The keys are a string of natural coral islands connected by roads and bridges. Key West is the most southern and popular in the line of islands. Drive halfway between Miami and Key West and prepare yourself to be amazed by all there is to do on Islamorada. This Key’s main lagoon is a sanctuary home to bottlenose dolphins, California sea lions, sea turtles, tropical and game fish, sharks, stingrays and more. The seventeen-acre garden is home to exotic birds, lizards and crocodilians. You and your family can wade in and swim with dolphins or sea lions, but do avoid the crocs!

If dining on fish is more your style, then not far away on the same Key will you find outdoor restaurants built to lounge and savour the sunset. Wicker chairs and umbrellas with a backdrop of the sea or the ocean make for a perfect setting. You can enjoy five star dining or a pizza and beer. Anything you want tastes better in the setting sun and salt air of this Floridian hotspot.

If Key West is your destination, then complete leisurely ocean driving over coral islands and smooth arching bridges, with billowing sailboats in the distance. Upon your arrival, you know you can’t go home without saying you reached the well-publicised and most photographed spot on Key West, signposted ‘The Most Southern Spot in the 48 States’. Here you can book a half-day deep sea fishing trip with experienced sea captains. For the more faint of heart, a tour of the Ernest Hemingway home, complete with the descendents of his family heirs, in the form of cats, might be more to your liking. Warning: step carefully.  For the active, I can only begin a list of how to spend the day, the week, the season: snorkelling, diving, boating, eco-tours, kayaking, golfing, swimming (both in pools and beaches), and flat path hiking. For those who want peace, a full range of spas, both day and with hotels, are there to pamper. In the evening, Key West comes alive with theatre, art galleries, nightclubs, and the full range of dining experiences from candlelit elegance to marina casual. Top it all off with a slice of the world famous Key Lime Pie, noted for its unique tart and aromatic flavour. There’s nothing else like it in the world.

As you head back North, take heart in that the drive back is as beautiful and breathtaking as the drive there. The peace you will feel from a combination of excitement, activity, culture, and fine food all packaged in a small peaceful village existence will stay with you till the next time. Trust me, there will be a next time.

Diane Pfister is a duel citizen of the USA and UK, who has spent the last thirty years travelling, writing and painting her way across Europe and the United States. Her involvement in www.bestloved.com goes back twenty years and her paintings may be seen at www.pfister.co.uk. Diane is a regular contributor to Carpé Noctem, a travel and lifestyle blog published by Best Loved Hotels. Diane welcomes responses to both her art and her writings.

Twenty miles of excellent beaches and the warm waters here are the biggest draw. Water sports are plentiful and if you’re into snorkelling or diving then look no further for exotic fish and colourful corals amongst the old wrecks here. Cultural, historical and social activities can also be found here aplenty. The Broward Centre for the Performing arts, Museum of Discovery and Science, Museum of Art and the historic Stranahan House can all be found in the downtown area and are within walking distance of each other.
If you find yourself fed up with the beach, you could try heading to Las Olas Boulevard the most charming thoroughfare in Fort Lauderdale. From chic boutiques to galleries, fancy restaurants to sidewalk cafes, this is a fabulous place to be. It is considered by many to be the most exciting and beautiful street in the area by locals and visitors alike.

Pompano Beach
An ideal beach holiday destination Pompano Beach is sometimes referred to as ‘the jewel of the south Atlantic coast’. It may be smaller than neighbouring Fort Lauderdale, but its three miles of sandy beachfront offers a wide array of things to do and see.

The water along this stretch of coastline is some of the clearest and warmest you’ll find in Florida because of the Gulf Stream making swimming, snorkelling and diving very popular here. The unique three tiered natural reef system that begins about 100yrds from the shore at about 20ft deep and then continues out till it’s over 100ft deep offers some very special opportunities. More than 75 artificial reefs have been added over the last twenty years, and so there are plenty of opportunities to explore the marine life here.

Fishing is also a side benefit of the coral reefs, and there are lots of charter open sea fishing excursions available as well as boat fishing and pier fishing, and of course some of the finest calibre seafood restaurants too.
Butterfly world offers a tropical rain forest aviary that is the largest butterfly habitat in the world and there are many thousands of butterflies to be seen here – wearing bright colours attracts them more and you’re almost certain to be landed on if you do. Humming birds, lorikeets, an insectarium, waterfalls and more can also be found here.

Golfing and horse riding are also big sports locally, and so whether you’re looking for calm or lively, sporting, shopping, or just relaxation amongst nature Pompano beach could offer you the perfect holiday destination.

