Select Traveler September October 2018

THE MAGAZINE FOR BANK, ALUMNI AND CHAMBER TRAVEL PLANNERS

select T R A V E L E R

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THE MAGAZINE FOR BANK, ALUMNI AND CHAMBER TRAVEL PLANNERS

select T R A V E L E R

VOL.26 NO.5

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018

FRANCE:

UNWIND ON A COUNTRYSIDE CRUISE

contents checking in:

ROBIN ALBING

toolbox: TRAVEL HACKS

tulsa: marketing:

CULTURAL HAVEN

Avignon, France, courtesy Emerald Waterways

ON THE COVER: Southern France bursts into shades of purple each year at lavender farms across the region. Photo by AWL Images.

career:

BLOGS 101 MID-PRICED TOURS

12 14 38 46 48

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

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 Staff Writer Director of Sales & Marketing Advertising Account Manager Advertising Account Manager

selecttraveler.com

20 marvels illinois 30 MODERN ART

GARDEN OASIS

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pacific

NORTHWEST

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

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

perspective P U B L I S H E R ’ S

A

s a magazine publisher, I’ve never shied away from the fact that the best way to sell one’s destination is not by earning a well-written article, but instead, by bringing an influential group of people to experience your destination for themselves. Including technology, social media, video or whatever else travel marketers have at their disposal, offer-

ing firsthand experiences to the right people remains the most effective way to sell any destination.

Our magazine company has become a conduit for such experiences over the past few years, and we are now working with destinations worldwide to help them bring influential travel planners to enjoy their sites and cultures. We have two such opportunities outside the country right now that are worth bringing to your attention.

Through our faith-based magazine, Going On Faith, we are working with the Jordan Tourism Board of North America to take a group of travel planners to Jordan, November 10-17. I have been to Jordan, and if I were taking a group to the Holy Land, I would not go without including Jordan. The sites in this hospitable country are simply too pertinent to the story of the Christian faith. Our Going On Faith feature writer, Savannah Osbourn, will accompany that group.

Through this magazine, we are working with Aventura World, an international travel company that has a broad background with chamber of commerce groups, to bring a group of Select Traveler planners to Egypt next spring, March 1-9. I will accompany that group as we learn the ancient history of the land of the pharaohs.

I hope to see some of you there.

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

Mac Lacy

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JOIN PUBLISHER MAC LACY FOR A TRIP TO EGYPT IN MARCH

H

ave you always wanted to experience the wonders of the Pyramids and cruise down the Nile River? Are you looking for ways to learn more about trip possibilities in Egypt and have a great time doing it? Do you have nine days to journey to Egypt firsthand in March? Would you like to spend a few days with executive staff of Select Traveler magazine while you’re at it?

If so, we have just the opportunity for you.

SELECT TRAVELER’S PUBLISHER MAC LACY (BOTTOM LEFT) AND AVENTURA WORLD’S Aventura World is inviting our travel IAN SCOTT (BOTTOM RIGHT) WILL JOIN TRAVEL PLANNERS ON A FAMILIARIZATION TRIP IN EGYPT NEXT MARCH. planner readers to enjoy a nine-day site inspection tour of Egypt, March 1-9, 2019.

Qualified travel planners will be guests of Aventura World and will enjoy sites such as the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Valley of the Kings and the temple of Luxor and a four-night Nile River cruise.

“I have always wanted to visit Egypt, so I’m excited about this opportunity,” said publisher Mac Lacy. “I will accompany our Aventura World hosts on this trip and will be sharing my travel experiences with everyone in attendance.

“I’ll highlight the trip in real time on To submit your travel profile and request a spot on this exciting trip, go social media and write an article on this tour for publication in Select to www.grouptravelleader.com/egypt-fam and fill out your profile online.

Traveler magazine,” said Lacy. “Tour participants will have the opportunity To inquire by phone or ask a question, call us toll-free at 888-253-0455, to share their impressions and experiences about Egypt with me and meet and ask for Ashley. some wonderful hosts from the tour company. It’s going to be a lot of fun Registration for this site inspection trip in Egypt closes December 15, for everyone involved.” so don’t delay.

The tour costs $599 and includes round trip international airfare from Join Mac Lacy and Aventura World for a wonderful trip March 1-9, 2019.

New York to Cairo, as well as meals, hotel accommodations and attraction admissions throughout the country. Guests will be responsible for their own travel to New York.

This readership event and site inspection tour is limited to qualified travel planners. Applicants will complete a brief travel profile that will be used by Aventura World to select attendees.

AN AN INDUSTRY INDUSTRY AN INDUSTRY PANEL PANEL PANEL SHOWCASED SHOWCASED SHOWCASED SOME SOME SOME OF OF THE THE OF THE INDUSTRY’S INDUSTRY’S INDUSTRY’S BRIGHTEST BRIGHTEST BRIGHTEST YOUNG YOUNG YOUNG MINDS. MINDS. MINDS.

All All photos photos All photos by

by Matthew Matthew

by Matthew Minucci, Minucci, Minucci, courtesy courtesy courtesy USTOA USTOA USTOA

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AVENTURA WORLD, IN COOPERATION WITH SELECT TRAVELER presents

EGYPT FAM

THE PYRAMIDS - CAIRO - ASWAN - LUXOR - VALLEY OF THE KINGS - NILE CRUISE MARCH 1-9, 2019

$599 AIR & LAND

9 DAYS, 7 NIGHTS INCLUDING HOTELS, MEALS, DAY TRIPS, AND AIRFARE FROM NEW YORK

Mac Lacy, President & Publisher of Select Traveler, and Ian Scott, General Manager of Aventura World, invite you to join them on a once in a lifetime journey to Egypt, a nation of biblical proportions and epic history. Experience fascinating stories of the ancient world as you tour Cairo’s medieval mosques, the gargantuan pyramids of Giza, grandiose Karnak and the Luxor temples, treasures of Tutankhamen’s tomb, and the Valley of the Kings. In the company of an expert Egyptologist guide, cruise the mighty Nile River aboard a deluxe vessel and spend 3 nights at a luxury hotel in cosmopolitan Cairo.

Mac Lacy

Apply to attend at grouptravelleader.com/2019-egypt-fam/

follow us @ gotripsinc

P L A N N E R S

T A L K

B A C K

what is your top tip for someone just starting to plan group travel?

JIM CUTHBERT

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, RETIRED | CROSS KEYS BANK MONROE, LOUISIANA “Pick a reliable travel company to be your partner. Their performance will reflect on you and your organization. Get references from them and check them out. But realize that you will be given only the good ones, so ask leading questions like ‘What could they do better?’ Check with the Better Business Bureau, Trip Advisor and other similar outlets.”

LACEY L. BIFFLE

VICE PRESIDENT | QUAIL CREEK BANK

Travel ☼ Thoughtfully Designed ☼ ☼ Delightfully Executed ☼

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA “Know what your customers want and their expectations. It doesn’t have to be a 100-member club right from the start. We revamped our club in 2012.

Quail Creek Bank had a really successful club in the 1990s and 2000s, but as most clubs do, the people aged out and were no longer able to travel. The first thing we did was open the club up to the younger-aged traveler. We surveyed our customers and were surprised by the results. They were still working, wanted free time while on the tour and hadn’t really traveled before. We started out with simple tours and then ventured out for longer ones.”

MARIANNE VIRGILI

PRESIDENT AND CEO, RETIRED | GLENWOOD SPRINGS CHAMBER RESORT ASSOCIATION GLENWOOD SPRINGS, COLORADO “Promote. A trip is only successful if you promote it. We have held Tupperwarestyle parties where if an attendee got two more couples or four friends to join a tour group, they earned a complimentary day excursion on the trip or some other incentives. Themed parties and giveaways are fun and build momentum.

There is no substitute for personal contact. Call the people on your list to talk up the trip. Most travelers appreciate this and just need a nudge to sign up.”

ERMA BRIDGES

OWNER | AFFORDABLE TRAVEL BENTON, ARKANSAS “Remember there are a host of people out there to help you. Every state has a tourism department, and they are my first contacts. They are familiar with most everything of interest in their state, and they can put you in touch with the people to help you plan your trips. They even have preplanned trips you can follow.”

JOHN PIKE

TRIP PLANNER | ST. CHARLES PARKS DEPARTMENT

888-55-TRIPS

www.gotripsinc.com 10 selecttraveler.com

ST. CHARLES, MISSOURI “Attention to detail is a must. With high turnover in personnel at a lot of vendors, such as hotels, restaurants and attractions, you may deal with two or three managers before you actually conduct the trip. Log all conversations, dates, times and with whom, to avoid last-minute problems.”

S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R

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ROBIN ALBING

checking in

DIRECTOR OF LIFELONG LEARNING & ADVANCEMENT SPECIAL PROJECTS

W I T H

R O B I N

A L B I N G

DARTMOUTH COLLEGE HANOVER, NEW HAMPSHIRE Celebrating its 250th anniversary in 2019, Dartmouth College is the smallest of the Ivy League universities with about 6,000 students. The college offers four graduate and professional schools. Dartmouth Alumni Travel first began offering trips 30 years ago.

The program offers approximately 40 trips a year to 80,000 Dartmouth alumni and other interested travelers.

Dartmouth Alumni Travel voyaged to the top of the earth on a 2016 trip to the Arctic.

Born: Buffalo, New York Education: B.A. from Lehigh University and M.B.A. from Tuck School of Dartmouth College Employment: For 25 years, Albing ran her own management consulting group in New York. Five years ago, Albing sold her business and took on her current role as director of Lifelong Learning, Dartmouth’s travel and educational program.

Family: Husband and three children, ages 31, 29 and 24.

Hobbies: Watersports and an enduring love of travel

BY ELIZA MYERS

F

ive years ago, Robin Albing’s career trajectory seemed fixed in the corporate world. For 25 years, she ran her own management consulting firm in New York, which flourished and allowed her to travel the world.

However, when she sold her company in 2013, Albing saw a chance for a total career makeover.

“I wanted to do something completely different for my late-life career,” said Albing. “I wanted to do something fun. It didn’t make much sense to get my Ph.D. and teach, so I started networking with people at Dartmouth.”

That networking led to a job at her alma mater, where she serves as director of Lifelong Learning and Advancement Special Projects.

The position includes managing 30-year-old Dartmouth Alumni Travel. Though new to the travel industry, Albing applied her business knowledge to the position.

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“It’s kind of wild and wooly the way I ended up here,” said Albing.

“Because I’m a businessperson, I’m using what I learned from product development for the travel program.”

Albing’s expertise allowed the already-thriving travel program to expand even more, attracting different age groups and promoting the college to a wider network.

LE AV I NG T HE C OR P OR ATE WORLD

Albing’s new position at Dartmouth dovetailed well with her personal love of travel. She traveled extensively for business with trips to India, Japan and China, and took numerous family trips with her husband and three children all over the world. Together, they explored Tanzania, China, Europe and North America.

“Working here has been very fun,” said Albing. “I love being back on campus. It is wonderful to constantly learn something new every day.”

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Part of Albing’s job responsibilities includes managing Lifelong Learning. The educational program takes Dartmouth alumni on the road for educational opportunities, such as blockbuster museum exhibits or alumni meet-and-greets.

“We want alumni to never stop turning to Dartmouth for their education,” she said.

