Key WestCity/Region: Florida Keys
Watching a splendid sunset while dining al fresco on delectable seafood at one of 250 or so restaurants is but one of the pleasures in store for visitors to the
USA's most southernmost city,
Key West, at the tip of the
Florida Keys and at the end of US Highway 1. Packed with sights and attractions this historic island city supports a vibrant community, including a large gay population, and boasts a long seafaring and naval tradition, situated as it is at the gateway to the
Caribbean, between the
Atlantic Ocean and the
Gulf of Mexico,
and in close proximity to
Cuba. Key West, also known as the '
Conch Republic', has a distinct Caribbean flavor, the streets of its old quarter lined with palms, tropical flowering plants and pastel-painted wooden colonial 'gingerbread' houses. It is a city that has been the favored haunt of greats like
Ernest Hemingway,
Tennessee Williams and
Harry Truman, because of its relaxed atmosphere, colorful neighborhoods, legendary bars and restaurants, offshore fishing opportunities, and lively nightlife. The city also hosts innumerable pageants, parades and festivals, has a busy theater culture and several heritage museums. The streets of Key West are alive with life, buskers providing impromptu entertainment for those lingering at sidewalk cafes or browsing the many stores. Visitors flock to 'The Bight', the old harbor, to arrange sea trips for fishing, snorkeling or diving. As the sun sets it is traditionally celebrated with drinks and good cheer on the
Mallory Dock, before the nightlife awakens among the dozens of establishments in areas like Bahama Village, settled in the 19th century by Bahamian immigrants, and along Duval Street.
Fort LauderdaleCity/Region: Gold Coast
Situated in the heart of the
Gold Coast in the Sunshine State of Florida, and known as the '
Venice of America', it does not take much imagination to understand why
Fort Lauderdale was once the favorite spring break destination for the college crowd, and has now evolved into a sophisticated yet casual resort town attracting families and couples from all over the United States, and beyond. Fort Lauderdale is a city of islands, built on a network of canals, rivers, bays and waterways, fronted by 23 miles (37km) of sun-kissed golden sands washed by the shimmering Atlantic Ocean. Boating is, of course, a favorite pastime, as is cycling, roller-blading or simply strolling along the scenic palm tree-fringed beachfront promenade which gives on to the magnificent beaches. Nearby, divers are delighted by one of the only living coral reefs in the United States accessible from shore, and there are sporting facilities galore throughout the city, particularly some wonderful golf courses. Those with a cultural bent are well catered for at the
Broward Center for the Performing Arts, the
Florida Grand Opera, the annual renowned Film Festival and numerous art galleries and museums. Fort Lauderdale justly boasts that it has the facilities and attractions to please any visitor, young or old, seeking fun in the sun; and if that is not enough the exciting city of
Miami lies only 40 miles (64km) away, just begging to be explored on a day trip or two.
Palm BeachCity/Region: Gold Coast
The palm trees arrived at
Palm Beach in 1878, when a ship laden with Cuban coconuts was wrecked here on the offshore barrier island that is only 14 miles (23km) long and half a mile (one km) wide. Some of he world's wealthiest people arrived almost a century later, and have stayed to make Palm Beach an oasis of beauty and elegance; a premier luxury resort that is a magnet for the rich and famous. Palm Beach has long been the traditional winter home of America's aristocracy, the Kennedys, Rockefellers, Trumps and other society names filling the fabulous Gatsby-era mansions on the island. Across on the mainland lies
West Palm Beach, where 'ordinary' folk live and play.
Henry Morrison Flagler was the man who started it all in 1894 when he opened the
Royal Poinciana Hotel on the island and promoted Palm Beach as America's premier winter resort. The mansion Whitehall, which he built in 1901 for his wife, is now the
Flagler Museum, dedicated to his memory. Today there are many more hotels in Palm Beach, and hundreds of restaurants, some of which rank among the finest in the world. The warm and breezy climate, beautiful coastal waters and breathtaking beaches are just the cherry on the top for those fortunate enough to visit this opulent playground.
Boca RatonCity/Region: Gold Coast
Probably as close to Utopia as one can get, the
Boca Raton Resort and Club on Florida's Gold Coast is America's most exclusive premier resort, set on 144 hectares (356 acres) in the expensive city of
Boca Raton. Luxury all the way is the expected standard in this resort community, where the entertainment centers on leisure sports, fine dining and upmarket shopping. There are no glitzy discotheques, fast-food outlets or neon lights in this resort. Instead the amenities run to fitness centers, two 18-hole golf courses, a marina, beauty salons, six swimming pools, a private beach and a reading room. The resort contains a total of 1,041 luxury suites and villas to house its affluent guests. The main building, the pink palatial 'Cloister', was built in 1926 by
Addison Mizner and is an architectural curiosity typical of his eccentric character with its Moorish and Gothic influences, hidden gardens, archways, intricate mosaics and fountains. The rest of the city of Boca Raton also echoes Mizner's taste and revels in a lush, plush lifestyle. The Old Floresta Historic District is a small residential area full of Mizner-designed homes, and the old Town Hall, now the headquarters of the
Boca Raton Historical Society, reflects his Mediterranean Revival style. Downtown the pretty pink shopping and entertainment complex is unmistakably Mizner too.
