Itinerary
Day 1
Miami Arrival
Arrive in Miami, Florida, the Sunshine State. Pick up your rental car and proceed to the hotel.
Hotel: Sleep Inn - Miami Airport
Day 2
Miami - Key West
At 8am you will be met by an ATI representative who will provide documentation including 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 will be the first of the chain of coral islands known as the Keys. The star visitor attraction is undoubtedly the only underwater park in the USA, the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. Continue onto 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.
Total Mileage: 160 miles
Hotel: Doubletree Grand Key Resort
Day 3
Key West - Everglades National Park
Today, retrace your journey along the Keys and north on US1. Schedule in 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 backcountry. 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 Everglade experience.
Total Mileage: 166 miles
Hotel: Miccosukee Resort & Gaming
Day 4
Everglades National Park - Naples
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.
Total Mileage: 136 miles
Hotel: Gulfcoast Inn
Day 5
Naples - Sarasota
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.
Total Mileage: 100 miles
Hotel: Comfort Inn
Day 6
Sarasota - Crystal River
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 the manatee, an endangered species commonly known as sea cows.
Total Mileage: 130 miles
Hotel: Comfort Inn Crystal River
Day 7
Crystal River - Silver Springs
A short drive today as you head for Silver Springs. Visit Silver Springs Park where the first Tarzan movies were filmed, home to the world's largest array of crystal clear springs which can be viewed from a glass bottom boat tour.
Total Mileage: 50 miles
Hotel: Quality Inn Ocala Hotel and Conference Center
Day 8
Silver Springs - St. Augustine
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.
Total Mileage: 120 miles
Hotel: Quality Inn Historic District
Day 9
St. Augustine - Orlando
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.
Total Mileage: 110 miles
Hotel: Red Roof Inn & Suites
Day 10
Day 10 - Day 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.
Hotel: Red Roof Inn & Suites
Day 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.
Hotel: Red Roof Inn & Suites
Day 12
Orlando - Cocoa Beach
Head east on the Beeline (toll road) towards 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 sample real astronaut food.
Total Mileage: 60 miles
Hotel: Holiday Inn Cocoa Beach Oceanfront Resort
Day 13
Cocoa Beach - Miami
Traveling south along Florida's east coast towards Miami will take you through some of the most affluent beach resort areas including Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale and Bal Harbor.
Total Mileage: 220 miles
Hotel: Travelodge Monaco North Miami 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.
Hotel: Travelodge Monaco North Miami Beach
Day 15
Miami Departure
The tour concludes today once you check out of the hotel and return your car at the airport before your departure flight.
