Florida Vacations
REASONS WHY YOU WILL LOVE FLORIDA VACATIONS
The "sunshine state" is a popular tourist destination all year round. The sunny skies, the nearly 1,200-meter coastline and gorgeous shores attract tourists from all over. The state's beaches figure prominently on "Best Beach" lists from around the world.
Florida state is also home to the Walt Disney World Resort, a popular Orlando destination. During the high season, this theme park gets a little crowded. However, that is hardly a problem for travelers on a Florida vacation. If Disney World is too busy, they simply head to one of the numerous other theme parks in the area.
The Weather And When Is The Best Time To Go on Florida Vacations
Blessed with mild winters and warm summers, Florida is a seaside paradise all year round. Bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Gulf of Mexico on the other, this peninsula state enjoys a glorious, sunny subtropical climate. The state attracts tourists even during the off season, so all inclusive Florida vacations are best planned in advance. Winter (the period between mid-December and mid-April) offers the best weather. However, this is also peak tourist season, which means that Florida hotel and flight rates increase considerably.
If you want to save some money and are willing to endure the summer humidity, plan an all inclusive Florida vacation between June and September. However, this is also hurricane season, so come prepared for a few rainy days.
If white sand beaches are on your must-see list, Florida is the ideal holiday destination. The state is home to 663 miles of breathtaking beaches.
Among the busiest and most vibrant seaside spots here are the famous South Beach in Miami and the beaches of the Florida Keys. Other magnificent beaches that you must visit during your Florida vacation include Daytona and Cocoa Beach on the eastern coast. Clearwater and St. Petersburg are located on the west coast.
Dr. Beach's annual list of America's top beaches for 2011 places southwest Florida's Siesta Beach along the Gulf coast in the top spot. Two other Florida beaches made it to this "America's Best Beaches" list. These were Florida Panhandle's St. George Island State Park at No. 6 and Cape Florida State Park in Key Biscayne at No. 10.
Florida Vacations Are Also Great For Young People
Youngsters on their spring break frequent the heavy-duty parties on the shores of Panama City, home to the United States' largest nightclub. Other spring break hotspots include Miami Beach and Holiday Isle. Both these beaches have a rocking nightlife. South Beach also attracts a fair share of spring break tourists, as does the famous nude beach of Haulover.
Planning A Florida Vacation As Your Honeymoon
The pulsating music and nightlife attracts honeymooners as well, but there are other options for couples seeking a romantic Florida vacation. The gorgeous white sands of Naples are perfect for couples on their honeymoon. Ideally, couples should reserve a beach front property overlooking the Gulf coast. Shop around for Florida vacation rental homes, villas and condos for the best deals.
Honeymooners can spend the day building sand castles at the secluded Amelia Island on the northeast. They can walk hand-in-hand past the historic landmarks of St. Augustine. They could even sail out to the Florida Keys region.
There is plenty to do in the Florida Keys – from scuba diving in the waters of Key Largo to sport fishing for tuna and giant blue marlin in Islamorada and experiencing the flamboyance of life on the Keys' most western isle, Key West. Animal lovers should make a stop at Clearwater, schedule a fishing trip on the Clearwater Beach Marina or head to the aquarium for a closer view of the dolphins and turtles. Other romantic Florida vacation beach destinations include Pensacola with its 4-century-old heritage and the relatively secluded islands of Sarasota Bay.
You Can Take Your Whole Family On A Florida Vacation
Family vacation groups can go kayaking at Fort Meyers. Daytona Beach, with its Speed Park drag racing events, is ideal for motorsports enthusiasts. If that seems a tad too exciting, simply rent a lounge chair or a water float and laze by the seashore.
Travelling with kids? Fort Lauderdale is a good place to try out. This beach hotspot offers a lot of things to do on a florida vacation – from sunbathing, boating and water sports to museums, cruises and fine dining. Destin in northwest Florida, another great seaside destination for tourists with kids, is great for parasailing, snorkeling, jet skiing and more. Be on the lookout for cheap family vacation packages to Florida.
