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Hawaii March 2020

Ann’s Adventures has been doing group travel across Michigan, the United States, and the world for 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!

The Pride of America cruise ship in Hawaii March 2020

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 in the Trip Tips 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!

Thanks to all of you who continue to spread the word about Ann’s Adventures. Your support has helped to build this company each year. We continue to grow. We now have about 4,000 people in our data base. I am delighted that so many people are enjoying traveling to so many different places. This is an amazing adventure for me as I continue to meet new people and go new places!

 

                                                              

 

Welcome to the New Year!
I am so pleased to say that I survived 2020! It was a challenging year for all of us! As we move forward into 2021, I expect to see the opportunities for travel increasing every month! Already I am getting emails from all sorts of places saying, “We are open! Bring your groups!”

You can tell in this newsletter that many of the bigger trips are on the schedule for 2021 and even into 2022. This is because it takes more time to plan and promote these trips. I will be adding the shorter trips and day trips as more destinations become open and ready to have groups visit. I’ve had time to think about lots of possible destinations!

While 2020 was indeed challenging, I must say I am proud that we are still open and functioning well. Thanks to volunteers who were able to help with the newsletter, we put out a newsletter every single month of 2020 in an effort to keep you updated on the status of the trips. Unfortunately, month after month more were cancelled. I even
ended up cancelling the Christmas Mystery Trip in the interest of safety for our travelers. As the year ended, we actually had 11 trips that were taken in 2020 and 61 that were cancelled. My ability to process refunds became more efficient as the year progressed. I still have a few to do and I appreciate your patience and understanding.

I am looking forward to getting on a bus again and visiting new places as well as many of our favorite places. We have dates in this newsletter for Mackinac Island in October and we will try the Washington DC Christmas Trip in 2021 that was not able to take place in 2020. A new offering from Turkeyville is listed in this newsletter…. A one day only musical show that should be exciting to see and hear. I will keep adding new trips throughout the year.

We also offered a 4 week Coping Series this past summer and it was very well attended and appreciated. I will be offering that again in February. Information is in this newsletter. Breakfast Club and Romeo’s are still on hold until restaurants are ready to handle groups for gatherings.

There have been some questions about passports and where to obtain them. The Clio Post Office continues to provide this service locally. You do need an appointment to apply for a NEW passport. If you are renewing your passport, you do not need an appointment. They have provided me with applications for both new and renewing passports to have in the office along with instructions. So, if it is easier to pick up an application here, I do have the forms available!

I’m sure that many of you are looking forward to being able to travel again. We will likely be wearing masks for months to come. I am hopeful that the vaccine helps to slow down the advance of this virus and we can enjoy exploring our state, our country and the world.

Thanks to all of you for your support and words of encouragement throughout this past year.

 

“Each person gets as much from adventure
As to the adventure they bring,
For things don’t happen to people,
It’s people who happen to things!”

                                                                                                                                                        Ann

                                                                                                                      

 

As we begin to open up the world of travel again, I’m beginning to think about what that might look like for us. These are some of the things you may experience as a little different!

1. I will eliminate the use of reusable lanyards for name tags.

2. Face masks will be highly recommended for use on the bus.

3. We will disembark the bus using airplane dismissal style
instead of switching sides.

4. While the bus has installed hand sanitizer at the entrance
and the rear of the bus, you may want to bring a small
personal container for times you are not on the bus.

5. Buffets will likely become more obsolete and be replaced
with travelers being served.

6. For the immediate future, we will have less people on the
bus.

We have received word that the Canadian Border is closed to all non-essential travelers. This is still true of other countries as well.
We will keep you up-to-date on changes.

 

 

Coping…

A video series on “Coping” will be offered at Ann’s Adventures on Mondays at 3:00 p.m. This is a four week
series. While it is best to view all four videos, they can each be beneficial on their own. A limited number of seats are
available! Call to reserve your seat. There is no charge!

This video series features one of America’s most popular and entertaining speakers, Clayton Barbeau. He
presents an insightful picture of the basic dynamics of the human personality. He uses humorous anecdotes shaped
in life’s laboratory to describe how people cope successfully with life’s emotional challenges.

The four sessions will include:
Monday, February 1, Coping with Ourselves;
Monday, February 8, Coping with Others;
Monday, February 15, Coping with Loss;
Monday, February 22, Coping with Feelings.

All sessions will be held at 3:00 p.m. The hour long videos will conclude with discussion facilitated by Ann
Anderson. “This series is beneficial for everyone, especially when dealing with stress and emotional issues.
It helps many people realize a different approach to the issues and relationships they face on a daily basis. It also
opens up new thoughts for discussion.”

 

Monday Morning Memories

Since we are still limited in the area of travel and folks seem to be missing the adventure, I am offering an
opportunity to travel back in our historical archives and enjoy the adventures of the past. I will select a poem from
a past trip and read it each Monday morning at 9:00 a.m. You can enjoy listening by going to Ann’s Adventures page
on Facebook. I will live stream at 9:00 a.m. If you are not available at that time, you can always listen to it later.

