The area's main airport is Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) (PHONE: 941/768-1000), about 12 miles southwest of Fort Myers, 25 miles north of Naples. Southwest Florida International Airport is served by Air Canada, American Eagle, American TransAir, America West, Cape Air, Carnival Airlines, Continental, Delta, Midwest Express, Northwest, Spirit, TWA, United, and US Airways.

The Naples Airport (APF) (PHONE: 914/643-6875) is a small facility east of downtown. The Naples Airport is served by Atlantic Southeast and US Airways Express.

Typical trip times to Fort Myers are 5½ hours from New York, 5 hours from Chicago, 4½ hours from Dallas, 6½ hours from Los Angeles, and 12½ hours from London.

Carriers

Air Canada (PHONE: 800/776-3000).

America West (PHONE: 800/235-9292).

American Eagle (PHONE: 800/433-7300).

American TransAir (PHONE: 800/225-2995).

Atlantic Southeast (PHONE: 800/282-3424).

Cape Air (PHONE: 800/352-0714).

Carnival Airlines (PHONE: 800/824-7386).

Continental (PHONE: 800/525-0280).

Delta (PHONE: 800/221-1212).

Midwest Express (PHONE: 800/452-2022).

Northwest (PHONE: 800/225-2525).

Spirit (PHONE: 800/772-7117).

United (PHONE: 800/241-6522).

US Airways (PHONE: 800/428-4322).

US Airways Express (PHONE: 800/428-4322).

From the U.K.

American (PHONE: 0345/789-789).

British Airways (PHONE: 0345/222-111).

Continental (PHONE: 0800/776-464) via Newark.

Delta (PHONE: 0800/414-767).

Northwest (PHONE: 0990/561-000) via Detroit or Minneapolis.

United (PHONE: 0800/888-555).

Virgin Atlantic (PHONE: 01293/747-747).

Transfers Between the Airport and Town

From Southwest Florida Airport

A taxi to Fort Myers, Sanibel, or Captiva costs about $30; it's about twice that to Naples. Other transportation companies include:

AAA Airport Transportation (PHONE: 800/872-2711).

Personal Touch Limousines (PHONE: 941/549-3643).

From Naples Airport

Shuttle service to Naples is generally $15 to $25 per person.

Once you have arrived, call Naples Taxi (PHONE: 941/643-2148).

For Marco Island, try Marco Transportation, Inc. (PHONE: 941/394-2257).

Greyhound Lines (PHONE: 800/231-2222; Fort Myers: 2275 Cleveland Ave., PHONE: 941/334-1011; Naples: 2669 Davis Blvd., PHONE: 941/774-5660) has service to Fort Myers and Naples.

I-75 spans the region from north to south. Once you cross the border into Florida, it's about five hours to Fort Myers and another hour to Naples, where I-75 cuts east through the Everglades to Fort Lauderdale. The Naples-Fort Lauderdale section of I-75 is a two-lane toll road (75¢ at each end) known as Alligator Alley, and the trip takes about two hours.

Most banks are open from 8 to 4 Monday through Friday. Some are open for several hours on Saturday. Most businesses in Fort Myers and the surrounding area are open Monday through Saturday, from 9 or 10 AM to 6 or 9 PM. Many others, including shopping centers, are also open Sunday from noon to 5 or later.

Many museums in Florida are closed Monday and open 10-5 Tuesday through Friday and noon-5 on Sunday.

Arriving in the United States

Non-U.S. residents ages 21 and older may import into the United States 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 2 kilograms of tobacco, 1 liter of alcohol, and gifts worth $100. Meat products, seeds, plants, and fruits are prohibited.

For additional information, contact the U.S. Customs Service (inquiries, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20229, PHONE: 202/354-1000; complaints, Office of Regulations and Rulings, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20229; registration of equipment, Resource Management, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20229, PHONE: 202/927-0540).

The U.S. electrical standard is 110 volts/60 cycles AC. Foreign visitors traveling with dual-voltage appliances will not need a converter, but they will need a plug adapter. The standard U.S. electrical outlet takes a plug of two flat pins set parallel to one another.

Australia

Australian Embassy (1601 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036, PHONE: 202/797-3000, FAX: 202/797-3040).

Canada

Canadian Embassy (501 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20001, PHONE: 202/682-1740, FAX: 202/682-7726).

