Americas East Coast

Welcome to the world-famous Big Apple”! New York City is the ultimate cosmopolitan city in the world; there is lower Manhattan’s Chinatown and Little Italy, the traditionally Jewish Lower East Side, the more artsy concentrations of SoHo, TriBeCa, and the East and West Villages. Of course, there is the celebrated architecture of corporate Manhattan, with the skyscrapers in downtown and midtown forming the most unforgettable images. Tonight, perhaps visit Times Square, named after the New York Times; this is a vibrant, neon-lit area in the heart of the Theater District. Here you will find megastores and themed restaurants to please all tastes and budgets.
Accommodations: (STD) Travel Inn or similar (2 nights) (SUP) Warwick New York or similar (2 nights)

Today consider a bicycle tour through Central Park. Or, take a boat tour of New York Harbor and see New York’s most famous lady up-close, “Lady Liberty”, representative of freedom to the world. For an unforgettable bird’s eye view, you can opt to experience the once-in-a-lifetime thrill of a helicopter ride over this magnificent city. Other suggested activities include visiting Radio City Music Hall, home of the world-famous Radio City Rockettes; Rockefeller Center, New York’s most popular destination; watching a Broadway show, day-of-performance tickets can be purchased at the Times Square Booth for half price. The options are endless!

Today you pick-up your rental car and leave the Big Apple behind and travel to the City of Boston, one of the oldest cities in America. Because it was the city most directly affected by the influences of the British Crown, Boston was the natural birthplace for the opposition that resulted in the Revolutionary War. Thus, numerous historical sites from that era are preserved with great dedication. The city of Cambridge, which forms part of the Boston Metropolitan area, is home to some of the oldest and most prestigious Universities in the country such as Harvard University and MIT. Some of the highlights you should visit include the Boston Commons, Beacon Hill and Cheers Bar, the Botanical Gardens, Newbury Street and Copley Square. You may want to take the time to walk the Freedom Trail; this is one of Americas’ first historic walking tours, it takes visitors to 16 historical sites, covering two and a half centuries of America’s most significant past. Accommodations: (STD) Midtown Hotel or similar (1 night)
(SUP) Sheraton Framingham or similar (1 night)

Today you will proceed west across Massachusetts where you can choose to stop briefly at the quaint artists’ town of Stockbridge. As you continue on your journey, the rolling hills of upstate New York will become visible followed by the Finger Lakes Region, famous for its many vineyards. While in this region stop at Geneva, this small and picturesque village sits on the shores of Seneca Lake, the largest of the five Finger Lakes from which it takes the name. Drive on to the Canadian border where you will encounter the Niagara Falls, one of the world’s most breathtaking natural wonders. The city of Niagara itself offers plenty of fun and entertainment.
Accommodations: (STD) Best Western Cairn Croft Hotel or similar (2 nights)
(SUP) Sheraton on the Falls or similar (2 nights)

This morning we depart for a visit to Toronto, this ultra modern city, with its famous structures such as the Skydome Stadium, a marvel of modern architecture; the CN Tower, the symbol of this city, was built as a TV transmission antenna and at 1815 feet, it’s the tallest antenna tower in the world. It contains a range of attractions and exhibits that can be reached via the famous glass-faced elevator, which takes less than a minute to reach the observation deck. The tour will end at the renowned Eaton Centre, with its numerous restaurants, eateries and shops located right on the water in the city’s center. Here you can enjoy lunch on your own while taking in the sights. In the mid afternoon we return to Niagara, to experience the majestic Falls.

Today, after crossing the border back into the US, your journey continues south through Pennsylvania. Make a stop at Lewisburg where lunch can be had at a typical local restaurant. Continue through Amish Country. This is a popular destination due mostly to the many plain-sect residents known as the Amish or Pennsylvania Dutch. They are the descendants of Germans who immigrated in the 18th and 19th centuries in search for freedom of religion and were attracted by the rich soil and mild climate of the area. The Amish are excellent farmers; thus, while in the area you can stop at a typical fresh fruits and produce stand where you may witness their way of life; if desired you may purchase their home-grown goods and taste the difference for yourself. You will be arriving in Washington, D.C., the nation’s capital, in the late afternoon. The natio”s showcase puts on quite a display for its guests with numerous monuments and attractions. Tonight you may want to take a tour of this great city. You haven’t seen Washington DC until you’ve seen it at night! Onboard a trolley, you’ll see 100 of Washington DC’s most popular monuments and points of interest, including the Capitol Building, the White House, the Jefferson Memorial and the Washington Monument. The trolley also makes night-time stops at the FDR Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Korean War Veteran”s Memorial and the Iwo Jima Memorial, allowing you to see these impressive monuments flooded in lights.

Accommodations:
(STD) Quality Inn Mount Vernon or similar (1 night)
(SUP) Omni Shoreham Hotel or similar (1 night)

Depart to the airport and drop-off the rental car for your flight to Orlando, Florida where your journey of America’s East Coast will continue. (Flight is not included in tour) Pick-up another rental car andWelcome to the Theme Park capital of the world! Enjoy an evening at Downtown Disney, with over 170 shopping, dining and entertainment facilities, everyone will find something fun to do. Or experience the exitement of an interactive dinner show, such as Arabian Nights.
Accommodations: (STD) Champion World Resort or similar (2 nights) (SUP) Double Tree by Hilton Orlando or similar (2 nights)

