Have you decided to trade the Christmas snow for the sunshine and sandy beaches of Southwest Florida? Enjoying the warmth with your family among the palms in Cape Coral or Fort Myers could be a holiday to remember for a lifetime.
At A & D Rental Services, we want to help you get the most out of your adventures around the Sunshine State. So, we’ve come up with some traveling tips for those who aren’t that familiar with Southwest Florida. Happy reading!
5 Must-Know Florida Travel Tips for the Holidays
When it comes to vacationing, there’s a lot to keep in mind to make sure you have a smooth trip. To help you out, we’ve broken it down into two things: preparation, and events.
Preparing For Your Florida Holiday Trip
First things first, the key to a successful trip is preparation. Let’s go over the essentials.
Packing Tips
Making a list of items you and your family are going to need is important. You don’t want to realize in the middle of your trip that you forgot your swimming suit at home. Keeping in mind all the fun stuff you and your loved ones want to get to in Southwest Florida, write down all the equipment you will need.
If you’re planning a nice road trip between Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Naples, Port Charlotte, and Sarasota, don’t forget to make car rental reservations. Booking hotels and your vehicle in advance will help you beat other families to the best options available. Especially if you are bringing your extended family, you may want to book a minivan early to make sure all your family members have the most comfortable traveling experience. Remember that the most luxurious options get picked up first, so don’t wait until the last minute!
If you are traveling to Florida from another country, remember to check your passport’s expiry date. Also, if you need to purchase a visa and travel insurance, take care of these as soon as possible.
Finally, we all know that vitamin deficiency during winter time makes our immune system weaker and more susceptible to illnesses. Don’t forget to bring some medications or supplements so the flu can’t ruin your fun.
Tips on Choosing Travel Dates
If you have a road trip around Florida in mind, remember that the roads are the busiest on the weekend before Christmas, as families rush to the malls to buy gifts and cooking supplies. If you are flying to Florida from another state or country, flights are the cheapest on Christmas and Christmas Eve. They are the most expensive on the days right before and after the celebration. We recommend that if you can take a vacation much earlier than that, you take advantage of that. Flight costs can be mind-boggling sometimes, and you definitely don’t want the cost to get in the way of your Christmas adventures.
For those coming from cold countries, like Canada, or from the northern states, we would also recommend getting ready for flight delays. It is best to square a couple of missed days into the equation, as snowstorms might lead to flight cancellations and road closures. When you are preparing your traveling map, throw in a couple of backup traveling destinations in case your top choices become unreachable due to the weather tantrums.
Three Travel Tips on What to See in Southwest Florida
Now, let’s dive right into the top three destinations you should explore in Southwest Florida this Christmas!
Traveling Tip #1: Meet Santa Claus on a Beach in Cape Coral
On the 16th of December 2023, from 4:00 to 9:00 p.m., there will be a Holiday Boat-a-Long in Four Freedoms Park. You and your family will have a chance to enjoy stage entertainment, local food trucks, crafts, a visit from Santa Claus, and the boat parade. If your little ones are fans of the “Polar Express” movie, there will be a free screening on the beach for your kids to get excited about.
Traveling Tip #2: Ring in the New Year in the Fort Myers River District
If you are looking for a memorable way to ring in 2024, the largest open-air rooftop party in Southwest Florida is a great option. You will get a great chance to enjoy the breathtaking birds-eye view of the historic downtown Fort Myers River District while enjoying a glass of champagne. You will also get a chance to admire the magical fireworks, get in your groove to hit the dance floor, and lift your family’s spirits with live music.
Traveling Tip #3: Fun Stuff to Bring Your Family Together
Southwest Florida also has plenty of opportunities to do fun stuff with your kids. If you want to try fishing or shelling, you can easily do both of these activities in Cape Coral and surrounding areas. Alternatively, you may want to try out surfing. Why not? Santa Clauses on Cocoa Beach in Southeast Florida will be doing just that on December 24th! What better way to feel closer to your family and meet the New Year than by learning new skills? Other wonderful activities you can try are cycling, dining at a waterfront restaurant on Sanibel Island, and having a splash in a heated pool surrounded by marvelous palm trees.
If you and your family members are into historical architecture, you might enjoy visiting the Edison and Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers. Around Christmas time, these historic homes will look splendid in traditional Christmas decor. The Burroughs Home and Gardens in Fort Myers River District is another historic home that is definitely worth visiting during your Christmas vacation. The house will be decorated with ribbons, garlands, and lots of twinkling lights that are a pure marvel to look at.
The key travel tips for a successful family vacation to Southwest Florida are planning early, making reservations early, and carefully selecting the places you and your loved ones want to see. At A & D Rental Services, we have an extensive fleet of luxury rental vehicles to accommodate your road trip needs around Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Naples, Port Charlotte, and Sarasota! Don’t delay, and contact us today to make your reservation.
