Christmas vacation rentals

Yule never tide of Christmas in Florida

Ho, ho, ho, nothing says Christmas like a vacation in... Florida. This small festive town between Orlando and the Space Coast makes an ideal getaway at any time of the year. With Florida's mega theme parks and the Atlantic coast beaches both under a 45-minute drive away, a Christmas vacation rental makes an ideal base for your next Orange County adventure. Take an airboat tour of the central Everglades, embark on the woodland trails at Fort Christmas Historical Park, or meet the scaly residents at Jungle Adventures, a Real Florida Animal Park, and you'll wish it could be Christmas every day.

I wish it could be Christmas every day

The town's festive name dates back to December 25th 1837 when more than 2,000 US soldiers built a fort and named it Fort Christmas. While the original wooden fort is long gone, Fort Christmas Historical Park has a full-size replica, as well as a museum, and 7 restored homes from the area's pioneer times. Another big draw to Christmas is its proximity to some proper Floridian wildlife. A few minutes' drive east of town is Jungle Adventures, a wildlife park home to black bears, rare Floridian panthers, and of course, native alligators. It's a snappy day out for all the family.

So long Mr Frosty, Christmas is a scorcher

Unlike the North Pole, there's no such thing as a white Christmas in Florida. A state famed for its balmy subtropical temperatures, the small town of Christmas generally sees hot, humid summers, frequent tropical showers, and highs of around 95 degrees and above. The summer months are also subject to storms and hurricanes. However, the hottest season still draws a wealth of visitors, and Christmas vacation rentals can get booked up quickly. Winter is the dry season in central Florida, but you can forget Mr Frosty. It brings bright blue skies and warm days with temperatures a comfortable 70 degrees.

Florida - A Christmas cracker or a Christmas snapper?

Running along Highway 50, Christmas is a popular stop off between Orlando and the Space Coast. Orlando Wetlands Park is just 4 miles north of the town and offers a wealth of hiking trails and picnic areas, plus plenty of opportunity to get up close and personal with Florida's famous wildlife. Covering an area of 1,600 acres of St. Johns River floodplains, it's also a popular spot for birdwatchers. If you're lucky, you'll see alligators, bears, otters, and sometimes the elusive Florida panther. It also follows the route of the Florida National Scenic Trail.

How to get to and around Christmas

The nearest airport is in Orlando Intl. Airport (MCO), located 19.1 mi (30.7 km) from the city center. If you're unable to find a flight that fits your schedule, you could also fly into Orlando Sanford Intl. Airport (SFB), which is 21.4 mi (34.5 km) away.