STEP ON BUS TOURS
By Amanda Braniecki
Grand Blanc View
December 15, 2011
As an avid history buff, Rose Szwed is setting her sights on increasing people's knowledge of Michigan from the roads they travel to the unseens regions of the state through her very own tourism company.
Szwed, of Goodrich, has been leading tours for the last 30 years whith her first taking place at the former Dearborn Inn.
"I was a director of public relations and the Dearborn Inn was my account," Szwed recalled. "I learned everything I could about it and I started leading the media around and then interestedpeople started following me. That really started it all."
As word of her services spread and picked up momentum with even major bus companies calling upon her tours, Szwed said she had a client living in Three Rivers, MI, that really pushed her to branch out on her own and take up guiding tours full time.
"At that time I was leading tours on my own through Szwed Communications Public Relations and my client in Three Rivers told me to just name a tour company so I did," she said.
By 2000, Szwed had started her own tourism company known as Step On Bus Tours traveling all around Michigan and beyond specializing in historical, Amish and Catholic tours.
"I don't lead casino tours and I don't go to Shipshewana because anyone can go there," Szwed said. "My tourists are people who just want to do something different and I like to deliver mystery, intrigue and entertainment."
"Typically hosting day trips or overnight tours a month, Szwed said she is often sought out by senior centers, homeschooled children, study groups, clubs and organizations to either step on a bus and lead a tour or if her clients prefer she can make the arrangements to secure a bus.
With each tour, she is focussed on making the trips both fun and educational for her clients by providing DVDs, pictures, guest speakers, games and hands on experiences to keep the excitement going all day.
Szwed said her favorite tours to lead are those that really grasp the historical significance of a spot.
She offers tours such as the Farmers, Fugitives and Felons and Quilts, Quakers and Questors that are both seped with history of the Underground Railroad. In addition, Szwed showcases tours that highight Detroit's role durig prohibition the Eastern Market, historical cemeteries and religious and cultural groups. Szwed said she is also able to gain access to buildings tht are closed to the public.
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