September 24, 2021
Edison and Ford Winter Estates Offers VIP Tours to Naples Botanical Gardens and other Locations
FORT MYERS, Fla. (September 24, 2021) – Edison and Ford Winter Estates offers several private VIP Tours to other tourist destinations throughout the year. On November 13, a tour to the Naples Botanical Gardens will be offered and is open to both Edison Ford members and the general public. VIP Tours offer an opportunity for visitors to tour other museums and gardens
Visitors enjoy touring other destinations and making new friends on the Edison and Ford Winter Estates VIP Tours.
with a group of often like-minded individuals and share unique behind-the-scenes experiences that they would not be able to participate in on their own. Bus transportation is included.
Schedule of upcoming VIP Tours:
November 13, 2021
Naples Botanical Gardens, lunch, visit to Tin City, and Eco Boat Tour of Dollar Bay
8:45 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
This tour takes place outdoors in nature and on the water in Southwest Florida and combines adventure, education and fun activities. The group will meet at Edison and Ford Winter Estates in the morning for snacks and then depart by bus (provided by Dolphin Transportation) at 8:45 a.m. The first stop will be at the beautiful award-winning, Naples Botanical Gardens, where guests will get a private docent-led 90-minute tour. Founded in 1993, the property is more than 170 acres – almost 10 times as large as Edison Ford. Ellin Goetz, who had ties to the Estates helped with the master plan of the gardens. A little more than half of the garden is set aside as native Southwest Florida habitat.
The second stop on the tour is at Tin City. This historic location was used by the Calusa Indians as far back as the 1500s. In 1887, a 600-foot pier was built in the Gulf of Mexico with easier access for industrialists and celebrities including Thomas Edison, Harvey Firestone and Greta Garbo. When the construction of the Seaboard Airline Railroad made the tin-roofed buildings it became an economic and transportation hub for Naples and the fishing industry. In 1970, the marketplace of today was built. It currently houses two waterfront restaurants, a riverwalk and retail stores. Guests can purchase lunch at a location of their choice and take time for shopping in the more than 20 unique shops. After lunch, the group will take a two-hour private eco cruise aboard a Pure Florida boat with a master naturalist who will provide an educational and fun talk about the ecosystem and one of the largest Mangrove forests. Guests might get to see some dolphins during the boat cruise.
December 11, 2021
Guests will tour the Historic Heritage Village in Largo, Florida, have dinner on the waterfront and tour the Florida Botanical Gardens holiday lights.
January 15, 2022
This tour includes the Historic Everglades Museum in Everglades City, lunch at a local establishment, Smallwood Museum and airboat ride through the Everglades.
February 19, 2022
Includes a private tour of the Ringling Art Museum in Sarasota, Ca’ d’Zan, lunch at the Ringling Grillroom and tour of the circus museum.
March 12, 2022
This tour will take guests to Saint Petersburg to see the Dali Museum, glass blowing demonstration at the Morean Art Center and Chihuly Museum tour, plus have lunch.
All tours are subject to change and are based on availability. Spaces are limited. Pre-paid, advanced registration is required. Edison Ford members get a discount; guests can join today and take advantage of the discounted price. Tour cost for Edison Ford members is $135, non-members $150. Cancellations must be made 14 days prior to the tour date to receive a full refund, unless the vacancy can be filled. Cancellations made by Edison and Ford due to unforeseen circumstances will warrant a full refund or credit for another tour in the same season.
Face masks are required on the bus. COVID protocol at each location will be followed. For questions or to make a reservation for this or any tour, please contact Sherri Muske at 239-335-3677 or smuske@edionford.org. Tours fill up quickly; space must be reserved in advance.
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