UNCOVER THE SECRETS OF CRYSTAL RIVER SPRINGS
February 19-23, 2024
5 days / 4 nights
This trip offers a midwinter escape to a temperate, water-based paradise. This is not your average beach experience but rather interactive fun in the water. Our captain, Katie Jo is a US Coast Guard certified boat captain and she will guide us through unusually beautiful scenery while boating up and into small rivers. We will also float/swim with the ocean’s gentle giants and their babies. This has a low to moderate physical requirement to get in and out of the water for all activities. This is a unique opportunity to wander in a scenic hidden gem of Central Florida, a true adventure!
This trip will be a fair amount of walking but other than that, the exercise you get will be from lifting tender morsels of barbeque or a cold brew to your lips.
Trip Status: Sold Out
Single Occupancy – $3,190
Double Occupancy – $2,790
Dates: February 19-23, 2024
5 Days / 4 Nights
Location: Crystal River Springs, Florida
Airport: Tampa International Airport (TPA)
Accommodations: The Plantation INN
Meet your Hosts
Lynne & Wynndy
I'm thinking about it
Let our team know that you are interested in joining us on this tour. Our team will reach out via email and will be available to chat about this trip.
Make a Reservation
Secure your reservation here. We only take 10-12 women on each trip. Making a reservation is the only way to secure your name to the trip list.
Don’t just tour Crystal River Springs, Experience Crystal River Springs
Every Beatrice Bradley trip is crafted to maximize the experiences had during the trip.
The itineraries are specially made to allow time for engaging in conversation and having belly laughs with a new friend. We hope that the activities and experiences may allow you to come out of your comfort zone and to try new or unique things.
These trips are made to replicate a ‘friends get-away trip’.
Past Trip Reviews
This was my first time traveling alone and thanks to Beatrice Bradley it won’t be my last. After landing I checked my text messages and found that two participants were already there. We connected and gathered to meet up. That’s how the trip began and it was really fun! Our guides, Ellen, Karen and Debra were knowledgeable and fun. Every day was new and exciting. From our first dinner YUM to the last it was a blast. Plantation Inn was fabulous, swimming in the crystal clear Crystal River was fun as was our trip and boat ride in Tarpon Springs and boat ride on the Rainbow River. Thank you! –Deidre
I enjoyed the “girlfriend-get-away” experience the most. I don’t have any sisters or group of friends that can get away like this. I also liked that we didn’t pack too much into one day and had time to relax and just enjoy each other’s company and the surroundings. The hosts did a wonderful job of making everyone feel included and part of the group. Traveling solo actually makes it easier to make new friends because we are all starting fresh.–Marie
This was my second trip with Beatrice Bradley. I do not have friends that can travel or who want to travel at this time. And I’m more of an introvert and on the quiet side so I did have to talk myself into it. But, I took my first trip a year ago and it was life changing. Truly. It was not only the experience, which was amazing, but the people I met. These friendships have continued on way past the experience. So, I had no reservations about going on another Beatrice Bradley trip. The second trip was so much fun! The hostesses always want you to have the best experience and do everything to make that happen. And it is special traveling with like minded women. It makes bonding so much easier because you already have something in common to build on. If you have any reservations, don’t give them a second thought. Pick the experience that suits you and go for it! –Andrea
Day One: Monday, February 19, 2024 – Arrival Day
Arrive in Tampa (TPA) by 2 pm and we will depart for a quick ride up to the lovely area of Crystal River. We will reach our destination by 3:45pm and will check into the hotel. After we get settled, you will have time to put your swimsuit on and go for a dip in the lovely riverside outdoor pool at the Plantation Inn on Crystal River. Later we gather for a “Get to Know You” wine and cheese reception and then off to a great Welcome dinner!
Highlights
- Pickups at 2:00 pm at Tampa (TPA) Airport
- Getting settled into the Plantation Inn
- Time to explore the lovely outdoor areas of the inn and time to go for a nice swim
- Gathering for a “Get to Know You” wine & cheese reception and a wonderful Welcome dinner together!
Day Two: Tuesday, February 20, 2024 – Swimming with the Manatees
We will have breakfast and then will get suited up in wetsuits for our Manatee experience. A short pontoon boat ride to the Springs and sanctuary will allow us a couple of hours to swim and view these great creatures. You don’t need to be an Olympic swimmer or have massive stamina to do this, you will be given float tubes and basically you will paddle slightly with your feet to move around. All the tours will give you a presentation before we go about how to remain passive in the water for great viewing but so as not to disturb the sandy bottom or the Manatees. The big Mommas are so impressive with their babies swimming alongside. After the swim we will head back to our rooms to change and have lunch in Crystal Springs Village at a great Barbeque spot. After lunch, the afternoon is yours to knock around the antique shops or come back to paddle board or kayak right from our hotel. Dinner will be at a wonderful seafood restaurant in Crystal River.
Highlights
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Swimming and viewing the Manatees!
- Having lunch as a group having some great barbeque!