Albing also keeps the focus on Dartmouth through tours themed around the college’s educational strengths. To celebrate the college’s 250th anniversary in 2019, the travel program will offer trips based on famed explorer John Ledyard, who once attended the college.

plified the travel program’s mission was a trip to Paris with an educational focus on the city’s ties to the Founding Fathers.

“It was wonderful because we had travelers in their 80s all the way down to someone who had just graduated,” said Albing. “I’ve been to Paris many times, but I felt I was staring at it through new eyes.”

Albing attributes many of the program’s achievements to the accomplished professors who accompany the trips.

“They are not people who offload their teaching responsibilities to grad students while they research,” said Albing. “Our professors are really strong teachers. They are always the real standouts on the trips.”

B USI N ES S AP P R O A C H

When Albing started at Dartmouth, she soon saw ways to apply business principles to help select travel destinations.

“I approached it from a portfolio basis,” she said. “The portfolio measures the tried-and-true trips. Those are the trips we offer regularly. That allows us to tweak and try new things with 25 percent of the trips. Sometimes they work, and sometimes they don’t, but it gives us a chance to reach alumni that might not otherwise be engaged with the college.”

To choose destinations, Albing relies on constant surveys and meetings with alumni employees where the group spitballs ideas.

Many crowd-pleasing trips have come from these meetings. However, some of the failures taught Albing valuable lessons she could apply to future trips.

“I thought a family trip tied to ‘Frozen’ would work,” said Albing. “But it was priced too high, so it didn’t work. It was worth trying because, maybe next time, we’ll do it as a better price point and it will work.”

Albing selects many of these trial-run destinations in hopes of reaching younger travelers than the typical retired alumni travelers.

To convince this demographic to join a group trip, Albing borrows from her business knowledge.

“We use market segmentation, so we know which audience will be the most receptive to which tour,” said Albing. “We use different images, wording and campaigns that appeal to each generation.

For example, we run short email campaigns on our family trips right after the holidays. We find that is the best time to advertise family trips.”

Albing also tested and surveyed responses to various types of Dartmouth Alumni Travel ads in the college’s alumni magazine before homing in on specific wording and images.

“We found that the ads were selling the concept of Dartmouth Alumni Travel rather than particular trips, so most of the advertising we have in the magazine is image advertising,” said Albing.

T R A V E L

tips

• Know your traveler. Learn all you can about them through both formal market research and anecdotal information.

• Get out and travel. There is no better way to learn about your travelers than to spend time with them.

• Read, watch and listen to everything you can about what is happening in the world.

your BANK CLUB

STEAMBOAT EXPERTS

MI ND O N TH E M I S S I O N

Unlike much of the business world, the purpose of the alumni travel program is not to make money. What little money the program does make, Albing uses to help fund the college’s other educational programs.

“I could offer river cruises day in and day out and fill them all up,” said Albing. “But that wouldn’t fulfill our mission to reach a broader audience. On the tours, the travelers can learn about what’s happening at the college in a positive way.”

One trip that Albing thought especially exem-

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T R A V E L

T O O L B O X

for travel, some hacks are helpful

S

BY BRIA N JE W E LL

ometimes, a small tweak can make a big difference.

Travel involves a lot of hassles, many that are unavoidable. There’s not much you can do about traffic, airline delays, bad weather or overcrowding. But you can control other elements of your trips, and practicing some smart habits in these areas can make your travel experiences much more pleasant.

If you frequently forget to pack travel essentials, tire of waiting in long security lines or struggle to get a good night’s sleep in a hotel room or on a plane, read on.

These travel hacks can take a lot of pain out of your next trip. And sharing these tips and tricks with your customers will make you look like a travel genius.

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selecttraveler.com

CHIP- CLIP CURTAINS When you’re trying to sleep at a hotel, there’s nothing more annoying than streetlight streaming through the window. The curtains in many hotel rooms don’t close completely, but you can solve the problem with a small plastic spring-loaded clip, the kind you might use to close a bag of chips. Keep the clip in your carry-on bag and use it to seal the gap between curtains. These would also make great giveaways for your travelers: Order a bunch with your company logo and include them in your group’s welcome materials.

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PRECHECK PRIVILEGES One of the best travel hacks of the past few years was created by the government agency everyone loves to hate: the Transportation Security Administration. TSA’s Precheck program allows travelers to undergo a background check and apply for a special security status that expedites the screening process significantly. Once you’re approved, you can use the quick-moving Precheck line at airport security checkpoints, and you don’t have to take off your jacket, shoes or belt to pass through metal detectors. If you frequently travel abroad, a similar program called Global Entry will allow you to bypass the customs and immigration lines when re-entering the United States.

A BUNDLE OF BA SICS Packing for a trip is always a bit of a guess-

SLEEP SOLUTIONS

ing game. If you bring only a single change of

If you travel overseas, you’re

clothes for each day, a sudden rainstorm or a

probably going to spend the occa-

spilled cup of coffee can wreak havoc on your

sional night on an airplane. For most

wardrobe. To solve this problem without over-

people, this means trying to sleep

packing, keep a small bundle of basics tucked

a few hours sitting upright in an un-

inside a pocket of your suitcase. Having a simple

comfortable coach seat. And though

set of underwear, socks and a T-shirt on hand will

you’ll never get a perfect night’s

prove helpful when unforeseen events make a

sleep on an overseas flight, you can

mess of your clothes. Leave this bundle in your

improve your prospects significantly

suitcase even after you return home so it’s ready

by blocking out ambient sound and

for your next trip.

light. Before you leave, visit a drugstore to buy an eye mask, ear plugs and an over-the-counter sleep aid, then put them all in a small baggie that lives permanently in your carry-

TOILETRIES TO GO

on bag. Next time you fly overnight, you’ll be glad you have them.

How many times have you accidentally left one of your most important personal care items at home? You’re most likely to forget things if you move them from your bathroom to your suitcase every time you travel. So buy a duplicate set of all your toiletries and keep them in a bag or pouch that stays in your suitcase. This may represent some upfront expense, especially if you use pricey cosmetics or hair-care products. But the investment will be worth it over time: Not only will you reduce the risk of forgetting something, but you’ll also significantly reduce your packing time.

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selecttraveler.com

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C O N F E R E N C E

connection Patoka Lake

RESORT TO THIS! HISTORIC FRENCH LICK AWAITS SELECT TRAVELER CONFERENCE ATTENDEES All photos courtesy French Lick CVB

BY DAN DICKSON

I

n the rolling hills of southern Indiana, the town of French Lick began as a rugged French trading post 200 years ago. Eventually, it drew outside interest as a medical destination thanks to the benefits of its unusual salt springs.

Two centuries later, the site where travelers came to bathe in healing waters is occupied by two historic hotels with worldclass spas known as the French Lick Springs Hotel and the West Baden Springs Hotel, with a combined 686 guest rooms.

“Travelers have been coming to our area for more than 100 years to enjoy our luxury hotels and the gracious hospitality we offer and to indulge themselves in all of the history and tradition,” said Kristal Painter, executive director of Visit French Lick West Baden, the local convention and visitors bureau.

“We also like to call what we have European elegance in southern Indiana.”

Loyalty group travel planners and industry members will enjoy French Lick’s upscale accommodations and attractions February 10-12 for the Select Traveler Conference.

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MAGNIFICENT HOTELS

The resort’s two grand hotels are nestled in the picturesque Hoosier National Forest. The French Lick Springs Hotel is on the National Register of Historic Places. Referred to by many as a classic American hotel, the main building was erected in 1845, with what is now the spa wing having been constructed in 1901.

The West Baden Springs Hotel is a National Historic Landmark. Conde Nast Traveler has ranked the hotel as one of the best places to stay, not just in the United States, but in the world. There is a free 24-hour shuttle service between the two hotels. Trolley service, which was one the primary modes of transportation in French Lick, returned to the resort in 2014.

Improvements came and went over the succeeding decades before the hotels began to noticeably decline.

“In 2015, the two properties were reunited as one resort and restored to the tune of $600 million, all done by the local Cook family,” said Painter.

Steve Ferguson, chair at the Cook Group, recalled the family’s commitment to the project.

“When I first toured the West Baden Springs Hotel, about

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French Lick Springs Hotel

“TRAVELERS HAVE BEEN COMING TO OUR AREA FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS TO ENJOY OUR LUXURY HOTELS

AND

THE

GRACIOUS

HOSPITALITY WE OFFER.”

The Pete Dye Course

an hour south of our global headquarters in Bloomington, Indiana, I was dismayed to see its decay and disrepair,” he told World Property Journal, a real-estate publication. “One look at the domed lobby of the hotel and I felt it was an important part of Indiana and America’s history that needed to be saved.”

Local history shows that a certain real-estate developer who later happened to move into the White House passed on the herculean job of restoring the hotels to their former glory. Donald Trump evaluated the Indiana properties but passed on them.

LUXURY AND FUN

More than a century ago, an Indiana physician named William Bowles began to explore the healing properties of the mineral springs around the property. Thus, the springs and their “miracle water” began to draw thousands of visitors who sought relief from the aches, pains and other illnesses that plagued them, or they just wanted a refreshing health experience.

The spas that originally drew people to the area are today better than ever. Mineral baths, hydrating facials and aromatherapy

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C O N F E R E N C E

connection massage are just a few of the many indulgences offered to guests.

The Spa at French Lick offers classic American leisure and sophistication. The Spa at West Baden has a more European influence, with luxuries and elegance that remind many of lavish spas in Paris and London. Visitors often follow their treatments with a proper afternoon tea in the atrium.

Both hotels offer several types of restaurants and shopping opportunities. There are indoor and outdoor swimming pools at each hotel for year-round enjoyment. There is a six-lane bowling alley and arcade on-site. For nature lovers who want to explore the area further, the resort has stables for horseback riding, carriage rides, bike rentals, historic walking tours full of entertaining legends and stories, and brisk hikes in the surrounding woods.

Group travel planners need not worry that the resort is beyond the means of budget-conscious travel groups.

“There is luxury here, true,” said Painter. “But to be honest, a night at the French Lick Springs Hotel for groups can run as low as $80 a night, with double occupancy. That includes their luggage in and out, some casino playing time, breakfast at the Grand Colonnade Restaurant, things like that. Based on that price, I think they are very competitive.”

SO MUCH TO DO

Painter often reminds visitors that French Lick and West Baden are great launch pads for many other activities in the wider area.

“You’ve got Amish communities to visit directly west of us, the caves region is to the east, Spring Mills State Park is north of here, and there’s also the limestone architecture near Bloomington and Columbus,” she said. Another interesting site to see is the Monastery of the Immaculate Conception in Ferdinand, where interested groups can tour the grounds, attend Mass and meet some of the Benedictine nuns who live there. “We help promote attractions that are an hour or less from us,” Painter said.

Another smart way to tour the area is on the French Lick Scenic Railway. It harkens back to the days when trains were the primary mode of long-distance travel. The train operators also offer themed excursions involving bourbon or rum tastings, along with food pairings, annual Polar Express and Easter Bunny Express tours, mystery theaters and Wild West hold-ups.

Nearby Patoka Lake, the second-largest man-made lake in Indiana, offers scenic nature cruises to search for ospreys, bald eagles and other wildlife. The cruises can include either a lunch or a dinner, midday or sunset excursions, or seasonal trips to see fall foliage. The interior of the boat is air-conditioned, but there is refreshing open-air viewing from the upper deck, and the tours are expertly narrated.

