Fabulous Florida
INTRODUCING OUR COLLECTION OF THEME PARK, BEACH, CITY & ROAD TRIP HOLIDAYS
The Florida collection
Let us take you to the Sunshine State. A world where fantasy meets reality. A place to immerse yourself in fantastical lands where your imagination can run free. This is where you can go from coast to glorious coast, cross oceans to paradise islands, skim across wild waters and meet the locals over a game of dominoes and Cuban coffee.
Orlando's theme parks are Florida's most iconic attractions, drawing in the crowds with their frills, splashes and spills, and we can arrange your tickets, dining plans and a place to rest your head. But we can also help you break out of the bubble, whether it's within a metaphorical stone's throw away in a Kissimmee villa or a couple of hours away on the Gulf of Mexico coast where the sand is soft and the sea oh-so inviting. You could hop between cities, travelling by train or plane, or get behind the wheel, live out your USA road trip dreams and cover all bases: theme parks, cities, coastlines and islands.
Our experts are ready to help you find your perfect holiday, just tell them what's on your Florida wish list and they'll work their magic to create an adventure as unique as you are.
Getting around Florida
How you choose to travel around the Sunshine State depends on where you plan to base yourself and whether you decide to head out on a more far-flung holiday. While the car is king, there's public transport, ride share options and theme park-specific transport.
"To make the most of your time at Universal Orlando Resort, stay in one of their on-site hotels. And if you want to be really close to the action, pick a Signature Collection resort like Loews Sapphire Falls Resort which is just a short water taxi ride away from the park gates."
Aaron Carnell, Personal Travel Expert, Kuoni Meadowhall
Driving Hiring a car gives you the most flexibily and is the best (and sometimes the only way) to cover longer distances, particularly between Orlando and the Gulf Coast and Miami and the Florida Keys. Having your own can also mean that you set your own timetable while in the parks, but you'll have to pay for parking unless staying on-site.
Train Florida's new Brightline train has added a quick, good value and traffic-free way to travel between Orlando and Miami with stops in Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton and West Palm Beach along the way. We recommend upgrading to Premium service for complimentary drinks and snacks on board and lounge access at the station.
Theme park travel Walt Disney World ® and Universal Orlando Resort have their own travel networks which you can make the most of when visiting the parks. This is particularly useful if you're staying at one of the on-site hotels (see pages 4 to 5).
Taxis Rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft are easy to use and are usually a great-value and quick way to get around bigger cities like Miami and Orlando.
Public transport Downtown Miami has its elevated Metromover and Metrorail systems, Orlando has the I-Ride Trolley running between the attractions along International Drive and Sarasota has The Bay Runner which links downtown and Lido Key.
Water taxi, Loews Sapphire Falls Resort, Universal Orlando Resort
GULF OF MEXICO
Approximate travel times
Orlando/Kissimmee to St Petersburg & Clearwater: 1¾ to 2½ hours' drive
Orlando/Kissimmee to Sarasota: 2 to 3 hours' drive
Orlando/Kissimmee to Naples: 3¼ to 4½ hours' drive
Orlando/Kissimmee to Miami: 3½ to 4½ hours' drive; 3½-hour train jouney via Brightline
Naples to Miami: 1¾ to 2¾ hours' drive
Miami to Key Largo: 1¼ to 2 hours' drive
Key Largo to Islamorada: 40 minutes' drive
Islamorada to Key West: 1¾ to 2½ hours' drive
Key West to Miami: 3¼ to 4½ hours' drive
ATLANTIC OCEAN
Longboat Key Universal Orlando Resort
Beach Kennedy Space Center
Bay
Myakka City Sarasota
Cape Coral Naples
Everglades City Key West Marathon
Islamorada
Boca Raton
Beach
Everglades National Park
Cypress National Preserve Biscayne National Park
Canaveral National Seashore
Ocala National Forest
Osceola National Forest
Myakka River State Park
BISCAYNE BAY
FLORIDA BAY
Miami Beach
Dry Tortugas National Park
Marco Island Key Biscayne
Disney World® Key Largo
Planning your theme park holiday
Walt Disney World®
Days start with rides through mesmerising lands, some exhilarating and others sedate and immersive. Feast on Mickey-shaped ice cream and cinnamon-dusted churros as you walk from land to land, stopping to pose for photos with beloved characters or enjoying a high-octane stunt show.
