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Sip Your Way Through Southern Minnesota

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While researching different areas for things to do – we came across this great blog post from our friends at Explore Minnesota.  Many travelers might not realize that Minnesota boasts over 34 wineries and 75 breweries.  Grab your friends, hop on a motorcoach and sip your way through southern Minnesota.  Your tastebuds will thank you for it!

 

Sip Your Way from Minnetonka to Waconia

By Grant Erler

The southwest corner of the Minneapolis-St. Paul area is well known for its many scenic lakes and attractions like the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum and Chanhassen Dinner Theatres. And in 2016, the Ryder Cup will come to Hazeltine National Golf Course in Chaska. But did you know this area is quickly becoming a hot spot for beer, wine and spirits connoisseurs?

Check out all eight establishments, located between Minnetonka to the east and Waconia to the west, and get a taste of the local libations.

Lucid Brewing

As one of the premier new breweries in Minnesota, Minnetonka-based Lucid Brewing is a great place to start your trek. Be sure to sign up for the Saturday tour on the brewery’s website to get a fascinating look at the brewing process and, of course, some free samples. Lucid is well known for its wonderfully hoppy Foto IPA, as well as the crisp and zesty Silo Belgian Saison.

Excelsior Brewing Company

Located in the historic town center, Excelsior Brewing Company has quickly become a local favorite. The taproom has a wonderfully friendly atmosphere and is a great place to relax with friends after a day out on the lake or strolling on Water Street. Try the full-bodied Bridge Jumper IPA.

Not far away is the Lake Minnetonka Regional Trail, which runs from Hopkins to Victoria and also passes near Enki Brewing.

Enki Brewing exterior

Enki Brewing

Located in the 100-year-old creamery building in Victoria, Enki’s taproom offers a cozy and inviting atmosphere in the winter and a relaxing patio in the warmer months. Enki has a full range of brews, from the citrusy Tail Feather IPA to the indulgently rich Cacao Porter.

Waconia Brewing Company

Just two blocks from the shores of Lake Waconia in the heart of the city’s vibrant downtown, you’ll find the latest addition to the southwest metro’s brewery scene. Waconia’s first brewery since 1890 offers a wide variety of taps including its flagships: Amber, Witbier, Kolsch and West Coast IPA, plus a rotating number of seasonal offerings.

Parley Lake Winery

Located among the rolling hills near Parley Lake, this winery offers a variety of wines including the ever-popular Frontenac Gris. The winery is right next to the Carver Park Reserve, which has a number of trails through the woods and prairies for hiking in the summer and cross-country skiing or snowshoeing in the winter.

Schram Vineyards Winery & Brewery

Schram is the state’s first combination winery and brewery, located on a six-acre vineyard overlooking Reitz Lake, just southeast of Waconia. Enjoy a glass or bottle of wine or mead (honey wine), as well as the continuously rotating selection of beers in the tasting room. You can even try your hand at some bocce ball while you’re there

Sovereign Estate WinerySovereign Estates Winery

Situated on the north shore of Lake Waconia, along the popular Dakota Trail, Sovereign Estates features both indoor and outdoor tasting rooms, as well as an elegant bistro. The vineyard is on a south-sloping hill, offering beautiful views of the lake. A popular choice is the award-winning Talon Crest, a dry and fruity La Crescent white.

J. Carver Distillery

The Waconia-based distillery is named after Jonathan Carver, one of the first Europeans to explore and chart the area in 1766. Just like their namesake, the folks at J. Carver Distillery are exploring uncharted territory as they are set to become the first legal distillery to operate in the history of Carver County. Initially, they will produce gin and vodka and will eventually offer barrel-aged whiskey, bourbon, brandy and liqueurs.

Download a map of the “SW Minne Beer, Wine & Spirits Tour” and start your adventure, or learn more about the area from the SouthWest Metro Chamber of Commerce.

For more information on these communities, please visit:

Colorado Springs, CO – More than you can imagine!