The French Lick Winery, a family-owned winery established in 1995, is growing in popularity. Visitors can watch wine being made through observation windows. The operation has expanded to include a distillery that produces a half-dozen adult beverages under the name Spirits of French Lick.

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Jazz Under the Dome

Wilstem Ranch

French Lick Scenic Railway

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Basketball Hall of Famer Larry Bird is probably the most famous person to grow up in French Lick. His former 20-acre home in the area is now called the Legend of French Lick Estate. The property is a secluded getaway and is available for private weddings, reunions, corporate retreats and other events. It comes with a 6,000-square-foot banquet hall for families, employees and other groups to use. The home has also been converted into a luxury boutique hotel with six large suites that can sleep up to 20 guests. The property has a large pool, tennis courts and lighted basketball courts, in case any sports enthusiasts want to channel their inner athlete.

Bird’s former multicar garage has been converted into a dinner theater.

“They are doing original musical productions and Branson-style shows at what is known as Abbydell Hall,” said Painter.

The hall can accommodate up to 350 people.

The shows are family fare, and the performers are known for closely engaging the audience with their music, dancing and comedy.

WILDLIFE WONDERS

With the decline of circuses and their exotic animals, up-close animal encounters at places like Wilstem Ranch are becoming excellent alternatives. People can enjoy more than 1,000 rolling acres at the ranch, which is just five miles from French Lick Resort.

There are two levels of engagement available March through October.

“There are three African elephants with which you can have close encounters, and that includes an educational component,” said Painter. “Or you can take the experience a step further for a more intimate level of engagement and actually help bathe the elephants.” Visitors can also see giraffes and kangaroos up close.

The ranch operators are preparing a grizzly-bear experience that opens this fall. Jeff “The Bear Man” Watson from TV’s Animal Planet will appear.

“He has been a bear handler for 28 years and will bring two grizzlies to the ranch and offer educational seminars,” Painter said.

In addition, the ranch offers a canopy zip line tour, horseback riding and ATV adventure tours. www.visitfrenchlickwestbaden.com

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strokes of

GENIUS

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The IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico, houses the largest collection of contemporary Native American art in the world.

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Courtesy IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts

here are five great modern art museums

“I

BY KRISTY ALPERT

paint objects as I think them, not as I see them.”

With this as his mantra, Pablo Picasso created the Cubism style and became one of the fathers of what is now known as modern art.

The movement gave rise to the careers of Henri Matisse, Georgia O’Keeffe, Jackson Pollock, Edvard Munch and more. In early years, art museums were hesitant to showcase the works of these artists, many of whom would go on to great fame.

It wasn’t until 1929 that the first modern art museum was created.

Today, there are art museums around the world devoted to showcasing modern art, with many of the best located in the United States. Along with offering views of some of the biggest names in art, these modern art museums provide unparalleled experiences for groups looking to go behind the scenes and dig into the stories behind the artwork.

Here are five leading U.S. museums where groups can see works by Picasso and other modern artists.

SAN FRANCISCO MUSEUM OF MODERN ART SAN FRANCISCO

Since it first opened in 1935, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA), the first museum on the West Coast devoted to modern and contemporary art, has been a major player in the modern art movement. At the time, the museum occupied the fourth floor of the War Memorial Veterans Building, and in the early ’70s, it expanded when the third floor became available.

Today, the museum occupies a recently renovated Mario Bottadesigned building in the South of Market neighborhood and features 170,000 square feet of gallery space, including 45,000 square feet of free public-access space. The SFMOMA has four main areas: architecture and design, media arts, painting and sculpture, and photography.

The painting collection is a highlight for many. Its concentrations are wide-ranging: fauvism, cubism and surrealism from France and modernism from the United States and Latin America.

Groups visiting the museum have access to a dedicated representative to help arrange custom experiences and tours for all ages, interests and backgrounds. The representative also assists in booking additional museum offerings, like boxed lunches at Café 5, preset menu options at In Situ and selecting merchandise from the Museum Store for curated gift bags.

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“Groups that book private guided tours bypass lines and are greeted by a private guide upon arrival,” said Lesley Makishima, manager of tourism and group sales at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. “Our private guides share behind-the-scene stories and little-known facts about artists. Our most popular tours are the SFMOMA Highlights Tour and the SFMOMA Architecture Tour.”

Groups also rave about the museum’s rotating special exhibition tours that take visitors behind the scenes of the museum’s current exhibition.

WWW.SFMOMA.ORG

MUSEUM OF MODERN ART NEW YORK

The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) was the first museum in the United States dedicated solely to modern art. It began as an educational institution, founded in 1929 by a group of influential patrons and forward-thinking trustees. The intent was to create “the greatest museum of modern art in the world.”

MoMA boasts an impressive and constantly evolving collection of almost 200,000 works of modern and contemporary art, including 3,600 works of painting and sculpture, roughly 22,000 films, more than 300,000 books, more than 2,500 linear feet of historical documentation and a photographic archive that spans tens of thousands of photographs. The painting and sculpture collection highlights artists from the late 19th century to today and includes renowned pieces like Paul Cézanne’s “The Bather” and Vincent van Gogh’s “The Starry Night.”

The museum is the most-visited modern art institution in the United States. Its location in midtown Manhattan makes it an easy addition to group itineraries in the city.

“We provide VIP tours before the museum opens and after it closes,” said Carly McCloskey, assistant director of tourism sales and marketing at MoMA, “and we also provide free audio guides in nine languages.”

WWW.MOMA.ORG

IAIA MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY NATIVE ARTS SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO

As an extension of the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA), the IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts (MoCNA) began as a student honors program and a passion project for the school. It wasn’t until 1972 that the program grew into an official museum, a feat made

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“The Starry Night” by Vincent van Gogh Courtesy MoMA

“Wire Coil” from the IAIA Museum

“Copper Coil” from the IAIA Museum

possible by funding from outside artists and private collectors who sought to cast a brighter light on this underrecognized segment of American modern art.

The MoCNA is the only museum in the country dedicated exclusively to exhibiting, collecting and interpreting the work of contemporary native artists. As the museum has grown over the years, it has acquired a wide-ranging collection of close to 7,500 pieces of art that includes paintings, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, photography, contemporary apparel, textiles, cultural arts, new media and installations. The permanent collection includes works from artists like Tony Abeyta, Linda Lomahaftewa, George Morrison, Allan Houser, Helen Hardin and Truman Lowe.

The museum also hosts an exciting range of special exhibitions throughout the year, like the current Terrol Dew Johnson, Ben Aranda and Chris Lasch show “Meeting the Clouds Halfway,” which runs through February 16, 2019. The exhibition explores traditional Tohono O’odham practices and their bearing on modern life.

“My favorite aspect of the museum is how it encourages creative expression,” said Manuela Well-Off-Man, chief curator of the IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts. “It creates an opportunity for people to engage in cross-cultural dialogues with communities at local and international levels.”

Group tours are available with two weeks’ notice.

WWW.IAIA.EDU

MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART CHICAGO CHICAGO

Photos courtesy IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts

Photos courtesy IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

The Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) Chicago is one of the most avant-garde modern art museums in the world and has been since the day it opened in 1967 inside the former Playboy headquarters. Today, the museum’s permanent collection includes more than 2,500 works of art dating back to the 1920s, with pieces from current artists like Sophia Al-Maria, Marlo Pascual and Michael Armitage. The museum was the first to introduce audiences to the works of Martin Puryear, Jeff Koon and Jenny Holzer.

The MCA Chicago has always put a big focus on emerging artists, many of whom have gone on to successful careers. It showcases artists through a variety of lectures, symposia, roundtable discussions, films and musical performances. The museum also hosts a variety of exhibitions from local and international artists.

“Last year, the museum celebrated its 50th anniversary with a $16 million renovation,” said Karrie Leung, assistant director of media relations for the MCA Chicago.

The opening included a new restaurant by chef Jason Hammel that offers groups and visitors the chance to dine in private or join in the communal tables for light bites and drinks, or meals with table service and a full bar. Special group tours are available upon request.

WWW.MCACHICAGO.ORG

Courtesy San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

“Wood Basket” from the IAIA Museum

Photos courtesy IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts

Stoller Tour of MCA Chicago

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Courtesy MCA Chicago

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INSTITUTE OF CONTEMPORARY ART/BOSTON BOSTON

When the Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston (ICA) opened in 1936, it was considered the “renegade offspring of the Museum of Modern Art” in New York City. Although the ICA remains a sister institution to the MoMa, it has taken on a more experimental role as to exploring what is possible through the world of modern art.

The museum was the first to introduce Americans to the works of Georges Braque, Oskar Kokoschka and Edvard Munch. In more recent years, the museum has become better known for its ability to showcase the works of well-known and up-and-coming visual and performing artists. In the late 1990s, the ICA began hosting a teen filmmaking program called Fast Forward to help encourage young filmmakers, and the museum has been pivotal in the careers of Bill Viola, Cornelia Parker and Young Jean Lee. The museum offers groups the chance to book private and custom tours in advance, with options for self-guided or guided tours.

“This summer we opened a new space called the Watershed,” said Colette Randall, director of marketing and communications for the ICA/Boston. “It’s a former metal factory that we’ve renovated for largescale art projects, and it’s located across the harbor from us. So now your museum admission includes entry to our exhibitions spaces here at the main museum and then a seven-minute-long ferry ride across the harbor to east Boston.”

“I Was Raised on the Internet” exhibit in MCA Chicago Courtesy MCA Chicago

Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston

WWW.ICABOSTON.ORG

The Commons in MCA Chicago Courtesy ICA Boston Courtesy MCA Chicago

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

Proud hosts of the 2019

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

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Splendor

on the Rhône and Saône CRUISING THROUGH THE HEART OF FRANCE

BY SAVANNAH OSBOURN

F

rom the lavender fields of Provence to the vibrant blue waters of the French Riviera and the sweeping vineyards of Côtes-du-Rhône, southern France is home to some of the country’s most romantic imagery. Medieval castles and villages set the stage for classic films like “The Three Musketeers,” and bustling city centers feature sleek shops and cuttingedge cuisine.

On Emerald Waterways’ Sensations of Southern France river cruise, travelers experience many of these wonders firsthand without worrying about planning transportation, accommodations and other logistics.

Unlike some larger cruise lines that build itineraries around crowded tourist hot spots, this program is carefully structured to showcase the cultural and historic layers of France in a meaningful way. Groups can visit some of the world’s most precious archaeological sites, trace the footsteps of famous artists and thinkers, and sample regional wines in the cities that produce them.

This spring, I had the luxury of traveling as a guest of Emerald Waterways aboard the Emerald Liberté from Nice to Lyon. On the first day of our trip, Emerald Waterways provided transportation for new arrivals from the Nice Côte d’Azur International Airport to the city of Arles, where the Liberté was docked and ready to welcome guests for the first cruise of the 2018 season.

Over the following six days, we traveled to seven distinct locations: Arles, Avignon, Tournon, Macôn, Chalon-Sur-Saône, Beaune and Lyon, with the addition of several optional excursions to nearby sites and cities.

LITTLE ROME

Arles was once a provincial capital of the Roman Empire.

Courtesy Emerald Waterways

Once a provincial capital of ancient Rome, Arles was known as the Little Rome of Gaul, and remnants of this 2,000-year-old history are present throughout the city. Inspired by the famed coliseum in Rome, the beautifully preserved Arles Amphitheatre remains in use to this day.

