Florida General Information Nickname: Sunshine State State bird: Mockingbird State flower: Orange Blossom Capital: Tallahassee Date of admission to the Union: 3rd Mar 1845 Population: 15,982,378 (2000) Population density: 93.8/sq km 2000 total overseas arrivals/US ranking: 6,026,000/2 Time: Eastern (GMT - 5), in the greater part of the State. Daylight Saving Time is observed. The State: Florida is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, with visitors heading to ‘The Sunshine State’ in search of fun, sun and thrills. Walt Disney World, Magic Kingdom Park and Busch Gardens are just a few of the man-made attractions for which the State is famed. But there is more to Florida than Mickey Mouse and white-knuckle rides. Winding waterways, freshwater lakes, hills, forests, exciting cities, 13,560km (8426 miles) of coast, countless bays, inlets and islands, and a legendary climate make this one of the most popular States in the USA. Florida is divided into eight geographical regions: Northwest; North Central; Northeast; Central West; Central; Central East; Southwest; and Southeast Florida & the Keys. Situated on the southeastern tip, Miami and Miami Beach have long been a haunt of the rich and famous, and star-spotting is a popular pastime here. The city also has a well-established Cuban sector called Little Havana. Palm Beach scores equally highly in the glamour stakes, thanks largely to Addison Mizner who designed a US$50 million development of mansions and hotels, including one commissioned by the Vanderbilts. Fort Lauderdale is a popular spot for families, offering a wide assortment of sports and recreational activities. To the south, the Florida Keys are made up of the Upper, Middle and Lower Keys and Key West. A tropical climate, beautiful beaches and clear blue waters attract a steady flow of visitors to the Keys all year round. The capital of Florida, Tallahassee, is geographically closer to Atlanta than Miami and is strictly Southern in tone. It was chosen as the State capital in 1823 as a compromise between Pensacola and St Augustine which had both been vying for the honour. Today, it is often described as ‘The Other Florida’ with its rolling hills, oak forests, cool climate and distinctly Southern feel. In the northeastern corner of Florida stands Jacksonville, named after General Andrew Jackson. Divided by St John’s River, the city boasts futuristic features like the Jacksonville Automated Skyway, a monorail in the city centre, as well as relics from the past in its historic district, listed on the National Register. Nearby St Augustine is known as ‘America’s Oldest City’ and is home to more than 60 historic sites, including massive forts, missions and living history museums; it is the oldest continuously occupied European settlement in continental USA. Amelia Island, often called the ‘Isle of Eight Flags’, is the only site in the country to have been governed by eight different countries during its history. At its heart lies Fernandina Beach, the nation’s second oldest city. The verdant northeastern coastline is shaped by a series of points and peninsulas flanked by barrier islands. The inland area is also endowed with State parks, springs and lakes. Daytona is located in the slender Central East region. The beach is the city’s main attraction with a 510m (1700ft) boardwalk brimming with amusements, rides and snack bars. To the north lies the historic community of DeBary which is home to the State headquarters for the Florida Federation of the Arts. Resorts are dotted along the coast and include Vero Beach, Ormond Beach, Port Orange and Sebastian. Tampa and St Petersburg are the main cities in the Central West region. Anna Marie Island, Longboat Key, Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach lie in the Blue Gulf, adjacent to Bradenton and Palmetto on the mainland. Sarasota is the cultural capital of the region, thanks to John Ringling and his wife who amassed an impressive art collection which is today displayed in their restored mansion. Pinellas forms a stubby peninsula west of Tampa Bay, linked to Tampa by three bridges. The southwestern region is home to Naples, a popular seaside retreat with seemingly endless golfing, shopping and fishing opportunities. Just off the mainland, Marco Island stands as a model of ecological preservation. Charlotte County is only 27km (17 miles) long, but it boasts an amazing 193km (120 miles) of coastline. Charlotte Harbor is protected by a triangular web of land fringed by barrier islands such as Gasparilla, a one-time pirates’ haven. Orlando is the face of Florida that most people recognise, with its enormous number of theme parks, movie studios, water parks and entertainment facilities. The northern boundaries of Central Florida are engulfed by a national forest so large that it has to be administered by two separate Ranger districts. The Ocala National Forest covers 153,049ha (378,178 acres) divided into three recreation areas and linked by a 105km (65-mile) trail. Nearby Silver Springs, a network of 150 springs, is the world’s largest artesian spring; hundreds of thousands of gallons of water bubble through the spongy limestone bedrock each day. There are 1440 lakes in Lake Country which is the setting for the area’s vineyards and wine-growing region. Southwest of Orlando is Polk Country which is famed for its beautiful landscape of citrus groves and pine forests. Travel - International Air: International airports: Miami (MIA) (website: www.miami-airport.com) is 8km (5 miles) northwest of the city (travel time – 25 minutes). There is a 24-hour coach service to the central bus station and hotels on request. Buses and trains are available to the city. Taxi, van and limousine services are also available. Fares are fixed. Greyhound runs services to Homestead, Islamorada, Key Largo, Key West and Marathon. Tampa (TPA) (website: www.tampaairport.com) is 8km (5 miles) west of the city (travel time – 15 minutes). A bus service runs into the city; limousine and taxi services are also available. Scheduled flights from the UK to Orlando arrive at Orlando International (ORL) (website: www.state.fl.us/goaa/), which is 12km (7 miles) south of the city (travel time – 15 minutes). Hire cars, coach, bus, taxi and limousine services are available. Shuttle services are available to the main tourist destinations. Chartered flights from the UK arrive in Orlando Sanford Airport (SFB) (website: www.orlandosanfordairport.com/), approximately 29km (18 miles) northeast of the city. Hire cars, coaches, buses, taxi, limousine and shuttle services into the city are available. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood (FLL) (website: www.fll.net) is 8km (5 miles) from the city (travel time – 10 minutes). Hire cars, limousines, taxis and bus services are available, with rail connections to the surrounding counties. Approximate flight times: From Miami to Atlanta is 1 hour 50 minutes, to Barbados is 3 hours 25 minutes, to Caracas is 3 hours 10 minutes, to Charlotte is 2 hours, to Chicago is 3 hours 10 minutes, to Dallas/Fort Worth is 3 hours 20 minutes, to Freeport is 40 minutes, to Grand Turk is 1 hour 45 minutes, to Guatemala City is 2 hours 40 minutes, to Honolulu is 12 hours 15 minutes, to Houston is 3 hours, to London is 8 hours 10 minutes, to Los Angeles is 7 hours, to Mexico City is 3 hours 15 minutes, to New York is 2 hours 40 minutes, to Orlando is 55 minutes, to Panama City is 3 hours, to Port-au-Prince is 45 minutes, to Providenciales is 1 hour 35 minutes, to St Croix is 2 hours 40 minutes, to San Francisco is 7 hours 25 minutes, to San Juan is 2 hours 25 minutes, to Santo Domingo is 2 hours 10 minutes, to Tampa is 55 minutes and to Washington, DC is 2 hours 20 minutes. From Tampa to London is 10 hours (direct flight), to Miami is 55 minutes and to New York is 2 hours 40 minutes. From Orlando to London is 9 hours, to Miami is 55 minutes, to New York is 2 hours 30 minutes and to Washington, DC is 2 hours 5 minutes. SEA: The port of Miami has been called the ‘Cruise Capital of the World’ and offers ocean liners for business meetings, weekend getaways and extended luxury cruises. The port of Fort Lauderdale, Port Everglades, is the second most important cruise port in Florida. Other cruise ports on the east coast include Port Canaveral and Port of Palm Beach. The main West Coast cruise ports include St Petersburg and Tampa. Major cruise lines in Florida include Carnival, Celebrity, Commodore, Costa, Crown, Cunard, Holland America, Norwegian, Premier, Princess, Regal, Royal Caribbean, Royal Viking, Seabourn, SeaEscape and Sun Line. RAIL: Amtrak’s Miami Station is 11km (7 miles) north of the city centre. It is the southernmost point on the network, marking the southern end of the main east coast line from New York (and ultimately Boston). A branch line terminates at Sarasota, a few miles south of Tampa on the Gulf of Mexico. There are no direct services between the two. ROAD: The best major routes through Florida are: Daytona Beach to St Petersburg (I-4), Jacksonville to the Alabama border (I-10), St Petersburg to Tampa (I-275), the lower West Coast to Fort Lauderdale (I-75), the North–South highway (I-95) or (I-75) and the East–West cross-state highway from Clearwater to Vero Beach (State 60). The Florida's Turnpike is a 723km (449-mile) system of limited-access toll highways which passes through 11 counties from north Miami to a junction with I-75 in north central Florida. Most roads are excellent throughout the State. Approximate driving times: From Orlando to Miami is 4 hours 45 minutes, to Daytona is 1 hour, to Fort Lauderdale is 4.5 hours, to Jacksonville is 3 hours, to Key West is 8 hours 45 minutes, to Naples is 4 hours, to Pensacola