Trips & Tours
August
Saturday, August 2nd, 9:00am-5:30pm; Magical Mystery Tour. Where in the world will we find ourselves at the end of today? There’s only one way to find out, so you’ll just have to join the gang, sign up and find out!! We are on a mission to help you discover some of the more obscure, yet interesting places and activities in the area and our very popular Magical Mystery Tours are well-known for getting you “off the beaten path”, so if you enjoy adventure and discovery then join us! Activity fee is $25.00 per person; most visited venues are either FREE or with a nominal participation charge—and don’t forget your camera!! Deadline for sign-ups is Monday, July 28th, or when all available spaces are filled, whichever occurs first.
Tuesday, August 5th, 9:00am-4:30pm; Behind-the-Scenes Tour of the Denver Center for the Performing Arts Complex and the National Center for Voice and Speech. Come and discover some of the fascinating and seldom seen aspects of the theatre world as we explore the artistry and creativity needed to successfully produce a staged event at the famous DCPA Complex including wardrobe, lighting, scenery and production direction that will be available on our extensive guide tour. After a quick lunch, we’ll continue our exploration of the performing world with a intriguing and educational tour of the highly respected National Center for the Voice and Speech, where we’ll see how voice masters help train performers of all kinds to not only extend their range and ability, but also how to best preserve their singing and speaking voices, too! Activity fee is $32.00 per person for transportation and for the two specialized tours. Deadline for sign-ups is Friday, August 1st.
Saturday, August 9th, 8:00am-3:30pm; B-29 Superfortress Open Cockpit Day and Model Rocket Building Day at the Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum and tour of the Peterson Air and Space Museum. Join us for a day of nostalgia, memories and exploration as we travel south to see a true workhorse of the Air Force, the fabled B-29Superfortress (with an opportunity to sit behind the controls!), and to see and learn from the creativity and mechanical prowess on display of the Southern Colorado Rocketeers, members of the local chapter of the National Association of Rocketry, as they instruct you on the art of rocket building …and you get to keep your rocket, too! After lunch, we’ll head back to a specially guided tour of the fascinating exhibits and displays of our own neighborhood Peterson AFB museum dedicated to the legacy and history of Air and Space exploration. Activity fee is $31.00 per person for transportation and entrance to the Pueblo Museum and the B-29; there is no extra fee for the Peterson Museum. Deadline for sign-ups is Monday, August 4th.
Sunday, August 10th, 8:45am-4:00pm; 17th Annual Loveland Sculpture Invitational and Art Show. Join us for a leisurely day strolling among the largest assembled group of sculptors and sculpture in the United States… and with over 300 artists in attendance, what better way to spend a sultry summer day than among some of the finest art possible! Loveland has become the premiere showcase for talented sculptors and you’ll see the best examples of these talented artists ranging from the whimsical to the sublime! From miniatures to monuments, in every conceivable medium, there is something for everyone at this wonderful outdoor event….don’t miss it! Activity fee is $25.00 per person; there is a $5.00 entrance fee for the Art Show payable at the gate. Deadline for sign-ups is Monday, August 4th.
Saturday, August 23rd, 9:30am-5:15pm; Eclectic Shopping in Denver! Get a jump on holiday shopping and indulge yourself and join us as we seek out the best shops and boutiques for the most unique and creative gifts and products available! You’ll have the opportunity to browse through a number of creative treasure troves including multiple racks of vintage clothing, hand-made aromatic candles, funky home furnishings, tempting food creations, charming items for the new mom, memorable accessories and so much more in the Denver area! We’ll take a short lunch break along the way to fortify our shopping prowess and durability, and then we’ll continue to seek out the best that the eclectic shops and their merchants have to offer! Even window shopping can be a hoot!! Activity fee is $25.00 per person. Deadline for sign-ups is Monday, August 18th.