Which hotel?
There are more than 20 hotels within the Walt Disney World ® bubble which cover a range of budgets (they’re tiered as Value, Moderate and Deluxe), styles and themes. We’ve handpicked hotels that we know you’ll love such as Disney’s Beach Club and Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside, but you can book any resort you want through us. Staying on-site means you can be far more flexible with your time as there’s free and regular transport between the parks and your hotel.
A ticket to ride
Booking tickets in advance gives you the best value and saves any stress on your Disney days. We can arrange 7- or 14-day Magic Tickets which give you access to all the theme parks, waterparks and include the Park Hopper benefit allowing you to jump between the different parks on any day. They also include Memory Maker (so you can download the pro pics taken in the park), mini golf, ESPN World of Sports and the Disney Genie service in the My Disney Experience app (where you can snap up Lightning Lane passes).
More time in the magic
Getting into the parks before the 'rope drop' is included for everyone staying in Walt Disney World ® hotels. However, if you go for one of the Deluxe hotels like Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa or Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts, you can stay at selected parks on selected nights after closing time – sometimes as late as midnight. Not only does this mean more of the magic, it usually means fewer people and shorter queues too.
Fuelling your days
Booking an on-site hotel means you can make the most of the Disney Dining Plan, which is perfect if you want to pay for most of your food and drink in the parks in advance. There is a duo of options: Quick Service which is perfect if all you’re after are those grab-and-go meals, and the Disney Dining Plan which includes both quick service and sit-down meals. As well as the meals, you'll get snack credits too so between meal cravings are covered.
Images: Disney's Hollywood Studios, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™; Disney Magic Kingdom Park, Happily Ever After
Orlando was a quiet Floridian town surrounded by swampland until a certain Mr Disney came knocking in the 1960s. Now dominated by two enormous resorts, Walt Disney World® and Universal Orlando Resort, Orlando is the uncontested 'Theme Park Capital of the World'. And there’s no better way of fully immersing yourself in the magic than surrounding yourself with the magic.
Universal Orlando Resort
At Universal Orlando Resort, you’ll find a place where superheroes rule, wizards spin magic and dinosaurs still wreak havoc. Adrenaline-spiking thrill rides are balanced with family-friendly moments in intricately themed and colourful lands like DreamWorks Land and Minion Land.
Which hotel?
From early 2025, Universal Resort Orlando will be home to nine onsite hotels, all of which are just a stone’s throw from the heart of the action. When it comes to budget, there are four levels – Value, Prime Value, Preferred and Premium –and the themes go from Pacific to Portofino. The perks you’ll get by staying in a Universal Orlando Resort hotel vary depending on which level of accommodation you choose.
Your ticket to adventure
The best-value Universal Orlando Resort Explorer tickets cover either two or three parks and can only be bought in advance. They cover up to 14 consecutive days of unlimited park-to-park access at both Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure (if you want to visit the waterpark, Volcano Bay, choose the threepark ticket) so your time is really flexible. It also means you can take as many trips on the HogwartsTM Express between the parks as many times as you want, which is surely most millennial’s dream.
Early wizarding hours
If you’re staying at any of the Universal Orlando Resort hotels, you’ll have first dibs access to the Wizarding World of Harry PotterTM up to an hour before the regular park opening times. This will give you the chance to get on rides such as the Flight of the Hippogriff TM and Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike AdventureTM without the longer queues. Universal Orlando Resort’s waterpark, Volcano Bay, is sometimes open early for park guests too.
Skip
the queues
Undoubtedly, the best perk of them all is the Universal Express Unlimited Pass which is included if you stay at any of the Premium hotels such as Portofino Bay or Royal Pacific Resort. You can skip the queues all day, every day on the most popular rides meaning you can fit in much fun and many frolics. If you're staying at a different level of hotel, we recommend pre-purchasing the pass for individual days so you pack in all the big-ticket rides on some days and take it easy and soak up the atmosphere on others.
Images left to right: Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure; DreamWorks Land, Character Zone, Poppy.
