Subtropical Sanctuary Of The Sunshine State: Florida Travel Information

From the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic seaboard, travel to Florida is the ultimate adventure and getaway for spring breakers, singles, couples, and the entire family alike. The Sunshine State is packed with amusement park extravaganzas, wildlife sanctuaries, pristine beaches, and cruise ship island escapades. Don't miss your chance to escape to one of the most dynamic vacation destinations in the USA.

Florida is also rife with pertinent heritage before becoming the 27th state of the Union. Florida's history dates back thousands of years, prior to any European settlements in the region. By the time the first European explorer landed in Florida, the Native American population was thriving, including the Seminole and Apalachee tribes. The region changed hands from Spain to Britain, back to Spain then finally to the United States in 1845. Several war-torn forts and battlefields from the Civil War era and earlier can be found throughout the peninsula and panhandle, including Dade Battlefield Historic State Park in the Southwest District and Castillo de San Marcos (Fort Marion), a National Monument.

Disney, Deco, and Diving in Florida

Once you find your airfare to Florida, you'll be ready to explore the extensive amusements the state has to offer. Disney World, near Orlando, is one of the most popular destinations and is a short drive away from Canaveral National Seashore, home of the Kennedy Space Center and periodic shuttle launches. On the Atlantic shore, Miami boasts hundreds of historic Art-Deco buildings and hotels along the famous avenues of South Beach. Just north of Miami, Fort Lauderdale is the place to catch a cruise or flight into the Bahamas, the Caribbean, and the Florida Keys.

Popular leisure activities in Florida include SCUBA diving, snorkeling, yachting, horseback riding and exploring the National Parks. Everglades National Park is a stunning 1.5 million acre expanse of green wetlands, hundreds of endangered or rare species like the American crocodile and the Florida Panther, bird and flamingo sanctuaries, and numerous boat and land tours.

Dry Tortugas National Park is also a must see, made up of a cluster of islands west of the Florida Keys in the Gulf of Mexico. The park is teeming with exotic wildlife, both above and below water, and fantastic legends of pirates, gold and a history of military development. Grab your oxygen tank and your airfare to Florida for some of the most spectacular underwater photography opportunities the world has to offer.

The Finer Side of Florida

Many travelers make their pilgrimage to Florida to experience fine seaside dining in the major cities like Miami and luxury communities like Jupiter Island. Hotels and full-service resorts are generously scattered throughout the coastal regions, Orlando and the Keys, and bayside mansions attracts their own class of renters and sightseers alike.