Cocoa Beach – the local billboards say it all – this is Orlando’s Closest Beach. It is just 45 minutes drive away from Orlando International Airport.  Take the aptly named Beach line Expressway (528) straight east, keep driving and arrive.  Buy a souvenir at Ron Jon’s Surf Shop, and then head to the beach – fantastic and not crowded at all.

Kennedy Space Center - is just north of Cocoa Beach.  It has an amazing museum of space exploration (known as the KSC Visitors Complex) and is well worth a full day visit. If you plan to catch a shuttle launch, be prepared to sit in traffic for several hours driving back to Orlando, but the spectacle of an actual launch will be well worth it.  Our whole family loved the day.

Daytona Beach - if all you are looking for is sun, sand and surf, then a quick trip Cocoa Beach will get you there a bit quicker and give you all you want.  However, Daytona Beach is less than two hours away, and it has a special appeal to Spring Breakers, bikers, and NASCAR fans. If you stay until sunset, the brightly colored Ocean Walk Shoppes and Movies offers a fantastic ocean view.  The beach is really hard and many cars and pick ups drive along it (slowly of course)

Tampa area – is less than two hours drive away from Florida on the West coast.  Check out Florida’s Gulf Coast in the historically rich city of Tampa. Nearby at St. Petersburg there are upscale shopping areas and museums while Clearwater Beach offers warm waters and powdery white sand.

Silver Springs – is another “Old Florida” icon.  It is famous for its glass bottomed boat rides, animal exhibits, and jeep safaris through the Florida forest. Silver Springs was opened in 1878, and is Florida’s oldest commercial tourist attraction.  It is where Johnny Weismuller filmed some of the earliest Tarzan movies.  A little drive away from Orlando but well worth visiting for the crystal clear springs.

Ocala National Forest – is not far from Silver Springs. It is the world’s largest sand pine forest and covers around 366,000 acres. Hiking, fishing, and canoeing are popular activities in this natural attraction.

Mount Dora - with its Victorian architecture, boutique shopping, and lovely lakefront, Mount Dora is one of the most genuine small towns in Central Florida. You can even see some of the few remaining citrus groves on the outskirts of this well preserved village.  My wife just loved Mount Dora with its fantastic quaint shops.  You can also go on a boat ride on the lake.  Well worth a visit.

Sebring – is a sleepy town less than two hours due south of Orlando, Sebring has a charming downtown district, and is home to the Sebring International Raceway, which is the oldest permanent road racing track in North America. Nearby Highlands Hammock State Park offers campsites and hiking trails.

Blue Spring State Park - with the water temperature at a constant 68º F, Blue Spring State Park in nearby Volusia County (where Daytona Beach is located) is a winter refuge for manatees between November and March. In the warmer months, human visitors enjoy snorkeling and canoeing.

This is great because you can pitch your gazebo to protect you from the sun and you can also set up a bar-b-que for lunch.

There are numerous food and beverage outlets along the shore and restroom facilitys. Every 15 minutes or so an ice cream van goes up and down the shore stopping when you flag it down.

You don’t even have to take chairs and umbrellas’ because they can be hired when you’re there. Bikes can be hired to go along the beach and small quad bikes. The one thing i like to do is watch all the custom and classic cars go by, some are amazing but sometimes there music blasters are a bit too load but then again this creates a good friendly atmosphere. There is probably one big down side to some people and that is there’s no alcohol allowed on the beach and they do have patrols going up and down checking.

If you’re worried about safety don’t because when you enter the beach they give you a leaflet which explains about the different currents along the coast line and what you can do and what you’re not allowed to do. When you drive onto the beach they mark out lanes on the sand with cones which makes sure you don’t go too near the sea. There are life guards about every 200 yards so you can be sure your children are watched, the guards are trained to spot when the dangerous currents are approaching and they sound there whistles and shout for people to get out of the water until the danger as passed.

Overall Daytona Beach is a great day out for all the family, its clean, safe, the waters lovely and warm especially during the summer period and you will get a fantastic tan but be sure to put plenty of suntan lotion on.

Do not let your holiday go by without a visit to Fort De Soto Park just south of St Petersburg off the I275.

