Compare Roaming Western Trails by Tours of Distinction vs The South by Small Ship: Amelia Island, Bahamas, Charleston & More by Road Scholar
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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4.5 | Great
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| Duration | 8 days | 12 days |
| Price From | $ 3,789 | $ 6,299 |
| Price Per Day | $ 474 | $ 525 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Premium | Standard |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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N/A |
| Flights & Transport | Airfare included | No |
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| Meals Included |
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| Description |
Blaze an unforgettable trail experiencing the legends and lore of America’s Wild West. This trip includes a medley of manmade and natural attractions – of gargantuan proportions - from Yellowstone, and the Grand Tetons, to Mount Rushmore, and the Crazy Horse Memorial. Channel your inner pioneer spirit as you meet a colorful cast of characters in Cody, and the rough and tumble town of Deadwood. Unwind in the splendor of Jackson Hole’s profoundly beautiful landscape brimming with wildlife. Watch herds of buffalo graze against majestic mountain ranges as you float on Snake River, marvel at the timely precision of Old Faithful in Yellowstone, and have a close encounter with the nation’s first National Monument, Devil’s Tower in this small group guided tour. |
Journey along the waters of the Atlantic Ocean during this fascinating small-ship learning adventure that leads from Florida to Georgia, South Carolina and the Bahamas. |
Day 1 - Arrive Salt Lake City, Utah
If you’ve ever wanted to know what it was like to be an early Frontiersman, now is your chance! Transfer to the airport for your flight to Salt Lake City. Upon arrival, we will be greeted by our local guide and our awaiting motor-coach. Enjoy a city tour of Salt Lake City, where we will see downtown, the Capitol, Temple Square and more. We will check into our hotel before our ‘welcome’ dinner.
Day 2 - Salt Lake City - Jackson, WY
This morning, we will head over to Temple Square after breakfast. Here we will have a chance to see the world-famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir’s weekly broadcast performance. After, we say goodbye to Salt Lake City as we travel north along the shores of the Great Salt Lake. We will travel through Logan Canyon to beautiful Bear Lake for an included lunch. We will arrive into the fun town of Jackson, WY. Once we check into our hotel, the evening is free to explore the many shops, art galleries and restaurants on your own.
Day 3 - Jackson - Yellowstone National Park
This morning after breakfast, we are in for a wonderful experience as we are introduced to Grand Teton National Park on a half day scenic float trip on the Snake River! Enjoy amazing views of the Teton Mountains and wildlife viewing opportunities as your guide explains the geology and history of the area. After the float trip, we continue sightseeing of Grand Teton which will include: Jenny Lake, Colter Bay and Jackson Lake. Next, we enter into Yellowstone National Park, the world’s first National Park, for sightseeing including the heart of the park, Old Faithful. There will be time to witness an eruption and explore Old Faithful Village and the many thermal features in the area. Later this afternoon, we travel to West Yellowstone and check into our hotel. This evening is free to explore and have dinner on your own.
Day 4 - Yellowstone National Park - Cody, WY
After breakfast, we head back into Yellowstone National Park for another day of sightseeing. We will visit the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and pass through Hayden Valley and along the shores of Yellowstone Lake. As we exit the park, we enter into the historic town of Cody, where we will tour the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, which is five museums under one roof. Tonight, we enjoy food and entertainment at the Cody Cattle Company with a chuckwagon style dinner, traditional cowboy music and some laughs. Then, there is exciting cowboy action at the Cody Nite Rodeo!
Day 5 - Cody - Rapid City, SD
We will depart Cody after breakfast and continue East crossing the Bighorn Mountain. Our first stop is at Devil’s Tower National Monument for sightseeing of the country’s first National Monument. Later this afternoon, we will arrive at the historic town of Deadwood for sightseeing. This is a rough and tumble western town famous for outlaws, gunslingers and lawmen alike. There will be time to explore the town and have dinner, on your own, before continuing on to Rapid City, SD for a two night stay.
