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Florida’s Gulf Coast is perfect in so many ways and its proximity to Orlando makes it a wonderful option for twin centre holidays. Alone it is an alluring destination full of fabulous food, packed with adventure in and out of the water, and is home to some of the most spectacular beaches in the whole of the USA, dare we say, the world?
From the lively city of Tampa to the laid-back beach towns of St Petersburg and Clearwater, the glitzy shopping in Naples and the old Florida charm of Anna Maria Island, this beautiful region has it all.
There are countless accommodation types and unique places to stay for a few nights, or longer. Pick boutique hotels or family resorts on the seafront, welcoming villas, or lakeside apartments in blissful seaside towns – however you choose to spend your time here, you won’t be disappointed.
Gulf Coast Florida Multi Centre Itineraries
Gulf Coast to Miami Road Trip
Clearwater, Sarasota, Fort Myers, Marco Island & Miami 15 Days
- Gulf Coast
- Miami
- Busch Gardens & Adventure Island Tampa 2 - Visit Ticket + Eat Free
- City Sightseeing Trolley Tour of Sarasota
- Sunset and Dolphin Tour, Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel Lighthouse
- + 2 more
-
Accommodation -
International Flights -
Tickets & Activities -
Car Hire
- Best For:
- Family Fun
- Beach Retreats
- Amusement Parks
- Best For:
- Family Fun
- Beach Retreats
- Amusement Parks
- Gulf Coast
- Miami
- Busch Gardens & Adventure Island Tampa 2 - Visit Ticket + Eat Free
- City Sightseeing Trolley Tour of Sarasota
- Sunset and Dolphin Tour, Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel Lighthouse
- + 2 more
- Accommodation
- International Flights
- Tickets & Activities
- Car Hire
Florida Wildlife Tour
Miami, Key Largo, Everglades, Sanibel Island, St. Petersburg & Crystal River 15 Days
- Miami
- Florida Keys
- Everglades
- Gulf Coast
- Miami Beach Swim and Dolphin Sightseeing Cruise Aboard a Yacht
- + 6 more
- Accommodation
- International Flights
- Tickets & Activities
- Car Hire
- Best For:
- Road Adventures
- Adult Friendly
- Nature Explorations
- Best For:
- Road Adventures
- Adult Friendly
- Nature Explorations
- Miami
- Florida Keys
- Everglades
- Gulf Coast
- Miami Beach Swim and Dolphin Sightseeing Cruise Aboard a Yacht
- + 6 more
- Accommodation
- International Flights
- Tickets & Activities
- Car Hire
Orlando & Anna Maria Island - Villa Option
Orlando Villa & Anna-Maria Island 15 Days
- Orlando
- Disney 7-Day Magic Ticket
- Ocean Explorer
- Accommodation
- International Flights
- Tickets & Activities
- Car Hire
- Best For:
- Private Villas
- Beach Retreats
- Amusement Parks
- Best For:
- Private Villas
- Beach Retreats
- Amusement Parks
- Orlando
- Disney 7-Day Magic Ticket
- Ocean Explorer
- Accommodation
- International Flights
- Tickets & Activities
- Car Hire
Gulf Coast Highlights
Florida’s extensive coast along the Gulf of Mexico boasts hundreds of miles of spectacular shoreline, from the Panhandle in the northwest to the Everglades in the south. Peppered with lively cities and quaint harbourside towns, unspoiled state parks and idyllic islands, the Gulf Coast is a captivating destination for the whole family to explore.
America’s Best Beaches
With wide expanses of flour-soft sand lapped by the blue-green waters of the Gulf of Mexico, it’s little wonder why places like Clearwater Beach and St Pete’s Beach are consistently ranked among the finest in the whole United States. Spend sun-soaked days playing in the sand and splashing in the warm gulf waters or turn up the heat with some epic water sports activities!
Oceanside Cities
Head to Tampa for your Gulf Coast theme park thrills where the rides at Busch Gardens reign supreme. And the city’s vibrant Riverwalk makes for a fun place to eat, drink and dance the night away. While over in the south of Tampa Bay sits the beautiful city of St Petersburg, another wonderful hotspot for beachside fun, renowned museums and world-class restaurants.
