22-Day Florida, New Orleans & Texas Southern Getaway February 19-March 12, 2018 Welcome aboard our 22-Day Florida, New Orleans & Texas Southern Getaway Tour. Please review this information carefully and contact us if you have any questions. I m sure you ll agree, we ve put together another exciting escape with top-notch accommodations, delectable meal inclusions, and just the right mix of free time and included activities. From the beautiful beaches of St.Petersburg, Florida to the jazz music and Creole Cuisine of New Orleans to the picturesque & bustling Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas, we will provide you with a well-managed and exciting tour you won t soon forget! With more than 56 years of experience escorting group tours, you can count on our team to deliver a quality tour with professional service and the best value for your dollar. Come away with us and become inspired, make new friends and create lasting memories as we travel to St.Petersburg, Florida, New Orleans, Louisiana and San Antonio, Texas! - Sincerely, Greg Collins, President & CEO Mon. Feb. 19 th Day #1 Portland, Maine (D) Courtyard by Marriott Board your premium motorcoach at your scheduled location and DEPARTURE time PICK-UP LOCATIONS & DEPARTURE TIMES: Nova Scotia Clients: Halifax, Future Inn TBA Halifax, Sobeys Lacewood Drive TBA Dartmouth Crossing, Hampton Inn TBA Halifax Airport, Quality Inn TBA Truro Heights, Circle K Big Stop TBA Prince Edward Island Clients: Shuttle to Aulac, NB Charlottetown, Charlottetown Mall Superstore Entrance- TBA New Brunswick Clients: Aulac, Big Stop- TBA Moncton, Magnetic Hill McDonalds TBA Saint John, Rt. Irving - Shuttle to Lincoln Big Stop Fredericton TBA Woodstock, Murray s Irving TBA IMPORTANT These pick-up details are now FINAL. Any changes must be cleared with us at least 48-hrs before departure. Please ensure that you arrive at least 15 minutes before departure so you have ample time to get comfortably seated and your bags can be properly stowed. Stops for passenger pick up/drop off will be brief (10-15 min.) and we ask you to remain on board while new guests join us. A 303 Westmorland Rd Saint John, NB E2J 2G2 Ph:888-636-8080 www.collinstours.ca
scheduled coffee break and an hour lunch stop (meal your expense) are also built into today s drive. We expect a 5:30 p.m. arrival. Relax while your tour manager checks the group in, distributes your room key, and has your bag delivered to your room (fee covered for one bag per person), all part of the signature group tour service you will enjoy throughout this tour. At 6:00 p.m. we will board the motorcoach again for our short drive to the Olive Garden restaurant. Enjoy a delicious 3-course meal (included) with a complimentary glass of beer or wine as we toast to the beginning of a fantastic tour! Following dinner we will return to the hotel and the remainder of the evening is free for you to enjoy on your own. Tues. Feb. 20 th Day #2 Baltimore, Maryland (B) Holiday Inn Express This morning, enjoy breakfast (included) before our 8:00 a.m. departure. Your tour manager will handle group check out, however be sure to cover any personal expenses (e.g. room service, movie rental) as these items are your expense for each hotel stay during this tour. Our destination today is Baltimore, Maryland. We have scheduled two 25 minute coffee breaks and an hour lunch stop to make the tour pace more enjoyable (lunch is your expense). We expect to check in at approximately 6:00 p.m. Dinner tonight is on your own however we will provide several dining options for you to choose from. Wed. Feb. 21 st Day #3 Santee, South Carolina (B, D) Best Western Santee Enjoy the hotel`s delightful buffet breakfast (included) before check out. Starting at 8:00 a.m., we will depart our hotel and make our way through Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina, before arriving into our home for the night in Santee, South Carolina. Again, we will make several stops along the way for your comfort, as well as an hour-long lunch break (your expense). Enjoy Collins Tours check-in service and luggage handling again, before settling in to your room. We expect a 5:30 p.m. arrival at our hotel, enjoy the signature check-in service and a short break before meeting again for our group dinner time and location TBA. Thurs. Feb. 22 nd Day #4 St.Petersburg, Florida (B) Hilton St. Petersburg Start the day off with another hot buffet breakfast (included) before we depart Santee at 8:30 a.m. Today we will pass through Georgia before crossing into the Sunshine State of Florida! Again, we will be making several breaks along the route including an hour-long lunch stop (your expense). We expect a 5:00 p.m. arrival into our home for the next 6 nights, the beautiful Hilton St.Petersburg Bayfront hotel. Enjoy a complimentary Welcome Reception upon arrival and indulge in some hors-d oeuvres and a welcome drink. Afterwards settle into your room, as your luggage is delivered, or go for dinner at one of the many nearby restaurants (your expense). Enjoy your first evening in St.Petersburg at your leisure. Fri. Feb. 23 rd Day #5 St.Petersburg, Florida (B, D) Hilton St. Petersburg Begin your day with a complimentary hot buffet breakfast before our 3.5-hour professionally guided city tour of St.Petersburg! Board the motorcoach at 8:45 a.m. as we explore the beautiful 2