Day 6 - Rapid City
After breakfast, we take a short drive to Badlands National Park for sightseeing. This famous park consists of nearly 243,000 acres of sharply eroded buttes, pinnacles and spires blended with the largest, protected mixed grass prairie in the United States. After lunch, we travel to Custer State Park and the historic State Game Lodge to get up close and personal with the residents of this park as you head out on a Wildlife Jeep Safari to view the buffalo herds and much more. Next, we make our way to the Crazy Horse Monument for sightseeing of the unfinished mountain carving and insight into the Lakota culture. Then, join the group for an included dinner followed by a wonderfully patriotic and inspiring event as we attend the Mt. Rushmore Evening Lighting Ceremony!
Day 7 - Rapid City - Cheyenne, WY
We start our day after breakfast with a beautiful drive to Mt. Rushmore National Memorial, where we will have morning views of this magnificent monument. Depart the Black Hills and take your journey south returning to the plains of Wyoming. We make a stop at Fort Laramie National Historic Site for sightseeing and a picnic lunch. This afternoon, we continue to the capitol city of Cheyenne and check into our hotel. After, we have time to freshen up, we will enjoy a ‘farewell’ dinner, at the hotel.
Day 8 - Depart Cheyenne
After breakfast, we take a Trolley Tour of Cheyenne. After, a nice introduction to the city, we arrive at the Cheyenne Frontier Days grounds to experience a ‘Behind the Chutes Tour.’ The Cheyenne Frontier Days Arena is the home of the world’s largest outdoor rodeo each July. Get a first-hand look at what goes on during the rodeo from behind the scenes. This exiting tour follows the path of the bulls and broncs as the animals are rounded up and threaded through the maze of gates on their way to the chutes and out into the arena with cowboy in tow. A special experience awaits as we step into the chutes and finish the tour by walking across the arena. This afternoon, we will enjoy a western lunch before departing Cheyenne for the Denver International Airport for your departing flight.
Day 1 Check-In, Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation Jacksonville, FL
Program Registration. After you have your room assignment, come to the Road Scholar table in the lobby to register with the program staff
Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions.
At the hotel.
Day 2 Explore Amelia Island, Embark Ocean Voyager At Sea
We will dive into the history of Amelia Island, including the story of the visionary whose exhilarating dream so stirred his neighbors that they agreed to move their entire town to the site of a plantation he owned, creating "New" Fernandina in the 1850s. From the "giant" Timucua Native Americans, to Spanish and French explorers, to the lawless spirit of pirates, to the dignified air of Victorian-era residents, Amelia Island has been home to diverse cultures that have left a truly exciting heritage. We will observe the uniquely gracious and historic homes of another century and learn of the efforts to preserve their nearly extinct, pristine architectural styles, as well as the small town’s fragile sense of community and historical integrity. We will be making stops at key locations.
Following our field trip, we’ll transfer via motorcoach to the pier for embarkation. After completing embarkation procedures and boarding the Ocean Voyager, settle in to your cabin and take some time to freshen up before we participate in the ship’s required safety drill. We’ll then gather with our group for cocktails and hor d'oeuvres as we prepare to set out on our southern coastal learning adventure.
At leisure. Leisure time aboard ship offers an opportunity to create the kind of experience that is most personally meaningful and memorable. You might also enjoy spending time and making new friends with your fellow Road Scholars. Each evening, a copy of the ship’s daily schedule for the following day will be delivered to your cabin.
At hotel.
At a local restaurant.
In the main dining room, enjoy a 3-course plated and served meal featuring local cuisine plus juices, soft drinks, coffee, tea, water, beer, and wine.
Day 3 Sail to Savannah, GA At Sea
Like a graceful Southern belle, Savannah is where charming public squares and stately live oaks stand alongside meticulously restored, historic homes and enchanting cemeteries with ornate headstones. In some ways dignified and in others playful, the city is uniformly beautiful and goes out of its way to embody Southern hospitality. Hit the streets and squares of Savannah to discover what makes the city special, from Lowcountry cuisine to Civil War history and a mosaic of residents, past and present.
