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The Thrill of Flight

Program Number: 16190RJ
Start and End Dates:
4/21/2013 - 4/26/2013;
Duration: 5 nights
Location: St. Petersburg, Florida
Price starting at: $658.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Science & Nature
Meals: 15; 5 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 5 Dinners    
Meal Options: Low Fat; Low Salt; Vegetarian; Gluten Free    

In the Florida city where commercial aircraft first soared skyward in 1914, discover the dreams and realities of flight in a fascinating aviation adventure. Explore the working restoration shop of the world’s largest private collection of vintage aircraft. Go behind the scenes of the award-winning Tampa International Airport. Experience narrated visits to hangars and an observation tower, and hear pilots and flight experts bring to life the triumphs of famous aviators and speculate on the future of flight.




Highlights

• Spend the day at Fantasy of Flight — home to 40 rare and vintage aircraft — and walk through a mock World War II combat zone.
• Gain special insider access at Tampa International Airport to appreciate its architecture and the challenges of airport security, airfield maintenance, cargo transport and more.
• Visit the busiest and largest Coast Guard Air Station in the country.



Activity Particulars

Boarding/disembarking coaches, standing during field trips, climbing stairs, some uneven terrain, some sites without elevators.



Coordinated by Eckerd College.




St. Petersburg (Florida)

Known as the “Sunshine City” with an average of 361 sunny days per year, “St. Pete” has 234 miles of shoreline and boasts 125 city parks, as well as one of America’s top-ranked beaches and the largest municipal arena in the southeast.
Accommodations
Comfortable, convenient on-campus accommodations in our adult education conference center, with swimming pool and tennis courts.
Meals and Lodgings
   Magnuson Hotel - Marina Cove
  St. Petersburg, Florida 5 nights
 Magnuson Hotel - Marina Cove
Type: Hotel
  Description: With two pools and private beach, this full service 18-acre tropical resort is located directly on Tampa Bay. Convenient to nearby Gulf beaches and area attractions and all there is to do in St. Pete and the Tampa Bay area.
  Contact info: 6800 Sunshine Skyway Lane
St. Petersburg, FL 33711 USA
phone: 727-867-1151
web: http://www.marinacoveresort.com
  Room amenities: Clock radio; coffee maker; free local phone calls' hair dryer; microwave (on request); refrigerator; 2nd floor rooms have a balcony
  Facility amenities: Arcade and game room; ATM; bar and lounge; fitness center; gift shop; wireless internet access in public areas; laundry facilities; private beach; hot tub; 2 outdoor swimming pools; shuffleboard, tennis and volleyball courts.
  Smoking allowed: No
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights prior: call for prices Call the hotel directly at 727-867-1151 for prices.
  Check in time: 4:00 PM
  Additional nights after: call for prices Call the hotel directly at 727-867-1151 for prices.
  Check out time: 11:00 AM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
Approximately 5:00pm. You will be staying at Magnuson Hotel - Marina Cove that night.
  End of Program:
1:00pm. You will be staying at Magnuson Hotel - Marina Cove the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required.
  Parking availability:
Parking is free and available close to the accommodations.
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  St. Petersburg, Florida
  Nearest city or town:  Tampa, Clearwater
  Nearest highway: I-275
  Nearest airport:  Tampa International Airport and St. Petersburg/Clearwater International
  From End of Program
  Location: 
Travel Details
 

To/From Magnuson Hotel

 

From Train Station

 
 

Service:

 

Taxi
Amtrak
phone: 813-221-7600
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

Call for current rates
Prices are subject to change.
   

Amtrak: 601 N. Nebraska Avenue Tampa, FL 33602 Taxi: Yellow:813-253-0121 United:813-253-2424

 

To/From Magnuson Hotel

 

From Bus Terminal

 
 

Service:

 

Taxi
Greyhound Lines
phone: 727-898-1496

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

Call for current rates
Prices are subject to change.
   

Greyhound Lines 180 9th Street North St. Petersburg, Fl 33705 Taxi: United:727-535-0000 Clearwater Yellow:727-799-2222

 

Tampa International Airport & St. Petersburg/Clearwater International Airport

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
Supershuttle
phone: 800-282-6817

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

Call for current rates
Prices are subject to change.
   

