Discover The Real Florida

The following guide has been written for thoseof Mexico to the south and west. This unique
who are interested in going on holiday to Florida.position makes the area a mecca for seashell
Whether you seek the fun and fantasy of Waltcollectors. The only 'main' road on Sanibel is
Disney World(R), great shopping and dining, orPeriwinkle Way which winds its way through the
recreation and relaxation on fantastic beaches,centre of the crescent shaped island lined with
Florida, the 'Sunshine State', has it all!trees and bike paths. Biking is a must on Sanibel.
Kissimmee & OrlandoThe "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge on
The Kissimmee resort area lies at the heart ofSanibel is a 5000 acre preservation area which
the 'Sunshine State', with the highestcan be enjoyed via a scenic biking, walking or
concentration anywhere of theme parks anddriving route. Two public golf courses, tennis, boat
attractions. The choice of entertainment isrentals and charters are readily available. At the
practically endless. Walt Disney World's(R) foursouth end of Periwinkle Way are clusters of
parks - The Magic Kingdom(R), Epcot(R) ,shops and boutiques tucked unobtrusively among
Disney-MGM Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdomtropical landscaping and offering a most delightful
(TM) - as well as Universal Studios(R) andmelange of clothing, souvenirs, arts and crafts.
Universal's Islands of Adventure(R) and Sea WorldFort Myers Beach on Estero Island is 7 miles of
are all fabulous theme parks you won't want tosugar sand beach-front along the inviting Gulf of
miss. Each park is wonderfully unique, providingMexico. The gentle sloping shoreline, calm waters
fun and adventure which is sure to delight visitorsand relaxed atmosphere make Fort Myers Beach
of every age!a favourite with families. The location is also ideal
The action is virtually non-stop, with the parksfor a day trip to the Everglades or a visit to the
open late and a nightlife that is equally unique andsecluded islands of nearby Sanibel and Captiva.
entertaining. In the Summer months you canThe town of Fort Myers is a short drive away
even spend a balmy evening at a water fun parkand offers many golf courses, shopping malls and
like Wet 'nWild(R) or Typhoon Lagoon. There is aattractions including the winter homes of Thomas
wide choice of good quality restaurants often withEdison and Henry Ford. Back on the beach enjoy
an all you can eat buffet, as well as a full range ofsporting activities such as cycling, tennis or
fast food places. You can combine dinner withboating, or take a leisurely stroll at sunset on the
entertainment at one of the themed dinnercrystal-white sandy beach. Dine at restaurants
attractions in the area. In case you find free timeright on the beach, where fresh local seafood
on your hands, you can 'shop till you drop' in oneawaits you or enjoy the casual atmosphere of
of the enormous malls or factory outlets. Thethe many eateries and bars.
bargains are great!Naples and Marco Island
The Florida SuncoastNaples is a great après-theme-park escape
Central to the Suncoast are the communities offor the discerning visitor to Florida. Just 3 1/2
St Pete Beach, Madeira Beach, Indian Shores andhours drive from Orlando and 11⁄2 hours
Indian Rocks Beach. These are uncrowded beachdrive from Miami, its sweeping Gulf beaches are
resorts close to a host of activities that make forjust a stones throw from the Everglades. The
a perfect beach holiday. The beach and sea aresuperb Naples lifestyle is still relatively unknown to
the areas' greatest attractions, but touristvisitors, but a visit here will reveal why so many
attractions are plentiful, giving you the opportunitypeople want to return again and again. Every
to do as little or as much as you please. Forcorner of Naples holds an image of tropical bliss,
years visitors from all over the world havefrom swaying palm trees and technicolour sunsets
enjoyed Busch Gardens, the Salvador Dalito landscaped communities and sparkling
Museum and Sunken Gardens, among the manywaterways. Naples is known for its upmarket
fun and interesting places within easy reach.shopping. Both 3rd Street South and the Village of
Sports enthusiasts will delight in the range ofVenetian Bay offer a unique cluster of speciality
activities whether you are a participator or ashops, open air cafes and restaurants. Cultural
spectator: fishing, boating, golf, tennis and baseballpursuits include a resident Philharmonic orchestra,
to name just a few. The proximity of St.theatres and first-rate art galleries and museums.