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DSCF8625Located near the base of Pikes Peak, Colorado Springs is one amazing city.  It is a big city with a uniquely small town feel and is the perfect destination for your next charter bus outing.  It is often overshadowed by Denver, the ski resorts and Rocky Mountain National Park; however Colorado Springs is an ideal place to relax and unwind this summer.

Your bus driver can get you safely to one of the most beautiful places in all of Colorado; the Garden of the Gods.  DSCF8688The Garden is a public park and a National Natural Landmark.  The red rock formations that make up the park were created millions of years ago and to this day they astound and amaze every visitor.  The park is used extensively for hiking, rock climbing and horseback riding.  Most people though enjoy taking a day to wander through the natural formations.  Start with a visit to the Visitor’s and Nature Center and then explore at your leisure.  Kissing camels, Gateway Rock and Balanced Rock are some of the more famous geological formations within the park.  Spectacular views of Pike’s Peak are available throughout The Springs (as the locals call it) but are particularly beautiful from the Gardens.

Since Pike’s Peak is right there near The Springs then why not go straight to the top?  Well, your charter bus probably does not want to make that trip, but your bus can easily get you to the Manitou and Pike’s Peak Railway, better known as the Cog Train.  The Cog Railway has been in operation since 1889 and is the highest railroad in the United States.  Your charter coach can drop you off at the Cog Depot and you can take the leisurely climb to over 14000 feet above sea level.  While you ride you will be able to see the splendor and beauty of the mountains.

Depending on when you go you are likely to see various forms of wildlife from the comfort and safety of the train.  Be sure to bring some warm clothes because it will be cold when you reach the top.  And while at the top be sure to enjoy one of the world famous Pike’s Peak donuts at the Summit House.

Now that you have explored two of the most beautiful natural landmarks in the area it is time to take in something uniquely American; the United States Air Force Academy.  The campus is located just north of The Springs and is highlighted by the Cadet Chapel.  When it first opened the design was considered controversial, but now the familiar spires and modernist architecture have become a symbol of the academy.  Let the bus do all the work of getting you there and then enjoy a self-guided tour of the chapel and the nearby visitor’s center.

Well that is a lot to take in and by now if you have not had a good meal you definitely are in need of one.  A great place for groups is the Phantom Canyon Brewing Company.  Not only is this the oldest brewery in The Springs, but Phantom Canyon is known for fantastic meals and big portions.  You can rustle up some really good grub here by starting with the house made pretzel bites served with beer cheese and whole grain beer mustard.  For the main course you cannot go wrong no matter what you choose, but be daring and try the Lemon Tabasco Fried Chicken or the Lamb Belly Tacos.  OF course, Colorado Bison Burgers are available and also delicious.  If you have saved room for dessert the Goat Cheese Cheesecake is to die for.  There is a full billiard room on the second floor and savvy guests know that pool is free on Monday nights with any food purchase.

DSCF8739Of course when a lot of people visit Colorado they want a good steak and there is no place better in The Springs than The Famous Steak House.  The USDA Prime New York Strip with onion rings may well be the greatest steak you have ever tried.  Tender and juicy, it is the steak that put famous in the restaurant’s name.  Filet mignon is also available and also amazing.  Surf and turf options a4re on the menu as well as the rack of lamb.  Reservations are accepted and
necessary.

So when it comes time to charter a bus and head to the great state of Colorado be sure and make a stop for a few days in The Springs.  The beauty of the land, the friendliness of the   people and the dining options are among the best in the nation.  Enjoy!

GoMotorcoach to Comic Con? Why not?

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comicconThe days of a simple convention for comic book fans are long gone.  With the increased popularity of comics, science fiction, gaming and the like, the comic con has become a huge spectacle across the country.  Allow me to share a story of once comic con experience and let you know why we should have chartered a bus.

If you have ever attended a Con you know that they tend to be quite crowded with all sorts of people.  People enjoy dressing up in imaginative costumes based on their favorite characters, books, movies, etc.  This is known in the industry as Cosplay and the costumes can get very elaborate.

It was not all that long ago when my friends and I decided we wanted to attend a Con that was about a four hour drive from us.  Since none of us owned a vehicle large enough for everyone we looked at two options; charter a bus or rent a large van.  I can tell you now we made the wrong choice with the van.  If only we had spent a few dollars more we’d have had a much better experience.

