San Francisco’s Chinatown

Thur., 6/12/08, 9:00 – 4:45pm, $78

We’re exploring San Francisco’s Chinatown with one of our favorite tour guides, Craig Smith. We’ll visit the Pacific Heritage Museum, walk to the Chinese Cultural Center at the New Hilton Hotel, walk to Portsmouth Square, and then have lunch at Louie’s in Chinatown. After lunch, we’ll walk thru the Pagoda Gate to the newly restored St. Mary’s Square & Statue of Sun Yat Sen, visit a Chinese Taoist Temple, walk down Waverley Street with its painted balconies, visit a Chinese Fortune Cookie Factory, continue on to a Tea Shop to sample some tea, see a Chinese telephone exchange, and have time to do some shopping and further exploring before returning to the Senior Center.
 

Carmel/Monterey Moving Movie Tour

Wed., 6/25/08, 8:30am – 5:30pm, $94

Join us as we travel to the coast for shopping in downtown Carmel, plus a fun-filled three-hour land tour that begins in downtown Monterey and continues on through the Fisherman’s Wharf area, historic Cannery Row, Pacific Grove, the 17-Mile Drive, Pebble Beach, and Carmel-by-the-Sea with several stops along the way—one being the Lodge at Pebble Beach. The tour director will give a live narration along the way and play some great clips from movies that were made in the areas we visit. Lunch will be on your own.
 

Pirates of Penzance

Sun., 6/29/08, 1:15pm – 6:45pm, $102

You won’t want to miss Gilbert & Sullivan’s wonderful and award winning comedy about a group of misunderstood pirates looking for love in all the wrong places. This production is being performed at the Montgomery Theatre and includes supertitles, which are very helpful for the audience to understand the humor. After the performance we’ll go to dinner.
 

Chihuly and the Women Impressionists

Fri., 7/11/08, 8:30am-4:30pm, $65

Enjoy a visit to the always beautiful de Young Museum and see an incredible installation of works by Dale Chihuly, the most famous glass artist living today. We’ll leave time for you to view some of your personal favorites in the museum’s permanent collections before lunch. After lunch, which you can purchase at the de Young or bring from home, travel to the Legion of Honor to see a groundbreaking exhibit of four women impressionists, Berthe Morisot, Mary Cassatt, Eva Gonzales, and Marie Bracquemond, at its only U.S. venue.
 

Our Maritime Heritage

Thur., 7/17/08, 8:30am-5:30pm, $72

This trip is a combination 90-minute narrated cruise of the Oakland harbor on a ferry boat, and a visit to the aircraft carrier USS Hornet where you’ll have a hot lunch on board the vessel. Our own Wayne Johansen, a volunteer in the Computer Lab, will accompany us and tell of his 14 years experience as a pilot based on five different aircraft carriers
 

International Ballroom Championship

Sun., 7/27/08, 10:15am-6:15pm, $94

The day begins with a lunch at Dominic’s. After lunch, be enchanted by the grace and beauty of some of the best ballroom dancers in the world at the 40th International Grand Ball Championships at Marriott Hotel in Burlingame. Dancers will perform many of the following dances; waltz, tango, foxtrot, quickstep, cha cha, rumba, paso doble, and jive.
 

49ers’ Training Camp

Date TBD, 8:45am-4:00pm, $72

Ever wonder what it takes to be a pro football player? Here’s your chance to get a glimpse of the training regimen that turns a collection of talented athletes into a lean mean fighting machine. Lunch will be at Nicolino’s Italian restaurant.
 

Alameda with Gary

Thur., 8/14/08, 8:45am-5:00pm, $90

Explore Alameda, one of the Bay Area’s hidden islands. Once known as the Gold Coast and still sometimes called the Victorian Homes City, this is a city with a past. Our guide, Gary Holloway, will tell stories of Alameda’s contributions to California history as you stroll down some of the nicest residential streets in the Bay Area. You’ll visit the historic downtown area and see the 10'-wide “Spite House.” Then, it’s off to Berkeley to tour and have lunch at one of architect Julia Morgan’s masterpieces, the Berkeley City Club.
 