Monday, August 25th, 8:00am-5:30pm; Gaming in Black Hawk and Central City and the Antique Vincent Motorcycle Show. Gather up your loose change, brush up on the art of “drawing to an inside straight” and cool off from the summer heat when you join us for some fun at the red-hot gaming tables at any of the numerous casinos in historic Central City and nearby Black Hawk! Stroll through the casinos in search of the perfect slot machine or card table and while away the day in the historic former mining camps of Central City and Black Hawk, now known as “Gamers’ Heaven in the Clouds”! There will even be a chance to see some of the marvelous World War II era Vincent Motorcycles (known as the “Cadillac of British Motorcycles”) that belong to the lucky members of the North American Chapter of the Vintage Vincent Motorcycle Club on their cross-country tour of the Southwest that will be displayed along the main street of Central City! Activity fee is $25.00 per person. Sign-up deadline is Wednesday, August 20th.
Saturday, August 30th, 7:30am-4:30pm; Visits to selected Farmers’ Markets, Denver’s Urban Gardens and area Garden stores. Bring your favorite produce basket and make sure you bring a sunhat because we’re after the freshest and finest fruits, vegetables, produce and garden-themed decorative items available and we’ll brave the elements to find them! We’ll start off at the Sweet William Market on the Green, voted the best open air market in Denver, and then we’ll be off to check out what the nearby Lonetree Farmers Market has to offer, too! After a healthy lunch, we’ll drop by two of the area’s finest garden stores, Birdsall & Company and Smith & Hawken, both companies are known for their landscaping ideas, decorative pottery and fountains and they are sure to have what you need to enhance your own garden sanctuary! Activity fee is $25.00 per person. Deadline for sign-ups is Monday, August 25th.
September
Sunday, September 7th, 6:30am-5:30pm; Longs Peak Scottish and Irish Highland Festival-Estes Park. Charge up your favorite “morning wake-me-up” commuter cups and join us for the 32nd year of the world-famous Longs Peak Scottish and Irish Festival in beautiful Estes Park and the Festival, the largest meeting of Scottish and Irish clans west of the “old country” is full of activities and Celtic possibilities! Once we arrive into the Fairgrounds in Estes Park you’ll have a mesmerizing schedule of events to choose from including the always entertaining Piping and Drumming competitions, the invigorating Highlands Dancing contests, the loveable Dogs of the British Isles Show, the crowd-pleasing Jousting and Medieval Games, various feats of physical strength competitions and too many arts and crafts vendors and food sellers to count! So invite a friend, add a Mac, Mc or an O’ to your name and come with us for a day of fun, pageantry and discovery! Activity fee is $25.00 per person for door-to-door transportation; admission to the Festival is $25.00 per person payable at the gate. Deadline for sign-ups is Monday, September 1st or when all available spaces are filled, whichever occurs first.
Wednesday, September 10th, 9:00am-4:45pm; Magical Mystery Tour. This will be our last Magical Mystery Tour for the year so we’re going to make it “extra special” for those lucky enough to secure the VERY LIMITED number of seats for this end-of-year extravaganza, so sign up today and leave the FUN to us! Whether this is your first time or your umpteenth time to join us on our “undisclosed destinations” Magical Mystery Tours, you are sure to have FUN, meet like-minded adventurers, and discover some really “off-the-beaten-path” venues in the local area that may have escaped your attention!!! Along the way we’ll provide clues for you to decipher as to where our next stop might be, but we can’t divulge any other hints or information and your intrepid and “sealed-lips” guide isn’t talking!!! We will let you know if any special clothing, footwear, passports or up-to-date immunization records are needed….. but we can’t divulge any more details, so invite a friend and come and have some fun! We’ll explore new venues, you might meet new friends and you just might learn something about the beautiful and fascinating areas around us!!! Activity fee is $25.00 per person; visited venues will either be FREE or may require a small participation charge. The sign-up deadline is Wednesday, September 3rd or when all available spaces are filled, whichever occurs first!
