A number of cities in mainland Florida can be very exciting to visit. But if you’re looking to relax and get away from it all, the Florida Keys is your best choice. You’ll immediately notice less traffic and a more relaxed atmosphere when you arrive.

The Keys are just a boat ride away from the mainland, with Key Largo less than an hour from Miami. The waters there are protected so you will find excellent diving and extremely healthy marine life to see as you snorkel. For a real adventure, stay at Jules’ Lodge, a converted research facility that’s now an underwater hotel. It’s nestled in a perfect spot to see marine life. You’ll have the scuba your way there and back, but they offer a three-hour class for the inexperienced.

If diving’s not your thing, there’s plenty of local shopping for arts and crafts and dolphin centers in Key Largo and Marathon where you can interact with the dolphins (as long as you book in advance). Or from Key Largo to Key West you’ll find a three-hour scenic drive with lots of places to stop along the way for shopping or taking snapshots of the views. Expect to see lots of pelicans, fishermen, and the famous seven mile segmented bridge.

Key West, the largest city in the Keys, boasts plenty of restaurants, boutiques, bars, shops and a good bus system so you can get by without a rental car. You can also rent scooters for getting around. You can choose a bed and breakfast inland or a hotel near the water.

Fresh seafood is the main local delicacy, with conch (a type of lobster) and real key lime pie as special treats.