Trains & National Parks of COLORADO featuring the Magnificent… Colorado Rockies

Rocky Mountain National Park, Arches National Park, Mesa Verde National Park, 2 Train Rides, Pike’s Peak, Royal Gorge Bridge, Durango & More 13 DAYS OF OUTSTANDING TOURING

HIGHLIGHTS:

Starved Rock Lodge * Amana Colonies and Ox Yoke Inn * Guided Tour of the Majestic Colorado Rockies in Rocky Mountain National Park * Estes Park * Trail Ridge Road * Grand Lake * Red Rocks Park & Amphitheater * Glenwood Canyon Overlook * Colorado National Monument * Grand Junction * Arches National Park, Mesa Verde National Park * Silverton, CO * Silverton-Durango Narrow Gauge Train Ride * Million Dollar Highway * Spectacular Animas River * San Juan Mountains & Scenic Byway * Striking Canyon Scenery * Durango, CO * Pueblo Cliff Dwellings Overlook * Red Mountains * Scenic Royal Gorge Bridge Park w/ Breathtaking Bridge Views * Colorado Springs * Garden of the Gods * Pikes Peak Cog Railway * Flying W Ranch * Budweiser Clydesdale’s Ranch * and More!

DAY ONE:  With excitement in the air and adventure in our spirits, we embark on a journey to our 8th largest state, which is known for its unrivaled beauty, Colorado!  Today’s travels allow us time to get-acquainted with our TLC travel mates as we make our way to our overnight at Starved Rock Lodge in Utica, IL.  Enjoy a delicious ‘Barn Dance Buffet’ in the lodge’s dining room. (D)

DAY TWO:  On to the Amana Colonies amidst the Iowa prairie, listed as a National Historic Landmark, and a German settlement comprised of seven villages.  You’ll see historical buildings dating back to the 1850’s, traditional German craftsmanship, and little stores with the tradition of quality products.  Enjoy some free time to stroll around and also an included lunch at Ox Yoke Inn. On to tonight’s home in Lincoln, Nebraska. (B,L)

DAY THREE:  Mostly a day of travel to finish our trek to the city of Lakewood, Colorado, a suburb to the west of Denver, boasting one of the best views of the Rocky Mountain foothills. Dinner this evening is at our hotel, our home for the next two nights. (B,D)

DAY FOUR:  What a grand day ahead of us!!  A wonderful, professional guide will join us and take us on a full day of outstanding touring in the Rocky Mountain National Park region.  Some of the things we plan to see and do (conditions & time permitting) include Estes Park, Grand Lake, Granby, Winter Park, Berthoud Pass, and just as much as we can possibly fit in. Have your camera ready as the sights will be majestic!  Later, enjoy free time in Estes Park. (B)

DAY FIVE:  Another day of exceptional sight-seeing!  Red Rocks is a geologically formed, open-air amphitheater not duplicated anywhere in the world. With Mother Nature as the architect, the design consists of two 300-foot monoliths that provide a stunning setting for any performance.  All around you are 738 total acres of deer, dinosaurs, pines and prairie, geological wonders and spectacular vistas. At 6,450 feet above sea level, Red Rocks Park is where the Great Plains meet the Rocky Mountains. The Amphitheater itself is a geological phenomenon – the only naturally-occurring, acoustically perfect amphitheater in the world! From Sting and The Beatles to opera stars and world performers, every artist aspires to play on this magical, spiritual and emotional stage.

*Back on the coach and away we go through the rugged, scenic Glenwood Canyon situated on the Colorado River in western Colorado. Its canyon walls climb as high as 1,300 ft. above the Colorado River, and is the largest such canyon on the Upper Colorado.  The views are spectacular – the sense of awe, beyond description!  After we check in at the Grand Vista Hotel in Grand Junction, we’ll enjoy dinner at the hotel and then have the rest of the evening to relax.  (B,D)

DAY SIX:  Away we go on the gorgeous “Rim Rock Drive”, considered to be one of the most glorious scenic drives in the American West, through the red rocks of the Fruita Canyon out to see the Colorado National Monument.  Along the way, keep watch for bighorn sheep and soaring eagles!  Comprised of about 32 sq. miles, this monument preserves one of the grand landscapes of the western frontier. Towering monoliths exist within an awesome, vast plateau-and-canyon panorama. You can experience sheer-walled, red rock canyons in every direction – a spectacular vista on the eastern edge of the Colorado Plateau.

