Vacation Rentals in Florida

The Sunshine State is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, with visitors heading to have fun, sun and thrills. Disney World, Magic Kingdom Park and Busch Gardens are just a few of the man-made attractions for which the State of Florida is famed. What else is waiting for you? Winding waterways, freshwater lakes, hills, forests, exciting cities, 13560 km (8426 mi) of coast, countless bays, inlets and islands, and a legendary climate make this one of the most popular States in the USA.
Florida is divided into eight geographical regions: Northwest Florida, North Central Florida, Northeast Florida, Central West Florida, Central Florida, Central East Florida, Southwest and Southeast Florida also known as the Keys.
Situated on the southeastern tip, Miami and Miami Beach have long been a haunt of the rich and famous, and star-spotting is a popular pastime here. The city also has a well-established Cuban sector called Little Havana. Palm Beach scores equally highly in the glamour stakes, thanks largely to a US$50 million new development of mansions and hotels. Orlando - Disney Area in Central Florida offers unlimited fun for families with children in the magnificent theme and waterparks. Fort Lauderdale is a popular spot for families, offering a wide assortment of sports and recreational activities. The Florida Keys in the south, are made up of the Upper, Middle, Lower Keys and the Key West. A tropical climate, beautiful beaches and clear blue waters attract a steady flow of visitors to the Keys all year round.

Winter is the prime season in southern Florida, where temperatures ordinarily range 22-25°C (71-77°F) during the day and 10-16°C (50-60°F) at night. Occasional cold snaps can occur as far south as Miami. Some winter mornings in the southern part of the state may see near-freezing temperatures, but by midday the warmth returns. In the northern quarter of the state, however, it can be downright cold for days at a time, with temperatures dipping below freezing at night. The sun is intense at these latitudes, even in winter, so don't spoil your visit by getting too much.
With all the water in the region, the state has high humidity, which gets higher and more uncomfortable in summer. The heat and humidity are tempered by sea breezes along the coast or by afternoon/early-evening thunderstorms. Rainfall can be intense but is usually brief. Nonetheless, those who aren't used to it may find 32°C (90°F) and 70%-90% humidity a strain. Careful pacing, loose, light clothing and a hat with a brim will help. Be particularly careful where long waits in line occur - some of the theme-park attractions can have you standing in the sun longer than you might prefer.

Just another day in paradise' is probably the best way to describe Florida's weather from October to June. It rarely gets below 18°C (65°F) or above 32°C (90°F). This makes it a summertime weekend destination for overheated sunshine state inhabitants, and a year-round attraction for the rest of the world's population, all of whom seem to be here during the tourist season (December through to April). Florida's hurricane season, which officially runs from June through November, lets budget travelers will enjoy lower costs and less crowded beaches, but just remember that one little hurricane can ruin your whole vacation. The season regularly passes without catastrophic incident but as recently as a decade ago, a category-4 hurricane (innocuously and rather deceptively called Andrew), generating winds of up to 155 mph (250 km/h) and ocean surges over 5.5 m (18 ft) high, passed through Florida on its way to becoming the most expensive natural disaster in US history.

Sun and sand, freshwater and saltwater fishing, tropical wetlands and forests, Orlando and Disney World, the Florida Keys, the Kennedy Space Center, Miami, Tampa/St. Petersburg, Native American culture, Caribbean and Latin American cuisine, lots of fresh seafood, unlimited water sports and a wide variety of day and night activities are Florida's foremost attractions.
Florida offers something for everyone, though those who prefer to avoid heavily commercialized attractions will have to work a bit to find less-traveled areas. Those who love the sea, the beach and warm weather will get the most out of a Florida vacation.

The wide variety of national origins and the USA’s relatively short history has resulted in numerous cultural and traditional customs living alongside each other. In large cities, people of the same ethnic background often live within defined communities. Shaking hands as the usual form of greeting. A relaxed and informal atmosphere is usually the norm in Florida. As long as the fundamental rules of courtesy are observed there need be no fear of offending anyone of any background. Americans are renowned for their openness and friendliness to visitors. Gifts are appreciated if one is invited to a private home. As a rule dress is casual. Smart restaurants, hotels and clubs insist on suits and ties or long dresses. Smoking is often restricted in public buildings and on city transport. There will usually be a notice where no smoking is requested and many restaurants have smoking and non-smoking sections.
Tipping: Widely practiced, and service charges are not usually included in the bill. Waiters generally expect 15%, as do taxi drivers and hairdressers. It should be noted that a cover charge is for admission to an establishment, not a tip for service. Porters generally expect US$1 per bag.

Fresh seafood is the specialty all over Florida, and every imaginable variety is available, including Florida spiny lobster and stone crabs. But seafood is only part of the story - everything from Japanese to kosher can be found, including Chinese, French, Spanish, Continental, German, Greek, Italian, Mediterranean, Mexican, Polynesian, barbecue and steak. Don't miss an opportunity to sample the state's offerings of Latin American, Cuban and other Caribbean cuisine, including such delicacies as fish grilled in banana leaves, the spicy flavors of jerk pork and chicken (Jamaican barbecue) or the hearty taste of ropa vieja, a Cuban stew flavored with annatto oil. (There's a chain of restaurants in the state called Columbia that provides a good introduction to Cuban cooking with a somewhat more formal Spanish influence.) Much of Florida's cooking employs fresh ingredients and unusual seasonings that range from the sweet to the incredibly hot. Be sure to try Key lime pie - it's made from tiny yellow limes that grow locally. The juice is also sold in supermarkets.

Most visitors to the US require a visa. However, Canadians need only proof of citizenship. A reciprocal visa-waiver program allows citizens of the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland to stay up to 90 days without a visa if they have an onward ticket.