Wednesday, September 17th thru Friday, September 19th -3day/2night Overnight Fall Foliage Trip. Invite a friend and join us as we travel into the High Country for an excursion to the shimmering golden hues of the turning aspens and the gorgeous autumn colors on display as we experience Mother Nature in all her finery!! Our travels will first take us over Independence Pass and the Continental Divide, and then we’ll have a leisurely lunch high above the beauty of Aspen, and eventually check into our overnight lodgings in Snowmass. After a restful sleep and check-out, it’s an early morning visit to the majestic Maroon Bells just as the sun’s rays caress the aspen-festooned slopes, then we’ll travel onward with stops in Redstone and Marble as we motor through the world’s largest stand of aspens on Kebler Pass into Crested Butte, where we’ll spend the night before heading back the next day with stops at the ghost town of Gothic and at tranquil Taylor Reservoir and then over Cottonwood Pass towards home! This has become one of our most popular trips into the beautiful Rockies during the Fall months, so don’t delay in letting us know of your interest in joining us! A full itinerary with complete details is only a request away!! Join us for fun, discovery and adventure amid the numerous breathtaking sights and vistas that we’ll visit as they are gloried with the varied colors of autumn…and create treasured memories of a lifetime! SPACES ARE LIMITED!! Package price is $425.00 for singles and $565.00 for couples and the deadline for signups is Monday, September 1st, or when all available space is filled!!
Thursday, September 18th, 9:00am-4:45pm; Architectural Styles of Denver. Join us for a educational and exploratory walking tour of downtown Denver where you’ll learn about the amazing histories and interesting backgrounds of some of the “grand old ladies” of the area including the famous May D&F Tower, the Oxford Hotel, the ornate Boettcher Theatre, the “tripleness” of the stately Trinity Church, the historic Elephant Park, the inspiring State Capitol…and we’ll even have lunch at the historic Brown Palace Hotel along the way! So whether you’re an aficionado of award-winning architecture or you’re an appreciative fan of history THIS is the tour for you!! Activity fee is $25.00 per person, which does not include lunch costs which will depend on individual choices. Sign-up deadline is Friday, September 12th.
Saturday, September 20th, 8:00am-4:30pm; Tea and Chocolate Lovers UNITE tour! It’s during the peaceful days of Autumn that we naturally turn our thoughts to reflect on the beauty around us, so why not combine beguiling and fragrant tea leaves and premium chocolates to soothe your soul? You can pick up some great deals at the numerous tea rooms and emporiums that we’ll visit… and perhaps you’ll discover just the teapot that you’ve been yearning for! After a quick lunch along the way, we’ll continue the day’s tour as we drop in and visit with a few of the fabulously tasty and visually-pleasing fancy chocolatiers in the Denver area! You’ll learn of the origin of the various kinds of chocolates available and the expertise that is needed to meld the tempting flavors together to create the delicious forms of chocolates available………and oh, those tasting sessions are not to be missed! So plan to join us on this tour that is designed to warm the cockles of your heart and to soothe the cravings of your soul! There will be additional minimum charges for the tea and chocolate tasting sessions that we have planned for you, and of course, all personal purchases are not included in the activity fee of $25.00 per person. Space is limited for this very popular tour! The deadline for sign-ups is Monday, September 15th or when all available spaces are filled, whichever occurs first.
Sunday, September 21st, 9:45am-4:00pm; the 14th Annual Chile & Frijoles Festival in Pueblo. Hustle up your habaneras, corral your cayennes and saddle up your serranos and treat your taste buds to a holiday in “Spicy Town” like they’ll never forget! Pueblo is known for its culinary talents and they’ll be highlighted during the Festival, now in its fourteenth year! Located near the Historic Arkansas River Project, the Festival is a true love affair with the various kinds of flavorful chiles and tempting frijioles from all over the Southwest, and the area will be filled with live cooking demonstrations, tips on chile roasting techniques, live musical entertainment, tasting booths, cook-off competitions and activities galore! So come prepared for a day of luscious possibilities, eye-opening seasonings, “get your feet tappin” music, and FUN! The activity fee is $25.00 per person, and there is no admission fee to the street Festival. Deadline for sign-ups is Monday, September 15th.
