Florida Adventure

With its treasure trove of natural wonders, diverse cultures and world-class attractions, Florida is a magnet for destination travelers from all over the world. In South Florida, discover the cultural vibrancy of Miami, the gorgeous beaches of Fort Lauderdale, the unique scenery of the Florida Keys and the awe-inspiring Everglades National Park. Travel to Orlando for the greatest attraction parks in the world as well as the Kennedy Space Center. Spend the days salsa dancing in Miami’s Little Havana, swimming with dolphins in Key Largo, air-boating in the Everglades, and watch a rocket lift-off from Cape Canaveral. Florida gives a new definition to the ultimate vacation.

The suggested itinerary begins in the thriving city of Miami for a taste of Cuba in Little Havana and the sunshine at South Beach before driving through the causeways of the Key West. Explore the lush Everglades National Park on an airboat to see alligators and listen to a chorus of tree frogs. Next, return north to enjoy a shoreline of premium outlet shopping, the Cape Florida Lighthouse, and Fort Lauderdale’s “Venice of America.” Wind down your adventure at the most magical place on Earth: Walt Disney World and go to infinity and beyond at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. Since Florida hosts an abundance of destinations, let us tailor a trip that’s right for your tastes and time.

Have a few extra days? Head west to St. Petersburg for a decadent outdoor market and the Salvador Dali Museum. Can’t get enough of the Florida wildlife? Go to Clearwater to see Winter, the famous dolphin who starred in Dolphin Tale. Are you a history buff? Stroll through the narrow streets of St. Augustine — “the Nation’s Oldest City” founded in 1565. Perhaps you didn’t get enough of Miami culture? Witness the energizing contemporary art scene of the Wynwood District before wrapping up your adventure with dinner and a latin dance show at the famous Mango’s Club.

Length of trip:

8 to 15 days

Start-end points: Miami, Fort Lauderdale or Orlando

Best time to travel:

All year-long

Character:

Combination urban, nature and culture

Intensity level:

Easy to moderate

Suitable for
FIT/SAT. Individuals, families and small groups

Highlights

Suggested itinerary at a glance

The cities of Miami and its neighboring Miami Beach are a fitting start of your adventure in South Florida. Day or night, their neighborhoods are alive with a vibrant mix of Latin, Caribbean and American vibe. There is the trendy nightlife of South Beach (“sobe” to the locals), the glitzy the Art Deco district, the hip Wynwood neighborhood, and the bustling Calle Ocho along the miles of white sand beaches. Add on the world class museums and a unique music scene with throngs of beautiful people and you know you are in for a good time.

During the perfect two-day visit, be sure to check out the highly caffeinated energy of Little Havana — only a few minutes away from your downtown hotel. The region hosts endless shopping opportunities in places like Coconut Grove where family-owned shopkeepers offer quiet, personal attention.

Take some time to settle in. Sample dark rums while listening to Afro-Cuban music, followed by an evening walk along the beach.

In Little Havana you’ll learn the basics of salsa and merengue. Short of going to Cuba itself, it is a great place to soak in the culture, food, music and smells of the island. Take a leisurely stroll on "Calle Ocho" (8th Street) at the heart of the neighborhood. Experience true Cuban food at the celebrated restaurant Versailles. Immerse yourself in the cigar culture of Cuba, do not miss Jose Montagne's shop, the famous Guantanamera store.

Located in the tropical southeastern United States, the Florida Keys are a top destination for visitors of all ages. The drive from Miami to Key West is one of America’s most iconic road trips, passing through charming little towns and natural parks that you’d never find yourself in otherwise. The Florida Keys span some 110 miles and are connected by bridges and causeways.

 Key Largo is the first of the Keys. It used to go by the names Planter and Rock Harbor — before the legendary Humphrey Bogart’s 1948 film Key Largo brought the location international fame. Key Largo is the Diving Capital of the world thanks to the huge underwater John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. There is something for all levels of activity and accessibility: dive or snorkel in its near reef, paddle a kayak through its mangrove’s waterways or take a glass-bottom boat excursion out to the ocean to view the wonders of this underwater paradise.

Take a hike through Dagny Johnson Hammock Botanical Park Nature Reserve, where an accessible path leads to a famous spot for crocodiles and butterflies. Snatched from the jaws of development, this Nature Reserve land was saved by environmentalists from becoming a sprawling complex of houses, condos, and hotels.

 Continue along the Keys to Islamorada, a fisherman’s dream, for an outstanding feast before continuing along the keys or heading back to the mainland.

Everglades National Park, at the southern tip of Florida, is often described as “a river of grass”, an enormous body of water flowing imperceptibly from the hinterland into the sea. The exceptional variety of water habitats has made it a sanctuary for a large number of birds and reptiles, as well as a haven for threatened species such as the manatee. We promise that you will see many alligators. On rare occasions, one can even encounter a unique specie of Everglade Black Bears.

