Families desperate to escape the British winter can snap up a late deal to the sun of Florida from just £3,012 for a family of four including all flights, accommodation and car hire! The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel is popular for its family friendly atmosphere, island hopping, incredible wildlife and world-class shelling. It offers an ideal getaway from the gloomy British winter, especially as the area has a current average temperature of 27°c!

For top tips for family fun read on:

Shelling

Fort Myers and the nearby islands are renowned for their family friendly beaches, many of which have beachside restaurants, shaded areas and playgrounds. Top beaches for families are BonitaBeachPark on the Fort Myers coastline which is ideal for dolphin watching and Bowman's Beach on Sanibel Island which has a playground and swimming areas. The beaches have some of the best shelling in the world with over 400 types of multicoloured shells regularly found which should keep the whole family hunting for hours.

Exciting wildlife for kids

Unlike much of Florida, the Fort Myers/ Sanibel Island area is refreshingly undeveloped and offers endless opportunities for wildlife spotting as a family. The well preserved islands of Gasparilla and Cayo Costa are a haven for alligators, otters, raccoons, roseate spoonbills and the endangered panther can be spotted in the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve. Captiva Cruises (www.captivacruises.com) offers trips to the smaller, less developed islands with prices starting at £22 for adults and £12 for children.

Active fun as a family

Windsurfing, sailing, biking, fishing and golf are just a few of the options for families looking for an active day out. One of the best ways to explore the area, especially the smaller islands which are only accessible by boat, is by kayaking. The Great Calusa Blueway is an extensive network of kayaking routes covering 200 miles. Families can book tours with www.adventureskayaking.com which runs half-day trips along parts of the trail for £44 per person. Double kayaks are available for families with young children.

Family days out

If kids haven't seen enough shells on the beaches, the Bailey Matthews Shell Museum on Sanibel Island is a great, educational day out (www.shellmuseum.org) as is the Shell Factory (www.shellfactory.com) which is full of the area's most stunning shells and coral, as well as a nature park with over 350 live animals such as alligators and snakes and a fun park with mini golf, bumper boats and paddle boats. To see the area's most preserved landscapes, a miniature train can be taken through Lakes Regional Park or families can wander along the boardwalk through the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. The Imaginarium (www.i-sci.org) in Fort Myers will give families the chance to explore science and technology through hands-on exhibits including the Hurricane Experience, Build Your Own Coaster, The Caloosahatchee Experience and Animal Lab.

Hotels designed for families and babies

Many of the area's hotels are specifically designed for families. The Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa, for example, has a selection of hypo-allergenic rooms designed and maintained to provide a clean environment for children who suffer from allergies. Parents need not worry about packing for young children with the 'Babies Travel Lite' package which involves pre-delivery of branded baby products such as nappies, formula and toys. The resort has three pools including an adventure pool with a waterslide over 40 metres long and CampHyatt offers activities for kids aged three to12.

Getting There

A seven night stay from 7-14 December at Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina including direct flights from Gatwick to Orlando, seven night's accommodation and car hire costs from £3,012 with Virgin Holidays (www.virginholidays.co.uk/ 0844 557 4321). The price is based on a family of four sharing two rooms.

For further information about The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel please visit www.fortmyers-sanibel.com

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For more further information or images please contact Jules Ugo or Amelia Astley Birtwistle at Lotus UK on 0207 593 7470 or jules@lotus-uk.co.uk/ amelia@lotus-uk.co.uk

In the United States please contact Nancy Hamilton at The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel on 001(239) 338 3500 or NHamilton@leegov.com

EDITOR'S NOTES: The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel in southwest Florida includes: Sanibel Island, CaptivaIsland, Fort MyersBeach, Fort Myers, BonitaSprings, Estero, Cape Coral, PineIsland, Boca Grande & Outer islands, North Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres. Photos are available on request.