as a poster to display at a prominent location or member event. The benefits of a flyer lie not only in the design quality, but also in the professional photos and text about a place less familiar to travel planners but well studied by the tour operator’s staff. Details a travel planner might not know are easy for a tour operator to grab for promotional use. Collette, a tour operator based in Rhode Island, also regularly generates customized marketing materials for group leaders. Founded in 1918, Collette developed a set of marketing materials ready-made for groups.

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“Whether it’s a flyer or a postcard inviting the group to view a slideshow promoting the trip, we have every tool they could need,” said Stephanie Mirando, marketing manager at Collette. “Basically, any time a group travel planner books their trip with us, they get a package of marketing materials automatically. Without them having to request it, we’ll send them an e-flyer they could send in the mail.”

OPTING FOR A CO-OP

A chamber of commerce leader with limited advertising budget for a new travel program might feel overwhelmed when trying to market its tour to the community. However, tour operators like Image Tours will partner with travel planners and travel agents to split the cost of advertising their tour in the local newspaper. “We have a program that’s proven to bring new customers to your business; and by the way, we’ll pay for half of it,” said Justin Osbon, sales director for Image Tours. “It brings new clients to their business, who buy this one tour then turn around and buy three or four or five more tours.” Founded in The Netherlands in 1939, Image Tours has developed a successful business hosting tours throughout Europe for Americans from its office in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The company started its advertising program in the early 1990s and now reaches nearly 200 papers across the country. Tour operators can arrange customized ads for the specifications needed in print publications, which can vary. Some loyalty group travel planners might also seek ads for their company’s personal publications, such as a general alumni newsletter. Tour operators can hand these types of ads over to travel planners as well.

D.I.Y. MARKETING EXPERTISE

Gorgeous flyers, postcards and print ads can’t sell trips by themselves. Travel planners should see these materials as tools they can learn how to use for maximum effect. Tour operators like Collette want to help planners use these materials, as well as teach them other general marketing knowledge that may make the difference between a canceled tour and a sold-out tour. “We put a lot of effort into training group leaders,” said Mirando. “We hold monthly webinars to educate group travel planners on destinations and ways to promote their trips with topics like social marketing for businesses. Our webinar team does a really great job.”

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MAKE GREAT PARTNERS Anytime a travel planner books a trip with Collette, the tour operator sends the planner the Group Travel Promoting Guide for tips on effective ways to sell group travel. The guide offers a timeline with which steps to take as the trip date approaches. For example, the prepromotion section details what planners should accomplish 18 to 10 months before departure. Tour operator marketing help doesn’t stop there. Companies like Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours will even send a representative to personally sell tours to group members. Often planners will host promotional events where a presentation can be

seen in person or streamed online. “My favorite way of helping a group market their trip is by coming down and doing a presentation,” said Lubchansky. “I meet folks face-to-face to get them excited about the trip, allay their fears and answer their questions. It’s a great business we’re in. We sell people dreams rather than something they have to have, like insurance.” Even the best flyer can’t capture the excitement of someone who loves travel and wants to share that enthusiasm.

GIVE BETTER Join forces with 160+ member companies and 13,000+ travel professionals to amplify your giving and marketing, and inspire your employees.

Find out more at TourismCares.org

Ad space generously donated.

a f a m i ly o f br a n d s

In just one day, more than 300 volunteers from 80 companies donated nearly $50,000 in volunteer labor hours to national and state parks in New York and New Jersey.

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C A R E E R

C O R N E R

trip

VALUE

PRICING

when it comes to pricing, shop wisely and travel well BY BRIAN JEWELL

our Company A offers a weeklong trip in Europe for $1,500 per person. Tour Company B sells a weeklong trip to the same destinations, but charges $3,000 per person. What accounts for the difference? When it comes to packaged travel, trips are not all created equal. Dozens of variables go into determining the price of a trip, and most tour companies carve out niches for themselves at specific places on the value spectrum. Some operators are known for budget trips, and others aim for high-quality, but not fancy, products. And then there’s a tier of companies that specialize in luxurious experiences and charge a premium for them. Over the next three issues of Select Traveler, we’re going to explore trip pricing by analyzing what travel planners can expect to get at three different points on this spectrum. In this issue, we begin with value tours, which offer attractive low pricing that makes them accessible to a wide variety of travelers. There’s nothing wrong with these budget-friendly trips; they might be just the right fit for your group. Here’s an overview of the value tour experience in 10 essential aspects of group trips.

2) SEASONALITY AND TIMING

To keep overall prices low, budget tour operators rely on getting the best rates possible from their suppliers. This often means avoiding crowds, which drive up prices with higher demand, and offering trips during off-peak periods. In some popular weekend destinations, these operators will sell Monday-through-Friday trips. In places that are most popular in summer or winter, a budget operator is likely to offer trips in the fall or spring. This isn’t a universal rule, though; it’s possible to take a budget tour during peak periods, but the prices will be higher than off-season departures.

3) ACCOMMODATIONS

Hotel accommodations account for a large portion of tour expenses, so this is an area where budget travel brands are likely to look for savings. When traveling on a low-price tour, you can expect to stay in limited-service chain hotels or similar local properties that are clean and comfortable but lack some amenities. And these properties will likely be far outside the downtown area or tourist district, maybe even in a nearby town or suburb where hotels are substantially cheaper.

4) MEALS

1) DESTINATIONS

The most important thing to know about budget tour companies is that they are built on a low-margin, high-volume business model. As such, they focus most of their efforts on destinations that are proven sellers. So if you want to take your group on an inexpensive trip to a popular destination such as New York; Branson, Missouri; Ireland; or Italy, you’re likely to find a budget-brand tour company that offers aggressively priced packages there. These companies are much less likely to sell trips to small, off-the-beaten-path cities or exotic destinations.

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The quality and quantity of food and beverage can have a big impact on the cost of a tour. Budget tour companies keep their prices low by limiting the number of meals included in their packages. While free continental breakfast will usually be offered at hotels, travelers can expect to pay for their own lunches most days. There may be a handful of included group dinners, but these probably won’t be at high-end restaurants and won’t include drinks.

