Florida
Signature City St. Augustine
Program No. 6642RJ
Explore culturally vibrant St. Augustine with historians and experts to learn the story of the nation’s oldest city through its architecture, art, monuments, Gilded Age works and more.
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DATES
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PRICES
Jan 5 - Jan 10, 2025
Starting at
1,999Jan 12 - Jan 17, 2025
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2,049Feb 2 - Feb 7, 2025
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2,049Feb 23 - Feb 28, 2025
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Jan 5 - Jan 10, 2025
Starting at
2,599Jan 12 - Jan 17, 2025
Starting at
2,649Feb 2 - Feb 7, 2025
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2,649Feb 23 - Feb 28, 2025
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6 days
5 nights
12 meals
5B 3L 4D
1
Check-in, Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation
St. Augustine, Florida
2
Before the Europeans, Historic District, Architecture
St. Augustine, Florida
3
The Europeans, Castillo de San Marcos, Minorcans
St. Augustine, Florida
4
Maritime Museum, Lincolnville Museum, Free Time
St. Augustine, Florida
5
The Age of Flagler: Meet Mrs. Flagler & See Flagler's Legacy
St. Augustine, Florida
6
Wrap-Up, Program Concludes
St. Augustine, Florida
At a Glance
Bright and bold living history awaits you in beautiful St. Augustine, Florida — the oldest, continuously-inhabited city in America. What began as a thriving community of indigenous peoples, the Timucuans, became a Spanish fortress and transformed over the centuries into a charming seaside town seeped in antiquity. Brimming with authentic, restored Spanish, British, and Venetian Renaissance architecture, local experts share gripping tales and a dramatic overview of the city's remarkable history. Walk the sacred grounds of the Timucuan Indians with an archaeologist, understand the importance of the Spanish Fort and discover the role the harbor played in the Revolutionary War from an esteemed maritime archaeologist, while viewing salvaged maritime artifacts and remnants of a British vessel. Come and immerse yourself in the city's unique Old-World charm. Viva San Augustin!
Activity Level
On Your Feet
Walking up to 2 miles each day over varied terrain including stairs, narrow sidewalks and cobblestone streets; standing while on field trips.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Discover a unique tapestry of history through the shared passions of park rangers, scholars, authors, storytellers and historians.
- Learn about the Timucua, who had a thriving civilization centuries before the Spanish, and enjoy expert-led explorations of Spanish and British architecture.
- See the Victorian Era come alive at the Lightner Museum and understand the legacy of Henry Flagler and his grand hotels, admiring Gilded Age works of Tiffany glass in historic buildings.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Roger Smith
Dr. Roger Smith, an expert in Early American history, has received numerous awards for his work on the American Revolution in the South. An adjunct professor of American history, he also represents Colonial Research Associates and speaks nationally on the Revolutionary War. He consulted for the AMC series “Turn” and was in the PBS documentary “Secrets of the Dead: The Secrets of Spanish Florida.” He has worked with Florida Humanities Council, University of West Florida, University of Florida, and the City of St. Augustine.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Kenneth Barrett
View biography
A native Floridian, Ken Barrett graduated from St. Joseph Academy and received degrees from Santa Fe Community College and the University of Florida. While associated with the National Park Service, Ken photographed parks in this region and organized their archives. A freelance photographer, Ken's work has appeared in a variety of publications, including, "The Houses of St. Augustine" and "Florida's Colonial Architectural Heritage." Ken is also a frequent exhibitor at Florida art shows.
Margaret Kaler
View biography
Margaret Kaler, from St. Augustine, studied theater at Florida State University and worked with the Asolo Theater in Sarasota. She specializes in re-enacting historical St. Augustine figures from Maria Malendez, a Timucuan woman, to Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, author of “The Yearling.” She also acts and directs with local theater companies. A storyteller, Margaret serves on the board of the Florida Storytelling Association which produces the annual Florida Storytelling Festival. Audiences love her tales about growing up in St. Augustine, ghost stories, and history.
Marsha Chance
View biography
Marsha Chance, a St. Augustine native, is an archaeologist, museum educator, and preservation consultant with 47 years of experience. With a master’s degree in Anthropology, she has served as an exhibit text author, graphics researcher, history camp director, and is presently the Curatorial Chair at the historic Pena-Peck House in St. Augustine. Marsha has also served on the Florida Historical Commission, the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum Board of Trustees, and the St. Johns County Historic Resource Review Board.
