Day 1 – Fly from the UK to Tampa and collect your rental car.

With its mix of historic architecture and modern landmarks, a culture infused with Cuban and Spanish flavours, vibrant neighbourhoods and beautiful waterways, Tampa is a wonderful place to start your holiday. In the downtown area you will find the Tampa Riverwalk, perfect for strolling, running or biking, plenty of hip bars and innovative restaurants and amazing restorations of turn-of-the-century buildings. Ybor City, which was created around the Cuba cigar-rolling industry in the late 1800s, is now world renowned as a hot nightlife spot, its old red brick buildings now filled with lively music, cocktails and late-night dancing.

For plenty of Florida thrills, Busch Gardens has rides, shows and attractions to fill up a full day and the nearby Adventure Island water park offers daring drops and relaxing wading pools. If you’re into hiking, biking, paddling or bird-watching, hit one of the Tampa area’s many parks and preserves, such as Hillsborough River State Park in Thonotosassa or Lettuce Lake Park in north Tampa. Rent a kayak or stroll the trails amid serene surroundings, encountering beautiful Florida birds, pop-up turtles, lazy gators and the occasional manatee. 

Stay three nights in Tampa. 

Day 4 – Travel to Crystal River approx. 80 miles

Crystal River is the Manatee Capital of the World and home to the only National Wildlife Refuge in the U.S specifically created to protect habitats for Florida’s beloved official marine animal. Swim with the manatees, explore the lakes and rivers, reel in Florida’s best fishing, taste fish-to-fork cuisine, play great golf courses, take a hike through unspoiled forests, dive for scallops, cycle on one of America’s top-rated trails, and discover the parks and attractions.

Stay two nights in Crystal River.

Day 6 – Drive to Fort Myers, approx. 205 miles

Known as the City of Palms, Fort Myers itself was originally inhabited by the Calusa Indians and later by early pioneers, before becoming a popular winter holiday spot when Thomas Edison and Henry Ford made their winter homes there. You can tour these estates, enjoy the brick streets of the waterfront and downtown area with great shopping and dining, take in a theatre production, go on a boat tour or rent bikes and discover some of the city parks. 

Fort Myers Beach offers a laid back, ‘real Florida’ holiday atmosphere, dazzlingly fine white sandy beaches, great seafood and local cuisine and entertainment. Visit Lover’s Key State Park for a taste of nature, and discover the length of the beach using the Beach Trolley service. 

  

Stay three nights in Fort Myers.

Day 9 - Drive to Punta Gorda, approx. 30 miles

Known as one of the top sport-fishing destinations in the world, Punta Gorda is situated along the Peace River where it meets Charlotte Harbor, making it an ideal destination for water recreation, including yachting and sailing. Paddlers and fossil hunters are drawn to the tranquil river, and anglers of all kinds can find what they’re looking for, whether it’s largemouth bass in the river or tarpon, cobia, grouper, or red drum in Charlotte Harbor.

When it comes to shopping and dining, there’s no need to leave the Punta Gorda waterfront. Harborwalk is a hub of activity along 2.5 miles of Charlotte Harbor shoreline that leads to Fishermen’s Village, where visitors can find a variety of gift, clothing, and specialty shops as well as restaurants serving fresh coastal cuisine with sweeping views of the water. Families with children and pets will enjoy a visit to Laishley Park, also located along Harborwalk, which has an interactive fountain and 400-foot fishing pier.

At Punta Gorda’s parks and attractions, outdoor recreation and family time go hand in hand. Spend time at Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens, located along the Peace River, get up-close looks at the animal residents of Iguanaland and Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary, spot dolphins on a sunset cruise, and explore Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center to learn about plants, animals, and ecosystems of the area.

Stay two nights in Punta Gorda.

Day 11 -  Drive to Tampa airport, approx. 110 miles

Drop your car off at Tampa airport before your flight home.