Miami Fly Drive
Total 14 nights
Day 1
Arrival Miami
Depart London Heathrow 15:10 – Arrive Seattle 16:40
Journey Time 9 hours 30 minutes
Depart Seattle 19:00 – Arrive Anchorage 21:37
Journey Time 3 hours 37 minutes
(Please note: Flight times are subject to change)
Arrive Miami International Airport.
Overnight – Miami
Day 2 & 3
Miami
Full days in Miami
Overnight – Miami
Day 4
Miami to Islamorada
Breakfast – Miami in Miami before picking up hire car and head to The Amara Cay Resort Islamorada over famous US Highway 1 “The Overseas Highway” (approx. 1.5 hour drive).
On the way stop in Key Largo and enjoy a trip on the African Queen Boat trip – The iconic vessel the African Queen is located in Key Largo Florida. Made famous in the 1951 movie of the same name starring Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn she still remains a timeless classic. This famous steamboat is available for daily canal cruises and dinner cruises in the Port Largo Canal area.
Head to hotel and check in – then we suggest that you enjoy lunch at Morada Bay Café, Islamorada (www.moradabay.com/the-beach-cafe).
This afternoon to enjoy facilities at Amara Cay Resort.
Suggestion for a restaurant for Dinner this evening – The Oltremare Ristorante in Amara Cay Resort.
Overnight – Islamorada
Day 5
Islamorada
This morning drive back north to Key Largo and visit John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park which was the first undersea park created in the United States. The park, combined with the adjacent Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, encompasses 178 nautical square miles of coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangrove swamps. These areas were established to protect and preserve the only living coral reef in the continental United States. Glass-bottom boat tours, snorkelling, diving and a lovely beach are located here.
Lunch suggestion: Hungry Tarpon at Robbie’s Marina Islamorada – A place the locals love! (www.hungrytarpon.com)
This afternoon why not spend an hour or so exploring Robbie’s Marina – A nostalgic destination reminiscent of why some of the most talented artists, writers, fishermen and presidents have called the Florida Keys home. Robbie’s rests peacefully among coconut palms with shimmering views of the nearby islands where the unspoiled Florida Bay and the exquisite Atlantic Ocean converge. With free entry, a private sandy beach, fabulous restaurant serving fresh local food and quaint art and craft pavilions one cannot help but understand why so many artists have chosen this place to immortalize in paintings. The kids will also love feeding the enormous tarpon!
Dinner suggestion tonight – Pierre’s, Islamorada Pierre’s Restaurant is a sparkling white two story plantation house with blue shutters encompassing 140 seats, with 90 indoors and 50 on an outside veranda facing the Florida Bay and breath-taking sunsets. The downstairs features The Green Flash Lounge with its beautiful mahogany bar, leather chesterfield sofas, comfortable beige banquettes and rattan chairs. Featuring French Fusion cuisine with World influences, Pierre’s was recently touted by Zagat’s as “one of the top all-around dining experiences” in the Florida Keys.
Overnight – Islamorada
Day 6
Islamorada
This morning we suggest that you visit Theatre of the Sea. Theatre of the Sea is family owned and operated since 1946 and one of the oldest marine mammal facilities in the world. The lagoons and lush, tropical gardens are home to Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, California sea lions, sea turtles, tropical and game fish, sharks, stingrays, alligators, marine invertebrates, and birds.
Lunch suggestion: Island Grill, Islamorada (www.keysislandgrill.com)
Take the afternoon to enjoy Anne’s Beach. The Islamorada Beach is dedicated to local environmentalist Anne Eaton. Anne’s Beach features a shallow swimming area, covered picnic tables, boardwalk and bathroom facilities. This Keys Beach is located on the Atlantic Ocean, but there is almost no wave action, due to the wide expanse of shallow water typical for Florida Keys beaches. Visitors can enjoy the clear and warm waters year round. Typical of Anne’s Beach is the shallow and warm to very warm waters all year around that one can stay in for hours enjoying the sun.
Dinner tonight, why not try The Islamorada Fish Company for the most amazing fish dishes (www.restaurants.basspro.com/FishCompany)
Overnight – Islamorada
Day 6
Islamorada to Little Torch Key
Check out of Amara Cay and head to Historic Pigeon Key – Located in the district of Marathon, visitors to Pigeon Key venture back in time to a tiny island that played a tremendous role in the Florida Keys of today. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this five-acre property served as a home base for railroad workers erecting and later operating the final instalment of Henry M. Flagler’s Key West Extension of the Florida East Coast (FEC) Railway: the Old Seven-Mile Bridge.
Lunch suggestion – The Sunset Grill & Raw Bar at 7 Mile Bridge, Sunset Grille is a great oceanfront venue sitting at the foot of the Historic 7 Mile Bridge! It looks like a thatched south seas tiki hut and has a large oceanfront deck with one of the largest pools in the Florida Keys!
This afternoon following lunch check into Little Palm Island Resort & Spa and enjoy their amenities and dinner in their restaurant.
Overnight – Little Torch Key
Day 8 & 9
Little Torch Key
Day and night in Little Torch Key
Overnight – Little Torch Key
Day 10
Little Torch Key to Keywest
This morning check out of Little Palm Island and Head to Key West, check into one of the following hotels:
The Marker Waterfront Resort at Key West (www.themarkerkeywest.com)
Lunch suggestion: Blue Heaven – a traditional Key West favourite!
