Highlights of Florida
12 Day Fly Out/Motorcoach Home Tour
January 27 - February 7, 2017
Highlights
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Enjoy a direct flight to Orlando, Florida and check into Embassy Suites Hotel International Drive for a 6 night stay! International Drive is a popular area to stay, with many shops, attractions and restaurants located by our property. A trolley stops by our accommodations and travels up and down International Drive making frequent stops at the area's Hot Spots! Every day you will enjoy a cooked-to-order breakfast and 2 hour manager's reception in the evening. Rustad Tours has included 6 different one day tours to make your weeks stay in the Orlando area very exciting. An added feature, if you choose to do the tour but do not want to attend all the attractions, let us know ahead of time and you do not pay for that day's admission!
Day 1. Friday, January 27 - This afternoon we gather at Rustad Tours and travel to Bloomington, MN to stay at the airport Comfort Inn. We have to be at the airport early on Saturday. At this time of year, it is best to be close to the airport the night before.
Day 2. Saturday, January 28 - We travel to the Humphrey Terminal for a direct flight to Orlando to begin our stay in the heart of Florida! We’ll be getting a “bird’s eye” view of the Orlando area by riding the Orlando Eye. This iconic 400-foot-tall observation wheel provides breathtaking views of central Florida in all directions. You’ll see downtown Orlando’s skyline, theme parks, lakes and lush landscapes, and on a clear day, views of Cape Canaveral on the east coast. By late afternoon we check into the Embassy Suites on International Drive for a relaxed 6-night stay. At 5:30 every evening you can enjoy a 2-hour manager’s reception and every morning you will enjoy their wonderful breakfast!
Day 3. Sunday, January 29 - The war department selected Cape Canaveral as a testing site for missiles which evolved into a launch site for space explorations. Today we explore space at the Kennedy Space Center. This is the launch and landing site for the space shuttle. On a bus tour of their facility, you’ll see displays that include two launch pads and one of the world’s longest runways. There are museums that tell stories of space and the men who ventured into the unknown. After lunch (on your own) you may watch IMAX films on the space program. Late afternoon we return to our accommodations for a free evening. (B)
Day 4. Monday, January 30 - The Disney World Theme Park includes four parks in one world. Today you’ll be able to enjoy EPCOT at your leisure and explore the cultures and wonders of the world. EPCOT is divided into Future World and World Showcase. Future World is all about technological advancements. Here, ideas become real! World Showcase lets you explore 11 different countries. Each country has cultural food and entertainment. EPCOT means Every Person Comes Out Tired! And you will! (B)
Day 5. Tuesday, January 31 - Today we travel northeast to visit the site of the “Great American Race”, the Daytona 500. Sometimes it’s called the “Super Bowl of NASCAR”. The first race was held in 1959 and the winning driver took home $19,050. In 2011 the winner, Trevor Bayne, received $1.46 million. In 2014 Kevin Harvick didn’t reveal his winnings. After touring behind the scenes at the race track, we have an included lunch at the Boondock’s Restaurant. After lunch we will drive just a short way to the Lighthouse Point Park where you’ll have time to put your toes in the Atlantic Ocean and pick up shells before returning to the hotel. (B) (L)
Day 6. Wednesday, February 1 - Rustad Tours will give everyone a choice today. Walt Disney World has 4 theme parks to visit. We visited EPCOT and today you will have your choice of visiting the Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Animal Kingdom or Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Rustad Tours will bring you to the park of your choice, give you a day pass and will set a time to pick you up. It is an exciting day for everyone to have their choice. You may even want to return to EPCOT for your 2nd day! (B)
