Select Traveler November December 2019

THE MAGAZINE FOR BANK, ALUMNI AND CHAMBER TRAVEL PLANNERS

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D E S T I N AT I O N H O T E L S

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CONFERENCE CONNECTION

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2020 PREVIEW ISSUE

VIRGINIA nurtures its

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THE HEARTLAND’S HEART

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THE MAGAZINE FOR BANK, ALUMNI AND CHAMBER TRAVEL PLANNERS

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VOL.27 NO.6

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019

VIBRANT VIRGINIA:

FROM THE MOUNTAINS TO THE SEA

contents publisher’s COLUMN

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4

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

By David M. Doody, courtesy the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation

ON THE COVER: The valleys near the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia attract many acclaimed vineyards. “Vineyard Blue Ridge on Buck Mountain Road Virginia” is a painting by Catherine Twomey.

planners checking in: conference:

TALK BACK

JENNIFER BOHAC

where

CHEYENNE WE’VE BEEN

8 10 12 51 DANIEL JEAN-LOUIS

888.253.0455

ADVERTISING ACCOUNT MANAGER

DANIEL@ GROUP TR AVELLE ADER.COM

Founder and Publisher Partner Executive Editor Associate Editor Senior Writer Creative Director Graphic Designer/Circulation Manager Copy Editor Director of Sales & Marketing Advertising Account Manager Advertising Account Manager

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14 hotels 22 battlefields ICONIC

KNOWN FOR

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TAP

TRAVEL GUIDE

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

NAME OR ADDRESS CHANGES: If your copy of Select Traveler should be mailed to another manager in your organization, or if you personally know another travel director who is not receiving Select Traveler, please send your correction to: Select Traveler, 301 East High St., Lexington, Kentucky 40507, or call (859) 253-0455.

perspective P U B L I S H E R ’ S

I

n September, I was reminded again how many smaller cities across America offer so many reasons to visit. Many of you take your groups to New York for theater each year, and I’d guess that you also sell trips regularly to major tourism cities like Nashville, Tennessee, or New Orleans. But are you taking groups to Grand Rapids, Michigan, or Green Bay, Wisconsin?

In September, I attended conferences our companies produced in both cities. I am constantly telling friends they need to get beyond the big cities and discover what’s happening with other towns across the country. I find myself telling them that cities in the South are not slow and that cities in the North are not impersonal. Stereotypes die slow deaths, I guess.

At our Going On Faith Conference in Grand Rapids, I discovered one of the most dynamic cities in the Midwest. Its downtown is vibrant and filled with great restaurants, and its riverfront is as well developed as any I’ve visited. I spent an afternoon with runners and walkers along that riverfront and watched as a dozen or more fly fishermen cast for salmon in the Grand River right downtown. Our group spent an evening at the worldclass Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park, and I wondered how I had never been to Grand Rapids before.

At our Small Market Meetings Conference in Green Bay, I discovered another midsize city that also has a vibrant riverfront, along its Fox River. As a lifelong Packers fan, I fully expected to have a great time in Green Bay, but I was still captivated by its immaculate downtown streets, its world-class breweries and its “Go Pack Go” enthusiasm for life in general. How had I not been there before?

Here’s hoping that you and your groups are also discovering many of America’s great cities that don’t sell Broadway or Bourbon Street.

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 one of your group’s most upscale experiences?

SARAH BOVILLE

BAREFOOT TRAVEL BRANTFORD, ONTARIO “Actually, the best is yet to come. I decided this year to level up my business with the addition of luxury groups. We have an exclusive tour to Chianti, Italy, in Tuscany at an upscale villa coming up next year. That tour will also include truffle hunting and visiting a local cashmere farm run by two wonderful women entrepreneurs from the U.S. We are sure to enjoy it!”

CINDY CULLINS

Travel ☼ Thoughtfully Designed ☼ ☼ Delightfully Executed ☼

RELYANCE BANK DESTINATION CLUB PINE BLUFF, ARKANSAS “Our Australia and New Zealand tour in 2012 was our most luxurious experience. When we booked this tour, a three-day extension to Fiji was added at no additional charge. I did have a small group going because of the length of the tour and the long flight time. However, the ones who went enjoyed the tour very much, and the last few days at the resort in Fiji were a fabulous way to unwind before the long trek home. The resort, service and food were excellent.”

LESLIE JERDEN

TRUITY CREDIT UNION BARTLESVILLE, OKLAHOMA “In general, the upscale experience favored most tends to be a meal featuring the area’s specialties in a local restaurant or quaint vineyard. The trip is the most meaningful for my travelers when they feel they are off the beaten path of the typical tourist trek and, instead, having an authentic, intimate experience.

It then becomes an exclusive feeling that kicks any meal to an upscale one.”

ROB FURE

WASHINGTON AND LEE UNIVERSITY LEXINGTON, VIRGINIA “Either our impending deluxe trip to Egypt in November or the recent Celtic Lands and D-Day Landings aboard Ponant.”

CATE ECKENRODE

CITY OF FORT COLLINS

888-55-TRIPS

www.gotripsinc.com 8 selecttraveler.com

FORT COLLINS, COLORADO “We’ve tried to keep our travel experiences reasonably priced and included extras when it seemed like something that they would not want to miss. We are experimenting with more upscale travel in our 2020 tours with small group tours to southern France and South Africa.”

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JENNIFER BOHAC DIRECTOR OF TRAVEL PROGRAMS

checking in W I T H

J E N N I F E R

B O H A C

TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY C O L L E G E S TAT I O N , T E X A S Approximately 64,000 students are enrolled at Texas A&M University. More than 500,000 former students make up the 140-year-old alumni association. Traveling Aggies, the university’s alumni travel program, started sending former students on tours 53 years ago.

Born: Houston Education: Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration at Texas A&M Employment: Bohac began her career working in academic and career advising. She served in roles including academic adviser in the College of Agriculture and the career development coordinator for student athletes at Texas A&M. Bohac accepted her current position as director of travel programs at Texas A&M 18 years ago.

Accolades: Over the years, Bohac has received a Selfless Service Award from the president of Texas A&M and had an endowment named after her. She and her travelers give yearly donations to the Zariki Primary School in Lake Victoria, Tanzania.

BY ELIZA MYERS

T

he idea of traveling the world can sound enticing. The logistics of sending strangers halfway around the globe and bringing them back happy and content, however, can be downright scary.

When the president of Texas A&M’s alumni association asked if Jennifer Bohac would be interested in group travel planning, she initially felt hesitant.

“I had a lot of hesitations because my background was in academics,” said Bohac, director of travel programs for the Traveling Aggies.

It took the alumni association president six months to convince Bohac. Luckily for the Traveling Aggies, Bohac eventually relented.

The proof of her success is in the numbers. When Bohac first accepted the job, the program organized 10 trips a year. Today, the Traveling Aggies offers about 90 trips a year.

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The Traveling Aggies pose while on a safari in Tanzania.

F I NDI NG T HE G R OOV E

Before leading the travel program, Bohac worked in various academic roles, such as teacher, academic adviser and career development counselor for student athletes. Other than traveling to speak at a few conferences, she hadn’t traveled much.

“It was learning on the job,” said Bohac. “My predecessor had retired, so I didn’t even have someone to train me. The alumni association president eventually convinced me it was more of a program development job. The travel program is ultimately about building relationships.”

Bohac leaned on the alumni association for support. She took the job in April 2001. A few months later, the travel industry changed forever.

“September 11th turned the travel industry upside down,” said Bohac. “It was a big challenge to step into my predecessor’s shoes after she ran it for over 25 years. It took about two years to get the program going again.”

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In 2008, the program faltered again after the recession. Instead of giving up, Bohac kept reinventing the travel program to meet the changing needs of the alumni. Thanks to her efforts, the program has grown from 400 travelers to 1,500 in 2019.

The program has spread to include friends and family of Texas A&M alumni. This year, 40 percent of all travelers were first-time customers.

ME M O RY M AK E R

With a daunting 90 trips a year to plan, there is no roadmap for Bohac to follow when choosing where to go. The Traveling Aggies journey all over the world, and trips include exotic international trips to long weekend getaways. The program offers events like the Rose Parade and Texas A&M football away games.

“We start with our trip evaluations, where we ask our travelers where they want to go,” said Bohac. “Our tour operators help us know what’s trending. We also look at our past trip successes.”

The program offers tried and true trips once a year, including African safaris, New England foliage trips and Alaskan cruises. Other trips Bohac might try once to see how they will fare.

Additional complications come from the program’s different travel styles. The Traveling Aggies goes after not just one alumni demographic, but every budget and age range, including trips for recently graduated alumni.

Bohac tries to add special touches to each trip and considers them a major reason the program has had so much success. She tries to connect with alumni when visiting a destination to see if the trip can tie someone back into the university.

“We have a big military presence,” said Bohac. “A lot of Aggies fought in World War II. So when we went to the Normandy American Cemetery, we determined there are 19 Aggies buried or interred there. During our trips to Normandy we visit each Aggie’s grave and put a flag or flower on each of the graves to pay tribute. One of our travelers researched the biographies of each of the Aggies so we could connect with every Aggie laid to rest in Normandy.”

Tour SOUTHEAST INDIANA

RiveR Town Spend a day along the Ohio River Scenic Byway and explore historic Aurora. Follow an urban arts trail with your artist guide, tour landmark mansions, enjoy a “Linens & Luxury” luncheon and visit a small brewery with a big history.

“Wonderful experience, Top-notch service!”

- CB&S Bank Shining Stars, Russellville, AL

JOI N IN G IN

Bohac doesn’t simply send travelers on their way and move on to the next thing. She hosts approximately 15 trips a year.

“I go on as many trips as I possibly can,” said Bohac. “I was gone 240 days last year. It helps me know the product and know what I’m selling. It also helps me have a pulse on the travelers.

I see what works and what doesn’t.”

When Bohac can’t travel, the Traveling Aggies typically sends a university or alumni association staff member to join the trip when possible.

To avoid travel burnout, Bohac focuses on seeing the trip through the travelers’ eyes.

“I love travel,” said Bohac. “Every time you get on a plane for another group, it is always different. I’ve gone to Tanzania 26 times, and every time it is different. I love seeing people’s first reactions when in East Africa because it is always fresh and exciting to them.”

Bohac finds the relationships she forms on the tours the most rewarding part of her job.

She has developed strong bonds with her travelers and enjoys watching the friendships formed among the Aggies/travelers continue on after the trip ends.

“I always say when it’s not fun anymore, I won’t be able to do it,” said Bohac. “If you can’t have a great time, then you can’t help the group have fun. If I am I’m having fun, it is contagious and reflected to the group and they are going to have a wonderful experience and great time.”

T R A V E L

tips

• Pack your patience and flexibility.

• Smile. If you are having fun, your group will have fun.

• Have a thick skin. We are the ones who travelers tend to go to with complaints when things go wrong. Help them make it right, but don’t take things personally.

