Student Travel Planning Guide

2010 EDITION

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POST-TOUR

4 Let Us Help You with the Homework

6 First Decisions:

Why, Where and When

8 Trip-Planning Timeline

10 Working With Tour Providers

12 Choosing a Tour Hotel

14 Food and Fun

16 Student Discipline on Tour

18 Choosing Chaperones

20 Why Students Need

Group Travel Insurance

22 Post-Tour Activities

24 State-by-State Directory Resources

34 National Directory Resources

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3 Student Travel Planning Guide studenttraveldirectory.com

Vol. 1, No. 1 2010 EDITION

FIRST DECISIONS

con t e n t s

ON THE COVER: Charting a course for adventure

(photo courtesy of 2009 © evangelos thomaidis.

image from Bigstockphoto.com)

TOUR PROVIDERS

Article images courtesy of © 2009 JupiterimAges Corporation

6

22

10

Randy Mink

Oh, to be young, free and travelingto fun places with your friends, not

your parents. That first group trip,whether it’s just over the state border oracross the ocean, can be a monumentalevent in a young person’s life.

Whether the destination is Chicago,Washington, D.C. or Europe, a schooltrip often provides students their firsttrue taste of independence—a chance tobe away from family in a carefree setting.What an adventure!

The eye-opener for my son a few yearsago was a high school band trip to DisneyWorld. For me, it was a summer study

program in Salzburg, Austria—an experi-ence that stays with me decades later.

As a group leader and tour manager,I’ve had the privilege of seeing the U.S.,Europe, even Africa through the eyes ofmy student charges. Having worked inoffices of student travel companies, how-ever, I know that these educational ad-ventures do not just happen. They take alot of planning.

This inaugural edition of the StudentTravel Planning Guide is designed to be aone-stop resource for developing thatperfect trip. Written by educators for ed-ucators, our annual print directory mixeshow-to advice with listings of destina-tions, attractions and hotels interested in

hosting student groups. Built upon thefoundation of our previously publishedPrep Traveler magazine and our expertisewith print and online directories, thisplanning tool will help guide your deci-sions throughout the year.

Alongside the Planning Guide, we alsohave launched two complementary prod-ucts for the market. StudentTravelDirec-tory.com contains the most comprehensivedirectory resource for the student travelmarket today. With listings and links tothousands of student/youth-friendly desti-nations and businesses, it’s designed to bethe premier research tool for the market.

Additionally, InSite on Student Travel is a monthly e-magazine, debuting inJanuary 2010. InSite takes its cue fromour company’s popular InSite on LeisureGroup Travel e-magazine for the grouptour market, with regular doses of ideas,inspiration, best practices and new destinations.

We hope this Planning Guide, com-bined with our online resources, willhelp you plan a trip to remember.

Happy traveling,

Randy MinkManaging Editor

Let Us Help With the Homework

The new Student Travel Planning Guideand companion online resources smooth theway in helping you design successful trips.

Vol. 1, No. 1, 2010 Edition

Editorial Office621 Plainfield Road, Suite 406

Willowbrook, IL 60527P 630.794.0696 • F 630.794.0652

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Contributing WritersMike Streich

Tara Entwistle-ClarkJohn Martinen

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Advertising Sales OfficePhone: 630.794.0696

[email protected]

The publisher accepts unsolicited editorial matter, as well as advertising, but assumesno responsi bility for statements made by advertisers or contributors. Every effort is

made to ensure the accuracy of the information published, but the publisher makes nowarranty that listings are free of error. The publisher is not responsible for the return of

unsolicited photos, slides or manuscripts.

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

A publication


For a teacher, it can be challenging to make the decision totravel with students. There are so many concerns, and there

are horror stories out there circulating on the web.However, the experience of student travel can be a reward-

ing one, for both students and adults alike. Although it is funand relaxing to travel with friends and family, traveling withstudents allows adults to see the world differently. Perhapsyou have already visited a locale, but when you see it throughthe eyes of a student who has not, you begin to appreciate theworld even more. You see things you likely missed in yourown travels. What is even more exciting is when you seethings that you teach about in your curriculum or talk aboutwith your club, and the students on tour make those connec-tions without prompting. There are no teachable momentsthat beat those experiences!

Of course, simply stating that you want to travel is not thesame as knowing how to go about doing it. For starters, wherewould you go? Why? Although there will be more even moredecisions along the way, they are secondary to choosing totravel and knowing why you are. If you are in student travelfor the wrong reasons (i.e. a free trip or to get out of the class-room), the experience will not be what it should for anyoneinvolved. The reality is that you will have a better time onyour own if you do not want to take students, so do not plana trip if you are not doing it for the kids!At this point, let us assume that you definitely want to

travel and that you are sure it is for the students, not for you.Where should you go? How can you relate it to your class or

club? There is a variety of options, but a lot will be determinedby your area of study. History teachers can travel to Europe, to locations like

Normandy, France, or Berlin. They can also stay in the UnitedStates and visit Boston or areas in California that were part ofthe Gold Rush. English teachers have a vast array of destina-tions at their disposal, from England and Ireland to the North-east and even Faulkner’s Mississippi. Science teachers cantravel to study geology in Utah and Nevada or astronomy atone of the NASA space centers. Finally, coaches can travel toCooperstown, N.Y. for the Baseball Hall of Fame, or dramaclub directors can take kids to Hollywood or New York City.


First Decisions: Why, Where and When

The question you must ask yourself firstis what do you want students to takefrom this trip? From there, you canbegin to choose destinations that will fit that objective, and then you can narrow down those choices to fit withinyour budget and timeline.

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If the goal is not educational but team building, there areeven more destinations appropriate to student travel. Whatwould beat a team building trip to Walt Disney World? Teamsand clubs will find that Disney even plans special events for per-formers and teams, which increase the value of the experience.How about a visit to New York City for sightseeing and a show?There are even more rugged options, like whitewater rafting inseveral areas on the East Coast or a visit to the Grand Canyon. The question you must ask yourself first is what do you

want students to take from this trip?From there, you can begin to choosedestinations that will fit that objective,and then you can narrow down thosechoices to fit within your budget andtimeline. As for when to travel, the best

time obviously will be during vaca-tions, so that students do not misstoo much time out of school. Thereare four standard vacation periods,not including holiday weekends. Atrip of three days will obviously bemuch easier to plan than a week-longtrip, simply for the fact that there is agreater range of date availability.

December:You will have far moretrouble recruiting because parents andstudents would rather be home forthe holidays.

February: Some schools have awinter break in February, but thedanger of traveling at this time isweather. Depending on your city ofdeparture or your destination, youcould be facing major weather delays.Do not forget, as well, that it is pos-sible you may have a layover in a citythat will be affected by these delays.Sure, if you are flying direct fromLos Angeles to Hawaii, chances areyou will have little concern aboutweather. If, however, you are flying toa place like Boston or Chicago, it isadvisable to consider weather as amajor factor in your trip planning.

April/May:This (and late March,depending on when Easter falls) is

the most popular vacation time. The weather is more likely tocooperate, and school is almost out!

Summer: Summer offers you the most flexibility. You willneed to consider, however, how many students want to be in-volved in a school-related trip during summer. Many studentshave summer jobs or have plans to travel with family. You arelikely to lose a few travelers, but depending on how open yourinvite is, you may be able to pick up alumni who are now incollege to join you on the trip.

Call 866 868-7774 (866 Tours SI) or visit www.si.edu/group_tours

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studenttraveldirectory.com Student Travel Planning Guide 7

Trip-Planning Timeline


Once a teacher, club leader or band director makes thedecision to travel, suddenly he or she is caught up in a

whirlwind of activity. Deadlines are fast approaching, andthere are a million questions to field from students and par-ents. Knowing what to tackle first, what decisions to put offand what support to ask for will be helpful in making theprocess as smooth as possible.

Up to one year before departure: Your main choices at thispoint will be where to travel, when to travel and with whomto book travel (if you are using an agency/tour operator). How-ever, you cannot make too many decisions about details be-cause airlines will not likely have a lot of information yet, andrestaurants have been known to disappear.

One major task you can focus on is recruiting students foryour trip. Working out payments over a year is far better, so itis not a bad idea to plan this far in advance. Be forewarned,though, that once the decision is made, the trip is booked andstudents are registered, you will see a lot of down time. Tokeep student interest up, have regular trip meetings, perhapswith food from the destination.

3-11 months before departure: Airfare and/or motor-coach arrangements, as well as hotel accommodations andmeal reservations, will need to be made. If you are leaving thecountry, you will need to start focusing on getting passportsand visas. You also want to check in with the kids, as theirlives may change. For example, a student had signed up for atrip who then had to move across the country. With time, theteacher was able to determine if she preferred to fly from hernew home or depart with the group.

Three months before departure: The students will needto finish paying you or the travel agency/tour operator. If you

need airport transfers, you will need to get those detailsworked out. At this point, you also need to check that stu-dents have passports and other documentation, and that theirnames are spelled correctly. It would be terrible to arrive atthe airport only to find that they forgot to update a passportor that the ticket was made out to the wrong person. Finally,you may need to have students choose roommates for hotels.

One month before departure: It is question time! Do youhave emergency contact info for each traveler? Have you hada meeting to confirm trip details and gather any last info youneed? Is everyone paid in full? Do students have the itemsthey need, such as luggage, cell phones (with internationalSIM cards if you are leaving the country), chargers andadapters for electronics? Do students have spending moneyin the proper currency? Do any students have special dietaryrestrictions? Do you have medical and allergy information?Do parents have your emergency contact information? If youcan answer all the questions thrown at you, you are in thehome stretch!

