Florida is a big state with a diverse landscape and an inexhaustible list of things to do. Travelling its length would take an entire day by car and that is why most visitors tend to stick to either the East or West coast only venturing inland to visit Orlando and the theme parks. Why not explore the length and breadth of the state with a Florida Holiday to remember? We give you five fantastic Florida reasons to visit (without needing to even look at a pair of mouse ears!)

St Pete’s and Clearwater – Its upscale Florida!

Florida has an unfair reputation within the USA as being the poor man’s California, but we argue that Florida is the savvy man’s California! With upmarket beaches along its West Coast including St Petes, Clearwater, Sarasota and Naples, there’s plenty of opportunities for Insta-perfect beach shots in Florida that more than rival the beaches of Los Angeles for half the price.

St Pete’s and Clearwater are located on the Gulf of Mexico and are popular as day trips from Orlando with British tourists. St Petes has one of the best foodie scenes in the USA, with lots of bijou huts, bars and restaurants that offer the imbiber everything from comida Cubana, to Mexican dishes to good old USA fayre. The best option on the menu is always the locally caught fish.

As for excellent hotels, we recommend the Don Cesar, Marilyn Monroe’s hotel of choice and a local icon!

The Everglades – See you later, Alligator

The Everglades is the natural wonder of Florida and a MUST visit if you want to see the best exhibition of wildlife in the United States.

The Everglades are not for the feint hearted as you'll come face to face with alligators, snakes, panthers and birds of prey. This unique preservation area in south central Florida is not to be missed and can be easily accessed via main cities like Miami and Fort Lauderdale.

The best way to experience the Everglades is to take an airboat ride through the swamps and play "count the 'gator"! Be sure to take plenty of bug spray and don't push anyone in, no matter how tempting.

Tallahassee – The state capital.

The state capital, Tallahassee is often overlooked for the bright lights of Miami, Orlando and even Tampa which all receive many more visitors.

However, Tallahassee has plenty of reasons to visit all of its own. Located in the Northern panhandle area of the state, with its rolling hills and thick forests, the countryside around Tallahassee looks and feels very different from the rest of the state. For a true taste of Dixie history visit the Goodwood Museum and Gardens. These are on the site of a former cotton and corn plantation and feel ever so, ever so, Gone with the Wind. For more Floridian history, a trip to the 17th-century Spanish mission, called Mission San Luis, will offer an insight into the founding of Florida.

For outdoor activities in the area, the nearby Apalachicola National Forest and Tate’s Hell State Forest offer many opportunities for fishing and hiking.

Explore the Florida Keys – Get down to Kokomo!

Stretching for about 120 miles off the coast of South Florida, the Florida Keys are a totally tropical delight that will take your breath away. Sip a cocktail while enjoying some of the world's most iconic sunsets and perhaps even a slice of Key Lime pie.

The Florida keys offers prime water sports and snorkelling real estate, with some of the best diving available in all of the USA.

Key West is easily the best-known area of the Keys, with plenty of things to see and do and a liberal and relaxed atmosphere. Famous author, Ernest Hemingway’s home is located here, including a museum telling the story of Ernest's life in the US and Spain is also here, and the city’s famous Duval Street is popular for its nightclubs, bars and restaurants. 

Miami is nice – so we’ll say it thrice

Miami is one of the world's most vibrant and diverse cities offering sun, sand, sea and exceptional nightlife. However, it is Miami's neighbourhoods that really make the city.

Spend a week exploring Miami's neighbourhoods and you'll still have barely scratched the surface. There's the charm and sophistication of Coral Gables with its upmarket hotels and boutiques, complete with size 6 models and tiny dogs. For a completely different flavour why not visit Little Havana for the best Cuban food and Mojitos outside Havana? For some chilled out days and blissed out beats, get yourself down to SoBe to relax on the beach and take in the bodies beautiful. If you're looking for romance, then head down to Coconut Grove for boutique stores, wine bars and chilled out relax spots.

Have we spoken about the miles and miles of unbroken golden sands yet of Miami Beach? Some of the most iconic hotels in the world are located on Collins Ave. 

So here it is. Proof positive that a two week holiday in Florida can be incredible without ever feeling the need to queue for an hour for a thirty second thrillfest at Disney or Universal.

Make your 2021 holiday a two week Florida Holiday from as little as £999 per person.