Neighborhood homes luxuriate in the cleansing sun. Many have canals bordering the back yard, where sleek yachts await at home docks.

Restaurants, hotels, and department stores rise from varied shorelines with mooring beckoning from their very entrances. Yacht brokerages ... boatyards ... nautical suppliers ... second-hand sail providers ... at-sea sailing courses ... yacht charters -- if it's for boating, Fort Lauderdale probably has it.

This "Venice of America" hosts 300 miles of navigable canals. Also called "boating capital of the world," its annual boat show is the world's largest. Its 148 marinas and 35 boat repair yards (which also provide fuel) extend convenience and peace of mind.

Local and near regattas, fishing tournaments, and other nautical events create an atmosphere of excitement. Yet through it all, Fort Lauderdale remains a picture of serenity, nautical beauty, and uncluttered spaciousness.