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Deadlines are fast approaching, andthere are a million questions to fieldfrom students and parents. Knowingwhat to tackle first, what decisions toput off and what support to ask for willbe helpful in making the process assmooth as possible.

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Working with tour providers regularly,with bi-weekly communication, willenable the teacher group leader to diffuse potential problems, clarifyquestions and ensure a successful experience for all participants.

Working With Tour Providers


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The most important aspect of working effectively with tourproviders is regular communication, either by telephone or

through e-mail. Most student tour providers offer excellentwebsites that allow participants to enroll and make paymentsonline, answer basic questions, provide helpful downloads suchas city guides, and detail every aspect of the itinerary.

Specific Requests

After contracting with a tour provider, teacher groupleaders should let the provider know their most importantconsiderations regarding the tour. Examples include:• Specific flight patterns (longer or shorter layovers, etc.)• Location of hotels (within the cities or outside of urban areas)• Meal upgrades (may increase the per-person price of the tour)• Participants with “stay-behind” requests• Participants traveling from gateways other than the group

Paperwork and Student/Parent Information

It is important to keep up-to-date with all paperwork requested by the tour provider by the given deadlines.These include:• Any liability contracts or agreements to act as a group leader• Gathering of student information such as passport data• Creation of an emergency calling tree• Reminding participants and guardian of payment schedules• Providing information on trip insurances• Enrolling participants on optional tour excursions• Matching passport names with names on the trip rosterThis final point is highly critical. The tour provider issues

flight tickets in the name of the participant as enrolled. Therecan be no difference between the name on the provider’s rosterand the name in the passport. Correcting this in the days beforedeparture can cost hundreds of dollars.

Feedback

Group leaders will not be able to contact tour providerconsultants while on tour unless there is a case of an on-touremergency. Thus, feedback is very important:• Complete all feedback, evaluation forms thoroughly• Make comments when necessary

• Call the provider upon returning and summarize the experience• Detail what was really effective• Detail anything that was disappointing

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Teachers can get a good overview ofassigned hotels by looking over thehotel webpage and reading reviewsof the hotel by other patrons. It is alsohelpful to ask the tour provider to pro-vide the names of other group leaderswho stayed in that particular hotel.

Choosing a Tour Hotel


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The quality of hotels varies considerably. Tour providers willuse hundreds of different properties, obtaining the best

possible price in line with the overall cost of the student tour. Students are lodged three or four to a room; adults are

placed two to a room. Each room has a private bath andshower. Most hotels used on student tours will be two- orthree-star properties, although it is not uncommon to belodged in a four-star hotel. Group leaders with specific re-quests should make those known to tour providers monthsbefore departure.

Questions regarding hotels should include:• If the hotel is in the city, is the neighborhood safe• If not in the city, how far from the central city is the hotel• If rural, is the hotel on the city transportation grid• Has this particular hotel been used by the tour provider before• If breakfast is included, is it continental style, buffet, or a full, hot breakfast• Is there Internet access• Does the hotel have indoor corridors• Does the hotel maintain independent security• Are the rooms furnished with mini-bars

Mini-Bars and Alcohol Access

Groups with alcohol policies must advise the tourproviders and on-site tour directors to avoid student use ofmini-bars. Even if no alcoholic beverages are in these refrig-erators, the prices on everything from sparkling water to softdrinks are highly inflated. Some mini-bars can be locked byhotel staff. Those that cannot be locked must be manually di-vested of alcohol. This may entail an additional room charge.

Checking In

• Prepare rooming lists ahead of arrival• Give each student a hotel business card in the event they get lost while in the city• Look over the neighborhood before allowing students to leave the hotel during free time• Let students know where breakfast will be served• The on-site tour director will post the daily itinerary inthe hotel lobby; students should know where this is• Hold a brief meeting that reemphasizes hotel behavior• Advise against using in-room telephone service

Common Hotel Problems

• Students congregating in the hotel halls and disturbingother guests• Slamming of room doors• Excessive noise from student rooms after curfew• Students missing breakfast and wanting to eat on the coach• Taking food from the breakfast room to use for lunch• Leaving rooms in disarray and failing to dispose of garbage properly• Access to adult channels (should be turned off )

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T here are two on-tour essentials that you’ll naturally wantto work out in advance: what to eat and what to do for fun.

Mealtime Options

Many tour companies plan meals for students, either byincluding a scheduled meal at an assigned location or givingstudents meal vouchers to be used within a certain area. How-ever, not all tours include food, and even those that do maynot cover all meals.

When planning for food choices, step one is to compile alist of food allergies and dietary restrictions for students. Plan-ning a meal at a steakhouse with a group that includes eightvegetarians may not be a great move unless you can confirmin advance that there will be a hearty meatless option as well.

After you are sure you have the students’ needs in mind,the plan is to find restaurants that can accommodate a largegroup. Some cities are full of small cafes, but when you aretraveling with over 50 people, those cute cafes lose a lot oftheir charm. No one wants to be forced to eat in shifts! In ad-dition, consider the layout of the restaurants. Sure, they canfit your whole group, but are you spread out all over therestaurant? That can be a challenge because one waiter maymove much slower than another, and suddenly half yourgroup is ready to leave while the other half is just finishingtheir salads!

Also keep in mind the ambience. Fifty teens in one areaare going to be loud. Is the restaurant a good choice for a loudgroup? Will you have to shush them constantly after gettingangry stares from other patrons? Are there private rooms thatcan accommodate your group?

Another key decision to keep in mind is whether or notthere are local delicacies at your destination. It is hard to visit

Maine without having lobster (or, at the very least, seafood).You cannot visit Britain without trying fish and chips. Eachlocation has its prime foods, and it only makes sense that stu-dents would immerse themselves fully in the culture.

One caveat is that some destinations, especially in othercountries, will include alcohol in their local delicacies. If youare bringing students to France or Germany, you must decideearly on what your policy is on drinking. You do not want toget there only to be surprised that kids will do everything theycan to get hold of beer or wine. Be clear with students fromthe outset what your policy is and what the penalties are forbreaking it. The best way is to put it in writing and requirethat students sign it, along with their parents. Even if you areallowing them to drink, get it in writing and make sure it isclear how much you are planning to tolerate!

Entertainment

As with food, each area has certain forms of entertainmentthat are more popular than others. For starters, look at whatyour trip includes. If a Broadway show is incorporated intothe price, it makes no sense to spend money and free timeseeing another (unless that is the main focus of your trip).


Food and Fun

They may want to go back to the hotel to sleep and hang out after

dinner, but when they are 30, they will not remember that nap or that

conversation they had.

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When there is free time, students are going to have diverseinterests. If you have multiple chaperones, you may want togive students a choice of itineraries for each evening, wherethey can pick one of two or three choices for their entertain-ment. Maybe one group will attend a sporting event, anotherwill visit a museum and a third will go shopping.

Sporting events are fun, but it makes sense to bring stu-dents to one that will be applicable to the trip. If you are afootball coach, you may want to take kids to a football game.However, if you are a teacher, youmay want to consider taking stu-dents to see a sport not popular inthe area where you come from.

For the theater, New York,Chicago and London are great des-tinations for plays and musicals. Bal-let is really popular in some areas.

Shopping will be a draw in cer-tain locations. Plan time for studentsto shop, especially in stores they donot see at home. Although it may notbe your preference to spend time onRodeo Drive while students buy trin-kets, understand that the thrill of say-ing you shopped in Beverly Hills canbe a highlight of the tour for some.

Finally, sightseeing and museumvisits are definitely encouraged andexpected on an educational trip. Vis-iting Washington, D.C., almost as-sumes you will see at least one of theSmithsonian museums, ArlingtonNational Cemetery and the monu-ments along the Mall. Without theColiseum and Vatican, a trip toRome will be lacking. Know thehighlights of your destination andmake sure students see them.

Some cities have great walkingtours. Boston has wonderful DuckTours, San Francisco is a great des-tination for trolley tours and Edin-burgh offers fantastic ghost tours.

Keep in mind that students willget tired, and you do not want topush them too hard, but do not lettemporary exhaustion limit their ex-

periences. They are young, and they may not appreciate nor un-derstand what they are doing at the time, but they will in thelong run. Remember, standing in front of the Eiffel Tower isfun, but going to the top is a life-changing moment. They paidto go to Paris. They may want to go back to the hotel to sleepand hang out after dinner, but when they are 30, they will notremember that nap or that conversation they had. If you pushthem to stay out and do all they can, they will remember theirEiffel Tower visit for years to come.


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For more serious infractions, parentscan be called or emailed to elicit theirsupport in talking to the student. Youshould never ban a student from anexcursion on the tour itinerary or anyoptional activities that have been paidfor. This can result in unnecessary liabilities with parents.

Student Discipline on Tour


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On tour discipline begins with the first trip meeting. Stu-dents must be given all of the disciplinary-related expec-

tations before they enroll on the trip. Extra care should be takenin considering interested students who have a clear history ofdisciplinary problems. Some teacher group leaders interviewprospective tour participants in a meeting with their parents inorder to detail expectations.

General tour expectations should include:• Following all group leader, tour director and chaperone instructions

• Being on time for every event• Abiding by set nightly curfews• Never leaving the group without obtaining permission• Maintaining rules set by hotels and coach providers• Agreeing to follow any alcohol and drug policies established for touring students

• Treating all persons on the tour with respect, especially in situations with consolidated groups

• If the trip is school-sponsored, following all published behavior expectations

Most Common Disciplinary Violations

• Going off alone during free time• Leaving the hotel after curfew or bed checks• Disrupting others on the coach with loud talking• Arriving late at established meeting spots• Drinking alcoholic beverages if an alcohol policy forbids this

• Visiting out-of-bounds places such as “red light” districtsMuch can be said about adolescent alcohol policies and it is

frequently a subject of discussion at conferences of teacher groupleaders. Regardless of what the policy might be, group leadersand chaperones need to be aware that alcohol is readily availablein bars and hotels. Most European countries adhere to a drink-ing age of 18, but this varies by country. In Greece, for example,the drinking age is 16.