Day 7. Thursday, February 2 - After a very full day yesterday we appreciate a late start this morning and enjoy a leisurely ride through the downtown area of Orlando before turning north to Sanford, Florida. Founded in 1837 as a trading post on Lake Monroe, it is also the beginning of the navigable portion of the St. John’s River. This is a northern flowing river, and in early days tied the wild interior to an ocean port in Jacksonville. We board the Barbara-Lee Rivership, an authentic sternwheeler paddleboat, for a 3-hour river cruise and a wonderful noon lunch! We should get a close-up view of the prolific bird life, turtles, alligators, and possible manatees. Late afternoon we return to the Embassy Suites for our last evening after a GREAT WEEK IN CENTRAL FLORIDA! (B) (L)
Day 8. Friday, February 3 - This morning our journey back to the Mid-west will begin as we join Interstate 75 and travel to Georgia, the “Empire State of the South.” Georgia is the largest state in the SE, and today our routing will take us right through the middle of the state to the north side of Atlanta. The noon meal is included at the Golden Corral in Tifton, GA and tonight our accommodations will be at the Drury Inn in Marietta. (B) (L)
Day 9. Saturday, February 4 - As we travel northward, we enter the state of Tennessee where the Appalachian Mountains dominate the eastern part of the state and the Mississippi River forms the state’s western border. We travel to Lynchburg for our noon meal (included) at Miss Mary BoBo’s Boarding House and Restaurant. Originally built in the 1800’s, it was once a traveler’s hotel. This afternoon, we take a tour of the Jack Daniel’s Distillery. Jack Daniel’s is a brand of Tennessee whiskey and is the top selling American Whiskey in the World. Our final destination today brings us to Nashville. We check into our accommodations in Nashville before attending a show at the Grand Ole Opry for our evening entertainment. (B) (L)
Day 10. Sunday, February 5 - You’ll discover the rich history and culture of Nashville with our local guide. Since Tennessee has played a critical role in the development of many forms of American Music, it’s only fitting that we tour and enjoy lunch (on your own) at the Country Music Hall Fame. Today our scenery will begin to change as our coach winds through the Cumberland Foothills of Tennessee and a corner of Kentucky to Marion, IL and the Drury Inn. (B)
Day 11. Monday, February 6 - After a short ride, we’ll visit the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis in St. Louis, MO. This spiritual center of the archdiocese of St. Louis will lift your spirits as we admire the architecture, beautiful mosaics, and the Angel of Harmony sculpture on the east lawn of the church. Missouri is called the “Show Me State” for good reason. They have a lot to show. Traveling north on the River Road, Highway 61, you’ll view the beauty of the state. Noon lunch is included and tonight we spend our last evening at the Hampton Inn in Coralville, Iowa. (B) (L)
Day 12. Tuesday, February 7 - With good weather, our last day will pass by quickly as we travel through Iowa and into Minnesota. Noon meal will be at the Pizza Ranch in Mason City, Iowa. This afternoon everyone will enjoy watching the DVD of their vacation and by late afternoon we arrive to our warm cars at Rustad Tour’s location. (B) (L)
Day 2. Saturday, January 28 - We travel to the Humphrey Terminal for a direct flight to Orlando to begin our stay in the heart of Florida! We’ll be getting a “bird’s eye” view of the Orlando area by riding the Orlando Eye. This iconic 400-foot-tall observation wheel provides breathtaking views of central Florida in all directions. You’ll see downtown Orlando’s skyline, theme parks, lakes and lush landscapes, and on a clear day, views of Cape Canaveral on the east coast. By late afternoon we check into the Embassy Suites on International Drive for a relaxed 6-night stay. At 5:30 every evening you can enjoy a 2-hour manager’s reception and every morning you will enjoy their wonderful breakfast!
