Miami, Orlando & Key West - 8 Days

Welcome to Miami - a city known for its warm hospitality, South Beach’s white-sand shoreline, lively Latin influences and one of the world’s busiest cruise ports. On arrival, make your own way by hotel shuttle bus to your Miami hotel.

Your Tour Director will be available at the hospitality desk between 2.00 pm and 8.00 pm.

Please note: This tour may have travellers joining or departing at various points along the route, meaning group composition can change during the tour. Please also be aware that depending on group composition, guiding may be in additional languages as well as English.

Miami - Orlando. This morning we begin with a short city tour of Miami and Miami Beach, including the famous Art Deco District. Its pastel-coloured buildings date largely from the 1930s and showcase the craftsmanship and distinctive style that made Art Deco famous across the United States.

We then continue north to Orlando - Florida’s best-known city for theme parks and family attractions. Home to Walt Disney World, SeaWorld and Universal Studios, Orlando grew rapidly during the 1970s and became one of the state’s major visitor hubs.

This evening, there is the chance to join your fellow travellers for an optional local dinner and show.

Today is at leisure. You may wish to spend the day exploring Walt Disney World, SeaWorld Orlando, Universal Studios or Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Attractions and transportation are not included.

Your Tour Director will be available to help you plan your day.

Orlando - St Augustine. With an early start this morning, we travel east towards Cape Canaveral. Travellers who have booked the optional visit to Kennedy Space Center will be dropped off there, while those not joining the excursion will have free time at Cocoa Beach.

After lunch at your own expense, we continue north-east to St Augustine, founded by the Spanish in 1565. Often described as the oldest continuously inhabited European-established settlement in the continental United States, the city still reflects its Spanish heritage in its architecture, narrow streets and historic landmarks, including Castillo de San Marcos.

St Augustine - Crystal River - Clearwater/Tampa Bay. This morning we head west across the state, travelling via Gainesville and Ocala to Crystal River. In Crystal River, we visit Three Sisters Springs, known for its clear water, beautiful natural setting and striking colours. Manatees are sometimes seen here, so keep an eye out during the visit. Admission is included.

We then continue to the Clearwater / Tampa Bay area, with time to visit the beach before arriving at the hotel.

Clearwater/Tampa Bay - Sarasota - Naples. Today we travel south along Florida’s Gulf Coast to Sarasota. The city was once the winter home of the Ringling family, whose circus empire brought them international fame. Over time, Sarasota developed into one of Florida’s most sought-after coastal communities, known for its dining, shopping and waterfront setting.

We continue south past Fort Myers, where both Henry Ford and Thomas Edison once spent time, and through a series of beach communities including Fort Myers Beach and Bonita Springs. Before reaching our hotel, we enjoy a brief visit to Naples, one of the Gulf Coast’s most elegant seaside towns.

Naples - Everglades - Key West. A short drive south brings us to the Everglades, where we enjoy an exciting airboat ride and learn more about this remarkable subtropical wetland and its national park. The Everglades is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including herons, pelicans and alligators. Admission to the airboat ride and safari park is included.

After our visit, we travel back towards Miami and then follow Highway 1 south through the Florida Keys, passing Key Largo, Islamorada and Marathon before arriving in Key West for our overnight stay. Key West is the southernmost city in the contiguous United States and lies just 90 miles from Cuba. Over the years it has attracted writers, artists and public figures including Ernest Hemingway, Tennessee Williams and President Harry S Truman.

This evening, you may choose to join the optional catamaran cruise, Commotion on the Ocean, to enjoy one of Key West’s famous sunsets.

Key West - Miami. Before returning to Miami, enjoy a relaxed morning at leisure in Key West. You may wish to explore the town further, do some last-minute souvenir shopping, or join the optional Conch Train tour for an introduction to the island’s history and landmarks.

We then travel back to Miami, where the tour ends at the Miami hotel at approximately 6.00 pm.