0:00:02 > 0:00:06It's our most popular holiday destination outside of Europe,
0:00:06 > 0:00:10with over 100,000 Irish people travelling here every year.
0:00:10 > 0:00:13Yes, this week we're in Florida.
0:00:13 > 0:00:17Most come with one thing in mind - the world's best theme parks.
0:00:17 > 0:00:22But there's more to this sunshine state than Minnie Mouse
0:00:22 > 0:00:23and Spider-Man.
0:00:23 > 0:00:26We're going to jump in a rental car and go a bit further afield.
0:00:26 > 0:00:31We're headed to the lively Miami and the lovely Key West.
0:00:31 > 0:00:34It's the other side of Florida in Getaways.
0:00:39 > 0:00:42On our website we asked you for your recommendations
0:00:42 > 0:00:45for what we should see and do here.
0:00:45 > 0:00:48And you've been e-mailing and texting your suggestions.
0:00:48 > 0:00:51We're taking a nine and a half hour flight from Dublin to Orlando
0:00:51 > 0:00:54on the southeastern tip of the USA.
0:00:56 > 0:00:59Most visitors to Orlando head straight for the theme parks,
0:00:59 > 0:01:01and there are plenty on offer.
0:01:01 > 0:01:04Walt Disney World Resort has four parks
0:01:04 > 0:01:07including the old favourite Magic Kingdom.
0:01:07 > 0:01:11Here you can meet all the well-loved characters and try the latest rides.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14But on this trip we're going to concentrate on some of
0:01:14 > 0:01:17the other attractions Florida has on offer.
0:01:17 > 0:01:20A lot of feedback we got confirmed what we expected -
0:01:20 > 0:01:23if you really want to experience Florida, you got to travel around,
0:01:23 > 0:01:26and let's face it, you're not going to get very far without a car.
0:01:26 > 0:01:28Madam, are we ready?
0:01:35 > 0:01:37The good news is that car rental
0:01:37 > 0:01:41and fuel costs are relatively cheap in the US.
0:01:41 > 0:01:45The bad news is that Florida's highways are very, very busy,
0:01:45 > 0:01:50so don't underestimate travelling times between major towns and cities.
0:01:50 > 0:01:51We're heading east out of Orlando
0:01:51 > 0:01:55to a completely different sort of visitor experience...
0:01:57 > 0:01:59..with very big rides.
0:01:59 > 0:02:03Ones that you're not allowed anywhere near. Boo!
0:02:04 > 0:02:07- MAN:- Lift-off!
0:02:07 > 0:02:09As always, we're keen to hear your suggestions,
0:02:09 > 0:02:12- and as recommendations go, this one was pretty unanimous.- Yeah.
0:02:12 > 0:02:16Stephen Cassidy, Jay Douglas, Zoe Connell, Gary Hall, Mike McGuigan,
0:02:16 > 0:02:19you amongst other people said we definitely had to come here.
0:02:19 > 0:02:22Where is here? It's the Kennedy Space Centre.
0:02:25 > 0:02:29This is where Nasa has launched its space flights since the 1960s,
0:02:29 > 0:02:32including the moon landings.
0:02:32 > 0:02:35Mere mortals are not allowed to drive, but there is a bus tour
0:02:35 > 0:02:39that takes you around the launch pad and the assembly building.
0:02:41 > 0:02:44It also takes you to the home of this baby.
0:02:46 > 0:02:48Look at this!
0:02:48 > 0:02:50This is the Saturn V rocket.
0:02:50 > 0:02:53This is from the golden age of the space race.
0:02:53 > 0:02:57- This rocket would have taken men to the moon.- To the moon!
0:02:57 > 0:02:58And you know what?
0:02:58 > 0:03:01It's funny cos you see it in the movies, you see it on the telly
0:03:01 > 0:03:05all the time since you were a kid, but actually it is enormous!
0:03:07 > 0:03:10If you still can't wrap your head around the actual size of this,
0:03:10 > 0:03:14take a look at this scale model. All of this is used to launch the rocket.
0:03:14 > 0:03:17We go right the way up and then you start to see
0:03:17 > 0:03:19what actually went into space and what landed in the moon.
0:03:19 > 0:03:22This tiny little portion at the top of it.
0:03:22 > 0:03:24Check out the three astronauts.
0:03:24 > 0:03:28Minuscule at the very, very tip. It must have been absolutely terrifying.
0:03:32 > 0:03:36At the main visitors' centre there is the equally awesome sight
0:03:36 > 0:03:38of one of the space shuttles,
0:03:38 > 0:03:40complete with burn marks from re-entry.