New Zealand

New Zealand Embassy (37 Observatory Circle NW, Washington, DC 20008, PHONE: 202/328-4800, FAX: 202/667-5227).

United Kingdom

British Embassy (3100 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008, PHONE: 202/588-7800, FAX: 202/588-7850).

Ambulance (PHONE: 911).

Fire (PHONE: 911).

Police (PHONE: 911).

Hospital Emergency Rooms

The following hospitals have 24-hour emergency rooms:

Lee Memorial Hospital (2776 Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers).

Naples Community Hospital (350 7th St. N, Naples).

North Collier Hospital (1501 Imokolee Rd., Naples).

Late-Night Pharmacies

Walgreens (70703 College Pkwy., Fort Myers, PHONE: 941/939-2142; 8965 Tamiami Trail N, North Naples, PHONE: 941/597-8196).

Boca Grande Seaplane Service (375 Park Ave., Boca Grande, PHONE: 941/964-0234) operates sightseeing tours in the Charlotte Harbor area.

Adventure Sailing Charters (South Seas Plantation Rd., Captiva, PHONE: 941/472-7532) offers captained half- and full-day sailing cruises and sunset cruises for groups of six or fewer.

The best way to see the cluster of small, undeveloped, protected islands known as the Ten Thousand Islands is on an airboat tour run by Airboat Experience of the Everglades (5 Papaya St., Goodland, Marco Island, PHONE: 941/642-3141). Although there aren't actually 10,000, the scenery and wildlife are nevertheless remarkable. You'll probably see many birds, including pelicans and hawks, as well as dolphins swimming alongside the boat.

At the South Seas Plantation marina, Captiva Cruises (Sanibel-Captiva Rd., Captiva, PHONE: 941/472-5300) runs shelling, photo safari, nature, luncheon, and sunset cruises to and around the out islands of Cabbage Key, Useppa Island, Cayo Costa, and Gasparilla Island.

Estero Bay Boat Tours (5231 Mamie St., Bonita Springs, PHONE: 941/992-2200) takes you on guided tours of waterways once inhabited by the Calusa Indians. You'll see birds and other wildlife and may even spot some manatees or dolphins.

Island Rover (Snug Harbor, Fort Myers Beach, PHONE: 941/691-7777), a 72-ft schooner, takes morning, afternoon, and sunset sails in the Gulf of Mexico.

J. C.'s Cruises (Fort Myers Yacht Basin, 2313 Edwards Dr., Fort Myers, PHONE: 941/334-7474) explores the Caloosahatchee and Orange rivers of Lee County. From mid-November through mid-April, there are eight different scenic cruises along the Caloosahatchee River conducted on the Capt. J. P., a stern paddle wheeler, and there is a manatee-watching cruise on a smaller boat. Brunch, lunch, and dinner cruises are available.

King Fisher Cruise Lines (Fishermen's Village, 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda, PHONE: 941/639-0969) has half-day, full-day, and sunset cruises in Charlotte Harbor, the Peace River, and the Intracoastal Waterway.

One of the best ways to see the J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge is by taking a canoe or kayak tour with Tarpon Bay Recreation (900 Tarpon Bay Rd., Sanibel, PHONE: 941/472-8900). The knowledgeable naturalist guides can help you see so much more of what's there among the mangroves and under the water's surface.

Take a narrated sightseeing, dinner, jazz, or murder-mystery excursion aboard the old-fashioned Seminole Gulf Railway (Colonial Station, Fort Myers, PHONE: 941/275-6060). Daytime trips, which run Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday, travel between Fort Myers and Bonita Springs or include a scenic Caloosahatchee bridge crossing.

Naples Trolley Tours (PHONE: 941/262-7300) has five narrated tours daily, covering more than 100 points of interest. The tour ($15) lasts about 1¾ hours, but you can get off and reboard at no extra cost. You can pick it up at 25 places around town, including the Coastland Mall (1900 9th St. N).

Beach and Sun Safety

If you are unaccustomed to strong subtropical sun, you run a risk of sunburn and heat prostration, even in winter. So hit the beach or play tennis, golf, or another outdoor sport before 10 or after 3. If you must be out at midday, limit strenuous exercise, drink plenty of liquids, and wear a hat. If you begin to feel faint, get out of the sun immediately and sip water slowly. Even on overcast days, ultraviolet rays shine through the haze, so use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, and have children wear a waterproof SPF 30 or better.

