From 29 July 2021, Florida’s Paradise Coast will be even more accessible to holidaymakers from the UK and Ireland following the launch of the first non-stop service from Manchester Airport (MAN) to Orlando International (MCO) with Aer Lingus.

Florida’s Paradise Coast is a little more than three and a half hours’ drive from Orlando towards the Gulf of Mexico. It is located in Southwest Florida, where 30 miles of pristine, soft white, sandy beaches meet outdoor adventure and natural wilderness.

It comprises three distinct areas. These are Naples, Marco Island and the Everglades, which offer all holiday types from family-friendly breaks to luxury bucket-list escapes.

Visitors to the area will be able to enjoy year-round warm temperatures, award-winning beaches, a thriving culinary scene, famed golf courses and a variety of beachfront resorts and boutique hotel accommodation options.

Florida’s Paradise Coast is also perfect for those wanting to embrace nature with wide-open spaces, miles of tranquil and expansive beaches, fresh sea air, access to nature and seemingly endless blue skies with spectacular sunsets to match.

Fans of the great outdoors will find themselves revelling in the pristine landscapes, including the UNESCO certified Everglades National Park and neighbouring Big Cypress National Preserve.

It’s also an amazing place to head to for some wildlife spotting. There is a wide variety of animal and birdlife to see amongst the islands and estuaries and tropical forests, which provide safe habitats for rare and endangered species.

In addition to the stunning landscapes and nature, there’s also a wide variety of guided eco-tours in the Everglades. These include kayaking and swamp walking, each showcasing local residents in their natural habitat.

For those that want more of an adrenaline rush, the WaveRunner is a fun and exciting way to explore protected areas and mangroves in the Ten Thousand Islands.

Naples, Marco Island, Everglades CVB Executive Director Jack Wert said, “Commitment to the health and safety of our residents and visitors is our number one priority, and in 2020 we launched the Paradise Pledge”.

“This initiative is dedicated to welcoming back visitors to a safe and healthy environment. Local businesses throughout the destinations have taken the Pledge and implemented strict measures to ensure the highest standard of hospitality and experiences were in place”.

In addition to the latest non-stop Florida service announcement, there are multiple fly-drive options to reach Florida’s Paradise Coast from the UK & Ireland via Florida’s main airports and several US gateways.

These include Miami and Tampa and connecting services to Southwest Florida Airport/Fort Myers (RSW), approximately a 30–40-minute drive to Naples, are available from Boston & New York JFK with JetBlue coinciding with additional new Are Lingus routes.

“Earlier this year, ABTA reports indicated that the USA is the most sought-after destination for holidaymakers looking to travel in the next year with Florida cited as one of the top three destinations” – Oonagh McCullagh, Director UK & Ireland, Florida’s Paradise Coast.

Similarly, ABTA also highlighted Florida in reference to one of its six key travel trends identified for 2021.

Embracing Old Favourites will see people return to familiar destinations, with Florida high up on the list for people seeking to travel further afield.

Supported by Visit Florida’s latest report at the state’s annual travel trade show ‘Florida Huddle‘, the DMO reported rising demand from multi-generational families and an uptick in bookings to the state.

For the most up to date information on what’s open and how to explore safely, visit www.paradisecoast.com/coronavirus-information.

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