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!

 

                                                              

                                                                                 WELCOME APRIL                         

 

 

 

Hello, Friends!

Good news! Rebecca is back in the office and ready to help me keep trips up to date! Meanwhile, the Covid Saga continues…
a couple more trips have been cancelled for 2021 and moved to 2022. In some cases the destinations have changed how they need to do things in order to be able to open and have groups attend safely. Some destinations are now requiring proof of the vaccine in order to enter. The current travel industry is extremely fluid and I hear about changes nearly everyday!

I appreciate your understanding of all these changes. I am doing my best to keep you updated and to keep aware of the changes
going on in the world. Here is a quick overview, but check the Travel page for the specific details.
Ireland April 2021 moved to May 2022
Beautiful – Carole King Musical May 2021 moved to January 2022
Alaska June 2021 moved to June 2022
Canadian Rockies July 2021 moved to July 2022

All of the extended trips for this fall are either sold out or close to being sold out. We are continuing to add day trips and shorter trips each month so there will be additional trips available throughout this year! I’ve added a one day mystery trip for the end of April and a three day mystery trip in June. I know it is short notice, but many people are telling me they are ready to go somewhere… anywhere! So, check out the Travel page for the Spring Mystery Trip and think about joining me.

As I mentioned previously, I am keeping the group size smaller through March, April and May with hopes of being able to fill the busses again this summer. If you have a lanyard for your name tag, I am encouraging everyone to bring it with them on a trip. If you need one, we will give you one and ask that you keep it to bring on future trips. Another change will be dismissing from the bus airplane style. The Department of Transportation is mandating that masks be worn on public transportation.      We are trying our best to keep trips safe while having fun!

Thanks to all of you who have been helping with the newsletter each month. We have continued to add new people to the mailing list via email as well as regularly delivered mail. The volunteers help make it possible to get these newsletters mailed each month!

Thanks to those who have tuned in to hear the Monday Morning Memories. From August 2020 through the end of March of 2021, I have shared memories of 36 different trips from the past. It has been an enjoyable experience of bringing back the trips to my mind. While the Monday Morning Memories will cease the weekly sharing, you never know when I might try doing this again in the future. You can continue to watch the past live videos on Facebook.

We are still waiting for the restaurants to be able to accept groups so that the Romeos and the Breakfast Club can resume! I will keep you posted on the status of those activities as the restaurants are able to increase their occupancy percentages.

                                                                                                                   Ann

                                                                                                                      

Travel Club Networking Meeting

 

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!

 

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.  Last year it cost over $80.00 to pay for all
the returned newsletters. Fifty-five cents for each one does add up. 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.  Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are coming soon.
Tell your kids you’d like the gift of travel!

 

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.
Please note: Due to Covid-19, we are not passing an envelope through the bus. We will have a cup / jar for driver
tip at the front of the bus. You can drop your tip into the cup after the last stop of the trip. We are trying our best to
keep everyone safe as we continue to provide travel opportunities.

 

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 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 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, 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!