It is the time of year when most of us start making our plans for summer vacations, looking out for the best deals and the perfect destinations. This time last year my family and I were in the throes of putting together our trip to Florida, a vacation which turned into the trip of a lifetime for us all. If you have kids and you are looking for the perfect vacation spot this year, here are just 5 reasons why Florida should be your top choice.

Theme Parks

Some of the Florida theme park options are the best in the world and the entire family will absolutely love to spend their days in these spectacular parks. From the iconic Disneyworld complex to the film-themed Universal Studios, the safari-themed Busch Gardens to the aquatic Sea World park, there is something here for everyone to enjoy. Florida has gained fame the world over for its theme parks and in truth you could easily spend a whole fortnight within their walls.

Beaches

Florida vacations are usually action packed and you can count on a very tight itinerary in order to enjoy the most of what the state has to offer. With this being said, there should always be some time made to relax and have fun at the beach, and Florida is the perfect place to do just that. The majority of the state is coastal so you can count on a huge number of white, sandy beaches, some with plenty of action going on and others seemingly untouched.

The Weather

For most Brits the prerequisite for a vacation destination is sunshine, and you can guarantee that in Florida the sun will be beaming throughout your vacation. The tropical climate means that whether you are relaxing on the beach or having fun at the parks, it will be shorts and t-shirts all round, and a healthy tan to take back home.

Shopping

A vacation wouldn’t be the same without spending a little bit of time at the shops, and Florida is a great place to do just that. In Miami’s South Beach you’ll find some designer and high end stores, you will find Orlando to boast some huge malls and you can discover outlets all over the state from Sarasota to Ellenton, Naples to St. Augustine. Make sure that you leave a little bit of space in your case for all of the deals which you will grab.

Natural Sites

Aside from the coastal beauty in many parts of Florida, there are a great number of natural sites for you to explore, chief among them the Everglades National Park. This huge marshland park is home to a wide array of birdlife and marine life, as well as alligators and many more species of reptiles. There is more than just the Everglades however and in Sarasota’s Myakka River Park, you will find a huge area of wetlands, prairies and pinelands to explore.

There is so much to discover in Florida, and more than enough options to make sure that the entire family has the best vacation ever.