This article reflects on the idea of travel boundaries through a small declaration titled Never Going to Visit Florida. It’s an admission that some destinations, however sunny or enthusiastically promoted, simply aren’t the right fit. Rather than a critique of Florida itself, it’s a quiet acceptance that theme parks, heavy humidity and relentless cheerfulness are best appreciated from a comfortable distance.
Never Going to visit Florida
© The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
This article reflects on why Florida, despite being a major destination for British travellers with many visual attractions, holds little personal appeal for the author. It explains the state’s popularity, holiday villas, theme parks, beaches and reliable sunshine, while outlining the reasons these attractions don’t resonate. The piece explores the contrast between Florida’s mass‑market tourism culture and the author’s own travel preferences.
The whole place feels a bit too manufactured for my taste, a glossy, plastic version of a holiday where everything is curated, commercial and slightly overwhelming and the insatiable demand for tips from waiting staff appears crazy. I’m drawn to quieter places with history, texture and atmosphere, and Florida’s big-ticket attractions are sprawling entertainment complexes aimed at a global tourist rather than somewhere I’d actually want to explore as an individual.
Then there’s the practical side. The heat and humidity sound relentless, and the wildlife stories alone are enough to make me hesitate. Hurricanes, alligators, sinkholes, it’s a lot. Many British travellers take it all in their stride, but I know myself well enough to admit it wouldn’t be my idea of a relaxing break. I’d want a cool drink in the shade somewhere quiet.
I’m also not especially comfortable with the way some public conversations in the United States have been talking about British people recently. It’s not everyone, and it’s certainly not the whole country, but parts of the media and online commentary have felt a bit dismissive and I increasingly wonder if Brits are safe over there.
When you’re choosing where to spend your time and money, that sort of atmosphere matters. Travel destinations should feel safe and welcoming, not like you’re walking into a place where you’re already the punchline of some recent gag. I also like the idea of being able to go home easily and quickly if it all goes wrong.
So, Florida clearly works for a lot of people and good luck to them, it’s simply not for me. There are places I do love spending my money. The Promenade des Anglais in Nice in the South of France, for one, and especially Larvotto in Monaco, which I’ve visited several times and genuinely enjoy. I love being there, but Florida? Nah.
Further Reading
- The Shape of Now: Meta Hub – This article is part of the Shape of Now Meta Hub, a curated collection exploring culture, politics, identity, and the present moment.
- The Shape of Now – The Pillar page of the Project
- A Tent, A Cough, and Questionable Life Choices – Poor choices in travel with consequences for a British camper.
- Holidays and Why I love going home – Why going home from a holidays often better than the holiday