CATS at The Colonial Theater-Boston

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Bring your friends and family to the magic, mystery and memory of CATS. What began as a musical about cats after Andrew Lloyd Webber picked up a book of poems in an airport bookshop has become one of the longest running shows in Broadway's history. Winner of seven Tony Awards including Best Musical, CATS features 20 of Webber's timeless melodies, including the hit son, "Memory." You’ll get to meet many different types of cats (Jellicle cats, mischievous cats, old cats, theater, magic and railway cats) and Old Deuteronomy, their leader at the Jellicle Ball. Here's your chance to witness this fabulous performance right in your back yard.

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"A Passion for Color"
Tiffany Glass Exhibit-Montreal Museum of Fine Arts

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Louis C. Tiffany is famous for the original and spectacular effects of color and light that he achieved in his blown vases, stained glass windows and lamps. This exhibition focuses on Tiffany's outstanding contribution to design and the technology of glass. Join us for a day in Montreal and witness the first exhibition of this magnitude to be presented in Canada.

The exhibition features 180 works, including a wide range of glass vases in incredible shapes, a series of spectacular lamps, paintings, mosaics, enamels and jewelry. You will also see a valuable piece of Montreal's heritage: a set of unique Tiffany stained glass windows. Recently restored, these exquisite windows, now a part of the Museum's collection, are one of the most remarkable aspects of this exhibition. This is a stunning exhibition and one not to miss!

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Jesus Christ Superstar
Wang Theatre, Boston

Saturday, May 8, 2010

Join us for the greatest rock opera of all time! Ted Neeley, the acclaimed star of the original motion picture, has chosen Boston for his final appearance as Jesus. This award-winning world-side smash hit tells the story of the final seven days in the life of Jesus of Nazareth. You are certain to stand up and cheer as you become captivated by Neeley's extraordinary power. Jesus Christ Superstar is the most emotionally charged musical in Broadway history.

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Diana Ross
Wang Theater, Boston

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Billboard Magazine's entertainer of the century is coming to Boston! Start your summer off with a sizzle at this groundbreaking national tour "More Today than Yesterday." The legendary icon will perform her greatest hits in a spectacular live show. Ms. Ross will be pulling out all the stops with breathtaking costumes and stage designs, along with a live string and horn section. Ms. Ross has sold over 100 million records and recorded 18 #1 hits. Her music became the sound of young America in the ‘60s soon after she signed with Motown Records in 1961 with The Supremes. She embarked on her extraordinary solo career in 1970, and has not stopped since. Diana Ross sings the soundtrack of our lives, a true music legend. You won’t want to miss this performance!

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Celebrate Spring at Montreal's Botanical Gardens

Saturday, May 15, 2010

With its collection of 22,000 plant species and cultivars, 10 exhibition greenhouses, some thirty thematic gardens, and teams of researchers and activities staff, the Montréal Botanical Garden ranks as one of the world's largest and most spectacular botanical gardens. Spring is one of the most beautiful times at the gardens. Witness the magnificent blooms and breathe in the fresh scents of Hyacinths, Flowering Crabapple Trees, Begonias, Irises, Lilacs and more. After a long winter, you deserve a Spring Break! Your admission also includes the fascinating Insectarium. The Insectarium aims first and foremost to awaken visitors to the wonders of the insect world, and to explain how insects play an essential part in ensuring the Earth's ecological balance. The world's most beautiful insects are waiting for you to admire. Enjoy an included picnic lunch under the Crabapple Trees!

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Celebrate Spring with Daniel O’Donnell's Return!

Monday, May 24, 2010

One of your favorite singers, Irish tenor Daniel O’Donnell, returns with Mary Duff to entertain you at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. Spend the afternoon with one of music's most charismatic, unassuming and much loved performers.

Join us as we travel the scenic highway to Saratoga Springs. We’ll stop for a pre-performance luncheon at Longfellow's Inn, renowned for fine dining. Savor the flavors as you dine on their award winning selections served in an atmosphere of casual elegance. Following luncheon, we arrive at the Performing Arts Center for the 2:00 performance of Daniel O’Donnell.

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Relish Rhode Island's Coastal Culinary Creations

Friday, June 4-Sunday, June 6, 2010

Celebrate the arrival of summer's warm breezes and bright sun with an outing to the coast of Rhode Island. Rhode Island is a state of many firsts. First to take action against British rule, first synagogue, first successful water-powered cotton mill, and now the Ocean State is the first U.S. state to receive the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences’ prestigious “International Star Diamond Award.” This award certifies that Rhode Island is a world-class destination offering some of the best natural beauty, culinary experiences, history and cultural offerings. Come and see for yourself!

With an early morning departure, we arrive in Providence late morning. Our first stop is the Scialo Brothers’ Bakery. From 1898 to 1932 more than 54,000 Italian immigrants arrived at the Port of Providence. In 1916 Luigi Scialo arrived from Italy and together with his brother, started Scialo Brothers’ Bakery. Since his death in 1993, Luigi's daughters, Lois and Carol, have carried on the tradition. Upon our arrival, Lois or Carol will greet our coach and offer a history of the bakery. They will then lead us into the bakery where the bakers will give us a demonstration of baking and cake decorating. Enjoy the complimentary coffee and fresh-baked treats.

Our next stop will be at Geppetto's, an upscale pizzeria located on DePasquale Plaza. Our visit includes a tableside demonstration of the techniques in grilling the perfect pizza. Watch our chef prepare specialties and interact as he answers your food related questions and you munch on some of the best pizza in the whole world! Take home a complimentary bag of Geppetto's Dough2Go gourmet pizza shells.

After lunch, enjoy time on your own to explore Federal Hill, "The Heartbeat of Providence." Spend time in the array of boutiques or take the trolley to Providence Place Mall with more than 170 shops and restaurants. For history buffs there's the Rhode Island State House, the Arcade, the Jon Brown House and the East Side of Providence with Brown University and the Rhode Island School of Design Museum.

Saturday, following breakfast in the hotel, we depart to Matunuck Oyster Bar and Farm where we get "up close and personal" with the oysters. Pull on your waders and walk out in the water to the oyster farm. Observe the different stages in growth of the shellfish, become educated on the importance of sustainable aquaculture and have fun while learning.

We travel to West Kingston to the Kenyons Grist Mill where we find out about the Johnnycake and how the Native Americans taught us to make this delicious “pancake.” This 1886 gristmill still maintains the ritual started in 1909 of grinding corn to make flour and meal. After the tour, lunch on Johnnycake, Chowder and Clam Cakes, a true Rhode Island tradition.

Ahoy Mateys! Climb aboard for a Lighthouse Cruise. Our captain will take us throughout Narragansett Bay, sailing us close to these historic landmarks. Witness 10 Rhode Island Lighthouses during the 90-minute cruise. Bring your cameras!

Following the cruise, we depart for Wickford Village. Established in 1709, the village provides picturesque waterfront streets lined with one-of-a-kind shops, galleries, antique stores, cafes and restaurants. Wickford Village offers a taste of New England as it was a century or more ago. Its historic homes from the 1700s, churches, gardens and picturesque harbor offer a glimpse of our nation's history.

Dinner this evening is at the legendary Duffy's Tavern. Located in the Wickford Seaport, Duffy's is famous for fresh seafood and abundant portions. Sit outside on the patio and breath in the salt air. Live music will entertain you throughout the evening.

Sunday morning, enjoy breakfast in the hotel before we depart for the Johnson and Wales Culinary Arts Museum in Providence. This is the premier museum devoted to the preservation of the history of the culinary and hospitality industries. Explore the Diner Museum, Stove Museum, a Pantheon of Chefs, a New England Tavern, Kitchen Gadgets and Appliances, Presidential Palate and State Dinners and Culinary Showpieces.

From the museum we travel to Wrights Farm, famous for their family-style chicken dinners, an all-you-can-eat meal of chicken and pasta, and a favorite stop for locals since the 1930s. Yankee Magazine featured the restaurant in an article exploring the vast appeal to Northern Rhode Island residents, of chicken served family-style. Perhaps it is attributed to tradition, life in a simpler time, and alternative to fast food, or is it just plain delicious? Come and sample for yourself.

After lunch, we depart for Vermont filled, with the tastes of Rhode Island and renewed appreciation of the rich culture and history in the Ocean State.

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Taylor Swift-Gillette Stadium-Foxboro, MA

Saturday, June 5, 2010

CMA Entertainer of the Year, Female Artist of the Year and winner of Album and Video of the Year, Taylor Swift, appears for her first ever stadium show. Taylor will be the first female solo artist to headline Gillette Stadium as her 2010 Fearless Tour appears on stage.

Supporting performers feature former American Idol contestant and top-selling country music artist, Kellie Pickler and Gloriana, whose debut album entered the country music charts at number one. All of Swift's previously announced concert dates sold out in 15 minutes. You don’t want to miss this performance!

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Celebrate Spring at A Garden In The Woods
Framingham, MA

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

This living museum, New England's premier wildflower showcase, has more than 1,000 native plant species, featuring more than 150 rare and endangered native plants. Witness an eye-popping ever-changing tapestry of flowers and foliage. The Garden Shop, the botanic garden and headquarters of the New England Wild Flower Society, features a great selection of native plants plus an exciting array of eco-friendly garden supplies, books and gifts. Enjoy a guided tour, learn from the knowledgeable staff, relax with tea and pastries on the patio and bring home some exquisite plants for your own garden.

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Indian Head Resort
Summer Weekend Getaway

Saturday, June 12-Sunday, June 13, 2010

You may have enjoyed an afternoon of great food and entertainment at the Indian Head Resort. Now, here's your chance to enjoy the resort experience, with a weekend getaway loaded with beautiful scenery, fabulous food, live entertainment, adventure and time to relax. This affordable outing gives you that vacation feeling without breaking the bank!

The Indian Head Resort is located on 180 acres near the entrance to Franconia Notch State Park and is surrounded by the majestic beauty of the White Mountain National Forest. Enjoy the endless amenities such as indoor and outdoor pools, hot whirlpool spas, sauna, game room, exercise room, walking trails, boating on Shadow Lake and a large gift shop!

We depart Vermont in plenty of time to enjoy the endless luncheon buffet served in the Profile Dining Room at the Resort. Spend the remainder of the afternoon experiencing all that the Resort property has to offer. There will be time to refresh before a welcome cocktail reception, dinner and an evening full of live entertainment.

Sunday morning savor a "choice of menu" breakfast at the resort and then challenge your co-travelers to a game of Bingo in the Greenery Room. Mid morning we depart for Clark's Trading Post. In 1928 Florence and Ed Clark opened a roadside attraction for White Mountain travelers. The original stand offered souvenirs, tonic and maple candy. In 1949 the Bear Show was born and lives on today, as Clark's offers visitors the best in family entertainment. Browse museums filled with Americana, witness the Yandong Chinese Acrobatic Troup, visit the many shops and don’t forget the Bear Show.

