1. Boca Raton Resort

• Best For: A luxury resort weekend. There are a whopping five varieties of accommodations here, all opulent in their own way, but we've settled on two that we think are tops: The Boca Beach Club, prized for its private sandy stretch and three pools where beach butlers serve fresh fruit and chilled facecloths; and the Yacht Club, with its Venetian palace design and direct access to Spa Palazzo, where underwater pool music soothes the senses.
• Best Eats: Catapulted into television's limelight on Iron Chef America, Japanese chef Masaharu Morimoto brings his much-talked- about toro (tuna belly) tartare and ginjo sake to his new eponymous restaurant (open to resort guests only). Peaceful images of moving water on a backdrop of flat-panel screens enhances not one but four sushi stations. bocaresort.com

2. The Brazilian Court

• Best For: Couples who want to be in pictures. The flowers and fountains at every turn in Palm Beach's Brazilian Court make the boutique property both alluring and romantic. The location ? within walking distance to Worth Avenue's assemblage of cinematic shopping venues ? isn't bad either.
• Pampering: Frédéric Fekkai Spa's over-the-top Royal Treatment hand-and-foot relaxation includes a detoxifying massage followed by exfoliation and a series of masks.
• Dinner: Café Boulud retains owner and French chef Daniel Boulud's European style while tastefully blending American casualness. Prime table is center, above the courtyard stairway, facing the cherub fountain; the prime dish is the classic duo of red-wine braised short ribs and herb-roasted hangar steak with a creamy green basil polenta and heirloom tomatoes. thebraziliancourt.com

3. Islamorada Fishing Weekend

• Best For: Serious Anglers. Hook up with the notorious offshore captain Skip Bradeen of Blue Chip Too Charters, who believes the fun is in the fight. He matches the tackle to the fish for truly adrenaline-pumping moments. January is prime time for sailfish, but the marlin, black-fin tuna, grouper and dolphin are also biting. If he's good enough for George Bush Sr. —
• Best Eats: Lounge on the waterside veranda at Lazy Days with a glass of Sonoma Cutrer, Russian River Chardonnay, while chef Lupe cooks your fresh catch in his signature style ? encrusted with bread crumbs, sautéed and topped with fresh diced tomatoes, scallions, fresh Parmesan and Key-lime butter.
• See: World Wide Sportsman is a two-story nirvana for fishermen with all the saltwater, freshwater and fly-fishing gear you'll ever need.
• Sleep: The Chesapeake Beach Resort, a beachfront compound deceptively hidden off the highway, is right next door to Whale Harbor, where the Blue Chip Too is docked. fla-keys.com/islamorada, chesapeake-resort.com

4. Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show

• Best For: The Skipper, Gilligan and Ginger too. If you're a boat owner (and really, who in Florida isn't at least a wannabe—), we recommend this annual fall event (Oct. 29-Nov. 2), celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Step onto the latest vessels, check them out up close, and pick up on the must-have trends as you enjoy a day along the relaxing waterfront.
• Sleep: An oversized tower suite at the Hyatt Regency Pier 66 provides three very important perks: a great centralized location, an amazing view and three glamorous art deco-inspired pools.
• Best Ride: Fort Lauderdale's famous water taxi picks you up at the hotel's marina and whisks you to the show's five sites around town.
• Best Eats: For a spectacular Sunday brunch, head to the hotel tower's top floor. Upon request, it rotates 360 degrees every 66 minutes, giving guests the ultimate panoramic view ? through 66 window panels ? of Fort Lauderdale Beach, the Intracoastal Waterway and the city's skyline. showmanagement.com, pier66.hyatt.com

5. Historic Tours of South Florida

• Best For: Culture hounds. The Historical Museum of South Florida enlightens with its collection of material on the people (immigrants, Native Americans) and places (the Bahamas, Cuba, Haiti) that shaped the region. Wrap a weekend around one of its historical tours.
• Architecture: Historian Dr. Paul George leads twilight walking tours of Coral Gables. See homes made of coral and stone as well as landmarks like the Biltmore Hotel, DeSoto Fountain and Merrick House.
• Culture: Join a trip to a working cigar factory and Domino Park, where gray-haired men play serious games of dominoes. A meal at a local Cuban lunch counter follows. (Check for current tours.)
• Sleep: Downtown Miami's newest riverfront hotel, Epic. hmsf.org, epichotel.com

