Select Traveler Spring 2024

T H E M AG A Z I N E F O R B A N K , A LU M N I A N D C H A M B E R T R AV E L P L A N N E R S

T R A V E L E R N AV I G AT E N E W J E R S E Y | S O U T H E R N S O J O U R N S | C E L E B R AT E T H E S E C U LT U R E S

mountains are moments in the

CANADIAN ROCKIES SPRING 2024

T R A V E L E R N AV I G AT E N E W J E R S E Y | S O U T H E R N S O J O U R N S | C E L E B R AT E T H E S E C U LT U R E S

mountains are moments in the

CANADIAN ROCKIES SPRING 2024

tourt e nne sse e .com The Largest Collection of Tennessee Itineraries in America The NEW Dolly Parton Experience

More Dolly Than Ever 3 Days | Spring | Summer | Fall

Opening this spring, the NEW Dolly Parton Experience brings you more Dolly than Ever. It is filled with exhibits that highlight her career, the influences and her biggest dreams. Plus we add everything Dolly including Dolly’s hometown tour, an exciting afternoon at Dollywood. Plus, her two great dinner shows.

Elvis Presley’s Memphis

Home of the King 3 Days | Spring | Summer | Fall Elvis Presley is included in five Hall of Fames: Rock ‘n’ Roll, Rockabilly, Country, Gospel and the Memphis Music Hall of Fame right on Beale Street. Celebrated for his ability to successfully blend different genres, appeal to a wide audience, sell millions of records around the globe and give back to the city he called home.

Nashville’s Songwriters & Troubadours Platinum Music Experience 4 Days | Year Round

The Best! The most exciting, Up-Close, Music Industry Experience you can buy. This tour gives you a personal time with Songwriters.

You’ll participate in a Recording Session, see and hear live music shows, and learn about the difficulty of breaking into the Music Business Industry. Plus you’ll see famous sights and more.

Holly Dolly Christmas

Pigeon Forge & Dollywood for the Holidays 4 Days | Nov & Dec When there’s snow on the mountains there’s holiday music in Pigeon Forge. Bring your group and enjoy the gift of a Christmas in the Smokies, it’s a perfect way to celebrate the season. This package is customizable should you want different shows, or smaller package.

304-916-7276 sales@tourtennessee.com

or

Ask us f

ES

REFERENC

or

Ask us f

Sof Kentucky Farm Tour Capital E C N E R E F RE

• Underground Railroad History Programs & Lunches • 13 Farm Tours • • Bourbon Distillery Tours & Cocktail Classes • Live Bluegrass Music • • Greenhouse Brewery Tours • Kentucky Derby Hat Tours • • “Trains on Main” Historic Shopping & Dining District • • Botanical Gardens & Nature Preserve Tours •

Kim Hydes, Executive Director (800) 813-9953 Director@TourOldham.com

All Things Kentucky. Only in Oldham.

20 MINS FROM LOUISVILLE • 70 MINS FROM THE ARK

OldhamKYGroups.com

T H E M AG A Z I N E F O R B A N K , A LU M N I A N D C H A M B E R T R AV E L P L A N N E R S

T R A V E L E R SPRING 2024

VOL.32 NO.1

22

Coastal New Jersey

BY CRAIG TERRY COURTESY CAPE MAY COUNTY TOURISM

contents

ON THE COVER:

Lake O’Hara in Canada’s Yoho National Park is one of the most photographed sites in the Canadian Rockies. Photo by R. Ian Lloyd.

checking in:

toolbox:

conference:

going places:

BETH HUBBARD

DIETARY RESTRICTIONS

PREVIEW

CRUISE PLANNING

16 Cultural FESTIVALS

32 Canadian

ROCKIES

8

10

12 KYLE ANDERSON

DIRECTOR OF SALES AND MARKETING

MAC T. LACY CHARLES A. PRESLEY BRIAN JEWELL HERBERT SPARROW RACHEL CRICK DONIA SIMMONS ASHLEY RICKS RENA BAER KYLE ANDERSON BRYCE WILSON SARAH SECHRIST

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Founder and Publisher Partner VP & Executive Editor Senior Writer Staff Writer/Project Coordinator Creative Director Graphic Designer/Circulation Copy Editor Director of Sales and Marketing Advertising Account Manager Controller

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50 859.253.0455

34 Southern

TRAVEL GUIDE

KYLE@GROUPTRAVELLEADER.COM

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

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

LOUISVILLE is filled with unique and one-of-a-kind attractions and a Southern Style and “Spirit” all its own.

Discover unforgettable experience in

LOUISVILLE - “the Gateway to Bourbon Country”!

BOURBON TRAIL & DERBY TRAINIING CAMP

Horse Racing Class 101: "Hats, Bets & Juleps" 4 Days | Spring & Fall Race Season

Sponsored by Drury Hotels, this tour features a full day of racing at Churchill Downs, where you learn about Kentucky Derby traditions and history. Then there are four separate Bourbon experiences, this is like a Derby Prep School. You learn how to Place Bets, make Mint Juleps, everything you need to know before you come back to Louisville for the real Derby.

LOUISVILLE’S JACK O’LANTERN SPECTACULAR with the Kentucky Derby Museum 3 Days | October 2024

The Louisville’s Jack O’Lantern Spectacular has become a “must-see” event of the Halloween season. Stroll the winding paths of Iroquois Park where the majestic woods are filled with more than 5,000 carved pumpkins in themed settings. This also includes the Derby Dinner Playhouse, a ghost tour at the Conrad-Caldwell House and Halloween Hatitude at the Derby Museum.

LOUISVILLE’S REINDEER RACING

A Luxury Holiday Tour at The Brown Hotel 3 Days | November-December Come, experience Christmas in Louisville with two luxurious nights at the Brown Hotel. This trip is filled with Christmas Cheer with visits to both the Frazier Museum and the Louisville Slugger Museum, and their special Holiday exhibits. Plus, to make your holiday memorable, we’ll let you join in all the reindeer games at the Derby Museum. Ho Ho Ho, you gotta Go.

Call US Tours, we can package a unique Louisville trip for your group.

304-485-8687

USToursAmerica.com

affinity M A T T E R S

O

ur company has been a media member of the United States Tour Operator Association (USTOA) for about 15 years. USTOA represents several dozen international tour operators and dozens more travel brands that are heavily involved in outbound travel across the world. Currently, USTOA member companies generate about $16 billion in travel revenue and carry roughly 6 million travelers a year.

Several USTOA member companies have attended the Select Traveler Conference in recent years to sell their products to the upscale travel planners who attend. In December, the Group Travel Leader’s Bryce Wilson attended the 2023 USTOA Annual Conference and Marketplace in Los Angeles to meet with USTOA companies and the domestic and international travel destinations they do business with.

I thought you might like to hear what Bryce heard at USTOA about the return of group and packaged travel across North

America and the globe. It’s a remarkable success story we can all celebrate.

In 2023, 94% of USTOA tour companies reported sales growth in the first full year of travel since the pandemic.

Three-fourths of those companies grew their sales and passenger counts by 10% or more.

In 2024, 92% are projecting additional growth, and almost two-thirds are forecasting a second straight “boom year” in which they will grow another 7-10% in passenger counts. If those projections pan out and this year’s growth outpaces last year’s, it will prove that travelers like yours are resilient. In fact, I’m sure many of yours are included in these numbers.

In March, at the Select Traveler Conference in Buffalo, New York, we’ll celebrate your successes as well. Grassroots travel planners like you who have developed loyal followings are an integral part of this return to worldwide travel normalcy. Many of these USTOA companies recognize the role you play. So do we.

See you in Buffalo!

Mac Lacy — Publisher Email me anytime with your thoughts at maclacy@grouptravelleader.com.

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Plan, promote and lead better trips with our podcast, Gather & Go! Website Ad Sample E-newsletter Ad Sample

5 Premier Podcast Episode Sponsorship: • Leaderboard ad in each e-newsletter promoting chosen episodes

• Leaderboard ad on the webpage for each chosen episode

• Ad reads at the beginning, middle and end of each chosen episode

Bonus Episode Sample

• One bonus 30-minute episode with a representative of your destination

IMPRESSIONS

COST: $5,000

• 13,500 e-newsletter sends • 155 podcast download average • 275 webpage average views

For sponsorship packages contact: KYLE ANDERSON kyle@grouptravelleader.com

BRYCE WILSON bryce@grouptravelleader.com

859.253.0455 GROUPTRAVELLEADER.COM/PODCAST

GROUP TH E

TRAVEL LE ADER .

checking in WITH BETH HUBBARD

BETH HUBBARD VISTA Club Manager

FIRST STATE BANK

MENDOTA, ILLINOIS

First State Bank was founded in 1940 and has 19 branch locations throughout northern Illinois. It began its first travel club in the early 1960s. To qualify for the Very Important Seniors Traveling About (VISTA) Club, an individual must be over 50 years old and maintain at least a $5,000 balance in any combination of deposit accounts.

VISTA Club offers day trips, mini trips and extended international trips.

BIRTHPLACE: Mendota, Illinois EDUCATION: Associate’s degree in business, University of Phoenix, 2008; certified travel associate from the Travel Institute, 2020 EMPLOYMENT HISTORY: Hubbard spent the majority of her career as the activity director, marketing director and community relations coordinator in area hospitals and long-term care facilities. She joined the team at First State Bank as the manager of the VISTA Club in 2017.

FAMILY: Hubbard and her husband, David, have been married for 15 years. They have two grown sons, Trevor and Austin. Both boys love to travel, and some of Hubbard’s best memories involve the many family vacations they have taken over the years — especially their graduation trips, where the graduating child choose the destination.

HOBBIES: Hubbard loves photography.

Before becoming the manager of the VISTA Club, she shot professional senior portraits and launched her own photography business.

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Beth Hubbard has led the First State Bank VISTA Club on adventures in Sydney (left) and Alaska (right).

BY RE B E CCA T R E O N

B

eth Hubbard became a candidate for her job as the manager of First State Bank’s Very Important Seniors Traveling About (VISTA) Club by being a traveler.

“My mom took me on a couple of VISTA Club trips years ago, and that’s how I was first introduced to the club,” said Hubbard. “I always thought, ‘That’s a great job! I wonder how you get that job?’ It just so happened I was working with the sister of the person who was the current coordinator. I told her, ‘You know, if that job ever opens, you’d better give me a heads up!’

When I got a call that the job was open, I went in for an interview and the rest is history — I’ve been here ever since.”