Top: Museum attraction at Titanic Branson, courtesy Missouri Division of Tourism Bottom: A Kentucky historic site, courtesy Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill

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5) ACTIVITIES

Though they aren’t as expensive as hotels or meals, the cost of museum admissions, concert tickets and other attraction and activity fees over the course of a tour can add up. To keep prices low, budget operators pack their itineraries with as many free or low-cost activities as possible and rely heavily on driving or walking tours. They also include more free time, during which travelers can visit attractions at their own expense, and may offer certain activities or experiences as optional excursions at additional cost.

Tour

SOUTHEAST INDIANA

GIRLFRIEND

Getaways

6) GUIDES AND TOUR PERSONNEL

There’s a wide range of guides and tour directors in the travel industry, from garden-variety escorts who manage trip logistics to highly educated and specialized local experts. On budget tours, expect to work with the former. These tour directors, though competent and well trained, are likely to be contractors who take groups out to a variety of destinations. They probably aren’t full-time employees of the tour companies, and they may not have deep knowledge on the places you’re visiting.

7) CUSTOMIZATION

Since value tour companies specialize in selling popular travel packages over and over, you can probably count on their trips running smoothly. What you may not be able to count on, though, is the ability to customize your trip or make significant changes to a prepackaged itinerary. Some low-cost operators offer only scheduled departures and don’t customize at all. Those that do have the ability to customize group itineraries may include extra charges for the service.

8) EXCLUSIVITY

Since low-cost tourism is a volume business, companies that operate in this space count on every tour going out at or near full capacity. This can limit the amount of exclusivity they can offer your group. If you have only 20 travelers on a trip, for example, the tour operator might combine your group with another group — or even a handful of individual travelers — to fill the trip. Private trips for smaller groups may be more expensive or simply not available.

9) SPECIAL TOUCHES

Many times, it’s the little extras that can make an experience memorable: a welcome reception, a VIP tour or a special meet-and-greet. Value tour operators don’t avoid these extras altogether — any tour should have one or two special surprises — but they’re likely to be modest. If you choose to take your travelers on a budget trip, you should prepare to arrange your own special touches for the group and perhaps set aside a small budget to pay for them.

10) COMPS AND COMMISSIONS

Depending on how you structure your travel program, you may count on complimentary trips for yourself as a group leader, or perhaps you receive commissions from tour companies in order to raise money for your organization. When working with budget travel brands, you’ll probably have access to comps and commissions, but the terms are likely to be less generous than those offered by higher-end companies. Value companies are likely to give only a single comp for the entire group instead of the one-for-10 or one-for-12 comp programs others employ.

Aurora and Lawrenceburg OHIO Indianapolis

INDIANA

Cincinnati

KENTUCKY

Louisville

Lexington

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

www.TOURSoutheastIndiana.com Above: A 1922 Pennsylvania hotel, courtesy Historic Hotel Bethlehem

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800-322-8198

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W H E R E

w e ’ v e

B E E N

mobile area

chamber of commerce MOBILE, ALABAMA TRIP: Tuscany and the Italian Riviera TOUR OPERATOR: Collette DATE: November 2017 For one week, a group from the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce explored Tuscany and the Italian Riviera with stops in Florence, Genoa, Portofino, Vernazza, Siena, Lucca and Pisa. “For the food, the sights, the sounds and the wine, Italy is always a trip of choice for Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce travelers. It’s impossible to have a bad day traveling by train, bus or car across the Tuscan countryside, as there is so much beauty at every turn. And there’s nothing better than driving down a mountain, having stayed at a Medici castle in Florence to take in the grandeur of the Duomo.”

— LEIGH PERRY-HERNDON, VICE PRESIDENT OF COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING

citizens national bank SEVIERVILLE, TENNESSEE TRIP: Coastal Maine TOUR OPERATOR: Chariots of Hire DATE: August 2017 Citizens National Bank’s The Good Life travel program brought 50 senior adults to coastal attractions in Maine, with tours of Kennebunkport, Bar Harbor, Bangor and Acadia National Park. “The Lobster Shack in Kennebunkport was a delicious Maine lobster dinner. Another highlight was a wonderful sightseeing tour given by Acadia Boat Tours. We stopped in Freeport and visited L.L. Bean and had the best popovers — I had three — at the Jordan Pond House Restaurant in Acadia National Park. It was a fantastic trip and I am already receiving requests to do it again.”

— SHERRA GILLESPIE, ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT OF THE GOOD LIFE 36

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MARQUEE 2018/2019

TRAVEL SHOWCASE

Select Traveler magazine asked these great companies and destinations to share their Marquee travel ideas for the coming year with our readers. Find the right one for your group today!

42 TOUR & CRUISE 48 DESTINATIONS

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4 TRENDS TO FOLLOW OUR READERS SPEAK FOR AN INDUSTRY Ibiza, Spain

t the 2018 Select Traveler Conference, held last February in Louisville, more than 100 travel planner delegates identified four key conditions or trends that affect their overall success as travel organizers. For our Marquee issue of Select Traveler, we examine each of those using the personal observations of many of these attendees during their annual breakout session.

Smaller groups are replacing larger groups on many trips, and some planners create smaller groups intentionally to improve the overall travel experience. WHAT THEY SAID: • Some of us are offering more trips so that our group sizes go down. And trip costs are going up, which also affects group size. • We like day trips at 45 [travelers] and overnight trips at 20 to 35. Our travelers are becoming more independent. • We are using waiting lists, which are good because people must sign up or they will be wait-listed. That also means creating a smaller group size to begin with, which is not a bad thing.

• For coach trips, we still do 40 people or so. For international trips, we like 20 to 25 or so. That’s easier to manage. “This is a trend the entire industry has been watching for several years, but this year was the first time we’ve heard some of the planners say they intentionally create smaller groups for certain trips,” said Select Traveler publisher Mac Lacy. “I think what we’re seeing is a realization that taking a smaller group overseas is not only much less stressful but also creates a better, more personalized travel experience in a foreign country. I also think the tour operators handling these groups realize that if they provide more personalized travel experiences abroad, they are much more likely to retain the business of these high-end travel programs.”

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Group travelers are adjusting to airline difficulties and delays similarly to the general population. WHAT THEY SAID: • Ours roll with the flow.

