Florida: A State Full of Possibilities

Florida shot to prominence as a premier destination for British tourists during the late 1980s at the onset of sustained cheap transatlantic travel. Disney’s Magic Kingdom was the initial draw for the millions of Britons who took off for the Sunshine State, but this huge chunk of the USA has so much more to offer than just its ever-growing selection of theme parks.

Starting at the southernmost tip of the continental USA, the Florida Keys is a series of islands that stretch 130 miles from Key West to join the mainland 15 miles south of Miami. As the one-time home to American author Ernest Hemingway and his peculiar six-toed cats, Key West is a cosmopolitan town that also boasts a thriving gay community. But, along the Keys there are some idyllic spots including Key Largo - the setting for the Hollywood classic film of the same name starring Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall.

The Gulf Coast resort of St. Petersburg/Clearwater - close to the large city of Tampa on the west of the State - is also a popular draw for tourists, especially those from the North American continent. During the 1920s this resort was the place to be seen by polite society but since then it has grown into an elegant and popular destination. As well as the top-rated beach, a short drive away is the hugely popular Busch Gardens theme park with many adrenaline-fuelled thrill riders. Sports lovers can take a short drive to the outskirts of Tampa and visit the Tropicana Stadium, home to the Tampa Rays, runners-up in Major League Baseball’s 2008 World Series.

From the UK, direct flights to Florida arrive at Miami, Tampa and Orlando International. If planning on staying in St. Petersburg/Clearwater head to Tampa, to get to the Keys start at Miami, and for visitors to the majority of the theme parks one of the Orlando airports should be the starting point.

As well as being the starting point for trips to the Keys, Miami is a fantastic place to spend a few days. South Beach is renowned for its splendid art-deco architecture and lively nightlife as well as a superb beach, and downtown Miami is a culturally diverse and cosmopolitan area boasting many museums that offer an interesting mix of music, art and anthropology.

Of course, any mention of Florida shouldn’t forget that it is primarily a holiday playground due in the main to the establishment of the Magic Kingdom in Kissimmee, just outside Orlando. Following its early success Disney added even more theme and water parks, and other parks not connected to the Disney organisation such as Universal and Sea World.

With so much available to see and do on a trip to Florida, it really does offer visitors a fun-filled adventure holiday in the sun.

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The information contained within this article is the opinion of the author and is intended purely for information and interest purposes only. It should not be used to make any decisions or take any actions. Any links are included for information purposes only.

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