Great Florida Theme Parks You Can Visit During A Florida Vacation
Florida's appeal is not limited to its long coastline, for the state is home to several major and minor theme parks. Not only is Florida a fantastic beach destination, it is also a wonderful venue for a family holiday. There is so much to do, so much to see, and such little scope for boredom.
Disney World:
First off, this is the home of the famous Walt Disney World Resort – a dream Florida vacation destination for many. The original Disney theme park may be located in California, but the Orlando version is no less iconic. For all those who grew up with Disney cartoons, this is a nostalgia trip peppered with rollercoaster rides, visits to the Magic Kingdom, the futurist Epcot theme park, the eco-friendly Animal Kingdom, and a first-hand experience of life in Disney's Hollywood studios.
Most tourists taking a Florida vacation are on a schedule and forced to rush through this Orlando destination. If time were not an issue, it could take days to fully experience the magic of the Walt Disney World Resort. Tourists can book a customized Disney tour package as per their budgets. Advance planning could bring you the discounted all inclusive Disney World vacation packages. Shop on the Internet or contact a travel agent for the cheapest Disney deals.
Universal Studios Resort:
Also located in Orlando is the Universal Studios Resort. This famously houses "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter" theme park, in addition to the Wet 'n Wild Waterpark. This is also the home of Universal Studios Florida. From time to time, the resort offers special all inclusive vacation packages that save visitors time, money and provide access to multiple parks. If you are planning a trip to the Universal Studios Resort, watch out for the occasional discount package deal.
Other Florida vacation theme parks include Legoland Florida in Winter Haven, a building blocks world adored by kids of all ages. There is also Discovery Cove, an Orlando theme park dedicated to marine animals, where the lineup of dolphin and seal shows draws crowds. Meanwhile, the Busch Gardens of Tampa Bay combines the feel of an African safari with a laidback Florida holiday. And water babies love SeaWorld Orlando's popular water park, Aquatica.
A Florida Vacation And Other Possible Activities
Tourists can add more to their vacations in Florida by indulging in out-of-the-box activities like hot air balloon rides over Tampa and Orlando and a guided Segway tour (the first of its kind in the USA) of Sarasota. They can also experience take a helicopter tour over St. Augustine or swim with the manatees in the waters off Sanford.
Your Accommodation On A Florida Vacation
How much money you want to spend on a Florida vacation accommodation depends entirely on one's budget. Decide on an approximate budget, and only then begin the search for available Florida vacation houses, Florida vacation condos and Florida vacation resorts at your destination. Searching for properties for rent by owner might result in better Florida vacation package deals.
Consider the location of your hotel or villa. Would you pay extra to live in houses or condos close to the Florida vacation spots, and thereby cut down on travel time? If you have your own ride, living some distance away from the main tourist haunts could save you a packet. For instance, hotels in Kissimmee offer cheaper deals than those in Orlando.
Look out for all inclusive Florida vacation deals if you are travelling with kids. All inclusives are hotel deals that include meals, access to the pool or water sports, and maybe even child-care facilities. They are huge money-savers.
Luxury Florida vacation travelers need not bother about such details. Florida is home to numerous luxury hotels and resorts that cater to higher end requirements.
How To Get There So You Can Start Your Florida Vacation
The state of Florida is well connected by airlines, with each region housing an airport. Florida's biggest airports are in Miami and Orlando, but Tampa, Fort Lauderdale and Key West also have airline connectivity. All domestic carriers and major international ones serve the region.
Though flights are frequent, getting tickets (especially on last-minute Florida vacation plans) to this popular tourist destination may not be easy, especially during peak seasons like Christmas, Easter and school holidays. If flight tickets are unavailable, consider flying into New York, Washington, Chicago or some other big US city and taking an internal flight from there.
Many tourists prefer to drive to Florida. Having one's own transportation is a good idea, especially if your Florida vacation involves a lot of travelling within the state. Scope out car rentals in advance for cheap Florida vacation rental deals.
Tourists could also avail of Amtrak services or book a tour coach via a travel company. If travelling in luxury is a priority and expense is not an issue, hail a taxi or book a limousine. Select areas also boast of ferry services and water taxis.
