Recommend April 2014 - (Page 45)

complete with caviar on blinis, rose champagne, pate de foie gras, trufﬂe butter and more. TOP ATTRACTION: Nearby Looe Key Reef is one of the top dive spots in the Lower Keys, and guests can take a guided dive or snorkel trip to the barrier reef on board the Island Girl. The trip is catered to guests' experience levels with an instructor to assist along the way. WHERE TO GO: All roads lead to Key West-literally, 3 the last stop on the Overseas Highway. The most famous of the Keys, travelers make their way to the Southernmost Point of the U.S. for a relaxing getaway that could include as much or as little activity as they want. WHERE TO STAY: Located just one block from the end of worldfamous Duval Street, The Reach, A Waldorf Astoria Resort is far from the crowds, but still close enough for guests to walk to some of the top sights in town. Located between the Southernmost Point marker and Higgs Beach, the 150-room hotel is set on a strip of private, natural beach-which is a big deal in Key West, since the beaches are known for being small, rocky and man-made. Private beach perks include beachside spa treatments from Spa al Mare, H2O Concierges offering mineral water spray and organizing watersport activities, and a pier perfect for catching the sunset. Rates start at $319 after April 20. WHERE TO DINE: Half the fun of visiting Key West is enjoying the dining scene and its diverse cuisine. A few local favorites include the Cuban stand Sandy's, tapas bar Santiago's Bodega, brunch hotspot Blue Heaven and Sloppy Joe's, Hemingway's favorite bar. ● TOP ATTRACTION: Sunset Celebration on Mallory Square is a nightly attraction that shouldn't be missed, so tell your clients to head to the square and watch the show. The street party is ﬁlled with artists and stands selling local crafts and street food, as well as street performers vying for the crowd's attention with everything from a pig to knives as props. Everything builds up to the sunset, a beautiful show out on the water with boats passing by on the horizon. FESTIVAL SCENE: Key West is the host of many festivals throughout the year with themes as unique as the Annual Conch Shell Blowing Contest celebrating the city's conch heritage and the Hemingway Days Festival, honoring the famous writer who resided in the city in the 1930s. Right before Halloween is Fantasy Fest, a costume party that really draws on the creativity of locals and visitors. This year, the festival takes place Oct. 17-26 with the theme of "Animéted Dreams and Adventures." Events include everything from a royal coronation ball to a pet parade and masquerade, toga party, wet T-shirt contest and street fair. ● Archived related articles (available on recommend.com/magazine/ issue-archive): Hawks Cay Resort, Florida Keys (September 2013) contact information Cheeca Lodge: (800) 327-2888; cheeca.com The Florida Keys & Key West: ﬂa-keys.com or ﬂa-keys.com/traveltrade Little Palm Island: (800) 343-8567; littlepalmisland.com or noblehousehotels. com/travel-professionals.aspx The Reach, A Waldorf Astoria Resort: (888) 318-4316; reachresort.com or waldorfastoria3.hilton.com/en/about/travel-agents.html KEY W EST BIG PINE KEY & THE LOWER KEYS MARA THO RG LA Y KE With its natural beauty, world-class fishing and diving, eco-adventures, rich history and fine island cuisine, a week or more in The Florida Keys is exactly what your clients' inner explorer needs. A AD OR ﬂa-keys.com 1.800.ﬂa.keys AM SL I O For modern-day explorers, there's no place like The Florida Keys. N april 2014 45 MCTG-8960 Recommend Magazine LO1 * January 2014 44-45 NA FlaKeys.indd 45 3/25/14 8:26 AM http://www.recommend.com/magazine/ http://www.cheeca.com http://www.fla-keys.com http://www.fla-keys.com/traveltrade http://www.littlepalmisland.com http://www.noblehousehotels.com/travel-professionals.aspx http://www.reachresort.com http://waldorfastoria3.hilton.com/en/about/travel-agents.html http://www.fla-keys.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend April 2014

The Islands of Tahiti Travel Planner
Editor's Notes
Hotel Desk: Commune Hotels & Resorts
Tour Talk: Collette
What's New In Mexico
Fiji: Fantasy Islands
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
RCI’s Vision of the Seas
Florida Keys
Oahu, Aston-Style
3 Isles: The Azores, Canary Islands & Gotland, Sweden
Sun-Kissed Islands: Belize & Peru
Afloat on the Indian Ocean: Zanzibar & Madagascar

Recommend April 2014