Florida

Florida may not be the fountain of youth as dreamed by Ponce De Leon in the 16th century, but its lovely weather makes it a very attractive destination year-round. Three of its regions are extremely popular with tourists: Miami, for its Hollywood-like glamour, Orlando, for its Disney theme parks, and Key West, for its extraordinary beaches and quiet, small-town feel.

Florida is frequently described as 'golden', and not just for its sunsets. Since the 1950s, millions of senior citizens have retired here. However, Florida is fast outgrowing its reputation as a state-sized retirement home. Ever since Daytona and Miami Beach became magnets for college-aged, bronzed beach babes and their Ken-doll boyfriends, it seems that everybody wants to visit Florida. Over 40 million tourists swarm the state each year--more than 3 times the population of the state itself.

What makes Florida unique? Everyone knows about the beaches, but you'll find that even the state's swamplands are beautiful. Visit Everglades National Forest and you may get to see some real 'gators'. The 'Sunshine State' is also famous for its citrus, from the humble Navel orange to the exotic Tangelo. And Florida's proximity to Cuba ensures close contact with Latino culture. In short, if you visit Florida you can expect the following: fresh morning orange juice, sand between your toes and the sweet sounds of Cuban boleros.