“Windows of Aurora” Hillforest Victorian House Museum

OHIO Indianapolis

INDIANA

1

Cincinnati

KENTUCKY

Louisville

Lexington

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

www.TOURSoutheastIndiana.com 800-322-8198

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C O N F E R E N C E

connection

CHEYENNE, WYOMING WILL WOW DELEGATES IN MARCH

Vedauwoo Recreation Area

A boot statue downtown

BY DAN DICKSON

B

ank, chamber of commerce and college travel planners can kick off spring 2020 by taking a trip to beautiful, rugged and surprising Cheyenne, Wyoming, March 22-24 for the next Select Traveler Conference. Delegates will experience a lot of history and see some fascinating people and places in Wyoming’s capital city. The conference will be held at the Little America Hotel and Resort.

“I can sit and talk to someone for six to 12 minutes about what we have to offer in Cheyenne, but people really need to experience it for themselves,” said Jim Walter, who works for Visit Cheyenne. “We are more than just that square-sized state out west on a map. We are excited to have people come to market so we can meet them and show it all off.”

On the Saturday afternoon before the conference, Visit Cheyenne will be offering several different options for people to consider. Every day during the summer, the CVB runs a Wild West history trolley tour, but a special trip has been arranged for this day in March. People can hop on a trolley and get a good overview of the downtown sites, including the his-

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tory museums and the botanical gardens.

That evening, all attendees are invited to a reception where the CVB will have some of its local destination providers available for them to talk to about travel ideas.

Visit Cheyenne does not plan to stage a postconference FAM tour. However, the Wyoming Office of Tourism is discussing the possibility of a postconference FAM that might include such nearby destinations as Casper and Gillette, Wyoming, in order to showcase those areas of the state.

The opening night’s entertainment is always a highlight of any Select Traveler Conference, and Cheyenne won’t disappoint. “We’re going to have a lot of fun and get Western,” said Walter. An exciting and colorful rodeo will be staged including cowboys and cowgirls, roping events, barrel racing and roughand-tumble bull riding. It will take place inside the new events center at the fairgrounds in nearby Archer.

On one end of the arena will be the rodeo. On the other end will be space where people can try some of the events themselves and even learn to line dance. “It’s a night of Western entertainment, so bring your boots,” Walter said.

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CONFERENCE NEWS

COLLETTE

SPONSORS NEW BUYER REGISTRATION PROGRAM

Cheyenne Gunslingers’ actor

Pubbing in Ireland is just one of many worldwide travel experiences offered by Collette.

Courtesy Collette

Photos courtesy Visit Cheyenne

“I CAN SIT AND TALK TO SOMEONE FOR SIX TO 12 MINUTES ABOUT WHAT WE HAVE TO OFFER IN CHEYENNE, BUT PEOPLE REALLY NEED TO EXPERIENCE

IT

FOR

THEMSELVES.”

— JIM WALTER, VISIT CHEYENNE

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C

ollette will sponsor a new delegate registration program for the 2020 Select Traveler Conference designed to bring additional qualified buyers to the event, which will take place March 22-24 in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

An industry leader and family-owned business for more than 100 years, Collette offers 170 tours around the world and has been a longtime luncheon sponsor at the conference because of the highly qualified travel planners the conference attracts.

“The types of groups represented at the Select Traveler Conference are a very big part of our business and have been for decades,” said Jim Edwards, vice president of U.S. affinity development for Collette. “We’re group specialists, and these are among the most professional groups we work with. In fact, many of these travel leaders are members of our Presidents Club.”

Founded in 1996 as the only travel conference in America for bank travel programs, the Select Traveler Conference expanded its reach in 2015 when it began inviting alumni organizations and chambers of commerce that reach similarly upscale travelers. This new cooperative program is designed to bring some of Collette’s best such customers to the conference as its guests.

“For us, a foundation of our business is our commitment to see our customers faceto-face as often as we can,” said Edwards. “We have regional sales managers who frequently call on these groups in their hometowns, and we want to see them at the Select Traveler Conference as well. What we really like about these groups is that there is always one key person who manages the program, and we want to get to know that person. This sponsorship with the Select Traveler Conference just builds on that for us.”

For registration details, visit www.selectravelerconf.com.

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STORIED stays

The Grand Hotel’s front porch

The Cupola Suite at the Grand Hotel

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The Grand Hotel’s dining room

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Photos courtesy the Grand Hotel

treat your group to an iconic hotel

BY ELIZA MYERS

A

night at a luxury hotel can make anyone feel like royalty.

The gold-plated bathroom fixtures, Michelin-starred restaurants and eager-to-pamper staff at these upscale hotels live up to their decadent hype.

Groups looking for a little luxury in their next vacation can splurge on rooms at an iconic hotel for more than just a night’s sleep. Even groups on a budget can soak up the opulence of these properties during tours, dinners or cocktail hours.

PLAZA HOTEL NEW YORK

When the Plaza Hotel opened in 1907, rooms cost $2.05 a night.

Today, rooms can run guests anywhere from $800 to $30,000.

Known as “the playground for the rich and famous,” the elegant hotel is the pinnacle of New York City extravagance. The only hotel in the city designated a National Historic Landmark, the Plaza features a renowned spa and 24-hour butler service that stations a different butler on each floor.

If the glamorous interior seems fit for a scene in “The Great Gatsby,” the similarity is not a coincidence. F. Scott Fitzgerald set part of his trademark novel inside the Plaza.

In 2008, a $400 million overhaul installed gold-plated bathroom fixtures and other additions to the 282-room venue. Travelers who can’t afford the nightly price tag can still bask in the lavish surroundings by booking tea at the Palm Court, listening to jazz at the Rose Club or sipping drinks at the Champagne Bar. Groups can also enjoy a decadent meal at the Todd English Food Hall for a wide range of gourmet meals that includes such items as sushi and pasta.

The hotel also welcomes tours. Movie tours normally visit the hotel because of its appearance in several films, such as “North by Northwest.” Tours also allow visitors to walk in the footsteps of a long list of celebrities, including the Beatles, Marilyn Monroe and Greta Garbo.

THEPLAZANY.COM

STANLEY HOTEL

ESTES PARK, COLORADO Old World elegance meets rugged mountain scenery at the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado. The 1909 property overlooks Rocky Mountain National Park, with rooms ranging in price from $200 to

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$750 per night. And it became famous when it inspired author Stephen King’s 1977 novel “The Shining,” as well as the subsequent film of the same name.

The summer resort has long hosted honored guests such as Molly Brown and Theodore Roosevelt. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the property offers several room styles, from the historic main hotel to the more modern lodge area.

Groups wanting a quick stop can choose from several restaurants.

The Cascades is a full-service restaurant with American food and Colorado specialties. The Whiskey Bar and Lounge serves high-end whiskey drinks, as well as other drinks and cuisine.

Tours at the hotel begin with a short video. Guides then lead guests to some of the hotel’s famous rooms while relating its history, its connection to “The Shining” and modern ghost stories.

On weekends, the Stanley Hotel features comedy performances, concerts and mystery dinner events.

STANLEYHOTEL.COM

GRAND HOTEL

MACKINAC ISLAND, MICHIGAN

On a tiny island between Michigan’s Upper and Lower peninsulas, time appears to stand still. Mackinac Island’s sprawling Grand Hotel offers a 19th-century luxury experience with upscale amenities fit for modern standards.

This all-wood hotel features lavishly decorated rooms from design icons Dorothy Draper and Carleton Varney. The 1887 property is known for its views of Lake Huron, 660-foot-long front porch and past guests, who include five U.S. presidents.

Since the island forbids automobile traffic, daily life takes place at a more relaxed pace. Groups can easily get around on bicycles, electric golf carts or horse-drawn carriages.

The average daily rate of the hotel is $600, though the price fluctuates depending on the season. The summer season is the busiest, so some groups prefer to visit in the spring or fall. The hotel closes during the winter, which gives the staff time to make repairs and updates.

Groups can opt for several different packages. Those that don’t want to spend the night often purchase a meal package. One package includes a full breakfast and a five-course dinner. Another option is the lunch buffet.

History lectures, live music and afternoon tea can also add to the experience.

GRANDHOTEL.COM

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The Greenbrier’s entrance Courtesy The Greenbrier

The Stanley Hotel

Courtesy the Stanley Hotel

French Lick Springs Hotel’s lobby

FRENCH LICK RESORT Courtesy the French Lick Resort

FRENCH LICK, INDIANA

Natural mineral springs originally led to the opening of The Greenbrier in 1778. For more than 200 years, the National Historic Landmark has attracted guests, including 27 U.S. presidents, to White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.

The 11,000-acre resort’s 20 dining establishments, 55 activities and 36 retail shops could keep anyone busy. The Greenbrier boasts five acclaimed golf courses with views of the Allegheny Mountains. Each summer, the hotel hosts The Greenbrier Classic, a PGA Tour event.

Dorothy Draper designed the hotel’s bold and colorful interiors.

Guests can stay in the hotel for an average of $550 per night or participate in a tour. Tours take guests to the hotel’s historic attractions, including the Bunker, a “secret” nuclear fallout shelter built at the hotel in 1968. The government built the shelter to house Congress in the event of a nuclear fallout, with enough food to last 30 years.

Groups can still dip into the property’s healing sulfur springs at the Spa at The Greenbrier. Two pools, an expansive tennis center and a 103,000-square-foot gaming and entertainment venue also allow group members to pursue their own interests.

A gold-gilded lobby welcomes guests to the French Lick Springs Hotel. The ornate hotel is about a one-mile trolley ride from its sister property, the West Baden Springs Hotel. Together, these two historic resorts make up the French Lick Resort.

Groups can stay at these affordable upscale resorts to enjoy gorgeous decor, amenities and on-site attractions. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the French Lick Springs Resort features a canary-yellow exterior, frescoes and gilded decor from its 1845 construction. Today, the hotel offers a wide range of programs geared toward groups and families.

Famous for its remarkable domed atrium, the West Baden Springs Hotel is a National Historic Landmark. Couples looking for a luxurious, romantic experience often choose West Baden Springs Hotel.

The site initially gained attention for its unusual salt springs. Travelers can still bathe in the spring’s reputedly healing waters at both hotels’ spas. French Lick’s spa reflects American tastes; the Spa at West Baden was influenced by lavish European spas. Visitors can follow their treatments with afternoon tea in the atrium.

Activities abound at the resort, with swimming pools, a six-lane bowling alley, an arcade, bike rentals, casino gaming and historic walking tours through the surrounding Hoosier National Forest. Groups can book horseback riding outings or carriage rides to explore the grounds.

The resort’s Donald Ross golf course has attracted many sports lovers. The course even hosted a few PGA championships over the years.

GREENBRIER.COM

FRENCHLICK.COM

THE GREENBRIER

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, WEST VIRGINIA

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RITZ PARIS PARIS

The first hotel with a phone, electricity and a tub in every room, the Ritz Paris continues to wow visitors. An elegant French design aesthetic combines with the legendary history of the hotel, which has attracted great thinkers such as Marcel Proust, Coco Chanel and Ernest Hemingway since its opening in 1898.