We were told about this gem of a place by some residents in Florida. It takes about 90 mins to get there from the Disney Area down the I4 and then onto the I275. There are a couple of tolls that you have to pay (50 cents and 35 cents).

When you arrive via Tierra Verde then is the opportunity to visit Fort De Soto itself. There is some history to be had here. Then onto the beach. We headed for North Beach where there is ample parking.

The advantage is that there is shade under the trees as well as the opportunity to top up that tan. When we visited in late July the sea was a mild 88 degrees. The beach is great for kids as the sea is shallow and depending on the breeze not very choppy. For those who want to watch the world go by you can sit in the shade and look out onto the Gulf of Mexico and if there long enough catch the sunset.

Don’t tell everyone and don’t forget to take a picnic. You will not be disappointed with your visit.

No matter what time of year it is, people who love Florida do not need an excuse to make their way to The Sunshine State for a little rest and relaxation.  Accommodation in Florida is remarkable with hundreds of Disney villas, Florida villas, Orlando villas, Florida vacation rentals and villas near Disney that are available to rent.

There are many reasons visit Florida for a vacation, but for those who do not know a lot about this lovely southern state here a few of the top reasons that make this Florida the US of A’s fourth most populous state.

Theme Parks – Many individuals would say this is their number one reason for taking a vacation Florida.  Theme park fanatics, most especially Disney fans, often head to The Sunshine State every year to get their dose of magic. Orlando, of course, is at the center of the theme park kingdom, with the four parks of the Walt Disney World complex, Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, and SeaWorld Orlando.  However do not forget about Tampa’s Busch Gardens Africa, which is also an excellent amusement park, almost always landing on annual top 10 lists for theme park enthusiasts.

Beaches, beaches and more beaches – according to many people, this is the number one reason for coming to Florida.  The ability to sit on The Sunshine State’s incredible beaches and enjoy the soft sand, warm water, and beautiful sunsets you will find there.  Florida has thousands of miles of coastline and the beaches are many and quite varied in their type.  Choose your favorite, from Tony South Beach in Miami, the place to see and be seen, to the white sanded family oriented beaches of Siesta Key, near Sarasota.  There are also the Panhandle beaches like popular Destin or the beaches of the northeast, including Fernandina and Ponte Vedra, as well as the beaches of the Keys and those in the southwest, like Sanibel and Marco Islands.  Wherever you go, you will find a Florida beach where you can sun, swim, and enjoy the view.

Sports – Major league sports are a very important part of life in Florida.  With teams like the American League champion Tampa Bay Rays calling Florida home, it is no wonder some visitors head to The Sunshine State annually just to enjoy the sports that take place there all year round.  From NFL football to NHL hockey to pre-season and regular season baseball.  Add to that all the wonderful college teams in the state and it’s easy to understand why Florida is a sportsman’s mecca.

Nightlife – Nightlife sizzles in many parts of the Sunshine State.  On the east coast, the most popular nightlife spots are Miami Beach, Ft. Lauderdale (especially during Spring Break), West Palm Beach, and the other towns in that area.  In central Florida, the Walt Disney World complex has its Pleasure Island area 9currently being refurbished), where adults can party as if it is New Year’s Eve each and every night.  Universal’s City Walk appeals to nighttime revelers as well, with its many restaurants and bars.  On the west coast, Tampa’s lively Ybor City area is a favorite with the under 30 crowd, but the remainder of Gulf Coast beach towns also offer a good collection of nightclubs and other popular party spots geared towards various age groups.

National Parks/Natural Sites – Florida is home to about a dozen national parks, monuments, and seashores, all of which are a joy for the visitor to explore.  A must see is expansive Everglades National Park, which occupies much of the southwest portion of the state.  The largest subtropical wilderness in the U.S., the Everglades is home to many rare species of animals, birds, and plants, and an airboat ride to view them is a must.  State Parks throughout Florida are excellent as well, like Sarasota’s Myakka River Park where guests can experience a diverse natural area of wetlands, prairies, hammocks, and pinelands; or the Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park, where visitors can take a prairie buggy ride along one of Florida’s largest stretches of dry prairie.

