2017 December Leisure Group Travel

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LEISURE GROUP TRAVEL • DECEMBER 2017

LEISURE DECEMBER 2017

INDUSTRY FORECAST ISSUE • WASHINGTON STATE HIGHLIGHTS • SOUTH DAKOTA MUSEUMS

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GROUP TRAVEL

Memorable Days in Washington State

Irresistible itinerary from Seattle spotlights the best of the Pacific Northwest DIGITAL EDITION

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Lucky 13

South Dakota Museums

A bounty of choices in all parts of the state www.LeisureGroupTravel.com

Industry Forecast Issue • Evolution of the travel catalog • 2nd annual Group Intentions Survey results A Premier Travel Media publication • LeisureGroupTravel.com

SPONSORED BY

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SI SITE INSPECTION

Fayetteville’s American Independence Trail ucked away in the Sandhills of North Carolina is a town rich with American history and brimming with opportunities to explore the great outdoors. History buffs and nature lovers alike will be fascinated to see sites that were once home to soldiers, militiamen and revolutionaries who played key roles in our nation’s history. Cars and buses may now run along what used to be horse and carriage paths, but the American Independence Trail of Fayetteville and Cumberland County allows visitors to step back in time and experience history firsthand through the eyes of our forefathers. The driving trail runs a total of 35 miles and has 10 stops that can be covered in any order.

Old Bluff Church and Cemetery. Start your journey at one of the oldest graveyards in Cumberland County, which is the burial site of Colonel Alexander McAllister, a Revolutionary War patriot. Picturesque Old Bluff Church, adjacent to the cemetery, offers tours by appointment.

Liberty Point. Stop at the granite marker that commemorates a pledge made by the 55 signatories of the “Liberty Point Resolves.”

Drafted one year before the Declaration of Independence was signed, this document of freedom expressed hope that Great Britain and the colonies could reconcile following British actions after the battles of Lexington and Concord.

Fifer’s Grave. Isaac Hammond became the first fifer in the Fayetteville Independent

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As one of the original 13 colonies, North Carolina is a history buff’s dream.

Light Infantry, where he served for 30 years, and also served in the 10th NC Regiment Continental line during the Revolutionary War. Despite African-Americans not being able to vote at the time, Hammond was active in local politics.

Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex. Nearly 400 years of history is retold through captivating exhibits that provide an excellent insight into the patriotism and revolutionary activity that occurred in the region. The museum is the perfect way to piece together the trail’s many stops and learn more about the events that led to North Carolina joining the Union as the 12th state.

Cross Creek Cemetery. Located in the heart of Fayetteville, Cross Creek is the city’s oldest public cemetery. It is the burial site of many early settlers and notable persons in Fayetteville’s history. Among the gravestones is a tall stone monument for Revolutionary War hero Robert Rowan, the organizer and a signer of the “Liberty Point Resolves.”

Cornwallis Historical Marker. Following the Battle of Guilford Courthouse in 1781, Lieutenant General Charles Cornwallis and his army stopped in Fayetteville on its way to Wilmington. The 2,100-man British army had just defeated the 4,500 Americans, led

by Major General Nathanael Greene, but lost a considerable number of men in battle. The marker is in downtown Fayetteville.

Moore’s Camp Historical Marker. Southeast of downtown Fayetteville you will find a

marker where Whig Commander General James Moore and his forces camped prior to the Battle of Moores Creek Bridge in 1776.

The forces’ subsequent victory over the Southern Loyalists helped to build political support for the Revolution.

Marquis de Lafayette Statue. Did you know that Fayetteville is named for Revolutionary War hero Marquis de Lafayette? While other U.S. cities also bear his name, Fayetteville, NC was the first and the only one that he actually visited. At the young age of 19, Lafayette sailed to the United States from France to join in the colonists’ fight for independence. Washington later awarded Lafayette with command of the Virginia army.

Flora MacDonald Historical Marker.

It was at this site that the Scottish heroine Flora MacDonald saw off her husband, Allan MacDonald, as he and his troops made their way toward the Battle of Moores Creek Bridge, where they would later be defeated

by Revolutionary forces.

Fayetteville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. Call for information and help planning your visit or stop by when you arrive for maps and brochures.

VISIT FAYETTEVILLE Jessica Bennett, jbennett@visitfayettevillenc.com 910-483-5311

VisitFayettevilleNC.com >> LeisureGroupTravel.com

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CONTENTS

December 2017 • Vol. 27, No. 6

LEISURE

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Adventure abounds at Arkansas’ Mount Magazine State Park.

GROUP TRAVEL

INdUStry FOreCaSt ISSUe

10 14 16

IN THE DRIVER’S SEAT WITH PETER PANTUSO ABA’s head coach talks about national parks, the technology revolution and the importance of face-to-face interactions GROUP INTENTIONS SURVEY RESULTS Reader responses to our survey paint a picture of today’s group travel landscape. See how your company compares EVOLUTION OF THE TRAVEL CATALOG BY VANESSA DAY While the print brochures of old have not faded away, some tour operators question their relevance in the digital world

deStINatIONS

20 23 25 34 38 47 50

WEST 5 MEMORABLE DAYS IN WASHINGTON STATE BY DAVE BODLE An irresistible itinerary from Seattle spotlights some of the Pacific Northwest’s most glorious attractions BASE CAMP OLYMPIA BY DAVE BODLE From wilderness splendor to wineries and breweries, hub-and-spoke options from Washington’s capital are many 13 GREAT SOUTH DAKOTA MUSEUMS BY MILES DOBIS AND RANDY MINK Tour planners have a wealth of choices in all parts of the state

SOUTH DOING STATE PARKS IN STYLE BY DAVE BODLE Group-friendly lodges in West Virginia, Georgia and Arkansas

CENTRAL WHERE HISTORY COMES ALIVE BY RANDY MINK From Iowa to Ohio, the Midwest abounds with open-air museums

EAST GROUP SKI OUTINGS: BEASTS OF THE EAST Resorts in Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire, New York and Pennsylvania cater to every ability

BY

MILES DOBIS

INT’L FOOTNOTES AT THE FOOT OF EUROPE BY RANDY MINK Excursions to Morocco and the British colony of Gibraltar

COLUMNS 6

ON MY MIND

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ON TOUR

BY

BY

JEFF GAYDUK

MARTY SARBEY DE SOUTO, CTC

54 ON MARKETING 4

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BY

MIKE MARCHEV >> LeisureGroupTravel.com

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indiana group tour planner – What’S inSide: ndiana has an international reputation for Hoosier Hospitality, and it’s one of the virtues the people of the state hold most dear.

That genuine personality translates into authentic experiences for visitors. There are many resources Indiana offers group tours.

Featured Articles: Hoosier Horticulture, Faith Journeys, Indiana Agritourism, Indiana State Parks and Animal Encounters 6 Sample Itineraries: Indiana Amish Country, Culture & Covered Bridges, Steamboats & Arty Party, Historical Places & Fast Cars, Roses & Music, Indiana Treasures Everything you need to get started planning your group trip in Indiana.

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Check out the online version or download a print copy at: LeisureGroupTravel.com/Indiana-2018-group-tour-planner/

only on leiSuregrouptravel.com Still hungry for more great content?

Check out our recent Online Exclusives at bit.ly/2uK063d • West Coast Water Adventures • Cruising the Baltic Sea • Grand County, Colorado Beckons Adventure-Minded Groups

et weekly digests of all the best online content with InSite, our free Friday e-newsletter, at: bit.ly/2nJBpje

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LeisureGroupTravel.com <<

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ON THE COVER: Summer Sunrise at Reflection Lake, Mount Rainier National Park (Courtesy Deby Dixon/Visit Rainier)

December 2017

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ON

MY MIND

Vol. 27, No. 6 December 2017

By Jeffrey Gayduk

Editorial & Advertising Office

621 Plainfield Road, Suite 406 Willowbrook, IL 60527 P 630.794.0696 • F 630.794.0652 info@ptmgroups.com

Publisher – Jeffrey Gayduk

New Year – New Opportunities ’ve discovered through the years that the publishing business is not dissimilar in nature to the tour business. While our readers/ travelers are enjoying our latest magazine/ tour, we’re typically focused on what’s coming up in the next 30/60/90-day window. What has to be done to ensure this magazine/tour leaves the building in good fashion?

My point here is that while most people are awaiting Santa’s arrival on their rooftop, you and I are already into the first quarter or beyond. I should have wished you happy New Year in October!

So while this edition puts a bow on 2017, we’re already hard at work on making Leisure Group Travel an even better resource for you in the coming year. Here are a few things we have in store:

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Regional News starts in January I don’t have to tell you, there’s a lot changing in the travel sphere. From new attractions, theatrical schedules and exhibit changes, to personnel changes and hotel developments, staying on top of what’s happening in your favorite destinations requires combing through dozens and dozens of emails, social media posts and what have you. No more. Every edition of Leisure Group Travel will now feature dedicated regional news coverage of what’s happening across the U.S., broken out by region. Featured in both the print magazine and online LeisureGroupTravel.com, these sections focus on new and noteworthy so you can hone in on what’s most important to you.

New Custom Travel Guides Our custom publishing division has been cranking out some excellent work, by witness of the 2018 Indiana Group Tour Planner that accompanies this edition. Come January, new guides will be published for Wisconsin and Minnesota. In April, a new Illinois publication debuts and in May we launch a brand new travel guide for the International Inbound Travel Association. That’s just the first half of the year! These guides are superior resources that provide a comprehensive overview of the group travel landscape in these destinations, accompanied by ready-made itineraries. If you missed a planner, downloads are available at LeisureGroupTravel.com.

Stronger emphasis on itineraries Our 2017 Group Intentions Survey (see page 14) revealed a number of interesting trends. Among them, 65% of readers indicate a reliance on pre-made itineraries as top resources used for planning trips. This came in second, only to travel trade magazines (73%), much higher than trade shows (less than 50%). Our goal is to provide you with even more ready-made itineraries in Leisure Group Travel this year, with an increase in customized, niche-oriented trips.

As you can see, we have a busy year ahead for us. I’m curious, though, what are your plans for success in the coming year?

Write or call anytime, I’m eager to know.

Jeff@ptmgroups.com, 630.794.0696.

Jeff Gayduk Publisher

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December 2017

Associate Publisher – Dave Bodle

dave@ptmgroups.com

Managing Editor – Randy Mink randy@ptmgroups.com Associate Editor – Jason Paha jason@ptmgroups.com Staff Writer – Miles Dobis miles@ptmgroups.com Editorial Coordinator – Danielle Golab danielle@ptmgroups.com

Chief Development Officer – Lance Harrell

lance@ptmgroups.com

Director, Design & Production – Robert Wyszkowski rob@ptmgroups.com

Vice President – Theresa O’Rourke Midwest, Frontier/Mountain West P 630.794.0696 • F 630.794.0652 theresa@ptmgroups.com

Regional Business Development Managers Midwest, Mid-Atlantic/New England – Tom Tobiason P 630.794.0696 • F 630.794.0652 tom@ptmgroups.com

South/West Coast – Cheryl Rash P 563.613.3068 • F 815.225.5274 cheryl@ptmgroups.com The publisher accepts unsolicited editorial matter, as well as advertising, but assumes no responsibility for statements made by advertisers or contributors. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information published, but the publisher makes no warranty that listings are free of error. The publisher is not responsible for the return of unsolicited photos, slides or manuscripts.

Leisure Group Travel (ISSN-1531-1406) is published bi-monthly by Premier Travel Media, 621 Plainfield Road, Suite 406, Willowbrook, IL 60527. The magazine is distributed free of charge to qualified tour operators, travel agents, group leaders, bank travel clubs and other travel organizations.

Other travel-related suppliers may subscribe at the reduced rate of $12.00 per year. The regular subscription price for all others is $18.00 per year. Single copies are $4.95 each.

Send Address Change to:

Happy 2018!

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jeff@ptmgroups.com

Premier Travel Media 621 Plainfield Road, Suite 406 Willowbrook, IL 60527

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publication

All rights reserved. Materials may not be reproduced in any form without written permission of the publisher.

