HGTV'S ISLAMORADA DREAM HOME OPEN FOR TOURS THROUGH MARCH 2

ISLAMORADA, Florida Keys — Many repeat visitors to the Florida Keys dream about owning a vacation or permanent residence in the subtropical island chain.

That dream is to become a reality for someone when Home and Garden Television awards a luxury residence in Islamorada to the winner of its 2008 HGTV Dream Home Giveaway.

And even before the home is awarded, visitors to the Keys can experience the waterfront home during daily tours.

The three-story, three-bedroom, 3,500-square-foot custom designed and fully furnished home is situated on a private shallow-water beach in an enclave called The Shore at Islamorada, off U.S. Highway 1 at mile marker (MM) 86.7 bayside.

The home and its associated prizes, including a hybrid vehicle and an HGTV Doggie Dream Home, are valued at more than $2.2 million.

Through March 2, the house is open for tours 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, with each day's final tour beginning at 5 p.m.

Ticket price is $20 per person for visitors age 5 and over. Proceeds from admission costs are to benefit the Florida Keys Children's Shelter. Shelter officials are coordinating Dream Home tours.

Children under 5 are admitted free, but must be carried by an adult throughout the tour.

Tour registration is at the Rain Barrel Artisan Village of Islamorada, MM 86.7 bayside. Tickets also can be purchased at Upper Keys locations including the Islamorada Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center, MM 83.2 bayside, and the Key Largo Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center, MM 106 bayside.

Click here for more tour details.

Enter the HGTV Dream Home Giveaway online at HGTV.com, for a chance to win the home. Each room of the home has 360-degree virtual tours on the site.

The dream home’s architecture and landscape design was inspired by the Keys’ traditional small waterfront fishing villages, and the elegant residence even has a room dedicated to Islamorada’s sportfishing tradition.

The Dream Home winner is to be announced March 16 on a special HGTV live program.

For information about Islamorada, including area accommodations, contact the Islamorada Chamber of Commerce at (800) FAB-KEYS or (305) 664-4503, or explore this Web site.