2024 USA-12 Night Total Solar Eclipse Tour

Welcome to the dream city of Disney World and NASA, Orlando. On your arrival at the international airport in Orlando, arrange your own transfer to the hotel. You will be informed the next day’s activities and timing by Flo Tours representatives who will be waiting for you at the hotel lobby. This evening, get to know your fellow travelers at a welcome reception.

After a lip-smacking American breakfast, proceed to explore one of the 10 National Aeronautics and Space Administration field centers, the Kennedy Space Complex. Today’s, Discover KSC Tour provides an opportunity to the travelers to explore NASA’s primary launch center of human spaceflight, and also understand the future of space travel through presentations. KSC spreads across 219 square miles (567 square kilometers) on Merritt Island, just northwest of Florida’s Cape Canaveral. The cape has been a center of U.S. launch activity since 1949, when President Harry Truman established the Joint Long-Range Proving Ground — currently known as the Eastern Range or “the Range” — there to test missiles. It was a nearly ideal location for this purpose — virtually uninhabited, with a climate permitting year-round activities. And vehicles could be launched out over the Atlantic Ocean, minimizing the chances of affecting populated areas. By January 1960, the range extended 5,000 miles and included 13 major stations, about 91 outlying sites, a fleet of ships and three marine support stations. The first launch from the cape occurred in 1950, when a military-civilian team lofted a modified German V-2 rocket to an altitude of 10 miles (16 km). On Jan. 31, 1958, Explorer 1 blasted off from Cape Canaveral, becoming the United States’ first satellite to reach orbit. One of the many highlights of your day will be the Shuttle Launch Experience, a space simulator that gives you a taste of what the astronauts feel when they lift off. You’ll also be able to view IMAX movies, giving you a 3D look into what it’s like to walk on the moon, and visit the rocket garden for a surreal experience surrounded by giant rocket ‘flowers. A ship like no other, the space shuttle launched like a rocket and landed like a glider while transporting astronauts to space and back for thirty years. Stand in awe of this American icon at Space Shuttle Atlantis, permanent home of the orbiter. Explore shuttle missions that secured the future of Hubble Space Telescope and the International Space Station. Learn how to dock and land the shuttle with training simulators. Discover the legacy of NASA’s Space Shuttle Program. ‘After exploring the Kennedy Space Centre, head back to the hotel for a comfortable overnight stay.

Kickstart your day with a scrumptious breakfast and brace yourselves for a thrilling tour of the Kennedy Space Center. Today, you will get a chance to be a part of the exciting world of space exploration at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex which features historic spacecraft and memorabilia, and a range of bus tours of the spaceport. Later, visit the Rocket Garden which houses various missiles, sounding rockets, and space launch vehicles. Kennedy Space Center’s Rocket Garden is currently home to a collection of rockets representing NASA’s Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs, including a Mercury-Redstone 3 rocket like the ones that put the first three American into space – Alan Shepard, Virgil “Gus” Grissom, and Ham the chimpanzee. Interestingly enough, while the Rocket Garden represents human achievements in space travel, the addition of a recovered Falcon core would represent the only resident to have actually left Earth, a distinction that wasn’t necessary only a few years ago. Here, you can photograph the actual rockets, spaceships, spacecraft, and spacesuits from the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs, and gather knowledge about NASA’s space Heroes & Legends, a new immersive experience that celebrates the brave men and women of America’s fledgling space program. Relive the stories of NASA’s pioneering astronauts and discover why they chose to launch into the great unknown. Their stories have the power to ignite heroism within us all. Heroes & Legends seeks to inspire new generations of space explorers, while serving as a compelling prologue to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex guest experience.