• Ours have adjusted well. We control the airline tickets for our groups through the airport process. • At our table, we feel our travelers are getting used to the decline in overall service at airports and on flights. They’ve adjusted. And they’re purchasing more travel insurance products. • It’s all about communication. Tell your travelers it’s “travel day.” Expect the unexpected. Leave plenty of time for everything in case something goes wrong. Talk them through the process patiently. “It’s fair to say that groups in general are adapting well to the new norms of air travel,” said Lacy. “Most of these travelers have numerous, if not dozens, of overseas trips in their rearview mirrors, which offer perspective for the challenges we are all encountering in today’s airports.”

Group travelers are confronting and defying threats of terrorism to travel.

WHAT THEY SAID:

well lived are not going to let political extremists dictate their travel schedules. And there is definitely an element of security one feels with a group.”

High-end travel groups are still generally oneperson shops, and many continue to use a lot of volunteer labor to make global travel happen.

WHAT THEY SAID: • Most of us are one-person shops. • It’s an issue; one person can only do so much. • Our branch managers pitch in and lead one or two events per quarter to help us build community awareness. • Yes, at our table we have programs that use family, friends, spouses, other bank employees, etc. We offer them free tickets to events for their help. “Most of us never stop to think how much worldwide travel is generated by one-man shops like these across the country,” said Lacy. “These are big-personality people who do whatever it takes, with or without a few volunteers, to organize a halfdozen trips or more across America and the world each year for their banks, universities or civic organizations. More than a few highly successful tour companies build their businesses around these individuals. It’s a fascinating story that takes place every day in cities small and large across America.” Paris’ Eiffel Tower

• If I’m OK, they’re OK. If I’ll go, they’ll go. • This is always changing; we cannot prepare for it or adjust to it. Some of us are seeing increased purchases of travel insurance. We’re all being more observant and more cautious on planes and elsewhere. • We have some travelers who are very defiant. They will not let terrorists stop them from seeing what they want to see. • Some of us are staying clear of larger cities like Paris or Rome, but it can happen anywhere. Many of our travelers are still working their bucket lists, and they travel with us when we go. “Again, I think that group travelers mirror the larger travel population when it comes to incidents across the globe,” said Lacy. “Those who count travel as one of the highlights of a life

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A FEW FAVORITE DESTINATIONS If you want to know where the crowd is going domestically in 2018 and 2019, there is no better source than a roomful of Select Traveler planners. During their session, we asked them to identify some “sure-fire winners” in today’s domestic travel circles. Lots of destinations got mentions, but here are the 12 that got multiple mentions for the years coming up: • NEW YORK AND NYC THEATER were the top vote-getters in a tie with NATIONAL PARKS. It looks like groups are headed to the city and then balancing those trips with a trip to the great outdoors. • ALASKA and the GRAND CANYON got the next-most number of mentions. To be fair, both offer similar outdoor experiences to the category of national parks, but they earned this recognition with their specific votes from this influential group. • NEW ENGLAND and EAST COAST FALL FOLIAGE came in with the third-highest number of votes. Iconic travel destinations never seem to lose favor with groups. • These seven highly diverse destinations were ranked next, all earning multiple mentions from our delegates: BRANSON, MISSOURI; MACKINAC ISLAND; NIAGARA FALLS; THE ARK ENCOUNTER IN KENTUCKY; HAWAII; WASHINGTON, D.C.; and ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO, and its International Balloon Festival.

B UYE R ’S GU IDE F O R

T HE

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T R AV EL

Page, Arizona

SHOP

INDU S T RY

SMART k o o b e THE

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PLAN BETTER TRIPS WITH THESE GROUP TRAVEL

’S YER GU

INSIGHTS!

PUBLISHED BY THE GROUP TRAVEL LEADER INC.

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USTOA OPERATORS SOUND OFF The United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA), which represents dozens of the largest tour operators in the U.S. and beyond, surveyed its membership to find the most popular destinations and travel trends for 2018. Here’s what these top tour companies reported. CUSTOMER DEMOGRAPHICS GENERATION X (35-50 years old)

HOT INTERNATIONAL DESTINATIONS 1. Australia 2. Spain 3. Iceland and Italy (tie) 5. France 6. Japan

22%

21%

BABY BOOMERS (51 years and older)

57%

OTHER (younger than 35 years)

TOP “OFF-THE-BEATEN-PATH” DESTINATIONS 1. Iceland 2. Colombia 3. Vietnam

TOP TRAVEL CATEGORIES MOST “AT-RISK” DESTINATIONS 1. Antarctica 2. Cuba 3. Australia’s Great Barrier Reef

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1. Arts and Culture 2. Adventure 3. Intergenerational 4. Culinary

M A R Q U E E T O U R A N D C R U I S E C O M PA N I E S

COLLETTE

CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF TRAVELING TOGETHER Collette makes travel easy and fulfilling. All the details, flights, meals, hotels, sightseeing, and local experiences, are taken care of. Your only job is to have the time of your life. SHADES OF IRELAND

Set out on our most popular Irish adventure. Experience all of the charms of this enchanted country, including its welcoming people.

SOUTH PACIFIC WONDERS

From the tropical splendor of the Australia’s Great Barrier Reef to the ethereal beauty of New Zealand’s glacial fjords, enjoy the best of two amazing countries.

ICELAND’S MAGICAL NORTHERN LIGHTS

Spend your days surrounded by natural wonders — waterfalls, geysers, icebergs, and volcanic beaches — and your nights in search of the spectacular Northern Lights.

ALASKA DISCOVERY BY LAND & CRUISE

This is Alaska as you always imagined. Cruise through northern splendor and relax as you tour past epic scenery including the Inside Passage and Glacier Bay.

DISCOVER SWITZERLAND, AUSTRIA & BAVARIA

Enjoy traveling through spectacular mountain scenery and picturesque cities as you experience the enchanting Alpine cultures of Switzerland, Austria, and Bavaria.

COLLETTE 844-445-5663 • www.collette.com Contact: Inside Business Development Representatives • Inquiries@collette.com

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M A R Q U E E T O U R A N D C R U I S E C O M PA N I E S

EMERALD WATERWAYS

THE DELUXE RIVER CRUISE COMPANY Recognized for contemporary design and overall value for money, our ‘Star-Ships’ on Europe’s rivers offer sleek design, superior comfort, exceptional dining and service, all included in the price. SENSATIONS OF LYON & PROVENCE

Romance, spectacular historic landmarks and Roman influence; celebrate France’s past & present on a sensory journey through renowned vineyards and world-class cuisine along the Saône & Rhône rivers.

