Dec 8 - Dec 13, 2024
Florida/Georgia
History by the Sea: Study & Stay on Cumberland & Amelia Islands
Program No. 137960MEADV-1116-60
Experience beautiful Cumberland Island as you enjoy an exclusive two-night stay at the 1890 Carnegie compound and delve into 4,000 years of history on sun-dappled Amelia Island.
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800-454-5768
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6 days
5 nights
13 meals
5B 4L 4D
1
Check-in, Registration, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island, Florida
2
Amelia Trolley, Amelia Museum, Fort Clinch
Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island, Florida
3
Shrimping Industry, Amelia Island River Cruise, Free Time
Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island, Florida
4
Ferry to Cumberland, First African Baptist, Plum Orchard
Cumberland Island, GA
5
Field Trip with Naturalist, Free Time
Cumberland Island, GA
6
Program Concludes
Cumberland Island, GA
At a Glance
Discover two Southern islands close in proximity but a world apart in character, including a rare two-night overnight on remote Cumberland Island. Begin on Florida’s historic Amelia Island in the Victorian seaport village of Fernandina Beach where you learn about the island as a historical crossroads for native peoples, European explorers and lawless pirates. Then board a ferry to secluded Cumberland Island, Georgia, a National Seashore restricted to no more than 300 visitors per day. Stay at the Greyfield Inn, a unique and historic venue that’ll give you the rare opportunity to connect with nature at its most pristine. Discover 9,800 acres of protected dune fields, forests, marshes and beaches, and hear an expert naturalist interpret the island’s sensitive ecosystem.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to three miles daily on sandy paths, sand dunes and beaches. Accommodations on Cumberland Island in historic inn and surrounding cottages uses stairs to third and fourth floor bedrooms; cottages within 170 yards of inn.
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…
- Discover the rich history and culture of Amelia Island at Fort Clinch and the Victorian village of Fernandina.
- On the backwaters of Amelia Island, glide along rivers, creeks and marshes during a study cruise in search of wildlife.
- Spend two nights in the only accommodations on the island, the Greyfield Inn, which was built in 1900 by the Carnegie family.
General Notes
All rooms at Greyfield Inn have either one king or one queen bed. As such, we cannot accommodate requests for two beds, and roommate matching is unavailable for solo travelers on this program. No rollaway beds or cots are available. Two rooms share a bathroom. This is picked at random, by the Inn, and means there could be 3-4 people in one bath for the 2-night stay at Greyfield.
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.
Terrie Dal Pozzo
View biography
Terrie was raised in New Orleans and moved to the U.S. Virgin Islands at the age of 18. She became the youngest woman in the Virgin Islands to obtain a Coast Guard license to operate motor and sailing vessels. Terrie skippered sailing vessels, taking guests on journeys through the Leeward Islands, teaching them to sail and snorkel and educating them on island life. She later lived in Kitzbuhel, Austria and Perth, Australia before returning to the Virgin Islands. She currently lives in eastern Tennessee.
Suggested Reading List
(11 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 by the Sea: Study & Stay on Cumberland & Amelia Islands
Program Number: 1379
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.
Yesterday's Reflections II, Nassau County Florida
County history with historic photographs/ Adult
Legendary Locals of Amelia Island
Amelia Island has been host to remarkable people throughout its 500-year history. These people are responsible for giving Amelia the distinction as the only place in the United States to have seen eight different flags. A new railroad followed the Civil War and brought those who sought to take advantage of the burgeoning shipping center. As opportunities waned, the island became a sleepy, blue collar community supported by the local paper mills. Prior to civil rights legislation desegregating the South, Fernandina's American Beach flourished as an African American coastal community. Meanwhile, local visionaries oversaw tight-knit communities and set the stage for the large resorts that came to the island's south end in the 1970s. Today, Amelia Island is a national tourist destination and home to a diverse of community of longtime residents and newcomers, both with remarkable talents and interesting stories to tell.
Cumberland Island: A Place Apart
This book by Thornton Morris, the President of the Conservancy, exists in order to tell, in a personal, and sometimes amusing way, the story of how Cumberland Island was preserved and is now one the our nation's most treasured national seashores. It is a book about the relationship between life and death, a dynamic with which few of us consciously deal in the twenty-first century, but which is a day-to-day issue on Cumberland Island. It tells the story of why Cumberland was saved for future generations and the meaning of this preservation for all Americans.
The Big Sand Dune & the Beach Lady on an African American Beach
Broad age range, about an historical presence on Amelia Island: Environmental Activist; Historian; Opera Singer; Unique Character!
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.
The Golden Age of Amelia Island, Revised
Late 19th Century history/Adult
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.