Arles also served as the home of 19th-century impressionist painter Vincent van Gogh during his most productive work period, in which he completed over 20 paintings. Travelers can visit many of the sites that inspired his art, such as the Café de la Nuit, which still functions as a restaurant and cafe; the yellow house where he worked and lived; and Hotel Dieu, where he was institutionalized for several months. The central fountain and garden in the hospital are the subject of his painting “Garden of the Hospital in Arles.”

A short overnight sail brought us next to Avignon. During the 14th century, this small town became a city of great consequence after it was Opposite page: Pont Du Gard is one of the largest surviving Roman aqueducts in the world.

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A vegetarian entrée in Reflections Restaurant

The Palais des Papes in Avignon Photos by Savannah Osbourn, except where noted

chosen as the official seat of the Catholic popes. To commemorate its new headquarters, the Catholic Church fortified the city with an imposing 4.3-kilometer wall, the second-longest continuous wall in the world, after the Great Wall of China.

The church also constructed the Palais des Papes, or Pope’s Palace, a magnificent three-acre castle that remains one of the largest and most significant Gothic edifices in all of Europe. In addition to exploring these major sites, visitors would be remiss not to stop by the famous Pont St. Bénézet, a medieval bridge that inspired “Sur le Pont d’Avignon,” a wellknown folk song dating back to the 15th century.

TWIN TOWNS AND A COLORFUL CITY

On the fourth day of the cruise, we called on Tournon and Tain l’Hermitage. Nestled on either side of the Rhône River, these historic villages are encircled by rolling hills and terraced vineyards, creating a charming countryside scene. The two towns are connected by the Marc Seguin footbridge, a historic bridge designed by French engineer Marc Seguin, who invented the wire-cable suspension bridge.

Tournon is home to a striking 16th-century castle called the Château de Tournon, which is atop a granite rock. The castle now operates as a museum, featuring period furnishings and artifacts from the Renaissance Era to the present day.

Just behind Tain l’Hermitage on the hill of Hermitage, the Chapel of St. Christopher marks the birthplace of Syrah, also known as Shiraz, a grape variety responsible for producing some of the darkest full-bodied red wines in the world.

Overnight, we continued south to Mâcon, a vibrant city with buildings of burgundy, yellow, rose and cream lining the waterfront and multicolored umbrellas suspended over many of the streets. During the 18th and 19th centuries, the city became one of the most important cultural centers in the region, giving rise to notable figures such as Alphonse de Lamartine, one of France’s greatest poets.

On Rue Dombay, a trendy pedestrian street in downtown, visitors will discover a curious landmark called the Maison de Bois, or Wooden House, a 15th-century building with an ornate wooden facade and dramatic carvings of men, monkeys and other animals. Another notable site in town is the Church of St. Pierre, a three-story Romanesque church with beautiful twin steeples.

A view of Emerald Liberté from the Château de Tournon

A lavender field in Provence

An accordion player in Avignon Courtesy Emerald Waterways

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Square de la Paix in Mâcon

Maison de Bois in Mâcon

The Monument aux Morts

SAILING THROUGH WINE COUNTRY

The Emerald Liberté

The next morning, we arrived in Chalon-Sur-Saône, a city of art and history in the heart of the Burgundy wine region. It is the birthplace of Nicéphore Niépce, the inventor of photography, and home to the Nicéphore Niépce Museum, where groups can view over 6,000 cameras and optical objects. The centerpiece of downtown is St. Vincent Square, a restaurant and shopping plaza surrounded by charming, timber-frame buildings and the Chalon Cathedral.

Just 30 minutes north, the picturesque, cobbled town of Beaune is known as the capital of Burgundy wines. Visitors can wander through quaint shops, bookstores and bars in its walkable city center. The town’s most recognized landmark is the Hospices de Beaune, a rare specimen of Gothic architecture with ornate yellow-, green- and red-tiled roofs.

The lavish hospital was designed during the 15th century as a “Palace for the Poor,” catering to the poor and disadvantaged.

On the final day, our cruise ended in Lyon. Based at the confluence of the Rhône and Soâne rivers, Lyon is one of France’s most remarkable and historic cities. Because of its size, it is necessary to tour the city in Courtesy Emerald Waterways

Emerald Panorama Balcony Suite

Hospital beds inside the Hospices de Beaune

Local wines Courtesy Emerald Waterways

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Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière

A view of a basilica from Lyon riverfront Courtesy Emerald Waterways

part by bus, with stops at significant sites such as the Basilica of NotreDame de Fourvière, which offers a breathtaking overlook of the city.

In the old quarter of Lyon, travelers can trace the footsteps of the French Resistance through secret passageways known as “traboules” that connect various buildings throughout the district. Today, many of the hidden tunnels are marked by a bronze shield.

Bordering the Rhône River, the Parc de la Tête d’or, the largest urban park in France, which features 290 acres of towering trees, gardens and lake property.

ations, they may prefer to hit the top attractions and learn about local lore from a trained guide.

The ship passes through several locks throughout the journey, and it was fascinating to witness one of the world’s oldest engineering achievements in action. On some mornings, passengers might raise their cabin shades to find dark concrete walls blocking their view. One of the best spots to observe this passage is from the terrace outside the Horizon Bar and Lounge.

The dining experience at Reflections Restaurant, which is open during select hours of the day, is second to none. Breakfast and lunch consist of opulent buffets, and dinner features a rotating menu with regionally inspired cuisine. Vegetarian options are included in each selection.

Ship staff generally service the cabins in the evening while guests are at dinner and leave a program schedule for the following day so passengers can plan accordingly.

In the morning, the Horizon Bar and Lounge offers a light breakfast for those who prefer to avoid the crowd in the main restaurant, followed by an assortment of light refreshments in the afternoon.

Thanks to the beauty of southern France, the hospitality of the Emerald Waterways staff and the intimate design of the Emerald Liberté, many passengers left the cruise with a love of France and new friendships with crew members and fellow travelers.

Chef preparing platters in Reflections Restaurant.

LIFE ON BOARD

Among the best aspects of cruising on the Emerald Liberté is that passengers can customize their experience in a dozen different ways.

Every day, guests have the option to participate in organized onboard activities such as dances, wine tastings, trivia contests, cheese tastings and movie viewings in the cinema. There are also guided Emerald Active programs like yoga classes, bike excursions and vineyard hikes. The bicycles are available for passengers to take out on their own as well.

The Emerald Liberté typically remains docked in each destination for most of the day, and groups can choose to explore the city on their own or join a guided walking tour led by local professionals. This gives people the freedom to wander around at their own pace and discover lesser-known shops, restaurants and historic sites, though in other situ-

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EMERALD WATERWAYS Courtesy Emerald Waterways

833-571-9845 WWW.EMERALDWATERWAYS.COM

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A

ship

S T A T E - O F - T H E - A R T

T

he Emerald Liberté is one of three ships that joined the Emerald Waterways fleet in 2017. This sleek, state-of-the-art vessel was custom built to sail the Rhône and Saône rivers as part of the Sensations of Southern France program; it features four decks and an impressive length of 360 feet and can host up to 138 passengers and 43 crew members.

There are 70 spacious suites available, each equipped with a queen-size bed, a shower, a bathroom, a flat-screen television, a wardrobe and a safe. The exterior wall of each cabin contains a floor-to-ceiling window that can be mechanically opened to create the feeling of an open-air balcony.

Up on the Sun Deck, passengers can sit at a table or in a lounge chair and soak up the sun as they watch the French countryside roll past. For anyone who wants to stretch their legs, the top deck also features a walking track, a putting green and an activity area with games, including a giant chess board.

Just below on the Horizon Deck, the Horizon Bar and

Lounge offers an expansive recreational space with couches and tables, making it a popular venue for reading, relaxation and group activities. Guests can take advantage of a 24/7 tea and coffee station, as well as several board games, newspapers and other reading materials.

At the stern of the ship, there is a beautiful heated swimming pool that overlooks the water and converts into a cinema in the evening. The roof above the pool deck retracts to reveal the open sky, enabling swimmers and moviegoers to enjoy a warm Mediterranean breeze throughout the day.

Other key amenities include a fitness area, a spa center, a hair salon and Reflections Restaurant.

The Emerald Liberté

Courtesy Emerald Waterways

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S T A T E

o f

M I N D

go green in Illinois

GARDENS GRACE THE LAND OF LINCOLN

BY BRIAN JEWELL

T

o enjoy the best of Illinois, you have to see the state in bloom.

From the skyscrapers in Chicago to the Mississippi River towns of the Quad Cities and the Abraham Lincoln sites in Springfield, Illinois has its share of high-profile attractions. But many people don’t realize that the Prairie State also has more than its share of gorgeous gardens, amazing architecture and impressive art.

If you have garden and art lovers in your group, or if you’re simply looking for a new spin on a popular destination, consider adding some of these gardens, museums and other colorful attractions to your next Illinois itinerary.

CHICAGO

Many people walk around Chicago looking up at the city’s impressive architecture or out into the distance on Lake Michigan. But for a distinctive experience in the Windy City, consider looking below the skyline to discover some of the great gardens on ground level. There’s a host of beautiful public spaces around the city that date back more than 100 years.

“In the original 1909 plan for the city of Chicago, they wanted to make sure the city had outdoor, public green spaces,” said Melanie Perez, director of media relations for Choose Chicago. “So in this city that has such an extensive park system, it makes sense to include gardens. They’re nice little sanctuaries within the hustle and bustle of the city. The skyline is beautiful, the lakefront is beautiful, and this just adds more color to the experience.”

There are enough notable gardens around the city that Choose Chicago has created a whole itinerary for tour groups that showcases some of its best botanical beauty. Perez suggested that groups start in Lincoln Park, one of the city’s most notable green spaces, with a visit to the Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool.

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Lurie Garden in Chicago’s Millennium Park is an urban oasis.

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CHI CAGO

R O CK FO R D Q UAD CI TI ES

a 15-foot-high shoulder hedge that’s a nod to Chicago being called the City of Big Shoulders.”

Farther afield of downtown, groups can enjoy Osaka Garden, a Japanese garden in the Jackson Park neighborhood. There’s also the Chicago Botanic Garden, a 385-acre lakeside site with 26 gardens and nine islands, and Morton Arboretum, a 1,700-acre outdoor museum with more than 220,000 live plants in the suburb of Lisle.

S PR I N GFI ELD

WWW.CHOOSECHICAGO.COM

ROCKFORD

Courtesy Choose Chicago

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“It’s a little lily-pad pool garden tucked away in the park,” she said. “It’s very close to Lincoln Park Zoo and the beach, a short walk from the lakefront path.”

Another important stop in the same area is the Lincoln Park Conservatory. This indoor garden features tropical palms, ancient palms, colorful orchids and plenty of other exotic plants.

The conservatory hosts a flower show each year from late January through May. Perez said groups should visit the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, also in Lincoln Park.

“They’re doing some wonderful things to pay homage to the land on which Chicago is located,” she said. “They have a lot of the natural plants that were found on the prairie before the city was founded. Many of the scenes in the garden are representative of the city in some way. It has

About 90 miles west of Chicago, Rockford has its own claims to fame in the gardening world. The destination was selected as a winner of an America in Bloom award in 2007, and groups can spend several days exploring gardens and other attractions in the city and neighboring communities.

Among the most memorable botanical attractions in the area is Anderson Japanese Gardens.