is 9 hours, to St Petersburg is 2.5 hours, and to Tallahasee is 5 hours 15 minutes. All times are based on non-stop driving at or below the applicable speed limits. Approximate Greyhound travel times: From Miami to Fort Lauderdale is 1 hour 55 minutes, to Palm Beach is 3 hours, to Orlando is 7 hours 15 minutes, to St Petersburg is 8 hours 30 minutes, to Jacksonville is 9 hours 30 minutes, to Tampa is 10 hours, to Tallahassee is 13 hours and to Atlanta is 18 hours. Urban: Miami/Miami Beach: A new, improved public transport system has been launched for the central Miami area, with plans to expand it still further. It includes an elevated Metrorail system and an expanded bus system. The Downtown Metro Mover combines the fun of a theme park with the convenience of above-street-level travel. Buses operate frequently through most areas of Greater Miami. Fares are moderate and transfers are available. Taxis can be expensive in the Miami area; one can usually hail them but delays may be encountered at rush hours. Taxis can also be booked by telephone. Most major car hire and motor camper hire firms have offices at the airport or in central Miami. Many provide a drop-off service in other parts of the State. Major hotels can often arrange immediate car hire. North West Florida The Northwest region stretches from Pensacola on the State’s western border to the shores of Apalachee Bay. The northwest coastline is the gateway to the Florida peninsula and is easily negotiable. Yet the busy coastal region gives no clue to the items of interest further inland – a geometric pattern of trail systems, secret caverns and bubbling springs – including Marianna, where visitors can explore the spectacular labyrinths of Florida Caverns State Park. The earliest European explorers were Spanish and landed at Pensacola Harbor in 1540 when Hernando de Soto began his explorations of the Gulf Coast. However, it was not until the 18th century that a permanent settlement was established in the region. Under British rule from 1763, Pensacola was eventually taken by Spain during the American Revolution. The area was again prominent during the Civil War period, thanks to the triangle of fortresses which encircled the 150 sq mile span of barrier islands now known as the Gulf Islands National Seashore. To this day, the area retains its military significance. Pensacola The flags of Spain, France and England have flown over the city of Pensacola during its turbulent past. The Colonial Archaelogical Trail leads visitors through the different eras of the city’s history, and highlights an ongoing programme of excavation by local archaeologists. The city centre features the Pensacola Museum of Art, housed in the old city jail; the Pensacola Cultural Center; Quayside, the South’s largest co-operative art gallery; The Wall South, a replica of the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial in Washington, DC; and the beautifully restored Saenger Theatre, where local and national musical groups perform regularly. The hands-on Discovery! exhibition at T T Wentworth Museum is a popular attraction for children. A few miles to the west lies one of the biggest and best air and space museums in the country, the National Museum of Naval Aviation. Displays cover the age of aviation from the first flight in a wood and fabric biplane to today’s travels in space with the Skylab Command Module. East of Pensacola, the Zoo is home to more than 700 animals and a huge botanical garden. A tall platform allows visitors to look at giraffes face-to-face and even feed them. The beauty of Pensacola’s beaches is protected by Federal and State reservations which preserve them from development. Gulf Islands National Seashore and Big Lagoon Park offer huge areas of untouched beaches which are easily accessible to the public. SPECIAL EVENTS: May 19th Annual Crawfish Creole Fiesta, Pensacola; Springfest (music festival), Pensacola. May-Jun 53rd Fiesta of Five Flags, Pensacola. Jul-Aug Annual Jubilee Bushwacker and Music Fest, Pensacola. Sep Annual Seafood Festival, Pensacola. Nov Great Gulf Coast Arts Festival, Pensaco TRAVEL: More than 60 flights arrive and depart from Pensacola Regional Airport each day. The city is also accessible from most major interstate highways. CLIMATE: Pensacola boasts an average of 343 days of sunshine per year and an average annual temperature of 24°C (75 ºF). Emerald Coast East of Pensacola, visitors will be struck by the glorious coastal scenery. Linked by an impressive bridge network, a long coastal road skirts the mainland and the offshore islands, running from Pensacola to Fort Walton Beach and Santa Rosa Island. Near Santa Rosa, Destin is known for fine fishing, while the Beaches of South Walton embrace the smart prosperous community of Seaside with its white-washed houses, excellent dining and shopping facilities. South Walton’s beaches extend eastward towards Panama City, which took its name from the famous canal in 1906. Today, its attractions and nightlife, which extend for 43km (27 miles), are celebrated throughout the State. DESTIN/FORT WALTON BEACH: Famous for 38km (24 miles) of sugar-white sands and brilliant green waters, these southern sea towns both offer some of the world’s finest shells and superb seafood. The 208-acre Henderson Beach State Park, Wayside County Park and James Lee County Park are just three of the five parks and 12 beach access points in the Destin and Fort Walton Beach area. Hailed as the ‘World’s Luckiest Fishing Village’, Destin’s East Pass is only 16km (10 miles) from 30m (100ft) depths. Harbouring the largest and most elaborately equipped charter-boat fleet in Florida, more billfish are caught on the Northern Gulf each year than by all the other Gulf ports combined. There is also a wider variety of game fish than elsewhere, from cobia and scamp to triggerfish and king mackerel. Numerous deep-sea excursions are available for both first-time fishers and the more experienced angler. PANAMA CITY BEACH: Watersports are high on the list of attractions at Panama City Beach, which boasts a network of waterways, bays and lagoons. St Andrews State Recreation Area is made up of more than 1000 acres of nature trails and beaches. Visitors can take a glass-bottomed boat trip to Shell Island from Treasure Island Marina. The Museum of the Man in the Sea explores the ocean, and thrill-seekers can bungee jump or parasail from here each day. Other attractions include the Miracle Strip Amusement Park, Shipwreck Island Water Park and Alvin’s Magic Mountain Mall, which houses sharks and alligators in a 30,000 gallon tank. APALACHICOLA: Apalachicola has a rich heritage. Once, it was the third largest cotton port on the Gulf Coast, serving as a base for the Confederate forces trying to run the Union blockades during the Civil War. Today, it enjoys acclaim as the centre of Florida’s seafood industry. Its large oyster beds are responsible for a high percentage of the State’s exports. SPECIAL EVENTS: Apr 16th Annual Sandestin Wine Festival, Santa Rosa Beach. May 14th Annual Destin Mayfest, Destin/Fort Walton Beach/Okaloosa Island; Seaside Spring Wine Festival, Seaside. Jun Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival, Destin-Fort Walton Beach/Okaloosa Island. Oct Annual Indian Summer Seafood Festival, Panama City Beach. TRAVEL: Destin/Fort Walton Beach Airport is located one mile east of Destin; Panama City/Bay County International Airport lies 6km (4 miles) northwest of Panama City. Panama City Beach Trolley shuttles along the beach, making various flag stops. Taxis run on a grid system and fares increase as one moves away from Harrison Avenue. CLIMATE: There are warm temperatures all year round with a summer high of 31°C (88 ºF). North Central Florida The North Central region lies between the Gulf of Mexico and Georgia at the base of the Appalachians. This region is bisected by the Suwannee River, which was immortalised in Florida’s official State song, written by Stephen Foster. Tallahassee, the State capital, the only uncaptured Confederate capital east of the Mississippi, has preserved the famous battle site of Natural Bridge where the Union forces suffered a defeat in 1865. Today, the city is a wonderful haven of colour – azaleas, dogwoods, daphne, magnolias and camellias are all to be seen in bloom here. One of the area’s most notable natural features is Wakulla Springs, which delivers more than 15,000 gallons of water per second. Seafood was the staple of one of the region’s historic sites, Cedar Key, which is one of the oldest ports in the State. This island became a major supplier of seafood and timber products for the northeastern States during the Railroad era. Today, it is noted for its shopping, Victorian architecture and artistic flair. SPECIAL EVENTS: Mar-Apr Florida Renaissance Festival North, Live Oak; 33rd Annual Spring Arts Festival, Gainesville; Springtime, Tallahassee. May 50th Annual Folk Festival, White Springs; Southern Shakespeare Festival, Tallahassee. Nov 21st Annual Downtown Festival and Arts Show, Gainesville; North Florida Fair, Tallahassee. TRAVEL: Tallahassee Regional Airport (THL) (website: www.ci.tallahassee.fl.us/citytlh/aviation/index.htm) is located ten minutes from the city and served by Delta Air Lines, USAirways Express, Northwest Airlink, Atlantic Southeast, Comair and Continental Connection. Amtrak is situated five minutes away on Gaines and Railroad Street. From Tallahassee to Atlanta is 18 hours, to Orlando is 7 hours. CLIMATE: Tallahassee is mild and moist owing to its close proximity to the Gulf with an average temperature of 19°C (67ºF). Northeast Florida Straddling the beautiful St John’s River, Jacksonville is located in the northeast corner of Florida on the