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Arrive at Miami International Airport, pick-up your rental car and proceed to the hotel. Welcome to Miami! Sprawling across 2,054 square miles of land, Miami is a vast, cosmopolitan city that offers year-round warmth and sunshine. Its rich multi-ethnic culture is most apparent in the cuisine and architecture.
Accommodations:
(SUP) Sanctuary South Beach or similar (2 nights).
Warm breezes, swaying palm trees, and the sound of the waves washing ashore act as a backdrop for pastel-colored, Art Deco buildings making Miami’s South Beach a stunning and often intoxicatingly beautiful place. It has been called the American Riviera by seasoned travelers, but there’s more to this city than fine white sand and turquoise waters. World famous South Beach is home to fabulous shopping, gourmet restaurants, fashion shoots, and the filming of television shows and movies. Walk along Ocean Drive and enjoy virtually any type of food you can imagine; South Beach rates as a culinary hot spot for gourmet to casual cuisine. Take pleasure shopping in one of Lincoln Road Mall’s 175 specialty shops and galleries or, just a few miles away, at the sensational Bal Harbour Shops which offers an unparalleled selection of world-renowned designer stores set in a lushly landscaped outdoor locale. Consider a visit to Bayside Marketplace with its unique shops and outdoor entertainment including sight-seeing cruises and party boats. For a change of pace, try one of many cooking classes, attend a wine tasting, or even a cigar rolling class. At night, South Beach comes alive with crowds dressed in party-casual chic and scores of nightspots catering to both the adventurous and relaxed clientele.
Leave Miami Beach this morning and travel north along the coast to upscale Palm Beach. Along the way consider a visit to The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens which houses over 5,000 Japanese art objects and has gardens reflecting all major periods of Japanese garden design. Or just enjoy the coastal drive to Palm Beach, a small island town of palatial homes and majestic gardens. From runway fashions to art and antiques and estate-quality jewelry, Palm Beach’s stores and boutiques are known worldwide for offering the best of the best, a place where quality fare and service are hallmarks of local businesses. There are three major shopping areas within a short drive of each other, but they are each best explored on foot; Royal Poinciana Plaza, the Art Deco-era Paramount Center, and the chic Worth Avenue known for its high quality merchandise. Enjoy a sumptuous lunch in one of the many restaurants and press on toward Vero Beach.
Accommodations:
(SUP) Costa d’Este Beach Resort or similar (2 nights).
Today is yours to enjoy Vero Beach. This charming, casually elegant beach town is brimming with inherent natural beauty. Known as the “Gateway to the Tropics” Vero Beach forms part of Florida’s Treasure Coast, here the beaches combine excellent sand quality with significant surf and tidal action. This area is a natural playground for waterborne activities; kayaking, canoeing, scuba diving, snorkeling, fishing and casual cruising are but a few of the options. Shelling is also popular, some real ocean treasures can be found along these shores. Or, you may choose to just relax and enjoy the amenities of this world-class resort surrounded by white sand beaches and lush natural views.
Depart Vero Beach this morning toward St. Augustine. On the way, stop at Merritt Island. This island city has retained its natural beauty and is well-known for its National Wildlife Refuge. Red and black mangroves line the shores of the Indian River Lagoon and harbor the most diverse collection of plant and animal species in North America. Local wildlife, including manatees and sea turtles can be observed and studied on informative tours. Whether you are interested in outdoor recreation, sight-seeing or just pensive relaxation, Merritt Island is a remarkable and rewarding stop. Continue to St. Augustine.
Accommodations:
(SUP) Casa Monica Hotel or similar (1 night).
Few places in Florida are as instantly appealing as this charming old city. St. Augustine is the oldest permanent settlement in the US with much of its early architecture still intact along its narrow streets; it also offers two alluring lengths of beach just across the bay. Tour the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, the oldest masonry fort in the continental US. Visit the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum and climb its 219 steps to the top for breathtaking, panoramic views of the surrounding area and beaches. Set out on foot, as the locals do, to explore Saint Augustine’s delightful historic district, with its cobblestone streets, quaint cafes, and unique shops. For a more relaxed approach, attend a wine tasting tour of the San Sebastian Winery. Continue your journey to Mt. Dora.
