2024 SPRING TOURS
MUSIC, MOVIE, AND THE MIGHTY MISSISSIPPI
MARCH 20 - 26 $1675 pp dbl / $2185 single occupancy
(early bird discount $1600 pp / dbl before February 10)
(7 seats available)
Don’t miss a great way to begin touring in 2024! We will travel to the great state of Mississippi for 7 days of adventure. We will visit The Unclaimed Baggage Center, Mitchell Memorial Library, Ulysses S. Grant Presidential Museum and the "John Grisham" room, all on the Mississippi State University campus. Tour and lunch at Dudy Noble Field at Polk DeMent Stadium, B.B. King Museum & Delta Interpretive Center, Museum of the Mississippi Delta, The Grammy Museum , the Tallahatchie Bridge, and Greenwood MS, viewing locations where the movie “The Help” was filmed. In addition, we will experience some of the best southern food in a number of famous restaurants in Mississippi
Day 1: Travel through Ohio and Kentucky to Nashville, TN, for a 1 night stay at the Drury Inn & Suites. There you can relax and enjoy their Kickback menu starting at 5:30 pm or dinner (on your own) at nearby restaurants.
Day 2: We begin the day with breakfast (included) and then off to Scottsboro, AL to the Unclaimed Baggage store and museum for some retail therapy. This is where unclaimed luggage from airlines, trains, etc. end up after an extensive search for the owner. Lunch today is on your own at the Cups Café, located within the Center. Our journey continues to Starkville, MS where we will check-in at the Laquita Inn & Suites for 2 nights. Dinner tonight is included at Bulldog Burger Company, where their goal is “the world's best burger”.
Day 3: After breakfast (included) we visit The Mitchell Memorial Library, located on the Mississippi State University and explore the World Class Collections in addition to the John Grisham Room, with its exhibits named after best-selling author, MSU Alumnus, and former MS legislator. We’ll also enjoy the Ulysses S. Grant Library that contains 15,000 linear feet of correspondence, artifacts, photos, and memorabilia. Then it's on to The Lofts at Dudy Noble Field at Dement Stadium, where we will have lunch (included) and a guided tour and history lesson on this beautiful stadium. Dinner is at Restaurant Tyler(included). Led by Chef Ty Thames, this dining experience boasts “food and Southern hospitality at its finest”.
Day 4: Today we begin with a local step-on guide for a 2 hour tour of the Historic Cotton District of Starkville, MS; a city with more than 100 years of rich history! Lunch today is on your own in downtown Starkville, be sure to visit the MSU Cheese Store. This unique store is operated by the University for teaching food science and marketing. The Edam cheese cannonball, Vallagret cheese, and muscadine jelly are delicious best kept secrets. After lunch (on your own) we will visit the B.B. King Museum & Delta Interpretive Center, where we will learn about the birth of “the blues”, influenced by its foremost ambassador…Riley B.B. King. On to the Museum of the Mississippi Delta, whose mission is to preserve, collect, and exhibit artifacts, art, and history of the Delta. Dinner tonight is included at the Crystal Grill, a family owned restaurant since 1933 and listed as a”top 10 restaurant” by Clarion Ledger and featured on the Food Network. Don’t forget their famous homemade pie, YUM! We will overnight at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Greenwood for 2 nights.
Day 5: We begin our day with breakfast (included) at our hotel and then board our bus for a 2-hour guided tour of Greenwood, MS. We’ll learn the history of this truly southern small town America city. We will see locations where the movie “The Help” was filmed and where the stars stayed during the filming. We’ll also pass the Tallahatchie Bridge, a bridge made famous by songwriter Bobby Gentry “Ode to Billy Joe”. Lunch today is on your own in downtown Cleveland with several notable restaurants and shops to explore. After lunch we will visit the Grammy Museum, dedicated to exploring the past, present, and future of music. Cutting edge exhibits, interactive experiences, and films provide a one-of-a-kind experience. Dinner tonight is included where we enjoy Tallahatchie Flats-Catfish Dinner. Located on a beautiful cotton plantation, you’ll thoroughly enjoy this culinary experience!
