Select Traveler May June 2018

THE MAGAZINE FOR BANK, ALUMNI AND CHAMBER TRAVEL PLANNERS

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THE MAGAZINE FOR BANK, ALUMNI AND CHAMBER TRAVEL PLANNERS

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VOL.26 NO.3

MAY/JUNE 2018

PANAMA:

PARADISE

By Savannah Osbourne

contents checking in:

toolbox: memorable marketing:

NORMA ORGANIZING MISSISSIPPI LANSING 101

DESIGN TIPS

ON THE COVER: Portland, Oregon, offers groups numerous local shops and eateries, such as the popular Salt and Straw ice creamery.

dream

career:

WEEKLONG VACATIONS

8 10 22 46 48

4

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

STACEY BOWMAN

888.253.0455

ADVERTISING SALES DIRECTOR

STACE Y@ BANK TR AVELMANAGEMENT.COM

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

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QUINTESSENTIAL

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TRAVE L G UI DE

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.

perspective P U B L I S H E R ’ S

A

s evidenced by this outstanding magazine, print is far from dead.

At the risk of sounding like an apologist for the publishing industry, I’ll just say that current events are confirming that every type of media is ultimately judged for what it can and cannot do. It is digital media that is under the microscope at present.

For the past decade, pundits and observers have elevated digital and social media to hallowed status within the overall realm of media and have touted their data-collection and targeting capabilities as the greatest advancement in collective persuasion in many years.

But it is fair to say that privacy issues like those being confronted by Facebook and accurate accounting of impressions and influence generated by digital platforms are getting their due examination. As with traditional media, that scrutiny will reveal strengths and weaknesses.

Like all of you, I am a consumer of many types of media. I am a huge fan of Twitter. I think it is the most dynamic new journalism tool in the world today despite its pop culture identity.

I spend several hours a week on my favorite public radio station simply because of its music format. They and their sponsors have my attention. After letting my local newspaper subscription lapse for a few months, I renewed it because I missed it. In the evenings, I almost always make time for it and The Wall Street Journal.

Many of you have seen the acclaimed film “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri,” and its popularity has given that old-school media category some renewed attention.

Many forms of traditional media seem to be earning newfound respect, among them good magazines. I know how much this one is appreciated because we hear that from many of you every year. In the end, the business equation for any form of media comes down to its ability to influence decisions, and a good magazine like Select Traveler does that today as well as ever.

Enjoy this issue.

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

Mac Lacy 6

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P L A N N E R S

T A L K

B A C K

what is a dream destination that never disappoints your group?

WENDY SCHENKER

VICE PRESIDENT OF MARKETING | WINTRUST BANK ROSEMONT, ILLINOIS “A dream destination for our travel club that we’ve been to and that we would return to again and again is Italy. Our travelers are interested in all different areas of this country. We’ve focused on southern Italy and Sicily, as well as the popular cities such as Rome, Florence and Venice. A trip focusing on Tuscany is also of great interest.”

DEB LUKES

VICE PRESIDENT AND GOLDEN CLUB DIRECTOR | FIVE POINTS BANK GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA “Alaska is my absolute favorite. This July will be my 10th time taking groups there, and it never disappoints me. When in Alaska, how can you not feel the work of God when the mountains peek from behind the clouds and can be seen miles away? When a whale jumps in front of you, you feel as though you are but a speck next to that giant animal.”

SHANNON FULTS

MEMBER ENGAGEMENT MANAGER | CENTERSTATE CORPORATION FOR ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY SYRACUSE, NEW YORK “The South Pacific, particularly Australia and Fiji, is a destination that offers a great mix of structured tour stops and relaxing free time. The weather was very comfortable, as we were there during the start of their summer season. There was always something amazing to see, such as the Great Barrier Reef and the Sydney Opera House. The mix of local culture and natural beauty was enjoyable for all.”

JOHN PIKE

TRIP PLANNER | ST. CHARLES PARKS DEPARTMENT ST. CHARLES, MISSOURI “The destination I would not mind taking my travelers back to again and again is the Hawaiian Islands. Our travelers absolutely loved that destination and are eager to return. It is not only the anticipation of the trip itself, but also that the travelers seemed to return with a renewed sense of energy.”

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checking in NORMA LANSING P R E S I D E N T / C E O

W I T H

N O R M A

EFFINGHAM COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

L A N S I N G

McCoy and a group from the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce recently made a trip to Dubai.

EFFINGHAM, ILLINOIS Effingham County’s Chamber Destinations Travel Program welcomes 600 business members and the wider local community to sign up for culturally enriching trips. More than 250 people have traveled with the chamber since the program began in 2013.

Born: Mattoon, Illinois Education: Graduated from Institutes for Organization Management through the University of Notre Dame Family: Husband, Ken; three children; and seven grandchildren Hobbies: Lansing travels during her leisure time as well as for work. Mexico is her favorite winter destination.

An Effingham Chamber of Commerce group poses in Italy.

BY ELIZA MYERS

S

tanding on the Great Wall of China, Norma Lansing saw not just a world-famous landmark but also a way to share her love of travel with her community.

“China was my first introduction to an international travel program through a chamber,” said Lansing, president and CEO of the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce. “I was there on a FAM tour with the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives. It really excited me with the potential opportunities because I saw how it would impact people to see other cultures.”

After visiting China in 2012, Lansing quickly offered the chamber’s first trip to China in 2013. Though she was unsure if others would be interested in traveling to China, 39 people signed up.

“It was exciting to get such a great response,” said Lansing. “That whetted my appetite to offer more travel with the chamber.”

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Since the successful first trip, the chamber has offered two to three trips a year. Lansing uses the tours to immerse travelers in other cultures, connect with the community and make a little money for the chamber along the way.

FROM REPORTER TO CEO

When Lansing first joined the workforce, she never dreamed she would one day lead groups along the Great Wall of China.

“There are few people that start out life thinking that they are going to work for the chamber of commerce,” said Lansing. “I was a newspaper reporter. Part of my beat was the city hall, and the chamber was located in city hall.”

With frequent trips to city hall, Lansing developed a friendship with the receptionist and started volunteering with the chamber during her free time. After having children, she took a part-time job at

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the chamber, in part because it offered a lot of flexibility.

“Sometimes I could bring my little boy to work with me,” said Lansing. “That was a great benefit. Then I became a full-time employee and replaced the receptionist I had gotten to know.”

Eventually, Lansing transitioned to administrative assistant and then, finally, to president and CEO in 1988. All told, Lansing has worked for the chamber for 42 years, with 2018 her 30th year as president and CEO. Though the chamber’s travel program started recently, Lansing has long loved to travel with her family, including on frequent trips to Mexico during the winter. Since Lansing’s husband, Ken, is retired from the grocery business, he accompanies Lansing and the chamber on all their adventures.

“My husband and I love to travel, personally,” said Lansing. “This gave us an opportunity to travel with people we know and meet new friends. We’ve developed a core group of people that travel with us multiple times.”

B IRT H D AY IN P E R U

found out it was going to cost something because it wasn’t on the itinerary. I just paid for it myself because that wasn’t a planned expense. I want people to feel comfortable and not feel like they are being overcharged.”

Over the past five years, the travel program has paid off in both revenue and relationships.

“I love coming back from a tour and receiving nice thank-you notes from the travelers,” said Lansing. “I like reading the comments about how they can’t wait for the next trip. That’s my favorite part of hosting a travel group.”

T R A V E L

tips

• Take good care of your travelers before, during and

Since her inspiring trip to China, Lansing has accompanied the after the trip. Our travelers know they can come to chamber on all but one of its trips. The chamber offers a mixture of domestic and international trips; past destinations have included Ireme or my husband during the trip for assistance. land, Germany, Alaska, New England, Southern California and Peru.

• Offer good value for the money. Cover as many “I celebrated my birthday in Peru last year,” said Lansing. “There were three different times they had a birthday cake for me. That was add-on activities as possible. such a fun trip. There is something special about every trip that al• Keep them informed along the way. I want the ways stands out.”

When choosing destinations, Lansing selects trips based on traveler surprises along the way to be enjoyable ones. surveys and tour operator suggestions, as well as her own interests.

“We planned a trip to Iceland this fall, which is one I never would have had on my radar,” said Lansing. “I had a couple of people tell me they wanted to see the northern lights. Tour companies were also telling me about the popularity of Iceland.

“Comparing trips with various companies and e p l o re pricing is the hardest part of the travel program.

10- to 14-Night Alaska Cruisetours Now, I have so many more companies to choose onboard Celebrity Millennium® from after going to the Select Traveler Conference this year. There are a lot of great tour comSeward/Vancouver departures e p l o re panies out there.”

May 2018/2019 May-1-September 2013 June –September September 14, 2012

PAMPERING WITH PURPOSE

Though the chamber advertises their travel program with social media and co-op advertising in local media outlets, Lansing said the real key to gaining repeat travelers is customer care.

“What we hear a lot is that we take really good care of our travelers,” said Lansing. “It’s a twohour drive from our community to the airport, so we always have a bus available to avoid worries about driving and parking. We also try to communicate directly with people who have signed up for the trip. We have an in-person presentation, but if someone can’t come to that, we have webinars to make sure everyone has access to all the information.”

Lansing also prioritizes upfront pricing to avoid unpleasant surprise fees.

“One time we were in China and decided to stop and do something extra,” said Lansing. “We

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Celebrity Cruises Inc. Ships’ registry: Malta & Ecuador. 11024872 • 8/2011

Itineraries subject to change without notice. ©2011 Celebrity Cruises Inc. Ships’ registry: Malta & Ecuador. 11024872 • 8/2011

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T R A V E L

T O O L B O X

dump the clutter – it pays to get organized

BY BRIA N JE W E LL

A

s a travel planner and trip leader, your job has a lot of moving parts. You have to pick destinations and select tour operators, recruit club members and sell them on specific trips; you must also collect payments and manage your travel budget, prepare your group for departure and prepare yourself for potential emergencies that might arise on the road. Amid all this, you must be friendly and make sure your travelers are having the time of their lives. And don’t forget your other, nontravel duties at the office.

Any veteran travel planner will tell you that organization and attention to detail are essential to running a successful travel program. And the bigger a club gets or the more trips it offers, the more important organization becomes. The only way to ensure success on every trip, no matter what surprises come up along the way, is to plan, automate and organize as many aspects of your travel program as possible.

Here are some tips for organizing your travel work that will help you stay on top of important details and maybe even make you more productive at the office.

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SET TIMELINES If you’re juggling a busy schedule, it can be easy to fall behind on important travel deadlines, such as collecting payments and creating rooming lists, or on long-term planning, such as picking destinations for future trips. To alleviate this, put together a timeline of all the steps involved in planning a trip; these may include brainstorming ideas, gathering quotes from tour operators, hosting a travel party, preparing the group for departure and sending follow-up thank-you notes. Each step should be scheduled for a certain number of days, weeks or months before departure. Then apply that timeline to each trip you’re running, and put the dates for each incremental step into your calendar to help keep you on track.

