Florida is known as the Sunshine State with good reason. Tourists the world over are drawn by its great beaches, theme parks, and – of course – wonderful weather. Long summers are followed by warm winters. It’s no wonder that so many Canadians escape the cold and take cheap flights to Florida. Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León gave the peninsula the name La Florida, meaning “flowery land.” With more than 1,600 kilometers of shoreline, it’s no surprise that Florida is a top destination for travellers in search of sand and surf. The western side of the peninsula, situated on the Gulf Coast, has warm seas and soft white sands. The Atlantic coast is made for the surfers with bigger, rougher waves and broader beaches. Some of the world's most beautiful beaches can be found in the southern state: Caladesi Island State Park, Dunedin, Sanibel Island, and Anna Maria Beach off Bradenton.
The central part of the state has all the do-not-miss attractions for your next Florida holiday. Orlando is amusement park heaven, packed with Walt Disney World, SeaWorld, Universal Studios, Kennedy Space Centre, Cypress Gardens, Bok Tower Gardens, Daytona Speedway and Gatorland. Once the kids have gone to bed, Orlando turns up the heat to party. For a trip with unrivalled nightlife, Miami's South Beach lays claim to being "the coolest place on the planet," but the rest of Florida is no slouch when it comes to partying and is serviced by many international airports. A cheap flight to Fort Lauderdale reveals six seaside communities, stocked with plenty of bars and clubs. Nearly two-thirds of all Major League Baseball teams make Florida their home for spring training. Major league sports are a big part of Florida year-round, with NFL football, NBA basketball and two NHL hockey teams calling the state home.
