Coach Tours America

Cruising is a great way to relax in total luxury whilst seeing some amazing sights and where better to cruise than the Mississippi? Climb aboard the America and here is what you will enjoy :-

Day 1 begins with being collected by motor coach and heading to the Twin Cities, stopping for lunch before you board the American Queen which is the largest river cruise ship in the world. As you would expect everything you would need is on board from a choice of cabins, pool, theatre, choice of bars and lounges, and much more. Of course all of your meals are included whilst you are on board so there is no need to worry about being hungry!

On day 2 you will arrive in Winona which was founded back in 1851 by a steamboat captain, you will get the chance to explore, take an excursion or stay on board, the choice is yours. Lunch is served on board, but you can give it a miss if you are having too much fun.

Day 3 takes you to La Crosse where Art Deco and Victorian architecture meet, once again you are free to explore, go on an excursion or take it easy on board.

On day 4 you will visit Dubuque where riverboats have been built for years. You can choose to look around yourself or join an excursion. Whilst there you might want to visit the Port, which has a Casino, the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium and much more for you to enjoy.

Day 5 is quite unique as it is the point of the cruise where the Mississippi runs both east and west. If you choose to go on shore you can choose from historic expeditions, music and art tour or just a stroll around.
You will dock in Burlington on day 6, this was once a busy port but now it is more laid back. If you want to go on an excursion you can visit Nauvoo or Fort Madison or maybe you would rather take a look around on your own - that’s fine too.

On day 7 you will visit the home of Mark Twain Hannibal, MO. Here riverboats and steamers were king back in the 1800’s and it is easy to see where Mark Twain drew his inspiration for Huckleberry Finn and his friends. You can visit Mark Twain cave, tour some of the mansions or go at your own pace. Back on board the ship at night you will be the guests of honour at a soiree for the guests held by the Captain as you set sail on your journey home.

Day 8 means the final docking for your ship at St Louis where you will say goodbye to the crew and climb aboard you motor coach for the drive home.

If you want a tour that is big and bold you should book onto the San Antonio trip as it will take you across the best sights and sounds in Texas. Want to know more? Here it is :-

On day 1 you will set off on your drive across the southern states of America with rest stops and plenty of photo opportunities. Your dinner is included and can be enjoyed at a buffet restaurant.

On day 2 you will continue your journey, spending the night in Dallas.

Day 3 begins with an included breakfast and then it is off to San Antonio stopping off to look at the Sixth Floor Museum at the Dealey Plaza which is where JFK was assassinated here you can take a look at the artefacts chronically the President’s life. You are also able to take an hour long audio tour of the museum. You will spend the night at the Drury Hotel where you can partake of complimentary drinks, snacks, popcorn and soda fountain. Once again dinner is at a local restaurant.

On day 4 you will start the day with a hot breakfast before visiting the Alamo including its chapel which is instantly recognisable and a great photo opportunity. You will also go to Market Square where you will be able to shop and buy some of the intricate Mexican jewellery. When ngiht falls enjoy dinner and entertainment at Mexican La Margarita Restaurant.

Your breakfast day 5 will set you off well for your trip to Misson San Jose which is a historic church with the beautiful Rose Window. Then you will go to the River Walk which is right in the centre of downtown and has some of the most lush river banks you will have ever seen. Here you can take a look around the shops or simply stroll along. You will enjoy your dinner at the River Walk Restaurant.

Day 6 starts with a hot breakfast and takes you towards home, you will overnight in Texarkana which is a great mix of two cultures.

On day 7 you will journey to Nashville where you can shop at the Osry Mills which is a must for anyone who likes to shop and there is a great selection of goods from designer labels to electronic equipment –something for everyone.

You will arrive home on day 8 in the early evening after a day of driving with rest stops and lunch en route. Happy travelling!

It may have a strange name that has nothing to do with crafting but the War Eagle Craft Fair has been a firm favourite with families and crafters alike. In fact anyone who wants to spend a few days enjoying crafts, great shows and great company should book onto the War Eagle tour.
You will begin your journey as you travel to Arkansas where you will be staying for two nights. On your first evening you can enjoy the fantastic Pine Mountain Jamboree which is a mixture of gospel, country and patriotic music and is fun for all ages.

Then it is the War Eagle Craft Fair where you can wander around the 300 plus exhibitors who are showing their woodwork, pewter, leather, stained glass, carvings, baskets, weavers and so much more. Perhaps you will pick a few bargains as you enjoy the artistic atmosphere and chat to the stall holders. After all that you will want to relax and enjoy some more great entertainment and tonight it comes in the form of the Ozark Mountain Hoe-Down show which includes all kinds of musical performances and some family friendly comedy thrown for good measure.