There’s more to Daytona than just cars too, white sand, sparkling blue water and plenty of people to enjoy life with as you sunbathe, surf, play volleyball, swim, look for seashells and more. This is a great place to socialise and people watch.

The legacy of car racing at Daytona began in the early 1900s with the hard packed sand and the party-hearty atmosphere of the spring break tradition. For a time it stopped the area being a family tourist destination, however today this no longer holds true and Daytona beach is considered a premier family holiday location. This said, Bike Week is now the biggest event on the Daytona calendar along with the world famous Daytona International Speedway which is home to the Daytona 500 part of the NASCAR calendar.

It may be beach and cars that draw people here, but there’s much more once you’ve arrived. Theatre, concerts, museums and international music festivals all take place here. The museum of Arts and Sciences is located in 90 acres of natural land and features permanent and travelling exhibitions, 18th, 19th and 20th century furniture, paintings, sculpture and decorative arts and more. Other museums of interest include the Halifax Historical Museum, the Southeast Museum of Photography and the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse and Museum.

There’s plenty of recreational activities to be found here from swimming in the sparkling waters to scuba diving in the off shore reefs. There are a number of golf course that will appeal to pro’s and amateurs alike as well as deep sea fishing. Divers will be in their element as there are over a dozen well known wrecks here that are great for underwater exploration as well as many reefs and plenty of sea life.

Shopping may not be the main attraction here, but there’s plenty of retail therapy to be found with shopping malls and boutiques. The Riverfront Market place along Beach Street in the downtown historic district gives a great experience of strolling amid lush palm lined avenues, and the Volusia Mall is one of the most popular locally with all the big name brands represented.

Free concerts are held at the Oceanfront band shell every spring and summer. This historic landmark was built over 60 years ago and you can experience everything from jazz to Dixieland, blues, folk and more here. There are also other venues hosting big name acts through the year too.

So if someone says to you that Daytona is just where the spring break partiers go, and where racing enthusiasts meet, you can quickly correct them and tell them all the exciting things that can be found here on a fun family break.

Clearwater
A peninsular on the west coast bordered by the gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay, Clearwater is home to warm sands and clear waters. Popular for active holidays it has plenty of beach activities, golf, shopping, great places to eat and a diverse cultural heritage. Moccasin Lake Nature park is a particularly great showcase of native plant and animal species, and the 35 miles of award winning beaches here are a great place to relax.

St Petersburg
Sometimes called St Pete, this neighbour to Clearwater is famous for sun – in fact a few decades ago it took the world record for most consecutive sunny days, and averages a full 360 days of sunshine each year. Museums, performing arts centres and galleries make this the cultural hub of Florida. Specific museums not to miss include the Salvador Dali museum and the powerful Holocaust museum.

Tampa
Water, sun, sports, arts and lots of amusement parks – what more could you want! Take a visit to Busch Gardens or the Florida Aquarium, do a little shopping, catch a few rays on the beach and then head into the entertainment district for a spot of dinner and some music and dancing. Ybor city is one of the prime locations here and is designated a National Historic Landmark.

Bradenton
A less well known area than its neighbours, Bradenton is nevertheless a great place to explore art and history as well as the sunshine and beaches of course. There’s also the South Florida Museum, the Manatee Village historical park telling all about the early pioneers and how they lived, and the Pittsburg Pirates train here in the spring too.

Sarasota
Home of the Ringling Brothers circus, Sarasota has a rich and distinct cultural identity. There are educational museums, opera, ballets and plays to see here, and the Siesta village is rather a funky noisy beach where many writers and artisans hang out.

Englewood
If you want to avoid the spring break scene and experience a bit of ‘old Florida’ then come to Englewood. This intimate community has acres of parks and miles of unspoilt beaches as well as world famous fishing, and excellent boating opportunities.

Everglades National Park
A truly unique and amazing place, the Everglades is a subtropical landscape of over one million acres in size. There are some 600 plus species of birds and animals and literally thousands of plant varieties. It is also home to a number of endangered species including the American Crocodile. There are many things to do here including bird watching, camping, hiking, eco tours and boat tours.

Men in Black: Alien Attack
This is a high impact ride where you get your own laser gun to blast the aliens as you whizz through the city in an six person ultra cool passenger car. Collect points as you go and compete with other cars to see who can earn the most points.

Shrek 4D
Enjoy a 20 minute 3-D show with motion simulators, and loads of other special effects including tilting seats. Join Shrek and Princess Fiona on their honeymoon as you encounter various characters from the movies. (Includes voices from Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz and Eddie Murphy).

