Saturday, February 25: Arrive Miami International Airport; Welcome Reception
Arrive Miami International Airport at your convenience but no later than 5:00pm. Transfer to the hotel, located near the airport. The tour begins in the lobby of the hotel at 6:00pm. This evening we will get better acquainted with our welcome reception and discuss the week ahead. Overnight Hampton Inn Coral Gables.
Sunday, February 26: Everglades National Park and Airboat Ride (B)
After breakfast this morning we will venture out into the Everglades, the country’s only subtropical preserve. The park is rich in bird life; and is the only place in the world where alligators and crocodiles exist side by side. We will begin our orientation with a tram tour that will take us deep into the park. This tour offers a spectacular overview of the park and we will see lots of flora and fauna and likely alligators. This afternoon we have a real treat as we climb aboard the famous airboats and sail across the surface of the Everglades. What a blast! We conclude our day back at the hotel in Miami with the remainder of the day at leisure.
Monday, February 27: Fairchild Botanical Gardens; Drive to Key West (B,L)
Today we pay a visit to the lovely Fairfield Botanical Gardens. Since 1938 Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden has assembled an outstanding collection of taxonomically arranged and well-documented tropical plants, emphasizing palms, cycads, flowering trees and shrubs, vines and fruit trees. Except for certain cultivated plants and critically endangered species, most of these plants are collected from the wild. These collections are now a resource of world significance. From the gardens, we take a leisurely ride through the Keys, with a stop for lunch, to ultimately end at Key West.
We will be arriving in Key West around 4:00pm. We will have time to freshen up before dinner. Overnight Almond Tree Inn, Key West.
Tuesday, February 28: Hemingway House and Key West Tour (B,D)
We start our day with a tour of the Hemingway House. From 1931-1940 Hemingway lived in this lovely Spanish-Colonial house. After our visit we will take advantage of the hop-on, hop-off trolley to see Key West and other points of interest such as Little White House - vacation house of President Truman, and Southernmost Point – the southernmost point in the continental USA
(entrance to Little White House not included in tour price). Use the trolley pass all day or perhaps enjoy the lovely pool area at the hotel. This evening we will regroup and go have dinner together.
Wednesday, February 29: Free day in Key West or optional day trip to Dry Tortugas National Park (B)
Today you can choose to spend the day exploring, kayaking, or choosing from other activities in Key West, or take an optional boat trip to Dry Tortugas National Park. If you are going to Dry Tortugas, we will leave at 8:00am and return around 5:30pm. The WTT tour leader will have all sorts of suggestions as to how to enjoy your day in Key West if you are not going to Dry Tortugas.
This evening would be a great time to go to Mallory Square – the site of Key West’s famous nightly sunset celebrations. It’s a carnival like atmosphere where you can watch jugglers, acrobats and “Parrot Bill” while sipping a cool drink as the sun sinks into the ocean. If the conditions are right you may even see the "green flash".
Optional day trip to Dry Tortugas National Park: $185.00
About 70 miles west of Key West lies a cluster of seven islands, composed of coral reefs and sand, called the Dry Tortugas. Along with the surrounding shoals and waters, they make up Dry Tortugas National Park. The area is known for its famous bird and marine life, and its legends of pirates and sunken gold. Ft. Jefferson, the largest of the 19th century American coastal forts is a central feature.
The cost includes continental breakfast, a picnic lunch, snorkel gear and a 45 min. tour of the fort plus transportation to and from the park.
Thursday, March 1: Morning in Key West; Return to Miami; Farewell Dinner (B,D)
This morning we will leave Key West and return to Miami where we will check in at our hotel and then go out to dinner to reminisce about the fun week we've spent together. Overnight Hampton Inn Coral Gables.
Friday, March 2: Return Home (B)
Return home at your convenience, remembering that check-out is by 12 noon. The WTT tour leader will coordinate ride-sharing to the airport.