The British love to visit Orlando – a third of all foreign visitors to the relatively small American city are from the UK. Perhaps it's because English is spoken in America or because the entire place is child friendly. But it could also be that Orlando is rammed to the edges with exciting outdoor pursuits and ultra-friendly people, making it a holiday destination to fill the most jaded of travellers with excitement. As the child of a car fanatic, I'm genetically pre-disposed to adore speed. Orlando didn't disappoint with several activities right up my alley…
Richard Petty Driving Experience
www.1800bepetty.com
Ever heard of Nascar racing? It's noisy and by golly, it's fast. Mostly though, it's noisy... but if you've got a penchant for experiencing the real life adrenalin burst that comes with hurtling around a race track at up to 140mph in a mock qualifying run, then this is the place to try it. For around $89 (£57) you'll get to don a boiler suit and ride 'shotgun' with a professional (phew) instructor.
Boggy Creek Airboat Rides
www.bcairboats.com
This is a little slower than the Nascar experience, reaching speeds of 45mph, but nevertheless, sitting aloft a powerful airboat as it gracefully skims over the water of the Florida Wetlands will tickle your thrill gland and open your eyes to some incredible landscapes, weird wildlife and beautiful skies. Boggy Creek Airboat Rides is conveniently situated near Orlando International Airport so you can go as soon as you get off the plane, or make sure you keep an hour free on the way back. It costs $17.95 (£11.50) for adults, and $12.95 (£8.30) for kids under 12, for a half-hour tour. Afterwards tuck into some real down home (that's Southern style) food at the adjoining diner – the decor is really cute and the menu features grits, gator tail, frog legs and catfish. Yum yum.
Discovery Cove
www.discoverycove.com
This is a man-made beach and lagoon where you can experience the odd reality of a perfect white sandy beach devoid of shells, glass and rocks. You can snorkel in a reef filled with exotic fish, feed stingrays and all sorts of exotic birds… with your bare hands. The sensation of a stingray nibbling at your thumb becomes less creepy when you think of the flaccid, swarming brown rubber Frisbees as friendly puppies.
Access to Discovery Cove costs $119 (£76) but for an extra $100 (£64) you can swim with a dolphin. Your 45 minute session begins with an 'orientation' which is nothing more than a music video filmed over the ocean, along the theme of 'dolphins are amazing and we know nearly nothing about them'. Uh, I'm sure a good marine biologist would disagree, but I digress. Nearly all of the dolphins used in this programme are bred in captivity and while I was initially cynical about the enforced humanisation of these animals, it really was quite an amazing experience to swim and play up close with a 'tame' dolphin.
Universal Studios
www.universalstudios.com
Well, a trip to Orlando wouldn't be complete without a visit to one of the theme parks and being a film nutter, I opted for Universal. The weather packed in and it seriously poured down for hours, but the exhilaration of going at 60mph on every big rollercoaster made it all totally worthwhile. The Spider-Man ride was so good I went on it twice, and I went on both versions of the Duelling Dragons (tip: go in the front row for the Ice Dragon for the ultimate in experiencing clammy fear).
The park is so big it's divided into two sections – Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios - and the best value is to buy a multi-trip ticket and experience the two halves on different days - it's exhausting screaming for hours on end. The Universal Bonus pass gives you five consecutive days (which will be plenty) and if you book online it currently costs $89.95 (£58) per adult and $76.95 (£50) per child – this gives you access to both parks as well as City Walk, which is where you'll want to eat with its huge selection of remarkably good theme restaurants and bars.
Shopping mecca
Of course, you can only sustain adrenalin fuelled hysteria for so long before you want to try something more sedate. This is where America wins hands down – the shops are quite frankly, mind blowing. There are over 1,200 shops in the greater Orlando area, and with a strong British Pound you'll be able to buy up large (I bought FIVE pairs of trainers for me and hubby and paid less than half what they'd cost in the UK). The Florida Mall and Belz Factory Outlet should satisfy any major shopping urges, and the Mall at Millenia offers another 200 shops including Bloomingdales, Macy's and Neiman Marcus. Forget New York for your Christmas shopping, go to Orlando where the weather will be mild!
Eat yourself silly
Everywhere you go you'll be presented by world class food with ridiculously huge portions so take elasticated trousers. I have a few recommendations: Family fun dining experience: Race Rock is a theme restaurant where motorsports memorabilia adorn the walls and you can drive arcade games between courses
Romantic lunch: The Palm at the Hard Rock Hotel - a very chi chi environment with a great wine list, make sure you order the lobster!
Fun with friends: Café Tu Tu Tango (pictured, top). The portions are tapas size so you won't feel guilty about not finishing your plate and the entertainment is fabulous – choose from a tarot card reader or just enjoy (?) the tunes played on the pan pipes… I kid you not, we heard the Village People's YMCA belted out!
Accommodation
My biggest tip would be to go on a package which includes flights and accommodation. I stayed at the 5-star Hyatt Grand Cypress - the most luxurious over-the-top but utterly fantastic hotel, which had its own golf course, lake (for yachting), gym, several swimming pools (pictured), horse-riding (both English style AND Western style), several restaurants, a balcony in the enormous room etc. Jetsave Florida has a package for seven nights at the Hyatt Grand Cypress from £895 per person, including flights with US Airways to Orlando International Airport and you also get seven nights free car hire! (exc insurance) Prices are based on two people sharing a standard room. Phone 0870 161 3403 (seven days a week). For a Jetsave Florida brochure phone 01235 824428 quoting 'PT'.
