Fabulous Florida - Miami, Duck Key, Key West, Key Largo & Naples
Suggested Itinerary
Day 1
London to Miami
After you have collected your luggage and cleared immigration make your way to the Alamo rental desk to collect your hire car. After familiarising yourself with the cars controls and US driving regulations is an 13 mile 25 minute drive to the prestigious Sagamore hotel where you will be spending the first two nights of your Florida holiday
Miami is often referred to as the epicentre of 'cool' and is located on the south-easterly tip of Florida. Famous for many things, Miami is best known for its extremely sunny weather, golden beaches, Art Deco character and lively nightlife. Also known as the 'Gateway to the Americas', the 15 miles / 24 km of glorious beaches make Miami a little different to other large cities, its understandably popular with all ages and attracts a broad spectrum of tourists.
Miami is full of interesting and appealing tourist attractions, and the most notable include the Miracle Mile - one of the city's major shopping regions, situated in the Coral Gables district; the Freedom Tower - an important landmark tower built in 1924; the Miami Metrozoo - one of the finest wild animal parks in America; and the Seaquarium - a 15-hectare / 38-acre complex of huge saltwater pools, with a number of majestic killer whales and friendly dolphins, sea lions, porpoises and a group of manatees. Countless other tourist attractions are situated nearby, such as the Miami Everglades National Park, which is amongst the largest natural parks in Florida, made up of large swamps and marshes. Air boat tours are available to safely negotiate the Everglades National Park and view the numerous alligators residing here.
Sagamore
Sagamore - The Art Hotel - South Beach
Welcome to the prestigious Sagamore Hotel, a cultural centrepiece directly on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. This all-suite boutique hotel, officially known as The Art Hotel – is a timeless destination situated within Miami's Art Deco Historic District. A coveted location at the crossroads of the Lincoln Road Mall and Collins Avenue, perfectly complements each of the 93 suites, two-story bungalows and spacious penthouse accommodations, and with the city's most popular restaurants, nightlife, shopping and museums just steps away—exciting opportunities are always within reach.
Private, boutique service and a historic address in the heart of South Beach, creates a peaceful experience away from the crowds, while museum quality photography, sculpture and video, located throughout public areas and event space make this one of the premier venues on the beach. From the Gallery Dining Room and the Art Video Bar Lounge to the Screening Room and Historic Lobby – they have created a magnificent setting for relaxation, as well as a distinctive environment for meetings and celebrations.
Sagamore is located in the heart of South Beach directly on the ocean between Lincoln Road and 17th Street on Collins Ave. Steps from the pool is the beach board walk, perfect for a nice stroll along the beach or a quick run in the morning.
At Sagamore, the exclusive location, boutique personal service and spacious one bedroom suites, unite with a captivating art collection from recognised artists and contemporary design, to create one of the finest South Beach hotels.
Day 3
A tranquil meander through the Keys today as you head for Duck Key, an ideal base for you to explore everything that the Keys has to offer.
Situated midway down the Florida Keys Duck Key Island is small and secluded yet is central to Miami and Key West, and easy to reach by car, boat or plane. Duck Key has a few distinguishing Florida Keys vacation features: Aquamarine water all around, glorious sunrises and sunsets, an island sensibility that lulls you to relax.
Today’s driving distance is approximately 110 miles which should take you about 2¼ hours
Your suggested base for the next three nights is the Hawks Cay Resort.
Hawks Cay Resort - Florida Keys
The Ideal Resort in the Florida Keys
Sunlight dances on the horizon as your toes splash in the sparkling waters of the Atlantic. A smile spreads across your face. Laughter returns to your heart. The feeling of pure enjoyment is complete. You are surrounded by the natural wonder and the relaxing atmosphere of Hawks Cay Resort, the premier choice among Florida Keys Resorts.
Located on Duck Key midway down the Florida Keys, this secluded 40-acre luxury resort offers some of the world's best fishing, the world-renowned Offshore Sailing School for the adventurous, exciting water sports, the Dolphin Connection™ program, sunny beaches around the saltwater lagoon, five swimming pools, spacious Florida Keys accommodations, exquisite dining, kids and teen clubs, a full-service spa, and the casual, relaxed pace of the Keys. Barefoot luxury has arrived in style.
