Encourage clients to explore the culture and scenic landscapes that lie just outside Miami and Tampa
Clients limiting their Florida holiday to just Miami’s glamour and Tampa’s coastal attractions may miss the wealth of history, art and nature that lies beyond these hubs. To soak up all of Florida’s charm, inspire clients to rent a car and complement the vibrant city bustle with an escape into nature.
Within an hour’s drive of Miami, clients can snorkel along Biscayne National Park’s Maritime Heritage Trail or pedal through mangrove forests in Oleta River State Park, Florida’s largest urban state park. In leafy Coral Gables, about a 20-minute drive from Miami, they can cool down in the Venetian Pool, which is fed by spring waters. Farther afield at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo, snorkel or hop on a glass-bottom boat to explore the nation’s first underwater park, teeming with colourful coral reefs and schools of fish. Head to Everglades National Park for more wild encounters, either via an airboat ride through nearby swamps and sawgrass marshes or on the family-friendly open-air Shark Valley tram.
Florida’s Gulf Coast near Tampa is dotted with white-sand beaches and nature parks. Less than an hour from the city, catch a short ferry from Honeymoon Island State Park to secluded Caladesi Island to be immersed in its pristine slash-pine forests and mangroves. Nearby, eat Greek fare at waterfront city Tarpon Springs and wander the historic Greek-influenced Sponge Docks. From there, families can watch a mermaid performance at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park or drift along the lazy river.
Just 30 to 40 minutes from Tampa, St Petersburg is home to the surrealist Salvador Dalí Museum, waterside eateries and boutiques, plus Fort De Soto Park with its trails and historic coastal fortifications. Inland, Hillsborough River State Park offers plenty of opportunities for canoeing gentle rapids and hiking, while east of Tampa lies the city of Lakeland. Expect charming lakes and 20th-century architecture by Frank Lloyd Wright.
Make the most of the range of coastal escapes close to Tampa and Miami
Under an hour
About 40 minutes’ drive from Miami, retro Floridian architecture and a wealth of eateries dot the palm-strewn boardwalk and coastline of Hollywood Beach. Clearwater Beach’s Pier 60 is famous for its lively sunset celebrations and dolphin cruises and is only a 40 to 60-minute drive from Tampa.
90 minutes from Miami
Indulge in luxury shopping at Palm Beach, unwind on Delray Municipal Beach then bar-hop downtown Atlantic Avenue, or head to the gateway to Florida Keys, Key Largo – expect coral reefs, turquoise water and a laidback island feel. Deep-sea and backcountry fishing are popular at nearby Islamorada, the world’s sport fishing capital.
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