For a taste of the outdoors Dogwood Canyon awaits you and here you get to explore the canyon floor seeing amazing waterfalls, bluffs and creek beds stopping at the Glory Hole which is a stunning blue-green pool in which live some massive trout. After dinner you will go on to Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theatre where you will have an evening that will take you back in time to the 1950’s and 60’s for you to experience a packed show like no other full of rock n’ rock legends.
Next stop is the Titanic Museum where you will be able to try to scale the Titanic’s decks which are sloping as happened when the fatal plunge began, you will then hurry into a scale sized lifeboat and even try to send an SOS. You will also be able to take a look around the 400 artefacts and pieces some of which were found on board. After the museum it is time to re-board your motor coach for the journey home where you can chat about your fun packed few days.

If you are looking for a trip that will show you the beauty and breathtaking scenery of Canada you must go on the Great Atlantic Canadian Experience which will take you on a journey that lasts almost three weeks and is packed full of experiences that you will never forget.

Here are a selection of what to expect on your trip –

Take a trip to Peggy’s Cove which is a charming fishing village before heading to  Lunenburg where you can visit the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic or enjoy the area on your own. Then it is through the Annapolis Valley and on to Grand Pre which is a romantic and idyllic setting for photos.

Hopewell Rocks is worth a visit and you can even get to walk on the ocean floor! From here you will spend a night in Charlottetown where you can enjoy a lobster dinner as you relax and unwind. Whilst in Charlottetown you will get the opportunity to do some adventuring of your own or join a tour of the area taking Prince Edward Island National Park where the stunning scenery is described in the book Anne of Green Gables.

Nova Scotia is the next stop where you will visit Cape Bretton Island known for its rustic charm and its most famous inhabitant Alexander Graham Bell, here you will spend the next two nights. On waking why not join the party on the Cabot Trail the most scenic drive you will have ever been on, you will be amazed at the sights as you travel over flat topped mountains and winding roads.

For those of you who are interested in history the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site which is a reconstruction of New France will be of interest to you as will the guides in full costume who roam the streets.

Your next port of call North Sydney where you will board a Marine Atlantic Ferry and cross over to Port aux Basques, Newfoundland for the next stage of your journey which is Port au Choix which is home to the Port au Choix National Historic Site which is a wonderful way to find out all about this fishing port.

If you are keen on Viking history you will enjoy your visit to L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site where you will hear about the Vikings who roamed here over ten thousand years ago! For dinner you will be guests at the Great Viking Feast at Leifsburdir which is a great night out.

Whale watching is also on the agenda in St Antony and this is one of the favourite parts of the trip for many people. There really is nothing better than getting to see these amazing creatures in their natural habitat.
Gros Morne National Park is another of the fun packed days on your trip and you will be able to relax on a boat tour as you take in the scenery and be awed as you watch mighty eagles soar up above you in the sky.

All in all this day is one that you will neverforget as you experience some of the finest scenery in Canada.
Notre Dame Bay will offer even more beautiful sights as you travel along it to Twillingate where you will see the lighthouse on the very tip of the island. IN Gander you will also get time to take a look around the North Atlantic Aviation Museum which is very informative and interesting.

Next you will head towards the Terra Nova National Park which is excellent if you enjoy wildlife and is great for photos. St John’s then awaits you for a pleasurable overnight stay, you can explore the area at your own pace then take a drive to Bay Bulls where you will go to the Witless Bay bird sanctuary on a boat tour. After which you will take an overnight ferry back to North Sydney as you begin your journey home full of amazing memories and great stories to tell everyone back at home.

Is there anything that is more breathtaking than views of the open sea? On the NC Lighthouses trip you will get to see some of the most awe inspiring scenery on the Eastern Seaboard.

Begin your trip in Bar Harbour, Maine where you will be astounded at the views and sounds of the mighty ocean from the eastern side of Mount Desert Island, remember your camera ss you will not want to miss out on some of the photo opportunities on this trip!

If you are interested in natural phenomenon you will be in your element in the Bay of Fundy which has a spectacle known as the Reversing Falls which has to be seen to be believed!

Next you will journey to Halifax, Nova Scotia where you can wander round the Citadel a fortress on a hilltop that offers some amazing views of the area. There are also some beautiful public gardens which are in the Victorian style that you can take time out to stroll around and really get back to nature.
From here you will be able to go and explore the USS Constitution and go around Faneuil Hall which is a great way to spend some time or why not visit the Old North Church which is the place that Paul Revere left from to inform everyone of the invasion by the British. If this is not your thing take a look around the many shops in the area and find yourself a souvenir or tow to take home for family and friends back home.