Nature & Wildlife
Florida’s Gulf Coast is abundant with national and state parks and wildlife refuges, all dedicated to preserving the state’s precious and unique ecosystem. Here you can kayak through mangrove swamps, walk miles of lush adventure trails and even witness American alligators and endangered species like Florida manatees and panthers in their natural habitats.
Incredible Gastronomy
Renowned for its delicious seafood, which incorporates freshly caught shrimp, oysters, lobsters and crabs into dazzlingly varied and innovative dishes, Florida’s Gulf Coast is THE place for oceanside dining. Its award-winning restaurants embody a soulful, chilled out vibe with live music and shows alongside delectable food and drink menus, offering an unforgettable experience for all the senses.
Gulf Coast Florida Multi Centre Combinations
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Multi Centre Itineraries
Our bespoke multi-centre itineraries turn your daydreams into dream days. No matter whether you’re a sun chaser, nature lover or thrill seeker – we can help you find, design, and combine your favourite holiday experiences. Utilising our first-hand knowledge of destinations gained from over twenty years of award-winning service, we can deliver a free personalised itinerary within an hour or so. Better yet, you can make changes to your quote at any time before departure. Holiday your way by getting in touch today.
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Our Gulf Coast Favourites
Busch Gardens
Orlando isn’t the only place to ride epic rollercoasters in Florida, in fact, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay boasts some of the most thrilling coasters you’ll ever come across, alongside being one of North America’s largest zoos, which is home to more than 200 animal species.
With safaris and tours, live events, several restaurants and shops, plus adrenaline-fuelled attractions like the all-new Serengeti Flyer, the 90° drop on SheiKra and the legendary Kumba rollercoaster, Busch Gardens is worth more than a day of your time when visiting Tampa.
John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art
One of Sarasota’s finest attractions, this wondrous museum was built by legendary entrepreneur and circus founder John Ringling and his wife Mable, who shared a passion for bold and dramatic art as well as a love of the city.
The 66-acre complex comprises the Museum of Art, the Circus Museum, the 1920s Ca’ d’Zan mansion, Historic Asolo Theater and the lush Bayfront Gardens, with plenty to learn and explore at your own pace. The Visitors Pavilion has a restaurant and a café upstairs that serves hot and cold beverages and a range of snacks if you get peckish. The Museum Store is a great place to pick up some gorgeous gifts too!
The Florida Aquarium
For almost 30 years The Florida Aquarium in Tampa has been entertaining, educating, and inspiring thousands of visitors in its vast array of habitats and exhibits, with more than 8,000 aquatic and terrestrial animals in its care. Its ‘Wetlands of Florida’ trail is set within a huge 80-foot-tall glass dome, where you can meander through mangrove trees while exotic birds swoop overhead, colourful fish swim beneath its waters and majestic alligators bask in the sun.
Get up close and personal to dolphins and penguins and even take to the water for a swim with thousands of fish, as well as eels, stingrays and sea turtles in the exhilarating SeaTREK experience – a guided underwater tour in the 15-foot-deep ‘Heart of the Sea’ habitat.
Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens
This is one of Florida’s top zoos, set amid historic tropical gardens in the heart of Naples. You will easily spend the whole day here and relish in a full programme of wildlife experiences, which are aimed at entertaining and educating about conservation and care of our natural world.
Wander around dozens of impressive exhibits showcasing magnificent mammals like tigers, lions and Florida panthers, exotic birds, and majestic reptiles like alligators, tortoises, and snakes. Get chummy with the giraffes for a magical encounter at feeding time, and don’t miss the guided Primate Expedition Cruise on a catamaran through islands of fascinating animals including monkeys, lemurs and apes.
Clearwater Beach
Consistently ranked as the number 1 beach in the USA, Clearwater Beach is as emblematic as it gets when it comes to oceanfront perfection, plus it’s under two hours’ drive from Orlando – perfect for Gulf Coast Florida twin centre holidays. Sitting on a barrier island off the Intracoastal Waterway, its flour-soft sands stretch for more than two miles along the Gulf of Mexico, offering warm waters and an abundance of things to do in and out of the sea.
Pier 60 at Clearwater Beach is one of the area’s top attractions and features a huge, shaded playground for kids, a 1,080ft fishing pier, and excellent entertainment every night around sunset. Here you will also find opportunities for kayaking, paddleboarding and jet skiing, if the mood takes you.