Pompano BeachCity/Region: Gold Coast
Situated midway between Palm Beach and Miami,
Pompano Beach is the heart of the Gold Coast, known for its excellent beaches and fishing. Anglers are understandably drawn to try their luck from the long municipal fishing pier, hoping to land a big one from the plethora of fish swimming offshore. The resort town itself is historically a fishing community, named for the area's popular ocean fish species that abounds here. While the anglers have their fun there is plenty for the rest of the family to do. The beachfront promenade offers playgrounds, grill sites and picnic tables, while the town boasts 19 parks offering sports facilities. Golfing enthusiasts are in heaven when they discover there are dozens of top-flight courses within a half-hour of the resort. Then of course there are the three and a half miles (6km) of golden sands, local attractions, fine dining and splendid shopping opportunities. The town has a full calendar of special events, including a holiday boat parade, seafood festival and fishing rodeo.
Daytona BeachCity/Region: Orlando
The ocean-front metropolitan area in central east Florida stretching 23 miles (37km) along white sand beaches south from
Ormond Beach is known as
Daytona Beach, America's favorite family beach holiday destination. Greater Daytona encompasses the towns of Holly Hill,
South Daytona,
Port Orange, Ponce Inlet, Daytona Beach Shores and all of Volusia and Flagler Counties, all of which are dedicated to making the area an unequaled vacationers paradise. Without moving from the sands at Daytona Beach you can surf, jet ski, go boating, parasailing, feast on hot dogs and cotton candy, go fishing, bicycling, fly a kite and even take a drive in a hired beach buggy. Daytona's hard-packed sands have provided fun for speedsters ever since the early years of the 20th century when daredevils like
Sir Malcolm Campbell set and broke records on the beach. Today beach-cruising is still permitted along an 18-mile (29km) section of the beach during daylight, but the speed limit is a strict 10 miles per hour (16km/h): speeding is reserved for the world-famous
Daytona International Speedway where the annual
Daytona 500 Nascar race is held. With so much to do on the beach, it is difficult to find time to move off it, but those who do are greeted with numerous recreational facilities and attractions in the string of towns along the intracoastal waterway and on the mainland. From archaeological sites to mini-golf, museums to haunted houses, and planetariums to chocolate factories there is never a dull moment in Daytona Beach. Best of all, Daytona Beach is within easy day-trip distance of
Orlando with its thrilling
Walt Disney World, Sea World,
Universal Studios and
Epcot Center, to name only a few of the city's world-famous attractions. Also just an hour's drive away is the
Kennedy Space Center. Little wonder that this versatile vacation hub receives an estimated eight million visitors a year.
Cocoa BeachCity/Region: Orlando
Center of Florida's 'Space Coast' around
Cape Canaveral,
Cocoa Beach has become one of the Sunshine State's prime resorts, boasting the top attraction of the Kennedy Space Center and close proximity to Orlando's major theme park attractions 46 miles (74km) away. Sited on a six-mile (10km) long barrier island, nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the Banana River Lagoon, Cocoa Beach offers the chance to watch a space launch from the beach or ride the waves on which several surfing champions have cut their teeth. The town has a large permanent population made up largely of retirees, but this more than doubles during peak season when the local hotels, motels, timeshares and condominium rentals are filled with holidaymakers and sightseers. The quintessential beach town, Cocoa Beach has an oceanfront running the entire length of its city limits, fronted by numerous dining spots, shops and cafes. There is also an historic pier, stretching 840ft (256m) into the ocean, lined with restaurants, boutiques and souvenir shops and providing for good fishing. A few minutes away is man-made
Port Canaveral, port of call for numerous cruise liners, where there are also operators offering day sails, casino cruises and deep-sea fishing charters. Cocoa Beach is connected to Port Canaveral and various stops in-between by the Beach Trolley service.
Fort Myers BeachCity/Region: Gulf Coast
Billed as 'Florida's tropical island getaway',
Fort Myers Beach is a haven for Floridians themselves seeking a relaxing family vacation, as well as visitors from the rest of the United States and abroad. The locals favor it simply because it still smacks of 'old Florida', and while it offers endless sport and recreational activities like the more frenetic destinations of the east coast, this beautiful resort town on the Gulf of Mexico remains affordable, relaxed, friendly and casual. Situated on
Estero Island, facing the Gulf, the palm-shaded Fort Myers Beach has a wide white sandy shoreline sloping gently into the ocean, and locals claim it is the world's safest beach. The village area is clustered along a tree-lined pedestrian walkway at the north end of the beach, offering shops and restaurants. The south is where numerous beachfront resorts with condominiums and hotels have sprung up around Lovers Key State Park. In between, the beach is lined with parks, recreation areas and marinas offering fishing and boating charters, sightseeing trips, dining and dancing cruises and even offshore gambling jaunts. On the opposite side of the narrow Estero Island, facing the mainland, is the
Matanzas Pass Wilderness Preserve with dozens of acres of mangrove swamps, live oak hammocks and local wildlife to explore from elevated boardwalks.
