Edmonton from the Water

On a recent trip to Edmonton, Alberta, I had the privilege of taking a peaceful canoe trip down the North Saskatchewan River. The whole experience left me feeling completely at ease. It’s a unique way to see Edmonton.

If you happen to be visiting a friend or family member who has access to a canoe, the only thing you will have to do is find a good launching spot along the river—as well as an agreed upon spot to be picked up. However, since many tour groups coming to Edmonton will not have canoes, there are many companies to help get you on your way.

My group planned our river excursion with Edmonton Canoe (www.edmontoncanoe.com; 011 +1 780-470-5352), which offers a number of different canoe programs. Tour groups can choose from guided and unguided tours of the North Saskatchewan or Athabasca river or on a lake in Elk Island National Park. Groups can opt for the Weekend Day Trips or the Sunday Afternoon Paddle. Edmonton Canoe can customize a trip for up to 40 people. For those who wish to create their own adventure on the river, the company will supply them with canoes, plus transportation and pick-up service.

Another tour company that works with groups is Black Gold River Tours (www.blackgoldrivertours.ca; 011 +1-780-987-0410). It features tours on a custom river boat and offers packages that cater to a wide range of travel groups.

For those who enjoy a little fishing fun while floating down the river, check out Get Hooked Fishing Adventures (www.gethookedfishing.com; 011+ 1-780-963-4279). Get Hooked is a top provider of guided fishing trips along the rivers in Edmonton. It runs seven days a week from mid-May until October, and packages offer full-day excursions on the river for one to nine guests. Larger groups can enjoy a day-long lake retreat. Groups also can book basic half- or full-day fishing trips.

If you and your crew are planning a trip to Edmonton and would like to experience something truly special, consider booking a canoe or boat trip along the river. It will leave you feeling invigorated, relaxed and content. Seeing Edmonton from the water is a unique way to take in the city and will give you a new appreciation for everything it has to offer.

For Edmonton travel information, contact Edmonton Tourism, www.edmonton.com.

—Vanessa Day

McHenry County Lures Groups to Northern Illinois

Groups looking for a little breathing room in Northeastern Illinois will find plenty of solid itinerary ideas in McHenry County, about 50 miles northwest of Chicago.

Nestled beyond the fringes of suburban Chicago, towns like McHenry, Woodstock, Richmond and Harvard are just a short hop from the Wisconsin border.

On a recent day trip to the area, I soon realized that a tour planner could craft a fun-filled, two- or three-day trip and never leave the county.

High on your list should be what I deem as McHenry County’s star attraction—Place de la Musique, a museum on the Barrington Hills estate of the Sanfilippo family of the Fisher Nut Co. fortune. It’s particularly suited to group tours—in fact, this phenomenal collection of antique music machines and other mechanical marvels made between 1870 and 1930 is not open to the general public. Only private tour groups (50-guest minimum) and those attending special events can view the mind-boggling array of restored treasures acquired over the years by Jasper Sanfilippo.

Tour members are overwhelmed with the ingenious, ornately crafted machines, many of which are demonstrated during the two-hour tour through sumptuous exhibit rooms in a huge French Second Empire-style addition to the original family home. I was so dazzled I didn’t know where to look first. There are Edison and Victrola phonographs, rare player pianos, even a 1922 Hupfeld Phonoliszt-Violina that plays a piano and three real violins by means of a rotating metal ring with horsehair bow. Also on display are antique arcade games, slot machines, stereoscopes, popcorn machines, fortune-telling machines, and peanut and coffee roasters.

The highlight of a visit is a concert in the Music Theatre, a cavernous, fancifully decorated space featuring the world’s largest restored theater pipe organ, a 1927 Wurlitzer built for the Riviera Theater in Omaha. Rising on a from the basement to the stage on a lift from Chicago’s old Granada Theatre,, the massive organ console controls 8,000 pipes, percussions and sound effects in five rooms behind the four-story-high curtain. Seated in the balcony, guests enjoy a computer-driven program of tunes from Phantom of the Opera and other Broadway favorites to the Beatles and Star Wars. The balcony is accessible via a Victorian cage elevator.