First of all the gas was expensive and the fuel economy was awful in that van.  A charter bus would have alleviated our need to fork out all that cash each time we had to stop for fuel.  Although the charter would have needed to stop as well, it most certainly would have done so while we were inside and enjoying the festivities.

But that really was not even the main concern.  When we arrived the line to get into any of the nearby parking lots was longer than the lines inside to see an actor that once played a villain on an old Star Trek episode.  We arrived in what we thought was plenty of time to park, get our costumes together and start enjoying ourselves.  Instead we spent almost 90 minutes trying to park this huge van.  Nearby we could see busses pulling up to the entrance to the convention center and dropping off their guests while we sat idle.  It was frustrating to be sure, but at the end of the night the frustration was at its peak when we tried to leave and go to our hotel.  Had we just chartered a bus like some of those other groups we’d have been well rested for the second day of the Con.

However parking was not the only reason the bus would have been better.  Inside the bus there was room to move around thus giving riders plenty of room and time to get their costumes and make up done.   Instead, we had to wait in line to get into the restrooms to take care of that.  So before we could ever get started in enjoying the show and meeting the stars we had to impatiently wait for our turn in the bathroom.

A typical Comic Con can cost a lot of money to attend especially if you are the type to gather autographs and memorabilia.  And just where is everyone going to find a place for all of that in the van?  Unfortunately Dalek and R2D2 replicas takes up substantially more space than you’d think.

The charter bus experience is perfect for your group to attend a Comic Con.  You’ll have plenty of room to walk around and get ready, you’ll get dropped off right at the front door and there will be plenty of room for a few extra friends on the way home.  Add in the fact that if you have chartered a bus you can partake in a few adult beverages while enjoying the con and you have a win-win situation.  So the next time you and your friends decide to travel across the state to see 100 people dressed like Doctor Who; take the bus.  You’ll be very happy you did.

Music City, USA

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Live MusicNashville, TN is one of the great American destinations and is a perfect stop for your next chartered bus tour.  Contrary to popular opinion, Nashville is not just for country music fans. The name “Music City” was earned for the many varieties of music that one can enjoy during a visit.  In addition, Nashville has long been known as one of the most affordable cities to visit in the country.  So what makes Nashville such a great destination?  Let’s start with a visit downtown.
Ryman

Your charter coach can drop you off at the world famous Ryman Auditorium.  Originally built as the Union Gospel Tabernacle, Ryman Auditorium was home for The Grand Ole Opry from 1943 – 1974.  It is still used today for concerts and shows, but you can take a tour and see where history was made.  Take a few minutes and stand on the stage where artists such as Hank Williams, Loretta Lynn and Dolly Parton made their Opry debuts.  There are plenty of artifacts from the Opry on display throughout the auditorium.  As you walk around you can really feel the history of this national landmark.

Ernest TubJust steps away from the Ryman is Broadway; however it’s nothing like the Broadway you’d find in New York City.  This Broadway is a street where you can hear music from all manner of artists every night of the week.  You can walk down the street and pass a seemingly endless line of restaurants, shops and bars where live music is always being played.  No matter what your taste you are sure to find something to sit back and enjoy. Another must see place on Broadway is the Ernest Tubb Record Shop.  This shop has been located at the same location since 1947 and still sells vinyl records.  If you are a collector of  vintage vinyl then you will definitely want to visit.  And yes, they too will offer live music.

A couple of blocks away from Broadway you will find the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.  All of the greats in the country music industry have been enshrined here with their own bronze plaques.  You seriously do not need to be a fan of country music to appreciate the talents of the individuals honored here.  The museum itself is filled with all sorts of memorabilia from the artists themselves and tells the history of country music.

