Tour guides USA > Florida

5 ideas for guided tours in Florida

• Daytona Beach

  

  On Florida’s east coast, Daytona Beach stands out as a seaside resort both popular and full of contrasts. Its long beaches draw crowds of visitors every year, all in search of sun, ocean, and that distinctive mix of relaxation and lively energy.

  The beach itself stretches for more than thirty kilometers. Swimmers, surfers, and families settle in for the day, while the Daytona Beach Pier remains a must-see—a boardwalk reaching out into the Atlantic, lined with restaurants, shops, and open views of the horizon.

  But Daytona isn’t only about sand and sea. Automobile history has a special place here, with a museum dedicated to racing and exhibitions of classic cars. On another note, the LPGA International draws golf enthusiasts to its carefully maintained, green surroundings.

  For a more natural escape, Tomoka State Park offers trails and wooded areas, a striking contrast to the bustle of the waterfront. You can walk among forests, pause by the river, and discover another side of Florida.

• Ocala National Forest

  

  In northern Florida, the Ocala National Forest stands out for its vastness, a blend of dry woodlands and wetlands. Lakes sometimes mirror a clear sky, sometimes a storm, while springs bubbling up along the trails remind you that the ground is alive.

  At Juniper Springs, visitors dive into cool natural pools before following shaded paths that wind deep into the forest. A nearby campground lets you extend the experience, listening at night to the subtle sounds of nature. Farther on, the Mont Dora Lookout Tower offers sweeping views across the wooded expanse.

  The Silver Glen Springs Recreation Area draws those eager to swim or snorkel in crystal-clear waters. Here, abundant and sometimes surprising wildlife can be spotted, while trails reveal shifting vegetation at every bend.

  At the Salt Springs Recreation Area, waters mix salt and fresh, shaping a unique landscape best explored along the Salt Springs Trail. Finally, the Longleaf pine forest—rare in Florida—unveils a fragile, precious ecosystem, crossed by paths where silence seems to take hold on its own.

• The Florida Keys Route

  

  The Florida Keys Highway stretches for 180 kilometers between Miami and Key West, running like a thread laid across the sea. Endless bridges, green islets, and a turquoise horizon accompany the journey, giving the feeling of moving ever farther south.

  The Overseas Highway is the backbone of this crossing. Along the way, Bahia Honda State Park Beach reveals pale sand and waters shifting in color. In Marathon, the Dolphin Research Center draws those eager to meet marine animals up close.

  Farther on, at Big Pine Key, the Key Deer Refuge protects small herds of deer and the occasional giant iguana. The trip ends in Key West, a bohemian town famous for its sunsets, where visitors tour Ernest Hemingway’s house before strolling down Duval Street among bars and shops.

  Heading back east, the island of Islamorada offers coral reefs and sport fishing, while Key Largo, the largest of the Keys, is home to the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, where snorkeling reveals Florida’s rich underwater world.

• Everglades National Park

  

  In southern Florida, the Everglades National Park stretches out like a sea of flooded grass, with water extending as far as the eye can see. You move through it slowly, sometimes by boat, sometimes along wooden walkways, surrounded by the calls of birds and the heavy silence of the mangroves.

  Alligators bask in the sun, motionless on the banks, while herons and ibises suddenly take flight just a few meters away. At first glance, the landscape may seem monotonous, but it constantly shifts—reflections, clouds, flashes of light across the water.

  Nearby, Miami offers a striking contrast with its palm-lined avenues and beaches. To the west, the road through the Florida Keys runs out over the sea, linking islands and endless bridges.

• Orlando and its theme parks

  

  Orlando, Florida’s magical city, is world-famous for its theme parks. You could spend weeks exploring the different parks and the endless attractions they offer.

  Must-see theme parks in Orlando:
  1- Walt Disney World – Made up of four theme parks:
  – Magic Kingdom – The first Disney park built in Orlando, famous for its castles and colorful parades.
  – Epcot – An educational and entertaining park offering an immersive cultural experience.
  – Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Brings the world of film to life with incredible cinematic attractions.
  – Disney’s Animal Kingdom – A nature-inspired theme park celebrating wildlife.

  2- Universal Studios: Divided into two parks:
  – Universal Studios – Attractions based on popular movies and shows like Harry Potter and Jurassic Park.
  – Islands of Adventure – Thrilling roller coasters and rides inspired by comic book heroes.

  3- Water parks:
  – Wet’n Wild – Long considered one of the best water parks in the world.
  – Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon – Family-friendly aquatic fun with plenty of activities for all ages.