We're sure you'll agree that Florida is the ideal destination for perfect family holidays. With year-round sunshine, world class attractions, natural beauty, exotic wildlife, fabulous shopping and restaurants, there's a style of holiday to suit almost everyone.

With 1,197 mile coastline, an estimated 30,000 lakes, a superb year-round sub-tropical climate with daytime temperatures ranging from 60* to 95*, over 1,000 first class golf courses, and world-class fantastic theme parks and attractions, it is not surprising that Florida is the world's favourite destination for family holidays.

Florida is a shopaholics paradise, particularly for British visitors, with incredible bargains available with prices between 30% to 60% lower than those in the U.K. Most people shop for sporting goods, clothing, designer wear, casual apparel, shoes and accessories. There is also a vast range of Factory Stores and Outlet Malls selling discontinued lines, seconds and many perfect goods at even lower prices than the regular stores and shops. Belz Outlet is the biggest and worth a visit for bargain hunters.

Over the past 15 years, more and more families have realised that renting a luxury or executive villa with its own private swimming pool rather than several hotel rooms provides more luxury, more privacy, more freedom, more choices, and at a lower cost as villas rental rates are per week and not per person. In addition to private swimming pools, many villas also have jacuzzis and games rooms.

Orlando Area

Orlando, the heart of Florida and home to the world's most popular Attractions, in 2007 will see a rise in new attractions, making it the perfect year for families to plan a holiday to the destination. Cypress Gardens are opening a new children’s area called Bugsville. Gatorland are also adding a water attraction to its existing park. Walt Disney World has just opened “Finding Nemo – The Musical” at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and "The Seas with Nemo & Friends" at Epcot, and "The Laugh Floor Comedy Club" at Disney’s Magic Kingdom. More new Orlando attractions will be announced in the coming year.

Orlando is constantly evolving to bring visitors a wide variety of activity options while spending time in the destination. New offerings for 2007 included the Blue Man Group, which will take up permanent residence at Universal Orlando Resort in June. Universal Orlando and NBC have partnered to bring iVillage Live, a show broadcast daily on select NBC stations, Bravo and ivillage.com, to an audience comprised of theme park guests at Universal’s Islands of Adventure. Also, a permanent location for the second longest Off-Broadway show, Tony ‘n Tina’s Wedding, opened in Kissimmee February 14, 2007.

Orlando has broadened its dining offerings over the past few years to bring more diverse fare to suit various visitor budgets and taste buds. Now, the destination has succeeded in bringing restaurants and nightlife options that are brand new to the market. Pointe Orlando just opened two restaurants including Tommy Bahama’s Tropical Café and Emporium, and The Grape, an upscale wine bar and shop. It will also be opening more restaurants new to Orlando in 2007 including The Oceanaire Seafood Room, Taverna Opa, Maggiano’s Little Italy, Redrock Canyon Grill and B.B. King’s Blues Club. A unique nightlife option that opened recently in downtown Orlando is Orlando Brewing Co, which offers 21 beers on tap, including nine handcrafted brews. A must is Manuel's on the 29th - on the 29th floor of the Bank of America building in downtown Orlando with panoramic views over the city.

The shopping facilities in the area are extentive and offer some tremendous bargains at the Florida Mall, the Mall at Millenia, West Oaks Mall, Fashion Square Mall, and the Outlets malls.

South Attraction Area

This area based around CR 54, now known as Ronald Reagan Parkway, is an extremely popular semi-rural location area for renters of luxury and executive villas, yet is within a short distance of all the major Disney attractions, Universal Studios, and SeaWorld. Communities here range from well-established to brand new, gated communities on the edge of rolling ranch land. Drive 5 minutes up Old Lake Wilson Road to reach the US 192, with it's huge selection of shopping and dining opportunities.

This is the most sought after and up-market area with it's proximity to the fabulous facilities of Championsgate, Reunion, and nearby Celebration, and with ease of access to Disney, Universal, SeaWorld via either US192 or Interstate 4, which also provides direct routes to Orlando, Daytona and the Atlantic Coast, and Tampa, Busch Gardens, and the Gulf Coast.

West Attaction Area

Based around Highway 27 and joining the western end of the US 192 with the Interstate 4, this popular location for renters of luxury and executive villas gives very easy access to the main Attractions of Disney, Universal Studios, and SeaWorld, plus the many restaurants, shops, and supermarkets on Highway 27 and U.S.192, plus just a few minutes away is Championsgate with a magnificent Omni Hotel with five restaurants, a Publix supermarket, A David Leadbetter Golfing Academy, and several restaurants offering a wide range of cuisine including American, Italian, French, and Mexican.

