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Say what you will about Florida, but it is a great vacation destination.
The ‘Sunshine State’ seems to have a knack for making the most bizarre, unusual headlines, but its stunning beaches and affordability trump all the strangeness.
Orlando and Miami are always the most popular vacation destinations, but there are literally dozens and dozens of more incredible beach towns surrounding the oddly shaped state’s beautiful coastlines.
A city that is sometimes overlooked as a destination city and used more as a gateway to Miami is the affordable beach city of Fort Lauderdale.
Digging even deeper into what is overlooked, there are 300 miles of scenic canals that weave through mansions, mangroves, and even the towering downtown skyline.
Known as the ‘Venice of America’, here’s why Fort Lauderdale should be your next vacation destination:
Miami’s best alternative
It seems like ripping a welcome mat out from under tourists’ feet is a common theme these days.
Now that it’s June, the unpleasant crowds of Spring Break are long gone, but let’s not forget how Miami changed their attitude towards Spring Breakers after decades of being a top destination for partygoers.
Fort Lauderdale proudly stood up and embraced those who tried to let go. Conversely, visitors did not miss a moment and immediately embraced the city again.
Miami is a great place to visit, one of the most recognizable cities in the US, but just 30 minutes north is Fort Lauderdale, which is less crowded, just as beautiful and more affordable.
Their picturesque beaches, affordable accommodations and year-round sunshine provide all the ingredients for the perfect holiday.
Now that summer is officially upon us, many beach destinations are raising their prices, but Fort Lauderdale remains affordable, even for a luxury splurge.
According to GOBanking Ratesvacationers can expect to spend net Average $182yet there are some great deals to be found outside that price range.
Take the Ritz Carlton on the beach for example. Summer rates are under $400 per night, while these 3 luxury hotels overlooking turquoise waters are even better:
300 miles of scenic canals
You don’t have to go to Venice, Amsterdam or another charming European city for photos on the canals or gondola rides.
You can do that right here in the good old US of A, and no, we’re not talking about the Venetian in Las Vegas.
Better yet, there are no worries about overtourism or entrance fees as the bucket list city of Venice has introduced.
Florida has so much water that you might wonder why archaeologists don’t look for the remains of Noah’s Ark here, because it really seems like there is an endless flow of water, whether it comes from the ocean, rivers, swamps or canals.
Fort Lauderdale is specifically made for outdoor enthusiasts, whether they want to lounge on the beach, hop aboard a boat, or take the low and slow route in a kayak.
Then of course the more touristy option. Yes, there are gondola rides available here, but not quite what you would see in Venice.
No one is dressed in funny hats or striped shirts and trying their best Where’s Waldo? impression.
It’s best to head to the Riverfront area downtown day or night for this fun experience.
Riverfront Gondola Tours has a near-perfect rating with an impressive 4.9 stars on Google with nearly 1,500 reviews.
Cheap flights for a beach holiday
Not only does Fort Lauderdale have affordable hotels, there are also plenty of cheap flight options to get here.
The popular budget airline Spirit Airlines is based here. There are dozens of connecting flights throughout the country.
However, spirit is not alone. Other budget airlines, such as Frontier, JetBlue, Allegiant, Sun Country and even Avelo, also fly here.
Since both Frontier and Spirit both dropped a bombshell last week with their new policies to drop change and cancellation fees, your trip here just got better without the fear of plans falling through.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