Enforcing Discipline on Tour

Sending a student home for a disciplinary infraction isusually frowned upon by tour providers anxious to avoid legaldifficulties with parents and guardians. This threat shouldnever be used unless it can be enforced. Such last resort ac-tions must be pre-arranged with parents and guardians andput into writing.

For students who do not follow rules, consequencesmight include:•Cleaning the interior of the coach at the end of a travel day• Being confined to the hotel between dinner and curfew• Loss of free time privileges• Spending any free time in the company of a chaperone• Helping to load baggage onto the coach

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R egardless of group size, obtaining an appropriate numberof chaperones will ensure a successful tour experience.

Most student tour providers offer “free spots” that are basedon the number of paying participants. This ratio is usually1-6 but can vary depending on the tour provider. This makeschaperoning a student tour attractive. Chaperones should re-alize, however, that this is not a free vacation.

Recruiting Chaperones

All chaperones should have some experience with stu-dents either as teachers, school administrators or someother educational, professional venue. Initial recruitingshould include the following:• Experience in working with adolescents• Willingness to help plan and facilitate• Ability to attend all pre-tour meetings• Assist with documentation such as obtaining passports and visas

• Prepared to spend money on items not covered in the free spot such as lunches or beverages

• Ability to chaperone small groups of students on flights if the departure and/or return flights are split

• Following all tour guidelines in respect to student expectations such as an alcohol policy

Avoiding Certain Groups as Chaperones

• Family members of the teacher group-leader• Unqualified parents of student participants• Spouses of qualified chaperones• Older students who may be school alumni

On Tour Responsibilities

Any adults involved in leading or chaperoning a studenttour must be prepared to be on call at any hour. If there area number of chaperones, it is helpful to divide responsibil-ities and give each chaperone at least one night off duringthe tour. On tour chaperone responsibilities will include:• Responsibility for small student groups throughout the tour

• Assisting with student discipline• Helping to facilitate curfews and room-checks at night• Staying behind if a student is too ill to participate in theactivities on any particular day

• Accompanying a student home if severe illness or disciplinary problems warrant such last resort actions

• Making sure all students wake up at the proper time andare prepared for the day’s activities

• Monitoring students during “free time”• Willingness to accompany students on free day excursions

• Taking over the group if the lead teacher or group leadercannot complete the tour

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Skilled chaperones help make a student tour successful. They ensure the reputation of the group while assisting the group leader in daily operations. Chaperone compensationis the free trip, which they can thor-oughly enjoy within the parameters of their responsibilities.

Choosing Chaperones


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Today, she can see her daddy’s smile.On her wedding day, she may not.

800-835-2335

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Students and their parents often believe that youth meansthere won’t be problems that require insurance. Even if

there is a problem, the student traveler will probably be cov-ered by the insurance of a family member. This thoughtprocess generally, but not always, relates to medical problems– and many people think medical problems occur only as oneages, not with young adults.

Listed below are a few examples of claims paid duringthe past two years to students who were lucky enough tohave purchased travel insurance:

• Tonsillitis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5,300

• Grandfather passed away. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $11,600

• Broken left hand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $6,100

• Mental health (hospitalized). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $6,800

• Mononucleosis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $8,200

• Severe separation anxiety (hospitalized) . . . . $5,900

• Dislocated knee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $7,300

• Fall - minor brain injury, severe mouth trauma . . $5,500

Organizers of student travel can provide examples where stu-dents experienced a problem, but had not purchased travel in-surance. Those students often thought they were covered underthe insurance plan of a family member. Only after realizing theneed for insurance did the student and his family find there wasno coverage because the student was not living at home, wastraveling out of the geographic range covered by the family in-surance plan or for another reason spelled out in the family pol-icy. It is most important that the student or the student’s familynot assume there is medical coverage for the traveling student.

Trip Cancellation Benefit

Even if there is medical insurance coverage, there are otherproblems that result in financial cost to the student traveler andhis family. After the trip has been paid in full, the student mayhave to cancel for a reason that is covered by the travel insur-ance trip cancellation benefit. Without travel insurance, thestudent could lose part or all of the amount paid for the trip.If the student has started the trip and then must cancel, he/she loses whatever has been invested in the balance of thetrip and must pay to return home – generally a lot of moneybecause the travel arrangements are made at the last minute.

An example of this type of trip interruption is the $11,600 payment (see chart) where the grandfather passed away andthe student had to immediately return home.

In addition, there are two invaluable insurance benefitsyour student travelers need: financial insolvency protectionand the ability to cancel for any reason. These benefits shouldbe purchased through you, not tour providers. Why? Touroperators and cruise lines can’t insure against their own financial demise – so you won’t get protection against thetravel provider’s insolvency if you purchase travel insurancedirectly from them. When travelers “cancel for any reason,”travel provider plans generally issue a voucher good for future travel only with them – not cash. Your students usuallywant cash, not a voucher.

Why Your Student TravelersNeed Group Travel Insurance

Protect your student traveler’s investment by offering

student group travel insurance.


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A D V E R T I S E M E N T

Post -Tour Activities


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M aintaining momentum is only one aspect of post-touractivities. All post-tour events and activities help to

spark interest in future trips, encourage returning participantsand interest future participants who may have never traveledbefore. Activities can include:

• School or church bulletin boards featuring trip pictures• Participant testimonials in the school newspaper• Hosting a school-wide assembly focused on the tour• Devoting yearbook space to both the prior tour and thenewly proposed tour

• Creating a T-shirt participants can wear that lists their names and the tour destinations

• Creating an online web page of tour pictures and participant comments, linked to the school website

• Summarizing the tour superlatives in PTA and other parent-oriented school literature and correspondence

• Hosting a tour party where all participants bring food related to the cultures visited and their pictures for sharing

Long-Term Activities

Trip group leaders and moderators may wish to establish aschool travel club that is led by students who have been onpast tours. Club activities can include:• Watching video of the prior trip (assuming a participant taped the tour activities)

• Watching brief travel DVDs and videos relevant to future trip destinations

• Celebrating holidays that tie to foreign cultures (example: Christmas in Germany or Scandinavia; a Dickens Christmas)

• Inviting foreign exchange students to share their experiences

• Displaying picture collages and tour information at school club fair events or PTA gatherings

• Submitting students’ personal tour accounts and experiences to local newspapers or other media

• Engaging in fundraising activities to raise money for future trips

Seasonal Trip Meetings

Teacher group leaders can keep the trip momentum goingby scheduling seasonal trip meetings. These meetings bridgepast tours while instilling interest in future tours. Parents and

students should be invited. Parents of former student tourparticipants are the best available reference for those withquestions about tour operations.

Activities at trip meetings can include:• Sharing portfolios created from recent trip experiences• Discussing what new destinations potential participantsmight be interested in

• Making available all trip essentials such as spending money, insurances and trip expectations

If the same tour provider is used, it is also helpful to schedulesuch meetings to coincide with visits by regional representativesof the provider.

Bridging the prior tour with future trips is essential because participants need time to pay for the trip. Thus, immediate post-tour activities play acrucial role while ongoing activities,like a school travel club, will build on that momentum.

ATTRACTION��

Bellingrath Gardens & Home12401 Bellingrath Gardens Rd.Theodore, AL 36582251-973-2217 ext., [email protected] estate garden and museum home onthe Fowl River near Mobile, Alabama. Café, giftshop and river cruise available.

DMO��

Huntsville/Madison County CVB500 Church St., Suite 1Huntsville, AL [email protected] are a comprehensive, full-service convention& visitors bureau. We offer site inspections, customized itineraries, contact information andmarketing materials. We offer a unique greetingupon arrival...Space Napping.

DMO��

Sitka Convention & Visitors BureauP.O. Box 1226Sitka, AK [email protected] Sitka Alaska! History, Tlingit culture andRussian heritage, National Park, abundantwildlife, outdoor recreation, fishing, shopping,year-round events...More than you imagined,closer than you think!

Wrangell CVBP.O. Box 531Wrangell, AK [email protected] fun, adventure and scenery beyond imagi-nation visit Wrangell, in the heart of the InsidePassage. See glaciers, bears and petroglyphs;fish, golf and explore!

ATTRACTION��

Arizona Renaissance Festival12601 East U.S. Hwy. 60Apache Junction, AZ 85218800-773-0715 [email protected] www.renfestinfo.com The Arizona Renaissance Festival is a medievalamusement park, a 12-stage theater, a 30-acrecircus, an arts and crafts fair, a jousting tourna-ment and a feast -- all rolled into one non-stop,day-long, group-friendly adventure!

Meteor Crater EnterprisesP.O. Box 30940Flagstaff, AZ [email protected] Best Preserved Meteorite Impact Site onEarth! 550 ft. deep, 2.4 mi. circumference and 1mile across. Interactive displays, exhibits, giftshop and Subway. Group discounts available.

DMO��

Mesa Arizona CVB120 N. Center St.Mesa, AZ [email protected] activities and attractions, museums,arts and culture, entertainment and groupfriendly accommodations. Travel planning service, itinerary assistance, online brochurefiles and FAM trip assistance.

Tucson CVB100 S. Church Ave.Tucson, AZ 85701800-638-8350jludwig@visittucson.orgwww.visittucson.orgDiscover rich history, art and culture showcasedin world-renowned attractions; relive the OldWest; taste the Southwest—Tucson is one jour-ney your groups will never forget.

