B R A N S O N   M O T O R C O A C H   T O U R

NOVEMBER 24-26, 2006     BUS # 1

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 24:  Leave Drury Inn parking lot in Fairview Heights, Illinois at 6:30AM.    Parking is along the North end of Drury Inn facing Ludwig Drive.  We have permission for you to park there and it has been extremely safe in the past, but Drury will not take any responsibility for your car.  We will have a rest stop at the McDonald's in Cuba, Mo. for about 30 minutes.   We will have lunch at about 11:00AM in Springfield, Mo. at THE HERITAGE CAFETERIA 1364 E. Battlefield.  It usually takes about an hour for everyone to finish lunch.    Then on to Branson, time permitting, we check in at the TRAVELODGE AT THE FALLS (formerly FALLS PARKWAY INN) under the same ownership and phone number  (417) 336-3255.  After a short stay at the inn, we will see THE ANDY WILLIAMS 3PM CHRISTMAS SHOW.  After the show make your way quickly back to the motor coach and we will go to 5:30PM dinner, included, at THE PASTA HOUSE.  After dinner, we will head for the GRAND PALACE to see the MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER CHRISTMAS SHOW AT 8PM. After the show we will return to the inn for a good nights rest.  The inn has complimentary coffee and tea available 24 hours a day.

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 25: Complimentary breakfast is served in the lovely airy breakfast room from 6:30AM - 9:30AM.   We will leave the inn at 9:00AM.  We will tour 76 Country Boulevard and stop at downtown Branson for exploring the brand new $420 million dollar, 95 acre, with 1.5 mile long boardwalk; BRANSON LANDING.  The landing has a free trolley that can be boarded at marked trolley stops.  Fabulous fountains adorn the Branson Landing with a water, light and fire show in the PM, but may not operate in this late in the year.  Anchors for Branson Landing are BASS PRO SHOPS and BELKS.  We will pass through OLD DOWNTOWN BRANSON by DICK'S 5c & 10c on the way to BRANSON LANDING, but no stop will be made there although you can walk there from the Branson Landing (Uphill).    Weather will determine any shopping location.   We will have lunch at McFarlain’s in the IMAX MALL at 12:30PM where you can have fried green tomatoes, French fried sweet potatoes with coconut sauce or blackberry cobbler ala-mode--you can eat what you wish as this lunch is on your own. After lunch we will see the 3PM SHOJI TABUCHI CHRISTMAS SHOW at his fabulous theatre where you can see his famous restrooms with live orchids and crystal orchid chandeliers in the ladies and a $35,000 pool table in the men’s room where Shoji sometimes plays a game with the gentlemen.   The restrooms are usually crowded during intermission.  After the show make your way back to the motor coach and we will head out to Table Rock Lake where we will board the beautiful BRANSON BELLE SHOW BOAT for the 8PM cruise that will include dinner and a show.  We will do a Christmas light tour after the cruise.

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 26:  Complimentary breakfast at the inn as on Saturday.   Put your luggage out at 9:15AM with departure at 9:30AM or whenever the luggage is loaded.   We will make some stops for shopping at, THE GRAND VILLAGE, ENGLER’S BLOCK, MOUNTAIN MAN FRUIT & NUT COMPANY at BRANSON MILL CRAFT VILLAGE--possibly other places. We will leave Branson at 12:00 Noon and go to Springfield MO for 1:00PM SUNDAY BRUNCH (included) at HEMMINGWAY’S BLUE WATER CAFÉ for our one  big meal of the day .   After brunch, you may visit the Bass Pro Shop.  At 3PM, we will leave for Lebanon, MO, where we will visit Russell Stover and Cheese Factory outlets.  We will have a rest stop in Cuba, Mo. at MC DONALD'S for about 30 minutes.  Arrival time in Fairview is not exact but should be near 8:30PM.

THIS ITINERARY IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE, BUT HOPEFULLY NO CHANGES WILL BE NECESSARY.   Luggage handling is included in the price of the tour, but gratuities are not, so please remember your driver and waitresses or anyone that traditionally works for tips.  (Exception is that John and Jeanine do not accept tips for themselves.)  Also be sure to check the overhead bins, under seats, etc. at the end of the tour to be sure you don't forget anything.  In the unlikely event that you discover something is missing or that you have something extra, please call the office at 746-4600 on Monday morning after 9AM.  We will do our best to locate lost items or packages.  They do look alike as we all shop at the same places.  Try to be sure that you have the correct luggage, as many bags look alike.    Also, if there is a problem with a car starting when you get back to Fairview or your ride not being there, don't hesitate to check with us for assistance in getting help.  REMEMBER THAT WITH FLOWERS TRAVEL YOUR TRIP IS NOT OVER UNTIL YOU LEAVE THE PARKING LOT AT THE END OF THE TRIP.