(C) Exploring Florida's Gulf Coast
The Best of Old Florida
The Gulf Coast of Florida offers amazing outdoor activities that can be enjoyed year-round, but are especially sweet when it's cold elsewhere. We have chosen to make our base of operations in Fort Myers, at the southern end of Florida and spend our week kayaking in search of manatees, biking and shelling on Sanibel Island, cruising the placid waters and soaking up the sun. If a getaway from the cold weather sounds good to you combined with easy outdoor adventures suitable for most women, then pack your bags and we'll meet you in Florida.
(C) Exploring Florida's Gulf Coast
April 13 - April 18, 2020Highlights
- Kayak in search of manatees
- Bike the lovely Sanibel Island
- Cruise the gulf waters to Cabbage Key
- Visit Edison & Ford Winter Estates
- Time to explore personal interests
- Suggestions for additional things to see
- Small group no larger than 14
- And More... See itinerary for details
to a new start date of 1 September 2020 or later.
We anticipate having more information the week of April 13th.
Itinerary
Monday, 13 April 2020: Arrive Ft. Myers; Welcome Meeting & Dinner (D)
Schedule your arrival into Fort Myers Airport no later than 4:00 pm and transfer to the hotel. The tour begins at 6:00pm in the lobby of the hotel. We will make introductions and then enjoy a Welcome Dinner to get better acquainted. Overnight Fort Myers - 5 nights
Tuesday, 14 April 2020: River District Tour; Edison & Ford Winter Estates (B,L)
After breakfast we'll head out for a walking tour to get to know this town rich in history, architecture, art and amenities. We'll learn our way around this charming town and also discover the intrigues and rivalries of those who built it ... from fort to dusty cattle town to the building boom of the Roaring Twenties to today's modern incarnation as one of the most beautiful historic districts in Florida. Then it's off to the Edison and Ford Winter Estates, adjacent sites of the winter homes of Thomas Alva Edison and Henry Ford where we'll learn about the lives and friendship of these two American icons. The historic landscape is evident throughout the property including the award-winning Moonlight Garden. It's an opportunity to step back in time to “Old Florida.”
Wednesday, 15 April 2020: Bike Sanibel Island; Ding Darling Tram Tour; Group Dinner (B,L,D)
Sanibel, the barrier island off the Gulf Coast from Fort Myers, is considered the best "sea shelling" spot in all of North America. But the island is also known for great bicycle trails, making two wheels the perfect way to explore. We'll set out for the beach to get in a bit of shelling and then see where the trails take us. We'll regroup for a casual lunch and then head to the 7,000-acre Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge, considered one of the top birding spots in the nation, to take the wildlife refuge tram tour. After our day on Sanibel, we'll return to the hotel to get cleaned up and then enjoy dinner together.
Thursday, 16 April 2020: Matlacha Island; Kayaking In Search of Manatees (B,L)
This morning, we'll make our way out to a little spit of land called Matlacha (mat-la-shay) on Pine Island Sound. This commercial fishing village has the alter ego of an eccentric artist colony with unique shops, galleries and fish shacks...a real glimpse into funky Florida! This afternoon we'll take to the water. Florida's Gulf Coast is a paddler's paradise with diverse ecosystems and pristine waters that nature lovers can appreciate. Kayaking allows for an amazing experience to view manatees up close. Despite their massive bulk, manatees are graceful swimmers powering themselves with their strong tails gliding along at 5 miles an hour. There is also outstanding bird watching and wildlife spotting to be had.
Friday, 17 April 2020: Cruise to Cabbage Key; Farewell Dinner (B,D)
After breakfast this morning we'll embark on a scenic boat trip to Cabbage Key, a true "Old Florida" island hide-away only accessible by watercraft. If we're lucky, we'll see dolphins frolicking in our wake. For lunch, you'll want to try a cheeseburger at Cabbage Key Inn, which are rumored to be the inspiration for Jimmy Buffet's ode "Cheeseburger in Paradise." If you've got energy to spare, enjoy the short nature trail walk and climb to the top of the water tower for fantastic vistas.