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USE CHECKLISTS What do airline pilots and theme park managers have in common? They both live and die by checklists. Pilots have checklists that walk them through precisely what to do for both routine flight procedures and emergency situations, and theme park managers employ checklists to ensure that their properties are pristine and their rides are safe. You can put this same principle to work in your favor by creating checklists for various aspects of your trip, such as gathering information from travelers, packing and working with tour operators.

Creating checklists for specific emergencies will also help you navigate challenges on trips without forgetting important details.

AUTOMATE MARKETING In addition to planning trips, your job duties likely include promoting trips to your members and perhaps even recruiting new members from your community. Trying to do this all with personal emails and phone calls can tie up way too much of your time.

Instead, leverage technology to do the hard work of marketing for you. Your organization’s customer management relationship (CRM) database should give you some tools to automatically send messages to people around certain milestones or events.

And if you use a blast email service such as Constant Contact or Mail Chimp, you can create campaigns that send a series of timed emails to your customers.

EMAIL SMARTER If you ever lose track of important messages that contain vital information, you need a better way of organizing your emails. One of the most underused mail functions is the smart mailbox. This feature lets you set rules to automatically sort incoming mail into special folders that you categorize with sender name or subject line. So if you create a smart mailbox around the subject line “Ireland,” all incoming messages about your group’s trip to Ireland automatically go into that mailbox, which means you’ll know exactly where to

LEVERAGE THE CLOUD

find important emails about that trip.

You probably use spreadsheets, lists, itineraries and other documents to keep the various aspects of your travel program organized. But if you just store those documents on your work computer, you may not have access to that information when you get an after-hours call at home or encounter an emergency on the road. Fortunately, cloud computing has made it possible to store your files online and view them from any computer, smartphone or tablet. Take advantage of the storage and sharing features of Dropbox or Google Drive to make sure you have information when you need it most.

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extraordinary

STAYS

The Greenbrier offers luxury and amenities to keep guests entertained for days.

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Courtesy Greenbrier

these hotels are destinations themselves

BY RACHEL CARTER

L

uxury takes many forms: stately historic estates, soaring modern structures and small mountaintop retreats. And luxury means different things to different people. Luxury can mean a chance to get away from it all at a secluded ranch or a chance to revel in it all at an action-packed resort.

Whether it’s private butler service, a private casino or a private beach, the finest dining in the world, the haute couture of interior design or one-in-a-lifetime activities, luxury seekers choose these luxury hotels because they offer unparalleled amenities, activities and service.

BROADMOOR

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO At the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colorado, guests can stay in the main hotel, at a retreat ranch, at a mountaintop lodge or in a restored 1930 estate house. But no matter where guests stay, each of the resort’s 784 guest rooms promises luxury.

The Broadmoor will celebrate its centennial in June. The lobby of the original hotel building, which hadn’t really changed since the hotel opened in 1918, just underwent a facelift. The project retained all the historic features, including the original marble staircase, while opening up the space, relocating a cafe to the lobby and creating new sitting areas with fireplaces. The property also just wrapped up a refresh of the main hotel’s guest rooms.

Groups can get away from it all and still get all the luxury at the Broadmoor’s wilderness properties. The Ranch at Emerald Valley sleeps 32 people in 13 cabins with gas fireplaces; it also has a threebedroom cabin with a gourmet kitchen. The ranch offers horseback riding, fly-fishing and mountain biking and comes with a Broadmoor chef, who prepares all the meals in the main lodge, which also has a deck overlooking two lakes.

“Two days up there is like a week’s vacation,” said Allison Scott, director of communications for the Broadmoor.

Cloud Camp sits 3,000 feet above the Broadmoor near the top of Cheyenne Mountain, where the views “are spectacular, and Pikes Peak is right in your face,” she said. The 8,000-square-foot main lodge has a two-story hall that invokes the rustic elegance of a 1920s national park lodge. Cloud Camp sleeps 60 people in lodge rooms and guest cabins. After a day of hiking, guests can soak in two hot tubs

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and soak up the views.

Groups can hike or zip line to Seven Falls waterfall, take a falconry workshop or a fly-fishing class, or play a round on the resort’s two golf courses. The Pikes Peak Cog Railway, however, is closed for 2018 as the resort evaluates the future of the 126-year-old attraction.

WWW.BROADMOOR.COM

GRAND HOTEL

MACKINAC ISLAND, MICHIGAN

The Grand Hotel opened in 1887 on Michigan’s Mackinac Island, and the resort keeps its tradition of luxury and leisure thriving as it enters its 133rd season.

“There’s 133 years of history of people talking about it, their experiences, having their honeymoons and anniversaries there — there’s that lore of being around a long, long time,” said managing director Ken Hayward.

Thanks in part to being owned by the same family since 1933, the hotel has kept its traditions intact and maintained its history while staying relevant and appealing to modern travelers.

The dining room still requires a jacket and tie for dinner. Guests can have afternoon tea and dance to a live orchestra every night. It’s not stuffy, but it helps keep it special, Hayward said.

Luxury is evident in the service, amenities and activities. Guest rooms and public spaces are elegantly decorated by Dorothy Draper.

The hotel has 750 employees for 393 guest rooms, and with so many long-term employees and longtime guests, “they know each other and ask about their kids and grandkids and share pictures of their dogs,” Hayward said.

With no automobiles on the island, there’s no traffic or congestion.

Groups can take bicycles to explore the coast, do a scavenger hunt or ride into town to get some famous Mackinac fudge. Guests can also take horseback rides or horse-drawn carriage rides. One carriage tour option can take up to 40 people per three-horse hitch through the woods of Mackinac Island State Park and past natural landmarks like Arch Rock to historic Fort Mackinac, where costumed interpreters lead daily tours and demonstrations.

Back at the hotel, guests can golf, lounge by the pool, play croquet or bocce on the lawn, or relax on the “world’s largest front porch” taking in views of the Straits of Mackinac.

WWW.GRANDHOTEL.COM

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Mackinac Island’s Grand Hotel

Broadmoor’s main lodge Courtesy Broadmoor

Courtesy Grand Hotel

Banff Springs Hotel

Burj Al Arab Jumeirah

By Paul Zizka Photography, courtesy Banff and Lake Louise Tourism

GREENBRIER

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, WEST VIRGINIA People first started visiting White Sulphur Springs in the mountains of West Virginia 240 years ago, and in that time, the Greenbrier has cemented its reputation as America’s resort, welcoming 27 U.S. presidents and generations of guests.

“It’s one of one,” said Greg Furlong, vice president of sales and event services. “There’s nothing else like it out there.”

The stately Southern hotel is done up in Dorothy Draper decor and has about 500 guest accommodations ranging from single rooms to seven-bedroom suites. The resort has another 200 one- to fivebedroom cottages within walking distance.

Resort activities include biking, kayaking, zip lining, horseback rides, spa treatments and five golf courses. Groups can also go flyfishing, try sport shooting and take Jeeps onto 33 miles of off-road trails.

But the Greenbrier has two things no other resort has: a private casino and a fallout shelter. After the Justice family bought the resort in 2009, they built the country’s only private casino that’s open only to members and guests. Groups can arrange private tournaments or private tables, or just people watch and gamble at the 35 tables and 330 slot machines.

Carved into the mountainside deep beneath the hotel, a Cold War-

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Courtesy Burj Al Arab Jumeirah

era government fallout shelter is now open for tours. The 90-minute bunker tour takes guests through the blast doors and through the declassified facility, where the U.S. government would have operated if there had been a nuclear attack on the District of Columbia.

“It really is a must-see,” Furlong said. “There’s no other resort in the world that has a government relocation facility.”

Café Carleton works well for groups of 50 or fewer, and the historic main dining room is “the “absolute epitome of grand Southern dining,” Furlong said. The Justice family also added the Prime 44 West steakhouse, which honors NBA legend and West Virginia native Jerry West.

WWW.GREENBRIER.COM

FAIRMONT BANFF SPRINGS BANFF, ALBERTA, CANADA

Fairmont Banff Springs hotel in Banff, Alberta, Canada, rises in the middle of Banff National Park like a fairytale castle towering over slopes that are either blanketed with white snow or covered in evergreen forests. The existing Chateauesque-style hotel was built between 1911 and 1928 as an entirely new structure to replace the original grand Canadian railway hotel that opened in 1888.

Many of its 764 guest rooms and suites offer sweeping mountain

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views. The Fairmont Gold is, essentially, a private luxury hotel within a luxury hotel on the fourth and fifth floors and offers guests exclusive services and amenities, such as a private lounge and concierge team.

Because of its location high in the Canadian Rockies, the town of Banff is famous for its winter sports and is home to three ski resorts: Banff Sunshine, Mount Norquay and Lake Louise Ski Resort, all a short drive from the hotel.

Guests can also go snowshoeing, dogsledding and cross-country skiing. Although Banff is famous for its winter sports, the “Castle in the Rockies” offers year-round activities, such as fishing, hiking, river rafting and horseback riding and boasts a 27-hole golf course.

In the town of Banff, just a short walk from the hotel, visitors can explore art galleries, museums, boutiques and restaurants. As the Banff Gondola carries passengers to the Sulphur Mountain summit and observation deck, they’ll enjoy aerial views of the hotel, the town, Bow Valley and six mountain ranges. Banff Upper Hot Springs in the national park is open year-round.

WWW.FAIRMONT.COM/ BANFF-SPRINGS

BURJ AL ARAB JUMEIRAH

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Dubai has become a haven for luxury seekers in recent years, and the bright-white, sailshaped silhouette of the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah has become a symbol of the city.

The seven-star property has repeatedly been named the world’s most luxurious hotel — and for good reason. Visitors can arrange for a chauffeur-driven Rolls-Royce or arrive by helicopter, landing on a circular helipad that seems to barely cling to the building’s topmost edge. All guests have access to 24-hour private butler service.

The hotel is an all-suite property that includes 202 luxury duplexes, nine restaurants and bars, and five pools.

Burj Al Arab sits on its own island that was built specifically for it. The Terrace is a 107,000-square-foot outdoor luxury leisure facility that was built in Finland, shipped to Dubai and installed at the hotel. The Terrace is home to the Scape Restaurant Bar, two pools, cabanas with butler service and a private beach area with luxury daybeds and lounges.

The finest of dining can be found at the hotel; Arabic, French and seafood cuisine are offered. Al Muntaha sits at the top of the hotel and serves the height of haute French cuisine.

WWW.JUMEIRAH.COM

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wild and

welcoming COME ENJOY THE PANORAMA OF PANAMA

A

BY SAVANNAH OSBOURN

short trip in Panama can be long on adventure.

The week before Christmas, I took a brief but unforgettable trip to the tropical isthmus nation with Cruises and Tours Worldwide. Though I joined the tour a full day late due to a missed flight connection in Atlanta, I was still able to experience a significant portion of the itinerary thanks to the consideration and flexibility of the tour organizers.

In retrospect, it is amazing to realize that I only spent two full days in the country considering how much ground we covered in that short time, which just goes to show how much there is to do and experience in the region.

GAMBOA RAINFOREST RESORT

Once I arrived, Cruises and Tours Worldwide sent a driver to pick me up from the airport, and I joined the rest of our group at the Gamboa Rainforest Resort, just outside Panama City.

Nestled in the heart of Soberania National Park, the Gamboa Rainforest Resort is a breathtaking jungle retreat right on the banks of the Chagres River and the Panama Canal. It provides a good home base for travelers, who can take advantage of on-site amenities like riverfront dining, aerial tram rides, ecotours and night safaris, as well as visit nearby attractions in Panama City.

As soon as I entered my room, I was struck by the colorful, naturethemed decor: bright-green walls, a blue-tiled bathroom and elegant wicker furniture. The room featured a private balcony and a hammock, from which I could survey the jungle flora and listen to the sounds of tropical birds.

The following morning, I was able to catch up on some of the activities I missed the previous day while other members of the group relaxed at the resort. Our local guide and interpreter, Teo Jolly of Gamboa Tours, escorted me down to the Chagres River for a Monkey Island boat tour up to Gatun Lake, one of the largest man-made lakes in the world. As we cruised around remote waterways and jungle islands, Jolly spoke at length about Panama’s fascinating history as well as the diverse wildlife of the region, which is home to over 950 species of birds.

Very often, Jolly would catch a glimpse of movement in the trees

The Gamboa Rainforest Aerial Tram carries passengers through lush overgrowth to an 80-foot observation tower.

All photos by Savannah Osbourn unless otherwise noted.

Opposite page: The macaw is one of 950 bird species that nest in Panama.

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The Miraflores Locks

A cargo ship in the Panama Canal

and direct my attention to monkeys and iguanas lounging on branches or fallen tree trunks. Though I expected to see some of these animals during the excursion, I was amazed by how close they came to the boat, sometimes staring down at us from just a few feet away.

I was also impressed by the variety of species we encountered, from the kitten-size tamarin monkey to the large black spider monkey, which uses its muscular tail like an extra arm to swing through the trees. We also spotted a few of the aptly named howler monkeys, which emit a terrifying roar despite their innocuous appearance.

Jolly commented on what early explorers must have thought as they camped in the jungle and heard those shrieks resounding through the trees.

Afterward, Jolly led me to the Rainforest Aerial Tramway, an open-air tram ride that carries passengers under a sweeping canopy of trees to an 80-foot-high observation tower overlooking Soberania National Park. During the ride, we enjoyed the tranquility of the jungle as we rose above the dense green overgrowth and spotted a few white-faced capuchin monkeys.

The wooden walkway up to the summit of the observation tower

The chief’s daughter from the Embera Quera Tribe

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features several seating areas along the ramp. From the top, travelers can witness a spectacular panoramic view of Soberania National Park at canopy level, with part of the Panama Canal visible in the distance.

Though we did not stay long after that, we stopped at the Gamboa Wildlife Center adjacent to the aerial tram; the center rescues and rehabilitates native animals such as ocelots, sloths, jaguars, anteaters and more. Groups can often organize an educational program with one of the resident naturalists to see some of these beautiful creatures up close.

PANAMA CANAL

After our eventful morning, Jolly and I rejoined the group at the resort and made our way to the Panama Canal for a partial transit tour.

When it was first completed in 1914, the 48-mile-long canal, which uses a carefully regulated system of locks to lift ships 85 feet above sea level, was considered one of the greatest engineering achievements in human history. It also provided an invaluable trade route between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, trimming a journey of

A tropical sunset over the Plaza de Francia in Panama City

Three-toed sloths are common throughout Panama.

A view of Soberania National Park from the Gamboa observation tower Photo by George Peters

Palm trees shade the pool deck at the Westin Playa Bonita Panama.

An Embera tribeswoman sets out a palm leaf as she prepares a meal.

nearly 9,000 miles around South America. Now, more than 100 years later, the canal continues to play an integral role in global commerce.

One of the best ways to experience this historic marvel is by starting at a midway point in the canal and traveling through the locks to the ocean. We took the southbound partial transit tour with Panama Marine Adventures, which begins at the famous Culebra Cut, where the Chagres River flows into the canal. Onboard we enjoyed lunch on one of the enclosed lower decks, and then spent most of our time on the open-air top deck watching our small cruise vessel trail behind towering cargo ships.

During the five- to six-hour journey, we traveled under Centennial Bridge, dropped nearly 30 feet in water level to enter the Pedro Miguel Locks and passed by the Miraflores Visitors Center, a state-of-the-art museum dedicated to the history of the canal. For a dramatic conclusion to the tour, our ship was lowered nearly 60 feet before crossing the Miraflores Locks into the Pacific Ocean, where hundreds of yachts and sailboats were waiting to transit the canal. Panama City’s striking skyline soon came into view, and we disembarked at Flamenco Marina.

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PANAMA CITY

After the tour, we spent a few hours wandering through Casco Viejo, Panama City’s beautiful historic district. As Jolly pointed out architectural features on the buildings, we sipped on sangrias from Las Bovedas, a stylish bar and restaurant inside a former prison vault.

By the oceanfront, we came across the Plaza de Francia, an obelisk memorial to the 20,000 Frenchmen who died during one of the early attempts to construct a canal. There, we browsed through street vendor booths and picked up some fresh churros to snack on as the sun began to set over the water; finally, we made our way back to the resort for a late dinner.

Though we were all tired from a full day of activities, we made time after dinner to take a jungle jeep tour with a guide from the resort. The dark jungle was filled with curious sounds as we drove along narrow, empty roads, and our guide regaled us with local ghost stories as she pointed out wildlife like capybaras, sloths and crocodiles with her flashlight.

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An infant naps in a hammock at the Embera Quera Village.

EMBERA INDIGENOUS VILLAGE

A young indigenous boy lounges on the edge of a canoe.

A medieval water feature at Villa Lante

Beading jewelry is one of the principle trades of the Embera community.

A tour group poses with a group of Embera Quera children.

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After breakfast at the resort the next morning, our group departed for a dugout canoe ride up the Chagres River to the village of the Embera Quera Tribe, one of Panama’s few remaining indigenous tribes.

We were met at the dock by a tribesman dressed in a traditional red loincloth, who helped us into a motorized canoe and led the way to the village. As we sailed past lush yellow and green banana trees along the riverbanks, it was hard to believe we were less than an hour from modern, metropolitan Panama City.

When we arrived, many members of the tribe greeted us at the dock with big smiles and shook our hands. The men wore differentcolored loincloths while the women displayed glittering halter tops, ornate skirts and pink flower hats. The village itself looked like a little jungle paradise, with straw-thatched huts scattered throughout green hills, gardens and fruit trees. After taking in this picturesque scene for a few minutes, we were led into one of the huts to learn about the tribe’s history from the chief’s daughter while Jolly translated.

Afterward, one of the elders gave us a tour of the village, showing us various plants and trees used to make traditional dyes and medicines. We then returned to the large central hut to enjoy a mouthwatering feast of fried tilapia, plantains and fruit, which were served on palm leaves. As we were finishing our meal, the tribespeople gathered in the hut to perform a cultural dance and song. The men played music on drums, flutes and maracas while the women danced and sang, led by the chief’s daughter. Toward the end, they invited us to join them in the dance.

Many of the tribespeople displayed ornate tattoos made from a temporary, plant-based dye similar to henna. On a whim, we asked if they would be willing to draw some on us, and they kindly agreed.

Using a thin plant blade, they created the designs with quick, deft movements, and each of us received a unique picture. Mine was a butterfly, one of Panama’s national symbols.

Before we left, we made sure to stop by the market area to browse some of the intricate, handmade jewelry and baskets. Though indigenous products are often showcased at souvenir shops throughout Panama, they typically cost less when purchased directly from the villages. In addition, a direct purchase ensures that the local artisans profit fully from their work.

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WESTIN PLAYA BONITA PANAMA

Once we made our way back down the river, we drove into the city and checked into the luxurious Westin Playa Bonita Panama, which overlooks a stunning one-mile stretch of beach along the Pacific Ocean. The resort features three pools, nine upscale restaurants and 611 spacious guest rooms with ocean or tropical-rain-forest views.

There are also numerous activities available, from kayaking in the ocean to beach volleyball or salsa classes. Many visitors find that once they step into the resort, they never want to leave.

After settling into my room, I picked up some great souvenirs from the hotel gift shop, explored the beach area and finally settled into a lounge chair by the pool deck to sip a cocktail called a Panamanian Dream as I watched the sun set. Later that evening, our group gathered for one final meal together in the elegant Asiana restaurant and said our goodbyes as we prepared to depart the following day.

An oceanside pool deck at the Westin Playa Bonita Panama

A washed-up lobster along the beach

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A ripening coconut tree by the pool

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S T A T E

o f

M I N D

magnolias in bloom

MISSISSIPPI IS A MUSE TO TRAVELING ROMANTICS

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rom the Delta to the Gulf Coast, Mississippi yields a rich heritage of music, food, art and literature.

Travelers can trace the footsteps of literary legends like William Faulkner or Tennessee Williams, or draw inspiration from innovative musicians like Elvis Presley, B.B. King and Jimmie Rodgers. There are also many award-winning restaurants to discover throughout Mississippi’s colorful little towns, which feature everything from home-style Southern cuisine to steaming fresh seafood.

Next time you visit the beautiful Magnolia State, be sure to check out the following destinations.

BY SAVANNAH OSBOURN

A specialty biscuit from Greenhouse on Porter in Ocean Springs.

By Savannah Osbourn

Slowboat Brewing Company is a family-owned brewery in Laurel.

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TUPELO OXFO R D CO LUM B US

LAUR EL

B I LOXI

By Julian Brunt

OXFORD

Located just an hour south of Memphis, Oxford, Mississippi, is a dynamic college town with charming, historic homes and a long-standing reputation as one of the country’s most beloved literary hubs. Over the years, the city has attracted a large number of artists, musicians and writers, including Pulitzer Prize-winning author William Faulkner.

Literature lovers can visit Rowan Oak, the beautiful 29acre property where Faulkner and his family lived for over 40 years, to learn more about his life and legacy. It was there that Faulkner penned classics such as “As I Lay Dying,” “Absalom, Absalom!,” “Light in August” and “A Fable,” which earned him both a Pulitzer Prize and a National Book Award. Inside the whitepillared home, visitors can still see where Faulkner scribbled out storyboards for new book ideas on his bedroom walls. Groups can also visit Faulkner’s grave in Saint Peter’s Cemetery, which is often adorned with whiskey bottles from visiting fans.

The Square in downtown Oxford is the cultural hub of the city, where visitors can explore a colorful array of shops, boutiques and restaurants. Square

Books, one of the most famous independent bookstores in America, offers an impressive inventory of signed first-edition books and frequently hosts celebrated authors for public readings. Nearby, the award-winning Ajax Diner presents traditional Southern fare like fried catfish, chicken and dumplings and sweet potato casserole.