Day 6: After breakfast (included) we travel to Hendersonville, TN, where we arrive at the Holiday Inn Express. After check-in we travel to the Long Hollow Jamboree for dinner and dancing with the locals. This unique restaurant began as Hardison Grocery from 1970 - 1980. Then it became a great place for food and to just “come on in and sit awhile”.
Day 7: After breakfast (included), we spend today traveling back home with fond memories of experiencing “Music, Movie, and the Mighty Mississippi” hospitality!
Includes: Escorted transportation, 6 nights lodging, 6 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 5 dinners, admission to attractions, luggage service & included meal gratuities.
S & S THEATER, ”DANIEL”, LANCASTER, PA
APRIL 10 - 12 & APRIL 24 - 26 (2 great dates)
$725 pp dbl / $880 single occupancy
Experience a live production of the life of Daniel. Taken into exile inside the Kingdom of Babylon, Daniel faces trial from the fiery furnace to the infamous den of lions. Don’t miss your chance to witness one of the bible’s most hope filled stories. We will also enjoy a musical at the Dutch Apple Theater, the unique talent of Eva Hurst Chalk Talk, dinner at Paradise Station, and a guided tour of Pennsylvania ‘s Amish countryside.
Day 1: We begin this exciting trip with travel to Lancaster, PA and check-in at the DoubleTree Hotel, Lancaster, PA. Then we’re off to dinner at the Dutch Apple Dinner Theater, for a delicious meal, while enjoying the presentation of “RagTime” the musical. (included)
Day 2: After breakfast (included) we travel to Elva Hurst Chalk Talk, a creative combination of artistry and entertainment. Lunch is on your own at the Kitchen Kettle, before traveling to the Sight & Sound Theater for the production of Daniel, an inspiring and spectacular enactment of one of the Bible’s most hope-filled stories. Dinner tonight is at the Paradise Barn, a beautiful Amish built barn turned into a unique restaurant.
Day 3: After breakfast (included) we board for a guided tour of the Pennsylvania Amish countryside. Following our guided tour we will travel back home to Ohio.
Included: Escorted transportation, 2 nights lodging 2 breakfasts, 2 dinners, admission to attractions and meal gratuities.
RIVER HOP & “THE GREAT STEAMBOAT RACE” - full with a waiting list
APRIL 28 - MAY 2 $1400 pp dbl / $1655 single occupancy
Join us for this exclusive tour that culminates with “The Great Steamboat Race”, an iconic 50+ year tradition of the Kentucky Derby Festival, that includes fun, food, bourbon, and riverboat racing.
Day 1: We begin our adventure by traveling to Newport, KY, where we will overnight at the Aloft Newport on the Levee Hotel, with free time to explore Newport & dinner on your own at nearby restaurants.
Day 2: Today we board the beautiful “Belle of Cincinnati”, a lovely paddle wheeler. Featuring Victorian decor, The Belle has two enclosed decks and an open-air top deck perfect for sightseeing. The first stop on the Ohio River is the town of Aurora, Indiana, where quaint shops, historic homes, and lovely scenery await.. We then continue our cruise with fun food, crafts, and songs, before navigating through the Markland Lock and Dam. Experience an up-close look at how our inland waterways operate. After dinner in the Belle dining room, we dock at Vevay, IN, and overnight at the lavish Belterra Resort and Spa. Retire for the night or try your luck at the casino. ($10.00 freeplay voucher)
Day 3: Today more fun and food await as we cruise into the beautiful Waterfront Park in Louisville, KY. We’ll check in at the Hampton Inn before heading out for a dinner and show at the famed Derby Dinner Playhouse.
