9,773 Active Members  •  48,776 Members Since 1979

JULY/AUGUST | VOL. 38 | NO. 1 

2016

2017 Vacation & Tour Preview Day Saturday, September 17th • Red Lion Hotel The old Woodlake/Radisson on Hwy 160 • FREE Parking • Admission $10 in advance

2 Showtimes: 9:15-12:00pm & 1:15-4:00pm • Get your exclusive advance copy of our NEW 2017 catalog, “Places You’ve Never Been” • Participate in our “Traveler Talk Back,” LIVE

• New Destinations – new Hawaii itinerary (Kauai/Maui), California Deserts, Sunset Limited to New Orleans, Magical Moab, Croatia, The Preakness, Cooperstown, Wonder Valley, Alaska, The Canadian Rockies, Ottawa and Québec and many more…

• Review of our “space available” 2016 fall and holiday tours

• Entertainment and refreshments, maximum 300 travelers per session, early reservations advised

• Everyone in attendance receives a di$count coupon

H ADVANCE RESERVATIONS REQUIRED, SEATING LIMITED H CALL TODAY! Monday through Friday 9:00am – 4:30pm to reserve your seats, or reserve online anytime!

(916) 361-2051 or (800) 951-5556 INSIDE THIS ISSUE Just One Man’s Opinion............................ 2 Guest Column........................................... 3 The Customers Always Write................. 4-5 Casino Trips & Baseball............................ 6 The Human Side....................................... 7 Day Trips & Theatre Outings................ 8-10 Barber Pole............................................. 11 Teasers............................................... 12-13 New Vacations & Getaways............... 14-15 Tour Calendar..................................... 16-19 Coupons and Tour Updates......Back Cover

Take the FREE Shuttle Bus!

Service From: 9:15am show – Lincoln, Roseville, Madison & I-80 1:15pm show – South Hills & Arden/Watt

HHHHHHHHHHHH Editor...................................Mark Hoffmann Executive Editor ................... Kevin Murphy Staff Writers............. P. Hansen, R. Goodge, S. Angeletti & C. Whitehead, D. Anderson Contributing Photographer.......C. Galloway

Sports Leisure Travelers listen as the manager of the Tiny House Hotel explains his unique product on the recent Progressive Portland tour

Friends enjoy a little exploring together on our recent visit to The Hamptons

9812 Old Winery Place, Suite 1 • Sacramento, CA 95827 • (916) 361-2051 • Toll-Free (800) 951-5556 • www.sportsleisure.com • CA Travel #2011549-40

Just One Man’s Opinion by Mark Hoffmann Hot, Hot, Hot!

SUCCESS STORIES—A SpECIAl AdvERTISIng SECTIOn

The dog days of summer are upon us. Silly me, I always thought the term came from dogs with their tongues hanging on the ground, sweating away the hottest and most miserable days of the year. Not true. The hottest time of the year coincides with the rising of the dog star, Sirius (now I’m really confused, because I thought Sirius was the satellite radio in my car), in the sky. One historic reference says the dog days begin on July 6th and end on SportS LeiSure VacationS August 16th. That person obviously never visited Sacramento. Apparently the Feast of St. Roch, the patron saint of dogs, falls on August 16th. Who knew? So as we all pant away the summer, some 106 of us have been out on great adventures. Our trip to The Hamptons in June was so successful, we plan to bring it back in 2018. (That slot in 2017 belongs to Cape Cod, which is also an every-other-year offering.) Our trip concluded with a night in Times Square and a visit to Radio City Music Hall to see The Rockettes’ new summer show. Awesome seats made it a special evening. Speaking of special evenings in The Big Apple, our April departure spent the last night at Carnegie Hall, in Dress Circle Box Seats, watching and listening to the New York Pops Orchestra perform, “Can You Hear The People Sing,” a tribute to the composers of Les Misérables and Miss Saigon. It was a remarkable event. We didn’t walk out of Carnegie, we floated. The best news is, our 2017 spring New York tour will include the same Pops performance (different show of course, but undoubtedly still a great night of music). Watch for details in our new catalog, coming out in mid-September. We made it down to the Hollywood Bowl for the 4th of July (see the picture on the right) and then I escorted 22 folks on Progressive Portland in mid-July. What a great trip! I expect it might be on the schedule next 9812 old Winery place, Sacramento, ca 95827 (916) 361-2051 www.sportsleisure.com • travelguysradio.com

year. We had a great dinner at City Grill (highly recommended) and then a foodie dinner at Tidbit Corner, a collection of over a dozen food carts. We rode the streetcar and the aerial tramway and our old friend Merrill Mixer joined us as a step-on guide. Merrill is living in Portland now.

Odds and Ends, Mostly Ends Northern California baseball fans, particularly Giants fans, have had an interesting summer. As you know, we occasionally follow the local teams on the road. In fact, we journeyed to Chicago and St. Louis in early June to watch the Dodgers play the Cubs and the Giants take on the Cardinals. Despite being early June, the weather was perfect. We picked that itinerary over another we considered. The Giants went to Boston and New York last month and played the Red Sox and Yankees. To most baseball fans, that would have been a spectacular itinerary. But I shied away from it, because we all know how hot, and more importantly humid, it can be in the east in July. We were smarter than Giants Vacations, who took nearly 200 people on their trip. In Boston, the weather wasn’t too bad, and the Giants lost twice. In New York, the weather was brutal

After working in the Mission Oaks Recreation and Park District, Mark Hoffmann founded Sports Leisure Vacations out of his Fulton Avenue apartment in 1979. Though Mark admits to ‘just sort of happening into it”, he found his niche in the retail tour business, enabling folks to achieve their travel dreams. Given the fact that Mark and his staff strive to exceed customer wants, they’ve been most successful in serving a niche of mature travelers, often those who need a little extra consideration. Sports Leisure Vacations assembles and operates custom tours and vacations of one to fifteen days in length, and can accommodate a wide variety of travel interests. Check out the website to see an amazing array of travel options. The company culture has centered around refusing to put profits ahead of service, and a mantra: “We love our travelers and they love us back.” It’s working- not only is the company thriving in its 32nd year, but community support and acknowledgement have resulted, including a prestigious award for contributions to the Arts from the Sacramento Arts and Business Council. For twenty years Sports Leisure has been an underwriter of KVIE Public Television. VP Clayton Whitehead has served on the KVIE Board and Mark was president of the National Tour Association in 2000. Mark and Tom Romano host the Travel Guys on KFBK, Sundays 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

j a n ua r y 2 0 11 s a c m a g . c o m

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Fireworks explode in the sky behind the Hollywood Bowl. We saw the final live performance of Garrison Keillor and A Prairie Home Companion on July 3; then were entertained by Chicago and the Air Force band from Travis, followed by fireworks, on the 4th

Sports Leisure Vacations / July – August 2016

each of the three days, and the Giants lost two of three. Many of the people on the trip had also gone to San Diego prior to heading east, where it was unusually humid and the Giants got creamed three times. We are trying the San Diego/Giants thing in September. A wait list is available… Had the opportunity to connect with a longtime Travel Club Member, Joanne Elliott, with the help of her son. Joanne is retired from traveling and living in El Dorado Hills. We talked a little baseball and caught up from the missing years. Thanks Gary, for getting us together. Hope to get up there and say hello in person this fall… Some of you perhaps remember Lee Webb, who drove many of our southern California trips. Lee has retired now, and gone home to Texas, but word has come that his grandson, Ameer Webb, has qualified for the U.S. Olympic team and will run in the men’s 200-meter race, and perhaps some of the relay legs. As the games unfold, watch for Ameer and maybe our extended family will have an Olympic Champion before the summer is over… HHHHHHHH

It’s time to register for our annual Tour Preview Day. If you haven’t been before, it’s three hours of information, along with a little comedy entertainment and you leave with our new 2017 catalog of tours. There are also break out sessions, to allow you to meet our staff and learn about individual destinations. This year, our popular Travelers Poll will be back, giving you the opportunity to weigh in on issues of importance and see the results instantly. We can only accommodate 300 people at each session, so reserve early. A reminder that your $10 admission charge is donated in its entirety to local charities, including the Wreath Project at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery, the Mustard Seed School and the Angel Project for Christmas. Hope to see you there. And so it goes…

Mark Hoffmann, CTP

Guest Column by Chris Galloway

homemade and some are other people’s Christmas trash!

As I write this, I realize just how fortunate I am to have a job that takes me to wonderful places and allows me to experience the best that each locale has to offer. I appreciate you folks taking me along with you. We are hard at work on our 2017 Dreambook and are excited to share it with you at the Annual Vacation Preview Day on September 17th. Is there somewhere you’d like to go? I am always open to ideas. Feel free to send any suggestions to [email protected]. Hope to see you on the road soon!

Barbara Haviland’s family pictured here at a Virginia Beach lighthouse, Barbara has not missed a single Christmas Mystery Tour UEBERR Y BL

OTOGRA PH P

C SOCIET HI

cool crisp autumn days and the festivities of the holidays. I’m very excited to return to Virginia, our Christmas Mystery Tour destination this past year. We had such a great time I decided to offer it as a known destination. I’m calling it a Coastal, Colonial and Confederate Christmas in Virginia. I know that’s a mouthful, but I just couldn’t think of a short cutesy title for a tour that covers so much. In Virginia Beach, we practically had the entire town to ourselves. There’s nothing like waking up each morning in an oceanfront room and staring out over the white sand and blue water watching the sun rise over the Atlantic Ocean. At night, the boardwalk is illuminated with large fanciful animated Christmas lights displays. And speaking of Christmas lights, in Richmond, the capital city, we enjoyed the Tacky Lights Christmas Tour. The elaborately decorated homes are (in)famous and have garnered much media attention. Check out www.sportsleisure.com to get a full tour itinerary and a link to a video showing the lights. Some are painstakingly assembled and very detailed, while others are just… well, tacky! Either way, they are all great fun! Also, anyone who knows me, knows I not only like flashy lights, but I love to eat! This trip has some excellent meals, from local seafood restaurants to the extravagant Sunday Brunch spread at the elegant Jefferson Hotel, where you’ll also be staying. The Virginia Country Ham is out of this world! The chef’s grits are so good I bet even you Californians will love them. At the Royal Chocolate, we truly did receive the royal treatment. They gave us samples of all kinds of goodies! I came away with a bag full of treats. I can’t wait for my next visit! The Tacky Christmas Lights in Richmond, VA are a highlight – some are

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Dreaming of Christmas in July

The summer travel season is in full swing! I’ve hob-knobbed with the elite in the Hamptons, eaten fresh seafood galore along the coast from Boston to Bar Harbor, explored the funky back alleyways and hidden courtyards of Santa Fe, and gazed out towards the west from the top of the St. Louis Arch. It’s been a wonderfully busy time! However, as temperatures in the valley continue to soar, I am looking forward to

From the start we’ve never been quite certain if Blueberry is a dog or a bear. Now at last that mystery is revealed thanks to this month’s BPS winning photo taken by Andeen Lovett. Who knew Blueberry’s dream was to be a sled dog and run the Iditarod under the twinkling aurora borealis in Alaska? Dream big , Blueberry! Dream BIG! Would you like to get in on the fun? Join the Blueberry Photographic Society by writing our little friend at [email protected], subject line JOIN. Photo details: Taken on Scott’s Aurora Borealis tour to Alaska in March 2016 by Andeen Lovett. Due to computer difficulties, she didn’t submit until recently.

