Florida Road Trip: Miami, Key West and Naples

The thrumming city of Miami has sun, sea and culture in abundance. Discover its labyrinth of trendy bars and restaurants, with all roads appearing to lead to the pristine stretch of coastline and warm lapping waves. Start your Miami exploration with a private half day tour with a guide (to help get your bearings) and get to know the iconic beach neighbourhoods, from the glitz and glamour of Ocean Drive to the Floridian ode to the Med found in the Spanish Village - complete with tapas and Mediterranean influenced architecture. The Coral Gables Pol are also listed among the region's must-see attractions and there are plenty of mouth-watering opportunities for foodies too. So, enjoy the time in Miami at your own leisure.

It’s time to collect your hire car and begin your Florida road trip. It’ll take two-and-a-quarter hours to complete the journey between Miami Beach and Duck Key, clocking up 109 miles in the process, but it’s worth it we promise. The road heads south and skirts the Biscayne Bay, crossing the southern tip of the Everglades. Soon, you will arrive in Key Largo, the first stopover in the Keys, best known for its John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park (a snorkellers paradise). Then, set off on the legendary Overseas Highway, which ricochets from island to island, offering dolphin spotting as far as Islamorada. After driving through Layton, you’ll arrive at Duck Key and its marina.

You’ll be heading on down to Key West today, which has long since been the favourite haunt of famous writers like Ernest Hemingway, whose home you can visit, and Tennessee Williams. Its Eden-esque beauty has proven a great source of inspiration and nowadays this paradise between land and sea is still home to plenty of bars and cafes that have retained their ambience of yesteryear. Head to Sloppy Joe's Bar, where Hemingway enjoyed rum cocktails, and the terrace of the La Concha Hotel, where Tennessee Williams enjoyed a Ramos Gin Fizz cocktail while he wrote his works. Spend the evening sunset chasing at Mallory Square or taking to the waters and cruising with a wine and beer tasting experience, as the sun dips behind the lapping waves.

It's time to take to the roads again, with a two-and-a-half-hour drive towards the fishing mecca of the Keys: Islamorada. This coral archipelago, consisting of six islands, is back up towards the mainland, a couple of miles south of Key Largo. It's one of the last coral reefs in the Straits of Florida, making it perfect for diving enthusiasts. Non-divers still keen to take to the waters can instead enjoy a fishing trip or opt to stay on land with walks through the botanical gardens. Sampling some seafood specialities in rustic quayside cafes is a must too.

Hit the road once more, with a three-hour drive from Islamorada towards the Gulf of Mexico, or more specifically, to Naples (no, not the Italian one). A private tour of the Everglades by airboat awaits, where you’ll spend an action-packed hour in the company of a private local guide, as you discover the incredible location aboard a zippy hydrofoil. Crisscross your way through the park and get closer than ever to the incredible wildlife, you can even get up close and personal with alligators (if you’re feeling brave enough…).

Explore the Naples beach and pier, complete with crystal clear waters from the Gulf of Mexico, wander through the old town’s trendy galleries and boutiques or leave the thrum of the centre behind completely. Those in search of secluded serenity will find many nature reserves offering just that. Vast mangroves, swampy plains, unusual wildlife, hammocks and walks down wooded paths await. You could even boat trip your way to the bay of Naples in search of manatees. There are only about two thousand of these 'sea elephants' living in the warm waters of Florida, making them even more exciting to spot. However you opt to spend your Naples excursion, be sure to soak it all up and enjoy your last night, as you reminisce on a road trip well spent.