Sailing, swimming, kite surfing, windsurfing, water skiing, deep-sea fishing, parasailing paddleboarding, kayaking… Nope, we’re not just reeling off all the sports we’re rubbish at, we’re telling you about all the activities you can try out on the jade blue shores of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Located just 30 minutes’ drive from Miami, the so-called ‘Venice of the USA’ (thanks to the number of waterways) is the perfect place to kick back on Florida’s beaches, without the showy bikini bods further down the coast.

Our pick is the neighbourhood of Hallandale Beach, where you’ll find a beautiful swimming beach and the Hyde Beach Kitchen – a cool oceanside restaurant. If the lure of Miami is too much to handle, head along the coast instead and check out the arty scene of Wynwood, or the slightly gritty scene – and great gay clubs – of Washington Avenue. Finish your night on a stool at Cheeseburger Baby, then hop in a cab (everyone uses Liber) back home. HOW: Try an Airbnb for a home-away-from-home vibe. This neighbourhood is located north of downtown Miami and – thanks to a recent influx of new restaurants and cafes and thriving a arts scene – is seen as a hipster area.