International tour operators are encouraged to contact their U.S. – based receptive tour operator for details and arrangements regarding these sample itineraries.

RSAA Sample Itineraries:

FIT  
FlyDrive  
Group
Motorcoach-Escorted
Motorcoach-Group

FIT

America 's Oldest City, St. Augustine Florida Individual Tour
Offered by St.Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches VCB
Start with a narrated city tour, continue on your own to explore 440 years of history, dozens of galleries and shops, indulge in local cuisine, explore nature or play a round of golf. A unique American city.

Contact:  Evelyn Vazquez

Phone: 904-829-1711 X 2011

Fax: 904-829-6149
Email: EVazquez@Getaway4Florida.com

Leisure Tour: Visit one of our many wineries, Lunch at Mohonk Mt House, and a two hour Hudson River cruise
New Paltz and Kingston , New York
Offered by Ulster County Tourism
Contact: Cathy Ellis
Phone: 845-334-5459
Fax: 845-334-8687
Email: cell@co.ulster.ny.us

Leisure Tour: Kennedy Space Center
Orlando , Florida area
Offered by Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
Contact: Matt Duda
Phone: 321-449-4400
Fax: 321-449-4480
Email: mduda@dncinc.com

Leisure Tour: Quintessential New Orleans - The Ultimate Tour (3 days)
Offered by New Orleans Metropolitan CVB
Contact: Connie Campbell
Phone: 504-566-5069
Fax: 504-566-5002
Email: ccampbell@neworleanscvb.com  

Leisure Tour: “A Day in New York City ”
A day of exciting shopping and dining In New York’s finest historic venues, Grand Central Terminal and South Street Seaport
Offered by General Growth Properties
Contact: Carolyn Feimster
Phone: 732-249-6080
Fax: 732-545-3138
Email: carolyn@cjfmarketinginternational.com

Great American LeisureTour
This two night, three day tour is Enjoy a trip as American as apple pie! Buffalo is an All-American city and this is the best way to encounter the culture and heritage.
Contact: Leah Mueller
Phone: 888-228-3369 x237
Fax: 716-852-0131
Email: Mueller@buffalocvb.org

Leisure Tour: Historic Savannah
Savannah’s historic beauty is waiting for your visitors. They’ll want to spend time exploring vibrant River Street, touring our stately mansions and fascinating forts, shopping in our boutiques and dining in our outstanding restaurants.
Offered by Savannah Area CVB
Contact: Mindy Shea
Phone: 912-644-6419
Email: mshea@savannahvisit.com

Leisure Tour:  Antebellum South with Modern Spice!
Need a reason to stick around in Baton Rouge?  Louisiana’s capital city has world famous cuisine, fantastic music and festivals, antebellum homes, alligator encounters and one of a kind art and history museums. Add to that, amazing shopping, and you’ve got the perfect destination.
Offered by Baton Rouge Area CVB - Visit Baton Rouge
Contact: Kasey Perry
Phone: 225-382-3573
Fax: 225-382-3579
Email: kasey@visitbatonrouge.com

Leisure Tour: Mississippi Gulf Coast
Day 1: Enjoy an excursion aboard the Biloxi Shrimp Trip. For 90 minutes, enjoy Corrie Eleuterius’ tales of shrimping, fishing and Biloxi history. Cross the street to see the new Hurricane Katrina Memorial built by Extreme Makeover: Home Edition on the Biloxi Town Green. Spend some time at the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art to experience the creations of George Ohr. You can try your hand at some pottery creations of your own or watch an artist at work at the potter’s wheel. Become a “foodie” for the afternoon with a culinary demonstration or southern tea offered by one of our local chefs. Cruise the coastal highway to discover our new tree sculptures, created by regional woodcarvers. Trees destroyed by the hurricane have been given new life as works of art.

If you’re intrigued by outer space, blast off to StennisSphere and discover why America comes to NASA’s Stennis Space Center prior to going into space. Before you begin your journey into space, you will be taken to the Launch Pad to prepare for your mission then on to a narrated tour through the nation’s largest rocket test complex where space shuttles’ main engines are tested. At StennisSphere, you will see exciting displays, exhibits, and unique presentations designed to educate and entertain.

After dark enjoy the shows, entertainers and gaming at our coastal casinos.

Day 2: Travel east to Old Town Ocean Springs. Spend the morning visiting the many boutiques, galleries and restaurants of this quaint artisan town. Don’t miss a visit to the Walter Anderson Museum of Art to enjoy the works of this renowned artist.

If the waters of the Gulf of Mexico are beckoning to you, relax on a sail aboard the Biloxi Schooners, replicas of the oyster schooners used from the late 1800’s to the early 1900’s. Venture out to the Gulf of Mexico with Ship Island Excursions for their new Dolphin Tour aboard the Pan American Clipper. Docked at the Gulfport Harbor, this tour guarantees to find some dolphins to amuse you.

Day 3: There’s plenty of casting and chipping to be found on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Charter fishing captains stand ready to take you out into the Gulf of Mexico for some of the finest fishing you can enjoy. Challenge yourself for a round or two at our premiere golf courses, created by some of the hottest designers: Tom Fazio, Jerry Pate, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and more.

If you shop like a pro, Prime Outlets is the place to be where you can find terrific buys at stores like Hilfiger, Polo, Nike, Gap, Banana Republic, and many more shops at great outlet prices. Just minutes away, browse the bargains at Crossroads Mall, home to TJ Maxx, Old Navy, Academy Sports, Shoe Carnival, and more.

Looking for someplace special? Spend the day in the Bay. After a beautiful Gulf View drive west, you will cross the Bay of St. Louis into a shopping and dining paradise. Mississippi’s West Coast is home to more than 200 resident artists who create fine and folk pieces exhibited in galleries that will take your breath away. Visit St. Rose de Lima, an African American based Catholic Church which holds a truly magnificent surprise! While riding through this historic town, you will see quaint shotgun homes dressed in pastels and gingerbread trim, and see firsthand their post-Katrina rebirth. The historic L & N Train Depot, new home to the Hancock County’s CVB, is a convenient rest and information stop. Shop, shop, shop in designer boutiques, galleries, specialty and garden shops, book stores and bakeries. Dining is a treat at the local coffee shops and eateries.
Offered by MS Gulf Coast CVB
Contact: Annette Rand
Phone: 228-896-6699
Email: annetter@gulfcoast.org

Leisure Tour: Explore Minnesota
Land of 10,000 lakes and home to the nation’s most progressive metropolitan areas, Minnesota offers the best of urban, cosmopolitan flavor with the change to get away from it all in some of the most pristine, scenic settings possible. A vacation in Minnesota can fit any kind of travel interest from eco-friendly, family fun, romantic to adventure, there’s a full range of possibilities to help you make Minnesota your own.
Offered by Explore Minnesota Tourism
Contact: Chris Van Meter
Phone: 651-297-2121
Fax: 651-296-7095
Email: chris.vanmeter@state.mn.us

Individual Tour: Chicago – The World in a City

DAY 1

There's no need to rent a car in Chicago. From the airport, you can easily reach Chicago's downtown by shuttle, taxi or public transport. And after checking in at your hotel, the first order of business is to discover the delights of the Magnificent Mile, one of the world's glitziest shopping boulevards.
You'll want to visit the multi-storied shopping malls like Water Tower Place, 900 North Michigan, Chicago Place and Westfield North Bridge. But don't neglect the trendy boutiques on fashionable Oak Street, Niketown or that Valhalla for little girls, American Girl Place.
When it's time to think about dinner, you'll have hundreds of restaurants to choose from. Try one of the stylish restaurants along West Randolph Street, a former market district in the West Loop Gate neighborhood that has become the city's favorite new hotspot for dining and nightlife.
If your motor is still running after that, stop in for a nightcap at one of the city's nightclubs or friendly bars.

DAY 2

Start with coffee. Then take a Chicago Trolley Company or Chicago Gray Line tour to introduce yourself to the city. A little culture? Visit the Museum of Contemporary Art whose collections focus on works created since 1945. If you're more of a traditionalist, view the great masters at The Art Institute of Chicago. Of more than 300,000 works, the impressionist and post-impressionist paintings are considered among the best in the world.
After lunch - seafood at McCormick & Schmick's or Mity Nice Grill, perhaps - you'll love exploring a working coalmine or clambering through a German U-boat at the Museum of Science and Industry.
Alternatively, visit the Museum Campus which includes The Shedd Aquarium, the Adler Planetarium, and The Field Museum, home of Sue the largest, most complete Tyrannosaurus Rex ever discovered.
Later, take in spectacular views from The Hancock Observatory or the Sears Tower Skydeck. The Sears Tower is higher, but the Hancock is closer to the Lake. Hmm! Tough choice.
Now it's about time for gourmet dining again. How about a succulent steak at Gibson's, The Saloon, or Ruth's Chris Steakhouse? Or the exotic cuisine of French Indo China at Le Colonial?
End the evening at one of Chicago's famous jazz clubs like The Green Mill or Andy's Jazz Club. Or combine good jazz and fine dining at the Green Dolphin Street.

