Archive for August, 2009

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Cologne Cathedral: Luxury Rhine River Cruise; Travel Originating in Indianapolis

August 29, 2009

Interlude Tours: Luxury Rhine River Cruise to Cologne, Germany; Travel Originating in Indianapolis

Interlude Tours: Luxury Rhine River Cruise to Cologne, Germany; Travel Originating in Indianapolis

Our luxury cruise of the Rhine River offers many delights to those looking to explore European culture on a deep level:

The Enchanting Rhine
AMA Waterways River Cruise on the MS Amalegro
October 3-16, 2010
(13 days, 12 nights, with 7 nights on board ship)
Escorted vacation

This tour contains so many wonderful places–you really have to see your itinerary to believe it! Let me tell you about Cologne, however, since I traveled there on business in 2001 and was able to do some great sightseeing. Germany really made a big and wonderful impression on me!

The Cologne Cathedral is simply amazing. Photographs of the exterior and interior don’t do it justice: it looks a lot bigger and more beautiful in person. According to Wikipedia,

Cologne Cathedral (German: Kölner Dom, officially Hohe Domkirche St. Peter und Maria) is a Roman Catholic church in Cologne, Germany. It is dedicated to Saint Peter and the Blessed Virgin Mary. The cathedral is a World Heritage Site, one of the best-known architectural monuments in Germany, and Cologne‘s most famous landmark.

Construction of Cologne Cathedral began in 1248 and took, with interruptions, until 1880 to complete – a period of over 600 years. The cathedral is one of the world’s largest churches and the largest Gothic church in Northern Europe. For four years, 1880-84, it was the tallest structure in the world, until the completion of the Washington Monument. It has the second-tallest church spires, only surpassed by the single spire of Ulm Cathedral, completed 10 years later in 1890. Because of its enormous twin spires, it also presents the largest façade of any church in the world.

According to UNESCO,

The monument is of outstanding universal value being an exceptional work of human creative genius, constructed over more than six centuries and a powerful testimony to the strength and persistence of Christian belief in medieval and modern Europe.

I was amazed at the sheer size and beauty of the cathedral. It definitely has a very old and wise vibration that invigorates the spirit. The whole city of Cologne was just so beautiful, too, and you will be going on a walking tour that’s amazing. If you are a Cathedral fan, architecture fan, European culture fan, or just beautiful thing fan, the Cologne Cathedral is a must see!

Of course, that’s just one of many, many wonderful things you’ll experience on your cruise. Another point of note: the food on this tour is incredible! All the best of local cuisine as you pass through the beautiful countryside.

It will truly be a trip of a lifetime, so why not give it a try? We welcome reservations from Indianapolis, where we are based, or from any location in the United States or Canada.

Photo by Thomas Wolf; used with permission.

–Matt
The Interlude Tours Blog Team

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Opryland Christmas: Luxury Motor Coach Travel to Nashville from Indianapolis

August 27, 2009

Interlude Tours: Luxury Motor Coach Travel to Opryland in Nashville from Indianapolis

Interlude Tours: Luxury Motor Coach Travel to Opryland in Nashville from Indianapolis

We have put together the ultimate tour to Opryland to enjoy the Christmas spirit, superb food, and great entertainment:

Opryland Christmas
December 7-9 (3 days, 2 nights)
All-coach escorted vacation (no flying)

Interlude Tours: Luxury Motor Coach Travel to Opryland in Nashville from Indianapolis

Interlude Tours: Luxury Motor Coach Travel to Opryland in Nashville from Indianapolis

I’ll start off by giving my personal endorsement of Opryland. I have stayed there twice and absolutely love it. The hotel complex is tremendous! There is truly nothing like it–you can wander from garden to attraction to restaurant to shop. All around you are beautiful trees and the soothing sound of waterfalls (not to mention a whole river system they’ve created!). I have not stayed at Opryland yet during the Christmas season, but by all accounts the decorations are a wonder to behold. According to Wikipedia,

During the months of November, December, and through mid-January of each year, Gaylord Opryland attracts thousands of visitors to see the large display of Christmas decorations, dubbed A Country Christmas. Millions of decorative lights are placed in the trees at the resort, and all three atria contain various decorations, including animatronics. In addition, several special holiday-themed shows and attractions take place, including ICE!, a display of ice sculptures, and the Radio City Rockettes Christmas Spectacular.

Your three-day itinerary is packed with the good things Opryland offers in this season. You’ll be seeing two fabulous shows: the Louise Mandrell “Joy to the World” Christmas Dinner Party and the Radio City Christmas Spectacular starring the Rockettes. You will also have a choice of tours: a backstage tour of the historic Ryman Auditorium or the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Add in the luxury motor coach trip from Indy to Nashville, and this vacation is just one incredible value! This tour has a limited number of spots, so please call today to make your reservations–you’ll be glad you did!

