Florida
History & Ecology: Okefenokee Swamp, Amelia & Cumberland Islands
Program No. 1160360MEADV-1116-60
Alongside naturalists, discover the idyllic landscapes and unique wildlife of the barrier islands and Okefenokee Swamp. Plus, visit historic towns and learn about Civil War history.
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800-454-5768
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DATES
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PRICES
DATES
& starting prices
PRICES
Jan 19 - Jan 24, 2025
Starting at
2,399Feb 9 - Feb 14, 2025
Starting at
2,399Mar 9 - Mar 14, 2025
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6 days
5 nights
13 meals
5B 4L 4D
1
Check-in, Registration, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Fernandina Beach, Florida
2
Amelia History & Trolley, Ft. Clinch, Beach Ecology
Fernandina Beach, Florida
3
Okefenokee Swamp Day Trip
Fernandina Beach, Florida
4
Shrimping Industry, Amelia Island River Cruise, Free Time
Fernandina Beach, Florida
5
Cumberland Island Day Field Trip
Fernandina Beach, Florida
6
Program Concludes
Fernandina Beach, Florida
At a Glance
Deep in the tangled swamplands of Okefenokee, prehistoric alligators wade through black water lakes in the shade of the cypress trees. Along the backwaters and beaches of Amelia and Cumberland Islands, terns and plovers nest, and storks and egrets dry their feathers in the Georgia sun. Encounter the vivid natural and human history on two beautiful barrier islands and the amazing Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge as you spot rare birds, dolphins, manatees and other wildlife in the marshes, forests, beaches and rivers with a local expert. Take a field trip to Cumberland Island to learn the history of the natives, missionaries, plantation owners, enslaved people and wealthy industrialists who lived there. And journey by trolley through historic Amelia Island to observe the uniquely gracious homes of another century.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Frequent getting on/off boats, trolleys, vans and buses. Walking up to 1.5-2 miles on two days. Standing and stairs, uneven walkways. The Cumberland Island visit will be a 4 mile hike or opt for a 2 mile hike on the island. No transportation on Cumberland.
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Spend a full day exploring the wildlife, landmarks and landscapes of Cumberland Island National Seashore with a local expert.
- Venture deep into the mysterious Okefenokee Swamp on a two-hour boat ride and 1.5-mile boardwalk exploration to learn about black water lakes, pond cypress and the American alligator.
- Learn the fascinating history of Fort Clinch, an important 1800s fortress for both Confederate and Union forces, during a self-exploration.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Kevin McCarthy
Kevin grew up in Gloucester, Mass. and settled in Fernandina Beach in 1968. He spent 41 years sailing the waters of northeast Fla. and southeast Georgia. He holds a 100 ton master’s license and developed his knowledge of the wildlife and history exploring the waters that surround Amelia Island, Cumberland Island and St. Mary's, Ga. Generations of Kevin’s family have been shrimpers, and he shares with participants his knowledge of shrimp farming and the future of the shrimp industry in the U.S.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Kevin McCarthy
View biography
Kevin grew up in Gloucester, Mass. and settled in Fernandina Beach in 1968. He spent 41 years sailing the waters of northeast Fla. and southeast Georgia. He holds a 100 ton master’s license and developed his knowledge of the wildlife and history exploring the waters that surround Amelia Island, Cumberland Island and St. Mary's, Ga. Generations of Kevin’s family have been shrimpers, and he shares with participants his knowledge of shrimp farming and the future of the shrimp industry in the U.S.
Ron Kurtz
View biography
Ron has been an Amelia Island resident for more than 30 years. After attending Hiram College, he graduated from New York University with a degree in educational theater. He served as the director of the Amelia Island Museum of History and wrote a highly regarded history of the island, now in its sixth printing, as well as a series of children's books. Ron has lectured on the history and architecture of the first coast for the Historic Preservation Trust as well as the Smithsonian Institution.