DAY 3

A hearty breakfast at Lou Mitchell's where the original Route 66 began, then it's off on a Chicago Neighborhood Tour to explore one of the communities such as Wicker Park or Chinatown. Or perhaps a visit to Navy Pier where, among the hustle and bustle of shops and restaurants, you'll come upon one of Chicago's lesser-known jewels - the Smith Museum of Stained Glass.
After lunch, visit the Chicago Cultural Center where you can take a self-guided tour and marvel at its beautiful Tiffany Dome, as well as the thought-provoking, free art exhibits. Then visit Chicago's landmark department stores, Macy's on State Street, "that great street."
Later, try one of Chicago's favorite deep-dish pizzas at Giordano's or the original Gino's East. Sample world-class theater at The Goodman Theatre or Steppenwolf Theatre; enjoy a Broadway-style show at the Cadillac Palace Theatre or Ford Center for the Performing Arts/Oriental Theatre, or improv at The Second City or Comedy Sportz. Or sample the energetic and wildly popular Blue Man Group. 
If you'd prefer music, end your visit with an appropriate flourish with some Chicago Blues at Blue Chicago or Buddy Guy's Legends. All this and you only scraped the surface. Make a note to come back again soon!
Offered by Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau
Contact: Patrick Steffes
Phone: 312-567-8569
Fax: 312-567-8504
Email: psteffes@choosechicago.com

FlyDrive

Beaches of South Walton
Sample Itinerary

Day One:

Spend the day touring Seaside ( www.seasidefl.com ) an award-winning holiday town in Beaches of South Walton where wooden cottages with picket fences line brick streets that lead toward beachfront gateways. Visit a variety of shops, galleries and restaurants in this quaint village community. Sample the delicious culinary delights at the many restaurants and eateries located within Seaside's central square.

At the end of an already memorable day, hop aboard SunQuest Cruises (www.sunquestcruises.com) "Solaris" the premiere dining and entertainment yacht. Leave your worries on land and experience the beauty of the water as you cruise the Choctawhatchee Bay aboard this 150 passenger luxury yacht. Enjoy extraordinary dining prepared fresh onboard in the full-service galley. Sip your favorite cocktail from the fully stocked bar or order the perfect bottle of wine from an extensive wine list. Star gaze from the sky deck, and dine by candle light in climate-controlled comfort at linen dressed tables featuring breathtaking views. It will truly be an evening to remember!

Day Two:

In the morning, enjoy a round of golf at the Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort (www.sandestin.com). If tennis is your game of choice, schedule time at the Tops'l Beach & Racquet Club (www.topsl.com) ranked third tennis resort in the United States. Afterward, select from a number of restaurants for lunch located within the Village at Baytowne Wharf that overlook the picturesque Choctawhatchee Bay.

After lunch, explore the grounds of Eden State Gardens (www.floridastateparks.org) and step back in time by experiencing the guided tour of the Wesley Mansion. Located in historic Point Washington, this gem of Beaches of South Walton will transport your senses to another place and time.

Complete your day by dining at Fish Out of Water located in the community of WaterColor (www.watercolorvacations.com) on Scenic Hwy. 30-A. Choice selections of the finest local seafood and prime cuts of meat in an inventive dune-side setting, complete with sushi bar, exhibition kitchen, wine cellar dining and other artful touches.

Day Three:

Take an early morning walk along the sugar-white beaches and enjoy watching dolphins at play as they glide through the emerald-green waters.

After a hearty breakfast to build endurance, head over to Silver Sands Factory Stores (www.silversandsfactorystores.com) a shop till you drop heaven. Over 100 designer stores offer something to please everyone. From Nike to Eddie Bauer, from the Gap to Coach, Silver Sands Factory Stores has more stores than your feet may wish to travel during a marathon day of shopping discovery.

To refresh body and soul, relax with a soothing massage at Serenity By the Sea Spa located at the Hilton Sandestin Golf Beach Resort & Spa (www.sandestinbeachhilton.com). Serenity offers a variety of individual treatments as well as packages that guarantee to transport you to another place and time.

After a vigorous day of activity, delight the senses by experiencing dinner at any number of fine dining and casual restaurants located within Beaches of South Walton. After dinner head for John Wehner's Village Door Nightclub located at the Village at Baytown Wharf. Enjoy this exciting live music dance club where the 10-piece talents of Dreamband, direct from Bourbon Street in the "Big Easy," perform favorite hits from Chicago; Earth, Wind & Fire; Motown and much more.

Day Four:

No trip is complete without experiencing the nature-based activities that Beaches of South Walton has to offer. Spend the morning canoeing or kayaking the many coastal lakes and Choctawhatchee Bay. Biking and hiking throughout the thousands of acres of State Parks provides an up close and personal contact with flora and fauna that is, in some instances, unique only to the panhandle region. Visit Topsail Hill State Preserve (www.topsailhill.com), a three-mile span of undeveloped beachfront property identified as the most pristine and environmentally protected piece of coastal property in Florida. Attache magazine named this stretch of beach as one of the "Great Wilderness Beaches."

After this vigorous work-out you will definitely be ready for a delicious lunch at one of the many restaurants located in the community of Rosemary Beach (www.rosemarybeach.com). Onano is named after a town 50 miles outside of Rome, Italy and specializes in delicious Northern Italian cuisine and serves both lunch and dinner. Summer Kitchen Café offers great sandwiches and other light fare that can be packaged to go so you can take it back to your cottage or enjoy a picnic lunch on the beach.

In the afternoon enjoy a respite at the Solace Day Spa (www.solacedayspa.net) located in the community of Rosemary Beach (www.rosemarybeach.com). Solace is a spa experience that meets your individual physical and spiritual needs. Experienced staff will pamper you as your mind relaxes and your body is refreshed.

As the sun sets over the Gulf of Mexico, drive to the community of Grayton Beach. Experience the delicious fare while relaxing in the eclectic atmosphere at Picolo's Restaurant and The Red Bar. Scrumptious food, fun people, and soothing live jazz music turn this evening into a lasting memory to treasure upon your return home. If you're still not ready to call it a day, step around the corner and take a moonlight stroll on Grayton Beach State Park. Rated among 650 other beaches in the U.S., including the Hawaiian Islands, Grayton Beach State Park was named the "Best Beach in the Nation." The compelling qualities found in Grayton were crystal clear water, sugar-white sand, sunny climate, towering sand dunes, pristine nature trails, and a safe, clean, crowd free environment.

Contact Information:
Pamela Watkins, CTIS, Director of Sales
Beaches of South Walton
P.O. Box 1248
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
1-800-82-6877
850-267-1216 Ext. 128
pwatkins@beachesofsouthwalton.com
www.beachesofsouthwalton.com

Hub & Spoke Sample Itinerary

Day One: Beaches of South Walton

Some search for a place like this all of their lives – never realizing that this incomparable 26-mile stretch of sugar white sand and clear emerald-green water awaits them in the Florida's Panhandle. Here you will discover a place where value is measured in years subtracted and spirits restored, a place where you can lose yourself and find yourself at the same time, a place where the rewards of living well come in waves, and a place where the morning tide bring a flood of memories. Come. Experience. Florida's Panhandle. "Pure and Simple."

Escape to Eden State Gardens in historic Point Washington. Stroll under moss-draped live oaks; view the reflection pond and various flower gardens nestled along Tucker Bayou. Take a guided tour of the Wesley Mansion. The house was probably the largest residential structure in the area at that time. The design was one that became familiar throughout the Florida panhandle during the 19th century: two stories, each made up of two equal groups of two rooms, divided by a central hallway on both sides. Discover intact architectural treasures along with antiques collected from all over the world.

Spend the afternoon visiting the charming community of Seaside, home of "The Truman Show" starring Jim Carry. A picture-perfect beach town, from the ice-cream colored cottages with wistful names like "Sunkissed" and "Ooh La La" to the gulf-front boardwalk, grand beach pavilions and traditional town square. Savor the local cuisine and the various restaurants and outdoor cafes. Seaside is small town living where you can walk to the corner market for a chat, outdoor performance, wine tasting or shopping and with over 50 unique shops, galleries, cafes and restaurants it's sure to over fun for everyone.

