OVERVIEW OF FLORIDA KEYS Florida KeysThe Florida Keys offer an enigma of landscapes and an experience that few other places can offer. The strange flooded landscapes are categorised into various named areas (Marathon, Islamorada, Key Lago). The Keys have something for everyone, with the focus on water activities. Laid-back atmosphere, much nightlife and many "celebrations", particularly in Islamorada and Key West (which tend to attract younger and livelier crowds), though there's peace and solitude if you want it. Those interested in the history of the area have lots to investigate. The area is also a popular wedding destination, including underwater weddings offered by a few of the dive resorts. A favourite holiday destination for Americans and Europeans. Accommodation tends to be beside or just off the main US Route 1, and concentrated mainly around the Marathon, Islamorada and Key Largo areas. There is a wide range, from small budget roadside motels to well-endowed hotels within own extensive grounds. Many properties have small artificial beaches and marines/quays; some properties are adults only. Some islands are almost privately owned resorts in their own right (such as Duck Key). Locality: The Florida Keys is in the south east United States. It Comprises a 126-mile archipelago extending west from the south tip of the state of Florida. In the Straits of Florida, with the Atlantic Ocean to the south and the Gulf of Mexico to the north. (Key West (the westernmost island) is 90 mls N of Cuba and 150 mls from Miami (and its international airport) by road (which can take 4 hrs or more); Key Largo (the easternmost island) is 56 mls from Miami (and its international airport) by road). THINGS TO DO IN FLORIDA KEYS MARATHON - A great sport-fishing centre, with all kinds of fishing on offer, including deep-sea fishing trips aboard charter boats. Several fishing tournaments held each year, including the Tarpon Tournament in May and the Shark Tournament in July. Sailing is popular, as well as scuba-diving and helicopter rides. A dolphin research centre (at mile marker 59) offers dolphin swims. A museum of natural history with coral reef and artefacts retrieved from shipwrecks. The small town of Marathon (on Vaca Key) has its own airport, with regular flights to Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Sarasota and Naples. Two golf courses: a 9-hole public course and an 18-hole private one. Clusters of shops, bars and restaurants are dotted along the coast road. Daily shuttle buses go to Key West (about a 1-hr drive) and to Miami. A car is recommended. ISLAMORADA - Islamorada town straddles the main road on Upper Matecumbe Key. It has a fair choice of bars and restaurants (the Holiday Isles complex is one of the liveliest spots for nightlife after Key West), but they are all spread out and so access to a car is definitely an asset. Like Marathon, it is a sport-fishing centre, with several annual fishing tournaments, including the Sailfish Tournament in December. Sailing, scuba-diving and para-sailing are popular; light aircraft are available. The Theater of the Sea has dolphin and sea-lion shows, a touch tank and a shark-feeding pool (dolphin swims available by advance reservation). The Airporter bus service from Miami airport stops at Islamorada, as does the Greyhound bus service from Miami to Key West. It is a 1½- to 2-hr drive from both Miami and Key West, about ½ hr from Marathon (and Marathon airport) and 20?30 mins from Key Largo. KEY LARGO - This is the first resort you reach when coming from Miami (approximately 1 to 1½ hrs' drive depending on traffic); it is the scuba-diving capital of the Keys and part of Florida Keys National Maritime Sanctuary. Several of the hotels are situated around the marina, within easy walking distance of each other and a selection of shops, bars and restaurants. Car hire is not an absolute essential here, although the resort is rather spread out along US Route 1. The Airporter bus service from Miami airport stops at Key Largo and Greyhound buses go to Key West. The most interesting attraction in the area is the 78-sq-ml John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park , America's first underwater national park; it has an unusual aquarium, nature trail through mangrove forests, beach, snorkelling and picnic areas as well as glass-bottomed boat trips out to the coral reef. For scuba-divers, the living coral reef is the place to explore. The Key Largo Undersea Park is a research/educational facility , with guided tours and snorkelling/diving opportunities, including the wreck of a Spanish galleon. Glass-bottomed boat trips are also popular.