Sun, sand, sea and theme parks
For holidays with a theme, Florida in the south eastern US, is a perfect destination. With a surprising range of attractions, a vibrant history and unparalleled climate and natural environment it’s also a fantastic location for multi centre holidays USA style. Nicknamed the Sunshine State, for good reason, the climate is sub-tropical, making it a popular destination at any time of year. During the winter ‘snow birds’ descend from other parts of the US – seasonal residents escaping the colder climes further north. In the summer visitors include tourists from all over the world seeking sun, sand, surf and theme parks!
Early visitors
‘La Florida’ was discovered in 1513, by the Spanish explorer, Juan Ponce de Leon. It is possible that some previous contact with European ‘tourists’ had been made as de Leon did encounter at least one native who could speak Spanish, suggesting that holidays to Florida were already popular. However, de Leon is largely credited with the discovery and the city of St Augustine – the oldest continually inhabited in the continental states – was established close to his original landing site. For those visiting Florida on a twin centre holiday in the USA, Orlando is a good base for the first part of your trip. Located centrally in the state it is the home to the world famous theme parks – Walt Disney World® Resort and Universal Orlando Resort® being two of the most famous. For families an Orlando start to the holiday is a great way to satisfy the kids’ insatiable need for entertainment! It’ll also exhaust them, helping to keep them quiet for at least some of the holiday! Close by to the entertainment capital of the world is the Gold Coast, with stretches of unspoilt beaches and small, attractive, individual towns. Snorkelling, diving, fishing and sailing are all other adventures that you might want to indulge in along this coast.
Rich pickings and relaxed endings
Multi centre holidays in the USA are something of a must really – after all you can’t visit the States without making your own road trip. Florida’s attractive coast is one of the best places to take this trip, cruising along by palm-fringed beaches and tropical coasts while heading south, towards the glittering metropolis that is Miami. Clinging to the last bit of the US, Miami is popular with the rich, the stupidly rich and the unmentionably rich! It does however offer plenty of opportunities for entertainment, shopping and eating in style for the less well off – even here, it’s possible to find a cheap Florida holiday alternative! The beaches close to Miami ooze class, wealth and just a little attitude – but along the coast is Delray Beach, less well known and with a relaxed surfing culture, a good place to unwind. If the kids are still asking ‘are we there yet’ a trip along the Overseas Highway may well shut them up. Typically American, the State of Florida refuses to end just because of an ocean or two. The Florida Keys are a series of coral reefs, stretching out into the Straits of Florida, connected by a road that defies the usual requirement to be built on land. The Keys declared independence a few years ago, under the name of the “Conch Republic” but nobody took any notice – however with a relaxed approach to life, the islanders didn’t much care and carried on enjoying their lifestyle, based on relaxed, friendly ways. The people of the Keys combine Southern charm and hospitality with a streak of resilience and independence – making the Florida Keys a perfect laid-back location to end your twin centre holiday in the USA.