When people ask about the top sights to see in the south Florida area including Fort Lauderdale and Miami, I always advise them to try and make some time to go down to the Florida Keys. The Florida Keys are the string of islands just south of the Florida mainland and runs 120 miles from end to end. Fort Lauderdale and Miami are fun but for a relaxing change of pace, the Florida Keys is the place to be. For snorkellers and scuba divers going to south Florida, I would consider Florida Keys a must. The waters around Key Largo are a protected marine park with a very healthy fish life and offer the best diving in the US. Key Largo is the first town as you enter the Keys after crossing the bridge from the mainland. It can be reached from Miami in an hour and from Fort Lauderdale in an hour and 45 minutes. Once the bridge from the mainland is crossed, the change in pace is noticed immediately. There is much less traffic and people just seem more relaxed in the Florida Keys compared to the mainland.

Key Largo is the main scuba diving town with many dive shops. There is even an underwater hotel with two guestrooms for adventurous types. This was a former marine research unit that was converted to the hotel. Islamorada and Marathon located more west are also top scuba dive locations. For those who are not into diving, there are numerous shops with colorful local arts and crafts. One collection of shops has a giant statue of a spiny lobster out in front. For more fun, there are two dolphin centers, one in Key Largo and another near Marathon where visitors can interact with captive dolphins. Dolphin programs should actually be booked well in advance since they are extremely popular.

There are sign markers along the main US number 1 highway that mark each mile along the 120 mile route. Most addresses in the Florida Keys along the main highway will actually refer to which mile marker they are located near. It's a very efficient way to navigate. It takes about 3 hours to drive from Key Largo to the far end at Key West but more than likely, visitors would want to stop off at numerous locations along the way for shopping, photo opportunities or just admiring the scenery. The scenery gets better as one heads out more west, especially near the bridges that connect the islands. A common sight to see are locals fishing off the bridges and numerous pelicans standing on the posts like permanent fixtures. One of the most spectacular sights is the seven mile bridge which is the world's longest segmented bridge.

The Florida Keys are not really known for its beaches with the exception of Bahia Honda Park which is even further west in the lower keys. The snorkeling in this area, especially Looe Key, is among the top sites in North America. The city of Key West at the far end of the Florida Keys is the largest community in the islands and a stay here for a night or two is well worth it. The downtown area full of restaurants, bars, boutiques and shops is a funky, fun place to be. There are hotels along the water as well as numerous B&Bs inland. We stayed at the Quality Inn near the entrance of the city and had no problem getting downtown since there is a very convenient bus system that runs throughout Key West. We chose to leave our car at the hotel and use the buses because parking can be limited in the downtown area. A very neat way to tour the city is to rent scooters which are very common in the streets here. With the scooters, we criss-crossed the city and saw the wonderful colonial houses in the residential streets including Ernest Hemmingway's house.

The seafood is predictably very fresh in restaurants everywhere in the Florida Keys. Some local specialties not to be missed are conch, local spiny lobster and a few varieties of the local fish including snapper and grouper. Of course, one must try the real, authentic key lime pie that originated in the area. Each restaurant has a slightly different recipe but in general, the authentic key lime pie here is not as sweet as the commercial brands sometimes found in the rest of North America.

Hotel accommodations suit every budget in the Florida Keys from simple motels to top notch resorts. The last town back in the US mainland is Florida City and it has some very affordable hotel accommodations with well known chains such as Comfort Inn, Hampton Inn and Best Western. This is another option for some travelers, especially those who are scuba diving in Key Largo as Florida City is only about 20 minutes away if hotels in Key Largo are fully booked or at high season rates.

The Florida Keys has a way of enticing visitors back during return visits to south Florida. Its slower pace helps balance things out against the crowded and crazier styles of Fort Lauderdale and Miami. I have been to the Keys three times and will definitely return there again.

Clint is owner of Free Spirit Gallery which specializes in exquisite authentic Eskimo Inuit and Northwest Native art including carvings, sculpture and prints at below retail prices. There are numerous information resource articles on Inuit and Native art with photos of authentic artwork as well as eCards at the website (http://www.FreeSpiritGallery.ca).

Clint Leung may be contacted at http://www.FreeSpiritGallery.ca

Florida Beachfront Rentals - Finding Florida Beachfront Vacation Homes
by: David Buster

Florida beachfront rentals are a great way to enjoy a Florida vacation. Florida beachfront rentals and Florida beachfront vacation homes can be found in all the most popular beach areas year-round. Besides the fabulous Florida beaches you have to choose from, there is so much to do while on vacation.

You can easily find Florida beaches that are great for walking, swimming and beachcombing. Salt-water fishing right off the beach is a fun way to have a chance to enjoy very fresh seafood. Of course, local restaurants will await you if your sea bounty comes up short that day. There is a wide variety of water sports such as fishing, sailing, jetskiing, parasailing, scuba diving, canoeing, kayaking and more to be found in the larger Florida beach towns. Surfing in Florida can be extremely fun, as you can find waves for amateur and experienced surfers alike. Conquering large waves makes ones adrenaline rush like crazy.

With so much to enjoy while at the Florida beaches, why stay in a cramped hotel or motel room at a time when you want to really relax and enjoy your time together? Instead of being stuck in a single hotel room, you can be together while having your own rooms with the space and comfort that comes with Florida beachfront vacation homes.

Is having your privacy important? There is very little privacy in a hotel room, of course. Florida beachfront rentals come with privacy. How about a bedroom for mom and dad with separate beds and rooms for the kids or friends? Everyone sleeps better! After all, the idea to rest up while on vacation, right?

Bathrooms? In a hotel or motel, there will likely be only one bathroom. You will enjoy two or more bathrooms in Florida beachfront vacation homes. Use the refrigerator to keep the drinks chilled and enjoy anytime you want. And you might want to sit down to a home-cooked meal made in your Florida beachfront rentals home.

If you are staying in a hotel or motel, in the commons area, you are sharing it with strangers. In Florida beachfront rentals, you share the common space with your family and friends, the way you likely want it while on vacation!

What is the fastest and best way to find Florida beachfront rentals? Online, of course! Online, you can actually see the properties where you might want to stay.

Whether you will vacation during the hot busy summer months, the leisurely fall months or in winter in the Florida non-freezing beauty, you will be glad you stayed in one of the thousands of the Florida beachfront vacation homes. Check them out today for your next fun Florida vacation.

Copyright 2005 InfoSearch Publishing

About The Author

David Buster

Find great Florida vacation rentals and beachfront vacation homes online at http://www.bestvacationrentalsonline.com/florida-gulf-coast-vacation-rentals.html - David Buster is VP of InfoSearch Publishing and webmaster of http://www.bestvacationrentalsonline.com - visit the website for log cabin rentals, discount hotel rooms and more vacation fun.

davidleebuster@verizon.net