Day 4: Today we tour some of Louisville’s major attractions, with a delicious lunch along the way. Then the much anticipated “grand finale” awaits back at The Belle of Cincinnati, as we race the legendary Belle of Louisville, complete with a bourbon tasting, a delicious meal, and all the “riverboat shenanigans” you can handle as you help cheer us to the finish line!! There is only one rule in a riverboat race: “there are no rules!”
Day 5: After breakfast (included) we board and travel a short distance to Safesplash, a unique facility dedicated to training the skill of swimming. From basic life saving techniques for infants and adults, to the specialized techniques needed by competitive athletes and Olympians, all with a hometown connection. We complete our journey as we travel back home. Lunch and dinner are on your own today.
Includes: Escorted transportation, 4 nights lodging, 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners, luggage service, admission to listed attractions, and meal gratuities.
THE LEGENDARY ROUTE 66
SPRINGFIELD, IL
MAY 13 - 16 $780 pp dbl / $985 single occupancy
(full with a waiting list)
This year we continue to “Get our Kicks” on Route 66, with a trip through Springfield, Illinois. Go back in time with us on this nostalgic adventure!
Day 1: We begin with a day of travel to Springfield, IL, where we check-in at the Drury Inn Hotel and freshen-up before dinner at Route 66 Motorhead’s Bar & Grill Museum. A dining experience (included) surrounded by memorabilia, antique race cars and more.
Day 2: After breakfast, (included) we meet our step on guide for a tour of “The Route 66 Experience” & Mahan’s Filling Station. This unique outdoor park highlights Route 66 history and an array of iconic signage and Mahan’s Filling Station is a nostalgic example of the earliest gas stations. Lunch today is at the Cozy Dog Drive-in, serving the public for over 70 years. After lunch we visit Ace Sign Museum, an 80 year old company with a huge collection of signs from the past. Then it's off to the “Route 66 Brick Road ''. Listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, this is a beautiful 1.4 mile long restored hand-laid brick road section of Route 66, completed in 1931. Then we have some time to shop and explore downtown attractions. Dinner is included tonight at our hotel, the Drury Inn.
Day 3: Today we continue to the Illinois Capitol building. In 1867, ground was broken and the first general assembly was held there 9 years later. The capitol sits on the highest elevation in Springfield; at 405 feet tall (the dome is covered with zinc) it is the highest building in Springfield and taller than our nation’s capital building. Next we travel to Route 66 History Museum, where we learn about the tragedy, resilience, and the journey of black people, businesses, and events located along Route 66. Lunch today is at Dew Chili Parlor, serving America’s finest Tavern Style Chili since 1909. After lunch we visit the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum. Step back in time to walk through artifacts not found anywhere else in the world and feel like you are walking in Lincoln’s shoes. We finish our day by visiting the Dana Thomas House (a Frank Lloyd Wright Home), perhaps the most complete of all early Wright dwellings. It was never significantly altered and holds over 100 pieces of original Wright-designed oak furniture. The barrel-vaulted dining room and gallery/ballroom are two of the most photographed spaces in the history of American Architecture.
Day 4: After breakfast, we say goodby to Springfield as we begin our trip home. Lunch and dinner today are on your own en route.
Includes: Escorted transportation, 3 nights lodging, 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners, luggage service, admission to listed attractions, and meal gratuities.
SUMMER IN CAPE COD AND NANTUCKET
FEATURING A SEAL WATCH AND A CAPE COD CANAL CRUISE
JUNE 16 - 22 $1925 pp dbl / $2350 single occupancy
(early bird price $1875 before February 10)
(8 seats available)
This year we again travel to beautiful Cape Cod, one of our most popular destinations. With nearly 70 miles of sea shore, it is the home of both natural beauty and quaint colonial villages. We will visit the Nantucket Whaling Museum, cruise into Chatham Harbor and watch the seals play, view the Chatham Light, tour the JFK Museum & Memorial, the Korean War Memorial and more. You will also have time to search for shells on the sandy beach.
Day 1: Travel through Ohio and Pennsylvania, where we will stop for the night at the Hampton Inn, Wilkes-Barre, PA, lunch and dinner are on your own.