*The afternoon will find us in Utah exploring Arches National Park, a wonderland of red rocks and blue sky! The park has over 2,000 natural stone arches, hundreds of soaring pinnacles, massive rock fins, and giant balanced rocks. Some say it feels timeless, dream-like, or even other-worldly.  We’ll be joined by a National Park Guide who will take us thru the beauty and majesty found in Arches, along with sharing the history and stories that abound in this awe-inspiring creation of God and nature.  Overnight will be in Moab with a free evening to get dinner in town at one of many choices. (B,BxL)

DAY SEVEN:  Traveling on through Utah, we arrive at Mesa Verde National Park where we pick up a professional step-on Guide and travel up the mountains into the park.  This wild landscape of deep canyons and expansive vistas is home to over a thousand species, including several that live nowhere else on earth. For over 700 years, the Ancestral Pueblo people built thriving communities on the mesas and in the cliffs of Mesa Verde. Today, the park protects the rich cultural heritage of 26 tribes and offers visitors a spectacular window into the past.

*We’ll begin with lunch at the Visitor’s Center called Farview Terrace – enjoy the gorgeous views from your special vantage point.  Then a grand adventure begins as we see Mesa Top Loop, Park Point, and Spruce Tree House Overlook and Museum.  The Spruce Tree House was constructed in the 1200’s by ancestors of the Pueblo peoples of the Southwest, is a World Heritage Site, and the best-preserved cliff dwelling in the park.

*Later, sit back and relax as we travel to Durango, nestled in the Animas River Valley.  Downtown Durango is a Nationally Registered Historic District and home to award-winning restaurants, laid-back brewpubs, and fabulous art galleries, museums, and shops.  You’ll have the evening free to enjoy this historic town any way you wish - Fun, fun! (B)

DAY EIGHT:  What a spectacular day we’re about to have!! We board the Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Train for an unforgettable journey along the scenic Animas River. The route begins high in the San Juan Mountains and ends in a confluence with the San Juan River, boasting some of Colorado’s most spectacular canyon scenery. The train will cross the river five times on its journey, offering majestic views from both sides of the train. We’ll pass fertile farmlands, old stagecoach roads, the breathtaking “Highline”, old mining camps, and be in the shadow of peaks over 14,000 ft., often with year-round snow – AWESOME!

*While in Silverton, we’ll be able to enjoy some free time in their famous ‘Old Town Square’ to peruse the little shops in this former “old west” silver mining town and also get lunch.  This afternoon our outstanding day continues as we travel the famous “Million Dollar Highway”.  You will see stunning ‘million dollar views’ out your window as it follows old stagecoach routes and former pack trails thru the rugged and majestic landscape.  We’ll make a stop in Montrose for dinner at the Camp Robber to top off a day of fabulous sightseeing. ~ Then continue on to Gunnison for overnight. (B,D)

DAY NINE:  Journeying to Canon City today, we’ll travel thru more mountains and enjoy the beautiful scenery on the way.  In the afternoon, we arrive at America’s Highest Suspension Bridge, the famous Royal Gorge Bridge where 1,257 wooden planks are suspended 956 feet over the Arkansas River – Wow! Built in 1929 and boasting 1,000 tons of steel in its floor, it is primarily suspended with two 300-ton cables, and is capable of holding 2 MILLION pounds! You’ll have a true birds-eye view of the breathtaking landscape and scenic beauty that must be seen to be believed!  Overnight will be in Colorado Springs with the option to enjoy the hotel’s “Kick Back” dinner if you choose. (B)

DAY TEN:  We begin our Colorado Springs Adventure today with a visit to the famous Garden of the Gods Park, a registered National Natural Landmark. Imagine dramatic views, 300′ towering sandstone rock formations against a backdrop of snow-capped Pikes Peak and brilliant blue skies. This is the most-visited attraction in the region and known for its magnificent red sandstone formations – also home to one of the most famous rocks in the country, the Balanced Rock.

