Undiscovered Florida 2016 - (Page 4)
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Credit: Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel
Above: Castles in the sand, Fort Myers & Sanibel
Florida State of Excitement
T
ake everything you know about
Florida. And multiply it. Because the
real Florida, the best of Florida-from
its endless wilderness to its historical depth
and cultural richness-defies any and all
preconceived notions or boundaries.
On this subtropical peninsula, where the
sun rises over the Atlantic and sets over the
Gulf of Mexico, landscapes, seascapes and
great escapes never cease to amaze.
Points of View
The journey might begin in North Florida,
whose Southern accent is sprinkled with
a dash of tropical flair, and whose deep
historical footprint doesn't just go back to
the first European explorers but reaches
back thousands of years to the first native
inhabitants.
From saddles to sea turtles, the Central
Florida landscape is just as compelling, as
visitors discover the legacy of the cowboy
4
in a still-thriving horse and cattle industry,
while the wonders of the Stone Age-
including the timeless migration of nesting
sea turtles-are juxtaposed against the
marvels of the Space Age as rockets blast
into space over unceasing ocean tides.
In South Florida, where high-energy
days melt into endless nights, an emphasis
on environmental preservation sustains the
only subtropical preserve in North America
while creative innovations have vaulted the
entire region onto the world stages of art,
theater and music. Where land ends in South
Florida, another journey is just beginning-
the Florida Keys and Key West.
Trail Mix
If you're determined to see it all, the 1,300mile Florida National Scenic Trail (floridatrail.
org), begins in extreme South Florida, at
the edge of the Everglades in Big Cypress
National Preserve and terminates on
the white sands of Gulf Islands National
Seashore at historic Fort Pickens near
Pensacola in the westernmost point of the
Florida Panhandle.
Another, or additional, option is the
Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail
(floridabirdingtrail.com), a 2,000-mile, selfguided highway route that connects and
unifies 515 birding and wildlife viewing sites
throughout Florida.
Scores of other trails traverse the state,
leading visitors to historic monuments,
heritage sites and important people who
shaped Florida's destiny (dos.myflorida.com/
historical/preservation/heritage-trails).
But who says you have to walk or
drive? You can paddle your way to Florida's
amazing geography and history. Local
tourism bureaus can help you float your
boat, or more information is available from
the Florida Paddling Trails Association
(floridapaddlingtrails.com).
Undiscovered Florida
http://www.floridabirdingtrail.com
http://dos.myflorida.com/
http://www.floridapaddlingtrails.com
http://visitflorida.com
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Undiscovered Florida 2016
State of Excitement
North Florida
Central Florida
South Florida
Undiscovered Florida 2016
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/undiscoveredflorida/2016
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/undiscoveredflorida/2015
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/undiscoveredflorida/undiscoveredflorida2014
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/undiscoveredflorida/2013
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/undiscoveredflorida/2012
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/undiscoveredflorida/2011
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com