Beautifully renovated Homewood Suites
Our comfy “home away from home” – which has been carefully selected for it’s convenient & safe location with many dining, shopping, and entertainment options within easy walking distance.
Day 1 – Home to Bloomington, IL
Board our motorcoach and get to know your fellow travelers as we make our way to Bloomington, Il. We will enjoy a great lunch along the way. This evening we will check into the Hampton Inn.
Included Meals: Lunch
Hotel: Hampton Inn
Day 2 – Bloomington to Nashville, TN
After breakfast we will continue to travel south on our way to Nashville. We will check into the Drury Inn & Suites and enjoy the Manager’s Kickback Reception.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Manager’s Reception
Hotel: Drury Inn & Suites
Day 3 – Nashville to Valdosta, GA
Breakfast is served at the hotel, then we depart and take in the beautiful country as we make our way to warmer weather. Our stop for the night will be at the Drury Inn & Suites in Valdosta, GA.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Manager’s Reception
Hotel: Drury Inn & Suites
Day 4 – Valdosta to Fort Myers, FL
Today we will be arriving in Fort Myers and after picking up the fly-in group, we’ll check into our hotel for an eleven night stay! After a welcome dinner, the remainder of the evening is at your leisure to explore your new home away from home. R&J Tours has chosen the newly renovated Homewood Suites for their wonderful service and full breakfasts each morning.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Welcome Dinner
Hotel: Homewood Suites
Day 5 – Fort Myers
Breakfast is served at the hotel this morning. Board the motorcoach and we will make our way to charming Punta Gorda. We have a wonderful day planned in this waterfront community. We will first visit the Military Heritage Museum. The museum’s purpose is to honor all who serve. It utilizes multiple methods to educate its visitors on the heritage aspects of U.S. military history. Enjoy a blend of artifacts, veteran museum guides, and interactive experiences at this 17,000 sq. foot facility. We will enjoy lunch at the Village Fish Market at Fisherman’s Village and then have some free time for shopping or walking along the waterfront. This afternoon, we will have a local step on guide join us while we learn more about the history of the town by exploring various murals in the area as well as a veteran led introduction to the Vietnam Wall model at Veteran’s Park. We will wrap up our day with a tour of Alligator Bay Distillery. Tonight, you will enjoy dinner on your own and a relaxing evening at the hotel.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 6 – Fort Myers
After breakfast today we will visit Naples, beginning with a tour of the beautiful Naples Botanical Garden, followed by lunch in Tin City. Next we will cruise the tropical Naples waterways. We will see multi-million dollar homes as well as a variety of wildlife-including dolphins playing (if we are lucky!) Later we will return to the hotel for the manager’s reception and the evening.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Manager’s Reception
Day 7 – Fort Myers
This morning after breakfast we visit ECHO (Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization). Echo’s large selection of tropical fruit trees, edible plants and crops educates visitors on sustainable farming and hunger issues. The only facility of its type, it highlights six different settings encountered by the Third World peasant farmers. Next, we’ll enjoy a local BBQ joint, Hogbody’s, for an included lunch. This afternoon, we will spend some time in downtown Fort Myers taking in the quaint shops and water views. This evening we’ll board the Seminole Gulf Railway Mystery Dinner Train for a five course meal & great entertainment.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 – Fort Myers
After breakfast we will motor to the incredible Fleamaster’s, Florida’s largest Flea Market, to see what treasures we can find! This evening we will be guests at the Broadway Palms Dinner Theater for dinner and a fantastic performance.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 9 – Fort Myers
Breakfast is served before a day of exploring an area beach. We will wait to decide which beach we will go to once we get closer to our vacation. We want to make sure you get the best beach day possible! Enjoy plenty of free time to walk along the sandy shore before returning to the hotel to freshen up for our dining experience at DaRuma’s Japanese Steakhouse!
