The Florida Keys are calling

There’s so much to see and do in the Miami area, it was definitely the right call to dive right in at the beginning of our trip. First, we got our bearings cycling down the sea front to see the Art Deco architecture, before exploring the shops on Lincoln Road and wandering around Little Havana. Wynwood Walls and its stunning artwork was a highlight too. Our favourite adventure so far though has been to the Everglades. Only 45 minutes out of the city yet feeling like a world away, we drove out to The Shark Valley Loop to walk the trails. Stopping off to spot alligators at the roadside boardwalks along the way.

After collecting our hire car and driving down the sweeping stretch of the Keys, we made it to Marathon. We spent yesterday evening sipping sundowners but today we’re off to explore a bit. Pigeon Key, a little island that served as a base for railroad workers who constructed the original Seven Mile Bridge, is our first stop. Giving us a bit of a history lesson alongside our sun-worshipping. Then it’s onto lunch at a tiki-style restaurant we’ve been recommended – Sunset Grille & Raw Bar.

A rum punch greeted us when we arrived at Little Palm Island Resort, our base for some mid-trip downtime. We booked into the spa immediately, arranging a sunrise water massage for this morning. It was a totally unique experience that uses seashells as massage tools while you listen to the waves lapping beneath you. We have a romantic private beach dinner booked this evening, while tomorrow we’ve got tickets to the Sandbar Sessions – an exclusive and intimate concert that we can enjoy alongside some delicious food.

We’re just about to go for our evening meal at another recommendation – Hot Tin Roof restaurant – which apparently has amazing views over the harbour at sunset. Last night after arriving at our hotel we went to see the buoy that marks the most southerly point, before heading to Mallory Square to watch the street performers at dusk. Then, today was all about Hemingway as we looked back on his life in the American Literary Museum and had a cocktail making class at the Hemingway Rum Co. Distillery.

Every sunset we’ve encountered on this trip has been spectacular with no two even remotely similar, but tonight’s will be the one to remember. We’re taking to the water in a sailboat to cruise the glassy ocean so we can watch the sun dip without any distractions. It’s home time tomorrow, but I’m hoping we can make a stop off at Robbie’s Marina before the flight.