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Florida is located on the southern tip of North America, just above The Bahamas and Cuba, so you can imagine the beautiful weather and picturesque beaches from Daytona Beach all the way around to Fort Myers. Can one really go wrong with the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Gulf of Mexico on the other? The world-famous city of Miami is known for its Latin-American cultural influences and notable arts scene, as well as its nightlife, especially in upscale South Beach. Orlando is famed for theme parks, including Disney World, and Tampa is simply made to relax. Let’s look at what treasures await you in the top 3 cities.
Miami
The native basketball team to Miami says it all in its name: “Miami Heat” is what they’re called, and no one would disagree. Even though they will be playing the playoffs, Miami Heat tickets are in high demand and you should definitely join the waiting list if basketball is your game. Beyond sports, Miami is a place to relax and unwind, to put your feet up, soak in the sun and breathe in the fresh air. Because of its magnificent weather year-round, you’ll be spending a lot of your free time outdoors. A great way to see the city on a budget is to get tickets for the Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour as it allows you to see the city while also enjoying the breeze.
Thanks to its proximity to Cuba and many other Caribbean gems, Miami is actually considered the “gateway to the Caribbean and Latin America” with Greater Miami and Miami Beach being home to 70 percent Hispanics, including residents from Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Colombia, Venezuela, Nicaragua and Mexico. This mix of culture weaves a stunning fabric of life here. If you’d really like to get into the vibe, a Miami Havana Food Tour will give you a taste of what Cuba has to offer and what Miami is all about—diversity and enjoyment.
Tampa
Well known of course, but not as publicized as Miami, Tampa is located along Florida’s Gulf Coast. While it is a major business center, it’s also known for its museums and other cultural offerings, perhaps not as busy as Miami in terms of tourists looking to have a boozy time and more suitable for families. Speaking of families and children, the stunning Busch Gardens is an Africa-themed amusement park with the best roller coasters in Florida (allegedly) and a zoo with more than 10,000 animals. If you think your kids will enjoy this, be sure to purchase a skip-the-line ticket so that your time is spent on the rides and not waiting in line.
For adults wanting to enjoy a drink, the historic Ybor City neighborhood, which was developed by Cuban and Spanish cigar-factory workers at the turn of the 20th century, is a dining and nightlife destination of the best kind. Other gorgeous things to do include walking along the beaches over in Clearwater, to dining at five-star restaurants in Tampa Heights, to strolling around in downtown St. Pete or at Tampa’s Riverwalk. The general theme and motto in Tampa seems to be “relax boldly”—a world-class motto if there ever was one. It combines relaxation and luxury, family and single life, as well as comfort and adventures.
Orlando
Orlando is undeniably the home of Walt Disney and a magical city known for its world-famous theme parks, diverse neighborhoods, and thriving entertainment scene. If you have kids, then you can’t miss a stop in Orlando. From the enchanting attractions of Disney World to the vibrant cultural offerings downtown, Orlando offers visitors a unique blend of opportunities and experiences. If you are planning on spoiling your loved ones to a day at Disney World, a good tip is to have an early breakfast before heading out as this theme park is known to charge exorbitant prices for food and drinks.
The second and third once-in-a-lifetime kind of places in Orlando include Universal Studios and SeaWorld. The former will take visitors on an incredible journey behind the scenes of major blockbusters, allowing them a view of what life behind the lens really looks like; Universal is even currently planning a new theme park, so look out for that! What Miami, Tampa and Orlando have in common is definitely their stupendous weather, making Orlando the ideal place to watch gentle marine giants swim and splash about at SeaWorld. It’s almost like being on a rollercoaster as dolphins, seals and whales do tricks and entertain excited guests. Make sure that you wear your bathing custom underneath your clothes as there’s a ninety percent chance you’ll be soaking wet when you leave. But who cares about getting wet when the sun is always shining? A family trip to Orlando may be just what the doctor ordered.
Relax to the Max
Life is about living in and for the present, not ruminating on the past or fearing the future. Relaxation and happiness has a lot to do with being and living in the now. Spending time with your family or partner, finding peace within yourself and being at ease comes from making good choices, taking enough downtime for yourself and deciding on the best place to spend your time. The warmth of Florida spreads also to its residents, a friendly and inviting people happy to welcome anyone keen on seeing the Sunshine State. There are many beautiful sayings relating to travel, but this one best suits Florida: Life is about the adventures you take and the memories you make. Take the trip, you won’t regret it.