0:03:40 > 0:03:43And outside, you can even interact with human beings
0:03:43 > 0:03:45who have been there and done that.
0:03:45 > 0:03:46This is Bruce Melnick.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49This man has not been to space once, he has been to space twice.
0:03:49 > 0:03:53- Is that true?- That's true. Back in 1990 and 1992.
0:03:53 > 0:03:55It's amazing. It's almost indescribable.
0:03:55 > 0:03:59It's one thing to see movies of it and pictures of it,
0:03:59 > 0:04:02but when you're actually there floating in zero gravity,
0:04:02 > 0:04:04floating around looking out the windows
0:04:04 > 0:04:06and the world just zips below you.
0:04:06 > 0:04:09- It's an absolute honour to meet you, Bruce.- Nice to meet you, Joe.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12I'm shaking the hand of a man who's been in space twice.
0:04:15 > 0:04:20Back on the road and it's a four hour drive south to our next destination.
0:04:20 > 0:04:24With a population that's one third Cuban origin and typical temperatures
0:04:24 > 0:04:29in the 80s even in winter, Miami is an American city like no other.
0:04:30 > 0:04:32Mark Cumberton from Dublin suggested that
0:04:32 > 0:04:37the one thing you have to do in Miami is to take a speedboat tour.
0:04:38 > 0:04:40Guide Kim showed me around.
0:04:41 > 0:04:43So this is where Miami really began,
0:04:43 > 0:04:46right here at the mouth of the Miami River.
0:04:46 > 0:04:48I mean, there are essentially two Miamis, right?
0:04:48 > 0:04:50You've South Beach over here and then you have this area.
0:04:50 > 0:04:53But they're kind of considered two very different parts of Miami.
0:04:53 > 0:04:55They are. They're very, very different.
0:04:55 > 0:04:57They've revitalised the whole area downtown
0:04:57 > 0:04:59and it's the place to go now.
0:04:59 > 0:05:01South Beach, obviously the draw for tourism.
0:05:01 > 0:05:05Number one tourism destination in Miami is South Beach.
0:05:06 > 0:05:08The trip takes you past Star Island
0:05:08 > 0:05:10where the houses go for serious money.
0:05:11 > 0:05:13This is Gloria Estefan's house?
0:05:13 > 0:05:15They actually have two houses on Star Island.
0:05:15 > 0:05:19One of them is currently on the market for 40 million.
0:05:19 > 0:05:21- What?!- Yes!- 40 million?!
0:05:21 > 0:05:25You know when Gloria Estefan sang Rhythm Is Going to Get You?
0:05:25 > 0:05:27This is what the rhythm gets you.
0:05:29 > 0:05:30A house like that.
0:05:30 > 0:05:32Well played, Gloria.
0:05:32 > 0:05:36A mile out in the middle of nowhere it seems is the abandoned
0:05:36 > 0:05:38Stilt Town, otherwise known as Stiltsville.
0:05:38 > 0:05:41These stilt houses are incredible. I've never seen anything like this.
0:05:41 > 0:05:43What are these?
0:05:43 > 0:05:46They started building them back in the 1920s up through the 1960s
0:05:46 > 0:05:49and they're kind of founding Miami families who've passed these houses
0:05:49 > 0:05:53along over the generations that use them as fishing shacks
0:05:53 > 0:05:55or party pads, that type of thing.
0:05:55 > 0:05:59During Prohibition they used them for speakeasies.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02You had the rum coming from the Bahamas, that type of thing.
0:06:02 > 0:06:05Al Capone was supposedly out here gambling.
0:06:05 > 0:06:09- Apparently he had a casino. - You know something?
0:06:09 > 0:06:11We should maybe start our own little speakeasy today.
0:06:11 > 0:06:15Brought some beers out up on the deck, a bit of Charleston.
0:06:15 > 0:06:18- Should have brought the beer. - Yeah, I never thought.
0:06:18 > 0:06:19- Not like me.- Exactly.
0:06:22 > 0:06:26Over the last 20 years the Art Deco South Beach has been rejuvenated.
0:06:26 > 0:06:29If you don't mind looking somewhat ungainly,
0:06:29 > 0:06:31why not try the Segway tour?
0:06:34 > 0:06:37The morning is the best time to see the dazzling east-facing strip
0:06:37 > 0:06:39in its multicoloured glory.
0:06:42 > 0:06:46Brian Fitzsimons suggested a visit downtown to Little Havana.
0:06:46 > 0:06:50And I'm here to soak up the Cuban atmosphere at the enormous
0:06:50 > 0:06:52Cafe Versailles.
