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Give the Gift of Travel – Vacation Gift Guide

Why worry about the perfect color, fit, or style this year? Give something that will always be in season, never goes out of style, and keeps on giving for years to come – give the gift of travel! We’ve already covered how travel experiences enrich life, here are a few suggestions for the perfect vacation, no matter your price range.

For Day Trips by bus under $100:

Atlantic City Air Show – for just under $55 you can send your loved one on a comfortable bus to the Jersey shore for the high-flying excitement of the Atlantic City Air Show and even a little casino fun! They’ll be treated to a casino package with $25 Slot Play and a $10 Food Voucher, along with the intense thrill of the famed military and civilian pilots flying acrobatic maneuvers above their heads!

Coney Island
Credit Daniel Fleming

Coney Island Express – Brooklyn’s famed boardwalk destination is less than $55. Imagine giving them a day at the beach with all of the history and unique flair of Coney Island. They can try one of Nathan’s Famous Hotdogs, explore the New York Aquarium, ride the Wonder Wheel, catch a thrill on the Cyclone, relax on the beach, and more! It’s a perfect day away from the daily grind.

National Zoo, Washington, DC – for just under $70, your loved one can enjoy a day at one of the oldest zoos in the nation! Over 2000 animals call this 163-acre park home including Giant Pandas from China, exotic birds, reptiles, rain forest creatures, and more.

Cars, Collectibles, and Yuengling – new for 2018 is a tour just under $100 that offers an afternoon of history and nostalgia as they visit America’s first brewery and revisit the ’50s! At Jerry’s Classic Cars & Collectibles Museum, they will take a journey back in time to the 1950s and leave with an unforgettable experience.

 

For Broadway Show Packages by bus under $200:

The Lion King – Disney’s classic movie takes center stage in an amazing production of artful puppetry and incredible music.

Carousel – “One of the most hallowed works of the American stage” (The New York Times) returns to Broadway for the first time in more than two decades. Rodgers & Hammerstein’s timeless musical Carousel comes to life in a new production. Elevated to an epic scale with a sweeping musical score and incandescent ballet sequences, this story of passion, loss and redemption introduced Broadway to a new manner of musical drama – one that “set the standard for the 20th century musical” (Time Magazine) and would captivate theatergoers for generations to come.

The Phantom of the Opera – this timeless tale of seduction and despair is Andrew Lloyd Webber’s masterwork and has been running on Broadway for 30 years. The unforgettable score, heart wrenching story, and captivating set make this a must-see show.

Hello, Dolly! – Bernadette Peters takes center stage in one of the most cherished musicals in theater history. Featuring music and lyrics by Jerry Herman and a book by Michael Stewart, “Hello, Dolly!” tells the story of an outspoken matchmaker and her attempts to marry “half-a-millionaire” Horace Vandergelder.

 

Multi-Day Vacations by bus under $500:

Boston, Massachusetts – The famed and bustling New England city has never been so easy to visit! Your loved one will be treated to a comprehensive city tour by one of Boston’s most knowledgeable guides and enjoy plenty of free time to experience all of the wonders of “Beantown.”

Cooperstown: National Baseball Hall of Fame – perfect for the baseball fanatic in your life. This tour includes a one year membership to the National Baseball Hall of Fame including a subscription to Memories and Dreams magazine, Hall of Fame Yearbook, complimentary admission to the Hall of Fame for one year, and other perks. Combine this with the fun shopping and dining found in Cooperstown and your gift will hit a home run!

Niagara Falls, USA – No passport required! Our newest option for a Niagara vacation makes this wonder of the natural world even more accessible! They’ll enjoy a boat ride into the horseshoe of the falls on Maid of the Mist as well as a tour of the area and accommodations in Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino. What a lucky gift!

Pittsburgh
Credit Derek Cashman

Pittsburgh, PA: The Golden Triangle – the intriguing “Steel City” awaits on this tour to western Pennsylvania. Truly a unique destination, Pittsburgh is home to a fascinating mix of historical landmarks, captivating architecture, compelling characters, and more! They’ll tour the Nationality Rooms in the Cathedral of Learning, be treated to an in-depth tour of the city, and more!

Foxwoods & Mohegan Sun Casinos – this tour is every casino lovers dream! Featuring two of Connecticut’s greatest casinos this tour includes a casino package at each and ample time to try their luck at a plethora of table games, slot machines, Poker rooms, and more! They’ll be saying “Jackpot!” when they open this present!

