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<title>Florida Keys and Key West</title>
<link>http://www.fla-keys.com/</link>
<description>The Official Florida Keys and Key West Web Site is your Premier Travel Guide to the Florida Keys: Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, Lower Keys, Key West.  Accommodations, Real Estate, Diving &amp; Snorkeling, Fishing &amp; Boating, Museums &amp; Tours, Restaurants &amp; Bars, Theaters &amp; Art Galleries, Events and more.  Brought to you by the Monroe County Tourist Development Council.</description>
<language>en</language>

<copyright>Copyright 2009, Monroe County Tourist Development Council</copyright>
<managingEditor>josie@newmanpr.com</managingEditor>
<webMaster>todd@keywest.com</webMaster>
<pubDate>Fri, 20 Nov 2009 04:00:00 EST</pubDate>
<lastBuildDate>Fri, 20 Nov 2009 04:00:00 EST</lastBuildDate>

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	<title>Florida Keys and Key West</title>
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	<link>http://www.fla-keys.com/</link>
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<item>
	<title><![CDATA[SUBTROPICAL REGATTAS BRING RACING ACTION TO THE KEYS]]></title>
	<link>http://www.fla-keys.com/news/news.cfm?sid=7578</link>
	<description><![CDATA[FLORIDA KEYS – Sailors from around the world are to ply the Florida Keys waters in January, harnessing the region’s warm wind and waves during two exhilarating regatta challenges.


The quiet beach at Founders Park, mile marker 87 bayside on Plantation Key, is to come alive with one of the United States’ largest winter sailing events, scheduled Friday through Sunday, Jan. 15-17. 


Some of the top catamaran sailors in the world are to race in the <a href="http://www.catsailor.com/registrat]]></description>
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<item>
	<title><![CDATA[KEY WEST LITERARY SEMINAR TO CELEBRATE AMERICAN POETS]]></title>
	<link>http://www.fla-keys.com/news/news.cfm?sid=7576</link>
	<description><![CDATA[KEY WEST, Florida Keys — An extraordinary assembly of American and international poets will gather in Key West Thursday through Sunday, Jan. 7-10, for the 28th annual Key West Literary Seminar. 


The 2010 seminar will explore 60 years of American poetry and pay tribute to Richard Wilbur, a former United States poet laureate and the only living poet to have won the Pulitzer Prize twice. 


In addition, Wilber was a part-time Key West resident from the 1960s until 2005. The seminar’s 2010 t]]></description>
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<item>
	<title><![CDATA[DAZZLING ‘DROPS,’ FIREWORKS AND FRIVOLITY TO HIGHLIGHT NEW YEAR’S EVE IN FLORIDA KEYS
]]></title>
	<link>http://www.fla-keys.com/news/news.cfm?sid=7577</link>
	<description><![CDATA[FLORIDA KEYS — New Year’s Eve partiers unwilling to endure cold-weather festivities, such as the traditional “ball drop” in New York’s Times Square, can find exuberant celebrations and far warmer temperatures in the Florida Keys. 
	

In Key West, revelers can choose from three very different — though equally lighthearted — takeoffs on the Times Square gala as midnight approaches Thursday, Dec. 31. 
	

On the island city’s renowned <b>Duval Street</b>, thousands of people are expected to ri]]></description>
</item>

<item>
	<title><![CDATA[VIOLINIST CHO-LIANG LIN TO HEADLINE KEY WEST SYMPHONY’S 2009-10 SEASON OPENER 
]]></title>
	<link>http://www.fla-keys.com/news/news.cfm?sid=7574</link>
	<description><![CDATA[KEY WEST, Florida Keys — The <a href="http://www.keywestsymphony.com/">Key West Symphony</a>, a unique gathering of professional symphonic musicians from around the United States, is to begin its 2009-10 season with a concert featuring world-renowned violinist Cho-Liang Lin. 


The curtain is to go up at 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 15-16, at the Tennessee Williams Theatre, 5901 College Road on the campus of Florida Keys Community College.  