You’re going to get pretty hungry wandering around downtown and there is no shortage of  delicious places to eat and, of course, hear live music.  Since you are in Nashville then you may want to partake in a bit of BBQ.  There may be no better place than Rippy’s Ribs & BBQ.  Rippy’s is only one block from Ryman Auditorium and they serve up some of the best BBQ in the city, if not the entire south.  Try a slab of ribs with Rippy’s homemade BBQ sauce with a side of onion rings and coleslaw and you will think you were in hog heaven.  Rippy’s can even organize a private party for you and your fellow bus travelers if you wish.  You can enjoy live music in the main dining area, sports on flat screen TV’s in another or try the open air rooftop patio.  Pulled pork, catfish, baked beans; you seriously cannot make a bad choice here.

HermitageNow that you have enjoyed downtown, let your bus take you to see the home of President Andrew Jackson; The Hermitage.  Located just a short drive from downtown, The Hermitage is a fascinating place to visit.  You can start your tour in the museum and then take a short stroll to the home where President and Mrs. Jackson resided.  The tomb of Andrew and Rachel Jackson is located in the gardens by the home.  Numerous log cabins make up the grounds and tour guides take you through the home and provide you with historical facts.

One of the best things about Nashville and the surrounding areas is that it is easily accessed by bus which will make your visit here all the more comfortable and enjoyable.  Why fight for a place to park downtown when the bus can take you there and pick you up when you are done? Get the group together, get on the bus and head to Nashville this summer.  You will have grand ole time.

Take Us Out To The Ballgame!

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27c90790c9b1c977b9457e260c576eb2There are often times when group gets together and they want nothing more than to get away  for a day.  If you say “let’s take a charter bus” your family will probably give you a look as if you’d lost your mind.  In reality they should look at you, thank you profusely and heartily agree with your wise decision.  Taking a charter bus on your next day trip may be one of the wisest decisions you have ever made.

Let’s say, for example, that you and some friends and family members all want to take in a baseball game to see your favorite team.  But the ballpark is a solid three hour drive away.   Does it really make sense to pile into four different cars, get four different designated drivers and end up spending half your time at the game trying to stay awake after all that work?  I didn’t think so.  You should charter a bus and here’s why:

First of all the charter bus industry is regulated by the US Department of Transportation.  This means that your driver is a professional and must adhere to certain guidelines in order to keep his/her job.  Statistically, taking the bus is safer than driving your own car.  Many charter companies will allow guests to be picked up in different locations.  The bus has to start somewhere, but can easily make arrangements for a quick stop along the way to pick up your sister, your uncle or that friend from college that always makes everyone laugh.  With this benefit at your disposal you will definitely gain a few brownie points.  What if you made that three hour drive yourself?  How easy is it to find parking at a major  league baseball stadium if you’re not one of the season ticket holders?  It is usually not easy at all.  You not only have to leave your car in a lot where you have no idea if it will be safe, but then you have to trek through the elements just to get to the gate.  The bus will get you there and leave you just mere steps from the gate before leaving for that area reserved for bus parking.

You’re in the stadium now.  You can feel the excitement and you would like to have a few adult beverages.  Go for it.  You’re not driving home so any need to worry about having a couple of beverages has disappeared.  But please do not overdo it; you should always drink responsibly.  At the end of the day you’re tired.  You just sat in a small, cramped stadium seat and the last think you want to do is get into your cramped little car.  But you were smart and chartered a bus. Now all you need to do is walk out that gate and your charter bus is just waiting for you a few steps away.  You hop on, sit down and recline in a comfortable chair and start talking about the game you just witnessed.  No need to think about the traffic mess.  You let the driver be concerned with the traffic.  You never have to sit there with your foot on the brake wondering if someone will be nice enough to let you into the exit lane.  Nope.  Your driver has all of that covered so you can sit back and regale your friends with stories about how you would have made that diving play in the outfield.

But the ride isn’t over.  Many charters now are equipped with Wi-Fi.  So you can get online and check out the box score of the game and see how your rivals did as well.  Then you can take a few moments and find a great place to stop for dinner or a late night snack before saying goodbye for the day.

With all of those benefits, plus the fact that taking a charter bus is economical and friendlier to the environment, why would you go any other way?  Get your friends together, charter that bus and go enjoy America’s pastime.  Play ball!

