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a Florida break
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FLORIDA is bigger than England and Wales put together, so there’s ample space for a world of experiences. From the laid-back pursuits of cycling, stargazing or snorkelling on coral reefs, to high-octane motoring thrills at Daytona International Speedway, you’ll find lots of inspiration from our pick of Florida’s gems. Get the most from your holiday by booking with British Airways.
Park life
YOU’VE probably heard of Florida’s Everglades National Park, but this huge state has many other wide-open spaces, such as Lake Okeechobee and Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge.
These are amazing places to discover by kayak, motorboat or on foot; or hire a bike to explore the likes of Gulf Islands National Seashore.
Spring time
FLORIDA’S natural pools and springs are an off-the-beaten-track secret. Fed by water of extraordinary clarity that rises from underground sources, these swimming spots are unlike any other.
Float down lazy waterways or explore underwater with a snorkel. You may even be joined by manatees (also known as sea cows): these gentle giants thrive in Florida’s warm waters and the best time to see them up close is in winter. These amazing creatures are a protected species, so look, don’t touch.
Or for something kitsch, drop into Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, where the daily mermaid shows are a quirky treat.
Go wild
FROM Florida panthers to black bears, the Sunshine State is rich in wildlife – and you don’t have to be an intrepid explorer to find it. Bald eagles and ospreys soar above Tampa Bay, while dolphins can often be seen from Clearwater Beach.
Things feel even wilder in Tampa’s Hillsborough River State Park, where canoe excursions bring you into the realm of alligators. Or take a kayak tour at night in stunning Indian River Lagoon, where the water glows with bioluminescence caused by microscopic organisms.
Deep dive
DID YOU know that the Florida Keys are home to the third-largest barrier reef in the world? Alive with vibrantly coloured coral and schools of tropical fish, it’s a wonderful place to slip beneath the surface with a snorkel. Try Dry Tortugas National Park, a two-hour ferry ride from always lively Key West; or hit Key Largo for a surreal swim with Christ of the Abyss – a submerged, nine-foot-tall bronze statue that lies six miles offshore.
Secret shores
FLORIDA’S beaches offer much more than swimming and sunbathing. How about being a comfortable castaway for a day on Caladesi Island or Cayo Costa? Both are easy to reach by ferry but you really feel like you’ve escaped to another world. Or take advantage of low tide by renting a boat at St Pete Beach and venturing into the Gulf of Mexico to set up camp on a sandbar. Looking for something even more sedate? Why not adopt the “Sanibel stoop” as you go seashell-spotting on Sanibel Island, or look out for sharks’ teeth on Venice Beach?
Awesome architecture
BEYOND its beach scene and vibrant nightlife, the city of Miami is famous for its Art Deco architecture. South Beach is home to the one-square-mile “Deco District” along Ocean Drive. Learn its secrets on a fascinating and affordable walking tour (including a peek inside some of the area’s fanciest hotels).
Active inspiration
BEACH breaks may be relaxing, but they’re better when spiced up with your favourite pastime. Take tennis lessons or improve your golf swing in Sarasota, go sport fishing in Islamorada, or explore Miami or Tampa by plugging into their urban bike-share schemes.
Cycling is also popular on Sanibel Island’s 25 miles of wide, smooth trails, which will take you at your leisure to places cars cannot access. Want something more unusual? Try jumpstarting your morning on Lovers Key with floating yoga on a paddleboard, or get a taste of swamp-buggy racing at Florida Sports Park, just outside Naples.
Need for speed
Art attack
FOR A cultural hit with a difference, head just north of downtown Miami, to Wynwood. The neighbourhood’s windowless warehouses have been transformed into vibrant Wynwood Walls, giant murals that display the talents of famous street artists.
More conventional (but no less memorable) is St Petersburg’s Salvador Dalí Museum, which has some of the Spanish surrealist’s best works. Or marvel at the imagination of artist Dale Chihuly, whose eye-popping collection of blown-glass sculptures is another St Pete must-see.
Foodie treats
FUEL your explorations with outstanding Florida cuisine. Ocean-fresh seafood and farm-to-fork dining are some of the state’s highlights, but don't forget to try Cuban food, particularly in Miami. Here you will also find dishes that combine Jewish and Cuban food, such as hummus blended with black beans.
Find more international flavours at food trucks and farmers’ markets; or feast at a food hall such as Tampa’s Heights Public Market, where you can treat your taste buds to sushi, Cuban sandwiches and cocktails.
TRAVEL WITH BRITISH AIRWAYS TO THE SUNSHINE STATE
THERE’S SO much more to experience in the magical
Sunshine State than beaches and theme parks.
FOR FASTER-PACED thrills, check out Daytona International Speedway, the home of American stock car racing. Or experience truly monumental levels of “vroom” at Kennedy Space Center, where you can see, among other wonders, rockets from Nasa’s Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programmes.
If you want to get a little higher, take a sea plane tour on the Atlantic coast or, if your inner daredevil insists, try skydiving near Orlando, Tampa or Amelia Island.
10 ways to escape the everyday on
With direct flights to Miami, Orlando and Tampa British Airways have the state covered. All British Airways Holidays packages are ATOL protected, include 23kg baggage allowance per person and offer access to a 24-hour holiday helpline.
You can also secure your holiday with low deposits.
For more information, and to book your Florida holiday, visit ba.com/florida