Head toward the scenic beauty and languid lifestyle of the Florida Keys. Stop first on the island of Marathon to visit the Dolphin Research Center, to interact with the dolphins while skilled trainers educate you about their work. After lunch, visit the Turtle Hospital and learn about the types of sea turtles, the ecological challenges they face in Florida, and how the staff protects and cares for sick or injured turtles. Continue to the tip of the archipelago and the infamous town of Key West. Your evening is at leisure to embrace the sights, sounds and beautiful sunset on your own. Next morning, head to the Ernest Hemingway House and Museum, where the author wrote about 70% of his lifetime works over ten years. Partake in a 30-minute guided tour of the house and grounds and enjoy the whimsy of the six-toed cats that live here. Next, visit the Key West Aquarium, home to alligators, jellyfish, shark, and many other local marine animals including grouper, moray eel, barracuda, tarpon, and parrot fish. After some leisure time, embark on a two-hour “beer & wine” sunset cruise. FAIRFIELD INN & SUITES BY MARRIOT KEY WEST.

Rise early and depart on a high-speed catamaran to Dry Tortugas National Park. Enjoy a continental breakfast on board, while a naturalist gives an orientation about the area and your destination. As you cruise through tropical waters, enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Marquesa Islands, Boca Grande, and the frequent turtle and dolphin sightings this stretch of water is known for. The upper deck is open to the sea air and sights and sounds of marine life. Dry Tortugas National Park consists of a cluster of seven islands (called the Dry Tortugas) and the surrounding coral reefs and waters. Disembark at Fort Jefferson, located on Garden Key. Learn about the most exciting details of the fort’s history and enjoy a picnic lunch in the shade of a palm tree. Take advantage of swimming, snorkeling, beach walking, exploring, birding, and the flora and fauna of this pristine island. Return to Key West and freshen up before the sunset celebration at Mallory Square, followed by a group dinner. FAIRFIELD INN & SUITES BY MARRIOT KEY WEST.

Enjoy your last morning in Key West before setting out on your drive back to Miami. Stop for lunch at Robbie’s Marina and feed the massive tarpon fish just off the docks. Head to the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo, America’s first undersea park. Step aboard a glass bottom boat to explore the shallow reefs teeming with amazing marine life. Next morning, discover the Flamingo area of the Everglades, a bird-watcher’s haven and an outdoor enthusiast’s dream. Enjoy a 90-minute Florida backcountry boat tour where a naturalist will highlight the unique plant and animal life found, and outline the rich history of Flamingo Everglades National Park. Continue your exploration however you see fit, via canoe, kayak, skiff, bicycle, or on foot. Every type of heron found in the USA has been identified at Eco Pond. Egret, Anhinga, Red-shouldered Hawk, and White Ibis are frequently seen, along with alligator and both Florida red-bellied turtle and huge Florida softshell turtle. Return to Miami where your evening is at leisure. TOWNEPLACE SUITES BY MARRIOT MIAMI KENDALL WEST.

To truly appreciate the Everglades, you must get down into the heart of it. As you head toward Gator Park, the gently waving grasses, clear ponds, and pinelands of this utterly unique estuary begin to open to you. Take an airboat ride through the mangrove forest and learn about the flora diversity as you cruise up the Buttonwood Canal. There is always the chance to see alligator, American crocodile, and numerous bird species anywhere in the ‘Glades,’ but especially when you’re on board an airboat. Then, drive along the infamous Tamiami Trail. Much of the park’s vast wetlands are still inaccessible, with a few remote hammocks and islets remaining unexplored to this day. However, the rich biodiversity of the park is easily accessible by foot. Visit the sawgrass wilderness of Shark Valley, one of three distinct sections of the Everglades. Meet your ranger at the visitors’ center for a guided tram tour through a lush, sub-tropical hardwood forest. Look for alligator holes, one of the key features of the terrain, and search for alligator, deer, turtle, heron, egret, Cape sable seaside Sparrow, and Snail Kite. Marvel at the panoramic views from the top of the observation tower at the half-way point, and really get a sense of the magnificence of this “river of grass.” Drive to Ft. Myers and check into your hotel in the late afternoon. BEST WESTERN PLUS BEACH RESORT.

Spend most of the day at the JN Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, located on a barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico just off Sanibel Island. This place is home to the largest undeveloped mangrove ecosystem in the world and is famous for migratory bird populations. Explore the refuge by tram and boat, with a tour along Wildlife Drive narrated by an experienced naturalist. After lunch, board a covered pontoon boat and set off to explore Tarpon Bay. End your day searching for seashells, one of the things for which Sanibel Island is best known. Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner with your group. BEST WESTERN PLUS BEACH RESORT.

Time to return home, bringing with you, fond memories of South Florida’s magic.