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United States
FLORIDA WILD: EVERGLADES MYSTERY TO ART DECO GLAMOUR
Sawgrass seas hiding prehistoric predators, overseas bridges leaping turquoise channels, Spanish stone guarding the oldest city. Florida surprises.
≈ 8
Days
698
Km
5
Stops
Cross the Everglades on the river of grass, then follow the Overseas Highway to Key West and its writers' houses. Then head up to Naples for a more chic interlude, before ending at St. Augustine, stone lanes and colonial memory. Florida tells itself between swamps, bridges over turquoise, and towns where history still clings.
- Everglades: sawgrass river, gator wilderness
- Key West: hemingway haunts, sunset celebration
- St. Augustine: oldest city, spanish stone
- Miami: art deco, cuban soul
Your day-by-day itinerary
1
Day
5 photos
Discover
1
Art Deco Historic District — Stroll Ocean Drive admiring 800+ pastel-hued buildings from the 1920s-1940s representing the world's largest concentration of Art Deco architecture. Streamline Moderne hotels feature terrazzo floors, porthole windows, and geometric facades in pink, turquoise, and yellow.
2
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens — Explore this Italian Renaissance-style villa built 1914-1922 for industrialist James Deering. The 34-room mansion overlooks Biscayne Bay surrounded by 10 acres of formal European gardens featuring fountains, sculptures, and native stone grottos.
3
Wynwood Walls — Discover this outdoor museum showcasing large-scale murals by international street artists on repurposed warehouse walls. The 50+ artworks transformed a warehouse district into Miami's most Instagrammed neighborhood since 2009.
4
Pérez Art Museum Miami — Visit this striking waterfront museum designed by Herzog & de Meuron featuring contemporary and modern art. The hanging gardens and bay views complement collections focusing on 20th and 21st-century international art.
Activities
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Cuban lunch in Little Havana — Savor authentic ropa vieja and café cubano at family-owned restaurants along Calle Ocho. This vibrant neighborhood pulses with salsa music, cigar shops, and domino parks where Cuban exiles recreate Havana's atmosphere.
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South Beach sunset — Relax on white sand beaches backed by Art Deco hotels as the sun sets over the Atlantic. The wide beach draws sunbathers, volleyball players, and people-watchers to America's most famous oceanfront.
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Lincoln Road evening stroll — Browse this pedestrian mall designed by Morris Lapidus in 1960, featuring outdoor cafes, boutiques, and Art Deco cinemas. Street performers and al fresco dining create a European boulevard atmosphere under swaying palms.
Next stop
Distance:
271.3 km
Travel time:
3h23
2
Day
9 photos
Discover
1
Everglades National Park — Explore 1.5 million acres of sawgrass marshes, mangrove forests, and hardwood hammocks protecting unique subtropical wilderness. The Anhinga Trail offers close encounters with alligators, herons, and endangered species found nowhere else on Earth.
2
Seven Mile Bridge — Drive this engineering marvel spanning 11 kilometers across open ocean, connecting the Middle and Lower Florida Keys. Built in 1982 beside the original 1912 railroad bridge, it offers panoramic views of turquoise waters and distant islands.
3
Bahia Honda State Park — Swim in calm, clear waters at this pristine beach featuring fine white sand and shallow turquoise lagoons. The old railroad bridge remnants create a dramatic backdrop for one of Florida's most beautiful natural beaches.
4
Key West Lighthouse — Climb 88 steps up this 1848 brick lighthouse for panoramic views across the island and surrounding waters. The keeper's quarters museum displays maritime artifacts and chronicles the lighthouse's role in guiding ships through treacherous reefs.
Activities
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Airboat tour in Everglades — Skim across shallow waters on a high-speed airboat spotting alligators, turtles, and wading birds. Guides explain the River of Grass ecosystem while navigating through sawgrass prairie and cypress swamps.
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Overseas Highway scenic drive — Cruise along US Route 1 island-hopping through the Florida Keys with ocean views on both sides. The 182-kilometer journey passes 42 bridges connecting tropical isles fringed with coral reefs and mangroves.
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Sunset at Mallory Square — Join the nightly celebration as street performers, artists, and food vendors gather to watch the sun sink into the Gulf of Mexico. The tradition draws crowds to this Key West waterfront since the 1960s.
