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Prairie State College presents:
New England Back Roads
Day 1: Monday, October 01, 2012 Boston Area, Massachusetts - Tour Begins
From country stores to covered bridges and remarkable mountains, welcome to New England's back roads. Collette is pleased to offer this exciting adventure which showcases the best of New England.

Day 2: Tuesday, October 02, 2012 Boston - Lincoln, New Hampshire
A sightseeing tour of Boston features the Old South Meeting House, gathering place of patriots; the Public Gardens, the Old North Church, Beacon Hill and the U.S.S. Constitution, the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world. Later, stop at the famed Faneuil Hall marketplace with its eclectic and tempting assortment of food and shops before departing for New Hampshire. En route, enjoy spectacular views of the tree-covered mountainsides which in autumn are often ablaze with color. (B, D)

Day 3: Wednesday, October 03, 2012 Lincoln - North Conway - Lincoln
This morning you depart for a full day of sightseeing in the scenic White Mountains of New Hampshire. You will take the Kancamagus Highway, a Scenic Byway that winds along the Swift River, offering breathtaking vistas and countless photo opportunities. This afternoon, arrive in North Conway. Enjoy time at leisure to stroll through the quaint village and visit the locally-owned shops and restaurants located there before returning to Lincoln. (B)

Day 4: Thursday, October 04, 2012 Lincoln - Townshend, Vermont - West Dover
A full day of scenic splendor awaits as you travel from the picturesque White Mountains of New Hampshire to the “Green Mountain State” – Vermont. Traditional white steeple churches and quaint villages dot the landscape. This afternoon, witness the elegance and beauty of the Friesian breed of horses when you attend a captivating Majestic Friesian performance at a working horse farm. (B, D)

Day 5: Friday, October 05, 2012 West Dover - Weston - Manchester - West Dover
Enjoy the beauty of Vermont. This morning, visit the Vermont Country Store, “purveyors of the practical and hard-to-find.” Browse the shelves for Vermont-made products including fudge, candies and cheeses. Next, visit Hildene, the Lincoln family home. This stunning summer residence of Robert Todd Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln’s eldest son, includes a historic home, gardens and farm set on 412 picturesque acres. This afternoon, visit one of Vermont’s picturesque working farms that has opened its doors to visitors from around the world. Enjoy a tractor-pulled tour of the grounds before heading inside the barn theater to learn about maple sugaring in Vermont. (B)

Day 6: Saturday, October 06, 2012 West Dover - Bennington - Pittsfield, Massachusetts
Begin your day with a drive along the scenic Molly Stark Trail, where every turn brings a new breathtaking vista. Arrive in the town of Bennington and visit the gravesite of Robert Frost as well as the historic 306’ stone obelisk known as the Bennington Battle Monument. Next, visit Bennington Museum’s rich collection of Americana, including the largest public collection of work by local artist Grandma Moses. This afternoon, experience a tour of an apple orchard before stopping at the bake shop for a tasty treat! Later, travel south through the rolling hills of the Berkshires in western Massachusetts. (B)

Day 7: Sunday, October 07, 2012 Pittsfield - Stockbridge - Pittsfield
This morning, visit the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge which contains the world’s largest collection of the famous illustrator’s work. Explore the many exhibits, including Rockwell’s Saturday Evening Post covers and other recognizable works of art. This afternoon, visit the Hancock Shaker Village. Discover the roots of the Shaker community during a guided tour of the village. Visit the historic Brick Dwelling, Round Stone Barn and the Laundry/Machine Shop. Complete your Shaker experience with a traditional four-course Shaker supper, concluding with a special music program. (B, D)

Day 8: Monday, October 08, 2012 Pittsfield - Boston - Tour Ends
Return to the Boston airport for your flight home. The many pleasant memories of your New England Back Roads adventure will last a lifetime. (B)




October 01 - October 8, 2012
8 Days • 10 Meals
7 Breakfasts • 3 Dinners
Highlights: Boston, Lincoln, North Conway, Friesian Horse Performance, Vermont Country Store, Hildene, Adams Farm, Molly Stark Trail, Bennington Museum, Apple Orchard, Norman Rockwell Museum, Hancock Shaker Village
"Value Tours" provide all the key destination attractions and core benefits of a standard Collette tour, including the services of a professional Tour Manager. These lower-priced packages feature 3-4 star hotels that may be less centrally located. They also offer more free time, allowing guests to pursue a wider choice of independent sightseeing and dining options.

