WoV-scape: Key West, Florida - Paradise

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Dates: October 5-9 2016 (Thursday-Sunday), 5 days/4 nights

Highlights:

Key West is a one-of-a-kind destination. It's a tropical island with a funky twist. Known as the "Conch Republic", Key West is the southernmost location in the continental United States and offers a tropical blend of azure waters, exotic foliage and a history of some notorious and notable figures. One visit and you'll know why President Harry Truman, relaxing in his Winter White House, once wrote: "I've a notion to move the capital to Key West and just stay."

Highlights of the trip that's being planned include:

• Stay at 4-star hotel (plan is to stay at the Almond Tree Inn)

• Experience dinner at some of Key West's fine restaurants

• Informative City tour

• Guided food walking tour that includes sampling local cuisine at some of Key West's "off the beaten path" restaurants

• Kayaking tour (leisurely paddle suitable for beginners)

• Visit to Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory

• Tour of Ernest Hemingway House

• Backcountry waters shark and wildlife viewing tour

• Sunset sailing adventure

Details:

Day 1 – Wednesday, October 5, 2016: Upon arrival, you'll make your way to the beautiful Almond Tree Inn for check-in. We'll start out our paradise get away with a city tour. This is a great way to get an overview of all that Key West has to offer. After a short rest, we'll head off for a sunset dinner on a private island. Our dinner at Latitudes wouldn't be complete without breathtaking views of the Gulf of Mexico. MEALS: Dinner

Day 2 - Thursday, October 6, 2016: We'll kick-off our day with a magical visit to The Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory. Voted the #1 attraction in Key West, we'll experience an inviting environment filled with hundreds of the most beautiful winged creatures in nature. Next we'll taste our way through Key West's Old Town. Our food sampling tour of "off the beaten path" restaurants is a fun way to learn about the island's history, culture and Cuban influences. After our tour, some may be interested in relaxing by the hotel pool or others may be interested in doing some souvenir shopping. Another option is to join me for an end-to-end walk down famous Duval Street, where we'll be able to see the Gulf of Mexico on one end and the Atlantic Ocean on the other. Tonight's dinner will be at the hip tapas-style eatery, Santiago's Bodega. MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3 - Friday, October 7, 2016: Today we'll discover pure paradise with a guided paddle through Key West's mangrove ecosystem. Don't worry if you've never kayaked before as this adventure is suitable for beginners with no previous kayaking experience. After we return to the hotel, an optional walk is planned to the Key West Cemetery. For those that would prefer some leisure time, that is perfectly fine. No visit to Key West would be complete without a visit to the Hemingway House. So later this afternoon, we'll step back in time and explore the home of one of America's most honored and respected authors. Our day will wrap up with dinner at the funky and eclectic Blue Heaven. MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4 - Saturday, October 8, 2016: This morning we'll hop on a catamaran and explore the pristine backcountry waters of Key West while viewing wildlife such as sharks, turtles, stingrays, birds and dolphins. Later in the day, we'll have our farewell dinner at Sunset Pier before taking off on a sunset sail. MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5 - Sunday, October 9, 2016: After breakfast, our Key West get away ends. MEALS: Breakfast

** This is the plan, but itinerary/hotel are subject to change until final bookings are made.

Cost & Reservation Information:

$X,XXX per person/double occupancy, $XXX optional single supplement

Optional additional night(s) in Key West $XXX, double or single room

$500 deposit to hold spot (due 10 days from your RSVP date) with balance due 90 days prior to departure (no later than July 7, 2016).

For those interested in lowering costs, will arrange room sharing between participants in order to quality for double occupancy. The definition of room sharing is 2 people to one room with each having their own bed.

If using PayPal - 1. RSVP for event, answering the RSVP questions. 2. Send deposit to: womenonvacation@gmail.com using the family and friends option in PayPal. There is no processing fee. 3. I'll return an information package to your non-Meet-Up email address which includes a registration form. 4. You have 10 days from date of RSVP for me to receive your deposit or you are subject to removal from the event. 5. Balance of trip amount (less deposit) due 90 days prior to departure (July 7, 2016).

If sending check/money order - 1. RSVP for event, answering the RSVP questions. 2. Write check to Women on Vacation and send deposit to: Women on Vacation, 8679 26 Mile Road #314, Washington, MI 48094. 3. I'll return an information package to your non-Meet-Up email address which includes a registration form. 4. You have 10 days from date of RSVP for me to receive your deposit or you are subject to removal from the event. 5. Balance of trip amount (less deposit) due 90 days prior to departure (July 7, 2016).

If using credit card - 1. Add 7.5% to your total. That is the amount you must submit. For example, $500 deposit = $537.50. Meet-Up charges this percentage on all credit card transactions that are processed through their sites. I highly recommend you use one of the other two options listed above. 2. Use the credit card option within the meet-up event. You're credit card will automatically be charged. You have 10 days from date of RSVP for me to receive your deposit or you are subject to removal from event. 3. Answer the RSVP questions. 4. I'll return an information package to your non-Meet-Up email address which includes a registration form. 5. Balance of trip amount (less deposit) due 90 days prior to departure (July 7, 2016). Be sure to add 7.5% to your balance total if you are using your credit card.

If you have any questions on registering for event, just send me a note or give me a call at (586)232-5520. I'll be happy to help you out!!!

Pricing Notes:

• Price includes hotel in Key West, four breakfasts, one lunch, four dinners, tours and guides, entrance fees, gratuities, local taxes associated with items in the Highlights list.

• Price does not include transportation to/from Key West (e.g. airfare), extra hotel nights, travel insurance, meals and activities not specifically included in the itinerary, airport transfers, room service, mini bar, telephone charges and other personal expenses.

Other:

• Trip starts and ends in Key West, Florida

• Unless otherwise stated, dinner meals include your selection from the restaurant menu consisting of one first course (salad, soup, appetizer), one main course (entrée), one dessert, and one drink of choice (alcohol or non-alcohol). Additional menu selections or drinks will be the responsibility of the travel participant.

• There will be a lot of walking on the tour. There is no plan to use taxis for short distances between points of interest. Walking pace will be easy. Key West terrain is flat. Please consider this when signing up.

• I will be more than happy to connect participants for car-pooling purposes. Let me know if you'd be interested when you RSVP.

• You may be interested in purchasing travel insurance, if so check out Insure My Trip - https://www.insuremytrip.com/