Get Your Kicks on Sports Leisure Trips

Get Your Kicks On Sports Leisure Trips

2018 DREAM BOOK

LLC

CREATING MEMORABLE TRAVEL EXPERIENCES SINCE 1979 Choosing the Right Tour is More than Just Picking an Awesome Destination…

Indeed, choosing the right tour vacation is important. We want you New this year is a rating for each tour. You can find the entire five to participate in the tour(s) which match your interests, your physical description listing on the adjoining page. Some of our itineraries abilities and of course, your wallet. are more active from a pedestrian point of view. In New York, Washington, D.C. and Key West for example, we walk or take public Finding a trip which matches your interests is the easy part. We transportation in an increasing number of situations, because it’s offer travel for a wide variety of interests. Our company began by fast and cost efficient. So if you cannot walk 3-5 city blocks at a offering baseball trips and we still visit Spring Training in Arizona moderate pace and deal with subways, stairs for example, you won’t (page 8) every year. I’m known as the baseball (and ice cream) guy, be able to enjoy the trip as much and may find yourself holding Clayton’s tours will often (although not always) include the South or back others in the group. Remember, active mature adults. a major city like Washington, D.C.or Chicago; and he loves to travel overseas. Ramona’s nickname is “the tree-hugger,” because many Generally, the longer the trip, the more active it is, from a stamina of her tours include the great outdoors. point of view. If you are heading into the wild with Ramona, you may not have every convenience of home, and you may be in an isolated Scott loves national parks, and out of the way places. Kevin tends area, things to consider before putting your money down on a tour. to plan many of our rail adventures, Michael is the guy in charge of cruises, Chris is more of a “big city” boy, who loves fireworks and If you pick the wrong trip, what happens? Your participation can bright lights. Right away you can see why we have such a wide be limited. That’s not great for you as a traveler, but it may be array of trips. Our tour planner/directors all approach the planet something you are willing to accept. Think of the impact your differently. Those brief descriptions don’t really do justice to what decision has on the rest of the group. If you lag behind ask yourself, each of them brings to the table.) “how is it impacting their vacation?”

There is one thread which runs through all the trips in this catalog. Only you know what your travel budget will allow. Sports Leisure They are all designed with active, mature travelers in mind. We trips cost a bit more and include a bit more. Most of our travelers generally don’t try to cram too much into our tour days, because our like that arrangement, which is why it has been our business travelers would rather we add a day to the itinerary (along with the philosophy for almost 40 years. We aren’t trying to be the cheapest associated costs) than offer a tour that doesn’t give you a chance or the “ﬁve star” tour company. What we are trying to provide you to breathe. Some destinations (New York City for example) are with is a top quality tour product, with a lot of inclusions, at a fair expensive, so it makes sense to do more and rest less while there. price. Your ratings of your travels in your evaluations and on social media like our Facebook page, tell us if we are successful, and An example of trips given that extra day this time around include more importantly, what we can do to improve. Your input is extremely Santa Fe/Taos (page 35) and Ferries and Towns of Puget Sound important to this customer-driven company. (page 24). You told us on your evaluations those trips would be better if extended an extra day, so that’s exactly what we did. One ﬁnal thought. Thank you. For all the years of patronage, friendship, referrals to friends, kind words… and whatever I’m Because our trips are designed for active mature travelers, it’s forgetting. If life is about the journey, I truly thank you all for the entirely possible you won’t be able to physically enjoy every trip opportunity to share a little piece of the trip together. you would like to be a part of. This is the most important part of picking your Sports Leisure Vacation. Our staff is here to assist you in that endeavor, to answer your questions and try to play “travel Mark Hoffmann, CTP matchmaker.” But ultimately the decisions are yours. President

From SLV’s Owner for 38 Years… SPORTS LEISURE VACATIONS You’ve Picked the Right Company. Now Pick the Right Vacation. Let Us Help! Our staff of 17 brings an amazing 424 years of travel industry experience to the table, 215 of those years with Sports Leisure Vacations. Our operational model of tour planner/directors is different from nearly any other tour company you’ll encounter. What’s ACTIVITY METER a tour planner/director? It means the staff member up front is most likely the person who conceptualized and planned your trip. They L M A E C have a vested interest in the destination as well as the itinerary. And they know both better than just about anybody. As part of our commitment to helping you select the right tour This knowledge means much more than a well-run tour. It’s a for your interests and physical abilities, check out the Activity resource we invite you to use to your full advantage. Sadly, it Meter for each tour to get a feel for how it matches your interests, sometimes happens on the road that a traveler has, as we say in the energy and ﬁtness. It’s important to note that more than one level ofﬁce, written a check their body can’t cash. Maybe it’s the altitude may apply to a tour. For example, some will enjoy a visit to a or the amount of walking/sitting/standing the tour requires. Other national park by spending time in the visitor’s center and taking times they can eat nothing on a limited menu or are counting on a a seat with a view. Others might prefer to hike on a nature trail. certain hotel amenity that isn’t there. Once you’ve arrived, it’s often Same destination, same tour, two different levels of activity. too late to make adjustments. So what’s a traveler to do? The letter abbreviations for each departure can be found in the Research. We do it. You should, too. For those of you fully wired, Table of Contents listing for the tour. Where you see two letters, you know Google is only a keystroke away. Others might visit the that indicates the ability to add activities or do optional things neighborhood library to obtain information on the destination you which increase the amount of physical activity (standing, walking, are considering. Call it doing your homework. Travel is expensive, climbing stairs, etc.). The meter is a guideline. It is impossible not only referring to the bank account, but also in terms of time and to predict every situation on tour, since conditions may change the “cost” to your body. If you have respiratory problems you might before or during a trip which require itinerary adjustments. want to avoid a tour that goes up or over the Rocky Mountains. If walking is the issue, New York City or a National Parks tour might not L Leisurely – A tour that can be enjoyed by all. A minimal be right for you. If sitting too long brings discomfort, you better think amount of required walking on city streets or generally level twice about trips to the East Coast or off the continent. surfaces, with few stairs. A theater day trip might be an example.

Research – doing your homework – should help you formulate the M Moderate – A tour with some walking activities, and questions. Who’s got the answers? The tour planner! We love little standing/strolling at attractions and museums and possibly some more than talking about our itineraries. It’s like showing you photos stair climbing. A day trip to the ballpark or a short regional trip of our kids. They are our precious creations! Just remember that (Monterey, CA Coast) might be examples. A moderate trip could we’re all on the road much of the time. It may take us a few days include air transportation and navigating through airports. to get back to you, but I promise we will. If you’re calling to share critical information – like allergies or medical concerns – just know A Active – A tour which includes longer walks (3-5 city blocks). we can help you best if we have the information as far in advance Shorter walks could be on uneven surfaces. Days could be as possible. Ideally all special requests, to include simple things longer (including longer travel days with layovers). Some of the like bed types in hotels and seating on the airline, are placed at the trip could be at high attitudes. point of reservation. This would be the level for most of our longer distance domestic The Right Vacation at the Right Time. I bet you’ll find what you’re and Canadian tours, the minimum level for an overseas looking for in these pages. Let the dreaming begin! international tour. Tours which mention the ability to walk 3-5 city blocks in a timely fashion a couple of times a day fit into this category, as would most of our national park tours. You could find a flight of stairs without handrails. A tour with a seaplane or jeep ride, and the ability to climb into the plane/jeep, would be found in this category. Longer rail tours fit in this category. Clayton Whitehead, CTP Vice President E Energetic – A tour with an accent on opportunities for walking and other physical activities. Many overseas tours would fit in this category. Long plane flights, perhaps standing or walking longer distances. You might have to climb into a zodiac boat if you are with Ramona. If you need wheelchair assistance at the airport Some tours are accompanied by a selection of websites that or other places, you should not consider a tour on this level. will help satisfy your appetite for more information on our destinations before you travel. Check them out and let us know C Challenging – Tours like these are designed with daily what you discover. Remember, a wealth of knowledge is always physical activities like hiking and other vigorous activities and available at www.sportsleisure.com including company can be great travel experiences, but they are not typical of information, expanded tour itineraries, current publications and Sports Leisure Vacations trips. a link to the Travel Guys Radio Show.

2018 Dream Book From SLV’s Vice President… 1 THE TABLE O F CONTENTS

VACATIONS BY CATEGORY M A The New Colorful Coast ...... 40 Great American Cities ...... 4-7 L Oregon Chocolate Festival in Ashland ...... 23 The “Sports” in Sports Leisure ...... 8 Mystery Tours ...... 9 APRIL National Parks ...... 10-15 M Beautiful Bodega Bay, Tiburon and The Coast...... 19 California Adventures ...... 14-19 A Destination: Disneyland! ...... 17 Nevada ...... 20-22 A NYC – Behind Broadway and The Bronx ...... 6 The Paciﬁc Northwest ...... 23-28 L On the Central Coast ...... 16 Riding the Rails ...... 28-30 M A Route 66, The Main Street of America – Part 1 ...... 32 American Adventures ...... 31-41 A San Antonio: Deep in the Heart ...... 34 Cruisin’ 31, 43-45 A Tulip Time in Holland and Belgium ...... 44 Alaska/Canadian Rockies ...... 42-43 International ...... 44-49 MAY Oh, Canada ...... 50-54 E Japan: The Land of the Rising Sun...... 48 E Memorial Day in Washington, D.C...... 7 VACATIONS BY MONTH A Moab, Gateway to Arches National Park ...... 10 (See Activity Meter codes explained on page 1) L M Off on Another Mission ...... 16 A Philadelphia Freedom! ...... 5 JANUARY 2018 M Skamania Lodge and The Columbia River Gorge .... 27 M Eagles, Owls and Agriculture ...... 20 A Springtime in Yosemite ...... 14 A E Ice Magic Festival in the Canadian Rockies ...... 42 A Stories of Santa Fe & Taos Vol. II ...... 35 M U.S. Figure Skating Championships ...... 8 L The Odds and Ends Mystery Tour ...... 9 FEBRUARY JUNE M A It’s All About the Water Mystery Tour ...... 9 A Bloomin’ Victoria ...... 50 L M The Path Between the Seas (Panama Canal) ...... 45 M Oregon’s Coast, Carousels and Covered Bridges ... 25 M Take the Snow Train to Reno ...... 20 L Puttin’ on the Ritz at Lake Tahoe ...... 14 MARCH JULY L M 25th Annual Spring Training in Arizona ...... 8 A Boston to Bar Harbor ...... 4 A Alaska’s Aurora Borealis ...... 42 M Crater Lake and the A Desert Beauty: Anza-Borrego and Umpqua National Scenic Byway ...... 26 Joshua Tree National Park ...... 15 M Ferries and Towns of Puget Sound ...... 24 M A Passage to South America ...... 45 E Iceland, Land of Fire and Ice ...... 46 M A Take the Sunset Limited to New Orleans ...... 30 A E A Scandinavian Holiday...... 49

2 Table of Contents SPORTS LEISURE VACATIONS THE TABLE O F CONTENTS

AUGUST ODDS AND ENDS M A Port, A President and Blueberry Photographic Society ...... 22 The Pageant of the Masters ...... 18 The Sports Leisure Difference ...... 56 A Great Cities of Canada ...... 51 The Sports Leisure Staff ...... 22 A E Olympia, the Sound and the Mountain ...... 13 Travel Club Gold ...... 22 L M O Magazine Presents the Alaskan Explorer Cruise ....43 Tour Teasers ...... 55 A Planes and Trains of the Pacific Northwest ...... 28 By Invitation Only E Scottish Tales and the Beatles Trail ...... 47 Occasionally we learn of exciting travel opportunities we are certain A The International Selkirk Loop ...... 52 you will love, but they don’t line up with the publication schedule of a M The Magnificent Mendocino Coast ...... 18 newsletter. This is why we created By Invitation Only, an electronic notification service available to all active Travel Club members. The only requirement is that you have an e-mail address (or a friend who SEPTEMBER does)! A E National Treasures of the West ...... 12 A Pure Michigan: Mackinac and Register online by following the link on our website at www. the UP – Isn’t it Grand? ...... 38 sportsleisure.com. This places you on a short list of people notified of these time-sensitive and often limited-availability events. We don’t A Rails Around Colorado ...... 29 send out invitations often, but when we do you can rest assured M A Zion and Bryce National Parks ...... 11 you’re in for something special such as concerts by Tony Bennett and André Rieu, or the San Francisco showing of the Broadway OCTOBER smash Hamilton. Sign up today! M Leafin’ On A Jet Plane Mystery Tour ...... 9 Airfares and Foreign Currency Exchange M New England Fall Foliage Spectacular ...... 37 All tours including air travel are based on airfares as of September L A New Mexico, Land of Enchantment ...... 36 1, 2017. Airfares for tours departing after August 1, 2017 are subject A Oktoberfest, Canadian Thanksgiving to change until confirmed by the airline. All international vacations in the catalogue are priced based on currency exchange rates in and Niagara Falls...... 54 effect September 1, 2017. Changes of more than 5% may subject M A Route 66 – Western Side ...... 33 tour prices to an adjustment at 30 to 60 days prior to departure. You E Wildlife Viewing in British Columbia ...... 53 will be notified if there is a surcharge or refund. NOVEMBER A Death Valley and Nevada Ghost Towns ...... 21 DECEMBER L M Christmas Markets on the Mighty Mississippi ...... 31 JANUARY 2019 A Key West, Miami and The Everglades ...... 41 Catalog designed by Christine Knight — [email protected]

2018 Dream Book Table of Contents 3 Boston to Bar Harbor HIGHLIGHTS Celebrate the 4th of July in Boston and relax oceanside in Bar Harbor • Scenic tour of Acadia National Park • Experience a traditional Maine Lobster Bake 7 Days • July 2-8 • July 4th Fireworks over the Charles River • Go in search of witches in Salem • Tour Boston, MIT, & Harvard Yard • Visit the JFK Presidential Library • 12 meals: 2 breakfasts, 4 full breakfasts, 1 lunch, 5 dinners • Roundtrip air to Boston/from Portland, ME • Door-to-door airport service • 3150/3450 Gold Passport Points

In scenic Camden browse waterfront cafés and shops and take in sweeping views of Penobscot Bay atop Mt. Battie in Camden State Park. During a guided tour at a lobster hatchery, learn all things “lobstah” upon arrival at Bar Harbor. After a traditional Maine Lobster Bake for dinner, kick back and relax on the balcony of your oceanview fired on the British Army. At the historic room. Atlantic Oceanside Hotel – 2 nights Colonial Inn, try traditional Yankee Pot (FB,D) Roast or Chicken Pot Pie. The inn has entertained renowned authors such as 6. Grab your camera for Acadia National Thoreau, Emerson, Hawthorne and Louisa Park, in order to capture its stone bridges, May Alcott. In Salem gain a deeper lakes, ponds and stunning coastline from understanding of how fear and fanaticism the summit of Cadillac Mountain. Once combined to create an environment of a playground of the elite, hear stories of suspicion and mass hysteria, resulting in famous residents and visitors. In town, shop the infamous 1692 Witch Trials. Visit famous and grab a bite to eat before a sightseeing landmarks in the area with shopping time to cruise on Frenchman Bay as the captain gather all your magical potions! (FB,L) explains the local industry. After dinner, attend “The Olympics of the Forest,” a 3. Happy 4th of July! Relive history while lumberjack logging show full of brawn and standing on original cobblestone streets laughter. (B,D) as the Declaration of Independence is read aloud. You will swell with patriotic 7. Following the coast, travel south to pride! Tour “Bean Town,” Massachusetts Freeport, home of L.L. Bean. Made TOP: Stunning panoramic views atop Mt. Cadillac in Bar Harbor’s Acadia National Park; BOTTOM: Institute of Technology (MIT), and Harvard famous by its all-weather boots and stylish Helen and Michelle give two claws up at a Yard ending at Fanueil Hall and Quincy outerwear, you’ll find the perfect gift for that traditional Lobster Bake Marketplace. Try New England fare with outdoorsy person in your life… or yourself! a lobster roll or bacon-wrapped scallops Return to Boston for your flight home. (B) Celebrate America’s Independence Day for lunch. Afterwards, visit the John F. where it all began! Feel the power in the Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, $3150 p.p./dbl.occ., $3415 single words of the Declaration of Independence a fantastic place dedicated to a beloved as it’s read from the balcony of the Old State fallen American president. Tonight, after House. American Revolutionary history a casual dinner, fireworks light up the sky unfolds at Minute Man National Historic over Boston Harbor! (FB,D) Park and witchcraft is revealed in Salem. ME Spectacular coastal views, lumberjacks, 4. Travel north along Maine’s pristine Bar Harbor lobsters, the JFK Museum, 4th of July coast to Kennebunkport for a guided tour. 5-6 fireworks in Boston – it’s all here! Choose from one of the many restaurants at Dock Square for lunch before passing Auburn 1. Land in Boston in the early evening. Dine by the Bush Family Compound at Walker’s 4 at the oldest continually operated restaurant Point. You’ll know it by the line of black in the country, and local favorite, the Union SUVs standing guard. Dine at your hotel Oyster House. Your conveniently located this evening, an Italian dinner prepared NH hotel is just north of the city in Woburn, by a classically trained chef. After dinner, Kennebunkport allowing easy access to neighboring you’re already home to relax and fall asleep attractions. Hilton Hotel – 3 nights (D) to the sound of the waterfalls just outside your window! Hilton Garden Inn – Auburn 2. The story of America’s independence Riverwatch (FB,D) 1-3 comes alive in Lexington at Minute Man Woburn/Boston National Historic Park. Stand on the North 5. Stop at the state capitol in Augusta MA Bridge in Concord where colonists first before continuing north towards Bar Harbor.

4 Great American Cities SPORTS LEISURE VACATIONS Philadelphia Freedom! Featuring the new Museum of the American Revolution 6 Days • May 19-24

We’ll stay in Philadelphia all five nights at the Embassy Suites Center City, located HIGHLIGHTS at Logan Square, with a full, cooked-to • 5 nights at the Embassy Suites Center City in order breakfast served each morning and the heart of Philadelphia at Logan Square cocktails available each evening. Numerous • History abounds: The Liberty Bell, restaurants and museums are right Independence Hall, Ben Franklin Ghost outside your door. Unpack only once, as House and gravesite we explore. Visit Independence Hall, take • Discover the NEW Museum of the American snapshots of the famous Liberty Bell, and Revolution and National Constitution Center walk in the footsteps of William Penn and • Your choice of the Franklin Institute or Benjamin Franklin. Visit the new Museum Philadelphia Art Museum of the American Revolution, just opened • Explore beyond Philly: Princeton University in in April 2017, along with the National nearby New Jersey and Longwood Gardens Constitution Center. You’ll also have a at their springtime best choice to visit either the Philadelphia Art • Roundtrip air to Philadelphia Museum or the Franklin Institute during a • 10 meals including a Philly Foodie Tour and free afternoon. visit to Reading Terminal Market • Door-to-door airport service We’ll explore the foodie scene of • 3000/3450 Gold Passport Points Philadelphia during a special guided tour to include the Italian Market and Chinatown with lunch at your leisure from the nearly 100 vendors at Reading Terminal www.longwoodgardens.org Market. Don’t be surprised by the colorful characters you meet along the way. TOP: Your chests swells with patriotism in Philadelphia; BOTTOM: Inside and out, Longwood Gardens is impressive Outside of Philadelphia, we’ll visit a few other sights – iconic Princeton, in nearby So where exactly is America’s “Cradle of New Jersey, and beautiful Longwood A Liberty?” Some believe it’s in Philadelphia. Gardens, in Pennsylvania’s Brandywine After all, it’s here the Founding Fathers Valley. Explore Princeton University and Princeton gathered at Independence Hall to write the enjoy lunch at the Nassau Club before Declaration of Independence and those discovering Grounds for Sculpture, an who first called themselves “Americans” outdoor garden of flowers and art in wrote the Constitution just 13 years Hamilton Township. West of Philadelphia Philadelphia 1-5 later. It’s the home of the Liberty Bell stroll through Longwood Gardens; with over N and the recently opened Museum of the 1,000 acres of gardens and greenhouses, Longwood Gardens American Revolution. Judge for yourself if woodlands and meadows, the spring Philadelphia owns this patriotic title during flowers should be gorgeous! this tour focused on one of America’s great cities. $2998 p.p./dbl.occ., $3430 single

2018 Dream Book Great American Cities 5 NYC – Behind Broadway and The Bronx HIGHLIGHTS Two nights of Broadway theatre and a pops concert at Carnegie Hall • 5 nights at the Marriott Marquis Times Square, New York’s best location 6 Days • April 29 – May 4 • 3 nights of entertainment – 2 Broadway WE HAVE TICKETS TO DISNEY’S SMASH HIT shows (one we select and one you choose – an exclusive SLV feature); plus a concert

FROZEN! at Carnegie Hall featuring the New York Symphony Pops Orchestra • A Day Downtown – High Line Park, Wall Street, Federal Hall, the 9/11 Memorial/ Museum/Observation Deck (all 3 experiences included) • A Day in The Bronx – stop in at a police and a fire station and meet the first responders, lunch in The Bronx with a variety of stops in “Little Italy” • Behind Broadway – visit a rehearsal hall and learn how a show comes together, meet a Broadway performer, dine with a theater reviewer (Peter Filichia) – fun and educational • Tour of the headquarters of the United Nations • Free day to visit Ellis and Liberty Islands, museums, shops, etc. • Roundtrip air to/from NYC 1. Depart the West Coast around 6am • 7 meals: 4 lunches, 3 dinners bound for New York City, arriving around • Door-to-door airport transfers 5pm (with a connection). A welcome to • 4000/4550 Gold Passport Points The Big Apple dinner is included tonight at Guy’s American Grill, just a block from the historic Trinity Church, see Federal your hotel, which is located right on Times Hall (where George Washington was Square. Indeed, this is one of New York’s inaugurated president), and enjoy a premier locations/accommodations. wonderful casual brunch in a historic Marriott Marquis – 5 nights (D) restaurant. The afternoon is spent at Freedom Tower. Enjoy the view from the top, 2. Your Behind Broadway experience will spend time in the 9/11 Museum, walk by the give you a feel for how the curtain goes up reflection ponds… there’s time for it all. The at dozens of theaters every night. Auditions, evening is open and you can add another rehearsals, readings, financing, reviews; it’s show if you wish. (L) hard to make a hit. We’ll take you behind- the-scenes to meet the performers and 5. A day to choose your own itinerary. Many even a veteran Broadway reviewer, or will want to go by subway with your Tour “audience matchmaker,” as Peter likes to Director to Battery Park, then on to Liberty refer to his talents. We get back to midtown or Ellis Islands by ferry. Those folks will in time for a great dinner at the Capital Grill, return to Times Square around noon. (There then walk a few blocks to Carnegie Hall for is an option on Ellis Island to do an a concert honoring Broadway legends by in-depth hard hat tour. Please inquire the New York Symphony Pops orchestra. at least 60 days prior to departure.) (This is a memorable 90 minutes of music Depending on baseball schedules, an in a one of the world’s great music venues.) optional tour of Yankee Stadium may be Dress circle seating for the concert. (L,D) available this afternoon. Visit The Met, shop at Macy’s; allow us to help you build your TOP: The stage at Carnegie Hall, one of America’s most spectacular venues for musical 3. Off to The Bronx, and specifically day. Enjoy a classic Italian family-style performances; MIDDLE: Our 2017 group at Little Italy, part of New York’s most dinner at Carmine’s this evening, another Carnegie, waving from their Dress Circle seats; colorful neighborhood. We stop in at a night of Broadway theater. (D) BOTTOM: Talk with NYC’s first responders on our fire and police station, to meet some first visit to Bronx police and fire stations responders up close and get some unique 6. We depart on a non-stop flight to souvenirs. On Arthur Avenue, we enjoy Sacramento in early evening from Newark, We will take you behind-the-scenes on lunch and meet some of the shopkeepers allowing us a partial day of sightseeing. Visit Broadway and show you how it all works. on a unique six-block walking tour. Tonight, the headquarters of the United Nations this Another day finds you in Little Italy, the real your first night of theater. Your Tour Directors morning and enjoy lunch before checking Little Italy, not some Manhattan substitute. will be available to direct/escort you. (L) out of your room. Arrive in Sacramento For the first time, a short tour of High Line about 10pm. (L) Park is featured, along with an optional 4. We are headed downtown this morning, in-depth tour on Ellis Island. to learn the story of Wall Street, visit $3995 p.p./dbl.occ., $4530 single

6 Great American Cities SPORTS LEISURE VACATIONS Memorial Day in Washington, D.C. Our nation’s capital is yours to explore from top to bottom 6 Days • May 24-29

historic and modern (your tax dollars at work!), and the expansive parks and public HIGHLIGHTS spaces that make Washington, D.C. the • 5 nights at the Hilton Hotel Arlington striking city it is. (FB,L) • Tour Washington, D.C.by day and night • Visit Arlington National Cemetery, Mt. Vernon, 3. Begin your exploration of the Smithsonian the U.S. Capitol, Ford’s Theatre and Kennedy Institution and National Museums today Center, and the White House* with a full day on the Mall. Your coach will • Explore the Smithsonian Institution and operate “shuttle style” to facilitate easy National Museums on the Mall movement and breaks. “D.C. After Dark” • See National Monuments including Lincoln, features selected and beautifully illuminated Jefferson, FDR, MLK, WWII, Vietnam, Korea monuments and the Kennedy Center after and more dinner. (FB,D) • Roundtrip airfare to/from Washington National • 9 meals: daily breakfast, 1 lunch, 3 dinners 4. A morning visit to Arlington National • Door-to-door airport service Cemetery includes a narrated tram tour with • 2800/3100 Gold Passport Points TOP: Martha Washington is among the living history characters you could meet at Mount Vernon. stops at the Tomb of the Unknowns for the ABOVE: The White House is one the Capital City’s Changing of the Guard ceremony and the use the time to continue your exploration most iconic sites. home of General and Mrs. Robert E. Lee of the Smithsonian Institution and National – no, that’s not a mausoleum on the hill! In Museums. (FB,D) 1. Take a morning ﬂight bound for the afternoon, take a ride into the country Washington’s Reagan National Airport. From to visit the estate of George and Martha 6. A guided tour of the United States Capitol this in-town airport, it’s only a short drive to Washington, Mount Vernon. Tonight, dinner brings your vacation to a monumental end. your hotel – a welcomed relief after a long at Filomena Ristorante in Georgetown is a (FB) day of travel! Hilton Hotel Arlington – 5 Sports Leisure favorite and sure to please. nights (FB,D) $2780 p.p./dbl.occ., $3060 single

2. Embark on a comprehensive city tour 5. Memorial Day offers a host of *Those making reservations at least six months with our local guide extraordinaire, Sandra opportunities along our National Mall. Start prior to the trip (before November 24) will be Sheksin. She will spin tales of Washington’s the day with a visit to Ford’s Theatre and the submitted for a thorough security screening to visit dynamic past and present while orienting Petersen House to relive President Lincoln’s The White House. This will require your full name, you to the Mall (important for later in the ﬁnal days. A new interpretative center offers country of citizenship, birthday, city of residence itinerary when you have free time for insight into this turbulent time in American and Social Security number. Please be advised Smithsonian and National Museums). history. From there your choices begin. those making reservations after this date are less You’ll see countless National Monuments, Take your place along Constitution Avenue likely to receive clearance. Questions? Please impressive governmental buildings both for the National Memorial Day Parade or contact our ofﬁce.

