By: Sue Barnes, President, Davis Travelaires Board of Directors for The Dirt
People have been going places with the Davis Travelaires for 38 years—from day trips to surrounding attractions to our longer excursions in the U.S. and beyond.
Monthly local outings explore museums, gardens, parks, monuments, performing arts centers, and more. Volunteer board members Sue Barnes, Donna Dungan, Phyllis Brock, and Cherie Felsch arrange trip details, including researching interesting destinations, scheduling tours, choosing tasty meals at affordable restaurants, and reserving a modern motorcoach for transportation.
Elizabeth Lasensky has taken 11 Travelaires trips in the last two years. She loves the worry-free aspect of the trips.
“All I need to do is get myself to the bus on time,” Elizabeth said. “Everything else is taken care of so we can relax, chat with friends, and enjoy the scenery.”
A favorite of her nearly dozen trips, was to the Tudor Rose Tea Room in Santa Rosa, where vintage hats were available for the customers.
“This trip was especially fun because several of my friends went. We all got in on the fun of trying on various hats.”
Ted Tauzer, another frequent traveler, most looks forward to outdoor excursions, with a favorite being Ironstone Vineyards in Murphys.
“The grounds were beautiful, the tour was fascinating, and the meal was delicious,” he said. “I like that the trips are hassle-free, and we have good docents.”
Upcoming day trips include the Rosie the Riveter Museum in Richmond in February, the Sierra Nevada Brewery in Chico in March, the Orpheum Theatre in San Francisco to see Funny Girl in May, and the Capay Valley Lavender Farm in June.
For travelers looking to venture further afield, the Travelaires partners with tour operators to offer extended trips. Seventeen travelers recently returned from a Panama Canal cruise, during which they ventured out on fascinating shore excursions and participated in onboard activities such as dance lessons, spa treatments, and games. One traveler sang in the Ruby Princess Choir, culminating in an onboard performance.
Upcoming extended adventures include a tour of Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone, and the Grand Tetons in May; an Ohio River cruise in June; a Columbia/Snake River cruise in September; a Hawaiian Islands cruise in November; a Rhone River cruise in April 2025; and an Ireland tour in August 2025.
The late Betsy Truffini, an active community volunteer who was instrumental in establishing the Davis Senior Center, created the Davis Travelaires as an all-volunteer non-profit in 1986.
Longtime board member Wanda Winton became the treasurer that year and continues serving in that capacity 38 years later.
“The Travelaires trips are such a blessing,” Wanda said. “Our participants love having companionship and leaving the driving to someone else.”
To see trip details or sign up for the Davis Travelaires’ e-newsletter, visit DavisTravelaires.org, email DavisTravelaires@gmail.com, or call 530-902-1825. The Travelaires office, located inside the Davis Senior Center at 646 A Street, is staffed by volunteers Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 10a—2p. Email is monitored daily.
Learn More About Davis Travelaires!
Travel Talk Trip Preview
Tuesday, February 20 at 10a
Davis Senior Center
646 A Street
>>Learn more about upcoming day trips and hear from Kevin Haas, the group’s travel representative from Grand Circle Travel, who will preview the upcoming Rhone River cruise and Ireland in Depth tours & answer questions. Enjoy refreshments, mingle with other travelers, and enter to win a $50 Davis Travelaires gift certificate, which can be used for any day trip.