From Clark's, we board the Hobo Railroad where you travel through a natural woodsy setting along the twisting "Pemi" River just minutes from Franconia Notch. Relax and enjoy the ride as you wave to kayakers and watch youngsters swing out over a long rope attached to Swimming Hole Bridge. Descending a steep hill, you’ll hear the squeal of the train's brakes followed by a 90-degree turn where we stop to pick up our "Hobo Picnic Lunch" to enjoy on board. The scenery will amaze you! When we disembark the train there will be time to visit the gift shop before our return to Vermont.

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California's Wines and Trains
Featuring San Francisco, Napa Valley and Hollywood

Tuesday, June 21-Sunday, June 27, 2010

San Francisco-The Golden City by the Bay
Your California Coastal tour begins with three nights in San Francisco, considered America's playground for its fun activities. Also named one of the world's top cities, San Francisco is a cultural and culinary wonderland, where the spirit of the Gold Rush continues to fill the air. From the Golden Gate Bridge to Chinatown to Alcatraz, you’ll ride the cable cars, see the world's most crooked street and stroll Fisherman's Wharf. You won’t be able to resist the goodies at The Ghirardelli Chocolate Ice Cream Shop at Ghirardelli Square, and when you cruise on San Francisco Bay, you’ll leave your heart here as well.

The Napa Valley Wine Train
Imagine yourself riding in meticulously restored vintage rail cars traveling through the beautiful Napa Valley. Your waiter brings you a gourmet lunch served on white table linen as the view of vineyards and wineries pass by. This is both a train ride and a culinary experience, as the Napa Valley wine train is one of the most unique and best Napa restaurants. Locally famous Executive Chef, Kelly MacDonald, uses only the freshest seasonal ingredients in her menu creation. This relaxing 3-hour journey travels the 36 miles round-trip between the historic town of Napa and the quaint village of St. Helena.

B.R. Cohn Winery
Located in the heart of Sonoma valley, this small family-operated winery is surrounded by the 90-acre Olive Hill Estate Vineyard. We’ll tour the winery and taste the fine wines that have placed B.R. Cohn among the leaders of great California wine producers. B.R. Cohn also makes world-class California olive oils and vinegars.

Amtrak's Coast Starlight Route
Widely regarded as one of the most spectacular of all train routes, Amtrak's Coast Starlight links the greatest cities on the west coast. Boarding in San Francisco, we’ll travel south along the Diablo Mountain range. Long stretches of the Pacific Ocean shoreline and the “American Riviera” town of Santa Barbara provide a stunning backdrop for the journey into Los Angeles.

Hooray for Hollywood
Begin the day in Malibu with breakfast on the coast. Framed by the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Monica Mountains, Malibu is home to countless movie stars and has been called "27 Miles of Scenic Beauty." Our day will include tours of Venice Beach and the Santa Monica Pier, Beverly Hills and Bel Air. Then it's off to the Disney Concert Hall, home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, with its 9,000 panes of steel designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry. Next stroll Hollywood Boulevard stopping at the Highlands Complex and the Kodak Theater, home to the Academy Awards and witness the Hollywood Walk of Fame. We’ll travel down Sunset Strip on our way to the historic Farmer's Market.

Los Angeles As You Like It!
Today is free for you to explore Los Angeles on your own. The largest city in California and the second largest in the United States, Los Angeles is bubbling with excitement. You won’t want to miss The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum, featuring a full-scale replica of Reagan's Oval Office, a piece of the Berlin Wall and the Air Force One Pavilion, complete with a presidential limousine, an Irish Pub and Reagan's “flying White House,” Air Force One. Elect to visit Universal Studios, the world's largest motion picture and television studios.

Hotel Accommodations:
Days One through Three: Hyatt Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco, California
Days Four through Six: Beverly Garland Holiday Inn, Hollywood, California

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A Night of Vegas Style Entertainment in Burlington!
Dinner Show with Laura Roth's
Sweethearts of the Silver Screen

Friday, June 25, 2010

Prepare yourself for world- class entertainment from a full-time professional singer, actress and comedienne. Laura Roth, "Public Energy Number One," is a showstopper according to the New York Post and one of the world's leading cabaret singers. Laura has intensely studied the work, mannerisms and clothing styles of the greatest female entertainers of the twentieth century. Her show features unique blends of music and comedy appealing to all ages as she becomes Connie Francis, Judy Garland, Marilyn Monroe, Doris Day, Cher and others!

Prior to the performance dine on a grand buffet served in the Sunset Ballroom and watch the sun set over Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains.

You won’t want to miss Laura's first-ever appearance in Burlington

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Cirque 2010-Montreal's Old Port

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Brace yourselves for Cirque 2010! The ridiculously talented 2009 Governor General Lifetime Artistic Achievement Award recipient, Robert Lepage, will be collaborating with Cirque du Soleil to produce this fabulous show, so new that its name won’t be unveiled until April 2010. People have long been fascinated by human evolution, its myths and legends and the search for balance. This performance is guaranteed to add to your intrigue!

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My Way—A Tribute to Frank Sinatra
Interlakes Theatre, Meredith, New Hampshire

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Situated on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee, Meredith is a charming village and a hub of summer vacationers. Summer 2008 marked the inaugural season of summer theater in Meredith and standing ovations have been non-stop since the first curtain call. My Way celebrates the pivotal moments of Sinatra's life and recalls the essence of the man through the glorious music he sang, beginning in the 1940's as a big band crooner, continuing on to the bright lights of Las Vegas with the Rat Pack in the 1960's and to his final performances in the 1990's as "The Chairman of the Board." Come hear the swingin´ songs that made Sinatra the cool prince of popular music.

Before the performance, enjoy luncheon at Mame's Restaurant. Built in 1825, this restaurant exudes history, ambiance, fine service, and fabulous fare.

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Alaskan Explorer
Nine Days-Eight Nights

Monday-Tuesday July 5-13, 2010

Make 2010 your year to visit Alaska, one of our country's most intriguing destinations.

The 9-day land-based Alaskan Explorer guides you to some of the best-known landmarks, parks and ports and shows you some of the least-known destinations in this magnificent state.

Day 1:
Arrive via air in Anchorage, the largest city of Alaska. Enroute from the airport to your first night's hotel, enjoy a brief motor coach tour of downtown Anchorage. Enjoy the afternoon discovering Anchorage on your own. We overnight at the downtown Quality Suites.

Day 2:
This morning we head north through the Chugach Mountains the Matanuska Valley. As we travel, you will have the first glimpse of massive Mt. McKinley. We will stop at the Musk Ox Farm where we learn about the history of the musk ox, a prehistoric remnant of the last great Ice Age. We will visit the Iditarod Headquarters and learn of the incredible sled dogs. We arrive in Talkeetna in time for lunch. Enjoy free time to explore. Next we stop at the beautiful Denali National Park.

We arrive in Denali late afternoon and check into the McKinley Village Lodge. Relax with dinner and entertainment at the Alaska Cabin Nite Dinner Theater.

Day 3:
This morning starts with adventure as we head out for a Tundra Wildlife Tour in Denali National Bark. The Park is considered to be the last intact ecosystem left in the world. Observe the natural behavior of the grizzly, caribou, wolves and red fox as they wander freely. Bring your binoculars and cameras!

Relax onboard the Alaska Railroad as we head to Fairbanks. Enjoy the incredible scenery from the comfort of your reserved dome car seat. Dinner will be served on board. Upon arrival in Fairbanks, our motor coach will take us on a short ride to our hotel, The Alpine Lodge.

Day 4:
This morning we strike it rich at the El Dorado Gold Mine. Pan for gold and enjoy an authentic all-you-can-eat miners’ lunch at Gold Dredge No.8, Alaska's premier gold mining attraction.

This afternoon we cruise down the Chena and Tanana Rivers onboard the Riverboat Discovery. Listen to the fascinating narration about the river and its people. We’ll stop at an Athabascan Village and witness dog sledding demonstrations and more.

Enjoy an evening of free time to explore Fairbanks and have dinner on your own.

Day 5:
After breakfast we will visit the Trans-Alaska pipeline, an historic structure built in the 1970's. We depart Fairbanks and travel south past incredible scenery as we follow Alaska's first road, know to gold seekers as the Valdez to Eagle Trail. The road follows the Trans-Alaska pipeline. We stop for a photo op at Big Delta Bridge followed by lunch at Rika's Roadhouse.

This afternoon we continue south to Glennallen. Enjoy dinner at our overnight accommodation, the Caribou Hotel.

Day 6:
We depart Glennallen and continue south to the new Wrangell/St. Elias Visitor Center. We’ll have photo stops at the Worthington Glacier, Bridal Veil and Horse Tail Falls followed by our arrival in Valdez for lunch. We’ll visit the Valdez Museum. Your evening is free to explore and shop in the Port of Valdez and have dinner in one of the many fine restaurants. We overnight at the Mountain Sky Hotel.

Day 7:
Rise and shine to board the Stan Stephens Wildlife Cruise of Prince William South. This 6-7 hour cruise gives us the ultimate opportunity to view wildlife such as puffins, bald eagles, sea otters, sea lions, humpback and killer whales. We get up close and personal to tons of azure blue icebergs. Lunch will be served on board. We arrive in the port of Whittier late afternoon where our motor coach will meet us.

We travel through the 1/2-mile tunnel between Whittier and Portage and continue south to the Kenai Peninsula in Seward. Enjoy this quaint fishing village, one of Alaska's oldest and most scenic communities. Enjoy the unique shops and artist's galleries. We overnight at the Edgewater Hotel.

Day 8:
You’ll love a behind-the-scenes tour at SeaLife Center where you will see puffins, seals, beautiful fish and sea lions.

After the tour we continue north and stop at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, home to many orphaned or injured animals. We continue on to Anchorage for our farewell dinner at the Sourdough Mining Company.

Day 9:
Filled with many incredible memories, depart Anchorage for your return flight home.

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New York City Ballet at Saratoga Performing Arts Center

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Sit back and relax and you witness the opening week performance of Balanchine's full-length story ballet, A Midsummer Night's Dream. This classic work, based on Shakespeare's famous play, features elaborate sets and costumes and a cast of over 100 dancers, including 27 children. A timeless tale of impish fairies and hapless lovers is a whimsical treat that is at turns witty, comical, and charmingly romantic.

Prior to the performance enjoy a delicious luncheon at Longfellow's Restaurant. Situated on a wooded knoll and offering dramatic Adirondack Mountain views, this elegantly appointed restaurant offers award-winning dining.

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Yellowstone, Grand Tetons and Mt. Rushmore

Thursday, July 15-Friday, July 23, 2010

Westward Ho
Over 9 thrilling days you will experience rugged frontier towns of the Old West to spectacular vistas in some of the country's most beautiful National Parks. Here's your chance to catch a glimpse of the pioneering spirit that led a nation westward.

Man-Made Wonders
In Salt Lake City we witness the neo-gothic Salt Lake Temple, the iconic representation of the church of the Latter-Day saints. Built between 1853 and 1893, the temple is a stunning example of artistry.

Cowboys and Gunfighters
Grab your ten-gallon hat and reach for your six-gun as we step back in time to experience life on the frontier. We begin in historic Jackson Hole Wyoming where you’ll stroll the wooden plank sidewalks and catch a glimpse of gunplay in the town square. Witness cowpunchers strut their stuff at the Jackson Hole Rodeo.