A Welcoming Island escape setting a distinct standard among Florida Keys Resorts
At Hawks Cay Resort in the Florida Keys, they believe in creating special moments that will last a lifetime. That means placing all of the comforts of home alongside the pleasures of a luxury Florida Keys island resort right at your fingertips. Hawks Cay is the perfect choice for Florida Keys lodging that is both warm and distinctive. Offering a private island atmosphere where you can indulge in onsite water-sports like sailing, fishing, jet-ski tours, parasailing, sunset cruising and more among luxurious Florida Keys hotel accommodations, the suites and villas are the perfect component for pure relaxation after a day of fun.
Sample the true flavour of the tropics with a selection of Florida Keys dining experiences all in the same location. With five distinct restaurants in Duck Key, a chic rum bar, and menus featuring delicious cuisine and refreshing tastes, its easy to see why Hawks Cay is home to great Duck Key restaurants. From a relaxed breakfast on the veranda to a casual yet tasteful lunch alongside the free-form resort pool, to an elegant culinary experience for dinner, visitors to our barefoot luxury resort are sure to find that dining at Hawks Cay is always fresh, new, and exciting. Here’s to great restaurants in the Florida Keys!
Everything else melts away and it is just you and the people you love most. Your son reels in his first "big catch"... Your daughter laughs with excitement as her line gets a bite too. As you look at your family enjoying their Duck Key vacation, playing with a dolphin or enjoying a delicious lunch together, you realise that this is the moment you've all needed and that no family should be without. Renew your spirit at your most relaxing choice among Florida Keys family hotels.
Hawks Cay appreciates that too many of the guests, "what matters most" is the chance to spend time with their families, recapturing that spirit of togetherness and enjoying each other's company. So in addition to the numerous all-ages water and outdoor activities on the island, Hawks Cay also offer kids and teens programs to suit the tastes of their younger guests for exceptional family vacations in Duck Key.
Day 6
Another stunning journey ahead of you as you make the short 60 mile 1¼ hour journey to Key West the southernmost city in the continental United States.
Key West is an alluring vacation hot spot for many reasons. First, it is suitable for families and groups of all kinds looking for a fun vacation in the sun. Fishing, scuba diving and snorkelling, sailing, and swimming are just a few of the activities that draw visitors to this enchanted island. It is a tourist destination to be sure, and as such, you will discover a whole host of restaurants, bars, and huge clubs like Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, and much more. People also enjoy activities including walking tours of the old city of Key West as well as deep-sea fishing expeditions deep in the Atlantic.
The best beaches in Key West offer long stretches of sand and surf, complete with full beach amenities and services, as well as public facilities. All of the beaches that are affiliated with hotels and resorts on the island offer lifeguards, gear and equipment rentals, and close proximity to plenty of public facilities such as changing rooms and showers. There are also many vacation rentals from which to choose that are distributed throughout the island in a variety of tempting locales. Golf, tennis, fine dining, and strolls on the beach at sunset beckon on Key West. Even though the island is only two miles by four miles, there is no doubt that there is endless fun packed into its boundaries.
In Key West we are suggesting the Reach Resort as your home for the next three nights of your exciting Florida holiday.
Reach Resort Key - Key West
An Intimate Escape:
Escape to a refined haven, where Royal Palms sway with the gentle breezes of the Atlantic Ocean, gracefully silhouetted by every breath-taking sunset. The Reach, A Waldorf Astoria Resort artfully combines the delightfully effervescent feel of the Mediterranean with a cultured intimate setting. A Refined Choice Among Key West Hotels
Discover a Caribbean playground at The Reach Resort, a proud member of the world’s most exclusive family of hotels, A Waldorf Astoria Resort. Boasting the only natural beach on the island as their backyard, this Key West hotel offers the perfect blend of soft white sand and breath-taking sunshine. Relax and repose in one of the 150 elegant guest rooms, featuring sweeping beach views, and attentive services. Witness breath-taking vistas from the privacy of your own balcony, Lounge poolside, Race the surf on a jet ski, Stroll the beach, or just watch the sunset from the sandy shore. Delight in the stunning array of features at this luxurious Key West Florida hotel, blending warm hospitality with the landmark luxury and timeless allure signature to The Waldorf Astoria name.
