The holiday season is fast approaching and for those of us who need a little change in pace, beautiful Key West should come to mind. Voted one of the Travel Channel’s “Hottest Places to Cool Off,” Key West is a great getaway, especially during the holidays. The island’s unique holiday culture and unseasonable warmth are essential for starting your new year off right. To get the most out of your stay on the island, make plans to stay at The Galleon Key West. At The Galleon Key West you’ll thoroughly enjoy one of the most perfect locations in the heart of Key West.

The hub of all island entertainment and life begins at nearby Mallory Square, Duval Street and Harbor Walk; just a short walk from your room. The resort offers a private beach, pool with large sundeck, tiki bar featuring live music and an observation deck providing breathtaking views of the Gulf. Bicycle, scooter, jet ski and boat rentals are also available on site. Daily housekeeping, poolside towel service, on-site deli and sunset bar are just a few of the resort services you’ll enjoy! Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly holiday, an adventurous excursion, or a chance to party without restraint, Key West has something just for you.

For hundreds of years Key West has been a top destination for all manner of people, ranging from swashbuckling pirates to modern-day celebrities and ex-presidents. The unique charm of the island has evolved over the years but still remains as colorful and vibrant as in years passed. During the holiday season the locals continue in flamboyant tradition by decorating the island with their own flare: palm trees are covered with bright lights while streetlights and sign posts are paired with candy canes and ornaments.

If you’re traveling as a family, there’s just as much for you to do as for other travelers. To celebrate Christmas, you can have breakfast with Santa at the Key West Diner, attend services at one of the island’s churches, or visit out one of the many wildlife sanctuaries and parks. If you’re looking for a little bit of a night out with the family you should check out one of the many performances such as the Marathon Community Theatre Free Holiday Concert or Sheila’s Silly Nonsense Show for Kids. For the adventurers out there, you can get a rush diving at one of the numerous spots in the Keys or windsurfing your way through paradise. The traveler seeking the island’s nightlife will find the open-air Mallory Square as well as the famous Duval Street, which runs the length of the island and is lined with restaurants, shops, bars, and other sorts of entertainment.

Regardless of your reasons for traveling to Key West, all visitors should make the day-trip to Dry Tortugas National Park. It’s the nation’s only at-sea national park, located about 70 miles from Key West. It may seem like a bit of a distance but it was rated as the top attraction in Key West. You can only access the park by boat or chartered seaplane, but it’s well worth it. Complete with camping, diving, and plenty of wildlife, it’s sure to be the capstone to any great Key West vacation.

As the new year encroaches on the island, the festivities become more intense as the locals and visitors band together to celebrate as they can only do in Key West. Make your vacation complete by heading to Sloppy Joe’s for non-stop entertainment and to see the giant conch drop at midnight. Then sit back and watch the fireworks from White Street pier, check out the late night parade, or even watch a “pirate wench” descend down the mast of the Liberty Clipper in the historic seaport.

Whatever your reason for heading to paradise this holiday season, be sure to make the best of it. Take a moment out of your busy life and reconnect with those you care about most or simply recover from all of the hard work you’ve put in over the past year. After all, this is your time: enjoy it.