This half a million hectares of wetlands, rivers, bays and lakes are a wild world where hundreds of species of plants and animals coexist. Explore on a guided tour at Shark Valley (no sharks, but rich in fauna, alligators, crocodiles, snakes and other creatures). There are a number of specific areas to the park, each with its unique character and access entry points. In most parts, wheelchair-accessible elevated boardwalks or paved trails provide easy access to points of interests, but please note that due to the recent storms, some parts may be closed.

Take a ride on a wheelchair  accessible “airboat” —a flat barge-like vessel powered by a propeller plane engine — through the swamps. The experience promises to be as noisy as it is unforgettable; with the whirl of the engine and sounds of tree frogs, egrets, and gulf toadfishes. Gliding on the surface of the shallow swamp waters is a unique way to explore the huge expanse of the Everglades National Park and its particular flora and fauna (and of course alligators ).

Nearby the airboat departure dock is the Miccosukee Indian Village. The Miccosukee, part of the Seminole people, is one of the most prominent tribes in the region. They are proud of having never been conquered by the Anglo settlers. They preserve their heritage, history and culture in the exhibition village at the edge of the Everglades. The village is entirely wheelchair accessible and contains many exhibits, including a presentation of traditional crocodile wrestling.

Virginia Key is a gorgeous 82-acre barrier island located on Key Biscayne off the coast of Miami. Spend one more day in southern Florida visiting the famous Miami Seaquarium, famed for being one of the oldest aquariums in the US, featuring shows of Nile crocodiles, giant turtles, sharks, Florida manatees, dolphins, whales and orcas. This small island has two of the most beautiful beaches in the region: Crandon Park beach facing Miami and Bill Baggs Cape Florida Park at the southern end of the island. After a visit to Cape Florida Lighthouse (the oldest building in South Florida), there is one decision left to make: settle in front of the immensity of the Atlantic Ocean or face the Bay of Biscayne with Miami on the horizon?

Driving north, make a stop in Fort Lauderdale to experience its beautiful beaches. The seven miles of sparkling shore offer residents and visitors premier opportunities for recreation, relaxation and enjoyment. The city’s award-winning wavewall and signature beachfront promenade of Las Olas Avenue highlight Fort Lauderdale’s world famous coastline. It is dotted with an array of shops, restaurants, sidewalk cafes and entertainment venues. Beachgoers can participate in a wide range of activities or, if relaxation is what you desire, simply sit back, unwind and enjoy breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean.

Embark on a fully narrated, 90-minute afternoon cruise down the "Venice of America." Sail through Ft. Lauderdale's Millionaire's Row on The River Queen, where you’ll see homes of the rich and famous, spectacular mega yachts and sights beyond belief. Or take a longer, 3-hour cruise on the Jungle Queen's Spectacular Afternoon Tropical Isle Sightseeing Cruise. A daily, fully narrated cruise down Fort Lauderdale's historic New River. The cruise includes Millionaire’s Row, but also takes you to a lush tropical isle where you can watch an alligator show, see exotic birds, lemurs and monkeys, and you might even get a chance to hold a baby alligator or a bird.

It’s true: Orlando is a magical place and not just because it’s home to both Cinderella’s castle at Walt Disney World and Hogwarts at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. There is an incredible mix of fun things to do in this great city that make it an ideal vacation destination. At the Orlando International Premium Outlet, bargain hunters will find astounding deals on worldwide luxury brands like Coach, Guess, and Calvin Klein. Stop and smell the citrus trees, azaleas, bamboo and hibiscus at Harry P Leu Botanical Gardens. Take a breather and paddle around the centrally located Lake Eola in a swan boat. End your day with some laughs and see a show at the award winning SAK Comedy Club in downtown Orlando.

Families, thrill-seekers, and the young-at-heart will experience endless fun at the wide selection of Orlando’s theme parks. Walt Disney World is not just one theme park, but four:

Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Animal Kingdom or Disney’s Hollywood Studios where you can play with your favorite Disney characters. Gather your magic wand and hop aboard the Hogwarts express to cast charms and tame magical creatures at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Adrenaline junkies, take note of Mako at SeaWorld: Orlando’s tallest, fastest roller coaster at 200 ft high and reaching speeds of 73 mph. Make friends with a real dolphin in SeaWorld’s Discovery Cove where you can feed and pet dolphins on an accessible close-up tour. Choose one of Orlando’s amusement parks or try to see them all!

About an hour drive from Orlando is Cape Canaveral, home to the Kennedy Space Center. Spend a day exploring NASA: the US space exploration agency. See the launch pads for the Apollo Missions and Elon Musk’s SpaceX shuttles. The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is organized into Mission Zones where attractions and tours are grouped by chronological era. From the dawn of space exploration to current and ongoing missions, you can get an up-close, hands-on feel for the history of humans in space.

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