Lone Star Christmas

December 3 – 8, 2012

“Remember the Alamo!” is a cry that has long been heard over the hills of Texas. But, when you return home from this tour, your cry will be “Remember the Riverwalk!” Come with us to celebrate Christmas … Texas style! The Riverwalk in San Antonio is a myriad of twinkling lights, strolling carolers and boats decked out in their Christmas finery gliding by on the water … often filled with church choirs and school groups lending their voices to the spirit of the holiday. The Texas hill country and the history that surrounds you is just icing on the cake for this wonderful tour!

$849 Double Occupancy • $1,199 Single Occupancy • $599 Triple Occupancy

Day 1 – Good morning! This travel day, filled with anticipation, gives you time to get acquainted with your traveling companions as we make our way into Waco, Texas for the night.
Lodging: Hampton Inn

Day 2 - We continue south this morning and should arrive in San Antonio by around 11 a.m. for an awesome tour of the 750-foot Tower of the Americas! From the observation deck you will have a breathtaking view of beautiful San Antonio. You will also have an opportunity to check out the 4-D Theater! After our tour is complete, we will have lunch and check into our fabulous historic hotel for three nights. The rest of the day is free for you to visit the Alamo, take a trolley tour or simply browse the shops along the Riverwalk.
Lodging: Emily Morgan Hotel
Meals: Breakfast

Day 3 - This morning we temporarily leave San Antonio and head for hill county. We will visit Lyndon B. Johnson’s ranch and tour the Texas White House along with his birthplace and boyhood home. Next it is welcome to Fredericksburg, rich with the culture of German pioneers who settled here over 160 years ago. First, Making Memories Tours will treat you to a German lunch and then you will have the afternoon free to check out the 700 historic buildings or 150 shops and galleries that grace Main Street. So, Willkommen, y’all! Enjoy! We return to San Antonio for the evening.
Lodging: Emily Morgan Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4 - A local guide will meet us in the morning to give us a narrated tour of the missions and historic district of San Antonio. We also include the SAS Shoe Factory. If you are not already in the Christmas spirit from all the lovely lights and decorations, we have included a Christmas show for your enjoyment! Shows had not been scheduled at press time, but with all that San Antonio has to offer I am sure you are in for a holiday treat!
Lodging: Emily Morgan Hotel
Meals: Breakfast

Day 5 - Within the bright and bold colors of the downtown roads of San Antonio lies a market which has a rich sense of the Mexican culture. El Mercado is the largest Mexican market outside of Mexico. Dozens of shops sell everything from hand-embroidered dresses to leather belts. Market Square’s working artists, musicians, dancers and major cultural events give it a rich and lively cultural atmosphere. What a way to end our lovely trip to San Antonio! We will have lunch at the market and then we must turn our thoughts toward home. Our overnight will be in Dallas/Fort Worth.
Lodging: Hampton Inn (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast

Day 6 - Everyone should have a renewed Christmas spirit as we relive the beauty of all we have seen and heard! We return home this evening but, before we arrive, Making Memories has included a farewell lunch as our way of saying we appreciate your traveling with us. Merry Christmas!
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Mountain State Mosaic

October 14 – 20, 2012

West Virginia – The Mountain State! It is indeed the most mountainous state east of the Mississippi and fabulously beautiful with its rocky peaks, rivers rushing through narrow canyons, waterfalls tumbling down steep hills and vast forests ablaze with autumn colors. In the fall, the landscape truly becomes nature’s palette as untold millions of leaves change their hue. The nostalgic and scenic railroads carry passengers beside mountain streams and scenic mountains for breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. You will truly be “Making Memories” in this wild and wonderful state of West Virginia, sometimes referred to as “almost heaven.”

$925 Double Occupancy • $1,220 Single Occupancy • $800 Triple Occupancy

Day 1 – Good morning! We begin our journey by traveling through Missouri and Illinois to Corydon, Indiana – the first state capital of Indiana – for our first night of this gorgeous tour. The colors should already be making themselves known as we travel through the Hoosier National Forests of southern Indiana.
Lodging: Hampton Inn

Day 2 - We have an absolutely magnificent drive ahead of us today as we cross the Ohio River into Louisville, continue through the bluegrass and horse farms of Lexington and across the hills of eastern Kentucky into West Virginia. We will visit the Canyon Rim Visitors’ Center for panoramic views of the 1,000- foot gorge and the New River Gorge Bridge. Contrary to its name, the New River is believed to be one of the oldest rivers in North America … perhaps as many as 65 million years old! We will end our day in Beckley, West Virginia, with a visit to Tamarack – built specifically to showcase the state’s cultural heritage and traditions.
Lodging: Country Inn and Suites
Meals: Breakfast

Day 3 - What a day we have in store for you! Not only the spectacular beauty of the West Virginia mountains, but we are going underground as well! The secret is out … the declassified Cold War bunker at the Greenbrier Hotel is a must-see experience that takes you behind (and beneath) the scenes and walks you through a fascinating period of history. We will have a narrated tour of the secret Eisenhower-era underground bunker, designed to house members of Congress and their staffs during and after a nuclear attack and built 700 to 800 feet below the West Virginia Wing of the Greenbrier resort. After the tour, we will have an included lunch at the hotel and some free time to explore this national historic landmark hotel before departing for Buckhammon, West Virginia, for our overnight stay.
Lodging: Hampton Inn
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4 - We have a late morning to enjoy our hotel or take a walk around the village of Elkins before walking about a block to the depot to board our train, the Cheat Mountain Salamandar, as it takes us to the High Falls of the Cheat River and 21 miles deep into the heart of the wilderness. Watch for deer, bobcats and bears! Next, our motor coach will meet us for a short ride to Durbin, West Virginia, where we board the Durbin Rocket, a steam locomotive, for an open-air 10- mile ride along the Greenbrier River. We return to Elkins for an included dinner at the new Railyard Restaurant. Then we’ll complete our day with a fantastic show at the American Mountain Theater, which showcases a wide variety of mountain music.
Lodging: Holiday Inn Express
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 - We head back east today for a journey into the past as we board our Sternwheeler for a ride down the Ohio River bound for Blennerhassett Island. Time to enjoy an included picnic lunch and then tour the mansion built by Harman Blennerhassett in 1798. Having burned down in 1811, it has been reconstructed upon its original foundation. A horse-drawn wagon ride to tour the island and time to check out the Blennerhassett Museum is included. We’ll then reboard our Sternwheeler to return across the river to Parkersburg, West Virginia, for our overnight stay.
Lodging: Comfort Inn Parkersburg
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 6 - Our travels today will take us back towards home. Gorgeous fall colors and pretty scenery should still abound as we travel through Ohio, Indiana and into Effingham, Illinois for our last night of this truly amazing tour.
Lodging: Holiday Inn Express
Meals: Breakfast

Day 7 - Our thoughts turn toward home, but there is still plenty of time to reminisce with our new friends over the absolute beauty and exciting things that we have been able to enjoy as we traveled through the mountains of West Virginia. Making Memories Tours has included a farewell lunch as our way of saying “thank you” for traveling with us!
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Albuquerque Aloft & Colorado Colors

October 6 – 13, 2012

What a beautiful tour Making Memories has prepared just for you! See the fabulous mountains of Colorado dressed in the golden fall colors of the Aspen and the Cottonwood trees beneath skies that provide a brilliant blue dome that seems to go on forever! Add a breathtaking train ride plus a spectacular tram ride and a awe-inspiring view as hundreds of balloons of all shapes, sizes and colors rise into the crystal clear New Mexico sky. You’ll never see such a brilliant combination of both natural and man-made colors. Every day holds a new and exciting adventure!

