Florida, also called the Sunshine State, is a state in the United States of America and its territory is a relatively small peninsula. It extends towards the Caribbean and borders the Gulf of Mexico in the east. A trip to Florida means embarking on an experience somewhere between the exotic and the urban, both in terms of its climate and its environment. In any case, this is an excellent compromise for those who in a holiday are looking for natural environments and relaxation on tropical beaches but also entertainment and nightlife in the city!
Here is lots of useful information, what to see in Florida and the 2 most beautiful itineraries.
What absolutely must see in Florida
Florida is a mixed bag and boasts big cities, urban beaches, islands and islets, tropical beaches and a wealth of theme and amusement parks. There is, of course, no shortage of skyscrapers everywhere, to stay in perfect US style. Here are the 10 must-see cities and attractions!
1 - Miami
Miami is the undisputed destination in Florida! This city has something for everyone. Don't miss the Bayside Marketplace mall, the Jungle Island Zoo, the architectural Coral Castle, the imposing Freedom Tower and the bustling Miami Beach area with its Venetian Islands and Holocaust Memorial.
In Miami you will also have no problem getting around thanks to the well-stocked city transport and the countless taxis you will encounter.
Recommended excursions: Miami tour by double-decker bus and boat - Go Miami Card: All-inclusive pass
2 - Everglades National Park
This park is located in the far south of Florida and is very extensive. It is a wetland nature reserve that is home to over 1,000 plant species and 750 animal species, including several birds such as pelicans, flamingos, storks, buzzards and hawks. The park is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. and costs $27.00 for adults and $19.50 for children.
Recommended excursion: Everglades: seaplane tour and wildlife show
3 - Florida Keys
The Florida Keys are an archipelago in south-east Florida of about 1,700 islands. This myriad of islands is an ideal destination for fans of fishing, boating, and water activities such as snorkelling and diving. The main destination is Key West, renowned for its bars and nightlife. The archipelago is perfectly connected to the mainland by the very long Route 1.
Recommended excursions: Miami and the Keys: Explorer Pass for 3, 4 or 5 attractions - Key West: 1-day shuttle bus tour from Miami
4 - Tampa
Tampa is another great city. It overlooks the Gulf of Florida and a huge bay. There are many things to see and do here too, such as a visit to the historic Ybor City district, a day at the African theme park Busch Gardens, some relaxation at the beaches of St Petersburg, Sarasota and Clearwater, and a day at the many and varied museums.
Recommended excursions: 2-hour dolphin encounter at Clearwater Beach with lunch - Tampa: Historic Ybor City Segway Tour
5 - Sarasota
South of Tampa Bay is beautiful Sarasota, a town with crystal-clear beaches and unforgettable attractions. The most famous is undoubtedly The Ringling, a museum complex dedicated to eccentric art collector John Ringling and his wife Mable. This is their home dedicated mainly to circus art (Ringling was an institutional figure in the sector), which often hosts exhibitions and is a real dive into another universe (admission from €21.00 per person for adults).
There is no shortage of green attractions, such as botanical parks and the Mote Marine Laboratory, a marine research institute dedicated to the care and protection of ocean creatures.
From Orlando it is about 2.20 hours by car and almost 5 hours by public transport (3 buses are provided). The Ringling is about 2 hours and 15 minutes from Orlando, which can be travelled by car; alternatively, it takes 4½ hours by public transport to reach it (two changes planned). The Mote Marine Laboratory takes about 2 hours 40 minutes by car from Orlando or just under 6 hours by public transport (and 3 changes afterwards)
6 - Sanibel Island
Sanibel Island is a large island off the coast of Fort Myers, but well-connected to the city by a strip of land traversed by a road. This island is home to a nature reserve along the north coast, while the south coast has beautiful beaches, more natural than the urbanised ones of Tampa and Miami. We recommend Turner Beach, Bowman's Beach and Tarpon Bay Beach.
Recommended excursion: From Miami: 2-day tour to Everglades Park & Sanibel Island
7 - Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale is a city on the east coast of Florida that can be considered an excellent tourist resort, rich in beaches and amenities. Its beaches are very popular, especially Harbor Beach and La Olas Beach, but a note should also be made of its navigable canals that can be enjoyed for a boat ride or mini-cruise. Other points of interest not to be missed are the Butterfly World and the Fort Lauderdale Beach Park.
Recommended excursions: Fort Lauderdale: day tour, boat tour and lunch from Miami - Fort Lauderdale Charter Fishing
8 - Sawgrass Mills
You can't say you've been shopping in Florida without visiting Sawgrass Mills, a mecca for shoppers. It's a gigantic outlet store where it's easy to get lost (and spend!) - you won't need a whole day to explore it from end to end! Just a 25-minute drive away is the quaint Fort Lauderdale, which we have already mentioned.
From Miami, you reach Fort Lauderdale by car in 40 minutes or by public transport (bus + train) in about 1 hour 40 minutes. The mall is a half-hour drive from Fort Lauderdale, and an hour and 8 minutes by train from the city (depart from Fort Lauderdale Amtrak to Fort Lauderdale Airport Tri Rail Station, then walk a few minutes) - Get directions
9 - St. Augustine
St. Augustine is the county seat of St. Johns County, Florida, and is the oldest European settlement in the United States. When visiting St. Augustine, you will feel as if you are walking along the streets of a European city because of the buildings and monuments you will encounter. Don't miss St Mark's Castle, the Cathedral, the Bridge of Lions, the colonial quarter, the lighthouse with its Maritime Museum, the Pirate and Treasure Museum and Anastasia State Park.
