8 Sunday Republican, March 28, 1993 T-3 Sampling America's beauty, 5 vastness by motorcoach Continued from Page T-1 who seemed to declare with pride that "there's nothing between New York and Los Angeles." My early years familiarized me with the beauty and diversity of the American landscape, and instilled in me an ever-growing fondness for travel and exploration. As an adult, I continued the tradition, journeying to venues which lay off the well-traveled path. I also indulged my curiosities by visiting lands of my dreams. I flew over the Atlantic, and have wonderful memories of a two-week honeymoon spent exploring Scandinavia. Stepping into a small, crowded cabin which ascended 000 feet above sea level allowed me to experience the joys of: a cruise on Norway's fjords, the open air market Helsinki's esplanade, the glorious playland that is Copenhagen's Tivoli Gardens.
Indeed, many of the world's most exceptional venues are inaccessible by ground transportation, and I thought myself fortunate to have experienced some of them before a sudden and complete feeling of airline cabin claustrophobia prematurely interrupted my transoceanic globetrotting. Pervasive thoughts of endless homebound summers overwhelmed me. The development of a fear of flying, however, engendered not obstacles, but rather created opportunities for new experiences. Leave the beach behind My husband and I have never been beachgoers. Not content to while away the hours on the sand, we prefer instead to walk until our feet ache, through museum halls, the streets of small villages, the pedestrian malls of large cities.
We yearn to wander, to learn about the history and the people who inhabit each place we visit. I was determined not allow my new status as a "grounded" individual to interfere with those annual voyages of exploration which I loved. Thus was born through necessity a new, enlightened breed of traveler. I was thrust into a creative process, not to emerge until I had constructed a vacation of discovery. I did so, using one of the most seemingly obvious modes of transportation.
I could get to the West from Western Massachusetts. Peter Pan World Travel delivers the countryside de By KATHLEEN MITCHELL When most people talk about a visit to New Orleans they reminisce about things like jazz, the Mardi Gras and the terrific Cajun food. But anyone who takes Peter Pan's "Shot of Southern Comfort" tour to New Orleans is likely to begin about a trip to a swamp. "Our trip to New Orleans goes through Gatlinburg, Tenn. and Dollywood.
We stay in the French Quarter of New Orleans," says EiGG- People who opt for a shorter tour may want to try a brand-new trip to a huge Amish community in Ohio. -00 leen Pierce, tour planner for Peter Pan World Travel in Springfield. "But what makes this vacation unique is the fact that we go to Houma, which is southwest of New Orleans. It's in the heart of the Blue Bayou country and we do a swamp tour with Annie Miller, who has lived in the swamps for 78 years," says Pierce. "She takes you way out into the swamp, then calls alligators by name," Pierce said.
"We fed them chicken and they grabbed i it from our hands," she said. "And after that the tour goes to a Cajun house and the family cooks a true Cajun meal and then they sing to you." The 12-day motorcoach tour which includes 14 meals for $1079 (next trip begins April 7) is only one of several unusual offerings Peter Pan has in store for travelers. "Motorcoach tours are becoming much more sophisticated," Pierce said. The ultimate tour is a 31-day "dream trip" to Alaska, at $3999 per person. It begins with a motorcoach ride to Toronto, where passengers board the Canadian rail, which features domed cars and wonderful views as passengers make their way to the Canadian Rockies.
From there they take an overnight cruise through the Inner Passage in Alaska, then board the motorcoach again to see Fairbanks, Anchorage, the Yukon Territory and Glacier National Park. The trip returns via Indianapolis where participants visit the "Mall of America," which is SO large they have tours to show you how to get around it, Pierce said. Initially, the idea of a crosscountry automobile trip was entertained, but I am not much of a driver. This scenario would force my husband to see America from behind the steering wheel, without the freedom to truly enjoy the scenery. Not much of a vacation for him.
Recalling those televised bus advertisem*nts of my youth, which beckoned wayfarers to relax while others did the driving, I embarked on a thorough investigation into the offerings of railway tour companies and motorcoach operators. I pored through each brochure, noting and examining every tour route. We settled on a nine-day motorcoach tour from New York to New Orleans, which included stops in North Carolina, Atlanta, Tennessee and Virginia. We took so many photos and enjoyed the scenery so much that we followed this trip with a journey by motorcoach through Michigan and Ontario, Canada several months later. We marveled at small Bavarian villages and large Amish communities, and we sampled the famous Michigan tart cherries.