Central Attraction Area

It is hard to imagine that these charming communities with their lakes and lawned areas are just a couple of minutes away from the hustle and bustle of the US 192. There is no better location for shopping, whether it be groceries from the huge Wal-Mart, or bargain outlet mall shopping. Here you are on the edge of expansive ranch and farm land, yet less than 3 miles from Walt Disney World, this area has everything a traveller could want. It is sometimes hard to imagine that these quiet, relaxing resorts are located just minutes from restaurants, outlet malls, shops, and everything else you could possibly want. This location also provides you with instant access to Interstate 4, which takes you right into Orlando to the convention center, Universal Studios, or Sea World.

East Attraction Area

At the eastern end of the US 192 is a quiet, residential area where many of the homes have lake views. From here it is a leisurely 10 minute drive right into the heart of the Disney parks, and 20 minutes to Universal Studios and SeaWorld. U.S192, with an abundance of supermarkets, restaurants, and shops, offers a wide choice of shopping and dining opportunities close by. Several malls are also within easy reach.

The area is also only a 30-minute drive from Orlando International Airport, which many visitors appreciate after a long flight.

Tampa

Tampa, the gateway to the Gulf Coast, provides excellent access to St Pete's, Clearwater, Hudson and New Port Richey to the north, and the nearby Anna Maria Island, Bradenton, and Sarasota to the south with Englewood, Fort Myers, Port Charlotte, Naples and Marco Island further south.

A single day's itinerary in Tamopa might include breakfast at a waterside cafe, Busch Gardens, The Florida Aquarium, a streetcar ride to Channelside for shopping, and a Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Devil Rays, or Lightning game. Then on to historic Ybor City where the Cuban sandwiches are hot and crisp, the cigars are hand-rolled, and the colourful streets are lined with fun. Many white sand beaches are within a short drive, and Busch Gardens is also close to hand.

Orlando and Central Florida is easily accessible on Interstate 4 approximately one hours driving time.

Gulf Coast

The Gulf Coast is renowned for it's many superb white sand beaches, and a chain of fabulous islands ranging from southerly Marco Island to Captiva, Sanibel, Casey Key, Manasota Key, Longboat Key, Siesta Key, and Anna Maria Island.

This is the coast of balmy breezes, dolphins and manatees,, pelicans, egrets, osprey, seagulls and a variety of shorebirds. Stroll the beach or stretch out in the sun. Charter a boat or enjoy some deep sea fishing. Play a game of tennis or volleyball, ride a bike, fly a kite…whatever you want to do. The tropical climate makes every sort of outdoor activity available and enjoyable nearly year-round.

There are sunny beaches with crystal-white, powdery sand that stretch for miles. Numerous shops from the chic and elegant to the hip and funky, with all sorts of fashion, beach accessories and souvenirs. A tremendous choice of restaurants offering a wide range of cuisine where you can go to grab a quick breakfast or lunch in your flip-flops and sandy toes, or to relax in style over an extraordinary dinner.

Sarasota, Naples, Fort Myers, Tampa and Clearwater provide great shopping opportunities, Just Florida offers some of the most exclusive homes with private swimming pools and condos with communal facilities stretching from Hudson and New Port Richey in the north, down through Clearwater, St Pete's, Bradenton, Anna Maria Island, Sarasota, Fort Myers and Englewood, to Naples and Marco Island further south. Stay in a villa on an island, or in a home with it's own boat dock, or a villa further inland near waterways. There are accommodations and resorts to suit everyone here.

Miami

Miami, Gateway to the Americas, is located on the south-east Atlantic Coast of Florida, and is famous for it's fabulous sunny weather, 15 miles of golden beaches and vibrant nightlife. Miami attracts both national and international visitors of all ages and from all walks of life. The many and varied tourist attractions and historical landmarks include Miami's Miracle Mile - one of Miami's major shopping regions situated in the Coral Gables district of Miami, the Miami Freedom Tower - an important landmark tower built in 1924, Miami Metrozoo - one of the finest wild animal parks in America and the Miami Seaquarium - a 38-acre complex of huge saltwater pools, with a number of majestic killer whales and friendly dolphins, sea lions, porpoises and a group of manatees. Within easy reach of Miami there are numerous other tourist attractions, such as the world famous Miami Everglades National Park, and the stunning Florida Keys, a beautiful chain of islands running down to Key West, the southernmost point in the U.S.A. with Cuba just across the Straights of Florida. Air boat tours are available to safely negotiate the Everglades National Park and view the numerous alligators in the Miami park, and fishing charters can be arranged in the Keys, and particularly from Islamorada.