Top photo by Bobak Ha’Eri; used with permission (bottom photo from Interlude Tours website).

–Matt
The Interlude Tours Blog Team

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Million Dollar Quartet: Luxury Weekend Theater Trip from Indianapolis to Chicago

August 25, 2009

Interlude Tours: Luxury Motor Coach Tour from Indianapolis to See Million Dollar Quartet in Chicago

Interlude Tours: Luxury Motor Coach Tour from Indianapolis to See Million Dollar Quartet in Chicago

We have a tour coming up that combines a fantastic musical experience with an equally marvelous weekend in Chicago:

Million Dollar Quartet
When Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash made music together!
November 21 – 22, 2009 (Saturday to Sunday with one night’s stay in the Palmer House Hilton)
Luxury escorted motor coach tour (no driving, no parking!)

The official website will tell you all about the show, which from all accounts is an absolutely incredible recreation of an actual event in music history. According to Wikipedia,

Million Dollar Quartet is the name given to recordings made on Tuesday December 4, 1956, of an impromptu jam session between Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash that seems to have happened by pure chance. Perkins had come into the studios that day to cut some new material. Sam Phillips, the owner of Sun Records, had brought in his latest acquisition, singer and piano man extraordinaire, Jerry Lee Lewis, still unknown outside Memphis, to play the piano on the Perkins session.

Sometime in the early afternoon, Elvis Presley dropped in to pay a casual visit. Presley listened to the playback of the Perkins’ session, which he pronounced to be good. Then he went into the studio and some time later the jam session began. Phillips left the tapes running in order to “capture the moment” as a souvenir and for posterity. At some point during the session, Johnny Cash, who had also enjoyed a few hits on the country charts, popped in.

Here’s a highly positive review from the New York Times. The show is dynamite, but this is also just a great trip to Chicago. The Magnificent Mile holiday lights go on this weekend, which is also the weekend prior to Thanksgiving, so the stores will have an excellent selection for shopping!

You’ll have a splendid dinner at Soprano’s (yum!) after the show, and the next day is “Chicago your way”–we have lots of options for you to choose from. Please see your itinerary for details!

This is the way to go to Chicago from Indy–no driving, no parking, no fuss–just pure relaxation and enjoyment! So why not give it a try? Space on this trip is definitely limited, so please give us a call today!

–Matt
The Interlude Tours Blog Team

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Reminder: Travel Showcase on Wednesday, August 26, 2009

August 25, 2009

Come and learn about amazing river cruises and other destinations!

August 26, 2009, 7:00-8:30 pm

The Chateau at the Del Webb Community at Britton Falls
Located in Fishers, just east of  I-69, exit 10 (SR 238). Click here for directions.

River cruising presented by AMA Waterway, featuring…

The Enchanting Rhine
and
Vietnam, Cambodia & the Riches of the Mekong

Refreshments, door prizes and special showcase discounts will be available for attendees making a deposit on featured tours the day of show. Don’t miss out!

No charge, but reservations requested. Please call 317.913.0387.

Jo Ann Carr
President, Interlude Tours

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Capitol Reef National Park: Luxury Travel from Indianapolis

August 22, 2009

Interlude Tours: Luxury Travel to Capitol Reef National Park from Indianapolis

Interlude Tours: Luxury Travel to Capitol Reef National Park from Indianapolis

We have a wonderful tour coming up for those with an interest in beautiful Western terrain and Native American culture:

Canyon Country & Native American Experience
October 21-27 ( 7 days, 6 nights)
Escorted vacation and guaranteed departure

Previous post on this tour (includes links to extra information about most tour destinations):
Bryce Canyon National Park: Luxury Travel from Indianapolis

On day three of your amazing itinerary, you’ll be enjoying a picnic amidst the grandeur of Capital Reef National Park. According to Wikipedia,

Capitol Reef National Park protects colorful canyons, ridges, buttes, and monoliths. About 75 miles of the long up-thrust called the Waterpocket Fold, extending like a rugged spine from Thousand Lake Mountain southward to Lake Powell, is preserved within the park boundary. Capitol Reef is the name of an especially rugged and spectacular part of the Waterpocket Fold near the Fremont River. The area was named for a line of white domes and cliffs of Navajo Sandstone, each of which looks somewhat like the United States Capitol building, that run from the Fremont River to Pleasant Creek on the Waterpocket Fold. The local word reef referred to any rocky barrier to travel.

And the National Park Service website says,

The Waterpocket Fold, a 100-mile long wrinkle in the earth’s crust known as a monocline, extends from nearby Thousand Lakes Mountain to the Colorado River (now Lake Powell). Capitol Reef National Park was established to protect this grand and colorful geologic feature, as well as the unique natural and cultural history found in the area.