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ON

TOUR

Marty Sarbey de Souto, CTC

Booking Group Hotel Space Like A Pro erhaps you’re booking your groups into your own built-from-scratch private tour. In this scenario it’s up to you to locate sleeping accommodations for each night on the itinerary and to deal with the properties you’ve selected in a gracious and professional manner.

These properties could be hotels, resorts, bed and breakfasts, motels, national park lodges or other types of sleeping accommodations. But all of them will appreciate your working with them in the collaborative manner prevalent in the industry. Here are a few pointers on what’s expected of you.

It’s assumed you’ll book your group space early – often a year in advance.

You should call the hotel’s sales department at the outset to discuss your needs. Then you should receive a contract or letter of confirmation from the property that you must sign and return in order to consider the reservation firm. A verbal confirmation is not adequate.

If you are new to the property, they may require an upfront one night’s deposit along with the returned signed contract – particularly if this is high season or during special festivities. So you’ll want to make sure to have the cash flow available to meet this early good-faith deposit if/when necessary.

Note that many properties appreciate your efforts to give them business not only for the group’s sleeping rooms but also for any additional services you may book such as an in-house welcome party or farewell special dinner.

It should be understood that all tour members are to receive comparable rooms – no “better rooms” for specific tour participants, even though sometimes at check-in the clerk thinks they are doing you a favor by asking the leader who the VIPs are in the group and offering to give them an oceanfront room or some such goodie.

I always reply “we have no VIPs.”

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If your group is a student group, be sure the leader understands they must observe quiet in the halls and may not take “souvenirs” home with them from the room.

You want to make sure that your company’s reputation is respected and that your groups will be welcome again.

It’s imperative that you maintain a calendar marking the 90, 60, and 30 days prior to the group’s arrival so you can notify the property how the tour is selling and cut back on some of the space you hold if it appears you may not need all of it. It’s most important to your relationship with the property that you keep them apprised as to how the trip is selling. I like to send the hotel’s sales manager samples of my tour brochure or other promotional material being used to sell this tour.

The 30-day deadline is usually the final deadline, although in some cases I’ve been permitted to hold one unsold room until later for a possible late sale. With most properties you will be expected to submit the rooming list with full names of each participant and his/her roommate. In many cases on international trips, the hotel may require more specifics such as nationality, passport numbers, birthdate, home address, etc. Final payment in full for the group’s stay at the property is usually expected at the time of the 30-day review, less, of course, earlier deposits.

Also, near departure time you’ll want to be sure to schedule a pre-departure meeting between you and the tour leader reviewing all details and correspondence between you and the hotels you are utilizing on this trip so that you, your tour leader and hotel personnel are all on the same page. LGT

Marty is a Certified Travel Counselor (CTC) with a long history in the travel/tourism industry. She has been a tour operator, worldwide trip leader, college tourism instructor and textbook author. Her consulting firm is Sarbey Associates (sarbeyassociates.com).

TERMS TO KNOW WHEN BOOKING HOTEL SPACE IN DATE – Arrival/check-in date OUT DATE – Departure/check-out date TWB – Twin-bedded room with bath (for two persons) SWB – Single bed room with bath (for one person) SINGLE SUPP. – Differential between half a twin-bedded room rate versus full occupancy of the room by only one person ADJOINING – Next door to another room but no connecting door between them CONNECTING – Two rooms side by side but with a door between them. Ideal for families.

CB – Continental breakfast AP – American plan, full board; breakfast, lunch and dinner on a set menu per custom of the hotel and country.

MAP – Modified American plan; daily breakfast and one other meal per custom of the hotel and country.

COMP – Complimentary, free FOC – Free of charge, another way of indicating complimentary NET RATE – No commission or profit to you included. You must mark up this rate along with other tour features to include your profit. >> LeisureGroupTravel.com

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INDUSTRY FORECAST

In the Driver’s Seat ABA’s head coach shares his outlook for the travel business

Peter Pantuso, president and CEO of the American Bus Association, champions the U.S. motorcoach industry.

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LGT: Interesting. How does that translate over to ABA? Have you seen any changes in your membership ranks, are you getting interest from new segments or are people saying, "Well, maybe I'm not going after groups because I've got people lined up outside my door at 10 o'clock in the morning and I don't have to work as hard for that sector."

Pantuso: That's interesting because I thought it would be the latter, and we've seen that in the past when everybody's traveling, the group side of the business tends to tail off a little bit in terms of the corporate commitment to go after that piece of business.

But I can tell you that looking at Marketplace, which is coming up in January, it's going to be probably the best-attended show we've ever had across the board in every segment.

I think there's a recognition that with the group side of the business, if you're going to be in it, you've got to be in it all the time.

You can't come and go and hope to do well during the downtime.

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LGT: That's a good message for the industry. What areas of your membership are doing better than others?

Pantuso: Our membership is still very strong, and there are different reasons for that. One is we're spending a lot more time on the phone, visiting members, visiting other events and shows that are going on.

Our membership staff is out just about every week at some event and making sure that when people are there they know who the American Bus Association is, or if they already know, we're thanking them for being members.

LGT: What’s the burning issue right now with your members?

Pantuso: One element popped recently has been the National Park Service and their desire to put these unreasonably high fees on visitors coming into the parks. For individual visitors the numbers go up for a busload of people coming into the park. It goes from $300 to $1,200 in some cases in some parks and during peak periods.

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Peter Pantuso has guided the American Bus Association for over two decades. During his reign as president and CEO, ABA has established itself as the voice of the motorcoach industry. We sat down with Pete to talk national parks, the technology revolution and the importance of face-to-face interactions in an increasingly digital world.

Leisure Group Travel: How’s business at ABA? Peter Pantuso: I'm hearing positive comments from every segment of the industry; they all seem to be running full-bore right now and doing well.

Coach operators are telling us that they are having some of the best years that they've ever had. Tour operators are telling us that there are more travelers than they've seen in a long time, and obviously the travel segment like hotels, restaurants, etc. are all doing well right now. So '17 has been a great year and if '18 comes anywhere close, it probably will be one of the best years the industry has seen in many years.

They're going to see again a new Charlotte.

I'm amazed at that city and how it continues to expand and grow and add new travel products and new hotels.

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INDUSTRY FORECAST In their proposal they basically said, "Hey, 2016 and 2017 were great years. We celebrated our anniversary, and we have a lot of visitors, and oh by the way, we don't have enough money to pay for everything so we're going to drastically increase our fees."

I don't think there's a full realization by the Park Service that doing that is just going to drive people away. It's going to have completely the opposite effect. As an industry we need to explain to them that having it going from $300 to $1,200 is just a nonstarter. It makes no sense at all if you want to continue to get more business and grow the visitation.

LGT: We've seen some pretty interesting tech come down the pipeline in the last couple years, specifically in the bus-based technology companies. What's your take on what’s happening in this sector?

Pantuso: I think technology changes we're seeing in the motorcoach industry by disruptors in the industry are having for the most part a very positive effect by bringing new customers to the table and making it easier

for those customers to get on board the bus.

Today we have crowdsourced buses that are operating and taking people to concerts or taking them point-to-point between the cities. They're just really an aggregator, but they pulled these individual private bus companies together and use their equipment.

So those kinds of things are going on.

They're changing quickly, they're expanding, they’re bringing, in many cases, a lot of new customers to the table.

For bus operators, the challenge that they have is, “How do I fit into this new paradigm of this new system and still be able to do what I'm doing and do it at an efficient level.”

LGT: Do you track how many motorcoach companies there are in the U.S. and has that number changed?

Pantuso: We are just getting ready to release our census. I don't have it in front of me, but I know it went down a little bit. I know ridership stayed about the same.

The model has changed so we're not

turning over the equipment as frequently.

When you hold on to something longer and then it's time to upgrade, that delta between the old vehicles and new vehicles had gotten wider. Coaches now are averaging $500,000 to $550,000 per vehicle, so if you've held on to that other one for 15 years and you don't have enough value in it to trade up, that sort of gets people exiting the market.

The other thing that I'm seeing in the industry is generational change where sometimes that next generation is seeing their grandparents or their parents work on a 24/7 business and they have said, "I'm not sure I want to do this" and "I like that quality of work life balance that everybody is striving for today and so I don't think this is where I want to be going forward.” That puts the pressure on owners. As a result, we're seeing quite a few mergers in the industry, not rollups like we saw in the ’90s but more regional and strategic mergers.

That is driving down the number of companies. And in other cases we're just seeing

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people exit the business. They may not have a succession plan and decided to sell their equipment and get out. And we're not seeing as many new companies come into the business as we saw in years past. I would say that's probably a good thing because the Department of Transportation is being more strategic and looking closely at companies that are coming in.

LGT: Are you putting any energy towards helping motorcoach operators establish and maintain an active tour unit?

Pantuso: We do that on an individual level, but we haven't done it on a mass level, and we need to do more of it. We've seen operators who get to a certain size and all of a sudden there are buses sitting idle. When they had three of them, they were on the road all the time. When they have six or 10, there's always a bus sitting in the lot. How do they keep that busy?

I think that's a role that we could do a better job of serving. It's to help them come into that business and help drive their business as

LeisureGroupTravel.com <<

opposed to waiting for the phone to ring.

The other thing that we're looking at here is those new people who are doing the same thing that tour operators are doing but aren't tour operators. They could be any number of people who buy hotels, need to feed people, need to take them to places to see unique events, but they don't consider themselves to be in the travel business.

So our challenge is how do we find those people, and how do we bring them in, and we probably have to change some of the terminology that we use to show the benefits of participating in the group travel market.

It's probably the biggest challenge we have, but we know it's something that we need to do.

LGT: Let's talk a little bit about Marketplace coming up in Charlotte. Tell me what you're excited about, what you've got in store for folks coming into Charlotte in late January.

Pantuso: Well, they're going to see again a new Charlotte. I'm amazed at that city and how it continues to expand and grow and add

new travel products and new hotels. I was down there a few months ago, and it looks different from the last time I was there a couple years earlier. The sky is filled with cranes, there's a lot of development going on.

We've got a really outstanding speaker coming in for the opening luncheon: Steve Miller who writes a book called Uncopyable.

On a whim I picked it up and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve probably bought half a dozen copies to share with other people since that time. It's a very simple message that he has about how to differentiate yourself in the marketplace.

We are going to be at the NASCAR Hall of Fame for one of the evening events.

People had such a great time there and it's so convenient, such a great destination, and their exhibits are changing all the time.

Beyond that, it's going to be a lot of great appointments. We've got more appointment takers, more buyers already locked down than we've had in the last couple of years, so from a buying and selling perspective it should be an outstanding show. LGT

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2017 LeISure GrouP TrAveL ReadeR InTenTIons suRvey

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e’re proud to present the results of Leisure Group Travel’s 2017 Reader Intentions survey.

We asked a series of questions pertinent to the business of group travel in order to better understand your travel programs and shape our editorial coverage in the coming year.

See how your travel program stacks up against other readers.

How many group trips do you plan annually?

LGT Take-away: Nearly 3 in 4 LGT subscribers are small leisure group travel organizations

Where do your trips go?

LGT Take-away: Travel to the Northeast has dropped over 20%, while the West, South and Midwest have shown gains.

LGT Take-away: While seniors still dominate the travel landscape, Millennials and Boomers are growth markets.

What’s your average number of nights per trip?

LGT Take-away: At over 34%, there’s a growing number of shorter trips being planned.

Who are you clients?

Average number of passengers per trip?

LGT Take-away: Perhaps an indication of economic times, average group sizes are on the rise from 2016.

What types of trips do you offer/plan?

How do you develop your trips?

LGT Take-away: 88% of readers are actively involved in planning their own tours.

What resources do you use when building your trips?

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LGT Take-away: Increase in specialization with over 30% of readers planning either faith, multi-generational or cultural vacations.

LGT Take-away: Subscribers rely on trade magazines more than any other resource.

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INDUSTRY FORECAST

THE EVOLUTION OF THE TRAVEL CATALOG

By Vanessa Day

’m not dead yet.” The classic line from Monty Python and the Holy Grail is fitting for this subject matter.

Technology, the internet and video content play a huge role in our everyday lives. Everyone is talking about how to reach the massive millennial generation and appeal to the tech-savvy Generation Z that will soon be the next major consumer market.

