Friday, March 1
Travel to Roanoke Rapids, NC. Check into the Hilton Garden Inn, then enjoy a good night’s rest!
Saturday, March 2
Arrive on Amelia Island checking into the Hampton Inn Amelia Island Harbor Front for a three-night stay.
Dinner is included tonight at a local restaurant. (B, D)
Sunday, March 3
Today you will take an Amelia Island historic trolley tour. The tour will take you on a journey back in time. You will see Historic downtown Fernandina Beach, Old Towne, the silk-stocking district, and parts of the north end of Fernandina Beach. The tour is approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes in length.
This afternoon you will have time to explore Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island at Florida’s northeast border – offering boutique shopping and a range of scrumptious restaurants.
Next, travel to Jacksonville to visit the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens. It is the largest fine arts museum in Northeast Florida, established in 1958, when art collector, garden enthusiast, and civic leader Ninah M. H. Cummer bequeathed the art collection and riverfront home she shared with her husband Arthur, to create the Museum. Today, the core collection of 60 pieces from the Cummers’ estate has grown to include nearly 5,000 works of art. The 2.5 acres of historic gardens, set against the backdrop of the St. Johns River, serve as a centerpiece of beauty to enjoy.
After your time in Jacksonville, we return to Amelia Island. Explore the town and enjoy dinner on your own. (B)
Monday, March 4
This morning you head to St. Augustine, the nation’s oldest city, and one of the nation’s most charming. Meet your step-on local guide and start the day with a city tour. Discover more than four centuries of history that owes much to the Spanish and English, to Greeks and Native Americans and African Americans. Afterwards, you have time for lunch on own and shopping in the Historic District.
Next, you take a ride on the Black Raven Pirate Ship. This is a one-of-a-kind live pirate show full of music, thrills, and pure entertainment! Participate in our adventure, sing along with our crew, and find your inner pirate while you see the beautiful sights of the Matanzas River.
Then the last attraction of the afternoon is Ponce De Leon’s Fountain of Youth (c.a.1513.) You will discover it as an Archaeological Park and you will learn of that first encounter in 1513 between the Spanish and the Indians. Your tour guide will also show you the original spring and you will have a chance to drink from just as thousands before you have.
Dinner is included tonight at a local restaurant. (B, D)
Tuesday, March 5
After checkout we depart Amelia Island and travel to Cape Canaveral. The John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC, originally known as the NASA Launch Operations Center) is one of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration field centers. Since December 1968, Kennedy Space Center has been NASA’s primary launch center of human spaceflight. Launch operations for the Apollo, Skylab and Space Shuttle programs were carried out from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39 and managed by KSC.
After your tour at the JFK space center, we check into the Hampton Inn Cocoa Beach for a one-night stay.
Dinner is on your own this evening. (B)
Wednesday, March 6
After breakfast, we travel to Miami. Your first stop begins with a guided walking tour of Little Havana that will immerse you in Calle Ocho’s history. You will stop and learn about locations such as: Domino Park, a Cigar Shop, the Cuban Memory Plaza, Bay of Pigs Monument, “Walkway of the Stars”, and Tower Theater. Explore the shops, restaurants, a little market, and an art gallery. Lunch is on your own.
This afternoon enjoy a sightseeing cruise of Biscayne Bay. You will have the best views of the Downtown Miami skyline, the Port of Miami, Fisher Island, Miami Beach, and Millionaire’s Row – the homes of the rich and famous.
After our sightseeing cruise, we will check into the Hilton Garden Inn for a one-night stay.
Following time to freshen up, dinner is included this evening at Havana 1957. Offering an authentic taste of Cuba, Havana 1957 is a new breed of restaurant in Miami, Florida offering guests the chance to spend un dia en la Habana and to experience the glory and glamour of old Cuba during 1950s. (B, D)
Thursday, March 7
Today, take a two-hour Everglades Tram Tour through the Shark Valley section of Everglades National Park. Shark Valley naturalists escort this tour and are fully prepared to make your journey a memorable one. Besides giving insight into the ecosystem, your naturalist will also help to point out some of the “hidden” aspects of the Everglades that help to make this a world-renowned-wetlands. The open vehicles used on these tram tours allow visitors to view wildlife within the sawgrass prairies on either side of the tram.
This afternoon you will visit Sun Harvest Citrus. For over 30 years they have been a must stop for locals and tourists alike. Known for their juicy hand-picked citrus, the fresh squeezed juices along with gourmet foods, tropical wines, and famous soft serve ice cream it will be sure to please.
This afternoon we are checking into the Drury Inn Fort Myers for a two-night stay.
This evening at Broadway Palm Dinner Theater, enjoy buffet dinner before the Broadway style musical play at one of the longest running dinner theaters in Florida. (2024 schedule TBA) (B, D)
Friday, March 8
Start the day at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates with 20 acres of historical buildings, historic gardens, the Edison Botanic Research Lab, and the Edison Ford Museum. The newly restored buildings include the Edison Main House, Guest House, Caretaker’s House, and the Ford House. The 1929 historic landscape is throughout the property including the award-winning Moonlight Garden. The Edison Ford Museum has hundreds of inventions, artifacts, and special exhibits.
