THINGS TO REMEMBER

Now that the passports have changed please make sure that you have a full six months left on each person that will be travelling from the time you return to the UK. Every child now has to travel on his or own passport. If you have the old style passport please change to the new bar coded passport. Travel Insurance is essential while in the States if you do not have any you will need to pay cash or you will not be treated, Our E11 form that we have to travel to Europe is not valid for the states. Take out a good Insurance. You can get good family cover for a year for approximately £130.00 to cover a full year of travel, you can search the Internet for such policies or your local travel agent will assist.

If you are going to hire a car when you arrive at the airport please make sure that all the drivers have their genuine licences in there hand luggage as these will need to be shown when you collect car, No photocopies, as these will not be accepted. If you do not have a licence then you cannot have a vehicle.

Luggage. With most airlines each case can now weigh up to 32kg if over you will be made to split your luggage into another suitcase or leave behind. (As Health and Safety amongst baggage handlers now insists that they may lift up to and including 32kg) 2 Cases per person total 64kg and 5 kg for hand luggage.

Pack some essential items into your hand luggage just in case you and your suitcases become separated. All travel and Insurance documents and driving directions to the home, underwear and personal washing items are some suggestions.

Arrange transfer from home to the airport allowing three hours at the airport before you fly, the earlier the better to ensure that your party can all sit as close together. Airports offer several different long stay car parking facilities check them all out as all are priced differently

Take plenty of high factor Sunscreen and insect repellent especially for children, along with a couple of older T-shirts that you can put on during the mid day sun while they are swimming

Florida is a tropical state so take care when walking on the grass that surrounds the property, as there may be biting insects that may take a fancy to your feet and ankles. Wear shoes / sandals at all times.

Swimming pools can also be a dangerous hazard; we have pool door alarms to alert you if someone exits a rear door to the pool area. Make sure all young children are supervised, Take some water wings or children's life vests with you, and keep on all children that cannot swim. Do not allow anyone to walk on the pool cover as this can suck people under including adults and cause suffocation

If you are using heating in the winter please keep the cover on the pool at night to keep the water warm. Take off when you want to swim and store on the roller provided (Adults only to do this task).

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  TRANSPORTATION / GeTTING AROUND

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  A car is essential for getting around - but driving in Florida is easy. The roads are wide and straight; the speed limit is a relaxed 55mph. Petrol is incredibly inexpensive.
  
  Here are some great tips to get you on your way!  
  
  Please note that you must be at least 21 years of age to hire a car in the US and local charges will apply to any driver is under 25.  You need a full British Driver's Licence or International driving licence to rent a car in the state of Florida.  There is no minimum time for having had a licence. You must have your original with you and if you have the new style photocard, both parts are required. A faxed copy is not acceptable.    
  
  * Firstly make sure you are driving on the right hand side of the road
  
   * Be aware that traffic lights are suspended on wires above eye level  
  
  * Lane discipline is very relaxed. Although slow traffic should keep to the right, speed bears little or no relation to lane; Overtaking on the inside is common practice, So watch out for cars on either side.  
  
  * Right turns, unless otherwise stated are permitted at a red light but only if the way is clear and only after making a complete stop.  
  
  * Street signs are small and suspended on wires. The street sign facing you at a junction is the name of the road you are crossing - not the one you are on.
  
   * School Buses, On a two way street, cars travelling in both directions stop for a stationary school bus with flashing red lights and remain stopped until the bus moves off. This does not apply if you are driving in the opposite direction and are on a dual carriageway.  
  
  * Most roads have numbers and names and run East / West or North / South.  
  
  Driving Distances from Orlando to Other Florida Area's Gulf Coast
  * Tampa. 90 miles * Clearwater. 105 miles * St Petersburg. 115 miles * Sarasota. 127 miles * Port Charlotte. 127 miles * Fort Myers. 160 miles * * Naples. 187 miles * Marco Island. 202 miles * Everglades National Park. 290 miles   Gold Coast * Daytona. 55 miles * Miami. 229 miles * Fort Lauderdale 209 miles * CocoaBeach. 50 miles * St Augustine. 90 miles  Florida Keys* Key Largo. 268 miles * Key West. 371 miles *All Driving distances are approximately

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