2018 Dream Book Great American Cities 7 25th Annual Spring Training in Arizona U.S. Figure Skating 4 nights in a luxurious Marriott Hotel, ballgames every day Championships 5 Days • March 15-19 Watch future Olympians in action at the SAP Center in San Jose 5 Days • January 4-8 HIGHLIGHTS • 4 nights at the Embassy Suites Milpitas, includes breakfast each morning, cocktails if you are on site in the evening • All event skating tickets, allowing you to see shows in the evening and the afternoon if you wish – choice of seating closer to the ice (better view, colder) or at the top of the lower SAME PRICES concourse (warmer) AS 2017! • Sightseeing tour of Silicon Valley, Sunday Brunch at the Hayes Mansion, guest skating speaker • According to the tentative draft schedule, you will have the opportunity to see the following: Opening Ceremonies, Championship HIGHLIGHTS Pairs Short Program, Junior Free Dance, • 4 nights at the Phoenix Airport Marriott Junior Men’s Free Skate, Championship • Tickets to 5 Cactus League games Short Dance, Championship Ladies • Lunch en suite or on the patio for one game Short Program, Championship Pairs • Baseball Banquet, featuring a former or Free Skate, Championship Men’s Free current player, coach, broadcaster or umpire Skate, Championship Free Dance, and • A fabulous Sunday Brunch at the historic Championship Ladies Free Skate Wrigley Mansion • Just added – tickets to the Smucker’s Skating • 8 meals: including daily buffet breakfast Spectacular on Sunday night, where all the winners, the new members of the U.S. • Airfare, door-to-door service TOP: Two of our gang admire Tony Siegle’s World • Gold Passport Points based on reg. date Series ring… talk about Diamonds; ABOVE: Hall of Olympic Team, will skate Famer Rogers Hornsby’s famous “winter” quote; Each spring the baseball fans in our midst RIGHT: Champion skaters are coming to San Jose $2449 p.p./dbl.occ, $2679 single make a pilgrimage to Arizona, where the “Boys of Summer” get ready for the season. dollars. We only purchase a few tickets over For Giants and A’s fans, it truly is “wait until the number of people reserved when they next year,” after somewhat lost seasons for become available, so those who wait risk both teams. But alas, hope springs eternal getting shut out. in the Cactus League, for no team has lost a regular season game and everyone has Until November 1: hopes of seeing a World Series played in $2175 p.p./dbl.occ., $2465 single their park in October. We’ll catch a game After November 1: every afternoon or evening, a total of 5 $2275 p.p./dbl.occ., $2565 single games in all. Generally, the Giants are the first priority and the A’s second. The Come with us on a Baseball schedules for the Cactus League in Spring Training are not finalized and announced Adventure… until sometime in November/December, and We must await the release of the 2018 those registered will be sent the schedule game schedule to make our plans, just as soon as it is finalized. but you are welcome to call and place your name on the Baseball Adventure The trip features Sunday Brunch at Wrigley Priority List. The trip is likely to be Mansion and a dinner at Rustler’s Roost roughly a week in duration, with 4-5 (a Sports Leisure tradition). The centrally games in a number of different parks. located Marriott Hotel we call home (Because of humid weather in the east/ provides a great buffet breakfast each south, this tour is likely to depart in morning. Tickets for the games are almost May.) Cities/parks under consideration always located in the shade. (You’ll see how include (but not exclusively) Washington, important this is once we get to Arizona.) D.C.; Baltimore, Atlanta,. Boston and Philadelphia (based on requests from By registering early, you secure your space, last year’s travelers). Details after the guarantee your tickets and save a few schedule is released in October.

8 The “Sports” in Sports Leisure SPORTS LEISURE VACATIONS The Odds and Ends Mystery Featuring a little bit of this and a little bit of that 3 Days • May 1-3

Join Scott on this mystery tour that travels Museum? We will have a social, learn about by motorcoach from Sacramento. This Shakespeare, and you might even ﬁnd tour has some really unique attractions. yourself in Guatemala. Since you are with Dining will surely be a treat and you have a Scott, of course there will be a tour included wonderful hotel to stay in both nights (some of a “natural” sort. This is an Only 25 tour might have already stayed here but we bet so sign up soon! The tour will include door- you won’t mind staying here again). How to-door service, 5 meals, several attractions about some clues as to our destination? you won’t discover until you’re there, and What do actor Anthony Anderson, the services of a Sports Leisure Vacations comedian Jamie Fox and the lead singer Tour Director. 1350/1550 Gold Passport for the rock group Aerosmith have in Points common, other than you can ﬁnd their merchandise at the Ritz Carlton Bellagio $1325 p.p./dbl.occ., $1510 single in Las Vegas and even in a Smithsonian

It’s All About The Water A Mystery Tour that evolves around… water 6 Days • February 4-9

A title like this one sorta narrows down the Only two hotels are involved, a 3-night and options for where you might be going. For a 2-night stay, so you have time to enjoy the more inquisitive in the audience, the your surroundings. Don’t worry, we won’t water will not be frozen, so eliminate that have to invent cool things to do, because thought right away. It’s All About the Water we have found a ton of neat stuff. could mean a lot of things. You could be on the water, or looking at the water, or We’ve included all the important things, like playing in the water… it’s a mystery! roundtrip airfare, 11 meals (including a full breakfast every day) and the rescue boat. Look, don’t get all crabby on us. As my A rescue boat? (OK, that’s a joke, not a good friend Sandy used to say, “Life is a real clue.) Tour Directors: Chris and Mark. beach.” I know some of this sounds a bit 2950/3350 Gold Passport Points ﬁshy, but really, if you think about it, it could be fun. I mean, when have you ever had $2940 p.p./dbl.occ., $3335 single not one but TWO oceans, right outside your door (major clue alert).

Leaﬁn’ on a Jet Plane A Mystery Tour that’s all about the colors of fall 6 Days • October 14-19

There are lots of great places to catch everything is brown, maybe gangsters the changing of the colors each year. Fall hung out here? Hey, stop horsing around, foliage is one of nature’s most spectacular because we can’t track that sort of behavior. shows and we think we’ve found a great OK, by now, you all know where we are place to see the leaves. New England? going… or maybe not. Too common and too easy to guess. Upper Michigan? Great guess, but we go The hotel pattern for this trip is 4 nights to Mackinac Island most every year. No and one night, two hotels, BOTH Embassy mystery there! Suites. We will include airfare and 12 meals. Tour Director: TBA. 2650/3000 Gold TOP to BOTTOM: On a Mystery Tour, you might Here are some clues to help you: Let’s all Passport Points have lunch in an old German restaurant and pose pray for world peace, then it’s “down the for crazy pictures, you might learn something, hatch!” It’s kinda chilly in here, maybe $2635 p.p./dbl.occ., $2965 single like running a printing press, or visit someplace it’s a SIGN. Whole Foods is selling their unusual, the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, or enjoy the view of the universe from a giant telescope outside ice cream. Pretty hot in this tavern and Flagstaff

2018 Dream Book Mystery Tours 9 Moab, Gateway to Arches National Park Featuring 3 nights at the spectacular Red Cliffs Lodge on the banks of the Colorado River 5 Days • May 5-9

1. Fly to Grand Junction, Colorado and collection along with a hosted lunch. Your board your motorcoach for a short ride lodge in Moab sits on the banks of the HIGHLIGHTS to the town of Palisade, in the heart of Colorado River, just outside Arches National • Explore majestic Arches National Park Colorado’s wine country. Sleep well in your Park. Towering red cliffs surround your • Visit Dead Horse State Park (the most Victorian-style hotel. Wine Country Inn (L) accommodations; watch them change amazing view in the Southwest!) colors with the setting sun. Red Cliffs • Thrill on a jet boat tour on the Colorado River 2. John Hendricks founded Discovery Lodge – 3 nights (FB,L) • Experience flightseeing over Canyonlands Communications, the broadcasting and film National Park production company that owns Discovery 3. With over 2,000 naturally occurring • Discover Gateway Canyons Channel, TLC and Animal Planet. His arches (the greatest concentration in • Roundtrip air to/from Grand Junction, CO outdoor recreational resort in Colorado, the world), Arches National Park is a • 9 meals: 4 full breakfasts, 5 lunches Gateway Canyons, hosts 60 of John’s photographer’s dream. Explore the park • Door-to-door airport service most prized and impeccably preserved during a guided tour, pausing at all the • 2600/2900 Gold Passport Points automobiles, including the $3.25 million, highlights. It’s a day you won’t soon forget! one-of-a-kind, 1954 Oldsmobile F-88 After lunch it’s time for a different view of and the Sundance Kid. Near The Needles, concept car. Enjoy a private tour of the the scenic beauty – from the Colorado River fly over the confluence of the Green and with a narrated jet boat tour along a calm Colorado Rivers, absorbing awesome section of the river. (FB,L) breathtaking beauty. Later travel by coach to one of the best vistas in the west at Dead 4. The mighty Colorado Horse Point State Park, where you will be and Green Rivers 1,500 feet above the Colorado River. Enjoy divide Canyonlands lunch and some free time in Moab before National Park into three heading back to resort. (FB,L) Arches sections. Millions of National Park years of erosion have 5. No one ever wants to leave the Red Cliffs Palisade formed a maze of but it’s your final day. Travel back to Grand canyon arches and Junction for a hosted lunch before your Red Cliffs Resort 2-4 spires that make it return flight home. (FB,L) 1 impossible to view by Grand Dead Horse State Park Junction land. Soar through the $2575 p.p./dbl.occ., $2895 single Moab park on a one hour charter flight today, Gateway Canyons Canyonlands over the Colorado National Park River, past Island in the Sky and The Maze, www.redcliffslodge.com a hideout of famous www.stateparks.utah.gov/parks/dead-horse/ outlaws Butch Cassidy www.nps.gov/arch/index.htm

10 National Parks SPORTS LEISURE VACATIONS Zion and Bryce National Parks Featuring landscapes from another world 5 Days • September 16-20

formations called “Hoodoos.” Bryce HIGHLIGHTS Canyon Grand (FB,L) • Tram tour at Zion National Park • Rim tour of Bryce Canyon National Park 4. Travel to St. George where lunch is • Performance at Tuacahn Amphitheatre included at a private resort surrounded • Roundtrip airfare to/from Las Vegas by spectacular scenery: volcanic rocks, • 8 included meals: 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches lush green vegetation and towering • Door-to-door airport service mountains. Tonight, a special treat as we • 2100/2350 Gold Passport Points see a performance at an outdoor natural amphitheatre tucked in a red rock canyon at 2. Start the day by viewing one of the Tuacahn Amphitheatre. Past performances best IMAX movies “Treasure of the Gods.” have included Broadway shows and Travel into Zion Canyon on a private tram concerts. Performers are ﬁrst rate, all tour viewing the park’s towering red rock coming from places like New York City, monoliths as you make your way along Chicago, Las Vegas, and Salt Lake City. the Virgin River that created this beautiful Hilton Garden Inn – 2 nights (FB,L) canyon. The afternoon is free for you to take a walk in the park, visit the shops in 5. Return to Las Vegas, with an included the town of Springdale, or relax back at the lunch, before your afternoon ﬂight home. hotel in the outdoor pool or hot tub which (FB,L) have fabulous red rock views. (B) $2060 p.p./dbl.occ., $2345 single 3. Bryce Canyon will surely be a highlight of your travels. We’ll make several stops for N photos along the way before checking into 3 Bryce Canyon Nat’l Park Join Scott in Zion National Park and enjoy beautiful canyon views during a relaxing tram ride our beautiful hotel with oversized rooms. At St. George 4 1-2 Bryce Canyon National Zion Nat’l Park 1. Fly to Las Vegas, where lunch is hosted, Park drive along the before traveling to the town of Springdale, rim of the canyon Utah where you will overnight. Your hotel making stops at several Las Vegas is well situated in the middle of town with overlooks viewing A incredible red rock views. Holiday Inn the large collections Express – 2 nights (L) of bizarre sandstone

2018 Dream Book National Parks 11 National Treasures of the West HIGHLIGHTS Featuring the Black Hills, Crazy Horse Memorial, Deadwood and • 5 days sightseeing in the Black Hills including Badlands National Park, Mammoth Dig Site, Mount Rushmore and both day and night visits to Mt. Rushmore 7 Days • September 23-29 • Hillside viewing area for Custer State Park’s Annual Buffalo Roundup • Stand on top of the arm of the Crazy Horse Memorial • Roundtrip air to/from Rapid City • 9 meals: 2 breakfasts, 4 full breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner • Door-to-door airport service • 3350/3800 Gold Passport Points

5. Drive through Badlands National Park, or Mako Sico as the Native Americans called this spectacular land of awesome wonder and nature in action; a land of soft clays and sandstones carved by wind and water. You are on your own for lunch in Wall, home of Wall Drug Store, famous for offering a free cup of ice water to weary travelers. Today, “Wall Drug” is a multi-complex of restaurants, museums, and shops. (FB)

6. Everyone is up bright and early this morning for a trip to Custer State Park for its Annual Buffalo Roundup. Located out on the prairie, we will watch the sun come up over the hills as we anticipate the herd passing by. The park’s personnel, along guide about the historic importance of with additional cowhands, will drive nearly buffalo and view a spectacular sculpture 1,300 buffalo into the nearby corrals. This commissioned by actor Kevin Costner. afternoon, enjoy the quaint main street of In Deadwood there is time for lunch and Rapid City, lined with statues of our nation’s browsing the shops, and maybe even presidents, or return to your room for a late libations at the historic main street saloons! afternoon rest. (B) (FB,D) 7. Depart Rapid City in late morning with an 3. Dedicated to Native Americans, the early evening arrival home. (FB) Crazy Horse Memorial includes an arts and crafts center in addition to the museum $3345 p.p./dbl.occ., $3770 single and memorial. Here you have the unique opportunity to stand on a monumental carving project that is still a work in progress! Next enjoy a daytime visit to www.custerstatepark.info Mount Rushmore and walk along the base www.crazyhorsememorial.org of the mountain. This evening return to www.Visitrapidcity.com Mount Rushmore for the very poignant lighting of the mountain. Palmer Gulch Lodge (FB)

4. Travel south to Hot Springs where, more than 26,000 years ago, Woolly Mammoths were stuck in situ in a sinkhole. A visitors 1. After a midday arrival in Rapid City and center enables you to view firsthand this a quick lunch, we are off to our destination working paleontological site. Over the hotel located in beautiful Spearfish Canyon. years, this has been one of the Black Rapid Spearfish Wall Our creek-side location provides dramatic Hills’ best kept secrets and is often a City 1-2 5-6 views of steep canyon walls and aspen surprise to Sports Leisure travelers. Badlands trees. Spearfish Canyon Resort – 2 nights This afternoon, board a jeep for a ride Deadwood Nat’l Park (L) through the rolling hills of Custer State Park. Who knows what wildlife we’ll see? Hill City 3-4 Custer State Park 2. Travel back to the wild days of the Black After all, this is the land where buffalos Crazy Horse Mt. Rushmore Hills with a visit to Deadwood. At Tatanka: roam, and deer and antelope play! Mammoth Hot Springs Story of the Bison, learn from your Sioux Alex Johnson Hotel – 3 nights (B,L)

12 National Parks SPORTS LEISURE VACATIONS Olympia, the Sound and The Mountain Experience the greatness of a small city, Puget Sound and Mt. Rainier 4 Days • August 31 – September 3

1. Your Pacific Northwest adventure begins with an early morning flight to Seattle. Upon HIGHLIGHTS arrival, transfer to the Port of Tacoma to • 3-night stay on the waterfront overlooking experience another form of travel. Step Budd Bay back in maritime history as you cruise • Lunch in the grand Paradise Inn Dining Room the waters of the southern sound on the at Mt. Rainier National Park historic steamer, Virginia V. Affectionately • Cruise on the historic steamboat, Virginia V called “Virginia Vee,” this ship has been • Enjoy the festivities of Olympia’s Harbor Days steaming around Puget Sound since 1922. • Roundtrip airfare to/from Seattle Our four-hour cruise will take us under the • 8 meals: 3 full breakfasts, 3 lunches, Tacoma Narrows Bridge, and down past 2 dinners Steilacoom, Ketron Island, Anderson Island • Door-to-door airport service and into Budd Inlet. The festival kicks off • 2100/2350 Gold Passport Points this afternoon, and our waterfront hotel is minutes away from Percival Landing. known for its apple cider and delicious DoubleTree by Hilton – 3 nights (L,D) apple fritters. In addition to their apple products, the mother-daughter owners have 2. Mt. Rainier, dubbed “The Mountain” by stocked the Farm Market with a variety of the locals, dominates the skyline on a clear fruit syrups, honey, jams, and specialty day. As a matter of fact, locals often say meats and cheeses – including smoked “The Mountain is out today.” Ascending salmon. This afternoon, the “world’s largest to 14,410 feet above sea level, this iconic vintage tugboat race” takes place in the glacier-topped mountain is legendary with deep channel of Budd Bay. Viewing of the mountain climbers and casual visitors. race is from the water aboard one of the Tucked alongside Budd Bay on Puget Passing by alpine meadows and streams festival’s host vessels. This evening, dinner Sound, Washington’s capital city is a filled with crystal clear glacial water, travel features the best of the region and caps off sparkling gem in the Evergreen State. With to Paradise. The Paradise Jackson Visitors our stay. (FB,D) a rich history, vibrant culture and a beautiful Center hosts films and exhibits relevant to setting, Olympia is a great place to visit… this mountain, which by the way is an active 4. One last chance to taste the bounty of The highlight of our stay will be Harbor volcano; and the Paradise Inn offers the region before returning to the airport for Days, a festival celebrating the vintage Mt. Rainier as a breathtaking backdrop your afternoon flight home. (FB,L) tugboats of the Sound. Take a tour of these during lunch in the historic Inn Dining mighty little tugs, watch them race in the Room. Return to Olympia in the late $2065 p.p./dbl.occ., $2320 single bay, and learn a little history along the way. afternoon, to enjoy festival activities and Interspersed with the festival activities, tour the tugs. (FB,L) experience the best of the region… in true Sports Leisure fashion “tour the farms, 3. Start your morning with a trip to Lattin’s www.harbordays.com taste the bounty, and meet the locals.” Cider Mill, a small, family owned farm www.experienceolympia.com

2018 Dream Book National Parks 13 HIGHLIGHTS • 2 nights at the new Rush Creek Lodge • Free time to visit Yosemite Falls, the Ansel Adams Gallery, and the Yosemite Museum Springtime in Yosemite • Guided tour highlighting the history and Featuring the best of Mother Nature: waterfalls and spring flowers points of interest throughout the valley • Walk through the Big Trees of the restored 3 Days • May 15-17 Mariposa Grove • 2 meals: 1 lunch, 1 dinner • Deluxe motorcoach transportation Springtime is the optimum season to view Tour to discover the history, geology and • Door-to-door service Yosemite’s magnificent waterfalls and get people of Yosemite. The afternoon is your • 1450/1750 Gold Passport Points a peek at its display of spring flowers. time to explore the valley as you wish. In the During our time in the park, visit the area evening, return to your mountain resort for in comfort and away from the crowds. If around the newly restored Mariposa Grove quiet reflection upon the day. you have stayed in the park over the past (weather and conditions permitting). Closed few years you are aware its motel rooms since 2015, this area has undergone major Rush Creek Lodge, located just one mile have become a little tired. While we will be reconstruction with new walkways and the from the Big Oak Flat entrance to Yosemite entering and exiting the park several times, removal of its concessions facilities. Galen National Park on Highway 120, is the we are confident you are going to love the Clark, the grove’s protector, found healing newest mountain resort in the Sierra in over improved accommodations. within these trees and the restoration seeks 25 years. It features a contemporary, rustic to bring peace back to the grove as it was sensibility inspired by the breathtaking $1430 p.p./dbl.occ., $1735 single when first discovered. nature surrounding its 20-acre wooded hillside setting. While not inside the park, With one full day in the park, the morning its location provides an opportunity to enjoy will consist of a fully narrated Valley Floor both the park and the serenity of the lodge www.rushcreeklodge.com

two meals, attractions as listed, and the Puttin’ on the Ritz at Lake Tahoe services of a Sports Leisure Vacations Featuring Ritz-Carlton luxury in a mountain setting Tour Director. 600/700 Gold Passport Points 2 Days • June 3-4 $585 p.p./dbl.occ., $698 single Add door-to-door service for $80 p.p. 1. Deluxe motorcoach transportation begins extraordinary views of the mountains and at one of our convenient locations this Martis Valley. Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe morning. Pause in Truckee for a hosted (BR) brunch and time at your leisure to browse the quaint shops in the historic district 2. A late checkout before arriving at your mountain retreat. allows you to further The Ritz-Carlton is situated mid-mountain enjoy the resort and at the Northstar Resort. From the time you its services and arrive the tone is set for the luxury you will amenities. Return encounter here, with the Grand Lobby home along the featuring a 55 foot-high granite fireplace scenic west shore of and 25 foot-high windows providing views Lake Tahoe, where of the surrounding forest. Enjoy an optional lunch is hosted, private art and architecture tour and arriving home in the learn about the unique design elements late afternoon. (L) and highlights of the more distinctive works of art on display throughout the This tour resort. Your accommodations include in- includes deluxe room fireplaces, floor-to-ceiling windows, transportation, and private walk-out balconies with accommodations,

14 National Parks / California Adventures SPORTS LEISURE VACATIONS Desert Beauty: Anza-Borrego and Joshua Tree National Park Springtime wildﬂowers, majestic landscapes, and splendid beauty 5 Days • March 19-23

