100% customisable travel idea

Florida off the beaten path From Miami to the Protected North

United States - Florida - Miami - Naples - St Petersburg Beach - Gainesville - St Augustine - Amelia Island

Another Side to Florida

From $5100 to $6800 per person for 12 days Price depends on departure city, season, accomodation types and selected activities

Itinerary highlights

  • Venturing into lesser-known Florida, from wild islands to historic cities
  • Your accommodation with character: seaside motel, Victorian buildings and a charming inn
  • Coconut Grove with a local, the Ten Thousand Islands by boat, your tickets to the Dalí Museum and Silver Springs by clear bottom kayak are already included
  • Car and Wi-Fi, Concierge service, recommendations: the extra Voyageurs touch
Experience a destination differently by skipping the must-sees - especially if you’ve already seen them - to enjoy lesser-known sights that are just as worthwhile. This is the whole idea behind this trip, which starts in Miami. Behind the famous beach, you’ll find other neighbourhoods - Little Havana, Coral Gables, Coconut Grove - filled with stylish spots and trendy galleries, where daily life goes gently by. Next, head for the west coast. A stop in Naples gives the opportunity to visit the Ten Thousand Islands - the other Everglades - home to dolphins, manatees and countless species of birds. St Petersburg’s main attraction is the beach. We are in Florida, after all! But, more surprisingly, there is also a museum dedicated to the works of the Catalan, Salvador Dalí. Then arrive in the small student town of Gainesville. From here, it's easy to explore the surrounding state parks, which have wonderful surprises in store, including Blue Hole Spring, Ichetucknee River, and free-roaming wild horses at Paynes Prairie. Take a journey through time in St Augustine, the first European settlement in the United States. The charm of bygone days has been perfectly preserved. It can be seen in the old signs still hanging on the walls, and in the local landmark - the largest Spanish fort in the country. The last stop on the itinerary is Amelia Island north of Jacksonville. The beaches here stretch endlessly, crossed now and again by wooden jetties. From start to finish, your trip is filled with authentic experiences and remarkable freedom, leaving you with the feeling you’ve discovered Florida’s most beautiful secrets.

