Premiere Hotels
Accommodations may vary based on departure date. Any difference from what is listed below can be found by clicking on your desired date on the View Scheduled Dates or Private Dates tabs.
Cheeca Lodge & Spa
Islamorada (2 nights)
Part of the Islamorada scene since 1946, this amenity-rich beachside resort is set on 27 lush acres. (pool, spa)
The Marker Waterfront Resort
Key West (2 nights)
Ideally situated on two acres of waterfront land and designed with a barefoot tropical luxury aesthetic, the Marker is named for the mile markers that lead to the southernmost part of the United States. (pool)
This Trip Is Rated Levels 1-2
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next—and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
Daily Route Options (drag to see full )
| Daily Route Options |
| 1 |
Biking |
15 |
0 |
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| Other |
Everglades Airboat Tour (1 Hour) |
| 2 |
Other |
Snorkeling Excursion (Half Day) |
| Kids |
Fishing |
| 3 |
Other |
Dolphin Research Visit (1 Hour) |
| Kayaking |
Excursion (2.5 Hours) |
| Other |
Key West Walking Tour (1.5 Hours) |
| 4 |
Biking |
11 |
0 |
34 |
0 |
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| Biking |
17 |
0 |
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| Other |
Sunset Sail (1.5 Hours) |
| 5 |
Other |
Stand-Up Paddleboarding (1.5 Hours) |
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Learn more about how we determine our activity level and fully support a range of abilities and interests.
Please note that our distance and elevation figures come from Ride with GPS. Other sources may give differing elevation figures due to different GPS and mapping technologies and other external factors.
Meals
All breakfasts, 5 lunches, 3 dinners
Available Bike Options
The key to a stellar day’s ride is a bike that’s perfectly in tune with your cycling style… Backroads has you covered with the best bike fleet in the world! Read on for your available bike options for this trip.
Backroads Titanium Bikes (Included in your trip price)
Our custom-built titanium bikes are specially designed for you—and we offer different models for varied terrain so your bike is ideally suited to the region. Our custom-made bikes are included in your trip price.
Touring Bike (Included)
Co-Motion Torpedo Tandem ($400 rental fee)
Do you prefer to spin in tandem with your partner? You'll love the Co-Motion Periscope Torpedo tandem on your Backroads trip. You can upgrade to a Co-Motion Torpedo Tandem on your trip.
Co-Motion Torpedo Tandem (Upgrade)
Custom Kids Bikes (Included in your trip price)
Backroads is the only travel company to manufacture its own line of kid's bikes. While the wheels might be small, the performance is big—it's the perfect choice for kids. On all Backroads Family Trips, you'll find 20" and 24" bicycles for the younger set. They say good things come in small packages; when it comes to bikes for kids of all ages, Backroads is the expert.
Custom Kids Bikes (Included)
Burley Kazoo trailer bike (Included in your trip price)
The Burley Kazoo trailer bike, for children up to 85 pounds, attaches to an adult bike with your child providing some of the pedal power for a real team effort! It's ideal for kids who may be comfortable pedaling around the neighborhood but aren't yet ready for bike touring.
Burley Cub trailer (Included)
Also Included
- Expertise and services of our experienced Trip Leaders
- Snacks and beverages between meals
- Additional guides and experts from the region on many trips
- Van shuttles to support a variety of route options
- Comprehensive Travel Planner with detailed pre-trip information
- Private guided tours at museums, historic sites, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the Travel Planner
- All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
- Special events, including wine tastings and other select attractions as mentioned in the Travel Planner
- On biking and multi-adventure trips, use of fully equipped Backroads titanium bike plus helmet and accessories
- Trailercycles, carriers, and kid-sized helmets for Family Trips
- Equipment and experienced guides for kayaking, rafting, snorkeling, sailing and canoeing as described
- Park and other entry fees
- Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the Travel Planner
- Select coach transfers
- Baggage transfers and porterage
Get the Straight Talk about This Trip
We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
Easygoing Adventure
This is a Level 1–2 trip, meaning the activities are easygoing and designed to allow us to take it slow and soak up the beauty of the region. Each day we embark on an active adventure, but the amount of time spent in the saddle and on the trails is less than the typical Backroads trip. We've paired our core activities with ones that are suited to this destination, such as kayaking and snorkeling. The level of these activities, combined with plenty of downtime to relax and take advantage of the resorts and beaches, result in the ideal way to experience Key West.