Each room feels like a private residence, with palatial decor, original artwork and stunning antiques. The rooms feature 18th-century Parisian design with neutral color palettes, gold accents, chandeliers and fireplaces.

Three dining options, including one Michelin-starred restaurant; beautiful gardens; and a Chanel-themed spa keep guests pampered throughout their stay. The Spa at the Ritz offers a two-hour treatment with a diamond-exfoliating scrub, fragranced body massage and caviar face treatment.

Groups can learn to re-create a French meal at the Ritz’s cooking school, L’Ecole Ritz Escoffier. The school rigorously trains chefs all over the world and teaches one-hour workshops on how to create one simple dish, like risotto and truffles. Participants watch the demonstration and then sample it with a complimentary glass of wine.

Other high-class experiences at the hotel include Sunday brunch with traditional French favorites and a Parisian high tea on porcelain cups with delectable meringues.

The Hemingway Bar pays tribute to the hotel’s literary history.

Travelers can order a classic cocktail and munch on tapas in honor of Hemingway’s love of Spain.

A suite at the Plaza Hotel Courtesy the Plaza Hotel

Courtesy Food Suite Tours TheAsheville Imperial

at the Ritz Paris

Dining at the Ritz Paris

RITZPARIS.COM Courtesy the Ritz Paris

Courtesy the Ritz Paris

WESTERN

Authenticity. Hospitality. Experience.

Cheyenne offers your group the history and romance of the West, paired with attractions, restaurants, museums, and hotels that will create memorable experiences for your customers.

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CHEYENNE.ORG | 800-426-5009 selecttraveler.com

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S T A T E

o f

M I N D

more to love

VIRGINIA IS PASSIONATE ABOUT GROUPS

BY JILL GLEESON

I

t has been a half-century since “Virginia Is for Lovers” became the Old Dominion’s official tourism slogan, and in that time the commonwealth has only become more popular with group travelers.

According to the Virginia Tourism Corporation, the economic impact of travel there skyrocketed from $1.3 billion — $8.6 billion in 2018 dollars — in 1969, the year the slogan kicked off, to $26 billion in 2018. From 2017 to 2018 alone, visitor spending jumped 4.4%.

Iconic though the catchphrase is, these increases are no doubt due less to its ubiquity than to the growth of superior attractions in Virginia’s communities, which are so diverse they promise something to please every group member. From spectacular shorelines to flourishing culinary scenes, world-class cultural institutions to locales of deep historical significance, places like Richmond, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, the Historic Triangle and Loudoun County give group travelers plenty to love.

RICHMOND

Virginia’s capital is hot, and we’re not just talking about its sultry summer weather. Richmond is bursting with creative energy. That extends to its booming foodie scene, which snagged four James Beard Award semi-finalist nods this year, including Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic for Sunny Baweja, proprietor of the sleek eatery Lehja. The restaurant dishes up elevated Indian cuisine carefully crafted by the always charming Baweja; if groups get lucky, he might come out from the kitchen and gab with them for a spell.

Richmond has a lot more going for it than superb cuisine, however.

“We have an award-winning beer scene — Richmond was named the No. 1 World’s Top Beer Destination in 2018 by VinePair.com — and plenty of historic sites and museums,”

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LO UDO UN CO UN TY

R I CHM O N D

area offers quieter pleasures, too. Powhatan County’s Chadwick and Son offers groups customizable tours of its 18-acre orchid nursery, filled with the dazzling flowers in every shape and color imaginable. visitrichmondva.com

JAM ES TO WN

NORFOLK

NO R FO LK VI R GI N I A B EACH

Norfolk Harborfest

Courtesy VisitNorfolk

Groups can explore Richmond while riding the rapids on the James River.

Courtesy Richmond Region Tourism

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said Meghan Gearino, travel media manager for Richmond Region Tourism. “That includes the newly expanded American Civil War Museum; St. John’s Church, where Patrick Henry gave his ‘Give me liberty or give me death’ speech; and the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia. And art enthusiasts can enjoy blocks of art galleries and locally owned boutiques in the Richmond Arts District.”

More adventurous group members might want to raft the James River — Richmond is the only city with Class IV rapids running through it — but the

If you think Norfolk is just about sailors and ships, think again. Home to the world’s largest naval base, this charming city on the Chesapeake features a commercial center that’s excellent for groups.

“It’s a very walkable downtown, and it’s all waterfront, so you have beautiful views of our harbor area,” said Sarah Hughes, media relations manager for VisitNorfolk. “And then you can easily walk into different neighborhoods that are a little bit more quaint; so people can split up into smaller groups or stay as one big group, depending on their interests.”

Those neighborhoods include Freemason, with fetching cobblestone streets and Colonialstyle homes; Ghent, which offers great shops, restaurants and breweries: and NEON, or New Energy of Norfolk, the city’s arts district. There, groups will find some 100 outdoor murals, “so no matter where you turn, you’ll find art,” Hughes said. “Groups can also book tours of NEON with Norfolk Tour Company. He gives you the background and history of not only the neighborhood but also the different murals, which makes the whole area come to life.”

Groups will want to make time for the Chrysler Museum of Art, which offers 50 galleries with more than 30,000 objects,

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including the country’s largest glass art collection. The museum gives glassblowing demonstrations and classes at its studio across the street.

No visit to Norfolk is complete without paying tribute to America’s seafaring service men and women at Nauticus and the Battleship Wisconsin, a maritime museum and U.S. Navy ship visitors can tour. For a closer look at the mighty Atlantic fleet, groups should book a two-hour, narrated trip with Victory Rover Naval Base Cruises, which departs from the museum. visitnorfolk.com

features wineries, distillers and breweries, like Billsburg, at the James City County Marina. “And then we’ve got Busch Gardens,” Potter said, “which is a world-class theme park with really great roller coasters. There’s an awful lot here for groups to enjoy.” visitwilliamsburg.com Richmond’s 1708 Gallery Courtesy Richmond Region Tourism

JAMESTOWN, WILLIAMSBURG AND YORKTOWN

Known as America’s Historic Triangle, Jamestown, Williamsburg and Yorktown are linked by Colonial Williamsburg the 23-mile Colonial Parkway and a series of events that tell the story of the creation of this country.

Groups should visit the towns Bluemont Vineyard in chronological order. Begin with Jamestown, where the first permanent English colony was founded in 1607, before moving on to Williamsburg, established as the Virginia colony’s capital in 1699 and home to men like George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Finish up in Yorktown, site of the last great battle of the Revolutionary War. “The American Revolution Museum at Yorktown is the latest museum,” said Visit Williamsburg marketing director Dave Potter. “It’s a first-class museum with both indoor and outdoor exhibits. There’s a companion museum in Jamestown Settlement. Yorktown is a quaint little village with a nice waterfront. They have schooner sailings available, and you can do Segway tours or kayak. Historic Jamestowne is where the archaeological dig is, and then, of course, groups could spend a couple days in Colonial Williamsburg if they want to take in all of the historic buildings and trades and things.”

Even if you aren’t a history buff, there’s plenty to do in the area, according to Potter. That includes following the Williamsburg Tasting Trail, which

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Jamestown Settlement

Courtesy Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation

VIRGINIA BEACH

Nestled at the point where the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean meet, Virginia Beach makes good on its name with a spectacular stretch of sand and surf that boasts a three-mile boardwalk. In the summer, things heat up on the boardwalk, with four stages interspersed along it providing a regular assortment of live entertainment. Still, according to Erin Goldmeier, Visit Virginia Beach director of public relations, the city is much more than its signature attraction.

One of the most popular

By Kathy Kirby stops for visitors to the area is the historic Cape Henry Lighthouse, “which was authorized

by George Washington and completed in 1792,” Goldmeier said.

“Groups often climb to the top for a 360-degree view of where the first settlers landed, the Atlantic Ocean and all the beautiful, pristine land.” Afterward, she said, “everyone can head to an oyster tasting at one of our restaurants. Virginia Beach is home to Lynnhaven oyster, a larger species that’s indigenous Courtesy Visit Loudoun to these waters. They have an interesting history — they were served on the Titanic — but that’s just one type we have. Virginia is famous for its oysters.”

Other attractions in Virginia Beach include the Military Aviation Museum, which features one of the planet’s largest private collections of aircraft from World War I and II. Groups can dine in the hangar among the airplanes, watch a flight demonstration or even take to the air in a 1941 biplane. More thrills await at the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center, where groups can head out on a dolphin-watching cruise narrated by an aquarium educator. visitvirginiabeach.com

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LOUDOUN COUNTY

Lovely Loudoun County may be part of the Washington metro area, but make no mistake: It has an identity all its own.

“Loudoun County offers a variety of elevated experiences for groups,” said Visit Loudoun director of media relations Jennifer Sigal, “and they’re all within a setting that’s easily accessible but feels a world away. We have a very diverse wine, beer and culinary scene that’s pretty much unmatched on the East Coast.

And then you couple that with great Southern hospitality. When groups come into our attractions, they’re going to be met by owners and winemakers and farmers, so they get that personal touch.”

Wine aficionados touring Loudoun will want to take a taste at Stone Tower Winery, a premium producer that customizes vine-to-glass tours, winepairing dinners and other experiences for groups. Meanwhile, Bluemont Vineyard recently de-

Cape Henry Lighthouse

Courtesy Visit Virginia Beach

Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge

A polo game in Loudoun County

Virginia Beach’s Catch 31 Fish House and Bar Courtesy Visit Loudoun

Sip, savor and explore authentic historic attractions, arts, wineries, breweries, the great outdoors and award-winning dining. The perfect getaway, right off the beaten path. visitfred.com

Courtesy Visit Virginia Beach

buted a sangria class: Guests pick their own fruit from the farm across the street and then use it to make the beverage. For an even sweeter adventure, The Conche, a chocolate-themed eatery helmed

by Food Network celeb chef Santosh Tiptur, hosts cocktail- and chocolate-making classes, chocolate-sculpting demos and more.

Groups that would like a peek at one of the world’s oldest team sports can catch polo matches on summer Saturdays at Morven Park and then discover more about the wellheeled pastime at the National Sporting Library and Museum.

“It’s a hidden gem in Middleburg, which is one of Loudoun County’s great, historic towns,” Sigal said. “It’s where the Kennedys used to go when they were in office. They do a tour of their rare book library, which has some really unique items — they have a handwritten speech from FDR and books that date back to the 1500s. It’s fascinating.” visitloudoun.org

known

F O R

BATTLEFIELDS

G E T T Y S B U R G N AT I O N A L M I L I TA R Y PA R K

GETTYSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA Courtesy Destination Gettysburg

OFTEN CALLED THE GREATEST BATTLE ever fought on American soil, the battle of Gettysburg, which raged over three July days in 1863 and resulted in more than 50,000 casualties, turned the tide of the Civil War. It was in this bucolic pocket of southern Pennsylvania that the Union Army stopped Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee’s invasion, protecting the U.S. capital and reviving plummeting Union morale.

Groups that visit Gettysburg National Military Park “will get a different perspective than what they learned growing up,” said Natalie Buyny, director of media and public relations for Destination Gettysburg. “There’s no better view than from Little Round Top. That’s the strategic hill where the Union Army held out against a Confederate attack, which was really the battle’s decisive victory.”