Santa Cruz Follies

Thur., 9/11/08, 9:45am-4:00pm, $83

Enjoy this year’s production, the Lullaby of Broadway, featuring musical numbers from such favorites as Gypsy, Chicago, 42nd Street, Smokey Joe’s Café, and the Lion King. An early lunch at the historic Cocoanut Grove will precede the 1:00 p.m. performance.
 

Chaminade & Santa Cruz

Sun., 9/14/08, 10:15am-4:15pm, $85

Treat yourself to a champagne buffet lunch at Chaminade, a mission-style resort built high on a bluff with a panoramic view of Monterey Bay and the Santa Cruz Mountains. Then, head to the Downtown Santa Cruz Antique Faire to hunt through an eclectic blend of antiques and unique items for that irresistible treasure you’ve been searching for, or browse some of the many shops of downtown Santa Cruz before heading home.
 

Point Lobos & Big Sur with Shirley

Mon., 9/22/08, 8:00am-5:00pm, $99

Travel down the Pacific coast to Pt. Lobos State Reserve where a docent will lead a short nature hike (0.6 mile) to magnificent ocean views. Look for sea otters, harbor seals, and spouting whales. After lunch at Nepenthe Restaurant, it’s off to one of the largest craft galleries in the U.S. for a quick shopping spree before heading home.
 

Giants & Dodgers Game

Sun., 9/28/08, 11:00am-5:15pm, $81

Take me out to the ballgame! Since 1901, the Dodgers and Giants have played more head-to-head games than any other two teams in Major League Baseball, and until the 2007 season, the Giants have won 1,063 games, the Dodgers, 1,046. In 1957, both teams moved from New York to California. The San Francisco Giants are celebrating their 50th anniversary this year at beautiful AT&T Park—let’s help them! If you haven’t been to the new park, here’s your chance! We will watch the rivalry continue from our “View Reserved” seats behind first base.
 

Duck Tour of San Francisco

Tue., 10/7/08, 8:00am-4:00pm, $100

Board an original refurbished World War II amphibious landing craft for a wacky 90-minute tour through the neighborhoods of San Francisco: Fisherman’s Wharf, Chinatown, North Beach, and others. Then hang on tight as your driver steers you into the bay where you’ll catch spectacular views of the city skyline. Lunch will be at Pompei’s Grotto at Fisherman’s Wharf, followed by an hour of free time.
 

Napa Valley Wine Train

Mon., 10/13/08, 8:30am-5:45pm, $137

Your trip today on the Napa Valley Wine Train travels a rail line built in 1847 and provides a relaxing 3-hour excursion for the 36-mile round trip between Napa and St. Helena in restored vintage rail cars from the 1915 to 1947 era. A 3-course gourmet lunch will be served as you feast your eyes on the pastoral vineyard views. The day begins with an informal tasting seminar held in the McKinstry Street station prior to boarding. There are also several interesting shops located in the station where you may browse. Then, following the train trip we will drive to the recently opened Oxbow Public Market, a one-of-a-kind experience including a daily farmers’ market, food shops and restaurants.
 

Switzerland to Belgium Cruise

Sat., 5/24/08 – Sun., 6/8/08

Please join us as we travel through 5 countries on 5 rivers including the legendary Rhine, where we’ll see more medieval castles than in any river valley in the world, and visit old-world towns. We’ll begin in Switzerland’s fascinating Basel, then discover Germany’s enchanting Black Forest region and France’s Strasbourg. In Germany, we’ll sail through castle-dotted landscapes as we explore the Rhine’s famous wine region. We’ll stop in Rudesheim and Cologne, then motor to the Netherlands and explore Amsterdam’s picturesque canals and fabulous museums, continue on to Belgium and the wonderful medieval cities of Brugge and Antwerp. This cruise truly shows us the “Treasures of the Rhine.” We’ll be traveling with Viking River Cruises, Voted #1 River Cruise Line. We’ll enjoy escorted tours with complimentary personal headsets so we won’t miss any fascinating details while on a shore excursion. Please pick up a flyer at the Senior Center.