Kissimmee
Mere minutes from world-famous theme parks but seemingly a universe away is the sun-kissed city of Kissimmee. Come here for between-park family moments in expansive villas, to splash about in private pools and for a preview of a more natural side to Florida.
Welcome to Kissimmee: the Vacation Home Capital of the World ® and a Central Florida hot spot that really makes the most of its proximity to the cool kids of Walt Disney World ® and Universal Orlando Resort. We love that within half an hour of stepping foot out of Orlando International Airport (MCO), you could be unlocking the front door of your home-away-from-home villa that’ll become a private sanctuary for you and your family.
Whilst the parks may be your reason for heading here, a stay in Kissimmee gives you the chance to plan your holiday a little differently. You can spend time wandering along historic Downtown streets in Kissimmee or St Cloud and dipping into family-run shops, restaurants, bars and galleries; revelling in the festive atmosphere of Celebration, a town founded by Walt Disney Company with magic in mind; or getting out onto the lakes and waterways at the headwaters of the Everglades on airboat, canoe or kayak.
Kissimmee villa holidays
The whole gang can come
With sprawling villas featuring up to 11 bedrooms, it can easily be a case of the more the merrier with a vacation home stay in Kissimmee. The whole family, from infants to octogenarians (and beyond), can head to Florida with no need to squeeze into multiple hotel rooms. Everyone has space, varying bedtimes are stress free, and the fun can continue for the grown ups once the kids are asleep as there is always a generous living area. However, you don’t have to travel as a large group to benefit from booking a villa – there are smaller options with fewer bedrooms so you can pick the size that best suits you and your crew. More details on the many villa options and sizes can be found online at kuoni.co.uk/florida.
It’s all airy living rooms with extensive entertainment systems where you can meet for family movie nights with home-popped popcorn and cosy bedrooms with invitingly comfy beds. Villa stays are on a self-catering basis but there will be a full kitchen. You can head to the supermarket to buy produce for home-cooked meals (pancakes or waffles for breakfast are an unbeatable holiday treat) and whip up packed lunches to save money in the parks. If you don't feel like cooking, you could always hire a private chef to cater to your every culinary whim or order a take-away Some villas have game rooms, the perfect place for teens to hang out, and lots have a private pool for cooling dips under the sun or stars.
The comforts of home
Images left to right: Shingle Creek Preserve in Kissimmee
A place to chill
If your holiday plans aren’t wall-to-wall Walt Disney World ® or Universal Orlando Resort park hopping, it’s certainly worth going for a vacation home. The parks are close enough to get there for the ‘rope drop’, but there’s a real sense of serenity when you return to your own private space at the end of a busy day. To experience the best of both worlds, you could even split your holiday with a few days staying in a resort hotel to make the most of the perks of the park before slowing the pace with a week or so in a Kissimmee villa.
Villas with resort perks
Choosing one of the Kissimmee villa homes like Margaritaville Resort & Cottages Orlando, Encore Resort at Reunion or The Bear’s Den Resort Orlando means you’ll have access to the same kind of resort facilities you’d find at a hotel (think water parks, restaurants and spas) and the more lively vibe that comes with them, but with all those highlighted pros of staying in a villa.
St. Pete-Clearwater
Within just a couple of hours from leaving Orlando’s magical worlds you’ll be feeling the sand between your toes at the beginning of your easy-going beach break in St. Pete-Clearwater where the sun shines on more than 360 days a year.
Standout experiences
Sun, sea and sand days
You can’t go wrong when the local beaches are good enough to have been hailed as the best in America. They line 35 glorious miles of the Gulf Coast and come with varying vibes: St. Pete and Clearwater beaches sit at the heart of the action while family favourite Madeira Beach is more old-school Florida. Then there are the islands of Egmont Key and Fort de Soto that feel wonderfully cast away.
Out on the water
The waterways, lakes and sheltered waters of the Gulf were seemingly made for moments of aquatic adventure. You can kayak through mangrove swamps of Weedon Island, seek out wild dolphin pods offshore or grab a paddle board and explore the welcoming waters.