Sports Leisure Vacations / July – August 2016

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The Customers Always Write Dear Mark, I have not been able to participate in any of the Sports Leisure programs or trips because of my disabilities and that is why I have recently moved to a Senior Residence called Brookdale, address above. Now that I am 98 years old this year (4-5-2016) I am a traveler no longer! Please cancel my membership but please send me one more catalog so I can at least enjoy the pictures and write ups. Sincerely, Kathryn Eres Ed. Note: Kathryn, after so many years of travel, it’s really hard to say goodbye to you. We will leave your name on our list, and send you the catalog and the newsletters. (Just to make sure she gets the catalog, Kathryn sent along address labels. How awesome!) Hi Mark: Thank you for including Castle Noel in your Mystery tour. We had a wonderful time with your group and was delighted with Clayton’s response: “There’s only one word that describes Castle Noel – WOW! You were the hit of our mystery tour. I’m only sorry we didn’t have time for Alien Golf. Next time.” I look forward to seeing you again in Medina, Ohio. Safe travels, Dana Ed. Note: Castle Noel is one of the most unique attractions you will ever visit. If you are ever near Cleveland, it’s well worth your time. Trying to describe it would be next to impossible. “A building full of wonderful Christmas-oriented collections.” Hi Mark and Clayton, Thank you Mark and Clayton for a super Musical Mystery Tour to Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio. It was a sweet and nutty tour also… yum, yum!!! We saw and experienced soooo many things, such as: the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (SPECTACULR!!), the “A Christmas Story” house, Castle Noel, Irish dancing by students, German food and music, a “who dun it” dinner, visiting the largest candy warehouse in North America as well as other sweet and nut stops, making a candle and printing a coaster and postcard!!! WOW!!

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We had an exceptional group of travelers and bus driver. We laughed and just had a good good time!!! Thanks again to the dynamic duo, M and C. Gary and Shari Beck Mark, Thanks so much for bringing your group to spend a wee bit o’time in Ohio. I hope everyone learned a jig step to show off to friends back home! I look forward to working with you again in the future! Amanda, Richens Timm Dance Studio Ed. Note: More from that Ohio Mystery Tour. In Dublin, a suburb of Columbus, we stopped to watch some young Irish dancers perform, and then they invited us out on the floor and taught us a few moves…

First, the kids show us their moves…

… and then we bust out a few of our own!

Dear Clayton, We are in receipt of the refund check and what a pleasant surprise. Although we shouldn’t be surprised at yours and Mark’s professionalism, we are always grateful for your interest in your client’s comfort. You always go to bat for us and what you do is always appreciated. Thank you and we are looking forward to the 2017 catalog of adventures. Sherry and Howard Hatch

Sports Leisure Vacations / July – August 2016

Dear Mark and Clayton, Super surprise, a check from the 37th Anniversary Mystery Tour! Thank you for going that extra “Sports Leisure Caring” mile. It was a most enjoyable six days, although what my first thoughts were landing in Cleveland, Ohio I’ll not commit to paper. See you, Sandy Janicki Ed. Note: The refund check came from one of our hotels, where many of our guests had housekeeping and maintenance issues, and with a little prodding they refunded one night of our stay. Sandi, I love your Cleveland comment. I hope you enjoyed your time there and perhaps discovered that Cleveland is a nicer place than some people give it credit for. Visiting the Christmas Story House and seeing all those “leg lamps” was a hoot! Dear Mark, I know this is a long time coming and I apologize for its lateness. I really can’t thank Clayton and Sports Leisure enough for the care and concern I received in April on our trip to Just Washington DC when I fell and broke my shoulder. I know this added up to a lot more work and worry than he needed. (I probably gave him a few gray hairs!) Spending the week in the George Washington University Hospital where it was warm wasn’t all bad since the weather turned real cold that week for those out on the tour. The bad thing was that I didn’t get to meet and get to know my fellow travelers very well. There again, it proved how nice Sports Leisure travelers are. Everyone was so helpful, from helping me get my suitcase packed, to seeing to my comfort on the way home. Sports Leisure is the only way to travel!!! I am mending quite well and still getting physical therapy twice a week for a few months yet. I’m hoping to be finished in time for my next trip in September. Carol Kwolek Via Sportsleisure.com: Just went to your Spring Preview Day and am disappointed that most new Day Trips are to San Francisco. My friend & I were

talking about the Anthony Bourdain trip in November. But I am not able to go because I wouldn’t get back to Roseville until around midnight. Why are so many day trips to SF? (I know there’s entertainment there... but?) Besides adding the hour to my bus ride because I depart from Roseville, I’m not comfortable coming home to an empty Park & Ride lot, across from a neighborhood park, at midnight. I loved the Jay Leno matinee in Modesto last year. Are there more matinees in Modesto at Gallo? What about a day trip to a winery in El Dorado? It could include lunch and many wineries have entertainment in the summer. I’d love it if we could go some places other than SF because I’m on the bus an hour longer than other passengers both coming and going. Just some thoughts. You guys do a great job and I hope to be able to travel more in the future. Mary Helen Ivers Ed. Note: Mary, the reason there are so many day trips to San Francisco is it’s the largest city in our region. It offers many more opportunities for visits. Broadway shows in SF stay 4-6 weeks or longer, and there are more of them. (Sorry you live on the northeast side of town. There’s not really anything to offset that, except I know some people choose to drive across town to get the bus, thinking it saves them time.) As far as matinees, we love them. But we don’t set the show schedules, and evening events allow more of a potential audience, so that’s why there are more evening shows. We try to latch onto matinees whenever we can, knowing they are much easier for our travelers. A winery trip? Winery excursions are a tough sell, because wineries are so plentiful. Going to a winery in the daytime in the summer would make for a very warm outing. Not sure that would be a winning idea. Trust that we are constantly scouring the landscape for new attractions. If you see one, send it to us by regular or email. Thank you for writing. Michael, I want to thank you for all the help you’ve given me in securing airline seats. I greatly appreciate your time & effort and expertise in this field. I hope to continue traveling with SLV and no doubt will be relying on you

again. I enjoyed the trip to the Hamptons. I want to thank Chris and Mark for all the time and effort they put into planning, scheduling and guiding our amazing journey. Thanks, Sandra Henderson Dear Mark, Many thanks again for our spectacular trip to New York! A terrific group of people, amazing itinerary and extraordinary tour directors. I look forward to many more trips with SLV! Sincerely, Kathleen Montgomery

Dear Mr. Murphy, Thank you for your timely response to my question about the newsletter. And a hearty thank you for taking the time to research your archives for the missing Human Side articles. It makes my day when the newsletter arrives and I spend awhile reading the “Human Side”. Laughter and inspiration are great for the human spirit. Since these are going into my humor scrapbook, my granddaughter and I are easily entertained over and over again. Sincerely, Amelia Benedict

Thank you Mark and Chris, Everything exceeded my expectations on our trip to New York. I had given up traveling but wanted to see the 9/11 Memorial – that was my motivation for coming on this trip – and everything was wonderful! You take such great care of your travelers and I am much appreciative. It gives me hope for more travel. Sincerely, Merren Forsgren Ed. Note: Merren, we are up for the challenge. Where do you want to go next? Start packing! From Sportsleisure.com: A little skinny boy in Texas listened to the New York Dodgers on the radio and dreamed someday to see them play live in New York and Chicago. Well, when grown and out of the Army his Dodgers moved to California. He was brought to California a few years earlier. Still a very faithful fan and now having the opportunity to see the Dodgers in a new stadium, he made many more visits to Los Angeles to see his Dodgers play. Now at 75 years of age, that little boy’s dream has come true with a trip to see the Dodgers in Chicago. As an added bonus, visiting the St. Louis Cardinals museum and being able to recall all the great players from long ago when I listened to them on the radio, long before television, was very interesting. Thank you for this dream trip. Unsigned Ed. Note: Making dreams come true is what we are all about. As you can see, we even make a Dodger fan’s dream come true. Our trip to St. Louis. and Chicago in early June was a lot of fun! Thank you for an incredibly wonderful letter. Made my day!

Mark and Chris, This Santa went to Coos Bay Christmas of 2013 to participate in the fun game “unwrap one or steal one”. I fought with the Gee sisters and Santa came home with me. He has been part of our holiday décor ever since. It’s time for him to return to SLV to go on another holiday trip. I have others of his ilk now and it’s time to share. Much fun and many thanks, Carol Creveling

If you have a comment, suggestion or tour idea, we invite you to drop us a line. Due to space limitations, not all letters can be printed (others may be edited). Mail to: Sports Leisure Vacations Attn: Mark/Clayton 9812 Old Winery Place, Suite 1 Sacramento, CA 95827 Or e-mail Mark or Clayton at: [email protected] [email protected]

Sports Leisure Vacations / July – August 2016

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Casino Daytrips, Ballpark Express The Full Monty Eldorado Hotel & Casino, Reno 2 Days • September 1-2 Based on the hit film of the same name, The Full Monty, a 10time Tony Award-nominee, is filled with honest affection, engaging melodies and the most highly-anticipated closing number of any show. While spying on their wives at a “Girls’ Night Out,” a group of unemployed steelworkers from Buffalo see how much they enjoy watching male strippers. Jealous and out of work, the men come up with a bold and unclothed way to make some quick cash. In preparing, they find themselves extremely exposed; not merely physically but emotionally. As they conquer their fears and their self-consciousness, the men come to discover they’re stronger as a group, and the strength they find in each other gives them the individual courage to “let it go.” Stay overnight at the Silver Legacy Casino Resort with a buffet dinner included prior to the show. There is a $45 credit per person for those not attending the dinner/ show. Stop at John Ascauga’s Nugget for some casino play before heading home the following day. 225/250 Gold Passport Points with dinner/show, 200/225 without dinner/show $225 p.p./dbl.occ., $250 single $180 p.p./dbl.occ., $205 single without dinner/show

The 2016 Ballpark Express Our original Ballpark Express allows you to travel to games in comfort without the traffic, tolls, gas, food stops, etc. Refreshments are served on board the motorcoach on your way to and from each game. You’ll enjoy Lower Box seating for all Giants games. Limited space is available for the remaining games listed.