We delighted in the vistas which once again opened to us through the windshield of the bus. Most recently, my husband and I experienced the beauty of a 200 mile, 16-day motorcoach tour to the Canadian Rockies, which began in New Jersey. It was a trip we will always remember, exhausting and invigorating at the same time. On our journey, we were again invited to view the panoramas spread before us through oversized motorcoach windows. We were witness to the topographic variations, as urban asphalt faded and meadows and farmland came into view.
We gazed at the giant cornfields gracing the plains. The mountains finally rose in the distance, their snow-capped peaks seeming more like clouds on the horizon where the Earth touches the sky. Our eyes captured the lush green crop lands of Iowa and Indiana and the cattle ranches of Montana and the Dakotas. We marveled at the size of sunflowers which grew along the side of the road, and watched with interest as railroad freight cars were loaded with wheat from Saskatchewan's grain elevators. We were humbled by the beauty of Banff's Lake Louise, and walked with wonder on the Athabasca glacier of Jasper's Columbia Icefields.
Rolling eyes We smiled as we pictured in our minds' eyes our friends' eyes rolling in disbelief that we would even entertain the notion of a trip to Alberta, Canada by bus. They inquired as to where we would sleep and how many times we would have to switch buses enroute. They wondered about how many hours we would spend watching little coin-operated television sets in bus terminals as we waited for connections, and they wondered where we would eat. They wondered why I did not have my husband simply knock me unconscious and carry me onto a plane so we could travel like "normal It became a crusade to educate our friends as to the realities of motorcoach tour travel. It became our mission to let them know that we would in fact sleep in first class hotels, would rely on the same bus and driver throughout, and would stop for meals in restaurants.
Many of the motorcoaches even feature video screens. On our most recent tour, we were treated to a number of programs featuring the wildlife of our various locales. Additionally, the motorcoach tour group is generally comprised of 30-40 people who join together to enjoy the remarkable natural and man-made beauty of the landscape. Many of our fellow travelers were retirees, who for various reasons elected to opt for ground transportation rather than air travel. Other group members were younger honeymooners, parents traveling with children.
Age significance quickly fades, however, when the common love of adventure and exploration takes over. This encourages a bonding process, wherein our fellow travelers become more like treasured friends by the end of the first week of shared experiences across the miles. Our lives as motorcoach participants was easy. Our itinerary was planned for us, hotel reservations made, lunch stops arranged, and luggage carried to our rooms. Side trips and scenic vistas were the province of the driver and tour guide, and admissions were paid in advance.
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details. 539-9887 AAA TRAVEL AGENCY Kaplan Tours Escorted Motorcoach Air Tours Quality Value Since: 1932 SPRING WEEKENDS: 2 4 DAYS VACATION TOURS 5413 DAYS $164 Hilton $499 Bucks County, PA 249 New from 699 Pennsylvania Resort 199 Walt Disney from 469 Cape Crest Resort from 229 Cruise from 969 Inn 239 from 799 Jamboree 289 MYRTLE BEACH Colonial Williamsburg 289 6 Days 10 Meals Georgetown Gouvemeur 219 Paddlewheel Cruise Carolina 299 Opry Dixie Stampede from $369 Gouverneur Niagara Foxhead 199 NASHVILLE 8 Days 12 Meals Gatlinburg WASHINGTON, D.C. Smokey Mts. Opryland The 3 Days 4 Meals Smithsonian Grand Ole Opry from $629 Institute Hyatt Regency Crystal SPECIAL EVENTS 2-3 DAYS City Arlington National Ottawa Festival $219 Cemetery Night Light Tour of May Tulip City 199 Memorials National Zoo from $209 April Mummer's "Show of Shows" 129 CALL FOR OUR NEW 1993 CATALOG 1-800-999-5275 Mon-Fri 144 3. Shaker Road, East Longmeadow, MA 01028 1 CALL' OR VISIT YOUR LOCAL TRAVEL AGENT LEARN TO BE A TRAVEL AGENT week for 16 weeks.