Jimmy Neutron’s Nicktoon Blast
Jimmy needs your help to save the world after an evil genius has stolen his rocket and is trying to destroy the earth. A great mixture of computer graphics, state of the art technology and motion simulation is used along with an assortment of Nickelodeon characters including Sponge Bob, the Rugrats and the Wild Thornberrys.

Revenge of the Mummy
An indoor roller coaster that hurtles riders through the tombs of ancient Egypt trying to escape the curse of the Mummy. This ride isn’t one for the faint hearted as it’s pretty intense. You meet fireballs, scary creatures and flames as the ride twists and turns, jumps and starts along its journey. It’s strictly no carry on luggage is allowed here not even bum bags, everything must go into a locker before you begin.

Twister
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to experience a whirlwind for real? This is an intense and noisy ride created with 2 million cubic feet of swirling air every minute. It’s loud and intense in there as you experience cars, trucks and a cow flying about while you stand just a few feet away.

ET Adventure
Climb onto your flying bike and take to the air with ET on a mission to save his planet. Travel into the star lit sky and meet some of Steven Spielberg’s creatures created just for this ride.

Terminator 2: 3-D Battle Across Time
It’s just you and the terminator now… prevent mankind from becoming extinct at the hands of the cyborgs in this attraction which combines live action and 3-D effects in a really intense thrilling event.

Disaster!: A Major Motion Picture Ride
A chance to star in your very own disaster movie as you board an underground train that is about to enter the final scene of a disaster movie. As an earthquake hits you’ll find yourself trapped sitting helpless as concrete collapses about you, a train hurtles towards you and you’re threatened with both flood and fire.

The Great Movie Ride
Housed in a replica of the legendary Graumann’s Chinese theatre, the use of film footage, and special effects celebrates the history of film.

The American Idol Experience
Always wished you could audition for the biggest talent show in the world? Here’s your chance – perform in front of a panel of judges and see if you can get enough votes to be in the grand finale performance at the end of the day. Alternatively you could just be part of the audience and vote for your favourite acts.

Studio Backlot Tour
This is a behind the scenes tour on a tram that takes you through prop warehouse, wardrobes department, and past scenes and vehicles that have been used in real movies and shows. There are plenty of photo opportunities here, and you’ll also get to see two different special effects demonstrations too.

Walt Disney – One Man’s Dream
A chance to learn all about Walt Disney the man behind the mouse. This is a self guided tour with artefacts, photos and interviews with the great man who started the Disney empire.

Rock n Roller Coaster
A wild ride indeed – this extreme indoor roller coaster has an intense sound track recorded especially for it by Aerosmith and takes you from 0-60mph in under 3 seconds!

Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Arguably the scariest of all the Walt Disney World rides this once glamorous hotel, now old, neglected and full of cobwebs has freight elevators that rise and fall, rise and fall, plunging you down with darkness and fear.

Voyage of the Little Mermaid
This is a 15 minute show that’s brilliant for the whole family. Puppetry, special effects and songs recreate this popular Disney film.

Muppet Vision 3-D
An attraction that brings the Muppets to life with Kermit trying to keep everyone happy and lots of crazy things happening back stage and plenty of special effects to add to it all this is another one for kids and adults alike.

Lights, Motors, Action!
This is a fast paced extreme action stunt show to thrill visitors of every age. It reveals secrets behind some of the best car chases and stunts as well as pyrotechnics as you witness explosions, jumps, spins and more.

Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
A thirty minute long live show recreating scenes from the Raiders of the Lost Ark with stunts, fighting and explosions. A must see for Indiana Jones fans obviously, but also for anyone who’s a fan of action movies in general.

Star Tours
Based on the original Star Wars film this is a full motion simulator ride that takes you on an intergalactic adventure. It bumps and shakes you as the ship you’re aboard encounters mishaps and has to twist and turn to survive creating a great adventure with thrilling effects and motion.

Hotel Urbano
Located in downtown Miami, Florida close to South Beach this urban beach hotel offers stylish accommodation and great service. It has 65 guest rooms each with walk in shower and wireless high speed internet. This is a place which is stylish, vibrant, eclectic and casual. It is an urban boutique hotel with a resort flavour to it.

Daddy O Hotel
Small and stylish, this boutique hotel provides its guests with a sophisticated but personal experience. It has convenient access to all the hotspots in South Beach from dining and shopping to nightlife and beaches.

Miami Spring Hill Suites
The Spring Hill Suites Miami Airport hotel offers both business travellers and holidaymakers a great place to stay. This is a smoke-free hotel, which is spacious, rich with amenities and offers great friendly service. Its location means you’ve got plenty of restaurants, shops, attractions and golf clubs within easy reach, and it’s just a short drive from both the port of Miami and the Miami International Airport.

When you’re setting out to choose a hotel, it’s worth bearing in mind that Miami and Miami Beach are two separate cities. Miami Beach is just across the causeway on a barrier island, and the hotels here were designed to blend in with the tropical beauty that abounds here. There are many Art Deco designs in the Miami Beach Architectural District which are unlike any others in the country.

One of the most photographed hotels here is the Colony Hotel. Designed in the height of the Art Deco era of the 1920s-1940s, it is today transformed into a boutique hotel. Other boutique hotels in the area include the historic Hotel Chelsea and the Hotel Shelley both built in 1936, and the Riviera South Beach which was built in the 1940s. More modern boutique hotels include the Catalina Hotel and Beach Club, the Chesterfield Hotel, the Clinton Hotel and the Hotel Whitelaw.

South Beach hotels offer a vintage atmosphere that is distinctly art deco, while downtown hotels highlight all that is modern and urban. The Hyatt Regency Miami is connected to the Miami Convention centre and has more than 100,000 square feet of meeting and event space, while the Four Seasons offers round the clock multi-lingual guest service.

Hotels here in both areas are used to accommodating international travellers so language is rarely a barrier here, and with Florida’s growing tourism industry these are some of the most luxurious modern downtown hotels and funky South Beach boutique hotels you’ll find.

With sun kissed beaches, lush green parks and a bubbly city centre, Tampa easily fits into the list of varied and exciting holiday spots that are perfect for family getaways. Time has seen a large influx of Caribbean immigrants into the city and this speaks a lot about the Caribbean influence that is reflected in many of the city’s districts!

Cuddled up on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, the largest city of Florida gifts family’s romantic sunsets and a Caribbean-influenced nightlife that vibrates with salsa music and Cuban jazz. Cap it all with a family walk through Tampa’s famed avenues at night and it makes for a perfect family holiday!

For families who are interested in taking a peek look into the multicultural heritage the city oozes with – make your way to the hub of Ybor City. This place which houses the Tampa Latin Quarter was the centre of the Cuban cigar boom in the early 20th century and is the best way one can learn about the rich heritage and culture of Tampa.

Tampa offers numerous activities, all of which are entertaining enough to keep every single member of the family engaged. Kids will love the Florida Aquarium which strives to delight vacationers with unique exhibits every year. The beautiful Clearwater Beach with its great view is one of the best places where families can relax after the day’s activity. You can splash around in the warm waters of the beach, play volleyball with your kids in the soft sand or even ride on a pirate ship. Sailing and skiing are other activities that family can indulge themselves in, once at the beach. Do not miss out dining listening to the rhythmic live bands at St Pete Pier!

And it is not just the Clearwater beaches. The Tampa Bay has to its credit several beaches which make for a perfect beach holiday when you are out with your family. You and your kids can enjoy flying kites in the well-preserved stretch of the Honeymoon Island. A ferry from here will take you to the dunes of the Caladesi Islands. There are few things as great as the kayak trail through mangroves at this area. The Fort DeSoto Park which lies to the south of Tampa is another ideal family sightseeing attraction thanks to the animal sanctuary, the old fort and the soft sands this place boasts about. Treasure Island, Hubbard’s Marina and Maderia Beach are the other beaches in Tampa where you can enjoy nature trails and water sports like snorkeling, kayaking, parasailing, sailing and deep-sea fishing.

There is more to Tampa than just its beaches. Tampa’s Museum of Science and Industry offers kids the opportunity to relate to the numerous hand-on exhibits here. The Lowry Park Zoo promises to keep every member of the family entertained with its vast collection of animals. Tampa Museum of Art gifts visitors an insight into the classical and contemporary Roman and Greek arts. Fun-filled theme parks are the next best place in Tampa where you can head to gathering your entire family. The Busch Gardens is a name you can keep in mind.

With lots of fun sports attractions, numerous exciting events (Gasparilla Priate festival, Fiesta Day, the Tampa International Gay et cetera), lots of outdoor activities and several tailor-made family accommodation choices, Tampa is a perfect holiday destination for familes.

As a top family break destination, Orlando guarantees complete enjoyment for families no matter what time of the year they choose to visit. The city has for long been considered one of the best places to relish the happiness of family bonding. Just the fact that Orlando is home to ‘Disney Land’ – regarded the world’s happiest place and the ‘Universal studio’s Island of Adventure’, speaks a lot about the amazing experiences that awaits one in this city.