- Afternoon is free to shop, do some more swimming, paddleboarding or kayaking
- Dinner together as a group at a seafood restaurant
Day Three: Wednesday, February 21, 2024 – Tarpon Springs & Sponge Boat Tour
Breakfast will be at the Breakfast Station, this is a local hot spot on Saturday mornings. Afterwards, the hosts will drive you off to the Village of Tarpon Springs. This city has a large percentage of Greeks who settled here, to establish a city where they could dive for fresh sea sponges to make a living and they dine on all things Greek for fabulous meals! You will enjoy a boat ride and hear the history of the town by our Greek Captain Katie Jo and she will show you how sponges are harvested and tell you more fun facts. After our ride we will sit down for our Big Fat Greek lunch at Dimitri’s on the Water. We will do a little shopping and exploring -after lunch and mid-afternoon we will head back to the Plantation Inn. Once back, we can swim and gather around the Tiki bar for appetizers and drinks around the pool for our evening fun. There are lots of outdoor lawn games available for a challenge too!
Highlights
- Breakfast at the Breakfast Station in Crystal River
- A tour of historic Greek village, Tarpon Springs and a Sponge Tour
- Having a wonderful Greek cuisine lunch at Dimitri’s on the water
- Gathering at the Tiki Bar in the late afternoon for apps & drinks
Day Four: Thursday, February 22, 2024 – Rainbow River Day on the Boat
After breakfast we will spend the day exploring the Rainbow River by boat with Captain Katie Jo. A trip down the Rainbow River gives you a great chance to see wildlife and getting into the water to experience the millions of natural springs! The crystal-clear springs and the great river ride will feel like a Disney Adventure! Many of you have never seen water this clear, the springs bubble up millions of gallons per minute and you will feel them tickle your feet. Once we reach a special spot we will provide a lovely waterside picnic for lunch and will explore a special trail into the jungle like surroundings. Our Goodbye Dinner will be at the Blackwater Grill.
Highlights
- Breakfast at Breakfast Station
- Exploring Rainbow River by boat with our fabulous captain, Katie Jo
- Swimming in the crystal-clear spring water
- Having a waterside picnic lunch
- Goodbye Dinner with the group at Blackwater Grill sharing stories from our experiences together
Day Five: Friday, February 23, 2024 – Departure Day
We will have breakfast out on the town and then you can have some free time to do some last minute swimming. We will pack up the van around 11:30am and start our journey towards Tampa for departures home.
Highlights
- Breakfast at Breakfast Station
- Taking a last minute swim before we leave
- Traveling to the Tampa airport for departures home
Pricing
Single Occupancy
Price is Per Person- Your own room – private bathroom
- Deposit: $250 due at time of booking
- Payment Plan Available
Double Occupancy
Price is Per Person- No Roommate – No problem, we will pair you
- Deposit: $250 due at time of booking
- Payment Plan Available
Flexible pay-as-you-go payment plan
How it Works:
| Step 1 | Choose Payment Plan (available with credit card and ACH payment options) |
| Step 2 | Your $250 Deposit will be processed within 2 business days |
| Step 3 | When you are ready to make a payment, click the “Review and Pay” button on your invoice |
| Step 4 | Once clicked, in the top left of the invoice, next to the amount, you will see “Edit Amount.” Here you will be able to enter the amount you would like to pay |
| Step 5 | Full amount needs to be paid by 60 days prior to the trip. *If there is a remaining balance at 60 days prior to the trip then an automatic payment for the remaining amount will be charged. |
Activity Level – Highest
There will be standing, hiking, kayaking and swimming.
It is your responsibly to fully read and understand the physical abilities that correlate to this Beatrice Bradley Experience. Difficulty level of activity is subject to individual interpretation, so it is extremely important that you read the itinerary and reach out if you have concerns or questions.
If you have questions about the specifics of the physical activity during this trip, please give us a call at 763-784-8291
Role of a Beatrice bradley hostess
Beatrice Bradley is an Experience Company not a Tour Company. The role of a Beatrice Bradley Host is to be warm and welcoming. To relate and connect. To have attention to details. And to manage the behind-the-scenes magic so your experience is one-of-a-kind. They are not local experts nor are they tour guides. We hire local experts, guides, and historians as each location warrants. They are expert hosts and manage the camaraderie and logistics of the experience. Our goal is that your hostess will make you feel welcomed, comfortable, and that you will walk away with new & lasting friendships made during an unforgettable experience.
Flight Details
Airport Pick Up is included when arriving at the designated airport within the specified pick up window.
Arrival Airport: Tampa International Airport (TPA)
Arrival Date: February 19, 2024
Pick Up Times: 2:00 pm
Departure Airport: Tampa International Airport (TPA)
Departure Date: February 23, 2024
Drop off Times: Drop off times will vary – departures should be 3:00 or later
Important information
As a solo-traveler, we need you to provide self-awareness and an understanding that you are fully responsible for yourself. This includes: your possessions, your physical abilities or fitness, your attitude, and all other aspects that relate to traveling solo in a group.
- Connect with our Members on our Private Facebook Group – Beatrice Bradley Member’s Only
- You must be able to manage your own luggage and all of your personal belongings on this trip
- This is not a handicap accessible able trip – you must be able to get in and out of a Large Passenger Transit Vehicle
- All Ground transportation is included on this trip
- Group Airport transfers are included in this trip.
- This trip will have have a maximum of 14 women
- This trip will have 2 Beatrice Bradley Hostesses
- If you need a roommate, we will happily pair you with another Beatrice Bradley traveler
- Travel insurance is not included. Beatrice Bradley is not a licensed travel insurance operator nor is our staff trained to in travel insurance. You can choose to purchase travel insurance through any licensed provider you choose. We will ask you upon booking if you would like us to send you some suggested licensed insurance companies.