Senior Highlights....

FLORIDA DREAMIN’

Dreams come true in Florida. Whether you yearn for the fantasy world of Mickey Mouse with a grandchild, long for the solitude of a remote beach, or want a bit of both, the Sunshine State specializes in dream vacations.

Of course, Florida means different things to all of the diverse seniors who are drawn here on vacation or permanently. For some Florida veterans, anything new is a definite destination. To others, a deserted beach is the best bet. For this reason, we’ve included a bit of everything in this round-up, ranging from Miami Beach to the Magic Kingdom to the quiet Gulf Coast and the Panhandle.

No matter what your goal in a visit, Florida promises to please. This is certainly a state that knows how to welcome seniors.

GLORIOUS GREATER MIAMI

Gloria Estefan sings its praises in two languages and so are many visitors to the Greater Miami area. Millions of tourists come to the Miami area each year and Miami Beach has become the big reason.

The first thing everyone notices about Miami Beach’s South Beach area is the Art Deco District. Well-preserved and -restored buildings from the 1930s and 40s punctuate the area with a pastel pallette of pinks, turquoises, yellows, and other soothing colors. Arresting architectural details like banks of windows, sunshade canopies, rounded corners, tubular railings, porthole windows, and abstract ornamentation add to the visual feast for visitors.

The next best thing about Miami Beach is the beach. The ten-mile strand is perfect for people-watching, sunning, and long strolls. For even more people-watching, it doesn’t get any better than lively Ocean Drive or rejuvenated Lincoln Road.

The rest of the Miami area also has much to offer. Downtown Miami's Bayside is a great place for shopping, dining, and tours of Biscayne Bay. Sightseeing and activities possibilities include: Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park on Key Biscayne; Fairchild Tropical Gardens; the Miami Metrozoo; the Miami Seaquarium; and Villa Vizcaya. If you have time, nearby Everglades National Park offers a natural experience you won’t soon forget. Flamingo Lodge is the perfect base for one or more nights.

THE FLORIDA KEYS

Like a collection of Caribbean islands that you can reach by car without leaving the U.S., the Florida Keys stretch out like a string of pearls southwest of Miami. Whether it’s a quick trip to the gateway town of Key Largo for a short Keys introduction or a full-fledged vacation throughout this fascinating bit of paradise, the Florida Keys are a key part of any Florida visit.

Along with Key Largo in the Upper Keys, the Middle Keys area around Marathon provides another excellent introduction to Keys life. The all-ages-oriented Hawk’s Cay Resort and Marina is an ideal base.

Further south, Key West is literally the end of the road (the Overseas Highway) for writers, artists, hermits, and other unusual characters. Hemingway made it his temporary home in the 30s and many have followed since. The Marquesa Hotel & Cafe is a great temporary home for visitors.

The Conch Tour Train provides an excellent introduction to Old Key West. Be sure to visit the Hemingway House, the Audubon House, the Key West Aquarium, and sunset at Mallory Square Dock.

OUTRAGEOUS ORLANDO

For many people, Orlando is Florida Anything fresh at this vacation mecca--and there’s always something new--brings veteran visitors and first-time tourists.

New to the Orlando scene, Walt Disney World’s Disney Institute is drawing rave reviews. As with everything else, Disney does educational travel right. Guests can customize their learning vacation from a list of more than 80 programs in cooking, design, entertainment, animation, gardening, lifestyles, interior design, storytelling, performing arts, sport and fitness, and many other special programs (including guest stars and experts).

Of course, there’s much more at Walt Disney World proper, including many new attractions and activities. But Orlando isn’t just for Disney-devotees. Universal Studios, Sea World, Church Street Station, stupendous shopping, shows, world-class dining, and much more await those flocking to central Florida.

THE SPACE COAST

The entire area along Florida’s central Atlantic coastline is called the ‘Space Coast’ for good reason. Home of the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Complex, locals say they own a monopoly on ‘the right stuff’ for tourists.

Tours of Kennedy Space Center leave continuously from Spaceport USA, which also has many excellent exhibits and programs. The IMAX movie is definitely a highlight of any visit. Grandchildren interested in an ever more out-of-this-world experience can even attend five-day sessions of Space Camp Florida, with full-scale space shuttle orbiter mock-ups, a micro-gravity trainer, a spacewalk simulator, and much more.

There’s also much more to the Space Coast area, including the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, the Valiant Air Command Museum, miles of beaches, the all-natural Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, and Historic Cocoa Village.

THE PALM COAST

Not too many ‘undiscovered’ beach areas remain in Florida, but one of the best can be found just north of Daytona Beach. The community of Palm Coast was planned and developed by the ITT Community Development Corporation. This 42,000-square-mile area is located along the Atlantic Ocean and the Intercoastal Waterway, just off Interstate 95.

Scenic parkways, bike paths, and jogging trails connect the many residential and resort areas. It has everything a Florida resort area should have (including a lack of crowds).

The hub for visitors is the Sheraton Palm Coast Resort. All of its rooms have a view of the Palm Coast Marina or the Intercoastal Waterway, both of which are frequented by cruisers, tall-masted sailboats, and long-legged herons. The resort offers three great golf courses, one of the state’s finest tennis facilities, and a secluded beach club.

To the north of the Palm Coast area, St. Augustine provides lots of Florida history and quaint areas for walking and shopping. A bit further north the lively city of Jacksonville and the island life of Amelia Island await visitors. To the south, Daytona Beach features one of the state’s most famous beaches, with a coastline offering 23 miles of white sand and Atlantic surf. What’s more, Daytona International Speedway offers a great tour and, of course, great races.

THE WEST COAST

The less busy Gulf of Mexico coastline features more of Florida at its finest. From the charm of Marco Island and Naples in the south to the Nature Coast up north, the Gulf Coast also has much to offer.

The old Florida sophistication in Naples, featuring resorts like the Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club, is typical of the Florida west coast experience. Further north, the Ft. Myers area and Sanibel Island, with accommodations like the Sanibel Inn, offer more of the same.

The trio of Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater makes for another popular Sunshine State situation. From historic lodging at the Don CeSar to the history of Tarpon Springs, this area is quite popular with seniors.

North of the Tampa area, the region called the Nature Coast features incredibly quiet waterfront towns and lots of nature. The cottages of Steinhatchee Landing in the waterfront town of Steinhatchee have proven quite popular with seniors. Inland, an area tourism call 'Original Florida' features small towns, clear springs, antiques, and a part of Florida that seems untouched by tourism.

THE PANHANDLE

Much of the Panhandle consists of picture-perfect sugar-white sand beaches and sparkling blue water. Located right in the middle, the Beaches of South Walton provide a perfect example of Panhandle perfection.

From Inlet Beach to Frangista Beach, the Beaches of South Walton are famous for the unique beach cottages that started drawing visitors back in the 50s. Several generations of families have been renting the same cottage annually for as long as 40 years. In the past 20 years, a few tasteful resorts have also been added, but the area still remains relatively quiet. The New England-style town of Seaside is one of many perfect oceanfront bases.

Besides the pristine beaches and unique accommodations, the Beaches of South Walton feature deep-sea fishing, golf, historic sightseeing, and some of the freshest seafood and creative cooking that you’ll find anywhere in Florida. Like the South Walton area, the rest of the Florida Panhandle is really starting to draw visitors to a new part of the Sunshine State.

--For help in planning a Florida vacation, call (904) 488-5607.