Atlantic Ocean. The historic districts of St Augustine and Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island are situated nearby. CLIMATE: The Northeast Region offers mild winters, a cool spring and fall, and it is generally warm during the summer months. Jacksonville & Area The Jacksonville Landing, on the north bank, is bustling with restaurants, nightclubs and shops, all housed under one giant orange-roofed facility. The Museum of Science and History and the nationally acclaimed Cummer Museum of Art and its gardens are situated in the city centre, just a few minutes away from the Jacksonville Museum of Contemporary Art. The First Coast area is one of the few unspoiled areas of the Atlantic Coast. Nature trails and national parks line the seafront, providing opportunities for hiking, kayaking and camping. Just a few minutes northeast of the city is the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve, an 18,500 (46,000-acre) wetland and historic community. The trails and waterways are filled with indigenous and endangered wildlife such as ospreys, herons, bald eagles, sea turtles, manatees and wood storks. The Talbot Island State Park provides miles of pristine beaches, dunes, coastal hummocks and marshlands. Big Talbot Island boasts spectacular bluffs, 19km (11.5 miles) of untouched beaches, two plantation ruins, sand dunes, salt marshes, tidal creeks and a driftwood forest. South of Big Talbot is Little Talbot Island, an undeveloped barrier island. The entire 1000ha (2500-acre) island is a protected State Park and has white sand beaches and a popular campsite. Fort George Island State Cultural Site contains the longest record of civilisation in Duval County. The huge oyster shell mounds found on the island are evidence of Timucuan Indian habitation dating back over 7000 years. Katherine Abbey Hanna Park is Jacksonville’s premier 180ha (450-acre) beachfront getaway and boasts sunny beaches, freshwater lakes and wooded campsites. Established in 1914 with just one animal, a white-tailed fawn, the Jacksonville Zoological Gardens is today alive with more than 800 animals from around the world. At the Okavango Petting Zoo children can pet domestic African animals such as pygmy goats, dwarf zebu, miniature horses and Sardinian pygmy donkeys. SPECIAL EVENTS: Apr Beaches Weekend Festival, Jacksonville; Riverfest, Jacksonville. May Spring Music Festival; Shrimp Festival, Jacksonville. Sep International Festival by the Sea, Jacksonville; Springfield Jazz and Heritage Festival. Oct Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair. Nov 23rd Annual Jacksonville Jazz Festival. TRAVEL: Jacksonville International Airport (JIA) (website: www.jaxport.com) is 20 minutes from the town centre and is serviced by 15 major airlines. The Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) provides a local bus service seven days a week with 50 routes. JTA also operates the Automated Skyway Express, a monorail system serving the city centre. St Augustine & Area The USA’s oldest city is a time capsule capturing nearly 500 years of fascinating history. Situated on the uppermost Atlantic Coast of Florida, the water’s-edge colonial village has 144 blocks of historic houses listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Castillo de San Marcos endures as the nation’s oldest and only remaining 17th-century masonry fort. Now a National Monument, the Spanish-built bastion guarded the mouth of Matanzas Bay from British invaders. The Spanish Quarter is a living history village where Spanish soldiers and settlers in traditional costume re-enact 18th-century crafts. Other attractions include Anastasia State Recreation Area, a 1700-acre bird sanctuary; Fort Matanzas; the still operational Lighthouse Tower and Museum of St Augustine; and the USA’s first alligator exhibition farm, St Augustine Alligator Farm. Just past the beaches of Anastasia Island lies Marineland of Florida, the world’s first oceanarium. It features 1000 wonders of the deep, including 47-year-old Nelly, the world’s oldest known living dolphin. SPECIAL EVENTS: Mar-Apr EPIC Celebration of Spring, St Augustine. Apr St Augustine Easter Parade, St Augustine. Jul 4 Fourth of July Fireworks, St Augustine. Nov-Jan 2003 Nights of Light, St Augustine. Central West Florida The Central West region is dotted with scenic freshwater sources rich in minerals and there is an especially high concentration of these in the area known as ‘The Nature Coast’. There is also an abundance of parkland and a whole series of sophisticated resorts. The region’s natural allure and endless beaches betray no hint, however, of its rich and divergent cultural history. Tarpon Springs, for example, is a Mediterranean-style sponging village which was founded in 1895. Sponge docks, Greek foods, festivals and 19th-century architecture still typify the town. On a larger scale, the newly restored Ybor City, in the heart of Tampa, demonstrates the city’s Hispanic roots with museums, bakeries and restaurants. A network of bridges, including the striking Sunshine Skyway Bridge, connects the scattered islands and peninsulas of the Gulf Coast. CLIMATE: Central West Florida has a temperate climate with an average temperature of 22°C (71ºF). With an average of 361 days of sunshine each year, the St Petersburg/Clearwater area enjoys an average temperature of 23°C (73ºF). The annual average water temperature along the beaches is 24°C (75ºF). St Petersburg/Clearwater The St Petersburg/Clearwater area is located on Florida’s West Coast, bordered on the east by Tampa Bay and on the west by the Gulf of Mexico. The area is best known for its constant sunshine and 35 miles of beaches, two of which are rated among the top ten in the USA. The Pinellas peninsula and its famous beaches are within minutes of Florida’s popular attractions – just 30 minutes away is Busch Gardens in Tampa and 90 minutes away are Walt Disney World Vacation Kingdom, EPCOT Center, Sea World, Universal Studios Escape and other Central Florida sites. St Petersburg is home to six world-class museums, including the Salvador Dali Museum, which contains the world’s most comprehensive collection by this famous Spanish surrealist; the St Petersburg Museum of Fine Arts, noted for its display of French Impressionist paintings; the St Petersburg Museum of History which offers historical exhibits; the Florida International Museum, which was recently named a Smithsonian Institution affiliate and is home to the largest private collection of John F Kennedy memorabilia, including a recreation of JFK’s Oval Office; and the relocated and expanded Florida Holocaust Museum. A US$12 million renovation of The Pier has turned this popular spot on the St Petersburg waterfront into a festival marketplace of shops, restaurants and entertainment. The US$40 million redevelopment of St Petersburg city centre, Bay Walk, opened in December 2000 with an open-air themed plaza, 20-screen theatre complex, restaurants and retail outlets. The Florida Botanical Gardens opened recently in Largo. They include Wedding, Tropical, Topiary and Jazz gardens and are part of a new botanical learning centre, where visitors can attend walking tours and workshops. Begun in 1998 and still being developed, the US$16 million, 250-acre project when complete will be Florida’s largest gardens. The Gardens are adjacent to the Gulf Coast Museum of Art and Heritage Village and are the centrepiece of Pinewood Cultural Park, where culture, history and botany are combined. Ideal parks for nature study, fishing, swimming and picnics are Fort De Soto Park, south of St Petersburg, plus the Honeymoon Island State Recreation Area and Caladesi Island State Park near Dunedin. All three are undeveloped barrier islands. Fort DeSoto and the Honeymoon Islands are connected to the mainland by causeways. Caladesi Island is ideal for swimming, fishing, picnics, snorkelling and scuba diving, kayaking and guided nature walks. A 5km (3-mile) nature trail winds through the island’s interior. It is accessible only by a ferry service, with departures from Honeymoon Island and Clearwater. The Pinellas Trail is a 76km (47-mile) linear park, perfect for cyclists, walkers, joggers and rollerbladers. The Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary, in Indian Shores, is the largest wild bird hospital in North America. Over 500 birds are on site, including a large nesting colony of injured brown pelicans. Samples of marine life can be found at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, a research centre that conducts a ‘head start’ programme for baby sea turtles and includes tanks containing numerous varieties of fish, as well as Sam, the bottlenose dolphin. Celebration Station in Clearwater is a mini-theme park and includes go-karts, bumper boats and more. Clearwater Ferry Service offers three exciting boat trips, including Dolphin Encounter, Caladesi Island Adventure and Tarpon Springs Excursion. The Sea Screamer, which is moored in Clearwater, is the world’s largest speedboat. The 20ha (50-acre) Moccasin Lake Nature Park features a lake, upland forest, wetlands and most of the plant and animal species native to the area, as well as an environmental and energy education centre. At Tarpon Springs, attractions include the Inness Paintings exhibition. This features a large collection of works by George Inness Sr, the American landscape artist. Konger Coral Sea Aquarium and St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, a replica of St Sofia’s in Constantinople, are the other notable attractions here. SPECIAL EVENTS: Mar-Apr 2003 Festival of States, St Petersburg; Mar Safety Harbor Seafood Festival, Safety Harbor. Apr 20th Annual Triathlon, St Petersburg. Jul 4 July 4th