Hubbard started leading the VISTA Club travelers in 2017 and hasn’t looked back.

Globetrotting Grandparents Hubbard was a natural fit for the role as the manager of the VISTA Club thanks to her extensive experience working with seniors. From 2003 to 2017, she worked as the activity director at the Mendota Lutheran Home and Mendota Community Hospital. She went on to become the community relations coordinator for the University of Illinois College of Medicine, and later, the activity director at Heritage Health Therapy and Senior Care. Having been around the over-50 demographic for most of her career, making the transition to working with seniors who were active travelers was an easy one.

“My entire career has been working with

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the senior population, whether in the long-term care setting or in travel,” she said. “You still have certain things that you have to account for, like preferences or abilities. But in both scenarios, I’m planning and organizing trips — even just shopping trips or going out to lunch.”

Hubbard was already used to all the moving parts a role like travel director would entail — but she relished planning fun and interesting activities for seniors. Hubbard calls it “the best job in the world.” She says the parallels between her current position and her background in long-term care have proved invaluable.

“We do a variety of different trips — day trips, mini-trips, extended trips — and I go along to be of assistance to our travelers,” she said. “Oftentimes, a health issue or something unexpected comes up, but it doesn’t freak me out the way it might for someone who isn’t used to dealing with things like that. I just assess it, handle the situation and take it as it comes.”

Scenic VISTAs The VISTA group has over 3,000 members, so it’s Hubbard’s job to provide trips that appeal to a wide range of travelers and provide everyone an opportunity to participate.

“We do a survey every few years for our members asking what general things they’d like to do on day trips, whether it’s a play, a musical or a festival,” said Hubbard. “We get specific on more extended trips — we list locations and activities in those locations, then we base our trips off of what that survey tells us.

Right now we’re planning our trips for 2025 — we’re launching

a Kenya safari, which I expect will fill up pretty quickly.”

Mendota’s proximity to Chicago makes day trips to see touring Broadway musicals and other shows easy (and they’re quite popular with VISTA travelers). But Hubbard likes to get creative by tweaking the itinerary, such as including behind-the-scenes tours.

“I like to add things that are a little bit unique for our travelers,” she said. “We will do things like a holiday bakery tour, for example, or go to a dinner theater. Most of our trips are very popular and will fill very rapidly, within the first week.”

VISTA takes regional trips every season, trekking with a busload of seniors to cities like Detroit; Holland, Michigan; the Florida Keys; Nashville, Tennessee; and an Elvis-themed Memphis and Graceland trip. They even have a “girls’ trip” each year.

“We definitely have repeat travelers, whether that’s day trippers or repeat extended trip takers,” said Hubbard. “Our travelers definitely form friendships, and it’s especially nice for single ladies, who often have a difficult time traveling alone if they’re widowed or by themselves. If they’re apprehensive about joining a group of strangers to travel, that changes really quickly — they easily become a part of the group.”

Whether it’s an Alaskan cruise, an autumn foliage trip to the Adirondacks, or cruising the Rhine and Danube rivers, Hubbard and the Very Important Seniors Traveling About are not slowing down anytime soon.

“It’s impossible to pick a favorite trip; every location is so different and unique,” said Hubbard. “I feel like I have the best job in the world — who else gets paid to go on vacation?”

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM EXPERIENCES IN JUST ONE CLICK Travelers want rich, authentic, and meaningful experiences.

As travel professionals, we need to ensure we use travel as a force for good.

Discover hands-on cultural experiences, impact organizations, sustainable products and more through the Tourism Cares Meaningful Travel Map.

Explore meaningful travel at tourismcares.org/meaningful-map

Pictured: Visit the Alaska Native Heritage Center to explore the preservation of the traditions, languages, and art of Alaska’s Native People through statewide collaboration and education.

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T R A V E L

T O O L B O X

adapt for group meal

BY R AC HEL C R IC K

W

hen you’re traveling, group meals consist of comradery, delicious cuisine and cultural experiences that are supplemented by opportunities for snacks, nightcaps and sweet treats. Food is considered a key component of group travel, just as it is in life. But for travelers with dietary restrictions, group mealtimes can be uncomfortable. In fact, they can even be a big reason people skip out on group travel.

Allergies, intolerances, religious restrictions, health requirements, ethical choices and simple preference can all be reasons behind dietary restrictions. Chances are you know at least one person who eats differently because of one of these factors. But without some preparation, group leaders risk falling short of accommodating these travelers and letting them go hungry — which isn’t what anyone wants.

To open up the world of group travel, check out these tips for making your trips accessible to those with special dietary requirements.

planning do your research

After you ask trip attendees about their dietary restrictions, educate yourself about their answers. For example, you may have to learn the difference between vegetarian and vegan, what constitutes keeping Kosher, or the difference between a gluten intolerance and celiac disease. Being knowledgeable helps you accommodate these travelers and advocate for them at mealtimes. Researching restaurants at your destination that can accommodate their needs may reduce stress at mealtimes and ensure proper precautions can be taken for allergies or intolerances.

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give chefs advance notice Sometimes, especially in the case of a buffet or a catered meal, the menu won’t have suitable options for your travelers with dietary restrictions. However, if you call the restaurant or caterer in advance and inform them about your traveler’s dietary restrictions, they will usually be able to come up with a tasty alternative. Following up with them a few days before your group meal, and again at mealtimes, will ensure there are no surprises.

help your travelers prepare

pack inclusive snacks

Preparation is always helpful, but it can be crucial in the

If your group will be spending

case of food-related medical restrictions, which may have dire

lots of time in a motorcoach, it’s

(or at least unpleasant) consequences if not followed. Ensure

important to equip it with snacks

your travelers pack medication, such as an EpiPen, in case

everyone can eat. This may seem

of accidental food contamination. If you’re taking a group to

tricky, but you’ll find that a lot of

another country, it may be helpful to print cards explaining

popular snacks may already fit the

your traveler’s dietary restriction translated into the native lan-

bill. Many brands of chips, crack-

guage. If you’ll be traveling to an area where a certain dietary

ers and cookies offer popular op-

restriction is unlikely to be easily accommodated, let your

tions that are accidentally vegan

traveler know, so they can bring back-up food or snacks.

or gluten-free. A quick scan of the ingredients list or a Google search can help you identify tasty and crowd-pleasing options.

create a positive atmosphere If you want your group trip to feel welcoming for all, it’s important to make sure your travelers don’t feel awkward or isolated at mealtimes. You can set a good example for everyone in your group by having a positive and inclusive attitude toward the traveler with dietary restrictions. This may mean being respectful of their food choices and avoiding criticizing or calling extra attention to their meals. Some cultures may not understand certain dietary restrictions, so letting trip hosts know in advance may keep them from wondering why a certain traveler is opting out from eating certain things and minimize any awkwardness.

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C O N F E R E N C E

connection Relish Unexpected Buffalo D O N ’ T M I S S S E L E C T T R AV E L E R C O N F E R E N C E I N M A R C H

BY R AC HEL CR IC K

T

here’s no better place for collaboration between group travel planners and destination providers than the Select Traveler Conference. This year, the annual conference will take place on March 17–19 in Buffalo, New York, at the Hyatt Regency Buffalo Hotel and Conference Center.

This conference was designed to provide bank, chamber of commerce and alumni group travel planners the opportunity to network and find solutions with DMOs, hotels and other suppliers. With marketplace sessions, educational presentations, sponsored meals and social activities, delegates from around the country will have more than enough time to make business connections and trade ideas. It’s also a great way for planners and providers alike to gauge trends in the travel and tourism industry.

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“A lot of people don’t know Buffalo. They learn that there are so many unexpected things they didn’t know.”

— PATRICK KALER, VISIT BUFFALO NIAGARA

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BY SHARON CANTILLON

BY DREW BROWN ALL PHOTOS COURTESY VISIT BUFFALO NIAGARA

Buffalo highlights, left to right: An exhibit at the AKG Art Museum; Buffalo wings; the Unexpected Buffalo ad campaign

Select Traveler Conferences are also famous for being fun. This year’s host city, Buffalo, has plenty of surprises in store for conference attendees. Sightseeing tours of the city will allow the delegates to explore it as a destination and experience all it has to offer.

AN UNEXPECTED BUFFALO WELCOME

There are a lot of common misconceptions about Buffalo, which means many first-time visitors to the city are surprised by what it has to offer.

“A lot of people don’t know Buffalo,” said Patrick Kaler, president and CEO of Visit Buffalo Niagara. “We hear from our visitors, tour operators and event planners that when they come here, they learn that there are so many unexpected things they didn’t know.”

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In fact, the city so frequently surprises and delights with its long list of attractions that its major ad campaign features the Unexpected Buffalo, an anthropomorphic bison performing surprising feats in the city.

Buffalo is New York’s second-largest city, and while people often mistake it for a suburb of New York City, it’s actually on the far end of the state and borders Lake Erie. This Rust Belt city has experienced a renaissance of culture, repurposing industrial districts to become lively hubs of entertainment and leisure.

Visitors are often impressed by its vibrant arts and culture scene. It’s home to one of the top 20 contemporary art collections in the world, as well as buildings designed by some of the most well-known, iconic American architects, from Frank Lloyd Wright to Louis Sullivan.

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Its food scene is equally noteworthy. The city is the birthplace of Buffalo chicken wings (which the city’s residents simply call “wings”), and there are a ton of places to enjoy them, including stops along the Buffalo Wing Trail. Other foods featured on iconic city food trails include beef on weck sandwiches, hot dogs, Buffalo-style pizza and sponge candy.

Another bonus attraction of Buffalo? The city’s access to water, including the beautiful Niagara Falls, the most powerful waterfall in the country. It’s a water city through and through, with activities along Canalside, the Buffalo River, the Erie Basin Marina and the Outer Harbor.

“I’m so pleased we have this opportunity to host this group, that they get to experience Buffalo firsthand,” Kaler said. “We’re really looking forward to providing them with an unexpected Buffalo experience.”

CONFERENCE DETAILS

The host hotel for the 2024 Select Traveler Conference is the 396-room Hyatt Regency Buffalo Hotel and Conference Center. The downtown hotel is conveniently located right next to a free light rail system that will take attendees directly to the waterfront, where they’ll find a restored carousel, a naval park and other attractions.

The hotel is “right in the heart of our entertainment district with great restaurants and nightlife,” Kaler said.

