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First Dakota offers customers exclusive travel benefits, including package opportunities to exciting destinations. Get special offers, enjoy discounted rates, and enjoy added travel protection. Learn about upcoming travel tours, and sign up for the tour of your choice!
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Find a short description of our tours below. Full details and brochures are available at any First Dakota location. Or call your FirstPartners Advisor for details or email frietveld@firstdakota.com for more information. Tours are filling fast, so get your reservations in today!
November 14, 2024
Brown Family Christmas
As the holiday season approaches, we are filled with joy and gratitude. We invite you to join the First Dakota Travel Team for a delightful kickoff to the Christmas season with the Brown Family. Here is the itinerary for this holiday tour.
- 7:15 AM depart First Dakota, 500 E Norway, Mitchell
- 7:45 AM depart Parkston Food Center, 709 SD Highway 44, Parkston
- 9:00 AM depart First Dakota North, 2105 Broadway Ave, Yankton
- 9:45 AM depart Coffee Cup, 47051 SD Hwy 50/I-29
- 10:45 AM arrive in Le Mars for guided tour
- Noon Brown Family buffet begins
- 1:30 PM Brown Family Show
- 4:30 PM depart Le Mars
- 5:30 PM arrive Coffee Cup
- 6:15 PM arrive Yankton
- 7:15 PM arrive Parkston
- 7:45 PM arrive Mitchell
Christmas Now Buffet Menu includes slow cooked roast beef & homemade gravy, cranberry bacon wrapped chicken breasts, slow roasted pork tenderloin, harvest corn hotdish, creamy cranberry salad, zesty pasta salad, garden greens salad, and decadent cheesecake for dessert!
December 4 - 10, 2024
Montreal and Quebec City
We'll start at the Great Montreal Christmas Market. Here you’ll enjoy a magical cultural culinary journey through the Quartier des spectacles. Whether it’s sipping mulled wine or admiring beautiful Christmas decorations that gets you into the festive spirit, nothing says it’s the Holiday season like a Christmas Market! Enjoy the many sites, both new and old, throughout the city, highlighting the Notre Dame Cathedral, St. Joseph’s Oratory, Jacques Cartier Square, McGill University, and a panoramic view of the city from atop Mount Royal. From here transfer to the Montreal Central train station and board the VIA Rail Canada for a scenic and relaxing train ride to the “Paris of North America”, Quebec City. The Marché de Noël Allemand de Quebec ~ German Christmas Market is a magical place that comes to life in the heart of Old Québec, designed to recreate as closely as possible the atmosphere of the big European Christmas markets and to offer you a unique and unforgettable experience. Enjoy a wonderland with a unique and warm atmosphere, a great selection of succulent German treats (bratwurst, mulled wine, gingerbread, and other traditional delicacies), and delicious terroir products, exquisite Christmas gifts, and popup performances. Experience the holiday season at one of the most authentic and traditional Sugar Shacks in all of Canada – Sucrerie de la Montagne! Upon arrival, you’ll be shuttled by sleigh or cart pulled by horses to partake in a traditional Quebec holiday feast while enjoying lively musical entertainment!
February 15 - 28, 2025
Panama Canal Cruise with Costa Rica and Aruba
The perfect winter get-away! You will spend twelve days aboard Princess Cruises' Emerald Princess. The first port is Aruba, located off the coast of Venezuela. Aruba’s arid interior is dotted with cactus and windswept divi-divi trees while secluded coves and sandy beaches make up its coast. The old walled city of Cartagena, Colombia reflects a turbulent history of conquistadors and pirates. Shop for emeralds and leather goods along the cobblestone streets of this enchanting city. Sail through the Caribbean entrance of the Panama Canal, an incredible engineering marvel! Limón, Costa Rica is known for its multi-cultural community and a festive annual Carnaval celebration. The region's unique geography and neo-tropical climate, combined with abundant rainforests, make for one of the most naturally diverse "biospheres" in the world. Ocho Rios, Jamaica is a scenic and peaceful port located on the northern end of Jamaica. Enjoy some of the Caribbean's finest food, an incredible reggae music scene, beautiful seaside landscapes and the laid-back comfort of island life. Join us on this winter fun-in-the-sun vacation.
Cabin space will be released September 9, 2024.