Celebration. Jul Annual Tampa Bay Caribbean Carnival, St Petersburg Pier. Aug 51st Annual Fishathon, Lake Jorgenson. Sep Tampa Bay Raid (Annual Civil War re-enactment), St Petersburg. Oct Clearwater Jazz Holiday (four days of free concerts by top-name jazz recording artists); Tampa Bay Classic PGA Golf, Tarpon Springs. Dec Lighted Boat Parade, St Petersburg Marina. TRAVEL: St Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) (website: www.stpete-clwairport.com) is served by the carriers Air Transat, American Trans Air, Canada 3000, Casino AirLink, Discover Air, Royal, South East, Southwest and Sun Country Airlines, plus other charters from the USA and Canada with Southwest, US Airways, Ryan International and Express One, especially during the winter season. Sarasota The city of Sarasota is the cultural capital of Florida. The Ringling Museum of Art, the official State Museum of Florida, is a major attraction with superb old masterpieces and a fine contemporary collection. Sarasota’s Downtown Cultural District contains the Sarasota Opera House (also home of the Sarasota Ballet) and numerous theatres and nightclubs. Historic Palm Avenue, filled with fine art, antiques, jewellery and fashion, was a bustling street in the early 1900s, frequented by Sarasota’s founding families. Today, shopping emporia line Palm Avenue and the corner of Main Street. Sarasota Quay also offers a variety of speciality shops as well as restaurants and nightclubs located on the water. Just minutes from the Quay and Palm Avenue, the city marina has recently been redesigned and landscaped. Dinner cruises and charter boats depart from here. North Lido Beach is a half-mile stretch of sand shaded by towering Australian pines. The public beach offers a swimming pool, a playground and shops. At the southern end of Lido Key are picnic tables, grills, a volleyball court and a playground. St Armands Key boasts a circle ringed by restaurants, nightclubs and exclusive shops. The Circus Ring of Fame, a sidewalk of circus stars, decorates the central park space. Located between the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and Sarasota Bay, Longboat Key offers an abundance of outdoor activities. Anglers cast lines from Longboat’s white sandy beaches, piers and jetties. Boaters can cruise to nearby islands such as City Island, which is the setting for the Mote Marine Aquarium. Next door to the aquarium, the Pelican Man’s Bird Sanctuary is a rescue and rehabilitation centre for pelicans and other wild birds. Siesta Key is best known for its sandy beaches, the widest and most popular in the county. A few miles south of the main beach, snorkellers flock to Crescent Beach where sea sponges and fish can be viewed under the Gulf’s surface. The southernmost spot on Siesta Key is Palmer Pointe South, a popular getaway for boaters and hikers. More than 20 acres of unspoiled beach make this one of the most beautiful spots in the Key. Other attractions in Sarasota County include the Gulf Coast World of Science, where visitors can dig for fossils, touch live snakes and experiment with static electricity. There are 50 restored antique cars to view at Bellm’s Cars and Music of Yesterday as well as 1200 music boxes and a penny arcade. Marie Selby Botanical Gardens specialises in air plants, orchids and colourful bromeliads. Ten lush tropical acres are filled with winding trails, beautiful gardens and exotic waterfowl at the Sarasota Jungle Gardens. There are also shows featuring snakes, turtles, alligators and other reptiles. Myakka State Park and Wilderness Preserve is Florida’s largest park, covering more than 35,000 acres of wetlands, prairies and dense woodlands along the twisting Myakka River and Upper Myakka Lake. The park is home to hundreds of species of plants, trees and flowers. For a close-up view, visitors can take the boat or tram leaving from the Boat Basin. There are also numerous trails, a small natural history museum and a bird walk. Oscar Scherer State Recreation Area boasts streams for canoeing, a swimming lake, campsites, nature trails, cycling paths, a recreation hall and picnic areas. Visitors can discover Sarasota’s past on Little Sarasota Bay in Osprey. Spanish Point contains a late Victorian pioneer homestead, a Native American burial mound, a 19th-century chapel, cemetery and remnants of the formal gardens of a turn-of-the-century estate. SPECIAL EVENTS: Jan 24-Feb 2 Sarasota Film Festival. Feb 1 Scottish Highland Games, Sarasota. Mar Medieval Festival, Sarasota. Mar 23-29 23rd Annual Sarasota Jazz Festival, Sarasota. Apr 11-13 Venice Sharks Tooth Festival. Jun 2-21 Sarasota Music Festival, Sarasota. TRAVEL: The Sarasota/Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) (website: www.srq-airport.com), located 9.6km (6 miles) south of Sarasota and 16km (10 miles) north of Bradenton, is served by American Eagle, Air Sunshine, American Trans Air, US Airways, Delta, Continental, Northwest and TWA. Sarasota and Manatee counties provide public transport services approximately 12 hours per day. The buses are located at the west end of the baggage claim wing in the Ground Transportation area. Airport shuttle and taxi services are also available. Airport facilities include ATMs, a conference centre, a post office and car hire. Tampa Tampa is one of the nation’s fastest growing cities and largest ports, with thriving industries and artistic communities. The Tampa Museum of Art houses an impressive collection of ancient Greek and Roman items, as well as a series of changing exhibitions. The Florida Aquarium features interactive exhibits where visitors can learn about Florida’s tropical sea life. Visitors can defy the laws of gravity in the Challenger space experience or stroll through the free-flying Butterfly Encounter at the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI). The Amazing You exhibition explores the human body, Our Florida focuses on environmental issues and Our Place in the Universe introduces guests to space travel. Ybor City State Museum traces the development of Ybor City, Tampa, the cigar industry and Cuban immigration. The Henry B Plant Museum includes Victorian furniture and Wedgwood pottery. Busch Gardens is a huge amusement park featuring African wildlife. Giraffes, zebras and antelope roam freely through the park’s 24ha (60-acre) plain, next to thrilling rides such as the Kumba. There is also a 5ha (13-acre) water park, Adventure Island, just northeast of Busch Gardens. SPECIAL EVENTS: Feb 2003 99th Annual Florida State Fair. Mar Gasparilla Festival of the Arts, Tampa. Apr AirFest 2003, MacDill Airforce Base. May 5 Latin American Fiesta, Tampa. Nov Ruskin Seafood and Arts Festival, Ruskin. TRAVEL: Tampa International Airport (TPA) (website: www.tampaairport.com), located five minutes west of the city Tampa and 30 minutes away from the St Petersburg/Clearwater area, has been rated the nation’s best for the past ten years by the International Passenger Traffic Association. TPA is served by Air Aruba, Air Canada, AirTran, American, American Trans Air, American West, British Airways, Air Canada, Cayman Airways, Condor, Continental, Delta, Delta Express, Martinair, Midway, Northwest, Southwest, Spirit, TWA, United, US Airways and US Airways Express. Public buses to the city centre are operated by Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART). For coaches and charter buses, the passenger pick-up and drop-off points are located in the bus spaces of the Commercial Ground Transportation Quadrants. Limousines, point-to-point shuttles, taxis and car hire are also available. Central Florida The central region of Florida, which includes Orlando, is home to an enormous number of theme parks, entertainment facilities, resorts, movie studios and water parks. It is the face of Florida that most people recognise instantly. But Central Florida has another side, seen in the majestic Ocala National Forest and peaceful Lake County. CLIMATE: Central Florida has warm sunny days and mild nights. The average monthly temperature is 24°C (75ºF) in the winter and 35°C (95ºF) in the summer. The average rainfall is 50 inches. Orlando Orlando is the one-stop vacation spot that offers more than 88,000 hotel rooms, 3000 restaurants and 66 attractions which have established it as one of the world’s favourite holiday spots. Orlando’s attractions include hair-raising rides, nail-biting adventures and heart-pounding suspense. Thrill-seekers can experience the terrifying attack of a Great White shark on the Jaws Ride at Universal Studios, Florida, or take a helicopter ride to watch polar bears, walruses and beluga whales play at Wild Arctic, SeaWorld Orlando’s newest attraction. Walt Disney World Resort is the biggest, and arguably the best, amusement park in the world. It contains four sections: the Magic Kingdom, with seven theme regions; Epcot Center, a science and world exhibition centre; Disney MGM Studios, a movie and theme park and Animal Kingdom, an adventure and safari park featuring wild animals, exotic landscapes and thrill rides. Popular attractions include a 13-storey free-fall plunge on the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at MGM Studios; Epcot’s Honey I Shrunk the Audience, which features an innovative new realm of 3-D entertainment; and the ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter at Tomorrowland in the Magic Kingdom. Blizzard Beach, Disney’s third and largest water park, is set in a faux snow-capped mountain range featuring Florida’s only chairlift, which carries guests to the tip of ‘Mount Gushmore’. Nineteen water slides challenge visitors, including Summit Plummet, the tallest, fastest water slide in the world. Another nine high-speed rides can be found at Typhoon