St. Pete’s Beach
Located a little further down from Clearwater Beach on the Gulf Coast, St. Pete’s Beach is another of North America’s award-winning beaches, and it’s easy to see why. The city of St. Petersburg is a friendly, laid-back spot with lovely restaurants, bars, and shops, while the beach itself is utter bliss with white sands and inviting aquamarine waters.
Its proximity to Orlando means that you can easily drive across and make a day of it, but many choose to stay a few days at least and soak up the beachside vibes. There are scores of fantastic oceanfront accommodations too, from five-star luxury at the Don Cesar to family-friendly resorts such as the Tradewinds Island Grand, offering plenty of on-site amenities for all ages.
Sanibel Island
Just a short drive down from Fort Myers lies the pretty Sanibel Island, known for its glorious sunsets and looming lighthouse, but most of all its shelling opportunities. By far the most popular activity on the beach here is hunting for shells, and there are thousands of them in various colours, shapes, and sizes to build up an almighty collection.
With a somewhat calmer atmosphere than its northerly beach town neighbours, Sanibel Island is a wonderful place to truly unwind, whether you opt to stay in a quaint hotel or a luxury condo with a private balcony overlooking the ocean.
Anna Maria Island
Anna Maria Island offers a beautiful retreat for couples and families who want the chance to get away from it all on twin centre holidays in Florida. This tranquil barrier island boasts a natural, seven-mile strip of lightly toasted sands and is located just 20 minutes from Bradenton at the southern end of Tampa Bay.
There are many seafront hotels to choose from here, as well as a multitude of luxurious villas, which offer self-catering convenience near the beach with the bonus of a sparkling private heated pool. Take your trip at your own pace and spend the day hanging out at home, or head out and explore this beautiful area!
Siesta Beach
Florida is really showing off now with another award-winning beach to its name. Siesta Key is a barrier island that lies just a short drive down from Sarasota and is home to eight miles of shopping, dining, and nightlife along Siesta Beach, making it a worthy destination on your multi centre holidays in Gulf Coast Florida.
The beach itself boasts the brightest white quartz sand you’re ever likely to come across, edged by emerald-green waters for a truly breathtaking sight. Whether you’re after romance, family fun or action-packed adventures by the sea, Siesta Key delivers above and beyond.
Tigertail Beach Park on Marco Island
Occupying an ideal position between Naples and the Florida Everglades, Marco Island is the largest in the Ten Thousand Islands cluster and boasts alluring beaches, luxury resorts and pristine parks. Its popular Tigertail Beach spans 31 acres and offers a restful day of fun for all ages, with calm tidal pools that are teeming with aquatic life, a playground, butterfly garden, and six pretty boardwalks for gentle oceanside strolls.
Swim out towards Sand Dollar Island, once an offshore sandbar and now a small barrier island, which serves as a great place for bird watching and treasure hunting!
Naples
Naples is known for its upscale shopping with boutiques and art galleries galore. If your dream Gulf Coast Florida multi centre holidays feature a little retail therapy, then Fifth Avenue South is where you’ll want to be. This beautiful downtown retail district has block after block of designer shops and locally owned galleries to roam.
Over in Pelican Bay sits the fabulous Waterside Shops mall, a large, elegantly lit shopping area presenting luxury brands like Hermès, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton. This retail paradise is a great excuse for splashing out or simply enjoying some window shopping and casual dining under that glorious sunshine.
St. Pete’s Saturday Market
On the opposite end of the scale is the delightful Saturday Morning Market in St. Petersburg, where you can sample ready-to-eat food at vendors from over 15 countries and discover more than 130 unique stalls selling fresh, fragrant produce, artisanal foods, and handmade gifts.
This thriving community of local farmers, growers, craftsmen, and musicians comes together each week for a wonderfully whimsical event in the heart of the city. Even if you don’t purchase anything, you’re sure to have a brilliant time and come away satisfied!
International Plaza and Bay Street Mall
A destination by itself, this immense complex in Tampa boasts more than 200 mid-range and upmarket stores, over 25 amazing restaurants, and a fantastic nightlife. Next to the mall is the open-air dining venue with casual eateries, fine dining, quick on-the-go food, coffee shops and ice cream parlours – ensuring every one of your tastebuds is tantalised. And to keep little ones entertained there is the indoor Busch Gardens Play Area with over 1,600ft of play space to explore.
