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

 

                                    FEBRUARY 2023

 

Welcome to 2023…
Another year ahead to explore some exciting places! I will be attending the annual American Bus Association Conference this month to meet with a variety of representatives from many destinations and will have the opportunity to consider new trips and make some great contacts! I am very excited about plans that I am working on for this year as well as into the next couple of years.
The semiquincentennial is coming… Yes! This is the word for a 250 year anniversary! Our country will be celebrating it’s semiquincentennial in 2026! Only three years from now! “The United States Semiquincentennial will be the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence of the Thirteen Colonies in 1776. Already festivities are being scheduled to mark various events leading up to the anniversary on July 4, 2026.”
So, it looks like the year 2026 will be a year of special anniversaries! I am already working on a trip to celebrate the
100th anniversary of Route 66 in 2026. What else might you be interested in seeing? Philadelphia comes to mind as an important historical location 250 years ago as does Boston.
Feel free to call with ideas or attend the Travel Networking meeting this month to discuss potential trips. There are also a lot of people looking for room mates for various trips and the Travel Networking Meeting is a great place to meet others interested in the same trips that you might want to take.
I’ve had many requests to write out the song we sing to the driver at the end of the trip  So here is the song ….. 

 

The Thank you Song… (for Bus Drivers and Step On Guides) (There have been many requests for me to print the words)
_____________, ______________, Listen while we sing to you!
_____________, ______________, You’ve been a part of our group, too!
Anyone can make a bed, anyone can sew,
But it takes __________________ to make the bus (tour) go!
_____________, ______________, we all say thank you!

 

We use the same song to thank step-on guides, so just substitute the word tour for bus in the lyrics.

 

On the Travel page, I put in the information about our Christmas Mystery Trip destination and for those who wanted it, the poem about the m & m’s is also included. Thanks for all your suggestions! I am continually grateful to those who come and help with newsletters each month. The number coming has increased and we’ve been able to get it done much more quickly! The volunteers are so very much appreciated!
There has been some confusion about travel insurance and cancellation protection. Please scroll down to read the article regarding Cancellation Protection. If it is not clear, perhaps I need to find a way to explain it better. My goal is always to help travelers feel their trip is protected in the best way possible. I have added more information to help clarify the questions we’ve had.
I’d like to welcome Izzy Smeets to our staff. She will be assisting in the office when help is needed. She is Katrina’s
daughter. We continue to grow and more help is needed! We have added over 100 people to the mailing list since the last newsletter was printed. Thanks to all who keep inviting their family and friends!

                                                                                                             Ann

 

 

 

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. No reservations are needed, just come and join us!  Upcoming dates are December 2, 2022 and January 6, 2023 and February 3, 2023.

 

Romeos!  Calling all men!  Come and join us!

This group of men gather monthly to enjoy lunch, laughter and good conversation. An active group of guys
attended the first meeting and the Romeo’s were official. 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 luncheons will be on Thursdays, December 15 at Bray Road Diner at the corner of Mt Morris and Bray Roads. In
January, it will a week later on Thursday, January 26, at Liberty in Flushing, No reservations necessary, just come
at 11:30 a.m.

 

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!

 

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.

 

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. 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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.