Sanibel and CaptivaCity/Region: Gulf Coast
Those who enjoy getting away from it all for their beach holiday will delight in the Florida Gulf coast resort island of Sanibel, and its smaller sister, Captiva, where the main event of the day is the magnificent sunset, and traffic stops for a tortoise to cross the road. The slow pace of island life rarely heats up, even during winter when the tiny resident population is totally obscured by the influx of vacationers. The families and romantics who holiday here do not come for the bright lights, but to enjoy the white sandy beaches strewn with an abundance of seashells, the crystalline, warm Gulf waters, the huge variety of wildlife, and the fabulous fresh seafood. These islands have no high-rises or honking horns, but they do offer all the amenities to make for a comfortable and relaxing holiday. There are shops and services, some wonderful restaurants, even live theater and the occasional musical performances. The more exclusive and upscale of the twin islands is Captiva, connected to Sanibel by a bridge. Captiva is tiny and smacks of wealth and quiet charm, topped off at its northern end by the luxurious all-inclusive South Seas Resort. This is the place to 'unplug', unwind, go barefoot and snooze under a palm tree.
NaplesCity/Region: Gulf Coast
The sophisticated, cosmopolitan city of
Naples is the jewel in the crown of Southwest Florida's holiday paradise on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico; the central area preserves its old world charm, while the modern section to the north bristles with high-rise luxury hotels and resorts. Discerning visitors flock here during the winter months to enjoy the magnificent Gulf beaches, world-class shopping and dining, and the abundant challenging golf courses. Naples is also just a hop and a skip away from Florida's top natural attractions, including the tropical wilderness of The
Everglades National Park. An upmarket destination it may be, but unlike Palm Beach on the east coast, with which it is often compared, Naples exudes easy-going friendliness along with its wealthy opulence.
Marco IslandCity/Region: Gulf Coast
Measuring just over six-by-four miles (10km by 6km)
Marco Island is a bustling, full-service resort community on the northern edge of west Florida's coastal wilderness area, which is known as Ten
Thousand Islands. Dolphins frolic in the sunshine off tropical sugary white beaches in this serene vacation spot, which is a stone's throw from the vibrant city of Naples but on the doorstep of nearly 100 miles of protected undeveloped islands, bays and estuaries. Marco is hemmed in by the Rookery Bay Nature Preserve to the north, and in the south the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Preserve, Collier-Seminole State Park and the Everglades National Park. Not surprisingly the resort island and its relatively pollution free waters that are well stocked with diverse and healthy fish populations are a magnet for game fishermen and anglers. It is not only natural wonders that abound on Marco Island. The community offers top class shopping, recreational opportunities and dining on a par with any alluring resort.
St Pete BeachCity/Region: Tampa
About a million visitors a year tread the sugary sands of the long, thin barrier islands skirting the shores of the Pinellas Peninsula opposite the exciting city of
Tampa in west Florida, with St Pete Beach at the southern tip being the most developed and popular resort enclave in this vacationer's paradise. St Pete is full of action and high-rise condominiums, with thrilling activities and attractions of its own to complement those of the neighboring resort towns like
Clearwater Beach. It is also within close reach of Tampa's world famous Busch theme park, and the renowned attractions of Orlando are about 90 minutes' drive to the east. Immediately south of St Pete, at the mouth of
Tampa Bay, is the protected, undeveloped
Fort De Soto Park, while to the north
Caladesi Island State Park can be easily reached. Both are rated among America's top beaches. As if this were not enough to satisfy active holidaymakers, just a few minutes away is the city of
St Petersburg, considered to be the artistic capital of Florida. St Pete Beach can justly claim to be the resort that offers 'something for everyone'.
Clearwater BeachCity/Region: Tampa
Known for its breathtaking sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico and warm tropical breezes, Clearwater Beach is the crème de la crème of Florida's west coast and has consistently been voted one of the top 10 beaches in the United States. Florida wasn't dubbed the 'Sunshine State' for nothing and with
Clearwater holding a record 361 days of sunshine per year, it's no wonder it has become one of the fastest growing holiday destinations in the world. Clearwater is a safer, more affordable, quieter and calmer option than other more prominent destinations in Florida. Who could resist? With over 2.5 miles (4km) of beautiful tropical sandy white beaches to frolic on, Clearwater Beach has some of the best water activities in Tampa Bay and its beach restaurants offer some of the ocean's finest fare. The ideal setting for a romantic stroll along the beach at sunset, gently rocking in a canvas hammock under the rustling palm trees or exploring the oceans' secrets aboard a pirate ship cruise, there is something for everyone in Clearwater Beach.
