Are you making all of the arrangements yourselves or are you using a tour guide? If you are using a tour guide they will do all of that for you.
I use one each spring. she comes to me with ideas and suggestions, I say yea or nay and she does all the work...including getting the tix.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.