Travel Guide to Florida

Florida: Why go

On the most south eastern tip of the United States, with the Atlantic to the east and the Gulf of Mexico to the west, Florida is blessed with a therapeutic, balmy climate. Its natural beauty of white, sandy palm-lined beaches, islands and islets, bays, lakes and winding waterways, is joined by artificial attractions of epic proportions - think Miami, theme parks, mega-malls and pro-calibre golf-courses. It’s hardly surprising then, that it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Families, foodies, fashionistas; athletes, adrenaline junkies, artists; sun-goddesses, spa-divas, spring-breakers - they all flock here.

Cynics say it’s all pink thongs, attraction parks galore, and sedate senior citizens queueing at the early-bird buffets, but what it might lack in authenticity and depth here and there, it certainly makes up for in fun and sunshine. So soak up rays and mojitos at SoBe’s beach bars and glitzy nightclubs, take a kayak-trip through the mighty, serene Everglades, be dazzled by the spectacle of Mickey & Co. in Orlando, get your retail fix at one of the many shopping temples, or just lean back and enjoy Key Lime Pie in the weird and wonderful Florida Keys. If that’s a bit too much indulgence, then get active and take a run on the beach or boardwalk like the locals do, try a round of jet skiing, or swim alongside a dolphin or a manatee.