0:06:52 > 0:06:54Cafe Versailles is the real deal.
0:06:54 > 0:06:57It's so important that presidential candidates come here
0:06:57 > 0:06:59to woo the Cuban vote.
0:07:01 > 0:07:04This is an example of just some of the food you'll find
0:07:04 > 0:07:06on Cuban menus around the area.
0:07:06 > 0:07:07This is a house special.
0:07:07 > 0:07:10Slow roasted pork marinated overnight,
0:07:10 > 0:07:11big lump of crackling on the top.
0:07:11 > 0:07:13Looks absolutely delicious.
0:07:13 > 0:07:15Then you've got the Cuban sandwich.
0:07:15 > 0:07:18Cheese, layers and layers of meat, pickle. Absolutely gorgeous.
0:07:18 > 0:07:21Finally, the one I've been waiting for.
0:07:21 > 0:07:25It's a whole red snapper. Flash fried, a bit of salad.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28I'm not into onions, so I'm going to chuck them to the side.
0:07:28 > 0:07:31But this looks really good.
0:07:31 > 0:07:32You eat it skin and all.
0:07:36 > 0:07:39Mmm. It's delicious.
0:07:39 > 0:07:41Really crisp skin.
0:07:41 > 0:07:45Lots of garlic seasoning and then beautifully moist flesh underneath.
0:07:45 > 0:07:47Absolutely gorgeous.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51I'm in Miami's Wynwood district cos I really want to show you this.
0:07:51 > 0:07:53I want to show you how a neighbourhood
0:07:53 > 0:07:58that was previously run down was completely transformed by art.
0:08:03 > 0:08:07Seven years ago a local businessman hit upon the idea
0:08:07 > 0:08:10of turning these walls and warehouses into canvases for murals.
0:08:10 > 0:08:13Now it's home to probably the most impressive range of street art
0:08:13 > 0:08:15in the world.
0:08:18 > 0:08:20The mural behind me is by Chor Boogie.
0:08:20 > 0:08:24His last piece sold for 700,000.
0:08:26 > 0:08:28I met with Marlo Courtney at Wynwood Walls,
0:08:28 > 0:08:32the centre of this extraordinary outdoor exhibition.
0:08:33 > 0:08:36These artists are not paid to exhibit their work,
0:08:36 > 0:08:41but they love the idea of being able to share their work with the public.
0:08:44 > 0:08:48You'll have sort of less enlightened officials in certain cities
0:08:48 > 0:08:51who would regard graffiti and street art as a blight on the city,
0:08:51 > 0:08:53but Miami embraces it and celebrates it.
0:08:53 > 0:08:56Today you see these artists who back in the day
0:08:56 > 0:09:00when they were painting subway cars in New York as Futura did
0:09:00 > 0:09:04and Kenny Scharf and all the original guys,
0:09:04 > 0:09:06today their art is embraced
0:09:06 > 0:09:11and is sold in galleries for considerable amounts of money,
0:09:11 > 0:09:13it's collected.
0:09:13 > 0:09:15So it really has gone to the next level
0:09:15 > 0:09:17because when you look at it
0:09:17 > 0:09:20and you look at the content of what is being displayed, it's really
0:09:20 > 0:09:26quite remarkable to have these big walls that are now masterpieces.
0:09:27 > 0:09:29Indulge me and forgive me,
0:09:29 > 0:09:31but as they say on this side of the pond,
0:09:31 > 0:09:33I'm like a kid in a candy store.
0:09:33 > 0:09:37I absolutely love this. You should really come here to see all this.
0:09:37 > 0:09:39It's all free.
0:09:42 > 0:09:45Meanwhile I found another way to enjoy the bay.
0:09:45 > 0:09:48I've come about an hour's south of Miami
0:09:48 > 0:09:51to try the latest watersports craze - jet packing.
0:09:51 > 0:09:54I want you to put all of your weight on the seat.
0:09:54 > 0:09:59No experience required, just a safety drill and a sense of balance.
0:09:59 > 0:10:01One, two, three.
0:10:05 > 0:10:09It's mildly terrifying at first, until you get used to balancing.
0:10:09 > 0:10:13I wouldn't recommend it unless you're absolutely comfortable in the water.
0:10:15 > 0:10:20Good. All right. Let's take a little break for a second, OK?
0:10:20 > 0:10:23It's pretty special. Can I go again?
0:10:23 > 0:10:26That was a perfect recovery. That was awesome.
0:10:26 > 0:10:29But it doesn't take long to take off.
