Our 2 weeks in Florida began with a stay in Orlando and a visit to the theme parks, but we were keen to take this opportunity to do explore more of Florida and to holiday in the Florida Keys. We took some time working out the best places to stay in Florida with kids and worked out our itinerary in advance.
We hired a mid-sized SUV which was big enough for four of us plus luggage. We collected it from Orlando airport after landing and dropped it off at Miami airport on our last day. Having a car is pretty essential in the USA as everything is so spread out. The one extra we did bring was a Sat Nav, a lifesaver and worth every penny!
(Approximately 2 hours from Orlando hotels)
Over towards Tampa on the West Coast is the wonderful seaside town of Clearwater, often voted best beach in the USA (some accolade!).
It's perfect for families with small kids as the sea is so calm and the sands fine and white. Whilst paddling with the kids we were lucky enough to see a huge sea turtle swim quite close to the shore. There are plenty of places to eat and drink near Pier 60 and you can enjoy the daily mini-festival on Pier 60 which starts everyday 2 hours before sunset. On my wife's birthday we took the 'Little Toot' boat ride out into the marina, which offers Dolphin spotting. We were not disappointed and after a while we had a set of 5-10 dolphins happily jumping in and out of the boats wake, we were all spellbound!
(Approximately 1 hr from Orlando hotels)
Being a big space buff, I’ve wanted to visit the Kennedy Space Centre for years! The new Atlantis Shuttle exhibition was by far the best part of my day; there were loads of interactive exhibits for the kids to play with and the actual original Atlantis shuttle is there in all its glory, there is even a shuttle launch simulator which was great.
You can also take a bus ride around the greater complex to see some of the launch pads and you end up in a big hanger with a real Saturn 5 rocket overhead and plenty of exhibitions. Once you’re on this bus route, you have to go with the pace so you can’t go fast. Make sure you go to Atlantis exhibition first as this was by far and away the best exhibit.
(Approximately 3 hours from Kennedy)
We stayed one night in Fort Lauderdale to break the journey down to the Keys, but it was a lovely beachside town and is quite young and hip. My wife is a Coeliac and we found the best Gluten Free restaurant ever, a place called ‘Weezie's Gluten Free Kitchen‘ where we had a great breakfast of gluten free pancakes - even I couldn’t tell the difference!
(30 minutes from Fort Lauderdale)
Despite all the development and seasonal homes, much of Florida is still covered by swampland. The Everglades are a huge and important expanse of low level waterways and reed beds and are home to a lot of wildlife including Florida’s most famous resident the Florida Alligators.
I watched a lot of old US TV shows growing up and the airboats used in Gentle Ben always stuck in my head. We stopped for a morning at Sawgrass Recreation Park and Everglades conservation centre about a 30 minute drive from Fort Lauderdale. They offer both day or night time air boat rides into the Glades, as well as a small conservation area for rescued wildlife and cafe.
The Keys are a stunning set of small islands that fan out into the Gulf of Mexico from the southernmost point of Florida. There is a single road that interlinks them all the way down to Key West and you’ll pass through iconic places such as Key Largo on the way down to Key West. They all have a laid back and liberal atmosphere and it feels like a great place to unwind after Orlando's hectic parks.
We stayed on a Key called Marathon which is about half way down. Fishing, kayaking and boating and every other kind of water sports are on offer, along with lots of great seafood, locally brewed beers and of course you have to try the famous Key Lime Pie!
Key West is a great place to visit, with a vacation atmosphere and plenty of places to eat, drink and people watch. We spent a great evening around Mallory Square, with the world class street performers plying their triad for 2-3 hours whilst the sun sets over the sea, the kids were captivated and the fun loving atmosphere was infectious.
Ever since watching Miami Vice as a kid I've longed to spend a weekend in Miami, just to see if it's really as I imagined it to be - and South Beach didn't disappoint! Everywhere I looked I felt I was in a movie, TV show or video game. The old art deco area and esplanade with its stunning pastel neon lights is as stunning as I imagined it would be, the white beach is wide and well looked after.
