Chicago Blues to Florida Beaches

Meals Included
1 BBQ Dinner

Transport
Air conditioned private touring van

Accommodation
Centrally located hotels (21 nts)

Day 1 Chicago
Arrive at any time. Welcome meeting in the evening.

Day 2 Chicago/St. Louis
Leaving Chicago behind, St. Louis welcomes you with open arms! The Gateway Arch Riverfront, highlighted by the majestic Gateway Arch, attracts more than four million guests each year. At 630 ft., our nation's tallest man-made monument has plenty of exciting activities. Optional take the tram ride to the top, see a documentary film and experience a giant screen movie! In the evening enjoy the best BBQ known in St. Louis!

Day 3 St. Louis/Louisville
We’ll stay in Louisville this night, where the local scene is very progressive, independent minded and always a good time.

Day 4 Louisville/Nashville
For a change of pace, we will visit Mammoth Cave National Park, the largest known cave system in the world. After Louisville, it’s on to Nashville, the country music capital of the world. Visit Grand Ole Opry, the show that made country music famous and where unforgettable moments happen or check out the incredible Country Music Hall of Fame and see the stars of Country Music! Check out the nightlife and visit real country cowboy bars.

Day 5 Nashville/Memphis
Hear the beat in Memphis, Tennessee! Explore the birthplace of Rock 'n' Roll, Home of Blues and the starting point of soul. Music Legends including Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and B.B.King made their marks on Memphis.

Day 6 Memphis
Walk in the footsteps of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll at Elvis Presley’s home, Graceland (optional). See how the legend lived and discover videos, pictures, stage costumes and much more. Relive history at the National Civil Rights Museum, located where the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr took place in 1968. We can also take a tour of the legendary Sun Records, where Johnny Cash and Elvis got their start, Enjoy another must-see attraction, "The Peabody Hotel" with the now famous Peabody Duck March! In the evening stroll one of America's most famous streets: Beale Street with it's live entertainment!

Day 7 Memphis/New Orleans
Enjoy a guided city tour in New Orleans, including a visit to worlds famous plantations. Experience New Orleans at its best. Party in the French Quarter till the early hours, dance to great jazz bands and try out delicious Creole food. Take an optional swamp tour or a steam boat ride on the Mississippi.

Day 8 New Orleans
Free day to explore New Orleans.

Day 9 New Orleans/Panama City
In the morning take an optional swamp tour or a steam boat ride on the Mississippi before we continue driving to Panama City. Enjoy the first night with a walk on the beach and watch an amazing sunset over the ocean.

Day 10 Panama City
Free day to explore Panama City including optional activities such as jet ski rentals or kite surfing.

Day 11 Panama City/St. Augustine
Driving through Tallahassee and Jacksonville we continue to the oldest city in America: St. Augustine! Optional Ghost tour in the evening.

Day 12 St. Augustine
Free day to explore the city and its beautiful beaches!

Day 13 St. Augustine/Orlando
Spend a day relaxing on "The World's Most Famous Beach" and get away from it all at Daytona Beach! Optional visit to Angell & Phelps Chocolate Factory. Or spend the afternoon on Cape Canaveral with an optional visit to NASA Space Center. Continue on to Orlando and enjoy an orientation tour before dinner.

Day 14 Orlando
Full day for optional activities! Orlando is well known for its theme and water parks including Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Studios, Sea World and Aquatica. The decision is yours! Still too exciting? Spend a full day shopping!

Day 15 Orlando/St. Petersburg
In the morning we visit the city of Tampa. Optional "Busch Gardens" Tampa Bay combines world-class thrill rides, live entertainment and one of North America's largest zoos in an unforgettable adventure! Too much excitement? Chill out on the beach

Day 16 St. Petersbug/Ft. Myers
Also known for its museums, St. Petersburg is home to some of Florida's best beaches and beach parks. Gorgeous sand, beach trails, historic sites, piers and more mean that fun in the sun awaits in this cultural center and vacation destination.

Day 17 Ft. Myers/Naples
Our journey takes us across to Sanibel Island visiting one of the top ten birding spots in this nation: JN Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge! Take the scenic drive and be inspired by it's beauty and quietness!

Day 18-19 Naples/Key West
Discover the mysteries of the Everglades at South Florida's oldest alligator farm. With an exciting air boat ride you'll zip across the top of the water as you enjoy the beauty and splendor of the Everglades. Take a walk around the farm and be fascinated by more alligators and crocodiles! In the afternoon continue to Key West and enjoy another amazing sunset at the beach!

Day 20 Key West
Looking for an escape from the ordinary? Key West is the place for you! Enjoy a beautiful sunset at famous Mallory Square. In the evening experience the streets, filled with sidewalk cafes, open-air bars, legendary pubs and world-class restaurants come to life. Absorb this atmosphere, the mellow pace of local life to create memories that will last a lifetime! Full day to explore Key West. With its balmy weather and crystal blue skies, the island is famous for water sports, including snorkeling, diving or sailing (optional)!

Day 21 Key West/Miami
End your journey in magnificent Miami with miles of white beaches and palm trees swaying in the breeze! See it like a Native and join us on a guided city tour before you can explore the city on your own.

Day 22 Miami
Depart at any time.

Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
5/19/2012 - 6/9/2012	$CALL
7/21/2012 - 8/11/2012	$CALL
9/22/2012 - 10/13/2012	$CALL
Note: Departures appearing above in green are guaranteed to operate by the tour operator.
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

Itinerary Disclaimer
While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission. Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.

Group Size Notes
Max 13, Avg 10

Your Fellow Travellers
As you travel on a group trip you will be exposed to all the pleasures and maybe some of the frustrations of travelling in a group. Your fellow travellers will probably come from all corners of the world and are likely to be of a variety of ages too. We ask you to be understanding of the various needs and preferences of your group - patience with your fellow travellers is sometimes required for the benefit of everyone's travel experience. Remember too that you have responsibilities to the group. If you are requested to be at a place at a certain time, ensure that you don't keep the rest of the group waiting. We have found time and time again that the very best trips we operate are those where the dynamics within the group work well - this takes just a little effort on your part.

Highlights
Grooving in Memphis and Nashville, exploring the Mammoth Caves, spotting alligators in the Everglades, diving in the Florida Keys, having BBQ in St Louis and a blast in New Orleans and Orlando.

Dossier Disclaimer
The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary. VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.

Single Travellers
We believe single travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and single travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.

Travel Insurance
Travel Insurance: Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your CEO, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy please bear in mind that all clients must have medical coverage and that we require a minimum coverage of USD 200,000 for repatriation and emergency rescue. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.

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