passportclub - Mascoma Savings Bank

platinum
passportclub
Summer 2015
Fjords &
Baltic North
An Opportunity to Explore
the Land of Waterways
Spectacular
Costa Rica
Boston Harbor
Whale Watch
Outback to Glaciers
Fjords & Baltic North
Romance on the Rhine
WELCOME
Welcome to another season of the Platinum Passport Club! We
excel in having fun on perfectly planned trips that will remain
in your memories long after you land back on your own soil.
Whether you’re looking for adventure, relaxation, cultural
experiences, fine dining, or exploration, we’ve got the trip for
you. Come travel with us!
Next year, we are embarking on a stunning 16-night cruise to the Baltic
capitals, which will combine the rest and relaxation of a true vacation
with excursions into the rich cultural history of the Baltic region.
We’ll explore castle ruins, taste award-winning wine, and visit
amazing art museums. I hope you’ll join us on this very special journey!
Another exciting event on our horizon is a
romantic cruise down the Rhine River where
we’ll see towering castles and cathedrals,
museums, and ancient town squares that
harbor a festival-like atmosphere. And, of
course, we’ll taste some of the most prized
wine in the world.
We are also looking forward to our longawaited trips to Australia, New Zealand, and
the Canadian Rockies! And, of course, our
ever-popular mystery trip.
Looking to stay closer to home? We have
several one-day trips planned.
We’ll head to the Ogunquit Playhouse in
Maine to see Victor/Victoria and in the fall
ride on the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad.
You could also join us for a day of musical
history at the Trapp Family Lodge or head to
Boston Harbor for a whale watch.
I hope to see you on the road!
—Doreen McKinney
Platinum Passport Club Director
Mascoma Savings Bank
888.627.2662 or 603.443.8685
[email protected]
CONTENTS
PPC GIFT CERTIFICATES
Looking for a special gift for someone who loves to travel?
How about someone who enjoys theater? Is anyone in your
life looking for excitement?
Surprise the adventurous person in your life with a Platinum
Passport Club Gift Certificate. Give them the opportunity to
enjoy a trip or event of their choice!
Available in any denomination.
For more information or to purchase a gift certificate:
[email protected], 603.443.8685
[email protected], 603.443.8650
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CONTENTS
Welcome A Letter From Doreen
page 2
Spectacular Costa Rica Beat the Winter Grays with an All-Inclusive Tour
page 4
Boston Harbor Whale Watch Enjoy the Ocean Air and Fresh Sunshine While Searching for Whales
page 6
Australia: From the Outback to the Glaciers Plus a 3-Night Fiji Extension
page 7
Fjords & Baltic North
An Opportunity to Explore the Land of Waterways
page 8
Romance on the Rhine
From Zurich to Amsterdam
page 10
Upcoming Events & Day Trips page 13
Calendar 4
back cover
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Summer 2015
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Spectacular
Costa Rica
Beat the Winter Grays
with an All-Inclusive Tour
What better way to ride out the snow than lounging on a tropical beach? For eight
days and seven nights, we’ll consider the DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Central
Pacific as our home away from home. In this home, however, you won’t have to
plan meals or do the cooking! All drinks and meals are included, whether you’re
hungry for breakfast, lunch, dinner, cocktails, or a midnight snack.
If you’re in the mood for relaxation, there’s plenty of that. Our beachfront hotel is located on the
gorgeous Gulf of Nicoya, which boasts stunning sunsets, crystal clear ocean pools, and sandy
white beaches that are perfect for romantic strolls. A whirlpool area and four swimming pools,
including dedicated areas for children and adults, can be found at the resort.
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Spectacular Costa Rica
January 16–23, 2016
Fee (per person): standard garden view room $2,998
double, $3,598 single • deluxe ocean view room (balcony
or terrace) $3,198 double, $3,798 single • junior suite
$3,298 double, $$3,898 single • non-member fee $250
Includes: roundtrip international airfare to San Jose, Costa
Rica (checked baggage fees not included), roundtrip transfer
from airport to hotel, 7 nights accommodations, unlimited
24 hour dining and beverages, porterage of 1 suitcase per
person, all taxes, government fees, and service charges, TRIPS
ticket wallet and luggage tags, games, sports, and cultural
activities
Want to keep your fitness levels at a reasonable level?
Take advantage of the indoor fitness center or join pool
aerobics, water polo, tennis, or beach volleyball! Have fun
while getting some exercise!
There’s so much fun and relaxation to be had at the resort
that it might be tough to take advantage of one of the
private tours offered at an additional charge. But it’s worth
it! How about an excursion to Manuel Antonio National
Park, which offers glimpses of amazing wildlife not
found in New England? Or join a trip to Arenal Volcano
National Park, where you can walk the hanging bridges
and observe nature and wildlife from a bird’s-eye view.
Feeling adventurous? Try a zip-line adventure over the
lush rainforest!
For the coffee lovers among us, a visit to a coffee plantation
is a must-do. Couple that with a stop in the town of Sarchi,
famous for its artisan crafts and handiwork, including
rocking chairs, masks, jewelry, and oxcarts. Want to go
scuba diving or snorkeling? Hop a boat to Tortuga Island
for a dip in clear emerald waters.
At the end of a long day of relaxation, adventure, and
fun, cool off with nightly entertainment in the resort’s
amphitheater or hop to your feet for some dancing!
Summer 2015
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DAY TRIP
Boston Harbor
Whale Watch
A Whale of an Adventure
Boston Harbor Whale Watch
August 25, 2015
Fee (per person): member $129 •
non-members $139
Includes: transportation, lunch at Charter
House, whale watch, all taxes & gratuities
Join us for a whale watch out of Boston Harbor. The World Wildlife Fund
named Massachusetts one of the top 10 whale-watching spots in the world, so
let’s take advantage and head out for a day of fun.
We’ll have lunch at the Charter House before heading to sea to enjoy the ocean air and
fresh sunshine while we search for whales! A naturalist on board will share information
about marine life, including the behaviors, conservation status, scientific tracking, and
more of whales, dolphins, sea birds, and everything else on our grand day out.
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Australia: From the
Outback to the Glaciers
Plus a 3-Night Fiji Extension
Outback to Glaciers
Accompany us to the other side of the world!
We’ll see the splendors of the Great Barrier Reef, Ayers
Rock, and the Australian Outback before switching
gears from the bush to the city with a tour of lively,
cosmopolitan Melbourne. Leaving Australia, we’ll fly
to New Zealand to visit the cities of Christchurch and
Queenstown and the surrounding countryside, where
many of the scenes from The Lord of the Rings movies
were filmed.
September 17–October 10, 2015
Fee (per person): $10,848 triple •
$10,978 double • $13,178 single
Includes: round-trip airfare from Logan
Airport, air taxes and fees/surcharges, hotel
transfers, 33 meals, hotels, transportation,
tour guides, gratuities, cancellation waiver
and insurance of $300 per person
Call for avaliability
Did you know that Christchurch is known as the
“Garden City?” You’ll find out why during a tour of the
city’s magnificent gardens and elegant park district. Then
we’ll travel to Sydney and enjoy a memorable dinner in
the bustling Darling Harbour restaurant area. We’ll end
our trip with four days in the lush tropical paradise of
Fiji, where we’ll spend our time resting and relaxing on
expansive sandy beaches or by the pool.
Summer 2015
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Fjords & Baltic North
Explore the Land of Waterways
This is the perfect opportunity to explore a land of stellar waterways,
exciting cosmopolitan cities, sweeping fjords, and soaring cliffs—Norway
and the Baltic coastline! Join us on a 16­-day cruise of the Baltic capitals
aboard the Norwegian Star and experience the gorgeous North as you’ve
never seen it before.
Our journey begins with an overnight flight from Boston to Copenhagen. We’ll stay
one night in the beautiful Admiral Hotel, which is centrally located so we can enjoy the
city­center waterfront and all it has to offer. We’ll tour Rosenborg Castle, a renaissance
structure that was originally built as a summerhouse in 1606 and evolved to its presentday grandeur by 1624.
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After our tour of the castle, we’ll board our home ­at
sea, the newly renovated Norwegian Star. Lunch will
be served on board and we’ll cast off at 5 p.m.
We’ll spend our first day at sea getting acclimated to
the sea air and the host of entertainments available
on board, including 17 dining venues, 11 bars and
lounges, a rejuvenating spa, a casino, a gallery of shops,
and plenty of live entertainment.
Our first port of call falls on Tuesday when we
disembark in Ålesund, Norway, which is known for
its Art Nouveau architecture, its fjords, and stunning
views of the peaks of the Sunnmore Alps.
