Key West

Stay at - Westin Key West Resort & Marina, and Sunset Key Cottages

Go shopping - in town, on Duval Street

Eat at - El Meson de Pepe (Cuban)
Latitudes on Sunset Key (take launch from the Westin)
Cafe Marquesa
Blue Heaven
Sloppy Joe's Bar and Hog's Breath Saloon

Take side trips to - Sunset Key
the rest of the Keys

Be sure to visit - Audubon House
Ernest Hemingway House
Key West Aquarium
Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory
Don't miss the Sunset Celebration every evening at sunset in front of the Westin

Best time of year to go - November through March

Best things to buy - Cuban and tropical souvenirs, Atocha coins, jewelry, tropical clothing, music, stationery, housewares, Audubon prints, art

Best indulgence - going to Sunset Key by motorlaunch from the Westin and having a leisurely lunch

Fly into - Key West (EYW), or Miami (MIA) and drive a car. High speed catamarans operate daily from a number of ports on the west coast of Florida, including Fort Myers/Fort Myers Beach/Naples/Marco Island.

Transportation - Much of Key West is very walkable. Unless you're planning to explore more of the rest of the Keys, you don't need a car, and can use the conch train, trolley, and taxis to get around.

Orlando

Home to world famous theme parks, Orlando is only an hour from both east and west coast beaches of Florida and the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, and can be a destination worth considering even if you are not enamored with cartoon mice.


Stay at - Portofino Bay Hotel

Go shopping - Mall at Milennia
numerous outlet malls in the greater Orlando area, including on International Drive
specialty shops in Downtown Disney, Universal's Citywalk and inside the theme parks

Eat at - Bice in Portofino Bay Hotel
The Brown Derby at Disney MGM Studios
Le Cellier Steakhouse and The Rose and Crown Pub at EPCOT

Take side trips to - the Space Coast
Busch Gardens in Tampa
Tampa/St. Petersburg

Be sure to visit - World Showcase at EPCOT
Disney's Animal Kingdom
Sea World

Best time of year to go - November through April
(EPCOT holds a Food and Wine Festival annually in November and a Flower and Garden Festival in April)

Best things to buy - Designer products at Millenia, theme park souvenirs, country-specific products in World Showcase in EPCOT (the Japanese pavillion particularly has an impressive array of Japanese products)

Best indulgence - Sitting outside at sunset at Portofino Bay and listening to Musica della Notte, then taking water taxis by moonlight

Fly into - Orlando (MCO)

Transportation - Rent a car or take a taxi to your hotel and use shuttles to and from the parks