The Braille Monitor–March, 2001 Edition

 

2001 NFB Convention Tours

by Jim Antonacci

Independence Hall

Come and enjoy the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of the Philadelphia area by participating in one or more of the fun-filled tours specially arranged for you by the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania and Centipede Tours.

Centipede Tours is the leading tour guiding company in the Philadelphia area, with Colonial-costumed guides who combine historic fact with folklore for a fun and interesting tour. Centipede has been in the hospitality business since 1974; and its guides, who work exclusively for Centipede, have been voted "Best of Philly" by Philadelphia Magazine.

All tours occur either June 30 or July 5 and begin and end at the Philadelphia Marriott at the 12th Street entrance (near Market Street). Centipede reserves the right to cancel any tour that does not reach its minimum numbers.���������

HISTORIC PHILADELPHIA�1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. $28

No visit to Philadelphia is complete without a tour of the most historic square mile in the United States. A trolley will take you to the area, where you will walk through sites including the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Congress Hall, Franklin Court, the Betsy Ross House, Elfreth's Alley, and a historic church. You will go into as many of the buildings as time and crowds permit, after which the trolley returns you to the hotel.�������������

LONGWOOD GARDENS�1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. $50 ($45 for children under twelve)

Upon arrival, small groups will be personally escorted along miles of paths where you can stop and smell the roses and all the other flowers on this excursion to one of the nation's most important horticultural showplaces. Enjoy the water gardens, arboretum, fountain displays, conservatories, orchid displays, rose garden, bonsai display, and desert house. Truly a horticultural fantasy.����

PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH (AMISH)�1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. $65 ($60 for children under twelve)

Drive through the pastoral countryside of Lancaster County as your guide acquaints you with the customs and lifestyles of these quiet people who live without the modern conveniences we all take for granted, such as automobiles, telephones, and electricity. Enjoy a visit to an Amish house and farm; a real Pennsylvania-Dutch-style dinner with all the trimmings, topped off with shoofly pie, is included. There will be some time to shop for Amish specialties such as jams and relishes, quilts, and crafts before returning to the hotel and the twenty-first century.��������

ATLANTIC CITY�1:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. $42

Spend some time in the Las Vegas of the East, where a cash bonus and/or food voucher awaits you upon arrival. Atlantic City is a must if you've never been there and always recommended for repeat fun. A beautiful boardwalk beside the Atlantic Ocean, excellent restaurants, and wonderful shopping offer endless adventure, not to mention the extensive selection of casinos for your gambling pleasure.

THE COURT AND PLAZA AT VALLEY FORGE IN KING OF PRUSSIA/VALLEY FORGE NATIONAL PARK�1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. $39 ($36 for children under twelve)

Pick up your coupon book and go west of Philadelphia for a tour or shopping or both. The first stop on this excursion is the Court and Plaza at King of Prussia for those who want only to shop. Then it's on to Valley Forge for a two-hour tour of the site where General George Washington and his beleaguered Continental Army endured the winter of 1777-78. This will include such sites as Washington's headquarters, soldiers' huts, parade grounds, the Memorial Chapel, and the Memorial Arch. After the tour the coach will return to the mall to pick up those who spent the time fighting their way through the mall and return everyone to the hotel.

THE SPIRIT OF PHILADELPHIA DINNER CRUISE�6:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. $70

The coach will depart the hotel at 6:30 p.m. and take you to Penn's Landing for a fun-filled evening which includes dinner, a show, dancing, and cruising along the historic Delaware River.

HERSHEY PARK�9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. $70

Travel to Hershey, Pennsylvania, "The Sweetest Place on Earth," for a tour of Chocolate World to learn the chocolate-making process, receive a free sample to whet your appetite, then a stop at the Gift Shop to stock up on chocolate. Then it's on to the Hershey Amusement Park for a fun-filled day of roller coasters, water rides, Aquatheater with dolphins and sea lions, kiddie rides, and family entertainment.

SESAME PLACE�1:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. $63

Based on the popular children's television show, "Sesame Street," Sesame Place is an innovative play experience for families with children ages two to thirteen. Sesame Place offers interactive physical activities; water rides; "Vapor Trail," the Roller Coaster; and live entertainment with Burt, Ernie, and all of your favorite Sesame Street characters. Don't forget your bathing suit for maximum family fun.

PHILADELPHIA ZOO�1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. $43

Take a walk on the wild side. Visit America's first zoo, home to nearly 2,000 animals, featuring white lions, polar bears, elephants, reptiles, and magnificent birds from around the world. The new PECO Primate Reserve houses eleven primate species including gorillas and orangutans. These animal habitats are nestled in a forty-two-acre Victorian garden featuring naturalistic exhibits.

CULINARY AND CULTURAL TOUR OF CHINATOWN�2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. $55

Put on your walking shoes and come on out. Catch up on what's happening in Chinatown, "Philadelphia's best kept secret," an enclave of history and culture. This tour is your key to the wonders of the Orient right here in Philadelphia. Chef Joe Poon has put together an awesome walking tour of his community that is both fun and educational. The tour includes a Tai Chi demonstration; a lesson in Chinese vegetable carving; and visits to a Chinese herbal medicine expert, the first fortune cookie factory, a Chinese noodle shop, and the historic Friendship Gate. A light Dim Sum dinner is included.�

All tour tickets can be picked up at the Pennsylvania information table in the lobby of the Marriott Hotel.

Tour List and Reservation Form

HP-1 Hershey Park Saturday, June 30, $70/person x ___ person/s = _____�����

PD-1 Penn Dutch Saturday, June 30 $65 per adult x ___ adult/s = � �_____

$60 per child x ___ child(ren) = �_____

AC-1 Atlantic City Saturday, June 30� $42 per person x ___ person/s = _____��������

HP-1 Historic Phila Thursday, July 5 $28 per person x ___ person/s =� _____��

PD-2 Penn Dutch Thursday, July 5 $65 per adult x ___ adult/s = ��� �_____

$60 per child x ___ child(ren) = �_____

LG-1 Longwood Gdns Thursday, July 5 $50 per adult x ___ adult/s = �_____

$45 per child x ___ child(ren) = _____

AC-2 Atlantic City Thursday, July 5� $42 per person x ___ person/s =� _____

VF-1 Valley Forge Thursday, July 5 $39 per adult x ___ adults = �� �_____

$36 per child x ___ child(ren) =�� _____

DC-1 Dinner Cruise Thursday, July 5 $70 per person x ___ person/s = _____

SP-1 Sesame Place Thursday, July 5 $63 per person x ___ person/s = _____�

PZ-1 Phila Zoo Thursday, July 5 $43 per person x ___ person/s =��� _____�

CT-1 Chinatown Thursday, July 5 $55 per person x ___ person/s =��� _____

Total=�_______

All costs are based on a minimum of thirty people per coach and include the Centipede guide, deluxe motorcoach transportation (or trolley, where indicated), gratuity for the driver, admissions, and meals where applicable.� Children under the age of twelve qualify for the children's rate.

Mail orders must include full payment by credit card, check, or money order. If paying with a credit card, give name of card (Visa, American Express, or MasterCard only).����

Name:___________________________________

Address:_______________________________

City,___________________________ State,________ Zip:____________

Phone (day): ___________________

Payment:�� _______Check��� ________Money Order��� ________Credit Card

Credit Card info:� Name of Credit Card_________________________________

Account Number:__________________________________Expiration Date:____________

Mail or fax completed form and payment to Centipede Tours, 1315 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107. Form and payment must be received by June 9, 2001. For further information call (215) 735-3123. To place credit card orders, fax (215) 735-9790 or e-mail <[email protected]>.