The theater’s chandeliers are from the Uptown Theater in Chicago and Milwaukee’s Garfield Theater. Railings and seats are from the old Ambassador Theater in St. Louis. Silent movie posters adorn the walls.

After the rousing concert, there are more wow factors still to come. The last hour at Place de la Musique is devoted to the Carousel Pavilion, a building that houses huge European fairground and dance hall organs as well as the awesome Eden Palais Carousel, which toured France from 1890 to 1959. More than an amusement ride, the most complete example of a European salon carousel in existence featured stages for live performers, several bars, a band organ and a grandiose facade with carved horses, giant art glass butterflies, beveled mirrors, an electric “Eden Palais” sign and a painting that replicates an original that hangs in the Louvre. The carousel itself, adorned with large paintings, has 36 hand-carved horses, four ornate rocking gondolas and a spinning lovers’ tub. It’s not available for rides.

The Carousel Pavilion also contains steam engines, a cast iron street clock and a monumental Victorian clock tower. Guests can board a vintage train caboose and a posh Pullman Palace Car.

The Sanfilippo collection appeals to various interests. I was enthralled with the general nostalgia. The mechanical aspects appeal to others, while those into antique furniture appreciate the finely crafted cabinetry and decorative art objects that furnish the exhibit rooms. And everyone likes the happy music the machines crank out.

Each tour can be tailored to the group’s interests and level of mobility. There are plenty of places to sit and rest.

After visiting the Sanfilippo Estate, some groups stop at the Fisher Nut outlet store in nearby Elgin or Barrington. In the nut industry Fisher is second only to Planter’s. It makes many store brands, including the Kirkland brand at Costco.

Groups touring McHenry County also have fun shopping in Woodstock’s historic town square. There’s an art gallery in the former McHenry County Courthouse (1857). Next door at the former sheriff’s house and jail (1887) is La Petite Creperie and Bistrot, a French-flavored spot that can accommodate groups.

Many groups start their Woodstock Square experience with a free tour of the 1889 Woodstock Opera House, a performing arts center where a groundhog character is available to greet and pose for pictures. The 1993 Bill Murray movie Groundhog Day was filmed in Woodstock and every winter the town celebrates its starring role as Punxsutawney, Pa. with the five-day Groundhog Days festival. Summer in the square includes band concerts and a farmers market on Tuesday and Saturday.

At Gardens of Woodstock, a garden store, groups can stroll through the show garden, pick up garden accessories and have a box lunch. Tour members get to choose what’s in their lunch and can eat indoors, on the patio or on a bench in the garden.

For one-of-a-kind, handmade items from around the world, shoppers head to Ginger Blossom, a farmstead in Richmond. The old dairy barn, farmhouse and other buildings are packed with items collected by Ginger Blossom, who travels three or four months of the year on buying trips. Wares range from tribal and folk art to Persian rugs and stone Buddha statues. Perhaps an Afghani belt, a scarf from Nepal, a woven vase from Colombia or camel bone-inlaid mirror from India will catch your eye.

Downtown Richmond has several antique shops. Anderson’s Candy Shop has specialized in hand-dipped chocolates since 1926. Also in Richmond is an original Dog n Suds drive-in from the car hop era. The restored, ’60s-style eatery is best known for its hot dogs and creamy root beer.

McHenry County abounds with agritourism possibilities, offering orchards, pumpkin patches and farm markets. The Richardson Adventure Farm in Spring Grove boasts the world’s largest corn maze.

Royal Oak Farm Orchard in Harvard is geared to groups, offering 30-minute wheelchair-accessible wagon tours, a buffet restaurant, gift shop and pick-your-own apples. Its bakery makes apple pies, applesauce, apple fritters and apple cider donuts. Open for the season from Aug. 12 to Nov. 19, the farm grows 29 varieties of apples, plus pumpkins and raspberries. Also on the grounds are a train, carousel and petting zoo.

Another lunch option is the magnificently restored Raue Center for the Arts in downtown Crystal Lake. Groups get a tour of the vintage theater and actually have lunch on stage.