The desert is a place of silence, light and spot where the first European explorer, Juan space with beauty in its arid landscape, and Rodriguez Cabrillo, stepped ashore. Enjoy HIGHLIGHTS wildflowers tucked into its crevices. Spend the view of the Pacific Ocean from this • Anza-Borrego State Park, Joshua Tree Nat’l enough time here and the desert will weave monumental site. This evening take in the Park and the gardens of Sunnyland provide a spell upon you. Experience the beauty sights and sounds of San Diego from your spectacular examples of desert beauty and grandeur for yourself in this springtime bayside rooms. Embassy Suites (L) • Experience the desert first hand with a jeep expedition. ride, tram ride and guided tour of the region 2. Travel from the seashore into the • Stay 3 nights at the Agua Caliente Resort 1. A late morning flight delivers you to mountains to Julian, a small town known for • Roundtrip airfare to San Diego/from Ontario beautiful San Diego for lunch in Old Town. apple pies. A quick lunch and you are off to • 5 meals: 1 full breakfast, 3 lunches, 1 dinner A short trip to Point Loma brings you to the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California’s • Door-to-door airport service largest. Famous for its springtime display of • 2150/2400 Gold Passport Points wildflowers, this desert park has so much to offer: rock formations, dramatic mountains Canyon Road, in downtown Palm Springs. and vast arid landscapes punctuated by It’s a fun evening out with the locals and oases prolific with all types of flora and visitors. (L) fauna. Traverse the park with a guide to learn more about this “desert beauty.” Our 5. Desert beauty comes in many forms. late afternoon drive to Rancho Mirage, This morning, visit the famous gardens of home to a “hot water” resort, provides Sunnyland. Inspired by the Annenberg’s insight into the agriculture and lives of private collection of Impressionist and the people of the Coachella Valley. Agua Post-Impressionist paintings, the gardens Caliente Casino Resort Spa – 3 nights were artfully designed to reflect beauty and (FB,L) grace using over 70 species of native and arid-adapted plants. An afternoon flight 3. Climb aboard a red jeep for a trek from Ontario returns you home. into slot canyons and through the open desert. With a local guide explaining the $2105 p.p./dbl.occ., $2380 single history, culture and legends of the Cahuilla people, the beauty of the desert comes alive with your driver’s interpretation. And besides, the ride is just plain fun as the www.theabf.org wind flies through your hair! This afternoon an aerial tram ride to the top of Mt. San Jacinto provides a spectacular view of the Coachella Valley, the San Andreas Fault and Salton Trough. (D) A 4. Another “desert beauty” awaits you this morning. Two distinct desert ecosystems, the Mojave and the Colorado, come together in Joshua Tree National Park. Joshua Tree Nat’l Park Forests of trees and jumbles of massive rocks make this an enchanting place – a 2-4 land sculpted by strong winds and torrents Ontario Palm of rain. The surreal geologic features add Springs to the wonders of this vast wilderness. A Julian Anza casual lunch at a local BBQ joint follows Borrego your park visit. This evening you have State the option to stroll through Village Fest, a San Diego 1 Park menagerie of crafts, art and music on Palm

2018 Dream Book National Parks / California Adventures 15 On the Central Coast HIGHLIGHTS Featuring oceanfront accommodations in Avila Beach • Wonderful oceanfront accommodations at Avila Lighthouse Suites 4 Days • April 10-13 • Visit Morro Bay and Arroyo Grande • Shop San Luis Obispo’s Thursday Night Farmers Market • 7 meals: 3 breakfasts, 4 lunches • Door-to-door service • 1500/1750 Gold Passport Points

experience the food and festivities in San Luis Obispo during its world-renowned weekly Thursday Night Farmers Market! In addition to fresh fruits and vegetables, booths sell prepared food galore, including tri-tip, chicken, and ribs. Live entertainment 1. Meet your fellow travelers at the Sports and is home to nesting Peregrine Falcons. is also part of the market, from dancers, Leisure ofﬁce before traveling in comfort Lunch is hosted with free time scheduled for gymnasts, and local singer-songwriters to to Avila Beach. Pass through the Salinas shopping. Not a shopper? No problem! You high school bands. (B,L) Valley, known as the “Salad Bowl of the have the option to view otters and maybe World,” before settling into your oceanfront spot a falcon down on the beach. Your Tour 4. As you turn toward home, enjoy a suite just steps away from the sand and Director will lead the way! The afternoon is wonderful lunch hosted in Paso Robles and surf of the majestic Paciﬁc Ocean. Avila at your leisure to enjoy the picturesque town a stop at Casa de Fruta to pick up a few Lighthouse Suites – 3 nights (L) and coastline back in Avila Beach. (B,L) fresh foods for your home. Arrive in the early evening. (B,L) 2. Morro Bay is home to Morro Rock, the 3. Today drive along the coast past Shell last of nine extinct volcanic peaks that Beach and Pismo Beach to Arroyo Grande, $1460 p.p./dbl.occ., $1750 single begin in San Luis Obispo. The 576 foot where lunch is hosted with dessert at Doc landmark stands at the mouth of the harbor Burnstein’s Ice Cream Lab. This evening,

HIGHLIGHTS Off on Another Mission • Discover six of California’s historic missions A continuation of our 2017 tour visits six more California Missions • 2 nights at The Dream Inn Santa Cruz • Dinner waterside at The Crow’s Nest 3 Days • May 8-11 • Visit secluded and peaceful Mission San Antonio de Padua with a casual lunch • 6 meals: 2 full breakfasts, 3 lunches, 1 dinner • Door-to-door service • 1200/1400 Gold Passport Points

the 87-acre ranch after your tour. Works by over 70 local artisans are featured in the fantastic gift shop! You will leave with a gift to remember your visit. Pause brieﬂy at tiny Mission Soledad and learn of its hard scrabble history. Enjoy free time back at the hotel to simply relax or walk the pier before an included dinner this evening. (FB,L,D)

3. Explore Mission Santa Cruz this morning atop Mission Hill. A short film discusses the history of the Ohlone and Yokut Indians and their roles within the mission system before a docent-guided tour. Tour scenic Mission San Juan Bautista, situated on a 1. Travel back in time aboard SuperCoach history of Mission San Rafael Arcángel. historic plaza, before lunch at Pea Soup III bound for Sonoma State Park where In Santa Cruz, arrive at your oceanview Andersen’s. Save room for a decadent ice docents dressed in period clothing bring accommodations to enjoy the evening at cream sundae at the Ghirardelli Outlet en to life 1800’s California history with a tour your leisure. The Santa Cruz Dream Inn – route back to the Sports Leisure office of Mission San Francisco de Solano and 2 nights (L) where your door-to-door transportation General Vallejo’s home. Pause in Sonoma awaits you. (FB,L) for a harvest fresh lunch utilizing locally 2. The often overlooked Mission San gathered ingredients. The only mission Antonio de Padua is your first stop today. $1185 p.p./dbl.occ., $1365 single founded as a hospital, discover the unique A casual lunch is served in the serenity of

16 California Adventures SPORTS LEISURE VACATIONS Destination: Disneyland! Featuring three full days to explore the Disneyland Resort and museums of Orange County 4 Days • April 22-25

Disneyland continues to become more will offer optional attractions you can visit if popular with each passing year. We’ve you need a break from the “Disney Magic.” HIGHLIGHTS escorted two groups recently and everyone Choose to visit the newly renovated Richard • Stay 3 nights at the Anaheim Marriott Hotel loves feeling like a kid again – as evidenced M. Nixon Presidential Library & Museum in (very near the park) by people wearing mouse ears when addition to the Bowers Museum, featuring • Admission for 3 days to Disneyland & Disney they show up at the airport! The park will a new exhibit called American Visionary: California Adventure be 62 years young and, after extensive John F. Kennedy’s Life & Times. We’ll even • Optional A Walk in Walt’s Footsteps tour with renovations to the area around the Rivers include a guided tour of the Walt Disney included box lunch of America, sports an updated railroad and Concert Hall in Los Angeles after lunch at • Optional visits to Richard Nixon Presidential brand new Fantasmic! evening show. At the Tam O’Shanter, the original restaurant in Library & The Bowers Museum Disney California Adventure you can take the Lawry’s Prime Rib Family. Mr. Disney ate • Roundtrip airfare to/from Southern California in the new Broadway-style show Frozen here so often his employees referred to it at • 3 meals: 2 lunches, 1 dinner at the Hyperion Theatre and fly across the Disney Studios’ commissary! • Door-to-door airport service the globe on the new “Soarin’ Around the • Deluxe motorcoach shuttle service World.” Additionally, we’ve timed our tour We have worked to design the itinerary for • 1900/2100 Gold Passport Points to include “Dapper Day,” when visitors different levels of activity. Our own private are encouraged to dress up in their finest shuttle will run to/from the hotel so you can package price. Please also note: all evening vintage clothing. The people watching is come and go as your needs dictate. Of shows are STANDING ROOM only. a lot of fun but parasols and pocketbooks, course, you will get more value if you spend boater hats and suspenders are optional, of more time in the parks. You can choose a 3 Day one park per day ONLY pass, with course! ticket that allows for admission to one park everything above: per day OR you can choose a “Park Hopper We offer two special experiences during Pass,” which allows you to go in between $1830 p.p./dbl.occ., $2030 single each visit. First a special three hour walking both parks as often as you would like each tour of Disneyland called “A Walk in Walt’s day. You can do your homework about the 3 Day, two park per day flex pass Footsteps,” which includes a box lunch parks before you register for our tour by (come and go in between Disneyland and a visit to the “Dream Suite,” Walt and visiting www.disneyland.com. AND California Disney each day), Lillian’s private apartment overlooking with everything above: New Orleans Square. Second, enjoy the “A Walk in Walt’s Footsteps” tour is included early history of “Walt’s Folly” during a in both packages. It is a three-hour walking $1875 p.p./dbl.occ., $2075 single presentation by author David Koenig at a tour. You must be able to stand at points special dinner at the Anaheim White House. during the tour. If you wish to skip this tour or have mobility issues which might make Due to feedback from our customers we it difficult to enjoy the tour, you can opt www.nixonlibrary.gov have added a third day to visit the parks but out and receive a credit of $109 off either www.bowers.org

2018 Dream Book California Adventures 17 Recently reopened following an extensive A Port, A President and renovation, the galleries, gardens and Nixon’s birth home are yours to explore. The Pageant of the Masters Return to the hotel for time to relax before th Art comes to life at one of the world’s most unique festivals touring the grounds of the 85 Annual Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters 3 Days • August 5-7 or August 19-21 in Laguna Beach. Dinner is included at Tivoli Terrace Restaurant. Presented in an outdoor theatre, reserved orchestra seating provides excellent viewing. Words fail to explain the pageant – you simply have to see it to believe it! (D)

3. Return to Laguna Beach to learn some behind-the-scenes secrets during a presentation with a speaker from the Pageant of the Masters followed by lunch. A mid-afternoon ﬂight returns you home. (L)

Includes door-to-door airport service, roundtrip air, accommodations, 3 meals (1 brunch, 1 lunch, 1 dinner), attractions and admissions as noted in the itinerary, and the services of a Sports Leisure Vacations 1. Depart on a morning ﬂight to Southern evening. Marriott Newport Beach Hotel & Tour Director. 1550/1750 Gold Passport California. Soon you’ll be off on a Spa – 2 nights (BR) Points champagne brunch cruise along Newport’s glittering coast aboard a private Hornblower 2. This morning a short drive takes you to $1525 p.p./dbl.occ., $1730 single Yacht. Check-in at your luxurious hotel Yorba Linda and the impressive Richard mid-afternoon for a restful afternoon and Nixon Presidential Library & Museum.

and the surrounding community. In Fort Bragg, the old mill site is being restored The Magniﬁcent Mendocino Coast into Noyo Headlands Park with the Noyo Featuring Noyo Harbor, Ft. Bragg and the historic Skunk Train Marine Center offering visitors educational talks and walks. After a couple of years 4 Days • August 14-17 of challenges, the historic Skunk Train now offers an abbreviated journey along Pudding Creek Estuary. Step back in time as you travel over some of the ﬁrst tracks laid down by the California Western Railroad in 1885. The train’s whistle brings out the child in all; there’s nothing like a train ride through the forest!

Our lodging for two nights will be overlooking Noyo Harbor at the familiar Harbor Lite Lodge. In the early morning, as you enjoy your first cup of coffee, watch as the fishing fleet heads out for the day. In the evenings, enjoy the fresh catch of the day as we dine at some of the area’s oldest and finest establishments.

This tour includes door-to-door service, motorcoach transportation, The beautiful Mendocino coast calls like a Begin with a visit to the home and museum accommodations, all attractions as listed siren from the sea. With rugged coastlines, of early California artist, Grace Hudson, above, 9 meals (3 breakfasts, 4 lunches, dashing waves and wind-blown trees followed by an overnight stay in Ukiah. 2 dinners), and the services of a Sports this magniﬁcent area has inspired and The next morning travel across the coastal Leisure Vacations Tour Director. 1450/1700 welcomed many over the years. As the range. The Mendocino Botanical Gardens, Gold Passport Points days warm up in Sacramento, the coast is one of the ﬁnest on the West Coast, offers delightfully brisk. It is the perfect time for a beautiful display gardens, and its trail to $1440 p.p./dbl.occ., $1670 single stroll along the boardwalk at MacKerricher the ocean bluffs is spectacular. At Point State Park or to browse the quaint shops of Cabrillo Lighthouse, the docents are Mendocino. prepared to share stories of the keepers

18 California Adventures SPORTS LEISURE VACATIONS Beautiful Bodega Bay, Tiburon and The Coast Featuring the Sonoma and Marin Coastlines 3 Days • April 29 – May 1

2. This morning travel to HIGHLIGHTS Bodega Head for a short • Relax in comfort and enjoy the hospitality walk along the bluffs to of Bodega Bay Lodge & Spa, overlooking catch sight of the Paciﬁc Dorian Beach Ocean; who knows, you • Browse the eclectic shops of Tiburon may even glimpse a whale • Dine at the historic Occidental Union Hotel passing by as it migrates • Visit Korbel Champagne Cellars and Gardens north. A short drive from • Enjoy the views from Tiburon’s Shoreline Park the coast brings you to and visit the Railroad & Ferry Depot Museum Occidental, a gem of a • 4 meals: 2 full breakfasts, 1 brunch, 1 lunch community tucked into • Door-to-door service the redwoods, for an • 1100/1300 Gold Passport Points Italian meal served family- style. After a brief time to There is something special about the browse the shops return Sonoma Coast: beaches that stretch for to the lodge. An afternoon miles, remnants of rocks forming striking of leisure awaits… a full sea stacks, and ah… the sound of the service spa, along with ocean. As you walk along Bodega Head, a pool and hot tub, are listen for the barking of the sea lions; and as available; or maybe a you relax in your room, the sound of the fog walk down to the beach is more your style! horn. This leisurely visit to the coast allows (FB,L) you time to sit back and enjoy springtime on the coast. 3. Continue down scenic Highway 1, weaving along the coastline into Marin 1. Travel through Sonoma County, arriving County past Tomales Bay, arriving in in the afternoon at Korbel Champagne Tiburon for a scatter lunch and time to Cellars. Learn about two enterprising visit the shops. More than just a pretty families with pioneer spirits and old-world waterfront town, Tiburon has a rich resourcefulness who envisioned greatness railroad and maritime history. A stop at the in the Russian River region. Stroll the museum captures this history; plus there beautiful gardens and sip some bubbly are fantastic views of San Francisco, the before continuing to one of the ﬁnest, four- Golden Gate Bridge and Angel Island from diamond lodges in Northern California. Shoreline Park. Return to Sacramento in late Overlooking Dorian Beach, every room afternoon. (FB) looks out over the gardens of the lodge towards the water. Bodega Bay Lodge & $1075 p.p./dbl.occ., $1255 single Spa – 2 nights (BR)

2018 Dream Book California Adventures 19 Take the Snow Train to Reno Ride Amtrak’s California Zephyr through the Sierra Nevada 2 Days • February 14-15 or February 28 – March 1

Experience a High Sierra winter wonderland as Amtrak’s California Zephyr climbs through the mountains, providing magniﬁcent winter vistas. Your journey begins from one of our convenient pickups and the train departs from Roseville. Don’t worry about your luggage – it will travel on board our motorcoach which will meet you in Reno!

Once on board the California Zephyr, enjoy relaxing views from your seat or from the domed observation car. A box lunch is included for you to take on the train so you won’t miss the scenery! Your accommodations are at the Silver Legacy Casino/Resort. Enjoy a free morning at leisure on the second day before returning home by motorcoach.

The package includes one-way rail Eagles, Owls and Agriculture passage on Amtrak’s California Zephyr, Unique birds of prey viewing and agricultural education experience a boxed lunch, hotel accommodations, casino bonuses (subject to change), 3 Days • January 26-28 and return transportation by motorcoach. 275/300 Gold Passport Points

the men and women who run them. While $269 p.p./dbl.occ., $299 single HIGHLIGHTS learning about Carson Valley ranching and Add door-to-door service for $80 p.p. • Private Ranch and Barn Owl tours conservation, you have the opportunity to • Sunday brunch at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe observe birds of prey from vantage points • Tour Genoa and the Carson Valley Museum not available to the general public. This is a • 3 meals: 1 brunch, 1 lunch, 1 dinner once in a year opportunity for eagle viewing • Door-to-door service and photography. The afternoon Owl Prowl • 900/1000 Gold Passport Points Tour goes to historic area barns to view owls in their natural habitats. (L) 1. Experience the beauty of the Sierra Nevada mountains in winter as you travel 3. Time to head back over the mountains along Highway 50 to the south shore of but not before visiting the town of Genoa beautiful Lake Tahoe. Pause for lunch with a private tour of the Carson Valley before traveling east to Carson Valley Museum. Stop again at Lake Tahoe’s south and the town of Minden in Nevada. The shore where you will enjoy the popular annual Eagles and Agriculture gathering Sunday Brunch at the Forest Buffet, high focuses on the inﬂux of bald eagles and atop Harrah’s Casino/Resort, before other birds of prey that come to the scenic returning to Sacramento. (BR) Carson Valley each year during winter calving season. This remarkable interaction $875 p.p./dbl.occ., $990 single between nature and agriculture attracts photographers, birders and nature-lovers of all kinds who come to closely observe raptors and a variety of other birds. Tonight, dinner is hosted with guest presenters. Proud Members of Carson Valley Inn – 2 nights (D)

2. Today is special treat! Visit local ranches and observe their operations up close with

20 Nevada SPORTS LEISURE VACATIONS Death Valley and Nevada Ghost Towns HIGHLIGHTS Two nights in Death Valley, be a part of an authentic ghost hunt • 2 nights Furnace Creek Ranch in Death Valley • 2 nights in the haunted Mizpah Hotel in 6 Days • November 7-12, 2018 Death Valley • Overnight Golden Nugget Las Vegas • The Goodsprings Ghost Hunt – Walk the ghost town and sit in the Pioneer Saloon, “speak” to the ghosts that inhabit the old mining town • Belmont – A “semi-abandoned” ghost town to explore near Tonopah • Ghost stories at the Mizpah; visits to the ghost towns of Goldfield, Gold Point, and Rhyolite, all with ghosts of their own • Travel the Extraterrestrial Highway and stop at Little Ale-ee-Inn for refreshment and unique souvenirs • Full day of Death Valley touring, featuring the Amargosa Opera House, Zabrinski Point, Badwater Salt Flats and the Devil’s Golf Course • Roundtrip air to Las Vegas • Door-to-door airport service • 14 meals: 5 full breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners The Amargosa Opera House is a great first • 2400/2650 Gold Passport Points introduction to the region. Hear the story of Marta and the Opera House. Frozen in time The other is headed up by a man who once like a capsule from decades past, it is a managed McDonald’s restaurants and now gem of the desert. Arrive in Death Valley in has escaped to the desert. Characters, the late afternoon. Furnace Creek Ranch – 2 desert is full of characters, and they are nights (L,D) all part of our canvas. Mizpah Hotel – 2 nights (FB,L,D) 2. Despite a name that tends to scare people away, Death Valley is really the most 4. Your home in Tonopah is the Mizpah incredible desert canvas. Today, you paint Hotel. Once the jewel of the desert, she fell your own picture, as you visit unique valley into disrepair before her rebirth a half dozen “attractions” like the Devil’s Golf Course, the years ago. Now the Mizpah has returned Badwater Salt Flats (the lowest point in the to being a haven for travelers, and also a U.S. at 282 feet below sea level), the Borax home to a number of spirits. Tonight, you’ll For the first time, we offer this perfect Works and Ubehebe Crater. (Scotty’s Castle hear the stories of the ghosts of the Mizpah. combination of popular Sports Leisure is closed due to flooding until 2021, but you destinations. You are sure to be surprised will still hear the story of Death Valley Scotty But first, a morning trip to a true ghost by the beauty, intrigued by the stories, and see the castle. (FB,L) town, Belmont. Founded after a silver strike and awed by the splendor that is Death – Continued on page 22 Valley National Park and the Eastern Sierra 3. Depart Death Nevada. Death Valley… its name alone Valley this morning conjures up all sorts of images: lonely in search of ghosts prospectors, teams of mules on boxes and ghost towns. of borax, and early television westerns. First stop is Rhyolite. Sacramento N Explore the deserted or nearly deserted Within the park towns along the way, finishing up with a ride boundaries, right Belmont on the Extraterrestrial Highway. Our Ghost next to Bullfrog, Extraterrestrial Hunt takes you into the desert to the ghost another ghost town. Highway town of Goodsprings, where you will be The train depot is still A Tonopah 3-4 talking to the spirit world. Perhaps the most standing and there’s Gold Point intriguing trip in the catalog… a lot of history here. Rachel No people to speak of, Goldfield 1. Arrive in Las Vegas on a morning just history. Pause for Death Valley Beatty flight and head off towards Death Valley lunch in Beatty, and then Nat’l Park Rhyolite National Park. Pause for lunch in Pahrump, continue on to Goldfield Furnace 1-2 sort of the opposite of a ghost town. and Gold Point. These are Creek 5 Las Vegas Pahrump didn’t get its first paved road from entirely different stories. Las Vegas until 1960, and as late as 1980 One town was the site of a Fly to/from Las Vegas the population, now 36,000, was a scant world championship boxing Goodsprings 2,000 people. match a hundred years ago.

2018 Dream Book Nevada 21 Travel Club Gold

Travel Club Gold is our bonus rewards program and the most valuable beneﬁts of membership in the Sports Leisure Travel Club. A member is elevated to Gold status upon completion of 20 days on the road. That can be twenty 1-day trips, four 5-day trips or whatever – just do the math. Keep track of your days by having the Tour Director sign your Travel Club Gold Registration Card on every trip.

Gold Passport Points are accrued OTO depending on the dollars you spend at a H GR P A Y P R H ratio of roughly one-to-one. Your points are R I C E kept and automatically tabulated within our

C database. You’ll ﬁnd your points balance L

B E

T Y is printed on the second page of every Trip Invoice. Points can be “cashed out” at a number of levels awarding from $50 to $3000 in travel credit! Plus Gold members may double the member discount on every We Have a Winner! reservation.