Your Trip


The stops along this itinerary may not be the state’s best-known tourist clichés, but the accommodation is just as high quality. You’ll stay in properties that perfectly match their surroundings: an urban hotel with rooftop pool, a seaside-inspired motel, a Mediterranean-style inn, a charming, luxury hotel, Victorian mansions and more. And, to help you grasp the essence of the states while avoiding the tourist traps, we have added some outings and activities led by passionate guides to your schedule: a gourmet walk through the Coconut Grove, Miami with a local; a boat trip around the Ten Thousand Islands, a less-visited part of the Everglades; your tickets to the Dalí Museum in St Petersburg for a cultural interlude; and a trip to Silver Springs in a clear bottom kayak. Also, you will have a hire car for the duration of your trip as well as our mobile app that includes GPS and a list of recommendations not to be missed. And don’t forget our on-site Concierge , always ready to help if something unexpected comes up or if you have a last-minute request. Your concierge can liaise with your travel specialist to make any desired changes to your trip along the way.
Miami - Floride - Etats-Unis © Faustine Poidevin-Gros
Miami - Floride - Etats-Unis © Faustine Poidevin-Gros
Miami - Floride - Etats-Unis © Faustine Poidevin-Gros
Miami - Floride - Etats-Unis © Faustine Poidevin-Gros
Musée Dali - St Petersburg - Floride - Etats-Unis © FierceAbin / Getty Images
Musée Dali - St Petersburg - Floride - Etats-Unis © FierceAbin / Getty Images
Parc national des Everglades - Floride - Etats-Unis © getty images - unsplash
Parc national des Everglades - Floride - Etats-Unis © getty images - unsplash
St Petes Beach - Floride - Etats-Unis © Droits Réservés
St Petes Beach - Floride - Etats-Unis © Droits Réservés
Miami - Floride - Etats-Unis © Faustine Poidevin-Gros
Miami - Floride - Etats-Unis © Faustine Poidevin-Gros
Coconut Grove - Miami - Floride - Etats-Unis © Alberto GV PHOTOGRAP / Adobe Stock
Coconut Grove - Miami - Floride - Etats-Unis © Alberto GV PHOTOGRAP / Adobe Stock
Grues du Canada - Paynes Prairie State Park - Floride - Etats-Unis © Mark J. Barrett / Adobe Stock
Grues du Canada - Paynes Prairie State Park - Floride - Etats-Unis © Mark J. Barrett / Adobe Stock
Gainesville - Floride - Etats-Unis © Alicia Harrison / Unsplash.com
Gainesville - Floride - Etats-Unis © Alicia Harrison / Unsplash.com
Gainesville - Floride - Etats-Unis © Wenxiao Guo / Unsplash.com
Gainesville - Floride - Etats-Unis © Wenxiao Guo / Unsplash.com
Blue Waters - Floride - Etats-Unis © Lauren Parker / Adobe Stock
Blue Waters - Floride - Etats-Unis © Lauren Parker / Adobe Stock
snorkeling- Floride - Etats-Unis © Michael O'Shea/VAULT-REA
snorkeling- Floride - Etats-Unis © Michael O'Shea/VAULT-REA
St Augustine - Floride - Etats-Unis © Droits Réservés
St Augustine - Floride - Etats-Unis © Droits Réservés
St Augustine - Floride - Etats-Unis © Droits Réservés
St Augustine - Floride - Etats-Unis © Droits Réservés
Amelia Island - Floride - Etats-Unis © Droits Réservés
Amelia Island - Floride - Etats-Unis © Droits Réservés
Amelia Island - Floride - Etats-Unis © Cavan / Adobe Stock
Amelia Island - Floride - Etats-Unis © Cavan / Adobe Stock
Amélia Isand - États-Unis © Droits Réservés
Amélia Isand - États-Unis © Droits Réservés
Coconut Grove - Miami - Floride - Etats-Unis © Jesse Kunerth / Adobe Stock
Coconut Grove - Miami - Floride - Etats-Unis © Jesse Kunerth / Adobe Stock

Itinerary

100% customisable for you

On arrival, pick up your rental car. Enjoy a two-night stay in the pleasant Coconut Grove district, just a five-minute drive from Key Biscayne beaches and a distance away from South Beach. With its contemporary style, your hotel features spacious and comfortable rooms in understated tones, as well as a renowned Peruvian table. The pool, perched on the terrace of the eighth floor, offers a panoramic view of the surroundings. Welcome to Miami!

On your itinerary - Coconut Grove through the eyes of a local. Accompanied by a Frenchman living in Miami, you stroll through the streets of Coconut Grove, the city’s oldest district and a paradise for boating enthusiasts. Both bohemian and tropical, it was originally just a village. As the tour unfolds, you learn about its founding history, the various buildings built by the Bahamians, with many related anecdotes.
Optional - Food tour in the Little Havana neighbourhood.

Drive to Naples.
Already planned along the way - The Ten Thousand Islands by boat. You head out for a getaway in the Everglades National Park. It covers the tip of the Florida peninsula and is still one of the few American parks listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The exceptional variety of its aquatic habitats makes it a sanctuary for many birds, reptiles and rarer species such as the manatee.
Overnight stay in a large hotel just a few minutes’ walk from a beautiful beach. The spacious rooms, wide range of on site activities, and the views of the gulf and mangrove are among its main highlights. You find yourself just a few minutes away from the city centre of Naples.

Drive to St. Petersburg Beach and check-in for three nights at a small, very bright motel, decorated in white and blue. The few rooms comprising the property feature tasteful and elegant décor with a distinct seaside touch - whitewashed wood, ceiling fans and ocean-blue accents scattered here and there. Welcome to the city known as “Florida’s Sunshine City”.

