Fort Lauderdale was originally created as a military base and has more than 270 waterways that meet at the city's yacht marina, the second-largest in the USA. This is why this port is also known as the "American Venice". Las Olas Boulevard is the centre of the city and has many shops, up-market boutiques, art galleries and restaurants. The biggest attraction in Fort Lauderdale is the white sandy beach, which stretches for many kilometres. Other sights include Stranahan House - the oldest historic building in the city, the Museum of Discovery and Science, the Riverfront Complex and the house by the river that Al Capone once called home.

Tips for excursions

Fort Lauderdale Highlights

A tour of the city which was nominated by Money Magazine as one of the most desirable cities. The excursion begins with a tour through Port Everglade, passing the Bahia yacht basin and Hollywood Beach and leading us to 17th Street. It's then on to Las Olas Boulevard, better known as the rodeo mile of Fort Lauderdale. The trip takes in the city's waterways, its lakes, luxury houses, the Riverside Hotel and the Stranahan house, the oldest historic building in the city. There will then be free time to stroll down Las Olas Boulevard. A guided walk along the river where the house stands that used to belong to Al Capone. Onwards to the Riverfront Complex, which consists of various squares, fountains and areas of greenery.

Everglades by hovercraft

The famous swamp landscape of the Everglades, a World Natural Heritage site since 1979, covers much of southern Florida. Highlight of the excursion is a 30 minute trip by hovercraft through the nature reserve, which is home to a wide diversity of fish and bird species, and even to crocodiles. After the boat trip, a visit to the Sawgrass reptile exhibition. Here there is an opportunity to touch a small crocodile or even to hold one. The next item on the agenda is a visit to a reconstructed Indian village. The tour is rounded off by a ramble through the park, offering opportunity to see tropical birds and rare snakes and to stroke the Florida Panther, which is threatened with extinction. The excursion ends at Fort Lauderdale airport.

The tropical gardens of Florida

The tropical Flamingo Gardens are a large botanic treasure extending over 240 sq km. The gardens are a private museum which does not operate for profit and is home to indigenous and exotic plants, tropical trees and shrubs from all over the world. A 30-minute trip by rail through the gardens gives participants the opportunity to see the animal species which are at home here. These include migratory birds, river otters, crocodiles, peacocks, iguanas, turtles and, of course, flamingos. For the highlights of the excursion are a visit to the raptor exhibition and the "Free Flight" aviary, which successfully connects five Floridian ecosystems with one another.