While in Jackson, enjoy the "purple mountain majesties" of the Grand Tetons as we drift along on a scenic float trip down the Snake River. Our route includes the National elk refuge, with its population of approximately 5,000 elk and the largest bison head in the National Wildlife Refuge System.

Wyoming is home to the legendary buffalo Bill Cody. From his early days working on the wagon trains and riding for the Pony Express to his exploits as an expert tracker and sharpshooter, Cody embodied the ideal of the American plains. At the Buffalo Bill Historical Center you will meet this Western hero as well as Annie Oakley, Sitting bull and Texas Jack. Immerse yourself in the frontier life of yesteryear in Deadwood, South Dakota. Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1967, Deadwood preserves the history and lore of the West.

Walk the same streets as Wild Bill Hickok and calamity Jane and see the town's stately Victorians, restored gambling palaces and “old-time” watering holes. Our outing also includes a trip to boot Hill, the last resting place of deadwood's famous and not-so-famous denizens.

Breathtaking Natural Beauty
While gold and cattle ranching lured 19th-century settlers to the frontier, the area's natural beauty has kept visitors returning ever since. Our tour includes a two-night stay in Yellowstone, the oldest U.S. National Park. The park's geothermal wonders, including the world famous geyser, Old Faithful, offer a dramatic showcase. We also take in the glorious vistas of the park's Grand Canyon, a natural structure that took shape more than 10,000 years ago.

We will see the black Hills of South Dakota with sturdy pines and towering precipices and the awe-inspiring heights of Wyoming's Devils tower. This natural monolith inspired Indian legends and took its place in American film history in Stephen Spielberg's class film, "Close encounters of the Third Kind."

We close the tour with a visit to Mount Rushmore. The towering visages of Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln and Roosevelt have provided a stirring memorial to the country's greatest leaders since they were completed in 1941. We also stop at the imposing sculpture of the Crazy Horse Memorial, a work in progress that serves as tribute to the Native Americans who originally lived in these beautiful hills.

Hotel Accommodations:
Day One: Embassy Suites, Salt Lake City Utah
Days Two and Three: Antler Inn or The Point Hotel and Suites, Jackson, Wyoming
Days Four and Five: Yellowstone National Park Lodges, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Day Six: Holiday Inn, Sheridan Wyoming
Day Seven and Eight: Radisson Hotel, Rapid City, South Dakota

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Calgary Stampede and the Canadian Rockies
Featuring Banff, Jasper and Lake Louise

Friday, July 16-Friday, July 23, 2010

Calgary High and Low
Our adventure begins in Calgary in the foothills of the Rockies. Our hotel's central location ends your first travel day on an easy, elegant note. Eau Claire Market with 60 shops, Chinatown, and an array of fascinating restaurants and pubs await your enjoyment.

The Calgary Stampede
Billing itself as "The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth," the Stampede is a large festival, exhibition and rodeo. It is one of Canada's largest annual events and the world's largest outdoor roedo. Cowboys from around the globe gather for 10 days of of bull-riding, steer wrestling, bronco riding and barrel racing. During the evening, witness the Chuckwagon races, the highlight of the Stampede, followed by a fabulous variety show featuring top-named entertainment. A fireworks display caps off the evening.

Travel the Icefields Parkway
Travel via motor coach along one of the world's m ost spectacular mountain highways. Unsurpassed scenery paralleling the Great Divide in the Valley of the Ten Peaks, the Colulmbia Icefields, Bow and Crowfoot Glaciers, Athabasca Falls and Peyto Lake come into view. See snow-capped mountains reflected in the turquoise waters of Moraine Lake and watch for black bears, moose and caribou.

Cruise the Lake
We spend two nights at the four-star Sawridge Hotel designed around a three-story fireplace and surrouoded by immense forsts, pristing lakes, aline meadows and claciers. We cruise the glacial waters of Maligne Lake in glass-enclosed boart and learn of the history, geology and wildlife of the lake and Jasper National Park. The boat lands at Spirit Island, seen on nearly every postcard rack in Canada. There will be time to explore Jasper's quaint stores and native crafts before dinner.

Experience the Ice Age
We spend the next three nights at the International Hotel nestled at the food of a mountain in Banff. Banff is Canada's highest town and our departure point for the Columbia Icefield, the largest icefield south of Alaska. Glacier-fed rivers, majestic peaks and peaceful lakes create scenic wonders and a protected habitat for more than 250 species of birds, bear, elk, wolves, deer and mountain goats. Our "snocoach" will glide over shimmering glacial ice and snow onto the Athabasca Glacier, a tongue of the Columbia Icefield, for an awe-inspiring glimpse of icy crevasses and ice-fed streamlets and a short stroll on ice that froze 400 years ago.

Touch the Sky
The Banff Gondola provides a comfortable ride up Sulphur Mountain 7,486 feet above sea level, passing over Alpine meadows and bighorn sheep. The summit is the best vantage point in the West, a 360-degree unobstructed view of six mountain ranges. From three observation decks you will see more mountains in a moment than most people see in a lifetime. An elevated board- walk will lead you along Sulphur Mountain's summit ridge to the Cosmic Ray Station National Historic Site of Canada and the historic Sanson's Peak Meteorological Station. Return to the quaint village of Banff and explore the charming boutiques, galleries and cafes.

A Diamond in the Wilderness
Surrouonded by snow capped peaks, secluded on legendary Lake Louise and showcased by a majestic glacier, we enjoy a visit to Chateay Lake Louise. In this haven of Victorian splendor, the ambiance, service and cuisine please the most discerning traveler. Lake Louise is known at the "diamond in the wilderness."

Hotel Accommodations:
Days One and Two: The International Hotel, Calgary, Alberta
Days Three and Four: Sawridge Hotel, Jasper, Alberta
Days Five through Seven: Banff International Hotel, Banff, Alberta

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The Very Best: Shopping and Seafood
Kittery, Maine

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Our newly designed outing to Maine last year was a huge success and we have been asked to offer the trip again this year with a slight change: MORE TIME FOR SHOPPING! This outing gives you just what you are looking for and more.

With an early morning departure, we arrive at the "shopper's mecca", Kittery, Maine about 10:30 am. Enjoy outlets galore-over 120 of them! Have fun in ORVIS, Columbia, Bass Shoes, Coldwater Creek, Anne Klein, Van Heusen, Crate and Barrel, Eddie Bauer, Yankee Candle and more. We’ll even give you some coupons for even more savings! When you are ready for a break, refresh at one of the savory stops in the mall.

WWhen you’ve shopped ‘till you’re ready to drop, you’ll be hungry for the ultimate lunch served in Downeast Style at Warren's Lobster House. Nationally famous Warren's has been providing excellent food and service since 1940! Their fabulous cuisine is seconded only by the picturesque setting overlooking the Piscataqua River. Savor a traditional Downeast Lobstah’Bake, including chowdah’, steamers and a whole steamed lobster! There's even chicken for the landlubbers.

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2010 Oberammergau Passion Play

Saturday, July 17-Monday, July 26, 2010

Overnight accommodations within walking distance of the Passion Play Theater!
Explore the wonder of old world castles and carillons, three of Europe's most spellbinding cities and a seat at one of this decade's only performances of the Passion Play in Oberammergau, Germany. Come follow in the footsteps of this centuries-old tradition!

In the middle of the Thirty Years War, after months of suffering and death from the plague, the Oberammergauers swore an oath that they would perform the "Play of the Suffering, Death and Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ" every ten years. At Pentecost 1634, they fulfilled their pledge for the first time. Once again in 2010 this unique tradition will attract visitors from all over the world. Only the inhabitants of Oberammergau are allowed to act on stage and to an audience of 4,800. The artistic background to the set and costumes is provided by the long and still lively tradition of woodcarving and painting, inherited from generation to generation in traditional family businesses since the Middle Ages. Alpine meadows and towering mountains provide a fascinating backdrop, as this deeply moving, centuries-old spectacle is played out by the villagers.

Munich, Germany – Bavaria's Glorious Capital
History comes alive in this 800-year-old city, often called the "Village of One Million." Home of the world-famous Oktoberfest, Munich celebrates life throughout the year. Your city tour showcases the Marienplatz where you'll marvel at the gothic facade of the town hall and applaud the famous Glockenspiel, the largest carillon in Germany with life-size figures performing the traditional Coopers' Dance. See Olympiapark, where the 1972 Olympics took place and stroll down Maximillian Strasse, one of Munich's grandest avenues. At your leisure, discover the brew Munich is famous for at one of the welcoming pubs or magnificent beer halls. Enjoy an optional excursion to visit the 17th-century Nymphenburg Palace, birthplace of King Ludwig II and former summer residence of Bavarian royalty. Enjoy a photo stop of the fairytale Castle of Neuschwanstein, now the symbol of Disney's Magic Kingdom, elegantly perched at the Pollat River Gorge.

Oberammergau, Germany – See the 41st Passion Play – Performed Only Once in a Decade. Enjoy Reserved, Center Theater Seating!
The small community of Oberammergau with its 5,300 inhabitants, is situated in the Ammer Valley close to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, and is known worldwide for the impressive Passion Plays performed every ten years. While in Oberammergau, your hotel accommodations are within walking distance of the Passion Play Theater. You’ll enjoy lunch at your hotel, and then during the intermission following Part 1 of The Passion Play, have dinner at your hotel before returning to the theater for Part 2 of the play.

Oberammergau is a treat for the eyes. Ornate wall paintings of traditional Bavarian themes, fairytales or religious scenes that date back to the 18th century may be discovered on many building facades. The streets of central Oberammergau are home to craft shops of glass painters, potters and traditional woodcarvers.

Mozart's Salzburg – Berchtesgaden and "The Sound of Music" Come Alive!
Considered the quintessential Austria, Salzburg presents the best of the country's Baroque architecture, alpine scenery and a musical heritage highlighted by the city's most famous son, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

Our walking tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Salzburg brings us to the entrance of the historic Old Town of Salzburg. We will walk the famous Getreidegassee shopping lane, past Mozart's Birthplace at #9 and into Alter Market, the old marketplace with St. Florian's Fountain. We continue to Mozartplatz, on to St. Peter's Cemetery and then on into University Square. This afternoon enjoy time on your own or take an optional "Sound of Music" excursion.

You will travel through the beautiful region of Berchtesgaden to the picturesque farming village of Obersalzberg and past the legendary Untersberg. Ascend to the top of the Eagle's Nest, full of World War II history including the Documentation Center and Bunker. You’ll see spectacular views over the mountains of Salzburg, the Tirol and Berchtesgaden. Enjoy lunch in Berchtesgaden before departing for a spectacular and scenic cruise on Lake Konigssee to St. Bartholoma, a hunting castle used by Bavarian Kings.

Vienna – Music and More
On our journey from Salzburg to Vienna, we'll stop at the UNESCO World Heritage site of Melk Benedictine Abbey situated high above the beautiful Danube River. Boasting over 1,000 years of history, this is one of the most significant Baroque-style complexes in Europe. See the Marble Hall and Library with its thousands of identically bound books. Our visit includes the Abbey Church, which is regarded as the most beautiful baroque church in the world.

