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Inside Fort Lauderdale: The Venice of America

Program Number: 20901RJ
Start and End Dates:
2/24/2013 - 3/1/2013; 1/26/2014 - 1/31/2014; 2/9/2014 - 2/14/2014; 2/23/2014 - 2/28/2014; 3/2/2014 - 3/7/2014;
Duration: 5 nights
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Price starting at: $1,199.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: History & Culture Activity Level: t (see description)
Meals: 13; 5 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 4 Dinners    
Meal Options: Vegetarian    

Fort Lauderdale remained a virtual wilderness until the arrival of the railroad in 1896. Learn about its fascinating, multi-faceted history and culture, and see for yourself how pristine nature and advanced technology coexist in the Venice of America. Field trips highlight architecture, natural beauty and magnificent gardens, and you meet members of the local community who help you get to know Fort Lauderdale from the perspective of an insider.




Highlights

• Journey by boat the city’s beautiful canals with a local expert and learn about its history from Trading Post to Yacht Capital of the World.
• Explore some of Fort Lauderdale’s most historic sites, including the Stranahan House and Bonnet House Museum and Gardens.
• Discover an 'Old Florida" Homestead, and receive a behind the scenes exploration of a Seminole/Miccosukee Archive.



Activity Particulars

Walking up to five blocks in historic areas, flat terrain.




Date Specific Information

2-24-2013, 1-26-2014, 2-9-2014, 2-23-2014, 3-2-2014

Enjoy the latest in hearing technology — listening devices — on this date.



Coordinated by Road Scholar.




Fort Lauderdale

Situated between Miami and Palm Beach, and embraced by the Atlantic Ocean, New River and myriad inland waterways, Fort Lauderdale is justly known as the "Venice of America." Its semi-tropical climate, natural beauty and rich array of cultural, educational and entertainment resources offer an outstanding quality of life.
Accommodations
Resort hotel on the beach.
Meals and Lodgings
   Bahia Mar Beach Resort
  Bahia Mar Beach Resort 5 nights
 Bahia Mar Beach Resort
Type: Resort
  Description: Ocean and Marina Views- in room movies and video games In-room safe, coffee maker , coffee and tea ironing board and iron, hair dryer work desk, High speed Internet access in all rooms
  Contact info: 801 Seabreeze Blvd.
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 USA
phone: 954-764-2233
web: www.bahiamarhotel.com
  Room amenities: Ocean and Marina Views- in room movies and video games In-room safe, coffee maker , coffee and tea ironing board and iron, hair dryer work desk, High speed internet access in all rooms
  Facility amenities: Three restaurants to choose from, roof top pool, free tennis and racket ball courts,shops within the resort, beach is steps from the resort, fishing fleets and fishing and sightseeing cruises for your free time.Water taxi stop at the marina, located minutes from famous Las Olas Blvd.
  Smoking allowed: No
  Bathroom: Large Bath room with shelf space for your bath products
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights prior: Ask at the office Call and ask for Sales office. Tell them you are part of the Road Scholar group and they will quote the rate.
  Check in time: 4:00 PM
  Additional nights after: Ask at the office Call and ask for Sales office. Tell them you are part of the Road Scholar group and they will quote the rate.
  Check out time: 11:00 AM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
3:00 pm You will be staying at Bahia Mar Beach Resort that night.
  End of Program:
12:00pm You will be staying at Bahia Mar Beach Resort the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required.
  Parking availability:
Yes, valet parking at $18 per day or self parking for $10 per day,
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  Bahia Mar Beach Resort
  Nearest city or town:  Ft. Lauderdale
  Nearest highway: AIA
  Nearest airport:  Ft. Lauderdale International
  From End of Program
  Location: Bahia Mar Beach Resort
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
Travel Details
 

Ft. Lauderdale Airport

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
Go Airport Shuttle
phone: 954-561-8888
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

A private car costs $40-45
Prices are subject to change.
 

Distance:

 

7 miles
   

After you get your luggage go to ground transportation and there are more options for cabs, etc.
 

Ft Lauderdale Airport

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Taxi
Numerous

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

Approximatly $20
Prices are subject to change.
 