Lie down, rest, and reflect on the day. We hope your stay at Beaches of South Walton will relax your body and rejuvenate your soul.

Beaches of South Walton TDC
P.O. Box 1248
Santa Rosa Beach, Florida 32459
1-800-822-6877
850-267-1216
850-267-3943 FAX
pwatkins@beachesofsouthwalton.com – Pamela Watkins, CTIS, Director of Sales
www.beachesofsouthwalton.com

Day Two: Pensacola – One-hour drive from Beaches of South Walton

Visit the National Museum of Naval Aviation – Naval Aviation transcends both time and space from wood and fabric biplanes to the frontier of space. The Museum captures Naval Aviation's heritage and brings its story of challenge, ingenuity, and courage to you. The National Museum of Naval Aviation is one of the largest and most beautiful air and space museums in the world. See more than 130 beautifully restored aircraft displayed both inside the Museum's 291,000 square-feet of exhibit space and outside on the Museum's 37-acre grounds. People of all ages love strapping into the many cockpit trainers for pretend test flights or trying their hands at defending the ship from an anti-aircraft gun battery aboard a full-size replica of a United States aircraft carrier. Experience the thrill of flight in a 15-passenger full-motion flight simulator.

Capture the thrill of flight at the Museum's IMAX Theater. Experience a take-off in an F-18 fighter jet. Land on an aircraft carrier at over 150 miles per hour. Cruise the skies at mach speed. With the sensational projection technology of IMAX and the seven-story screen, you'll believe you're sitting in the cockpit at the controls.

Whether you are hungry for lunch, or just a rest and snack, you'll enjoy the Cubi Bar Café. An exact replica of the famous Plaque Bar of the Naval Air Station Cubi Point, in the Philippines, is located inside the museum.

Built in 1763, the cannons of Fort Barrancas could easily destroy the slow 1800 era ships and their thick walls were impenetrable from the ships' guns. The fort reflects the various nation's' flags that have flown over Pensacola. Held by the British, French and Spanish, the fort fell into American hands when troops led by Andrew Jackson captured it from the Spanish in 1814. Visitors can take self-guided tours of the Fort, which is an excellent condition. Pensacola is home to several other military forts, such as Fort Pickens located on Pensacola Beach inside the Fort Pickens National Park. Fort Pickens faces Fort Barrancas guarding the pass into Pensacola Bay.

Enjoy Veterans Memorial Park where featured is the Wall South, the nation's first full name replica of the Vietnam Veterans memorial in Washington D.C. The wall measures 256 feet long, bearing the names of the 58,217 men and women who died during the conflict.

The largest of our forts, Fort Pickens was completed in 1834 and used until 1947. Slaves stacked the more than 21 million bricks that compose it. A self-guided tour will take you back through time. In 1861, Union troops at the fort faced the Confederates, who abandoned Pensacola in 1862. Later, the fort served as a prison for famed Apache Indian leader Geronimo and other Apaches in 1887. Take a self-guided tour of the fort, or enjoy a narrative tour with one of the Park Rangers. During the Spring and Summer months join a Park Ranger for a lamplight tour of the fort after dark.

Welcome back to the Beaches of South Walton, a place where you can lose yourself and find yourself all at the same time.

Pensacola Visitor Information Center
1401 East Gregory Street
Pensacola, Florida 32501
800-874-1234
850-434-1234
850-432-8211 FAX
lcoppels@pensacolachamber.com – Lori Coppels/Group Tour Sales Manager
www.visitpensacola.com

Day Three

Spend a relaxing day shopping at the many unique venues that the communities along Beaches of South Walton have to offer. Try the Magnolia House in Grayton Beach, a delightful gift shop, where you will be greeted by the soft musical sounds of Nancy Veldman, proprietor. If golf is your thing, try our swing at the many golf courses located just minutes away. Each course is a challenge for the golf-pro or the novice player. Enjoying the sun, sand and surf is also a great way, and most popular to spend the afternoon.

Spend the day at Silver Sands Designer Factory Stores, the nation's largest designer factory store center, where the possibilities are endless and indulgence is it's own reward. You'll find the most desirable brand names from high fashion to home fashion, tools to toys – all at incredibly affordable prices. At Silver Sands Designer Factory Stores, every day is a shopping holiday.

Visit and learn about the underwater world at the Gulfarium, located west of Beaches of South Walton. The Gulfarium's multimillion-dollar facility is committed to family entertainment, education and animal welfare. Finely tuned performances featuring dolphin and sea lions. Huge underwater viewing panels bring you face to face with sharks, eels and other sea life. The Gulfarium is open everyday rain or shine. They offer refreshments, nature areas and the Emerald Coast's finest gift shop.

Learn more about American History and Aircraft Warfare at the Air Force Armament located at Eglin Air Force Base. Visiting is a unique experience where a collection of historical artifacts and memorabilia traces the heritage of the Air Commandos and Special Operation forces from WWII to the present. View over 30 aircrafts and missile exhibits across the complex and watch a video on the history of Eglin AFB and its role in the development of armament.

Allow the ebb and flow of the waves to rock you to sleep as you lie your head down and remember your day at Beaches of South Walton.

Day Four – 3 hour drive from Beaches of South Walton

Visit Biloxi, Mississippi and spend the day at the many casinos located along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Great treasures may be in store for visitors who enjoy Las Vegas style gaming – with 12 casinos now on the Coast – and more to come – fortune's wheel may be spinning for you. Open 24 hours, seven days a week, these casinos offer high limits, liberal rules and games that include craps, blackjack, mini-baccarat, all kinds of poker, roulette and, of course, slots, slots and mega-slots!!!

Free players club memberships and free valet parking, plus prizes galore, are just part of the draw. Even if you are a novice or a non-gambler, you will find lots of live entertainment, sumptuous buffets, elegant restaurants and some entertainment centers for youngsters at these glitzy pleasure palaces. The bright lights are shining on Mississippi Beach's newest attraction – casino gaming.

For those that would like to break away from the bright lights of the casinos and enjoy a bit of culture, Biloxi's heritage and unique art characterizes the distinctive flavor of the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Beauvoir, home of Confederate President Jefferson Davis, is one of the many examples of antebellum architecture that grace the coastline of the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

As you return to Beaches of South Walton, realize you are in a special place, where time has no boundaries.

Mississippi Gulf Coast
P.O. Box 6128
Gulfport, Mississippi
1-800-237-9493
228-896-6788 FAX
www.gulfcoast.org

Day Five: – 1 ½ hour drive from Beaches of South Walton

Mobile, Alabama is the perfect city for outdoor excursions, thanks to the mild year-round climate and many ecological attractions. Begin your day surrounded by the bloom of nature's beauty at Bellingrath Gardens and Home. The 65-acre landscaped grounds, situated within a 905-acre semitropical forest, are a veritable paradise. In addition to the world-renowned floral displays, Bellingrath holds special events throughout the year, including a Magic Christmas in Lights display. The Bellingrath Home is equally as magnificent, featuring lovely 19th century furniture and the world's largest collection of Boehm porcelain china. And be sure to enjoy Bellingrath from the river aboard the Southern Belle. www.bellingrath.org

After a hearty lunch, head due south to Dauphin Island, home of the Estuarium at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab. This beautiful aquarium will give first-hand view of the ecosystems of the Mobile Bay area. Exciting visual and interactive exhibits, including the Living Marsh boardwalk, give visitors a unique educational experience.

For a little exercise and true visual extravaganza, walk the trails of the 164-acre Audubon Bird Sanctuary, ranked nationally for its spring migratory activity.

No trip to Dauphin Island is complete without a visit to historic Fort Gaines, the site of the 1864 Battle of Mobile Bay. Various nations built forts on this site, but it was the American fort with walls four feet thick and 22 feet high that survived.

As you depart Beaches of South Walton, remember all the places you have visited during your stay, the beautiful destinations, the history and the experiences that will last forever. We hope you come to visit and enjoy this quaint hide-away of pure and simple shores known to travelers as the Florida Panhandle.

Mobile Convention & Visitors Corporation
One South Water Street
Mobile, Alabama
1-800-566-2453
334-208-2000
334-208-2060 FAX
www.mobile.org

Hub & Spoke Sample Itinerary

Day One: Beaches of South Walton

Tucked away in Northwest Florida lies one of the most enchanting and beautiful places on earth. Twenty-six exquisite miles of sugar-white sand and emerald-green waters showcase a unique way of life. A pristine and natural environment, a year-round temperate climate, a host of activities and wide range of accommodations make Beaches of South Walton (www.beachesofsouthwalton.com) the ideal vacation destination.

