The Curative Appeal of Florida’s Key West

By Charlene Peters

Sunset at Parrot Key Resort © Charlene Peters

As a native Bostonian, I’ve come to realize few things in life are more restorative than a mid-winter trip to the Florida Keys. Adventure is everywhere within this ribbon-like archipelago of about 1,700 islands, islets, and keys. The weather is the main draw, however, and this climate boasts an average of 330 days of sunshine per year. With my bestie Kathy and my fur baby Freddie in tow, I packed my car and drove us to the subtropical climate of Key West, the southernmost city in the continental United States (and its warmest).

This stretch of Florida is better known for stellar snorkeling and scuba diving among its coral reefs, and for its catch of local saltwater fish. Key West, in particular (often referred to as Cayo Hueso by its longtime residents), is notorious for its tropical vibe, nightlife, and history. And, since Cuba lies just 90 miles away, Key West’s culture and its food have a notably Cuban accent.

Our automobile odyssey began in Fort Myers, with a short stop for al fresco brunch at LT Steak & Seafood at The Betsy before we headed toward the Overseas Highway/Route 1. This highway wends its way for 100 miles and over 42 connecting bridges in the turquoise waters of the Straits of Florida that function as a buffer between the Gulf of Mexico to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the east.

What makes that water turquoise? Limestone, which is a rock made of calcite, whose bright whiteness illuminates the ocean water above. Interesting to note is that it took more than 200 million years for Mother Nature to create The Keys, when coral reefs began to form on top of the limestone.

Arrival at Parrot Key

We arrived at Key West, a destination known for its well-documented sunsets that are best viewed at one of numerous hidden seaside pockets that rim the downtown area (find famed Mallory Square out at the Naval Air Station). We took a spot on the end of a dock built for sunset watching at The Parrot Key Hotel & Villas, located on its own islet in the Gulf of Mexico.

With its appealing façade, gardens, spa, and pool, this resort is best appreciated in its oceanfront backyard: a white picket fence divides the property’s

bungalow-style villas and manicured shrubbery from a barrier of seagrass and an expanse of sugarfine white sand.

We spent a portion of our few days here swaying on a hammock under a palm tree before sipping rum drinks on our villa’s back porch, which overlooked the sea. For dinner, we strolled onresort to the tropical Grove Kitchen and Bar for dinner of local Grouper and Gulf shrimp.

As content as we were on Parrot Key, we took an afternoon to explore the downtown of Key West. We opted to drive there, but the resort did offer a complimentary shuttle bus to visit some of these recommended sites:

•Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum on Whitehead Street, where he lived with his second wife, Pauline Pfeiffer, from 1931-1939, and he penned To Have and Have Not and The Snows of Kilimanjaro. Today, it’s a museum worth touring and to marvel at its dozens of resident feral cats.

•The Key West Lighthouse is just across the street. Climbing its 88 steps is recommended, particularly at sunset. Built by the U.S. Navy in 1823, it was

staffed by the country’s first female lighthouse keeper in 1848.

•Mile Marker Zero is a half mile from the lighthouse. It’s a roadside signpost that proclaims this spot as the official end of Route 1, having spanned the width of the east coast from Fort Kent, Maine, more than 2,300 miles away on the border with Canada. Selfie alert!

•Over on South Street is the southernmost point in the continental United States, marked by a large tri-colored buoy -- another critical selfie spot.

•The Home of Pres. Harry S. Truman, the postWWII president who called this modest spread the Little White House, having stayed here at least a dozen times during his 1945-1949 term in office.

•Duval Street, the beating heart of the town of Key West, with its six-block span of unique, independent clothing and jewelry shops, restaurants that range from casual to elegant, its art galleries, and bars.

•Rum. There are five distilleries in Key West who continue the long tradition of rum production in this area. Two offer free daily tours and tastings: Papa’s Pilar and Key West First Rum.

Photos, top from left: The view from the back porch at Parrot Key ©Charlene Peters; LT Steak & Seafood at The Betsy, Miami ©Charlene Peters; Nao Santa Maria in Key West ©Charlene Peters; The Little White House in Key West ©Charlene Peters; Pres. Harry Truman’s car at The Little White House ©Charlene Peters; On the back porch at The Little White House is a Ballot Box dated1968 ©Charlene Peters

Patisserie © Farhad Ibrahimzade for unsplash.com

Paris is the city of lights. I get goosebumps just thinking about all Paris has to offer—history, food, retail therapy, food. Did I mention the food? It is a relatively simple city to navigate, and even if you do get lost, you are surrounded by beautiful buildings, bridges, alleys, and you are never too far from the deliciousness that is Paris.

Everywhere you turn, you find food in one form or another, and you’ll find it at the fresh food markets, the charcuterie, fromagerie or boulangerie. Every neighbourhood has its own. And you cannot miss the restaurants, bistros, and cafes.

Why is Paris recognised as the Culinary Arts Capital of the world? With an uncountable number of offerings, Paris can teach you the art of food. Whether your delight is a two-hour, basics of macarons or classes of up to 18 months to be fully qualified as a Cuisinière or Pâtissier, many options are on offer in Paris.

Since the Revolution of 1798, which was a crucial step in the evolution of French Cuisine when many private chefs to the nobility found themselves without a post, restaurants began to appear across France and England. France found itself as the ‘home of cuisine and cooking.’ Such foundations as the Kitchen Brigade, formulated by Georges Auguste Escoffier, ensured every person in the kitchen had a clear purpose and the kitchen worked to maximum efficiency. In fact, UNESCO has declared ‘gastronomic meal of the French’ is in its list of intangible human culture. French nourishment culture, according to UNESCO is significant for uniting individuals to appreciate the ‘craft of good eating and

drinking.’

It is not just what the French eat but how they eat that makes food and nourishment a culture not just an activity.

Where to Start Your Culinary Adventures

At home with Patricia Wells, Patricia is a highly regarded American journalist, author, and cooking instructor who has called France home since 1980. She established her cooking school in 1996. Patricia’s specialty is her one-week, immersion program where you will visit the local markets, kitchenware stores, and of course, hands on classes.

Galeries Lafayette, the famous department store, opened in 1893. Haussmann Galeries Lafayette holds a variety of classes, but you won’t want to