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 10 – Fort Myers
We’ll have the motorcoach available this morning for a couple church options near our hotel, or feel free to make your own arrangements. Tonight we’ll dine together at a local favorite.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 11 – Fort Myers
Nearly 100 years ago, John Ringling, the legendary circus king, pledged, “I am going to make Sarasota one of the sights of the South…[it] will become one of the most beautiful cities in Florida.” Today you will experience this when we take an all day trip to Sarasota. The Ringling Bros. Circus Museum will be a highlight! A refreshing lunch is planned at the Ringling Grill Room located on the premises.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 12 – Fort Myers
Happy Valentine’s Day! After breakfast we will visit the amazing Edison Ford Estate for a self-guided tour of the wonderful grounds and homes. Next we will go to Miromar Outlet Mall for an included group lunch and some shopping time before returning to the hotel for an afternoon at your leisure. Tonight we will gather for a delightful R&J Valentine Dessert Party!
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Valentine’s Dessert Party
Day 13 – Fort Myers
This morning sleep in, relax, or take a leisurely walk. Then this afternoon our guide will meet us at our hotel and as we head for the everglades he will share information about the everglades and alligators of Florida. Later we will hop aboard one of Bob’s Everglades Hydro-boats for a ride that you will long remember.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Manager’s Reception
Day 14 – Fort Myers
The day is at your leisure to soak up the sun, explore the beautiful hotel, check out the local sites, or perhaps even visit friends or family that are wintering in the area. You may want to enjoy the day with a round of golf, take a taxi to Hammond Field to watch the Twins practice, or make arrangements for a day of charter fishing! Your Tour Director may have some great options for you.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 15 – Fort Myers to Macon, GA
We bid goodbye to the fly-in passengers as they will be departing today. After breakfast we board our motorcoach and begin our journey for home. We will rest for the night in Macon after an included dinner together.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel: Holiday Inn
Day 16 – Macon to Paducah, KY
We continue on our way north. Tonight we will check into the Drury Inn & Suites in Paducah, KY. We will get a chance to enjoy the Manager’s Kickback Reception.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Manager’s Reception
Hotel: Drury Inn & Suites
Day 17 – Paducah to Rockford, IL
Today we will be traveling into Illinois. We will start to notice the snow covered scenery. Our last night on the road will be at the Radisson Hotel and we’ll share a Farewell Dinner together.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel: Radisson
Day 18 – Rockford to Home
After we enjoy our last breakfast together, we will board the motorcoach and make our way to Minnesota. We are almost home! It will be time to exchange our good-byes and maybe addresses with the new friends we have come to know during our Fort Myers Getaway!
Included Meals: Breakfast
Motorcoach Per Person Pricing Information
Flyaway Per Person Pricing Information
Motorcoach Travel Protection Per Person
Flyaway Travel Protection Per Person
Travel Bucks
Deposit Due
Passport Needed
Tour Pace
Price Includes
Motorcoach Option: 31 Meals plus 5 Manager’s Receptions & 1 Valentine Dessert, Activities & Hotels as stated, Luxury Motorcoach.
Flyaway Option: Roundtrip airfare from MSP including baggage fees, taxes & surcharges; 22 Meals plus 2 Manager’s Rec. & 1 Valentine Dessert, all activities as stated in brochure, Hotels
02/03/2023 02/20/2023
02/06/2023 02/17/2023
Tour Map
Tour Highlights
Punta Gorda Shopping & Waterfront - plus Mural Tour with a Veteran led introduction to the Vietnam Wall Model
Village Fish Market at Fisherman’s Village
Alligator Bay Distillery
Military Heritage Museum
Naples Botanical Garden
Naples Sightseeing Cruise
Shopping, Eating & Strolling a Local Beach!
Mystery Dinner Train Theatre
Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre Production
Edison Ford Estate Tour
Everglades Airboat Adventure
Incredible Fleamasters Flea Market
Day Trip to Sarasota - Home of the Ringling Museum
ECHO Sustainable Farm