*Our next adventure is the Cog Railway Ride up to spectacular Pike’s Peak, the highest summit of the southern Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. Known as “America’s Mountain”, the journey along the way is full of show-stopping moments. You will never forget this 3.5-hour round-trip experience and your first breathtaking glimpse of the Summit.  Enjoy sweeping 360-degree views from the far eastern plains to the Continental Divide along the snow-capped Rocky Mountains to the west. On a clear day, you may even see the historic mining camp of Cripple Creek and the skyscrapers of downtown Denver – absolutely stunning! You’ll have around 30 minutes at the top which will include time to explore the new Summit Complex among other things. *Fun Fact: We owe the inspiration for the lyrics of the beloved song, “America the Beautiful” to the stunning vistas from the summit of Pikes Peak!

*From here we travel to the Flying W Ranch, a living symbol of Western Heritage, embodying the romantic spirit of the Old West. A Chuckwagon spread of smoked meats with all the trimmings is followed by a western stage show performed by the world-renowned ‘Flying W Wranglers’, the second longest-running western performance band in the world. ~ An awesome day in the truest sense of the word! (B,D)

DAY ELEVEN:  We won’t want to, but it’s time to say good-bye to Colorado and begin our journey home by traveling to Junction City, Kansas.  Sit back and take in the sights as our deluxe coach takes you to our home for tonight with a relaxing dinner included in the area. (B,D)

DAY TWELVE:  Away we go again, this time headed for Booneville, Missouri and Warm Springs Ranch where you’ll love this special visit.  The 300-acre Anheuser-Busch Clydesdale breeding facility is home to more than 100 Clydesdales. You’ll meet stallions, mares, and foals in their natural environment. See a 1903 Studebaker-built beer wagon, a luxury transport trailer & more – really fun & interesting! Then it’s on to Effingham, Illinois for our overnight. (B)

DAY THIRTEEN:  Today we finish our drive home with memories overflowing from an outstanding visit to the Trains and National Parks of the Magnificent Colorado Rockies!! (B)

Includes: Deluxe round-trip motorcoach transportation, 12 nights accommodations,

20 meals (12 B, 2 L, 6 D), activities as listed, luggage handling and taxes.

$2,985 per/person double occupancy

 $2,675 per/person triple occupancy

NO QUADS 

 $3,975 single occupancy

Please note: The following are TLC's general polices and procedures that cover all of our tours, so some of these may or may not be applicable to this particular tour.

Age Requirements:

All ages are welcome to join a TLC Tour beginning with age 5 years old and up.  Because our goal is to provide a relaxing, enjoyable ride for all when on our coach, we must ask that adults plan appropriate, quiet entertainment for their younger ones in order to not disturb the others aboard.  There may be a reduction in cost for the younger children, but no guarantees, especially on Day Trips.

Seating:

On all overnight tours of 30 or more, we use a daily seat rotation to provide a variety of vantage points for everyone. The first day of a trip, you choose your seat when you board and rotate from there. Each day you move up one seat.  If you are in the front you would move to the back.  We feel this is fair to all. If the coach is not full, a less formal rotation may be used at the Escort’s discretion. Persons traveling single or with uneven amounts in their group may need to sit with other like-travelers. We cannot guarantee that small groups will be seated together. We welcome single travelers, but the single rate does not include two seats on the coach. * We cannot accept doctor’s notes regarding requests to sit in the front seat/s. Please consider boarding at the first pickup location if your seat location is of concern. It is also recommended to see your doctor for motion sickness medication, if this should apply.

Smoking/Drinking:

We make regular stops for restrooms and for the convenience of smokers; however, we have a NO SMOKING (or vaping) policy aboard all coaches. If someone violates the non-smoking policies of places we are staying or visiting while on tour, it is the sole responsibility of that person should there be any penalties and/or fines for not adhering to their rules and regulations. Consumption of alcoholic beverages is not permitted at any time on the coach.