World Champion San Francisco Giants Wed., Sept. 14

vs. San Diego Padres

12:45pm $160*

Sun., Sept. 18

vs. St. Louis Cardinals

1:05pm

$165

*Includes one-way transportation on the Vallejo Ferry

The Producers Eldorado Hotel & Casino, Reno 2 Days • October 6-7 The Champagne Express to Tahoe Based on the Academy Award-winning 1968 film of the same name, this Mel Brooks masterpiece chronicles the side-splitting Thursday, August 18 adventures of washed-up Broadway producer Max Bialystock Via Apple Hill – Thurs., Sept. 29, or Wed., Oct. 12 Our popular Champagne Express to Harvey’s at Lake Tahoe and his mild-mannered accountant Leo Bloom, as they scheme to continues in 2016. Your 6-hour stay includes a $20 slot credit and get rich quick by producing the most notorious flop in the history $7 food credit. You must be a member of Harvey’s Total Rewards of showbiz. It’s a comic tour-de-force that spoofs the big, oldProgram to receive the bonus! Apple Hill trips include a brief stop fashioned Broadway musical while paying tribute to it at the same at High Hill Ranch for coffee and an apple treat. $50 or $55 (AH) time. Hailed as one of, if not the funniest Broadway musicals of all time, The Producers features a riotous mix of eccentric characters and show-stopping songs including “I Want to Be a Producer,” “When You Got It, Flaunt It,” “Prisoners of Love” and, of course, “Springtime for Hitler.” Stay overnight at the Silver Legacy Casino Contests, , updates Resort with a buffet dinner included prior to Sports Leisure the show. There is a $45 credit per person on your for those not attending the dinner/show. Stop destinations, Cultural Arts and FUN! at John Ascauga’s Nugget for some casino play before heading home the following day. EVERY Sunday 3:00-4:00 PM 225/250 Gold Passport Points with dinner/ KFBK, AM 1530, FM 93.1 Each Sunday, someone who has traveled show, 200/225 without dinner/show with us recently wins a $100 Travel Card, no $225 p.p./dbl.occ., $250 single winner and the value increases $100 a week! Tom Romano and Mark Hoffmann $180 p.p./dbl.occ., $205 single

The Travel Guys Travel News

favorite

without dinner/show

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Sports Leisure Vacations / July – August 2016

Radio Show

The Human Side Learn, Laugh, Reflect Remembering Our Friend Georgia… Over the 37+ years Sports Leisure Vacations has been in existence, we have issued a little over 50,000 Travel Club Membership Cards, enough to populate a large city. Among those numbers have been/are a lot of great people and more than a few interesting characters. A long-time Sports Leisure Traveler, Georgia McDonald recently and unexpectedly passed. Many reading this knew her, because of her longevity and frequency of travel on day and other short trips around California. Those of us at Sports Leisure will miss her. I asked staff members for their impressions of Georgia: Chris Galloway: “Georgia always had a smile and big hug waiting for me...not to mention the chocolate bar that would always magically appear on my seat. I always loved having her along on tour. Love ya, Georgia!” May Wong: “I always enjoyed speaking with Georgia… she was always pleasant and easy going, so upbeat and happy. And she loved her rock ’n roll musicals!” Patricia Hansen: “Watt & Arden; 3rd Row/ Door Side/Aisle; lovely red hair; warm smile; cordial; complimentary; always called me ‘Patricia’; and whenever there was a little memento of the tour on my seat, I knew it was from her.“ Ramona Goodge: “I always got a kick out of Georgia. She was curious and adventuresome when it came to food and drink… once she ate eel. She was always after me to taste the latest martini concoction… Pumpkin pie martini, red hot tamale martini or a Moscow mule… and to share her oysters… We loved to talk about the latest food trends and places to eat in Sacramento. She had a great sense of humor and adventure. One of these days I am going to get up the courage to have a martini and eat something outrageous in her honor.” Donnie Anderson: “Even if she couldn’t join us at our Preview Days, she would always show up at the office or on the next trip with an armload, or more, of whatever we were

collecting for someone in the community. She never missed an opportunity to share with others.” HHHHHHHH

To me, Georgia was a lady of great courage. Despite handicaps which would have kept most people home-bound, she journeyed on. I rarely heard her complain about anything, even though some days I could tell she was not doing well. Our last trip together, to Pleasanton for the Farmer’s Market, then home on the Lincoln Highway, was enjoyable. She gave me a big smile when she boarded the bus. You never know when you will see someone for the last time… We have been lucky through the years, to have so many wonderful people climb aboard the Sports Leisure motorcoach. Many are remarkable people with remarkable stories. I never really learned

Georgia’s. The celebration of her life will be on Friday, August 19th at 11:30am at The Sutter Club downtown. I will be there, as will Ramona. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if some of her traveling friends were there? An RSVP is requested. If you would like to attend, call May at our office and she will give you the info. – Mark

More Traveling Friends Who Are No Longer With Us John “Jack” Patrick Murphy Bill Richardson Kevin Stanley Walter “Art” Sutter Allan Reichle If you know of a deceased member who should be listed here, please drop me a note at [email protected].

ARE WE THERE YET?

Sports Leisure Vacations / July – August 2016

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Day Trips & Theatre Outings The Great American West de Young & Legion of Honor Museums, SF Thursday, August 11 The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco have put together two outstanding exhibits in celebration of the American mythology of our “great & wild west.” Begin the day at the de Young with: Ed Ruscha and the Great American West. In celebration of his influential career and fascination with the west, the exhibit includes more than 80 artistic works of landscapes, desert-scapes, iconic billboards, gas stations, and stretches of roadways that reveal both his romantic and realistic engagement with the American West. In the afternoon travel to the Legion of Honor for its companion exhibit: Wild West: Plains to the Pacific. Wild West combines a collection of paintings, prints, sculptures, drawings, photographs, and artifacts by artists including Albert Bierstadt, Maynard Dixon, Eadweard Muybridge, Frederic Remington, Ed Ruscha, and our own Wayne Theibaud. Lunch is on your own at either of the museum cafes. $109

The Mikado

Bankhead Theatre, Livermore Sunday, August 28 Celebrating its 64th season in style, the Lamplighters of San Francisco bring to the stage Gilbert & Sullivan’s popular operetta with a new twist and setting – Renaissance Italy! In a time when flirting was a capital offense, a handsome wandering minstrel has fallen in love with the beautiful fiancée to the recently appointed Lord High Executioner. Classical songs, chaos, desperation, and comical mayhem ensue in classic Gilbert & Sullivan style, with impromptu marriages, substitute executionees, forged death certificates, and the revelation of a prince in disguise. Lunch is included at The Grill at Poppy Ridge Golf Club en route to the 2pm matinee. $154

staged comedy show poke fun at everyone – politicians, celebrities and other folks in the public eye. The songs are hilarious, the dancing wonderful, and the hats are really, really big! Reserved seats are upstairs (no elevator) in this historic theatre in the center balcony. Enjoy an included lunch at Sports Leisure favorite Viva Italian Restaurant prior to the 2pm matinee. $163

Beautiful: The Carol King Musical Orpheum Theatre, SF Wednesday, September 7 or 14 or Saturday, September 10 Beautiful: The Carole King Musical tells the inspiring true story of King’s remarkable rise to stardom, from being part of a hit songwriting team with her husband Gerry Goffin, to her relationship with fellow writers and best friends Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann, to becoming one of the most successful solo acts in popular music history. Along the way, she made more than beautiful music, she wrote the soundtrack to a generation. The show features a stunning array of beloved songs written by Gerry Goffin/Carole King and Barry Mann/Cynthia Weil, including “I Feel The Earth Move,” “One Fine Day,” “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” and “You’ve Got A Friend.” The Saturday trip includes lunch on your own in Union Square, the 2pm matinee with orchestra seating, and a return to Sacramento following the show. Wednesday trips include a box lunch onboard the coach en route to San Francisco, the 2pm matinee

with orchestra seating, and dinner on your own at Pier 39 following the show. Limited space on some departures. Wednesday – $165, Saturday – $185

Picnic in the Big Trees Featuring Calaveras State Park Thursday, September 8 Travel into the cooler temperatures of the mountains on this trip and enjoy the beauty of the majestic big trees of Calaveras State Park. Experience a “stump” talk with one of the docents, stroll through the ancient sequoias, and dine “al fresco” among the giants with an included boxed lunch. $99

Alcatraz: “The Rock” Monday, September 12 The sights and sounds of Alcatraz come alive during your visit to “The Rock.” Cross over the Golden Gate Bridge and travel to Pier 39 for lunch at one of the area’s oldest restaurants, Swiss Louis’. Our cruise departs for Alcatraz in mid-afternoon with time on the island for exploring on your own with the included audio tour. Return to Sacramento following your visit. $145

Wok & Walk in San Francisco Tuesday, September 20 Enjoy a day of exploration and discovery on this walking tour of colorful Chinatown of San Francisco. This iconic neighborhood is the oldest Chinatown in North America and with Craig Smith as guide visit historic sites that make it so intriguing and picturesque.

Beach Blanket Babylon Club Fugazi, San Francisco Sunday, September 4 There’s nothing quite Beach Blanket Babylon! San Francisco’s longest-running

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Alcatraz still provides a feeling of foreboding. Discover for yourself during our visit to “The Rock”

Sports Leisure Vacations / July – August 2016

Included in our walk are Grant Street, Portsmouth and St. Mary’s Square, a fortune cookie factory, tea shop, and Waverly Place, the street of painted balconies. A traditional family-style Chinese lunch is included at Cathay House plus time for some shopping and exploring on your own before returning to Sacramento. $130

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art Tuesday, September 27 After a two-and-and-a-half year closure for expansion, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) is open again! Recognized as the first museum on the West Coast devoted to 20th-Century art, its collection contains over 33,000 works of painting, sculpture, photography, design, architecture, and media arts. After the remodel, gallery space has more than doubled! Enjoy a docent-led Architectural Tour of the new building followed by free time to explore the expanded galleries and new exhibits. Lunch is on your own in the museum café. $113

Fleet Day on the Bay Sunday, October 9 Enjoy a sumptuous luncheon buffet and cruise aboard Hornblower’s San Francisco Belle. The two-hour cruise is timed to be on the bay during the performance of the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels air acrobatic team. This said, we cannot be responsible for any change in the Fleet Week schedule, including the performance time of the Blue Angles, due to weather or other circumstances. But still, it’s a great day on the bay with free flowing champagne on board the Belle and musical entertainment! $174

2016-17 Gallo Center for the Arts Performances All dates include lunch or dinner prior to the performances The Everly Brothers Experience

Sunday, November 13

3pm

A tribute to the extraordinary harmonies of the Everly Brothers – $161 Vienna Boys Choir: Christmas in Vienna

Friday, November 25

8pm

These young gifted musicians are showcased in an extraordinary program featuring Austrian folk songs, classical masterpieces and holiday favorites – $169 Home Free Holiday Show

Wednesday, November 30

7:30pm

Featuring the a cappella champions of NBC’s “The Sing-Off” singing holiday favorites – $169 Irish Christmas

Saturday, December 3

3pm

Celebrate the Christmas traditions of Ireland through song and dance – $169 The King: Music of Elvis

Saturday, January 14

8pm

Friday, February 3

8pm

A tribute to the King’s must iconic songs – $169 Comic Strippers

No extreme nudity, just a hilarious parody of male strippers… recommended for the gals who just want to have an evening of fun! – $157 Midtown Men

Saturday, February 4

8pm

Four stars from the original “Jersey Boys” cast celebrate the music of the 60’s – $178 Masters of Soul

Friday, March 31

8pm

A tribute to the look and sound made famous by the great Motown stars – $157 Rave On! The Buddy Holly Experience

Tuesday, May 2

7:30pm

The premiere Buddy Holly interpreter breathes new life into Holly’s music in this electrifying performance – $161 DooWoop Project

Saturday, June 10

8pm

This show traces the evolution of guys singing tight harmonies on the street corner to today’s biggest radio hits – $161

2016-2017 Santa Rosa Symphony Pops Series All dates include lunch prior to the matinee performances Maestro’s Greatest Hits

Sunday, October 23

3pm

Featuring Greatest Hits from Broadway to Hollywood – $173 A Charlie Brown Christmas

Sunday, December 11

3pm

Songs from the 1965 Peanuts Christmas classic and other holiday favorites – $173 The Great American Songbook

Sunday, February 19

3pm

Cruising the Estuary and Bay

Ann Hampton sings the timeless music of Gershwin, Kern, Sondheim, and Porter – $173

Featuring a cruise along the East Bay Thursday, October 13 Spend the morning exploring the eastern shoreline of San Francisco Bay aboard the River Dolphin. Tour the scenic waterfront and islands, viewing the Oakland Estuary and Yerba Buena Island and lighthouse as you can only from the water. See the new construction of the Bay Bridge as never before, and take a step back as you realize

The symphony and friends pay tribute to the greatest stars of country music – $173

Country Legends

Sunday, April 23

the breadth and magnificence of the bay and its attributes. The trip is fully narrated and binoculars are encouraged since we’ll talk about the natural as well as cultural history of this area. This is a rain or shine tour with a box lunch included during the cruise. $149

3pm

Fall in the Sierra One of our favorite road trips! Tuesday, October 18 Enjoy the beautiful fall scenery as we drive along picturesque Highway 88 through Hope Valley, looking for the shimmering Aspen Tree. Lunch is included at JT’s Basque Restaurant, a Gardnerville landmark, then

Sports Leisure Vacations / July – August 2016

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drive home on along Highway 50 and the American River, passing through the Tahoe Basin, in hopes of sneaking a peak at some fall color along the way. $118

A Day at the Races Golden Gate Fields, Berkeley Thursday, October 20 Our always popular Day at the Races includes a sumptuous buffet lunch and seating in the enclosed Turf Club at Golden Gate Fields by beautiful San Francisco Bay in Berkeley. Enjoy the races from a comfortable table with betting windows conveniently nearby and television monitors throughout the dining room. We’ll arrive to get settled before the first race. $115

Russian Grand Ballet’s The Sleeping Beauty Bob Hope Theatre, Stockton Friday, October 21 Following Russian Grand Ballet’s successful U.S. debut performance during the 2015 North American Tour at the Bob Hope Theatre, the troupe is returning to invite you to the world’s favorite fairy tale! From young to old, many generations have waited for the moment of true love, when Sleeping Beauty opens her eyes, awakened by a kiss from her prince. Featuring majestic sets and Renaissance-inspired costumes, technical brilliance and bravura dancing by outstanding performers, Tchaikovsky’s glorious score and a cast of fantastical characters, the Sleeping Beauty will captivate the hearts and imagination of all generations of ballet enthusiasts. Dinner precedes the 7pm performance at Woodbridge Crossing. $173

The Church Basement Ladies Fallon House Theater, Columbia Wednesday, October 26 A mighty fortress is our basement! This will be our final show at the historic Fallon House this season. Join in the laughter and charm of this divine comedy… it’s 1960 and these pillars of the church stand strong in their faith and friendship. No one can dish out love, life and a casserole like these ladies. Lunch is included at the City Hotel prior to the 2pm matinee. $146

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Anthony Bourdain’s The Hunger Tour War Memorial Opera House, SF Wednesday, November 16 Internationally renowned best-selling author, television host and multiple Emmy Award®-winner Anthony Bourdain visits San Francisco’s War Memorial Opera House for one show only! The Hunger Tour serves audiences an all-new live show featuring an unyielding, brutally honest monologue reflecting on diverse culture, street cuisine, and his travels to lesserknown locations around the world, followed by an open questions and answer session. Bourdain promises to bring the audience a menu loaded with lots of laughs, serious discussions and unapologetic irreverence. A no-host dinner stop at Pier 39 is included prior to 7:30pm curtain is included. A limited number of Prime Orchestra seats (Rows N through P) are available and include a copy of Bourdain’s first cookbook in 10 years, Appetites. Regular orchestra seating will be in Rows T through V at a reduced price. $215 (Prime Orchestra), $170 (Orchestra)

Beach Blanket Babylon for the Holidays Club Fugazi, San Francisco Sunday, Nov. 20, Dec. 11 or 18 There’s nothing quite like Beach Blanket Babylon, especially for the holidays! San Francisco’s longest-running staged comedy show pokes fun at everyone – politicians, celebrities and other folks in the public eye. The songs are hilarious, the dancing wonderful, and the hats are really, really big! Reserved seats are upstairs (no elevator) in this historic theatre in the center balcony. Enjoy an included lunch at Sports Leisure Favorite Viva Italian Restaurant prior to the 2pm matinee. $163

Verdi’s Aida War Memorial Opera House, SF Sunday, November 27 Giuseppe Verdi’s Egyptian epic is the grand setting for the intimate love story of military hero Radames and the Ethiopian slave girl Aida. The tragic conflict between their passionate love and patriotic duty unfolds in a series of gripping confrontations within its glorious score. In a new production

Sports Leisure Vacations / July – August 2016

inspired by contemporary artist RETNA, enjoy Verdi’s melodic and dramatic music including the magnificent Triumphal March. Your choice of seating is in the side sections of the Orchestra or Dress Circle of the first balcony for the 2pm matinee. Be advised that Dress Circle requires the use of steep stairs with no availability of handrails. A stop is included in Union Square for a no-host lunch prior to the 2pm matinee. Orchstra – $215 or Dress Circle – $186

Return of the Cranes A sunset viewing of the Sandhill Cranes Tuesday, November 29 Sandhill Cranes return to the rich farmland of the Delta each year as they make their way down the great Pacific Flyway from the north. The optimum time to view these large birds is at dusk as they take flight, returning to the Crane Reserve at sunset. At the reserve, listen to their haunting calls that are like the sound of a distant French horn. A late lunch is included at Woodbridge Winery following an earlier visit to the Cosumnes River Nature Preserve. This trip returns after dark and is a rain or shine experience. $135

Cirque du Soleil’s Luzia AT&T Park, SF Sunday, December 4 or 18 Discover Luzia, where a waking dream transports you to an imaginary Mexico. Experience a wondrous world that inspires you to explore your senses, enveloped in light and nurtured by rain. Inspired by the cultural richness of Mexico, Cirque du Soleil’s upcoming Big Top production features original music written by Canadian composer Simon Carpentier. The Luzia album takes Carpentier’s original music written for a live acoustic setting and passes it through the filter of the electro-pop of Nortec Collective’s Bostich + Fussible, infused with brassy Mexican and Latin American sounds. This trip will include lunch at your leisure in Union Square preceding the 1:30pm matinee with prime seating at the show. Return home immediately following the performance. $164

Visit us on the web at: www.sportsleisure.com

The Barber Pole, or Once Over Lightly For Emergencies Only Not long after we came into existence, our company distributed an “Emergency Card” to each traveler before every long trip, asking for medical and contact information. Travelers complained about having to fill them out, and I personally didn’t like the idea of having access to so much or your personal information. Of course the cards were returned to travelers or destroyed after each trip, but still it wasn’t a process that was popular with travelers. We ended it at least 10-15 years ago. At a recent staff meeting, we discussed the fact that we have absolutely no emergency contact information for those traveling with us. If you became seriously ill, or were involved in an accident, we would have no way of notifying those who care about or for you of the circumstances. So effective immediately, we have decided to collect emergency contact information when you register for a tour. We will ask for the name, phone number and email address of a person you wish to be your emergency contact. Simple. Important. There won’t be any cards to fill out, you won’t share anything about yourself, other than just providing us a person to contact in an emergency. We just wanted to vet that new change here so everyone would be aware of it. Of course, you do not have to provide this information, and we will not question you if you choose not to. We just want to be in a position to help if there is a serious problem.

Travelers of Size An issue has arisen regarding passengers of size. Actually, it comes up from time to time, when a traveler complains that their personal space was taken/occupied by a fellow traveler who was so large they could not possibly fit in their own space/seat. There is nothing we can do about the width Proud members of the

of airline/bus seats, with the exception of SuperCoach, which has provided its patrons with extra leg room for decades, because we ask the coach to be designed that way. But it hardly seems fair that one traveler takes space from another, even if it’s not intentional. It is also acknowledged that this is a delicate subject. It is not our desire to embarrass anyone, here or on the coach, but we are asked increasingly often, what our “policy” is on passengers of size. Here’s is what we have come up with, patterned after the policies of major airlines.

