Key West, Florida, the Home of Hemingway

It is said that the sun over key west is brightest in the evening just before it sets, so each afternoon, impromptu congregations appear at gathering points around the island. The rituals are never planned, but always end up with sizeable turnouts. Mallory square is among the favorite assembly spots, and local street musicians often play their last soulful melodies of the day as the sun sinks into the turquoise sea. Key west's pebbly beaches are also popular places for the colorful event (of course, no place ashore can match the vantage point of your floating palace!). The Caribbean sunset is spectacular - don't miss the romantic spectacle - it is just as inspiring from the deck of your ship.

The list of "who has visited key west" is impressive. "Tennessee Williams walked here, residents proudly announce, or "Thomas Edison slept in that house." Ernest Hemingway and Winslow Homer were also among the island's most famous residents. One of the year's biggest events is the annual Hemmingway days festival, a tribute to the life and times of the beloved author. During the celebrations, the town is flooded with men sporting gray beards - some of them real - as they compete to be the winner of the ernest hemingway look alike contest. The artists are renowned, but not all of key west's residents have been popular literary figures. Some have borne more similarity to the characters in the novels than their authors. The island was even once a hangout for some of the Caribbean's most notorious pirates.

Duval street is the central street. Stroll to the near endpoint of the "shop-til-you-drop" circuit and then rest at one of the street's colorful cafes or restaurants. Some of the establishments are local icons, such as sloppy joe's and the hogs breath saloon. The sloopy joe's tradition is an old one - ernest hemingway could often be found enjoying a long drink at the landmark bar. The restaurant is now captain tony's, but the building is the original. Duval street also marks the center of the artist community. The town's many galleries display work by local talent and nationally recognized artists alike. Perhaps you will "discover" a new rising star.

Key west and historical homes

Mallory square, at the western end of the island, is key west's undeclared "town center." Each evening, hundreds gather to join the island's most cherished ad hoc festival: sunset. Street performers add to the party and everyone succumbs to the mood. Vendors supply food and more T-shirts - in case you don't have enough. The crowd gathers as much as an hour before the sun sinks.

Hemingway wrote many of his famous works during his three decades in key west. His former home features a well-maintained tropical garden and many personal effects. The author was not short on eccentricity. His passion for cats left a healthy population in the garden

Hemingway was not the only famous author who lived in key west. Tennessee William also made the island his home from 1949 until he died in 1983. In his Bahamian-style cottage (1431 duncan street) he wrote some of his famous plays. Guided walks pass former literary homes and haunts, as tour leaders relate interesting facts about the artists' lives.