After a filling breakfast, you will be taken on a tour to another exhilarating theme park of Orlando, the Universal Studio. Owned by NBCUniversal, the Universal Studio is an American theme park which is known for its innovative rides, attractions and is designed to let visitors experience the movies like never before. From its inception in 1982,[4] Universal Studios Florida was designed as a theme park and a working studio. It was also the first time that Universal Studios had constructed an amusement park “from the ground up”, as Universal Studios Hollywood in Los Angeles was mainly serviced by the flagship Studio Tour attraction at the time. However, the proposed project was put on hold until 1986, when a meeting between Steven Spielberg, a co-founder for the park, and Peter N. Alexander prompted for the creation of a Back to the Future simulator ride in addition to the already planned King Kong based ride.[5] Spielberg had also noticed how competitive the park could be if it could compete with the nearby Walt Disney World and Sea world Orlando. The park was built for an estimated $630 million, with 50% ownership in the hands of MCA Universal and 50% belonging to leisure company The Rank Organization. Many of the park’s past and present attractions were developed with the actual creators of the films they were based on, and feature the original stars as part of the experience. Steven Spielberg helped create E.T. Adventure and was a creative consultant for Back to the Future: The Ride, Twister…Ride it Out, An American Tail Theatre, Jaws, Men in Black: Alien Attack and Transformers: The Ride. You will get an opportunity to explore each and every aspect of the Universal Orlando, be it theme parks, dining experiences, shopping areas, entertainment, events, and eye-catching shows. Later, head back to the hotel for an overnight stay.

Step into a cultural melting pot in the “Jazz Capital of the World,” New Orleans! Experience this soulful city abound with rich history, mouth-watering Cajun and Creole cuisine, and of course, an incomparable soundtrack. New Orleans was founded in 1718 by Jean Baptiste Le Moyne, Sieur de Bienville. At first, the community was nothing more than a trading camp on the curving east bank of the Mississippi River. Later, the city was organized into a rectangular, fortified community, which still exists today as the French Quarter. The original streets, laid out in a grid, were named for French royalty and nobility.

As “La Nouvelle Orleans” grew to the west, north, and east, the city followed the river’s curve, becoming known as the “Crescent City” for its distinctive shape. Because New Orleans was completely surrounded by swamps and marshes (with a sea level of approximately six feet at its highest point), residents built levees, or earth embankments, to protect the city from the Mississippi River level’s spring rise and hurricane tidal surges. The city’s low sea level location also explains the ground level “basements” found in most of the New Orleans area’s old structures. To this day, massive pumps and canals drain the city, as annual rainfall can be between 60″ and 100″. Established as the capital of the French colony of Louisiana, New Orleans was actually twice named the state capital. The title of capital city was moved from New Orleans to Donaldsonville in 1825, to Baton Rouge in 1846, to New Orleans in 1864 (during the Reconstruction period), and then again to Baton Rouge in 1879.

This morning enjoy a panoramic city tour with a local guide. Start by seeing St. Louis Cemetery #3; opened in 1854, it holds some of the most elaborate crypts found in the city’s cemeteries. Relax during a drive along the shoreline of Lake Pontchartrain. At over 40 miles wide, Lake Pontchartrain is the second largest inland saltwater body in the United States. It covers 630 square miles, serves six Louisiana parishes and 1.5 million people. Though classified as a lake, Lake Pontchartrain is technically an estuary that connects to the Gulf of Mexico. Lake Pontchartrain has suffered devastating hurricane effects and been adversely affected by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. While the community continues to recover, Lake Pontchartrain remains a vital resource for economic development, recreation and sustainability. The lakeshore has historically been utilized by a wide range of New Orleans’ diverse community members This romantic road eventually leads to St. Charles Avenue, whisking you past gorgeous mansions and two world-famous universities, Tulane and Loyola.

This afternoon, it’s your choice! Take a walk-through history at the National World War II Museum and learn about the American experience in the war. Then celebrate the festive side of New Orleans at Mardi Gras World and come to know the history of this tradition while touring a working warehouse where artisans create spectacular floats for the famous parades. Tonight, learn how to cook New Orleans-style! During a cooking demonstration at the New Orleans School of Cooking, your chef will indulge you in everything Louisiana cuisine has to offer.