For centuries, Vienna has been synonymous with music, as it is home to some of the world's greatest composers – Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert and Johann Strauss. This outstanding musical heritage makes this capital city of Austria literally a cultural haven of museums, dance centers and theaters.

Your city tour will take you to the famous Kartner Strasse Pedestrian Street as well as the magnificent St. Stephen's Cathedral, noted for its Gothic edifice. Visit the nearby Mozart House, where Mozart lived and wrote his most important works, including The Marriage of Figaro. Continue on foot to the Hofburg Complex, the Hall of Honor in the National Library and the Treasury. Your tour continues by motor coach on a panoramic excursion of the city.

Remember, the "Passion Play" is only performed once every ten years. Don't miss your opportunity to experience it for yourself. Join us on this meaningful, unforgettable journey!

Hotel Accommodations:
Days Two and Three: City Hilton Hotel, Munich, Germany
Day Four: Hotel Turmwirt or Hotel Arnika, Oberammergau, Germany
Days Five through Seven: Crowne Plaza, the Pitter, Salzburg, Austria
Days Eight and Nine: The Plaza Hilton Hotel, Vienna, Austria

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Quebec City-Where History Comes Alive
and Artful Living Comes Naturally

Friday, July 23-Monday, July 26, 2010

Quebec City is one of our most requested destinations and for good reason! The only fortified city north of Mexico, Quebec is a breathtaking collection of wonderful 18th and 19th century architecture, ancient sites and historic seats of military, political and religious power. Its ancestral walls are home to a beauty of its own. Discover architecture, customs, beliefs and magical places awaiting your discovery.

Day One
With our morning departure from Vermont, we arrive in Quebec City mid afternoon and check into our hotel, the Manoir Victoria. This intimate hotel offers European-style ambiance and will surround you in charm and exceptional customer service. Stretch your legs and enjoy free time to explore the Old City on your own.

Savor exquisite French cuisine at the Chateau Frontenac. Standing high on a bluff overlooking the St. Lawrence River, the Frontenac is the heart of Old Quebec. For more than one hundred years, food lovers from around the world have enjoyed the art of Quebec fine dining at the Frontenac. The cuisine is lively with an air of freshness evolving toward regional and local products.

Day Two
Following a hearty breakfast buffet at the hotel, meet your local guide and embark on a fascinating 2 1/2 hour tour of Quebec City. You will see Place Royale, The Citadell, the Plains of Abraham and much, much more. Spend the afternoon at your leisure exploring the shops, galleries, museums and historic sites.

The essential culinary experience lies ahead with dinner at La Cremaillere. Walk in and let yourself be charmed by the intimate and inviting environment. All your senses will be enchanted with their standard of fine cuisine, exquisite presentation and remarkable service. Award winner for more then 35 years, La Crémaillère has welcomed guests from around the world expecting to experience fine cuisine and ambiance to suit every taste.

After dinner, we depart for Montmorency Falls to witness the spectacular International Fireworks Competition. Our reserved seats give us the ultimate viewing opportunity to witness the fireworks shot over the 272-foot waterfalls.

Day Three
Eat a hearty breakfast, mateys, for today we cast off on a whale watch. Our scenic drive leads us to Baie-Sainte-Catherine, the meeting point of the St. Lawrence and Saguenay Rivers where whales are plentiful in the estuary. For three hours, join these giants of the deep as you cruise aboard the 700-passenger Cavalier Grand Fleuve. The boat is equipped with an observation platform, a glassed-in room and a covered deck all allowing for comfort, space and an exceptional panorama. Enjoy an included hot lunch onboard.

When you return to Quebec City, the remainder of the afternoon is yours to enjoy at your leisure. Take a stroll through the city and have dinner at your choice of restaurants.

Day Four
Relax and enjoy a farewell breakfast at the hotel. This morning and early afternoon are yours to explore Quebec City. This is a perfect time to shop for souvenirs, take lasting photos and have lunch on your own at a sidewalk café. We depart the city at 2:00 pm.

Details

You Are Invited to a Wedding!
Lake George Luncheon Theater

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Join us for an afternoon of hilarity as we travel to Lake George for Our Son's Wedding.
Sparks fly as an Italian-American plumber and his strong-willed wife check into Boston's Ritz-Carlton Hotel on the occasion of their son's nuptials----to another man! The feisty couple discover as much about their own marriage as the new world in which they find themselves. Definitely NOT your typical wedding, Our Son's Wedding is a timely, hilarious and poignant new play that will leave you laughing. Begin your afternoon with a delicious plated luncheon, followed by the play.

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Alaskan Explorer
Nine Days-Eight Nights

Monday-Tuesday August 2-10, 2010

Make 2010 your year to visit Alaska, one of our country's most intriguing destinations.

The 9-day land-based Alaskan Explorer guides you to some of the best-known landmarks, parks and ports and shows you some of the least-known destinations in this magnificent state.

Day 1:
Arrive via air in Anchorage, the largest city of Alaska. Enroute from the airport to your first night's hotel, enjoy a brief motor coach tour of downtown Anchorage. Enjoy the afternoon discovering Anchorage on your own. We overnight at the downtown Quality Suites.

Day 2:
This morning we head north through the Chugach Mountains the Matanuska Valley. As we travel, you will have the first glimpse of massive Mt. McKinley. We will stop at the Musk Ox Farm where we learn about the history of the musk ox, a prehistoric remnant of the last great Ice Age. We will visit the Iditarod Headquarters and learn of the incredible sled dogs. We arrive in Talkeetna in time for lunch. Enjoy free time to explore. Next we stop at the beautiful Denali National Park.

We arrive in Denali late afternoon and check into the McKinley Village Lodge. Relax with dinner and entertainment at the Alaska Cabin Nite Dinner Theater.

Day 3:
This morning starts with adventure as we head out for a Tundra Wildlife Tour in Denali National Bark. The Park is considered to be the last intact ecosystem left in the world. Observe the natural behavior of the grizzly, caribou, wolves and red fox as they wander freely. Bring your binoculars and cameras!

Relax onboard the Alaska Railroad as we head to Fairbanks. Enjoy the incredible scenery from the comfort of your reserved dome car seat. Dinner will be served on board. Upon arrival in Fairbanks, our motor coach will take us on a short ride to our hotel, The Alpine Lodge.

Day 4:
This morning we strike it rich at the El Dorado Gold Mine. Pan for gold and enjoy an authentic all-you-can-eat miners’ lunch at Gold Dredge No.8, Alaska's premier gold mining attraction.

This afternoon we cruise down the Chena and Tanana Rivers onboard the Riverboat Discovery. Listen to the fascinating narration about the river and its people. We’ll stop at an Athabascan Village and witness dog sledding demonstrations and more.

Enjoy an evening of free time to explore Fairbanks and have dinner on your own.

Day 5:
After breakfast we will visit the Trans-Alaska pipeline, an historic structure built in the 1970's. We depart Fairbanks and travel south past incredible scenery as we follow Alaska's first road, know to gold seekers as the Valdez to Eagle Trail. The road follows the Trans-Alaska pipeline. We stop for a photo op at Big Delta Bridge followed by lunch at Rika's Roadhouse.

This afternoon we continue south to Glennallen. Enjoy dinner at our overnight accommodation, the Caribou Hotel.

Day 6:
We depart Glennallen and continue south to the new Wrangell/St. Elias Visitor Center. We’ll have photo stops at the Worthington Glacier, Bridal Veil and Horse Tail Falls followed by our arrival in Valdez for lunch. We’ll visit the Valdez Museum. Your evening is free to explore and shop in the Port of Valdez and have dinner in one of the many fine restaurants. We overnight at the Mountain Sky Hotel.

Day 7:
Rise and shine to board the Stan Stephens Wildlife Cruise of Prince William South. This 6-7 hour cruise gives us the ultimate opportunity to view wildlife such as puffins, bald eagles, sea otters, sea lions, humpback and killer whales. We get up close and personal to tons of azure blue icebergs. Lunch will be served on board. We arrive in the port of Whittier late afternoon where our motor coach will meet us.

We travel through the 1/2-mile tunnel between Whittier and Portage and continue south to the Kenai Peninsula in Seward. Enjoy this quaint fishing village, one of Alaska's oldest and most scenic communities. Enjoy the unique shops and artist's galleries. We overnight at the Edgewater Hotel.

Day 8:
You’ll love a behind-the-scenes tour at SeaLife Center where you will see puffins, seals, beautiful fish and sea lions.

After the tour we continue north and stop at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, home to many orphaned or injured animals. We continue on to Anchorage for our farewell dinner at the Sourdough Mining Company.

Day 9:
Filled with many incredible memories, depart Anchorage for your return flight home.

Details

South Pacific at the Weathervane Theater in New Hampshire
Luncheon at the Mountain View Grand Hotel
A Perfect Summer Afternoon

Saturday, August 7, 2010

The Weathervane Theater celebrates its 45th season of offering professional summer entertainment with the showing of an all-time favorite, South Pacific. This intimate theater, located in New Hampshire's scenic North Country where the Great North Woods meet the White Mountains, maintains a tradition established in 1934 with Whitefield's Chase Barn Playhouse

Your afternoon begins at the Mountain View Grand resort for a tour followed by a fabulous luncheon. The Mountain View is one of America's truly grand hotels. This celebrated landmark hotel evokes the classic New Hampshire charm and ambiance of the turn of the century. The guided tour will lead you through the resort's rich history, and the luncheon will lead you into oblivion!

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And. . . . .. They’re off!
The Saratoga Races

Saturday, August 14, 2010

The Saratoga Race Course is a 350-acre racetrack in Saratoga Springs. Named one of the world's greatest sporting venues by Sports Illustrated, for six weeks every summer the past comes alive in the historic grandstand as fans experience not only the best in racing, but the unmatched ambience and charm of historic Saratoga Springs. Saratoga held its first thoroughbred meet just a month after the Battle of Gettysburg. Join us for a "lucky day" at the track!

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Montana and Glacier National Park

Saturday, August 14-Saturday, August 21, 2010

The Old West Comes Alive!
Join us for a journey back in time as we explore the natural beauty and historic architecture of the great State of Montana. Renowned for its national and state parks, Montana is a nature lover's paradise, from its grassy meadows to its towering cliffs and crystal-clear lakes. It is also a haven for history buffs. Explore historic mining towns, follow in the tracks of great explorers, and sample the arts and culture of Native Americans.

Big-Town Adventure, Small-Town Charm
Our adventure begins in the bustling, metropolis of Spokane, Washington. The second largest city in the state, Spokane offers attractions you expect in a major city, but with the friendly ambiance of a small frontier town. During your first night on the tour explore Spokane's Riverfront Park with 100 acres of lush meadows featuring a scenic sky ride, an IMAX theater and a historic carousel from 1909.

Dramatic Views Take Your Breath Away
More than 20,000 years ago, the territory we know as Montana was covered in sheets of glacial ice. See the dramatic results of that pre-historic ice age in the rugged mountain ranges, steep ravines and deep lakes that dominate Glacier National Park.

