Under the Florida Sun Fly Drive

This trip gives you a coast to coast introduction to all that the Sunshine State has to offer. From the thrills of Orlando’s attractions to the decadent ambience of Miami Beach

Drive around Florida on an unforgettable tour of the Sunshine State - from East to West, from South to North and back again. Go on an adventure to discover the cities of Miami, Naples, St. Petersburg Beach, Orlando and Fort Lauderdale as well as the spectacular Everglades National Park. This road-trip is totally bespoke so you can easily extend your stay and visit the Florida Keys in the south or some other popular Atlantic Coast resorts on your way down to Fort Lauderdale.

Day 1: Welcome to Miami

Upon arrival in Miami, you will pick up your rental car and head to your first hotel. Spend the day as you wish: whether that be taking it easy and getting your first taste of America in a traditional diner or venturing around the city. For those determined to stay awake and beat the jet lag, check out the Little Havana district for a taste of Latino-America and then head to Downtown Miami for towering skyscrapers.

Day 2-3: Naples and The Everglades
Depart Miami today and kick-off your Florida road trip, with a 120-mile drive that takes you through the Everglades National Park. The Everglades Park is the wildest subtropical area of the United States where the plant life is similar to that of the Caribbean Islands. Three hundred species of birds and animals including alligators find refuge in this Sanctuary. Visit Shark Valley and embark on an Airboat Ride to observe the wildlife, such as alligators, whitetail deer, river otters, and about 200 different bird species. Afterwards, you will enjoy a demonstrative alligator show, followed up by a visit to the museum, and the alligator farm, where you can see over a 100-alligators, crocodiles and black caimans.

Continue to Naples for your overnight stay. It’s time to relax by the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Naples will welcome you with several miles of warm and sunny beaches. Stroll around Fifth Avenue and visit Naples City Pier, the beautiful beaches or Tin City - the latter of which initially formed the heart of Naples' fishing industry but is today transformed into a market area. Take a trip to the beautiful Fort Myers beaches and Sanibel Island, approximately 85 kilometres north of Naples, famous for its seashell-covered beaches.

Day 4-5: St. Petersburg/Clearwater
Continue your journey this morning to St. Petersburg via a coastal route that will take you through the charming beach towns of Sarasota, Longboat Key and Anna Maria Island. Each of these areas has its own rhythm and appeal but they all boast white, fine-sand beaches and calm crystal-clear waters. Today you’ll drive 170 miles north, with plenty of exciting stops along the way.

Upon arrival in St. Petersburg, your time is yours to relax, explore and discover the area as you wish. St. Petersburg is home to fine dining, great shopping, Fort De Soto Park and the Salvador Dali Museum. 

Day 6-7: Orlando
Head east on I-4 from St. Petersburg via Tampa toward Orlando, a sprawling city celebrated for its theme parks, resorts, shopping, dining and many other amusements. Home to Disney World and the Universal Studios empire, Orlando is around a breezy 100-mile drive. Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista offers four theme parks, two water parks and dozens of additional attractions, from themed hotels to downtown shopping plazas. For cinematic adventure, visit Universal Orlando, where The Wizarding World of Harry Potter enchants. Nearby SeaWorld entices fans of marine life.

Day 8: Fort Lauderdale
Bid farewell to the magic of Orlando and drive east to Kennedy Space Centre, the site of the American Space Program and NASA headquarters. At the Visitor Centre, experience interactive simulators, live shows and close encounters with massive rockets. Meet a real member of NASA’s Astronaut Corps in the Astronaut Encounter. Make sure to see one of the IMAX space films on gigantic five-story screens. After your day of space exploration, continue on to Fort Lauderdale, known as the “Venice of America” because of the intricate canal system. The arts and entertainment district of Fort Lauderdale runs along the Riverfront and Las Olas Boulevard offers quaint shops, eateries and galleries. The Jungle Queen Boat tour goes up the New River and offers a closer look at the striking homes along the waterway and includes a stop at their “Indian Village”.

Day 9-10: Miami
Depart Ft. Lauderdale this morning southbound to beautiful Miami Beach. Miami is an international city, rich with a multi-ethnic culture which is reflected in the cuisine and architecture. Miami’s South Beach is a particularly stunning and often intoxicatingly beautiful place. Warm breezes, swaying palm trees, and the sound of the waves washing ashore act as a backdrop for pastel-coloured, Art Deco buildings; it has been called the American Riviera by seasoned travellers. Head to the hotspots of North Beach, Mid Beach and South Beach, and visit the historic property of Vizcaya Museum & Gardens.

On day 11 you drive back to the airport, return the rental car and board your plane home.