Florida

One of the world's most remarkable eco-systems, the Everglades National Park spans the southern tip of the Florida Peninsula and Florida bay. And it's the only subtropical preserve in North America.

The park is home to an amazing array of wildlife. On your visit, you can expect to see alligators, storks, flamingos, manatees, hawks and vultures.

One of the most graceful ways to experience the park is by boat. Guided boat tours will enable you to learn about Mangroves and its inhabitants as you glide by. For the more adventurous and experienced, hire a canoe or kayak and uncover the park's secrets under your own steam and stay in a chickee overnight.

Airboats are not allowed in the park itself, but reputable guides operate tours nearby.

If you prefer to walk or take your bicycle, you'll find many well-managed and well marked walking routes throughout the park. It's a good way to spend time with the wildlife, particularly the smaller birds and insects.

Winter is the best time to visit - mosquitoes and deerflies make it unbearable in summer - and it's best to take a couple of days to start to get a sense of the balance of this fragile ecosystem.

Three main visitor centres welcome you into the park - Ernest F Coe to the east, Shark Valley in the North and The Gulf Coast Visitor Centre in the west.