Children at play in the soft waves of an ocean clear and blue; their parents digging deep for seashell treasures buried in the shimmering sand dunes of vast stretches of beach. Towering coconut palms whispering softly to the gentle touch of warm breezes blowing in from the Gulf of Mexico. Sounds soothing? In that case, you should plan your Florida vacation around the west coast of Florida.

Known as an area perfect for family vacations, this part of the Sunshine State offers a lot more than just that. From the well preserved nature guarded by the J. N. Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island, to the homes of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford in Fort Myers, there is a lot to do and much to see when you choose to spend your vacation here.

For art enthusiasts, a visit to St. Petersburg is a must. To many people’s surprise, this city is home to a museum that boasts the world’s most comprehensive Salvador Dali collection. And after enjoying the art, a stroll through the streets of St. Petersburg allows you to experience one of the most picturesque and pleasant downtowns of any city in Florida – one that boasts a beautiful waterfront promenade, interesting shops, and fine restaurants.

The children will never want to go anywhere else once they have been to Busch Gardens in Tampa. Here, they can jump on thrilling amusement park rides, or get up close and personal with animals of the great African continent. Or you can take them on a trip to the Florida Aquarium where they are invited to travel through habitats of alligators, stingrays, sharks, otters, and many other intriguing animals.