This year’s Grand Prize winner in the annual Blueberry Photographic Society contest There is an additional benefit for those is Mary Vrablick. She took this photo at Hansen’s Green Bluff Orchard in Colbert, WA on who remain frequent travelers, defined one of our Pacific Northwest adventures. Mary has won a $500 Gift Certificate good for any as traveling at least 8 days per year. Our Sports Leisure tour. Congratulations, Mary! bimonthly newsletter, The Traveler, will be sent by first-class mail giving you the best Behind-the-Scenes… chance to get the tours and seats you want! Introducing the Sports LeisureVacations staff in order of years with the company Proud Members of Mark Hoffmann Ramona Goodge Jim Pelly Bob Veliky Scott Angeletti Serina Jordan Clayton Whitehead Donnie Anderson Caitlin Rogers Patricia Hansen Chris Galloway Starr Hurley Kevin Murphy Michael Downer Joey Querio May Wong

Death Valley and Nevada Ghost Towns (Continued from page 22) in 1865, it’s mostly deserted now. From Lombard. Alas, her plane had crashed in 1867-1905 it was the county seat. The old the nearby mountains. Ms. Lombard’s ghost courthouse is still standing, awaiting an is known to speak to people from time to angel to fund its restoration. (FB,L,D) time. It’s fun and educational. Believe it or don’t, the point is, you have a lot more 5. Another adventure awaits on the journey information on which to base your beliefs! back to Las Vegas. Nevada State Highway Golden Nugget (FB,L,D) 375 stretches for 98 miles, and except for a couple of ranches, the town of Rachel is the 6. This morning, there Is an optional only settlement along what is known as the (included) visit to the Mob Museum. Learn Extraterrestrial Highway. It’s the home of the the story of how Las Vegas started, and Ale-ee-Inn (read that slowly twice and you’ll the mobsters who ran the town. (Many get it…), and we will stop for refreshments. people say the mob bosses were more compassionate and a bigger part of the Tonight, come with us to Goodsprings, community than the corporate owners who for an authentic Ghost Hunt. Each person run the casino/hotels today.) Your ﬂight back will have a ghost meter, so you can to Sacramento departs in mid-afternoon. communicate directly with the spirit world. (FB) Hear the story of Clark Gable, and how he burned a hole in the bar of the Pioneer $2355 p.p./dbl.occ., $2645 single Saloon waiting for word on his wife, Carole

22 Nevada SPORTS LEISURE VACATIONS Oregon Chocolate Festival in Ashland The return of The Sweetest Weekend Ever! 3 Days • March 9-11

Who loves chocolate? Sports Leisure Maker’s Dinner. The Plaza Inn and Suites – Store with ample time for shopping. Didn’t travelers that’s for sure! This will be the 14th 2 nights (L,D) have a chance to taste the chocolate beer year of the Oregon Chocolate Festival and or wine? Was there something you’ve you’re invited! Stay two nights at the Plaza 2. No need to rush this morning! Enjoy decided you wanted to give as a gift? Inn and Suites, just a short walking distance breakfast at the hotel and perhaps take You’ll have one last chance to visit the from downtown Ashland. The Oregon a morning walk around town before our festival today before heading home. A late Shakespeare Festival will offer a few plays shuttle service to the Chocolate Festival lunch in Redding awaits before arriving in to choose from and we will help you get Vendor Showcase begins. Chocolatiers Sacramento. (B,L) tickets (additional cost). You’ll be notiﬁed from all over Oregon and the West Coast when the schedule is announced soon. come with their homemade specialties. This tour includes door-to-door service, Dinner tonight is included at Larks roundtrip deluxe motorcoach service, 1. Meet at the Sports Leisure ofﬁce and Restaurant in Medford. After dinner, it’s accommodations, all meals and attractions begin your journey north, pausing in curtain time for those who choose to see a as listed in the itinerary, and the services of Redding to stretch your legs and for lunch play at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. a Sports Leisure Tour Director. 950/1100 at CR Gibbs American Grill. The town of Everyone else can enjoy chocolaty nirvana Gold Passport Points Ashland has a cozy feel, full of quaint shops back in their rooms. (B,D) and eateries. Freshen up at your hotel $950 p.p./dbl.occ., $1070 single before heading to the Ashland Springs 3. Another leisurely morning with breakfast Hotel for the kick-off event of your chocolate at your hotel. Another quick ride to Medford weekend, the ever elegant Chocolate will bring you to Harry and David’s Country

The Travel Guys “You have a face for radio!” It’s a common joke around the Sports Leisure Vacations ofﬁce. Truth is, Mark, Clayton and other staff members can be heard (but not seen) weekly on KFBK. All we ask is for 60 minutes of your time. In exchange Making you a Mark and co-host Tom Romano will give you a fast-paced, information-ﬁlled hour designed smarter traveler… with only one goal in mind: To make you a smarter traveler.

The Travel Guys Radio Show is presented live every Sunday afternoon from 3 to 4 p.m. at Every Sunday 3-4pm Radio Show 530 AM or 93.1 FM. You can also listen at www.kfbk.com or on the iHeartRadio app. Visit KFBK, 1530, 93.1FM www.travelguysradio.com for the list of topics to be covered in the next program, special guests, weblinks to related sites and even podcasts of Tom Romano and Mark Hoffmann past shows. Through the Contact link, you can pose your travel questions to our panel of experts. Yours might even be answered on the air!

2018 Dream Book The Pacifc Northwest 23 HIGHLIGHTS • 4 ferry rides on Puget Sound, including the longest route, Seattle to Bremerton • Visit the villages of Poulsbo, Port Townsend, Sequim, Port Gamble, Mukilteo and Langley as you make your way around the sound • Guided tours: Poulsbo, learn about the town’s Norwegian heritage; Port Townsend, this was once a bawdy port on the sound • 3 nights Clearwater Casino Resort in Suquamish – gaming for those who enjoy it, beautiful views for those who don’t – the hotel and casino are in separate buildings • Visit the Mukilteo Lighthouse Park • Roundtrip air to Seattle • 7 meals, including Sunday Brunch in Seattle • Door-to-door airport service Ferries and Towns of Puget Sound • 1900/2100 Gold Passport Points Ride ferries, explore unique small towns, enjoy a room with a view This old mill town has been restored and 4 Days • July 8-11 has many places to shop or relive a piece of history. Once again, the village is a National Historical Landmark. (FB,L) Your lodging for three nights is at the beautiful Clearwater Casino Resort, 4. More small towns to explore and it’s back overlooking the waters of Puget Sound. on the ferry boats to get there. Board the Dinner is at your leisure and there are ferry in Kingston, headed for the Seattle several choices on property. There are side of the sound. Our destination is sidewalks, places to sit outside, a fire ring Edmunds, and Mukilteo is just 30 minutes in the evening; it’s really one of the most away. There you’ll find the Mukilteo Light wonderful accommodations in our entire and a striking waterfront park. Lunch is at catalog. Based on feedback from last Ivar’s, a northwest tradition. year’s group, we added a day to allow more leisure time at Clearwater. (BR) After lunch, board the ferry again for the shortest ride, the 12-minute crossing 2. Just down the road from our waterfront to Clinton on Whidbey Island. Our last home is Poulsbo. Founded by Scandinavian destination is Langley, a great little spot with immigrants in the 1880’s, today it’s a lots of interesting shops. Take the ferry back popular tourist destination. We’ve arranged to Mukilteo and then head on to SeaTac a short guided walking tour, along with a Airport for your 6pm return flight. (FB,L) visit to Sluy’s, the town’s legendary bakery, where you can pick out a FREE treat! $1885 p.p./dbl.occ., $2080 single

Next stop is Port Townsend. Once a bustling port town, the bay was named by explorer E A George Vancouver, its historic N district is now a national landmark. It’s laced with Whidbey TOP: A Puget Sound ferry on its way to Whidbey Island Island,the Mukilteo Lighthouse in the foreground; old Victorian homes and MIDDLE: Our costumed guide gives us the Port buildings from long ago. Townsend story; BOTTOM: Clearwater Resort in A great place for lunch Suquamish and browsing the shops. Langley After lunch, a guided tour Clinton 1. Fly non-stop to Seattle, arriving at 9am. by coach shows you “up” Mukilteo Enjoy a lavish Sunday Brunch buffet, with town and “down” town Port Sequim Port Gamble dozens of selections from carved meats Townsend. Dinner is in Edmonds to desserts at Salty’s on Alki, featuring Poulsbo tonight. (FB,D) Port Townsend spectacular views of downtown Seattle. Poulsbo Kingston Seattle The afternoon ferry ride to Bremerton is the 3. Off to Sequim this morning 1-3 longest (50 minutes) and one of the most for a visit to the Purple Haze Clearwater Casino Resort scenic on the sound. Suquamish is the Lavender Farm. Let us treat home of the late Chief Seattle, the Native you to some lavender ice A Bremerton American who convinced his people to cream, it’s amazing! Our accept the coming of white settlers. Visit the second stop after lunch is in museum and the Chief’s grave. the village of Port Gamble.

24 The Pacifc Northwest SPORTS LEISURE VACATIONS Oregon’s Coast, Carousels and Covered Bridges Walk in the steps of Lewis & Clark, enjoy the spectacular coast, dine on a covered bridge 6 Days • June 24-29

and explore this area. They came down Learn about the creatures of Newport Bay on your HIGHLIGHTS the Columbia River to the coast on the Marine Discovery Cruise • 2 nights Astoria, 2 nights Newport (4 nights Washington side, to a spot named by a sea- on the water), overnight Eugene born explorer only 15 years prior. Unable to covered bridges. Your tour includes stops • Lewis & Clark history, including stops at find the mouth of the Columbia, he named for photos and lunch is served al fresco on Cape Disappointment and Fort Clatsop, their it Cape Disappointment. When Lewis and one of them! Hilton Eugene (B,L) two “mid-journey” coastal homes Clark arrived, they quickly decided to camp • Long Beach, WA – America’s longest on the other side of the river, further south. 6. For the past few years, we have been beach and kite capital, hosted lunch at the In nearly Long Beach, learn a little about making an occasional stop in Albany to visit Cranberry Research Foundation cranberries, oysters and kites! Lunch has a a museum workshop where carousel horses • Ride carousels in Seaside and Albany, learn cranberry theme at the Cranberry Research are created. Now, the carousel itself is open how the horses are made Foundation. (B,L) for all to enjoy. Remembering the headline • Tour the Tillamook Cheese Factory, visit in the tour name, we will of course stop for Yaquina Head Lighthouse 3. Journey south to Fort Clatsop, a woodsy a ride and a museum visit. Time permitting, • Marine Discovery Cruise on Newport Bay, one inlet with a reproduction of Lewis & Clark’s we’ll visit a local fruit stand for some edible of the best educational cruises in the country infamous winter residence back in 1805. souvenirs on our way to the airport. (FB,L) • Admission to The Oregon Aquarium Continue down to Seaside for lunch at a • Roundrip air to Portland local pub; then ride the carousel or spend $2215 p.p./dbl.occ., $2520 single • 12 meals, featuring fine dining at Clearwater, some time browsing the little shops. overlooking Newport Harbor and lunch on a Ice cream is always a bit hit in Seaside. covered bridge Afternoon stops provide more “foodie fun” • Door-to-door airport service with time at the Blue Heron or maybe the • 2250/2550 Gold Passport Points Tillamook Smoke Shop for some jerky. Your hotel, located on the bluffs in Newport, will 1. An early morning flight will have you greet you with a salad and chowder buffet in Portland in time to pick up some fresh for a light dinner. Elizabeth Street Inn – 2 A berries and other treats at the Vancouver nights (B,L,D) Farmer’s Market. Pick up something for Long Beach lunch and for snacking along the way as 4. No trip to the coast is complete without Cape Disappointment you travel along the Columbia River to the a visit to a lighthouse, and Yaquina Head, Pacific Coast. Your home for two nights north of Newport, is the perfect stop! Later, Astoria 1-2 is the city named for John Jacob Astor, experience the life of the sea with a 2-hour Seaside Astoria. A stop at the small Hanthorn cruise on the Discovery and a visit to the Cannery Museum acquaints you with some Oregon Aquarium. It is a full but balanced Tillamook Portland of the industry of the town. This was a hard- day so that you can enjoy the beautiful town scrabble fishing port, home of the first U.S. of Newport and your lovely room at the inn. Newport Albany Post Office west of the Rockies. Stop at The afternoon lighthouse and Nye Beach 3-4 5 the Astoria Column before check in. Best shopping stops are optional. Dinner on the Eugene Western Astoria – 2 nights (D) waterfront tonight. (B,D)

2. Over 200 years ago, the Lewis & 5. From Newport, drive inland to Eugene Clark Party were among the ﬁrst to map this morning. Lane County is home to 20

2018 Dream Book The Pacifc Northwest 25 HIGHLIGHTS • Visit Crater Lake National Park with lunch at Crater Lake Lodge • Up close animal encounters at Wildlife Safari • Hellgate Jet Boat tour • Stay in the charming town of Ashland • Optional (add’l cost) performance at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival • Deluxe motorcoach transportation • 11 meals: 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 1 dinner • Door-to-door service • 2000/2250 Gold Passport Points

36 mile trip, pause down river at the OK Crater Lake and the Corral for an all-you-can-eat country lunch presented on an open-air deck. Your guide Umpqua National Scenic Byway will educate you on many geological and Featuring natural scenic wonder in Oregon historical points of interest. The canyon also served as a ﬁlming location for John Wayne 6 Days • July 3-8 and Katherine Hepburn’s popular movie “Rooster Cogburn.” (B,L)

5. Explore the beautiful town of Ashland, set 1. Meet at the Sports Leisure in a unique geographic location – nestled office and board your motorcoach at the base of the convergence of the for the trip north. Pause for lunch Siskiyou and Cascade mountain ranges. in Redding and arrive in Klamath Browse art galleries and enjoy a thriving Falls in the late afternoon. Shilo restaurant scene with many food artisans Inn (L) and award-winning wineries and breweries. Tonight there is an optional (extra cost) 2. A remnant of a fiery volcanic performance at the Oregon Shakespeare past, Crater Lake is one of the Festival. A schedule of available shows will deepest and bluest lakes in be announced later. Your hotel tonight is America, with surrounding sheer located in the heart of Ashland and features cliffs almost 2,000 feet high! a wine and cheese reception this evening Traveling around the rim of this in addition to late night snacks like peanut ancient volcano will acquaint butter and jelly sandwiches! Plaza Inn & you with its geological history. Suites at Ashland Creek (B,L) After lunch at historic Crater Lake Lodge, travel the Rogue-Umpqua 6. Say farewell to Oregon and head back to National Scenic Byway. Your California. Stop for a hosted lunch before accommodations are located on arriving home in the evening. (B,L) the banks of the South Umpqua River. Today is the 4th of July and $1880 p.p./dbl.occ., $2230 single you will be able to view fireworks from the comfort of your hotel. Holiday Inn Express Roseburg (B,L)

3. Wildlife Safari is a 600-acre drive-through park and village 2 Roseburg where you can have close Grants Pass 3-4 Crater Lake encounters with animals from Nat’l Park all over the world. Drive along a 4.5-mile route to view over 500 Ashland 5 1 Klamath Falls animals from Africa, Asia and the Americas in their natural habitats, roaming freely as they do in the wild. Your hotel for the next two nights is located along the banks Redding of the Rogue River. Riverside Inn Grants Pass – 2 nights (B,D)

This year’s lucky Sports Leisure group enjoyed snow-capped mountains in July, as well as a jet boat ride and free roaming 4. There are few adventures as Sacramento animals at Wildlife Safari exciting as a jet boat ride through A Hellgate Canyon! During your

26 The Pacifc Northwest SPORTS LEISURE VACATIONS OUR 39 Skamania Lodge and The Columbia River Gorge ANNIVERSARYTH TOUR Getaway to a beautiful retreat, nestled near the Columbia and the Cascade Mountains 4 Days • May 29 – June 1

Just an hour’s drive from Portland, situated honors the dead of WWI, and it’s well worth in the Columbia River Gorge National a visit. Stop for a private tasting at Maryhill HIGHLIGHTS Scenic Area, is a majestic lodge. Skamania, Winery. (FB,L) • 3 nights at Skamania Lodge, just off the which opened in 1993 just seven years after Columbia River Gorge at the foot of the Congress created the national scenic area, 3. Today is free to enjoy Skamania and its Cascades, lots of onsite activities, or just is a four-story Cascadian-style lodge. Some many opportunities. There is a leisurely relax and enjoy the view of the timbers used in the construction guided walk (1-1/4 miles, reasonably • See towering Multnomah Falls and other are over 100 years old. The rooms are ﬂat) around the property, and the more waterfalls in the gorge beautiful, the views breathtaking and the adventurous in our group might wish to take • Visit the Maryhill Museum of Art and the setting serene. Come with us and discover advantage of the special $99 discounted Stonehenge Memorial this magical place in springtime, at the zipline tour. A guided art walk includes the • Private tasting at Maryhill Winery beginning of the season, when things are lodge’s many “in residence” pieces. There • Guided Art Tour at the lodge (they have quite fresh and renewed. is a history talk which includes the ﬂora and a collection on the walls) fauna of the region. • Optional zipline (additional charge) and 1. Fly to Portland this morning, then enjoy guided nature walks the scenic drive out to the lodge. Stop at No trip to the gorge would be complete • Roundtrip air to/from Portland Multnomah Falls, where the water drops without an opportunity to get out on • 8 meals: 3 full breakfasts, 3 lunches, over 600 feet in two sections. Pause the river. This afternoon, partake in a 2 dinners (Including a special anniversary for lunch at the elegant and historic sightseeing adventure on the Columbia. dinner celebration) Columbia Gorge Hotel. The Columbia The cruise is narrated and includes the • Door-to-door airport service Gorge Interpretive Center will provide you specatacular Bonneville Dam. • 1700/1900 Gold Passport Points the opportunity to learn more about our destination and the natural beauty which Of course, you can take one of the longer surrounds us. hikes or just sit in a big chair on the veranda and enjoy your surroundings. In such a A Arrive at the lodge in late afternoon. You are beautiful spot, it’s easy to become one with just outside the small town of Stevenson, on nature. (FB,D) Columbia the Washington side of the gorge. Join us River Gorge Skamania tonight for a welcome dinner, to learn more 4. Depart our retreat this morning. At the Lodge Portland Maryhill about the lodge, our schedule of events and Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile 1-3 Museum the activities available to you in your free Museum join our guided tour or wander on time. Skamania Lodge – 3 nights (L,D) your own. Enjoy a midday respite in town Columbia Hood River and take a moment to browse the colorful Gorge Hotel 2. About an hour from Skamania is the shops. On the way to the airport, stop once Maryhill Museum of Art. It houses an more to discover a waterfall. It’s been a eclectic permanent collection and hosts glorious four days on the Columbia River! traveling exhibitions. The museum, located (FB,L) literally in the middle of nowhere, opened in 1940 and expanded in 2012. Nearby is $1685 p.p./dbl.occ., $1895 single a concrete replica of Stonehenge, which

2018 Dream Book The Pacifc Northwest 27 Planes and Trains of the Paciﬁc Northwest Discover rail and aviation history and industry in Oregon & Washington 4 Days • August 3-6

1. Fly to Portland, where lunch and a visit to hotel this evening showcases glass artists the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum from all over the Pacific Northwest. It’s like HIGHLIGHTS are waiting for you. Back in 1992, the staying inside museum! Hotel Murano • Ride the Oregon Pacific Railroad along the Disney Corporation was looking for a new (BR,D) Willamette River and the Snoqualmie Valley home for the Spruce Goose. The Evergreen Railroad near Seattle Museum submitted the winning bid and 3. Travel north for a second brunch, this • Travel from Vancouver to Tacoma on board thus began a long process, initially by time at Salty’s on Alki Beach, providing Amtrak’s Cascade barge, to move the disassembled airplane unsurpassed views of Downtown Seattle • Visit the Pearson Air Museum and Evergreen from its former home in Long Beach to the from across the water. Your next rail Aviation & Space Museum, home of Howard wilds of McMinnville, Oregon! Reassembled adventure takes place in Upper Snoqualmie Hughes’ Spruce Goose in a special building to showcase its sheer Valley as you travel by steam engine and • Discover aviation history brought to life at the size, the Spruce Goose has a wingspan enjoy a visit to the local railway museum. Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum roughly the length of a football field! View In the afternoon, another choice: check • Watch widebody jets assembled before your other historic aircraft during a private into your hotel early or pay a visit to the eyes at Boeing’s Future of Flight Center tour before heading north to Vancouver, Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum. • Roundtrip airfare to Portland/from Seattle Washington and your comfortable What’s the significance of this private • 5 meals: 2 brunches, 2 lunches, 1 dinner accommodations for the night. Hilton Hotel collection? Every aircraft inside has not only • Door-to-door airport service Vancouver (L) been meticulously restored but it is in full • 2000/2200 Gold Passport Points operational condition! Hilton Garden Inn 2. You have a choice to make this morning: Seattle North/Everett (BR) Please note: This tour has been right outside your door discover a colorful planned to compliment our annual tour to cornucopia of delicious foods, including 4. Arise early this morning for a visit to Leavenworth, Washington for performances fresh fruits and vegetables, at Vancouver’s Boeing’s Future of Flight. In addition to at Leavenworth’s Summer Theater Festival. Farmers Market. Another option is a short the flight center’s museum and interactive The final day of this tour will be the first visit to the Pearson Air Museum, located exhibits, the star of the show is its day of the Leavenworth tour. Details for the adjacent to the oldest, continuously used Widebody Jet Manufacturing Tour, where this tour will be announced in the Fall of airfield in the country. Brunch is served visitors observe large aircraft like 747s, 2017 and includes travel on board Amtrak’s nearby inside the historic Grant House at Ft. 767s, and 787s being assembled right Empire Builder from Seattle to Leavenworth. Vancouver, part the fort’s historic Officers before their eyes! Please note: the factory Passengers registered for our Planes Row. On to Portland for a visit to the Oregon tour is a walking tour that involves a walk of and Trains of the Pacific Northwest tour Pacific Railroad Museum and a ride on the approximately one half mile without access will be provided the option of adding the museum’s train along the Willamette River. to seating or restrooms. Travel next to Leavenworth tour when reservations are Amtrak’s Cascade departs at 2:50pm. Seattle for lunch prior to visiting the Boeing available. Cross the mighty Columbia and past the Museum of Flight and returning home in the shadows of Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Rainier early evening. (L) $1955 p.p./dbl.occ., $2175 single and arrive in time for dinner in Tacoma. Your

28 The Pacifc Northwest / Riding the Rails SPORTS LEISURE VACATIONS Rails Around Colorado Three scenic train rides during fall foliage 7 Days • September 22-28

4. Crossing back and forth across the Colorado and the New Mexico border, the HIGHLIGHTS Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad is truly • Three scenic trains: Royal Gorge, Cumbres & a memorable experience. You will sense Toltec, Durango & Silverton the grandeur of the Rocky Mountains as • Royal Gorge Bridge and Park you travel along the narrow gauge tracks • Great Sand Dunes National Park through tunnels, above deep gorges, and • Explore the San Juan Mountains by Jeep over Cumbres Pass. Because of limited • Fly high above Telluride on a gondola ride space, only the first 10 people who register • 11 meals: 3 breakfasts, 3 full breakfasts, for the tour will ride in the First Class Parlor 5 lunches Car. The train’s journey ends in Chama, • Roundtrip airfare to Denver/from Durango New Mexico, where you will continue • Door-to-door airport service View the beautiful Colorado fall foliage by train, jeep and gondola by motorcoach to Durango in Colorado. • 3600/4000 Gold Passport Points DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Durango (B,L) from town with breathtaking scenery and 1. Fly to Denver and enjoy a hosted lunch 5. The route to Silverton aboard the 360 degree panoramic views from high atop en route to your hotel. Best Western Cañon Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge the mountain. (FB,L) City – 2 nights (L) Railroad is an unforgettable journey along the spectacular Animas River. The route 7. Depart this fall foliage mountain paradise 2. Climb aboard the train for a scenic boasts some of Colorado’s most striking for Durango and fly home this afternoon. journey through spectacular Royal Gorge. canyon scenery. Free time is planned in (FB) Since 1879, these tracks have followed the Silverton, a former silver mining camp now winding, tumbling Arkansas River deep a designated National Historic Landmark within the soaring, 1,000-foot granite cliffs District. Continue by motorcoach to $3590 p.p./dbl.occ., $3995 single of Colorado’s Royal Gorge. Your First Class Telluride, a historical town tucked into a passage includes enclosed, glass-domed box canyon surrounded on three cars offering the most spectacular views sides by 14,000-foot peaks. The of this breathtaking scenery. Hanging town’s colorful Victorian-era homes, high above the river, Royal Gorge Bridge clapboard storefronts, boutiques, is America’s highest suspension bridge. art galleries, gourmet restaurants Reborn after a disastrous fire in 2013, the and historic buildings are a delight bridge and its attractions are back. Walk to explore. The Hotel Telluride – 2 Royal Gorge Denver Bridge and Park across the bridge or try the new aerial nights (FB,L) gondolas that glide 2,200 feet across the Ouray gorge and 1,200 feet above the Arkansas 6. Today there is an optional 4x4 Telluride 5-6 1-2 River! (B) Jeep tour into the mountains. Cañon City Afterwards enjoy a hosted Silverton 3. Visit Great Sand Dunes National Park this lunch and some free time to 3 Alamosa 4 morning. The tallest dunes in North America visit the shops in town or take Durango are the centerpieces in a diverse landscape the gondola that climbs 1,790 Antonito of grasslands, wetlands, forests, lakes and vertical feet before reaching Chama tundra. Arrive at your hotel in Alamosa in Station St. Sophia at 10,540 NM the late afternoon. Hampton Inn (B,L) feet. It’s a quiet 13-minute ride

2018 Dream Book Riding the Rails 29 Take the Sunset Limited to HIGHLIGHTS • 2 nights aboard the Sunset Limited across the New Orleans… And All That Jazz American Southwest A perfect combo of riding the rails and letting the good times roll! • 4 nights at the Sheraton Hotel, right on Canal Street at the edge of the French Quarter 7 Days • March 9-15 • Experience the National World War II Museum including a luncheon show at BB’s Canteen • Driving tour of the city outside the Quarter • Enjoy a daytrip to Houma to tour a gator farm and plantation • Fantastic dining experiences including beignets at Café du Monde, breakfast at Brennan’s and a dinner class at the New Orleans School of Cooking • Roundtrip air to Los Angeles/from New Orleans • 14 meals: 1 breakfast, 5 full breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners • Door-to-door airport service • Gold Passport Points based on compartment

3. Across Texas, into Louisiana and finally blocks. Take a midday break at BB’s Stage arrival in New Orleans at 9:30pm. Your Door Canteen for lunch and nostalgic accommodations are in the heart of the entertainment! (B,L) city and on the edge of the famed French Quarter. Sheraton Hotel – 4 nights (FB,L,D) 7. Breakfast at Brennan’s is a true New Orleans tradition. Where else will you get a 4. A full breakfast buffet awaits you this dessert of flaming Bananas Foster following morning at your hotel before a driving tour the morning meal? Return to your home of the city to include the French Quarter, state in the early afternoon. (FB) downtown, the Garden District and one of its mysterious above-ground cemeteries. Roomette: Tonight, learn the secrets of classic Creole $3070 p.p./dbl.occ., $3415 single cuisine with a dinner class at the New Bedroom: $3695 p.p./dbl.occ. Orleans School of Cooking. (FB,D) Please note: Due to restrictive Amtrak 5. Take an excursion to Houma, located policies, we encourage you to sign up deep in the bayous of Cajun Country. Visit for this tour no later than December 1 historic Ardoyne, a rare Gothic Victorian as any extra compartments will need to plantation, where you’re greeted by be released near that time. Because of descendants of the original owners. Lunch the limited number of bedrooms, single is served nearby at Twelve Oaks Plantation. travelers will initially be restricted to Explore the Greenwood Gator Farm, then roomettes. If bedrooms are available on our see alligators in the wild space release date, we will accommodate on a swamp tour before singles who wish to have bedroom heading back to New compartments in the order requests were Orleans. Have you worked received. Sacramento up a thirst? A stroll down Looking for a shorter adventure? Call the New Orleans is famous for so many things: A 1-2 Nights 1-2 aboard the office for details on the Sunset Limited and Streetcar Named Desire, above-ground cemeteries Sunset Limited and of course ‘gators (Edi was not harmed in the one night in New Orleans, returning home taking of this photograph!) A on March 12.

