Here’s why Florida needs to be on your bucket list

Customise your perfect itinerary with British Airways and discover the Sunshine State’s secrets. Although the sun-drenched state may be America’s worst-kept tourist secret, there are still a host of places in Florida to discover, from the country’s oldest continuously-inhabited city, St. Augustine, via treetop zip wires to tropical mangroves and hikes across suspension bridges. You can even talk to an astronaut at NASA’s launch complex at the Kennedy Space Center. Ditch the guide book – here’s your insider’s guide to Florida.  

Be a petrol head in Daytona Beach 

Whether two wheels or four are your thing, Daytona Beach has both. The Daytona International Speedway is the home of NASCAR and as well as the races, there are daily tours behind the scenes. Then there’s Daytona Bike Week, the world’s largest motorcycle event, which sees the streets flooded with petrol heads each March (or you can rent a bike from Daytona Electric Bikes for a more sedate sightseeing trip around town). The beaches are some of Florida’s best – try Ormond Beach and Ponce Inlet and you may well have them all to yourself. In the summer, the historic Bandshell on Ocean Avenue plays host to a series of free concerts under the stars.

Visit Florida with BA

Must-drink: Take The Daytona Beach Ale Trail where there are over 20 local breweries to sample. 

Take in some art in St. Pete/Clearwater  

St. Pete Beach provides an impressive backdrop for this cool, laid-back city. Downtown St. Petersburg (or The ‘Burg, as it’s known to locals), is a hub for art-lovers, with the Dali Museum its centrepiece, as well as the hundreds of street-art murals dotted around town. The bar and restaurant scene is also a serious contender for Florida’s best; grab a slider and avocado fries from Jimmy’s Slider Truck outside the Green Bench Brewing Co, washed down with a pint of the craft beer specialist’s Surrealist IPA.

Visit Florida with BA

Must-eat: Do as the locals do and eat a Cuban sandwich from Bodega on Central.

Reminisce about your childhood at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida       

Walt Disney World Resort in Florida is not just for kids – there is something for everyone regardless of age. Take Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, for example; a culinary and entertainment event held each year in Epcot where guests can try food and drink from all around the globe.

Must-ride:In Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, the land of Pandora, experience the Flight of Passage. Fly on a banshee during an exhilarating, 4D ride above this vast moon.

Visit Florida with BA

Eat and drink in Greater Fort Lauderdale 

Called the ‘Venice of America’ thanks to its miles of waterways, Greater Fort Lauderdale is much more than a gateway to the Everglades (although if you do want to jump on an airboat tour of the swampy waters, this is where to start). The coffee-obsessed will love the cafes and roasteries – pick up a bag to take home from Argyle Coffee – and sushi fans will definitely want to make the short drive to the beachside robata and sushi joint Etaru, from the owners of Roka and Zuma. It’s worth timing your visit for the last Saturday of the month to hit the Art Walk, which turns two adjoining art districts into one big party.

Must-swim: Pompano Beach, which has some of the clearest, warmest water in Florida, thanks to a bend in the Gulf Stream. 

Visit Florida with BA

For a chance to win a trip for you and a friend with return flights to Florida, click here