Staycations in Florida

Voted the nation's favorite beach two years ago, Clearwater Beach is the perfect Oceanside destination. The waters are clear and blue and the beaches are sandy and, never-ending. Clearwater Beach is also a beautiful little town, with plenty of family-friendly attractions and restaurants.

Fort Myers offers a superb combination of sandy beaches and history. Clean and sandy, the beaches are spacious and inviting, while for the history buffs out there there are the Thomas Edison and Henry Ford winter estates. It's also the ideal place to take in some baseball, with a couple of stadiums in the town. And, for the beer fans out there, there is a superb Fort Myers Brewing Company to avail yourself of.

One for the art-heads, West Palm Beach is home to the Norton Museum of Art - a repository for some of the nation's masterpieces. But, the city is also home to a number of performing arts venues and an excellent selection of bars, restaurants and boutique stores. For visitors looking for a little relaxation, the Manatee Lagoon is something a little different. Not only can you gaze upon the slightly cooky looking manatees, but the lagoon itself is also a real sight to behold.

Situated in the gorgeous St. Andrews Bay, Panama City Florida is the place to go for water-sports enthusiasts. You can do everything from sailing to kiteboarding here, as well as being able to really soak in the nature - dolphin watching and fishing are both favorite activities of the locals.

The first attempted settlement in the whole of the US, Pensacola is a place steeped in history. The city is chocked full of culture, with the Seville Quarter offering everything from an oyster bar to a dance hall. It's also got plenty to offer to those with an interest in military history. For one, there is the National Naval Aviation Museum, where visitors can look upon and learn about all the navy's different aircraft from over the years.

St. Augustine - founded way back in 1565 - is the oldest continually inhabited city in the US. In many ways, it feels like a Spanish town, with narrow, winding streets and old schoolhouses. Having said that, it's also an easy trip into nature, too. There's a beautiful beach - St. Augustine Beach - and, not far away, an Alligator Farm to visit.

Key Largo is one for the divers. Home to the largest artificial coral reef in the world, in Key Largo you can explore undersea nature like nowhere else. But, even if diving isn't your thing, there are plenty of other options. You can take a sweet canal cruise or even swim with the dolphins.

Known to film buffs everywhere as the home of The Truman Show, Seaside Florida has a delightful small town feel. The sea is crystal clear and the selection of boutique shops that run along the ocean provide a hugely relaxing way to spend an afternoon. There's also an excellent farmers' market that runs through the summer. You can find everything from organic honey to hand-made soaps.

Islamorada is the ideal place for anglers. Home to the largest fishing fleet in America, you can catch what you like, when you like. But, there's plenty else to do as well. The Floria Keys Brewing Company has a huge range of beers to try, while the Islamorada Brewery & Distillery can help out visitors who are looking for a taste of the stronger stuff.