We all enjoy going on little adventures, but it seems we hardly have the opportunity to plan those getaways. Even when we do, we don’t usually have time to do all the things we’d hoped to do. There’s hassle involved with most travel: long lines at the airports, flight delays, uncomfortable seats…
But what if I told you that, with our latest Volkswagen models, you can skip the baggage fees, enjoy comfortable seats with plenty of legroom, listen to your favorite music or podcasts at the touch of your finger and spend quality time with your family? We’ve put together a list of some of the best road trip adventures you can have without even leaving Florida… just hop in and go!
For the Nature Lover - Florida Keys & Naples
If you’re into colorful reefs, exotic flora and fauna and the occasional cold beer, the Florida Keys might be the perfect place for you. On your drive there, stop at Bahia Honda State Park and Beach on Big Pine Key for a hike or maybe an afternoon of snorkeling. It’s known as one of the best beaches in the Keys. Continue making your way south to Key West and take advantage of Barefoot Billy’s action-packed tour choices. You can take a 2-hour Jet-ski tour for a 26-mile adventure; sign up for a Seabreeze Morning Island Cruise or Key West Sunset Cruise; watch dolphins; rent a scooter or bicycle and explore the island – and after the sun sets, there are tons of local restaurants and bars worth a visit.
White sand beaches, high-end shopping, 5-star restaurants – if that’s more your scene, Naples is the way to go. Some of the world’s most beautiful beaches with pristine white sand and clear turquoise waters are found on the southwest coast of Florida. Relax on the sand, searching for shells or try kayaking or paddle boarding, searching for dolphins. Scuba diving the crystal waters of Naples you’ll discover reefs full of colorful coral, sea turtles and thousands of fish; you can even go Lionfish hunting. If you’ve had enough beach time, cruise Fifth Avenue for luxury boutiques, custom clothing, jewelry and fine dining. Resort spas are sprinkled all over Naples so you can choose your favorite for an afternoon of pampering. The Naples Preserve is a protected nature area with a boardwalk fun to explore and Picayune Strand State Forest takes you into the Everglades for a hike. Naples is a destination that appeals to all, for a romantic getaway, family vacation or even some well-deserved alone time.
If you’re headed to either of these destinations, consider a new Volkswagen Atlas or Tiguan – both allow room for 7 passengers and tons of cargo. You can cruise in comfort for the 3 to 4 hours to Key West or the 1 to 2 hours to Naples. You’ll enjoy touchscreen access to your smartphone apps right on the dash and you can tune to any one of 150 Sirius XM stations during your drive. Come take a test drive and see for yourself why the VW SUVs make the best road trip transportation!
For the Culture Lover – Miami, Tampa & St. Petersburg
If you are more interested in culture, food and nightlife then read on. Visit Tampa to take in the sights at the Tampa Museum of Art, Tampa Bay History Center or the Florida Aquarium. Or unwind with a drink and a tour of Cigar City Brewing, an award-winning craft beer brewery. Visit the historic Tampa Theatre, built in 1926 or relax in Fort De Soto Park, crowned TripAdvisor’s top beach. If you happen to be an animal lover, you must make a stop at the Big Cat Rescue – one of the world’s largest wildlife sanctuaries of its kind - and get a glimpse of more than 150 big cat species!
For the art lovers, try St. Petersburg for the Dali Art Museum Chihuly Collection and other Fine Arts. They even have their own Second Saturday Art Walk on Central Avenue. St. Petersburg was selected as one of America’s top arts places by ArtPlace America and by the New York Times as one of America’s 10 Most Beautiful Cities.
If fashion is more your scene, the Miami Design District boasts designers like Marni, Dior and Céline. Tree lined streets shade the sidewalks in front of hundreds of local boutiques. Visit the Vizcaya Museum & Gardens or enjoy modern and contemporary art at the Pérez Art Museum Miami.
If you’re a foodie, Miami is your Mecca. Whether it’s beach-front dining, high-end style or just a chill bar, Miami’s got you covered. Visit Makoto in the Bal Harbour Shops for modern Japanese dishes or try some authentic sandwiches on South Beach at La Sandwicherie. Joe’s Stone Crab is a South Florida institution worth checking out and Bombay Darbar has been said to have some of the best Indian Food in Florida.
The Volkswagen e-Golf is meant for city driving. Convenient charging stations are found throughout these big cities. Think about gas economy! You’ll be able to travel further for so much less! Also, with safety features like Front Assist and the intelligent crash response system you’ll feel safe while navigating the traffic you’re bound to get caught up in.
Not interested in electric? The all-new 2019 Jetta has just been released and what better way to cruise these fashionable cities than with the stylish new sedan? You’ll turn heads with the Jetta’s customizable ambient lighting and thumpin’ BeatsAudio® sound system.
So, what are you waiting for? Start planning your getaway and visit one of our 11 local Volkswagen dealerships to find your perfect road companion.