Florida, United States of America

“All theme parks, shopping and sunshine, Florida’s flying the stars and bars for American escapes.”

Disney World. Universal Studios. The Kennedy Space Centre. America’s Sunshine State is one big theme park. Rollercoasters, waterparks and giant cartoon mice come as standard in these parts. But pierce the tourist bubble and pine forests, everglades and big gators are waiting to be snapped up. And there’s a sophisticated side to Florida, as well. Take Orlando, for instance. About 20 miles from Disney’s golden gates, Orlando’s Downtown district is Florida’s answer to New York City. It’s got a Park Avenue. Its own version of China Town – Little Saigon. And a night scene that’s straight from Manhattan. Then there’s the shopping. From its world-famous discount outlets to the glitzy Mall at the Millennia, Florida’s a shop-‘til-you-drop paradise. Factor in great beaches and a super-sized dining scene and it’s easy to see why this is the holiday playground of the USA. When all’s said and done, though, Mickey Mouse and Shamu the killer whale are Florida’s big crowd-pullers. Walt Disney started it all with the world’s biggest theme park. But Universal and friends were quick to jump on the bandwagon. These days, it’s all about the kamikaze slides and white-knuckle rides. Enjoy.

Weather

Long hot summers and mild winters make Florida a year-round hit with holidaymakers. Temperatures range from the mid 20s to the early 30s but the humidity can make it feel even hotter. The busiest time of year is summer when temperatures soar but it’s also hurricane season. That said, all indoor spaces are air-conditioned and hoteliers are generally well prepared for the occasional storms that can develop between June and October.

Beaches

Island hideaways. Soft city sands. And deserted dunes. Just a short drive in either direction from Orlando, you’ll find the perfect antidote to Florida’s theme park frenzy - the Atlantic and Gulf Coast beaches. There’s 1200 miles of platinum sand surrounding the Sunshine State. For sugary-white sands, you’ve got Panama City Beach in the northwest. This stretch of quartz-crystal coast is known as one of the world’s most beautiful beaches. It’s also known as the Spring Break Capital of the World, so be prepared to jostle for sand space between February and April. To play with the beautiful people, South Beach is the place to see and be seen. For decades Miami’s favourite strip of sand has been setting the standard for world cool - everyone from the Rat Pack to Paris Hilton has been papped here. Don’t confine your Miami time to sunbathing though. Try rollerblading past pampered pooches in pushchairs on Lincoln Road for some light entertainment. For something secluded, escape to Caladesi Island State Park near Clearwater. This three-and-half-mile island beach is only accessible by ferry from the mainland, so even though it’s just a stone’s throw from Tampa it’s still quiet. Beaches aside, you don’t have to travel to the coast to feel the sand between your toes. Disney’s got your demand for sand covered in the form of Typhoon Lagoon water park. As well as manmade beaches, lagoons and a lazy river, this tropical water world’s storm slides, a water-coaster and a saltwater shark reef for snorkelling.

Eating Out

T-bone steaks. Hot dogs. Cheeseburgers. Florida’s got these all-American favourites by the plate-load. As you’d expect, you’ll see the golden arches and good ol’ Colonel Sanders on every corner. Disney and Universal have got all the food bases covered in the parks and hotels. From Chinese and Italian to African and Mexican, there’s something to suit every mood and budget. In Downtown Orlando, there’s even a Vietnamese district called Little Saigon. As well as having countless cosy restaurants serving dishes like summer-rolls with peanut sauce, Little Saigon’s packed with Asian supermarkets. And then there’s the seafood. Forget lobster here, Stone crab claws are where it’s at. Steamed or boiled, they’re meaty, slightly sweet and delicious dipped in butter – well worth the effort of cracking them open. Dessert-wise, it would be criminal to go home without sampling some Key lime pie. Made using home-grown Floridian limes this tangy pud is Florida’s answer to lemon meringue pie, with or without the meringue. But what Florida is really famous for, of course, is citrus fruit – namely the Florida orange. Whether freshly squeezed, made into barbecue sauce or salad dressing, orange juice flows through the veins of this southern state.