Lagoon. River Country, in Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort, is a relaxing water park where holidaymakers can relax and enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings. SeaWorld Orlando, 19 minutes southwest of Orlando, is one of the country’s largest marine parks and features whales, dolphins, sea lions, seals and otters. The most popular shows are the ones starring the killer whales, Baby Shamu and Baby Namu. Pleasure Island is a high-energy, night-time entertainment complex featuring seven themed nightclubs, stage shows and live concerts, plus a giant New Year’s Eve celebration every night of the week. It is located in an area known as Downtown Disney, along with such restaurants as Wolfgang Puck, House of Blues and the Cuban-style Bongo’s Café. Cultural attractions include the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, which boasts the world’s largest collection of Louis Tiffany glass. Cornell Fine Arts Museum, located at Rollins College, houses one of the largest and most distinguished art collections in Florida. Other popular sights include Eatonville, just north of Orlando, which is home to the Zora Neale Hurston National Museum of Fine Arts; the Maitland Art Center; Orlando Museum of Art; Orange County Historical Museum, which includes a renovated 1926 Orlando Firehouse; and the Albin Polasek Galleries. Other attractions in and around Orlando include Cypress Gardens, with botanical gardens, water-ski shows, a butterfly conservatory and children’s rides; World of Orchids, the first permanent indoor display of its kind in the world; Church Street Station, a block-long entertainment complex in the heart of central Orlando; Gatorland, in nearby Kissimmee; Wet ’n’ Wild, a water park offering numerous adventurous water activities. SPECIAL EVENTS: Feb 2003107th Silver Spurs Rodeo, Kissimmee. Mar Kissimmee Kiwanis Bluegrass Festival. Apr St Cloud Spring Fling & Florida State Offshore Boat Championships, St Cloud; Spring Fiesta in the Park, Orlando; Arts in April (month-long arts festival), Orlando. Oct Epcot International Food and Wine Festival, Orlando; Halloween Horror Nights, Universal Studios. Nov-Dec Epcot Holidays around the World (traditional event featuring daily tree-lighting cermony, themed storytellers, and culminating in a candlelit processional). Dec Kissimmee Holiday Extravaganza. TRAVEL: Orlando International Airport (MCO) (website: www.state.fl.us/goaa) is located within 24km (15 miles) of the major attractions and central Orlando. Sandford Orlando Airport (SFM) is located 56km (35 miles) north of Orlando and handles a number of charter airlines. Shuttle buses and vans, taxis, limousines and rental cars are available from both airports. ELSEWHERE: Located in the central highlands north of Orlando, Lake County boasts more than 1000 lakes offering fishing, boating and swimming opportunities. The area is noted for its scenic beauty of gentle hills dotted with orange groves and quiet country roads and parks framed by antique brick streets. Major attractions include the Lakeridge Winery and Vineyard which is open for tours and tastings all year round. The House of Presidents Wax Museum features the White House in Miniature exhibit. Other popular sights include the Florida Citrus Tower, Uncle Donald’s Farm, Trout Lake Nature Center and Wekia Falls Resort in Sorrento. Recreational activities include water-skiing, in-line skating, swimming and cycling. Seminole Lake is home to the largest glider teaching school in Florida and is open to visitors who want to experience the joys of soaring. The northern boundaries of Central Florida are engulfed by a national forest so large it needs to be administered by two separate ranger districts. The Ocala National Forest covers 378,178 acres, divided into three divergent recreation areas linked by a 106km (65-mile) trail. The town of Ocala boasts a 19th-century historic district, a major art museum and 400 horse farms. Central East Florida This slender but significant region stretches from Daytona Beach in the north to Stuart in the south CLIMATE: Central East Florida has warm sunny days and mild nights. The average monthly temperature is 24°C (75ºF) in the winter and 35°C (95ºF) in the summer. Daytona Beach The Daytona Beach area covers 37km (23 miles) along the Atlantic coast and at low tide offers a 150m (500ft) expanse of hard white sand. The beach first became well known in the 1930s and 1940s as a testing ground for the early pioneers of high-speed motor cars and it was here that Sir Malcolm Campbell set his 1935 land speed record – an amazing 444kph (276mph) run in his rocket-powered Bluebird. For a small charge visitors can still take their cars on part of the beach, but the top speed now allowed is just 16kmph (10mph). Real speed is confined to the Daytona International Speedway which hosts the famous Daytona 500 race each February. The Pepsi 400 NASCAR Winston Cup Series takes place in the summer. The speedway also houses a huge collection of racing memorabilia and early racing films and conducts 30-minute tours on days with no races. Other attractions include the huge Daytona Flea and Farmers Market, open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays; the Harbour Marina; and the Ocean Center, which hosts top entertainers, sporting events and conventions. Historical sights include The Casements, the former home of John D Rockefeller; the Gamble Place, a historical and nature preserve; Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse; and Sugar Mill Gardens, a large botanical garden and dinosaur park. Other attractions include the huge Daytona Flea and Farmers Market, open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays; the Harbour Marina; and the Ocean Center, which hosts top entertainers, sporting events and conventions. Historical sights include The Casements, the former home of John D Rockefeller; the Gamble Place, a historical and nature preserve; Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse; and Sugar Mill Gardens, a large botanical garden and dinosaur park. SPECIAL EVENTS: Feb 2003 Speed Weeks. Jul 7 NASCAR Pepsi 400; Florida International Festival. Oct Biketoberfest. TRAVEL: Flights into Daytona arrive at the Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB) (website: http://flydaytonafirst.com). Greyhound buses come and go from 138 South Ridgewood Avenue, four minutes west of the beach (tel: (904) 255 3636). Voltran Transit Co operates local buses in the area. NEW SMYRNA BEACH: South of Daytona Beach is New Smyrna Beach. Billed as the ‘World’s Safest Bathing Beach’, it is also the beach closest to the popular Orlando area and Central Florida attractions and an attraction in itself. Only a short drive from Orlando and Daytona Beach International Airports, New Smyrna Beach lays claim to the best Florida offers - excellent backwater fishing, fresh seafood and seasons of sunshine. As the second oldest settled city in Florida, New Smyrna offers visitors tours of several historical sites and museums. Also named one of the 'Top Small Cities for the Arts', this coastal town houses the Atlantic Center for the Arts, an artists-in-residence community, and many other galleries and exhibits. New Smyrna Beach is 21.2 km (13.2 miles) of white sand and continues into the largest section of Canaveral National Seashore Park and Mosquito Lagoon where backwater fishing for giant Redfish have set international angler records. Canaveral Seashore Park offers miles of pristine beaches, bird watching, kayaking and hiking for the adventurous traveller. Affordable accommodations range from motels to oceanfront hotels, condominiums and Bed and Breakfast Inns. Space Coast South of New Smyrna Beach at Titusville is the start of the ‘Space Coast’, a 115km (72-mile) stretch of beach which leads down to Palm Bay. The main attraction here is Cape Canaveral in the Titusville area – home of the US Space Program. All of NASA’s shuttle flights take off from the Kennedy Space Center. The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex runs continuous tours of the complex where visitors see the actual launchpads and astronaut training centres as well as museums and exhibits. IMAX presentations give visitors the illusion of space travel. Tours take in the Apollo/ Saturn Visitors’ Center, the Launch Complex 39 Observation Gantry and the International Space Station Center, which highlight the past, present and future of the USA’s Space Program. Visitors should plan to spend at least an hour at each of these three new facilities. The Astronauts’ Hall of Fame, a few kilometres from the Kennedy Space Center offers a self-guided tour through the early days of space exploration, focusing on the Mercury 7 and Gemini astronauts. A virtual reality trainer and shuttle simulator make this a hands-on exhibit. The Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum displays historical military aircraft. The Canaveral National Seashore is an unspoilt area of beaches and sand dunes where the giant loggerhead and green turtles come ashore in summer to lay their eggs. The marshy Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is home to more endangered species than any other refuge in the USA and features deer, sea turtles, alligators, eagles and excellent walking tracks. Port Canaveral is America’s second busiest cruise passenger port. The National Historic District of Main Street Titusville boasts many fine 18th- and 19th-century buildings. This charming area also contains antique shops, restaurants, a playhouse and more. The 7000-seat Space Coast Stadium in Viera is the spring training home of Major League Baseball’s Florida Marlins; games are played from March to September. Cocoa Beach is