Rates Per Person
Double: $2499, Single: $3199,
Triple: $2469
*Included in Price: Round Trip Air from OHare Intl Airport,Air Taxes and Fees/Surcharges of $50 (subject to increase until paid in full),Hotel Transfers.
*Not Included in Price: Cancellation Waiver and Insurance of $165 per person.
Itinerary at a Glance
Day 1 Doubletree Guest Suites Boston, Boston,Massachusetts
Day 2 - 3 Mountain Club on Loon, Lincoln, New Hampshire
Day 4 - 5 Grand Summit Mt Snow, West Dover, Vermont
Day 6 - 7 Crowne Plaza Berkshires, Pittsfield,Massachusetts
On some dates alternate hotels may be used.
Essential Experiences
  • Enjoy a locally guided tour of historic Boston and a visit to its famed Faneuil Hall marketplace.
  • Watch a captivating Friesian horse performance at a Vermont horse farm.
  • Explore Norman Rockwell’s vast portfolio of illustrations at Stockbridge’s Norman Rockwell Museum.

For more information call
KC Bloechi
TravelBrokers
(708) 206-1234


Included Meals Key
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

AVAILABLE OPTIONS:
No options exist for this tour.

CANCELLATION WAIVER:

Worry-Free Cancellation
Our industry-leading cancellation waiver offers travelers a full cash refund for the price of the tour, right up to the day prior to departure, minus the small cost of the waiver. Travel worry-free knowing if anything changes, you're protected.

Plus, you're covered on tour.
Our cancellation waiver and insurance plan covers you on tour. If you have to stop your trip or return home early, need medical assistance or evacuation, suffer a baggage loss or delay; or are delayed on tour for 12 hours or more, you're covered.

Cancellation Waiver and Insurance is just $165 per person.

Click here for complete details.


