Backroads of Florida - Second Edition: Along the Byways to Breathtaking Landscapes and Quirky Small Towns

Forget what you think you know about visiting Florida--Backroads of Florida will lead you to explore lush forests, pristine lakes, and otherworldly swamps!

Can you still find untouched stretches of velvety sand and warm waves in the Sunshine State? Yes! More than ever! From the funky, timeless charm of Key West to the haunted history of Amelia Island, veteran travel writers Paul M. Franklin and Nancy Mikula will introduce you to another side of Florida, where quiet rural byways and quirky roadside charm lie just beyond the glittering coastal cities and trendy beach resorts. This is the second edition of Backroads of Florida, and it contains all-new routes along timeless roads with new, vibrant photography and pithy stories of what can be found on your drive through bucolic backroads.

As you explore the roads less traveled, you'll follow in the footsteps of the Spanish explorers, pirates, and cowboys who shaped Florida's early history. Whether it's skimming across the Everglades in an airboat, snorkeling with manatees in a crystalline river, or paddling your kayak through a cypress swamp teeming with alligators, orchids, and tropical birds, there's a world of excitement and beauty waiting for you. Leave Disney World and the hectic bustle of Miami Beach to the tourists. With this book, you've got a one-of-a-kind trip in store.

Paul Franklin is a travel photographer and writer whose work has appeared in numerous national publications, including Yankee, Wooden Boat, Travel America, Coast to Coast, Harrowsmith, and others. He has authored several books, including the Eyewitness Travel Guides Canada and Southwest USA & Las Vegas, and the AAA Spiral Guide to Washington, D.C. Franklin collaborated with Nancy Mikula on South Carolina's Plantations and Historic Homes for Voyageur Press. He is a member of the American Society of Media Photographers and the American Society of Travel Writers.

Author and researcher Nancy Mikula has a passion for exploring backroads and discovering little-known historic sites. Her articles on travel, historic, and human-interest subjects have appeared in numerous magazines in the United States and Canada, including Maturity, Leisureways, and Writer's Digest. In addition to collaborating on South Carolina's Plantations and Historic Homes, she recently authored the DK Top Ten Guide to Santa Fe, the DK Top Ten Guide to San Antonio. She is co-author of several books, including the Eyewitness Travel Guide Arizona & the Grand Canyon. She spends her winters enjoying the warmth of coastal South Carolina.