Florida is a unique place! It’s the southernmost state in the 48 contiguous states; only Hawaii is further south. It’s the only state in the lower 48 to enjoy a tropical climate. About two-thirds of Florida occupies the peninsula jutting down into the Gulf of Mexico, making it the only state that borders both the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean.
Florida is the flattest of any state in the U.S.; its highest point is just 345 feet above sea level. It has the longest coastline in the contiguous United States, over 1300 miles, not including its many islands (more than any state but Alaska).
Florida’s unique geography results in several unique ecosystems, including Everglades National Park, largest tropical wilderness in the U.S. Furthermore, the Florida Reef is the only living coral barrier reef in the lower 48 and the third-largest barrier reef system in the world.
Situated only about 90 miles from Cuba, where Christopher Columbus first established a Spanish beachhead in the Americas, Florida became the first part of present-day United States to be explored and settled by Europeans. It’s seemingly endless coastline has shaped it historically and culturally, and its colonial history was followed by successive waves of migration. Today, nine out of the top ten fastest growing communities in the USA are in Florida! And with a population of over 21 million, Florida is the third-most populous state in the country.
We begin our Christmas in Florida survey in the north, looking across a confluence of rivers into Georgia from Fort Clinch before turning south along the Atlantic seaboard. From Kennedy Space Center, we cross the peninsula from east to west, picking up the Gulf of Mexico shoreline near Tampa. Unsurprisingly, many of our activities are water-based or near the water. The Everglades region occupies much of the southern part of the peninsula, and we explore it on an airboat tour before returning to the Atlantic Coast. The last couple days are spent in Fort Lauderdale and Miami, arguably the cultural heartland of Florida.
Those joining us for the optional Florida Keys Extension continue south along the coral cay archipelago on Highway 1, one of the more unique highways traversed on a Walking Adventure, ending the tour at the southernmost point of the lower 48 at Key West.
What’s Included
- Airport-hotel shuttle at Jacksonville hotel; Hotel-airport shuttle at Miami hotel
- All land travel by motorcoach as outlined
- Tourist class or better hotel accommodations
- All breakfasts
- 12 walk routes as listed
- Walking fees for 7 walks for those collecting AVA walk credit (if AVA sanctions approved)
- WAI guide service throughout
- Pricing is based on double occupancy. A limited number of single rooms are available for a supplement of $780. We also provide a roommate matching service for those interested.
Visits to/Admission fees
- Fort Clinch State Park
- Fernandina Beach
- Fort Caroline
- St. Augustine
- Daytona Beach
- Blue Springs State Park
- Kennedy Space Center
- Bok Tower Gardens
- Tampa
- Honeymoon Island State Park
- Myakka River State Park
- JN “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge
- Everglades airboat tour
- Fort Lauderdale
- Little Havana
- Miami South Beach
- More fun and educational stops than we can list!
Optional Excursions
- Tarpon Bay Guided Kayaking Tour – Day 7
- Jungle Queen Sunset Dinner Cruise – Day 8
Optional Florida Keys Extension
What’s Included
- All land travel by motorcoach as outlined
- Superior tourist class hotel accommodations
- All breakfasts
- 1 walk route as listed
- Walking fees for 1 walks for those collecting AVA walk credit (if AVA sanctions approved)
- WAI guide service throughout
- Pricing is based on double occupancy. A limited number of single rooms are available for a supplement of $490. We also provide a roommate matching service for those interested.
Visits to/Admission fees
- Robbie’s Marina
- Key West
- Seven Mile Bridge
- Pigeon Key
Optional Excursion
- Dry Tortugas Excursion (Ferry, Lunch, Snorkeling, Fort Jefferson)