The arts scene
World-class galleries, open-air entertainment spaces and copious street art are just a few of the elements that make up the St. PeteClearwater art scene. Head to the Salvador Dalí Museum for immersive surrealist moments, catch headlining artists at the waterfront Baycare Sound and seek out some of the more than 600 street murals throughout St. Pete.
St. Pete Pier & Downtown St. Pete Soak up sunny days with the family at the landmark St. Pete Pier where there are art installations, a marketplace packed with local produce and crafts, an ocean-focused discovery centre, splash pads and playgrounds. And a short walk away in Downtown St. Pete, you'll find a great selection of bars and restaurants.
Our suggested itinerary
The holiday: Orlando/Kissimmee & St. Pete-Clearwater; suggested duration: 10 to 14 nights
• St. Pete and Clearwater are the best spots for kid-friendly beach breaks along the Gulf Coast so it makes the perfect addition to full-on family time in the theme parks in Orlando.
• We recommend spending at least three or four nights here for oceanside relaxation, but also to make the most of the area's attractions like the galleries, street murals and nearby barrier islands.
• It's less than a two-hour drive from the parks of Orlando/Kissimmee to St. Pete-Clearwater so you'll be on the beach in no time.
• Tampa International Airport, which has direct flights back to London, is about half an hour to an hour away; you could even spend your final morning seeking out bargains in Tampa's outlet malls before dropping your car off and checking in for your flight.
Where to stay
We feature hotels that suit a variety of budgets and tastes, including holiday rentals (the perfect place to chill out after an action-packed stay at Walt Disney World ®). If you're staying in Clearwater Beach, you’ll have direct access to the USA’s best stretch of sand and the chance to enjoy its lively ambience. St. Pete Beach is slightly quieter and closer to the unspoilt islands of Fort do Soto and Egmont Key; the city of St. Pete itself is located over on the western edge of Tampa Bay. To view our featured accommodation options in St. Pete-Clearwater, visit our website.
Clearwater
St. Pete
Tampa
Clearwater Beach
Weedon Island
Egmont Key
Fort De Sota Park
St. Pete Pier
Tampa International Airport
St. Pete-Clearwater
Sarasota County
Imagine beachcombing picture-perfect sands that fringe a string of barrier islands and untouched inland eco-systems, all surrounding a sophisticated city with a vibrant arts scene and captivating human stories.
Standout experiences
Barrier Islands
There are a handful of barrier islands skirting the 35-mile-long Sarasota coastline, each with its own character. At the northern reaches is Longboat Key, an immaculate island with luxe resorts; next up is Lido Key where untouched nature meets sophisticated neigbourhoods (head to St. Armands Circle for high-end shopping and dining); then there’s Siesta Key, a rejuvenating haven with award-winning beaches.
Myakka River State Park
It’s not all soft sands and inviting seas in Sarasota; head inland and you can discover a vast wilderness park that is home to a variety of typically Floridian eco-systems such as wetlands, prairies and pine forests. You can get a different perspective on the park, exploring by boat and or seeing it from the treetops on the canopy walkway.
Explore the arts
The county is a hub for the arts – so much so that it has earnt the title ‘Florida’s Cultural Coast’. The standout artsy attraction here is The Ringling Museum: an expansive site that’s home to the Museum of Art, the one-of-a-kind Circus Museum and a mansion that showcases the opulence of the roaring Twenties.
Newtown Alive
Sarasota City has a rich African American history; if you head up to the neighbourhood of Newtown, which is located just to the north of downtown, you can learn about how resilient and courageous communities have played a huge role in shaping the city over the past 100 years on the Newtown Alive trolley tour.
Our suggested itinerary
The holiday: Orlando/Kissimmee & Sarasota; suggested duration: 10 to 14 nights
• Thanks to its laid-back beach vibes, Sarasota is an ideal place to slow the pace following a week or so in Orlando or Kissimmee.
• We recommend setting aside a minimum of three to four nights here, but you could easily extend this to a week if you are seeking plenty of beachedout bliss as well as the chance to make the most of the cultural and natural attractions. Alternatively, a two or three-night stop in Downtown Sarasota is the perfect addition to a longer Florida road trip.
• It takes about two and a half hours to drive from Orlando to Sarasota so it won’t be too long before you can dip your toes in the inviting Gulf of Mexico waters or sitting down for lunch at a downtown restaurant.