While you're frolicking on the beach, steer clear of what look like blue bubbles on the sand. These are Portuguese man-of-wars, and their tentacles can cause an allergic reaction. Also be careful of other large jellyfish, some of which can sting.

If you walk across a grassy area on the way to the beach, you'll probably encounter sand spurs. They are quite tiny, light brown, and remarkably prickly. You'll feel them before you see them; if you get stuck with one, just pull it out.

Before swimming, make sure there's no undertow. Rip currents, caused when the tide rushes out through a narrow break in the water, can overpower even the strongest swimmer. If you do get caught in one, resist the urge to swim straight back to shore -- you'll tire before you make it. Instead, stay calm. Swim parallel to the shore line until you are outside the current's pull, then work your way in to shore.

Divers' Alert

Do not fly within 24 hours of scuba diving.

Every address in the United States belongs to a specific zip-code district, and each zip code has five digits. Some addresses include a second sequence of four numbers following the first five numbers, but although this speeds mail delivery for large organizations, it is not necessary to use it. Each zip-code district has at least one post office, where you can buy stamps and aerograms, send parcels, or conduct other postal business.

Occasionally you may find small stamp-dispensing machines in airports, train stations, bus terminals, large office buildings, hotel lobbies, drugstores, or grocery stores, but don't count on it. Most Americans go to the post office to buy their stamps, and the lines can be long.

Official mailboxes are either the stout, royal blue steel bins on city sidewalks or mail chutes on the walls of post offices or in large office buildings. A schedule posted on mailboxes and mail slots should indicate when the mail is picked up.

Sending Mail Home

First-class letters (under one ounce) sent within the United States cost 37 cents; postcards are 23 cents. A one-ounce letter to Canada or Mexico takes a 60-cent stamp and a postcard 50 cents. Letters sent airmail to all other overseas destinations cost 80 cents for one ounce or less (this rate category is now called airmail letter-post, and surface mail is now called economy letter-post); airmail postcards to other overseas destinations cost 70 cents. For 70 cents, you can also buy an aerogram -- a pre-stamped sheet of lightweight blue paper that folds into its own envelope.

Receiving Mail

If you wish to receive mail while traveling in the United States, have it sent c/o General Delivery at the city's main post office (be sure to use the right zip code). It will be held there for up to 30 days. You must pick it up in person, and bring identification with you. American Express offices in the United States do not hold mail.

ATMs

Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) are ubiquitous in Florida. In addition to banks, you will find them at grocery store chains like Publix and Winn Dixie, in shopping malls big and small, and, increasingly, at gas stations.

Currency

The basic unit of U.S. currency is the dollar, which is subdivided into 100 cents. Coins are the copper penny (1 cent) and four silver coins: the nickel (5 cents), the dime (10 cents), the quarter (25 cents), and the half-dollar (50 cents). Silver $1 coins are rarely seen in circulation; a "golden" dollar coin was introduced in 2000. Paper money comes in denominations of $1, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100. All these bills are the same size and green in color; they are distinguishable only by the dollar amount indicated on them and by pictures of various famous American people and monuments.

For the most favorable rates, change money through banks. Although fees charged for ATM transactions may be higher abroad than at home, Cirrus and Plus exchange rates are excellent, because they are based on wholesale rates offered only by major banks. You won't do as well at exchange booths in airports or rail and bus stations, in hotels, in restaurants, or in stores, although you may find their hours more convenient. To avoid lines at airport exchange booths, get a bit of local currency before you leave home.

In general, U.S. banks will not cash a personal check for you unless you have an account at that bank (it doesn't have to be at that branch). Only in major cities are large bank branches equipped to exchange foreign currencies. Therefore, it's best to rely on credit cards, cash machines, and traveler's checks to handle expenses while you're traveling.

Exchanging Money

In the United States, it is not as easy to find places to exchange currency as it is in European cities. In major international cities, such as New York and Los Angeles, currency may be exchanged at some bank branches, as well as at currency-exchange booths in airports and at foreign-currency offices such as American Express Travel Service and Thomas Cook (check local directories for addresses and phone numbers). The best strategy is to buy traveler's checks in U.S. dollars before you come to the United States; although the rates may not be as good abroad, the time saved by not having to search constantly for exchange facilities far outweighs any financial loss.