$1,050 Double Occupancy • $1,490 Single Occupancy • $750 Triple Occupancy

Day 1 – Today our travels take us into Kansas where we will tour the Fort Scott National Historic Site and learn how this fort played a part in both the Indian movement and the Civil War. Kansas was the first state to officially recruit and train military units comprised of black soldiers. Many of their graves are in the nearby cemetery. After lunch, we continue to Wichita, KS, for a tour of one of Wichita’s top attractions, the Museum of World Treasures, where you can experience treasures from around the world and through the ages. Our overnight is in Wichita.
Lodging: Drury Inn

Day 2 - We have another fun day planned as we visit the “Wickedest Little City in America,” Dodge City, KS. We will tour “Front Street” as well as Boot Hill, so called because so many of its interred were buried with their boots on. Our lodging tonight will be in Canon City, CO.
Lodging: Hampton Inn
Meals: Breakfast

Day 3 - You will want to be wide awake this morning as we depart to travel through the magnificent mountains of Colorado. Majestic scenery abounds on the Million Dollar Highway that takes us through Ouray and on into Silverton, CO. We arrive in time for lunch on our own and some free time to check out this historic town which, back in the late 1800’s, was a prosperous mining community. We board the Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Train for an awesome journey along the old ore route, clinging to the precipitous walls of the Animas River Gorge and arrive in Durango, CO, for our overnight.
Lodging: Best Western Plus Rio Grande Inn
Meals: Breakfast

Day 4 - There is still lots of gorgeous scenery today as we travel south through Pagosa Springs and Espanola, NM, and into Santa Fe for an afternoon to check out this lovely, historic town. We will visit the Palace of the Governors and you will have some free time to see the fascinating Loretto Chapel with its “Miraculous Staircase” and the Cristo Rey Church. Or perhaps you would rather search for some Santa Fe-style treasures and handmade Indian jewelry. Our overnight will be in Albuquerque.
Lodging: Best Western Rio Grande Inn
Meals: Breakfast

Day 5 - We have an early wake-up call this morning, but you are going to know it is worth it when you arrive at Fiesta Park and see hundreds of balloons inflating simultaneously and the red glow lighting up the dawn of a New Mexico morning! The balloons will launch a few at a time until the sky is full. The magnificent colors against the endless expanse of blue sky is totally awesome! The remainder of the day is free for you to check out Old Town Albuquerque and its unique shops and galleries. Be sure to visit San Felipe de Neri Church.
Lodging: Best Western Rio Grande Inn
Meals: Breakfast

Day 6 - Another special day as we take a ride on the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway. The Tramway is 2.7 miles, one of the world’s longest, and transports people above the canyons and spectacular terrain of the Sandia Mountains to the 10,378-foot peak. It is really true that on a clear day you can see forever, with views to the north, east, south and west! We will enjoy lunch at the Golden Corral before touring the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History. You will not have a problem filling up your time as this museum has full- cale dinosaur models, a walk-through volcano, an ice age cave replica, a time machine, a saltwater aquarium, and the Lodestar Astronomy Center which features a simulation theatre, a planetarium and astronomy exhibits. We will have some free time to rest a bit before we depart once more for the Fiesta Park to see the “Evening Glow” where the balloons are all aglow but don’t leave the ground. It’s Magic! You can walk among the balloons and talk with the operators and learn how they inflate the balloons and what it takes to keep the balloons from taking off without them.
Lodging: Best Western Rio Grande Inn
Meals: Breakfast

Day 7 - Today we must begin our journey towards home. So lean back, close your eyes and dream of all the things that we have experienced on this truly exciting tour! Making Memories Tours will treat you to a farewell lunch today as their way of saying “thank you” for making memories with us. Our overnight will be in Weatherford, OK.
Lodging: Hampton Inn (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8 - Our journey ends today as we travel back across Oklahoma and into Missouri and that wonderful place called home. What a tour!
Meals: Breakfast

Colors of New England

October 1 – 12, 2012

The reds and golds of autumn … the thunder of the falls … church spires glistening in the valleys below … magnificent scenes from mountain tops and the serenity of ocean beaches. Take a journey that allows you to see the history that formed our great nation and the unbelievable technology of New York City in one trip! The breathtaking beauty and variety of things to see on this tour will leave you awe-inspired with enough memories to last your lifetime.

$1,699 Double Occupancy • $2,428 Single Occupancy • $1,379 Triple Occupancy

Day 1 – We begin our incredulous tour today and travel Day 3 through Missouri and Illinois into Plainfield, Indiana for our first night’s lodging.
Lodging: Hampton Inn

Day 2 - The colors should start making a showing today as we continue through Ohio and Pennsylvania into New York State to Niagara Falls. There will be plenty of time to check out the falls and see the lights before turning in for the night.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Comfort Inn, Crown Pointe

Day 3 - Awake to the thunder of the falls and you won’t want to miss a minute of this lovely gift of nature. Your hotel is right in the midst of most everything and you can walk to all the venues. We have included a ride on the “Maid of the Mist,” a cruise that takes you to the base of the falls. You can’t imagine the force of the water as it tumbles over the falls into the river below and, consequently, forms a mist that feels like rain. But it’s OK – they furnish raincoats so that you can experience this awesome adventure. You will have free time to check out Niagara Falls before we depart for Utica, New York.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Hampton Inn

Day 4 - Today we travel into Vermont and have lunch at Rutland. After lunch, we take a short drive to the Norman Rockwell Museum to view more than 2,500 reproductions of Rockwell’s works that will bring back many memories of Saturday Evening Post covers as well as calendars that we’ve owned over the years. We will make a stop at Quechee Gorge, the “Little Grand Canyon of Vermont.” The bridge spans the gorge 162 feet above the Ottauquechee River! Our night’s lodging will be in White River Junction, Vermont.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Hampton Inn

Day 5 - Time to cross into New Hampshire and have a breathtaking, awesome gondola ride to the top of Loon Mountain! It travels 7,000 feet from base to summit, offering panoramic views of the surrounding area including Mt. Washington, the highest peak in the northeast. We continue for a sightseeing drive through Bretton Woods for a picture stop at the fabulous Mt. Washington Hotel at the base of the mountain. We have some free time to have lunch and do some souvenir shopping in North Conway before proceeding into Maine and our overnight stay in Wells.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Hampton Inn