With how much these generations

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—as well as the Gen X and baby boomers—have their noses shoved into their phones, tablets and computers, it would seem a bit archaic to put the time, money and resources into a print catalog.

However, the travel catalog is still kicking. Some in the industry think its death is long overdue, while others have no intention of cutting off its life support. The question remains, though, where is print’s place in the tour operator world?

While the print brochures of old have not faded away, the question many are asking is, “should they?”

Olivier Le Moal/Bigstock.com I December

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To appeal to diverse groups of consumers, Globus Family of Brands, which encompasses Avalon Waterways and Monograms, offers all its brochures in print and digital format.

DEATH OF THE TRAVEL CATALOG? The young, tech-savvy generations have abandoned traditional print in many industries.

Paperback and hardcover books have been replaced with eReaders and tablets. Newspapers can be read online. And who needs to print out pictures for a photo album when they can be saved to the Cloud. There are many organizations that recognize the shift to digital and the importance of being in that medium to promote their products.

A few travel companies waved bye-bye to travel catalogs a while ago and have focused solely on digital platforms to promote their itineraries and travel products.

“We printed our last catalog in 2003 and haven’t looked back,” says Bob Cline of U.S. Tours, which builds custom U.S. itineraries for groups. “When we changed to no catalogs, we lost a few senior groups, but in our instance, the savings from print and postage far outweighed the loss.”

Cline and his team now focus their marketing efforts on promotional emails and social media that point customers to the website. The move didn’t only make sense from a cost-savings perspective, but also from a demographic one. Millions of people LeisureGroupTravel.com <<

are actively online every day, constantly seeking out information. And it’s not just the millennials. In fact, baby boomers are some of the most avid Facebook users, often referencing the social media platform in their research.

It makes sense for tour operators to have an online presence, not only to market to their current clientele but also to potential future clients. Cline admits that if he were a retail operator selling to mostly seniors, he might have made a different decision about catalogs.

“I know it’s difficult to reach seniors without a book,” Cline says. However, he’s still certain that even if he hadn’t done away with catalogs 14 years ago, most of his efforts today would be put towards digital.

LONG LIVE PRINT! On the other side, there are companies that think the catalog will always have a place in their marketing strategies. This is due in large part to the audience they target.

The fact is that many guided tour operators cater to an older generation that still appreciates having a physical book they can flip through.

"I think there's a certain age where you're still about the traditional things, and they want a print brochure,” says John Stachnik, co-owner of Mayflower Tours. “We don't need to dissuade them and tell them they need to go online." This sentiment is shared by many in the industry.

“As a company that evolved directly from the former Reiman Publications magazine publishing company, Country Travel DISCOVERIES appeals to customers of a generation or disposition who still really prefer the feel of paper, a human connection and a good story,” says Stewart Ikeda, senior director of special projects for the company.

There is a group of consumers that is digitalonly, but that number is not large enough to push companies away from print altogether.

“A large contingent of Globus, Cosmos, Monograms and Avalon Waterways Group Leaders still enjoys the look, feel and touch of a printed brochure,” says Vanessa Parrish, channel marketing manager for the Globus Family of Brands. To cater to the everchanging consumer, Globus has made all its printed brochures available in digital format for those who want it that way.

In fact, nearly all tour operators offer a December 2017

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INDUSTRY FORECAST “Industry-wide, brochures used to be more ‘clinical,’ offering the length of the itinerary and the cost of the vacation. Globus wants its marketing materials to “showcase the travel experience…from what’s special about an itinerary, a destination and even a travel style to what’s delivered as part of the experience.”

Vanessa Parrish, Channel Marketing Manager Globus Family of Brands

“Our strategies have centered less on a specific medium than on delivering a good, high-touch experience that starts with the catalog. But is then supplemented by DM, website, digital video, social media, and personal email and phone customer service experiences.”

print and digital version of their catalogs. While this may seem like a way to transition away from print eventually, there are still companies out there printing just as much, if not more than they have in the past.

"In a five-year period, we've doubled the number of brochures we're printing,” says Jim Edwards, vice president, US affinity development at Collette. “Just year over year, we printed 5 percent more in 2017 than we did in 2016.”

CATALOG STRATEGIES CONTINUE TO EVOLVE It seems clear that print is still alive and well, but it’s not necessarily the same as it’s always been. As consumer demands change and digital platforms create a more competitive marketing environment, tour operators have adjusted their catalogs to appeal to different segments and interests. It’s no longer about listing an itinerary with a pretty picture but rather telling a story about a destination.

“Industry-wide, brochures used to be more ‘clinical,’ offering the length of the itinerary and the cost of the vacation,” says Parrish. Globus wants its marketing materials to “showcase the travel experience…

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Stewart Ikeda, Senior Dir. of Special Projects Country Travel DISCOVERIES

from what’s special about an itinerary, a destination and even a travel style to what’s delivered as part of the experience.”

The content and the message of the catalogs have become increasingly more important, helping to distinguish not only the company but the products themselves.

“It’s still one of the most potent forces in terms of creating an image of who you are and who you want to be,” says Stachnik. However, it’s important not to fall back on the tactics that have worked in the past and to continue to change with the times.

There has been a rise in strategic partnerships and niche marketing in the travel industry. Collette has built relationships with companies like AAA and AARP to create dynamic products and exclusive offers just for their members.

“With these partnerships, we're able to create unique brochures that we can mail directly to that membership with special offers that they can book,” says Edwards. “It's given us a more targeted approach with our direct mail.”

Collette has also changed its own product offerings, says Edwards. It will still print the general brochure >> LeisureGroupTravel.com

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but also offers themed catalogs, such as a food and wine brochure or one highlighting its U.S. products.

Country Travel DISCOVERIES has also developed unique products through new media partnerships.

“We have increasingly partnered with existing media, especially regional print magazines,” says Ikeda. “These local experts have ‘insider knowledge’ of a region’s backroads and ‘hidden treasures’ to help create unique, cobranded itineraries that go off the beaten path beyond the usual tourist attractions.”

The media companies can also leverage their knowledge into their existing audience to help promote and sell the trips. It’s not just a way to build a different brochure, but a new way to design an itinerary.

Another factor that has changed is the physical production and printing of catalogs. The cost of postage and print materials continues to go up, and that expense is hurting many companies’ bottom lines. As a result, tour operators are being more strategic about how much and how often they print.

“Our strategy is to ensure the demand for brochures is in line with the investment,” says Parrish.

“We monitor supply and demand each year and make necessary adjustments.”

Some companies won’t ship brochures to travel agencies unless requests are put in by agents, while others will only supply a limited number to their travel partners, and others are taking a less-is-more approach with direct mailings to consumers.

“I can’t eliminate our catalog and other print, but I’ve been very focused on improved efficiency,” says Ikeda. “We’ve lowered catalog printing costs for years…by using a more data-driven approach, tracking ROI, abandoning shotgun strategies like rented mailing lists and listening to what people actually want.”

LeisureGroupTravel.com <<

A HEALTHY BALANCE Amid all the opinions and ideas about print versus digital, one common theme seems to emerge: the concept of balance. Rather than pick one extreme or the other, companies are seeking an equilibrium between printing brochures and promoting their products digitally.

Bob Cline, U.S. Tours

"Digital is coming on strong but don't fall into the either/or trend,” says Stachnik. “I do print, and I do digital.”

Most industry experts agree there must be a multi-platform approach.

“Ideally, we’d love the Harry Potter effect of moving pictures in print,” says Stachnik. With the rise in virtual reality, that concept may not be too far away. Until then, tour operators are using print brochures to reach consumers as well as numerous digital and in-person touchpoints.

“Our strategies have centered less on a specific medium than on delivering a good, high-touch experience that starts with the catalog,” says Ikeda. “But is then supplemented by DM, website, digital video, social media, and personal email and phone customer service experiences.”

A marketing approach that combines multiple platforms seems to be the path most tour operators are taking. The truth is that travelers are getting their information from all kinds of resources. It’s important for companies to get their brands out there but also to continue innovating in the print and digital spaces. Print may not be going away just yet, but with the advances in technology, the idea of digital taking over will be a continued topic of conversation. LGT December 2017

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WEST

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5

Memorable Days in Washington State Based on the elements of fire, air, water and earth, this breakthrough tour from Seattle is an exciting approach to group travel. It should be on everyone’s “to do” list.

By Dave Bodle

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ou may not have this tour together now, but it’s one you’ll definitely want to offer—soon. Here’s what’s waiting for your group.

First stop is Mount Rainier, 14,410 feet above sea level. That’s the “earth” element of the tour. On the way, see the breathtaking Narada Falls (a photo hotspot) as you travel

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to the national park’s Henry M. Jackson Memorial Visitor Center at Paradise. A picnic lunch is splendid fun. Afterward spend time with the informative displays and films.

Guided ranger programs and walking trails should be explored.

Dinner and accommodations this evening are at the National Park Inn in the Historic

Longmire District. Guest rooms are cozy and comfortable without modern distractions, while the veranda offers spectacular views. The Dining Room features signature Northwest dishes in a casual atmosphere.

After breakfast it’s on to Mount St. Helen’s volcano site, our “fire” element. Thirty-seven years ago a popular tourist attraction, Spirit >> LeisureGroupTravel.com

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Meadows of wildflowers contrast with the icy slopes of Mount Rainier, a Pacific Northwest landmark.

Lake, disappeared, and hundreds of square miles were devastated by a volcanic eruption.

The good news is, the lake and landscape are coming back quickly. You’ll see all the amazing details at Johnston’s Ridge Observatory.

There’s lunch on the way to Long Beach and a mayor’s red-carpet welcome. If you’re thinking “water” element, you’re right.

LeisureGroupTravel.com <<

Check into the Adrift Hotel, with its spa and beach cruise bikes for exploring the peninsula.

Dinner is at the pickled fish followed by s’mores on the beach and stargazing.

Begin day 3 with breakfast at local favorite Cottage Bakery. Next it’s on to Oysterville, where an interesting history awaits you. The town prospers when Chief Nahcati introduces

the town’s founders to oysters. Things go downhill when the Clamshell RR ends at Nahcotta. It doesn’t get any better when raiders steal the county seat and take it to South Bend. You’ll hear all the details and get to try an oyster shooter, too. Roll up your sleeves for the Kite Museum, where you’ll be making your own kite. You can see where December 2017

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we’re going here—this is the “air” element.

Lunch is at the Lost Roo before venturing to the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center.

It’s here that the explorers reached the Pacific Ocean. Your visit includes a stop at North Head Lighthouse. Depart for the Olympic Peninsula and picturesque Kalaloch Lodge.

Dinner is at the lodge.

After breakfast leave for Hob Rain Forest.

Unchanged for thousands of years, it is the most preserved rain forest in the Northern Hemisphere. Yes, that’s the “water” element.

There’s a stop in Forks for lunch and shopping at Native to Twilight. Travel to Port Townsend through Hurricane Ridge, the heart of Olympic National Forest. Dinner

and an optional ghost tour will be at historic Fort Warden. The fort was built in 1902 to protect the Puget Sound from invasion.

On day 5 spend time discovering Port Townsend with a local guide. There’ll be plenty of free time to visit and shop downtown boutiques. Board the Bainbridge Ferry for your return to Seattle. A box lunch is included. Your afternoon is a Seattle city tour, including Pioneer Square, Seattle Center and the Space Needle, the waterfront and Pike Place Market. Accommodations are at SpringHill Suites. It’s dinner on your own followed by free time to explore Seattle. Depart for home with fond memories of the Pacific Northwest at its best. LGT

North Head Lighthouse

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>> LeisureGroupTravel.com

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WASHINGTON STATE

Base Camp Olympia From wilderness splendor to wineries and breweries, the hub-and-spoke options are many aying that Olympia is just the Washington State capital is a major understatement. There’s plenty to see, do and experience outside the Capitol grounds.

You can visit three national parks, tap into craft beer or enjoy a bountiful byway tour.

Here are just a few options to get you started.

S

NATIONAL PARKS TOUR Olympic National Park, Mount Rainier and Mount St. Helens are all convenient to Olympia.

Each has a unique story to tell. Choose one or visit all for an adventure to remember. Extend your stay with tours of Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually Wildlife Refuge and Wolf Haven International.