Whatever you decide to do you will just love this trip that takes you through some of the most staggeringly beautiful sights in the area and teaches you a thing or two in the process, what more could you want from a trip?

Whales are one of the most mighty and majestic creatures of the sea and what could be better than getting to observe them in their natural habitat? On the Whales of New England tour you get the chance to go on a whale watching cruise and much more.

One the first day you will join the Croswell tour and travel to Harrisburg, PA with included lunch and rest breaks as you travel. You will spend the night in the Harrisburg area with dinner included.

On day 2 you will enjoy an included breakfast then it is off to Cape Cod where you will check into your hotel for the next four nights. Dinner, once again is included so you can relax and unwind.

The Island of Nantucket is your destination on the third day and you will set out after breakfast to meet your guide who will take you to the dock where you will board a boat to reach the island. Once on dry land you will enjoy a tour of the island before heading to Hyannis in the afternoon.

Day 4 begins with a breakfast then you will set out, with a guide, for a tour of New Bedford. This historic district situated on the waterfront gives visitors a view into whaling history which is both interesting and informative. You will also visit the most historic homes in the city such as the Rotch-Jones-Duff House and Garden Museum which was once owned by a whaling merchant among other people. For dinner enjoy a wonderful lobster and relax with fellow travellers.

On day 5 you will enjoy breakfast before you guide takes you on a tour of Hyannis stopping at the John F Kennedy Memorial and Museum. Then it is on to the highlight of the tour - whale watching from a boat! Departing from Barnstable Harbour with a naturalist on board to make sure that you don’t miss anything you will be able to see up close whales and other marine life. Make sure that you have your camera ready to take some once in a lifetime photos! Dinner and entertainment are included tonight.

On day 6 you will say goodbye to Cape Cod and travel to Batavia, NY where dinner is included for you.

Day 7 is the last part of your journey home and it begins with an included breakfast. Travel back home remembering all the sights and sounds of this fantastic trip to see the Whales of New England.

For anyone looking to take a trip that is steeped in history the Newfoundland & Labrador Viking Trail is just perfect. You will learn all about the different people’s who have settled in the area as you travel around this picturesque part of the world, here is what you can expect –
Begin your tour in Halifax where you will meet your tour director and other travellers before having a delicious evening meal. From Halifax you will go on to Cape Bretton Island which is so beautiful you will want to take some photos. Arrive at North Sydney and take a ferry over the Newfoundland where your adventure will begin.

Corner Brook is one place that you will enjoy taking a tour around before heading on to Port au Choix which is home to the Port au Choix National Historic Site. From Port au Choix you will take the ferry to Labrador crossing the scenic Strait of Belle Isle, here you will get to see what life was like to be a 16th century Basque at a whaling station thanks to the reconstruction at the Red Bay National Historic Site.

Next you will travel to L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site where you will find out all about the Vikings that settled there thousands of years ago. In tribute to the Vikings you will also get the chance to attend The Great Viking Feast at Leifsburdir which is great fun.

St Antony is next on your list and here you will be able to take a boat tour and go whale watching, this is a once in a lifetime experience that should not be missed. See these majestic creatures in their own habitat as a guide gives you a talk on their habits and activities.

Gros Morne National Park is one part of the tour that you will have been waiting for, there is so much to see and do here from a scenic tour by boat, the Lobster Cove Lighthouse, Broom Point fishing exhibit and much more. Here you will also see a multitude of different wildlife such as the bald eagles and of course, the whales. You must remember your camera as you will be astounded at the beauty and charm of this part of the world.

As you head for home you will be able to have one last look around Gros Morne National Park before setting off to Deer Lake where you will catch your flight back to Halifax full of memories of the amazing sights and sounds of your trip back through time.

Here is a wonderful trip that will take you to two charming and historic towns – Hermann and Hannibal. Join the tour and you will get to stay first in Hermann which is a quaint town known for its German roots and fabulous winery. After you have settled into your hotel you will get the chance to enjoy a German dinner at the Stone Hill Winery Restaurant where you will sample traditional German fayre.

Whilst in Hermann you will be treated to wine tasting, candy sampling and shopping. In fact you will not want to leave these treats for the palate so make sure you stock up on some of your favourites that you have sampled.

Next you will journey to Hannibal and find out about its most famous inhabitant – Mark Twain. Enjoy a guided tour of the area that he grew up in and inspired his books about Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, in fact you will feel as though you are aprt of the stories themselvesas you immerse yourself in the world of this literary genius. You will also get the opportunity to learn more about Molly Brown who was one of the survivors from the Titanic when you visit the place of her birth. Whilst in Hannibal you will also get two great nights out, the first to the Star Theatre which is a beautifully restored Vaudeville theatre from the Victorian era and the second on board the Mark Twain Mississippi Riverboat cruise which is two hours of dancing, dinner and live music.