Guidelines for Travelers of Size Sports Leisure Vacations recognizes the importance of safe and comfortable seating for all travelers while on tour. Travelers who are unable to sit comfortably within the space provided by your seat when the armrests are in the down position are asked to book the adjacent seat when making their reservations. The fee for the additional seat is a portion of the tour price and will be calculated at the time of reservation. In the event the tour is not sold out, the cost of the second seat will be refunded upon the tour’s conclusion. A traveler can be denied travel on the day of departure if, the traveler of size was unwilling to purchase an additional seat, is unable to fit safely in their assigned seat without infringing on the space of the second traveler, and the tour is sold out and no other options are available. We want everyone to feel welcome, to be comfortable and enjoy their travels with us. We hope this policy will be a step in that direction. Your comments are welcome and encouraged. [email protected] or call our office and ask for Mark or Kevin.

Change in Amtrak Policy Means Make Reservations Early Amtrak, our national railroad, has made some changes in the way they allow tour companies to reserve and pay for group space on trains. The new policy requires non-refundable deposits SIX months prior to departure. This may restrict our

www.facebook.com/sportsleisure ability to sell trips with Amtrak components in them. For example, we must deposit next winter’s snow trains in September, so that is why you see them listed for reservations now. Will travelers think of snow when it’s 105°F outside? That remains to be seen. But for now, if you see an Amtrak trip you want to take, you will need to register and get your deposit in early. If we don’t get enough early reservations and Amtrak doesn’t back off the policy, there may be fewer rail excursions.

I Didn’t Pay for My Tour on Time, Now What? Recently, a traveler called the office to complain that we had called him regarding payment for a tour. Our fault, not for calling him, but for not noticing he hadn’t paid for his day trip until six days before it left. Interestingly enough, when the client called to complain, we noted in his records that he regularly doesn’t pay on time and has been called before. So we parted ways with one of our traveling family. Everyone has to take personal responsibility for their reservations. If your payments are not received on time, with a reasonable grace period (what’s reasonable depends on the departure date), we will make an attempt to contact you. If we cannot reach you, we will cancel your reservation and give your seat to someone on the waitlist. If we reach you, we will necessarily need to collect your tour payment at the time of the call by credit card. There is a $10 call fee added to late payments collected by phone to cover the cost of the collection effort.

office hours: 9:00am – 4:30pm MON. thru FRI. Closed weekends & major holidays CLOSED TUES. 12:00pm – 1:15pm

Sports Leisure Vacations / July – August 2016

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Teasers & Teaser Updates The following are destinations we are considering for 2016 and beyond. If you have an interest and would like to be among the first contacted to sign up if these tours come to fruition, please call or email our office to place your name on the Priority Notification List!

Canada Coast to Coast by Rail 10 Days • Spring 2017 A popular rail journey we have not offered in several years, but the exchange rate is once again in our favor and the beauty of Canada remains unchanged! Fly to Halifax and spend two nights in town with local touring to include famous picture spot Peggy’s Cove. Then board The Ocean, an overnight train bound for Montreal. Enjoy lunch and then stay overnight before continuing your rail journey to Toronto along the St. Lawrence River on board VIA Rail’s Corridor train. Lunch is served at your seat during the trip in your First Class car. Two nights in Toronto with local touring and dinner at the CN Tower are followed by a final rail adventure of 4 nights aboard VIA Rails’ famous Train #1, The Canadian. Travel past the lakes of Ontario, the open spaces of the prairie provinces, and through the Canadian Rockies. Return home from Vancouver.

California’s Magnificent Missions

Cruising Around Cape Horn & South America 16 Days • Spring 2017 Cruising aboard Holland America’s ms Zaandam is cruising in style. A much smaller ship than the “mega” ships that are on the world’s oceans, she accommodates fewer than 1,500 passengers. Begin your voyage with a two-night stay in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Your ports of call include Montevideo, Uruguay and the Falkland Islands before passing through the Strait of Magellan. Visit Punta Arenas, Chile and Ushuaia, Argentina and experience the amazing scenic beauty of Glacier Alley, one of the most magical seascapes on the planet, as Patagonian tidewater glaciers unfold one by one at the tip of South America. Finish your voyage in Santiago, Chile.

Treasures of Thailand Spring 2017 Thailand, known as the land of smiles, has friendly people, exciting markets and delicious cuisine. Visit ornate Buddhist temples and learn about the traditions which are ingrained in everyday life. Start in Bangkok before heading to the beautiful and relaxing northern countryside of Chang Mai and Chang Rai. Allow time to pause and reflect during a stay on the lush tropical island of Koh Samui. Come along and experience a vibrant culture that is unlike any other in Asia. Prepare to be enchanted!

Kenya Wildlife Safari 10 Days • June 2017 Experience an exclusive safari to Kenya, a country in East Africa that is home to a stunning variety of protected mammals and birds. With your personal driver/guide spend two nights at Sweetwaters Tented Camp on a private conservancy, home to many endangered animals, including the black rhino. Next, drive to Lake Naivasha in the Great Rift Valley to stay two nights at the luxurious Sopa Resort where hippos leave the lake each night to trim the resort’s lawn. A short flight delivers you to the famed Masai Mara to spend four nights. On daily game drives, view some of Africa’s largest prides of lion, herds of zebra, elephants, buffalo, wildebeest, giraffe, and the solitary cheetah and leopard. Visit local villages and meet the brilliantly beaded Masai people who herd their animals across vast stretches of savannah.

The Canadian Rockies Featuring Banff and Lake Louise 6 Days • July 2017 Banff & Lake Louise have a rich heritage as two of the world’s most awe-inspiring mountain destinations. With easy access to pristine wilderness you feel truly immersed in nature. Attractions include gondola rides in both Banff and Lake Louise to see expansive vistas of the Rocky Mountains. Drive the famous Icefields Parkway, rated

Spring 2017 California history unfolds along the Camino Real as you retrace the steps of Father Serra. Fly to San Diego where the first mission was founded. Meet Supercoach and spend 6 days traveling back to Sacramento, visiting 11 historic missions along the way. Each one has its own unique design and story. Learn of the challenges and triumphs experienced by both the missionaries and Native Americans during the founding of our great state.

Visit us on the web at: www.sportsleisure.com 12

Discover beautiful Lake Moraine, high in the Canadian Rockies

Sports Leisure Vacations / July – August 2016

as one of the top drives on the planet. Just when you think it couldn’t get any more beautiful, it does! Take an amazing ride on a massive all-terrain Ice Explorer to trek onto the surface of the Athabasca Glacier. Lake Louise is world famous for its turquoise lake, the Victoria Glacier, soaring mountain backdrop, palatial hotel, and incredible hiking.

is next, home to breathtaking landscapes, mouthwatering food and Michelangelo’s Florence. End with three nights in “The Eternal City” of Rome with a full day each to explore her ancient antiquities and the vast collections and holy spaces within Vatican City. Travelers are encouraged to be in good health as this vacation includes extremely long walks over extended periods of time.

Fall in Love with Canada & New England

Royal India

Featuring a 10 Day Cruise from Québec City to New York Fall 2017 The ships of Holland America are the perfect complement to a fall foliage cruise through New England and the Atlantic Provinces of Canada. Begin in the historic walled city of Québec City with a twonight stay. Cruise the Gulf of St. Lawrence and enjoy port calls in Charlottetown on Prince Edward Island along with Sydney and Halifax, Nova Scotia. Cruising south visit picturesque Bar Harbor, Maine and Gloucester, Massachusetts. See the summer “cottages” of the rich and famous in Newport, Rhode Island before ending your voyage with a two-night stay in New York City.

Italy… That’s Amore! 9 Days • September/October 2017 Imagine an autumn visit to Italy after the summer crowds and temperatures are long gone. Begin with two nights in the magical city of Venice which you will explore both on foot and by gondola. Two nights in Tuscany

Teaser Update These ideas appeared last publication. Here’s an update on their status.

Not Enough Interest – Not Scheduled • Branson and the Ozark Mountains Christmas Spectacular • U.S. Figure Skating Championships

Plenty of Interest – On the Tour Schedule NOW!

Fall 2017 India’s northern region is a rich mosaic of culture, natural beauty and wildlife. See majestic mountains, lush forests, vast deserts and ancient monuments. Visit a wildlife sanctuary to see Bengal Tigers, the Taj Mahal in Agra, and the holy city of Varanasi. Join the hustle and bustle by day and retreat to the luxury of your premier hotel each evening. Lose yourself in the sights, sounds and tastes of a magical destination.

• Meet Mr. Las Vegas! • The NEW Colorful Southern Coast • Ireland’s Castles, Manor Houses and

Thanksgiving & Oktoberfest in Canada

• New Orleans… and All That Jazz • Croatia by Land and Sea • The Preakness Stakes

Fall 2017 Yep, Canada has a Thanksgiving too… and it coincides with Oktoberfest! Visit the Waterloo Region just west of Toronto, where a large German population lives. The folks here celebrate Oktoberfest in style and with due deference to their German ancestors. Attend a local parade and festival with games and experience great German food and beer! Spend a day traveling through Mennonite country where you have a delicious Thanksgiving dinner. Before returning home, spend two days exploring Niagara Falls. Everyone has a view of the falls from their room! Grab your lederhosen and let’s go to Canada!