The next day, we’ll spend our time in Geiranger,
a quaint village nestled in the valley of Western
Norway. Geiranger offers fantastic fjords, waterfalls,
and stunning mountain scenery. You might think you’ve
landed in a fairytale! Hiking, kayaking, and lounging
opportunities abound in this jewel of a town.
No one can explore St. Petersburg, Russia, in just one
day, so we’ll take two! Founded by Tsar Peter the
Great in May of 1703, St. Petersburg has long served
as the cultural center of Russia, with its spectacular
architecture, operas, and famous the Kirov ballet. “The
Venice of the North,” as it’s called, boasts of more than
200 museums and one of the largest English gardens in
Europe!
Before reaching our final city of Stockholm, Sweden,
we’ll stop at Helsinki, Finland. Both these towns lend
themselves to walking cobblestone streets and viewing
brilliant architecture and quaint townhouses.
We’ll cruise through the Stockholm Archipelago before
docking in Copenhagen to begin our journey back
home, filled with stories of the wonders we saw on this
very memorable trip!
We’ll continue our tour of Norway in the city of Flam,
and the next day head to Bergen, a charming place
surrounded by seven mountains, seven fjords, and the
North Sea.
After a restful day at sea, we’ll head to Copenhagen,
Denmark. You are welcome to explore the city on
your own or reserve an excursion offered by the ship.
Copenhagen was first founded as a fishing village in
1070, which is hard to believe when you experience the
vibrant bustle of Copenhagen today!
Next stop: Warnemunde, Germany, the gateway to
Berlin! It’s been more than two decades since the city
was reunified after the Berlin Wall came down. Explore
famous landmarks such as the Brandenburg Gate, the
Reichstag building, and the Bavarian Quarter.
Tallinn, Estonia, is a captivating city where medieval
buildings mix with modern boutiques and sweet outdoor
cafes where you can sip a coffee while watching people
go about their days. Check out the Toompea Castle and
a fifteenth­
-century apothecary shop! Another must­
-see is Tsar Peter the Great’s Kadriorg Palace, with its
sculpted gardens and rooms full of art treasure.
Summer 2015
Fjords & Baltic North
April 29-May 17, 2016
Fee (per person): BA mid-ship stateroom with
balcony $6490 • BO mid-ship ocean-view
stateroom with picture window $5760 • IA mid-ship
interior stateroom $5265 • Non-member fee $350
Includes: round-trip local airport transfers, airfare
to Copenhagen, motor coach transportation in
Copenhagen, Copenhagen city tour, one-night
stay at the Admiral Hotel with breakfast and
baggage handling, 16-night cruise in selected
accommodations, all meals, gratuities, and
entertainment on ship, port charges, taxes, and
government fees, travel insurance
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Romance on the Rhine
From Zurich to Amsterdam
Visitors are still drawn to the rock of Lorelei, the famous mermaid that charmed men with
her beautiful singing to the point that they crashed their boats upon the rocks. No fear of
shipwreck in this day and age!
The Rhine has become synonymous with romance,
wine, and vistas. We invite you to embark on a
cruise down its picturesque shores, where we’ll see
castles, cathedrals, charming villages, and many
intersections between present and past. Join us and
be charmed!
Our trip begins in Zurich, Switzerland, where
we’ll board a motor coach to Basel where our ship
awaits. Enjoy an evening welcome reception before
getting a good night’s sleep.
Our first port of call is in Strasbourg, France.
Here the best of both French and German culture
mingle in delightful ways. As the capital of the
Alsace region, Strasbourg plays an important role
in the political-economic health of Europe, but the
city manages to retain the quintessential flavor of
history in its half-timbered houses, quaint bistros,
and waterfront promenade.
Don’t miss the Cathedrale Notre Dame and its
ancient murals and stained glass. And pay honor
to the inventor of the printing press at Place
Gutenberg!
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The next day finds us in Heidelberg, Germany,
home to Germany’s oldest university, founded in
1386. Also on the list of things to see in this city
is the imposing ruins of Heidelberg Castle, which
hasn’t been fit for residency since it was struck by
lightening in 1764. It’s still a beautiful sight! And
if your thirsty, stop by the Great Vat, the world’s
largest wine barrel! It holds over 58,000 gallons of
wine and has a dance floor built on top of it.
