Orlando itself is a relatively small but bright young city, which has been taken over to the southwest by Walt Disney World Resort in Florida; the first park to open in 1971 was Magic Kingdom. Orlando consists of three counties. Orange County is the home of the city of Orlando, but much of Disney’s fun and frolics are to be found in Osceola County, with Kissimmee its main town. Seminole County, home of Orlando Sanford Airport, is immediately to the north of Orange County.

The local population numbers slightly above 1.7 million. Orlando boasts more than 4,500 places to eat, and for shopaholics, there are an amazing 250 shopping centres, including 30 malls.

Shopping
You will be only a few minutes drive away from a Supermarket called Wal-mart and other shops. There are lots of factory outlets nearby which sell all manner of goods including designer label clothes and footwear at very good prices

Eateries
There are several restaurants and take-aways nearby; details of pizza deliveries are available in the villa. You can also book for themed dinners out "Arabian Night's or King Henry's Feast" both excellent evenings, but there are plenty more to choose from.

Leisure activities
For the golfer amongst you there are almost 150 courses within an hour’s drive of Orlando many only a few minutes away, from the villa. Your best starting point is to visit one of five Edwin Watts golf shops around Orlando to pick up your FREE copy of the Golfer’s Guide or the Guide To Golf for a handy introduction to most courses available.

Fishing is also readily available, for fresh water fishing you can purchase a 7-day licence for about $17 (available from tackle shops, sports stores and Wal-mart and Kmart. Boats can be hired on the St John’s River, Lake Toho in Kissimmee, Lake Kissimmee, and both coasts for serious sea fishing expect to pay $160-$200 depending on length of day.

Water sports are in abundance Disney World offers all manner of boats, from Catamarans to canoes and pedaloes, and activities, from water-skiing to parasailing. For more information and reservations call 407 939 7529.

Horse riding is also available in the form of lessons or trail rides at nearby centres the first being approved by the British Horse Society, Grand Cypress Equestrian Centre, the second on a smaller scale is the Horse World Riding Stables, more information is available on their web sites. www.grandcypress.com www.horseworldstables.com.

Beaches are another key component to a Florida holiday, you are again spoilt for choice.

Cocoa Beach is only an hour’s drive from Orlando (east on Beeline Expressway ­ 528- then south on highway A1A. Cocoa beach is developing into a major coastal resort with excellent shopping and facilities.

Daytona Beach is also an hour away take the I-4 all the way East. It has an array of good beaches some you can drive on ($5 toll) make sure you adhere to the speed limits! Boating and sightseeing trips are available here.