Ann Masters
View biography
Dr. Ann Browning Masters is a poet and 12th-generation Floridian. Her book “Floridanos, Menorcans, Cattle-Whip Crackers: Poetry of St. Augustine” features stories about mullet-netting, pilau-eating, and rum-running times in northeast Florida. Her writing has been recognized and recorded for the Florida State Historical Archives. In 2015, Masters was knighted by the St. Augustine Easter Festival for her dedication in promoting St. Augustine’s Spanish heritage. She enjoys sharing the beauty and drama found in St. Augustine from the Civil War through the Civil Rights Movement.
Charles Tingley
View biography
Charles Tingley, a native Floridian, relocated to St. Augustine in 1978. He founded the Friends of St. Augustine Architecture, Inc., served on the city’s Historic Architectural Review Board, and is the Senior Research Librarian at the St. Augustine Historical Society. An award-winning writer, Charles has contributed to documentaries for the BBC, French National Television, PBS, NPR, and more, and had architectural photographs published in a work on the city’s historical architecture. In 2019, the St. Augustine City Commission gave him the de Aviles Award.
Roger Smith
View biography
Dr. Roger Smith, an expert in Early American history, has received numerous awards for his work on the American Revolution in the South. An adjunct professor of American history, he also represents Colonial Research Associates and speaks nationally on the Revolutionary War. He consulted for the AMC series “Turn” and was in the PBS documentary “Secrets of the Dead: The Secrets of Spanish Florida.” He has worked with Florida Humanities Council, University of West Florida, University of Florida, and the City of St. Augustine.
Charles Meide
View biography
Chuck Meide is a maritime archaeologist and director of the lighthouse archaeological maritime program of the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum in Florida. In addition to overseeing daily operations of the maritime archaeology program for the museum, Meide conducts field work (diving and searching wrecks), analysis, data work in the laboratory, and stabilization of the artifacts excavated. He discusses shipwreck archaeology in the United States' oldest port, showcasing a British Revolutionary War vessel he discovered.
Suggested Reading List
(13 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.
Signature City St. Augustine
Program Number: 6642
Fort Mose: Colonial America's Black Fortress of Freedom
This book tells the story of Fort Mose and the people who lived there. It challenges the notion of the American black colonial experience as only that of slavery, offering instead a richer and more balanced view of the black experience in the Spanish colonies from the arrival of Columbus to the American Revolution.
Anastasia Island: St. Augustine's Jewel by the Sea
Anastasia Island, St. Augustine's Jewel by the Sea, has played a major role in the history of America's Oldest European settlement. Native Indians inhabited these sandy shores long before the arrival of the first Spanish settlers in the 1500s. This up-to-date guidebook, illustrated with color photographs, takes visitors and residents to St. Augustine's beautiful beaches and the island's attractions, historic sites and parks. Just as light changes the landscape during the day, these photographs on Anastasia Island capture the ebb and flow of life along the ever-changing shoreline.
Mullet on the Beach: The Minorcans of FLorida, 1768-1788
In the history of St. Augustine, the story of the Minorcans, who still today exert tremendous political and social influence, rivals the drama of the Jamestown or Plymouth settlements. Patricia C. Griffin describes their first twenty years in the New World, including the hardship of their arrival in British East Florida in 1768, their starvation and suffering on an indigo plantation, and their revolt and flight to sanctuary in St. Augustine.
There, survivors of this devastating experience pieced back together their Mediterranean heritage. In time, they became farmers, craftsmen, shopkeepers, mariners, and fishermen. Mullet on the beach, their freedom cry, signaled the emigrants release from plantation captivity. As the Floridas reverted to Spanish control and were later acquired by the United States, the Minorcans became the core population of St. Augustine, settling into a quarter next to the city gate and south of the old Spanish fort which is now known as the restored area.
Griffin brings alive this remarkable colonial venture through her use of documentary sources, archaeological evidence, and topographical and climatic data. Students of Florida history and the Spanish borderlands, specialists in migration studies, ethnohistorians, and the general reader will value this solidly researched study of a folk communitys struggle and triumph in the New World.