Escape to Eden State Gardens www.FloridaStateParks.org in historic Point Washington. Stroll under moss-draped live oaks; view the reflection pond and various flower gardens nestled along Tucker Bayou. While visiting Eden State Garden, take a guided tour of the Wesley Mansion. The Wesley Mansion was probably the largest residential structure in the area at the turn-of-the-century. The architectural design was one that became familiar throughout the Florida panhandle during the 19th century: two stories, each made up of two equal groups of two rooms, divided by a central hallway on both sides. Discover intact architectural treasures along with antiques collected from all over the world.

Spend the afternoon visiting the charming community of Seaside www.seasidefl.com, home of "The Truman Show" starring Jim Carry. A picture-perfect beach town, from the ice-cream colored cottages with wistful names like "Sunkissed" and "Ooh La La" to the gulf-front boardwalk, grand beach pavilions and traditional town square. Savor the local cuisine and the various restaurants and outdoor cafes. Seaside is small town living where you can walk to the corner market for a chat, outdoor performance, wine tasting or shopping and with over 50 unique shops, galleries, cafes and restaurants it's sure to over fun for everyone.

Lie down, rest, and reflect on the day. We hope your stay at Beaches of South Walton will relax your body and rejuvenate your soul.

Beaches of South Walton TDC
P.O. Box 1248
Santa Rosa Beach, Florida 32459
1-800-822-6877
850-267-1216
850-267-3943 FAX
Pamela Watkins, CTIS, Director of Sales – pwatkins@beachesofsouthwalton.com
www.beachesofsouthwalton.com

Day Two: Pensacola, FL – One-hour drive west from Beaches of South Walton

Visit the National Museum of Naval Aviation www.naval-air.org – Naval Aviation transcends both time and space from wood and fabric biplanes to the frontier of space. The Museum captures Naval Aviation's heritage and brings its story of challenge, ingenuity, and courage to you. The National Museum of Naval Aviation is one of the largest and most beautiful air and space museums in the world. See more than 130 beautifully restored aircraft displayed both inside the Museum's 291,000 square-feet of exhibit space and outside on the Museum's 37-acre grounds. People of all ages love strapping into the many cockpit trainers for pretend test flights or trying their hands at defending the ship from an anti-aircraft gun battery aboard a full-size replica of a United States aircraft carrier. Experience the thrill of flight in a 15-passenger full-motion flight simulator.

Capture the thrill of flight at the Museum's IMAX Theater. Experience a take-off in an F-18 fighter jet. Land on an aircraft carrier at over 150 miles per hour. Cruise the skies at mach speed. With the sensational projection technology of IMAX and the seven-story screen, you'll believe you're sitting in the cockpit at the controls.

Whether you are hungry for lunch, or just a rest and snack, you'll enjoy the Cubi Bar Café. An exact replica of the famous Plaque Bar of the Naval Air Station Cubi Point, in the Philippines, is located inside the museum.

Built in 1763, the cannons of Fort Barrancas could easily destroy the slow 1800 era ships and their thick walls were impenetrable from the ships' guns. The fort reflects the various nation's' flags that have flown over Pensacola. Held by the British, French and Spanish, the fort fell into American hands when troops led by Andrew Jackson captured it from the Spanish in 1814. Visitors can take self-guided tours of the Fort, which is an excellent condition. Pensacola is home to several other military forts, such as Fort Pickens located on Pensacola Beach inside the Fort Pickens National Park. Fort Pickens faces Fort Barrancas guarding the pass into Pensacola Bay.

Enjoy Veterans Memorial Park where featured is the Wall South, the nation's first full name replica of the Vietnam Veterans memorial in Washington D.C. The wall measures 256 feet long, bearing the names of the 58,217 men and women who died during the conflict.

The largest of our forts, Fort Pickens was completed in 1834 and used until 1947. Slaves stacked the more than 21 million bricks that compose it. A self-guided tour will take you back through time. In 1861, Union troops at the fort faced the Confederates, who abandoned Pensacola in 1862. Later, the fort served as a prison for famed Apache Indian leader Geronimo and other Apaches in 1887. Take a self-guided tour of the fort, or enjoy a narrative tour with one of the Park Rangers. During the Spring and Summer months join a Park Ranger for a lamplight tour of the fort after dark.

While in Pensacola, visit the historic Pensacola Village www.historicpensacola.org and the T.T. Wentworth, Jr. Florida State Museum. Historic Pensacola Village consists of twenty properties in the Pensacola National Register Historic District. Ten of these properties are interpreted facilities that are open to the public.

Welcome back to the Beaches of South Walton, a place where you can lose yourself and find yourself all at the same time.

Pensacola Visitor Information Center
1401 East Gregory Street
Pensacola, Florida 32501
800-874-1234
850-434-1234
850-432-8211 FAX
Lori Coppels/Group Tour Sales Manager – lcoppels@pensacolachamber.com
www.visitpensacola.com

Day Three – Beaches of South Walton

Spend a relaxing day shopping at the many unique venues that the communities along Beaches of South Walton have to offer. Try the Magnolia House in Grayton Beach, a delightful gift shop, where you will be greeted by the soft musical sounds of Nancy Veldman, proprietor. If golf is your thing, try our swing at the many golf courses located just minutes away. Each course is a challenge for the golf-pro or the novice player. Enjoying the sun, sand and surf is also a great way, and most popular to spend the afternoon.

Spend the day at Silver Sands Designer Factory Stores www.silversandsoutlet.com, the nation's largest designer factory store center, where the possibilities are endless and indulgence is it's own reward. You'll find the most desirable brand names from high fashion to home fashion, tools to toys – all at incredibly affordable prices. At Silver Sands Designer Factory Stores, every day is a shopping holiday.

Visit and learn about the underwater world at the Gulfarium www.gulfarium.com, located west of Beaches of South Walton. The Gulfarium's multimillion-dollar facility is committed to family entertainment, education and animal welfare. Finely tuned performances featuring dolphin and sea lions. Huge underwater viewing panels bring you face to face with sharks, eels and other sea life. The Gulfarium is open everyday rain or shine. Gulfarium offers refreshments, nature areas and the Emerald Coast's finest gift shop.

Learn more about American History and Aircraft Warfare at the Air Force Armament www.naval-air.org located next to Eglin Air Force Base. Visiting is a unique experience where a collection of historical artifacts and memorabilia traces the heritage of the Air Commandos and Special Operation forces from WWII to the present. View over 30 aircrafts and missile exhibits across the complex and watch a video on the history of Eglin AFB and its role in the development of armament.

Allow the ebb and flow of the waves to rock you to sleep as you lie your head down and remember your day at Beaches of South Walton.

Day Four: Dothan, Alabama – 2 hour drive north from Beaches of South Walton

Arrive at Landmark Park & Alabama Agricultural Museum www.landmarkpark.com – an early 1900's 100-acre farmstead complete with farmhouse, outbuildings, and farm animals. Stroll the boardwalk and nature trail and take in a planetarium show. Next on the agenda is the "Up in the wild blue yonder" with a visit to the Army Aviation Museum www.armyavnmuseum.org, home to the largest collection of U.S. Army Aviation memorabilia. Next stop is the Troy Simms Pecan Company www.WeLoveNuts.com. Sample peanuts, pecans and lots of other nuts – just one of the reasons Dothan is known as the "Peanut Capital of the World." Afterwards visit the Dothan Mural Tour and see why Dothan is the mural city of Alabama. Finish the day with a delicious meal at Mildred's Tea Room (334-702-9030) and then depart back to the beautiful Beaches of South Walton.

Dothan Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
Bob Hendrix – Executive Director – bhendrix@dothanalcvb.com
P.O. Box 8765
3311 Ross Clark Circle, N.W.
Dothan, Alabama 36304
1-888-449-0212
334-794-6622
334-712-2731 Fax
dothancvb@mail.ala.net
www.dothanalcvb.com

Day Five: Mobile, Alabama – 1 ½ hour drive west from Beaches of South Walton

Mobile, Alabama is the perfect city for outdoor excursions, thanks to the mild year-round climate and many ecological attractions. Begin your day surrounded by the bloom of nature's beauty at Bellingrath Gardens and Home www.bellingrath.org. The 65-acre landscaped grounds, situated within a 905-acre semitropical forest, are a veritable paradise. In addition to the world-renowned floral displays, Bellingrath holds special events throughout the year, including a Magic Christmas in Lights display. The Bellingrath Home is equally as magnificent, featuring lovely 19th century furniture and the world's largest collection of Boehm porcelain china. And be sure to enjoy Bellingrath from the river aboard the Southern Belle.