Saturday, 18 April 2020: Return Home from Fort Myers (B)
Sadly, our time together has come to an end. Based on the departure time you provide WTT, your Tour Leader will organize travelers into small groups so you can ride-share to the airport if you wish.
(C) Exploring Florida's Gulf Coast
April 13 - April 18, 2020Pricing
Room Share
$1,997.00Single Room
$2,482.00Non-Members
ADD $50.00Status of this Tour
Do not Display to the Web
Tour Pricing Includes
- All meals and activities expressly listed in the itinerary, PLUS...
- All tipping of local guides
- WTT Tour Leader to enhance the individual & group experience
- Transportation in WTT's own Mercedes mini-coach
- Arranged room sharing with another solo traveler
- Travel Dollar credits (a benefit of WTT membership) toward future travel with WTT
Not Included In The Price
- Airfare or other transportation to and from the tour
- Airport transfers
- Meals and activities not specified in the itinerary
- Any personal expenses or expenditures
- Any pre- or post- tour arrangements
- Any gratuities for the WTT tour leader
- Travel Insurance
Payment Dates -and- Cancellation Terms for This Tour
These Payment and Cancellation Penalty Dates apply to Exploring Florida's Gulf Coast, Apr 13 - 18, 2020:
At Space Reservation: Initial Deposit is due.
Wednesday, 16 Oct 2019: Initial deposit cannot be parked and is forfeited if traveler cancels after this date.
Tuesday, 14 Jan 2020: Payment in full.
Friday, 28 Feb 2020: 100% forfeited if traveler cancels after this date.
By submitting the Reservation Form you are providing your electronic signature that you are authorizing WTT to charge your credit card the required amount due for the tour at this time, and to charge your credit card in a separate transaction for the membership length selected, if applicable.
Travel Insurance: It is your responsibility to purchase the amount of travel insurance you determine is appropriate to protect you from the risk of financial loss should you have to cancel your tour, or should unforeseen events, due to no fault of WTT, prevent the tour from operating in whole or in part as originally scheduled.
WTT does not sell travel insurance. As a convenience, we will email you information from 2 reliable travel insurance providers at the time we confirm your reservation, however you can purchase insurance from any provider you choose.
You can review the insurance information from TravelGuard to get an idea of rates.
(C) Exploring Florida's Gulf Coast
April 13 - April 18, 2020Flights, Transfers & Lodging
Arrival & Departure Information
Travelers will make their own air arrangements as follows:
Arrival Airport: RSW - Fort Myers, FL (Southwest Florida International Airport)
Arrival Date: Monday, April 5th. Arrive no later than 4:00pm.
Arrival Transfer: Use local shuttle or taxi service. Details provided in Final Travel Instructions.
Depart Airport: RSW - Fort Myers, FL (Southwest Florida International Airport)
Departure Date: Saturday, April 10th. Depart at your convenience.
Departure Transfer: Use local shuttle or taxi service. WTT Tour Leader will assist in coordinating ride sharing.
Lodging / Hotels
Fort Myers, FL: Homewood Suites Fort Myers
In the unlikely event WTT is unable to provide the hotel accommodation(s) listed, for whatever reason, WTT will substitute similar quality accommodation(s) at no additional cost to the traveler.
Want to Arrive a Day Early?
Worried about possible flight delays? Consider arriving one day before the official tour state date. Many of our travelers choose this optional service. Your pre-tour package includes:
- The room (standard check-in times apply)
- Breakfast the following morning
- Optional activity suggestions prior to tour
$95.00 Roomshare $188.00 Single
The pre-tour package is an optional service. Rates are established at time of tour posting. Early check-in is solely at the discretion of the hotel and cannot be arranged in advance.
Additional Reminders About This Tour
This tour uses a 15-passenger Mini-Coach for transportation while on tour. Learn more about The WTT North American Travel Experience by downloading/opening the pdf.
(C) Exploring Florida's Gulf Coast
April 13 - April 18, 2020Destination Information
What do others say about this tour and traveling with WTT?
How Does Room Sharing Work?
- If you wish to share with another solo traveler, select this option on the Reservation Form and your tour price will automatically be based on the room share price.
- Or, you may select a single room, when available, on the Reservation Form and your tour price will be automatically based on the single room price.
