Panhandle Florida

Moss-covered live oaks canopy the rolling hills of Northwest Florida, known as the "panhandle," a region steeped in deep-rooted history. Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto held the first American Christmas celebration in 1539 in Tallahassee, a city that boasts 122 properties on the National Resister of Historic Places.

State Capitol buildings,
Tallahassee

Tallahassee is the state capital and is situated in the bend of the panhandle between the beckoning beaches of the Gulf coast and the Georgia border. The climate here is mild and moist and a little cooler than on the main peninsula. Start your tour of this neo-metropolitan city with a stop at the capitol buildings - both old and new. The new building offers up the chance to see Florida's government in action and a breathtaking panoramic view of the city from its 22nd floor observatory. The old building has been restored to its original 1902 glory, complete with candy-striped awnings and a stained glass dome. It has served as a museum featuring exhibits interpreting the state's political history since 1982.

The capitol building stands at the centre of a 10-square-block cultural district comprising 25 historic and cultural sites. Tour antique-filled antebellum homes, restored plantations and stimulating museums. After working up an appetite, feast on crisp fried grouper with cheese grits, a local speciality, at a convenient downtown eatery.

Fishing for crab in Cedar Key

Cedar Key lies about an hour's drive south of Tallahassee and is worth a trip for eco-tourists and other wildlife lovers. The unspoiled islands are sprinkled about four miles off the coast of mainland Florida, accessible only by traversing a series of bridges and causeways. The village of Cedar Key, one of the oldest ports in Florida, offers the true flavour of an "Old Florida" coastal village, from the days before Mickey Mouse and his gang became part of the landscape.

When you stroll the quaint historic town, browsing the shops and galleries, you'll find the work of local artists inspired by the pristine beauty of the coastal landscape and its wildlife inhabitants. You'll be inspired too, as you hike the trails in the primitive Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge, where you just might spot a majestic bald eagle or a lumbering West Indian manatee in their natural habitats.

Up around the panhandle to the northwest you'll find Panama City, a beach lover's haven. Twenty-seven miles of sugar sand beaches stretch along the sparkling green Gulf of Mexico, offering endless opportunities for water sports of every variety, deep-sea fishing charters, glass-bottom boat tours and cruising selections from pirate ship voyages through to dinner cruises aboard a luxury yacht. Families can play the days away at an array of amusement parks, go-kart tracks, miniature golf courses, laser tag facilities and water slide parks.

The warm Gulf currents bathing the natural, historical and artificial reefs off the coast of Panama City Beach encourage rapid growth and support a wide variety of colourful tropical fish and giant Manta Rays. This is one of the most popular scuba diving locales in the United States, where divers can explore several WWII-era shipwrecks, 50 artificial reefs and natural reefs teeming with colourful corals and sponges. If you're more comfortable closer to the surface, try snorkelling along the jetties at St. Andrew's State Recreation Area.

Fort Walton Beach is due northwest of Panama City and offers a more laid back atmosphere. Situated right on the Emerald Coast, the stark white sand contrasting sharply against the bright green water makes the beaches a sight to behold. This is the perfect place to play 18 holes, stroll along the fishing pier, indulge in exciting water sports, play a few beach volleyball games or just pack a good book, a cold drink and a thick towel and settle on the sand for the day. What a glorious dilemma to face!

Deep inshore waters have earned nearby Destin the nickname of "World's Luckiest Fishing Village." As plentiful sailfish, grouper, mackerel and tarpon fairly jump on your hook, you may be tempted to try your hand at one of the town's many annual fishing rodeos. The prolific fish population carries an added benefit: you'll find the local seafood restaurants' prices surprisingly reasonable. Indulge to your heart's delight.

Making your way along Florida's panhandle it's easy to see what must have enchanted New World explorers. Nature's beauty in all its glory awaits you on the Emerald Coast.