Website: supershuttle.com Reservations are recommended, but not necessary

 

Tampa International Airport & St. Petersburg/Clearwater International Airport

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Taxi

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

Call for current rates
Prices are subject to change.
   

Tampa Airport: Yellow:813-253-0121 United:813-253-2424 St. Petersburg/Clearwater Airport United:727-535-0000 Clearwater Yellow:727-799-2222

 

Tampa International Airport & St. Petersburg/Clearwater International Airport

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
Car Rental

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

Call for current rates
Prices are subject to change.
   

Tampa Airport Car Rental Avis:800-831-2847 Budget:800-527-0700 Dollar:800-800-4000 Hertz:800-736-8222 Thrifty:800-847-4389 St. Petersburg/Clearwater Airport Alamo:727-530-5491 Avis:727-530-5491 Budget:727-535-5263 Dollar:727-531-3557 Enterprise:727-524-1239 Hertz:727-531-3774

 
Driving Directions
  North: I-4 or I-75 south, merging onto I-275 (St. Petersburg). You will travel approximately 20 miles, all the way through Tampa, across Tampa Bay and past the downtown St. Petersburg exits. Take I-275 south to exit 16. Turn left at the stop. Turn right on Sunshine Skyway Lane. The Magnuson Hotel will be on your left.
  South: I-75 north to I-275. Cross the Sunshine Skyway Bridge ($1.00 toll). Take exit 16, right onto Sunshine Skyway Lane. The Magnuson Hotel will be on your right.
  St.Pete/Clearwater International Airport: Turn left onto Roosevelt Blvd. (686) as you exit the airport. Follow to Ulmerton Road. Take I-275 south to exit 16. Turn left at the stop. Turn right on Sunshine Skyway Lane. The Magnuson Hotel will be on your left.
  Tampa International Airport: I-275 south (St. Petersburg). You will travel approximately 20 miles, all the way through Tampa, across Tampa Bay and past the downtown St. Petersburg exits. Take I-275 south to exit 16. Turn left at the stop. Turn right on Sunshine Skyway Lane. The Magnuson Hotel will be on your left.
Elevation Note: Sea level.
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Arrival/Continuing Education Center Dining Hall/Orientations - Introductions
(Sunday, April 21)
   
 Afternoon: Check-in at Magnuson Hotel front desk. Proceed to meeting room for registration and receipt of program materials that contain the up-to-date itinerary.
 Dinner: Dinner at the hotel
 Evening: Our coordinator will go over the week's program and orientation. Mutual introductions with your fellow participants will also be a delightful part of the evening's schedule. PLEASE NOTE: WHILE EVERY EFFORT HAS BEEN MADE TO ENSURE THE ACCURACY AND COMPLETENESS OF THE SCHEDULE BASED ON THE BEST INFORMATION AVAILABLE, CIRCUMSTANCES COULD REQUIRE US TO ADJUST THE ORDER OF PROGRAM ELEMENTS OR OTHER DETAILS. WE APPRECIATE YOUR UNDERSTANDING.
   
Accommodations: Magnuson Hotel - Marina Cove
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Field Trip to Fantasy of Flight/Fantasy of Flight/Fantasy of Flight Field Trip Continues/History of Aviation
(Monday, April 22)
   
 Breakfast: Buffet breakfast at the hotel with at least one hot item. Assorted fruit, juices, coffee and tea.
 Morning: Spend the day at Fantasy of Flight (www.fantasyofflight.com). This stunning art deco facility is home to more than 40 rare and vintage aircraft, many of which have been restored to flyable condition -- the greatest private aircraft collection in the world. In the morning, you'll be guided through the facility with themed sight and sound immersion experiences cataloging memorable moments in aviation history, recall groundbreaking achievements of aviators from early flight through World War II.
 Lunch: As a special highlight, we will have lunch in the Officer's Club.
 Afternoon: We'll explore a real working restoration shop for a close-up look at the expert craftmanship required to keep the museum's collection in flyable condition. You will also have free time to explore the Flight Center on your own and experiment, from the basics of paper airplanes to a state-of-the art hang-glide stimulator. Before returning to campus, we will (weather permitting) have a unique opportunity to see rare aircraft in flight and speak with the pilot.
 Dinner: Dinner location TBD
 Evening: Enjoy a fascinating lecture by one of our esteemed lecturers who will discuss the history of aviation from the Wright Brothers to the present day.
   
