Seemingly endless stretches of soft white sand, the inviting turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico and 360 days of sunshine a year are an intoxicating combination for beach lovers the world over. St Petersburg offers all this and more, so it is easy to understand why this is the most popular place on Florida's west coast.

Every type of water sport is available, along with championship golf courses, tennis and fishing. Fort DeSoto Park ranks in the top ten beaches in the United States. The downtown area has an array of shops, restaurants and museums. St Petersburg is the arts centre of the Tampa Bay area and the Florida International Museum houses a permanent Kennedy Gallery exhibit, complete with a replica of the Oval Office.

The world's largest collection of the artist Salvador Dali's works can be seen at the Salvador Dali Museum. There are numerous public parks and nature trails for visitors to enjoy the natural beauty of the area. The Seabird Sanctuary and Pier Aquarium give an educational and interesting insight into the area's wildlife.