 

One size rarely fits all and with Starr, you don’t have to settle for the generic! In addition to our immense lineup of incredible bus tours, we also offer gift cards. Our gift cards come in any denomination, and never expire! Whether you purchase a gift card so they can choose their own adventure or surprise them with a vacation you know they’ll love, you can rest assured that when you give the gift of travel, you’re giving a gift that will keep on giving for many years to come!

 

New Year’s Travel Resolutions for the Young at Heart – JFK’s 100th Birthday Celebration

MA_JFKPresidentialLibraryandMuseum-familyphoto_CreditCityPass_TTO--For the final edition in our New Year’s Travel Resolutions series we offer you a once-in-a-lifetime tour like no other. We’re whisking you away to New England for a special 100th birthday celebration for John F. Kennedy. On this special trip you’ll get to learn all about the Kennedy family while enjoying many of their favorite places and activities!

President John F. Kennedy was born in Brookline, Massachusetts on May 29, 1917. His family spent summers in Hyannis Port, in Cape Cod and built the famous Kennedy Compound on the shore. Beyond a summer residence in childhood, Hyannis Port would also become the primary headquarters of JFK’s presidential campaign. Stroll the streets of Hyannis that were lined with his supporters and explore the shops and boutiques before embarking on a special Hyannis Harbor Cruise where you’ll get a view of the historic compound as well as the Kennedy Memorial, Egg Island, St. Andrews-by-the-Sea, and Point Gammon Light.

Your time in Hyannis will be highlighted with a New England Clambake and 1960s Beach Party at a spectacular Hyannis venue where we’ll dine and dance overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. This meal is complete with “steamahs, chowdah and lobstah,” plus, an escape entrée for landlubbers. After dinner, gather round for live entertainment. Hear tunes from the ’60s and ’70s as “Kokomo,” “Under the Boardwalk,” “Surf City” “Summer Wind,” and “California Girls.”

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John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum

The Kennedy family’s roots are firmly planted in Boston and the city is home to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum as well as many of JFK’s favorite places including his and his father’s alma mater, Harvard University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in government. You’ll enjoy a tour of Boston that includes the sights and landmarks that played an important role in John F. Kennedy’s rise to the White House. Join a local guide and walk past sites such as the JFK Statue on the State House Lawn where JFK delivered his famous “city upon a hill” speech, The Bellevue Hotel where he resided during his run for the congressional seat, The Omni Parker House notably the site of his announcement for his bid for Congress and his proposal to Jackie Bouvier, Old City Hall, the Irish Famine Memorial, JFK”s Senate Headquarters, Faneuil Hall, and the Rose Kennedy Greenway. You’ll also enjoy dinner at the Union Oyster House, the oldest continuously operating restaurant in the United States and a favorite of JFK – see Booth 18 where JFK would sit and enjoy his favorite clam chowder.

Visit the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, “dedicated to the memory of our nation’s 35th President and to all those who through the art of politics seek a new and better world. Located on a ten-acre park, overlooking the sea that he loved and the city that launched him to greatness, the Library stands as a vibrant tribute to the life and times of John F. Kennedy.” Tour the Museum “which portrays the life, leadership, and legacy of President Kennedy, conveys his enthusiasm for politics and public service, and illustrates the nature of the office of the President.”¹ There will be special exhibits and events at the Library to commemorate this milestone birthday.

Travel to Newport, Rhode Island, known for its gilded-age mansions and its connections with the Kennedy Family. Visit St. Mary’s Catholic Church where in 1953, Senator John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier were married. See Hammersmith Farm, Jacqueline Bouvier’s home where her wedding reception was hosted. Also, visit The Breakers, the Vanderbilt Home which is the most lavish summer “cottage” in town. We’ll also visit the Green Animals Topiary Garden where, for several years, Alice Brayton hosted a “Harvest Party” to entertain the Kennedy children, Caroline and John, Jr.

Our trip’s highlight is “A Night in Camelot.” Join us as we celebrate JFK’s 100th Birthday. As we remember the “High Hopes” of that youthful administration, and dance to the music of the era (1960-63) during a show that is a tribute to both the celebrities and songs he liked best. The entertainment is a live orchestra, with a crooner and an MC, performing as they once did for the President of the United States. It’s a night of music that the President would have enjoyed and a night filled with songs that you will remember.

So, come with Starr on an exclusive, one-of-a-kind, tour and travel event to discover these highlights and more in celebration of our 35th president.

 

References:
¹ John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum