Thanksgiving in New York 2012

In reading our original post about Thanksgiving in 2010, it’s amazing to see how Beyond Group Travel has blossomed our signature Thanksgiving in New York program from 2010 to 2011 to this year, 2012.  2012 blessed us with a SOLD OUT program with 155 travelers, nearly all families!!!  Between the Traveling Aggies, Ohio State University Alumni, the War Eagle Travelers (Auburn), Georgia Tech University Alumni, and the University of South Florida Alumni, we filled the Residence Inn Times Square Manhattan. 

It was a pleasure to have one of our new staff members, Sandra Rodriguez, along to work with Cindy and Linda this year!  Our team was also pleased to work alongside each host; Jennifer Bohac – Traveling Aggies, Jacky Bennett – Ohio State University, Tanja Matthews – War Eagle Travelers, and Joe Irwin – Georgia Tech University.

Without a doubt, we knew we had found a gem for family-friendly accommodations when we began working with the Residence Inn New York Manhattan/Times Square in early 2011.  After last year’s Thanksgiving trip, we were impressed and thoroughly pleased to continue working with this property and their Director of Sales and Marketing, Jim McCabe. We cannot say enough wonderful things about how our spacious NYC accommodations worked out, the fabulous food we enjoyed for our welcome cocktail party and private parade viewing as well as breakfast each morning.  What we further love about working with the Residence Inn is the eye-appealing wrap-around view that this property provides to our travelers for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade!

As our program continued through the weekend, travelers were able to see the Radio City Christmas Spectacular with the legendary Rockettes, and we took our largest conclusive group to date on a Downtown Manhattan tour as well as a Circle Line Cruise.

Further, what’s New York without a little Broadway?!  Travelers saw one or two of their chosen favorites from Jersey Boys, The Lion King, The Phantom of the Opera, Mary Poppins, Spiderman Turn Off the Dark, and Wicked.

We greatly appreciate the compliments and testimonials we have already received, and we are energized to continue with our programs, including our Holidays in New York program that departs THIS WEEK!

We’re already planning for Thanksgiving in New York next year, and we look forward to hosting the Flying Longhorns, Alabama Alumni Association, and, for the first time, Wolftreks Travel (North Carolina State)!  Is your family interested in celebrating Thanksgiving in a new way?!

Maggie Dixon Classic

Back in October, we told you about our upcoming trip to New York with the Traveling Aggies and Aggie Women’s Hoops for the Maggie Dixon Classic at Madison Square Garden.  This trip departed on December 17th and returned home on December 20th; it was fantastic!

Linda was fortunate to be able to travel with the group of 25 fans that gathered to cheer on the Aggie Women’s team.  Jennifer Bohac, Director of Traveling Aggies at the Association of Former Students at Texas A&M University, was also able to join Linda for this trip.

Accommodations were at the Hilton Times Square, and this is definitely a favorite NYC hotel for Beyond Group Travel.  Providing our clients with the largest hotel rooms in Manhattan is a plus, and the staff is great as well.  We are very pleased!

Our group also enjoyed a fabulous dinner at Carmine’s on Friday evening with all of the Aggie Women’s team, their coaches, and their staff.  The girls seemed to love the family style of dining!

Saturday, the Aggie Women’s team received a touching and well-planned tour by Linda through some of NYC’s highlights and on into the World Trade Center site.  That afternoon, our group of fans and the team were able to see the Rockettes in the Radio City Spectacular.

Sunday, the reason for this trip arrived, and it was time for the girls to dominate Rutgers in the Maggie Dixon Classic!

Our group of fans thoroughly enjoyed their NEAR COURTSIDE seats!  They commented on the fantastic view they had for not only the A&M game but the UCONN vs. Ohio State game following.  The Aggie Women’s team did a terrific job and indeed won their game against Rutgers.  Great job ladies!

It was a wonderful trip and one we hope to repeat!  We look forward to other trips with the team and Coach Gary Blair.  Thanks for a wonderful time to our travelers and the Aggie Women’s Basketball team!

Take the hassle out of group travel; call us to plan your next group trip or join ours!

Thanksgiving in New York 2010

Wow!  What a fabulous trip we had hosting the Traveling Aggies, Georgia Tech Alumni Travel, and Emory Alumni Travel Program in New York City November 24-28, 2010 for our signature Thanksgiving in New York Program featuring the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.  After arriving via Continental Airlines, accommodations were at the fabulous New York Sheraton hotel which provided amazing views of the parade, excellent staff, and scrumptious buffets.  We were able to provide a memorable trip for families and friends that joined us for this terrific trip.  Porter Garner, President and C.E.O. of the Association of Former Students, joined Jennifer Bohac, Director of Travel Programs at the Association of Former Students of Texas A&M University, in hosting the Aggies this year; they each did a terrific job in ensuring a magical trip for all of the Aggies involved.  Don Chapman continued his talented service as host for the Georgia Tech Alumni.  This was Emory Alumni Travel’s introductory year traveling with us, and appreciated their involvement in the educational component of the World Trade Center site during our Manhattan tour.

Linda has hosted this trip for many years and is excited that this trip has continued so successfully with its first year under Beyond Group Travel!  This year, we were able to do:

• a welcome cocktail/reception party
• multiple theatre performances including, The Addams Family, Jersey Boys, The Lion King, and Wicked
• a Private Thanksgiving Day breakfast buffet with indoor PRIVATE parade viewing at the Sheraton

• performance of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular
• Football Game Watching parties for the Texas A&M vs. UT game as well as the Georgia Tech vs. Georgia game
• a cocktail reception and Thanksgiving dinner at Maloney and Porcelli.
• a Private NYC Manhattan tour
• a Circle Line cruise viewing Manhattan from the Hudson and East Rivers as well as an up close view of the Statue of Liberty.

We’ve received many gracious and thoughtful compliments thus far which really warms our hearts; it makes us proud to do what we do!  We are thoroughly looking forward to hosting the Flying Longhorns and Alabama next year for Thanksgiving in New York 2011!

Take the hassle out of group travel; call us to plan your next group trip or join ours!

Aggie Christmas Match-Up - Maggie Dixon Classic

Join the Traveling Aggies and Aggie Women's Hoops at the Maggie Dixon Classic in New York City!  We have extended the deadline to November 2, 2010 and would love to have you join us.

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS:

• Three night’s accommodations at Hilton Times Square – Soaring 44 stories above Manhattan, The Hilton Times Square offers over-sized guest rooms with spectacular, panoramic views, surrounded by Broadway theatres, shopping and fine New York restaurants.
• Attend the Basketball Games in Madison Square Garden – on Sunday, December 19^th, watch our Big 12 Champions Texas A&M Women take on the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Noon for the 5^th Annual Maggie Dixon Classic! Immediately following, watch the 2010 National Champion UCONN Huskies take on Ohio State.
• Radio City Spectacular starring the world-famous Rockettes – enjoy the flawless precision of the Radio City Rockettes as they perform legendary numbers such as the “Parade of Wooden Soldiers”. Marvel at the re-enactment of the first Christmas in the “Living Nativity”.

Land Only Package Includes:

• Accommodations for three nights at the Team hotel
• Hotel Taxes
• Reserved ticket for Maggie Dixon Classic games to see 4 Top-15 ranked teams, including our Aggie Women on Sunday, December 19^th
• Orchestra ticket for the Radio City Christmas Spectacular with the Team on Saturday December 18^th at 4:30pm
• Porterage for one bag upon arrival at hotel
• Trip is escorted by Beyond Group Travel, Inc.

Click here to access and print the brochure.  Contact us for further details or contact the Traveling Aggies with questions.