| The city of Tampa is situated on the western coast | | | | each day, Tampa Airport offers arange of |
| of the state of Florida in the USA. | | | | convenient ground transport, such as shuttle buses, |
| With a thriving commercial seaport and many | | | | taxis and car rentaloptions. |
| waterfront areas, Tampa is also closeto a number of | | | | Tampa Hotels: |
| notable beaches, such as Clearwater and St. Pete. | | | | Being a popular and sunny coastal city, with many |
| Located acrossfrom St. Petersburg and within easy | | | | exceptional attractions, it comesas no surprise that |
| reach of Orlando, the city has much to offervisitors, | | | | Tampa offers an array of hotels, motels, bed and |
| including many historic sites, family attractions and | | | | breakfasts, andaffordable accommodation. Some of |
| major sporting venues. | | | | the most popular hotels in the city can befound in |
| Tampa currently has a population in excess of | | | | the heart of the downtown district, close to facilities |
| 300,000 and covers more than 110square miles / 285 | | | | such as shops andrestaurants. Also, a number of |
| square kilometers. | | | | waterfront hotels in Tampa offer exceptional |
| Tampa also features a wealth of shopping centers, | | | | coastalviews and are extremely desirable, although |
| together with restaurants, barsand a healthy nightlife. | | | | the hotel rates often carry a premium,particularly |
| Much of city life is centered around the downtown | | | | during the high season, which is from January to April. |
| area,which contains the Port of Tampa and the | | | | Weekend andsummer rates are usually reduced and |
| Waterfront district. With two universities,many | | | | this is a good time to find discounts. |
| entertainment venues and the outstanding Tampa | | | | Tampa Restaurants: |
| Bay Performing Arts Center,the city has earned itself | | | | Tampa has an abundance of restaurants, which are |
| a reputation for being Florida's cultural center. | | | | readily available and suit everypalate. Restaurants, |
| Tampa Tourism: | | | | cafes and bars have developed greatly in recent |
| Tourist attractions in Tampa are extremely | | | | years, due tothe rapidly expanding tourism trade and |
| impressive, with many superb beachesnearby making | | | | busy seaport. Concentrated around thecentral areas |
| Tampa the perfect holiday destination. Facilities | | | | of Tampa, in the Hyde Park neighborhood - |
| include imposinglandmarks and monuments, museums | | | | particularly along South |
| and art galleries, many must-see sights andfamily | | | | Howard Avenue, the waterfront and throughout the |
| attractions, recreational activities, and a number of | | | | lively Ybor district, most typesof cuisine can be found |
| large parklands andgardens. Top attractions include | | | | in Tampa, including fast food at large food courts |
| Busch Gardens, which is one of the best themeparks | | | | inshopping malls, traditional Hispanic eateries and |
| in the whole of Florida, with thrilling rides combined | | | | exclusive seafood restaurantsalong the coastline. |
| with a vast zoo. | | | | Tampa Shopping: |
| Also worth a visit in Tampa are the Florida Aquarium, | | | | The city offers a diverse shopping destination, with a |
| Dinosaur World, the Weeki | | | | large and varied selection ofshops and stores. |
| Wachee Springs, the extremely historic Sacred Heart | | | | Facilities in Tampa include many designer outlets, |
| Catholic Church and the | | | | well-knowndepartment stores, top boutiques and |
| Raymond James Stadium, which regularly hosts major | | | | shopping malls. Popular shopping areasinclude the city's |
| professional football gamesand is the home ground of | | | | historic and cultural areas, the Centro Ybor Mall - |
| the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Throughout the year the | | | | which is locatedin the Ybor Historic District, and Old |
| cityregularly features many exciting festivals, including | | | | Hyde Park Village in Tampa's Old Hyde Parkdistrict, |
| the extremely popular | | | | where you will find a mixture of modern stores, |
| Gasparilla Pirate Festival, which is held each year | | | | specialty shops and artgalleries, in a particularly scenic |
| during January and always attractslarge crowds. | | | | setting. |
| Tampa Transport: | | | | Tampa Weather: |
| Around Tampa, public transport is well ordered and | | | | Tampa features warm and sunny weather, with |
| the city is easy to reach byroad, with nearby | | | | pleasant breezes from the ocean. |
| highways and interstates. Greyhound buses operate | | | | Temperatures during June through August are at |
| within | | | | their hottest and can attain highsof around 33°C |
| Tampa and travel to a number of Florida cities, | | | | / 91°F. Winter and spring are warm seasons and |
| including Orlando and Miami. Otherpopular modes of | | | | manypeople choose to visit the Tampa area at this |
| transport include Amtrak trains, inner-city streetcars | | | | time of the year. December and |
| and taxis,which should generally be booked in | | | | January are the coldest months with daytime |
| advance. | | | | temperatures remaining extremelymild and warm, |
| Tampa International Airport (TPA) stands around 7 | | | | generally around 22°C / 72°F, although lows |
| miles / 11 km from the citycenter and is an important | | | | of |
| transport hub, regarded as one of America's | | | | 15°C / 59°F may be experienced. |
| mostefficient airports. With many passengers arriving | | | | |