0:10:29 > 0:10:31There you go. Nice. There you go.
0:10:31 > 0:10:33That's it. Nice height.
0:10:33 > 0:10:36That's it. Perfect height.
0:10:37 > 0:10:41At 200 a pop it's not cheap,
0:10:41 > 0:10:44but as action-packed treats go this takes some beating.
0:10:50 > 0:10:55But I'm not sure I'd recommend trying the backflip on your first go.
0:10:55 > 0:10:57Sorry, I think I went slightly wrong.
0:10:57 > 0:11:01- Excellent job. That was perfect. - Nice way to finish.
0:11:08 > 0:11:12If you like dancing, and according to the website many of you do,
0:11:12 > 0:11:13then South Beach is the place to be.
0:11:13 > 0:11:16Some of the best nightclubs in the world.
0:11:16 > 0:11:17And a lot of them do dance classes,
0:11:17 > 0:11:19so you can hit the dance floor properly
0:11:19 > 0:11:21and shake what your mama gave ya!
0:11:21 > 0:11:23Shake what your mama gave ya!
0:11:27 > 0:11:31And if like me you have two left feet, they make it easy for you.
0:11:31 > 0:11:36Salsa Mia is a dance studio where most nights they put on classes
0:11:36 > 0:11:39- for absolute beginners, like me. - All right, guys,
0:11:39 > 0:11:43what we're going to teach you tonight is Miami style salsa.
0:11:43 > 0:11:47This is more like, "I want to go to a party. I want to go to a barbecue.
0:11:47 > 0:11:49"I just want to go and dance salsa."
0:11:49 > 0:11:53One, two, three, and five, six, seven.
0:11:53 > 0:11:57One, two, three, and five, six, seven.
0:11:57 > 0:12:01We go forward with the left and back with the right.
0:12:01 > 0:12:04And once you've got the basics you can head to
0:12:04 > 0:12:07Mango's Tropical Cafe downstairs to practise your new moves.
0:12:12 > 0:12:14And a few old ones as well.
0:12:23 > 0:12:25If you're planning to stay in Miami
0:12:25 > 0:12:28there are lots of good hotels to choose from.
0:12:28 > 0:12:31We stayed at the Royal Palm, South Beach.
0:12:31 > 0:12:35It has a lovely period feel to it with lots of Art Deco features
0:12:35 > 0:12:38and it's just a block from the beach. It costs...
0:12:47 > 0:12:50Next door is the even more luxurious Loews Miami, South Beach.
0:12:50 > 0:12:54If you fancy lounging around then there's a great pool area.
0:12:54 > 0:12:56Five nights here will cost...
0:13:02 > 0:13:05Later on we'll be bringing you more from the sunshine state
0:13:05 > 0:13:08as we head to the Florida Keys, but now a short break getaway
0:13:08 > 0:13:11for those who want to stay a bit closer to home.
0:13:14 > 0:13:17I'm here in Islandmagee, which isn't actually an island at all.
0:13:17 > 0:13:20It's a 12km long peninsula on the east Antrim coast
0:13:20 > 0:13:23that sits between Larne Lough and the Irish Sea.
0:13:23 > 0:13:27I'm taking a sea tour, which I reckon is the best way to see
0:13:27 > 0:13:30what's on offer along this stretch of coastline.
0:13:34 > 0:13:36After leaving from Ballylumford
0:13:36 > 0:13:39our first pot of call is Portmuck harbour,
0:13:39 > 0:13:42where I've been told you can often see seals and porpoises.
0:13:45 > 0:13:51But no blubbery friends here today, just some slick Northern Irish folk.
0:13:51 > 0:13:53Have a look in the shore in there.
0:13:53 > 0:13:57You'll see all that's left of a little steamer.
0:13:57 > 0:13:59It was suppose to be a very lucky ship,
0:13:59 > 0:14:03but it ran aground three times before it ended upon the shore here.
0:14:03 > 0:14:05- It's not that lucky. - No, it's not that lucky.
0:14:05 > 0:14:07It must have been carrying whiskey or something.
0:14:07 > 0:14:10It must have been drinking it, never mind carrying it.
0:14:12 > 0:14:13These are gannets.
0:14:13 > 0:14:17They're pretty large birds that fly into the water at 60mph.
0:14:17 > 0:14:20It looks like they've kind of lost control,
0:14:20 > 0:14:22but they're actually eyeing the prize,
0:14:22 > 0:14:26going for small fish underneath the water.
0:14:26 > 0:14:28It's amazing.
