It might seem strange to suggest going to the Bahamas when staying in the States but Fort Lauderdale is a great stepping off point to do just that. You can fly from Fort Lauderdale and be in the Bahamas in 25 minutes for about $49 per person or $72 including overnight accommodation. You may find these prices a bit cheap but the main reason to go to the Bahamas is the chance to gamble, as you cannot do this in Florida. Hence the possible subsidising. Alternatively, and the option I took, you can take an enjoyable cruise for the day. This is involves and early start (at 6AM) and a late return (about midnight) but for about UK50 you are getting the chance of a cruise (buffet lunch included) and a chance to visit the Bahamas (admittedly only for a few hours).
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Atlantis the Water Kingdom
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Lauderdales Wet 'n' Wild (but not quite as good) is located in 65 acres of park. Has the usual water slides, wave pools etc. (in fact 80 rides of one sort or another) and makes a nice change from the beach, pool or Bahamas.
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Here you can walk among hundreds of varieties of butterflies inside three gigantic screened aviaries. You can also stroll through botanical vine walk and gardens.
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Open 365 days a year you can watch performing dolphins and sea lions as well as Sharks and alligators (which you can touch if you dare). There are also exotic birds of the flying variety.
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One trip you should not miss when in FL is the Jungle Queen night cruise. The Jungle Queen is a Mississippi River paddle-boat and takes 550 passengers on a cruise of the waterways of the Venice of America before depositing you on a 'tropical island' for a show and a rather good feed. The only annoyance may be the captain asking everyone to shout hello to the swing/lift bridge operators - there are a lot of bridges...
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There is plenty of accommodation available and even the first McDonalds hotel I have ever seen (along with one of the scruffiest McDonalds Restaurants I have ever seen). I stayed at the Bahia Cabana near the marina. Although not first class everyone was friendly and the marina-side bar had a great atmosphere (along with a Jacuzzi!).
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This 120 mile stretch of islands could well be the American Carribbean. Now also add to this a touch of the American South, Cuba and the Bahamas. You end up with the Florida Keys. Driving down US1 you have arrived in a land that is home to the 'conch's' (pronounced 'conks'), named after a local shellfish which can be tasted as a Conche fritter. At the end of the Keys is Key West only 90 miles from Havana,Cuba. However the first Key you come across is Key Largo the jumping off point for the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park - which can be dived, snorkelled or just viewed on from glass bottom boat. Continuing down is Windly Key home of the Theatre of the sea where (if you book in advance) you can swim with the Dolphins. The final Key is of course Key West, famouse for its spectacular sunsets.
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The area known as the 'Pinellas Suncoast' near Tampa on the Gulf of Mexico includes two resorts of particular interest to the holidaymaker. These are St. Petersburg ('St Petes') and Clearwater. Pinellas comes from the Spanish for 'point of pines' - 'punta pinal'. As well as St Petes and Clearwater the resorts of Tarpon Springs, Dunedin, Indian Rocks, Madeira and Treasure Island are all finding there way into the holiday brochures but anyway all very available to those on a fly drive. One of the main attractions in the area is Busch Gardens (covered elsewhere in the guide). Located adjacent to Busch Gardens is Adventure Island. Located in 19 acres of tropical lagoons and sandy beaches you will find diving platforms, tube slides and a wave pool. Adventure Island is open from late March until mid September but also open at weekends until late October. Admission was $18. About 55 miles North of St Petes is the Weeki Wachee Springs Complex where Mermaids perform for you in a massive tank and you can take boat trips down the Weeki Wachee River.
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This area of Florida, which includes the capital Tallahassee, has a much more southern states feel to it than the rest of Florida. Not in the many of the mainstream holiday brochures perhaps its most accessible on a fly-drive.
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The amusement centre of North West Florida is Panama City or rather Panama City Beach. The sand here, like most of the area, is white and the sea a beautiful green. One of the major attractions here is Gulf World on the pier. Here there are gardens and shows involving porpoises, sea lions and parrots. From a walk through tank you can view Sharks. The other main attraction is the Miracle Strip Amusement Park and Shipwreck Island. Around here you will find everything including miniature gold in every shape and variety (as elsewhere in Florida). There is a roller coaster here and plenty of other rides too. Shipwreck Island is a waterpark including speed slides and tube rides.
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Between Panama City and Pensocola in the West is the area known as the Emerald Coast. This area includes resorts such as Fort Walton. Pensacola is the most westerly of Floridian cities being close to the Alabama border. It is known as the city of five flags having been under ours, France, Spanish, confederate and US rule.
Coming to you in version 3...
guide book review } based on your
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(hopefully) Coming soon from Micro-Cran computer travel guides -
Eurodisney and Paris,
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Please support these ventures by making a contribuion as listed at the start of the guide if you find the information useful to -
Steve Topley,
Micro-Cran Software,
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Or on the Internet : steve.topley@almac.co.uk
Revisions
Orlando 1.0
Florida 2.0 (5/5/94)
Florida 2.1 (18/10/94)
end
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The Rec.Travel Library
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