Watersports – Florida is a state surrounded by water and for this reason you will no doubt want to take advantage of the many watersports available there.  You can take your pick, from calm water related pursuits like fishing or sailing to more exciting adventures, such as jet skiing, SCUBA diving, kite or wind surfing, wake boarding, parasailing, and more.  With 8,500 miles of shoreline, 7,800 lakes, 320 springs and 35 rivers, the possibilities are endless!  Many beach hotels offer free use of non motorized watercraft and outfitters throughout the state peddle charter fishing cruises, dive lessons, and other opportunities which enable you to enjoy Florida’s beautifully warm waters.

Shopping – Every good vacation has a little shopping time built in (and why not).  In Florida, the shopping options are many and varied, ranging from upscale shops in ritzy South Beach, Miami and beautiful St. Armand’s Circle near Sarasota to popular outlets in Ellenton (near Tampa), St. Augustine, Naples, Florida City, and Orlando.  You’ll also find everything in between at the many malls that dot the Florida landscape.  For real bargains also try the Farmers Markets and Flea Markets dotted all around the state.

Key Lime Pie - Okay, you can get this pie in some other parts of the South too but this delightful confection originally had its start in the Florida Keys.  In fact, nearly every restaurant in the Keys, especially in Key West, serves this dessert.  The key lime tree arrived in Florida in the 1500s and recipes for the pie began appearing as early as the late 1800s, though it became really popular in the 1930s.  Some restaurants make it with graham cracker crust, others with pastry crust.  Either way, it’s a Florida must have several times over.

History – While most people tend to visit Florida for the recreation, the state’s interesting history is one of those side perks visitors can experience while exploring the region.  From the Spanish style architecture of St. Augustine, the oldest continuously occupied European established city in the U.S., to Tampa and its ties to the cigar industry, to the rich military history of the Panhandle, Florida excites and educates visitors who enjoy gaining a little knowledge while on vacation.

Arts and Culture – Florida is filled with museums and entertainment venues both up and down both the East and West coasts and everywhere in between.  Visitors can buy tickets for rock concerts, Broadway style shows, dinner theatre, and much more, in major cities like Tampa, Sarasota, Miami, Orlando, Tallahassee, Jacksonville etc.  Other cultural sites include incredible art museums (check out the Ringling Museum in Sarasota), history museums (found in nearly every county), aviation museums (like the National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola), and science museums (including Tampa’s excellent Museum of Science and Industry).

By car, take Interstate I-75 to Exit 131, Daniels Parkway, and then West to Summerlin Road to the Sanibel Causeway ($6.00 toll road).  Then take the small bridge which crosses at Turner Beach.

Captiva Island will captivate you with the serene paced lifestyle, family activities to enjoy, beautiful sugary white sand beaches sprinkled with pastel colored seashells and glistening tropical azure blue seas.  In the village of Captiva Island there are quaint shops to explore and a variety of restaurants to experience.  Golf courses in the area where you can test your mettle on the green, and the fishing and boating are unequalled.  To end a perfect day witness breathtaking brightly colored sunsets.

You will be enchanted by beautiful, alluring Captiva Island, where once, it is said, pirates roamed, conquistadors explored and Calusa Indians called home.  The mystery and adventure is still here.  Treasures to be found in the way of a good life, spectacular white sand beaches scattered with “treasures from the sea”, pastel colored seashells and breathtaking sunrises and sunsets.  There are superb accommodations, restaurants and shopping.  Golfing, tennis, fishing, boating, children’s activities.

Captiva Island, is sister to larger Sanibel Island, and is just over a small bridge which crosses at Turner Beach.  Turner Beach is a great place for catching that prize fish and also for finding the colorful shells that these islands are famous for.  The beach stretches 5 miles to the northern tip of Captiva Island at Redfish Pass.  From the bridge at Turner beach, Captiva Drive is a scenic drive past giant cactus, colorful bougainvilleas and other tropical flora along a stretch of sea and sand ending at “downtown” Captiva, which is more of a village than a town.

A truly fun vacation, holiday, memorable wedding, honeymoon or just a get-a-way awaits young and old alike on Captiva Island.

