Living in Florida looks like one big holiday: here’s a summary of what to do around Tampa and Orlando, including the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios.
If you’re around the Tampa area, stop at the beautiful Clearwater Beach. Miles of sandy beaches and huge buildings accompanied by a chilled, fun attitude. Have lunch and a cocktail on the beach at Frenchy’s – the Coconut salad with chicken, toasted coconut and fresh fruit inside a giant tortilla chip is simply amazing. 
The real must here though, however touristy, is Orlando’s Universal Studios, which hosts the just-opened Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The ticket is not cheap – over $100 for both parks – but it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Harry Potter geeks like me will be able to ride a cart to escape from a Gringott’s bank held hostage by death eaters.
You can eat Butterbeer ice cream and drink pumpkin juice in Diagon Alley’s shops and purchase real wands that activate magical props inside shops.
Ride a Hogwarts Express haunted by dementors and get to Hogsmeade, where you can eat at Honeydukes, drink butterbeer and access the Hogwarts castle, the Forbidden Forest and the Chamber of Secrets, as well as Dumbledore’s office and the common rooms.
Other attractions at Universal include Despicable Me, the Simpson, Marvel and Jurassic Park.
If you want to experience the Tampa nightlife, go down 7th Avenue to Ybor City’s colonial-looking main strip of bars. At the Coyote Ugly, dancing girls like in the film will show off their moves. And if you’re feeling lucky, there’s always the Seminole Hard Rock Casino!
Pictures: Carolina Are
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Vivere in Florida è una vacanza: ecco che fare vicino Tampa e Orlando.
Se siete vicino Tampa, andate alla bellissima Clearwater Beach e mangiate da Frenchy’s. Chilometri di sabbia bianca e palazzi altissimi da vivere con calma e naturalezza. L’insalata di cocco con pollo e frutta fresca é buonissima!
La vera attrazione della zona é peró a Orlando, agli Universal Studios, dove ha appena aperto il Magico Mondo di Harry Potter. Il biglietto costa oltre cento dollari, ma vi fará vivere un’esperienza indimenticabile. Potrete entrare in una Gringott presa in ostaggio dai Mangiamorte e mangiare gelato alla burrobirra bevendo succo di zucca a Diagon Alley.
Salite sull’Hogwarts Express occupato dai dissennatori ed arrivate a Hogsmeade, dove potrete entrare da Mielandia e bere burrobirra. Al castello di Hogwarts potrete vedere i ragni della Foresta Proibita e la Camera dei Segreti e assistere ad una partita di Quidditch.
Tra le Altre attrazioni agli Universal Studios ci sono i Simpson, la Marvel e Jurassic Park.
Se volete provare la vita notturna di Tampa, andate a Ybor City su 7th Avenue, la strada principale di Tampa piena di bar in stile coloniale. Da Coyote Ugly, ballerine seminude si agitano come nel film. E se vi sentite fortunati c’é sempre il Casinó dell’Hard Rock Hotel di Seminole!
Foto: Carolina Are
[…] Sometimes, on a guilt trip, I would resort to order two starters or two sides to make a normal European portion. Other times, I tried to order a salad. This monster fruit, chicken, cheese and leaves salad inside a tortilla bigger than a cardboard box is what happened instead on a beach in Florida. […]