When they first arrive on Sunday, March 17, delegates will meet for roundtable discussions to generate solutions to common industry problems. That evening, they’ll be welcomed to Buffalo with plenty of fun, food and entertainment. Conference attendees will feel especially lucky to arrive in the city on St. Patrick’s Day. “St. Patrick’s Day is almost like a holy day in Buffalo,” Kaler said. “We have one of the top five St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the country.”

These festivities include two parades, the larger of which will be happening the night of Sunday, March 17, the first night of the conference. To add onto the parade fun, the evening’s opening event will be St. Patrick’s Day themed and will feature “dinner, Irish music, Irish dancers and a very neat, unique venue downtown,” according to Kaler.

The next day will begin with a sponsored breakfast, followed by educational seminars and the first of two marketplace sessions. These sessions are only six minutes, but they allow planners the chance to talk business and build relationships with as many delegates as possible.

Then, attendees will enjoy a sponsored lunch before departing for their four sightseeing tours around Buffalo.

The party doesn’t stop with St. Patrick’s Day; the final evening will end with a trip to the Buffalo Creek Casino, where the group will enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres. Then, they’ll go on a dine around in downtown Buffalo to enjoy its spectacular food scene.

The last day of the conference will feature another sponsored breakfast, as well as destination spotlights and a

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A group outing to Niagara Falls

BY RHEA ANNA

second marketplace session. Then, attendees will enjoy a closing social before departing for home.

During the conference, industry experts from businesses and organizations such as US Tours, NYS Destination Marketing, Mayflower, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Collette, Explore Branson, Central Holidays and Group Collect will conduct presentations.

SIGHTSEEING TOURS

On the afternoon of Monday, March 18, group travel planners will enjoy four sightseeing tours around Buffalo.

The first tour will showcase the city’s impressive collection of contemporary art, as well as its most prominent architecture. It will begin with the Buffalo AKG Art Museum, home to one of the top 20 contemporary art collections in the world. The museum’s vast collection contains works from many major art movements, such as Impressionism, cubism, surrealism and abstract expressionism.

“They just did a $200 million expansion so more can be put on display, as well as other touring exhibits,” Kaler said.

Then, the group will tour the Darwin Martin House,

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Visiting the Darwin Martin House

BY RHEA ANNA

Buffalo Botanical Gardens

The Pierce-Arrow Museum

BY DREW BROWN

BY LISA BOULDEN

where they’ll enjoy champagne and light snacks in the largest and most complete restoration of a Frank Lloyd Wright site in the world.

The second sightseeing tour will occur at the Buffalo Transportation Pierce-Arrow Museum. In addition to telling the story of the famed locally produced cars, the museum also explores Buffalo’s legacy in the automotive industry. After touring the museum, the group will enjoy a tasting at Hofbrauhaus Buffalo, a German microbrewery, restaurant and beer garden just a couple blocks away.

The third tour, a trip to the massive Our Lady of Victory National Shrine and Basilica will provide another shining example of Buffalo’s breathtaking architecture.

“It has a lot of significance to our community,” Kaler said. “Father Baker, who was the leader of building the basilica, is hopefully going to be canonized at some point.”

After touring the church, the group will go to the Buffalo Botanical Gardens for champagne and light snacks.

The final tour will take place at Niagara Falls, where they’ll get to see the falls and other natural wonders like the Cave of the Winds, which sits behind Bridal Veil Falls.

Attendees will enjoy hot cocoa, chocolates and treats for a sweet finish to an exciting afternoon.

“You can’t go to Buffalo without going to Niagara Falls, because it’s only 20 minutes away,” Kaler said.

S E L E C T T R AV E L E R C O N F .C O M

BUFFALO:

SWING BY

AND SAY HELLO. What kind of place is Buffalo? It’s fun, historical, delicious, outdoorsy, sportsloving, diverse, and creative. And it’s an easy, welcoming, and affordable place to visit.

If all that sounds unexpectedly great, that’s because Buffalo is. We can’t wait for you to see for yourself at Select Traveler Conference (March 17-19, 2024). Until then, find out more at MeetBuffaloNiagara.com .

Buffalo. Just right.

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Oktoberfest in Cedarburg

Downtown Claremore

COURTESY VISIT CLAREMORE

COURTESY FESTIVALS OF CEDARBURG

COURTESY FAIRBANKS FESTIVAL OF NATIVE ARTS

A cultural performance at the Fairbanks Festival of Native Arts

Kidd G with fans at CMA Fest in Nashville

BY HUNTER BERRY, COURTESY NASHVILLE CVC

COURTESY CLARKSBURG VISITORS BUREAU

Fairbanks Festival of Native Arts

COURTESY FAIRBANKS FESTIVAL OF NATIVE ARTS

Fritti at the West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival

T R A V E L

F O C U S

Feeling Festive?

Groups are welcome at these cultural events

BY K AT I H Y E R

F

ood, music, dress, dance, art — these colorful symbols of different peoples and times make cultural festivals fascinating experiences.

These events, from Will Rogers Days in Oklahoma to the Festival of Native Arts in Alaska, will

elevate your group’s travels and give them opportunities to cement new, unique memories.

Read on to learn more about these signature events, along with special tips and tricks for planning tours around each one.

OKTOBERFEST

CEDARBURG, WISCONSIN Quaint and lovely Cedarburg, Wisconsin, just a stone’s throw from Milwaukee, was founded by German immigrants in the first half of the 19th century. Today, the picturesque town celebrates its German heritage with Oktoberfest, an annual town tradition that has grown since its humble beginnings a decade ago.

“We were founded in the 1840s,” said Cori Rice, Festivals of Cedarburg’s president. “Immigrant families started to settle in Cedarburg, and we were close enough to Milwaukee that people settled along the creek. We have a couple mills that anchor the town. Most of those were started by German families. Even some of the people who live here today have those old German last names.”

“Oktoberfest is an easy, fun, crowd-pleasing festival,” Rice said. “It’s downtown, on the second Saturday in October, when the weather is usually delightful.”

From beer tastings to dance displays, Cedarburg’s Oktoberfest boasts

One of several stages at CMA Fest

FESTIVAL OF NATIVE ARTS FAIRBANKS, AL ASK A

Groups willing to brave Fairbanks’ blustery February weather will be richly rewarded with the Festival of Native Arts, a three-day Alaska Native and Indigenous celebration with singing, dancing and cultural displays. “[The festival] is a chance for everybody to slough off winter and look forward to spring,” said Lou Frenzl, student coordinator for Festival of Native Arts. “So many of our Indigenous groups have these spring festivals where they invite other tribes to share the remainder of their winter resources and celebrate a new season, a new year.”

That means the Festival of Native Arts is not just representative of Indigenous Alaskan cultures — it is an annual cornerstone celebration for multiple tribes and cultural groups, including the Cup’ik, Dene’, Inupiaq, Tlingit and Yup’ik.

Fairbanks students and staff run the three-day February festival.

“Performances start around 5 p.m.,” Frenzl said. “We have a powwow in the afternoon and workshops in the morning. But it’s not just performances. There are also vendor tables, an Indigenous artisan bazaar and workshops led by Indigenous creators and dancers.”

“The most special thing is all the dance groups that come together,” said Alliyah Nay, another festival organizer. “If someone in the crowd knows the dance, they can join in.”

The festival takes place on the Troth Yeddha’ ridge, the sacred place upon which the University of Alaska Fairbanks now stands.

“Our theme is Troth Yeddha’ Forever: Our Ways of Life, and it is definitely fully integrated in our day to day,” Frenzl said. “Dancing, singing, drumming, beading, carving, native games — these are our ways of life.” f na . com mu n it y . ua f. e du

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Native drummers at the Fairbanks Festival of Native Arts

COURTESY FAIRBANKS FESTIVAL OF NATIVE ARTS

a full schedule. Entertainment abounds with performers throughout the day. There are competitions, too.

“There’s a sauerkraut-eating contest; a show of who can hold up a liter of beer the longest; a German spelling bee,” Rice said. “Sometimes it goes quite a long time with a well-schooled high schooler.”

And the food will transport visitors to Europe. A caterer prepares authentic German food for the festival. The local Lions Club makes bratwurst, and vendors sell dessert, pretzels and other tasty treats. The festival draws attendees numbering in the ten thousands.

“One of our most popular attractions is a ‘live Glockenspiel,’” Rice said. “A group of local guys built a huge cuckoo clock, and every hour, they perform by chopping wood and dancing. The funny thing is they are also drinking beer, so as the day progresses, their antics progress too.

They’re so fun to watch.” c e da rbu rg fe s t iva l . org

CMA FEST

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE Many places lay claim to the origins of country music, but there’s only one Music City: Nashville, Tennessee. In an annual downtown takeover, the Country Music Association puts on four-day CMA Fest to celebrate the music, Southern culture and people who make up the genre.

CMA Fest draws crowds from all over the U.S., and as of last count, at least 50 other countries.

The festival is anchored by daily performances in Nashville’s Nissan Stadium, but activities spill out all over downtown, covering an area a little over two square miles.

(Organizers call the area in which festivities take place the “CMA Fest Footprint.”) Planners can tailor their experience to group needs, from purchasing all-inclusive four-day passes to one-off single day tickets and adding on activities like entrance to Fan Fair X, the festival’s indoor mecca at Music City Center, Nashville’s behemoth convention complex. Multiple free activities on seven additional stages dot the city. Check the festival’s app and website to navigate the numerous options.

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COURTESY NASHVILLE CVC

BY NATHAN ZUCKER, COURTESY NASHVILLE CVC

A CMA Fest performance

COURTESY FAIRBANKS FESTIVAL OF NATIVE ARTS

A CMA Fest fan photo opportunity

BY NATHAN ZUCKER, COURTESY NASHVILLE CVC

A youth performance in Fairbanks

“CMA Fest is certainly part of the city’s rich musical heritage,” said Deana Ivey, president of the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corporation said. “Groups can definitely use the festival as a chance to visit Nashville.” Her recommendation is to take the country music discovery even deeper by pairing the event with other related destinations in the city. Consider a stop at a Broadway honky tonk, a visit to the Grand Ole Opry or a tour of the Country Hall of Fame and Museum. c ma fe s t . com

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WILL ROGERS DAYS

Will Rogers Days is a long-standing community celebration of the life of beloved movie star and “cowboy philosopher” Will Rogers. The party for Oklahoma’s favorite son always takes place near his November 4th birthday, and since he was one of the biggest movie stars on the planet, Will Rogers Days boasts a strong film festival component.