• Instead of returning to Orlando for your return journey, you can drive up to Tampa International Airport for a direct flight to London. There's plenty to shop for in Tampa's out-of-town outlets to fill the time before your flight.
Lido Key
SARASOTA BAY
Newtown
Sarasota Downtown
Where to stay
If you are travelling with family, or planning to extend your stay here to a week or more, we recommend picking one of the beachfront hotels on the keys such as the St Regis Longboat Key Resort or opting for a self-catered apartment. If you're travelling as a couple and looking for more of a city scene, Downtown Sarasota's hotels may be more your vibe. You could even split your stay between the beach and the city if you plan to spend a few more nights here.
Sarasota Beach
Saint Armands Circle
The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art Siesta Key
Longboat Key
Sarasota Springs
Myakka River State Park
Lido Key
Naples, Marco Island & the Everglades
Florida’s Paradise Coast may be further from the thrills of Orlando, but it’s well the journey. You can live the highlife on over 30 miles of soft-white sand in sophisticated Naples, spend lazy seashore days on Marco Island and delve deep into the wilderness in the iconic Everglades.
Standout experiences
Sophisticated yet understated Naples
In Naples, Fifth Avenue is the go-to location for unique shopping and culinary experiences with added Florida charm, year-round warm weather and a glorious white-sand beach a few steps away. Chic boutiques and the upscale Waterside Shops mall sit side by side with independent organic eateries so set aside at least an afternoon for some retail therapy.
Taking it easy
Time here is all about slowing the pace, whether you're getting out on the water (you could join a tour of the mangroves or head out on a sunset cruise), hitting the fairway, exploring the beautiful Naples Botanical Garden or perfecting your pickleball or tennis techniques.
Marco Island beach days
The sweeping sands that edge the Gulf side of Marco Island – the largest of south-west Florida’s Ten Thousand Islands – are oh so dreamy. Tigertail Beach is a real stunner with its wide expanse of white sand that narrows down to a narrow sandbank that’s backed by a birdlife-rich lagoon.
Gateway to the Everglades
The Everglades, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a vast subtropical wetland habitat and covering three million acres of swamps, marshes, grasslands and mangrove forests where alligators and manatees dwell and panthers roam. One of the most iconic ways to explore is on a guided kayaking tour, an incredible adventure that takes you deep into the wilderness.
Our suggested itinerary
The holiday: Universal Orlando Resort & Florida's Paradise Coast; suggested duration: 10 to 14 nights
• We recommend spending four or more nights in Naples or on Marco Island after time in Orlando, particularly if you choose to base yourself in just one place. However, this duo of destinations complement each other perfectly so you could always split your stay between the two.
• This area of south-west Florida is the furthest of our featured Gulf Coast destinations from Orlando. It's a wonderfully refined region which means it tends to have a more grown-up and chilled out atmosphere.
• This two-stop holiday is a great parks and beach break. Alternatively, Naples is a great addition to a longer self-drive such as our Best of Florida Road Trip (see pages 20 to 21 for more information).
Where to stay
Our featured Paradise Coast hotels are all located either in Naples or on the beachfront to the north of the city. Up on Vanderbilt Beach is La Playa Beach & Golf Resort while further south is the upscale, all-suite Edgewater Beach Hotel. For the easiest access to boutiques and bars, opt for a home-from-home suite at the riverside Hyatt House Naples 5th Avenue or in be at the heart of the action at Inn on Fifth.
Naples
Everglades
Everglades National Park
FLORIDA BAY
PONCE DE LEON BAY
Marco Island
Vanderbilt Beach
Miami International Airport
Naples, Marco Island & the Everglades | Florida
Miami
Beyond its beach parties and SoulCycling, there are cool neighbourhoods that keep traditions alive away from home and a healthy dose of arty alternatives to the favourite pastime of glamorous idling on the beach.
Standout experiences
Art Deco spotting
Miami Beach wears the relics of its Art Deco era well. Pastel coloured buildings with those tell-tale curves that date back to the heady hey-days of the 1920s and 30s line the streets. The most famous of these is Ocean Drive in South Beach, a palmedged highway where you can stop in vibrant cafés by day and happening bars by night.
