Tampa is a magnificent place for family vacations or family reunions and can be thus referred to as more than just a big city with all the culture, industry and sophistication it implies. Nestled on Florida’s largest bay, called Tampa Bay and separated by its twin sister, St. Petersburg, Tampa’s history of shipping is a very rich one both in the past as well as in present days. Strategically sited, Tampa was in the past a renowned fort in the Seminole War. It went on to be an extraordinary access point to the Gulf of Mexico just perfect for cigar manufacturers as well as for the Spanish-American War preparations.

Key West, located in the very crux of the Ybor City was home for the cigar industry which then moved to Tampa. In this way Tampa quickly found itself teeming with immigrant workers from Germany, Italy, Cuba, and Spain. This actually contributed to the cultural enrichment of this splendid city. Even nowadays one can feel the strong Cuban influence due to the exquisite Cuban restaurants, to aromatic coffee-roasting plants, cigar shops as well as to the vivacious Latin festivals. Shopping and entertainment’s Centro Ybor lies in the very proximity of the colourful historic buildings in the surrounding area. The old bakery is home to the famous and intriguing Ybor City Museum State Park. In addition various restaurants, an inn as well as quaint shops embroider the main street Seventh Avenue, which can be regarded as home of the original Columbia Restaurant. This breathtaking restaurant strikes with its elegant and luxurious tiled exterior as well as with the sensual flamenco dancing performances.

The superb and momentous downtown Tampa stands out with the harbour as well as with the Hillsborough River which flows through the beautiful town. There are various cruise ship businesses and a brand-new trolleybus provides excellent shuttle services to Ybor City as well as to and from various other superb points of interest. By simply visiting this tremendous area guests will encounter a superb entertainment-dining multiplex as well as famous resorts. Among the most beloved attractions we can include the impressive Florida Aquarium, a spectacular seashell-shaped glass dome featuring more than 10,000 aquatic vegetation and fauna. Just across the street guests can admire the sheer beauty of the WW II-era merchant marine ship.

There are numerous attractions in this magnificent city. Moreover the railroad builder Henry Plant’s fantastical Tampa Hotel is now home to several university offices. Guests will simply adore Henry B.’s Plant Museum, which had been constructed in the 1890s, when Teddy Roosevelt together with his Rough Riders established their headquarters there. In addition we can mention the spectacular Tampa Theatre, another fascinating and significant example contrasting with an ultramodern art museum. Bayshore Boulevard magnificently meanders between the waterfront and its grand homes. Guests will also appreciate the momentous places of interest nearby, such as the exhilarating Hyde Park as well as various convenient shopping, dining and entertainment venues.

A bit North guest can enjoy the spectacular Lowry Park Zoo, as well as the amazing Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI). In addition we must also mention the fabulous Busch Gardens Tampa Bay as well as the awe striking Adventure Island. The lush Busch Gardens stands today among Florida’s most beautiful and beloved theme parks and on its very ground there was an old beer factory in the past. Enwrapped in a gorgeous Africa motif and being home to hundreds of animals, this location enchants guests’ eyes with its exotic setting as well as with exciting trips. The neighbouring Adventure Island, can be referred to as Florida’s oldest, biggest and most awesome location. The adjoining Plant City has its Dinosaur World attraction to make family vacationers feel extraordinary. Not to motion mention the annual Strawberry Festival, which is a celebration of the town’s sweet and juicy crop.

Along Tampa’s outskirts, the Hillsborough River, various state parks as well as several natural kingdoms display a tranquil, picturesque alternative to the hectic city life. The very river that meanders through the very heart of the city takes canoeists and kayakers on a superb odyssey where they can admire hawks, alligators as well as superb lands teeming with cypress trees. This fantastic river can also be regarded as the very focus of Hillsborough River State Park. Here, the river meanders around granite formations, thus giving birth to rapid waters just perfect for skilled canoeists. There is a convenient boat rental within walking distance. History enthusiasts can take a superb and unforgettable tour through the reconstructed Seminole War ancient site, Fort Foster. The park is the ideal spot for swimming as well as for exciting nature trails.

In order to feel the adrenaline rushing through your veins, guests just need to head a bit north-west. Guests will plunge into the bucolic and magnificent world of a quaint cattle ranch. Furthermore guests will instantly fall in love with the exhilaration hiking trails in the superb park, home to alligators, deer, as well as various species of birds.