Beautiful 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 Comfort Suites.
Included Meals: Lunch
Hotel: Comfort Suites
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, FL
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 Hampton Inn & Suites in Valdosta, FL.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: Hampton Inn & Suites
Day 4 – Valdosta to Fort Myers
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! Enjoy the Manager’s Reception, then the remainder of the evening is at your leisure to explore your new home away from home. R&J Tours has chosen the beautiful Homewood Suites for their wonderful service, full breakfasts each morning, and manager’s reception each evening at the hotel (Mon-Thurs)!
Hotel: Homewood Suites
Included Meals: Breakfast, Manager’s Reception
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 Island where we can sink our toes in the sand as we hunt for shells! Then we enjoy an included lunch at the very unique Bubble Room. After lunch we will again board the motorcoach for the Butterfly Estates. This is a hands on nature park atmosphere with an educational twist.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Manager’s Reception
Day 6 – Fort Myers
After breakfast today we will visit Naples, beginning with a guided tour of the beautiful Naples Botanical Garden, followed by lunch at Pincher’s 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!) Once we’re back in Fort Myers we will enjoy a dining experience at the DaRuma’s Japanese Steakhouse!
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 – Fort Myers
Happy Valentine’s Day! Breakfast is served before a full day of exploring Fort Meyers Beach. Enjoy some free time to walk along the sandy shore before we return to the hotel to freshen up for the Manager’s Reception or for a Valentine’s Day dinner on your own. Then enjoy a delightful R&J Valentine Dessert Party at our hotel.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Mgr’s Reception, Valentine Dessert Party
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 wonderful show.
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 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 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. We will enjoy our evening dinner at Cantino Laredo right at Bell Tower within easy walking distance of the hotel. This is more than a great restaurant, it is a great experience.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 11 – Fort Myers
After breakfast we will visit the amazing Edison Ford Estate for a guided tour of the wonderful grounds and homes. Next we will go to Miromar Outlet Mall for lunch at the Luna Rosa followed by shopping for those who wish or back to the hotel for an afternoon at your leisure.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Manager’s Reception
Day 12 – 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 ‘Muse’ located on the premises.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Manager’s Reception
Day 13 – 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. This evening we’ll board the Seminole Gulf Railway Mystery Dinner Train for a five course meal & great entertainment.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 14 – Fort Myers
This morning we will visit the Manatee Park for a rare opportunity to see the endangered West Indian Manatee (known as Sea Cows) in their natural habitat.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 15 – Fort Myers to Macon, GA
After breakfast we board our motorcoach and begin our journey for home. The fly-in passengers will be departing today as we drop them off at the airport before heading out of town.
Included Meals: Breakfast
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: 27 Meals plus 8 Manager’s Receptions & 1 Valentine Dessert, Activities & Hotels as stated, Luxury Motorcoach.
Flyaway Option: Roundtrip airfare from MSP including all baggage fees, taxes & surcharges (approx. $75 per person included), 19 Meals plus 6 Manager’s Rec. & 1 Valentine Dessert, all activities as stated in brochure, Hotels.
Tour Map
Tour Highlights
Sanibel & Captiva Islands
Butterfly Estate
Naples Botanical Garden
Naples Sightseeing Cruise
Fort Myers Beach - Shopping, eating & strolling the beach!
Mystery Dinner Train Theatre
Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre
Edison Ford Estate Tour
Everglades Airboat Adventure
Incredible Fleamasters Flea Market
Day Trip to Sarasota - Home of the Ringling Museum
Manatee Park
ECHO