One of Oxford’s top lodging choices is the Graduate Hotel, an academic-themed hotel that features chic-vintage décor with pink wooden floors, emeraldgreen carpets and silver-dial phones in each guestroom.

TUPELO

Some artists lose connection with their hometowns over the years, but for others, their birthplaces serve as character maps to the values and culture that defined them early on in life. Such is the case in Tupelo, where the king of rock n’ roll himself, Elvis Presley, was born in a little two-room home in 1935. Music fans can learn more about Presley’s formative years at the Elvis Presley Birthplace, a unique museum that includes the original family home, the restored church where Presley

A statue of young Elvis Presley at the Elvis Presley Birthplace

By Jill Jasuta, courtesy

By Savannah Visit Dorchester Osbourn

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first developed a love for music and an exhibit area with Presley family photos and memorabilia.

Groups can also stop by Tupelo Hardware in downtown, an old-fashioned, all-purpose hardware store that features everything from small engine parts to housewares and instruments. In 1946, Presley entered the store with his mother to pick out a present for his 11th birthday, and guests can see the exact spot where he stood when the shopkeeper handed him his first guitar. The story goes that Presley originally wanted a .22 caliber rifle, but his mother talked him into buying a guitar instead.

Another distinct attraction in Tupelo is the Tupelo Automobile Museum, which houses 150 rare, collectible cars, one of the largest privately owned auto collections in the country.

The cars are organized chronologically, so visitors can observe the evolution of style and motor

Pop Brothers is a local Gulf Coast favorite.

technology as they stroll up and down the rows of cars in the 120,000-square-foot facility.

Some of the vehicles came from notable owners, such as a Lincoln that once belonged to Elvis Presley.

COLUMBUS

Courtesy Pop Brothers

Walter Anderson Museum of Art in Ocean Springs

Colorful Columbus, the “city that has it all,” is one of Mississippi’s true hidden gems, boastCourtesy Pop Brothers ing over 650 homes on the National Historic Registry and three National Register historic districts. In Mississippi, the city is second only to Natchez in number of preserved 19thcentury homes.

The city’s double-decker bus tour provides groups the opportunity to see many of these ornate properties and historic sites with detailed descriptions from a step-on guide. Some of the homeowners graciously open their Italianate or Greek Revival mansions for private luncheons and tours, which Courtesy Visit MS Gulf Coast visitors can coordinate through the Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau.

In April each year, the Annual Spring Pilgrimage draws thousands of visitors to the city as a selection of antebellum homes open to the public, presenting period costumes, activities and food. The award-winning event has been running for nearly 80 years and is regarded as one of the most authentic home tours in the South.

Columbus is also the birthplace of Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, Tennessee Williams, who spent the first three years of his life in a beautiful Victorian home that now operates as a museum and visitors center. Inside, groups can learn more about the life and works of America’s most distinguished playwright, who penned classics such as “A Streetcar Named Desire,” “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” and “The Glass Menagerie.”

LAUREL

T HE A LLU VIA N H OTEL

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TH E AL L U V IA N S PA

V I KING C OOKING SC H OOL

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GIA R D INA’S

A cosmopolitan boutique hotel deep in the Delta 318 Howard Street Greenwood, MS 662.453.2114 thealluvian.com

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Ten years ago, the charming Main Street area in the town of Laurel was virtually deserted, with few prosperous businesses in downtown aside from the historic Lott Furniture Company. But over the past few years, a group of enterprising millennials have revitalized their hometown with new restaurants, boutiques and shops. A major driving force behind

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this development has been the wildly popular HGTV show Home Town, which follows a local young couple named Ben and Erin Napier as they renovate early 19th-century homes for first-time buyers. The entire show is filmed in Laurel, and groups can organize a driving tour to view many of the houses that have been featured on Home Town.

Today, visitors can discover many stylish stores and eateries in Laurel’s thriving downtown, with popular stops such as the Laurel Mercantile shop and Slowboat Brewing Company. A few other local favorites An ocean dock in Biloxi include Vic’s Biscuits and Burgers, Guild and Gentry, an upscale men’s clothing store; and Adam Trest Home, a design shop that specializes in home décor, cards and stationary.

For those who enjoy the arts, the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art is one of Laurel’s Lauren Rogers most prominent attractions.

Museum of Art in Laurel It opened in 1923 as Mississippi’s first art museum and showcases a wide range of art media, from Japanese woodblock prints to Native American art and internationally renowned paintings from artists like Rembrandt and Jean-François Millet.

venues, where guests can sample savory treats like artisan popsicles, chargrilled oysters and bacon cheddar scones. In the town’s historic district, the Walter Anderson Museum of Art is a must-see for art enthusiasts. The museum celebrates the visionary style and work of Walter Inglis Anderson, whose art frequently depicts the people, animals and plants of the Gulf Coast.

Gulfport is another popular seaside town along the coast with 34 scenic city parks and water recreation areas. One of its most unique features is Fishbone Alley, an offbeat event venue in the downtown entertainment district. The alley features a whimsical spread of mural art, overhead string lights and outdoor seating that connects to many of the bars and restaurants that line the opposite streets. www.visitmississippi.org Tennessee Williams Birthplace in Columbus Photos by Savannah Osbourn

MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST

Situated halfway between Mobile, Alabama, and New Orleans, Louisiana, the Mississippi Gulf Coast spans 62 miles of quaint coastal cities, championship golf courses, dazzling casinos and hook-to-plate seafood restaurants.

Groups can delve into the coastal region’s rich history at the Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum in Biloxi, which explores over 300 years of maritime culture through fascinating exhibits on shrimping machinery, wooden boat building, nautical-themed art and more.

The Hurricane Gallery recounts the harrowing development and aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, which devastated the region in 2005.

Two miles east of Biloxi, the vibrant seaside town of Ocean Springs encompasses over 100 restaurants and more than 150 independent shops and art galleries, making it a prime shopping and dining destination. A local company called Tasty Tours offers guided culinary tours through some of Ocean Springs’ most beloved

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TRUE DELTA VIBE. TIMELESS SOUTHERN CHARM. Treat your group to a unique melting pot of experiences and cultures that only Greenwood can deliver. Uncover the mystery of Blues legend Robert Johnson, learn the secrets of mouthwatering Southern cuisine at the world-renowned Viking Cooking School, or soak up the atmosphere and landmarks featured in the DreamWorks blockbuster film “The Help.”

And that’s just the beginning of a tour sure to end in rave reviews!

Talk to us about custom itineraries, group travel rebates and concierge services.

662.453.9197 www.visitgreenwoodMS.com

Paid for in partnership by Visit Mississippi.

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SUIT y o u r s e l f

A cup of Stumptown’s coffee All photos courtesy Travel Portland

BY ELIZA MYERS

I Stumptown Coffee Roasters

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IT’S PERSONAL IN PORTLAND

n Portland, Oregon, the simple things in life can prove the most extraordinary. You don’t just peruse a bookstore in Portland; you explore the largest independent bookstore in the world, with map in hand. Visitors don’t just drink coffee in Portland; they get tasting lessons at a local coffee roaster with a cultlike following.

Portland takes day-to-day living seriously, which is why some of the city’s most iconic attractions relate to the good life with a focus on coffee, beer, flowers and books. And this is no fad: Portland is home to one of the country’s oldest rose test gardens and one of the country’s oldest craft breweries.

Groups can tour each of these quintessential attractions to exercise their senses and embrace the everyday culture of Rose City.

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INTERNATIONAL ROSE TEST GARDEN

Most gardens don’t start because of war, but Portland’s International Rose Test Garden began in response to World War I. Fearful that centuries-old rose species could be annihilated by the bombings in Europe, Portland locals opened the International Rose Test Garden in 1917.

The oldest continuously operating public rose test garden in the United States features over 10,000 rosebushes in more than 650 rose varieties. The sweet scents and vibrant colors of this 4.5-acre garden attract nearly 700,000 visitors a year.

“The rose garden is one of the top places to see in Portland, especially in the late spring through early fall,” said Marcus Hibdon, director of communications and public relations for Travel Portland.

“It’s a field of roses spread over a unique garden space. Gardening has played a big role in our city’s history.”

Though the garden blooming season peaks in June, various rose varieties will bloom from April through October. Horticulturalists at the garden study rose cultivars from around the world to evaluate each species on disease resistance, bloom form, color and fragrance.

Groups can arrange a tour to learn about the rose varieties and the history of the 100-year-old garden. The site features several themed gardens, among them the American Garden Rose Selection, the Gold Award Garden, the Miniature Rose Garden and the Shakespeare Garden. On a clear day, a stroll through the garden also includes views of downtown and Mount Hood.

The Rose Garden Store offers rose-themed merchandise. Guests can catch a classical music concert or other event at the garden’s amphitheater.

International Rose Test Garden

STUMPTOWN COFFEE ROASTERS

Most people in the United States saw coffee as a commodity until the beginning of what experts call the “third wave” of coffee. This movement to produce high-quality coffee gained much traction initially in Portland, thanks largely to Duane Sorenson, owner of Stumptown Coffee Roasters.

The cafe and roastery’s opening in 1999 helped garner Portland a reputation as an artisanal coffee haven. Sorenson sourced, roasted and delivered his own beans with personal visits to coffee farmers worldwide. He not only brought living wages to coffee farmers, but also continued to experiment with ways to ensure superior taste.

Though Stumptown now boasts several locations, including five Portland locations, groups can tour the original facility on Southeast Division Street to see where it all began.

“The tour shows you around the shop and explains the amount of care and science that is needed to roast the perfect coffee bean,” said Hibdon. “It explains the growing conditions of coffee around the world and how those conditions affect the coffee in your cup. Stumptown is one of the most innovative coffee roasters in the country.”

After the tour, participants sample coffee from around the world.

Guides reveal how to discern the varying flavors originating from beans grown with differing climates, types of soil and production methods.

WIDMER BROTHERS BREWING

With 75 breweries, among the highest concentration of breweries on the planet, Portland appreciates good beer. Since the 1980s, the city’s craft beer scene has continued to grow with brewpubs, beerthemed events and innovative brews. Groups can sample some of this delicious heritage at Widmer Brothers Brewing.

Opened in 1984, Widmer Brothers is part of the Craft Brew Alliance, the ninth-largest brewing company in the United States.

“At the time it was opened, there were only about five brewing companies in the country,” said Hibdon. “They produce phenomenal beer that is well made. They still make experimental small batches that get back to their roots of how the founders first began.”

Frustrated by the lack of tasty local beer, Kurt and Rob Widmer began brewing their own beer in 1979. When the two decided to quit their jobs and turn their beer hobby into a career, they innovated at first out of necessity. One time, when they couldn’t afford to buy

Widmer Brothers Brewing

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another fermenter, the brothers left a batch of yeast wheat beer unfiltered. They found they loved the unfiltered taste, which led to the creation of their popular American-style yeast wheat beer.

