The many attractions and pleasant tropical climate, as well as the frequent international flights, make Florida a prime destination any time of year for tourists from around the world.

My article was published in the journal Traveling in July / August 2007…

Those staying a few days in Orlando prefers to spend time on the Disney amusement parks and similar (Sea World, universal Studios), but for those who stay longer than non-excessive distances, easily coverable by car thanks to wide streets, sliding and well maintained, suggest a more diverse and exciting journey from Miami to ring. Following the perimeter south of the peninsula, flow in the eyes of the visitor memorable landscapes ranging from beautiful coastline that extends from Fort Lauderdale to Miami reaching the extreme south of the Florida Keys, the endless and lonely swamps of the Everglades, to finally finish on the opposite coast that is coming to the Gulf of Mexico, where it returns to the sea between the Caribbean beaches of Naples Area.

Scenarios from Hollywood: Miami e le Keys

by years 70 to date, the skyline of skyscrapers Miami and its mile ocean beach are now an integral part of the scenario of countless numbers of the most famous Hollywood films. For all this time, the long stretch of white sand has attracted millions of tourists without damage, and always remaining intact, soft and clean.

South Beach, the most popular place, It provides a sequence of Ocean Drive restaurants, locals, trendy hotels belonging to international chains and frequented by important names. But this, although ensuring movement and fun, It did not affect the charm of the coast equipped with wooden lifeguard towers, the patrol guarding the beach, behind the pedestrian street traveled by bicycle or on skates. There is everything but without exaggeration. Even the skyscrapers in the background fade into the background while walking alone at sunset, breathing the sea breeze and watching seagulls, pelicans and smaller birds are flocking in a few meters of the shoreline. You can even fantasize about getting on some of those large and luxurious cruise ships sailing the ocean on the horizon towards the dream of the neighboring Caribbean.

Along the US 1, that crosses Florida from north to south, It leaves Miami and the village gradually thins out as you reach Key Largo, almost without realizing it. And 'This is the first in a sequence of islands connected by bridges long sea, also often present as background in theaters of the whole world. The landscape here is homogeneous, strictly flat, covered with sub-tropical vegetation. Beautiful houses and wooden boats docked at the jetties are followed in subsequent Islamorada and Marathon, until reaching, after the most famous of the flyover (the 7 miles bridge), a Key West.

Here's tradition reach the Southern Most Point, a column that is geographically the most southerly point of all US: only ninety miles away from Cuba compared to the more than two hundred of Miami. But it is the old port that focuses the attention of tourists in what has become a true daily ritual.

On the old wooden piers fact, They gather at dusk thousands of people to watch, according to many the most beautiful tropical sunset of states, with the sun sinks into the horizon of the ocean abyss. In a triumph of applause, cheers and celebrations, They stand out from everywhere powerful speed boats and luxury yachts, sailboats parading in plain sight. And immediately after, among the hundreds of stalls offering unrivaled memories to take back home, The celebrations continue into the night among the most extravagant shows and original street artists.

Alligators and crocodiles along the Everglades

Leaving behind Keys, from US 1 It takes a detour to the 9336, the only paved road to this Everglades leading to the lone center Flamingo, where you can find information and accommodation search. And 'unusual to passing cars. The marsh in fact, that covers a third of the surface of Florida, It extends to 360 ° for hundreds of kilometers of pristine land on a level that seems to have no end. It 'easy to imagine what this place proves a real gold mine for naturalists, presenting unique features in its kind and a multitude of species of flora and fauna that grow and live here permanently or move during periods of migration.

To fully appreciate the wonders of this habitat, there are several opportunities and activities to be undertaken individually or by taking advantage of the support of competent guides. The most direct contact with nature has in canoe, since mobile swamp consists for the most part by a huge inland marsh. We are organized by Flamingo wonderful excursions both daily of whole weeks, penetrating the most hidden maze.

