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 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).

The Boca Grande Causeway links the island to the mainland and the toll $4 per car is well worth it. Driving down the island a few miles will bring you to the village center  which apparently has hardly changed in 100 years, it is home to upscale boutiques , art galleries and fancy restaurants with prices to match. In some respects it is a carefully preserved place and indicative of Old Florida, condominiums and some lovely modern homes have been built but there are no high rises.  It is a quiet community where the locals are keen to maintain this beautiful environment and there quality of life, it is said that the Billionaires now outnumber the Millionaires. Although you may not think it when see plenty of people making there way around the island on there electric golf carts.  

If you happen to be in Boca Grande in the spring the normal relaxed atmosphere is disrupted during  tarpon season culminating in the annual tarpon run each July when fisherman descend in their droves from across Florida. The island is considered to be the best tarpon fishing spots in the World.  I am not a fisherman myself but to see some guy catch a 4 foot or so tarpon whilst stood on the beach was some sight.

Which brings to the beaches which are simply superb, the pristine white sand beaches stretch for miles on the Gulf side.  The best places to access the beach are having gone through the village centre you continue along with the gulf to your right and you will shortly come to the car park and public access to the beach. There are Beach Pavilions and

BBQ, s and toilets, and then there is the beach and the clear blue sea where you will often see Dolphins swimming close to shore. A word of warning there are no lifeguards on either of the beaches mentioned

Another beach close to the lighthouse is at the southernmost tip of the island again there are beach pavilions and this area offers lovely view of Boca Grande pass, this is the principle area for fishing and you will see numerous boats on the water. However swimming is not recommended at this beach due to the fast moving currents in the pass itself, which is a gateway to Charlotte Harbor

You can charter a boat and there is every chance you will see Dolphins, Manatees, Ospreys and if you here in the winter months White Pelicans.  Whatever you do enjoy.

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.

But there are other ‘jewels’ in Florida, and a two centre holiday has become a popular option for visitors. Here are some suggestions why….

Central Florida
The Silver Creek Villas website has a wide choice of privately owned villas, which can be rented directly from the owner. Check with the owner what facilities are nearby - the Disney theme parks will be within a short drive, as will Universal, SeaWorld, water parks, virtually endless shopping, golf, air boat rides, more shopping - and return visits to the parks. Central Florida offers so much - but we must confess that it is possible to finish a vacation in need of a rest. (A tip - remember most vacation homes have their own private pool - allow some relaxation time in between the ‘activity’ days). A two centre holiday is one possible solution - spend a week in the Orlando area, then follow up with a week relaxing in the second centre.

Gulf Coast
A popular option for the second week (or perhaps the third week if it proves possible to stretch your vacation to 3 weeks) is the Gulf Coast. There are other options (a cruise, a Caribbean island, the Atlantic coast, or perhaps the Florida Keys) - but the Gulf Coast has a very real advantage in its location - just 90 minutes drive will bring you to the glorious beaches.

We can recommend the Gulf Coast beaches as a great option for relaxing - but wouldn’t want to give the impression that there is nothing to do in the area. Shopping and golf are still popular options - but there is no need to miss out on the theme parks, as Busch Gardens is relatively close to Tampa Bay. Tampa also brings top level professional sport (Tampa Bay Lightning for ice hockey, the Buccaneers for American Football) - whilst the bay area offers dolphin watching tours, or perhaps a half day cruise on the inland waterways.

Conclusion
Florida is so much more than theme parks. So whilst Disney, Universal and the others are a compelling reason to spend vacation time in Florida, there are plenty more reasons to spend time in ‘The Sunshine State’

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.