U. S. Thanksgiving in New York City

Transcription

1 33 rd Annual NYC Holiday Tour U. S. Thanksgiving in New York City Mon. Nov. 21 Sun. Nov. 27, Day Premium Tour Welcome aboard our 33 rd annual escorted tour to New York City for the Holidays! This trip is guaranteed to be a magical experience, sure to put you in the holiday spirit! Outlined below is the *daily itinerary for this adventure. Once again, we will stay at the upscale Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel, located in the heart of Midtown Manhattan! We will also visit One World Trade Center and observation deck, where you can see forever! This year is particularly exciting as we are including a ticket to the award-winning musical, Cats, back on Broadway after a 15-year hiatus. We will also enjoy Radio City Music Hall s famous Christmas Spectacular, starring the Rockettes, an educational sightseeing tour with our local professional guide. Thanksgiving week in NYC is extra special with access to Black-Friday deals and a chance to attend the world-famous Macy s Thanksgiving Day Parade. For those looking to upgrade their experience, enjoy an evening of gourmet dining and dancing while cruising the Hudson River with World Yacht! Please read the information carefully, particularly the details surrounding **Customs & Immigration. Feel free to call if you have any question. Your tour manager looks forward to meeting you and delivering a well-managed and enjoyable escape where all you have to do is sit back, relax, and enjoy yourself! See you all on Nov. 21 st -Sincerely, Greg Collins, President & CEO Mon. Nov. 21 st Day #1 -Portland Maine, Courtyard by Marriott Your New York holiday experience begins today! Meet your coach or shuttle at the designated meeting point assigned to you. Final pick-up locations will be assigned at least 2 weeks before you depart. Seat rotation will be followed during this tour. Details surrounding this policy are outlined on our company website and will be reviewed by your tour manager once all clients are on board. All stops for passenger pick-up/drop off will be brief (10-15 min.) and we ask that you remain on the coach unless the stop is a scheduled coffee break or lunch. Your tour manager will clarify this for you during the tour. For your convenience, today s drive includes several coffee breaks, an hour lunch (your expense), and a visit to the Duty Free shop, before crossing the border. All our tours are pre registered with Customs & Immigration, meaning minimal delays at border crossings. Your tour manager will represent you during our appointment at the border but you re responsible for having *proper identification and ensuring you can legally enter the U.S. Please read the section on prescription medication when crossing border (last page).

2 Once we enter Maine, be sure to adjust those watches from Atlantic Standard to Eastern Time (one-hour back). We expect to arrive at the Courtyard by Marriott hotel, South Portland by late afternoon. Relax while your tour manager checks you in, hands out your key card, and has you bag sent to your room; all part of our signature CTC group check in service (included, one bag per person). Take time to shop tonight and enjoy dinner (on own, your expense) before your pick up to your hotel. Don t forget those wake up calls. Tues. Nov. 22 nd Day #2 Augusta - New York City, Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel (B, D) Enjoy a delicious buffet breakfast (included) before checking out in time for our 8:00 a.m. departure. Today s drive takes us from Maine and on into New Hampshire. In Sturbridge MA, we will stop at the Cracker Barrel restaurant for a fabulous home cooked lunch (12-1:00 p.m.; your expense). Next stop, the Big Apple! We estimate a 4:30 p.m. arrival at the magnificent all-new Sheraton New York Times Square hotel located at 53 rd Street & 7 th Ave., the heart of Midtown Manhattan and the top hotel in NYC being offered from Atlantic Canada! Enjoy your group dinner (included) this evening before the 8:00 p.m. performance of the famed Christmas Spectacular at the Rockefeller Center starring The Rockettes! Wed. Nov. 23 rd Day #3 - New York City, Sheraton (D) Take time to enjoy breakfast New York City style today (your expense) This morning we have included a 3.5-hr guided sightseeing tour with our local professional tour guide. Tour highlights include - a short walking tour of Central Park, St. Patrick s Cathedral, the Financial District and Battery Park for a photo opportunity of the Statue of Liberty (weather permitting). Enjoy 1-hr lunch today at the American Express Financial Center (on own). Next stop *One World Trade Center, opened in Nov to mark the site of the Twin Towers that were destroyed in the 9/11 attacks. At 1,776 feet high, WTC is now the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere. Your visit will include a 60 second ride in one of five Skypods (state-of-the-art high speed elevators) up to the observation deck 1,250 feet up. From here you can see forever! The observation area also houses a bar, restaurant and some shops. At approx. 2:45 p.m. we will return to the hotel, leaving you plenty of time to explore more of this world-class destination your way! Consider a stroll to Rockefeller Center to see the famous skating rink, visit Trump Tower, or hit those early Black Friday sales before the dinner and Broadway performance tonight. 81 Golden Grove Road Saint John, NB E2H 1W F:

3 Meet your Tour Director at 5:00 p.m. for dinner (included) before tonight s Broadway musical. This evening we have included your ticket to the Broadway hit CATS on stage again in 2016 after a 15 year hiatus. Meet your Tour Director at 5:00 p.m. Transfers to and from your show are included. Meet the coach 30 min. after the show ends at designated spot (TBA). Thur. Nov. 24 th Day #4 - American Thanksgiving, New York Style, Sheraton Start another day in New York City with a great breakfast (on your own). The hustle and bustle of holiday season officially begins today with the running of the 90th annual Macy s Thanksgiving Day Parade, something you can enjoy right from your hotel as the parade comes down 7 th Ave. Each year, 2.5 million people line the streets of NYC to watch the balloons, floats, celebrities, and bands in a spectacular holiday celebration! This afternoon you are free to explore more of New York s famous museums, galleries and attractions on your own. Don t forget about all those early Black Friday sales that are now all the rage in the U.S. Join us this evening for a night of unforgettable entertainment and elegance. Your optional ****World Yacht dinner and dancing cruise. Enjoy a seated gourmet Thanksgiving dinner and Open bar while sailing past the Statue of Liberty, United Nations building, Chrysler Building, cruising under the Brooklyn Bridge and sailing around the tip of Manhattan. Truly an experience like no other and an annual highlight of our New York City Tour. (Extra charge of $95pp CDN; Please contact us immediately if you are interested in this option as space is limited). For those who are not interested in purchasing the World Yacht option, enjoy a free night. Fri. Nov. 25 th - Day #5 - Black Friday! New York - Boston, Colonnade Hotel This morning we bid farewell to, The Big Apple. Be sure to get up extra early for any Black Friday sales, the biggest shopping day of the year in the U.S. Don t forget to cover any incidentals (e.g. room service) before our 8:30 a.m. sharp departure. Enjoy a mid-morning coffee break as we make our way to Boston. For lunch we will take you to Faneuil Hall/Quincy Market for some great food and fabulous shopping (meal your expense). Meet your tour manager back at the coach at 4:00 p.m. (location TBA) for a short drive to Boston Common where you will have time to view the famous Halifax tree, Boston s official Christmas tree and annual gift from the city of Halifax in honour of Boston s assistance to them during the Halifax Explosion of Enjoy 40 minutes here. Time to check in to the Colonnade, Boston s Boutique hotel located in the heart of the city right across the street from the Copley and Prudential Centers! Relax while your tour manager checks the group in with bag handling service (one bag per person) included again. 81 Golden Grove Road Saint John, NB E2H 1W F:

