The Obama administration reportedly is working to reach a deal with Cuba that would allow regularly scheduled commercial flights between the two countries by the end of this year. The Wall Street Journal reports that a possible agreement would allow airlines to establish service between the U.S. and Cuba as soon as this December. Administration … Read more
Anybody who’s been in the Keys for Florida’s sport lobster season knows things can get crazy, so crazy that some people think the two-day event should be stopped. According to a 2003 North Carolina State Universitystudy, the boat density during sport season, also known as mini-season, can be 900 times the density during the regular … Read more
Islamorada Only half an hour south of Key Largo, this is a chain of islands measuring only 20 miles long. The small group is known as the “sports fishing capital of the world,” so for avid adventurers and sports enthusiasts, this is a must-stop spot. Robbie’s of Islamorada is a popular locale, as guests can … Read more
On-the-water revelers can continue partying at offshore hot spots throughout the Keys, as far as the federal government is concerned. The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council decided not to consider a proposed recommendation that could have eventually resulted in no-anchoring zones at popular shallow-water areas like Marathon’s sandbar off Valhalla, Picnic Island, Snipe … Read more
Last week my wife, Pat, and I spent our 30th anniversary in Key West, Fla. I know … why in heaven’s name would anyone in their right mind go to Florida in the summer? Well, Key West is actually in the tropics, and the temperatures were between 87-90 degrees. I didn’t think that was too … Read more
Greetings from Garden Key. The most remote campground in Florida comes with clean air and unspoiled views. GARDEN KEY, DRY TORTUGAS — “We have our coral reef eco-system, We have our seabirds behind us,” says Glenn Simpson pointing behind him while looking forward at one of the most remote locations to camp overnight in Florida. Appropriately … Read more
The Chica Travelsita, Travel Blogger and Travel Agent explores the Florida Keys from Key Largo to Key West! She stays at The Casa Morada in Islamorada, explores the waters with Upper Keys Sport Fishing and The Florida Fisherman and experiences delicious food and drinks at Lorelei’s Restaurant and Bar, Bitton Bistro and The Square Grouper. … Read more
Hotel room rates in the Florida Keys have increased every month for the past 64 months. That’s more than five years of constantly increasing hotel revenues, Jessica Bennett, market research director for the Monroe County Tourist Development Council, told members of the local lodging association during their luncheon Friday. Florida Keys Tourism is booming. “Forbes … Read more
Playa Largo, the Marriott Autograph property that will soon become the first full-service resort to open in Key Largo since 1993, has begun accepting room reservations, and plans a host of restaurant offerings, The Real Deal has learned. The resort’s booking engine went live on the Marriott.com website in the middle of this month. … Read more
We wanted to touch a little piece of movie history, so we headed down to Key Largo, Fla., to ride on the African Queen. The African Queen is a 30-foot steel-hulled steamship built in 1912 as the S/L Livingston to navigate the upper Nile River. John Huston leased it in 1951 to make the movie … Read more
Just in time for World Oceans Day, an underwater luxury hotel still in the planning and fund-raising stage, is now featuring a single underwater guestroom, with proceeds going to a coral reef restoration funding project. Planet Ocean Underwater Hotel, based near Key West, Florida, highlighted the concept on Monday. The pod-style room, which is accessed via … Read more
The 113-mile drive along the Florida Keys is unlike anything else in the country. Before giving it a whirl, however, you’re going to want to load up on some conch fritters and red snapper strips. Alabama Jack’s in Homestead is the place to do it. It’s here, at the very tip of mainland Florida, that … Read more
If you are a fan of Netflix’s “Bloodline” but aren’t quite as well acquainted with the Florida Keys, here is a rundown of some of the locations. Want to track down where the Rayburns live, work, eat, and play? Here’s a spoiler-free tour of “Bloodline” locations. “We’re not bad people, but we did a bad thing.” … Read more
The annual Conch Shell Blowing Contest, sponsored by Old Island Restoration Foundation, celebrates the historic importance of the conch in the Keys. Free and open to children and adults of all ages, the Contest will be held March 7, at the Oldest House, 322 Duval Street. Watch enthusiastic contestants pucker up and demonstrate their shell-blowing … Read more