6. Hotel Victor

• Best For: Jet-setters who realize Ocean Drive is more than a neon-hued cliché. When hipsters heard that Parisian designer Jacques Garcia (of the City of Lights' tragically hip Hôtel Costes fame) was making his first foray in the United States on Miami Beach's best-known thoroughfare, cries of mon dieu could be heard all over. The boutique hotel is a fabulous fusion of 1930s decadence and Parisian style, sans the attitude. Its tank of live jellyfish and indoor/outdoor lobby and lounge make the Victor stand out, and when it comes to parties, the hotel's raised, rimless pool overlooking the Atlantic is the perfect venue.
• Don't Miss: Try the tandoori roasted quail or a tasting of three aromatic curries at the hotel's sexy restaurant, Vix, with its exotic menu that's not afraid of spice.
• Indulge: Spend an hour or two in the Turkish hammam at Spa V. hotelvictorsouthbeach.com

7. Key West

• Best For: Seeing the local's side of this famous isle. Like an old friend leading you down hidden pathways, Lloyd Mager takes you through private gardens and backyards on his Tropical Bike Tour. A true conch (local) since 1972, he shares island history while hacking down exotic fruits to taste ? coconut, sapodilla, Surinam cherry, sugar apple, mango and of course, Key lime.
• Best Eats: Tucked away at the end of the eclectic Bahama Village, Santiago's Bodega is a local favorite for tapas like haloumi cheese sprinkled with oregano and flambéed with brandy tableside. Pair it with a white wine sangria with hints of apple and orange.
• Sleep: Watch the sun rise over the Atlantic Ocean from a plush mahogany bed, or walk down to the seawall, just a few feet from your balcony at Southernmost on the Beach. southernmostresorts.com, lloydstropicalbiketour.com

8. Stuart, Martin County

• Best For: Golf and fishing buddies. Drink in Florida's fresh air with a twofold weekend. Spend Saturday on one of Martin County's dozens of executive-ranked courses for scratch golfers. (We think the Indian River Plantation Golf Club with water hazards on every hole is worth the challenge.) On Sunday, join catch-and-release expert Capt. Scott Fawcett of Bone Shaker Charters, whose record is 24 sailfish releases for one angler in a day. This is the "Sailfish Capital of the World," after all.
• Best Eats: Shrimper's Grill & Raw Bar at Manatee Marina is where to go for the local's fave: crunchy shrimp breaded with a secret recipe.
• Sleep: With only four guest rooms at Inn Shepard's Park B&B, your gang can take over the whole place. Plush pillow-top mattresses are dressed with 400-threadcount sheets ironed personally by the innkeeper. goodnature.org

9. Mayfair Hotel & Spa

• Best For: One-time Coconut Grove bohemians. The Mayfair Hotel & Spa balances a timeless art deco exterior with a sleek, modern appeal inside.
• Don't Miss: The view of turquoise Biscayne Bay from the luxe rooftop pool, where you can find privacy in cabanas with billowing white curtains and cobalt-blue pillows.
• Best Stroll: In the morning, hit the shops of Cocowalk and surrounding streets early to avoid crowds, but at sunset, there's nothing like a stroll along the waterfront, which includes Peacock Park and Dinner Key Marina. mayfairhotelandspa.com

10. The New Hollywood

• Best For: Lovers of art, music and the seashore. Once nearly eclipsed by Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood has come into its own. Its newly renovated Broadwalk, upscale art galleries and music venues are the draw.
• Sleep: Nestled between the ocean and the Intracoastal, the Crowne Plaza Hollywood Beach ? with its CD of relaxation tips and special quiet zone ? guarantees you a dreamy night.
• Don't Miss: A trolley ride to downtown's ArtsPark, home to gardens, galleries and puppet shows. sunny.org

11. Palm Beach

• Best For: Those with a sweet spot for eye candy. Like lights on an airport runway, the perfectly spaced palms along Royal Palm Way direct you into one of the country's wealthiest zip codes. Although a longtime haunt for Rockefellers and Vanderbilts, you don't need to be a steel magnate to enjoy it. Take in the manses along Ocean Boulevard and Seaspray Avenue, the Ferretti yachts bobbing in the Intracoastal and the 200-plus shops along tony Worth Avenue.
• Sleep: The Omphoy is the first oceanfront resort to open in Palm Beach in 18 years. While most local respites echo with the clatter of Jimmy Choos, the Omphoy has a decidedly barefoot vibe. The open lobby acts as a corridor for ocean breezes. Catch one from the cushy, deep-seated sofas.
• Best Eats: The Breakers' storied Circle Room is home to the best brunch in town. palmbeachfl.com, omphoy.com