4 You are then free to shop till you drop at Prudential Center and Copley Square Plaza within a short walking distance. Dinner is on your own this evening with plenty of options in the surrounding area. Before retiring this evening, pack a lighter carry-on bag for your next hotel night stay. Sat. Nov. 26 th Day #6 - Augusta, Hampton Inn (B, D) Enjoy your hot breakfast this morning at Thornton s Restaurant, a 2 min walk from the hotel (included). Please present your breakfast coupon at the restaurant and choose one of three great breakfast options. Be sure to eat and check out of your room before boarding the coach in time for our 8:45 a.m. SHARP departure. Today s highlight is our professionally guided tour of Boston from 8:45 11:30 a.m. Tour highlights include Old Boston, the Public Library, Boston Commons, State Building, a drive through Cambridge, the home of Harvard University, City hall and much more! We will end the tour at Quincy Marketplace where you purchase lunch (on own). After lunch, board the coach and for our short trip to Freeport Maine for some fabulous outlet shopping. Our Farewell Dinner (included) will be in Freeport today as we reflect on the festive sights and experiences together. Please be back on board the coach by 6:30 p.m. for the last leg of our journey. We estimate a 7:30 p.m. arrival at the amazing Hampton Inn, Augusta. Relax while your tour manger checks you in, distributes your room key, and has your somewhat heavier bag sent to your room. Sun. Nov. 27 th - Day #7 - Home (B) After a tasty hot buffet breakfast (included) we board the bus for our 7:45 a.m. departure. Our first stop will be a 20 min coffee break in Bangor, followed by an hour lunch (price not included) at a location convenient to our route. We then head to the Duty free shop (30 min) for any last minute purchases. Don t forget duty free allowance for this trip is $800 per person! Be sure to have your valid passport ready for our Canadian Customs & Immigration inspection. Depending on border traffic, expect to ARRIVE at your home destination (same location where we met you on day #1). Locations and approximate arrival times will be sent at least two weeks before the tour departs. Please be sure to check your seat for all valuables and carefully check any parcels and suitcases before leaving. We are not responsible for articles left behind. IMPORTANT INFORMATION *Tour itineraries are a guideline and may need to be adjusted by CTC or your tour manager due to unforeseen factors such as weather, traffic, changes to concert /sporting event times, etc. Seat rotation policy is in effect for this tour. Your tour manager will explain this once on board. There are no exceptions to seat rotation without written notice from a physician. **United States Customs and Immigration requires everyone entering the country to have a valid passport. U.S. Customs has the right to refuse entry to anyone with a past record. Please verify any concerns about border status with U.S. customs before departing Canada. 81 Golden Grove Road Saint John, NB E2H 1W F:

5 Collins Tours & Consulting Ltd is not responsible for any decisions by U.S. Customs and Immigration officials. Passengers refused entry will be responsible for their own transportation arrangements and are not entitled to refunds. Prescription Medication: All prescription medication needs to be clearly labeled and on board coach with client (not inside suitcase) in order for Customs & Immigration to clear it. Duty Free Rules allow you to claim $800 per pers. when out of the country for at least 48 hours. To simplify your shopping experiences, please purchase American currency in advance. Not all stores accept Canadian at par. Debit cards must be VISA or MasterCard flagged. Bring along your favorite music CD s and DVD s. Our Motor Coach has capabilities for both! When departing, please remove all personal belongings from your seat, as well as any luggage or parcels stored under the bus. Collins Tours is not responsible for items left behind. Contact information while on tour is as follows: Fairfield Inn & Suites, Augusta ME Ph: ; Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel, 811 7th Ave. & 53rd St., Ph: ; Boston Colonnade Hotel Ph: ***World Yacht-Gentlemen must wear a jacket during the gourmet Thanksgiving cruise. REMEMBER: Your Collins Tours manager handles your bags, hotel check-in /check out, overall group management (e.g. timely transitions, itinerary development), and represents the group during Customs and Immigrations All this to ensure that you enjoy your experience to the fullest! Gratuities for your Tour Manager/ driver are NOT included in your tour price Here are our guidelines on Tipping Etiquette: Private tour guides for city tours -$2 per pers. per day CTC Tour managers: From $3.50-$6 per pers. per day Bus driver- $3 per pers. per day Thank you for traveling with Collins Tours! We look forward to serving you with ALL your future travel plans Get Away Get Inspired! 81 Golden Grove Road Saint John, NB E2H 1W F: