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GVG Tours, LLC, Clinton, WI (2026)

06/17/2026

At the beginning of June, we took a fantastic trip to Manhattan for a fundraiser in collaboration with the Rockford Symphony Orchestra. We had a memorable week of sightseeing and world-class musical experiences!

To get our bearings on the first night of the trip, we began with a boat tour around Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty. We traversed the Hudson and East rivers, sailed under the Brooklyn bridge, and were treated to some spectacular sunset skyscraper reflections. The city was ready for the Knicks to win!

During the days, the group kept busy with a highlight-reel of NYC sightseeing: Grand Central Station, a ferry to Liberty and Ellis islands, the 9/11 memorial pools, the High Line, Times Square, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the tops of the Rockefeller Center and the Empire State Building, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and free time in Central Park.

In the evenings our friends at the RSO found an impressive lineup of musical experiences which proved unforgettable. On the first night of music, we saw the world-renowned conductor Semyon Bychkov at the helm of the New York Philharmonic for Bruckner’s 8th Symphony. Known for its iconic brass lines, this masterpiece set the tone for our musical trifecta.

We switched things up the next night to see a jazz show! The stage had an impressive backdrop as you can see from the picture: a huge glass window overlooking Columbus Circle and the southern edge of Central Park. Etienne Charles was the featured musician, and along with his band and dancers provided a unique Afro-Caribbean jazz experience.

On the last night of the trip we saw the opera Turandot at the Met. We went into the performance with high expectations, and it is fair to say we were completely blown away. Turandot is known for the famous aria Nessun Dorma, but many in our group could not stop talking about a moment in the 2nd act when the a partition rose to dramatically show the full depth and detail of the stage and the costumes worn. White and gold costumes and ornaments adorned an enormous stage full of world-class opera singers. Truly a spectacle to behold! (Photo credit: Russ Stoneback for the photo of the opera)

Special thank you to Michael and our friends at the RSO, as well as all of the supporters and travelers who came out to experience Manhattan music with us!

02/07/2026

❄️ Winter in Yellowstone (January 26-30, 2026):

On this tour, we spent two days in Jackson Hole and three days in West Yellowstone. Some highlights included fun in the great city of Jackson, a sleigh ride in an elk refuge, and snow coach tours and adventures in Yellowstone. Wildlife, geysers, mud pots, hot springs, Old Faithful, canyons, and a freezing waterfall were just part of the trip!

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More on the pictures below:

Moose and Big Horn Sheep:

We went on a wildlife drive outside of Jackson and were fortunate to see two moose walking across a field. There was a majestic quality to the moose as they crossed the field giving you the impression that they own the place. The Big Horn Sheep come down from elevation to eat. The horns are so impressive and their coloration makes them blend into the rocky terrain.

Bison:

There are around 5,000 bison in Yellowstone, and we had the good fortune of seeing many. They need to continue to eat in winter and the hump in their front quarter provides extra muscles for moving their head to clear the snow as they search for grass to eat.

Grand Canyon of Yellowstone:

Simply put, this is one of the most impressive sites on earth. The Yellowstone River plunges over 100 feet to the basin. The high cliffs provide a most impressive setting for the waterfall, and coming here in the winter gives the whole scene an extra texture.

The Azure Spring:

The water features in Yellowstone are among the most unique on earth. The temperature of the water averages between 160-200 degrees, so it is generally not recommended to go for a dip. Some springs have orange, yellow, and brown hues which are caused by thermophilic bacteria which thrive at certain hot temperatures. The beautiful blues pictured are where the water is too hot for even the bacteria to grow!

GVG Tours is offering another Winter in Yellowstone trip in 2027. This trip takes only eight people, so sign up early!

02/04/2026

Please enjoy the first of many trip recaps coming in 2026!

