Florida Shores & Keys Tour
Feb. 14-March 1, 2010 ~ 16 Days
$2249-Dbl; $2229-Tpl; $2209-Qd; $2969-Sgl

Tour Code-flfb14  Deposit Amt-$200 per person  Final Due by-12/30/09

PRICE INCLUDES
Motorcoach Transportation ~ Hotel Accommodations ~ Fully Escorted ~ Baggage Handling ~ Oglesby, IL ~ Nashville, TN ~ Nashville Nightlife Dinner Theatre ~ Chattanooga, TN ~ Atlanta, GA ~ Valdosta, GA ~ Orlando, FL (3 nights) ~ Sea World ~ Kennedy Space Center / Tour of Space Center Complex ~ Ft Lauderdale, FL (2 nights) ~ Jungle Queen Boat Ride / JungleQueen Indian Village ~ Key West, FL (1 night) ~ Tour ~ Mallory Square ~ Sunset Celebration ~ Florida Everglades ~ Gator Park Ride & Lunch ~ Fort Myers, FL ~ Edison / Ford Winter Estates ~ Tampa Bay Bridge ~ Clearwater, FL ~ Tallahassee, FL ~ Montgomery, AL ~ Pine Bluff, AR ~ Branson, MO ~ Stone Hill Winery - Tour & Wine Tasting ~ Meal ~ Branson Show - Grand Jubilee ~ Bass Pro Shop ~ Des Moines, IA ~ 15 Continental Breakfasts ~ 1 Lunch ~ 2 Dinners

Sun., Feb. 14: OGLESBY, IL
Happy Valentine’s Day! We happily leave the snow and cold behind us as we depart this morning to begin our tour heading for warm weather and sunshine. Making the usual stops for comfort along the route, we anticipate relaxing in the warmer climate. Our overnight destination is Oglesby, IL.

Mon., Feb. 15: NASHVILLE, TN (CB, D)
Today's travels will bring us to Nashville, TN, making stops along the way. Upon arrival we will check into our lodging, located in the downtown area. Tonight, at Nashville’s #1 Dinner and Show, be entertained with country music from past and present while dining at Nashville Nightlife Dinner Theater.

Tues., Feb. 16: VALDOSTA, GA (CB)
Traveling through the state of Tennessee, we will make a stop in Chattanooga, TN, and then on to Atlanta, GA. We will do some sightseeing here, including the Centennial Olympic Stadium that was built in 1996 for the Olympics. This evening we overnight in Valdosta, GA.

Wed., Feb. 17: ORLANDO, FL (CB)
We continue on making our way into Orlando, FL, where we check into our lodging for a three-night stay, with an included breakfast each morning. This afternoon enjoy some time at Sea World.

Thurs., Feb. 18: ORLANDO, FL (CB)
Enjoy the sunshine around Orlando! You may wish to explore Epcot Center, Disney World, MGM, Universal Studios, Holy Land (transportation to parks included) (cost of admission on own). Or, take in a round of golf, relax at the hotel, and more on your own.

Fri., Feb. 19: ORLANDO, FL (CB)
One more day to spend the day at another Disney Theme park (transportation to parks included) (cost of admission on own). Or, enjoy a free day when you may want to just relax by the pool, or pamper yourself at one of area luxurious spas.

Sat., Feb. 20: FT. LAUDERDALE, FL (CB)
From Orlando we will go to the Kennedy Space Center where we’ll board a bus for a tour of the Space Center complex and learn of the space missions. Then on to the Ft. Lauderdale, FL, area for a two-night stay.

Sun., Feb. 21: FT. LAUDERDALE, FL (CB)
This morning we board the Jungle Queen Boat Ride for a 3-hour sightseeing cruise up the historic New River with a stop at the JungleQueen Indian Village. Along the way, see historic Ft. Lauderdale and great yacht basins. Enjoy the balance of the day in the hotel area, or relax at the beach.

Mon., Feb. 22: KEY WEST, FL (CB)
The Florida Keys is 1,034 square miles of history including sunken treasures and pirates. We arrive in Key West, FL, around noon. Key West, the southernmost city of the continental United States, is noted for its 19th Century Gingerbread-style houses. It is also a city of Cuban foods and a large cigar industry. Today, tourism, shrimping, and fishing sustains the economy. Spend time on Duval Street, which runs from coast to coast, with all its shops. We spend one night in Key West, FL. We will tour Key West showing you the highlights of the area. Then you have time on your own to have lunch, shop, take a glass bottom boat ride, and more. This evening spend time at Mallory Square for its Sunset Celebration.

Tues., Feb. 23: FORT MYERS, FL (CB, L)
Departing Key West, we will be traveling back among the Keys stopping at different points of interest along the route. We will travel through the Florida Everglades, the largest sub-tropical wilderness in North America, half land and half water. Much have been drained for huge winter vegetable crops. Then experience a Gator Park ride and lunch. Continuing our journey we then go on to Fort Myers, FL.