Petersburg, Clearwater and Tampa offers anOther entertainment includes the Pier, Jungle
even wider choice of places to explore,Larry's Zoological Gardens, Collier Automotive
restaurants to enjoy and shops to discover. TheMuseum, and even a Teddy Bear Museum! For
restaurants range from the deliciouslythose who are passionate about golf, you'll find
sophisticated to the irresistibly informal, fromparadise on a par with the unparalleled lifestyle.
fresh lobster to pizza and beer! Madeira Beach hasSituated at the corner of the Sunshine State is
outstanding fishing and is particularly famous forMarco Island, the largest of the 'Ten Thousand
John's Pass Village and Boardwalk - a uniqueIslands' and a gateway to the Everglades. Just six
collection of shops, boutiques and restaurants builtmiles long and four miles wide, the island has over
on the water. From here you can hire boats forthree miles of beautiful white sandy beach and
the day (or forever!). Indian Shores and Indianwaterways reaching into every corner of its inland
Rocks Beach are the 'friendly island' towns with alandscape. Marco Island simply surrounds you with
welcoming and laid back Florida lifestyle.opportunities: over thirty golf courses conveniently
Sarasota Areacloseby, close to seventy restaurants, the
The Sarasota/Bradenton area is easily accessibleEverglades National Park, a historic trail with
from Orlando. The area contains some lovelycharming boutiques, factory outlet shopping and
beaches, local shops and good family restaurants.an endless range of watersports.
The Sarasota area offers botanical gardens, fineFlorida Keys and Key West
museums, performing arts, world class golfThe Florida Keys, Highway 1 'The Overseas
courses, upmarket shopping, boating and otherHighway' and forty-two bridges connect this string
watersports - there is something for everyone!of coral rock islands. Bounded on the east by the
Anna Maria Island is a peaceful seaside communityclear blue waters of the Atlantic Gulf Stream and
with no high rise hotels, lovely sandy beaches andon the west by the tranquil Florida Bay and the
turquoise-blue Gulf waters. You can even enjoyoutlying fringes of the Everglades, the Keys enjoy
the serene beauty from the island's delightfulthe second largest coral reef system in the world.
beachfront dining facilities. A perfect year roundThe reef protects the Keys and is the reason
location for families and couples.why there are no sandy beaches on these islands.
At the southern end of the Sarasota area is theAmerica's foremost underwater parks - John
island of Siesta Key. Siesta Key's award winningPennekamp Coral Reef State Park and the
beaches are officially recognised as having theadjacent Key Largo National Marine Sanctuary -
most pristine, powdery white sands in the world.cover approximately 178 nautical square miles and
No sand is quite like it; even under the burningare the area's star attractions. You must see and
subtropical sun, it feels cool to the touch! To theexperience the wondrous enchantment of the
visitors who flock here each year, theancient coral landscape, home to an extensive
enchantment is many-fold: miles of wide whitevariety of fish and undersea life, either as a
walking beach, elegant gourmet restaurants, ashallow water snorkeller or a deep-water scuba
quaint village with resident artists and interestingdiver. Dive shops, guides, charters and equipment
shops, and an island ambience all of its own.in the Upper Keys are abundant.
South of Sarasota lies unspoilt Manasota Key.133 miles from the southernmost tip of the
With an average year-round temperature ofFlorida mainland is Key West an island where the
75ºF and the sea nearly always in the 80's, itfamous and infamous alike come to enjoy a
is not surprising that those who have discoveredlifestyle with a European flavour and an
one of Florida's best kept secrets have not beenall-American flair. Key West is home to poets,
in a hurry to tell others! You will often see dolphinswriters, artists and craftsmen all lured by its
at play just off the beach and logger-head turtlesspecial way of life. Stay in Key West and leave
in the sand. Collect shells, take a relaxed dip in theyour car parked. Key West is a town that never
sea and watch the sun go down. The smallseems to sleep, but instead seems to come alive
charming seaside town of Venice is just minutesas the sun goes down. Each evening jugglers,
away.musicians and street artists convene on the
The Englewood area offers a choice ofMallory Dock for the Sunset Celebration. The
restaurants and shopping. Fabulous Boca Grandestreets are filled with sidewalk cafes, open-air
Island with its excellent beaches and quaint villagebars, legendary pubs and world-class restaurants.
is closeby. The area's smaller keys such as PalmDiscover Duval Street, 'the longest street' in
Island and Little Gasparilla have regular ferryAmerica because it stretches from the Atlantic
services and tempt you to try a real desert islandOcean to the Gulf of Mexico! Here you will find
day out.the world famous Sloppy Joe's, Rick's Cafe and
Sanibel, Captiva and Fort Myers Beachthe home of the Pina Colada. The nightlife is
Sanibel and Captiva islands are a vacationers'exceptional with theatre, cabaret, and so many
paradise, enjoying an average yearly temperaturedining experiences from fresh seafood to Cuban
of 82ºF. The area is surrounded by the Gulfcuisine.