🌋 Hawaiian Adventure (January 10-21, 2026):

For this tour, GVG Tours partnered with Collette. We spent three days on each of three islands: Oahu, Big Island (Hawaii), and Maui. Tour Highlights included Pearl Harbor, Volcanoes National Park (Kīlauea crater), Black Sand Beach, a Lei making class, Polynesian luau, coffee plantation (famous Kona coffee), Pu’uhonau National Park (place of refuge), and Iao Needle. Amongst these varied and interesting stops, the group had ample time to enjoy the beaches, go shopping, or take a variety of additional tours including the famed Road to Hana, whale watching, snorkeling, and much more.

GVG Tours is offering this tour again in 2027!

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More on the pictures below:

USS Arizona Memorial and USS Missouri:

Although the pictures seem unrelated, that is far from the case. Actually they are bookends which mark the beginning of America’s entry into World War II, and the end of the war in the Pacific with the Japanese surrender aboard the USS Missouri. (An homage to President Truman who was from Missouri). It is impossible to look down at the remains of the USS Arizona and not reflect on the sacrifice that so many men and women have made over the course of our history.

Pictures of Polynesian Artifacts:

The first people to live in Hawaii were Polynesians who traversed the ocean to discover the islands. The Polynesians came to the islands around 1,000 CE, which in historical terms is fairly recent. The rich cultural heritage of the Polynesian settlers remains embedded in the Hawaiian people today.

Picture of landscape and Kilauea crater:

There is a hot spot under the ocean in the Earth’s mantle that over the eons has created the Hawaiian Islands. The hot spot remains fixed, but as the tectonic plates move over it the hot spot (through volcanic activity) creates land masses in a chain configuration. Two mountains in Hawaii are actually much taller than Mount Everest if the measure includes the part of the mountain submerged in the water. The most active volcano in Hawaii is Kilauea which continues to spew magma almost daily. Two days before we went to see it at Volcanoes National Park it erupted and sent magma over 1,400 feet in the air. While this makes for incredible videos you can find on YouTube, the December 23, 2024 eruption destroyed numerous homes. PBS Nova produced a great documentary on a past eruption and its aftermath.

01/21/2026

Please enjoy the third and final installment of our 2025 year in review!

● New York
Among all the hustle and bustle in this historic and incredible city, I wanted to reflect on an important event in recent American history - the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001. It is remarkable to consider the resilience and unity shown by New Yorkers in the in the wake of those horrific events, and memorials in the city provided us with a chance to reflect. The photo is taken from the Empty Sky memorial at Liberty State Park, located in New Jersey. Across the Hudson River from Ground Zero, the memorial focuses your sight line to the absence of the Twin Towers from the skyline, and contains the names of those killed in the attacks. It is both sobering and moving.

● Autumn in New England
This tour had many special moments as we toured Boston, Newport mansions, Kennebunkport, Portland, Bar Harbor and Manchester. The palate of colors the trees provided for us was truly amazing! This picture is of the Portland Head Light, which was constructed in 1791 and commissioned by George Washington himself. The lighthouse signals the entrance into Portland's harbor through Casco Bay. It stands as a testament to the builders, surviving 234 years of waves and weather. The lighthouse is now automated and remains in service, marking the intersection of past and present.

● Cuba:
It is a most interesting place to visit with the vibrant culture, delicious cuisine, friendly people and awesome landscapes. The American embargo has prevented the import of new cars, so they do an expert job of keeping the old cars running. Those vintage cars are very valuable! Tourism is a major industry in Cuba, and we were able to enjoy some fantastic walking tours. We even saw the spot which inspired Hemmingway to write The Old Man and the Sea.

● Morocco:
Morocco is located in North Africa and has a number of different biomes, including mountains, deserts, and coastline on both the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. My favorite day from this trip included a bus ride through the Atlas Mountains, a 4x4 ride through the desert, and a camel ride to our camp in the Sahara Desert. As we neared the end of our camel ride, we experienced a magnificent sunset and the rising of a full moon. In the camp, Moroccan folk music and dance was shared. It was a special day that will long be etched into our memories.

