Bus Tours
Years ago, when we were living in the UK, Phil and I dipped our toe into seeing Europe by bus. We enjoyed a holiday to see the Christmas Markets and sights of Austria, and to enjoy tulip fields in Holland. These trips were fantastic, taking so much of the work out of planning and organizing such a tour if we’d have tried to self-cater the trip. I wasn’t sure if there are similar tours here in the US but good ole’ Google put me on track to find out that they do exist here.
Recently our church’s senior group decided that they would like to go down to see the Creation Museum and Ark Encounter down in the Cincinnati, Ohio area, so we started looking for coach tours to take us there. Problem with so many tours is that they don’t usually depart from a terribly convenient location. Our group would have to travel somewhere just to catch the bus. So, we found a company where we could customize our trip and that’s what we’ve done.
We’ve set the departure point – our own church, departing at 8a.m. from 1610 S. Main St. in Crete, IL 60417.
We’ve set the price – enough to cover the wholesale cost plus the group leader, all the gratuities and a small donation to our senior group. $725 per person.
We’ve set the date – the perfect time; not too hot or cold (we hope!), and not in the middle of any pressing church functions (like Lent or Easter) when our people are busy with family. April 12-16th, 2027 are our magic dates.
And now we’re organizing the trip advertising.
So, here it is: Zion Crete OWLS is pleased to be hosting a 5-day, 4-night bus tour to see the Creation Museum and Ark Encounter, along with the Cincinnati Museum Complex and a Riverboat Cruise along the Ohio River. Price including travel, room and board (4 breakfasts and 4 dinners) admission to all stops, and gratuities is $725 per person based on two sharing. Add $199 per person for single occupancy. Insurance can be purchased additionally.
To secure a place, send your name and contact details along with a $100 deposit per person, payable to Zion Crete OWLS by Sunday, November 14, 2026 to:
Sandy Parker, c/o Zion Ev. Lutheran Church, 1588 S. Main St., Crete, IL 60417
A minimum of 30 people are required for the event to proceed and deposits will be refunded if the trip is cancelled; we can take a maximum of 50 in one bus and will need up to 75 if we need to split between two buses. If everyone who has expressed interest proceeds to pay their deposit, then the trip will go ahead as planned.
Full payment is due by February 5th, 2027 and if you have any other questions, you can email Sandy at events@parkerlings.com.
We hope you will share this with your friends and family and consider joining Zion Crete OWLS for this unique event. Here’s a flyer you can download for the event:
And I recommend that you also consider travel insurance for the event. Single trip insurance is available from Diamond Tours, the trip supplier.
Who knows, if this bus tour is a success, perhaps Phil & I will expand to managing other trips like this in the future – where might you want to visit?
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