Glacier National Park offers one million acres of lush forest, alpine meadows and glittering lakes. A highlight of our visit is a tour of the park's famous Going-to-the-Sun Road, a 52-mile highway that crosses the Continental Divide and offers some of the area's most memorable vistas. We journey along this highway in one of the park's antique, open-air sedans---called "Jammers" because the drivers had to "jam" the gears on rugged mountain highways.

You will also follow the track of the glaciers as you cruise on the crystal waters of Upper Waterton Lake. Set in Glacier-Waterton International Peace Park in Alberta, Canada, the lake offers scenic bays, looming mountains and serene wildlife. You will tour Flathead Lake, the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi.

We take to the water again during our Gates of the Mountain cruise where we follow in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark.

Historic Landmarks and Cultural Gems
While you are enjoying "Big Skies" and magnificent landscapes, you will want to keep an eye out for examples of Montana's rich historical heritage. A land of prospectors and cowboys, Native Americans and copper barons, the American Northwest is home to remarkable historic landmarks and museums.

"Go West, young man," was the cry and towns like Wallace, Idaho were part of the reason. Called "The Silver Capital of the World," Wallace's Shoshone County has produced more than 1.1 billion ounces of silver since 1884. We will also visit the downtown area, where every building is on the National Register of Historic Places.

We’ll re-live the Westward expansion as we tour the Lewis and Clark interpretive Center, where we learn what life was like during their grueling expedition. We will also pay tribute to the Indians who settled these lands with a visit to the Blackfeet Indian Reservation and the Museum of the Plains Indian.

The American Northwest is home to beautiful architecture, from the Conrad Mansion Museum, a beautifully preserved Norman-style structure, to the stately Prince of Wales Hotel, perched high on the bluffs overlooking Waterton Lake.

Hotel Accommodations:
Day One: Red Lion River Inn, Spokane, Washington
Days Two and Three: Red Lion Inn, Kalispell, Montana
Days Four and Five: Glacier Park Lodges, Glacier National Park, Montana
Day Six: West Western Heritage Inn, Great Falls, Montana
Day Seven: Comfort Inn, Bozeman, Montana

Details

Twist and Shout-A Beatles Revue
The Weathervane Theater in New Hampshire
Luncheon at the Mountain View Grand Hotel
A Perfect Summer Afternoon

Saturday, August 21, 2010

This performance is truly nostalgia made for baby-boomers! If you were glued to the family TV set on that fateful night in February 1964, and watched the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show as they flickered across a snowy black and white screen, then you’ll love Twist and Shout. Step back to a mid-sixties TV studio complete with microphones on booms and old TV cameras. Witness costumes with all the colors and sparkles of the sixties. Listen to music that shaped your life. Join us and "Shake it up baby!".

Your afternoon begins at the Mountain View Grand resort for a tour followed by a fabulous luncheon. The Mountain View is one of America's truly grand hotels. This celebrated landmark hotel evokes the classic New Hampshire charm and ambiance of the turn of the century. The guided tour will lead you through the resort's rich history, and the luncheon will lead you into oblivion!

Details

Lake Winnipesaukee Luncheon Cruise

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Ahoy mateys! Climb aboard the M/S Mount Washington for a scenic cruise on Lake Winnipesaukee. Take in summer's bountiful beauty at its best as you cruise around New Hampshire's largest lake. Located at the foothills of the White Mountains, Lake Winnipesaukee is surrounded by mountain ranges, contains more than 240 habitable islands and covers 44,000 acres of crystal clear water. Sit back, relax and enjoy a delicious buffet luncheon during this 2 1/2 hour cruise.

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Theatre Lac Brome
Hank Williams: The Show He Never Gave

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Welcome to Theatre Lac Brome's Summer Festival of professional English-language theater in Knowlton, Quebec. Theatre Lac Brome is located in the center of picturesque Knowlton in Quebec's Eastern Townships. Founded in 1986, the theater continues a tradition of high-quality entertainment and is one of Canada's finest summer stock theatres, repertory company and theater training schools. “The Show He Never Gave” features Ralph Steiner with a live musical ensemble and recounts the short life of the great country songwriter and singer, Hank Williams.

The town of Knowlton, recognized as one of the prettiest towns in Quebec, is located on the shores of Lac Brome and oozes with Victorian charm. Enjoy strolling through the museums, boutiques, antique shops and Village Park. Arrive in Knowlton with plenty of time to enjoy this fascinating village before lunch at Le Relais Bistro. Savor contemporary, regional fare served in a country-chic decor with wrap around windows that open onto the village. The luncheon menu is a mixture of Mom's home cooking and the gastronomic talents of the chefs who take their inspiration from the French tradition.

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The Boston Symphony Orchestra
At Tanglewood

Saturday, August 28-Sunday, August 29, 2010

Celebrate summer and the 70th anniversary of the Tanglewood Music Center. Tanglewood is not simply a place to enjoy the magnificent Berkshire Hills, but a place to enjoy extraordinary music. Discover why thousands of visitors comment; "There's something so special about Tanglewood." Sit back and relax as the Boston Symphony Orchestra, featuring Emanuel Ax on the piano, entertains with Brahms Piano Concerto No 2, and Dvorak Symphony No. 9, From the New World.

We depart from Vermont late morning and travel to our hotel, The Williams Inn located in Williamstown, MA. Dating back to 1912, The Williams Inn is one of the finest destination inns in New England. Upon arrival there will be time to stroll through the beautiful gardens, enjoy a swim or hot tub, or visit the nearby shops and boutiques. Dinner is served in the Inn's elegant, but relaxed dining room. We depart for the 8:00 pm performance at Tanglewood following dinner.

Sunday morning savor a full hot buffet breakfast and take a morning walk around Williamstown before we depart for home. On the way, we will visit the Apple Barn in Bennington. We will be guided on a tour of the 300-acre apple orchard and view some of the most spectacular scenery in Southern Vermont. Next we visit their Country Market and Bake Shop overflowing with wonderful aromas of just-baked treats. Enjoy a complimentary slice of homemade hot apple pie ala mode and a choice of beverage.

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The Heart of Texas
Featuring an Authentic Dude Ranch,
Austin, San Antonio and Fort Worth

Sunday, September 12-Monday, September 20, 2010

Begin with your arrival in Austin, the capital city of Texas and the live music capital of the world! Gather with your co-travelers for a welcome dinner in one of the city's historic restaurants.

Day Two
Start your day with an introduction to "The Story of Texas" during a visit to the interactive Bob Bullock Texas History Museum. Next, visit the Texas State Capitol Building. Dating back to 1888, this historic landmark is a marvel in history and architecture. Enjoy the afternoon at your leisure to explore Austin. You may choose to participate in an optional "Inside Austin" afternoon to explore some of the city's most unique attractions. Visits include the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library and Museum, the Texas flavor landmark, " The Texas Chili Parlor," and a studio tour of "Austin City Limits."

Day Three
Travel into Texas hill country for a visit to the LBJ Ranch, birthplace of the 36th President, Lyndon B. Johnson. During you tour, visit the "Texas White House." We next visit the German settlement town of Fredericksburg. Explore the German-inspired shops and bakeries followed by a demonstration and tasting at a local chocolate factory. En route to San Antonio, experience an introduction to Texas wines with a visit to a local winery.

Day Four
Your day begins with a tour of San Antonio. History abounds with visits to the Mission San Jose, the second mission established by Fray Antonio Margil de Jesus, and the King William District, established when a large number of Germans immigrated to Texas and settled in the San Antonio area during the 1800s. Visit the Alamo that played a critical role in the Texas Revolution. People worldwide remember the Alamo as a heroic struggle against impossible odds. Experience the flavors of true Tex-Mex cuisine as you learn the art of cooking this regional favorite and making the perfect Margarita. Later, cruise along the Paseo del Rio, known as the Riverwalk, one of Texas's most prized attractions.

Day Five
Journey into cowboy country and spend a day in Bandera, "Cowboy Capital of the World," at a working dude range. A wrangler will teach you the ways of roping and saddling. Then enjoy a traditional cowboy lunch in the pasture followed by a hayride to view the wildlife on the ranch. You even have a chance to feed the local longhorns! This afternoon visit the cowboy saloon to learn the tricks of Texas hold’em before enjoying a home-style Texas dinner. End the day with a campfire and storytelling from one of the acclaimed local cowboys.

Day Six
Travel through the heart of the Lone Star State en route to the city of Fort Worth, one of Texas's largest cities and the thriving center of culture and commerce. Fort Worth is your home for the next three nights.

Day Seven
This morning we travel to the historic community of Grapevine. Enjoy a wine tasting at a local winery before boarding the Grapevine Vintage Railroad. Travel along the Cotton Belt Route into the heart of the Fort Worth Stockyards for a tour and a visit to Billy Bob's, "The World's Largest Honky Tonk." This evening experience bull riding, roping, barrel racing and more at the Stockyards Championship Rodeo!

Day Eight
Today is devoted to explore Dallas, including visits to Dealey Plaza, the Kennedy Memorial and the famous Sixth Floor Museum, whose exhibits examine the life, death and legacy of President John F. Kennedy. You will also visit Pioneer Plaza and the arts district. Enjoy free time shopping in the West End before gathering for a spectacular farewell dinner.

Day Nine
Prepare to travel home.

Details

Wicked At The Boston Opera House

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Entertainment Weekly labeled Wicked "the best musical of the decade," and when it last played in Boston in 2007 it broke box office records. Winner of 35 major awards, including a Grammy and three Tony Awards, Wicked is Broadway's biggest blockbuster, a cultural phenomenon and was just named "the defining musical of the decade" by The New York Times.

Long before that girl from Kansas arrives in Munchkinland, two girls meet in the Land of Oz. One, born with emerald green skin, is smart, fiery and misunderstood. The other is beautiful, ambitious and very popular. How these two grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good makes for "the most complete and completely satisfying musical in a long time," according to USA Today.

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"Treasures from the Forbidden City,
The Emperor's Private Paradise"
Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, MA

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Never before seen by the public, the contents of an Emperor's private retreat deep within the Forbidden City will be revealed for the first time at the Peabody Essex Museum. Ninety objects of ceremony and leisure-murals, paintings, wall coverings, furniture, architectural elements, jades and cloisonné-unveil the private realm of the Qianlong Emperor (r.1736-1796), one of history's most influential figures. In his time, he was among the richest, most powerful men in the world. A connoisseur, scholar and devout Buddhist, he created a luxurious garden compound to serve throughout his retirement as a secluded place of contemplation, repose and entertainment.

Your visit includes the 18-th century Yin Yu Tang house, a time capsule for 200 years of Chinese history. Built by a prosperous merchant in the late 1700's the home once sheltered eight generations of the Huang family. The home was dismantled and transported and in 2003 was re-erected, stone by stone at the Peabody Museum. Every one of the 10,000 bricks and 50,000 tiles composing the 18 restored rooms in this 4,500 square foot residence was perfectly restored and is waiting your viewing pleasure. Join us for this truly memorable and amazing experience.

