Youve almost reached your breaking point. The walls of your cubicle seem to be closing in on you as you are handed yet another deadline. At home, the laundry and dishes pile up out of nowhere, and you never have the time to catch up. Youve come to dread the details of modern life; traffic jams, annoying cell phone rings, and your evil, ever-glowing alarm clock. You know that a break will do you good; just a few days spent away from here will be all that youll need to maintain your sanity for another year or so.

The antidote to your situation, the salve for your wounds, lies just a few miles out to sea. Casually perched at the very southwest end of the Florida Keys, barely associating itself with the rest of the country, Key West exists as a haven for tired souls. You will arrive looking downtrodden and perhaps a bit pale, but it wont be long before the flush of youth has returned to your cheeks and youve rediscovered the relaxed, fun-loving person that you used to be. Key Westerners love to loosen people up, so book your flight and start stretching.

Now that youve built this vacation on such a lofty pedestal, dont blow it by reserving a gamble of a hotel room that you know nothing about. Before you start to look for an amazing place to stay, just close your eyes and visualize what you want. A bed bigger than your city apartment? Sounds great. Close proximity to the beach and all the hot nightspots? Of course. A shady porch with a rocking chair that reminds you of your grandma? Whatever you like.

Key West is all about pleasure and distinctiveness, so dont be surprised if the place you have imagined actually exists. The bedspreads might not be your favorite color, but during your time on this quirky island of positive vibes, youll learn that some things just dont matter.

But getting back to your quaint cottage, do you realize that its located just down the street from Ernest Hemingways house? The palm trees out front and the fenced garden in back give your place a sense of seclusion that a tormented writer would appreciate, yet you are also very near to Duval Street, Mallory Square, and the Historic Lighthouse. Sample all the fun and excitement Key West has to offer by touring the sights and then singing to the sun as it takes its evening plunge. Sample a margarita or two with all your newfound friends, and then return home for the best sleep you can ever remember having.

The next glorious morning, hop out of bed whenever you feel like it and then make yourself a quick cup of coffee in the charming little kitchen while you relish the fact that youre not reading the newspaper or checking your email. Put on your swimsuit, which is the only thing youll be wearing all day, and head to the beach. Itll take you all of five minutes to walk there, and before you know it youll be splashing in the surf like a five-year old, goofy grin and all. Congratulations, youve officially left it all behind.

Later in the day you can go snorkeling or kayaking, as youll surely have recovered your natural born strength and zest for life by now, and then participate in whatever festival, boat race, or artistically-themed activity is going on. Theres always something in Key West, so just go with the flow.

If youve now convinced yourself that its time to get your passport stamped by the Conch Republic, youll need to go online to claim that elegant little bungalow that you know, in your heart, exists.