Palm d'awe

SPORT, SNORKELLING AND STUPENDOUS FOOD... PETER RICKMAN FINDS OUT THERE'S FAR MORE THAN JUST A BEACH ON OFFER...

- By Jo Aspell

VARIETY, as they say, is the spice of life and that is certainly true of The Palm Beaches in Florida.

Glorious sunshine in winter, gourmet food, amazing hotels, a topflight tennis tournament, posh polo, history and snorkelling...

And I am lucky enough to experience them all in just a week.

Located along Florida's southeast coast, around 90 miles north of Miami and 200 miles south of Orlando, The Palm Beaches comprises 39 very different towns and cities.

The region's name was inspired by a shipwreck, of all things. In 1878 The Providencia, a cargo ship transporting 20,000 coconuts, ran aground off the coast near what would eventually become the town of Palm Beach.

Coconut palms grew from the cargo and Florida's famous palm tree-lined coast was born.

My trip to The Palm Beaches begins in the upmarket town of Delray Beach, seemingly populated exclusively by athletic-looking people dressed in fitness wear, with middle-aged ladies power walking up the street at 7am.

Delray Beach is one of The Palm Beaches' most popular resorts, famous for its restaurants, shopping, nightlife and art galleries.

I am staying in the Seagate Hotel, one of the best in town. Just a couple of blocks from the beach and recently renovated it has a relaxing spa, its own private beach club a short walk away and The Seagate Golf Club which also offers pickleball and tennis to hotel guests. I have a beginners' golf lesson, more miss than hit.

The surroundings are spectacular though, with the manicured course surrounded by what look like very expensive houses.

The Seagate offers a handy complimentary shuttle service that will drop and pick up guests within a three-mile radius of the hotel.

I use it to visit The Beach Club for dinner. There I have an excellent meal of salad, swordfish and a huge dessert (a bit of a recurring theme here).