Wed., Feb. 24: CLEARWATER, FL (CB)
This morning we visit the Edison / Ford Winter Estates. You will find the estates from the bygone era of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford, simply amazing. Complete with gardens, and a museum featuring many inventions during our tour here. The Estates are one the 10 most visited historical homes in the country. Then cross the Tampa Bay Bridge to St. Petersburg and Clearwater, FL, where we will stay tonight.

Thurs., Feb. 25: MONTGOMERY, AL (CB)
Today we follow the coastline of the Gulf of Mexico as we continue on to the capital city of Tallahassee, FL, which retains the grace of bygone plantation days. Stops at fruit and nut stands will be made for some fresh treats as we make our way into Alabama, staying in Montgomery, AL.

Fri., Feb. 26: PINE BLUFF, AR (CB)
We continue our journey, crossing Alabama and Mississippi on our way to Pine Bluff, AR.

Sat., Feb. 27: BRANSON, MO (CB, D)
We continue north to the beautiful Ozark Mountain country arriving in Branson, MO. Our first stop is at the Stone Hill Winery for a tour and then wine tasting. After checking into our hotel we have an included dinner. Tonight at the Grand Jubilee Branson’s hottest quartet New South and the rest of the cast put on a fun family-friendly show at the Grand Country Square. You’ll leave wanting more of this great show!

Sun., Feb. 28: DES MOINES, IA (CB)
Leaving Branson we have a short drive to Springfield to visit the Bass Pro Shop. Tonight's destination is Des Moines, IA.

Mon., March 1: HOME (CB)
Our last day on the road will take us home. As we make our way we remember our fun winter getaway to Florida and the new friendships we have made. Thank you for traveling with Utopia Tours.



~Deposit is due within 5 days of sign-up to hold reservation. Coupons / discounts are to be taken off of the final or full payment, not the deposit.
~FINAL INFORMATION: Will be sent approx. 10 days prior including hotel list, time/place of departure.
~Optional trip cancellation/interruption insurance is available. Brochures available for more information.
TOUR INCLUDES: See “Price Includes” Section. All sightseeing admissions, transportation, transfers, guide fees, tour director services, events included in tour itinerary, lodging, baggage handling (for one piece of luggage per person), taxes, tips for services included in tour, meals mentioned in "Price Includes" section of itinerary. NOT INCLUDED: Tips for meals or services not included in tour price; also, gratuities to Tour Director and Driver are customary.
PICK-UP AND DROP-OFF locations follow the route of the tour to maintain a flowing schedule. On tours 6 days or longer, shuttling may be available from various locations, with minimum number of passengers. Some shuttles may require an overnight stay. Fees may apply for shuttle service /hotel accommodations.

General Tour Information
CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS: Receive a 100% refund when canceling, for any reason, up to final payment due date. After final payment due date (listed on individual brochure) and up to 7 business days prior to departure receive 75%, less non-recoverable fees; this is for medical reasons only, need note from doctor. (Travel companions are also covered) Tour cost is non-refundable 7 business days prior to departure. There are no refunds on the air or cruise portion of the tour after 61 days prior to departure. No refund to no shows and for non-covered cancellations. If client cancels reservation, any refund processed by credit card will be less a 3% processing fee. Call us for information on Optional Insurance. The purchase of optional trip cancellation or interruption insurance is highly recommended. Optional insurance can be purchased up to 72 hours prior to departure. Certain deadlines apply for waiving pre-existing medical exclusion. Optional Insurance premium is non-refundable. See Coverage Policy Sheet for more details. FUEL SURCHARGE: Utopia Tours reserves the right to add a fuel surcharge to the cost of the tour. Notice will be given prior to departure. AIRFARE INCLUDED: The availability of airline seats may be limited from each departure city. Utopia Tours reserves the right to provide ground transportation to or from a larger or alternate airport. PERSONALLY ESCORTED: A congenial and trained tour director will handle every detail, attend to the comfort and pleasure of each individual and provide expert guidance throughout the tour.  LUGGAGE: Provision is made for handling one piece of luggage per person. You may also take another travel bag to be handled by yourself.  SEATING ARRANGEMENTS: No seats are reserved on our motorcoach tour except the seat behind the driver which is reserved for the Tour Director. A seat rotation procedure will be followed.  IDENTIFICATION: For tour members entering Canada or foreign ports, passports are required starting 6/1/09. UTOPIA TOURS reserves the right to make changes or alterations in the printed itinerary, dates, routings, or included features prior to or during the tour as may be necessary for the smooth and efficient operation of the tour without prior notice and assumes no responsibility for delays and/or expenses due to such modification. SMOKING: No smoking is allowed on the motorcoach. RESPONSIBILITY: Utopia Tours is not responsible for any loss or damage of personal property or for injuries, expenses or damages whatsoever incurred or claimed by any tour member.