Asking me to choose a best vacation is tough because I love all of the vacations I have taken! Traveling bring a special joy, but a memorable United States vacation spot is definitely Key West.

Key West is a small island in the Florida Keys, an archipelago that stretches west from the southern peninsula of Florida. The Keys dangle into the Gulf of Mexico like a string of island pearls. Key West is the last on the strand.

I first experienced Key West in the summer, but years later, I traveled back in winter. Whether it is July or January, Key West is beautiful any time of year. What I like best about the island is its walkability. It’s roughly four miles long and one mile across, making it easy to explore on foot. The boardwalk, docks, piers, and public beaches means there is plenty to experience. Fantastic views stretch in all directions.  

Additionally, the island has an impressive literary history. Authors including Ernest Hemingway, Tennessee Williams, Elizabeth Bishop, Shel Silverstein, Philip Burton, Judy Blume, and Meg Cabot have all called the island their home at one time or another. It’s easy to see why my heroine, Anna, in Island Charm is so taken with the scenery, just like these writers. I hope readers will be as well!

Audrey Wick writes for Tule Publishing and Pelican Book Group and is a full-time English professor at Blinn College in Texas. Her writing has appeared in college textbooks published by Cengage Learning and W. W. Norton as well as in The Houston Chronicle, The Chicago Tribune, The Orlando Sentinel, and various literary journals. Audrey believes the secret to happiness includes lifelong learning and good stories. But travel and coffee help. She has journeyed to over twenty countries—and sipped coffee at every one. See photos at https://audreywick.com, and connect with her on Twitter and Instagram @WickWrites.