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Florida Holidays 2018/2019
Florida is a superb destination for fun holidays with plenty of choices for exciting things to see and do. You can take the kids to amazing theme parks like Walt Disney World Resort, enjoy lively nightlife, relax on the beaches or take in a game of golf.
Regions
Enjoy the fun and natural beauty of the Sunshine State
Florida is the Spanish word for 'land of flowers' and it's also known locally as the Sunshine State. This gives you some idea why the region is such a hugely popular holiday destination.
You get an exciting mix of contrasts when you visit Florida. It has miles of sandy beaches, including Clearwater's gulf coast, world-class theme parks in Orlando and the wildlife wilderness of the Florida Everglades, less than an hour's drive from vibrant Miami.
All this makes family holidays to Florida ideal, as well as quieter getaways spent sunbathing, golfing or simply sitting back and relaxing. As the temperature rarely drops below 21°C between March and November it's also a fantastic choice for soaking up some shoulder season warmth for cheap Florida holidays.
Where to stay in Florida
Florida's golf scene makes its home here, but so should you, not least since this resort town boasts a fantastic selection of restaurants and shops, as well as villas and hotels for every budget. With destinations like Disney World a stone's throw away, you'll be in the centre of the action.
Clearwater is a beach town to a T, so it's no wonder it was voted the best in Florida. It's topped a lot of 'best' lists, most notably for its gorgeous white sand beach, which ranks highest in the country. And the worldly fare and beachside activities aren't bad either.
Connecting Orlando with the greatest theme parks, attractions, restaurants and bars in Florida, International Drive is an avenue that's dedicated to your entertainment. From hi-tech distractions to classic museums of curios, expect nightly performances, unforgettable dining and shopping to suit all seasons, all while being bathed in hot Florida sunshine.
This lakeside city in the sunshine state offers a bit of everything. It boasts a historic and lively downtown area, a retro theme park to keep everyone smiling, as well as wonderful nature trials at the Shingle Creek Regional Park. It's also just a stone's throw away from the world famous Walt Disney World.
With hotels just under a 20-minute drive away, Lake Buena Vista rests in the shadow of Florida's mega popular theme parks. It's technically the address of the Walt Disney World Resort, though escapes to these lush surroundings can feel like they're a world away.
As far as beachy destinations go, St Petersburg is a whopper. It's home to one of the best beaches in the country, the largest collection of works by Salvador Dali outside Europe and an ample nightlife scene. And if you want sun, St Petersburg only has an average of four days per year without it.
The Walt Disney World Resort is where childhood dreams come true. Four theme parks and two waterparks make way for Disney princesses and iconic characters, thrilling rides and worldly cuisine, boutique shopping and a heavy dose of magic. All under one firework-laden, mouse-eared roof.
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Join in the adventures at the spectacular theme parks
For families, holidays to Florida provide the ultimate playground where both adults and kids can have lots of fun and create some amazing memories. This is the home of the original fantasy kingdom of Walt Disney, where the magic of well-loved characters such as Mickey Mouse and Goofy really comes alive.
At the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando you can leave the regular world behind. Lose yourself in the spectacular realm of fairytale castles, stunning fireworks displays and thrilling rides. The exciting realms focus on themes from films such as the Pirates of the Caribbean and Indiana Jones. From the moment you enter the fun begins, with princesses meeting you at the gates and larger than life characters from films such as The Lion King and Pocahontas showing you around.
There's also the fascinating Universal Studios to explore where you can get a closer look at what goes on behind the scenes in film making. You can discover more about the sets and special effects and there's also the fantastic The Wizarding World of Harry Potter experience to enjoy.
Try out the excellent restaurants, shopping and nightlife
There are plenty of choices for excellent restaurants, cinemas and some great shopping to be found in Florida, especially in the main resort areas.
In Downtown Disney in the Walt Disney World Resort you'll find fun themed restaurants, such as Chef Mickey's, where the kids can have breakfast with Mickey or Minnie Mouse. There are also fine dining options for special family occasions such as the opulent Victoria and Albert's. If you're looking for some lively nightlife impressive live music venues, such as House of Blues and late opening bars, allow you to sit back with a few drinks and relax.
International Drive is another bustling resort destination, which is a hub of shopping, restaurants and bars. Located close to both Universal Studios and SeaWorld you can combine family activities to make your holiday really fun for everyone. Florida package holidays to the resorts include many of the great drinking and dining options, so be sure to make the most of your trip by visiting the host of choices available.
Relax in the countryside with some old style American charm
If you're looking for a quieter pace you can stay in the pretty town of Kissimmee, where the Old Town area retains an atmosphere of 1950's Americana. You can browse for antiques and old-style American memorabilia in the little boutiques, enjoy a relaxed lunch and soak up the delightfully quaint charm.
At Lake Buena Vista you'll find peace and tranquillity where you can spend time lingering on the shores or explore the open wilderness areas and wildlife. This is a great place to stay to get away from the crowds of the theme park areas and completely unwind. The Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Studios are a 20-minute drive away and it's just an hour's drive from the spectacular Kennedy Space Centre.
Enjoy golfing surrounded by natural beauty
ChampionsGate is a purpose-built golfing resort where you can indulge your love of the game and get in some practice on the superb golf courses. Plus it's located just 25 minutes' drive away from the excitement of Walt Disney World Resort and Universal, so is ideal for fun golfing holidays with the kids.
Surrounded by a natural landscape of open heathlands, ChampionsGate offers a peaceful retreat where you and the family can relax together. The International Course provides long game challenges, including tricky wetland areas. Whereas, the National Course takes you through a forested area with playing surfaces in between to really test your skills.