The symphony’s 12th season also includes]]></description>
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<item>
	<title><![CDATA[AMAZING RACE OF ISLAMORADA SET FOR NOV. 21]]></title>
	<link>http://www.fla-keys.com/news/news.cfm?sid=7558</link>
	<description><![CDATA[ISLAMORADA, Florida Keys — Outdoor athletes and thrill seekers have an opportunity to explore Islamorada by land, bike and water in the Amazing Race of Islamorada scheduled Saturday, Nov. 21. 
	

The competitive event is set to start at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, from Robbie’s Marina, 77520 Overseas Highway (mile marker 77.5), in Islamorada. Registration starts at 9 a.m. that morning. 
	

The race starts at Robbie's with a three-mile round-trip run. The second part of the relay will requir]]></description>
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<item>
	<title><![CDATA[BILLFISH BOWL SET FOR FLORIDA KEYS FEB. 4-6]]></title>
	<link>http://www.fla-keys.com/news/news.cfm?sid=7549</link>
	<description><![CDATA[KEY LARGO, Florida Keys -– Two-time Super Bowl winning coach Jimmy Johnson is to combine two of his favorite sports –- football and fishing -– into one event Feb. 4-6, with the Gridiron Greats Billfish Bowl in the Florida Keys.

The tournament is slated to begin a few days before Super Bowl XLIV is to be played at Landshark Stadium in Miami.

The event benefits Gridiron Greats, a charitable organization chaired by former Chicago Bears’ coach Mike Ditka that provides financial assistance and ]]></description>
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<item>
	<title><![CDATA[ARRGH! PIRATES TO PLUNDER KEY WEST NOV. 28-DEC. 6]]></title>
	<link>http://www.fla-keys.com/news/news.cfm?sid=7544</link>
	<description><![CDATA[KEY WEST, Florida Keys — The historic seafaring town of Key West is to become a pirate stronghold Saturday, Nov. 28, through Sunday, Dec. 6, when “brethren of the coast” and lively wenches invade the island for the 10th annual Pirates in Paradise festival. 


Pirates in Paradise offers a packed roster of events for children and adults intrigued by the Florida Keys’ seafaring history and culture. Highlights include living history encampments, a plank-walking championship, nautical excursions a]]></description>
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<item>
	<title><![CDATA[VACATION IN KEYS AND GET A FREE COMPANION AIRFARE CERTIFICATE]]></title>
	<link>http://www.fla-keys.com/news/news.cfm?sid=7532</link>
	<description><![CDATA[Florida Keys vacationers can get a free companion airfare certificate, good for future passage on five legacy U.S. airlines when they stay in a room for two or more nights at participating Florida Keys accommodations.

           
The promotion is valid through <b>March 31, 2010</b>.

           
Keys properties included in the program are listed <a href="http://www.fla-keys.com/freeairfare/">here</a>.

           
While area tourism officials hope visitors will utilize the companion fa]]></description>
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<item>
	<title><![CDATA[KEY WEST PROPERTY NAMED TOP U.S HOTEL BY CONDE NAST
]]></title>
	<link>http://www.fla-keys.com/news/news.cfm?sid=7551</link>
	<description><![CDATA[KEY WEST, Florida Keys -- The <a href="http://www.marquesa.com">Marquesa Hotel</a> in Key West, Florida, has been selected as a winner in the Condé Nast Traveler 2009 Readers’ Choice Awards in the category of “Top Hotels: United States Small Hotels,” the complete list of results to appear in the November issue.  
	

According to the magazine’s editors, readers gauged personal and recent travel experiences to rate every (hotel) service crucial to travelers, saying they ‘discovered the coolest ]]></description>
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<item>
	<title><![CDATA[KEYS OVERSEAS HIGHWAY IS "ALL-AMERICAN"]]></title>
	<link>http://www.fla-keys.com/news/news.cfm?sid=7530</link>
	<description><![CDATA[FLORIDA KEYS -- The Florida Keys Overseas Highway, from north of Key Largo to Key West, is now an All-American Road.