Mr. Flagler’s St. Augustine
In the late 1800s, Henry Morrison Flagler walked away from Standard Oil, leaving the enormously successful company in the hands of John D. Rockefeller while he headed to Florida to pursue other interests. Flagler’s new venture would lead him to completely restructure the sleepy town of St. Augustine and transform Florida’s entire east coast.
This monumental biography tells the story of how one of the wealthiest men in America spared no expense to turn the country’s “Oldest City” into a highly desirable vacation destination for the rich. Upon arrival, Flagler found accommodations in St. Augustine to be inferior, so he set out to build the opulent Ponce de Leon Hotel, and thus began his endeavor to attract wealthy travelers to the small southern city. He funded hospitals and churches and improved streets and parks. He constructed railroads in remote areas where men feared to tread and erected palatial hotels on swampland. The rich and famous flocked to Flagler’s invented paradise. And he had the vision to stretch his new railroad southward, establishing hotels and accommodations along the way.
In tracing Flagler’s second career, Thomas Graham reveals much about the inner life of the former oil magnate and the demons that drove him to expand a coastal empire that eventually encompassed Palm Beach, Miami, Key West, and finally Nassau. Graham also gives voice to the individuals that history has forgotten: the women who wrote tourist books, the artists who decorated the hotels, the black servants who waited tables, and the journalists who penned society columns for the newspapers.
Arguably no man did more to make over a city—or a state—than Flagler. Almost single-handedly, he transformed Florida from a remote frontier into the winter playground of America’s elite. Filled with fascinating details that bring the Gilded Age to life, Mr. Flagler’s St. Augustine provides an authoritative look at an intriguing man and a captivating time in American history.
A History of the Timucua Indians and Missions
An extraordinary scholarly work that will immediately make everything else written about the Timucua and the Spanish mission system in La Florida out-of-date. “An intricate and detailed portrait of the Timucuan Indians during the European colonial era . . . will undoubtedly stand as the principal source regarding the land of the Timucua speakers for years to come."--John E. Worth, Fernbank Museum of Natural History, Atlanta. When Spanish and French explorers first landed in Florida early in the 16th century, Timucua speakers occupied more land area and were more numerous than any other aboriginal group. This is their first detailed history, a major study that places its author in the forefront of Spanish colonial historians working in the United States.
Oldest City: The History of St. Augustine
Edited by Susan Richbourg Parker, Ph. D., the book tells the story of the city’s history beginning with the native tribes who were here before the arrival of the city’s founder, Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles in 1565, through the city’s first 450 years.
Secrets of Spanish Florida
Murder & martyrdom in Spanish Florida: the true story behind the Guale Uprising; 55 years before the Pilgrims even arrived in Plymouth, the first true Thanksgiving was actually in St. Augustine; indentured servants escape from an infamous Florida plantation owner; a city born in storm, shipwreck and slaughter. These stories and more can be found on the PBS special as you uncover the Secrets of Spanish Florida. This program will be airing on December 17, 2019.
The Houses of St. Augustine, 1565-1821
Albert Manucy's book continues to serve as a catalyst for architectural preservation in St. Augustine and to inspire similar works elsewhere. His sketches, which explain this colonial architecture, delight as much as they inform. "The book also serves as a gentle reminder to Yankees that Florida was civilized before the Puritans settled New England."--F. Blair Reeves, chairman, Historic Resource Committee, Florida Association/American Institute of Architects. As architecture documents history, The Houses of St. Augustine records architecture, preserving and interpreting the history of housing in the oldest city in the continental United States.
Shadows of the Past: Mysteries from Florida History
Florida's rich and diverse history is well known. But there are some stories from the past that remain a mystery. Will these mysteries of Florida history ever be solved or are the answers to these stories lost in the shadows of the past?
10 Towns That Changed America
10 That Changed America offers three whirlwind tours of America’s architectural treasures: the 10 homes, 10 parks, and 10 towns that changed our country. Explore American houses through the ages, enjoy a lively history of landscape architecture and our most beloved parks, and discover the story of how we have planned our cities over time.
Floridanos, Menorcans, Cattle Whip Crackers: Poetry of St. Augustine
Poetry from this collection has been published in anthologies and journals, read at the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Annual Conference and Florida Literary Arts Coalition Conferences, recognized at the Florida Folk Festival, and recorded for the Florida State Historical Archives.