Jennifer Powell
View biography
Jennifer Powell has extensive travel within the United States and internationally. She graduated second in her class from The International Guide Academy of Denver, Colorado. As a resident of Atlanta, Ga. for six years and South Florida for nine, Jennifer is familiar with the geography and attractions in this part of the country. Her extensive travel in the U.S. and abroad has enhanced her interest and aptitude for history and the environment.
Suggested Reading List
(5 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
History & Ecology: Okefenokee Swamp, Amelia & Cumberland Islands
Program Number: 11603
Cumberland Island: A History
Cumberland Island is a national treasure. The largest of the Sea Islands along the Georgia coast, it is a history-filled place of astounding natural beauty. With a thoroughness unmatched by any previous account, Cumberland Island: A History chronicles five centuries of change to the landscape and its people from the days of the first Native Americans through the late-twentieth-century struggles between developers and conservationists.
Author Mary Bullard, widely regarded as the person most knowledgeable about Cumberland Island, is a descendant of the Carnegie family, Cumberland's last owners before it was acquired by the federal government in 1972 and designated a National Seashore. Bullard's discussion of the Carnegie era on Cumberland is notable for its intimate glimpse into how the family's feelings toward the island bore upon Cumberland's destiny.
Trembling Earth: A Cultural History of the Okefenokee Swamp
This innovative history of the Okefenokee Swamp reveals it as a place where harsh realities clashed with optimism, shaping the borderland culture of southern Georgia and northern Florida for over two hundred years.
From the formation of the Georgia colony in 1732 to the end of the Great Depression, the Okefenokee Swamp was a site of conflict between divergent local communities. Coining the term “ecolocalism” to describe how local cultures form out of ecosystems and in relation to other communities, Megan Kate Nelson offers a new view of the Okefenokee, its inhabitants, and its rich and telling record of thwarted ambitions, unintended consequences, and unresolved questions. The Okefenokee is simultaneously terrestrial and aquatic, beautiful and terrifying, fertile and barren. This peculiar ecology created discord as human groups attempted to overlay firm lines of race, gender, and class on an area of inherent ambiguity and blurred margins. Rice planters, slaves, fugitive slaves, Seminoles, surveyors, timber barons, Swampers, and scientists came to the swamp with dreams of wealth, freedom, and status that conflicted in varied and complex ways. Ecolocalism emerged out of these conflicts between communities within the Okefenokee and other borderland swamps.
Nelson narrates the fluctuations, disconnections, and confrontations embedded in the muck of the swamp and the mire of its disorderly history, and she reminds us that it is out of such places of intermingling and uncertainty that cultures are forged.
The Golden Age of Amelia Island, Revised
Late 19th Century history/Adult
Cumberland Island: Strong Women, Wild Horses
In Cumberland Island, Charles Seabrook uses his talent as an award-winning environmental writer to describe the island's natural bounty and to tell its long and intriguing history. You'll meet Catherine "Caty" Greene Miller, the widow of Revolutionary War hero Nathanael Greene and the woman who inspired Eli Whitney to invent the cotton gin. She was also the inspiration behind Dungeness, the 30-room tabby mansion built on Cumberland Island in 1803. Another strong woman who currently resides on the island is Carol Ruckdeschel, a naturalist who was the subject of a John McPhee profile in the New Yorker in 1974. GoGo Ferguson and Carol were great friends until they disagreed on the future of the island. Their ensuing feud reveals the continuing debate among residents, conservationists, and developers about how the island should be managed. In Cumberland Island, Charles Seabrook provides a fascinating look into the history of one of America's greatest natural treasures.
Amelia Island
Tiny Amelia Island, in the northeast corner of Florida, was once among the most important ports in the western hemisphere. Before Florida was granted statehood, the island served as an international gateway between Spanish Florida and the English colonies that would later become the United States. Where Spanish monks and pirates once roamed, the island eventually developed into a significant seaport that exported the rich resources of Florida's interior in the late 1800s. This era was known as the Golden Age of Amelia Island and the town located on its north end, Fernandina. The railroad that connected Amelia Island to the Gulf Coast was largely responsible for the Golden Age, as it brought a burgeoning economy and many of the South's most prominent and wealthy figures. Today the island is best known as a resort community but retains the influence and charm of its remarkable past.