● Danube River Cruise Christmas Markets
Throughout Europe in large cities and small towns, Christmas markets emerge as the focal point for locals and visitors. In the markets are rides for children, food stands with typical German fare, beverage stands, shops and entertainment! The beverage stands offer everything from eggnog to punch in special mugs with Christmas themes and the name of the city. Cruising to different cities to visit these shops is easy! You just unpack once, the food is excellent, there's nightly entertainment and excellent accommodations. My personal favorite stop was Rottenburg, a small city that is surrounded by a 13th-century wall which is filled with houses and shops out of a painting. If this sounds good to you, please join us on our 2026 Danube Christmas Markets cruise!

I hope you've enjoyed our recap of a spectacular 2025 for GVG Tours, and I'm looking forward to all the trips we have planned for 2026! We've already managed to get out to Hawai'i for an island adventure, and we'll have some wonderful photos to share with you all soon.

01/19/2026

In writing Part 2 of the 2025 year in review, I think we'll need a bonus Part 3! Please enjoy the recap of a few more trips:

● Norway:
The west coast of Norway is marked by numerous fjords which contain so much natural beauty. The picture is from a mountainous fjord with a long and winding road. Each hairpin turn leads to another adventure! The Norwegians have a very extensive tunnel system which allows for travel in these mountainous areas. The longest tunnel is almost nine miles in length. With beauty like this, it's little wonder that Norwegian people are among the happiest in the world.

● Ireland:
Our tour goes all the way around the Emerald Isle and this picture is from Northern Ireland. The picture is of the Giant's Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage site which has featured on our page before. The interlocking basalt columns were formed sixty million years ago! The name comes from an old legend involving a pair of giants, one Irish and one Scottish. You can find the full story in our previous Facebook post if you go hunting!

● Eastern Canada:
This awesome tour took us from Toronto to Quebec City. One of our stops was to spend a night at Niagara Falls on the Canadian side. We had a great hotel which allowed us to look out the window to see the falls. The picture was taken from the top of Skylon Tower, which overlooks the falls. The power of the falls can be felt as well as seen. We learned that the water rate is sometimes reduced at night to prevent erosion, and is instead partially diverted to create more energy. A highlight was the view at night of fireworks bursting over the falls. I would like to have GVG Tours take credit for the fireworks, but it is a nightly occurrence in the summer!

● Galápagos Islands:
The Galápagos Islands are part of Ecuador and are located 800 miles west of the country. Our tour included both the Galápagos Islands and Quito, Ecuador's capital. The animals on the islands are a big draw, including the famous Galápagos tortoises which live to an average age of 150. In addition to a lack of predators, a big reason for their longevity is their ability to grow back their beak, which they use like teeth, as it wears down.

● Kenya:
People often ask me, "What is your favorite trip?". My answer is always the same: safaris in Africa. Each day when you embark on a safari, you never know what you are going to see. Majestic lions, gigantic elephants, hippos in the water, sleek cheetahs, herds of zebra and wildebeest, the list goes on and on. A safari is the opportunity to see the animals in their natural environment (it will blow zoos out of the water!). The rhino pictured is part of an endangered species which is in a fight for existence from poachers. The rhinos weigh in between 5,000 - 8,000 pounds and are so impressive to look at - characteristics that look primordial.

● Pacific Northwest:
This tour included Vancouver CA, Seattle, and Portland. A highlight of the trip was our visit to the Boeing Everett facility. The factory buildings are among the largest in the world. A plane starts out as a conical tube and step by step it becomes a jet that will transport people to destinations all over the world. The steps include installing electrical and water systems, attaching the wings, installing the seats, attaching the engines, installing the landing gear, and many others. At their peak, Boeing produced over 800 jets in a year, but recent quality issues and production limitations have slowed this number down. No pictures allowed in the facility!

Part 3/3 of our 2025 review will be posted soon!