We’ll gather for a presentation on topics related to the program theme.
Aboard ship.
Aboard ship.
Aboard ship.
Day 4 Explore Savannah, GA At Sea
We will continue our exploration of Savannah. Learn how General Sherman entered Savannah in mid-December, 1864, after burning the city of Atlanta and everything else in his path on his “March to the Sea.” Upon entering Savannah, Sherman was said to be so impressed by its beauty that he could not destroy it. On December 22, 1864, he sent a famous telegram to President Abraham Lincoln, offering the city as a Christmas present.
Activity TBD.
Aboard ship.
Aboard ship.
Aboard ship.
Day 5 Sail to Charleston, SC At Sea
Known as the “Holy City” because of its many houses of worship, this was one of the few cities in colonial America to protect religious diversity. You'll explore and learn about magnificent dwellings, often adorned with graceful gardens, and the lives of the people who lived and worked there in one of the most popular historical cities in the USA.
Activity TBD.
Aboard ship.
Aboard ship.
Aboard ship.
Day 6 Beaufort (Port Royal), SC At Sea
Founded over 300 years ago, Beaufort is a scenic island community. Playing a prominent role in the Civil War, it's maintained its historic character through the preservation of its antebellum homes. Some of the stops on this field trip include the Santa Elena History Center, Beaufort National Cemetery and the local history museum.
Activity TBD.
Aboard ship.
Aboard ship.
Aboard ship.
Day 7 Brunswick, GA At Sea
Originally founded by the British in 1738, Brunswick has remained an important port city on the Atlantic Coast. Playing a major role in World War II, Brunswick operated the largest blimp base in the world at the time, offering protection for naval and commercial vessels against German U-boats. We will learn more about the history of this picturesque town during our visits to the Lighthouse Museum and the A.W. Jones Heritage Center.
Activity TBD.
Aboard ship.
Aboard ship.
Aboard ship.
Day 8 Jacksonville (St. Augustine), FL At Sea
Bright and bold living history awaits you in beautiful St. Augustine, Florida — the oldest city in America. What began as a Spanish fortress has transformed over the centuries into a charming seaside town brimming with Spanish, British, and Venetian Renaissance architecture. Local experts — some in period dress — spin gripping tales and present a dramatic overview of the city's remarkable history. Meet a soldier at the Lincolnville Museum to hear his stories, walk the sacred grounds of the Timucuan Indians and immerse yourself in the city's unique Old World charm. Viva San Augustin!
Activity TBD.
Aboard ship.
Aboard ship.
Aboard ship.
Day 9 Sailing the Atlantic Ocean At Sea
Full day aboard the ship
We’ll gather for a presentation on topics related to the program theme. Take advantage of the ship's amenities and entertainment.
We’ll gather for a presentation on topics related to the program theme.
Aboard ship.
Aboard ship.
Aboard ship.
Day 10 Sail to Freeport, Bahamas At Sea
This day is yours to explore as you please. There are no shore excursions offered on this day. Just steps from this bustling commercial hub you can find incredible flora and fauna, from white sand beaches to underwater caves.
We’ll gather for a presentation on topics related to the program theme.
Aboard ship.
Aboard ship.
Aboard ship.
Day 11 Port Canaveral, FL At Sea
Known as the "Space Coast", Port Canaveral is home to the Kennedy Space Center. We will learn about the missions conducted by NASA and SpaceX, and have a chance to take in the beauty of the area's sandy beaches.
Activity TBD.
Aboard ship.
Aboard ship.
Aboard ship.
Day 12 Disembarkation in Fernandina Beach. Program Concludes. Jacksonville, FL
Getting on/off a motorcoach.
Disembark the ship and transfer to the airport.
Aboard ship.