a popular resort famed for surfing and a lively nightlife. Cocoa Beach Pier stretches 256 metres (800ft) into the Atlantic Ocean, offering exceptional fishing and views. The central shopping area has been recreated as Olde Cocoa Village. Astronaut Memorial Hall and Planetarium features memorabilia, astronomical mulitimedia programmes on a 360° domed ceiling, and a public-access space telescope. Brevard Zoo features jaguars, llamas, anteaters, monkeys, exotic birds and other Latin American animals. The Brevard Museum of History and Natural Science traces the origins of Brevard County and the Brevard Museum of Art and Science hosts major touring art exhibitions. The Melbourne/Palm Bay area is near the largest sea turtle nesting area in the USA, which stretches from Spessard Holland Park, south to Sebastian Inlet. Turtles come ashore from May to August and hatchlings struggle back to the ocean until late October. Turtle walks are offered on Space Coast beaches. Perched on the southern tip of the island, the 30m (90ft) Merritt Island Dragon is a concrete and steel sculpture inspired by a local legend. Melbourne’s historic centre features galleries, boutiques, restaurants and antique stores. The Henegar Center is the oldest building in the area, and has varied theatrical offerings throughout the year, while the Maxwell C King Center is the hub of area’s cultural life. SPECIAL EVENTS: Mar 2003 Florida Marlins Profile Baseball Spring Training, Space Coast Stadium, Melbourne; Seafest, Cape Canaveral. Apr Annual Easter Surfing Festival, Cocoa Beach. May-Sep Sea Turtle Nesting Season. Jul Annual Space Week Celebration, Cocoa Beach. TRAVEL: Melbourne International Airport (MLB) (website: www.mlbair.com) serves Brevard County and the Space Coast. Car hire is available and the airport runs a shuttle service throughout several counties. Southwest Florida Florida’s Southwest coast lies along the shores of the Gulf of Mexico and much of the area’s charm and island ambiance comes from the multitude of barrier islands sprinkled along the coastline. It has the feel of ‘Old Florida’, with a relaxed, subtropical, island-style environment. In addition to the many parks and wildlife refuges in the region, there is an abundance of recreational activities: beachcombing, canoeing, golf, windsurfing, biking, tennis, boating, fishing, water-skiing and just plain sightseeing. The first tourist to visit Florida’s Lee Island Coast was Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon, who deposited his stone marker on Pine Island in 1513 and was later mortally wounded in these same waters by a Calusa Indian arrow. Shell mounds, which have provided an insight into the lives of these seafaring Native Americans, can still be found on Pine Island. SPECIAL EVENTS: Jan-Feb 2003 Edison Festival of Light, Fort Myers; Jan Annual Fine Art Juried Show, Marco Island. Feb Everglades Seafood Festival, Everglades City. Mar 65th Annual Sanibel Shell Fair, Sanibel Island. Jun Annual Fort Myers Beach ‘ Taste of the Beach’ Festival, Fort Myers; International Hemingway Festival, Sanibel Island. Nov Old Florida Festival, Collier County. TRAVEL: Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) (website: www.swfia.com) offers non-stop and connecting flights across the USA and Canada, provided by all the major US and Canadian airlines. Major European destinations are easily accessible via connections through a number of US hubs, and non-stop service is available from Germany with LTU International Airlines and from Switzerland with Balair/CTA, the charter arm of Swiss, which offers scheduled weekly flights between Switzerland and Southwest Florida during the summer months (travel time – 8 hours). Airport facilities include long-term and short-term parking, a visitor information centre (provided by the Lee Island Coast Visitor & Convention Bureau) and car rental. Lee Tran buses run between 0600 and 2200. Another bus service is provided on an hourly basis to a transfer point located at Daniels Parkway and US State Highway 41. Connections can be made from that point to the remainder of the Lee Tran bus routes. Sanibel & Captiva Islands Unspoiled yet luxurious, Sanibel Island is connected to the mainland by a scenic causeway that spans the waters of Pine Island Sound. Sanibel is probably best known for the fabulous shells found on its shores, but the reputation of its beaches is growing. Sanibel’s main thoroughfare, Periwinkle Way, is picturesque, lush with jungle and framed by a canopy of Australian pines. Interesting shops and unique restaurants dot the road from the Sanibel Lighthouse to Tarpon Bay Road. A variety of eateries offer everything from fine dining to casual seafood bars. Two attractions not to be missed are Lighthouse Park and the J N ‘Ding’ Darling National Wildlife Refuge, occupying more than a third of the island. The refuge features delightful footpaths, winding canoe trails and an 8-km (5-mile) scenic drive, all of which are surrounded with sea grape, wax and salt myrtles, red mangrove, palms and other native plant varieties. Naturalists will get their best view of the wide variety of fauna and flora from observation towers strategically placed throughout the nature sanctuary. A short span at Blind Pass joins Sanibel to Captiva, an intimate hideaway where Spanish pirate José Gaspar held his female prisoners captive. Several barrier islands are accessible from Captiva by boat. Other excursions include a shelling tour to Upper Captiva or a visit to the Cayo Costa State Island Preserve. Fort Myers & Area The city of Fort Myers is perhaps best known for its palm-lined boulevards and Thomas Alva Edison’s winter home. Edison spent 46 winters in his old-Florida-style home, a tour of which provides an insightful look at this great inventor. His home, laboratory and experimental gardens are located on 14 acres of land on the Caloosahatchee River. For 24km (15 miles), McGregor Boulevard is lined on both sides with statuesque royal palm trees, the first 200 of which were imported from Cuba and planted by Thomas Edison. The Caloosahatchee separates Fort Myers from Cape Coral, a boating community with more canals than Venice, Italy. In addition to the Edison Home, visitors to Fort Myers, Cape Coral and the neighbouring towns of North Fort Myers, Lehigh and Bonita Springs can enjoy a visit to Henry Ford’s home, the Lee County Nature Center and The Shell Factory. Fishing is a popular pastime in Southwest Florida. The waters are teeming with fish, from delicious red snappers and grouper to game fish such as snook and tarpon. A short boat ride away, and connected to the mainland by a short causeway near Punta Gorda, is Boca Grande, a slice of ‘Old Florida’ on Gasparilla Island. Long known as a playground for the wealthy, this quaint, sleepy town is a favourite spot for sport fishing – tarpon is a popular catch here. Further south are Estero Island and Fort Myers Beach, ideal for family holidays with its safe, gently sloping shoreline and numerous activities. Golf aficionados will appreciate the fact that Southwest Florida has more golf holes per capita than any other destination in the USA. Naples Naples is a charming city with an atmosphere of understated elegance. Home to cosy beach cottages and five-star resorts, Naples is also known for its pristine shoreline and abundant wildlife. Both the ambience and the scenery are serene, thanks to the easygoing demeanour of the Neapolitans and the city’s meticulously maintained thoroughfares, parks and shopping areas. A stroll along Fifth Avenue South and Third Street South’s tree-lined avenues in ‘Olde Naples’ reveals a variety of gift boutiques, antique emporia, apparel shops and art galleries, as well as a range of cafés and restaurants. The Old Marine Market Place at Tin City on Naples Bay reflects Neapolitan history at a time when the area supplied fresh fish from tin-roofed warehouses. Not far away, The Village on Venetian Bay is reminiscent of a Mediterranean plaza with winding waterways and walkways. At Waterside Shops, cascading waterfalls are the central point for major retailers, clothiers and galleries. The Caribbean Gardens Zoological Park offers 21ha (53 acres) of rare, endangered animals and tropical gardens. At the Teddy Bear Museum, almost 3000 bears in every shape and size are whimsically arranged. Naples boasts more than 53 golf courses. Professional tournaments such as the PGA Greater Naples Intellinet Golf Challenge and the Florida Senior Open take place throughout the year. Tennis is a close second to golf and Naples offers community courts in a park-like setting just blocks away from the beach. Wildlife is also plentiful in the Naples area. Numerous venues afford ample opportunities to view endangered species such as the manatee, the American bald eagle, and the North American wood stork. Nature lovers will enjoy a real view of Old Florida along two miles of scenic boardwalks in the National Audubon Society’s Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. South of Naples is Collier Seminole State Park, featuring guided boat tours through mangrove forests along the Blackwater River. Marco Island & the Southwest South of Naples is Marco Island, located at the southernmost tip of Florida’s Gulf Coast and nearly lost among the Ten Thousand Islands. The Ten Thousand Islands are a maze of mangrove isles that stretch from Naples to the Florida Keys. It is an area of stunning beauty. Marco Island, is the largest and only inhabited isle, is a retreat for the wealthy. Its pampered perfection complements the tangled wildness and sweeping sawgrass prairies of Florida’s famous Everglades National Park, which lies only an hour away. The Everglades is the USA’s third-largest national park. Several excursions offer a glimpse of the country’s only subtropical region, by means of airboat tours, nature trails and safari vans. The unassuming fishing hamlets of Everglades City and Chokoloskee Island, both locked in time, offer visitors an interactive eco-adventure in the inspirational beauty of Florida’s final frontier. For information on the eastern areas of the Everglades, see the Southeast Florida and the Keys section. Southeast Florida and the Keys Southeast Florida is home to one of the USA’s most international cities – Greater Miami – which offers a rich array of exotic cuisine, nightlife, festivals, shopping, attractions, arts and architecture. Once strictly a winter resort, the area is now a year-round holiday destination for tourists from all over the world. The vibrant life of the coastal area provides a startling contrast to the Everglades National Park, which stretches across a large portion of southern Florida. The USA’s only subtropical region, this expanse of wetlands is within easy reach of the main cities in Southeast Florida (for information on the western areas of the Everglades, see the Southwest Florida section). Stretching from Key Largo at the northern end to Key West in the south, 45 of the over 800 islands of the Florida Keys, once known as the Cayos, are linked by Overseas Highway 1. CLIMATE: Greater Miami and the Beaches’ subtropical climate ensures plentiful sunshine all year round. There is sufficient rainfall during the summer and early autumn. Virtually all buildings are air-conditioned. In fact, a light sweater or jacket is advisable to take the chill off the indoor climates. The powerful rays of the sun also make it a good idea to wear a hat or protective sunscreen when planning to be outdoors for long periods. Miami Today, Greater Miami is an international crossroads of commerce, culture, sports, entertainment, transport and tourism. This cosmopolitan city boasts beautiful beaches, right next to one of the USA’s most vibrant urban centres. Often called the ‘City of the Future’, Miami contains dramatic skyscrapers, modern hotels and an international financial district. Greater Miami is famed for conch fritters, black beans and rice, cowbells and castanets, salsa and compas, jig and rumba. It offers a unique blend of 21st century and Old World architecture, sports facilities and sunbathing opportunities, big-city culture and small-town neighbourhoods. The American Airlines Arena, a distinctive, neon-lit addition to Miami’s futuristic skyline, has emerged as a focal point for the city’s renaissance. This new home for the Miami Heat basketball team opened in 2000 and is across from the Miami-Dade Performing Arts Center, which is due to open in July 2003.. Ornamented by a parade of palm trees, Brickell Avenue’s towers of mirrored glass and steel command some of the area’s most coveted views of the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay. Bayside Marketplace is a restaurant, shopping and entertainment complex on the bay. Nearby, the Metro-Dade Cultural Center is a Mediterranean-style complex housing the Center for the Fine Arts, the Historical Museum of Southern Florida and one of the largest libraries in the southeast. Trips across the half dozen causeways that span Biscayne Bay are short and scenic, connecting mainland Miami to the seaside attractions. Bal Harbor, Surfside, Sunny Isles, Key Biscayne and Miami Beach are minutes from the heart of the city. MIAMI BEACH: Renovated hotels along Ocean Drive and throughout the Art Deco District have captured national praise for the Art Deco, Streamline Moderne and Spanish Mediterranean Revival styles which dominate the one-square-mile area. Just north of the Art Deco Historic District, multi-million dollar restorations have transformed many of the well-known hotels along Collins Avenue. The striking new architecture of the recently expanded Miami Beach Convention Center makes it an instant landmark. The updated and hip Lincoln Road Mall is a hub of the arts and entertainment. The street now houses the South Florida Arts Center, the Colony Theatre and the headquarters of the New World Symphony, Sony Latin America and MTV Latino. At the southernmost tip of Miami Beach, South Pointe Park offers an ideal vantage point to watch luxury cruise ships make their way out to sea. Boat watching is also a favourite pastime at the International Yacht Harbor, one of the largest marinas in South Florida. All year round, the warm sand, azure waters and pleasant breezes of Miami Beach beckon sunbathers, picnickers and outdoor diners. ELSEWHERE: Biscayne National Park offers glass-bottomed boat rides through mangroves and islands and out to tropical coral reefs rising 8m (25ft). Miami Metrozoo represents state-of-the-art zoo design, with exotic animals in habitats very similar to their original homes in the wild. Miccosukee Indian Village, west of Miami, shows how this Native American tribe existed (and still exists) in the heart of the Florida Everglades. The Monkey Jungle, gives visitors the chance to see North America’s first colony of wild monkeys in lush tropical jungle surroundings. Vizcaya, south of central Miami on Biscayne Bay, is a beautiful 70-room Italian Renaissance-style palace set in ten acres of picturesque formal gardens. The Miami Museum of Science & Space Transit Planetarium has many attractions, including a laser show. The Parrot Jungle, 18km (11 miles) south of Miami, has 1100 birds on display. It is open weekends only until its relocation to Watson Island, in downtown Miami, due to happen in summer 2003. SPECIAL EVENTS: Jan 2003 Art Deco Weekend, Miami Beach. Feb Miami International Boat Show, Miami Beach; Coconut Grove Arts Festival, Coconut Grove; Carnaval Miami, Little Havana. Feb-Apr 20th Miami Film Festival. Feb 28-Mar 2 South Beach Wine and Food Festival, Miami.. Mar Marlboro Grand Prix of Miami. Apr Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival; South Beach Film Festival; Grand Prix of Miami, Homestead. May New Miami Music Festival; Great Sunrise Balloon Race and Festival. Jun Goombay Festival, Coconut Grove. Oct Columbus Day Regatta, Biscayne Bay. TRAVEL: Miami International Airport (MIA) (website: www.miami-airport.com) is located just seven miles from central Miami. This airport ranks ninth in the USA for total passenger traffic, with approximately 34 million travellers passing through its portals annually. Parking at the airport is simplified by a state-of-the-art people-mover system that connects the parking areas to the main airport terminal via moving walkways. Airlines serving the airport include American Airlines, Air Canada, Air Aruba, Air France and British Airways. Miami Air International is an upmarket charter airline specialising in cruise travellers, and incentive and corporate travel. Supershuttle offers easy, door-to-door transport to and from the airport. Customer service representatives are on call 24 hours a day and are located outside the airport baggage claims area. More than 19 of the 63 Dade County routes serve Greater Miami and the Beaches every day, as well as the Miami Seaquarium, the Orange Bowl Stadium, the Cultural Centre and Metrozoo. Fort Lauderdale Greater Fort Lauderdale is one of the premier tourism destinations in South Florida. During the 1920s, this sleepy outpost boomed when real estate speculators dredged the Everglades, forming irrigation canals and creating the ‘Venice of America’. A US$26 million revitalisation programme brought brick-paved pedestrian promenades, columned porticos and hundreds of new palm trees to the city’s famed beachfront strip. In total, there are 23 miles of beach front, 300 miles of inland waterways and 3500 restaurants. Riverwalk, a linear park, links hotels, restaurants and attractions along the banks of the New River, leading to the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. Water taxis ply Fort Lauderdale’s canals and the Intracoastal Waterway. Opportunities to explore the natural world in Greater Fort Lauderdale include Butterfly World, dedicated to the study, care and display of beautiful butterflies from all over the globe; Flamingo Gardens; the Water Taxi; and the Museum of Discovery & Science. The Secret Woods Nature Center features wetlands, mangrove swamps and numerous plant and animal communities. It is possible to ride an airboat through the Everglades at Sawgrass Recreation Park or Everglades Holiday Park. The Fort Lauderdale Historical Society has undergone a major expansion resulting in the creation of a historic village in the centre of Fort Lauderdale. The Society houses exhibits on the area’s development, the history of sports in South Florida, regional architecture, Seminole Indian culture and even a silent movie theatre. The Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum, on the Seminole Indian Reservation, includes profiles of historic leaders, artefacts, traditional crafts, toys and jewellery exhibits. The Von D Mizell Library is just one of several attractions in Broward County with important affiliations to the African-American community. Displays feature the black heritage of Broward County, especially authors and artists, as well as memorabilia of Dr Mizell, one of the area’s first African-American doctors. Bonnet House is a historical estate of 14ha (35 acres) that reflects the history of South Florida. The waterfront estate includes a plantation-style house, art gallery, a bamboo bar and shell museum and eight outbuildings. Other attractions include Stranahan House, the home of the area’s first ferryman, Frank Stranahan, and the Graves Museum of Archaeology & Natural History with exhibits on the Tequesta Indians of South Florida, as well as ancient Egypt and the