Next stop—Mainz! Enjoy the festival-like
atmosphere of this ancient city, which is home
to Germany’s largest wine market. An especially
interesting feature is the Carnival Fountain, which
stands in tribute to the jesters of the city’s annual
carnival celebration. During a guided walk, you’ll
visit the Gutenberg Museum, one of the oldest
museums of printing in the world.
During lunch, we’ll cruise on to Rudesheim, a Rhine
Valley wine town, where we’ll visit Siegrfried’s
Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum, which
is as interesting as it sounds! Do some shopping
along the cobblestoned Drosselgasse, where
colorful flowers, open-air wine gardens, and live
music make every day a festival.
platinumpassportclub
“It looks like the waves are flinging,
Both man and boat to their end;
That was what with her singing,
The Lorelei did intend.”
—Heinrich Heine
The next day we’ll journey down the Rhine Gorge and marvel at
the ancient castles standing sentry on lofty cliffs. Here’s where we’ll
plug our ears as to not hear Lorelei’s song! Later we’ll disembark to
take a walking tour of the 2,000-year-old city of Koblenz or visit
nearby Sayn Manor House.
Cologne, one of Germany’s largest cities, spans both sides of the
Rhine and is known for its twin-steepled Gothic cathedral that
soars over the roofs and chimneys of the city. Here you’ll have a
choice between a guided walking tour and a Jewish Heritage Walk.
Later, you’ll have free time to wander the many quaint and curious
shops, cafes, and taverns. Don’t forget to sample a Kolsh pale lager,
specially brewed in Cologne for more than a hundred years.
We’ll have one more full day for our trip and where better to spend
it than Amsterdam? See the city by canal boat and cruise through
the elegant grachten, or canals, lined with beautiful homes. Later,
you’ll have time to enjoy the city’s distinct ambiance by lingering in
cafes or art museums and watching walkers and cyclers make their
way through the town.
We’ll enjoy breakfast together the next morning before saying our
fond farewells to the romantic Rhine!
Summer 2015
Romance on the Rhine
September 16-24, 2016
Fee (per person double): Category E $5709
• Category D $5899 • Category B $6749
• Category A $6799 • Category P $6899
• for single rates and royal suites, call
888.627.2662 • Non-member fee $350
Includes: flight from Boston, land
transportation and cruise, port charges,
meals and accommodations, sightseeing,
insurance, and gratituities
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HIGH-TECH
BIG SMILE
THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS
Mascoma Savings Bank helps you
do your banking anytime, anywhere,
from your phone, tablet, or desktop.
Or you can walk through the doors
of our 28 branches serving Vermont
and New Hampshire, where our
friendly staff is ready to assist you.
Wherever you are, we’re
ready to help.
Feroza Maneksha,
Personal Banker
888.627.2662 • mascomabank.com
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UPCOMING EVENTS
TRAVEL SHOW
Monday, June 29, 2015, 6 p.m.
Mascoma Savings Bank
Operation Center All-Purpose Room
243 Sykes Mountain Avenue,
White River Junction, Vermont
Includes: light refreshments
RSVP: Doreen McKinney 603-443-8685
or Sue Beaulieu 603-443-8650
Mystery Trip Announcement
Wednesday, July 15, 2015
Our Mystery Trip dates will be revealed! Be
the first to hear about our popular excursion.
Reservations will be taken starting at 9 a.m. on
July 15. First come, first served! Full payment is
required at sign-up.
Norwegian Fjords and Baltic Capitals
Join us to learn about our upcoming 16­-day tour of
Norwegian fjords and Baltic capitals that we’ll take
aboard the Norwegian Star.
Trapp Family Lodge
Tuesday, July 28, 2015
Fee: member $109 • non-member $119
Includes: transportation, lunch, tour, gratuities
The Vermont hills are alive with the sound of music! Join
the Platinum Passport Club for a journey back in time
with the beloved von Trapp family at the Trapp Family
Lodge in Stowe, Vermont.
We’ll partake of a delightful Austrian buffet luncheon
followed by a history tour. Let’s explore the amazing
story of how the Baron and Baroness von Trapp fled
their home near Salzburg just before World War I and
settled with their ten children in Philadelphia, making a
living through music. They eventually made their family
home in Vermont because it reminded them of Austria!
