We are back!! Our group of 12 departed from Owatonna MN @ 6:00am on a 15 passenger van on a rainy Thursday morning. This didn't dampen our spirits - as we were all very excited to wing our way to the "Big Apple" - New York City! Upon our arrival we were shuttled to Midtown Manhattan and our hotel for the next four nights, The Sheraton Manhattan. We had a short afternoon to acquaint ourselves with our surroundings, then off to our 6:00 pm "Welcome to New York" dinner at a nearby restaurant.
Day 2 - Friday we are whisked away from our hotel in our private escorted bus tour with local guide to Battery Park to catch a Statue Cruise Ferry to see the beautiful Statue of Liberty. She was a favorite stop for the group - even with a 175 step hike to the base of the statue. From there we took the ferry to Ellis Island where we learned and felt how our early ancestors and immigrants would have felt as they were checked and rechecked for admission to the United States. Some 12 million immigrants came through Ellis Island.
You could feel the fright in the room as you walked thru and saw the
many other side rooms where the immigrants were tested to see if
they were worthy of staying or would need to be returned to their country.
Our stay was too short here, we are would have loved to hear more
stories, but can only imagine what it must have been like for thousands
who passed thru each day.
WE'RE CHECKING IT OUT
...JUST FOR YOU!!
COLLEEN travelled to this highly popular destination. Branson has so much to offer for people of all ages for fun, entertainment and dining. Sun Country Airlines offered non-stop flights this late summer and fall - what a great way to get there! It's a fun place to travel during these upcoming holidays - as they really cater to the sounds of the season!
Or, plan on a getaway in 2010 - it will be something to look forward to after our long winter months.
LAURIE traveled once again to the Riviera Maya to check on more hotels and what they have to offer our customers for beach activities, dining options, and room amenities. She stayed at the new, all inclusive resort-- the NH Riviera, located just south of Cancun, near the town of Puerto Morelos.
A few months later, LAURIE was invited by the Karisma Resort Hotels to visit their property in Puerto Vallarta. She was impressed by the updates that have been undertaken to make your vacation this coming winter -- a fantastic one!
COLLEEN just returned from Mazatlan. It had been quite a few years since she visited this popular Mexican resort area and was pleased to see how diversified the properties have become and how their tourism industry is truly catering to your upcoming vacation! Mazatlan is very affordable and therefore an extremely popular winter destination!
The Caribbean.......
COLLEEN and LAURIE were able to take advantage of a long weekend this fall and travel to the BAHAMASand the TURKS & CACOIS islands. Although time spent was fast and furious they were able to visit the SANDALS resorts. They now have that first hand knowledge that is so important in advising YOU --
our customers.
EUROPEAN WATERWAYS
DISNEY VACATIONS...
Ronda, Dave, Colleen and Laurie have graduated from the "Disney College of Knowledge". As much as each one of your travel consultants would love to visit Disney (every single year!!) it obviously is just not possible. So, they become aware of all updates, events, changes, new attractions, renovations, parties, gatherings, etc. etc. because they are Disney Specialists. They know which property will work best for you, the special offerings with Park Hopper Passess, the waterparks, and just how to make the best of your time while there! Come visit with one of them - They love talking about DISNEY!!
LAURIE had the great opportunity of cruising on the Avalon Affinity early this fall. She boarded her "barge" in Basel, Switzerland and set off for Strasburg, France and the Germany ports of Heidelburg, Mainz, Rudesheim, Koblenz and Cologne. Her cruise ended in Amsterdam, Holland. A passenger list of 40 brought people from New Zealand, Canada and the U.S. The beauty of sailing on a barge is that you arrive right in the center of each town where pre-arranged tours awaited you. No need to worry about meals as they were always ready when you were on board. The weather was beautiful during her week and she enjoyed the fellowship of her other "sailors".