Transportation:

All of our tours use beautiful modern, deluxe wide-body motorcoaches from Campbell Bus Lines. Campbell has received the highest possible rating with the Dept. of Transportation. The motorcoaches are equipped with air-conditioning, reclining seats, public address system, DVD player, outlets for each passenger, and emergency restrooms.  We do not have WI-FI on our coaches. Our intent is for all overnight tours to be professionally escorted. Upon occasion, in order to avoid canceling a trip with a low passenger count, our Driver may serve both positions of Driver and Escort, and all are professionally trained to do so. ~ Also, on air trips with low passenger counts, we will not be able to provide an Escort from our company. However, once you arrive at your destination, a guide from our connecting company will be with you throughout the entire tour.

Lodging and Meals:

Your lodging is included on all overnight tours. All hotels are AAA rated. We never use second rate hotels, restaurants, or activities on any tour, to the best of our ability to make that determination. If you need two beds in your room, please state this when making your reservation. *Special note regarding accessible (handicapped) rooms:  While we can request an accessible room if you ask us to, every hotel has their own definition of exactly what “accessible” fully entails at their property.  We cannot be responsible if something is not exactly as you hoped when you arrive.  Nor will any hotel guarantee they will be able to fulfill a handicapped room request, especially if the hotel should be full and all such rooms are already taken. ~~ Regarding meals:  Generally, some meals are included on overnight trips (see individual tour inclusions); however, we cannot guarantee any special dietary requirements.  Most restaurants are now requiring us to order from a pre-set Group Menu, often ahead of departure.  We cannot accommodate individual entrée requests other than the ones given to us by the restaurant.

Border Crossings:

As of June 2009, a Passport or Passport Card is required for border crossings. Either of these travel documents may be obtained through your local courthouse. The Passport Card is limited but is sufficient for Canadian border crossings and is good for 10 years – it is also very easy to apply for. Your Driver and/or Escort will be asking to see one of these documents before boarding the coach for trips with this requirement. We cannot be responsible if you are unable to travel due to failure on your part to obtain the proper documentation. Please begin the process early enough to ensure that you will have it in time for your tour’s departure. Click here for for more information.

Luggage:

One suitcase per person is included in the price of your tour. We ask that you are respectful of the weight.  Our Drivers handle up to 54 pieces of luggage multiple times throughout a tour, and if it’s too heavy for you to lift comfortably, it is too heavy for them.  You are also permitted a carry-on, which is your responsibility.  Additional luggage may be transported at the cost of $10.00 per bag, per day – you must clear this with the Office ahead of time.  It is wise to travel light.  Luggage tags are provided and required for hotel identification and are sent with the final letter and phone numbers of your hotels.

Medical Devices: 

Medical devices must be handled by you, the passenger.  They are either to be stored under your seat (not protruding out into the person’s space behind or in front of you), or if too large for that accommodation, they must be placed under the coach by you, and taken off at each place it’s needed by you.  It is not safe for a medical device to ride in an overhead compartment for multiple reasons, nor are our Drivers or hotel personnel allowed to handle it for safety and liability reasons.  If it needs to ride under the coach, please have it in a quality container (as small as possible) to assure it rides safely.

Taxes and Gratuities:

All taxes and gratuities for included meals and activities are included, unless otherwise mentioned by the Escort. Driver and Escort gratuities are not included in the price of your tour. The suggested rate for a “job well done” is a minimum of $4.50-$5.00 per person/ per day for the Tour Escort, and a minimum of $4.50-$5.00 per person/per day for the Driver. We request that you express this on an individual basis and let the quality of service received be your guide.

TLC Reward Cards:

TLC Cards are non-transferable and non-replaceable.  Please take care to keep it in a safe place you will remember.  If you decline your TLC Card punch while on tour, you cannot get it later.

Payment:

All prices are per/person rates.  On one-day tours, full payment must be made with the reservation. For overnight tours, see “How To Make A Reservation”.  Balance of an overnight tour is due 60 days prior to departure (unless otherwise stated/notified).  Confirmation will be sent after we receive your deposit. Please call a soon as possible if you should decide not to go.

FYI:  About a week before your overnight trip departs, you will receive from our office a letter packet with updated itinerary, passenger list, departure and return times, luggage tags, hotel phone numbers, and other pertinent information.

