Fresh back from a week doing some editorial research in Minnesota, I've been thinking about winter vacations in Northern climes. My advice: Don't hibernate. There's nothing wrong with organizing a group trip to Minnesota in the middle of January. So what if temperatures don't get out of the single digits?

By scheduling some tours in winter, you can extend your season and possibly take advantage of off-peak rates. Target travelers who may be itching to break out of the winter doldrums. Offer couch potatoes a cure for cabin fever, even if it's just a short getaway. It doesn't have to include a single outdoor activity. Minnesota's Mall of America, for example, is a destination in itself, brimming with stores and restaurants, not to mention the world's largest indoor amusement park (being renamed Nickelodeon Universe in March). Nearby Saint Paul abounds with museums and grand buildings like the State Capitol and Cathedral of Saint Paul. One company offers a Prohibition-themed tour of Saint Paul, complete with a gangster guide.

During my week in Minnesota, I had to deal with driving in snow only once, and the roads were cleared within hours. Some attractions are closed in winter or have limited hours, but off-season travel means you don't have to deal with crowds. In fact, you might end up having some places all to yourself. In Itasca State Park one morning, I was the only one at the Mississippi Headwaters, where the mighty river begins its 2,500-mile flow from Lake Itasca to the Gulf of Mexico. (Read more about my Minnesota adventures in the April issue of Leisure Group Travel.)

Groups that venture north to cold places will get special attention and come back with warm memories.

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Imagine a dream escorted vacation of Ireland. Enjoy an enchanting luxurious tour of the Emerald Isle or Scotland; brace yourself for breathtaking scenery, cultural delights and truly captivating cities. Imagine the magic of an Italian villa, the warmth of the Sicilian sun, romance in Rome, Venice or Florence. Experience the wonders of the South Pacific - ancient and proud cultures, awe-inspiring and untouched landscapes that stretch to the horizon.

Whether you're looking for an exciting trip to the city or a more relaxed vacation in the country, this month's issue of Leisure Group Travel features an exciting assortment of destinations to help you plan the group tour that's right for you. Find out how Los Angeles offers more than the celebrities and shopping that it's famous for, and learn about the Berkshires region in Massachusetts, a getaway full of history, culture, and nature.

Discover the top dining venues in America's Southwest and Mid-Atlantic regions, where you can enjoy an ethnic smorgasbord as well as regional specialties. If you're thinking about a visit to the Land of Lincoln, we'll tell you about the four new group tour itineraries that Tour Illinois recently unveiled to make your trip easier. Also find out about what's new in Oklahoma, Georgia, and Kentucky.

The historical Berkshires region, located in the highlands of Western Massachusetts, is renowned as a favorite vacation getaway spot. Chockfull of history, culture and nature, this picturesque area has something for everyone. The area's beautiful scenery can be taken in from the many parks, trails, riversides and woods.

The Berkshires is also home to several cultural and historical attractions, including art galleries and museums, famous homes and cottages, musical and theatrical festivals, and the first and longest running dance festival, Jacob's Pillow. Leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind as you explore the quaint villages, breathtaking scenery and "cultural mecca" of the Berkshires.

This week, InSite E-Zine interviews Nigel Osborne.

Nigel Osborne is the Executive Vice President of Key Tours. Nigel is responsible for Sales and Marketing and the retail channel distribution for Key Tours. Mr. Osborne was Executive Vice President and Chief Business Development Officer of Dynamic Leisure Group in 2005. Prior to joining Dynamic Leisure Corporation, Mr. Osborne was President of Destination Europe, Package Division of Auto Europe LLC, the leading U.S.-based car rental broker to Europe.

Previously, Mr. Osborne was President of Insight Vacations, a leading European tour company. He started his career with Trafalgar Tours in 1975. Osborne has a degree in Hotel Management and Tourism. He is married, has 6 children, and travels extensively.

Many times you will be buying a trip "off the shelf," selecting a trip from your favorite tour operator, and offering it to your organization "as is." This is particularly common if the trip appears to be totally appropriate to the needs of your membership. It may be a trip planned specifically for your market and, therefore, may not need any modifications for your group.

At other times, however, you may find a trip you'd like to use, but feel it needs changes in order to prove suitable for your group. And sometimes you may not be able to find a trip at all and decide you'll design one yourself. In this case, you'll need to know some of the points that make for a well-designed trip.

If you are a novice at trip design, one of the first things to consider is not overtiring your participants. Often we are so enthused about a destination that our inclination is to stuff more into a day than will fit, thus having to rush participants, perhaps taxing their strength and not allowing them to enjoy one event before pushing them on to the next. So, timing is everything. A trip planner needs to factor in adequate time at every spot.

Itinerary Planning Hints is one of the topics covered in how to Plan, Operate and Lead Successful Group Trips.

GroupTravelDirectory.com has over 2,200 attractions for you to choose from. Travel Planners can search by name, category, location or zipcode to locate the perfect group attraction.

Each attraction is listed by subcategory including more than 200 casinos, over 300 museums and theaters, and a surplus of sightseeing cruises, theme parks and more.