Florida road trip: City-hopping in the Sunshine State

Welcome to vibe central, aka Florida’s East Coast! The sun’s blazing and you’re raring to go, so you hop in your hire car and head to Orlando, where the perfect mix of excitement and relaxation awaits. If you arrive early, treat yourself to a visit to the Kennedy Space Center, the real NASA spaceport (tickets can be booked on the day but it’s absolutely worth it!). Things really kick up a notch in the Shuttle Launch Experience, which simulates a rocket launch up close and personal – childhood dream unlocked and astronaut vibes included! Outside, Orlando is the ultimate entertainment mecca full of rollercoasters, shows and a great atmosphere everywhere you go. But of course, you’ll need a moment to wind down, too. So why not spend your first evening in style at Wall Street Plaza! Enjoy a delicious dinner under the palm trees, surrounded by buzzing urban energy and cool beats.

Just hearing the name Orlando makes everyone think of giant theme parks. And rightly so, as no other city in the world has so many of them. The Walt Disney World Resort, the Universal Orlando Resort, which consists of four theme parks (Universal Studios Florida, Universal's Islands of Adventure, Universal's Volcano Bay and the Universal CityWalk) – how are you supposed to decide which to visit? Well, in the best case, you won't have to! With a combo ticket (optional, bookable online or payable on site), you can experience several parks at a bargain price. Watch your favourite film legends and myths come to life and feel the adrenaline rush as you ride the world's craziest roller coasters. And if it's a different kind of entertainment you seek, you can explore St. Augustine, the first settlement in the United States. Thanks to its turbulent history, there are plenty of architectural treasures to marvel at in the oldest US city, right on the Atlantic!

It's already time to say goodbye to Orlando – the coast is calling! So you grab the keys to your hire car and get behind the wheel. First up, an animal adventure awaits. Have you ever met a manatee? If not, now's the time to change that! The small town of Crystal River is known for its manatees, and at the Three Sisters Wildlife Park, you can catch a good glimpse of the cute sea creatures yourself (optional, payable on site). And it gets even better – you can even grab a kayak or snorkel (payable on site) and experience the peaceful manatees up close and personal! With the day off to a great start, continue on to St. Petersburg. Once you arrive, drop off your bags but don't hang about – the beaches are calling! So grab a towel and follow the gentle sound of the sea. Fancy ending the day on the shore with a nice cold drink or strolling through the lively Pass-A-Grille neighbourhood? Whatever you decide, you'll definitely feel the vibrant Florida vibe! 

G'mornin', Florida! Another day in the Sunshine State dawns, and your excitement to explore practically pulls you out of bed. Your first destination? Downtown. Take part in a guided mural walking tour (optional, payable on site) and let local artists show you everything about the vibrant district and its impressive street art. Each painting tells its own story, and you'll get to learn the insider facts! Afterwards, continue to Fort De Soto Park, which comprises five islands. If you're up for it, grab a kayak or canoe (optional, payable on site) and paddle through the clear water. With a bit of luck, you might even see dolphins, manatees and rays! Want to discover even more? Then take the ferry from the fishing pier over to Egmont Key (optional, payable on site). Almost half of this 280-hectare island is reserved for wildlife, so you're bound to come across some gopher tortoises or birds like the osprey and brown pelican on your way past historic ruins and abandoned roads.