A fly-drive guide to Florida
A fly-drive Florida holiday is a great way to explore the 'Sunshine State'. From the adrenaline-filled Orlando, to the crystal clear waters along far south Key West or to Pensacole in the North, the wide open roads can make exploring this stunning coastline a lifelong memory.
The state can be divided into four distinct areas; Central with its themeparks, South Florida which is home to Miami, the subtropical Everglades and cluster of 1,700 islands known as the Florida Keys. Ask most to name the biggest city in Florida and you’ll likely to be told Miami or Orlando, when in fact Jacksonville in the North East of the state has a population bigger then both combined!
More then 1.5million Brits visit Florida each year and thousands opt to hire a car and make the most of their time discovering the lesser known attractions and beautiful beaches away from the heaving Disney and Universal themeparks. If you are on a budget a great low-cost accommodation option is to hire a Florida villa and use your American-home as a central base to explore from. Motels are easy to find and are ideal for overnight stays as you explore further away from your private villa.
The F to A guide of Florida is a handy keepsake and provides seven suggestions of things to do and places to visit on during your Florida holiday:
F – Fort Lauderdale in the South East is home to the State’s largest shopping complex, Sawgrass Mills. It is also home to some of Florida’s richest and you can take a water taxi and tour Millionaire’s Row.
L – Lion Country Safari in South Florida boasts a four-mile drive-through safari experience and the chance to see over 800 animals. The best time to visit is during the 10:30am lion feeding and with an adjoining camp site this can be a real ‘outback’ experience.
O – Ocala National Forest, North-west of Orlando is great for hiking enthusiasts, an ideal spot for camping and during the summer offers canoe trips along palm-fringed streams. Restaurants specialise in chargrilled food served in a laid-back atmosphere.
R – Rollercoaster fans should head to Islands of Adventure at Universal in Orlando to experience The Incredible Hulk ride. You’ll accelerate from 0 – 40mph in 2 seconds and experience zero g-force in a weightless roll.
I – International drive in Orlando can boast to have six of the worlds best-loved themeparks, 485 shops and 150 restaurants. Many villas are located a short drive from here and the free shuttle busses are a convenient way to get around.
D – Daytona Beach is a must-see for motorsport fans. Found in Central East Florida, you can see experts at Daytona Speedway or have a go behind the wheel yourself at the Richard Petty Driving Experience centre.
A – Art Deco style buildings are a memorable sight in Miami. The ‘Art Deco History District’ run tours of the area and the chance to see hotspots of former illegal activity such as Al Capone’s office.
With satnav included with your hire car you need not worry about getting lost! Driving in Florida is something to be enjoyed but there are a few rules and regulations to be aware of:
- Do not be surprised if you see fellow drivers turning right at a red light. This is perfectly legal as long as there is no oncoming traffic or a sign to tell you otherwise.
- Like in the UK, seatbelts must be worn.
- If you have children under 5 they must have a child seat.
- Florida has some of the toughest laws regarding drink driving. Do not drink and drive! Also if you are carrying alcohol this must be stored in the boot, unopened.
- A new law was passed that requires drivers to ‘move over’ to the next lane or slow to at least 20 miles below the speed limit when passing emergency vehicles that are stopped on a highway.
Prices for a fortnight break in 2010 are from £1,018pp and include flights and car hire. This is based on a 3-bedroom home sleeping up to eight and with a private pool. If a Florida Fly-drive is for you, visit specialist tour operator jetsave.com.