Accommodations: Magnuson Hotel - Marina Cove
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Field Trip to St. Petersburg History Museum/Field Trip to Whitted Airport and Campus Excursion/Movie Night
(Tuesday, April 23)
   
 Breakfast: Buffet breakfast at the hotel with at least one hot item. Assorted fruit, juices, coffee and tea.
 Morning: Jim Schnur, our Florida historian, will discuss tourism and flight at the museum. The St. Petersburg History Museum, founded in 1920, is the first museum in St. Petersburg and the third oldest in Florida. Professor Schnur will lecture in the First Flight Gallery, commemorating the first commercial airline flight that took place in 1914 from St. Petersburg. Following the lecture, you will be free to explore the rest of the museum until we return to campus for lunch.
 Lunch: Lunch location TBD
 Afternoon: We will spend the afternoon visiting our downtown St. Petersburg Whitted Airport, the birthplace of scheduled airline flight in 1914. Part of private airport, which serves over 100,000 flight operations a year, has the distinction of having one of the nation's first airlines, National Airlines, began service in 1934. After leaving Whitted, we will take a motorcoach trip around Eckerd College.
 Dinner: Dinner location TBD
 Evening: Evening: Film - Choice realting to our aviation theme program to be announced
   
Accommodations: Magnuson Hotel - Marina Cove
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Lectures on Famous Aviators and the Future of Flight/Behind-The-Scenes Field Trip: Tampa International Airport/Evening Musical Concert
(Wednesday, April 24)
   
 Breakfast: Buffet breakfast at the hotel with at least one hot item. Assorted fruit, juices, coffee and tea.
 Morning: Hal Hultman, professor of research and engineering, will explore the courage and determination that inspired men and women to soar to the skies and free them from the boundaries of earth. After refreshments, you'll be joined by a pilot who will discuss personal experiences and the growth of fight -- yesterday, today and tomorrow.
 Lunch: Lunch location TBD
 Afternoon: Tampa International Airport is an award winning facility thanks to its unique architectural design and travel friendly functionality. Join us on a special behind-the-scenes field trip to learn about and observe airport security enhancements, airfield maintenance, air cargo, the fire exercise training facility, security search area and more. As the planes land and take off next to us, we will learn about the landing systems, runways and taxiways.
 Dinner: Dinner location TBD
 Evening: Evening of Musical Entertainment
   
Accommodations: Magnuson Hotel - Marina Cove
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Lecures in the morning/Free afternoon in Downtown St.Petersburg/Evening of Music
(Thursday, April 25)
   
 Breakfast: Buffet breakfast at the hotel with at least one hot item. Assorted fruit, juices, coffee and tea.
 Morning: Lectures on aviation and flight. TBA Lite refreshments served between morning lectures.
 Lunch: CEC location TBD
 Afternoon: Free afternoon in Downtown St. Petersburg
 Dinner: CEC location TBD
 Evening: Evening of Musical Entertainment
   
Accommodations: Magnuson Hotel - Marina Cove
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Visit Coast Guard/Last day of program
(Friday, April 26)
   
 Breakfast: Buffet breakfast at the hotel with at least one hot item. Assorted fruit, juices, coffee and tea.
 Morning: For our last field trip this week, we will explore the Coast Guard Sector of St. Petersburg, established in 2005 through the integration of Marine Safety Office Tampa and Group St. Petersburg, Florida. A Coast Guard officer will explain the importance of our 380 miles of Florida coastline covering nearly the entire West Coast of Florida. Our field trip will also feature the use of heliocopters and a visit to the hangars.
 Lunch: After lunch at the hotel, the program concludes.
   
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

What’s included in this Road Scholar program?



Except for the occasional meal on some programs, Road Scholar programs are all-inclusive. That means there are no extra “options,” no passing the hat for tips and no surprises. From lectures and field trips to gratuities and accommodations – the price you pay up front is the price you pay.

Specifically, this program includes:


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