“It’s considered one of the finest Japanese gardens in North America,” said Andrea Cook, associate director of marketing and communications at the Rockford Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. “The Anderson family had an affinity for Japanese culture, and they had some land, so they turned it into a garden with traditional 16th-century Japanese architecture.”

The 12-acre garden is built in “pond-strolling” style, which means visitors walk alongside koi ponds, gentle streams and cascading waterfalls to see traditional gravel gardens and beautiful Japanese trees, shrubs, bushes and flowers.

“They have an annual summer festival with different tea celebrations and Japanese-inspired

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QUAD CITIES

drumming,” Cook said. “They also have docents that can give Celebration Belle you private tours of the gardens.”

Another popular garden attraction in the area is Nicholas Conservatory and Gardens, which sits alongside a walking path on the banks of the Rock River. The outdoor gardens include colorful flower beds, a floral clock and an accredited rose garden. And the indoor conservatory features an 11,000-square-foot exhibit area with water features, sculptures and tropical plants.

“It’s really nice in the colder months because you’re swept into the tropics when you go inside,” Cook said. “They do a butterfly exhibit in the spring, and they also have an orchid exhibit with many different species of orchids.”

Groups will enjoy 150 acres of trees and plants from around the world at Klehm Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, which locals describe as Rockford’s “secret” garden. The arboretum is known for its hundreds of crabapples and magnolias that bloom in spring, accompanied by lilacs, tulips and daffodils. There are numerous demonstration gardens on-site, among them a butterfly garden, a hosta garden and an iris garden.

Cook also suggested groups visit La Paloma Gardens, which is in a residential neighborhood.

“A woman and her family had a house with a large backyard,” she said. “So they started this garden a few years ago, and it’s a really unique, beautiful experience.”

Continuing southwest from Rockford for about 120 miles, groups will arrive in the Quad Cities, a destination that comprises four cities on the banks of the Mississippi River in Iowa and Illinois. On the east bank, Rock Island and Moline offer several distinctive opportunities for visitors.

Groups exploring Illinois gardens can start the Quad Cities Courtesy Quad Cities CVB leg of their tours at the Quad City Botanical Center in Rock Island, which features both outdoor gardens and an indoor conservatory.

“Last year, they started a new Garfield Park Conservatory event in December called Winter Lights,” said Jessica Waytenick, public relations and marketing manager at the Quad Cities Convention and Visitors Bureau. “They decorate the outdoor gardens beautifully with holiday lights.

“They also have specific tours, so you can do a chocolate tour.

You see chocolate plants, talk about them and do a little tasting.

Courtesy Choose Chicago Coffee tours are also popular.”

In keeping with the agricultural theme, many travelers to the area stop at the John Deere Pavilion in Moline. This museum introduces visitors to the history of John Deere, which is headquartered in Moline and has been making farm equipment in Illinois for more than 100 years. ”You see some of the unique items they make, like an automatic lawnmower operated by GPS,” Waytenick said. “You can try driving a combine through a simulator or try driving a dump truck and loading dirt into it in a simulator. It’s not as

WWW.GOROCKFORD.COM

The John Deere Pavilion Route 66 Motorheads Bar and Grill

Courtesy Quad Cities CVB

Susan Lawrence Dana House

Courtesy Springfield CVB

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Courtesy Springfield CVB

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easy as you would think.”

Nearby in East Moline, groups can tour the plant where John Deere manufactures combines. The tours are offered three times daily and last 90 minutes each.

Groups that enjoy factory tours should also visit Arsenal Island.

In the middle of the Mississippi River, the island is an active military base where workers have produced items for military use since the early 1800s. A museum and a historic home are open for tours.

WWW.VISITQUADCITIES.COM

SPRINGFIELD

Groups that love gardens, art and architecture shouldn’t leave Illinois without heading south to Springfield. In addition to serving as the capital city, Springfield is home to several Lincoln-related attractions, including the Lincoln Home National Historic Site and the Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, as well as other distinctive attractions.

“Illinois has launched a new Frank Lloyd Wright trail, and we have the Dana Thomas House, one of the best Wright homes in the state,” said Jeff Berg, tourism manager at the Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau. “It was Wright’s first blank-check work. He had free rein. It’s regarded as one of the best Prairiestyle homes from his early career. It’s over 90 percent original, with the furniture, stained glass and fixtures that he designed.”

Another significant architectural site, the Illinois Governor’s Mansion, just reopened to the public after a privately funded $15 million renovation. The mansion has always featured a collection of artworks, but the renovations brought the building’s artwork to the forefront.

“When I was there, it was hard to determine whether I was in an art gallery or the Governor’s Mansion,” Berg said. “They really wanted to highlight the art of Illinois. They found pieces in the mansion that people hadn’t seen for decades or didn’t even know were there.”

Another new development in Springfield is the opening of Route 66 Motorheads, a restaurant and museum. Near the city’s historic, brick-lined stretch of the Mother Road, the establishment is modeled to look like a mid-20th-century gas station and features a large collection of Route 66 memorabilia from around the area.

Our 2019 Season Something for everyone!

Dec 31 - Feb 17

May 30 - July14

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Apr 11 - May 26

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Oct 31 - Dec 22

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Superb Musicals | Memorable Dining Family Hospitality | Spectacular Shops Anderson Japanese Gardens Courtesy Rockford Area CVB

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1131 Janesville Ave, Fort Atkinson, WI 53538 800-477-9505 | www.firesidetheatre.com selecttraveler.com

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ON SITE IN GEORGIA GEORGIA

FAM

FAM PARTICIPANTS EXPLORE THE GARDENS AND HISTORIC CHAPEL ON THE PROPERTY OF THE CRESCENT IN VALDOSTA.

TH E PL ANTATIO N TR ACE R EG IO N I M PR ESS E D TR AV E L PL AN N E RS O N TH IS FAM TO U R

SPEND SOME TIME IN THE TOWNS OF SOUTHWEST GEORGIA,

and you’ll likely be charmed by the area’s warm weather and even warmer hospitality.

That’s what 11 tour operators, travel agents and other readers of Select Traveler found during a three-day familiarization tour in Georgia’s Plantation Trace region in April. Hosted by the Georgia Department of Economic Development, this tour visited Valdosta, Thomasville and Albany, three destinations that each have a distinct flavor and appeal for visitors.

During the trip, participants toured beautiful plantations and homes, shopped in historic downtown districts, experienced wildlife and animal attractions and enjoyed amazing Southern cuisine. Along the way, they spent time with some of the tourism and hospitality professionals who specialize in helping groups plan great trips in Georgia.

Follow along on this itinerary to enjoy your own exploration of Georgia’s Plantation Trace region.

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IN VALDOSTA Day •• ARRIVAL WILD ADVENTURES

SPRING IN GEORGIA’S PLANTATION TRACE REGION

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• VALDOSTA WAKE COMPOUND • DOWNTOWN VALDOSTA

Guests traveled from around the country to Valdosta, the largest city in southwest Georgia, and met at a local hotel to begin the tour.

From there, the group departed for lunch and a private tour at Wild Adventures, a local theme park and zoo.

The next stop was Valdosta Wake Compound, a man-made watersports park where guests can watch wakeboarding demonstrations or attempt the sport themselves. After that, the group enjoyed a walking tour through downtown Valdosta, followed by dinner.

WILD ADVENTURES Few communities the size of Valdosta have their own amusement park, which makes Wild Adventures a popular destination for visitors from throughout southwest Georgia. This theme park features several roller coasters and thrill rides, in addition to hundreds of exotic animals from around the world. FAM participants got a private tour of the park and had some special encounters with cuddly baby animals; they also had the opportunity to hand-feed a giraffe.

VALDOSTA WAKE COMPOUND Wakeboarding, a hybrid of waterskiing and skateboarding, has become a popular extreme sport among young people, and the Valdosta Wake Compound is one of the country’s top wakeboarding facilities.

The FAM group got to learn about wakeboarding and watch professional competitors demonstrate jumps, flips and other aerial maneuvers.

Groups can also take wakeboarding lessons at the compound.

ALBANY WELCOME CENTER All photos by Brian Jewell

DOWNTOWN VALDOSTA Valdosta was founded in 1860 and its historic downtown district is full of interesting landmarks and turn-of-the-20th-century buildings. The FAM group toured downtown with a representative of the local Main Street organization, who highlighted aspects of the area’s recent $12 million improvement project.

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CRESCENT VALDOSTA GARDEN CENTER DEPART FOR THOMASVILLE LAPHAM PATTERSON HOUSE DOWNTOWN THOMASVILLE PEBBLE HILL PLANTATION DINE AROUND DOWNTOWN THOMASVILLE

The second day of the FAM began with one more stop in Valdosta.

The group began the morning at the Crescent, a landmark home

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built in 1898 now run by the local garden club. Next, they departed for Thomasville, which sits about 40 miles west of Valdosta near the Florida border. There they toured the Lapham Patterson House, a fascinating structure built as a vacation home by an eccentric industrialist. Next, participants enjoyed lunch and free time in Thomasville’s charming and walkable downtown district. That afternoon they toured Pebble Hill Plantation, a spectacular plantation home and art museum. The day ended with a dine-around downtown.

THE CRESCENT The Crescent is a 23-room Neoclassical home built in 1900. It sits on a street known locally as Millionaire’s Row and was the first house in Valdosta with plumbing and electricity. The FAM group got a personalized tour of all three floors of the home, as well as the beautiful gardens and 117-year-old live oaks on the property.

WILD ADVENTURES

LAPHAM PATTERSON HOUSE In Thomasville, the Lapham Patterson house is a quirky and intriguing house built in the 1880s as a winter vacation home by a female industrialist from Ohio. Thomasville was known as a health resort destination at the time, and the owner designed the house to follow the naturalist philosophy of the time. These touches include an exit in every room in the house — there are 51 overall — as well as an asymmetrical design and other unusual characteristics.

VALDOSTA WAKE COMPOUND

DOWNTOWN THOMASVILLE Thomasville is perhaps best known for its charming, historic downtown district. Visitors love meandering through the pristine, walkable area, which is full of locally owned stores and boutiques.

The town’s inventive Downtown Dollars program allows tour coordinators to prepurchase credits that can be used like cash for meals or shopping at most downtown establishments.

PEBBLE HILL PLANTATION A short drive from downtown, Pebble Hill Plantation is the jewel of Thomasville. Built between 1934 and 1936, this 4,000-acre estate was built as a vacation home for a family that enjoyed hunting, fishing and the sporting lifestyle. Today visitors can tour the 16-bedroom, 19-bathroom house, which features beautiful original furniture and an extensive art collection, including 33 first-edition Audubon prints.

The FAM group also enjoyed browsing the family’s art gallery on the second floor of the home and the expansive, blooming gardens outdoors.

POSING AT THE BIG OAK IN THOMASVILLE

LUNCH AT JONAH’S FISH AND GRITS IN THOMASVILLE

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• • • • • •

DEPART FOR ALBANY CHEHAW DOWNTOWN AND RAY CHARLES PLAZA ALBANY CIVIL RIGHTS INSTITUTE THRONATEESKA HERITAGE CENTER FLINT RIVERQUARIUM

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The third day of this FAM began with a short drive from Thomasville to Albany, a town about 60 miles north. On arrival, the group toured the 100-acre zoo at Chehaw, the city’s large nature park. Next was a stop at the Albany Welcome center, located in a historic building on the banks of the Flint River, and a visit to Ray Charles Plaza to see the iconic statue of the famous Georgia native.

