This year marks the bicentennial of the official transfer of Florida, once a Spanish territory, to the United States in 1821. The Spanish ruled these shores off and on since Juan Ponce de Leónâs 1513 landing, but there are few signs of this legacy, save for the occasional historic site and place names like Boca Raton and Islamorada. This three-day Northern Florida road trip strings together landmarks with natural areas, all with unexpected connections to the stateâs Spanish heritage.
What to drive
To truly get in the spirit as you drive along the Gulf of Mexico or under Spanish mossâdraped canopy roads, youâll need a convertible.