Florida Shores & Keys Tour
Feb. 11-27 ~ 17 Days ~ $1999 Dbl; $1979 Tpl; $1959 Qd; $2679 Sgl

PRICE INCLUDES
Motorcoach Transportation ~ Hotel Accommodations ~ Fully Escorted ~ Baggage Handling ~ Oglesby, IL ~ Nashville, TN ~ Nashville Nightlife Dinner Theatre - Meal & Show ~ Chattanooga, TN ~ Atlanta, GA ~ Underground Atlanta ~ Valdosta, GA ~ Florida Visitors Center ~ St. Augustine, FL ~ Narrated Historical Trolley Tour ~ Orlando, FL (4 nights) ~ 4 Breakfasts ~ Cypress Gardens ~ West Palm Beach, FL ~ Palm Beach Princess Cruise - Buffet ~ Fort Lauderdale, FL ~ Key West, FL ~ Florida Everglades ~ Gator Park Ride & Lunch ~ Fort Myers, FL (2 nights) ~ Edison / Ford Winter Estates ~ Tallahassee, FL ~ Montgomery, AL ~ Memphis, TN ~ Graceland ~ Beale Street ~ Branson, MO ~ Pierce Arrow Show ~ Meal ~ Bass Pro Shop ~ Des Moines, IA

Mon., Feb. 11: 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.

Tues., Feb. 12: Today's travels will bring us to Nashville, TN, making stops along the way. Our hotel is located near the Opryland Hotel on Music Valley Drive. This evening enjoy a delicious meal and show at the Nashville Nightlife Dinner Theatre.

Wed., Feb. 13: Traveling through the state of Tennessee, we will make a stop in Chattanooga, and then on to Atlanta, GA. We will stop at Underground Atlanta and also see the Centennial Olympic Stadium that was built in 1996 for the Olympics. This evening we overnight in Valdosta, GA.

Thurs., Feb. 14: HAPPY VALENTINES DAY! This morning as we cross the boarder into Florida, we will stop at the Visitors Center. Our next stop will be in St. Augustine, FL, known as the oldest permanent settlement in the United States. You will see Spanish towers and steeples, red capped roofs, and low overhanging balconies, all reminders of St. Augustine's four centuries of history. After an informative stop at the Visitors Center, we will board an open air trolley to do a one-hour narrated historical tour. After some time here we continue into Orlando, FL, where we check into our lodging for a four-night stay, with an included breakfast each morning.

Fri.-Sun., Feb. 15-17: Enjoy the sunshine Orlando the next few days! We will have the option to spend a day at Epcot Center, a part of Walt Disney World. (cost not included in this tour) At the World Showcase you can enjoy authentic cuisine and culture, entertainment, and architecture of 11 countries. At this ever-changing theme park you will discover the world of yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Optional activities will be offered daily to the theme parks like Disney World, MGM, Universal Studios, Sea World, Holy Land, etc. Cypress Gardens, Floridas first theme park, is included one day. Revisit the past as graceful Southern Belles stroll the picturesque grounds or visit Snively Mansion and a turn-of-the-century working village. Come face -to-face with native Florida animals, enjoy a dazzling line-up of daily shows, and more. Plus enjoy a free day when you may want to just relax by the pool, or pamper yourself at one of area luxurious spas. Your tour director and driver will offer transfers to some of the theme parks.

Mon., Feb. 18: Departing Orlando, we continue our journey to the West Palm Beach, FL, area to overnight. This evening a cruise is included aboard the Palm Beach Princess complete with a buffet and more.

Tues., Feb. 19: Today we will continue south, heading for the Florida Keys with a stop in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Watch as the beachscape changes from wide sandy beaches to a living reef - the only one in the United States. The Florida Keys is 1,034 square miles of history including sunken treasures and pirates. We reach the Keys via a causeway (Highway #1). This afternoon we visit Key West, FL, the southernmost city of the continental United States. Key West 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. This evening spend time at Mallory Square for its Sunset Celebration.

Wed., Feb. 20: 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, where we spend two nights.

Thurs., Feb. 21: Enjoy a free day in Fort Myers. Those that wish can take a trip out to Sanibel Island and more. Or, you may wish to visit friends in the area.

Fri., Feb. 22: 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, staying north of this area.

Sat., Feb. 23: 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. From Tallahassee, FL, we make our way into Alabama, staying in Montgomery, AL.

Sun., Feb. 24: We continue our journey, crossing Alabama and Mississippi on our way to Memphis, TN. No visit to Memphis would be complete without a visit Graceland, the former home of Elvis Presley. This evening well spend time on Beale Street where the "Blues" were born. Our overnight is in Memphis, TN.

Mon., Feb. 25: Departing Memphis this morning we continue north to the beautiful Ozark Mountain country arriving in Branson, MO. While in Branson well attend Pierce Arrow...Bransons hottest show! This vocal group will amaze you with their smooth sounds. Add in the hilarious comedy by Jarrett Dougherty, and the talented Kim Boyces dynamic singing performances and you have one hot show youre going to love.. A delicious included meal is planned for this evening.

Tues., Feb. 26: Leaving Branson we have a short drive to Springfield to visit the Bass Pro Shop. Tonight's destination is Des Moines, IA.

Wed., Feb. 27: Our last day on the road will take us home. As we make our way we remember our fun winter getaway and the new friendships we have made. Thank you for traveling with Utopia Tours.

*Utopia Tours reserves the right to make changes in dates, prices, inclusions, routing, without notice.

~$35 off per person if deposit is paid by 12/1/07.
~DEPOSIT: $100 PER PERSON is required 5 days after reservations are made to hold reservation.
~FINAL PAYMENT DUE: Jan. 2, 2008
~Make checks payable to Utopia Tours. VISA, MASTERCARD, DISCOVER accepted.
~FINAL INFORMATION: Will be sent approximately 10 days prior including hotel list, baggage tags, time/place of departure.
~Optional trip cancellation/interruption insurance is available. Call for payment deadlines and coverage details.
~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.
 

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 with Travelex. 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.