ATTRACTION��

Hemingway Pfeiffer Museum1021 W. Cherry St.Piggott, AR 72454870-598-3487drsanders@centurytel.comwww.hemingway.astate.edu

DMO��

Bentonville CVB104 E. CentralBentonville, AR 72712800-410-2535john@bentonville.orgwww.bentonville.orgBentonville, AR is central to everything you wantto do in Northwest Arkansas; linked byInterstate 540 and scenic Hwy 71. From theWalton 5/10 to the upcoming Crystal BridgeMuseum of American Art, Bentonville has some-thing for every group.

Fort Smith CVB2 N. B St.Fort Smith, AR 72901800-637-1477tourism@fortsmith.orgwww.fortsmith.orgExperience America's historic frontier. Cruisethe Arkansas River, take a train ride into theOzarks or enjoy dinner theater, an electric streetcar, museums, antiques, or visit our historicallycertified former bordello.

ATTRACTION��

Autry National Center4700 Western Heritage WayLos Angeles, CA [email protected] Explore the American West. Special exhibitionsand live entertainment. Groups of 10 save 25%!Museum, store and cafe open Tues-Sun, 10 amto 5pm.

The Huntington Library 1151 Oxford Rd.San Marino, CA [email protected] on Henry E. Huntington’s legacy ofrenowned collections and botanical gardensthat enrich the visitor, The Huntington todayencourages research and promotes educationin the arts, humanities, and botanical sciences.

Palm Springs Aerial TramwayOne Tram WayPalm Springs, CA [email protected]'s largest rotating tramcars take visitors up8,516 feet. At the top enjoy spectacular views,dining, museum, gift shop, hiking and more.Group tram ride, tram ride and lunch or dinnerpackages available. Special Lunch Packageavailable.

Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum40 Presidential DriveSimi Valley, CA [email protected] of California's must-see attractions! Gueststour through Air Force One 27000, view anexact replica of the Oval Office, visit PresidentReagan's memorial site, and more. Be sure tovisit our website to see upcoming special pro-grams & events.

DMO��

Buena Park Convention and Visitors Office6601 Beach Blvd. Suite 200Buena Park, CA [email protected] 10 minutes away from Disneyland Resort,Buena Park is home to Knott's Berry Farm, Knott'sSoak City, Medieval Times, Pirates DinnerAdventure, and Ripley's Believe It or Not.Group-friendly hotels and restaurants. Charterbus referral.

Sacramento CVB1608 I St.Sacramento, CA 95814800-292-2334lguevara@cityofsacramento.orgwww.discovergold.orgGold Rush-era attractions, free State Capitoltours and an internationally renowned railroadmuseum are just a few reasons to visit family-friendly and affordable Sacramento.

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ALASKA

ARIZONA

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CALIFORNIA

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HOTEL��

Ramada Inn Hollywood near Universal Studios1160 N. Vermont Ave.Los Angeles, CA 90029323-315-1800info@hollywoodhotel.netwww.hollywoodhotelevents.comWe are centrally located to everything thisfamed city has to offer. The Hollywood Sign,Entertainment District, Mann's Chinese Theater,Walk of Fame, Movie Star Homes and muchmore are all just minutes away, the most acces-sible hotel in Hollywood.

ATTRACTION��

Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center110 Pequot TrailMashantucket, CT [email protected] award-winning Pequot Museum brings tolife the Native American and natural history ofNew England through interactive exhibits.Unique gift shop, outstanding restaurant &group rates.

ATTRACTION��

Flamingo Gardens3750 S. Flamingo Rd.Davie, FL 33330954-473-2955flamingotours@aol.comwww.flamingogardens.orgTour this 60-acre, not-for-profit botanical gar-den & wildlife sanctuary. Visit our Evergladeswildlife sanctuary, historic Wray Home Museum& ride our narrated tram tour. Gift & gardenshops, Tropical Marketplace. Group rates avail-able.

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Florida's Gulf IslandsP.O. Box 1000Bradenton, FL 34206941-729-9177info@floridasgulfislands.comwww.flagulfislands.comEco-Nature Tours, Student Youth Tours,Historical Tours, Heritage Tours, Cultural ArtsTours. The Bradenton Area Convention andVisitors Bureau can customize an itinerary foryour groups’ likes.

Santa Rosa County Tourism Office8543 Navarre Pkwy.Navarre, FL 32566800-480-7263srctdc@mchsi.comwww.floridabeachestorivers.comNavarre Beach has miles of sugar white sand,emerald green Gulf water, condos, hotels, golf,restaurants and a convention center perfect forsmall groups.

THEATER��

Blue Man Group Sharp Aquos TheatreUniversal Orlando Resort1000 Universal Studios Plaza Orlando, FL 32819407-224-3313bluemangroup@universalorlando.comwww.blueman.com/tickets/orlando/groupsAlthough impossible to describe, people ofall ages agree that Blue Man Group’s show isan intensely exciting and wildly outrageousexperience that leaves the entire audience ina blissful, euphoric state. With no spoken lan-guage, Blue Man Group.

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Calhoun/Gordon County CVB300 S. Wall St.Calhoun, GA 30701800-887-3811bgrubbs@gordonchamber.orgwww.exploregordoncounty.comResaca, one of the bloodiest battles of the CivilWar. First GA Confederate Cemetery. NewEchota start of the infamous Trail of Tears. PrimeOutlets 50+ stores. Hear Roland Hayes, the lateworld-renowned African-American tenor.Famous Cagle Dairy.

Georgia Department of Economic Development75 Fifth St. NW, Ste. 1200Atlanta, GA 30308404-962-4080kbaasen@georgia.orgwww.exploregeorgia.orgGeorgia’s wide diversity of group destinations,from the mountains to the coast, from its south-ern rivers to its historic heartland to metroAtlanta, guarantees every visitor an unforget-table experience.

HOTEL��

Hampton Inn Ringgold6875 Battlefield ParkwayRinggold, GA 30736706-935-4800 [email protected]://hamptoninn.hilton.comBrand new opened on 6-30-09! Ruby Falls, RockCity, Tennessee Aquarium, and more within 10miles. Free hot breakfast, free high-speed Internet,indoor pool and a spa, fitness center, businesscenter. All rooms have flat-screen TV, fridge andmicrowave.

Ramada Savannah Hotel & Suites6800 Abercorn St. Savannah, GA 31405912-3569-1234 ext. [email protected] renovated 138-room Savannah hotellocated just 5 miles from the Savannah HistoricDistrict and 1 mile from the Hunter Army AirForce Base.

ATTRACTION��

Shoreline Sightseeing600 E. Grand Ave.Chicago, IL 60611312-373-7258groups@shorelinesightseeing.comwww.shorelinesightseeing.comDeparts from Navy Pier DockSee Chicago at its best on a Shoreline SightseeingChicago River Architecture Cruise led by a profes-sional, entertaining docent or on a narrated LakeMichigan Skyline Boat Tour showcasing Chicago'sfamous skyline! Group rates March - November.

The Tempel Lipizzans17000 Wadsworth Rd.Wadsworth, IL [email protected], white Lippizzan horses perform elegantleaps and dances in performances modeled afterthe Spanish Riding School. Mid-June throughAugust, Wednesdays 10:30 am, Sundays 1 pm.

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Chicago Southland CVB2304 173rd St.Lansing, IL 60438888-895-3211kristy@visitchicagosouthland.comwww.tourchicagosouthland.comEasily accessible to Midway and O'Hare inter-national airports and interstates I-55, I-57, I-80,I-90, I-94 and I-294, the Chicago Southland isChicago's most convenient and affordable des-tination! Enjoy your visit!

City of Geneva22 S. First St.Geneva, IL [email protected] perfect overnight location for a hub &spoke tour serving Kane and DuPage counties.Acquaint your group with points of interest,200 shopping and dining establishments locat-ed in historic buildings.

Effingham CVB201 E. Jefferson Ave.Effingham, IL 62401800-772-0750wiedmank@ci.effingham.il.uswww.visiteffinghamil.comLocated in central Illinois where I-57 meets I-70,Effingham has 19 hotels, over 60 restaurants andgreat attractions. Visit us today for a great grouptour stop!

McHenry County CVB5435 Bull Valley Rd.Suite 324-BMcHenry, IL 60050815-363-6177info@mchenrycountycvb.comwww.visitmchenrycounty.comLocated in the northwest region ofChicagoland, McHenry County offers a changeof pace from the urban environment. We are anexciting, diverse and beautiful region, from gal-leries to ski jumps, museums to golfing, all canbe found inside McHenry County.

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ILLINOIS

St. Charles Convention & Visitors Bureau311 N. Second St., Suite 100St Charles, IL 60174800-777-4373jenny@visitstcharles.comwww.visitstcharles.comSt. Charles is located one hour west ofChicago. Antiques, monthly Kane County FleaMarket, Pheasant Run Resort, Scarecrow Festivaland theatre.

HOTEL��

Comfort Inn & Suites-Geneva1555 East Fabyan Pkwy.Geneva, IL 60134630-208-8811sales@comfortinngeneva.comwww.comfortinngeneva.comComfort Inn & Suites Geneva, two miles fromhistoric downtown Geneva, 40 miles west ofChicago. Complimentary breakfast, indoor pool,whirlpool, fitness center & meeting space.

Wingate by Wyndham101 McDonald Ave.Joliet, IL [email protected] adjacent to I-55 at Exit 253 (Rt. 52), 3miles north of I-80 in Joliet, IL. We offer compli-mentary high-speed & wireless Internet; com-plimentary hot breakfast; 24-hour business cen-ter; indoor pool and whirlpool; fitness center;meeting rooms.

