FLORIDA SELF-DRIVE TOUR
12 night self-drive tour from £ 1999pp by car from £ 2119pp by motorhome
BY CAR OR MOTORHOME
Key West
Naples
SUNSHINE TRAILS
12 NIGHT SELF-DRIVE TOUR
gorgeous beaches and tropical islands • exciting amusement parks • historic cities and wildlife too
Kennedy Space Centre
St Augustine
DAY 1 Fly to Miami
On arrival collect your hire car and head to your hotel . Perhaps enjoy dinner or a nightcap along Ocean Drive ?.
DAY 2 Miami / Key West
Journey south , crossing 42 bridges and 32 islands as you drive on the Overseas Highway ( US1 ) all the way to Key West , which lies just 90 miles away from Cuba . Colourful and carefree Key West is known for its watersports , lively nightlife , historic sites and its pastel , conch-style architecture . Don ’ t miss the Hemingway House , one of Key West ’ s most famous celebrity shrines ( 166 miles ).
DAY 3 Key West / Key Largo
Retrace your journey back along the Keys to Key Largo whose spectacular coral reefs are undoubtedly the star attraction . By far the best way to see them is to dive right in , although glass-bottom boat tours are available at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park ( 97 miles ).
DAY 4 Key Largo / Naples
Cross “ Alligator Alley ” via the Everglades National Park . Spend time at the visitor centre and then hop aboard an airboat for a thrilling experience ( at extra cost ), during which you may see alligators as they cruise the waterways . Continue to Florida ’ s south west coast and the swanky town of Naples where designer shopping and fine dining compliment the beautiful Gulf Coast beaches ( 174 miles ).
DAY 5 Naples
If you can bear to drag yourself away from the gorgeous beach , take a stroll along Naples Pier , play a round of golf at one of the many challenging courses or , browse the galleries and shops of Fifth Avenue and Third Street South in the historic downtown area . After dark , you ’ ll find no end of fabulous eateries and funky bayside bars .
DAY 6 Naples / Sarasota
Continue north to Sarasota , passing the popular Fort Myers and Venice beaches before perhaps stopping to visit the winter residence of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford outside Fort Myers ( at extra cost ). Or , consider dropping into the tropical barrier islands of Sanibel and Captiva ( via a toll bridge ). Continue to Sarasota , one of Florida ’ s prime Gulf Coast cities offering an eclectic blend of culture and fine dining , circus thrills and pristine beaches , not to mention a wide array of shopping opportunities ( 117 miles ).
DAY 7 Sarasota / Crystal River
Travel north and inland as you head for Crystal River , perhaps stopping en route at Homosassa Springs , home to Nature World , a nature reserve for endangered manatees . Crystal River itself is located along Central Florida ’ s “ Nature Coast ”, and is one of the few places where you can get up close and personal with gentle manatees . In the winter months hundreds of these aquatic mammals migrate here to enjoy the year-round warm waters , and some stay in the bay through the summer months ( 135 miles ).
DAY 8 Crystal River / St Augustine
This morning , visit Silver Springs Park where the first Tarzan movies were filmed or enjoy a glass-bottom boat ride on the crystal-clear waters of Silver Springs ( at extra cost ). Cross the Ocala National Forest via Palatka to St Augustine , the nation ’ s oldest continuously settled city . The city boasts a plethora of historically significant structures , including the Castillo de San Marcos . Other highlights include Ponce de Leon ’ s Fountain of Youth archaeological park ( 130 miles ).
DAY 9 St Augustine / Orlando
We recommend you visit famous Daytona Beach before swinging inland and following Interstate 4 to the theme park capital of the world , Orlando ( 105 miles ).
DAYS 10-11 Orlando
Two full days to get your fill of Orlando ’ s theme parks and water parks - choose from the magic of Walt Disney World Resort and the amazing attractions of Universal Studios . If that ’ s not your scene , you are spoilt for choice when it comes to shopping , as well as some incredible golf courses too .
DAY 12 Orlando / Cocoa Beach
Drive east to the Space Coast of Florida and land in Cocoa Beach , home of the East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame . You may want to explore the universe at NASA ’ s Kennedy Space Centre ( at extra cost ) or walk the famous Cocoa Beach pier ( 62 miles ).
DAY 13 Cocoa Beach / Miami
Return your car at the airport ( 203 miles ) where your tour concludes for your onward journey .
Crystal River
Sarasota
Naples
Key West
Orlando
Cocoa Beach
Miami Key Largo
Miami 1 night | Key West 1 night | Key Largo 1 night Naples 2 nights | Sarasota 1 night Crystal River 1 night | St Augustine 1 night Orlando 3 nights | Cocoa Beach 1 night
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
BY CAR : Departures : Daily . Accommodation : In 3H hotels . Higher grade hotels are available at a supplement . Meals : Room only . Tour price : The price shown for this American Tours International self-drive tour includes international flights to and from Miami , 13 days compact 4 door car hire with fully inclusive insurance and 12 nights accommodation . BY MOTORHOME : Departures : Daily . Tour price : The price shown for this self-drive tour includes international flights to and from Miami , one prenight at Pestana Arts Hotel Miami and a C25 motorhome for 12 days . See page 7 for motorhome options and details .
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