Check out also our Sunshine Florida tour that includes Orlando and Ft Lauderdale.
This magical 4 mile by 2 island at the end of the J shaped chain of islands or keys off the southern tip of the US state of Florida continues to retain its iconic status as a must visit destination for the gay and lesbian traveller. But why??
Maybe it is the warm breezes off the Gulf of Mexico with the year round temperatures which rarely drop below 20 degs C, maybe it is because of the active gay and lesbian community with over 100 gay owned businesses and some 200 rooms in exclusively gay and lesbian accommodations or is it just the end of the world feeling you get when you arrive that makes you feel you can truly relax and be yourself. You’ll need to visit yourself to decide.
And don’t think that being a small island makes Key West worth just a short visit. There is simply so much to see and do here and it is usually arranged by a gay owned business. Take a nude catamaran cruise to a sand bar or the fast ferry to Fort Jefferson – an amazing brick fort in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico. Try a jet-ski tour around the island or get a bird’s eye view from a parasail. Watch the spectacular sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico from Mallory Square or better still from one of the many sailing boats that offer wine tasting sunset cruises. Then hit one of the many fine dining restaurants on Duval Street and then a drag show in Aqua or a night in 801 or Bourbon Street gay bars.
Rent a bike to get around – its flat with no hills – to sense the history through writers such as Tennessee Williams or Ernest Hemmingway both who lived in Key West or visit the cemetery with its amusing headstone epitaphs. Learn about the Conch Republic (pronounced Conk) and why native Key Westers are known as Conchs. Soak up the sun on the many beaches or go clothing optional in a choice of gay guest houses many in traditional Conch architecture buildings.
Best of all take the Saturday morning Trolley Tour that tells the history of why this small island has reached such iconic status.
Please note that there are no direct flights to Key West and any flights shown will involve a change at a US entry airport such as Miami.