March 26 - April 3, 2025
The Best of Madeira
This tour encapsulates the diverse and breathtaking beauty of Madeira Island, showcasing its coastal splendor, mountainous landscapes, and unique natural attractions. Prepare to be enchanted by the islands charm and discover why it is often referred to as the “Pearl of the Atlantic”. Take in the large and lively Mercado dos Lavradores market in the city of Funchal. Travel through the Poiso Pass into the mountains with views of Pico do Arieiro, the third highest peak on the island. Visit a local sugarcane mill, a testimony to the importance sugarcane had and still has on the economy and culture of Madeira. Tour through Ponta Do Sol, a banana and sugar cane-growing region. Journey over the Encumeada Pass, home to a 20 million year old living fossil, the subtropical Laurissilva Rainforest. Don't miss this breathtaking and beautiful journey.
April 22 - 28, 2025
Amish Country, Wild Ponies & Virginia Beach International Tattoo
Explore the East Coast from Philadelphia to Virginia Beach on this spectacular 7-day trip. Enjoy a visit to Amish Country as you get an authentic look and feel of how the Amish live. Experience the Sight & Sound Theatre that started 45 years ago as a traveling multimedia show and today has become a destination for over 25 million people. This experience is in a 2,000-seat theatre, a massive 300-foot wrap-around stage, a professional cast, spectacular sets up to 40 feet high, and a variety of live animals. Visit the Longwood Gardens gaining an appreciation of our heritage and horticultural excellence. Then we will head to Assateague Island famous for its beautiful beaches, wild ponies, and abundant birds. Board the Assateague Explorer Pontoon Boat for a private Pony Express Nature Cruise which takes you along the southern part of Assateague, to places the legendary wild horses and migratory birds call home. Head to Virginia Beach and let the Military Pageantry begin. Begin with an early visit to the Nauticus, a nautical museum, then take in the NATO Parade of Nations, featuring marching bands, Tattoo performers, decorative floats, and decorated NATO officials, all representing NATO nations. View the Navel Station Norfolk, the largest navel installation in the world. Later it's on to the fun-filled evening at the Virginia International Tattoo, celebrating with an extraordinary once-in-a-lifetime cast of over 800 performers, from 5 to 6 international countries, in one voice, honoring the incredible service and sacrifice of the US Armed Forces. Don't miss this fabulous tour to Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia!
May 26 - June 6, 2025
The Very Best of Eastern Germany
Join us on an 11 night journey to East Germany! See sights that you haven't seen on your previous visits to Germany. Enjoy meats, cheeses, breads and try local beers at a beer garden. Learn how to properly dance an English Waltz at a dance school. Visit the famous Meissen porcelain factory. Meet and hear from locals on your city tours of Berlin, Dresden, Leipzig and Potsdam. Relax and enjoy the countryside between cities. Visit the summer palace of Frederick the Great, King of Prussia in Potsdam and eat at the same restaurant Goethe and Bach dined! Take a river cruise on the river Spree and see Berlin from its best angle. Experience a unique boat cruise on the Elbe River on a paddle steamer in Dresden. Enjoy a farewell dinner cruise in Potsdam on the River Havel and soak in the scenery. Be surprised - Not everyone in Germany wears lederhosen!
June 22 - 28, 2025
New England - Railing and Sailing
Explore the region famous for its rich history, charming villages, beautiful coastline, and majestic mountains by road, rail, and sail. Take a tour along the magnificent Ten Mile Drive, where the elite families such as the Vanderbilts and the Astors built their "summer cottages" to retreat from city life. Take a schooner cruise around Narragansett Bay and enjoy the Newport's waterfront. Head to Block Island, which has been heralded as "one of the twelve best-unspoiled areas in the Western Hemisphere" and is known for its relaxed way of life. Think food and drinks overlooking the ocean, boutique-lined streets, spectacular natural sights and some of the most unspoiled white sand beaches in the country. Step aboard the Winnipesaukee railroad for a two-hour nostalgic train ride along the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee. Visit Mount Washington Hotel, the most luxurious hotel of its day, and once became a favorite summer haunt for poets, celebrities, presidents, and princes. You’ll board the Mount Washington Cog Railway for an unforgettable and exciting “once in a lifetime” rail experience. Enjoy a rare glimpse of this area while taking in spectacular views as you travel up some of the steepest railroad tracks in existence. Head to coastal Maine, arriving at the beautiful village of Kennebunkport and enjoy a scenic drive along the ocean-viewing Walker’s Point, the well-known summer home of past President George HW Bush. Enjoy a photo stop at one of the most photographed lighthouses in the country: The Nubble Light, followed by a traditional Maine Lobster bake with all the fixings!