There are many ways to explore the roughly 6,000-acre park, including by horseback and carriage ride. After, groups should head to the charming town from which the battlefield takes its name. Long called one of the country’s most haunted places, Gettysburg offers ghost-themed experiences, like the Ghosts of Gettysburg Candlelight Walking Tours. Foodies can visit one of Adams County’s many farm markets, follow the area’s craft cider and adult beverages trail, or even stop by the National Apple Museum, which celebrates the fruits that helped grow the county.

S H I LO H N AT I O N A L M I L I TA R Y PA R K

SHILOH, TENNESSEE Courtesy Shiloh National Military Park

SHILOH CHANGED EVERYTHING. At sunrise on April 6, 1862, thousands of Confederate soldiers streamed out of the woods, surprising Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant’s Federal forces, which were camped around Tennessee’s Shiloh Church. Two days later, some 23,000 men had been killed or wounded or were missing.

“The Civil War is pivotal in U.S. history, but Shiloh itself was one of the turning points during the war,” said Shiloh National Military Park ranger Chris Mekow. “There were 110,000 Americans in this fight, which at that point was the largest land battle in the entire hemisphere. It made the public realize that the war wasn’t going to be the easy, clean struggle that they thought it would be.”

Mekow suggests visitors plan to spend at least three hours at the park, beginning with a viewing of the Shiloh Battlefield Visitor’s Center film. Afterward, groups can take a ranger-guided tour of sites like Hornet’s Nest, where thousands of Union soldiers stood fast against a tireless assault by Confederates. Shiloh’s iconic Hagy’s Catfish Hotel is a great place for groups to refuel before stopping by Savannah’s Tennessee River Museum, home to everything from fossils to steamboat memorabilia. Nearly Pickwick State Park provides boating, swimming, kayaking and easy walking trails for groups wishing to stretch their legs.

TNVACATION.COM/WEST-TENNESSEE/SHILOH

DESTINATIONGETTYSBURG.COM

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BY JILL GLEESON

M I N U T E M A N N AT I O N A L H I S T O R I C A L PA R K

U TA H B E A C H

LEXINGTON & CONCORD, MASSACHUSETTS

NORMANDY, FRANCE Courtesy NPS

WITH FOUR UNITS, Minute Man National Historical Park in Massachusetts encompasses the sites of the skirmishes between the British army and the American revolutionaries that began the fight for independence.

“Most people have probably heard of the battles of Lexington and Concord because they were part of the creation of our nation,” said Phil Lupsiewicz, National Park Service media and communications specialist. “But they might not be familiar with how everything happened. And that’s what we do. We tell the story of April 19, 1775.”

The 1,000-acre park ranges from Lexington Green, the location of the first fighting between the Minutemen militia and the Redcoats, to Concord’s North Bridge, where the famed “shot heard round the world” rang out as the conflict continued. The five-mile Battle Road Trail follows the path of the Running Battle that occurred as the Brits attempted to march back to Boston from Concord.

Groups may want to catch the park’s annual April battle reenactments but should make time to explore the two towns that bookend the park. Concord is a place of literary pleasures, like Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, which holds the graves of Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau and Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Orchard House, where Louisa May Alcott wrote “Little Women.”

Lexington offers goodies like the world-class Lexington Symphony and historical homes that groups can tour by contacting the town’s historical society.

Courtesy Normandy Tourist Board

THE UNITED STATES IS FILLED WITH BATTLEFIELDS by turns stirring and somber, but there is also a site overseas where groups will want to pay their respects: Normandy, France. This area marks the most significant Allied victory in World War II, which set the stage for the liberation of Europe from the Nazi regime. Beginning June 6, 1944, some 160,000 troops, primarily British, Canadian and American, launched an assault against the Germans along a 50-mile stretch of coastline. It’s estimated that D-Day resulted in more than 6,600 American casualties.

Normandy is rich with museums and memorials dedicated to the events surrounding D-Day, including the Normandy American Cemetery and the Utah and Omaha beaches where American soldiers landed. But groups should be sure to explore some of the other treasures of the region, too, like Claude Monet’s House and Gardens, where the beloved impressionist created many of his masterpieces, and the spectacular Abbaye du Mont-Saint-Michel, tucked away on an island in the English Channel. The contemporary church Eglise Jeanne d’Arc marks the spot where Joan of Arc was burned for heresy and became legend.

EN.NORMANDIE-TOURISME.FR

MERRIMACKVALLEY.ORG

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The Meeting for Bank, Alumni, & Chamber Travel Directors

LITTLE BIGHORN BATTLEFIELD NATIONAL MONUMENT

LITTLE BIGHORN COUNTRY, MONTANA

By Victoria Stauffenberg, courtesy NPS

Cheyenne, Wyoming March 22-24, 2020

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Call to Register Today:

IF THERE IS A CONFLICT ON AMERICAN SOIL as storied and studied as Gettysburg, it’s Montana’s Battle of the Little Bighorn, more famously known as Custer’s Last Stand. On June 25 and 26, 1876, thousands of Lakota and Cheyenne, fighting against the government that had forced them to leave their ancestral lands, took on a few hundred U.S. Army cavalry soldiers. Most, including leader Lt. Col. George A. Custer, would perish.

The park features Last Stand Hill, which Ken Woody, the park’s chief of interpretation, called “one of the most famous hills in the West. It’s where Custer was found dead, and it’s the location of the mass graves of the soldiers and the horses; and the Indian memorial is also nearby. I always tell groups if you don’t do anything else while you’re here, you have to do that.”

The surrounding Big Horn County entices groups with the Custer Battlefield Trading Post and Cafe, famous for its Indian tacos and fry bread. Hardin is home to the 36-acre Big Horn County Historical Museum and Visitor Center, with two-dozen historic buildings; or groups can head to Bighorn River, for some of the country’s best fly-fishing.

NPS.GOV/LIBI

800.628.0993

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TRAVEL

ALLIANCE

PARTNERS TR AVEL GUI D E

PUBLISHED BY THE GROUP TRAVEL LEAD ER

REDISCOVER ATLANTIC CITY

The Story Continues

Entertainment and excitement await in Atlantic City, including

our world-famous Boardwalk, the ultimate in tax-free shopping, award-winning dining, live entertainment, and great attractions, like the Absescon Lighthouse, the tallest lighthouse in New Jersey. Experience an exciting getaway and create a lifetime of memories in Atlantic City.

Atlantic City Expert Heather Colache is available at 609-318-6097 or hcolache@meetac.com to make sure you enjoy Atlantic City as it was meant to be experienced. Call today to book your Atlantic City Experience.

Meet AC received funding through a grant from the New Jersey Department of State, Division of Travel and Tourism.

TourAtlanticCity.com

Columbus group tours are designed to be as fun as they are intriguing.

Choose from a variety of guided tours and hands-on experiences, including

a visit to the newly opened National Veterans Memorial and Museum. For your group’s next memorable getaway, visit experiencecolumbus.com/tours.

HELLO FROM TAP’S NEW HEADQUARTERS

T

recently redesigned website, also check the scheduled departures and custom tour ideas. You’ll find everything at tapintotravel.com.

TAP also continues to provide valuable education to the travel industry.

Join us each week, Tuesdays at 2 p.m. Eastern, to explore new tours and destinations live with a TAP Tour Operator host. These 30-minute webinars are

designed to provide detailed information so that you can understand the tour and how it will fit with your group’s travel desires. Review topics and sign up

at the “webinar” tab at tapintotravel.com. You can also catch these webinars on demand after the live date.

We’re helping you in other ways, too. Are you a travel professional with

ravel Alliance Partners

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It’s a great way to increase your global tour offerings by collaborating with adding this marketing tool to your website, you will receive higher commissions and never lose your clients.

It takes all of us, working together, to make our individual businesses a

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organizational structure is supported by the power of

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and travel buyers. The past year has been exciting as our new management company, Break the Ice Media,

built relationships, increased our knowledge of TAP,

TAP TOURS GO TO A VARIETY OF DESTINATIONS WORLDWIDE, INCLUDING DUBLIN, IRELAND.

and brought fresh ideas and processes to the organization. Be sure to stop by and see us if you are ever in the Rochester, New York, area.

There is a strong sense of community and shared

mission among all those associated with TAP. The power of the TAP brand continues to elevate all partners

— clients, TAP Tour Operators and suppliers — as each partner-operator must adhere to a high set of standards

Courtesy Sports Travel & Tours

that are assessed annually to ensure the highest-quality experience for your clients.

The partners continue to bring unique and fresh

destinations to their clients. Take a look at just some of these experiences, profiled on the following pages.

This year, we’ve featured experiences with adventure travel, food and spirits, animal and wildlife, and city

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2020 TAP TRAVEL GUIDE

Let Loose with Oklahoma’s Legendary Landmarks on Route 66 Looking for new novelties, nooks and crannies to explore? Guide your group off its usual beaten path to Oklahoma!

Meet Myrtle, a quirky, two-story-tall kachina doll at Elk City’s National Route 66 Museum. Then, wander ‘round the Arcadia Round Barn, a historic icon built in 1898. Next, blast off to Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios to see the space cowboy with a steely gaze.

And what better place to wrap things up than Tulsa’s East Meets West: Symbolic Route 66 Midpoint? Watch the past and present collide through these bronze statues depicting travel — by carriage and car.

Discover attractions, itineraries and more at TravelOK.com/Group.

DARE TO EXPLORE

BRYCE CANYON

BY E LI Z A M Y E R S Courtesy Western Leisure

W

A DV EN TU R E SEEK ER S ENJOY THESE TA P ITIN ER A R IES

hen people leave their comfortable routines to step onto a plane, they venture into the unknown. They choose adventure over the everyday to walk through a European castle, stare at a geologic wonder or drive a train.

These bucket-list-worthy tours from Travel Alliance Partners take guests to different cultures, natural treasures and memorable experiences.

The excitement of each comes not from physically daring excursions but from the thrill of exploring some of the world’s most incredible destinations.

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EUROPE’S RIVERS AND CASTLES CUSTOM HOLIDAYS

Custom Holidays travelers step into the pages of a fairy tale on the company’s Europe’s River and Castles luxury river tour.

Groups will sail past castle after castle on a river cruise with partner AmaWaterways. The cruise journeys along the Rhine, Main and Moselle rivers past medieval European towns in Germany, France and Luxembourg, each with its own character, cuisine and scenery. Guests can immerse themselves in every stop, with plenty of time in port to relax or choose from several planned excursions.

Those wanting an active vacation can book bike rides at most stops.

Historic walking tours also reveal the history and heart of each destination.

Customers report that their favorite day involves sailing on the Rhine Gorge. The trip’s cruise director hands every passenger a map and points our approximately 15 castles along the way, some close to the boat.

Passengers can also opt for a gondola ride over the vineyards of Rudesheim to the Niederwald Monument. After admiring the imposing statue, participants sample local wines and enjoy the stunning scenery.

