Orlando

Sheer paradise for kids and consequently a hugely popular choice for parents, the massive, man-made marvels of Orlando may seem as if they're not for everyone. Even if you're too old to believe that really is Mickey in that getup, haven't you ever caught yourself wondering what it would be like to watch the fireworks whistling and popping above Cinderella Castle, or to scream your way down Space Mountain?

It's never too late to experience the magic - or at the very least to gawp in amazement at the sheer scale of the show the Walt Disney dynasty puts on.

If you're planning to see everything, you'd be wise to schedule a day off at a water park here and there to avoid getting amusement overkill.

Walt Disney World in itself holds four immense parks to roam - Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom and Disney-MGM Studios - each a carefully-crafted realm complete with distinct themes and thrills, from fantasy to technology to the movie biz. There's also a nocturnal entertainment spin-off specifically for grown-ups, Pleasure Island, although it's nowhere near as X-rated as it sounds!

One of Disney's biggest rivals is Universal Studios - famous for its roller coaster rides and interactive extravaganzas that catapult shrieking punters headlong into blockbusters such as ET, Jaws and Men in Black.

At Sea World, Orlando's third major attraction, the Arctic blizzard, Antarctic iceberg and Pacific beach may be artificial (this is Orlando, after all) but the killer whales, sharks, penguins, manatees and sea turtles are as real as you get.

If you need respite from the candy-floss coloured amusement world, there are a surpising number of refuges outside Orlando, in the Florida state.

The Ocala National Forest is great for camping, swimming, hiking and fishing. Juniper Springs, at the heart of Blue Spring State Park is the perfect place for canoeing it crystal clear waters and manatee spotting.