We spent Friday night out with both the locals and tourists alike, all dressed to kill and out strutting their stuff. We just walking up and down Ocean drive people-watching and counting super cars, it was great fun. My son was over the moon to have sighted his 'full house' of a Lamborghini, Ferrari, Porsche and Aston Martin all within 30 minutes. We stayed in an art deco hotel next to 'Espanola Way' which is a nice pedestrianised street full of Latino bars and restaurants and shops but was still only a few blocks back from the beach.
As you can use a card to pay for just about everything in the US, I’ve always been lazy and been stung by my UK current account for various exchange rates and transaction fees. This time I decided to investigate alternative payment cards before I went and opted for one called Revolut.
When you sign up online, you’ll receive a physical Revolut card with MasterCard through the post (takes about 1 week). Next, you download the Revolut App and link it to your UK bank account or debit card, and from here you can top it up via the App on your phone (very easy).
The card and whole service is free. There is a slight monthly limitation on ATM withdrawals in the USA, but on charged transactions the exchange rates we found were very close to interbank rates and so much better than my Barclays account on the odd occasion I did have to use it. After each transaction you get a text alert, showing the amount, exchange rates etc. which is reassuring. I think it probably saved me over £100 just in fees over a 2 week holiday, I was really impressed.
Having spent so long planning my own USA family holiday, I have plenty of advice on Florida trips for families! If you’d like to plan a 2 week itinerary that takes in more than just the theme parks, I can tailor-make your entire holiday. I will help you find flights (into one airport and out of a different one if you prefer), accommodation to suit your budget and style and find a car or campervan to suit your family.
To start planning your Florida itinerary and to book a trip like this, contact Jim.
Senior Travel Consultant
at Travel Nation
See more ideas for: Chile
This luxury trip to Chile is ideal for families looking for a multi-centre holiday that includes adventure, incredible landscapes and marvellous creatures. We’ve hand-picked all accommodation on a full-board basis to keep things simple, and so you can maximise your time in each destination.
Visit the world’s driest desert, the Atacama, where kids can explore the bizarre moonscapes of Moon Valley & Death Valley. Moving down to the Chilean lake district, you’ll be amongst the snow-capped Andes and shimmering lakes. Heads over to the island of Chiloé for an amazing up-close boat trip to see endangered Humboldt and Magellan penguins in the wild! You’ll also get to see the world’s smallest deer in and stroll through Chilean rainforest.
Venturing south to Patagonia, the whole family can explore striking Torres del Paine, with family-friendly hikes, rides and boat trips – all offered by your hotel, with expert help to find what suits. This holiday’s luxury, inclusive stays and a range of excursions guarantees you have plenty of time to relax together and enjoy your surroundings on this unforgettable family holiday!
This Chile itinerary can be tailored to suit your requirements; please contact one of our consultants to start planning your dream trip.
Depart the UK from your chosen airport.
On arrival at Santiago airport, you will be met and driven by private transfer to Viña Matetic in the celebrated San Antonio wine valley where you will check in for a 2-night, full-board stay.
Viña Matetic is a luxury, boutique property with just ten rooms and its own vineyard that was remodelled by the prominent famous architect and designer Max Cummins. You can spend your time exploring with the diverse activities offered by your hotel. There are bike rides and hikes, and adults will almost certainly enjoy a little wine tasting! (Other tours may incur an extra charge).
Today you’ll be collected and taken to Santiago airport for your flight north to Calama. On arrival, your family will be met and driven to your hotel in San Pedro de Atacama where you will check in for a 3-night stay at Tierra Atacama.
Tierra Atacama is in a desert oasis that surrounds the town of San Pedro and offers beautiful views of the nearby volcano. Your stay here is full board and includes a selection of small group tour for your family to choose. Amongst many tours, we suggest a visit to Puritama Hot Springs, Moon Valley, El Tatio Geysers, or he Petroglyphs and Rainbow Valley. The astronomy tours in the Atacama are also incredible – with some of the clearest skies in the world found here. The hotel’s fully qualified guides will be able to suggest the best activities to suit the interests of you and the children.
