Florida Keys
The Florida Keys, also known as the American Caribbean, are a group of 31 islands located between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. These lush islands with their green foliage and stunning beaches make for a perfect vacation, although millions of travelers flock there every year, transforming much of it into highly commercialized resort areas. Don't let this deter you from visiting though: these islands provide days upon days of fun and exploration. There are many cruises available that take passengers between islands, but one of the most interesting ways to travel through the islands is by the U.S. 1, Florida's Overseas Highway.

The Keys are divided up into the Upper, Lower and Middle Keys, and the best way to see the islands is to work your way South from the Florida mainland. The largest of these islands are Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, Big Pine Key and Key West. While these islands definitely hold the most activities and excitement, the smaller islands are all unique and worth visiting as well.

Key Largo houses numerous wildlife refuges and nature parks. Rent a bike or walk through the Key Largo Hammocks State Botanical Site, which is the largest remaining stand of mangrove wetland and tropical hardwood hammock left in the Florida Keys. John Pennecamp Coral Reef Park is the first underwater park in the United States. This reef attracts divers from around the world to its waters, filled with every kind of fish imaginable!

If fishing is your thing, head to Islamorada, known as the Fishing Capital of the World. This island is actually made up of six small islands, and has everything you need to spend your days reeling in the big ones out of the sparkling ocean. The Theatre of the Sea is a great place to take the kids to see dolphin and sea lion shows, and even watch sharks being fed!

Marathon is more laid back than many of the islands, the perfect place to spend lazy days exploring the islands history and many beaches. Bahia Honda State Park has one of the most gorgeous of the beaches in the Keys, and is considered to be among the best in the world. This natural preserve also houses flowers and plants that are indigenous to the Island and grow almost nowhere else on earth. If you can manage to tear yourself away from the beaches, spend some time at the Museums of Tropical Crane Point, which houses the Florida Keys Children's Museum as well as the Museum of Natural History of the Florida Keys. Also see the George Adderly house, a beautiful example of Conch-style architecture.

South from Marathon, Key West is known for its beaches, climate and beautiful 19th Century architecture. This is also has the highest gay population of the island, making it a hotspot for gay and lesbian travelers. Literary fans will want to visit the Hemingway House, where the famed author wrote many of his works, including For Whom the Bell Tolls, making this classic perfect reading for days spent on this island's many beaches.