Some tour groups schedule lunch at the highly regarded Old West Steakhouse & Saloon in Union. It’s part of Donley’s Wild West Town, a family-friendly attraction with Western-themed activities, a museum and shops.

The Illinois Railway Museum in Union claims to be the largest of its kind. Rides on vintage train coaches are available, and there’s plenty to look at in the car barns and open railyards.

Classic car fans flock to Volo Auto Museum in Volo, just across the border in Lake County. Besides a vast collection of automobiles, including many that have appeared in TV shows and movies, the complex has three connecting antique malls featuring 250 dealers, plus two other malls.

For more information, contact the McHenry County CVB, 888-363-6177, visitmchenrycounty.com.

—Randy Mink

Wales: Britain off the beaten path

For a small country, Wales manages to fit plenty in….3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, 641 castles, 687 miles of coastline, three million people, 11 million sheep and more than 200 golf courses!  Wales has a rich Celtic heritage and dramatic countryside.  Spectacular seashores, tumbling rivers and vivid green valleys.  Wales is full of unique group experiences and a wide range of accommodations throughout the country, including luxury five-star, spa hotels.  If you’re looking to offer your clients something familiar yet different, Wales is a great destination in its own right – or combined with other regions of Britain and Ireland.  Read on for inspiration and ideas…..

GETTING TO WALES

Wales is easy to get to by land, sea or air.  Only 2 hours by train from London and well served by major international airports – Cardiff, Bristol, Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester and London.

Destination Overview – from South to North

Starting off in Cardiff, South Wales: this cosmopolitan capital city is filled with historic buildings, beautiful gardens and art galleries. Just nearby is the world-famous Celtic Manor Resort where the prestigious Ryder Cup 2010 was hosted. The world’s sporting media heralded the country’s golf credentials while the Twenty Ten Course challenged the world’s best golfers. Since then, the Celtic Manor Resort has been voted Europe’s Golf Resort of the Year 2011.

Swansea, Gower & the Brecon Beacons: Swansea was home to the famous poet, Dylan Thomas. For poetry lovers, one can pick up a trail booklet from the Dylan Thomas Centre and discover the places he loved. Moving on to the Brecon Beacons, a mountain range including South Wales’ highest mountain. The natural beauty is stunning and is perfect for walking and cycling. One highlight is Hay-on-Wye, known as the “town of books” boasting more than 30 bookshops, a castle and great restaurants.  Every year since 1987, the Hay Festival takes place for 10 days in May, attracting the most exciting writers, filmmakers, comedians, politicians and musicians to inspire, delight and entertain.

Further West is Pembrokeshire, a coastal county made up of rugged cliffs, wooded estuaries and wild inland hills offering some of the best coastal walking paths in the U.K..  Next, heading North, you will come to Aberystwyth, Portmeirion and Snowdonia National Park.  Aberystwyth is home to a 13^th century castle and the National Library of Wales. In Portmeirion, you’ll see an unusual Italianate village created by architect Sir Clough William-Ellis. Snowdonia National Park covers 823 square miles and includes Wales’ highest mountain, Snowdonia, its largest lake, Bala and a wealth of picturesque villages.

Moving North to Caernarfon, you’ll find Caernarfon Castle, one of the most impressive of the castles built by Edward I and is one of Europe’s greatest medieval fortresses. The Mighty Caernarfon is possibly the most famous of Wales’ many castles. Ending our journey at the Northern tip of Wales, the isle of Anglesey is famous for its picturesque windmills, wildlife and the magnificent Beaumaris Castle.  Following the marriage of Prince William of Wales to Catherine Middleton (Duke & Duchess of Cambridge), all eyes have turned to Anglesey as the couple make their first home on the west coast of the island, facing the panorama of the Snowdonia Mountains and the coast.

For more details on sending groups to North Wales, check out the new Groups North Wales 2011 brochure and website. Putting culture and heritage center stage, this online resource will offer a number of new ideas for group travel buyers looking for destinations with a difference.

ITINERARY IDEAS: GARDENS, CASTLES, GOLFING & MORE….

“The Soul cannot thrive in the absence of a garden” – Thomas Moore.

