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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!

June 17 - 20, 2025
Mystery Tour

What surprises does the First Dakota Travel Team have up their sleeve? This 3-night / 4-day trip is full of unique and interesting stops and our goal is to surprise you with secret places and adventures you don’t know about. Reservations start Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at 9:00 AM. No early reservations accepted for this tour. Need at least 20 travelers to make this trip go. We will pick up in Salem, Mitchell, and Yankton. Click here for complete reservation details. Don’t jump to conclusions, just jump on board the motor coach! This tour currently has a waitlist.  

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!

August 23 - 29, 2025
Summertime in the Smoky Mountains

Together, we will bring the history and magic of the Smoky Mountains to life! Our stay begins in the wonderful town of Pigeon Forge, in the foothills of the mountains. You can't visit this area without learning the history of Dolly Parton and visiting Dollywood. The Foothills Parkway is known as "one of the prettiest drives in America," providing the best views of the highest peaks in the eastern United States. After exploring the Great Smoky Mountain Heritage Center, we will tour to the secluded valley of Cades Cove. The Cove is one of the Smokies' best wildlife viewing areas, rich in white-tailed deer, black bears, and coyotes. Take in all the smells and aromas of southern, home-style dining while on tour. We will be entertained at Country Tonite - this fast-paced production features singing, dancing, comedy, powerful gospel music, and American patriotism. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the mountains while traveling by train along the Tennessee and Nantahala Rivers. We will end our stay with two evenings at the elegant Inn at Biltmore Estate. This village provides a relaxing place for dining, shopping, historical exhibits, and amazing ways to experience Biltmore’s hospitality - such as a complimentary wine tasting! You don't want to miss the beauty and elegance of this tour. 

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.

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.

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

February 24 - March 7, 2026
Ultimate Kenya flying Safari 

Our Flying Safari gives you direct access to Kenya’s wilderness, offering some of the most exquisite luxury lodges and camps in the parks. Our carefully designed safari program allows you to fly in style between the top lodges and camps, with the best driver-guides and the finest wildlife watching that Kenya has to offer. You will spend 2 nights in Amboseli, 2-nights at the Lake Elementaita area, and 3-nights in the Masai Mara. No second is wasted, giving you more time to revel in the sights, smells, sounds, and sensations of the African bush. You don't want to miss this photo safari of a lifetime. Email or call today about this tour! Deposit deadline is June 1, 2025.

April 17 - May 2, 2026
Best of Japan Cruise  

Welcome to Japan! You will have a 2-night stay in Tokyo, then board the Celebrity Cruise Line's Millenium. Explore all that Japan has to offer including: 

• Immerse yourself in the heart of Tokyo, where tradition meets modern innovation. Visit the grounds of the historic Imperial Palace, the seat of power for the Japanese imperial family. Once the site of Edo Castle and home to the powerful Tokugawa shoguns, today the palace serves as the main residence of the Emperor of Japan, and its gardens offer a tranquil escape from the bustling city.
• Step into the vibrant city of Asakusa. Wander along the centuries-old bustling Nakamise Shopping Street, lined with traditional shops offering a delightful array of souvenirs and local delicacies.
• Embark on a journey through time and witness 400 years of history at the Edo-Tokyo Museum. Explore the life-size replica of Nihonbashi, which was the bridge leading into Edo, and scale models of historic towns and buildings tracing the city's development from the Tokugawa shogunate to the modern Showa era.
• Visit Ameyoko Shopping Street, an open market with stalls featuring fresh produce, street food, fashion items, cosmetics, and other souvenirs.
• On clear days, Mount Fuji (Fuji-san) can be seen from Tokyo, 60 miles away! This sacred symbol of Japan was forbidden to women until the early 1900s. Shimizu port offers stunning views, while Miho-no-Matsubara beach provides clear sights framed by pine trees.
• Make port in Osaka, a vibrant city known for its culinary scene. A short distance away is historic Kyoto, the capital of Japan for more than 1,000 years. Explore stunning landscapes, zen gardens, or visit one of the 17 different World Heritages Sites nestled amongst the cherry blossom and ginkgo trees.
• Situated on the southern coast of Japan’s smallest island, Kochi is small and friendly, boasting several attractions of interest.
• Experience Busan, South Korea, a premier trading port, adjacent to the Korean Straits and Japan, that makes it an international metropolis but its beautiful sea vistas make it a charming place to unwind. Take in the serenity of Beomeo-sa Temple, climb the Busan Tower in Yongdusan Park and rejuvenate at Hushimchung Spa.
• Take in the stunning views and vibrant nightlife of Nagasaki, a historically rich city. Explore hot springs, museums and temples, and stroll through streets influenced by Chinese and European cultures. Don’t miss Nagasaki Peace Park, which commemorates the events of the second atomic bomb in 1945.
• Explore Kagoshima with its pleasant climate and palm-lined streets. Notable attractions include the Kagoshima Aquarium and Sengan-en gardens. Visit Yakushima Island, unwind in hot springs, and enjoy Yurigahama Beach, where a shifting sandbar enhances the charm of this unique destination.

