January 11-20 (Friday-Sunday)

Circle Florida

For your traveling pleasure we are announcing a new itinerary for this unique Florida destination in 2008, featuring a three night stay at the beachfront Hampton Inn on beautiful Islamorada Island. 

Day 1: Today we depart for Florida, and will make our first overnight stop in South Carolina.  Lunch is included.   

Day 2: After breakfast we leave for St. Augustine, Florida.  Upon arrival in early afternoon, we will visit the Fountain of Youth, and learn some of St. Augustine’s rich history.  Later you will have time to enjoy this historic town and all it offers at your leisure.  Dinner is included.  We overnight in St. Augustine. 

Day 3: Following breakfast we depart for the Florida Keys and the Island of Islamorada for a three night stay at the Hampton Inn.  Our beachfront resort, where all rooms have a private balcony, offers numerous amenities that make your stay a relaxing and enjoyable get-a-way.  These include a heated swimming pool, whirlpool, exercise gym, an on-site dive shop, boat rentals, massage therapy, bar/lounge, and an in-room coffee maker.  Located near by is an Outback Restaurant.  Dinner is included.

Day 4: After breakfast the day is yours to design.  At the hotel you may wish to book a fishing trip, snorkeling adventure, or ride in a seaplane.  If a day at the beach is what you desire, you can shed your everyday cares and relax in one of the many beachfront hammocks while enjoying tropical breezes.  Maybe you would like to join us on a trip to Key West for the day.  Some of the historical Key West landmarks which we will have pointed out on our tour will include seeing the giant buoy marking the southern most point of Florida, Harry Truman’s Little White House Museum, Hemminway House, the Lighthouse Museum, and much more.  The rest of the day in Key West is yours to explore at your leisure.  Before we head back to Islamorada Island for a good night’s rest, you can watch the sunset from Mallory Square.  Don’t forget your camera!  

Day 5: Following breakfast we depart for the Theatre of the Sea, one of the oldest marine mammal facilities in the world, where marine animal live in natural saltwater lagoons.  This educational and entertaining park offers performances that are up close and personal.  Several interactive programs like swimming with dolphins, sea lions or sting rays are offered.  Advanced reservations are required, (305-664-2431).  After the show we return to the Hampton Inn.

Day 6: After breakfast we depart for Naples, Florida, traveling across the Tamiami Trail Scenic Highway.  There should be plenty of alligator sightings along the route, so keep your cameras ready.  Next we stop at the Naples Botanical Garden, and its spectacular butterfly house.  We overnight in Naples.  Dinner is on your own.  There is a Cracker Barrel restaurant near our hotel.   

Day 7: Following breakfast we depart for Sanibel Island.  Upon arrival we meet our guide and visit Sanibel Historical Village and Museum.  Lunch is included at a local restaurant.  Next we visit the Gamble Plantation, once a prosperous sugar plantation for the period of 1845 to the late 1850’s.  The antebellum mansion is furnished in period furniture.  A unique bit of American history associated with the plantation is that at the end of the Civil War, Judah P. Benjamin, Secretary of State for the Confederacy, found refuge here before escaping to England.  We overnight in Ellenton, Florida. 

Day 8: After a late breakfast we depart for Ocala, Florida, known as the “Horse Capital of the World”.  Enjoy an included lunch before we visit The New England Shire Center.  The Shire horse is known as the largest breed of horse in the world with its classic markings of a blaze on the face, and black and white stocking.  An average height of over 17 hands tall, and sometimes reaching over 19 hands tall, a Shire generally weights between 2,000 to 2,500 pounds making it the heaviest of the heavy horses.  This exciting and unique tour will have you talking about it for days to come.  After our tour we depart for our overnight accommodations.

Day 9: After breakfast we depart for Savannah, Georgia.  Upon arrival we will visit Savannah’s waterfront stores, before enjoying a buffet lunch and Riverboat sightseeing cruise.  Our time spent in historic Savannah should be both pleasant and relaxing, as we take in Savannah’s unique slice of southern charm.  Later we depart for our last overnight in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina.  

Day 10: After breakfast we depart for home with a new appreciation of the beautiful state of Florida, and many rich memories of this unique get-a-way.

Included:

•  Escorted by Judy Phebus

•  9 nights hotel accommodations, including:

  - 3 nights at a beachfront resort

•  9 deluxe continental breakfasts, cereal included

•  4 lunches (full dinner style meals)

•   2 dinners

•   Attractions and admissions per itinerary

  - New attractions underlined

•    Refreshments, games and prizes

Price:

$1,299.00 Double/PP    $1,189.00 Triple/PP

$1,123.00 Quad/PP       $1,870.00 Single

Deposit:  $150.00/PP

Balance Due:  November 28, 2007 

                             Depart                 Return

Carney                  7:00 AM                2:45 PM

Gunther                 7:45 AM                2:00 PM