Florida Holidays

When you’re talking family fun, Florida’s in a different league. Mickey and Minnie lead the way at Disney’s six-strong line-up of theme parks, which include free-fall waterslides, African safaris and hair-raising rollercoasters. Across at Universal Orlando Resort™, movie-inspired thrills and tropical flumes are on the cards.

International Drive’s the second half of Orlando’s entertainment double act. It’s cosied up to the neighbouring theme parks, but its forte lies in eating, drinking and shopping. There are more restaurants and shopping malls than you can shake a pair of Mickey ears at, plus quirky attractions like WonderWorks – an upside-down building that’s filled with science games, laser tag and simulators.

Florida’s beaches often find themselves playing second fiddle to coasters and costume-clad characters, but they’ve got plenty to shout about. Clearwater and St Pete Beach are among the United States’ top-rated seafronts, and the likes of Cocoa and Daytona Beach aren’t far behind. In the south, Miami stands out for its cool boardwalk and pastel-hued Art Deco backdrop. What they’ve all got in common is ice-white sand and a bunch of top-end hotels for company.

Buzz Lightyear’s famous catchphrase is brought to life at the Kennedy Space Center, where NASA really do venture to infinity and beyond. The jet-blackened launch pads have seen more than 130 shuttles take off, and there’s a visitor complex where you can swot up on the ins and outs of space exploration. The whole site’s anchored on Florida’s east coast, just an hour’s drive from Orlando.