12. Sunny Isles Beach

• Best For: Feeling the pulse of a changing Miami Beach. Beyond towering high-rises, some still under construction, are the beaches and sunsets that first made Miami Beach famous when the Rat Pack was often seen prowling about. Discover new restaurants and shops as you mingle with locals on this re-emerging Collins Avenue strip.
• Best Eats: Pick up pâté and French bread at Epicure Market & Café; then picnic at nearby Samson Oceanfront Park. You can even boot up your laptop ? the Wi-Fi is free.
• Sleep: The chrome-and-frosted-glass Le Méridien Sunny Isles Beach, where four-poster canopy beds planted on the shore give sunbathing a whole new meaning. sibfl.net

13. Traymore Hotel

• Best For: Those who like to plan ahead. South Beach has no shortage of hotels with spas, but how about a spa with a hotel ? Opening in winter 2010, the Traymore is set to become SoBe's latest Zen den. The Miami Modern structure on Collins Avenue will be transformed into an 85-room boutique hotel, where each guest room is a spa suite with floating beds and built-in massage tables. An actual spa by Exhale is also on-site, in case the room's surroundings don't spoil you completely.
• Don't Miss: An elevator ride to the rooftop promises a meditation garden, plunge pool and Turkish hammam. traymorehotel.com

14. Vero Beach

• Best For: Casual, no-frills escape. A true beach town with a grid of mom-and-pop shops that run the gamut from luxury linens to cozy breakfast nooks, Vero is a dream for those whose idea of a perfect weekend means never having to take off your flip-flops. Singer Gloria Estefan loves it; she's owned a place here for years, and locals say she and hubby Emilio are often spotted at the outlet shops nearby (no kidding).
• Sleep: Estefan's new Costa D'Este resort is a cozy, oceanfront property in the heart of town that has the feel of a high-end cruise ship, with porthole windows and minimalist furnishings like platform beds.
• Best Eats: Don't miss the brunch at Oriente inside Costa D'Este, where Cuban bread is used to make French toast. In town, Casey's Place is a no-frills, walk-up counter with picnic tables and some of the best burgers we've ever had (Estefan is reportedly a huge fan).
• Must See: McKee Botanical Garden is a tropical hammock along the Indian River; the palm-frond-roof of the remarkable 350-stem bamboo pavilion was made by local Seminole Indians. indianriverchamber.com

15. West Palm Beach

• Best For: Collectors of fine art and antiques. With a highly respected antiques district and the Norton Museum of Art within city limits, West Palm Beach is no longer a shadow of its Palm Beach star sibling next door. Plan a visit around a showstopper exhibition at the the museum.
• Next Stop: Browse ? or buy ? more art at Mulry Fine Art, where sisters Fecia & Megan Mulry share their expertise on the gallery's contemporary works, including Luis Castro's provocative limestone and wood art. Beginner collectors are welcome.
• Sleep: The brightly colored rooms at the Hotel Biba in the El Cid historic district, famous for its mission-style homes, hints at this boutique property's fun vibe. Breakfast is Cuban pastries, organic juice and Hawaiian coffee in the Asian-inspired outdoor garden.
• Best Eats: Lamb kabobs and Turkish coffee make the meal at Leila restaurant, where dessert is apple hookah (flavored tobacco) and belly-dancing. wpb.org

16. W Fort Lauderdale

• Best For: Sophistication, sans crowds. Once a "Beach Blanket Bingo" hot spot, today's Fort Lauderdale is a playground for the AmEx Centurion set. Exhibit A: The W Fort Lauderdale is the ultimate in style. Exhibit B: The corner of 6th Avenue and East Las Olas Boulevard makes the A-list thanks to the cozy Mind's Eye Gallery and its Louvre-quality artists: Goya, Picasso, Chagall and Renoir. And finally, C: Stop at Johnny V afterward, for the blue-corn-crusted calamari.
• Indulgences: Try the W Bliss Spa's double chocolate pedicure, combining a hot-chocolate milk, skin-smoothing soak and a sugar scrub. A cup of creamy cocoa and a delectable brownie are also sure to tempt. fortlauderdaleresidences.com, lasolasboulevard.com