3
Day
9 photos
Discover
1
Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum — Tour the 1851 Spanish Colonial house where Hemingway wrote For Whom the Bell Tolls and A Farewell to Arms. Descendants of his six-toed cats roam the lush gardens and rooms preserved with original furnishings.
2
Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park — Explore this 1845 coastal fortress that played crucial roles in the Civil War and Spanish-American War. The best-preserved Civil War fort in Florida features brick bastions and the state's finest natural beach.
3
Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory — Wander through a climate-controlled habitat housing 50-60 butterfly species from five continents. The glass-domed conservatory maintains tropical conditions for these delicate creatures among flowering plants and cascading waterfalls.
4
Duval Street — Stroll the historic mile-long boulevard connecting the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico. Colorful Conch houses, bars, galleries, and restaurants create the vibrant atmosphere that attracted artists and writers for generations.
Activities
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Snorkeling at Dry Tortugas — Take a seaplane or ferry to this remote national park 110 kilometers west featuring pristine coral reefs and Fort Jefferson, America's largest coastal fort. Crystal-clear waters reveal tropical fish, sea turtles, and shipwrecks.
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Fresh seafood lunch — Savor stone crab claws, conch fritters, and key lime pie at waterfront restaurants serving Gulf catches. Local specialties showcase Caribbean and Southern influences in casual tropical settings.
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Southernmost Point photo — Visit the iconic buoy-shaped monument marking the continental USA's southernmost point, just 145 kilometers from Cuba. The colorful concrete marker attracts visitors seeking the symbolic endpoint of US Highway 1.
Next stop
Distance:
229.4 km
Travel time:
2h52
4
Day
6 photos
Discover
1
Naples Pier — Walk this 305-meter fishing pier extending into the Gulf of Mexico, a Naples landmark since 1888. Anglers catch snook and tarpon while dolphins play in the surf and shorebirds patrol the white sand beaches.
2
Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary — Follow a 3.7-kilometer boardwalk through America's largest old-growth bald cypress forest, featuring trees over 500 years old. The Audubon sanctuary protects wood storks, alligators, and the endangered Florida panther.
3
Fifth Avenue South — Browse upscale boutiques, galleries, and sidewalk cafes in this Mediterranean-style shopping district. Royal palms and flowering plants line the pedestrian-friendly streets of Naples' cultural heart.
4
Naples Botanical Garden — Explore 170 acres showcasing plants from tropical climates worldwide, including Caribbean, Brazilian, and Asian gardens. Water features, orchid displays, and butterfly gardens create serene landscapes designed by renowned landscape architects.
Activities
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Shelling on Sanibel Island — Search for shells on beaches ranked among America's best for shell collecting. The island's east-west orientation catches shells from the Gulf Stream, including rare junonia and lion's paw specimens.
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Sunset dolphin cruise — Glide through calm Gulf waters watching bottlenose dolphins feed and play during golden hour. Captains navigate to prime viewing spots while explaining marine ecosystems and local history.
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Fresh Gulf seafood dinner — Dine on grouper, snapper, and stone crab at waterfront restaurants serving daily catches. Naples' culinary scene combines Florida seafood with sophisticated preparations and Gulf sunset views.
5
Day
6 photos
Discover
1
Kennedy Space Center — Explore NASA's launch headquarters featuring the Space Shuttle Atlantis, Saturn V rocket, and Mission Control. Interactive exhibits chronicle space exploration history while viewing platforms overlook active launch pads on Cape Canaveral.
2
Rocket Garden — Walk among actual Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo rockets standing vertically as they did before launch. These historic spacecraft carried America's first astronauts into orbit during the 1960s space race.
3
Astronaut Encounter — Meet veteran astronauts who share firsthand accounts of living and working in space. Q&A sessions offer unique insights into spacewalks, zero gravity, and life aboard the International Space Station.
Activities
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Lunch with an Astronaut — Dine alongside space veterans who recount their missions over a meal. This exclusive experience provides unprecedented access to NASA's heroes in an intimate setting.
