Your Florida Vacation Guide
Take a Trip to the Sunshine State
Your
Florida Vacation Guide. Florida has amazing vacation ideas for the entire
family - whether it be for the amusement parks, beaches or shopping. But don't
discount it for a romantic vacation with you and your significant other
either.
It would be hard to not find somewhere or something that would work for
everyone in Florida (except for maybe skiers - although I have seen snow in
Florida on occasion).
My parents loved Florida so much while I was growing up that we must have
visited it every year. They have since become snow birds and spend their
winters in an area just north of Tampa. Because of this we visit Florida at
least once a year, both as a couple and as a family.
We have visited and toured every amusement park and most areas of the
state of Florida. We have driven from Toronto to Florida at least 5 times
and we have flown by air. We have learned what is of good value, what is fun to
do and what is to be passed on.
We have taken cruises out of Florida, I have dived in the Keys and we have
stayed in resorts. In fact we almost got married in Florida. Our favorite spots
include Southwest Florida and
Tampa.
Golf, Beaches, Amusement Parks, Boats, Swimming, Sunshine,
Adventure or anything you are looking for you will find in Florida.
So sit back, relax, grab a coffee or tea, and check out some of the options
in
your Florida Vacation Guide! Every option can be romantic vacation ideas or
family vacation ideas!
Your Florida Vacation
Guide - Orlando
Orlando, located in Central Florida is where you will choose to visit if you are
looking for the
excitement of the amusement parks. Walt Disney World is the King
of the parks in Orlando, but don't discount the others.
Depending on how much time you have in Florida will decide how many parks you
will want to visit. Disney alone has 4 parks, plus 3 water parks, plus Downtown
Disney, plus Paradise Island, not to mention all the hotels and resorts on
property! Check out Dad's Guide to WDW for more about Disney!
For Disney tickets check out
DW tickets. And for a GREAT book on getting the
most out of your Disney trip try
The Unofficial Guide Walt Disney World 2009 (Unofficial Guides)
.
Then there is the Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, plus their
Universal Walk - many restaurants, shops and a movie theatre.
Then don't forget Seaworld and Discovery Cove. If you like marine parks,
these aren't to be missed.
When you just can't bring yourself to go to "another amusement park", there
are:
With more days of sun then not
Orlando Florida weather usually makes for an ideal vacation, just make sure
you check before you book your trip to make sure the climate is as you like it.
You can fly directly into the Orlando International Airport for your vacation
in Florida.
You may decide to do all of your time in Orlando. I would recommend that you
divide your time between Orlando and one of the beaches areas. This way you get
a taste of Florida other than Orlando. There is so much more to Florida then
just Orlando.
Do you have any favorite
Orlando Florida Restaurants - please share them here.
Go to Top
Your Florida Vacation
Guide -
Tampa and Gulf Beaches Area
If your vacation plans include Tampa and the surrounding area then you may
visit Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Treasure Island, Madeira Beach or
Caladesi Island.
If you aren't done with amusement parks then Tampa has Busch Gardens - which
if you and your family like roller coasters - this isn't to be missed.
This is also the main airport for the Gulf side beaches. Clearwater beach has
been named one of the top 10 beaches numerous times. There are world class
restaurants, sporting events, Broadway type entertainment and hotels.
It is
a great area to visit - especially if you want to do part of your Florida
vacation in Orlando and part at the beaches. The beaches are less than a 2 hour
drive from Orlando.
The beaches on the Gulf of Mexico - known as the "Gulf side" of the state -
offer calm sandy beaches. Great for beachcombing, and swimming - the water is
colder in the winter but lovely and warm in the summer.
Go to Top
Fort Myers,
Cape
Coral Florida (See a Cape
Coral Florida Map), Sanibel, Captiva Island, Naples, Marco Island. Southwest
Florida is a boaters and beach paradise.
Located about a 2 1/2 hour drive from Tampa or Orlando, and a 2 hour drive from Miami, you
can also fly into Southwest Florida International Airport.
This area has everything a family would want for a quiet or adventure filled
vacation. It also caters to couples and romance.
There are resorts, spas, world class restaurants and shopping. And beautiful
sunsets to enjoy together.
Southwest Florida is a Mecca for Boaters and water dwellers alike. There are
marinas after marinas available and company after company available to rent
boats or yachts.
Go to Top
Your Florida Vacation
Guide - Miami
- Fort Lauderdale
Ahh Miami, Miami Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Boca, South Beach or Access to the
Keys - Key West and Key Largo.
Southern Florida and Miami in particular is the largest city in South Florida. It
is about a 3 1/2 - 4 hour drive from Orlando and you can fly into either Miami
International Airport or Fort Lauderdale International airport.
Many cruises to the Caribbean depart from this area, and it is a great place
to visit if you want to add on a couple of days to your cruise. Each time we
have taken a cruise out of Miami or Fort Lauderdale we add on a few days to
explore the area.
South Beach is world famous and exciting. You will find restaurants and clubs
and the playground of some of the world's wealthiest people.
The beaches in Miami are on the Atlantic Side of the state of Florida. You
will find many surfers and boogie boarders as the Atlantic beaches have larger
waves perfect for surfers. Because of this the beaches may not be good for
swimming with younger children.
Wherever you choose to visit in Southern Florida - you will find lots to do
as a family or as a couple.
Go to Top
Your Florida Vacation
Guide -
Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach, Cape Canaveral, Cocoa Beach. Visit Cape Canaveral and the
Kennedy Space Center. Or the Daytona 500 raceway.
Cocoa beach is the closed beach to Orlando and is a real beach town.
Daytona beach is a spring break favorite for College students - so you may
want to avoid it at Spring Break time as the atmosphere may be more of a party
time.
This area is about an hour from Orlando and is on the Atlantic side of
the state. So you will find more waves and surfing and boogie boarding type
beaches.
It is a great beach add on to an Orlando vacation as well.
Go to Top
Your Florida Vacation
Guide - Other Areas
There are many other areas in Florida to visit. We have touched on the major
areas but there is so much more to Florida. Many little towns to visit and
explore. Drives to take. Do your research and if you have any questions please
feel free to
contact us. We will help you any way we can.
Go to Top
Return from
Florida Vacation Guide to Excellent Vacation Ideas