Are your clients Garden lovers? Wales has some of the finest and most historic gardens in Britain.  From grand historic gardens to charming cottage gardens, Wales boasts the National Botanic Garden, at the cutting edge of horticultural research.

Did you know that Castles are Britain’s most popular attraction with foreign visitors? According to new VisitBritain research, touring a Welsh Castle was one of the top three choices among overseas travellers when asked what they want to see most when visiting Britain. Whatever your customers are passionate about, you’ll find a myriad of options in Sample Itineraries.

Golfing – Wales boasts around 200 golf courses, many stunning links courses like Nefyn & District, and Royal Porthcawl.

For other active vacations that include walking, cycling, mountain biking, fishing and horse riding, the options are endless!

Festivals & Events

The Welsh have a centuries-old tradition of entertaining and celebrating with music, drama, poetry and sport. The most famous festival is the traditionally Welsh Eisteddfod, a competitive festival of poetry, song and dance.  Click below for a range of unique choices

Explorer Pass

For discounts on group visits, check out the Explorer Pass – a fantastic way to explore a wealth of historic attractions throughout Wales.  Available in 3 & 7 day passes.

What’s Next?

For 2012 consider Cardiff, Wales’s capital city.  The buzz of London and the 2012 Summer Olympic Games are only 2 hours away by train.  Wales will host part of the Olympic Football tournament at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium; there are 28 teams and 504 athletes involved in the Football alone. The football competition kicks off in Wales two days before the Opening Ceremony begins!  Wales will host c. 11 matches in the tournament. The National Museum Cardiff with its famous collection of impressionist paintings and gothic Cardiff Castle are just two of the city’s many popular attractions to choose from.

The centenary of Dylan Thomas’s birth in 2014 presents a great opportunity to showcase literary tours of Wales.  Dylan Thomas fans can soak up the very atmosphere that inspired the late poet by staying or taking a tour of No. 5 Cwmdonkin Drive in Swansea, the home where Dylan was born in 1914.

Group Friendly Hotels

For a list of group friendly hotels, go to

http://www.traveltrade.visitwales.com/en/content/cms/search/accommodation/

New Hotels:  The Maldron Hotel in Cardiff will open in May 2011 with 216 air-conditioned rooms.  It will be the first hotel in Wales from the Irish chain.  www.maldronhotels.com

More hotels…..

• Lake Vyrnwy Hotel – www.lakevyrnwyhotel.co.uk
• Plas Tan y Bwlch – www.plastanybwlch.com
• Beaches Hotel – www.beacheshotel.com
• The Metropole – www.metropole.co.uk

Online Resources
Wales Group Travel Directory http://www.traveltrade.visitwales.com/en/content/cms/itineraries/brochures%2Dfilms/wales%2Dbrochures/

About Visit Wales

Visit Wales is the lead government agency responsible for marketing Wales both within the UK and overseas as a tourism destination.  Contact Paul and Lauren to discuss how we can help you plan your client’s trip to Wales.

Visit Wales, North America office

Paul Chibeba, Director—North America        email: paul.chibeba@visitbritain.org
Lauren Summers, Marketing Executive        email: lauren.summers@visitbritain.org

Trade Website: www.americastrade.visitwales.com

Consumer website: www.usa.visitwales.com

About VisitBritain

VisitBritain is the national tourism agency, responsible for promoting tourism to Britain worldwide. Working in partnership with Visit London, Visit England, Visit Scotland, Visit Wales and hundreds of other travel organizations in Britain and North America.  Globus is a key partner for your group planning needs. Tap into their expertise and reap the rewards.  P.S. NEW! Develop your destination knowledge through our new online course.  Go to www.britagent.com and start learning now.

Globus and Cosmos Packages

• Globus Wales: Essential Britain
• Cosmos Scotland: England, Scotland & Wales
• Cosmos Wales: British Isles in Depth
• Cosmos Wales: Wales & Ireland

PLAN YOUR GROUP TO WALES WITH GLOBUS NOW!