Saturday, September 27th, 10:00am-7:30pm; Front Range Wine Appreciation Tour. Welcome in Autumn with a whirlwind tour of some of the best tasting rooms and wineries in the area as we travel far and wide seeking the perfect pinot noir, the most regal Riesling and the cheekiest chardonnay, not to mention the sassiest syrahs to be found along the Front Range! We’ll learn of the subtle exactness needed in blending the perfect grapes that produce the award-winning wines that are establishing Colorado as a major contender in the best of the wine producers of the country. So no matter if you’re a basic beginner or a seasoned sipper, this is THE tour for you, so gather up your friends and join us for a tasteful and educational tour of the ever-popular wineries of the Front Range! Activity fee is $25.00 per person; most tasting sessions are free or may have a nominal charge. Deadline for sign-ups is Wednesday, September 17th.
Sunday, September 28th, 8:30am-6:45pm; Westcliffe Alpaca Festival and the Spanish Peaks International Celtic Music Festival in Walsenburg. We’ll make a relaxing “getaway” from the hustle-and-bustle of the city and travel south to the wonderful Wet Mountains area to the historic town of Westcliffe as it salutes the amazing beasts of burdens from South America, the not-so-humble alpaca! We’ll get to greet and meet these hardy animals and we’ll learn of their history and their many uses, including the warm and versatile articles of clothing that can be crafted from their luxurious wool! We’ll eventually leave the alpacas behind and we’ll travel further south to Walsenburg to the always fun and charming Celtic Music Festival and its talent-packed afternoon concert featuring Scottish songs, music, dance and stories set amid the shared mining histories of both Scotland and Colorado! So come prepared for fun, adventure, excitement….you just might see a kilt-wearing alpaca! Activity fee is $25.00 per person; there is no admission fee for the Alpaca Festival, tickets for the Celtic Concert are $20.00 per person, please contact us further details. Deadline for sign-ups is Monday, September 15th.
OCTOBER
Friday, October 3rd, 9:00am-4:30pm; tours of the “Project Angel Heart” facility, the “Women’s’ Bean Project” and the “Ten Thousand Villages” store-Denver. Exercise your altruism muscles and join us for a day of discovery, compassion and commitment as we explore three premiere social service venues in and around Denver. Our first stop will be a tour of the Project Angel Heart facility where their mission statement promotes the health, dignity and self-sufficiency of people living with HIV/AIDS, cancer and other life-threatening illnesses by providing nutritious, home-delivered meals. On the tour you’ll learn all about Project Angel Heart, which was named “Colorado’s Most Outstanding Nonprofit Organization” by the El Pomar Foundation, and that it also provides services to the Colorado Springs area… we might even be able to offer our some of our time and efforts to further their goals after the tour! After a quick lunch along the way, our next stop will be at the equally compassionate Women’s Bean Project , which is geared to breaking the cycle of poverty and government-reliance by providing a safe environment where formerly downtrodden women cannot only learn valuable job experiences, but where they can also earn a paycheck and receive life-skills coaching that they need to become self-sustaining citizens. The Project’s graduates develop and create gift-baskets for sale that include hand-crafted signature soups and gourmet food items that in turn provide them with valuable marketable skills as they learn to forge a new path for themselves and their families! Our last stop of the day will be to visit and shop at the visionary Ten Thousand Villages store in Cherry Creek as we admire the ingenuity and craftsmanship of the many hand-made items on display. This amazing and inspiring store is filled with an ever-changing collection of gifts made by some of the most courageous and creative women of the economically-depressed villages of both third and fourth-world countries that are showcased here. So join us for this unique chance to give thanks for what we have and to give back to those in need. Activity fee is $25.00 per person; the tours are free, although donations are gratefully accepted. Deadline for sign-ups is Monday, September 22nd.