DANUBE DELIGHTS

An unforgettable cruise down the iconic Danube through the heart of Europe. Walking tours, invitations into locals’ homes and sightseeing excursions showcase the magnificence of yesteryear.

JEWELS OF THE RHINE

A journey on this majestic passageway provides a gateway to some of the most esteemed destinations and beauty spots, from Amsterdam, Cologne and Strasbourg to the Black Forest and the Rhine Valley.

SECRETS OF THE DOURO

Your journey on this rousing waterway begins and ends in Porto, one of Portugal’s oldest cities, and sees you travel upstream through the twists and turns of the World Heritage-listed Douro Valley.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NETHERLANDS & THE BEAUTY OF BELGIUM

Tulip time happens once a year. A fascinating trip through time, this classic route acknowledges the history of working Dutch communities, with visits to the famed Keukenhof Gardens and much more. EMERALD WATERWAYS 833-571-9845 • www.emeraldwaterways.com Contact: Joseph Luchison • joseph.luchison@emeraldwaterways.com M A R Q U E E

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M A R Q U E E T O U R A N D C R U I S E C O M PA N I E S

RITZ TOURS

BEST QUALITY & VALUE IN TRAVEL Travel the world with Ritz Tours, which offers all-inclusive English-speaking tour packages with luxury accommodation at an affordable price. GEMS OF EUROPE

Our 12-night Gems of Europe vacation takes in many of the showpieces of the Old World in one memorable itinerary through London, Paris, Florence, and Rome.

ATHENS & GREEK ISLANDS

Stand atop the Acropolis in Athens and discover the gorgeous Greek islands of Mykonos and Santorini on this 8-night Greece island-hopping tour.

BEST OF EASTERN EUROPE

Join us on this unforgettable 12-day tour and visit buzzing Frankfurt and Munich; trace Germany’s wondrous Romantic Road; and experience the lovely cities of Ljubljana, Budapest, Vienna and Prague.

CLASSIC SPAIN & PORTUGAL

Awash with history and natural wonders, Spain and Portugal cry out to be explored. Discover these sun-kissed lands on this captivating 12-day vacation.

THE BEST OF RUSSIA, BALTIC STATES & WARSAW

Explore Moscow, one of the world’s largest cities, and on to St. Petersburg, Tallinn, Riga, Vilnius, and finally Warsaw. Experience the unmatched opulence of this beautiful and eclectic country. RITZ TOURS 888-345-7489 • www.ritztours.com Contact: Lillian Li • info@ritztours.com

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M A R Q U E E T O U R A N D C R U I S E C O M PA N I E S

SCENIC LUXURY

CRUISES AND TOURS

ALL-INCLUSIVE LUXURY RIVER CRUISING Discover the Europe of your dreams on an all-inclusive Scenic river cruise. Everything’s covered on our luxurious Scenic Space-Ships, from butler service to your choice of excursions. 8-DAY IDYLLIC FRANCE

Romantic settings, quaint country villages, stunning scenery and rolling vineyards are yours to discover on your river cruise through Lyon, to Chalon-Sur-Saône, Avignon and Arles.

8-DAY RHINE HIGHLIGHTS

A river cruise along the Rhine introduces you to historic castles that stand proud along the riverbanks, enchanting forests to explore and spectacular cities home to stunning European architecture.

8-DAY DELIGHTFUL DOURO

Travel through the Douro River Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on our new Portugal river cruise. Stops include the lively town of Porto, Regua and in Spain - Vega de Terron & Salamanca.

8-DAY WINDMILLS, TULIPS & BELGIAN DELIGHTS

Experience Amsterdam’s eternal spring among the blooming tulips at Keukenhof Gardens, cruise the intricate maze of the city’s canals and visit quaint Dutch & Belgian towns.

8-DAY GEMS OF THE DANUBE

Discover ‘Old Europe’ as you sail along one of Europe’s most romantic rivers. Uncover ancient abbeys, historic landmarks and explore vibrant cities such as Vienna and Budapest. SCENIC LUXURY CRUISES & TOURS 855-517-1200 • www.scenicusa.com Contact: Heather Lemire • heather.lemire@scenicusa.com

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ISLANDS IN THE SUN

C R U I S E S & T O U R S , I N C .

WE SELL WHAT WE SAIL — AND GIVE YOU THE WORLD!

We sail the ships, and travel to the destinations that we sell to assure the best quality and experience for your club. We customize each group and provide personal service and expert knowledge! CUBAN CULTURAL IMMERSION CRUISE-TOURS SAILING DIRECTLY FROM MIAMI

Explore Cuba’s cultural heritage and meet its people while on a luxury ship. Visit colorful Havana and on some cruises other cities too!

AWESOME ‘HEART OF ALASKA’ CRUISE-TOURS ISLANDS IN THE SUN CRUISES & TOURS, INC. 800-278-7786 www.crus-sun.com • info@crus-sun.com Russ & Susan Rosenberry

Everyone dreams of going to Alaska — the Great Land — and the best way is by both Land & Sea. Our custom fully-escorted cruise-tours highlight the glaciers, mountains, wildlife and unique heritage.

HAWAIIAN ISLANDS ‘SHARE THE ALOHA’ CRUISE-TOURS

Embrace the ‘Aloha Spirit’ with a cruise-tour that sails smoothly through these idyllic islands. Enjoy the sand, sea, and hospitality. It is popular with first-timers and gains many repeaters too!

TRIPS

TRAVEL — THOUGHTFULLY DESIGNED — DELIGHTFULLY EXECUTED Looking for something special? Look no further than TRIPS! From domestic tours and cruises to Europe and beyond, TRIPS always puts that special spin on each and every departure. It’s the TRIPS way! QUINTESSENTIAL CAPE COD!

You haven’t done Cape Cod until you’ve done it the TRIPS way! Find out why it’s the all-time favorite tour of group leaders. Lobster clambake on the dunes, Nantucket, wine tasting & Martha’s Vineyard!

ULTIMATE BRITISH ISLES CRUISE/TOUR TRIPS 888-55-TRIPS www.gotripsinc.com • mikki@gotripsinc.com Mikki Walker

From London and Buckingham Palace to well-known and lesser known ports of call, this 14-day/12-night cruise tour is a hit! England, Scotland and Ireland!