Stop the Bus and Smell the Roses – Portland, OR

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100_2512Whether you realize it or not, one of the greenest and most economical ways to see the USA is via a charter bus.  And whether you want to travel near or far the motorcoach can take you there.  So with a wink and a smile it is time to literally stop and smell the roses in Portland Oregon.

Portland is known as the “City of Roses” and it has been given this name for a very good reason; Portland is home to the International Rose Test Garden.  The Rose Garden, located in Washington Park, is home to over 7000 rose plants of some 550 varieties.  Your motorcoach can drop you off at the entrance so you can walk through the gardens on paved paths, enjoy the beauty of the flowers and get an outstanding view of the Portland skyline.  There are fountains, statues, plenty of photo opportunities and the park has access ramps so no one is left out.  Public tours are offered free of charge daily at 1:00 PM, but self-guided tours are always available.  Groups of 11 or more can arrange for guided tours in advance.

Each year Portland is home to the annual Rose Festival from late May to early June.  The festival includes activities for all ages.  There are several parades including the nighttime Starlight Parade and the centerpiece of the festival, the Grand Floral Parade.  But the fun does not stop there; concerts, golf tournaments and a rose show are also great activities to enjoy.  A dragon boat race takes place every year on the Willamette River where over 80 teams compete for the title of champion.  However, what may be the most enjoyable activity of the festival is the Milk Carton Boat Race.   Both children and adults enter their homemade human powered boats that float only by recycled milk cartons and milk jugs to vie for the coveted Best in Show Milk Can.  And yes, sometimes they sink.

Located right next to the Rose Garden is the beautiful and tranquil Portland Japanese Garden.  It is a traditional Japanese Garden consisting of five sub-gardens spread over five and ½ acres.  Be sure to put away your cell phones because they are not allowed in this land of peace and harmony.  A stroll through these gardens will give everyone a deep connection with nature. 100_2498

If animals are more of your liking the Oregon Zoo is about two miles away from the Rose and Japanese Gardens and features over 260 species to admire and enjoy.  And right next to the zoo is the Portland Children’s Museum; the sixth oldest children’s museum in the world.  Although designed for children, the museum is a joy for families of all ages.

One of the other benefits of visiting Portland is their unique light rail system known as MAX.  Sometimes getting downtown in a large city is not always easy for a bus and that is where MAX comes in.  MAX has four lines; Blue, Green, Red and Yellow, and all of them run through downtown Portland.  So if you are up in the Washington Park area and want a bite to eat downtown you can easily hop aboard the Red or Green line and find yourself a great meal.

100_2497And speaking of great meals there is no shortage of delicious places to dine in Portland.  Have you ever wanted to try a bison or elk burger?  Well then Deschutes Brewery is where you want to go.  It is a great place for large groups and the food and atmosphere all have a distinctive Portland flair.  Start your meal off with the Fried Pickled Cauliflower and then just try and decide what you should have for your main course.  If you are a fan of beer you will most definitely find several here to your liking.

If a little Italian food is what you are craving and you are not afraid of ghosts then Old Town Pizza is a fantastic place to din  .  Old Town Pizza sits in the original lobby of the old Merchant Hotel.  You place your order at the hotel’s original reception desk.  There is an old legend that tells us this place has been haunted for well over 100 years.  Go for yourself, hear the story and enjoy the food.  The pizza is all natural, local and handmade.  The sauce is made from scratch daily and is indescribably delicious.  If pizza is not your favorite then dive into a plate of spaghetti and meatballs, but whatever you do, do not leave without trying an order of garlic knots.

So why not get your family or maybe those old friends you’ve been meaning to get together with and charter a bus to Portland.  The roses are waiting for you.

Charleston, SC – Something For Everyone In The Group!

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The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page – Saint Augustine

So your group is ready to get together for charter bus tour this spring, but where should you go?  You don’t want anything too hot and you certainly don’t want anything too cold which leaves Charleston, SC as the perfect destination.

Charleston is the oldest city in South Carolina and is certainly the most historic.  The city’s residents pride themselves on their hospitality and welcome visitors with open arms.  It is the kind of place where you will never meet a stranger.

