NY Museums: Metropolitan Museum of Art

With a permanent collection containing over two million cultural treasures from six continents, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City is widely regarded as one of the most important museums in the world. Also known as The Met, this museum contains an extensive collection of permanent exhibits and several changing exhibit halls.

Museum-goers worldwide remark that of all the museums in New York City, the Metropolitan Museum of Art is by far the largest and most comprehensive. Visitors advise that you either leave a full day to explore this New York museum or else decide in advance which exhibits you'll see and which ones you want to leave for another day. Divided into nineteen separate sections ranging from ancient to contemporary art from a wide variety of cultures around the world, you're sure to find something that interests you here. At over one hundred forty years old, this is one of the oldest NYC museums still in operation. In addition to viewing its extensive collection of art, Metropolitan Museum of Art visitors can lunch in the Roof Garden, where a new single-artist sculptural exhibition is held every year.

Located on the eastern edge of Central Park in Manhattan on the Upper East Side, the Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of many NYC Museums on the famous "Museum Mile" along Fifth Avenue. At the intersection of 82nd Street and Fifth Avenue, it begins the mile between 82nd and 104th along Fifth Avenue, one of the densest displays of culture anywhere in the world. For instance, the Goethe Institute and German Cultural Center is located right next door, and just a few blocks down from that is the Neue Galerie New York, one of the pre-eminent displays of early 20th century German and Austrian art in the world. Visitors wishing to see these many museums in New York City should take public transportation or ask a cab to go to the Met. At least three subway stations are within walking distance of the museum, and as many as seven different bus lines leave you near enough to walk.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is home to works of art whose creation spans millenia and the globe. From Ancient Egyptian, Greco-Roman, Asian and Oceanic art, to art from the old masters of Europe, from American pastoralism to modern photography and everything in between, a variety of masterpieces are permanently installed here. An entire hall is dedicated to arms and armor, and another exhibition section contains only books, including bound art from masters like Durer and Athanasius Kircher. Jacques-Louis David's The Death of Socrates, Van Gogh's Self-Portrait with a Straw Hat and Vermeer's Young Woman with a Water Pitcher represent some of the many masterworks on exhibition in this New York Museum. Modern and contemporary art is represented both on the Rooftop Garden and in the 60,000 square foot Modern Art section of the museum. Containing masterpieces like Max Beckmann's Beginning, Jasper Johns's White Flag, and Picasso's Portrait of Gertrude Stein, the Metropolitan Museum of Art is clearly a treasure for the ages.

If you'd like to get your cultural fix in other ways, Metropolitan Museum of Art visitors can attend a variety of events, talks, lectures and performances on location. This New York museum offers extra educational programs for everyone, whether you like watching films, whether you'd prefer to attend a lecture by a well-known artist with a question-and-answer session or whether you'd like to enroll your child in a day-long arts program while you peruse the museum's exhibits. Also part of the Met's collection is in an off site location, the Cloisters, which is a Medieval-focused museum located in Upper Manhattan. Special events and talks are also held here on a weekly basis. Detailed information on special events held at both locations of the Metropolitan Museum of Art can be found on its official website.

After visiting the The Met or any nearby museums in New York City, let us know what you thought! You can upload your photos, videos, and reviews on our site and share your experience with other visitors of NYC Museums. Your content helps our community grow and improves it for everyone. Because of the wide variety of exhibits at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, we're sure you'll find something worth sharing. Whether you want to gush about a cool new exhibit, whether you want to express your opinion on a talk or whether you want review a piece of art that moved you, we welcome anything you'd like to share.  Wayland Myers

10 Great Beaches in the Dominican Republic

The beaches in the Dominican Republic are dazzling, unspoilt jewels that radiate under the Caribbean sun. Boasting almost 800 glorious miles of beautiful coastline the country possesses some of the best beaches in the whole of the Caribbean. With so many beaches on one island it might be tough to plan a vacation around it. So to help you I have outlined below a list of ten of my favourite beaches in the Dominican Republic.