After a hearty lunch, head due south to Dauphin Island www.dauphinisland.org, home of the Estuarium at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab. This beautiful aquarium will give first-hand view of the ecosystems of the Mobile Bay area. Exciting visual and interactive exhibits, including the Living Marsh boardwalk, give visitors a unique educational experience.

For a little exercise and true visual extravaganza, walk the trails of the 164-acre Audubon Bird Sanctuary, ranked nationally for its spring migratory activity.

No trip to Dauphin Island is complete without a visit to historic Fort Gaines, www.dauphinisland.org the site of the 1864 Battle of Mobile Bay. Various nations built forts on this site, but it was the American fort with walls four feet thick and 22 feet high that survived.

A must see while in Mobile is the 175-acre Battleship Memorial Park, one of America's finest military parks. Here, along the shores of Mobile Bay, you'll experience heroism spanning more than seven decades from World War II to Desert Storm. You'll visit the USS Alabama www.ussalabama.com which is designated a National Historic Landmark. The valiant warship served as home to 2,500 brave Navy seamen and Marines during World War II. "The Mighty A" first saw action in the Atlantic and then in mid-1943 she joined the Pacific Fleet and fought heroically at Leyte, the Gilbert Islands and Okinawa. Begin your tour with an exciting video presentation in the Uptake Theater on the Main Deck. Walk the 680 degree deck of heroes. Then go below to see how the crew lived and how they operated the huge floating fortress.

Mobile Convention & Visitors Corporation
One South Water Street
Mobile, Alabama
Ron McConnell – Ron-mcconnell@mobile.org
1-800-566-2453
251-208-2018
334-208-2060 FAX
www.mobile.org

As you depart Beaches of South Walton, remember all the places you have visited during your stay, the beautiful destinations, the history and the experiences that will last forever. We hope you come to visit and enjoy this quaint hide-away of pure and simple shores known to travelers as the Florida Panhandle.

Gettysburg, PA
2d/1n Suggested History Itinerary

Day 1 – arrive in Gettysburg, PA

Prepare yourself for immersion into the American Civil War with a walk through the American Civil War Museum. This wax museum presents the entire story of the Civil War era and Battle of Gettysburg. See its causes, effects, heroes and heroines through an educational and inspiring experience appropriate for all ages. Afterward, spend time shopping in the on-site gift shop, one of the largest in Gettysburg.

"Fields of Freedom" A 30–minute film shown in a new, state-of-the-art, specially designed giant-screen theater introduces you to the Battle as never before. Taken from dairies and letters of solders from both sides who fought at Gettysburg, this film will set the emotional stage for your time in town.

Gettysburg Diorama the largest miniature military diorama in the U.S. describes the three day battle with a sound and light show.

Have lunch at one of our many fine restaurants and a few minutes of shopping along the Steinwehr Ave district.

Gettysburg National Military Park "new" Museum & Visitor Center – new feature film, restored Cyclorama painting and interactive state of the art museum which provides visitors with a distinctive perspective of the Civil War through the words of its' participants and spectators, including Presidents Lincoln and Davis, Generals Meade and Lee, soldiers, correspondents and civilians.

Gettysburg Battlefield tour – Select a licensed Battlefield Guide on your coach, horseback tour or segway tour of the Battlefield to learn why this Battle was fought in Gettysburg and what happened during the three days of fighting.

Shriver House Museum – Dedicated to the civilian experience during the Battle of Gettysburg, the home of George and Hettie Shriver and their daughters, Sadie (7) and Mollie (5), appears much the way it did when it was built in 1860. Today, guides in period dress recount the harrowing story of the Shriver family's experiences during the battle and the lasting effects on their lives.

General Lee's Headquarters – meet General Lee and tour the museum in the building used as the Confederate Headquarters during the battle in Gettysburg 1863.

Check in your hotel for a meet and greet with General – Mrs. Grant.

Dinner in a historic tavern – located in historic buildings, you will enjoy a selection of fine cuisine. You may wish to ask President Lincoln or a Civil War soldier to join you.

Day 2

After breakfast enjoy time at the Eisenhower National Historic Site. The home and farm of President Dwight D. Eisenhower which served as a weekend retreat and a meeting place for world leaders. Tour the home, enjoy a self-guided walk around the farm, or join a ranger for an exploration of 1950s Secret Service operations. The only home Ike & Mamie Eisenhower ever owned, presented today much as it was when they hosted foreign dignitaries on the farm.

Uncover the history of our historic churches with a guided tour. Many were used as hospitals after the Battle, see where Lincoln prayed before giving the Gettysburg Address and where the Eisenhowers were active members of one of our churches.

Have lunch at the historic Fairfield Inn with Ike's favorite menu or Mamie's Cafe at the historic Majestic Theater, where you will enjoy a backstage tour and perhaps have Mamie Eisenhower join you. Or – grab a bite to eat at Boyds Bear Country after shopping in their humongous barn or at the Outlet Shoppes of Gettysburg!

Add-ons

• Quaker Valley Underground Railroad Tour
• Adams County Historical Society Museum
• American Stories Historic Walking Tours & Programs
• Ghost Tours
• The David Wills House, where Lincoln stayed before the Gettysburg Address – opening February 2009
• Hall of Presidents and First Ladies
• Jennie Wade House Museum
• Lincoln Train Museum
• Main Street Gettysburg Historic Walking Tours
• U.S. Christian Commission Museum

Salt Lake to Yellowstone via Scenic Highway 89 Leisure Tour
Offered by Salt Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau
Contact: Natalie Clawson
Phone: 801-534-4909
Fax: 801-534-4927
E-mail: nclawson@saltlake.org

CITY, COAST & COUNTRY

Connecticut offers it all!  The city, coast and country all wrapped up into one neat enticing bundle that needs to be unwrapped to discover all of the wonderful treasures inside.  Like fish & chips, salt water to resort casinos; fresh country air to farms – pick your pleasure; stay for awhile and indulge your senses! 

Arrive at Bradley International Airport.  Depart 91 S for Hartford, Connecticut.

Hartford, Connecticut

Day 2

Hill-Stead Museum
Your first stop in the Hartford area is the charming town of Farmington, just west of Hartford, for a visit to the Hill-Stead Museum, an outstanding example of Colonial Revival architecture set on 150 acres of rolling hills and scenic views.   The fourteen room country house, designed in 1901 by Theodate Pope, one of the country’s first woman architects, houses the incredible Pope family collection of French and American Impressionist paintings, Chinese porcelains and English ceramics. 


Harriet Beecher Stowe House
Begin your tour in the late 19th century with a visit to the Harriet Beecher Stowe House in Hartford, the retirement home of the author Harriet Beecher Stowe, whose book Uncle Tom’s Cabin helped start the Civil War.

Mark Twain House
The next stop on this tour is the home of Mark Twain in Hartford.   As Ernest Hemingway wrote, all American writing comes from just one book by Mark Twain called Huckleberry Finn.  Tour the 19 room Victorian Gothic mansion where Twain lived for seventeen years and wrote his most famous works including Tom Sawyer, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and Life on the Mississippi.   

Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts
After dinner enjoy a performance at Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts, Connecticut’s premier performing arts center which offers the best of Broadway, symphony, opera, dance and other entertainment.  Overnight stay & dinner.

Pomfret, Connecticut

Day 3

Sharpe Hill Vineyard
A half hour from Hartford you will be in the Quiet Corner.   Start off with a visit to the award winning Sharpe Hill Vineyard in Pomfret, (www.sharpehill.com) which has received over 100 medals in international tastings.   The winery is open year round for wine tasting and offers gourmet dining by reservation Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.   

Brooklyn, Connecticut

Creamery Brook Bison
Next visit Creamery Brook Bison in Brooklyn www.creamerybrookbison.com) offering a 40-minute wagon ride through a working dairy farm, to the fields where the buffalo live.   Feed the buffalo, cows and their calves, a great photo op!   

Lunch spots include the Golden Lamb Buttery (www.thegoldenlamb.com) in Brooklyn or Pomfret’s Vanilla Bean Café (www.thevanillabeancafe.com) where Vanilla Coke was launched!   

Quintessential Gardens at Fort Hill Farms
In the afternoon, visit Quintessential Gardens at Fort Hill Farms in Thompson (www.quintessentialgardens.com), where you can explore the farms 60 perennial display gardens, educational corn maze and lavender labyrinth.   End the day at G&L Christmas Barn in Windham, (www.gandlchristmasbarn.com) a 14-room barn filled with collectibles, a phenomenal Department 56 display, and much more!   

Foxwoods Resort Casino & Mohegan Sun
Spend the night at either Foxwoods Resort Casino (www.foxwoods.com) in Mashantucket, the world's largest casino, or Mohegan Sun (www.mohegansun.com) in Uncasville, home of the world class Casino of the Sky and the new Robert Trent Jones golf course.  Overnight stay & dinner.

