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Florida Travel tips, Holiday Information and Tourist Information.


By reading through the following Florida Travel Information you may find a few helpful tips to make your holiday in Florida more enjoyable. If you are looking for holiday accommodation in Florida then search Apartment and Villa Rentals for apartments and villas to rent, plus many more holiday rentals in Florida.

If you have a holiday home to rent in Florida then you can advertise it on Apartment and Villa Rentals.

Florida is known as the “sunshine state” due to the amount of glorious sunny days it has a year. Florida’s really translates to “full (or feast) of flowers, named by explorer Ponce de Leon due to the flowers he had seen everywhere when he arrived in 1513. Due to its tropical climate Florida retains its superb lush vegetation all through the year.


Florida Coasts

Below is a map showing you the different Florida Coasts. We all know of East Coast, West Coast, Atlantic Coast and Gulf Coast but have a look at all the other Coastal areas that Florida has to offer.

Florida Map

North Central Region

The North Central Region is made up of 16 counties stretching from Gadsden in the West to Alachua in the East, Tallahassee being the capital county of Florida. This area of Florida is known as the original Florida and the “Nature Coast”.


North West Region

The Northwest Region starts at the historic city of Pensacola in the west to the Apalachicola in the east. You will find miles of untouched natural golden sandy beaches and traditional fishing villages and towns that will transport you back in time.


North East Region

The North East region or Florida “First Coast” region offers tourists and backpackers great memorable adventures through time to 17th century forts, sand dunes and immense prairie lands. It is one of America’s most historic European areas with one of the most modern seaports with quaint towns adding to its vibrancy and charm.


Central Region

Central Florida doesn’t really need an introduction home to Mickey Mouse himself and all his friends in the county of Orlando. This is the most popular region with families who come to flock the many man made attractions that entertain us, but also take time out for the natural beauty the place has to offer.


Central East Region

Central East Florida is a contrast of glory from Florida’s past times and her triumphs of her tomorrows. Staring at the “Birthplace of Speed” to the “Space Coast” and ends among the orange groves of the “Treasure Coast” These were the times when horses ran free to Spanish galleons, speedy racers and rocketing space ships.


Central West Region

Central West region or the “Nature Coast” is a well known location home to destinations like Tampa, Clearwater and St. Petersburg. It boasts culture, history and crystal clear waters.


South West Region

South West region comprised of Lee, Collier, Charlotte and Glades counties. This region boasts magical beaches with beautiful exotic wildlife in tranquil settings. This truly is a region to visit with outback adventures to enjoy and natural scenery to marvel.


South East Region

South East region is by far the place to be noticed. If you’re looking for nightlife then this region has it covered. With pulsating sounds at Miami South Beach to chic and elegance of Palm Beach, here you will find all you desire.
The everglades are also to be explored and the magical coral reefs of Florida Keys are not to be missed.


The Best Time to Travel

The best time to visit Florida is between April and May and September to November. Temperatures are more bearable and the prices more reasonable.

Winter in the southern region is the peak season and in the northern region where temperatures are lower the summer is peak.

If you are adverse to large crowds then be aware of peak times as delays can be incurred with heavy traffic on roads, theme parks and hotel capacity and restaurants are full.


Emergency

To contact the emergency services then dial 911 from any phone. If you want to report an incident of theft then contact the local non-emergency number for the police. If you wish to make an insurance claim then a police report needs to be completed.

Below is a list of useful numbers to report lost or stolen cards and travellers cheques.


Credit Cards

American Express: (800) 528-4800

Diners Club: (800) 234-6377

Discover: (800) 347-2683

MasterCard: (800) 826-2181

Visa: (800) 336-8472


Travellers’ Cheques

American Express: (800) 221-7282

MasterCard: (800) 223-9920

Thomas Cook: (800) 223-7373

Visa: (800) 227-6811


Tourist Information Bureaux

Visit Florida is the official Tourism Marketing Corporation for the State of Florida; it has a 24 hour tourist information contact number (800) 656-8777 with bilingual operators to assist.


Florida Taxes

The Florida state sales tax of 6 - 7% is added to all prices in restaurants, shops and attractions.


Drinking Laws

To purchase or consume alcohol in the State of Florida you must be 21 years of age. Carry photo identification that gives your date of birth.


Smoking Laws

Due to recently passed laws, smoking is no longer allowed in establishments that serve food. However, most have outdoor smoking areas.


