Flight to Ft. Lauderdale. Upon arrival early afternoon, we will begin exploring South Florida and learn more about the Sunshine State’s amazing railroad history.  The very first railroad line can be traced back to the 1830’s, although modern railroading did not reach the state’s borders until Henry Flagler’s arrival in the 1890’s. Flagler’s Florida East Coast Railway transformed what had been an unbearably hot and humid place, filled with mosquitoes and other dangerous critters, into a successful vacation destination. This afternoon we will visit the incredible Whitehall Mansion Museum, the Palm Beach home of Henry Flagler. In 1902, the New York Herald described Whitehall as, “More wonderful than any palace in Europe, grander and more magnificent than any other private dwelling in the world”. The 75-room, 100,000-square-foot Gilded Age mansion celebrates the life of Flagler and his ambitious “Railroad to the Sea”.  Flagler’s private Railcar No. 91 is also exhibited in the Museum’s Flagler Kenan Pavilion. This evening we will check into our comfortable accommodations and enjoy an included welcome dinner.

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After breakfast, get ready to experience Florida’s new high speed rail - Brightline!  Brightline is the only privately owned and operated intercity railroad in the United States. Brightline has repurposed 235 miles of existing tracks to reinvent train travel in Florida and is the country’s only complete high-speed rail line.  Each of the Brightline stations are modern architectural masterpieces themselves.  Our ride from Ft. Lauderdale to Orlando will be a quick 2 hour 30 minutes (a drive that can take more than 4 hours by auto).  The interior of the train’s cars are immaculate, comfortable, quiet and relaxing.  The ride is smooth and enjoyable.  Upon arrival in Orlando this afternoon, we will transfer back to our group transportation and explore central Florida with a stop at the unparalleled Bok Tower Gardens a national historic landmark. The garden’s feature 50 acres of gardens, the 20-room El Retiro Estate and the 205-foot art deco and neo-Gothic Singing Tower carillon. Bok Tower Gardens has fascinated millions of Florida visitors since it’s opening in 1929.  It is truly a special place in the Sunshine State!  This evening we will check into our accommodations for  our overnight.  Dinner will be out on the town.

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This morning, we will depart our hotel and journey down Florida’s Ridge Scenic Highway - also known as west Florida’s “citrus trail”.  Our stop for lunch and browsing will be in Arcadia along the historic Main Street.  This quaint Southern district is part of the National Trust of Historical Preservation and is dotted with boutiques, shops and cafés.  It is also home to the Historic Train Depot. Afterwards, we will visit and have an introduction to the citrus operations of Joshua Creek Citrus Farm.  Since 1880, the Shelfer family has been growing in the highest quality and freshest Florida citrus! Located in the heart of Florida’s Peace River Valley, the warm tropical climate and near perfect growing conditions produce some of the best tasting oranges and grapefruit in the world! We will check into our Ft. Myer’s accommodations for the next two nights prior to our exciting dinner train excursion - all aboard the Seminole Gulf Railway’s Murder Mystery Dinner Train for a whole lot of fun and delicious food including a Prime Rib and/or Seafood full five course meal!

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After breakfast, our short ride to Parrish, is where we will visit the Florida Railroad Museum with the stated goal of preserving Florida’s railroad history. Over the years, the Museum has acquired and preserved rolling stock and equipment from Florida railroading as it existed in the 1940s and 1950s. The museum also operates several vintage style rail excursions including the “Willow Express”.  This enjoyable scenic excursion travels 13-miles round trip from Parrish to Willow, FL. We will enjoy a stop in Willow to view more of the Museum’s rail collection along with several railroad exhibits and artifacts in the recreated Seaboard Air Line train station.  The route takes us through Palm and Spanish moss draped forests where you can enjoy the inside seating and outside observation cars.  We will also enjoy an included box lunch onboard.  This evening we will return to our hotel prior to dinner out on the town.

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After breakfast and checking out of our hotel, we will return to St. Louis via Southwest Florida Airport in Ft. Myers. Space is limited on this small group journey - so book early to secure your reservations.  Thank you!

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