## Spring Journey Through Florida April 19–24, 2025 In April, we set off on a short but vivid trip through South Florida. We wanted to combine nature, beaches, colorful cities, and a touch of authentic American exotic life. Our route took us from Fort Lauderdale to Key West and back through Sarasota, with a stop in the Everglades, and we ended the trip in Miami. We started in Fort Lauderdale. There, we visited Flamingo Gardens — a botanical garden and wildlife sanctuary spread across 60 acres. You walk beneath the shade of massive trees, see flamingos, alligators, otters, black bears, and even panthers.

Inside the gardens stands a historic 1930s house museum worth stepping into. After the gardens, we headed to stroll along Hollywood Beach Broadwalk — a lively promenade with bike paths, cafés, and palm trees. Next, we drove south toward Key West. Along the way, we stopped at Bahia Honda State Park. In Key West, we spent the evening walking down bustling Duval Street, and we watched the sunset at Mallory Square — it felt like a performance in itself.

On our way back, we made a short stop in Naples just for lunch. The town left a nice impression. We then spent two nights in Sarasota. Our main destination was Siesta Key Beach — the sand truly is like flour. We explored Siesta Key Village and St. Armands Circle, and also visited Lido Beach.

Then came Everglades Holiday Park, where we took an airboat ride through the swamps, gliding past alligators while breathing in the wild, fresh air. Afterward, we watched a Gator Boys show.

The finale of the trip was an evening at Miami Beach. We walked along Ocean Drive, sat on the sand, had pizza, and simply enjoyed our last night before heading home.

This week in Florida turned out to be rich, warm, and full of life. In a single trip, we managed to experience nature, the ocean, small towns, and the lively life of Miami. --- Written, Translated, and Revised by Aleksandra Tsygankova

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