Tampa

Tampa, Florida, on the Tampa Bay on the Gulf Coast, has transformed over the past decade from a secondary Florida city into one of the South's most interesting urban destinations — a city with a superb waterfront, a deep Cuban heritage (Ybor City, the cigar-rolling capital of America), excellent restaurants and the straightforward pleasure of warm weather, beaches and water activities. Ybor City, the historic Latin Quarter founded by Cuban cigar-rollers in the 1880s, is Tampa's most distinctive neighbourhood — its red-brick streets, wrought-iron balconies, Columbia Restaurant (the oldest restaurant in Florida, opened 1905, with flamenco shows and Cuban-Spanish food) and thriving bar scene create genuine urban character. The Tampa Museum of Art, the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts and the Glazer Children's Museum are all downtown. The Tampa Riverwalk along the Hillsborough River is excellent infrastructure. Bayshore Boulevard, the longest continuous sidewalk in the world along Tampa Bay, is perfect for jogging and cycling at sunrise. Clearwater Beach (45 minutes) and St. Pete Beach are among Florida's finest Gulf Coast beaches — the Gulf of Mexico's warm, calm, clear water is outstanding for swimming. The Salvador Dalí Museum in St. Petersburg (30 minutes) is the largest collection of Dalí's work outside Europe. Busch Gardens Tampa is excellent for families. Year-round warm weather with the rainy season June–September.