Think Florida and most of us think theme parks -but there is much more to this part of the USA than meets the eye, as ZARA GIBB and her family discovered
FLORIDA is a great family destination but we wanted to see more than just the theme parks so we agreed to spend a week in Orlando but then another week by the sea.
We booked a week at Cocoa Beach on the Gold Coast (east coast) of Florida for some rest and relaxation.
Arriving in the US is a serious business these days, so be warned that it can take a while to clear customs. But once there you are spoilt for choice in what to do and see.
As we were combining theme parks with beach we booked a car online before we left. Carrentals.co.uk gave us the best deal and allowed us to collect the car at the airport on our arrival.
We booked an "Intermediate" category car with plenty of room for the four of us and our luggage.
It's essential that your car has air-conditioning as temperatures in Florida can reach around 32 degrees in the summer.
Driving in the US is relatively easy, with wide roads and clear signs, but it's definitely worth investing in a good map.
Our first base was Disney's Port Orleans Resort Riverside, a hotel themed around the Huckleberry Finn era and the Deep South.
The Ol' Man Island area of the resort has swimming pools with waterslides and a Jacuzzi, plus fishing and paddleboat rides, while the Riverside Mill is a typical food court offering burgers, pizza and pasta.
Holiday pre-planning can go haywire but it is worth trying to allow for plenty of time to explore each theme park - some of them are huge and queues can be long.
First stop for us was Disney's Epcot, an incredible park featuring Future World where you can experience the technology of tomorrow today.
From test driving cars at Test Track to Mission:SPACE launching us millions of miles into space, and The Living Seas - home to thousands of exotic fish and marine life - the experience shouldn't be missed.
There is also the World Showcase Lagoon here, featuring eleven countries around the world, plus plenty of shows and parades - times for these are displayed on a "tip board" behind Spaceship Earth at the entrance to Epcot.
Our eight-year-old daughter delighted in the visit to the Magic Kingdom which is split into seven areas - Main Street, USA; Liberty Square; Frontier Land; Fantasyland; Adventureland; Tomorrowland and Mickey's Toontown Fair.
For younger children this park is perfect, with attractions including Peter Pan's Flight, the unmissable Small World, and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh - a gentle, charming experience.
The other Disney parks include Disney-MGM Studios and Animal Kingdom.
Disney-MGM Studios gives an insight into the thrill of the movies and TV.
Visit the sets of shows, test your nerve on the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and experience the onscreen adventures of the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular. We all agreed this was our favourite park, but don't miss out on Disney's Animal Kingdom. From Tarzan to dinosaurs, and every animal in between, the sheer size and visual creations are incredible.
Invest in one of the multi-day tickets that most of the tour operators offer.
These are available for different durations and allow you to visit more than one park on the same day.
Away from Disney, Orlando offers SeaWorld, Universal Studios, Wet 'n' Wild and Busch Gardens.
It is impossible to see it all in a week and with a couple of grumbles from the kids we packed the car and headed across to Cocoa Beach.
The drive takes about an hour from Orlando, but it seems a world away.
The white sandy beaches seem to roll on for ever and are a surfer's paradise.
The resort offers all the elements of a classic beach holiday and is perfect for children.
Watersports such as water-skiing, deep sea fishing, sailing and surfing are readily available.
The Cocoa Beach Surfing School claims to be able to teach anyone aged eight to 85 to learn to surf and while I declined the opportunity, preferring to spend some quality time on the beach - my husband and children were determined to catch a wave.
On land you can try your hand at beach volleyball and golf is immensely popular; while for tennis enthusiasts the courts are very well maintained.
If all this activity gets too much for you then, of course, there is the beach.
Cocoa Beach has a number of Oceanfront parks - each of which offers beautiful beaches and very good facilities such as toilets, showers and picnic areas. The white sand is wonderful and combined with the reliable sunshine and cool Atlantic Ocean, the result is a very relaxing holiday experience.
The area is also home to the Kennedy Space Centre at Cape Canaveral, an incredible experience.
And one final "must do" activity is a boat trip through the inland waters to see alligators in their natural habitat.
One thing I've not mentioned so far is food. Portions here are big and the choice of restaurants and diners around Cocoa Beach enormous.
As we were staying on a room only basis at our hotel we ate out for breakfast and dinner most days.
Unlike other destinations where this would be expensive, here the prices are low by UK standards, helped even further by the exchange rate.
The kids couldn't believe the amount of bacon, eggs, pancakes and juice they received at breakfast. Most restaurants don't mind you ordering a meal to share between two people. And you can always ask for a doggy bag.
For a family holiday Florida's hard to beat, but take my advice and hire a car to explore the areas away from the theme parks - you'll be in for a very pleasant surprise.
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