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OUR PLACE TOURS PRESENTS
Manatees, Mermaids and Marine-life GALORE! Crystal River Florida and beyond February 12-19, 2023 –Sunday to Sunday, 7 nights/8 days Weather in February: Feb. 72 avg. high’s during the day Lows in the mid 40’s in the evenings However, as we know, Mother Nature will do as she pleases. Come prepared for possible rain showers - plus it’s always a little cooler on boats. Best suggestion … bring layers to add or remove accordingly! Suggestion would to be to go to the library and get the movie A DOLPHIN TALE - released in 2014 and all about WINTER - this movie tells the touching story of a young dolphin named Winter who loses her tail and survives with a prosthetic one. It's based on a true story—Winter plays herself. Very touching.************************************************************************** Day ONE – Sunday, February 12, 2023 (Dinner included) TRAVEL TO DOTHAN, AL – Overnighting at Best Western Dothan Inn & Suites ************************************************************************** Day TWO – Monday, February 13, 2023 (Dinner included) TRAVEL TO the Plantation at Crystal River, FL. 4:30 pm – Arrival to the MANATEE CAPITAL OF THE WORLD – Crystal River Plantation . TOUR OF PROPERTY while luggage is being delivered to rooms. Manatees are naturally curious and they are as affectionate and playful as a golden retriever. From MID-NOVEMBER through FIRST WEEK OF MARCH, water warmed by Crystal River’s natural geothermal springs (constant temp of 72-74 degrees) attracts the largest concentration of manatees in the world. During peak season mid December through Feb. there as many as 900+ manatees wanting to nuzzle, tickle and show off JUST FOR YOU. HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR COMPLETELY GUIDED TOUR once reaching Crystal River Florida INCLUDES:
Guests will meet their tour ambassador who will be with group throughout the rest of the tour in Florida. Guide will beavailable to answer questions about FREE DAY or anything else about your tour. Come and discover this hidden gem tucked away on Florida's Nature Coast. Enjoy every imaginable aquatic adventure surrounded by fantastic scenery and some amazing wildlife. Comfortable accommodations, great amenities, superb casual dining and a magnificent location on beautiful Kings Bay what more could you ask for??? 6:30 pm- Welcome PLATED CHOICE Dinner at the resort. If the weather cooperates, we’ll be served outside by the Gazebo surrounded by the gorgeous scenery. ******************************** Day Three -Tuesday, February 14, 2023 (Breakfast and dinner included)HAPPY VALENTINES DAY Valentines Treat Bags will be given to all plus this is an “I LOVE MANATEES DAY”!!!!! 7:00 am – 8:30 am – Full Breakfast included. 8:45 am – BOARD COACH with Tour Ambassador with group- Today’s highlights with your tour ambassador handling all arrangements and introducing guests to the “CRACKER TOWNS” and explanation. 9:00 am – 11:00 am Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, Homosassa, FL Among the many wonderful things to see is an excellent “Manatee Program” – you will love your time here! Approx. two hours. Visitors can see West Indian manatees every day of the year from the park's underwater observatory in the main spring. The park showcases native Florida wildlife, including manatees, black bears, bobcats, white-tailed deer, American alligators, American crocodiles, and river otters. For the Manatee Program, onlookers are seated either in the bleachers overlooking the Fish Bowl underwater observatory, or are presented alongside the in-ground manatee pool at the Manatee Care Center if weather so-dictates. At the Wildlife Encounter programs, snakes and other native animals are featured. The park features a Discovery Center, providing hands- on experiences about Florida's environment. The park has two concessionaire-operated gift shops and a concessionaire-operated café with a selection of beverages and snacks. 11:00 am – Departure for Three Sisters, Crystal River Three Sisters Springs Visitor’s Center and Refuge in Crystal Springs. At the Visitor’s Center, board trolleys and ride from the Center to the Springs where docents will narrate as you walk along a horseshoe boardwalk to see the gentle giants in their natural habitat! The vivid turquoise water in the Three Sisters Springs glows and glitters and offers a color impossible to capture on film but it holds the kind of radiant beauty that grips your heart and captures your soul. Three Sisters Springs is a world-renowned sanctuary for the West Indian Manatee. This 57-acre refuge provides a 1/4-mile walkway with viewing platforms to observe the springs and native wildlife. Manatee sanctuaries are regulated by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service under the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge. Their goal is to protect this warm-water habitat for federally threatened Florida manatees when they are most likely to use the warmer spring water to avoid exposure to debilitating cold periods and meet their thermoregulatory needs. There are also nature trails at Three Sisters with views of Kings Bay, Magnolia Springs, Lake Crystal and wetlands. 12: 15 pm Lunch on own and shopping time at Heritage Village, Crystal River Offering many unique gift and specialty shoppes, a charming Tea Bar 650, Café on theAvenue, plus a full-service restaurant at The River Ranch Bar & Grill (all restaurants are subject to change). All nestled among the canopied Oaks, Palms and Magnolia trees in the historic downtown of Crystal River Florida, on North Citrus Avenue. This Cracker town, still today, carries the reputation of a Fisherman Village from days gone by, so they strive to continue the theme of yesterday with today’s creative additions. 2:00 pm – Departure and return to the resort 3 In the afternoon guests will enjoy the River-ride in mid afternoon at Kings Bay. (Boarding at Crystal planation). One hour cruise. Gratuity is INCLUDED. Sail around the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge and look for local wildlife as your captain shares the history of the area. Manatees, dolphins, otters, and turtles are often spotted in the area. The boat is fully covered for protection from sun and rain. Following cruise guests are on own . 5:30 pm Depart resort for dinner at Peck’s Cove, Crystal River The leisurely drive to this evening’s restaurant is a beautiful, scenic journey along the Ozello Trail. Bask in the landscape of “Old Florida” with views of saw grass, bridges, and fantastic marshland that is filled with the perfect combination of small islands and saltwater! Dinner at Peck’s Old Port Cove. You will have choices at time of service of their fresh, specialty seafood entrees with all the trimmings, and also a beef and chicken option for the landlubbers. Dessert of Banana split pie or Key Lime PIE!! 8:00 PM Departure and return to the resort. This should be a beautiful drive with the sunsetting. Perhaps you’ll want to stroll the grounds under the lights and enjoy one more visit to the Tiki Bar before retiring. *********************************************************************************************** Day Four– Wednesday, February 15, 2023 Breakfast included 7:00 am – 8:30 am - 8:30 am - Depart on motorcoach with TOUR AMBASSADOR for Weeki Wachee in Spring Hill, FL 9:00 am –1:00 pm -Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. Enjoy this ‘step back in time’ at your own pace, but don’t miss the ONE OF THE special shows, “The Little Mermaid”, performed live in the submerged 400-seat auditorium ~ How Fun. Guests will also enjoy the Ranger Program as well as the River Cruise. Since 1947, Weeki Wachee Springs has captured the imaginations of people of all ages with its spectacular beauty and fun things to do. manatees, so have your camera at the ready! Lunch on own at the Park MERMAID GALLEY Located in the back of the park overlooking the woods, Mermaid Galley offers indoor and outdoor seating and a selection of sandwiches, burgers, wraps, salads, ice cream and other snacks. CAPTAIN’S QUARTERSAfter you visit Buccaneer Bay, take a break and stop by Captain’s Quarters, where you can sit outside and enjoy ice cream, snacks and drinks overlooking the bay. PIRATE’S GRUBBLocated behind Buccaneer Bay, Pirates Grubb is a great place to sit outside by the beach and grab snacks, burgers, hot dogs, chicken fingers and more. 1:00 pm – Departure for Tarpon Springs, Tarpon Springs, FL 2:30 pm - Dolphin Island Adventure Cruise aboard The Odyssey Sightseeing Boat 2-hour cruise, Tarpon Springs River, watch for Osprey Nests, Waterfowl, Dolphin, Manatee & Sea Turtles. Experience Historical Anclote Lighthouse - Stroll the beach, Look for shells! Description: Come enjoy Tarpon Springs’ most popular and highest-rated, boat ride. A leisurely 2-hour cruise down the Anclote River into the Gulf of Mexico. Our captain will narrate the entire trip where you will learn about the history of Tarpon Springs and the famous Sponge Docks. The Dolphin Adventure Island Cruise includes looking for Dolphin, manatee, sea turtles, tropical foliage, and other local wildlife. Also see the restored & operational Historic Anclote Lighthouse on Anclote Island. We’ll land on the Island where you can get an up-close view of the lighthouse, stroll the beach, look for shells or even take a dip! -- For your pleasure there are cold beverages, beer, wine, and tropical drinks on board. 4:30 pm - Following cruise experience return to the “sponge docks” for shopping time and dinner on own in this fun bohemian little town. Very cute shops and very GREEK!!! Tour Ambassador will assist guests with various places to grab dinner on own. 6:30 pm – Departure for Crystal River 8:00 pm – Return to the Plantation ****************************************************************************** Day FIVE – Thursday, February 16, 2023 – FREE DAY – Breakfast and appetizer and drink coupon for all and dinner included. 7:00-9:00 am – Breakfast FREE DAY- Your tour ambassador will be available as well as the activities director at the resort. Each guest will receive an appetizer and drink coupon to be used throughout the day. How about a TEAM shuffleboard with Tour ambassador and TOUR DIRECTOREach will have a team. Sign up is necessary. Amount of walking is depending upon what each person decides to do.
Additional Activities available on site for nominal fees: ·Swim with the Manatees - highly suggested. You will have a wet suit (provided to wear to protect the Manatees). Advanced reservations needed.
