fourteen (14) day tour, departing from Miami Beach, Florida starting at US$1359.00 per person TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:
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Tour Itinerary
| Day 1: Miami – Palm Beach Meeting at the hotel at 10:00am, we have a “get-to-know-you” welcome meeting before heading to the beaches and boardwalk of Ft. Lauderdale. After a swim in the Atlantic Ocean, we’ll stop off at Gumbo Limbo, a research and environmental complex located on a barrier island between the Florida mainland and the ocean, where we will get to view native sea turtles and other sea creatures up close and personal. From there, it is a short journey to Florida’s famous orange groves, sampling locally grown citrus fruits (and freshly squeezed O.J.) and picking some up for our journey ahead. Our final destination is North Palm Beach. |
| Day 2: Palm Beach – Cape Canaveral As the sun begins to shine through the dense cypress trees, we will hop on our deep sea fishing boat in search of tonight’s dinner, while enjoying the Florida coastline from 3 miles away. On our re-entry to the mainland, we will drive up the coast toward the Cape Canaveral area – home to NASA and Kennedy Space Center – while making stops at some of Florida’s most popular surfing locales, including the largest surf shop in the U.S. – Ron Jon’s Surf Shop. The evening will end with a Bar-B-Q featuring our catches of the day (vegetarian passengers will have an ample selection for dinner too!). |
| Day 3: Kennedy Space Center – Orlando As we awake to make sure all-systems are go, we will head over to Kennedy Space Center to discover the history of space exploration. Taking the bus tour will bring you to the Space Shuttle launch pad and the massive Vehicle Assembly Building, which houses the Space Shuttles when not in flight. Arriving in Orlando right before dinner, we will set-up camp at Disney’s Fort Wilderness before heading over to Downtown Disney and Pleasure Island for a night of partying! |
| Day 4: Orlando – Orlando Today, we get to spend a full day in any one of Orlando’s many theme parks. Being on Disney World property, you can take a shuttle to the Magic Kingdom, Epcot Center, MGM Studios, Animal Kingdom, or one of their adventure water parks. Or, you can make a day at Universal Studios or Sea World. Your trek leader will tell you all about the parks, in order to help you make a decision. |
| Day 5: Orlando – St. Augustine Making our way back to the East coast, we will hit the famous beaches of Daytona, the Spring Break capital of the U.S., to explore the scene. We then set sail for the oldest city in the United States, St. Augustine – discovered in 1513 by Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon – to seek out the “Fountain of Youth”. The afternoon and evening will be yours to discover the history and culture of the city. |
| Day 6: St. Augustine – St. Augustine A full day to take in all the attractions that St. Augustine has to offer, including beaches, a Spanish fort, a local Florida winery, and haunting ghost tours of the old city. |
| Day 7: St. Augustine – Homosassa Springs “Sunrise to Sunset” The only place in the U.S. where you can witness the sunrise and sunset over the ocean in one day, we will traverse all of Florida from the East to the West racing the sun’s rays. Waking up early to observe the rising of the sun, we will have breakfast on the beach before making a café stop in Gainesville, home to the largest university in Florida – the University of Florida. Needing a break from the heat of the racing sun, we will stop off for a special North Florida cool-down. Our final stop will take us to Homosassa Springs, home to the Florida manatee – one of Florida’s native sea creatures – known as the “cow of the sea”. And, of course, the sunset over the Gulf of Mexico. |
| Day 8: Homosassa Springs – Sanibel Island Today’s journey will bring us down the gulf coast of Florida to Sanibel Island, home to the most beautiful beaches on the West coast of Florida. Along the way, we stop off for a visit in the Tampa/St. Pete area. Passing through Ft. Myers, we reach the Islands of Sanibel and Captiva for a day of relaxation, or you can choose to head inland to Ft. Myers Beach to party the night away. |
| Day 9: Sanibel Island – Sanibel Island A full day in Sanibel will allow you to explore the diverse wildlife from foot or boat, as we discover all that this island has to offer. Or, you can seek out the local shops on bike. Or, you can just relax on the beach collecting seashells and listening to the chatter of the sea birds. |
| Day 10: Sanibel Island – Everglades N.P. From Sanibel our journey takes us across Alligator Alley to the home of the Miccosukee Native Americans and the Everglades National Park – the only subtropical preserve in North America – home to the Florida Alligator and hundreds of other animal and plant species. Experience an airboat tour in the swamplands, explore a Native American village, and maybe even get up close and personal with a live alligator!!! Tonight we get to spend the evening under the stars in the Everglades. |
| Day 11: Everglades N.P. – Key Largo After some hiking in the Everglades, we hop on the Oversees Highway down to Key Largo and the passageway to the Florida Keys. We get to explore this island, including an opportunity to swim with dolphins, before setting camp on the beaches of John Pennekamp State Park. |
| Day 12: Key Largo – Key West While in Key Largo, we have an opportunity to experience the best snorkeling reefs in all of Florida at John Pennekamp State Park. Getting back on the Oversees Highway en route to Key West – the southernmost point of the United States (and only 90 miles from Cuba!), we drive over the 7-mile bridge, before spending the remainder of the day wandering about Key West’s Duval Street (tasting homemade Key Lime Pie) and meeting up at Mallory Square for the famous Sunset Celebration. |
| Day 13: Key West – Key West The whole day is yours to enjoy Key West by foot or moped, take a tour around the island on a jet ski, see it from the air through a parasailing tour, or sit back, relax, and watch the boats come in to the harbor. |
| Day 14: Key West – Miami We get to spend a few more hours in Key West, then back to Miami South Beach for some sightseeing and a group dinner on “Beachfront Avenue” – A1A. Spend the remainder of the night (and morning!) partying in one of the many dance clubs throughout Miami Beach. |
| Day 15: Miami An early morning drop-off at the hotel. |
Luggage / Sleeping Bag
All passengers are permitted to bring one large size backpack or suitcase, and a daypack to carry with you in the tour vehicle. All luggage should be durable, as it will be placed on the tour vehicle roofrack. You should also bring a light-weight sleeping bag (3 season sleeping bag for winter tours) with you – you may be able to pick one up when you arrive, but you should plan to come prepared. If your Florida Adventure Trek is just one leg of your journey and you are carrying additional baggage, let us know so we can plan accordingly.