Money Orders, Funds Transfers

Any U.S. bank is equipped to accept transfers of funds from foreign banks. It helps if you can plan dates to pick up money at specific bank branches. Your home bank can supply you with a list of its correspondent banks in the United States.

If you have more time, and you have a U.S. address where you can receive mail, you can have someone send you a certified check, which you can cash at any bank, or a postal money order (for as much as $700, obtained for a fee of up to 85¢ at any U.S. post office and redeemable at any other post office). From overseas, you can have someone go to a bank to send you an international money order (also called a bank draft), which will cost a $15-$20 commission plus airmail postage. Always bring two valid pieces of identification, preferably with photos, to claim your money.

Taxes

Florida's sales tax is currently 6%. The Fort Myers area levies an additional 3% on lodging.

Tipping

Whether they carry bags, open doors, deliver food, or clean rooms, hospitality employees work to receive a portion of your travel budget. In deciding how much to give, base your tip on what the service is and how well it's performed.

In transit, tip an airport valet $1-$3 per bag, a taxi driver 15%-20% of the fare.

For hotel staff, recommended amounts are $1-$3 per bag for a bellhop, $1-$2 per night per guest for chambermaids, $5-$10 for special concierge service, $1-$3 for a doorman who hails a cab or parks a car, 15% of the greens fee for a caddy, 15%-20% of the bill for a massage, and 15% of a room service bill (bear in mind that sometimes 15%-18% is automatically added to room service bills so don't add it twice).

In a restaurant, give 15%-20% of your bill before tax to the server, 5%-10% to the maître d', 15% to a bartender, and 15% of the wine bill for a wine steward who makes a special effort in selecting and serving wine.

Entering the United States

Citizens of Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom who plan to stay in the United States for fewer than 90 days do not need entry visas. A valid passport, a return-trip ticket, and proof of financial solvency are required; you'll be asked to fill out the Visa Waiver Form, I-94W, upon entry. Travelers who plan to stay more than 90 days can apply for the appropriate visa at the United States embassy or consulates in their home country. Canadian citizens need valid identification but neither a passport nor a visa to enter the United States.

At Home

If you live in the U.K.:

U.S. Embassy Visa Information Line (PHONE: 01891/200290; calls cost 49p per minute, 39p per minute cheap rate) for U.S. visa information.

U.S. Embassy Visa Branch (5 Upper Grosvenor Sq., London W1A 1AE) for U.S. visa information; send a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

Write the U.S. Consulate General (Queen's House, Queen St., Belfast BTI 6EO) if you live in Northern Ireland.

Write the Office of Australia Affairs (59th fl., MLC Centre, 19-29 Martin Pl., Sydney New South Wales 2000) if you live in Australia.

Write the Office of New Zealand Affairs (29 Fitzherbert Terr., Thorndon, Wellington) if you live in New Zealand.

Passport Offices

The best time to apply for a passport, or to renew your old one, is in fall or winter. Before any trip, check your passport's expiration date, and, if necessary, renew it as soon as possible.

Australian Citizens

Australian Passport Office (PHONE: 131-232; www.dfat.gov.au/passports).

Canadian Citizens

Passport Office (PHONE: 819/994-3500 or 800/567-6868; www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/passport).

New Zealand Citizens

New Zealand Passport Office (PHONE: 04/494-0700 for information on how to apply; 04/474-8000; 0800/225-050 in New Zealand for information on applications already submitted; www.passports.govt.nz).

U.K. Citizens

London Passport Office (PHONE: 0870/521-0410; www.ukpa.gov.uk) for fees and documentation requirements and to request an emergency passport.

U.S. Citizens

National Passport Information Center (PHONE: 900/225-5674; calls are 35¢ per minute for automated service, $1.05 per minute for operator service; travel.state.gov/passport_services.html).

The country code for the United States is 1. The area code for Fort Myers, Naples, and Sanibel, Captiva, and Marco islands is due to change from 941 to 239 in March 2003. Boca Grande, on the tip of Gasparilla Island, will retain the area's original 941 area code.

All U.S. telephone numbers consist of 10 digits -- the three-digit area code, followed by a seven-digit local number. If you're calling a number from another area-code region, dial "1" then all 10 digits. For calls within the same local calling area, just dial the seven-digit number. A map of U.S. area codes is printed in the front of most local telephone directories.

Four special prefixes, "800," "888," "877," and "900," are not area codes but indicators of particular kinds of service. "800," "888," and "877" numbers can be dialed free from anywhere in the country -- usually they are prepaid commercial lines that make it easier for consumers to obtain information, products, or services. The "900" numbers charge you for making the call and generally offer some kind of entertainment, such as horoscope readings, sports scores, or sexually suggestive conversations. These services can be very expensive, so know what you're getting into before you dial a "900" number.

Directory & Operator Information

For assistance from an operator, dial "0". To get a local or national telephone number, dial 411; in a few places it is necessary to dial 555-1212. If you want to charge a long-distance call to the person you're calling, call collect by dialing "0" instead of "1" before the 10-digit number, and an operator will come on the line to assist you (the party you're calling, however, has the right to refuse the call).

International Calls

International calls can be direct-dialed from most phones; dial 011, followed by the country code and then the local number (the front pages of many local telephone directories include a list of overseas country codes). To have an operator assist you, dial "0" and ask for the overseas operator. The country code for Australia is 61; New Zealand, 64; and the United Kingdom, 44. To reach Canada, dial 1 + area code + number.

Long-Distance Calls

Competitive long-distance carriers make calling within the United States relatively convenient and let you avoid hotel surcharges. By dialing an 800 number, you can get connected to the long-distance company of your choice.

For details, contact AT&T (PHONE: 800/225-5288), MCI (PHONE: 800/888-8000), or Sprint (PHONE: 800/366-2255).

Public Phones

The most common pay phone in operation today is the coin-operated type. To use one, pick up the receiver, deposit your money (the minimum amount is posted on the machine, usually 50 cents), and then dial the number. An automated message will alert you to deposit more money, if needed.

Telephone-card phones, so popular elsewhere in the world, are becoming increasingly common. Grocery stores, newsstands, and other establishments sell the disposable phone cards, available in varying amounts from $5 and up. To activate the card, dial the code number and follow the instructions printed on the card.

Tourist Offices

The following tourist offices are open weekdays 9-5:

Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce (2702 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte 33950, PHONE: 941/627-2222).

Lee County Visitor and Convention Bureau (2180 W. 1st St., Fort Myers 33901, PHONE: 941/338-3500 or 800/237-6444).

Marco Island Chamber of Commerce (1102 N. Collier Blvd., Marco Island 34145, PHONE: 941/394-7549).

Naples Area Chamber of Commerce (3620 Tamiami Trail N, Naples 33940, PHONE: 941/262-6141).

Sanibel-Captiva Chamber of Commerce (Causeway Rd., Sanibel 33957, PHONE: 941/472-1080).

For general information about Florida's attractions, contact the Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation (Box 1100, 661 E. Jefferson St., Suite 300, Tallahassee, FL 32302, PHONE: 850/487-1462, FAX: 850/224-2938).

At Home

Canadian travelers can contact Travel USA (PHONE: 905/890-5662; 800/268-3482 in Ontario).

In the United Kingdom, contact ABC Florida (Box 35, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4TB, England, PHONE: 0891/600-555, 50p per minute; send £2 for vacation pack).

Also: United States Travel and Tourism Administration (Box 1EN, London W1A 1EN, PHONE: 020/7495-4466).

Florida is a state for all seasons, although most visitors prefer October-April, particularly in South Florida.

Winter remains the height of the tourist season, when South Florida is crowded with "snowbirds" fleeing cold weather in the north. Hotels, bars, discos, restaurants, shops, and attractions are all crowded. Hollywood and Broadway celebrities appear in sophisticated supper clubs, and other performing artists hold the stage at ballets, operas, concerts, and theaters.

Summer in Florida, as smart budget-minded visitors have discovered, is often hot and very humid, but along the coast, ocean breezes make the season quite bearable and many hotels lower their prices considerably.

For senior citizens, fall is the time for discounts for many attractions and hotels.

The Miami area and the Naples-Fort Myers area are warm year-round and often extremely humid in summer months. Be prepared for sudden summer storms all over Florida in the summer months. You can generally swim year-round in the Naples-Fort Myers Gulf Coast waters.