In previous years, the days-long birthday bash kicked off with a cigar and whiskey night at a local art gallery.

On the Saturday of the festival, participants can work up a sweat in the Cherokee Nation Will Rogers 5K, enjoy the Will Rogers parade and watch a wreath-laying ceremony.

Satisfy a group’s sweet tooth with the Party at the Museum, where the Will Rogers Memorial Museum provides kid-friendly games, giveaways and endless slices of birthday cake. Cinephiles can conclude the celebration at the museum’s Film Festival and Awards Ceremony.

“We’re celebrating one of our own who is not just loved

by Claremore and Oklahoma but by the world,” said Tanya Andrews, director of Visit Claremore. “His wit, his wisdom and his famous quotes still make me laugh today.”

Rogers’ life parallels much of Oklahoma history.

“He brings the cowboy and the Native American side together,” Andrews said. “He was a Cherokee citizen, you know.

He was known as the Cherokee Kid, and Oklahoma identifies him as a cowboy because he grew up on a ranch and the lasso was his start to fame.”

Ultimately, it’s the atmosphere that makes Will Rogers Days special.

“We embody small-town charm and tradition — and everyone loves a parade,” Andrews said.

Claremore sits on historic Route 66, known in Oklahoma as the Will Rogers Highway. Groups can visit the Will Rogers Memorial, see reenactors, chat with some actors and movie producers, and have lunch on-site. v i sitcla remore . com

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Will Rogers Memorial

WEST VIRGINIA ITALIAN HERITAGE FESTIVAL

CL ARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA

COURTESY VISIT CLAREMORE

A Claremore café

COURTESY VISIT CLAREMORE

A Claremore mural

CL AREMORE, OKL AHOMA

Plan to pack stretchy pants for Clarksburg’s West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival.

“We are a foodie’s paradise for Italian-American cuisine,” said Tina Yoke, executive director of the Clarksburg Visitors Bureau.

The Labor Day weekend event takes place in Clarksburg, which was once home to a large Italian population drawn to the area for the promise of work in local coal mines. The activities, music and food celebrated during the festival tell that story.

Take, for example, pepperoni rolls.

“Pepperoni in Italian bread started back in the day when coal miners needed a shelf-stable lunch to take down in the mines,” Yoke said. Clarksburg had two local bakeries that originally made them, and Yoke recommends groups visit them both — D’Annunzio’s and Tomaro’s Bakery — during their stay. “Those are both within a mile of downtown Clarksburg. And it will be up to our visitors to determine

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COURTESY CLARKSBURG VISITORS BUREAU

COURTESY CLARKSBURG VISITORS BUREAU

COURTESY VISIT CLAREMORE

Evening fun at the West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival

The West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival queen

which is the best, because that’s a heated debate here.”

A parade and ceremony featuring a queen, Regina Maria, and her court kick off the festival.

“There are children’s activities, a bambini section, a bocce ball tournament and some pretty intense, fun games you see happening anywhere throughout the festival,” Yoke said. Italian music by local and guest performers serenades passersby all weekend long. “Plus, I love to see people dancing in the streets of Clarksburg.”

The fun takes place primarily over three blocks of Main Street and draws around 30,000 visitors over the course of three days.

Groups may want to explore additional options while in town.

“We have a Civil War tour they might want to do at the same time,” Yoke said. “We have the awesome Clarksburg History Museum, and they are always open, but they have specific Italian American displays during the festival.” comehometo cla r ksburg .com

WISH YOU WERE HERE.

HIT THE MOTHER LODE ON THE

Ed Galloway’s Totem Pole Park

MOTHER ROAD

IN CLAREMORE, OKLAHOMA!

DON’T MISS A BEAT ON YOUR ROUTE 66 RETREAT VISIT CLAREMORE SPECIALIZES IN ROUTE 66 ITINERARIES, HUB & SPOKE TOURS, DAY TRIPS AND MORE. WE ARE YOUR LOCAL S PRI NG 2024 RESOURCE FOR ALL THINGS CLAREMORE!

Chelsea Bridge

Blue Whale of Catoosa

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S T A T E

O F

M I N D

East Coast Cool

BY J I L L G L EESON

The Newark Avenue Pedestrian Plaza makes a great place for free time during a group visit to Jersey City.

COURTESY HUDSON CO. CHATD

New Jersey checks all the boxes

JERSEY CITY

Visiting Liberty Island with City Cruises COURTESY HUDSON CO. CHATD

Y

ou probably think you know New Jersey.

After all, it’s more or less the gatekeeper of the Big Apple. But if you’ve only passed through on the way to New York, you’re missing out. Sure, Jersey City is a must-stop thanks in part to its handy proximity to the Statue of Liberty, but this is a state additionally distinguished by its 130 miles of captivating coastline.

Seaside towns like Cape May and Ocean City serve up sand, surf and sun galore, while Atlantic City boasts legendary gaming in addition to its beautiful beaches. Further inland, Princeton offers the chance to walk the hallowed halls of one of the world’s most esteemed universities.

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Mana Contemporary in Jersey City COURTESY HUDSON CO. CHATD

Sitting across the Hudson from New York, Jersey City offers visitors so many blockbuster attractions they won’t ever feel the need to cross the river. The 1,212acre Liberty State Park provides jaw-dropping views of the Manhattan skyline from lovely Liberty Walk, a two-mile promenade that groups will appreciate having time to wander. Leaders may even want to schedule a full day at the park; other sites there include the 300,000-square-foot Liberty Science Center.

“It’s a lot of fun,” said Peggy Kelly, director of tourism marketing for Hudson County Cultural and Heritage Affairs, Tourism Development. “It has the largest planetarium in the Western Hemisphere and a continually growing museum. They also have themed After Dark events, where it’s like a big party throughout the whole museum. That would be a great event for groups to attend.”

The park also notably features ferry service. “Many tourists think that they have to approach the Statue of Liberty from the New York side, but you don’t,” Kelly said. “The Liberty State Park ferry drops you off at Ellis Island. You look around, and then you get back on the ferry. They take you over to the statue, and it’s a nice morning or afternoon.”

Before heading out of Jersey City, Kelly recommends groups take a tour of Mana Contemporary, a massive, beautifully realized arts center featuring visual and performing arts exhibitions and events.

And the recently established Newark Avenue Pedestrian Plaza, bustling with independent shops, eateries and a concert stage, would be an ideal place to drop groups off for time on their own.

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A midway ride in Cape May

Exploring Cape May by boat

OCEAN CITY

A classic Jersey Shore destination located on a barrier island in Cape May County, “America’s Greatest Family Resort” is best known for its eight miles of pristine, lifeguard-protected beaches and a delightful 2.5-mile-long boardwalk. Restaurant and boutiques, great for browsing, line the traditional wooden walkway, along with two amusement parks for visitors who enjoy adrenaline-fueled pleasures.

Still, Ocean City “isn’t just the beach and boardwalk,” according to Michele Gillian, executive director of Ocean City’s

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“We have hundreds Chamber of Commerce. Group travelers can get out on the water aboard Pirate Voyages’ Sea Dragon, a custom-built, buccaneer-themed vessel. And Beachy Tiki offers private charters on its 40foot tiki boat. “Both of these companies provide opportunities to experience the beautiful back bays of Ocean City that I think a lot of people haven’t seen,” Gillian said.

According to Gillian, Ocean City’s rookery, located on a salt marsh island below the Route 52 causeway, is becoming increasingly popular with travelers who routinely spot herons, egrets, ibis and more there.

“We have hundreds of people now who come to watch the birds from the bridge,” she said. “You can see the whole cycle from when the eggs are laid, to when the babies leave the nest. It’s wonderful!”

Other options in Ocean City include a guided beach walk at the northern end of the island, which should be arranged through the city. Groups learn about the ecology of the area, with topics including beach replenishment and ocean stewardship. And the folks at the Ocean City Historical Museum, a treasure that traces nearly 150 years of the community’s history, can accommodate groups with an introductory chat or guided tour.

of people now who come to watch the birds from the bridge.”

— MICHELE GILLIAN, OCEAN CITY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Memorable architecture on Cape May

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CAPE MAY

Exploring the Ocean City’s boardwalk

COURTESY OCEAN CITY COC

JERSEY CITY PRINCETON

ATLANTIC CITY OCEAN CITY CAPE MAY

With some 600 lovingly restored Victorian structures, and beaches dappled with “Cape May diamonds,” the village of Cape May may be one of New Jersey’s prettiest places. And it’s extremely group-friendly, offering customizable step-on tours, trolley tours and walking tours led by Cape May MAC. The tours typically visit not only the city’s historic district but also sights like the Cape May Lighthouse.

Located in Cape May Point State Park, it dates to 1859 and is open to the public.

The park is a great place to spy on feathered friends, according to Diane Wieland, director of the Cape May County Department of Tourism, who noted that the area is “known as one of the top three birding hotspots in North America.”

“The other thing is the annual monarch migration,” she said. “The trees and plants become filled with butterflies. It’s spectacular! If groups want to see something they’ll never see anywhere else, that’s in late September and early October.”

Enjoying a Cape May beach

BY CRAIG TERRY, COURTESY CAPE MAY TOURISM

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A beautiful Cape May home

BY CRAIG TERRY, COURTESY CAPE MAY TOURISM

For travelers looking for low-key relaxation, the area provides a wealth of opportunities. Beachcombing for “Cape May diamonds,” bits of quartz that have migrated from Pennsylvania down the Delaware River to the Cape May shoreline, is a favorite activity. Groups can also take wildlife cruises with Cape May Whale Watcher, too, and private charters are available.

Leaders should leave time for a visit to the Harriet Tubman Museum, which explores the abolitionist’s time in Cape May. “In 1850 and possibly 1851, Harriet Tubman worked here in the tourism industry,” Wieland said. “There are reports she worked in Congress Hall in the laundry room, and in restaurants. She was raising money to help free her family on the eastern shore, so it’s a really unique story.”

ATLANTIC CITY

The undisputed king of casino gaming east of the Mississippi, Atlantic City dishes out everything from slots, poker rooms and keno to baccarat pits, race books and specialty table games in luxurious casino resorts that also feature fine dining and live entertainment. But groups will discover there’s more to enjoy in A.C. once they leave the comfy confines of their lodging. Boardwalk Hall makes a fine introduction to the city, according to Heather Colache, tourism account director for Visit Atlantic City.