Next, travel just outside Sarasota at the Myakka Elephant Ranch. Here you will enjoy an Educational Elephant Encounter where you will learn everything about Elephants. You will also get to touch and take selfies with the elephants. (Subject to availability)
After dinner on your own, your group will enjoy the sunsets around Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel Island are breathtaking. Cruise with us and witness a glorious and legendary Florida sunset on the famous Sunset Dolphin & Wildlife Cruise. Travel the captivating waters of Matanzas Pass and San Carlos Bay – once inhabited by the Calusa Indians. (B)
Saturday, March 9
After checkout, travel to St. Petersburg. First stop, tour the Dali Museum. The museum houses the largest collection outside Europe of the works of the artist Salvador Dali.
The afternoon features a tour and tasting at the Florida Orange Grove Winery. It is Florida’s original tropical fruit winery, producing over 43-different varieties of tropical wines. Each of the flavored wines are made from 100% juice, never grape base, creating premium tropical wines with true fruit flavors. With unique options such as Key Lime, Hurricane White Sangria and Mango Momma, you’ll be relieved to sip on wine that actually tastes good!
After your time at Florida Orange Grove Winery, you will check into the Sheraton Sand Key Resort on beautiful Clearwater Beach for a two-night stay.
This evening take a Clearwater Beach Dinner Cruise. Enjoy a great dinner, live entertainment, and dancing with some of the best waterfront views in all of Clearwater Beach. (B,D)
Sunday, March 10
After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a day at the Beach. Laid-back Clearwater Beach is known for its namesake stretch of soft, white sand, which draws visitors year-round for jet-skiing, parasailing, and stand-up paddleboarding in its calm waters. Cyclists and rollerbladers glide along a winding beachfront promenade lined with casual seafood restaurants and cafes. Come sunset, Pier 60 hosts a nightly festival with street performers and craft vendors. Lunch and Dinner are on your own. (B)
Monday, March 11
After breakfast we will checkout and depart for the Plantation on Crystal River for a two-night stay. This beautiful 50-year-old, 232-acre ecofriendly resort offers comfortable accommodations, a full-service spa, and is surrounded by the natural springs of Kings Bay. This bay in Crystal River is one of the largest aquifers in the state and home to more than 400 West Indian manatees that migrate each year to the warmth of the springs.
Dinner is included at the hotel this evening. (B,D)
Tuesday, March 12
After breakfast at the hotel, your morning starts with a scenic narrated river cruise. Explore water in King’s Bay, which is home to over 41 named springs such as the crown jewel of the Crystal River National Refuge, Three Sisters Springs. The bay is also home to the Florida West Manatee. Even in the summer there can be as many as 50-70 manatees in the bay. In the winter there can be up to 600!!
The afternoon is yours to discover what activities the Plantation on Crystal River has to offer.
Dinner is included this evening at the hotel. (B,D)
Wednesday, March 13
Arrive at the Villages! On arrival, our entire group will take a tour with a step on guide. It will provide you with a thorough orientation to this city of over 100,000 (age 55+). From the trolley you will see and learn about each of the Town Squares, and about the requirements of residency, plus you’ll see the recreation opportunities available to you in the days to come.
When the Trolley Tour ends you will pick up your Golf Car. One Golf Car per room. Golf Cars come standard with a roof, rain enclosure, headlights, directional signals, and the 1st tank of gas free. The Villages have separate (safe from automobiles) golf car roads. Note: Golf Cars are gas powered with a range of about 200 miles. Rental requirements state that one person in every room must be over the age of 55, and one person per car must have a valid Driver’s License.
This afternoon you will check into the TownePlace Suites by Marriott in The Villages for a two-night stay.
Enjoy a free afternoon and evening in the Villages. (B)
Thursday, March 14
After breakfast, your group travels to Silver Springs Florida. This was one of Florida’s first tourist attractions. It is also one of the largest artesian springs in the world, and the park quickly became renowned for the Glass Bottom Boat tour. It provides you with a unique vantage point and the experienced Tour Guides will give you an up-close and personal look at Florida’s amazingly diverse ecosystem! You have the best seats in the house for viewing wildlife, taking pictures, asking questions, and learning about the lore and history of Silver Springs!
Returning to The Villages this afternoon you’ll discover that shopping and dining are an important part of the Villages lifestyle and there are literally hundreds of shops, boutiques, bistros, nationally known restaurants, and stores to choose from scattered around the three Town Squares – all accessible by golf car! At each Square you find FREE, live music and dancing, modern movie theaters, and a colorful assortment of events and activities. (B)
Friday, March 15
After breakfast, you say good-bye to the Sunshine State. Begin your journey to Savannah, GA. For a 2-night stay. (B)
Saturday, March 16
Savannah’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, second largest in America, behind New York City. (B)
Sunday, March 17
Travel to Richmond, Virginia. Check into Drury Inn & Suites, just in time for 5:30 Kickback – Complimentary evening drinks and a rotating menu of hot food! Then enjoy a good night’s rest! (B)
Monday, March 18
After breakfast, we journey home with such fond memories! (B)
Package price per person: Single $7,975.00 | Double $5,775.00