Program
At a Glance
Duration
6 days
Program Begins
Fernandina Beach, Florida
Program Concludes
Fernandina Beach, Florida
Group Type
Small Group
Meals
13
| 5B |
4L |
4D |
Activity Level
Deep in the tangled swamplands of Okefenokee, prehistoric alligators wade through black water lakes in the shade of the cypress trees. Along the backwaters and beaches of Amelia and Cumberland Islands, terns and plovers nest, and storks and egrets dry their feathers in the Georgia sun. Encounter the vivid natural and human history on two beautiful barrier islands and the amazing Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge as you spot rare birds, dolphins, manatees and other wildlife in the marshes, forests, beaches and rivers with a local expert. Take a field trip to Cumberland Island to learn the history of the natives, missionaries, plantation owners, enslaved people and wealthy industrialists who lived there. And journey by trolley through historic Amelia Island to observe the uniquely gracious homes of another century.)
Best of all, you'll...
- Spend a full day exploring the wildlife, landmarks and landscapes of Cumberland Island National Seashore with a local expert.
- Venture deep into the mysterious Okefenokee Swamp on a two-hour boat ride and 1.5-mile boardwalk exploration to learn about black water lakes, pond cypress and the American alligator.
- Learn the fascinating history of Fort Clinch, an important 1800s fortress for both Confederate and Union forces, during a self-exploration.
Featured Expert
Kevin McCarthy
Kevin grew up in Gloucester, Mass. and settled in Fernandina Beach in 1968. He spent 41 years sailing the waters of northeast Fla. and southeast Georgia. He holds a 100 ton master’s license and developed his knowledge of the wildlife and history exploring the waters that surround Amelia Island, Cumberland Island and St. Mary's, Ga. Generations of Kevin’s family have been shrimpers, and he shares with participants his knowledge of shrimp farming and the future of the shrimp industry in the U.S.
Please Note:
This expert may not be available for every date of the program
Ron Kurtz
Ron has been an Amelia Island resident for more than 30 years. After attending Hiram College, he graduated from New York University with a degree in educational theater. He served as the director of the Amelia Island Museum of History and wrote a highly regarded history of the island, now in its sixth printing, as well as a series of children's books. Ron has lectured on the history and architecture of the first coast for the Historic Preservation Trust as well as the Smithsonian Institution.
Jennifer Powell
Jennifer Powell has extensive travel within the United States and internationally. She graduated second in her class from The International Guide Academy of Denver, Colorado. As a resident of Atlanta, Ga. for six years and South Florida for nine, Jennifer is familiar with the geography and attractions in this part of the country. Her extensive travel in the U.S. and abroad has enhanced her interest and aptitude for history and the environment.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Frequent getting on/off boats, trolleys, vans and buses. Walking up to 1.5-2 miles on two days. Standing and stairs, uneven walkways. The Cumberland Island visit will be a 4 mile hike or opt for a 2 mile hike on the island. No transportation on Cumberland.
Small Group
(13 to 24)
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Suggested Reading List
View Full List
(5 Books)
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!
Call
800-454-5768
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
6 days
5 nights
What's Included
13 meals | 5B | 4L | 4D |
4 expert-led lectures
6 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
5 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
Check-in, Registration, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Location:
Fernandina Beach, Florida
Meals:
D
Stay:
Residence Inn by Marriott Amelia Island
Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 4:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).
