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Holiday Guide: Florida

Sun-drenched Florida is the holiday capital of the world, attracting an annual 1.5 million visitors from the UK alone.  Tourists flock to the “Sunshine State” in search of year-round sun, sea and sensational attractions.  Home to the magical World Disney World among dozens of similarly legendary resorts, Florida is a dream destination for wide-eyed youngsters and their fun-loving parents.  The state’s golden beaches are not the sole preserve of families, however, with Miami’s sizzling nightlife a magnet for the young, beautiful and cash-happy. Come winter time, the resorts fill up with retired sun-seekers in need of some respite from the gloomy weather back home. 

Getting There

Flights are available to Miami and Orlando from most of the UK’s international airports, with direct services to Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach also on offer.  Airlines flying to destinations in Florida include British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Air France, KLM, United, Continental and Delta alongside budget carriers such as Monarch and Air 2000. Look out for off-season bargains.  Journey time from the UK is approximately 9 hours on a non-stop flight.  The big Florida airports all provide on-site access to public transport serving the main tourist areas. Many flight deals include car hire, although drivers must be over 21 and there is usually a supplement for under-24s.  Independent car rental is available from a range of competitive sources including easyCar, Avis and Holiday Autos.

When to Go

The “Sunshine State” can boast a sub-tropical climate that brings year-round good weather, with the average annual temperature a comfortable 23 degrees.  Winters throughout the state are mild, while summers tend to be long, hot, sticky and wet, particularly in the south, although rain is almost always short-lived, lasting just long enough to keep the landscape lush and green!  The summer hurricane season can sometimes prove disruptive; expect a “monster” to hit the state once every two years.

High-season in South Florida lasts from December to May when the weather is at its most comfortable.  Flights from the UK are actually cheaper during this period, making the winter months a great time to head for Miami, The Everglades and the Florida Keys, although you should expect to pay more for accommodation.  March is carnival time in Miami, as the world-famous Calle Ocho Festival brings an explosion of Latin colour and flavour to the streets of the city’s Little Havana district.

Orlando is best avoided during the traditional holiday periods when its theme parks heave with families and tour groups.  The area is busy all year round, however, including during the wet and humid summer season. October and early May are widely considered to be good times to visit, as queues tend to be shorter and the weather is friendly.  Throughout the month of October, Epcot’s International Food and Wine Festival serves up the finest in world cuisine alongside live entertainment, demonstrations and a range of children’s activities.

What to See and Do

Attractions: Adrenaline junkies and Mickey fans will inevitably make a beeline for the Orlando area, which boasts the highest concentration of theme parks in the world.  For many British tourists – particularly younger holiday-makers – Florida is synonymous with Walt Disney World.  It is indeed possible to spend an entire two-week holiday within the confines of this sprawling mega-resort that comprises four parks (Magic Kingdom, Disney Studios, Epcot and Animal Kingdom), three water parks and a “Downtown Disney” shopping district.  Those who make it past the walls of the Magic Kingdom can then choose from movie-themed entertainment at Universal Studios and spectacular wildlife-based fun at SeaWorld,

Gatorland and Busch Gardens. Hardcore thrill-seekers should make a point of checking out Islands of Adventure, reputed to have the best rides on the planet, while bible-themed fun is on offer at the somewhat alternative Holy Land Experience, set in Resurrection-era Jerusalem.  If time and transport allow, be sure to head over to Florida’s Space Coast and check out the most popular of all the state’s attractions – the world-renowned Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral. For an extra-special Orlando area treat, book early to swim with the dolphins at Discovery Cove.

Beachlife: Beach bums and bikini babes tend to congregate in the Miami area which is home to the world-famous South Beach – perhaps the best beach to see and be seen – where serious sunbathers lounge around in spectacular surroundings overlooked by Ocean Drive. Celebrity-spotters should hire a sports car and cruise up the east coast to Palm Beach, a 14-mile stretch of shoreline that enjoys a well-deserved reputation as a playground of the rich and famous. Other top Florida sun spots include Daytona Beach (north-east coast) and Venice Beach (gulf coast), although visitors are well advised to check out lesser-known gems including Naples Beach for spectacular sunsets,  Siesta Public Beach for kids and New Smyrna Beach for laidback loafing.  With thousands of miles of shimmering shoreline, Florida promises a seaside paradise to suit every taste.  No matter where you are in the state, you’ll never be far from a stretch of glorious golden sand.