1. Fly to Los Angeles on a mid-afternoon A ﬂight and enjoy dinner before Train #2, the Los Angeles NM Sunset Limited, departs Union Station at Yuma 10pm headed east. On board the Sunset Tuscon Limited – 2 nights (D) Bourbon Street to El Paso Pat O’Brien’s, home A 2. All meals are included on board in the of the Hurricane, should New Orleans dining car. Your accommodations are either cure that! (FB,L) San Antonio a full bedroom, complete with a bathroom 3-6 and shower, or a roomette, a smaller 6. Start the day with beignets and café au Houston accommodation with shared facilities. lait at famed Café du Monde. The National Throughout the day pass through Arizona, WWII Museum has grown into a massive, New Mexico and into West Texas. (FB,L,D) world-class facility covering four square

30 Riding the Rails SPORTS LEISURE VACATIONS Christmas Markets on the HIGHLIGHTS • 7-night Christmas-themed cruise aboard the Mighty Mississippi American Queen Cruise aboard the grandest paddlewheeler ever, the American Queen • Ports of Call: Greenville, Vicksburg, Natchez, St. Francisville, Baton Rouge and Nottoway 9 Days • December 9-17, 2018 Plantation • All basic shore excursions included • Showboat-style entertainment and dancing nightly; daily talks by a Riverlorian • Overnight with attractions and meals in Memphis • Roundtrip airfare to Memphis/from New Orleans • 22 meals: 8 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 8 dinners • Beer and wine included with onboard dinners; all-day complimentary bottled water, sodas, coffee and snacks • Door-to-door airport transportation • Gold Passport Points based on cabin category

9. A morning disembarkation welcomes you to New Orleans. The air schedule will When the stars rise, it’s time for the onboard dictate activities and/or meals to be offered. entertainers to shine. You can count on showboat-style spectacles nightly, followed Prices based on cabin category, by dancing. By day and by night, the dress starting at… code is “casual elegance.” Wear what you like when you like. No formalwear is Inside: required. $3245 p.p./dbl.occ., $4395 single

1. Fly to Memphis where your adventure Outside: begins. Graceland is a dazzling sight all $4930 p.p./dbl.occ., $7305 single decked out for the season, both inside and out. And you can be sure real Memphis Recommended onboard gratuity is barbecue is on the menu for dinner. Tonight $17.50 p.p./day Visit Graceland all decked out for the season. you’ll sleep with the ducks! The Peabody VERY limited number of single Hotel (D) staterooms Yes, the cruise is in December 2018. Quite frankly, this once-per-year itinerary from 2. After breakfast, take a tour of Memphis to New Orleans is so popular the city famous as the Birthplace N you have to book your cabin over a year of the Blues, followed by free in advance to get one at all! The American time on Beale Street for lunch A Queen, the grandest of all riverboats ever and maybe a little mischief. Memphhis 1 to ply the waters of the mighty Mississippi, Embarkation is in the late “gets it” as evidenced by all the inclusions. afternoon. Don’t forget to check 2-8 Nights 2-8 aboard the Non-alcoholic beverages and snacks are The Steamboatin’ Times daily for American Queen available and complimentary all day long. the list of activities. (FB,D) Beer and wine are included with dinner and two dining choices are now offered, one 3-7. Every port along the Lower Greenville casual, the other fancy. Regardless of the Mississippi is rich in history dining option you select, you’ll enjoy classic and beauty, and complimentary M Southern cooking along with heart-healthy sightseeing tours introduce you to selections. each and include selected attractions. On this particular sailing you’ll Vicksburg Onboard, an all-American staff assures no also enjoy the addition of holiday A language barriers. Portside, a dedicated decorations, strolling carolers, and Natchez ﬂeet of Steamcoaches follows the Queen markets offering locally-produced arts so your complimentary shore excursions and crafts. (Daily FB,L,D) are handled by a familiar crew. Upgraded, St. Francisville small-group excursions are available at 8. Nottoway Plantation is the largest most ports for an enhanced experience. and most glorious of Mississippi River Baton Rouge (Optional, additional cost.) Your onboard mansions dating to 1859. Tonight’s Riverlorian will have all the details during Farewell Dinner is a grand affair served New Orleans daily talks. Need to check-in with home? in the plantation, followed by a Holiday Internet access is available and free. Ball back aboard the Queen. (FB,L,D)

2018 Dream Book American Adventure 31 Route 66, The Main Street of America – Part I The repeat of a classic Sports Leisure adventure – our 9th journey down the classic highway Chicago to Oklahoma City – 11 Days • April 13-23

A journey down Route 66 is like cutting an old jail, a giant robot and other unique yourself a slice of All-American Pie. You’ll attractions. Lincoln is the only city named HIGHLIGHTS discover people and places you didn’t for the future president before he held • Overnights in Chicago, Pontiac (IL), know existed – like the murals that line the office. Learn the story. Stop in Broadwell Springfield (IL), Springfield (MO), Tulsa, walls of Pontiac, IL and Cuba, MO; Ted to salute a 66 legend, the late Ernie Oklahoma City, 2 nights in St. Louis, Drewes Frozen Custard in St. Louis and the Edwards of the Pig Hip Restaurant. Hilton 2 nights in Miami (pronounced Mi-am-ah) magnificent Lincoln Presidential Library & Springfield (B,L) • Meet the people of Route 66 – special guides, Museum in Springfield, IL. Meet published speakers and guests; lots of quirky attractions Route 66 authors and experts, roadies and 4. MONDAY – Springfield to St. Louis: • Including airfare and door-to-door airport characters. If you love “off-the-beaten- See the critically-acclaimed Lincoln service if departing from Sacramento track,” you’ve found your trip! Presidential Museum, then our rural Illinois • Featuring the services of a Sports Leisure travels roll on. We stop to spruce up an Tour Director and 26 meals 1. FRIDAY – Chicago: Depart from your old roadside statue before dining at the • For our frequent travelers, 3550/4050 Gold home airport this morning, arriving in Cozy Dog, another highway landmark. Stop Passport Points Chicago in early afternoon. Your first at the Rabbit Ranch and get a postcard “roadie” experience is a stop for a meal at autographed by… a rabbit! Drury Plaza in Cuba. Finish the day in Springfield, MO, Del Rhea’s Chicken Basket on the edge of Hotel – 2 nights (FB,L) where Route 66 was “born.” We’ll celebrate town. Hilton Palmer House (D) The Main Street of America tonight. Best 5. TUESDAY – St. Louis: Take a break Western Rail Haven (B,L,D) 2. SATURDAY – Chicago to Pontiac: today in St. Louis. There’s free time to visit Once in town, we’ll stop at the official the Arch if you wish in the afternoon. At 7. THURSDAY – Springfield to Miami: On beginning of the old highway at Adams Cahokia Mounds, learn about a civilization the way to Carthage is a most interesting and Michigan streets for photos. Then our in the Missouri River Valley from long ago; spot, Red Oak. This collection of buildings adventure begins in earnest with breakfast then walk over the Mississippi on the Chain is practically a town… isn’t it? Who did at a Chicago landmark: Lou Mitchell’s funky of Rocks Bridge, once the route of old 66. this and why? The nearby town square in breakfast counter (serving for 90 years). This afternoon, head for a special Route 66 Carthage is a true jewel, sporting a majestic treat, Ted Drewes Frozen Custard. (B,L) courthouse, an interesting Civil War Outside of Chicago, we get off the interstate Museum (one of the first battles was right and follow the old road, joined by Route 6. WEDNESDAY – St. Louis to in this area) and a wonderful old-time soda 66 author John Weiss. Wind through Joliet Springfield, MO: The Meramec Caverns fountain that affords us time for lunch. to the small community of Odell (where we were opened to tourists in the 1930’s, just photograph a beautifully restored service about the time Route 66 made traveling Roll on through Joplin and into Kansas. The station), on to Dwight for lunch. View the to them easier. In the late 1860’s, Jesse state is home to the shortest stretch of the memorabilia in the Route 66 Museum and James used them as a natural hideout. The old highway, just over 13 miles. In Galena, the “walldog” murals in Pontiac. See the smooth path allows nearly all to explore. meet “Tow-Tator,” who bears an incredible traveling “homes” of Route 66 legend Bob Then a must stop at a classic-example-of- likeness to a tow truck in the Disney movie Waldmire. Tonight you are special guests an-era-gone-by-attraction, the Jesse James Cars named “Tow-Mater.” In fact, this is the in Pontiac, with an evening reception and Museum. James was from rural Missouri. old truck that inspired the character! After a Route 66-style entertainment. Best Western stop at the Galena Museum, we’ll leave the Pontiac (FB,L,D) What follows is a marvelous stretch of old highway and head to Miami. Hampton The Mother Road, through Cuba (what Inn – 2 nights (B,L,D) 3. SUNDAY – Pontiac to Springfield, IL: beautiful murals) to Devil’s Elbow into Ozark John Weiss has made restoring Route 66 Country. Lunch is at one of our favorite 8. FRIDAY – Mickey Mantle & The sites his life’s work. Today, John will show us roadside retreats, the Missouri Hick BBQ Coleman Theater: Back to the highway this

32 American Adventure SPORTS LEISURE VACATIONS morning… Tiny Riverton is along the 13- 9. SATURDAY – Will Rogers Country to being restored to its original grandeur. At mile stretch of Route 66 which cuts through Tulsa: In Foyil, find some most interesting “Pops,” you can choose your own afternoon the corner of Kansas. Scott Nelson’s small cement totem poles. Visit the Will Rogers refreshment! Embassy Suites (FB,L,D) store is a perfect place to stop and build Memorial, a tribute to America’s famous our picnic lunches for later in the day, or humorist. Lunch is special, a treat not 11. MONDAY – Oklahoma City and Home: find that special Mother Road souvenir you afforded just any traveler, as you’ll see. Plan to depart for home on a flight after 3pm have been looking for. There’s even a picture stop at the legendary today. One more wonderful stretch of Route Blue Whale on the way to Tulsa. Marriott 66 first however. Our expert Oklahoma Passing into Oklahoma, we come to Hotel (B,L) guide tells the story of the Dust Bowl, how Commerce, the hometown of Mickey it changed the lives of those in its path and Mantle. Lunch is picnic-style at the ball 10. SUNDAY – Tulsa to Oklahoma City: sent tens of thousands to the “promised field. Miami is the home of the Coleman Passing Tulsa, we come to Stroud and stop land” in California. (FB,L) Theatre, a small town’s successful attempt for lunch at the Rock Café. There’s a great to save a 1929 landmark. Tonight, dine and story here! Just up the road in Arcadia is $3545 p.p./dbl.occ., $4035 single enjoy a movie at the Coleman. (B,L,D) the Round Barn. Built in 1898, the barn is

Itinerary in Brief for the Western Side Route 66 – Western Side (A more detailed itinerary will be available Oklahoma City to Santa Monica December 1) Fly to/arrive Oklahoma City, light 9 Days • October 24 – November 1, 2018 Day 1 sightseeing in the afternoon The second half of your journey down The Amarillo. Meet legendary Angel Delgadillo, Oklahoma City, OK to Amarillo, Day 2 Mother Road is very different from the the retired barber in Seligman, Arizona, TX – 259 miles eastern side. The spaces are more wide who is the man most responsible for the Amarillo, TX to Albuquerque, NM open in the west. There are national parks preservation of the old highway. He’s 91 Day 3 (2 nights) – 288 miles and the little towns are further apart and now and still going strong. Exploring the Mother Road in and have a different personality. For the first Day 4 time, the western half of the trip features Finish at the pier in Santa Monica, but not around Albuquerque/Santa Fe two 2-night stays, in Albquerque and before a plethora of SoCal “attractions” Albuquerque, NM to Winslow, AZ Day 5 Winslow. make their way into your Mother Road (2 nights) – 266 miles memories. You’ll have a chance to sleep Petrified Forest National Park In Albuquerque, having extra time allows in a tepee if you so desire; and see where Day 6 from Winslow and return – 112 us to drive down the length of the longest General Patton prepared his troops for miles Route 66 Main Street in the country, and WWII. Winslow, AZ to Laughlin, NV – take a side trip to Santa Fe (which was on Day 7 the original route of the old highway). In Whether you choose only this half of the 238 miles Winslow, you’ll want your picture “Standin’ journey, or combine it with the eastern Laughlin, NV to San Bernardino – Day 8 on a Corner in Winslow, Arizona,” (like the side, you will discover the heartbeat of our 237 miles lyric in the old Eagles song), and we’ll head country. It’s the opportunity to learn how San Bernardino, CA to Santa out to Petrified Forest National Park, one of other people in other places live and what Day 9 Monica, CA and fly home – 75 the most fascinating places in the country. they think. It’s a slice of America you will miles Of course, the highlight of your Winslow never, ever forget. stay, and perhaps your entire trip, is your time at La Posada, a restored Harvey House Prices available November 1. Hotel from the highway’s glory days. Place your name on the Priority Notification List Chicago 1 See the old Cadillacs “rear ends up” in Odell Texas and eat at the famous Big Texan in Pontiac 2 Western Section Eastern Section 3 Springfield M A Cahokia Mounds Petrified Forest 4-5 St. Louis Nat’l Park Galena Carthage Kingman Meramec Caverns Flagstaff Riverton Santa Fe 6 Pasadena Springfield Barstow Miami 7-8 5-6 Gallup Las Vegas Santa Monica Clinton Joplin Oatman 2 10/1 9 Catoosa Los Angeles 7 Seligman 3-4 8 Winslow Amarillo Oklahoma Claremore Ontario Victorville Laughlin Tucumcari Tulsa Acoma City San Bernardino Pueblo Albuquerque A NM

2018 Dream Book American Adventure 33 San Antonio: Deep in the Heart An “unpack-once” tour featuring the best little city in Texas 5 Days • April 3-7

Spanish into the area. Later in the day, visit HIGHLIGHTS the most famous of • 4 nights in the historic Drury Plaza Hotel these missions, San located along the Riverwalk Antonio de Valero, or • City tour features The Alamo and Mission what we know today as San Jose The Alamo. Next door, • Institute of Texan Cultures, IMAX Theater, you’ll see the IMAX film Tower of the Americas production that puts • Daytrip into the Texas Hill Country the famous battle into • National Museum of the Pacific War and perspective. If you’ve LBJ Ranch wrestled up an appetite, • Roundtrip air to/from San Antonio tonight’s steak dinner • 7 meals: daily breakfast, 2 lunches, 1 dinner is sure to please. You • Door-to-door airport transportation know what they say: • 1850/2050 Gold Passport Points Everything’s bigger in Texas! (FB,D) have an opportunity to explore the National Museum of the Pacific War, a world-class Visit The Alamo, iconic Shrine of Texas Liberty; The famous Riverwalk is easily accessed from the 3. The Drury Plaza is conveniently located museum located in tiny Fredericksburg, door of the Drury Plaza Hotel right on the city’s unique Riverwalk which the hometown of Five Star Fleet Admiral you’ll explore aboard a river taxi cruise. Chester Nimitz. (FB,L) Onboard, a Mexican lunch fiesta will be 1. Deep in the heart of the Lone Star State served. Then you’re off to the home of San 5. Time to say adios, but not before getting is a city that is part American, part Mexican Antonio’s beloved shoes, SAS, where you’ll a bird’s eye view of the city high atop the and definitely all Texan – San Antonio! Your visit the old-timey General Store (anyone for Tower of the Americas and strapping in for historic hotel is located beside the famed a 10¢ Coke and 5¢ bag of popcorn?) and the 4D film, “Skies Over Texas.” An early Riverwalk and features a complimentary tour the factory. Back in town, the Institute of afternoon departure gets you home before Kickback each evening including adult Texan Cultures, a combination gallery and the stars come out. (FB) beverages and heavy hors d’oeuvres. living history museum, tells the story of this Drury Plaza Hotel – 4 nights great state past, present and future. (FB,L) $1810 p.p./dbl.occ., $2015 single

2. Joined by a local guide, take a driving 4. With luck, the blue bonnets will be in tour of San Antonio and along the El bloom as you head into the Texas Hill Camino Real to San Jose, one of the historic Country. There you’ll visit the LBJ Ranch www.thealamo.com Franciscan missions that ﬁrst brought the and tour the Texas White House. You’ll also www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com

34 American Adventure SPORTS LEISURE VACATIONS Stories of Santa Fe and Taos Vol. II The views, the food, the people… a city truly unlike any other. MORE FREE 5 Days • May 28 – June 1 TIME

Native American-made jewelry and pottery HIGHLIGHTS are displayed by the artisans just outside • 3 nights City Center in Santa Fe the door and are available for purchase. • Visits to Santuario de Chimayo and Enjoy free time in the plaza or an included Taos Pueblo optional visit to the Georgia O’ Keefe • A free day to enjoy as you please with Museum. What a fascinating lady! Tonight, included transportation to/from famed dinner is at a local institution, La Casa Canyon Road Sena. (FB,D) • Shopping in Madrid, New Mexico • Roundtrip air to/from Albuquerque 3. Today, with our local guide, travel along • 8 meals: 4 full breakfasts, 3 lunches, 1 dinner the mountaintops on the high road to Taos • Door-to-door airport service with a stop at El Santuario de Chimayo, • 2150/2400 Gold Passport Points a peaceful shrine of healing nestled in the hills. Your next stop is at Centinela Being the oldest capital city in the Traditional Art where each work is a country, Santa Fe has it all: A long and personal expression of the artist. Hear the storied history, breathtaking scenery, history of their craft and see the old looms fine Southwestern cuisine, and tons of in action. In Taos, enjoy an included lunch shopping opportunities! Stay downtown at before time to walk the plaza. Join a guided a beautiful, conveniently located hotel only tour of the Taos Pueblo, the only living two blocks from all the museums, shops Native American Community designated and restaurants of the plaza. It’s the perfect a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and balance between city and nature with a experience a culture dating back over 1,000 splash of decadence. Indulge yourself! years. All new scenery awaits you along the low road through the valleys back to Santa 1. Fly to Albuquerque. Lunch is at The Fe. (FB,L) Standard Diner, a gas station turned hip eatery featured on Diners, Drive-Ins 4. This day is for you to spend as you and Dives. Walk off lunch in Old Town choose. Santa Fe, with its maze of Albuquerque browsing the many shops. alleyways and interior courtyards, lends dozens of mines producing the signature The San Felipe de Neri Parish, dating back itself perfectly to self-exploration. Take stone of the Southwest. In the artist enclave to the city’s beginnings in the early 1700’s, your time and peruse one or more of the of Madrid, you’ll have time to splurge on is a haven for quiet reflection. A short hour award-winning art museums, many unique one last little bauble for yourself at a store drive puts you in Santa Fe by late afternoon. boutiques or just find a spot in the central specializing in all things turquoise. Lunch is Check into your hotel and join your tour plaza to sit and take it all in. You’re sure to at the base of the Sandia Peak tram before director for a causal two block stroll to meet a character or two. It’s not called “The soaring 7,200 feet up and over breathtaking the central plaza. Nightly complimentary City Different” for nothing! Transportation mountains. Back in Albuquerque stop at the cocktails and nibbles await your arrival. will be provided to Canyon Road, a street Pueblo Indian Cultural Center for a guided Dinner is on your own at one of the many lined with art galleries. Find that perfect tour before your flight home. (FB,L) excellent nearby restaurants. Drury Plaza treasure or just browse. It’s a feast for Hotel – 3 nights (L) the eyes! Come together tonight over $2110 p.p./dbl.occ., $2375 single complimentary cocktails at the hotel to 2. This morning a trolley tour will acquaint regale others with your adventures! (FB) you with the town. Afterwards, learn the history of Santa Fe during a guided tour 5. This morning we’ll wind our way along www.palaceofthegovernors.org of the Palace of the Governors. Beautiful the Turquoise Trail, aptly named for the www.indianpueblo.org

2018 Dream Book American Adventure 35 New Mexico, Land of Enchantment Featuring Carlsbad Caverns National Park and the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta 7 Days • October 9-15, 2018

60 mines around the world. Here you will subterranean chambers and fantastic cave HIGHLIGHTS learn all there is to know about this gem and formations. We will come together for a final • Private lounge access to the Albuquerque ornamental stone. (B,L) group dinner tonight. (B,D) Int’l Balloon Fiesta: Balloon Glow, Special Shapes and Mass Ascensions 3. This morning is the Mass Ascensions, 7. Visit Guadalupe National Park before • Go deep into Carlsbad Caverns National Park a launch of all the participating balloons arriving in El Paso Texas to a hosted • Explore the unique landscape of White Sands (weather permitting, high winds could Mexican lunch at a popular El Paso National Monument possibly cancel any events). Enjoy a special landmark. Your afternoon flight returns you • Roundtrip air to Albuquerque/from El Paso tour at the Abruzzo Balloon Museum. home in the evening. (B,L) • 13 meals: 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 2 Back at the hotel rest up before tonight’s dinners “Glowdeo,” a static display of the Special $2955 p.p./dbl.occ., $3385 single • Door-to-door airport service Shape balloons. The spectacular afterglow • 3000/3400 Gold Passport Points fireworks follows dinner this evening. (B,D)