The photo ops are endless at all stops. Dinners at Budd Bay Cafe and the Iron Rabbit and lunch at Forrey’s Foza Cafe are sure to keep your group energized.

TUMWATER BREWERY TOUR Enjoy dinner at Three Magnets Brewing Co. with lunch the following day at Fish Brewing Company. You’ll find more than just pub grub on the menus. Tour the historic home of the Olympia Beer founder, Leopold Schmidt. Nearby is magnificent Tumwater Falls. There’s time for Percival Landing Park and dinner at Pizzeria La Gitana.

BOUNTIFUL BYWAY TOUR More than just a scenic drive, this trip gets you off the highway to experience uniquely Washington options. Stottle Winery will host your group for dinner and a tasting of its award-winning wines. Madsen Family Cellars is a boutique winery with a welldeserved reputation for quality wines; an afternoon tasting on day 2 will be a memorable experience. After breakfast on the second day, visit Lattin’s Cider Mill, a familyowned farm that specializes in awesome apple cider and delicious apple fritters.

Enjoy a box lunch at Evergreen Valley Lavender Farm. You’ll be among 11 varieties of the organically grown, fragrant and comforting lavender.

For a truly unmatched experience available only to groups, how does a private tasting at the famous Ice Chip Candy headquarters sound? The two local “grannies” gained fame when they presented their sugar-free candy concept on the TV show Shark Tank.

Mix and match these tour options to best fit your group’s interests. The team at Experience Olympia is ready to help.

—Dave Bodle

Tumwater Falls

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ake a trip into America’s pioneer past and witness spellbinding mountain scenery in northeastern Nevada.

Elko, with more than 2,700 lodging rooms throughout the city, is the perfect place to witness the Old West.

T

Elko, Nevada

Experience the Unexpected Check in at your Elko accommodations and enjoy a managers welcome. Dinner tonight on the property or at one of Elko's group-friendly restaurants.

Mountains and Lake Angel. Enjoy a leisurely lunch on your own in Wells. Back in Elko we'll finish a busy day with a tour of the Northeastern Nevada Museum and the new mining exhibit. Tonight we'll enjoy dinner at one of Elko's casino restaurants followed by an evening of gaming action.

Day 2

Day 4

Wake up to breakfast and the beauty of this northeastern Nevada community, framed by the splendor of the Ruby Mountains. Our adventure begins at the California Trail Center. The $20-million facility depicts the life-and-death experiences of pioneers who made the grueling 2,000-mile journey to the West. Return to Elko for lunch on your own at any of the 50 area restaurants with cuisine to please any palate. Spend the afternoon shopping in the downtown historic district. Tonight enjoy dinner at one of Elko's many restaurant options. From Japanese and Mexican to Italian and American, there is an abundance of group-friendly restaurants.

This morning our travels take us to the quaint town of Lamoille and the breathtaking beauty of the Lamoille Scenic Byway. Filled with unusual rock formations, this spectacular drive takes us through the glacially carved Ruby Mountain Wilderness. Next stop is the historic Little Church of the Crossroads, which has hosted more than 600 weddings. A tasty lunch at O'Carrols is an absolute must when visiting Lamoille.

Returning to Elko, let's get serious about getting our “cowboy on” with a tour of the Western Folklife Center's Wiegand Gallery and 20-seat Black Box Theater. If time allows, cross the street to J.M. Capriola and watch a master saddle maker display his skills. Nearby, the new Cowboy Arts & Gear Museum, which displays some exquisitely decorated antique saddles and other vintage tack, also preserves the area’s ranching heritage.

Enjoy dinner at one of Elko's famous Basque restaurants. Elko-area Basques take pride in the culture of their homeland, northern Spain/southwestern France. Bring your appetite because we're going family-style and nobody leaves hungry.

Day 1

Day 3

ELKO CONVENTION & VISITORS AUTHORITY Tom Lester tom@elkocva.com 775-738-4091 or 800-248-3556 ExploreElko.com

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This morning's journey takes us west to Carlin and the Chinese Gardens Nature Study Area.

Carlin's history is all about the Gold Rush and railroad construction. Chinese immigrants played a major role in the latter. Nature trails with interpretive signs share the story. Next it's on to Carlin Canyon Historical Wayside. This was a travel route for Native Americans, mountain men, pioneers and eventually the Central Pacific Railroad.

Interpretive signs share the history of the 3,000year-old geographical formations.

Our first stop this afternoon is a visit to Wells and the Trail of the 49ers Interpretive Center.

An intriguing collection of artifacts reinforces the hardships early travelers experienced on the California Trail. Right outside Wells we'll begin our 11-mile Angel Lake Scenic Drive. This spectacular tour presents a panoramic view of the Humboldt

Day 5 Enjoy breakfast and set out your luggage. We'll be saying good-bye to Elko with a promise to return.

Day 5 option: Northeastern Nevada is the nation's largest gold producer. Newmont Mining Corporation provides mining operation tours AprilOctober in Elko/2nd Thursday, Battle Mountain/3rd Thursday and Winnemucca/4thThursday.

>> LeisureGroupTravel.com

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13 GREAT SOUTH DAKOTA MUSEUMS Tour planners have a wealth of choices in all parts of the state

By Miles Dobis and Randy Mink

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The National Music Museum in Vermillion has a rare guitar made by the famous Italian craftsman Antonio Stradivari.

hat better way to get a handle on the cultural makeup of South Dakota than a visit to one of its outstanding museums. Through collections of artifacts, videos and interactive exhibits, your tour members can see how mountain men, homesteaders and Native Americans shaped the character of this vast state that stretches from the farm fields of the east to the Black Hills in the west.

But social history is not all that can be found in these impressive repositories. South Dakota museums focus on subjects as diverse as geology, archaeology, politics, art and music. Here are just a bakerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dozen of the many museums the state has to offer.

National Music Museum

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National Music Museum, Vermillion.

Internationally famous for its vast collection of rare and unusual musical instruments from around the world, the National Music Museum is located on the campus of the University of South Dakota. Among the 15,000 instruments in its collection (of which 1,200 are on display in nine galleries) is the world’s oldest harpsichord (1530), Stradivari violins, and guitars used by celebrities like Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley and B.B. King. There are banjos, harps, gongs, Appalachian dulcimers and Javanese percussion instruments. Other pieces include a zither shaped like a crocodile, 16th century miniature keyboard, Civil War drum and goldfish-shaped harmonicas. (nmmusd.org)

Indian Museum of North America, Custer. One of several museums at the Crazy Horse Memorial complex, the Indian Museum of North America features American Indian art and artifacts from tribes across the continent and offers the opportunity for guests to be hands-on with “make & take” activities. Collections include photographs and paintings portraying Native American life in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

In the summer guests enjoy visiting with Native American artisans and watching American Indian dancers perform. See history in the making as the world largest mountain carving, an in-the-round sculpture of Lakota leader Crazy Horse on horseback, emerges on the site. (crazyhorsememorial.org)

Akta Lakota Museum, Chamberlain.

For centuries, the Lakota people lived and flourished in the Northern Plains, and their beautiful culture is honored in this 14,000-square-foot space. The Akta Lakota Museum, adjacent to the St. Joseph's Indian School campus, provides visitors glimpses into past and present Native American life. Exhibits explore the Lakota approach to art, religion and hunting, while speakers frequent the museum to explain contemporary Lakota reservation life.

Visitors can also explore a mini-theater, interactive displays, an outdoor Medicine Wheel Garden and a gift shop featuring a unique selection of Native American-made products. (aktalakota.stjo.org)

South Dakota Department of Tourism

South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center

Akta Lakota Museum

South Dakota Department of Tourism

Redlin Art Center

Akta Lakota Museum

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Redlin Art Center, Watertown. The imposing colonial-style, four-story brick building supported by 24 granite columns showcases more than 150 original oil paintings by local artist Terry Redlin (19372016), one of the most widely collected painters of wildlife and Americana. Video presentations like “A Conversation with Terry Redlin” and “Terry Redlin Paints America the Beautiful” are shown as orientation to Redlin and his art. When last on the market, Redlin paintings sold for $50,000 to $75,000. The gift shop sells Redlin prints and collector plates, plus home furnishings and giftware inspired by his works, whose hallmarks are earthy colors and nostalgic themes. Surrounding the building is a 30acre wildlife refuge with walking trails, gazebos and waterways. Groups can order a Redlin Box Lunch, which is packed inside a Terry Redlin keepsake tin and served on the patio of the art center. (redlinart.com) >> LeisureGroupTravel.com

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South Dakota Art Museum, Brookings.

Operated in conjunction with South Dakota State University, this museum houses more than 7,000 paintings, sculptures and artifacts.

Six galleries include works by South Dakota native Harvey Dunn, known for his iconic depictions of rural Great Plains life, and Paul Goble, a children’s book illustrator who specialized in Native American imagery.

The museum’s excellent Native American art collection features baskets, pottery and rugs that illustrate the diverse artistic contributions of local tribes. Group members interested in textiles can admire the most comprehensive collection of Marghab Linens in the world. (sdstate.edu/south-dakota-art-museum)

South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center, Pierre. Nestled in a bluff north of the State Capitol, this Smithsonian affiliate is the headquarters of the South Dakota State Historical Society. It features The South Dakota Experience, three galleries that illustrate the history of the state from its earliest inhabitants to present day. Discover the rich culture of the Dakota, Lakota and Nakota Indian tribes. Experience the stories of the explorers, trappers, settlers, miners, and statesmen who helped establish South Dakota. Examine the changes and challenges that South Dakotans experienced in the 20th century. The Observation Gallery affords a great view of the State Capitol and Missouri River bluffs. (history.sd.gov/visit)

High Plains Western Heritage Center, Spearfish. This five-state regional museum was founded to honor the Native American and Old West pioneers of Nebraska, Wyoming, Montana and North and South Dakota. A distinctly modern structure that rises above a native grassland, the center houses exhibits on Western art, history and transportation.

Outside, groups can walk among longhorn cattle and bison while exploring a preserved 19th century cabin and schoolhouse. Guided tours for groups can be scheduled by request, and bus tours receive half-price admission. (westernheritagecenter.com) The High Plains Western Heritage Museum in Spearfish makes a good stop on a tour of South Dakota’s Black Hills.

Minuteman Missile National Historic Site, Philip. Visitors can learn about the nuclear arms race and Cold War diplomacy at this multi-site landmark, which includes a welcome building, missile silo and control center. From 1963 until the early 1990s, the silo contained fully operational Minuteman Missiles—nuclear warheads with 1.2 megatons of power.

The weapons were removed after the fall of the USSR, but your group can still see the control panel, an unarmed missile and the reinforced concrete bunker that housed it. Self-guided cell phone tours will explain the site’s relationship to Ellsworth Air Base in nearby Rapid City and the daily routines of the brave “missileers” who provided 24-hour surveillance of the warhead. Other exhibits estimate the scale of a nuclear blast, simulate life in a bomb shelter and depict the Cold War from the Soviet perspective.(nps.govmimi) LeisureGroupTravel.com <<

Minuteman Missile National Historic Site

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South Dakota Department of Tourism

NPS

High Plains Western Heritage Center

High Plains Western Heritage Museum

Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center

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The Mammoth Site, Hot Springs. Large woolly mammoths were trapped and died in an Ice Age pond more than 26,000 years ago near what is now Hot Springs. Since their bones were uncovered in 1974, The Mammoth Site has developed into a history center and the largest concentration of mammoth remains in the world. Visitors can walk through an active excavation site that contains 55 discovered fossils and discuss ancient mammals with on-site paleontologists in addition to exploring the Muller Exhibit Hall, which houses replica skeletons of an American lion, giant short-faced bear and pygmy mammoths. Groups can also visit the center’s Ferguson Collection, which contains exquisitely preserved early Native American artifacts from the Black Hills and Badlands regions. (mammothsite.org)

South Dakota Department of Tourism Photos

Dakota Discovery Museum

Dakota Discovery Museum and McGovern Legacy Museum, Mitchell. Located on the campus of Dakota Wesleyan University, the Dakota Discovery Museum is a historic village complex that includes an 1885 schoolhouse, 1909 country church and 1900 train depot. Exhibits spotlight Indian cultures, fur trading, railroading, farming and ranching, and there are several art galleries.