TOURNAMENT OF ROSES PARADE

Enjoy the most beautiful parade in America and an insiders peek into Hollywood! Of course, we also throw a fun-filled New Year’s Eve party to round out your perfect trip to Southern California.

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US TOURS

MOST INNOVATIVE TOUR PLANNER IN AMERICA Creative Concepts in Group Tours. US Tours produces America, but we have a separate website for international tours, www.ustoursselect.com, and a 3rd website dedicated to cruise, www.ustoursvoyages.com. 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF WOODSTOCK

At the Rock Hall in Cleveland on August 16-18, 2019. Two evenings of great music from the year 1969. The largest Woodstock Celebration in America.

KENTUCKY DERBY SPECTACULAR

We are the largest seller of Kentucky Derby Packages in the group tour industry. We include two great dinner shows, riverboat races and more.

JOHNNY CASH PRISON CONCERT

Inside the West Virginia Penitentiary, Johnny, June and the Band perform for your inmates. Coincides with a performance by Marty Stuart and the Wheeling Jamboree Anniversary Show.

BLUE CHRISTMAS MEMPHIS

US Tours rents Graceland for the night. You tour the home and museums and see how the Presley family decorated. Second highlight is our exclusive Blue Christmas Dinner Show.

THE LOVABLE SPIRITS OF LOUISVILLE

One of the largest Halloween events in America, it features three dinner parties the Phantom’s Masquerade, Jack O’Lantern Spectacular with the Crypt Keeper Five, the Headless Horseman’s Holiday Party. US TOURS 304-485-8687 • www.ustours.biz Contact: Robert Cline • bob@ustours.biz M A R Q U E E

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AMISH COUNTRY OF NORTHERN INDIANA

AMISH COUNTRY EXPERIENCES JAM-PACKED WITH FUN! Over 1 million blooms planted in 18 giant quilt patterned gardens are found in the nation’s thirdlargest Old Order Amish area along a 90-mile scenic Heritage Trail. DAS DUTCHMAN ESSENHAUS, MIDDLEBURY, INDIANA

Indiana’s largest restaurant offering menu, buffet or family style dining. Specializing in 31 kinds of fresh baked pie. Lodging, theater & shops. Mon-Sat. Year round.

AMISH ACRES ROUND BARN THEATRE, NAPPANEE, INDIANA

Majestic 1911 Round Barn Theatre featuring professional Broadway musicals in repertoire. Famous family-style Threshers Dinner in the century-old barn restaurant. Tours & Lodging. Apr.-Dec. .

SHIPSHEWANA FLEA MARKET, SHIPSHEWANA, INDIANA

900 booths in a 100-acre open-air market. Quirky novelties, produce, crafts, home decor, bargains, food courts, rest areas, antique auctions. Tues and Wed, May-Sept.

AUTHENTIC AMISH BACKROADS STEP-ON GUIDED TOUR

Travel scenic backroads passing horse-drawn buggies. Learn about the fascinating lifestyle of the Amish as your knowledgeable guide tells all about the area and the history, traditions, and customs of the Amish.

RV FACTORY TOURS

Guided tour through an RV manufacturing plant in the “RV Capital of the World”! 84% of the world’s inventory of RV’s are made in Northern Indiana. Free. Mon.-Fri. AMISH COUNTRY OF NORTHERN INDIANA/ELKHART COUNTY IN, CVB 574-262-8161 or 800-262-8161 • www.amishcountrytours.org Contact: Sonya L. Nash, CTIS/CTP • sonya@amishcountry.org

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We’ve got entertainment for everyone in Amish Country! Amish Acres in Nappanee is the premier professional repertory theatre in Northern Indiana! The restored 1911 Round Barn

Theatre brings audiences to their feet with musical theatre favorites like Plain and Fancy, Mamma Mia!, The Rat Pack Lounge, Barry Manilow’s Copacabana, and Annie!, so don’t wait to get your tickets! While you’re there, feast family-style with the famous Threshers Dinner (our mouths are drooling just thinking about it!) and experience Amish culture first-hand with a guided tour.

Das Dutchman Essenhaus in Middlebury offers entertainment for all with fashion shows, shops, holiday tour of trees,

live theatre and more! With performances like Don’t Kick the Turkeys (don’t worry, this is full of calamity and humor) and E.O.C A Christmas Chamber Theatre you’ll be tapping your toes in no time as you experience theatre that is creative and hopeful at the Heritage Hall. Get ready to be wowed as you stroll through a grand display of classic and collectible cars at the weekly cruise-in.

Shipshewana Flea Market takes entertainment to the next level. Get caught up in the excitement when multiple auctioneers take up the auction cry and simultaneously sell thousands of antiques and collectibles. With the title of “Midwest’s Largest Flea Market,” groups enjoy shopping (and people watching!) Tuesdays and Wednesdays, May - September, at nearly 900 booths offering everything from home décor, tools, books, antiques plus fresh plants and produce in the Farmer’s Market aisle! Entertain your eyes (and Instagram fans) with the bursting colors of the Quilt Gardens along the Heritage Trail ... an ABA Top 100 Event! Experience 18 super-sized quilt patterned gardens and 21 hand-painted quilt murals that blanket six Amish Country communities. Perfect for groups of any size and viewable free of charge ANNUALLY May 30 thru October 1!

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ATLANTIC CITY, N E W

J E R S E Y

EXPERIENCE ATLANTIC CITY Championship golf courses, world renowned entertainment, vibrant nightlife, and a shopper’s paradise with discount outlet shopping. Experience Atlantic City with an endless array of options! STEEL PIER OBSERVATION WHEEL

Take a ride on the third largest Observation Wheel in the U.S, which offers riders sweeping views of the Atlantic City skyline.

ABSECON LIGHTHOUSE

New Jersey’s tallest lighthouse, the Absecon Lighthouse is ready for your group to climb its 228 steps. Reach the top and you’ll see breathtaking views of the Atlantic City skyline.

ESCAPE AC

Can you Escape AC in 60 minutes? This activity gives groups exciting and innovative experiences. Find and unlock clues that challenges groups of 2 to 10 in four different themed game rooms.

