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Key West Old Town: A Kaleidoscope of Life

Program Number: 20902RJ
Start and End Dates:
4/7/2013 - 4/12/2013; 12/1/2013 - 12/6/2013; 12/8/2013 - 12/13/2013;
Duration: 5 nights
Location: Key West, Florida
Price starting at: $1,299.00 - 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    

Experience unique Key West with local experts who lead lectures and field trips to discover what lies behind the quaint facade. Enjoy distinctive architecture and gardens, hear tales of ships and shipwrecks, explore the Hemingway home and get a look at Papa’s favorite bar. Consider President Truman’s love affair with Key West at the “Little White House” and share the spirit of the island with artists, divers, gardeners, historians, musicians, oceanographers and other natives.




Highlights

• Meet numerous Key West residents and hear from them about their home, and the cultural scene.
• Visit the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum to examine gold and silver bars and other artifacts retrieved by Mel Fisher and his crew of divers from a sunken 17th-century ship.
• Learn about the a variety of different bird species and exotic flora at the Audubon House and Tropical Gardens.



Activity Particulars

Walking 6-8 blocks daily; stairs at some sites.




Date Specific Information

4-7-2013

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



12-1-2013, 12-8-2013

Luxurious beachfront hotel, minutes away from Old Town Key West.
Enjoy the latest in hearing technology — listening devices — on this date.



Coordinated by Road Scholar.




Key West

Real estate in America’s southernmost city dates back to the kings of Spain. Key West’s raffish charm has attracted the likes of John James Audubon, Thomas Edison, Lou Gehrig, Ernest Hemingway, Harry Truman, Tennessee Williams and colorful characters who stroll past palm-lined streets, gingerbread mansions and conch houses to celebrate the sun.
Accommodations
Luxurious beachfront hotel, minutes away from Old Town Key West, or Beautiful, historic hotel located on Duval St. in the heart of Old Town Key West. See notes below for specific dates.
Meals and Lodgings
   Hyatt Resort and Spa Key West
  Key West Old Town 5 nights
 Hyatt Resort and Spa Key West
Type: Full Service Hotel
  Description: This relaxed oasis off Duval street makes this the perfect place to escape from the stress of daily life. Beach access to the Gulf of Mexico.
  Contact info: 601 Front Street
Key West, FL 33040 USA
phone: 800-233-1234
web: www.keywest.hyatt.com
  Room amenities: Turn down bed service available, flat screen TV with cable and access to movies. etc. iron and ironing board, in-room safe, refrigerators, in room safety deposit box, furnished balconies, electronic door locks.
  Facility amenities: Full bath ammenities, hair dryer, make up mirror, WiFi in all guest rooms, full service business center, flat screen TV, iron and ironing board, Jala Spa offers two tranquil spa treatment rooms, heated outdoor swimming pool and whirlpool, in room safe, refrigerator, and just steps from all the activities on Duval Street.
  Smoking allowed: Yes
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights prior: Varies depending on availabili Please call (800) 233-1234 and let them know you are with the Road Scholar group. Please be aware that this is the peak season in Key West and the rates and availability are not guaranteed, but they will do their best to accommodate you.
  Check in time: 3:00 PM
  Additional nights after: Varies depending on availabili Please call (800) 233-1234 and let them know you are with the Road Scholar group. Please be aware that this is the peak season in Key West and the rates and availability are not guaranteed, but they will do their best to accommodate you.
  Check out time: 11:00 AM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
3-5pm in hotel for registration. You will be staying at Hyatt Resort and Spa Key West that night.
  End of Program:
Program ends with a box lunch on Friday. You will be staying at Hyatt Resort and Spa Key West the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required.
  Parking availability:
Self parking is free.
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  Key West Old Town
  Nearest city or town:  Key West
  Nearest highway: The Overseas Highway
  Nearest airport:  Key West
  From End of Program
  Location: Key West Old Town
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
Travel Details
 

Key West International Airport

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Taxi

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$15-$20
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

10-20 minutes 
 

Distance:

 

3 miles
   

Taxis are available to transport you from the Key West airport to the hotel. The pick up location is outside baggage claim.
 

