With the end of the year comes a new world of travel possibilities. You can spend December fully embracing the chill of the season, or find a warm getaway if that’s more your style! Good thing the United States offers opportunities for travelers of all types, with appealing destinations scattered throughout the country.  Starting from the West Coast and heading east, here’s a list of the top 29 destinations to visit this December: West 1. Joshua Tree National Park, California Winter is without a doubt the best time to see the deserts in California. Joshua Tree National Park is one o ..read more

If you’ve decided to familiarize yourself with Florida a little more, you’re in for an amazing time. The state is small enough to road-trip in a few weeks but diverse enough to keep you hooked. Think hot springs, off-shore fishing and snorkeling, one-of-a-kind national parks, turquoise Caribbean waters, and culture, history, and art unique to no other part of America. Florida is a beautiful destination for solo female travelers, but the atmosphere varies tremendously from east to west and north to south. Like anywhere, especially if you’re new, there are important tips to keep in mind to make ..read more

Are you looking for the complete Florida Keys adventure? I spent about four months exploring from Key Largo to Key West on my sailboat and have put together the perfect one-week itinerary. The Keys are a beautiful place to spend a solo vacation. It only takes about 2.5 hours to drive the 100 miles from end to end. This is a strip of paradise though, so it can be quite expensive. Here’s what I recommend in regards to saving money, places to go, things to do, and where to stay: Getting There and Transportation There is an international airport in Miami and one in Key West, so technically, you ..read more

This post was written by Nicole Edwards, a solo-sailing freelance writer for BMTM. Islamorada, also called the Village of Islands, is located between Key Largo and Marathon. It’s a great place for a first-time solo traveler. I stayed for a few days to enjoy the beautiful waters, parks and beaches, and the convenience of high-quality, free public transportation. Here’s what I discovered to be the most enriching 22 things to do in Islamorada: Best Time to Visit Winter and spring are unquestionably Islamorada’s busy season. From December to May, temperatures are in the low 80s, there’s very littl ..read more

Marathon is a city that spans about 13 islands and has plenty of fun water-based activities and things to do. It’s centrally located to the rest of the Florida Keys, which makes it a good stopping point if you are planning a trip from Key Largo to Key West. Marathon is about ten miles long, with accommodations on several islands, including the main one, Vaca Key, as well as Grassy Key, Crawl Key Number Two/Key Colony Beach, and Knights Key. Here’s the lowdown on some of Marathon’s neighborhoods and the best hotels to stay at in each one: Vaca Key (Marathon Shores) Marathon Shores is located ..read more

This post was written by Nicole Edwards, a solo-sailing freelance writer for BMTM. Marathon, the heart of the Florida Keys, is located halfway between Key Largo and Key West and comprises about 13 islands. The city is small enough that one can explore almost everything on a bike and is a great destination if you love the water. I fell in love with Marathon for its friendly and inviting people; family-oriented attractions, such as its beaches, nature centers, snorkeling, and museums; beautiful waters; and laid-back atmosphere. Depending on when you visit, you’ll also likely experience one of th ..read more

This post was written by Nicole Edwards, a solo-sailing freelance writer for BMTM. Key Largo is the first of the Florida Keys, and at 33 miles long, it is also the largest. The self-proclaimed “diving capital of the world,” it is home to beautiful wildlife refuges and beaches, plus unique excursions and tours, like spearfishing and the African Queen Canal Cruise.  Unlike Key West, Key Largo’s attractions are more spread out. It is not convenient to explore on foot, which makes it important to pick a centrally located place to stay, like Mid Island or Tavernier, and have access to a car or ..read more

This post was written by Nicole Edwards, a solo-sailing freelance writer for BMTM. Big Pine Key reminded me of the Bahamas, at least what little I remember from my childhood there. My heart throbbed as I biked through the peaceful island, surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. I enjoyed coasting along the back roads, sighting deer, and then taking a short trip to stunning Bahia Honda State Park via the Overseas Highway.  Big Pine will never make the news as the most touristy island in the country, as it simply surpasses all others when it comes to that “true keys” feel. Here ..read more

This post was written by Nicole Edwards, a solo-sailing freelance writer for BMTM. I loved Key Largo for its laid-back atmosphere and nature-exploring opportunities, my favorites being the wildlife centers, parks, beaches, and snorkeling sites. There’s so much to see and do here!  Read on for 24 things that make Key Largo worth a visit: 1. The Laura Quinn Wild Bird Sanctuary I anchored just off the coast of Tavernier, dinghied to Harry Harris Park, and walked the three miles to the Laura Quinn Wild Bird Sanctuary. Admission is free, but they ask that you leave a $10 donation.  The h ..read more

This post was written by Nicole Edwards, a solo-sailing freelance writer for BMTM. When I think of Florida, I think of beaches. But surprisingly, Key Largo has few if any natural ones! Instead, its 33-mile east and west coasts are blanketed with mangroves. Any beaches you do find there are most likely manmade, and the ones I discovered are absolutely gorgeous. I truly loved how the nature-inspired architectural designs created safe and beautiful swim areas with breathtaking views of either the mangroves or the ocean. Because they were built with people in mind, they are also equipped with publ ..read more