Day 6 - We drive down the beach a few miles to York Harbor to view the Cape Neddick Light, better known as the Nubble Light House, the most photographed light house in Maine. We then travel into Salem, Massachusetts, home of the 1692 witchcraft trials. Enjoy a narrated trolley tour of Salem and then we’ll do a tour of the Salem Witch Museum and learn details of that horrible time in our history. We’ll then tour the JFK Presidential Library and Museum before checking into our hotel in Boston. Meals:
Breakfast
Lodging: Holiday Inn Express

Day 7 - Today begins with a narrated tour of historic Boston to include such things as the USS Constitution, Old State House, Old North Church, the Paul Revere House and more! We will end the tour at Faneuil Hall, donated to the city in 1742 by Peter Faneuil. After lunch and some free time, we depart Boston and head for Newport, Rhode Island. Our first stop will be to tour the 70-room summer cottage of Cornelius Vanderbilt II. The Breakers is probably the most opulent of the Newport Mansions. Some free time downtown on the Waterfront to have dinner and do some serious shopping will have you more than ready to bed down for the night!
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Courtyard by Marriott

Day 8 - We depart Newport and travel across Connecticut into New York City. We arrive in time to have lunch and our first big adventure – a visit to the 86th floor Observation Deck of the Empire State Building! This 1,454-foot-tall office building allows you to see 50 miles on a clear day. Next we experience the original and only virtual tour simulator in the city, the New York Skyride. It will take you on an aerial New York City tour and fly you over 30 famous sights while never leaving the second floor of the Empire State Building. With so much excitement, you’ll probably be ready for your luxurious hotel! We’ll be crossing into Secaucus, New Jersey for the night.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Hampton Inn

Day 9 - We’ll return to New York City this morning and tour the awesome Ground Zero Memorial. We should have some time to check out a few of the New York landmarks as we make our way to Pier 83 and a harbor cruise. The Statue of Liberty has been closed for reconstruction and will remain so until late 2012; however, we have included a three hour harbor cruise that takes you up close to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. We’ll then depart New York and head for Philadelphia for our overnight.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Holiday Inn Express

Day 10 – A local guide joins us for a tour of this historic city with the highlights being Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. See where the great men of our nation’s history signed the Declaration of Independence and, consequently, some of them signed their death certificate. We will include lunch at the City Tavern before departing for New Stanton, Pennsylvania.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Lodging: Fairfield Inn and Suites

Day 11 - Today is a travel day as we begin our journey towards home. There should be plenty of color to feast our eyes upon as we continue through Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana and into Effingham, Illinois for the last night of our tour.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Holiday Inn Express

Day 12 - Memories will abound as you think back over the last couple of weeks and all the wonderful experiences you have enjoyed as we begin the final day of this awesome tour. We have included a farewell lunch for you today as our way of saying “thank you” for traveling with Making Memories Tours!
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

The Grand Canyon! … Canyon! … Canyon! …

 September 22 – 29, 2012

What better memories can one have than those of seeing one of mother nature’s most beautiful and awe inspiring creations? For this  journey we leave the green of the Ozarks behind and take in the beauty that is the American Southwest and, of course, what trip to the southwest would be complete without including the Grand Canyon? Stop and listen for the echoes of the gasps and cameras of your fellow travellers as we check out this wonder from multiple angles. One would think that would be enough to fill a trip, but we’ll be taking in even more as we journey through the Mountain West checking out more beautiful sites as well as learning about the gun-slinging days of the “Wild Wild West!”

$1,250 Double Occupancy • $1,675 Single Occupancy • $950 Triple Occupancy

Day 1 – Our journey to some of America’s most awe inspiring natural wonders begins today! Meet new friends and enjoy the view as we journey west, enjoying a late-afternoon lunch in Oklahoma City then dinner and rest as we wind up our first travel day in Amarillo, TX.
Lodging: Drury Inn

Day 2 – This morning we continue westward crossing into New Mexico and enjoying a mid-morning break in Santa Rosa. Have your cameras ready as we head deeper into the American Southwest and experience the incredible high desert views of Albuquerque. After a sumptuous lunch, we continue west arriving in the picturesque town of Flagstaff, AZ, where we end our day.
Lodging: Springhill and Suites Flagstaff
Meals: Breakfast

Day 3 – Cameras ready and excitement piquing, we depart Flagstaff for a short jaunt to Williams, AZ, gateway to the Grand Canyon. Here, we board the historic Grand Canyon Railway for a 65-mile long journey on its century-old rail line arriving just steps from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Upon arrival, we will be escorted first to our pre-arranged luncheon then continue with a fully-narrated motor tour of the Canyon’s incredible and surreal South Rim. We’ll enjoy a one-night stay, nestled amongst the Ponderosa Pines at the Maswik Lodge. Spend the evening on your own with numerous dining choices, shopping, exploring or even a guided sunset tour.
Lodging: Maswik Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4 – Leaving the South Rim, we travel the East Rim enjoying incredible desert and wildlife views. we’ll enjoy a break while we behold an engineering marvel – Glen Canyon Dam. We will break for lunch in Kanab, UT, then set our sights on Zion National Park. Utah’s oldest and most visited national park is known for its amazing canyons, monoliths, natural arches and mile-long tunnel! Our scenic drive continues as we head east through Dixie National Forest then north arriving in Antimony and Bryce Canyon National Park, lodging at the beautiful Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel.
Lodging: Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel
Meals: Breakfast

Day 5 – After a delicious, hot breakfast we head deeper into Bryce Canyon National Park to explore and marvel at its incredible scenic views. “Hoodoos,” the collective name for the thousands of limestone, fins, spires, arches and mazes, abound at each scenic point. We’ll have no fewer than six photographic stops as we wind through the incredible natural landscape. We return to Antimony for shopping and lunch on your own. Leaving Bryce and heading further north, we’ll break in Richfield, Utah, then head east into the Centennial State – Colorado. We will dine and enjoy a well-deserved rest in western Colorado’s largest city, Grand Junction.
Lodging: Clarion Inn
Meals: Breakfast

Day 6 – The fun continues as we arrive in Montrose, CO, and tour the Museum of the Mountain West where history comes alive. Guided by our knowledgeable docent, we will learn what it was like to live in western Colorado from the early gun-slinging days of the 1880’s to WWII and the 1940’s. From here we travel to Gunnison where we enjoy a tasty lunch then on to Canon City and the dizzying heights of the Royal Gorge Bridge. Cameras ready! Rising an incredible 955 feet above the Arkansas River, the bridge deck is the highest in North America. From 1929 to 2003, it was the highest in the world. Explore the bridge and the Wildlife Park at your leisure on foot or via trolley. As evening approaches, we’ll arrive in Pueblo, CO, for dinner at one of the many restaurants near our evening accommodations.
Lodging: La Quinta Inn
Meals: Breakfast

