Florida Road Trip: From Alligators to the Stars. Part One.

For the first time ever, I flew with TAP Air Portugal. Over the summer, a great deal popped up for a round-trip ticket to Florida. Since both my partner and I love space, there wasn’t much to think about. Plus, I knew that February in the Czech Republic would bring miserable, and for me, rather depressing weather.

This travelogue from Florida is split into two parts. In the first part, we begin our road trip through the Everglades, Jupiter Island, Port St. Lucie, and the Kennedy Space Center. In the second part, we continue through Florida's beaches, cities, and all the way down to Key West.

Part 2: https://wanderskaty.com/en/post/florida-road-trip-part-2-beaches-cities-and-the-journey-all-the-way-to-key-west

My list of countries I want to visit is long – I always plan exactly where we’re going next. And then, a cheap flight ticket to a completely different area always comes along and "ruins" my plans. The flight with TAP was excellent; during check-in, they assigned us emergency exit row seats. Legroom galore – pure bliss. For the first time in a while, I had an in-flight meal, and we actually really liked it! We usually travel low-cost, so for us, this felt like Qatar Airways-level luxury. 😂

After landing late in the evening, our steps led straight to the Budget car rental desk. I had prepaid for a Toyota Corolla, so it was a very pleasant surprise when they ended up giving us a larger Kia Sportage instead. It wasn’t a GMC or a RAM, but it was still a great ride.

Everglades National Park: Where the grass flows

We started our journey in the Everglades. Forget about a stagnant swamp; it’s a "River of Grass," an incredibly slow-moving river that makes you feel like you’ve traveled millions of years back in time. We hopped onto an airboat, and with a giant fan at our backs, we zoomed into the labyrinth of reeds. It’s a real adrenaline rush – the boat glides across the water's surface while you watch an alligator peacefully sunbathing just a few meters away. A massive one, too. The Everglades are unique because they are the only place in the world where both alligators and crocodiles coexist. We were lucky enough to spot both. A walk along the Anhinga Trail then got us so close to the wilderness that we could hear the water squelch under the feet of hunting herons.

From the Everglades, we drove over to Jupiter Island. Talk about hidden luxury. This place is the definition of "quiet luxury." No massive resorts or neon signs. Just endless driveways hidden behind thick vegetation, leading to the estates of celebrities and billionaires. We stopped by the beach, and the contrast was unbelievable. A turquoise Atlantic, total peace, and barely any people.

This is where you realize what exclusive Florida looks like – sprawling oceanfront properties where your only worry is whether your yacht will dock properly at your private pier in the evening. The villas here cost tens of millions of dollars, but the view of the sunrise over the ocean is (for now) the same for everyone.

Port St. Lucie was our first stop along the way

We used Airbnb for our accommodations the entire time. It turned out much cheaper than Booking.com, which mostly offered disastrous motels—you know, the typical motels where you half-expect to find a body floating in the pool. 😂 Haha. Port St. Lucie is your typical residential Florida, exactly like what you see in American movies. Wide streets, manicured lawns, and houses that look identical to one another.

It definitely brings the movie Edward Scissorhands to mind. In the morning, we couldn't miss out on a true American-style breakfast. No hotel buffets for us; instead, we hit up a proper local diner with a retro vibe. We also treated ourselves to breakfast at McDonald’s—a crazy huge portion for a very low price.

Kennedy Space Center: Within reach of space

The absolute highlight of the trip was the Kennedy Space Center complex. Even from afar, you can spot the massive VAB (Vehicle Assembly Building), which is so gigantic that rain clouds could practically form inside it. Tickets cost around $75, and parking is $15. For that price, we had a once-in-a-lifetime, exclusive experience. If you are a fan of space exploration, you will be in seventh heaven.

Upon arrival, we hopped onto the bus tour (we sat on the right side, just as recommended for the best views of the launch pads!) and drove past places where history was made. The bus tour is included in the basic ticket and took a solid 2 hours. Seeing Artemis II with my own eyes—which unfortunately won't launch until March (but hopefully I won't miss a Falcon 9)—was thrilling.

Likewise, the Atlantis space shuttle suspended in mid-air, looking as if it had just returned from orbit, will completely take your breath away. Every single detail, every scorched tile on its belly tells a story of courage.

We walked away feeling that space isn't as far away as it seems. The presentation of Atlantis actually brought a few tears to our eyes; it was quite a emotional moment. KSC put on an incredible show. It completely blew me away. We spent a good 6 hours there, and I walked away with a "badass" NASA jacket. A perfect day. 🚀

Where to head next?

Our Florida road trip doesn’t end here. In the second part, we continue through the beaches, cities, that classic American atmosphere, and a journey all the way down to Key West.