1. Arrive in Albuquerque and enjoy a late 4. One more Mass Ascension this morning lunch before checking into your hotel. and a hosted lunch before traveling south NM Gather for a group orientation and enjoy to your beautiful accommodations in Las the hotel’s nightly “Kickback,” a social hour Cruces. Hotel Encanto de Las Cruces. 1-3 Albuquerque which includes complimentary hot food, (B,L) soda, wine, and beer. Drury Inn & Suites – 3 nights (L) 5. White Sands National Monument is one of the world’s great natural wonders. Explore 2. The Albuquerque International Balloon the breathtaking wavelike dunes of snow- White Sands Nat’l Monument Fiesta, with over 600 balloons, is the white gypsum that stretch for 275 square largest ballooning event and the most miles. Learn how the animals have adapted photographed event on earth. We have in this harsh desert climate. Lunch is hosted Carlsbad Caverns 5-6 Carlsbad upgraded your experience to the Chasers at a historic lodge set high in a Ponderosa Las Cruces 4 Nat’l Park Club Lounge, offering private seating right Pine forest (think Lake Tahoe) before on the ﬁeld! After the balloon ascension, arriving in the town of Carlsbad. Fairﬁeld El Paso Guadalupe enjoy a guided tour of Albuquerque with Inn & Suites by Marriott – 2 nights (B,L) Nat’l Park lunch hosted at the Route 66 Diner. A special presentation is in store at the 6. Carlsbad Caverns is often called the Turquoise Museum, which houses the eighth wonder of the world. Descend (by world’s largest collection of turquoise from elevator) 830 feet and view the gigantic

36 American Adventure SPORTS LEISURE VACATIONS New England Fall Foliage Spectacular Leaf peeping in Vermont, New Hampshire, Portland and Boston 8 Days • October 6-13, 2018

room for dessert! Sugar on Snow is heated 7. Spend your last full day exploring the HIGHLIGHTS maple syrup drizzled over shaved ice. It is countryside around Portland with stops at • 2 nights at the Basin Harbor Resort and in heavenly, and Morse Farm still serves it up Ricker Hills Apple Orchard and Norlands Portland, Maine the old-fashioned way – with sour pickles! Living History Center, the latter an 1800s • 1 night each: Manchester, Quechee and Loon Onward to Lake Champlain. Basin Harbor working living-history farm. Your farewell Mountain Resort – 2 nights (FB,D) meal is none other than a traditional Maine • Canterbury Shakers, Saint Gaudens, Rock of “lobstah suppah.” (FB,L,D) Ages and the Shelburne Museum 4. Just up the shoreline from Basin Harbor • Mount Washington Cog Railway and the is “New England’s Smithsonian,” the 8. Depart for Boston where you’ll follow Café Lafayette Dinner Train Shelburne Museum. The afternoon is at your the footsteps of history and have lunch • Loon Mountain Aerial Tram and Norlands leisure to explore your lakeside paradise, (“chowdah” anyone?) before heading to the Living History Center followed by a special 6-course dinner airport and your return ﬂight home. (FB,L) • Roundtrip airfare to Manchester/from Boston including wine pairings for a memorable • 14 meals: 7 full breakfasts, 2 lunches, farewell to Basin Harbor. (FB,D) $3890 p.p./dbl.occ., $4480 single 5 dinners including a real Maine “lobstah suppah” 5. The thrill of ascending the Northeast’s • Door-to-door airport transportation highest peak is just as enchanting today • 3900/4500 Gold Passport Points as it was in 1869 when Sylvester Marsh opened the Mount Washington Cog ME 1. Fly to Manchester and rest well for your Railway to the 6,289-foot summit. Fall Foliage Spectacular begins in earnest From there you’ll have NH tomorrow! Courtyard by Marriott spectacular panoramic views spanning the 2. Take the scenic route to Canterbury mountains and valleys of Mt. Washington Shaker Village to explore the settlement New England. In Lincoln, Montpelier of the pious religious group who called it the Café Lafayette Dinner Portland home for over a century. Hanover is next, Train awaits your arrival 3-4 5 6-7 home of prestigious Ivy League Dartmouth with a two-hour culinary Basin Lincoln/Loon Mtn. College. Nearby is the Saint Gaudens experience you’ll long Harbor 2 National Historic Site, preserving the home remember. Loon Mountain Quechee Hanover Canterbury and studio of America’s foremost sculptor. Resort (FB,D) Shaker Village Dinner at your historic inn is preceded by Manchester 1 a reception of Vermont-made wine, beer 6. Ascend Loon Mountain with and “nibbles.” Quechee Inn at Marshland an aerial tram ride to the top for Farm (FB,D) spectacular views, then travel the famed Kancamagus Highway Boston 3. See the largest granite quarry in the for its rich history and breathtaking world, the Rock of Ages, where your guide beauty. Your ﬁnal destination today is MA will share his passion for all things granite. beautiful Portland, which you’ll see Next you’ll visit Montpelier, the nation’s with a local guide. Holiday Inn – 2 smallest state capital, for lunch, but save nights (FB)

2018 Dream Book American Adventure 37 Pure Michigan: Mackinac and the UP – Isn’t it Grand? Explore the magniﬁcent Keweenaw Peninsula and Mackinac Island 8 Days • September 6-13

be amazed with this community – small in size, but huge in spirit. HIGHLIGHTS Hampton Inn Downtown (D) • 2 nights at Mackinac’s famous Grand Hotel, tours by horse and carriage 2. Start the day with a tour of • 2 nights in Houghton, gateway to the hallowed Lambeau Field and Keweenaw Peninsula, the country’s Copper the Packers Hall of Fame before Capital heading north to the UP – • 2 nights Marquette on the shores of Lake Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. History Superior and scenery abound, along with • 1 night Green Bay – Go Packers! the opportunity to meet some of the • Keweenaw Nat’l Historic Park tour – Meet the hardy people who call the UP home. monks at Jampot Bakery, hear the stories In fact, the residents of the region of George Gipp (remember “win one for the are called “yoopers” (u-pers) and Gipper?”) and the Copper Kings you’ll enjoy honorary status for the • Shipwreck cruise on Lake Superior by glass next few days. A luncheon of local bottom boat favorites, pasties, is served high • Tour the Music House, filled with one-of-a- atop the ski run at Iron Mountain. kind musical instruments Then there’s a brief stop at scenic • 18 meals: daily breakfast, 5 lunches, Bond Falls before making the final 6 dinners push into Houghton. Country Inn & • Roundtrip airfare to Green Bay/from Traverse Suites – 2 nights (B,L) City • Door-to-door airport service 3. Unknown to most people • 4000/4600 Gold Passport Points outside the region, the Keweenaw Peninsula was where most of the country’s copper once came out Perhaps one of the best-ever combinations of the ground. The scenery is memorable, of “someplace I’ve never been” and lighthouses abound, the people and their “someplace I’ve always wanted to go” stories fascinating – their unique history is Sports Leisure Vacations has ever offered. all around you. Here people braved extreme Come discover the history and scenery of weather and hazardous conditions to bring The Great Lakes. You’ll see three of them – copper out of the ground. Magnificent Superior, Michigan and Huron – plus stay on churches, many over a century old, dot picturesque Mackinac Island. It is without a the landscape, giving the miners and their doubt one of the best adventures of 2018! families a sense of community. Today, you meet Father Basil, one of the monks who 1. Fly away to Green Bay, Wisconsin. Home runs the Jampot Bakery. We’ll stop in for of the football powerhouse Packers, you’ll treats and enjoy the waterfall next door. The

38 American Adventure SPORTS LEISURE VACATIONS entire day is a history lesson, told by the people who live here. Awesome. (B,L,D)

4. Time to travel. Our motorcoach leaves the Keweenaw and heads east to Marquette along the shores of Lake Superior. On the way meet Sister Maria at the Shrine of Bishop Baraga. This wonderful lady is working to start a new order in a most remote destination. We must pause at “Da Yoopers Tourist Trap,” because after all, we are tourists. It’s an “attraction” unlike any other. Your accommodations are the best in town, right down by the lake, affording every traveler a great view of the water (and the sunrise). Hampton Inn – 2 nights (B,L,D)

5. Just an hour from Marquette is the small lakeside village of Munising. We’ve included a most interesting lake cruise to see shipwrecks through the glass bottom of the boat! A fascinating adventure. Tonight, dine in the UP’s finest steak house. (B,D) village. Don’t forget to buy some fudge – an 6. Push east this afternoon, through to St. island staple – for the trip home. Before Ignace where you’ll board the ferry for the long you’ll be ready for a little pick-me-up, 20-minute ride to Mackinac Island. Prepare so return to the Grand to explore and relax. to fall in love at first sight with its historic The filming location of Somewhere in Time, buildings, quaint shops and “no motor don’t miss the historical exhibits (yes, there vehicles allowed” policy. It’s a short horse- IS a framed portrait of Jane Seymour), art drawn carriage ride to the top of the hill and gallery, horse stables, Cupola Bar and have Mackinac’s iconic landmark – the Grand a sit on the front porch which, at 660 feet Hotel. Built in 1887, the Grand is prepared long, is the biggest in the world! (FB,D) to satisfy your every desire this evening starting with a formal dinner and ending 8. Take the ferry back to the mainland and with live music and dancing. Best of all, you travel along the scenic east shore of Lake get to do it all over again tomorrow! Grand Michigan on the LP (Lower Peninsula) with Hotel – 2 nights (B,L,D) lunch served in the quaint community of Petoskey. In nearby Acme, you’ll discover 7. Discover Mackinac Island’s an incredible collection of mechanical natural beauty on a instruments and antique phonographs at morning horse-drawn The Music House. The centerpiece of wagon tour. Free time the museum, a huge Belgian pipe is allowed midday Lake Superior organ, is simply amazing, and to explore the all instruments are in perfect lakeside Copper Harbor working order as you’ll see… Calumet Marquette Houghton 2-3 4-5 St. Ignace Munising Bond Falls 6-7 Mackinac Island Iron Mountain Petoskey TOP LEFT: Horse and buggy is the way you will Lake Huron tour Mackinac Island; MIDDLE LEFT: While on the island, stay at the Grand Hotel; LOWER LEFT: Traverse City One of our gang meets Father Basil at the Jampot Green Bay 1 Bakery, ABOVE TOP: Pasties are the local favorite, even when the floor is the only available seat; MIDDLE: Enjoy lots of outdoor stops; BOTTOM: Lake M The Hampton Inn in Marquette on the waterfront Michigan has won awards every year it’s been open

and hear! The short drive to Traverse City is where your return ﬂight awaits. (FB,L)

$3975 p.p./dbl.occ., $4570 single

2018 Dream Book American Adventure 39 The New Colorful Coast St. Augustine, Savannah, Charleston and so much in-between! 7 Days • March 23-29

1. Fly to Jacksonville, Florida, arriving in Chablis! In the afternoon, visit Savannah’s the early evening. Rest well. You have a beach, Tybee Island, for beachcombing HIGHLIGHTS big week ahead! Courtyard by Marriott and a Low Country Boil for dinner, ending • St. Augustine, North America’s oldest city Jacksonville – 2 nights with Toot’s famous prune cake of course! • Georgia’s first city, Savannah, and historic (FB,D) St. Simons Island 2. St. Augustine is the oldest city in North • Charleston by land and sea America, founded in 1565 but first explored 5. Outside Charleston on the Ashley River • All 2-night hotel stays – historic district by Ponce de León as early as 1513. A stands Middleton Place. The plantation accommodations in Savannah and trolley tour will acquaint you with the area’s was established in 1741 and today offers Charleston unique Spanish history, including a guided visitors a rare glimpse into a time now “gone • 12 meals: 6 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners visit to the 17th-century Castillo de San with the wind.” After lunch on the grounds, • Roundtrip air to Jacksonville/from Charleston Marcos. Perhaps you’ll discover Ponce de you’ll tour the family’s second home (the first • Door-to-door airport service León’s illusive Fountain of Youth! (FB,L) having been torched by Sherman’s troops), • 3400/3850 Gold Passport Point then have time for the spectacular gardens 3. Midway along the Georgia coast is St. said to be the first in America to feature Simons Island, England’s southernmost camellias. Continuing on to Charleston, be outpost in the New World. Rich in history prepared for your amazement to only grow and natural beauty, you’ll visit the lighthouse as you enter this place known throughout and explore the village before heading the South as “The Holy City.” Your elegant Charleston 5-6 north. Savannah has been welcoming accommodations are guaranteed to set the A visitors with style and grace since 1733, tone. Meeting Street Inn – 2 nights (FB,L) and guess what? You’re next! A well-located Savannah 3-4 hotel encourages personal exploration. 6. See Charleston in historic style by St. Just be careful after dark in America’s most horse and carriage, ending at the old City Simons haunted city! DoubleTree Hotel Historic Market for shopping and lunch. Check out Island District – 2 nights (FB,D) the Sweetgrass baskets for the perfect Jacksonville 1-2 souvenir! An afternoon harbor cruise 4. A trolley tour spotlights Savannah’s includes a chance to visit Ft. Sumter where St. Augustine intricate system of 24 beautifully the first shots of the Civil War were fired in landscaped squares teeming with dogwood 1861. Your farewell dinner will end the day – and your tour – in style. and azalea. Here you’ll find history and (B,D) beauty in excess… plus a healthy dose of gossip just to keep things lively, delivered 7. Your flight home departs from Charleston by local “characters” you’ll meet along the International Airport after lunch. (B,L) way. Expect no less from the city that gave us the cotton gin, Paula Deen and The Lady $3395 p.p./dbl.occ., $3840 single

40 American Adventure SPORTS LEISURE VACATIONS Key West, Miami and The Everglades Featuring Key Largo and 4 nights in Key West 7 Days • January 26 – February 1, 2019

HIGHLIGHTS • Visit Florida Everglades National Park, experience an air boat ride and meet an alligator or two up close • History abounds in Key West – visit the Hemingway Home, The Aquarium, Truman’s “Little White House,” tour the island aboard the famous Old Town Trolley • Lunch on private Sunset Key at Latitudes, a short ferry ride from Mallory Pier in Key West, a Sports Leisure exclusive TOP: A Key West sunset; ABOVE LEFT: Our trolley • A “Taste of Key West” food tour by trolley, to take advantage of any Early Payment driver deluxe, Louie; ABOVE RIGHT: Our ladies where you sample lots of local culinary treats Di$counts. outside La Te Da (including Key Lime Pie, Conch Fritters, and Cuban Sandwiches) Key West is a pedestrian-friendly • Day cruise on an authentic clipper ship destination, and because of that we walk show at La Te Da to the amazing Butterfly (optional, included), Butterfly and Nature to many attractions. For this reason, we do Conservatory, you’ll have time for sights Conservatory not recommend this tour for travelers with (each morning) and time to explore on your • Cabaret Dinner Show at La Te Da; lunch at serious mobility issues. own (each afternoon). (3FB,L,2D) famous Sloppy Joe’s, a local landmark • 4 nights in Key West at the Crowne Plaza La 1. Arrive in Ft. Lauderdale and enjoy 7. Depart Key West at 11am, connecting in Concha, in the heart of town on Duval Street dinner at a popular South American-style Atlanta, arriving home about 9:30pm. (FB) • Overnight Ft. Lauderdale – Miami city tour steakhouse. Holiday Inn Express (D) featuring South Beach and Coral Gables; $4195 p.p./dbl.occ., $4885 single overnight in Key Largo 2. A morning visit to the Everglades • Tour The Turtle Hospital in the Keys to ride an air boat and meet some • Roundtrip air to Ft. Lauderdale (United), alligators. City tour of Miami Beach Ft. Lauderdale return from Key West (Delta) and Coral Gables, ending the day 1 • 13 meals: 2 breakfasts, 4 full breakfasts, in Key Largo. Great sunset views Miami 2 lunches, 5 dinners tonight before dinner at the popular • Door-to-door airport service Fish House. Hampton Inn (B,D) Everglades • 4200/4900 Gold Passport Points Nat’l Park Coral 3. Learn about marine wildlife at Gables Key West has become one of our most the Turtle Hospital in Marathon, popular destinations with our annual tour stop for lunch, then travel on to Key selling out every year, months ahead of West. Crowne Plaza La Concha – departure. It’s a top flight experience, 4 nights (B,L,D) 2 limited to just 25-30 travelers. Here is Key Largo your chance to get in early on the 2019 4-6. Enjoy a wide variety of Key departure. All we are asking with your West dining and sightseeing reservation is a $250 deposit. Next spring, experiences. See the highlights we will bill you and give you the opportunity box for details. From the drag 3-6 Key West

2018 Dream Book American Adventure 41 Alaska’s Aurora Borealis Featuring small group travel with unique winter attractions 7 Days • March 16-22

Once again our Aurora Borealis tour Alaska Railroad and discover the true winter is nearly sold out. This will be the third wonderland that surrounds you. Cruise past consecutive year we have offered this glaciers on Prince William Sound and meet magical trip. When the tour sells out we will all of Alaska’s big land mammals at the start a waitlist. If you are unable to join us in Alaska Wildlife Conservatory. 2018, the waitlist automatically becomes the Priority Notiﬁcation List for 2019. Those This tour includes door-to-door airport on this list will have the ﬁrst opportunity to service, roundtrip airfare, accommodations, register for the next tour. 13 meals, several attractions, a Sports Leisure Vacations Tour Director and Highlights of our small group tour (limited to 4800/5200 Gold Passport Points. Please only 22 passengers) will include stays at the note: You must be prepared for cold spectacular Alyeska Resort in Girdwood, weather (0 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit is the charming Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge, typical) throughout this tour. Winter jackets, and Pike’s Waterfront Lodge in Fairbanks. snow pants and boots may be rented for Enjoy remote Aurora viewing away from extra cost. the lights of the city and experience a dog sled ride at Dallas Seavey’s kennel, 4 time $4790 p.p./dbl.occ., $5195 single winner of Alaska’s Iditarod. Ride the scenic

Ice Magic Festival in 2018 the Canadian Rockies SOLD OUT! Featuring Lake Louise and Banff National Park 6 Days • January 18-23

This tour was announced in the August/September edition of our newsletter, The Traveler, and quickly sold out in one week. Like many of our tours, the number of participants may be limited due to space limitations or to provide an intimate experience for our travelers. We intend to offer this tour again in 2019 but if you are able to join us in 2018, please consider placing your name on the waitlist. If we are unable to accommodate you, your name will be placed on the Priority Notiﬁcation List for 2019.

$2885 p.p./dbl.occ., $3105 single

42 Alaska / Canadian Rockies SPORTS LEISURE VACATIONS O Magazine Presents the Alaskan Explorer Cruise Featuring Life-changing seminars and workshops 8 Days • August 10-18

To celebrate Oprah’s Year of Adventure, the transformative power of travel, enriched Holland America Line and O, The Oprah and enhanced by activities such as morning HIGHLIGHTS Magazine have partnered on an exciting meditation, healthy eating guidance and • Pre-cruise overnight stay in Tacoma at the initiative to pair the life-changing wonder travel-friendly fashion advice. Hotel Murano of travel with the soulful, inspiring content • Visit the LeMay Auto Museum or Museum of found in every issue of the magazine. Hosting only 2,100 guests, Holland America Glass This cruise is speciﬁcally themed to invite Line’s ﬁrst Signature-class cruise ship, ms • Roundtrip airfare to/from Seattle guests to open their minds, change their Eurodam has delighted all since her maiden • All meals included aboard ship, add’l lunch in perspectives and uncover their potential. voyage, and recently received many Seattle exciting updates, including new lounge, • Door-to-door airport service The cruise will feature special appearances dining and entertainment venues, and • Gold Passport Points based on cabin by contributors from O, The Oprah completely refreshed suites. Magazine as well as thought leaders from museum-quality works of glass art. A choice The SuperSoul 100. A list of guest speakers Live music has always been the heart and of a visit to either LeMay – American’s Car and hosts will be announced closer to soul of evenings aboard Holland America Museum or the popular Museum of Glass departure. In addition, you will experience Line, and Eurodam features the full Music are included along with lunch on arrival day Walk experience – with three exciting in Seattle. venues. Lincoln Center Stage, featuring Glacier Bay Nat’l Park world-class musicians performing chamber Inside cabins start at: music, and Billboard Onboard, rocking the $2280 p.p./dbl.occ., $3475 single Juneau house with 50 years of chart-topping hits, join the already popular B.B. King’s Blues Outside cabins start at: Sitka 2-8 Nights 2-8 aboard the ms Eurodam Club, which brings the best of Memphis $2670 p.p./dbl.occ., $4220 single blues to sea, and completes our new This vacation requires a valid passport! Ketchikan “Music Walk” experience.

Enjoy onboard cooking shows and hands- CRUISE ITINERARY H on workshops in partnership with America’s MA Test Kitchen. The Greenhouse Spa & Salon Date Port offers spa treatments, a thermal pool and August 11 Seattle, WA lounge and a variety of salon services. August 12 At Sea Holland America Line’s graceful, mid-sized August 13 Juneau, AK ships are known for their generous amount of personal space. All staterooms feature August 14 Glacier Bay Victoria luxurious, quilted pillow top mattresses, ﬁne August 15 Sitka, AK linens and towels, massage showerheads August 16 Ketchikan, AK Seattle and Elemis Aromapure bath products. 1 Tacoma August 17 Victoria, BC, Canada A Our tour will include a pre-night stay August 18 Seattle, WA in Tacoma at the Hotel Murano, host of

2018 Dream Book Cruisin’ Alaska 43 Tulip Time in Holland and Belgium Featuring Amsterdam and a 7-night river cruise aboard the AmaPrima 11 Days • April 26 – May 6 NEW DATES!