• Little Saigon, Downtown Orlando – Bringing Vietnamese favourites like noodle soup and steamed crepes to Florida, Little Saigon is a big favourite with the locals.
• Earl of Sandwich, Downtown Disney – Brought across the waves by the 11th Earl of Sandwich, this is fast food the British way and these hot sarnies are great when you’re longing for a taste of home.
• California Grill, Disney’s Contemporary Resort – With its stage kitchen, bird’s eye view of the Magic Kingdom and to-die-for food, it’s easy to see why this 15th-floor restaurant is one of Florida’s best.
• Doc’s Restaurant, Downtown Orlando – Owned by two doctors, this appropriately named restaurant has the Kennedy family’s former chef cooking up a storm.
• Bubba Gump Shrimp Co, Universal’s City Walk – Like the name suggests this restaurant is based on the film Forrest Gump and everything from the menu to the décor is packed with Gump-isms.

Shopping

Florida’s the only place on earth that can turn a shop-a-phobic into a bone fide shop-a-holic. It’s got one-of-a-kind boutiques. Outlet centres. And fleamarkets that sell anything and everything. Not to mention the sleek malls that are so synonymous with the US. This is a ‘leave your spending inhibitions at home’ kind of place. The biggest mall on the block is Orlando’s Florida Mall which measures up at a massive 18,580 square metres. But if you’re after serious plastic melt-down, head to the Mall at Millenia. This city-sized mall is home to three department-store giants – Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale’s and Macy’s – as well as sizeable stores from Chanel, Cartier and Jimmy Choo. Away from the multi-level shopping centres, well-heeled Winter Park in Downtown Orlando brings an air of elegance to retail therapy. Park Avenue is all about the finer things in life. Its chi-chi boutiques, bistros and art galleries are the stomping ground of ladies who lunch and their crystal-collared poodles. But if you’re on a stricter budget, the discounted shopping of places like Lake Buena Vista’s Premium Outlets will be right up your street. With everything from Gap and Timberland to Fossil and The Sunglasses Hut, there are some big savings to be had here.

Nightlife

In Florida, theme-park fun isn’t confined to the daytime - in peak season the rides roll late into the night and the character parades take on a glow-in-the-dark edge. It doesn’t end there though. Disney’s known the world over for its firework displays. Take your pick from Wishes at the Magic Kingdom, Illuminations at Epcot and Fantasmic at Hollywood Studios and get ready for a light-the-sky spectacular. Even after the theme parks have been put to bed, the rest of the state doesn’t sleep. Downtown Disney and Universal’s City Walk both have their fair share of nightclubs, bars and entertainment. And with choices ranging from comedy and live music to salsa dancing and Cirque du Soleil, you’re certainly spoilt for choice. But if you’re looking to escape the parks altogether, Downtown Orlando – with over 50 bars and clubs - has got the after-dark market cornered. Dance floors. Martini bars. Live music venues. You name it Downtown’s got it. Further afield you’ll find Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Miami are all on the party hot-list - because even the grown-ups need playtime.

• 8TRAX, Pleasure Island, Downtown Disney – Hustle back to the days of lava lamps, platforms and bell-bottom jeans to bump your way round the dance floor at this 70’s disco throwback.
• Tanqueray’s Bar and Grill, Downtown Orlando – A converted bank vault where the Tanqueray Martini’s flow freely and conversation and cocktails are the order of the day.
• Sky60, Downtown Orlando – A high-class hangout that is literally sky-high, this roof-top cocktail bar has fantastic views over Orlando.
• Pat O’Briens, Universal’s City Walk – Modelled on the New Orleans original, this concept cocktail bar comes complete with a flaming fountain and duelling pianos – and their signature Hurricane cocktail really packs a punch.
• Snatch, Miami – All 12-foot mirrors, corseted go-go dancers and a mechanical bull called Louie, this place is very rock and roll – and certainly pulls in the A-listers.

A Date for your Diary

On St Patrick’s Day, Pleasure Island in Downtown Disney becomes one big party – an Irish one of course. With the luck of the Irish in the air, they celebrate with games, food and plenty of live music. You’ll be quaffing Celtic cocktails. Living it up with the leprechauns. And flicking your feet Riverdance-style to an Irish jig. Plus there’s everything from stilt walkers to traditional dancing for entertainment. This Sham Rock ‘n’ Roll party is the only place to be on Paddy’s day.

