Florida
Florida, known as America's 'Sunshine State' is a vast playground for all age’s its climate perfect the hotels luxurious and the dinning superb! No matter what your interests, Florida has something for you, from incomparable theme parks, to natural wonders such as the Everglades National Park, to spectacular resorts towns and the Art Deco glory of Miami, all fringed with breath-taking white sand beaches, discover the myriad pleasures of this beautiful peninsular.
Spectacular resorts walk able towns, wonderful beaches and gardens, National parks and a warm year round climate is the appeal of Florida. Laze on Miami’s seductive beaches and take a surfing lesson with bronzed experts, or enjoy an Eco –tour through the Everglades to spot manatees and if the time allows explore the string of tropical islands known as The Florida Keys to watch the sunset from Mallory Square, surrounded by street performers and food carts or scuba dive among the turtles in Key Largo and work up an appetite for a slice of the famous Key lime Pie!
Orlando is recognised worldwide as Florida’s centre for family fun and is the perfect base to take in some of Florida’s most popular theme parks. Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Sea World, Islands of Adventure, Wet ‘n’ Wild , Typhoon Lagoon, Discovery Cove, Gatorland, the list is almost endless. International Drive in the hub of Orlando, a long freeway lined from top to bottom with hotels, condos and attractions linking the various theme parks – too large to walk from one to another these days but many of the hotel offer complimentary shuttle buses if you’d rather not hire a car and drive yourself. In the surrounding streets and suburbs of Orlando there are spacious villas complexes, furnished family apartments and luxury homes with pools to rent at surprisingly affordable rates.
Miami is a city with many influences. South Beach has to be the liveliest part of Miami, with Caribbean and South American influenced bars and restaurants making it an almost 24 hr location. Florida’s all year round warm and sunny weather mean Miami has something for everyone, with mile upon mile of pristine wide sandy beaches, delightful architecture, an endless choice of water sports, with in easy drive of the Florida Keys and the Everglades National Parks and swamped with beautiful hotels and a vast choice of restaurants.
The Florida Keys are a magical string of islands that stretch 140 miles out into the Gulf of Mexico to create a laid back, tropical retreat. You’ll find secluded beaches, beautiful resorts, fabulous deep sea fishing and amazing snorkelling and dive sites. Key Largo is the first island south of the Florida mainland and approximately an hour’s drive from Miami. Key West is approximately 100 miles further south at the tip of the Florida Keys and approximately a further 2 to 2 ½ drive from Key Largo although you could opt to catch a flight from Miami straight to Key West and cut out the driving. In between Key Largo and Key West are the lovely islands of Islamorada, Long Key, Marathon, Big Pine Key and many more. A beautiful destination that offers resort style accommodation to arrive, unpack and relax or a destination that offers sightseeing and water sports at every turn.
The Gulf Coast of Florida is home to the chic resorts of Naples, Longboat Key, Captiva Island and Sarasota. The resorts are home to some of Florida’s finest properties and beaches as well as a vast range of restaurants. Closer to Orlando are the resorts of St Petersburg and Clearwater, laid-back in atmosphere, the 2 resorts are renowned for their beautiful coastline and agreeable climate. In fact, St Pete is in the Guinness Book of Records for having the longest string of consecutive sunny days - 768 of them - so there's no need to worry about the weather! Both offer fantastic shopping and plenty of evening entertainment and an array of different accommodation to suit all requirements. Naples however is a little more upmarket attracting a selection of beautiful 5* hotels and resorts to choose from and a welcoming relaxed atmosphere.
Fort Lauderdale is known as the 'Venice of Florida', Fort Lauderdale has miles and miles of waterways to explore to taking a water taxi or a river cruise is a common occurrence. A principal city in Southern Florida, with 4,100 restaurants and 120 nightclubs and bars most of them occupying a waterfront location, holidays to Fort Lauderdale never have a dull moment and proof popular as a Florida holiday destination for couples and families alike. From Fort Lauderdale you can take a day trip to Miami South Beach or Hollywood beach.
Sanibel is a tropical island paradise, surrounded by beautiful beaches and easily accessible by a causeway to mainland Florida. Sanibel combines the convenience of accessibility with seclusion and tranquillity. Separate from the typical hustle and bustle of Orlando and the mainland resorts Sanibel is the perfect place for you and the family to just escape and unwind. Whether you want to unwind on the beach, practice your swing on the fairways, top up your tan or explore the best of Floridian scenery, you'll find it all and more on holidays to Sanibel!
For more information, and inspiration for Florida and America Holidays follow the links below:
Link to: Florida Holidays
Link to: America Holidays