Dr. Ann Browning Masters is a retired faculty member of St. Johns River State College. She continues to read from her work in the Eckerd College Road Scholar Program. In 2015 she was knighted by the Board of Directors of the Easter Festival Committee of St. Augustine for her dedication in promoting St. Augustine s Spanish heritage. A St. Augustine native, Dr. Masters is a 12th generation Floridian.
The History of Castillo de San Marcos
This book incorporates all of the text and most of the illustrations from "The Building of the Castillo de San Marcos" by Luis Arana and Albert Manucy, published by Eastern National in 1977. We have enlarged the format, used larger type, added historical maps, historical photographs, modern color photographs, and some additional text.
Indian Art of Ancient Florida
For thousands of years, the Indians of Florida created exquisite objects from the natural materials available to them--wood, bone, stone, clay, and shell. This stunning full-color book, the first devoted exclusively to the artistic achievements of the Florida aborigines, describes and pictures 116 of these masterpieces.
A brief history of the consequences of European infiltration and later investigations by explorers and archaeologists sets the stage for consideration of the works themselves. They date from the Paleoindian period (ca. 9500-8000 BC) to the mid-16th century and include utilitarian creations, instruments of personal adornment and magic, objects indicating status, and those paying homage to ancestors or aiding the dead in their journey into the next world.
Barbara A. Purdy is professor emerita in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Florida, curator emerita in archaeology at the Florida Museum of Natural History, and author of How to Do Archaeology the Right Way (UPF, 1996) and The Art and Archaeology of Florida’s Wetlands (1991). Roy C. Craven, Jr., is professor of art emeritus, founding director of the University Gallery at the University of Florida, and author of Ceremonial Centers of the Maya (UPF, 1974) and A Concise History of Indian Art (1991).
Program
At a Glance
Duration
6 days
Program Begins
St. Augustine, Florida
Program Concludes
St. Augustine, Florida
Meals
12
| 5B |
3L |
4D |
Activity Level
Bright and bold living history awaits you in beautiful St. Augustine, Florida — the oldest, continuously-inhabited city in America. What began as a thriving community of indigenous peoples, the Timucuans, became a Spanish fortress and transformed over the centuries into a charming seaside town seeped in antiquity. Brimming with authentic, restored Spanish, British, and Venetian Renaissance architecture, local experts share gripping tales and a dramatic overview of the city's remarkable history. Walk the sacred grounds of the Timucuan Indians with an archaeologist, understand the importance of the Spanish Fort and discover the role the harbor played in the Revolutionary War from an esteemed maritime archaeologist, while viewing salvaged maritime artifacts and remnants of a British vessel. Come and immerse yourself in the city's unique Old-World charm. Viva San Augustin!)
Best of all, you'll...
- Discover a unique tapestry of history through the shared passions of park rangers, scholars, authors, storytellers and historians.
- Learn about the Timucua, who had a thriving civilization centuries before the Spanish, and enjoy expert-led explorations of Spanish and British architecture.
- See the Victorian Era come alive at the Lightner Museum and understand the legacy of Henry Flagler and his grand hotels, admiring Gilded Age works of Tiffany glass in historic buildings.
Featured Expert
Roger Smith
Dr. Roger Smith, an expert in Early American history, has received numerous awards for his work on the American Revolution in the South. An adjunct professor of American history, he also represents Colonial Research Associates and speaks nationally on the Revolutionary War. He consulted for the AMC series “Turn” and was in the PBS documentary “Secrets of the Dead: The Secrets of Spanish Florida.” He has worked with Florida Humanities Council, University of West Florida, University of Florida, and the City of St. Augustine.
Please Note:
This expert may not be available for every date of the program
Kenneth Barrett
A native Floridian, Ken Barrett graduated from St. Joseph Academy and received degrees from Santa Fe Community College and the University of Florida. While associated with the National Park Service, Ken photographed parks in this region and organized their archives. A freelance photographer, Ken's work has appeared in a variety of publications, including, "The Houses of St. Augustine" and "Florida's Colonial Architectural Heritage." Ken is also a frequent exhibitor at Florida art shows.
Margaret Kaler
Margaret Kaler, from St. Augustine, studied theater at Florida State University and worked with the Asolo Theater in Sarasota. She specializes in re-enacting historical St. Augustine figures from Maria Malendez, a Timucuan woman, to Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, author of “The Yearling.” She also acts and directs with local theater companies. A storyteller, Margaret serves on the board of the Florida Storytelling Association which produces the annual Florida Storytelling Festival. Audiences love her tales about growing up in St. Augustine, ghost stories, and history.