Deposit deadline is November 1, 2024.
July 23 - August 3, 2025
Tahiti and the Society Islands
Welcome to Paradise! The islands of French Polynesia are a gorgeous collection of volcanic atolls strewn across the grand Pacific Ocean and the island of Tahiti is the largest of all. Start your dream vacation with a two-night stay in Papeete at the InterContinental Tahiti Resort and Spa. The Resort is located on 32 acres of lush tropical garden alongside an idyllic lagoon. Indulge in a host of activities, from diving amongst coral reefs to taking a swim at the infinity pool or unwinding at the Deep Nature Spa. Enjoy a drink from your private balcony of your spacious panoramic ocean view room facing the lagoon. Explore the best of Tahiti on two included half-day excursions before you embark the M/S Paul Gauguin, one of the finest small boutique ships at sea. Voted most luxurious ship to sail in Tahiti on a year-round basis, your Paul Gauguin ship is designed to dazzle. Along with the incredible beauty of the South Pacific you will be treated to all shipboard meals in your choice of venue, included beverages, in room fridge replenished daily with soft drinks, beer, and water, entertainment including local Polynesian performers, complimentary watersports including kayaking and paddle boarding, use of the secluded, white-sand beach in Bora Bora, and a day on Gauguin’s private island, Motu Mahana!
Deposit deadline is December 1, 2024.
August 12 - 19, 2025
Montana - Big Sky Country
Montana has a way of capturing the imagination and stealing hearts, and yet it means something different to everyone. Some come for the untouched wilderness and wildlife. Others want to experience the culture of the old west. Be mesmerized by the soaring peaks and electric blue lakes of Glacier National Park, where you feel like you’ve stepped into a postcard, discovering Montana all while meeting the friendly Hutterite's and even a real-life horse Wrangler in the wilderness. As you journey from dramatic mountains to sweeping prairies, you’ll see that Big Sky Country is more than just a nickname: It’s really the only way to describe the endless wonders of this incredible state.
Deposit deadline is January 1, 2025.
September 17 - 27, 2025
Scotland
Are you ready to embark on a journey through the breathtaking landscapes of Scotland? We are excited to explore iconic cities like Edinburgh and Glasgow, marvel at the beauty of Loch Lomond, venture to the mystical Isle of Skye, and discover the historic charm of Inverness and the legendary Loch Ness. Immerse yourself in the rich culture and stunning scenery that Scotland has to offer. Book your trip now and create unforgettable memories in this land of rugged mountains, picturesque lochs, and ancient castles.
Deposit deadline is January 1, 2025.
October 24 - November 2, 2025
Paris and the Heart of Normandy
Dock in the heart of Paris and admire the views of the Eiffel Tower and a replica of the Statue of Liberty from your ship. Experience history firsthand at the Normandy beaches. See WWII landmarks such as Omaha Beach. Follow the coast to the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer. Located high on a cliff over Omaha Beach, it is the final resting place of nearly 9,400 American service personnel. Delight in Rouen’s Gothic architecture. Explore Giverny and the charming house and gardens where Claude Monet lived and worked, the setting inspiring many of his masterpieces. This voyage on the Viking Fjorgny, celebrates history, art, food, and customs in France’s most alluring urban and pastoral settings.
Cabin space will be released October 7, 2024.
December 6 - 11, 2025
Holiday Time in New York City!
We are thrilled to be going to New York City, especially at Christmas time. Explore all New York City has to offer featuring 4-nights in the heart of iconic Times Square.
Here are a few highlights of this fabulous holiday tour.
• Orchestra seats at Radio City Music Hall for a performance featuring the high-kicking precision of the world-famous Rockettes.
• Guided tour of Lower Manhattan to see Madison Square Garden, the Empire State Building, Wall Street, the 9/11 Memorial, and more.
• Orchestra seats at two delightful Broadway musicals.
• Delight in the holiday decorations along Fifth Avenue and Rockefeller Center. Finish it off with a horse-drawn carriage ride in Central Park.
• Choose between self-guided audio tours at Liberty Island or Ellis Island.
• Enjoy a Slice of Brooklyn Pizza tour
You will be filled with the holiday spirit from the wonderful time we spent in New York City
Sign up by December 1, 2024 and receive a $100 discount.