During the Germany portion of the cruise, groups also learn the art of pretzel-making in Wertheim, sample Cochem’s famous mustard and discover the country’s ancient Roman past in Trier.

2020 TAP TRAVEL GUIDE

CALGARY STAMPEDE DENURE TOURS

A CLIFFSIDE MONASTERY IN GREECE

Courtesy Ed-Ventures

INCREDIBLE COPPER CANYON OF MEXICO FANCY-FREE HOLIDAYS

With snow-capped mountain peaks rising 8,000 feet above a tropical canyon floor, Mexico’s Copper Canyon is one of the largest canyons in North America. The gorgeous sight takes visitors’ breath away on FancyFree Holidays’ Incredible Copper Canyon of Mexico tour.

After a cruise on the Sea of Cortez and a stop at a pearl farm, groups arrive in the foothills of the Sierra Madre Mountains at Alamos. Declared a National Historic Landmark, the town preserves its cobblestone streets and Spanish Colonial mansions. Dinner with traditional music, dancing and costumes introduces guests to the local culture.

After exploring Alamos, groups board the Copper Canyon Railroad for a journey known as the “train ride in the sky.” The train provides the only access to Copper Canyon’s untouched wilderness. The dramatic railway travels through 86 tunnels and more than 37 trestles.

Once groups arrive at Posada Barrancas, they watch a presentation on the culture of the Tarahumara indigenous group to learn about the seminomadic cliff dwellers who still call the area home.

The Copper Canyon Aerial Tramway descends into the canyon for unparalleled views. Travelers choose among hiking, horseback riding or simply relaxing, with great views of the canyon.

WWW.TAPINTOTRAVEL.COM

Groups take home an authentic cowboy hat and memories of one of the world’s most famous events on DeNure Tours’ Calgary Stampede tour. The Canadian rodeo event features thrilling competitions such as the GMC Rangeland Derby, where 36 chuck-wagon drivers and 216 horses race for $1 million in prize money.

Onlookers stay on the edge of their seats watching the bold and skilled riders compete in barrel racing, bareback riding, tie-down roping and steer wrestling. Acrobatic dancing, musical performances and fireworks also add to the celebration.

Groups watch everything unfold from premium seats reserved by DeNure Tours. The tour also includes upclose bleacher seats for the Calgary Stampede Parade, one of the largest parades in the world.

Guests stay at a downtown hotel with easy access to local transportation around Calgary. The 10-day tour goes beyond bucking broncos with sightseeing in Calgary and the region.

On day four, guests venture out to Dinosaur Provincial Park, a rocky landscape that resembles the badlands.

Groups keep watch for birds and wildlife while learning about the dinosaur species that called the habitat home 75 million years ago.

Other excursions include a hike around Lake Louise; a gondola ride in Banff, Alberta; and a tour of Calgary’s Heritage Park Historic Village.

CANYON COUNTRY EXPERIENCE WESTERN LEISURE

Century after century, geological forces formed aweinspiring natural wonders in Utah and northern Arizona.

Because of their proximity, Western Leisure’s Canyon Country Experience visits eight extraordinary national and state parks in seven days.

The tour includes several bucket list destinations like the Grand Canyon National Park, Monument Valley and Arches National Park. Groups begin the trip in Las Vegas before heading to the legendary Grand Canyon National Park. The 1.2 million-acre park offers breathtaking views, wildlife and hiking trails.

From there, groups learn about the area’s Native American culture at the Explore Navajo Interactive Museum. Next, they visit Monument Valley, with an iconic landscape made famous by its appearance in scores of famous films and television shows. The evening ends with a presentation on Navajo culture, food and entertainment.

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A CANAL IN CORINTH

GERMANY’S COCHEM CASTLE

Groups then visit Arches National Park before taking a Sunset Jet Boat Ride on the Colorado River past red rock canyons. The tour stops for lunch next to ancient petroglyphs at Capitol Reef National Park before arriving at Bryce Canyon.

A tour of the unusual rock formations of Bryce Canyon is followed by time to explore Zion Canyon’s waterfalls and sheer red cliffs.

GREECE: IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF PAUL ED-VENTURES

Courtesy AMA Waterways

EXPLORING A GERMAN VILLAGE Courtesy AMA Waterways

Courtesy Ed-Ventures

To escape religious persecution, monks in 14th-century Greece climbed to heights where few would follow. They built monasteries in cliffside caves and other high places in Meteora. Groups visit these historic monasteries perched precariously on gray rock pinnacles on Ed-Ventures’ tour Greece: In the Footsteps of Paul.

The religious-themed tour will run as a custom departure in 2020 but can be repeated and altered by other groups. The tour follows the apostle Paul’s journey through Greece by stopping in various cities Paul visited while also including Greece’s other historic attractions.

Groups first explore Kavala, where Paul first landed in Europe. The tour includes stops at other places where he preached in Thessaloniki, Veria and Athens’ Mars Hill.

Historic churches also play a prominent role in the trip. For example, a walk through St. Demetrios Church in Thessaloniki showcases the church’s valuable mosaics and frescoes.

After the monasteries at Meteora, groups begin a three-day cruise of the Aegean Islands. Picture-perfect beauty captivates visitors at stops in Mykonos, Crete and Santorini.

A final visit to Athens allows guests to see the ruins of the Parthenon, the House of Parliament, the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Panathenaic Stadium, where the first Olympics were held.

#1 Scenic Train Ride!

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2020 TAP TRAVEL GUIDE

A PERFECT STOP FOR THOSE HUNGRY FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

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DURHAM BUFFALO RANCH

From Thundering Herds to Plundering Hordes, Gillette, Wyoming has plenty to offer.

Photos courtesy Fancy-Free Holidays

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MEXICO’S COPPER CANYON

THE FOODIE BUFFALO RANCH TOURS EXPERIENCE

OVER 70 RESTAURANTS

COAL MINE & MUSEUM TOURS

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Location, location, location. And food.

Just an hour from Devils Tower between Mount Rushmore and Yellowstone, Gillette and Wright are a dream stop-over destination for any motor coach tour. If you’re not licking your chops yet, we’re a regional up-and-coming food destination with gourmet food and drink to fuel your guests through their whole trip.

JUST AN HOUR FROM THE TOWER! For assistance with booking a tour contact:

Campbell County Convention & Visitors Bureau

Jessica Seders, Executive Director • jessica@visitgillettewright.com Christen Burette, DMO Sales Manager • christen@visitgillettewright.com 1810 S. Douglas Highway, Suite A • Gillette, WY 82718 • 800-544-6136 • 307-686-0040 visitgillettewright.com • www.facebook.com/VisitGilletteWright

SEE ALL THE TOURS, ACTIVITIES & DINING OPTIONS AT

VISITGILLETTE.COM 33

CANYON COUNTRY EXPERIENCE CALGARY STAMPEDE

Everyone remembers their first time driving a car, and their first time driving a train can be just as thrilling. Participants on Leisure West Tours and Cruises’ You Are the Engineer tour in Nevada operate a steam locomotive for an adrenaline-filled experience.

With one hand on the throttle and the other hand on the whistle, groups take turns controlling a powerful 19th-century locomotive. Participants feel the heat of the coal-banked fire and watch the steam fill up the sky as they operate the train.

Groups also take charge of a diesel locomotive for the sounds of steelon-steel and panoramic views on the Nevada Northern Railway.

The authentic experience requires participants to read the Nevada Northern Railway Train Service Rule Book and pass an open-book exam.

Groups divide up so everyone who qualifies takes turns driving either the steam or diesel locomotive. While one part of the group is guiding a train, the other will explore the rail yards on speeder cars or wander through the historic towns of Ely and McGill. The next day, the groups switch so that each participant gets a chance to drive both the diesel and the steam locomotives.

Courtesy Western Leisure

ARCHES NATIONAL PARK Courtesy Western Leisure

YOU ARE THE RAILROAD ENGINEER: THE ULTIMATE EXPERIENCE LEISURE WEST TOURS AND CRUISES

Courtesy Calgary Tourism

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Courtesy Leisure West Tours & Cruises

2020 TAP TRAVEL GUIDE

Historic Central High School, Little Rock

Garvan Woodland Gardens, Hot Springs

Bathhouse Row, Hot Springs

The Old Mill, North Little Rock

Clinton Presidential Center, Little Rock

COME FIND YOUR ARKANSAS

ArkansasGroupTravel.com

STREET SMART TRAVEL

A PICTURESQUE IRISH WATERFRONT

BY E LI Z A M Y E R S

F

rom a walk through an above-ground cemetery to an after-hours tour of a palace, city tours with Travel Alliance Partners tour operators fascinate guests. These itineraries go beyond the generic for a well-rounded look at each destination.

Groups can explore iconic cities that vary in size but retain their own distinct cultures, attractions and charm with these TAP tours.

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TA P MEMBER S OFFER INSIDER V IEWS OF CITIES HGTV’S FIXER-UPPER TOUR ADVANCE TOUR AND TRAVEL

Even before their marriage, Chip and Joanna Gaines felt an itch to remodel houses. By the time HGTV came knocking to make a reality show, they had renovated enough homes to have developed their farmhouse-chic style, which became incredibly influential in home design.

“Fixer Upper” was an instant hit when it aired in 2013. Advance Tour and Travel’s trip HGTV’s Fixer Upper Tour showcases the places featured in the home renovation program as well as other top attractions around Waco, Texas.

The first day of the tour starts with Spice Village, an eclectic shopping experience. Shoppers can wander through 30,000 square feet of more than 60 local shops that offer a wide variety of items.

The next day, participants depart on a driving tour of Waco past houses, shops and other sites featured in “Fixer Upper.” The tour ends at Gaines’ Magnolia Silos store for lunch and time to shop.

Participants can choose to head out on their own or to antique shop with the group at LaSalle Shoppes. Everyone meets for dinner at Vitek’s BBQ , a local favorite Texas barbecue restaurant that has appeared several times on “Fixer Upper.”

The April tour includes the Rootstock Wine Festival and a VIP dinner on the historic Waco Suspension Bridge. Groups can customize the four-day tour to add a tour of Dallas.

2020 TAP TRAVEL GUIDE

A HISTORIC CHURCH IN IRELAND

Photos courtesy Sports Travel & Tours

CAPITALS OF CENTRAL EUROPE IMAGE TOURS

Groups have exclusive experiences at the Schonbrunn Palace in Vienna, as they arrive after hours, without the crowds. During private tours, local guides share the history of the place, then give visitors time to wander on their own.

Travelers immerse themselves in palace life on Image Tours’ 16-day Capitals of Central Europe tour. History and modern culture blend together during five two-night stays in Old World Europe’s imperial capitals at Berlin; Vienna; Budapest, Hungary; Bratislava, Slovakia; and Prague.

At each capital, groups discover the city with an overview tour from a local guide, then get to choose whether to continue exploring on their own or join in on optional guided activities.

One of the most memorable of these optional tours is one to AuschwitzBirkenau, Poland. Though sobering, this Holocaust site stays with visitors because of its emotional and historical significance.

In Budapest, groups can join the trip to the city’s Parliament for insight into Hungary’s history and government. That evening, the optional Danube Dinner Cruise showcases the Budapest skyline.