Marsha Chance
Marsha Chance, a St. Augustine native, is an archaeologist, museum educator, and preservation consultant with 47 years of experience. With a master’s degree in Anthropology, she has served as an exhibit text author, graphics researcher, history camp director, and is presently the Curatorial Chair at the historic Pena-Peck House in St. Augustine. Marsha has also served on the Florida Historical Commission, the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum Board of Trustees, and the St. Johns County Historic Resource Review Board.
Ann Masters
Dr. Ann Browning Masters is a poet and 12th-generation Floridian. Her book “Floridanos, Menorcans, Cattle-Whip Crackers: Poetry of St. Augustine” features stories about mullet-netting, pilau-eating, and rum-running times in northeast Florida. Her writing has been recognized and recorded for the Florida State Historical Archives. In 2015, Masters was knighted by the St. Augustine Easter Festival for her dedication in promoting St. Augustine’s Spanish heritage. She enjoys sharing the beauty and drama found in St. Augustine from the Civil War through the Civil Rights Movement.
Charles Tingley
Charles Tingley, a native Floridian, relocated to St. Augustine in 1978. He founded the Friends of St. Augustine Architecture, Inc., served on the city’s Historic Architectural Review Board, and is the Senior Research Librarian at the St. Augustine Historical Society. An award-winning writer, Charles has contributed to documentaries for the BBC, French National Television, PBS, NPR, and more, and had architectural photographs published in a work on the city’s historical architecture. In 2019, the St. Augustine City Commission gave him the de Aviles Award.
Activity Level
On Your Feet
Walking up to 2 miles each day over varied terrain including stairs, narrow sidewalks and cobblestone streets; standing while on field trips.
Suggested Reading List
View Full List
(13 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
- 2025
Date
- Jan 05 - Jan 10
- Jan 12 - Jan 17
- Feb 02 - Feb 07
- Feb 23 - Feb 28
- Mar 02 - Mar 07
- Apr 06 - Apr 11
Please Note: The program differs on certain dates.
Please Note: The program differs on certain dates.
Select trip year and date
- 2025
- Jan 05 - Jan 10
- Jan 12 - Jan 17
- Feb 02 - Feb 07
- Feb 23 - Feb 28
- Mar 02 - Mar 07
- Apr 06 - Apr 11
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
12 meals | 5B | 3L | 4D |
9 expert-led lectures
10 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, Welcome Dinner, Orientation
Location:
St. Augustine, Florida
Meals:
D
Stay:
Casa Monica Resort & Spa
Activity Note
Program registration from 3:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. in the meeting room with Orientation beginning at 4:00 p.m. Hotel check-in is 4:00 p.m. or later.
Afternoon:
Program Registration: After checking in to your room, come to the meeting room to register and check in with the program staff and get your welcome packet containing an up-to-date schedule that reflects any last-minute changes. Orientation starts at 4:00 p.m. sharp. If your arrival is delayed, please let your Group Leader know as soon as possible.
Dinner:
Dinner will be served at the hotel in our private room.
Evening:
Introductions and Orientation: Our Group Leader will kick off the program with introductions and a game or two so we get to know one another. Then we will review the program schedule in depth, discuss any changes, roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer any questions you may have. Free time has been reserved during the week for your personal independent exploration. Evenings at leisure offer opportunities to make the program more meaningful and memorable through engaging in available activities on your own, or simply relaxing and making new friends among fellow participants. The Group Leader will always be happy to offer suggestions of additional activities or best places to shop. Please note that program activities, schedules, and personnel may need to change due to local circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the full day ahead.
Day
2
Before the Europeans, Historic District, Architecture
Location:
St. Augustine, Florida
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Casa Monica Resort & Spa
Activity Note
Boarding/disembarking trolley; walking up to 2 miles, sometimes on uneven terrain; stairs (no elevator) at the Oldest House.