Downtown Miami caters to all tastes and offers a tremendous choice of shops, restaurants, cafés and fast-food stands. Experience the true spirit of South Beach immersed in total Art Deco style and ambiance - South Beach, one of Miami's most exciting and lively areas, occupies Miami's southernmost three miles and is many up-and-coming art galleries, excellent restaurants, and many of Miami's top nightclubs, and fabulous beaches. The Miami Art Deco District has more than 800 Art Deco buildings, including many excellent hotels close to the beach. Coconut Grove, a playground for the Americas, is a second-home community to celebrities, corporate titans, and luminaries, and offers sidewalk cafes, distinctive restaurants, lively night spots, state-of-the-art movie complexes. Long a playground for the Americas, the Grove, provides an entertainment and shopping district which reflects the quirky yet sophisticated nature of its residents and visitors. Here you'll find everything from haute couture to haughty kitsch in the many shops at CocoWalk. After all, where else can you see the stars in broad daylight, dance through an island festival and enjoy dinner in a funky café?

Miami, the gateway to the Florida Keys, has easy access via Alligator Alley across South Florida to Naples and Marco Island on the Gulf Coast.

Florida Keys

South of Miami, over 100 miles of interlinked islands and the longest segmental bridge in the world make up the Florida Keys. This truly unique area is often referred to as the "Caribbean of the United States" and the islands are connected by more than 60 bridges in total, spanning jewel-blue waters, and Just Florida offers some of the most idillic and unique accommodations in the Keys.

Key Largo, the northernmost island of the Florida Keys island chain, lies only an hour’s drive from Miami and is sandwiched between the watery wilderness of the Everglades National Park to the west and the fish-covered coral formations of North America’s only living coral barrier reef to the east. It's not just Hollywood producers who are drawn to the wildlife here. Six miles offshore in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary you will find the wreck of the Spiegel Grove, a 510-foot Navy ship intentionally scuttled in June 2002 as the backbone for a new coral reef.
Locals consider their home the Diving Capital of the World but the island is nearly as famous as a sport-fishing destination. Some of the best charter captains and fishing guides in the world work out of Key Largo. You can go after sailfish offshore, bonefish along the Atlantic shallows, or redfish and tarpon in Florida Bay.

Islamorada offers the world's most sought-after gamefish: Sailfish, tuna and dolphin in the Atlantic, and a grand slam shot at permit, tarpon, and bonefish in the backcountry waters of Florida Bay. Add to that a selection of some of the finest charter boat captains and backcountry guides around, and you know you are in the Sport Fishing Capital of the World. An array of marine life inhabits the patch coral reef alongside our islands, making Islamorada a favourite also for divers. There is even a History of Diving Museum full of fascinating exhibits and information about the sport. Landlubbers, on the other hand, may prefer viewing acrobatic dolphins and other deep sea stars at Windley Key's Theater of the Sea.

Marathon is situated at the mid-point of the Florida Keys island chain, which is why locals have declared their home "The Heart of the Keys". The city boasts homey resorts, luxury accommodations, numerous restaurants, ample shopping and all the conveniences of a modern community.
While most of the waters around Marathon are open to fishing, some areas have been set aside purely for eco-tourism and fish-viewing by divers and snorkelers. Sombrero Reef, one of the most beautiful sections of North America's only living coral barrier reef, lies just several miles offshore and is protected by the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Marathon is also home to the Dolphin Research Center and the Turtle Hospital, which are working to preserve two of Florida's most famous marine creatures.

The Lower Keys begin where the Florida Keys island chain takes a graceful westerly turn toward the sunset, shortly after the famous Seven Mile Bridge. It is a quiet region of small resorts, down-home restaurants, single-family homes, untrammeled wildernesses and rich history. They include Big Pine Key, tiny Little Duck Key, Bahia Honda Key, Summerland Key, Big Torch and Little Torch Keys, Cudjoe Key, Sugarloaf Key and Big Coppitt Key. With its white sandy beaches and abundant wildlife, Bahia Honda Key frequently makes the list of the most beautiful beaches in America. All are an easy drive to Key West.

Key West, the southernmost tip of the U.S.A, is a city where real estate titles date back to the Kings of Spain. Stroll the palm-lined streets and discover gingerbread mansions, tin-roofed conch houses, the John Audubon House and Ernest Hemingway's home. Walk in the footsteps of Thomas Edison, Lou Gehrig, Harry Truman, and Tennessee Williams. Gaze at the fabled treasure of the galleon Atocha. Discover tomorrow's fine art treasures by Key West's well-known and unknown artists. Once the sun is safely tucked away by jugglers, mimes, musicians and street artists, the city moves to a different beat. The streets, filled with sidewalk cafes, open-air bars, legendary pubs and world-class restaurants come alive. Gourmets and gourmands alike treat their palates to island specialties.