Captivating Captiva Island is the perfect place for you and your family to spend a day or two of your vacation.  With Florida’s sub tropical climate Captiva Island has sunshine all year round.  Sugary white sand beaches littered with pastel colored seashells for which the area is world renowned.  The seas are a clear Caribbean azure blue.  Play golf until your heart desires, and the fishing and boating are unequaled.  For your dining pleasure there are restaurants offering “Floridian” cuisine and from casual, funky fun to fine dining.  Shopping in the village of Captiva Island is exhilarating and you will find something for everyone.

Your visit to Captiva Island is not complete without sampling some of the local fare and succulent fresh seafood.  You will find a wide selection of ethnic foods in the area.  Dine in one of the fine restaurants where chefs cook up some of the freshest, tastiest dishes you have ever tasted.  Whether you are looking to enjoy a lavish six course meal or a more casual dining scene, you will find just what you’re looking for. Bon apetit !

It is time for fun on Captiva Island.  Enjoying a sub-tropical climate and being able to be outdoors in the sunshine all year around.  There are so many activitities to choose from, fishing, golf, boating, kayaking, canoeing, tennis, swimming, bike riding.  Go boating down the waterways and view a variety of wildlife such as, dolphins, blue herons, racoons and many different species of colorful birds.  Wonderful memories for all times for everyone.

Shelling is so much fun and Captiva Island has such a variety of shells to find, just to collect and admire or use in a craft, on a mirror, lamps, boxes etc.  Captiva is one of the islands that is literarily made up of shells, created over thousands of years, and is one of the islands that is considered best in the world for shelling.  The islands geography of lying east and west rather than north and south, as most islands, allows Captiva and its sister islands to catch abundant sea shells from the Gulf of Mexico.

“Shop ’til you drop” is a motto of some island visitors.  Captiva Islands shops are clustered at the north end of Captiva Drive and on Andy Rosse Lane.  Strolling along the village paths from shop to shop, you will find antiques, casual fashions, pottery, hand painted furniture and many unique gifts for that special someone.  Then try a restaurant to have that refreshing break.

Captiva Island is such a romantic place.  Couples come from all around the world to celebrate their “special” day.  It can be a formal wedding or very informal on the sugar sand beach.  Couples come to renew their vows or celebrate an anniversary or some special date.  It can be a time fondly remembered.

Many years ago we made the discovery of the joys and untold pleasure to be gained by visiting the Gulf Coast and in particular the beaches of South West Florida,   There is something unique about still being able in this busy world  to walk along an empty beach of clear white sand with the occasional appearance of a dolphin  freely swimming close to the shore line looking a for meal, the only company.

We have encountered this scenario many times along South beach  Boca Grande and  and Stumps Pass Englewood to name a few, the locals do not bat an eyelid when the dolphins meander past, they are just used to it.  Whilst the visitor myself included will alert to the wife in excited way that dolphins are off shore, I can just visualised the locals muttering to themselves, typical tourists.  You can see dolphins along any beach on the gulf coast but there is no doubt they like quiet areas and when they come close to shore to feed.

The peak Gulf coast vacation rental season on the gulf coast is the winter months December to April when the North Americans and Canadians flood into South West Florida especially to escape the cold temperatures and snow in the Northern States.  The months of May and June are considered the off season which has always amazed me, I have been sat on a sun chair on a quiet beach in hot and sunny weather with the temperatures in the 90s and reading the local papers which talk about the busy season being over. When on some of the beaches in Europe in similar conditions you would be climbing over people to get to the sea.

Yes some of the beaches will still be busy, the likes of Fort Myers and Sarasota but there are still plenty of beaches to explore which offer the type of experience I have described above.

There is a wide range of shopping malls big and small as close as international drive. For the older generation there are beaches like coco and Daytona and if you fancy a long drive, you could take trip to Miami.

There are water parks some that are suited to the more adventurous and others that are just like real beaches. And there is water skiing, jet skiing to flinging from a 300ft pole overlooking a lake these options are for the more adventurous.

There are spas that you can visit if you want to get away from the kids. There are also helicopter rides which can take you all over Orlando.

There are Wal-Mart’s located all over the place  for your shopping it great it’s just like Asda in England. There are loads and loads of restaurants from buffets to three course meals. The buffets are to die for the ranges of food you get for just a small price it’s amazing. There are obviously fast food restaurants located just about everywhere.

