| You'd be forgiven for presuming that most Europeans | | | | legend of Cebe Tate who wandered the woods for |
| who visit Florida stick to the Lake Buena Vista area | | | | seven nights in search of a panther. When he returned |
| close to the amusement parks such as Walt Disney | | | | he muttered the words: 'My name is Cebe Tate, and I |
| World Resort and Universal Studios. However, Florida | | | | just came from Hell!' before promptly dying. Today the |
| state also contains a wealth of other attractions that | | | | area offers camping, canoeing and picnicking. |
| are just as unique and sometimes unexpected. With | | | | Everglades |
| airlines competing to offer cheap flights to Orlando this | | | | The Everglades cover the southern tip of the Florida |
| summer, let's take a look at some of the less obvious | | | | peninsula, with the national park being visited by a million |
| visitor attractions in the Sunshine State. | | | | people a year on average. Established to protect a |
| Siesta Key | | | | fragile and unique ecosystem, Everglades National |
| On Florida's west coast lies the barrier island of Siesta | | | | Park boast the American alligator and the Florida |
| Key. Last year Siesta Beach was named the Best | | | | panther among its residents. There are over 300 |
| Sand Beach in America by the Travel Channel, but the | | | | campsites in the area, however unlike Siesta and |
| area has an established history of being popular for | | | | Tate's Hell, swimming water recreation is not |
| those eager to spend time on the coast. The area is | | | | recommended due to the abundance of dangerous |
| unique in that it has been protected from development | | | | animals. The Everglades are blessed with a tropical |
| and human encroachment due to the work of Otis | | | | climate. |
| Kiesow - and today the clean waters are popular (but | | | | Kennedy Space Center |
| not crowded) and often used for snorkelling and fishing. | | | | For those seeking the prime juxtaposition of |
| Tate's Hell State Forest | | | | technological advancement and Florida nature, they |
| To the north east, Tate's hell is home to over 800 | | | | should visit Kennedy Space Center on Merritt Island on |
| square kilometres of forest and swamp land. Despite | | | | the east coast. If you time your trip well you may be |
| much of the area being impassable, there is much to | | | | able to coincide with a rocket launch. However the |
| be seen for those with an interest in nature and the | | | | visitor complex is open the year round and includes |
| area is home to a number of endangered and rare | | | | craft, technology, a Rocket Garden - but it is worth it |
| species, such as the bald eagle, the black bear and the | | | | for the Vehicle Assembly Building (the fourth largest |
| gopher tortoise. The area gets its name from the | | | | building in the world by volume) alone. |