The Beaches are Moving
Our oceans are eroding, sinking, washing out right under our houses, hotels, bridges; vacation dreamlands become nightmare scenes of futile revetments, fills, groins, what have you - all thrown up in a frantic defense against he natural system. The romantic desire to live on the seashore is in doomed conflict with an age-old pattern of beach migration. Yet it need not be so. Conservationist Wallace Kaufman teams up with marine geologist Orrin H. Pilkey, Jr., in a evaluation of America's beaches from coast to coast, giving sound advice on how to judge a safe beach development from a dangerous one and how to live at the shore sensibly and safely.
Untamed: The Wildest Woman in America and the Fight for Cumberland Island
Carol Ruckdeschel is the wildest woman in America. She wrestles alligators, eats roadkill, rides horses bareback, and lives in a ramshackle cabin that she built by hand in an island wilderness. A combination of Henry David Thoreau and Jane Goodall, Carol is a self-taught scientist who has become a tireless defender of sea turtles on Cumberland Island, a national park off the coast of Georgia.
Cumberland, the country’s largest and most biologically diverse barrier island, is celebrated for its windswept dunes and feral horses. Steel magnate Thomas Carnegie once owned much of the island, and in recent years, Carnegie heirs and the National Park Service have clashed with Carol over the island’s future. What happens when a dirt-poor naturalist with only a high school diploma becomes an outspoken advocate on a celebrated but divisive island? Untamed is the story of an American original standing her ground and fighting for what she believes in, no matter the cost.
A Natural History of Cumberland Island, Georgia
Having lived on Cumberland Island for more than forty years, Carol Ruckdeschel's goal has been to document present conditions of the island's flora and fauna, establishing a baseline from which to assess future changes. Since the late 1960s, she has witnessed many changes and trends that are often overlooked by those carrying out short-term observations. This compilation of data, along with historic information, presents the most comprehensive picture of the island's flora, fauna, geology, and ecology to date.
This volume will satisfy a general interest in the ecology of Cumberland and other Georgia barrier islands. New information on individual species is presented, contributing to its value as a reference for the Southeast.
Program
At a Glance
Duration
6 days
Program Begins
Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island, Florida
Program Concludes
Cumberland Island, GA
Group Type
Small Group
Meals
13
| 5B |
4L |
4D |
Activity Level
Discover two Southern islands close in proximity but a world apart in character, including a rare two-night overnight on remote Cumberland Island. Begin on Florida’s historic Amelia Island in the Victorian seaport village of Fernandina Beach where you learn about the island as a historical crossroads for native peoples, European explorers and lawless pirates. Then board a ferry to secluded Cumberland Island, Georgia, a National Seashore restricted to no more than 300 visitors per day. Stay at the Greyfield Inn, a unique and historic venue that’ll give you the rare opportunity to connect with nature at its most pristine. Discover 9,800 acres of protected dune fields, forests, marshes and beaches, and hear an expert naturalist interpret the island’s sensitive ecosystem.)
Best of all, you'll...
- Discover the rich history and culture of Amelia Island at Fort Clinch and the Victorian village of Fernandina.
- On the backwaters of Amelia Island, glide along rivers, creeks and marshes during a study cruise in search of wildlife.
- Spend two nights in the only accommodations on the island, the Greyfield Inn, which was built in 1900 by the Carnegie family.
General Notes
All rooms at Greyfield Inn have either one king or one queen bed. As such, we cannot accommodate requests for two beds, and roommate matching is unavailable for solo travelers on this program. No rollaway beds or cots are available. Two rooms share a bathroom. This is picked at random, by the Inn, and means there could be 3-4 people in one bath for the 2-night stay at Greyfield.
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.
Terrie Dal Pozzo
Terrie was raised in New Orleans and moved to the U.S. Virgin Islands at the age of 18. She became the youngest woman in the Virgin Islands to obtain a Coast Guard license to operate motor and sailing vessels. Terrie skippered sailing vessels, taking guests on journeys through the Leeward Islands, teaching them to sail and snorkel and educating them on island life. She later lived in Kitzbuhel, Austria and Perth, Australia before returning to the Virgin Islands. She currently lives in eastern Tennessee.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to three miles daily on sandy paths, sand dunes and beaches. Accommodations on Cumberland Island in historic inn and surrounding cottages uses stairs to third and fourth floor bedrooms; cottages within 170 yards of inn.
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
(11 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
Year
- 2024
- 2025
Date and Direction
- Dec 08 - Dec 13 (Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island, Florida to Cumberland Island, GA)
Please Note: The program differs on certain dates.
Dec 8 - Dec 13, 2024 Itinerary Differences: Saturday, December 7, 2024, Lighted Christmas Parade, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Not part of our program but the fun lighted parade hosted by America's Youth to celebrate the holiday season begins at Central Park and goes through downtown Fernandina. There will be an after party from 7-9pm at Central Park following the parade with vendors, music, and food. Make your own hotel reservations a day before program start date if you decide to attend.