Afternoon:
Program Registration: After you have your room assignment, come over to the Road Scholar table in the conference room to register with the program staff and get your welcome packet containing your an up-to-date schedule that reflects any last-minute changes, and to learn when and where the Orientation session will take place. If your arrival is delayed, please ask for your packet when you check in. Orientation: 5:00 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. < Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
2
Amelia History & Trolley, Ft. Clinch, Beach Ecology
Location:
Fernandina Beach, Florida
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Residence Inn by Marriott Amelia Island
Activity Note
Getting on/off a trolley at select points of interest. Fort Clinch was built for war, not for safety! Stairs are steep and narrow, railings are absent, and walkways are uneven with many trip hazards. Two large ramps give visitors access to the rampart and gun deck with its 10-inch smoothbore cannon.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Today will be a day of fascination and historical adventure. Through an expert-led history in the classroom, we’ll learn about the history of the eight flags of Fernandina. First populated by the Timucuan Indian tribe, the area eventually became known as the “Isle of 8 Flags” because, since 1562, it has had the flags of France, Spain, Great Britain, Spain (again), the Patriots of Amelia Island, the Green Cross of Florida, Mexico, the Confederate States of America, and the United States flying over it at one point or another. Afterwards, on our trolley field trip, we will explore the downtown historic district of Amelia Island as our expert shares the story of the visionary whose exhilarating dream so stirred his neighbors that they agreed to move their entire town to the site of a plantation he owned, thereby creating "New" Fernandina in the 1850s. From the "giant" Timucua Native Americans, to Spanish and French explorers, to the lawless spirit of pirates, to the dignified air of Victorian-era residents, Amelia Island has been home to diverse cultures that have left a truly exciting heritage. Expect the rare privilege of observing the uniquely gracious and historic homes of another century. Allow yourself to get in touch with efforts to preserve the nearly extinct, pristine architectural styles within a small, gifted American town struggling to retain its fragile sense of family and community as well as its birthright and historical integrity.
Lunch:
At the hotel.
Afternoon:
We'll board the trolley for Fort Clinch. Fort Clinch State Park is a 1,086-acre outpost of pristine beaches and dunes, nature trails, ponds, and salt marshes, and the island's only campgrounds. Named for General Duncan Lamont Clinch, an important figure in Florida's Seminole War of the 1830s who also fought in the War of 1812, the fort is one in a system of permanent coastal fortifications. Construction began in 1847; it was occupied briefly by the Confederate forces while it was still being built until it was eventually overrun by the Union troops. It has been meticulously preserved and will provide us with a glimpse as to what life was like over 150 years ago. While here, a re-enactor dressed in period uniform will take us back in time on a field trip around the fort while vividly describing what our ancestors may have experienced here. Inside Fort Clinch, visitors can see five bastions, guard rooms, a prison, enlisted men’s barracks, a bakery, a blacksmith shop, storehouses, a hospital, kitchens, lumber sheds, and galleries. Every room inside Fort Clinch is furnished to recreate a depiction of the site as garrisoned by the 1st New York Volunteer Engineers in 1864. Close your eyes for a moment and you can almost hear the roar of the cannons!
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
In the hotel meeting room, we’ll meet for a presentation by a naturalist on island ecology.
Day
3
Okefenokee Swamp Day Trip
Location:
Fernandina Beach, Florida
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Residence Inn by Marriott Amelia Island
Activity Note
Getting on/off a boat; the covered boat ride is approximately 1.5 hours into the swamp; vessel is wheelchair accessible. Walking about 1.5 miles roundtrip in the afternoon. Sunscreen, bug spray, hat, sunglasses, water, and snacks are recommended for everyone. Plan to wear sneakers or closed-toe shoes.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Officially identified as a “Wetland of International Importance”, the Okefenokee Swamp is composed of a wealth of various habitats including a multitude of black-water lakes, pine and oak forests, and freshwater marshes (locally called “prairies”) with floating flowering islands amid flooded lowlands covered by cypress, black gum, and shrubs. This enormous peat bog is host to a lively human history of “swamp culture” as well as to an infinitely beautiful and complex ecosystem of flora and fauna with perhaps the most notable residents of which being Florida black bears and American alligators. An expert will lead our field trip into the Okefenokee Swamp, one of America's most famous national wildlife refuges. If you are a birder, don't forget your binoculars as there are sure to be opportunities for viewing red-cockaded woodpeckers, sandhill cranes, owls, and others. Whatever your interest, have a camera with you as Okefenokee is one of the most picturesque and photographic places!
Lunch:
At the swamp.