10. Playa Coson, Las Terrenas

The magnificent Playa Coson beach in Bahia de Samana stretches for more than three glorious miles and accommodates a number of holiday villas as well as restaurants and one large resort. It is a place of awesome natural beauty characterised by crystal waters and a medium grain type of sand that is a rich golden tan colour. A great place to sunbath, the Playa Coson is also a good place to enjoy watersports such as snorkeling and diving.

9. Playa Grande

Nestled between the Cabrera and Rio San Juan the Playa Grande is a real gem. Offering excellent views located in a cove with cliffs surrounding, the beach has rather the feel of a desert island. Clear water and gorgeous lovely sand completes the picture perfect scene which is noted as a very relaxing place to swim, snorkel and sunbath.

8. Isla Saona

Part of the Parque the Parque Nacional del Este, just across from the Bahía de Catalinita, this is a very popular island beach. With over a thousand tourists visiting it every day you certainly won't be alone if you go here but you will soon see why everyone does. Reached by catamaran, sailboat, or speedboat ride the beach features magnificent turquoise waters offset by the rugged beauty of limestone cliffs. A place where dolphins are often spotted, the 22 kilometres of white sand and idyllic palm trees that encircle this island provide the perfect spot to relax whilst you are waiting from them to show up.

7. Cosambar Beach

One of the best beaches in Puerto Plata, Cosamber Beach is a quiet crescent shape of golden sand. A popular hotspot where semi-permanent snowbirds and tourists try to escape the winter cold of home, this beach has a relaxed atmosphere and paradisiacal nature. A decent spot for snorkelling, the best part about this beach is that although the area has a decent number of holiday accommodation units the region is yet to be fully developed to the point that it is overrun with tourists.

6. Playa Caleta

One of the more dramatic beaches in the whole of the Dominican Republic Playa Caleta in La Romana has a really pleasant feel to it. A great beach for children as the water is quite shallow and there is plenty of shade from the tall palms that line the golden sand, the presence of small fishing boats only adds to its charm.

5. Cayo Levantado

Another Samana beauty, the Cayo Levantado is another little piece of paradise that features clean, unspoilt beaches that are lined with giant coconut palms interspersed with lush flowery gardens. With warm water and a largely quiet ambience this is a fantastic place to go for a little solitude.

4. Playa Luperon

Lined with beautiful coconut palms and extending for over a mile in length the Playa Luperon beach is located on the Atlantic Ocean. It is a great place to dive, snorkel or windsurf, although not really to swim. But with plenty of umbrellas, beach loungers, bars and watersport equipment available to rent there is a lot of fun to be had here.

3. Punta Cana

Perhaps the most famous beach in the Dominican Republic, this private, immaculate beach of white sand, azure waters and verdant tropical landscapes is as beautiful as it is enjoyable. As well as being a great place to sunbath, for those who like to be a little more active, catamaran trips, speed boats, banana boats and party boats are readily available here. The marine life in this area, which can be seen more closely by snorkelling or on a glass bottom boat tour, is particular stunning too.

2. Playa Madame

Wild, yet pristine this small, isolated beach is could easily sell a million postcards. A beautiful golden beach surrounded by ragged cliffs and lush, bosky foliage this little gem, although hard to get to at the end of the very rough road that leads in to it, is well worth the trip. Not least because you can explore some of the wonderful caves and lagoons it houses.

1. Playa de Macao

Rightly acclaimed by UNESCO, the Playa beach is a fantastic beach. Home to the quaint fishing village of El Macao, which is located just south of Uvero Alto in Punta Cana, the beach has brilliant white sand and is notable for an offshore shipwreck which is a popular dive site. Rough waters creates good surfing conditions and the views of and atop the cliffs that brood above the beach are simply breathtaking.  Spencer Samaroo

What to Pack When Visiting Thailand

How do you prepare for your Thailand holiday? There are items you will definitely want in your suitcase, if not before boarding your flight then at least after you've checked in at your hotel and found a nice convenience store to buy these things from, especially since not all these items are readily available in an average K-Mart at home. Whether or not you need them all depends on the weather conditions in Thailand at the time (or the region of Thailand you are visiting), but for the most part they are necessary around the year.