Day 7 – Relax and enjoy the views as we head homeward. We’ll take a break in Lamar, CO. and a late-afternoon lunch in Dodge City, KS. Once considered the “Wickedest Little City in the West,” Dodge City was built at the historic crossroads of American western history having deep roots in railroad, buffalo, cattle and gun-slinging history. Evening will find us in Wichita, KS, where we will enjoy a farewell dinner, our way of saying “thank you” for traveling and building your memories with us. Appetites satiated and stories told, we head to our hotel for a blissful sleep.
Lodging: Drury Inn
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8 – Our final day together begins early, near home, arriving in Monett, Cassville and Bella Vista in the afternoon hours. We hope that you have enjoyed traveling with us and have stored hundreds of wonderful memories to be shared for many years to come.
Meals: Breakfast

Joyful Noises (National Quartet Convention Louisville, KY)

September 12 – 15, 2012

Join us on this fabulous trip to the Bluegrass State for an experience you will not soon forget! The Nationa lQuartet Convention, celebrating 55 years, is Christian entertainment’s largest annual event. Hear and meet your favorite Southern Gospel performers and enjoy two days of concerts and speakers.Past entertainers have included The Gaithers, Dr. Charles Stanley, The Kingsmen and Dr. David Jeremiah. Our trip also includes a unique glimpse into the awesome world of the Kentucky Derby – the “Most Exciting Two-Minutes In Sports” and a treat that can only be experienced in Louisville – a cruise on the oldest operating paddlewheel steamboat in the world: The Belle of Louisville. Join us for an incredible four-day trip of magnificence and music!

$525 Double Occupancy • $689 Single Occupancy • $429 Triple Occupancy

Day 1- Leaving Southwest Missouri, we head for the beautiful “Derby City” of Louisville. We will stop for a mid-morning leg-stretch in Lebanon, MO then continue on to Fenton, MO for lunch at Cracker Barrel. The evening finds us arriving in Louisville, where we will check into our deluxe hotel for the first night of our three-night stay.
Lodging: Hampton Inn

Day 2- This morning we take a short drive to the worldfamous Churchill Downs and Kentucky Derby Museum. Savor a selection of breakfast treats and experience the view from the Jockey Club balcony. From our rooftop setting, only feet from the famed Spires, you’ll be able to see the magical process of training world-class thoroughbreds. We will then be greeted by our knowledgeable tour guide and led on a short walk through the barn area where up to 1,400 of these magnificent horses are stabled. After viewing the museum’s many exhibits, we re-board our coach and make our way to our luncheon cruise aboard The Belle of Louisville. This living museum of the steamboat era will allow us a glimpse into the 1890’s as we travel up river to the foot of Six Mile Island then return. The afternoon will allow us a return to our hotel to freshen up to enjoy the evening being entertained by the elite of Southern Gospel. After an evening of incredible music, we return to our hotel for a well-earned slumber.
Lodging: Hampton Inn
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3- Well rested and ready for more, we return to the Expo Center for a full day of Southern Gospel harmonies. As in the past 54 years, fans of Southern Gospel music delight in seeing, hearing and meeting many of their favorite groups at a single event. Additionally, there are 500 exhibit booths which span throughout 175,000 square feet. Southern Gospel music lovers enjoy their favorite music all day long, as music spectaculars begin each morning and continue until nearly midnight each evening, with performances by many popular and multi-award winning recording artists! The day is certain to be filled with memorable moments, special reunions, local and national television exposure and hours of music, music and more music!
Lodging: Hampton Inn
Meals: Breakfast

Day 4- With this magical and musical weekend ending all too soon, we bid goodbye to Louisville and head toward home. To thank you for traveling with us, we will enjoy a farewell lunch together in Fenton, MO. We hope you’ll share pictures and stories of your melodious gospel experience. We arrive in Springfield in the early evening hours and end in Cassville around 6 p.m.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Best of the West

August 18 – 27, 2012

Three national parks of the glorious west await you on this 10-day tour! We will travel to the northwest via South Dakota, making time for the one-of-a kind treasures of the “Corn Palace” and “Wall Drug” as well as the mystifying Badlands and the awe-inspiring view of Mount Rushmore.

$1,399 Double Occupancy • $1,939 Single Occupancy • $1,139 Triple Occupancy

Day 1-  Departing Bella Vista, we will enjoy a short mid-morning break in Butler then lunch in the early afternoon in St. Joseph at Cracker Barrel. Our first day will draw to a close in Sioux City, Iowa, where you will be able to enjoy dinner on your own then lounge in your deluxe room for the night.
Lodging: Hampton Inn (or similar)

Day 2-  We start today by heading westward to Mitchell, SD. Here, we’ll enjoy the unique attraction of “The Corn Palace.” Consisting entirely of naturally colored corn, grains and native grasses, the one-of-a-kind exterior decoration is completely stripped down and new murals are created each year. From here, we will continue to Oacoma and lunch at “Al’s Oasis” before entering the Badlands National Park, allowing time for picture stops along its Park Loop Drive. Exiting the Badlands we arrive in Wall and “America’s Favorite Roadside Attraction,” Wall Drug, where you will enjoy shopping, dinner on your own and a restful night.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Best Western Plains Hotel

Day 3-  Today we head to Keystone and view the sculpted tribute to America’s first 150 years: Mount Rushmore. Enjoy walking the Avenue of Flags, Exploring the Lincoln Borglum Museum and the incredible view of the presidents. Next we venture to Deadwood, the frontier town that once drew legends and legions in search of their fortune. After lunch on your own, spend time exploring the many shops or drop a nickel or two into one of the slot machines! We will end our day in Sheridan, WY.
Lodging: Hampton Inn (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast

Day 4-  The morning stretch will find us in Billings, Montana’s largest city and early railroad hub, and our lunch hour will see us in Bozeman, “The Valley of the Flowers.” Enjoy the changing scenery as we head northwest, leaving grassy plains behind, into the pinecovered hills of the Bitterroot Valley. Our evening will end at beautiful Flathead Lake in Polson.
Lodging: Best Western Kwataqnuk
Meals: Breakfast

Day 5-  Leaving bright and early, we climb further into Montana’s beautiful mountains, glimpsing brilliant views of Flathead Lake’s stunning blue waters then descending into the hidden gem of Flathead Valley. Take a quick look as we head through Kalispell and enter Glacier National Park. Enjoy one of Montana’s Rain Forests as we arrive at Lake McDonald Lodge, where we will board the vintage 1930’s “Red Bus Jammers.” Soon you will be traversing the “cliffside” of a glacially carved valley as we climb the Going-to-the-Sun Road to Logan pass. Next, we return to the Lodge and enjoy our freshly prepared, gourmet lunch. After a short jaunt to Apgar Village for some shopping, its back to Kalispell for dinner on your own. Whether you prefer a saw-dust covered floor of Moose’s Saloon where you can scratch your name into the rustic booth (they encourage it!) or the Bistro Style Flair of the Wheat Montana Bakery, you’ll be certain to find something that will attract your palette. Dining and shopping is within walking distance of our deluxe lodging.
Lodging: Red Lion Hotel
Meals: Breakfast

