Georgia Island Adventure

Featuring: Jekyll Island * St. Simon’s Island

1st Day: We begin our journey south, passing through South Carolina and into Georgia, stopping for breakfast and lunch en route. Our home for the next three nights will be on Jekyll Island - one of the Golden Isles of Georgia. We will check into the hotel and enjoy free time in the area, with dinner on your own.

2nd Day: After breakfast at the hotel, our day begins with a Jekyll Island Landmark Historic Tour.  This guided trolley tour through the 240-acre historic district includes entry into a historic structure and admission into the Mosaic Gallery. The in-depth and interactive exhibits at the Gallery draw you in, while stunning visuals and audio tell the tale of this magical island. Constructed completely within the existing footprint of the historic stables building, the design highlights the building’s construction with high lofted ceilings and open space. Next up is the Georgia Sea Turtle Center! Through sea turtle rehabilitation, research and education programs, the Georgia Sea Turtle Center will increase awareness of habitat and wildlife conservation challenges, promote responsibility for ecosystem health and empower individuals to act locally, regionally, and globally to protect the environment.  The Georgia Sea Turtle Center is a hospital for ill and injured sea turtles. This is the only hospital of its kind in the state of Georgia. The Center is open to the general public and offers an interactive Exhibit Gallery and Rehabilitation Pavilion with a number of viewable sea turtle patients. After our visit, we will have lunch on our own with shopping in the Jekyll Island Historic district while we get ready for our afternoon Dolphin Tour. The waters around Jekyll Island are home to one of the world’s largest populations of beautiful bottlenose dolphins. Join us as we travel to the scenic waterways of Jekyll Island and see a diversity of marvelous creatures including sea turtles, manatees, egrets, herons, roseate spoonbills, osprey, and more! After the Dolphin Tour, we will enjoy a wonderful dinner at Tribuzio’s Grill. Returning to the hotel after dinner, the remainder of the evening is free for you to do as you wish. (CB, D)

3rd Day: A local guide will join us for today’s activities, the first of which is a tour of the Okefenokee Swamp. Getting to the Okefenokee Swamp is half the fun!  This Land of the Trembling Earth has been home to Native Americans, trappers, traders and outlaws, as well as unusual animals, flora and fauna, multitudes of birds, and, of course, alligators.  Once accessible to only the stouthearted adventurer, today everyone can enjoy this magnificent wildlife sanctuary.  While at the park, a guide will interpret the major exhibits, you will see a film about the Okefenokee, and experience a beautiful, wonderful boat ride into the waterways of the swamp. Depending upon the time of the year, you may hear bull alligators bellowing or see unusual migrating birds and butterflies that inhabit this area that was once the edge of the sea. We will have a wonderful picnic lunch and time to enjoy the exhibits and grounds before saying goodbye to this beautiful natural area. Our next stop will be on St. Simons Island for a tour of the St. Simons Lighthouse and Museum. With only 129 steps to the top, it’s one of the easier climbs to experience spectacular, panoramic views of the coast including Jekyll Island, the mainland, and the south end of St. Simons Island. The Keeper’s Dwelling is a two-story Victorian structure that was the home of lighthouse keepers from 1872 until the 1950s. Today it houses the Lighthouse Museum, and includes interactive exhibits, rare artifacts, and period rooms that reveal the history of St. Simons Island and the life of a lighthouse keeper. Dinner on your own will be in the St. Simons Village area before returning to the hotel for the evening. (CB, L)

4th Day: With fond memories of the Golden Isles of Georgia, we board the coach after breakfast. We will visit the historic district in Savannah en route for lunch on your own and shopping before continuing the last portion of our journey. Arriving back approximately 7:00 PM. (CB)

Special Notice: Balance is due 30 days prior to departure. Cancellation within 30 days of departure will result in payment forfeiture.