The following are the normal daily temperature ranges for the Fort Myers area:

January 63-74°F (17-23°C); February 63-76°F (17-24°C); March 65-77°F (18-25°C); April 68-79°F (20-26°C); May 72-83°F (22-28°C); June 76-85°F (24-29°C); July 76-88°F (24-31°C); August 77-88°F (25-31°C); September 76-86°F (24-30°C); October 72-83°F (22-28°C); November 67-79°F (19-26°C); December 63-76°F (17-26°C).

Holidays

National holidays are New Year's Day (Jan. 1); Martin Luther King, Jr., Day (3rd Mon. in Jan.); President's Day (3rd Mon. in Feb.); Memorial Day (last Mon. in May); Independence Day (July 4); Labor Day (1st Mon. in Sept.); Thanksgiving Day (4th Thurs. in Nov.); and Christmas Day (Dec. 25).

Florida statutes require that bikers under 16 wear a helmet. Bicycle passengers under 4 years old must be in a sling or child seat. All bikes must have lamps or reflectors -- white in the front, and red in the back, visible from 500 ft -- between sunset and sunrise.

The Lee County Transit System (PHONE: 941/275-8726) serves most of the county.

Both I-75 and U.S. 41 run the length of the region. U.S. 41, also known as the Tamiami Trail, goes through downtown Fort Myers and Naples and is also called Cleveland Avenue in the former and 9th Street in the latter. McGregor Boulevard (Route 867), Fort Myers's main road, heads southwest toward Sanibel and Captiva. San Carlos Boulevard runs southwest from McGregor Boulevard to Fort Myers Beach, and Pine Island-Bayshore Road (Route 78) leads from North Fort Myers through northern Cape Coral onto Pine Island.

Car Rentals

In-season rates in Fort Myers begin at $36 a day and $260 a week for an economy car with air-conditioning, an automatic transmission, and unlimited mileage. This does not include tax on car rentals, which is 6%, or additional fees. Bear in mind that rates fluctuate tremendously -- both above and below these quoted figures -- depending on demand and the season. Rental cars are more expensive (and harder to find) during peak holidays and in season.

It used to be that major rental agencies were located at the airport whereas cheaper firms weren't. Now however, all over Florida, even the majors might be off airport property. It varies firm to firm and airport to airport. Speedy check-in and frequent shuttle buses make off-airport rentals almost as convenient as on-site service. However, it's wise to allow a little extra time for bus travel between the rental agency and the airport.

At Home

Alamo (PHONE: 800/327-9633; 020/8759-6200 in the United Kingdom).

Avis (PHONE: 800/331-1212; 800/879-2847 in Canada; 02/9353-9000 in Australia; 09/525-1982 in New Zealand).

Budget (PHONE: 800/527-0700; 0144/227-6266 in the United Kingdom).

Dollar (PHONE: 800/800-4000; 020/8897-0811 in the United Kingdom; 02/9223-1444 in Australia).

Enterprise (PHONE: 800/325-8007).

Hertz (PHONE: 800/654-3131; 800/263-0600 in Canada; 020/8897-2072 in the United Kingdom; 02/9669-2444 in Australia).

National (PHONE: 800/227-7368; 0345/222525 in the United Kingdom).

Requirements

In Florida you must be 21 to rent a car, and rates may be higher if you're under 25.

Road Conditions

Florida has its share of traffic problems. When you drive the interstate system in Florida, try to plan your trip so you are not entering, leaving, or passing through a large city during rush hour, when traffic can slow to 10 mph for 10 miles or more. In addition, snowbirds usually rent in Florida for a month at a time, which means they all arrive on the first of the month and leave on the 31st. Believe it or not, from November through March, when the end and beginning of a month occur on a weekend, north-south routes like Interstate 75 and Interstate 95 almost come to a standstill during daylight hours. It's best to avoid traveling on these days if possible.

Rules of the Road

Speed limits are 55 mph on state highways, 30 mph within city limits and residential areas, and 55-70 mph on interstates and Florida's Turnpike. Be alert for signs announcing exceptions.

All passengers are required to wear seat belts; and children under 16 are required to ride in the rear seat. Florida's Alcohol/Controlled Substance (Driving Under the Influence) Law is one of the toughest in the United States. A blood alcohol level of.08 or higher can have serious repercussions even for the first-time offender.

Always secure children under five in an approved child-restraint device.