Florida

There is much more to Florida than its theme parks.

St. Augustine’s rich heritage makes the city and its surroundings a unique getaway for visitors. Founded in September 1565, St. Augustine is the longest continually inhabited European-founded city in the United States. Discover more than four centuries of history that owes much to the Spanish and English, to Greeks and Native Americans and African Americans. Stroll the narrow lanes, enter the many museums, visit landmarks such as Castillo de San Marcos, Ponce de Leon's "Fountain of Youth," and the Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse.

Adventure awaits in Daytona Beach! Explore 23 miles of relaxing, white sand beaches, world-famous Daytona International Speedway, the new Cici & Hyatt Brown Museum of Art, the iconic Daytona Beach Boardwalk & Pier, 20 exciting golf courses, 50 annual events and festivals, dozens of museums and galleries, family attractions, an eclectic selection of unique dining options, fishing, wildlife -- and plenty of watersports and outdoor fun. It’s just an hour’s drive to Orlando and other Central Florida attractions.

Cocoa Beach, along Florida's Space Coast, makes for an out-of-this-world family vacation. With the world-famous pier, Ron Jon's, the world's largest surf shop, nature preserves, and the nearby Kennedy Space Center there is something for everyone. NASA's launch headquarters is the only place on Earth where you can tour launch-pad areas, meet a veteran astronaut, see giant rockets and train in spaceflight simulators. Don’t miss Historic Cocoa Village, a revitalized, nostalgic riverside community with more than 50 shops, restaurants, galleries and artist studios.

Located along Florida’s Atlantic Ocean Coast, West Palm Beach offers visitors year-round excitement within easy reach of smooth-sand beaches and some of the nation’s most enticing waterways. Downtown West Palm Beach is home to four retail and entertainment districts: Clematis Street, City Place, Northwood Village, and Antique Row. These vibrant places are lined with fashionable bars, nightclubs, boutiques and collectables. Don’t forget to make a trip to the new Palm Beach Outlets, where you’ll find high-end retail at low cost. Also of note are the Norton Museum of Art, which offers sculpture and other masterworks and the Palm Beach Zoo.

Miami is one of the state's most popular vacation spots. The trendy nightlife of South Beach, the Art Deco district, seemingly endless shopping opportunities in modern, sprawling malls and the quiet, personal attention offered by the family-owned shops of Coconut Grove and many other corners of the region.

Perched on the Gulf of Mexico in southwest Florida, Naples is well known for its high-end shopping, world-class culture and sophisticated dining. Southeast of Naples, near Florida’s southern tip Everglades City is known as the gateway to Ten Thousand Islands. Canoe the mangrove tunnels, take a fishing and backcountry excursion or hike through the Big Cypress National Preserve.

The southernmost point in the United States, Key West is famous for watersports, lively nightlife, beaches and historic sites. Visit Sloppy Joe’s bar, a favourite hangout of novelist Ernest Hemingway, or for the more sober-minded, the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum. Walking tours are the best way to see the island's intriguing architecture, courtyards and gardens.

The Florida Keys and Key West is a 150 mile long string of Islands connected to South Florida by the scenic Overseas Highway; a road that suspends the traveller in a place that bridges the gap between sea and sky. In the Florida Keys you are a world away from the theme parks of central Florida, in a place that envelopes you with its warmth and beauty and allows you to shed the worries of the real world.

The islands of Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, Big Pine Key and Key West, are surrounded by turquoise waters teeming with marine life, both beautiful and delicious. These waters provide millions of people a respite from the cold and grey and the chance to dive, snorkel, kayak and kite board. On land discover the art galleries, independently owned cafes, varied museums or just sit and relax in the abundant sunshine and recharge your batteries. Then celebrate the setting of the sun each night, by enjoying a cocktail or two, the local live music, authentic diverse cuisine and lively world renowned atmosphere.