During tours, groups discover the brothers’ route to fame and see how the brewery operates a 10-barrel brewing system to allow for constant experimentation. The pub’s 24 taps allow a constant flow of new beers to sample at the end of the tour.

POWELL’S CITY OF BOOKS

Powell’s City of Books

At Powell’s City of Books, visitors will find a collection that matches even the most magnificent library seen in the world of film. With 68,000 square feet, nine rooms, three floors and 3,500 sections, Powell’s hands out detailed, color-coded maps as a necessity.

“Powell’s bookstore is an icon in the city,” said Hibdon. “For anyone who’s a reader or who wants to see a key part of Portland culture, Powell’s is a place they should go visit.”

Staff offer 45-minute tours of the world’s largest independent bookstore. The tours explain how Walter Powell founded the store in 1971 and give guests tips on how to navigate it.

Originally opened in a former car dealership in a nearly deserted part of town, this Portland landmark offered a revolutionary way to buy books with new and used copies sold together. The business model took off, which led to rapid growth. Today, the store has more than 1 million books for sale.

The Rare Book Room showcases autographed first editions and other collectible volumes. The bookstore also boasts its own coffee shop, gift shop and in-store events.

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For group tour information, itinerary building assistance, visitor guides and maps, contact grouptours@travelportland.com

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crowd l o s e

t h e

BY ELIZA MYERS

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Courtesy SouthCarolinaParks.com

ecotours explore the quieter side of myrtle beach

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n osprey cries as he lifts off from the surface of a quiet marsh. A sea turtle floats silently beside a passenger boat.

In a garden, vibrant flowers delight guests without making a sound. Groups can find all these peaceful encounters and experiences in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Though Myrtle Beach boasts dozens of ways to dazzle a group with live theater, a boardwalk and numerous other entertainment options, nearby natural attractions can quickly transport visitors to calmer locations far from the city’s bright lights.

Guests can find accessible wildlife escapes both in North Myrtle Beach and south at the coast’s low country. For groups seeking lessactive ways to experience nature, Myrtle Beach offers walks through gardens or sunset cruises in search of dolphins. Those keen on more excitement can venture out into nature on kayaks or Segway vehicles.

Groups can bask in Myrtle Beach’s natural wonders with these four ecotourism experiences.

BROOKGREEN GARDENS TOUR

Groups can only hope to skim the highlights of 9,000-acre Brookgreen Gardens. Tours of this immense sculpture park and wildlife preserve allow for private garden walks, cruises through tidal creeks and a way to meet native animals normally seen only at a distance.

“I can’t say enough about Brookgreen Gardens,” said Julie Ellis, public relations and communications manager for Visit Myrtle Beach.

“A lot of people have preconceived notions that Myrtle Beach only has mini-golf and entertainment venues, and while we have that, there is a calmer, more ecotourism side. Brookgreen Gardens is part of that.”

The site’s themed gardens hold an extensive collection of American figurative sculptures, which guests can admire on a guided tour that gives insight into both the natural and artistic elements of the gardens. Live Oak Allée showcases 250-year-old live oak trees planted when the area was a thriving rice plantation. Other popular gardens are the Butterfly House, the Brenda Rosen Carolina Terrace Garden and the Palmetto Garden.

Groups can also discover the history of the area as a rice plantation on a Creek Excursion Boat Ride or at the new Lowcountry Center and Trail. At the center, visitors walk along a boardwalk that overlooks a restored rice field with interpretive panels. Groups can also watch the one-man show by Gullah native and historian Ron Daise, who traces the history of the Gullah people from Africa to South Carolina.

The Lowcountry Zoo and Native Animal Habitat provides an interactive encounter with some of South Carolina’s wild animals during the Meet the Animals program.

SEGWAY TOUR

Though you typically imagine Segway tours zipping along busy street sidewalks, this method of transportation also works well for

Huntington Beach State Park

Courtesy Myrtle Beach Area CVB

moving quickly through remote natural areas with paved paths. The Myrtle Beach Segway company offers guided tours of Huntington Beach State Park, an easy way for groups to discover the Grand Strand’s wetlands and uncommercialized beaches.

“I just went on the Segway tour through Huntington Beach State Park,” said Ellis. “The guide is so knowledgeable on the hundreds of bird species that come through the area. I have learned so much. We saw all kinds of wildlife.”

Participants first undergo hands-on training to ensure a safe and enjoyable ride. Once everyone is comfortable on their Segways, the tour moves quickly into wilderness while the guide watches out for some of the more than 300 bird species that can be seen within the park.

Tour participants almost always see alligators at the park’s freshwater lake. Guides also frequently spot minks and loggerhead sea turtles. The park’s natural beauty initially attracted Anna Hyatt and Archer Huntington, who created the adjacent Brookgreen Gardens.

Tours tell the story of the Hyatts’ time in the area and swing by Atalaya, a Moorish-style castle the couple used as their residence and sculpting studio.

The two-hour Segway tours also leave time to relax on the park’s three-mile-long pristine beach.

DOLPHIN-WATCHING CRUISE

Imagine getting so close to a dolphin that it splashes you as it playfully leaps into the air. These close encounters occur regularly on dolphin-watching cruises in Myrtle Beach.

“Myrtle Beach has several dolphin and sunset cruises that are all wonderful,” said Ellis. “Getting to see dolphins on a cruise is an amazing experience.”

Groups should opt for the cruises that take off early in the morning or in the evening during feeding times. Since dolphins live together in pods, groups often will spot not just one dolphin but anywhere from 10 to 30 swimming and leaping together.

Opposite Page: Groups can witness the migrations of more than 300 bird species on tours in the Myrtle Beach area.

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MYRTLE BEACH OCEANFRONT

InspIred

dedIcatIon to MeetIngs.

Top-rated Myrtle Beach hotel by TripAdvisor.com. “Best in Hospitality”

by Myrtle Beach Hospitality Association.

Plus 6 oceanfront pools (with hot tubs and heated pools), new Sanctuary Spa, fitness center, complimentary Hampton “On the House” hot breakfast buffet, and 90-seat conference and meeting facility.

Two dolphin cruise options for groups are Voyager in North Myrtle Beach and Crazy Sister Marina south of Myrtle Beach. Voyager features naturalist guides who explain aquatic facts as the boat cruises along for two and a half hours. The crew will haul aboard a basket of sea animals for guests to admire.

Crazy Sister Marina’s dolphin cruises follow over 40 resident dolphins in hopes of not only seeing them but also, under the right conditions, hearing their vocalizations using a hydrophone. The cruise company also offers trips into the local saltwater marsh for more chances to see ospreys, eagles, turtles and a live crabbing demonstration.

KAYAK TOUR

For groups seeking an intimate experience with the rare birds and other creatures of South Carolina’s low country, kayak trips allow visitors to glide through the salt marshes and swamps. Guests of all ages enjoy these trips for a quiet way to sneak up on intriguing wildlife species.

“The southern part of the Grand Stand is where the salt marshes and wildlife preserves are located,” said Ellis. “It is far from the hustle and bustle of the area. It’s another facet of Myrtle Beach that we are really proud of. A lot of people gravitate to that area and really enjoy it.”

Black River Outdoors offers several guided tours in the area, including the popular twohour Salt Marsh Tour at Murrells Inlet Salt Marsh. Kayaks can paddle by a variety of birds, oysters, crabs, sea turtles, minks and dolphins.

The company’s Cypress Swamp Tour travels along the Waccamaw River through shaded cypress trees draped in Spanish moss. With soft currents and shaded routes, the tour is physically mild. Guides keep their eyes open for signs of nesting ospreys, nonvenomous snakes, turtles and sometimes alligators.

For a mixture of history and nature, the Georgetown Harbor History Tour sets out for two hours in the evening. Participants learn about the area’s human history from its Native American past to its current inhabitants. Herons, egrets, bald eagles and dolphins sometimes also appear during the tour.

www.visitmyrtlebeach.com

A dolphin-watching tour

www.HamptonInnOceanfront.com or call 877-946-6400 and ask for our Sales Department 1801 South Ocean Boulevard, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 843-946-6400 Courtesy Myrtle Beach Area CVB

Kayaking with Black River Outdoors

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Courtesy SouthCarolinaParks.com

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800.488.8998 | MyrtleBeachGroups.com Fresh Itineraries |Diverse Accommodations | Live Entertainment | History & Nature Coastal Carolina Cuisine | Incredible Shopping | Southern Hospitality

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MIRACLES

BY RACHEL CARTER

A WEEKEND WORKS WONDERS IN THE MIDWEST Courtesy Door County Visitors Bureau

T

Courtesy Door County Visitors Bureau

oo often, people forget that travel doesn’t have to mean taking time off for two-week trips. After a long week of work and responsibilities, sometimes a quick trip is in order, and sometimes that’s all it takes to feel restored.

These Midwest weekend getaway destinations allow groups to get out of town and get away from it all, and they’re all within easy driving distance of major cities.

Top: Cana Island

Saugatuck prides itself on its “retro vibe that really sort of allows you to relax and recharge.”

— JOSH ALBRECHT, SAUGATUCK DOUGLAS AREA CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU

Courtesy Visit Denver

Bottom: Cherry picking

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SAUGATUCK,

MICHIGAN Saugatuck sits on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, a two-hour drive from Chicago and three hours from Detroit. The Michigan beach city prides itself on its “retro vibe that really sort of allows you to relax and recharge,” said Josh Albrecht, executive director of the Saugatuck Douglas Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The city is built around Kalamazoo Lake; from there, the Kalamazoo River makes a quick jaunt to Lake Michigan. In the downtown harbor district, visitors will find art galleries, specialty shops, tasting rooms and renowned restaurants. The Southerner is headed by twotime James Beard Award finalist Matthew Millar, and Julee Rosso, author of “The Silver Palate Cookbook,” owns Wickwood Inn Bed and Breakfast. Also downtown, visitors can ride the hand-cranked Saugatuck Chain Ferry across the harbor to Mount Baldhead Park.

Groups can board the 150-passenger Star of Saugutuck II paddle wheeler for a daytime sightseeing tour or to watch the sun set over Lake Michigan.

Oval Beach on Lake Michigan has landed on many best-beach lists. A few miles north, groups can explore Saugatuck Dunes State Park on hiking trails or during a narrated tour in an 18-person, openair dune schooner.

About 10 miles south of downtown, Fenn Valley Vineyards offers groups tours, tastings and special dinner events. Next to the winery, Virtue Cider takes groups through the process of making farmhouse cider, from the onsite orchard to cider houses, and the guided tour includes a tasting.

WWW.SAUGATUCK.COM

NEBRASKA CITY,

NEBRASKA Nebraska City is about an hour’s drive south of Omaha, and much of its tourism revolves around trees.

“Arbor Day is a big deal in Nebraska City,” said Amy Allgood, executive director of Nebraska City Tourism and Commerce.

That’s because J. Sterling Morton founded Arbor Day there; it’s estimated that nearly a million trees were planted in Nebraska on the first Arbor Day in April 1872. The 72-acre Arbor Lodge State Historical Park is Morton’s original estate, and costumed docents guide groups through the historic 52-room mansion, which includes a bowling alley in the basement.