The classes meet every Monday Bureau Wednesday from 6:30 sessions, 9:00 Central Travel School-a a division of Central Travel two hour per p.m. in the school at 220 Worthington Street, Springfield. NEXT CLASS BEGINS MONDAY, APRIL 12, 1993 LICENSED BY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS FOR FURTHER INFORMATION SEND IN COUPON NAME ADDRESS CITY. SEND FOR INFORMATION TO: CENTRAL TRAVEL SCHOOL P.O. Box 1649, Spild.
Mass. 01101 CENTRAL TRAVEL SCHOOL 220 WORTHINGTON ST. 781-1680 These Deals Will Send You Packing LAS VEGAS LONDON CRUISING WITH LAS One John Traveler May $499 20-24 6 $534 Nights ROYAL 7 Day BERMUDA CARIBBEAN VEGAS Springfiearch PI. -AIR -TRANSFERS -5 -AIR Nights from BED Boston from $695 -HOTEL and BREAKFAST 11 Night TRANSCANAL Ma. -TAXES Midweek; Valid Senior Citizen Special LONDON -SAVINGS CARROLL BOOKLET to TRAVEL Plus Tax ONE MONARCH PLACE, from $1199 SPRINGFIELD CRUISING AMERICAN EXPRESS 739-7391 1-800-446-5580 AMHERST GREENFIELD WESTFIELD LONGMEADOW In CT: E.
WINDSOR HARTFORD tioners were required to do was to arrive at the appointed time and place. It was like a traveling summer camp. Our guide was, indeed, like a camp counselor, providing for our every need, be it the answer to a historical question, or insect repellent for a walk in the brush. A motorcoach tour is much more than a way to get from point A to point at ground level. It is an adventure unto itself.
It beckons its participants to experience the interstate, the country roads and the switchbacks of a mountain pass. It invites travelers to journey through Indian reservations, and to enjoy lunch with Native American schoolchildren at their cafeteria. It asks wayfarers to witness the effects of strip-mining upon the land. It whisks vacationers across the Mississippi River and the Continental Divide, and allows them to photograph each sign which bids them welcome as they enter another state. Taking a bus voyage A bus tour is a voyage which awakens the senses and enlightens.
It is not the fastest way to travel, and at up to miles a day on the road, it is not at all times relaxing, but the glory of even a single sunset over the Great Plains will provide inspiration for countless years to come. In an age where even Presidential hopefuls tour the country with their entourages, the leisure traveler would do well to take a lesson, to seize the opportunity to turn an average vacation into an unforgettable experience. People who opt for a shorter tour may want to try a brand-new trip to a huge Amish community' in Ohio. This five-day venture includes seven meals (cost is $449), one of which is served by Amish children in an Amish farmhouse. Shorter jaunts Parents or grandparents with children aged about 7 or older may be intrigued by a variety of two-day tours.
On one of these, participants spend a day at the Six Flags Great Adventure Park in New Jersey (one of the largest theme parks in America), then spend their second day visiting the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island in New York. Cost is $135 based on double occupancy, or $119 based on a triple or quad. This trip is planned for a variety of dates from May through August. "The Great Escape" to Lake George, New York, take travelers to another very large theme park the first day. They stay overnight in Saratoga, then spend their second day in Lake George, where they are free to engage in activities ranging from lake cruises to miniature golf.
Cost of this trip i is $99 for children under age 18 and $139 for adults. Trips are planned for July 7 and 8, July 28 and 29 and Sept. 6 and 7. Both of these trips include hotel accommodations and one meal. Other short getaways are twoand three-day trips to the Hunter Mountain Festivals in New York's Catskills.
People can choose to attend two days of -western shows with reserved seating or a rockastalgia (rock and roll performance all day long), featuring 18 different well-known groups such as the Eddie and the Cruisers and the Drifters. The two-day country western specials cost $154 with no meals included, the three-day rockastalgia, $209 per person. For more information on any of these or other tours call Peter Pan at 781-2900. You're Invited ALASKA NIGHT Thursday, April 1 at 6:30 PM at the CRUISE CENTER featuring June 13th GLACIER ROUTE AR CRUISES REGENCY LOW GROUP RATES Options Available Door Prizes Video Free Admission R.S.V.P: (413)747-0112 or (800)388-0988 6 CRUISE CENTER 1053 Riverdale St, W.Springfield, MA Join us for a thrill of a IRISH COUNTRY: CRUISE NIGHT Wednesday, March 31st 7 P.M. JOHN BOYLE O'REILLY CLUB Progress Avenue, Springfield, MA.