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The Vermont Fine Furniture and Woodworking Festival

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Come one and all as the Vermont Wood Manufacturers Association presents the 7th Annual Vermont Fine Furniture and Woodworking Festival in Woodstock. This event is a celebration of the rich traditions of design and craftsmanship by Vermont woodworkers. For over 200 years, Vermont wood artisans have led the country in workmanship and innovative design. Shop for the best Vermont made wood products including furniture, bowls baskets, jewelry, carvings, flooring and cabinetry. Take part in the activities, visit with the artisans, witness woodworking demonstrations, learn how the woodworkers take care of the forests, and enjoy a horse-drawn wagon ride. There's even a free shuttle ride to the Marsh- Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park and free admission! This is a great day for the whole family and a great way to appreciate Vermont's talented artisans and spectacular fall foliage!

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Fall Foliage at the Spectacular Sagamore Resort
Cruise and Luncheon

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

For over 100years the Sagamore has been extending hospitality to visitors of Bolton Landing. Join us and surround yourself in the rich history and stunning beauty of the Adirondack region. Opened in 1883, the Sagamore has been a social center for wealthy residents of Green Island and Millionaire's Row, the stately mansions along the lake's western shore. Join us and surround yourself in the rich history and stunning beauty of the Adirondack region.

Your visit begins with a grand buffet luncheon served in the sophisticated dining room. After luncheon there will be time to stroll around the beautiful manicured grounds and take in all the sites.

After lunch, climb on board the resort's ship, the Morgan, a replicated nineteenth-century tour boat. The one and one half hour cruise around the 70-acre Green Island and surrounding shoreline is a picture-perfect end to your day at the Sagamore.

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Discover Tuscany

Thursday, September 30-Sunday, October 9, 2010

Day One
Your adventure begins with an overnight flight to Italy. Rolling landscapes, savory wines, delicious food and stunning architecture . . . this can only be Tuscany. On this outing you will experience walking tours in Italy's most charming towns, visits to magnificent historic monuments and sample mouth-watering cuisine and wines.

Day Two
Your tour begins in Rome. Upon arrival you may wish to join an optional tour of Classical Rome or enjoy free time to explore on your own. This evening get acquainted with your co- travelers during a festive welcome dinner at a local restaurant where regional foods, traditional opera music and fine Italian wines kick off your Tuscan adventure.

Day Three
Today your tour manager will help you discover the origin and history of the languages you will experience on your tour, along with key words and phrases that will help you communicate. Travel north from Rome to the medieval walled city of Assisi, the birthplace of the patron saint of Italy, St. Francis. A local expert guides you on a tour of the Basilica of St. Francis and the historic old city. Continue on through Tuscany, ending in the famous spa resort town of Montecatini Terme, your home for the next six nights.

Day Four
Begin the day learning the traditional Italian techniques of leather making during a visit to the family-owned Pierotucci Leather Shop. Continue through Tuscany's low-lying hills and olive groves to Siena. Embark on a walking tour through Siena's narrow, Gothic streets and witness stunning palaces, mansions and the historic Piazza del Campo. Enjoy free time to soak up Siena's captivating ambiance or climb to the top of the Torre Del Mangia for a breathtaking view of Siena and the Tuscan Countryside.

Day Five
Discover the hilltop village of San Gimignano, one of the most picturesque places in Tuscany. Explore the medieval town, from its famous 14 towers to its magnificent vistas overlooking the vineyards of Tuscany. Enjoy free time for lunch before hitting some of the town's great shops. Your day continues with a special visit to a Tuscan winery to sample a selection of the local wines. Learn about the art of winemaking and the process of making Italian olive oil.

Day Six
A cultural tour in the "Cradle of the Italian Renaissance" showcases the city of Florence. A local guide highlights many of the city's priceless treasures, including the Academy Gallery that houses Michelangelo's monumental statue of David. At the Piazza del Duomo, the center of religious life in medieval Florence, you will see the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. You will also view the Church of Santa Croce and the burial places of Michelangelo, Galileo and Machiavelli. This evening attend a Tuscan feast featuring traditional cuisine and wines.

Day Seven
Enjoy a day of leisure to relax and experience the local flavor. Shop at the local boutiques and dine at one of the many fine local restaurants. You may join an optional excursion to Pisa and Lucca. The Republic of Pisa is where you will find the Piazza del Mirocoli, the Cathedral or Duomo, its historic Baptistery and the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Your option continues with a journey to Lucca, one of the most charming old towns in Tuscany, to explore the gothic palaces, quaint shops and bustling streets.

Day Eight
Return to Florence and embark on a guided tour of the amazing Pitti Palace. See master works by artists such as Raphael, Rubens and Caravaggio in this impressive collection. The remainder of the day is yours to explore the many treasures of this great city. Return to Montecatini for an evening at leisure.

Day Nine
Depart Montecatini and travel to Rome. Upon arrival enjoy an optional tour to Vatican City or spend time on your own exploring the city. This evening, join your co-travelers for a farewell dinner celebrating the end of a memorable trip to the unforgettable region of Tuscany.

Day Ten
Board your return flight home.

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Arizona's Historic Trains
Featuring The Grand Canyon and Sedona

Sunday, October 3-Friday, October 8, 2010

Montezuma Castle National Monument and Jerome
Your journey starts in the mountains of Arizona. Just outside of Phoenix, carved into a limestone cliff, is a five-story, 20-room ancient Indian dwelling, which remains one of the best preserved cliff dwellings in North America. Ironically, it's not a castle and Montezuma was never here, but this amazing structure will give you a glimpse into the lives of the prehistoric Sinaqua tribes.

Your travels move ahead to the 1800's with a stop at an old mining town, Jerome. In its heyday, Jerome was a melting pot for those who dreamed of making a quick fortune.

All Aboard the Grand Canyon Railway
Explore this great canyon from the perspective of the vintage Grand Canyon Railway. Watch the ever-changing terrain, from high desert to prairie to pine as you ride into the Grand Canyon National Park. Listen to stories of history and folklore told by the train's crew.

Enchanting Sedona
Sedona, often called one of the most spiritual places on earth, fills the senses and soothes the soul with its breathtaking beauty. Experience it all as you discover the awesome majesty of this artist colony, set amidst the red rocks of Oak Creek Canyon. Step aboard the Sedona Trolley for a narrated tour, highlighted by Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village, Gallery Row and a stop at the famous Chapel of the Holy Cross. Enjoy a day of leisure to explore the eclectic art galleries and shops on your own. Take an optional jeep tour of the Sedona back-country.

Oak Creek Canyon-Verde Canyon Railroad
You’ll love this scenic, leisurely ride over old-fashioned trestles, past Indian ruins and through a 700-foot tunnel. Travel first-class on the Verde Canyon Railroad along an amazng track through canyon country. Enjoy the views from five open-air cars. Chow down in style with a chuckwagon supper at the Blazin’ M Ranch and Western Stage Show.

Hotel Accommodations:
day One: Hilton Garden Inn, Scottsdale, Arizona
days Two through Five: Best Western Arroyo Roble Hotel, Sedona, Arizona

Details

Climb Aboard the Orford Express
International Fall Foliage Train Ride and Luncheon

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Let yourself be carried away into the pleasures of a gourmet escapade onboard one of the loveliest tourist trains imaginable. Take in the spectacular views that sweep the countryside between Sherbrooke, Magog and Eastman as you gaze from the panoramic viewing section in the lounge cars. The 3 cars are both equipped with state-of-the-art kitchens and the chef serves a worldly cuisine that is appealing and refined. Along the 3 1/2 hour ride, enjoy a fascinating cultural and historical narration about the Eastern Township region. Get your cameras ready for a panoramic stop at Merry Point on Lake Memphremagog. Climb aboard with Notch Above for this truly unique adventure on the rails.

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Lake Placid Fall Foliage Outing

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Here's a great way to commemorate the 2010 Olympics and take in some magnificent fall foliage at the same trip. Travel with us along the scenic highways through the Adirondack Mountains at we make our way to Lake Placid where the 1980 Winter Games will forever be known for the "Miracle on Ice."

Our first stop will be Whiteface, the Olympic Mountain where American Phil Mahre won silver at the 1980 games. Climb aboard the eight-person Cloudsplitter Gondola for a bird's eye view that will amaze you. From the observation deck at the top of Little Whiteface, you’ll see New York's highest peaks to the south and Lake Champlain to the east. Bring your cameras!

After all the fresh air, you’ll be ready for lunch, Adirondack style at the Northwoods Inn. This historic hotel, formerly the Hotel Marcy, is a Lake Placid landmark and is recognized for great food and a warm, cozy atmosphere overlooking Main Street.

Walk off your lunch with a visit to the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympic Museum. The museum acts at the proverbial keeper of the flame. Learn how this little mountain village twice became the center of the winter sports world. The displays and exhibits bring to life the memories of Olympic achievement that occurred here in the 1932 and 1980 games.

Relax and savor the sips with a wine tasting in the Goose Watch Tasting Room. Good Watch specializes in unique premium wines; with a selection unlike any you will find anywhere. Try the Diamond and Rose of Isabella; two of the original grape varieties planted in the Finger Lakes region of New York. Browse through the charming gift shop.

Details

Michigan Autumn Foliage
And Mackinac Islands Grand Hotel

Thursday, October 7-Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Windy City Whirlwind
Our tour begins in Chicago with a fantastic sightseeing journey to some of the Windy City's great architectural treasures.

Sand Dunes and Soo Locks
Leave the city behind and travel to Traverse City, Michigan, known for its sparkling beaches and charming shops. Sleeping Bear Dunes was named for an Indian legend. These golden dunes stretch for more than 64 miles along Lake Michigan. The largest waterway traffic systems in the world, the Soo Locks, were originally constructed in 1797 as part of an effort to connect Lake Superior and the Great Lakes. During a narrated cruise along the lake's international shoreline, we’ll experience the thrill of "locking through" the canal as these remarkable engineering structures lift our boat 21 feel up to the level of Lake Superior.

Step Back in Time
A trip to Mackinac Island is like a trip back in time. From its bluff cottages to its quaint horse-drawn carriages (no cars are allowed on the island), this peaceful resort offers a glimpse into life during a simpler era. This historic setting offers guided tours of beautifully preserved structures from the island's rich past as a fur-trading outpost. History buffs will enjoy Fort Mackinac, a national landmark first constructed during the American Revolution.

We will stay two nights at the majestic Grand Hotel. Enjoy a stroll on the 600-foot front porch, take afternoon tea at the Grand, or enjoy the evening air from the hotel's perfectly manicured gardens.

A Bavarian Welcome
Raise a stein of good cheer in Frankenmuth, also knows as "Michigan's Little Bavaria." Stroll over Zehnder's Holz-Brucke, a 239-foot replica of an authentic 19th century covered bridge and visit the charming Bavarian-style shops. A trip to Bronner's Christmas Wonderland, a shopper's dream-come-true is a Michigan must!

