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

 

                       

                                   JUNE/JULY  2025

 

Ann’s Announcements…
As the weather warms up and we enter the summer months, I am once again going to remind you to stay hydrated! Please
always bring a water container with you filled with water and refill it as needed. This is true for day trips as well as extended trips.
Drinking water is essential for a successful trip experience!
We are making progress on the merging of the old and new software programs. I have even learned to open up the new
program and find payments made and amounts owed. I guess I’m not too old to learn new things.
The newsletter list continues to grow and I am grateful you are sharing your travel experiences with others. We hear people
say “My friend told me to call you!” several times a week. I am planning on adding trips to the schedule regularly so that there
will always be new offerings!

Pictures – Hawaii 2025 & Alaska 2024
Thanks for reminding me about the group photos from the last two cruise tours! I have made prints and they are now available
in the office! Just ask for your copy at the desk!

Insurance Refunds from Italy Trips
This has been a tedious process and we are continuing to assist everyone with their refunds. Thank you for your patience.

We can assist with travel documents!
Online Passport Renewals are quick and easy with our help. We can also assist with UK ETA applications online. See the
details by scrolling down this page. Call for an appointment. We can take your picture and do everything here.

New Trips!
There are many new trips added to this update and for several sold-out trips, we have added a second bus when
possible. There are many trips listed for 2026. I realize that they are a long way off, but my intent is only to let you know ahead
which trips we will be providing. It seems to help people prioritize their trips and makes budgeting easier.

Newsletter Volunteers
Thanks to all who help with the newsletter every other month. We are mailing over 2500 newsletters and many hands make
the folding, taping and labeling go much faster. Another 1800 are emailed and that helps as well. This bi-monthly project is the
lifeline to Ann’s Adventures. Thanks to all of you who come to help – whether regularly or once in a while. I am forever grateful
for your support.

 

“The greatest results of group travel are the friendships that are built and the memories that are created.”
                       

                                                                    Ann

 

 

 

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 the third Thursdays at 11:30 a.m. The locations change each month… June 19 at Bus
Stop on Dixie Hwy north of Birch Run; July 17 at McPhearson’s in Millington and August, 21 at Johnny’s Pour
House in Flushing.

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!

 

TSA Approved ID

Please consider allowing us to copy your TSA Approved ID for any trip that it is required. It helps us ensure we have
the name correct for airline tickets, cruise information, etc. If you are unsure if your ID is the right one, we can tell you!

 

TSA – Transportation Security Administration
Acceptable Forms of ID

1 – REAL Michigan Driver’s License –
Michigan has enacted a federally acceptable form of ID.
This is now in effect. The REAL ID is 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 to the right of your picture. The newer ones also have a star in the upper
right hand corner. It says “enhanced” at the top of the license.

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.

 

Helpful Services Provided by Ann’s Adventures:
1. United Kingdom ETA

This is a new UK entry requirement for US citizens
planning to visit the UK. The ETA is a digital entry permit thatis now mandatory for US travelers to the UK, even for short
visits. This includes flying through an airport in the UK for a connecting flight. The ETA is a digital permit designed to pre-
authorize travelers before they arrive in the UK. The application for the UK ETA is entirely online.
Applicants will need to provide personal information, passport details, and their travel plans. You will need:
• A valid passport
• A valid email address
• A credit card for payment
The processing time for the UK ETA is expected to be quick, within 72 hours.

2. 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 are offering assistance here in our office. You need to call and make an appointment as it
will take about 40 minutes to complete. A list of the requirements to be eligible for online renewal is available at
the office. You will need to bring your most recent passport, email and password, and credit or debit card
for passport payment.

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

 

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. 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.

 

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
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!