When to go — Florida

Optimal period for Florida is the dry season, December to April. Ideal climate (22-28°C, cool mornings and evenings, blue sky, low humidity, refreshing trade winds), no hurricane risk, sea at 24-26°C. It's also high season: book Disney/Universal and Miami Beach 2-3 months ahead. December-February are the priciest months (Christmas, New Year, US February school holidays). March is Spring Break — US universities at South Beach (Miami Beach), Daytona Beach and Panama City Beach, very festive and alcohol-fuelled vibe for 2-3 weeks (avoid for families, flights and hotels +50%).

April offers the best compromise: perfect weather, thinning crowds, reasonable fares. May and November correspond to shoulder season: -30% rates vs high season, still pleasant climate (28-30°C), low hurricane risk (statistically hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30, peak August-October). Excellent compromise for families with young children.

June-October is the wet and hurricane season. Floor-level rates (hotels €130-250/night, flights €600-900 return), reduced Disney crowds outside July-August (US school holidays), warmest sea (29-30°C, active Keys marine life). But crushing heat (32-35°C with 80-90% humidity, 40°C feels-like), daily 2-6pm storms (Florida is the US Lightning Capital, densest lightning in the country), major hurricane risk (Ian 2022 caused 161 deaths and $113B damage in Fort Myers and SW Florida, Irma 2017 paralysed the entire state, Andrew 1992 destroyed Homestead).

Events to note: Art Basel Miami Beach (early December, major contemporary art fair), Calle Ocho Festival (Little Havana, March, largest US Latino festival), Spring Break (March), Mallory Square Sunset Celebration (Key West, daily), Christmas at Disney (December, festively decorated parks). Absolutely avoid September-October (hurricane peak).