Florida Keys

The Keys are a string of little islands off the southern tip of Florida. They are linked to the mainland via a road known as the ''Overseas Highway'' (Highway 1) which stretches the entire length of the Keys over 42 bridges and causeways.

Driving distances from Miami are as follows

• Miami to Key Largo is 58 miles
• Miami to Islamorada is 76 miles
• Miami to Marathon is 111 miles
• Miami to Big Pine Key is 128 miles
• Miami to Key West is 159 miles

The Keys have a very casual, relaxed atmosphere, with life focussing very much around the water, hardly surprising since there's so much of it! Indeed, people are just as likely to manoeuvre around the islands by water based transport as they are by land based transport and it's not unusual to arrive at a restaurant by boat rather than car.The Keys have a tropical climate and the fascinating flora and fauna to match. You'll see plants and animals seen nowhere else in the US and find America's only living coral reefs.