Groton, Connecticut

Day 4

US Sub Base
Head to the US Sub Base on the Thames River in Groton.   Here you can board the decommissioned Historic Ship USS Nautilus, (www.ussnautilus.org) the first nuclear powered submarine and take a tour of the Navy’s official Submarine Force Museum.

Seamen’s Inne Restaurant
Dine on traditional New England fare at Seamen’s Inne Restaurant (www.seamensinne.com), with beautiful views of the Mystic River and Mystic Seaport – The Museum of America and the Sea.

Mystic, Connecticut

Mystic Seaport
Mystic Seaport, The Museum of America and the Sea (www.mysticseaport.org), the nation’s leading maritime museum.   Come and experience a recreated 19th-century seafaring village, where you can board the historic whaling vessel, Charles W. Morgan, the last surviving wooden whaling ship of its kind.   Take a tour of the Mystic River aboard the steamboat Sabino, a National Historic Landmark.  Spend the rest of your afternoon shopping in Historic Downtown Mystic (www.downtownmystic.com)

Check into one of Mystic’s historic inns such as the Whaler’s Inn (www.whalersinnmystic.com) and The Steamboat Inn (www.steamboatinnmystic.com).   .


Mystic, Connecticut  
(continued)

Day 5

Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration
Begin your day with a visit to Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration (www.mysticaquarium.org) and get closer to beluga whales, sea rays or African penguins than you ever thought possible.   Visit exhibits based on Dr. Robert Ballard’s expeditions, such as Return to Titanic, featuring an incredibly detailed 18-foot model of the RMS Titanic.

One of the many outstanding attractions that encapsulates Southeastern Connecticut’s important role in 19th century maritime activity is Mystic Seaport.   This 17- acre living history museum complex encompasses an authentic coastal village of houses, churches, and schools; historic ships and shipbuilding exhibits; and offers many special programs throughout the year.

Olde Mystic Village
Before you depart eastern Connecticut for your next adventure, take home some souvenirs from Olde Mystic Village (www.oldemistickvillage.com),
Old Lyme, Connecticut

Florence Griswold Museum
Visit the Florence Griswold Museum, which was the home of the Lyme Art Colony, where you can view the forty paintings created directly on the walls and doors left by the Artists that lived there

Overnight at the Old Lyme Inn, a lovely country village inn located in a historic area, furnished with antiques. 

Essex, Connecticut

Day 6

Town of Essex
Essex, the town called the #1 small town in the United States.  In Essex, you will enjoy the picturesque Main Street with its 18th and 19th century homes, unusual shops, historic 1775 Griswold Inn, where you can have lunch and tour the Connecticut River Museum.

Enjoy a boat ride from Steam Boat Dock on the RiverQuest excursion boat along the beautiful Connecticut River.

Waterbury, Connecticut

Day 7

Mattatuck Museum
Begin your tour at the Mattatuck Museum, (http://www.mattatuckmuseum.org) in the center of Waterbury.   The Mattatuck, our largest museum in the region, displays Connecticut Artists from the 18th, 19th and 20th century and includes work by John Trumbull, Frederic E. Church, Josef Albers, Alexander Calder and many more.   

Another interesting stop is the Connecticut Store, the flagship outlet for the incredible manufacturing excellence that is Made In Connecticut.

Time Expo Museum
You can also tour Time Expo Museum (www.timexpo.com) in Waterbury.   Here, exhibits trace the history of Waterbury Clocks from the 1850's to the company it became in 1969, the Timex Corporation.  Travel through a time tunnel to the Coincidences or Connections Gallery to learn about ancient civilization traveling the ocean currents according to Thor Heyerdahl.   This museum is located next to the Waterbury Mall that offers another venue for shopping and dining.

Palace Theatre
This evening after checking into a hotel (Courtyard By Marriott or Holiday Inn Express) in Waterbury or at House on the Hill B&B, located in Waterbury’s Historic Hill District. In the evening you can take in a performance at the newly restored Palace Theater built in 1920 by Thomas Lamb in the Renaissance Revival style will showcase a year-round performance schedule that includes Broadway shows. Overnight stay & dinner.

New Milford, Connecticut

Day 8 & 9

Silo and Hunt Hill Farm Trust
In association with the Smithsonian Institution, Hunt Hill Farm Trust is the heart of two New England farms with ten historic buildings and 84 acres of preserved farmland.   It is the home of the Skitch Henderson Museum that offers a window on the life, career, and pursuits of Skitch Henderson in the context of America’s 20th century cultural history.

New Preston, Connecticut

New Preston and Lake Waramaug
Hopkins Vineyard, a French-hybrid vineyard, and State Park circle Connecticut’s second largest natural lake known for its natural unspoiled beauty.   From the Lake, Litchfield, Kent and Washington are 20 minutes away.   Fine Galleries and antique shops can be found on Rte. 7 in Kent and Rte. 202 in Litchfield.   Check into Litchfield Inn (www.litchfieldinn.com, Mayflower Inn www.mayflowerinn.com, Tollgate Hill Inn (www.tollgatehillinn.com), Boulders Inn (www.bouldersinn.com) or Hopkins Inn (www.hopkinsinn.com) or any number of B&B's.

Sloane Stanley Museum & the Connecticut Antique Machinery Museum, (www.ctamachinery.com).   
The Sloane Stanley Museum has works of art by noted artist and author Eric Sloane, and houses a reconstruction of his studio and features a collection of early American tools.   The Antique Machinery Museum has the largest display of steam & gas tractors in the state, a working narrow gage railroad, an industrial hall with working steam engines, a mining exhibit building, and the Cream Hill Agricultural School.

Recreational activities abound in Kent and Cornwall -- You can hike the longest river walk on the Appalachian Trail from Kent to Cornwall Bridge, fly fish on the Housatonic River with a certified fly fishing instructor, take scenic photos at Kent Falls State Park, the highest waterfalls in the state and visit the only two historic covered bridges in Connecticut that can still be crossed by cars!

Litchfield, Connecticut
Village Green
In Litchfield you can explore the fine shops and restaurants along Rte. 202 and the Village Green.   The Litchfield History Museum (www.litchfieldhistoricalsociety.org) facing the Green investigates the evolution of a small New England town through exhibits and activities in seven galleries.   A short stroll down South St. you will find the Tapping Reeve House and Law School, America's first law school 1774.   
 
If you are visiting Litchfield in the spring, summer, or fall, you might consider visiting White Flower Farm a nationally acclaimed nursery with several acres of glorious display gardens.  Close by in Bethlehem is the Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden, (www.hartnet.org/als/) the 1754 home of Bethlehem's First Minister transformed into a 20th century country estate with antiques, a formal garden of historic roses, lilacs, and peonies and an orchard.   (Golden Pear at Grandview B&B)

Danbury, Connecticut

Day 10

Marian Anderson Studio
Begin your Day with a tour of the Marian Anderson Studio at the Danbury Historical Society, (www.danburyhistorical.org) Main St. Danbury. Marian Anderson was one of the greatest contraltos of the twentieth century, the woman who broke the color barrier at the Metropolitan Opera.   

Danbury Railway Museum
Next visit the Danbury Railway Museum (http://www.danbury.org/drm) where you will learn about sixty plus vintage locomotives and railcars, also see educational exhibits of artifacts and photographs, and three large operating model layouts.   Train rides are offered on weekends!

Ridgefield, Connecticut

Keeler Tavern
In the afternoon, take a 15-minute drive to the historic town of Ridgefield.   Here you can tour the famous Keeler Tavern, (http://www.keelertavernmuseum.org ) on Rte. 35, in the center of Ridgefield. Built in 1713, the house was a tavern, stagecoach stop, post office, hotel, and home of noted architect Cass Gilbert.   Today costumed guides lead tours through period rooms reflecting life in rural Connecticut from the 18th - 20th c.   

Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum
The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum (http://www.aldrichart.org), in Ridgefield is nationally recognized and mounts over twelve major exhibitions annually.   Don’t miss a visit to Ridgefield’s Weir Farm, (www.nps.gov/wefa) America’s only National Park dedicated to art. Once the summer home of J. Alden Weir (1852-1919), a leading figure in American Art and the development of Impressionism.  Today, Weir Farm is considered to be the best-preserved landscape associated with American Impressionism.   A Visitor Center offers maps, publications, art exhibits, and a video. Guided and self- guided tours on of the grounds and many trails are available.   Grounds open daily dawn to dusk.

Depart from Ridgefield and travel to I-84 W to New York City, or I-84 E to Boston, Massachusetts.

