SAM Shortline and Swamp Gravy

"Come Ride The Train"
and

                  "Experience Swamp Gravy"

featuring

Americus * The SAM Shortline * Swamp Gravy

Visit Georgia and Alabama with this two-night group package that includes Americus, Plains, the SAM Shortline Excursion Train and Georgia's Folk Life Play, Swamp Gravy in Colquitt.

                                                    Suggested 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. If you arrive in time, we suggest lunch at the historic Windsor Hotel, where you'll also find local residents enjoying the buffet. 

1:30pm Explore historic downtown Americus by foot. Then, by coach or tram, you'll see charming neighborhoods of Victorian, Classical and Antebellum homes shaded by ancient oaks and dogwoods. Also included is a visit to the new Habitat for Humanity Global Village and Discovery Center.

6:00pm   Relax over 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 Cordele 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 there's time to explore Plains and visit the motel, whose rooms the Carters  decorated using themes from the different decades that influenced their lives.

2:10pm Depart Plains

2:20pm Arrive in Archery to see the Carter Boyhood Farm. 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.

3:05pm Depart Archery for Colquitt.

- Buffet dinner at historic Tarrer Inn in Colquitt precedes the famed folk life play, Swamp Gravy. Steeped with Southern tradition, Swamp Gravy presents stories about life and death, family and community.

- Following the show, continue to Dothan, Alabama to overnight at the Comfort Inn.

Day 3 Friday   Departure

- After breakfast depart for home or your next destination.

Options This morning you can do either of the following or in combination:
1) Enjoy a guided tour of historic Bainbridge.
2) Enjoy a guided tour of Dothan's historic murals painted by nationally and internationally  
acclaimed muralists on the walls of buildings in the downtown historic district. 

Package Cost From

$213 per person double occupancy one-night Jameson Inn Americus, one-night Dothan Comfort Inn (or Jameson Inn, Bainbridge); single occupancy $280.

$299 per person double occupancy one-night Windsor Hotel in Americus including dinner, one night Dothan Comfort Inn; single occupancy $399

Inclusions

- two-night hotel accommodations including taxes per above
- Continental breakfast daily
- Welcome orientation at the Americus Welcome Center
- Guided tour of historic Americus
- Guided tour of the Habitat For Humanity Global Village and Discovery Center
- Southwest Georgia Arrow excursion on the SAM Shortline Train, economy class
- Visit to the Georgia Rural Telephone Museum in Leslie
- Welcome dinner at Ryan's
- Cafeteria-style lunch at The Old Bank Cafe in Plains
- Buffet dinner at Tarrer Inn in Colquitt
- Tickets to Swamp Gravy in Cotton Hall Theater
- Entrance fees

Please Note

- We can customize this itinerary to suit your interests and schedule; just let us know! This tour assumes you are arriving in Georgia from an easterly direction. If arriving from a westerly direction, we can reverse the itinerary.

 - 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 Tours, click on The SAM Shortline and Swamp Gravy.

Conditions
Package Costs are based on 20 people (minimum 10 rooms) and are per person double occupancy (single, triple & quad rates available); costs vary based on your choice of hotel. 
One Complimentary package provided to driver or escort.
Hotel rooms, performances and train tickets are subject to availability.