FLORIDA KEYS string of small islands (Keys) stretch into the Gulf of Mexico like a necklace of uncut bejeweled stones. A fitting description considering all the Spanish and other treasures known to have sunk off the coasts of the area! The ten Keys of the string start with Key Largo, Marathon, Tavernier, Bahia Honda, Islamorada, Big Pine, Long Key, Little Torch, Grassy and Key West are interconnected by a series of bridges including the famous ‘Seven Mile Bridge’ facilitating excellent access to the mainland.

Subject to tropical storms and hurricanes, early warning centers provide residents with ample time to make preparations or leave the area to avoid damage or discomfort. Visitors are advised to spend time touring and stopping at the upper, middle and lower keys to experience all of the best on offer. Fishing, diving and jet-skiing are encouraged under controlled conditions that will ensure ecological and practical survival of the only living coral reef off the US coast, as well as licensed commercial fishing. Apart from the mainland Everglades National Park, there are ten parks and beach sites on the Keys, where boating, swimming, viewing, hiking and sometimes camping is available, from Key Largo to the end of key West.

Travelling from Miami (US 1) naturally the fist stop would be at Key Largo, a haven for fishing, ‘diving capital of the world’ with coral reef and boating, with lots of hotels, motels and resort and camping accommodation, restaurants, attractions, tours and night life.

The central Island of Marathon is known as the ‘sports fishing and water activity Mecca’ of the Keys, where you can swim with dolphins or bask on Sombrero Beach. ‘Boatels’ are a popular accommodation experience and an airport provides flights on national carriers.

Tavernier is known for its Bird Park and as a choice to stay in a ‘quiet community’ with easy access to the rest of the islands and entertainment areas.

Islamorada Island is considered the ‘Sport Fishing Capital of the World’ with almost as many boats as fish! That can guide to the big game or numerous wrecks to explore in shallow waters. Overflowing with restaurants, entertainment and nightlife, it also offers stunning sunsets off the waterfront.

Big Pine key is home to two small State Parks, where the rare White Tailed Deer roam, and the Marine Sanctuary where you can go off shore or ‘flats’ fishing and afterwards relax to some island music in a local (Tiki) Bar.

Long Key is where the State Park accommodates campers and nature lovers who like seclusion yet easy access to neighboring keys.

Little Torch Key is known for being a quiet location, close to the corals of the marine sanctuary and its exclusive, off shore, Palm Island Resort.

Grassy Key hosts the Dolphin Research Center which offers tours and swims with these delightfully friendly ‘cousins’.

Key West has a historical significance as one of the first visited by Spanish explorers and was until more recently, a staging point for travelers to and from Cuba. Writers like Hemingway lived here, and many festivals and occasions still honor his memory. After a day of rides and attractions, visitors and locals still have big fascination to visit many of his old ‘watering holes’ that lure boaters, divers, fishermen and visitors to explore the night life, musical vibrancy or watch sunsets over the island, while listening to pipers playing “Amazing Grace”, is an emotive experience not to be missed.

AMELIA ISLAND is famed for its magnificent Ritz Hotel with it ‘best Hotel’ facilities, which are its hall mark in sites all over the world. For anyone who has experienced Ritz luxury or not, its time to go there again. Enough said and it only up to you to see for yourself!

PALM ISLAND a barrier island, some fifty miles south of Sarasota is a small privately owned paradise with resort facilities for quiet, family and romantic holidays, taking in all that natural environment (and man) can provide for relaxation and pleasure.

Virtually a ‘car free zone’, strolling, biking or canoeing are the popular means of perambulation around miles of beach, coast line where seabirds and marine life continue their ageless rituals and palm trees whisper in the breeze. For the overactive, there is golf nearby, photography, hiking, fishing, ecological excursions, and for the kids – an in-house giant of a pirate that will entertain. A little bit of exclusive heaven!

SARASOTA and her islands, beaches and facilities are world class. A cultural hub of the ‘Rich and famous’ – Politicians past and present, Artists and Musicians, Media Moguls and many more luminaries visit the islands from mainland Florida to speak, perform or attend cultural events. As part of a premier Resort area the Islands have excellent infrastructure, access from the mainland via the Ringling Bridge and waterways.

With more than a dozen beaches and keys to choose from, the islands are a ‘beach comber or loungers’ dream. Siesta, Longboat, Lido and Casey Keys and seven other island (Keys) offer many venues for fine dining and wining. Over four million visitors annually, testifies to the magical attractions that lure tourists, corporate meetings and weddings & functions to the ambiance of ocean, pristine beaches and sumptuous hotel and resort locations, and within the County, more than one thousand golf tees to choose from.

In October alone are more than a dozen Festivals to celebrate; Pumpkin, Latino, Hungarian foods and music of Jazz, Blues and for kids and parents the enjoyable Halloween, haunted House and Shark-fest. The Cultural Fests offer Arts and Crafts, Oceanic Evening, Ballet and Opera and Waterfront Pub Crawl to cruise the ‘Watering Holes’ in style.

Not for nothing has Sarasota been named “The best small city in the USA”.

ISLES OF CAPRI are even smaller! With a development joining four mangrove islands and six hundred acres, this is the ultimate in small island development successfully retains a rural fishing village ambiance, where visitors can take to the ocean for sports and food fishing.

GOODLAND ISLAND – is even smaller and with hardly 400 permanent residents one may be tempted to pass on without more than a glance – a big mistake. This sleepy fishing haven bursts to life over week ends and festival days.

Live Bands, Theme Parties, Hog Roasts, Games, Music, Dancing and Beer, liven up the island for thousands of visitors – and the sleepy cats and dogs desert the streets to find solace elsewhere while the people ‘live it up’. Antique and Art shops, many with resident artists open their doors wide to the flood of visitors as do the Fishing Tackle Shops, Charter Boats and Sea-side Restaurants.

After the week-end the ‘lemming run’ of visitors return to their homes. The Island takes a deep breath and readies itself for the next week-end flood of humanity. Cool place to go to!