TRAVEL TIPS:
New England Back Roads
Listed below is important information to assist you in preparing for your upcoming trip. This information provided will help you have a more enjoyable experience while you are on your tour.
Accommodations
On some programs, there are a limited number of single and triple rooms. Double rooms usually consist of 2 beds. Triple rooms are normally a standard double room with 2 beds. A cot or rollaway bed may be added to the double room at some hotels, based on room size and fire codes. When triples are not available, appropriate charges for single and twin accommodations will be assessed. We make every effort to accommodate your specific requests and forward them to the hotels. These requests cannot be guaranteed as hotels may not always be able to honor them. Check-in times are set by individual hotel properties and vary by hotel. Depending on your arrival time, there may be a delay in gaining access to your room as most hotels offer afternoon check-in. We ask guests to observe check-out times at all properties as designated by the hotel. Some hotels require a credit card imprint or your passport information upon check-in in order to activate telephones in the rooms and for potential incidental charges. Most hotels charge an access fee for using phones in hotel rooms. Please check with the front desk personnel at each hotel for specific policies. Hotel membership programs are not applicable.
Arrival Day Suggestions
Due to varied flight schedules and different arrival times of our tour guests, your tour will not have any scheduled activities prior to dinner on Day 1. Should your flight schedule allow for an earlier arrival time that day, enjoy the great opportunity for some independent exploration.
Clothing & Packing Tips
If you are taking prescription medication, please be sure to take an adequate supply for your tour and a few additional days, in original prescription containers. Medication should be packed in your carry-on baggage. Do not place it in your checked luggage. You may want to carry an extra prescription in a separate bag in case medication is lost.
Currency
Your personal bank card may work at local ATM machines in the destination you are traveling to. Please contact your bank to determine if this option is available, that your PIN number will be accepted and to inform them that you are traveling. We recommend carrying only a few major credit cards. Credit card purchases often provide an extra guarantee on your purchase (check with your specific credit card company for details and fees). It is advisable to contact any credit card company you intend utilizing while on tour before you depart to notify them where you will be traveling, to avoid any rejection of services. If optional tours are made available to purchase, please note that credit cards must have an expiration date of greater than 30 days from the start of the tour.
Electricity
An adaptor (which changes the physical plug) and/or converter (which changes the electric current) are necessary if you plan to use an appliance with voltage different from the standard within the country you are visiting. Please note, if your appliance has dual voltage you may still need an adaptor for the plug. When packing your electronic items for travel, please review the converter electric current level to make sure it is the same or greater than the items you are planning on using. If you plan on utilizing or transporting a sleep apnea machine, please remember to pack an extension cord and adapter plug to ensure proper function.
Elevation
Sea Level. Highest Elevation: 2000 feet.
Helpful Hints
Bring a camera, memory cards, film, and batteries and be sure to bring enough photography supplies for your entire trip. If you have a video camera, bring an extra battery, plus proper recharging equipment. Due to security screening, we recommend storing your equipment in your carry-on luggage. Bring a travel alarm clock, travel sewing kit and an alcohol based gel hand sanitizer when soap and water is not accessible. Pack items that may leak in plastic bags. Do not pack any articles of value in your checked luggage. As a precaution, we suggest that you divide the contents of your suitcase with your traveling companion. Avoid over packing and leave room for souvenirs that you plan to take back home.
Bring a copy of your passport/identification and pack it separately from the original. Leave a copy of your tour itinerary at home with your emergency contact and a copy of your passport. Remember when flying you can only take one quart size bag with no more than 3 ounces of any one liquid. Liquids that do not fit in the one quart size bag and are larger than 3 ounces will be discarded by security. Remember to hydrate and get up and stretch while flying. If you are considering using your cell phone while traveling internationally, you should check with your cell provider concerning their access and charges for overseas calls, texting and emailing for the specific destination you are traveling to.
Included Features
The following are included in your tour package: transportation via motorcoach, accommodations, hotel luggage handling, meals, sightseeing, admission charges (as outlined in your itinerary), and applicable gratuities for bellmen, doormen and dining room wait staff. Customary gratuities for hotel housekeeping staff, local sightseeing guides, drivers and tour managers have not been included.
Local Guides
In order to further enhance your experience of this destination, one local guide has been arranged throughout this tour. Customary gratuities for this guide are not included in the cost of the tour. Gratuities should be extended on a voluntary and individual basis at a suggested amount of 1-2 USD per person, per day, per guide. Your tour manager will review customary tipping amounts and timing with you when you are on your tour.
Luggage
