We recommend optional Travel Insurance for this tour. Please ask for a brochure.

If warm Florida sunshine is what you’re looking for, look no further. Key West is a speck of land in a pastel sea. Palms whisper. Birds sing. Flowers bloom all year. Without a hint of irony, people call it paradise. While in Key West, you can’t help but stop worrying about the next day or even the next hour. Sounds great, doesn’t it? Well, it’s yours to enjoy on the magnificent trip designed to give you some of the best that Florida has to offer.

Saturday, February 5 and Sunday, February 6
The warm Florida sun beckons as we travel south to Fayetteville, North Carolina for our first night’s lodging. The next morning we continue on our winter escape arriving at our lodging in historic St. Augustine, Florida by early evening. On arrival we’ll visit the Fountain of Youth. CB

Monday, February 7
Today we’ll tour St. Augustine’s Old City including the Cathedral of St. Augustine, the oldest Catholic parish in America, plus time to explore the Spanish Fortress San Augustin Antiquo. Also included will be the Lightner Museum and other points of interest. This afternoon we continue southward to the Space Coast, and our lodging in Titusville. CB, D

Tuesday, February 8
Today’s highlight is a visit to Kennedy Space Center. NASA´s launch headquarters is the only place on Earth where you can tour launch areas, meet a veteran astronaut, see giant rockets, and possibly even view a launch. Our lodging for this evening is in Homestead, FL. CB,L

Wednesday, February 9
This morning we will visit John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and the adjacent Key Largo National Marine Sanctuary. This spectacular living coral reef is surrounded by crystal clear water and populated by a countless variety of colorful sea life and more than 40 different species of coral. While here, we will enjoy a 2 1/2 hour tour aboard a glass bottom boat. Continuing south, our lodging for the next three nights is in Key West. CB

Thursday, February 10
This is the place we’ve come to see! This morning we will begin our exploration of the island with a tour of Old Key West. After lunch you are free to explore at your leisure. This evening be sure to join the crowds that gather to watch the sun drop into the sea, leaving the sky with pink, gold and lavender reminders.

Friday, February 11
Today will be entirely free to enjoy as you please. Perhaps you will ride the Old Town Trolley which offers re-boarding privileges to enjoy the variety of shopping, dining and attractions. Those more adventurous might try snorkeling, fishing or even an exciting fly tour to historic Fort Jefferson. Your driver and escort will be happy to assist you with suggestions and arrangements. And don’t miss the food-anyone for conch chowder, hot ballos or Key Lime pie?

Saturday, February 12
Look for a few alligators sunning themselves in swamps next to the highway as we return to Florida’s mainland and travel through Everglades National Park. A stop will be made at Everglades Safari Park where a swamp boat tour will be included. Our destination today is Naples, Florida. The remainder of the afternoon and evening will be free to enjoy Naples at your leisure. A trolley tour, art gallery visit or boutique shopping are just a few suggestions.

Sunday, February 13
This morning we will visit beautiful Sanibel Island, known for its lush vegetation, extensive beaches, profuse bird life and perhaps most of all, its abundance of seashells. Following lunch we will visit the Edison-Ford Complex, containing two winter homes of America’s most famous early 20th century industrialists, Henry Ford and Thomas Edison. We will see more of the Gulf of Mexico on our way to Sarasota where we will check in for the next three nights.

Monday, February 14
Today we travel to Tampa to spend the morning at the history making Florida State Fair. This afternoon we’ll visit the South Florida Museum, which reflects Florida’s history from prehistoric times to the present. Included is a visit to the Parker Manatee Aquarium, home to Snooty, the oldest known Manatee in captivity. CB

Tuesday, February 15
This morning we will visit Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. Specializing in epiphytes, or air plants, the gardens features orchids, carnivorous pitcher plants, succulent plants and many more. An elevated boardwalk winds through a mangrove swamp. We will then enjoy free time in Sarasota for lunch on your own. Later we visit Mote Aquarium where we can view manatees, sharks, sea turtles, eels and many southwest Florida’s plants, fish and invertebrates. This evening will be a special dinner cruise departing from Sarasota’s marina. CB, D

Wednesday, February 16
Today we visit the John & Mable Ringling Museum, created from the fortune John Ringling derived from his circus and vast real estate investments. Included is the Circus Museum, Museum of Art and Ca d’Zan, Ringling’s winter estate. We then continue onto our lodging in Ocala, Florida. CB

Thursday, February 17
Today we leave Florida retracing our steps northward to our lodging in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Sit back and relax, and relive the memories of our days under the warm Florida sun. CB

Friday, February 18
Arrival home is scheduled for early evening. CB