City-meets-beach
Across Biscayne Bay from mainland Miami is the nine-mile-long stretch of Atlantic-side sands of Miami Beach. Over the past 100 years, this coastal city and its world-famous beach has become a party place where the glam squad come to see and be seen, with luxe high-rise hotels and condos sitting back from talcum-white sands.
Little Havana
Wandering the streets of the Little Havana neighbourhood is an unmissable Miami experience. Soak up the atmosphere in Maximo Gomez Park where games of dominos are hotly contested by the locals; spot the murals and tiled artworks on Calle Ocho that reflect and depict the fiercely protected culture; or a pause for a while to chat over a Cuban coffee or a sandwich.
Arts district
Following a trip to the vibrant Wynwood Arts District, your Instagram will be filled with a sea of kaleidoscopic 'Wynwood Walls' street murals, almost to good to eat dishes and hip hangouts hosted in historic warehouses.
Set sail
Miami is the world's largest cruise terminals with hundreds of ships departing for the islands of the Caribbean or the short hop across to the Bahamas every week (see page 22).
Our suggested itineraries
While Miami is a city break destination in its own right, there are plenty of ways that you can add a stay here to your Florida (or beyond) holiday.
• We highly recommend opting for at least a two-city break. You could combine a few days in Miami with a theme park adventure in Orlando (and travel between the two on the Brightline Train; see page 17), or with the bright lights of New York City. There are also frequent flights to the Caribbean making a city and island holiday a breeze.
• Miami is the ideal start and/or end point for a Florida road trip; one of our most popular trips includes spending a few days soaking up the mega-citymeets-beach atmosphere before hiring a car and following the Overseas Highway down to the Florida Keys.
• A few city days before or after a Caribbean or Bahamas cruise departing from the Port of Miami or Fort Lauderdale (30 miles north of Downtown Miami) is always a good idea.
South Beach
The Brightline Train
The introduction of the Brightline, a high-speed train route between Orlando and Miami, means that car-free two-city Florida trips are now possible. The journey takes just three and a half hours with stops in Adventura, Fort Lauderdale (perfect for transfer to the cruise terminal), Boca Raton and West Palm Beach en route.
Where to stay
We’ve got options along the sands of South Beach with big hitters such as The Savoy, Hyatt and The Standard, and smaller boltholes like 1 Hotel South Beach. Further north along the coast is the iconic Fontainebleau which is at the heart of the Miami Beach action. If you would prefer to be closer to Little Havana and downtown Miami, stay on the mainland side of Biscayne Bay at the sky-scraping Kimpton EPIC Hotel.
MIAMI
BISCAYNE
Fort Lauderdale
Hollywood
Miami Beach
Little Havana Key Biscayne Port of Miami
Miami Gardens Ocean Drive
The Florida Keys
Sweeping down from the south-eastern corner of mainland Florida in a graceful arc are a string of coral cays that seem to have been plucked straight out of paradise. They're connected to the mainland by the Overseas Highway, an iconic US highway.
Standout experiences
Overwater road tripping
Linking key to key and stretching for 113 miles across the big blue is the Overseas Highway, an incredible feat of engineering and constant contender on most scenic road countdowns. Driving in the Keys is truly a part of the adventure.
Snorkelling & diving
The clear, bath-water-warm waters surrounding the islands are a haven for kaleidoscopic marine life and the snorkellers and divers who seek it out. Key Largo’s John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is a sub-marine hotspot.
Sunset and beyond
Key West is the largest and liveliest of the Florida Keys and Mallory Square is the place to head for a buzzing sunset celebration. Once the sun has dipped below the horizon, the party starts in earnest in the bars and pubs of Duval Street.
Dry Tortugas
Hop on a high-speed ferry to the national park protected islets of Dry Tortugas, home to a 19thCentury fort, private beaches and coral gardens. Bring your snorkelling gear and experience some of the clearest waters in Florida.
Our suggested itinerary
The holiday: Key West Road Trip; suggested duration: 7 to 10 nights
• Our favourite way to see the Keys is on a road trip that starts or finishes in Miami. We suggest you spend at least two nights on Key West and one night along the way in each direction, but the more nights the merrier.