Miami International Airport

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
Keys Shuttle
phone: 305-289-9997
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$60-$90 per person (Call for exact price)
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

4 hours 
 

Distance:

 

120 miles
   

Call the Shuttle company for exact price since prices change from time to time. Rent a car at the airport if you decide to.
 
Driving Directions
  From Key West International Airport (EYW) to the Hyatt Key West Resort and Spa Turn left onto North Roosevelt Boulevard (US-1), which curves around the island. US-1 will lead you to Truman Avenue. Proceed to the intersection of Simonton Street and Truman Avenue. Turn right, and continue to the intersection of Simonton and Front Street. You will make a right at the stop sign and our Key West, FL luxury hotel will be on your left. (3 miles)
  From Miami International Airport (MIA) to the Hyatt Key West Resort and Spa Take Lejune Road south to 836 West. Continue onto turnpike extension south to US-1. US-1 will lead you to Truman Avenue. Turn right, and continue to the intersection of Simonton and Front Street. You will make a right at the stop sign and our Key West, FL luxury hotel will be on your left. (161 miles)
  From Miami to the Hyatt Key West Resort and Spa If you are driving, from (US1) bear left onto North Roosevelt Boulevard (US-1), which curves around the island. US-1 will lead you to Truman Avenue. Proceed to the intersection of Simonton Street and Truman Avenue. Turn right, and continue to the intersection of Simonton and Front Street. You will make a right at the stop sign and our Key West, FL luxury hotel will be on your left. (approximately 165 miles)
Elevation Note: 3 feet above sea level

Equipment Requirements: No equipment required
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: Registration, Orientation, Getting to Know You
(Sunday, April 7)
   
 Afternoon: HOTEL CHECK-IN: Available from 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm. 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: Hyatt Resort and Spa Key West
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Harry Truman Lecture / Trolley Tour / Key West Museum of Art and History / Celebrate the Sun
(Monday, April 8)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast in the hotel
 Morning: Enjoy a lecture about Harry Truman's Little White House with Bob Woltz, our Truman expert. After the lecture, visit The Key West Museum of Art and History in the Custom House. Built in 1891, served as a post office, court house and government center.You will have a docent led tour of this amazing and cultural space.
 Morning: We will take the Trolley for an hour long, narrated trip around the island- 4 miles long and 2 miles wide. This will help you see why this is such a fascinating place to visit!
 Lunch: Lunch at the hotel
 Afternoon: Listen to a representative from the National Weather Service in Key West. He will discuss the unusual weather patterns in this area. Hear about the many hurricanes this area has experienced.
 Dinner: Dinner at a local restaurant
 Evening: Experience "Celebrate the Sun" at Mallory Square, a gathering of locals and visitors that come to see the vendors, and artists. It is mainly an event to celebrate the sun setting. It's a huge event and a must see.
   
Accommodations: Hyatt Resort and Spa Key West
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Hemingway House and literary history
(Tuesday, April 9)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast in the hotel
 Morning: A local author will delight you with stories of Key West.
 Lunch: Lunch at the hotel
 Afternoon: After lunch we will gather to walk to Hemingway House and a professional docent will lead us through this famous residence of a very colorful former resident.
 Dinner: Dinner on your own and a free evening to visit any of the local pubs or just enjoy the "scene"
 Evening: Free Time
   
Accommodations: Hyatt Resort and Spa Key West
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4: Deep Sea Diving Lecture / ECO Discovery Center / Presentation by a Naturalist
(Wednesday, April 10)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.
 Morning: Our favorite deep sea diver will talk to you about his many years of fishing these waters. View his treasures and enjoy his stories.
 Morning: Enjoy a visit to the ECO Discovery Center. Learn about the unique recreational and commercial use of the nationally significant marine resources surrounding FL demands of a multitude of creative education strategies.
 Lunch: Lunch on your own
 Afternoon: Free Time
 Dinner: Dinner at the hotel
 Evening: Christina Celano from the Audubon House will bring her knowledge to you in a very interesting presentation.
   