Introduce yourself to the city’s famous French Quarter on a walking tour that features such sights as the majestic St. Louis Cathedral, one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. Facing Jackson Square and flanked by the historic Cabildo on one side and the equally historic Presbyter on the other, St. Louis Cathedral is among the tallest and most imposing structures in the French Quarter. And one of the most recognizable. It has been seen in hundreds of movies, TV shows and other visual presentations and it is a local and international architectural icon. As the mother church of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, St. Louis Cathedral has a long and interesting history. It is the oldest continuously active Roman Catholic Cathedral in the United States, originally built in 1727 and dedicated to King Louis IX of France, “The Crusading King” who was later canonized by the Church. The original St. Louis Cathedral burned during the great fire of 1794 and was rebuilt. The present structure was completed in the 1850s. In September 1987 the cathedral witnessed the historic visit of Pope John Paul II and the plaza directly in front of the church was renamed in the pope’s honor. Shortly afterward the status of the Cathedral was upgraded to a Basilica. Continue on to the bustling French Marketplace to explore Pirates Alley and view the Pontalba. Head over to Café Du Monde for a taste of a true New Orleans favorite – beignets! This afternoon, explore more of New Orleans on your own, or you may choose an optional excursion to Oak Alley Plantation to explore the rich history of the Antebellum South.

Set out on a drive along New Orleans’ historic Esplanade Avenue. Then, journey through the Louisiana swamp on a cruise* narrated by your captain. Learn about the history and ecology of this fascinating ecosystem and keep an eye out for wildlife, from bald eagles to herons, turtles and alligators! Return to the city and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to discover more of New Orleans your way. Tonight, immerse yourself in the flavors of traditional New Orleans during dinner at The Court of Two Sisters in the French Quarter. After dinner, discover for yourself why New Orleans is the “Birthplace of Jazz” during a roaring jazz revue at a local club in the French Quarter.

Checking out of our New Orleans hotel we travel to San Antonio. Welcome to the “American Venice.” Historic missions, River Walk restaurants, Spanish architecture, and a beautiful river as the city’s centerpiece make this a truly remarkable city. On arrival there’s the chance to enjoy lunch along the San Antonio River Walk (not included). This afternoon we board our boat for a relaxing river cruise along the San Antonio River. The boat’s captain shares fascinating stories about the city’s culture, history and architecture during this 35-minute cruise. Later we transfer to the Westin Riverwalk Hotel San Antonia where we stay overnight. Tonight, enjoy a welcome reception presentation and briefing. Overnight in San Antonio. Transfer to the hotel and check in.

Your day begins with a fascinating tour of San Antonio with a local guide. History and culture abound with a visit to two UNESCO World Heritage sites. Visit the Mission San José, the second mission established by Fray Antonio Margil de Jesus in 1720. Known as the “Queen of the Missions”, this is the largest of the missions and was almost fully restored to its original design in the 1930s by the WPA (Works Projects Administration). Spanish missions were not churches, but communities with the church the focus. Mission San José captures a transitional moment in history, frozen in time. Mission San Jose turns 300 years old in 2020. Throughout 2020, we commemorate Mission San Jose’s tricentennial and remember the stories of the people who walked these grounds 300 years ago. For some, this year is a somber time to remember the difficult changes that mission indigenous people underwent during the colonial period. For others, this is a time to celebrate excellent site preservation and our vibrant modern local cultures.

