One of the best ways to experience the culture and history that made American great is to explore her inland waterways.  The most famous  river on the west coast of the United States is known as the Mighty Columbia, the gateway to the Pacific Ocean.  Imagine the thrill of the Lewis & Clark expedition in 1805 when they made their way down the Columbia River and established Ft. Clatsop at the edge of that ocean.  Today, small  luxury cruiseships make this same voyage roundtrip from the fascinating city of Portland, Oregon.  Weekly departures begin in May, continue through October and by planning in advance, you can save up to $1200.00 per cabin for bookings by December 11, 2009.

Small ship cruising has become increasingly popular over the past few years providing guests with a more intimate experience onboard and off.    Shore excursion visit quaint museums,  family-owned wineries, historic forts and native american villages and are included in the price of the cruise for every passenger.   Passengers are also encouraged to participate in a jet-boat trip into Hell’s Canyon on the Snake River or to explore the shoreline via kayak or zodiaks and enjoy the pristine beauty of these rivers up close.

Discounts are offered on all cruises for 2010 but bookings must be confirmed and under deposit by December 11, 2009  for you to qualify and bookings paid in full will get the highest discounts.  Call Rhonda or Linda at TMI Tours for full details and to reserve your week long journey through the Columbia River Gorge. 1-800-975-7775 or info@tmitours.com

Idaho and Montana have diverse seasons and that is one of the things that makes us such a great adventure destination. Last winter was popluar for snowmobile enthusiasts and we are hoping for another great sledding season.
The vibrant community of Seeley Lake lies between the Bob Marshall Wilderness and the Mission Mountain Wilderness areas in western Montana. Snowmobile enthusiasts are welcome to ride downtown which makes for easy access to the over 350 miles of groomed trails surrounding the Seeley Lake area. Accomodations range from charming motels & cabins to full-service lakefront resorts and real western dude ranches.

TMI Tours is offering early-bird packages for the winter season, starting December 26, 2009-March 15, 2010. Reservations purchased before October 1st will save 10% off the regular season rates. Whether you are a seasoned sledder or trying this sport for the first time, we have packages that are perfect for you.

For beginners or those who prefer a guided tour, we offer 4 days/3 nights including meals, lodging and Polaris snowmobile rental. Your rocky mountain guide will take you on three fun-filled days of snowmobiling right from your cabin door with a trail lunch provided. Each morning and evening you will be treated to hearty ranch-style meals in the main lodge. In the evening, relax in the outdoor hot tub or warm up beside a roaring fire in the main lodge or your private cabin.

For the seasoned rider we offer a 4 day/3 night package including meals, lodging and a map of the Seeley Lake Groomed Trail system. Snowmobile rentals can be added or you can bring your own but you’ll still enjoy a trail lunch daily with ranch-style breakfast and dinner in the main lodge and the same great accomodations.

Call Linda or Rhonda at TMI Tours for prices and availability on these and other great snowmobile packages for the 2009/2010 winter season in Idaho and Montana. 1-800-975-7775 or info@tmitours.com

Sandpoint, Idaho is one of North Idaho’s favorite get-a-ways for locals and tourists alike.  It is quaint and quirky with local artist galleries, earthy shops and local crafts as well as stunning scenery and white sand beaches.  Sitting  on the shores of beautiful Lake Pend Oreille, nestled between the Selkirk and Cabinet Mountain ranges,  Sandpoint offers an abundance of summer and winter activities.

Stay and play on Lake Pend Oreille in one of Sandpoints newest upscale waterfront developements.  This marina village offers lakefront and mountain view bungalow rentals with full kitchens and full outdoor decks for enjoying bar-b-ques or watching the sunset.  Each cottage comes fully furnished and includes lake access with boat and watersport rentals, membership to the fitness center and access to 9 miles of walking and biking trails that meander through the forest, wetlands and lakeshore.  The village cafe offers casual dining for lunch and dinner and a small market offers snacks, beverages and boating supplies.  Sandpoint is just minutes away for further dining options, supermarkets and sightseeing.

While in Sandpoint, be sure to visit the Cedar Street Bridge Public Market.  Built on a bridge that spans Sand Creek, this public market has windows that look out over the creek and houses some interesting restaurants and gift shops.  Another beautiful place to visit is the Sandpoint City Park with it’s pristine white sand beaches on Lake Pend Oreille.  With food concessions, BBQ and picnic areas, tennis and basketball courts, volleyball and horseshoe pits as well as two marinas, it is a fun place for family and swimming.

Schweitzer Mountain is just a 10 mile drive from Sandpoint and is a refreshing alternative when the heat of summer gets a little uncomfortable.  Ride the Great Escape Quad lift to the top of the mountain and take in a view that will leave you breathless.  Enjoy the cool mountain breezes at the top of Schweitzer where you’ll find hiking and mountain bike trails as well as huckleberry picking and local wildlife.  The Mountain Activity Center can arrange for participation in the Kids Day Camp, Disc golf, Geocaching, wall climbing and bungee trampolines, tennis, lawn games or a movie in the Selkirk Theatre.

TMI Tours has great packages and optional activities available for all the top destinations in North Idaho.  Contact Linda or Rhonda at info@tmitours.com or 1-800-975-7775 for more information and reservations.

North Idaho is beautiful!  Priest Lake, Lake Pend Oreille, Hayden Lake, Coeur d’Alene Lake..these are just a few of the better known lakes that dot this region.  But there are many, smaller, secluded lakes set into the bowls of the mountain ranges that surround North Idaho.  These alpine lakes are the secret destinations of fishermen, hikers and backpackers or viewed by  the lucky few that venture to the air. 

 Daily seaplane tours from Coeur d’Alene are available for 1/2 hour scenic flights over Lake Coeur d’Alene,  to all day charters which can include lunch and shopping at Sandpoint or Priest Lake.  Lake Pend Oreille and Priest Lake offer seaplane facilities, lakeside marinas and full-service resorts open during the summer for breakfast, lunch and dinner and they are easily accessible from the water. 

 Coeur d’Alene also offers a thrilling helicopter service available for scenic tours or charter with advance reservations.  There isn’t a better way to view the cliff-clinging mountain sheep on the backside of Lake Pend Oreille or the waterfalls through the deep, majestic canyon of the Moyie River,  than by helicopter.   These tours offer a great photographic opportunity with the large bubble windows and their ability to seek out the wildlife that thrives in our majestic mountains.  Indulge in some history by viewing the devastating site of the 1967 Sundance Fire, which burned over 50,000 acres of prime forest in just 9 hours or the site of the famous 1910 fire which leveled most of the Silver Valley and burned 3 million acres in just two days!  You’ll see the remnants of abandoned mines and towns hidden away in the hillsides of rural Idaho, old railroad tunnels and trestles, and the rivers that wind their way throughout our beautiful neck of the woods. 

Contact Linda or Rhonda at TMI Tours, located in downtown Coeur d’Alene for more information and reservations for any of these scenic airtours or charter availability and prices.

1-800-975-7775 or email at info@tmitours.com

Whew, it has been a hot summer here in North Idaho.  Whitewater or float trips on any of the  rivers that run through this beautiful country are such a great way to spend time with the family and keep everyone cool.  Whether you are visiting us here in Coeur d’Alene or any of the surrounding communities, TMI Tours can find a river trip that is perfect for you.

If you have small children, then a day trip through Alberton Gorge on the Clark Fork River might be just what you are looking for.  The water has calmed down a little and the Clark Fork offers roller-coaster waves with intermittent warm pools that invite you to jump right in.  These trips leave daily through September 2nd  near  Superior, Montana and have you back to your vehicle by dinner time.  Lunch is served picnic style on a big, sandy beach where the kids can splash and explore.  This whitewater experience is suitable for ages 5 years and up.

Also suitable for the younger set,  try a 4 -day family camping whitewater adventure leaving every Sunday and Tuesday through September 13th from Lewiston, Idaho.   Cascading down 60 miles of Idaho’s Salmon “River of No Return”, everyone will love the whitewater excitement, warm water, expansive white sand beaches and historical sites.   This river is famous for it’s rich Native American history and ancient pioneer homesteads tucked into the mountansides and valleys.  Kids will love the “River Jester” who will entertain  with nature hikes and other special activities just for them.  Parents will love camping without the work..let the river guides handle all the details for you.  This camping adventure is also suitable for ages 5 years and up.

Coeur dAlene River

If you are just looking for a gentle float down a river, try the Spokane River, below the falls.  Every afternoon  you can relax and enjoy 3 hours of the beautiful Spokane River, letting your cares drift away.  The scenery is beautiful, the companionship enjoyable and the water is warm and inviting.    Looking for a little longer float trip, then it’s definitely the Coeur d’Alene River you want.  With a minimum group of 6, you can get transportation and floats for 1/2 day or a full day and enjoy the clean mountain air and crystal clear waters of the Coeur d’Alene.  You’ll have plenty of company because all the locals will be there too.

Call Rhonda or Linda at TMI Tours & Cruises for prices, availability and water updates for these and other great whitewater destinations throughout Idaho and Montana.  1-800-975-777 or info@tmitours.com  We are your vacation specialists for the Pacific Northwest.

Explore the city lights of Vancouver, B.C. Canada, float plane over the lush Canadian west coast, explore the bays and inlets amidst B.C.’s rain forest, then tour the resort town of Whistler. Top this off with a first class rail tour back into Vancouver and you have the perfect 4 night/5 day vacation get-away.

The British Columbia coast is a wilderness paradise with lush, intensely green rain forests lining a rugged Pacific coastline teeming with wildlife. Vancouver B.C. is a dynamic, multicultural city set in a spectacular natural environment and Whistler, the ski resort village, was selected for the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Highlights of this trip include your first night in Vancouver at the Fairmont, a scenic float-plane flight to the Wilderness Lodge, sightseeing, dining, activities, hiking and a boat tour of Jervis and Princess Louisa Inlets. These incredible fjords are renowned for their 7,000 foot towering cliffs, dozens of cascading waterfalls, abundant wildlife, ancient petroglyphs and protected waters surrounded by the lush rain forest. The return float-plane trip flies over glaciers and mountain lakes en route to Whistler B.C., where you’ll enjoy the Fairmont Whistler Resort. Your journey back to Vancouver will be on the famous Rocky Mountaineer, a first class scenic train tour through the mountains and valleys of British Columbia.