“We have the largest musical instrument in the world, a pipe organ called the Midmer-Losh, and it’s located in historic Boardwalk Hall,” Colache said. “They do free tours of it and free 20-minute concerts. I think there are 50,000 pipes in the walls — some are as big as a redwood tree trunk, and some are the size of a pencil. We have people come from all over the world just to see it.”

Boardwalk Hall is also home to the Atlantic City Historical Museum, filled with fascinating A.C.-related ephemera, from

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Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall COURTESY VISIT ATLANTIC CITY

Inside a chapel at Princeton University

Atlantic City from above

COURTESY VISIT ATLANTIC CITY

COURTESY NJ DIV. OF TRAVEL AND TOURISM

“They offer different themes, Miss America gowns to a life-sized Mr. Peanut. And for groups with art lovers, Noyes Arts Garage offers guided gallery tours, hands-on workshops, and sitdown or boxed lunches.

After groups have worked up a thirst, Colache suggests a stop at The Seed: A Living Beer Project, an organic brewery and distillery.

“They do tours and tastings,” she said, “and the owners are very involved, so anytime you book a group into there, they’ll take the time to talk to everybody.

They don’t serve food, but we could arrange to have food trucks come.”

PRINCETON

Thanks to its celebrated Ivy League neighbor and a dramatic history that predates the nation’s founding, Princeton gives visitors an opportunity to explore more world-class attractions than many communities several times its size.

Groups might want to start out with a visit led by Princeton Tour Company to some of the city’s most engaging sites, including spots frequented by such luminaries as Albert Einstein, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Robert Oppenheimer.

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“Princeton Tour Company gives such an entertaining tour,” said Hal English, president and CEO of the Princeton-Mercer Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau. “They offer different themes, so you can choose a university tour, or historic sites or even a night-time ghost tour. And they love groups!”

Visitors can immerse themselves in more history at Morven Museum and Garden. Built in the 1750s by Richard Stockton, who would go on to sign the Declaration of Independence, Morven also once served as the New Jersey Governor’s Mansion. Boxed lunches and docent-led tours are available. Meanwhile, Revolutionary War buffs won’t want to miss Princeton Battlefield State Park, site of General George Washington’s first victory against the British Regulars on the field.

Reenactments of the fierce January 3, 1777, clash take place annually, with other special events scheduled on occasions like Memorial Day and July 4th, though look for programming to ramp up as the U.S. Semiquincentennial creeps closer. Leaders also might want to schedule a 2.5-hour Revolutionary Princeton tour for their groups, which includes area sites themed around the battle. visitnj .org

so you can choose a university tour, or historic sites or even a night-time ghost tour.”

— HEATHER COLACHE, VISIT ATLANTIC CITY

A reenactment at Princeton Battlefield State Park

BY MATT MATRALE, COURTESY PRINCETON BATTLEFIELD SOCIETY

Morven Museum and Garden in Princeton SPRI NG 20 24

COURTESY PRINCETON MERCER CVB

ALL PHOTOS BY TOM ADKINSON

Colorful works created for the ArtPrize competition have become visitor highlights in Grand Rapids.

T

en African elephants greeted me as I stepped outside my hotel in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan. Then a troop of colorful polar bears intercepted me as I walked across a pedestrian bridge over the Grand River. And finally, a six-foot-tall papier-mâché man balancing a pencil on his nose in the window of a law office caught my eye.

It quickly became clear that Grand Rapids is an art-centric city with a fine sense of humor and a willingness to entertain itself and its visitors.

In short order, I learned that this compact destination (its easy-to-navigate and walkable downtown is barely 15 minutes from a countryside accented with apple orchards) also features a world-class botanical garden and sculpture park, inviting neighborhoods filled with shops and restaurants, a multi-business downtown marketplace, a restored Frank Lloyd Wright house built for a quite short businessman, and beer — lots of beer.

Until you explore Grand Rapids (with a metro population of 1 million, it is Michigan’s second-largest city), you might not know much more than it was President Gerald Ford’s home and the location of the Gerald Ford Presidential Museum.

It is worth exploring because it surprises visitors, especially first-timers, who might not have seen it as a stand-alone destination. Its stature as a leisure destination has blossomed in recent decades.

EXPERIENCEGR.COM

Stand-Alone Stature G R A N D R A P I D S H A S E A R N E D YO U R AT T E N T I O N

BY TO M AD K I N S O N

AN ARTISTIC EVOLUTION

“Grand Rapids was a dead city when I arrived in 1993,” said Candice Smith, before describing the city’s evolution.

She owns Tours Around Michigan and knows Grand Rapids intimately.

Smith, a former NPR reporter, is a skilled storyteller, and Grand Rapids provides enough material that she offers themed tours about the city in general, as well as its ghosts, churches, the riverfront, wine, art, and yes, breweries.

Art is one of her passions, and she quickly explained the elephants near my hotel. They are the central characters in “Raining Wisdom,” an African landscape mural covering a two-story building. Artist Abdoulaye Conde painted the mural over 25 consecutive days for the 2023 ArtPrize event. A public vote earned him $125,000.

ArtPrize, an annual international competition, is the most-attended art event in the world, according to The Art Newspaper. Works of art appear every September in nearly 200 venues — galleries, museums, bars, hotels, office buildings, parks, even laundromats and auto body shops.

Hundreds of thousands of people stroll a three-square-mile area to check them out.

Some are in place only for the three-week ArtPrize period but others live on. The pencil-balancing figure I saw in an office window is one such leftover.

GRAM, the Grand Rapids Art Museum, provides more permanence. It has more than 6,000 items in its collections, presents major shows for Michigan artists and mounts about three major exhibits a year.

“Most museum visits are multi-generational, so we want to appeal to many perspectives,” said GRAM director and CEO Cindy Foley.

A GARDEN OF INSPIRATION

Just outside downtown is more art guaranteed to be there when you arrive — the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park, where a docent’s tram tour narration rivals a college art appreciation course.

One piece, “The American Horse,” draws special attention. “Massive” barely describes the 24-foot-tall bronze steed inspired by a never-realized project from the 1400s that Leonardo da Vinci designed for the Duke of Milan.

Fred Meijer advocated creation of the sculpture, and two bronze casts were made in the late 1990s — one for Meijer Gardens and one for Milan.

The sculpture collection is only part of a 158-acre complex that includes gigantic glass-enclosed botanical gardens (an escape to the tropics even in winter), a Michigan farm garden, a children’s garden and a soothing Japanese garden. As if that weren’t enough, live entertainment resonates from an amphitheater where artists such as Ben Folds, Lyle Lovett, Maren Morris, Melissa Etheridge, Jason Isbell and Trombone Shorty perform.

ered porch that made May appear taller than he was.

The house’s most compelling aspect is the 1986 restoration of the 1908 home. The structure had been significantly altered over the decades, but the restoration returned it to its original form. Today’s protectors call it “the queen mother of fixer-uppers.”

Wealthy Street in the nearby East Hills neighborhood offers a wealth of casual dining and shopping. (A local judge in 1850 named the street for his wife, whose first name was Wealthy.)

Along just a few blocks of Wealthy Street are Winchester (a pub any neighborhood would treasure), Eastern Kille (a cocktail location of Eastern Kille Distillery), Fox Naturals (gifts), Dime and Regal (custom jewelry) and Stoffer Home (a brick-and-mortar location for the home and kitchen items of designer Jean Stoffer, a Grand Rapids transplant).

SIP AND SAMPLE

It’s barely a 15-minute drive from there to the rural setting of the Ridge (an agricultural area ideal for apple orchards) and the Ed Dunneback and Girls Farm. The farm turns 100 in 2025, and a fourth generation of Dunnebacks runs the place with a big focus on nonfarm visitors.

“Agritainment” makes the farm popular, with you-pick opportunities, seasonal fruit festivals, a bakery, an autumn corn maze, an adult Easter egg hunt and a brewery. Brewer John Stewart surprises even beer snobs with flights of honey crisp ale, cherry beer, strawberry beer, raspberry/rhubarb sour and a brew called the Rum Runner. That’s a honey crisp apple beer that spends some time in rum barrels.

Back in the city, you can continue your beer exploration by downloading the Experience Grand Rapids Beer City Brewsader Passport. The app guides you to more than 40 participating breweries, and over time, you can check off enough of them to earn a Brewsader T-shirt and become a walking ambassador for “America’s Best Beer City.”

Ed Dunneback and Girls Farm

Meyer May House

Snacks and brews

NEIGHBORHOOD APPRECIATION

A gem of architectural art, the Meyer May House, is in the Heritage Hill neighborhood. It was Frank Lloyd Wright’s first Michigan commission. Wright tailored the house for May, a man of short stature, and it is interesting to learn its many subtle design elements. One is a street-facing cov-

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ArtPrize sculptures

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Follow the Sun P H O E N I X D E L I V E RS A WA R M W E LCO M E

P

hoenix brings it all together — sports, culture, spas and wellness, and outdoor adventure.

The sun shines over Phoenix more than 300 days each year, practically guaranteeing good weather whatever time of year your group visits. The city buzzes with excitement as Major

League Baseball teams gear up for spring training early in the year. Several native American tribes call Phoenix home, with plentiful stories and culture to share. Add in luxurious spas and a renowned culinary scene, and your group will agree this Sonoran Desert city is a genuine oasis.

COURTESY VISITPHOENIX

BY E L I Z AB E T H H E Y

VISITPHOENIX.COM

Gorgeous desert landscapes and a thriving cultural scene make Phoenix an appealing destination in the Southwest.

SPRING TRAINING

Cactus League Spring Training in Phoenix signals the beginning of a new season as 15 Major League Baseball teams take to the city’s 10 stadiums. With no stadium more than a 45-minute drive from the other and 200 games scheduled between late February and the end of March, there’s always an option for your group. Fans are rewarded with close proximity to the players, and often, the chance to get autographs before a game.

“No two experiences are alike,” said K.J. Phillip, director of communications for Tempe Tourism Office. “It doesn’t matter which team you’re a fan of, because you’re going to have an excellent day at the ballpark.”

During two weekends (at the end of February and first of March), Tempe entertains fans at the Innings Festival, celebrating baseball and live music. Superstars such as Foo Fighters, Chris Stapleton and Sheryl Crow have performed here. And attendees are likely to see baseball heroes such as Randy Johnson, Bret Saberhagen and Roger Clemens.

“The fan activities and great weather set this festival apart,” said Phillip. “Cool photo ops include a larger-than-life baseball glove, the chance to take a diving catch photo, batting cages, player meet-and-greets, and fan-favorite ballpark fare.”