Blue Heaven – Nestled in Key West and covered by lush tropical foliage, Blue Heaven offers a taste of authentic Caribbean-inspired food as well as some hearty American classics. It’s the perfect destination for a casual lunch or brunch, but don’t let the laid-back ambience fool you into thinking they approach their menu with nonchalance. Their decorated chef oversees a kitchen that is sincerely invested in producing quality cuisine. Blue heaven has all the fresh fish and crustacean dishes that you’d expect from a keyside restaurant, but locals also tend to rave about their homemade Blueberry Pancakes. (www.blueheavenkw.com)
Afternoon – May we suggest that you try the Conch Train Tour – see the best on the train tour that’s been entertaining visitors to the Island City of Key West, Florida since 1958. The Conch Train is one of Florida’s most popular attractions, and for a good reason. Your tour of Key West will give you a conch’s eye view of all the wonderful Key West attractions. vacation is complete without The World Famous Conch Tour Train.
This evening: Wind & Wine Sunset Sail – Danger Charter’s Wind & Wine sunset sail features an array of fine wines and upscale beers from around the world, complemented by bountiful hors d’oeuvres that will arouse your palate. All this while sailing under a cloud of canvas aboard our Historic Key West Schooners.
Dinner suggestion: Hot Tin Roof @ Ocean Key Resort (www.oceankey.com/key-west-restaurant.aspx)
Overnight – Keywest
Day 11
Keywest
This morning you may wish to embark on a Sail, Snorkel & Kayak Day Trip – Come explore the backcountry in the Florida Keys with Danger Charters while we take you on, an optional, secluded island kayak tour among nature at its best. / Water adventures with Fury Key West – One of Key West’s most popular attractions is the crystal blue waters surrounding the island paradise. For almost three decades visitors and locals alike have been choosing Fury Water Adventures as their #1 excursion in and on the waters of Key West
Evening suggestion: Sunset at Mallory Square – celebrate the end of the day at Mallory Square where every evening you can enjoy free live music and street entertainers, art and craft stores and enjoy a cocktail as the sun goes down.
Maybe dinner at The Grand Café, Duval Street / 915 Duval (www.grandcafekeywest.com)
Overnight – Keywest
Day 12
Keywest
Full day trip (recommended) – Day trip to the Dry Tortugas National Park – Explore a 19th Century Fort and snorkel crystal clear water with incredible marine life. Almost 70 miles (113 km) west of Key West lies the remote Dry Tortugas National Park. The 100-square mile park is mostly open water with seven small islands. Accessible only by boat or seaplane, the park is known the world over as the home of magnificent Fort Jefferson, picturesque blue waters, superlative coral reefs and marine life, and the vast assortment of bird life that frequent the area.
Dinner suggestion – Latitudes at Sunset Key, Latitudes Key West, located on the secluded and private Sunset Key Island, takes fine dining to another level. Upscale, yet casual, Latitudes ambiance is one that chef’s and restaurant connoisseurs savor. Executive Chef Todd Holender works his culinary magic creating a sumptuous, tantalizing, ever-evolving “work of art” menu which incorporates fresh locally sourced fish and tropical fruits. Chef Todd’s guests have the option of indoor dining in the Ernest Hemingway Room, where photos of author, avid fisherman and former Key West resident adorn the walls or outdoor dining to enjoy the warm tropical air.
(www.sunsetkeycottages.com/latitudes-key-west)
Overnight – Keywest
Day 13
Keywest
This morning explore Ernest Hemmingway Home and Museum – Ernest Hemingway lived and wrote here for more than ten years. Calling Key West home, he found solace and great physical challenge in the turquoise waters that surround this tiny island and Harry S Truman – Little White House – Since 1890, history has left its mark on the Truman Little White House. Initially, it served as the naval station’s command headquarters during the Spanish-American War, World War I and World War II. In 1946 the historic building first served as the winter White House of President Harry S. Truman and a site for the Cold War response by later presidents. Today, the Truman Little White House is a public, living, Key West museum as well as a retreat and place of government business by our nation’s leaders.
Today’s lunch suggestion: The Butterfly Cafe Duval Street
Overnight – Keywest
Day 14
Keywest
Fort Zachary Taylor State Park – Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1973, Florida’s southernmost state park is popular for recreation, as well as U.S. military history. The fort was one of a series built in the mid-1800s to defend the nation’s southeastern coastline. Completed in 1866, Fort Zachary Taylor played important roles in the Civil War and Spanish-American War. Guided tours of the fort are available daily. Key West’s favourite beach, located at the southern end of the park, provides opportunities for picnicking, swimming, snorkelling, and fishing. Visitors can also enjoy a short nature trail and bicycling within the park.
This afternoon take a casual stroll down Duval Street to ensure you have stocked up on gifts and souvenirs to take home.
Dinner tonight, why not try The Black Fin Bistro, Duval Street
Overnight – Keywest
Day 15
Depart for UK
Check out of hotel, head to Key West Airport for flight to Miami for connection to London Heathrow.
Depart Keywest – 15:25 Arrive Miami – 16:09
Journey Time – 44 minutes
Depart Miami – 19:20 Arrive Heathrow – 09:00*
Journey Time – 8 hours 40 minutes
* = Next Day Arrival
(Please note: Flight times are subject to change)
Drop files to upload
The post The Florida Keys & Miami Fly Drive appeared first on Complete North America.