Recommended excursion: Hop-On, Hop-Off Tour of St. Augustine
10 - Walt Disney World Resort
The Walt Disney World Resort is the biggest attraction in Orlando City. This large theme park complex is a must for anyone taking a trip to Florida. Inside, Mickey Mouse and his adventurous companions will entertain you with various amusement proposals, such as Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom. There is no shortage of themed hotels to stay overnight in the park and dining options. The complex opens at 9:00 a.m. and closing time and prices vary depending on which park you intend to visit.
Recommended excursion: Disney World: 1-day Magic Kingdom ticket
11 - Seaworld Orlando
Another great theme park in Orlando. Seaworld focuses on the sea and its animals and offers shows with orcas, penguins and dolphins. Inside you can visit the large aquarium and meet your favourite marine animals up close. Fun thrill rides, multiple swimming pools and adventurous water rides aboard an inflatable boat complete the park. Again, you can choose a hotel within the park and the ticket price varies depending on how many days you intend to stay there.
Recommended excursion: SeaWorld Orlando: ticket for 1, 2 or 3 parks
12 - Universal Orlando Resort
The Universal Orlando Resort is a theme park complex also located in Orlando. It is mainly focused on cinema, in fact inside you will find the Universal Studios divided into different themed areas, such as the magical world of Hogwarts. Here, too, there is no shortage of rides, amusements, adventures, hotels and gastronomy. Ticket prices range from $80.00 (€69.00) and $115.00 (€100.00).
Recommended Excursion: 1-Day Ticket for 2 Universal Orlando Parks
13 - Kennedy Space Centre in Titusville
Lovers of space travel will not want to miss a visit to the world-famous Kennedy Space Center. See the shuttle Atlantis live, be captivated by the realistic interactive demonstrations, learn new facts and anecdotes about space travel, maybe even have lunch with an astronaut (prices from €46.00 for one adult - buy online)
14 - Tallahassee
Before leaving Florida, a trip to Tallahassee, the state capital, is a must. Best known for its universities, the city is rich in sights and attractions and is animated throughout the year by major festivals and arts festivals, such as Springtime Tallahassee and the Southern Shakespeare Festival.
It is about 4 hours from Orlando by car; alternatively, it can be reached by plane in one hour and 20 minutes. By public transport, getting to the capital becomes an epic, with 3 buses taking about 6 hours - Get directions
Recommended itineraries
6-day itinerary in Orlando: the great amusement parks
Day One: Arrive in Orlando and check into your hotel
Day two: visit to Walt Disney World Resort and all its divisions
Daythree: visit to Universal Studios, a theme park dedicated to cinema
Dayfour: visit to Seaworld, a water park with orcas, sharks and dolphins
Dayfive: tour of Orlando to visit the city and buy souvenirs
Daysix: return to Italy
How much does it cost? Price details
Price per person from: €1,760.00
The price includes: international return flights with taxes included, overnight stay, car rental for the duration of the tour from the airport, entrance ticket to Seaworld, entrance ticket to Universale Studios, 24-hour assistance, travel insurance
Price does notinclude: price does not include entrance fees to Walt Disney Worls Resort, lunches and dinners, drinks, personal expenses
10-day itinerary: All Florida, city, nature and sea
Day 1: arrival in Miami, transfer to the hotel and accommodation
Day 2: Morning tour of Miami with stops in Downtown, Coconut Grove and Coral Gables. Afternoon at leisure to go to the beach or go shopping
Day3: A tour of Miami Beach and then departure for Key West, check-in at the hotel and afternoon at leisure
Dayfour: departure from Key West for Everglades National Park with a boat tour, then departure for Sarasota and hotel accommodation
Dayfive: Free day in Sarasota, a beach resort on the Gulf of Mexico
Daysix: departure for Trapon Springs, hotel accommodation and visit to Homosassa Spring Park
Dayseven: Departure for Orlando and day at leisure to spend in the city or at the amusement parks
Dayeight: free day in Orlando
Daynine: Free morning in Orlando or visit to Fort Lauderdale
Day10: transfer to Miami airport and return to Italy
How much does it cost? Price details
Price per person from: €1,390.00
Price includes: 9 overnight stays in hotels all with breakfast, transfer from and to the airport, transfers included in the tour, local guide in Italian
Theprice does not include: flights from and to Italy, airport taxes, travel insurance, lunches and dinners, tips, personal expenses
What to know for a trip to Florida
Useful info and necessary documents
Available airports: Miami, Tampa, Orlando, Palm Beach, Daytona Beach, Key West
Entry requirements: Electronic passport required. Italian citizens do not need to apply for a visa for stays of less than 90 days
Distance from Italy: 8,292 km (10-12 hours flight time)
When to go: climate and best time
The climate is sub-tropical in the north and tropical in the far south. Winters are mild and drier while summers are hot and muggy with frequent and heavy rainfall and often affected by hurricanes. Temperatures range between 20 and 32 °C, while the sea temperature is between 18 and 30 °C.
Best period: December to April, because there is little rain, there is no risk of hurricanes and the temperatures are warm but acceptable.
Periodto avoid: May to October, as this is the period of heavy rain and there is a risk of hurricanes.
Getting there and around
Florida is a vast territory, but the main and most popular destination for tourists is still Miami!
Both Milan and Rome have direct flights to Miami and flights with stopovers to other Florida destinations. In particular, Iberia and British Airways flights depart from Milan, whileAlitalia flights depart from Rome. In addition, the seaside resort of Fort Lauderdale can also be reached directly from Rome with a Norwegian Air flight.
Compare flights from Rome or Milan - from €304.16
Despite the vastness of the territory, moving between the various cities and resorts is no problem. There are many airports in the area, plus buses and trains have a dense network of connections between the various areas and have the advantage of being two fully functional services. Renting a car for greater freedom of movement is also a good idea for getting around Florida.