0:14:30 > 0:14:32But what I'm really here to see is
0:14:32 > 0:14:36Northern Ireland's latest tourist attraction.
0:14:36 > 0:14:38This is the Gobbins cliff walk.
0:14:38 > 0:14:42It's incredible just how close to the edge the steps, the tunnels,
0:14:42 > 0:14:43the bridges are.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46And this is the exact route that the Edwardians used to take
0:14:46 > 0:14:49back in the day. This bridge is quite iconic.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53It's amazing. Who knew they were such thrill-seekers?
0:14:53 > 0:14:57- This beautiful old walkway has been brought back to life.- Yes.
0:14:57 > 0:15:01It first opened in 1902 and it was designed by Berkeley Deane Wise,
0:15:01 > 0:15:05a chief of the Belfast and Northern Counties Railway.
0:15:05 > 0:15:10And at that time it was more popular than the Giant's Causeway.
0:15:10 > 0:15:13- And it looks pretty tough. - It is quite tough.
0:15:13 > 0:15:16It has been kept very, very similar to what the original path was like.
0:15:16 > 0:15:20Some of the steps are quite tall, some of the path is quite narrow,
0:15:20 > 0:15:22and it is challenging.
0:15:22 > 0:15:25And some of it goes underground, is that right?
0:15:25 > 0:15:29One of the caves will take you down below sea level.
0:15:29 > 0:15:32And in the olden days they used to employ a man to keep it pumped out.
0:15:32 > 0:15:34So it's like going back in time.
0:15:34 > 0:15:37- It's like stepping back in time. - Lovely.
0:15:37 > 0:15:39And if you want another step back in time
0:15:39 > 0:15:43I'd recommend Carrickfergus Castle.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46Built in the 12th century by John de Courcy.
0:15:46 > 0:15:48It had many lives since then.
0:15:48 > 0:15:50It's been a prison, a military base
0:15:50 > 0:15:52and even an air raid shelter during World War II.
0:15:52 > 0:15:56And to be fair, it's in pretty good nick considering all of that.
0:15:56 > 0:16:00And because it's in good shape it's possible to get a feeling
0:16:00 > 0:16:04for the everyday workings of the castle over the centuries.
0:16:04 > 0:16:09This is de Courcy's great room where he held court, welcomed guests
0:16:09 > 0:16:12and had big banquets. It's pretty sweet.
0:16:15 > 0:16:17And who knows what you might find?
0:16:17 > 0:16:20King John on the john. Lovely.
0:16:27 > 0:16:30And I think I've found the best-kept secret in the area.
0:16:30 > 0:16:34This is Kilcoan Gardens where owner Cherry Townsend
0:16:34 > 0:16:37tends around five acres of gardens.
0:16:37 > 0:16:39As well as running summer events,
0:16:39 > 0:16:42Cherry also holds flower arranging workshops
0:16:42 > 0:16:46and I've come to try my hand at making a wild bouquet.
0:16:46 > 0:16:50I love this type of flowering and these beautiful wild bouquets,
0:16:50 > 0:16:53- so we're going to make one, right? - We are indeed. It's great fun.
0:16:53 > 0:16:58We're start with the phlox, and if you add the feverfew on...
0:16:58 > 0:17:01at an angle and every time you add flowers on at an angle
0:17:01 > 0:17:05across the flowers towards you, turn the flowers in your hand.
0:17:05 > 0:17:06That's perfect. Like an X.
0:17:06 > 0:17:09- Starting with the tall flowers, right?- Exactly.
0:17:09 > 0:17:11Start with some of the bigger taller flowers.
0:17:11 > 0:17:15Take a peony and again cross over.
0:17:15 > 0:17:17So this is apple mint. It smells lovely.
0:17:18 > 0:17:20Oh, that is beautiful.
0:17:20 > 0:17:23- People love it, I'm sure.- They do.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26When they come down and they see the garden and...
0:17:26 > 0:17:28- Get back to nature.- Exactly.
0:17:28 > 0:17:32Once you get to this stage it becomes a little bit easier
0:17:32 > 0:17:36because the more flowers you have the more natural they look.
0:17:36 > 0:17:39- And you do afternoon tea here as well?- We do indeed.
0:17:39 > 0:17:41We do afternoon tea and can have a tour of the garden
0:17:41 > 0:17:44and then I'll do a flower demonstration.
0:17:44 > 0:17:48Perhaps you could take a snapdragon. Put that in. Nice deep colour.
0:17:48 > 0:17:50I'm quite proud of that for a first attempt.
0:17:50 > 0:17:54That's really lovely. Well done.
