Spring break is right around the corner and if you are looking to experience a beachy adventure with sparkling blue waters and a tropical adventure, we recommend Miami and Key West. Southwest Airlines offered us the opportunity to enjoy upgraded Wi-Fi, in-seat power, bigger overhead bins, in-flight entertainment and hospitality on our flight to Miami International Airport. Southwest Airlines offers various flights to various destinations in Florida and with so many options, it made it easy for us to jet off and enjoy the warm beaches. After spending a few days in Miami, we drove The Overseas Highway, one of the longest overwater roads in the world, directly to Key West.
When in Miami, La Trova by Michelle Bernstein is in the heart of Little Havana. Julio Cabrera and his team of Cantineros bring to life the retro Cuban atmosphere with their artisanal, handcrafted cocktails. Chef Michelle Bernstein lends her culinary prowess with a contemporary take on Cuban-styled dishes. You will enjoy the Miami-Cuban culture with live music, ranked one of the Worlds 50 Best Bars, shared Liliam Lopez, President/CEO of South Florida Hispanic Chamber. You cannot go wrong with the famous destination of Calle Ocho. “It is a central thoroughfare and vibrant hub of Cuban culture in Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood,” added Liliam. The street runs east-west along SW 8th Street with notable and namesake landmarks that include Calle Ocho Walk of Fame and Calle Ocho Plaza. Since opening in 2013, Perez Art Museum offers modern and contemporary art dedicated to collections and exhibitions of Miami’s diverse community and international art of the 20th + 21st centuries. We stayed at Hotel Cardozo, owned by Miami power couple Emilio and Gloria Estefan.
Key West is famous for being the southernmost city in the continental United States. A buoy was erected in 1983 by the City of Key West to mark that it is a mere 90 miles to Cuba. We stayed in the middle of it all, near the main drag of Duval Street because of its proximity to all the attractions and shopping. A must to visit is the Aquarium Encounters which offered us the opportunity to immerse in the unique environments of the Florida Keys, including up-close and personal interaction with stingrays, indigenous fish, sharks, moray eels, gators, seahorses, rays, tortoises and more. One of the most iconic landmarks is the Ernest Hemingway Home and its resident family of six-toed cats. Located in the heart of Old Town, complete with his writing studio, the well-kept gardens of this yellow Spanish Colonial were where he called home for almost 10 years. The Keys is all about water and visitors tend to flock to the white sandy beaches to swim, enjoy watersports and snorkel. As one of the four beaches within the city, Smathers Beach is well known for being the largest public beach and about a half mile long.
If you visit in March, stop by the Baila Conmigo Music Festival- all Latin artists with a great location!
Tropical paradise, natural island beauty, beautiful beaches, arts and culture and a travel breeze on Southwest Airlines makes South Florida a perfect ESCAPADITA.
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