When standard itineraries don’t quite meet the needs of your group, let the Globus family of brands Custom Groups Department assist you.  We’ll create a tour or package focused on your specific educational and destination goals while using our extensive buying power to provide you the best value.  Whether it’s music themed, a garden tour, food and wine, or whatever you can dream up, we’ll work with you to put together the perfect itinerary.

For Information Contact the Globus family Groups Department

Phone: 866-821-2752

Website: http://www.globusfamilygroups.com

Scotland’s ‘Top Ten’ for Groups

Scotland is a destination steeped in history and heritage, from magnificent castles built centuries ago set in breathtaking landscape to the lively celebration of our culture today. From international festivals of the arts to the colorful tartan of the kilt still worn at ceilidhs and events. Scotland boasts some of today’s leading hotels and resorts of the world, yet still retains its charm and a warm welcome assured. Read on to learn the top 10 highlights in Scotland just right for groups!

1. Edinburgh, Scotland’s Capital City
A visit to the beautiful city of Edinburgh is a must for all travellers to Scotland. The stunning architecture of the Georgian New Town lies in sharp contrast to the winding alleyways and tenements of the medieval Old Town, and the diverse range of attractions include Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh Castle, Camera Obscura, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Scottish Parliament and Royal Yacht Britannia. For a capital city, Edinburgh is a surprisingly green place and, even in the heart, you are never far from wide open spaces where you can take in amazing views, or just relax and enjoy the great outdoors.

Group dining option: Spectacular, scrumptious and seriously good – the views aren’t too bad either! Meander around the Edinburgh Castle then relax and enjoy everything from a biscuit to a banquet in one of two truly unique venues – The Queen Anne and Redcoat Cafes. Alternatively, enjoy a slice of Scottish culture at Jamie’s Scottish Evening in the St James Thistle Hotel – traditional food, drink, song and dance in the heart of the city.

2. Island Hopping Along the West Coast
Scotland has over 790 islands, only about 10% of which are inhabited. From Mull, Arran and Jura to Skye, Lewis and Harris, each of Scotland’s islands offer a different cultural experience. An exciting programme of events has been unveiled to launch the Year of Scotland’s Islands in 2011. The programme will showcase the music, arts, food, sport and history of the islands, as well as highlight their unique beauty as visitor destinations. Caledonian MacBrayne operates the ferry service along the west coast and between islands: http://www.calmac.co.uk/ or http://www.scotlandsislands.com/

Group dining option: With the aromas of home baking and the sound of the sea outside, The Old Kiln café at Ardbeg Distillery on Islay is a magical place. People flock here to enjoy hearty, traditional dishes.

3. Mysterious Neolithic history in the magical Orkney & Shetland Isles
Orkney and Shetland each offer history and heritage dating back through six millennia – unique islands in time. Orkney’s famous archaeology, superb wildlife, landscape, traditional island welcome, unique arts and crafts and superb seafood (and whisky) are well known – at least to lovers of the good life. In Shetland, over a hundred islands form this archipelago each with its unique brand of Norse character and tradition which is readily seen, heard and enjoyed through the local dialect, place names, music, craftwork and festivals – the annual Up Hella Aa and the Shetland Folk Festival being the most poignant.

4. Scotland’s Great Lochs – Boat Tours on Loch Ness
Home to Scotland’s most famous mythical creature “Nessie”, Loch Ness has been a point of interest since the 6th century, since its first sighting. Come and enjoy the beautiful mountain scenery on a cruise on Loch Ness, in search of Nessie, or learn about the turbulent history of Urquhart Castle, which sits on the loch banks. Cruises of Loch Ness are operated by Jacobite Cruises.

5. Speyside Whisky Distilleries

Playing host to over half the distilleries in Scotland, Speyside has the greatest concentration of malt whiskies. Enjoy the luxury of being driven between all the different distilleries, sampling the different smells and tastes of Scotland’s national drink and learn about the subtle differences of Scotland’s world class malt whiskies. There is also the whisky coast on the West coast of Scotland. http://www.whiskycoast.co.uk/ or www.maltwhiskytrail.com will give you ideas.