• A few of our go-to stops along the way include: Key Largo, the northern most of the archipelago's islands and a underwater exploration hot spot; Islamorada, a stunning cluster of keys with a rich fishing and diving heritage, and Marathon a 10-mile long island that is particularly popular with families.
• An alternative to a self-drive holiday is a two-stop trip; Key West is well connected by air to many US cities including Miami, New York City, Boston and Washington D.C..
Dry Tortugas National Park
Where to stay: Key West
Staying on Key West on a trip to the keys is a no brainer – it is the most popular and well known of the islands and is the heart of the action. There are the sought-after addresses such as Ocean Key Resort & Spa, which is within easy reach of Mallory Square and the out-of-the-way bolthole, The Perry Hotel Key West.
Where to stay: The Keys
We feature a handful of resorts that make the perfect stop-off points on your way to or from Key West. Bakers Cay Key Largo is set over 13 waterfront acres and has a wonderful back-to-nature style while Isla Bella Beach Resort is one of the latest oceanfront retreats on Marathon and has stunning water views from every room and suite. On Islamorada, you'll find Three Waters Resort & Marina, a laid-back, family friendly oasis.
Everglades
Flamingo
Key West
Marathon
Islamorada
Key Largo Miami
Everglades National Park
Big Cypress National Preserve
Biscayne Bay National Park
BISCAYNE BAY
FLORIDA BAY
PONCE DE LEON BAY
Big Coppitt Key
Duck Key
John Pennekamp Coral reef State Park
Overseas Highway
Miami International Airport
Best of Florida Road Trip
Set off on the open road for a four-stop road trip through Florida. Have a whirlwind of a time in Orlando and search out Florida’s fi nest Gulf Coast beaches. On the way to Miami, explore the Everglades and then head out across the water to the glorious Florida Keys.
The route
Minimum suggested duration: 9 nights
Orlando – 4 nights
You’ll start in Orlando, ready to take on the incredible theme parks. Whether you want to experience the sheer magic of Walt Disney World ®’s parks or dive into Universal Resort Orlando. You could extend your stay to a week or more to fully immerse yourselves in park life.
Naples – 2 nights
Collect your hire car and hit the road, heading south to Naples on Florida’s south-west coast. In Naples, stroll along the 1888 pier, shop in little boutiques on Fifth Avenue, and find a bayside bar for drinks with a sunset view.
The Everglades
Drive across to Florida’s east coast, a journey that takes you directly through Big Cypress National Preserve and the Everglades. Pause and take an airboat adventure, follow the Gator Trail, or continue straight on to Miami.
Miami – 3 nights
Hang out with the hip crowds in Wynwood, catch the aroma of Cuban coffee in Little Havana, browse endless galleries and shops, and sip cocktails on a rooftop over lively Ocean Drive.
Key West – 2 nights
Cross the remarkable Overseas Highway, a 113mile road linking the Florida Keys, on the way down to Key West. Take a sunset sail, visit Ernest Hemingway’s house, see the southernmost point marker of the United States and soak up the post-sunset atmosphere on Duval Street.
The details
• You can tailor your self-drive to work to your schedule or preferences as it’s just a suggested route. Choose how long you go for, your preferred hotel and add detours along the way.
• Consider the size of the car you hire – for a family of four or more, a larger SUV will be more comfortable and have space for more luggage. If there are just a couple of you, you could opt for a cooler coupe or convertible.
• The high season in southern Florida runs from November to May which coincides with the driest weather; it is also cooler and less humid during these months.
Key West
Extend your holiday
This independent itinerary pairs perfectly with a Caribbean cruise that departs from either Miami or Fort Lauderdale (see page 22 for more information). There are also regular flights from Miami to the majority of our featured Caribbean islands if you would rather just fly and flop.
USA self-drives
This is just an example of a Florida self-drive we offer. You could focus in on the Florida Keys on our Key West Road Trip, do a two-city trip with the whole crew on the Classic Florida Family Road Trip or even go further afield and take in more of the southern states on one trip. Visit kuoni. co.uk or speak to one of our travel experts for more holiday inspiration.