Sports:  Florida’s friendly climate and varied terrain make it a great place to enjoy an active break.  Water sports come top of the list of things to do – from world-class surfing at Cocoa Beach and Sebastian Inlet to diving and snorkeling among the extraordinary sealife of the Florida Keys.  For the very best under-water action, take the ferry or seaplane to Dry Tortugas National Park, located 70 miles west of Key West, where colourful fish and living coral reefs guarantee an unforgettable deep-sea experience. Sailing schools and boat charter companies can be found at popular tourist locations throughout the state, while outstanding backwater and offshore fishing is available in areas such as Tampa Bay, Boca Grande Pass, The Ten Thousand Islands and the Indian River Lagoon. Outdoor enthusiasts should head to the Everglades for canoeing, hiking and biking amid the island’s wildlife-rich swamps and valleys; Shark Valley’s spectacular scenery lends itself to a particularly attractive bike trail. Bill Baggs State Park in Key Biscane is another favourite with windsurfers and bikers, boasting superb beaches and forest-based biking terrain. If urban adventure is more your style, be sure to hire blades and boards to cruise Miami’s Ocean Drive.

Where to Eat

Floridian cuisine is deliciously eclectic, owing its richness to the ethnic diversity of a region where Hispanic, African, Jewish, Asian and Caribbean cultures have interacted for centuries.  Essentially Southern and Spanish in flavour, the local cuisine is best sampled at nationally-renowned eateries such as Mark’s Las Olas in Fort Lauderdale, Norman’s in Miami and Lunch on Limoges in Dade City.  Seafood is another Floridian specialty, with the top tables to be found at 15th Street Fisheries and Bluepoint Grill in Ft Lauderdale along with Miami’s Langosta Beach and Sunfish Grill in Pompano Beach. 

For a more casual all-American dining experience, check out the world’s largest McDonalds in Orlando and choose from an extended menu that includes a special McGourmet section.  Kids will love the enormous games area contained within restaurant. Equally entertaining mealtimes are promised by the area’s many theme restaurants; Capone’s Dinner and Show, Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede and The Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament treat diners to copious feasts alongside spectacular stage shows, while the Sharks Underwater Grill at SeaWorld serves up sensational seafood with panoramic views of the shark enclosure.  The greedy and cash-strapped should head straight to Sizzler for a great-value all-you-can-eat buffet featuring steaks, salads and seafood.

No Florida vacation would be complete without a traditional seaside treat, and the best ice cream in the state can be found at Jaxson’s Ice Cream Parlour and County Store in Dania Beach.

Where to Party

Described by Lonely Planet as “so ahead of the trend you can’t even call it trendy”, Miami’s South Beach area is home to the hottest, glitziest, most outrageous nightclubs in the world.  A huge favourite with the uber-rich and famous, the city draws 24-hour-party-people from all across the globe.  Top of the Miami superclubs are Crobar and Opium Garden, a magnificent indoor/outdoor venue constructed around a far-eastern theme.  Party under the stars at Nikki’s Beach Club, or with stars at Bash and Grove Jet, but be sure to arrive early and act cool in order to make it past the notoriously selective doormen.  For a less posey and pricey night out, head to the endlessly fascinating Mac’s Club Deuce Bar on Collins Avenue – a legendary nightspot, famed for its eclectic clientele.

Where to Shop

Florida is a great place to bag a transatlantic bargain, with huge savings to be made on designer clothes and electrical goods.  Premium and outlet malls abound in Orlando.  Check out the centrally located Florida Mall, Belz Factory Outlets or the Premium Outlet Mall in Lake Buena Vista, or head the more exclusive Mall at Millenia for up-scale, designer boutiques. Miami’s best shopping can be enjoyed in the sunshine at the outdoor, pedestrian-only Lincoln Road Mall or in the range of sophisticated and quirky boutiques that line the streets of trendy Coconut Grove.