TANGER OUTLETS THE WALK

Shopaholics can shop til they drop at our tax free outlet shopping, Tanger Outlets. The Walk with over 100 retail stores that won’t disappoint with incredible deals.

ATLANTIC CITY CRUISES

Hop aboard the Cruisin’ 1, the flagship boat of Atlantic City Cruises located in Historic Gardner’s Basin, for dolphin watching, sightseeing or an easy, breezy happy hour cruise.

TOUR AC 609-449-7151 • www.touratlanticcity.com Contact: Heather Colache • hcolache@meetac.com

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CLEVELAND, O H I O

UNIQUELY CLEVELAND We know that when it comes to group travel, it’s all about those uniquely different experiences that make a trip truly memorable. Here’s your ultimate list of what makes Cleveland… well, Cleveland. ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME

Legends come to life at the multi-level Rock Hall. Immerse yourself in the stories and memorabilia of the people, events and music that changed the world through seven floors of exhibits.

A CHRISTMAS STORY HOUSE AND MUSEUM

Recently restored to its movie splendor, the original house that served as the filming location for the cult classic movie “A Christmas Story” is open year-round. You can even buy your own leg lamp!

CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART

Ranked 2nd-best art museum in the U.S. by Business Insider, CMA is free, with interactive digital displays and high-tech learning opportunities alongside everchanging, world-renowned exhibits.

THE CLEVELAND ORCHESTRA

With residencies in Vienna and Miami, The Cleveland Orchestra is one of the top orchestras in the world. Experience it all at Severance Hall, considered one of the most beautiful concert halls.

WEST SIDE MARKET

Cleveland’s oldest indoor/outdoor food market is 100+ years old, containing prepared food options alongside stands selling fresh meat, seafood, pastries and more from cultures all over the world. DESTINATION CLEVELAND 800-321-1001 • www.thisiscleveland.com Contact: Jane Tougouma • jtougouma@destinationcle.org

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WHAT YOU’VE HEARD ABOUT Cleveland is true.

ONE OF National Geographic Traveler’s WORLD’S BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN 2018 Join in at This isCLEveland.com | #This isCLE

Contact Cleveland’s Group Tour Team:

Jane Tougouma | Tel: 216.875.6607 | Email: jtougouma@destinationcle.org Denise Krauss | Tel: 216.875.6648 | Email: dkrauss@destinationcle.org

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COLUMBUS, O H I O

TRIED AND TRUE COLUMBUS As a leader in experiential tourism, Columbus knows that getting groups in the middle of the action and behind the scenes is important. GERMAN VILLAGE

Get an insider’s view of this historic district on a German Village Tour, then make your way to Schmidt’s Restaurant und Sausage Haus for the infamous cream puff.

KELTON HOUSE

Experience living history at this restored Underground Railroad stop filled with original furnishings. You’ll be sworn to secrecy after hearing the punishment handed out to abolitionists like the Keltons.

COLUMBUS ZOO AND AQUARIUM

Go on a Wasafari Adventure in the Heart of Africa for a VIP Giraffe feeding and a private animal encounter just for your group.

WHISTLE FACTORY

Tour America’s only metal whistle manufacturer and see how these legendary whistles are made. Everyone leaves with a shiny new whistle.

WORTHINGTON

Hand-pour a Candle Lab candle, craft your own card on an antique press at Igloo Letterpress and wind down during dinner at the historic Worthington Inn.

EXPERIENCE COLUMBUS 614-222-6146 • www.experiencecolumbus.com Contact: Sarah Doodan • sdoodan@experiencecolumbus.com

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

Great tours are Made in Cbus. Pair a visit to the zoo Jack Hanna calls home with a cream puff at iconic Schmidt’s in historic German Village. As a leader in experiential tours, Columbus is a perfect fit for a group of any size (or taste)!

experiencecolumbus.com/tours

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EUREKA SPRINGS, A

THE EXTRAORDINARY ESCAPE FOR GROUPS Steeped in history, clinging to limestone walls, nestled in the mountains and surrounded by water, Eureka Springs has been called the authentic “Cultural Island” in Northwest Arkansas. HISTORIC DOWNTOWN

Not a chain store or big-box outlet in sight! More than 100 unique shops, boutiques and art galleries. An entire ZIP code on the National Register of Historic Places. EUREKA SPRINGS CITY ADVERTISING & PROMOTION COMMISSION (CAPC) 479-253-7333 • www.eurekasprings.org Karen Pryor, CTIS • karen@eurekasprings.org

TURPENTINE CREEK WILDLIFE REFUGE

One of the Nation’s largest rescue facilities for big cats. Let the trained staff of biologists and zoologists guide you around the natural enclosures.

THE GREAT PASSION PLAY

Celebrating its 50th season, a cast of 150 and dozens of animals bring the greatest story ever told to life right before your eyes!

Escape to the best 2018 getaway with a trip to Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Centrally located, Eureka Springs allows visitors the unique experience of a European-style village, without treking across the globe. From relaxing spas, historic hotels, sparkling motels, cozy B&B’s and world-class dining to fine art galleries, eclectic shops, great live entertainment and exciting outdoor activities, Eureka has something extraordinary for everyone!

Spend a week or a weekend and enjoy all we have to offer in Eureka Springs... Your Extraordinary Escape! Plan the perfect getaway TODAY! Contact Karen Pryor at 866-947-4387 or visit EurekaSprings.org

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GROUP EXPERIENCES MAKE US UNIQUE

FRENCH LICK, A

On-site activities are available to add some excitement to your tour. No need to go off-property, we’ve got you covered with everything from culinary competitions to an onsite shooting range. CULINARY CHALLENGE

Our culinary challenge is like no other! Our renowned chefs guide teams through food preparation, cooking, plating and presentation techniques in this fun group culinary competition.

WILD WEST CHALLENGE FRENCH LICK RESORT 812-936-8033 • www.frenchlick.com Sara Clark • sclark@frenchlick.com

Participants will break into teams and “saddle up” for the outdoor thrills of the Old West. Teams will test their lasso, sharpshooting and archery skills along with playing a few games of corn hole.

SPORTING CLAYS

A day at our 73-acre shooting range is sure to add some bang to your group dynamic. Simulate the thrill of a hunt and take aim on clay targets. Ideal for novice or experienced marksmen.