Quite simply, the best place to start any visit to Charleston is with a carriage ride in the historic district.  There are several good companies to go with, but I have found the Old South Carriage Company to be the best.  The drivers are courteous and incredibly knowledgeable and will tell you more about the city than you ever expected.  All tour companies get busy, so an early start is recommended.  All carriage tours begin and end in downtown Charleston and due to the unique system the city uses to direct carriage traffic; no two tours are exactly the same.  Just sit back, relax and let the horse do all the work as you see beautiful homes, gardens and places of worship in The Holy City.  After your tour be sure to take a moment to pose for a photo with your horse.

IMG_2236While on your carriage tour you would have passed by several restaurants, most of which are beautiful homes that have been converted to dining establishments.  One such place is Poogan’s Porch.  Located on Queen Street in a Victorian home built in 1888, Poogan’s Porch has been serving delicious meals since 1976.  The restaurant is named after a dog that used to visit all the porches in the neighborhood looking for table scraps and served as the official greeter until his death in 1979.  As far as the food goes you may never want to leave.  The buttermilk fried chicken is a big favorite and so is the Ribs & Mac, but to me there is nothing better than the Chicken & Waffles.  Crispy chicken breasts served over waffles with blueberry Texas Pete maple syrup?  Yes please!  Best of all, Poogan’s offers group dining so you can keep your group together for a special brunch.

Take a stroll to the Charleston City Market for some unique shopping.  There you will find just about anything you can imagine including antiques, toys, artwork and plenty of souvenirs.  The market is quite large and has many vendors, but be sure and take a few moments to watch the ladies weave the Sweetgrass Baskets.  Originally used on plantations to free dirt from rice, the baskets are now works of art and make a fantastic collectible from your trip.  You will be amazed at the artistry of these baskets and as many times as I’ve seen them made, I still can’t figure out how they do it.

You could literally spend days exploring the beauty of the homes and gardens of Charleston’s historic district, but what if you want to get away and see some other things?   Not far from downtown is Fort Sumter, the site where the Civil War began.  Just take the ferry to the island and start your tour.  You can stand right there on the site where the first shot was fired.  If that is not enough history for you, take your group to Patriot’s Point where groups of all sizes are welcome.  Tour the USS Yorktown, visit the Medal of Honors Museum or see vintage aircraft all in one place.

More history can be seen in the many plantations that surround Charleston. The Boone Hall Plantation, the McLeod Plantation and the Magnolia Plantation and Gardens are three of the best.  All of them are great for tour groups and present a living history of the past.  The Boone Hall Farms Market offers a variety of items including their famous jams and jellies plus they have a delightful café where you can enjoy what may be the best Chicken & Sausage Gumbo ever served.  The signature sandwich at the café is Crab & Pimento Cheese Melt served with a fried green tomato on whole wheat bread.

If you’re looking for a great burger and a cold beer after that long day of sightseeing then stop in to one of the three locations of Sesame Burgers & Beer.  Sesame serves up the best onion rings and hush puppies in all of Charleston, but the burgers are not to be missed.  They have about a dozen burgers on the menu, but feel free to design your own delicious concoction.  And for the vegetarian out there they serve up a black bean burger just for you.

The spring weather in Charleston cannot be beat.  Take your group, hop on that charter bus and make your memories.

How To Find Group Friendly Hotels

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Hotel RoomFinding a hotel is easier than ever these days when you consider all of the technology we have at our fingertips.  Gone are the days of calling a travel agent and taking their word for it that you are getting a great deal at a great property.

Now you can read reviews, compare locations, amenities and room details.  Everything you need to make an informed decision is available – but why is it still so difficult?

Choosing a hotel for a large group is very different from choosing a hotel for an individual or family.  One has to think of all the group members wants and needs.  Some members may be elderly and need main floor rooms or access to elevators, some group members may be young and require some kind of entertainment like a pool or game room.  All group members will need to eat at some point – will the hotel offer breakfast or does it have a restaurant on site or nearby?

Remember three keys when choosing a hotel for your group: Location, Amenities & Group Friendliness.  If you keep these at the forefront of your mind – you will be in good shape!