What to Pack?
Pack everything you want, and leave half of it home! The following is a suggested list of items you should be sure to bring with you on your tour:
| Lightweight Shorts (3) | T-Shirts (4) | Jeans (1) |
| Sandals/Tevas | Bathing Suit | Casual outfit (for nights out) |
| Walking shoes/sneakers | Waterproof jacket | Hat/Sunglasses |
| Sunblock | Alarm clock / watch | Camera/Film/Binoculars |
| Flashlight (torch) | Music (Tapes & CDs) | Insect Repellent |
Spending Money
In addition to the food kitty money you will need ($35-40/week), you should plan to bring approximately $20 per day while on your tour – depending on the number of optional activities you participate in and the amount of souvenirs you plan to bring home to friends and family. Although there are currency exchange booths at the airports and in some of the areas we will be visiting, it is best to convert your money while in your home country to obtain the best exchange rate. Bring $100 in cash, and the rest in small denomination travelers cheques (in dollar notes). Many shops accept credit cards, and ATMs are abundant throughout Florida.
Climate
Over 75 million people visit Florida every year, and for good reason: the WEATHER!!! It is sunny year round, with maximum temperatures reaching the 90s (32C) in the summer and winter averages around 70F (21C).
Cultural Differences
Traveling to a different country, even if similar to your own, is always an exciting journey. In addition, traveling with a small group of like-minded individuals from all over the world offers you insight into many new cultures and ways of life. We encourage you to embark on your tour with an open-mind, prepared to learn about other people and their culture. While visiting the United States may seem overwhelming at first, your tour leader will provide you with enough information to make your tour an exciting and memorable experience.
Travel Insurance
Although not required on our tours, we stongly encourage you to obtain travel insurance prior to departing – your insurance should cover unexpected cancellation of your tour, as well as health and dental insurance while on tour. Please contact your local travel agent or insurance provider for more information regarding travel insurance.
Departure Hotel
All Adventure Tours begin and end in Miami’s South Beach on the specified date of your tour from:
The South Beach Hostel 235 Washington Avenue Miami Beach, Florida 33139 Phone: (305) 672-2137 Room Rates: US$20 – $30 |
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Arriving/Departing
The closest airport to the tour departure hotel is Miami International (MIA), and likely the least expensive airfare costs from overseas. You can also fly in to Ft. Lauderdale / Hollywood International Airport (FLL), but it is much further from the tour departure location. If you are flying within the United States, economy airlines, such as Jetblue and Southwest, offer inexpensive tickets to both Miami International and Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airports. You want to make sure to arrive at the tour departure hotel with adequate time to meet your tour by 10:00am, and do not book a return flight home prior to 12:00pm on the day your tour returns to ensure you will have adequate time to catch your flight.