Also on the campus, the McGovern Legacy Museum looks at the life of former U.S. Senator George McGovern, the Democratic Party’s candidate for president in the 1972 election against Richard Nixon. Exhibits spotlight his military involvement, years in Congress, presidential campaign and fight against global hunger. Several short films are narrated by McGovern. (dakotadiscovery.com, mcgoverncenter.com)

Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center, Mount Rushmore. Learn about Mount Rushmore’s 14-year creation in this museum that honors the father and son sculpting duo of Gutzon and Lincoln Borglum. Between 1927 and 1941, they and over 400 workers carved the enormous faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln into the granite mountainside, and their work is honored in hallways that chronicle the monument’s progress.

Your group can see the plaster models of presidents’ heads, sculpting tools for their faces and dynamite blasters used to clear the site. You can also step inside the adjacent Sculptor’s Studio, the building where Gutzon Borglum worked on a one-twelfth scale model of the monument. (nps.gov/moru)

McGovern Legacy Museum

The Journey Museum, Rapid City.

This high-tech museum chronicles the Black Hills’ history from dinosaur days to more recent times, covering everything from Native American culture to the arrival of gold miners and military expeditions.

Encounter mountain man Jim Bridger, General George Armstrong Custer, Wild Bill Hickock, and great Sioux leaders like Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse and Red Cloud.

Marvel at rocks, gems and other geology artifacts, learn about the tragic Rapid City Flood of 1972 and enjoy space science programs in the Wells Fargo Theater. (journeymuseum.org) LGT

The Journey Museum

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For a captivating introduction to Black Hills history, schedule a group visit to The Journey Museum in Rapid City.

>> LeisureGroupTravel.com

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isit NC Smokies is the place you want to gather.

With wonderful museums like the Shelton House and Shook Museum to the vibrant Hart Theatre, there is plenty to see and do. We encourage you to come shop in Downtown Waynesville or Maggie Valley and relax at Lake Junaluska. Our farm-to-table restaurants will be ready and waiting for you as you explore Haywood County.

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Haywood County, North Carolina

Gather in the NC Smokies Day 1 Arrive early in the afternoon at the Shelton House, which is a must for anyone intrigued by the heritage of Haywood County. Built in 1875, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Housed in and around the Shelton House, the Museum of North Carolina Handicrafts features comprehensive exhibits of 19th century crafts.

Afterwards, head over to Downtown Waynesville to spend some time strolling down historic Main Street and visiting the many specialty stores that line both sides. Mast General Store is the emporium with a little bit of something for everyone. If you want to take a treat home for that furry friend, stop by Smoky Mountain Dog Bakery. While downtown, stop at Boojum Brewing Company to sample a locally made beer. Finally, if you need an afternoon pick-me-up, stop by Sunburst Market for some farm-to-table flavors.

For dinner, head over to Maggie Valley and J. Arthurs Restaurant for some prime rib and their famous gorgonzola cheese salad.

Day 2

VISIT NC SMOKIES

Begin the day with breakfast at your hotel. Then head out to explore the Western North Carolina Quilt Trail, stopping in Clyde to tour the Shook Museum and right next door in Canton the Colonial Theatre, which opened in 1932.

Lunch at the Jukebox Junction Restaurant & Soda Shoppe will take you back to the 1950s and ̓60s. Of course, no lunch is complete until you order your hand-spun milkshake. Afterwards head over to Lake Junaluska for a tour of the World Methodist Council Museum or an afternoon stroll around the lake on the 2.3-mile walking trail.

In the evening, enjoy a performance at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre, known by the locals as the “HART.” This year-round theater features productions from classics like Macbeth to Broadway musicals like Hello Dolly.

Day 3 Begin the day by visiting Catalooche Ranch for breakfast with a local storyteller, and since it borders Great Smoky Mountains National Park, it’s the ideal location for extraordinary mountain views.

Afterwards, head through Maggie Valley for a stop at Elevated Mountain Distillery and a genuine whiskey experience. The 11,000-sq.-ft. facility includes the distillery, barrel storage, bottling area, product development and gift shop.

Finally, grab some last-minute gifts at Maggie Mountaineer Crafts, where they have endless crafts, delicious homemade fudge and a creekside picnic area for relaxing.

Ben Wilder ben@visitncsmokies.com 800-334-9036 VisitNCSmokies.com

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SOUTH

Hiking trails afford stunning panoramas at Mount Magazine, the highest point in Arkansas.

REGION

Doing State Parks in Style Group-friendly lodges in West Virginia, Georgia and Arkansas offer fine amenities in gorgeous locations

By Dave Bodle

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one are the days when staying in a state park meant rustic cabins and campsites. While going rugged is still the preferred choice of many, todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s group travelers are experiencing great levels of comfort at state park lodges.

Here we profile three of the best.

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CANAAN VALLEY RESORT AND CONFERENCE CENTER DAVIS, WEST VIRGINIA CANAANRESORT.COM Located just a few hours from Pittsburgh and less than four hours from anywhere in the Baltimore/Washington/Richmond corridor, Canaan Valley Resort is certainly convenient. However, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the combination of

scenic beauty, abundant activities and sterling accommodations that are the real draw.

The spring, summer and fall months provide all the outdoor experiences you would expect. There are an outdoor pool, golf course, sporting clays, scenic chairlift, hiking, biking, climbing wall and geocaching.

In the winter months, enjoy skiing and snowboarding, tubing, ice skating, and >> LeisureGroupTravel.com

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UNICOI STATE PARK AND LODGE Barrel cabins and the Deluxe Cabins next to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

HELEN, GEORGIA Unicoi Lake are favorites of reunion groups, The Lodge features 160 luxurious guest UNICOILODGE.COM while 82 campsites and 51 RV sites offer a rooms and suites. Each includes complimenSituated near the charming, Bavarianchoice of scenery. tary, high-speed internet; 37-inch flat-screen style village of Helen in the North Georgia The focal point of the Lodge is the television; refrigerator; microwave; coffee Unicoi Restaurant. Featuring classic pot; bathrooms with granite countertops; mountains, Unicoi State Park and Lodge is Southern and American dishes, the chef hair dryer; and iron and ironing board. Oneperfect for reunions, weddings and groups of takes advantage of locally produced, fresh bedroom suites feature separate living and all types. Only 1½ hours from Atlanta and ingredients. A specialty is mountain trout. sleeping rooms, fireplace and balcony. you’ll be surrounded by the expansiveness Although the great outdoors awaits you, and beauty of this Georgia state park.

The breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets are popular with guests and locals there are options not far from alike. The restaurant’s fireplace your room. Refresh your mind and and tall ceilings with wood rafters body at The Spa at Canaan. create an inviting ambience. For Nearby, The Beech Club Pool & great sandwiches, craft beers and Fitness features an indoor heated specialty drinks, Smith Creek pool, whirlpool spa, and sauna and Tavern is the preferred stop. Pick fitness room. up a snack at the Unicoi Adventure The Hickory Dining Room, Gift Shop before venturing out with a fireplace in the center of for the day. the room and a glass-wall side Although there are plenty of featuring panoramic views of the reasons to never leave Unicoi valley, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Its staff can develop a State Park, you may have the group menu and accommodate urge to explore the surrounding area’s historical sites and cultural any food-allergy precautions. The events and festivals. A great nearby Laurel Lounge offers a place to begin is the spectacular full bar with appetizers and live double waterfall at Anna Ruby entertainment. Seasons Cafe Falls in the adjacent Chattaprovides lighter fare with a full hoochee National Forest. Nearby menu of healthy options. Skiers Helen is Georgia’s third mostsatisfy their cravings at two visited destination. Tube through popular ski area-dining options. the center of downtown on the The Bear Paw Food Court provides Chattahoochee River, or have cafeteria-style favorites from fun shopping at the area’s shops burgers and hot dogs to soups and sandwiches. The Quenchers Pub and boutiques. From outstanding fills the bill with sandwiches, wineries to Oktoberfest to a working mill and general store, snacks and a full-service bar. there’s plenty to see in and Off the property, there’s plenty The Lodge at Unicoi State Park, ensconced in the mountains of North Georgia, has 100 amenity-laden guest rooms. Nearby is the tourist town of Helen, and Atlanta is an hour-and-a-half away. around Helen. (helenga.org) more outdoor adventure waiting for groups. Scenic Blackwater THE LODGE AT Falls is one of West Virginia’s most phoRegardless of the level of adventure MOUNT MAGAZINE STATE PARK tographed sites. Seneca Caverns and Seneca experience you’re seeking, there’s sure to be PARIS, ARKANSAS Rocks invite visitors to explore above and something that fits your group’s interests.

MOUNTMAGAZINESTATEPARK.COM below the earth’s surface. Unique plant life, The Archery & Air Gun Range is a targetscenic overlooks and hiking trails are found From the highest point in Arkansas, do shooting facility and ADA-accessible. The at Dolly Sods Wilderness Area. Bring a picnot be surprised when you draw back your GPS Scavenger Hunt sharpens your navigation room’s drapes and see a cloud float by. and exploration skills. Unicoi Lake is perfect nic lunch.

Reunions, motorcoach tours, weddings, and for paddleboarding and kayak fishing. Other More options can be found in Elkins at recreation options include mountain biking, the Gandy Dancer Dinner Theater, American meetings and conferences all like Mount zip lines and a beginners fly fishing class. In Music Theater and museums. There’s no Magazine State Park, located 40 miles from the evening gather around the campfire for better way to discover the beauty of Interstate 40 and less than two hours from s’mores and storytelling.

West Virginia than the nearby Cass Scenic Little Rock.

The array of lodging options includes 100 Railroad, Durbin & Greenbrier Railroad The park’s Visitor Center is the place to stylish rooms in the Lodge, each with Wi-Fi or Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad. begin your escapade. It features exhibits (randolphcountywv.com) covering everything from the park’s history and all the expected amenities. The iconic LeisureGroupTravel.com <<

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Canaan Valley Resort and Conference Center

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and geology to its flora and fauna. Daily audiovisual programs and wildlife viewing from an observation area enhance the visitor experience. Most of the park’s guided walks, workshops, and history and wildlife programs begin here.

The surrounding terrain provides the setting for numerous outdoor adventure activities. Hiking, backpacking, mountain biking and horse trails beckon with endless opportunities to view scenic beauty, native plants and wildflowers. There are also easily walked trails of two miles or less within Mount Magazine State Park. For a unique group experience, consider volunteering for a project that maintains one of the many trails. A park interpreter would be delighted to assist groups interested in a volunteer project.

For the more adventuresome, consider hang gliding or rock climbing/rappelling. If four wheels are more your style, there are guided ATV trail rides that include an all-terrain vehicle, operation training and safety accessories. For hi-tech treasure seekers, geocaching has become one of the most popular activities at all Arkansas state parks.

With its majestic natural setting, modern but rustic lobby and full-amenity guest rooms, The Lodge at Mount Magazine is one of Arkansas’ finest. The views are spectacular as visitors overlook the Petit Jean River Valley and Blue Mountain Lake. Views of the valley from The Lodge’s 60 guest rooms border on breathtaking. Forty-three of the rooms offer balconies and 17 include a spa tub. A large indoor guest pool with lap lanes and a hot tub are adjacent to the fitness center.

At the Skycrest Restaurant you’ll be dining above the clouds. The 1930s-style restaurant, with its tall timber and two-story fireplace, was named after the original hotel that sat on the site. The dinner menu features Southern favorites like BBQ brisket, catfish and chicken-fried steak, plus steaks, pork loin, seafood and pasta. The breakfast and lunch menus are equally tasty with entrees sure to please even the most challenging palate.

Private banquet facilities and menus are available.

The nearby Pavilion is ideal for group picnics.

Its open sides provide enjoyment of the outside and protection from poor weather.

Located at the base of Mount Magazine, Paris (population 3,700) is a rural delight. The historic downtown is thriving with antique shops, boutiques, restaurants and the original Warren’s Shoe store.

