The most popular US State for the British over the last 5 to 10 years has been Florida, and as we have travelled quite extensively in Florida, I will restrict my review of the U.S.A. to this one very popular destination. This part of the States juts so far south it nearly reaches the tropics. Almost 400 miles long and some 130 miles wide, this sun-drenched peninsular is so fringed by offshore islands, that its total coastline is practically trebled. The climate has enticed everyone, from multi-millionaires to pensioners on a tight budget and refugees fleeing the arctic winters of Canada and the United States.
Of course one of the main attractions has been the proliferation of theme parks by the King of them all, Disney! Orlando and Kissimmee are the main centres for tourists with young families who flock to Disney World, and if this is NOT your scene, then avoid Easter, the English Summer school holidays, and from a purely weather point of view, late August through to November. There is quite a lot of the year left when you can enjoy all that Florida has to offer without being swamped by squalling kids, hordes of wrinklies escaping the Winter blues (quite literally!!) from the North and the threat of being blown inside out in the hurricane season!
There is also a lot more to see and do in Florida than Disney. Sea-World with its spectacular display by killer whales is a must, as is Universal Studios. My advice for both is go early, and go round the opposite way to the main stream of visitors. That way you will reach at least a third if not half of the attractions before the main hordes arrive and the large queues build up. Allow at least a day for each, don`t try to see too much at one go, and take advantage of the refreshment bars, it`ll be hot, and most likely humid, so pace yourself. Another very worthwhile attraction is the Kennedy Space centre. Take the Red Bus Tour which includes the gigantic Vehicle Assembly Building (520ft), a huge Saturn rocket and Mission Control. The IMAX films shown on five-storey high screens is the ultimate in 3D effects, and you really do feel that you are part of the action, with the special specs. you wear. One of the lesser publicised attractions but nevertheless well worth a visit, (and extend this to include an evening out), is Church Street Station in downtown Orlando. Arrive at some of the bars about 6 pm and pay $3 for a special beaker and have it filled as many times as you like for 10 cents a go with beer until 8 o`clock! Whilst taking in all around you, appreciate the jazz and other live music that is to be enjoyed at this very lively location. The place absolutely buzzes with atmosphere, and there are examples there of Old Time Music Hall, Can-Can girls on the bar tops, Jazz Bands, and rock and roll tribute bands and generally something to please everybody.
Further south around Fort Lauderdale, take the opportunity to travel the inland waterways aboard an old Paddle Steamer, and admire the huge mansions that line the water routes. Here, everyone travels by boat of some description or another. I rather liked the story told to us aboard the steamer of a millionaire who acquired a waterside property so that he could admire the view. He spent upwards of $8 million to do this and then acquired an enormous yacht to supplement this which he then moored in front of his vast property. However, it was so large it completely blocked his view!!
Fort Lauderdale is also a good jumping-off point to explore the Everglades. Unfortunately the “glades” are decreasing annually with increased development and unless urgent steps are taken soon, there is a danger the whole ecological balance will be irreparably damaged. Whilst we were there we took an air-boat drive, which is truly exhilarating as the craft skims over the reeds and the shallow open waters at about 25 knots. We were told by our driver that 20 years ago it was some 25 to 30 miles from his home to the nearest store for supplies. Now the stores are right on his doorstep and it only takes about 5 minutes because of the developments during this time. He said that at election time all the politicians promised to do something to protect the Everglades, but after each election, nothing ever happened and he rarely, if ever, saw them again!! Until the next election! It is a sobering thought that just 70-80 years ago all this land was a wilderness with tiny pockets of population struggling to make a living. Now, just about everywhere you look it is one vast urban sprawl.
For a more relaxing holiday, with less commercialisation, I would strongly recommend the Gulf West coast, from Tarpon Springs ( north of Clearwater) down the string of islands to the south as far as Fort Myers. Madeira Beach is pretty much central to this area and is very handy to visit Clearwater, Tampa, St.Petersburg and Sarasota. The beaches are fantastic: silver white fine sand with clear deep blue sea, and sunsets to die for each evening. We found that the Holiday Inn on Treasure Island offered the best panoramic view being one of the tallest buildings around at about 9 floors, and with a completely different sunset each night! The food was good too! |