Summer 2015
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad
September 22, 2015
Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire
Fee: $89 member, $99 non-member
Includes: transportation, scenic railroad,
turkey dinner, all taxes & gratuities
We can’t get enough of train journeys! Every train journey
is special, especially the local ones! Join us for a gorgeous
late-summer ride alongside Lake Winnipesaukee aboard the
Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad. We’ll travel on a railroad line
built in 1849 between the towns of Meredith and Lakeport to
take in the sights of the lake and partake of a scrumptious hot
turkey dinner from Hart’s Turkey Farm Restaurant. Let’s celebrate
the beginning of autumn!
Photo: Cliff, flickr.com/photos/nostri-imago/2852251374
TRAVEL SHOW
Wednesday, October 14, 2015, 6 p.m.
Fireside Inn, West Lebanon, New Hampshire
Includes: light refreshments
RSVP: Doreen McKinney 603-443-8685
or Sue Beaulieu 603-443-8650
The Romantic Rhine
Come be charmed by the Rhine as you learn more
about our cruise down its picturesque shores.
PLATINUM PASSPORT CLUB FAST FACTS
Waiting Lists
If all reservations for a trip are taken, we will begin a waiting list. No deposit will be required at this
time. Cancellations do happen, even up to the day of the trip, and we want to fill any available seats.
In the event of a cancellation, you will be contacted in the order you were placed on the waiting list.
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A Minute With Rich Kozlowski
My current duties at Mascoma Savings Bank: I oversee
residential mortgage origination. That means I’m
responsible for bringing customers to Mascoma Savings
Bank for purchase or refinance mortgages. I oversee the
mortgage loan officers and work to bring new mortgage
loans to Mascoma Savings Bank. Making sure the real
estate community knows how Mascoma Savings Bank
can help homebuyers is part of my job.
My years with Mascoma Savings Bank: I’ve been with
Mascoma Savings Bank for 14 years. I’ve been in my
current position for 10 years.
What I love about my job: Mascoma Savings Bank is a
great place. We’ve been voted one of the best places in
Vermont to work and I certainly agree with that. Buying
a home is one of the most important things people do. I
love being a part of making that happen.
Something you may not know about me: You probably
see me running around the Upper Valley. This year’s
Vermont City Marathon will be my eighth marathon.
CONTENTS
PLATINUM PASSPORT CLUB TRAVEL POLICIES
Health Policy
Cancellation Policy
On Platinum Passport Club trips, it is required
that persons requiring assistance be accompanied
by a companion who is capable of and totally
responsible for providing that assistance. Neither
Mascoma Savings Bank personnel nor its suppliers
may assist with medications or physically lift or
assist clients onto transportation vehicles. Travelers
needing special assistance for anything other than
personal needs must notify Platinum Passport
Club at the time of booking to determine what
assistance may reasonably be made available.
Should it be necessary to cancel before any trip,
we request as much notice as possible. A refund
of your deposit, in full or in part, will be made if
you cancel prior to the final payment date and if:
Reservation Policy
A deposit is required upon reservation to guarantee
your place for any Platinum Passport Club event.
If you make your reservation by telephone, please
submit your deposit check within 10 days. Make
checks for all trips payable to Mascoma Savings
Bank Platinum Passport Club.
Summer 2015
• There is a waiting list of members and we
can fill your vacancy.
• There are no cancellation penalties
charged by our vendors.
If you cancel after the final payment date, any
refund will be determined by the vendors and
their penalty policies. If there is not a waiting list,
it is your responsibility to resell your tickets. We
have very few cancellations and do appreciate
your willingness to be placed on a waiting list.
Cancellation insurance is available on all extended
trips and is highly recommended for travel.
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67 North Park Street
Lebanon, NH 03766
PLATINUM PASSPORT CLUB CALENDAR
June 2015
June 29
Travel Show: Fjords
& Baltic Cruise
July 2015
July 2–11
Canadian Rockies
July 15
Mystery Trip Announcement
July 28
September 2015
January 2016
September 22
January 16–23
Winnipesauke Railroad
September 17–October 10
Australia
October 2015
October 14
Travel Show: Romantic Rhine
October 17
Trapp Family Lodge
Mohegan Sun
August 2015
October 28
Spectacular Costa Rica
April–May 2016
April 29–May 17
Fjords & Baltic Capitals Cruise
September 2016
September 16–24
Romantic Rhine
Salem, MA, Witch Tour
August 25
Whale Watch
FSC LOGO HERE