DESTINATIONS

I'm driving just metres above the sparkling azure waters of the Gulf of Mexico, across the breathtaking Seven Mile Bridge that links the necklace of coral that comprises the Florida Keys. Roof down, pelicans winging in close formation alongside me and water all around, this feels like gliding. It brings new meaning to a fly-drive holiday.

From gazing at epic sunsets in laid-back Key West to relaxing in Miami's über-cool South Beach to airboat riding in the wild and wonderful Everglades, Florida clearly has it all. Not to mention a near-perfect climate, giving it its Sunshine State moniker (it is in the Guinness Book of Records for having the longest ever run of consecutive sunny days: 768. That's two years without a cloud).

The beauty of driving in Florida is that it tends to be about as stressful as sitting on a beachfront sunlounger. Here the roads are straight, flat and wide — the nearest bends are at least a day's drive away. No one seems to be in too much of a hurry either and excellent signposting means finding your way around is a breeze. And let us not forget that petrol here is still cheaper than bottled water.

Naturally, for any Florida visit, driving in style is a must. Avis, the exclusive car rental partner to British Airways, offers a Cool Cars Collection of fun-to-drive models, perfect for that memorable driving experience. There's everything from a high-powered Chevy Corvette two-seater to a hulking, all-American Hummer H3. For my Florida fly-drive, I pick Ford's latest Mustang Convertible with its sleek, retro looks and throaty engine.

A great way to spend a couple of weeks on the road is to begin in Tampa on Florida's west coast, easing into the trip with a gentle meander south along the Gulf of Mexico through Fort Myers and Naples, before hitting Miami and on to Key West. Then perhaps head back up the east coast, taking in Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach, before heading to Orlando.

And so I set off. The Mustang's top is down even before I leave Tampa's easy-to-navigate airport. Craving a sandy beach, I head straight to Clearwater, on the Gulf of Mexico, just a 30-minute drive away, and score myself a table at a beach-side dive. I order a plate of shrimps and instantly feel as if I've landed in paradise. The west coast of Florida oozes genuine warmth and friendliness. Most locals are from somewhere else themselves and welcome tourists with open arms. Need help with directions, or a restaurant recommendation? All you need do is ask.

• Tweet