NATIVE AMERICAN EXPERIENCES

One of the most prominent tributes to Arizona’s Indigenous culture and history, the Heard Museum displays a vast, high-quality collection recognized worldwide. Stunning Southwest art features the history, artifacts, clothing, tools and more of Arizona’s Native American people groups. In the Sky-Dome Gallery, the “Substance of Stars” experience invites visitors to enter the land of each community in an immersive environment surrounded by images and sounds of the desert, arctic seascape, woodlands and mountains.

Year-round in two locations, the Native Art Market offers authentic art created by more than 400 native families.

Patrons can purchase handmade jewelry, artwork and pottery directly from their creators, providing artisans with financial support. For those wanting more, the Salt River Art Trail is worth a visit.

“Adjacent to Talking Stick Resort and on native American land, the Salt River Art Trail is a wonderful collection of sculptures along a self-guided walking tour,” said Sarah Doyle, director of communications for Visit Phoenix.

na’s only modern interpretation of the traditional Hammam, or Turkish bath. Joya Terrace offers a poolside menu and views of Camelback Mountain. Noteworthy Aji Spa at Sheraton Grand Wild Horse Pass has been named after the Pima word for sanctuary. This 17,000-square-foot spa features 17 treatment rooms, a salon, a fitness center, a relaxing Watsu pool and a traditional roundhouse, all with a Native American flair.

CULINARY BOUNTY

With its rich culinary tradition and celebrity chefs, Phoenix often leaves visitors wishing they had more time for sampling local menus and dining al fresco. For a casual meal, Fry Bread House introduces diners to traditional Tohono O’odham dishes. Newly opened, Kembara at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge embraces the Asian street food culture of Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore and Japan. Iconic El Chorro Lodge in Paradise Valley offers an authentic Arizona dining experience.

“El Chorro is located on the north side of Camelback with amazing views,” said Doyle. “Groups can reserve the elevated outdoor dining area surrounded by the desert.”

The Mesa Fresh Foodie Trail spans approximately 52 miles and showcases desert bounty. Highlights include Queen Creek Olive Mill, Arizona’s only family-owned and operated working olive mill and farm where olives are grown and pressed into high-quality extra virgin olive oil. After a tour and tasting of oils, olives and tapenades, guests can dine at the Tuscan-inspired eatery serving brick-oven pizzas. The large shop provides complimentary recipe cards and sells the mill’s olive oils, vinegars, cookbook and olive oil spa products.

Food lovers should plan time to visit a number of other worthwhile sites on the trail. Fourth generation Schnepf Farms is the state’s largest organic peach grower and hosts seasonal events. Located in the middle of a citrus field, Jalapeno Bucks has been featured in Food and Wine magazine’s 2020 “Best Barbecue in Every State.” Their most unusual offering is a peanut butter-and-jelly brisket sandwich. And at True Garden Urban Farm, visitors can check out their 5,000-square-foot vertical urban garden featuring hydroponics, stroll the weekly farmer’s market or attend seminars on organic growing practices and nutrition.

SPA AND WELLNESS

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A Native American cultural demonstration

COURTESY VISIT MESA

A farm dinner at Agritopia on Mesa’s Fresh Foodie Trail

COURTESY VISITPHOENIX

Phoenix is renowned for stunning spas providing relaxation and wellness. Many offer spa cuisine, beautiful pools and an array of indulgences. The spa at the Phoenician resort recently underwent a multi-year, multi-million-dollar renovation. New from the ground up, the three-story spa offers a co-ed relaxing area as well as various spaces that allow guests to spread out.

“The Phoenician Spa facilities are stunning, and their spa menu is very comprehensive,” said Doyle. “It feels quiet and secluded. Their rooftop pool has a view of Camelback, and in the opposite direction, the downtown skyline.”

Inspired by Morocco and Andalusia in southern Spain, the Omni Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Montelucia oozes luxury. Named after the Spanish word for jewel, Joya Spa is the property’s 31,000-square-foot oasis that provides Arizo-

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Alpine Icons T H E C A N A D I A N R O C K I E S A R E A S U M M I T D E S T I N AT I O N

E

ach season’s arrival ushers in radical transformations in the Canadian Rockies. With these changes come new, enjoyable experiences for groups.

Winter brings lots of snow, along with opportunities for once-in-a-lifetime activities like dogsledding, snowshoeing and sleigh rides through the wilderness-turned-wonderland. Upon spring’s arrival, melting snow means open roads and hiking trails, as well as thawing lakes, with plenty of opportunities to view the area’s exotic wildlife.

In the summer, wildflowers finally venture to bloom in the meadows and travelers can kayak on the pristine turquoise waters of the region’s many alpine lakes.

Autumn brings the golden hues of larch trees to the forests, which make a breathtaking backdrop for a train ride, one of the most popular ways to view the mountains.

The area’s wildness is owed to its abundance of national parks, designed to preserve its many natural wonders. But its quaint towns are equally enjoyable, with lots of shops, diverse restaurants and plenty of entertainment.

Groups of active outdoor recreationalists will thrive in this region designed for adventure, but so will groups that take things at a more leisurely pace. That’s because there is no shortage of ways to see the sights; while there’s hiking, biking and canoeing, there’s also scenic drives, train rides and lake cruises.

ALL PHOTOS COURTESY BANFF AND LAKE LOUISE TOURISM, EXCEPT WHERE NOTED

BY R ACH E L CR I CK

Lake Louise is one of the many alpine lakes the Canadian Rockies are known for.

signature

can’t miss

EXPERIENCE

DESTINATIONS

A ride up the Banff Gondola takes park visitors 2,300 feet up to the summit of Sulphur Mountain, letting them see the gorgeous scenery of Banff National Park. At the top, they’ll be treated to breathtaking views of Banff and the mountains. They can also dine at the summit’s restaurant, Sky Bistro, which offers lunch, dinner and drinks with a side of beautiful vistas.

Banff and Lake Louise Located within Banff National Park, the resort town of Banff is a focal point for tourism in the Canadian Rockies. The park, which sees 4 million visitors annually, is home to natural attractions like Bow Falls and a collection of beautiful turquoise lakes, including Lake Minnewanka, Vermilion Lakes and the iconic Lake Louise, for which a nearby hamlet is named.

Downtown Banff has plenty of well-known resorts where

unforgettable

groups can stay, such as the Fairmont Banff Springs and the Rimrock Banff, each of which have a variety of restaurants. There’s

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also an assortment of breweries, eateries and shops downtown.

Rocky Mountain cuisine emphasizes fresh, local ingredients, so it’s no surprise that wild game is featured prominently on many menus in the region.

Try tender cuts of venison, elk and bison prepared in many different styles, from tenderloins to fillets to burgers.

Jasper National Park is the largest park in the Rockies.

Its 2.5 million yearly visitors flock to the park to see attractions such as Athabasca Falls and Maligne Canyon. Groups can take a cruise on Maligne Lake to see the famed Spirit Island and explore the Maligne Valley, or look for wildlife via a scenic drive. Jasper is known for its dark sky preserve; groups can stargaze at the Jasper Planetarium or search for the aurora borealis. The area has plenty of dining options for groups, such as Jasper Brewing Co., which serves brews and an eclectic menu, and Maligne Canyon Wilderness Kitchen, featuring a smokehouse-inspired menu.

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Canmore

Just south of Banff, Canmore is another small town that sits just outside of the national park. While not as visited by tourists as Banff, the town still enjoys an abundance of natural attractions, such as the Three Sisters (its most popular peaks), Rat’s Nest Cave and Grassi Lakes. Groups can hike, take a cave tour or go rafting in the warmer months, or try dogsledding, skiing and snowshoeing in the winter. For in-town activities, tours of Canmore’s multiple breweries and distilleries are available. There are plenty of fine and casual dining options in town, from coffee shops to restaurants and lounges.

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Just a 30-minute drive from Banff, Kootenay National Park sees far fewer visitors but is home to some equally stunning scenery. Park highlights include the Paint Pots, mineral-rich pools producing bright colors; Marble Canyon, a stunning cavern that’s easily accessible with a short hike; and Radium Hot Springs, naturally heated pools in the mountain town of Radium.

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SOUVENIR

The Canadian Rockies are rich in Indigenous history. Purchasing Indigenous artwork is a great way to honor that heritage and bring back a memorable souvenir. Wall art, moccasins and jewelry can be purchased at cultural centers and shops throughout the region.

EXPLORECANMORE.CA

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Nashville’s Goo Goo Chocolate Company

A chocolate mousse prepared at the Viking Cooking School

Taste Your Trip COURTESY VIKING

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COURTESY LOWCOUNTRY OYSTER CO.

A Lowcountry oyster experience

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Southern foods have a global following

An authentic lunch at Atlanta Chinatown Mall in Chamblee

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apoleon Bonaparte famously said that “an army travels on its stomach,” and that holds true for nonmilitary excursions, as well.

We travel for many reasons — to soak in spectacular scenery, to interact with different cultures — but on those adventures, eating is among the greatest pleasures. Gastro-tourism allows travelers to engage with a place’s history and traditions, its food, and the people who grow and prepare it.

The South has a wealth of wildly varying cuisines, all emblematic of their culture. Here are six places where your groups can enjoy not only delicious meals but also truly memorable experiences that will be the highlight of their trips.

Chinatown Mall Atlanta

An Atlanta Chinatown Mall vendor

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Atlanta is famous for fried chicken and Coca Cola, but its vibrant immigrant community has added “soul food” from around the entire world, expanding the metro’s culinary scene far beyond its original borders. The epicenter of this global cuisine is found on Buford Highway, a corridor that includes nearly 1,000 immigrant-owned businesses, more than 100 of which are restaurants, representing more than 20 nations.

A food court is a great way to experience a little bit of everything, and visitors will find the best bites of Asia at Chamblee’s Atlanta Chinatown Mall, along with specialty shops and a lovely, manicured garden. Food writer Alex Leo-Guerra is best-known as “the Burger Guy,” but he extolls the offerings at Chinatown. “The dumplings and the Mala Tang [spicy hot pot] from China Kitchen are incredible,” he said. “You can watch the chefs at New Lan Zhou Noodles hand-pulling dough into these long noodles — so delicious. It’s a great time, and anyone going in can find something new to discover and to appreciate.”

Travelers should bring cash, as not all vendors accept credit cards.

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BY PHILLIP FRYMAN, COURTESY GOOGOOS

Goo Goo Clusters Nashville, Tennessee What a cluster! Nashville — and the nation — have been gaga for Goo Goos since the country’s first multi-ingredient candy bar was invented here in 1912.