After lunch, the group toured the area’s most famous attraction, the Albany Civil Rights Institute, and enjoyed a private concert with one of the original Freedom Singers. Later, participants toured a pair of area museum attractions: the Thronateeska Heritage Center and the Flint RiverQuarium.

LAPHAM PATTERSON HOUSE

CHEHAW Chehaw is a city-owned park that spans 800 acres of woodland.

Part of that space is a 100-acre zoo that features large, free-range animal habitats. The FAM group toured the zoo with a guide and saw some of the 21 alligators in the swamp area, including “Big Charlie,” who is more than 13 feet long. They also saw an interactive demo with a pair of Bactrian camels.

DOWNTOWN ALBANY The Flint River runs through Albany, and the city’s downtown district sits on the riverbanks. The group stopped to see the Albany Welcome Center, which occupies a historic building connected to a bridge over the river, then took a short stroll down the Flint River Walk to Ray Charles Plaza. Charles was born in Albany, and the city honors this local son with a larger-than-life statue of him singing at a piano.

ALBANY CIVIL RIGHTS INSTITUTE Perhaps the most famous attraction in town is the Albany Civil Rights Institute. The museum uses images, newspaper articles and oral histories to teach visitors about the struggle that took place in Albany and throughout the South. The FAM group toured the museum and the adjacent Old Mount Zion Baptist Church, where Martin Luther King Jr. once spoke, and enjoyed a private concert by Rutha Harris, an Albany local who toured the world as one of the original Freedom Singers.

FREEDOM SINGERS AT THE ALBANY CIVIL RIGHTS INSTITUTE

AN ALLIGATOR AT CHEHAW

FLINT RIVERQUARIUM

FLINT RIVERQUARIUM Groups touring Albany should include time to visit the Flint RiverQuarium, which highlights the fish and animals that are native to the Flint River, as well as creatures from the Gulf of Mexico where the river ends. The highlight of the aquarium is its 175,000-gallon, open-air Blue Hole Spring exhibit that features hundreds of different aquatic species.

GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT If you are interested in hosting a FAM for readers of Select Traveler, call Kelly Tyner at 888.253.0455.

L AC E Y CA M E RO N 404-962-4175 LCAMERON@GEORGIA.ORG A WWW.EXPLOREGEORGIA.ORG LAST SUPPER EXPERIENCE AT THE BIBLICAL HISTORY CENTER

WITH THE GROUP TRAVEL LEADER

WITH THE GROUP TRAVEL LEADER

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A PL ACE WITH A PACE

A walk through downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma, reveals several outstanding examples of Art Deco architecture, including the Philcade Building.

Courtesy Tulsa CVB

GROUPS ARE LIVING ON TULSA TIME

BY ELIZA MYERS

F

or most of the 20th century, Tulsa, Oklahoma, had the nickname Oil Capital of the World. Today, many consider Tulsa a cultural center, with world-renowned art museums, Art Deco architecture, science centers and music venues.

“Tulsa has a cool vibe to it,” said Ray Hoyt, president of the Tulsa Convention and Visitors Bureau. “It’s a very philanthropic city. It has a lot of old oil and energy money. We have woken up from the ’70s when the downtown fell asleep. The city is investing in itself.

Money is being spent to turn Tulsa into a city for the future.”

Groups looking to combine educational experiences with fun will enjoy Tulsa’s plethora of interactive attractions.

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ARCHITECTURE: ART DECO TOURS

Gargoyles and other carved figures look down on visitors from high above on Tulsa’s numerous Art Deco buildings. After the oil boom in the early 1900s, Tulsa’s upper-class residents threw $1 million into developing the downtown to showcase their wealth. The amount of opulent architecture downtown and beyond earned Tulsa its new nickname: Terra Cotta City.

“These oil companies were making money like no one had ever imagined, so they were building these impressive Art Deco buildings,” said Hoyt. “You can spend all day downtown looking at these buildings. Only New York City has more Art Deco buildings than we do. Tulsa protected them and didn’t tear them down like a lot of other cities did.”

Groups can take self-guided tours or choose from various guided tours of the Art Deco buildings, including some offered by a company called Tours of Tulsa. The step-on guide service relates the stories of

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Tulsa, from the Native Americans and cowboys to those who struck it rich and reshaped the cityscape.

Tours can also venture underground to explore some of the 600 feet of tunnels that connect various Tulsa buildings. The fascinating history of these tunnels, built to protect wealthy businesspeople during a rash of kidnappings, makes them even more mysterious.

FOR MORE ARCHITECTURE: Tulsa Art Deco Museum With a ceiling covered in gold leaf and mosaic tile, the Tulsa Art Deco Museum is itself a work of art.

SCIENCE: OKLAHOMA AQUARIUM

You can experience the thrill of “Shark Week” up close by walking through a tunnel underneath gigantic bull sharks. The Oklahoma Aquarium’s “Shark Adventure” has garnered all kinds of national attention, including featured episodes on the Discovery Channel’s “Shark Week” series. The 500,000-gallon tank holds the largest bull sharks in captivity, as well as lemon sharks, tiger sharks and nurse sharks.

Visitors can also examine the prehistoric creatures living in Oklahoma’s lakes and rivers in the “Aquatic Oklahoma” exhibit. An alligator snapping turtle and a seven-foot-long alligator gar prove that the state’s waters hold a fascinating collection of creatures.

“It’s a world-class aquarium,” said Hoyt. “From an educational standpoint, you can see all kinds of animals that are native to the Tulsa area. It’s an incredible aquarium.”

Groups can book a behind-the-scenes tour to discover how the aquarium keeps its various underwater species healthy.

FOR MORE SCIENCE: Tulsa Zoo The 85-acre Tulsa Zoo tends to 1,500 animals representing 436 species from around the world.

MUSIC: WOODY GUTHRIE CENTER

“This Land Is Your Land” may seem like a simple folk song, but it celebrates ideas about democracy and equality that were treasured by its composer, Woody Guthrie. The influential folk musician’s life inspired the creation of Tulsa’s Woody Guthrie Center.

An Oklahoma native, Guthrie wrote catchy tunes about America that had the deeper purpose of relating complex ideas about human rights and economic equality.

“His writing inspired artists far past his years,” said Hoyt. “Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen and others were all influenced by Woody Guthrie. You learn about how Guthrie was talking about fascism and other political topics through his music.”

Museumgoers can view his instruments, artwork and photographs and other historical memorabilia from his life. A short film, samples of his music and folk music events also enrich the experience. In April, the museum opened an interactive experience to teach visitors about the Dust Bowl, an event that inspired several of Guthrie’s songs. This exhibit uses virtual reality technology to enable visitors to view dust clouds rolling across the Oklahoma prairie.

FOR MORE MUSIC: Bob Dylan Center

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Set to open in 2021, the Bob Dylan Center will house archives from the singer’s life as well as interactive exhibits that will provide attendees with a deeper comprehension of Dylan’s work.

ART: GILCREASE MUSEUM

Lectures, living-history presentations, live music performances, art classes and after-hours parties ensure that a trip to the Gilcrease Museum will be memorable. The museum offers groups numerous options, with public garden tours and docent-guided museum tours.

With more than 10,000 paintings, drawings, prints and sculptures by 400 artists from Colonial times to the present, the Gilcrease Museum has one of the world’s largest and most comprehensive collections of American West art. The Native American collection especially shines, with rare art, artifacts and historic manuscripts on display.

“The art collection is unique from a Native American perspective,” said Hoyt. “Mr. Gilcrease was collecting Native American art when others weren’t. That’s a story within itself.”

Thomas Gilcrease grew up in Creek Nation, present-day Oklahoma, until the federal government distributed the lands held by the Native Americans there to private citizens. His tribal membership allotted him 160 acres south of Tulsa. This land stood on one of the state’s major oil fields, granting Gilcrease instant wealth. His tribal heritage inspired him to collect Native American art and other American West art rapidly.

Today, prominent American artists line the museum’s walls, among them Thomas Moran.

FOR MORE ART: Philbrook Museum Another oilman, Waite Phillips, endowed his multimillion-dollar mansion and art collection to the city of Tulsa.

www.visittulsa.com

Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees

Grove, Oklahoma

, WOW. V i s i t C h e r o k e e Nat i o n . c o m © 2017 Cherokee Nation Businesses. All Rights Reserved.

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F O R

FALL

THE VERMONT COUNTRYSIDE

BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY, NORTH CAROLINA

STOWE, VERMONT

By Mark Vandenberg, courtesy Stowe Area Assoc.

A 200-YEAR-OLD VILLAGE lined with quaint shops and restaurants comes to life each fall with festivals, an influx of travelers and showy fall leaf displays. Stowe, Vermont, lights up with striking yellow, orange and red hues because of its thick covering of maple trees.

The concentrated foliage colors and easy-to-find entertainment make Stowe one of the most popular fall destinations in New England. TripAdvisor also ranked the town the top fall foliage destination in the U.S. Prime foliage season runs from mid-September through the end of October. Groups can find foliage with various scenic drives passing through the area’s rolling hills. The 10-mile route from Edson Hill Road to West Hill Road takes passenger through upland farms northwest of Stowe. Aging maples that arch over the roads turn the route into a kaleidoscope of colors that has been featured in Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Trouble With Harry” and other films. When the maple trees end, groups can contemplate the view into the valley and across the Worcester Mountains.

Those looking for a slower route can cruise on the Fly Rod Shop’s Fall Foliage Boating Tour. The boat glides along the Waterbury Reservoir between two tree-covered mountain ranges.

Groups can add memorable stops during their quest for leaf color at the Trapp Family Kaffeehaus for fresh baked goodies, Ben and Jerry’s factory tours for delicious desserts and Cold Hollow Cider Mill for warm apple cider.

WWW.GOSTOWE.COM

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G R A N D FAT H E R M O U N TA I N

Courtesy Blue Ridge Parkway Assoc.

FROM THE TOP OF GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN, the Blue Ridge Mountains seem to roll on and on into the horizon. One of the tallest mountains in North Carolina, the peak is a favorite place to see the Blue Ridge Mountains ablaze with color in the fall. This stop, along with several other overlooks and attractions, lies just off the Blue Ridge Parkway.

The Blue Ridge Parkway is America’s longest linear park. It runs for 469 miles through 29 Virginia and North Carolina counties and links the Shenandoah National Park to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Groups flock to this route for the flashy autumn colors and numerous nearby attractions. Known for its biodiversity, the parkway lies in a temperate rain forest with more than 100 species of trees. Because of this diversity and an elevation that ranges from 600 feet to 6,000 feet, leaf peepers can view spectacular color not only during one peak foliage week but throughout October.

The road that leads to Altapass Orchard offers several overlooks with exceptional views. Once at the orchard, groups can embrace autumn activities with hayrides, music, apples and other fall treats. Another attraction, the North Carolina Arboretum, allows guests to walk through the woods and terraced gardens with views of the surrounding mountains. The arboretum offers several guided tours, including one with information on garden design, seasonal plants and the arboretum’s art collection.

WWW.BLUERIDGEPARKWAY.ORG

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BY ELIZA MYERS

LAUTENBACH’S ORCHARD COUNTRY WINERY AND MARKET

DOOR COUNTY, WISCONSIN Courtesy Door County VB

LIGHTHOUSES, ROCKY SHORELINES, SAND DUNES and picturesque small towns ensure that a trip to Door County, Wisconsin, will delight visitors year-round. However, in October, the autumn colors ignite the landscape with scarlet, gold, vermilion and russet leaves that line the streets and form canopies over country lanes.

