10 days
September  28 - October 6, 2009

DAY 1:  This morning we’ll board our deluxe motorcoach and head south, stopping for our included coffee & roll break before heading into Iowa. We’ll stop in Des Moines for lunch (on your own), then head south into Missouri. We'll travel through Kansas City and head west to our overnight in Topeka, Kansas. This evening we’ll enjoy our included Welcome Dinner.


DAY 2:  An included breakfast starts our day. We’ll then head across Kansas, stopping to visit the beautiful Cathedral of the Plains, constructed in 1908. This afternoon we'll take a break stop, then head into Colorado and to Colorado Springs for our 2-night stay.


DAY 3:  Following our included breakfast, we’ll head to Canon City to visit the Royal Gorge Suspension Bridge Park with admission to all attractions included. This afternoon we’ll return to Colorado Springs and drive through the Garden of the Gods. We’ll make a photo stop and visit the Trading Post, then head to our visit to the United States Air Force Academy en-route back to our hotel. The evening will be free to relax and enjoy dinner on your own.


DAY 4:  An included breakfast starts the morning and then we're off south into New Mexico and across Raton Pass and through the Turkey Mountains. We'll take a morning break and a lunch stop on your own en-route to the southern end of the Rocky Mountains and the historic city of Santa Fe. The city was founded between 1606 and 1610 and is the second oldest city in America. Upon arrival we'll meet our local guide for a guided city tour including Palace of Governors, San Miguel Mission, Loretto Chapel and the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis Assisi. Later we'll check into our hotel for the night with the evening free to have dinner on your own.


DAY 5: Following  included breakfast at your leisure we'll head to the historic Santa Fe Plaza for time to browse the many shops. Following lunch on your own in downtown Santa Fe we'll head south to Albuquerque and upon arrival we'll head to Old Town Albuquerque for time to explore the many shops. Later we'll check into our hotel for the next 3 nights with the evening free to have dinner on your own.


DAY 6:  Following included breakfast our wonderful 2 days of the International Balloon Festival activities begins early this morning as we attend the Opening ceremonies followed by the mass ascension of hundreds of multi-colored hot air balloons, truly a spectacular sight to behold. Later this morning we'll enjoy a guided tour of the city. We'll return to the hotel this afternoon to relax and refresh before returning to the festival grounds for the evening Afterglow. Hundreds of balloons will be tendered as they rise above the ground and all light their burners at the same time. Later we'll enjoy their wonderful fireworks show followed by the Marshall Tucker Band.

DAY 7:  Today will be another wonderful day filled with the International Balloon Festival activities. We will enjoy an included breakfast and then we're off to watch the mass ascension again this morning. The remainder of the morning is free to take in the activities of the Festival. This afternoon we'll visit the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center to learn all about the Native American history of the area. You'll also have time to explore the gift shop for some wonderful Native American crafts. Later we'll return to the hotel to refresh, then head back for the evening Afterglow and fireworks.

DAY 8:  We'll enjoy an included breakfast and then we're off back across New Mexico and into Oklahoma to our overnight in Elk City and our full-service hotel. The evening will be free to relax and have dinner on your own.

DAY 9:  Following included breakfast we’ll head north across Kansas taking appropriate break stops en-route to the Kansas City area for an overnight at our full-service hotel. After time to refresh we'll enjoy an included Farewell Dinner.  


DAY 10:  After an included breakfast we'll head norht across Missouri and Iowa back to Minnesota. Our warm and wonderful memories of enchanting New Mexico and the International Balloon Festival will be with us forever. We should arrive back home late this afternoon.

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