Going to Orlando is the best thing you could possibly do. There are a wide range of hotels with a wide range of prices. But there are others places to stay such as villas or condos. If you rent somewhere its means that it’s yours and you don’t have to share it especially in a villa. Orlando it a place you don’t ever want to leave that’s why you have to get it right and book suitable places that you will enjoy.

The theme parks are all amazing so there is no worry there. You’ll kids will love it but it’s not just for kids the adults will love it as well.  If you got a chance to go to Orlando take it. So if you want to go to Orlando get booking.  

As you get near to Daytona but before you reach the “Racetrack” there is the biggest Farmers and Flea market for miles on the right. It is all under cover and all aisles have ceiling fans to keep you cool while you shop.

There are numerous aisles with something for everybody. Lots of motor bike gear of course, lovely leather coats, shoes, etc but prices much lower than the tourist areas. We brought lots of t-shirts, towels and items for our villa. We had a hummer car and that was full by the time we came out. There are also lots of places to eat in there and much cheaper than in Daytona.

It was just a short drive to the beach and for $5, you can park your car on the beach all day. The ice cream van goes up and down so there is no need to leave the beach to buy ices for the kids. There are even mini 3- wheel cycles for the kids to hire to use on the beach.

After unpacking all the gear, the kids were off with their boards to the sea. It was a bit rough that day but very warm. After a while, they all seemed to be having so much fun jumping the waves that I  thought I would join them. We were all having so much fun that none of us noticed a huge wave coming at us until it landed on top of us all and we were thrown over.

We came up laughing and then I realised that my cap was not on my head and neither were my prescription sun glasses. !!Now Daytona is a very long beach and we went up and down there looking in the hope that they would have been washed up. No such luck. My advice to anyone going with prescription glass on holiday to Florida is to pack a spare pair or you will be like I was for the last few days………Very short sighted.

Our aim was to head for Vero Beach and then head off up the coast to Melbourne. so we headed along Highway 60 for the coast. For those of you that like a long straight road in cruise control then you will not be disappointed.

It took us about one and half hours from Haines City before with reached the east coast and Vero Beach.

So we parked the car and headed for the beach where we stumbled across the Driftwood Resort right on the Talnatic coast.

This was a hotel made from Driftwood. so we sat there at the bar looking out at the blue whilst supping and beer and a cocktail. I would recommend eating there and making an afternoon of it.

A very clean and pleasant place to visit.

It was one of those places that we had read about but hadn’t really put at the top of our priority list to visit, but a chance meeting with a couple of Americans while we were waiting for the Illuminations, Reflections of Earth firework display in Epcot  helped us to change our minds.

The two Bradenton residents enthused about Anna Maria Island so vehemently that they persuaded us to take the two hour drive to the south of Tampa Bay the very next day.

This was a world away from the Orlando theme parks and really was a paradise in the sun with just about every conceivable water sport attraction within easy reach. For us, the starting point was a leisurely stroll along the pristine white sands with the occasional paddle in the crystal clear water to cool the feet. The Americans had told us this was once one of Florida’s best kept secrets and it’s not difficult to understand why.

There is a distinctly private feel to the island, almost as if you are invading the space of some of the luxury mansions complete with immaculately manicured lawns that sweep majestically down to the beach.  We were happy to mind our own business and enjoyed a period of quiet solitude amongst the sea turtles and the playful dolphins who, it seemed, were putting on a special performance just for us.

Unfortunately the secret’s well out and although you can still find your own piece of paradise, the island is now a Mecca for day trippers seeking outdoor activities and a popular destination for honeymooners and film crews. 

We certainly found walking to be quite a gentle pursuit and it enabled us to explore not only the shell lined shoreline but also to get close up and personal with a variety of tropical birds and other wildlife, all within the city limits of Anna Maria on the northern most tip of the island.

Of course, there are alternatives. The island runs a free trolley service between the three main towns of Anna Maria, Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach so it is very easy to get around quickly. More sedate forms of transport include bike rentals which are plentiful, or if you prefer to sightsee from the water, canoes and small charters are readily available.  

We really were impressed with what we had seen and could only thank our American cousins for their recommendation. We will definitely be coming again.