MARITIME CONNECTICUT

It is said that all New Englanders have a little salt water in their bloodstream - particularly those who live along the coast of Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. From ports on this shoreline, American seamen set out to battle whales and trade with the world. From Greenwich to Boston, this maritime heritage lives on and provides plenty to interest ocean enthusiasts and landlubbers alike.

Arrive at Bradley International Airport. Departure for Norwalk, Connecticut – via I-91 S to I-95 S or I-84 W to Rt. 7 S to:

Norwalk, Connecticut

Day 1

Sheffield Island Lighthouse.
Harbor Cruise to the Island as you view coastal living and lighthouses from the water, while hearing tales of the region’s lighthouses.  Tour the 1868 lighthouse that has four levels and 10 rooms to explore.  While on the island you can observe its inhabitants as you walk through the nature preserve.   www.fairfieldcountyctcvb.com
Dinner and overnight stay.  And your destination is:

New Haven, Connecticut

Day 2

The Freedom Schooner Amistad
When in port, you can go for a sail on the reproduction of the Amistad, whose home port is New Haven, where the Africans gained their freedom. On the site of the jail where they were held stands a 14-ft statue of Joseph Cinque, the slaves' leader.  On June 21, 2007 the Amistad set sail for a fourteen month journey to Sierra Leon, Africa.  www.visitnewhaven.com.   From here you travel onto:

Branford, Connecticut
Stony Creek
Scenic Route 146 begins at Branford Center and takes you to Stony Creek, a charming waterfront village with shops, restaurants and the Stony Creek Puppet Theater.  Be sure to take a boat tour of the famed Thimble Islands-one of only two island clusters in the Long Island Sound.  www.visitnewhaven.com  Your next stop is:

Guilford, Connecticut
A Classic New England Town
A classic New England town with a historic green.  The green is surrounded by boutique stores, restaurants, churches and historic homes.  History buffs should visit the Henry Whitfield Museum, which is the state’s oldest stone house. www.visitnewhaven.com  Onward to the town where the first submarine was built:

Essex, Connecticut
Connecticut River Museum
In the 1770s, David Bushnell, a Yale student, built the first "submarine", the American Turtle, which was lost in a battle with the British. See what it looked like at the Connecticut River Museum. The shipbuilding tradition of this attractive town, where racing yachts are still built today, includes the Oliver Cromwell warship, launched in 1775.   www.visitctriver.com  Next you’ll be marching over to:

New London, Connecticut
US Coastguard Academy
Thanks to its deep-water harbor, New London served as a major fishing, trading and whaling port. On Whale Oil Row, four pillared 1832 mansions testify to the wealth of years gone by. The Coastguard Academy opened here in 1876; the city is also the home port of the Eagle, the 60-year-old sailing ship that provides training for cadets. Tours are offered when it is in port. www.mysticcountry.com   Your next stop of the day will be to the first nuclear submarine in:

Groton, Connecticut
USS Nautilus
Go inside the USS Nautilus, the first nuclear submarine, which was built here in 1954. Star attraction of the Submarine Museum (Groton is the "Submarine Capital of the World"); the sub was also the first to dive under the North Pole.  Dinner and overnight stay.  www.mysticcountry.com   From underwater exploration, you’re off for a bit of sea-shanty music, 19th-century attire, and creatures of the sea in:

Mystic, Connecticut

Day 3

Mystic Seaport / Mystic Aquarium
Mystic Seaport is one of New England's most popular attractions. In this recreation of a 19th-century seaport community, watch craftspeople at work; go aboard the Charles W. Morgan, the last remaining wooden whaling ship; and much, much more. At Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration, you can discover how modern-day explorer Dr. Robert Ballard discovered the Titanic. www.mysticcountry.com  Last stop on your leg of your journey through Connecticut is:

Stonington, Connecticut
Cannon Square and Old Lighthouse Museum
See the cannonballs and cannons commemorating the feat on Cannon Square. The Old Lighthouse Museum is in the state's first (1823) lighthouse. www.mysticcountry.com Depart from Stonington and travel the coastline on I-95 N to Rhode Island’s mansions by the sea, and onward up the coast to Massachusetts.

CONNECTICUT’S CORNUCOPIA

Cornucopia is defined as an abundant supply.  Here’s what you could discover in Connecticut’s Cornucopia - a rich supply of arts, an array of history and culture, and nature’s natural wonders too.  Whether you’re traveling from New Haven to Litchfield – Connecticut’s Cornucopia will satisfy even the most finicky of appetites.  

Arrive at Bradley International Airport.  Departure for New Haven, Connecticut – via I-91 S:

New Haven, Connecticut

Day 1

Yale University and the Yale Center for British Arts
 Tour Yale University where Nathan Hale, Noah Webster and several United State Presidents studied.  Next visit Yale Center for British Arts which has the largest collection of British art outside of the United Kingdom. 

Louis’s Luncheon
Lunch at Louis’ Lunch, famous for making the first hamburger, or Zinc, where menus are prepared with fresh, seasonal ingredients from the earth with simple traditional preparation with an artistic flair.

Walking Tour of Yale University
This student-led tour will cover the rich history, architecture, and student life of Yale University.  Visit the Old Campus, several residential colleges, Sterling Memorial Library and the Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library.  The Beinecke Library houses one of the few original remaining Gutenberg Bibles. 

Yale University Art Gallery
Explore this world-class gallery designed by famous Architect Luis Kahn; it was his 1st professional design.   The art gallery collection includes Degas, Monet, Mane, Copley, Homer, Eakins, Van Gogh, and Picasso as well as one of the finest collections of American paintings and decorative arts in the world.

Yale Center for British Art
Houses the largest collection of British Art outside of the United Kingdom.  This building was Luis Kahn’s last design.  The gallery and most of the collections were donated by Paul Mellon.  Upon Mello’s death, an additional 1200 works and $98 million were donated to the museum.

Chapel Street Shopping
Unique boutiques and shops line this lively street, along with cafes, coffee shops and restaurants.  Both museums are on Chapel Street (directly across from one another). 

Dinner
Cuisine from many different countries is represented in New Haven.  Great group dining choices such as the Union League Café, Hot Tomatoes or The Rusty Scupper can be arranged     

Shubert Theater
"The Birth Place of the Nations Greatest Hits".  Visit this world renowned theater for a backstage tour or evening performance.  This 84 year old theater has had 600 pre-Broadway tryouts, 300 world premieres, and over 50 American premieres.  Many famous productions premiered here before moving on to Broadway.  Such favorites as My Fair Lady, Oklahoma, The King & I, Sound of Music, Carousel, South Pacific and A Street Car Named Desire.  Explore and enjoy this wonderful grand dame of theater.  Overnight stay & dinner.

Bridgeport, Connecticut

Day 2

Phineas Taylor (P.T.) Barnum Museum
Phineas Taylor (P.T.) Barnum (1810-1891) had a remarkably varied career- politician, journalist, museum owner, mayor of Bridgeport, and founder of “the greatest show on earth.” Only one museum depicts this man’s extraordinary life and the enormous influence he had on 19th century America. 

Norwalk, Connecticut

Norwalk’s Historic So No District
Lunch and shopping in Norwalk’s Historic So No district.  Specialty shops and restaurants known for their diverse culinary offerings line the quaint village streets.

Harbor Cruise – Sheffield Island Cruise
View coastal living and lighthouses from the water, while hearing tales of the region’s lighthouses.  Get a glimpse of life as a lighthouse keeper during the Sheffield Island Lighthouse tour.  While on the island you can observe its inhabitants as you walk through the nature preserve.

Silvermine Tavern
Dinner at Silvermine Tavern.  Nestled by the waterfall of a tranquil mill pond, this 200 plus year old tavern will take you back in time to early America.  Overnight stay & dinner.

Litchfield, Connecticut

Day 3

Driving Tour of Litchfield Hills
One of America's finest surviving examples of a typical, unspoiled 18th century village because of its wide maple-lined streets, well preserved 18th and 19th century homes and its Congregational Church facing a picture book village green.       

The Litchfield Green laid out in the early 1770's has remained much the same through the years. On the green, you will find a tempting variety of shops and restaurants, as well as fine art and craft galleries.

Litchfield has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1959.  You will see some of the most impressive homes to be found anywhere in New England including:  A 1760 home, once owned by Benjamin Tallmadge, an aide to George Washington.  Tallmadge built the two story porticos after seeing Mount Vernon.

Sheldon Tavern
The Sheldon Tavern, a mansard-roofed house, originally built by the Sheldons in 1760 and briefly used as a Tavern during the 18th century, hosted George Washington several times.