Less demanding and faster turns instead to follow one of the many 'trail’, marked trails and equipped with wooden walkways that allow you to walk devoted to observation and learning, thanks to precious explanatory signs, surrounding eco-system. The Anhinga is one of these. along just 800 meters, It allows you to see in such a short space the Anhinga, bird that gives its name to path, specimens of Blue Heron, alligatori, sea ​​turtles, libellule e farfalle: all it immersed in a dazzling habitats in the deep silence of nature. The other trail worth seeing, each having different characteristics. Are just a few examples the Gumbo Limbo (in the jungle), the Pineland (which it takes its name from this tree type), the Pahayokee Overllook (a terrace with a sweeping view of the swamp), and West Lake (labyrinthine path between the mangroves that skirt a lake).
But there is yet another possibility to remain amazed by the Everglades. on the US 41, which runs through the south of the peninsula remained at the edge of the swamp, there are several agencies that organize tours airboat. It is to navigate for about one hour on a hull plate with a large noisy propeller on the back, governed by a 'pilot' that, as well as act as a cultural guide, entertains tourists with some pyrotechnics maneuver. When entering at full speed into the thick grass you have the sensation of crashing against the shore, until it reveals the deception of sight in a land that in fact it is always covered by a meter of water below. The flat marsh stretching to the horizon from anywhere you look, broken only by a few bushes grew more than they should, or more rarely a tree that rises like a cathedral in the desert. And 'the kingdom of alligatori and crocodiles and this is one of only two places on earth where the two species are able to live together. The guide brings them safely, knowing the habits and character and, observing eyes and nose, can understand immediately tonnage and age, while the presence or behavior of the individual in the herd. If someone wants to take home memories of a vibrant contact with the feared reptiles, this is the right experience!

The signatures in the Italian town rich in Naples

Continuing for the US 41, You arrive on the other side of the coast crossing Naples, considered one of the richest towns and sophisticated Florida. La 5fth avenue, the main street leading to the sea, teems with shops of famous Italian brands, of banks and jewelers. With amazing solitary villas on the lake, It arrives in a few meters to one of the most beautiful coasts of the coast, characterized by white sand and tall palm behind in a typical tropical landscape postcard.

Stands the Pier, the long wooden pier that stands for a hundred meters inside the blue sea, where anglers compete to capture larger prey. There are no deckchairs or establishments that clutter, and even canoes, pedal boats or jet skis, to leave free and intact this gem as possible. It will also be for this reason that it is often spot dolphins just a few meters from the shore and, with a little 'luck, They will even approach them.

This is proof that, Despite the strong influence of tourism and the irrepressible technological civilization, Americans have had the good sense to leave the area due to the one, today again, It is a predominant nature and present in all its pristine glory in the wonderful and lively state of Florida ...

I lamantini di Crystal River

For nature lovers, north Florida river Crystal River offers an unrivaled opportunity to see the manatees, endangered mammals that find their habitat during the cold season, leaving the ocean to take refuge in these waters from the warmer temperature. They are the family of Sirenia, big up to six meters, curious, docile and completely harmless, moving with slow movements and not having teeth. They feed fact ruminating on Algoso lawn on the seabed.

'Crystal River Watersports' organizes boat trips on the river for those who practice diving or snorkeling, to admire these magnificent specimens in total freedom, providing the necessary equipment and information on the behavior to hold in order to have direct contact.

Web: http://floridamanateetours.com
Address: Crystal River Watersports, 2380 NW Hwy 19 – Crystal River Fl. 34428

Venice in the heart of Miami

For those who want to sunbathe with a touch of art nostrana, the Venetian Pool It offers an original and fun attraction. This is a public swimming pool in the middle of Coral Gables (one of the most luxurious neighborhoods of Miami) that, as clearly understandable from the name, It is inspired by Venice with a lot of historic buildings and St. Mark's bridge. There is also a beautiful white sand beach blinding, in which lay your towel sunbathing, a cascade to the tub, a small hidden cave, side paths in the middle of a thick green tropical garden. Not to be missed!

Web: www.venetianpool.com
Address: 2701 De Soto Boulevard – Coral Gables (Miami), FL 33134

Il Ringling Museum of Art

The Ringling Museum of Art It portrays the cultural and artistic moment more important than all of Florida, and it consists of the legacy of John Ringling (1866-1936) to the American people of this museum, of its collection and 66 Acres of land with gardens overlooking the Sarasota Bay.

To visit:

Ca D'Zan Mansion It is the main attraction, now completely restored in all its splendor, evoking the Venetian-Gothic style of the buildings that Ringling admired during his travels.

The Circus Museum is a curious and original museum dedicated to the history of the American circus and its artists (John had one in Sarasota with which he made his fortune with his brothers). Here are collected objects that document the history of the American circus as flyers, poster, photo, morals, entertainment tools, minutely detailed circus wagons, as well as the stunning reconstruction of an entire miniature circus.

Finally the Museum of Art accumulates a collection of over 600 paintings in various salons, several sculptures and decorative objects. There are works by Rubens, Poussin, neck, Velázquez, de There, Cranach, Pietro da Cortona, Guercino and other great artists of the Renaissance and Baroque.

Web: www.ringling.org
Address: Ringling Museum estate, 5401 Bay Shore Road – Sarasota Florida 34243