Hotel Accommodations:

Day One: Embassy Suites Hotel, Chicago, Illinois
Day Two: Days Inn, Traverse City, Michigan
Day Three: Ramada Plaza Ojibway, Sault Ste Marie, Michigan
Days Four and Five: The Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island, Michigan
Day Six: Bavarian Inn Lodge, Frankenmuth, Michigan

Details

The Branson Musical Getaway

Friday, October 8-Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Branson is truly a remarkable vacation destination and offers an incredible value with more than 50 live performance theaters, three pristine lakes, dozens of attractions and museums, shopping galore and a full range of dining options. Join us for this outing highlighting the Hughes Brothers, the Titanic Museum, the Dutton Family Theater, Twelve Irish Tenors, #1 Hits of the 60's, Doug Gabriel Show, Yakov Smirnoff and SIX.

Friday we depart from Burlington, via air and arrive in Branson late afternoon/early evening. Enjoy the evening at your leisure.

Saturday begins with a fantastic show by the Hughes Brothers. After the show visit the unique Mountain Man Nut and Fruit Company where you will sample homemade gourmet snacks. You will also visit the Titanic Museum and experience the tragic and heroic history of this great shop. Tonight you will be treated to an energetic and fun loving show at the Dutton Family Theater.

Sunday is yours to experience the magic of Branson on your own. With so much to see and do, the choices are endless. Your tour manager will be on hand to offer suggestions. You may join an optional excursion featuring a cruise on scenic Table Rock Lake, complete with lunch and a performance followed by a visit to Silver Dollar City, a recreated 1880's mining town. This evening, rejoin your co-travelers and visit Branson Landing, a waterfront area dotted with shops and restaurants where you have to time to explore before dinner at a local restaurant.

Monday morning enjoy an incredible performance by the Twelve Irish Tenors at the Branson Variety Theatre. Next, learn about the history of the Ozarks during an interactive lecture with a local expert. Later, it's off to experience the lively #1 Hits of the 60's Show. This production highlights everything wonderful about this era of music and dance. The evening is yours to enjoy at your leisure or join an optional excursion including dinner and a performance by Shoji Tabuchi.

There is no better way to start your Tuesday than with the fantastic entertainment of the Doug Gabriel show. He's certain to entertain you with his world-famous "Mufftar", a guitar made out of a 1969 Thunderbird muffler! Then enjoy a comedic journey packed with hilarious tales with Yakov Smirnoff, the famous Russian comedian. Your day concludes with dinner and a performance by SIX, voted Branson's Best Show.

Wednesday prepare for your flight home, tapping your foot to the rhythms of your musical adventure in Branson.

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Disney on Ice - Montreal's Bell Centre

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Welcome the "Princesses of Disney" as they star in this new show, Princess Wishes. Snow White, Jasmin (Aladdin), Belle (from Beauty and the Beast), Aurora, Ariel (The Little Mermaid) and Mulan will all be on hand, as well as Cinderella in Montreal's premier performance.

Enter a world of wishes with your favorite Disney princess. Tinker Bell whisks you through a collection of enchanting and beloved Disney Stories. Join Ariel as she yearns to explore the world above the waves. See Snow White find her one true love. Discover a whole new world with Jasmine. And, watch in wonder as the dreams of Cinderella, Belle, Aurora and Mulan all come true.

Bring the kids and be sure to see this magical show where believing is just the beginning!

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"It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown"
Keene Pumpkin Festival

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Immerse yourself in the "spirit" of Halloween at the Keene Pumpkin Festival. During the day explore the streets and grounds that are lined with food stands and craft booths. Take in the special activities for the kids including a costume parade, face painting and pumpkin seed spitting and pie eating contests. Live music on three stages fills the air with celebration.

When the sun starts to set, witness the dark become illuminated with more than 25,000 votive candles, as volunteers rush to light thousands and thousands of carved pumpkins. The record was broken in October 2009, as 29,068 pumpkins were stacked and lit. Join visitors from around the world and revel in this magnificent evening that ends with a spectacular fireworks display.

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Visit our Nation's Capital-Washington, DC

Friday, October 22-Monday, October 25, 2010

Autumn is the perfect time to enjoy the outdoor treasures and catch a glimpse of nature's splendor in the Capital District. George Washington and Pierre L'Enfant's masterful design strategy provides a breathtaking landscape painted with a mosaic of warm toned shades of orange and gold to purple and scarlet.

Day One
We arrive in Washington, DC early evening and enjoy "La Dolce Vita" at a renowned Italian Restaurant. Following a relaxing dinner, we arrive at our hotel.

Day Two
Saturday we depart with a local guide and visit Arlington National Cemetery, the resting place for President John F. Kennedy, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Audie Murphie, Joe Louis and thousands of soldiers from every major U.S. War. Our next stop is at the NEW Capitol Visitor's Center. The Visitors's Center is the largest project in the Capitol's 215-year history, and the entire facility is located underground. Enter the exhibition gallery and witness the House and Senate while in session.

After lunch on your own at the Visitor's Center, your guide will lead you to the United States Capitol for a photo op, on to the United States Library of Congress, the largest national library in the world with more than 100 million items in three buildings and on to The Supreme Court Building for an outside view of this white marble monument.

Late afternoon visits include The National World War II Memorial, The Vietnam Veterans Memorial, The Lincoln Memorial and The Korean War Veterans Memorial.

Enjoy dinner served on the waterfront in Georgetown before embarking on a breathtaking illuminated tour to include the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the Jefferson Memorial.

Day Three
After breakfast in the hotel, visit the White House Visitor's Center and stop for a White House photo opportunity. Next on the schedule is an opportunity to visit your choice of the Smithsonian Institution's museums on the National Mall. Options include the National Air and Space Museum, the National Museum of Natural History, the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, National Museum of African Art, the Arts and Industries Building, the Newly Renovated National Museum of American History, The National Museum of the American Indian, the National Gallery of Art, the Freer Gallery of Art or the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery.

Enjoy the local flavors this evening at the Rock Bottom Brewery. Then, meet your local guide and depart into the star studded sky for an illuminated tour of the Pentagon 9/11 Memorial Park, The Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima Statue) and the Air Force Memorial overlooking the Pentagon.

Day Four
Enjoy a farewell breakfast in your hotel and prepare to say goodbye to our nation's capital. There will be rest and food stops along the way back to Vermont.

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The Best of the South:
Savannah, Charleston, Hilton Head and Jekyll Island

Thursday, November 4-Sunday, November 14, 2010

Experience southern hospitality, a relaxed pace and old-world charm. Stroll down cobblestone streets as century-old live oaks shade magnificent homes where the past and present meet.

Day One
This combination rail and road outing begins with an overnight stay in Rutland. You may travel to Rutland on your own or car pool with other travelers.

Day Two
Bright and early Friday morning, we depart via Amtrak and experience a fascinating ride to Yonkers, New York, where we arrive early afternoon. Transfer via included shuttle service to your hotel, The Royal Regency. You will have time to refresh before departing for the afternoon and evening.

This afternoon, embark on a 2 1/2 hour guided tour of the Yonkers area. You will visit Kykuit, the palatial estate, overlooking the Hudson River, built by the Rockefeller family. Witness the house's fine furnishings, subterranean art galleries, the Inner Garden and West Terrace. You will also see the outdoor sculpture collection and the mammoth Coach Barn with its collection of antique carriages and classic automobiles.

After the tour, your local guide will lead you to one of the area's finest restaurants where you will savor the selections of a three-course dinner. Return to the hotel after dinner.

Day Three
Join other travelers from Upper Class Tours and travel via luxury motor coach to Richmond where we overnight. Enjoy a guided driving tour of this historic city before dinner at the Cracker Barrel Restaurant.

Day Four
We arrive mid-afternoon in Savannah and check into our hotel, our home for the next five nights and located in the heart of Savannah's historic district. Enjoy dinner on historic River Street at the River House Restaurant.

Day Five
Depart on a guided driving tour of Savannah and discover one of America's most intriguing and mysterious cities. You will learn why the city is known as “The Belle of the South.” Visit the Owens's Thomas House, considered the finest example of English Regency architecture in America. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.

Day Six
Today we travel to nearby Charleston for a guided driving tour of America's beautifully preserved architectural and historic treasure. Tour magnificent Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, founded in 1676. Discover Charleston's City Market with free time for shopping.

Day Seven
Experience Hilton Head's antebellum roots on a guided tour of the Island and explore picturesque Harbortown. Dine overlooking Vic's On The River.

Enhance your vacation and discover the "Golden Isles" of Georgia, once an exclusive playground for America's rich. Enjoy a guided tram tour of Jekyll Island and visits to Christ Church and St. Simon's Lighthouse followed by an incredible family-style dinner at local favorite restaurant, Mrs. Wilkes. 77.00 per person

Day Eight
Enjoy a day at your leisure in Savannah or partake in the optional tour described below.
Enhance your vacation and discover the "Golden Isles" of Georgia, once an exclusive playground for America's rich. Enjoy a guided tram tour of Jekyll Island and visits to Christ Church and St. Simon's Lighthouse followed by an incredible family-style dinner at local favorite restaurant, Mrs. Wilkes. 77.00 per person

Day Nine
We begin our trip home as we travel to Fayetteville for a guided tour of the city and a Farewell Dinner at the Hilltop House Restaurant before checking into our hotel.

Day Ten
We arrive back in Yonkers and overnight at the Royal Regency Hotel.

Day Eleven
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast in the hotel this morning. If you wish, you may travel via taxicab to a nearby mall for some last minute shopping and lunch on your own. Early afternoon the shuttle service transports you to the Amtrak Station for your 3:39 pm train to Rutland, with arrival at 9:05 pm.

Details

The Boston Christmas Festival

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Join us as we travel to a beloved Boston tradition, the 24th Annual Christmas Festival. Herald in the holiday season at Boston's Seaport World Trade Center, as over 350 of the nation's most acclaimed artists and master craftsmen converge to create a shopper's treasure trove of gifts. Browse through an endless array of gorgeous home accessories, designer fashions, artisan jewelry, handcrafted holiday décor, tempting gourmet foods and more. Stop by the Gingerbread House Competition where you will be amazed by the confectionary masterpieces. The day is yours to enjoy at your leisure.

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Equine Affaire®
"The Nation's Premiere Equestrian Gathering"
West Springfield, MA

Friday, November 12, 2010

The 13th annual Equine Affaire® in the Northeast will draw tens of thousands of horse people to enjoy a world-class educational program and extensive trade show as well as an entertaining and informative competition. Join us for this weekday trip to the Big E grounds and avoid the weekend crowds!

The 2010 Equine Affaire® will feature more than 60 in-depth clinics conducted by many of the nation's foremost trainers, coaches, and competitors in three separate clinic arenas. More than 65 seminars and demonstrations will be offered in the Seminar Stage and Demo Ring to cover subjects as wide-ranging as natural and alternative therapies, stable management, nutrition, and first aid techniques.

The Equine Affaire® hosts the largest equine-related trade show in the East! Five buildings will cover several acres of exhibit space featuring a full range of products and services presented by hundreds of vendors.

Make time to check out the Breed Pavilion, Horse and Farm Exhibits, and the Arabian Horse Association Youth Pavilion. Equine Affaire is a special place for horse-crazy kids of all ages!

A list of exhibitors, presenters and the clinic and seminar schedule are coming soon!

