In Two Weeks

South Florida in 2 Weeks

Consider this tour to be a South Florida sampler. There's not enough time in 2 weeks to see and do everything, but we've custom-built an itinerary that will provide you with a locals'-eye view of some of the best diversions south Florida is known for. Whether you're a beach bum or a beachcomber, a club hopper or someone who prefers to swing a club, a nature lover or a people watcher -- there's something for everyone on this tour.

Days 1-2: Arrive in Key West

After arriving in the so-called Conch Republic (or Margaritaville, if you will), plan to spend a day or two at the most here. A full day on the 4X2-mile island is plenty for exploring, but if you're into doing the Duval Bar Crawl, you may want to leave yourself a day to recover from that inevitable hangover. Focus most of your sightseeing energy on Old Town, where you'll see stunning, restored Victorian-style homes, lush, tropical greenery, and the old Bahama Village. Be sure not to miss the sunset celebration at Mallory Square, and, if possible, do dinner at Blue Heaven in Bahama Village. Then hit the Duval Street bars if you're so inclined. Spend the next day either relaxing at your hotel pool -- we recommend the Gardens Hotel for a true Key West experience -- or explore the historic seaport and all its shops and Key West kitsch.

Day 3: Miami: Coral Gables, Little Havana & South Beach

Take the 3-hour drive on the Overseas Highway to Miami -- one of the most scenic drives you'll ever take, albeit sometimes a boring one. If you've seen it before, just fly. Make a pit stop in Coral Gables, where you can either get a bite to eat on Miracle Mile or cool off in the Venetian Pool. If you like what you see, check into the historic Biltmore Hotel. If not, then at least see the hotel and continue on to Southwest 8th Street, otherwise known as Calle Ocho, the heart of Little Havana. Peruse the cigar stores and the old men playing dominoes in Domino Park. Grab a Cuban coffee at Versailles and then head north to South Beach to spend the night at one of its trendy hotels.

Day 4: South Beach

Wake up early and catch the sunrise on the beach. Have breakfast at the Front Porch Café. Stake your claim on the sand and spend the morning on the beach. Hit Lincoln Road for lunch. Shop along Lincoln Road and Collins Avenue before having a cocktail at the Beach Bar at the Delano Hotel. Return to your own hotel for a disco nap; wake up around 9pm. Have dinner at Prime 112 and then hit the clubs: Opium Garden, Prive, and Mansion. Grab a late-night snack and then crash at your hotel.

Day 5: From South Beach to Fort Lauderdale

Have breakfast at the Big Pink and watch the club kids coming home from the night before. Get in the car and take A1A north -- the scenic route. Hit the Hollywood Beach Boardwalk, our version of Atlantic City, without the casinos. If you're hungry for lunch, have the world's best burger at Le Tub. Continue along A1A until you reach the famous Fort Lauderdale strip. Take a break at the world-famous Elbo Room and watch the action on the beach. Spend the night at the Riverside Hotel on Las Olas Boulevard.

Day 6: Sand, Seminoles & Santana

Hit the famous Fort Lauderdale Beach, where Frankie and Annette used to play beach-blanket bingo. Then for a bit of a diversion, head west to the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, where you may catch a concert by a Billboard-charting artist or even Jerry Seinfeld, hit the jackpot on one of the hundreds of slot machines (the hotel claims it pays out $12.9 million daily!), or relax by the pool. It's almost as nice as, if not nicer than, the one at the Hard Rock Hotel in Vegas. Also check out the Seminole Okalee Indian Village and Museum before heading out to spot signs of real wildlife in the Everglades.

Days 7-8: Seminole Indian Reservation & Everglades National Park

Travel 45 minutes west on I-75 to the Seminole Indian Reservation, which encompasses more than 69,000 acres of the Everglades' Big Cypress Swamp. Hop on a swamp buggy at the Billie Swamp Safari to see hogs, bison, gators, and deer. Continue west to Everglades City, check into the Ivey House B&B, and ask owners Sandee and David if they can hook you up with a special, insiders' tour of the 'glades.

Days 9-10: The Palm Beaches

From one extreme to another, after leaving charming and historic Everglades City, head east and north to charming, historic, and bustling Delray Beach, where the only alligators you'll likely see are on the purses of the ladies who lunch and lounge there. Check into the Sundy House and peruse the hotel's Taru Gardens. The next day, do not miss the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens before moving on to West Palm Beach, where you should check into the Hotel Biba and do a little antiques shopping in downtown West Palm. At night, check out the clubs and restaurants in downtown West Palm, on Clematis Street. Be sure to have a beer and enjoy the view at Bradley's.

Day 11: From Mar-A-Lago to the Moon -- or Jupiter, at Least

Spend the morning driving around Palm Beach proper, making sure to stop and catch a glimpse of Donald Trump's palatial Mar-A-Lago that, last we heard, may be up for sale soon. Stop by Worth Avenue to see the ladies with little dogs who lunch and shop. It's the Rodeo Drive of South Florida, truly, and you can't miss the people-watching there. For an actual glimpse inside a Palm Beach manse, go to the Flagler Museum, where you can explore Whitehall, Standard Oil tycoon Henry Flagler's wedding present to his third wife. Go back to reality and head toward Jupiter, the home of Burt Reynolds. Check into the PGA National Resort and Spa.

Days 12-13: The Treasure Coast

You may not find gold in your exploration of the Treasure Coast, but you will find Jonathan Dickinson State Park on Hutchinson Island, where you should rent a canoe and explore the plethora of botanical treasures. If you're into snorkeling and diving and feel like delving deeper, check out the most popular artificial reef in the area, the USS Rankin, an old WWII ship that was sunk in 1988, located 7 miles east-northeast of the St. Lucie Inlet. Check into the Hutchinson Island Marriott Beach Resort and Marina, and consider taking the Loxahatchee Queen for a 2-hour tour of the area. The next day, head to Vero Beach and Sebastian for a taste of Old Florida. Sports fans will want to check out Dodgertown, where the Los Angeles Dodgers spend their winters. Check into the completely unique Dritftwood Resort and do dinner at Café du Soir, if your budget allows you. If not, The Beachside Restaurant at the Palm Court Resort is a great spot for blue-plate specials.

Day 14: Lake Okeechobee or Bust?

If you can't extend your trip to include a side trip to Lake Okeechobee, consider it for next time. In the meantime, fly home out of either Palm Beach International Airport, 35 miles south of Vero Beach, or the Melbourne International Airport, which is less than 35 miles north of Vero Beach.