Afternoon:
We’ll then take a drive on the motorcoach along Swamp Island Drive to explore the 19th- to early 20th-century farmhouse located deep in the swamp that was home to a family for several generations. Fortunately, the property was saved from the fire of 2011 and has survived the constantly wet conditions of the environment, thereby sustaining the legacy of the “swampers” who once lived there. The boardwalk is 1.5 miles roundtrip; there will be a few benches to rest along the way.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
4
Shrimping Industry, Amelia Island River Cruise, Free Time
Location:
Fernandina Beach, Florida
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Residence Inn by Marriott Amelia Island
Activity Note
Getting on/off a boat; vessel is wheelchair accessible; the boat is covered and may be closed to protect guests against inclement weather. Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Travelling by trolley, we will meet our captain for a morning boat cruise. We'll start out at the marina boat with a presentation by a local shrimper and captain whose family goes back generations in the industry. He shares his knowledge of shrimp farming and the future of the shrimp industry in the U.S. As we cruise the backwaters of Amelia Island and Cumberland Island on a covered pontoon boat, we’ll enjoy the spectacular views while watching for rare birds, dolphins, manatees, and other wildlife. We’ll glide back in time along the rivers, creeks, and marshes that surround Amelia Island. Commentary along the way will be provided by a local expert.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Please note that the period scheduled for free time is subject to change depending on local circumstances and opportunities for independent exploration. You may wish to venture to the Amelia Island Museum, the historic village, or just relax on the beach. The beach is 0.3 miles from the hotel. The hotel also has a shuttle to town.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
5
Cumberland Island Day Field Trip
Location:
Fernandina Beach, Florida
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Residence Inn by Marriott Amelia Island
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving 60 miles roundtrip, approximately 1.5 hours total riding time. Getting on/off a ferry via a ramp; approximately 1 hour riding time. Be sure to bring at least two water bottles and wear comfortable walking shoes. Walking about 4.3-5 miles on Cumberland Island; the terrain is flat with crushed seashell.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Before leaving for Cumberland, we'll watch a video about the island. We will travel approximately 30 miles by motorcoach to the Cumberland Island National Seashore located at St. Mary's, GA. We'll then board a ferry for a 45-minute boat ride to Cumberland Island, the state's southernmost and largest barrier island. We may even see dolphins and other wildlife on the way! Each person will have to carry their picnic lunch that is provided so bring a backpack. At the end of the day, we will board our ferry at 4:45 p.m., and our motorcoach will meet us once again in St. Mary's. We will need to take everything with us that we might need for the entire day. There are no stores on Cumberland Island and all trash brought on must be taken off, which includes our lunch trash. The day hike with an expert will take us along the river road and across the maritime forest onto the beach. It is a slow hike with one bathroom stop along the way at our lunch break area.
Lunch:
Box lunch will be on the boat as we travel to Cumberland Island.
Afternoon:
We’ll continue our field trip on Cumberland Island, then board the ferry at 4:45 p.m. for our return trip to Fernandina Beach.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Day
6
Program Concludes
Location:
Fernandina Beach, Florida
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 12:00 Noon.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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MEALS
13 Meals
5 Breakfasts
4 Lunches
4 Dinners
LODGING
Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.
Showing Lodging For:
- Oct 19, 2025 - Oct 24, 2025
- Jan 19, 2025 - Jan 24, 2025
- Feb 09, 2025 - Feb 14, 2025
- Feb 23, 2025 - Feb 28, 2025
- Mar 09, 2025 - Mar 14, 2025
- Apr 06, 2025 - Apr 11, 2025
- Sep 07, 2025 - Sep 12, 2025
- Oct 19, 2025 - Oct 24, 2025
Participant Reviews
Based on 29 Reviews
Sort By:
This was a fun trip. Our guide, Jennifer was well organized and very kind. The leaders/presenters were great. Christina was an encyclopedia of knowledge. The food was good, but a couple of meals were messed up for us, as is somewhat usual, as we are vegetarians. The hotel was conveniently located, clean and spacious. The hotel dining staff was wonderful, especially Jerry, who made us feel really special. We didn't see many alligators in the swamp, which was disappointing, and we couldn't go on the beach at Cumberland Island because of the recent hurricanes. That being said, we enjoyed the trip and loved being on the beach at Amelia Island.