The above two star attractions of the city gift loads of fun-filled experiences that are thrilling enough to enliven people of any age from any cultural background and from any country across the world. From themed games and roller coaster rides to coming face-to-face with comic characters, there are a pack of entertaining and hilarious activities that can be cherished by the entire family here. The fun and joy that Disneyland gifts, is beyond the conception of someone who has not been lucky enough to get there. Each of the fascinations, magical water rides, theme parks and pleasurable activities that this place offers comes as a pleasant surprise to tourists.

The magical world of Disney is one among the main reasons behind Orlando evolving as one among America’s most famed family holiday destinations. But, of course, it does not stop with that. The ‘Hollywood Studios’ which weaves around movies and the magic it creates, the ‘Animal Kingdom’ where kids can enjoy a Safari ride, ‘Epcot’ which gifts both adults as well as teenagers the pleasure of enjoying futuristic rides, the ‘Kennedy Space Center’ where kids can enlighten themselves on space travel and the ‘Wizarding World of Harry Potter’ which comes as a treat to all Potter fans add much more fun to a family holiday out at Orlando.

The theme-park capital of the world also has to its credit several other gargantuan tourist attractions which includes Universal Orlando – a film studio attractions very much similar to Disney and the Sea World which encompasses an Aqua Park, Aquarium, Zoo and Activity Park.

In addition to the above – exotic resorts, great food and impressive golf courses make sure that visitors enjoy every single moment in Orlando to the fullest. From rented villas to accommodations set in the most picturesque surroundings and fully equipped with every amenity you would possibly think of, there are numerous accommodations which are tailor-made to suit the needs of families visiting the city.

Orlando also boasts of one of the country’s largest shopping malls and the fact that the dollar is low ebb at the moment comes as good news to many. With a warm weather to go with all the above there is little more you can ask out of a family holiday at Orlando.

With something special for every member of the family, Orlando family holidays sure gift you memories that will last a lifetime.

In spite of the fact that South Beach hogs all the limelight for its pastel-hued buildings and à la mode nightclubs, other parts of Miami have much to offer as well in terms of recreation and culture. A day out at the sun-kissed Haulover Beach Park or at Little Havana can be as amusing as a night at South Beach.

The biggest city of the Sunshine State, Florida, Miami has evolved from a plain Oceanside retirement community to a cultural melting pot today. The music, language, spirit and Latin American food help add that International flare which Miami boasts of today. Though the city is best known for its beaches, a visit to this city will enlighten one on the fact that there’s a lot more to Miami besides than just the sun and surf.

In addition to the load of family attractions, fantastic beaches and superlative shopping avenues, Miami has some of the best neighbourhoods. The Coral Gables (constructed exclusively from coral limestone) with its romantic Venetian pool and Spanish colonial-style homes; the popular Key Biscayne with recreational marine attractions, huge beach parks and fantastic beaches; Little Havana – the famed Cuban neighbourhood and the Coconut Grove which enchants with its exciting nightlife scene and lively shopping makes it clear to visitors that true Miami is in its nieghbourhoods.

Amongst the many things to do and see, here are the best you can opt for on a Miami holiday

Zoo Miami: Many a people’s most favourite zoo, Zoo Miami does not disappoint visitors. Gifting an incredible experience, the zoo showcases many appreciable creative setups with habitat styled exhibits that offer plenty of room for animals. The sanctuary boasts of some of the most endangered and rare animals including crocodiles, tigers and the Komodo Dragon.

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens

A splendid museum which has some of the best collections of historic artifacts and significant artworks! Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is one if the best places where travelers can experience the eternity of Florence, the joviality of the Rococo and the grandeur of Rome!

Santa’s Enchanted Forest – South Florida’s winter wonderland, Santa’s enchanted forest is a friendly and fun attraction that is loved by people of all ages alike. Kids love the place and Santa’s Enchanted Forest is on top of the family favourite attractions in Miami!

Everglades Hummer Adventures: The world famous park which also has the tag of being South Florida’s most popular attraction – “THE FLORIDA EVERGLADES” does not disappoint.

Oleta River State Park – offers great kayaking and biking opportunities in the Florida countryside. This urban oasis is considered one of the most naturally beautiful places in the United States.

Barnacle State Historic Site: Mulled over as the birthplace of Miami, the perfect way to revisit early Miami is to be here.

These and many more unique attractions along with the best amusing activities and entertainment options give enough reason why Miami is any vacationer’s favourite holiday destination. With something for everybody, Miami sure falls into the list of ‘fine holiday destinations’.