Drive to Crystal River and spend the night in a charming hotel built in 1962. With its majestic colonnaded porch, flanked on either side by two-storey residential buildings, the whole complex evokes a charming Southern manor. Its vast grounds, covering nearly 247 acres (100 hectares), are primarily the domain of golfers, but those new to the sport can still enjoy the beautiful green spaces. Here, you discover the Florida of days gone by.

Optional - Snorkelling with manatees at Crystal River.
Drive to Gainesville and settle in for two nights in an 1885 Victorian house, built in classic Queen Anne style. The building has been renovated but remains steeped in history. The library and master suite have been replaced by five cosy rooms, with beautiful wooden floors and a fireplace as a highlight. Breakfast is a serious affair, with the dining table laid out with delicious local produce.

Set amidst several parks and nature reserves, Gainesville strikes the perfect balance between youthful energy - it is a key university town - and a relaxed way of life. Appealing green spaces are surrounded by elegant, mostly Victorian architecture. All around, cycle paths cover wide areas and offer a relaxed way to explore the city’s charms.
Not to be missed - The Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, home to wild horses, bison, alligators and more than 270 species of birds. You can start your visit at the observation tower, located at the Information Centre, to enjoy a unique panoramic view of the savannah. You can then drive through the Park. Those who wish to walk can take La Chua Trail and see many alligators along the way. We also recommend visiting Ichetucknee Springs State Park, about an hour’s drive from Gainesville. From the Park’s north entrance, a trail leads you to the Blue Hole, a natural gem with turquoise-blue water - a magical place where you can spend much of the day, between picnics and swimming.
Evening activities -Sit down at one of the city’s many farm-to-table restaurants; step into the local microbreweries.

Drive to St. Augustine, the oldest city in the United States, and an overnight stay in an unusual place. With a modern touch, the hotel has moved into the nine buildings of the former Museum of Historic Houses. The construction of the rooms has optimally preserved the original structure. In the Iberian and southern spirit of the city of St. Augustine, décor experts have chosen beautiful silk and linen fabrics to bring warmth into the common areas. They also restored beautiful wooden floors and coquina walls, a sedimentary limestone rock typical of Florida’s 17th-century buildings. You can also enjoy a swimming pool, a crackling outdoor fireplace or a romantic cocktail in the garden in the evening.

Drive to Amelia Island, northeast of Jacksonville. Stay for two nights in a spacious Victorian building set back from the beach, with sun loungers and parasols reserved for guests. The rooms offer airy spaces. They also offer sea views. As for the rest, you can read in the lounge, bask on the sand in the sun, or sip a cocktail on the porch at sunset.

In the Sea Islands archipelago, Amelia Island acts as the gateway to Florida. An upmarket destination, it is home to many art galleries and renowned restaurants. Its summer season is marked by music events, from jazz to chamber music. Closely linked to the ocean, the island hosts an unusual shrimp festival where seafood lovers gather. Sports enthusiasts, meanwhile, gather at the golf course or on the tennis courts.

Drive to Jacksonville, return the rental car, then fly home. Night spent on the plane, arrival the next day.

À la carte

This suggested itinerary can be customisable down to the smallest detail, including duration, stops and content. An à la carte menu of experiences is also available to create a journey that reflects who you are.

Little Havana Through the Eyes of a Local

Set off, accompanied by a Miami resident, on a foodie tour through the Cuban neighbourhood, Little Havana. A top jazz club, the Bay of Pigs Memorial, the house of Miami’s first mayor, Domino Park, cigar factories and art galleries are all on the agenda. This is a tour that will leave you feeling pleasantly full, with several tastings planned along the way.

Clear Bottom Kayak Trip at Shell Key Preserve


Gliding over crystal-clear waters is even more fascinating when you can see right through the kayak. Along the way, you’ll stop in several areas where you can swim. Looking out for animals is also part of the fun; it’s not uncommon to spot turtles, otters, deer or even manatees.

