Why should you travel to Florida?

Florida is a diverse destination offering the joy of incredible theme parks, the sights of fascinating natural landscapes and stunning beaches, and the experience of cultural and historical highlights.

Discover the magic of Walt Disney World and Universal Studios, enjoy the turquoise waters and soft sandy beaches of the Gulf Coast and the Atlantic, or visit unique places like the Kennedy Space Center and Miami’s Art Deco District.

With a wide array of activities, beautiful natural experiences, and historical landmarks, Florida promises a memorable tour for everyone.

Our tours in Florida

Our tours to Florida are self-drive tours, often referred to as ‘road trips.’

When you’re on a road trip in the USA, you have more freedom to explore attractions on your way to the destinations. We suggest experiences along your route, but if you discover something exciting that’s en route to your planned overnight stop, you are free to visit it. That’s precisely what a self-drive tour is all about.

Below you can see some of Florida’s many highlights that you can experience on your tour.

H3: Orlando

Orlando, situated in central Florida, is an American city that offers an array of history, experiences, and nature.

However, the city is perhaps best known for its numerous theme parks. So, if you’re dreaming of fulfilling your inner child’s greatest wishes, you can visit amusement parks like Universal Studios, Legoland, and Disney World.

If you’re interested in space, just a 90-kilometre drive from Orlando is one of the most significant sights in American space travel. You can visit Cape Canaveral — a barrier island located on what’s known as the ‘Space Coast.’ Here you’ll find both the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, where all of the USA’s manned spaceflights have taken place.

Everglades National Park

The Everglades National Park is located on Florida’s eastern coast.

In this national park, feel the thrill as you almost glide over the water on its iconic ‘airboats.’

You can join a guided tour of the wetlands, offering insight into the ecosystem of the 6,000 km² national park and its rich wildlife, which includes alligators, crocodiles, black bears, frogs, snakes, and more than 360 different bird species.

Fort Myers

Fort Myers is a coastal city in southwest Florida, and the whole area is a natural attraction. At Six Mile Cypress Preserve, you can walk through an extensive wetland on a boardwalk, where you might spot alligators, wild boars, otters, and fascinating birds.

Furthermore, Fort Myers is ideal for a relaxing beach holiday. The area boasts miles of pristine white sandy beaches, plenty of small beach cafés, and a cosy atmosphere.

If you want to experience the whispers of history, we recommend a visit to the Edison & Ford Winter Estates, where inventors Thomas Edison and Henry Ford had their winter residence, and more than a thousand ideas were created and patented.

Miami

Further south, in southeast Florida, lies the vibrant city of Miami, which is a melting pot of art and culture, combined with beaches and urban life.

Besides the beautiful beaches flanked by the city’s many high-rise hotels, you can also explore Little Havana, the Cuban quarter, where you can enjoy a freshly rolled cigar, savour Cuban coffee and mojitos, or watch Cuban domino players at ‘Domino Park.’

The city also hosts Wynwood Walls, the heart of Miami’s art scene, where you can witness impressive street art. Many warehouses and shop facades in the area are adorned with wall and mural paintings, all exuding a unique artistic vibe.

Key West

Key West is the southernmost city in continental USA, renowned for its water sports, pristine beaches, historical sites like former President Harry S. Truman’s ‘Little White House’, and its pastel-coloured architecture.

You can explore Duval Street, which is bustling with shops, bars, and cafes. Delve into the world of writer Ernest Hemingway, whose old home and the museum dedicated to him can be found in this city.

And don’t forget to sample the local classic, Key Lime Pie, while you’re in town!

Other highlights of Florida

There is almost an endless box of delights to discover in Florida. You can also choose to experience:

• The district of Ybor City, located in Tampa, Florida’s third-largest city. Known as ‘Cigar City’, Ybor City was the centre of Tampa’s cigar production in the 1880s. The area still reflects that era with its charming brick buildings that were once cigar factories.

• The Overseas Highway, which stretches 181 kilometres through the Florida Keys all the way to Key West. This picturesque route is primarily made up of bridges over the Gulf of Mexico, Florida Bay, and the Atlantic Ocean, allowing you to stop at some of the smaller islands along the way.

• On your journey from Orlando to Fort Myers, take a detour to Crystal River, home to the manatees. During the winter months, hundreds of manatees swim towards the warm waters of Three Sisters Springs. You can see these majestic creatures swimming on the surface from the built-in boardwalks.

Frequently asked questions about our tours to Florida

Heading to Florida for the first time? Got any questions? We’ve tried to answer the most frequently asked questions below.

When is the best time to visit Florida?

The best time to visit Florida depends entirely on what you wish to experience.

Florida has a subtropical climate with very hot summers and mild winters, as well as high humidity throughout the year. The majority of rainfall typically occurs between June and September.

Florida is popular year-round. For the most pleasant weather, plan a visit between November and April, when it’s warm (but not too hot) and dry. However, these months coincide with the high season, so expect more visitors, depending on your destination.

When is hurricane season in Florida?

Hurricane season in Florida runs from June to November, with the highest risk typically between mid-August and mid-October.

During this time, the likelihood of tropical storms and hurricanes increases. A hurricane is a very powerful tropical storm with wind speeds of 120 km/h or more.

Though it would be quite unfortunate for a hurricane to affect your particular holiday, it’s important to be aware of this risk when choosing to travel during this period.

What’s included in your tours to Florida?

Our tours to Florida are package holidays.

This means that when you travel with us, your flights, car rental, accommodation, and on some tours, scheduled excursions and activities are included.

However, if you wish to explore independently, such as visiting the Kennedy Space Center, please be aware that entrance fees are not included.

Is it safe to drive in Florida?

Yes. It’s safe to drive in Florida, and the state is wonderful to explore by car.

The roads are well-maintained, and speed limits are enforced throughout the state. Some American cars are quite large, so you’ll find that some roads are wider than those you may be used to.

However, there are particular traffic rules you should be mindful of when driving in the USA. For instance, speed limits vary depending on the number of lanes on the main road you’re travelling on.

As with all destinations, we recommend exercising the usual caution and following local advice and guidelines, especially when visiting large cities such as Orlando and Miami, where there are many people and the roads can be busy.

Do you have any other questions?

Travelling to the US for the first time can be overwhelming—we’ve all asked the same questions that you might have now.

Did we not answer your question?

We are ready to assist you – before, during, and after your tour.

Exploring the world with TourCompass is a safe experience – we’re with you all the way!

TourCompass – From tourist to traveller