Day 2: We continue our journey through New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts arriving at the Hyannis Harbor Hotel. Lunch is on your own and dinner is included in Hyannis, this evening.
Day 3: After breakfast (included) we board for a ferry ride to Nantucket Island where we will experience a guided tour of the island. After the tour we will have time to roam the galleries and shops. You will also enjoy the Nantucket Whaling Museum with its large collection of artifacts, scrimshaw, harpoons, and the centerpiece is the complete skeleton of a 46 foot bull Sperm whale suspended from the ceiling, lunch is on your own. We depart the island around 4:00 pm and arrive at the hotel around 5:15 to relax and enjoy some free time to explore and have dinner (on your own) around the hotel.
Day 4: Today we meet our local guide and travel to the south side of the Cape to the village of Chatham, for an unforgettable outdoor adventure, A SEAL WATCHING CRUISE. This 1-½ hour cruise features Grey Seals swimming, sunning, and entertaining us. Next we will view the Chatham Light, which has been a lifesaving beacon for sailors throughout the Capes history. The afternoon is filled with history as we tour Hyannis, including the JFK Museum & Memorial, the Korean War Memorial, Hyannis Port and a view of the St. Xavier Church, the summer parish of the Kennedy Family. Lunch and dinner today is on your own.
Day 5: After breakfast (included) we meet our local guide and travel to Sandwich, the oldest town on Cape Cod. Here we will visit the Village Green, the Great Salt Marsh, a Cranberry Bog, and Cape Cod Bay. Admission is included to the Heritage Museums & Gardens. This beautiful 100 acres of trees, shrub, flowers, and sweeping lawns is also the home of the JK Lilly III Automobile Collection Museum, the American History Museum and the Art Museum, featuring an operating hand-carved Carousel made in 1912. Then some free time for lunch (on your own). The fun continues as we board the Cape Cod Canal Cruise for a 2-hour cruise on the 17 mile long canal that connects Cape Cod Bay to Buzzards Bay. We will cruise under the Bourne and Sagamore Bridges and also the Cape Cod Canal Railroad Bridge which is the second longest lift bridge in the US. Dinner tonight is included at a local restaurant.
Day 6: Breakfast is included this morning before we board and depart for an overnight stay at the Hampton Inn Wilkes Barre, PA. Leaving Cape Cod with some fond memories, sand in your shoes and shells in your pocket.
Day 7: After breakfast (included) we continue our journey back home.
Includes: Escorted transportation, 6 nights lodging, 6 breakfasts, 2 dinners, luggage service, admission to listed attractions, and meal gratuities.
“WHEN CALLS THE HEART” - THE MUSICAL
SHIPSHEWANA, INDIANA
AUGUST 26 - 27 $320.00 pp double / $395 single
Experience a theatrical celebration of truth, adventure, sacrifice, faith, and above all - love! The musical is brimming with excitement, comedy, and of course, romance! Elizabeth Thatcher is from a very wealthy family in Toronto, Canada, at the beginning of a promising teaching career, but deep down inside, she is feeling a bit, “restless.” When her older brother writes she might consider taking a teaching job in the great Canadian west, she decides that this is the break she has been waiting for! Saying goodbye to family and everything she has ever known, she begins the adventure of a lifetime! Mishaps, challenges, and new experiences ensue as the captivating and enchanting music takes you on a journey you will never forget!
Day 1: We begin this exciting trip with travel to Shipshewana, Indiana and check-in at the Blue Gate Garden Inn. We will travel downtown Shipshewana for an Amish buffet dinner before enjoying the presentation of “When calls the Heart” the musical. (included)
Day 2: After breakfast (included) we board for a morning of leisure and shopping in downtown Shipshewana. After lunch (on your own) we return to Ohio; rest stops enroute.
Included: Escorted transportation, 1 night lodging, 1 breakfasts, 1 dinner, 1 show, and meal gratuities.