— Review left October 30, 2024
Overall, would rate this trip as a "C". Based on our last three trips, Road Scholar hasn't updated their "info" mailing since before Covid, and they have become lax on including a "final" mailing. For example, on this trip the info packet said to bring two water bottles and a backpack to carry your lunch on Cumberland Island. However, our Group Leader said "I only bring one water bottle as there are several places where you can get water", and "everybody eats on the ferry".
Our accommodations, particularly the Inn food, were excellent as were the staff. Our kitchenette didn't meet our standards of cleanliness. Our Group Leader didn't have us introduce ourselves (at least she didn't until we asked her to), and wasn't precise on our next day activities. I had the wrong lens on my camera two days because of her vague descriptions. Another example was that we had a 3.5 mile nature trail that started behind the Inn. She never mentioned it. I stumbled on it the last day. We didn't get to see the end of a DVD because it took 45 to get sound, something one of our group finally figured out.
We were very disappointed in the National Park guides. They didn't mention sea turtles, feral pigs, or discuss the ecology. Rather, they gave us Carnegie's ancestors version of the island's history. We would have loved to have heard about Carol Ruckdeschel; if it wasn't for her, Cumberland Island would be another Hilton Head.
The Trolleys, while quaint, only let you see in the direction your seat faced. The historic homes and building were set too far back for a trolley view; mature trees and vegetation also blocked the view. I would have liked to have had a walking tour.
We went there to learn about the ecology and to see the shorebirds. We NEVER had a chance to walk on the beach.
The Okefenokee, where we had an outstanding guide, only took us on the old man-made canals. While we had a short walk on a boardwalk, it would have nice if we could have gone on a walk in the woods.
— Review left October 30, 2024
We had a fantastic time! The trip is the perfect balance between nature and history. It was very well-organized with nice accommodations and good food. The speakers were all extremely interesting, knowledgeable, and friendly, as was our group leader, Camilla. She did a great job guiding us through the week.
— Review left April 17, 2024
Thank you Anne Perry for ensuring all participants of this tour had an excellent Road Scholar tour. I would recommend this tour to others and will also recommend Anne Perry as a Group Leader.
— Review left March 17, 2024
I enjoyed my first Road Scholar trip. It was very well organized. Everything that was promised was 100% delivered. The accommodations and restaurants selected were outstanding.
— Review left March 1, 2024
Fantastic program! We were lucky to have ideal weather--no rain, neither too hot nor too cold--and Terrie was a wonderful group leader. I would love to attend another program led by her. Our experts were so varied but all wonderful!
— Review left February 16, 2024
This was another delightful Road Scholar experience, combining local history with interesting exposure to nature and uncommon subject lectures.
— Review left January 20, 2024
Highly recommend this trip, and Road scholar tours. This was our first experience, and loved every minute of it, plan on doing another.
— Review left October 16, 2023
Fun program with a good leader and good participants. Enjoyed staying in one convenient location with a free shuttle for free time, close to the beach and some good restaurants
— Review left April 30, 2023
This was my second participation on this superb program ; we had an exceptional coordinator / leader Peggy B and experienced experts on all the excursions. Highlights were the Okefenokee Swamp / Chesser Island outing , a day on Cumberland Island and the marvelous Egan's Creek Greenway just behind our hotel that we also explored by boat.
— Review left March 27, 2023
Enjoyable experience and looking forward to our next Road Scholar trip. -George
— Review left March 19, 2023
Well planned, interesting, easy pace, exceptional guides, excellent accommodations, delightful
participants, amazing wildlife. Yes, I would do it again. Julia
— Review left March 18, 2023
Excellent Program!
