| Florida is world famous for its' fabulous coastline and | | | | absolute must is Fort De Soto Park, which is part of |
| spectacular beaches. But when visiting Florida which | | | | the St Petersburg/ |
| beaches are absolutely "do not miss" fantastic? Well, | | | | Clearwater area. Ranked as the Number 1 Beach in |
| with so many to choose from, any vacationer is | | | | 2005 in the entire US by Dr Beach, the entire park |
| spoiled for choice. Did you know that if you walked | | | | area covers 900 acres with the area crowned by 7 |
| just one mile of Florida beach front every day, it would | | | | miles of unspoilt beach. |
| take you two and a half years to get around the entire | | | | When visiting the Gulf Coast, no trip is complete |
| state! | | | | without a stop in the Sarasota and Bradenton area. |
| So where does a vacationer start? Well how about | | | | With 21 beaches of note in the area, it was a close call |
| the Panhandle area and heading south along the west | | | | but judges in the "Great International White Sand |
| Coast? The Panhandle part of the Florida is also | | | | Beach Challenge" announced in 1987 that Siesta |
| known as the Emerald Coast. There are 10 beaches | | | | Beach had the "finest and whitest sand in the world". |
| of note in the Pensacola region, most notably Perdido | | | | This world famous sand is 99% quartz and is |
| Key. This barrier island is part of the Gulf Island | | | | snow-white and feathery-soft. |
| National Seashore and is just west of Pensacola. Dr | | | | Heading further south, any vacationer, especially a |
| Stephen P Leatherman, better known as Dr Beach, | | | | honeymooner, must stop at Lover's Key State Park, |
| has consistently classed Perdido Key within the top 20 | | | | situated between Fort Myers Beach and Bonita Beach. |
| beaches in the US. | | | | With 2 miles of pristine sand, teeming with wildlife and |
| Just East of the Pensacola region is the famous resort | | | | nature trails through the park, this really is a quiet spot |
| area of Fort Walton and Destin. Twenty-four miles of | | | | to savor. Ranked 4th best beach in the Florida by the |
| white, powdery beaches and crystal blue waters add | | | | Travel Channel on the cable network, you can even |
| to the outstanding natural beauty of the area. In fact | | | | get married here on the beach at sunset if you so |
| the beaches are so breathtaking that Southern Living | | | | wish. |
| Magazine ranked them "Best Beach in the South" and | | | | And so we reach the furthest point south before |
| the "Top Family Destination." A perfect spot for a | | | | heading into the Everglades - Naples and Marco Island; |
| family friendly vacation. | | | | also known as the Paradise Coast. If you want |
| How about heading a little further southeast to | | | | glamour head for Naples Municipal Beach and Pier. |
| Panama City? The area is also known as the "Wreck | | | | Fronted with multi-million dollar mansions, this is a piece |
| Capital of the South," so is a great choice for divers. | | | | of the high life for free. If you are looking for something |
| There are many historic wrecks in the offshore | | | | a little more secluded, visit Barefoot Beach Preserve |
| waters just waiting to be explored plus 27 miles of | | | | by Bonita Springs. It's a little known 342-acre park with |
| white sandy beaches for swimming, snorkeling, shelling, | | | | just over 1 mile of natural beach. It is tucked away in a |
| boating and fishing. | | | | million dollar gated community but is open daily to the |
| Let's now head down further south and explore the | | | | public. |
| west coast, otherwise known as the Gulf Coast. An | | | | |