Escape the Winter for Fun and Sun in Florida

by gizelle@tripatlas.com
January 18, 2008

If you're looking for fun in the sun to get you through the next few months of winter, remember that Florida is, after all, the "Sunshine State."

And, there's absolutely no doubt you'll return with a fantastic tan.

With almost 3000 km's of beautiful blue coastline, 1,931 km's of warm sandy beaches, and a whopping 1,250 perfectly manicured green golf courses, 12 international airports, over 370,000 hotel rooms and counting, 700 campgrounds, and 4 major amusement parks in Orlando alone - Florida doesn't kid around when it comes to fun.

With 60 million visitors per year, there's something for everyone: children, families, snowbirds, couples, adventurers, foodies, golfers, celebrity stalkers, swimmers, divers, and more.

We've put together a list of our Florida favourites with a little sumthin' sumthin' for everyone.

TripAtlas.com's Top Picks for Your Next Trip to Florida!

Golf with the Greats!

GolfingFlorida is a golfer's mecca. Within one hour's drive from Orlando, you'll find 150 golf courses, designed by the pros like Greg Norman and Robert Trent Jones, and often used as tournament courses. It's no wonder professional golfers Tiger Woods, Ernie Els, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player all live in Orlando. With the most golf courses in its state (approximately 1,250), you will definitely not get bored if you love golf. Watch out for armadillos wandering the greens!

Play and Dine in Orlando.

Disney WorldA trip to Florida is never complete with at least a stroll through one of Orlando's amusement parks. From major parks like Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort, and Sea World, to smaller parks like Wet ‘n Wild Water Park, Daytona USA, Gator Land, Holy Land Experience, and more! There's something for everyone of all ages in Orlando and the dining is also fantastic. Try Fulton's Crab House in Downtown Disney for Boston-styled seafood, Emeril's at Universal Studios for southern Cajun cooking - or if you're really really lucky, Victoria and Albert's at the Grand Floridian.

Everything is Hot South Beach.

MiamiThis southernmost section of Miami Beach made famous by Miami Vice is a center of Art Deco architecture buzzing with fashion industry professionals. From morning to evening, the beaches are littered with beautiful people, fashion shoots, sunbathers, models, and colourful lifeguard stands. With over 150 clubs, approximately 1,500 models living in the area, expensive cars, celebrities, bars and cafes that litter every corner, you won't be able to stop people watching and having a good time! February 21-24, 2008 also marks the South Beach Wine and Food Festival, featuring Nobu Matsuhisa, Morimoto, Guy Savoy, Anthony Bourdain, Mario Batali, Giada De Laurentiis, Bobby Flay, Jamie Oliver, Emeril, and more!

Drive Through the Everglades via Alligator Alley.

AlligatorFeeling adventurous? Take an afternoon drive along "Alligator Alley" and through its parks if you want to go gator spotting or recreational fishing - but be careful to not fall in the water. This route, also called the Everglades Parkway, goes along the Interstate 75 (or State Road 84) connecting Fort Lauderdale to Naples and Marco Island. The road was built to connect the east and west coasts and is the northern-most part of the Florida Everglades.

Wade in Water in Key West.

Key WestFor boaters, sailors, yachters, fishers, snorkelling lovers, scuba divers, and seafood fans - the Key West area is the place for relaxing by the clear light blue water. Located at the base of Florida as a group of islands that form an arm-like extension to Florida, it is a tourist seaport that is steeped in history, art, and gorgeous weather. From Key Largo, Big Pine and Lower Keys, Islamorada, and Marathon, the waters are spectacular. Dive and tour the reef to see colourful exotic fish and swim with marine wildlife. For a similar scene, check out Marco Island and the Ten Thousand Islands just south of Naples.

Learn and Experience in Tampa, Clearwater, and St. Petersburg.

Spring TrainingThe Tampa Bay Area is one of the busiest cities in Florida. It is home to many major professional sports teams and the spring training grounds for many other Major League Baseball Teams, including the New York Yankees, the Philadelphia Phillies and the Toronto Blue Jays. Besides being a sports center and host of 2009's Super Bowl - the arts, culture, and museums for kids and adults in the Tampa Bay area is unmatched with any other city in Florida. Come here to live, learn and experience what Florida's culture has to offer. For an extra special treat, make your way to Ybor City, a historic community known as Tampa's Latin Quarter, and modeled with flavours from Cuba, Spain and Italy.


Comments

submit a comment
Subject:
Your message:



Enter the word from the above image:


Click here, if you can't read the word.