Ann’s Adventures has been doing group travel across Michigan, the United States, and the world for eleven plus years.  We specialize in making you feel like part of our family, you will feel right at home with us.

We are a family owned MICHIGAN based company. We have always been and remain committed to the economic success of our local economies. Ann’s Adventures focuses on group travel as a way to provide folks an opportunity to travel a planned itinerary with others who enjoy the same destinations.

With our experience, knowledge, and contacts, we have the expertise to create unique, interesting and budget-friendly group tours. Each will be planned around cultural, historical, sports or musical themes that you can identify with.

Thank you for your suggestions and ideas. I am a firm believer that traveling provides social, educational, physical, mental, spiritual and nutritional needs that all of us should experience to enhance our lives. I know you have all enriched my life. Thank-you!

 

We do business DIFFERENTLY.  You will work directly with the owner throughout the entire process.  Ann will listen to your needs to help you book the right group trip for you and your family and friends.

Ann’s Adventures is committed to creating safe, high-quality, affordable tours, and memories to last a lifetime.

 

 

 

Ann’s Thoughts and Comments… 

Please check out the information farther down on this page regarding your ID for traveling both in the country and internationally. As things continue to change, we need to keep aware and be prepared! Let me know if you have questions!

Thanks go to all those who come and help with the monthly newsletter. It takes a lot of people to get these newsletters folded, taped and labeled. I sure could not do it without your help!

 

   

 

                       “In life, it’s not where you go, but who you travel with.”     ~Charles Schultz

 

 

 

                            APRIL/MAY 2024

 

Welcome to Spring!
Although as I type this on the first day of spring, there is snow on the ground and more predicted for the weekend. We have
indeed been blessed with good weather for most of our trips so far this year. I am continually amazed at the number of people
wanting to get on a bus and go somewhere! I love that everyone is so adventurous.
An Office Update: Rebecca had back surgery at the end of March and will be on sick leave for at least a month. You will be
seeing and hearing more from Izzy and Gayle when you come in or call the office. They will do their best to assist you. It is also
possible that our hours will vary from day to day. Call before coming. Thanks for your patience as we all adjust to keeping
things running smoothly. Rebecca sends her thanks for your prayers and well wishes. The neurosurgeons will be attempting
to remove a cyst from her spinal cord. She has an upbeat attitude and hopes to be back in the office as soon as possible.
We have added 2nd busses to several trips as well as added some new trips. The bigger trips for 2025 are coming together
and then we will start adding shorter trips and day trips. Many of the theaters are announcing their 24-25 Seasons so I have some
shows that I see are coming listed in this update to see what kind of interest there would be. This really helps me determine
what to purchase. It also saves me time from planning trips no one is interested in taking. So, let me know what sounds like fun.
Thanks for your help!
Remember Senior Power Day is on May 22 and I will be there with a table to meet and greet you and answer questions about
trips. Please stop by and say Hi! Tickets are now available in the office. See details in this update.
Great news! The CDC has announced on March 1st that Covid-19 is no longer the emergency that it once was and
included an official end to a pandemic-era plea for Americans to stay home for five days after testing positive. While it remains an
important health threat, it now resembles other respiratory viral illnesses.
This is good news for travelers. Please continue to be aware of your own health needs, wash hands, drink plenty of water and
stay home if you are not feeling well.
Thanks to the many volunteers who come and help fold, tape and label the newsletters. We are sending out around 2400 now
and it takes a lot of volunteers to help make this happen. I couldn’t do it without you! Thanks to the over 1600 people who
receive the newsletter through email. You are helping us save, time, postage and paper costs. I’m always glad to know how
much you look forward to reading it. Thanks for your kind words!

April is National Humor Month. If you hear a good funny story, let me know… I like to share fun things on the bus trips!

                                                   Ann

 

“Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

 

Lost and Found Items…
We have an assortment of items in our lost and found from a variety of trips. There are neck pillows. umbrellas,
sunglasses, a jacket, and a few other items. If you are missing something, it never hurts to check the box!

 

Travel Club Networking Meeting

 

Breakfast Club 

The Breakfast Club meets the first Friday of every month at 8:30 a.m. at the Bob Evans in Birch Run. It is a great
opportunity to get together with friends, ask questions of Ann, or make suggestions for future trips. No reservations
are needed, just come and join us! Upcoming dates are  April 5; May 3; June 7; and July 5, 2024.

 

Romeos!  Calling all men!  Come and join us!

This group of men gather monthly to enjoy lunch, laughter and good conversation. Romeo’s stands for Rowdy Old Men Eating Out! No dues, no committees, just eat out every month with other guys to provide input on whatever is of interest to anyone. All men are welcome!

The luncheons will be on Thursdays at 11:30 a.m. The locations change each month… April 18 at Culver’s in Birch
Run; May 16 at Junction of Hope on M-57 just west of Montrose; and June 20 at Don Felipe in downtown Clio..

This group was started as a response to the women’s Red Hat Society. The women have a poem, “When I am an Old
Woman, I Shall Wear Purple!” There is also a poem called “When I am an Old Man, I Shall Wear Plaid!” So, an active group of guys attended the first meeting and the Romeo’s were officially started. The Romeo’s wear plaid shirts and meet for lunch!

 

What is cancellation protection?

Cancellation Protection is a specified amount of money for overnight trips that is due with your deposit and protects all monies (except the cost of the cancellation protection) in the event of cancellation for any reason, anytime prior to departure. It is not insurance but does provide protection for the cost of your trip if you need to cancel. If your trip is interrupted, the cancellation protection would cover the unused portion of your trip.
Insurance is available and is included when we go overseas. Collette Trips include insurance and that would cover much more while we are in another country.

 

Become a STAR!

