Travel to Florida, the land of theme parks

Travel guide

Although Florida is best known for its blissful beaches, white-knuckle theme parks, shopping and wildlife, the state is much less of a man-made concrete jungle than you would think. The best time to go is between March and May, or mid October to late November, as May to September tends to be characterised by heat of up to 35°C - after all, it's not called the Sunshine State for nothing.

It is no surprise that Orlando is the theme park capital of the world, beckoning 90 million state visitors per year to the lofty heights of its rollercoaster peaks. From Disneyland to Epcot to Universal Studios, scream if you want to go faster!

Technically the capital of the state is Tallahassee, despite Florida's largest city being Jacksonville. The state's most hip and happening city is Miami, where you can rub shoulders with social butterflies and A-list celebrities alike. Its trendy bars and exclusive night clubs invite the glitz and glamour brought by show business, but the city also offers cultural attractions such as the museums in Saint Petersburg or the Everglades National Park in the south of the state.

For more intrepid advernturers, there's a plethora of activities on offer that is not to be missed. From the spectacular wildlife expeditions to kayaking, cycling, fishing and golf, there's many a way to get your outdoors fix.

Florida also boasts America's oldest city adorn with Spanish colonial architecture - St Augustine, as well as a rich native American heritage where you can learn about the Siminole tribe. The state displays its prowess for space exploration with the Kennedy Space Centre, and its ringling circus business, The Greatest Show on Earth, is worth a visit for its name alone.

Our Editorial team's advice

The big attraction here is Florida's ?panhandle' - the narrow strip across the north-western region - is Panama City Beach, an extensive resort destination of hotels, restaurants, attractions and nature parks with abundant wildlife, both on land and at sea. A feast for the eyes!

Jacksonville is the main city in the northern quarter, a lively and modern development with a stretch of eye-catching riverfront, nightlife, shopping, beaches and the world-renowned golf resort of the Tournament Players Club in Ponte Verde. Golf buffs will enjoy the World Golf Hall of Fame at nearby St Augustine, where the Spanish established their first colony in 1565. The town is also home to the Castillo de San Marcos, one of the state's most iconic monuments and America's oldest fort.

Orlando tends to take centre stage in Florida, both metaphorically and geographically. Almost two-thirds of British visitors arrive here and spend at least a week exploring its theme parks, water parks, dinner shows, nightlife and other attractions, including golf, outlet shopping and some 4,000 restaurants. This is the home of Disney, Universal, SeaWorld and, just to the south in the town of Winter Haven, the fast-developing Legoland Florida. With the motorways I-4 and the Florida Turnpike offering good access to both coasts and the south, it's easy to get to the Kennedy Sapce Centre, which is not to be missed. Some of Florida's most eco-friendly developments can be found in and around Kissimmee, just to the south of Orlando, notably the Forever Florida centre on a ranch to the south, plus the chance to go ballooning, boating, kayaking and bass fishing.

Westpalm Beach is a hideaway for the rich and famous, with a mix of condos and hotels dominating the seafront for miles, plus world-class shopping along Worth Avenue, the Flagler Museum and Flager's The Breakers Hotel.West from Fort Lauderdale on motorway I-75 is the home of the Seminole tribe at Big Cypress, where the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum is part of their ?living village? of history and culture, along with the Billie Swamp Safari, a fascinating delve into the Everglades.

South of Miami on Highway 1, visitors soon reach the chain-link islands known as the Keys, which challenged Flagler's great railroad-building empire. The islands begin in Key Largo, home to the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, a scuba-diving Mecca. Islamorada and Marathon are the two other main towns along the Keys trail before you arrive in the USA's southernmost point, Key West, where Hemingway roamed the bars, periodically, from 1928-39, and deep-sea fishing is a quasi-religion. You will truly fall for it - hook, line and sinker.

Traditions

Always carry your driver's licence and your rental car contract in case you are stopped by police.

When driving, you can turn right at a red light, but come to a full stop first and check there is no traffic coming and no sign that says ?No turn on red?.

You must have your lights on in the rain. On motorways, either move over one lane or slow down for an emergency vehicle stopped on the hard shoulder. On minor roads, you must pull over and stop for an emergency vehicle going in either direction. You cannot overtake a school bus when it is stopped and unloading.

Remember to tip porters and servers at hotels and restaurants. Porters would expect $1/bag, while a 15 per cent tip for dining and taxi drivers is the norm.

Naturally, it is forbidden to smoke in public , official or private areas, such as in public services, airports, offices and waiting rooms. Breaching this law will result in a fine.

Naturism and going topless are forbidden. Suitable clothing, a shirt and shoes are obligatory everywhere, except on the beach, of course. Wearing Bermuda shorts is also fine.

Food

Prepare for the portion sizes! For Americans, breakfast sets you up for the day. The usual would be orange juice (Florida's finest produce), pancakes (drizzled with maple syrup), eggs, bacon and hash browns, fresh fruits, cereals and milk. 'American' coffee, is often bottomless, but doesn't quite compare to that of the Italians of Colombians.

Take advantage of the sumptuous seafood while in Florida, like crayfish, lobsters, and crab. Fried conch is a local delicacy that is delicious washed down with some iced tea.

For the daring, alligator meat is close in taste to chicken. Order some succulent grilled meat, like the traditional T-Bone steak that comes with a multitude of sauces. For those who want to eat slightly lighter, many restaurants offer a salad buffet, also served with different types of dressings. After all, some of Miami's glitzy crowd like the watch their waistlines a bit!

For dessert, try the Key Lime Pie, a lemon and meringue tart, which is a Florida speciality. If you're feeling adventurous, taste the multitude of cheese cakes and ice creams with unusual flavours.

Enjoy all of the fruits grown under a perfect sun, either by eating it as it is or drinking it in freshly squeezed juices. Florida is a hugely successful producer of juicy grapefruits and oranges.

There's much more than the standard American restaurants on offer, as Florida is a human tapestry, fusing cultures from all over the world. There's a vast selection of Cuban cuisine on offer with pork or chicken grills, served with black beans or cassava root along with gastronomy coming from other parts of Latin America and Europe.

What's more, in the US, it is standard procedure to take home what you didn't finish in the restaurant in a 'doggy bag'. Americans have got the right idea, haven't they?

Ideal Weather Search

Find weekly weather forecasts for Florida . Different criteria make it possible to predict with precision the best time of year to go to Florida . A comprehensive weather score, made up of temperature indicators, bad weather predictions, sunshine levels and wind speeds, will allow you to choose the activities best suited to the weather conditions and therefore make the most of your holiday in Florida .

Souvenirs

What to see

• Landscapes

  • Landscapes of the South

  • Hills of the north

• Coasts

  • Miracle Strip

  • Florida's Gold Coast

  • The Florida Keys

• Arts and culture

  • About town in Downtown Miami

  • Saint-Petersburg museums.

  • Wynwood, Miami

  • Art Basel, Miami Beach

  • Ocean Drive, Miami

  • Wolfsonian Museum, Miami

  • The Sagamore Hotel, Miami

  • The W South Beach Hotel, Miami

  • Four Seasons Downtown Miami

  • Sweat Records, Little Haiti, Miami

  • Espanola Way, Miami

  • Lincoln Square, Miami

• Activities and leisure

  • Kennedy Space Center

  • Universal Studios

  • Aquatica - SeaWorld

  • Golf

• Parks and reserves

  • Key Biscayne National Park

  • Big Cypress National Reserve

  • St Marks River State Park

  • Everglades National Park

  • Bill Baggs Cape Florida Natural Park

• Walt Disney-World

  • Magic Kingdom

  • Future World

  • World Showcase

  • Disney-MGM studios

  • The Richard Petty Driving Experience

• Islands

  • Sanibel and Captiva

  • Estero Island

  • Bonita Springs

  • Pine Island and Cayo Costa