Distance:

 

7 miles
   

Go to Ground Transportation upon arrival at the airport.
 
Driving Directions
  From Fort Lauderdale International Airport Exit the airport onto US 1 North. Turn right onto SE 17th Street (A1A). Follow this for approximately 2 miles. The hotel is on your left.
  From I-75 Coming down I-75 South, merge onto I-595 East. Take exit 12B to merge onto /U.S. 1 N/S Federal Hwy toward Ft Lauderdale. Turn right onto SouthEast 17th Street. The hotel is on your left.
  From I-95 North Coming north on I-95, Take exit 29 and turn left onto Sunrise Boulevard East to Fort Lauderdale Beach. Take a left onto Atlantic Ave. North, which turns into Seabreeze Boulevard (A1A) for approximately 1.5 miles. The hotel is on your right.
  I 95 North/South Driving directions to Bahia Mar Beach Resort (888) 802-2442 Suggested routes Interstate 95 1. Head north on I-95 N toward Exit 6A 18.3 mi 2. Take exit 24 to merge onto I-595 E toward Port Everglades/Ft Laud-Hlwd/International Airport 2.7 mi 3. Take exit 12B to merge onto FL-5 N/Florida A1A N/US-1 N toward Ft Lauderdale 1.8 mi 4. Turn right at SE 17th St/Florida A1A N Continue to follow Florida A1A N 3.0 mi 5. Turn left at E Las Olas Blvd 449 ft 6. Take the 1st left onto Florida A1A S/Seabreeze Blvd Destination will be on the right 0.4 mi Bahia Mar Beach Resort 801 Seabreeze BoulevardFort Lauderdale, FL 33316 Seabreeze Blvd. You will see the Resort on your right Head north on I-95 N toward Exit 26 0.3 mi 2. Take exit 26 for FL-736/Davie Blvd 0.3 mi 3. Turn right at Davie Blvd/FL-736 E 1.6 mi 4. Turn left at S Andrews Ave 0.8 mi 5. Turn right at E Las Olas Blvd 2.3 mi 6. Turn right at Florida A1A S/Seabreeze Blvd Destination will be on the right 0.4 mi Bahia Mar Beach Resort 801 Seabreeze BoulevardFort Lauderdale, FL 33316
Elevation Note: 3 ft. above 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: Check-in, Welcome Dinner and Orientation
(Sunday, February 24)
   
 Afternoon: HOTEL CHECK-IN: Available from 3:00pm.

PROGRAM REGISTRATION: After you have your room assignment, come over to the Road Scholar desk in the lobby to pick up your arrival packet containing your name tag, the up-to-date schedule, and to confirm the time of the orientation session. Please be aware that program activities and scheduled times could change due to local circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
 Dinner: Enjoy dinner at the hotel.
 Evening: ORIENTATION : We'll review the schedule and any changes; discuss responsibilities, safety guidelines, emergency procedures; and answer any questions you may have. You'll also have an opportunity to meet the program staff and your fellow participants.
   
Accommodations: Bahia Mar Beach Resort
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Learn about the the waterways of Ft. Lauderdale, visit the historic Stranahan House, and learn about the infamous Ashley Gang
(Monday, February 25)
   
 Breakfast: Full breakfast at the hotel
 Morning: Enjoy a lecture by Jim Sweeney about the canals in his presentation - The Waterways of Ft. Lauderdale: Yesterday and Today.
 Lunch: Lunch at local restaurant
 Afternoon: Visit the Ft. Lauderdale's historic Stranahan House. A guided tour of this house is like a journey through time when the Seminole Indians made friends with a young Ohioan who settled in this frontier town now known as Ft. Lauderdale. The Stranahan House, with its FL vernacular style, has served as a trading post, town hall, post office and bank. restored to its 1913 configuration, it's a "must see in S. FL.
 Dinner: Dinner Bubba Gump. Remember the famous saying "Life is like a box of Chocolates?"
 Evening: Long before Al Capone and his Chicago mob began rum-running from the Bahamas into the Jupiter Inlet, there was the infamous "Ashley Gang"- Florida's answer to the "James Boys" A wonderful story told by a terrific story-teller -Eliot Kleinberg
   