“That original Goo Goo Cluster constituted marshmallow, nougat, caramel and peanuts, enrobed in milk chocolate” said Beth Sachan, vice president of sales and marketing for the candy company. “Since then, we’ve added pecan and peanut butter to our classic line. And we have a lot of seasonal specialties and our Little Goos, which are bite-sized treats.”

The brand became closely tied to another Nashville institution, the Grand Ole Opry, with country legends like Minnie Pearl and Lester Flatt singing the candy’s praises.

A retail store in downtown Nashville opened in 2014, and in 2021 the confectioner expanded again, completing a $2 million renovation that created an experiential hands-on classroom where visitors can make customized clusters.

“Guests get a little bit of history,” said Sachan, “and then get hands-on, making their own combinations from dozens of ingredients and fillings to go inside their creations.”

Special classes like “Goos and Booze” pair wine and spirits with Nashville’s official candy bar.

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Viking Cooking School Greenwood, Mississippi Founded in the 1980s, Viking brought professional-grade ranges to home kitchens, and by 1990 all production was occurring in Greenwood, the hometown of Viking founder Fred Carl Jr. and the filming location for the 2011 movie “The Help.” Across the street from the Alluvian Hotel (now also owned by Viking, and boasting a luxurious spa), the Viking Cooking School offers a variety of classes for hands-on or demonstration-style meals.

“Our hands-on classes are for eight to 12 people,” said kitchen manager Loren Leflore. “They work in groups of four, and each group cooks everything from start to finish. Everything is premeasured and in its place. The ovens are preheated, and the instructor walks you through each recipe. You cook and then sit down to eat and drink wine while you do it. For larger groups, most of those are demonstrations — the same concept except you don’t cook. But you are served course by course as the instructor demonstrates the class.”

Menus range from Delta classics like hot tamales, parmesan-crusted catfish and chocolate cobbler to elegant menus featuring filet mignon with porcini demi-glace, arancini and pots de creme.

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A meal of seared scallops at Viking Cooking School

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A Viking Cooking School class in Greenwood

A dessert workshop at Goo Goo Chocolate Company

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BY PHILLIP FRYMAN, COURTESY GOOGOOS

The Bluegrass State is famous for producing the world’s finest horses and smoothest whiskey, and just 20 minutes — a short gallop — from downtown Louisville, visitors can enjoy both while dining on seasonal selections from produce grown on the premises. Historic Hermitage is a 683-acre working Thoroughbred and sport horse farm that welcomes guests for unique culinary, equestrian and art-focused events.

Hermitage is well known in the equine industry, raising horses that have won prestigious races such as the Kentucky Derby, the Kentucky Oaks and the Breeders’ Cup, to name a few.

“We’re a working Thoroughbred farm,” said events director Curtis Conlin. “We are mostly a Thoroughbred nursery now, and we want to tie in that experience while giving guests a taste of the best of Kentucky.”

A bourbon tasting at Kentucky’s Heritage Farm

COURTESY HERITAGE FARM

A group enjoying Goo Goo Clusters

Hermitage Farm Goshen, Kentucky

Georgetown, Kentucky

Georgetown, the heart of Kentucky’s horse scene, offers pure small town charm, history and horse-centric fun including the Kentucky Horse Park, Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farm, & plenty of horsepower at Toyota’s largest facility in the world. It’s the ultimate spot for groups wanting to ride into Kentucky’s Bluegrass Region.

Nearby attractions: Ark Encounter, Creation Museum & Keeneland

Plan your groups getaway at

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www.georgetownky.com/groups | 844.863.8600 19 hotels + over 80 Restaurants Right Off 64 + 75 INTERSTATE

INTERSTATE

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The Sport Horse Interaction Dinner is held in the Stud Barn, which houses horses that drive carriages and also contains a carriage museum. The event begins with a cocktail hour on the front patio while Hermitage’s horses graze peacefully nearby, and retired Thoroughbreds are introduced to visitors by guides. The festivities then move inside for a farm-to-table feast and sips of the state’s finest bourbons.

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The main farmhouse at Heritage Farm

Farm-fresh appetizers at Heritage Farm

“We are mostly a Thoroughbred that experience while giving guests a taste of the best of Kentucky.”

— CURTIS CONLIN, HERMITAGE FARM

A Heritage Farm greenhouse

Hot gumbo at the Mardi Gras School of Cooking

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Mardi Gras Cooking School New Orleans

PHOTOS COURTESY MARDI GRAS SCHOOL OF COOKING

Mardi Gras School of Cooking’s Lagniappe Kitchen

PHOTOS COURTESY HERITAGE FARM

nursery now, and we want to tie in

“First, you make a roux” is the beginning of countless Cajun and Creole recipes, from etouffee to gumbo and beyond. Guests at the Mardi Gras Cooking School, just off Jackson Square in New Orleans’ storied French Quarter, can learn to make a roux (and much more) in hands-on classes where chefs guide them through the intricacies of pralines, jambalaya, King Cake and NoLa-style barbecue shrimp.

“All of our chefs are native New Orleans professional chefs,” said Collette Lewis, the school’s customer experience specialist. “They explain the secrets of the seasonings and the preparation of all the different recipes, so groups get stories of the history and the development of the cuisine, with anecdotes about growing up with this cuisine and what it means to the natives who live here.”

Groups of up to 40 can choose one of five classic menus (including vegetarian) that include three courses. Complimentary soft drinks, wine and beer are included, and travel planners can add champagne or a bloody mary or mimosa bar onto their classes.

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with a capital F. Real Louisiana food goes beyond Cajun and Creole - it’s got a little bit of everything. And if real Louisiana food is what you’re looking for, you won’t find fare with that kind of flair anywhere other than Baton Rouge – Louisiana’s Capital City.

VisitBatonRouge.com/Restaurants

Lowcountry Oyster Company Charleston, South Carolina Oysters are a staple of low country cuisine, and visitors will get an in-depth understanding on this farm tour, which guides them from tide to tasty table. Former fisherman and sixth-generation South Carolinian Trey “Cricket” McMillan became mesmerized by mollusks while visiting a farm on Chesapeake Bay and returned home to found Lowcountry in 2016.

“I was kind of drawn to it,” he said, “and at the point in my life I was ready to be home and not travel as much. So I took a leap of faith, left my career, started the farm, and here we are.”

Lowcountry is a sustainable farm that now raises a couple million Eastern oysters a year, supplying some of Charleston’s finest restaurants and overnight shipping Lowcountry Cups to happy slurpers across the nation.

The tour takes visitors on a scenic boat excursion that covers the entire life cycle, ending with a shucking lesson, and of course, a tasting of the briny bivalves. Lowcountry works closely with a local caterer and can also arrange a full-blown oyster roast right on the farm or at the venue of your choice.

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Freshly harvested oysters on ice

Lowcountry Oyster Company owner Trey “Cricket” McMillian

“I was kind of drawn to it, and at the point in my life I was ready to be home and not

Setting out for a Lowcountry Oyster tour in Charleston

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PHOTOS COURTESY LOWCOUNTRY OYSTER COMPANY

travel as much. So I took a leap of faith, left my career, started the farm, and here we are.”

— TREY MCMILLAN, LOWCOUNTRY OYSTER CO.

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Whether it’s learning about the natural world in Decatur and Gulf Shores, the past and future of space exploration in Huntsville, visiting sights where Rock ‘n Roll hits were made, or the history of the Civil Rights Movement, we can supply you with itineraries for several group tours.

Trouble is...deciding which tour to take first. We’ll keep adding to the list, you just keep coming for new adventures.

Visit www.alabama.travel To learn how your group can experience Alabama, contact Shawna Faniel at shawna.faniel@tourism.alabama.gov or 334-353-1907

The entrance to the Greenbrier Bunker

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A historic image of Black students arriving at Little Rock’s Central High School in 1957

The Governor’s Palace at Colonial Williamsburg

Inflection Points

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COURTESY GULF SHORES ORANGE BEACH TOURISM

A tunnel under Fort Morgan in Alabama

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Your history buffs will enjoy these Southern sites

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St. Augustine’s Castillo de San Marcos

rom Colonial to Cold War, from Civil War to Civil Rights, the South is steeped in history.

Many of the region’s most historic sites are well-preserved, offering a glimpse into our nation’s tumultuous and fascinating past. Some sites can be covered in a few hours, while others may tempt visitors to explore for days. Here are six destinations in the Southeastern states that should be on every history lover’s bucket list.

Fort Raleigh Historic Site Roanoke Island, North Carolina Lying between North Carolina’s Outer Banks and the mainland, the slender Roanoke Island is pivotal in the English history of North America. Named for the Algonquin-speaking Roanoke tribe that inhabited the region when two ships funded by Sir Walter Raleigh landed in 1584, Fort Raleigh was established on the island in 1585.

In 1587, 117 men, women and children arrived, and on August 18, 1587, Virginia Dare was born — the first English child born in the New World. Three years later, the colony had vanished without a trace.

“The Outer Banks has a lot of amazing history — including where the Wright Brothers made their first flight,” said Aaron Tuell, public relations manager for the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau. “But that disappearance is America’s most enduring mystery: the mystery of the lost colony.”

Visitors can explore the mystery at Fort Raleigh National Historic Site while also learning about the cultural heritage of the Native Americans, European Americans and African Americans who have lived on Roanoke. An outdoor drama, “The Lost Colony,” has been performed each summer season since the theater was constructed in 1937. President Franklin D. Roosevelt attended the first year.

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Cannons outside the Castillo de San Marcos

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A carriage ride through Williamsburg’s historic area

“Coquina is at the heart of St. Augustine’s history,” said Barbara Golden, communications/PR manager for the St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and The Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau. “In addition to the fort, many of our iconic buildings are constructed from coquina mixed with poured concrete.”

That technique was developed by Franklin Smith, a merchant, abolitionist and architecture enthusiast. He constructed the Villa Zorayda, a Moorish Revival mansion-turned-museum inspired by Grenada’s magnificent Alhambra Palace. The Smithsonian-worthy Lightner Museum is also built of the unique masonry.

