Being a stickler to jotting a few lines about the getaways where I am able to get away has made me write about Florida. but to my surprise, the usual jotting down has become tougher than I expected as everything about Florida is interesting than the other. Florida's famous 'big ears' attract not just me, but the whole world, and the cute little rat and his pals in the Disneyland world hold fun and hormone-raisers of rides for all. Of course, Mickey is popular, but there is no hiding the fact that other areas in Florida are way too exciting and Miami leads the pack of destinations waiting with everything that will make you go yahoo!

There is a problem with Disneyland and Mickey mouse: they keep coming back whenever you say Florida! Quite obvious, isn't it? Just like Xerox being the generic of photocopying! But Florida has another mouse in store, the puny, demi-tasse like Florida mouse - only found within the state. This little guy, along with hundreds of species of animals and birds, make Florida's state park, the alternative to theme parks. You have about 150 state parks that take you closer to nature and the fresh whiff of crisp and cool air is a dividend that you get for a fraction of the cost of spending a day in a themed attraction.

What better way to get away from themed surprises than staring at an alligator who is twice as tall as you? This big guy is a razor-toothed surprise waiting for you at Wekiwa Springs State Park, an 8,000-acre natural oasis surrounded by urban build up. The park is an anti-thesis of the theory that time moves ahead. The lush tropical vegetation in this landscape stays much the same as what the first Indians and Spanish explorers here experienced! Trailblazers out there have the chance of meeting four-legged friends like black bear and white tailed deer as well. You might even meet interesting characters like bobcat, raccoon, armadillo and fox squirrel, the big-daddy of the squirrel clan. Monkeys in the park have a different story to tell, they are no lesser monkeys, their roots extend to Hollywood! Yes, the monkeys that you see in the park are descendants of “extras’ in a Tarzan movie that escaped during filming many years ago. Say, celeb monkeys!

Skipping Mickey to Miami must be your next move, if beaches and water sports entice you. 'Miami' is famous for two reasons, beaches and baggage tags! Yes, Miami is beach lovers' other word for holidays and these beaches are seductive to say the least; it is also the identity of the urban beach lover. All you need to get that 'Cool guy, ain't he'? looks back in the airport of your hometown is the baggage tag that says 'Miami'.