•  Mosquito repellent: This is absolutely a must! More so if you are traveling during Thailand's summer season, and also one of the many, many reasons that should dissuade you from choosing bottom-of-the-barrel accommodation: no air-conditioning means you will be opening the window just to breathe and then it's open blood-sucking season. Mosquito repellents in forms of lotions are good, but you could consider insect-repellent bands as well, worn either on the ankle or wrist: creams and lotions are liable to be diluted by sweat. And in the tropics, you are going to be sweating a lot!
• Sunblock: Do you happen to come from the United Kingdom? Be warned: in Thailand the sun is going to scorch your skin off and it's all sunny, all the time barring the monsoon season (though even then you will still see more sunlight than you do in an entire British year). Bring sunscreen and apply it generously whenever you want to take a walk around Bangkok or Chiang Mai; else you are going to find yourself limited to evening and very early morning strolls.

• Power adapter: Unless you are from Hong Kong or any other countries which use 220V 50Hz power sockets, you will want a power adapter or two to keep your smartphones, electric shavers, and iPods going. Power sockets in Thailand accept two flat prongs, or two flat prongs with one ground pin. Prepare accordingly. (You can rent one from hotels above a certain price range, but if you're backpacking through guesthouses you should consider bringing your own.)
• Bottles of water: This is something of a no-brainer: when you are on a tour through Chiang Mai or Koh Samui you may find yourself dehydrated, which can have all kinds of side-effects you don't want: dizziness, nausea, and digestive complications. Buy a bottle of water or bring a canteen, and keep drinking.

• Clothes: You will want the lightest wear you have got. Short jeans, sleeveless tops, and similar should be the order of the day. Keep in mind, however, that if you plan to visit Buddhist temples as part of your jaunt through Thailand, you should elect to dress fairly sensibly in keeping with respect for the local faith. So the shorts don't need to be showing your underwear and the tops don't need to let the entire world count your every chest hair one by one. Think going to church, but less stuffy.
• Wheeled bag/suitcase: Bring an empty one, if you can, and keep it with you just for shopping, because chances are good you will be buying a lot of interesting keepsakes, souvenirs and gifts from the Night Market or Walking Street in Chiang Mai and similar arts-and-crafts centers.

• Umbrellas: Not so much for the rain as for the sun. Alternatively, wide-brimmed hats and caps will do just as well to keep your brain from boiling over and streaming out your ears. Just kidding: it's not that hot, but it's warm enough that having something over your head is going to be something you will quickly learn to appreciate (unless you're from Australia or sunny California and already used to it). Sunglasses may be a good idea, as well.
• Footwear: Like the clothes you should pack, this ought to be light as well. Heavy formal shoes and stiletto heels are going to kill your feet in no time and the footpath isn't exactly baby-skin smooth. Light sneakers, sans socks, and slippers are good. Buying disposable flip-flops once you've arrived at your destination is sensible too.

• Deodorant: Unless you honestly smell like Chanel No. 5 while sweating like a pig, you will want deodorant. A lot of it. Oh, and take something for your feet too, because that sweat will stink up more than your armpits.  Joanne Chong

Las Vegas: Top 10 Things to Do

Any list of Las Vegas top 10 things to do can only cover a small percentage of the available activities in Vegas. As the unofficial tourism capital of the United States, Vegas has a whole world of activities for visitors of all types, so you will never have a shortage of things to do.

However, because there are so many options, many visitors find the experience overwhelming and have trouble narrowing down their options. If you're visiting Sin City in the near future, here are a few ideas for the top 10 things to do.

