East Coast Florida

Any time of year is good time to visit Port St. Lucie. Year-round comfort brought in by the Gulf Stream makes it an ideal destination for outdoor activities, and the opportunities for beach combing, water sports, golf, fishing, hiking and a whole host of activities abound.

This stretch of Florida is called the "Treasure Coast" both for the shipwreck treasures that lie beneath the waves and the treasures to be discovered above the water.

Hutchinson Island is one of Florida's best-kept secrets. A barrier Island to Port St. Lucie, it boasts seven miles of white sand beaches and a most welcome escape from typical tourist-clogged beaches. Children love Bathtub Reef Park, a shallow natural pool sheltered from the ocean by a protective reef. It's also a great place to go snorkelling or diving in crystal blue waters among Florida's vivid and varied sea life.

A night time turtle walk is a special treat for a summer trip. Hundreds of loggerhead and green leatherback turtles make their nests along the island's beaches each June and July, and pre-arranged eco-tours offer the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see these amazing creatures struggle to survive.

An afternoon along Route A1A, which runs along the barrier islands, is a wonderful way to spend a day. Jaw-dropping upscale neighbourhoods give way to rugged ocean scenery and quaint little cafes and shops that will beckon you to stop and linger. Along the way, discover the three parts of Fort Pierce. Laid back, undeveloped North Beach serves as a surfing and fishing refuge. Downtown Fort Pierce has been transformed into an attractive harbour-front destination brimming with bistros and cafes, art galleries and host to year-round street festivals. Lying just across the South Bridge is Fort Pierce's historical hub, where colourful area history waits to be explored at the St. Lucie County Historical Museum. View artefacts from a 1715 Spanish treasure fleet, a restored turn-of-the-century typical Florida house, photographic collections and a memorial garden featuring Spanish canons and anchors.

St. Lucie County Marine Center lets non-divers see a living model of a coral reef system and the Manatee Observation and Education Center allows guests to observe these endangered gentle giants in their natural habitat.

Vero Beach has emerged as a cultural hotspot on the Florida landscape. Rated one of "The 100 Best Art Towns in America," this sophisticated locale offers up a wealth of artsy repasts, topped off by the Vero Beach Museum of Art, the largest arts facility on the Treasure Coast. Sprawling over seven acres of the 26-acre Riverside Park, the museum boasts five art galleries, a sculpture garden, an art library, an outdoor studio and foundry, a state-of-the-art auditorium and exceptional public programmess. After a long day filling your cultural cup, relax with a cocktail outside a chic dining spot and then enjoy expertly prepared seafood - caught fresh that morning - by candlelight.

The Cocoa Beach area stretches along many miles of pristine Atlantic coastline. The sheer size of the region gives way to diverse natural settings perfect for eco-tours by foot, boat or kayak. Canaveral National Seashore spans a 24-mile beach perfect for bird watching, wildlife adventures and fishing excursions. Back-to-nature enthusiasts revel in backcountry camping within this fascinating wildlife sanctuary. Nearby Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, a 140,000-acre buffer zone for Kennedy Space Station, provides a habitat for migratory birds and endangered and threatened wildlife species. Hike through miles of trails, climb up to the manatee observation deck, enjoy boating, canoeing and fishing or attend one of the many nature programmes held between November and March. Off the coast, boating tours take you up close and personal with manatees, porpoises and enchanting waterfowl. Don't be surprised if an alligator or two floats by.

Once you've satisfied your curiosity about regional wildlife, take some time to stroll Cocoa Beach Pier, a historical landmark bordered by locally owned lunch spots, boutiques and gift shops. Feel free to throw a line over the side of the pier and test your luck.

Most Cocoa Beach visitors find it hard to resist a trip to the Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex on Cape Canaveral. An awe-inspiring day at the complex may include a tour of NASA's launch and landing facilities and massive rockets up close, a ride in an interactive space flight simulator, live shows and the chance to meet a member of NASA's current space corps. It's sure to be a day not soon forgotten.

The end of your East Coast holiday visit is sure to find you very busy - planning your next trip back.