Florida Is The Mythical Endless Summer

 by: Jane Stokes (courtesy lof News Canada)

(NC)-A complete break from routine - with guaranteed sunshine, sand and surf - is the only way to get a genuine taste of the mythical endless summer.

During July and August when the kids are at loose ends, when the corporate world finally slows down and our pace of life allows a little more time for relaxation, consider exploring a lot more of Florida at your leisure - and for as long as you like.

Daytime air temperatures in summer will hover around 30 C. The Gulf waters will be tepid, the Atlantic, fantastic. And once you're off the beach, air conditioning is second nature to switching on the light. There are other reasons to go during the summer as well.

Savings:

• The Canadian Sand Dollar program in Daytona Beach. It's a coupon booklet containing discounts at area attractions, golf courses and hotels. Call 1-800-854-1234 or visit www.daytonabeach.com.

• The We Love Canadians program in St. Petersburg/Clearwater. Save up to 30 per cent on travel costs with this program. Call 1-727-464-7200 for details or download the information at www.floridasbeach.com.

• The Canadian Friends Special at Cypress Pointe Resort in Orlando. Condominium accommodation rates are around $125 per night. Offer expires August 15th. Call 1-800-874-8770 and ask for the Canadian "At Par" Program or visit www.vrivacations.com.

Family Summer Schools:

• Family Sleepovers at Sea World, Orlando: Two days of camping out with Beluga whales, polar bears and harbour seals lets you learn everything about them. Lots of fun and activities are planned too. Restricted to families with children in kindergarten through grade 5. Call 1-800-406-2244 or 1-407-363-2380.

• Space Camp Parent-Child Program at the United States Astronaut Hall of Fame, just west of the Kennedy Space Center, near Cocoa Beach. This is non-stop fun and education for families interested in space technology. The program takes place on most weekends. Call 1-800-637-7223 or 1-321-267-3184.

Highlights Any Time of Year:

In North Central Florida, don't miss Devil's Millhopper State Geological Site near Gainesville. It features a giant sinkhole with cascading waterfalls and unusual flora.

In the Northeast, don't miss the Jacksonville Zoological Gardens.

Visit Tarpon Springs in Central West Florida - a Greek fishing town where an entire industry flourishes on the netting, production, and sale of deep-sea sponges.

In Central Florida, enjoy nature and learn more about these sub-tropical eco-systems on the Boggy Creek Airboat Rides.

In the Southeast, look for turtles on the beach at Port Everglades, or go snorkelling at the three-tiered reef off Lauderdale-By-The-Sea Beach.

In the Northwest, look for dancing dolphins in the shallows along Santa Rosa Sound and Destin Harbour.