Check out the photo op at the 25-foot Eiffel Tower with its seven-foot water fountain base. A day trip to Little Rock can be filled with art and culture, history and museums, shopping, craft breweries, wineries and distilleries. There are more than a dozen free things to do in Little Rock. (littlerock.com) LGT >> LeisureGroupTravel.com

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CENTRA L REGION

The Midwest abounds with open-air museums that depict everyday life way back when

By Randy Mink

Conner Prairie, one of the most visited living history museums in the country, takes visitors back to the mid-1800s. A Smithsonian affiliate, it is located near Indianapolis.

Where History Comes Alive T he past just seems a little more real when you can watch a blacksmith forge steel, see a broom maker at work or take in the aromas wafting from kettles on a glowing hearth. When sterile artifacts and descriptive panels give way to craft demonstrations and farmsteads populated by living, breathing animals, your attention suddenly picks up and learning becomes fun.

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collection of restored buildings that form a rural village, employ costumed interpreters to engage visitors and give that personal touch. Visitors are often invited to help out with chores or try their hand at an old-time craft or game. Since itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largely an outdoor experience, the general touring season is usually April/May to September/October, but special events are scheduled year-round, with Christmas festivities always popular.

LIVING HISTORY FARMS URBANDALE, IOWA This 500-acre, open-air agricultural museum near Des Moines tells the story of farming in the Midwest through four distinct sites. Travel at your own pace through time periods spanning 300 years, starting with the 1700 Ioway Indian Farm. At the 1850 Pioneer Farm you might see period-clad interpreters cooking on an open hearth, spinning wool or >> LeisureGroupTravel.com

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harvesting wheat. The 1875 Town of Walnut Hill bustles with merchants and craftsmen, and nearby is the Italianate Victorian Flynn Mansion; on most days historical interpreters staff at least 10 of the town’s structures, which include a general store, blacksmith shop and broom works. Percheron draft horses can be seen pulling machinery at the 1900 Horse-Powered Farm. (lhf.org) OLD WORLD WISCONSIN EAGLE, WISCONSIN More than a dozen European ethnic groups are represented at the 1880s Crossroads Village and 10 working farmsteads with rare breeds of animals and heirloom gardens. The 65+ buildings, dismantled and moved here from all parts of the state, were originally erected by 19th and early 20th century immigrants.

For groups short on time at the “world’s largest museum dedicated to the history of rural life,” there are narrated tram tours that include two brief stops, and groups can arrange a buffet lunch. A 15-minute orientation film on 19th century Wisconsin is shown in the Ramsey Barn. (oldworldwisconsin.wisconsinhistory.org)

Greenfield Village

GREENFIELD VILLAGE DEARBORN, MICHIGAN This living history museum with four working farms and seven historic districts is part of The Henry Ford, a museum complex in the city where Ford Motor Co. is based.

Greenfield Village is best known for its collection of transplanted historic buildings filled with artifacts, including the Henry Ford birthplace home, the Wright Brothers bicycle shop, and Thomas Edison’s New Jersey and Florida laboratories. Guests can ride in a Model T Ford or horse-drawn carriage, jump on a steam locomotive or watch an 1867 baseball game. Artisans at work range from the tinsmith to the glass blower. (thehenryford.org) NAPER SETTLEMENT NAPERVILLE, ILLINOIS The only accredited outdoor living history museum in Illinois occupies 12 acres in the heart of Naperville, a large suburban community west of Chicago. Two of the 30 historical structures are original to the site—the 1883 Martin Mitchell Mansion and adjacent carriage house. Also open for touring LeisureGroupTravel.com <<

Old World Wisconsin

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are buildings like the blacksmith shop, print shop, smokehouse and schoolhouse. Special events include a Civil War Days encampment, Oktoberfest and a series of summer nighttime concerts. The new Agricultural Interpretive Center, now under construction and expected to open in 2018, will feature exhibits using cutting-edge technology to showcase the area’s farming past, present and future. (napersettlement.org) CONNER PRAIRIE FISHERS, INDIANA Located along the White River on an 800-acre wooded site with five interpretive areas, Conner Prairie is Indiana’s first Smithsonian affiliate. At 1836 Prairietown, where the staff dresses, acts and speaks as if they were living in the mid-1800s, visitors are encouraged to interact with the interpreters as they go about daily tasks or take part in special occasions like elections or weddings.

Delaware tribal history comes alive at Lenape Indian Camp. Conner Homestead includes the barn and restored home of fur trader, entrepreneur and legislator William Conner. (connerprairie.org)

Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer

STUHR MUSEUM OF THE PRAIRIE PIONEER GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA Covering much of the 200-acre complex is the 1890s Railroad Town, a village of 60 historical buildings alive in summer with people demonstrating trades and conducting business.

You can tour homes, barns, a rural school and church, and the Pawnee Indian earth lodge.

See a multi-media presentation and exhibits in the Stuhr Building, designed by noted architect Edward Durrell Stone. The Fonner Rotunda has Old West and Native American artifacts. (stuhrmuseum.org) HAROLD WARP’S PIONEER VILLAGE MINDEN, NEBRASKA More than 50,000 antiques, housed in 26 buildings, comprise one of the world’s largest collections of Americana. Highlights include a sod house, log cabin, Pawnee earth lodge, 1872 railway depot, original Pony Express station and a general store stocked with 19th century merchandise. Craftspeople demonstrate weaving, spinning and broom making. A collection of 350 antique cars (including the world’s oldest Buick), 20 airplanes and 100 tractors also sweeps 40

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Historic Fort Snelling

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visitors back to yesteryear, and they can see examples of seven generations of American kitchens since the 1830s. (pioneervillage.org) HISTORIC FORT SNELLING ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA Set atop a limestone bluff at the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers, Fort Snelling was built in the 1820s to help control the region’s fur trade and promote U.S. presence on the frontier. On the grounds of the stone fortress, visitors learn about frontier life, the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862, slave labor and military lore. See demonstrations of cooking, laundry, marching and blacksmithing. Fun fact: Zachary Taylor, president of the United States from 1849-50, was Fort Snelling’s commander in 1828-1829. (historicfortsnelling.org)

Living History Farms

Sauder Village

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HALE FARM & VILLAGE BATH, OHIO Located within the boundaries of northeastern Ohio’s Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Hale Farm & Village includes a re-creation of a mid1800s village and a working farm complete with sheep, oxen, pigs and chickens. Most buildings in the village, called Wheatfield, have been relocated from elsewhere. Artisans demonstrate basket making, candle making, weaving and other pioneer skills. Visitors can join in handson programs involving farm chores and period crafts and trades. MarketPlace sells pottery, candles and other items made by Ohio artisans, including those of Hale Farm. The popular Holiday Lantern Tours show how early settlers celebrated the sights, sounds and flavors of the Christmas season in the Western Reserve, as the area is historically known. Hale Farm is operated by the Western Reserve Historical Society. (wrhs.org) SAUDER VILLAGE ARCHBOLD, OHIO Costumed guides, including craftspeople plying their trades, bring the old days to life at this living history destination in northwestern Ohio. In addition to historic homes and shops, there is a 1920s homestead with a barn and animals. Train and horse buggy rides are available. The Barn Restaurant serves a big lunch and dinner buffet year-round; fried chicken, a soup and salad bar, and an assortment of pies made at the adjacent Doughbox Bakery are star attractions. The 98-room Sauder Heritage Inn is open year-round and has an indoor pool. (saudervillage.org) LGT December 2017

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ou are invited to explore works of art at the worldfamous Art Institute of Chicago, the Lotton Art Glass Gallery & Studio and Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park, which features one of the nation's most distinguished collections of contemporary sculpture.

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Chicago Southland

The Elements of Art Day 1 Chicago Southland & Beyond Begin your Chicagoland Art Tour at The Shrine of Christ’s Passion, an interactive half-mile winding pathway that begins with the Last Supper and Garden of Gethsemane. Take the journey through the Passion of Christ as you view the 40 life-size bronze sculptures, each an exquisite work of art.

Come and experience one of the nation's most distinguished collections of contemporary sculpture at the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park at Governors State University. The park’s soaring artistic masterworks are displayed in a unique setting surrounded by the beauty of the prairie.

Minutes from the sculpture park is the Lotton Art Glass Gallery, the studios of Charles Lotton.

His business began in 1970 with prayers and dreams when he began teaching himself the art of glassblowing in his backyard. Lotton’s works grace hundreds of museum collections.

To finish off the day, your group will be able to make their own piece of art at Art 4 Soul.

Choose from a variety of projects, including mosaics, ceramic pieces, unique jewelry, block printing and acrylic painting. The store features original art, contemporary crafts, jewelry, home decor items, purses, accessories and gifts.

Day 2 Chicago CHICAGO SOUTHLAND CVB Tobie Fitzpatrick Tobie@VisitChicagoSouthland.com 708-895-8200 • 888-895-3211 TourChicagoSouthland.com

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Start the day at the Art Institute of Chicago, whose treasured collections lure visitors to the museum from all over the world. Journey through Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas as renowned works of art, spanning 5,000 years, inform and

inspire you. The Modern Art Wing features the museum’s outstanding collections of modern and contemporary art, architecture and design, and photography. Linked directly to Millennium Park with a sleek pedestrian bridge, the Art Institute of Chicago is the nation's second-largest art museum.

Millennium Park is an award-winning center for art, music, architecture and landscape design.

The 24.5-acre park features the work of worldrenowned architects, planners, artists and designers.

Among Millennium Park's prominent features are the Frank Gehry-designed Jay Pritzker Pavilion, the most sophisticated outdoor concert venue of its kind in the United States; the interactive Crown Fountain by Jaume Plensa; the contemporary Lurie Garden designed by the team of Kathryn Gustafson, Piet Oudolf and Robert Israel; and Anish Kapoor's hugely popular Cloud Gate sculpture on the AT&T Plaza. Cloud Gate is better known as "The Bean" because of its bean-like shape.

Day 3 Chicago Southland Before heading for home, stop at the Indian Boundary Prairies. More than 250 species of plants thrive at the prairies, including endangered ones such as the prairie white fringed orchid. The Indian Boundary Prairies are an important sanctuary for butterflies and other animals. More than 350 insect species are known to inhabit the prairies along with the smooth green snake, eastern milk snake and 11 other species of amphibians and reptiles. View the prairie and then create a work of art. Artist Toni Ruppert will be on hand to conduct a painting workshop, focusing on the elements of the prairie.

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rchitecture aficionados will be stunned by the treasure trove of landmarks in the Oak Park area, including more than 25 structures designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. The architect’s home & studio offers a fascinating glimpse into his early career, while his Unity Temple heralded a new era of innovation in modern design.

Explore opulent mansions with historic pasts, Ernest Hemingway’s renowned birthplace and a microlocal distillery that concocts artisanal cocktails with historic recipes.

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VISIT OAK PARK Kevin Kilbride kevin@visitoakpark.com 888-625-7275 ext 103 VisitOakPark.com

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Oak Park, Illinois

The Wright Getaway Day 1 Begin your adventure seeing the landmark that spelled a shift in architectural practices across the country. The Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio, nestled on a tree-lined street in the heart of Oak Park, was completed in 1889 and is widely considered to be the birthplace of Prairie-style architecture. Marvel at original blueprints in the famed architect’s immaculate laboratory before taking in the spectacle of colorful stained glass and ornate wood carvings in his adjacent living quarters.

Next, hit the streets of the Wright Historic District. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the neighborhood is home to 25 Wrightdesigned treasures. Many are private residences not open for interior tours, but exterior visits alone offer a captivating glimpse at the evolution from traditional homes to the flat-roofed designs that cemented his legacy.

After lunch, experience unique charm and character at The Nineteenth Century Club. Once the private women’s club for the area, this landmark building now plays host to a range of public art, music and cultural events. Catch a mid-afternoon musical performance in its recently renovated ballroom before heading over to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Unity Temple. Hailed as one of the most innovative structures of the 20th century, the National Historic Landmark is fresh off a long-awaited $25 million restoration project.

