From coast to coast, our grand backyard has a lot to offer your clients when it comes to cultural hotspots, including iconic music in the South, Florida’s Spanish-infused history, and national parks across the land that speak to our heritage.
Old Town Charm
“Visits to St. Augustine are always an adventure, especially when it comes to sharing experiences with the entire family. Timeless journeys with activities that are immersive and educational,” says Evelyn Vazquez, director of leisure sales for St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra, & The Beaches VCB. “A visit here is an opportunity to learn about the city’s founding in 1565 and the cultures that have been part of the fabric of the nation’s oldest city since that time. Not only can families enjoy fun-filled days of edu-tainment, there are also miles of pristine beaches to enjoy where there are no buildings over four stories, allowing the late day sun to shine on the surf and sand.”
Cosmos’ 13-day The Old South & Florida ($2,009 pp) runs from New Orleans to Orlando, taking guests to the oldest continuously occupied European-established settlement within the borders of the continental United States, St. Augustine, where they’ll visit the oldest Government House and the Spanish fortress, Castillo de San Marcos. The 10-day Florida Discovery itinerary ($1,709 pp) also spends some time in St. Augustine giving guests free time to explore.
“St. Augustine is a very popular family destination. We are an appeal to Millennial families and Boomers. We especially see this in the Hispanic American market, a group that has a tendency to travel multigenerational,” says Vazquez.
Sounds of the South
Heading South, recommend a multigenerational family tour with Trafalgar’s 10-day Tastes and Sounds of the South, an immersive, guided vacation starting at $2,544 pp.
Featured as The Travel Corporation’s “Top 10” immersive journeys for 2018, the itinerary will take your clients on a musical pilgrimage—diving into the cultural and musical heritage of Nashville, Memphis, Natchez, and New Orleans, with visits to the iconic Grand Ole Opry and Graceland. They’ll also meet with members of Johnny Cash’s family and listen to Elvis’ revolutionary rock ‘n’ roll sounds. There are visits to the Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum, Sun Studios, The National Civil Rights Museum, the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Oak Alley Plantation, and the Frogmore Plantation. Participants will also indulge in a tasty 4-course Deep South Be My Guest dinner with wine in the 19th century residence of Esther Carpenter, a former Four Seasons chef who was named one of the top 20 female chefs in America.
“Multiple generations means satisfying multiple needs and our 10-day Tastes & Sounds of the South itinerary does that. We take care of every detail so busy families can focus on each other and the memorable moments they will make in one of the country’s most remarkable regions for authentic American music and food,” says Melissa da Silva, president of Trafalgar.
Exploring Our Natural Wonders
Families who are up for a little more adventure and exploration, can opt for Mayflower Tours’ National Parks of the Southwest tour with departures on Sept. 27 and Oct. 3, starting at $3,389 pp twin. On this itinerary, which features the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, families will tour Salt Lake City, including its historic Temple Square, visit Dead Horse Point State Park, tour Arches National Park and go on a scenic float trip with a picnic lunch along the Colorado River. They’ll also travel through the Escalante-Grand Staircase National Monument, and the Capitol Reef National Park, as well as Bryce Canyon National Park where they’ll see the multi-hued spires and cliffs set inside a natural amphitheater. Other experiences include a scenic cruise on Lake Powell, exploring Grand Canyon National Park’s South Rim, visiting the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, and riding the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway in the Cibola National Forest, as well as a narrated tour of Zion National Park. Two unique experiences guests will enjoy is spending two nights in Moab at the center of Utah’s canyon country; and taking in the mass ascension of the balloons during Albuquerque’s hot air balloon festival, which fills the night sky with a kaleidoscope of colors.
Contact Information
Cosmos: cosmos.com
Mayflower Tours: mayflowertours.com
St. Augustine: floridashistoriccoast.com
Trafalgar: trafalgar.com
