Sanibel and Captiva, Florida

Photo credit: Visit Florida

Although it's the state nickname, describing Florida as the Sunshine State is like calling Katie Couric "perky." Sure, it's true, but not all the time -- and it doesn't nearly begin to describe the state's other marketable assets. There's a lot more to the state than just sunshine -- which, by the way, isn't even a 24/7 given; it does rain here. Weather aside, choosing the best of Florida is by no means simple. While millions of visitors flock here to escape the bleakness of winter and landlocked locations, they don't all come down for sun, fun, and Mickey Mouse. Granted, the promise of (mostly) clear skies and 800 miles of sparkling, sandy beaches is alluring, as are the animatronics and roller coasters in Orlando and Tampa, but there's much more to the state than that. In fact, in many ways, Florida is like a beautiful, blond beauty queen whom everyone thinks is all fluff until they find out she happens to be a Rhodes scholar. More than meets the eye has made this one of the country's most popular year-round vacation destinations.

Here you can choose from a colorful, often kitschy assortment of accommodations, from deluxe resorts to mom-and-pop motels. You can visit remote little towns like Apalachicola or a multicultural megalopolis like Miami. You can devour fresh seafood, from amberjack to oysters -- and then work off those calories in such outdoor pursuits as bicycling, golfing, or kayaking. Despite overdevelopment in many parts of the state, Floridians have maintained thousands of acres of wilderness areas, from the little respite of Clam Pass County Park in downtown Naples to magnificent Everglades National Park, which stretches across the state's southern tip.

Choosing the "best" of all of this is a daunting task, and the selections in this guide are only highlights. You'll find numerous other outstanding resorts, hotels, destinations, activities, and attractions described in this book. And with an open mind and a sense of adventure, you'll come up with bests of your own.

Featured Florida Destinations:

Walt Disney World®

Miami

Tampa

Photo credits: (left) Walt Disney World®; (middle) Greater Miami CVB; (right) Visit Florida

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Daytona Beach, Panama City Beach, & Orlando:  Active    Spring Vacations

Everglades National Park, Florida:  National Parks for    Wildlife Viewing

• Daytona
• Disney
• Florida Keys
• Fort Lauderdale
• Ft Lauderdale
• Jacksonville
• Miami
• Orlando
• Panama City
• Sarasota
• St. Petersburg
• Tampa