Ann’s Adventures has been doing group travel across Michigan, the United States, and the world for eleven plus years.  We specialize in making you feel like part of our family, you will feel right at home with us.

We are a family owned MICHIGAN based company. We have always been and remain committed to the economic success of our local economies. Ann’s Adventures focuses on group travel as a way to provide folks an opportunity to travel a planned itinerary with others who enjoy the same destinations.

With our experience, knowledge, and contacts, we have the expertise to create unique, interesting and budget-friendly group tours. Each will be planned around cultural, historical, sports or musical themes that you can identify with.

Thank you for your suggestions and ideas. I am a firm believer that traveling provides social, educational, physical, mental, spiritual and nutritional needs that all of us should experience to enhance our lives. I know you have all enriched my life. Thank-you!

 

We do business DIFFERENTLY.  You will work directly with the owner throughout the entire process.  Ann will listen to your needs to help you book the right group trip for you and your family and friends.

Ann’s Adventures is committed to creating safe, high-quality, affordable tours, and memories to last a lifetime.

 

 

 

Ann’s Thoughts and Comments… 

Please check out the information farther down on this page regarding your ID for traveling both in the country and internationally. As things continue to change, we need to keep aware and be prepared! Let me know if you have questions!

Thanks go to all those who come and help with the monthly newsletter. It takes a lot of people to get these newsletters folded, taped and labeled. I sure could not do it without your help!

 

   

 

                       “In life, it’s not where you go, but who you travel with.”     ~Charles Schultz

“Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

                         DECEMBER 2025/JANUARY 2026                                              

 

Ann’s Announcements...
Thanks to all who responded to my special request in last month’s newsletter! We have a basket to present William this
month full of birthday cards for his 100th Birthday! Thank you all so much!

This month’s update has so many new trips for the 2026. What a busy year it will be! Thanks for all of your requests. If I
couldn’t squeeze them into our schedule this year, I’ll continue to work on planning them in the next couple of years.

In January, I will be headed to the annual ABA Conference which will be held in Reno, Nevada. I anticipate lots of new ideas
of locations to visit. I am hoping for safe flying weather. Usually I drive to these conventions, but concern about winter driving in
the mountains has me using some of my SkyMiles to fly. Keep me in your thoughts and prayers for safe flights.

Where did the Fall Mystery Trip go?
For those who have not heard, the Fall Mystery Trip went to the west side of the state. We went to Reed City and visited the
local History Museum which features the story of “The Old Rugged Cross”. This museum is also called The Old Rugged
Cross Museum. Yes, this popular hymn was written in Michigan! It is amazing how many of us thought it was an old Southern
Gospel Song. The museum brought in extra docents to help us navigate the museum and answer questions. There was even a
very nice display about area Girl Scouts. Then the local Amvets opened their beautiful hall for us to have lunch. Participants
helped carry in the goodies I brought along for lunch and we set out the spread. Everyone enjoyed good conversation and tasty
food. After lunch we headed to the Shrine of the Pines. This beautifully created cabin in the woods including all the furniture
inside was the brainchild of one man, Raymond W. Overholzer. It is all created out of Michigan White Pine from the roots of these
massive pines. Our guide was knowledgeable and we enjoyed seeing this beautiful location along the Pierre Marquette River.

The newsletter continues to grow and I am very grateful for those who come to help assemble it. I’d also like to thank all of
you who read the details of the newsletter and call to report typos or errors. We do make mistakes and no matter how many times
we proofread, we know what it is supposed to say and often miss the errors.
                                                                                                                                Ann   

 

                                                                                                     

                                                                                                                               

We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!          May Peace and Joy come to you in the coming year…
                                                                        Ann, Rebecca, Katrina, Gayle & Izzy

 

We are closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

                                                     

 

 

 

 

Travel Club Networking Meeting

 

Romeos!  Calling all men!  Come and join us!

