Where U.S. Route 1 becomes the Overseas Highway, visitors are transported to paradise through a series of islands without ever leaving the states. While Key West reigns as the most well-known tourist destination …
On northern Florida’s Atlantic coast, the past is present in this centuries-old city, where history, beachcombing and Southern treats like butter pecan milkshakes are celebrated in equal measure. If …
St. Augustine celebrated its 450th birthday in 2016, making it America’s oldest European city. It’s one of Florida’s most popular destinations and thus many people probably think they know all about …
Here are some of the locals you will meet during Guy Harvey Outpost’s guided people-to-people expedition to Cuba December 13-18: –The son of Fidel Castro’s official photographer; –the …
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![](mailto:?subject=THE KEYS TO PARADISE&body=Where U.S. Route 1 becomes the Overseas Highway, visitors are transported to paradise through a series of islands without ever leaving the states. While Key West reigns as the most well-known tourist destination south of Miami, there are a number of Keys well worth a detour along your drive to the southernmost point.
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Photo2.jpeg"><img class="size-full wp-image-5400" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Photo2.jpeg" alt="" width="5219" height="3480" /></a>Photo by Katie McCafferty
Key Largo
Key Largo marks your first location for water adventure at John Pennekamp State Park where visitors can scuba, snorkel, sail, or view the beauty of the living coral reef from the park’s glass bottom boats. As you continue south along U.S. 1 to Key West, you will pass through a collection of islets that make up the premier fishing destination of Islamorada. The beautiful uninhabited islands that surround Islamorada provide the perfect backdrop for backcountry flats fishing on the Gulf side or ocean reef fishing in the Atlantic. For a thrilling adventure, try your hand at tarpon feeding from the dock at Robbie’s Restaurant and Marina before heading to Marathon.
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Photo3.jpeg"><img class="size-full wp-image-5401" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Photo3.jpeg" alt="" width="2688" height="1738" /></a>Photo by Katie McCafferty
Marathon
Marathon offers unique ocean to table dining, wildlife and snorkeling ecoadventures, and the largest turtle hospital in the country. Dr. Guy Harvey is an advocate for marine conservation who has dedicated his life to the research and preservation of ocean life. A visit to the Marathon Turtle Hospital provides visitors the opportunity to share in Guy’s passion for turtle conservation and learn about the many species of turtles that you can encounter in Florida’s waters. The hospital offers a behind the scenes guided tour of its rehabilitation facility and concludes with a special opportunity to feed the turtles in its care.
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Photo4.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-5402" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Photo4.jpg" alt="" width="3967" height="3171" /></a>Photo by Katie McCafferty
Pigeon Key
While in Marathon, visitors have the opportunity to ferry to the national historic landmark of Pigeon Key. Pigeon Key is a hidden gem that will transport you back to a time when Key West was only accessible by boat and railway. Pigeon Key is the epicenter of Henry Flagler’s vision to create an overseas railway from Miami to Key West. This architectural feat expanded commerce between Cuba, Latin America, and Panama and ultimately overhauled the economy and infrastructure of the Keys. Once on the island visitors can take an educational tour, snorkel, or relax on what will feel like your own private island. This cultural excursion departs from the Faro Blanco Marin, where you can grab lunch at its waterfront restaurant, the Lighthouse Grill, before setting sail for Pigeon Key. The Lighthouse Grill serves delectable Key West cuisine paired with enchanting gulf side views. Visitors can snack on conch fritters and feast on delicious fresh fish while sitting poolside as yachts dock at the Marina.
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Photo5.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-5403" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Photo5.jpg" alt="" width="3967" height="3171" /></a>Photo by Katie McCafferty
Big Pine Key
After a day on the water at Pigeon Key, head south by crossing over the famed Seven Mile Bridge to neighboring Big Pine Key and Bahia Honda State Park. Big Pine Key is home to the National Key Deer Wildlife Refuge where lucky visitors can spot protected and endangered Key deer only found in the lower Florida Keys. At Blue Hole nature trail on Big Pine Key visitors can spot a variety of wildlife including the resident American alligators from the observation deck. One of the best ways to locate a Key deer is by driving the neighboring streets around Big Hole and keeping your eyes peeled on the surrounding bushes and vegetation. The National Key Deer Refuge asks visitors not to feed the wild deer and to use extreme caution when driving through Big Pine Key. The deer have become so familiar with human contact that they will walk right up to you or your vehicle. Please enjoy visiting their habitat and follow the rules of the Wildlife Refuge to help the species flourish in its protected environment.
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Photo6.jpeg"><img class="size-full wp-image-5404" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Photo6.jpeg" alt="" width="5821" height="3880" /></a>Photo by Katie McCafferty
Bahia Honda State Park
Consistently rated one of the world’s most beautiful beaches, Bahia Honda Key is the refreshing escape to paradise you’ve been waiting for. The spectacular panoramic views of the island display the shimmering clear waters that showcase the natural beauty of the Florida Keys. Bahia Honda is a true adventurer’s playground with kayaks, snorkeling gear rentals, and boat trip excursions to the reefs all readily available through the park’s welcome center. If you are looking to immerse yourself in the nature of the island, the park offers overnight cabins situated directly on the Gulf.