1- Please Note – We’re truly sorry if we’ve canceled a trip that you wanted to go on.  Sometimes excellent trips with super itineraries are canceled when people wait ‘til the last minute to put in their reservation.  OUR monies are usually due at least 60 days ahead on regular trips, and sometimes 90 on certain ones.  If we don’t have enough signed up at that time, we have no choice but to cancel it.  Then when you call later, it’s already too late… and disappointing for us all!  Please help us and CALL EARLY – Thank you so much.

2- The information about trips on this website (funwithtlc.com) is complete.  It contains the same information that a paper flyer has.  However, if you prefer a paper flyer you can call for Fully Detailed Flyers for Most Trips of 3 Days or More. We’ll gladly send extras for you to pass along to your friends!  We will also happily send a Tour Book to anyone you feel would enjoy receiving one.

Refunds:

Prior to 60 days before departure date, a full refund will be made.  * Tours that include tickets generally have earlier non-refundable dates – ask upon booking.  There are no refunds for cancellations made within 60 days prior to your departure date.  However, we will do our best to recover as much as we can but cannot guarantee anything including prepaid reservations and other costs that are non-refundable to us. There will be a $75.00 per/person charge for this service for overnight tours and $25.00 for day trips. There will be no refund, for any reason, for a “no-show” on the day of the tour.

~ Please Note:  Refunds will be made by the same method you paid us; e.g., if you paid by credit card, the refund will be put back on that credit card.  No exceptions.

TLC Tours offers a “Refund Protection Plan”  for overnight tours that is available at our office at a minimal cost.  It needs to be purchased when you book your trip. This insures you a full refund for two situations. In case of A.) a death in your immediate family (requires a copy of death notice), or B.) personal illness (requires a doctor’s written note confirming you were too ill to travel).  Exceptions would be made if an immediate family member’s serious illness necessitates you staying home but would still need confirmation by a doctor’s note. *Immediate family, in these situations, includes spouse, parents, siblings, or children only.  Call our office for full details about TLC’s RPP.  We encourage you to take advantage of the protection plan, or secure comprehensive travel insurance on your own if you prefer “cancel for any reason” coverage (these companies are easily found via a Google search).  Our Refund Protection Plan is not available for Day Trips, nor are there any refunds for Day Trips, with a few exceptions.

Illness:

Should someone become ill during or after their tour, we assume no responsibility or liability. We cannot control every minute of everyone’s day, nor can we control how people handle themselves when off the coach. Our coaches are cleaned and sanitized on a regular basis, and we have done our very best to secure accommodations and venues that state the highest sanitation protocols to the best of their ability.  We ask that you take your own temperature before leaving home on the morning of Day One, and if you show any fever at all, please stay home.  If you have additional/other symptoms that suggest illness, we ask that you please stay home.  We trust that our upstanding TLC customers will “do the right thing” and not put anyone else at risk for contracting an illness on a TLC tour, to the best of their ability.  If you do need to cancel at the last minute because of concerning symptoms, our normal cancellation policies apply, just as they would to any other last-minute illness that prevents you from going on a tour.  See ‘Refunds’ in the section above. ~ If on tour you should become ill, you would be responsible to quarantine yourself and arrange for transportation home when appropriate. — By traveling with us, you are agreeing that TLC Tours, LLC will not be held responsible for contracting viruses or other such illnesses, nor liable for any expenses involved in any way.

Cancellations:

TLC Tours reserves the right to cancel any tour that has not reached a minimum number of reservations. We always avoid changes and cancellations, if at all possible, as we realize the inconvenience to you, our valued customer. We reserve the right to cancel or refuse service to anyone, in our sole discretion. Any person may be dismissed from a tour at any time by the Tour Escort or Driver should their conduct be problematic in any way. No refund will be made, nor will any further responsibility be assumed by TLC Tours or anyone in their employment.

Responsibility:

TLC Tours, LLC is insured. Campbell Bus Lines is registered and insured with the ICC. TLC Tours acts only as an agent. We are not responsible to any person for any loss of time or money due to a change or delay beyond our control. Nor are we responsible for non-performance by those we have contracted with. We reserve the right to change tour prices, inclusions, and itinerary, if so, dictated by circumstances beyond our control. We are not responsible for pricing, typographical, or other errors. Any claims against TLC Tours must be made, in writing within 30 days of the trip.

