Travel Journal

Florida had been on my travel wish list for ages. I first dreamed of visiting after a backpacking trip across America when I ran out of money and had to fly home from New York instead of Miami. So, when the chance came up to join an eight-day Cosmos coach tour of Florida, I jumped at it.

Unfortunately, bad weather on the way meant I didn’t get to spend any time in Orlando, but I figured I could save that for a family trip down the line. Our first stop was Saint Augustine, the oldest continuously inhabited settlement in the USA. The history here was truly captivating. I took a toy train tour, which made exploring the city a lot of fun. During this stop, I kept hearing the name Henry Flagler. Turns out, he played a big role in Florida’s development, and I found myself wanting to learn more about him.

After Saint Augustine, we headed to Cape Canaveral, where I was super excited to visit the Kennedy Space Centre. We had a whole day there, but honestly, I could have used two. The Space Shuttle and Apollo exhibits were incredible, and every attraction seemed to tell a piece of a fascinating story about space exploration.

Next, we made our way to Fort Lauderdale for some beach time and a visit to Miami, specifically the famous South Beach. The art deco hotels and buildings there were stunning. It felt vibrant and full of life, and I loved strolling along the waterfront.

Key West was our next destination, and I had been looking forward to this part of the trip for a long time. Henry Flagler really made his mark here, and I was particularly excited because of Ernest Hemingway. Over the years, I’ve enjoyed visiting many of Hemingway’s favourite spots around Europe, Africa, and Cuba. I’ve even run with the bulls in Pamplona and gone big game fishing in the Caribbean, all to pay homage to him. So, visiting Key West was a must, especially to see his home and have a drink at his favourite pub, Sloppy Joe’s.

At Sloppy Joe’s, Peter gave us a fantastic tour of Hemingway’s house. You could tell he was passionate about all things Hemingway, sharing stories that brought the writer’s life to life. Sloppy Joe’s itself was buzzing with energy, a place that felt like it was still making Ernest proud. I could easily imagine him sitting there, drink in hand, sharing tales with friends.

After Key West, it was back to the mainland, and we were nearing the end of our tour. But not before one last adventure: an airboat ride in the Everglades, searching for alligators. It was thrilling to glide over the water, keeping an eye out for these amazing creatures in their natural habitat.

I never expected Florida to offer so much variety. There’s so much to see and do, and I hardly scratched the surface—all without stepping foot in a theme park. From the rich history of Saint Augustine to the excitement of space exploration at Cape Canaveral, and the literary charm of Key West, this trip opened my eyes to the diverse experiences Florida has to offer. I came home with a sense of joy and discovery, already dreaming about my next visit.