Near East, marine archaeology, Pre-Hispanic Americas and the Carole Jacobs Mineral Collection. Boats can be hired from Bahia Mar Marina or visitors can hop aboard The Jungle Queen, a paddleboat. Also in the area is Sawgrass Mills Mall, the world’s largest designer outlet mall, which features over 275 speciality shops. SPECIAL EVENTS: Feb 2003 Fiesta Tropicale, (South Florida's Mardi Gras). Feb-Mar 11th Annual Florida Renaissance Festival, Deerfield Beach. Apr Fort Lauderdale Seafood Festival, Bubier Park, Fort Lauderdale. Nov 17th Annual Sound Advice Blues Festival, Fort Lauderdale. TRAVEL: Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport (FLL) (website: www.fll.net) is located in Fort Lauderdale. It is served by 24 airlines including Air Canada, Air Jamaica, American, American TransAir and TWA. Palm Beach This is a popular hang-out of the rich and famous, who spend their days buying jewellery in Cartier on Worth Avenue or sipping iced-tea at the polo matches. The resort is also home to the Henry Morrison Flagler Museum, a tribute to the railroad mogul who established the area as an exclusive holiday destination by laying out the opulent palm-lined boulevards. Other attractions in the area include the Burt Reynolds Ranch & Film Studios, a 168-acre ranch featuring a mini-petting farm, gift shop and museum; The Rapids Water Park, with four gigantic waterslides; The Sailfish Marine and Lion Country Safari Park, with more than 1000 wild animals, free boat cruises, miniature golf and a dinosaur and reptile park. The International Museum of Cartoon Art has a permanent collection which includes 100,000 original drawings, 10,000 books and hundreds of hours of film and videotape. Other museums in the area are the Children’s Museum of Boca Raton, South Florida Science Museum and Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens. West of Palm Beach is Lake Okeechobee, the second-largest lake in the USA, celebrated for its large-mouth bass fishing. SPECIAL EVENTS: Jan 2003 South Florida Fair. Mar Palm Beach Boat Show. May Sunfest, West Palm Beach. The Keys From Miami to Key West is only 45 minutes by air. The first Key from Miami is Key Largo, the longest island of the Keys chain and the site where Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall battled with both Edward G Robinson and a hurricane in the movie of the same name. Key Largo’s star attractions are John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park – the first underwater preserve in the USA – and the adjacent Key Largo National Marine Sanctuary. These two refuges feature 55 varieties of delicate corals and almost 500 different species of fish. Key Largo also features the world’s only underwater hotel, where guests can spend the evening in the midst of the marine life of the Keys. Islamorada is the centrepiece of a group of islands called ‘The Purple Isles’ that includes Plantation Keys, Windley Key and both Upper Matecumbe Key and Lower Matecumbe Key. Known as the ‘Sportfishing Capital of the World’, Islamorada is famed for its angling opportunities and features the Keys’ largest fleet of offshore charterboats and shallow water ‘backcountry’ boats. The Keys boast more sportfishing world records than any other fishing destination in the world. Anglers can find sailfish, marlin, kingfish, snapper, barracuda and grouper. Long Key State Park has nature trails leading to tropical hummocks and Grassy Key is the site of the Dolphin Research Center. Marathon, heart of the Florida Keys, and neighbouring Key Colony Beach, boast 18- and 9-hole golf courses, respectively. It is also home to Crane Point Hammock, a 26ha (63.5-acre) land tract that is one of the most important historical and archaeological sites in the Keys. The area contains evidence of pre-Columbian and prehistoric Bahamian artefacts and was once the site of a Native American village. At Crane Point is the Museum of Natural History of the Florida Keys and the Florida Keys Children’s Museum which explores the islands’ rich natural history. Big Pine Key is noted for the Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary, a national refuge for miniature Key deer, tropical forests and even a few alligators in the Blue Hole. Ernest Hemingway purchased a pre-Civil War mansion in Key West and lived in it for ten years while writing some of his best-known novels. His legend remains and visitors continue to seek out his home – now a museum – and his favourite bar. In the evening, visitors gather at Mallory Square to ‘call it a day’. The daily ‘Sunset Celebration’ is a tradition that Key Westers share with visitors. While musicians, jugglers, mime artists and an occasional fire-eater provide the entertainment, the sun sinks slowly below the horizon. SPECIAL EVENTS: Jan 2003 18th Annual Key West Craft Show. Mar 30th Annual Seafood Festival, Marathon. Apr 21st Conch Republic Independence Day Celebration, Key West. Apr 26 22nd Annual Seven Mile Bridge Run, Marathon. May Key West Music Festival. Jun-Jul Annual Key West Theatre Festival. Jul 19th Annual Underwater Music Festival & Seafood Fest, Big Pine Key; Key West Marlin Tournament (in conjunction with the Hemingway Days Festival), Florida Keys; 23rd Annual Hemingway Days Festival, Key West. Oct Oktoberfest 2003, Summerland Key. Oct 17-26 Fantasy Fest, Key West. Nov 10th Annual Corvettes in Paradise, Islamorada. Dec 17th Annual Island Art Fair, Big Pine Key. Social Profile FOOD & DRINK: Miami/Miami Beach: There are more than 300 fine restaurants, and most hotels maintain excellent dining rooms. Some gourmet eateries are expensive but many popular restaurants have economy prices. Cuban and Mexican food is very popular in Miami, and because Florida is surrounded almost entirely by water, seafood is a State speciality. Fresh stone crabs are not available anywhere else in the USA. Orlando: International Drive is the centre of a variety of restaurants that include Chinese, tapas, Cuban, Asian/Pacific rim and even fondue. Tampa: There is a clear emphasis on Latin cuisine in Tampa but all tastes are catered for, with everything from international restaurants to fast-food shops. NIGHTLIFE: Miami/Miami Beach: Nightclubs exist in most hotels and resorts. The Coconut Grove area, with its trendy nightclubs and cocktail bars, offers a swinging nightlife both inside the clubs and on the streets where many people just come for a stroll, in order to be where the action is. whereas, the most lavish and lively clubs are Cuban supper clubs. Les Violons and Les Folies, both on Biscayne Boulevard, are highly recommended and feature spectacular shows and excellent food. Tampa: The best nightlife on the Gulf Coast can be found in Ybor City, which is Tampa’s lively and historic Latin quarter. The action centres on 7th Avenue, which closes to traffic at weekends to allow the party atmosphere to spill out on to the streets. SHOPPING: Miami: The city’s main shopping streets are Flagler Street, between Biscayne Bay and Miami Avenue; and Biscayne Boulevard, between Flagler Street and north to 16th Street. A flea market operates every Saturday and Sunday on the grounds of Tropicaire Drive-In Theater, 7751 Bird Road, Miami. Luxury and designer shops can be found at Village of Merrick Park in Coral Gables, south of Miami. Miami Beach: The principal shopping area is Lincoln Road Mall. Just north of Miami Beach is the Bal Harbour shopping district. Fort Lauderdale: The famous Sawgrass Mills Factory outlet mall is located on the northwest edge of the city and many boutiques can be found near the waterfront. Tampa: The main shopping area is around Franklin Street Mall. Orlando: Shoppers can take advantage of a huge range of retail outlets from factory outlet malls such as Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores to designer malls such as Orlando Premium Outlets and the Mall at Millenia. Sport: Florida’s sports opportunities are endless. Greyhound-racing is held in Pensacola, Jacksonville, Daytona Beach, Orange Lake, St Petersburg, Sarasota, Tampa, Bonita Springs, Palm Beach, Miami, Fort Lauderdale and the Keys. Harness-racing is popular in Pompano and thoroughbred horse-racing in Tampa, Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Other spectator sports include professional basketball, played in Miami at the American Airlines Arena; professional football, with the Miami Dolphins playing at the Pro Player Stadium in Miami, the Orlando Thunder team in Orlando and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers team in Tampa; and polo, played at the Palm Beach Polo and Country Club. Other sports on offer include golf, tennis, fishing, boat-racing, motorcar-racing, rodeo, baseball, diving and sailing. Hunting and fishing licenses are sometimes required by persons over 16 years of age. Check with the Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission (tel: (850) 488 1960). For further information and brochures on any of the above-named sports, contact the Florida Sports Foundation, 2930 Kerry Forest Parkway, Tallahassee, FL 32308 (tel: (850) 488 8347; fax: (850) 922 0482; e-mail: info@flasports.com; website: www.flasports.com). THEATRE & CONCERTS: Miami/Miami Beach: The best known theatres include the Theater of Performing Arts at Miami Beach Convention Center Complex and Coconut Grove Playhouse, which plays major Broadway hits. The Concert Association of Florida books many major stars; their shows are usually staged at Dade County or Miami Beach Auditoria. Fort Lauderdale: Parker Playhouse was created by Zev Buffman, owner of the Coconut Grove Playhouse, and shows usually move on from there to the Parker. The Sunrise Music Theater often features big-name performers. Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd.