Fodor's South Florida 2011 (Gold Guide)

Fodor's South Florida 2011 is one of Fodor’s Gold Guides. It contains contributions from a number of established Florida travel writers and is edited by Debbie Harmsen who also edits Fodor's Florida 2010. It is updated each year and the 2011 edition was published on October 19, 2010.

Format: Paperback
Page: 376 pages
Publisher: Fodor's
Date: October 19, 2010
ISBN: 1400004772
Dimensions: 8.0 x 5.2 x 0.7 inches

South Florida 2011 follows the usual easily readable and attractive Fodor format with 180 stunning full colour photographs, a pullout map and around 24 area maps. It is backed up by an online destination guide.

The opening chapter, ‘Experience South Florida’ is a good introduction with a planner on how to get there and how to get around, suggestions on when to go with details on the climate, dates of some of South Florida’s main events, proposed 2 to 3 day itineraries and suggested attractions based on your likes, for example animals, beaches, golf and scenic views.

The rest of the book is split into five chapters covering the main regions:

• Palm Beach and the Treasure Coast
• Fort Lauderdale and Broward County
• Miami and Miami Beach
• The Everglades
• The Florida Keys including Key West

Each chapter kicks off with a ‘Top reasons to go’ with ideas on what might attract you to the area such as the beaches, resorts and various outdoor sports with a detailed area map highlighting the main locations within the region.

Expanding on the opening chapter are more details on the best time of year to go, how to get there, orientation, how to get around the area and suggested tours.

Each chapter then goes on to highlight the best sites and attractions as well as where to eat and stay rated by price, shopping, nightlife, sports and outdoor activities such as scuba diving, snorkeling and fishing.

For all attractions, restaurants, hotels etc. details are given including addresses, websites, telephone numbers, opening hours and prices.

Dotted throughout the book are useful tips such as how to get into some of the top nightclubs and “word of mouth” advice from other Fodor readers.

Note that most guide books are re-published annually so you can often pick up a bargain if you don't mind last year's edition.