Please consult with your scheduled airline as luggage fees and restrictions vary by carrier and destination. Due to the limited motorcoach capacity, one checked luggage (62 inches in length, height and width; weight not to exceed 23kg/50lbs) is allowed on tour. We also encourage just one carry-on bag per individual (for carrying items that might be needed during the day’s sightseeing excursions or camera/video equipment). Dimensions for carry-ons should not exceed 17" x 12" x 10", allowing it to fit under the seat or in the overhead rack of most motor coaches. If you exceed the limit of 2 bags, we cannot guarantee that your additional luggage will be able to fit in the touring vehicle. Storage or shipment of additional luggage will be at your own expense. If we are able to accommodate your additional luggage, we will assess a fee of 4 USD per bag per hotel. Please remember to label your luggage and important items with your name, home address and telephone number. We recommend labeling your luggage on both the outside and inside of the bag. Please attach only the plastic luggage tag included in this mailing to your checked luggage before checking in for your flight. Your paper luggage tag is to be attached at the first hotel. We cannot assume liability or accept claims for loss or damage to luggage and personal effects due to breakage, theft or normal wear and tear that results from hotel, airline and group carrier handling. It is in your best interest to have adequate insurance (such as our comprehensive “No Worries Travel Protection”) to cover these eventualities.
Meals
Most meals are included as indicated in your document itinerary. Guests with special dietary requirements must advise their travel counselor at the time of booking and also the tour manager upon joining the tour. When information is provided, every effort will be made to accommodate these requests. Please be advised that the average cost of meals (not inclusive of tax and gratuity) that are not included in your tour are as follows: breakfast 6 to 10 USD, lunch 5 to 15 USD and dinner 15 to 30 USD.
Name Badges
Collette Vacations provides name badges to our travelers in order to facilitate conversation among fellow travelers. The name badge also ensures that a Collette Vacations representative can easily recognize you, especially at airports upon arrival.
Reading List
Interested in reading about your destination before you depart? We have pre-selected travel guides, novels and books on history, nature and art to help enhance your total vacation experience. You can access the complete list by typing the following into your web browser. Select the region of the world to find your tour: http://www.longitudebooks.com/find/d/115/r/CV/mcms.html
Smoking
Smoking Restrictions: Our tours are non-smoking throughout. If you require a smoking room, please alert your agent upon tour booking. Please be mindful of locations where smoking is prohibited: the motorcoach, at dining venues and other restricted areas on tour including most hotels. Customers are responsible for any fines incurred for failure to comply with smoking restrictions.
Time Zone
Eastern Standard Time
Tour Manager
We pride ourselves on having the best-trained and most experienced tour managers in the industry. Gratuities should be extended on a voluntary basis and should be in direct proportion to the level of professionalism and personal service extended to you throughout the tour. Past experience has shown that a guideline of 4-6 USD per person for each traveling day is a customary amount for the tour manager. A customary amount of 3-5 USD per person per day is suggested for the driver.
Transportation
Transfers We are pleased to provide you with complimentary airport to hotel, and hotel to airport transfers at the beginning and end of an escorted tour when you purchase an air-inclusive vacation. Land-only clients who have purchased round trip transfers will be accommodated at the same times as air inclusive clients. Arrival meeting locations and transfer departure times are provided on your document booklets. On some programs there may be a waiting period at the airport due to varying flight schedules of other arriving passengers. If you have secured your own transfer, you may meet your tour manager at the hotel. Motorcoach Information: We do not own or operate vehicles. We charter quality coaches that are temperature controlled vehicles. Coach size may vary based upon the number of tour patrons. In certain countries, lavatory equipped motorcoaches are not available or the lavatory is for emergency use only. Frequent stops will be made en route for comfort and convenience. Seat Rotation: Seats are rotated for the benefit of our tour guests. This fosters communication and enables our guests to enjoy a variety of vantage points on the motorcoach. Guests will rotate seats at least once a day, as directed by the tour manager. In fairness to all, there will be no exceptions to this policy.
Flight Information, Departure Taxes & Fees Land Only Vacations: If you chose to purchase a land only vacation, pay particular attention to flight segments that occur during the tour which are not included in your land only rate. You must purchase these internal flight segments and the schedule must match the flights that we utilize on the group tour. Please provide us with your flight schedules for the entire tour six weeks prior to departure so we may secure services if you purchased transfers from us, as well as maintain emergency contact. Air Inclusive Vacations Air inclusive vacations cover air transport to and from your origin gateway as well as all internal air segments on tour. In order to comply with Homeland Security’s “Secure Flight” mandate, all passengers must provide full name, date of birth and gender at time of reservation. Your airline ticket must match the name on your valid, non-expired, government issued photo ID to be shown at the airport (including middle name, first or middle initial). If you are a member of a participating frequent flyer program, provide the number upon booking and retain the passenger copy of your ticket and boarding pass to ensure that you receive proper credit of your mileage. Some air tickets are not eligible for mileage accrual. Whenever possible, we will add charges for air departure taxes to your invoice. Some international arrival and departure fees are not included in your air ticket and must be paid by you on tour in local currency.