Other possible tours include a trip into the Krakow Salt Mines, a full-day excursion to Melk Abbey and a Czech Folklore Show and Dinner in Prague.

BEST OF THE BIG EASY JOY TOUR AND TRAVEL

Live Cajun music welcomes guests to New Orleans on Joy Tour and Travel’s tour The Best of the Big Easy. The custom tour’s first dinner showcases music and Cajun food at Mulate’s for a lively evening.

Groups learn the history of the intriguing city on a tour of the Garden

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District, St. Charles Avenue and the St. Louis Cemetery, the oldest above-ground cemetery in New Orleans.

Next, guests walk into a world of color and sparkle at Mardi Gras World. Guides discuss the history of the parade, show various floats and teach groups how to make their own Mardi Gras masks.

A horse-drawn carriage turns back time for a guided tour of the French Quarter. The history continues at Oak Alley Plantation, a sugarcane plantation with well-kept grounds, self-guided exhibits and an imposing 1839 main house. Afterward, the wilder side of New Orleans comes out on a private swamp boat tour.

The next day’s activity is often voted as the favorite stop. The National World War II Museum tells the story of America’s war experience with interactive features and oral histories. BB’s Stage Door Canteen lunch and USO-type show uses songs and dances from the war era.

A steamboat ride down the Mississippi River ends the day with style.

MAKING MUSIC IN NASHVILLE: THEN AND NOW ON MUSIC ROW LET’S GO TRAVELIN’

Music is everywhere in Nashville, Tennessee. Songs spill out from restaurants, bars and even some museums for a toe-tapping experience.

Groups can feel the musical heartbeat of the city on Let’s Go Travelin’s tour Making Music in Nashville: Then and Now on Music Row. The custom trip follows the city’s growth into one of the world’s most musical cities.

Over 100 recording industry businesses still line the streets in the city’s historic area. Guests can see the places that shaped the early careers of pop artists like Neil Young and contemporary Christian artists like Amy Grant.

Even recent stars like Garth Brooks and Taylor Swift have ties to Nashville.

The tour explores Music Row at historic sites, such as RCA’s famed Studio B and Studio A. Nearby, the Country Music Hall of Fame highlights country music’s roots, stars and techniques. Groups can even record their own musical renditions at one of the site’s interactive exhibits.

NAVY VS. NOTRE DAME IN DUBLIN, IRELAND SPORTS TRAVEL AND TOURS

The longest continuous intersectional rivalry in college football is coming to the Emerald Isle on August 29, 2020. Groups can watch this exciting sports spectacle on Sports Travel and Tours’ eight-day Navy vs. Notre Dame in Dublin tour.

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Dublin’s Aviva Stadium will host the 94th match. The teams previously played in Dublin in 2012, when more than 35,000 people came from the United States to watch college football and witness the beauty of Ireland. The success of the earlier event led officials to choose Dublin again as a host city for 2020.

The guaranteed departure tour highlights the football game while also incorporating some of Ireland’s most stunning destinations and culturally significant sites. Groups spend two full days in Dublin touring the capital city’s major attractions, such as the Georgian Squares, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Phoenix Park and Trinity College.

Before the big game, participants explore the Guinness Brewery, founded in 1759. Visitors finish the tour sipping on a pint of Guinness while looking over the city at a 360-degree rooftop bar.

After the game, groups discover Ireland’s cultural treasures at the Rock of Cashel, Blarney Castle, the Dingle Peninsula, the Cliffs of Moher and Galway City.

BOURBON STREET IN NEW ORLEANS Courtesy Joy Tour & Travel

MARDI GRAS MASKS

Courtesy Joy Tour & Travel

CHARLESTON AND SAVANNAH: SPRINGTIME IN THE OLD SOUTH SHENANDOAH TOURS EXPLORING KRAKOW

Courtesy Image Tours

The fragrance of magnolia and hibiscus fills the air on Shenandoah Tours’ Charleston and Savannah: Springtime in the Old South. Garden blossoms deck the two cities in color every April, making it a great time to visit.

www.kingscastletheatre.com | (417)334-2500 | 2701 W. 76 Country Boulevard | Branson, MO 65616 Group Sales Director - Dawn Formo: 843-626-7645 | dawn@spiritshowsusa.com

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2020 TAP TRAVEL GUIDE

Groups begin their five-day tour on a horse-drawn-carriage ride through the oak-lined streets of Charleston, South Carolina.

Architecturally significant churches and homes remain immaculately preserved throughout downtown.

Lunch and shopping at the old City Market build in time to wander before groups head out to the Charleston Tea Plantation.

Participants explore the tea fields while learning how tea became ingrained in Southern culture.

Moss-laden trees, antebellum homes and museums fill the next day’s tour of Savannah, Georgia. An informative trolley ride rolls past the major attractions, such as the Juliette Gordon Low House, the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist and the Cotton Exchange.

Lunch at the Pirates’ House adds some fun before guests board the Savannah Queen Riverboat for striking waterfront views.

Afterward, groups troll the waterfront’s cobblestone streets for shopping, art galleries and restaurants. The tour ends with a day of gardens and history at Middleton Place plantation and Magnolia Plantation and Gardens.

MAGNOLIA MARKET IN WACO

Courtesy AdVance Tour & Travel

N I o S n i Only Mesa,

e c n e i r e p x E hen c t i K e v i t a A Collabor de for a m s l a ive me d and e r a Exclus p e r oup, p you. f your gr o t n o n fr plated i

Courtesy Shenandoah Tours

CHARLESTON’S BATTERY NEIGHBORHOOD

Contact Todd Read for custom group itineraries at (812) 280-8082 or Todd@GoSoIN.com

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GoSoIN.com | @GoSoIN

TASTE THE

DIFFERENCE

A LOW COUNTRY PAELLA

BY E LI Z A M Y E R S

Courtesy Wade Tours

F

TA P-DESIGN ED ITIN ER A R IES STA RT W ITH LOC A L FAVOR ITES

ood can tell you a lot about a place.

Museums and driving tours are wonderful, but there’s no travel experience more personal and impactive than getting to know a destination by sampling its signature cuisine.

On these Travel Alliance Partners tours, guests can discover the incredible culture and history of each region by dining on famously delicious food.

PHILLY FOOD TOUR ALL AMERICAN TOURS

When Italians ventured to Philadelphia in the late 19th century, the immigrant community began to miss its homeland’s cuisine. In response, shops to cater to the new population quickly opened on Ninth Street.

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Guests can taste the city’s Italian flavors on All American Tours’ oneday Philly Food Tour. The guaranteed departure trip explores the Italian Market and its more than 100-year history. A local guide walks groups through the market, where they can shop for a variety of fresh foods.

South Philly is considered a foodie paradise not only for its Italian roots but also for its history of outstanding comfort food. Groups can sample some of the area’s hot spots at iconic restaurants like DiBruno Brothers, Fante’s Kitchen Shop and Anthony’s Chocolate House.

Participants can choose their own culinary adventure during a lunch on their own at Reading Terminal Market. The 114-year-old institution remains a vibrant public market with more than 75 independent businesses.

Groups can opt for a cheesesteak, a hoagie or another Philly favorite.

Afterward, visitors can walk through the 40-foot-high Chinese Friendship Gate at the entrance to Philadelphia’s Chinatown neighborhood. Groups can tour a fortune cookie factory to learn how the ubiquitous snack originated.

NEW YEAR’S IN VIEUX CARRE TALBOT TOURS

Guests can enjoy a Cajun buffet lunch in a 19th-century plantation cottage on Talbot Tours’ New Year’s in Vieux Carre trip. The tour explores the long-heralded New Orleans cuisine with stops in the city and the surrounding scenic plantations.

2020 TAP TRAVEL GUIDE

TAORMINA, SICILY

market and the Duomo, which comprises a Benedictine abbey, the Royal Palace and spellbinding mosaics. Next, groups wander through Erice, a charming medieval town where groups sample almond pastries.

Lunch in a salt museum, wine tasting in Marsala and lunch in a local farmhouse also entertain before visitors arrive at Taormina, one of the most popular towns in Sicily. Guides lead a walking tour of the town’s narrow streets past the ancient Greek Theatre, boutique shops and small restaurants. There are plenty of opportunities for gelato treats along the way.

From there, groups discover Siracusa’s Baroque buildings, Catania’s fish market and Mount Etna’s active volcano.

ALL THINGS CRABBY: MARYLAND’S DINERS AND DIVES MID ATLANTIC RECEPTIVE SERVICES

Groups begin the four-day tour at a quintessential Southern plantation: Oak Alley. After admiring the site’s alley of 300-year-old oak trees and mansion, guests can dine in the plantation’s cottage on a selection of Cajun and Creole dishes.

Participants spend New Year’s Eve at a gala in the Astor Crowne Plaza Hotel. Music, dancing, cocktails and scrumptious food carries travelers into the new year.

On New Year’s Day, the group meanders through the French Quarter.

An optional hop-on/hop-off tour takes guests to the area’s main highlights.

The third day offers groups a choice between a tour of the National World War II Museum and Pontoon Bayou Swamp Tour or the New Orleans School of Cooking and Mardi Gras World.

For those who want to bring home the skills to prepare their own New Orleans-style meal, the New Orleans School of Cooking presents a culinary demonstration with lunch.

The tour ends with a farewell dinner at one of the city’s finest restaurants: Arnaud’s.

Mid Atlantic Receptive Services offers Maryland’s culinary highlights and hidden gems on the seven-day tour All Things Crabby: Maryland’s Diners and Dives.

The tour begins in Baltimore, recently known as the location for the television show “Charm City Cakes.”

Groups start with a meat course at Chap’s Pit Beef, which originally opened in a compact shack. More than 20 years later, the restaurant attracts customers and frequent features in food-themed shows like “Man v. Food.”

The tour also includes Cross Street Market shopping, Baltimore’s Little Italy, the National Aquarium and a progressive meal in an eclectic Baltimore neighborhood.

The rest of the trip travels along Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

St. Michaels’ Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum highlights the area’s rich oyster- and crab-collecting history. On a boat cruise, passengers experience the crabbing culture themselves by grabbing a pot and catching crabs with a captain.

In Crisfield, visitors sample cake, cruise around Tangier Island and dine on a typical Eastern Shore lunch at Hilda Crockett’s. After a crab processing tour, the trip culminates with a meal at the Red Roost, listed as one of the largest crab houses in the region.

DELICIOUS SICILY DURGAN TRAVEL SERVICE

SOUTHERN PORCHES WADE TOURS

Life moves a little more slowly in Italy, which means people take more time for excellent food. Groups can delight in Italy’s heavenly meals on Durgan Travel Service’s nine-day Delicious Sicily tour.

Sicily has the highest value of travel in Italy because the cost is low, but the quality of food is legendary. Since the agriculture-based economy of Italy has linked Sicily’s cuisine with its history, the tour combines both for a satisfying experience. Diners enjoy healthful farm-to-table meals filled with fresh fish, meats and pasta.