Airport Shuttle
To/From Miami International Airport (to/from Miami South Beach):
Taxi – approx. US$28
Shuttle service – approx. US$15
To/From Ft. Lauderdale / Hollywood International Airport (to/from Miami South Beach):
Taxi – approx. US$60
Shuttle service – approx. US$17 (2 hours)
Other Accommodations
Other accommodations within walking distance to the tour departure are:
| The Clay Hotel & Hostel 1438 Washington Avenue South Beach, Florida 33139 Phone: (305) 534-2988 Fax: (305) 673-0346 www.clayhotel.com Room Rates: US$20 – $80 |
The Tropics Hotel and Hostel 1550 Collins Avenue Miami Beach, Florida 33139 Phone: (305) 531-0361 Fax: (305) 531-8676 www.tropicshotel.com Room Rates: US$19 – $75 |
Miami Beach Int’l Travelers 236 9th Street Miami Beach, Florida 33139 Phone: (305) 534-0268 Fax: (305) 534-5862 www.sobehostel.com Room Rates: US$14 – $40 |
| The Hotel Shelley 844 Collins Avenue Miami Beach, Florida 33139 Phone: (305) 531-3341 Fax: (305) 535-9665 www.hotelshelley.com Room Rates: US$75 and up |
Lily Leon Hotel 835 Collins Avenue Miami Beach, Florida 33139 Phone: (305) 535-9900 Fax: (305) 535-0077 www.lilyguesthouse.com Room Rates: US$95 and up |
Passport / Visa Requirements
Due to the ongoing revisions in United States law, we recommend that you check with your travel agent or consulate for passport and visa requirements. You can also refer to the U.S. Department of State website for more information. Be sure to make copies to place separate from your original in case of loss or theft.
Tour Departure / Return
All Adventure Tours begin and end on the specified date of your tour from the tour departure hotel located in Miami (South Beach). Your tour leader will meet you in the lobby of the tour departure hotel at 10:00am on the day your tour begins, and will drop you off by 9:00am on the day that your tour ends. We encourage you to arrive in Miami no later than the night before your tour is to begin. If you plan to fly home on the day your tour ends, make sure your flight does not depart any earlier than 12:00pm to ensure adequate time for you to arrive at the airport. For information about the tour departure hotel and general details, clik on the Travel Details tab.
Camping
In order to best experience all of Florida, our Adventure Tours make campgrounds our home for the evenings. Many of our overnight stays are near the beach or very close to the nightlife, and all campgrounds have shower facilities. Some even have swimming pools, jacuzzis, gift shops, and laundry facilities. We will provide you with a tent for two (but large enough for three people), and of course, we’ll teach you how to set it up. After the first day, you will be an expert!!! We also provide you with a plush sleeping mat… but make sure to bring a sleeping bag with you.
Tour Equipment
Our tours come fully equipped with all the necessities to live comfortably while on your voyage. In addition to comfortable tents, we pack the following:
| Two (2) Dual Burner Campstoves | Sleeping Mats |
| Full Cooking Supplies | Travel Books |
| Water Coolers | Camp Lanterns |
| Food Coolers | CD Player / iPod Aux |
Food Kitty
One of the greatest advantages to the Florida Adventure Trek experience is our ability to enjoy wonderful home-cooked meals! Each passenger pays $35-$40 per week into a food kitty – in turn, we go food shopping and visit vegetable markets to pick up many of our meals while on the tour. Make sure to bring your recipes to share with the rest of the group! The kitty includes many breakfasts and lunches, as well as some dinners. Of course, you will have the opportunity to eat out at many of the destinations we visit, including the Orlando theme parks, Miami’s Little Havana, and throughout the Keys.
Optional Activities
There are numerous activities to participate in during your tour. Florida Adventure Treks offers many activities that are already included in the tour price – park pass for an Orlando theme park, Everglades Airboat ride, snorkeling in Key Largo (and deep-sea fishing on The Floridian) – and plenty more to choose from each day. From kayak or jet ski rentals to parasailing or a ghost tour, you will be able to experience all that Florida has to offer. For a list of many of the optional activities you can participate in view the list at The Treks Experience.
Language
All Florida Adventure Treks are conducted in English. We understand that English may not be your first language – our tour leaders will make sure to communicate with you clearly, but we encourage you to speak as much English as possible while with the tour group. Passengers come from all over the world – it is important to be courteous to everyone.
Teamwork / Group Participation
A Florida Adventure Trek is more than just a bus tour – it is a small group adventure tour, where the more involvement you have with your fellow passengers, the more memorable your experience will be. All passengers are encouraged to help out with tour duties, including loading/unloading the tour vehicle, playing DJ while on the road, cooking and preparing meals, and keeping all the tour equipment clean. You will definitely have a great time on your tour, and with a fun adventurous group your experience will be unforgettable.
Tipping
In the United States, it is very common to tip all service staff – bartenders, waiter/waitresses, tour guides, etc… generally, tips range from $1 per drink, 15%-20% for a sit-down meal, $5 per day for tour guides. Of course, you may give more or less than these recommended amounts depending on the quality of service provided. Nevertheless, it is important to recognize that all service staff in the US rely on tips since employers pay very little in salary.
Alcohol & Drugs
Drugs (except those prescribed by a certified physician) are strictly prohibited on all tours and will not be tolerated. Anyone caught possessing or under the influence of drugs will be removed from the tour immediately – you will be responsible for your return home. The drinking age in the United States is 21. If you intend to purchase alcoholic beverages while on tour, be sure to bring your I.D. or passport with you – drinking laws are very strict and you will be asked for identification no matter how old you appear.
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