Florida route: part 3

Bonjorno!

Here it is, the last part of our detailed look into our route throughout Florida. Last week, we ended up in the Everglades and Homestead. From there on out we’ll do some island-hopping towards the insanity that is Key West and we’ll end our vacation amongst the beautiful people in bubbling, glamorous Miami.  Let’s get moving!

Florida Keys (Edtruthan)

This last part of our trip will definitely be the most unconventional. The Florida Keys are known not only for their key lime pie but also for their ‘kitschy’ lifestyle. The inhabitants of the Keys truly live life the way they want to and everyone’s quirky side isout there, loud and proud. It’s the perfect place to separate yourself from the rest of the USA and just chillax. &Let’s be honest here, who doesn’t like the sound of that?

The Keys

Once we leave Homestead our first stop will be Islamorada: a beautiful place with mesmerizing ocean views. You can really get into the whole Keys-atmosphere at Robbie’s marina where you can snorkel, fish and feed some huge-ass tarpon (seriously, they’re really big). If that isn’t relaxing enough for you and you’re craving a little R&R in the sun, Anne’s Beach is the perfect place to go. It’s got the ever so attractive white sandy beaches and turquoise water but also some really cool mudflats where young and old can enjoy getting stuck in them. Another interesting place to spend a day/night is Long Key State Recreation Area in –where else- Long Key. This recreational area offers some outdoor activities such as hiking and kayaking, and you can also spend the night here, gazing at the stars from your own little campsite. 

Anne's beach (Buckstopphoto)

Moving on, we’ll continue our trip towards the Middle Keys, more specifically Marathon. This little place harbours a Turtle Hospital, which you can take tours of, and one of the few free beaches in the Florida Keys, Sombrero beach. 

Turtle hospital (abcnews)

Once we’re on the road again, Big Pine Key is another stop on our route. Get those binoculars out because this is the perfect place to spot some Key deer. This deer is every bit like a normal deer, only half the size. It’s mini-Bambi, who could resist? 

If you're not really into spotting deer, there's no need to worry. You can try to spot some bargains at the local flea market instead. A fisherman’s hat with a fake parrot on top of it? Hellz to the yes!

Hello gorgeous (Wikimedia)

Now that you’ve been able to rummage through some truly unique-to-the-Keys items at the flea market, it’s time to head straight to the epitome of craziness: Key West.

Also known as ‘the end of the USA’, Key West offers an exciting mixture of great architecture and culture, eccentricity, and partying hard. There are literally hundreds of things to do here but we’ll list some options from both ends of the spectrum:

- Mallory square: starting at sundown, this is some great street entertainment that anyone will enjoy. Sit back and have laugh (and a beer if you’d like).

- Duval street: Basically the Jersey Shore pier of Florida, this is the perfect place to do a pub crawl and fraternise with the locals. Expect lots and lots of frat boys and their cheerleading girlfriends.

- Key WestCemetery: even the graveyard have a slight edge to them, case in point: Key West Cemetery. You’ll find old, crooked mausoleums and oddly shaped gravestones with inscriptions like: ‘I told you I was sick’.

- Key West Butterfly & NatureConservatory: enjoy the tropical fauna and flora as you walk through a remarkably jungley conservatory surrounded by hundreds of butterflies. Pretty! 

Duval Street (Eternallycreative)

 

Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory (Source)

Miami

(Colorfully)

‘Welcome to Miami, bienvenido a Miami!’. This city is so captivating that it has entire songs devoted to it (but more on that later in this week’s Thursday Tickle). And when you do some research on this city, you really can understand why so many people are in love with it. You’ve got a melting pot of urban cultures smashed together with the most outrageously materialistic sights in the whole of Florida. This isn’t the place where you’ll find the best beaches of Florida but that doesn’t even bother us in the slightest because as was the case in the Keys, you’ll never run out of things to do in Miami.

Miami is known for its energized, alluring party atmosphere but there’s a lot more to be seen than just parties (although they are supposed to be amazing). The city also has a rich culture with its many immigrants, museums and outstanding architecture. 

Art deco (Tripadvisor)

Depending on whatever tickles your fancy there are many options, here are some of our selections:

- Ocean Drive: if there ever was a place for people-watching it’s right here on Ocean Drive. Take a seat and watch the chiselled and bronzed bodies carrying Gucci bags cruise around in their $300.00 cars.

- Lincoln Road: Shopping galore!

- South Beach: take the A1A (beachfront Avenue!) across Biscayne Bay to get from Miami to Miami Beach. South Beach offers more glitz and glam, and is usually filled with beautiful people or what did you expect? Sigh. There’s also a promenade that runs along this strip of beach which is ideal for inline skating, skateboarding and cycling. But if you’d rather walk, that’s also fine. 

South beach nightlife (AlexShay)

 

South beach promenade (Source)

Those are just some of the highlights Miami has to offer but once we’re actually there I’m sure we’ll discover many more sights to be seen. In just two days we’ll give you a more detailed and somewhat unique look into this enchanting city. Be there of be square!

R&B