Family Fun in Florida: Miami, the Keys, Naples and Orlando

Miami is one of those cities that really is as trendy and timeless as everyone says it is. Whether it’s the immense stretches of sandy beach bordering the ocean or the stream of stylish shops, bars and restaurants that call South Beach home, you’re never far from glitz and glamour. But today is less about the high life and more about the arty life. After a luxuriant lie in (if the children allow for one…) and a delicious breakfast, head out to the arty district of Wynwood with a passionate local guide. An artists' residence since the 1980s, it only became easily accessible in the mid-2000s and is now a playground for local and international graffiti artists. Throughout the year, the district comes alive with festivals, designer markets, pop-up galleries and concerts. Stroll through the streets, stopping regularly to admire and understand the messages on the many fantastic murals. You can continue discovering the neighbourhood this afternoon at your own leisure or we can arrange for you and the family to get your hands dirty with a graffiti workshop.

It’s your last full day in Miami and what better way to spend it than gently riding down and around Miami Beach on bikes. After breakfast this morning, you’ll be kitted out with bikes, helmets and a city map, ready for a few hours of free discovery. Ride along the bustling promenade, take a break under the shade of palm trees and discover the charms of the iconic Art Deco district. If you’d rather discover the coast from the ocean, then our team can also arrange for you to spend today cruising around Biscayne Bay in a private boat.

Today you’ll be switching things up, swapping the hustle and bustle of Miami for the calm island landscapes of the Florida Keys, a string of tropical islands just off the state’s south coast. After a delicious breakfast at the hotel this morning, collect your rental car and drive an hour and a half to Islamorada, a charming village encompassing six of the Florida Keys, in the centre of the archipelago. Your home for the next two nights is an elegant hotel extended by a picturesque white-sand beach. The rest of today is yours to spend settling into the rhythm of island life. You’re in the fishing capital of world, so you could grab some equipment from the hotel and have a go at big game fishing. We could also arrange for you head out for a memorable experience to kick off your time in the Florida Keys: either a guided snorkelling tour to discover the reef or a ride around Sugarloaf Key island in a transparent kayak.

Your final day in the Keys is all about mixing fun with relaxation. You’ll start today with a visit to a sea turtle hospital, a small non-profit organisation dedicated to the rehabilitation of endangered sea turtles. You’ll be guided around the site by an expert to discover how the centre operates and learn a little more about the lives of these fragile creatures. Round off your visit with a feeding session with some of the turtles who live here permanently. Then it’s back to the beach for an afternoon of fun in this delightful tropical environment. Read your book in a plush lounger, play beach games, enjoy a splash around with the little ones and savour a tasty Caribbean-inspired cocktail or two.

The time has come to bid farewell to your tropical oasis and continue your adventure across Florida. After a hearty breakfast at the hotel this morning, bundle the family back into the hire car and travel to Naples, a delightful city perched on the turquoise shores of the Gulf of Mexico. The journey takes around three hours, however you’ll be breaking it up with a stop at the enchanting Everglades National Park. Here you’ll be swapping your car for an airboat and whizzing around the park with an experienced private guide. This is a great opportunity to admire local fauna, which includes manatees, panthers and flamingos. You’ll also swing by Gator Island, which, as you can probably guess, is home to several species of alligators basking peacefully in the sun. On arrival in Naples, settle into your next hotel: a beautiful complex reminiscent of an Italian town, where you’ll be staying for the next two nights.

Today is yours to spend discovering Naples and its surrounding wilderness at your own leisure. The city is known for its high-end clientele, so expect designer shops, pristine casinos and luxurious restaurants in the heart of town. The old town is a little more humble, filled with art galleries and independent shops. When you’re ready to answer the call of the wild, you have plenty of nearby nature reserves to choose from: Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, Big Cypress National Preserve, Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge, Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge and Picayune Strand State Forest are just a few of the beautiful protected areas worth visiting. Round off your day with a gentle stroll along the beach and its beautiful pier at sunset.

Your voyage across Florida continues today. After a fuelling breakfast this morning, hop back into your hire car and travel north to Orlando, a vibrant and fun-fuelled city just over four hours away, where you’ll be spending the last three nights of your family holiday. You can drive there directly and spend the afternoon lazing poolside at the hotel, or we can arrange for you to soak in some culture with stops at the Dali Museum and the Morean Arts Center in Saint Petersburg.

If there’s one place in the US that youngsters unfailingly love, it’s Orlando. Home to a dizzying collection of amusement parks, family fun is woven into the fabric of the city itself. Our team will pre-arrange for you to have entrance tickets to Universal Studios or Universal's Islands of Adventure (or both, it’s up to you). The first sucks you into a wealth of different cinematographic universes, such as Harry Potter, Men In Black, Despicable Me and Woody Woodpecker. The second is more centred around comic books and cartoon heroes and offers an array of innovative rides and attractions alongside classic roller coasters and children's rides. We can also arrange for you to have passes for the Disney park of your choice and the Kennedy Space Centre.