- Located in the heart of Old Town, in Key West, Florida
- Showcasing Key West's only natural beach as the backyard
- Only 1 block from the vibrant attractions and pulsing nightlife of Duval Street.
- Minutes from world-class deep-sea fishing, scuba diving, snorkelling, and parasailing
- Just 2.5 miles from Key West International Airport (EYW), and 150 miles from Miami International Airport (MIA)
Traditional Key West Double Guestroom - A furnished, breezy balcony provides views of Key West’s historic Old Town neighbourhood. Convenient to The Reach’s calming Oceanside pool and captivating white sand natural beach, these guestrooms offer up to 275 sq. ft. and feature two double beds and modern bathroom with glass panel shower. Accommodating up to four guests, these relaxing havens are all non-smoking and offer in-room amenities including:
- Nespresso® coffee machine
- LCD flat-screen television
- iPod docking station
- mini-refrigerator and more
Dinning - Feast on incredible steaks and seafood cuisine at Strip House restaurant, the onsite restaurant of The Reach Resort. Strip House redefines the traditional steakhouse experience with a menu that includes prime cuts of beef charred to perfection, accompanied by side dishes of black truffle creamed spinach, goose fat potatoes, and creamed corn with pancetta. Featuring magnificent outdoor dining and indoor ocean views, this upscale Key West restaurant offers you an atmosphere and an innovative menu to excite the senses. Toast a fabulous stay with a favourite beverage poolside. Enjoy the large array of dining menu selections at our beachfront resort, including
Activities - Enjoy the tranquillity of a white-sand beach at The Reach Resort. With the stunning Atlantic Ocean as the backyard, delight in the peaceful shores of the only private beach on Key West. Relax seaside and take in the breath-taking views and gentle sea breezes. Rent a Jet Ski and race the surf. Or snorkel and explore what lies beneath the crystal blue water. Take pleasure in all our private beach has to offer, including:
- 450-foot private beach, the only one on Key West
- Water activities ,including jet skis, sailboats, kayaks, paddle boats, ocean bikes, and snorkel gear
Spa- Available at their sister resort - Casa Marina Resort & Beach Club - The Massage Studio, offers rejuvenating spa services for guests. From Swedish to Deep Tissue, Aromatherapy to Reflexology - this elegant Key West spa resort provides certified therapists who will transport you to a world of deep relaxation. Enjoy an Ocean Breeze Massage on the beach - one of our most popular choices. Soothe your mind and body underneath the calming influence of swaying palms. Feel tension melt away with the help of essential oils like lavender, lemongrass, or wintergreen. Take pleasure in the extensive menu of this oceanfront Florida Keys spa resort,
Day 9
A longer drive ahead of you today as you leave the southernmost island and make your way to northernmost location along the Florida Keys chain Keys to Key Largo, the distance is 94 miles an approximate driving time of 2 hours.
Home to two state parks, a national park, a national marine sanctuary, Key Largo boasts some of the most fascinating botanical scenery in the state.
Key Largo is sandwiched between the watery wilderness of the Everglades National Park to the west and the fish-covered coral formations of North America's only living coral barrier reef to the east. It's not just Hollywood producers who are drawn to the wildlife here. Even Fantasy Fest revellers have been known to relax in Key Largo before, during or after enjoying Key West's famously outlandish costume festival.
For the next three nights accommodation we are suggesting the Holiday Inn Key Largo.
Holiday Inn - Key Largo
Ideally situated next to Key Largo Resorts Marina, this hotel's location places patrons in the perfect position to take advantage of endless Florida Keys fun! Those seeking hotels in Key Largo for that relaxing tropical vacation or corporate retreat find the Holiday Inn® Key Largo hotel to be just what they're looking for.