THEATER��

Blue Man Group-Chicago3133 N. Halsted St.Chicago, IL [email protected]/tickets/chicago/groupsThe New York Times calls the critically acclaimedand award-winning Blue Man Group “the mostdelightful performance piece ever staged.”

Drury Lane Theatre100 Drury LaneOakbrook Terrace, IL 60181630-570-7272rod@drurylaneoakbrook.comwww.drurylaneoakbrook.comOffers a warm, inviting environment for anentertaining visit, presenting Broadway-qualitymusicals and comedies that are suitable forgroups, social outings and benefit events.

ATTRACTION��

Fair Oaks FarmsI-65 exit 220, State Rd. 14Fair Oaks, IN 47943877-536-1194 ext. [email protected] 75 minutes from downtown Chicago, FairOaks Farms is a world apart, and the DairyAdventure is a unique, real world group tourevent, a high-impact shared experience not to bemissed, producing memories not to be forgotten.

Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory1100 S. Calhoun St.Fort Wayne, IN 46802866-220-8842linda.m.miller@ci.ft-wayne.in.uswww.botanicalconservatory.orgDiscover an oasis! The Foellinger-FreimannBotanical Conservatory is a delightful destina-tion - tour three indoor gardens and experienceour seasonal showcase.

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South Shore CVA7770 Corinne Dr.Hammond, IN [email protected] www.alllake.org Just minutes from downtown Chicago! Live entertainment, candy factory, dairy farmtour and more.

DMO��

Greater Burlington Area CVB610 N. 4th St., Suite 200Burlington, IA 52601800-827-4837bnickel@growburlington.comwww.visitburlingtoniowa.comGreater Burlington has something for everyonefrom exciting attractions, historic charm andbreathtaking views of the Mighty MississippiRiver. Come explore Greater Burlington, Iowa,where Great Experiences Come in SmallPackages!

Waterloo Convention and Visitors Bureau313 E. Fifth St.Waterloo, IA 50703800-728-8431lonnie@travelwaterloo.comwww.travelwaterloo.comFree trolley tours of John Deere Tractor & Engine Assembly Plants. Sullivan Brothers IowaVeterans Museum, Galleria de Paco SistineChapel, Dan Gable Wrestling Museum, AGtours, Historic Church Row, live theatre.

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New Orleans Plantation Country2900 Hwy. 51La Place, LA 70068866-204-7782sales@neworleansplantationcountry.comwww.neworleansplantationcountry.comExplore a place where time stands still, historicplantations await your visit, each with their ownunique story and mystique, overlooking sugarcane fields & ancient avenues of oaks. Cajunand Creole cuisine & culture, just minutes fromNew Orleans.

Shreveport-Bossier CVB629 Spring St.Shreveport, LA 71101800-551-8682 ext. [email protected] have all of the services you need to makeShreveport-Bossier the perfect destination.Museums, entertainment and gardens!

ATTRACTION��

Maryland Science Center601 Light St.Baltimore, MD 21230410-545-5962ncampbell@marylandsciencecenter.orgwww.mdsci.orgThe Maryland Science Center, located atBaltimore’s famed Inner harbor, has three levelsof hands-on exhibits waiting to be explored bythe young and the young at heart. Dinosaurs.The Human Body. Outer Space. Planetarium.IMAX and more!

The Maryland Zoo in BaltimoreDruid Hill ParkBaltimore, MD 21217443-366-5466jscheffsky@marylandzoo.orgwww.marylandzoo.orgThe Maryland Zoo in Baltimore is the third oldestzoo in th U.S. and is known for its Polar BearWatch, Africa and Maryland Wilderness exhibits.

National Aquarium 501 E. Pratt St., Pier 3Baltimore, MD [email protected] www.aqua.org Visit the National Aquarium and take an unfor-gettable journey into the mysteries and beautyof the aquatic world. Be taken by the newestexhibit, Jellies Invasion: Oceans Out of Balance,and don’t miss Our Ocean Planet, The DolphinShow and the sense-sational 4-D theatre.

US Naval Academy-Armel-Leftwich Visitor Center52 King George St.Annapolis, MD [email protected] college of the U.S. Navy. We welcome tour groups for historical andeducational tours; tour & tea program available.Free film, exhibits and official Naval Academygift shop.

DMO��

Ocean City CVB & Dept. of Tourism4001 Coastal Hwy.Ronald Powell Convention CenterOcean City, MD [email protected] City is a premier beach resort town thatwelcomes hundreds of groups each year. Ourfestivals and family-friendly, award-winningbeach are favorites for every generation.

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ILLINOIS continued

INDIANA

IOWA

LOUISIANA

MARYLAND

THEATER��

Toby's Dinner Theatre in Columbia &Baltimore5900 Symphony Woods Rd.Columbia, MD 210445625 O'Donnell St.Baltimore, MD 21224800-888-6297colgs@tobysdinnertheatre.comwww.tobysdinnertheatre.comLive musical theatre awaits you and your groupat Toby's Dinner Theatre! With two great the-atres in Baltimore and Columbia your group willsurely be impressed and deliciously enter-tained with all that our theatres have to offer.

ATTRACTION��

Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House399 Lexington Rd.Concord, MA 01742978-369-4118mpowers@louisamayalcott.orgwww.louisamayalcott.orgVisit the historic home of the extraordinaryAlcott family, where Louisa May Alcott wroteand set Little Women!

Lowell National Historical Park304 Dutton St.Lowell, MA [email protected]/loweThe park offers visitors an in-depth look into the past that brought the 19th century textileindustry to tap the waterpower of the MerrimackRiver while also revealing cultural connections tothe present and visions for the future.

Peabody Essex MuseumEast India SquareSalem, MA [email protected] an unrivaled spectrum of NewEngland decorative art, architecture and mar-itime art, plus outstanding Asian, Asian Export,Native American, Oceanic and Photographycollections.

DMO��

Greater Merrimack Valley CVB9 Central St., Suite 201Lowell, MA 01852800-443-3332lperrone@merrimackvalley.orgwww.merrimackvalley.org

Historic Deerfield80 Old Main St.Deerfield, MA 01342413-775-7132tours@historic-deerfield.orgwww.historic-deerfield.orgGroups enjoy a classic New England village atHistoric Deerfield. All itineraries customized bytrained guides. Dining at the Deerfield Inn andunique shopping.

HOTEL��

Cape Cod HostelsCape Cod, [email protected] great hostels on the Cape—Martha'sVineyard, Nantucket, Eastham & Truro. Bedrates start as low as $35! HI-Cape Cod's goal isto provide affordable accommodations forgroups visiting the Cape by working hard tomeet group's specific needs.

Courtyard Boston Billerica270 Concord Rd.Billerica, MA 01821978-670-7500kris.frazee@marriott.comwww.courtyardbillerica.comExplore Boston, Middlesex County where youwill find the textile museums of Lowell, theLexington Battle Green and Historic Concord aswell as other world-famous sites all within ashort drive.

Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites: Boston-PeabodyOne Newbury St.Peabody, MA 01960978-535-4600tdipasquale@midlandhotlecorp.comwww.holidayinn.com/bos-peabodyConveniently located between downtownBoston, Logan International Airport and the his-torical coastal towns North of Boston. Whetheryou are enticed by the quaint seaport villagesor the excitement of Boston, we are the perfectlocation for any group.

Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort37 Corey Rd.Hancock, MA [email protected] conference resort in the Berkshires willaccommodate most groups up to 400 people.Lodging and dining onsite offering conferences,reunions and more.

THEATER��

Blue Man Group-BostonCharles Playhouse4 Warrenton St.Boston, MA 02116617-542-6700 ext [email protected]/tickets/boston/groupsThe New York Times calls the critically acclaimedand award-winning Blue Man Group “the mostdelightful performance piece ever staged.”Groups of 15 or more save on most performances.

Jacobs Pillow Dance358 George Carter Rd.Becket, MA [email protected]/your-visit/welcome-cen-ter/groups.phpInternational dance festival and Nat'l HistoricLandmark, Jacob's Pillow offers 300+ free andticketed performances, talks, exhibits, andtours. On-site dining includes casual Pillow Puband upscale Pillow Cafe. 2010 Festival runs June19-August 29.

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BE TAKEN.

FOR GROUP RESERVATIONS, CALL 410-576-3833.ALL-NEW EXHIBIT

501 East Pratt Street Baltimore, Maryland 21202

MASSACHUSETTS

ATTRACTION��

Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum18355 N. Whitefish Point Rd.Paradise, MI [email protected] will see maritime legends come to life.Artifacts tell the stories of sailors and ships thatbraved the waters of Superior and those thatwere tragically lost. Visit the museum, restoredboathouse, lighthouse and video theater.

Museum of African American History315 E. Warren Ave.Detroit, MI 48201313-494-5800sbroughton@maah-detroit.orgwww.maah-detroit.orgThe Charles H. Wright Museum of AfricanAmerican History is a world-renowned historymuseum with outstanding collections andresearch used to produce innovative exhibitsthat celebrate significant events and accom-plishments of African Americans.

Music House MuseumP.O. Box 297Acme, MI [email protected] one-of-a-kind collection of rare antique musical instruments and music-makingmachines, from 1870-1930. Tours demonstrateunique instruments: Belgian dance organ, nickelodeons, music boxes, pipe organs and the Wurlitzer Theater Organ & more.

Tulip Time Festival238 S. River Ave.Holland, MI [email protected] to one of the best small town festivals inthe country with main events like 3 excitingparades, Dutch dancing, big-name entertain-ment, outdoor concerts, music and varietyshows, Dutch market, trolley tours, children’sevents, fireworks and more.

