New, Expanded, Outstanding Itinerary!

*Colonial Williamsburg Tour   *Magnificent Grand Illumination   *Dinner at Shield’s Tavern in CW *Winterfest on the ‘Wisconsin’   *Holiday High Tea at The Jefferson   *Busch Gardens Christmas Town   *‘Spirit of Norfolk’ Holiday Cruise    *Botanic Gardenfest of Lights    *Christmas at Berkeley Plantation *VA Beach Oceanfront Lights & More, More!

THIS TOUR REQUIRES CONSIDERABLE WALKING 

*Colonial Williamsburg: Step into the heart of America’s past at renowned Colonial Williamsburg, a 300-acre living history museum where over 40 historic sites, dozens of beautifully restored streets, costumed interpreters, and immersive experiences bring the 18th century to life in a vibrant, walkable historic district.  We love our Christmas visits here, blending history, warmth, & timeless holiday charm in a way few places can match.

*The Grand Illumination: Virginia’s Christmas season officially begins with the Grand Illumination – a spectacular evening when candles twinkle in the windows of Historic Area homes as you stroll the cobblestone streets, fatwood crackles in flaming street-side torches, and pine roping & handmade wreaths greet you at every turn.  Experience strolling carolers dressed in period costumes, the aroma of cookie stands & hot cider (First-hand hint: Check out the delicious ginger cakes!), colonial entertainment, and many other special sights amidst this Revolutionary City alight with holiday glitter and the joy of the Christmas season.

*Later, the heavens explode with pyrotechnics of the grandest kind!  Guests from around the country turn out — families, friends, and strangers filling the streets to “ooh” & “aah”, and launch themselves “grandly” into the new Yuletide… and we’re so happy to be part of it!  There’s truly nothing like it!!

*Guided Walking Tour:  Be enthralled with your special tour of this colonial masterpiece!  Visit the Capitol and Governor’s Palace, exhibition buildings and trade shops, learn about the distinctive natural decorations that abound at Christmas, listen to festive music, and much more – all yours to experience this year!  Then enjoy free time to roam the Village anyway you wish!  Perhaps you’ll choose to shop along Duke of Gloucester Street in Merchant’s Square, walk the brick paths of the College of Williams & Mary, take pictures of the pine and boxwood door wreaths decorated with fresh pineapples, apples, oranges, pomegranates, pinecones & holly… so many delights!  Whatever you choose, it will be enchanting!

*Dinner at Shield’s Tavern in CW: Tucked off Duke of Gloucester St., be welcomed into a cozy, colonial-era dining room with flickering candles, period décor, and attentive servers in 18th-century attire. The menu (TBA) draws inspiration from the colonial port city.

* “Spirit of Norfolk” Holiday Cruise: Sail the Elizabeth River with holiday trivia games, line dancing (or line-watching, ha!), and a lovely buffet. You can take in scenic views from every window!

* ‘Colonial Christmas’ at Berkeley Plantation: A National Historic Landmark, this elegant 1726 mansion set along the James River is beautifully decorated with fresh greenery, fruits, and flowers from Berkeley’s gardens, and costumed guides add a special touch with stories of Christmas at Berkeley through 4 centuries of history. ‘Good Housekeeping’ magazine says: “If you only have time for one plantation, Berkeley should be it.” … so guess where we’re going?!

* Winterfest on the ‘Wisconsin’: Step aboard the mighty USS Wisconsin as she’s transformed into a sparkling holiday spectacle along the Elizabeth River. Over a million twinkling lights illuminate the battleship’s decks, turrets, and towering structure, creating a magical contrast between naval history and seasonal cheer. Wander thru themed light zones, enjoy holiday music, and take in panoramic nighttime views of downtown Norfolk from the ship’s upper decks.

*Holiday High Tea at The Jefferson: One of Richmond’s most elegant traditions, you’ll step into a magnificent Rotunda with a 30-ft. Christmas tree and Grand Staircase, where soaring marble columns, garlands, and glittering holiday décor create a setting straight out of a classic Christmas story!  Soft music plays as servers present tiered trays of delicate finger sandwiches, warm scones, and petite pastries. See the annual Gingerbread display!

*Busch Gardens Christmas Town: Enter a world of holiday wonder at this dazzling celebration featuring over 10 million lights, making it one of the brightest holiday displays in North America. Each European village is transformed with its own festive theme – twinkling German markets, old-world English charm, and glowing Italian piazzas create a warm, storybook atmosphere around every corner. Enjoy live holiday shows, festive train rides, and beautifully decorated pathways perfect for strolling with hot cocoa in hand. ~ Merry, merry!!

*Military Aviation Museum: Take a trip back to a time when the aircraft were spectacular and learn why our heroes never let us down. See one of the largest collections of flying WWII military aircraft in the world and hear stories of contributions made by the men and women of aviation to our country.  A special treat will be listening to ‘Frank Sinatra’ sing Holiday Favorites in the hangar – (okay… he’s really a talented tribute artist – but it will still be great fun… wink-wink!)

*Lewis Ginter Botanic Gardenfest of Lights: Voted “Best Botanical Garden Holiday Lights” the past 2 years in a row by USA Today, this celebration features over a million lights woven through trees, wrapped around paths, and sculpted into whimsical, nature-inspired displays. Enjoy a holiday buffet dinner here!

*Maymont Mansion: In Richmond, this 33-room 1890’s Gilded Age opulent home sits amidst 100 acres boasting a Victorian-era Christmas décor – On your guided tour, be amazed at how elaborate the ultra-rich Dooley family decorated back in the day!

*Special Addition ‘just for fun’!: A delightfully fun holiday tradition in the area is the “Tacky Lights Driving Tour”… so of course we aren’t going to miss that!  Some of the country’s brightest – and tackiest – lights displays will be ours to see.  Two displays have taken home the grand prize on ABC’s reality show “The Great Christmas Light Fight” – can’t wait!  *Fun Fact:  In 2023, a family from Willoughby, OH won = $50,000!

*VA Beach Oceanfront “Lights on the Beach”: Stay warm on our deluxe coach as we experience this dazzling spectacle through nautical and holiday themes along the picturesque boardwalk – very unique!

*Washington DC National Christmas Tree:  

Includes:  5 nights lodging / Founders Inn, VA Beach; Woodlands Hotel, Williamsburg; VA Crossings, Glenn Allen.

5 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 lunch cruise, 1 high tea, 3 dinners Touring as above, luggage service and taxes.

REMINDER:  THIS TOUR REQUIRES CONSIDERABLE WALKING 

$2458 per/person double occupancy

$2,348 per/person triple or quad occupancy

$2,888 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.