 

Travel Club Networking Meeting

I have new ideas for future day trips! The next Travel Club Networking Meeting will be held on February 10, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. The meeting will be held at the office! Mark your calendars! More details after the first of the year!
Travel Club Networking Meetings are held three times a year to allow people to provide ideas for future trips, meet
with other travelers and get first-hand information about upcoming trips. They are held in February, June and
October.

 

Breakfast Club                    On Hold!

The Breakfast Club meets the first Friday of every month at 8:30 a.m. at the Bob Evans in Birch Run. It is a great
opportunity to get together with friends, ask questions of Ann, or make suggestions for future trips. Some people
use this opportunity to meet potential roommates or meet up with others that they have met on previous trips. I hope
to see you there! Breakfast is on your own. No reservations are needed, just come and join us!
Restaurants are currently reevaluating their handling of groups. We look forward to returning when we can!

 

Romeos – Rowdy Old Men Eating Out!          On Hold!

Join us for lunch and lively discussion at noon. Lunch is ‘on your own’. The Romeo’s meet each month.  No reservations needed, just come! Wear your plaid shirt and look for the rowdy guys! Restaurants are currently reevaluating their handling of groups. We look forward to returning when we can!

 

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 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!

 

TSA – Transportation Security Administration
Acceptable Forms of ID

1 – REAL Michigan Driver’s License – Michigan is enacting a federally acceptable form of ID. This will be in
effect by October 1st, 2021. The REAL ID will be required for flying within the United States, entry into certain federal
properties, entering nuclear facilities and military bases. The Real ID Michigan Driver’s license has a star in the
upper right hand corner.

2 – Enhanced Michigan Driver’s License is already compliant and allows entry into the US by land or sea from
Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or the Caribbean without a passport. The Enhanced Michigan Driver’s License has an
American flag on the license just right of your picture. The newer ones also have a star in the upper right hand corner.

3 – Passport – is acceptable ID for any type of air flight to go anywhere. It is also acceptable for entry into certain
federal facilities and entering nuclear facilities and military bases. It cannot be used as a driver’s license. To fly into
the US from anywhere – including Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean, you must have a passport.
Please check your driver’s license and your passport for their expiration dates.

 

Regarding passports…

New Passports are available at the Clio Post Office by appointment. Call 810-686-0810 to schedule your
appointment. You need your birth certificate with a raised seal to apply for one. They are good for ten years. The post
office can take your picture or you can get a passport photo taken at another location such as Walgreen’s or Rite Aid.
If you live in another city, check your local post office for their passport hours. They may vary at each post office.

To renew a passport, you do not need an appointment. You can pick up a form and instructions and mail the
completed form.

In an effort to help facilitate the process, the Post Office has given me the applications for new passports and the
forms for renewing a passport along with instructions. You can get them at my office as well as the post office.

Please Note: Due to Covid-19, it is taking longer to process passports. If you are needing to renew your
passport it may be helpful to do it in advance and not wait until just before a trip to do it!

 

Snowbirds…   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 have a couple of options.  You can receive the newsletter via email- then you can get it wherever you are.  You can call and give me a winter address and let me know how long you will be gone.  Or you can have the newsletter stopped.  You can call and resume it in the spring.  Newsletters are returned to me as undelivered if you have your mail forwarded.  This is costly.  Thanks for your help!

 

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!  You’ll be glad you did!

 

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 or other special events.

 

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.

 

Money Matters

Payments can be made in cash, checks or money orders.  I can take credit cards however,  there will be a 3% charge added onto the payment if you decide to use a credit 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.  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 checks returned for insufficient funds.  This is the amount the bank charges me.

 

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.

 

Can I get a refund?

Refunds will be given only if there is a wait list and I am able to fill your place prior to departure.  Partial refunds may be given if I am able to recover the costs of the prepaid tickets,  meals, etc.  Cancellations and no-shows on the day of the trip will not be entitled to a refund.  Refund checks are issued after the trip is completed.

 

Medical forms

Is your medical form updated ?  A medical for 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 or can email one to you.

 

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.

 

Shirts for sale!

The grey t-shirts say “Not all who wander is lost”  and is on  a section of a Michigan map surrounding Clio.  The cost of the grey t-shirt is 12.00 for S, M, L & XL.  The cost for 2XL is 13.00

There are also polo shirts (with a collar) in red or royal blue.  They are  monogrammed with “Ann’s Adventures” and the cost is 15.00 for the M, L & XL.  The 2XL is 16.00  Check them out next time you are in the office!

 

What Is cancellation protection?

Cancellation Protection is a specified amount of money due with your deposit and protects all monies (except the cost of the cancellation protection) in the event of cancelation for any reason,  anytime prior to departure.  It is not insurance but does provide protection for the cost of your trip.

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.