Conch Concierge Key West Tips

Key West Higgs Beach

Love is a game that two can play and both win.

Eva Gabor

via www.idokeywest.com

Conch Concierge Weddings Key West 2015

Key West Safely

Key West is a wonderful place to live and visit. The weather is fantastic, crime is low, traffic jams are nothing like up north
and the local characters make this a colorful and magical place. The perfect place for a wedding or adventure.

There a few things that will make any visit even better.

Bikes are the very best way to get around the island. With a bike you'll avoid the hassles of parking and experience so much more of Key West from a locals perspective. There are several shops that
specialize in bicycle rentals, including child's bikes and tandems for 2. When available I suggest a bike with hand brakes, ultimately it's not how fast you can go but how fast you can stop. Hand brakes do this far better than pedal brakes. Key West bike shops will either rent or include helmets, locks and lights (a requirement for nighttime riding between dusk and dawn, you'll need both a front and rear light, blinky ones are great. A basket might also help if you plan to carry anything or do some shopping.

The island is only 4 x 1.5 miles. To circle the entire island is roughly a 12 mile ride
and will take you between 1-2 hours.

Remember when you are riding in the road, road rules apply just like you are driving a car. When riding on a sidewalk,
pedestrian rules apply and bikes must
yield to pedestrians. This is also where another requirement comes in handy...a bell. Riders are to signal by using a bell, or other device (like "hey, I'm passing on your left!") and slow down, especially near
children. Traveling up a one way street is a big NO, NO and puts you in grave...and I do mean GRAVE danger especially at intersections when cars are not expecting you. A cyclist rarely enjoys a collision with a car and this will seriously spoil your vacation.

Another thing to keep in mind when riding is the "3 foot rule". Cars are to keep a 3' passing distance when overtaking a cyclist. The same is true with cyclists while riding near parked cars. This is crucially important and will help you avoid a collision with a door opening just as you pass. Keep an eye out for drivers, even those parked, it could save you from serious injury. Do not be seduced into thinking that bicycle lanes are completely safe. They do give the cyclist a bit more room to maneuver, but those pesky doors are way to close. The safest way to use a bike lane is to ride bear the left side line.
Sufficiently away from the parked car doors. Passing cars must still yield the 3'
where ever you are in the rode.

Avoid riding 2 abreast and blocking the flow of traffic. Courtesy is a 2 way street
as they say. If there is no traffic, then 2 abreast is fine but please pay constant attention to those in front and behind you... also the sides. Chickens frequently cross the road to see whats on the other side, birds fly across and children play
near the roads in Old Town and near the beaches. Please be patient and kind, you'll arrive safely and with a smile.

Big Air Tran fare sale to Key West through Feb. 8 2011

Round-trip tickets to and from Key West are $268 (plus taxes and fees) from most major U.S. cities. Travel from some cities is even less: Atlanta is $238 round-trip while Orlando is $168.

Tickets must be purchased before February 8th and have to be used by March 16th. These prices also apply to round-trip travel from Key West!!!

http://www.airtran.com/sale/EYW.aspx?saleID

Air Tran and Delta Update

As of December 16, 2009 the flight schedule for Air Tran will be one flight daily on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.  Departure from Orlando to Key West are due to be 11:30AM, arriving Key West at 12:40PM and departing Key West at 1:30PM  and arriving back in Orlando at 2:40PM.  Air Tran will fly a Boeing 737-700, 124 seat jet.  The same plane will continue on to Atlanta, Ga and fares are said to begin in the $119 one way range.  Service begins on Thursday, December 17.  In addition, Delta Air Lines will begin serving Key West the same day with a Boeing 737-700 jet daily to Atlanta, non-stop.  This replaces the current 70 passenger regional jet serving the route, according to the local Keynoter newspaper (KeysNet.com). 

Peter Horton, the Monroe County Director of Airports, estimates traffic to the Key West Airport at 385,075 for the year through October 2009.  The years' total is forecast to be just under 500,000 and the estimate for 2010 is in the 600,000 passenger range.  Happy flying!

Tipping in Key West

A frequent question any concierge receives is one related to tipping.  How much and to whom?

Our foreign visitors are perhaps less accustomed to the American habit of tipping than  U.S. residents.

Tipping or offering a gratuity is a custom which varies from country to country.  But in general,

the average "tip" in Key West is in the 18-20% range for restaurant staff, bartenders, etc.

It might be helpful to note the minimum wage in Florida (7/24/09) is now in line with the Federal 

minimum of $7.25 for hourly untipped workers and $4.23 for hourly workers who also receive tips.

It gets a bit trickier in the U.S. because while on vacation, travelers will encounter a multitude of

individuals some deserving and some perhaps just hoping and some who relish the simple pleasure

of helping someone in need and who's joy is derived from a warm thank-you.

So here is a short list, dear traveler, and please post a comment if you discover I've missed someone or

have additional advice regarding tipping Key West.  I would be interested in learning about your experiences and comments.

Waiter/Waitress:  15-20%  of bill

Bartender: $1 minimum, 15-20% of tab

Taxi Driver:  10%

Pedi-cab Driver:  10-20%  

Porters:  $1-$2 per bag

At Weddings:

Officiant:  $20.00 at your discretion

Musician:   $20.00 or more depending on length of play.

Caterer:  Usually included in contract, average 18-20%

Traveling to Key West gets cheaper...Air Trans begins service 12/17/09

Our prayers have been answered!

Here is a link to the article announcing the new Air Tran service from Orlando to Key West

which appeared in the September 9, 2009 edition of the Key West Citizen:

Air Tran flys to Key West

This dramatically expands service to Key West by offering discount air seats with only one transfer in Orlando from dozens of cities all over the USA.  If you are planning a visit, please check the 

Air Tran website for fare and availability  or contact our local travel professionals in Key West:

Hanns Ebensten Travel, Inc., 923 White Street, Key West, FL 33040, USA 

Business and Advertising: 305-294-8174 Customer Service: 866-294-8174 

Email: [email protected]

Stephanie and Bob

Stephanie and Bob

Stephanie and Bob at Bahia Honda

For the Dogs Sail