Then it’s on to visit one of America’s most historic sites, the Alamo, which played a critical role in the Texas Revolution. People worldwide continue to remember the Alamo as a heroic struggle against impossible odds – a place where men made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom. The Battle of the Alamo during Texas’ war for independence from Mexico lasted thirteen days, from February 23, 1836-March 6, 1836. In December of 1835, a group of Texan volunteer soldiers had occupied the Alamo, a former Franciscan mission located near the present-day city of San Antonio. On February 23, a Mexican force numbering in the thousands and led by General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna began a siege of the fort. Though vastly outnumbered, the Alamo’s 200 defenders–commanded by James Bowie and William Travis and including the famed frontiersman Davy Crockett—held out for 13 days before the Mexican forces finally overpowered them. For Texans, the Battle of the Alamo became an enduring symbol of their heroic resistance to oppression and their struggle for independence, which they won later that year. The battle cry of “remember the Alamo” later became popular during the Mexican-American War of 1846-1848. Board a boat and drift along the Paseo del Rio, also known as the River Walk, one of Texas’s most prized attractions. Learn more about the architecture and culture of the city on this relaxing narrated boat ride. Then, enjoy some leisure time to discover San Antonio on your own. This evening, enjoy the local flavors of Texas during dinner in the King William Historic District at a restored convent.

Journey to Stonewall and enjoy a visit to the LBJ Ranch, birthplace of the 36th President of the United States, Lyndon B. Johnson. You will view the grounds of the “Texas White House.” The focal piece of the LBJ Ranch is the LBJ Ranch House, the home of President Johnson and a center of political activity for more than 20 years. Leaders from around the world visited the Johnsons here, and during the Johnson Administration it became known as the Texas White House. President Johnson was the first President to create a functioning White House away from Washington. In 1972 the Johnsons donated the Texas White House to the National Park Service and the American people. After the President’s death in 1973, Mrs. Johnson continued to live at the Ranch part time until her death in 2007. Mrs. Johnson kept on display many of the gifts the Johnsons received while in public service. The Texas White House is “a house full of gifts that’s a gift to our nation.” Our visit will include the family ranch, the one-room schoolhouse and the cemetery and final resting place of LBJ and Lady Bird Johnson.

Continue to the heart of the rural Hill Country and the German settlement of Fredericksburg for a visit to the National Museum of the Pacific War, dedicated to teaching and preserving this chapter of U.S. history. Discover the human story of World War II in the Pacific in more than 55,000 square feet of exhibit space spread over three galleries located on six acres in the heart of Fredericksburg, Texas. The National Museum of the Pacific War is the only museum in the continental U.S. solely dedicated to telling the story of WWII in the Pacific. The old-time Southwest will surround you as you take time to independently explore the quaint shops. Enjoy the evening at leisure to explore San Antonio’s beautiful River Walk.

This morning, it’s your choice! Visit the South Texas Heritage Center at the Witte Museum, an interactive museum dedicated to sharing the stories of San Antonio’s people and the land to shape the future of Texas through relevant and transformative experiences in nature, science and culture.

In the afternoon head out to the San Antonio Botanical Gardens with expansive rose gardens, conservatory with tropical vegetation, and the Texas Native Trail showcasing ecosystems from the diverse regions of the state. Next, browse for one-of-a-kind goods at El Mercado, the Mexican Marketplace. This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner with your travel companions at a local restaurant.

Originally called “Brownsborough” in 1844 after founding settler Joshua Brown, Kerrville was a cypress shingle manufacturing town. After some town growth, Brown asked that the name be changed to Kerrville in honor of his friend, and fallen soldier of the Texas revolution, Major James Kerr. The “s” was eventually dropped when the town became the county seat.
Kerrville is best known for its beautiful parks that line the Guadalupe River, which runs directly through the city. We reserve a special spot for the group you welcome to join us, or you are free to view the eclipse from a place of your choice. This evening we will celebrate great Eclipse there will be drinks follows by dinner. Overnight in San Antonio.

30° 02′ 43.94″ N 99° 08′ 39.41″ W
Total Eclipse Duration 4m 23.8s

Altitude: 490m (1607ft)

Start of partial eclipse 11:14:42.8
Start of total eclipse 12:32:04.3
End of total eclipse 12:36:29.1
End of partial eclipse 13:55:29.5

(Local times)

San Antonio – Tour Ends
San Antonio’s natural beauty, history, cuisine, and people create an experience you’ll always remember.