Tour Details

Retreat to the Cove with Elva

March 31 - April 4, 2025

The Billy Graham Training Center | The Cove, Asheville, N.C.

We are excited to host you on the upcoming Retreat to the Cove with Elva Hurst (March 31 – April 4, 2025) and anticipate a wonderful time of spiritual refreshment, beautiful scenery, and lots of fun and fellowship along the way!

The Retreat to the Cove with Elva Hurst is being hosted and coordinated by Prelude Tours and BNT- Bob Neff Tours. Both companies have worked together to prepare this tour and have joined forces to make this tour happen. We hope you enjoy meeting some new friends as you travel together.

In preparation for the tour, please review the enclosed final details which outlines the tour itinerary and provides some preliminary logistical details. Please note that Angie Rohrer will be serving as the tour director and will be facilitating the tour while traveling to/from The Cove. Bethany Greiner, retreat coordinator, will serve as the point of contact during the time at The Cove.

Thanks again for your business and for trusting us with your travel plans. We hope you have a wonderful time at The Cove.

Sincerely,

Sarah Bennett, Prelude Tours
Karen Bender, BNT-Bob Neff Tours

Group Flight Information

Pick-up Location – March 31

Calvary Church (see enclosed map) – Please arrive at 6:15 am to load luggage. We will depart at 6:30 am.

Return – April 4

We will return to Lancaster at approximately 10:30pm.

Nametag & Seating

Please pick up your nametag from the Tour Director before boarding the coach. There are no seat assignments, but we ask that everyone rotate their seats each day.

Traveling Logistics

Photo ID – We recommend carrying a government-issued photo ID (i.e., driver’s license) on all tours.
Cell phones – Out of consideration for other guests, please limit phone calls aboard the motorcoach to emergencies only. When using your phone or any device on the coach please use headphones or earbuds.
Luggage – Each person may bring one suitcase, which will be placed in the luggage compartments under the coach. The enclosed tag should be fastened to the suitcase. One small carry-on item, having personal identification, may be stored in the overhead racks.
Attire – Casual, comfortable clothing is recommended for all tours. Layers will prepare you for changing weather and temperature throughout the tour. A waterproof lined jacket, umbrella and walking shoes are a good idea. Please refer to the predicted weather of the location you will be visiting to better choose the clothing to pack for this tour.
Hotel Accommodations – Typically hotel rooms have 2 queen beds, unless otherwise requested. Occasionally hotels may not be able to accommodate the standard 2 queen bed arrangement or king bed request.
Meals – 4 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, and 5 Dinners are included. You are responsible for any additional meals designated as “on your own”. We recommend eating breakfast on the day of departure. Snacks can be purchased at our rest stops, approximately every 2-3 hours, and brought onto the coach. Bottled water will be provided daily on your days of travel.
Coach exit – For individuals who may need additional time or assistance exiting the coach, we kindly request you wait for the group to disembark to allow the driver or tour director to lend a hand for your safe exit.
If you are not traveling on the motorcoach – you will be able to check into the Cove after 3:00PM on Monday, March 31.

Overnight Accommodations

Mar 31-April 3 (3 nights)
The Billy Graham Cove, 1 Porters Cove Road, Asheville, NC 28805, 828-298-2092
Free Wi-Fi, Frozen Yogurt, Cappuccino Bar. Spend quiet time on our walking trails or enjoy stretching your legs on a brisk hike to the overlook for panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains
April 3-4 (1 night)
Drury Inn & Suites, Charlotte Northlake, Charlotte, NC 28216, 704-599-8882
Free Wi-Fi, Indoor and outdoor pool, hot tub and Fitness Center.
Bus Driver – Bill Rohrer
Tour Director: Angie Rohrer

Gratuities

Driver Gratuity – The recommended gratuity for a job well done is $3.00 – $5.00 per person per day. A yellow envelope will be available from Elva during the tour for your driver’s gratuity. At the end of the tour an envelope will be circulated through the coach to collect the envelopes.
Tour Director Gratuity –A green envelope will be available from Elva during the tour for the bus tour director gratuity. At the end of the tour an envelope will be circulated to collect the green envelope should you want to reward Angie for a job well done.

Cancellations

For cancellations in advance of the tour date, contact BNT’s office at 717.397.0000 or Prelude Tours at 281.667.1057. Office hours are Monday – Friday, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
For cancellations the evening before or morning of the tour departure, please call 717.413.4736, If no answer, please leave a message and call 717.940.0460.

Enclosure(s):

Luggage tag(s)
Itinerary
Pick-up location map

Tour Overview

Monday, Mar 31 – Depart Calvary Church, Lancaster PA @ 6:30am with rest stops along the way. Travel time is
approximately 12 hours. Lunch stop (at your own expense) and arrive to the Cove by 6:00PM. Dinner will be served in The Cove dining room followed by a brief orientation/worship service.
Tuesday, April 1 – After breakfast in the main dining room of The Cove, there will be a time of inspirational worship followed by a chalk talk with Elva. The afternoon will be free to enjoy the amenities of the property (hiking trails, prayer gardens, chapel, book store). After dinner, Elva and friends will share a concert of “Music and Memories”.
Wednesday, April 2 – Today will be spent at The Cove. Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be served in the main dining room and a morning and evening session of inspirational worship will be in the auditorium of the facility. This afternoon there will be a hymn sing in the chapel featuring Jeff Bennett, concert pianist and worship leader. After dinner, there will be a final chalk art session with Elva.
Thursday, April 3 – This morning after breakfast (appr 9:00 am) we will depart The Cove and drive 2 hours to visit the Operations Center of Samaritan’s Purse in Wilkesboro, NC. We will enjoy a tour of the facility, have lunch in the dining room and participate in an onsite mission project. We will depart at appr 3:00pm and arrive Charlotte, NC at appr 5:00pm. Dinner will be provided at the hotel. Overnight Drury Inn – Northlake, Charlotte NC
Friday, April 4 – Depart hotel @ 9:00am for a tour of the Billy Graham library. Lunch will be on site at the library (at your own expense) and we will depart for Lancaster at 12:30pm. Dinner will be provided in Harrisonburg VA and we plan to arrive Lancaster, PA around 10:30pm.