Sightseeing

Magic Kingdom
Cinderella’s castle, Main Street and Pirates of the Caribbean. It can only be one place - Disney’s Magic Kingdom. This is the daddy of Disney parks. Not the first but definitely the most famous, it’s synonymous with all things Disney. There are more than 50 attractions here with Big Thunder Mountain, Splash Mountain and Space Mountain making up the big three. But it’s definitely the ol’ Disney magic that gives this park the edge. Piped music, sweet scents and the likes of Goofy and Donald on every corner - if you’re a pint-sized princess or pirate, it doesn’t get much better than this.

Epcot
The Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow – or Epcot as it’s otherwise known – is Disney’s most futuristic theme park. It’s split into two decidedly different areas. So you can either check out the World Showcase – a collection of eleven mini countries gathered around the lake-sized lagoon. Or visit Future World where you’ll find pavilions full of inventions and innovations and, of course, plenty of theme park rides like Soarin’ and the Test Track.

Hollywood Studios
The name says it all. This Disney park has got all the gloss of Tinsel Town - but with plenty of rollercoaster action into the bargain. The Great Movie Ride is fittingly housed in a replica of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. Then there’s the likes of The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror – that’s as scary as it sounds – and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. A thrill ride, it rockets from 0 to 60mph in 2.8 seconds. Pulling 5G’s, it’s the indoor ride of your life.

Animal Kingdom
The smallest of the big four, Animal Kingdom is an exotic world where Asia, Africa and DinoLand USA take to the Disney stage. The star of the show is the Kilimanjaro Safari. It takes you on a truck tour of the Serengeti, past herds of giraffe, elephants and all kinds of other animals. And there’s a big helping of Disney magic in the form of 3-D film It’s Tough To Be A Bug. Plus a Lion King stage show and Expedition Everest, a high-speed mountain ride with a Yeti-shaped surprise.

Universal’s Islands of Adventures
Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man. The Incredible Hulk Coaster. Dr Doom’s Fearfall. Universal keeps the comic-strip adventures coming thick and fast in this park. Wander through the wonky world of Dr Seuss. Ride the wave at Jurassic Park. And race through fire and ice on Duelling Dragons – at one point there’s just inches between you and the competition on this inverted rollercoaster.

Universal Studios
Ride the movies for some blockbuster thrills and spills. With more than 40 rides all themed around Universal films, Studios is as high-tech and action-packed as they come. Rides like Jaws and Revenge of the Mummy set a tone that’s more scream your lungs out than scream if you want to go faster. But with The Simpsons, Men In Black and Shrek all making an appearance there’s plenty to smile about, too.

SeaWorld
A marine park with a difference, this is the place to watch whales play, feed the dolphins and stroke the stingrays. And while it’s primarily Shamu, the killer whale’s show, there are a few white-knuckle rides to get your heart racing, too. Floorless Kraken is the tallest – and some say the scariest - coaster in Central Florida. Journey to Atlantis is a coaster-come-waterslide that’s wetter than a British holiday. And the Wild Arctic Simulator is a thrilling ride through the ice kingdom. So fasten your seat belts.

Discovery Cove
If you dream of coming face to face with flipper and his friends, Discovery Cove is the place to do it. Swimming with dolphins, paddling with the stingrays and snorkelling with tropical fish are all on the menu. But that’s not all. There’s a massive swimming pool, a tropical lazy river and an aviary, too. A day here really packs in the treats. And they only let 1000 guests a day through the gates of this 33-acre park – so you’re guaranteed to get the personal touch.

Anhauser Busch Gardens
Just an hour away from the theme parks of Orlando, Tampa Bay’s Busch Gardens awaits. It’s a thrill-ride fest with a twist - there’s an animal reserve and a live, Broadway-style show, too. With Kumba, Montu and Sheikra – the tallest dive ride in America – it’s worth coming here just for the coasters. But don’t miss the road and river ride, Rhino Rally Safari, or the Serengeti Railway. They’re a great way to see the animals without getting too close.

Kennedy Space Centre
NASA’s launch headquarters in Cape Canaveral certainly gives the theme parks a run for their money when it comes to pulling in the crowds. And we’re sure you’ll love learning about America’s space program, too. Visit the Astronaut Hall of Fame, the IMAX five-storey theatre and enjoy a host of interactive experiences. But for the full spaceman effect, it’s got to be the G-Force Trainer and simulators that let you drive or walk on the moon. It’s all just a small step down the Atlantic Coast.