0:17:54 > 0:17:55- Really good job.- Thank you.
0:18:01 > 0:18:04If you're looking for somewhere to stay in the area
0:18:04 > 0:18:06then we've found something a little unusual.
0:18:06 > 0:18:09Blackhead Lightkeepers' Houses.
0:18:09 > 0:18:12The Blackhead Lighthouse once guided ships including
0:18:12 > 0:18:15the Titanic along Belfast Lough.
0:18:15 > 0:18:19Two adjoining houses have been restored by the Irish Landmark Trust
0:18:19 > 0:18:21and are available to rent.
0:18:21 > 0:18:23So I'd recommend getting the fire going
0:18:23 > 0:18:26and enjoying the views of this local beauty spot.
0:18:33 > 0:18:35We're in Florida and heading south, in fact,
0:18:35 > 0:18:40we're going to the southern most part of the USA - the Florida Keys.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43- Oh, look at that.- Gorgeous.
0:18:43 > 0:18:47Palm trees. Glistening water. It's kind of magical.
0:18:47 > 0:18:50The Florida Keys are a long string of islands
0:18:50 > 0:18:54stretching over 120 miles into the Gulf of Mexico,
0:18:54 > 0:18:58with a little help from some very impressive bridges.
0:18:58 > 0:19:01You're rarely more than a couple of hundred metres from the water.
0:19:01 > 0:19:05Plus, endless dive shops, beach bars and deep sea fishing.
0:19:05 > 0:19:06And then there's this place,
0:19:06 > 0:19:09suggested by Sarah Murphy from County Tipperary.
0:19:09 > 0:19:12Now we have featured aquariums many times
0:19:12 > 0:19:13on previous series of Getaways,
0:19:13 > 0:19:15but I'm about to do something I've never done before,
0:19:15 > 0:19:18and I will guarantee neither have most of you
0:19:18 > 0:19:20because this is an aquarium with a difference.
0:19:24 > 0:19:28Because here you can get up close and personal with the residents.
0:19:28 > 0:19:31You don't need to be a qualified diver to do this.
0:19:31 > 0:19:35Instead of carrying tanks around, an umbilical pipe feeds you the air.
0:19:35 > 0:19:37All ages are welcome,
0:19:37 > 0:19:40but the stingray encounter, the kids must be accompanied by an adult.
0:19:44 > 0:19:48The food makes you a magnet for the dozens of species living here.
0:19:48 > 0:19:52And some, like Spotty the giant ray, get pretty friendly.
0:19:58 > 0:20:02That was one of the most incredible things you will ever do.
0:20:02 > 0:20:05It's hand feeding fish. The big guys just come up and are like,
0:20:05 > 0:20:08"Ah, yeah. You've got food for me. Thanks." Away they go.
0:20:08 > 0:20:10And you get the little guys sniping in.
0:20:10 > 0:20:13And you get Spotty here. Spotty's like the coolest.
0:20:13 > 0:20:16Spotty's like a dog. Honestly, that's incredible.
0:20:19 > 0:20:22Florida, and the Keys in particular used to get a bad rep
0:20:22 > 0:20:25when it came to protecting the environment, but places like this
0:20:25 > 0:20:27and tons more along the coast are trying to change it.
0:20:30 > 0:20:35Richie Moretti and his team have a large hi-tech facility here
0:20:35 > 0:20:38where they try to nurture sick turtles back to health.
0:20:39 > 0:20:41So what about this guy - Skipper?
0:20:41 > 0:20:44What we're trying to do is fatten him up as much as we can.
0:20:44 > 0:20:48As soon as that neck gets as wide as the skull...
0:20:48 > 0:20:50- He's good to go.- Yeah.
0:20:50 > 0:20:54We have very simple rules. You eat, you poop, you're out.
0:20:56 > 0:20:59So generally when the turtles come in what's wrong with them?
0:20:59 > 0:21:02Well, they come in with the normal problems
0:21:02 > 0:21:04that you would find in a people hospital.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07Instead of children walking in front of cars,
0:21:07 > 0:21:09it's turtles swimming in front of boats.
0:21:09 > 0:21:11Turtles will eat the wrong things.
0:21:11 > 0:21:14They'll eat plastic, it looks like a jellyfish.
0:21:14 > 0:21:17- And it will plug 'em up. - How often do you do releases?
0:21:17 > 0:21:22We get to release about 50 turtles a year, and that's exciting.
0:21:22 > 0:21:25The releases often take place on beaches,
0:21:25 > 0:21:27but today we're heading further out to sea.