Please Note: The program differs on certain dates.
Select trip year and date
- 2024
- 2025
- Dec 08 - Dec 13 (Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island, Florida to Cumberland Island, GA)
Dec 8 - Dec 13, 2024 Itinerary Differences: Saturday, December 7, 2024, Lighted Christmas Parade, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Not part of our program but the fun lighted parade hosted by America's Youth to celebrate the holiday season begins at Central Park and goes through downtown Fernandina. There will be an after party from 7-9pm at Central Park following the parade with vendors, music, and food. Make your own hotel reservations a day before program start date if you decide to attend.
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 |
2 expert-led lectures
5 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 on Amelia Island, Florida
Meals:
D
Stay:
Residence Inn by Marriott Amelia Island
Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 4:00 p.m.
Afternoon:
Program Registration. After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table in the main lobby to register with the program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived. Orientation. 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 daily 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. Take the remainder of the evening to prepare for the start of your weeks adventure on two islands.
Day
2
Amelia Trolley, Amelia Museum, Fort Clinch
Location:
Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island, Florida
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Residence Inn by Marriott Amelia Island
Activity Note
Getting on/off trolley. Minimal walking/standing at Fort Clinch on uneven terrain. Slopped incline to second level of Fort Clinch with no railings.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Today will be a day of fascination and historical adventure. 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. Afterwards, on a visit to the Amelia Island Museum of History, 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 a popular restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we will travel by trolley to Fort Clinch, a part of the Florida State Park system since 1935. The fort is one of the most well-preserved 19th century forts in the country, thanks to the preservation and restoration efforts of the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. While garrisoned during the Civil War and the Spanish-American War, the fort has never seen action. Civil War-period reenactors will bring garrison living to life for us.
Dinner:
At hotel.
Evening:
We will watch a video in preparation for our trip to Cumberland Island.
Day
3
Shrimping Industry, Amelia Island River Cruise, Free Time
Location:
Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island, Florida
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Residence Inn by Marriott Amelia Island
Activity Note
Getting on/off a trolley; driving 8 miles roundtrip, approximately 25 minutes riding time. Getting on/off pontoon boat for cruise including ramp with grade and elevation dependent on tide. Minimal walking.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After breakfast, we will ride by trolley to a marina located in the historic district. Here, we will board a vessel and hear 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. Next, we will cruise the rivers, creeks and marshes that surround Amelia Island with a naturalist and history expert who will give you the details of everything from the land to the sea. We will cruise by Fernandina’s shrimp boats, historic Old Towne, Fort Clinch, the wild horses of Cumberland Island, and ruins of the Carnegie Dungeoness Mansion.
Lunch:
At a riverside café.
Afternoon:
Free Time. Take this opportunity for 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.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Day
4
Ferry to Cumberland, First African Baptist, Plum Orchard
Location:
Cumberland Island, GA
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Greyfield Inn
Activity Note
Getting on/off ferry; riding approximately 35 minutes. Getting in/out of safari truck with 4 ladder steps, bench seating; driving about 10 miles, approximately 2 hours riding time. Walking about 1 mile, approximately 1 hour; beach and wooded area, uneven, unpaved terrain that leads to the beach.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will check out of the hotel and ride via motorcoach with our luggage to the marina. Here, we will board the ferry from Fernandina Beach to Cumberland Island for the ride of about 35 minutes. Upon arrival, Greyfield Inn staff will take our luggage from the ferry to the Inn. We will then check in at Greyfield Inn and walk through the Inn with a member of their staff and get acquainted with the facilities and learn some of the Inn’s history. Cumberland Island is 17.5 miles long and comprises 36,415 acres of which 16,850 are marsh, mud flats, and tidal creeks. It is well known for sea turtles, wild turkeys, wild horses, armadillos, abundant shore birds, dune fields, maritime forests, salt marshes, and historic structures.
Lunch:
At the Inn, we will pick up our boxed lunch for a picnic-style meal outside in a spot of our choice to enjoy the scenery—under some of the huge old live oaks, down by the water, and on the patio are just a few options.
Afternoon:
A naturalist will take the group on a Jeep safari for a field trip on Cumberland Island. Ride in the back of our custom naturalist’s truck on the way to view the secrets of Cumberland: historical ruins, wild horses, and lush maritime forests. We will visit the First African Baptist Church by Jeep, where John Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette were married. We will also drive by Plum Orchard, an 1898 Georgian Revival mansion building by Lucy Carnegie for her son, George and his wife, Margaret Thaw. This mansion was donated to the National Park Foundation by the Carnegie family in 1971. Upon returning to the inn, we will enjoy a cocktail social hour each evening, with hors d'oeuvres in the oceanfront resort inn's well-stocked bar (drinks not included), share stories with fellow guests.
