Getting around Tampa Famous for its luxury resorts, historical venues and theme parks, Tampa is a prosperous city in West Central that offers loads of entertainment. Tampa is the second-largest city in West Central Florida and has become a thriving tourist destination. The city is divided into five districts, where you can explore the historic town of and discover the trendy downtown area, featuring posh restaurants and vibrant nightlife.

Getting there Most UK visitors begin their journey at Tampa International Airport (TPA), located 11kms west of the central business district. It offers more than 70 direct flights to both domestic and international destinations, including Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. Although most flights departing from the UK do not directly fly into Tampa, many air carriers offer flights that have only one short layover. Continental Airlines, British Airways and US Airways are just some of the air carries that offer flights from the UK to Tampa. Including layover time, you can find flights that reach Tampa in less than 13 hours. Depending on your method of transportation and traffic conditions, driving time to is approximately 20 minutes. You can take a shuttle or a taxi, hire a limousine service, or book a rental car at the airport. If you are not planning on renting a car, a taxi or a shuttle service will be your cheapest option. Most taxis charge a flat rate.

Climate Experiencing hot summer days and frequent rainfall, Tampa offers a humid, subtropical climate with average temperature highs reaching from 21°C to 32°C. Temperatures are at their hottest between April and October. However, Tampa is filled with sunshine year-round, which makes it ideal for travellers to partake in outdoor activities, including golf, tennis and swimming.

Culture As with most multicultural cities, Tampa is incredibly focused on the arts. From historic theatres and planetariums to vibrant entertainment and frequent festivals, there are always things going on in Tampa. Visiting its six historical districts, including downtown, Ybor City, , East Tampa, South Tampa and North/New Tampa are filled with residents and tourists of various cultures and ethnicities. Ybor City displays a strong Cuban influence while the downtown area is filled with both business professionals and university students.

Eating out You will find a wide variety of eateries, ranging from budget cafés to luxury dining. Ybor City is known for boasting an array of restaurants and bars, where you can find anything from pizzerias to Japanese restaurants. You will find more expensive dining in the business district and a plethora of seafood restaurants near the beaches. There are many international restaurants in all districts, ranging from Turkish food to Indian cuisine. Travellers looking for chic bars and restaurants should visit downtown, where you can dine along the waterfront.

www.carrentals.co.uk ______Sightseeing Filled with post-modern skyscrapers, beaches, resorts and theatres, Tampa offers plenty to see in this cultural city. The city of Tampa is easily accessible by train, car or bus. For those who wish to visit other cities in Florida, Tampa’s Amtrak system is a convenient option, with routes stopping at Florida’s major cities. The Amtrak station is located downtown at 601 Nebraska Avenue. If you choose to rent a car, Tampa is easily reached by taking either the I-75, which runs north-south, or the I-4, which runs east-west. Both interstates will lead you to the I-275 exit, which will take you directly into Tampa. Downtown Tampa is also accessible by taking a trolley. Both the purple line and green line service downtown. Be sure to check the schedule for time listings and route information. Listed below are some of Tampa’s most popular attractions and excursions.

Attractions Ybor City This multicultural district is one of Tampa’s most historic areas. Although it is popular among locals for its shopping, dining and nightlife scene, Ybor City also serves as one of Tampa’s most visited historical landmarks. Many Italian, Cuban and Spanish immigrants reside in Ybor City. In fact, this district popularised the Cuban sandwich craze in the US and is also renowned for having a plethora of cigar factories. Visiting some of Ybor City’s attractions, including Ybor City State Museum, Saturday Market and Ybor City Cigar Museum, is easy by taking one of the city’s streetcars. Downtown Tampa An appealing destination for both business and leisure travellers is downtown Tampa. Serving as ’s central business district (CBD), downtown Tampa is surrounded by Hillsborough River, Harbour Island and Channelside, a leading residential and entertainment district just east of downtown. The TECO Streetcar System is a great way to explore downtown Tampa, Channelside and Ybor City. Art enthusiasts should make their way to Zach Street, also referred to as the ‘Avenue of the Arts’, which serves as a premiere art district in northern downtown. The Channelside district boasts exciting nightlife, mid-range to upscale dining and even a posh bowling alley. International Plaza and Bay Street Need to do some last-minute shopping before leaving Tampa? International Plaza is conveniently located adjacent to Tampa International Airport and features four department stores, including Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom, 200 speciality stores, 16 restaurants and small boutiques. International Plaza is accessible through the HART bus system and many hotels in the Tampa area offer a free shuttle service here as well. The plaza is open daily, from Monday to Saturday between 10:00 and 21:00 and on Sunday between 11:00 and 18:00. Filled with ancient Roman and Greek pieces, along with contemporary collections and modernist exhibitions, the Tampa Museum of Art is located along the Hillsborough River in downtown Tampa. Education programmes are offered for both adults and children, ranging from drawing demonstrations to yoga classes. A one-hour group tour of the various galleries can be arranged in advance. The museum is open daily, with free admission every Friday between the hours of 14:00 and 20:00. Lettuce Lake Park Surrounded by 700-year-old cypress trees and dense ponds, Lettuce Lake Park is nature at its best. Its boardwalk, walking and cycling paths overlook the Hillsborough River. You can also visit its observation tower, offering panoramic views of the park and river. Lettuce Lake Park is a relaxing alternative to the downtown area and offers visitors the chance to roam around while enjoying a family hike or a picnic. With various transportation options, this park can be easily reached and lies between I-75 and the University of South Florida.

www.carrentals.co.uk ______Excursions Featuring over 2,700 animals, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is one of the largest zoos in the United States. Its African-themed zoo includes giraffes, elephants and hippos, and is where you can take a safari ride through the Serengeti Plains. Busch Gardens also features a large theme park full of roller coasters, entertainment and tours. Visitors can avoid the hassle of waiting in ticket lines and opt to order tickets online and print them out at home. There are a variety of ticket options, including day passes to Busch Gardens and multi-park passes, which include admission to Busch Gardens, SeaWorld, Discovery Code and Aquatica. Raymond James Stadium is home to the American football team of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the University of South Florida Bills. Filled with pre-game cookouts, spirited fans, loud cannons and huge video screens, games here makes for an entertaining experience. Discover America’s most popular sport between August and December or until January if the team qualifies for playoffs. Tickets should be booked in advance and prices usually begin at US$50 per ticket. Due to limited parking and expensive parking prices, taking public transportation here is recommended. Walking tour of Ybor City Tampa’s historic town of Ybor City is best seen on foot. Tours are conducted every Saturday at 10:30, on which you will learn about the town’s history. This 60-minute tour begins at the statue of Vicente Martinez Ybor on 7th Avenue. Here, you will notice the historic cottages lining the streets and will also visit the YC Cigar Museum and the YC State Museum. Booking tickets in advance is strongly recommended since the tours sell out quickly. The entrance fee for adults is US$15 and US$5 for children. One of the best aquariums in the US is located in downtown Tampa. Florida Aquarium offers visitors the chance to swim with sharks, to observe African black-footed penguins, to see dolphins aboard a 72-foot catamaran and many other activities. Galleries at this aquarium include Wetlands, Bays & Beaches, Coral Reef and Ocean Commotion. From live shows to behind-the-scene tours and exhibits, this is a perfect venue for the entire family to enjoy. General admission to Florida Aquarium costs US$19.99 for adults and US$14.95 for children 12 and under.

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