FCRE -
Fairfax County Retired Educators

FCRE Member Services-Tours sponsors a continuing series of domestic and international tours tailored especially for members and their guests. In addition, a number of day tours are also offered to area buildings, museums, events, and programs. All programs are announced in the FCRE Advocate mailed to all current members.

Travel Notes

* All tours are funded by participants only, not by membership dues.
* A non-refundable deposit is required to reserve each tour space.
* Each non-member guest pays a $25 guest fee for each tour.
* All rates are per person, double occupancy (pp/do). Supplementary costs apply for those travelling alone. Travelers are responsible for arranging for their own roommates.
* Not all locations or sites are handicapped accessible.
* Persons with disabilities wishing to reserve space for any tour program should enclose a letter describing their needs with their initial reservation deposit so that FCRE Member Services and tour suppliers can determine if those needs can be met.
 

Please remember that all prices quoted are tentative and subject to change because of the changes in the price of oil.

For more information on any of the tours listed below, email Doris Patteson, Director of Member Services-Tours, at dpatteson@verizon.net; or call FCRE at 703-425-2424.


Upcoming Trips

2012

 

Check back for more detailed information on the following trips scheduled for 2012:

  • October - Cruising the Greek Islands and Turkey

Discover Panama: The Land Between the Seas from January 25 - February 2, 2012. Panama is steeped in history - from early Inca traders and Spanish conquistadors, to the Panama Canal, a modern-day engineering marvel. Completed in 1914, almost 50 miles long and one of the most complex engineering projects ever undertaken, your journey across the Isthmus of Panama takes you through the Gaillard Cut, carved through the Continental Divide. Take a partial transit cruise on the Pacific Queen for a once-in-a lifetime chance to view this marvel up close and learn all about its importance in world trade. Your visit also includes excursions to an indigenous village and Monkey Island; a private salsa lesson; and plenty of time to relax on the beautiful beaches. Cost of the trip: $2,517 pp/double, air inclusive. Deposit of $250 and insurance cost of $175 was due August 25.

 

Paris and London Tour: April 26 - May 3, 2012. Highlights include complete tours of both cities, a theater performance in London, some leisure time in both cities, Eurostar high-speed train from London to Paris, dinner at the Eiffel tower, Seine River cruise, an optional tour to Louis XIV's magnificent Palace and Gardens of Versailles, optional tour of the Louvre, a cabaret performance at one of the Paris theaters. Total cost, including air, is $3049 pp/double. Deposit was due November 27, but check with Doris to see if there are still some spaces available.

 

National Parks of America: July 14-25, 2012. A 12 day visit of five of America's most breathtaking national parks on one great tour! The tour starts in Scottsdale, Arizona, goes to Sedona where we enjoy the beautiful rock formations. Other highlights include a breakfast cruise on Lake Powell and a visit to Glen Canyon Dam, Marble Canyon, and Grand Canyon where we have a stay in the Grand Canyon Lodge overlooking the North Rim of the Canyon. Next we have a visit to Bryce Canyon, and Zion National Park in Utah. We have a two-night stay in Salt Lake City where we will have a tour of the city and the famous Salt Lake. We are then on our way to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. There we have lots of exciting things to do and end the evening with cowboy entertainment and dinner. Pass through the Grand Tetons on the way to Yellowstone National Park for an overnight stay at the Lodge. Our tour will end with Cody, Sheridan and Keystone in South Dakota with a visit to Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse Monument. Cost is $3389 pp/double; deposit of $250 and insurance cost of $165 is due by January 14, 2012.

 

The Greek Islands and Turkey Tour will take place in October of 2012. This is a 14 day trip, featuring a 7 night cruise. Highlights will include Athens, Taverna Dinner Show, the Acropolis, Istanbul, Patmos, Mykonos, Rhodes, Crete, Santorini, Mycenae, and Izmir, Turkey. A side trip from Izmir will take you to the ruins of Ephesus, Hadrian's temple, and the Library of Celsus. On the return to Greece, we will cross the Corinth Canal to Mycenae for a visit to these ancient ruins featuring the Beehive Tombs and the Lion Gate. Prices for this trip begin at $3869 pp/double for an inside room and include round trip air, air taxes and surcharges, cruise taxes, port charges and transfers.