Self-Drive Sunshine Trails

Tour Information

14nt Tour Begins & Ends Miami; 3nts Miami; 1nt Key West; 1nt Everglades National Park; 1nt Naples; 1nt Sarasota; 1nt Crystal River; 1nt Silver Springs; 1nt St Augustine; 3nts Orlando; 1nt Cocoa Beach

Day 1

Fly from Dublin - Miami
Arrive in the Sunshine State or Florida. Pick up your rental car and proceed to the hotel.
Standard: The Dorchester
Superior: Four Points Sheraton

Day 2

Miami – Key West (160 Miles)
At 08:00 hours you will be met by a Tour representative who will provide documentation which includes maps and driving instructions for your fly-drive itinerary. Today’s journey takes you south, crossing 42 bridges and 32 islands as you drive on the Overseas Highway (US1) all the way to Key West, only 90 miles away from Cuba. Key Largo is the first in a chain of coral islands known as the Keys. The star visitor attraction is undoubtedly the only underwater park in the USA, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. Continue on to Key West and walk the Pelican Path or take the Conch Tour Train to get a flavor of Key West. Don’t miss the Hemingway House, one of Key West’s most famous celebrities shrines.
Standard: Days Inn Key West
Superior: Doubletree Grand Key Resort

Day 3

Key West – Everglades National Park (166 Miles)
Today, retrace your journey along the Keys and head north on US1. Schedule time to stop at Dolphin Cove, Key Largo where you can experience a swim with the dolphins or take a guided kayak tour in the Florida Bay back country. It is highly recommended to book in advance. Continue on to Homestead where a 10 mile backtrack will bring you to the Everglades National Park visitor’s center. Take an airboat ride to enjoy the ultimate Everglades experience.
Standard: Miccosukee Resort
Superior: Miccosukee Resort

Day 4

Everglades National Park – Naples (136 Miles)
Leave the Everglades National Park returning to Homestead and continuing on to the beach resort of Naples located on the Gulf of Mexico. You have a choice of two main routes to Naples: Hwy 41 known as Tamiami Trail, or Interstate 75, Alligator Alley. Enjoy the fine dining, designer shops and relaxing atmosphere of this affluent beach community.
Standard: Gulf Coast Inn
Superior: Inn on Fifth

Day 5

Naples – Sarasota (100 Miles)
Continue north to Sarasota, passing the popular Fort Myers and Venice beaches. Stop to visit the winter residence of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford, outside Fort Myers. Consider taking a side trip to the tropical barrier islands of Sanibel and Captiva (toll bridge). Visit the Ding Darling State Park on Captiva where you can hire bicycles to enjoy the Floridian flora and fauna, or take a kayak trip through the mangroves.
Standard: Comfort Inn Sarasota
Superior: Helmsley Sandcastle

Day 6

Sarasota – Crystal River (130 Miles)
Travel north and inland today as you head for Crystal River. Stop en route at Homosassa Springs, home to Nature World, a nature reserve for manatees, an endangered species also known as the seacow.
Standard: Quality Inn Crystal River
Superior: Plantation Inn & Golf Resort

Day 7

Crystal River – Silver Springs (50 Miles)
Today’s drive is short as you head for Silver Springs. Visit Silver Springs Park where the first Tarzan movies were filmed. It is also home to the world’s largest array of crystal clear springs which can be viewed from a glass bottom boat tour.
Standard: Quality Inn
Superior: Quality Inn

Day 8

Silver Springs – St Augustine (120 Miles)
Cross the Ocala National Forest via Palatka to the oldest city in the United States, St Augustine. Ponce De Leon landed here in 1513 in search of eternal youth, and you can visit the mythical Fountain of Youth during your visit. Located on the east coast of Florida, St.Augustine enjoys both the relaxing atmosphere of a beach resort and the charm and intrigue of an historical city.
Standard: Quality Inn Historic St Augustus
Superior: Holiday Inn St Augustine Beach

Day 9

St Augustine – Orlando (110 Miles)
Today visit the famous Daytona Beach before swinging inland and following Interstate 4 to the theme park capital of the world, Orlando, your base for the next three nights.
Standard: Days Inn Seaworld
Superior: Clarion Inn & Suites

Day 10-11

Orlando
The main decision during your stay will be deciding which parks to visit. Choose between Disney’s Magic Kingdom, Epcot Center, MGM and Animal Kingdom, or Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure or Sea World. A good sunscreen and comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
Standard: Days Inn Seaworld
Superior: Clarion Inn & Suites

Day 12

Orlando – Cocoa Beach (60 Miles)
Head east on the Beeline (toll road) toward Cocoa Beach, stopping on the way to visit the home of NASA’s space program at Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral. The admission fee is well worth the money to view the many space exhibits including actual space rockets, IMAX movies, and the opportunity to buy and taste real astronaut food.
Standard: Best Western Space Shuttle Inn
Superior: International Palms Resort

Day 13

Cocoa Beach – Miami (220 Miles)
Traveling south along Florida’s east coast toward Miami will take you through some affluent beach resort areas, including Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, and Bal Harbor.
Standard: The Dorchester
Superior: The Best Western Atlantic Beach

Day 14

Miami
Enjoy a full day at leisure exploring Miami. Visit the very trendy art deco area of South Beach, or take an optional morning cruise on Biscayne Bay. Miami is so diverse, there is something for everyone.
Standard: The Dorchester
Superior: The Best Western Atlantic Beach

Day 15

Miami
The tour concludes today once you check out of the hotel and return your car at the airport before your departure flight.

Day 16

Arrival back in Dublin

What's Included

• Return transatlantic schedule flights
• Economy size car rental
• Hotel accommodation as specified, or of a similar standard
• Detailed briefing by Tour Representative as specified in itinerary
• Welcome kit with comprehensive maps and day-to-day itinerary