HOTEL��

Frankenmuth Motel1218 Weiss St.Frankenmuth, MI 48734800-821-5362muthmotel@hotmail.comwww.frankenmuthmotel.comLocated on Weiss Street within walking distance of Bavarian Inn Restaurant, Bronner'sCHRISTmas Wonderland, and Main StreetShopping District. We offer the most affordablerates in Frankenmuth. We host many motor-coaches and group gatherings all year.

DMO��

Corinth Area CVB215 N. Fillmore St.Corinth, MS [email protected], Mississippi...A place of great historicimportance during the American Civil War, buthistory is only half our story. Corinth offers greatattractions, unique shopping, quaint restaurants,and so much more. Let us show you the rest!

Greenwood CVBP.O. Box 1999Greenwood, MS [email protected] trip worth taking – experience the fun andrelaxation you’ve been craving. Check out all thereis to see and do at www.greenwoodms.org andget ready for a trip to remember.

Holly Springs Tourism Bureau148 E. College Ave.Holly Springs, MS 38635888-687-4765info@visithollysprings.comwww.visithollysprings.comEnjoy a glimpse of the Old South in theAntebellum Capital of the Mid-South. Featuringhome/garden tours, historic museums, art gal-leries, shopping, camping and unique shrineto Elvis.

Mississippi Gulf Coast CVBP.O. Box 6128Gulfport, MS [email protected] the Mississippi Gulf Coast, overlooking thesparkling Gulf of Mexico and 26 miles of sceniccoastal beaches.

Ridgeland TC357 Towne Center Blvd., Suite 301P.O. Drawer 2358Ridgeland, MS [email protected]

HOTEL��

YMCA Trout Lodge13528 State Hwy. AAPotosi, MO [email protected]://troutlodge.orgFor all-inclusive fun in a beautiful and relaxingsetting, there's no better place than YMCA TroutLodge! When you stay with us, you get an expe-rience complete with meals, modern lodging,and a wide variety of exciting activities.

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MICHIGAN MISSISSIPPI

CALL FOR YOUR FREE FIELD TRIP PLANNER

Corinth Civil War Interpretive CenterCorinth National Cemetery

Corinth Coca-Cola MuseumCorinth Black History Museum

Crossroads MuseumBorroum’s Drug Store

Shiloh National Military Park

MISSOURI

ATTRACTION��

Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center201 South CanyonP.O. Box 996West Yellowstone, MT 59758800-257-2570info@grizzlydiscoveryctr.comwww.grizzlydiscoveryctr.orgSee LIVE bears & wolves! Enjoy: Keeper Kid's, aKarelian Bear Dog, Bird-of-Prey, WolfEnrichment, Safety in Bear Country, Ranger Talks,a World-Class Exhibit & presentations. 1 blockfrom Yellowstone Park. Open 365 days (GWDCbears DO NOT hibernate).

ATTRACTION��

Kreycik Riverview Elk & Buffalo Covered Wagon Tours88971 517 Ave.Niobrara, NE [email protected] a two-hour guided tour in a coveredwagon through the scenic Niobrara River Valleyand see elk, buffalo, fallow deer, and ‘Boomer’, along horn steer who thinks he’s a buffalo, in theirnatural settings. Feed the buffalo & pet the elk!

DMO��

Cowboy Country Territory700 Moren WayElko, NV [email protected] in the footsteps of the early settlerswho traveled across Nevada in wagon trains,visitors will find Cowboy Country a diverse andfascinating land rich in the legends, lore andcustoms of the Old West.

Elko Convention & Visitors Authority700 Moren WayElko, NV [email protected] majestic Ruby Mountains and the ruggedcanyon streams will let you discover theunspoiled drama of the West. Pick your seasonand let us handle the details. Let us assist youwith a most memorable group event.

THEATER��

Blue Man GroupThe Venetian Hotel and Resort3355 Las Vegas Blvd. S.Las Vegas, NV [email protected] www.blueman.comAlthough impossible to describe, people of allages agree that Blue Man Group’s show is anintensely exciting and wildly outrageous expe-rience that leaves the entire audience in a bliss-ful, euphoric state. With no spoken language,Blue Man Group.

ATTRACTION��

Mount Washington Cruises211 Lakeside Ave.P.O. Box 5367Weirs Beach, NH [email protected] most beautiful scenic cruise in NewEngland on Lake Winnipesaukee, NewHampshire's largest lake, surrounded by moun-tain ranges and dotted with islands offeringspectacular scenery and fall foliage. The perfectaddition to your group outing.

ATTRACTION��

Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center1501 Glasstown Rd.Millville, NJ [email protected] Home of the Museum of American Glass, hotglass, ceramic, flameworking and woodworkingstudios (artist demonstrations), Down JerseyFolklife Center and museum stores. Picnic areaand train ride. Full-service restaurant and hoteladjacent to property.

HOTEL��

Days Inn & Suites Cherry Hill/Philadelphia525 Route 38 EastCherry Hill, NJ [email protected]/hotel/04626Days Inn & Suites of Cherry Hill has great rates, aconvenient location, exceptional value & greatservice. Conveniently located in the heart ofCherry Hill NJ & just 4 miles from Philadelphia &4.3 miles from Camden waterfront!

DMO��

Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority2314 Pacific Ave.Atlantic City, NJ 08401609-449-7151hcolache@accva.comwww.atlanticcitynj.comAtlantic City delivers the fun, with excitingaction, fabulous dining and entertainment,museums and outlet shopping. We are here to assist you in planning your trip.

DMO��

Rio Rancho CVB3200 Civic Center CircleRio Rancho, NM [email protected] Rancho's high-desert beauty offers a uniquecultural tapestry, scenic sights and affordableaccommodations centrally located betweenAlbuquerque and Santa Fe.

ATTRACTION��

Bethel Woods Center for the Arts200 Hurd Rd. Bethel, NY 12720845-295-2521jkane@bethelwoodscenter.orgwww.bethelwoodscenter.orgLocated on a bucolic 2,000-acre site, BethelWoods Center for the Arts features an outdoorperforming arts center and Museum approxi-mately 90 minutes from New York City at thesite of the original 1969 Woodstock festival inBethel, New York.

BODIES...The Exhibition, NYC11 Fulton St.New York City, NY 10038866-507-6909robyn@ticketsforgroups.comwww.bodiesny.comBODIES…The Exhibition showcases real humanbodies, preserved through a revolutionary tech-nique, giving visitors the opportunity to seethemselves like never before. This eye-openingexhibition is an unforgettable experience forinquisitive minds.

Discovery Times Square Exposition/Titanic70 W. 40th St., 9th FloorNew York City, NY [email protected]/nyc/exhibitions.php?id=1000Experience Titanic’s fateful maiden voyage & takeon the identity of a Titanic passenger as youexplore magnificent reconstructions of the ship’sinterior. Discover how the “unsinkable” ship met itsfate and connect with the passengers and crew.

Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum180 Thompson St.North Tonawanda, NY 14120716-693-1885info@carrouselmuseum.orgwww.carouselmuseum.orgRide an antique wooden carousel. Listen to themagical sounds of a Wurlitzer band organ.Learn about wood carving and music roll pro-duction. View exhibits in an historic factorybuilding. Shop in our extensive gift shop. Checkour website for events.

Madame Tussauds234 W. 42nd St.New York City, NY 10036888-923-0334llisel.vidals@madametussaudsny.comwww.nycwax.comGo on tour with Miley Cyrus, play ball with DerekJeter and David Wright. Mix and mingle with A-list celebrities in our Opening Night Party. Visitthemed environments filled with an exceptionalshowcase of incredibly life-like wax figures.

Macy's151 W. 34th St.New York City, NY [email protected]/visitorLocated in the heart of Manhattan, Macy’s,the world’s largest department store, offersexciting private group programs including:Fashion Breakfast, Cosmetic or Cooking Class.Student tours with breakfast or lunch optionsalso available.

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Student Travel Planning Guide 29

MONTANA

NEBRASKA

NEVADA

NEW HAMPSHIRE

NEW JERSEY

NEW MEXICO

NEW YORK

National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum25 Main St.Cooperstown, NY 13326888-425-5633jdolhun@baseballhalloffame.orgwww.baseballhall.orgVisit the National Baseball Hall of Fame andMuseum, where we continue to preserve base-ball's rich history, honor the game’s greatestplayers and their achievements and connectgenerations of fans every day. For more informa-tion,visit baseballhall.org

NY SKYRIDE350 Fifth Ave.New York City, NY 10118212-279 -9777 [email protected] www.NYSKYRIDE.com Located on the 2nd floor of the Empire StateBuilding, the NY SKYRIDE is NYC’s ONLY virtualtour simulator. Experience an unusual NYC tourcombining digital technology, moving plat-forms, and a six-foot-high screen! Free down-loadable curriculums!

Top of the Rock Observation Deck30 Rockefeller PlazaNew York, NY 10112877-692-7625. [email protected] Top of the Rock™ offers stunning, 360° views ofNew York City and beyond from the interior andexterior decks at the top of 30 Rockefeller Plaza.

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Ulster County Tourism10 Westbrook LaneKingston, NY [email protected]/2 hours north of New York City, New York'sfirst capital. River cruises, resorts, dude ranches- where the Catskills meet the Hudson.

THEATER��

Blue Man GroupAstor Place Theatre434 Lafayette St.New York, NY [email protected]/tickets/new_york/groupsThe place where it all began! Blue Man Grouphas been a sell-out hit Off-Broadway for over15 years!

Broadway.com/GroupsTheatre Direct729 Seventh Ave., 6th FloorNew York City, NY [email protected] www.broadway.com/groups Broadway.com/Groups offers unmatched cus-tomer service, terrific rates for all New York the-aters, customizable student workshops for allages, and much more!