5:30 pm – Be ready for a SUNSET boat cruise from property and enjoy a sunset cruise to dinner and back!!!!! Gratuity is INCLUDED.
intended). If Mother Nature cooperates, we may be able to eat outside on the back deck with captivating views of beautiful Kings Bay. Otherwise, inside tables await! Choice meal this evening including dessert. ·When everyone is finished, the boat will take the group back to the Resort. ****************************************************************************** Day FIVE – Friday, February 17, 2023 (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included) 7:00 am – 8:30 am – BreakfastToday’s Highlights: Tour ambassador will be with guests throughout the day/evening. 9:30 am – Departure from resort to enjoy sip, smell and touch of “Old Florida” at Ferris Groves, Floral City This is one of those places that still looks like the Florida most of us remember from our childhoods. In 1931, L.G. “Doc” Ferris began planting citrus trees in the rich, hammock soil of Duval Island, in historic Floral City, Florida. The trees took root in the fertile ground, and for 75 years, the land has produced all varieties of Florida’s finest citrus. Group members can purchase fresh fruit or order fruit, so that it reaches your homes by the time you return. You can be sure you’ll be sending the finest fruit available; it’s 100% guaranteed. They also offer syrups, sauces, jams and jellies and samples of fresh-squeezed orange juice. Everyone can choose from fresh orange, strawberry, butterscotch, chocolate or vanilla DELICIOUS shake of their choice. Put your order in for products to be delivered to your home or take away!! 11:30 am – Departure and travel 21 miles – allow ½ hour Whispering Oaks Winery (lunch and tasting included). An Award- Winning Healthier Wine – Creating all wines with the freshest Florida Blueberries. Blueberries are arguably the healthiest fruit, with high antioxidant values. Journeying a bit into rural Florida, you will discover sprawling vineyards where a Holland-born, fruit-loving entrepreneur has turned his 58-acre farm into one of the fastest-growing Florida wineries in the state. Since blueberry wine contains more antioxidants than white wines, and even most red wines, the rousing success of this unique output comes as no real surprise, perhaps only to its owner who did not start out to run a winery. Learn the story behind this unique enterprise. The rustic tasting room converted from an old stable. ~Fun Fact: Each bottle of Whispering Oaks blueberry wine is made with a whopping 2.2 lbs. of blueberries, no water added. Lunch will be a Florida BBQ with blueberry BBQ sauces and various sides and dessert 2:00 pm – Departure and enjoy a drive NORTH of the Plantation for some beach walking or shell collecting. Don’t worry if you don’t find many shells, the group will go to the Shell Shop located near the property before returning to the resort area. 6:00 pm Departure with guide for Final FLORIDA GOODBYE Dinner included this evening at Charlies Seafood House, Crystal River Located on the waters-edge of Crystal River, where over a half-century long family tradition of providing great food awaits your dining pleasure! SELECT MENU TO BE ANNOUNCED. Be sure to take in the views and visit THE TREE and get a photo. For over 100 years the Live Oak Tree stood proud and tall, remaining unharmed while all the other trees lining the highway disappeared, obstacles to the growth and development of Crystal River. When it became apparent that the tree was dying limb by limb, sadly it was necessary to take it down. Not wanting the memory of it to fade away a famous sculptor of wood, Gil Watson, was commissioned to apply his talent with a chainsaw to create from the stump a Manatee and a Tarpon as a memorial to the tree which had been a landmark for so many years. Return to property around 8:00 pm to pack and get ready for tomorrows departure. ****************************************************************************** Day Seven – Saturday, February 18, 2023 (Breakfast included) 7:00 am – Breakfast Bid good-bye to your tour Ambassador. Gratuity is included 7:00 am – Luggage pick up 8:00 am- Departure and travel ************************************************************************** Day EIGHT – Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023 (Breakfast included) **We will overnight at Drury Inn & Suites, Montgomery, Al Depart for home this morning. ******************************************************************************** Package Includes: Based on 30 guests
Crystal Plantation – welcome dinner and final tropical dinner Peck’s Cove Dinner cruise to Crackers Restaurant Final FLORIDA night dinner at Charlie’s Lunch - Florida: Whispering Oaks with wine tasting *Attractions: Crystal River Resort History Presentation Valentines Bags for all Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park & Manatee Viewing Three Sisters Springs, Winter Home of the Manatees Shopping time lunch on own in Heritage Village Afternoon cruise Crystal River (with Manatees) Weeki Wachee Springs State Park & Mermaid Show, Ranger program, River cruise Odyssey Dolphin Cruise in Tarpon Springs Shopping time in Tarpon Springs Ferris Grove with fresh milk shake Whispering Oak Winery with tasting and live entertainment Free Day with plenty of choices (please refer to itinerary for Feb. 16, 2023) Evening sunset cruise to dinner at Crackers and then cruise back to the resort Single - $2335; Double p/p - $1815; Triple p/p - $1675; Quad p/p - $1595 First deposit $200 per person due September 28, 2022. Second deposit $200 due November 29, 2022. Refundable up until Dec. 1, 2022. All deposits are Non-Refundable after December 1, 2022. Final payment due on or before January 12, 2023. Cancellation insurance is strongly recommended for this trip. ****************************RESERVATION COUPON****************************** Name_______________________________________________ Address_____________________________________________ Phone #_____________________________________________ Single ____________Double___________Triple__________Quad_________ Roommate___________________________________ Please reserve your space by mailing this coupon and deposit to: Our Place Tours, 50421 Splunge Road, Greenwood Springs, MS 38848, call Alice Ortiz, 662-640-5273, or email ourplacetours@aol.com ***Because of high fuel prices, fuel surcharges are possible. |
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