Southern Florida

Description

3 Nights: Miami
2 Nights: Flort Lauderdale
2 Nights: The Everglades
3 Nights: Key Largo

With its vibrant cities and vast territories of protected mangroves and coral reefs, Southern Florida combines the best of both worlds – the natural and the urban. This Florida itinerary will allow you to experience a little bit of everything. During the first half of your holiday you’ll have time to enjoy culture, shopping and dining, while the second half of your road trip will take you kayaking and diving in two of America’s most stunning natural parks.

UK - Miami (3 nights): After landing at Miami International Airport, you’ll pick up a car and start your self-drive trip in what’s no doubt the coolest part of Florida. Miami Beach has everything for the perfect holiday – miles of sandy beaches, water sports, boutiques and a dusk-till-dawn nightlife. Whatever you choose to do, be it getting a suntan, strolling historic Ocean drive or enjoying the bars and nightclubs of fashionable South beach, you can’t go wrong. There’s plenty to try out in mainland Miami, too. Lincoln Road is a shopper’s mecca of boutiques and malls, while Coconut Grove is a hub of museums and galleries. If you prefer a more authentic experience of local life, you can always check out the vibrant neighbourhood of Little Havana.

Miami - Fort Lauderdale (2 nights): The next stop on your USA multi-centre holiday, Fort Lauderdale, is an hour’s drive north of Miami. Fort Lauderdale Beach, aka the Strip, is where it’s at. The seven-mile sandy beach is a good starting point for trying out all sorts of water sports, while its promenade is lined with countless shops and restaurants. Another great stop for a shopping spree is Las Olas Boulverad, which is home to a number of upscale boutiques. The compact Riverwalk Arts & Entertainment District, on the other hand, is the heart of all things culture – theatre, opera, fine arts and even historic homes. The best way to see Fort Lauderdale, however, is by water. A boat cruise will allow you to experience the city from its complex and beautiful network of waterways.

Fort Lauderdale - The Everglades (2 nights): After all the fun of city life, you will drive south for a few days of total relaxation and natural encounters in the Everglades National Park, the largest protected area in Florida. The park holds a treasure trove of biodiversity. Its mangroves are home to hundreds of plants, including endemic species found nowhere else on earth, as well as fish, birds and some fearsome alligators. You can explore this paradise on foot, on bike or by boat.

The Everglades - Key Largo (3 nights): From the Everglades a short drive on the Overseas Highway will take you to your last destination – Key Largo. The island is the perfect base from where to explore John Pennekamp State park, yet another of Florida’s stunning preserved territories. Since 95% of the park is underwater, you’ll have to rent a boat and some diving or snorkelling gear. You might also want to bring an underwater camera to capture the beauty of the coral reefs. When you tire of your adventures, you can relax and recharge with a meal at the laid-back local restaurants, which are famous for serving up an amazing variety of fresh seafood.

Key Largo - UK: At the end of your trip, you’ll drive back to Miami, to drop your car off at the International Airport before boarding the plane back home.