Jazz at Lincoln CenterBroadway at 60th St.New York, NY [email protected]/groups

Offering the hippest and smoothest jazz from world-renowned legends; performed onthree-world stages that provide a listeningexperience greater than any other jazz venue.

Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts70 Lincoln Center PlazaNew York, NY [email protected]

New York City BalletDavid H. Koch Theater20 Lincoln CenterNew York, NY 10023212-870-4071groupsales@nycballet.comwww.nycballet.comCustomized Group Adventures Programs: Meetwith dancers, musicians or costume directorabout the performance and their professions,and classes for ballet students with a companydancer. Groups discounts for repertory per-formances; Jan-Feb; Apr-Jun.

New York City Opera20 Lincoln CenterNew York, NY [email protected] its founding in 1943, New York CityOpera has been recognized as one ofAmerica’s preeminent cultural institutions. Thecompany’s wide-ranging repertory of 273works spans five centuries of music.

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North Carolina's Northeast Commission119 W. Water St.Edenton, NC [email protected] to North Carolina's Northeast. Our six-teen-county region offers a wide variety of his-toric, cultural & recreational opportunities fromplantations and the legend of Blackbeard to theworld-famous beaches of the Outer Banks!

Rowan County CVB204 E. Innes St., Suite 120Salisbury, NC 28144800-332-2343meacham@visitasalisburync.comwww.visitsalisburync.comAuthentic North Carolina! Discover the South'slargest transportation museum, old-fashioned MainStreet shopping, beautiful historic districts, antiqueand art galleries, self-guided tours and more!

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The International Peace GardenR.R. 1, Box 116Dunseith, ND [email protected] thousands of visitors in a garden of orna-mental trees, flowering shrubs and floral dis-plays. Enjoy summer events, camping, hikingand nature at its best. Your one-day stop ordestination spot.

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Holmes County Chamber of Commerce35 N. Monroe St.Millersburg, OH 44654330-674-3975shasta@holmescountychamber.comwww.holmescountychamber.comExplore the unique culture of the Amish with avacation in central Ohio, home of the world’slargest Amish community. Enjoy beautifulscenery, visit an Amish farm, savor homemadefoods and listen for the clip-clop of a buggy.

ATTRACTION��

National Constitution Center525 Arch St.Philadelphia, PA 19106215-409-6600groupsales@constitutioncenter.orgwww.constitutioncenter.orgAn independant, non-partisan and non-profitorganization dedicated to increasing publicunderstanding of and appreciation for theConstitution through an interactive, interpretivefacility.

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Cumberland Valley Visitors Bureau401 E. Louther St., Suite 209Carlisle, PA 17013888-513-5130dawn@visitcumberlandvalley.comwww.visitcumberlandvalley.comCumberland Valley, Pennsylvania is locatedacross the river from Harrisburg and is easilyaccessible from major highways. The area isfilled with history & culture; enjoy MurderMystery Weekends, quaint downtowns withunique shops, and art and theatre.

Pennsylvania's Great Lakes Region208 E. Bayfront Pkwy., Suite 103Erie, PA 16507800-524-3743ebeck@pagreatlakes.comwww.pagreatlakes.comMarine cruises, lighthouses, tax-free clothesshopping, train excursions, fall foliage, dinnertheater, museums and festivals. Great hub &spoke itineraries. Full service to economyaccommodations. Group tour manual available.

Pocono Mountains Convention & Visitors Bureau1004 Main St.Stroudsburg, PA [email protected]/tour/With year-round scenic beauty, charmingtowns, resorts, entertainment, shopping andfabulous outdoor recreation, the PoconoMountains region is an ideal motorcoach destination.

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NORTH CAROLINA

NORTH DAKOTA

OHIO

PENNSYLVANIA

Washington County Tourism Promotion Agency273 S. Main St.Washington, PA 15301866-927-4969kristinb@visitwashingtoncountypa.comwww.visitwashingtoncountypa.comPennsylvania's world-class group destination isWashington County! Outlet shopping, slots, her-itage, covered bridges and festivals inPittsburgh and Its Countryside. Explore themany faces of Washington County PA!

HOTEL��

Woodloch ResortR.R. 1, Box 280Hawley, PA 18428800-966-3562, [email protected] Woodloch, nestled in the picturesqueNortheast Pocono Mountains, offers exceptionalyouth group day or overnight packages. All-inclusive, award-winning and nationally recog-nized resort offers abundant activities andamenities. We specialize in teambuilding!

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Newport, Rhode Island CVB23 America's Cup Ave.Newport, RI [email protected] is the perfect destination for your nextgroup trip. We offer miles of scenic coastline,tours of opulent mansions, rich Colonial history,interesting museums, a number of walkingtours, harbor tours, unique shops, galleries andso much more!

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Capital City Lake Murray Country P. O. Box 1783Irmo, SC 29063803-781-5940louise@lakemurraycountry.comwww.scbustours.comBoasting three rivers and beautiful Lake Murray,attractions, and history; this region offers vacation and entertainment opportunities forthe entire family. View our travel packages atwww.scjewel.com.

Hilton Head Island-Bluffton COC & VCB#1 Chamber Dr.Hilton Head Island, SC 29938800-523-3373 [email protected] Head Island was recently named one ofthe top ten family beaches in the country. As anidyllic backdrop for a student getaway, theIsland extends a variety of outdoor and indoorrecreational activities.

Myrtle Beach Area CVB1200 N. Oak St.Myrtle Beach, SC 29577800-488-8998faulkk@mbchamber.orgwww.myrtlebeachgroups.comPlan your next group trip to Myrtle Beach & TheGrand Strand. Exciting attractions, theater andgreat hotel values. Request your free guide tothe Myrtle Beach area and start planning yournext group getaway - to Myrtle Beach!

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Akta Lakota Museum & Cultural CenterSt. Joseph's Indian School1301 N. Main St.Chamberlain, SD [email protected] mission is to preserve and promote the artsand history of Sioux Indian Culture. View beau-tiful artifacts. Study artwork from talented artists.Browse the gift shop and Collector's Gallery forunique gifts. Free admission, open year round.

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Black Hills Badlands & Lakes Association1851 Discovery CircleRapid City, SD 57701605-355-3600noreen@blackhillsbadlands.comwww.blackhillsbadlands.travelSix National Park areas including Mt. RushmoreNational Memorial, over 130 attractions, 101miles of National Scenic Byways, plus Old Westlandmarks like Deadwood and Wounded Knee.

Watertown Convention & Visitors Bureau1200 33rd St. SE, Suite 308Watertown, SD [email protected] a unique, quiet city filled with art, culture,and history in NE South Dakota. Home of TerryRedlin's original paintings, hub & spoke tours.

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Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum222 Fifth Ave. SouthNashville, TN 37203800-852-6437info@countrymusichalloffame.comwww.countrymusichalloffame.comCall 1-800-852-6437 for information on ourunique group packages that keep groups com-ing back again and again.

Elvis Presley's Graceland3734 Elvis Presley Blvd.Memphis, TN [email protected] the ultimate rock 'n' roll experience inMemphis. Elvis Presley's Graceland takes yourgroup on a one-of-a-kind journey through Elvis'humble beginnings and rise to superstardomwith an up-close and personal look at Elvis' life.

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Gatlinburg Department of Tourism &Convention Center303 Reagan DriveGatlinburg, TN 37738800-343-1475sharonr@ci.gatlinburg.tn.uswww.gatlinburg-tn.comGatlinburg, Tennessee is a four-season destina-tion! With the unique setting as the gateway tothe Great Smoky Mountains National Park andthe diversity of shopping, dining and entertain-ment options - Gatlinburg has something foreveryone!

Pigeon Forge Dept. of TourismP.O. Box 1390Pigeon Forge, TN 37868800-285-7557jmcnealy@mypigeonforge.comwww.pigeonforgetours.comNestled in the foothills of Great SmokyMountains National Park, Pigeon Forge is one ofthe top group tour destinations in the UnitedStates - the home of Dollywood and 14 greatmusical variety shows that include 5 dinnershows!

THEATER��

General Jackson Showboat2808 Opryland Drive Nashville, TN 37214615-458-8373 [email protected] General Jackson Showboat is a 300-foot-long paddlewheel riverboat with four massivedecks. It is one of the largest showboats in thecountry. Both the midday and the eveningcruise experience include a delicious meal.Cruises last 2 1/2 - 3 hours.

Grand Ole Opry2802 Opryland DriveNashville, TN 37214615-458-8373wchandler@gaylordentertainment.comwww.opry.comWhat began as a simple radio broadcast in1925 is today a live-entertainment phenome-non, showcasing a mix of country legends andcontemporary chart-toppers, world famous forcreating one-of-a-kind entertainment momentsthat are not to be missed.

Ryman Auditorium116 Fifth Ave. NorthNashville, TN 37219615-458-8373wchandler@gaylordentertainment.comwww.ryman.comThe Ryman Auditorium first opened its doorsin 1892. Musicians ranging from Roy Acuff toJames Brown and Patsy Cline to Sheryl Crowhave performed on the Ryman stage, making ita historical and a current-day icon for peopleeverywhere.

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RHODE ISLAND

SOUTH CAROLINA

SOUTH DAKOTA

TENNESSEE

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Frisco CVB7601 Gaylord Pkwy., Suite 100Frisco, TX [email protected], Texas, just 20 minutes north of Dallas, isone of the fastest growing cities in America andis Texas' Rising Star for sports, shopping, art,and affordable fine accommodations.

