It all starts with sunshine. And as the name suggests, the Sunshine State gives you just that, all year round, plus so much more.  

If you think Florida is just Miami and Orlando, think again. There’s a lot more to discover outside these cities. So trade Universal Studios for Busch Gardens. Swap South Beach for Captiva lsland. And get ready to take your holiday beyond the expected. 

There are 825 miles of beach to stretch out on in Florida, and some of the best can be found in Fort Myers and Sanibel. The aptly named Paradise Coast has miles of wild, untamed beach and over 100 islands, which you can explore by ferry, cruise or even your own chartered boat. And if you’ve come this far, you’d better pencil in a trip to the gorgeous Everglades National Park, the only place in the world where alligators and crocodiles live side by side. 

A short drive south of Miami will take you to the Florida Keys, a peninsula sandwiched between the warm aquamarine oceans of the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico. This string of islands are connected by living coral reefs, acres of mangroves as well as some of the most scenic drives on the East Coast. 

Just like the manatees that live in its waters, Crystal River is known for its relaxed pace of life. This charming city is situated on the Gulf Coast, just north of Tampa, and is less commercial than holiday hotspots like Orlando, hence its nickname, the ‘Nature Coast’. 

Days here are all about the water. So, when you’re not fishing for grouper at Homosassa, kayaking down the Chassahowitzka River or snorkelling with manatees at the Three Sisters Springs, you’ll most likely be tucking into a delicious bowl of gumbo or a shrimp po’boy sandwich.