All-outside cabins CRUISE ITINERARY are offered on three levels to suit your 28 April 2018 Amsterdam/Embarkation budget and taste, 29 April 2018 Hoorn and most boast a private balcony. 30 April 2018 Delta/Middelburg Ample public spaces 1 May 2018 Antwerp provide room for sightseeing, onboard 2 May 2018 Ghent (Visit Bruges) entertainment and Rotterdam/Schoonhoven relaxing, as well 3 May 2018 (Visit Gouda and/or as the pursuit of The Hague) fitness with a walking Keukenhof Gardens/ track, heated pool 4 May 2018 Amsterdam and fitness room. Fly from the U.S. via Washington Dulles An attentive staff hails from around the 5 May 2018 Amsterdam/Disembarkation (one stop!) on an overnight flight to globe, but English is the primary Holland’s principal city, Amsterdam. You’ll language used. Dining in the Main stay two nights – one before the cruise and Restaurant is an unpretentious, one after – in nearby Haarlem at the Hotel yet elegant affair. Between meals, HAN Carlton Square. Explore the area from tapas are offered so you’re sure to Hoorn top to bottom with visits to the Anne Frank never feel hungry. For an even more House, the famed Rijksmuseum, Volendam memorable culinary experience, Amsterdam and the Alida Hoeve cheese farm. Four make a reservation at the Chef’s Haarlem 2&10 meals are included in the land package Table, a nightly dinner event limited The Hague featuring a luncheon cruise aboard one of to just 28 where you’ll witness Schoonhoven the Amsterdam’s popular canal boats. the chef at work and sample Guoda Kinderdijk favorite dishes complete Delft On the afternoon of Day 3, board the with wine pairings… all at Middelburg stunning AmaPrima for an 8-day celebration no additional cost. And Bruges Rotterdam of spring cruising the waterways, rivers and of course your Sports canals of Holland and Belgium. Will there Leisure Tour Director will be tulips? Oh, yes! AmaWaterways is no be there to guide you each ordinary cruise line. On board you’ll find step of the way. Ghent included options far outweigh costly add- ons. Three meals per day? Included. Wine, If this sounds like the trip Antwerp beer and soft drinks at lunch, the cocktail of your dreams, call the office hour and dinner? Included. Onboard Wi-Fi? and speak to Michael Downer Included. A choice of shore excursions at for a cruise catalogue and more EM each port of call? Included. Bicycles (for information. personal exploration as well as guided 1 First Night In Flight tours)? Included. Think about all these Cabins (inclusive of Amsterdam To Amsterdam things you usually pay extra for, and you’ll package) start at : see the incredible value of cruising with $5325 p.p./dbl. occ., $6995 single 3-8 Nights Aboard the AmaWaterways! This vacation requires a valid passport! Ama Prima

44 International Cruisin’ SPORTS LEISURE VACATIONS Date Port The Path Between the Seas 04 Feb 2018 Fort Lauderdale, Florida, US Cruise the Panama Canal Taboard Holland America’s ms Westerdam 05 Feb 2018 Half Moon Cay, Bahamas 17 Days • February 3-19 06 Feb 2018 At Sea 07 Feb 2018 At Sea 08 Feb 2018 Cartagena, Colombia 08 Feb 2018 Enter Panama Canal Cristobal 09 Feb 2018 Cruising Panama Canal 09 Feb 2018 Exit Panama Canal Balboa 10 Feb 2018 At Sea 11 Feb 2018 Puerto Caldera (Puntarenas), Costa Rica 12 Feb 2018 Corinto, Nicaragua 13 Feb 2018 Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala 14 Feb 2018 At Sea 15 Feb 2018 Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico Sail from Florida to California on one of HIGHLIGHTS Holland America’s best-known ships, the 16 Feb 2018 At Sea • Pre-cruise overnight stay at the Holiday Inn ms Westerdam. Spend one night in Fort 17 Feb 2018 Cabo San Lucas, Mexico Express in Plantation Lauderdale before boarding the ship. 18 Feb 2018 At Sea • Bon Voyage Dinner at Texas de Brazil Sailing from east to west provides you 19 Feb 2018 San Diego, California, US Restaurant in Fort Lauderdale the advantage of getting the long, cross- • All meals included on board the m/v country flight out of the way first, leaving passengers with style and grace – it’s large Westerdam just a short hop home from San Diego at the enough to offer a host of exciting amenities • Prices include all transfers, port taxes end of the cruise. but more personal and intimate than the • Roundtrip air to Ft. Lauderdale/from San “floating cities” of other cruise lines. Diego We continue to partner with Holland • Door-to-door airport service America Line for this adventure because of Inside cabins start at: • Fully escorted by a Sports Leisure Tour its commitment to service and because we $4095 p.p./dbl.occ., $5610 single Director know and believe in the quality of its ships, Outside cabins start at: • Gold Passport Points based on cabin programs and shore excursions. The ms $4370 p.p./dbl.occ., $6090 single Westerdam is a midsize ship which carries This vacation requires a valid passport!

salon services. For a full listing of shore Tour Director. Gold Passport Points based Passage to excursions available please visit on cabin. www.hollandamerica.com. South America Cabins start at: Holland America’s ms Zaandam The tour includes door-to-door airport $5065 p.p./dbl. occ., $6350 single (inside) service, roundtrip air to Buenos Aires/from $5230 p.p./dbl. occ., $6650 single 17 Days • March 2-18 Santiago, all meals onboard ship, and the (outside) services of a Sports Leisure Vacations This vacation requires a valid passport! South America has always held a special allure for explorers. Some came for DAY PORT ARRIVE DEPART gold, some for glory, and many more for adventure, but no one has ever truly 0 Buenos Aires, Argentina March 3 — succeeded in taming this vast and 1 Buenos Aires, Argentina — March 4 / 6PM varied continent. On Holland America’s 2 Montevideo, Uruguay March 5 / 8AM March 5 / 6PM ms Zaandam you can experience these 3 AT SEA March 6 — legendary lands in elegant comfort. Begin in Argentina with two days to explore 4 AT SEA March 7 — Buenos Aries while staying aboard ship. 5 Stanley/Falkland Is/Islas Malvinas March 8 / 8AM March 8 / 6PM Then visit Uruguay, the Falkland Islands, 6 Strait of Magellan March 9 — Cape Horn, Glacier Alley and ﬁnally Chile. Punta Arenas, Chile/Cockburn We are happy to arrange shore excursions 7 March 10 / 6AM March 10 / 6PM for all ports of call. Channel/Beagle Channel/Glacier Alley 8 Ushuaia, Argentina March 11 / 1PM March 11 / 9PM Designed to carry less than 1,500 guests 9 Scenic Cruising Cape Horn March 12 — while providing more space for maximum comfort, the ms Zaandam is a prize in the 10 Canal Sarmiento March 13 — mid-size ship category. Enjoy onboard 11 Chilean Fjords March 14 — cooking shows and hands-on workshops 12 Puerto Montt, Chile March 15 / 8AM March 15 / 5PM in partnership with America’s Test Kitchen. 13 AT SEA March 16 — The Greenhouse Spa & Salon offers spa treatments, a thermal pool and lounge and 14 Valparaiso (Santiago), Chile March 17 / 7AM —

2018 Dream Book International Cruisin’ 45 HIGHLIGHTS • See mountains, beaches, fjords, volcanoes, hot springs, geysers and bountiful wildlife • Visit historic sites, tiny villages and meet the real people of Iceland • Visit and take in the waters at famous Blue Lagoon • Fly to the Westman Islands for a tour by land and sea • Cruise between icebergs at Jökulsárlón • Walk behind the Seljalandsfoss Waterfall • Roundtrip air to/from Reykjavik • 16 meals: 9 full breakfasts and 7 dinners • Door-to-door airport transportation Iceland, Land of Fire and Ice • 7650/8800 Gold Passport Points A full exploration of the volcanic island 9. Travel along the southern part of the Vatnajökull Glacier and spend time at 10 Days • July 14-23 Europe’s largest national park, which contains Iceland’s highest mountains and Europe’s largest glacier. The black 1-2. Arrive in Iceland after an overnight 7. Travel through the uninhabited highlands lava beach of Reynisfjara near Vik is flight. After a welcome breakfast, visit the and moonlike surroundings to Egilsstaðir, simply beautiful and is followed by a Blue Lagoon, one of Iceland’s most popular the biggest town on the east side of the visit to Skogafoss Waterfall, one of the attractions – a natural geothermal pool in island. With some luck we might spot most impressive in the country. At the the middle of a large and dramatic lava an Arctic fox or see reindeer on the way. Eyjafjallajokull Information Center learn the field. Pause for a refreshing swim before Continuing from Egilsstaðir, admire the challenges of living next to both a glacier continuing Iceland’s capital city, Reykjavik. dramatic fjord landscapes. Overnight in the and an active volcano. Our last stop of Hotel Reykjavík Centrum – 2 nights small fishing village of Djúpivogur. Hótel the day is the impressive Seljalandsfoss (FB,D) Framtíð (FB,D) Waterfall where you can walk behind the falls! Hótel Selfoss. (FB,D) 3. This morning a short flight to the 8. Jökulsárlón is a glacial lagoon at the Westman Islands provides spectacular mouth of the Vatnajökull Glacier. Icebergs, 10. Return to Reykjavík this morning. Shop views. After arriving, cruise around the the size of a football field, break off from for a last minute souvenir and enjoy lunch islands by boat. See colorful ocean caves the glacier and spill into the lagoon. During before your journey home. (FB) and thousands of seabirds. Then explore a boat tour, we’ll sail between the floating the island by bus and see half-buried icebergs. Our next stop is Skaftafell $7630 p.p./dbl.occ., $8795 single houses from the infamous 1973 volcanic National Park which offers a short hike to This tour requires a valid passport! eruption. The fascinating landscape teems Svartifoss Waterfall, one of the most popular with diverse bird and animal life, including sites in the park. Hótel Klaustur (FB,D) one of the island’s biggest puffin colonies. (FB)

4. Visit famous Þingvellir National Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Two of the island’s spectacular waterfalls, Barnafoss and Hraunfossar, are nearby along with Akureyri Deildatunguher, the most powerful hot 5-6 spring in Iceland. Icelandair Hotel Hamar Egilsstadir (FB,D) Godafoss Lake Mývatn 5. Our ﬁrst morning stop will be at Grábrók, Gránbrók EAN a volcanic crater. As it is possible to ascend Mt. Grábrók, here is a great opportunity for Barnafoss Djúpivogur 7 Icelandair 4 Vatnajökull an easy and enjoyable hike. Afterwards, Hotel Hamar journey towards northern Iceland and to Glacier Thingvellir Akureyri, the second largest city on the Reykjavík Jökulsárlón island. Hotel KEA- 2 nights (FB,D) 2-3 Keflavik Selfoss 9 6. Enjoy a day of sightseeing on the way Blue to Lake Mývatn. Discover the beautiful Skogafoss 8 Lagoon Icelander Hotel Goðafoss Waterfall, pseudo craters, and Klauster walk in the Dimmuborgir Lava Field. In the afternoon, enjoy a soak in the Myvant 1 First Night In Flight Vestmannaeyjar Nature Baths before returning to your hotel. (Westman Islands) (FB,D)

46 International SPORTS LEISURE VACATIONS Rabbit, Tom Kitten and Jemima Puddleduck at this lovely cottage estate. (FB,D)

10. Travel to Manchester via Liverpool, hometown of the “Fab Four.” The Beatles Scottish Tales and the Beatles Trail Story offers up the world’s largest collection The best of Scotland, the English Lakes and the Fab Four’s Liverpool of memorabilia focused on the lives, times, culture and music of The Beatles. Crowne 12 Days • August 9-20 Plaza Manchester – 2 nights (FB,D)

11. It’s Sunday, your well-earned day of 5. The route north into the Highlands takes rest. Perhaps you’d like to attend services HIGHLIGHTS you to Dalwhinnie Distillery for a tour and at Manchester Cathedral. In the afternoon • 3 nights Edinburgh, Scotland’s Capital City wee dram, then to Urquhart Castle. Among a walking tour includes a stop at Chetham’s • 2 nights each Inverness, Lake District the largest ever built, the 16th-century castle Library, the oldest in the English-speaking National Park, Manchester today exists largely in ruins on the shores of world. (FB,D) • Overnight on the shores of Loch Lomond Loch Ness. Kingsmills Hotel Inverness – • Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, Palace of 2 nights (FB,D) 12. Return to America on a morning flight Holyrood House, Edinburgh Castle, Royal with happy memories of a grand visit to the Yacht Britannia 6. Rich in history and natural beauty, spend United Kingdom. (FB) • Dalwhinnie Distillery, Urquhart Castle, Isle of the day exploring the Isle of Skye, the home Skye, Inveraray Castle of Clans MacDonald and MacLeod. Skye Prices available in early October 2017. • Gretna Green, Beatrix Potter’s Hill Top, played a big role in the Jacobite Call and place your name on the The Beatles Story Rebellion and Scotland’s dramatic, Priority Notification List today! • Manchester’s Cathedral and Chetham’s though failed attempt to regain its This tour requires a valid passport! Library independence from England and • Roundtrip air to Edinburgh/From Manchester place Bonnie Prince Charlie on the • 20 meals: daily breakfast and dinner throne. (FB,D) AN • Door-to-door airport service • Gold Passport Points based on price 7. Inveraray has been home to the Duke and Duchess of Argyll since Isle of Skye 5-6 1-2. Fly to Edinburgh and begin your the 15th Century. The present castle Inverness exploration of Scotland’s principal city, a dates to the mid-18th Century and largely unsung treasure among European is famous for its collections of NE capitals, but a treasure nonetheless! armor, decorative arts and French Inveraray NM The Principal Edinburgh – 3 nights (D) tapestries. Will you take the high or low road to Loch Lomond? Either 7 2-4 3. Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of way, a wonderful night awaits. Edinburgh Holyroodhouse anchor opposite ends Cameron House Hotel (FB,D) Loch Lomond of The Royal Mile, and you’ll visit both! Return to the castle in the evening for the 8. The border town of Gretna Gretna Green Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, the most Green was famous for secret fabulous of all Scottish musical spectacles marriages of underage English 8-9 Watermillock featuring performers from all over the world youth. There you’ll say goodbye England Lake District and literally hundreds of bagpipes. Our to Scotland (and perhaps tie the 1 First Night In Flight National Park exclusive “Jacobite Experience” includes a knot?) as Lake District National pre-show dinner with libations and the Toast Park welcomes you to England. 10-11 Manchester to the Haggis. (FB,D) Macdonald Leeming House – Liverpool 2 nights (FB,D) ENAN 4. Explore the Royal Yacht Britannia which served the Royal Family over 44 years 9. Today you’ll explore the Lake of distinguished service. In the evening, District by land and water, and AE Prestonfield House plays host to the Taste of visit Hill Top, the home of Beatrix Scotland Show featuring a mix of traditional Potter. England’s beloved author music, dance and dishes. (FB,D) and artist breathed life into Peter

2018 Dream Book International 47 Japan: Land of the Rising Sun Featuring the best of the traditional and modern 12 Days • May 12-23

1-2. Depart for Osaka. Cross the hand at Japanese calligraphy and visit International Date Line arriving a day later Peace Memorial Park and the A-Bomb HIGHLIGHTS than you departed. Clear customs and Dome Museum. Train to Kyoto, Japan’s • Enjoy a full and comprehensive, yet relaxed immigration and meet your local English- Cultural Capital. Dinner tonight is Korean itinerary speaking guide. Enjoy a two-night stay BBQ! Hearton Hotel Kyoto – 3 nights • Dine on local fare with access to familiar to rest up, with an included dinner. Plaza (FB,D) tastes as well Hotel Osaka – 2 nights (D) • Stay in thoughtfully chosen and well- 6. Visit Nara, a center for culture, history positioned hotels 3. Breakfast is included daily, with familiar and art. The impressive Todai-ji Buddhist • Roundtrip airfare to Osaka/return from Tokyo and international options. Begin your Temple has Sika deer roaming about the • 21 meals: daily breakfast, 4 lunches, 7 dinners immersion into Japan with a tour of Osaka grounds. Local sightseeing follows before • Door-to-door airport service Castle. At Kuchu-Teien Observatory, returning to Kyoto. Both lunch and dinner • Services of an English-speaking local guide Osaka’s vastness stretches out before are open today. Options are many and and Sports Leisure Tour Director you, affording 360 degree views! Dinner is shared by your guide. (FB) • 7850/8600 Gold Passport Points famed Kobe Beef, Teppanyaki style, where the chef puts on a show! (FB,L,D) 7. Kyoto is a wonderfully eclectic mix of Ryokan-style hotel. Unwind in the hot modernity and classical. Visit Nijo Castle, springs before a Kaiseki dinner at your 4. Catch the “Bullet Train” to Himeji for a Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion), and the hotel. Each course is a visual and culinary walking tour and a visit to Himeji Castle, Heian Shinto Shrine. After a sushi lunch, work of art. Aura Tachibana Ryokan – which dominates the hilltop. After lunch enjoy a performance of highly stylized Hakone (FB,D) continue by high speed train to Hiroshima. dance performed by geishas. Dinner is Dinner is at your leisure at the hotel or Yakitori, assorted skewered grilled meats. 10. See Hakone National Park from all a nearby eatery. Hotel New Hiroden – (FB,L,D) angles! Take a tranquil cruise on Lake Ashi Hiroshima (FB,L) and a cable car ride up Mt. Komagatake. 8. Zip over to Nagoya then Lunch is en route to Kamakura, a seaside 5. Take a ferry to the ﬂoating slow down on a scenic town with many famous shrines and “Torii,” the iconic red Shinto train ride. Visit Takayama, temples. Arrive in Tokyo for a two-night stay. Gate of Itsukushima a quaint picturesque Grand Prince Hotel New Takawana Tokyo Shinto Shrine, a mountain town, and a – 2 nights (FB,L) UNESCO World Gassho-Zukiri Farmhouse, Heritage a thatched roof structure 11. Today is all Tokyo! Visit the Tsukiji Site. Try AAN dating back 200 years. Market, Meiji Shrine, Imperial Palace, your Takayama Dinner is highlighted by Asakusa Kannon Temple and enjoy a Tokyo locally raised Hida beef. Sumida River Cruise. Learn about tea Kyoto 8 10-11 Himeji Best Western Hotel ceremonies, kimono traditional dress and 5-7 9 Takayama. (FB,D) samurai sword play. Come together for dinner over Shabu Shabu – soup with fresh Hiroshima 4 2-3 Kamakura 9. Walk Takayama’s meats and vegetables. (FB,D) Hakone Nara historic streets to a morning market. After 12. Time to say sayonara! Depart from Osaka lunch on your own, train Tokyo’s Narita Airport bound for home. (FB) to Odawara and continue to Hakone, an upscale $7850 p.p./dbl.occ., $8575 single 1 First Night In Flight mountain region. Stay This tour requires a valid passport! in a luxurious traditional

48 International SPORTS LEISURE VACATIONS Day 1 Overnight flight A Scandinavian Holiday Day 2 Arrive Stockholm – 2 nights Featuring Stockholm, Helsinki, Oslo, Lapland and a 6-day cruise Day 3 Stockholm through the fjords of Norway Day 4 Fly to Helsinki – 1 night 17 Days • July 15-31 Day 5 Fly to Ivalo, drive to Inari – 2 nights Day 6 Explore Lapland Day 7 Drive to Kirkenes, board Hurtigruten ship Day 8 Mehamn to Tromsø Day 9 Tromsø to Stamsund Day 10 Bodø – Rørvik Day 11 Trondheim – Ålesund Day 12 Arrive Bergen – 1 night Day 13 Sognefjord – 1 night Day 14 Flåm – Geilo – 1 night Day 15 Geilo – Oslo 2 nights Day 16 Oslo still present and can be seen throughout Day 17 Fly home Helsinki. Visit the National Museum and the Fortress of Suomenlinna, a UNESCO World Honning Svag Heritage Site. In the far north we’ll spend two nights in Lapland, a region north of the Hammersfast Arctic Circle and home to a hardy people Kirkenes who still herd reindeer. 5-6 Inari At the far northeastern corner of Harstad Norway, we’ll board our ship in Sortland Ivalo Kirkenes for a 5 night cruise in Svolvaer and out of the island and fjords Slamsund Discover scenic wonder in the northern along the coastline. A cruise EEN countries of Scandinavia. This land and sea on the Hurtigruten line is package features visits to the capital cities a unique voyage. Don’t of Stockholm, Helsinki and Oslo. Stay two look for formal nights or nights in Lapland, above the Arctic Circle, masquerades. This is a in Finland before boarding a Hurtigruten ship for both tourists Trondheim cruise from Kirkenes all along the and locals who ferry NAN Gulf Norwegian coast south to Bergen. Travel between towns. 13 Balestrand of aboard the world-famous Flam Railway in In all, we will stop Bothnia the heart of Norway. at 34 ports in 6 14 Flåm Helsinki 4 Bergen 12 days. And because 15-16 Olso Encompassing 14 islands and 50 bridges, this is the land of Myrdal home Stockholm is both a historic and modern the Midnight Sun, of the Stockholm 2-3 city located on an extensive archipelago you can see them NA Edvard of the Baltic Sea. Tour Gamla Stan, the old all in sunshine! Munch town, and see Storkyrkan Cathedreal from The atmosphere Museum, and the 13th Century. The city is also home to a onboard is more Norwegian Museum colorful cornucopia of museums. In 1628 casual compared of Cultural History, the Swedish warship Vasa sank shortly after to most ships, but 1 First Night In Flight along with Akerhus Castle she was launched. Lost to history, the ship all staterooms offer and Fortress. was discovered in 1961 almost fully intact picture windows and is now housed in its own museum. Not and cozy accommodations. Optional shore The tour will include air to Stockholm, far away, both the Nobel Museum and the excursions are offered. Helsinki, Lapland and from Oslo, rail ABBA Museum, dedicated to Sweden’s from Bergen to Oslo, select meals, most popular band, are also worthy of visits. Once in Bergen, we’ll travel to the interior of deluxe motorcoach transportation, Norway and experience a ride on the scenic accommodations, and the services of a Across the Gulf of Bothnia, Finland’s capital Flåm Railway. Named one of the most Sports Leisure Vacations Tour Director. city Helsinki is regularly lauded as one of beautiful train journeys in the world, it runs Gold Passport Points based on cabin. the world’s most liveable cities and home from the end of Aurlandsfjord, a tributary of to unique architecture. Originally part of the Sognefjord, up to the high mountains Prices available in early October 2017. Sweden and then Russia, Finland finally at Myrdal Station. The journey displays the Call and place your name on the gained independence in 1917 but the very best aspects of Western Norway’s Priority Notification List today! influences of both mother countries are stunning scenery. Finish the tour in Oslo, This tour requires a valid passport!

2018 Dream Book International 49 Bloomin’ Victoria Featuring the very best of Canada’s Garden City 5 Days • June 15-19

2. Learn about the history and booming future of British Columbia’s capital city while HIGHLIGHTS traveling aboard a classic double-decker • Enjoy High Tea at the Empress Hotel bus. At famed Butchart Gardens, in bloom • Experience Victoria on a double-decker bus for over 100 years, lunch is served in the tour and seaplane flight original family home. Take your time strolling • Visit famed Butchart Gardens to enjoy the through the magnificent blooms, but don’t blooms and lunch skip the magnificent gift shop; Hands down, • Spend a day exploring and tasting your way it is one of the best in town! Pick up seeds through the Cowichan Valley for your own garden or that perfect gift for a • 5 meals: 1 high tea, 4 lunches friend back home. (L) • Roundtrip air to/from Victoria, B.C. • Door-to-door airport service 3. Canadian government is organized • 2300/2550 Gold Passport Points differently than ours. Gain a better understanding during a docent-guided tour many impressive murals before some free of the iconic British Columbia Legislative time to explore. Lunch is included. Next Building. Afternoon Tea at The Empress stop is Duncan to learn about the Cowichan Hotel is a must when in Victoria! In the First Nations people. World-famous for stately Library Room, you’ll sip the very their knitting, see and feel the artistry while same tea blend the Queen of England learning how patterns are transferred from herself enjoys, along with assorted finger baskets to sweaters. The vast collection of sandwiches and sweets! In the afternoon, a totem poles in town tell their story. Before The city’s namesake, Queen Victoria, stands on the grounds of B.C.’s Legislative Building visit to the Royal B.C. Museum, consistently returning to the city, stop at a ciderie for a voted as one of the absolute best in North tour and tasting of all sorts of products and America, is included. Renowned for its beverages made from apples. (L) 1. Fly to Victoria this morning by way of First Nations exhibit and collection of totem Seattle. Lunch is in Sidney, a lovely seaside poles, it’s not to be missed. Afterwards, take 5. Take the morning to make one final stroll town. Swing by Lolly Gobble, an English off right from the Inner Harbour and soar along the waterfront, find that perfect last Sweets Shop full of old timey and unique high above the city with sweeping views of minute gift, or just relax in your hotel suite. candies. You’ll get a little treat to take the Olympic Mountains during a seaplane Enjoy an included lunch before catching with you! Explore the main street shops flightseening tour. (HT) your late-afternoon flight home. (L) before traveling to your hotel in nearby Victoria. Located a short walk from the Inner 4. Slip out of the city and into the Cowichan $2285 p.p./dbl.occ., $2540 single Harbour, all the best the city has to offer Valley, full of quaint towns, artisan crafts This tour requires a valid passport! is at your doorstep. Chateau Victoria – 4 and abundant produce. In charming nights (L) Chemainus a guide will point out the city’s

50 Oh, Canada SPORTS LEISURE VACATIONS Great Cities of Canada Ottawa, Quebec City and Montreal are yours to discover 7 Days • August 10-16

1. Away to Ottawa, Canada’s understated in Québec City in the late afternoon. You’re Capital City. Our historic accommodations just in time for dinner and entertainment at HIGHLIGHTS are well-located in the heart of downtown a real sugar shack, Erabliére le Chemin du • 2 nights Ottawa, Canada’s Capital City and the shadow of Parliament Hill. Lord Roy – a traditional Québécois experience! • Ottawa tour with the Changing of the Guard Elgin Hotel – 2 nights (D) Your hotel is inside the ancient city walls. on Parliament Hill Hôtel Manoir Victoria – 3 nights (FB,D) • 3 nights Québec City 2. Take a comprehensive tour around • Québec City tour, Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré Ottawa including a chance to see the 4. Explore the walled city of Québec both and Montmorency Falls impressive Changing of the Guard over and under the hill, conveniently • Overnight Montréal to see Notre-Dame and ceremony on Parliament Hill. After an connected by funicular, with a local guide. the Biodome included lunch, the Canadian Museum Your morning city tour ends with lunch • Roundtrip air to Ottawa/from Montréal of History offers you an interesting look served at the famed Château Frontenac, • 12 meals: 6 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners at milestones in the country’s 150-plus featuring a fresh array of locally-sourced • Door-to-door airport service years of confederation. After dark don’t ingredients inside one of the most visually • 3150/3500 Gold Passport Points miss Northern Lights, a spectacular sound stunning buildings on the continent. (FB,L) and light show broadcast on Parliament’s Olympic venues, history and culture – all striking façade. (FB,L) 5. The Cathedral of Sainte-Anne-de- with a decidedly French ﬂair – are yours Beaupré and majestic Montmorency Falls to discover on an afternoon sightseeing 3. Explore the Canadian countryside as sit along the St. Lawrence only a short tour. The interior of Notre-Dame Basilica is you train across la belle province, arriving distance from Québec. Visit the holy shrine, breathtaking. Your farewell dinner at Vieux- then travel to the top Port Steakhouse offers up a ﬁnal taste of of the falls by cable gastronomie canadienne-française. L’hôtel car for breathtaking Le Germain Montréal (FB,D) E Québec 3-5 views. You’ll also visit the NA Copper Art Studio showcasing 7. Montréal hosted the Summer Olympic Montréal the work of artist Albert Gilles, Games in 1976. The venue constructed 6 whose masterpieces are the doors to house the cycling events is now the and altar ornaments you saw at Biodome. To call it a mere greenhouse or Ste. Anne. At the Cidrerie Verger even a zoo would be an understatement! Ottawa 1-2 Bilodeau on Isle d’Orléans, you’ll The Biodome leads you through four distinct St. Lawrence sample the deliciously sweet apple ecosystems complete with animals and River ice wine. (FB,L) marine life – the perfect place to end a perfect Canadian adventure. (FB) 6. A scenic drive along the St. Lawrence River takes you to Québec’s most populous $3135 p.p./dbl.occ., $3460 single and cosmopolitan city, Montréal. Holy sites, This tour requires a valid passport!