• 165,000 square feet of meeting space (including enhanced Exhibition Hall coming this fall) • Activities such as bowling, horseback riding and sporting clays • Customized team-building adventures • World-class spas • Championship golf courses • Casual and fine dining

Proud hosts of the 2019

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Must be 21 years or older to enter the casino. Gambling Problem? Call 1.800.9.WITH.IT!

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GEORGETOWN, K E N T U C K Y

PURE SMALL-TOWN CHARM In the heart of Kentucky lies a small town boasting lush Bluegrass paddocks and authentic southern charm. Come explore Georgetown, Kentucky’s many popular attractions: big and small, one or all. OLD FRIENDS THOROUGHBRED RETIREMENT FARM

Get up-close and personal with stars of the turf at Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farm. Known as Horse Racing’s living history museum, Old Friends tells the stories of famous former racehorses.

TOYOTA MOTOR MANUFACTURING

Buckle up for a ride around the largest Toyota manufacturing plant in the world on a guided tram-driven tour. Toyota Kentucky offers a free behind-the-scenes experience of the automobile process.

THE KENTUCKY HORSE PARK

Dedicated to sharing Kentucky’s love of horses with the world, the Kentucky Horse Park is a world-famous equine park with over 1,200 acres of working horse farms, museums, carriage rides and more!

WARD HALL

Learn the history of one of the finest examples of Greek Revival architecture at Ward Hall. Tour this magnificent villa for a step-back-in-time experience with period pieces & polite society secrets.

HISTORIC DOWNTOWN GEORGETOWN

Georgetown has a picture-perfect downtown lined with Victorian-era buildings housing locally owned art galleries, antique and boutique shops, restaurants, a local history museum and historic college. GEORGETOWN/SCOTT COUNTY TOURISM 502-863-2547 • www.georgetownky.com Contact: Lori Saunders • lori@georgetownky.com

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KENTUCKY

avor ...

THE SIGHTS & AROMAS OF GEORGETOWN.

MALL TOWN CHARM. PURE SMALL

INTERSTATE

SCOTT COUNTY

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H U N T SV ILLE, A

WE’VE GOT SPACE Experience first-hand how a small, Southern cotton town became Rocket City, USA, and so much more! U.S. SPACE & ROCKET CENTER

Become an astronaut for a day at Alabama’s #1 attraction, the world’s largest space museum, NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center Visitor Center and home to U.S. Space Camp.

LOWE MILL ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU 256-551-2204 • www.huntsville.org Pam Williams • pam@huntsville.org

Explore your artistic side at the largest privately-owned arts facility in the U.S. Shop the eclectic artist market, sample artisan chocolates from Pizzelle’s Confections, and sip handcrafted whiskey.

CAMPUS NO. 805

A school turned into a premier dining and entertainment complex, detention has never been so fun! Grab a craft beer, try your hand at axe throwing, and find the hidden speakeasy.

hello

Huntsville

Get ready for your adventure in the Rocket City! Huntsville, Alabama | huntsville.org

bucket list 1

Embrace adventure at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center

Discover the nation’s largest seasonal butterfly house at the Huntsville Botanical Garden

Shop the Artist Market at Lowe Mill and stay for a concert & picnic

Hear stories of spies, lies, alibis & ghosts while touring our Historic Districts, Historic Huntsville Depot, Weeden House ...and more!

Pam Williams

Tourism Sales Manager HuntsvilleCVB

@Go2HuntsvilleAL

VisitHuntsvilleAL #iHeartHsv

256.551.2204 pam@huntsville.org M A R Q U E E

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LINCOLN,

N E B R A S K A

DISCOVER THE MIDWEST’S BEST KEPT SECRET It’s an incredible time to be in Lincoln. We invite you to come and experience the enthusiasm and exhilaration of Lincoln’s energy for yourself. MUSEUM OF AMERICAN SPEED

Founded by “Speedy” Bill and Joyce Smith, the museum was formed to present a continuous chronology of automotive race engines and speed equipment development.

BLUE BLOOD BREWERY & ROBBERS CAVE

Blue Blood Brewing Company is a Lincoln Brewery, full-service restaurant, and historic attraction that sits on Robber’s Cave, rumored to be a hideout of the legendary outlaw Jesse James.

INTERNATIONAL QUILT STUDY CENTER & MUSEUM

Tour the International Quilt Study Center & Museum, home to the world’s largest publicly held quilt collection, dating from the early 1700’s to present and representing more than 50 countries. LINCOLN CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU 402-436-2310 • www.lincoln.org/visit/tour Kelsey Meyer • kmeyer@lincoln.org

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M A C O N,

MACON, “WHERE SOUL LIVES”

G E O R G I A

With our central location, breathtaking architecture and rich musical heritage, Macon is a city with historic soul. You can feel our soul through our attractions, food, festivals, cultural, and people. ALLMAN BROTHERS BIG HOUSE MUSEUM

The house, now a museum and venue space is where members of the band, lived, worked and played. The band’s memorabilia and artifacts is the most extensive in the world. More than a museum. It’s an experience!

HAY HOUSE VISIT MACON 800-768-3401 • www.visitmacon.org Steven Fulbright • info@visitmacon.org

Feels like royalty when you step through the doors of this National Historic Landmark mansion. It was referred to as “Palace of the South” upon its completion in 1859. Magnificent detail and luxuries far ahead of its time make it a must-see, as featured on A&E’s “America’s Castles.”

OCMULGEE NATIONAL MONUMENT

Step back in time to enjoy the beauty: View downtown Macon from the top of the Great Temple Mound, bicycle on the park, picnic on the grounds and visit the museum. This prehistoric American Indian site is a must see!

EVERY VOICE HAS A STORY Storytelling is in our DNA. It’s what we do. In Macon, we find our own story, and that’s the way we like it.

Plan something profound at VisitMacon.org 800.768.3401

info@visitmacon.org

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DISCOVER SAINT CHARLES

SAINT CHARLES,

HISTORICALLY AWESOME SINCE 1769

M I S S O U R I

The oldest city on the Missouri River features a fourteen-block historic district with over 90 shops, 30 restaurants, and 3 museums. Discover a place that has been welcoming visitors since 1769. STEP-ON TOUR

Our guide, in period attire, will step-on to your coach for a historical tour of St. Charles, the last vestige for Lewis & Clark.