The designation was announced recently by U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and a plaque was presented by Victor Mendez, administrator of the Federal Highway Administration, during a ceremony in Washington, D.C.

The Keys highway is the only All-American Road in Florida. It's the highest recognition possible under the National Scenic Byways program established by the U]]></description>
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<item>
	<title><![CDATA[WARM-WEATHER ISLAND ART FEST TO OFFER HOLIDAY CHEER IN LOWER KEYS

]]></title>
	<link>http://www.fla-keys.com/news/news.cfm?sid=7522</link>
	<description><![CDATA[BIG PINE KEY, Florida Keys — As well as balmy temperatures and scores of visitors eager to escape frigid northern air, the holiday season in the Florida Keys is characterized by enthusiastic celebrations. 


From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, Lower Keys visitors can experience that holiday exuberance, enjoy live music and choose one-of-a-kind gifts created by local artists at the Big Pine & Lower Keys Island Art Festival. 


The annual open-air fair is to take place on the wooded gro]]></description>
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<item>
	<title><![CDATA[ADRENALINE ADVENTURES ON THE WATER]]></title>
	<link>http://www.fla-keys.com/news/news.cfm?sid=7442</link>
	<description><![CDATA[FLORIDA KEYS - Thrill seekers who want 365 days' worth of sun, surf and sea can get their blood pumping in the Florida Keys both above and below water. 


<b>KITEBOARDING</b>  

Catch air and go fast with this exhilarating alternative to surfing. The safe environment of the Keys offers a unique opportunity for anyone to learn the sport of kiteboarding. 

Throughout the islands, people are immersing themselves in the kiteboarding lifestyle - feeling the wind power riders for miles at heart]]></description>
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<item>
	<title><![CDATA[CHEECA LODGE GETS READY FOR DEC. 15 RE-OPENING]]></title>
	<link>http://www.fla-keys.com/news/news.cfm?sid=7519</link>
	<description><![CDATA[ISLAMORADA, Florida Keys — A major Florida Keys luxury resort is poised to reopen after a 2009 New Year’s Eve fire that heavily damaged its main lodge.

<a href="http://www.cheeca.com">Cheeca Lodge & Spa</a> has been closed to the public since Jan. 1, while the shell of the main lodge was torn down and plans were developed for a replacement.

Recently, a “topping off” celebration marked the highlight of an intensive 90-day major construction project that features 62 concrete, pre-greened mod]]></description>
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<item>
	<title><![CDATA[AIRTRAN TO BEGIN ECONOMICAL KEY WEST JET SERVICE DEC. 17 ]]></title>
	<link>http://www.fla-keys.com/news/news.cfm?sid=7500</link>
	<description><![CDATA[KEY WEST, Florida Keys — Beginning Thursday, Dec. 17, visitors to Key West can take advantage of AirTran Airways’ nonstop jet service between Orlando and the island city. 


The AirTran flights, to be offered four times per week, will inaugurate the first scheduled service to Key West by a major low-cost carrier.


The airline plans to use 137-passenger Boeing 737-700 aircraft for the route.


As well as nonstop Orlando flights, AirTran is to offer direct same-plane service from Atlanta]]></description>
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<item>
	<title><![CDATA[DIVE AN AWESOME THREESOME]]></title>
	<link>http://www.fla-keys.com/news/news.cfm?sid=7439</link>
	<description><![CDATA[FLORIDA KEYS - Established by the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, the Florida Keys Shipwreck Heritage Trail was created to encourage an appreciation and understanding of the Keys' maritime heritage. 

Early shipwrecks and vessels intentionally sunk to create artificial reefs serve as refuges for fish, delicate corals and invertebrates, and playgrounds for divers. Among this string of notable wreck sites, stretching from Key Largo to Key West, is an "awesome threesome" for advanced- and]]></description>
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