Kissimmee St Cloud
Cocoa Orlando Cape Canaveral Palm Bay
LAKE PLACID
Myakka City
Sarasota
Bonita Springs
Key West
Marathon
Islamorada
Key Largo
West Palm Beach
Clearwater
Petersburg Tampa
Everglades National Park
Big Cypress National Preserve
Biscayne Bay National Park
BISCAYNE BAY
FLORIDA BAY
PONCE DE LEON BAY
PINE ISLAND SOUND
Stay & Cruise
Florida is the undisputed cruise holiday capital of the world. Two of its major ports, Miami and Port Canaveral, take the top spots on the roster of busiest cruise terminals. From here, head down to the islands of the Caribbean, across to the Bahamas, westwards to Mexico’s Yucatan Coast or even cross continents with a trip through the Panama Canal, one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.
You can combine any type of Floridian holiday (or even a trip to US cities further afield like New York City and Boston) with a sailing departing from the Sunshine State. We can plan all manner of stay and cruise adventures for you, the only thing that is set is the ship’s departure date. Each of our handpicked cruise lines has a different vibe and suits a different type of traveller; we're here to help you find your match.
Ships with cutting-edge design set the tone with Celebrity Cruises: think floating platforms, villa-style accommodation and real grass lawns. You’ll receive exceptional service from the minute you step onboard and exceptional entertainment and shore explorations throughout your voyage, plus award-winning dining.
Cruise gateway: Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Port Canaveral
Suggested Itinerary: 7-night Grand Cayman, Bahamas, Mexico & Jamaica
A Keys self-drive or two-stop Floridian city break is perfectly paired with this week-long Caribbean sailing. Celebrity Beyond sets off from Miami with a short hop over to Bimini in the Bahamas. A sea day and visits to the Cozumel, an island just off Mexico's Yucatan coast, and Grand Cayman follow, as well as a stop off in Falmouth, Jamaica.
Emerald Cruises are the intimate ship experts. Their expertly crafted itineraries are handpicked to ensure you get the most out of your cruise with a focus on fully immersing yourself in local life. At the end of each day, you’re welcomed back onboard your luxury yacht with outstanding service and generous inclusions.
Cruise gateway: Barbados
Suggested Itinerary: 7-night Grenadines & Windward Island Yachting
Following a few days in New York City and Miami, fly down to Barbados, join Emerald Cruises on one of their luxury yachts and set sail for Saint Vincent & the Grenadines. The ports of call are wonderfully varied for such a small nation – visit the capital, Kingstown, before heading to the bijou islands of Bequia, Mayreau, Union and the Tobago Cays.
Celebrity Cruises
Emerald Cruises
With Royal Caribbean, it’s all about world-leading dining, activities and entertainment on the biggestand most innovative ships at sea. Days at sea are just as jam-packed as days on land, with incredible features such as ice rinks, surf-simulators, waterparks, aqua domes and theatres, and zip lines. They are our particular pick for family cruises.
Cruise gateway: Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida
Suggested Itinerary: 3 and 4-night Bahamas & Perfect Day
These short sailings leave regularly from Port Canaveral so are perfect for a family adventure in Orlando’s parks; it’s also an unbeatable introduction to a cruise holiday if you have never tried one before. You’ll set sail in the early evening and head south westwards towards the paradise isles of the Bahamas. The two stops are Nassau, the island country’s capital city, and Royal Caribbean’s award winning private island – Perfect Day at CocoCay.
On a Regent Seven Seas voyage you’ll find all-suite accommodation, an upscale but relaxing atmosphere and unbeatable inclusions like a selection of shore excursions. Dine on world-class cuisine when and wherever you want, the drinks are unlimited & flowing freely, the service is exceptional, and even the Wi-Fi is included.
Cruise gateway: Miami
Suggested Itinerary: 11-night Rhythm of Paradise
Go a little further in ultra-luxe surroundings on this extended roundtrip cruise. Once you've left Miami's glitzy port, head south to the U.S Virgin Islands, St Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, Martinique, Antigua and the Bahamas. Visiting so many ports and making the most of the unlimited included shore excursions, you'll really get a broad perspective on the different cultural influences across the Caribbean.
Royal Caribbean Cruises
Regent Seven Seas
Miami Beach
