Fort Lauderdale

Holidays to Fort Lauderdale deliver on all counts. Along with picture-perfect beaches, you’ll find family-friendly entertainment, world-class museums and top-drawer bars and restaurants.

The Venice of America

Threaded with inlets, canals and lagoons, Fort Lauderdale is America’s answer to the Italian city of Venice. It even lays claim to its own fleet of traditional gondolas, steered by men in straw hats and stripy t-shirts. There are plenty of other ways to take to the water, as well, whether you want to hop aboard a luxury yacht, a pirate ship or one of the bright-yellow water taxis.

Millionaires and manatees

One of the most popular places to see from the water is Millionaire’s Row. As you’d expect from the name, this part of town is chock-a-block with million – and even billion – dollar properties, which you’ll have plenty of time to ogle as you glide past on a sightseeing cruise. Keep a look out beneath the waves, too, as manatees make regular appearances.

Las Olas Boulevard

This tree-lined avenue stretches from the centre of town to the seafront, and exploring it is an ideal way to get a feel for the place. Wander down it during the day, and you can dip into world-class museums, art galleries and designer boutiques. In the evenings, the fairy-light-wrapped palm trees make it a good choice for a stroll. Plus, there’s everything from a Brazilian steakhouse to an ice-cream shop to whet your appetite.

Beach life

Any Floridian destination wouldn’t be complete without a beach. Fort Lauderdale offers up eight unbroken miles of pale, soft sand, packed with sunloungers, watersports and cafés. A promenade runs along behind the beach, as do joggers, rollerbladers and walkers. For a change of scene, the shoreline in nearby Hillsboro is a turtle nesting site, while Pompano Beach is great for fishing.