5 World-class Cities to Explore with Diamond Tours
Planning a trip with grandchildren prompts many questions.
- Can I schedule an itinerary that appeals to both me and my grandchildren?
- How can I transport a large group?
- Most importantly, how can we reconnect with each other while staying on budget?
Diamond Tours solves all of these concerns with three simple syllables: motorcoach. Tours cater to groups of all sizes and with customizable bus trips throughout the Unites States and Canada. Simply pick a family-friendly location and Diamond Tours representatives will tailor a trip to ensure the best vacation for everyone in your group. Lodging, meals and transportation are all planned and paid for in advance, allowing more time for your group to recharge and reconnect. Here are 5 top “Grand Travel” destinations featured by Diamond Tours.
Experience the arts and architecture of Chicago
The Windy City is the cultural and economic capital of the Midwest, with an iconic skyline and history on every block. Chicago’s famous architecture can be appreciated from both above and below. On a River Cruise you’ll pass by iconic buildings such as Marina City and the Merchandise Mart while learning about the city’s origin as a French trading settlement. For a view from the sky, the 360 Chicago Observatory boasts views of four states and the entire city skyline. Near that skyline is the Art Institute of Chicago, recently declared the best museum in the world by TripAdvisor. Your group can explore hundreds of galleries and view the masterpieces of Picasso, Monet and van Gogh. For a safe and varied night on the town, your group can experience Navy Pier. Jutting over 3,000 feet into Lake Michigan, this multistory entertainment district boasts dozens of restaurants, the Chicago Shakespeare Theater and a five-story IMAX screen, the largest in Illinois.
Discover America’s history in Washington, D.C.:
Our nation’s capital welcomes millions of visitors a year and offers plenty of museums and monuments for any family. For two full days, a docent will guide your party through the National Mall, where you can pose by the Lincoln Memorial, marvel at the height of the Washington Monument and pay your respects to Martin Luther King, Jr. at the city’s newest monument. Also included in your tour is Arlington National Cemetery, home to President Kennedy’s Eternal Flame and the Tomb of the Unknowns. If you’re worried younger family members might grow bored with so many somber sites, they’re sure to enjoy the Smithsonian. In this collection of 19 museums, galleries and zoos, children can learn about everything from American space travel to Hollywood history.
Journey back to Colonial times in Boston, Salem & Cape Ann
Walk the same streets as Paul Revere and Samuel Adams in Boston, a city rich in history. On this tour your group will visit iconic sights such as Minute Man National Historical Park and Old North Church. On the outskirts of Boston lies Lexington, the end point of Paul Revere’s famous midnight ride and home to the first Revolutionary War battle in 1775. Diamond Tours understands there’s more to explore outside of Beantown and will also guide your grand travel groups through nearby communities in eastern Massachusetts. In Gloucester, one of America’s oldest seaports, you can visit with local artists and sailors on winding streets nearly 400 years old. Home to the infamous witch trials of 1692, Salem is a vibrant community perfect for day trips and filled with historic squares and eclectic strips of shops and restaurants.
Unwind in Amelia Island, St. Augustine & Jacksonville
Warm and welcoming any time of year, northeast Florida features some of the oldest settlements in North America for your party to explore along with modern amenities that guarantees your group the very best of the Sunshine State. Founded by 16th century conquistadors, St. Augustine will be a highlight of your trip for history-lovers, shoppers and explorers. Wander the preserved avenues and admire the colonial architecture on St. George Street, or take a guided tour to learn about the early history of Florida. Other can’t-miss sites in the area include the Fountain of Youth, the legendary spring where Spanish explorers believed one drink could lead to eternal life, and Fort George Island, home to the preserved Kingsley Plantation. For a more relaxing alternative to the region’s rich history, your group can enjoy the area’s legendary beaches. The coast’s numerous pavilions and public spaces ensure reunion celebrations can be scenic and affordable. Also be sure to try a St. Johns River Cruise, where you can take a load off your sandy feet and admire the swamps and wildlife of the region (you might even spot an alligator!).
Stand in awe at the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas and the Hoover Dam
America’s most famous natural wonder, casino strip and highway are all featured in this newly updated tour. Your group’s home base will be Las Vegas, where you can spend a day sightseeing in Sin City. Walk the same streets as Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley as older members in your group try their luck in the strip’s casinos, younger ones test their mettle on thrill rides and everyone can take in one of the city’s shows. Nearby highlights also include the Historic Route 66 Museum in Kingman, Arizona and the Hoover Dam, which produces enough power a year to illuminate Nevada and Arizona combined. From the neon and glamor of Vegas your group will explore the natural beauty of Grand Canyon National Park, where you can explore the canyon any way you please. Camp on the property’s numerous sites or take a burro ride to the heart of the park’s ravines to see the Colorado River. No matter how you wish to experience the canyon, be sure to take a photo for your entire reunion group; this site has is beautiful for those of any age.
Hear music behind every corner in the Nashville Show Trip
“Music City, U.S.A” may be known for its country superstars and barbecue cuisine, but Diamond has crafted a tour for your reunion to explore much more of this riverside metropolis. Highlights of your trip will include the famous Opryland Hotel, which features a 4.5-acre interior botanical garden and Delta Riverboats that pass through the property’s many chambers and themed areas. On the Belle Meade Plantation Tour, your group can experience antebellum life of the 1800s. Country music fans in your group will not want to miss a behind-the-scenes tour of the Grand Ole Opry. Here, you can step through the dressing rooms and stages of legends in country’s most famous venue. If you’re not satisfied, your group will also want to stop by the Country Music Hall of Fame, which features everything from Johnny Cash’s famous black suits to Hank Williams’ D28 guitar. Diamond Tours also provides a striking setting for a group photo at the Parthenon, a replica of the famous Greek temple with the Nashville skyline in the background.
These are just a small sample of what Diamond Tours offers grand travel groups. The tours are flexible and can alter arrangements based on the size of your group, your budget or your time frame. Best of all, being on a bus ensures you can spend personal time with your reunion group and leave your itinerary worries in the rear-view mirror.
