It’s the perfume of frangipani and the ever-present scent of saltwater. The texture of summer time warmth on sun-bronzed pores and skin. The mushy, rhythmic wash of waves on the shoreline, and the faint sound of tropical tunes enjoying on the porch of the home subsequent door.
The Florida Keys expertise is captured in actions like having fun with the sundown alongside a quiet shoreline. (Photograph by Andy Newman, Florida Keys Information Bureau)
However the Florida Keys expertise is way more than these sensory parts. It’s a laid-back perspective; an environment of welcome; an method to dwelling that blends individuality, a refusal to take life too critically, and a deep appreciation for leisure.
And also you don’t have to offer it up when your trip ends. In reality, with a bit of thought and creativeness, you’ll be able to savor the essence of the Florida Keys all 12 months lengthy.
Whether or not you’re a first-time customer sorry to depart the island chain or a wannabe resident whose real-world schedule leaves little time for subtropical escapes, you’ll be able to create an oasis at house that permits you to transcend every day hassles and recapture the magical Keys mindset.
The method is straightforward. Choose a small area in your house — a shelf, a tabletop, or nook — and collect gadgets that remind you of the Keys. You would possibly select pictures of Victorian properties dripping gingerbread and hibiscus blooms, a blazing orange sundown, an underwater world alive with tropical fish and reef life, or the bow of a ship towards turquoise water.

Solar, sand and sea are among the many parts that characterize the Florida Keys. (Photograph by Laurence Norah, Florida Keys Information Bureau)
Embody cocktail coasters out of your favourite Keys watering gap, a small piece of locally-created paintings, your dive log, or possibly a number of seaside pebbles. Discover some colourful tropical cloth and set your mementos on it.
However that’s solely the start. The Keys aren’t only a visible paradise. They encompass the senses — and, to really recreate the island chain’s ambiance, so ought to your oasis.
Add a bottle of aromatic reef-safe sunscreen. While you open it, you’re virtually assured to set off a strong olfactory reminiscence of hours spent lazing on the seaside. Or mild pillar candles with tropical aromas, or slice a contemporary lime for a tangy reminder of your favourite frozen margarita.
Don’t neglect the sounds of the islands: palm fronds rustling within the fixed breeze, languid waves lapping shore or boat, trop-rock music drifting via the air. All might be recreated in your oasis.

Howard Livingston’s music communicates his ardour for the Florida Keys life-style. (Photograph by Rob O’Neal, Florida Keys Information Bureau)
Whether or not you prefer Jimmy Buffett classics, the guitar mastery of Dave Feder, the infectious rhythms of Howard Livingston & Mile Marker 24, or the pure noises that taste balmy oceanside days and nights … they’re accessible to obtain or buy.
When you’ve accomplished your Florida Keys nook, make visiting it a daily pleasure. Shut your eyes, solid your thoughts again to a favourite reminiscence of the easygoing islands, and let your cares float away on a sunscreen-scented breeze.
What may very well be a greater reminder to sluggish your tempo, nonetheless your thoughts, and savor the issues that matter most?
After all, engaging as it’s, your oasis can’t evaluate to an precise escape to the Florida Keys. Notably now that temperatures have dropped in a lot of America, contemplate taking a winter break — and treating your self to a soothing, rejuvenating sojourn in your favourite subtropical spot.