If you’re reading this from somewhere in London—where the skies are grey more often than not, and the closest thing to a tropical breeze comes from the Piccadilly Line platform—you might want to consider heading west. Way west. All the way to the southern tip of Florida, where the air smells of salt and rum, roosters roam the streets, and the dress code is permanently set to “shorts and sandals.”

The Florida Keys, and especially the irreverent, sun-drenched island of Key West, are the ultimate antidote to cold commutes, overpriced pints, and grey drizzle. Think Caribbean charm with an American twist—no long-haul flight to Fiji required.

From Heathrow to Highway 1

After flying into Miami (roughly a 9.5-hour direct hop from Heathrow), the real journey begins. Rent a car, drop the roof if you can, and point yourself toward the Overseas Highway. This is no ordinary road trip—this is a 113-mile stretch of palm-fringed freedom, skipping from island to island across azure water via bridges that seem to defy gravity.

As you cruise past signs for places like Islamorada and Big Pine Key, you’ll pass roadside tiki bars, fishermen casting off old bridges, and more sun-faded license plates than you’ve ever seen. It’s all part of the charm—like driving through a Jimmy Buffett song with a hint of Hemingway.

Key West: The End of the Road (and the Beginning of Something Wonderful)

Arriving in Key West feels a bit like stepping into a fever dream soaked in sunshine and tequila. It’s a town that refuses to take life too seriously. Chickens strut confidently across cobblestone streets. Rainbow flags flutter from 19th-century conch houses. The locals are a colorful cast of characters with names like Captain Jack and Mojito Mike, and no one cares what time it is.

For a Londoner used to packed Tube trains and office buzzwords, the sheer looseness of the place can be disorienting at first. But lean into it. Here, time slows down. Sandals replace brogues. And your most urgent decision of the day might be “sunset cruise or hammock nap?”

Eaton Street Seafood: Fish So Fresh It Still Thinks It’s Swimming

Let’s talk food. Specifically, seafood. And more specifically, Eaton Street Seafood Market—an unmissable gem for anyone who takes their taste buds seriously. Housed in a charming Art Deco building, Eaton Street serves fish so fresh it practically leaps onto your plate.

You won’t need a knife and fork to fall in love here. The lobster roll is so indulgent it should come with a warning label, and the grilled grouper sandwich is pure sunshine between two slices of bread. Order a side of Key lime mustard sauce, and thank us later.

Want to know what’s cooking? Have a browse and see their menu. Whether you fancy a plate of buttery Key West pink shrimp, some fresh oysters, or a mahi-mahi taco that could bring a tear to your eye, this is the kind of meal that makes the flight worth it.

Get Hooked with Fish All In Charters

For something more hands-on, swap the cutlery for a fishing rod and join the pros at Fish All In Charters. Led by Captain Garret Frey, this is your ticket to deep-sea bragging rights. Whether you’re angling for tuna, wahoo, snapper, or grouper, you’ll be hitting the open water with a local legend who knows the Gulf like the back of his sunburned hand.

It doesn’t matter if you’ve never fished before or if you’ve got tales of monster pike from the Thames—you’ll get the hang of it quickly. And nothing quite compares to that moment when your line goes tight and you realise you’re battling a fish the size of your suitcase.

Curious what’s biting this week? Read more about current fishing conditions and trip highlights.

Island Living: No Oyster Card Required

The vibe here is what Londoners might call “blissfully unbothered.” No traffic jams, no train delays, no 5 p.m. darkness. Instead, there are bikes with baskets, late-afternoon swims, and cocktails served in coconuts.

Wander down Duval Street and browse quirky shops selling everything from shell necklaces to pirate rum. Visit the Hemingway House and meet the descendants of his six-toed cats. Grab a Cuban coffee and sit under a banyan tree while a busker plays steel drums in the background.

It’s the kind of holiday where the most productive thing you’ll do is watch the sun set into the sea while a local crowd cheers.

Why It Hits Different for Brits

For UK travellers, Key West delivers something rare: warmth that seeps into your soul. It’s not just the weather, though that certainly helps. It’s the attitude. No one’s rushing. No one’s shouting. No one minds if you’re just sitting quietly, soaking it all in with a cold beer and a contented grin.

And when you finally do return to the rainy streets of London, suitcase full of souvenirs and camera full of sunsets, don’t be surprised if you find yourself daydreaming of a chicken crossing the road—not to get anywhere in particular, but just because it felt like it.

Disclaimer: this is a collaboration post.