Bike Week & Florida Keys

When all tour participants have arrived, we meet to greet each other welcome and enjoy refreshments. The evening’s program is getting to know each other and we eat dinner together (optional) in true American style on International Drive. Those who are not tired after the long journey may go to a local bar nearby.

(Driving day 1: 172 km/107 miles)

We start the day with an information meeting, with the introduction of all tour participants and tour leaders. We cover information about the Bikeweek & Florida Keys tour, in addition to practical info & preparations regarding mc and car rental checkout, so everyone is ready for our journey (tour info, safety rules, traffic rules). Afterward, we drive to pick up our bikes – late year models of the bike you have ordered. The bike you have booked for the tour is prepared, and all necessary insurance is included.

When everyone is ready on their bikes, we start our ride on the Bikeweek & Florida Keys tour. Orlando disappears behind us as we head east for a unique adventure full of history, fun motorcycle roads. We start slow so that everyone gets used to the driving conditions and temperature. We drive backroads to Daytona «Biker» Beach, where we join the world’s coolest Biker festival; Daytona Bikeweek.

Our first stop of the day is at legendary Sopotnick’s Cabbage Patch Bar, which once started as a fruit shop “on the corner”. However, now it is one of the major destinations during Bikeweek. This is where the famous cabbage wrestling happens, where girls wrestle for glory. In addition, there are Bike shows and numerous possibilities for shopping and fun. Afterward, we head downtown Daytona Beach to cruise down the legendary Main Street and take our picture below the famous Daytona “Biker” Beach sign.

(Explorer & Fun day)

Enjoy your day on the famous Bikeweek. We recommend exploring all events & exhibits at International Speedway and Destination Daytona (by the world’s largest Harley Davidson dealer, Bruce Ross Meyer). Here we enjoy the great atmosphere.

We start the day driving the famous “Ormond Scenic Loop & Trail”, which is about 50 km double loop of road that crosses some of the most beautiful and diverse scenery in Northeast Florida. Afterward, we head to the world’s largest Harley Davidson dealer, Bruce Ross Meyer (with a showroom of 109,000 sq. ft.). Here we eat our lunch and enjoy the great atmosphere.

On our way back to Main street, we stop by another legend; the Iron Horse Saloon, where we enjoy the atmosphere & company of fellow bikers. Thereafter, we drive International Speedway and downtown Daytona Beach to cruise down the legendary Main Street with thousands of other bikers.

(Driving day 2: 254 km/159  miles)

We leave Daytona Beach and the world’s largest motorcycle event, to begin our Florida adventure.

We head south on Hwy 1 and the legendary coastal highway A1A. It is a spectacular drive along the ocean. First stop is the Cape Canaveral, where we drive by the famous “Kennedy Space Center”, which has played an important role in today’s space science.   We continue our breathtaking coastal drive down to Vero Beach, where we stay overnight.

(Driving day 3: 303 km/190 miles)

We will spend the whole day driving on the beautiful Coastal Hwy A1A. We drive through West Palm Beach to Fort Lauderdale, America’s answer to Venice (lots of marinas and boats), a huge party and holiday resort. We take a breather on the beautiful beaches before we proceed to Miami, home to many film and television shows (including CSI Miami and Miami Vice). We spend the night in the famous South Beach, Miami.

(Driving day 4: 271 km/172 miles)

Today you will have a unique driving experience; the “Overseas Highway 1”, which runs over 42 bridges and several of tropical islands through the Florida Keys. We drive in the middle of the ocean through the famous cities such as Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, and Big Pine Key, before we reach Key West, which is America’s southernmost point. Key West is just 140 miles from Cuba and extends 6.4 km. Cayo Hueso is the original Spanish name for the island.

We will arrive in Key West early, so we will eat lunch & enjoy a bit of the local atmosphere before we check in to the hotel. Thereafter, we spend the rest of the day at the world-famous Duval Street, which is always buzzing with life.  You might also enjoy the sun and the pool at the hotel, beach life and city life in Key West, or explore all that this last “free state” in the United States has to offer. We eat dinner and have a refreshing drink at Sloppy Joes, which is one of America’s most famous bars.

(Explorer & Fun  day)

Enjoy your day on Key West! Key West began as a trading post, where particular wreck fishing and rescue of debris was a particularly beneficial business. Numerous ships have throughout history sunk after running on one of the treacherous reefs off Key West. The townsmen stood constant stand-by to go out on rescue missions to save the sailors, passengers and valuable cargo aboard ships. Residents of Key West also had a reputation for “helping” the business “. Under the cover of darkness, they lit a fake lighthouse and signal lights built on the coast to lure ships to run aground on the sharp reefs, which the locals of course deny. Under all circumstances, the Key West Shipwreck Museum contains the stories of the many shipwrecks.

Key West is the jewel of the Florida Keys and the natural end state for Overseas Highway 1. Key West has always been a haven for dissidents (intellectuals and hippies), is known for Ernest Hemmingway and a carefree relaxed atmosphere. We recommend taking a picture at the marker “America’s most southern point”. Other opportunities to make the most of this day is a day of sailing, deep-sea fishing, water scooters, a visit to Ernst Hemmingway’s home, Key West Lighthouse, or one of the many museums or beaches on the island.

(Driving day 5: 399 km/249 miles)

It will be another unforgettable day! We begin by again driving the fantastic Overseas Highway 1, in the middle of the Atlantic, back to the mainland. Then, we embark on another popular road, Tamiami Trail, which will take us through the Everglades, where we will meet alligators, crocodiles, and snakes.

Back on land, it is possible to order genuine alligator meat at the local restaurant where we eat lunch. We continue along the Tamiami Trail through the Everglades. It is a spectacular drive in outstanding scenery. Watch out for alligators located along the roadside. We drive all the way to Naples, our last stop for the day. NB: No undesignated stop in this area! High Risk of alligator encounters.

(Driving day 8: 271 km/170 miles)

Welcome to a day of fantastic driving on Florida’s west coast. We start the day by driving to Fort Meyers, ‘The City of Palms “and continue to” Muscle car museum”, where you’ll see countless classic muscle cars that have made ​​their mark in automotive history.

We continue to St. Petersburg, which has a unique, spectacular entrance with large bridges and amazing views. We eat lunch in the harbor there, enjoying the atmosphere and the view. We continue north and drive through some great cozy and lively coastal towns to Clearwater, where we visit some local bars that are something out of the ordinary.

(Driving day 9: 198 km/123 miles)

We are approaching the end of our Florida adventure; this is our last day on the road. It will be another nice riding day as we continue our drive on fun coastal roads to Orlando, where we return our vehicles.

We check into the hotel on International Drive, which is right in the center of all activities, close to all attractions. Here we spend the night and eat a farewell dinner together.

We say goodbye to Daytona Bike Week & Florida Tour, Florida, and return home. Group travel by shuttle to the airport. Thanks for a great ride, good times, and sincerely thank you for choosing to tour with Explorify. We wish you a safe trip home and hope to see you again on one of our other tours in the US, South America, Asia, Oceania or Europe.

Note: Because of the time difference travelers from Europe will arrive home the date/day after departing the US.

Also: This program is a guideline for activities and experiences on the tour. Deviations may occur, but we guarantee that our positive tour leaders will do their utmost to execute the program as described – as far as it is feasible and circumstances allow. We are continually working to improve the program, thus you may experience positive surprises.