Florida

Nowhere on earth has better theme parks than Orlando. At Walt Disney World Resort alone – now celebrating its 50th anniversary – you’ll find Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park, not to mention the two water parks, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon and Disney’s Blizzard Beach. Then there’s Universal Orlando Resort, home to the hugely popular Wizarding World of Harry Potter, as well as Marvel Super Hero Island, the Jurassic World VelociCoaster (Florida’s tallest and fastest rollercoaster) and Universal’s Volcano Bay water park. Plus of course there’s LEGOLAND Florida Resort, home to more than 50 rides, shows and attractions, including the world’s first Peppa Pig theme park.

Away from the theme parks, the Sunshine State is all about having fun in the sun. As the only state with two coastlines, its 1,200 miles of magnificent beaches are the envy of the other 49 stars on the flag. We especially love the quiet, white-sand beaches of the Gulf Coast – places like St. Pete Beach near Tampa, Sarasota and Naples – where days can be spent searching for dolphins and manatees in weather that’s rarely anything but perfect.

Things get a lot livelier across on the east coast where South Beach, Miami remains America’s cool kid, famous for its Art Deco architecture, turquoise Atlantic shoreline, vibrant Latin culture and exciting restaurant scene.

Starting virtually in Miami’s backyard are the Florida Everglades, America’s greatest wetland, while unfurling to the south-west are the Florida Keys, a string of tropical islands connected by an ocean-skimming highway. Key Largo is the closest to Miami and the self-proclaimed dive capital of the world. Islamorada is the place to head to for the best in sport fishing. Marathon is one for the history buffs, thanks to its fascinating museum on Pigeon Key. While colourful Key West, the southernmost point of the continental United States, is famous above all for its fiery red sunsets, raucous nightlife and as the former home of Ernest ‘Papa’ Hemingway.