Customize a night perfect for your group’s interests. Prairie-style enthusiasts will relish a private evening tour of George W. Maher’s Pleasant Home. This 30-room mansion, one of the nation’s most distinguished examples of Prairiestyle architecture, boasts intricate woodcarvings and extraordinary art glass windows. Cap the tour

with a meal served to the group in the home’s elegant dining room. Groups looking for a more traditional night out can dine and drink at any groupfriendly eateries in town: Winberie’s Restaurant offers New American grub in comfortable digs; Paisans Pizzeria & Bar in Berwyn serves ItalianAmerican favorites in a bustling, industrial-chic space; kick back on Oak Park’s largest patio with creative Latin-fusion fare at Maya Del Sol; or visit the upscale casual Cooper’s Hawk for made-fromscratch American dishes.

Day 2 Start your morning with a private guided tour of the Ernest Hemingway Birthplace. The renowned residence is rich with Victorian decor and rare family photographs.

Your architectural odyssey continues down the block at the Cheney Mansion, a jewel reminiscent of an old English country manor. Wander through its grand formal rooms and servants’ quarters, then step outside and relax in the idyllic garden.

Now that you have seen Oak Park’s finest historic sites, discover how they came to be at the Oak Park River Forest Museum. Housed in a repurposed historic firehouse, this new museum tells the story of these distinctive communities through rotating exhibits and community events.

Wrap up your afternoon at the Quincy Street Distillery. The Riverside-based distillery has garnered buzz with its small-batch spirits using historically inspired recipes and regional ingredients.

Follow a guide through the bonded area where spirits are distilled and bottled, learning humorous anecdotes about the area’s history of prohibition.

Afterwards, groove along to Prohibition-era tunes while sipping a handcrafted cocktail in the Speakeasy bar.

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ake a step back in time at historic sites such as Alton's Confederate Prison, the Lincoln & Douglas debate site and the region’s Underground Railroad sites. Get some fresh air while touring beautiful gardens, visiting countryside wineries and browsing through galleries to watch the local talent at work.

When Living History meets Gardens, Grapes & Galleries, your group will experience a historic journey blossoming with scenic beauty.

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Alton, Illinois

Historic Sites Meet Timeless Gardens Day 1

Day 2

Living History Tour

Gardens, Grapes & Galleries

We'll keep your group on the edge of their seats as we travel through time hearing the stories of Alton’s Lincoln & Civil War Legacy Trail from the cast of the Alton Little Theater and visiting historic sites such as the Confederate Prison. At Illinois’ first state penitentiary more than 11,700 Confederate prisoners passed through the gates and were held captive within its walls during a three-year period. Walk in the footsteps of Abraham Lincoln in Lincoln-Douglas Square, the site of the famous final debate between Stephen A. Douglas and Abraham Lincoln. This is also the site of Alton’s former City Hall, where more than 6,000 people gathered to hear the debate. After lunch at one of the region’s many group-friendly restaurants, you'll step back in time once again to hear the story of slaves as they made their way across the Mississippi River into the free state of Illinois on an Underground Railroad Tour. These sites include Rocky Fork Church, Enos Apartments and more.

Next, visit the Alton Museum of History and Art to view relics of the area’s past, including exhibits on the World’s Tallest Man – Alton’s Gentle Giant, Robert Wadlow. Also discover winged monsters, explorers and riverboats at the museum. Cap off your day with Dinner at Lincoln’s Table at My Just Desserts, another historic site visited by Abe Lincoln before his presidency.

Our gardens tour is a wonderful way to get your group out into the fresh air. The tour highlights three beautiful gardens: Lewis & Clark Community College Missouri Botanical Signature Gardens, Nan Elliott Rose Garden at Gordon Moore Park and Missouri Botanical Signature Gardens at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. The gardens are best experienced May-October. A stop at our "Illinois Made" designated shop, Mississippi Mud Pottery, is a must. Step into their gallery and watch the artists create new pieces right before your eyes. Finish the day sipping wine at Grafton Winery The Vineyards and picking apples at Eckert’s Orchard. The Vineyards’ 11,000-square-foot production facility and tasting room offer comfortable seating, a bar and fireplace, and a 5,000-square-foot pavilion with a view like no other. Right next door to the winery and a great addition to this tour is Eckert’s Orchard, open August-October. Ride the wagons out to pick your own apples or visit the Country Store where homegrown apples are also available.

ALTON REGIONAL CVB Sissy McClain, CTIS, Sales Manager sissy@visitalton.com 618-465-6676 VisitAlton.com

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EAST

REGION Stowe Mountain Resort in Vermont is one of the most expansive mountains in the Northeast, with cruisers, glades and terrain parks to entice winter sports groups.

GROUP SKI RESORTS

THE BEASTS OF THE EAST These five resorts can cater to groups of every ability level

By Miles Dobis

nitially, ski outings donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t seem like enticing options for a group outing; equipment rental can be a hassle, locations can be remote and the physicality may not appeal to those looking to relax. However, with proper planning, winter sports trips can be extremely rewarding. Lodging, dining and activities are self-contained in the resort area, and various après-ski and activity options ensure your group never gets bored. In addition, many resorts tailor group packages to bundle equipment costs, accommodation and food. Here are five East Coast mountains that will please hardened skiers and fresh-faced beginners alike.

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Stowe, Vermont

Sunday River, Maine

Whiteface, New York

This stunning segment of the Green Mountains first welcomed alpine skiing during the Great Depression, when the Civilian Conservation Corps carved the first trails into Mount Mansfield in 1933. Since then, Stowe has developed into one of New England’s premier winter sports destinations, with luxurious amenities and famed customer service to create a memorable trip. Based around Mount Mansfield (Vermont’s tallest point), the resort includes over 100 runs and 14 lifts spread across three base areas, each with its own lodging and parking. Groups with skiers of varying abilities need not worry—the resort contains distinct areas of different difficulty levels. Beginners can glide through the birch forests of the Toll House area, intermediates can cruise through routes off the Sunny Spruce Quad and daredevils can venture to the iconic “Front Four” double-black diamond chutes.

When your group is satisfied from a day on the mountain, you can indulge in some of the finest amenities of any East Coast resort.

The cozy Fireside Tavern and Hourglass Lounge serve up hearty après ski charcuterie boards and craft cocktails with stunning views of the Vermont sunset, and groups can rent space for a ski–in/ski-out buffet at the Toll House Lodge. The Stowe Mountain Lodge and Topnotch Resort offer numerous group packages and mountainside access, while a variety of other options are available in the nearby village of Stowe. If your group wants to take a break from the slopes, consider a guided snowshoe tour or ice skating excursion at the Spruce Peak Village Center. (stowe.com)

No ski area in the Pine Tree State is more welcoming to large groups. The commitment to snow production, wide-open trails and proximity to the charming town of Bethel all combine to create a group-friendly resort with excellent mountain conditions all winter long. Eight interconnected peaks identified by unique crests can be accessed by 15 lifts, two base areas include parking and lodges offer ski-in/ski-out options. Experienced group members will want to explore the Jordan Bowl, home to extensive glades and chutes, while Aurora Peak features runs for all abilities.

The resort’s centerpiece is the “chondola,” a hybrid lift that carries both traditional enclosed gondola cabins and six-pack chairs.

Members of your party, even if they don’t ski, can board the lift for a meal at the North Peak Lodge, which offers stunning views of the Longfellow Mountain Range. The lodge serves hot and cold lunch entrees and transforms into a gourmet chef’s table restaurant for scenic evening dining. Farther downhill lies the quaint village of Bethel, a classic New England community filled with welcoming inns and restaurants. Here your group can relax in a cozy pub, shop the stores of Main Street and snowshoe along the Androscoggin River.

An ideal location for a long weekend excursion, Sunday River offers group packages that include lift tickets and accommodations at base hotels. On-site specialists can also assist with equipment rental, meal reservations and transportation. (sundayriver.com)

Lake-effect snow from the Lake Ontario shore and the greatest vertical drop on the entire East Coast makes this upstate New York peak a destination of international renown.

Fittingly, the resort was a principal site for the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics, and many of those events’ facilities are still open for touring. Nestled in the Adirondack Mountains, the resort includes 88 trails that launch off three peaks that each boast their own personality.

The summit quad will service daredevils to the “The Slides,” black-diamond chutes that funnel into an enormous bowl with mountain views. Group members who enjoy winding cruisers should explore Lookout Mountain, where they can meander down the Wilmington Trail, while tree-skiing junkies should attempt the expansive glades off the Little Whiteface Lift. First-timers will have plenty of wooded real estate to traverse in the Bunny Hutch area, while all group members can convene at the Mid-Station Lodge and enjoy hearty mountain cuisine at Boule’s Bistro.

The nearby town of Lake Placid offers plenty of after-hours and off-day activities, including a bevy of Olympic sites open for group touring. Your party can skate the same hockey rink as the 1980 “Miracle on Ice,” walk the cross-country trails of Mount Van Hoevenberg and strap in to experience an authentic bobsled run. While accommodations are available on-site at the Cloudsplitter Lodge, more economical options can be found in town. These hotels provide beautiful views of Mirror Lake, access to dining options in Lake Placid and scheduled shuttle service to the mountain. (whiteface.com)

Sunday River

Whiteface

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Loon Mountain, New Hampshire Views of the Presidential Range greet gondola riders as they ascend the summit of Loon Mountain. From there, they have access to 81 trails across three peaks and some of the best customer service in the region. Weekend visitors from Boston have made this resort in the White Mountain National Forest an essential winter sports destination for generations, and the constant crowds have resulted in a staff seasoned in handling groups. Begin your day at any of the resort’s three base areas (each with lodging and dining options) and explore the evergreen-lined chutes off the East Basin lift or the leisurely incline of the family zone. Snowboarders and trick skiers in your party may want to test the ramps and rails of the terrain park, while speedsters can compete against each other on the Coolidge Street slalom course. Lumberjack-themed après ski is available at all three base areas, and the steam-powered J.E. Henry Railroad can transport your group between lodges if

you overindulge.

If an evening by the fire sounds too docile, your group can take advantage of the Loon Mountain Adventure Center, which offers cross-country, ice skating and snowshoe rental equipment. Thrill seekers can also experience a zip line that spans 700 feet across the Pemigewasset River and an indoor rock climbing wall. Those looking for a more relaxed excursion can wander the streets of nearby Lincoln or the Flume Gorge, a boardwalk path that follows a canyon formed during the Jurassic Period. Loon Mountain is especially welcoming to groups, with discounted lodging and rental incentives provided to parties of 20 or more. The resort also offers Beginner’s Weekends—a program that includes lessons, equipment and après gatherings at the base. (loonmtn.com) The Camp III Lodge midway up Loon Mountain is modeled after Appalachian lumberjack lodges and specializes in venison stew and bison burgers. Groups can admire the White Mountain landscape and ski the Broadway run for an easy descent back to the base area.

Blue Mountain, Pennsylvania The Blue Mountain “Great Wall” rises above the Cumberland Valley, attracting snow and skiers to this resort two hours from New York and Philadelphia. Pennsylvania’s tallest vertical includes 39 runs, 16 lifts and one of the highest beginner’s terrain ratios in the East Coast, ensuring plenty of real estate for group members just developing their ski legs. For more seasoned skiers, the Razor’s Edge double-black diamond and Sleepy Hollow Glade provide plenty of challenge, while halfpipes and rails are scattered across the mountain to tempt terrain park junkies. Lodges located both at the peak and summit are convenient meetup locations, while an enormous tubing hill with 39 lanes is an excellent alternative for group members looking for more modest thrills. (skibluemt.com) Whether your group is planning a weekend getaway or a weeklong excursion, these five resorts should provide plenty of challenge and off-slope fun to please any group. LGT Loon Mountain

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INT’L

Footnotes at the Foot of

Europe Enhance Iberian Peninsula itineraries with excursions to North Africa and a balmy bit of Britain

By Randy Mink

S

pain and Portugal are exciting enough, but travel planners can go a step further by adding day trips to Gibraltar and the Islamic kingdom of Morocco. These offbeat inclusions can be as memorable as the big-time sights in Madrid, Seville, Granada and Barcelona.

The British colony of Gibraltar, a tiny peninsula attached to the southern coast of Spain, commands a strategic location on the 50

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narrow strait that connects the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean—and separates Europe from Africa. This British Overseas Territory’s chief claim to fame is—you guessed it—the Rock of Gibraltar, a limestone mass that comprises much of its 2.6 square miles. In fact, Gibraltar is referred to as simply “The Rock.”