6. Scotland’s Landscapes – Cairngorms National Park Funicular Railway
CairnGorm Mountain Funicular Railway transports visitors to the Ptarmigan Top Station, nestled just below the summit of CairnGorm. The Top station offers spectacular views from the terrace, the Shop @ the Top, panoramic Ptarmigan restaurant and a mountain exhibition. The railway provides an opportunity for all ages and abilities to enjoy the CairnGorm Mountain experience in comfort and safety.

7. Jacobite Steam Train – Glenfinnan
West Coast Railways, operators of ‘The Jacobite’, provided the steam engine and carriages for the ‘Hogwarts Express’ as seen in the ‘Harry Potter’ films including ‘The Philosopher’s Stone’ and others in this wonderful series of films. Some of the carriages of ‘The Jacobite’ are those used in the ‘Harry Potter’ films. So, come and travel to Mallaig along the line used in the films, see the famous Glenfinnan viaduct, an unmistakable landmark for all Harry Potter fans. For train times and tickets visit http://www.westcoastrailways.co.uk

8. Scotland’s Secret Gardens

Our temperate climate means that Scotland has a vast array of indigenous and imported plant life, which can be seen at our extensive collection of public and private gardens. Scotland’s Gardens Scheme (SGS), a registered charity created in 1931, raises funds for other worthy charities by facilitating the opening of large and small gardens of horticultural interest throughout Scotland to the public. The gardens that open for SGS include Scotland’s finest, are mostly privately owned and are normally inaccessible to the public at other times.

9. Unique Events and Festivals
From the famous Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo to the world’s largest International Arts Festivals, Scotland is no stranger to the cultural stage. While there is a renowned programme of no less than 12 annual festivals in our capital city, there is a packed calendar to be found throughout the country, all year long, offering everything from highland games and traditional music to food, whisky and festive celebrations.

10. Get Active in Scotland!
Scotland offers endless opportunities for adventure, catering to all abilities and interests from snowboarding and ice climbing in the mountains to canyoning in the rivers, mountain biking and gentle walks and hikes throughout the country’s stunning unspoilt scenery. And with 2011 dedicated to the year of Active Scotland, we’re celebrating the great outdoors in Scotland with a host of events and activities across the length and breadth of Scotland. Not forgetting that you can play in the Home of Golf, with more than 550 courses throughout Scotland.

We hope this has whet your appetite to create a group to Scotland, a proud and passionate place ready with a warm welcome!  There’s always plenty to see and do in Scotland throughout the year. Whenever your clients decide to visit, Visit Scotland can help provide the best information to make their Scottish experience extra special!  Tap into the wealth of information on VisitScotland’s website or contact Globus about helping you develop a special group.

For Itineraries Please Visit: http://www.visitscotland.com/guide/inspirational/itineraries/

For General Group Information Please Visit: http://www.scotlandgrouptravelguide.com/index.php

About Visit Scotland:

VisitScotland is Scotland’s National Tourist Board and can assist with Itinerary Planning, Marketing Support, Fam Tours, Training and more.  Go to www.bookingscotland.com and www.scotsagent.com for details or email tradepromotions@visitscotland.com

About Visit Britain:

VisitBritain is the national tourism agency, responsible for promoting tourism to Britain worldwide. Working in partnership with Visit London, Visit England, Visit Scotland, Visit Wales and hundreds of other travel organizations in Britain and North America.  Globus is a key partner for your group planning needs. Tap into their expertise and reap the rewards.  P.S. NEW! Develop your destination knowledge through our new online course.  Go to www.britagent.com and start learning now.

Plan Your Group to Scotland with Globus Now!

Whether you’re interested in a tour of the British Isles that includes Scotland, or a Scotland in depth tour, Globus offers just the right range of options, including the exclusive “Scottish Highlands & Islands,” offering a one-of-a-kind itinerary that takes group travelers off the beaten path to the legends and landscapes of Scottish history.

For Information Contact the Globus family Groups Department

Phone: 866-821-2752

Website: http://www.globusfamilygroups.com

Globus Packages for Scotland:

• Globus: Bonnie Scotland
• Globus: Scottish Highlands & Islands
• Globus: From London to the Highlands of Scotland
• Cosmos: England, Scotland & Wales

 

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