Orlando Driving Holiday

Many holidaymakers who venture over to Orlando commonly take in the routine attractions and sights during their stay such as Disneyworld, Universal Studios and Sea World. There is of course nothing at all wrong with doing this as these places are truly magical, especially when travelling with children, however, there is so much more of beautiful Florida to be explored from your Orlando base. By driving around Orlando you are able to able to unlock some of the true treasures and sights that are only a few hours’ drive from the city itself. If you are flying into the city car hire Orlando Airport is probably the best place to pick up a car and get around.

Firstly, Florida is as famous for Disneyworld as it is its sumptuous beaches. 100 miles west will land you at what is arguably the state’s most beautiful beaches at Clearwater and St. Petersburg. The total serenity of the faultless white sand and crystal clear waters of the gulf are something truly to behold. En-route you can take in the city of Tampa which is packed with activities for both adults and children alike such as the nearby Busch Gardens theme park in Tampa Bay, the Museum of Science and Industry, The Florida Aquarium and Adventure Island.

From Clearwater, let Interstate 275 take you across the bridge over Tampa Bay to another popular destination on the Gulf Coast – Sarasota. The drive down to Sarasota in the warm Florida sunshine will quickly indicate you to the sheer magnificence of western Florida. Sarasota itself is perfect for the culture vultures out there thanks to the number of museums, superb restaurants, shops, nightspots, theatres and more. The beaches here are also to be marvelled at, likewise the opportunities open for the outdoor types, with golf, tennis and water sports always popular.

The adventure continues from here with a two-hour drive on Interstate 75 to Naples. Again, the possibilities are endless. As well as the truly stunning beaches there is also an excellent zoo and boat tours to Marco Island to busy yourself with. Naples also boasts many pretty parkland areas simply to relax in.

Stopping at Naples perfectly breaks up the journey as you head for the unforgettable Everglades National Park. This internationally-famous World Heritage Site is the home to crocodiles, manatees, 350 species of birds, 300 species of fish and has the largest mangrove ecosystem in the Western Hemisphere!

After this adventure, get yourself back to civilisation by visiting the unmistakeable city of Miami. Go to South Beach, visit the art deco buildings, laze by the beach, enjoy cooking from around the world or go on a shopping spree; Miami is a true one-off.

As the journey heads north back towards Orlando there is still much to discover and enjoy. Fort Lauderdale for example is famous for its canals and waterways, plus the Florida Riviera is always on hand should you be ready to get yourself back on the beach! In fact there is almost 190 miles worth of golden sand to spoil yourself with (including sumptuous Palm Beach) until reaching Kennedy Space Centre, where you will be bowled over at the incredible feats achieved by America’s space program and be able to see shuttles from past missions, artefacts and also the devastatingly huge hangar where the next shuttle for launch is being prepared.

This leaves you just 44 miles from Orlando, or if you’re still not tired of the beach; Daytona is just 80 miles north!