Talk On Travel

Florida – A US State like no other…

by luke on 17/07/09 at 9:17 am

If you’re planning a trip to Florida soon, here are a few ideas of what you could see and do in this unique part of the United States.

Flying into Miami is the easiest option as you could spend a few nights relaxing and shaking off any jet-lag. A great place to stay would be around the “Art Deco / South Beach” area which as it has a really relaxed Latino feel. Hiring a car is the best thing to do when on holiday in Florida as it’s really cheap, and means that you can explore the Miami area, nothing to strenuous at first while you’re shaking off the final effects of the flight over; popping to the beach, visiting the everglades national park, maybe going swimming with dolphins.

After you’ve properly acclimatised, a drive down to Key West (or one of the smaller islands depending on how much commercialism you may or may not want) for a few nights is a lovely trip. Which ever island you stay on there will inevitably be some travelling to and from other islands, all with their own unique charms. There is a different vibe on the island not found anywhere else in the States. The artisan lifestyle, the mix of cultures, people and food provides the perfect accompaniment to days spent at the beach or out sea-fishing for big game. Another interesting place to visit is Hemingway House, where Ernest Hemingway spent his days relaxing in the Florida Keys.

If you’ve satisfied your thirst for sun-drenched beaches and Caribbean-style relaxation (hard to imagine I know!), then try heading North to Orlando to see another part of this magical State. In Orlando you can spend three or four days soaking up the atmosphere and excitement. Disney World really has to be seen to be believed. Even if you or your children are bit old for Mickey Mouse, the theme parks and animal safaris that are on offer here are quite breathtaking. Staying on International Drive or even at Disney is the best place for seeing all the action. Again, having a car here is great as you can take in a few more things like Epcot and Busch Gardens theme parks or even a basketball match to watch Orlando Magic in action.

After such a busy start to the holiday you’ll probably want to have some time relaxing. Taking four or five nights out is a great idea and there are three definite locations to recommend. If you travel west from Orlando to the Gulf Coast you have a choice of mainland resorts like Clearwater or St Petersburg, or you could go to smaller island resorts like Sanibel or Captiva. The choice is yours, the islands are a lot quieter than the mainland resorts but it’s all pretty relaxing where ever you are.

On the other hand if you were to drive east form Orlando to the Atlantic coast you could visit some better known places like Fort Lauderdale or Daytona Beach. These well known destinations have their own charms, but are both quite similar to Miami Beach.

If you are looking for something really different I would recommend that you drive North West from Orlando to the less explored North West coast. Towns like Penascola and Panama City are well off the usual tourist trail so make for some interesting experiences.

Florida is a great family holiday destination with plenty to keep everyone occupied. From beautiful scenery to exciting theme parks, Florida is easily accessible, relatively affordable and has a really high standard of quality and service to ensure you are comfortable throughout your stay.

Tags: florida, Key West, Miami Beach, Orlando