Ohio Departure Points:

Our departure points are as follows:

• Akron:  Home Depot, 2811 S. Arlington St, Akron – just up north from the Walmart – park in the front corner behind Golden Corral
• Canton:  Target parking lot behind Panda Express, 5584 Dressler Rd. NW – near Belden Village (you park in the row of the buggy corral)

• Alliance:  The back parking area of Lowe’s, 2595 W. State St. (turn into Lowes and drive straight back to the third from last row)

• Salem:  Burger King on E. State St. (rear parking area back by fence)

• Columbiana:   Our TLC Office at 44139 St. Rt. 14.
• *We have a special TLC Tours rate at a nearby hotel in both Columbiana and Slippery Rock if you have an early pickup and would like to come stay the night before. Call for more info.

Other departure points may be established for groups of 10 or more if the itinerary and direction of travel permits. We reserve the right to change departures. Departures are arranged in the direction of travel, with last departure being the closest to the destination, for the convenience of all passengers.

Pennsylvania Departure Points;

*We may use smaller shuttle buses to make these pickups and will join the tour enroute at a logical transfer point.

For both Overnight and Day Trips –choose from 2 locations:

• Slippery Rock:  Campbell Bus Lines, 258 Grove City Rd
• Butler:  Ollie’s, 602 Moraine Pointe Plaza

For TLC DAY TRIPS:

For day trips, we do not have any insurance or Refund Protection Plan available.  Payment must be made in full when booking a day trip, and if you cancel your reservation up to 45 days prior to the trip’s date, you will receive a full refund.  *Occasionally a day trip may have a different cancellation date other than 45 days out – it is good to inquire when making your reservation.  — If TLC should need to cancel the entire day trip, you will receive a refund.

For TLC OVERNIGHT MOTORCOACH TOURS:

For most overnight tours, a full refund will be made up to 45 days prior to departure date. However, some of our tours, especially the longer ones, may have a 60-day cancellation date.  The specific date will be listed on your confirmation which you will receive in the mail once you make your reservation. Tours including tickets may have earlier non-refundable dates – please inquire when making a reservation for a tour that includes tickets. There are no refunds for cancellations made within the 45 (or 60) days prior to your departure date. However, we will do our best to recover as much as we can, but cannot guarantee anything including prepaid reservations and other costs that are non-refundable to us. There will be a $25.00 per/person charge for this service. There will be no refund, for any reason, for a “no-show” on the day of the tour.

** Please Note: Refunds will be made by the same method you paid us; e.g., if you paid by credit card, the refund will be put back on that credit card. No exceptions.

TLC’s REFUND PROTECTION PLAN for Overnight Motorcoach Tours:

 TLC has an in-house “Refund Protection Plan” which we offer for overnight motorcoach tours through our office at a minimal cost. It needs to be purchased when you book your trip. This insures you a full refund in case of:

• ) A death in your immediate family (requires a copy of death notice)
• ) Personal illness (requires a doctor’s written note confirming you were too ill to travel)
• ) Exceptions would be made if an immediate family member’s serious illness necessitates you staying home, but would still need confirmed by a doctor’s note. *Immediate family, in these situations, includes spouse, parents or children only.

The RPP covers you up to the morning of departure; however, you must call your Escort (number will be provided) that morning before your pick-up time in order for the RPP to be valid.  She will need to call all the places the tour is going to change the passenger counts.  Failure to call the Escort that morning cancels your RPP coverage.

Feel free to call our office for full details about TLC’s RPP. We encourage you to take advantage of the protection plan, or secure more comprehensive insurance on your own, if desired.

TLC “FLY TRIPS”:

For any of our tours that involve flying, the connecting companies we use for our air tours offer their own insurance plans and instructions.  You will find that information listed on each tour’s page and/or flyer near the respective pricing and other pertinent details.  It is up to you, of course, whether or not you choose to take insurance out, but it is highly recommended.