| The following guide has been written for those | | | | and relaxed atmosphere make Fort Myers Beach |
| who are interested in going on holiday to Florida. | | | | a favourite with families. The location is also ideal |
| Whether you seek the fun and fantasy of Walt | | | | for a day trip to the Everglades or a visit to the |
| Disney World(R), great shopping and dining, or | | | | secluded islands of nearby Sanibel and Captiva. |
| recreation and relaxation on fantastic beaches, | | | | The town of Fort Myers is a short drive away |
| Florida, the 'Sunshine State', has it all! Kissimmee & | | | | and offers many golf courses, shopping malls and |
| Orlando The Kissimmee resort area lies at the | | | | attractions including the winter homes of Thomas |
| heart of the 'Sunshine State', with the highest | | | | Edison and Henry Ford. Back on the beach enjoy |
| concentration anywhere of theme parks and | | | | sporting activities such as cycling, tennis or |
| attractions. The choice of entertainment is | | | | boating, or take a leisurely stroll at sunset on the |
| practically endless. Walt Disney World's(R) four | | | | crystal-white sandy beach. Dine at restaurants |
| parks - The Magic Kingdom(R), Epcot(R) , | | | | right on the beach, where fresh local seafood |
| Disney-MGM Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom | | | | awaits you or enjoy the casual atmosphere of |
| (TM) - as well as Universal Studios(R) and | | | | the many eateries and bars. Naples and Marco |
| Universal's Islands of Adventure(R) and Sea World | | | | Island Naples is a great après-theme-park |
| are all fabulous theme parks you won't want to | | | | escape for the discerning visitor to Florida. Just 3 |
| miss. Each park is wonderfully unique, providing | | | | 1/2 hours drive from Orlando and 11⁄2 |
| fun and adventure which is sure to delight visitors | | | | hours drive from Miami, its sweeping Gulf beaches |
| of every age! The action is virtually non-stop, with | | | | are just a stones throw from the Everglades. The |
| the parks open late and a nightlife that is equally | | | | superb Naples lifestyle is still relatively unknown to |
| unique and entertaining. In the Summer months | | | | visitors, but a visit here will reveal why so many |
| you can even spend a balmy evening at a water | | | | people want to return again and again. Every |
| fun park like Wet 'nWild(R) or Typhoon Lagoon. | | | | corner of Naples holds an image of tropical bliss, |
| There is a wide choice of good quality restaurants | | | | from swaying palm trees and technicolour sunsets |
| often with an all you can eat buffet, as well as a | | | | to landscaped communities and sparkling |
| full range of fast food places. You can combine | | | | waterways. Naples is known for its upmarket |
| dinner with entertainment at one of the themed | | | | shopping. Both 3rd Street South and the Village of |
| dinner attractions in the area. In case you find | | | | Venetian Bay offer a unique cluster of speciality |
| free time on your hands, you can 'shop till you | | | | shops, open air cafes and restaurants. Cultural |
| drop' in one of the enormous malls or factory | | | | pursuits include a resident Philharmonic orchestra, |
| outlets. The bargains are great! The Florida | | | | theatres and first-rate art galleries and museums. |
| Suncoast Central to the Suncoast are the | | | | Other entertainment includes the Pier, Jungle |
| communities of St Pete Beach, Madeira Beach, | | | | Larry's Zoological Gardens, Collier Automotive |
| Indian Shores and Indian Rocks Beach. These are | | | | Museum, and even a Teddy Bear Museum! For |
| uncrowded beach resorts close to a host of | | | | those who are passionate about golf, you'll find |
| activities that make for a perfect beach holiday. | | | | paradise on a par with the unparalleled lifestyle. |
| The beach and sea are the areas' greatest | | | | Situated at the corner of the Sunshine State is |
| attractions, but tourist attractions are plentiful, | | | | Marco Island, the largest of the 'Ten Thousand |
| giving you the opportunity to do as little or as | | | | Islands' and a gateway to the Everglades. Just six |
| much as you please. For years visitors from all | | | | miles long and four miles wide, the island has over |
| over the world have enjoyed Busch Gardens, the | | | | three miles of beautiful white sandy beach and |
| Salvador Dali Museum and Sunken Gardens, | | | | waterways reaching into every corner of its inland |
| among the many fun and interesting places within | | | | landscape. Marco Island simply surrounds you with |
| easy reach. Sports enthusiasts will delight in the | | | | opportunities: over thirty golf courses conveniently |
| range of activities whether you are a participator | | | | closeby, close to seventy restaurants, the |
| or a spectator: fishing, boating, golf, tennis and | | | | Everglades National Park, a historic trail with |
| baseball to name just a few. The proximity of St. | | | | charming boutiques, factory outlet shopping and |
| Petersburg, Clearwater and Tampa offers an | | | | an endless range of watersports. Florida Keys and |
| even wider choice of places to explore, | | | | Key West The Florida Keys, Highway 1 'The |
| restaurants to enjoy and shops to discover. The | | | | Overseas Highway' and forty-two bridges connect |
| restaurants range from the deliciously | | | | this string of coral rock islands. Bounded on the |
| sophisticated to the irresistibly informal, from | | | | east by the clear blue waters of the Atlantic Gulf |
| fresh lobster to pizza and beer! Madeira Beach has | | | | Stream and on the west by the tranquil Florida |
| outstanding fishing and is particularly famous for | | | | Bay and the outlying fringes of the Everglades, |
| John's Pass Village and Boardwalk - a unique | | | | the Keys enjoy the second largest coral reef |
| collection of shops, boutiques and restaurants built | | | | system in the world. The reef protects the Keys |
| on the water. From here you can hire boats for | | | | and is the reason why there are no sandy |
| the day (or forever!). Indian Shores and Indian | | | | beaches on these islands. America's foremost |
| Rocks Beach are the 'friendly island' towns with a | | | | underwater parks - John Pennekamp Coral Reef |
| welcoming and laid back Florida lifestyle. Sarasota | | | | State Park and the adjacent Key Largo National |
| Area The Sarasota/Bradenton area is easily | | | | Marine Sanctuary - cover approximately 178 |
| accessible from Orlando. The area contains some | | | | nautical square miles and are the area's star |
| lovely beaches, local shops and good family | | | | attractions. You must see and experience the |
| restaurants. The Sarasota area offers botanical | | | | wondrous enchantment of the ancient coral |
| gardens, fine museums, performing arts, world | | | | landscape, home to an extensive variety of fish |
| class golf courses, upmarket shopping, boating and | | | | and undersea life, either as a shallow water |
| other watersports - there is something for | | | | snorkeller or a deep-water scuba diver. Dive |
| everyone! Anna Maria Island is a peaceful seaside | | | | shops, guides, charters and equipment in the |
| community with no high rise hotels, lovely sandy | | | | Upper Keys are abundant. 133 miles from the |
| beaches and turquoise-blue Gulf waters. You can | | | | southernmost tip of the Florida mainland is Key |
| even enjoy the serene beauty from the island's | | | | West an island where the famous and infamous |
| delightful beachfront dining facilities. A perfect year | | | | alike come to enjoy a lifestyle with a European |
| round location for families and couples. At the | | | | flavour and an all-American flair. Key West is |
| southern end of the Sarasota area is the island of | | | | home to poets, writers, artists and craftsmen all |
| Siesta Key. Siesta Key's award winning beaches | | | | lured by its special way of life. Stay in Key West |
| are officially recognised as having the most | | | | and leave your car parked. Key West is a town |
| pristine, powdery white sands in the world. No | | | | that never seems to sleep, but instead seems to |
| sand is quite like it; even under the burning | | | | come alive as the sun goes down. Each evening |
| subtropical sun, it feels cool to the touch! To the | | | | jugglers, musicians and street artists convene on |
| visitors who flock here each year, the | | | | the Mallory Dock for the Sunset Celebration. The |
| enchantment is many-fold: miles of wide white | | | | streets are filled with sidewalk cafes, open-air |
| walking beach, elegant gourmet restaurants, a | | | | bars, legendary pubs and world-class restaurants. |
| quaint village with resident artists and interesting | | | | Discover Duval Street, 'the longest street' in |
| shops, and an island ambience all of its own. South | | | | America because it stretches from the Atlantic |
| of Sarasota lies unspoilt Manasota Key. With an | | | | Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico! Here you will find |
| average year-round temperature of 75ºF | | | | the world famous Sloppy Joe's, Rick's Cafe and |
| and the sea nearly always in the 80's, it is not | | | | the home of the Pina Colada. The nightlife is |
| surprising that those who have discovered one of | | | | exceptional with theatre, cabaret, and so many |
| Florida's best kept secrets have not been in a | | | | dining experiences from fresh seafood to Cuban |
| hurry to tell others! You will often see dolphins at | | | | cuisine. South East Florida Palm Beach offers a rich |
| play just off the beach and logger-head turtles in | | | | variety of water pleasures, which include boating, |
| the sand. Collect shells, take a relaxed dip in the | | | | fishing, snorkelling and deep-sea diving, and |
| sea and watch the sun go down. The small | | | | features more than 150 golf courses. On the |
| charming seaside town of Venice is just minutes | | | | western border lies the Everglades, a truly unique |
| away. The Englewood area offers a choice of | | | | ecosystem. Enjoy a quiet al fresco lunch in Palm |
| restaurants and shopping. Fabulous Boca Grande | | | | Beach itself and watch the rich and famous go by. |
| Island with its excellent beaches and quaint village | | | | Palm Beach, charming and elegant, is located |
| is closeby. The area's smaller keys such as Palm | | | | entirely on a barrier island and is home to the |
| Island and Little Gasparilla have regular ferry | | | | historical mansions of some of the world's |
| services and tempt you to try a real desert island | | | | best-known families. South Beach is the red hot |
| day out. Sanibel, Captiva and Fort Myers Beach | | | | destination for visitors from all over the world. |
| Sanibel and Captiva islands are a vacationers' | | | | South Beach has long been a magnet for |
| paradise, enjoying an average yearly temperature | | | | celebrities, sophisticates and fun-lovers from all |
| of 82ºF. The area is surrounded by the Gulf | | | | over the world who thrive on its cosmopolitan |
| of Mexico to the south and west. This unique | | | | atmosphere, chic restaurants and night-clubs and |
| position makes the area a mecca for seashell | | | | fabulous beaches. Seen around town ....Cindy |
| collectors. The only 'main' road on Sanibel is | | | | Crawford, Will Smith, Jennifer López, |
| Periwinkle Way which winds its way through the | | | | Cameron Diaz, Robert De Niro and Gloria Estefan |
| centre of the crescent shaped island lined with | | | | to name a few. South Beach is also a mecca for |
| trees and bike paths. Biking is a must on Sanibel. | | | | shoppers looking for trendy boutiques. Adding to |
| The "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge on | | | | the light-hearted fun of the colour palette are the |
| Sanibel is a 5000 acre preservation area which | | | | pastel painted Art Deco hotels, the landmark of |
| can be enjoyed via a scenic biking, walking or | | | | the historical area. Fort Lauderdale is characterised |
| driving route. Two public golf courses, tennis, boat | | | | by broad esplanades and boulevards, shaded by |
| rentals and charters are readily available. At the | | | | tall palm trees, elegant sidewalk cafés and |
| south end of Periwinkle Way are clusters of | | | | marinas filled with gleaming yachts. Sawgrass Mills, |
| shops and boutiques tucked unobtrusively among | | | | with over 400 name brand stores and the world's |
| tropical landscaping and offering a most delightful | | | | largest outlet mall. Las Olas Boulevard, in the heart |
| melange of clothing, souvenirs, arts and crafts. | | | | of downtown Fort Lauderdale is a beautifully |
| Fort Myers Beach on Estero Island is 7 miles of | | | | landscaped, gas-lighted street and is lined with chic |
| sugar sand beach-front along the inviting Gulf of | | | | boutiques and fine dining spots. |
| Mexico. The gentle sloping shoreline, calm waters | | | | |