Breakfast:
Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning:
Following breakfast, we'll hear a presentation about the first settlers to the area, the Timucuas, who called Northeast and North Central Florida and Southeast Georgia their home. It is believed that the Timucuas may have been the first Native Americans to see the Spanish explorers when they landed in Florida. At the time of the European contact it is believed this was home to a thriving community of 200,000+ Timucuas. From 1649-1656, the population began to diminish. War with the English and other Indians decreased their numbers and a series of epidemics further diminished their population, the major one being smallpox. In fewer than 250 years the Timucuas completely disappeared. Following this lecture by renowned archaeologist, we will take a guided archaeology walk through the historic district, an exclusive experience led by our expert.
Lunch:
Our archeology walk ends at a local restaurant where we will have lunch.
Afternoon:
After lunch, an open-sided trolley will take us for a non-stop narrated exploration of the Historic District. In this city occupied since the 1600s, we’ll see evidence of the Spanish, British and American occupations of St. Augustine and gain insight as to how people from each period may have lived. The guided trolley ride ends at the González–Alvarez House, also known as The Oldest House, where a docent will lead a guided tour. The González–Alvarez House, is now an historic museum. With a construction history dating to about 1723, it is believed to be the oldest surviving home in St. Augustine. It is also an important example of St. Augustine's Spanish colonial architectural style, with later modifications by English owners. It was designated a U.S. National Historic Landmark in 1970 and is now owned by the St. Augustine Historical Society. Following the tour, we will be joined by the founding president of the Friends of St. Augustine Architecture Society for a presentation on St. Augustine's “vernacular” architecture: design based on local needs, materials, and traditions that span the city’s history, adapted to meet changing times.
Dinner:
Meet in the hotel lobby and we will walk to a nearby restaurant.
Evening:
At your leisure.
Day
3
The Europeans, Castillo de San Marcos, Minorcans
Location:
St. Augustine, Florida
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Casa Monica Resort & Spa
Activity Note
Walking up to 2 miles; some stairs, uneven terrain, especially at the Fort.
Breakfast:
Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning:
Begin the morning in our meeting room for an historical overview of St. Augustine's European era and the Castillo (Fort). Our presenter, a former National Park ranger, author, college professor and noted photographer, will also be our guide at the Fort. At the conclusion of the lecture, we’ll walk to the Castillo de San Marcos. The Castillo is a monument not only of stone and mortar but of human determination and endurance. It symbolizes the clash of cultures which ultimately resulted in our uniquely unified nation. Still resonant with the struggle of an earlier time, these walls provide tangible evidence of America’s remarkable history.
Lunch:
Take a short walk from the Fort to a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we'll have a lecture on the British Period by a noted historian and scholar. Next, meet a fabulous author, retired college professor and historical interpreter. Through her engaging recollections and poetry "in the vernacular," she weaves together the history of Floridanos, Minorcans, and Crackers.
Dinner:
We will meet in the hotel lobby and ride to a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
4
Maritime Museum, Lincolnville Museum, Free Time
Location:
St. Augustine, Florida
Meals:
B
Stay:
Casa Monica Resort & Spa
Activity Note
Boarding/disembarking an enclosed bus multiple times during field trips; walking up to 2 miles; some stairs, uneven terrain.
Breakfast:
Breakfast will be at the hotel.
Morning:
We'll ride to the historic St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum. Here we will enjoy a lecture by a nationally- renowned maritime archeologist and explore the museum. Next, we’ll take a short ride to the Lincolnville Museum, which tells the story of the area's African American slaves and settlers, and the important role played during the Civil Rights era.Then we will head back to the hotel.
Lunch:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader is happy to offer suggestions.
Afternoon:
Free Afternoon: Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. The Group Leader is happy to offer suggestions and give directions.
Dinner:
On your own.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
5
The Age of Flagler: Meet Mrs. Flagler & See Flagler's Legacy
Location:
St. Augustine, Florida
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Casa Monica Resort & Spa
Activity Note
Walking up to 2 miles; some stairs (elevator may not be available at all sites), uneven terrain.
Breakfast:
Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning:
Henry M. Flagler's legacy as railroad tycoon, hotelier, and "Father of Tourism" is deeply appreciated and acknowledged in St. Augustine and the State of Florida. We will meet in the lobby and walk to the grounds of the Lightner Museum and be joined in the historic chapel by one of the first individuals to realize the potential of this titan of industry, the love of his life and first wife, Mary Harkness, in the person of our noted professional actor. Following that presentation, we will transition to the Lightner Museum, where our docent guides will share with you the museum's rich past and lead you through select galleries. The Lightner Museum is housed in the former Alcazar Hotel built in 1888 by Henry Flagler. Today it is home to one of the best collections of fine and decorative 19th century art in the country.