Arbor Day Farm covers 260 acres and includes the 140-room Lied Lodge and Conference Center, both owned by the Arbor Day Foundation. The farm’s Tree Adventure includes interpretive trails, a 50-foothigh treehouse and a trip to the greenhouse to get a free tree. The Discovery Ride is an hourlong, tractor-pulled tram tour that takes guests past orchards and vineyards, over bridges and through the woods.

At the farm’s Apple House Market, visitors can buy jams, jellies, pies, apple cider and vinegar; most can’t pass up the famous apple slushies, which come with a scoop of ice cream and caramel drizzle, Allgood said.

At Kimmel Orchard and Vineyard or Union Orchard, visitors can pick all kinds of fruit, eat apple doughnuts and sample wines.

With wood-beam ceilings and stacked-stone walls, Lied Lodge looks historic, but it opened in 1993. On-site exhibits educate guests about the property’s sustainability efforts, including the woodchip-powered biomass system.

WWW.GONEBRASKACITY.COM

“Arbor Day is a big deal in Nebraska City,”

— AMY ALLGOOD, NEBRASKA CITY TOURISM AND COMMERCE

Kalamazoo Lake

Nebraska apples

Courtesy Nebraska City Tourism and Commerce

Door County cherry pie

Courtesy Door County Visitors Bureau

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Courtesy Saugatuck Douglas Area CVB

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DULUTH,

Lake Superior

Courtesy Visit Duluth

Showboat Branson Belle

MINNESOTA Duluth sits on the far western tip of Lake Superior, and “it’s stunning,” said Kim Kervina, sales manager with Visit Duluth. “It’s a city with a resort feel.”

The hub of the city’s lake-related activities, Canal Park, is in the revitalized warehouse district that’s now home to restaurants, boutiques and breweries.

Groups can tour the free Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center to learn about Lake Superior’s history, which includes the iron ore business and the Soo Locks system that allows ships to travel to the lower Great Lakes. It’s also a popular spot to watch ships enter the harbor and pass beneath the iconic Aerial Lift Bridge, and the museum even offers a mobile app so visitors can track vessels as they come and go.

A couple of blocks from the visitors center, groups can tour the permanently docked 1937 SS William A. Irvin ore boat museum.

Canal Park is also a midpoint on the four-mile-long Duluth Lakewalk, a paved recreation path that follows the lakeshore and fronts downtown Duluth. Lakewalk is a popular spot for bicyclists, pedicabs, Segway tours and carriage rides. Along the way, visitors can enjoy the Waterfront Sculpture Park.

Vista Fleet offers narrated sightseeing and dinner cruises on the Vista Star, which can hold up to 300 people, and the smaller, 75-passenger Vista Queen. Groups can also explore the lake by land during a trip on the North Shore Scenic Railroad.

WWW.VISITDULUTH.COM

Courtesy Branson/Lakes Area CVB

TAKE A TRIP THROUGH OUR PAST.

WWW.CIRCLEWISCONSIN.COM

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MILWAUKEE PUBLIC MUSEUM

OLD WORLD WISCONSIN

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DOOR COUNTY,

WISCONSIN Door County, Wisconsin, juts into Lake Michigan on the tip of Door Peninsula. With the lake’s open waters to the east and Green Bay to the west, the county is surrounded by water on three sides, “so it’s really a tourist destination, and there’s a lot for groups to do,” said Laura Bradley, marketing and sales manager for the Door County Visitor Bureau.

Door County Trolley’s lighthouse tours are an easy way to see nearly half of the county’s 11 historic lighthouses.

The trolley-style buses stop at Eagle Bluff Lighthouse, Range Lights and either Cana Island Lighthouse or Canal Station Lighthouse for private guided tours; passengers will glimpse a couple more during the narrated ride.

Groups can board the 149-passenger Island Clipper and cross Portes des Mortes to spend a day on Washington Island. There, the Viking Train takes them on a 90-minute open-air tram tour of the island’s highlights, among them Schoolhouse Beach and the Stavkirke church. Chicago Fireboat Cruises out of Sturgeon Bay offers sightseeing cruises aboard a bright-red 1937 Chicago city fireboat.

In addition to lighthouses and water, Door County is known for its cherries. Cherry season peaks in July, and the area has a handful of pick-your-own orchards. At Seaquist Orchard and Lautenbach’s Orchard Country Winery and Market, groups can take guided tours, pick cherries and shop cherry goods.

Door Peninsula Winery makes cherry wine and brandy, and so many local restaurants have cherry pie on their menus that “cherry pie is another must-have,” Bradley said.

WWW.DOORCOUNTY.COM

BRANSON,

MISSOURI Branson may be best known for its vast music and liveentertainment options, but the city is surrounded by three lakes in the Ozarks, so it also has myriad options for outdoor adventures.

Ride the Ducks takes groups on 90-minute tours of Branson’s scenic streets before splashing into either Lake Taneycomo or Table Rock Lake. At State Park Marina on Table Rock Lake, groups can rent fishing boats, ski boats and pontoon boats; ride a WaveRunner; or go parasailing.

Groups can also arrange to take pontoon boats out to a little island for a private party.

About 45 minutes west of Branson is Dogwood Canyon Nature Park, a 10,000-acre preserve created by Johnny Morris, the founder of Bass Pro Shops. The park offers hiking, biking, fishing and horseback riding as well as Segway and tram tours.

Branson is home to dozens of theaters that put on about 120 different live shows in any given season. New options for the 2018 season include “Samson” at the Sight and Sound Theatre; “Bluegrass Remedy,” featuring Kari Garrison, at the Jim Stafford Theatre; and the “All Hands on Deck!” show at the Andy Williams Performing Arts Center and Theatre.

WWW.EXPLOREBRANSON.COM

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MIDWEST special SECTION

PALETTES &

PERFORMANCES

BY RACHEL CARTER

DISCOVER THE ARTISTRY OF THE MIDWEST Courtesy Athens County CVB

M

aybe it’s a single well-known artist who paves the way to transform a place into an arts destination. Maybe it’s a grassroots group that forms the nation’s first community arts council. Or maybe it’s residents in a rural town who found an arts center, which serves as the catalyst to become an arts destination.

These Midwestern communities are havens for artists and artisans who are happy to open their doors and share their work with visitors.

Courtesy Explore Lawrence

BROWN COUNTY

Top: Visitors browse through exhibits at the Dairy Barn Arts Center.

Courtesy Visit Denver

, INDIANA When American impressionist painter T.C. Steele discovered Brown County in south-central Indiana in the early 1900s, he started painting its people, places and panoramas. In 1907, Steele built his hilltop studiohome, known as House of the Singing Winds, on 60 acres between the towns of Bloomington and Nashville.

“Other artists followed him down here — there was a big movement with impressionist painters — and that’s how it became known as the Art Colony of the Midwest,” said Aubrey Sitzman, public relations coordinator for the Brown County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

At T.C. Steele State Historic Site, groups can tour Steele’s home and studio, “where you can see some of his works and his old paint palettes,” she said. Visitors can hike at the 211-acre park, which is also known for its gardens. Construction is underway on the new Singing Winds Visitor Center that’s slated to open this summer.

Downtown Nashville is known as Brown County’s Arts Village. There,

Bottom: An unusual art exhibit made from a car in Lawrence, Indiana

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groups will find the Brown County Art Gallery, which was established in 1926, and Brown County Art Guild displays the artwork of more than 45 artists. The Brown County Craft Gallery is a co-op that shows and sells work from about 40 area artisans.

WWW.BROWNCOUNTY.COM

ATHENS,

OHIO Athens sits in the deep southeastern corner of Ohio, about an hour from Kentucky and an hour from West Virginia. Its relatively isolated location means “people tend to express themselves in very different ways here, and from that has come some grassroots organizations that do significant work in the arts,” said Paige Alost, executive director of the Athens County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The Dairy Barn Arts Center is housed in a massive 1914 barn that was owned by the Athens Asylum for the Insane. Groups can explore the center’s rotating exhibits, arrange for an artist demonstration or take classes in photography, ceramics, beadwork, felting and quilting, and they can even take their artwork home with them.

Today, Ohio University owns the former asylum complex, known as The Ridges, and the historic buildings house classrooms, offices and the Kennedy Museum of Art. Admission is free, and a visit there is extra special because it’s one of the only ways to get into the main part of the historic asylum building, Alost said.

At the Passion Works Studio, the artists-in-residence are adults with developmental disabilities who produce a signature craft: the Passion Flower. Groups can opt to paint the large, sculptural flowers made from recycled aluminum themselves or watch the artists at work.

WWW.ATHENSOHIO.COM

LAWRENCE,

INDIANA As home to the University of Kansas, Lawrence is a city that naturally attracts creative people, “but we also have organizations that work hard to keep the arts alive here,” said Andrea Johnson, director of marketing and communications for Explore Lawrence.

The Lawrence Arts Center was established in 1974 and today is a regional center for visual and performing arts, exhibitions, film and lectures. In 2002, the center opened in its modern 40,000-squarefoot downtown facility that includes studio, gallery and performance space. Groups can explore exhibits, and the center’s adult education program features a wide range of classes in both visual and performing arts — such as pottery-making and printmaking, ballet and ballroom dancing — that could be tailored to visiting groups.

The Warehouse Arts District in East Lawrence is a hub of galleries, studios and restaurants all housed in historic converted warehouses.

The district is only a few blocks from downtown, which makes it easy to explore both areas during the monthly Final Fridays Art Walks.

On the KU campus, the Spencer Museum of Art is free and offers guided tours for groups of five or more.

WWW.EXPLORELAWRENCE.COM

VILLAGES OF VAN BUREN,

IOWA In southeast Iowa, the Villages of Van Buren are 11 quaint communities scattered along the Des Moines River where visitors will find antique shops, art galleries, artisan studios and Amish communities selling all sorts of handmade and handcrafted goods.

The Villages Folk School is a collective of artists and artisans who

Experience the scenic route.

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Historic homes in Quincy Courtesy See Quincy

Artisan breadmaking

open the doors to their personal studios and private homes to showcase their work and show students the tricks of their individual trades.

The annual Southeast Iowa Artists’ Studio Tour is a self-guided tour through five Iowa counties to the studios of about 50 area artists to watch them create and to learn about their work.

The school can arrange for a variety of group classes and workshops. Guests can learn how to make a small, coaster-size weaving at a rug-weaving studio, assemble a stained-glass window or make container candles. The school can arrange for painting classes using pastels or watercolors or even schedule outdoor painting classes. There’s an instructor for every 10 students, who then work outdoors in rose gardens, at the pioneer museum or on the riverbanks painting old bridges. The school can also arrange for blacksmithing, woodcarving, weaving, drawing and pottery studio classes and demonstrations.

At the Calico Press, visitors can see historic presses that owner Mel Stockwell, also the Villages Folk School director, has restored and try their hand at printing their names.