This is just one of many adventures on this tour, which, as it also includes the Grand Canyon, qualifies as the ultimate U.S. canyon tour! (Our Copper Canyon tour is just as surely the ultimate Mexican canyon tour!) So why not give it a try? We welcome reservations from Indianapolis, where we are based, or from any location in the United States or Canada.

Photo by Urban; used with permission.

–Matt
The Interlude Tours Blog Team

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Luxury Rail Tour to Copper Canyon Originating in Indianapolis

August 20, 2009
Interlude Tours: Luxury Rail Tour to Copper Canyon

Interlude Tours: Luxury Rail Tour to Copper Canyon

Interlude Tours: Luxury Rail Travel to Copper Canyon

Interlude Tours: Luxury Rail Travel to Copper Canyon

Interlude Tours: Luxury Travel to Copper Canyon from Indianapolis

Interlude Tours: Luxury Travel to Copper Canyon from Indianapolis

You fans of rail travel may have seen our post recently on the Great Scenic Railways television program. I neglected to write at the time that our tour to Copper Canyon in Mexico also includes a magnificent rail journey.

The tour:
Copper Canyon
March 5-14, 2010 (9 days, 8 nights)
Escorted vacation and guaranteed departure

In case you haven’t heard of Copper Canyon (Barranca del Cobre in Spanish), it’s a canyon system in Mexico that is larger than (and in places deeper than) the Grand Canyon. On day five of your incredible itinerary, you’ll be taking one of the most spectacular train journeys in the Western Hemisphere on the Ferrocarril Chihuahua al Pacífico (Chihuahua-Pacific Railway). According to Wikipedia,

The Chihuahua-Pacific Railway is a major rail line in northwest Mexico, linking the city of Chihuahua, Chihuahua, to the city of Los Mochis, Sinaloa and its port Topolobampo. It runs 418 mi, traversing the Copper Canyon, a beautiful and rugged series of canyons that have led some to call this the most scenic railroad trip on the continent. The tracks pass over 37 bridges and through 86 tunnels, rising as high as 7,900 ft above sea level near Divisadero (the continental divide), a popular lookout spot over the canyons.

The official website has a nice route map. You will be starting in El Fuerte and ending up in Posada Barrancas–in the heart of canyon country. Along the way, you will see the widest variety of terrain–mountains, rivers, valleys, forests–and the widest variety of people, including indigenous people.

Plus, on this trip, we’ve selected some really fantastic places to eat! It truly is the ultimate Copper Canyon adventure, so why not give it a try? We welcome reservations from Indianapolis, where we are based, or from any location in the United States or Canada.

Lower train photo by Interspectrum; bottom Copper Canyon photo by Saggitario; used with permission (top photo from Interlude Tours site).

–Matt
The Interlude Tours Blog Team

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Taste of Ireland: Photos and Upcoming Schedule–Luxury Travel from Indianapolis

August 19, 2009

This is one of our most popular international tours! We had one tour in April, and our next is in October, followed by one next April. The photos are from a wonderful 2008 tour. UPDATE: Jo Ann just reminded me that October is sold out. I had even written a post about this! In any case, April is not so far off, really….

Taste of Ireland tour by Interlude Tours: Outside Blarney Castle

Taste of Ireland tour by Interlude Tours: Outside Blarney Castle

A Taste of Ireland tour by Interlude Tours: Jaunting Car Ride

A Taste of Ireland tour by Interlude Tours: Jaunting Car Ride

Taste of Ireland tour by Interlude Tours: Traditional Pub Lunch

Taste of Ireland tour by Interlude Tours: Traditional Pub Lunch

If you can plan quickly and wish to go in October, please give us a call; there a few spots left. Most of you, however, will probably want to go next April:

A Taste of Ireland
April 18-27, 2010 (10 days, 9 nights)
Guaranteed departure

The link above will lead you to your amazing trip itinerary, and the photos each say 1,000 words about this trip. To sum up the tour in just a sentence, however, a Taste of Ireland is your fundamental, quintessential tour of Ireland! About as complete as any tour can be in its generous 10 days, and more complete than many a longer tour. Most importantly, every element of the tour has been chosen and planned for a wonderful experience. There is perhaps no other escorted vacation to Ireland that offers higher quality or a better value.

The word “Taste” in the name is something of an unintentional pun, since the tour gives you a big “taste” of the whole country– but there are many delicious meals as well: eight full Irish breakfasts and seven fabulous dinners! All at carefully selected restaurants and hotels.