Lunch:
We will walk a few blocks to lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch we'll walk (approximately 3 blocks) to Memorial Presbyterian Church. Built in 1889 as a memorial to Flagler's daughter and infant granddaughter who died that year, this church is an elegant example of Venetian Renaissance architecture. Following our tour, we’ll move on to Flagler’s magnificent Ponce de Leon Hotel that set the standard for luxury in 1888, and became the centerpiece of Flagler College in 1968. We’ll hear from an expert student leader who will share information about the first of the luxury hotels Flagler built on the east coast of Florida. Learn how the building featured innovations such as a steam heating system and electricity as well as interior stained glass designed by Louis Tiffany. We then make our way back to the hotel.
Dinner:
Enjoy our farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
6
Wrap-Up, Program Concludes
Location:
St. Augustine, Florida
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Hotel check-out is by 11:00 a.m.
Breakfast:
Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning:
In the hotel meeting room, our closing session will feature a recap of the week's highlights and sharing of our most memorable experiences. This concludes our program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future.
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MEALS
12 Meals
5 Breakfasts
3 Lunches
4 Dinners
LODGING
Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.
Showing Lodging For:
- Apr 06, 2025 - Apr 11, 2025
- Jan 05, 2025 - Jan 10, 2025
- Jan 12, 2025 - Jan 17, 2025
- Feb 02, 2025 - Feb 07, 2025
- Feb 23, 2025 - Feb 28, 2025
- Mar 02, 2025 - Mar 07, 2025
- Apr 06, 2025 - Apr 11, 2025
Participant Reviews
Based on 31 Reviews
Sort By:
Signature City St. Augustine was a fabulous program in all regards! Our group leader, Judi Cowan, was warm, inviting and very knowledgeable. The location of the hotel in the historic district could not have been more convenient. The quality & expertise of the instructors was outstanding. And the food & restaurants were varied and very good. Do yourself a favor, check out St. Augustine - take this trip!
— Review left April 15, 2024
The Road Scholar Signature City St. Augustine tour was a sleeper experience! Set along the Historic Bayfront of St. Augustine, the city dates back to 1565; multiple decades before Plymouth Rock. The experience was packed with expert lecturers describing fascinating historical facts, tours of museums, churches, a college and an open to the public lighthouse. I highly recommend experiencing this program!
— Review left March 16, 2024
St Augustine is the most remarkable city in Florida and is well worth your in depth experience with Road Scholar.
— Review left December 21, 2023
St. Augustine historic district is a beautiful, walkable and fascinating city to visit and learn about. Its role in our history was new to me and changed my view of the history I was taught and grew up with. Absolutely worth the trip!!
— Review left October 31, 2023
An outstanding adventure! This is a well-balanced program in terms of things to see and do, with adequate free time. I learned so much about the area's history. And Nancy Field is an outstanding leader. Highly recommended.
— Review left February 20, 2023
Wonderful program in a most interesting city.
— Review left January 22, 2023
Great program. Great speakers, some in costume/character. Try to go during the festival of lights. Very enjoyable group of people.
— Review left January 21, 2023
Enjoyed the beautiful and walk-able city of St. Augustine. Interesting ancient and relatively modern history with good presenters and local excursions to relevant places. Easy to find time on our own as our Hilton hotel was in a good location on the waterfront in historic St. Augustine. Tasty local restaurants were nearby and we had helpful leadership from Jill. I just parked my car at the city parking lot for the whole time, but a car would be helpful to see the beach and the lighthouse which weren't on the program.
— Review left October 29, 2022
This excellent program was the perfect way for me the experience the his tory andd charm of this amazing historic district of St Augustine. This Road Scholar program offered me a whole new understanding of Florida and United States history.
— Review left October 29, 2022
The St. Augustine Signature City program was my first. I can't wait for more!
— Review left March 12, 2020
This was the best Road Scholar program I have experienced anywhere, in terms of its educational value in learning about the oldest and perhaps most fascinating city in America.
