Florida's Upper Keys

The Florida Keys are a different world – an arc of tiny islands, flat and sandy and rough around the edges with palm and mangrove, beautiful and serene. Aside from a handful of top-shelf resorts tucked away on large tropical tracts, it’s a land of low-slung hotels and roadside seafood joints; bait & tackle shops and modest marinas; lush waterfront parks and side roads that dead-end into tiny inlets with crushed-shell parking lots. This is Old Florida, the way it was before the South Beach crowd and theme parks took over. It’s a great place to get away from it all and still take advantage of the 21st century infrastructure and traveler-friendly airfares the Sunshine State offers. Which is one reason this part of Florida has become so popular in recent years as a prime meeting and incentive destination. The Upper Keys offer virtually any kind of getaway you can imagine, from the exclusive Ocean Reef Club at the north end of Largo to major chains like Hilton, Marriott and Hampton Inn to 11-room boutique properties and modest fishing camps. More information at www.fla-keys.com/keylargo