Most people think Florida is all sand, shoreline, and high-rise condos. But there’s more to Florida than swaying palm trees and beach umbrellas.

As a Floridian, I continue to be surprised by the strange, beautiful , and unexpected places that defy my own expectations. Hidden within the Sunshine State are places that may surprise you too—or at least make you wonder if you’re actually in Florida, if just for a moment. Not dupes, these spots are unique and original in their own right, though they may bring to mind the spirit of another while feeling delightfully surprising.

From architecture shipped straight from Spain, to caves and cliffsides reminiscent of another continent, these 11 destinations showcase the diverse, enchanting side of Florida you never knew existed.

Ca' d'Zan

The opulent former home of circus magnate John Ringling, Ca’ d’Zan, transports you to the watery streets of Venice, even though you’re still in Sarasota Bay. With its Venetian arched windows, intricate marble tile work, expansive gardens, and steps that lead directly into the sea, the mansion feels like it belongs on the Grand Canal.

Combine your trip with a long walk through the Ringling Museum, another Italian-influenced architectural wonder in Florida, known for its bronze, full-size replica of the Statue of David and five floor-to-ceiling Peter Paul Ruben paintings (the only other two like them are at The Louvre).

Morkami Japanese Garden & Museum

Florida and Japan are well over 7,000 miles apart and a long 13-hour flight. But in South Florida, near Boca Raton, you can experience a small, peaceful slice of Japan and learn the story of the first Japanese farmers who once established a community here.

The grounds, architecture, and gardens are all rooted in Japanese tradition. Stroll through its six gardens, which embody practices of Japan’s master gardeners. The property also hosts classes, workshops, cultural lectures, Japanese tea ceremonies, and a Pan-Asian cafe.

Ancient Spanish Monastery

If this church makes you feel like you’ve been transported to Spain, it’s because every stone and block of the church came directly from Segovia, Spain. Constructed initially just outside of Madrid in 1141, this monastery was occupied by Cistercian monks for almost 700 years before becoming storage and stables during the social revolution of the 1800s.

In the 1920s, the monastery was bought by William Randolph Hearst (of the famed publishing family) and dismantled and shipped piece by piece to America. The story of how the church was forgotten in a Brooklyn warehouse for over 20 years and then rebuilt (without instructions) is astonishing.

Today, the Gothic architecture is not something you’d expect to see in Florida. The serene courtyards and ancient stones create an atmosphere of Old World spirituality. You’ll quickly forget you’re in Miami.

Devil's Den

Descending into Devil’s Den brings to mind visions of caves in Belize or cenotes in Mexico. The privately owned springhead and campground are popular among scuba divers and snorkelers. The prehistoric cave dates back to the Pleistocene Age. Inside, you’ll find Florida’s consistently 72-degree clear spring waters and the natural karst skylight, which illuminates the cave with an emerald glow. In the winter, the opening acts like a chimney for the warmer water below, giving the spring a steaming underworld look and its ominous name.

Devil’s Den isn’t the only springhead in Florida. Explore Florida's many clear-watered spring heads and swimming holes , including Madison Blue Spring State Park, voted the top swimming hole in the country.

Vizcaya Museum & Gardens

A lavish home on the shores of Miami built in the early 20th century, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens' sprawling estate is a scene from the Italian Renaissance. On the grounds you’ll find Italianate architecture, formal gardens, and statues at every turn. Stroll through the European interiors room by room, then get lost in the dappled shade of the manicured gardens.

If you’re in the mood for even more Italian environs, head to the Venetian Pool , not far away in Coral Gables. The freshwater pool is replenished and recycled with fresh water from the aquifer daily, and the grounds of the large limestone quarry-turned-pool are Italian-inspired.

Via Parigi

Strolling down Via Parigi, a tucked-away pedestrian walkway off Palm Beach’s tony Worth Avenue, feels like you’ve been whisked away to a Mediterranean seaside town. Framed by blooming bougainvillea and composed of charming courtyards, gurgling fountains, and boutiques, this alcove transports you to the kind of fairytale alleys you wander down in Europe.

The passage is so picturesque that famous photographers like Slim Aarons and Gray Malin have photographed it. Take a coffee break at Via Roma Cafe, an Italian espresso bar and cafe serving Lavazza coffee in a chic, walk-up counter.

Blowing Rocks Preserve

Most of Florida’s coastline is sandy and soft. But this unique stretch of beach surprises visitors with dramatic limestone outcroppings and crashing waves—more reminiscent of a rocky scene you’d see in Australia. During high tide, waves spray skyward through limestone rock crevices, creating natural water spouts and giving the preserve its name.

This type of rock (composed of shell and coral pieces, fossils, and sand) is called Anastasia limestone or Coquina (the Spanish word for cockleshell), and Blowing Rocks Preserve is the largest visible rock formation of its kind on the Atlantic coast.

Another location to experience a limestone coast in Florida is Washington Oaks Gardens State Park , further north on Florida’s Atlantic side. If you’re looking for a different Florida beach view, these two shores are a must-visit.

Big Shoals State Park

Florida isn’t known for its white-water rafting culture — its rivers are primarily slow-moving and flat. But it’s in North Florida you’ll find this state park home to the largest rapids in Florida (rated up to Class III) as a result of tall limestone bluffs and high waters in the Suwannee River. Getting to the rapids requires a one-mile hike. Check water levels and trail openings before visiting if you’re set on seeing roaring water.

Anna Maria Island

Due to a moratorium banning buildings over three stories, Anna Maria Island remains a vintage-y beach-town haven among Florida’s more developed coastlines. Here, locals still grab burgers from Skinny’s Place, a burger bar walls filled with many years of hometown memories. Midcentury motels pay homage to their retro roots and recall hey-days of simple but sweet beach vacations.

Just across the bridge connecting Anna Maria to the mainland, the historic fishing village of Cortez is where you’ll still find seafarers hauling in their daily catch on sea-weathered boats to Star Fish Co. Here, you can get fresh fish cooked your way (with a side of piping hot sweet potato fries) while overlooking the quiet, sleepy harbor.

This Florida west coast island is a charming contrast to it’s neighboring islands, the tony Lido Key or hotel-lined Longboat Key. But Anna Maria Island remains a scene seemingly pulled from the set of a coastal small-town Hallmark movie.

Winter Park

This Central Florida town has a chain of lakes connected by narrow, winding, tree-shaded canals lined with mansions, estates, and historic architecture (like that of James Gamble Rogers). You can learn all about the properties and history of the stunning lakefront homes on a Scenic Winter Park Boat Tour . The slow float throught these narrow waterways brings to mind other places connected by watery streets like Amsterdam, Bruges, or Venice.

Afterward, take a slow stroll down Park Avenue, a brick street lined promenade with boutiques, Italian eateries, French cafes, jewelers, and hidden flowering courtyards. Winter Park isn’t the only canal-centric Florida city. Cape Coral and Fort Lauderdale are both centered around waterway transportation too. And yes, you can even take a gondola ride.

Bok Tower Gardens

The same landscape architect behind New York City’s Central Park, Frederick Law Olmsted, also crafted this blooming oasis in the middle of Central Florida. The excursion to Lake Wales, Florida is well worth the drive to see this pocket of blooming beauty. The sprawling gardens and singing Carillon bell tower (a Dutch and Belgian instrument of origin) are beautiful at any time of year, but in spring is when you’ll see azaleas, camelias, and many native plants in bloom.