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The Lightner Museum in St. Augustine

PHOTOS COURTESY @FLORIDA’S HISTORIC COAST

Spaniard Ponce de Leon first laid eyes on Florida in 1513 — more than 50 years before Puritans landed at Plymouth Rock — and the Spanish soon established the oldest continuously occupied European settlement in the United States in what is now St. Augustine. After a succession of wooden forts fell victim to burnings by the British and pirates, a stone replacement called Castillo de San Marcos was completed in 1695. The fort is the largest masonry structure on the continent, and its walls, which are up to 18 feet thick, were built from blocks of coquina stone, a porous type of limestone comprising tiny seashells.

Tours begin by crossing the massive drawbridge at the sally port. Groups should time their tours to take in the historic weapons demonstration, where costumed reenactors demonstrate how soldiers fired the fort’s massive cannon.

PHOTOS COURTESY COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG FOUNDATION

Castillo de San Marcos St. Augustine, Florida

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One of Colonial Williamsburg’s many re-created historic buildings

Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia In Virginia, Colonial Williamsburg may be the nation’s largest and best preserved historic site.

“What we have here is completely unique, unlike any other historic site in the world,” said Beth Kelly, vice president for research, training and program design at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. “We have the ability to re-create, reconstruct and restore the buildings that were actually here. The town looks as it did in the 18th century, and we’re able to return it to the way it looked when it was at its height and in its glory. But the really unique part comes from the people who were actually living in this town in the 1770s, a very complex society. But what emerges is the beginning of us becoming Americans. And it’s by no means perfect when it’s formed, when we declare our independence in 1776. But the foundations are all there. And we’re living with those foundations today.”

Groups may select from half-day, one-day or two-day customized tours that encompass the world’s largest living history museum, including access to historic area programming, exhibition sites (including the Capitol and the Governor’s Palace) and museums.

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Cook

Members of the Little Rock Nine

Inside the Greenbrier Bunker

A restored gas station that now serves as the visitor center at Central High School

AT THE VIKING COOKING SCHOOL

BY BRIAN SCHWIEGER, COURTESY NPS

Most people are familiar with the Civil Rights showdown at Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, a direct challenge to federal authority that had not been seen since the Civil War. We’ve seen pictures of the Little Rock Nine, teenagers who braved screaming crowds and death threats to integrate the previously all-white high school. Today, the Central High School National Historic Site sheds light on the rest of the story.

“For three weeks in September of 1957, there was this political and social standoff,” said Brian Schwieger, the site’s chief of interpretation. “Will those nine students ever get to experience the full promise of freedom of the constitution? At the end of September, President Dwight Eisenhower signed executive orders and sent in the 101st Airborne. The Little Rock Nine successfully entered Central High School. And that’s when the real experience began.”

The ranger-led interpretive tour walks visitors through the rest of the story, adding much-needed context to one of our nation’s most painful chapters.

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Central High School Little Rock, Arkansas

BY BRIAN SCHWIEGER, COURTESY NPS

Central High School today

“The Little Rock Nine successfully entered Central High School.

And that’s when the real 325 Howa rd St reet G reenwood, MS Tues-Sat: 10 am - 5:3 0 pm 866.4 51.675 0 / 662 .4 51.675 0 theal luvian.com

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experience began.”

— BRIAN SCHWIEGER, CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE

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MADISON COUNTY, ALABAMA

Huntsville, Alabama offers group tours lots of exciting options. From art to history, and even outer space, the Rocket City is a fun and unique place for your group tour participants!

1-800-Space-4-U | huntsville.org

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A historic photo of the Greenbrier Bunker’s construction

COURTESY THE GREENBRIER

Out-of-this-world Group Tours!

The Greenbrier Bunker White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia Deep in the Allegheny Mountains, “America’s Resort” — The Greenbrier — has been welcoming guests since 1778.

What began as a healing hot springs oasis expanded into a luxurious golf and spa resort that has welcomed celebrities, princes and 23 men who were or would become presidents. One of these men was General Eisenhower, who visited troops when the hotel served as an army hospital and vacationed there after the end of World War II. The resort is world-renowned, but for more than three decades, it contained a clandestine hideaway that was one of the nation’s most highly guarded secrets: an underground fallout shelter to ensure the continuity of government, complete with a chamber for the Senate, a chamber for the House and a massive hall for joint sessions.

“In the event of a nuclear attack, all 535 members of Congress would be evacuated here,” said Cam Huffman, the resort’s director of public relations. “The train line goes straight from D.C. to right across the street from the bunker entrance.”

The site was decommissioned in the 1990s, and the Greenbrier now offers a fascinating tour of the vast bunker, walking visitors through one of the Cold War’s most thrilling secret installations.

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Civil War reenactors at Fort Morgan

Fort Morgan Historic Site Coastal Alabama Construction on a massive masonry pentagon-shaped fortress at the mouth of Mobile Bay began in 1819. Completed 15 years later, Fort Morgan played a key role in 1864 during the Civil War Battle of Mobile Bay. The Confederate army had heavily mined the bay, but Union Admiral David Farragut ordered his fleet to charge, saying “Damn the torpedoes!” The fort was surrendered to Union forces after a two-week siege.

The fort served as a coastal defense post during the Spanish-American and both world wars. In 1946, the U.S. government gave Fort Morgan to the state of Alabama for use as a historic site.

Today, visitors can drive half an hour from Gulf Shores or take the Mobile Bay Ferry from Dauphin Island. Visitors can learn more about the fort’s rich history at the museum and enjoy 360-degree views from the top of the structure.

The peninsula has nature walks, a boat launch, a picnic area and gorgeous Gulf Coast beaches. It’s also an important stopover for migrating birds in the spring and fall, designated by the American Bird Conservancy as a Globally Important Bird Area.

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Inside Alabama’s Fort Morgan

The fort served as a

An aerial view of Fort Morgan on the Gulf of Mexico

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PHOTOS COURTESY GULF SHORES ORANGE BEACH TOURISM

coastal defense post during the SpanishAmerican and both world wars.

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IGNITE CURIOSITY AND A SENSE OF Adventure!

From exploring the skies to delving into the depths of the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay, discover a destination that combines adventure and knowledge in an unforgettable way. Our immersive experiences provide a perfect blend of education and excitement for students and educators alike.

The Military Aviation Museum is home to one of the world’s largest collections of flying vintage military aircraft.

VisitVirginiaBeach.com

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Use These Tips to Book a Great Group Cruise

ruising is an excellent choice for Cruise adventures have taken Ashley Runyon’s groups to fargroups. It offers flung destinations such as Hawaii (left) and Africa (center). something for everyone, takes travelers to a variety of destinations in a single trip and includes most meals. It allows you to cater to a variety of travelers’ needs and preferences. Those who like to go off and explore independently have that option, for example, while those who would like a guided tour can opt for one.

Many cruises offer a variety of excursions to accommodate both adventure seekers and those who enjoy more relaxed activities.

But for a group travel planner, these opportunities can also bring challenges. Choosing the right cruise line can be overwhelming, as there are many promotions to consider, and a host of vendors trying to entice you to travel with them. clientele who still work full time, a cruise line that utilizes So how do you identify the companies that make the most weekend departures will be your best bet. However, if you sense for your group? mostly travel with retirees, cruise lines offering weekday departures may be a better demographic fit. If you choose Destination First a weekend departure, you will see younger travelers on the When choosing a cruise line, start first with your descruise compared to a departure during the week. Weekday tination. Selecting a destination will eliminate companies departures have less traffic onboard. I suggest opting for that do not service the area. Once you narrow down the them if they work for your group. destination, check departure dates and confirm they have Though ocean cruising is a popular way to see multiple one within the timeframe you want to travel. Taking nodestinations, river cruising is becoming more and more poptice of departure dates will also highlight the type of cliular. However, it delivers completely different cruising expeentele the cruise line is popular among. For example, if rience. Whether it’s a sailing in Europe or the United States, you’re interested in an ocean cruise and have a younger river cruising provides a smooth, relaxing ride. River cruis-

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bio

Ashley Runyon is a longtime bank and travel club planner.

She lives in Ashland, Kentucky, with her family of six.

One of Ashley Runyon’s groups poses for a group photo on board a cruise ship during a trip to Alaska.

ing also provides a smaller, more intimate atmosphere, while ocean cruising boasts large numbers and many onboard options. Generally, ocean cruising also offers a lot of excursions for land, while river cruising offers a nice walk in the towns you visit and a few optional tours. River cruising will have set meal times, while ocean cruising allows some flexibility.

Group Support Finding a cruise that is group friendly is also essential.

Look for a company providing resources and help with bookings and marketing materials. Educate yourself about what passenger information the cruise line will need from you and how it will need to be transferred. Some cruise lines offer an online booking system; others might have a representative appointed to your account. Regardless, investigate how that process will go before choosing a company. You want to make sure it’s a process you are comfortable using.

Ask the cruise line what they can offer you and your group.

Many companies provide space for group meet-and-greets.

And they might offer additional packages or perks based on the number of travelers in your group. Find out what those

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are before you commit to a cruise line.

When cruising, your travelers often go off on their own, and you see them less than if you were taking a motorcoach tour. But there are some things you can do to remind them you’re on board with them and help them enjoy some group camaraderie.

Apps are becoming increasingly popular for sharing photos while traveling in a group. If your group is small enough, you could communicate through text. If everyone will have access to onboard Wi-Fi, you could also send emails.

Another great way to build group rapport is to host a meet-and-greet party shortly before the trip, so your travelers can get last-minute information and meet those they will be traveling with.

Encourage everyone to introduce themselves and tell the group where they are from. If your group will be coming from various places, you could hold this session online.

Gathering On Board It’s also important to set some scheduled days and times for the group to get together while aboard the cruise. This could be an excursion you do as a group, for example, or a group dinner in one of the ship’s specialty restaurants.

Whatever the meetup entails, just make sure it is planned and communicated with the group so nobody misses out.

Ensure all travelers can contact you should they need additional assistance while traveling. Going a step further and providing a room number so they can call your cabin will help when traveling internationally.

Remember, all groups are different, so take the time to find the company that caters to your group. Then, when it comes time for departure, board the ship and get ready for a great time!

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TOURS WITH BRAGGING RIGHTS

Special events on tour are your groups’ ticket to a truly unique experience – something that few world travelers will get to do. Celebrate tradition, culture, and natural beauty, and get a brand-new perspective of a well-loved destination.

Mackinac Island

Discover Scotland

ft. the Grand Hotel and the Tulip Time Festival

ft. the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

9 days | 13 meals

10 days | 14 meals

Spotlight on the French Riviera ft. Nice’s Carnival

9 days | 12 meals

Scan to learn more about group tours with Collette. collette.com • 844.445.5663