If you have ever wanted to go to Ireland–and who hasn’t?–then this is the way to go! Great places, expert guides, wonderful food. And Guinness! Why not give it a try?  We welcome reservations from Indianapolis, where we are based, or from any location in the United States or Canada.

–Matt
The Interlude Tours Blog Team

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Winterthur Museum and Country Estate: Luxury Coach Travel from Indianapolis

August 15, 2009

Interlude Tours: Luxury Travel to Winterthur from Indianapolis

Interlude Tours: Luxury Travel to Winterthur from Indianapolis

We have a real treat of a tour ready for those looking for relaxation, rejuvenation, and a great American Christmas experience!

The tour:

Holiday Traditions in Pennsylvania: Philadelphia – Brandywine Valley – Bethlehem – Hershey
November 28-December 5, 2009 (8 days, 7 nights)
Guaranteed departure
All-coach escorted vacation (no flying)

One place you’ll be visiting is the Winterthur Museum and Country Estate, which has several fascinating points of interest. First, it is simply a beautiful old mansion and estate to tour. Second, it has perhaps the greatest collection of Americana in the country, and at Christmas it is gloriously decorated. According to Wikipedia,

Winterthur Museum and Country Estate is an American estate and museum in Winterthur, Delaware, now housing one of the most important collections of Americana in the country. It was the former home of Henry Francis du Pont (1880-1969), a renowned antiques collector and horticulturist.

There are 175 period-room displays in the museum and approximately 85,000 objects. Most rooms are open to the public on small, guided tours. The collection spans more than two centuries of American decorative arts, notably from 1640 to 1860, and contains some of the most important pieces of American furniture and fine art. The Winterthur Library and Research Center includes more than 87,000 volumes and approximately 500,000 manuscripts and images, mostly related to American history, decorative arts, and architecture. The facility also houses extensive conservation, research, and education facilities.

Needless, to say, you will be going on a “small, guided tour” of the estate with an expert guide!

The official Winterthur website has a nice online period rooms tour page with lots of additional information:

Winterthur is a unique surviving example of a great American country house of the early 1900s. At that time, wealthy Americans used their fortunes to develop great estates on large tracts of land. They built grand houses where they entertained friends in lavish style and in which they amassed extraordinary collections of fine art.

Winterthur, however, is just one of many places you’ll visit on your tour, which also includes…

It’s quite the Christmas tour, and you and your S.O. or friends are really going to love it! Now is a very good time to sign up, as spots are limited. We welcome reservations from Indianapolis, where we are based, or from any location in the United States or Canada.

Photo by Ram-Man; used with permission.

–Matt
The Interlude Tours Blog Team

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Client Experience: Best of Alaska Land Tour–UPDATED

August 12, 2009

Interlude Tours: Experiences with Alaskan Sled Dog Puppies

Interlude Tours: Experiences with Alaskan Sled Dogs

Our client Joyce Rife went on the Best of Alaska Land Tour, which is taking place again June 13-23, 2010
11 days, 10 nights. Here is her experience:

I just read Jo Ann’s description of the same tour I was on in July.  She does a great job of describing our many activities.  Four highlights of the trip that I particularly enjoyed are:

  • Seeing the Alaskan pipeline up close.  I now realize it is a solidly constructed engineering marvel.  This allays my concerns for the environment
  • Seeing Mt. McKinley up close from a five passenger plane—wow what a marvelous scene.  I now have the photo I took as my screen saver on my PC.
  • Having free time in Anchorage so I could spend a few hours browsing the beautiful oil paintings of Alaskan artists at the Anchorage Art Museum. Also, their new exhibit on gold is a wonderful learning experience.
  • Learning more about Alaskan dog sled racing.  The tour of Jeff King’s kennels is a special experience.  You can hold the dogs for a photo op, hear how the owners of sled dogs become addicted to the sport, and learn how the dogs become elite athletes during their year round training.

Of course, all of the fresh salmon and halibut was a highlight too. The scenery was some of the best I have ever seen—mountains, lakes, rivers, creeks, water falls, glaciers, wild flowers and wildlife.

I am dreaming of my next trip to Alaska.

Thank you, Joyce! We look forward to hosting your next journey, too.

UPDATE:

Joyce sent in this adorable picture of her with an Alaskan sled dog puppy!

–Matt
The Interlude Tours Blog Team

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Thank you, clients–”Nantucket” sold out for this year (will be back next year)!

August 12, 2009

Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard and Cape Cod in the Fall (September 14-18, 2009) is now sold out; however, we plan to offer this highly appealing vacation again next year.

Many thanks to the clients who are going on this trip–you are going to love it! Please send in your experiences and photographs so we can share them with others!

If you are considering travel in September, we still have other, equally great tours with a few spots left, so please give us a call.

–Matt
Interlude Tours Blog Team

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