Ice Magic Festival in the Canadian Rockies

If you’ve ever thrown a coin into the Trevi Fountain, you know you will be returning to Rome

Featuring the Lake Louise ice carving competition 5 Days • January 2018 Set in the spectacular surroundings of Lake Louise, the Ice Magic Festival is a world-

Gardens

Plenty of Interest – in the Catalog in September • Hollywood & Jeopardy! • Desert Beauty: Anza Borrego and

Joshua Tree • Take the Sunset Limited to New

Orleans

Special Circumstances • Cuba is Calling – prices are up

30% and the upscale hotels we used are not available. Chris says it could be awhile before we return. He also advises a word of caution if you decide to buy a Cuba package elsewhere. Make absolutely certain it’s as advertised. class event with over 20 years of history. Watch as talented ice artists from around the world skillfully sculpt towering one-of-a-kind works of art from 300lb blocks of solid ice over a grueling 34 hours. You are able to wander amongst the emerging sculptures watching the magic in action. Attractions will include a horse drawn sleigh ride around Lake Louise and a helicopter flight into the wilderness where dog sleds will be waiting to take you for a ride. Visit the town of Banff and ride the gondola for awesome views.

office hours: 9:00am – 4:30pm MON. thru FRI. Closed weekends & major holidays CLOSED TUES. 12:00pm – 1:15pm

Sports Leisure Vacations / July – August 2016

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New Vacations & Getaways Meet Mr. Las Vegas, Wayne Newton Featuring a hosted visit to Wayne Newton’s Shenandoah Estate 3 Days • January 10-12 Special trips like this come along once in a lifetime. Our only wisdom would be to reserve early, because this trip is going to sell out very quickly and it cannot be duplicated. Not only will you get to meet Wayne Newton in person, but you will be entertained by another Las Vegas legend, Rich Little. Depart at 10am on your morning flight to Las Vegas. The first day’s activities include lunch and a mid-afternoon visit to the Mob Museum, which will acquaint you with some of Vegas’ more “colorful” historical characters. Check into the Treasure Island Hotel for two nights on The Strip. Tonight, enjoy a 7pm curtain for Rich Little, the popular impressionist, who is still going strong! Your morning is free for personal adventures the second day. We’ll gather for lunch at Grimaldi’s, a pizza parlor first made famous in Brooklyn, now found here on the west coast. Then we are off to Shenandoah, Wayne’s estate, to see the exotic animals, Arabian Horses and spectacular décor. During part of our stay at Shenandoah, we will be joined by Mr. Newton, who will perhaps share a story or two. This is a private meet-and-greet, for our group only. Our final day is highlighted by a walking and gaming tour on Fremont Street (6 blocks), lunch at Sam’s Firelight Buffet, and a visit to Ethel M’s Chocolate Experience before our 4pm flight home. The package includes 3 lunches, 2 nights at Treasure Island, tickets to see Rich Little, the tour at Shenandoah, all attractions as listed, your airfare, and door-to-door airport service. Tour Directors: Mark and Chris. 1200/1300 Gold Passport Points $1195 p.p./dbl.occ., $1285 single $ave $25 until August 26

Vacation & Tour Preview Day SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17

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A fresh dusting of snow and Yosemite’s Half Dome is seen in a new light

Winter at the Majestic Ahwahnee Featuring an overnight stay inside Yosemite National Park 2 Days • January 29-30 This trip is a Sports Leisure Vacations’ favorite! And the focus is all about the Ahwahnee Hotel… recently re-named The Majestic Yosemite Hotel. But for this writer, and many others, it will always be the Ahwahnee! 1. Travel through the Central Valley to Yosemite National Park and to the historic Ahwahnee Hotel, built in 1926. Sunday Brunch is presented in the Ahwahnee Dining Room, with its 34 foot-high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows. A guided tour of the public areas of the hotel deepens your appreciation for the architecture and interior design of this grand structure. Pause for a cup of tea in the Grand Lounge while awaiting check-in at 5pm. The evening is yours to enjoy the historic surroundings. Ahwahnee Hotel (BR) 2. Exploring the valley during the winter is very different than during other times of the year; perhaps you will wake up to a fresh dusting of snow? Learn more about winter in Yosemite and enjoy the spectacular views as you explore from one end of the valley to the other from the comfort of a heated coach

Sports Leisure Vacations / July – August 2016

with a local guide this morning. There is time for lunch on your own before departing. This package includes motorcoach transportation, accommodations, 1 brunch, all tours and attractions as listed above and the services of a Sports Leisure Vacations Tour Director. 750/850 Gold Passport Points $705 p.p./dbl.occ., $820 single $ave $20 until August 26 Add door-to-door service for $80 p.p.

Take the Snow Train to Reno All aboard Amtrak’s California Zephyr for the Sierra Nevada 2 Days • February 14-15 or March 7-8 The high Sierra is a winter wonderland experience as Amtrak’s California Zephyr climbs through the mountains, providing magnificent winter vistas. Your journey begins from one of our convenient pickups and the train departs from Roseville. Don’t worry about your luggage – it will travel on board our motorcoach which will meet you in Reno! Once aboard the California Zephyr, enjoy relaxing views from your seat or from the domed observation car. A box lunch is included for you to take on the train so you won’t miss the scenery! Once you arrive in Reno, check into your accommodations at the Silver Legacy Casino/Resort. Enjoy a

free morning at leisure the next day or make an optional visit to John Ascauga’s Nugget in nearby Sparks before returning home by motorcoach. The package includes one-way rail passage on Amtrak’s California Zephyr, a boxed lunch, hotel accommodations, casino bonuses (subject to change), and return transportation by motorcoach. 300/350 Gold Passport Points $279 p.p./dbl.occ., $309 single $ave $20 until August 26 Add door-to-door service for $80 p.p.

The New Colorful Coast 7 Days • March 10-16 We’ve combined the best of this year’s Colorful Mystery Coast and our signature Colorful Carolina Coast itineraries into a new tour containing the highlights of both in a shorter format. It’s perfect for the first-time and return visitor alike! Jacksonville/St. Augustine: Begin on Florida’s north coast with a day in historical St. Augustine, North America’s oldest city founded in 1565. Tour the city by trolley and explore the 17th-Century Castillo de San Marcos. Sheraton Hotel Jacksonville – 2 nights Jekyll Island/Savannah: A day on Georgia’s Jekyll Island reveals the Millionaires’ Village – hideaway for America’s rich and famous in the early 20th-Century – and the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, rehabilitating and returning hundreds of these beloved sea creatures to the wild each year. Since 1733, Savannah has been Georgia’s most historic address and one of the country’s top visitor destinations. Come see why as you tour her famous squares, learning of pirates and ghosts, belles and beaus, slaves and scalawags. All have a story to tell here, and all contributed to the life of this great city in equal measure. Of course, you’ll enjoy our signature progressive dinner with the final course of Toot’s famous prune cake served at Clayton Place. Staybridge Suites Savannah Historic District – 2 nights Charlestown: Your Charleston experience begins on the Ashley River Road. Once lined with magnificent plantations, it was the seat of the Rice Empire in the New World for over a century. Today three plantations remain

and you’ll tour the grandest, Drayton Hall, amazingly unchanged since its construction in 1742. Tour “The Holy City” of Charleston, birthplace of the Civil War, by land and water – the former by horse and carriage, the latter by harbor cruise – and discover for yourself the stunning beauty and amazing history of The Low Country. Meeting Street Inn – 2 nights This tour will include door-to-door airport service, roundtrip airfare, deluxe motorcoach service, 12 meals, and attractions/ admissions as listed in the itinerary. Please see our website for the complete day-by-day itinerary. Tour Director: Clayton Whitehead. 3100/3450 Gold Passport Points $3065 p.p./dbl.occ., $3445 single $ave $125 until August 26

Ireland’s Castles, Manor Houses and Gardens 9 Days (7 nights) • April 2-10 Usually a vacation title tells you more about what you’re going to do and less about where you’re going to sleep. Not this time. Our brand new itinerary to the Emerald Isle is all about the accommodations featuring three of Ireland’s most exclusive historic castles and manor inns and the time to enjoy them. Websites are included so you can see the quality and beauty of these accommodations for yourself! Begin with 3 nights in County Kilkenny’s 5-star Mt. Juliet Estate, home to the

Earls of Carrick who reimagined their manor home into its present form in 1755. www.mountjuliet.ie. Have you ever dreamed of living in an enchanted castle? Your wish is our command… for 3 nights at least! Solis Lough Eske Castle is located in County Donegal, on the north coast of the Emerald Isle. Another 5-star resort in a storybook setting, its history dates back to the 1400s. www.solishotels.com/lougheskecastle/. Having proven to be a favorite among Sports Leisure travelers in the past, a final night at Barberstown Castle Hotel puts you in suburban Dublin – a perfect place to stage for your return flight – yet feels a world away. When (if?) you can pull yourself away, daily guided sightseeing expeditions will include amazing scenery from rugged coast to fertile midland – gardens, lighthouses and even more castles! Visit National Stud, Waterford Crystal Factory, Tweed Center and the Ulster American Folk Park presenting other unique aspects of Irish culture and pride. This is Ireland as we’ve never offered it before! The Luck o’ the Irish will be yours, indeed, if you come along! 5350/6350 Gold Passport Points $5330 p.p./dbl.occ., $6320 single* $ave $150 until August 26 *Only 15 double and 5 single rooms available! This tour requires a valid passport!

The Solis Lough Eske Castle is one of three spectacular accommodations hosting you in Ireland Sports Leisure Vacations / July – August 2016

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The Tour Calendar (Previously Announced) 7 Days

Sept. 24-30

Rails Around Colorado

3 seats remain in our group of 25. Fly to Colorado Springs and then visit Canon City (the Royal Gorge). There are 3 train rides, the Royal Gorge Scenic Railway, the Cumbres & Toltec and the Durango-Silverton (the last two are narrow gauge). Visit the historic cities of Ouray, Durango and Telluride. The package includes 11 meals and roundtrip air to Colorado Springs/from Durango. See the complete itinerary online. Tour Director: Scott Angeletti. $3330 p.p./dbl.occ., $3740 single 7 Days

Sept. 25 – Oct. 1

National Treasures of the Old West

2 seats remain. Featuring The Black Hills, Crazy Horse Memorial, Deadwood and Mount Rushmore, this is one of Ramona’s favorite trips. You’ll visit Deadwood, a true old west town; learn about the buffalo/bison, visit Boot Hill and enjoy lunch in one of the saloons. At Crazy Horse, you will be one of an exclusive few to go up on the mountain! You’ll see Mt. Rushmore and drive through Badlands National Park, even stopping at famous Wall Drugs, perhaps the most unique drug store on the continent. Travel south to Hot Springs, where you can learn about Woolly Mammoths. Finally, visit Custer State Park for the park’s annual buffalo roundup. It’s a unique event and Ramona is the perfect Tour Director to show it off. 10 meals, roundtrip air to/from Rapid City. $3080 p.p./dbl.occ., $3480 single 3 Days

