Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Miami - Naples - Saint Petersburg Beach - Crystal River - Gainesville - St Augustine - Amelia Island
100% customisable for you
Your exciting road trip through coastal Florida starts today with a ten-hour flight to Miami. Head to the airport, whizz through security and enjoy some refreshments in the airport lounge as you await departure.
After landing, a private driver will be waiting to whisk you off to your first hotel, an elegant property in the heart of Coral Gables, a beautiful tree-lined neighbourhood located a few miles southwest of Downtown Miami. Spend the rest of today soaking in your new surroundings. You’ve a busy two weeks ahead…
Rise and shine, it’s your first full day in sunny Florida, and there’s not a moment to waste. Today, enjoy a walking tour through Coconut Grove with a clued-up local guide. What was originally a simple village is today a bohemian, tropical district adored for its leafy avenues and upmarket eateries. Discover the village’s history (it’s the oldest neighbourhood in the city, after all) and admire the many different buildings built by Bahamians.
The rest of today is yours to spend as you please. Either continue savouring the city’s delights at your leisure or, if you’ve worked up an appetite, we can arrange for you to head off for a foodie walking tour in the vibrant Little Havana.
It’s time to leave the beaten track behind and start totting up some mileage. Your next destination is Naples, a beautiful coastal city just two hours away.
Along the way, stop for a boat ride around the enchanting Ten Thousand Islands, a chain of mangrove islets just off the coast of southwest Florida. These islands are tucked away in the heart of the Everglades National Park, one of the only American parks to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site thanks to its exceptional variety of wildlife, including myriad bird species, reptiles and rare species such as the manatee.
After your boat ride, continue to Naples and settle in for the night at a luxurious beachside hotel, the perfect place to unwind.
Your coastal adventure continues today with a two-and-a-half-hour drive north to St. Pete Beach, a charming resort city nicknamed Florida’s ‘Sunshine City’ for its balmy tropical climate.
On arrival, settle in for three nights at a charming hotel. Spend the rest of today relaxing on the beautiful white-sand beach and swimming in the warm turquoise waters.
After a delicious breakfast this morning, drive 20 minutes to the neighbouring city of St. Petersburg to visit a world-renowned museum entirely dedicated to Salvador Dali. Located in a futuristic three-story building, the museum is a wonder inside and out. Lose track of time admiring masterpieces such as the Hallucinogenic Toreador and the Discovery of America by Christopher Columbus, both highlights from the world's most comprehensive collection of Dali’s art outside of Spain.
Craving more art? You’re in luck, as we can also arrange for you to visit the beautifully curated Morean Arts Centre.
After a day of culture yesterday, it’s time to set your sights once again on your stunning natural surroundings. Today you’ll head to Shell Key Preserve, an idyllic uninhabited archipelago home to soft white-sand beaches, warm crystalline waters and abundant wildlife. Explore this coastal landscape from the comfort of a clear-bottom kayak, which makes it possible to see the beautiful marine life beneath you, including turtles and manatees.
The time has come to bid farewell to St. Pete Beach and hit the road again. Your next destination is Crystal River, a small coastal city surrounded by unspoilt nature.
On arrival, settle in for the night at a grand property fringed with gardens and spend the rest of the day enjoying the hotel’s facilities. Fancy getting straight out into nature? We can arrange for you to spend an unforgettable afternoon swimming with manatees in hot spring waters.
Today, swap the rural Crystal River for the vibrant Gainesville, located just an hour’s drive away. Your home here for the next two nights is an elegant Victorian property, well-located for exploring on foot.
Once you’ve settled in and freshened up, head out to soak in the city sights. A popular attraction here is the architecture, with many of the city’s buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. One of our favourites? The former US Federal Building, which is now home to the Hippodrome State Theatre.
Besides its architectural charm, Gainesville dazzles visitors with its proximity to natural treasures. Swim in the turquoise waters of the Blue Hole, a secluded spring set in the heart of Ichetucknee Springs National Park; keep your eyes peeled for bison and wild horses in the Paynes Prairie Preserve; or simply rent bikes and discover the many green parks of the city itself.
This evening, keep embracing nature with dinner at a ‘farm-to-table’ restaurant (check in with our local Concierge for recommendations), before ending the night with a drink at one of the many local microbreweries.
Your road trip through the ‘Sunshine State’ continues with an hour-and-a-half drive to St. Augustine, a beautiful city on the northeastern coast that’s also the nation’s oldest continuously occupied European settlement (impressive stuff).
On arrival, settle in for the night at a historic property oozing with charm and spend the rest of the day discovering the city’s cultural delights. Stroll the old town’s narrow lanes, admire the Spanish-looking properties with their overhanging balconies, learn about the city’s history at the many museums and visit historic landmarks like Castillo de San Marcos, an old masonry fort.
It’s time to head to your final destination in Florida: the beautiful Amelia Island, located an hour-and-a-half drive away. Your home for the next two nights is a large beachside Victorian property overlooking an idyllic stretch of white sand. Sounds divine, right?
The rest of today is yours to spend admiring your new coastal oasis. Relax on the beach and take a dip in the water before settling down for a sunset aperitif on the porch.
If you can pull yourself away from all the beachside relaxation, we recommend you visit the island’s prestigious art galleries, dine in its renowned restaurants and enjoy a spot of tennis or golf at the island’s many excellent sports facilities.
Make sure to also check in with our local Concierge to find out what special events are happening; Amelia Island hosts a variety of celebrations throughout the year, from art and music to seafood festivals.
Sadly, the Florida fun has to come to an end today. After a delicious breakfast and one last dip in the ocean, hop back into your hire car and drive 40 minutes to the airport in Jacksonville. Drop off your hire car and take the opportunity to stock up on any last-minute souvenirs before take-off.
The flight back to the UK takes around ten hours, including a brief layover in a major US city. Most flights depart in the afternoon, so you’ll spend tonight onboard, enjoying sweet Floridian dreams before touching down on home turf tomorrow morning.
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