From watching as the sun sets over the islands to floating over the turquoise waves, the Florida Keys has a way of reminding you to slow down and relish its natural beauty. In the Keys where it’s always “5 o’clock somewhere” and flip flops and swimsuits are essential, you can be sure that the Florida Key’s state of mind will always follow you wherever you go. https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/the-keys-to-paradise/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=36 Hours in St. Augustine&body=On northern Florida’s Atlantic coast, the past is present in this centuries-old city, where history, beachcombing and Southern treats like butter pecan milkshakes are celebrated in equal measure.
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/001.jpg">
</a>If you think the Sunshine State is all about theme parks and frying on the beaches, you probably haven’t been to St. Augustine. In the oldest, continuously occupied European settlement in North America, visitors get the glorious beaches along with a healthy dose of unexpected delights:
To read more on 36 Hours in St. Augustine Visit <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/07/travel/what-to-do-in-st-augustine-florida.html">NY Times</a> https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/36-hours-in-st-augustine/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=Five cool things we discovered in St. Augustine&body=St. Augustine celebrated its 450th birthday in 2016, making it America’s oldest European city.
It’s one of Florida’s most popular destinations and thus many people probably think they know all about St. Augustine. I did too, before I made these cool discoveries on a recent visit.
Ponce de Leon was really short
St. Augustine’s waterfront is dominated by a status of Ponce de Leon, depicted life-size, which means very very short.
When you visit St. Augustine, you can’t help but soak up the history of the Spanish explorers. It’s everywhere – from the magnificent fort, <a href="https://floridarambler.com/northeast-florida-getaways/st-augustine-fort-castillo-de-san-marcos/">the Castillo de San Marco</a>, which commands the waterfront, to the narrow lanes that make the historic district so charming.
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/st-augustine-ponce-de-leon-Bonnie-Gross.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-5285" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/st-augustine-ponce-de-leon-Bonnie-Gross-300x215.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="215" /></a>St. Augustine’s waterfront is dominated by a status of Ponce de Leon, depicted life-size, which means very very short. (Photo: Bonnie Gross)
To read more on the 5 cool things to do in St Augustine and Bonnie's adventure visit the <a href="https://www.floridarambler.com/northeast-florida-getaways/five-cool-things-in-st-augustine/">Florida Rambler</a>! https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/five-cool-things-we-discovered-in-st-augustine/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=Cuba Un-canned: See It With the Locals&body=Here are some of the locals you will meet during <a href="http://www.guyharveyoutpost.com/">Guy Harvey Outpost's</a> guided people-to-people expedition to Cuba December 13-18:
--The son of Fidel Castro's official photographer;
--the director of the Cuba's Masonic museum;
--a rural tobacco farmer;
--a mixologist who will teach you how to make the perfect Mojito.
And the locales you will visit will combine mainstream stops (Floridita --creator of the daiquiri-- and Museo de la Revolucion, stone walls with 1950s bullet holes) with way un-trodden destinations (Cueva El Palmarito --the largest cave system in Latin America, and a fishing cooperative in Cojimar, where Ernest Hemingway's captain spent most of his life).
Your hosts will be Justin White-- operator of <a href="https://www.docfordscubaexpeditions.com/">Doc Ford's Cuba Expeditions</a> and nephew of best-selling novelist Randy Wayne White--and Sports Illustrated photographer Ron Modra.
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/MG_1480.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4874" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/MG_1480.jpg" alt="" width="2100" height="1400" /></a>
"The people we are going to meet are incredible-- interesting, intelligent, diverse age groups," White said. "You'll see the monumental places but the targeted people and events introduce you to real people living their daily lives. The most valuable experience you can have is to be with the people and ask them questions. There are no airs put on."
With new U.S.-to-Cuba travel restrictions set to take effect in mid-September, White is taking special care to stay on the right side of the law: staying only in private lodgings, taking meals in private restaurants; interacting one-on-one with Cuban people; and travelling in a 12-member group.
"We will abide by all the policies and restrictions put in place," White said. "We focus on people-to-people exchanges."
The six-day, five-night itinerary is packed with authentic experiences: poring over photo albums with Raul Corrales, whose father shot reams of images of late Cuban leader Fidel Castro and his friend author Ernest Hemingway; walking the docks at Cojimar, the small fishing village where Hemingway's "Old Man and the Sea" was set and where the author's captain Gregorio Fuentes lived to be 104; visiting Finca Vijia where Hemingway's boat, Pilar, still sits; touring a tobacco farm and coffee plantation; and hiking to a huge cave in the countryside. It also hits some of the typical tourist spots such as the Tropicana nightclub and Old Havana. And there will be multiple opportunities to ogle (and photograph) all the old cars, with Modra coaching on the finer points of capturing images.
If you <a href="https://guyharveyoutpost.com/expeditions/cuba/">book your expedition</a> by Aug. 31, you'll receive free airfare from Fort Lauderdale to Havana. For more information, visit <a href="https://www.guyharveyoutpost.com">www.guyharveyoutpost.com</a> or call the Outpost Travel Desk at 800-513-5257. https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/cuba-un-canned-see-it-with-the-locals/){kind=link}
TRAVEL DESK : 800.513.5257
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