When it comes to vacations, Florida’s got it all. Whether you want to check out the world’s hippest cities, lie on glorious beaches, get active on land or sea, or just kick back and do your thing, Florida is the place for you. Here’s how to get the most out of your Florida vacation.

The first thing to remember is that Florida is a big state with attractions in many areas so it’s a smart move to decide on your itinerary in advance. The Sunshine State lies between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. One thing’s for sure, with 1200 miles of coastline, wherever you are in Florida, it’s just a hop to get to a beach. Here’s a look at Florida’s major regions.

Northern Florida offers a glimpse of the state’s storied past in St. Augustine on the stretch of the Atlantic known as the First Coast. To the northeast, on the Gulf side, is Panhandle, home to some of Florida’s finest white sand beaches on the Gulf. Florida Panhandle’s top beaches include Destin, Fort Walton and Panama City.

Central Florida is home to many of the state’s major attractions including Disney World, SeaWorld and Universal Studios. Daytona Beach with its racing museum is to the north of this area.

South Florida includes the jet set locations of Miami, Palm Beach, and Ft. Lauderdale in the area known as the Gold Coast. These are perfect spots to get a taste of modern city life, Florida style – the ultimate in clubbing, shopping and dining. And, of course, there are some great beaches close by.

The south is also the location of the languid tropical hideaway of The Keys. Visit here to get a taste of the Caribbean island life without ever leaving the US. These delightful islands including Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon and Key West will give you a delicious taste of the tropics. You can go fishing, snorkeling, scuba diving and boating and it you’re in a romantic mood, take a sunset cruise and sample some freshly caught lobster. The kids will love the playful dolphins.

The regions you choose to visit will depend on your particular circumstances. If you’ve got kids, they’ll demand to be taken to Disney World; if you’re a couple or on Honeymoon; the Panhandle beaches will offer you the perfect romantic setting; if you’re a group of youngsters looking for some action, you’ll want to check out Miami for its fast city life and great beaches and shopping. If you’re in your golden years, you’ll love the relaxing ambience of the Keys.

Having decided on your choice of destinations, you’ll then have to choose which time of year to visit. Though Florida has one of the best climates in the USA, to be sure of warm dry weather, it’s best to visit between October and April. During these months you’ll encounter dry, sunny, warm weather that’s not too humid. A downside is that these are the most popular months and so the most crowded.

It does depend of what part of the state you’re visiting. For example, as South Florida and the Keys are the hottest regions, the best time to visit is in the winter. However you’ll get the best prices May through September. As for the north of the country, winter can get a little chilly. However, whatever month you visit Florida, you’re sure to have a great time.

One thing you’ll never have to worry about in Florida is finding a place to stay. You have a wide choice of hotels, motels, apartments and villas to choose from. However the smart move is to contact a Florida vacation rentals firm to hire a property that’s perfect for your needs. You’ll find these firms offer properties of all types in all parts of the state.

If you’re in the Panhandle area, for example, look into Destin vacation rentals and Panama City Beach vacation rentals, both on the state’s sublime Panhandle area. Panama City Beach offers picture postcard white sand beaches and emerald waters along with a complete range of water sports including parasailing and scuba diving.

Also on the Emerald Coast is Fort Walton Beach, a year round fishing and beach resort community. By using Fort Walton Beach vacation rentals, you can get a comfortable and convenient stay here at a great price.

When planning your Florida vacation online, check out the web sites of firms offering Florida vacation rentals for the best deals in accommodation anywhere in the Sunshine State.