You will be collected and taken by private transfer to Calama airport for your flight south to Puerto Montt, in the Lake District. You’ll be met and driven to your hotel in Puerto Varas where you will check in for a 3-night stay.
Cumbres Puerto Varas boasts stunning views of the Llanquihue Lake and the various snow-capped volcanos that surround it, so get ready to enjoy some spectacular scenery!
After breakfast, you’ll be driven to the Chiloé archipelago, including a 30-minute ferry and the chance to see playful sea lions and a variety of birds.
Once you reach Chiloé, you’ll visit the local community and the famous San Antonio fortress. Along the way, the myths and history of Chiloé will be explained and you will get an in-depth look at life on this magical island. Driving on, you’ll reach the small cove of Puñihuil where after a short walk and a zodiac boat ride, you’ll get an up-close look at some cute Humboldt and Magellan penguins which breed here! After your Chiloé tour, you’ll be driven back to your hotel in Puerto Varas for some chill out time.
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, and afterwards, you will be picked up and taken on a guided visit of Senda Nativa Romahue, a protected area located just 14 km from Puerto Varas.
This morning you’ll go for an easy hike on two trails through the Valdivian rainforest to learn more about the unique ecosystem of the region. Admire ancient trees and look out for wildlife including the chucao bird, the tricahue parrot and different species of woodpecker. Once you reach the centre’s organic garden, you will have a break and a delicious lunch.
After lunch, you’ll visit the animal rehabilitation area to see pudú (the smallest deer in the world), foxes and even pumas up close! If the weather permits, you can also take a boat ride along the Maullin River. Mid-afternoon you will be taken back to your hotel in Puerto Varas.
Today you will venture further south to Torres del Paine, one of the most famous parks in the Americas. You will be collected and taken by private transfer to Puerto Montt airport for your flight to Punta Arenas. On arrival, you’ll be met and driven 5 hours to your hotel Tierra Patagonia and check in for a 4-night stay.
Torres del Paine is best known for its steep granite towers and the Great Paine Massif that is surrounded by glaciers, river rapids and beautiful emerald lakes, with many rewarding hiking trails, lookout points, flora and fauna.
Tierra Patagonia is a beautiful, luxury hotel offering full board and a wealth of family-friendly activities to choose. Your guide will help you select tours to suit your interests so that the whole family can make the most of this stunning region.
After a lovely breakfast, you will be picked up and taken to Punta Arenas airport for your flight to Santiago. Once you land, you’ll be met and driven to your centrally-located hotel to check in for a 2-night stay.
This morning, you’ll be taken on a private tour of the city to visit the most famous landmarks, markets and to taste and drink some of the country’s specialities. The tour includes a short hike on San Cristóbal hill where a series of interconnected paths take you to the best lookout points for views of the city and the Andes You will be amazed by the lush vegetation and variety of avifauna right in the middle of the city!
Today you will be collected after breakfast and taken to Santiago airport for your flight back home.
Why not add in a stopover?
The best time to travel to enjoy this itinerary to the full is between mid-September to early April as this is the best time to visit Patagonia. Do consider the Altiplano winter between January and March when the Atacama’s weather can be more unpredictable with heavy rains.
This itinerary is purely a suggestion and can be tailor-made to your requirements, so please contact us with your dates and requests, and we’ll put together a bespoke quotation for you.
Fourteen nights in 5* standard accommodation.
Hotels in this category include:Viña Matetic
Senior Travel Consultant
Starting his exploration at 19, Jim has travelled around the world several times. Since having a family, his travel plans have become a little shorter and more organised! He has had some great experiences around the world from sailing through Halong Bay in Vietnam to relaxing in a villa in the Maldives and driving down to the Florida Keys with his kids. He is familiar with the loveable chaos of family life and knows how difficult it can be to find time to plan a trip, which is why he enjoys helping parents plan an itinerary that will ensure everyone has a fantastic trip. Jim has over 20 years’ experience in the travel industry and joined Travel Nation in 2015 as a round the world specialist.