Today you can choose to visit some of the famous Orlando Theme Parks:
Walt Disney World Epcot® – Epcot® is a showplace for the achievements of man, a tribute to innovation and imagination, and a fellowship of international culture. Epcot consists of Future World and World Showcase. Future World features attractions such as Spaceship Earth, where you will experience a journey from the beginning of time to the electronic age. Ride Test Track, a high speed thriller that mimics actual vehicle testing conditions, sending you through breathtaking twists and turns. Explore all of Future World where innovation and invention entertain. World Showcase offers the cultures of 11 nations. The architecture and landscape change as you move from one country to the next. Taste the cuisine, shop and be entertained by distinctly different cultures. End the evening by watching Illuminations, a nighttime kaleidoscope of music and light.
Universal Studios® Florida – You’re the star at Universal Studios where you can ride the movies. Join the agents from “Men in Black Alien Attack” and zap aliens as you chase them through the streets of New York. Plunge into darkness on Revenge of the Mummy® a psychological thrill ride that combines special effects and speed. See Shrek 4-D an original 3-D film, with an added dimension where you will see, hear and feel the action right from your seat. Fly with E.T. on a star-bound bike as you help him save his home planet. You’ll find something that appeal to kids of all ages at the place where you become part of the movies!
Universal‘s Islands of Adventure® – Journey through five remarkable islands where all your favorite myths, legends, comic books and cartoon heroes come to life. Enter a comic book city in the Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man® a 3-D thrill ride, where you will battle evil and feel the adventure. Ride your couch through the pages of the famous children’s book “The Cat In The Hat!” on Seuss Island. Explore the Lost Continent® where you will find Dueling Dragons® the world’s first inverted dueling roller coaster. Take fear to new heights on Doctor Doom’s Fearfall® on Marvel Super Hero Island®. Rocket 150 feet into the air and come back down faster than gravity! Experience all of the cutting edge rides and stories come to life at Universal’s Islands of Adventure. SeaWorld® Orlando –SeaWorld Orlando is a premiere marine adventure park. It features thrilling rides and amazing shows where the animals are the stars. Your feet will dangle on Kraken, the only floorless rollercoaster in Orlando. Meet Shamu, the famous killer whale in the sensational show Believe. See polar bears and beluga whales on the Wild Arctic ride. Get ready for the ultimate adventure on Journey to Atlantis! Travel on water and high-speed rails through special effects and a 60 foot drop! Check out the current spectacle at the Sea lion and Otter Stadium, where Clyde and Seamore will be into some mischief. Make sure to include a stop at the dolphin nursery, where you can see new dolphin mothers and their calves. Experience the magic of marine life and the splendor of what lies beyond the ocean’s door.

Today, after departing Orlando, you will visit the “Other Florida” as we head toward Homosassa Springs State Park for an encounter with one of Florida’s most beautiful natural springs. In addition you will meet Florida’s native wildlife, such as the bobcat, cougar, black bear, manatee, alligator, bald eagle, flamingos and many more. Press on south to Tarpon Springs for a stop at this Greek sponge fisherman village. Next, the tour takes you through Ybor City known as Tampa’s Latin Quarter. This city is an exotic blend of aromas, flavors, sights and sounds. From the scent of roasting Cuban coffee early in the morning to the rhythms of Latin music late into the night, Ybor is a feast for the senses. After a brief stop, cross the Sunshine Skyway Bridge to make your way along the coastal route through beautiful Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key on the way to Sarasota. Enjoy a two-night stay on the Gulf of Mexico in Sarasota.
Accommodations: (STD) Best Western Midtown or similar (2 nights)
(SUP) Sandcastle Resort Lido Beach or similar (2 nights)

After all the excitement of the previous days, this is a perfect time to relax, lounge by the swimming pool, take a dip in the warm water of the Gulf of Mexico or sunbathe on white-sand beaches with sailing and all sorts of water recreation vehicles available for your enjoyment. Or, take a short trip to Historic Spanish Point, a fascinating 30-acre historical, archaeological and environmental museum. Overlooking beautiful Little Sarasota Bay, Historic Spanish Point was the first site in Sarasota County to be listed in the National Register of Historic Places. On the way back to the hotel, you will see why they call these parts “Citrus Country”, because of its many citrus groves in the area. The elegant boutiques, stores and restaurants of St. Armand’s Circle are also nearby and a great way to enjoy your day.

The tour continues via Naples and the Tamiami Trail through the unique ecosystem of the Everglades, also known as the “River of Grass”. Make a short stop at the Miccosukee Indian Village, where you can see some of the homes of the Miccosukee. Finally, Shark Valley, you can choose to embark on an Everglades Airboat Ride to observe the wildlife, such as alligators, whitetail deer, river otters, and about 200 different bird species. Afterwards, you can enjoy a demonstrative alligator show, followed up by a visit to the museum, and the alligator farm, where you can see over a 100 alligators, crocodiles and black Caymans. After lunch, continue through the Keys by way of the Overseas Highway, with its stunning vistas over 42 bridges, to the southernmost city of the continental United States, Key West.
Accommodations: (STD & SUP) Doubletree Grand Key Resort or similar (2 nights)

There is always something happening in Key West. Specialty shops, outdoor cafes and restaurants line the streets. Take a ride on the Conch Tour Train for sightseeing and stories of the island. Visit the Ernest Hemmingway Home and Museum. Here you will discover where the author wrote and lived for more than ten years. Venture outdoors to meet one of the sixty cats, including some that have six toes! Enjoy Key West from a boat by taking a snorkel cruise or deep sea fishing trip. No visit to Key West is complete without taking part in the Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square. Performers, vendors and artists line the water’s edge to bid the daylight farewell.

Depart Key West toward Miami this morning. Depending on your flight schedule, you might want to stop briefly at Robbie’s, a well known local spot in Islamorada. Here you will be able to feed the insatiable tarpons. You will be amazed as these incredible “silver ghosts”, as they are called by the locals, leap out of the water with their mouth wide open to grab your fish. Continue to Miami International Airport for a timely departure. Depart at leisure for Miami International Airport and drop-off the rental car.