SAM Shortline and Americus 2-Night

"Come Ride The Train"
featuring
Americus and The SAM Shortline

Visit The Real Georgia with this group package includes historic Americus, Plains, the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site, Andersonville and the Southwest Georgia Arrow excursion aboard the SAM Shortline Train.

Suggested Two-Night Itinerary

Day 1 Wednesday Arrive in Americus
- Arrival in Americus. Southern hospitality past and present meet and mingle along the sidewalks of this vibrant, award-winning downtown. Designated a Georgia Main Street City in 1983, you'll find antique and gift shops, men's and lady's boutiques, galleries, studios and other specialty stores.
- 2:30pm After arriving for a red carpet greeting at the Americus Welcome Center, you'll explore historic downtown Americus by coach or tram, includng a stop at historic Rylander Theater. Next, you'll see charming neighborhoods of Victorian, Classical and Antebellum homes shaded by ancient oaks and dogwoods. Also included is Oak Grove Cemetary, which is the final resting place for many of Georgia's historic figures. Oak Grove just received an Award for Eccellence in Rehabilitation from the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation.The last stop a guided tour of the new Habitat for Humanity Global Village and Discovery Center.
- 6:00pm Enjoy dinner at Ryan's Steakhouse.
* Note - Schedule permitting, we can include a performance at the Rylander theater, recently restored and a wonderful part of Americus.

Day 2 Thursday Americus
- 9:30am Board the SAM Shortline for the "Southwest Georgia Arrow" excursion. The Shortline train offers a unique and exciting way to see this famous rural area of Georgia. Running between Leslie and Plains, you relax and enjoy the scenery while aboard. The stops in Leslie, Plains and Archery let you "hop off" to shop and explore.
- 12:45pm Arrive in Plains; the first visit is The Old Bank Cafe for lunch. Plains is part of the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site overseen by the National Park Service.
- Following lunch you'll see the Carter Boyhood Farm and the Plains High School Museum. The rural southern culture of Plains that revolves around farming, faith, and school had a large influence in molding Jimmy Carter's character and in shaping his political policies. His mother was a nurse who dedicated her time to the poor; his father ran a farm and a small country store. He walked the railroad tracks to town to sell peanuts, and when he said he'd grow up to be President, he meant it. The 39th U.S. President and his First lady, Rosalynn, still call Plains home. .
- 2:10pm Depart for Archery and the return to Americus arriving at 3:45pm.

Day 3 Andersonville
9:00am Depart for nearby Andersonville. Officially known as Camp Sumter, it was built early in 1864 after Confederate officials decided to move the large number of Union prisoners kept in and around Richmond, Virginia, to a place of greater security and a more abundant food supply. More than 45,000 Union soldiers were confined here; almost 13,000 died from disease, poor sanitation, malnutrition, overcrowding, or exposure to the elements. The newest addition, The Drummer Boy Museum in the Civil War Village is an incredible private collection. The Andersonville story is one of sacrifice and courage.

Late Morning Departure

Package cost per person double occupancy

Jameson Inn, Americus $199
Ramada Inn, Cordele $189
*Windsor Hotel, Americus $213

Package Inclusions
- Two-nights hotel accommodations including taxes
- Porterage of one suitcase per person
- Continental Breakfast
- Welcome orientation at the Americus Welcome Center
- Guided tour of historic Americus
- Guided tour of the Golbal Village and Discovery Center in Americus
- Southwest Georgia Arrow excursion on the SAM Shortline
- Visit to the Georgia Rural Telephone Museum in Leslie
- Visit to Jimmy Carter's boyhood home in Archery 
- Visits to the Drummer Boy Museum and Andersonville National Prisoner of War Museums
- Welcome dinner at Ryan's Steakhouse
-Cafeteria-style lunch at the Old Bank Cafe in Plains
- Dinner at the Windsor Hotel in Americus
- Entrance fees

Please Note
- We can customize this and other visits to suit your interests and schedule; just let us know!

Contact
- To book the tour or with questions about the arrangements, please contact Geoff Robertson at American Travel Association, 2126 Piedmont Lake Road, Pine Mountain, GA 31822 Ph: 706-663-2171, fax: 706-663-2445, e-mail: travelata@aol.com .
- The tour can be found on www.travelata.org  click on Georgia, look under Group Experiences for Americus and The SAM Shortline Tours.
- For information about Sumter County and the region, you can also contact the Americus Sumter County Tourism Council: Ph: 888-278-6837 or 229-928-6059, www.therealgeorgia.com.

Conditions
- Package Costs are based on 20 people and are per person double occupancy (single, triple & quad rates available); costs vary based on your choice of hotel.
- Complimentary package provided to driver or escort.
- Hotel rooms are subject to availability.
- All tour arrangements must be pre-paid prior to arrival. A schedule of payments and cancellation conditions will be worked out with each group.

Responsibility: American Travel Association (ATA) and/or their agents, act only on behalf of the owners and contractors providing means of transportation or other services to purchasers of this tour and their travel companions (Participants), subject to any and all items and conditions under which any transportation or any other services whatsoever are provided by such owners and contractors. ATA shall not be liable or responsible to Participants for the acts or omissions of the aforesaid owners and contractors supplying transportation or other services hereunder, including but not limited to breach of contract, intentional or negligent delay or bodily or property loss, injury or damages. ATA reserves the right to make changes in the program to accommodate scheduling and other needs and is not responsible to any person for loss of time, money or inconvenience related thereto.