In September and October, harvest festivals occur in Door County every weekend. Whether groups choose the Harvest Festival in Sturgeon Bay, the Fall Harvest Fest at Orchard Country Winery or the Townline Art Fair in Ephraim, they can enjoy tasty local food, handmade crafts, live music and plenty of pumpkins.

Group travelers should also embrace their agricultural surroundings by picking some apples themselves at a nearby farm.

For a quieter experience, travelers can escape to one of the area’s five state parks, among them Newport State Park, the only designated wilderness park in Wisconsin. The 2,373-acre park stretches along 11 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline for unparalleled panoramas. Groups also seek out the uninterrupted views from atop the 75-foot-high Potawatomi State Park Observation Tower.

Visitors can hop aboard a scenic boat tour or the Door County Trolley Tour for more relaxing sightseeing excursions. Groups can also spend several days exploring the small towns, wineries and vistas featured on the Door County Circle Tour.

MAROON BELLS

ASPEN, COLORADO Courtesy Aspen Chamber Resort Assoc.

EACH FALL, THE ASPEN TREES in Aspen, Colorado, deck the mountains in color as the leaves morph from green to gold and orange. The display shines the brightest from the end of September through the first week of October. During these peak weeks, visitors from near and far come to marvel at the glowing hues backdropped by blue skies and snowcapped mountains.

The ski town invites visitors to wander through the autumn landscape on one of the town’s many hiking trails. The Hunter Creek Trail starts in town, and the entire route — past clear creeks, peaceful meadows and luminous aspen groves — dazzles. Maroon Creek Road, Castle Creek Road and Independence Pass also make impressive scenic drives. Whichever path groups take, a view of Maroon Bells should feature prominently on the itinerary. One of the most photographed peaks in Colorado, these twin 14,000-foot peaks sit atop a mirror lake, with aspen trees framing the scene.

To gaze from a bird’s-eye view over the golden foliage, groups can ride the Silver Queen Gondola to the top of Aspen Mountain. Once at the top, the views, hiking trails and meal options at Sundeck will entertain until it’s time to descend once again.

For a local fall experience, visitors can take in the festive atmosphere of the Aspen Saturday Market for Colorado-made items and produce.

WWW.ASPENCHAMBER.ORG

WWW.DOORCOUNTY.COM

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THE

UPPER LEFT DON’T MISS THESE ICONIC STOPS IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST

Courtesy Gervasi Vineyard

BY KRISTY ALPERT

Courtesy the Space Needle

F

reckled with acres of picturesque landscapes and pristine ecosystems, the Pacific Northwest is ripe for exploration.

Aside from its natural charisma, the Pacific Northwest has long been famous for its signature blend of innovation and offbeat charm. The area encompasses the states of Oregon and Washington, with the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Cascade Mountain Range to the east.

There are so many options for adventures and memorable excursions in this region, from quirky storefronts and historic markers to stunning vineyards and beautiful river gorges. If your group has never visited the area, however, your ultimate Pacific Northwest experience starts with these top attractions.

Courtesy Cannon Beach COC

Top: Seattle unfolds below for all those who step into the glass lookout area of the Space Needle.

Bottom: The iconic Haystack Rock is a beloved landmark on Oregon’s Cannon Beach.

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CANNON BEACH OREGON

The Oregon coast is lined with quaint seaside villages and brimming with the salty banter of local fishermen, quirky finds at boutique shops and the delicious flavors at mom-and-pop restaurants that serve variations on the catch of the day. Although there are many options for stops along the coast, few cities can compare with the charm and group offerings of Oregon’s famous Cannon Beach.

The community of Cannon Beach, named for an iron cannon that washed ashore from a shipwrecked U.S. Navy schooner, has grown from its modest beginning in 1957 to include more than 1,500 residents as of a 2010 census. The beach itself extends four miles from the town, offering much room for exploration and fun in the sand amongst a background of scenic rock formations, among them the famous Haystack Rock. Haystack Rock rises 235 feet from the edge of the shoreline and has been the centerpiece for many cinematic scenes in movies such as “The Goonies,”

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“The Road,” “The Ring,” and “Short Circuit.” The tidal pools at the base of Haystack Rock are listed as one of Oregon’s seven protected marine gardens and are a great spot for spotting some of Oregon’s most exciting bird species, like the tufted puffins.

The town itself has become somewhat of an artists’ haven, where winding pathways guide guests through the walkable town center to public art courtyards, specialty shops and cafes. Numerous art galleries feature one-of-a-kind works from locally and internationally renowned artists. Groups looking for more interaction in the area tend to enjoy the short hike up to Tillamook Rock Lighthouse or the hands-on cooking classes at the Cannon Beach Cooking School.

WWW.CANNONBEACH.ORG

FUTURE OF FLIGHT AVIATION CENTER AND BOEING TOUR M U K I LT E O , W A S H I N G T O N

The Boeing Company has a long history in the Pacific Northwest, dating back to when William Boeing purchased a property on the Duwamish River that would become his first airplane factory. Since 1916, Boeing has used the expanses of Washington as its home base for creating some of the finest aircraft the world has ever seen.

The Boeing factory is now located in Everett, Washington, where it stands as the world’s largest building by volume, housing production lines for the 747, 767, 777 and 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

A Boeing 787 Dreamline assembly line Multnomah Falls Courtesy Travel Oregon

Courtesy Future of Flight Aviation Center and Boeing Tour

Future of Flight Gift Shop

“Visitors come from all over the world to see the Boeing Everett factory, so we always try to make their tours special,” said Jody Hawkins, marketing and social media director for the Future of Flight Aviation Center and Boeing Tour.

The Future of Flight Aviation Center opened in 2005 with a mission to “ignite passion for the future of aerospace.” The center is roughly 25 minutes from Seattle and is the starting point for the Boeing Factory Tour, the only public tour of a commercial jet assembly plant in North America. Before beginning the 90-minute tour, groups can explore the Future of Aviation facility to enjoy its tasty treats in the cafe, the two gift shops and the on-site Aerospace Gallery WWW.FUTUREOFFLIGHT.ORG

MULTNOMAH FALLS IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE

HOOD RIVER, OREGON

Courtesy Future of Flight Aviation Center and Boeing Tour

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Legend has it that Multnomah Falls was created by a love-struck Native American boy seeking to win the heart of a young princess who wanted a hidden place to bathe. The romance and folklore surrounding the falls have secured the destination’s place in the hearts of locals and visitors alike, but it’s the sheer beauty that keeps people coming back to this 611-foot-high waterfall.

“I think what makes Multnomah Falls really special is that it has a really cool ambiance to it,” said Rachel Pawlitz, public affairs officer for

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Mount Rainier

Seattle’s skyline

Courtesy Visit Rainier

Shooting star wildflowers in Washington

Courtesy Visit Rainier

the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. “The height of the falls is special, but it’s the overall feel that captures people’s imaginations and attracts people of all walks of life.”

The falls have become an icon of the Pacific Northwest, proudly featured on postcards, prints and souvenir items around the state of Oregon. Unfortunately, a 48,000-acre wildfire east of Portland last year did some damage to the natural area around the falls. Thanks to the work of firefighters and volunteers, the park’s most iconic structures, including the Multnomah Falls Lodge and the famous Benson Bridge, remained unscathed. But many of the trails surrounding them are temporarily closed so workers can remove debris and make the trails safe again. The hike up to the Benson Bridge is open and offers gorgeous views of the upper and lower falls.

Visitors today can take a shuttle from the Portland Gateway Transit Center on the Columbia Gorge Express for a stress-free, scenic 30-minute ride. Depending on which schedule groups select for the shuttle, they could have the option of stopping at some of the other scenic sites in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, including Rooster Rock State Park, Cascade Locks and the Hood River.

WWW.OREGON.COM/ATTRACTIONS/MULTNOMAH_FALLS

“It’s rewarding to hear the stories of the ways that people are inspired by and connected to this amazing national park.”

— KATHY STEICHEN, CHIEF OF INTERPRETATION AND EDUCATION AT MOUNT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK

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MOUNT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK ASHFORD, WASHINGTON

Although the U.S. Geological Survey research lists Mount Rainier as one of the nation’s most dangerous volcanoes, there’s no denying that this soaring landmark is one of the must-see attractions while exploring the Pacific Northwest. Mount Rainier ascends to 14,410 feet above sea level, making it the highest mountain in the Cascade Range of the Pacific Northwest.

The park was named after Peter Rainier, a close friend of Capt. George Vancouver of the British Royal Navy, who observed the mountain during his Pacific Coast survey in 1792. Despite being an active volcano, Mount Rainier has become better known for its spectacular array of wildflowers due to the unique subalpine region to which it belongs. It remains the most glaciated peak in the United States, where it gives rise to five major rivers: the Carbon, Puyallup, Mowich, Nisqually and Cowlitz rivers.

The park encompasses more than 236,381 acres, welcoming active groups and travelers looking to immerse themselves in the inspiring landscape.

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Courtesy the Space Needle

“It’s rewarding to hear the stories of the ways that people are inspired by and connected to this amazing national park,” said Kathy Steichen, chief of interpretation and education at Mount Rainier National Park.

From May to early October, the park is a playground for mountain climbers, hikers and bicyclists, with loads of trails for exploring, as well as great scenic drives for more relaxed exploration. The park’s rangers love to share their knowledge through guided walks, talks and campfire programs. They are also available for private group excursions.

WWW.VISITRAINIER.COM

SPACE NEEDLE S E AT T L E

What do Seattle’s iconic Space Needle, Discovery Channel’s “Shark Week” and Pixar’s “Finding Nemo” all have in common?

They all began as doodles on a napkin. As the story goes, the 1962 World’s Fair chief organizer, Edward Carlson, was traveling in Europe when he got the idea for what he believed could become an enduring symbol for his hometown of Seattle, and he quickly jotted his idea down on a napkin in a hotel cafe.

The Space Needle made its debut on the opening day of the 1962 World’s Fair in Seattle, proudly displaying its “Astronaut White” legs, “Orbital Olive” core, “Re-entry Red” halo and “Galaxy Gold” pagoda-style roof. Elvis Presley, Bobby Kennedy, John Wayne, Billy Graham and the Shah and Empress of Iran were among the first to experience the new space-age structure.

Last year, the Space Needle underwent an expansive $100 million renovation that replaced entire walls, barriers and floors with clear, structural glass to create a dramatic visual impact while offering never-before-seen 360-degree views of the city and the Puget Sound. The renovation included the world’s first revolving glass floor, called The Loupe, where visitors can gaze down on the architecture, elevators and even the city.

Groups visiting the Space Needle can take a 43-second ride up to the tower’s top level at the Atmos Café to enjoy light bites, wine, beer and amazing views from the tower’s open-air observation deck.

WWW.SPACENEEDLE.COM

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marketing Y O U R

P R O G R A M

B L O G Y O U R W A Y T O A

BY ELIZA MYERS

A

t first glance, starting a travel blog might seem like just another task on your already overbooked schedule. But don’t make the mistake of viewing a business blog simply as a time commitment.

When properly executed, a blog’s benefits can far exceed the time invested.

Travel blogs can boost your travel program’s image of authority, generate leads, improve the business website’s Google standing and encourage word-of-mouth promotion. Once blogs become part of your schedule, they can help you sell tours long after you have hit “Publish.”

