Grand Florida & the Keys

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Day 1 – Home to Bloomington, IL 

Today we begin our journey south in search of warmth & sunshine. Relax at the hotel this evening after an included dinner. 

Included Meals: Dinner 

Hotel: Hampton Inn 

Day 2 – Bloomington to Nashville 

After breakfast we pass through the landscapes of Illinois and Kentucky to Nashville. We’ll relax at the hotel’s kickback reception and enjoy a free evening. 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Manager’s Reception 

Hotel: Drury Inn & Suites

Day 3 – Nashville to Valdosta, GA 

Breakfast is served at the hotel this morning before we board the coach & motor south to Valdosta; this city is also called the Azalea City because azaleas grow in profusion here. 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Manager’s Reception 

Hotel: Drury Inn 

Day 4 – Valdosta to Titusville, FL 

After breakfast we motor along to America’s oldest city, St. Augustine, Florida. Climb aboard the open air trolley for a tour of this wonderful town. Stroll along this remarkable area and enjoy a special lunch in historic St. Augustine. Later we will travel down the coast for an overnight stay in Titusville. (The fly group arrives late this afternoon.) 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 

Hotel: Hampton Inn 

Day 5 – Titusville to Orlando, FL 

Our day begins at the Kennedy Space Center where we will gain insight into America’s accomplishments in the space program. Later we travel to Orlando and check into our hotel for a relaxing two-night stay. Enjoy the hotel’s reception with your fellow travelers or have dinner at a nearby restaurant. 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Manager’s Reception 

Hotel: Drury Inn & Suites (2 Nights)

Day 6 – Orlando 

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before we travel to Epcot Center for the day. Your included ticket is good for “exploring exciting attractions, enchanting international pavilions, and special events & tours. Celebrating the human spirit, Epcot has 2 distinct realms: Future World, which features technological innovations, and World Showcase, which shares with Guests the culture and cuisine of 11 countries: Mexico, Norway, China, Germany, Italy, the United States, Japan, Morocco, France, United Kingdom and Canada.” Remember your walking shoes for this great day of exploring an incredible park! 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Manager’s Reception 

Day 7 – Orlando to Ft. Lauderdale 

Today we travel to Fort Lauderdale. Lunch will be served along the intracoastal waterway at a wonderful restaurant, where we’ll thoroughly enjoy the food and view! The rest of the afternoon will be free to enjoy the spectacular beaches of Ft. Lauderdale! Our hotel this evening is beautifully located on the white sandy shores of the Atlantic Ocean. 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 

Hotel: Courtyard by Marriott Ft. Lauderdale Beach 

Day 8 – Ft. Lauderdale to “The Keys” 

This morning we take a memorable cruise on the Jungle Queen, which travels the spectacular intracoastal waterways. Following our cruise, we’re in for a spectacular drive as we follow U.S. Highway 1 down to The Keys. We will travel about half way down The Keys to Marathon where we are guests for the next two nights. This evening enjoy a beautiful sunset cruise followed by a fantastic included dinner at our resort! 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

Hotel: Faro Blanco Resort & Yacht Club (2 Nights) 

Day 9 – Key West 

This morning we head to Key West, a colorful and breathtaking place full of old town charm & history. R&J has arranged a trolley tour of exciting Key West. You may choose to continue to explore the area by bicycle, trolley, or foot. The shopping is endless, the history is unique, and the swaying palm trees calming. Enjoy your free time before we travel back to Marathon for the evening. 

Included Meals: Breakfast 

Day 10 – The Keys to Fort Myers 

After breakfast we bid The Keys good-bye and board our coach to head to Fort Myers on the Gulf Coast. We will drive through the everglades – alligator country! An everglades airboat ride is our afternoon adventure; keep your hands in the boat as the gators are hungry! 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

Hotel: Holiday Inn Express

Day 11 – Fort Myers to St. Pete’s Beach 

After breakfast at the hotel, we visit the Edison/Ford Winter Estates with the opportunity to see some of Edison’s incredible inventions and his lovely botanical garden. Lunch is arranged at a waterfront restaurant and then depending on the water temperature and if the manatees are hanging around, we’ll stop at Manatee Park to get a glimpse of these magnificent sea creatures. Then it’s on to St. Pete’s Beach for a two night stay at your all-suite hotel on the beach. 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 

Hotel: Sirata Beach Resort 

Day 12 – St. Pete’s Beach 

Sleep late and enjoy a free day at the resort on the sunny Gulf Coast. Take a dip in the sparkling pool, pull up a chair on the sandy beach, ride the trolley, or do some shopping, the choice is yours. This evening join us for dinner at a favorite waterfront restaurant. 

Included: Breakfast, Dinner 

Day 13 – St. Pete’s Beach to Perry, FL 

The fly group departs out of Tampa Bay today. The remaining group will motor past Clearwater to beautiful Tarpon Springs, the “Sponge Capital of the World.” This charming village was founded back in 1907 and is a mecca of Greek culture. Stroll around this charming seaside village where divers bring in sponges from off the Gulf floor. Walk the fishing docks and do some browsing in the local shops. We’ll take a Sponge Cruise and see just how the sponge divers of old collected the sponges. We’ll have lunch at a Greek Restaurant, before making our way to Perry for a restful evening. 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 

Hotel: Holiday Inn Express 

Day 14 – Perry to Montgomery, AL 

After breakfast we make a short drive to Wakulla Springs State Park, home to one of the largest and deepest freshwater springs in the world. This park plays host to an abundance of wildlife which includes alligators, turtles, manatees, deer, and birds. We’ll board a river boat for a fascinating ranger-led tour along the Wakulla River. Down the road we will enjoy lunch before departing Florida and making our way to Montgomery, AL. 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Manager’s Reception 

Hotel: Drury Inn & Suites 

Day 15 – Montgomery to Memphis, TN 

Today we travel to Memphis, Tennessee and tour the Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Hotel, the site of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s assasination. Then we visit famous Beale Street, rich in history and blues music, where we will experience an included dinner. 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

Hotel: Hampton Inn 

Day 16 – Memphis to Hannibal, MO 

Breakfast is served at the hotel before we depart, making our way through St. Louis and on to Hannibal for a farewell dinner and our last overnight. 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

Hotel: Comfort Inn & Suites 

Day 17 – Hannibal to Home 

We journey the rest of the way home today, making an included lunch stop along the way. What wonderful memories and new friends we’ve made on our grand tour of Florida & the Keys! 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch