Florida's climate and natural resources have been attracting tourists, from near and far, for longer than anyone really knows.

Florida is the kind of destination that brings an immediate image to all of us. Beautiful beaches ; palm trees ; family vacations ; world-class resorts ; warm weather ; tropical breezes and glorious sunshine. (Hence - "The Sunshine State".)

Florida is a really big state - I'm talking 50,000 square miles of America's favorite vacation land. And you'll know what I'm talking about if you ever drive on I-95 from "Mile 378 Southbound to Miami" or if you decide to take Amtrak's Silver Service from Tampa/Miami to Jacksonville. (We took Amtrak's Silver Palm several years ago from Ft. Lauderdale to Philadelphia and it seemed as though we would never get out of Florida - but that's another travel story.)

Basically Florida is divided into 4 separate regions. North Florida , Central Florida , South Florida and The Keys.

* Jacksonville is a favorite North Florida region with popular Atlantic Beach and Neptune Beach. Home to "The Players" championship, golfers have been drawn to Ponte Vedra Beach for years. (www.visitjacksonville.com)

* Central Florida is best known as lake country (554 at last count) and of course - the most famous themed parks in the world. You got it - Disney, Universal and SeaWorld - and lucky for us, beginning May 24th, Frontier Airlines will be flying low-fare, nonstop from Harrisburg to Orlando. (www.frontierairlines.com ; www.flyhia.com)

* As a frequent Ft. Lauderdale and Miami cruiser, I spend a lot of time in South Florida. I am always amazed how much there is going on in the area and how there is always something new to experience. South Florida is all about glam, glitz, food and wine. If you're looking for a great night of dining, check out the "Chef's Night series at Da Campo Osteria" at "il Lugano". The chef-driven cooking class features the art of Tuscan fare complete with dinner, wine and olive oil to take home. (www.illugano.com) I've always loved staying a few nights ,pre-cruise, particularly in Ft. Lauderdale. Hyatt's Pier 66 sits on the intercoastal and reminds me of "old Florida" while the Ritz-Carlton is all about high-end luxury, discreet service and quiet elegance overlooking the beach and famed beach boulevard. (Tip - both hotels offer excellent overnight cruise packages and special savings throughout the year, especially during low-season, June through September.) (www.hyatt.com ; www.ritzcarlton.com) I don't think you can talk about South Florida without including "the rich really are different" Gold Coast favorite - Palm Beach. Of course there's shopping on swanky Worth Avenue and touring the Flager estate - but if you can afford the splurge, staying at the iconic Breakers hotel is truly a travel memory you'll treasure. (Tip - it's the luxury properties nowadays offering great savings, particularly on getaway packages.) (www.thebreakers.com)

* Heading southwest from the mainland, with126-miles of overseas highway connecting 40 isles, is best known as the Florida Keys. Experts claim it is America's most unusual scenic drive crossing 42-bridges with the Gulf of Mexico on one side, the Atlantic on the other. Famous for fishing, diving, natural tropical environs and of course, popular Key West. An excellent walking and touring town, picturesque Old Key West is a must - with stops at President Harry Truman's Little White House , the surrounding Truman Annex, the Hemmingway House and the old Key West Lighthouse. Mallory Square and Duval Street - the downtown of Key West - are filled with shops, art galleries, alfresco cafes, theaters and bars. Busy and diverse Duval Street is another popular walking stretch boasting the touristy Sloppy Joe's bar and the Southernmost Point (90-miles from Cuba) at the very end of Duval. Having been to Key West several times, I've found the following to be true : Everything and anything goes in Key West (meaning fantastic people-watching). The sunsets are absolutely glorious. Key lime pie tastes different and better than what we get at home. The island is truly a boater's paradise. The locals are laid-back and love to party. (Tip - Get your picture taken at both the Southernmost Point marker and during a sunset at Mallory Square.) www.visitflorida.com