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

 

 

  FEBRUARY/MARCH 2025

 

With the arrival of 2025, we are seeing quite a few changes at Ann’s Adventures! We have now purchased and put in place
a new computer software program that is designed especially for Ann’s Adventures. As we are learning how to use this new
system, we are asking for your understanding and patience! It may take us some time to figure out how to use it, but once we
accomplish that, it should save us a lot of time. We should be able to look up information on individuals’ trip status more
quickly. We will likely be asking you for information to update our records if we are missing birthdates, addresses, phone numbers,
etc. As we have been working on this project for the past 3 months, we’ve discovered that many phone numbers in our
system are no longer valid. Many people have been letting go of their landlines and keeping only a cellphone.

The world of travel continues to see changes and we try very hard to keep aware of those changes to assist you in your travel
choices. One such change has taken place this past month. Beginning January 8th, 2025, travelers must have a VISA to
travel to or through England (UK). Please see the article related to the change by scrolling down on this page.

Another change we will experience in the next month or two involves the parking situation at the old Kmart for all our day trips.
I have spoken with management of the new store, Family Farm and Home, which will occupy the far end of the old Kmart
property. The new tenant will be utilizing the parking area in front of the store for customers and to display some trailers and other
outdoor items. They have requested we use the area in front of the Kmart portion of the building. Thanks for your attention in this
matter. If other tenants move in, we may need to reevaluate the parking situation once again. For now, please park in the center
area in front of the old Kmart.

I’ve had several callers asking about attending the departure meeting for a trip they are not signed up to attend. The answer
is YES! Anyone is welcome to attend! What a great way to learn about what the trip involves, packing tips, and how everything is
handled! It could help someone decide whether or not they’d like to go on another trip or that trip the next time it is offered.

The biggest question I’ve been getting the past few weeks is “Where did you go on the Christmas Mystery Trip?” The mystery
is solved! We went to Marion, Indiana! This is the hometown of James Dean and Jim Davis! The actor, James Dean was in
movies like “Rebel Without A Cause” and “East of Eden.” We visited the Historical Museum which prominently displayed much
of the life history of James Dean. It also featured a section of “Garfield” collectibles…”Garfield” was created by Jim Davis. We
also visited the James Dean Gallery, The Quilter’s Hall of Fame, had lunch at the Train Station, a dinner at a British Restaurant
called Payne’s and drove thru some amazing Christmas lights. Although finding the entrance was a bit of a mystery in itself and
we were led to the right spot by a city worker… how he knew we needed help was also a mystery! We did the “Garfield Trail”
which consisted of visiting large Garfield statues doing a variety of things at places throughout the county. There are many
pictures on FACEBOOK. Yes, we also had some ice cream!  

                                                                                                                 Ann

 

Sunday, March 9th, 2025     Turn your clocks ahead 1 hour!      Daylight Savings Time Begins!

 

Lost and Found Items…

We have an assortment of items in our lost and found from a variety of trips. There are neck pillows. umbrellas,
sunglasses, a jacket, and a few other items. If you are missing something, it never hurts to check the box!

 

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 Thursdays at 11:30 a.m. The locations change each month…February 20, 2025 at
Culver’s in Birch Run; March 20, 2025 at Don Filipe’s in Clio; April 17, 2025 at Bray Road Diner on the corner of Mt Morris
Rd and Bray Rd.

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. 

 

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 May 7, 2025. 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.

Note! Please make sure you bring the correct identification to the bus for the trip you are taking! It
truly hurts my heart to tell people they cannot go when I check their ID.

 

Regarding New Passports...

Passports are available at the Clio Post Office by appointment. You must go online to schedule your
appointment. The other option is to go in on a Thursday morning between 9:00 a.m. and noon.
Check with your local post office as their times may vary.
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.

 

Passport Renewals Now Available Online

Last year it was announced that individuals who need to renew their passports can now do so online. To make it
easier for our travelers, we plan to offer assistance here in our office. You need to call and make an appointment as it
will take about 40 minutes to complete. Please make sure you meet the following requirements to be able to renew online.

