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 Normal, IL
Board our motorcoach and get to know your fellow travelers as we make our way to Normal, 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 – Normal 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 will 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 Sanibel and Captiva Islands where we visit the Sanibel Shell Museum. Then we enjoy lunch at the very unique Bubble Room before getting a chance to sink our toes in the sand as we hunt for shells! Afterwards, we’ll explore the Sanibel Historical Museum & Village, a living history museum about the Calusa & Spanish eras and the early pioneer families who settled on the Island, featuring restored, historical buildings. (Note: The Islands are working hard to rebuild. Pending anticipated progress, this day should all happen as planned.)
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 6 – Fort Myers
After breakfast today we will visit Naples. Our day begins 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 lunch on our own then take in the quaint little shops and water views of the Fort Myers River District. This evening we’ll board the Seminole Gulf Railway Mystery Dinner Train for a five course meal & great entertainment.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8 – Fort Myers
Happy Valentine’s Day! 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 of “Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story.” With Buddy’s biggest hit “That’ll Be The Day” rocketing up the charts to #1 in a matter of weeks, a legend was born! The show is a celebration of the life and times of the young man with spectacles and catches that unique mixture of innocence, determination, humor & charm that was Buddy Holly!
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 9 – Fort Myers
The day is at your leisure to soak up the sun, explore the beautiful hotel, check out the local sites, or perhaps 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 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. Then we’ll explore Fort Myers Beach, with plenty of free time to enjoy walking along the sandy shore before returning to the hotel. 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
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 Joe’s Crab Shack for a tasty lunch and then have some shopping time near the hotel before an afternoon at your leisure. Tonight we will gather for a delightful R&J Post-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
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast, perhaps you’d like to take your food to an outside table to enjoy the fresh Florida air as you eat! Today is our last day in Fort Myers, and you are free until dinner time, so if there are any activities you haven’t been able to enjoy yet, here’s your chance to plan them. Or maybe a day of relaxation, a good novel, and sun is in order! Tonight a farewell-to-Florida dinner experience is planned at DaRuma’s Japanese Steakhouse!
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 15 – Fort Myers to Macon, GA
After breakfast we board our motorcoach and begin our journey toward home. We will rest for the night in Macon after an included dinner together.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel: Hampton 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
Motorcoach Travel Protection Per Person
Travel Bucks
Deposit Due
Passport Needed
Tour Pace
Price Includes
30 Meals plus 5 Manager’s Receptions & 1 Valentine Dessert, Activities & Hotels as stated, Luxury Motorcoach
02/07/2025 02/24/2025
Tour Map
Tour Highlights
* 11 Nights at Homewood Suites in Fort Myers
* Sanibel & Captiva Islands including National Shell Museum and Sanibel Historical Museum & Village
* Naples Botanical Garden
* Naples Sightseeing Cruise
* Fort Myers Beach
* Mystery Dinner Train Experience
* “Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story” at Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre
* Edison Ford Estate Tour
* Everglades Airboat Adventure
* Incredible Fleamasters Flea Market
* Ringling Museum in Sarasota
* ECHO Sustainable Farm