01/17/2026

2025 was a great year for GVG Tours thanks to our many loyal and wonderful travelers! It was a busy year with a great blend of domestic and international trips. The person who really makes the tour company function so well is Christina - her attention to detail in planning trips and her great customer service make all the difference. I hope you enjoy a GVG Tours look back to 2025, posted in two installments.

● Costa Rica:
The alligator in the picture does not look very happy that we awakened him from a much-needed nap! Alligators have been on the earth for 37 million years, and are obviously one of nature's perfect creations to have survived for such a long time.

● Egypt and Dubai:
Egypt has a treasure trove of artifacts, and for a long time they were housed in a museum which did not fully do them justice. We got to visit the newly-opened world-class Grand Egyptian Museum; the artifacts are displayed in a brilliant fashion and the building itself is a marvel.

● Washington, Williamsburg, and Monticello:
The picture is of a statue at the Vietnam War Memorial and it captures the youth, diversity, and intensity of the soldiers who fought in that challenging war. It stands next to "The Wall", which has inscribed the names of the 58,300 Americans who died in the war. It stands as a sobering reminder that Washington doesn't always get it right.

● Mystery Tour:
People are always interested to find out where we went. Galena, the Peoria Caterpillar Plant, the Mormon settlement at Nauvoo, Jefferson City MO, Fulton MO, the Fantastic Caverns, and Branson made up this year's surprise itinerary. The picture is from the Missouri State Penitentiary, which was open from 1836 to 2004. The photo shows the cold and foreboding nature of the building. James Earl Ray was imprisoned there, but managed to escape. The famous boxer Sonny Liston was also in for a short time.

● Smoky Mountains:
The picture shows Dolly Parton with yours truly (what can I say?). Her story is truly an American story - a woman who was born into poverty became a legend in her own lifetime. Her theme park Dollywood is just a few miles from the cabin that she was born into, and it is the major employer in the region with over 4,000 employees.

● Hiking in the Southwest:
This year, our intrepid group of hikers covered several states and national parks. The picture is from Bryce Canyon National Park, which happens to be my favorite. The rock formations are called hoodoos and were created by a process called 'frost wedging'. Water seeps into cracks in the rock, then freezes and expands - over time creating the unique formations and the awe-inspiring vista.

Stay tuned for Part 2 with the second half of our 2025 year in review!

08/29/2025

People often ask me if I get tired of visiting the same countries several times, but my answer is always the same - "No!"

A great example is what happened recently while snorkeling in the Galapagos. A penguin (the second-smallest species in the world) swam right up to me like I was his playmate, touching my mask and my hand. Please take a look at the video, the snorkeler is me! It was a true highlight, and just one example of a new experience on a repeat visit.

Quito and the Galapagos Islands are amazing places that include:

● Blue-Footed Bo***es
● Prehistoric-looking Frigate birds, whose males have a red pouch which inflates
● The largest tortoises in the world, which live to be 150 years old
● The Finch Bay Resort, named "One of the Unique Inns in the World" by National Geographic
● Breathtaking island views from Bartholomew Island, including the famous Pinnacle Rock
● The Charles Darwin Research and Breeding Center for tortoises
● A cooking class in Ecuadorian cuisine
● Historic Quito
● A spot to stand on the equator with one foot in each hemisphere
● Local markets, including a chocolate tasting (right up my alley)

The cultural and natural experiences on this trip blow me away (as the photos attest), but Ecuador also stand out for being a very easy country for Americans to travel to. Ecuador is in the same time zone as Chicago (depending on daylight savings), uses US Dollars as its currency, and uses the same electrical system as the US so outlet adaptors are usually not needed.

Come with us next time, The Galapagos and Quito beckon!!