- These choices are clearly stated on the Reservation Form.
- All shared rooms have 2 beds
- All shared rooms are non-smoking
- No special requests about your roommate can be accommodated
- Most solo travelers elect to share a room
- See "Frequently Asked Questions" TAB for more details
How Active is this Tour?
Because of this requirement, WTT tours are not suitable for anyone who is physically challenged, walking impaired, or is a slow walker that cannot keep up with the pace of the group.
The activities on this tour are rated as follows:
- 50% Easy
- 50% Moderate (biking and kayaking)
If you are in doubt as to your ability to meet the physical activity requirements, you should not sign up for this trip.
Read more about Activity Levels
What meals are included and how are dietary restrictions accommodated?
- Breakfast daily
- 3 Lunches
- 3 Dinners
Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free dietary requests can be accommodated on this tour with limited selections.
What clothing and items should I pack for this trip?
In general the daily highs this time of year are in the mid-80s with nightly lows in the 60s, making this one of the most pleasant times of year to visit. An afternoon thunderstorm or rain shower is not uncommon.
For This Trip You May Want—
- Lightweight jacket for the unusually brisk day
- Swimsuit and cover up
- Sunglasses, sunscreen and hat
- Insect repellent
- Comfortable clothing for kayaking and biking
- Reusable water bottle
- Smart-casual wear if you'd like to dress up a bit for dinners.
- Bring what you need to get a good night's sleep, such as ear plugs, white noise generator, sleeping pills, etc. Unfamiliar noises of all types can disrupt your rest.
Good Packing Habits—
- As a best practice while traveling, bring disinfecting wipes and alcohol-based hand-sanitizer.
- Pack a limited amount of comfortable, casual clothing that layer and coordinate. Your fellow travelers will not mind or even notice – seeing you in the same clothing.
- Bring only two pairs of everyday shoes: one pair of well-broken-in walking shoes, and a second pair that could do double-duty as a walking shoe or a slightly dressy shoe.
- Pare down your beauty regimen to the bare minimum and always pack travel-sized toiletries.
- Pack medication in your carry-on and pack only as much as needed for the duration of your tour plus a few extra days as a precaution.
What are the luggage restrictions for this tour?
On every WTT tour, our policies regarding luggage restrictions are driven by the physical space limitations of our vehicles and the requirement that all travelers be able to manage their own luggage.
- For ease of maneuverability, we recommend you bring only one suitcase, plus small shoulder bag/daypack/purse.
- You are responsible for managing your own belongings.
How much money should I bring on this tour?
Only you can determine the optimum amount of cash to take on tour. When budgeting for out-of-pocket expenses, there are several aspects to consider: the number of meals you are responsible for, the amount of money you like to have on-hand for snacks and drinks, and your individual shopping interests and habits.
- Notify your credit card issuer that you will be traveling and provide dates of travel.
- ATMs are typically the best way of obtaining cash; they are found in most towns and cities. You must know your PIN number for your debit and credit cards in order to use the ATMs.
What are the tipping guidelines for this tour?
All tips to local guides during your tour have already been paid on your behalf.
- You are responsible for tipping wait-staff, porters, or other individuals who provide a service to you at the hotel, or other public locations.
- You may want to tip your WTT Tour Leader for an outstanding job. The amount is entirely a personal preference. If you'd like a guideline, consider $8-$10 per day.
What other Additional Information do I need to know?
This tour uses a 15-passenger Mini-Coach for transportation while on tour. Learn more about The WTT North American Travel Experience by downloading/opening the pdf.
Can I transfer my deposit to another tour?
To get off this tour and register for another tour, you must follow these steps - in the order shown:
2) WAIT before submitting your new reservation! You must receive the Cancellation Confirmation email before submitting your new reservation. This can take up to 2 business days. The Cancellation Confirmation email will list the amount of parked credits from this tour that are now available to use on a new reservation.
3) COMPLETE the new Reservation Form and USE the parked credits towards your deposit on the new tour.
Note: If you used Parked Credits to pay the deposit on this tour, these credits cannot be used a second time and are not eligible to be transferred.
What happens if I need to cancel this tour?

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