Sept. 27-29

Luxury in La Jolla

2 seats available. This short getaway features a concert at the Welk Theater by the man considered to be the best Neil Diamond tribute artist (search Jason Lohrke on the net). Enjoy two nights at the Embassy Suites Hotel in La Jolla, featuring cocktails and breakfast. Lunch is at the Hotel del Coronado one day and you’ll have the opportunity to explore the San Diego Zoo on another. There’s even a short tour of La Jolla, with time for lunch on your own. 5 meals and air included. Tour Director: Chris Galloway. $1365 p.p./dbl.occ., $1555 single 12 Days

Oct. 2-13

A Cruise on the Blue Danube

3 nights in Prague, Czech Republic, with breakfast and city tour; 7 nights on the Amadeus Royal river cruise ship. includes shore excursions in Passau, Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Melk, and Durnstein. All meals on board ship. Launched in 2005 and refitted in 2015, your ship is one of the finest on European rivers. Because she draws a small amount of water, low water levels do not generally impact her (a recent problem with fall cruises on the rivers when water is low). All cabins have unrestricted views of the scenery through wide, glass panoramas. For more details on this unique vacation, we recommend you call Michael Downer at our office to reserve your cabin. Tour Director: Clayton Whitehead. This tour requires a valid passport. Prices start at $5735 p.p./ dbl.occ., $6535 single

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Sports Leisure Vacations / July – August 2016

4 Days

Oct. 2-5

The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

3 seats available. Additional information available online. Stay 3 nights at the Hilton Garden Inn and enjoy a variety of balloon viewing experiencees (subject to weather conditions). There is a balloon museum tour, turquoise museum presentation, Sandia Tram with lunch on top of Sandia Peak and a visit to Albuquerque’s Old Town on the itinerary. 6 meals, r/t air Sac/Albuquerque, Tour Director: Scott Angeletti. Limited space on Oct. 2, Oct. 5-8 is sold out. $1830 p.p./dbl.occ., $2100 single 3 Days

Oct. 14-16

Magnificent Mammoth Lakes, A Fall Foliage Tour

2 seats available. See the fall colors of the Sierra on this “look out the window” trip. Stay 2 nights at the Shilo Inn in Mammoth Lakes and spend a day sightseeing in the area. Activities include visits to Devil’s Postpile and Mono Lake and a drive around the June Lakes Loop, taking in the colors of autumn. Your route to Mammoth is over Yosemite’s Tioga Pass, a spectacular route through Yosemite National Park. The trip home is via Hwy 395 to Lake Tahoe, where you’ll enjoy Sunday Brunch at the Forrest Buffet in Harrah’s. All meals (7) are included (2 are continental breakfasts), Tour Director: Ramona Goodge. $940 p.p./dbl.occ., $1035 single 5 Days

Oct. 22-26

Rails Around Oregon

First offered last year and very popular, this rail trip is back for an encore. Fly to Portland, and head for Union Station for lunch and a visit to the Oregon Rail Heritage Center. Ride the Empire Builder from Portland to White Salmon, WA. Cross back into Oregon and stay in Hood River. Sunday Brunch aboard the Mt. Hood Scenic Railroad is featured on Day 2. Visit Mt. St. Helens, a truly fascinating place, on the morning of Day 3; return to Portland by train from Kelso on Amtrak’s Cascade. One more Amtrak ride on Day 4, on Amtrak down to Eugene on the Coast Starlight. This is only a recap of the train rides, there are sightseeing elements to the itinerary also which can be viewed online or call our office for an itinerary. 8 meals, roundtrip air and all train tickets, Tour Director: Ramona Goodge. $2060 p.p./dbl.occ, $2360 single

Ride and examine all sorts of trains on our visit to Oregon & The Columbia Gorge

6 Days

Nov. 13-18

Tonopah, Laughlin & Las Vegas

Our only all-coach trip of the year to Las Vegas (and Laughlin). There’s a night in Tonopah (Hotel Mizpah or Best Western), 2 nights in Laughlin (Golden Nugget) and 2 nights in Las Vegas (Treasure Island). Sightseeing includes a visit to Oatman, AZ, where Clark Gable and Carole Lombard spent their honeymoon night; and a tour of Shenandoah, Wayne Newton’s Home (see the beautiful Arabian Horses). 6 meals included. Tour Director: Joey Querio $1390 p.p./dbl.occ., $1595 single 6 Days

Rhyolite has seen better days but it sure makes a great ghost town

5 Days

Oct. 29 – Nov. 2

Ghosts & Ghost Towns of Old Nevada

Imagine spending Halloween Eve hunting for lost spirits. Now pretend it’s Halloween Night and you are staying in the haunted Mizpah Hotel in Tonopah, in the middle of the desert. Will your friends ever hear from you again? Or will you become part of a bizarre TV program about the disappearance of an entire tour group… never mind that Area 51, where the aliens land, is just a few miles over the next hill Fast becoming one of our signature tours, this special departure will soon be advertised nationwide. Come meet the ghosts and see the old ghost towns of Nevada. We take you on an authentic ghost hunt, where you can decide for yourself if the spirits are talking to you. (Warning, even the biggest skeptic will be amazed.) After two nights in Las Vegas at Treasure Island, your ghost and mobster tours with Ghost Hunter/Vegas Historian Robert George Allen, and assorted side attractions like the Neon Museum, we head north to Beatty, Rhyolite, Gold Pointe, Goldfield, Tonopah, Belmont and Bodie. Hear the tales and see the sites that make up history here. 2 nights at the haunted Mizpah Hotel in Tonopah (Please note that due to the limited number of 2-bedded rooms at the Mizpah, some guests may be accommodated at the nearby Best Western – which is also available to those afraid of ghosts at the Mizpah.) follows your Las Vegas stay, with a side trip to Belmont, to see the old courthouse and meet local folks. 10 meals, air to Las Vegas from Sacramento included, Tour Director: Mark Hoffmann. $1935 p.p./ dbl.occ., $2295 single 3 Days

Nov. 1-3

Nov. 18-23

Thanksgiving with The Pilgrims & The Rockettes

A most unique holiday combination. Fly to Plymouth, spend two nights (Hampton Inn) and enjoy a variety of pilgrim-related events. Board the Mayflower II, a replica of the original; partake in a traditional Thanksgiving feast; learn a bit of history. Then board the train for NYC. Stay 3 nights at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square, see The Rockettes and a Broadway show. Sightseeing in the city takes you to the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, Wall Street, Central Park, Rockefeller Center, Grand Central Station and much more. 7 meals, plus air and train fares included. Tour Director: Mark and/or Chris. $3335 p.p./dbl.occ., $3755 single, $ave $100 until August 26 6 Days

Nov. 20-25

Thanksgiving in New York City

5 nights in Times Square at one of NYC’s most luxurious addresses, the Marriott Marquis. Enjoy 2 Broadway shows, one you select yourself, and the Christmas Show at Radio City Music Hall. Visit Ellis/Liberty Island, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, see Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (on street viewing, no reserved seats). 6 meals, including a Thanksgiving Dinner Cruise, past the Statue of Liberty. This is the Broadway experience you’ve always dreamed of. Airfare included, Tour Director: Clayton Whitehead. $3890 p.p./dbl.occ., $4465 single, $ave $100 until August 26

THE ULTIMATE THANKSGIVING COMBO TOUR… 8 Days

Nov. 18-25

From the Pilgrims to The Big Apple

Combine the PIlgrims, the Rockettes and NYC and stay for Thankgiving in NYC. The extended package includes everything in both tours. Return the day after Thanksgiving. 9 meals and airfare included. $4320 p.p./dbl.occ., $5050 single, $ave $150 until August 26

Destination: Disneyland

Fly to Orange County and head for Disneyland. You have two full days to visit one or two parks (Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure). Find out more about the parks at www.disneyland.com. The package includes r/t air, 2 nights at the Anaheim Marriott (very near the park), 2 park admissions, dinner at The Anaheim White House with a Disney author, lunch inside Disneyland if you take the included “Walk in Walt’s Footsteps” Tour, lunch at Knott’s Berry Farm the last day. Transportation is provided for all activities. With 2 day DISNEYLAND ONLY pass: $1555 p.p./dbl.occ., $1740 single; with 2 day/2 park pass: $1595 p.p./dbl.occ., $1780 single, $ave $25 until August 26

Santa always makes an appearance at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Sports Leisure Vacations / July – August 2016

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10 Days

Nov. 4-13

Mexico’s Puebla & Oaxaca

Experience the colors, sights and flavors of Colonial Mexico. This vacation is designed to let you experience the regional specialties in three of Mexico’s most interesting cities, Puebla, Oaxaca and Mexico City. Your Mexico City stay is brief, just one full day so you can get a glimpse of the city. 2 nights in Puebla, home of the colorful pottery. Oaxaca is your home for 4 nights, giving you plenty of time to familiarize yourself with the people, the artisans and the Unesco World Heritage sites. One night in Mexico City at the end of the trip is scheduled to position you for your return flight home.

Please view the entire itinerary online, or request a printed copy from our office. 24 meals, all airfares and transportation included, Tour Director: Ramona Goodge. This tour requires a valid passport. $4350 p.p./dbl.occ., $4645 single 6 Days

Nov. 30 – Dec. 5

A Coastal, Colonial, Confederate Christmas in Virginia

This was last year’s Christmas Mystery Tour, and it was such a hit with those who went, we have added a special attraction and brought it back as a public offering. Fly to Norfolk, where you’ll stay 3 nights on Virginia Beach, at a new, beautiful Hilton Garden Inn. Every room has a full-on view of the ocean. Spend two days exploring Virginia Beach. Visit one of the best chocolate stores in the country, tour the Military Aviation Museum and drive down the beach and see the holiday lights. After a visit to Williamsburg to capture a bit of Christmas in the colonies, overnight in Newport News and be part of the annual Hollidazzle night. Fireworks and Christmas fun and you are headquartered at the Marriott Hotel. Finally it’s on to Richmond, to enjoy Sunday Brunch and overnight accommodations at the 5-star Hotel Jefferson, a local landmark. No holiday visit to Richmond would be complete without a tour of some of the “Tacky Lights” the city is known for. Fun, festive and memorable, a great way to ring in the holiday season. 12 meals and air included. Tour Director: Chris Galloway. $3750 p.p./dbl.occ., $3140 single, $ave $100 until August 26th 4 Days

Dec. 6-9

A Desert Resort Holiday in Palm Springs

3 nights at the Hilton Palm Springs Resort, in a great location, right in the heart of town, is one of the highlights of this trip. See two shows at the McCallum Theatre: The Irish Tenors Christmas and Oh, What A Night, featuring the music of Frankie Valli, Andy Williams and more. See the holiday lights at the Living Desert, see some of the fancy digs on the Celebrity Homes Tour and ride to the mountaintops on the aerial tramway. 7 meals and air included. Tour Director: Ramona Goodge. $1890 p.p./dbl.occ., $2120 single, $ave $40 until August 26th

Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/sportsleisure 18

Sports Leisure Vacations / July – August 2016

4 Days

Dec. 23-26

Christmas in Solvang, Santa Barbara, Ventura

Depart Sacramento on SuperCoach, return by air from Burbank. Your first destination is Solvang, America’s Danish Capital, land of windmills and mouth-watering bakeries. A Danish-style smorgasbord dinner awaits and you stay the night at the fancy Hotel Corque. Day 2 brings a walking shopping “tour.” Learn a little about how Solvang started and got its Danish flair, while stopping along the way for an amazing assortment of treats. (See bakeries in the previous paragraph.) Travel through Santa Barbara (we’ll be back) to Ventura, where you’ll stay 2 nights at a beautiful Marriott Hotel, just a short walk from the beach. It’s Christmas Eve and the first of our gift exchanges (the normal one) is slated for after dinner. Christmas Eve services at the historic mission are offered. Christmas morning we return to Santa Barbara. The drive from Ventura is one of the most scenic stretches of highway in the country. A guided historic tour, originally slated by trolley, will be by land/water, on one of the “duck” vehicles. We’ll also take a walk on the pier, weather permitting. Back in Ventura, Christmas Dinner and our “just for fun” gift exchange round out the holiday. On our final day, we avoid the long bus ride home by making a 90-minute drive to Burbank, and catching a flight home. But first, there’s more fun, possibly a stop in Ojai for lunch. The itinerary includes 8 meals and your return airfare. Tour Directors: Chris(elf)/Mark(Santa). $1655 p.p./dbl.occ., $1815 single 3 Days

Dec. 31 – Jan. 2

The Tournament of Roses Parade & A Salute to Vienna

This one is on just about every bucket list, attending the Rose Parade in Pasadena. Because the parade is never held on Sunday, it will be on January 2nd next year. Fly to Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, then travel to the Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley. You’re accommodations for 2 nights are at the Hilton at LAX, centrally located to our attractions. On New Year’s Day, enjoy Sunday Brunch on the Queen Mary. Next is A Salute To Vienna at the Disney Concert Hall, absolutely the equivalent of Carnegie Hall when it comes to sound quality. This unique show recreates a New Year’s Eve show in Vienna, with Strauss waltzes, melodic vocalists and a full orchestra. It is one of the most amazing events we witness on any tour. The last morning brings the big parade. You’ll have reserved bleacher seats to view all the pageantry. The theme of this year’s parade is “Echoes of Success.” Following the parade, lunch is served at the Tam O’Shanter restaurant, before you head to the airport for your return flight. 4 meals and r/t air included. $1510 p.p./dbl.occ., $1660 single, $ave $25 until August 26th

Visit us anytime on the web at: www.sportsleisure.com

17 Days

Jan. 12-28

Cruising the (NEW) Panama Canal

2 seats left. Fly to Ft. Lauderdale and spend the night, then board Holland America’s m/v Rotterdam for your cruise. Ports of call include: Half Moon Cay, Bahamas; Cartagena, Columbia; Panama Canal Transit; Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica; Corinto, Nicaragua; Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala; Puerto Chiapas and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; before disembarking in San Diego. All meals are included on board, plus your airfare, pre-cruise dinner and overnight stay in Fort Lauderdale, ship/airport transfers and taxes. More complete information is available at www.sportsleisure.com, or contact Michael Downer at our office with your questions. This tour requires a valid passport. Inside cabins start at $3880 p.p./dbl.occ., $5155 single; Outside cabins start at $4075 p.p./dbl.occ., $5470 single 7 Days

Jan. 28 – Feb. 3

Key West, Miami & The Everglades

Perhaps because this is one of our most popular tours, and each year it’s limited to 25-28 travelers, only 6 seats remain for the 2017 departure. The complete day-by-day itinerary is listed online. Your destinations are: Fort Lauderdale/Miramar (HI Express), Key Largo (Hampton Inn with a sunset view), 4 nights Key West (Crowne Plaza La Concha). In Key West, you are in a restored historic hotel in the heart of downtown, a preferred location. The attractions list includes: An air boat ride in the Everglades with possible alligator sightings, a narrated tour of Miami Beach and Coral Gables, a visit to the Turtle Hospital in the Keys. In Key West: the Hemingway House, the Butterfly and Nature Conservatory, the Aquarium, the Little White House, an afternoon sail on a clipper ship (you may opt out of the cruise if you wish). Dining is a big part of this adventure: A South American Steak House for dinner on arrival in Fort Lauderdale, dinner at the renowned Fish House in Key Largo, lunch on Sunset Key – a private island, dinner and the cabaret show at LaTeDa, a “Taste of Key West” tour by trolley. In all, 14 meals are included, along with r/t air to Fort Lauderdale, return from Key West. Tour Directors: Chris/Mark. $3840 p.p./dbl.occ., $4400 single Key West is a pedestrian friendly destination and because of that, we walk to many attractions. For this reason, we do not recommend this tour for travelers with serious mobility issues.

Maybe you’ll see one of these during your exploration of Yellowstone in Winter

7 Days

Feb. 10-16

Winter in Yellowstone

Join Scott Angeletti for one of his famous winter adventures. Fly to Jackson Hole, WY and spend 2 nights at the famous Wort Hotel, right in the middle of town. A private safari to the National Elk Refuge is a highlight, along with a visit to the National Museum of Wildlife Art. Then it’s on to the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone, stopping in West Yellowstone for an overnight (Holiday Inn). Travel into the park on custom snow coaches for a day, spending the night in the Old Faithful Snow Lodge. More park exploring, then back to West Yellowstone for an overnight. The Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center is a highlight on Day 5, which ends back in Jackson (Homewood Suites). More details online. The tour is limited to 21 participants. 11 meals, r/t airfare included. $3585 p.p./dbl.occ., $4090 single, $ave $50 until August 26.

Things to Know Before You Go: Airfare: On all trips where air travel is indicated, airfares are included in the listed prices. Home Pick-up: Our exclusive home pick-up is included on all trips listed here of three days or longer. Sacramento Limousines and their partners provide transportation to/from the airport, Sacramento’s Amtrak station or the Sports Leisure Vacations office. Meals: Please refer to the day-by-day itinerary for a break down of the included breakfasts, brunches, lunches and dinners. *Early Registration/Payment Discounts: Trips with a note like this after the price “$40 EPD*,” indicates there is a discount available for Early Registration and Payment. Please refer to the back page of the newsletter for more details on Early Registration/ Payment Discounts. The Fine Print: Our Special Tour & Vacation Notes brochure contains the answers to many often-asked questions. A copy is sent with your reservations.

Now where did that alligator go?

Sports Leisure online: You are invited to visit our website at www.sportsleisure.com for more information on any tour listed here, or call our office and we will be happy to send you a detailed itinerary. Sports Leisure Vacations / July – August 2016

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Sacramento, CA PERMIT NO. 517

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9812 Old Winery Place, Suite 1 Sacramento, CA 95827 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

EARLY PAYMENT Di$count Coupon Early Registration Payment Di$counts listed here expire on Friday, August 26, 2016; or may be withdrawn when 50% of the available space has been reserved. To receive the discount, you must pay in full within ten days of registration. If you accept this option, the monies paid, including the cost of Cancellation Protection, are returned to you in full if you cancel more than 60 days prior to departure for US and Canadian tours or 75 days prior for International tours, regardless of the reason for cancellation. Within the time limits noted above, restrictions on refunds apply. See the Special Vacation Notes & Information brochure for complete details. Nov. – Destination: Disneyland – $ave $25 Nov. – Thanksgiving with the Pilgrims & Rockettes – $ave $100 Nov. – Thanksgiving in NYC – $ave $100 Nov. – From the Pilgrims to The Big Apple – $ave $150 Nov. – A Coastal, Colonial Christmas in Virginia – $ave $100 Dec. – A Desert Resort Holiday in Palm Springs – $ave $40 Dec. – Rose Parade & Salute to Vienna – $ave $25 Jan. – Meet Wayne Newton in Las Vegas – $ave $25 Jan. – Winter at the Ahwahee – $ave $20 Feb. – Winter in Yellowstone – $ave $00 Feb./Mar. – Take the Snow Train to Reno – $ave $20 Mar. – The NEW Colorful Coast – $ave $125 Apr. – Ireland’s Castles, Manor Houses & Gardens – $ave $150

We appraise and/or buy old coins Just about everyone has a jar of old coins sitting around. Turn those coin collections, big and small, into cash. Mark was a coin dealer in his previous life and is interested in expanding his collection. Call for an appointment to have your coins appraised and/or purchased. Find out what your treasures are worth! 916-361-2051 and ask for Bob or Mark.

VALUABLE Coupon $ave $10–$40 per person on Cancellation Protection Valid only when used with the adjacent coupon on the tours listed. Your savings depend on the double-occupancy price of the tour. $ave $10 on tours priced from $451-$800, $ave $20 on tours priced from $801-$2250, $ave $30 on tours priced from $2251-$3500, $ave $40 on tours priced at $3501 or more. The regular cost of this protection is $15-$295, depending on the tour price. To receive the above discounts, you must pay in full within ten days of registration and purchase the protection at the time you pay for your tour. Within 60/75 days of departure (see adjoining coupon), coverage is limited to verified medical emergencies. Please refer to the Special Vacation Notes & Information brochure for details, or call our office.

TOUR UPDATE… A brief list of tours which are sold out, or have only a limited amount of space (10 or fewer seats, number in parenthesis) remaining. Day trips are not listed.

Sold-Out Tours (waiting list available) Laguna Pageant of the Masters (both) Sounds of Music in Leavenworth (both) Holiday Magic at the Ritz & Fairmont Postcards from Puget Sound Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta (Oct. 5-8) Chinese Lanterns in Spokane Wildlife Viewing in British Columbia

Catalina Island Getaway Asheville to Nashville Sedona & The Grand Canyon Christmas Lights Mystery Alaska’s Aurora Borealis International Selkirk Loop

Limited Space (10 or fewer seats) Rails Around Colorado (3) National Treasures of the West (2) Luxury in La Jolla (2) Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta (3) Magnificent Mammoth Lakes (2) Panama Canal Cruise (2) Key West, Miami & The Everglades (6)