Key West is the key to an ultimate romantic weekend getaway. Located at the southernmost part of Florida, it is the perfect venue for couples who want to break free from their everyday lives.

Although you can fly straight to Key West International Airport, choose Miami as a landing destination instead and begin your weekend getaway with a romantic drive along the US1 (nicknamed The Overseas Highway) over the vast waters. The drive gives you impeccable views of the ocean, and the wide variety of hotels, seafood restaurants, dive shops and boats that serve as a preview of how much of an amazing trip you are about to have.

Couples often prefer a quiet getaway for a romantic weekend. Make the most of each other’s company by spending the whole day at the beach, lying on the sand or swinging on a hammock with good food and good drinks. You can also take the seventy-mile ferry or chartered plane ride to the island of Dry Tortugas for an extraordinary diving experience, or simply enjoy the cool breeze brushing up your hair on a cruise ship. Spend some quality time walking around Key West. Enjoy strolling the palm tree-infested streets holding each other’s hands and watch the very eventful sunset.

Spend your romantic weekend at the luxurious Marquesa Hotel right in the center of the historic district. Just in the same street, the Eden House offers the same historic atmosphere with a more affordable rate. One of the essentials of romantic weekend getaways is to linger over local cuisine. On Duval Street, you will find many of Key West’s top restaurants for your romantic dining. On this strip, restaurants have an area with porches where you can just watch the world go by over a sumptuous meal and a glass of wine. Being surrounded by water, these restaurants serve seafood as their specialty, served, of course, in many different ways. If you want your fish raw, the Japanese Origami is highly recommended. Other top picks include the Seven Fish and Bagatelle for those who prefer their fish cooked. Also, you should try Key West’s long time favorite, Sloppy Joe.

If you are the party type of couple, on the other hand, you can take your romantic weekend getaway to Key West during the spring break and in November where fun is spread throughout the island. During the spring break, resorts and bars throw parties and promise everyone in attendance a good time. November activities, on the other hand, include the Halloween costume parties and the Key West Power Boat Race. Water sport enthusiasts fly in to Key West every year to witness this event.

Key West is said to be the haven of writers. Authors get inspired by the beauty of the island. Since the mood for this particular weekend getaway is romantic, visit the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum and explore the very walls where Ernest Hemingway wrote his emotional novels. Those fascinated to the underwater can have a self- or guided-tour at the Key West Aquarium, which features diverse exhibits of sea life in the Florida waters. Check the Aquarium’s daily schedule for feeding if you wish to have a close encounter with the sharks.

Whether you want it quiet and private or loud and wild, Key West has something for you to break loose from the routine. It is the jaunt perfect for couples who wish to unwind and relish a romantic weekend getaway.



By: David Reichman

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The Florida Keys are a tropical archipelago that consists of a whopping 1700 islands that lie off the coast of the Florida peninsula. They have fantastic tropical weather year round, but the summers can be awfully hot and humid so the pleasant warmness of November to May is probably a better option for travellers. The Keys feature many endemic animals native to this area, and a variety of beloved Key foods are served on the islands. These things, along with the stunning tropical beauty and relaxation of the beach life, give visitors an exotic adventure while still feeling at home.

The most famous of the keys is Key West, which is the farthest of the islands from the Florida Peninsula. In fact, it lies just 145 kilometers (or 90 miles) away from Cuba. The island is a popular seaport for cruise ships, and also hosts the annual “Spring Break” festivities, as well as PrideFest, a week-long celebration put on by the gay and lesbian community. The sunsets from the pier on Key West are known to be amazing, and they can be enjoyed along the extensive beach promenade or from Mallory Square. Old Town Key West is a cute little tourist town, with its faux-looking colonial architecture. The most interesting spot for tourists is palm-fringed Duval Street, with its bars, cafes, restaurants, and shops. This is the happening place to be at night. The lush vegetation of the island also provides some provides for some relaxing escapes. Nancy Forester’s Secret Garden, and the Key West Botanical Forest and Garden are worth a visit for their pleasant tropical greenery.

The Florida Keys can be accessed by the Overseas Highway, a highway that spans the ocean from the Florida peninsula through the archipelago, connecting all the islands with each other and to the mainland. The views from the two-lane highway are spectacular, and will possibly be the highlight of your trip. Alternatively, you can fly into one of the small airports in the keys, the most natural arrival point being Key West.



By: Brian Halper

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Taylor D. asked:

I realize that key west and inexpensive dont go together, but i am planning a trip to the keys for myself and my girlfriend and we are tight on funds. We wouldnt be planning the trip if we didnt have enough, but i would love to save a few bucks on room arrangements. Most of the places we found for 2009 were about $150-$250 a night. Does anyone know anywhere that would be cheaper? Im not too picky, just would rather spend the money on food and drink than sleeping in a bed. We are 22 and want to be close to the bar scene, so no where outside key west, but it doesnt have to be quiet or loud or romantic or family oriented, just semi-close to Duval Street. Please HELP!!!!