WALKING TOUR GREATER SAINT CHARLES CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU 800-366-2427 • www.discoverstcharles.com Greg Maxon • gmaxon@historicstcharles.com

Learn about the influences left behind by the French, Spanish, and German settlers and the many historic buildings dating from the 1790’s to the early 1900’s.

HISTORY WITH HATS

Discover our history, from 1769 to 1904, through a hands-on program that brings to life the characters that helped shape St. Charles.

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M I LWA U K E E , W I S C O N S I N

YOUR RESOURCE FOR PLANNING THAT IDEAL AND FUN TOUR TO WISCONSIN. Explore and discover beautiful scenery from rolling hills, bluffs along the waterways, small towns to city scapes, farmland and more. Culinary treats, worldclass entertainment and just plain FUN. HOME OF FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT

Wisconsin, home to world-renowned architect, Frank Lloyd Wright. Explore the Frank Lloyd Wright Trail from Racine to Spring Green to experience some of his earliest buildings to his largest.

ONLY IN WISCONSIN CIRCLE WISCONSIN 414-545-1100 • www.circlewisconsin.com Wendy Dobrzynski • wendy@circlewisconsin.com

Wisconsin, from The House on the Rock to the Harley-Davidson Museum, a plethora of museums, attractions and experiences await groups that they can only enjoy in our state.

WATER WATER EVERYWHERE

Wisconsin, surrounded by two Great Lakes and the Mighty Mississippi and over 15,000 lakes and rivers, groups can enjoy a variety of types of cruises from paddlewheelers to the Original Duck Tours.

ONCE YOU ARRIVE, THE JOURNEY TAKE A TRIP KEEPS GOING. THROUGH OUR PAST.

WWW.CIRCLEWISCONSIN.COM

(414) 545-1100

MILWAUKEE MID-CONTINENT PUBLIC MUSEUM RAILWAY

NATIONAL OLD WORLD RAILROAD WISCONSIN MUSEUM

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AT THE

U.S. SPACE & ROCKET CENTER

M A R Q U E E AT T R AC T I O N S

SPACE CAMP

BOOK YOUR SPACE CAMP ADVENTURE TODAY!

amily Space Camp is a weekend program for families with children ages 7 and up. It offers an exhilarating adventure as parents and children train like astronauts and take part in auth entic simulated missions to space. The program includes simulated mission training and operations, rocket construction and learning the history and future of space exploration in one of the world’s largest spacecraft collections. Trainees experience astronaut training simulators such as the 1/6th gravity chair and the manned maneuvering unit. Onsite meals and lodging are included in family camp programs. Book your family’s Space Camp adventure today!

MEET AN ASTRONAUT THIS SUMMER! SPACE CAMP AT THE U.S. SPACE & ROCKET CENTER Huntsville, Alabama • 800-637-7223 www.spacecamp.com Tom White • tom.white@spacecamp.com

Visit Space Camp this summer and have lunch with a real astronaut! Enjoy compelling stories of passion and perseverance each Friday from noon - 1:30 p.m. Tickets are $30. Call 1-800-637-7223 for info.

Plan your family’s out-of-this world adventure now! All-inclusive weekend program * Ages 7 to 100 Family Space Camp is an all-inclusive weekend

camp program for families with children ages 7 and up. This exhilarating world-renowned adventure allows parents and children train like astronauts and take part in simulated missions to space. Call 1-800-637-7223 today to plan your journey!

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B I LT M O R E

A GROUP EXPERIENCE BEYOND COMPARE

hen guests visit historic Biltmore House, they cross the threshold into a world of beauty and hospitality that has remained virtually unchanged for more than a century. Visitors will view priceless works of art and original furnishings as they walk through America’s Largest Home at their own pace. For those wishing to learn more, fascinating guided tours with a knowledgeable host are available. Not to be missed are the acres of historic gardens, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the father of American landscape architecture, and Biltmore’s Winery — the most visited winery in the US — where guests are invited to enjoy complimentary tastings of award-winning wines. Biltmore has a variety of unique shops across the estate and offers superb farm-to-table dining at six on-estate restaurants.

CHRISTMAS AT BILTMORE

NOVEMBER 8, 2019 - JANUARY 5, 2020 elebrating its 45th year, Christmas at Biltmore is a not-to-be missed event. Elegant décor brings Christmas to every room in Biltmore House with dozens of decorated trees, thousands of lights, and miles of garland and ribbon.

NEW FOR 2019: A VANDERBILT HOUSE PARTY — GUESTS, GRANDEUR & GALAS

FEBRUARY 8 - MAY 27, 2019 new exhibit that brings to life how the Vanderbilts entertained their guests through stories and clothing inspired by archival photos in the estate’s collection.

Biltmore ranks #9 in TripAdvisor’s Top 25 Landmarks in the United States for 2018. BILTMORE Asheville, North Carolina 828-777-9474 • www.biltmore.com/groups Contact: Leslie Brewer • lbrewer@biltmore.com

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EXPERIENCE TIMELESS INSPIR ATION Inspire your group with a visit to Biltmore, featuring acres of century-old gardens, the nation’s most-visited winery, and two distinct hotels.

JOIN US FOR A VANDERBILT HOUSE PARTY—GUESTS, GRANDEUR & GALAS February 8 —May 27, 2019 Biltmore offers a new perspective of America’s Largest Home® by bringing to life how the Vanderbilts entertained their guests through stories and clothing inspired by archival photos in the estate’s collection.

ASHEVILLE, NC

866-851-4661 groupsales@biltmore.com

OUR

INDUSTRY-LEADING

TOUR MANAGERS

ARE DEDICATED, FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES.

Collette’s River Cruise tours are for travelers who don’t just want to see the world, but bask in a new locale. Beautiful vistas roll by the ship as you relax on board, gliding through the waterways of Europe, Asia, and Africa. While you’re immersed in the beautiful landscape, take the opportunity to explore each new destination as the ship docks at picturesque cities and towns along the way.

Don’t just see

THE WORLD.

bask IN IT ! Offer the world to your travelers with journeys to all seven continents. Call 844-445-5663 now or your local Travel Agent to learn about our booking discounts. CST# 2006766-20 UBN# 601220855 Nevada Seller of Travel Registration No. 2003-0279