Trip includes group trip cancellation; medical insurance, gratuities from Senior Center to SFO, round-trip airfare and skycaps from SFO to Europe, all taxes and fuel surcharges, all transfers, all meals on board, and shore excursion in each town with English speaking guides. You must have a passport that is valid through December 8, 2008 to travel on this trip. Note there is extensive walking, sometimes on cobblestone or uneven ground.

Prices of the cabins are listed in the flyer.

Pageant of the Masters

Tues., 8/26/08 – Sat., 8/30/08

Our 5-day, 4-night trip to the Pageant of the Masters includes touring Richard Nixon’s Presidential Library and Museum, the Terracotta Warriors on loan from China and on display at the Bower’s Museum, the Sawdust Festival, Art-A-Faire, the Laguna Festival of the Arts, a Newport Harbor Cruise, Reagan Presidential Library and Museum, and the Getty Center. At the Reagan Library, there will be a special showing of “Nancy Reagan—A First Lady’s Style” exhibit illustrating the role she played in the White House, plus an opportunity to board Air Force One. As always, the trip includes round-trip transfers from the Senior Center to the airport, all airfare, meals, and sightseeing as listed on the flyer. Trip cancellation insurance and gratuities for services provided.

Price is $1,520 per person double occupancy, $1,846 single. Deposit is $200, with the balance due on July 10, 2008 (prices are per person).

The pre-trip meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 12, from 1-2pm in the Laurel Room

American Heritage

Thurs., 10/16/08 – Sat., 10/25/08

This trip is full.

The pre-trip meeting will be held on Thursday, Oct. 2, from 1-2:30pm in the Apricot Room

Palm Springs

Tues., 11/11/08 – Fri., 11/14/08

We are offering a 4-day, 3-night trip to Palm Springs. Some of the highlights are: the Palm Springs’ Follies; the Village Fest featuring a variety of vendors displaying quality art and crafts, food, live entertainment, and farmers selling their produce; an Aerial Tram ride ascending 8,514 feet offering an amazing view; a narrated tour to learn the history of Palm Springs, as well as glimpsing some of the celebrity homes in the area; the Living Desert Zoo & Gardens; the Air Museum; a covered wagon tour with an expert naturalist guide, and BBQ buffet dinner with entertainment while viewing panoramic views of the valley and local mountains; and window shopping in El Paseo, the “Rodeo Drive” of Palm Springs.

The trip includes: round-trip transfers from the Senior Center to the airport, all airfare, meals, and sightseeing as listed on the flyer. Trip cancellation insurance, and gratuities for services provided.

Price is $1,399 per person double occupancy, $1,608 single. Deposit is $200pp, with the balance due on July 10, 2008 (prices are per person).

The pre-trip meeting will be held on Wed., Oct. 29, from 1-2pm in the Laurel Room

Australia plus North & South New Zealand

Mon., 2/16/09 – Wed., 3/4/09

Here are some of the highlights of our South Pacific adventure which starts with three nights in Cairns, in the heart of the Tropical North. From here, we experience the Great Barrier Reef with a Catamaran Cruise to Green Island, allowing for snorkeling or glass bottom boat coral viewing. The next day we board the Kuranda Scenic Rail for a visit to the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park. We fly to Sydney where we spend three nights. Included is: a city tour, a visit to the Taronga Zoo, a Rocks Walking tour, and a tour of the Opera House. The next day ends with a special Sydney Harbor Dinner Cruise. Via motor coach, we travel to Australia’s capital Canberra where we take a city tour and visit an Aussie Sheep Station. We take a short flight to Melbourne where we stay three nights and enjoy: a City Tour, a Yarra River Boat Cruise, the Puffing Billy Rail Journey, the Koala Conservation Center, and a trip to Phillip Island to watch the world’s smallest penguins. The next flight takes us to three nights in Queenstown, New Zealand, on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. We travel to Milford Sound for a luncheon cruise and have leisure time to explore before we fly to Rotorua on the North Island for two nights. We travel to the Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve, visit the Rainbow Springs Nature Park and enjoy a Maori Hangi Feast. Day 17 is spent traveling to Auckland stopping at the Waitomo Glow Worm Caves. On our last day, we’ll have an Auckland city tour before we board our flight home.

