One of the most amazing experiences about a Florida vacation is the wonderful drive along Rd number one, which reaches all the way south to the amazing area of Key West. There vacationers will be able to find fantastic beaches, blazing sunsets and a Caribbean atmosphere.
The isolated roads leading from Miami down south to the Key area are some of the wildest in the continental US. The temperatures and entire atmosphere changes rapidly as you reach closer to the palm trees and crystal blue waters of Key West.
The area includes long reefs, boating and seafood, and is based around the ocean. The road leading to the Florida Keys is a stretch of 42 suspension bridges, a marvel in their own right. The bridges stretch on pillars right out of the ocean and are a wonderful and awe inspiring attraction even for those who are not the architecture and engineering enthusiasts. All of the bridges have stopping points where travelers can park on the side and admire the beauty of the area right above the water.
The area is host to 45 islands and Key West is at the end of this road. Many think of it as the jewel in the crown of the Florida Keys. Temperatures in the Keys are always between 21-29 degrees Celsius, making for perfect weather year round. The area sees more than a million visitors each year and the isolationist feel that used to engulf it has now slightly changes. After all, this destination is only a 3.5 hour drive from Miami. Nevertheless, it manages to maintain a unique atmosphere that is vastly different than the rest of Florida.
The largest and longest island in this chain of islands is Key Largo. It is also one of the first you will arrive to if you are travelling south into the Keys. Key Largo is famous for its feature in the John Houston 1948 movie with Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall. Many posters and t-shirts of the film are still available in souvenir shops and tourist centres even today, over 60 years after the film’s release.
One of the main reasons to reach Key Largo is the unique coral reef which lies right along the eastern shore of the island. It is over 30 miles long and is surrounded by a magnificent national park with a total area is over 400 square kilometers. The Key Largo Underwater Park is within this reserve and offers some fantastic diving and snorkeling, thousands of coral species and tropical fish types and a wild array of marine life. While the more interesting and diverse wildlife is a bit deeper into the coral reef, travelers can also snorkel right along the coast itself and observe some of the marine life as it approaches the warm shallow waters. Diving clubs along the beach will be happy to rent out diving and snorkeling equipment.
The Florida Keys are one of the most famous and attractive destinations in the US, and are well worth the trip and effort of getting there. With a rich history of culture, art and cuisine, and a fantastic laid back atmosphere, this is a fantastic destination for romantic getaways, family vacations or any break from the routine of daily grind.