Winter Holiday in Florida

There are lots of reasons why you should consider a winter holiday in Florida, but we thought it was worth highlighting the absolutely perfect incentive for a Sunshine State break any time from November to March.

It’s this photo*.

As the Saying Goes, a Picture is Worth a Thousand Words, and this is the Proof.

This picture shows St Pete Beach in January. And the amazing thing is that it looks exactly the same in winter as it does for the rest of the year:

That’s right, that gorgeous beachfront view is just as idyllic in the depths of winter as it is in the summer. Or spring. Or autumn, come to that.

And THAT’S why you should be considering a Florida trip at this time of year. Seriously, look out of your nearest window and then look again at the picture above.

Guaranteed Great Views and Weather

It’s just an eight-and-a-half-hour flight away and views like this are guaranteed. St Pete Beach offers beautiful blue seas, miles of unbroken beaches, fabulous restaurants – and THAT view.

And, if you’re staying in one of our {villas on the Ronald Reagan Parkway in the ChampionsGate area, you are little more than an easy 90-minute drive from this seaside sanctuary, this beachy bliss. This, well, Florida.

Is the Weather Really that Good in Florida?

Because, while the St Pete-Clearwater area of the Gulf Coast is truly an exercise in coastal chic, the outlook is pretty much the winter vibe wherever you go in the state. Blue skies are a constant; the weather varies from a cool 15C to a heavenly 27C; and persistent rain is a rarity.

It’s still warm enough to eat outdoors and our villa pool decks make the perfect location for dining alfresco, whether you’re doing your own cooking or just grabbing a takeaway from the nearest restaurant (and there is plenty of choice these days, especially in the Davenport area).

Even better, with the exception of the big American holiday of Thanksgiving (the fourth Thursday in November) and the Christmas-New Year period, it is just about the ideal time to visit to avoid some of the crowds that Orlando draws these days.

True, theme parks hours may be a bit shorter, and one of Disney’s water parks is likely to be closed for annual maintenance, but there is none of the humidity of summer AND you can still work on your tan.

So we Could Actually Find a More Comfortable Temperature and Shorter Queues?

In fact, we’d go as far as to say the weather is actually better in the winter months than the summer, when the heat can be a bit overwhelming. The quality of blue in the sky also seems just that bit more appealing – especially when you know friends and family might be freezing back home!

Yes, you do need pool heating at this time of year to get maximum enjoyment out of your villa, but that’s a minor detail in the overall scheme of things, and it’s easy to arrange.

All in all, Florida at this time of year is a true chillout haven of relaxation and indulgence, just the thing to take the Brrrr out of the typical British winter and give you a seasonal tonic exactly when you need it most.

So, even if you’re not lured by the beach, or the theme parks, or the other attractions, you can still revel in the gorgeous feeling of being outdoors in January and February, taking in offbeat attractions like the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive or bioluminescent kayaking. And leave the wooly jumper at home.

• The photo is courtesy of the Visit St Pete-Clearwater tourism bureau, and, yes, they’re very lucky to have that view permanently!

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