Guide to Fort Lauderdale

'Once famous for rowdy student parties, upmarket Fort Lauderdale now offers just as much fun with a lot more panache! Shopping, sailing, and sunbathing on the miles of beaches are the order of the day here.'

Threaded with waterways, inlets, canals and lagoons, it's easy to see how Fort Lauderdale has earned its nickname the 'Venice of America'. You can even flit between the sights by water taxi – it's true there's no Doges Palace here, but you will some excellent museums housed in stylish modern buildings, as well as graceful houses with sub-tropical gardens. Don't miss the Museum of Art, one of the best in Florida, and the Museum of Discovery and Science where kids fly to the moon in an air-powered chair - it's only pretend, but you don't need to spill the beans. Fort Lauderdale's most popular holiday pursuits however, centre on the beaches, shops and the glamorous yachts which gather here alongside huge, luxury cruise ships. Classy boutiques and upmarket department stores cater for the international yachting crowd, whilst bargain hunters will love the Swap Shop, a vast flea market where you can buy almost anything. Restaurants hail from all over the world, with local conch chowder competing with Japanese teriyaki and Spanish paella. Stroll along the new Riverwalk which meanders through down town lined with trendy restaurants, shops and nightlife. Down on the beach, there are sun-loungers, watersports and cafes galore, and with 8 unbroken miles of pale, soft sand. And the Promenade runs along behind the beach, as do joggers, rollerbladers and walkers. A few miles south of Downtown, you'll find lively Hollywood Beach, where white sand, graceful palms and blue water are backed by a busy promenade. This is real, American-style beach life – so grab your towel and hit the sand!

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