FLORIDA FOR COUPLES
Is there an American state better equipped than Florida to host a holiday for two? California would mention its vineyards and global cities, and argue “case closed”. Hawaii would smile, and say it’s a rhetorical question. Florida would ask you to ignore the excitable screams from Orlando, nod towards its coast, and tell you the answer speaks for itself. It may have a point, whether you fancy wild weekends in the party zones of the Atlantic shore, something more serene along the Gulf, or America’s most picturesque road trip…
TAMPA PROOF
While Miami is a perfect destination for couples who want to eat well, stay up late and sleep in comfort, Florida’s biggest west-coast city is also a fine option for a holiday built on time together. Tampa has bloomed in recent years. Its Hyde Park district, close to the waters of Hillsborough Bay, has upmarket restaurants along South Howard Avenue; trendy Ybor City has boutiques and vintage clothes stores by day, lively bars along 8th
Avenue by night. You can also settle into the city for a week, but use it as a hub to visit other hotspots on the Gulf. St Petersburg is 20 miles away across Tampa Bay, while major beach areas, including Clearwater and Indian Shores, are only slightly further afield.
A week at the four-star Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay, flying from Gatwick on May 21, costs from £1,566pp, with British Airways Holidays (0344 493 0787; ba.com/holidays)
KEY CHANGE
The stereotypical American road trip probably involves at least two states, a decent chunk of mileage, and long hours at the wheel. The most photogenic of Florida journeys does not. Just 113 miles of tarmac separate the top of the Florida Keys at North Key Largo from Key West at the bottom. It is a distance you can cover in a day. But there is a joy to slow progress, pausing at the likes of Sombrero Beach at Marathon, and enjoying the low-slung ride over Seven Mile Bridge. Once you reach journey’s end, you will find that Key West is in no dramatic rush either. Find a spot for a tipple on Duval Street (the Champagne Room will work; champagneroomkw.com) – and go with the flow.
Complete North America (0115 961 0590; completenorthamerica.com) offers a 14-night Florida Keys & Miami road trip from £2,592pp (including car and flights)