Cruise Representative to discuss IRISH COUNTRY CRUISE; 1 Week October 9- 16, 1993. Sail the high seas of the Caribbean on the Five Star, Celebrity Cruise Lines MV "Zenith" Personally Escorted By Leo Mary Doherty; Special Guests aboard ship, Deirdre Reilly, Susan McCann, Dennis Heaney. The Irish Country Storytellers Band and other special activities. R.S.V.P. For more information: WORLDTEK 1-800-227-1166 or 732-3153 1160 Bay Street, Springfield, MA.
01109 NEW 7 CELEBRATING 60. YEARS OF SERVICE DATE Shot of Southern Comfort 12 Days New Orleans, Dollywood Smokey Mountains Magnolia Plantation Come Celebrate with us 14 Meals April 28-May 9 $1,079 60th Anniversary Luncheon Spectacular Color Me Country 5 Days Many Big Band Prizes Ohio Amish, Fallingwater, Sensational Dancing Roscoe Village, Jamboree USA, Comedy Show Johnstown Flood Museum, 7 Meals April 18 $19.95 per person June 10-14 July 22-26 $449 ONE DAYS ALL. NEW '93 TOURS MULTI-DAYS ENTERTAINMENT. Easter CHERRY BLOSSOM TIME Show at Radio City April 3, 4, 7 from $64 Washington D.C. 3 Days Passion Play-America's Oberammergau Smithsonian, Embassy Row, April 3 $62 U.S.
Capitol, 3 Meals Jesus Was His Name" at Radio City April 2-4, 12-14 $209 June 5, 9, 12 $64 Washington on Vlew 4 Days Crazy For You Spirit of Washington, National Zoo, April 3 June 26 July 3 Arlington Cemetery, Sightseeing, ONE DAY GETAWAYS 3 Meals April 1-4, 15-18 $289 Mystery Tours Kelley's In The Pocono April 18 16 17 $52 Mountains 3 Days Tony Tina's Wedding Theme Festival, Bethlehem tour Includes ITALIAN BUFFET Complete Resort Package, 6 Meals May 29 June 19 $109 Italian June 25-27 $269 Bon Appetite June 2 $72 MULTI -DAY VACATIONS Invitation to Intrigue 31 Day Alaska: The Las: Frontier May 2, 16 June 6. $64 June 30-July 30 $3,999 Roosevelt Field Shopping April 18 May 16 June 6 $29 Holland Windmill Tulip Festival 7 Days Michigan, Niagara Falls Boston Brunch and Theater Volksparade, Oakes Inn, Dinner Shows Forever Nunsense April 4 $74 $74 12 Meals 9-15 Plaid April 25. Mohonk Mountain House Penn Dutch Adventure 3 Days April 17. May 8 June5 $65 Amish Wedding, Hershey, PA, 3 Meals CHILDREN'S TOURS April 23-25 May 14-16. $199 Scientific Boston Nashville's Fabulous Fanfare 9 Days April 17 June 30 from $39 5 Meals June 5-13 $859 Bardstown, Opryland, Dixie Stampede April 21 June 19 $36 Shows 2 Days From Dinosaurs to the Moon Philadelphia Mummers Intrepid, Guinness Empire State Latham Hotel, Rittenhouse Square April 23 May 15 from $49 2 Meals April 2-3 $149 2 DAY GETAWAYS Mystery Tour 2 Days Boston Getaway 2 Days April 11-12 $153 Omni Parker House, Lunch at Cheers Hunter Mt.
Country Music Festival 1 Meal May 22-23 $149 Reserved Seating, 2 Days of Concerts New York Weekend 2 Days See Jennings, Cash, Oak Ridge Boys South St. Seaport, Fiascos, 2 Meals Call for Dates and Prices May 1-2 June 12-13 $165 Peter Pan AMHERST: NORTHAMPTON SPRINGFIELD PALMER 256-0431 586-1030 739-TOUR (739-8687) 283-9221 Open 7 Days a Week: 1-800-237-8747 All prices per person, double occupancy. double occupancy. 1.
