Travel

With white sand beaches, historic neighbourhoods and a cosmopolitan Hispanic influence, Tampa Bay is the new Miami Beach. There's a palpable energy to Tampa Bay, but simmering beneath the surface is a laid-back mood, a relaxed pace and a refreshingly easy way of life, with historic quarters, powder-soft beaches and pretty shop-filled streets. This is a city that is infused with charm and that is now one of Florida's most sophisticated destinations.

As well as the kind of sun, sand and glistening water that you'd expect from this part of the world, Tampa has a rich array of great restaurants, outdoor spaces, galleries, farmers' markets, designer boutiques and waterfront cruises. The lush foliage typical of Florida is at its most vibrant here, filling the surrounding scenery with blazing colours and exquisite scents. And once you push beyond the city limits, you'll discover an exceptional array of things to do from world-class theme parks to nature reserves.

Where to sleep
With the focus firmly on service and style, Tampa Bay's hotels are varied and comfortable. Yes, there are lots of chains throughout the city, but if you're looking for more than just a bed for the night, you can choose from plush five-stars with spas to historic boutique hotels. The Don Vincente de Ybor Historic Inn (www.donvincenteinn.com) has 16 luxury suites with Persian rugs and ornate furniture. The Grand Hyatt offers incredible views of the city skyline and Armani's, one of the city's great restaurants. Otherwise, you could opt for business-style luxury at the Sheraton Tampa Riverwalk www.sheratontampariverwalk.com

What to see
Tampa offers a real mix of outdoorsy fun and culture. One of the city's most popular sights is Big Cat Rescue, where you can get up close to more than 100 exotic big cats that have been cared for and nurtured by the sanctuary.

Staging plays, grand opera and concerts, the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center is one of the largest performing arts centres in North America. The Busch Gardens, meanwhile, is one of the area's biggest attractions and is a theme park to remember with awesome rollercoasters and waterrides. (www.buschgardens.com)

Beyond the city
Tampa Bay makes such a great location in Florida because the state's main attractions are all about an hour's drive away. Disneyworld (www.buschgardens.com) is obviously the biggest draw here, which is great for either a day trip or a longer stay. Nearby are also some of the region's best beaches, including Caladesi Beach at St Pete/Clearwater, which won the title of 'America's Best Beach' in 2008. The area is also home to some of the best golf courses in the country and you can also sharpen your swinging skills at the Arnold Palmer Golf Academy (www.bayhill.com).