Most people know the Florida Keys and Key West as a great getaway. One of the most unique places on earth. Calm. serene, laid back. Just the right setting to recharge your batteries and rejuvenate your spirits. But a getaway to the Florida Keys and Key West is much more than peace and quiet. And not just because of the legendary fishing and the world’s most spectacular dive sites. The Keys mean history. Art, theater, museums, shopping, fine dining,entertainment and much more. 120 miles of perfect balance between natural beauty and extra-ordinary excitement.  From some of the best camping spots in the country to luxurious hotels. With charming  bed and breakfasts to rustic, family-owned lodgings. In other words, something for everyone.

Whether you drive or fly into Key West, one thing’s for sure: there’s simply no place quite like it. An island city of palm-lined streets, boasting Victorian homes, gingerbread conch houses and mansions on the National Register.

John Audubon and Ernest Hemingway lived here. One had a passion for preservation. The other, a great zest for living. And that combination gives Key West its unique personality. The moment you get on world-famous Duval Street, in Old Town Key West, you do more than feel the ambiance. You become a part of it.

Key West is dive shops and charter boats and glorious sunsets, but it’s also a Bahamian Village. With historic forts, lighthouses, theaters, museums, galleries, festivals, markets, sidewalk cafes and legendary pubs. Even Truman’s Little Whitehouse

At Key West you can buy a postAt Key West you can buy a postcard or a famous hand print. You don’t need a car. Tour the city on foot or by trolley. Mingle with some of the world’s most fun-loving characters. And find some of the best-made cigars and aloe products anywhere. Key West is unique, and unspoiled. A feast for your heart and your soul .

Imagine a place where you can battle a sailfish in the morning and enjoy a live play at night. Where you can explore a marine sanctuary one day, and original artworks the next. Where music naturally belongs, be it Buffet or Bach.

Theatre lovers will love it down here. Key West gives you plenty of choices with three theatres. The Marathon Community Theatre presents stellar comedies, dramas and musicals throughout the year. And the Key Players will entertain you with a variety of tautly produced shows in the Upper Keys. rprised at the caliber of the resident artists – a wealth of styles and techniques creating works with a flare and freshness that’s uniquely Florida Keys. From paintings to sculptures, the work is innovative, captivating and unique.

Then there’s the music. Not one type, but all. From  Then there’s the music. Not one type, but all. From  Amadeus to ZZ Top. So you can just as easily let loose in one of our pubs, as lose yourself in a vibrant symphony. Whether it's a play, a concert or the perfect painting for the foyer, The Florida Keys & Key West will dazzle you with a variety of cultural venues that are as impressive as they are unexpected.

We took the US27 route which we had been advised was more interesting than the Interstate route. We passed through many towns and so many orange groves which went on and on into the distance. We also saw many sheriffs sitting at the side of the road slightly hidden from view until you were up close so speed limit was kept to....
We stopped for lunch at Key Largo at a Tiki Bar which was just so beautiful looking out over the beautiful blue water. It took us around 4 hours to get from the villa to Key Largo. Then, another hour to Key West. We then drove on to Key West and stopped along the route to paddle in the water as and when we fancied it or if a spot looked particularly scenic.
Upon arrival at Key West we dropped our bags at our hotel, we just went for cheap n cheerful as we had decided we would be out most of the time and so nothing fancy needed. We changed and went out, we went to the southernmost point which is 90miles away from Cuba. There was a man there who took our family photo and said he has been there taking visitor photo’s for around 20 years just for the pleasure of it.
We then went to Duval Street which is where lots of the restaurants and shops are and milled around looking for somewhere for dinner. So many restaurants to choose from and I think we went to the Rum Barrel. The following day we had pre booked a snorkeling trip from 9am - until 1pm, free beers, wine and soft drink thought it would be a nice way to spend the morning.
Upon departure we sailed for around 40 minutes to the reef (by this time myself, Jai and my middle son Ryan were feeling very poorly and had realised we were definitely not sea dogs!! ish. We sThe snorkeling was wonderful and we saw so many lovely fish. We spent around 90 mins in the water. We used a company called FURY who seemed to have a lot of the water sport business as there were stall all along Duval Street. Unfortunately on the way back we all suffered and none of us could stomach even the soft drinks. The captain instructed all of us who felt ill to be ill over the back as the toilets couldn't cope. I was mortified but fortunately there was a whole host of us who didn't have sea legs...
Anyway, back on land we drove to the beach and had a lovely afternoon. The sea was just like walking into a bath, just beautiful. Arun found a coconut and was determined to crack it which he managed after banging it on rocks for about 1/2 hour. Jai drank the milk from inside and said it was so sweet. That evening we went back to Duval Street, had dinner and then went down to the seafront and relaxed, we looked around the shops and walked down to the harbour and sat by the sea for a while taking in the ambience. We got back to the hotel around 11ish.
We went home via Miami - had lunch on Ocean Drive and went on the beach for 1/2 hour and then it poured down so didn't stay there very long. Took the interstate back home and it wasn't such a nice journey.

Submitted by Sandra, you can view her property here:
http://www.perfectfloridavillas.com/main/prop.aspx?pID=349