Trip Planner 2017-18 Trip Planner For Group Leaders | Page 44
Sightseeing
EXPLORE ON WHEELS AND WINGS
Sightseeing excursions for groups take on many forms beyond boat and train tours. Travelers
can enjoy guided bicycle tours, trolley trips, flightseeing journeys, jeep adventures and
gondola rides from the following NTA members:
Blazing Saddles helps
travelers get some exercise
and take in the sights of San
Francisco and New York City.
Groups can go on guided
excursions covering popular
spots such as the Golden
Gate Bridge and Central
Park, or rent standard or
electric bikes for self-guided
rides in both cities.
Blazing Saddles Bike
Rental & Tours
NTA Contact: Lauren Sailor
San Francisco and
New York City
blazingsaddles.com
Sightseeing cruise companies provide
travelers with a unique perspective on their
destination, from special interests such
as history and architecture, to nature and
wildlife. Here are a few of the many boat
tours operated by NTA members:
San Juan Cruises
Blazing Saddles Bike Rental & Tours
Emerald City Trolley Tours
NTA Contact: Todd Paulsen
Seattle
emeraldcitytrolley.com Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
NTA Contact: Nancy Nichols
Palm Springs, California
pstramway.com
One of Seattle’s newest travel companies,
Emerald City Trolley Tours, provides a unique
way for visitors to explore the city. Its two
rides—the scenic Downtown Seattle Trolley
Tour and the Overlook & Locks Trolley Tour—
include narration on neighborhoods and top
sights throughout the city. Visitors can take a 10-minute tram ride from
the Palm Springs valley to Mountain Station—
elevation 8,516 feet—where they can enjoy
two restaurants, an observation deck, a
museum and hiking trails. During the 2.5-mile
trip up, they can see Mt. San Jacinto State
Park and the cliffs of Chino Canyon.
Maverick Aviation Group
NTA Contact: Dan Flores
Las Vegas
maverickhelicopter.com Pink Jeep Tours
NTA Contact: Leslie McLean
Sedona, Arizona
pinkjeep.com
Since 1995, Maverick has been offering
helicopter tours of Las Vegas. Groups can
enjoy flightseeing rides that showcase Hoover
Dam and the neon lights along the Vegas Strip
or red rock canyons in Nevada and Arizona.
The company also offers departures from
Phoenix, the Grand Canyon, and Maui, Hawaii. Pink Jeep welcomes guests for on- and off-
road adventures in the U.S. Southwest. The
company’s guided jeep expeditions depart
from Las Vegas and two Arizona spots—
Sedona and the Grand Canyon. Combo tours
include helicopter rides over the canyon and
boat trips on the Colorado River.
since 1997
Christian
Journeys
in Greece
Live a unique spiritual moments
following the steps of Saint Paul
in Greece.
Visit the Monastery of St. John
the Evangelist and the Grotto
of the Apocalypse.
Send your inquiry to: [email protected]
42
BOAT TOURS OFFER
SPLENDID SCENERY
IN SPADES
NTA Trip Planner for Group Leaders
Chicago Architecture Foundation
Inspiring guests to discover why design
matters, CAF cruises showcase the
buildings, neighborhoods and river that make
the city famous. The organization’s cruises
are among its 85 excursion options. Others
are conducted by bus, bike and L train, and
on foot and Segway. architecture.org
Desert Belle Cruises has been taking
passengers on 90-minute sightseeing
cruises of Arizona’s Saguaro Lake for more
than 50 years. The company’s narrated
excursions showcase the wildlife, including
bighorn sheep, bald eagles and blue
herons, all against a backdrop of stunning
rock walls and mountains. The Desert Belle
is available for private charters and also
has climate-controlled areas for those hot
Arizona days. desertbelle.com
Ride the Ducks of Seattle operates
a set of amphibious, World War II-era
transports for its tours around Seattle.
Guests will roll past the city’s landmarks
and some of its quirkier nooks, and then
they’ll splash down into the water for
panoramic views of the city’s houseboats,
skyline and Gas Works Park. The company
has partnered with restaurants such as
Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Buca di Beppo,
Gordon Biersch and the Hard Rock
Cafe to create combination packages.
ridetheducksofseattle.com
San Juan Cruises has showcased the
mighty orcas that inhabit the waters off
the coast of Bellingham, Washington, to
travelers as part of its sightseeing tours
since 1987. In addition to its regular
whale-watching excursions, San Juan
Cruises offers the Bellingham Bay BREWers
Cruise. Three rotating Northwest breweries
bring along some of their best brews, and
people also can sample regional snacks
and hors d’oeuvres. whales.com
Experience |