Accommodations:
(SUP) Mission Inn Golf & Tennis Resort or similar (2 nights).
Today is yours to explore Mount Dora, a tranquil, historic village nestled among orange groves overlooking Lake Dora. At an elevation of 184 feet above sea level, Mt. Dora is considered a mountain-top town by Florida standards. Downtown offers a wide array of shopping, dining, pampering, and entertaining possibilities. This community, brimming with southern charm and hospitality, is world-famous for its antique shops; as a matter of fact, antiquing is the favorite pastime of locals and visitors alike. If golf is what you fancy, try 18 pristine holes at the Country Club of Mount Dora. In the afternoon, enjoy a visit to Ridgeback Winery for a taste of their hand-crafted wines. Stroll along the Fourth Avenue Pier and catch an unforgettable lakeside sunset. Or, for a change of pace, the magical attractions of Walt Disney World, in Orlando are just a short drive away.
Leave Mount Dora behind and drive south toward Naples. On your way, you might consider stopping in Sarasota to experience some of the most spectacular sandy beaches on the Gulf Coast. Downtown Sarasota is fairly lively with restaurants, cafes, bars, and eateries complementing the excellent group of bookstores for which the place is known. Most visitors stop by the barrier island beaches, a couple of miles across the bay. Another option is to take a tram tour of Spanish Point, a 30 acre site overlooking Little Sarasota Bay dedicated to preserving and interpreting 5,000 years of history. Resume your journey toward Naples.
Accommodations:
(SUP) Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club or similar (2 nights).
Naples is easily Southwest Florida’s most affluent and sophisticated city. It boasts beautiful beaches and a quaint downtown rich with sidewalk cafes and courtyard boutiques making it a Mecca to shopping and dining connoisseurs. Not only is Naples the pinnacle of west coast luxury, but it has earned a reputation of having the most sought-after golf courses in the world; there are over 100 to choose from. Make sure to take a stroll down the Old Pier and to visit “Millionaire’s Row”, the first line of beach-front residences built at the turn of the century. Discover local treasures in Tin City’s marketplace which retains the maritime spirit of what was once the center of Naples’s fishing district. For luxury shoppers, visit Bayfront, a delightful place filled with upscale shops and sumptuous eateries.
Today you will travel away from Naples through Florida’s waterway wilderness. The Everglades is often called “the river of grass” because of its slow moving waters and the abundance of saw-grass. It is home to unique plant life and a diverse wildlife that includes the famous Florida alligator. Visit Shark Valley and take an airboat ride to discover this splendor firsthand. Leave the Everglades behind and on your way to Key West you may want to stop at Bahia Honda Key which is one of the State’s most beautiful places to visit. Soon after leaving Bahia Honda you will benefit from gorgeous views over the waters as you cross the Seven Mile Bridge that will take you into Key West.
Accommodations:
(SUP) Heron House or similar (2 nights).
Key West is the last island on the ribbon that trail off the southern shore of Florida. Duval Street, lined on both sides with dozens of shops and restaurants, is the center of Key West’s life. Visiting the Ernest Hemmingway Home and Museum is a must-do. This is where the author wrote and lived for over ten years; meet some of the sixty cats that reside there. Take a snorkel cruise or a deep-sea fishing trip for a different perspective of the island. If dry land suits you better, take a walk down Harborwalk and enjoy the ocean along with shops and restaurants. No visit to Key West is complete without participating in the Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square where performers, vendors, and artists line the water’s edge to bid the daylight farewell. This is also the perfect time to embark on an unforgettable champagne sunset sail.
Travel north from Key West in route to Miami International Airport. On your way, at about mile marker 102, you will encounter John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park where you can enjoy the beautiful coral reefs on a scuba or snorkel trip. Or, if you prefer to stay dry, the ‘Spirit of Pennekamp’ glass-bottom boat is a comfortable, climate-controlled trip with an awesome view of the reef. Continue to Miami International Airport. Drop-off rental car.
Florida Enjoy Living is a tour that truly lets you experience the splendor of the sunshine State. Filled with leisurely two night stays, see the sights at your own pace. Relax and revel in the beaches, dine in decadent cafes, and experience a holiday your way.
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