To the East is Florida's state capital, Tallahassee, with its streets of graceful old Southern mansions. To the far west lies Pensacola, which it is said, is the country's oldest settlement, dating from 1559. Between these towns, is the potential for a whole range of different holidays.
Tallahassee was named by the Apalachee Indians.
It is best enjoyed by traversing along the Canopy Roads. Which as the name suggests, are thoroughfares in the middle of town, where Spanish oak trees connect above the streets forming a lush tunnel-like canopy.
Visit the New Capitol Building and go to the 22nd floor observation level. There you can see magnificient views of the city and beyond. You can also still see the Old Capitol building with its red and white awnings. Many thousands of students bring a real buzz to Tallahassee, culminating at night, when the live music scene caters for a young crowd.
Pensacola is found in the far western tip of the Florida Panhandle.
Pensacola spent centuries changing hands between the French, Spanish and Britain, before being relinquished to the United states in 1821.
Most who visit go straight to the superb beaches. But the city's architecture makes for a great day of sightseeing.
There are three distinct areas to explore. All grouped around a simple grid of roads central to which is Palafox Street.
The North Hill district is where Pensacola's high society resided during the late 19th century until the 1930s. Their housing architecture ranged from neoclassical porticoed mansions to black-and-white neo-Tudor cottages and Queen Anne villas.
The Palafox district to the south of North Hill is full of turn of the century elegance such as fluted columns and elaboarate balustrades.
The Sevilla district, fronting onto Pensacola Bay, forms a wonderful mixture of restored old homes and great museums.
Around Memorial Day weekend, the city is teeming with a huge lesbian and gay party of up to 100,000 attendants, on the streets and on Navarre Beach in a whirl of revelling.