1. Gamble: This one goes without saying. If you are an adult and have some spare cash to put down, there's nothing more thrilling than hitting the slots or the tables. 
2. See the world: Vegas has a number of hotels designed to represent various international cities. Sure, the experience is not authentic, but it is nevertheless fun.
3. See the museum: Las Vegas doesn't have much in the way of traditional museums, but some of their interesting novelty museums should be on any list of Las Vegas top 10 things to do. For example, there are the Liberace Museum, the Atomic Testing Museum, and the expansive children's museum.
4. Walk the Strip: If you can stand the heat for a little while, get out on the Strip and do some people-watching. Vegas is a confluence of America and the world, so there is never any shortage of interesting things to see. 
5. Experience a world of food: Las Vegas tends to specialize in Middle-America-friendly food, but there is actually a great variety of cuisines to be found if you are willing to be adventurous. 
6. Go swimming: In the late-afternoon heat of Vegas, there's nothing more refreshing than taking a dip in the hotel pool or experiencing the attractions at one of the local water parks. The hotel pools in particular are the perfect encapsulation of luxurious Las Vegas. 
7. Get married: Ready to tie the knot with your spouse but are not one for big ceremonies? Why not get it done here? Las Vegas makes the act of getting married quick and easy so that you can move on with your life. It's not the magical type of ceremony that many people imagine, but it does the trick. 
8. See the beautiful scenery: It's hard to tell when you're standing on the Strip, but Vegas is actually right in the middle of some of the most beautiful landscapes in the American southwest. A day trip to the nearby Hoover Dam will give you a fair sampling of everything in the region. 
9. Take a ride: Many of the hotels in Vegas have their own thrilling rides for kids and adults, and there are also several amusement parks in the area. 
10. See a show: Next to gambling, seeing some of Vegas's vaunted live shows is one of the greatest things to do in town. Among all the Las Vegas top 10 things to do, seeing a show should be one of the biggest priorities.  Caterina Christakos 

Luxury India Tours - The Best Mode to Relish India

Luxury India Tour is a fascinating experience for the travelers which offer a chance to explore the luxuries at its best. India is a land which possesses rich culture, vibrant traditions and natural blessings. The Indian tour operators are available with several luxury Tour packages including the north India, south India, wildlife India and Golden triangle tours.

India is a blissful land that offers stupendous travel destinations to explore portraying prosperous culture, tradition and abundance of natural vegetation. As there are several Luxury Tour packages offered by Indian Tour operators providing you an opportunity to choose from the exclusive travel packages. Goa is a perfect holiday destination housed with exotic beaches and Portuguese Churches. The other destinations offered by luxury India Tour are the royal cities like royal city of Jaipur, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Ajmer and Jodhpur.

India being a widely spread country differs in culture, traditional, color, food and festivals and it is impossible to cover all in one go. For this reason, there are luxury tours in India to experience you the best of all regions. The luxury tour of north India includes visits to Delhi, Jaipur and Agra, which is also known as the Golden Triangle Tour. One gets to see the magnificent monuments and sites that were came to existence during the Mughal period in India. The luxury tour of south India gives you wide range of options from wildlife to sunny beaches, temples to thrilling adventures. Treat yourself to the dense jungles with an elephant ride.

Some of the customized Luxury India Tours like Ayurveda tours and spa bar are considered the best in terms of attaining peace and relaxation. The yoga exercises and the meditation process are the best ways to be well being. Luxury India Tours are also preferred by honeymoon couples at large.

One can choose between luxury tours that cover yoga and medication and the ones that cover Ayurveda. Some of the India luxury tours to different parts of the country are for honeymoon couples. The most fascinating attraction covered by Luxury India Tours is the seventh wonder of the world, Taj Mahal. This historical monument is a UNESCO World Heritage site build in white marble stone. It was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. It is also the most popular destination covered by Golden Triangle Tours.  Mayurk Sharma

White House Tours - A Step By Step Guide

Planning White House tours may not be one of the easiest things to do.

Unlike the past when such tours could be easily planned and executed, today, the trip warrants detailed and meticulous planning. But, at the end of it all, it's surely worth the effort.

The experience of walking through one of the most coveted and powerful historical structures of the world cannot be paralleled by any other. The only prerequisite you will be requiring is plenty of time. You need to allow sufficient time to make the most of this historic tour to figure out all that you've ever wanted to about this world-famous iconic monument. Not only do you need enough time for savoring this experience, the planning also needs to be done well in advance.

White House Tours - The Planning Sequence

A well-informed sequential planning is required to make your White House tour a grand success. Executing it step by step will ensure that you have a full-proof plan in place, within the given time frame. The essential steps would include the following.

* If you are planning to visit in a group, jot down the names and take a head count. If the number of heads is ten, the group can plan for a separate trip. If the number is less than ten, your group may be clubbed with any of the other smaller groups who have planned a visit on the same day.

* Next, you need to send a request for a public tour to the representative or senator of your area at least six months prior to the date of visit.

* Along with the request, you also need to provide relevant details of all the group members. You would be required to provide information about his name, age, nationality, and social security number. This clause is only applicable for the group members who are above 14 years of age.

* Once the details have been verified and cleared, you need to make a reservation for your visit with the office of the congressman. You can avail of tours from Tuesday morning to Thursday morning, till noon on Fridays and up to early afternoon in Saturdays. Sundays and Federal holidays are closed for public tours. Select a suitable date and time as per the given norms.

* If you have members in your party who would be requiring special assistance in the form of hearing aids, wheelchairs, and the likes, seek prior permission.

* Check on the morning prior to the date of the tour regarding cancellations. Public White House tours are cancelled without prior notice.

* It's better to use public transport on White House tours. If you travel by a private vehicle, parking could pose a huge problem as no public vehicle is allowed to be parked around this iconic structure.

* All party members need to carry photo identification with them. These are thoroughly checked at the entrance. Nobody is allowed entry without valid photo identification. But, you would not be requiring one if you are below the age of 14.  Priestley White

Holiday & Travel Guide For Jamaica

When you think of a holiday, what comes into mind? Glistening golden beaches? Tranquil picture perfect oceans, teaming with exotic fish? Well look no further than the island of Jamaica. Sitting right on the equator, the island boasts terrific sunny weather all year around, with rain typically falling only in the months of May, June, September and October.

This Island has everything for the perfect getaway for those who want to have a good time relaxing, as well as the holiday maker who is looking for a bit of adventure. Being the birth place of reggae, everything in Jamaica seems to move at a more relaxed and laid back pace, making it the best place to escape from the hustle and bustle of the modern rat race. There are many exciting and enthralling activities which a holiday maker can embark upon on the island of Jamaica, from diving and scuba diving to wind surfing and trips on boats. You can experience the best of the marine life in the area from both of these, and take in some really stunning scenes that lie just off the beaches all around the coast. Negril is one beach particularly recommended to try.

Swimming with dolphins is also a possibility in Jamaica. Many people find this a healing activity and jump at the chance to experience it. This can still be done in the wild around Jamaica, if you can find the tours that offer this. It is better, however, to head to Dolphin Cove at Treasure Reef, where you will be guaranteed the chance to swim with two dolphins, as well as experience other nature themed fun such as glass bottom boats, Shark and Parrot shows and a Jungle walk.

Other activities if you wish to be active include a fantastic tree top canopy tour. This takes you through history from when the island was first settled by the original inhabitants, to what we know as Jamaica today. This can be an interesting way to both learn and see some of the wildlife that is on offer in the Caribbean.

If just the thought of these activities gets you in a sweat, then there are also many more relaxing pastimes which are available on the island, including beach resorts supporting some top rated golf clubs and brilliantly relaxing spas. If the stunning scenery isn't enough to relax you, these will definitely make you forget about all of the stresses and strains of modern life. Jamaica really does have an underrated charm which is incomparable to most other places that you will be lucky enough to experience on holiday.

Another great aspect of Jamaica is the food, the birth place of 'Jerk' and not something that should be missed. Trying authentic jerk meat is one of the delicacies which should not be turned down. The authentic taste of an open fire and the slow fusion of spices combine on jerk meat to make one of the tastiest dishes out there, so why not try it where it was originally born as a concept, so you know you have had the best?

Happy Holidays  Trevor Butler

California: Culture And Leisure

High- and low-brow art enjoy comparable support here. For most people, the state's contributions to culture are the many blockbusters made by Hollywood movie studios or televised sitcoms shot on LA sound stages. This is art in unashamed pursuit of the almighty dollar, complete with tabloid scandals and giant movie billboards blotting out the Los Angeles sun.

But another creativity reveals itself through the state's history of landscape painting, portraiture, and 20th-century avant-garde art. Modern artists John McLaughlin and Elmer Bischoff, and ceramists Peter Voulkos and Robert Arneson have all made international reputations.

So have a few pioneers of photographic art, such as Imogen Cunningham and Ansel Adams. British artist David Hockney lived here for many years, capturing the state's sun-soaked image on canvas. California is also home to some of the world's finest art museums, including LACMA, the Oakland Museum, the San Francisco MOMA, and the two J Paul Getty Museums.

Victorian architecture in the Bay Area has always been a major tourist attraction, as have the many historic buildings across the state designed by Californians such as Willis Polk and Bernard Maybeck.

Visiting designers Frank Lloyd Wright and Daniel Burnham have left their mark here, too. Recent influential architects include residents Frank Gehry and Joe Esherick.

The state has seen many writers over the years, including Nobel prize-winner John Steinbeck and Beat authors Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsburg. The tradition continues with Armistead Maupin (Tales of the City), detective novelist Sue Grafton, and Amy Tan (The Joy Luck Club), among others.

Music also plays a major role, whether the work of the cities' orchestras or rock musicians. This is where the Beach Boys, Janis Joplin, the Grateful Dead, and Red Hot Chili Peppers launched their careers.

Californians love to eat out, and chefs Wolfgang Puck and Alice Waters have made their name promoting "California cuisine"- a blend of local ingredients and Asian techniques.

This, combined with a selection of local world class wines, is proof that Californians take care of their palates. Yet residents are also body-conscious, aware that they live among the "beautiful people" who come here with dreams of film stardom.

So they become slaves to the gym or take up a sport. On any weekend, in various parts of the state, you will see cyclists, surfers, in-line skaters, even white-water rafters. Californians are eager supporters of professional baseball and football, but they like to be active themselves. Luckily, surrounded by some of the nation's most beautiful countryside and the gentlest climate, they don't have to go far to enjoy a satisfying outdoor experience.  Kristie Haller

Goa - A Wonderful Honeymoon Destination

Goa has always been a favorite destination for honeymoon, this place has its own charm and it is something special that makes people return for more. Beautiful and gorgeous Goa is honeymooner's dream, a land with amazing beaches. The accommodation ranges from expansive seaside resort to an all-inclusive, fashionable full-service hotel.

Visitors are attracted to Goa's green hills and cool blue waters, Churches, spice farm and paddy fields, sun, sand and sea etc; it is also surrounded by warm and friendly people. You will fall for Goa's lovely food, good music, spectacular beaches and hidden cove, lazy rivers for canoeing, birdsong and sparkling nights.

For sightseeing Goa has lots to show for example, The Church of Immaculate Conception is Panaji's main place of worship for the Catholics, also visit the impressive Se Cathedral of St. Catherine, the largest church in Asia, which has 14 altars, an 80m long aisle and 5 bells including the Golden Bell, supposed to be one of the best in the world. The remarkable Goa beaches Miramar Beach, closest to the capital Panaji (3 km), is conveniently located in the heart of the state capital which you would find a lot of crowd here, Dona Paula is a small, relaxing beach with the Dona Paula Beach Resort, Caranzalem (between Miramar and Dona Paula) is calm and safe for swimming, it has water scooters and other water sports facilities as there is no undercurrent.

North Goa has the hustling and bustling market town of Mapusa is the biggest city/town of North Goa. Calangute is the busiest town in Goa and now the centre of the 'package' tourist trade and has a long beach of coarse golden sand but there is a dangerous undertow that restricts swimming time. There are plenty of accommodations available here as well.-fringed Sinquerim beach is popular with tourist. You should visit the flea market at Baga where you can beat some fancy bargains in Kashmiri and other Indian handicrafts then you have Wednesday flea market, which Anjuna is famous for allover Goa. South Goa, the main cities of this part of Goa are the towns of Margao and Vasca da Gama. This is quiet area than North Goa and has numerous beaches as well as up market resorts, best for couples.

Goan food is something to relish on, the coconut based curries and stews using pork and beef and rich cakes and pastries are one of the popular dishes. If you can handle the spicy food, then do try a plate of the local food of fish curry and rice. For people who are foodie and like to try new taste, Goa is just the place to be. In local Pork Vindaloo is famous as well, its spicy and tangy taste is amazing and many more famous dishes you should try when you are in Goa. Also when in Goa drinks are not to be missed, should try the world famous Feni then you also have red and white wines. For refreshing coconut water is best, Alcohol is always available at an affordable price at all restaurants and even the cottages around the beach.  Aalia Khan

Finding the Ideal Beach Destination in Florida

Florida is an ever-popular destination for beach holidays, boasting a beautiful coastline and plenty of fun things to see and do. While the state is certainly famous for its sunshine and stretches of sand, you may be wondering what else there is do there - and where exactly would be best for your dream getaway.

The state is home to an array of wonderful beach destinations and you'll find that booking Florida holidays holds the promise of exciting activities and places to visit in addition to the renowned coastline.

A St Petersburg beach holiday is just one of the great breaks on offer in the state. This seductive suntrap holds the Guinness World Record for having the highest number of consecutive days of sunshine, which cannot fail to impress sun-seekers! Alongside that wonderful weather, St Petersburg plays host to 35 miles of white sand beaches, which provide the perfect place for relaxing and soaking up those rays.

While it may be hard to tear yourself away from the beach here, if you manage to do so you'll find the destination has plenty more to offer visitors. Golfing fans will discover they have some 50 top courses to choose from, while cyclists will be treated to a range of exciting trails to explore on two wheels.

Those keen to challenge themselves may want to give the Pinellas Trail a go. Spanning some 43 miles, this cycling trail is ideal for blazing through the Florida landscape.

Alternatively, why not make the most of the water and indulge in a spot of kayaking or canoeing? Swimming with manatees in Crystal River is another of the fantastic water-based experiences on offer - and certainly one of the most magical and memorable.

If you're eager to experience St Petersburg's cultural landscape, however, there are a number of fascinating places you can visit. Art lovers may be particularly interested in the Salvador Dali Museum, which houses more than 1,000 pieces by the Spanish surrealist. Simply browse the works in your own time or, to learn more about the artist, take a guided tour.

For an altogether different experience of St Petersburg, head to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. This quiet-sounding destination is actually a combination of exhilarating attractions, ranging from incredible wildlife to thrilling rollercoasters!

Indeed, here you can see awe-inspiring creatures such as the Bengal tiger and orangutans, as well as go on some of the most impressive rides in the US. One of these - the SheiKra - holds the title of the being the country's first floorless rollercoaster.

Taking holidays to Sarasota is another great way to experience Florida and you'll find some absolutely fantastic beaches here. Indeed, many of these have won awards for their gorgeous clear water and soft white sand.

Sarasota's islands are also well worth a visit - especially if you are seeking some quirky experiences during your break. By heading to Anna Maria Island, you can try the latest adventure sport - horse surfing. Local experts will take you through the motions, which are sure to make for holiday memories you will never forgot!

However, if horse surfing doesn't take your fancy, why not spend some time getting to know some of Sarasota's most important history? The destination is known as the home of the American circus - something that stuck in the 1920s after top circuses moved their acts there.

Among these were Barnum & Bailey Circus and the Ringling Bros, who are known not just for their acts but for their impact on the local economy too. Today, you can browse the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art to learn more.

While you can find out something of the circus's history here, you can also see a staggering number of important artistic works. The collection was donated by John Ringling upon his death and comprises 21 galleries, featuring paintings, sculptures and sketches from across the globe.

You'll also have the chance to see the world's largest miniature circus, as well as stroll around the beautiful rose garden.

USA holidays are great for those seeking beach breaks - and for getaways in the sun, Florida cannot be beaten. No matter where you choose to spend your time in the state, you're certain to have a wonderful trip.  Dipika Patel