From days spent Oceanside beneath the Florida sun to snorkelling and scuba diving adventures to romantic sunset cruises, Key Largo recreation is what vacation fantasies are made of. Take the family to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park to see the 30,000-gallon aquarium or get even closer to marine life by swimming with the dolphins at Dolphin Plus.
The 132 air-conditioned guestrooms at Holiday Inn Key Largo include coffee/tea makers and complimentary weekday newspapers. Pillow menus are available. Complimentary wireless high-speed Internet access is provided. 32-inch LCD TVs are equipped with premium cable channels. Bathrooms offer hair dryers and complimentary toiletries. Additional amenities include irons/ironing boards and blackout drapes/curtains. Housekeeping is offered daily.
Complete with every perk from on-site dining and a poolside Tiki Bar to two heated, outdoor pools and a 24-hour Fitness Centre, this Florida Keys hotel's accommodations in Key Largo ensure a memorable travel experience. It's an island paradise from the moment you arrive.
Day 12
Time to head for your final destination, Naples, the crown jewel of Southwest Florida. The distance to Naples is approximately 145 miles which should take you about 3 hours
Nestled on the sun drenched beaches of the Gulf of Mexico Naples is known for world class shopping, dining and abundant, challenging golf courses. It is also, only steps away from island seclusion or the untamed tropical wilderness of The Everglades. Boasting one of the nation's best sandboxes and calmest seas, Naples makes a splash with water lovers and re-creationists. Friendly parks beckon sports enthusiasts and picnickers with lovely green spaces and recreational facilities. Naples is located on the Gulf of Mexico in Southwest Florida.
Sadly its time to bring your fabulous Florida holiday to conclusion, to help you relax and reflect upon your experiences of the past few weeks we have selected the La Playa Beach & Golf Resort for your final three nights.
LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort
Welcome to LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort
Naples, Florida - Imagine stepping from your private oceanfront Florida resort accommodations to be greeted by cloudless skies, sparkling turquoise waters and white sandy beaches stretching to infinity. As a guest of LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort, this image of paradise becomes your daily reality. One of Florida’s finest resort hotels, LaPlaya rests between the Gulf of Mexico and picturesque Vanderbilt Bay, offering guests a rare chance to experience South Florida's subtropical beauty from front-row seats.
Reflecting the contemporary lifestyle and easygoing attitude of South Florida, LaPlaya Beach Resort is a place where guests can truly feel at home. An updated twist to Florida’s classic, “old world” style, the resort’s décor is elegant, yet always comfortable. Casual elegance defines all of LaPlaya’s 189 accommodations and suites, 141 with their toes practically in the sand! A tasteful blend of wrought-iron furnishings, luxurious fabrics, cheery colours, and unique works of art, not to mention spectacular views of the ocean or bay create the ideal atmosphere for a beachfront resort vacation.
It follows that Naples only oceanfront golf & spa resort would have its only waterfront fine dining. Award-winning Baleen features ocean – inspired cuisine with worldwide indigenous flavours in a whimsically elegant setting. Guests of the LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort have the enviable privilege of experiencing some of the palate-pleasing experiences of Baleen's cuisine from their luxury accommodations or suite.
If you are looking for a peaceful Florida spa resort setting amid swaying palms and white sand beaches, retreat to LaPlaya Beach Resort’s SpaTerre. The signature health spa resort of Noble House Hotels & Resorts offers a refuge to promote health and wellbeing for mind, body and soul.
Compared to most luxury Florida resorts, LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort reflects the contemporary lifestyle and easygoing attitude of South Florida. LaPlaya Beach Resort is a place where guests can truly feel at home. It's a luxury Naples hotel that's anything but stuffy.
Day 15
Sadly all good things have to come to an end however I am sure that you will find plenty of time this morning for some last minute shopping and sunbathing before you have to pack your bags and make your way to Miami airport.
The distance to Miami airport is 120 miles, a drive of about 2 hours. On arrival at the airport return your hire car to the Alamo depot before checking in for your Virgin Atlantic flight back to the UK.
Overnight flight Miami to London Heathrow
For more information on fly drive holidays to the USA & Florida
call Joanne on 01243 779 737
Link to America Fly Drive Holidays