Dinner:
In the Inn dining room.
Evening:
We will meet in the living room for a presentation by the island naturalist.
Day
5
Field Trip with Naturalist, Free Time
Location:
Cumberland Island, GA
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Greyfield Inn
Activity Note
Walking over some uneven, unpaved terrain around beach and wooded area, uneven, unpaved terrain that leads to the beach.
Breakfast:
At the Inn.
Morning:
A naturalist will take the group on a beach/maritime forest field trip. Walk rolling sand dunes, encounter hidden freshwater sloughs and take in the beauty of the island. Interior trails through the maritime forest offer a true wilderness experience. We will then return to the inn for lunch.
Lunch:
Picnic-style lunch outside the Inn.
Afternoon:
On your own. Bikes are available free of charge for anyone staying at Greyfield Inn. Comb the beach, which is a .5 mile walk from the Inn or just enjoy the swing on the front porch with the beautiful view of the ancient live oaks and possibly a wild horse or more.
Dinner:
At the Inn.
Evening:
After dinner, we will share stories and bid farewell at the inn social hour. Prepare for departure in the morning.
Day
6
Program Concludes
Location:
Cumberland Island, GA
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Greyfield Inn check-out is 10:00 am. Ferry returns guests to mainland at 8:00 am and10:45 am. Consider this when making flight arrangements.
Breakfast:
At the Inn.
Morning:
Staff from the Inn will gather your luggage from your rooms and load the ferry trip to the mainland at Fernandina Beach. The ferry will leave around 10:45 am from Cumberland and the Inn and arrive at 11:30 am. For those who have left cars at the Fernandina dock, you will only have to walk across the street to retrieve your car. This concludes our program.< br> We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Please join our Facebook page and share photos of your program. Visit us at www.facebook.com/rsadventures. 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:
- Dec 08, 2024 - Dec 13, 2024
- Dec 08, 2024 - Dec 13, 2024 (Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island, Florida to Cumberland Island, GA)
- Feb 02, 2025 - Feb 07, 2025 (Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island, Florida to Cumberland Island, GA)
- Feb 16, 2025 - Feb 21, 2025 (Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island, Florida to Cumberland Island, GA)
- Sep 14, 2025 - Sep 19, 2025 (Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island, Florida to Cumberland Island, GA)
- Dec 07, 2025 - Dec 12, 2025 (Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island, Florida to Cumberland Island, GA)
Participant Reviews
Based on 14 Reviews
Sort By:
THANKYOU TERRIE DAL POZZO YOU DID A GREAT JOB.
— Review left February 13, 2024
Cumberland Island is a gem. Not fancy, not exciting, but a step back in time without the distractions found in most places.
— Review left January 21, 2024
Thanks
— Review left December 26, 2022
If you like human history and the natural beauty of barrier islands, this trip is for you!
— Review left December 18, 2022
This was an outstanding trip to a beautiful location.
— Review left October 16, 2022
September was a wonderful time to be on these islands - not too hot, and certainly not cold. Having read "Untamed" about Carol Ruckdeschel, I was hoping to see her at her home site. Unfortunately I did not, but one member of our group did. It would be interesting if you could get her to make a presentation in future trips.
— Review left October 6, 2022
Cumberland Island was wonderful. We really enjoyed this trip!
— Review left January 31, 2022
Cumberland Island is a fascinating and an interesting location. A lot of history and life that I was not aware of.
— Review left January 24, 2022
Excellent adventure filled with a lot of interesting history.
— Review left January 24, 2022
The Amelia/Cumberland Island trip was a nice blend of history and nature outings. Staying on Cumberland for two days at the Greyfield Inn was far preferable to a quick day trip. Definitely like traveling back in time to the early 1900s.
— Review left December 19, 2021
Greyfield Inn is an old mansion filled with history. One can feel immersed in the glory times past and the imaginings and feelings of how it used to be. The fourth floor bedrooms are really a workout to climb up to so beware, as you will be going up and down them many times during the day. All the rooms are different and have period furniture. Most bathrooms are shared, and a lot have the deep claw foot tubs, which can be a challenge. The library is a wonderful room to read in, and the front porch rockers and swings are a delight to relax and listen to the ocean.
— Review left December 18, 2021
See a part of Florida that has not yet been obliterated by over-development, and a part of Georgia where the Gilded Age past has been preserved. A great learning experience!
— Review left December 17, 2021
To me, the good value of a Road Scholar trip is without question, but this adventure is truly exceptional.
The exploration features compelling history, sun drenched ocean dunes, and delectable food.
One day I'll do it again.
— Review left June 15, 2019
Amelia Island is delightful and Cumberland Island is a real treasure; great
combination of history and nature!
— Review left March 11, 2019
