Cruise America - Florida's Beaches and the Keys

On the Overseas Highway, cross the Seven Mile Bridge and head for the coral-clad Florida Keys – Key West to be more precise. With an average daily temperature of 25.5°C, there are few better places to consistently top up your tan. And thanks to its location dividing the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, it’s a great place to get out on the water too: snorkel, paddleboard and kayak to your heart’s content.

If it’s an underwater world you’re looking to explore, Key Largo’s John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is home to a plethora of marine life – think turtles, parrotfish and huge hunks of brain coral. Experience it from a glass-bottom boat or get a closer look when snorkelling or scuba diving.

The Everglades is an international treasure. This UNESCO World Heritage site is the only place on the planet where crocodiles and alligators coexist, not to mention being home to rare manatees and the elusive Florida panther. You can explore in your motorhome, on foot, or by taking a quintessential airboat ride.

Prepare for a day of shell hunting, bird watching and beach lazing on Sanibel. This southwestern isle is the sandy paradise from the postcards, with swaying palms and white silica, lapped by turquoise waves. And while you’re soaking up the sun, keep your eyes peeled for toucans, macaws and lemurs.

Stretching across five islands and 1,136 acres of the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay, your next stop – Fort De Soto Park – is nothing short of paradise. Go fishing, boating, kayaking… wherever the waves take you.

The wilderness is calling! Be sure to book a spot at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort well in advance – you won’t regret it. This family friendly campground is perfectly located in the Magic Kingdom area, ideal for exploring all of Orlando’s theme park rides and attractions, including Disney, Universal and more.

World-famous Cape Canaveral is beloved for being home to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. It’s a must visit, even if you don’t love space – but honestly, how could you not? See giant rockets, sit in the spaceflight simulators and tour the launch areas. If you’re super lucky, you might meet a real-life astronaut, or see a flight test. Finish your day in Juno Beach, chilling on the sands or visiting the Loggerhead Marinelife Center for an insight into the turtle conservation efforts here.

Time for a bit of retail therapy before you depart. Dubbed the ‘Rodeo Drive of the East’, Palm Beach’s Worth Avenue shopping district is a great place to bag some designer bargains and boutique accessories. Head onto nearby Dania Beach – close to Fort Lauderdale – and experience its award-winning “Blue Wave” beaches.