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Cocoa Beach surfing — Try surfing on this 10-kilometer beach where eleven-time world champion Kelly Slater learned to ride waves. Consistent Atlantic swells and warm waters create ideal conditions for beginners and experts alike.
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International Drive evening — Browse outlet malls, entertainment complexes, and restaurants along Orlando's tourism corridor. The 18-kilometer strip offers family entertainment from observation wheels to wax museums.
Next stop
Distance:
197.2 km
Travel time:
2h28
6
Day
8 photos
Discover
1
Castillo de San Marcos — Explore America's oldest masonry fort constructed 1672-1695 from coquina limestone by Spanish colonial forces. The star-shaped fortress withstood multiple sieges with its unique shell-rock walls that absorbed cannonballs rather than shattering.
2
St. Augustine Lighthouse — Climb 219 steps up this 1874 lighthouse for panoramic views of America's oldest continuously occupied European settlement. The 50-meter tower's first-order Fresnel lens still guides ships along Florida's northeast coast.
3
Colonial Quarter — Walk through four centuries of St. Augustine history in this living history museum. Costumed interpreters demonstrate blacksmithing, leather working, and colonial crafts in reconstructed 16th-18th century buildings.
4
St. George Street — Stroll this pedestrian-only colonial thoroughfare lined with Spanish architecture housing galleries, restaurants, and shops. The brick-paved street retains its historic character with balconies, courtyards, and gas lanterns.
Activities
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Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park — Visit the legendary spring where Ponce de León supposedly searched for eternal youth in 1513. The 15-acre park preserves the Timucua Native American village site and Spanish colonial artifacts.
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Ghost tour of historic district — Join an evening walking tour through shadowy streets hearing tales of pirates, soldiers, and spirits haunting America's oldest city. Guides recount 450 years of history in the candlelit colonial quarter.
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Sunset at the Old City Gates — Watch the sun set through the reconstructed 1739 entrance gates to the colonial city. The coquina pillars frame views down St. George Street as the historic district glows in golden light.
7
Day
5 photos
Discover
1
Blue Spring State Park — Swim with manatees in the crystal-clear 72°F spring water where 300+ endangered manatees winter from November to March. The 2,600-acre park protects these gentle giants in their natural habitat amid cypress swamps.
2
Daytona International Speedway — Tour the World Center of Racing where the Daytona 500 has crowned NASCAR champions since 1959. The 2.5-mile tri-oval banking rises 31 degrees, creating the thrilling high-speed racing that made Daytona legendary.
3
Daytona Beach — Drive or walk on 37 kilometers of hard-packed sand where cars have raced since 1903. The wide Atlantic beach permits vehicle access while offering swimming, surfing, and iconic fishing pier views.
Activities
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Fresh citrus at roadside stand — Sample sweet Florida oranges, tangerines, and grapefruit at family-run fruit stands. The state's famous citrus industry offers fresh-squeezed juices and homemade preserves from grove to glass.
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Return drive to Miami — Cruise south through Florida's diverse landscapes from Atlantic beaches to inland wetlands. The journey reveals the state's natural beauty and development contrasts.
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❓ Frequently asked questions
What weather should you expect?
Spring (April-May): Perfect weather across most regions (15-25°C) with blooming landscapes, moderate crowds, and excellent conditions for national parks and cities. Ideal for diverse activities nationwide.
Autumn (September-October): Excellent temperatures with spectacular fall foliage, harvest festivals, and comfortable weather. Perfect for outdoor activities, cultural events, fewer crowds than summer.
Summer (June-August): Peak season with warmest weather but highest crowds and prices. Excellent for northern regions, challenging in southwestern deserts, perfect for beaches and national parks.
Winter (December-February): Variable conditions from tropical Florida to snowy Colorado. Perfect for skiing, southern destinations, indoor attractions, lowest prices outside holiday periods.
How many days should I plan?
We believe you will enjoy this itinerary best by dedicating between 6 and 10 days. The next step will allow you to adjust the duration of your stay.
What to discover in United States?
Continental diversity with iconic landmarks, cultural melting pot, and endless possibilities. Experience natural wonders, vibrant cities, and authentic American dreams from coast to coast. The country offers incredible diversity with modern amenities and cultural richness. United States provides life-changing experiences with natural beauty and cultural authenticity.