Fiercely loyal to Mother England, the community of 30,000 has its own stamps,

currency, flag, radio and TV stations, newspaper, even airport and military garrison.

The commercial, residential and harbor areas—squeezed between the Rock and the sea—occupy the flat, western side of the peninsula, facing the Bay of Gibraltar, Spanish border town of La Linea and port city of Algeciras, 12 miles away. The Rock, rising 1,400 feet to dwarf the town nestled at its foot, stretches the length of the eastern half, >> LeisureGroupTravel.com

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affording views of Morocco’s coast, about 15 miles across the Strait of Gibraltar.

Casemates Square, a sprawling, car-free plaza framed by stone buildings that once served as military barracks and ammunition storehouses, is the town’s prime gathering place, though hardly picturesque. Outdoor cafes make vacationing Britons feel at home, with signs advertising fish ’n’ chips, jacket potatoes, full English breakfasts, English beer and London newspapers. In town you’ll also find traditional pubs, double-decker buses and policemen in helmuts. The bright red mailboxes and telephone booths, right out of merry olde England, make great photo ops. There’s even a branch of the British LeisureGroupTravel.com <<

Produce vendors provide plenty of photographic subject matter in old Tangier. Carpet sellers (below) display their exotic wares.

Photography by Randy Mink

Tourists indulge in a lot of monkey business atop the Rock of Gibraltar, which overlooks the Spanish coast.

department store Marks & Spencer. In the words of one guidebook writer, “The Rock is like Britain with a suntan.”

Main Street, the pedestrianized shopping drag, branches off Casemates Square, offering everything from perfume and jewelry to linens, china, spirits and tobacco. (Shopping in Gibraltar is tax-free. Spanish citizens routinely cross the border to buy cigarettes and liquor at bargain prices.) Souvenir stores sell Union Jack knick-knacks and plush monkeys, a fun reminder of the semi-wild creatures that inhabit upper parts of the Rock.

And who can resist a Rock of Gibraltar snow globe?

Many merchants are descended from families who came centuries ago from Spain, Portugal, Morocco and other Mediterranean lands. Gibraltarians speak English, Spanish and a curious mix of the two. Spaniards who commute into “Gib” account for part of the workforce.

At the post office on Main Street, stamp collectors make a beeline to the philatelic bureau. “Rock Stamps” actually contain bits of limestone from the mini-mountain. Other tourists drop in to mail postcards or pose next to the red pillar box adorned with a crown, the initials “ER” (for the Latin “Elizabeth Regina”) and words “Royal Mail.” Gibraltar’s stamps bear the likeness of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The rugged speck of land jutting from the Spanish mainland has been in British hands for three centuries. In 1704 a joint AngloDutch fleet took control of the Rock during the War of Spanish Succession, and Britain was granted possession through the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht. Spain didn’t make military attempts to regain it after the failure of the Great Siege of 1779-1783, during which the first tunnels were hewn from the Rock with gunpowder, sledgehammers and crowbars.

The issue of Gibraltarian sovereignty has always been a touchy subject between Great Britain and Spain. In 1969 the government of dictator Francisco Franco, infuriated by Britain granting Gibraltar full home rule and a referendum in which only 44 Gibraltarians chose to split from Britain, closed the SpainGibraltar border. The gates were reopened in 1985 under King Juan Carlos I as part of conditions for Spain joining the European Union.

The Gibraltar Museum, with excellent exhibits and a 15-minute video, is the most

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worthwhile tourist attraction in town, but the real sightseeing highlights are found on the upper parts of the Rock, a nature reserve.

From town a cable car delivers you to the observation terrace at the summit, which offers views in all directions. If the weather cooperates, you’ll see the iconic, steep-faced massif, the strait, the coast of North Africa and the stretch of Spanish shoreline known as the Costa del Sol. Look down the sheer precipices of the eastern side and spot the beach resort.

Competing with the panoramas for visitors’ attention are Gibraltar’s most famous residents—200 Barbary macaques, a species of tailless monkey originally from North Africa. You’ll see them waiting at the summit cable car station, but beware. They associate people with food and will snatch goodies from your pocket, plastic bag or purse—even the purse itself. Though the yellowish-gray “Barbary apes” seem friendly, they will bite if provoked, so visitors are advised not to touch them. If you’re patient, you can get close-up pictures of apes perched on rocks or railings, swinging from trees, munching on weeds or even sitting on a cannon.

The cool, dark Great Siege Tunnels, the

best Rock attraction, has exhibits on Gibraltar’s history as a fortress strategically poised at the jaws of Europe and Africa. Some of the original cannons remain at the openings where they were pointed at Spanish invaders in the 1780s.

The shimmering white Moroccan city of Tangier, perched on the northwest tip of the African continent, may be only nine miles across the Strait of Gibraltar from Spain but seems worlds away with its heady mix of Arab, Berber and European cultures.

(Berbers are the original inhabitants of

Morocco.) Ferries to Tangier depart regularly from Tarifa and Algeciras, Spain. While it may pose a bit of culture shock, the place is non-threatening to Westerners in town for the day to add an exotic twist to their European vacations. A sense of mystery prevails.

Narrow, twisting alleyways lined with hole-in the-wall shops thread Tangier’s maze-like medina, the oldest part of town.

A steady stream of people passes through the arched keyhole gateways, or babs, in the medieval walls encircling the medina. You’ll see women in caftans and headscarves (a few wearing veils over their faces), men enrobed in loose-fitting, hooded garments called jellabas and many locals in Western dress as well. Market vendors deal in everything from olives and eggs to figs and dates.

Carts piled with oranges, lemons or mint leaves invite photos. Even the Moorish-style doorways, some painted in rich colors, keep cameras clicking.

Many shops in the souks (markets) cater to tourists, and the salesmen can be aggressive.

Be prepared for greetings like: “Take a look, low price.” Or “Welcome to Africa.” These spirited merchants peddle carpets and caftans, copperware and ceramics. Leather goods

The famous Rock dominates the tiny British colony of Gibraltar.

Above: Dates and figs in a Tangier market.

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include handbags, sandals and Moroccan babouches, pointed slippers open at the heel.

Perhaps an engraved brass tray or silver teapot will catch your eye. Beware of “very old” items being passed off as antiques.

Haggling over the price is expected and part of the fun. If you don’t speak Moroccan Arabic, try French, the second language.

Most shopkeepers know some English.

Points of interest in the medina include the American Legation, a museum that occupies an 18th century mansion that served as a U.S. diplomatic residence for 140 years. Still American property, it is the only National Historic Landmark located abroad.

The museum celebrates our long-held ties with Morocco, one of the first countries to recognize the United States as an independent nation. On display is a letter from George Washington thanking Sultan Moulay Suleyman for Morocco’s friendship.

Nearby is the Grand Mosque, the city’s largest, with its photogenic, white-and-greentile minaret. The interior of the 1685 landmark is off-limits to non-Muslims. Perhaps you’ll hear the muezzin singing the call to prayer from the minaret—it happens five times a day.

When it’s time for a break from shopping

and sightseeing, head to the Petit Socco (“Little Market”), a lively square where you can grab a ringside seat at an outdoor cafe and watch the world go by. Cafe Central is the perfect place to have a glass of mint tea, a mix of green tea, crushed mint leaves and sugar—lots of sugar. The drink plays a central role in Moroccan culture. While shopping for a carpet or other major purchase, for example, you may be offered a tea by the merchant.

Directional signs in the Petit Socco point to the “Kasbah.” The very word has a magical ring to it, and a visit to Tangier’s medina

is not complete without a trek up to the kasbah (fortress). Crowning the highest point of the medina, the kasbah held the residence of the sultan and his harem. The former palace and its impressive courtyard (dating from the 1700s and used by the sultan until 1912) makes a magnificent setting for the Kasbah Museum, a repository of Moroccan arts and antiquities. Postcard sellers, water vendors, dance troupes and snake tamers mingle with tourists on the square in front of the museum, soliciting money for pictures. A terrace on the crumbling ramparts, through a gate just off the square, affords panoramic views of the port, Strait of Gibraltar and, on clear days, the Spanish coast.

Your day in Tangier might include lunch at a traditional Moroccan restaurant like Hamadi. The menu features dishes like tagine (the classic stew of meat and vegetables in a tomato-onion sauce), harira (a vegetable soup), couscous and pastilla (shredded chicken, cinnamon and ground almonds in a phyllo-pastry pie).

Though a day in Tangier offers a mere taste of Morocco, consider your group lucky to have a few hours to sample this city straddling two worlds. LGT

The street markets in Tangier, Morocco, fascinate visitors in town for the day. Above: A snake tamer in the kasbah.

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On

marketing

Mike Marchev

Photonphoto/Bigstock.com

to many of you, losing weight and growing a business is not easy. With all due respect, I think you are making things harder than they have to be. At the risk of sounding overly simplistic, I will say that it may not be easy, but it definitely is not hard. It just happens to fall under the category of effort… consistent effort.

Are You Ready to Make More Money in the Travel Business? his may sound at first like a foolish question. Of course you are ready to make more money. But it is not a foolish question. In fact, it is question worth asking again and again.

The truth is that most so-called “travel professionals” do not want to make more money. I know this to be a fact because if they did, they would be making more money.

There is a wise old phrase that reminds us “talk is cheap.” Another cogent reminder suggests, “After all is said and done, more is said than done.”

Let’s cut to the chase and get a few facts straight. First, you can make as much money as you like in the travel business. You can double your current income in the year 2018.

I say this without hesitation for three reasons: 1) You don’t have to buy any raw materials or carry any inventory. You have all the products, destinations, suppliers and

T

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carriers you need to become incredibly successful; 2) Your marketplace is as large and defined as want it to be. With over 7 billion people scampering around our planet you have plenty of audience to serve; 3) A great number of these 7 billion people have a degree of wanderlust in some form or another. If you stop to think about it, these three criteria could easily be referred to as an “ideal opportunity.”

You say you want to make more money just as quickly as you say you want to shed a few pounds every December 31. This is where the “talk is cheap” phrase kicks back into my message. You say one thing, but in reality you really don’t mean it. If you did you would adhere to the requirement of simply burning more calories than you ingest.

If money was your objective, you would be driving that new car today.

But there is another phrase worth mentioning here: “Nothing is ever easy.” And

IT’S SHOWTIME Okay. It is time that I put the rhetoric aside and tell you in no uncertain terms how you can make more money in the travel business. Are you ready?

You have to dig a hole. The co-author of In Search of Excellence, Tom Peters, introduced me to this term and I have come to adopt it as my own. He said, “It is amazing to me how many people in the oil business fail to get the message that in order to strike oil you have to dig a hole.” People talk about it, meet about it, sleep on it, write about it, think about it, dream about it and do everything possible except dig a hole. And I am quick to remind you that there are only two types of holes – holes that have oil and holes that don’t. If you come up empty, dig another hole.

For those of you who require a little more clarity, the word I want to imbue in your memory bank is Visibility. If people do not know you are alive, they can’t possibly decide whether to do business with you or not. No new business … no more money.

So as not to leave you hanging, I might as well introduce you to my embarrassingly simple 12-Word Marketing Plan. If you follow this advice for the next 12 months you are a shoe-in for Sales Rep of The Year: Get up. Get out. And make more people glad they know you. Count them. 12 words. The only 12 words you will need to start making more money.

And as a final thought, here is my 4-Word Sales Secret to your future success: Get other people talking. LGT

Mike Marchev is the author of Become The Exception and has been sharing his sales and marketing views and opinions with travel industry professionals since 1984. He has a sincere interest in helping people succeed in the travel industry. Send for complimentary full text version of his 12-Word Marketing Plan. mike@mikemarchev.com

>> LeisureGroupTravel.com

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SEE WHERE GREAT TOURS BECOME GRAND TOURs Downtown takes center stage with events and entertainment at beautiful Bicentennial Park.

Grand tours are made in Cbus. Enjoy captivating performances and backstage experiences from BalletMet. Interpret world-renowned works of art at the Columbus Museum of Art. And anticipate the grand opening of the new National Veteranâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Memorial & Museum in July of 2018. Plan the perfect itinerary in Columbus, with something for everyone in your group.

experiencecolumbus.com/tours

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