Florida 2024: An Unforgettable Adventure
I’m so grateful to have been invited on a FAM trip to Florida with Ocean Holidays & Virgin Atlantic, which took place 3 – 11th June 2024. Truly was a trip of a lifetime both educationally and personally!
I’ve made friends for life, laughed until I cried, drank far too much, and experienced truly once-in-a-lifetime moments! This trip was an absolute whirlwind, packed with incredible activities and unforgettable memories.
Highlights of the Trip
📍 Crystal River Plantation
Nestled in the heart of Florida, Crystal River Plantation was our serene starting point. Surrounded by lush landscapes, it provided the perfect backdrop for the adventures to come.
📍 Swimming with Manatees
One of the most magical experiences was swimming with the gentle giants of the sea, the manatees. These peaceful creatures made our swim in Crystal Springs an experience to cherish forever.
📍 Mermaid Aquarium Encounter
Meeting real-life mermaids was like stepping into a fairy tale. Their graceful underwater performances left us mesmerised and added a touch of enchantment to our trip. A must see for children if travelling in the Tampa area of Florida.
📍 Crystal River Wildlife Refuge Centre
The wildlife refuge was a haven for animal lovers. We learned about local wildlife conservation efforts and got up close with some amazing creatures.
📍 BubbaQues BBQ Evening
After a day full of activities, we enjoyed a hearty BBQ evening at BubbaQues. The food was delicious, and the company was even better. We were joined by the Marketing Director for Crystal River who shared his insight and top tips for the location too.
📍 Boggy Creek Airboat Ride
Exploring the swamps of Boggy Creek on an airboat was exhilarating. We glided over the water, spotting alligators and enjoying the rush of the ride. Alongside the Airboat, we also had time to explore the amazing park, feed the baby alligators, mine for treasure and walk through the butterfly sanctuary.
📍 Andretti Karting and Games
Our competitive spirits came alive at Andretti Karting. We raced around the track, played laser tag, and indulged in a variety of games. The energy was contagious!
📍 VIP Experience at Universal Studios
The VIP experience at Universal Studios was beyond words. From skipping lines to exclusive tours, it was a day filled with thrills and unforgettable moments. We truly felt like celebrities, personally this is an experience I will never forget, able to ride all the rollercoasters, rides, show entries with no queuing, hearing the background stories to all the attractions and the exclusivity of the VIP treatment was second to none.
📍 Villatel Party
We spent the day touring the villa options around Florida. From the brand new villa complex on International drive, featuring townhouses and various sized villas, to the mega homes in Reunion. There’s a villa to suit any family or budget. We then were lucky enough to check into a 28 person villa on Solterra, which featured 12 bedrooms, 12 bathroom, 2 games rooms, a casino, cinema, huge pool with slide & basketball and so much more!
The Villatel Party was a night to remember, with music, dancing, and endless fun. It was the perfect way to celebrate our incredible journey.
📍 Walt Disney World
No trip to Florida is complete without a visit to Walt Disney World. The magic of Disney brought out the kid in all of us, and we enjoyed every moment. I had a (admittedly quite comical) problem whilst here, my phone flew out of my pocket whilst riding ‘Space Mountain’, Disney tried their best but emailed me at 4am to say they had no luck finding it. I was doubtful it would even be in one piece to be honest! But in true Disney magic style, the following afternoon they contacted us to say they had miraculously found it and it was in full working order to collect, not a single scratch! Disney you are heros!
📍 Wheel at ICON Park
The Wheel at ICON Park gave us breath taking views of the city. It was a peaceful and scenic break from our action-packed itinerary. We were lucky enough to catch sunset at the top, which was just beautiful.
📍 Madame Tussaud’s
Rubbing shoulders with wax celebrities at Madame Tussaud’s was a blast. The lifelike figures made for some great photo opportunities.
📍 Slingshot Bungee Jump
For the adrenaline junkies, the slingshot bungee jump was a highlight. The rush of being catapulted into the air was both terrifying and exhilarating. Took some persuading to get me on, but wow what a thrill!
📍 Kennedy Space Centre
A visit to the Kennedy Space Centre was awe-inspiring. Learning about space missions and seeing the iconic rockets was a dream come true for many of us.
📍 Outta Control Magic Show with Dinner
The Outta Control Magic Show was a perfect blend of comedy and magic, paired with unlimited beer/wine and pizza. It was a night of laughter and amazement.
📍 WonderWorks After Dark
WonderWorks after dark was an interactive and mind-bending experience. The exhibits and activities kept us entertained for hours.
📍 Busch Gardens with Private Access and Serengeti Safari
Busch Gardens was an adventure in itself, but having private access and a Serengeti Safari tour made it extraordinary. The up-close encounters with wildlife were unforgettable.
Endless Exploration and Gratitude
Throughout this journey, we also toured numerous hotels and villas, met with suppliers, enjoyed fabulous dinners, and embraced the craziness that Florida has to offer. I’m absolutely shattered 😂 but incredibly grateful to Ocean Holidays and Virgin Atlantic for providing this opportunity of a lifetime.
For anyone looking to plan a trip to Florida, I can truly say I’m now at expert level. Stay tuned for some exciting exclusive rates and surprises coming your way!
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