Litchfield History Museum
The Litchfield History Museum, with seven galleries displaying a fine selection of early American paintings, furniture, decorative arts, and exhibits on Litchfield County history.

Litchfield Historical Society
Tour the Litchfield Historical Society and the Tapping Reeve House and Law School established in 1773 and noted as the first Law School in America.

Haight-Brown Vineyard
Wine Tasting and tour at the Haight-Brown Vineyard, Litchfield.  Overnight stay & dinner.

Woodbury, Connecticut

Day 4

Town of Woodbury
One of Connecticut's oldest towns, which was bought from Chief Pomperaug of the Pootatuck Indians in 1673. 

Today, Woodbury has historic and recreational attractions but is best known for its wide variety of antique shops; probably more per square mile than any other community in New England!

Woodbury is home of the state’s oldest inn, award winning restaurants, and a superb selection of gift shops including Woodbury Pewter Factory Outlet where you can watch a pewter making demonstration while browsing among 5,000 pewter  items.

Glebe House & Gertrude Jekyll Garden
The Glebe House became a minister's farm or glebe for Woodbury's first Episcopal minister, John Rutgers Marshall.  Anna Burr Jennings, founder of the Seabury Society for the Preservation of the Glebe House visited Gertrude Jekyll at her home in England in 1926 and commissioned a garden for the Glebe House.  Gertrude Jekyll is widely considered to be England's most important 20th century garden designer and writer best known for transforming gardens from geometric Victorian schemes to informal English country designs.

Curtis House
Lunch at Connecticut’s Oldest Inn built in 1736.  Depart from Woodbury and travel to I-84 W to New York City, or I-84 E to Boston, Massachusetts.

Group

Finger Lakes Region Leisure Tour
A fascinating tour of the region encompassing many of the best wineries with award-winning cuisine and wonderful history to boot!
Offered by Holiday Inn Elmira
Contact: Penny Shoemaker
Phone: 607-734-4211
Fax: 607-734-3549
Email: hipenny@stny.rr.com

Group Travel: 5days/4 nights at the Nevele Grande
Enjoy the hotel plus so much more. Visit West Point , Chocolate Cheers, FDR, CIA, Vanderbilt, and Mills Estate. Offered by Ulster County Tourism.
Contact: Cathy Ellis
Phone: 800-342-5826
Fax: 845-334-8687
Email: cell@co.ulster.ny.us

Group Travel: Rail & Sail
3 days/2 nights at the Nevele Grande Hotel with a train ride, a boat ride, the World's Largest kaleidoscope and visit to New York State 's first capital. Travel through Ellenville, Kingston , Mt. Tremper , Mt. Pleasant. Offered by Ulster County Tourism.
Contact: Cathy Ellis
Phone: 800-342-5826
Fax: 845-334-8687
Email: cell@co.ulster.ny.us

Group Travel: Hudson Valley/Catskills stay at a resort hotel.
Offered by Ulster County Tourism.
Contact: Cathy Ellis
Phone: 800-342-5826
Fax: 845-334-8687
Email: cell@co.ulster.ny.us

Group Travel: Shopping the Region's Best
Tysons Corner offers over 500 stores, all located within walking distance of each other, in the Tysons Corner Center , the Galleria, and Fairfax Square . Th is upscale retail contains such stores as Tiffany & Co., Hermès, Saks Fifth Avenue , and Nordstrom as well as hundreds of boutiques, specialty stores, and restaurants. Visit Fairfax can assist you in obtaining VIP kits at Tysons Corner Center that provide additional shopping discounts savings for your groups. Offered by Fairfax County Convention and Visitors Corporation.
Contact: Mark Farrell
Phone: 703-752-9513
Email: mfarrell@fxva.com

Group Travel: Feet on the Ground, Head Above the Clouds
American history in Fairfax County, VA, from George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate, Gardens, Grist Mill, and Distillery (coming soon) to our soaring achievements at the National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center home of the SR-71 Blackbird and Enterprise Space Shuttle. Offered by Fairfax County Convention and Visitors Corporation.
Contact: Mark Farrell
Phone: 703-752-9513
Email: mfarrell@fxva.com

Group Travel: America 's Civil War
Fairfax County is within 90 minutes of America's major Civil War-era attractions like the battle sites of Gettysburg, Antietnam, and Manassas; the Union Capital of Washington and the Confederate Capital of Richmond; and landmarks like Ford's theater, Arlington National Cemetery, and Harper's Ferry. With elegant accommodations and convenient interstate highways, Fairfax County is an ideal hub and spoke location. Offered by Fairfax County Convention and Visitors Corporation.
Contact: Mark Farrell
Phone: 703-752-9513
Email: mfarrell@fxva.com

The Great American Story: Abraham Lincoln in Springfield Illinois.
Let the sights and sounds of Lincoln's world transport you to the era of gas lamps and hoop skirts. Lincoln's New Salem Pioneer Village, The Lincoln Home National Historic Site, his law office, the Old State Capitol and the new Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum offer a fascinating look at one of the most admired figures of American history. Fine dining, comfortable hotels, charming shops and friendly people complement group visits to Springfield.
Contact: Alicia Erickson
International Marketing Manager
Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau
109 N. 7 th Street
Springfield, IL 62701
217-789-2360 x 142
alicia.erickson@springfield.il.us

Diva’s Day Out Tour Leisure Tour
Leave the stress of life behind, grab your girlfriends for this fun overnight excursion of laughter, shopping and good old fashioned silliness! We’ll take you on a tour to all of the malls in the area as well as take you to the most unique.
Contact: Leah Muller
Phone: 888-228-0131
Email: muller@buffalocvb.org

Shopper’s Delight Leisure Tour
The Buffalo Niagara Convention & Visitors Bureau offers an amazing two day, three night package for all those who just love to shop! You get to shop, shop, and shop some more at all the great malls and quaint shopping districts.
Contact: Leah Muller
Phone: 888-228-3369 x237
Fax: 716-852-0131
Email: muller@buffalocvb.org

Explore America’s Heartland – Quad Cities CVB, Illinois
We offer professional agricultural group tours in the heart of the Midwest, representing the many regions of Illinois & Iowa. You can visit a technical or family farm, a college of agricultural, barge loading facility, professional agricultural shows (farm, pork & dairy), John Deere, Mississippi River cruise, or experience a traditional outdoor barbeque dinner. Whether your interest is in cattle, dairy, grain, corn, soy, or ethanol we can provide the itinerary that is best for your international group. Our itineraries are currently offered in English, French, German & Spanish.
Contact: Margo McInnis
Phone: 800-747-7800 106
Email: mmcinnis@visitquadcities.com
Click here to view day to day itinerary

Cultural Tour: African American Heritage
From historic Weeksville Heritage Center and Underground Railroad sites to the Museum of Contemporary African Diasporaan Arts (moCADA), the annual Dance Africa festival at BAM, African Boutiques and restaurants, cultural attractions…all of these await you on this African America Heritage Tour of Brooklyn.
Offered by Brooklyn Tourism
Contact: Alex Sherman
Phone: 718-802-4559
Fax: 718-802-3542
Email: asherman@visitbrooklyn.org

Motorcoach-Escorted  

Golden Thread Charter Tour Through the Legendary Catskill Mountains
112 Miles of Smiles Rt 28. Kingston to Cooperstown
Offered by Ulster County Tourism
Contact: Cathy Ellis
Phone: 845-334-5459
Fax: 845-334-8687
Email: cell@co.ulster.ny.us  

GroupGastronomy Tour of Quebec City , Quebec CANADA
Offered by Quebec City Tourism Office
Contact: Francois-Jean Viel
Phone: 418-641-6654 x 5422
Fax: 418-641-6578
Email: francois-jean.viel@quebecregion.com

Motorcoach-Group

Natural Wildlife Tour Leisure Tour
Come to the Buffalo Niagara Convention & Visitors Bureau to take a tour and view the natural wildlife of the area. Visit the Grand Canyon of the East, Letchworth State Park ! Hike the trail of the Niagara Gorge and visit their Discovery Center .
Contact: Leah Muller
Phone: 888-228-0131
Fax: 716-852-0131
Email: muller@buffalocvb.org 

Leisure History Tour
From Theodore Roosevelt to Frank Lloyd Wright there are many unique landmarks throughout the Buffalo area. Buffalo is filled with a strong history and we will bring it all to you in the most exciting way!
Contact: Leah Muller
Phone: 888-228-0131
Fax: 716-852-0131
Email: muller@buffalocvb.org

Roll Over Beethoven – Memphis Music Journey
Offered by Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau
Contact: Deborah Cohen
Phone: 901-543-5300
Fax: 901-543-5350
Email: dchoen@mcvb.org