Discover Florida

Rides and rockets

Whether you’re a white-knuckle adrenaline junkie or simply want your picture taken alongside Mickey Mouse, then Florida’s famous theme parks and magical Disney attractions will be your heaven on earth. Orlando has the cream of the crop – Walt Disney World® Resort, Universal Studios®, the marine magic of Sea World and the watery thrills of Wet ‘n Wild® are unmissable. Close by, Kennedy Space Center and Busch Gardens® are also world-class visitor attractions. You’ll need a break from the theme parks though. They are great fun but also strenuous, and your feet deserve a holiday too! No problem, there are dozens of smaller top quality attractions all over the State, from specialist museums and art galleries, to the very latest hands-on Discovery Centers.

Animal magic

What would you like to see today? Big cats and exotic birds, sharks and sea lions, gorillas and ‘gators, rhinos, flamingos? How about a manatee? SeaWorld® and Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom are must-visits, but you’ll also find smaller zoos, parks and animal sanctuaries to enjoy. Not all of Florida’s wildlife is in custody, either. You’ll soon get used to pelicans flying gracefully past you, and the strange sight of the anhinga bird drying its outstretched wings. Keep your eyes peeled for dolphins on the Gulf Coast but look too in more unlikely places – watch the grass verges around the Kennedy Space Center, for example, for dozing alligators.

Life's a beach

A fabulous beach is never far away in Florida - whether you want a busy stretch with lots of water sports and activities, or a wild uncommercialised coastline where you can look for shells, watch for the fins of dolphins swimming by, and dig your toes into a carpet of soft white sand as you soak up the sun. By contrast, if you want to see and be seen, then head to Miami’s South Beach and hang out with the beautiful people.

Natural beauty

Most first-time visitors are pleasantly surprised to discover that away from the theme parks and resorts, there’s a very different face of Florida to explore, reminding us of just how inhospitable the land was less than a century ago. In fact there are still huge wilderness areas to discover, the most famous being the Everglades, easily explored from Naples or Miami. Even in theme park central, Kissimmee, there are unspoilt parks and backwaters that can be explored on foot, by boat, by canoe, or even swamp buggy - watch out for wild turkeys!

Sports mad

Sportsmen love Florida. It’s fantastic for golfers, with top facilities and very little chance of your round getting rained off. Several of Orlando’s theme parks have golf courses attached, as do some of our own villa and hotel resorts. Tennis is another Florida passion which you can often indulge right inside your hotel or villa grounds. Fancy fishing? The Gulf Coast’s rivers and lakes are teeming. Or head out to sea in Hemingway style. In the Florida Keys record-breaking catches are regularly hauled ashore. The Keys are also the place for diving and snorkeling. Other wonderful ways to enjoy the Florida surroundings are hire a bike, go canoeing, horse riding, boating, or just plain old walking.

Glorious food

So, where would you like to dine? Both Orlando and the Gulf Coast have an irresistible variety of restaurants to match all budgets and tastes. If you're in a hurry, think tasty burgers or buffet. Or take your time over a wonderful dinner at one of the state's fine dining restaurants. Everything's good here, particularly the seafood. Get to grips with a grouper sandwich if you're really hungry, that's battered fish, served in a bread roll; or savour a dish of succulent shrimp at a seaside inn. In the Gulf Coast, find a fish restaurant with a warm terrace where you can sit back and watch graceful pelicans soaring in the sky.

Shoppers heaven

Wherever you are in Florida, you’ll find shopping malls and retail parks - often on a huge scale - offering exclusive designer labels, discount fashions, factory outlet stores and souvenirs galore. Regional specialities include hand-rolled cigars, jellied citrus fruit sweets, Native American crafts, leather belts, boots and hats. And of course the theme parks each offer a vast choice of money-spending opportunities - you can’t go home without Mickey Mouse ears! But in places such as Naples and Sarasota there are also many upscale boutiques and European-style specialist shops. Style gurus and fashion lovers will adore Miami’s many eclectic one-off shops.

That's entertainment
	The sun’s gone down, but the entertainment goes on. Both Walt Disney World’s Pleasure Island and Universal Studios’ City Walk are a fantastic night out whatever your age and choice in music or comedy. Dinner shows are popular in Orlando, staged at many hotels. Listen to jazz or piano music in a quiet bar on the Gulf Coast, take a dinner and sunset cruise, a concert, a movie, or even the theatre. Florida has a booming cultural and performing arts scene too - spend a night with the Players of Sarasota for example. If you’re a party animal Miami or Florida Keys West will suit you perfectly but don’t underestimate the number of fashionable nightspots in downtown Orlando and Sarasota either.

Car Hire

To make the most of the Sunshine State, a hire car is essential, which is why our car hire prices are so competitive. With wider roads, low cost petrol and brand new air conditioned cars from Dollar Rent A Car, driving is the easy way to have the ultimate freedom to explore Florida.

We offer a wide range of car hire options from a basic car through to something with a little more space for those extra purchases you might make! When choosing your vehicle it is important to bear in mind how many people are in your party, not forgetting infants and allowing for luggage. You should also consider how comfortable the journey will be if you are thinking of covering long distances. Just check out the information on this page to help you decide which car to choose. Please note car pictures are shown as a guide only.

Economy Kia Rio or similar. European Equivalent: Vauxhall Corsa	Compact Dodge Neon or similar. European Equivalent: Vauxhall Astra
Intermediate Dodge Stratus or similar. European Equivalent: Vauxhall Vectra	Full size Dodge Magnum or similar. European Equivalent: Vauxhall Omega
Luxury Chrysler 300m or similar. European Equivalent: 7 Series BMW	Convertable Chrysler Sebring or similar. European Equivalent: Audi Convertible
Minivan 7 Seats Dodge Caravan or similar. European Equivalent: Chrysler Minivan	SUV Full Size Jeep Grand Cherokee or similar. European Equivalent: Jeep Grand Cherokee

Multi centre Florida Holidays

Florida has much more to explore than simply the theme parks and Orlando. The Gulf Coast itself is very diverse and is now attracting an ever growing number of visitors in its own right who do not go to Orlando. Miami is now a firm favourite with couples who like the smart Art Deco hotels of South Beach, the effervescent Latin nightlife, white sandy beaches and shopping malls. Key West is something different again. A tropical atmosphere with Cajun wooden houses. No need for a car here as everything happens around Duval Steery with its many shops, bars and restaurants.

You will never see everything in two weeks but you could sample some of its delights with one of our Multi Centre Holidays.

Orlando villa holidays

You'd need around two months to visit every one of Orlandos 95-plus theme parks and attractions - no wonder it's been called the entertainment capital of the world! From theme parks and aqua rides, to movie magic and animal safaris-the choice of amenities in Orlando is outstanding. Theres plenty of fun away from the theme parks, too-a huge selection of golf courses, shopping centres, bars and restarants, spectacular shows and live entertainment. Orlando is great for adults and children alike. In fact, your biggest problem will be trying to decide how to fit it all in.

The Golf Coast villa holidays

For the more adventurous who want to see all aspects of Florida, start off with a 5 night stay in Orlando, then take the easy four hour drive down to Naples and stay for 4 nights in a resort or hotel and enjoy the beach, shops and a round of golf. Take a trip to the Everglades and see the alligators from an airboat ride. From Naples it is only a three hour drivethrough the Everglades to Miami where you can stay in one of the Art Deco Hotels on South Beach and take in the Latin night life of Ocean Driveand Lincoln Road. Again, you can leave Miami for the 5 hour drive back to Orlando with plenty of time to catch your evening flight home.