WWW.VILLAGESFOLKSCHOOL.COM

QUINCY,

Chair caning Courtesy Villages of Van Buren

Courtesy Villages of Van Buren

your Adventure Begins at visitkansasCitykS.com 800.264.1563

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ILLINOIS The Quincy Society of Fine Arts was founded in 1947 in Quincy, making it the nation’s first community arts council, and the city has been producing and promoting art in the seven decades since.

The council, now known as Arts Quincy, works to increase access to public art, culture and entertainment for residents and visitors alike.

The Quincy Art Center displays and teaches art. The center’s permanent collection includes more than 400 pieces, and rotating exhibitions feature local, regional and national artists and even artwork from the center’s own teachers and students.

The center has classroom space where the artists can lead workshops or teach hands-on classes on painting or pottery. The staff has made origami for events or provided artists to make German crafts during Oktoberfest, said Holly Cain, executive director of See Quincy.

The center could also connect groups with local artists for in-studio demonstrations and tours.

“They’re very flexible, and they have adequate staff to help with anything a group would want to do,” she said.

The art center sits on the corner of 16th and Maine streets in Quincy’s East End Historic District. Without ever leaving that corner, groups could also tour two historic manors, eat lunch at the historic Women’s City Club and visit the Quincy Museum, which is housed in a historic mansion.

Architecture is one of Quincy’s most visible forms of art and one of its best assets, Cain said, and See Quincy offers private tours of 18 different homes.

WWW.SEEQUINCY.COM

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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!

MIDWEST special SECTION

PACK

THE HALL

BY ELIZABETH HEY

GROUPS GRAB GREAT TICKETS ACROSS THE MIDWEST

Courtesy Nebraska Tourism Commission

Courtesy Overture Center for the Arts

A

cross the Midwest, sophisticated cities and charming small towns present a treasure trove of entertainment.

From Broadway productions to community theater, live bands to solo singer-songwriter performances, the Midwest caters to every preference. Big-city venues, historic opera houses, outdoor amphitheaters and festivals host a variety of shows.

From Wisconsin to Michigan, Ohio, Iowa, Nebraska and Missouri, you’ll find a full calendar of possibilities that can spice up any group itinerary.

By Will Shively, courtesy BalletMet

MISSOURI

Top: Overture Hall, Madison, Wisconsin

Courtesy Visit Denver

In Kansas City, theater is well represented with more than 65 performing arts venues. Jazz heritage comes alive in the 18th and Vine Historic Jazz District. Summer brings Broadway shows to outdoor Starlight Theatre and the annual Heart of America Shakespeare Festival to Southmoreland Park. Kansas City is the second home of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Rising dramatically in the downtown skyline, the $326 million Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts contains two performance halls, one featuring a Casavant Frères pipe organ with 5,548 pipes. The building’s glass roof cascades into a 65-foot-high by 320-foot-wide glass wall that affords expansive views of the Crossroads Art District.

Branson has more theater seats than New York City’s Broadway district. At Sight and Sound Theatre, the biblical drama “Samson” comes to life with special effects and live animals, onstage and in the aisles. The

Center: Jazz on the Green, Omaha, Nebraska Bottom: BalletMet, Columbus, Ohio

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Showboat Branson Belle cruises Table Rock Lake and features threecourse lunches and dinners while passengers watch a new variety show accompanied by a live band. On Branson stages, national touring acts this year include Trace Adkins; Herman’s Hermits, starring Peter Noone; Charley Pride; Vicki Lawrence and Mama; and many more.

WWW.VISITMO.COM

WISCONSIN

The annual Milwaukee Film Festival will celebrate its 10th anniversary this fall from October 18 to November 1 and garners attention as one of the top Midwest film festivals, with more attendees than Sundance. East of downtown, the 1927 Oriental Theatre is under renovation and will reopen in late summer showcasing its East Indian decor. Foreign and independent films will be shown day and night on three screens. Downtown in a renovated warehouse, 88 Nine Radio Milwaukee shares space with local Stone Creek Coffee and hosts acts on Thursday nights.

In Madison, the Overture Center for the Arts houses 10 resident companies and seven performance spaces and has a full calendar of national and international touring artists and Broadway performers. Originally built as a baseball stadium and listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, Breese Stevens Field schedules a popular outdoor concert series.

In Wisconsin Dells, the Palace Theater that produces family-style Broadway musicals, Disney classics and concerts accompanied by gourmet, table-service dining. And the Rick Wilcox Magic Show has been bringing Vegas-style illusions to audiences in a 550-seat theater for almost 20 years.

“Groups can motorcoach from Madison to Milwaukee and the Dells, which makes a nice trip in southern Wisconsin, since they’re all less than two hours apart,” said Kristina LeVan, spokesperson for the Wisconsin Department of Tourism.

OHIO

Columbus boasts a vibrant entertainment scene. The King Arts Complex and Lincoln Theatre anchor the diverse King-Lincoln District, where the spoken word, dance, theater and music come together with the visual arts. For a fun summer evening, JazZoo, a waterfront fourconcert series takes place at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium; tickets include zoo admission. The Ohio Theatre, home to the Columbus Symphony, BalletMet and Broadway shows, offers tours and demonstrations of its Mighty Morgan, one of the world’s few theater pipe organs still in its original home.

“Just outside of Hocking Hills State Park in Logan, at the Appalachian Listening Room, performances include two to three musicians who play and talk about how their songs were created, so it’s very much a singer-songwriter experience,” said executive director Karen Raymore for the Hocking Hills Tourism Association.

Near New Philadelphia, Ohio’s official drama, “Trumpet in the Land,” is performed in the same hills where the story originated. Written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paul Green, the production brings to life the Ohio frontier during the Revolutionary War. Behind-the-scenes tours offer a chance to see how the weaponry is fired, learn pyrotechnic tricks and explore the understage tunnel for the actors.

WWW.OHIO.ORG

“We’ve seen a resurgence of restoring Iowa’s opera houses and giving them new life.”

— JESSICA O’RILEY, IOWA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

WWW.TRAVELWISCONSIN.COM

IOWA

Historic opera houses have become hubs for fine arts in Iowa. Constructed in 1902, the now-restored Corning Opera House hosts community theater, Opry concerts and touring musical acts. Before its 1990 restoration, the Pella Opera House served as a bowling alley, a skating rink and a hardware store. Today, this 324-seat theater delivers special performances at tulip time. In Sioux City, the elegant Orpheum Theater hosts celebrities, Broadway shows and the Sioux City Symphony. In 1927, construction costs totaled $1.75 million; its $12 million restoration, completed in 2001, replicated the original decorative finishes and carpet and even the terra-cotta drinking fountains.

“We’ve seen a resurgence of restoring Iowa’s opera houses and giving them new life,” said Jessica O’Riley, tourism communications manager for the Iowa Economic Development Authority. “Many are in small towns with charming main streets, local shops and restaurants that groups can enjoy before or after the show.”

Near the Minnesota border, Clear Lake begs a visit to the famed Surf Ballroom, which hosts musical acts including the Winter Dance Party — a tribute to Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper’s last concert. Glenn Miller devotees will appreciate June’s Glenn Miller Festival and the Glenn Miller Birthplace Museum in Clarinda.

A Showboat Branson Belle variety show

WWW.TRAVELIOWA.COM

Courtesy Branson CVB

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MICHIGAN

Join Us For Our Exciting

2018 Season!

Apr 12 - May 27

May 31 - July 15

The Motor City thrives with summer performing-arts festivals. For electronic-music fans, Detroit’s Movement Music Festival delivers more than 85 acts on five stages over Memorial Day weekend. The second annual Detroit Music Weekend, June 14-17, combines music, dance and theater from well-known and next-generation talent. Saturday features a free-to-the-public festival and outdoor Legends Concert. Concert of Colors, a free-admission music festival July 11-15, unites the region’s diverse communities and ethnic groups through music. The Detroit Jazz Festival on Labor Day weekend ranks as the world’s largest free jazz festival, with more than 120 bands that feature legends and up-and-coming artists.

The National Cherry Festival in Traverse City, an eightday event in early July, brings in big-name entertainment.

This year, Sheryl Crow headlines, along with Dan and Shay, and Dustin Lynch. For another summer experience, the 1,200-acre campus of the Interlocken Center for the Arts brings in a summer lineup that performs in its outdoor amphitheater with Lake Michigan as the backdrop.

Farther north, the curtain rises July 7 for the premiere season at the Great Lakes Center for the Arts with a performance by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra at its opening gala. The center will offer a year-round lineup of performances across all genres — music, dance, theater, movies and film, intellectual dialogue and education — in its state-of-the-art, 500-seat venue.

WWW.MICHIGAN.ORG

July 19 - Sept 2

Sept 6 - Oct 28

Nov 1 - Dec 23

Superb Musicals | Memorable Dining Family Hospitality | Spectacular Shops 1131 Janesville Ave, Fort Atkinson, WI 53538 800-477-9505 | www.firesidetheatre.com 44

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NEBRASKA

Since 1990, the 2000-seat Lied Center for the Performing Arts in Lincoln has brought in renowned music, dance and theater, and featured top Nebraska talent. In the Historic Haymarket District, TADA Theatre presents an array of productions and regional premieres and has collaborated with groups such as the Lincoln Symphony Orchestra and the Lincoln Choral Artists.

In Omaha, jazz aficionados flock to the Holland Performing Arts Center’s annual 1200 Club, which showcases sounds from bluesy harmonica to funky trombones and jazz piano. The elegant Orpheum Theater, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, presents Broadway Across America and Omaha Opera. The Omaha Community Playhouse boasts two state-of-the-art performance spaces, and Midtown Crossing’s summer jazz festival takes place in its greenspace.

Farther west, the Hastings Community Theatre, run entirely by volunteers, celebrates its 58th season this year with four shows, a holiday production and the adult-oriented HCT After Dark musicals, which feature deliciously dark storytelling. And the North Platte Community Playhouse is housed in the 1929 Fox Theatre, which still sports its original marquee and Renaissance decor.

HTTPS://VISITNEBRASKA.COM

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marketing Y O U R

P R O G R A M

CONSIDER THESE IDEAS

FOR

BY ELIZA MYERS

I

t seems everyone suffers from too much junk mail, both in their physical mailbox and in their email. This surplus of information can make marketing your trips through newsletters or email challenging, since you have to compete with a lot of other organizations’ attractive sales or interesting headlines.

Most of your readers will give your newsletter or email only a cursory glance before deciding whether to toss it in the trash.

Fortunately, with a little design know-how, you can communicate quickly to catch your audience’s attention.

With technology and templates, and no formal training, it is easier than ever to create a quality e-newsletter or brochure. But there are some basic design rules to keep in mind to avoid turning your marketing piece into a Frankenstein of mismatched elements.

Implement these design tips into your mailed and emailed materials to capture your readers’ attention.

1) LOOK FOR INSPIRATION.

You should never begin laying out a design before first looking for inspiration. Online, you can easily find examples of enewsletters and travel brochures to discover what types of designs you like and what types you don’t.