07/29/2025

Ireland:

I had an amazing group in Ireland for a ten day trip all around the Emerald Isle - Dublin, Belfast, Giant’s Causeway, Derry, Sligo, Knock, Galway, Cliffs of Moher, Di**le, Killarney, Blarney, Avoca, Waterford, and Glendalough. Below I have shared a few highlights from the tour. I must point out upfront that pictures are not able to capture the vibrant nature of Ireland for it is found in the music, conversation, humor, and acceptance. I strongly believe that the first international trip a person should embark on is Ireland because of the warmth of the people. As an added bonus, there is no language barrier and they love to have their American “cousins” visit.

● Dublin - The capital city is easy to navigate and boasts many highlights. From the Bogmen (circa 362BC) whose bodies were well preserved in a bog, to the Book of Kells, a medieval illuminated manuscript, the provocative Molly Malone statue, to the top of the Guinness brewery there is always something new to see.

● Giant’s Causeway - It is an area on the ocean shore that contains approximately 40,000 interlocking basalt columns. It looks like someone came along with rocks instead of Legos and created one of nature’s most impressive sites. If you look back through some of the older posts on our page, we recounted the folk story of the creation of this formation.

● Galway - It is a harbour city on Ireland’s west coast. It is famous for folk music, traditional pubs, boutiques, art galleries, and shops. You might even be fortunate to cast your eyes on the famous Galway Girl (the city's most famous song).

● Blarney - Everyone thinks of kissing the Blarney Stone but the gardens around the castle are the real deal. The variety of trees, plants, sculptures, and waterfalls make a magical walk!

● Glendalough - It is a monastic settlement that dates back to the sixth century. The famous Round Tower soaring 90 feet into the air, the cathedral built in the late 12th century, and graveyard with many Celtic crosses make this a very special place.

I hope that I have piqued your interest in Ireland and that you will consider traveling with GVG Tours when we return to the Emerald Isle in 2027!

06/17/2025

Despite having already taken off for the next trip, Gene wanted to share some thoughts and photos from Norway:

The Wonders of Norway

“I am traveling with a wonderful group around the amazing country of Norway. We
started in Bergen, have traveled along the fjords of the west coast, and will soon be in
Trondheim and then through Lillehammer to Oslo.

The fjords are simply stunning with snow-peaked mountains and waterfalls running
down mountain faces, amid a background of green trees. My words are inadequate, so check out the pictures!

Norwegians have an incredible ability to overcome the obstacles presented by mountains and fjords. The Troll Highway is a good example of overcoming nature with the use of switchbacks, and there are more tunnels through mountains in Norway than any other country. There is also an extensive system of ferries that take vehicles across the myriad of fjords.

In addition to the natural beauty are the manmade structures based on Scandinavian architecture which is marked by great diversity and innovation. From the early stave churches to modern football stadiums, the talent of
architects and builders comes through.

I hope that the pictures and my column might stimulate you to consider a future GVG Tour to Norway and Sweden!”

05/26/2025

Gene and the group just returned from a hiking tour of the Southwest, where we enjoyed some beautiful weather and even more impressive natural scenery!

While the bulk of the tour was dedicated to hiking in national parks like Zion, Bryce Canyon, and the Grand Canyon, we began the trip with a night on the Las Vegas strip!

Many people are surprised to learn that there are popular hiking and rock climbing destinations around Vegas, and this served as an interesting introduction for the tour - highlighting the glitz and artificial excitement of Vegas against the remarkable natural scenery and ancient historical sites of our hikes.

Of the three national parks, it was actually Bryce Canyon which stood out as a favorite amongst some of the group. Hiking down amongst the Hoodoos seemed at times other-worldly!

Seeing the throngs of people who had come to experience these special bastions of our country’s wilderness, one couldn’t help but reflect with gratitude on the work of activists like John Muir who fought to preserve for future generations the privilege of enjoying them firsthand.

Up next, a trip to the Fjords of Norway!

GVG Tours, LLC

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Monday	8am - 6pm
Tuesday	8am - 6pm
Wednesday	8am - 6pm
Thursday	8am - 6pm
Friday	8am - 6pm
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