Day 3. Sunday, January 29 - The war department selected Cape Canaveral as a testing site for missiles which evolved into a launch site for space explorations. Today we explore space at the Kennedy Space Center. This is the launch and landing site for the space shuttle. On a bus tour of their facility, you’ll see displays that include two launch pads and one of the world’s longest runways. There are museums that tell stories of space and the men who ventured into the unknown. After lunch (on your own) you may watch IMAX films on the space program. Late afternoon we return to our accommodations for a free evening. (B)
Day 4. Monday, January 30 - The Disney World Theme Park includes four parks in one world. Today you’ll be able to enjoy EPCOT at your leisure and explore the cultures and wonders of the world. EPCOT is divided into Future World and World Showcase. Future World is all about technological advancements. Here, ideas become real! World Showcase lets you explore 11 different countries. Each country has cultural food and entertainment. EPCOT means Every Person Comes Out Tired! And you will! (B)
Day 5. Tuesday, January 31 - Today we travel northeast to visit the site of the “Great American Race”, the Daytona 500. Sometimes it’s called the “Super Bowl of NASCAR”. The first race was held in 1959 and the winning driver took home $19,050. In 2011 the winner, Trevor Bayne, received $1.46 million. In 2014 Kevin Harvick didn’t reveal his winnings. After touring behind the scenes at the race track, we have an included lunch at the Boondock’s Restaurant. After lunch we will drive just a short way to the Lighthouse Point Park where you’ll have time to put your toes in the Atlantic Ocean and pick up shells before returning to the hotel. (B) (L)
Day 6. Wednesday, February 1 - Rustad Tours will give everyone a choice today. Walt Disney World has 4 theme parks to visit. We visited EPCOT and today you will have your choice of visiting the Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Animal Kingdom or Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Rustad Tours will bring you to the park of your choice, give you a day pass and will set a time to pick you up. It is an exciting day for everyone to have their choice. You may even want to return to EPCOT for your 2nd day! (B)
Day 7. Thursday, February 2 - After a very full day yesterday we appreciate a late start this morning and enjoy a leisurely ride through the downtown area of Orlando before turning north to Sanford, Florida. Founded in 1837 as a trading post on Lake Monroe, it is also the beginning of the navigable portion of the St. John’s River. This is a northern flowing river, and in early days tied the wild interior to an ocean port in Jacksonville. We board the Barbara-Lee Rivership, an authentic sternwheeler paddleboat, for a 3-hour river cruise and a wonderful noon lunch! We should get a close-up view of the prolific bird life, turtles, alligators, and possible manatees. Late afternoon we return to the Embassy Suites for our last evening after a GREAT WEEK IN CENTRAL FLORIDA! (B) (L)
Day 8. Friday, February 3 - This morning our journey back to the Mid-west will begin as we join Interstate 75 and travel to Georgia, the “Empire State of the South.” Georgia is the largest state in the SE, and today our routing will take us right through the middle of the state to the north side of Atlanta. The noon meal is included at the Golden Corral in Tifton, GA and tonight our accommodations will be at the Drury Inn in Marietta. (B) (L)
Day 9. Saturday, February 4 - As we travel northward, we enter the state of Tennessee where the Appalachian Mountains dominate the eastern part of the state and the Mississippi River forms the state’s western border. We travel to Lynchburg for our noon meal (included) at Miss Mary BoBo’s Boarding House and Restaurant. Originally built in the 1800’s, it was once a traveler’s hotel. This afternoon, we take a tour of the Jack Daniel’s Distillery. Jack Daniel’s is a brand of Tennessee whiskey and is the top selling American Whiskey in the World. Our final destination today brings us to Nashville. We check into our accommodations in Nashville before attending a show at the Grand Ole Opry for our evening entertainment. (B) (L)
Day 10. Sunday, February 5 - You’ll discover the rich history and culture of Nashville with our local guide. Since Tennessee has played a critical role in the development of many forms of American Music, it’s only fitting that we tour and enjoy lunch (on your own) at the Country Music Hall Fame. Today our scenery will begin to change as our coach winds through the Cumberland Foothills of Tennessee and a corner of Kentucky to Marion, IL and the Drury Inn. (B)
Day 11. Monday, February 6 - After a short ride, we’ll visit the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis in St. Louis, MO. This spiritual center of the archdiocese of St. Louis will lift your spirits as we admire the architecture, beautiful mosaics, and the Angel of Harmony sculpture on the east lawn of the church. Missouri is called the “Show Me State” for good reason. They have a lot to show. Traveling north on the River Road, Highway 61, you’ll view the beauty of the state. Noon lunch is included and tonight we spend our last evening at the Hampton Inn in Coralville, Iowa. (B) (L)
Day 12. Tuesday, February 7 - With good weather, our last day will pass by quickly as we travel through Iowa and into Minnesota. Noon meal will be at the Pizza Ranch in Mason City, Iowa. This afternoon everyone will enjoy watching the DVD of their vacation and by late afternoon we arrive to our warm cars at Rustad Tour’s location. (B) (L)
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TOUR COST PER PERSON
*$400/person deposit required on this tour upon signup.
**Insurance can be purchased up to two weeks prior to departure. |
Trips Include:
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