When I think of Florida, I think of fun in the sun, heck it’s called the “Sunshine state” right? All the retirees who affectionately call themselves ‘snow birds” flock to Florida in the winter to escape the cold. Well, we thought it would be just grand to head to Florida on winter break, spend some time at the beach, which we love, and turn it into a road trip taking in the sites along the way. Just as luck would have it, an unprecedented cold front settled in with temperatures in the high 30’s. Ugh, all our beach activities got canceled, Miami, Key Largo, Marco Island, were all busts. As seasoned travelers, we know that sometimes the best laid plans can get derailed. The important thing is to regroup, think outside of the box, and commit to having fun no matter what. The important thing is we took our lemons and made lemonade…or should I say Key Lime-ade. We ended up seeing some movies and doing some indoor activities in the hotels and just enjoyed spending time together. The other half of our activities were not only fun, but true learning experiences, all involving the ocean-from the unique ecosystems of the everglades to the treasure from shipwrecks off the Florida Keys. Here’s how we spent our nine-day vacation getting to know Florida.
State Florida
| Theme Oceans and Everglades | Duration 9 Days | Map |
Day 1
• Fly to Ft. Lauderdale
• Overnight in Miami
Day 2
 | • Beach day • Dinner at Larios on the Beach (South Beach) • Overnight in Miami |
Day 3
 | • Drive to Key Largo (beach and water activities) • Overnight in Key Largo |
Day 4
 | • Drive and explore Key West • Dolphin Research Center (Marathon) • Lunch at Red Fish Blue Fish • Kermit’s Key West Key Lime Shoppe • The Shipwreck Museum • The Mel Fisher Maritime Museum • Mallory Square (Key West Sponge Market) • Ernest Hemingway’s home (missed) • Southernmost point buoy • Overnight in Key Largo |
Day 5
 | • Everglades Safari Park • Marco Island (beach activities) • Overnight in San Marco Island |
Day 6
 | • Drive to Sanibel Island • Beachcombing for shells • Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum • Sanibel Thriller Dolphin tour |
Day 7
 | • Drive to Orlando • Explore Downtown Disney • Overnight Orlando |
Day 8
 | • Explore Epcot Center • Wonderworks • Copper Canyon Grill for dinner • Overnight in Orlando |
Day 9
• Drive to Ft. Lauderdale and fly home