1. The passport you are renewing is or was valid for 10 years, and you are age 25 or older.

2. The passport you are renewing is either expiring within one year or has expired less than five years ago.

3. You are not changing your name, gender, date of birth, or place of birth.

4. You are not traveling for at least 8 weeks from the date you will submit your application. We will only
offer routine service, and the time it takes to get a passport will be the same as renewing by mail.

5. You are applying for a regular (tourist) passport. You cannot renew a special issuance (diplomatic,
official, service) passport online.

6. You live in the United States (either state or territory). You do not qualify to renew online if you
live in a foreign country or have an Army Post Office (APO) or Fleet Post Office (FPO) address.

7. You have your passport with you, and it is not damaged or mutilated, and you have not reported it
as lost or stolen. Keep your most recent passport and do not mail it to us.

8. You can pay for your passport using a credit or debit card.

9. We will take your photo for a digital upload.

10. You are aware that we will cancel the passport you are renewing after you submit your application. You
cannot use it for international travel.

You will need to bring your most recent passport, email and password, and credit or debit card for payment.

Pricing for Passport renewals as follows:
Passport application fee: $130
Service fee (separate check): $10

Additional service options:
Expedited processing fee: $60
Expedited Shipping after approval: $21.36

 

UK ETA                                              New Info!

This is a new UK entry requirement for US citizens planning to visit the UK. The ETA is a digital entry permit that
will become mandatory for US travelers to the UK, even for short visits, beginning January 8th, 2025. The ETA is a
digital permit designed to pre-authorize travelers before they arrive in the UK.

It is now mandatory for travelers from all visa-exempt countries traveling to the UK. The UK ETA will permit short
stays for specific purposes, including:

• Tourism: For tourists interested in experiences like sightseeing, taking vacations, or visiting family and friends.
• Business: For attending meetings, conferences, or conducting other business-related activities.
• Short-term study: For courses or training lasting up to six months.
• Transiting through the UK: For travelers passing through the UK en route to another destination.
• Creative Worker visa concession: For coming to the UK for up to three months under this concession.
• Permitted paid engagement: For visiting the UK for certain paid engagements after meeting specific conditions.

The UK ETA aims to make the travel experience smoother and more efficient by allowing travelers to
complete the necessary entry requirements before arriving in the UK. It will reduce wait times at the border and help
authorities manage the entry of travelers more effectively.

The ETA will have a validity period of two years or until the holder’s passport expires, whichever occurs first.
Holders will be able to make multiple trips to the UK during this time, with each stay limited to six months, or three
months for those entering the UK under the Creative Worker visa concession.

The application for the UK ETA will be entirely online. Applicants will need to provide personal information,
passport details, and their travel plans. The required documents typically include:
• A valid passport
• A recent passport-sized photograph
• A valid email address
The processing time for the UK ETA is expected to be quick, within 72 hours and the application can be
completed online.

We will be able to help with this process in the office. You can call the office to make an appointment with Izzy.
The cost is $10.00.

 

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 if you need to cancel. If your trip is interrupted, the cancellation protection would cover the unused portion 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.

 

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!

 

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, Christmas or other special events such as Mother’s Day and Father’s Day!

 

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. 

 

Making A Payment

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.

 

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 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 and can take a few months to process.
We often have to wait for refunds to come to us from the hotels, activities, etc. Thank you for understanding.
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 signed you up to go. In order for my books to match, the money refunded must match the person who paid it.

 

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 and on the website 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.
For instance, we had 15 people cancel British Landscapes and this is just one trip! We usually have
anywhere from 60 to 70 trips in the works at any given time. If I stopped and did each one, at the time they cancelled, I
would be doing cancellations everyday… It is my intention to keep the business organized by trying to do everything for
each trip to ensure that I don’t miss any refunds.
We are a small family-owned business and for the amount of travelers we serve, we need to stay organized. In
addition, I often have people cancel at the last minute which is another reason that processing refunds after the trip is
complete helps us stay organized as each trip is handled the same way. I hope this clarifies our refund process.

 

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!