The trip begins in Palermo for a stroll through the city’s well-known food

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Winding antebellum streets, moss-draped live oaks and cuisine that melts in the mouth entice visitors to join Wade Tours’ Southern Porches tour. The seven-day itinerary invites groups to experience the hospitality and authenticity of life along South Carolina’s and Georgia’s coasts.

Guests stay in Beaufort, South Carolina, the secondoldest city in the state. The tour’s convertible minibus ensures 360-degree views and access to the area’s backroads. The vehicle uses a retractable roof when off the

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CULINARY INSTITUTE OF AMERICA

Courtesy Twin Travel Concepts

NEW ORLEANS

A CHEESESTEAK IN PHILADELPHIA Courtesy EAM Creative

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Courtesy Talbot Tours & Cruises

main roads so riders can smell the salty tidal air and feel the fresh breezes.

Beachcombing, ecotours and a lowcountry shrimp boil introduce participants to the area. At the Sea Island Center, a local storyteller interprets the region’s history.

To get an appreciation for South Carolina’s shrimping culture, groups visit shrimp docks, where a local shrimper demonstrates how to catch shrimp. The docks served as a filming location for the film “Forrest Gump.”

Once in Savannah, Georgia, a 90-minute driving tour showcases the town’s church steeples, Spanish moss and historic district. Other highlights include playing cricket at the Estate of Noble Jones, exploring the Port Royal Sound Foundation Maritime Center, riding in a horse-drawn carriage in Beaufort and searching for wildlife on Captain Dick’s Beaufort River Tour and Dolphin Watch.

FROM ROCKWELL TO ROCKEFELLER: ART, FOOD AND HISTORY TWIN TRAVEL CONCEPTS

The Hudson Valley and Berkshire Mountains in New York and Massachusetts feature prominently in American history. From the area’s opulent Gilded Age mansions to quintessential New England towns, a wide range of history and culinary delights await on Twin

2020 TAP TRAVEL GUIDE

Travel Concepts’ five-day tour From Rockwell to Rockefeller: Art, Food and History.

The trip begins with a tour of Kykuit, a Rockefeller estate along the Hudson River known for its remarkable gardens, art and history.

After a stop at the U.S. Military History Museum at West Point, guests return to elegant surroundings for a dinner at Rhinecliff Restaurant.

Along with dinner, Oliver Kita, a master chocolatier, presents diners with a special chocolate tasting.

The history lessons continue at the Vanderbilt Mansion and the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum. Guests end the day dining on a meal prepared by the great American chefs of tomorrow at the Culinary Institute of America.

At the Norman Rockwell Museum, visitors gaze at the world’s largest collection of Rockwell’s art. An in-depth tour gives visitors an overview of the famous illustrator’s life and inspiration.

On a day wandering through Massachusetts’ Berkshire Mountains, guests tour the Hancock Shaker Village for a look at a simpler lifestyle.

Interested groups can book a traditional Shaker dinner for a memorable experience.

AN AERIAL VIEW OF CHARLESTON

FRIED SEAFOOD IN THE SOUTH

A BLUE HERON IN SOUTH CAROLINA

Photos courtesy Wade Tours

hello

Huntsville, Alabama | huntsville.org

Get ready for your adventure in the Rocket City!

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CREATURE COMFORTS

AN ATLANTIC PUFFIN IN NEWFOUNDLAND

BY E LI Z A M Y E R S

F

TA P COM PA N IES OFFER GLOBA L A DV EN TU R ES

rom enormous polar bears to tiny, adorable puffins, wildlife encounters run the gamut. But no matter the animal’s size, the same excited hush quiets the group every time someone spots a new species on a wildlife tour.

Groups can travel in comfort to see polar bears, African lions, sandhill cranes, buffalo, puffins and more on these fauna-focused tours from Travel Alliance Partners.

ness this boldness as the animals sometimes come right next to tundra vehicles to peek inside.

The six-day Ultimate Polar Bear Adventure with Anderson Vacations explores Churchill, the polar bear capital of the world, for chances to look these massive creatures in the eye. Safe inside vehicles custom-made for the Arctic, groups can watch the bears waiting for the winter icepack to freeze on the Hudson Bay. The tour also explores the area at various historic sites such as Cape Merry. To feel one with the snowy scenery, groups ride on a two-mile dog sled excursion. If there is no snow, the dogs pull the sled on wheels.

Inside a warm tent, guests sample local berry jam, bannock and hot chocolate as they hear entertaining stories about the dogs.

All tours keep an eye out for the northern lights, since the night light show appears about 300 out of 365 days a year in Churchill. Groups end the tour in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

ULTIMATE POLAR BEAR ADVENTURE ANDERSON VACATIONS

CUSTER STATE PARK BUFFALO ROUNDUP SHEBBY LEE TOURS

Most wildlife tours try to sneak up on shy animals. Polar bears’ spot at the top of the food chain ensures a certain amount of confidence in their demeanor. In Churchill, Manitoba, groups can wit-

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American bison stand taller than most cars and weigh up to 2,000 pounds. Groups can feel the ground rumble from 1,200 buffalos running at the Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup with Shebby Lee Tours.

The six-day trip features the yearly South Dakota event, which the American

2020 TAP TRAVEL GUIDE

FISHING SHEDS ON NEWFOUNDLAND’S AVALON PENINSULA

E xplore the Laurel Highlands and

tour four Frank Lloyd Wright creations, including his masterpiece, Fallingwater®, a newly inscribed UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Photos courtesy Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism

Bus Association awarded “Top Event” in 2015. The trip allows groups to watch cowboys and cowgirls brand, sort and vaccinate these magnificent beasts.

The tour also explores the area’s other highlights, such as Rapid City’s downtown, Deadwood’s gaming establishments and the historic 1880 Steam Train featured in many Hollywood films. The Buffalo Roundup Arts Festival offers entertainment, arts, crafts and buffalo burgers.

At the Crazy Horse Memorial, guests learn about the unfinished mountain carving dedicated to Native Americans. Groups also stand in front of the iconic Mount Rushmore for a day visit and evening lighting ceremony.

The tour ends at the Badlands National Park. The otherworldly landscape inspired early explorers to describe the lands as “hell with the fires burned out.” The worldfamous Wall Drug also provides a memorable shopping stop.

Visit us online for itinerary ideas, planning resources, and more at laurelhighlands.org or contact:

STACEY MAGDA Director of Tourism Development 724-238-5661 x111

TANZANIA AND THE GREAT MIGRATION SAFARI CTN TRAVELS

Groups can feel like they have walked on the set of a wildlife documentary on CTN Travels’ Tanzania and the Great Migration Safari. The game drive runs from December to early March as thousands of migrating wildebeests, Cape buffaloes and zebras gather in a spectacle not found anywhere else on the planet.

Safari rides come close to animals in their native environment. Elephants sometimes chase vehicles, and sightings of the Big Five game animals are common.

The 12-day tour starts in Lake Manyara National Park, where guests can enjoy views of the Great Rift Valley from their lodge. The area also preserves the Olduvai Gorge, where the remains of early prehistoric man and the oldest known human footprints were discovered.

Groups then enter the Serengeti for the wildlife migrations. Optional hot air balloons allow visitors to see sweeping views of the impressive wildlife event. A visit to the local Masai village reveals the local culture of the area.

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At the Ngorogoro Crater, guests see some of Africa’s most stunning wildlife havens. Visitors can relax at a hotel with views of the steep crater rim.

The day after arriving, groups descend more than 2,000 feet to the floor of the crater’s extinct volcano. The excursion normally includes wildlife sightings of pink flamingos and the Big Five. Tours of a local school, farm and coffee plantation show the human side of the region.

WINGS OF WILLCOX AND TUCSON ADVENTURE SOUTHWEST ADVENTURE TOURS

Tens of thousands of sandhill cranes fill the skies each winter in Willcox, Arizona. Southwest Adventure Tours’ Wings of Willcox and Tucson Adventure lets groups witness these majestic birds fill the skies with their six-foot wingspans and trumpeting calls.

Courtesy CTN Travels The tour focuses not only on the graceful birds but on the other ecological and cultural treasures in the area as well. Ornithologists consider southern Arizona one of the prime bird-watching areas of the United States because of its mix of species from the United States and Mexico.

Scenery also varies from rugged deserts to looming mountains over the course of the seven-day trip.

The trip runs in the winter for the sandhill and other bird migrations, such as hawks. Professional wildlife photographers and wildlife biologists PETROGLYPHS will accompany the group, which the tour operator limits in size so the IN ARIZONA SANDHILL CRANES ratio of guides to guests is 10 to 1.

The tour begins in Tucson, Arizona, with a visit to the Pima Air and Space Museum’s 350 historical aircraft. Participants also visit Tucson’s Courtesy Southwest Adventure Tours Courtesy Southwest Adventure Tours Aircraft Boneyard, Old Tucson Movie Studios and Adventure Park, and Mission San Xavier del Bac, and explore the outdoors at the area’s Saguaro National Park and Sonoran Desert Museum.

M Y R T L E B E A C H O C E A N F R O N T Groups learn the true story about the gunfight at the OK Corral on their trip to Tombstone, along with other Tombstone historic sites. The tour offers plenty of chances to admire the sandhill cranes, including at one site where participants can photograph the birds with the Dragoon Mountains as Voted most accommodating by tour groups. “Best in Hospitality” by Myrtle Beach Hospitality a backdrop.

ZEBRA AND WILDEBEEST HERDS IN TANZANIA

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CIRCLE NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR ATLANTIC TOURS

Three separate boat excursions serve as cornerstones of Atlantic Tours’ 13-day Circle Newfoundland and Labrador itinerary. On each, groups encounters a different element of Newfoundland and Labrador: whales and icebergs at St. Anthony, picturesque scenery at Gros Morne National Park and puffins at Bay Bulls.

For many visitors, the delightfully cute puffins stand out in the captivating tour. Only eight inches tall, the shore birds perch on cliff tops and bob on the water’s surface, much to travelers’ delight.

Whales, moose, caribou and other wildlife also endear guests to Newfoundland and Labrador,

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2020 TAP TRAVEL GUIDE

known for both their pristine wildernesses and hospitable people. The Canadian province has been called a mix of Irish culture and Alaskan natural beauty.

The trip embraces both sides of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Participants discover three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site, Red Bay National Historic Site and Gros Morne National Park. Groups also visit Gander, the town that served as the basis for the hit Broadway show “Come From Away.”

On a tour of the quaint, historic town of Bonavista, groups discover the history of the town and learn about the difficulties encountered by lightkeepers at Cape Bonavista Lighthouse Provincial Historic Site.

The old seaport of St. John’s intrigues guests as North America’s oldest city and Newfoundland’s capital. Engaging city tours point out the town’s Victorian architecture, dramatic granite cliffs and panoramic view from Signal Hill.

