DESTINATIONS THE US | FLORIDA
TRADE VIEWS
“I was impressed with the diversity of what these lesser-known Florida locations had to offer. Away
from the hustle and bustle of the theme parks, the slower pace lets you take in the beauty of Bok Tower Gardens or Bonnet Springs Park in Central Florida. Travelling down the Gulf of Mexico through Florida’s Paradise Coast, I now appreciate the calm sophistication of Naples and Marco Island, which were great for foodies.” Miné Yusuf, senior product & marketing coordinator, USAirtours
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Naples pier; the fam trip group enjoys a sunset cruise; writer Cathy Toogood learns about the area with Naples Bicycle Tours PICTURES: Shutterstock/Delpixel
city park, close to downtown Lakeland – attracts families with its giant treehouse, playgrounds, nature trails and the Florida Children’s Museum, which is inside the park.
WILD PARADISE
Another Florida destination working hard to attract families is its Paradise Coast – consisting of Naples, Marco Island and the Everglades. A three-hour drive south from Lakeland, I meet Laura Radler, manager of the Edgewater Beach Hotel and member of the Tourism Development Council in Naples, who explains the area was once seen as a mainstay of older travellers but now, the visitor demographic is shifting. “Our guests are changing to more families and multigenerational groups as more places to stay are being offered, bringing extra variety,” she says. The Edgewater Beach Hotel is a prime example of a
property to recommend to families wanting to relax on the Paradise Coast’s pristine beaches. Set on the Gulf, the all-suite hotel has rooms sleeping up to 10, and all come with kitchens. As well as its powdery sands, Paradise Coast’s exciting wildlife is a big selling point for both families and animal-obsessed adults too. Sightings in the Everglades may include alligators and manatees, while an Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary a half-hour drive north of Naples means the chance to scour the bald cypress forest for black bears from a buggy-friendly boardwalk. For child-free travellers, there are also beaches, a high-end dining scene and designer shops to browse.
32 23 APRIL 2026
On a bike tour, I learn Naples has been attracting tourists seeking sunny climes since its first hotel opened in 1889
This diverse appeal is nothing new here. While exploring with Naples Bicycle Tours, I learn Naples has been attracting tourists seeking sunny climes since its first hotel opened in 1889. Its well-heeled residents keep the city’s food, retail and cultural offerings top notch – the exclusive Port Royal neighbourhood was home to the most expensive property ever sold in Florida last year, at a massive $225 million.
CANDYFLOSS SKIES I admire Port Royal from the water during a sunset cruise aboard catamaran Miss Naples, spotting the silhouettes of the tiny Key deer against a golden sky. Inspired to see the sun put on one more show, I set my alarm early when I reach Marco Island, south of Naples, to gaze at the candyfloss clouds of dawn reflected in the waves. I enjoy the tranquillity of being here solo but as the water splashes my ankles and the sun rises in the sky, I think how much my two children would enjoy the sugar-soft sand in a place where everything feels “a bit better or more beautiful”.
TW
“Something not to miss in Polk County is the swans by Lake Morton in downtown
Lakeland. They were gifted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1957. As you wander around downtown, there are also restaurants, bars and shops, plus some colourful murals.” Sarah Edwards, sales consultant, Gold Medal
BOOK IT
Gold Medal offers a 14-night Central Florida and Florida’s Paradise Coast break from £2,059 per person, based on four adults sharing. The price includes seven nights in a five-bedroom Solterra Vacation Home on a self-catering basis, three nights’ room-only in a Two-Bedroom Waterway View Suite at the Naples Bay Resort and four nights’ room-only in a Deluxe Two Queen Beds Ocean View room at Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort and Spa. The price includes indirect United Airlines flights from Manchester, flying into Orlando on November 7 and out of Southwest Florida, plus one-way car hire. An additional £344 is payable in local fees.
goldmedal.co.uk
travelweekly.co.uk
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