Accommodations: Bahia Mar Beach Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Learn about the Seminoles and visit to Bonnet House Museum and Gardens.
(Tuesday, February 26)
   
 Breakfast: Full breakfast at the hotel
 Morning: Explore the Bonnet Main House which houses a collection of art and the personal treasures of the Birch/Bartlett families.
 Lunch: Enjoy a picnic lunch at the this 35 acre subtropical estate and historic house museum - the Bonnet House Museum.
 Afternoon: Following lunch you are free to walk around the surrounding grounds of the estate ranging from a mangrove swamp to a coastal hammock, providing habitat for a variety of fish, monkeys and other wildlife.
 Dinner: Dinner is on your own this evening so you can take in some of the local flavor.
 Evening: Enjoy a presentation from a representative of WPBT, So. Florida's public TV station. She will discuss the "behind the scenes" activities of this very popular and important station.
   
Accommodations: Bahia Mar Beach Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4: The Historic District and the Ft. Lauderdale Fire Museum
(Wednesday, February 27)
   
 Breakfast: Full breakfast at the hotel
 Morning: Enjoy an exploration of the Historic District of Fort Lauderdale. Site visits include, New River Museum, King Cromartie Museum and the 1899 replica of the old schoolhouse.
 Lunch: Lunch at a local spot
 Afternoon: After lunch visit a historic Homestead and listen to a lecture about the Seminole Indians. Later in the afternoon visit the Ft. Lauderdale Fire Museum. The nearly 100 years of advancement and service of the Ft. Lauderdale Fire Dept. are highlighted through photos, videos, historic uniforms and equipment. Learn about major fires and emergencies that challenged the fire fighters through the years.
 Dinner: Dinner will be at Lester's Diner. A Ft. Lauderdale favorite for over 50 years.
 Evening: Enjoy an evening on your own.
   
Accommodations: Bahia Mar Beach Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Florida Public Television presentation and Ft. Lauderdale Art Museum.
(Thursday, February 28)
   
 Breakfast: Full breakfast at the hotel
 Morning: Visit the Ft. Lauderdale Art Museum. When Ira Glackens, son of American impressionist William Glackens, died in 1991, he left his substantial collection of works by his father to the Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale. (this is just one of the permanent exhibits).
 Lunch: Lunch of your choice in the area, on your own.
 Afternoon: Enjoy your afternoon at your leisure. Swim at the pool, tennis at the resort, walk the beach or just relax.
 Dinner: Spend your last evening in Ft. Lauderdale on a sightseeing dinner cruise. For over 60 years, Florida's legendary Jungle Queen Dinner Cruise has delighted visitors to South FL. This is a fun filled relaxing evening aboard this magical riverboat. Enjoy all you can eat while you watch a variety show with sing along. There is nothing else like it!
   
Accommodations: Bahia Mar Beach Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6: The history of Ft. Lauderdale
(Friday, March 1)
   
 Breakfast: Enjoy a full breakfast at the hotel
 Morning: Jim Sweeny will return to wrap up the program with a lecture about Ft. Lauderdale history.
 Lunch: Box lunch to go
   
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Free Time Opportunities
  
  Bahia Mar Beach Resort International Swimming Hall of Fame
The International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, is the mecca and international showplace for swimming, diving, water polo and synchronized swimming. The Museum, Library and Archive contain the world's largest collection of aquatic memorabilia and the single largest source of aquatic books, manuscripts and literature. For additional information, visit http://www.ishof.org
  Ft. Lauderdale Antique Car Museum
The Ft. Lauderdale Antique Car Museum is a reproduction of a Packard showroom from the 1920's. When you visit, you will see a piece of this great American automotive history. On display are 22 Packard motor cars from the 1900's to the 1940's, all in full working order. There are Roadsters with compartments for golf clubs, a doctor's coupe with a compartment for his medical bag, and a 1929 645 Dual Cowl Phaeton that can self-lubricate its chassis as it drives along the road. These automobiles were some of the finest cars ever made and the workmanship is hard to find even today. For additional information, visit http://antiquecarmuseum.org/
  Las Olas Boulevard
South Florida’s most architecturally unique, authentic, and eclectic shopping and dining district. Stroll the boulevard, duck in and out of the hip breezeways, and be delighted by what you discover. Nowhere else in Florida will you find over 30 al fresco dining options, 10 major international art galleries, and 65 shops filled with fashion, accessories, gifts, and more.
  Museum of Discovery and Science
The Museum of Discovery and Science provides experiential pathways to lifelong learning in science for children and adults through exhibits, programs, and films. Founded in 1976 as The Discovery Center, the nonprofit facility serves approximately 400,000 visitors each year. For additional information, visit http://www.mods.org/
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.