Much like the famous outlet malls in Orlando, tourists visiting International Plaza can make the most of countless special offers and discounts at more than 65 stores. You may need a bigger suitcase!
Flamingo Island Flea Market
A world away from high-end designer labels is the quirky Flamingo Island Flea Market. Practically an institution in Bonita Springs – a pretty coastal town in-between Naples and Fort Myers – this superb market is open year-round every Friday to Sunday and well worth a visit if you’re stopping in the area.
There are more than 600 different vendors both inside and outside selling everything including clothes, jewellery, sporting accessories, and artwork. And if you’re feeling hungry, there are tons of excellent joints to grab a drink and a bite to eat. With free admission and free parking, it’s perfect for a unique afternoon out.
Fort de Soto Park
Hailed as the perfect day out for families visiting St. Petersburg, Fort de Soto Park is a nature-lover’s paradise and just a 20-minute drive southwest from the city. At the North Beach you’re greeted by a superb pirate ship playground, while the large tidal pool provides an ideal, safe paddling spot for the kids to hunt for shells and sand dollars.
Covering 1,136 acres over five separate islands, this serene park offers numerous ways in which to encounter local wildlife, whatever your experience level. Hire a kayak or canoe and paddle leisurely down the mangrove-edged waterways to glimpse manatees, turtles, and beautiful wading birds going about their day. While land-based fun includes seven miles of paved trails that are perfect for runners, cyclists, rollerbladers or even parents with strollers.
Naples Botanical Garden
One of Naples’ most popular attractions, this verdant paradise boasts six tropical gardens showcasing native Floridian plant life as well as unique displays from Asia, Brazil, and the Caribbean. There is also a water garden, a children’s garden, an orchid garden, and a butterfly house within the 170-acre grounds, making for a magical day out for the whole family.
Visitors can learn about conservation and explore a world of new and exciting cultures through live events, shows and exhibitions – ‘Johnsonville Nights Lights in the Garden’ is a particular highlight and runs between November and January. Meander freely around the property and grab a hot drink from the café and a souvenir or two from the shop before you leave!
Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
If your Gulf Coast Florida multi centre holidays take you to the Naples area, consider escaping the masses for a day to the rugged beauty of the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. Set around 30 minutes’ drive northeast of the city, this peaceful haven features a two-and-a-quarter mile pine boardwalk through a captivating cypress forest, transporting you to the gentler side of Florida.
Meander through this wilderness and take the opportunity to see alligators, otters, red-bellied turtles, and white-tailed deer, as well as an array of elegant wading birds and sweet songbirds. Don’t forget to look up and admire the towering cypress trees, which are said to be more than 600 years old!
Florida Everglades
The largest subtropical wilderness in the United States, the colossal Florida Everglades are unmissable if your travels take you anywhere near Florida’s southern Gulf Coast. This specially guarded area is a World Heritage Site, as well as an International Biosphere Reserve and Wetland of International Importance, aimed at protecting rare and endangered species like manatees, American crocodiles, and beautiful Florida panthers.
If you’re in Naples or Marco Island, Everglades City is the perfect gateway entrance to the national park and is just 45 minutes’ drive away. Take a guided boat tour or rent canoes or kayaks and paddle through the mangrove swamps to spot dolphins, crocs, or manatees. Cycle or walk its trails for sightings of abundant wildlife like turtles, alligators, and wading birds. There is no place on earth like the Florida Everglades!
Grouper
Grouper is easily the most popular Gulf Coast fish to eat and is found in restaurants and cafés all along the coast, so if finding the best seafood is on your agenda, this tasty Florida icon is a must-try. The fish is cooked in many forms – grilled, blackened, fried – but grouper sandwiches are a firm favourite due to its firm, meaty flesh that sits perfectly between slices of fresh, soft bread.
For some of the best grouper you’ll ever eat, visit The Ugly Grouper restaurant in Anna Maria Island. This bustling beachside joint has a colourful and quirky menu that features succulent grouper tacos, crispy nuggets, tasty kebabs and loads more. The bonus of nightly live music makes this a must-visit eatery, and your stomach will thank you for it!
Dining in Naples
If you desire a more upmarket seafood experience, then the elegant Sails Restaurant in Naples will be sure to please. Set on the stylish Fifth Avenue South in the Old Naples district, this fine dining establishment produces a diverse menu inspired by French, Italian and Greek cuisine, with its seafood dishes topping the bill. Think refreshing tuna tartare, aromatic linguini, and melt-in-the-mouth lobster – and don’t get us started on the apple mustard oysters in the decadent Champagne Brunch!
It's only right to also mention the city’s penchant for Italian food, given its namesake. Osteria Tulia is considered Naples’ best Italian restaurant and presents an exquisite menu with rustic flair amid the backdrop of an old, resorted farmhouse. Enjoy the freshest ingredients, lovingly prepared dishes and exceptional regional wines – you’ll be forgiven for thinking you’ve stepped right into the Italian countryside.
Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille
Practically a Gulf Coast institution, Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille’s popularity with both locals and tourists is due to its carefree vibes, exceptional cocktails, and delectable seafood. With four restaurant locations including Sanibel, Fort Myers, Captiva, and St. Pete’s Pier, it’s a must-visit establishment on multi centre holidays in Gulf Coast Florida.
Its Sanibel offering is the flagship restaurant and the ‘Home of the Island Mojito’, with a unique atmosphere and mouth-watering menu full of Caribbean and South American influences and enticing flavours. Try the scrumptious Yucatan Shrimp Tacos with steamed shrimp and sauce packed with garlic, lime juice and Columbian chili for a real kick!
Hurricane Seafood Restaurant
Another jewel on the Gulf Coast dining scene is the landmark Hurricane Seafood Restaurant, set in the historic district of Pass-a-Grille on St. Pete’s Beach. Delighting locals and visitors alike for 43 years (and counting), this casual, colourful eatery sits on three levels, proudly dishing up wild-caught seafood at its very best. Together with dazzling cocktails, appetisers and desserts, your visit here is topped off with a spectacular rooftop sunset at the open-air bar.
Gulf Shrimp
These typical Floridian titbits remain a classic Florida food staple up and down the coast, with many species found here that are cooked in various, mouth-watering ways: fried, sauteed, grilled, barbecued, on top of grits… you name it.
Pink shrimp is the most abundant type caught off Florida’s Gulf Coast, but brown and white varieties are also popular and widely available. Pink shrimps are said to be larger, sweeter, and more tender than the others – but there’s only one way to find out!
Gulf Coast Holidays FAQs
Gulf Coast Holidays FAQs
Gulf Coast Holidays FAQs
We don’t just recommend it, we champion it. Florida is a rich and diverse state with much to offer, from its glorious Gulf Coast beaches, abundant wildlife, and its home as the Theme Park Capital of the World – after one trip you will want many more twin centre holidays in Florida! Let our specialist team help you organise the holiday of a lifetime, whether it’s two destinations or more.
Ideally, the best time to visit the Gulf Coast is between March and May, or September to November. The weather is still wonderfully warm at this time and swimming is comfortable, and you will avoid the daily rains of the summer months. If you’re heading for the Everglades, December through April are the driest months with fewer mosquitos and less humidity than the wetter seasons – so plan your Florida trips cautiously if nature is high on your bucket list!
Tampa International Airport (TPA) is your best bet if you wish to fly directly to the Gulf Coast from the UK, but many visitors choose to travel by car from Orlando for twin centre holidays. Orlando International Airport (MCO) or Orlando Sanford Airport (SFB) are the most popular options and are under two hours’ drive away from Tampa.
Yes, driving is a necessity on the Gulf Coast if you wish to explore at your own pace and want to combine your trip with a stay in Orlando, for example. Many car rentals allow for one-way drop-off and pick-ups so you can easily fly into one airport and out of another, allowing for effortless journeying around the Sunshine State.
The usual time difference is -5 hours. This changes temporarily for a few weeks in the year as the US and UK have different dates when the clocks go back or forward for Daylight Savings. Ensure to book your outbound flight for a morning departure so you arrive late afternoon, and on your return it’s wise to book an overnight flight back so you land the next morning in the UK.
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