We visit the legendary Everglades River of Grass, Biscayne National Park’s colorful fish and coral, and the Dry Tortugas with its enormous Fort Jefferson. The funky fun of Key West, famed for its pastel-hued, conch-style houses, artists and writers opens another door to the history and beauty of the Sunshine State. 

 

Included meals are denoted: Breakfast: B, Lunch: L, Dinner: D

 

DAY 1              D

We fly to Fort Lauderdale, then transfer to our hotel before we enjoy a welcome dinner together.

 

DAY 2              B

We head south stopping at Biscayne National Park for a stroll, continuing to Key Largo (but we won’t see Bogie or Edward G. Robinson). The Florida Keys are a string of tropical islands stretching about 120 miles, separating the Atlantic Ocean from the Gulf of Mexico.  A visit to the Dolphin Research Center provides fascinating insights to these beautiful and intelligent creatures. Key West will be our home 3 nights.

 

DAY 3              B

In Key West, the southernmost tip of the U.S.A., Ernest Hemingway lived and worked for more than 10 years. Hemingway’s Spanish Colonial home is filled with European antiques and souvenirs of African safaris for us to admire.  Harry Truman also loved Key West and spent many days visiting the Little White House which we will explore.  The Butterfly and Nature Conservatory and its dazzling varieties of colorful butterflies provides a lovely counterpoint for the day.

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DAY 4              B, L

We ferry to the Dry Tortugas National Park. It is one of the world’s most unique eco-attractions and home of historic Fort Jefferson, a staging place for Navy ships assigned to block Confederate ports. Now it is a place of memories and meditation.

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DAY 5              B, D

Our destination today is the Everglades National Park, a 1.5-million-acre wetlands. Established in 1947 to conserve the natural landscape and habitats for plants and animals, the Everglades is one of the most unique landscapes in the world and home to tropical fauna and flora found nowhere else. We see it all on our airboat ride, an extraordinary vehicle that can navigate places where normal watercraft can’t go.  We lodge two nights in Homestead, the gateway to the Everglades.

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DAY 6              B

Our tour of the Everglades continues this morning from another point of view. We will hop aboard the Shark Valley Tram for a 15-mile loop tour led by an informative naturalist. We'll be  deep in the wilds of the Everglades, but riding in comfort with the breeze in our faces. Don’t forget your camera!  

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DAY 7              B

Returning to our departure city of Ft. Lauderdale, we have time for one more fascinating sight. At the Bonnet House Museum and Gardens. We are transported to the early 20th century and the days of gracious living and creativity of architect Frederic Clay Bartlett. The we must head to the airport and home, full of memories of the Sunshine State and its many surprises.

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Want more information? Check out this article about the restoration of the Everglades.

    

Itinerary subject to change