Details

The Ultimate Cooking and Entertaining Show
Featuring Paula Deen and Bobby Flay
Washington, DC

Friday, November 12-Sunday, November 14, 2010

Join us at the premiere consumer event for cooking and entertaining enthusiasts featuring live presentations by the hottest Food Network celebrities, cooking demonstrations by nationally renowned chefs, tasting and entertaining workshops, food and wine pairings, wine seminars and more!

Upon arrival in Virginia Friday evening you’ll be greeted to "La Dolce Vita"(the good life) at the Brio Tuscan Grille. Brio surrounds you with the pleasures of the Tuscan country with a 5 course chef-led dinner. The chef will converse about each item on your menu and explain the unique inspiration behind each dish and offer cooking tips for you to try when you return home. For the perfectly sweet ending, savor a cupcake delivered from Food Network host, Warren Brown's Cakelove Bakery.

Following dinner, we arrive at our hotel. Relax and enjoy a complimentary wine and beer welcome reception.

Following breakfast in the hotel on Saturday, travel to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center for The Metropolitan Cooking and Entertaining Show. Watch the DC Metro area's hottest chefs as they perform live cooking demonstrations. Improve your cooking and entertaining skills by attending one of the fun and informative workshops.

Mid morning, take your seats and get ready to be entertained by the culinary talents of Bobby Flay! Flay's culinary versatility is evident in the multiple talents he brings to the field; as a critically acclaimed chef/restaurateur, award-winning cookbook author and television personality. In addition to his restaurants, Flay shares his knowledge and enthusiasm for food through his 9 cookbooks and many national cooking shows on the Food Network and is also Food Correspondent for "The Early Show on CBS."

After the show, enjoy lunch on your own at Good Stuff Eatery, owned by Top Chef, Spike Mendelson. This is more than a simple hamburger joint. It is a rallying cry. It is a whoop, a holler, a hail and a salaam! Good Stuff is the best way for the greater good of Washington, DC to enjoy handmade burgers, hand-cut fries and handspun ice cream. We return to the cooking and entertaining show for the remainder of the afternoon.

This evening we are joined by a local guide to spend an unforgettable time in historic Old Town Alexandria. Visit the historic streets of Old Town and learn about its rich and varied history. Stop at three local restaurants for an elegant six-course progressive meal that represents the true flavor of the area while expanding and challenging your palette. Two of the finest culinary minds in Old Town Alexandria will painstakingly create the courses and pair them with beverages for a gastronomic adventure.

Sunday morning, after breakfast in the hotel, travel to The Metropolitan Cooking and Entertaining Show at the Convention Center. Witness culinary skills and tricks of the trade as they are preformed by the DC Metro area's hottest chefs.

Depart for a family-style lunch at the Thunder Grill in Union Station. At 1:00 pm, take your reserved seat and get ready to be entertained and educated by Paula Deen. She is the quintessential American success story, a best-selling author and a television show host, a tastemaker to the stars and to the everyday housewife and family. She has carved one of the most effective and wide-ranging entertainment brands that exist today. A brand that is idyllic, inspiring, fun and very much American.

At approximately 2:30 pm depart for home, filled with creative culinary ideas and entertaining enhancements, just in time for the holiday season!

Details

European's Christmas Markets
Featuring Austria, Germany, France and Switzerland

Thursday, December 2-Friday, December 10, 2010

Snow-capped Alpine vistas and the legendary Black Forest are the perfect backdrops for this nine-day tour exploring Europe's Christmas Markets. Collect one-of-a-kind treasures for everyone in the charming markets of Innsbruck, Strasbourg, and Bern. Attend a private choir performance in an 850-year old church followed by a traditional Black Forest dinner. Enjoy tours of Innsbruck, in the heart of the Alps, and of Lucerne, the "Swiss Paradise on the Lake."

Day One
Board your overnight flight to Oberammergau, Germany.

Day Two
Your vacation begins in Oberammergau. This evening join your fellow travelers for dinner featuring local cuisine.

Day Three
Your tour manager will help you discover the origin and history of the language(s) you will experience on your tour, along with key words and phrases that will help you communicate with the locals. Travel through the spectacular Bavarian Alps to Innsbruck. A local guide will provide a tour highlighting the city's rich history, culture and popular attractions, including Maria Theresienstrasse, the Hofburg and the "Golden Roof." Enjoy the afternoon at your leisure to site see and shop in the Christmas market.

Day Four
This morning, travel to Munich and enjoy a panoramic tour featuring the Marienplatz, the Glockenspiel and Olympic Park. There will be free time to experience Munich before returning to Oberammergau to stroll through this small town of craftsmen that owes its fame to the internationally known Passion Play.

Day Five
Today's highlights include a picture stop at Wies Church, a World Heritage Site. Also view Neuschwanstein, the famous castle in Bavaria with its turrets and pinnacles. Traverse southern Germany, skirting the northern shores of Lake Constance to the Black Forest and proceed to the heart of the mysterious Black Forest region; the setting of legends and stories of your. Shop for authentic cuckoo clocks, Hummels and woodcarvings. This evening enjoy a private choir concern performed in an 850-year old church followed by a traditional Black Forest dinner.

Day Six
Travel the picturesque valleys of the Black Forest and the vineyard fields of the Alsace to the provincial capital city of Strasbourg, France, where centuries of Roman, French, German and Alsatian influences blend together to lend this city its unique local character. Enjoy a guided tour of the charming old quarter, "Petite France," featuring the Cathedral of Notre Dame, considered to be one of the noblest achievements of Western architecture. Free time allows you to visit the Christmas market before dinner at the Gurtlerhoft Restaurant.

Day Seven
Travel to Bern, one of Europe's most beautiful capital cities. Partake in a panoramic city tour featuring the Bundeshaus (the Swiss Parliament), the famous Bear Pit and the impressive Cathedral. Explore the area and shop for handmade items at the local Christmas market.

Day Eight
Travel to Lucerne, the "Swiss Paradise on the Lake." Enjoy a scenic walking tour of Lucerne. The rest of the day is yours for shopping and sightseeing. Return to Bern in the evening for a farewell celebration dinner complete with the region's famous cheese fondue.

Day Nine
Following breakfast, prepare for your return flight home.

Details

Nantucket Christmas Stroll

Friday, December 3-Sunday, December 5, 2010

Share Christmas memories and create new ones as you ring in the holiday season wrapped in tradition. Arrive in Hyannis at the Heritage House Hotel near Hyannis Harbor. Enjoy hot cider as you witness a gingerbread house demo. Capture the essence of a Cape Cod Christmas on a holiday light tour of Barnstable's historic village. Dinner at the Barnstable Tavern is followed by live entertainment back at the hotel.

After breakfast, the ferry whisks you to the island of Nantucket for the festive Christmas Stroll. Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive on a Coast Guard Vessel and welcome visitors as they ride through town in a horse-drawn carriage. Sounds of the season fill the air as Victorian carolers, bell ringers and choirs parade through the village. Warm up in the shops and boutiques and enjoy samples and holiday specials. Witness the "harbor lighting" on the ferry ride back to the mainland. Return to your hotel for dinner and live entertainment.

After a farewell breakfast in the hotel, shop ´till you drop at one of Cape Cod's landmarks, The Christmas Tree Shop

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Handel's Messiah in Montreal

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Welcome the holidays as the Montreal Symphony Orchestra renews its longest running holiday tradition when Kent Nagano conducts Handel's Messiah in the majestic Notre-Dame Basilica. Come and rediscover this monumental pillar of the baroque repertoire, which continues to enthrall music lovers more than two centuries after its premier.

Prior to the concert, enjoy dinner at Chez Queux, one of Old Montreal's most charming restaurants. Situated in an antique architectural jewel, the refinement of the restaurant's cuisine brings to mind the meals prepared by the king's chefs at the French Court. According to The Wine Spectator Magazine, Chez Queux offers "one of the most outstanding wine lists in the world."

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Radio City's Rockettes in Boston!

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Bring the whole family to the grandest holiday show of all times! Fill your heart with the holiday season as the Rockettes bring their eye-high kicks and a cast and crew of over 100 to the Wang Theater. Witness the "12 Days of Christmas," the legendary favorite, "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers," and the awe-inspiring "Living Nativity." Make this a holiday "must see" tradition with your friends and family.

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Cirque du Soleil presents Quidam
The Bell Centre, Montreal

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Celebrate the end of the year with your friends and family and the magical entertainment of Cirque du Soleil. Follow a young girl´s escape into a world of imagination during this thrilling combination of acrobatic artistry, technical expertise, extravagant design and exceptional musical inspiration.

Quidam: a nameless passer-by, a solitary figure lingering on a street corner, a person rushing past. It could be anyone, anybody: Someone coming, going, living in our anonymous society, a member of the crowd, one of the silent majority, the one who cries out, sings and dreams within us all. This is the "Quidam" that Cirque du Soleil is celebrating.

A young girl fumes; she has already seen everything there is to see, and her world has lost all meaning. Her anger shatters her little world, and she finds herself in the universe of Quidam. She is joined by a joyful companion as well as another character, more mysterious, who will attempt to seduce her with the marvelous, the unsettling, and the terrifying.

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The Jersey Boys Return to Boston!
Back By Popular Demand

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Due to sell-out crowds, The Jersey Boys are hosting a repeat performance in Boston. The 2006 Tony Award Winner for Best Musical continues as Broadway's biggest success story. Follow the rags-to-rock-to-riches tale of four blue-collar kids working their way from the streets of Newark to the heights of stardom. According to The New York Times, "the crowd goes wild listening to hits such as "Sherry," "Big Girls Don’t Cry," "Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, " "Oh, What a Night" and more.

Treat yourself, family and friends to a post-holiday afternoon filled with fabulous entertainment! Call early for reservations or a perfect Christmas gift!.

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Grease At the Boston Opera House

Saturday, April 30, 2011

Bring "the one that you want!" Take a trip to a simpler time of poodle skirts, drive- in theaters and T-birds. "Bad boy" Danny and "the girl next door" Sandy, fall in love all over again to your favorite songs: "Summer Nights," "Greased Lightnin’" and "Hopelessly Devoted to You." Get ready to Hand Jive in the isles and join us for a rock n' roll celebration of growin' up, cruisin' with friends and goin' steady. Grease is the word!

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West Side Story
Boston's Colonial Theater

Saturday, June 26, 2011

More than fifty years ago, one musical changed theater forever. Now it's back mesmerizing audiences once again. From the first note to the final breath, West Side Story soars as the greatest love story of all time. Directed by its two-time Tony Award-winning librettist, Arthur Laurents, West Side Story remains as powerful, poignant and timely as ever. The new Broadway cast album recently won the 2010 Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album. The score is considered to be one of Broadway's finest, and features such classics as "Something's Coming," "Tonight," "America," "I Feel Pretty" and "Somewhere."

"West Side Story transports the achingly beautiful tale of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet to the turbulent streets of the Upper West Side in 1950's New York City," according to the producers. "Two star-crossed lovers, Tony and Maria, find themselves caught between the rival street gangs of different ethnic backgrounds, the "Jets" and the "Sharks." Their struggle to exist together in a world of violence, hate and prejudice is one of the most heart-breaking, relevant and innovative musical masterpieces of our time."

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