Suggested Reading List


Wicked Palm Beach


Author: Eliot Kleinberg (speaker)


Description: During the prohibition era, the Royal Poinciana Hotel in Palm Beach featured a secret hallway that led to a clandestine speakeasy called 'Hypocrite's Row.' About the same time, the infamous Ashley gang, a ragtag band of violent criminals, had South Florida gripped in fear. Indeed, few eras in few places were as exciting, outrageous and tragic as the period between World War I and the hammer fall of the Great Depression, when Florida partied, passed out and woke up with one heck of a hangover. From rumrunners to pirates, mobsters to moguls, Palm Beach County has hosted its fair share of questionable characters over the decades. Meet the faces and places that have shaped Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast with renowned local author Eliot Kleinberg, who draws on his 'Post Time' column in the Palm Beach Post to offer this unique glimpse into the extraordinary



Ft. Lauderdale: The Venice of America


Author: Susan Gillis


Description: Taking its name from a fortification established more than 160 years ago during the Second Seminole War, Fort Lauderdale boasts a history stretching back 5,000 years before the first white settlers arrived in the eighteenth century. From beautiful tales of the "mysterious" New River that helped launch the community to more recent stories of rum running and gambling, segregation and integration, and boom and bust, the history of this Florida city is told here through the everyday lives of those who lived it.



The Stranahans of Ft. Lauderdale: A Pioneer Family of New RIver


Author: Harry A. Kersey, JR


Description: "When they married in 1900, Frank and Ivy Stranahan began a life together on the Florida frontier that would shape and define the development of one of the state's most sophisticated urban centers. Pioneering spirit and economic enterprise linked them to Seminole Indians, venture capitalists, and colorful entrepreneurs along the New River settlement. Today they are recognized as a founding family of Fort Lauderdale and their riverfront home has been restored and designated a National Historic Landmark. From business and politics to social welfare, women's rights, and environmentalism, distinguished historian Harry Kersey journeys back in time to provide an engaging look at Fort Lauderdale's early years and the personalities that left an indelible mark on the history of the region and the state of Florida."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved



O.B. Padgett- A florida Son


Author: Alice L. Luckhardt


Description: There are always individuals in a region's history that can be overlooked or 'lost' over time. One such person I have now brought to the forefront of the history in Martin County, Florida. He was one of the youngest city Chief of Police in Florida. This Florida native was Oren B. "O. B." Padgett, from Taylor County, Florida. The timeframe was the 1920s, a period of bootleggers and outlaws during America's Prohibition era. O. B. served as a Deputy Sheriff then Stuart's Chief of Police from 1924 to 1926. However, things would not go smoothly for this young lawman. The book, "O. B. Padgett - A Florida Son" covers his life (the good, bad and ugly). Most interesting are the 'lost' personal recollections written by O. B. Padgett between 1976 to 1978 before his death in 1980 which are included in the book.His most famous encounter was with the famous "Ashley Gang".



William & Mary Brickell: Founders of Miami and FT. Lauderdale


Author: Beth Brickell


Description: This work reviews the history of William and Mary Brickell, from William's origins in Ohio to his adventures in the California and Australian gold rushes and marriage to Mary. William and Mary Brickell worked alongside Julia Tuttle and Henry Flagler to found Miami and Fort Lauderdale.





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