This group of men gather monthly to enjoy lunch, laughter and good conversation. Romeo’s stands for Rowdy Old Men
Eating Out! No dues, no committees, just eat out every month with other guys to provide input on whatever is of
interest to anyone. All men are welcome!

The luncheons will be on the third Thursdays at 11:30a.m. The locations change each month. On December 18,
we will be at Culver’s in Birch Run. We will start the New Year going to Pine Run Inn on January 15, 2026 in Clio.
(corner of Saginaw and Vienna Rds) On February 19 we will go to Madison’s on Main in downtown Flushing (Formerly
Kathy’s) On March 19, we will go to McAlister’s Deli at 4050 Miller Rd (just west of Best Buy)

This group was started as a response to the women’s Red Hat Society. The women have a poem, “When I am an
Old Woman, I Shall Wear Purple!” There is also a poem called “When I am an Old Man, I Shall Wear Plaid!” So, an
active group of guys attended the first meeting and the Romeo’s were officially started.

 

Make New Friends!

On longer trips we use a seat rotation in order to allow different viewing perspectives throughout the trip. Each day,
travelers will have a new seat. This helps you to meet new people, get off in a different order and not always be first or
last. I realize some people have special requests as to seating and we do try to keep that in mind in doing the
rotation. However, there are only so many seats in the front on each trip. Thanks for your understanding!

 

What makes a trip “sold out?”

A trip can be “sold out” for several different reasons. It could be the number of tickets I purchased are all spoken
for. It could be that the seats on the bus are all taken. In some cases, it may be that I can only get a certain number
of hotel rooms at a particular location.

 

What is the Wait List?

When a trip is sold out, we still take names and start a “wait list”. This means if someone cancels at the last minute,
we start calling to find someone who can go so that the trip doesn’t have unused tickets, etc. Sometimes there is
enough people on the ‘wait list’ to encourage us to take a 2nd bus.

 

What is cancellation protection?

Cancellation Protection is a specified amount of money for overnight trips that is due with your deposit and protects
all monies (except the cost of the cancellation protection) in the event of cancellation for any reason, anytime prior to
departure. It is not insurance but does provide protection for the cost of your trip. Cancellation Protection is non
refundable.   Insurance is available and is included when we go overseas. Collette Trips include insurance and that would
cover much more while we are in another country.

 

Become a STAR!

I offer a special program for frequent travelers.
You can become a “STAR” which stands for Special Travel Adventure Rate! For only $36.00 per year (from
purchase date), you can become a STAR! As a result, every trip you sign up for will be $6.00 less in cost. Therefore, if
you travel at least 6 times in a year, you will have made your money back and for every trip after that, you come out ahead!

 

Going south?…  Going North?…  Please take note!!

The post office does not forward bulk mail. If you want to receive the newsletter and are heading south for any length of time, please let me know. You can receive the newsletter via email – then you can get it wherever you are, give me a winter address and let me know how long you will be gone or have the newsletter stopped. You can call and resume it in the spring. Newsletters are returned to me as undeliverable if you have your mail forwarded. This is costly. When a newsletter is returned, we remove the person from the mailing list until we hear from them.

 

W…ings for Travel

Preparations for a trip of any duration takes time.  I am encouraging everyone to think about preparing yourselves as well as your clothes, what to pack,  and what should be in your carryon!  Time to spread your wings!

1.  Waking:  Every trip requires an early start.  Begin setting your alarm a little earlier each day a couple weeks before the trip.  Then it won’t be such a shock to your system to suddenly be getting up so early every day.

2.  Walking:  If you not a person who walks regularly,  begin!!  Don’t try and start with a mile or two right away.  Try walking ten minutes a day then 20,  then 30.  It is amazing how much easier the trip will be for you if walking is not a shock to your system.  You will definitely have more fun!

3.  Watering:  Drink more water!  This is good for you even when not traveling.  However,  when we travel it is crucial that you not become dehydrated.  Keeping your body hydrated will help you to be healthier and your system to work more efficiently.