0:21:31 > 0:21:34Some turtles will have spent a couple of years getting better,
0:21:34 > 0:21:39so releasing these old friends is often an emotional experience.
0:21:43 > 0:21:45All right!
0:21:45 > 0:21:47CHEERING
0:21:47 > 0:21:50Well done! Are you having a little weep?
0:21:52 > 0:21:55- Your first turtle. - Bye, my first turtle!
0:21:55 > 0:21:57- Bye!- Oh, look!
0:22:00 > 0:22:04And another way to appreciate the Florida Keys' unique ecosystem
0:22:04 > 0:22:07is to explore the mangrove swamps by kayak.
0:22:07 > 0:22:10And today we have a rather unusual tour leader.
0:22:10 > 0:22:12Good girl.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23The mangroves offer an experience like no other.
0:22:24 > 0:22:27Oh, my word! Look at this!
0:22:28 > 0:22:30This is just gorgeous. Look at this.
0:22:31 > 0:22:34I'm waiting for Yoda to pop out at any point.
0:22:34 > 0:22:36- AS YODA:- Beautiful, it is.
0:22:36 > 0:22:39What the pictures don't show is just how humid
0:22:39 > 0:22:41and steamy it is in the mangroves.
0:22:41 > 0:22:44I wouldn't try this without someone who knows their way around.
0:22:44 > 0:22:46We were shown the passageways
0:22:46 > 0:22:49and some of the currents can get quite strong.
0:22:49 > 0:22:51That's turned me perfectly.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54Yeah, the turning circle in this isn't great, look.
0:22:55 > 0:22:59Oh! And as if by magic we reappear.
0:22:59 > 0:23:01Oh, man, look at that!
0:23:01 > 0:23:03Make sure you're well protected against mosquitoes
0:23:03 > 0:23:05and you'll be glad to know it will be extremely rare to find
0:23:05 > 0:23:08an alligator or croc in these salt waters.
0:23:09 > 0:23:12If you keep driving south you finally hit Key West,
0:23:12 > 0:23:15the southern most town in the USA.
0:23:15 > 0:23:18Packed with picture-postcard shops, laid back people
0:23:18 > 0:23:21and plenty of seafood restaurants.
0:23:21 > 0:23:24Everywhere you go in the Keys you will see a dish on the menu
0:23:24 > 0:23:25called conch.
0:23:25 > 0:23:28It's basically a large sea snail.
0:23:28 > 0:23:30And also they use the shell for another purpose.
0:23:30 > 0:23:33And Kelly here is going to show me. Kelly, what do you do with it?
0:23:33 > 0:23:38We blow the conch shell. We use this to signal special events.
0:23:38 > 0:23:40Weddings, births, boats coming in from a day at fishing
0:23:40 > 0:23:43and we even use this on the boat.
0:23:43 > 0:23:46- It's a US Coastguard approved signalling device.- And still used?
0:23:46 > 0:23:50It's still used to this day. Give it a whirl.
0:23:50 > 0:23:53- Just in here?- Just blow into the end of the conch shell.- All right.
0:23:58 > 0:24:00CONCH SOUNDS WEAKLY
0:24:00 > 0:24:02That's all right, right?
0:24:02 > 0:24:04It's all right. You've got the attention.
0:24:04 > 0:24:05You want to show me how it's done?
0:24:05 > 0:24:08For those of us that are a little more seasoned...
0:24:08 > 0:24:10- Shall we?- Go for it.
0:24:12 > 0:24:17CONCH SOUNDS CLEARLY
0:24:19 > 0:24:21Kelly, you're wheelin' on that horn.
0:24:21 > 0:24:25But it's not just the giant mollusc that the area is known for.
0:24:25 > 0:24:29Key lime pie. Tell me a little bit about this. What do we do first?
0:24:29 > 0:24:30It's very simple.
0:24:30 > 0:24:33We've got the Key lime juice, sweetened condensed milk,
0:24:33 > 0:24:36egg yolks and a crust, and that's all we need.
0:24:36 > 0:24:38You're going to start here with six egg yolks.
0:24:38 > 0:24:41Manually this is quite the challenge.
0:24:41 > 0:24:44We're going to add two cans of sweetened condensed milk to that.
0:24:44 > 0:24:46Oh, I love condensed milk.
0:24:46 > 0:24:48And as soon as your eggs are blended with your milk
0:24:48 > 0:24:50then you add the juice.
0:24:50 > 0:24:52You're going to see how that thickens up.
0:24:52 > 0:24:55And in the old days they didn't cook the pie.
0:24:55 > 0:24:57This chemical reaction was enough,
0:24:57 > 0:25:00but nowadays because of the fear of raw eggs we cook it
0:25:00 > 0:25:02for about 20 minutes.
0:25:02 > 0:25:06All we have to do is dump it in the crust and put it in the oven.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09- Your pie is baked. - It looks delicious!
0:25:09 > 0:25:12Cooled down and we've topped it with real whipped cream.
0:25:15 > 0:25:17Mmm.
0:25:17 > 0:25:19Oh, it's gorgeous.
0:25:19 > 0:25:21Kind of like cheesecake, but nicer.
0:25:21 > 0:25:24- It's got your touch.- Aw, thanks.
0:25:24 > 0:25:28CONCH SOUNDS
0:25:30 > 0:25:32How do you like 'em apples?
0:25:36 > 0:25:39Key West is small enough to walk around easily
0:25:39 > 0:25:41and soak up the unique holiday vibe.
0:25:44 > 0:25:47One figure has done more than anyone else to put Key West on the map.
0:25:47 > 0:25:52And that is legendary Nobel Prize winning author Ernest Hemingway.
0:25:52 > 0:25:54And this is where he lived.
0:25:55 > 0:25:59For many years this was the biggest house in Key West.
0:26:00 > 0:26:03Hemingway came here in 1928 and fell in love with the place,
0:26:03 > 0:26:05mainly due to the big game fishing.
0:26:05 > 0:26:07He bought this house, this is actually his studio,
0:26:07 > 0:26:11and it's here that he wrote 70% of his life's work,
0:26:11 > 0:26:13most notably A Farewell to Arms.
0:26:13 > 0:26:17This is actually his typewriter. I'm sitting in Papa's chair.
0:26:19 > 0:26:21Legend has it that Hemmingway bought it
0:26:21 > 0:26:22because it was near the lighthouse,
0:26:22 > 0:26:25and for a man who was fond of his bars,
0:26:25 > 0:26:28a lighthouse is a good way to find your way home.
0:26:32 > 0:26:35As you'd expect in a major holiday destination,
0:26:35 > 0:26:40the Florida Keys has a great range of waterfront hotels to choose from.
0:26:40 > 0:26:44We stayed in the Hyatt Place at the Faro Blanco resort in Marathon,
0:26:44 > 0:26:46which has great rooms.
0:26:46 > 0:26:50As always, the rates fluctuate with the seasons.
0:26:50 > 0:26:53We visited in May when a standard double room costs...
0:26:58 > 0:27:01It's fair to say that a trip to Florida is probably not going to be
0:27:01 > 0:27:03the cheapest holiday you'll ever have.
0:27:03 > 0:27:08But it does offer amazing experiences and you do get your money's worth.
0:27:08 > 0:27:11Most likely Orlando will be your main base
0:27:11 > 0:27:13and the Rosen Inn At Pointe Orlando
0:27:13 > 0:27:16is a good value, family-run, motel-style option.
0:27:16 > 0:27:19Very well located in the middle of the theme park district.
0:27:19 > 0:27:21It costs...
0:27:30 > 0:27:33If you have a family it can be very cost-effective
0:27:33 > 0:27:35to go for a self-catering villa.
0:27:35 > 0:27:38Sheraton Vistana Villages is a good option.
0:27:38 > 0:27:40A huge resort with spacious villas
0:27:40 > 0:27:43and a selection of pools scattered about.
0:27:43 > 0:27:44Seven nights here will cost...
0:27:51 > 0:27:53We booked our holiday package including hotels
0:27:53 > 0:27:56and flights with American Holidays and Aer Lingus.
0:27:56 > 0:27:59In summer there are four direct flights a week
0:27:59 > 0:28:01from Dublin to Orlando.
0:28:01 > 0:28:04If you'd like more information please visit our website.
0:28:07 > 0:28:11- Today was probably my favourite Getaways day ever.- Really?
0:28:11 > 0:28:14Mm-hm. Released a turtle into the wilderness.
0:28:14 > 0:28:16I drove a Camaro, and I didn't crash it.
0:28:16 > 0:28:19- I'm thankful for that as well. - Yeah, I bet you are.
0:28:19 > 0:28:22And then I'm having a little strawberry daiquiri to finish it off.
0:28:22 > 0:28:23There we go. I tickled Spotty the fish.
0:28:23 > 0:28:25I walked in the footsteps of Papa Hemmingway.
0:28:25 > 0:28:27Now I'm drinking something out of a coconut.
0:28:27 > 0:28:30I can't ask for much more than that. Cheers.