Sunday, October 5th, 10:30am-5:00pm; independent lunch on the 16th Street Mall followed by the matinee performance of the raucous presentation of “Girls Only: the Secret Comedy of Women” at the Garner Galleria Theatre at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts Complex. Men beware!! Today’s tour is a celebration of all things GIRLY!! We’ll leave in time to arrive at the famed 16th Street Pedestrian Mall in downtown Denver for our independent noonday meal (and perhaps some retail therapy!), then it’s off to the nearby DCPA Complex and our reserved seats at the Garner where we’ll settle in for the ensuing hilarity and FUN of the highly acclaimed two-woman cast as they examine the honor, the truth, the humor and the craziness of being female! The show’s mix of joyous, high-spirited sketch comedy, improvisations, audience participation skits, hysterical songs and videos are all based on the earnest and sweetly naïve writings found in the teenage diaries of the show’s characters and you’re sure to laugh yourself silly at their antics and insights! So invite your favorite female friend and come prepared to chortle, gasp and giggle until your funny bone aches! Most of the topics discussed and ridiculed are of a mature theme, so please plan accordingly! Activity fee is $59.00 per person, which includes door-to-door ITT transportation and your reserved seat, and applicable service fees only ; the Activity fee is $36.00 per person if you choose to provide your own transportation. Deadline for sign-ups is Monday, September 15th or when all available seats are sold, whichever occurs first.
Tuesday, October 7th, 9:00am-4:30pm; RESCHEDULED Behind-the-Scenes Tour of the Denver Center for the Performing Arts Complex and the National Center for Voice and Speech. Due to a scheduling conflict, we are pleased to be able to reschedule this day’s activities from the original date in August! Come and discover some of the fascinating and seldom seen aspects of the theatre world as we explore the artistry and creativity needed to successfully produce a staged event at the famous DCPA Complex including wardrobe, lighting, scenery and production direction that will be available on our extensive guide tour. After a quick lunch, we’ll continue our exploration of the performing world with a intriguing and educational tour of the highly respected National Center for the Voice and Speech, where we’ll see how voice masters help train performers of all kinds to not only extend their range and ability, but also how to best preserve their singing and speaking voices, too! Activity fee is $32.00 per person for the ITT transportation and for the two specialized tours. Deadline for sign-ups is Friday, September 26th.
Friday, October 10th, 9:30am-4:45pm; the “Paint the Town!-A Plein Air Festival” and independent shopping and exploration of the numerous antique and art galleries of Florence. Invite a friend and join us as we travel a short distance south to the quaint and welcoming town of nearby Florence as they celebrate the artistry and creativity of the numerous invited artists who will set up their easels throughout the streets as they try to capture the charm and character of the town utilizing all art mediums. As we stroll along the sidewalks admiring the artists’ efforts, we’ll also have plenty of chances to visit the many antique shops, boutiques and art galleries that are earning great attention and comment as the town re-establishes its artistic flair. There are great nooks and crannies to explore along with a remarkable museum dedicated to the history of the town, the people and the area…and don’t forget the numerous dining possibilities! So come for the art, the antiques, the galleries and the irresistible charm of an autumn day in Florence! Activity fee is $25.00 per person f or the ITT transportation only. Deadline for sign-ups is Friday, October 3rd.
OVERNIGHT TRIP: Tuesday, October 14th through Wednesday, October 15th; 2-day/1-night trip to Rocky Mountain National Park and Elktober in Estes Park. By popular demand, here’s your chance to discover the regal and mysterious elks in their own habitat as we travel north to the town of Estes Park and the majestic Rocky Mountain National Park! The September-October time period is the mating season for the numerous elk herds found both inside and outside of the Park, and their hauntingly unique bugling mating calls are to be experienced by all lovers of wildlife and the outdoors… and we’ll have opportunities galore to learn about this imperial symbol of the West! Besides our independent forays into the Park during the day, we’ll also have a chance to experience the interpretative information offered up by local volunteer guides (called the Bugle Corps!) as the herds come into the Park’s meadows in the early evening hours. Later, the full moon will further enhance our nature-watching experience! After our overnight stay in the opulent rooms at the historic Stanley Hotel, some of us might choose to arise early for another chance to travel back into the Park to see and experience Autumn in the morning hours, and perhaps see and experience the other examples wildlife there, too; others of us might choose sleep in and then take the historic tour of the Stanley before we all check-out and say a reluctant goodbye to the area and start back home. Costs for this overnight tour are $265.00 for singles and $425.00 for couples which only includes ITT transportation, entrance to RMNP and exclusive overnight lodging at the Stanley and all applicable service fees. A complete itinerary is available by request but please contact us EARLY as spaces are VERY LIMITED for this highly-anticipated tour!
