Highlights
• Garden of the Gods
• Manitou & Pikes Peak Cog Railway
• Royal Gorge Bridge and Park
• Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Rail
• Winery Tour
• Colorado Railroad Museum

In 1859, surveyor Rufus Cable described an area near present-day Colorado Springs, Colorado, as a place fit for the gods to assemble.  Thus, the 1,300-plus-acre park – dotted with red sandstone spires, cathedral-sized rocks and hollowed-out sanctuaries – was named Garden of the Gods.  It’s fitting for western parts of the state as well.

Here, coarse foothills rise to heavenly prominence in the Colorado Rockies and rail enthusiasts read new heights.  The Pikes Peak Cog Railway showcases the majesty of the state’s tallest “Fourteener”, Pikes Peak at 14,110 feet, while the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad carries passengers high into the San Juan range.  Your stay includes nights at such historical properties as Hotel Colorado in Glenwood Springs – where President Teddy Roosevelt once frequented in summer – and the Brown Palace in Denver.

Price Includes:
● 8 nights accommodations (3 nights Antler Colorado Springs Hilton, 2 nights Doubletree Hotel, 1 night Hotel Colorado, 2 nights The Brown Palace Hotel)
● 12 Meals (8reakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners)
● Vapor Caves at Yampah Spa
● Sojourns Escort
● Sightseeing per the itinerary

Note: Pre and post nights available.  Inquire at time of booking.

Limitations and Restrictions: *Prices are per person, based on double occupancy, are subject to availability at time of booking, and may change without notice.  Government taxes, service charges, fuel surcharges and gratuities are not always included in the price and, if not, are in addition to the stated prices. Member benefit is per person and applies to first and second traveler only.  Member benefits are available only with advertised fare and are subject to change without notice.  Your travel arrangements may be modified or cancelled subject to the travel providers’ policies.  Additional conditions and restrictions may apply.  We make every effort for accuracy at time of publication but reserve the right to correct errors.  AAA Travel strongly recommends the purchase of trip protection insurance.

Change and Cancellation penalties:
$50 per person administrative fee is charged if you cancel after you make your deposit unless your deposit is applied to another booking at that time.
76+ days prior to departure:  $50 per person
75-61 days prior to departure:  No Refund of initial deposit
60-31 days prior to departure:  50% of total fare
30-15 days prior to departure:  75% of total fare
14-o days prior to departure, no shows, or tour interruptions en route:  100% of total fare.
Unused or partially used tour feature and components are non refundable.
Trip cancellation insurance is strongly recommended

Day 1: August 28, 2009 – Arrive Colorado Springs
Your tour through the Rocky Mountains begins with a Welcome Reception and Dinner. (D)
Antler Hilton Hotel Colorado Springs - 3 nights

Day 2: August 29, 2009 –Garden of the Gods
Visit The United States Air Force Academy, which has been training cadets in Colorado Springs since 1986. The multi-faith, 17 – spire Cadet Chapel draped in colored glass and aluminum is a striking example of modernist architecture. Enjoy lunch and a tour of Garden of the Gods a National Natural Landmark where ecology, geology and cultural history spring to life through many hands - on
exhibits. Evening at leisure. (B, L)

Day 3: August 30, 2009 - Pikes Peak
Board the Manitou Springs & Pikes Peak Cog Railway and enjoy a thrilling ride to the peak’s pink granite summit. See the amazing view from 14,000 feet. In operation since 1891, the railway is the highest cog railroad in the United States and uses special Swiss railcars to ascend 14,115 feet above sea level. Dinner this evening is at your leisure. (B)

Day 4: August 31, 2009 – Royal Gorge - Durango
Depart for Canon City, home of Royal Gorge Bridge and Park, where you can walk across the world’s highest suspension bridge. Other attractions include an aerial tram with magnificent views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, and the world’s longest single tram. Enjoy the scenery along our journey to Durango. Dinner will be at your leisure. (B)
Doubletree Hotel - 2 nights

Day 5: September 1, 2009 – Silverton
Climb aboard the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad for a trip into the past. The destination is the town of Silverton, a former mining camp tucked between the towering peaks of the San Juan Mountains. Enjoy time in Silverton’s well – preserved
National Historic District. Board the motor coach back to Durango. Evening at leisure in Durango. (B)

Day 6: September 2, 2009 – Durango – Glenwood Springs
Enjoy a panoramic drive through Montrose, Hotchkiss and Paonia known as The “Wine Region” of Colorado. Enjoy wine tasting and lunch at one of the local wineries. Continue into Glenwood Springs, where you will have the opportunity to enjoy the largest natural hot springs pools in the world. Evening at leisure. (B, L)
Hotel Colorado

Day 7: September 3, 2009 – Glenwood Springs - Denver
Enjoy a free morning in Glenwood Springs either relaxing in the pool or at the Vapor Caves at Yampah Spa and Salon. There are natural underground hot mineral water steam baths. Then depart for the mile high city of Denver. Upon arrival, the evening is at your leisure. (B)
The Brown Palace Hotel - 2 nights

Day 8: September 4, 2009 - Denver
Visit the Colorado Railroad Museum, where 100 – plus historic narrow, and standard gauge railway cars and locomotives from the golden age of Rocky Mountain rail travel are displayed alongside rare artifacts, photographs, tracks, and switches. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure. Tonight’s Farewell Dinner is at your hotel, the 116 – year-old Brown Palace, an elegant home- away-from – home for everyone from Teddy Roosevelt to the Beatles. (CB, D)

Day 9: September 5, 2009 - Depart Denver
Following breakfast, make your own way to the Denver airport for your flight home. You can make arrangements through the front
desk of the hotel. (CB)