I
s 4
by th
e
by Jack Ryan
"The first breath of frost has sig
naled the start of what may
be the nation's biggest Winter
vacation season. But millions of cold
weather fugitives needn't worry. The
Southland has a full supply of sun
and sundries for all.
The popularity of Winter vacations
has expanded our Southern play
ground in booming proportions.
From a few elite Wintering spas,
mostly in Florida, the resort area
has spread all along the mild Gulf
Coast and throughout the Caribbean.
Florida reflects the entire area's
fantastic growth. In Miami Beach,
fabulous hotels and equally fabulous
guests have established a holiday
capital of international fame. An
other celebrated section is Palm
Beach. Made famous by the social
set, its homes are a sight-seer's de
light. But don't let the exclusive air
scare you off. This beautiful city,
like other Florida spots, has added
many good accommodations at aver
age cost.
In fact, that's the story of Winter
vacations down South they are no
longer solely for the wealthy. And
sun and surf are no longer the sole
lures.
True, the spacious firm sands of
Daytona Beach are a sun worshiper's
dream, and you'll have a hard time
topping water sports in the sheltered
waters near Pensacola. But while
acquiring your tan in healthful, gradual
you'll find plenty of other pastimes.
You might try Fort Myers, for example, where
there's shell collecting on a mass scale and, for
the more robust, excellent salt-water fishing. And
don't overlook deep-sea fishing from the big ports
like Jacksonville and Fort Lauderdale or the
fresh - water variety on beautiful inland lakes
around Orlando. There's even good hunting in the
back country near Panama City.
Florida has some sports all its own, and speed is
the key factor. Ever seen jai alai? It's a Spanish
game resembling handball, but it's swift, rough,
and exciting. Tampa has one of the few jai alai
frontons in the country. There's also greyhound
racing, another Florida specialty, in several cities,
including Orlando and Tampa.
For sight-seeing try Tallahassee or Gainesville.
Tallahassee, the state capital, offers traditional
Old South beauty with oaks and magnolias draped
in Spanish moss and parkways planted with camel
lias and azaleas. The University of Florida is in
Gainesville, and its 1,500-acre campus is studded
with floral displays.
Sarasota offers something unique in resort sight
seeing with its Ringling Museum of Art. Here are
some of Europe's outstanding masterpieces, in
cluding the finest Rubens collection in America.
The Winter quarters of Ringling Brothers-Barnum
& Bailey Circus are open to the public, too.
CTLorida's neighbors, of course, share in the sun
shine and fun. Mississippi has developed a
26-mile white-sand beach along the mild
waters of the Gulf of Mexico for its Northern
guests. The section, centering around Biloxi and
Gulfport, features good salt- and fresh-water fish
ing, swimming, boating, golfing, and other outdoor
recreation but with the charm of the Old South.
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Sailing off colorful Nassau is
.i rr t
one ot the water sports ottered
sunny
Worida. the Gulf Coast, and the Caribbean
arc
Southern regions.
steps,
Antebellum homes and century-old historic sites
contrast with sleek modern hotels and motels. In
Biloxi, you can see Beauvoir, the stately mansion
of Confederate President Jefferson Davis. Farther
north, historic Vicksburg and Natchez hold colorful
balls and pilgrimages in Southern plantations. .
Tradition rules the South's festivals, too as
long as it doesn't interfere with fun. The biggest
party of them all is Mardi Gras, of course. New
Orleans is famous for its pre-Lenten festival, but
Biloxi and Mobile have wonderful carnivals, too,
with parades, pageants, and parties. Mardi Gras
falls on February 18 this season, but the fun
begins days before.
Still another advantage of a Gulf Coast vacation
is the ease of travel. From Mobile westward into
Texas, you can follow Highway 90, an excellent
route that links major resorts along a scenic sea
shore drive. Side trips will take you to such
spots as the Acadian settlements of Louisiana.
The western Gulf Coast in Texas also attracts
millions of Winter vacationers, and its popularity
is on the upsurge. The region's central location is
a factor, of course, but it has other advantages.
Galveston best exemplifies the area's holiday
attractions. A 30-mile white-sand beach and year
round mild climate make the city ideal for water
sports. Deep-sea fishing is among the best, and
a multimillion - dollar recreational pier provides
plenty of carnival-like fun.
p-ROM Florida and. the Gulf Coast it's only a
' short hop to Winter havens that are part
of another world the Caribbean. By plane
or ship, you can visit enchanted islands, no two
of which are alike except for fun and a favorable
rate of exchange.
Havana, Cuba, is only 60 air minutes from Miami.
The city itself is strikingly modern, but if you look
beyond the tourist section you'll find old Spanish
towns and communities that bear their centuries
old history gracefully. Cuba itself is a lush island
of mountains and forest, but it's Havana night life
that first captivates the visiting American.
More peaceful but equally charming are Nassau,
only 185 miles southeast of Miami, and Bermuda,
farther northeast in the Atlantic's warming Gulf
Stream. You won't find blaring horns or neon
lights in these British Colonies, just superb service
at excellent hotels and a relaxing way of life.
Puerto Rico, the United States' only Common
wealth, is another warm-weather paradise. Here's
old Spanish atmosphere seasoned with tropical
color and up-to-date convenience. There's also
plenty of sport (including the national pastime of
cockfighting) and exciting night life.
Farther south, yet still only a few hours by
plane, are the British West Indies, cooled by the
trade winds and warmed by a tropic sun. The
roaring Spanish Main has quieted down for every
body but tourists, whose major dilemma is whether
to go island -hopping or enjoy a single resort.
The British West Indies are amazingly varied.
They mix old Dutch sugar mills, French restau
rants, Indian bazaars, ancient Spanish forts, pirate
castles, and harbor police jauntily dressed in the
uniforms of Admiral Nelson's day.
The choice of islands, as you see, is a difficult
one. Like the rest of the sunny Southland, vacation
possibilities are limitless both in miles and attrac
tions. But the southern regions offer one common
assurance (besides wonderful climate) their
guests will have an all - around good time.
Planning a winter vacation? Many handy book
lets are available to help you. For a jree list of
these booklets, send a stamped, addressed envelope
to Travel Editor, Family Weekly, 179 N. Michigan
Ave., Chicago 1, III.
6
Family Weekly, October 6. 1957