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Vermont Tourism Network7 Windsor CourtBurlington, VT 05406802-863-1122vtourism@together.netwww.vermonttourismnetwork.travelVisit us to find descriptions of lodging proper-ties, virtually all of Vermont's popular attrac-tions, activities in the great outdoors, culturalheritage events and opportunities, farm tours,entertainment, festivals, events, shopping andrestaurants.

HOTEL��

Killington Resort4763 Killington Rd.Killington, VT 05751800-621-6867bbarclay@killington.comwww.killington.comKillington is the largest ski resort in the East with141 trails served by 22 lifts and is covered withthe world's most extensive snowmaking system.

Pico Mountain4763 Killington Rd.Killington, VT [email protected] Mountain is big mountain skiing with smallmountain prices, including affordable slope-side lodging. Featuring 50 trails and six lifts,Pico offers steeps and glades, complementedby great learning and family terrain that every-one can enjoy.

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Fredericksburg Area Tourism706 Caroline St.Fredericksburg, VA [email protected] Fredericksburg Area's free planning servicewill make planning your group's visit or eventeasier than ever.

Norfolk Convention & Visitors Bureau232 E. Main St.Norfolk, VA [email protected] CVB provides group itinerariesdesigned for commercial tour operators, stu-dent and scouting groups. Request your cus-tomized itinerary online atwww.norfolkcvb.com.

Prince William County/Manassas CVB8609 Sudley Rd., Suite 105Manassas, VA [email protected] our Southern hospitality as youexplore our quaint small towns, enjoy our fan-tastic shopping, admire our breathtakingscenery, and so much more! You'll find whatyou're looking for in Prince William County.History Loves Company!

Richmond Metropolitan CVB401 N. Third St.Richmond, VA 23219800-370-9004 [email protected]/Util/Travel-Professionals The Richmond Region specializes in providingunforgettable experiences for your group. FromPocahontas and early settlers to Civil War battle-fields, history is around every corner. See for your-self why the Richmond Region is so easy to love.

Virginia Beach CVB2101 Parks Ave., Suite 500Virginia Beach, VA [email protected] between the Atlantic Ocean and theChesapeake Bay, our little corner of the world spe-cializes in spirit-lifting. Like exploring miles of beachand boardwalk, nature and adventure. The joy ofshopping or reveling at an outdoor crab feast.

HOTEL��

Best Western Potomac Mills14619 Potomac Mills Rd.Woodbridge, VA [email protected]/potomacmillsEnjoy convenient access to Washington, D.C.and other national sites when staying at thiscomfortable AAA 3-Diamond Virginia hotel.Your group will be greeted every morning witha complimentary deluxe continental breakfast.Free coach parking.

ATTRACTION��

The Puyallup Fair110 Ninth Ave. S.W.Puyallup, WA [email protected] Puyallup Fair is among the top fairs in theworld, held each September featuring big-name entertainment, pro rodeo, animal shows,rides and displays of all kinds. There's fun foryour whole group. Do the Puyallup!

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City of Lynnwood-Start Here!19100 44th Ave. WestLynnwood, WA 98046425-670-5043mmonroe@ci.lynnwood.wa.uswww.lynnwoodtourism.comLocated 12 miles north of Seattle; Abundantshopping and dining; Quality hotels 40%below downtown rates; Gateway to beaches,ferries, mountains and more.

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Smithsonian Theaters and [email protected]://www.si.edu/group_toursDiscounts on IMAX® and Planetarium films,simulator rides and admission to the ButterflyPavilion are available for groups of ten or more.Dining packages are available for groups of 20or more.

Washington National Cathedral3101 Wisconsin Ave. N.W.Washington D.C. 20016202-537-6200rweinberg@cathedral.orgwww.nationalcathedral.orgThe Cathedral is a spiritual resource for ournation: a great and beautiful edifice in the cityof Washington, an indispensable ministry forpeople of all faiths and perspectives, and asacred place for our country in times of cele-bration and sorrow.

ATTRACTION��

Ace Adventure ResortP.O. Box 1168Oak Hill, WV [email protected] adventure vacation destination featuringWest Virginia's finest in outdoor activities. Fromsome of the best high volume and technicalwhitewater rafting in the world, to rock climb-ing, mountain biking, zip lines and rope cours-es, ATV rides, mud obstacle course, horsebackriding, kayak clinics, and our awesome on-siteadventure lake and beach, we've got all the funyou can handle.

Beckley Exhibition Coal MineP.O. Box 2514Beckley, WV [email protected] years of planning, the Exhibition CoalMine has recently completed an extensiverenovation that includes a newly opened14,000-sq.-foot, Rahall Company Store, visitorcenter, coal museum, fudgery and gift shop.

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TEXAS

VERMONT

VIRGINIA

WASHINGTON

WASHINGTON D.C

WEST VIRGINIA

Cass Scenic Railroad State ParkRoute 66 Main St.Cass, WV 24927800-225-5982marysnyder@wvdnr.govwww.cassrailroad.comClimbing Cheat Mountain in West Virginia, CassScenic Railroad's shay engines transport you toa bygone era when steam locomotives werepart of life in a logging community. Ask aboutdinner trains.

River Expeditions900 Broadway Ave.Oak Hill, WV [email protected] the most authentic experience and the bestvalue with River Expeditions as your host. Counton us to provide all the elements of an excitingvacation getaway while balancing your sched-ule, budget and interests.

ATTRACTION��

BisonRidge Ranch, LLCW5707 County Rd. DMontello, WI 53949866-399-5500brr@bisonridgeranch.comwww.bisonridgeranch.comBring your group for a 90-minute guided tourand learn all about the American Bison/Buffalo.Take a wagon ride, feed the buffalo, meet theorphan calves, visit the corrals and view a videoof an actual round-up. Open May 15-Oct. 15.

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La Crosse Area CVB410 Veterans Memorial DriveLa Crosse, WI 54601800-658-9424bates@explorelacrosse.comwww.explorelacrosse.comLa Crosse is a dynamic destination, born of a rich river history. Pristine natural beauty,unique attractions, affordable lodging is what you will find in La Crosse. Free tour planning, step-on guides, escort notes andpersonalized pre-tour FAMs.

Minocqua - Arbor Vitae - Woodruff Chamber of CommerceP.O. Box 1006Minocqua, WI [email protected]'s Natural Water Park. We welcomegroup travelers with personalized itinerariesand warm hospitality. Enjoy lumberjack lore,local history and unique shopping in a beautiful setting.

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Cheyenne Area CVB1 Depot Sq.121 W. 15th St., Suite 202Cheyenne, WY [email protected] the Legend of Cheyenne! Feast while sur-rounded by bison, enjoy several great Westernmuseums or experience Cheyenne Frontier Days- the world's largest rodeo.

Jackson Hole Chamber of CommerceP.O. Box 550Jackson, WY 83001307-733-3316heather@jacksonholechamber.comwww.jacksonholechamber.comThe chamber represents the hotels, attractionsand restaurants in Teton County, Wyoming, whichis home to Grand Teton National Park and mostof Yellowstone National Park!

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Discover history, nature, culture, and adventure in West Virginia’s New River Gorge National Park. Let River Expeditions host your group’s experience.

1.800.463.9873raftinginfo.com

WYOMING

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WISCONSIN

DINING��

Buca di Beppo866-941-2822www.bucadibeppo.comAt Buca di Beppo, groups of all sizes and agesstep into Little Italy and enjoy a variety of groupmenus to satisfy everyone’s palate and budget.For group rates or to book your reservation, callour National Sales Team.

Buffets, [email protected] your group the best value in dining and thebest variety at Old Country Buffet, Ryan's GrillBuffet and Bakery, HomeTown Buffet, FireMountain Grill and Country Buffet. With morethan 500 locations nationwide, we're always onyour way.

Medieval Times866-543-9637mario.barreiro@medievaltimes.comwww.medievaltimes.comWelcome to the 11th century! Just beyond thegreat doors of our Hall of Arms waits the cele-bration arena, the heart of each of MedievalTimes' nine castles.

NATIONAL HOTEL CHAIN��

Best Western800-780-7234www.bestwestern.comBest Western makes planning group trips easy!So relax and have a great time.

Choice Hotelswww.choicehotels.comMaking travel plans for a large group doesn’t getany easier than when booking accommodationswith Choice Hotels. For group reservations of 10or more rooms per night and great discounts,complete our simple online group request form.

Hampton Inns800-426-7866http://hamptoninn1.hilton.comWhen you travel and stay with us at Hampton,we want to be more than just a hotel. We’d liketo be your friend in town.

STUDENT TOUR OPERATORS��

Music Festivals To [email protected] www.musicfestivalstoyou.comWe offer a wide range of festivals for all agesand types of performing groups. Whether it'sone-day festivals at a theme park, cruise performance in the Caribbean, or a competitive festival in a world-class city.

Student Discoveries Powered by GlobusPhone: 888-258-0012Email: [email protected]: www.globusfamily.comFor more than 80 years the Globus Family ofBrands has been telling the stories behind theworld’s most extraordinary destinations. Andnow through Student Discoveries, we bring thisexperience to life for student groups.

Student Universewww.studentuniverse.com Student Universe is the online travel service thatenables students to travel for less. By negotiatingwith the major airlines on their behalf, StudentUniverse provides students with exclusive signif-icantly discounted airfares

Travel Adventures800-828-8220tours@traveladventures.comwww.traveladventures.comWorking with educators to create: “A BiggerWorld for Every Student.” Our staff has the expe-rience to help you provide your students withthe immeasurable benefits of educational travel.

U.S. Tours888-393-8687 [email protected] www.ustours.biz U.S. Tours sells “Travel that’s Fun.” We producecustom tours of America. Eco-tourism, HistoricalTours, or Music & Theater Themes; we buildtrips that keep your kids engaged and safe.

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Student Travel Planning Guide