Get your own W…ings ready for travel!  

 

Travel Certificates Make Great Gifts

Looking for the perfect gift? Travel Certificates are available in any amount! They can be used for any Ann’s
Adventures Trip! There is no expiration date! Tell your kids you want the gift of Travel! These make great gifts for
retirement, birthdays, anniversaries, Mother’s day, and Father’s day or any Holiday like Christmas!

 

Driver Tips

For all day trips, the driver tip is included in the cost of the trip. On overnight trips, we do pass an envelope for the driver
and recommend $2.00 to $3.00 per person per day.

 

Making A Payment

Payments can be made in cash, checks or money orders. I can take credit cards however, there will be a 4%
charge added onto the payment if you decide to use a credit or debit card. Checks should be made out to Ann’s
Adventures. When sending checks, please write on the memo line what trip the check is for or use the form on the
back page of this newsletter. It helps me get your payment posted to the right trip more quickly. If you would like a
receipt, you should include a self-addressed, stamped envelope. There will be a $15.00 charge for any check
returned for insufficient funds.

 

Do I need to send a deposit?

A deposit assures your seat on a trip.  When you call to put your name on the trip list,  that lets me know how many people are interested.  Your deposit (or full payment) assures you of a seat.  Sometimes there are more names on the interest list than there are actual seats available.  When the maximum number of seats with money deposited are full,  the rest becomes the wait list.  The bottom line is…  If you really want to go,  you should put down a deposit.  For day trips,  a $20.00 deposit will hold your seat.  For extended trips,  the deposit amount is listed at the top of the article.  The remaining balance for all trips is due 1 month prior to the trip unless specifically noted.

 

Regarding Refunds

At Ann’s Adventures, we understand that plans sometimes change, and we are committed to handling
cancellations and refunds with care and fairness.
In the event of a cancellations, please know that refunds are typically issued after the scheduled trip date. 
This allows us time to receive any applicable refunds from venues, ticket providers or other third-party partners
involved in your trip.
Additionally, we review cancellations in the order they were received, ensuring that if seats are resold, refunds are
processed fairly and appropriately based on that order.
Cancellations and no shows on the day of the trip are not eligible for a refund. Refund checks are issued to the person
who paid for the trip. If your friend paid for your trip and you cancel, the refund is sent to the person who paid for your to
go. In order for our books to match, the money refunded must match the person who paid it.
We truly appreciate your patience and understanding as we work through this process. Our goal is always to treat
each traveler with honesty, respect and transparency.
If you have any questions about your specific refund or cancellation, please don’t hesitate to contact our office.
We’re here to help.

 

Why does it take so long to get a refund?

The policy of sending refunds after the trip is completed is Ann’s Adventures guidelines. It is in every newsletter
where I say that all refunds are issued after the trip is completed! Why? Because it is easier for me to do all the
refunds at the same time. Since we are trying to keep costs low for our travelers, I do not have the excess staff to be able
to stop and send a refund on whatever day someone cancels a trip. It is much easier when the trip is finished and I can
pay all final bills and send refunds at the same time. We often have to wait until venues return the money to us.

 

Medical forms

Is your medical form up to date?  A medical form ensures that I can give medical professionals correct information about your health in the event of a medical emergency. If something happens, they need to know your birthdate and list of current medications. If you need to update your form, I always carry extra on the trips. You can ask me for a form or call and I can email one to you. You can always pick one up when you are in the office.

 

Dietary Restrictions

If you have a special dietary need, I need to know this in advance of the trip. When meals are catered for a group of 50, caterers plan for the number of meals ordered and often do not have additional options ready on the spot. If you vary from the original menu, there may be an additional charge.

 

Stay Hydrated

Always carry a refillable water bottle with you on every trip. Staying hydrated is important for your health! We make
restroom stops every two hours so you can use facilities and stretch your legs!