Day 6-  Today we head southward, traveling once again along Flathead Lake to Missoula where we will break. Next, its southeast through Butte into Bozeman where will stop for lunch. We then travel south along scenic Hwy 191 and soon are entering West Yellowstone. After a short break we enter Yellowstone National Park, the first National Park in the world. We will have the opportunity to see Buffalo and Elk as we travel along this iconic byway stopping at the Fountain Paint Pots and Grand Prismatic Spring for a time of exploring and photo opportunities. As evening approaches we make our way to Yellowstone Lake where we will end our evening.
Lodging: Grant Village
Meals: Breakfast

Day 7-  Departing early, we head for the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. Cut over thousands of years by the churning waters of the Yellowstone River, it reaches depths of 1,200 feet and widths of 4,000 feet. The most notable spots of the canyon are the incredible Upper and Lower Falls with the most iconic and dramatic view being from Artist Point. After our dramatic views of the falls, we continue to Canyon Village for some shopping and lunch on your own. From here, we head to view Old Faithful erupt its thousands of gallons of boiling water and spend some time exploring the historic Old Faithful Lodge. As our day draws to a close, enjoy the rustic, western charm of the Hotel 49er in Jackson, WY where we end our day.
Lodging: 49er Inn and Suites
Meals: Breakfast

Day 8-  Today, we view our final National Park; The Grand Tetons. As we depart Jackson, delight in the view of being completely surrounded by the towering Mountains rising an astounding 13,770 feet. A stop at the Craig Thomas Discovery Visitors Center will leave you educated, inspired and encouraged about this incredible Wilderness Range, the youngest in the Rocky Mountains. Continuing, we’ll travel the Jenny Lake Scenic Loop, a four-mile roadside close-up of the Tetons, winding through groves of lodge-pole pine and open meadows. Here, we will be allowed a breath-taking view of the Cathedral Group, the three highest mountain peaks of the park. We will stop in Dubois, WY for lunch and as evening approaches, arrive in Casper, WY where we will enjoy dinner and lodging.
Lodging: Hampton Inn (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast

Day 9-  Leaving Casper, we head east to Guernsey, WY. We will enjoy a brief leg-stretch then continue into Nebraska, stopping in Scottsbluff for lunch. Share stories or simply relax as we head across the Nebraska Plains toward home, stopping for an evening meal and comfortable night’s rest in Lincoln.
Lodging: Hampton Inn (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast

Day 10-  As we begin our final day, we hope you have enjoyed meeting new friends and sharing unforgettable experiences as we’ve traveled to some of the most beautiful places on earth; our nation’s National Parks. We wave a fond farewell to each and all and thank you for traveling with us as we arrive to our drop-off destinations between 4:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Meals: Breakfast

Alaskan Adventure

July 25 – August 18, 2012

Snow capped mountain peaks that seem to reach the sky … hundreds of tiny, jewel-like islands … tumbling waterfalls … rivers, streams and blue-green lakes … wildlife … primitive forested shorelines … and colorful coastal cities … This is ALASKA! Traveling by motorcoach, you will be able to see it all! There is a new and exciting adventure around every corner that seems more breathtaking than each that came before! Join us as we go “Making Memories” on this wonderful tour that takes us through Canada to one of the most beautiful states our wonderful country has to offer.

$3,799 Double Occupancy • $5,449 Single Occupancy

Day 1 – You can feel the excitement as we board our luxury motorcoach to begin this totally awesome tour! We’ll end our first day’s journey in Sioux City, Iowa.
Lodging: Hampton Inn (or similar)

Day 2 – Our second travel day takes us north through Sioux Falls, South Dakota, then northwest into Pierre, the capital of South Dakota, and continuing north into Bismarck, North Dakota, for our overnight stay. On the way, we will have a short stop in Mitchell, SD, to view the Corn Palace featuring Moorish architecture with portions of both the exterior and interior covered with designs made from ears of corn.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Hampton Inn (or similar)

Day 3 – We continue north today through Minot, ND, then cross the border into Saskatchewan, Canada (be sure you have your passport!) Saskatchewan is a land of prairies, mountains, grasslands and even sand dunes. While approximately half of the province is covered in pine, white spruce and other trees, a good portion is blanketed with fields of wheat. Our lodging tonight will be in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
Lodging: Westmark Inn (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast

Day 4 – We depart Saskatchewan and enter the Province of Alberta, Canada, arriving in the afternoon in Edmonton, the capital of Alberta. Here, we will spend some time at the billion-dollar mall complex, which is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s largest shopping center!
Lodging: Westmark Inn (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast

Day 5 – Today we travel through mountains, wilderness, lakes, rivers and forests on our way to the frozen north. We leave Alberta and cross into the Province of British Columbia. We pass through Dawson Creek where we get on the Alcan Highway, where the zeromile marker starts in downtown Dawson Creek. Watch out for moose! We continue on to Fort St. John where we will spend our night. Fort St. John is one of the oldest European settlements in the province, established in 1793 as a furtrading outpost known as Rocky Mountain Fort.
Lodging: Westmark Inn (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast

Day 6 – Bet you never realized that the north went so far! Watch for wildlife as we continue north on the Alaska Highway with a stop for lunch at the Sasquatch Crossing Lodge and Restaurant. Our lodging tonight will be
in Fort Muncho Lake, BC.
Lodging: Westmark Inn (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast

Day 7 – Wow! The Yukon Territory! Where the map drops off into the Beaufort Sea! A land of adventure and lonely wilderness, it is also a rugged and pristine land of splendor, beauty … and gold! We will visit the Laird River Hot Springs Park this morning. This park protects a hot spring ecosystem of national significance. It is the second largest in Canada and is surrounded by lush boreal spruce forest and marsh. The park is a popular destination for both visitors and wildlife alike!
Lodging: Westmark Klondike Inn (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast

Day 8 – This morning we’ll take a break at the Haines Junction Visitors Center. Be sure to watch for their little bakery! We will drive around the rugged, snow capped peaks of the Saint Elias Mountains on our way to the border town of Beaver Creek, YT, and then cross the border back into the United States. Our home tonight will be in Tok, Alaska.
Lodging: Westmark Inn (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast

Day 9 – We will take our morning break at Delta Junction, AK, which is the true end of the Alaska Highway. Delta Junction was originally called the Buffalo Center and a free-ranging herd of American Bison can often be seen in the area. We travel into Fairbanks, AK, which started out as a mining town in 1902 and has grown to be the second largest city in Alaska. We will have lunch at The Pump House Restaurant before we pick up our local guide for a tour of the city where you will learn about the “accidental” creation of this city in the middle of nowhere! Along the way, highlights will include the “shotgun cabins” and the “red carnation district.” You will also be able to get up close and personal with the Alaska Pipeline, an engineering feat conquering distance, wilderness and permafrost! After this tour, we will have some free time at Alaskaland and Making Memories Tours will treat you to a genuine Alaska Salmon Bake dinner!
Lodging: Bridgewater Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 10 – We have a real treat ahead of us this morning. We will board the river boat Discovery for a cruise on the Chena River. Your cruise will take you into the heart of Alaska and the heart of a family who has made the rivers of Alaska a way of life for four generations! You will see a bush plane taking off from a bush-style runway, visit the home and kennels of four-time Iditarod winner Susan Butcher, witness the “wedding of the rivers,” and gain insight into the ancient Athabascan Indian culture. Alaskan native guides who have worked and lived in Alaska will take you on a personalized tour of the Chena Indian Village. After our cruise, we make our turnaround and head back south to Denali Park where we’ll make our stay for two nights. We have reserved seats for the Alaska Cabin Nite Dinner Theater for an evening of good food and fun.
Lodging: McKinley Chalet Resort
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 11 – Today is a totally free day for you to relax, catch up on your laundry or just sit back and enjoy the beauty of the area. The lodge provides shuttle service to and from the train depot and to the Denali Visitor’s Center if anyone is interested. Also, if you want to get out and about, your escort will have a list of things that are available to do.
Lodging: McKinley Chalet Resort
Meals: Breakfast

Day 12 – With our morning break in the Talkeetna, AK, area, we should arrive in Anchorage in time for lunch before we pick up our local guide for a tour of the city. If the day is clear, you should have a great view of Mt. McKinley, the highest mountain in Alaska! Anchorage is the largest city in Alaska and sits on the Cook Inlet. Our guide will show us Ship Creek, their downtown “fishing hole” which is the second-most widely fished river in the state – the Russian River being the first. This river boasts giant salmon like Reds, Kings and Silvers. You may also see the Iditarod historic buildings, Earthquake Park and Lake Hood. Lake Hood is the most active seaplane base in the world with a 16-year waiting list to get one of the coveted 404 floatplane slips on the water! You will also have some free time to experience Anchoragem n your own.
Lodging: Springhill Suites Midtown
Meals: Breakfast

Day 13 – We have a lovely drive this morning as we travel the Turnagain Arm on our way to Whittier, AK, to board the M/V Aurora Ferry to sail to Valdez, AK for our overnight stay. You often see the mountains twice as they are reflected in the beautiful clear water of Prince Edward Sound. From the ship you will be able to see Columbia Glacier and Blackstone Bay, the latter known for its numerous hanging glaciers and spectacular waterfalls. Keep your cameras ready as you may see such things as humpback and orca whales, sea lions, sea otters and porpoises! You’ll have dinner on your own on the ferry before we dock for the night in Valdez.
Lodging: Harbor Inn
Meals: Breakfast

Day 14 – We have some free time this morning in Valdez, known as the “Switzerland of Alaska,” as our departure is scheduled for 10 a.m. You’ll have lunch on your own at the Copper Center Lodge before we cross back into Canada and arrive in Beaver Creek, YT, for the night.
Lodging: Westmark Inn
Meals: Breakfast

Day 15 – This morning our first break will be in Destruction Bay, YT, and we’ll stop for lunch in Haines Junction, YT. We cross once again back into the USA and travel through the colorful gorge of the Kilhini River and along deep canyons of the Alsec River through dense coastal forests to Haines, AK for the night.
Lodging: Captain’s Choice Motel
Meals: Breakfast

Day 16 – Today we board our deluxe ferry for a spectacular cruise to Juneau, the capital of Alaska! Relax in comfortable observation lounges or sun decks and view the world’s most beautiful waterway, the Inside Passage.  We arrive in Juneau mid-afternoon and the balance of the day is free for you to explore this city that is completely surrounded by mountains. One must arrive in Juneau by water or air, as there are no roads that lead to the capital. Shop the quaint shops and enjoy their unique restaurants.
Lodging: Westmark Baranof
Meals: Breakfast

Day 17 – You will have free time this morning to check out some of the highlights of Juneau such as Mendenhall Glacier, the governor’s mansion, the State Capitol Building and more. We will depart for the terminal at 3:30 p.m. to board the Ferry M/V Taku that will continue on the famed Inside Passage from Juneau to Prince Rupert. Over the next couple of days, the ferry will stop along the way to pick up and unload passengers, stopping at such ports as Sitka, Kake, Petersburg, Wrangell and Ketchikan on its way to Prince Rupert. Ketchikan is a popular destination along Alaska’s Inside Passage and is home to the largest concentration of Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian people in the state. This beautiful city also boasts the world’s largest collection of totem poles!
Lodging: Cabin on the ferry
Meals: Breakfast

Day 18 – Enjoy your day cruising the Inside Passage. It is an awesome ride! The captain will give you a heads-up if there is wildlife in the area so that you have an opportunity to get your camera ready for a once in- a-lifetime photo. We pass through Sitka, Kake and Petersburg today.
Lodging: Cabin on the ferry
Meals: Breakfast

Day 19 – We continue today through Wrangell and Ketchikan and arrive in Prince Rupert, British Columbia, around 3 p.m. You will have some free time to get your “land legs” back as you check out Prince Rupert, known as the Halibut Capital of the World.
Lodging: Westmark Inn (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast

Day 20 – Another glorious day as we depart Prince Rupert traveling east on the Yellowstone Highway. We’ll travel through mountains and along mountainside streams on our way to Prince George. The next couple of days will be some of the most breathtaking scenery on the entire tour! Our home for tonight will be Prince George.
Lodging: Westmark Inn (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast

Day 21 – Another travel day with unbelievably beautiful mountain scenery! We travel along the Frasier River Canyon, through the spectacular country of the Columbia and Caribou Mountains. We will view Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies towering at 12,979 feet! We have lunch in Jasper and then begin our journey on the Ice Fields Parkway to view some of the most majestic scenery in the Rockies. The most awe-inspiring sight of the day is the great Columbia ice field – 150 square miles of ice straddling the boundary of Banff and Jasper National Parks. Great mountain ranges flank both sides of the road as we climb to elevations of 7,000 feet. Snow-capped peaks rise to more than 11,000 feet above us! We will visit Lake Louise, one of the most photographed spots in all of Canada, with beautiful contrasts of flowering plants, icy blue waters and the imposing Victoria Glacier looming overhead. We arrive in Banff National Park, the jewel of the Canadian Rockies, and our lodging this evening will be in Banff, Alberta, Canada. You will have time to do some shopping and watch for the elk that roam the city streets.
Lodging: Westmark Inn (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast

Day 22 – This morning we must begin our journey home. We will head south through Calgary, Alberta, and make a run for the border crossing back into the Continental United States with a late arrival in Lewistown, Montana for the night.
Lodging: Hampton Inn (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast

Day 23 – Traveling through the “Big Sky Country” of Montana, a mixture of rolling highlands, plains and prairies, we cross into Wyoming for an interesting change in scenery. Our journey takes us to Torrington, Wyoming for the night.
Lodging: American Best Value or Holiday Inn
Meals: Breakfast