harbourfront, downtown area and major points of interest in St.Petersburg and learn about the city from our local tour guide. We will end the tour back at the hotel and you can spend the afternoon at your leisure. Meet in the hotel lobby at 5:15 p.m. as we gather for our first group dinner in St.Petersburg (transportation to/from included) location TBA. Dinner tonight is included and will consist of a delicious 3-course meal, along with a complimentary glass of beer or wine. Relax after dinner or explore more of the downtown on your own, now that you are familiar with the city! Enjoy your evening your way! Sat. Feb. 24 th Day #6 St.Petersburg, Florida (B) Hilton St. Petersburg Wake up at your leisure and enjoy a delightful hot buffet breakfast. Today you can choose to stay in St.Petersburg or join a complimentary day trip aboard our motorcoach from the hotel to St.Pete s Beach leaving at 9:30 a.m. and returning from the beach at 1:00 p.m. Have a swim in the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, relax on the beach or enjoy the beaches restaurants. For those who wish to enjoy a full day at the beach you may do so and your return transfer to the hotel will be at your expense. After returning to the hotel, the remainder of the afternoon and evening are free for you to enjoy your way. Sun. Feb. 25 th Day #7 St.Petersburg, Florida (B, L) Hilton St. Petersburg Following another fantastic leisurely buffet breakfast (included) we will board the coach at 10:00 a.m. and make our way to the exciting amusement park, Busch Gardens. Much more than thrilling rides and roller coasters, the park is home to a extensive variety of African wildlife and has monorails through the park allowing you to peer from above over their enormous habitats as you spot elephants, giraffes, zebras, lions, rhinos, hippos, gorillas and more! It s the next best thing to being on a real African safari! Enjoy a complimentary park pass, as well as an All-you-can-dine package, providing you with free lunch at participating restaurants within the park, including the Serengetti Overlook Restaurant where you can enjoy views of African wildlife while dining in style! We will depart the park at 3:30 p.m. and make our way back to the Hilton St.Petersburg at approximately 4:30 p.m. Enjoy the rest of the evening at your leisure. Mon. Feb. 26 th Day #8 St.Petersburg, Florida (B) Hilton St. Petersburg Enjoy another hot buffet breafast at your hotel (included). Today is yours to do as you please We have no set agenda, allowing you to eat at your convenience, explore the area on your own, perhaps visit the incredible Dali museum with works of art from the talented Salvador Dali or relax at the hotel! Lunch and dinner are on your own today. 3
Tues. Feb. 27 th Day #9 St.Petersburg, Florida (B, D) Hilton St. Petersburg Enjoy hot buffet breakfast included at hotel again this morning. Lunch will be at your leisure today, on your final day in St.Petersburg. Join us for a complimentary morning excursion to the beautiful Sunken Gardens, a 4-acre botanical garden in the Historical Old Northeast neighbourhood of St.Petersburg. Explore the grounds, admire the 100-year old plants and come close to ponds with live flamingoes (entrance fee included)! We will depart the hotel at 9:30 a.m. and return from the gardens at 11:45 a.m. We will meet for dinner in the lobby of the hotel at 5:00 p.m. Dinner tonight will be an evening you won t forget! Enjoy a delicious meal aboard a Dinner & Dance cruise with beautiful vistas over St.Petersburg from the sea! Transportation to and from the cruise is included. Following dinner, you are free to spend the rest of your evening as you please just don t forget to pack your luggage as we will say goodbye to St.Petersburg in the morning! Wed. Feb. 28 th Day #10 Pensacola, Florida (B, D) Springhill Suites by Marriott Pensacola Following our last delicious breakfast at the Hilton, we will board the motorcoach at 8:30 a.m. and bid farewell to St.Petersburg! We will make our way to Pensacola, Florida while making several coffee breaks and a 1-hour lunch stop (your expense) along the journey. We expect a 5:30 p.m. arrival into our hotel. Let your tour manager check you in and have your bags delivered to your room, before returning to the motorcoach at 6:15 p.m. to transport you to a nearby restaurant for a delicous 3-course meal (included). Return back to the hotel by motorcoach and enjoy the rest of the evening on your own. Thurs. March 1 st Day #11 New Orleans, Louisiana (B, D) Drury Inn & Suites New Orleans Downtown Rise and shine! Take time to enjoy your complimentary breakfast before check out at 10:00 a.m. Today s drive to New Orleans will take us from Florida to Louisiana! We will make a lunch stop along the way (your expense) before arriving approximately 2:30 p.m. at the beautiful city-centre Drury Inn New Orleans Downtown Hotel. Enjoy the Collins Tours signature group check in service upon arrival. Explore the area (only minutes away from the French Quarter and Bourbon Street) or relax at the hotel. Make sure you make it back to Drury Inn for their signature 5:30 Kickback, a complimentary assortment of hot and cold foods, free wine, beer and soft drinks and snacks! This service is provided free of charge to all guests and will happen each night of your stay here beginning at 5:30 p.m. Mingle with other guests and enjoy the fun and camaraderie that evolves during every group tour! After dinner, enjoy a free evening of exploring or relaxing. Fri. March 2 nd Day #12 New Orleans, Louisiana (B, D) Drury Inn & Suites New Orleans Downtown Today enjoy a hearty hot buffet breakfast (included) before we set out for our 4-hour professionally guided city tour of New Orleans! See the remainders of the devastation caused by 4
Hurricane Katrina, learn about the fascinating history and culture of the area from our knowledgeable guide and tour best areas of the city with a local! We will end the tour back at our hotel, leaving you with ample time to sample some Creole cuisine for lunch, if you wish! Afternoon is at your leisure in this beautiful city, and dinner tonight is provided, should you wish, at the Drury Inn s 5:30 Kickback. Enjoy a free evening relaxing and exploring more of this incredible city, with countless restaurants, boutiques, music venues, pubs and more, all within walking distance to our hotel. Sat. March 3 rd Day #13 New Orleans, Louisiana (B, D) Drury Inn & Suites New Orleans Downtown Enjoy the day your way! Perhaps arrange a visit to one of New Orlean s historic plantations or zoom past alligators aboard a motorized boat in the nearby swamps and bayous of Louisiana (on own-not included). If you wish to explore more of downtown New Orleans you are able to do so as well! Dinner tonight is included again at a local restaurant near by our hotel with fabulous cusine! Tonight will be a 3 course dinner included with a taste of the local culture! Spend the rest of your last night in New Orleans your way! Sun. March 4 th Day #14 San Antonio, Texas (B, D) Drury Inn & Suites San Antonio Riverwalk Today enjoy your last breakfast in New Orleans before we leave the hotel at 8:00 a.m. Today we will cross over from Louisiana into Texas! We expect a 6:00 p.m. arrival into San Antonio, with stops along the route including a 1-hour lunch break (your expense). You can go straight from the motorcoach into the Drury Inn & Suites San Antonio Riverwalk s 5:30 Kickback and once again enjoy complimentary hot & cold foods, snacks and beverages including beer and wine. Your tour manager will once again look after check-in, distribute your room keys and have your luggage brought to your room for you. The rest of the evening you are on your own and free to explore San Antonio from our fabulous hotel s location! Mon. March 5 th Day #15 San Antonio, Texas (B, D) Drury Inn & Suites San Antonio Riverwalk Hot breakfast is included again this morning before our 9:00 a.m. professionally guided 4-hour city tour of San Antonio, including a visit to the Alamo, the infamous site of the 1836 battle for independence between Texas and Mexico. Following our in-depth tour of the city with our local guide you will be dropped off at the hotel and have the rest of the afternoon and evening to explore the area. Be sure to stroll the picturesque Riverwalk, a mile-long promenade along the San Antonio River full of cafes, bridges, boutiques and restaurants. Dinner tonight is again provided at the Drury Inn during their 5:30 Kickback. Enjoy the rest of the evening as you desire. Tues. March 6 th Day #16 San Antonio, Texas (B, D) Drury Inn & Suites San Antonio Riverwalk Enjoy a hot buffet breakfast included at your hotel. Today is a free day, spend the entire day your way! Explore more of the beautiful San Antonio and enjoy the pleasing temperatures March tends to bring in San Antonio! Perhaps make time for a dip in the heated rooftop pool & 5