You’ll be taking with you fond memories of cherry blossoms and the warmth of the “Land of the Rising Sun.” Until next time, Sayōnara! Plan to join us today! Receive $200 in shipboard credit when you pay your deposit by August 1, 2025. 

July 9 - 18, 2026
Iceland - the land of fire and ice 

Join us on this adventure to the Land of Fire and Ice! Explore all that Iceland has to offer including: 

• Visit the Viking World Museum.
• Travel to Husafell, home of Iceland's second-largest glacier.
• Enter the blue heart of Langjokull Glacier via super truck glacier vehicle.
• Pass through the Valley of the Horses. The Valley is known as the Mecca of horsemanship thanks to its abundance of Icelandic horses.
• Take in Goðafoss Waterfall, known locally as the Waterfall of the Gods for its godlike beauty and one of the most spectacular falls in Iceland.
• Get a start in the Mytvatn Nature Baths, also known as the Blue Lagoon of the North. This natural experience is a relaxing dip in clouds of steam rising from a fissure deep in
  the earth's surface, followed by a swim in a pool of geothermal water that is drawn from depths of up to 6000 ft.
• Visit Hverir, a large geothermal field of bubbling mud pools, hissing fumaroles, and sticky red soil. You'll soon realize why Iceland is named the Land of Fire and Ice. It's also the closest you'll ever get to Mars on Earth!
• Journey onto Dettifoss Waterfall, the most powerful waterfall in Europe, and most voluminous in Iceland. Measuring 144 ft. high and 328 ft. wide, Dettifoss is referred to as “The Beast” and known for its power rather than its appearance. That said, the waterfall is stunning, extremely large, and the mist from the falls is visible from several miles away.
• Arrive at the magnificent Jökulsarlón Glacier Lagoon, the largest ice lagoon in Iceland! Take a boat cruise and see with your own eyes giant, incredibly shaped icebergs, transparent and opaque ice, and even deep jewel blue ice. The atmospheric gray streaks showing within some of the icebergs will remind you Iceland is a volcanic land with a great fiery heart.
• Enjoy a stop at Geysir and Strokkur geysers. The first spring, Great Geysir, is the most spectacular. It can spout boiling water up to 230 ft. It's also famous for the fact that it gave its name to all other geysers in the world. Its only fault is that it erupts only 4 to 5 times a day. The nearby Strokkur geyser shoots over 100 ft. every 10 minutes. Have your camera ready to capture amazing pictures right before the eruption, when the water is formed in the shape of a blue egg.

Fond memories of the Land of Fire and Ice will remain forever! Join us for this tour today! Deposit deadline is July 1, 2025.
 

September 18 - 27, 2026
Switzerland and the Lakes of Northern Italy 

Launch your love affair with Switzerland and the Italian Lakes in the sophisticated lakeside city of Geneva, an international city with all the charm of its Swiss traditions. Travel by train to the resort town of Zermatt, located at the foothills of the imposing Matterhorn. The scenic train ride runs along Lake Geneva, through the Rhone Valley, and into the Matter Valley. The journey takes approximately 4 hours, with a train change in Visp. Located at an elevation of 5,250 feet, the village of Zermatt lies below the iconic, pyramid-shaped Matterhorn peak. Join us on Zermatt's highest and most spectacular mountain ride to the top of the world! Take in stunning views of 38 peaks and 14 glaciers as you ascend via gondola to Furi station, followed by a cable car ride to the Trockener Steg station, and then Europe's highest cable car (12,740 feet) to view the magnificent snow-capped top of the world. During your journey, take in stunning views. One of the main reasons to visit Matterhorn Glacier Paradise is the unparalleled 360° view of Switzerland, France, and Italy from the highest viewing platform in the Alps! Embrace the glamour and romance of a bygone era as you watch the epic alpine landscapes drift past from the comfort of the world-famous Glacier Express! From the foot of the Matterhorn in Zermatt, the eight-hour panoramic journey takes you over 291 bridges and through 91 tunnels into the high Alpine Valley of the Engadine Lakeland near St. Moritz. A truly unforgettable journey full of highlights, passing through the heart of the Swiss Alps! Travel a short distance to the glistening blue waters of Lake Como, a bucket-list destination known for its scenic shores, exclusive luxury villas, and frequent celebrity sightings! While Lake Como is a playground for the rich and famous, the natural beauty and culture of the area are surprisingly accessible. Wander through the sophisticated streets of Milan, joining your Local Guide on a tour that will reveal the city's iconic and unexpected highlights. See the Gothic Cathedral, glass-domed Galleria, and La Scala Opera House, one of the finest opera houses in the world. Later, visit the Armani Silos, a cultural space and museum dedicated to the legacy of renowned Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani. Gain a unique insight into the artistry and vision of one of fashion's most influential figures. Relish a full day to relax and enjoy Lake Maggiore. Join us on this trip of a lifetime! Deposit Deadline is September 1, 2025.