Accommodations: Hyatt Resort and Spa Key West
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5: Audubon House and Little White House
(Thursday, April 11)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast in the hotel.
 Morning: After breakfast enjoy a guided walk around Old Town.
 Lunch: Lunch at Red Fish Blue Fish, a local favorite
 Afternoon: After lunch walk over to the Audubon House and Gardens for a guided visit. Audubon visited the FL Keys and Dry Tortugas in 1832. He left KW having sighted and drawn 18 new birds for his "Birds of America" folio. It is believed that many of those drawings were conceived in the Audubon House garden. After visiting the Audubon House walk over to the Little White House and see where Truman and Bess spent their winters
 Dinner: Farewell dinner at the hotel
 Evening: After dinner enjoy a performance
   
Accommodations: Hyatt Resort and Spa Key West
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: We will close out the week about KW with a visit to the famous Mel Fisher Museum where you will see treasures brought up from the sunken Spanish Ship Atocha.
(Friday, April 12)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast in the hotel.
 Morning: We will conclude our journey of discovery with an exploration of the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum, where you'll learn about marine archaeology and see treasures, including gold and silver bars, retrieved from beneath the sea.
 Lunch: The program ends with lunch. You'll have a box lunch that you may have at the hotel or take with you. We hope you have enjoyed this Road Scholar learning adventure and look forward to having you on other programs in the future. Best wishes for all your journeys!
   
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Free Time Opportunities
  
  Key West Old Town Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory
Walk through a magical and inviting environment filled with hundred of the most beautiful winged creatures in nature. During your breathtaking journey you will experience an impressive collection of flowering plants, colorful birds, cascading waterfalls and trees that set the stage for the "flowers of the sky." Witness a variety of some 50 to 60 butterfly species from around the world, along with over 20 exotic bird species, all under a climate- controlled, glass enclosed habitat. For additional information, visit http://www.keywestbutterfly.com/
  Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park
Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1973, Florida's southernmost state park is popular for recreation, as well as U.S. military history. The fort was one of a series built in the mid-1800s to defend the nation's southeastern coastline. Completed in 1866, Fort Zachary Taylor played important roles in the Civil War and Spanish-American War. Guided tours of the fort are available daily. For additional information, visit http://www.floridastateparks.org/forttaylor/
  U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Ingham Maritime Museum
U.S. COAST GUARD CUTTER INGHAM (WPG-35) Maritime Museum & National Historic Landmark is both a military history museum and a National Memorial to Guardians Killed in Action In World War II and Vietnam. With over 50 years of service around the work, USCGC INGHAM is a quintessential portrait of Coast Guard history from 1936 to 1988. For additional information, visit http://www.uscgcingham.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


Papa: Hemingway in Key West


Author: James McLendon


Description: After reading Hemingway over the years, this book is both refreshing and interesting to learn more about him as a father and a man. This biography appears well researched and flattering with a personal look at its subject. The authors intent seemed to be explaining how Hemingway became known so dearly as "Papa" and at the same time provide an historical and informative narrative of the man and his years in KW. Any fan of the legendary "Papa" would definitely enjoy this work and probably learn a little something along the way.



Postcards from Paradise: Romancing Key West


Author: June Keith


Description: The book consists of many vignettes on real people who live, or have lived in Key west. June Keith is a powerful writer on the human condition. Simple, truthful and to the point. Each story makes you think and reflect. The photographs really make the stories come alive.



The Best of the Key West's Writers


Author: George Murphy


Description: The Key West Reader is a spectacular collection;;;So many diverse writers sharing one thing in common, the Island of Key west, where each, in his or her own way, left their mark. It is consistently readable and a constant source of fascination that this tiny island city could be the source of so many fine pieces of writing.



True Secrets of Key West Revealed!


Author: Scott Gutelius, Marshall Stone


Description: Secrets is a real find! Read this book prior to your trip to KW. It gives you the full scoop on all of the sanitized facts from your tour tour guides. This book adds a new dimension to your visit and it is funny to boot.





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As a not-for-profit organization, we are dedicated to providing all-inclusive educational programs at great value. From lectures to gratuities to field trips to accommodations - the tuition you pay up front is all that you pay.



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