— Review left March 6, 2023
Combining Cumberland Island with Okefenokee Swamp, and an educational boat ride with an expert on the shrimping industry makes an interesting outdoor experience
— Review left January 24, 2023
My first Road Scholar trip was to Cumberland Island, Okefenokee Swamp and Amelia Island. I had to coerce my husband into going but, am happy to report the experience was so positive we are BOTH looking forward to our next trip!
— Review left October 29, 2022
Because of their variety, educational components, various timeframes and value, the Road Scholar programs enable travelers to select the perfect trips for their individual needs/interests.
— Review left May 12, 2022
This was a fun and interesting trip. I especially liked the boat trips -- ferry ride to Cumberland Island, narrated boat trip on Amelia River, and narrated boat ride into Okefenokee swamp.
— Review left May 6, 2022
Road Scholar provides a well organized, well-led trip with interesting, informative, truly expert guides. Their small group trips make for fun comradery and all for a great value! If I never go on anything but Road Scholar trips from now on that is fine. They have so many, varied trips it will never grow old!
— Review left May 2, 2022
This was a 5 Star trip! The group leader Micki was organized and friendly, making each day relaxing and enjoyable. The naturalists and speakers were VERY interesting and immersed in their subjects, making the classes and field trips to this lovely area extra special. The Residence Inn was tops. Staff really pleasant. Breakfast super. Don’t miss this experience!
— Review left May 2, 2022
This was a fun and interesting experience and I highly recommend it .
— Review left February 28, 2022
Delightful winter location to learn about Cumberland Island, salt marshes and estuaries, the Okefenokee Swamp, Amelia Island and Ft. Clinch in a short program.
— Review left January 29, 2022
5 stars for this program! We loved the itinerary and the variety of outdoor experiences. Well planned bathroom breaks, and fascinating lectures made this week special and comfortable. We saw alligators, turtles, birds of prey. The “free time and dinner on our own” was the only disappointment - without a car on Amelia Island there isn’t much to do. Luckily, we had rented a car at the airport and so for the one half day “free time”, we visited the local animal shelter. The Marriott hotel was above average food - 4 of us had selected the vegetarian meal choice and the Marriott did a great job of providing tasty vegetarian entrees.
— Review left January 29, 2022
Very peaceful and educational trip of serene nature protected Cumberland Island; the Okefenokee Swamp (I never knew it was in Georgia!); and Amelia Island in Florida. Felt like a different world from the Walt Disney World Florida we all think about. Highly recommended esp in the cooler months
— Review left January 29, 2022
We had a great time: Cumberland Island & the Okefenokee Wildlife Refuge are jewels. Amelia Island is a pretty little beach town. The Resident Inn by Marriott was very comfortable & staff was welcoming (although a couple of the dinners were overcooked/under-seasoned but we appreciated the effort during this pandemic). The group lead, Julie Cardenas, was friendly, professional & organized. The program speakers, from the island ecology expert to the local historian to Kevin McCarthy on the river boat trip, were excellent & informative. This trip is definitely recommended!
— Review left October 21, 2021
A fun Island experience combining seashore and swamp events.
— Review left February 29, 2020
I enjoyed the program and every day was interesting. The trip to the Okefenokee Swamp was special. We are in Florida for the winter, and wanted to see a part of Florida and Georgia we were not familiar with.
— Review left February 1, 2020
Fabulous trip, even if it was unseasonably cool. Great leader, excellent food, especially the local shrimp. Our motel was close to the beach, had bicylces you could explore the beautiful local greenways, and the town of Amelia was charming. Boat ride on Okefenokee was beautiful and Cumberland Island was spectacular with wild horses, empty beaches and gorgeous live oaks with palmetto palms. Toured original mansions and modest dwellings of original inhabitants, but wish we had had more time to walk through the beautiful natural areas.
— Review left July 11, 2019
A delightful exploration of the history that makes this region so unique as well as opportunities to view the flora and fauna of the area in their natural habitat. Discoveries galore!
— Review left April 24, 2019
The Amelia Island, Cumberland Island, and Okefenokee Swamp trip was a delightful winter break in unique places. The trip was a good blend of experiences by boat, van, bus, and walking.
— Review left March 12, 2019