One site we found that makes selecting a hotel easy is BusRates.com.  It’s not your typical directory site.  The team at BusRates has personally made connections with group sales leaders at many hotels throughout the nation.  This not only give you an advantage over the typical directory one-price-fits-all sites, it gives you a real, live human being to speak to.  A person who is on property and can give your group the individualized attention it deserves.

The site doesn’t stop there!  It has tons of attractions, events and restaurants they have determined are group friendly – and have the knowledge and ability to properly take care of large and small groups.  It’s basically a one-stop group-travel-planning stop!

Holiday Travel…Wings or Wheels?

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Go Motorcoach The holiday season is around us, with all its glory! We find ourselves running frantically here and there to get the perfect gifts. We force our family to take the once-a-year holiday photo for our cards that are sent out to those we love. We bake goodies, we wrap presents, and then we hit the road… Traveling and the holidays go hand in hand. Over the river and through the woods to Grandmother’s house we go – is reality for many of us. This year, more people traveled during the Thanksgiving holiday since 2007!

Many people will be flying the friendly skies…or are they so friendly? Long lines, delayed flights, cancellations and on top of that, there are so many changing rules about what you can and cannot have with you in your carry-on .

Now imagine this: A calm you, relaxed and not worried about long lines or delays. You have a large suitcase, a carry-on and your laptop. Your vehicle arrives and as you board you notice the plush reclining seats, the panoramic views out the large windows and the outlets…..OUTLETS? Yes, you read that correctly, outlets. Many of today’s modern motorcoaches have 110 outlets available for you to power up your computers, iPods and cell phones. Many more coach companies also have Wi-Fi available on their buses – and you can use it the entire ride, not just above 10,000ft!

Along the way, you are able to enjoy the view out of large panoramic windows and when you do arrive at your destination, you don’t have to worry about finding the luggage carousel, or if you bags made it – they have been with you the entire trip.

That’s the motorcoach difference. Most people think that flying is the only way to go, and they are wrong. When you travel by motorcoach, you travel together, you travel safely, you travel smart. GoMotorcoach!

Oh The Weather Outside Is…

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Weather, the great equalizer. It can’t be controlled. It can’t be told what to do, and no matter how much we want to, no one has been able to come up with a weather machine. We can complain that it’s too cold, too hot, too rainy, too snowy. We can wish it would stay like this forever. We can hope it’s going to be nice out – but in the end, we have no say in what Mother Nature dishes out for us.

NYsnowTransportation is greatly affected by the weather. Flights are delayed for all kinds of reasons, but the weather is number one. If it’s too foggy – DELAYED, if it’s too stormy – DELAYED, if it’s too snowy – CANCELLED. No amount of wishing can get those planes off the ground if the weather isn’t cooperating. It has the ability to create lines of stranded passengers a mile long, who just want to get to their destinations. Motorcoaches and cars seem to have an easier time dealing with poor weather conditions. Road conditions can change from hour to hour.

Recently, snow storms blanketed the Buffalo, NY area, and motorists were stranded for days. Feet of snow, not inches, feet of snow, fell on the city and it accumulated fast. Cars were stranded everywhere and homes were covered to their rooftops. It was during this same storm that a women’s college basketball team was making their way home, when the motorcoach they were riding on got stuck. The team had a few snacks that they shared, a working bathroom, plenty of room and even though the conditions were not ideal, they were livable for the twenty-four plus hours they were stuck. The driver of the bus kept it running the entire time, which allowed for heat and electricity and was more than most people experienced that snowy night.

Nobody wants to be late. Drivers try their hardest to get their passengers to and from their destinations safely and on-time, but sometimes it’s just not possible. When the weather is poor, expect delays – just like at the airport, only we promise to not keep you on the tarmac for hours without giving you an explanation, or letting you out. Most of the time, a motorcoach will have the ability to pull off, wait it out, get you to a hotel, a restaurant or another facility that may not be on the itinerary, just to keep the group from having to sit on the bus for longer than necessary. It’s a more flexible method of travel, during a time when flexibility is a must!

So remember, when Mother Nature decides to show us who’s boss, GoMotorcoach and leave the driving to us!