| Accommodation For The Latest Daltons Editorial Destination |
|
|
Florida Vacation Villas
South Florida Rentals
The sunshine state of Florida is probably one of the most complete holiday spots in the world.
No matter which part of this far south-eastern area of the US a family visits, there is much more to do than can be crammed into a two or even three-week holiday.
In a series of four weekly features we are looking at five fab attractions and things to do in each area of the state.
Florida often sees more than 1.5 million Britons visit in a year, who reckon a nine-hour flight and a slight dose of jetlag is well worth the 3,000-mile trip.
Apart from the diversity of the attractions, the major Florida selling point is its weather. It has virtually year-round sunshine, consistently high summer temperatures which average 33°C and some of the best beaches in the world. Florida is tropical America on the doorstep of the Caribbean where, even in midwinter, the temperature could be around 23°C.
By American standards Florida is not massive – around 150 miles across its widest point by more than 400 miles long. Yet it rarely seems crowded.
As if that was not enough Florida has a very high standard of accommodation to rent ranging across deluxe villas, apartments and executive homes.
This week’s Florida Focus is the south of the state:
Miami Beach Apartments
Miami is the major city in southern Florida and, with nearby Miami Beach, forms America’s Riviera. Long and wide white sand beaches and blue seas are just part of the equation because there is also excellent shopping, an international culture and wild nightlife. For those able to drag themselves off the beach and away from the sunbathing and watersports, must-see places are the Latin district of Little Havana and South Beach. The former is home to the city’s Cuban population, cigar-making shops and, in March, the lively Calle Ocho Festival. South Beach is one of the most-visited areas because of its Art Deco architecture plus trendy boutiques, bars, restaurant and nightclubs on Ocean Drive and surrounding streets.
Florida Keys Vacation Rentals
A series of islands joined over 126 miles by the “Overseas Highway” which ends at the southernmost US city of Key West. The drive is part the appeal of seeing the Keys as it is a single road crossing a series of spectacular bridges and navigation is by the mile markers that count down to the last one in downtown Key West. Highlights on the journey are Key Largo, Islamorada and Marathon but there are another seven or so smaller Keys to explore. Surrounded by blue, clear waters, the accent of the Keys is on watersports and ecology. The John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, the first underwater reserve in the US, and the Key Largo National Marine Sanctuary are where 50 types of delicate coral and 500 species of fish are protected. Scuba diving, sailing, sport fishing and snorkeling are popular with tourists to the area.
Key West Rentals
A fun city with many attractions. The city has a laidback hippy atmosphere in its array of pubs, bars and restaurants where the local seafood, conch, is the star dish. Top attractions are the museums created from the Ernest Hemingway and Aubodon homes. Key West has one festival a month ranging from Fantasy Fest to Hemingway look-alike contests. Every night crowds gather in Mallory Square for the Sunset Ceremony, and toast the setting sun from the Keys ’most westerly point.
Fort Lauderdale
One of the top resort areas of southern Florida and a base from which to explore southern Florida. Known as the “Venice of America” because of the network of waterways, part of the family appeal of the area is the many miles of beaches such as Pompano, Dania and Hollywood. Museums range from discovery and science to Native American history.
The Florida Everglades
Most visitors to southern Florida cannot resist the mystique of the Everglades. It is a massive area which includes swamps and forest areas. Visitors can get a close up of some of the Everglades’ less friendly inhabitants such as alligators and water snakes via air boat or swamp buggy. Air boats are shallow boats powered by huge fans – as seen regularly in Channel Five’s CSI Miami – and swamp buggies are giant 4x4 trucks capable of negotiating the most difficult terrain. The southern part of the Everglades is a national park but sadly, human demand for water, is threatening this fantastic asset which is drying up by degrees.
|