I offer a special program for frequent travelers. You can become a “STAR” which stands for Special Travel Adventure Rate!  For only $36.00 per year you can become a STAR! As a result, every trip you sign up for will be $6.00 less in cost.  Therefore,  if you travel at least 6 times in a year,  you will have made your money back and for every trip after that you come out ahead!

 

TSA – Transportation Security Administration
Acceptable Forms of ID

1 – REAL Michigan Driver’s License –
Michigan is enacting a federally acceptable form of ID.
This will be in effect by May 7, 2025. The REAL ID will be required for flying within the United States, entry into certain federal properties, entering nuclear facilities and military bases. The Real ID Michigan Driver’s license has a star in the upper right hand corner.

2 – Enhanced Michigan Driver’s License is already compliant and allows entry into the US by land or sea from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or the Caribbean without a passport. The Enhanced Michigan Driver’s License has an American flag on the license just right of your picture. The newer ones also have a star in the upper right hand corner.

3 – Passport – is acceptable ID for any type of air flight to go anywhere. It is also acceptable for entry into certain federal facilities and entering nuclear facilities and military bases. It cannot be used as a driver’s license. To fly into the US from anywhere – including Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean, you must have a passport.
Please check your driver’s license and your passport for their expiration dates.

 

Regarding Passports...

Passports are available at the Clio Post Office by appointment. Call 810-686-0810 to schedule your
appointment. You need your birth certificate with a raised seal to apply for one. They are good for ten years. The post office can take your picture or you can get a passport photo taken at another location such as Walgreen’s or Rite Aid. If you live in another city, check your local post office for their passport hours. They may vary from post office to post office. We also have passport application forms available in the office.

 

Going south?…  Going North?…  Please take note!!

The post office does not forward bulk mail. If you want to receive the newsletter and are heading south for any length of time, please let me know. You can receive the newsletter via email – then you can get it wherever you are, give me a winter address and let me know how long you will be gone or have the newsletter stopped. You can call and resume it in the spring. Newsletters are returned to me as undeliverable if you have your mail forwarded. This is costly. When a newsletter is returned, we remove the person from the mailing list until we hear from them.

 

W…ings for Travel

Preparations for a trip of any duration takes time.  I am encouraging everyone to think about preparing yourselves as well as your clothes, what to pack,  and what should be in your carryon!  Time to spread your wings!

1.  Waking:  Every trip requires an early start.  Begin setting your alarm a little earlier each day a couple weeks before the trip.  Then it won’t be such a shock to your system to suddenly be getting up so early every day.

2.  Walking:  If you not a person who walks regularly,  begin!!  Don’t try and start with a mile or two right away.  Try walking ten minutes a day then 20,  then 30.  It is amazing how much easier the trip will be for you if walking is not a shock to your system.  You will definitely have more fun!

3.  Watering:  Drink more water!  This is good for you even when not traveling.  However,  when we travel it is crucial that you not become dehydrated.  Keeping your body hydrated will help you to be healthier and your system to work more efficiently.

Get your own W…ings ready for travel!  

 

Travel Certificates Make Great Gifts

Looking for the perfect gift?   Travel Certificates are available in any amount! They can be used for any Ann’s Adventures Trip! There is no expiration date! Tell your kids you want the gift of Travel! These make great gifts for retirement, birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas or other special events such as Mother’s Day and Father’s Day!

 

Driver Tips

For all day trips, the driver tip is included in the cost of the trip. On overnight trips, we do pass an envelope for the driver. 

 

Making A Payment

Payments can be made in cash, checks or money orders.  I can take credit cards however,  there will be a 3% charge added onto the payment if you decide to use a credit card.  Checks should be made out to Ann’s Adventures.  When sending checks,  please write on the memo line what trip the check is for.  It helps me get your payment posted to the right trip more quickly.  If you would like a receipt,  you should include a self addressed stamped envelope.  There will be a $15.00 charge for any checks returned for insufficient funds.

 

Do I need to send a deposit?

A deposit assures your seat on a trip.  When you call to put your name on the trip list,  that lets me know how many people are interested.  Your deposit (or full payment) assures you of a seat.  Sometimes there are more names on the interest list than there are actual seats available.  When the maximum number of seats with money deposited are full,  the rest becomes the wait list.  The bottom line is…  If you really want to go,  you should put down a deposit.  For day trips,  a $20.00 deposit will hold your seat.  For extended trips,  the deposit amount is listed at the top of the article.  The remaining balance for all trips is due 1 month prior to the trip unless specifically noted.

 

Can I get a refund?

Refunds will be given only if there is a wait list and I am able to fill your place prior to departure. Partial refunds may be given if I am able to recover the costs of prepaid tickets, meals, etc. Cancellations and no-shows on the day of the trip will not be entitled to a refund. Refund checks are issued AFTER the trip is completed and can take a few months to process.
We often have to wait for refunds to come to us from the hotels, activities, etc. Thank you for understanding.
Refund checks are issued to the person who paid for the trip. If your friend paid for your trip and you cancel, the refund is sent to the person who signed you up to go. In order for my books to match, the money refunded must match the person who paid it.

 

Medical forms

Is your medical form up to date?  A medical form ensures that I can give medical professionals correct information about your health in the event of a medical emergency. If something happens, they need to know your birthdate and list of current medications. If you need to update your form, I always carry extra on the trips. You can ask me for a form or call and I can email one to you. You can always pick one up when you are in the office.

 

Dietary Restrictions

If you have a special dietary need, I need to know this in advance of the trip. When meals are catered for a group of 50, caterers plan for the number of meals ordered and often do not have additional options ready on the spot. If you vary from the original menu, there may be an additional charge.

 

Stay Hydrated
Always carry a refillable water bottle with you on every trip. Staying hydrated is important for your health! We make
restroom stops every two hours so you can use facilities and stretch your legs!