TMI Tours and Cruises offers great vacation ideas and extended weekend get-aways to unique areas in the Pacific Northwest. Call Rhonda or Linda at 1-800-975-7775 or email us at info@tmitours.com for more information.

Idaho has more miles of whitewater river than any other state; over 3,000 miles of perfect, raftable adventure.    A whitewater vacation in Idaho can mean anything from 1 day to multi-day trips with overnight campsites along the river.

In the Spring and early Summer, the water is high and the rafting is exciting.  1 day trips on the Moyie River and the St. Joe River are a great way to introduce yourself to river running.  These are true northern Idaho rivers, deep wilderness canyons, lush cedar forests and wild, wild water! In late summer and early fall, 1 day trips on the Clark Fork River in Montana, combine roller-coaster waves with warm pools for swimming and relaxing.

Probably the most quintessential Idaho whitewater experience is the Middle Fork of the Salmon River.  This is one of the 10 top whitewater rivers in the world and it is known for it’s trout fishery, natural hot springs, wildlife, ancient pictographs and class III/IV rapids. Running through the Frank Church-River of No Return-Wilderness (the largest forest wilderness in the lower 48), these trips are lengths of 3, 5 or 6 days, combining whitewater thrills, soothing hot springs and luxury beach camping. 

Drive along any river in Idaho during the summer, and you will see people floating along on inner tubes, inflatable islands, rafts … just about anything they can commandeer to get on the water.  This is the local’s favorite way of travel and a great way to enjoy a warm summer day and see beautiful scenery and wildlife.   There are several companies that will rent you floats, drop you off and pick you up at the end of your trip.  All you have to do is relax and enjoy the ride.

Call us at TMI Tours for rates and information on the best whitewater trips.  Come and experience some of the wildest rivers in the country, right in our backyard.

Coeur d’Alene and the surrounding area has been blessed with the perfect climate for the game of golf.  With summer temperatures usually in the mid 80’s, our golf courses maintain their velvety greens and our abundance of trees provide just the right amount of shade for the avid golfer.  With over 10 local golf courses to choose from, no matter what your budget, TMI Tours can find the perfect golf vacation for you.  Here are a few of our favorites:

Black Rock’s Jim Engh-designed course was voted the Best New Course of 2003 by Golf Digest.  This is genuinely a unique golf experience of dramtic cliffs, cavernous natural bunkers, sparkling lake panoramas with stunning curves and textures.  The 7000 yards of rolling hills include a back 9 holes with waterfalls cascading over black rock cliffs and panoramic views of Lake Coeur dAlene.  Jim says  the best golf hole he ever designed was number 11 on this exclusive course.

Circling Raven, a Gene Bates design golf course, is located on 620 wildly beautiful acres within the Coeur d Alene Indian Reservation lands.  Voted as one of the top 10 Best New Casino courses in America,  this 18- hole beauty winds through natural wetlands, woodlands and native palouse grasses.

The Hayden Lake Country Club is a private, member owned club rich in tradition and historical heritage.  Origonally opened in 1907 by the Spokane & Inland Empire Railroad as a retreat for the wealthy, it became the Hayden Lake Country Club in 1927 and maintains its 18- hole golf course to the highest of standards and quality.  The 6,030 yards of course are nestled along the shores of pristine Hayden Lake.

Master golf course designer Tom Fazio has created Gozzer Ranch’s breathtaking 18- hole championship golf course with spectacular lake views.  This 700 acre course, surrounded by basalt rock bluffs with dramatic spires and cliffs, is so well integrated within its surrounding that it looks like a natural part of the landscape.  The 431 yard, par-5 hole 15 is his favorite for its unimaginable views of Lake Coeurdalene.

Be sure to visit our website at TMI tours and check out our fabulous golf package under the self-drive tours section.  We are offering a limited number of packages that will get you onto some of these member-only courses this summer.  Reserve early, come to Coeur d’Alene and let TMI Tours show you northern Idaho as only we can.

Rhonda Sand, owner of TMI Tours & Cruises, was recently interviewed by a local writer for a series on entrepreneurs. When you have a moment, please check out the entire interview. We are sure you will enjoy reading about Rhonda and her thoughts about TMI.

The annual Holiday Light Show and Parade for  downtown Coeur d’Alene will kick off, Friday, November 28th at 5pm.  With more than a million sparkling lights across Lake Coeurdalene, it is sure to be the largest water resort holiday light show in America.  This year it features over 225 holiday displays ringing the boardwalk and a memorable “Journey to the North Pole” aboard the Lake CDA cruiseboats.  Take the family on a magical journey across the lake to Santas’ workshop with holiday animated features, the Worlds Tallest Living Christmas Tree and guaranteed snow showers every night! Dress warmly and come join us at TMI Tours downtown for this spectacular lighting ceremony and fireworks display as we ring in the 2008/2009 holiday season.