Morean Arts Centre - Chihuly Collection

American sculptor Dale Chihuly explores the appeal and intrinsic qualities of ice, water, glass and neon by creating artworks that transform the viewer’s experience. A fusion of sand, fire and human breath, these magnificent works of art offer visitors an unforgettable sensory experience.

Snorkelling with Manatees in Crystal River

Crystal River is home to the world’s largest population of manatees, a species at risk of extinction. Between November and April, several hundred of them gather along the banks, especially around the hot springs. After a short boat ride, you’ll put on fins, mask and snorkel to get close to these marine mammals in their natural environment. This is a unique experience to savour in the early morning.

Last Two Nights on Cumberland Island

About 30 km (19 miles) of near-deserted beach, salt marshes and tidal estuaries, the remains of old Spanish missions, antebellum plantations and British military outposts, centuries-old pine and oak forests: the scene is set for your visit to picturesque Cumberland Island. You’ll stay among the trees in a beautiful, converted 1900s family home with pristine walls, converted into a hotel. Here, the romance and luxury of a grand hotel combine with the charm and warmth of a family home. The decor is warm and welcoming with velvet sofas, heavy silk drapes, wood-panelled walls, palm-blade ceiling fans and four-poster beds. If the island wasn’t so beautiful, it would be hard to tear yourself away from the deep armchairs around the fireplace. And since the disconnection here is real with no public cars, take the opportunity to explore the island by going for a walk through the forest with a specialist naturalist, cycling to the historic ruins, or kayaking through the salt marshes.

Why visit USA with Voyageurs du monde?

Every day, our travel specialists craft bespoke experiences shaped around each traveller's profile, desires and budget. These passionate experts design experiences delivered on the ground by a local network of Concierges and trusted contacts. These fully customisable, made-to-measure trips are complemented by a wide range of high-end services (lounges, 24/7 assistance, travel booklet, app, Wi-Fi, restaurant booking, etc.)

Let us create your trip

A few of the advantages of travelling with us to USA

  • Globally unique concierge service
  • Wi-Fi: 1 GB/day included
  • Gourmet Voyageurs
  • Adjust your trip while travelling
  • 24-hour assistance
  • CO2 absorption

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Estimated budget

Price depends on departure city, season, accomodation types and selected activities

The estimated budget for this trip is $5,100 to $6,800 per person.

A fixed price is rarely applicable to a bespoke journey. The final cost depends on various factors, such as the level of service, travel dates, and booking lead times. The only definitive price will be the one provided in your personalized proposal.

The average price for this trip is $5,900 per person

Included in this suggestion

  • International return flight with a scheduled airline
  • Airport taxes and fuel surcharges
  • Carbon absorption contribution for your trip's CO2 emissions through reforestation projects (via our Philippe Romero Insolite Bâtisseur Foundation)
  • Airport lounge access (in certain cities)
  • Car hire for 12 days
  • Two nights in Miami, in a double room with bay view (room only)
  • One night in Naples, in a double room (room only)
  • Three nights in St Petersburg Beach, in a double room (room only)
  • One night in Crystal River, in a double room (room only)
  • Two nights in Gainesville, in a double room with breakfast included
  • One night in St Augustine, in a double room (room only)
  • Two nights on Amelia Island, in a double room with breakfast included
  • A tour of the Coconut Grove neighbourhood in Miami, with a local private guide, in private
  • Small group boat tour around the Ten Thousand Islands
  • Entry tickets for the Dalí Museum
  • Guided clear-bottom kayak tour at Silver Springs
  • Our on-site Concierge service
  • Wi-Fi access during your trip: an international mini router or an eSIM lets you connect to Wi-Fi on all your devices (e.g. phones, tablets, laptops)
  • A travel booklet containing a wealth of useful information (your day-by-day itinerary, your hotel details, a selection of personalised recommendations with GPS locations, and more), also available as a mobile app
  • Our recommendations and reservations at selected restaurants
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