Popular resorts on the Gulf Coast, Florida

St Pete Beach. Set nearby idyllic Tampa Bay, St Pete Beach, a picturesque and vibrant location, is home to an endless string of stylish restaurants, eateries and shops as well as white beaches

Clearwater. Clearwater has probably the best beach you will see along the Gulf coastline. Clearwater in the Tampa Bay region of Florida boasts a wonderful offshore beach which is reached by the Memorial Causeway Bridge from the centre of the city. The offshore island is a self-contained holiday suburb of shopping malls, restaurants and modern hotels. The Gulf Highway, route 699, ties all of these Central Florida keys together and makes for a wonderful drive along the coast.

Naples. Located a two and a half-hour drive from Miami, it's said that more millionaires own properties here than in any other US city. A speciality well worth trying is the locally caught stone crab. The easiest way to get around is to join one of the popular Trolley Tours which allow you to climb on and off as you please.

Fort Myers. Snaking along the banks of the Caloosahatchee River in southwest Florida, Fort Myers blends exotic beaches, wonderful wildlife, superb sightseeing and tiny, outlying desert isles. Dubbed the City of Palms, Thomas Edison and Henry Ford put the town on the map when they chose Fort Myers as their winter getaway. Today you can visit the Edison and Ford Winter Estates incorporating the Edison and Ford historic homes, Edison's laboratory, a museum housing his inventions and 20 acres of tropical gardens.

Tampa. Situated west of Orlando, the main reason for most visitors coming to the area is to visit the famous Busch Gardens - an incredible theme park set out over 300 acres with a strong African theme, including an 80-acre Serengeti Plain complete with black rhino, elephants and zebras.

Marco Island. Sitting at the top of the Ten Thousand Islands, a beautiful wildlife area, Marco Islands has breathtaking beaches, soft sands and some of the world's most romantic sunsets.

Port Charlotte. Port Charlotte has its own small beach and miles of white unspoilt sand beaches running along the coastline.There are several good golf courses in the area and it is also a top sport fishing destination. There are plenty of hiking trails at the Tippecanoe Environmental Park and canoe or kayak rides.