Day 24 – Our destination today will be Lincoln, Nebraska, for the last night out on this amazing tour. Beautiful, majestic, magnificent, fantastic, awe-inspiring – all words that have been used hundreds of times over the past three weeks. But the journey can be summed up in just one word … amazing!
Lodging: Hampton Inn (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast

Day 25 – They say all good things must come to an end and, physically speaking, I guess that is true. However, I believe that this tour will live on in your memory for many years to come! Before we arrive home, Making Memories Tours will treat you to a farewell lunch as our way of saying “thank you” for letting us be a part of your memory making travels.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Big Apple with a Bang

June 30 – July 7, 2012
To paraphrase Mr. Sinatra, if we can’t make memories here, we can’t make them anywhere! New York City has a long history of being the place where dreams can come true. People flock to it from all over the business world as well as the world of show business! What better place to celebrate the birthday of our great nation than this? We’ll take in so many of the experiences NYC is known for. Times Square, NBC Studios, the Empire State Building and Ellis Island are all on the list! Your memories of our visit to The Big Apple will range from the excitement of the world’s busiest intersection, to the awe of one of the nation’s best fireworks displays, to the somber as we stop to pay tribute to those who lost their lives in the tragedy of 9/11. It’s definitely a memory you won’t want to miss!

$1,299 Double Occupancy • $1,824 Single Occupancy • $1,059 Triple Occupancy

Day 1 – Today we begin our exciting journey to the Big Apple. Leaving the Ozarks bright and early, we travel northeast, with our first break in Lebanon. The noon hour will find us in Fenton, enjoying lunch at Cracker Barrel. We’ll end our day at the Hampton Inn Plainfield, IN.
Lodging: Hampton Inn

Day 2 – After a hot breakfast, our adventure continues, we will travel through Ohio, sights set on Carlisle, PA. We take our mid-morning break and lunch in the Buckeye State then round out an enjoyable day of sights and getting to know new friends with a leisurely dinner and restful evening.
Lodging: Hampton Inn Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3 – Well rested, we depart PA, arriving in New York City just before noon. We will begin our exploration of this magnificent city at the world-famous Rockefeller Center, home to Radio City Music Hall. Peruse the sites and inspiring works of art before having lunch on your own. We then head to the NBC Experience Store followed by a guided tour of the famous NBC Studios. The late afternoon finds us at the world’s busiest intersection – Times Square. You will be free to observe the sights and sounds, shopping the likes of M&M World, Billabong or Toys “R” Us and its indoor Ferris wheel! Next, we time travel to the 50’s while we enjoy dinner and the fabulous singing wait staff of Ellen’s Stardust Diner, then on to our Manhattan hotel for the night.
Lodging: Courtyard Fifth Avenue Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4 – We begin today with a boat ride to Ellis Island and one of our most recognizable national monuments, the Statue of Liberty. Here, we will tour the remarkable museum dedicated to the history of immigration. Enjoy the documentary film, “Island of Hope, Island of Fears,” and lunch on your own before we board the ferry to return dockside. We will stop for a photo opportunity at “The Charging Bull,” the 7,100-pound bronze statue also referred to as the “Wall Street Bull.” The afternoon will see us to the 9/11 National Memorial, a tribute to the nearly 3,000 people killed in the Sept. 11 terror attacks. Its man-made waterfalls are the largest in North America and its six reflecting pools cover nearly an acre and are nestled in the “footprints” of the Twin Towers. The evening is all yours to spend as you desire. You may opt to take in a Broadway show, enjoy cocktails and fine dining or one of many other activities available in “the city that never sleeps.”
Lodging: Courtyard Fifth Avenue Meals: Breakfast

Day 5 – Independence Day! Well rested and ready for more, today we tour the United Nations Building. This 18-acre site does not actually belong to the United States alone but to all countries who have joined the organization. The UN boasts its own security, fire department, postage stamps and conducts business in six official languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish! After lunch on your own, we will delight in a walking tour of renowned Central Park with a stop at Strawberry Fields/ Imagine Mosaic, a tribute to John Lennon. Our tour will include a picturesque view of Bethesda Terrace at the heart of Central Park followed by the Belvedere Castle, every bit as breathtaking as its Italian translation, “beautiful view,” implies. Tonight, we dine at the Gossip Bar and Restaurant in the historic and now-famous “Hell’s Kitchen” district of Manhattan, then watch the night sky explode with bright colors with Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks display.
Lodging: Courtyard Fifth Avenue Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6 – Wake-up sleepyhead! There’s more to see! Today we visit New York’s famous Empire State Building. One of America’s most recognized antiquities, this National Historic Landmark soars over a mile and a half into the sky. Enjoy the panoramic views from the 86th floor observatory pavilion or promenade. Next, we return for one last Times Square experience. Enjoy lunch on your own and take care of some last-minute shopping before we leave this incredible, bustling city. This evening will find us in Bedford, PA for dinner and an inviting slumber.
Lodging: Fairfield Inn and Suites Meals: Breakfast

Day 7 – Today we visit the Flight 93 National Memorial. Formerly a common Pennsylvania field, this site was forever changed on Sept. 11th, 2001. Included on America’s honor roll of most iconic places, it is a testament to courage, action and honor. This incredibly beautiful and stirring memorial pays tribute to the 40 brave souls who lost their lives that day. From here, we travel to Cambridge, OH,where we will enjoy lunch then continue to Plainfield, IN, where we end our day.
Lodging: Hampton Inn Meals: Breakfast

Day 8 – With souvenirs in hand and hundreds of memories in mind, we conclude our adventure. We will arrive in Monett at approximately 4:45 p.m., Cassville at 5:15 p.m. and Bella Vista at 6:15 p.m.
Meals: Breakfast

Eine Große Tour Durch Europa

June 12 – 25, 2012

A Grand Tour of Europe used to be a rite of passage for aristocracy, but no longer! On this guided tour, you’ll meander, not rush, through some of the most beautiful areas of Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and France.  We’ll take in the 1,100-year history of Nördlingen, the hallowed grounds of the Dachau Concentration Camp and the incredible antiquity and architecture of Munich, Germany. We’ll tour Neuschwanstein Castle and enjoy the European Faire at Innsbruck, Austria while we are inspired by the Austrian-Italian border region where baroque cathedrals, monasteries and palaces still dot the mountainside towns!

Prepare yourself for panoramic views of snow capped mountains, centuries-old villages, the hauntingly
beautiful Black Forest and luscious wine country!

