“The Florida Keys, the Everglades and Key West”

Presenting “The Florida Keys and Key West” Dec. 13 to 16, 2026
A Fully Escorted 4 day & 3 Night Tour
Day 1: Depart 8: am from Chateau in the Pines with short stops along the way or way back including Sawgrass Mills Food Court, Robert is here is the name of a major large fruit stand in the Nursery area of Homestead, Redland and Florida City. We will drive directly through the River of Grass known as the Everglades with its’ fierce Melaleucas along the way. A look at the main entrance Visitors Center to the Everglades with wildlife exhibits and a picturesque back boardwalk. Drive along the Overseas Highway with the Atlantic Ocean on your left and the Gulf of Mexico on your right. Here you will learn about the history and importance of the Ecosystem, and every island over 42 bridges. Make sure you bring your camera for the scenic picture stop at Channel 5 overlooking the bridge.

Dinner on route overlooking the Gulf of Mexico at either Lorelei or Worldwide Sportsman with the Pilar Yacht Replica. This evening we check into the 3 Diamond Best Western Hibiscus one block from Duval Street. Our dinners in the Keys include the great dining at the Half Shell Raw Bar which is a popular spot for locals. The ambiance here includes the Historic Seaport with all of the sailboats including the booze cruise, America’s Cup vessels, Fast Cat, and the tall Schooner Masts.

Day 2: Today enjoy a fully narrated trolley ride including all of Key West’s major sights with stops at Hemingway House or the new Butterfly and Nature Conservatory or Truman House or Audubon House and Gardens or Mel Fishers Treasure Museum. The trolley picks up near the Hotel. Or an optional tour to Fort Jefferson on the Dry Tortugas by Fast Cat Catamaran. Near the hotel is the Restaurant that Jimmy Buffet used to live next to which was voted best view on the Island at the famous "Louie's Backyard".
Day 3: After Breakfast we will visit and do driving and walking tour of Hemingway hang outs including Bahama Village plus a lunch stop at the Legendary Blue Heaven Restaurant known for Hemingway's Boxing, Roosters, Great Food and the largest slice of Key Lime pie. A visit to the Key west Gardens and an artist’s studio.

After an afternoon at leisure at the hotel’s tropical pool we will view the famous sunset at Mallory Square. Now, we have a difficult choice of Lobster Pizza on the Beach at Southernmost Restaurant or Lobster Roll featured by Guy Fieri on Diners and Dives. Both have other good choices as well.

Day 4: After breakfast a visit to the Turtle Hospital. Richie Moretti, the famous sea turtle man, is one of the great environmental heroes of the Florida Keys. More than three decades ago the Volkswagen repairman moved to Marathon in the Central Keys to run a little motel and to do some fishing.
He fished for mahi mahi and tarpon and giant grouper and had himself a ball. Only one thing: He kept finding injured and sick sea turtles.
“They’ve been around 200 million years,’’ Richie told me back then. “They’re living dinosaurs. If things keep going the way they’re going they’re going to disappear.’’
Some endangered sea turtles were tangled in discarded fishing line and could hardly swim. Others had ingested plastic garbage bags and discarded balloons and couldn’t eat. Some turtles, hit by speeding boats, had cracked shells. But the most disturbing thing Richie had ever seen – and he’ll still you tell you this – were the green sea turtles with enormous tumors growing on their flippers and heads.
Moretti is in his 70s now. He has always been one of those folks who doesn’t shrug his shoulders when something needs to be done. So back when he first moved to the Keys he’d pick up those suffering turtles and bring them to friendly veterinarians in the town of Marathon. Pretty soon that’s all he was doing.
In 1986 he turned his motel into a turtle rehab center. Another building – the strip joint next door that he also bought – became the hospital. Eventually he hired a staff. Now he’s poised to hire a full-time veterinarian. Every dime earned dime goes to helping turtles.
Moretti’s Turtle Hospital, among the first of its kind in the world, is located at 2396 Overseas Highway. In one building is the operating room where turtles are repaired. It’s where tumors caused by the mysterious fibropapilloma virus are cut away, where broken shells are patched with fiberglass and plastic debris is removed from turtle stomachs.
From there recovering turtles are placed in small holding tanks until they grow strong enough to eat on their own. Next they go to slightly larger tanks shared with other turtles. After that they are moved into a 100,000-gallon saltwater pool where they can easily swim and gather their strength for the final step months later – the day Richie and his staff release them back into the wild. Over the years Richie has saved more than 1,500 turtles from death.
The Sea Turtle Hospital is so well known in the Keys that fishermen now bring him injured and sick turtles. But when they can’t, Richie sends out one of his two turtle ambulances. They’re equipped with kayaks and netting (in case a technician has to chase down an ailing turtle).
If an ambulance won’t start or breaks down, no problem. The sea turtle man and former auto mechanic knows what to do. Anyway, ambulances are easier to fix than sea turtles.

Early Dinner at Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen in Key Largo known for award winning conch chowder, fish in tequila sauce or the Cauley Square Tea Room.
Remember don't forget your Keys! (You won't)
Members $1100 per person double occupancy guests $1110 Single Occ. Plus $450
Deposits $200 per person, Balance due October 13, 2026 Cancellations: $200 per person non-refundable with Reservations and no refunds within two months prior to departure unless a substitution is found. The tour includes: accommodations, transportation, attraction, Trolley Tour and taxes, 3 breakfasts, and gratuities. All prices and itineraries are subject to change based upon availability. All times are approximate and there are no refunds for unused portions.

RESERVATION FORM: Reservations are on a request basis until payment is received. Please place your reservations and make checks payable to Florida Greeters, Inc. and mail to: 6300 North Wickham Road, 130-222 Melbourne, FL 32940 or credit card by Phone (321) 259-6300 or text 321-544-3758.

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