Save any design images you like, and then adapt aspects of that look that will work for you. For example, you may love the design of a color block next to a photograph promoting a local chocolate store. Instead of the photo of a chocolate bar, you could replace the image with a gorgeous travel photo and choose text and colors that reflect your company.

Though some professionals are familiar enough with Adobe InDesign or Dreamweaver to construct their own brochures and e-newsletters, many amateur designers will benefit from simply choosing a pre-made template, and then making that basic layout their own through color selections, photography, font choices and other tweaks.

2) PICK A COLOR SCHEME.

Conversations about color and design can become confusing very quickly. Complications arise from the fact that color choices are subjective, so theories around which colors to use in your communications differ depending on whom you ask.

For beginners, embrace restraint when choosing colors, and

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stick to two or three hues. Some designers will choose too many contrasting colors, like blue with orange or purple with yellow, to make the newsletter “pop.” However, more subtle color combinations often work best in design, such as multiple shades of the same color.

To decide which colors to use, you could first think of your company’s logo and brand colors. Alumni associations can simply choose the existing school colors and incorporate those into every mailed item.

For travel programs without a set color scheme, online resources such as www.colorcombos.com help generate coordinating colors you can choose from. After determining the exact color combination for your brand, find out the colors’ exact hex codes and store them on your computer. That way, the next time you design marketing materials for your travel program, you can just copy and paste them into any design tool. Keep the colors consistent in all your marketing pieces for brand recognition.

The golden rule of graphic design is that simplicity sells.

3) MIX TEXT AND PHOTOGRAPHY.

When novice designers discover the myriad fonts at their disposal, they may be tempted to use as many as possible. However, using too many fonts can make legibility difficult. As a rule, stick to two fonts for each of your pieces: one for headlines and subtitles and another for body copy. Some designers use variants of one font family to add more visual interest without making the piece feel cluttered.

Standard fonts like Arial, Times New Roman, Courier and Georgia with a minimum size of 10 points work well for readability. Using the bold typeface can help separate headers, but beware using italics too often, as readability suffers when italics are used in long sentences.

Since photos can sell a trip faster than words, quality photos are important in any online or print piece that promotes your travel program. Ask for high-resolution photos from tour operators pre-trip, then either take photos during the trip or ask for photos from your members afterward.

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BETTER GRAPHIC DESIGN 4: EMBRACE SIMPLICITY.

The golden rule of graphic design is that simplicity sells. Simple fonts and color schemes prevent your piece from looking cluttered and confusing.

This is especially important with e-newsletters because many readers view these on their smartphones. Choose an e-newsletter design that mixes blocks of text and photos in a symmetrical, attractive order.

Instead of text-heavy e-newsletters, when you spotlight a future trip in an email, write a sentence or two, and then link the article to your website for the rest of the information. You want the e-newsletter to look clear and to the point.

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In all your mailed pieces, embrace white space. You don’t need a literal white background, but a solid color of some kind that doesn’t detract from the rest of the piece will give your text and photos the breathing room they need to stand out.

The strength of your headline or lead photo to catch viewers’ attention relies on having enough blank space around it. Without white space, the page can look like chaos without a clear message.

After you finish your design, look it over and see what elements you can take out. When designing marketing materials that will stand out from the crowd, less is almost always more.

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C A R E E R

C O R N E R

trip

WEEKLONG TRIPS

LENGTHS

take this and come back in a week

BY BRIAN JEWELL

I

t’s amazing what you can do in a week.

In the humdrum rhythm of normal life, weeks can slip by so quickly that they are over before we know it. But when you take a week to travel, it opens a world of possibilities.

Day trips and weekend getaways are limited by time and distance, but if you have a week, you can take your group anywhere in the U.S. or around the world. If you’re traveling to faraway places, taking a week for the trip ensures that you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy yourself once you reach the destination. And although some traditional tours might extend to 10 days or even two weeks, a one-week trip allows professionals to fit the vacation easily into their work schedule.

A weeklong trip gives you lots of possibilities, but it can also require some finesse to get it exactly right.

Here are five ideas for places to go and things to do on your weeklong trips, as well as five practical tips on how to make sure the experience works well for everyone involved.

TRIP IDEA: VENTURE CROSS-COUNTRY

Going on day trips and weekend getaways means choosing destinations that are relatively close to home, but that’s not necessary for weeklong excursions. A six- or seven-night trip allows you to make it to parts of the country that aren’t ordinarily accessible. Groups on the East Coast can enjoy California wine country, clubs in the upper Midwest can enjoy the jewels of the Deep South, and Southerners get a chance to discover New England.

TRIP IDEA: TOUR A REGION

If you’re going to be traveling for a week, it doesn’t make much sense to stay in one destination the

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whole time, except perhaps for an all-inclusive resort. Weeklong trips afford groups great opportunities to explore whole regions or plan multicity itineraries built around certain themes. A trip in the South, for example, might follow the Atlantic coastline from Charleston, South Carolina, to Savannah, Georgia, and then St. Augustine, Florida. Groups could also visit numerous towns in Alaska or explore each of the Hawaiian Islands.

TRIP IDEA: TRAVEL BY TRAIN

There are few modes of travel more relaxing and refined than trains. And though the heyday of railroad travel in the U.S. is behind us, train trips can still offer an ideal way for groups to tour the country. Amtrak offers several popular routes through the Southwest, the Mountain Northwest and New England, and train trips across Canada are perennially popular with groups. A weeklong trip will allow you to relax and enjoy the scenery on the train, as well as stay overnight in hotels and spend some time exploring destinations along the way.

TRIP IDEA: TAKE A CRUISE

Many travelers find a week to be the ideal length of time for a cruise vacation, giving them enough time to enjoy the ship and ports, but not enough to get bored. Major cruise lines offer a host of five- to seven-night cruises to Alaska, the Caribbean, New England and Canada. To make these experiences special for your groups, work with a tour operator who can plan some land activities and shore excursions just for you.

TRIP IDEA: GO ABROAD

Thanks to the marvel of modern air travel, your group can be anywhere in the world in less than 24 hours. This means that a weeklong trip will allow you to enjoy a full five days anywhere

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you want to go, as well as a day of travel to and from the destination. You may not be able to pull off a grand panorama tour of Europe in this time frame, but it’s a convenient length of time for exploring Ireland, visiting the ruins in Peru or taking a pilgrimage through the Holy Land.

PRACTICAL TIP: CONSIDER FLYING

Traditionally, tour groups have used motorcoaches for all but the longest trips, stopping in city after city between their hometowns and their final destinations. But today’s travelers aren’t very content to spend long days on buses.

If your budget will allow it, you should seriously consider flying to your destinations on weeklong trips, especially if it would take more than a day to drive there. This allows you to maximize your time in the places you visit and saves you from having to plan overnight hotel stays and multiple bathroom stops along a driving route.

PRACTICAL TIP: TRAVEL SUNDAY THROUGH SATURDAY

A weeklong trip could conceivably begin on a Wednesday and end on a Tuesday, but it would be difficult to get anyone but retirees to come along. If you’re aiming to attract some travelers who still have regular jobs, you’ll make your trips most attractive by confining them to one calendar week. And though it might be tempting to stretch the trip from the beginning of one weekend through the end of the next, working travelers will appreciate having one weekend day before the trip to pack and another afterward to recover before returning to the office.

Tour

SOUTHEAST INDIANA

Bees, Birds &

Butterflies Explore the natural world in Southeast Indiana – where our garden centers, artists, farms, wetlands area, brewery and feed mill offer one-of-akind group experiences and hands-on fun.

PRACTICAL TIP: INCLUDE A FREE DAY

Tours are often fast-paced, but nobody wants to go hard from sunup to sundown for seven days straight. Including a free day somewhere in the middle of a weeklong trip has a number of benefits. In addition to giving travelers the opportunity to go out and explore on their own, it gives you a chance to catch your breath and relax.

It can also help with interpersonal dynamics, as even friends can grow tired of one another after being together for more than a few days.

Experience the Oxbow Wetlands Finger paint a garden

PRACTICAL TIP: MIX UP HOTELS

If you’re traveling for a week, it’s likely you’ll be using various hotels in numerous cities throughout the course of your trip. Since the type of property you use can have a substantial impact on your travelers’ experience as well as your trip budget, use this as an opportunity to build some variety into a trip. You might use a limitedservice chain in one city and a distinctive local inn somewhere else, and then finish with a night or two at an upscale lodge or a swanky downtown hotel. Even one night in a beautiful property will make an impression on your group.

PRACTICAL TIP: INCLUDE TRIP INSURANCE

As the length of a trip increases, so does its price. A weeklong tour can easily cost $2,000 or more per person, no small sum for most people. When you’re asking customers to invest this much in traveling with you, it’s a good idea to help them protect that investment with insurance, which will return some of their payment if a medical issue, weather event or family emergency interrupts their trip. The best way to handle this is to purchase insurance in bulk and include it in your trip’s overall price so that every traveler has it.

OHIO Indianapolis

INDIANA

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Cincinnati

KENTUCKY

Louisville

Lexington

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

www.TOURSoutheastIndiana.com Top, opposite page: Bahamas wildlife encounter, by Brian Jewell Bottom, opposite page: Skiing in Whistler, Canada, courtesy Four Seasons Whistler Above: Train through New Hampshire, courtesy Mount Washington Cog Railway M A Y / J U N E

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W H E R E

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gnb bank GRUNDY CENTER, IOWA TRIP: Montana, Glacier National Park & Canadian Rockies TOUR OPERATOR: Premier World Discovery DATE: June 2017 Seventy-four travelers with GNB Bank’s Go Club traveled northwest from St. Paul, Minnesota, to Glacier National Park, Montana, via Amtrak. From Glacier, the group took a motorcoach north to the Canadian Rockies with stops in Waterton Lakes National Park, Kootenay National Park, Banff and the Columbia Icefield.

“There were many highlights, but the community of Banff is always wonderful, and the Canadian Rockies just can’t be beat. The area is stunning, with abundant wildlife and gorgeous forests. The lakes, including Peyto, Moraine and Louise, are spectacular, and each have their own personality. Our group was enthralled by all the Canadian Rockies and Glacier National Park had to offer. It’s a must for travelers.”

— AMANDA GRINESKI, DIRECTOR OF MARKETING

the women’s travel club OAKVILLE, ONTARIO, CANADA TRIP: Galapagos Islands Tour DATE: November 2017 On a 10-day cruise, the Women’s Travel Club explored the distinctive wildlife and culture of Ecuador’s capital city, Quito, and the nearby Galapagos Islands.

“It was a fantastic trip with a wonderful group of ladies. It was so nice to enjoy the experiences together every day and then socialize on the boat every evening. The ladies on the tour very much appreciated the small-group, women-only tour option. They have the opportunity to meet other ladies who love to travel and can match with roommates to save on the single-supplement charge.”

— MARIANNE SOUTHALL, OWNER AND TOUR LEADER

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