$3,499 Double Occupancy • $3,879 Single Occupancy

Day 1 & 2 - Welcome! We depart this afternoon from Northwest Arkansas. Destination: Frankfurt, Germany, arriving at 11 a.m. After traveling to Würzburg and checking into our hotel overlooking the Main River, the rest of the day will be entirely yours. Named one of the loveliest baroque cities in the country, Würzburg is a beautiful old town with much to explore, and is called the gateway to the Romantic Road. Lodging: Hotel Maritim

Day 3 – Heading south from Würzburg, we will travel the Romantic Road to Tauberbischofsheim, entrance to the Tauber Valley and home to medieval relics, a monastery and the Olympic fencing training facility. Continuing to Rothenburg ob der Tauber, we will enjoy lunch and a walking tour of the city. You may also opt to venture on your own, exploring the Criminal Museum, the Craftsman’s House or the State Dungeon. Next we travel to Dinkelsbühl, one of the only remaining walled medieval towns in Germany. Its imposing Minster and the timbered buildings give a strong picture of how the town appeared in the Middle Ages. Finally, it’s on to Wemding, a little taste of the country, where we’ll check into our hotel and enjoy a delicious four-course dinner. Lodging: Hotel Gut Wildbad Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4 – This morning we travel to Nördlingen, Germany – an amazing Bavarian city located in the middle of a complex meteorite crater. Established over 500 years ago, this town was the site of two battles of the Thirty Years War and today is one of only three German towns that still have a completely established city wall. We continue our Romantic Road journey arriving in the town of Harburg, a city of 6,000 which boasts one of the most impressive medieval castles in Germany. We will enjoy a delicious, Bavarian-style lunch in the on-site restaurant. After lunch we travel to Dachau where we will tour the Holocaust-era concentration camp – a solemn reminder of the evil that was Nazi Germany. After our tour we will go into the city of Dachau for dinner on your own before we continue to Munich.
Lodging: Hotel Wallis Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 5 – A subway ride brings us to Altstadt (Old Town) and the Marienplatz. Here you will find an openair market and the city’s most famous churches, museums and the Rathaus with its famed lockenspiel. This intricate mechanical marvel has a remarkable hourly display that is not to be missed! The afternoon will find us heading for Füssen where we will tour the storybook-style castle, Neuschwanstein. As evening approaches, we arrive in Innsbruck, Austria, where we will enjoy a three-course meal and two nights lodging.
Lodging: Alpin Park Hotel Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6 – Innsbruck is Europe’s oldest and most beautiful city in the state of Tyrol, located in the mountains at the junction of the Inn and Sill rivers. Recommended sites include the Hofkirche (Court Church) and its remarkable collection of German Renaissance sculpture, the Imperial Palace and the Art History Museum at Ambras Castle, to name a few. History, art, music and architecture will be found at every turn as you traverse the streets of this fabulous city. With the Innsbruck card, which we provide, you can use all forms of transportation to view the city – even a trip up the mountain with the cable car! You will also enjoy free entry into all museums and places of interest in and around the city. The day is yours … enjoy!
Lodging: Alpin Park Hotel Meals: Breakfast

Day 7 – We will leave Austria for a short time today as we visit enchanting Bressanone, Italy, a town whose history dates back to 901 A.D. Explore its many narrow alleyways and brick-line piazza with their many shops and eateries. You can also tour the cathedral with its Baroque style and enormous fresco, then take in the Hofburg Castle, residence of the prince-bishops since 1250. The afternoon says farewell to Italy as we head to Feldkirch, Austria. On the border with Switzerland and Liechtenstein, this well-preserved, medieval town has a history that dates back as far as 1218 and possesses many impressive castles and cathedrals. We’ll enjoy the sights before retiring for the evening.
Lodging: Hotel zum Bären. Meals: Breakfast

Day 8 & 9 – Fairytale-like views continue into today as we travel through the tiny country of Liechtenstein. Vaduz, its architecturally stunning capital city, houses the palace of the prince, the seat of government and the parliament. Crossing the Rhine River into Switzerland, we will stop for a nice, long visit in Zurich. With hundreds of art galleries, museums, boutiques and cafes as well as thousands of architecturally magnificent and historical buildings, you will have no shortage of things to see and do! Late afternoon will take us south to the beautiful city of Lucerne. Located on the glacier lake, Lake of Lucerne, enjoy dinner on your own while savoring the breathtaking scenery. Our hotel is just minutes walk from the old town and waterfront, and in the morning you will have plenty of time to explore the city that boasts the Picasso Museum, Kapellbrucke (Chapel Bridge) and the Dying Lion of Lucerne.
Lodging: Hotel Rothaus Meals: Breakfast

Day 10 – Today we head north to the unique city of Basel. The residents of Basel have the ability to reside in Switzerland, go to work in France and do some afternoon shopping in Germany with suburbs in each country! Enjoy lunch on your own then explore at your leisure. Basel is among the most important cultural centers of Switzerland with hits large number of theatres, historical structures, museums and galleries including the world’s oldest art collection accessible to the public at the Museum of Fine Art. Leaving Basel, we bid “Auf Wiedersehen” to Switzerland and say “Bon jour” to France as we travel to Strasbourg. We will dine at Restaurant Le Gruber in the center of the old city, whose menu includes Tarte Flambée (Flaming Pies), the French version of pizza, before calling it a day.
Lodging: Hotel Pax Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 11 – Today is devoted to Strasbourg, the capital of the Alsace Region and seat of the European Parliament and European Council among other notable European institutions. After breakfast, we will all enjoy a peaceful boat tour on the river surrounding the city. Afterwards you may go back and visit
the things that interest you.You may choose to visit the Grande Île or the one-of-a-kind Astronomical Clock. Perhaps the 600-year-old cellar of Strasbourg hospices, which boasts the world’s oldest wine, or climbing the 332 steps of the Strasbourg Cathedral (which offers a memorable panoramic view) – whatever delights you! You may return to the hotel at your leisure.
Lodging: Hotel Pax Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 12 – This morning we leave France and once again enter Germany. Our morning arrival in the Black Forest city of Baden Baden will afford plenty of time for sightseeing, shopping and savoring!
We’ll depart in the early afternoon and continue to Bad Herrenalb for a time of sightseeing and a special taste of German hospitality … a traditional afternoon coffee and cake. The evening will bring us to Schwetzingen, home of Schwetzingen Castle with its beautiful Baroque and English-style gardens and statuaries. You are free to survey the city and enjoy dinner at your leisure before retiring for the evening.
Lodging: Achat Hotel Meals: Breakfast

Day 13 – This bright morning we depart Schwetzingen for Heidelberg, home to Heidelberger Schloss, a magnificent castle ruin and famous landmark. The castle ruins are among the most important Renaissance structures north of the Alps and were even written about by Mark Twain in his 1880 travel
book, “A Tramp Abroad.” We will tour the castle in the morning and spend the rest of our time shopping and
sightseeing in the old city. From here we will travel the Wine Road, Germany’s oldest scenic drive through the heart of wine country and get a taste of 100-year-old viniculture, including wine tasting! We will end our day in St. Martin by enjoying a proper meal together.
Lodging: Hotel Castell St. Martin Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 14- Our final day upon us, we depart the lush vineyards and castled hills of St. Martin and head toward Frankfurt for our flight home. Rest well as we take to the air once more and dream of fairytale villages, fine art, gourmet food and new friends. We hope you have gathered many wonderful memories to share for many years to come!
Meals: Breakfast