— Review left March 10, 2020
The St Augustine program was excellent and a great place to visit in winter if you live up north. I read a couple of the books they recommended and still learned more about the history of Florida than I expected. We stayed an extra day to enjoy just relaxing and seeing some of the recommendations of thing to do in spare time, e.g. the Spanish Medical Museum and a tour of a historic house. Prior to this program we spent 4 days on Amelia Island (1.5 hrs north) enjoying the warm weather there some of the history, seafood, boating and shelling at our own leisurely pace.
— Review left February 20, 2020
The categories for responses were too broad for some questions. I would have preferred “Satisfied” added between “”Very Satisfied “ and “Somewhat Satisfied”.
— Review left February 16, 2020
St Augustine is lovely, interesting, historical & Road Scholar does an excellent job of presenting it. The accommodations are well-appointed & so convenient. Our leader, Judi Cowan, was friendly & well organized. We really enjoyed our time there & highly recommend it.
— Review left February 12, 2020
The St Augustine trip ranks at the top of our Road Scholar experiences for educational value. The tour provided an array of presenters who "wowed" us with new and fascinating information.
— Review left January 28, 2020
This was our first Road Scholar Program and it was excellent. If all others are like this one, we will be doing many more.
— Review left January 22, 2020
One of the best programs offered. Well run with excellent presenters. The history of St. Augustine is a well kept secret, revealed in this program.
— Review left January 22, 2020
This was our first program. We were please with the overall structure and content of the program. Would absolutely do another.
— Review left January 19, 2020
This St. Augustine program will be of great interest to anyone interested in history because it's full of information that is not taught in school and presented by energetic and entertaining lecturers. The hotel is in the middle of the old historic section so everything is close by.
— Review left December 24, 2019
If you love history and want a new perspective on it, this trip is for you.
— Review left December 16, 2019
This was an excellent program on the history of St. Augustine and Florida. What was somewhat unique here from other tours I have taken is the fact that there was no long bus rides or hotel changes. Nearly every field trip and restaurant excursion was only a short walk away from our hotel base. And the team leaders, lecturers and presenters were extremely engaging. I would highly recommend this adventure into history. This was my husband's first RS tour and he was greatly impressed!
— Review left December 15, 2019
This was my first trip with Road Scholar. I cannot speak highly enough about the experience! The caliber of our group leader, the quality, depth of knowledge & passion of all the speakers and presenters, the array of new historical information being shared on this trip was fantastic. The accommodations were central and we could walk just about everywhere. From pre-contact cultures to present day society, I experienced a comprehensive immersion into St. Augustine past & present.
— Review left November 21, 2019
Great trip to St Augustine. Well worth it based on the materials, location & presentations!
— Review left November 15, 2019
This is a wonderful location. Learned about a part of our history that I had never known before. Would highly recommend.
— Review left April 5, 2019
Woderful trip, well worth the money.
— Review left April 4, 2019
St. Augustine was a fun and interesting City to visit, rich in early American history. Much of the City has been preserved, the brick and narrow streets, the old buildings, the museums, the beautiful old Churches, and its location on the beach all contributed to making this an amazing travel experience.
— Review left March 31, 2019
If you are interested in history--the people that made up the foundation of our country and early architecture of St.Augustine, this is a program for you. Be prepared for some walking as you tour the sites.
— Review left March 31, 2019
I have enjoyed eight Road Scholar trips now but this one was the most interesting. The itinerary was perfect. The location of the hotel was so central that walking everywhere was easy.
Sometimes the bus trips are time consuming but not on this tour. So we were able to make the best use of our time and see so much! The only negative was the service at the hotel. Thank you Road Scholar.
— Review left February 3, 2019
St. Augustine is lovely and worth experiencing. Most of the lectures and presentations enhanced our understanding and appreciation of this city and the surrounding area. Regret the beach venue, as we had to be bused everywhere. Not much to do in St. Augustine Beach. We should have chosen the trip with the city hotel instead. Lesson learned.
— Review left January 29, 2019
This program will take you out of the frozen Northern weather to a magical warm place called St. Augustine Florida. You will learn about Henry Flagler who helped found Standard Oil and built a railroad all the way to Key West not to mention an amazing college and church. You will learn the truth about history. The people of St. Augustine had a thanksgiving feast before the pilgrims! You will also learn about the 14th colony of the American Revolution! All this from absolutely amazing presenters!
— Review left January 19, 2019
If you like to learn, this trip will teach you something new each day. Never stop learning!
— Review left January 18, 2019