This 18-day, 17-night trip includes: round-trip airport transfers from Sunnyvale Senior Center, airfare, hotel accommodations, tours & admissions and comprehensive sightseeing per the itinerary, 24 meals (15 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 7 dinners), a professional tour director, baggage handling, gratuities for services provided, and trip insurance.

Price is $6,441 per person double occupancy, $7,691 single occupancy. Deposit is $740, with balance due December 3, 2008. EARLY BOOKING discount: if deposit paid by 8/31/08, receive $100 per person off final payment.

Slide show, Wednesday, 6/18/08, at 10:00am in the Orchard Pavilion

Branson, Memphis & Nashville

Wed., 3/25/09 – Thur., 4/2/09

We fly into St. Louis, MO, where we spend one night and enjoy a city tour the next day before continuing to Branson for a 3-night stay taking in several shows & attractions some of which are: the Jim Stafford Show, Shoji Tabuchi’s performance, Silver Dollar City, a cruise on the Showboat Branson Belle, and a Branson City tour. We continue to Little Rock to visit the Clinton Presidential Library & Museum and to Tunica, MS, the South’s casino capital on the banks of the Mississippi for two nights. From here, we travel to Memphis for a tour of Graceland and a visit of Beale Street. The next day is spent with a trip to Nashville staying at the Opryland Resort for two nights. We tour the city and visit the Country Music Hall of Fame. No trip to ‘Music City USA’ is complete without enjoying the famous Grand Ole Opry Show! Our farewell dinner is held at the famous Nashville Nightlife Dinner Theatre.

This 9-day, 8-night trip includes: round-trip airport transfers from Sunnyvale Senior Center, airfare, hotel accommodations, tours & admissions per itinerary, comprehensive sightseeing, 13 meals (8 breakfasts, 5 dinners), a professional tour director, baggage handling, gratuities for services provided, and trip insurance.

Price is $2,361 per person double occupancy, $2,861 single occupancy. Deposit is $440pp, with balance due January 9, 2009. EARLY BOOKING discount: if deposit paid by 8/31/08 receive $50 per person off final payment.

Slide show, Wednesday, 6/18/08, at 10:30am in the Orchard Pavilion.

Chicago Getaway

May 2009

We spend all five nights in downtown Chicago. Some of the highlights are: an extensive city tour, Sears Tower, a Chicago River Cruise showcasing the city’s unique architecture, the Navy Pier, Tommy Guns Dinner and Show, home and studio of Frank Lloyd Wright, home of Ernest Hemingway, Field Museum at Chicago’s Museum Campus—home to Sue, the world’s largest T-Rex—Indiana’s Amish country, and Notre Dame University.

This 6-day, 5-night trip includes: round-trip airport transfers from Sunnyvale Senior Center, airfare, hotel accommodations, tours & admissions per itinerary, comprehensive sightseeing, 9 meals (5 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 dinners), a professional tour director, baggage handling, gratuities for services provided, and trip insurance.

Price is $2,241 per person double occupancy, $2,891 single occupancy. Deposit is $440pp, with date balance due TBD.

Slide show, Tuesday, 6/24/08, at 1:00pm in the Laurel Room.

