Spending time to explore Key Largo will give you a great feeling for Key Largo. But you can't say it will give you a sense of the Florida Keys. Each has its own interests and attractions. It is possible to drive to Key West in just over two hours. However, the last time I visited, I took two days to make the trip and stopped off on each key.

Key West is not only a touristy place, it is also the most southern point of continental US, and only 90 miles from Cuba. A sunset here is a must. Pine Key and No Name Key is where you will find the endangered smallest of the deer species. It is a slow, but lovely drive over these Keys, as the speed limit is mostly 25mph. Like all wildlife viewing, you need patience.

So it goes for most of the Keys. All have great beaches, and the aftermath of Wilma which can still be seen, is like a living museum. There is a very good visitor information centre when you first enter the Keys. (Not to be confused with the visitor centre which is merely a booking agent for attractions on Key West.) IMHO you would short change yourself if you just went to Key Largo.

Like most National Parks, The Everglades is a place where you could spend days, or just do a quick drive through. A tour on the Pelican out of Flamingo, to get to see a marine wildlife and understand this fragile ecology was a highlight for me. Lake Okeechobee and hwy 441 along its eastern side is a nice trip. Actually, 441 is a lovely scenic route to take south out of Orlando.

Just some of my favourites of southern Florida.

Lifey