Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Rejuvenating Romantic Weekend Getaway to Key West, Florida

Key West is definitely the key to a great romantic weekend getaway. Located at the southernmost part of Florida, it is the perfect escape for every couple who wants to break away from the ordinary.

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 great 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. Dry Tortugas boasts a fort that was once used to protect American waters. Now you can take a guided tour around the fort, experience real cannons, and learn about the training regiment that soldiers used to endure on the island. If you aren't a certified diver, don't worry. You can also snorkel around the island and view some spectacular fish, coral reef, and underwater enchantments. Dry Tortugas is something that everyone should experience during their visit to Key West.


When you return from Dry Tortugas, spend some quality time walking around Key West. Enjoy strolling the palm tree-lined streets hand-in-hand with your spouse or boyfriend/girlfriend and watch the sunset. The view from the pier in Key West is said to have the best sunset in the entire world. From this point you can also see mansions that belong to the rich and famous who spend time in the keys.

Even if you aren't rich and famous, you can still find a great place to stay on your vacations. 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.

Lingering over local cuisine is one of the essentials of weekend getaways. 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. These restaurants serve seafood as their specialty with fresh catches from the surrounding waters, served 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.

The night life is fun and exciting in Key West. If you enjoy large parties plan your romantic weekend getaway during spring break or in November. During 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 also famous for fine arts. Key West is said to be the haven of writers. Authors obviously draw inspiration from all the beauty the island possesses. 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 with the underwater world 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.

Key West has something for everyone....especially those who want to get married in a tropical paradise. There are many destination wedding options in Key West. Most of the deluxe resorts take care of every detail of a wedding to make sure the day is perfect. Most weddings in Key West take place on the beach. What a gorgeous backdrop!

It is the perfect vacation spot for couples to unwind and relish a romantic weekend getaway.