We arrived on a weekday which is the best day to visit otherwise it will be packed even more than normal.

When you arrive there is only a small City Car Park and a couple of others that now charge $20 for the day. We found that you can park in the Hyatt Hotel right on the beach for only $16. It is in their multi-storey and out of the hot sun, so really consider parking there.

The Hyatt hotel don’t mind you parking there and are quite happy for you to wonder around the Hotel. Even in your swimsuit.

Once we found our spot on the beach in front of the hotel we used some of the new Palm trees for some shade. Did some swimming and sunbathing as you do.

We then noticed that on the 8th floor of the Hyatt Hotel they were advertising their Swim, Bar and Grill. So we went to check it out and found a fantastic patio with a bar. The Special cocktails were only $6 as well.

The hotel allowed you to stay there and use the pool and the sunbeds, what a find.

The view of the beach and the sea followed by the sunset was fantastic from the 8th floor. So give it a try.

Remeber to ask for your bar or food receipts and providing you spend $20 in total they will give you FREE parking - what a bonus.

So when you next visit Clearwater check out the new Hyatt Hotel right on the beach front.

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.

Do Not Miss the opportunity to visit the unspoiled beaches around Fort De Soto - near to St. Petersburg. BUT DO NOT TELL EVERYONE.

On our travels we decided to head south from Clearwater beach to get away from all the weekend crowds. We followed the coast road going through Teasure Island and stopping for a brief while at Pass De Grille. A great place right on the beach to listen to concerts at the weekends and have a bite to eat whilst you watch the sunset go down.

We decided to head further South although we had to travel North to get on the I275 that led us down to Fort De Soto. What a fantastic place. They said it was named the Top Beach in 2009 and they were not wrong.

Freeze bottles of water to take to the parks they will keep cold all day.

If you intend to go on water rides a change off clothes is advisable, if it is a little cloudy you soon feel cold (you don’t need to carry these around with you - use a locker at the entrance to the park)

Clearwater beach is one of the best beaches to visit the sand being like fine flour. Also it is well worth staying until the sun goes down with the street entertainers and a fantastic sunset at the end of the pier. Also take a trip on the pirate ship or enjoy a cruise with a buffet meal on one of the other boats all at a very reasonable price. If you are looking for that extra special evening dress Clearwater has 2 very reasonable boutiques with a good selection.

If you want surfing then cocoa beach on the east coast of Florida is the place to be and of course not far from the Kennedy Space Centre. Here you can buy all your surfing and skating needs from the many shops around and maybe stay over at a motel that is designed in the shape of a castle and painted pink!

Daytona beach has 23 miles of sugary white sand here you can go parasailing, fishing or surfing. On site vendors sell everything from hamburgers, ice cream beach umbrellas and boogie board rentals. Daytona has a lot going on with all kinds of shops and restaurants and is well worth a visit.