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 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!

 

                                                                                                                                                                            

 

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

 

 

NOVEMBER  2021

Happy Thanksgiving!!  🙂
I am so thankful for all of you and the willingness you have to travel with Ann’s Adventures. We are continuing to offer exciting new trips as well as continuing to offer your favorites. In an effort to get Starbright Christmas back on our schedule as soon as possible, I jumped right in when the Victoria Playhouse announced they would open for the production in December of 2021. I quickly announced it in October, booked a bus and the luncheon at our usual restaurant and was looking forward to this trip. The next couple of weeks bought forth many questions… Crossing the border has proved to be much more involved than just showing your ID and proof of vaccine at the border. So, I am sadly cancelling the trips to Starbright Christmas for 2021. I have asked them to hold our deposits and move them to the Starbright Shows in 2022.

Our bigger trips in the USA have been well attended and have gone fairly smooth. We have been able to find locations to stop for a meal and have had success at some unusual places such as truck stops and grocery stores.

We are still experiencing a high volume of trip cancellations and I am doing my best to get refunds sent out to you. Thank you for your patience. The list is lengthy and we are trying to be accurate in our accounting of your payments.

The trips the past few months have been thoroughly enjoyable and it seems to me that people are appreciating the ability to get out and go somewhere. This has been a long 18 months and many of you have expressed how grateful you are to GO again! We are taking safety precautions as much as we can. Please remember to bring a mask as many places are requiring them. Many theatres are also asking that you show proof of vaccine OR a negative covid test within
72 hours prior to the performance. I am attempting to add that information in each trip description so you know what to expect before signing up. Hopefully, by the time I figure this out, the spread of this pandemic will slow down and soon stop! I am continuing to plan for 2022 and the years beyond in hopes that the future of travel will continue to brighten our lives.

We still have vaccine card holders in the office to help you keep your vaccine cards safe and protected. There is no charge, just ask!

Since I was gone so much of October, the November update is a bit late. The same will be true in December. I am gone most of November and when I return, I will begin working on the December/January Issue of Ann’s Adventures. I will be gone the end of December on the Christmas Mystery Trip and then Dan and I will head to Texas for the ABA Conference in January. By doing a combined December/January Issue, I will not be stressed trying to get an update out. Upon returning from the conference, I will likely have many new ideas for trips in the coming months and years. This conference allows me to get information about destinations all over the United States. I meet in person with hotels, restaurants, theatres, museums, and so many other places. It is like speed dating in the world of travel! It is exhausting but exhilarating at the same time! Here is to many more months and years of travel adventures for all of us!

Thanks to the volunteers who come and help with the newsletters each month. The number of newsletters continues to increase and your help is very much appreciated.                                                              

                                                                                          Ann

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please Note: Due to the constant state of change in our world today, please always come prepared with a mask. It is better to have it and not need it, than to find someplace has changed their policy overnight and it is now needed and you don’t have your’s with you!

Vaccination Card Holders Available
We have holders available for your vaccination cards that won’t fit in your wallets. Ask for one when you are in
the office or on a trip!  There is no charge… advertising for me and card protection for you!

 

Phone System Changes

Dialing a phone number without including the area code won’t work for many Michiganders any more.
Anybody with a 616, 810, 906 or 989 area code will need to use the full 10-digit number when making local
calls. Seven-digit numbers without the area code will no longer work.
Please be aware of this when calling the office and leaving your call back number.

 

2021 Genesee County Resource Directories
Available In The Office!

Each year the Genesee County Commission On Aging prints a Senior Resource Directory for distribution to all
who would like one at Senior Power Day. Since the 2021 Senior Power Day was cancelled due to Covid, there are
many directories available. I have picked up a case and they are here at the office. Stop in and pick one up. They
are a great resource to have!

 

Travel Club Networking Meeting

 

Breakfast Club 

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! Upcoming dates are
November 5, and December 3, 2021.

 

Romeos 

This group of men gather monthly to enjoy lunch, laughter and good conversation. It started many years ago
as the guys’ 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. 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.
The next two luncheons will be Thursday, November 18th, at Mug Shotz on Saginaw in Clio and Thursday,
December 16th, at Leo’s on Linden Rd in Clio. Mark your calendars and plan to join us!

 

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 –
Deadline Extended Once Again!
Michigan is enacting a federally acceptable form of ID.
This will be in effect by May 3, 2023. 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!

 

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 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 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. This saves not only postage, but paper and printing costs.
We just ask that you let us know. 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. For overnight trips, it is recommended $2.00 to $3.00 per person per day. The driver is handling your
luggage each time we change hotels.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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. 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.  (1 left)  Check them out the next time you are in the office !!  A limited number of sizes are available.