whirlpool tub? Enjoy one of the many restaurants along the Riverwalk or enjoy the complimentary 5:30 Kickback at our hotel once again! Evening is at your leisure. Wed. March 7 th Day #17 San Antonio, Texas (B, D) Drury Inn & Suites San Antonio Riverwalk Enjoy your hot buffet breakfast again this morning and enjoy another free day to do as you please. Meet back in the hotel lobby for 3:30 p.m. for an included 2-hour river cruise tour along the San Antonio Riverwalk. Following your river cruise we have arranged a beautiful group dinner at a restaurant overlooking the San Antonio River, time and location TBA. Enjoy a 3-course meal with your fellow travelers as we enjoy our last night in this amazing city together (included). Rest of evening is at your leisure. Thurs. March 8 th Day #18 Little Rock, Arkansas (B, D) Holiday Inn Express Little Rock Airport Hotel Following an early hot buffet breakfast, we will depart San Antonio for Little Rock, Arkansas at 8:00 a.m. With several stops and a lunch break, we expect to arrive at the Holiday Inn around 6:45 p.m. We will check-in to our hotel and bring you for a late dinner included at a nearby restaurant (location TBA). Tonight enjoy the hotel and a well-deserved rest. Fri. March 9 th Day #19 Lexington, Kentucky (B) Homewood Suites by Hilton Lexington Today we travel at 8:00 a.m. from Little Rock, Arkansas to Lexington, Kentucky via Tennessee. Enjoy several stops along the way and a 1-hour lunchbreak. Tonight, we expect to arrive at approximately 6:00 p.m. and once again will bring you just after check-in to a nearby restaurant for your dinner (your expense). Sat. March 10 th Day #20 Hershey, Pennsylvania (B) Wingate by Wyndham Mechanicsburg After a delightful breakfast (included), we will check out and depart at 8:00 a.m. and make our way through West Virginia and Maryland into Pennsylvania. Again, there will be ample rest breaks and a lunch break (your expense) before our estimated arrival time of 6:00 p.m. Dinner tonight will be at a restaurant close to the hotel (your expense, transportation to/from included). Sun. March 11 th Day #21 Freeport, Maine (B, D) Hilton Garden Inn Freeport Downtown Today we will enjoy a complimentary buffet breakfast before making way to Freeport, Maine with stops and a lunch break along the route. Leaving the hotel at 8:00 a.m., we expect to arrive in Freeport around 6:00 p.m. We will have an included Farewell Group Dinner tonight, complete with a complimentary glass of beer or wine (location TBA). Share stories with your new friends and enjoy your last evening together! The rest of the evening is at your leisure. Mon. March 12 th Day #22 Home (B) Enjoy another buffet breakfast (included) before our 8:00 a.m. departure. Be sure to have your passports ready as we will be crossing the U.S./Canada border today and expect to arrive back at your originating pick-up point at the following times: 6
Drop off LOCATIONS & Approximate arrival times: New Brunswick Clients: Woodstock, Murray s Irving- TBA Lincoln Big Stop Irving TBA (Lunch stop) Saint John TBA Moncton, Magnetic Hill McDonald s TBA Aulac, Big Stop TBA Nova Scotia Clients: Truro Heights, Circle K Big Stop TBA Halifax Airport, Quality Inn TBA Dartmouth Crossing, Hampton Inn- TBA Halifax, Sobey s Lacewood Dr. TBA Halifax, Future Inn TBA Prince Edward Island: Charlottetown, Charlottetown Mall - TBA IMPORTANT INFORMATION *Tour itineraries are a guideline and may need to be adjusted by CTC or your tour manager and are impacted by unforeseen factors such as weather, traffic, changes to concert or sporting event times, and/or act of God. Collins Tours is not responsible for any refunds, reimbursements, credits, or liable due to any changes in itineraries, modifications, or lost time in any one particular area due to any such unforeseen events described above. Seat rotation policy is in effect, for this and all group motor coach tours, and will be explained by your tour director on Day #1. Front seats are not guaranteed, however front rotation of motorcoach can be accommodated with notice from physician. Your hotel contact information is as follows: -Portland, ME: Courtyard by Marriott Portland South 207-253-5005 -Baltimore, MD: Holiday Inn Express Baltimore 410-717-1818 -Santee, SC: Best Western Santee Lodge 619-449-2626 -St.Petersburg, FL: Hilton St.Petersburg 727-894-5000 -Pensacola, FL: Springhill Suites by Marriott Pensacola 850-475-0055 -New Orleans, LA: Drury Inn & Suites New Orleans Downtown 504-529-7800 -San Antonio, TX: Drury Inn & Suites San Antonio Riverwalk 210-212-5200 -Little Rock, AR: Holiday Inn Express Airport 501-490-4000 -Lexington, KY: Homewood Suites by Hilton 859-223-0880 -Hershey, PA: Wingate by Wyndham Mechanicsbug 717-766-2710 -Freeport, ME: Hilton Garden Inn Freeport Downtown 207-865-1433 Bring along your favorite music CD s and DVD s, our motor coach is equipped to play both. Please remove all personal belongings when departing the bus, as we are not responsible for items that are left behind. REMEMBER: your tour manager handles: hotel check in/checkout procedures, overall group management (e.g. timely transitions, itinerary planning), and group representation at events, hotels, theatres, and overall operation of each tour. We work hard to ensure that everyone enjoys his or her 7
experience to the fullest. Gratuities for your Tour Manager and driver are not included in your tour price. Tour director tipping guidelines are $5.00 per person per day and a minimum of $2.50 per person per day for the bus driver. Step on City guides are minimum $2.00 per person per day. 8