Maybe there's no mystery to what makes the Florida peninsula so intoxicating. Beaches as fine and sweet as powdered sugar, warm teal waters, rustling mangroves: all conspire to melt our workaday selves. We come to Florida to be soothed, to let go – of worries and winter, of inhibitions and reality. For many, it's merely the desire for an indulgent beach getaway of naps, swimming, seafood and rosy sunsets. Others seek the more excitable hedonism of South Beach, Spring Break and Key West. Still more hope to lose themselves within the perfected phantasmagorical realms of Walt Disney World and Orlando's theme parks. As for Ponce, he traipsed the peninsula seeking mermaids and the legendary fountain of youth, and in a thousand and one ways, Florida still nurtures these alluring, ever-hopeful fantasies. Florida is the most south-eastern state in the United States of America. Known as "The Sunshine State", it became a popular winter destination for the well-to-do from colder climates over a century ago, and has gained ever greater popularity since. Its roots in agriculture are still present, with oranges being a chief export. The capital of Florida is Tallahassee, located in the eastern portion of the Florida Panhandle.
Within its hot, seductive, semitropical wilderness, alligators prowl beside every waterway, egg-white herons strut through reedy ponds, lovable manatees winter in crystal springs and sea turtles nest in summer. Osprey and eagles, dolphins and mighty tarpon, flocks of roseate spoonbills, coral-reef forests, oceans of sawgrass: despite the best efforts of 21st-century humans, overwhelming portions of Florida remain untamed, sometimes disconcertingly so. We come to Florida to experience this taste of wildness, to paddle so close to our toothsome Jurassic-era friends that our palms tingle. To meet loggerheads and manatees underwater, eye to eye. To look up and see a single precious jewel-like orchid clinging magically to the trunk of an ancient, moss-draped bald cypress. Let us discuss the best destinations in Florida.
Miami
What was once a citrus farming town is now a Pan-American mosaic, the most Latin city in the world north of Mexico. Throw in enterprising Caribbean immigrants, Jewish Holocaust survivors and their children, a fantabulous gay party scene, mad rednecks, the cast-off spawn of the dinosaur age cruising local waterways, and a South Beach celebrity scene that would make OK! Magazine wee itself in joy, and, well…Look guys: it’s weird here. And beautiful. Think of those clean lines slimming down a deco hotel on Miami Beach. That pale full moon making love to the Everglades on a dank, sweaty night.
Orlando
Orlando is a large city located in Orange County, Florida. Orlando, for most people, conjures up the image of theme parks, mainly Walt Disney World, but there is a lot more. (In fact, Disney World is not in Orlando, but is in nearby Lake Buena Vista). With the estimated 52 million tourists a year, Orlando and many other areas in the region developed a lot to offer a traveller who wants to see something other than a theme park. Other cities in the metropolitan area include Altamonte Springs, Davenport, Kissimmee, and Winter Park.Orlando is one of the biggest tourist destinations because of the nearby theme parks and resorts. Close to International Drive is Universal Orlando Resort, which includes two theme parks, three hotels and a large shopping district. SeaWorld Orlando is a marine theme park featuring Kraken, the biggest rollercoaster in the Orlando area, as well as Believe, the new Shamu adventure. About 35 minutes southwest of downtown Orlando is Walt Disney World.
Lake Buena Vista
Lake Buena Vista is a municipality in Orange County, East Central Florida. Known mainly as home to the world famous Walt Disney World, Lake Buena Vista is situated by the Disney theme parks and is controlled by The Walt Disney Company. Founded in the 1960s, Walt Disney’s original plan for Lake Buena Vista included at least one futuristic living area, but was never built. This futuristic idea was later used at Epcot. Lake Buena Vista is sited southwest of Orlando, between Orlando and Kissimmee, along the Interstate 4 corridor. The magnificent Downtown Disney entertainment complex is the place to be, with its superb restaurants, great shopping and energetic nightlife, there’s something for everyone! It’s not all about Disney though, Lake Buena Vista has so much more to offer like golf, including minigolf for the pros to be, Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores for great designer shopping and a great choice of hotels, all offering pool areas to simply unwind and relax in the glorious sunshine.
Florida is amongst very few destinations that must definitely feature in your holiday bucket list. If you are looking for unique sun and sand destination coupled with luxury and leisure, Florida is the place for you. Kuoni together with SOTC provides a range of custom made holiday packages to Florida.
No comments:
Post a Comment