Atlantic Tours offers 12 guaranteed departures in 2020, with more options as a custom tour that can be combined with trips to New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

A POLAR BEAR EXPEDITION IN MANITOBA Courtesy Lazy Bear Lodge

POLAR BEARS ON HUDSON BAY

WHALE WATCHING IN ATLANTIC CANADA

Courtesy Lazy Bear Lodge Courtesy Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism

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TRAVEL ALLIANCE PARTNERS We are a full-service receptive tour operator for the Midwest, and a custom tour planning operator for all the US and Canada. Our specialty is customizing that one of a kind, off the beaten path, outside the box itinerary that is exclusive to only your group. We try to AdVance beyond the ordinary from traditional group travel! Each itinerary we write is hand-crafted to best fit the specific needs of your group.

ADVANCETOURANDTRAVEL.COM

Canada’s premier tour operator of FIT, Escorted and Custom touring in Canada, Western US, Australia and New Zealand. Our Classic Tours incorporate all the popular destinations, attractions, and sites, while our Tours of Distinction features unique “off-the-beaten-track” destinations with immersive experiences for smaller groups.

ANDERSONVACATIONS.CA

From pre-planned, hosted, group motorcoach tours across the United States, to air, rail, and cruise tours, we help you to fulfill your dreams, to discover, and explore the world. A multitude of hosted, high quality group tours are offered annually ranging from one-day tours to multi-day adventures designed with exciting and unique attractions, great dining opportunities, and a friendly atmosphere.

TRAILWAYSTRAVEL.COM CTN Travels is a tour operator specializing in custom group tours. Our primary maket is bank travel clubs with a focus on senior and boomer travelers. Destinations are domestic and international.

We market to about 500 banks nationally. CTN Travels offers inbound receptive services to most all southern states.

CTNTRAVELS.COM

A Canadian owned and operated tour company that also owns a fleet of deluxe motorcoaches. For almost 60 years, we have been seeking out unique travel experiences in destinations throughout North America, Britain and Europe, and we have recently introduced some exotic destinations in Asia! All vacations feature a kaleidoscope of experiences designed to offer our guests a fun time with like-minded people.

DENURETOURS.COM 48

We operate the perfect all-inclusive tour packages and will serve your groups from our sales offices in NY, PA, GA, MO and TX. Our collection of domestic motorcoach tours are affordable and include 3,4 & 5-star lodging, attractions, meals and a full-time local guide.

These carefully planned itineraries have been tried and tested by satisfied groups for many years.

ALLAMERICANTOURS.US

We are Atlantic Canada’s most comprehensive tour operator. Our products include custom designed group programs; guaranteed departures; step-on-guides; cruise shore excursions; motorcoach and daily sightseeing tours. Core touring products include escorted vacations of the Maritimes and Newfoundland & Labrador while also operating tours throughout Canada, the USA and overseas.

ATLANTICTOURS.COM We specialize in tours of the Southwest and Mexico. We have an exciting lineup of new and unique multiple day tours, as well as individual, group and custom tours to thrill and delight the most discriminating traveler.

Our tours to Puerto Peñasco in Sonora are extremely popular and the most creative tour of the year award was awarded to us in Paris by the Gray Line Association for our “Border Crisis, Fact and Fiction.”

GRAYLINEARIZONA.COM Custom Holidays serves all of southeasten Michigan with local and long distance tours. We offer personalized service coupled with the best available components of a tour to make it cost effective for the individual. As a small tour operation, we give our clients very personalized service and we have a good number of repeat travelers.

CUSTOMHOLIDAYSONLINE.COM We are an award-winning European tour operator. We can customize a group’s tour to meet exact specifications and have a full slate of mostly or all-inclusive regional European vacations to choose from as well. Most domestic group and retail sales are through TAP Partners.

DURGANTRAVEL.COM 2020 TAP TRAVEL GUIDE

W W W.TA P I N T O T R AV E L .C O M We specialize in customized group tours to 6 continents. If you can describe your international tour, we can put it together for you. Our staff speaks several languages and have over 100 years of combined tour planning experience. We are a leading source of faith-based tours, events, and pilgrimages. We look forward to making travel dreams a reality!

ED-VENTURES.COM

Image Tours is an escorted Europe specialist and has been offering tours in Europe since 1939. Image Tours offers their signature 15day HEART OF EUROPE® tour. This is an excellent panoramic view of Europe for first time travelers as well as past travelers to Europe.

Image Tours is dedicated to the mantra of “Superior Value with a Personal Touch.”

IMAGETOURS.COM We arrange travel packages for groups, offer receptive services, and provide tour guides for Colorado and the Southwest.

Experiential tours for birding and geology have been two of our most popular. We custom-design tours for general sightseeing, high adventure, Railroads, geology, Eco-tours, agri-tours, and just about any other special interests.

With over 100 years of combined tour and travel experience, we offer outstanding travel experiences to the most sought-after destinations. Our itineraries give time to enjoy a vacation at a leisurely pace.

We provide first-class accommodations, many meals, quality attractions. Our customers continue to travel with us year after year. Come along and see for yourself!

FANCYFREEHOLIDAYS.COM We have been fulfilling travel dreams since 1985. Our primary area of expertise is customized group travel for the mature adult market. We desire to develop partnerships with our PPTP’s to create unique, exciting and affordable itineraries for our group travelers. We continue to add adventurous options to our tours as well as culinary experiences and more free time.

JOYTOURS.COM Full service quality and unique customized tours. Specializing in Tennessee and the Southern USA including Texas. We are the most fun and entertaining way to visit the South for a few days or a few weeks. Our Great Musicians and Storytellers will share the stories and their Southern Hospitality for your entire tour or just a few hours or a day. We have a lot of unique experiences to share with you.

LEISUREWESTTOURS.COM

LETSGOTRAVELIN.COM

Since 1985, we have been offering new and innovative itineraries to travelers who are looking for unique, authentic experiences. We want to connect you to new cultures and cuisines, fascinating people and out of the way places. We are dedicated to the idea that tours should go beyond just sightseeing. We believe that it’s all about having an experience that you will never forget and traveling from Main Street to the road less traveled.

We are the nation’s leading inbound operator to the Mid-Atlantic Region providing group products and services to tour and motorcoach operators visiting Washington DC, New York City, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, West Virginia, and Virginia. Our outbound company – Mid Atlantic Travel Tours, LLC – provides custom group travel, and promotes TAP Guaranteed Departures throughout the world.

MAINSTREETEXPERIENCES.COM

TAKEAFUNTRIP.COM

We are a receptive operator specializing in the historic and cultural heritage of the Great American West. We design and produce tour programs for other tour companies in the United States and Europe. Most tours are custom-designed to suit the needs of a particular client. A limited number of Vanishing Trails Expeditions are offered each year to the public at commissionable rates.

SHEBBYLEETOURS.COM

WWW.TAPINTOTRAVEL.COM

We offer first-class motor coach tours of the U.S. and Canada to retail and/or pre-formed groups. Our most popular destinations include Nashville, Pigeon Forge, Lancaster, Niagara Falls and New York City.

We provide receptive and tour planning services in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Most recently we began offering local small group craft beer and winery tours within our region.

SHENANDOAHTOURS.COM

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TRAVEL ALLIANCE PARTNERS We provide individuals and groups with scenic, photography, and adventure tours throughout the Southwestern US. Our specialty is that we focus on small group experiences. Usually between 14 and 25 passengers. We offer a wide range of multi-day tours and day tours from Las Vegas, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, and other local areas adjacent to the National Parks.

SOUTHWESTADVENTURETOURS.COM

We are a full-service sports travel company, run by sports fans that strives for all-star performance with every package or tour we offer. Choose from Baseball Road Trips that cover all of the Major League Parks, Gridiron Getaways for pro and college football fans, major sporting events, or Hall of Fame Travel packages so you experience the pinnacle of success with your favorite player, coach or owner.

SPORTSTRAVELANDTOURS.COM

Sun Tours offers scores of tours from near to far, from New Mexico to exciting destinations around the world. We research each tour in the United States and Canada, on location. The itinerary is then fashioned, mindful of the interests of our clients. For our overseas tours we invest the same effort into choosing both an appropriate itinerary for each destination, and a good, reputable tour operator.

Packaged Tours of the West; Cities, National Parks and Scenic Coastlines. Our emphasis is on history, people, culture, festivals, entertainment and food. Tours are from five to nine days, upper three star hotels, except our New Year’s four and five star deluxe tours. We are also tour specialists to Kenya and Tanzania.

SUNTOURSUS.COM

TALBOTTOURS.COM

We are a multi-dimensional company with 71 years of experience in the travel industry, offering deluxe motorcoach transportation throughout the Midwest and other parts of the lower 48. We offer an annual group of multi-day escorted vacations throughout North America by coach, air, rail and cruise.

Twin Travel Concepts custom-designs group tour programs throughout North America. We are always looking for creative niche-market ideas. Currently we are focusing on garden groups and faith-based groups to augment our standard tours. Unique and creative is what inspires us.

TRISTATETRAVEL.COM

TWINTRAVELCONCEPTS.COM

Wade Tours & Travel, a family owned business since 1926, serving the Northeast offering single & multi-day tours across the continental US and Canada. We provide our customers a safe and comfortable way to travel with groups of any size with our fleet of modern, state-of-the-art coaches. We believe with passion that motorcoach travel is for everyone, sharing exciting destinations, and making memories to last a lifetime!

We are your “In-house” Group Department for the West. As a receptive tour operator, we take the hassles out of designing and running tours for your groups. Use us as your “in-house” department to customize, design, operate and deliver your group tours. With over 40 years of experience taking groups to the see the natural wonders of the west, we are your National Parks specialists.

WADETOURS.COM

WESTERNLEISURE.COM

LISA DOERNER

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

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2020 TAP TRAVEL GUIDE

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northwest missouri state university MARYVILLE, MISSOURI TRIP: Shades of Ireland TOUR OPERATOR: Collette DATE: June 2018 The Emerald Isle charmed the Northwest Missouri State University Alumni Association on a 10-day tour with Collette. The group visited Dublin, Kilkenny, Waterford, Limerick, the Ring of Kerry and Galway.

“Our Ireland trip was amazing, as we were able to visit a great deal of the signature sites while also having the opportunity for things like watching sheepdogs herd sheep, sleeping in a castle and touring the Waterford Crystal Factory. We also enjoyed touring the Guinness Factory and kissing the Blarney stone.”

— BOB MACHOVSKY, DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI RELATIONS AND ANNUAL GIFTS

windsor chamber of commerce WINDSOR, CONNECTICUT TRIP: China TOUR OPERATOR: Citslinc DATE: April 2019 For nine days, travelers with the Windsor Chamber of Commerce toured the highlights of China. The group explored Beijing, Xi’an and Shanghai.

“We began our trip in Beijing. The Great Wall was one of my favorite sites there. The cherry trees were blooming, and the views were spectacular. I couldn’t believe we were actually there. In Xi’an we visited a 14th-century city wall and then on to Small Wild Goose Pagoda, where we took a calligraphy class. I felt that was a great extra.

We also toured the three pits of the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum with 50,000 other Chinese tourists. I agree with our guide that the Terracotta Warriors should be added as one of the Great Wonders of the World. It was phenomenal.”

— PAULA TAYLOR, TRAVELER N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R

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selecttraveler.com

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