Florida Time Zones

West of the Apalachicola River is on Central Standard Time, one hour behind the rest of the state, which observes Eastern Standard Time.


Florida Visas

B-2 tourist visa is normally required for most people travelling to the United States. However some people can travel to the United States for tourism under the Visa Waiver Program.

If a Canadian citizen travels directly from Canada they require a photo ID. If you are travelling to the United States for a holiday, business, study or temporary employment you will be applying for a Temporary Residence or Non-Immigrant Visas this will allow you and your family to stay depending on acceptance.


Electric

Power is set at 110 Volts and 60 cycles it is standard across the whole of the USA. 220 Volts is used but only for large appliances like ovens, electric boilers and washing machines.

The plugs you would need to have when travelling to the USA are the ones with 2 flat blades, on some newer electric goods you may notice a third round pin but most hotels, buildings and homes are equipped with receptacles that cater for both types of plug.  You may also need a converter to change the voltage from 110 volts to 220 volts.


Currency

The currency used in the US is the Dollar (USD) and is divided into 100 cents. To exchange foreign currency you would have to visit a major bank opening hours are from 9am to 3pm Monday- Friday.  Traveller’s cheques and credit cards are accepted in most establishments and ATMs are widespread.


Medical

Medical facilities are very good, but expensive so good medical insurance is required. Only emergencies are treated without prior payment and treatment can be refused if you do not have the funds required.


Making a Call

The international dialling code for the states is +1 but to make an outbound call the code is 011 then follow the relevant country code (e.g. 01144 for the UK. The US has many city codes that must be dialled before the local number required (e.g. New York 212 and Washington 202) unless you have a triband phone then it is unlikely that your mobile will work. Check with mobile manufacturer to see if you’re mobile is compatible with the US.


Duty Free

Tourists going to the USA who are non-residents do not have to pay duty on the items listed below:


100 cigars or 200 cigarettes

Gifts to the value of $100 based on the fact that there stay in the US is no less than 3 days and that the allowance has not been bought or used in the preceding six month period.


The below items listed are prohibited for residents and non-residents:

Meat or meat products.

Narcotics.

Plants, seeds, vegetables, fruits, soil, live insects and other living plants or animals.

Fish, unless it displays a disease free certificate.

Dairy products and eggs from specified countries.

Ammunition and firearms without the licence and permits required.


Tourists over the age of 21 years are allowed:

1 litre of alcoholic beverages, perfumes, lotions and products for own use.

Restrictions to apply to goods from Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Burma, Angola.


Residents of the United States do not have to pay duty on items purchased abroad to the value of $800 (restrictions apply).


Language

English language is widely spoken by residents of Florida reaching 77% and the next language to be most common is Spanish of nearly 17%. Other languages include French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Arabic and Haitian Creole.


Shopping

You will certainly find enough malls and towns to spend lots of money as Florida boasts some of the best shopping malls around.

Generally the Malls follow regular opening hours shared by most big cities in the US.

Trading hours normally start around 10.00 am and close at 20.00/21.00 pm from Monday to Saturday and Sunday some areas of Florida are restricted closing at around 12.00 or 16.00pm. Please check these hours in the county you are visiting as exceptions do apply.


National Holidays

You will find there are generally ten US national holidays each year below is a table detailing holiday dates.

 

Date

2008

2009

2010

New Years Day
  (always January 1st)

January 1

Martin Luther King Day
  (3rd Monday in January)

January 21

January 19

January 18

Inauguration Day
  (after next US presidential election on January 20, 2009)

-

January 20

-

Presidents Day
  (3rd Monday in February)

February 18

February 16

February 15

Armed Forces Day
  (3rd Saturday in May)

May 17

May 16

May 15

Memorial Day
  (last Monday in May)

May 26

May 25

May 31

Flag Day
  (always June 14)

June 14

Independence Day
  (always July 4)

July 4

Labour Day
  (1st Monday in September)

September 1

September 7

September 6

Columbus Day
  (2nd Monday in October)

October 13

October 12

October 11

Veterans Day
  (always November 11)

November 11

Thanksgiving Day
  (4th Thursday in November)

November 27

November 26

November 25

Christmas Day
  (always December 25)

December 25

Please also take into consideration Easter Sunday falls on April 4 in 2010.

This Florida tourist information was believed to be accurate at the time of print, always check with appropriate sources prior to  travelling.

Apartment and Villa Rentals also have holiday accommodation in Florida.

 
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