Tuesday, October 21st, 8:30am-5:00pm; tours of the Celestial Seasonings Tea Factory and the Leanin’ Tree Museum of Western Art (Boulder) and a visit to the Cheese Importers Warehouse in Longmont. Over the years this has become one of our most popular and requested day-tours where we sample some of the best reasons to travel to the Boulder area! Known all over the world, Celestial Seasonings Teas are available for tasting and sampling prior to the start of your guided tour of their factory located just outside of Boulder. This educational and delectable tour will acquaint you with the meticulous selection processes employed and the various blending techniques that the tea masters have perfected over the years resulting in the amazing story of success that this homegrown business has achieved and enjoyed. A quick trip through their Gift Shop will also help you to stock up with their delicious and varied tea products because Ole’ Man Winter is just around the corner! After the tour and the shopping, we’ll have lunch in their wonderful café that highlights both the naturally healthy and wholesome entrees that are available. Our next stop will nurture our souls and our appreciation of both fine and whimsical art of all kinds when we visit the famed Leanin’ Tree Museum located just around the corner from Celestial Seasonings. The Museum is full to overflowing with sculptures, fine oil paintings, pen-and-ink sketches, graphics and textured contemporary exhibits all dedicated to the new and old West! We’ll stop next at the amazing and tempting Cheese Importers’ Warehouse in nearby Longmont where you’ll be thrilled with their international selection of cheeses and delicious items that are sure to tempt the most discriminating gourmand…and don’t forget the chocolates and European sweets that are also available!! Once you’ve seen the vast array of goodies on hand, you’ll see why some of the most acclaimed chefs and cooks in the Denver area willingly make the trek to this exquisite market! So invite a friend and come along as we indulge ourselves with the best that the Boulder-Longmont area has to offer! Activity fee is $25.00 per person for the ITT transportation only; the Tea and Museum tours are free and lunch costs are the responsibilities of each individual participant. Deadline for sign-ups is Tuesday, October 7th or when all available seating is filled, whichever occurs first.
Saturday, October 25th, 10:00am-7:30pm; Exploring Microbreweries of the Front Range. Only responsible tasters need apply for our continuing exploration of the variety and creative craftsmanship of some of the most innovative microbreweries in the area! Today’s agenda will include visits and samplings of the numerous brews available with stops at the Cheshire Cat Brewpub (famous for its British favorites such as bitters, ales and malty beers), the great Oskar Blues Brewery in Lyons (known for its Scotch Ales and Flying Dog Imperial Porters), the Twisted Pine Brewery in Boulder (try the espresso Stout or their famous Chili Beer!), the perennial favorite Tommyknocker Brewery in Idaho Springs and perhaps even a stop for a tour and tasting at the Flying Dog Brewery in downtown Denver to round out the day! No matter what, if you’re a true connoisseur of beer and want to savor the finery of the hops and taste some really interesting and innovative beers, then come with us for an educational exploration of the breweries who cater to those with discriminating tastes and appreciation! This tour is designed for mature and adventurous tasters, so If you are looking to “just catch a good buzz” without the sophistication necessary, please don’t sign up! Activity fee is $25.00 per person for the ITT transportation provided; most sampling/tasting sessions are at minimal costs and all participants must be at least 21 years of age. SPACE IS VERY LIMITED and the deadline for sign-ups is Monday, October 13th.
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