BLOGGING GOALS

The goal of a business travel blog is to foster loyalty to your brand. That doesn’t mean that every time you finish a blog post, you will get a flurry of people signing up for your tours. Instead, take the longer view and craft each post to nurture the relationship between your travel program and your potential customer.

Travel blog posts often revolve around revisiting the latest tour and promoting upcoming trips, but other topics can focus on tips or other useful information about your organization. For example, bank travel programs could write posts with financial tips. Alumni travel programs could highlight a new professor.

Any information that the reader would find engaging or useful can work as blog content.

Think of questions your members ask frequently, then write a blog post answering each one. Once a reader has come to your company’s blog for expertise, they will be more likely to trust your organization with their travel plans in the future.

Blog posts don’t have to appear on a website separate from your company’s main business page. Housing them on the same website can help achieve another benefit of blogging: driving traffic to your website. The more you post, the more reasons people will have to return to your website. Regular posts on your website also increase its SEO, or search engine optimization, so that your website will rank higher in online searches.

Access to posts that promote your travel program can also save you time with other marketing efforts. For example, instead of searching for social media content, you can post your latest blog entry. These posts can also show up in your company’s newsletters, frequently asked questions page and other marketing materials.

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BLOGGING BASICS

To begin building a blog, you should first come up with a content calendar that determines when you will post and what topic you plan to cover. According to a ProBlogger report, readers cited posting too frequently as the No. 1 reason they unsubscribed from blogs. Keep this in mind as you choose how often to post.

Many professional bloggers recommend posting once a week or every other week for businesses to stay relevant without annoying their audiences.

When writing posts, avoid wordiness and stick to the goal of quality over quantity. As a guideline, stick to 250 to 500 words per post, but don’t be afraid to stretch the post longer if it takes more words to get your point across.

Choose catchy titles and interesting photos to attract attention. Optimind Technology Solutions reports that articles with images, no matter the subject matter, will receive 94 percent more views.

To convert more readers into travelers, try to include a call to action with every post. This invites readers to engage with your company in some way, perhaps by signing up to receive blogs via email or taking advantage of a trip discount.

After posting for a few months, go back and analyze the data with Google Analytics to find out what topics attracted the most views. Check the dates you sent out blog posts to see if a particular day or time boosted blog traffic effectively.

Keep tweaking when you post and what topics you use to gain more followers.

TRAVEL BLOGGING

Many loyalty program planners use blogs to share details from their trips in real time. If you can blog while on a tour, try posting more frequently with shorter, more-focused stories from the trip rather than writing one long post.

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STRONGER

M A R G O R P

One of the best ways to recruit travelers is by word-of-mouth promotion from happy customers. Use your blog as a tool for self-promotion by asking previous travelers to write blog posts about their trips. First-hand customer accounts can mean more to potential travelers than your standard marketing materials.

They also provide a way for the traveler to relive the experience through writing.

For example, perhaps you want to attract more boomers to your tours. Ask satisfied boomer-aged travelers to write about why they enjoyed traveling with a group. Or when returning from your first multigenerational group tour, ask participants to tell why they liked this type of tour. Their opinions will carry a lot of weight with other travelers.

In travel, as in most businesses, reputation is everything. Use your blog to create an image of your travel program that you can present to the world.

When properly executed, a blog’s benefits can far exceed the time invested.

The Star for a Day program begins with a professionally guided tour of Historic RCA Studio B. Your group will learn about the history of Nashville’s recording industry and the progression of recording technology. Following the tour, you will work with the studio engineer in your own private recording session. Then it’s off to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum to complete the tour experience.

BOOK YOUR GROUP TOUR TODAY.

#PressPlayRecord • @CountryMusicHOF • @RCAStudioB CountryMusicHallofFame.org/Groups • 800.852.6437

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C A R E E R

C O R N E R

trip

MID-RANGE

PRICING

great trips don’t have to break the budget

BY BRIAN JEWELL

Y

ou want to take your group on a great trip. You also want to offer the tour for a great price.

How do you make the experience as memorable as possible without blowing the budget?

When you’re selecting tour companies to take your travelers on adventures around the world, you have a wide range of options to consider. In addition to a company’s product line and reputation, the price of the trip and the value it represents are going to be key factors in your decision. Tour companies can operate at a variety of brand levels, from low-price, high-volume models to ultraexclusive, high-price concepts. Finding the right balance of cost and value is one of the most important parts of your job.

If you’re looking for a midrange tour product, you’re in luck: Most companies in the travel industry operate somewhere in the middle of the pricing spectrum, and most group travelers are happy with the experiences they offer. These trips, often marketed as “premium” or “deluxe,” usually meet a high standard of quality without crossing over into luxury or unnecessary expenses.

Here’s an overview of what you can expect in 10 essential aspects of group travel when you choose these kinds of trips.

1) DESTINATIONS

No matter where you want to go — a destination close to home or a faraway place on another continent — you’re likely to find a midrange tour company that offers trips there. Since companies aren’t always chasing the lowest possible price, they have the flexibility to offer tours to a wide range of places, including some that aren’t among the most popular

in the world. Some national tour companies have grown quite large operating on this model and are able to offer a comprehensive catalog of global tour products.

2) SEASONALITY AND TIMING

As a rule, travel prices are cheapest during the least desirable times to visit a destination. Fortunately, this usually isn’t a problem for tours at this level. Groups willing to pay for a premium or deluxe tour can travel during optimal seasons, when the weather is enjoyable and destinations are at their best. There may be some blackout dates surrounding special events, and you might still consider traveling in shoulder season if you want to avoid crowds. But you don’t have to compromise on season or travel on off-peak days to meet a certain price point.

3) ACCOMMODATIONS

On any tour, overnight accommodations account for the largest share of expenses, so this is an area where travelers will notice a direct link between price and value. Whereas low-price tours make use of bargain hotels in low-demand neighborhoods, midrange tours are much more likely to use full-service hotels affiliated with nationally known brands. The properties used on these tours are also more likely to be within walking distance of downtown or popular attractions and may feature unique design and local flavor.

Top: Kentucky’s Newport Oktoberfest, courtesy Kentucky Dept. of Tourism Bottom: Sunrise in Beaufort, South Carolina, courtesy Beaufort Regional COC

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4) MEALS

Midrange tours also stand out from lowcost counterparts in the area of meals. Travelers on these tours can often expect a full, hot breakfast each day at their hotels, followed by at least one other included meal during most days of the tour. Those included meals will often come from a limited menu of several selections and may also include a complimentary glass of beer or wine. And many midrange tours will feature at least one or two impressive dinners at distinguished restaurants.

5) ACTIVITIES

Travel planners will find that midrange tours offer a wide variety of activity options for their travelers. In addition to city tours with step-on guides, these trips will also include visits to museums, historic sites and other ticketed attractions. Tour operators will also include several other experiences, such as sightseeing cruises, dinner theater shows and private performances, that add a lot of value to the trip. Customers in this price range can also expect a handful of fun surprises or VIP experiences.

Tour

SOUTHEAST INDIANA

Fall Mums, Farms & Markets Meet a friendly herd of alpaca, tour a greenhouse, visit an orchard and find locally made specialty foods and fresh produce in the Fall.

“Fun Farm & Market Experiences!”

- Clarksville Parks & Rec, Clarksville, IN

6) GUIDES AND TOUR PERSONNEL

Consistency and professionalism are hallmarks of strong tour companies, and customers count on the tour directors, drivers and other personnel working on their trips to exhibit both traits. On middle-tier trips, tour companies deploy professional guides and escorts that are specialists in the destinations the tours are visiting. These people may work full time for the company that sold the trip or perhaps for another local company that is providing on-theground services. They have likely been extensively trained and offer a high level of customer service.

7) CUSTOMIZATION

When travel planners have some flexibility in their budgets, they often find that tour providers offer a lot of flexibility in trip details. Though some large tour companies still work off preset itineraries, many midlevel operators customize each tour, planning destinations, activities and inclusions from scratch based on the interests of their groups. And companies that do work from established itineraries have more discretion to modify tours at this price range, provided that the group leader is able to bring enough customers on the trip.

8) EXCLUSIVITY

In an ideal world, every affinity group tour would be a private affair: Travelers from your bank, alumni group or chamber of commerce wouldn’t be mixed in with other customers. This isn’t the case on bargain tours, but it’s much more likely when you move to the middle tier of tour pricing. Custom tour operators can build and price products based on the number of travelers you expect in your group, and larger tour companies have the flexibility to offer group-exclusive tours with some adjustments to their catalog pricing.

OHIO Indianapolis

INDIANA

1

Cincinnati

KENTUCKY

Louisville

Lexington

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

www.TOURSoutheastIndiana.com Top: A gumbo jambalaya dish, courtesy Louisiana Office of Tourism Bottom: Lobster steaming, courtesy Maine Office of Tourism S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R

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800-322-8198

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9) SPECIAL TOUCHES

Tours are more than just motorcoaches and hotel rooms; thoughtful gifts, unique experiences and unexpected touches can make a big difference in the way travelers perceive your trips and their value. Companies that operate midprice tours understand this and employ a variety of surprises to delight customers. They can range from branded travel goodies distributed before departure to pop-up cocktail receptions and special activities that aren’t listed on the trip itinerary. Work with travel providers in advance to ensure that tours will include some special touches for your customers.

10) COMPS AND COMMISSIONS

If you prefer to travel with your club members as often as possible, you’ll want to make sure that your travel partners have complimentary trip policies that allow you to join the group without paying for a seat on the tour. Midrange tour companies often have generous comp policies, offering one free traveler for every 10 or 15 paying customers — and we’ve seen ratios as low as one for six. If you can’t join the trip yourself, you might be able to negotiate a commission from the tour operator instead of a comp.

Top: “Elvis Lives” performance, courtesy Fireside Dinner Theatre Bottom: A Thomas Jefferson impersonator at Monticello, courtesy Monticello

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

Find out more at TourismCares.org

Ad space generously donated.

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

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

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W H E R E

w e ’ v e

B E E N

jacksonville state university JACKSONVILLE, ALABAMA TRIP: Cowboy Country TOUR OPERATOR: Collette DATE: June 2018 Alumni from Jacksonville State University joined the university’s president and first lady to experience a sevenday trip to the American West. The tour focused on the national parks and other cultural sites in South Dakota, Wyoming and Montana.

“Our Gamecock travelers had a wonderful time experiencing the nature of the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone national parks. We ended the trip with a very patriotic night at a lighting of Mount Rushmore. We try to travel once or twice a year out West and welcome anyone who would like to join the fun.”

— KACI OGLE, DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI RELATIONS

F&M bank regency club VADNAIS HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA TRIP: Best of Britain TOUR OPERATOR: CIE Tours DATE: June 2017 For 11 days, the Minnesota bank club explored the elegant castles, cultural wonders and historic attractions of Great Britain. The group traveled throughout the country, with stops at the Cotswolds, Cardiff, York, Edinburgh, Liverpool and London.

“I was mesmerized by the wonderful tours of Windsor Castle, Edinburgh Castle, Bamburgh Castle, Gretna Green, Liverpool, Bath, Stonehenge and the Tower of London. After all the sites, the icing on the cake for this trip was the garden party at my parents’ 300-year-old home: the White Cottage. The food was extraordinarily delicious, and to witness the beautiful gardens at their home was an excellent experience.”

— SUE PEACOCK, CLIENT RELATIONS OFFICER

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