Before you head for home you will be taken to the Rockcliffe Mansion which is thought to be one of America’s castles and a building that the locals are fiercely proud of. Here you will be able to get some wonderful photos before climbing back on the coach for the relaxing and scenic drive back home.

Christmas time is always wonderful, the excitement builds as you buy your gifts for loved ones as you look forward to Christmas Day itself. What could be better than going on a shopping trip and mini break all in one? Well with the Holiday in Chicago you can.

On day 1 you will set off on your holiday to Chicago. As evening draws in you will check into your hotel which is in suburban Chicago, this will be your hotel for the next two nights.

Day 2 is all about shopping! Start off your busy day with a hearty breakfast to give you the energy to shop then it is off to Michigan Avenue where you can shop ‘til you drop. In the afternoon you will visit the Christkindlemarket Chicago which takes its influence from the Nuremburg Christmas Market. Here you will find all kinds of things to buy from Christmas ornaments, wooden toys, glassware, beer and many, many other kinds of German and European goods. You will be glad that you had the whole day to shop as you will be astounded at the sheer number of market stalls all offering fantastic gifts and other items. You can then enjoy an included dinner before heading back to the hotel for a good rest!

On day 3 you will check out of your hotel and set off home, stopping in Indianapolis to do some more shopping and to have lunch. You can expect to arrive home in the early evening with bags full to bursting of amazing treats and gifts for friends and family and of course one or two things for yourself.

If you want to escape the cold and snow this winter why not book on the Panama Canal and Caribbean Cruise? Your cruise includes all meals aboard the ship, $100 shipboard credit per person and 10 days of cruising. Here is a run down of what you will be doing :-

On day 1 you will be picked up from one of the departure cities before heading to Des Moines where you will fly to Fort Lauderdale from there you will be transferred to your hotel to relax and meet fellow cruisers.

On day 2 you will board the ship and be given a cruise orientation session where all your questions about the cruise will be answered. You will be pleased to know that the ship you will be travelling on is a new Vista-Class ship which has everything you would need on board from casino, pool, a choice of dining rooms, shops, spa, expansive decks and much, much more. Add to this attentive and friendly staff, entertainment and comfortable stateroom cabins and you have a cruise from heaven!

Day 3 starts in Half Moon Cay which is a private island in the Bahamas’ which is beautiful and you can do as little or as much as you like. Relax on an air mattress, go on a nature trail, horse ride, snorkel, jet ski and more, the choice is yours. Also included is a picnic in paradise served whilst you are in Half Moon Cay – what a wonderful day.

On day 4 start with breakfast before enjoying a day at sea so you can relax in the spa, swim in the pool or book some land excursions. Your evening will begin with a gala cocktail reception followed by dinner all hosted by the Captain.

On day 5 you will dock at Oranjestad where you can shop in the markets, explore the sea in a submarine trip, relax on the white sandy beach or take a look at the surrounding area. Or maybe you would prefer to visit the Butterfly Farm which is Aruba’s top ecological attraction. There are so many things to do in this port that you might have trouble deciding which to do!

On day 6 you will arrive in Willemstad, Curaçao which is similar to Amsterdam with it canal style houses. Here you can shop ‘til you drop for top designer labels and visit the Chobolobo Distillery. You can also go kayaking, canoeing, tour the island or Encounter Dolphin’s!

Day 7 is spent sailing again and you can relax on board and take your pick from the numerous things that there are to see and do. From shopping to gaming or having a beauty treatment you will find something that suits you perfectly.

On day 8 you will reach the Panama Canal and tour along it before stopping at Gatun Lake. While there go on an aerial tram tour high above the rainforest canopy, visit an Indian village, visit Panama City or relax – it is up to you. Once back on board the ship you will be able to have a delicious meal and enjoy the entertainment for the evening.

Day 9’s destination is Limon, Costa Rica where you will see a plethora of flora and fauna from the three toed sloth to the Morro Butterfly, take your camera and get some great pictures. You can go to the Braulio Carrillo National Park and journey above the forest canopy or tour a banana plantation, crusie in the jungle – who knows what you will want to do? Just relax and enjoy yourself.

Day 10 is your own day on board and you will be able to take advantage of the extensive facilities on board as you travel back to Ft Lauderdale.

On day 11 you will be free once again to enjoy the various facilities on board the ship as you make the final leg of your journey. So why not treat yourself to a beauty session, try your luck at the casino or simply relax on deck. You will arrive in Ft Lauderdale early on 19th November where the motor coach will be waiting to take you to the airport for your flight to Des Moines where you will meet your coach and drive home.