Shuttling
Long shuttles on Days 1 and 3 (sometimes made longer with traffic) allow us to cover the highlights of this dynamic region.
Resorts
We've chosen to stay at large beach resorts on this trip because they are the most luxurious in the area and offer an array of amenities and activities to enjoy.
Peak Season Crowds
The Keys have their share of crowds and traffic, especially over peak holiday and spring break months. While we always aim to get off the beaten path, during certain times of the year traffic delays and slow service are unavoidable. Not to worry—we've built plenty of time into this itinerary to account for the relaxed pace, which the locals charmingly call "Keys Disease!"
Weather-Dependent Activities
Water activities in the Keys are weather-dependent. In the case of inclement weather, alternative activities are available.
A Place Like No Other
The Florida Keys are a truly unique destination teeming with fascinating history, vibrant character and quirky culture. On this journey expect to see everything from pristine beaches, out-of-this-world sunsets and mangrove forests to cruise ships, tackle shops and t-shirt stands.
Why Travel with Backroads in Everglades and Key West
Leaders Focused on Families
When everyone's together, there's lots going on; and when kids' and adults' priorities diverge, it can seem like two different trips. That's why our Family Adventures in Everglades and Key West have three Trip Leaders—including a dedicated Kids Activity Expert who regularly takes younger travelers off to do their own thing. Other companies try to get by with two leaders; we step up and do it right. For more on our family focus, check this out.
Everyone at Their Own Pace
We design and support our Everglades and Key West trips to suit mixed abilities and varied interests—so you can set your own pace, then change things up as the day unfolds. And all guests are free to do the same, traveling together or apart, with no one cramping anyone else's style. Which sounds easy in theory, but it's hard to pull off. Here's more on how we do it.
Plenty of Kids on Your Trip
It may be hard to imagine being on a family trip with no other families on it—but it happens regularly with some companies. On a Backroads Family Adventure there are typically several families on each departure, creating more opportunities for your kids to make new friends as they try fun things together – which is a big part of the experience.
Get the Most Out of Each Day
Coordinating multiple activities throughout a single day can be tricky, but with Backroads you'll never know it. When you explore Everglades and Key West with us, you switch activities seamlessly without missing a beat. We invented the multi-adventure concept, and we're constantly adding new dimensions and fine-tuning the experience to make it even more enjoyable.
We Invented the Multi-Adventure Trip
After more than 30 years of creating Backroads Multi-Adventures, our trip designers know how to blend the perfect balance of biking and hiking with other activities to showcase the best of a region. And then they arrange the seamless transitions that would be so hard to orchestrate on your own—adding dimensions to your trip that are exciting, inspiring and just plain fun.
A Second Van When You Need It
Backroads is the only active travel company providing two support vans in Everglades and Key West—because we know it's essential to ensure a truly great travel experience. It doubles our ability to be there when you need us to offer hydration, lighten your load or give you a lift if it's time to take a break. Read more on why two vans make all the difference.
More Leaders to Support You
On our Everglades and Key West trips we have an extra leader supporting you along the road and trail—for a total of three, compared to the industry standard two. So we can be in more places at once, giving personal attention to guests traveling at their own pace. Here's more on our Trip Leaders.
Time Together, Time Apart
Backroads is the leader in designing trips that ensure everyone, young and young-at-heart alike, has an amazing time. Your Backroads Family Adventure balances family activities with diversions designed exclusively for the kids—giving the adults a welcome break from making decisions, other than choosing whether to explore a few more miles or just enjoy each other's company. A family vacation where everyone gets to relax, recharge and have fun – what a concept!
Custom-Designed Bikes for Kids
Only Backroads provides bikes specifically designed for younger riders. Find out more information on all of our kids' bikes and optional accessories. And check out Tom Hale's blog post about biking with your kids.