2018 Dream Book Oh, Canada 51 The International Selkirk Loop Featuring a breathtaking drive through the Selkirk Mountains 7 Days • August 20-26

to Bonners Ferry for a sunset drive to the 6. Continue along the southwestern HIGHLIGHTS nature preserve. (FB,L) portion of the Selkirk Loop, crossing back • Multiple-night stays in waterview rooms: into Washington, taking time for lunch 2 nights in Bonners Ferry, ID and 3 nights in 3. Visit with talented and unique artisans in Newport. Your final destination is the Nelson, BC as you travel along the shore of Kootenay river city of Spokane and one of the finest • Visit restored SS Moyie and step back to the Lake. Tour a very clever bottle house and addresses in town. Your tower rooms await era of the sternwheelers stop at an artisan village in Crawford Bay you in all their contemporary elegance. • Learn about the culture of the Doukhobors at before arriving in Nelson. Your hotel is Davenport Towers (FB,L) Castlegar located on the shore of Kootenay Lake’s • Enjoy a night of contemporary luxury at the West Arm, with a great waterfront parkway 7. Enjoy a fabulous champagne brunch Davenport Towers, and a decadent Sunday along the shoreline for quiet walks and served at the beautiful historic Davenport Brunch at the historic Davenport Hotel contemplation. Prestige Lakeside Resort – Hotel located just across the street. • Roundtrip air to/from Spokane 3 nights (FB,L) Following brunch, check-in at Spokane • 11 meals: 5 full breakfasts, 1 brunch, Airport for your return flight home. (BR) 5 lunches 4. In the picturesque community of • Door-to-door airport service Kaslo, on Kootenay Lake surrounded by $3270 p.p./dbl.occ., $3745 single • 3300/3750 Gold Passport Points the Selkirks, step aboard the beautifully This vacation requires a valid passport! restored, now The Selkirk Loop is a 280-mile international stationary, scenic drive encircling the Selkirk SS Moyie for Kaslo Mountains of eastern Washington, northern a tour of the Crawford Idaho and southeastern British Columbia. region’s golden H Bay The entire loop follows alongside a river history. (FB,L) MA or lakeshore, with vast views of the valleys and mountains one minute, intimate water 5. Today visit a scenes or dense forest the next. The Selkirk restored Doukhobors’ Mountain Range, with peaks towering over village, home to early Nelson Ymir 11,500 feet, are just one of the many ranges Russian immigrants who 3-5 comprising the Rocky Mountains. settled in Castlegar. Crossing Castlegar over a suspension bridge at 1. Arrive in Spokane and travel along the Zukerberg Island, you Spokane River to Post Falls, Idaho before can even walk to Creston turning north to Bonners Ferry, a small the confluence of Mountains Selkirk community tucked away in the picturesque the Columbia and Kootenai Valley. Best Western Kootenai Kootenay Rivers! River Inn – 2 nights (L) Your journey Newport 1-2 back to Nelson A Bonners 2. The Selkirks come into view today as you includes a stop Spokane 6 Ferry travel across the border to British Columbia. in the unique Spend the day in Creston Valley, learning community of Ymir about the area’s rich agricultural history and for some afternoon taking a walk through the wetlands. Return hospitality. (FB)

52 Oh, Canada SPORTS LEISURE VACATIONS Wildlife Viewing in British Columbia Featuring Knights Inlet Lodge and Grizzly Bears 6 Days • October 4-9, 2018

Our third year in the offering, this has Facebook for weekly photos and updates. quickly become a Sports Leisure favorite! You will want to be there! HIGHLIGHTS It is an awesome wilderness experience • 3 nights at the Knight Inlet remote floating with all the comforts. It provides a glimpse Accommodations include modest, yet wilderness lodge in a comfortable room with into the life of some of our continent’s most comfortable rooms featuring queen- private washroom and shower iconic animals… Grizzly Bears and Bald sized beds with private washrooms • 2 full days of guided wildlife viewing, Eagles, and it’s just an absolutely fantastic and showers. The dining room features including watching Grizzly Bears from nearby good time! Glendale Cove in Knight Inlet is fresh, local ingredients prepared in West viewing platforms home to one of the largest concentrations Coast cuisine, included fine wines and • Evening interpretive programs of Grizzly Bears in British Columbia. With decadent desserts. (The lodge will try to • Marine wildlife viewing excursions as weather ample seafood and other food sources, accommodate most dietary preferences, allows these grizzlies are magnificent! During however, this is a remote lodge with limited • Seaplane to/from Campbell River the fall salmon run, bears are observed storage. Please advise our staff at the time • Roundtrip air to/from Vancouver from viewing platforms filling up on fresh of reservation if you have dietary restrictions • 12 meals: 1 breakfast, 4 full breakfasts, salmon. Bring your cameras and binoculars as this destination may not be able to 4 lunches, 3 dinners for spectacular viewing! This is truly an accommodate you.) Knight Inlet Lodge – 3 • Door-to-door airport service incredible opportunity and a must on your nights (1B,2FB,3L,3D) • 6150/7150 Gold Passport Points bucket list if you are a nature enthusiast. This is a Sports Leisure Vacations 5. Say goodbye to the lodge and wilderness have questions or concerns, talk with our exclusive as we are the only tour operator as the seaplane arrives to return you staff before booking. Space is limited, with premier fall viewing season access! to Vancouver Island. Spend the final with only 4 rooms available for single evening in Nanaimo, the “Harbour City.” occupancy. 1. Arrive in Vancouver mid-morning in time For the adventurous, go out and walk this to catch the ferry for an afternoon crossing picturesque harbor-side town in search of $6150 p.p./dbl.occ., $7120 single of Georgia Strait. Arrive in Campbell River in the perfect Nanaimo Bar (a local sweet, not This vacation requires a valid passport! the early evening and settle into your room. an adult beverage establishment)! Coast Comfort Inn Campbell River Bastion Hotel (FB,L)

2-4 Knight Inlet 2-4. A morning seaplane flight delivers 6. The morning ferry returns you to the you deep into Knight Inlet for two and half mainland. Stop in seaside Steveston and H days of immersion into the lives of the enjoy lunch on your own prior to a late Campbell 1 wildlife. Naturalists are on hand to answer afternoon flight home. (FB) River MA all your questions, to direct your viewing experiences, and to provide evening The Knight Inlet Lodge is a remote floating interpretive programs. Activities may lodge in the wilderness, accessible only include (weather permitting) excursions into by seaplane or boat; and many activities Nanaimo 5 Johnstone Strait for marine wildlife viewing, include climbing into marine vessels or Vancouver Bald Eagle and other birdlife viewing, and, walking on uneven surfaces. For these of course, daily excursions by either boat or reasons, you must be in stable physical foot to watch the grizzlies. Daily schedules condition, with good mobility. We do are arranged with optimum wildlife viewing not recommend this tour for travelers with in mind. Check out Knight Inlet Lodge on moderate to serious mobility issues. If you

2018 Dream Book Oh, Canada 53 Oktoberfest, Canadian Thanksgiving and Niagara Falls Festive celebrations of Canada with natural beauty 6 Days • October 5-10, 2018

1. We are off to Toronto this morning! With 4. No one in town sits out the Kitchener- our local guide, ascend the CN Tower to Waterloo Oktoberfest Thanksgiving Day HIGHLIGHTS dine and view the world from 1200 feet. Parade! It’s a charming and thoroughly • Dine high above Toronto at CN Tower Both the view and the food are spectacular! entertaining event. From reserved seating, • Join the fun at a German Festhalle to The Waterloo Region, about an hour west take in all the sights and sounds. After the celebrate Oktoberfest of the city, is home to a large German parade, travel to the Niagara Peninsula. • Enjoy a Thanksgiving feast featuring local population and your home for the next three Stop for lunch at a winery specializing in farm fresh ingredients nights. Check into your hotel and rest up ice wine. Picked while frozen, the grapes • Sample ice wine during a winery tour for the many festivities to come. Radisson produce only one drop of liquid when • Take a cruise to the base of Niagara Falls Hotel, Kitchener Waterloo – 3 nights (D) crushed, resulting in a deliciously sweet • Roundtrip airfare to Toronto/from Buffalo wine. Arrive at your hotel in time for the • 12 meals: 5 full breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2. Canada’s largest year-round market, nightly Manager’s Reception at your hotel, 4 dinners the St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market – filled with complimentary cocktails and snacks, • Door-to-door airport service with fresh local produce and various types before dinner “on the edge” at Element on • 2900/3250 Gold Passport Points of arts and crafts – is our first stop. With the Falls. Views of the falls from your room fall colors at their peak, travel along the are included! Embassy Suites Niagara from your room just a little longer. Cross the scenic shores of Georgian Bay to the Blue Falls – 2 nights (FB,L,D) international border into New York and fly Mountain Region. We’ll be following the home from Buffalo. (FB) Apple Pie Trail, stopping for an included 5. Begin the day with Journey Behind lunch and little tastings along the way. the Falls, standing, quite literally, behind $2880 p.p./dbl.occ., $3230 single Return to your hotel to freshen up for a night the waterfall. Feel the immense power of This tour requires a valid passport! of revelry with German food, beer, music 6 million cubic feet of water per minute and dancing at a local Festhalle. Raise your cascading down right in front stein high! Prost! (FB,L,D) of you! Take some time to explore Clifton Hill and grab 3. Happy Canadian Thanksgiving! After a a bite to eat before boarding lazy morning explore the nearby Mennonite a vessel to sail right out to the E Countryside. Our guide will explain the base of the falls. Don’t worry, culture of the community, and being ponchos will be provided… NA Sunday, you’re sure to see horse-drawn but you’ll still get wet! Tonight buggies headed to church. Thanksgiving laugh it up over dinner at Oh lunch features locally sourced farm fresh Canada… eh? (FB,D) Toronto N ingredients. Walk off your meal while Waterloo exploring the Waterloo Region Museum, 6. A final day brings an 1-3 4-5 Niagara Falls with a focus on the local history of the late optional visit to the Niagara 1800s. Discover the stories of the pioneers Botanical Gardens or choose Buffalo who settled here. Return to your hotel and to remain at your hotel sipping enjoy dinner at your leisure. (FB,L) coffee while enjoying the view

54 Oh, Canada SPORTS LEISURE VACATIONS TOUR TEASERS…

At Sports Leisure Vacations we have a guided tour of Hollywood and during a guided tour. Farther north, discover the always listened to our Travel Club Members. special visit to Sony Pictures Studio. Dine Oregon Festival of American Music at The If you see a destination listed on this page with local talent at the studio cafeteria Shedd Institute for the Arts in Eugene. The which is on your bucket list (or should before a taping of the popular game show festival highlights that most American form be), please call our office or send a quick Jeopardy! Since the taping schedule of performing art, the musical. We’ll end the email asking to be placed on the Priority will not be confirmed until October at roadtrip in Portland for a performance at Notification List for the trip(s) of your the earliest, dates for the tour will be Portland Center Stage. We’ll fly home from choice. If we put the tour together, you will announced at that time. Portland to avoid the long trip back. Theater be among the first notified to register and schedules are still TBA. be able to take advantage of any Early Our Annual Ballparks Tour Payment Di$counts offered. Placing your 6-7 Days • May or early June 2018 Mexico’s Copper Canyon by Rail name on the list does not obligate you in Each year, the baseball fans in our crowd 8 Days • Fall 2018 any way but please only sign up for tours celebrate America’s Pastime with a trip Copper Canyon is one of the largest in which you would truly like to participate. to watch baseball in some of our favorite and most impressive canyon systems in Thank you in advance for your show of ball parks. The 2018 MLB schedule was the entire world, with vertical rock walls interest! announced while this catalog was at the thousands of feet high and waterfalls that printer. Please see the special Tour Preview drop dramatically from the rim. Larger and This is Jeopardy… in Hollywood! Day handout/catalog insert for the dates, deeper than our own Grand Canyon, this 3 Days • Spring 2018 prices and destinations for our next trip. majestic yet difficult landscape is home We sold out two trips to Southern California It’s limited to 25-30 travelers, so early to the Tarahuma people who have lived in 2016 to watch television tapings as part reservations are strongly advised! here for centuries. Today, travelers use the of a live studio audience. Should we go railroad by day to pass between the towns back again? Travel to Hollywood and stay Machu Picchu and small cities in the region, experiencing at the iconic Century City Intercontinental 10 Days • Summer 2018 86 tunnels and 38 trestles while aboard Hotel. Walk in the footsteps of the stars on This summer, Sports Leisure’s Jim Pelley El Chepe. Each night features hotel/motel journeyed to South America accommodations for sleeping. Visit artisans, to experience Machu Picchu. meet Mennonite farmers, and gaze at the Now he wants to share his grandeur of the sweeping canyon. experiences with you! Travel to Peru and savor its exquisite Colorful Carolina Coast food, its art and discover its 10 Days • March 2019 countless natural and manmade Clayton’s 10-day signature trip from wonders. Explore Machu Picchu Norfolk, VA to Jacksonville, FL ran for and the Sacred Valley full of 20 consecutive years, the last being world famous archaeological 2015. Over 500 Sports Leisure travelers monuments and hear the stories are CCC veterans, many more than once. of ancient cultures. Seductive, (LaVerne King an amazing 5 times!) Would striking and natural, Peru is you like us to bring it back? Drive the Outer one of the world’s premier Banks island chain, see Kitty Hawk and the destinations. See firsthand Hatteras Lighthouse, ferry across Pamlico the fine engineering by Inca Sound and visit NC’s Colonial Capital stonemasons and learn about of New Bern before spending 2-nights Peru’s fascinating history as oceanfront on Myrtle Beach. Charleston and we explore its captivating Savannah are next, both for 2-nights each landscapes, squares, valleys with historic district accommodations, and and towns. all the beauty and culture each city affords.

The Great Oregon Theatre The Alps of Switzerland and Roadtrip! Northern Italy 5 Days • Summer 2018 10 Days • Summer 2019 Oregon isn’t just home to Begin in Lucerne where a visit to Mt. Pilatus beautiful mountain and ocean offers a lake cruise, gondola, cable car scenery; it’s home to several and a ride on the world’s steepest cog theatre companies… some well- railway. Onward to Interlaken and visits known, others not so much. This to Trummelbach Falls, Kleine Scheidegg tour idea comes from one of and “The Top of the World” on snowy our customers who has done it Jungfraujoch. Northern Italy is a place of himself! Travel by motorcoach art, history and legend. Cruise Lake Como, to Ashland to attend the Oregon explore Verona and walk the ancient streets Shakespeare Festival. We’ll see of Padua. Your last full day is spent in two performances and take a Venice, the romantic city of bridges, canals behind-the-scenes peek behind and gondolas. Flights into Zurich and out of Covered Bridges and carousel horses are part of our trip to Oregon, page 25 the curtain during a special Venice.

2018 Dream Book Teasers 55 for travelers living in Stockton, Yuba City/ The Sports Leisure Difference… Marysville, Grass Valley, Winters, Vacaville, Answers to these frequently asked questions will tell you more about our company and help Fairfield, Pollock Pines and Colfax. you enjoy your vacation to the fullest! Nevada door-to-door service is provided Can I find you on the web? Can I make other special by Bell Limousine to anyone living in the You bet! www.sportsleisure.com. There requests? Reno/Sparks metropolitan area and south to you’ll find all our recent publications, You are invited to make special requests Carson City, as well as travelers living in the valuable information on upcoming events of the airline and hotel(s) serving your Las Vegas metropolitan area. and more. While online, consider joining vacation at the point of reservation. The our online notification service, By Invitation more notice we have, the better our ability A $75 per person credit is available Only. There we’ll inform you of time-dated to accommodate you. Requests might for travelers to whom this service isn’t opportunities that present themselves include specific airline seating, the need available, or for those who wish to opt out between regular newsletter cycles. for wheelchair assistance at airports; and of this service and meet us at the point of at hotels, a smoking room, king bed and/ departure. I hear you refer to customers as or handicap-accessible room. Please note: “members.” Do I have to join a we automatically request a non-smoking Another option for those who live in outlying club to travel with you? room for everyone in the group and a room areas is to overnight in Sacramento. We Absolutely not, though most travelers do with two beds for those traveling double have negotiated a special reduced rate of elect to join the Sports Leisure Travel Club. occupancy unless you tell us otherwise As $99 per night plus tax at the Best Western Only through club membership will you handicap-accessible rooms are limited, PLUS Sutter House located downtown at receive the annual catalog, our bimonthly we ask you to make this request only if 1100 H Street. You can leave your car in newsletter The Traveler, and invitations your condition demands it. There could be the lot while on vacation and enjoy door- to our special events. Additionally, only another traveler who needs the room more to-door service to and from the hotel. members can participate in Travel Club than you. Call (916) 441-1314 or 1-800-830-1314 Gold, our bonus rewards program. A and ask for Doris Gray (extension 311) to complimentary membership is extended to I live in Nevada. What does your make a reservation. We are happy to make new and potential travelers upon request. company offer me? recommendations for our Nevada travelers After that, it’s only $10 per person, per year. We welcome our growing number of in need of similar services. A lifetime membership is available for $30 Nevada travelers with open arms! Most of or $50 for a couple. you live in residential communities in the On overnight and daytrips, motorcoaches Reno/Sparks area. We’re also proud to have depart from convenient neighborhood I have dietary restrictions. Is this been selected as the official travel provider pick-up points throughout the greater going to be a problem? for the Retired Public Employees of Nevada Sacramento and Roseville areas. Door- If you have mild dietary restrictions or are who live state-wide. Our fly-away tours to-door service is available for a fee on a vegetarian, it is important you notify our are priced to include air and door-to-door daytrips and overnighters. Call the office for office at the time of registration. It’s your service for those living in the Sacramento, details. responsibility to read your Tour Reservation Reno/Sparks, Carson City and Las Vegas Confirmation carefully and make certain metropolitan areas. Those living a distance What can I expect from the your restrictions have been noted. As you from the airports in Sacramento, Reno or motorcoaches you charter? can certainly understand, it is quite difficult Las Vegas should consult with our office to If you haven’t been on a bus since school for your Tour Director to accommodate determine the options best for you, some of days, you’ll find modern motorcoaches to those who wait until they are actually which may add to the advertised tour price. be a vastly different experience. Whether traveling to share their special needs. If you At present, motorcoach tours depart only locally or in fly-away destinations on our have severe dietary restrictions, you may from the Sacramento area. continent and beyond, we seek only the find this type of travel is not for you. best equipment and drivers available with Can you explain “door-to-door three things in mind: Your pleasure, your service”? comfort and above all your safety. Onboard Quite simply this means we will pick you amenities usually include plush seating, up and return you to your audio and video systems, wifi, electrical home on all vacations of outlets, climate control and a restroom. three days or longer. This Additionally, your Tour Director is never service may involve a far away with a bottle of water and other limousine, sedan, SUV or refreshments. Of course, our exclusive other special vehicle. SuperCoach III is used on many daytrips and overnighters, as well as selected long- Provided by Coastal distance trips unless it is unavailable due to Breeze Limousine in the maintenance or highway size restrictions. Sacramento metropolitan area, door-to-door service You have assigned seating on is included within these your tours. What’s that about? boundaries: Davis on the By the vote of our membership, we do west, Galt on the south, not rotate motorcoach seats as many Auburn and Placerville on companies do. You are free to select the east, Woodland to the the seating of your choice at the point of north. Service is available reservation. Single travelers are sometimes for an additional charge required to take available single seats

56 Odds and Ends SPORTS LEISURE VACATIONS to leave remaining seat pairs for those Are my payments protected the itinerary well and would be happy to traveling with a friend or spouse. when I pay for my vacation in consult with you personally should you have advance? questions regarding the amount of walking, What about airport security Your deposits and final payments are elevations, etc., on a particular trip. restrictions? They seem to protected in accordance with the State of change all the time. California Seller of Travel Law (#2011549- What if I become ill and cannot The Transportation Security Administration 40). In addition, Sports Leisure Vacations is travel? Do you offer cancellation requires that you provide us your date of a member of the Northeast California Better protection or travel insurance? birth and full name as is appears on your Business Bureau with an A+ rating. Both are available on every departure. government-issued identification for all Either must be purchased at the time you vacations involving air travel. Complete Can a friend from another city make your initial tour payment. We strongly passport information is additionally required sign up for a Sports Leisure recommend you consider this optional in advance for international travel. Up-to- vacation, or join me for a meal or protection. Please refer to the Special date security information can be found visit at one of our destinations? Vacation Notes and Information brochure for on the internet at www.tsa.gov, including Yes! We can arrange travel for friends or details. This coverage may not be available details on how you can qualify for TSA Pre- relatives to meet our groups from any city to travelers who have cancelled more than Check. Our staff stays current on the latest in the world. (We currently have over 1,000 two tours in a 12-month period or who make regulations in order to provide you timely Travel Club members who live outside the their reservation less than one month prior and accurate assistance. Sacramento area.) If you have friends or to the departure date. relatives who would like to travel with you, Have passport rules changed? have them call us toll free at 1-800-951- How does your company deal Passports are required for all travel outside 5556. With advance notice, we are also with “chronic complainers?” the U.S., including Canada and Mexico. happy to welcome your friends or relatives One or two can ruin a trip for all. Sports If you are of foreign citizenship, we highly who may live along the tour route and may Leisure Vacations reserves the right not recommend you check with your country’s wish to join us for a meal or attraction. to accept or retain anyone whose lack of embassy and follow its instructions to personal hygiene or poor general behavior, make certain your travel will be legal Can I extend my vacation to visit in the opinion of the Tour Director, impedes and seamless. U.S. citizens in need of a friends or relatives? the operation of the tour and/or affects the passport can pick up an application at any The answer is almost always yes, rights of other travelers. A refund of unused post office or find it online. Please allow particularly if you register and make your tour services is the limit of our liability if a 8-10 weeks for processing. Your passport request at least 60 days prior to departure. person is required to leave the tour for the must be valid for at least six months past There could be additional charges for reasons stated above. Said passenger(s) the end date of your international tour. flight deviations, but generally they are will be responsible for any additional costs small. Many travelers take advantage of to return to the city of origin. Do I need to worry about airline this service to visit friends or relatives, or baggage charges? explore a destination in greater detail on We want to learn, discover and have As each airline has different policies their own. fun together. Our groups are often regarding luggage and associated charges, complimented on their positive attitude by you may expect rules and restrictions I have some trouble walking tourism professionals and other travelers (number of bags allowed, weight, etc.) to long distances. Will I be able to who encounter us on the road. Life is too vary from trip to trip. You have this Sports participate and enjoy the trip? short for making yourself and others around Leisure promise: You will never pay to In order to get full value from a travel you miserable due to small challenges check your first bag on any flight on a U.S. experience, it is important to be in good that are bound to occur. Travel is by nature airline. Should you wish to bring a second mental and physical health. Walking an inexact science. Problem travelers will checked bag, please be prepared to pay and some step-climbing are necessary kindly be asked to find another company your Tour Director at check-in. Second bag to participate in the normal activities of with whom to travel. charges are not limited to airline fees and our vacations. While we can do almost may include other handlers such as hotel everything for you on a Sports Leisure And that’s the Sports Leisure bellmen. The Tour Planner can advise you vacation, the Tour Director cannot provide Difference… of additional charges by calling the office in sustained attention to advance of your departure. You might also individual clients. Please find the airline’s website helpful. be advised that we visit many cultural sites on Each checked bag has a strict weight limit tour, not all of which meet of 40 or 50 pounds (depending on the trip). A.D.A. requirements due to Bags weighing more will incur additional their historic status. fees or be rejected. This policy applies throughout the tour. Many “wheelie” bags Let us assure you that and oversized carry-ons that fit in airline people with mobility overhead bins cannot be accommodated restrictions are welcome on within the cabin of the motorcoach. In such our vacations. Many of our cases, you will be asked to check them travelers are over 70 (or coachside with your Tour Director. They will even 80 or 90), something be tagged and available coachside at each we keep in mind when overnight stop. planning our itineraries. In our office, the Tour Planner for each departure knows

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