Balloon Festival
MOTORCOACH DEPARTURE
10/04/2027
MOTORCOACH RETURN
10/10/2027
7 Days / 6 Nights
DEPARTURE LOCATIONS
Rayne, LA
In 2025 we visited the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta as part of the Historic American West tour. With such excitement and great response from those who attended I’ve decided to do this tour once again, however with a few changes making the tour shorter but increasing the time at the festival.
Our FIRST DAY, depending on the number of guests traveling from each location I’ll make arrangements to either send the Motorcoach, Van or SUV to pick everyone up to begin the adventure. While catching up with fellow travelers, we’ll make one of our favorite routine stops in Shreveport for lunch. That afternoon we continue westward into Texas with a colorful afternoon stop in Tyler, TX at the Tyler Rose Museum & Gardens. The museum houses an extensive collection of colorful costumes and crowns dating back to the origin of the festival in 1933 to gowns and costumes of current royalty. Step outside on the back observation area to see fourteen acres of thousands of rose bushes featuring over three hundred varieties. This evening we end our first day at one of the three Drury properties in the Dallas area taking in the Drury Kickback Reception for Dinner. (D1: L, KB)
DAY TWO will be a travel day heading north into Oklahoma then west back into Texas again for an inspiring afternoon stop. Located in the small town of Groom, TX is the second biggest roadside cross at Cross Ministries which attracts thousands of travelers each year. This project of a local architect began in 1995 as the largest standing at 190 feet, however over later years he’s contributed in the creation of others across the United States with the current largest in EAingham, IL reaching 198 feet. The grounds here in Groom not only feature the towering cross but all life sized statues depicting the Stations of the Cross, The Last Supper and a display depicting the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Just a short drive further brings us toto Amarillo where we’ll stop for dinner at the BIG TEXAN before checking into our Hotel for the evening. (D2: B, L, D)
Begin DAY THREE with breakfast at our hotel before we load the coach for another exciting day ahead. By lunch time we arrive in the Historic area of Santa Fe, NM. Upon arrival we’ll be dropped off in the scenic square area for free time on our own, you can decide how to spend your time whether eating in one of the small restaurants, shopping the shops, or visiting the Loretto Chapel and Basilica and grab a quick delicious bite from one of the street vendors. After our time in Santa Fe we gather together to make it over to our hotel in Albuquerque for a two night stay. Tonight we’ll visit one of Albuquerque’s local restaurants for a southwestern meal before returning back to the hotel to rest up for the next day. B, D) (D3:
Are You Ready its DAY FOUR and today’s the day, Thursday at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta is known as “Shape Day” and also one of the biggest days of the event. Arriving in early morning we make our way to the Hospitality Tent with provided coffee, donuts and seating for you to watch as the entire event field comes to life right in front of you. Being shape day all the balloons covering the flight field are all in shapes of various objects from animals, food items and cartoon characters. As they inflate and take flight one by one they fill the sky with color by midmorning from then you’ll have the day to venture through festival grounds visiting the craft booths and exhibits. You’ll be on your own today for lunch which could be interesting with so many food vendors offering a variety of options. This afternoon we board the coach to make the short drive to the Alburquerque Balloon Museum to see how the Balloon Fiesta has evolved over the years to the world wide event it is today along with the explanation and science of balloon flying. With today being a long day we’ll have dinner before returning to the hotel for a restful evening. (D4: B, D)
Just because it’s DAY FIVE the fun isn’t over yet. Get your outfits ready it’s ROUTE 66 Day! Even though we followed the old route heading to Albuquerque today we’ll add some Rte 66 fun into the journey back with lunch at Route 66 themed restaurant. Following the old Mother Road this afternoon we stop at one the numerous Rte 66 Museums along the route. This museum houses not only cars that traveled the route back in the day taking you back to yesteryear but also memorabilia of those who worked and lived along the route. This evening we’ll check into a local hotel which has it’s own Route 66 Diner styled restaurant for a themed dinner this evening. (D5: B, L, D)
Well DAY SIX will be another themed so get your Boots & Jeans ready for Western Day! Working our way south crossing the Texas border for the fourth time we make it to the Fort Worth Stockyards for a little Texan Cowboy experience. Stoll the stockyard’s many shops offering all sorts of western styled clothing, housewares and gifts. Be sure to get a good spot to watch the afternoon Cattle Drive down the street featuring some of the area’s biggest Longhorns. Afterwards kick off your boots and unwind with Drury Kickback reception. (D6: B, L, D)
Its Sunday and DAY SEVEN which means home day. As usual on Sunday’s I’ve put a Sunday service into today’s schedule. After church services, we’ll make a few stops along the way back to Louisiana to grab snacks or a quick bite to keep the wheels and time rolling.
RESERVATION INFORMATION
TOUR COST PER PERSON
Single: $2,684
Double: $2,132
Departure Location(s):
Rayne, LA
INCLUDED IN TOUR COST
Motorcoach Transportation
6 Nights of Hotel Accommodations (Inc. All Resort Fees)
All Admissions to Group Activities (Inc. All Gratuities)
5 Hotel Breakfast, 3 Lunches, 6 Dinners (Inc. 2 Drury Kickback)
RESERVATION & DEPOSIT POLICY
To reserve your place on a tour, each guest must complete an individual reservation. Couples, partners, family members, and friends traveling together should each submit their own reservation form.
Once your reservation is received, a member of our team will contact you to collect a non-refundable deposit of $250 per person, per reservation. The deposit is due within 30 days of submitting your reservation to secure your spot on the tour.
FINAL DECISION & PAYMENT DUE DATE
All payments for this tour must be made by 08/04/2027 along with decision whether to proceed with the reserved tour allowing the coordination of transportation, hotel accommodations, included meals and activities of which most are prepaid ahead of our arrival.
CANCELLATION POLICY
We understand life changes and personal situations may arise which can prevent planned travel therefore we offer a refund of all payments made towards the tour minus the $250 non-refundable deposit. This is to cover our internal expenses of reservations made along with time to process cancellation with all partners within the tour such as hotels, attractions and restaurants. This offer is available for any cancellation made more than 60 days prior to the departure date of the tour.
Cancellation Deadline: 08/04/2027 Departure Date: 10/04/2027 Any Cancellation after or during will forfeit all payments made. For any reimbursement of funds, we suggest obtaining the insurance so a claim may be made.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
• Tour Cancellation: Up to 100% of the prepaid non-refundable payments towards the registered tour for any covered reason.
• Tour Interruption: Up to 150% of the prepaid non-refundable portion of your tour expenses and the additional transportation cost required to return home, if your tour is interrupted for any covered reason. If your tour is interrupted for any covered reason.
• Emergency Medical & Dental: Up to $50,000 Reimbursement of expenses incurred during the tour due to covered medical and dental emergencies. No deductible. $750 Maximum for emergency dental care.
• Emergency Transportation: Up to $250,000 provides benefits for the cost of medically necessary transportation to the nearest appropriate facility and can also provide benefits for the cost transportation back home following a covered illness or injury.
INDIVIDUAL TRAVELER: $264 per traveler
(For those traveling as a SINGLE or DOUBLE)
COUPLES: $442 per couple
(For couples who reside together and are traveling together)