Trains of the Colorado Rockies

June 2009

We will fly into the Mile High city of Denver where we stay at the Four Points Sheraton for two nights. From here, we will visit the village of Estes Park and the Stanley Hotel, made famous by Stephen King’s novel The Shining. Next, we will experience the views from America’s highest continuous highway (12,183 ft) in Rocky Mountain National Park, crossing the Continental Divide on our way to Grand Lake and then back to Denver. We continue on the following day via the narrow gauge Georgetown Loop Railroad through the Rocky Mountains, passing over the Devil’s gate High Bridge. Next, we travel to the picturesque Alpine village of Vail, and later arrive in Grand Junction for two nights. Our stay here will include the sights of the Colorado National Monument, where we’ll travel along the Rim Rock, and journey to the wine country complete with a wine maker’s dinner. The next day we drive to Silverton thru the San Juan Mountains to Durango for a 2-night stay. An incredible day waits at Mesa Verde National Park: visiting the Spruce Tree Cliff dwellings, seeing the famous Cliff Palace, topped off by an Old West evening with traditional cowboy food and entertainment. Starting in Canon City, The Royal Gorge Railroad will take us over the world’s highest suspension bridge (1,053 ft). The next day, we arrive in Manitou Springs where we board the Pike’s Peak Cog Railway for an unforgettable ride to the Garden of the Gods, with wonderful views of sandstone formations and Pike’s peak. We spend two nights in Colorado Springs, Denver, where we’ll enjoy a farewell dinner.

This 9-day, 8-night trip includes: round-trip airport transfers from Sunnyvale Senior Center, airfare, hotel accommodations, tours & admissions per itinerary, comprehensive sightseeing, 12 meals (8 breakfasts, 4 dinners), a professional tour director, baggage handling, gratuities for services provided, and trip insurance.

Price is $2,810 per person double occupancy, $3,510 single occupancy. Deposit is $335pp, with date balance due TBD.

Slide show, Friday, 6/20/08, at 10:00am in the Laurel Room

Canadian Discovery by Rail

Early October 2009

The first two nights are spent in Toronto, Ontario. After check-in and leisure time on the arrival day, we start the next day with a city tour featuring the medieval castle Casa Loma, Yorkville, High Park, University of Toronto and more. On the morning of day three, we board the VIA Rail Canada for a 3-day journey to the majestic Canadian Rockies rolling through the provinces of Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan ending in Jasper National Park where we will spend one night. The next morning, we will travel to the Icefields Parkway, to Bow Pass for views of Peyto Lake, and ride a specially designed Snowcoach onto 1000'-thick Athabasca Glacier. Later, we will arrive at Lake Louise before continuing on to Banff for a three night stay. The first day is a leisure day for you to explore the town. Day two we will visit Moraine Lake for views of the Valley of Ten Peaks. We tour Tunnel Mountain, Bow Falls, the Hoodoos, and take a ride up the Sulfur Mountain Gondola for unparalleled views. The next day, we board The Rocky Mountaineer Train for two full-days of daylight travel along the scenic Kicking Horse Route, which eventually takes us to the Pacific Coast of Canada. Highlights on the first day include: the Spiral Tunnels, Continental Divide, the Last Spike Marker, and Rogers Pass. Overnight in Kamloops, British Columbia (BC). The second day we will pass by the Thompson River, the thundering waters of Hell’s Gate and Fraser Valley before arriving in Vancouver, BC. On our last day we’ll enjoy a city tour of Vancouver before boarding our flight home.

This 11-day, 10-night trip includes: round-trip airport transfers from Sunnyvale Senior Center, airfare, hotel accommodations, tours & admissions per itinerary, comprehensive sightseeing, 21 meals (10 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 6 dinners), a professional tour director, baggage handling, gratuities for services provided, and trip insurance.

Price is $6,293 per person double occupancy, $7,493 single occupancy. Deposit is $599pp, with date balance due TBD.

Slide show, Tuesday, 6/24/08, at 1:30pm win the Laurel Room.